Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7187607
    Abstract: At first, failed cells are repaired using row redundancy or column redundancy as done in the past and then, for the remaining failed cells that cannot be repaired by row or column redundancy, by increasing the number of refreshes greater than that of normal cells, it is possible to repair more failed cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuji Koshikawa
  • Patent number: 7187608
    Abstract: The present invention provides a memory and memory control system wherein, except for one case noted below, the main memory gives priority to read or write operations over refresh operations. On the other hand, the cache memory give priority to the refresh operations over read or write operations. The exceptional case is when a memory read signal is received when the cache refresh is enabled and the data in the cache memory is valid. In this exceptional case, the refresh of the cache memory is delayed. During certain read operations the data in the particular memory block is also written to the cache and no write back from the cache is performed. This reduces the number of write back operations and it eliminates a delay due to the refresh operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Yeol Ha, Suk-Soo Pyo, Hyun-Taek Jung
  • Patent number: 7187609
    Abstract: A self refresh circuit includes a refresh control unit and an internal refresh circuit. The refresh control unit generates a refresh control signal based on a refresh period pulse when a MRS (Mode Set Register) command is deactivated, interrupts an output of the refresh control signal based on a self-refresh-entrance inhibiting signal when the MRS command is deactivated, and generates a refresh command regardless of the refresh period pulse when the MRS command is activated. The MRS command is generated by a combination of at least one address signal and at least one control signal. The internal refresh circuit performs a refresh operation based on the refresh command. Accordingly, access time may be measured correctly and test time may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Young Kim, Hyun Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7187610
    Abstract: A method for providing a circuit for selectively interconnecting N pairs of nodes in an integrated circuit device comprising: providing a memory array having a plurality of wordlines and a plurality of bitlines; providing a plurality of dynamic random access memory wordlines; providing a separate switch for each pair of nodes in the integrated circuit, each switch associated with a unique combination of one of the plurality of bitlines and one of the plurality of dynamic random access memory wordlines, each switch including a refresh transistor and a switching transistor; and providing an address decoder having at least N distinct states for supplying signals to the plurality of wordlines and the plurality of dynamic random access memory wordlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Actel Corporation
    Inventors: John McCollum, Vidya Bellippady, Gregory Bakker
  • Patent number: 7187611
    Abstract: A method of using an e-fuse device is provided. The e-fuse device includes a poly-fuse having one end connected to a source/drain region of a MOS transistor and the other end biased to a voltage (VFS). In operation, a gate of the MOS transistor receives a step waveform pulse signal. The step waveform pulse signal encompasses a pre-heat voltage (Vp) at a first level during time period (T1-Tp) and a maximum input voltage (VIH) at a second level during time period (Tp-T2). The pre-heat voltage (Vp) is smaller than the maximum input voltage (VIH). The step waveform pulse signal is confined to a minimum input voltage (VIL) before T1 and after T2. Preferably, the time period (T1-Tp) is longer than 5 ?s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Bei-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 7187612
    Abstract: A memory includes a power-up circuit configured to increase a first voltage to a first value with a second voltage tied to ground, reduce the first voltage from the first value to a second value with the second voltage floating to reduce the second voltage through a parasitic coupling capacitance, and pump the second voltage to reduce the second voltage to a third value with the first voltage less than the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Helmut Seitz
  • Patent number: 7187613
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dynamically configuring the redundant areas of a non-volatile memory is provided wherein each page of a memory is configured into a plurality of data areas and a plurality of redundant areas. The redundant areas interleave the data areas, or are arranged behind any data area. The system information and the status information is programmed into each data area of the page according to the original status information, so as to allow the flash drive to load a data area and an associated redundant area for each access operation with a smaller buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Genesys Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chih Yang
  • Patent number: 7187614
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product are provided for time reduction for an array read access control consisting of a bitcell with logic gating and a pull down device included, therein. To reduce gate delay this design implements gating logic inside the bitcell. The multiplex select gating signals are brought into the bitcell, and are gated with the data array. The gating logic controls the pull down device, and MUX select signals can be produced as a readout of the bitcell. This design reduces gate delay because the dependency upon the gating logic is overridden and the number of stages is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Cottier, Peichun Peter Liu, Shohji Onishi
  • Patent number: 7187615
    Abstract: A method for activating a word line segment of a semiconductor memory selected based on a row address provided to the memory can include activating a first word line segment selected by a row address and a command type and avoiding activating a second word line segment selected by the row address. Related devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Sang Park, Yu-Lim Lee, Seong-Jin Jang
  • Patent number: 7187616
    Abstract: A first P-channel transistor is connected between a gate of an N-channel transistor constituting a last-stage buffer circuit and an output of a prebuffer circuit. A second P-channel transistor is connected between the power supply node and a gate of a P-channel transistor constituting a last-stage buffer circuit. A first N-channel transistor is connected between an N-channel transistor constituting the prebuffer circuit and the ground potential supply node. A second N-channel transistor is connected between the power supply node and a P-channel transistor constituting the main buffer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keiichi Kushida, Osamu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7187617
    Abstract: A memory system couples command, address or write data signals from a memory controller to a memory device and read data signals from the memory device to the memory controller. A respective strobe generator circuit in each of the memory controller and the memory device each generates an in-phase strobe signal and a quadrature strobe signal. Command, address or write data signals stored in respective output latches in the memory controller are clocked by the in-phase signals from the internal strobe generator circuit. These command, address or write data signals are latched into input latches in the memory device by the quadrature strobe signal coupled from the memory controller to the memory device. In substantially the same manner, read data signals are coupled from the memory device to the memory controller using the in-phase and quadrature strobe signals generated by the internal strobe generator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Lin, Brent Keeth, Brian Johnson, Seong-hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7187618
    Abstract: A data communication circuit of a SDRAM for data communication comprises a plurality of data lines coupled to a plurality of data pins. The number of the data lines, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is less than the number of the data pins. When the data communication circuit receives/outputs data, one of the LDQM pin and the UDQM pin are enabled to receive/output a first part of the data. The other LDQM pin and the UDQM pin are enabled. Accordingly, the data communication circuit of the SDRAM, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is capable of transmitting more data using a bus with a narrow width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chih Yang, Jen-Yi Liao, Yuan-Ning Chen, Chao-Yung Liu
  • Patent number: 7187619
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting passive, high-frequency sonar array performance at any underwater location, implemented as a software package running on a computer. An operator selects an arbitrary geographical location, specifies a sonar array and defines a target. The necessary bathymetry, and associated oceanographic, environmental and meteorological data are automatically acquired or generated, along with appropriate models for ocean surface and bottom reflectivity, and vertical noise directionality. A Comprehensive Acoustic System Simulation (CASS) software module performs appropriate ray tracing, which is used to produce Cross-Spectral Density (CSD) matrices for the target and the anisotropic ambient noise. These are used to generate graphic and numeric representations of the array's performance at the selected location. A time of year may also be specified and the appropriate anisotropic noise field for conditions expected at that location at that time of year will be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Juan I. Arvelo, Jr., Patrick A. Ferat, Leslie Mobley
  • Patent number: 7187620
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sensing subsurface data. One embodiment of the invention comprises a shuttle attached to a conveyance where the conveyance and shuttle are adapted to be spooled downhole into a borehole for sensing seismic data. The shuttle contains a sensor package that is preferably acoustically isolated in the shuttle. The sensor package includes a sensor array and a magnet clamp. A sensor section can contain several shuttles, each shuttle containing at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a fiber optic sensor. The magnet clamp is operable to controllably clamp and acoustically couple together the sensor package, the shuttle, and the adjacent structure which is typically the borehole casing. The magnet clamp is likewise operable to unclamp and uncouple the shuttle from the adjacent structure so as to be retracted uphole for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Les Nutt, Tsutomu Yamate, Masahiro Kamata
  • Patent number: 7187622
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus includes one or more “communicators” that are worn, carried by, or otherwise associated with a person or location in an environment. Each communicator includes a synchronizable clock and a transmitter configured to transmit a message including a respective time stamp that is based on a time determined by the synchronizable clock. The message can be transmitted acoustically or in another manner such as by RF signal, optical signal, etc. The clock can be synchronized based on, e.g., a standard clock, another synchronizable clock associated with one or more transceivers, or a selected transceiver. The time stamp can be digital or analog, and can be configured to permit estimation of distance and bearing between synchronized communicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: University of Victoria Innovation and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Rowe
  • Patent number: 7187623
    Abstract: A data communications and underwater release management system for acquiring data from remote positively buoyant instrumentation packages moored underwater through the use of an intervening mechanical release coupled at one end to the buoyant instrumentation package and at the other to the mooring. A topside modem system provides bidirectional communication with an undersea modem commonly housed with the release to permit data generated from the instrumentation to be conveyed topside and/or send command signals to release the instrumentation package so that it can ascend to the surface for recovery, repair, or refitting. Power is supplied via an on-board battery whose energy level is monitored and directed when below a threshold value to operate only the mechanical release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Teledyne Benthos, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice D. Green, Kenneth F. Scussel
  • Patent number: 7187624
    Abstract: Enhanced control buttons are provided for a digital timepiece, each button marked with an icon which identifies its function, one icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to turn a night light on/off, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from a real time setting mode, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from an alarm time setting mode, said alarm button being programmable to operate in response to momentary and relatively longer pressures to perform a variety of alarm time functions, including turning on and off a similar alarm icon in the timepiece's display, turning off the alarm sound after it becomes audible following a set alarm time, and thereafter turning on the alarm icon in the watch display for repetition of the sounding of the alarm 24 hours later at the same previously set alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Equitime, Inc.
    Inventors: Berj A. Terzian, Robert Alfred Brodmann
  • Patent number: 7187625
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for audibly playing through a speaker (12) of a timekeeping apparatus (1) comprising a visual replica of a shofar (11), at least one shofar call sound (14) in response to a timing device (17) of said timekeeping apparatus (1) reaching a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Scott S. Riggi
  • Patent number: 7187626
    Abstract: A method for tracking total usage time of an electronic device comprising the steps of evaluating a predetermined usage increment timer until a predetermined time period expires, incrementing a total-usage counter, resetting the timer to measure a next occurrence of the predetermined time period, repeating the aforementioned steps and outputting the value representing the total usage time of the device. A multi-mode electronic device that carries out the aforementioned method is also provided. Still further, the present invention provides a method of and device for tracking total usage time or number of activations of any feature or mode within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 7187627
    Abstract: An information reproducing/recording system has a reproducing apparatus which reproduces program information from a first recording medium, a recording/reproducing apparatus which records program information on a second recording medium or reproduces program information from the second recording medium, and a control apparatus which controls the reproducing apparatus and the recording/reproducing apparatus. The control apparatus acquires first management information for program information recorded on the first recording medium, and acquires second management information for program information recorded on the second recording medium. And then, the control apparatus compares the first management information and the second management information, and judges based on the result of comparison whether program information corresponding to the first management information has been recorded on the second recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tech Experts Incorporation
    Inventors: Yoshiya Nonaka, Ryoji Sugino, Akihiro Denda
  • Patent number: 7187628
    Abstract: Management information is read from an information storage medium having the management information recorded thereon, the management information including track number information imparted to at least one track and group management information for managing as selective recording information one or a plurality of tracks as one group. Judgment is then made upon whether the group management information is included in that management information. A display mode is changed depending on a case where the group management information is recorded and a case where it is not recorded, and it is then displayed in a displaying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Iijima, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Katsuaki Yamanoi, Shinichiro Abe, Tomoyasu Yamada
  • Patent number: 7187629
    Abstract: A method for deriving a tracking error signal based on a first analog detection signal and a second analog detection signal. The method includes summing the first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal to generate an analog sum signal. An analog delay device is utilized to delay the analog sum signal to be a delay signal. The delay signal is digitalized into a digital delay signal. The first analog detection signal and the second analog detection signal are respectively transformed into a first digital detection signal and a second digital detect signal. The tracking error signal is then generated utilizing a comparing operation among the digital delay signal, the first digital detect signal, and the first digital detect signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventor: Yuh Cheng
  • Patent number: 7187630
    Abstract: A focal detecting means (35) of a controller (25) controls an actuator driver (38) to actuate an actuator (12) to vibrate an objective lens (3) in a direction along an optical axis. An output of a focus error signal from a signal generator (27) is checked by a signal detecting means (46) and presence of a workpiece is determined when the signal is detected. When the presence of the workpiece is detected, the focal detecting means (35) moves the objective lens (3) along the optical axis by the actuator (12) and a focus position is recognized with reference to a position signal from a position detecting means (49) together with the focus error signal, where the objective lens (3) is moved to the focus position for focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Kataoka, Kiichiro Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7187631
    Abstract: A disc apparatus (10) includes an optical lens (14). A laser beam is irradiated onto a recording surface of the magneto-optical disc (68) through the optical lens (14), and a TE signal or an RF signal is detected on the basis of the laser beam reflected by the recording surface. Herein, an MPU (50) replaces the optical lens (14) in an optical axis direction, and a TE signal detection circuit (42) or an RF signal detection circuit (60) detects the TE signal or the RF signal at each of lens positions. A laser power is adjusted by the MPU (50) such that amplitude of each of the TE signal or the RF signal detected is below a saturation value. When a parameter is adjusted, a position of the optical lens (14) is controlled such that the amplitude of the TE signal or the RF signal detected thereafter is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Minechika, Hideaki Yano, Keiji Nagata, Yoshihiro Aoi, Ichizo Sakamoto, Kenji Asano, Tadashi Okajima
  • Patent number: 7187632
    Abstract: In a state in which an optical disk having a warping amount equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount is attached to a spindle motor, an output of tilt detection result is stored as a reference tilt value in a memory. At this time, a control signal corresponding to a driving inclining amount in which inclining the objective lens by the driving inclining amount minimizes the inclination of the objective lens from the attached optical disk is stored as a reference control value in the memory. An CPU a multiplies difference between a detection result of the tilt detection and the reference tilt value by a control constant, and adds the reference control value to the multiplied difference, and provides the thus-obtained control signal to a tilt driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Ohno, Yoshiaki Aota
  • Patent number: 7187633
    Abstract: A method of identifying a mechanically readable medium is described. The medium, for instance a gramophone record, a magnetic tape or a celluloid film, contains information which is contained in a continuous sequence on the medium and is intended for optical or acoustic reproduction. A sequence of markings which individualizes the medium, and which can be read out together with the acoustic or optical information, is formed in the area of this acoustic or optical information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Gerhard Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7187634
    Abstract: A control circuit for an optical record medium processing device and a method of controlling the optical record medium processing device are implemented in a computer system in both power-on and power-off status. The control circuit provides a control signal to enable the optical record medium processing device to automatically respond to the control signal and work correspondingly, regardless of whether the computer system is powered or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 7187635
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical information reproducing method of detecting a record mark formed in an optical information recording medium and generating a reproduced signal, comprising the steps of: detecting a mark length of each record mark on basis of a reproduced signal, and correcting the reproduced signal by a correction amount corresponding to the detected mark length, and an optical information reproducing apparatus for detecting a record mark formed in an optical information recording medium and generating a reproduced signal, comprising: a detection circuit for detecting a mark length of each record mark on basis of a reproduced signal, and a correction circuit for correcting the reproduced signal by a correction amount corresponding to the detected mark length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsushi Katayama
  • Patent number: 7187636
    Abstract: A tilt of a light beam to be radiated onto an information recording disk is corrected without using a dedicated tilt sensor. The correction is performed based on the characteristic that an offset amount between a tilt amount maximizing an RF signal amplitude and a further tilt amount maximizing an LPP signal amplitude is constant and independent of positions on the same disk. A pre-pit signal indicative of an existence/nonexistence of a pre-pit formed on the disk is produced from returned light of the light beam, while an RF signal is produced from bits of information recorded on the disk on the basis of the returned light. An optimum tilt-correcting amount is decided by making use of a relationship between the pre-pit signal and the RF signal at a particular tilt amount. The tilt amount is corrected using the optimum tilt-correcting amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Tatsuhiro Yone, Shigeru Yoshida, Kanji Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7187637
    Abstract: Opto-mechanical adjustment based on sensing the label side of an optical disc is disclosed. The label side of the optical disc is first sensed with an opto-mechanical system. The opto-mechanical system is then adjusted, based on the label side of the optical disc as sensed, for future writing on the label side of the optical disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Pate, Charles R. Weirauch, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 7187638
    Abstract: The apparatus of detecting defects of the present invention includes: a photodetector, detecting a intensity of reflective laser beam and generating a reflective signal; a sample/hold circuit, coupling to the photodetector circuit, sampling and holding the reflective signal; a comparator, coupling to the sample/hold circuit, comparing the sampling and holding result with a default range; and a defect flag generating circuit, coupling to the comparator, generating a defect flag signal. The method of detecting defects of the present invention includes: monitoring a reflective signal (WRF signal) when recording an optical disk; determining if the static region of WRF signal is within a predetermined range; if no, the region is regarded as a defect region, and a defect flag is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Yin Tsai, Shih-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 7187640
    Abstract: A method and a recording device for formatting arid recording on a multi-layer phase-change type optical disc include recording areas on first and second layers of the optical disc according to a predefined sequence, so that an area of the first layer where an incident radiation beam passes through is always fully written or fully empty when recording on the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Petrus Josephus Heemskerk, Igolt Pieter Douwes Ubbens
  • Patent number: 7187641
    Abstract: An objective lens has a first meniscus-shape lens including a first object-side surface having a positive reflective power; and a second meniscus-shape lens having a positive reflective power. The first meniscus-shape lens and the second meniscus-shape are arranged in that order from an object side. The objective lens satisfies the following formulas: fF/f??1.1 LH1H2/f?0.5 fB/f?0.2 L/f?1.3 where f is an object-side focus length of the objective lens, fF is a front focus, fB is a back focus, LH1H2 is a length between an object-side principal point H1 and an image-side principal point H2, and L is a length on an optical axis of the objective lens between the first object-side surface and the second image-side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7187642
    Abstract: An optical information recording medium having a ROM area in which pre-pits are arranged in a line in advance, wherein a groove having a depth smaller than a depth of the pre-pits is formed between the pre-pits, and the groove has a width at junction parts smaller than a width of a part of the groove other than the junction parts. Preferably the following relationships are satisfied: ½ Wg?Wpg<Wg; and Wpg<Wp, where Wp, Wpg and Wg represent a width of the pre-pit, the width of the groove at the junction parts, and the width of the other part of the groove other than the junction parts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Sawada, Yasuhide Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7187643
    Abstract: A high recording-density and highly reliable optical disc according to the two-dimensional PRML system is provided in which periodic signal fluctuations in the readout signal caused by an overall positional displacement of pits between adjacent tracks can be detected at each sampling clock timing and can be tracked and compensated. Two-dimensional inter-symbol interference is compensated during the production and recording of the pattern of the medium. The readout signal is compensated by a process of multi-value tracking before symbols are extracted from the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Isshiki, Tetsuya Nishida
  • Patent number: 7187644
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical recording substrate, comprising the steps of: contacting the surface having pit or land/grooves of a stamper having the pit or land/grooves to an organic polymer sheet having a glass transition temperature of 120 to 190° C., a single-pass birefringence retardation of +10 nm to ?10 nm and a thickness of 0.35 mm or less under reduced pressure; and thermally pressing them. According to this method, an optical recording substrate which can transfer a stamper pattern to a thin organic polymer sheet easily and thoroughly can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutomi Suzuki, Takashi Tomie, Kiyoto Takizawa, Suinobu Kubota
  • Patent number: 7187645
    Abstract: A secure optical data disc comprising an electronic article surveillance tag embedded within a layered disc structure comprising first and second substrates is disclosed. The tag is placed within a non-readable zone (i.e., one that does not have data tracks) of the secure disc. To improve signal quality of the tag, the reflective metal layer thickness is minimized and discontinuities are introduced on the reflective metal layer. A first discontinuity separates a data track region of the disc from a mirror/ID band region. A second, radial discontinuity opens the mirror/ID band ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Vidco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Douglas Bigley
  • Patent number: 7187646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a link quality determination unit (LQ-DET) for determining a link quality (LQ) of a transmission link (TL) between an OFDM transmitter (TR) and an OFDM receiver (RC) of an OFDM transmission system (SYS). A first link quality measure determination unit (Q1-DET) determines a first link quality measure (Q1) on the basis of a signal power variation or a signal-to-noise variation determined by a variation determination unit (VS-DET). A second link quality determination unit (Q2-DET) calculates a second link quality measure (Q2) on the basis of an average signal-to-noise ratio based on the noise power (Pz) and the signal power (Ps). To perform a link adaptation (LA) an overall link quality determination unit (Q-DET) combines the first and second link quality measures (Q1, Q2) into an overall link quality measure (Q).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Peter Schramm
  • Patent number: 7187647
    Abstract: An IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference, comprising an in-premises base station (IBS) is described. The IBS further comprises an IS-OFDM transceiver for communicating with a plurality of in-premises terminals (ITs) without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter. Further, a method for operating an IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication that suppresses narrow-band interference and provides local area networking services, in-premises distribution of broadcast cable channels and in-premises wireless access and routing to external networks is described, without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Diakoumis Parissis Gerakoulis, Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh
  • Patent number: 7187648
    Abstract: An arrangement where a primary traffic management device includes ports that are connected to a network, and a backup device that is connected to the primary device and also to the network provides effective backup support. When a port of the primary become non-operational, a port of the backup device is enlisted to serve the function of the non-operational port, leaving the remaining port of the primary, as well as all of the processors to continue operating normally, employing whatever data has been accumulated in the primary. The enlisting is accomplished through a Layer 2 switch within the primary device and a Layer 2 switch within the secondary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ranch Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Sampath Rangarajan, Ram Ayyakad, Raghuram A. Devarakonda, Alexander Pavlovsky, Alexander Sarin
  • Patent number: 7187649
    Abstract: A telecommunications system (10) includes a first cross-connect switch (12) and a second cross-connect switch (14). The first cross-connect switch (12) includes a switching matrix that provides information from a matrix connection to a selector (28) of an output interface (18). The selector (28) places the information from the switching matrix onto one or both of a working channel (24) and a protection channel (26). The second cross-connect switch (14) receives the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26) at an input interface (20). The input interface (20) includes a selector (30) that checks a signal quality of the working channel (24) and the protection channel (26). When necessary, the selector (30) sends a request to the selector (28) to bridge the working channel (24) onto the protection channel (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Anthony Mazzurco, Joseph A. Crossett, III, Manouchehr Darabpour
  • Patent number: 7187650
    Abstract: A technique for providing multiple Fibre Channel frames in one frame-mapped GFP transport frame. GFP conventions are followed, except that a Distributed Delimiter marks each Fibre Channel frame in the payload of GFP transport frame. The Distributed Delimiter has a Fixed Pattern field which varies distinctly from the special K28.5 character which indicates Fibre Channel Ordered Sets and has a Frame Length field to indicate the length of the Fibre Channel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Xiong, Fan Zhou
  • Patent number: 7187651
    Abstract: Reducing overload conditions of a node of communication system comprises storing one or more sets of overload range values, where each set represents a range of used capacity of a component of the node. A rejection proportion value is stored in association with each of the sets of overload range values. Messages arrive at the node and are processed by the node. The current processing load or saturation level of the node is continuously measured in real time. The current saturation level is associated with one of the overload ranges. The node rejects a number of messages equal to the rejection proportion value that is associated with the overload range that corresponds to the current saturation level. In an embodiment, only call initialization messages, such as call setup messages or initial address messages, are rejected. The node may be a call processor in a telecommunication network, such as a universal protocol converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Volftsun, Clay H. Neighbors, Fred R. Rednor
  • Patent number: 7187652
    Abstract: A routing system and method are provided which use a composite cost in identifying routes. This allows a simple way of identifying the best route taking multiple metrics into account for each link simultaneously. The system allows for the inclusion of pruning constraints, and allows for various objectives such as bin packing or load balancing to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tropic Networks Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung-Joon Lee, Sudhakar Ganti, Anand Srinivasan, Walter Joseph Carpini, Udo Mircea Neustadter, Cuong Tu Dang, Vincent Chi Chiu Wong
  • Patent number: 7187653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining logical layer information in a frame relay and/or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a physical layer test system, such as an integrated testing and analysis system, communicates with a broadband network management system, which in turn communicates with an element management system for a frame relay and/or ATM network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: William Scott Taylor, David E. Massengill
  • Patent number: 7187654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for low latency loss-free burst switching. Burst schedules are initiated by controllers of bufferless core nodes and distributed to respective edge nodes. In a composite-star network, the burst schedules are initiated by any of a plurality of bufferless core nodes and distributed to respective edge nodes. Burst formation takes place at source nodes and a burst size is determined according to an allocated bitrate of a burst stream to which the burst belongs. An allocated bitrate of a burst stream may be modified according to observed usage of scheduled bursts of a burst stream. A method of control-burst exchange between each of a plurality of edge nodes and each of a plurality of bufferless core nodes enables burst scheduling, time coordination, and loss-free burst switching. Both the payload bursts and control bursts are carried by optical channels connecting the edge nodes and the core nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Maged E. Beshai, Bilel N. Jamoussi
  • Patent number: 7187655
    Abstract: To minimize the bandwidth (or overhead) of isochronous data transfer in the IEEE 1394 standard and to minimize the signal-less periods (gaps) in asynchronous data transfer, and thereby achieve effective utilization of system resources, the IEEE 1394 interface of a transmitting node acquires the node ID of the root node in the system. Since the actual number of hops is equal to the root node_ID, the arbitration time and the propagation time are calculated based upon the actual number of hops, and from which the bandwidth for isochronous data transfer is determined. Hence, the bandwidth is allocated by the isochronous resource manager node, using the root node_ID to represent the actual number of hops. Gaps for asynchronous data transfer likewise are determined as a function of the actual number of hops that are present in the system, rather than the theoretical maximum number of hops. Thus, the size of the gaps may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Sato, Naoyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 7187656
    Abstract: A tone processing method and communications system which reduce the probability of falsely detecting modem and facsimile communications that occur on a communications link. The link connects a calling endpoint to an answering endpoint. In a preferred embodiment, when the answering endpoint goes off-hook in response to receiving a call from the calling endpoint, an elapse of time is measured while monitoring the link. If a predetermined amount of time elapses without detecting at least one tone on the link, tone detection criteria is modified to reduce tone detection sensitivity, or to ignore tones altogether. In another embodiment, the tone detection criteria is similarly modified if voice activity is detected on the link. In yet another embodiment, when tones and voice activity occur at different times during a call, at least one characteristic is modified to optimize the link for the type of communications occurring on the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Lazarus, David P. Resuta, Phillip K. Freyman
  • Patent number: 7187657
    Abstract: A communication terminal which modulates and demodulates a packet for transmission and reception based on a communication parameter for modulation and demodulation determined according to a communication-medium characteristic. The communication terminal includes: an extracting unit which extracts, during every occurrence of a predetermined cycle, information indicative of either one of transmission efficiency and reception quality of the packet as an information element; a calculating unit which calculates a difference between a first information element extracted by the extracting unit and a second information element previously extracted by the extracting unit; and detecting-scheme performance determining unit which determines, based on the difference between the first information element and the second information element whether a scheme of detecting the communication-medium characteristic is to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Koide, Tohru Yasukawa, Shigeo Yoshida, Shinichiro Ohmi
  • Patent number: 7187658
    Abstract: A data transmission apparatus is provided for transmitting data received from a user terminal device through a plurality of networks to a destination, the user terminal device executing communication using an Internet protocol. The data transmission apparatus includes a routing table storing information relating a destination address of the data and addresses of the plurality of networks; an information table storing static and dynamic information about the plurality of networks; and a selection unit selecting one or the plurality of networks, through which the data transmission apparatus transmits the data to the destination, based on the static and dynamic information. The data transmission apparatus enables data transmission through the appropriate network by selecting the appropriate network based on the static and dynamic information about the plurality of networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hisako Koyanagi, Michio Kusayanagi, Jun Tanaka, Tomohiro Ishihara