Patents Issued in December 25, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080316835
    Abstract: An N-dimension addressable memory is disclosed. The memory includes an N-dimension array of bit cells and logic configured to address each bit cell using N-Dimension Addressing (NDA), where N is at least two and the array of bit cells is addressable by N orthogonal address spaces. Each bit cell of the N-dimension addressable memory includes a bit storage element, N word lines, and N bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Chihtung Chen, Inyup Kang, Viraphol Chaiyakul
  • Publication number: 20080316836
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus including a memory cell. Ground biased write control circuitry is used to bias write and writebar bitlines when the memory cell is not performing a write operation. Ground biased read control circuitry is used to bias a read bitline when the memory cell is not performing a read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Tan Soon Hwei
  • Publication number: 20080316837
    Abstract: Level control signals are both set to H level, and potentials of power supply lines are both set to be lower than a power supply potential. In this manner, a gate leakage current during waiting and writing operation of a memory cell array can significantly be reduced. The level control signals are set to L level and H level respectively, and solely the potential of one of the power supply lines is set to be lower than the power supply potential. In this manner, power consumption during a reading operation of the memory cell array can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Koji NII
  • Publication number: 20080316838
    Abstract: A redundancy memory cell access circuit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and an accessing unit. The first control unit compares an unprogrammed fuse signal with an address signal to generate a first redundancy enable signal from the comparison. The accessing unit allows access to a redundancy memory cell corresponding to the unprogrammed signal when the first redundancy enable signal from the first control unit or a second redundancy enable signal from the second control unit is activated. Thus, the redundancy memory cell access circuit is tested simultaneously with testing of the redundancy memory cell for minimized testing and programming times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Eunsung Seo
  • Publication number: 20080316839
    Abstract: To increase the quantity of stored charges of memory cells by a simple configuration to improve the operating margin, and to allow dummy cells to be unnecessary to improve the operating margin of a DRAM without increasing the power consumption and/or the chip area. A voltage of a common plate line is changed from a first voltage to a second voltage lower than the first voltage while a word line is a third voltage which makes the word line a selected state. The voltage of the word line is changed into a fourth voltage which makes the memory cell a non-selected state and is lower than the third voltage and higher than a fifth voltage which makes the word line a non-selected state, and the voltage of the plate line is changed into the first voltage after the voltage of the word line has been changed into the fourth voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko KAJIGAYA
  • Publication number: 20080316840
    Abstract: An input/output (I/o) line sense amplifier includes a buffer unit, a sense amplifier, and a precharge unit. The buffer unit is driven by a first level voltage to buffer a strobe signal, and the sense amplifier is driven by a second level voltage to amplify a signal of an I/O line in response to an output signal of the buffer unit. The precharge unit is driven by the first level voltage to precharge an output signal of the sense amplifier in response to the output signal of the buffer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Chang-Il Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316841
    Abstract: A memory device has multiple bi-directional data paths. One of the multiple bidirectional data paths is configured to transfer data at one speed. Another one of the multiple bidirectional data paths is configured to transfer data at another speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Roman Royer
  • Publication number: 20080316842
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for broadcasting write operations in a multiple-target system. In use, a write operation is received at one of a plurality of apertures of an address space. Such write operation is then replicated to produce a plurality of write operations. To this end, the write operations may be broadcasted to a plurality of targets. At least one of the targets includes another one of the apertures that produces at least one additional write operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Keith Langendorf, James P. Reilley, Suyash Ranjan
  • Publication number: 20080316843
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capable of operating in a plurality operating modes and a method for controlling the device may be provided. The semiconductor memory device may include a selecting unit and a plurality of control circuits operating in a plurality of operating modes. The selecting unit may transmit a selecting signal to select one of the plurality of operating modes. The plurality of control circuits may control operations of the semiconductor memory device in the plurality of operating modes, and the plurality of control circuits may be either enabled or disabled in response to the selecting signal. The semiconductor memory device and the method of controlling the device may have a capability of providing optimized performance in response to a change of operational conditions by selecting one of a plurality of the operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Jae-hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316844
    Abstract: A selection method of bit line redundancy repair includes the steps of providing a plurality of logical addresses of memory blocks in the normal cell array, generating a plurality of extra fuse signals, generating a code based on states of the extra fuse signals, the code matching a defective type of the memory blocks, and selecting a plurality of redundancy blocks in the redundancy cell array to replace the memory blocks according to the code. The apparatus includes a redundancy repair enable circuit for generating a redundancy enable signal based on logical addresses of the memory blocks, a controlling fuse circuit for sending a code matching a defective type of the memory blocks, and a redundancy decoder circuit for receiving the redundancy enable signal and the code to replace a plurality of memory blocks in the normal cell array with redundancy blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Chung Zen Chen
  • Publication number: 20080316845
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a memory row architecture having memory row redundancy repair function. The memory row architecture includes a plurality of normal memory sections and a plurality of redundancy memory sections, wherein a number of the plurality of normal memory sections is more than two, a number of the plurality of redundancy memory sections is equal to the number of the plurality of normal memory sections, and a redundancy memory section is implemented in one side of each of the plurality of normal memory sections. In addition, the plurality of normal memory sections and the plurality of redundancy memory sections respectively having an odd serial number make up a first memory row redundancy repair module, and the plurality of normal memory sections and the plurality of redundancy memory sections respectively having an even serial number make up a second memory row redundancy repair module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Shih-Hsing Wang, Der-Min Yuan
  • Publication number: 20080316846
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device to which information of different data bits can be written, and a method of electrically testing the semiconductor memory device are provided. In a mode for testing a memory cell array of the semiconductor memory device, the semiconductor memory comprises a control signal generation pad capable of writing non-identical data to data input/output pads of each group when data is written to the memory cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gyu-Yeol KIM, Sang-Man BYUN, Yong-Gyu CHU, Seok-Ho PARK
  • Publication number: 20080316847
    Abstract: A sensing circuit of a phase change memory. The sensing circuit comprises a storage capacitor and a reference capacitor, a storage memory device and a reference memory device, a storage discharge switch and a reference discharge switch, and an arbitrator. First terminals of the storage capacitor and the reference capacitor are respectively coupled to a pre-charge voltage via first switches. First terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device are respectively coupled to the first terminals of the storage capacitor and the reference capacitor. The storage discharge switch and the reference discharge switch are respectively coupled to second terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device. The arbitrator is coupled to the first terminals of the storage memory device and the reference memory device and provides an output as a read result of the storage memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicants: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, POWERCHIP SEMICONDUCTOR CORP., NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, PROMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Lieh-Chiu Lin, Shyh-Shyuan Sheu, Pei-Chia Chiang
  • Publication number: 20080316848
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a semiconductor memory device comprising memory cells including floating bodies and storing therein logic data; bit lines and word lines connected to the memory cells; sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines; a refresh controller instructing a refresh operation for restoring deteriorated storage states of the memory cells; and a refresh interval timer setting a refresh interval between one refresh operation and a next refresh operation to a first interval in a data read mode or a data write mode, and setting the refresh interval to a second interval longer than the first interval in a data retention mode, the data read mode being a mode in which the data stored in the selected memory cell is read to an outside of the device, the data write mode being a mode in which data from the outside is written to the selected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takashi OHSAWA
  • Publication number: 20080316849
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of driving a memory including memory cells, bit lines, and word lines, each memory cell having a source, a drain, and a floating body, the method comprising performing a refresh operation for recovering deterioration of first logical data of the memory cells and deterioration of second logical data of the memory cells, wherein in the refresh operation, the number of the carriers injected into the floating body is larger than the number of the carriers discharged from the floating body when a potential at the floating body is larger than a critical value, and the number of the carriers injected into the floating body is smaller than the number of the carriers discharged from the floating body when the potential at the floating body is smaller than the critical value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takashi OHSAWA
  • Publication number: 20080316850
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for retaining M bits of state data of an integrated circuit during power down includes M serially coupled scan flip flops divided into M/N groups, where the M scan flip flops are able to save/restore the M bits of state data. Each group contains a merged scan flip flop coupled to a series of scan flip flops. The merged scan flip flop in each of the groups is coupled to a respective read port of a memory unit, and a final scan flip flop in each of the groups is coupled to a respective write port of the memory unit. The system enables the memory unit to save the M bits of state data in N clock cycles. Each merged scan flip flop has a read select input that enables restoring of the state data into the M scan flip flops in N clock cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Penzes
  • Publication number: 20080316851
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells, each of which is connected to word lines of first and second ports and to bit lines of the first and second ports, and first and second inter-port switches for electrically connecting first bit lines of the first port and second bit lines of the second port when row addresses of the first and second ports match each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Kinoshita, Hideki Mitoh
  • Publication number: 20080316852
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises an array of memory cells each including an antifuse to store information based on a variation in resistance in accordance with destruction of the insulator in the antifuse. The antifuse includes a semiconductor substrate, a first conduction layer formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first electrode provided on the first conduction layer to be given a first voltage, a second conduction layer provided on the semiconductor substrate with the insulator interposed therebetween, and a second electrode provided on the second conduction layer to be given a second voltage different from the first voltage. The first electrode or the second electrode is formed of a metal silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kensuke Matsufuji, Toshimasa Namekawa, Hiroshi Ito
  • Publication number: 20080316853
    Abstract: A system for routing telephone calls from a calling party instrument to a called party instrument and involving at least one internet protocol network includes: (a) a first internet protocol interface apparatus effecting a first communicative coupling between the calling party instrument and the at least one internet protocol network; (b) a second internet protocol interface apparatus effecting routing telephone calls according to routing criteria to establish a second communicative coupling between the at least one internet protocol network and the called party instrument; and (c) a call routing system apparatus coupled with the second internet protocol interface apparatus and storing information relating to a geographical or geospatial relationship of calling party instruments and called party instruments. The second internet protocol interface apparatus and the call routing system apparatus cooperate to establish the routing criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20080316854
    Abstract: A microfluid mixer is provided. The non-linear electrokineticsis is applied to the design of the microfluid mixer. The microfluid mixer comprises a first and a second microfluidic elements, a mixing reservoir, and a micro channel unit, wherein the micro channel unit has at least two control channels for respectively connecting the first and the second microfluidic elements and the mixing reservoir. When two microfluids are mixed in the mixing reservoir, the electro-osmosis fluid field of the microfluids in the control channel of the mixing reservoir is changed by applying AC signal, such that powerful chaotic mixing effect is therefore produced by the two microfluids in the mixing reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHUNG CHENG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shau-Chun Wang, Hsiao-Ping Chen, Chia Yu Lee, Hsueh-Chia Chang
  • Publication number: 20080316855
    Abstract: Devices and methods for mixing a clotting agent with other inputs such as blood, blood derived product, bone marrow, and/or bone marrow derived product to form a congealed mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ferrante, Si Janna, Thomas Mayr, Jeremy Odegard, Wayne Phillips, David Schuelke
  • Publication number: 20080316856
    Abstract: A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: RS SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Roy Cooley, John I. Compton, Michael Topputo, Steve Verdino, Jerold Brickler, Robert B. Fitzpatrick, Mark E. Peters
  • Publication number: 20080316857
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with testing of inhalers used for medicament delivery. Such devices are often intended to be first shaken by a user to prepare them, and then fired by operation of some mechanical mechanism. In order to automate testing, the invention provides a shake device having a carriage 14 for receiving and releasably mounting one or more inhalers. The carriage is mounted upon a guideway for linear movement upon it. A linear motor 26 is operatively coupled to the carriage to reciprocally drive it to shake the mounted inhaler(s). A system embodying the invention may further comprise a fire device having a movable firing member 54, 56 for engaging with an inhaler mounted in the carriage and actuating its firing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ASTECH PROJECTS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Westmoreland, Sean Scott
  • Publication number: 20080316858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillatory flow mixing reactor (OPM) oscillatory flow which is designed so that a flow with angular momentum is superposed by means effecting circular acceleration on the mixture flowing in with oscillation, with the result that good mixing of the individual phases of the mixture is achieved with the use of low shear forces. A use of the reactor according to the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: DEGUSSA GMBH
    Inventors: Heidi Gron, Rudiger Schutte, Karlheinz Drauz, Klaus Stadtmuller, James Ian Grayson
  • Publication number: 20080316859
    Abstract: Methods are described for actively steering a towed marine seismic component using one or more actively controllable control members; reducing the actively steering of the control members during duration of a time window of recording seismic reflections from a sub-surface geological feature of interest; and resuming the actively steering of the control members after the time window. The marine seismic component may be a streamer, a source, or both. Other methods allow measuring initial orientation of a streamer based on measuring static control surface angle of a control surface of an inline steerable bird. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, and allow a reader to ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Welker, Johan Olof Anders Robertsson, Jens Olav Paulsen
  • Publication number: 20080316860
    Abstract: A borehole seismic acquisition system is described with a plurality of sensors arranged so as to identify within the data measured by the pressure sensors P- and S-wave related signals converted at the boundary of the borehole into pressure waves, the sensors being best arranged in groups or clusters sensitive to pressure gradients in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Everhard Johan Muyzert, James Edward Martin, Julian Edward Kragh, Gwenola Claire Marie Michaud
  • Publication number: 20080316861
    Abstract: Systems of generating and manipulating an ultrasound beam are disclosed. The system uses selective sets of ultrasound elements to generate an ultrasound beam, scanning the beam over a series of ultrasound elements in order to collected echo data covering an area, and generating an image from the resulting data. The scanning process includes shifting the set of ultrasound elements used to form the ultrasound beam by more than one ultrasound element (block-switching) between each step in the scanning process. This is accomplished without loss of image resolution by using area-forming techniques. The block-switching technique enables use of cross-correlation methods during image construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Xufeng Xi, Glen McLaughlin, Umit Tarakci
  • Publication number: 20080316862
    Abstract: A matched-field based sonar system and method of use that supports real-time, three-dimensional acoustic source localization using a mobile, horizontal array. The system receives and processes acoustic array, non-acoustic array, and own-ship navigational data in the matched-field process (MFP). Driven by own-ship and array status, a global bathymetry database and an acoustic environmental model are used to generate replicas for the MFP. If a three-dimensional tracker is assigned, then the tracker will steer the search region to maintain contact on the target of interest. Displays are provided to the user including tracker displays (which provide tracker information), MFP ambiguity surface displays (which support contact localization), and non-acoustic and navigational displays. A control interface allows a user to control the search region in bearing, range, depth, and frequency; assign the three-dimensional tracker function; and control display processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: W. Robert Bernecky, Matthew J. Krzych
  • Publication number: 20080316863
    Abstract: Directional microphone or microphones for position determination. One or multiple directional microphones are implemented in various locations to perform acoustic wave capture of acoustic waves associated with object (e.g., a player, a gaming object, a game controller, etc.). The generator of such acoustic waves may be co-located with the object (e.g., integrated into the object if the object is a device such as a gaming object, a game controller, etc., or integrated into clothing worn by a player such as on a hat, a jacket, etc.). The acoustic waves described herein may be generated by any number of means/devices including audio output devices, speakers, pulse wave generators, audio oscillators, etc. Moreover, such acoustic waves may be ultrasonic. A game module and/or processing module processes directional vectors associated with positions of the directional microphones when detecting relative maximum amplitude of an acoustic wave emits by an acoustic wave generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Walley, Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20080316864
    Abstract: A fine acoustic waveguide comprising an inner spring. The inner spring provides stability to the acoustic waveguide and increases the manufacturing yield. The disclosed methods further comprise the steps of bending the fine acoustic waveguide with the inner spring and placing a securing material over the bent fine acoustic waveguide, optionally by using mold injection, casting, or extrusion coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Source Of Sound Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Klein
  • Publication number: 20080316865
    Abstract: The system generates resonant ultrasonic vibrations, preferably in a torsional mode. A control circuit monitors, feedback signals therefrom, which are scanned to determine the frequency at which minima occur. The frequency of the ultrasonic signal is then adjusted to the frequency at which the minimum occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael John Radley Young, Stephen Michael Radley Young
  • Publication number: 20080316866
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer array and method of baffle construction is presented to provide an improved array for use in underwater installations. The array is presented wherein a significant majority of the acoustic energy receiving surface is formed by lightweight acoustic baffling material while still maintaining a fully functional, fully populated array. The acoustic baffle constructed is incompressible and suitable for deep water operation while demonstrating both improved acoustic performance and positive buoyancy when necessary. In addition, the invention eliminates the non-uniform element to element spacing that occurs between sub-panels in similar arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: John H. Goodemote, Dane E. Reiner, David J. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20080316867
    Abstract: A clock device is provided for generating a real-time clock. The clock device includes a frequency generator, a measuring module, a setting module and a timing module. The frequency generator generates a frequency signal. The measuring module is coupled to the frequency generator for measuring the frequency signal and generating a measuring frequency value. The setting module is coupled to the measuring module for generating an error setting value corresponding to the measuring frequency value. The timing module is coupled to the frequency generator and the setting module for compensating the frequency signal according to the error setting value and generating the real-time clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Cheng, Chia-Bo Lin
  • Publication number: 20080316868
    Abstract: The invention comprises a timing system for use in kitchen applications. The timing system includes a potholder or oven mitt with a timing device integrally attached thereto. The timing device contains an audible or visual alarm that alerts the user to the passage of the desired time. The timing device may be removably attached to the potholder or oven mitt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Paula Sardis
  • Publication number: 20080316869
    Abstract: The inventive timepiece provided with a date dial comprises a date disc driven step by step once per 24 hours. The dial of the time piece is provided with unit figures distributed along a circular sector and crossed by a window which is embodied in the form of a circular arc and extends through the entire angular length of the circular sector. A display member connected to the date disc appears in the window and comprises an index of units, FIGS. 1 and 2 of tens and a window for FIG. 3 of tens. A screen associated to a return spring is positioned between the dial and the display member provided with an element for driving the movable screen oppositely to the return spring in order to position it in front of the index when said index is situated in front of the FIG. 0 of units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Sylvain Boileau
  • Publication number: 20080316870
    Abstract: A wireless synchronous time system comprising a primary master event device and secondary slave devices. The primary event device receives a global positioning systems “GPS” time signal, processes the GPS time signal, receives a programmed instruction, and broadcasts or transmits the processed time signal and the programmed instruction to the secondary slave devices. The secondary slave devices receive the processed time signal and the programmed instruction, select an identified programmed instruction, display the time, and execute an event associated with the programmed instruction. The primary event device and the secondary devices further include a power interrupt module for retaining the time and the programmed instruction in case of a power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Pikula, Robin W. Gollnick, Terrence J. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20080316871
    Abstract: A drive device formed by etching a wafer. The drive device includes a drive element that can sequentially mesh with a driven element and an actuating element that can displace the drive element according to a hysteresis movement thereby driving the driven element. Placement of the drive element on an outer edge of the wafer enables an interfacing of the drive element with a driven element placed opposite therefrom. A clockwork mechanism including a drive device of the aforementioned type and an input gear that can be rotationally driven by the drive device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Patrice Minotti, Gilles Bourbon, Patrice Le Moal, Eric Joseph
  • Publication number: 20080316872
    Abstract: An optical device integrated head having high light utilizing efficiency by decreasing the propagation loss caused from an optical source to a recording medium, conducting by mounting according to compact active alignment method for efficiently guiding a light generated from a laser device to the top end of a head, in which a light source device mounted on a submount has a mirror portion having an inclinated surface to at least a portion of one edge thereof for reflecting an output light from the optical source device at the inclinated surface, a structural member including a lens structure for further allowing a light to pass through the submount, and an optical waveguide disposed passing through a slider for mounting the submount, and the optical source and the slider are positioned by using active alignment of light in a chip-on carrier structure having the optical source device mounted on the submount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Junichiro SHIMIZU, Masato Shishikura
  • Publication number: 20080316873
    Abstract: Systems and method for initializing the software for an optical disc player are provided. The optical disc player may include an operating system, an application framework, and a disc loader comprising a disc tray. The method may also include, in response to receiving a tray open request, executing a board support package. The package supports a loading of the operating system and may establish a communication protocol with the loader. Finally, the package may execute a disc tray open command code. One embodiment of the method may conclude by loading the operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Robey
  • Publication number: 20080316874
    Abstract: A media transportation mechanism control method and a media processing device can accurately detect the last disc or other media stored in a media storage unit. A transportation arm 36 is lowered to the media stacker 21, the transportation arm 36 is paused when the media detection mechanism 200 detects the media, and the transportation arm 36 is then raised and the position where the media detection mechanism 200 stops detecting the media is stored as media height H. After the transportation arm 36 descends again, picks a disc M from the media stacker 21, and then rises, the media height H is compared with a prescribed threshold limit ?. If the media height H is less than the threshold limit ?, the number of media left in the media stacker 21 is determined to be a prescribed count (such as zero).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20080316875
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical disc apparatus. The optical disc apparatus includes a rotation module for rotating a plurality of optical discs; a plurality of holding plates, which at least includes a first holding plate and a second holding plate, for loading the optical discs; a sled guide bar positioned between the first holding plate and second holding plate on a straight line; an optical pick-up unit for accessing the optical discs; and a sled motor, moveably positioned of sled on the sled guide bar, for loading the optical pick-up unit and driving the optical pick-up unit along the sled guide bar to access each of the optical discs loaded on the holding plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Kun-Yi Chan
  • Publication number: 20080316876
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical disk that enables high-speed reproduction of address signals. A wobble address system for optical disk supports various types of synchronization, such as phase synchronization, bit synchronization, word synchronization, etc., to be established easily with high detection reliability with the use of an self-orthogonal code. Thus, the invention provides a method for easily synchronizing an address signal, i.e., high-speed reproduction of the address signal. Further, by virtue of an efficient modulation system of the address signal and redundancy thereof, it becomes possible to detect address information with high reliability. This capability is particularly effective in optical recording/reproduction with a blue light source whose signal light quantity and reproduction quality are prone to reduce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Harukazu Miyamoto, Takahiro Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20080316877
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for controlling the position of a radiation beam on an optical carrier (1), e.g. a CD, a DVD, a HD-DVD or a BD disc, in an optical drive. Initially, the optical pickup unit (OPU) is fixated relative to the optical carrier and there is established a closed-loop control—so-called capture—in response to an error signal e.g. radial or focus error tracking signal (FE, RE). Then, by servo control means (9, 50) a first bandwidth (BW1) is set in a stabilization period (SP), and subsequently a second bandwidth (B W2) of the servo control means is set. The second bandwidth (B W2) is lower than the first bandwidth (BW1). The invention applies bandwidth switching and thereby provides a more robust operation of the optical drive, as the first and second bandwidths may be separately optimised. Additionally, the power consumption of the optical pickup unit (OPU) may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Anthonie Wisse, Stefan Geusens
  • Publication number: 20080316878
    Abstract: A method for measuring thickness of a transparent layer and a measuring device using the same are provided. The transparent layer has a first face, a second face and a normal direction. The method includes the following steps. First, a light beam with a focal point is emitted to the transparent layer. Next, a focus error signal (FES) is generated according to a refracted beam of the light beam. Then, the focal point is moved along the normal direction and passes through the first face and the second face. The FES converts into a first focus error curve and a second focus error curve respectively when the focal point passes through the first and the second face. Afterwards, the thickness of the transparent layer is obtained according to the first focus error curve and the second focus error curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: DAXON TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Fung-Hsu Wu
  • Publication number: 20080316879
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reproducing main data under an optimum reproduction environment. The reproducing apparatus includes a readout unit (20) for reading out predetermined main data and spatial characteristic data, made up of the information on characteristics of a space in an environment different from the environment under which the main data is to be reproduced, from a recording medium (1) on which the main data and the spatial characteristic data have been recorded. The reproducing apparatus also includes a processing unit (25) for performing predetermined processing for reproduction of the main data, based on the spatial characteristic data read out by the readout unit (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Masayoshi Miura, Toshiro Terauchi, Susumu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20080316880
    Abstract: An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ueki
  • Publication number: 20080316881
    Abstract: The present invention relates a recording apparatus and a recording method, a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method, and a program that make it possible to easily judge whether data was recorded in a recording medium by an apparatus of own model. An own model/another model information generating unit 41 generates, for each arbitrary recording unit, own model/another model information that is information indicating that the recording unit was recorded by an apparatus of own model. A discrimination code calculating unit 42 sets VMGI and an effective management table TV as a continuous data sequence and sets a result of calculating a hash value of the data sequence as a discrimination code. A recording and reproducing apparatus 1 records the discrimination code and the own model/another model information in a management table TV area of an optical disk 51.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroki Shiina, Kenichiro Nagano, Tetsuhiro Maeda, Atsushi Mae, Yukio Isobe
  • Publication number: 20080316882
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical drive (10) and a method for determining a reading and/or writing position of an optical drive (10). The optical drive (10) in accordance with the invention comprises control means (12) and at least three PLL units (20, 22, 24), wherein the control means (12) are adapted to control the three PLL units (20, 22, 24) to try to lock on to three different frequencies characteristic for an optical disc (26). The method in accordance with the invention comprises the step of controlling at least three PLL units (20, 22, 24) to try to lock on to three different frequencies characteristic for an optical disc (26). If the optical disc (26) is a Blue Ray Disc, the three different frequencies can be the HFM frequency, the wobble frequency, and the expected HF frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Joris Van De Pas, Joris Huibert Joseph Geurts, Michel Vervoort
  • Publication number: 20080316883
    Abstract: A device enabling simple detection of a recording medium placed on a tray includes at least two electrodes arranged on the tray, an electric field sensor connected to the electrodes, and a control circuit connected to the electric field sensor. The electric field sensor detects capacitance in accordance with the distance between the electrodes relative to the recording medium placed on the tray. The control circuit determines the recording media type of the recording medium based on the capacitance detected by the electric field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Noriaki MASUDA
  • Publication number: 20080316884
    Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi UEDA, Motoshi Ito, Takashi Ishida, Yoshikazu Yamamoto, Mamoru Shoji