Patents Issued in July 29, 2014
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Patent number: 8792045Abstract: A method of refocusing a video surveillance camera includes performing a first focusing operation of a camera at a first time, sensing a first temperature of the camera at the first time, sensing a second temperature of the camera at a second time, determining if a change in temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature change, sensing a level of light in a field of view of the camera at the second time, determining if the level of light sensed in the field of view of the camera at the second time is within a predetermined light level range, determining if a period of time between the first time and second time is greater than a predetermined period of time, and performing a focus operation if the change in temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature change, the level of light sensed in the field of view of the camera at the second time is within the predetermined light levType: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Pelco, Inc.Inventors: Matt Trumbo, David K. Campbell
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Patent number: 8792047Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first and third lens units having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens group. The first lens unit is closer to the object side at a telephoto end than at a wide angle end. The second lens unit is closer to the image side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. A distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit at the telephoto end, focal lengths at the wide angle end and the telephoto end, respectively, a focal length of the second lens unit, and an amount of movement of the second lens unit in an optical axis direction during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end are appropriately set.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yosuke Okubo
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Patent number: 8792048Abstract: The focus detection accuracy of a focus detection device that employs an external AF sensor unit having a pair of line sensors that are each comprised of multiple unit line sensors is improved. The individual line sensors are arranged so that the center of the field of view of an imaging optical system at a predetermined subject distance, at which field-of-view adjustment for causing the field of view of the imaging optical system and the field of view of a focus-detection optical system to match has been carried out, corresponds to the center of one of the multiple unit line sensors included in the individual line sensors.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kengo Takeuchi
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Patent number: 8792049Abstract: A device that analyzes an image. The device includes a circuit that receives an image that includes a plurality of pixels. The circuit creates a histogram of the image and analyzes the histogram to determine an acceptable exposure of the image. The histogram may include a plurality of bins versus a population of pixels associated with each bin. By way of example, the bins may be associated with an intensity of light. The images and histograms may include data defined by low dynamic range number of bits and/or an extended dynamic range number of bits. Certain features and criteria of the image may be determined and analyzed to determine whether the image has an acceptable exposure. If the image is unacceptable, an exposure characteristic can be changed and the process can be repeated until an acceptable image is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventors: Hiok-Nam Tay, Yunn-En Yeo
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Patent number: 8792050Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising an imaging unit in which an optical system and an imaging device are provided, a camera body formed with a concave portion on/from which the imaging unit is mounted/removed, the imaging apparatus photographing the subject image by mounting the imaging unit on the camera body, wherein the concave portion includes three walls of a back wall portion, a side wall portion, and an upper wall portion, viewed from the subject side in a direction of an optical axis of the optical system, wherein the apparatus includes a locking member and a locking member to be locked, wherein an unlocking member for unlocking a lock of the camera body and the imaging unit by means of the locking member is disposed in an intersection portion of the side and upper wall portions, and wherein at least three wall portions which compose the concave portion, are opened.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Shinohara, Atsushi Sato, Takashi Tada, Ryota Kaga, Shu Kambe
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Patent number: 8792051Abstract: In a driving device, a distance from a guide member to a vibrator is less than that from the guide member to a permanent magnet in a plane perpendicular to a guiding direction of a guide member. An attraction force between the permanent magnet and a magnetic body acts as a force to rotate (i.e., a rotating force) a holding member about an axis of the guide member, and the vibrator is pressed against a contact member by the rotating force.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Kudo
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Patent number: 8792052Abstract: The frame rate of a pause frame of a moving image is detected. The number of frame images of the moving image to be used in a process of increasing the resolution of a low-resolution image is determined such that a larger number of frame images is set for a higher detected frame rate. In a super-resolution process, a high-resolution image is generated using the determined number of continuous frame images including the pause frame of the moving image. This makes it possible to appropriately determine the number of frames to be referred to in the super-resolution process in accordance with the frame rate of a moving image when generating a high-resolution image from the frames of a low-resolution moving image.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Koike
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Patent number: 8792053Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a normal interpolated image generation unit to generate an image that is interpolated between a plurality of original images reproduced along time series, the image being a normal interpolated image, based on each of the plurality of original images; a high-frequency area extraction unit to extract a high-frequency area having a spatial frequency higher than a predetermined value in each of the plurality of original images; a high-frequency area interpolated image generation unit to generate an image that is interpolated between the plurality of original images, the image being a high-frequency area interpolated image, based on a change in position of the high-frequency area along with an elapse of time on the time series and on each of the plurality of original images; and a combination unit to execute combining processing to combine the normal interpolated image and the high-frequency area interpolated image.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shigeo Fujishiro, Yoshito Suzuki, Eiji Ozeki, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Takayoshi Fujiwara
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Patent number: 8792054Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for displaying video and accompanying text data on a display are provided. The method includes receiving media content that includes video and determining whether text data associated with the video is to be presented on the display alongside the video. If associated text data is not to be presented, then the video content is output as normal, with the video content occupying a first area of the display (such as the entire display). If associated text data is to be presented, then the video output is automatically resized such that the video occupies a smaller area of the display, and the associated text data is automatically displayed alongside the video. By allowing for dynamic resizing it is possible to display subtitles or closed captions alongside portions of video content without obscuring the video.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Eldon Technology LimitedInventor: Dale Llewellyn Mountain
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Patent number: 8792055Abstract: A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Tae Jin Park
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Patent number: 8792056Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes terminals, each being based on a specific standard and being used for communicating with an external device. The electronic apparatus includes a transmission module, an acquisition module and a display control module. The transmission module simultaneously transmits a power-on signal to external devices connected to the terminals, upon turn on of the electronic apparatus. The acquisition module acquires a physical address from one or more first external devices of the plurality of external devices by switching video input among one or more first terminals of terminals. The one or more first external devices are turned on and the one or more first terminals being connected to the one or more first external devices. The display control module displays device information of the one or more first external devices and terminal numbers of the one or more first terminals. Other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Masahiro Kamida
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Patent number: 8792057Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, devices systems for wireless communication of video information. According to some embodiments, an energy level of one or a group of transmit video block(s) to be transmitted as part of a wireless transmission frame may be adjusted so at to maintain a substantially constant transmission power (e.g. within a range of transmission power levels).Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Amimon LtdInventors: Daniel Stopler, Guy Dorman, Yonv Levinbook
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Patent number: 8792058Abstract: System and method for displaying guide data on a remote control. In one embodiment, guide data may be received in a first format by the remote control. The guide data may be converted from the first format to a second format based in part on a predefined user preference. A portion of the guide data may be displayed in accordance with the second format on a display of the remote control such that guide data is displayed according to a first scale.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Steven Richman
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Patent number: 8792059Abstract: A control device signals user inputs to an audio-video display. The control device may be configured as a pillow speaker and include a speaker for reproducing audio from the audio-video display. The control device is coupled to the audio-video display by wiring. Shared signals in the wiring are used to provide power to operate the control device and are used to signal the user inputs to the audio-video display. A touch panel is used to sense user inputs. The touch panel may be transparent with an underlay containing indicia of user-selectable commands located below the touch panel. The arrangement and selection of commands available to the user may be modified by changing the underlay.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Anacom MedtekInventors: Joachim Kuciera, Kevin Paul Finnegan, Kevin E. Nortrup
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Patent number: 8792060Abstract: A liquid crystal display device with a built-in touch screen, which uses a common electrode as a touch-sensing electrode including an intersection of a gate line and a data line to define a pixel region, a bridge line disposed in a central portion of the pixel, an insulating layer formed on the bridge line, a first contact hole disposed through the insulating layer to expose a predetermined portion of an upper surface of the bridge line, a contact metal on the insulating layer and inside the first contact hole, the contact metal electrically connected with the bridge line, a first passivation layer on the contact metal, a second contact hole disposed through the first passivation layer to expose a predetermined portion of an upper surface of the contact metal, a common electrode on the first passivation layer and inside the second contact hole, a conductive line electrically connected with the common electrode, and a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer and the conductive line, wherein theType: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kum Mi Oh, Jae Hoon Park, Han Seok Lee, Hee Sun Shin, Won Keun Park
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Patent number: 8792061Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a substrate; gate and data lines disposed on the substrate crossing each other to define a plurality of pixel regions; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed in the pixel regions; a common electrode which is patterned to have common electrode pattern portions, each common electrode pattern portion corresponding to a respective pixel region; a plurality of sensing lines disposed on the common electrode and electrically connected with the common electrode; and at least one an electric field shield layer disposed over a region between adjacent common electrode pattern portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hee Sun Shin, Kum Mi Oh, Han Seok Lee
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Patent number: 8792062Abstract: The present invention provides a touch integrated display device which reduces a thickness of a display device and can improve touch performance. The touch integrated display device according to one embodiment of the present invention can include: a TFT positioned on a lower substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the TFT; a common electrode facing the pixel electrode to form electric field; a liquid crystal layer positioned on the common electrode; an upper substrate facing the lower substrate which is positioned at both sides of the liquid crystal layer; a driving electrode which is positioned on one side of the upper substrate adjacent to the liquid crystal layer; and a sensing electrode which is positioned on the other side of the upper substrate and faces the driving electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sangsoo Hwang, Cheolse Kim, Manhyeop Han
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Patent number: 8792063Abstract: The present invention discloses an array substrate, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and methods for manufacturing and repairing the array substrate. Said array substrate for thin film transistor (TFT) LCD comprises one or more pixel electrodes, gate lines and data lines; the crossover of said gate line and said data line is formed with a parasitic capacitor; said data line is also provided with slit part; and said slit part is overlapped with the gate line to form a protective capacitor which is in parallel connection with said parasitic capacitor and of which the voltage resistance is less than said parasitic capacitor. Because the data line is provided with the slit part which overlaps the gate line to form the protective capacitor which is in parallel connection with the parasitic capacitor and of which the voltage resistance is less than that of the protective capacitor, and because the data line is positioned on the top layer, the late stage repair of the present invention becomes easier.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hungjui Chen
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Patent number: 8792064Abstract: A pixel array including first scan lines, second scan lines, data lines, and sub-pixels is provided. Each sub-pixel includes a first switch, a second switch, a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first switch, a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second switch, a third switch, and common lines connected with each other and disposed under the first and the second pixel electrode. The first and the second switch are electrically connected to the same first scan line and data line. The first scan line is located between the first and second pixel electrode. The third switch is electrically connected to the second scan line and the first pixel electrode and has a floating terminal. The floating terminal is capacitively coupled to the common line under the second pixel electrode to form a capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Au Optronics CorporationInventors: Tien-Lun Ting, Chieh-Wei Chen, Chih-Haw Wang, Chung-Yi Chiu, Wen-Hao Hsu, Jenn-Jia Su
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Patent number: 8792065Abstract: The present invention discloses a sub-pixel display structure and a liquid crystal display panel using the same. The sub-pixel display structure includes two electrode portions. One of the electrode portions can perform charge-sharing via a charge-sharing switch. At least one of the two electrode portions is further connected to an extra electrode portion. When being used in a 3D liquid crystal display panel having a patterned phase retarder film, the sub-pixel display structure can satisfy the requirement of 3D view angle by making the extra electrode portion to be shielded by black matrix, and the two electrode portions still remain operatable so that a color washout phenomenon under a large viewing angle can be reduced even in a 3D liquid crystal display panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zan Yang, Chih-Wen Chen, Chia-chiang Hsiao
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Patent number: 8792066Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) module and a front frame structure thereof. The LCD module comprises a backlight module, a liquid crystal panel and a front frame structure. The front frame structure comprises a plurality of corner frame components, and the corner frame component comprises a top portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, all of which are perpendicular to each other. Each of the corner frame components is fixed on one corner of the backlight module, so as to fix the liquid crystal panel on the backlight module. The present invention can save material and achieve the object of the compactness design, and can fit different size specifications of the LCD module.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yanxue Zhang, Yicheng Kuo
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Patent number: 8792067Abstract: A display module including a display panel, at least one bracket, a protective plate, a plurality of assembling elements and a back cover is provided. The display panel has a display surface and a back surface opposite to the display surface. The bracket is fixed to the display panel. The protective plate faces the display surface. The assembling elements are fixed on the protective plate, wherein each of the assembling elements has a positioning protrusion and an engaging slot. And the bracket is positioned on the assembling elements through the positioning protrusions. The back cover faces the back surface, wherein the back cover is engaged to the assembling elements through the engaging slots.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Nien-Wei Lin, Huang-Lin Lee
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Patent number: 8792068Abstract: A lighting device at least has: a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light by a forward direction current; a direct-current power supply; a first wiring and a second wiring for supplying electrical power to the plurality of light emitting elements from the direct-current power supply; and a switch for switching the polarity of the electrical power to be supplied to the first wiring and the second wiring; in which the plurality of light emitting elements include forward direction connection in which the forward direction current flows when the electrical power having a positive polarity is applied to the first wiring and reverse direction connection in which the forward direction current flows when the electrical power having a positive polarity is applied to the second wiring and being connected between the first wiring and the second wiring.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Koya Shiratori, Akio Fukase
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Patent number: 8792069Abstract: An apparatus includes a layer including a material which has an electrically controllable transparency. At least a part of the layer is arranged to cover at least a part of a surface of a display. The apparatus further includes electrical contacts arranged to enable an electrical control of the transparency of the layer. When employing such an apparatus, it may be determined which appearance the layer is to assume. The transparency of the layer can then be controlled in accordance with the determined appearance.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Ilkka Antero Hyytiainen
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Patent number: 8792070Abstract: A polarization plate is provided for use between a light source and a display panel, where the light source is configured to emit light having a plurality of planes of polarization and the display panel is configured to have a predetermined polarization axis. The plate includes a repolarization region and a prepolarization region. The repolarization region is configured to diffuse and to depolarize or rotate at least one plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough. The prepolarization region is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the repolarization region. The prepolarization region is configured to be substantially nonabsorbent, to allow passage of light having a plane of polarization that is substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, and to prevent passage of light having a plane of polarization that is not substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis. In another embodiment, an interface is provided between the regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: L. S. Lamberth, Jr., Ravindra R. Laddu, Brent D. Larson
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Patent number: 8792071Abstract: A cellulose acylate film containing a cellulose acylate having a total degree of substitution of from 1.5 to 2.6 and a polycondensate ester, satisfying 3.4?Rth(550)/d, 40 nm?Re(550)?60 nm and 100 nm?Rth(550)?300 nm, having a film thickness of from 20 to 45 ?m and having an internal haze of from 0.005 to 0.07% (d means the film thickness (?m)).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Hirofumi Toyama, Jun Takeda, Yoshiaki Hisakado, Yoji Ito
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Patent number: 8792073Abstract: The present invention easily provides a liquid crystal display in which conductivity between a first substrate over which a pixel electrode is formed and a second substrate over which a counter electrode is formed, can be certainly obtained even when it has a narrow frame, without adding new steps. As for a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal is interposed between the first substrate over which the pixel electrode is formed and the second substrate over which the counter electrode is formed, when the first and second substrates are positioned so that the pixel electrode and the counter electrode are on the inside, and are attached to each other with a sealant, by providing a partition wall between the sealant and a conductive portion formed with a conductor to electrically connect the pixel electrode to the counter electrode, conductivity in a conductive portion can be certainly obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., LtdInventor: Tetsuji Ishitani
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Patent number: 8792074Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, first and second pixels neighboring in a row direction, third and fourth pixels respectively neighboring the first and second pixel in a column direction, wherein the pixels are formed on the substrate, first and second data lines formed on the substrate that transmit a data voltage, and a voltage line disposed between the first and second data lines. The pixels respectively include a first switching element connected to the first or second data line, a second switching element connected to the voltage line, a first pixel electrode connected to the first switching element, and a second pixel electrode connected to the second switching element. A position of the first pixel electrode with respect to the second pixel electrode of the first pixel is opposite to a position of the first pixel electrode with respect to the second pixel electrode of the second pixel.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Se-Hyoung Cho, Kwang-Chul Jung, Mee-Hye Jung, Chong-Chul Chai, Young-Eun Jo
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Patent number: 8792075Abstract: A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display using fringe field amplification is disclosed. Each pixel is subdivided into color dots. Further more each pixel contains extra-planar fringe field amplifiers that separate the color dots of a pixel. The voltage polarity of the color dots and extra-planar fringe field amplifiers are arranged so that fringe fields in each color dot causes multiple liquid crystal domains in each color dot. Specifically, the color dots and the extra-planar fringe field amplifiers are arranged so that neighboring polarized elements have opposite polarities. The performance of the display is further enhanced by using a sliced common electrode having common electrode slices over the color dots.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Hiap L. Ong and Kyoritgu Optronics Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hiap L. Ong, Juishu Chou
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Patent number: 8792076Abstract: Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventor: Lawrence E. Tannas, Jr.
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Patent number: 8792077Abstract: The present disclosure provides color filter and a manufacturing method thereof, and a liquid crystal panel with the color filter. The color filter includes a substrate, a black matrix formed on the substrate, a number of spacers integrally formed with the black matrix; and a color filter with a thickness thereof being less than that of the black matrix. Color ink is disposed in the black matrix and is hardened to form the color filter layer. The black matrix and the spacers are integrally formed and made of the black film, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the color filter. Additionally, since the color filter layer is formed by the ink jet printing method, the height of the color filter is unlimited, which allows the black matrix and the spacers to be made of conventional material, and improves the yield rate of the color filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hsiao-hsien Chen
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Patent number: 8792078Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a pellicle onto a mask is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base provided with a track; a dummy plate holder coupled to the base, the dummy plate holder for receiving a dummy plate having an elevated portion on one side thereof; a mask holder for receiving a mask, the mask holder slidably coupled to the base; a pellicle holder for receiving a pellicle frame, the pellicle holder slidably coupled to the base; and drive means being adapted to drive the pellicle holder along the track towards the dummy plate holder, wherein during operation when the pellicle frame is mounted onto the mask causing the mask to contact the dummy plate, the mounting pressure in the mask is distributed by way of the elevated portion in the dummy plate, thus reducing distortion in the mask.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Ming Lin, Chien-Chao Huang, Jong-Yuh Chang, Chia-Wei Chang, Boming Hsu
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Patent number: 8792079Abstract: An x linear encoder, which is configured of a pickup placed on a measurement mount and facing an x scale fixed on the lower surface of a barrel that houses a projection optical system, measures the displacement of the barrel with the measurement mount serving as a reference. With the configuration of the x linear encoder, a path of a measurement light that propagates back and forth between the pickup and the scale is significantly shortened, compared with the case of using an interferometer.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
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Patent number: 8792080Abstract: A method and system to predict lithography focus error using chip topography data is disclosed. The chip topography data may be measured or simulated topography data. A plane is best fitted to the topography data, and residuals are computed. The residuals are then used to make a prediction regarding the focus error. The density ratio of metal to dielectric may also be used as a factor in determining the predicted focus error.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian Christopher Sapp, Choongyeun Cho, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Laertis Economikos, Bernhard R. Liegl, Kevin S. Petrarca, Roger Allan Quon
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Patent number: 8792081Abstract: An exposure method for exposing a mask pattern, which includes plural types of patterns, with a high throughput and optimal illumination conditions for each type of pattern. The method includes guiding light from a first spatial light modulator illuminated with pulse lights of illumination light to a second spatial light modulator and exposing a wafer with light from the second spatial light modulator, accompanied by: controlling a conversion state of the second spatial light modulator including a plurality of second mirror elements; and controlling a conversion state of the first spatial light modulator including a plurality of first mirror elements to control intensity distribution of the illumination light on a predetermined plane between the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Soichi Owa
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Patent number: 8792082Abstract: An illumination system for a microlithography projection exposure apparatus for illuminating an illumination field with the light from an assigned light source includes a pupil shaping unit for receiving light from the assigned light source and for generating a predeterminable basic light distribution in a pupil plane of the illumination system, and a transmission filter assigned to the pupil shaping unit and having at least one array of individually drivable individual elements for the spatially resolving transmission filtering of the light impinging on the transmission filter in or in proximity to a pupil plane of the illumination system. The transmission filter generates a predetermined correction of the basic light distribution. An illumination system of this type can generate a multiplicity of location-dependent intensity distributions in a pupil plane of the illumination system, and ensure a high transmittance.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventor: Markus Brotsack
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Patent number: 8792083Abstract: A light source device including a seed light generation device, a light amplification unit which optically amplifies seed light generated by the seed light generation device, and a wavelength conversion unit which converts the wavelength of the light optically amplified by the light amplification unit. The seed light generation device includes a pulsed light generation unit which generates pulsed light having a single wavelength, a pulse modulation unit which selectively passes and extracts a part of the pulsed light, and a timing adjustment unit which relatively adjusts the extracting timing of the pulsed light by the pulse modulation unit during the generation period of the pulsed light by the pulse generation unit, according to an operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Akira Tokuhisa, Naoto Inaba
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Patent number: 8792084Abstract: While an exposure processing is performed to a wafer held by a fine movement stage supported by a coarse movement stage in an exposure station, at least a part of a measurement processing to a wafer held by another fine movement stage supported by another coarse movement stage and an exchange of a wafer held by yet another fine movement stage on a center table is concurrently performed. Because of this, exposure with a higher throughput becomes possible, even when compared with a conventional exposure apparatus which concurrently performs an exposure processing to a wafer on a wafer stage, and processing such as wafer exchange and alignment on another stage.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
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Patent number: 8792085Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system constructed and arranged to condition a radiation beam, and a support constructed and arranged to support a patterning device. The patterning device is capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam. The apparatus also includes a substrate table constructed and arranged to hold a substrate, and a projection system constructed and arranged to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The substrate table includes a chuck having a plurality of protrusions constructed and arranged to support corresponding parts of a bottom surface of a wafer. The top surface of at least one of the protrusions includes a plurality of elements that define a reduced contact area between the substrate and the top surface of the protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Michiel Puyt, Arno Jan Bleeker, Rene Theodorus Petrus Compen, Rudolf Hartmut Fischer
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Patent number: 8792086Abstract: A first positional information of a wafer stage is measured using an interferometer system such as, for example, a Z interferometer. At the same time, a second positional information of the wafer stage is measured using a surface position measurement system such as, for example, two Z heads. Moving average is applied to a difference between the first positional information and the second positional information for a predetermined measurement time to set a coordinate offset, which is used to inspect the reliability of output signals of the surface position measurement system. When the output signals are confirmed to be normal, servo control of the wafer stage is performed using a sum of the first positional information and the coordinate offset. According to this hybrid method, drive control of the wafer stage which has the stability of the interferometer and the precision of the Z heads becomes possible.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Yuho Kanaya
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Patent number: 8792087Abstract: The present invention relates to a concept for optical distance measurement, wherein a radiation pulse is emitted in the direction of an object of measurement. At least two different transfer gates which couple a photoactive region to at least two different evaluating capacities are driven during different drive intervals so that charge carriers generated during the drive intervals by a radiation pulse reflected from the object of measurement and/or by ambient radiation can be transported from the photoactive region to the evaluating capacities each coupled to the at least two transfer gates. Another transfer gate is driven during a time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates to connect the photoactive region to a reference potential terminal acting as a charge carrier sink during the time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Andreas Spickermann, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich J. Hosticka
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Patent number: 8792088Abstract: A distance-measuring system includes a light source, a light detector, and measuring optics for projecting light emitted by the light source to a target and for guiding light reflected from said target towards the light detector. The distance-measuring system also includes reference optics for guiding light emitted by the light source within the system towards the light detector as internal reference light and a variable attenuator for adjusting intensity of light incident on the light detector. The variable attenuator includes an attenuating filter arranged in a beam path between the measuring optics and the light detector and an actuator coupled to the attenuating filter for moving the attenuating filter. The distance-measuring system further includes an optical selector coupled to at least one of the actuator or the attenuating filter and moved by the actuator together with the attenuating filter.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: TRIMBLE Jena GmbHInventor: Hermann Goering
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Patent number: 8792089Abstract: A device for determining the concentration of a constituent of blood in a hose line, in particular in the hose line of an extracorporeal blood circuit of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, includes a clamping unit having an actuation mechanism configured to apply a clamping force such that first and second receiving elements are moved towards one another from a first position releasing the hose line into a second position clamping the hose line, in which the drive of the actuation mechanism takes place with an electric motor, and a monitoring unit configured to detect a hose line inserted into the receiving elements. A method for detecting a hose line in a clamping unit of a device for determining the concentration of a blood constituent in the hose line is also described. Automation of the measurement of the blood parameters is thus possible.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventors: Wei Zhang, Elke Schulte, Martin Kaiser, Carsten Mueller, Tom Klein, Stefan Zerle, Christoph Bardorz, Stefan Stuehler
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Patent number: 8792090Abstract: A method of manufacturing a soil or wear test feature on a document of value is provided. The method comprises designating an area of the document of value for soil or wear testing and measuring an optical characteristic which is affected by the presence of soil or wear of the designated area on the document of value, or of the same area on an identical document of value. The measured optical characteristic is encoded to generate corresponding optical characteristic data and the encoded optical characteristic data is associated with the document of value by means of a machine readable element provided on the document of value.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: De la Rue International LimitedInventor: Malcolm Woodford
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Patent number: 8792091Abstract: Fiber-optic communications systems are provided for optical communications networks. Fiber-optic communications links may be provided that use spans of transmission fiber to carry optical data signals on wavelength-division-multiplexing channels at different wavelengths between nodes. An apparatus and method are disclosed to use one optical light source per node to perform OTDR and LCV to satisfy safety concerns and accelerate the verification of the integrity of optical fiber links, before the application of high Raman laser powered light sources to a fiber link. A system using only one receiver per node is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: II-VI IncorporatedInventors: Ian McClean, Manish Sharma
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Patent number: 8792092Abstract: An optoelectronic inclination sensor determines the inclination of a reference plane relative to the horizontal. A sensor body has a liquid layer, the free surface of which represents a horizon that can be inclined relative to the reference plane, forming an optical boundary to the adjacent medium. A light source disposed below the liquid layer emits a light beam onto the boundary. An optical sensor surface below the liquid layer detects the light beam reflected by the boundary. An analysis unit determines the inclination of the reference plane as a function of the amount of light received by the sensor surface. A deflecting element for deflecting or initially totally reflecting the beam is disposed between the source and the liquid layer. The beam is inclined as a result of said deflection or initial total reflection. A second total reflection occurs at the boundary in both the inclined and non-inclined orientation.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Ralf Müller
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Patent number: 8792093Abstract: A film inspection apparatus for inspecting the state of a film includes a transfer unit that fixes the film in a flat state and that transfers the film, and includes an inspection unit that inspects the film transferred through the transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a carrier that is movable to a direction of the inspection unit, a tray in the carrier and for mounting the film thereto, and an adsorption unit that is coupled to the carrier and that adsorbs the film to maintain the film mounted to the tray in the flat state.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyu-Bum Kim, Jae-Seok Park
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Patent number: 8792094Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects of elements to be subjected to examination, particularly metallic lids, with means for lighting an element to be subjected to examination, an image acquisition unit, and a unit for processing images acquired by said image acquisition unit is described.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: SACMI Cooperativa Meccanici Imola-Societa' CooperativaInventor: Massimo Balducci
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Patent number: 8792095Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detection and/or analysis of gas phase analytes and chemical compounds. The apparatus can be formed with microfluidic cells containing a selected fluid that interacts with the analyte(s), wherein the fluid can selectively transition between a vapor phase and a liquid phase. During condensation of the fluid, the population of analytes present within the vapor phase region of the fluid can be transported into the liquid phase region of the fluid within the microfluidic cells. During evaporation of the fluid, the analytes can be substantially retained within liquid phase region of the fluid and within the cells. Repetitive cycling of this vapor/liquid exchange can provide a build-up of the analytes within the microfluidic cells where they can be detected/analyzed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee
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Patent number: 8792096Abstract: Four separately polarized beams are simultaneously measured upon diffraction from a substrate (W) to determine properties of the substrate. Linearly, circularly or elliptically polarized radiation is transmitted through a first beam splitter (N-PBS) and split into two polarized beams. These two beams are further split into two further beams using two further beam splitters, the further beam splitters (32,34) being rotated by 45° with respect to each other. The plurality of polarizing beam splitters enables the measurement of the intensity of all four beams and thus the measurement of the phase modulation and amplitude of the combined beams to give the features of the substrate. Algorithms are used to compare the four intensities of each of the polarized angles to give rise to the phase difference between the polarization directions and the ratio between the two main polarization direction amplitudes of the original polarized beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Alexander Straaijer