Showing papers by "Panasonic published in 2010"

Recording medium, playback device, and integrated circuit

Abstract: On a recording medium, stereoscopic and monoscopic specific areas are located one after another next to a stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area. The stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area is a contiguous area to be accessed both in stereoscopic video playback and monoscopic video playback. The stereoscopic specific area is a contiguous area to be accessed immediately before a long jump occurring in stereoscopic video playback. In both the stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area and the stereoscopic specific area, extents of base-view and dependent-view stream files are arranged in an interleaved manner. The extents on the stereoscopic specific area are next in order after the extents on the stereoscopic/monoscopic shared area. The monoscopic specific area is a contiguous area to be accessed immediately before a long jump occurring in monoscopic video playback. The monoscopic specific area has a copy of the entirety of the extents of the base-view stream file recorded on the stereoscopic specific area.

Optimizing media player memory during rendering

Abstract: Optimizing operation of a media player during rendering of media files. The invention includes authoring software to create a data structure and to populate the created data structure with obtained metadata. The invention also includes rendering software to retrieve the metadata from the data structure and to identify media files to render. In one embodiment, the invention is operable as part of a compressed media format having a set of small files containing metadata, menus, and playlists in a compiled binary format designed for playback on feature-rich personal computer media players as well as low cost media players.

Logical channel prioritization procedure for generating multiple uplink transport blocks

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for scheduling of uplink transmission and generating transport blocks according to multiple received uplink assignments. Furthermore, the invention is also related to the implementation of these methods in hardware and software. To propose strategies for generating plural transport blocks within a given time constraint, the invention introduces prioritization of the uplink assignments, so that multiple uplink assignments can be ranked in the mobile terminal in a priority order. The prioritization of the uplink assignments is used to determine the order in which the individual transport blocks corresponding to the uplink assignments are filled, respectively how the data of different logical channels is multiplexed to the transport blocks for transmission in the uplink. Another aspect of the invention is to suggest joint logical channel procedures that operate on virtual transport blocks accumulated from the received uplink assignments. One or more such joint logical channel procedure can be performed in parallel.

Microwave heating device

Abstract: A microwave heating device which comprises a heating chamber (3) to receive an article (2) being heated, a microwave generator (11) for irradiating microwaves in the heating chamber (3), and a steam generator (12) for supplying the heating chamber (3) with steam. Provided in the heating chamber (3) are heat accumulating plates (28a, 28b) adapted to be subjected to microwave irradiation for heating and heat accumulation. Accordingly, dewing resulting from steam is reduced in the heating chamber (3).

Power Line Communications and the Smart Grid

Abstract: The design of the Smart Grid requires solving a complex problem of combined sensing, communications and control and, thus, the problem of choosing a networking technology cannot be addressed without also taking into consideration requirements related to sensor networking and distributed control. These requirements are today still somewhat undefined so that it is not possible yet to give quantitative guidelines on how to choose one communication technology over the other. In this paper, we make a first qualitative attempt to better understand the role that Power Line Communications (PLCs) can have in the Smart Grid. Furthermore, we here report recent results on the electrical and topological properties of the power distribution network. The topological characterization of the power grid is not only important because it allows us to model the grid as an information source, but also because the grid becomes the actual physical information delivery infrastructure when PLCs are used.

Fault-Tolerant Operation of a Battery-Energy-Storage System Based on a Multilevel Cascade PWM Converter With Star Configuration

Abstract: This paper focuses on fault-tolerant control for a battery-energy-storage system based on a multilevel cascade pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) converter with star configuration. During the occurrence of a single-converter-cell or single-battery-unit fault, the fault-tolerant control enables continuous operation and maintains state-of-charge balancing of the remaining healthy battery units. This enhances both system reliability and availability. A 200-V, 10-kW, 3.6-kW·h laboratory system combining a three-phase cascade PWM converter with nine nickel-metal-hydride battery units is designed, constructed, and tested to verify the validity and effectiveness of the proposed fault-tolerant control.

Electric power supply system for vehicle

Abstract: A power transmitting antenna 105, which is arranged on the ground, and a power receiving antenna 107, which is arranged at the bottom of the vehicle 101, set up resonances at substantially the same resonant frequency and produce magnetic coupling between them. When the power receiving antenna 107 enters the zone in which the power transmitting antenna 105 is located, power is transmitted to the vehicle. By setting H, which is the distance between the power transmitting and receiving antennas that face each other, so that H satisfies 0.11xW1 ≦ H ≦ 0.26 x W1 with respect to the width W1 of the power transmitting antenna, the transmission characteristic can be stabilized.

Semiconductor memory device

Abstract: A command analyzer 160 determines whether or not a first write command after power-on is issued. A new block reserve determinator 170 determines that a new physical block is reserved, in a case where the command analyzer 160 determines that first writing command after power-on is issued and the physical block corresponding to a logical address at which a host device requests transmit is in a written state. At this time, the semiconductor memory device writes data to the new physical block. Thereby, data written before power disconnection does not been destroyed.

Transmission circuit and communication device

Abstract: Provided is a transmission circuit which allows smooth switching of the operation mode when switching the operation mode of the transmission circuit A power amplifier 14 includes: a first input terminal to which a direct-current voltage or a voltage in accordance with an amplitude signal M is supplied; a second input terminal to which an output signal from a first variable gain amplifier 171 or an output signal from a second variable gain amplifier 172 is inputted; and a third input terminal to which an output signal from a first bias circuit 15 or an output signal from a second bias circuit 16 is inputted A control section 11 switches the operation mode of the transmission circuit so that at least one of the first input terminal, the second input terminal, and the third input terminal of the power amplifier is prevented from being in a no input state

An On-Chip CMOS Relaxation Oscillator With Voltage Averaging Feedback

Abstract: An on-chip CMOS relaxation oscillator with voltage averaging feedback using a reference proportional to supply voltage is presented. A voltage-averaging feedback (VAF) concept is proposed to overcome conventional relaxation oscillator problems such as sensitivity to comparator delay, aging, and flicker noise of current sources. A test-chip with typical frequency of 14.0 MHz was fabricated in a 0.18 μm standard CMOS process and measured frequency variations of ±0.16 % for supply changes from 1.7 to 1.9 V and ±0.19% for temperature changes from -40 to 125°C. The prototype draws 25 μA from a 1.8 V supply, occupies 0.04 mm2, and achieves 7x reduction in accumulated jitter (at 1500th cycle) as compared to a oscillator without VAF.

Master unit and slave unit

Abstract: Provided is a communication device which securely registers a slave unit. A secret address generation and setup section generates a secret address generator, and a secret address of the slave unit used temporarily instead of a unique address of the slave unit based on the secret address generator and identification information of the slave unit. A second communication section transmits to the slave unit a registration start notice containing the secret address generator by broadcast. A registration process section generates a registration authentication key; generates a unique key of the slave unit by transmitting/receiving, to/from the slave unit, unique key generation information encrypted using the registration authentication key; receives, from the slave unit, the unique address of the slave unit encrypted using the registration authentication key; and stores the identification information in association with the unique address and the unique key of the slave unit in the registration information storing section.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Remarkable Stability and Dispersibility for Antireflective Coatings

Abstract: Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with remarkable stability and dispersibility have been successfully synthesized by direct organosilylation of silica−surfactant composite nanoparticles in a liquid phase. The nanoparticles can be uniformly embedded in a silica matrix to form nanocomposite coatings, which exhibit excellent antireflective properties by tuning the porosity of the nanoparticles.

Data exchange processing apparatus and data exchange processing method

Abstract: The data exchange processing apparatus pertaining to the present invention includes a cryptographic engine unit performing cryptographic processing and verification processing, a stream control unit outputting content while performing cryptographic processing of the content using the cryptographic engine unit, an unauthorized device list update unit verifying an unauthorized device list using the cryptographic engine unit, and a state management unit outputting a permission notification to the unauthorized device list update unit when detecting a low load section of the content according to metadata of the content and processing position of the stream control unit, the low load section being a section in which processing load on the cryptographic engine unit is lower than in other sections. The unauthorized device list update unit, when receiving the permission notification from the state management unit, causes the cryptographic engine unit to execute verification processing of the unauthorized device list.

Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery

Abstract: [Purpose] A purpose of the present invention is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with high safety in which breakage of a positive electrode plate and buckling of a negative electrode plate are reduced during charging and discharging. [Solutions] A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group 10 in which a positive electrode plate 4 including a positive electrode current collector 1 and a positive electrode material mixture layer 2a, 2b formed on the positive electrode current collector 1, and a negative electrode plate 8 including a negative electrode current collector 5 and a negative electrode material mixture layer 6a, 6b formed on the negative electrode current collector 8, are wound or stacked with a separator 9 interposed therebetween. The positive electrode material mixture layer 2a, 2b has at least one thin portion 3a, 3b extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate 4.

Urinary Volatile Compounds as Biomarkers for Lung Cancer: A Proof of Principle Study Using Odor Signatures in Mouse Models of Lung Cancer

Abstract: A potential strategy for diagnosing lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related death, is to identify metabolic signatures (biomarkers) of the disease. Although data supports the hypothesis that volatile compounds can be detected in the breath of lung cancer patients by the sense of smell or through bioanalytical techniques, analysis of breath samples is cumbersome and technically challenging, thus limiting its applicability. The hypothesis explored here is that variations in small molecular weight volatile organic compounds ("odorants") in urine could be used as biomarkers for lung cancer. To demonstrate the presence and chemical structures of volatile biomarkers, we studied mouse olfactory-guided behavior and metabolomics of volatile constituents of urine. Sensor mice could be trained to discriminate between odors of mice with and without experimental tumors demonstrating that volatile odorants are sufficient to identify tumor-bearing mice. Consistent with this result, chemical analyses of urinary volatiles demonstrated that the amounts of several compounds were dramatically different between tumor and control mice. Using principal component analysis and supervised machine-learning, we accurately discriminated between tumor and control groups, a result that was cross validated with novel test groups. Although there were shared differences between experimental and control animals in the two tumor models, we also found chemical differences between these models, demonstrating tumor-based specificity. The success of these studies provides a novel proof-of-principle demonstration of lung tumor diagnosis through urinary volatile odorants. This work should provide an impetus for similar searches for volatile diagnostic biomarkers in the urine of human lung cancer patients.

Comprehensive analysis of the impact of single and arrays of through silicon vias induced stress on high-k / metal gate CMOS performance

Abstract: As scaling becomes increasingly difficult, 3D integration has emerged as a viable alternative to achieve the requisite bandwidth and power efficiency challenges. However mechanical stress induced by the through silicon vias (TSV) is one of the key constraints in the 3D flow that must be controlled in order to preserve the integrity of front end devices. For the first time an extended and comprehensive study is given for the stress induced by single- and arrayed TSVs and its impact on both analog and digital FEOL devices and circuits. This work provides a complete experimental assessment and quantifies the stress distribution and its effect on front end devices. By using a combined experimental and theoretical approach we provide a framework that will enable stress aware design and the right definition of keep out zone and ultimately save valuable silicon area.

Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system

Abstract: In a hydrogen generator according to the invention, a reformer temperature sensor detects the temperature of a reformer at a start of a stop operation of a hydrogen generator. In a controller, a processing and controlling portion compares the detected temperature with first to fourth reference temperatures pre-stored in a storage portion, and determines which of the following conditions is the temperature condition of the hydrogen generator at the stop; a first condition in which water condensation occurs, a second condition in which water condensation and carbon deposition are avoidable, a third condition in which carbon deposition occurs, a fourth condition in which disproportionation reaction occurs, and a fifth condition in which oxidization of catalyst occurs. According to the determination result, an appropriate setting is selected among first to fifth replacement settings pre-stored in the controller corresponding to the first to fifth conditions, and an internal gas replacement operation is performed according to the selected setting.

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack that includes a cell laminate having a plurality of unit cells, which are laid one upon another and each of which includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes arranged across the polymer electrolyte membrane and having respective catalytic reaction layers, a separator having means for feeding a supply of fuel gas containing hydrogen gas to one of the electrodes, another separator having means for feeding a supply of oxidant gas to the other of the electrodes, and a manifold for feeding the supply of fuel gas or the supply of oxidant gas to the respective electrode and disposed on a side face of each unit cell. In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, a sealing portion is disposed at least in the vicinity of each electrode. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack has excellent durability and productivity. Gasket sealing portions, a sealing portion for cooling water, and sealing portions for water and gas in an internal humidifying unit are composed of a polymer compound that has polyisobutylene as the backbone structure. This arrangement ensures high reliability.

Organic el display panel

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic EL display panel having an organic light emitting layer having a uniform film thickness. The organic EL display panel of the present invention includes: a substrate; linear banks placed on the substrate and defining a linear region on the substrate; and at least two organic EL elements aligned in a row each linear region, and, each of the organic EL elements includes: an anode placed on the substrate; a hole injection layer formed with an metallic oxide and placed on the anode; an organic light emitting layer placed on the hole injection layer; and a cathode placed on the organic light emitting layer. The hole injection layer is concavely curved or convexly curved, the hole injection layer is partly placed under the banks; and the organic light emitting layer is formed by applying an organic light emitting material in the linear region.

Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication base station and wireless communication system

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus can communicate with a wireless communication base station using component carriers of communication cells managed by the wireless communication base station simultaneously A radio condition determining section includes a physical layer problem determining section that determines whether a physical layer problem occurs in each component carrier which is used or can be used in communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the wireless communication base station When it is determined that the physical layer problem occurs in some of the component carriers used in the communication, the radio condition determining section notifies the component carrier in which the physical layer problem occurs to a report creating section The report creating section creates a report corresponding to the component carrier in which the physical layer problem occurs and a predetermined criterion

Bulb-shaped lamp and lighting device

Abstract: To provide a bulb-type lamp that can achieve improvement in the heat dissipation properties and size/weight reduction simultaneously, and that can lighten thermal load on a lighting circuit. [Solution] A bulb-type lamp 1 is composed of: an LED module 3 including LEDs; a cylindrically-shaped case 7, to one end of which a base member 15 is attached and which allows dissipation of heat therefrom, the heat being generated by the LEDs emitting light; a mount member 5, on which the LED module 3 is mounted, which closes the other end of the case 7, and allows conduction of the heat to the case 7; a lighting circuit 11 that, upon receiving power via the base member 15, causes the LEDs to emit light; and a circuit holder 13 positioned inside the case 7, with the lighting circuit 11 disposed inside the circuit holder 13. The air space exists between the circuit holder 13 and the case7, and between the circuit holder 13 and the mount member 5. Hence, the lighting circuit 11 is isolated from the air space due to the presence of the circuit holder 13. In the bulb-type lamp 1, a fraction S1/S2 satisfies a relationship 0.5!<=S1/S2, where S1 denotes an area of a portion of the mount member 5 that is in contact with the case 7, and S2 denotes an area of a portion of the mount member 5 that is in contact with a substrate 17 of the LED module 3.

Physically reconfigurable input and output systems and methods

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering the shape of a reconfigurable surface area are presented. The present systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective interaction with a device or system. In one embodiment, a surface reconfiguration system includes a flexible surface; an elevation unit that creates alterations in the contours of the surface; and an elevation control component that controls adjustments to the elevation unit. Thus, the surface of the device is reconfigurable based on system, application, mode, and/or user needs. Accordingly, the surface can be used to provide input and output functionality. The surface can include touch detection functionality for added input functionality.

Intra-oral measurement device and intra-oral measurement system

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an intra-oral measurement device and an intra-oral measurement system capable of measuring an inside of an oral cavity at high accuracy without increasing a size of the device, and includes a light projecting unit for irradiating a measuring object including at least a tooth within an oral cavity with light, a lens system unit for collecting light reflected by the measuring object, a focal position varying mechanism for changing a focal position of the light collected by the lens system unit, and an imaging unit for imaging light passed through the lens system unit.

Writing method of variable resistance non-volatile memory element and variable resistance non-volatile memory device

Abstract: A writing method of a variable resistance non-volatile memory element comprises determining, in a first determination step, whether or not a resistance state of the variable resistance non-volatile memory element does not switch to a first resistance state and remains in a second resistance state, when a pulse of a second voltage is applied to the variable resistance non-volatile memory element; and when it is determined that the resistance state of the variable resistance non-volatile memory element does not switch to the first resistance state and remains in the second resistance state in the first determination step, applying, in a recovery step, at least once to the variable-resistance non-volatile memory element a recovery voltage pulse set composed of two pulses which are a first recovery voltage pulse which has the same polarity as that of the first voltage and a second recovery voltage pulse which has the same polarity as that of the second voltage, has a greater amplitude than the second voltage, and is applied subsequently to the first recovery voltage pulse.

Information processing device, information processing method, recording medium, and integrated circuit

Abstract: An information processing device (100) includes a command management unit (101) storing a command in association with a parameter, an instruction receiving unit (104) receiving a user operation performed on an icon displayed on a display screen, a display control unit (10) causing an object icon identifying an object to be displayed in a first display area of the display screen, and an instruction generation unit (115) generating an instruction which is a group of the command and the parameter. The display control unit (10) further causes a command icon identifying a command executable on an operation target object to be displayed in a second display area, and causes a parameter icon identifying a parameter associated with the selected command to be displayed in a third display area. When at least two command icons are selected, the instruction generation unit (115) generates an instruction such that at least two commands identified by these two command icons respectively are executed in order of selection.

Organic electroluminescence device

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence device which can prevent the deterioration thereof attributed to moisture by preventing a desiccant from influencing organic electroluminescence elements is provided. The organic electroluminescence device includes: first and second substrates which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner with a gap therebetween; organic electroluminescence elements which are formed on a first surface of the first substrate which faces the second substrate in an opposed manner; a desiccant which is formed on a second surface of the second substrate which faces the first substrate in an opposed manner; and a resin which is adhered to the first and second surfaces and covers the desiccant and the organic electroluminescence elements. The desiccant includes a portion which is arranged outside a region of the second surface which faces the organic electroluminescence elements in an opposed manner and surrounds the whole of the region, and the organic electroluminescence elements are isolated from the desiccant by way of the resin.

Dc power distribution system

Abstract: A DC power distribution system is equipped with a storage device having a first storage battery, which discharges to electrical apparatuses only during power failure, and a second storage battery, which discharges to electrical apparatuses when service is not interrupted The electricity storage device and electrical apparatuses are supplied with DC power from a power generation device which generates electricity using natural energy, and DC power which has been converted from AC power supplied from a commercial power source When the power supply from the electricity generation device and the commercial power source is interrupted, the first storage battery discharges power to the electrical apparatuses

Method for fabricating semiconductor device

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: the step (a) of forming a vibrating film on a predetermined region of each of a plurality of chips included in a semiconductor wafer; the step (b) of forming, on the semiconductor wafer, an intermediate film containing a sacrifice layer located on the vibrating film of each of the chips; and the step (c) of forming a fixed film on the intermediate film This method further includes, after the step (c), the step (d) of subjecting the semiconductor wafer to blade dicing to separate the chips, and the step (e) of removing, by etching, the sacrifice layer to provide a cavity between the vibrating film and the fixed film

Buffer status reporting in a mobile communication system

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for transmitting a buffer status report (BSR) in a mobile communication system, more particularly to the definition of rules for triggering, generating and transmitting BSRs. The invention also relates to a data transmission method utilizing new rules to decide data of which radio bearers is transmitted within a given transmission time interval. Moreover, the invention relates to scheduling method for radio resources that is taking into account additional scheduling-relevant information from the buffer status reporting and/or data transmission method. To avoid unnecessary grants from the network and to suggest an advanced handling of data transmissions the invention suggests a buffer status reporting and data transmission schemes that take into account the scheduling mode of data of radio bearers pending for transmission to decide whether to report on it in a buffer status report, respectively, whether to multiplex the data to a transport block for transmission.