Document Document Title
US07697417B2 Methods and devices for re-routing MPLS traffic
Multi-Protocol Label Switched (MPLS) traffic is re-routed to an alternate, Label Switched Path (LSP) to bypass a failure along a primary LSP, even though the failure occurs at or along an ingress section of an LSP, while associating an original IP address to the alternate path. Failures are also detected farther downstream outside an ingress section. When this occurs, MPLS traffic is re-routed to an alternate LSP which maintains the same quality of service as an original primary path and includes other network devices which are not a part of the primary path (except for the network device and a destination network device). The techniques require less resources than existing techniques.
US07697406B2 High density phase-change type optical disk having a data efficiency of more than 80 percent
An optical disk includes a land and a groove. The optical disk has a data efficiency of 80% or more. Data is recorded on both the land and the groove. A distance between the center of the land and the center of the groove adjacent to the land is 0.28 μm or more. Thus, an optical disk having a storage capacity of 25 GB or more can be provided.
US07697405B2 Inspection apparatus for optical disk having phase modulated wobble tracks and optical disk apparatus for driving the optical disk
An inspection apparatus for inspecting a phase modulated wobble track of an optical disk is provided. A radial push-pull signal (a wobble signal) of an optical disk is supplied to a low pass filter where a phase boundary portion of the wobble signal is smoothed, and then binarized by a binarizer and supplied to a time interval analyzer. The time interval analyzer analyzes a period of the binary wobble signal to extract two peak values T1 and T2 thereof. An operation device computes a difference value of the two periods T1 and T2 and a standard deviation of each peak, and compares each computed value to a threshold value for simultaneously evaluating CNR and a phase shift. The low pass filter and the binarizer may be incorporated into an optical disk apparatus for smoothing the phase boundary portion of the reproduced wobble signal.
US07697403B2 Data read/write systems comprising a tip
A method for writing data to and/or reading data from locations on a surface via a tip comprises moving the tip between the locations on the surface. At each location, energy is selectively applied to the surface via the tip and the tip and the surface are selectively forced together in synchronization with the application of energy.
US07697399B2 Power control system and related method
A method for controlling a specific output power level emitted from a laser diode (LD) in an optical pick-up head unit (OPU) is disclosed. The LD is configured to provide a plurality of output power levels for accessing/recording an optical disc. The method includes: determining a specific power control value according to a first output power level, a second output power level, a first power control value of the first output power level, and the specific output power level, wherein the first output power level is less than the specific output power level and greater than the second output power level; and driving the LD to emit the specific output power level according to the specific power control value, the first power control value, and a second power control value of the second output power level.
US07697398B2 Optical pickup device having an electromechanical conversion element for recording and/ or reproducing information
A piezoelectric element of a driving device is arranged on the opposite side of the light source, when an optical pickup device is divided by a plane that includes an optical axis of an objective lens and perpendicularly intersects the axis line of a light flux entering a raising mirror, that has come from the light source, whereby, it is possible to cause optical elements existing between the objective lens and the laser light source to be away from the piezoelectric element, and thereby to avoid an influence of heat even when a gap between members is reduced.
US07697388B2 Defect management method and system of optical disk drive
A defect management method applied in an optical disc drive for managing defect information of an optical disc is disclosed. The optical disc drive saves a plurality of defect tables comprising at least a first defect table and a second defect table. The first defect table records a plurality of first defect entries and the second defect table records a plurality of second defect entries. The method includes appending an adaptive defect entry comprising a new defect information corresponding to a new defect into a new defect table, a data structure of the adaptive defect entry conforming to a data structure of at least one of the defect entries recorded in the defect tables; and merging the adaptive defect entries into one of the defect tables saved in the optical disc drive when a condition is met.
US07697387B2 Information recording medium, and information recording apparatus and method
An information recording medium is provided with: a recording area divided into a plurality of partial areas; and an information area for recording therein (i) management information for managing recording conditions of the plurality of partial areas at least for each of the plurality of partial areas and (ii) reliability information for indicating reliability of the management information for each of the plurality of partial areas.
US07697385B2 Method and apparatus for controlling recording laser power
Test signals are sequentially generated. A laser beam inclusive of the generated test signals is applied to a preset test recording area in a disc-shaped recording medium to record the generated test signals thereon. A recording power of the applied laser beam is changed stepwise from a lowest level to a highest level through different intermediate levels. The lowest level, the highest level, and the intermediate levels the recording power of the applied laser beam takes are assigned to the test signals respectively. The recorded test signals are reproduced from the preset test recording area in the disc-shaped recording medium. An optimum value of a laser-beam recording power is decided on the basis of the reproduced test signals and at least one of the lowest level, the highest level, and the intermediate levels.
US07697383B2 Optical disc reproducing apparatus
In the first and second light-receiving regions equally divided into two in parallel with the track of the optical disc, the reflected light received from the optical disk is converted into electric signals and fed out by individual light-receiving regions. Then, the light-receiving ratio indicating the ratio of amounts of received light is calculated from the amplitude of the electric signal generated in the first light-receiving region and the amplitude of the electric signal generated in the second light-receiving region. Then, it is determined whether or not an absolute value of the light-receiving ratio is larger than a predetermined vale. When the absolute value is larger, the movement of the objective lens in a radial direction is corrected by incorporating a predetermined correction value.
US07697382B2 Near-field light generating method and near-field optical head using a light blocking metal film having a fine opening whose size is not more than a wavelength of irradiated light, and near-field optical microscope having the optical head
A near-field light generating method for irradiating light from a light source to a metal film having a fine opening that has a size of not more than a wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, and forming a fine light spot adjacent to the fine opening on a light outgoing side of the fine opening. The method includes providing the metal film with a rectangular fine opening whose length to width ratio is between 1.1 times and 2 times that of a standard square opening, obtained by increasing the length of the standard square opening, and irradiating the metal film with light from the light source to form the fine light spot, which has a length and a width that are substantially equal to those of the standard square opening, and where the fine light spot has a light intensity, which is not less than two times that of the standard square opening. This method is applicable in a corresponding near-field optical head, which can be included either in an optical microscope to observe a sample surface or in an apparatus for recording and reproducing with respect to a recording medium.
US07697380B2 Apparatus for detecting the wobble carrier frequency of an optical disk and method for same
An apparatus for detecting the wobble carrier frequency of an optical disk is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an offset canceller, a binary conversion module, an adjustable band pass filter, and a frequency detection module. The offset canceller cancels the direct current offset of a first wobble signal to obtain a second wobble signal. The binary conversion module converts the second wobble signal to a binary data stream. The adjustable band pass filter passes only an adjustable frequency range of the binary data stream to generate a filtered signal, wherein the center frequency of the adjustable frequency range is sequentially adjusted. The frequency detection module then determines maximum amplitude of the filtered signal, and determines the center frequency of the adjustable frequency range according to which the filtered signal with the maximum amplitude is generated, wherein the wobble carrier frequency is the center frequency corresponding to the maximum amplitude.
US07697379B2 Information processing apparatus and its control method, program, and storage medium
When a disk unloading operation is made by mistake or when recording is suddenly required after the unloading operation in a conventional disk recording/playback apparatus which has no cancel function of the disk unloading operation, an important recording chance is often missed. This invention allows the user to cancel the disk unloading operation, and can quickly restore the state before the disk unloading operation, thus solving the above problem.
US07697378B2 Information reproducing device
An information reproducing device includes an information recording medium housing portion 8 for housing an information recording medium 7 that is detachably attached, a pickup 75 for reading information recorded at least on the information recording medium 7, and a pickup restrainer 94 for restraining a displacement that exceeds a normal operating range of the pickup 75, wherein the pickup restrainer 94 is constructed to displace in response to loading/unloading of the information recording medium 7 into/from the information recording medium housing portion 8.
US07697375B2 Combined electro-magnetic acoustic transducer
A combined electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is disclosed adapted to generate both SH-type acoustic waves and LAMB-type acoustic waves in a conductive casing, surroundings of which are to be analyzed. The transducer comprises one magnet assembly and two RF coils implemented as multi-layer printed circuit board. Each coil is used to generate or receive acoustic signals of one wave type. Compared to using two single-wave-type transducers the combined EMAT significantly reduces total attraction force to the casing and, correspondingly, simplifies mechanics of the measurement tool. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07697374B2 Water inflatable volumetric hydrophone array
A hydrophone array includes an inflatable shaped housing enclosing an interior space and formable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a framework of compliant material disposed within the interior of the inflatable housing, and a plurality of hydrophones attached to the compliant material at respective positions, wherein said hydrophones are arranged in a predetermined geometric array when the shaped housing is in the expanded configuration. Also provided herein is a system and method for deploying the hydrophone array.
US07697373B1 Method for deriving 3D output volumes using dip vector analysis
A method and computer instructions on computer readable media for determining and analyzing spatial changes in the earth's subsurface associated with dip vectors measured using 3D data in regions near a fluid contact or seismic flat spot event. The method obtains seismic attribute data, then derives corresponding 3D dip and azimuth as a 3D volume and derives corresponding 3D reliability volumes or 3D censor volumes. A set of vector is formed within a local subvolume of interest interior to the focused subvolume of interest for each reliability location, and a subset of local vectors within a user specified deviation of the azimuth of the structural dip vector are identified. A set of candidate flat spot dip vectors within the local subvolume of interest are identified enabling a significance measure for each vector within the set of candidate flat spot dip vectors to be determined.
US07697369B2 System with controller and memory
According to the system of the present invention, data (DQ) signals are outputted/received between a controller 100 and a memory 200 based on a data strobe signal sent out from the controller 100. The data strobe signal is independently and completely separated from a clock signal. The data strobe signal has a frequency different from a clock signal. Therefore, the memory 200 is not required to generate a read data strobe signal from the clock signal nor to send the read data strobe signal in synchronization with the clock signal.
US07697364B2 Memory architecture having multiple partial wordline drivers and contacted and feed-through bitlines
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to a memory circuit architecture. In an example embodiment, which may accommodate a change to a new memory size or cell aspect ratio, while migrating between different process nodes or the same process generation, while retaining at least a portion of the periphery circuitry, a memory circuit architecture may be employed in which the memory array is divided into an upper half and a lower half, thereby splitting the cache Ways among the two halves. The wordline may be split among the two array halves, with each half driven by a half wordline driver. Also, in another embodiment, two sets of bitlines may be provided for each column, including a contacted set of bitlines and a feed-through set of bitlines.
US07697360B2 Semiconductor device
Double refresh executing means is changed in accordance with a manner (distributed refresh or burst refresh) of a refresh command so as to suppress a drop of internal power supply that occurs upon double refresh.
US07697345B2 Nonvolatile memory system, semiconductor memory, and writing method
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory recovers variation in the threshold of a memory cell due to disturbance related to a word line. The nonvolatile memory continuously performs many writing operations without carrying out single-sector erasing after each writing operation, performing the additional writing operations quicker than the usual writing operation, and lightening the burden imposed on software for use in additional writing. The data stored in a designated sector is read out before being saved in a register, and the selected sector is subjected to single-sector erasing when a predetermined command is given. Then write expected value data is formed from the saved data and data to be additionally written, completing the writing operation.
US07697341B2 Method of testing a non-volatile memory device
A method of testing a non-volatile memory device on a wafer is disclosed. The method includes performing an erase operation and a first verify operation about every memory cell in the non-volatile memory device, storing data of a first latch in a page buffer for storing result in accordance with the first verify operation in a second latch, and setting the data of the first latch to data indicating pass of the verifying, and performing a soft program and a second verify operation about every memory cell.
US07697340B2 Methods and apparatuses for trimming reference cells in semiconductor memory devices
A method and apparatus for trimming a reference cell in a semiconductor memory device are provided. The method includes generating an internal bias current capable of being trimmed, and trimming the reference cell based on the internal bias current. The semiconductor memory device includes a reference cell in which a reference cell current flows between a drain and a source based on a bias voltage, an internal bias current generator configured to generate an internal bias current capable of being trimmed, and a trimming circuit configured to trim the reference cell based on the internal bias current.
US07697338B2 Systems for controlled boosting in non-volatile memory soft programming
A soft programming pre-charge voltage provides boosting control during soft programming operations for non-volatile memory devices. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to the word lines of a block of memory cells to enable pre-charging of the channel region of a NAND string to be inhibited from soft programming. The level of boosting in the channel region of the inhibited NAND string is governed by the pre-charge voltage and the soft programming voltage. By controlling the pre-charge voltage, more reliable and consistent channel boosting can be achieved. In one embodiment, the pre-charge voltage is increased between applications of the soft programming voltage to reduce or eliminate a rise in the channel's boosted potential. In one embodiment, the soft programming pre-charge voltage level(s) is determined during testing that is performed as part of a manufacturing process.
US07697336B2 Non-volatile memory device and method of operating the same
The present invention is directed to a non-volatile memory device and a method of operating the same. The non-volatile memory device includes a first transistor connected to an nth bitline and a second transistor connected to an (n+1)th bitline. The first transistor and the second transistor are serially coupled between the nth bitline and the (n+1)th bitline. The non-volatile memory device may include a 2-transistor 1-bit unit cell where a drain region and a source region of a memory cell have the same or similar structure. Since a cell array of a non-volatile memory device according to the invention may include a 2-transistor 2-bit unit cell, storage capacity of the non-volatile memory device may be doubled.
US07697333B2 NAND flash memory
A NAND flash memory including a memory cell array having a plurality of blocks, each of the blocks is composed of a plurality of memory cell units, drain-side select gate transistors, and source-side select gate transistors. The NAND flash memory further includes a row decoder that is connected to word lines, the drain-side select gate lines, and the source-side gate line of the memory cell array, and that applies a signal voltage to word lines, the drain-side select gate lines and the source-side gate line of the memory cell array for selecting blocks. The NAND flash memory further includes a sense amplifier that is controlled by a column decoder and that makes a selection from the bit lines of the memory cell array.
US07697328B2 Split gate flash memory cell with ballistic injection
A split floating gate flash memory cell includes source/drain regions in a substrate. The split floating gate is insulated from the substrate by a first layer of oxide material and from a control gate by a second layer of oxide material. The sections of the floating gate are isolated from each other by a depression in the control gate. The cell is programmed by creating a positive charge on the floating gate and biasing the drain region while grounding the source region. This creates a virtual source/drain region near the drain region such that the hot electrons are accelerated in the narrow pinched off region. The electrons become ballistic and are directly injected onto the floating gate section adjacent to the pinched off channel region.
US07697327B2 NAND flash memory device and programming method
A NAND flash memory device and a programming method thereof capable of improving a program speed during a multi-level cell programming operation are provided. The device performs a programming operation using an ISPP method. Additionally, the device includes a memory cell storing multi-bit data; a program voltage generating circuit generating a program voltage to be supplied to the memory cell; and a program voltage controller controlling a start level of the program voltage. The device supplies an LSB start voltage to a selected word line during an LSB program, and an MSB start voltage higher than the LSB start voltage to the selected word line during an MSB program.
US07697323B2 Magnetic storage device
A magnetic storage device is provided which has significantly reduced power consumption. The magnetic storage device includes: a yoke which is arranged so as to cover part of a line extending in an arbitrary direction; and a magneto-resistive element which is arranged near the line and is capable of writing information using a field occurring from the line. The magnetic storage device is set to satisfy the equation Iw≦a·R+b, where Iw is the write current necessary for the line, R is the magnetoresistance of the yoke, a (mA·H)=7.5E−11, and b (mA)=0.1.
US07697321B2 Non-volatile memory cell and methods thereof
A non-volatile storage element disposed at an integrated circuit is disclosed. The storage element includes a first resistive element having a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element, a first node coupled to the first resistive element, a second resistive element having of a second MTJ element, a second node coupled to the second resistive element, a sense amplifier having a first input coupled to the first node, a second input coupled to the second node, and an output, and a first conductor disposed to conduct a first current to set the first resistive element to a first resistive value and the second resistive element to a second resistive value different from the first resistive value.
US07697319B2 Non-volatile memory device including bistable circuit with pre-load and set phases and related system and method
An embodiment of a device for memorization of a memory bit is provided, comprising a bistable circuit having complementary first and second read/write terminals, wherein the device comprises an initialization input connected to said bistable circuit, said input being designed to go into a first state controlling a pre-load phase of said bistable circuit and following said preload phase, to go into a second state controlling setting up of said memory bit and its complement at said read/write terminals.
US07697318B2 Semiconductor memory device
A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells arranged at intersections of bit line pairs and word lines. Each memory cell includes a first transistor having one main electrode connected to a first bit line, a second transistor having one main electrode connected to a second bit line, a first node electrode for data-storage connected to the other main electrode of the first transistor, a second node electrode for data-storage connected to the other main electrode of the second transistor, and a shield electrode formed surrounding the first and second node electrodes. The first and second transistors have respective gates both connected to an identical word line, and the first and second bit lines are connected to an identical sense amp. The first and second node electrodes, the first and second bit lines, the word line and the shield electrode are isolated from each other using insulating films.
US07697314B2 Data line layout and line driving method in semiconductor memory device
A data line layout structure comprises a plurality of first data lines, second data lines, a third data line, a first data line driver, and a second data line driver. The plurality of first data lines are connected to sub mats in a memory mat so that a predetermined number of first data lines are connected to each sub mat. The second data lines are disposed in a smaller quantity than the number of the first data lines so as to form a hierarchy with respect to the first data lines. The third data line is disposed to form a hierarchy with respect to the second data lines, and transfers data provided through the second data lines to a data latch. The first data line driver is connected between the first data lines and the second data lines, and performs a logical ORing operation for output of the first data lines so as to drive a corresponding second data line. The second data line driver is connected between the second data lines and the third data line, and performs a logical ORing operation for output of the second data lines so as to drive the third data line.
US07697310B2 Control apparatus for inhibiting synchronous-rectifier switching elements at low output current for a voltage transforming apparatus
The control apparatus for controlling a voltage transforming apparatus having a transformer, power switching elements disposed in a primary side, and synchronous-rectifying switching elements disposed in a secondary side includes a judging circuit making a judgment as to whether or not an output current of the voltage transforming apparatus is smaller than a specified current on the basis of a primary-side current of the transformer and an inhibition circuit inhibiting the synchronous-rectifying switching elements from performing their synchronous-rectifying control operation when the judging circuit judges that the output current is smaller than the specified current. The judging circuit makes the judgment with compensating for a variation of a relationship between the primary side-current and the output current due to variation of duty ratio of the power switching elements, and variation of at least one of the DC output voltage and the DC input voltage of the voltage transforming apparatus.
US07697309B2 Overpower-protection circuit and power supply apparatus having the same
The present invention provides an overpower-protection circuit and a power supply apparatus having the same. The power supply apparatus comprises a rectifier, a transformer and an overpower-protection circuit The overpower-protection circuit comprises a converter having a converter input electronically coupled to the rectifier and a converter output, a photo coupler having at least a first terminal coupled with the converter output, and having an output terminal, and a clipper electrically coupled across said terminals of the photo coupler for keeping the converter output below a predetermined voltage.
US07697307B2 Power supply circuit for outputting steady voltage
An exemplary power supply circuit includes a transformer (21) having a primary coil (211) and a secondary coil (212); a rectification circuit and a transistor (26) respectively coupled to two terminals of the primary coil; a communicating and filter circuit (22) coupled to the secondary coil; a sampling circuit (13) having a first resistor (231) and a first capacitor (232) connected in series; and a pulse width modulation circuit (25) coupled between the transistor and the sampling circuit. Direct current (AC) voltage is applied to the rectification circuit and is converted into DC voltage via the transformer and the communicating and filter circuit. The DC voltage is fed back to the pulse width modulation circuit via a voltage applied to the first capacitor. The pulse width modulation circuit adjusts a gating time of the transistor so as to adjust the output DC voltage output by the power supply circuit.
US07697306B2 DC/DC converter
According to the switching supply such as a DC/DC converter, since primary side coils provided in two transformers are mutually connected in series, voltage variation generated in parallel-connected secondary side coils can be suppressed, and the uniformity of secondary side parallel output can be enhanced even in case of voltage value fluctuations or the like caused by variation in the output of an inverter circuit.
US07697302B2 Mounting apparatus for expansion cards
A mounting apparatus is configured for fixing an expansion card. The mounting apparatus includes a support fixed to an enclosure, a fastening member, and a latching member pivotably coupled to the fastening member. One end of the fastening member is fixed to the support, and the other end of the fastening member is urged against the expansion card. The latching member includes a first elastic portion configured for pressing the fastening member, and a locking portion extending from the first elastic portion. When the first elastic portion is pressed, the first elastic portion is deformed to press the fastening member to urge against the expansion card, and the latching portion is engaged in the support.
US07697301B2 Printed circuit board having embedded electronic components and manufacturing method thereof
A printed circuit board having embedded electronic components and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. With the printed circuit board having embedded electronic components, including a core sheet, a first electronic component mounted on one side of the core sheet, a second electronic component mounted on the other side of the core sheet and overlapping the first electronic component, a first insulation layer stacked on one side of the core sheet and covering the first electronic component, a second insulation layer stacked on the other side of the core sheet and covering the second electronic component, and a circuit pattern formed on the surface of the first insulation layer or the second insulation layer, the density of the printed circuit board having embedded components is improved, as a plurality of electronic components are embedded simultaneously, and when a thin CCL substrate or a metal substrate is used as the core, a metal substrate in particular, the heat-releasing property and mechanical strength are improved, including increased bending strength in a thermal-stress environment, as electronic components are mounted on both sides of the core sheet.
US07697297B2 Heat dissipation device having a clip assembly
A heat dissipation device for removing heat from an electronic component mounted on a printed circuit board, includes a heat sink and a clip attaching the heat sink onto the printed circuit board. The heat sink has a rectangular base and a plurality of fins extending upwardly from the base. The fins define a receiving channel therein, which is slantwise to two opposite sides of the heat sink. The clip includes a main body placed in the receiving channel and two latching legs extending obliquely and oppositely from two opposite ends of the main body. The two latching legs are located in front of and in rear of the two opposite sides of the heat sink, respectively, and are parallel thereto.
US07697295B2 Heat sink clip
A heat sink clip (30) includes an elongated resilient main body (31) with two spaced barbs (315) at a first end thereof, a first locking member (33) coupled with a second end of the main body and a moveable second locking member (32) movably coupled with the first end of the main body. The barbs each vertically extend and include a neck (3151) connecting with the main body and a locking end (3152) at a free end thereof. The moveable second locking member includes an operating portion (321) and a locking leg (322) defining two connecting slots (323) therein. Each of the connecting slots includes a longitudinally narrow portion (3231) and a longitudinally wide portion (3232) beside the narrow portion. The barbs enter the connecting slots through the wide portions and the necks are received in the narrow portions.
US07697293B1 Heat dissipation device
A heat dissipation device includes a first heat sink, a second heat sink juxtaposed with the first heat sink and a plurality of heat pipes thermally connecting the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The first heat sink includes a plate-like spreader used for contacting with a first electric component and a honeycomb-like first fin unit thermally attached on the spreader. The spreader is a flat heat pipe. The heat pipes each include a flat plate-shaped evaporating section sandwiched between the spreader and the first fin unit of the first heat sink and a condensing section extending in the second heat sink. Due to a provision of the honeycomb-like first fin unit, the heat dissipation area of the first heat sink greatly increases.
US07697292B2 Aircraft electronics cooling apparatus for an aircraft having a liquid cooling system
The invention relates to an improved aircraft electronics cooling system for an aircraft having a liquid cooling system (2), the aircraft electronics cooling system providing a thermal coupling between an electronic device (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 42, 44) to be cooled and the liquid cooling system (2) of the aircraft. A coolant delivered by the liquid cooling system (2) may flow through a board of the electronic device (40a, 40b, 40c, 40d), through a heat sink on which the electronic device (42) is arranged and/or through a housing in which the electronic device (44) is arranged. The coolant may be permanently in the liquid state in a cooling circuit. The coolant may vaporize at least partially while cooling the electronic device.
US07697291B2 Active liquid metal thermal spreader
The present invention is a method and apparatus for cooling a semiconductor heat source. In one embodiment a thermal spreader is provided and includes a substrate for supporting the semiconductor heat source and a heat sink coupled to the substrate. A channel is disposed between the heat sink and substrate. The channel has at least one wall defined by the heat sink. The surface area of the channel wall defined by the heat sink is about 10 to about 100 times the surface area of a bottom surface of the semiconductor heat source. A coolant, for example liquid metal, circulates within the channel.
US07697279B2 Mounting apparatus for storage device
A mounting apparatus for mounting a data storage device with a sliding member attached thereon, includes a bracket and a latch member slidably mounted on the side plate. The bracket includes a side plate. The side plate defines a slideway for slidably receiving the sliding member of the data storage device. The latch member includes a resilient tab. The latch member is slidable on the side plate between a first position wherein the resilient tab is located at a halfway of the slideway so as to block the sliding member from passing therethrough, and a second position wherein the resilient tab is located outside the slideway so as to allow the sliding member to pass therethrough.
US07697276B2 Fixing apparatus for hard disk drive
An exemplary fixing apparatus is for mounting a hard disk drive (HDD) having a plurality of holes defined in sidewalls and includes a bracket, a clip, and a plurality of fixing pins. The bracket includes an end plate, and a pair of side plates extending from opposite ends of the end plate respectively. The side plates are capable of being flexed away from each other for allowing the HDD to be placed therebetween. The clip is pivotably attached to one side plate and detachably locked with the other side plate. The fixing pins are attached to the side plates to engage in the holes of the HDD.
US07697275B2 Shock resistant mounting for small display screen
The display screen unit of a cell phone or PDA is carried in a mounting frame, which is bolted into the casing. The screen unit is sandwiched between cushioning layers of foam. The screen unit can move laterally, relative to the mounting frame, putting the foam in shear, in response to an edge or corner impact. Springy tabs are bent up from the metal backing plate of the screen unit, and these springy tabs serve to cushion the impact of the screen unit against the mounting frame, in response to the edge or corner impact, leading to a marked improvement in drop test performance. As a production-line benefit, the springy tabs also permit the screen unit to rest on the lip of the mounting frame, enabling the screen unit to be accurately positioned in the mounting frame just before the screen unit is finally pressed down into contact with the securing adhesive.
US07697273B2 Display device
A liquid crystal display according to this invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a frame assembly accommodating the liquid crystal display panel and being provided with a space adjacent to an end of the accommodated liquid crystal display panel, and a designed package covering the frame assembly. There is provided on a surface of the frame assembly with a through hole exposing the space and the end of the liquid crystal display panel adjacent to the space. Further, provided on an inner surface of the designed package is a positioning projection which passes through the through hole to be brought into contact with the end of the liquid crystal display panel within the space. As the designed package and the liquid crystal display panel can be positioned directly with each other, it is possible to realize accurate positioning of the designed package with respect to the liquid crystal display panel.
US07697272B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus is provided. A frame is fixed and supported at the rear of a front panel forming the front portion of the display apparatus, and a separate bracket member is not mounted on the edges of the front panel. Thus, the front exterior of the display apparatus is neatly finished, and the display screen looks bigger than it actually is.
US07697269B2 Housing mechanism for electronic device
An exemplary housing mechanism (8) for an electronic device includes a cover (10) and a frame (20). The cover has a cover body (11), a sealing element (12), and a sidewall (13) formed around the cover body. A surface of a distal end of the sidewall is recessed thereby forming a receiving slot (16) therein. The sealing element has a connecting portion (122) and a positioning portion (124) connected to the connecting portion. The connecting portion is fixedly received in the receiving slot of the cover. The frame has a positioning slot (26) defined therein and the positioning portion of the sealing element is for reception in the positioning slot of the frame when the cover is closed to the frame.
US07697267B2 Capacitor and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to a capacitor having high capacitance, low ESR (equivalent series resistance) in a high-frequency region and low leakage current, including a composite oxide film obtained by reaction of an oxide film obtained by subjecting the surface of the substrate comprising valve-acting metal element to electrolytic oxidation with a solution in which metal ion and an organic base are dissolved and by subsequently sintering the reactant, a solid electrolyte formed on the composite oxide film and a conductor layer formed thereon; a method for producing the same and electronic devices using the same.
US07697265B2 Electric double layer capacitor with a sealing plate fitted inside a container
An electric double layer capacitor comprises an electrode, a current collector, an electrolyte, a separator, a concave-shaped container for accommodating them, and a sealing plate for sealing an opening part of the container, wherein the sealing plate is fitted inside the container. By having a structure fitting the sealing plate inside an opening part of the concave-shaped container, the positioning between the sealing plate and the container becomes easy, and the displacement of the sealing plate in the horizontal direction can be reduced. Thus, the decline of the yield can be prevented.
US07697263B2 High-temperature dielectric materials and capacitors made therefrom
A ceramic dielectric composition suitable for preparing capacitors for use in high-temperature service conditions is disclosed. The ceramic material and capacitors made from it exhibit unique and heretofore unrealizable properties including low variation in capacitance with voltage up to high fields, low variation in capacitance with temperature over a broad temperature range, retained high permittivity at temperatures up to 200° C. and beyond, low loss, low field-induced strain and adequate capacitance to retain performance at very low service temperatures. The material is based on sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) with selected additions of substituents and dopants to broaden and flatten its dielectric response, lower loss, lower strain, lower voltage coefficient and increase resistivity.
US07697255B2 Dissipator
A dissipator useful for discharging provides a continuously variable high-voltage load under control of a computer or other device capable of providing an analog control voltage. Known dissipator arrangements use multiple high voltage switches and resistors to attempt to dissipate power. However, the disclosed dissipator uses the resistive property of a matrix of photo resistive cells, typically cadmium sulphide arranged on a circuit board. These photo resistive cells are series connected and controlled optically to vary their resistances. An optical control signal is provided for each photo resistive cell by a corresponding light emitting diode (LED). The amount of light emitted by each LED is analog controlled.
US07697246B2 Magnetoresistive sensor having biasing AFM layer in contact with free layer and a track width defined by a lead contact area
A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor having a current path defined by first and second overlying insulation layers between which an electrically conductive lead makes content with a surface of the sensor stack. The current path being narrower than the width of the sensor stack allows the outer edges of the sensor stack to be moved outside of the active area of the sensor. This results in a sensor that is unaffected by damage at outer edges of the sensor layers. The sensor stack includes a free layer that is biased by direct exchange coupling with a layer of antiferromagnetic material (AFM layer). The strength of the exchange field can be controlled by adding Cr to the AFM material to ensure that the exchange field is sufficiently weak to avoid pinning the free layer.
US07697240B2 Magnetic head actuator and magnetic disk device having damper material attached to actuator arm
The present invention relates to a magnetic head actuator and a magnetic disk device in which a magnetic head is moved to a predetermined position by actuating an arm on a revolving magnetic disk. A magnetic head actuator comprises an arm in which a suspension for supporting a magnetic head is provided, the arm being actuated to move the magnetic head. A damper material is provided on at least one side of the arm, the damper material comprising a restriction material and a viscoelastic material, the restriction material suppressing vibrations of the arm, and the viscoelastic material absorbing vibrations of the arm.
US07697236B2 Method and apparatus for disk damper extending across all data tracks of a rotating disk surface upwind of the voice coil actuator in a hard disk drive
The invention includes a disk damper containing an extended area located on the upstream side of the head stack assembly. The extended area is joined to a tail section. In the extended area, the disk damper provides a wall near the neighboring rotating disk surface that extends from the outside diameter to the inside diameter of the rotating disk surface. Experimental results have shown that this provides much more consistent dampening of disk vibrations and vibrations of a head stack assembly positioned anywhere from the inside diameter to the outside diameter. The hard disk drive including the disk damper. Using the disk damper in a hard disk drive to improve the reliability of the hard disk drive during track following. Making the hard disk drive using the disk damper, and the hard disk drive as a product of that manufacturing process.
US07697234B2 Storage apparatus, control method, and control device which enable or disable compensation control
A rotation disturbance compensation control unit applies a compensation signal to a positioning control unit so as to cancel out rotation disturbance vibration components detected by using acceleration velocity sensors. At predetermined timing, a position error detection unit detects respective position errors of the case in which the rotation disturbance compensation control unit is turned on and the case in which it is turned off. A compensation control switching unit switches the rotation disturbance compensation control unit to be on if the position error of the case in which the compensation control of rotation disturbance is turned on is small and switches the compensation control switching unit to be off if the position error of the case in which the compensation control of rotation disturbance is turned off is small.
US07697233B1 Disk drive comprising a servo accelerator implementing state space equations for a plurality of task objects
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and an actuator for actuating the head over the disk. The disk drive further comprises a state variable memory for storing a plurality of state variable sets, wherein each state variable set comprises a plurality of state variables and each state variable set corresponds to a task object. A coefficient memory for stores a plurality of coefficient sets, wherein each coefficient set comprises a plurality of coefficients and each coefficient set corresponds to a task object. A task object is executed by initializing a base state register to address a selected one of the state variable sets in the state variable memory, and initializing a base coefficient register to address a selected one of the coefficient sets in the coefficient memory.
US07697232B2 Storage device and storage device controller including feature for causing thermal protrusion phenomenon in the head during startup period of device
A storage device has a head that floats over a rotating storage medium. The storage device includes a measuring unit that measures the operating time and a head slider having a head element. The head element includes a reading element, a writing element and a heater, and a control unit that controls a protruding amount of the head element, by issuing an instruction causing an amount of power of a first predetermined value to be supplied to the heater until the amount of time measured by the measuring unit becomes a predetermined value. When the amount of time exceeds the predetermined value, the control unit cause an amount of power of a second predetermined value that is lower than the first predetermined value.
US07697230B2 Tape drive position control
In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control a rate of relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, wherein the servo system comprises a sampling module to sample servo code from the tape media and the sampling module implements a dithered sampling routine centered around a design sampling frequency.
US07697229B2 Method and system for writing information to a tape cartridge
A tape drive system for a tape cartridge including a tape and wireless identification tag may read information from the wireless identification tag and write the information to the tape. The tape drive system may toggle a bit stored on the wireless identification tag to indicate that the information has been written to the tape. The information may include tape initialization information.
US07697226B2 Control apparatus, storage apparatus, and computer product
A rewrite determining unit acquires, for every servo frame recorded on a magnetic disk, an amplification degree, i.e., a gain of an amplifier circuit by which a read signal read from the magnetic disk is amplified to a predetermined output, determines a rewrite sector count based on the amplification degree, and performs data rewriting according to the rewrite sector count.
US07697225B2 Storage apparatus, method of controlling amount of write current overshoot in storage apparatus and storage medium storing its program
A storage apparatus comprises: a current parameter varying section that can make a write current used for writing information on the storage medium and an overshoot amount corresponding to the write current variable; a detection section that detects an error rate or its corresponding error rate parameter for a plurality of combinations of the write current and overshoot amount varied by the current parameter varying section; a saturation factor calculation section that calculates a saturation factor representing a change in the error rate relative to a unit write current value from the error rate or error rate parameter detected by the detection section; and a current parameter setting section that determines current parameters based on the saturation factor obtained by the saturation factor calculation section for setting.
US07697221B2 Imaging lens and imaging device
An imaging lens includes, in order from an object side, a first lens G1, a second lens G2, a third lens G3, an aperture stop St and a fourth lens G4. The first lens is a negative lens having a meniscus shape with a convex surface directed to the object side. The second lens is a negative lens. The third lens is a positive lens having a convex surface directed to the object side. The fourth lens is a biconvex lens. The following conditional expression is satisfied: 1.5
US07697218B2 Lens control apparatus, lens barrel, imaging apparatus, and optical apparatus
A lens control apparatus includes a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature near a zoom lens and a focus lens, a zoom lens drive unit configured to drive the zoom lens, and a controller configured, if it is determined that a current temperature near the zoom lens and the focus lens detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a reference temperature, to acquire a telephoto end position to be set at the current temperature, to compare the telephoto end position with a current position of the zoom lens, and to cause the zoom lens drive unit to move the zoom lens to the telephoto end position if the current position of the zoom lens is located beyond the telephoto end position on a telephoto side.
US07697215B2 Zoom lens system, imaging device and camera
The zoom lens system is used for forming an optical image of an object with a variable magnification, and, in order from the object side, comprises a first lens unit G1 of negative optical power, a second lens unit G2 of positive optical power and a third lens unit G3 of positive optical power. The lens units move respectively along the optical axis so that a magnification is changed with changing a distance between the respective lens units. The second lens unit G2 comprises at least three lens elements including an object side lens element of the second lens unit which is a positive lens element arranged on the most object side with the surface of strong curvature facing the object side, and an image side lens element of the second lens unit which is a positive lens element arranged on the most image side with the convex surface facing the object side.
US07697213B2 Optical element and imaging apparatus
An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07697212B2 High-order aberration correction for optimization of human visual function
The present invention relates to the optimization of human visual function by correcting and/or optimizing high-order optical aberrations in high performance optical devices. The optimization is particularly useful for high performance devices used under low light conditions such as binoculars, rifle scopes, telescopes, microscopes, night vision goggles and laser eye protection devices.
US07697210B2 Wide-angle objective lens system and camera
A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.
US07697202B2 Screen, fresnel lens sheet used for the same, and image display apparatus using the same
An image display apparatus includes an image generation source, optics for projecting in an enlarged form the image generated by the image generation source, and a transmissive screen for displaying the image projected from said optics. The transmissive screen includes a Fresnel lens sheet disposed at an image generation source side, and a diffusing sheet disposed at an image-watching side in order to diffuse image light at least in a horizontal direction of the screen. The Fresnel lens sheet has a plurality of entrance-side prisms formed at the image generation source side, and a plurality of exit-side prisms formed at the image-watching side, and the Fresnel lens sheet emits lights in a first direction and a second direction. The first direction is almost parallel to a central axis of the Fresnel lens sheet, and the second direction extends toward the central axis.
US07697201B2 Screen, rear projector, projection system, and image display unit
A screen that displays images as a result of receiving projection light, includes: a plurality of plate components that are optically transparent and are provided apart from each other; a scatterer that is placed in a light scattering space that is formed between the plurality of plate components, and is formed by dispersing a light scattering material in a gas or liquid dispersion medium; a flow path that allows the scatterer to flow through the light scattering space; and a flow device that causes the scatterer to flow through the light scattering space.
US07697200B2 Screen having image viewable only in ambient light
A reflective display screen comprises a first component surface responsive to absorb low level ambient light from above the screen and a second surrounding component surface responsive to light of high intensity from an image source. The first component surface is graphically formed to represent a fixed permanent image within the screen viewable only in ambient overhead lighting and without incidence of the high intensity light from the image source. Other embodiments include a method of displaying a permanent, fixed image and a method of making a display screen.
US07697196B2 Tuneable optical amplifier or optical parametric oscillator
A parametric process is provided for producing visible light at a second wavelength including pumping an optical fiber (4) with input light (1) at a first wavelength of less than one micron, which is longer than the second wavelength, and wherein the optical fiber (4) has zero group velocity dispersion at a third wavelength in the visible or near infrared region and longer than the first wavelength. An optical amplifier that uses the parametric process for producing light at second wavelength is also provided. The optical fiber (4) may be a photonic crystal fiber. The parametric process is tuneable by adjusting the frequency of the zero group velocity dispersion, the frequency of the first wavelength or the birefringence of the optical fiber (4).
US07697192B2 Method of spatially separating wavelengths of multi-wavelength signal using electronically controlled thermal structure
A thin-film interference filter structure has a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.
US07697191B2 Generation of a desired three-dimensional electromagnetic field
The present invention relates to a method and a system for synthesizing a prescribed three-dimensional electromagnetic field based on generalized phase contrast imaging. Such a method and apparatus may be utilized in advanced optical micro and nano-manipulation, such as by provision of a multiple-beam optical tweezer.
US07697184B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes a polygon mirror, a beam detector, a correcting unit, and a controller. The polygon mirror deflects and scans a light beam in a main scanning direction on a surface of an image carrier. The beam detector detects a beam position of the deflected light beam in a sub-scanning direction. The correcting unit calculates a correction amount of out-of-color registration based on the beam position, and corrects out-of-color registration in the sub-scanning direction based on the correction amount. The controller controls, during correction of out-of-color registration, a deflection speed of the deflector to be less than a deflection speed for writing a latent image on the surface of the image carrier.
US07697183B2 Post-objective scanning beam systems
Scanning beam systems, apparatus and techniques in optical post-objective designs with two beam scanners for display and other applications.
US07697182B2 Scanning optical apparatus and image forming apparatus wherein a route of the second laser beam reflected by the first rotating polygon mirror and a route of the third laser beam reflected by the second rotating polygon mirror cross each other in the optical box
A scanning optical apparatus includes two deflectors that are driven by motors to deflect laser beams. One of the deflectors is provided while inclined by about 10° from an attaching reference plane in an optical box, and the other deflector is provided in parallel with the attaching reference plane. An image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus includes four photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors. In the image forming apparatus, the photosensitive drums corresponding to Y, M, C, and K colors are alternately irradiated with laser beam fluxes from the deflectors. Accordingly, the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the K and M colors are irradiated with one of the deflectors, and the two photosensitive drums corresponding to the C and Y colors are irradiated with the other deflector.
US07697177B2 Image processing method, apparatus and program product
A coloring material color separating section 101 separates an input image into ink colors of a printer referring to an LUT which is registered in the printer as initial values and used for color separation of coloring materials. A total coloring material amount calculating section 102 calculates total amounts of coloring materials equal to amounts of component coloring materials to be used of each pixel from the data passing through the ink color separation, and obtains the maximum value of them. A total coloring material amount adjusting section 103 readjusts the total amounts of the coloring materials of all the pixels such that they become equal to the maximum amount of the coloring materials using the total amount of the coloring materials of the pixel at which the total amount of the coloring material becomes maximum.
US07697174B2 Image reader
In an image reader having a static-document reading function and a moving-document reading function, a static-document pressing member is movably arranged on a cover portion and a sheet passing opening is opened or closed by moving the static-document pressing member. Further, the image reader includes a moving-document pressing member for pressing a document being automatically fed when it come to a document reading position on a platen glass when the static-document pressing member is moved to open the sheet passing opening.
US07697170B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus includes a determining step of determining, on the basis of a given first area in an original document image, a second area in the original document image that does not overlap with the first area, and a compositing step of combining a first copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the first area and combining a second copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the second area.
US07697168B2 Image processing apparatus and method for generating bitmap data and attribute information from a raster data
In order to improve print image quality, attribute information is generated for each pixel of a bitmap image generated according to a drawing command, and the bitmap image and attribute information are written in a memory. However, when this is done, data amount to be written in the memory increases, and the rasterize processing speed lowers. Hence, a display list is generated by interpreting PDL data, a bitmap image and attribute information of each pixel are rasterized based on the display list, and the bitmap image and attribute information are written in the memory. In this case, a black attribute is written in attribute information of an object filled with black, and the color value of that object is not written in the bitmap image.
US07697167B2 Color processing method and apparatus
Upon re-creating a conversion table, which is created for each device and viewing conditions, so as to absorb variations of the color reproduction characteristic of a device, data indicating the relationship between color signals on the color space of the device whose color reproduction characteristic has varied, and color signals on a device-independent color space must be obtained again. Hence, input data is converted into output data using conversion tables for input and output conversions, which are created for an input or output device and for each conversion setting, and a conversion adjustment table. The conversion adjustment table is modified in correspondence with variations of the color reproduction characteristic of the input or output device or color correction for the input or output device.
US07697166B2 Color job output matching for a printing system
A printing system is provided for color job matching of the output from a plurality of image marking engines. The system includes a first test image printed by a first image marking engine on a media document. The first test image having a data glyph and a plurality of reference patches. The system further includes a second test image printed by a second image marking engine on the media document. The second test image having a data glyph and a plurality of reference patches. The first and second test images are printed on the same side of the media document. A scanner is provided for scanning the media document. The scanned first and second test images provide calibration data for matching color correction tables of the first image marking engine and the second image marking engine, wherein the data glyph and the reference patches of the scanned image data are compared with retrieved color correction tables for generating compensation values based on a difference between the scanned image set-up data and the color correction tables for at least a first subsequent image document on the first image marking engine or the second image marking engine.
US07697165B2 Gamut compression method, program, and gamut compression device
A gamut compressing device for compressing video data in a first gamut into video data in a second gamut. The device includes a compression unit compressing a value of color data in the first gamut, not contained in the second gamut, into a value of color data contained in the second gamut through a predetermined compression calculation. A gradation generating unit generates gradation such that a plurality of values of color data having the same value as a result of the compression become different in the second gamut.
US07697164B2 Mutually different color conversion image processing device
The image processing device according to the present invention comprises: a first image acquisition device which acquires a portrait image, a first color conversion processing device which subjects the acquired portrait image to a first color conversion, a second image acquisition device which acquires a non-portrait image relating to the portrait image, a second color conversion processing device which subjects the non-portrait image to a second color conversion that is different from the first color conversion, an image superimposing device which superimposes the portrait image which is subjected to the first color conversion and the non-portrait image which is subjected to the second color conversion, and an image output device which outputs the superimposed image.
US07697161B2 Method of displaying wallpaper and apparatus for displaying wallpaper
A method of displaying wallpaper and an apparatus for displaying wallpaper includes displaying an input image to be displayed on wallpaper as a background image and a wallpaper displaying frame containing the entire image or a part of the input image on a wallpaper setting window, modifying a wallpaper displaying frame area according to a user's instruction, and displaying the modified frame area on the wallpaper. The apparatus for displaying wallpaper includes an application unit that displays an input image to be inputted as a background image for wallpaper and a wallpaper displaying frame containing the entire input image or a part of the input image on a wallpaper setting window, a modification unit that modifies a wallpaper displaying frame area specified by the application unit according to a user's instruction, and a wallpaper displaying unit that displays the frame area modified by the modification unit on the wallpaper.
US07697158B2 Method for printing a digital print file and a printer adapted for applying the said method
The present invention pertains to a method for printing a digital print file using a system comprising a digital network which interconnects a plurality of service units, for example a plurality of printers, and a print file memory. The method includes submitting a print job comprising the print file via a workstation to the network, upon which the system sends information corresponding to the print job to a default service unit, and stores the print file in the memory while linking the print file to a user, selecting a service unit different from the default service unit to print the print file, the selected service unit not having information corresponding to the print job, receiving data corresponding to the user, which is entered by an operator at a user interface of the selected service unit, identifying the user by the system using the data, after which the system retrieves the print file linked to the identified user from the memory, and sends the retrieved print file to the selected service unit, and printing the print file by the selected service unit.
US07697145B2 System for fourier domain optical coherence tomography
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging method which can image with micrometer-scale resolution up to a few millimeters deep into, for example, living biological tissues and preserved tissue samples. An improved apparatus and image reconstruction algorithm for parallel Fourier Domain OCT which greatly eases requirements for interferometer stability and also allows for more efficient parallel image acquisition is provided. The apparatuses and algorithms reconstruct images from interfered, low-coherence, multiwave length signals having a π radian phase difference relative to one another. Other numbers of signals and other phase differences may be alternatively used, with some combinations resulting in higher resolution and image stability. The apparatus also eliminates a need for bulk optics to modulate a phase delay in a reference arm of the optical path. Images may be reconstructed using two spectrometers, where each is coupled to a detector array such as a photodiode array.
US07697144B2 Optical fiber coating system and monitoring method for improved thermal performance in fiber optic sensors
A method and apparatus for reducing the thermal induced errors in an IFOG system. The apparatus including a highly thermally conductive material configured to encapsulate a waveguide of an interferometric fiber optic gyroscope (IFOG). The highly thermally conductive material more evenly distributes thermal changes encountered by a sensing coil of the IFOG thereby substantially reducing errors in the IFOG system.
US07697142B2 Calibration method for compensating for non-uniformity errors in sensors measuring specular reflection
This invention relates to a method for the calibration of linear array photo sensors operating in a specular reflection mode. Errors may be introduced when a highly diffused image is measured by the linear array photosensor that was calibrated in a specular mode. These errors result in artifacts such as streaks in the captured image. The method measures non-uniformity errors using a highly diffuse white reflective surface, and then applies an appropriate scaled pixel-wise correction factor to the image when the sensor is used in the specular mode.
US07697139B2 Surface inspection apparatus
A surface inspection apparatus includes units illuminating repetitive patterns formed on a surface of a suspected substance and measuring a variation in an intensity of regular reflection light caused by a change in shapes of the repetitive patterns, units illuminating the repetitive patterns with linearly polarized light, setting an angle formed between a repetitive direction of the repetitive patterns and a direction of a plane of vibration of the linearly polarized light at a tilt angle, and measuring a variation in a polarized state of the regular reflection light caused by the change in the shapes of the repetitive patterns, and a unit detecting a defect of the repetitive patterns based on the variation in the intensity and the variation in the polarized state of the regular reflection light.
US07697138B2 Method and apparatus for determination of source polarization matrix
A method and apparatus for resolving both the angular (nx,ny) and spatial (x,y) dependence of the effective source coherence matrix for lithographic steppers and scanners is described. First an in-situ source metrology instrument is combined with in-situ polarization elements to create an in-situ source imaging polarizer or ISIP. The ISIP is loaded into a photolithographic exposure tool, aligned, and then exposed onto a suitable recording media or recording sensor. The recording sensor comprising either resist coated wafers or electronic sensors capture the image intensity at a multiplicity of different field points. The resulting measurements are entered into a computer program that reconstructs the source coherence matrix as a function of direction cosine at multiple field points. Alternative ISIP configurations are discussed in some detail. Applications of the ISIP include polarization source mapping for deep-UV and EUV lithography, process optimization, process monitoring, and chip manufacturing.
US07697136B2 Reflection characteristic measuring apparatus, and method for calibrating reflection characteristic measuring apparatus
In a reflection characteristic measuring apparatus 10 and a method for calibrating the reflection characteristic measuring apparatus, multiple standard spectral characteristics, or multiple calibration data based on the multiple standard spectral characteristics are obtained in advance with corresponding reference values relating to an emission characteristic of a light source 21. An optimum standard spectral characteristic or an optimum calibration data is selected from the multiple standard spectral characteristics or the multiple calibration data obtained. A spectral reflection characteristic of a sample is calculated using the selected standard spectral characteristic or the selected calibration data.
US07697134B1 Correlation spectrometer
A correlation spectrometer can detect a large number of gaseous compounds, or chemical species, with a species-specific mask wheel. In this mode, the spectrometer is optimized for the direct measurement of individual target compounds. Additionally, the spectrometer can measure the transmission spectrum from a given sample of gas. In this mode, infrared light is passed through a gas sample and the infrared transmission signature of the gasses present is recorded and measured using Hadamard encoding techniques. The spectrometer can detect the transmission or emission spectra in any system where multiple species are present in a generally known volume.
US07697133B2 Methods and apparatus for analysis of phenotypic parameters and traits in plants
One aspect of the invention relates to methods for analysis of phenotypic parameters or a trait in a plant comprising using a digital analyzing device, comparing phenotypic parameters or traits between plants in a population, and selecting plants with a selected parameter or trait. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a container in which one or more plants is growing and having associated with it a device which comprises a unique identifier.The apparatus may comprise a transporter system for moving the containers, and may comprise a workstation at which an operation, such as imaging, is performed on plants in the containers. The operation may be performed automatically, and/or at a high throughput rate. The unique identifier of each container and the information derived from each plant may be linked to this identifier via a computer, and may be stored in a digital database.
US07697130B2 Apparatus and method for inspecting a surface of a wafer
A surface inspection apparatus and method increase wafer productivity, wherein to increase an efficiency of the surface inspection apparatus to detect defects during a scanning of the wafer surface, a scanning speed for a subsequent defect detection is varied according to an increase/decrease of defect density represented on a plurality of images acquired successively. When the density of defects is reduced, the scanning speed increases and a level of a skip rule increases, and when the density of defects increases, the scanning speed decreases and a level of the skip rule decreases to precisely detect defects, thereby increasing reliability, throughput, and productivity.
US07697128B2 Method of imaging radiation from an object on a detection device and an inspection device for inspecting an object
A method of imaging radiation from an object on a detection device. The method includes directing a beam of coherent radiation to the object, scanning the beam of radiation over an angle in or out of a plane of incidence relative to the object, and imaging scattered radiation from the object on the detection device.
US07697114B2 Method and apparatus for compensated illumination for advanced lithography
Disclosed is a lithography system. The lithography system includes a source designed to provide energy; an imaging system configured to direct the energy onto a substrate to form a predefined image thereon, and defining an optical axis; and an aperture incorporated with the imaging system, the aperture having a plurality of transmitting regions defined along radial axis not parallel to the optical axis, and each transmitting region operable to transmit the energy with adjustable intensity.
US07697107B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A mother glass panel for manufacturing a plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCD) includes a first substrate; a second substrate attached to the first substrate, wherein column spacers are disposed between the first and second substrates to form cell gaps; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein, the mother glass panel defines a plurality of liquid crystal display regions and at least two of the liquid crystal display regions have different cell gaps.
US07697106B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device of the present invention has a structure in which vertically aligned liquid crystal is sealed between a TFT substrate and a CF substrate. Pixel electrodes in which slits are provided are formed on the TFT substrate, while cell gap holding spacers and domain defining projections are formed on the CF substrate. For example, positive type photoresist is coated on a common electrode. Then, first exposure is executed by using a mask for light-shielding spacer forming regions and projection forming regions, and then second exposure is executed by using a mask for light-shielding the spacer forming regions. Then, the photoresist is developed. Accordingly, the spacers and the projections, each having a different height, can be formed simultaneously.
US07697102B2 Contact structure
There is disclosed a contact structure for electrically connecting conducting lines formed on a first substrate of an electrooptical device such as a liquid crystal display with conducting lines formed on a second substrate via conducting spacers while assuring a uniform cell gap among different cells if the interlayer dielectric film thickness is nonuniform across the cell or among different cells. A first conducting film and a dielectric film are deposited on the first substrate. Openings are formed in the dielectric film. A second conducting film covers the dielectric film left and the openings. The conducting spacers electrically connect the second conducting film over the first substrate with a third conducting film on the second substrate. The cell gap depends only on the size of the spacers, which maintain the cell gap.
US07697101B2 Array substrate and liquid crystal display device using the same with parallelogrammic pixel region
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes: a gate line on a substrate along a first direction; a data line along a second direction and crossing the gate line, the crossing of the data line and the gate line defining a pixel region having a parallelogrammic shape; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor.
US07697098B2 Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display device
It is an object of the present invention to suppress light leakage in a dark state which is generated by rubbing treatment. A liquid crystal material containing an ultraviolet curable liquid crystalline monomer at a concentration of more than 0 wt % and not more than 1.0 wt % is used for a liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. By applying such a liquid crystal layer to a liquid crystal display device, light leakage in a dark state can be suppressed, and the black display can be improved. Therefore, a liquid crystal display device with an excellent contrast and high display quality can be obtained.
US07697089B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
In an LCD apparatus (400) having simplified structure and improved luminance, a light supplying unit (100) supplies an LCD panel (280) with red light during a time corresponding to one-third of a frame, green light during the time and blue light during the time. A light reflective-transmissive unit is disposed between the light supplying unit (100) and the LCD panel assembly (200) to transmit the red light, the green light and the blue light and to reflect an external light from exterior of the LCD panel assembly (200). The LCD apparatus displays an image by means of white light as well as red light, green light and blue light, thereby improving luminance and simplifying structure.
US07697088B2 Optical element package, backlight, and liquid crystal display device
An optical element covering member capable of improving insufficiency in rigidity of the optical element while an increase in thickness of a liquid crystal display device or deterioration of display characteristics of the liquid crystal display device is reduced, a backlight provided with the optical element covering member, and a liquid crystal display device are provided. The optical element covering member includes at least one optical element, a support medium for supporting the at least one optical element, and a covering member for covering the at least one optical element and the support medium. The at least one optical element and the support medium constitute a stack.
US07697086B2 Container, display apparatus including the same, and method of manufacturing display apparatus
A container that is capable of being easily assembled and conveyed while production cost and production time are reduced includes a plurality of division parts having walls and upper portions, and first fitting members formed at ends of the division parts to fit adjacent division parts to each other. A display apparatus including the container and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus are further provided.
US07697084B2 Housing for liquid crystal display device having a main supporter and two bottom covers
The liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a main supporter in which a backlight and an LCD panel are mounted, and two bottom covers that are engaged with the main supporter to protect the backlight and the LCD panel, wherein the bottom covers are symmetrical to each other to be located at both sides of a long direction of the main supporter.
US07697083B2 Liquid crystal display (LCD) device having an electrostatic discharge protection circuit and a high voltage supply circuit
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device having an Optically Compensated Bend (OCB) mode, which can restrict an initial high current while supplying a high voltage to a liquid crystal, includes: pixel circuits formed at crossing points of a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines and including an Liquid Crystal (LC) capacitor of an OCB mode formed between a pixel electrode and a common electrode; an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection circuit connected to each data line to prevent static electricity from accumulating in each pixel circuit; a DC-DC converter outputting a voltage for initial bend transition of the LC capacitor of the OCB mode; and a high voltage supplying circuit receiving a voltage of the DC-DC converter and transmitting a high voltage to the common electrode. An initial high current is prevented from flowing through the LC panel to thereby protect the LC panel and other elements from damage, and an initial bend transient time of the OCB mode liquid crystal is significantly reduced.
US07697081B2 Pixel structure of liquid crystal display comprising V-shaped drain and source electrodes and method for activating a state transition of a liquid crystal layer
A method for activating a state transition of a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display has a first substrate, a second substrate and plural pixel structures, wherein the liquid crystal is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and each of the plural pixel structures has a transistor having a first electrode and a second electrode. The method including steps of: providing a first potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate a first electric field; providing a second potential difference between the first substrate and the second substrate to generate a second electric field; and transitioning the liquid crystal from a non-display alignment state to a display alignment state by the first and the second electric fields.
US07697080B2 Manufacturing method for display device having thickness of first substrate reduced by second supporting substrate and then adhering third substrate with parallax optic to thinned first substrate
A multiple-view directional display is provided having an image display element and a parallax optic (13). The display element (8) comprises substrates (6, 19) between which the display layer (8) is sandwiched and the parallax optic (13) is disposed within the image display element.
US07697079B2 Illumination system eliminating laser speckle and projection TV employing the same
Provided are an illumination system and a projection TV employing the same. The illumination system includes: a laser light source including a plurality of lasers which emit laser beams including a plurality of beamlets; a first diffractive optical element which separates the laser beams according to wavelength and which focuses the separated beams onto different segments of a second refractive optical element; and the second diffractive optical element which focuses and superimposes a plurality of beamlets, of the laser beams transmitted by the first diffractive optical element, in order to spatially average the laser beams and to eliminate laser speckle.
US07697077B2 Channel number sorting for digital television
Channel numbers are provided for a digital television receiver (200) that receives multiple transmissions (100, 110, 120), such as from different regions of a country or from different countries. The channel numbers for the home country transmission are assigned based on logical channel number (LCN) data in the transmission. The channel numbers for the transmissions of the other countries are provided so that they are in a higher range than the channel numbers for the home country transmission. For different regional transmissions, the channel numbers for the transmission with the strongest service, e.g., based on quality/bit error rate, signal strength, and/or frequency, may be arranged before the channel numbers for the lower strength transmissions.
US07697060B2 Rotary shutter assemblies for imaging photometers and methods for using such shutter assemblies
Rotary shutter assemblies for imaging photometers and methods for using such shutters are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method for capturing an image with an imaging photometer can include positioning a rotary shutter having an aperture at a first position such that the shutter blocks light traveling along an optical axis from a light source being measured to an image sensor of the photometer. The method can include pivotably moving the shutter at a generally constant angular speed to a second position with the aperture aligned with the optical axis to expose at least a portion of the image sensor to the light for a first predetermined exposure time. After exposing each portion of the image sensor to the light for the first exposure time, the method can include pivotably moving the shutter at the angular speed to a third position such the aperture is not aligned the optical axis, and then pivotably moving the shutter from the third position back to the first position without rotating the shutter 360 degrees.
US07697054B2 Image Manipulator for a camera
A method and system for editing an image with a camera includes simultaneously displaying a first image and a second image separate from each other on a display screen of the camera and modifying the first image, via a user interface of the camera, using a portion of the second image.
US07697049B1 Better SNR ratio for downsized images using interlaced mode
Various embodiments of the invention comprise imaging systems and methods for an interlaced scan of an image sensor array. An exemplary method is described in which an image sensor array is exposed to light for a period of time to generate voltage levels representative of array pixels. The voltage levels of a first field of the array are scanned, the first field comprising a number of row-pairs of the array. The voltage levels of a second field of the array are also scanned, the second field comprising a different set of row-pairs interlaced with the row-pairs of the first field. A set of image data from the first field and a set from the second field are generated. Various row-pairs may be averaged in generating the sets of image data. Additionally, exemplary imaging systems are described with various configurations for scanning an image sensor array in interlaced mode.
US07697048B2 Solid state imaging apparatus and driving method of the solid state imaging apparatus using four pixel addition
A solid state imaging apparatus of which spatial phases of pixels forming a first matrix of adjoining rows and adjoining columns are relatively different from each other is characterized by that an intersection of a line between two pixels to be added in a row direction and a line between two pixels to be added in a column direction approximately agreed with a center of four pixels to be added when the four pixels adjoining in the row and column directions are added, and phases of said centers of four pixels adjoining in the row direction or column direction are relatively different from each other in a second matrix consisted of a plurality of said centers of four pixels.
US07697044B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
The image processing apparatus includes an RGB-YUV converter for converting a color image into a luminance signal and a color difference signal and a YUV false color remover for removing false color based on the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals U, V. The false color remover includes an edge intensity calculator for calculating edge intensity based on the luminance signal Y, a modulation coefficient calculator for calculating a modulation coefficient so that a degree of modulation is greater as the edge intensity is higher, and a UV modulator for modulating a color difference signal having a value smaller than a prescribed threshold based on the degree of modulation.
US07697042B2 Solid-state image pickup device and camera
A solid-state image pickup device that reduces the number of necessary sampling and holding capacitors has signal lines to which photoreceiving elements are connected, a clamp circuit having clamp capacitors in which one terminal is connected to the signal lines and the other terminals are short-circuited and a switch applying a reference voltage to the other terminals by the clamping operation and adding signals from the photoreceiving elements provided in the row direction along with the clamping operation, an adder which is connected to the other terminals of the clamp capacitors, adds addition signals of the respective photoreceiving element rows outputted from the other terminals and adds the signals of the plurality of photoreceiving elements provided in the column direction, an amplifier connected to the adder, a switch resetting the input side of the amplifier, and a circuit for outputting an offset of the amplifier and the signal from the amplifier.
US07697038B2 Imaging apparatus and method for controlling thereof and imaging system
An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensing unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on an image sensing plane, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which image signals are read out from a first photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a first region of the image sensing plane, and a second mode in which image signals are read out from a second photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a second region that is smaller than the first region of the image sensing plane In addition, the control unit performs control such that a readout period of a line arranged on the image sensing plane in the first mode is substantially equal to that of a line arranged on the image sensing plane in the second mode when switching between the two modes.
US07697034B2 Moving image playback device with camera-shake correction function
When a blurring correction is performed when shooting a moving image, a digital camera performs blurring correction on the picked up frames and successively records the frames. Then, when generating a moving image file, the digital camera records information stating that the blurring correction has been performed in the header of the file, thereby preventing the blurring correction from being performed again when the moving image is played back. In addition, in the case that only the blurring detection is performed when shooting the moving image, the digital camera detects the blurring in the frame, correlates the detected blurring amount in the frame with the frame, and successively records the blurring amounts. Then, when generating the moving image file, the digital camera records information stating that the blurring detection has been performed in the header of the file.
US07697032B2 Integrated chip for detecting eye movement
According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to an integrated chip for detecting eye movement. An eye tracker device may include a CMOS image sensor which provides an imaging process of a user's eye image. The eye tracker device may be implemented on a single chip where pixel-level image processing is performed, thereby achieving high operating speed. A smart CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) pixel array may include a CMOS image sensor with a “shrink” function of locating a center of a pupil while eliminating influence of a black region around the eyebrow or pupil at the pixel level so as to accurately find the location at which a user views. The CIS pixel array may include an “expand” function of removing glint or other interference occurring in the pupil due to external light or other source.
US07697028B1 Vehicle mounted surveillance system
A security system for recording information outside a vehicle and delivering such information to a remote location includes a plurality of cameras mounted within a housing with radial lines of sight for providing a panoramic view of the surroundings. The present invention further includes a communication mechanism for transmitting an image to a remote location. A user interface includes one of a hand-operable video phone, personal computer and cellcorder. The present invention further includes an image stabilizing mechanism for maintaining the lines of sight along a linear path. The image stabilizing mechanism is secured to the housing and cameras. Such an image stabilizing mechanism includes a housing that has a motor, a gyro, and a helical spring member, which provide support as the vehicle is in motion.
US07697027B2 Vehicular video system
A vehicle-based video system includes a video processor, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of sensor devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor generates display signals for displaying video information for viewing and use by a driver in the vehicle for normal operation of the vehicle by the driver. The video processor is operable to fuse data from at least one imaging device and at least one non-imaging device into a single database in a standard format. The video processor, in response to processing the fused data, provides at least one output signal for conveying information to a driver in the vehicle that is used by the driver in the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven by the driver in the vehicle.
US07697021B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus irradiates a polygon mirror with laser beams from different directions. The polygon mirror reflects the laser beams toward different optical axis directions to scan the laser beams at a predetermined deflection angle. First and second beam detectors are disposed at the beam incident ends in the scanning direction of first and second light scanning sections such that the second beam detector detects the start of the light beam scanning operation at an earlier timing than the first beam detector does. The detection result of the first beam detector is used to set sampling start timing in common between first and second image data. Based on the detection results of the first and second beam detectors, first and second image data are written into a memory, and the first and second laser source sections are controlled based on the image data read out from the memory.
US07697020B2 Thermal print head and method for manufacturing same
A thermal printhead (A1) includes a substrate (1), a glaze layer (2), a heating resistor (3), an electrode (4) for energizing the heating resistor (3), the electrode being mainly composed of Au, and a protective film (6) covering the heating resistor (3) and the electrode (4). The electrode (4) has a surface formed with a plurality of recesses.
US07697019B2 Synchronous duplex printing systems using directed charged particle or aerosol toner development
An imaging system may include first and second imaging assemblies for synchronously imaging on both sides of a receiver material using directed charged particle or aerosol toner printing methods. The imaging assemblies may in turn each include an imaging member and an intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer member may be a split intermediate transfer member. The imaging system may also use flexible aperture print arrays.
US07697013B2 Method and apparatus for consolidating overlapping map markers
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for consolidating overlapping markers in a mapping application. The process identifies a plurality of points for display from data describing locations and associated data about locations. The process then determines whether displaying graphical indicators for a set of points in the plurality of points will result in graphical indicators overlapping each other. The process generates a consolidated marker for the set of points, in response to a determination that displaying graphical indicators for the set of points will result in graphical indicators overlapping each other. The process then associates a listing for the set of points with the consolidated marker. The listing comprises at least a portion of the associated data about locations for the plurality of points.
US07697000B2 Method and apparatus for typographic glyph construction including a glyph server
A system for typographic glyph construction includes a graphics system, a glyph server coupled to the graphics system, and an operating system coupled to the glyph server. An apparatus for typographic glyph construction of input text in a graphics system running on a computer system and output on an output device of the computer system includes a line layout core unit, a glyph cache unit coupled to the line layout core unit, an open font architecture services unit coupled to the glyph cache unit, at least one scaler unit coupled to the open font architecture unit, a font object management unit coupled to the at least one font scaler, and an attribute group support unit supporting a data structure for communication among the units of the apparatus. A method for processing input text in a graphics system running on a computer system and displaying typographic glyphs on a display device of the computer system includes mapping the input text into glyph codes, forming an initial glyph record array, the initial glyph record array comprising a plurality of glyph records for the glyph codes, processing a layout of the glyph codes to produce an updated glyph record array, rendering the updated glyph record array to produce a final glyph record array, and rendering a display of the typographic glyph output from the final glyph record array.
US07696999B1 Information transfer system, a transmitter, a receiver and a record carrier for use in the system
An information transfer system includes a transmitter for transferring to a receiver an information signal having main data and sub data. The sub data includes coded text lines having a plurality of character codes. The receiver is provided with a character display unit for displaying characters corresponding with the character codes in the coded text lines. The number of character display positions is less than the number of character codes in the coded text line. The receiver is further provided with display control means for controlling the display of characters corresponding to the character codes included in the coded text line in dependence on serial control codes included in the coded text line. Parts of the text in the sub data may be shown on both a full multi-line display units for displaying full text lines and a 1-line display with a relative small number of digits.
US07696996B2 Laser scanning microscope apparatus
A laser scanning microscope capable of quickly and accurately setting control values of control items for a microscope apparatus is provided. The control items and a time line are displayed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, respectively. The laser scanning microscope includes a graphical user interface configured to set the control values of the control items along the time line and a control unit configured to acquire luminance information of a specimen by irradiating the specimen with a laser beam in accordance with the control values set by the graphical user interface.
US07696995B2 System and method for displaying the effects of light illumination on a surface
A system and method are directed to determining light illumination in a graphical environment. One or more light sources are illuminating a surface. The surface is divided into one or more cells. The orientation of each cell is determined and saved in an orientation field. A multidimensional light map value is derived and associated with the surface. The multidimensional light map value defines the combined illumination of the one or more light sources on the surface, and may optionally be a vector. At least one cell to be drawn is determined. For each cell to be drawn, an illumination value associated with that cell to be drawn is determined. The illumination value is based on the orientation field and the multidimensional light map value. The illumination value may be the dot product of the orientation field and the multidimensional light map value.
US07696988B2 Selective use of LCD overdrive for reducing motion artifacts in an LCD device
Selectively providing LC overdrive by determining a relative noise level between a current video frame and a previous video frame and overdriving the current video frame based upon the determined relative noise level.
US07696985B2 Producing display control signals for handheld device display and remote display
Systems and methods of producing display control signals for a handheld device display and a remote displace are described. In one aspect, display control signals are produced in response to user input. In a handheld device mode of operation, the display control signals are selectively communicated to a display subsystem of a handheld device. In an input device mode of operation, the display control signals are selectively communicated to a peripheral device communication channel.
US07696983B2 Wireless mouse having a power switch with dual engagement modes
A wireless mouse includes a housing, a wireless signal receiver, a power switch, a carrier seat and a push-push element. The power switch is arranged inside the housing and includes a triggering part. The carrier seat is movably installed inside the housing for carrying the wireless signal receiver thereon and has a knob exposed outside a surface of the housing. The push-push element is arranged inside the housing and includes a clipping part for engaging with the carrier seat to fix the carrier seat in a first position or a second position. When the carrier seat is fixed in the first position, the carrier seat contacts the triggering part of the power switch to turn off the power switch.
US07696978B2 Enhanced cursor control using interface devices
An interface device and method for providing enhanced cursor control with force feedback. A force feedback interface device includes a manipulandum, such as a mouse, that is moveable in a local workspace. The device is coupled to a host computer that displays a cursor in a graphical environment, such as a GUI, on a display screen. An interior region and a border region in the local workspace is defined. One mapping of device movement to cursor movement is used for the interior region, and a different mapping is used for the border region. Mapping methods include ballistics, absolute, linear, rate control, and variable absolute. Rate control embodiments can be single axis or dual axis. In one embodiment, when the mouse moves from the interior region to the border region, the mapping providing the greater cursor velocity is used to better conserve device workspace in the direction of travel and to decrease any sense of mapping mode change to the user. Other features include an autocentering function for reducing offset between local and host frames.
US07696974B2 Method of driving a shift register, a shift register, a liquid crystal display device having the shift register
In a shift register and LCD device having the shift register that may be employed in the liquid crystal display device having a large screen size and a large resolution, the shift register includes stages connected with each other and each of the stages have a carry buffer for generating a carry signal. The pull-down transistor of each of the stages of the shift register is divided into a first pull-down transistor and a second pull-down transistor. A power voltage Vona larger than the power voltage Von applied to a clock generator is applied to the shift register. A signal delay due to the RC delay of the gate lines may be minimized, the shift register is independent of the variation of the threshold voltage of the TFTs, and image display quality may not be deteriorated.
US07696973B2 Driver circuit of a display device
In a driver circuit of a display device handling a digital image signal, there is provided a driver circuit with a structure in which the timing of holding the image signal in a latch circuit is not influenced by a delay of a sampling pulse. A pre-charge TFT (102) is turned ON in a return line period and an input terminal of a holding portion (101) is set as Hi (VDD). When there is input to all the three signals, the sampling pulse, and a multiplex signal and the digital image signal which are input from the outside, TFTs (104 to 106) all turn ON, and the potential of the input terminal of the holding portion (101) becomes a Lo potential. Thus, holding of the digital image signal is performed. A sampling pulse width is wider than a pulse width of the two signals input from the outside, and the output periods of the two signals input from the outside are completely included in an output period of the sampling pulse. Thus, even if a slight delay is generated, there is no influence on the holding timing, and the holding timing may be easily determined.
US07696972B2 Single clock driven shift register and driving method for same
A single clock driven shift register comprising multiple stages is provided. The (M)th stage comprises a latch unit, a logic unit, and a non-overlap buffer. The latch unit latches an input signal from the (M−1)th stage according to a clock signal. The logic unit connecting to an output terminal of the latch unit deals with an output signal of the latch unit and the clock signal with an NAND logic calculation. The non-overlap buffer connecting to the output terminal of the logic unit comprises at least three inverters connected in a serial, and an output signal of the first inverter coupled to the output terminal of the logic unit is input to an latch unit of the (M+1)th stage. Meanwhile, an output signal of the non-overlap buffer of the (M−1)th stage is input to the non-overlap buffer or the logic unit to delay the output signal of the non-overlap buffer.
US07696969B2 Display device and display method
In the display device and the display method of the present invention, a scanning signal line driving circuit controls falls of a scanning signal line, so as to make level shifts occurring to pixel potentials substantially uniform throughout display plane, the level shifts being caused by parasitic capacitances which parasitically exist in scanning signal lines. Fall waveforms of the scanning signal change at a change rate Sx which is a change quantity per unit time, and by desirably setting the change rate Sx, a change rate Sx1 in the vicinity of an input-side end of the scanning signal line and a change rate SxN in the vicinity of the other end thereof are substantially equal to each other, not being influenced by signal delay transmission characteristic which the scanning signal line possesses, like scanning signal line waveforms Vg(1, j) and Vg(N, j).
US07696965B2 Method and apparatus for compensating aging of OLED display
A method of compensating an OLED display device having light-emitting elements that change with use, comprising the steps of: a) using the device to display images; b) sequentially displaying an ordered series of calibration images, wherein each of the calibration images have one or more corresponding flat fields, at least one of the corresponding flat fields of each calibration image of the ordered series has a different luminance value, and the calibration images are arranged in the ordered series so as to reduce perceived luminance discontinuities; c) measuring and recording current used by the display for each sequentially displayed calibration image; d) calculating compensation parameters based on the measured currents; e) compensating an input image using the compensation parameters; and f) displaying the compensated input image.
US07696960B2 Display device
The level of a storage capacitor line is changed between two types, an H level and an L level. As a result of this change, the voltage applied to a liquid crystal is shifted so that a sufficient voltage is applied to the liquid crystal to perform a display operation. Then, at least one of two voltage levels of the storage capacitor line is used in common with the potential of at least one of plurality of voltage levels which are used in vertical driver which drives the said selection line. Furthermore, the values of the storage capacitance and parasitic capacitance for the storage capacitor line are set within a specific range.
US07696958B2 Plasma display apparatus and image processing method thereof
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus and image processing method thereof. According to the present invention, the plasma display apparatus includes a scan driving unit and a sustain driving unit which have a sustain driving circuit for allowing a peaking pulse to be included in one sustain pulse so that a plurality of discharges are generated by one sustain pulse when a sustain pulse is supplied to a PDP and predetermined electrodes of the PDP.
US07696956B2 Apparatus for video graphics array testing
An apparatus for video graphics array (VGA) testing includes a connector, a switch, and an output. The connector has at least one signal output pin. The signal output pin of the VGA connector is connected to the output via the switch. The output can be coupled with an oscilloscope or other similar signal analyzing device. It is simple and efficient to use the apparatus for coupling a VGA connector of a computer with an oscilloscope in the VGA testing process.
US07696949B2 Receiving antenna
The invention provides a sky wave receiving antenna which includes a receiving element having a radiator and a plurality of directors arranged in parallel on a horizontal support boom with a constant interval in a alternatively crossed direction, a base and a vertical direction adjustor rotationally connected at its one end to the base with a use of a first joint. The receiving antenna further includes a second joint connected to the other end of the vertical direction adjustor and connected to the receiving element so as to obtain a horizontal direction adjustment of the receiving element. The receiving antenna of the invention allows the adjustment of the receiving element to be made in both vertical and horizontal directions in order to enhance the receive directivity.
US07696947B2 Radio frequency identification transponder antenna
A RFID transponder having a microchip or integrated circuit, an impedance-matching structure and a resonant structure mounted on at least one substrate and connected to each other by an electric field.
US07696943B2 Low cost multiple pattern antenna for use with multiple receiver systems
An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beam width. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain. A Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) processing technique may be employed to operate the antenna assembly with simultaneous beam patterns.
US07696941B2 Printed circuit notch antenna
The embodiments contemplate a printed circuit board of at least two layers for providing remote wireless communication between a wireless device and a unit, as well as methods of creating an omni-directional radiation pattern for transmitting/receiving information using a notch antenna formed in the printed circuit board having radio frequency circuitry. The notch antenna, with a closed and opened end, may be etched or embedded into a ground plane conductor on a first layer of the board. A transmission line positioned on the bottom surface of a second layer of the board crosses under the portion of the board containing the notch antenna. A first and second intermediate layer electrically connected between the first layer and the second layer may serve as return ground planes for the transmission line. A capacitive circuit, positioned in series with the transmission line and across the notch antenna, functions to reduce and/or eliminate inductance of the transmission line.
US07696931B2 Antenna for enhancing bandwidth and electronic device having the same
An antenna comprises a high frequency antenna body, and a low frequency antenna body electrically connected to a point of the high frequency antenna body where a high frequency current distribution is minimized. By independently designing a high frequency bandwidth and a low frequency bandwidth from each other, an antenna having an optimum function in a desired frequency band can be easily fabricated.
US07696922B2 Method and apparatus for geolocation determination
The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for geolocation determination. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for detecting an erroneous satellite measurement by a receiver, including the steps of (a) determining an approximate location of the receiver; (b) for each of a plurality of satellites from which the receiver receives a signal: (i) determining a range difference between an expected range between the receiver and the satellite and a measured range between the receiver and the satellite; (ii) determining a median value of the range differences; (iii) determining an offset value between the range difference and the median value; (iv) comparing the offset value with a predetermined threshold to thereby detect an erroneous satellite measurement.
US07696920B1 Data compression system and method for a weather radar system
An airborne weather radar system is coupled to a display on an aircraft and a radar antenna attached to the aircraft. The airborne weather radar system includes a processing system for receiving weather radar returns from the radar antenna. The radar returns resulting from radar signals are transmitted from the radar antenna. The processing system is configured to compress radar data representing graphical images actually provided on the display on the aircraft. The graphical images are provided in response to the weather radar returns. The radar data is compressed to provide compressed data. The compressed data has reduced spatial resolution when compared to the radar data, wherein the processing system is disposed on the aircraft.
US07696917B2 Encode circuit and analog-digital converter comprising a digital average unit and a logical boundary detection unit
An encode circuit includes a digital average unit that receives cyclic thermometer codes or standard thermometer codes, and that reduces a bubble error in the received thermometer codes by a majority vote rule, a logical boundary detection unit that detects a logical boundary in the thermometer codes output from the digital average unit, and an encoder unit that generates output codes based on output signals from the logical boundary detection unit.
US07696916B2 Parallel type analog-to-digital conversion circuit, sampling circuit and comparison amplification circuit
A parallel type analog-to-digital conversion circuit, including a reference signal generating portion and a comparison amplification portion, the comparison amplification portion including a plurality of amplifiers, input resetting switches, first sampling capacitors, second sampling capacitors, first sampling switches, and second sampling switches.
US07696907B2 Method and apparatus for signal processing and encoding and decoding method, and apparatus therefor
An apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof are disclosed. Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining a group reference value corresponding to a plurality of data included in one group through grouping including first grouping and second grouping and a first difference value corresponding to the group reference value and obtaining the data using the group reference value and the first difference value.
US07696906B2 LZW data compression algorithm
An improved LZW algorithm creates images at the time of compression, and obtains codes from those images at the time of decompression. At the time of compression, string (x) is obtained from the input stream and code (x) is retrieved from the LZW table for string (x). Assuming that a valid image (x) exists for the code, the system and method of the present disclosure may either: 1) write code (x) to the output stream, or 2) write image (x) to the output stream. The enhanced decompression algorithm of the present disclosure in one embodiment retrieves the code or image and restores the original stream. In addition, 1 bit is removed from code (x+1), and its information is indirectly stored in code (x)/image (x). Thereafter, when the decompression program encounters image (x) in the compressed stream, the decompression algorithm adds binary bit ‘1’ (or ‘0’) to the code (x+1), and adds binary bit ‘0’ (or ‘1’) to code (x+1) when it encounters code (x).
US07696904B2 Altitude range filter for cockpit traffic display
A system and method for filtering various targets (such as ground vehicles, stationary objects, and aircraft) from display on a display screen within the cockpit of an “Own Ship” aircraft. The system and method withhold from display any non-exempt targets that have an altitude that is either: (1) greater than an upper-threshold altitude; or (2) less than a lower-threshold altitude. The upper-threshold altitude and the lower-threshold altitude may be set to user-specified, customized values as desired to accommodate current flying conditions. In addition, the system and method may also be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, each of which features a different upper threshold altitude/lower threshold altitude combination. The system and method are preferably configured to reset certain threshold altitudes to pre-defined default altitudes in response to the aircraft landing.
US07696903B2 Imaging system for detecting vehicle and human movement
A traffic system for alerting a driver of a vehicle to a traffic sign includes a sensor and a control unit. The sensor may be an image sensor and the control unit may comprise a graphic processing unit (GPU) to detect the optical flow of objects in the captured images so as to distinguish moving vehicles from non-moving objects. The speed of vehicles may be detected such that the system may (1) activate lights to warn a driver if he is traveling too fast or (2) display the speed to either the driver or a police officer. The system may also be implemented and used as a geographic border monitoring system.
US07696899B2 Marker navigation device
A marker navigation device for determining and/or tracking a location of a marker device is provided. The marker device is attachable to an object, said marker device including a plurality of markers having known dimensions and being in a known positional relationship relative to each other. The marker navigation device includes: a detection device operative to detect signals emitted by or reflected from the plurality of markers, wherein the detection device is formed such that in first locations of the detection device relative to the marker device, detection of signals from one marker of the plurality of markers is restricted or impossible due to a location of another marker of the plurality of markers. In second locations of the detection device relative to the marker device, the plurality of markers are detectable by the detection device. The navigation device also includes a processing device communicatively coupled to the detection device and configured to calculate the first locations based on the relative locations of individual markers of the plurality of markers and based on the known dimensions of the plurality of markers, and calculate an actual location of the marker device relative to the detection device based on detected signals from at least one marker of the plurality of markers, the known locations of the plurality of markers relative to each other, and the known dimensions of the plurality of markers. The processing device also can determines whether the actual location of the marker device is one of the first locations. A warning device is communicatively coupled to the processing device and operative to output a warning signal when the actual relative location is one of the first relative locations.
US07696896B2 Fire detector
A fire detector including a base and a fire detector insert connectable to the base. The fire detector insert is connectable to the base by an axial movement and detachable from the base by a subsequent axial movement.
US07696895B2 Pathway indicating luminaire
An pathway indicating luminaire for use in an auxiliary lighting system contains at least one source of primary light and at least one light emitting diode. A switching system provides energy from a storage cell to the light emitting diode upon certain conditions, generally by time or by lack of ambient light.
US07696894B2 Method for determining a relative position of a mobile unit by comparing scans of an environment and mobile unit
In the method for determining a relative position of a mobile unit by comparing scans of an environment, scans of an environment of the mobile unit are recorded continuously by a distance sensor and stored in a memory. Furthermore the processing unit compares a first scan with a second scan, with a relative position of the mobile unit at the time of the second scan being determined in relation to a position at the time of the first scan. The method is characterized by the fact that the processing unit compares the first scan iteratively with subsequent scans, with a new relative position of the mobile unit at the time of the relevant subsequent scan being determined relative to the position at the time of the first scan, and with the last relative position determined in each case being taken into account as a-priori information.
US07696892B2 Protection device for an oscillating power circuit
A protection device for an oscillating power circuit, namely for a demining coil, such device incorporating circuit breaking means positioned between an alternating current supply network and the power circuit, such device wherein it comprises at least one means to measure and analyze the current supplying the power circuit, means able to detect the appearance of a direct current and connected to triggering means ensuring the opening of the circuit breaking means when the alternating current ceases.
US07696888B2 Portable parent unit for video baby monitor system
A video baby monitor system has a child unit and a receiver unit. The receiver unit has a housing assembly with a first section having a viewing surface and a second section. The first and second sections are movable relative to one another between an open position exposing the viewing surface and a closed position where the second section covers the viewing surface. A video screen is provided on the viewing surface of the first section. The first section can be moved from the closed position to the open position such that the video screen faces upward for viewing.
US07696887B1 Person tracking and communication system
A tracking system having a monitored unit and tracking unit with components that generate and transmit a recognizable audible, visual and, or tactile signal when the monitored unit travels beyond the distance threshold from the tracking unit to alarm the monitored person that they have traveled outside a designated safe area. The tracking unit further comprises circuitry and, or processor code that generates and transmits a signal that becomes increasingly stronger as the tracking unit gets closer to the monitored unit so as to generally indicate and direct the location of the monitored unit. The instant invention preferably comprises circuit components that facilitate adjustment of the separation distance required between the monitored unit and tracking unit to activate the alarm signal(s).
US07696886B2 Electronic seal with radio frequency identification
The electronic seal with radio frequency identification of the present invention comprises a lock cylinder and a lock latching plug to form an integral lock portion, which having RF chip, RF antenna with associated electric circuits, conductors and RF chip, wherein the lock cylinder comprises a metal lower antenna tube and a metal upper antenna tube to form each opposite pole of the dipole antenna. With relay conductor and propagating conductor being built in the central hollow space to connect with RF antenna and RF chip respectively, the RFID system is activated if lock cylinder and lock latching plug joint together.
US07696883B2 Resonance tag, method of reversibly changing resonance characteristics of resonance circuit, and capacitive element
In a resonance tag provided with a resonance circuit composed of a capacitive element and an inductive element, the capacitive element is characterized by having a condition under which the capacitance of the capacitive element is reversibly changed by a voltage applied to the resonance circuit and anther condition under which the capacitance of the capacitive element is irreversibly changed by another voltage applied to the resonance circuit.
US07696874B2 Methods and systems for monitoring groups of items, elements, and/or products using radio frequency identification
Methods and systems for monitoring one or more products by grouping the products into lots are described. Methods and systems of the present invention provide significant benefits over adding an RFID tag to represent and monitor a group of products. For example, the present invention simplifies data management by monitoring information associated with lots, rather than each individual product. In addition, information pertaining to all products included in a lot may be obtained by although only a small portion of products in the lot can be identified.
US07696868B1 Location-based alerting
In some embodiments, techniques for processing an alert may include creating or receiving an alert, determining a first current location, associating the first current location with the alert if not already so associated, determining a second current location, determining that the second current location matches the first current location, and presenting information relating to the alert.
US07696864B2 Vehicle information display apparatus, system and method
A vehicle information identifier apparatus comprises a display, a receiver, a deactivation device, and a substantially encasing member. The vehicle information identifier apparatus, or similarly, the vehicle information apparatus may be practiced according to a vehicle information system by following a method of use thereof.
US07696863B2 Method and device for warning the driver of a motor vehicle
A method and a device for warning the driver of a motor vehicle. An object detector is provided, which detects preceding vehicles and ascertains their distance and relative velocity with respect to the host vehicle and supplies these to an evaluation device. The evaluation device assumes that the preceding vehicle would perform a deceleration and ascertains as a further function of the variables measured by the object detector and the driver's reaction time and the host vehicle's maximum possible deceleration whether a collision with the preceding vehicle would be avoidable. If an unavoidability of a collision is recognized, then a driver warning device is activated.
US07696862B2 Tractor-trailer tether sensor
An apparatus, system and method for monitoring and reporting the tethered/untethered status of a mobile asset are described. An asset tracking device comprises a sensor and circuit that detects whether a physical connection exists between a tractor portion and a trailer portion of a tractor/trailer vehicle. The physical connection is detected through the connection of an air hose coupling (or glad hand) at the trailer front wall. The sensor is continuously monitored by the sensor circuit and when a change is detected, the circuit sends a signal that turns on the power to the rest of the system. This enables the system to run in a very low power mode for extended periods of time. The sensor, which is located on the air hose (glad hand) coupling, senses the presence (or non-presence) of a tractor attached to the trailer and sends a trigger signal to turn on the power to the rest of the system, enabling the system to operate for extended periods of time on battery power. The asset tracking device and system also includes a processor, a location determining device for determining the geographic location of the mobile asset, and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving the tethered/untethered status of the mobile asset.
US07696852B1 Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
The present invention relates to transformer inductor devices and to the methods of construction for inductive components such as inductors, chokes, and transformers. Plural via holes 12 are formed through a ferromagnetic substrate 10. Primary 32 and secondary 34 conductors are placed through common vias to form a plurality of cell transformers have 1:1 turns ratio. Circuits connect these primary and secondary winding in parallel and serial combustion to provide a transformer having the desired turns ratio.
US07696851B1 Transformer with separated bobbin
A bobbin includes a first winding frame to wrap primary winding coils thereon, a first winding chassis defining a first opening to receiving the first winding frame therein, a pair of second winding chassis positioned at two opposite ends of the bobbin and each defining a second opening, a pair of second winding frames received in the second openings of the second winding chassis to wrap secondary winding coils thereon, and a receiving hole extending through the second winding chassis and the first winding frame. The first winding frame is positioned between the second winding chassis. Each of the second winding frames defines a through hole communicating with the receiving hole. The first opening of the first winding chassis faces to a first direction, and each of the second openings of the second winding chassis faces to a second direction different from the first direction.
US07696850B2 Apparatus for applying a load
An apparatus for the application of a test load apparatus 100 is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a body 101, having an upper and lower collar 101a, 101b and a spool 102 formed therebetween. A conductive load 202 is then wound about the spool 102 with one end of the conductive load 202 being coupled to a connector 203 such that a portion of the coiled conductor is retained within a central passage provided within the body 101.
US07696849B2 Electronic component
An electronic component of the surface-mounted type having a mounting surface that can be mounted on the printed circuit board, maintaining sufficient insulation among the external electrodes despite the chip size is decreased, and having a large mounting strength. In a common mode choke coil array, for example, an external electrode is constituted by electrode pads formed on the mounting surfaces of insulating substrates mounted on a PCB, and a connection electrode which electrically connects an internal electrode terminal exposed on the outer surface different from the mounting surface to the electrode pads. The connection electrodes near the internal electrode terminals have a width c′ smaller than a width b of the electrode pads as measured in the same direction.
US07696848B2 Bobbinless coil and method of manufacturing the same
A pair of disk-shaped guide members abut on opposite end surfaces in the axial direction of a conductor wire wound round into a coil shape by using a separable jig. The guide members are biased toward each other by engaging a part of the conductor wire with engaging portions formed at circumferences of the pair of guide members. Then, the jig is separated from the center of the conductor wire, thereby maintaining the coiled shape of the conductor wire to create a bobbinless coil having an exposed inner peripheral surface. In addition, the pair of disk-shaped guide members are biased toward each other by utilizing a part of the conductor wire, and therefore a special biasing member is not needed.
US07696847B2 High-field synchrocyclotron
The magnetic field in an acceleration chamber defined by a magnet structure is shaped by shaping the poles of a magnetic yoke and/or by providing additional magnetic coils to produce a magnetic field in the median acceleration plane that decreases with increasing radial distance from a central axis. The magnet structure is thereby rendered suitable for the acceleration of charged particles in a synchrocyclotron. The magnetic field in the median acceleration plane is “coil-dominated,” meaning that a strong majority of the magnetic field in the median acceleration plane is directly generated by a pair of primary magnetic coils (e.g., superconducting coils) positioned about the acceleration chamber, and the magnet structure is structured to provide both weak focusing and phase stability in the acceleration chamber. The magnet structure can be very compact and can produce particularly high magnetic fields.
US07696836B2 Ethernet coupling
Improved coupler for Ethernet over twisted pair. An improved coupler has a first common mode choke for connecting an Ethernet PHY to the primary winding of a transformer. The secondary winding of the transformer connects through a second common mode choke for connection to a twisted pair line. In one embodiment, the first common mode choke, transformer, and second common mode choke are placed in the same package. In a second environment, a plurality of choke-transformer-choke units are placed in the same package. In a third embodiment, the plurality of choke-transformer-choke units may be integrated into a connector. Pairs of the second common mode chokes may share cores.
US07696835B2 Communication system, transmitting device, transmitting method, receiving device, and receiving method
A communication system includes a transmitting device configured to transmit data and a receiving device configured to receive the data. The transmitting device includes first and second transmission lines and a differential signal outputter configured to generate differential signals from the microwave signal corresponding to the data, and to output one of the differential signals to the first transmission line and the other differential signal to the second transmission line. The receiving device includes third and fourth transmission lines and a converter. The differential signals are transmitted to the third and fourth transmission lines from the first and second transmission lines via line-to-line couplings. The converter then converts the differential signals into the microwave signal corresponding to the data, and outputs the converted microwave signal.
US07696834B2 Voltage controlled oscillator and method capable of reducing phase noise and jitter with startup gain
A voltage-controlled oscillator includes: a bias voltage generator operating to generate first and second bias voltages in response to a control signal; a voltage-controlled oscillation circuit connected to a control node and configured to generate oscillation signals in response to an input voltage; a selection signal generator operating to generate a selection signal in response each to the oscillation signals; and a selection circuit operating to select one of the first and second bias voltages in response to the selection signal and outputting the selected bias voltage to the control node.
US07696828B2 Multi-linearity mode LNA having a deboost current path
A modified derivative superposition (MDS) low noise amplifier (LNA) includes a main current path and a cancel current path. Third-order distortion in the cancel path is used to cancel third-order distortion in the main path. In one novel aspect, there is a separate source degeneration inductor for each of the two current paths, thereby facilitating tuning of one current path without affecting the other current path. In a second novel aspect, a deboost current path is provided that does not pass through the LNA load. The deboost current allows negative feedback to be increased without generating headroom problems. In a third novel aspect, the cancel current path and/or deboost current path is programmably disabled to reduce power consumption and improve noise figure in operational modes that do not require high linearity.
US07696826B2 Temperature compensation of collector-voltage control RF amplifiers
A temperature compensation system for compensating a collector-voltage controlled RF amplifier. To overcome variation that occurs with temperature which can result in signal degradation of the adjacent channel spectrum, a temperature compensated current is utilized to create an offset signal. The offset signal is processed in connection with a control or data signal to generate a temperature compensated voltage source control signal. A differential amplifier may process the data or control signal and the offset signal. The compensated voltage control signal tracks temperature to adapt the applied collector voltage to temperature. This in turn forces the applied collector voltage to vary in response to temperature changes thereby maintaining a constant output power or RF swing. One example environment of use is in an EDGE type GSM system.
US07696822B2 Amplifying circuit and associated linearity improving method
An amplifying circuit and an associated linearity improving method are provided to correct the AM to PM distortion of an amplifier, thereby improving the amplifier linearity. The amplifying circuit includes an amplifier and a correcting unit. The amplifier has a non-linear input capacitor. The correcting unit generates a correction signal according to an input signal of the amplifier, and performs an AM to PM correction according to the correction signal, thereby making the amplifier have an approximately linear equivalent input capacitor.
US07696820B1 Increasing amplifier bandwidth by positive capacitive feedback
An amplifier circuit includes first, second, and third amplifiers each having an input and an output. The amplifier circuit further includes first and second capacitances and a resistance. The input of the second amplifier communicates with the output of the first amplifier. The first capacitance communicates with the input of the first amplifier and the output of the second amplifier. The input of the third amplifier communicates with the output of the second amplifier. The second capacitance communicates with the output of the third amplifier and the input of the second amplifier. The resistance directly communicates with the output of the third amplifier and the input of the first amplifier.
US07696814B2 Filter circuit and method thereof
A filter circuit is disclosed which comprises a differential amplifier and a switch-capacitor circuit. The invention attains the goals of reducing the power consumption and the circuit size by sharing an amplifier with other related circuits to reduce the number of amplifiers.
US07696810B2 Reference current source circuit and infrared signal processing circuit
The reference current source circuit (10) is provided with a current source circuit (1), a trimming fuse (3), a switching circuit (2) which connects/disconnects the current source circuit (1) and/from the trimming fuse (3), a NAND circuit (4) which controls the operation of the switching circuit (2), and a pull-down resistor (R1) which connects one input terminal of the NAND circuit (4) to a GND terminal. The NAND circuit (4) controls the operation of the switching circuit (2) upon receipt of control signals (S1 and S2) and also in accordance with a signal of the one input terminal of the NAND circuit (4) so as to connect the current source circuit (1) to the trimming fuse (3). This arrangement makes it possible to measure characteristics of a semiconductor integrated circuit after fuse trimming. In addition, it is possible to maintain the state after fuse trimming without the supply of a signal from outside. Moreover, a reference current source circuit which does not consume extra consumption current is realized.
US07696809B2 High current power output stage
A high current end power stage comprises at least four power transistors, two electrical supply lines and a safety fuse. The at least four power transistors have each a diode which is blocked during normal operation of the respective power transistor. The two electrical supply lines couple the at least four power transistors with a supply potential and a reference potential such that two of the at least four power transistors are connected electrically between the supply potential and the reference potential. The safety fuse is connected in series to the at least four power transistors in at least one of the two electrical supply lines. The at least one safety fuse can be triggered by a current which flows through the diode of the at least four power transistors, said diode being then arranged in the direction of conduction, when the supply potential and reference potential are exchanged.
US07696802B2 Data delay control circuit and method
A data delay control circuit and method that can adaptively reflect changes in an operating environment, such as an operating temperature, an operating voltage and a manufacturing process of a semiconductor chip. The data delay control circuit is designed to be able to adaptibly delay data when an expected delay of a predetermined period should be required when the semiconductor chip is designed. The data delay circuit includes a clock oscillation unit that can reflect changes in a delay period of a delay cell and automatically adjust the delay period of the delay cell. Since the data delay circuit includes a monitoring circuit and a plurality of delay paths, the data delay circuit can provide a delay path having a desired delay value. Therefore, even when the operating environment of a semiconductor device changes, the data delay circuit can control the delay period of a data signal. Consequently, the data delay circuit can automatically generate a data delay signal according to the changes in the operating environment.
US07696798B2 Method and apparatus to generate system clock synchronization pulses using a PLL lock detect signal
Method and apparatus for generating system clock synchronization pulses using a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) lock detect signal are provided. The method includes utilizing a clock lock detect signal indicative that a system clock is synchronized with an internal clock, and determining an initial count value. Then, start counting beginning at a first rising edge of the system clock after the clock lock detect signal is generated, the counting starting with the initial count value. The method further includes generating a synchronization pulse (syncnp) when the counting ends, where the syncnp indicates the beginning of the next system clock cycle, and continue generating syncnps separated by one system clock cycle so as to continue indicating the beginning of the next system clock cycle. The method further guarantees stopping the syncnp generation when the lock detect is inactive indicating that the internal clock and the system clock are not synchronized.
US07696792B2 Track and hold circuit
A track and hold circuit is disclosed, including: a source follower coupled to a voltage supply; a MOS transistor with well structure, the MOS transistor having a gate terminal coupled to a gate terminal of the source follower, a drain terminal coupled to its body terminal and a source terminal of the source follower, and a source terminal coupled to a current source and an output terminal; a capacitive device having a terminal coupled to the gate terminal of the MOS transistor and another terminal coupled to a fixed voltage level; and a switch device coupled and disposed between an input signal and the gate terminal of the MOS transistor, wherein the switch device is controlled by a control signal.
US07696791B2 High-speed amplitude detector with a digital output
An amplitude detection circuit using a sinusoidal input signal inputs to produce a digital output (a one or zero) is described. The circuit uses an input field effect transistor (FET) with a gate load coupled to a gate of the input FET. A drain load may be coupled to a drain of the input FET. A source load may be coupled to a source of the input FET. A controllable variable current generator provides a current to the source of the input FET, biasing the source of the input FET to a reference voltage. An input signal conductor may be coupled to the gate of the input FET. Other embodiments are described.
US07696790B2 Low current wide VREF range input buffer
A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
US07696786B2 Precision differential level shifter
A differential level shifter employs a variable current mirror to maintain a reference voltage at one output while the other output follows a differential input. Resistor networks allow postproduction trimming of load resistors and the current mirror, resulting in a precise and accurate output of the differential signal. An active cascode circuit enhances current mirror balance and high frequency operation.
US07696781B1 Methods and apparatus for control and configuration of programmable logic devices
Circuitry and methods are provided for control and configuration of a PLD. An embodiment of the invention comprises hard IP circuitry embedded in the PLD. The circuitry may include a gigabit MAC, a hard processor, and a DMA engine. The invention permits a variety of operations, including real-time control and remote programming, without the use of dedicated external circuitry.
US07696779B2 System LSI
A system LSI includes an input/output section and a logic circuit section. The input/output section includes an I/O power source cell having a supply voltage higher than a power source for the logic circuit section and a plurality of I/O cells in each of which an I/O power source line is provided for supplying source power from the I/O power source cell. The logic circuit section includes an I/O power consuming circuit which uses the I/O power source cell as a power source. The I/O power consuming circuit is connected to a line leading from an I/O power source line in at least one of the plurality of I/O cells.
US07696774B2 Systems and methods for providing defect-tolerant logic devices
The present invention describes systems and methods to provide defect-tolerant logic devices. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a defect-tolerant logic device including a plurality of CMOS gates and at least one defective CMOS gate included within the plurality of CMOS gates. Additionally, the at least one defective CMOS gate is enabled to be reconfigured into a pseudo-NMOS transistor if a P-network of the at least one defective CMOS gate is diagnosed as defective. Furthermore, the at least one defective CMOS gate is enabled to be reconfigured into a pseudo-PMOS transistor if the N-network of the at least one defective CMOS gate is diagnosed as defective.
US07696773B2 Compensation scheme for multi-color electroluminescent display
A method of determining characteristics of transistors and electroluminescent devices, includes: providing an electroluminescent display; providing for pairs of electroluminescent devices drive circuits and a single readout line, each drive circuit including a readout transistor electrically connected to the readout line; providing a first voltage source; providing a second voltage source; providing a current source; providing a current sink; providing a test voltage source; providing a voltage measurement circuit; sequentially testing the drive transistors to provide a first signal representative of characteristics of the drive transistor of the first drive circuit and a second signal representative of characteristics of the drive transistor of the second drive circuit, whereby the characteristics of each drive transistor are determined; and simultaneously testing the first and second electroluminescent devices to provide a third signal representative of characteristics of the pair of electroluminescent devices, whereby the characteristics of both electroluminescent devices are determined.
US07696766B2 Ultra-fine pitch probe card structure
A system and a method of testing a semiconductor die is provided. An embodiment comprises a plurality of tips that each comprise a substrate with a conductive via, a first dielectric layer with vias connected to the conductive via, a second dielectric layer with vias over the first dielectric layer, and a metal layer over the second dielectric layer. Additional dielectric layers with vias may be used. This tip is electrically connected to a redistribution line that routes signals between the tip to electrical connections on a space transformation layer. The space transformation layer is electrically connected to a printed circuit board using, for example, a spring loaded connection such as a pogo pin. The space transformation layer is aligned onto the printed circuit board by a series of guidance mechanisms such as guide pins or smooth fixtures, and the planarity of the tips is adjusted by adjusting the screws.
US07696762B2 Non-metallic flow-through electrodeless conductivity sensor and leak detector
A non metallic flow through electrodeless conductivity sensor is provided with a conduit having primary and secondary process fluid flowpaths to form a fluid loop. At least one drive and one sense toroid surround the conduit on the fluid loop. Voltage supplied to the drive toroid induces a current in the sense toroid via the fluid loop to eliminate any need for metallic electrodes in contact with the process fluid. At least one additional drive and/or sense toroid is disposed on the fluid loop to enhance induction. Optionally one or more sense coils are disposed about the conduit outside of the fluid loop to cancel out stray electrical noise. An optional conductor disposed along the conduit detects any fluid leakage through changes in resistance thereof.
US07696761B2 Spectrum analyzing method, distortion detector and distortion compensation amplifying device
The invention provides a spectrum analyzing method, a distortion detector and a distortion compensation amplifying device for performing time/frequency conversion processing at high speed, and reducing a convergent time of a compensation coefficient. The distortion detector for detecting distortion in a frequency area with respect to an input signal includes a time window processing section for multiplying the input signal by a time window; an averaging processing section for averaging an output of the time window processing section; an FFT processing section for converting an output of the averaging processing section from a time area to a frequency area; and a distortion extracting section for extracting a distortion component from an output of the FFT processing section.
US07696758B2 Plasma diagnostic apparatus and method
Provided is a plasma diagnostic apparatus having a probe unit, which is inserted into a plasma or disposed at boundary of a plasma, the apparatus including: a signal supplying unit having a signal supplying source; a current detecting/voltage converting unit for applying a periodic voltage signal applied from the signal supplying unit to the probe unit, detecting the magnitude of the current flowing through the probe unit, and converting the detected current into a voltage; and a by-frequency measurement unit for computing the magnitude and phase of individual frequency components of the current flowing through the probe unit by receiving the voltage output from the current detecting/voltage converting unit as an input.
US07696754B2 Magnetic resonance local coil arrangement and method for communicating an overload occurrence
A local coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications has an acquisition coil for acquisition of a magnetic resonance signal excited in an examination subject by means of a transmission coil; and a transponder. The transponder is coupled to the acquisition coil such that it can be fed with electrical energy via the acquisition coil The transponder is fashioned to send a transponder signal on a transponder frequency when and as soon as an excitation signal induced in the acquisition coil by means of the transmission coil exceeds a threshold. When the control device receives the transponder signal, it adjusts the further operation of the transmission antenna or operates it only with reduced power.
US07696753B2 MRI apparatus and method with B0 corrections using reference and object average units
Data is collected for average units including acquisition of template data and acquisition of imaging data. A frequency difference is calculated between a resonant frequency in a reference average unit and a resonant frequency of an object average unit based on phase variation of the magnetic field between the reference average unit and the object average unit. Corrected phase shift is produced in image data collected in one or more average units based on the frequency difference. An image is reconstructed based on the imaging data collected in the reference average unit and corrected imaging data concerning the object average unit constituted by one or more average units.
US07696752B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a static field magnet, gradient coils, a gantry including an opening and storing the static field magnet the gradient coils, a bed structure for advancing and retreating a table-top, on which an object can be placed, with respect to the opening, a lower coil formed by a radio frequency coil disposed below the table-top, and a movement control unit configured to control the lower coil to be movable.
US07696751B2 Method and apparatus for ferrous object and/or magnetic field detection for MRI safety
A method and apparatus for ferrous object and/or magnetic field detection are provided. Embodiments can improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety and increase the safety of MRI facilities. Embodiments can detect a given magnetic field strength around a MRI machine and alert users to the field's presence. In an embodiment, the magnetic field warning system can rely on a single badge that warns its user. In another embodiment, the badge can utilize an RFID system. The RFID system can turn the badge on when it enters the MRI room and off when it leaves the MRI room. In another embodiment, a badge with a rechargeable battery and charger can be utilized with or without an RFID tag. The subject badges or other detection devices can be worn by a person, located on or near a ferrous object, embedded in clothing, or located in other positions convenient to a user.
US07696746B2 Motion detecting apparatus
A turbine wheel of a turbocharger has a turbine blade. The turbine blade has a fin shape of which width in the rotation direction of the turbocharger is narrow, and is projected from the base portion of the turbine wheel. An inclined part of the turbine blade is inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the turbocharger. A coil is disposed so that the inclined part passes nearby as the turbine wheel rotates in a posture that an end in the center axis direction is directed toward the turbocharger. A detector detects a change in inductance, which occurs when the inclined part of the coil passes nearby.
US07696741B2 System and method for adaptively determining the transition rate of a quantized signal
An adaptive measurement system measures a transition rate associated with an output of a device. An input signal that is characteristic of the output of the device is received by an input signal-to-frequency converter, which changes state based upon a characteristic of the input signal. The input signal-to-frequency converter provides a second signal, which reflects the state changes of the input signal-to-frequency converter. The second signal is sampled over a sample period and an instance of average transition rate is determined. A control subsystem may use the instance of average transition rate for regulating the device.
US07696738B2 Method and circuit for controlling DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter reducing reversed current in a low load state and increasing output voltage response speed. An error amplification circuit generates an error signal from the output voltage. A pulse signal generation circuit generates a first pulse signal in accordance with the error signal. A comparison circuit generates a comparison result signal from the error signal. A drive signal generation circuit generates a constant level signal and a second pulse signal. An output circuit receives the first pulse signal and either the constant level signal or the second pulse signal to generate first and second drive signals for driving first and second transistors. The output circuit generates the second drive signal in accordance with the first pulse signal when receiving the constant level signal and generates the second drive signal with the first and second pulse signals when receiving the second pulse signal.
US07696737B2 Method and apparatus to control a power supply for high efficiency
A power supply control circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, a power supply control circuit includes a controller to be coupled to a switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response to a feedback signal and a parameter change signal. A parameter response circuit is coupled to generate the parameter change signal in response to a difference between a first value of a parameter measured before an event and a second value of the parameter measured after the event. The difference between the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter is representative of the relative efficiency of the power supply.
US07696734B2 Multiphase DC-DC converter
Disclosed is a multiphase DC-DC converter including a plurality of DC-DC converter circuits connected in parallel to one another; an output section to add up outputs of the plurality of DC-DC converter circuits to obtain one output; a timing generating circuit to generate timing signals for respectively operating the plurality of DC-DC converter circuits; a control circuit to selectively and sequentially operate the plurality of DC-DC converter circuits in synchronization with the timing signals outputted from the timing generating circuit so that output phases of the plurality of DC-DC converter circuits are different from one another; and a current detection circuit to detect an output current of each of the plurality of DC-DC converter circuits, wherein the control circuit selects one of the plurality of DC-DC converter circuit to be operated next based on an output of the current detection circuit.
US07696731B2 Method and circuit for reducing switching ringing in switching regulator
The present invention discloses a method and a circuit for reducing switching ringing in a switching regulator. The switching regulator comprises two transistors, and the two transistors are never simultaneously OFF. A phase lock loop may be provided to fix the output signal frequency of a PWM control circuit to a set frequency.
US07696727B2 Apparatus and method for measuring the amount of the current in battery cells using a plurality of sensing resistors
Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring an amount of current in battery cells. The apparatus includes: a plurality of resistors (R1, R2, and R3) connected in parallel; a main chip connected to both ends of one (R1) of the plurality of resistors, detecting voltage across the connected resistor, and adding up the amount of current on the basis of the detected voltage; a multiplexer selecting one of the other resistors (R2 and R3) when the amount of current added up at the main chip exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a plurality of switches connected to the plurality of resistors respectively, and switched on/off by an output signal of the multiplexer. Thereby, it is possible to prevent damage to the surrounding components caused by the generation of heat from the single detection resistor, and detect a more precise amount of current in the battery cells.
US07696719B2 Power control apparatus, power control method
A battery requiring power generation determining unit is operable to determine first power required by the battery depending on a battery condition. An electric component using power determining unit is operable to determine second power used by the electric components. An feeding indispensable power determining unit is operable to determine feeding indispensable power. A power generation determining unit is operable to determine a first power generation to be generated by the generator based on the first power, the second power, and the feeding indispensable power. The feeding indispensable power determining unit determines the feeding indispensable power depending on a running mode of the vehicle.
US07696716B2 Dual battery vehicle electrical systems
The invention provides a dual battery electrical switchable system 2 for a vehicle having an engine. The vehicle comprises a plurality of first loads 8 and a plurality of second loads 10. The vehicle is switchable between an ON state in which the engine is running, an OFF state in which the engine is not running and a START state, in which at least one of the first loads 8 requires power. The system 2 comprises a first battery 4 arranged to provide power to the first loads 8 and a second battery 6 arranged to provide power to the second loads 10. A switch 18 is provided between the first battery 4 and the second battery 6 and control means 20 is arranged to open the switch 18 only when the vehicle is in the OFF state. A connection system 12 is also provided having a plurality of output terminals 16 for connection to the plurality of primary and secondary loads 8, 10, and two input terminals 14 for connection to the first and second batteries 4, 6 respectively.
US07696711B2 Diaper pail
A diaper pail has a body with an interior container space and an access opening into the interior container space. A diaper receptacle is also in the body and has a diaper receiving opening into the receptacle. An obstruction is provided that can be moved between a receiving orientation and a dumping orientation. In one aspect, an input device I configured to signal a part of the diaper pail to automatically operate the obstruction between the dumping orientation and the receiving orientation to receive a soiled diaper into the diaper receptacle and to dump the soiled diaper from the diaper receptacle into the interior container space. In another aspect, an activated charcoal filter is in communication with at least the interior storage space and is designed to chemically eliminate odors that emanate from the soiled diapers in the interior storage space.
US07696707B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
In a semiconductor integrated circuit device of the invention, a plurality of external terminals include: a first external terminal (VCC, U, V and W terminals in the FIGURE) receiving a higher voltage than the other external terminals; and a second external terminal (FG terminal in the FIGURE) arranged adjacent to the first external terminal as one of the other external terminals, the second external terminal feeding out, from one end of a transistor Q1, a control pulse signal corresponding to the turning on and off of the transistor Q1, and the second external terminal is connected to an overvoltage protection circuit (consisting of R1, R2, Q2 and AND) that masks a control signal for turning on and off the transistor Q1 so that, when a voltage at the second external terminal reaches a predetermined threshold, the transistor Q1 is kept off all the time. In this way, it is possible to prevent, without the need for an extra external terminal, breakdown in case of a short circuit between adjacent external terminals.
US07696703B2 Driving circuit for light-emitting diode
An exemplary driving circuit for a light-emitting diode having a positive terminal includes a resistor having first terminal and second terminal, a field-effect transistor, and a width-pulse modulation circuit. The second terminal of the resistor is connected to the positive terminal of the light-emitting diode. The field-effect transistor includes a source electrode and a gate electrode, the source electrode being connected to the first terminal of the resistor. The pulse-width modulation circuit is configured for modulating a voltage across the resistor so as to control the grate electrode of the field-effect transistor.
US07696698B2 LEDs tricolor power signal
A signal is described herein that provides light output for automotive, rail, ship traffic and/or illumination control that includes a light emitting diode (LED) array, wherein the LED array includes three groups of disparate colored LEDs. A power supply unit provides independent power to each of the three LED groups. Each LED group power supply unit includes an input controlled switch connected to a power line to provide power to the LED array. An input under voltage/over voltage circuit monitors the voltage level of the power line and for enabling and/or disables the input controlled switch according to the voltage level of the power line. A flyback transformer converts the power received from the power line from an alternating or a continuous current signal to a direct current signal output to the LED array. A dummy load draws power additional to the LED array and a dummy load detection circuit monitors the dummy load to insure that the power drawn by the load is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. A light out detection circuit monitors the light output of the LED array via an optical sensor.
US07696691B2 Plasma display apparatus including a plurality of cavities defined within a barrier structure
A plasma display panel (PDP) including a plurality of cavities within a barrier structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the PDP includes i) an upper substrate, ii) a lower substrate facing the upper substrate, iii) the barrier structure disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate and defining discharge cells, iv) upper discharge electrodes arranged at intervals within the barrier structure and each surrounding at least parts of the discharge cells, v) lower discharge electrodes arranged at intervals within the barrier structure, located under the upper discharge electrode, and each surrounding at least parts of the discharge cells, and vi) phosphor layers disposed over the discharge cells. According to one embodiment of the present invention, ineffective power consumption can be reduced and heat generated in the discharge cells can be effectively dissipated.
US07696687B2 Organic electroluminescent display device with nano-porous layer
An organic EL display device, and a manufacturing method thereof, including a rear substrate, and an organic EL portion formed on a surface of the rear substrate. The organic EL portion includes a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode sequentially stacked, and a nano-porous layer and a highly refractive layer are interposed between the rear substrate and the first electrode.
US07696686B2 Image display device and process of manufacture
To provide an image display device including a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and an electron acceleration layer composed of an insulator or a semiconductor provided there between, and further including a thin film electron source array that emits electrons from the upper electrode, and a phosphor surface, wherein degradation of an electron emission characteristic caused by an increase of a work function due to an adhesive material to the above-described upper electrode is suppressed. An amount of S content adhering to the upper electrode is set equal to or less than 20 mol % of a total amount of elements used as the upper electrode in terms of elements by using an element belonging to Group VIII or Group Ib or a laminated film or alloy film thereof as a component of the upper electrode of the thin film electron source.
US07696685B2 Phosphor and method for producing same, and light-emitting device using same and method for manufacturing such device
When a phosphor for ultraviolet excitation or visible light excitation is excited by light having wavelengths in a range of 100 to 500 nm and emission colors of the phosphor are represented by xy coordinates, the phosphor has a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of x coordinates and a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of y coordinates which are respectively 0.020 or less. A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting part which contains at least such a phosphor. The light-emitting part emits visible light when irradiated with ultraviolet or visible light emitted from an excitation source.
US07696684B2 Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals
A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
US07696682B2 Organic light emitting device using Mg—Ag thin film and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting device according to embodiment of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a light-emitting member formed on the first electrode, and comprising multi-layer structure; and a second electrode formed on the light-emitting member, wherein the second electrode comprises Mg—Ag alloy which contains Mg of 1-10 wt % and a concentration gradient of the Mg—Ag alloy is formed from the top of the emitting-light member.
US07696681B2 Stacked organic electroluminescent units for white light emission provided with RGB color conversion portions
An organic electroluminescence device includes an array element divided into sub-pixels and including thin film transistors formed in the sub-pixels; a color conversion portion disposed below a second substrate and including a red (R), green (G) and blue (B) conversion layer for converting white light into three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B); a first electrode disposed below the color conversion portion and including a transparent conductive material; an organic EL layer disposed below the first electrode in the sub-pixels and including a plurality of stack units each including a charge generation layer, an electrode transporting layer, a hole transporting layer and an emission layer; a second electrode patterned below the organic EL layer in the sub-pixels; and a conductive spacer electrically connecting the thin film transistors with the second electrode.
US07696680B2 Field emission device for high resolution display
A field emission device (10), in accordance with a preferred embodiment, includes an anode electrode (22), a cathode electrode (12), a gate electrode (16), a phosphor layer (23), and a number of electron emitters (13) formed on the cathode electrode. The anode electrode is opposite to and spaced from the cathode electrode. The phosphor layer is attached/formed on the anode electrode. The gate electrode (preferably in the form of a wire) is spatially positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In addition, the gate electrode is correspondingly arranged relative to the phosphor layer. The electron emitters are distributed on surfaces of the cathode electrode at least adjacent to two sides of the gate electrode, thus promoting the ability of the emitted electrons to be guided by, yet not readily impinge on, the gate electrode on a path toward the phosphor layer.
US07696679B2 Spark plug with optical sensor
A spark plug has an optical window for sensing combustion processes in an Otto engine. The optical window is located in the central electrode of the spark plug and has at least one lens exposed to the combustion chamber, as well as at least one flexible optical fiber which can conduct light through the spark plug from the lens to an analysis system.
US07696677B2 Lamination-type resistance element
A lamination-type resistance element includes a laminated sinter having internal electrodes of a first group and internal electrodes of a second group, the first internal electrode group including a plurality of internal electrodes facing each other through a ceramic resistance layer and defining a resistance unit at the portion where the plurality of internal electrodes face each other. A first end of the resistance unit is connected to a first external electrode and the second end is connected to a second external electrode. The second internal electrode group includes a plurality of pairs of internal electrodes in which the inner ends face each other through a gap on the same plane inside the laminated sinter, and a plurality of pairs of gaps in the plurality of internal electrodes are arranged at the same location when seen from one end of the lamination direction of the laminated sinter. Thereby, fine adjustment of a resistance value can be performed.
US07696676B2 Piezoelectric composite apparatus and related methods
A piezoelectric planar composite apparatus to provide health monitoring of a structure and associated methods are provided. The piezoelectric planar composite apparatus includes a piezoelectric electric material layer, multiple electrodes positioned in electrical contact with the piezoelectric material layer, and multiple sets of electrode interconnect conductors each positioned in electrical contact with a different subset of the electrodes and positioned to form multiple complementary electrode patterns. Each of the complementary electrode patterns is positioned to form an electric field having an electric field axis oriented along a different physical axis from that of an electric field formed by at least one other of the complementary electrode patterns. The interconnect conductors can be distributed over several electrode interconnect conductor carrying layers to enhance formation of the different complementary electrode patterns.
US07696674B2 Electroacoustic component operating with guided bulk acoustic waves
An electroacoustic component operates with guided acoustic waves and includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a metallic layer and an intermediate layer. The first substrate (S1) is made from a monocrystalline LiTaO3. The metallic layer is arranged between the first substrate and the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is arranged between the metallic layer and the second substrate. The crystal section of monocrystalline LiTaO3 is chosen such that for the second Euler angle μ: −100°≦μ≦−40° or −160°≦μ≦−130°. For the first Euler angle λ, preferably λ=0° and for the third Euler angle θ, −10°≦θ≦10°.
US07696672B2 Ultrasonic sensor having acoustic matching member with conductive layer formed on and extending only along acoustic matching member connecting surface
An ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention is used, for example, for detecting an obstacle positioned in front of an automotive vehicle. The ultrasonic sensor includes an piezoelectric element connected to an acoustic matching member and a processing circuit, all contained in a casing. Ultrasonic waves reflected on an object are received by the acoustic matching member and converted into electrical signals in the piezoelectric element. The electrical signals are processed in the processing circuit to thereby detect a distance to the object and/or positions of the object. A surface of the acoustic matching member connected to the piezoelectric element is made larger than the piezoelectric element to form an overhang area on a conductive layer formed on the acoustic matching member. In this manner, electrical connection in the ultrasonic sensor is easily made, and detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor is enhanced.
US07696670B2 Ultrasonic motor
An ultrasonic motor is provided with an ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric element, a holding member fixed to the ultrasonic transducer and holding the ultrasonic transducer, a pressing member pressing the holding member, and a member to be driven which is driven by frictional force between the member to be driven and the ultrasonic transducer. The pressing member has a hole portion and the holding member has a protruding portion engaged with the hole portion in a direction of pressing conducted by the pressing member. The hole portion and the protruding portion abut on each other so that the pressing member presses the member to be driven via the holding member and the ultrasonic transducer, thereby driving the member.
US07696669B2 Electrically conductive polymer actuator, method for manufacturing the same, and method of driving the same
An electrically conductive polymer actuator having a laminated structure including: a solid electrolyte membrane constituted with a mixture of an ionic liquid, and an organic polymer that contains at least one or more of a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer [P(VDF/HFP)], polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN); and an electrically conductive polymer membrane constituted with a mixture of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) on at least one face of the solid electrolyte membrane, characterized in that polyethylene glycol is included in the electrically conductive polymer membrane.
US07696667B2 Split stator of electric motor
A stator of an electric motor is formed by a plurality of split stators that are divided in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical stator. Each split stator comprises a yoke portion that is divided in the circumferential direction, a tooth portion that extends from the yoke portion a in a radial direction, and a coil wound on the tooth portion. The coil is pressed into the coil-housing portion, defined by the yoke portion and the tooth portion, by a press die. While the coil is pressed into the coil-housing portion by the press die, the coil may be covered by, for example, being integrated with a resin. Thus, the risk of damaging the coating of the coil is significantly reduced, the coil density is improved, and good circularity of the stator is ensured.
US07696659B2 Alternator for vehicle
An alternator for a vehicle has a rotor with a field wiring, a stator with a three-phase stator wiring, a regulator, and a rectifier. The regulator and rectifier are disposed away from each other with the rotor between. An alternating current is generated in the stator wiring in response to a rotation of the rotor and a field current received in the field wiring. The rectifier converts the alternating current into a direct current and outputs the direct current as an electrical energy generated in the alternator. The regulator regulates a value of the filed current to control the electrical energy. The rectifier acts as a heat generating member, but heat generated in the rectifier is hardly transmitted to the regulator disposed away from the rectifier.
US07696658B2 Magnet generator
A magnet generator including a bowl-shaped flywheel which is formed of a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion on one end side of the cylindrical portion, a plurality of magnets which are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the flywheel, and a power generation coil which generates power under an electromagnetic induction action with the magnets and which is disposed in opposition to the magnets within the flywheel, wherein the flywheel has a plurality of vent holes in its bottom portion, and the hole base part of each of the vent holes is formed in a droop or curved shape. Owing to the droop or curved shape, a cooling efficiency is enhanced, and a job for treating burrs and laps after cutting working can be relieved to enhance a productivity.
US07696657B2 Fault monitoring of electric machines
A method and apparatus for monitoring an electric machine system, the system having at least two machines or machine channels independently cooled by separate flows of a coolant fluid, the method including comparing coolant properties of the machines to detect a condition(s) of interest in one or more of the machines.
US07696654B2 Linear motor not requiring yoke
A linear motor not requiring a yoke structure is provided. A first unit forming a stator is constructed of two permanent magnet rods. The permanent magnet rods each have a magnetically permeable shaft and a permanent magnet row having a plurality of permanent magnets so arranged that opposite polarities of their magnetic poles alternately appear. The permanent magnet row of the permanent magnet rod is arranged with a positional difference of 180° in an electrical angle from the permanent magnet row of the permanent magnet rod. The second unit that constitutes a moving member includes unit cores and winding sets arranged alternately in an axial direction of the shaft. The winding set includes two excitation windings through each of which the permanent magnet rod loosely extends. One excitation winding of the winding set is excited with a phase difference of 180° in an electrical angle from the other excitation winding.
US07696649B2 Power control circuitry and method
The power control circuitry comprises a series of power switching circuits, each power switching circuit being associated with one of the circuit portions and being provided with an enable signal and responsive to its enable signal being set to connect the voltage source to the at least one voltage line of the associated circuit portion. Further, at least one enable qualifying circuit is provided, each such enable qualifying circuit being associated with one of the power switching circuits and being arranged to generate an output signal used to determine the enable signal provided to a later power switching circuit in the series. Each enable qualifying circuit sets its output signal when both the enable signal provided to the associated power switching circuit is set and the at least one voltage line of the circuit portion associated with that power switching circuit has reached a predetermined voltage level.
US07696647B2 Coupling node
A coupling node for regulating the current flow between two or more drives is described. The coupling node may include an interconnect circuit in communication with the drives for selectively opening the connection between the drives. A sensor circuit in communication with the drives measures one or more electrical properties of the drives or between the drives. A sensor circuit actuates the interconnect circuit in response to the measured electrical property of the two or more drives meeting predetermined criteria. In operation, when an electrical property of the drives, such as the current flowing between the drives, meets a predetermined criteria, such as an short circuit or current overload, as indicated by the sensor circuit, the controller actuates the interconnect circuit to open the connection between the drives.
US07696640B2 Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment architecture for variable maximum power delivery
A power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) architecture for variable maximum power delivery. PoE PSE subsystems rely on some control to “turn on” a power field effect transistor (FET), which allows current to be transmitted to a powered device (PD). A hybrid approach is provided where an internal FET can be augmented with an external FET to provide an architecture that can be flexibly applied to applications with various space, cost and cooling limitations. The maximum delivered power can also be boosted with the addition of an external FET to the internal FET.
US07696637B2 Input circuit to reject water in switches
An input circuit for a tractor includes one or more switches having open and closed positions, based on operating characteristics of the tractor, and a power transistor drawing a threshold current through the switches during short intervals during which the switch states are sensed by a microcontroller.
US07696636B2 Midspan powering in a Power over Ethernet system
A midspan power sourcing equipment (PSE) for operation with power over Ethernet (PoE). The midspan PSE provides powering over wire pairs that are also used for data communication. To ensure compatibility with legacy Ethernet devices, the ports used for transmission of data are designed to present an increased level of inductance.
US07696630B2 Semiconductor device
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is applied to, for example, a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) and comprises a semiconductor chip having a high-frequency circuit block, a plurality of electrode pads formed on the semiconductor chip, posts disposed between the high-frequency circuit block and the electrode pads within a horizontal plane and connected to their corresponding external terminals, and redistribution wiring layers that connect the electrode pads and the posts respectively.
US07696627B2 Multilayered interconnect structure and method for fabricating the same
In the multilayered interconnect structure, an upper-layer interconnect is formed in an interlayer dielectric film formed on a lower-layer interconnect of copper, and the lower-layer interconnect and the upper-layer interconnect of copper are connected to each other through a via formed in the interlayer dielectric film. A layer of the interlayer dielectric film in contact with the lower-layer interconnect is made of a layer including, as a principal component, an aromatic compound containing a nitrogen atom having a lone pair of electrons in an aromatic ring.
US07696623B2 Electronic carrier board and package structure thereof
An electronic carrier board and a package structure thereof are provided. The electronic carrier board includes a carrier, at least one pair of bond pads formed on the carrier, and a protective layer covering the carrier. The protective layer is formed with openings for exposing the bond pads. A groove is formed between the paired bond pads and has a length larger than a width of an electronic component mounted on the paired bond pads. The groove is adjacent to one of the paired bond pads and communicates with a corresponding one of the openings where this bond pad is exposed. Accordingly, a clearance between the electronic component and the electronic carrier board can be effectively filled with an insulating resin for encapsulating the electronic component, thereby preventing voids and undesirable electrical bridging between the paired bond pads from occurrence.
US07696621B2 RFID tag packaging system
An electronic packaging system includes an electronic device. The electronic packaging system also includes a flexible material located adjacent a plurality of sides of the electronic device. The electronic device is located in a cavity in the flexible material. The flexible material has a first height and a first width. The electronic device has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height and the first width is greater than the first height so the flexible material protects the electronic device from loading.
US07696616B2 Stacked type semiconductor device and method of fabricating stacked type semiconductor device
A stacked type semiconductor device includes semiconductor devices, interposers by which the semiconductor devices are stacked, the interposers having electrodes provided on sides thereof, and a connection substrate connecting the electrodes together. The electrodes provided on the sides of the interposers may be connected to the connection substrate by one of an electrically conductive adhesive or an anisotropically conductive film.
US07696611B2 Conductive material compositions, apparatus, systems, and methods
Various apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may include the use of several compositions, such as solder formulations, including about 78%-83% by weight of lead, about 9%-11% by weight of antimony, about 1%-3% by weight of silver, and a balance of tin. Some embodiments include a process of removing a previously-existing lead finish, and applying a new finish to the lead to improve solder operation compatibility, as well as solder joint reliability in high temperature environments.
US07696610B2 Apparatus for shielding integrated circuit devices
A high reliability radiation shielding integrated circuit apparatus comprising a plurality of package layers; a radiation shielding lid or base coupled to the plurality of package layers; wherein the circuit die are shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than the total dose of tolerance of the circuit die. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit apparatus for use in high reliability applications is disclosed. The integrated circuit apparatus is designed to be highly reliable and protect integrated circuit die from failing or becoming unreliable due to radiation, mechanical forces, thermal exposure, or chemical contaminates.
US07696609B2 Semiconductor device comprising a memory portion and a peripheral circuit portion
The present invention provides a semiconductor chip that provides a semiconductor device with high reliability and low leak current, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor chip, and more specifically, provides a semiconductor chip comprising memory portions and a peripheral circuit portion, where the memory portions and the peripheral circuit portion are formed in a main surface portion of the semiconductor chip, a thickness of the sections of the semiconductor chip passing through the main surface portion in which the memory portions are formed is larger than a thickness of sections of the semiconductor chip passing through the main surface portion in which the peripheral circuit portion is formed, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor chip.
US07696606B2 Metal structure
A semiconductor wafer comprises a plurality of die areas, at least a first scribe line area and at least a second scribe line area surrounding each die area, at least a first metal structure positioned in the first scribe line area, and at least a second metal structure positioned in the second scribe line area. The first metal structure comprises at least a first slot split parallel to the first scribe line area, or comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array. The second metal structure comprises at least a second slot split parallel to the second scribe line area, or comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an array.
US07696605B2 Semiconductor component comprising a temporary field stopping area, and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a semiconductor component comprising a buried temporarily n-doped area (9), which is effective only in the event of turn-off from the conducting to the blocking state of the semiconductor component and prevents chopping of the tail current in order thus to improve the turn-off softness. Said temporarily effective area is created by implantation of K centers (10).
US07696602B2 Integrated circuit devices having fuse structures including buffer layers
An integrated circuit device is provided including an integrated circuit substrate having a fuse region. A window layer is provided on the integrated circuit substrate that defines a fuse region. The window layer is positioned at an upper portion of the integrated circuit device and recessed beneath a surface of the integrated circuit device. A buffer pattern is provided between the integrated circuit substrate and the window layer and a fuse pattern is provided between the buffer pattern and the window layer. Methods of forming integrated circuit devices are also described.
US07696600B2 IGBT device and related device having robustness under extreme conditions
A semiconductor device in the form of an IGBT has a front side contact, a rear side contact, and a semiconductor volume disposed between the front side contact and the rear side contact. The semiconductor volume includes a field stop layer for spatially delimiting an electric field that can be formed in the semiconductor volume. The semiconductor volume further includes a plurality of semiconductor zones, the plurality of semiconductor zones spaced apart from each other and each inversely doped with respect to adjacent areas. The plurality of semiconductor zones are located within the field stop layer.
US07696598B2 Ultrafast recovery diode
An ultrafast recovery diode. In a first embodiment, a rectifier device comprises a substrate of a first polarity, a lightly doped layer of the first polarity coupled to the substrate and a metallization layer disposed with the lightly doped layer. The ultrafast recovery diode includes a plurality of wells, separated from one another, formed in the lightly doped layer, comprising doping of a second polarity. The plurality of wells connect to the metallization layer. The ultrafast recovery diode further includes a plurality of regions, located between wells of said plurality of wells, more highly doped of the first polarity than the lightly doped layer.
US07696597B2 Split transfer gate for dark current suppression in an imager pixel
A pixel with a photosensor and a transfer transistor having a split transfer gate. A first section of the transfer gate is connectable to a first voltage source while a second section of the transfer gate is connectable to a second voltage source. Thus, during a charge integration period of a photosensor, the two sections of the transfer gate may be oppositely biased to decrease dark current while controlling blooming of electrons within and out of the pixel cell. During charge transfer the two gate sections may be commonly connected to a positive voltage sufficient to transfer charge from the photosensor to a floating diffusion region.
US07696595B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
With this semiconductor device, the distortion and cracking of a thinned portion of a semiconductor substrate are prevented to enable high precision focusing with respect to a photodetecting unit and uniformity and stability of high sensitivity of the photodetecting unit to be maintained. A semiconductor device 1 has a semiconductor substrate 10, a wiring substrate 20, conductive bumps 30, and a resin 32. A CCD 12 and a thinned portion 14 are formed on semiconductor substrate 10. Electrodes 16 of semiconductor substrate 10 are connected via conductive bumps 30 to electrodes 22 of wiring substrate 20. Insulating resin 32 fills a gap between outer edge 15 of thinned portion 14 and wiring substrate 20 to reinforce the bonding strengths of conductive bumps 30. This resin 32 is a resin sheet that has been formed in advance so as to surround a periphery of a gap between thinned portion 14 and wiring substrate 20 except for portions of the periphery.
US07696592B2 Solid state imaging apparatus method for fabricating the same and camera using the same
A solid state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections formed in an imaging area of a silicon substrate, and an embedded layer embedded in an isolation trench formed in at least one part of the silicon substrate located around the photoelectric conversion sections. The embedded layer is made of an isolation material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than silicon oxide and equal to or smaller than silicon.
US07696591B2 Overvoltage protection apparatus and an associated protection circuit
The invention relates to an overvoltage protection apparatus having a semiconductor substrate, a first doping region in order to provide a protection diode, and a second doping region in order to provide a protection resistance, with the second doping region being immediately adjacent to the first doping region.
US07696590B2 Diode housing
A housing accommodating a semiconductor chip is set out. The housing and chip may be used for sending and/or receiving radiation. Popular applications of the housing may be in light emitting diodes. The housing includes a conductor strip that is punched into two electrically isolated portions. The housing further includes a cavity extending inwards from the top of the housing. The conductor portions include respective areas that are exposed at the bottom of the cavity. The semiconductor chip is bonded to one of the exposed areas and a wire bonds the chip to the second exposed area. The conductor portions also terminate in exposed electrodes, which allow for electrical connection of the chip with external devices. A window is formed in the cavity and the walls of the housing that form the cavity may be made of a reflective material. The electrodes remain unexposed to the window but for any residual areas about the chip and bonding wire within the first and second exposed areas. By minimizing the area of the conductor exposed to the window, delamination brought about by the different thermal expansions of the window and conductor are minimized and/or eliminated. Likewise, with a reflective housing covering the base of the cavity that accommodates the window, internal radiation reflection is increased over that which was achieved with an exposed conductor.
US07696589B2 Optical device
Embodiments of an optical device including at least two transparent layers are disclosed.
US07696587B2 MEMS device having a movable electrode
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a semiconductor substrate, a MEMS including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through an insulating layer, and a well formed in the semiconductor substrate below the fixed electrode. The well is one of an n-type well and a p-type well. The p-type well applies a positive voltage to the fixed electrode while the n-type well applies a negative voltage to the fixed electrode.
US07696584B2 Reduced leakage power devices by inversion layer surface passivation
A semiconductor device is disclosed that includes a contact and an adjacent film on the surface of an underlying doped semiconductor material. The film has sufficient fixed charge to create an inversion layer adjacent the surface of the doped semiconductor material that under depletion conditions at least balances the number of surface states at the doping concentration of the underlying semiconductor material.
US07696580B2 Diode and applications thereof
A diode with low substrate current leakage and suitable for BiCMOS process technology. A buried layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A connection region and well contact the buried layer. Isolation regions are adjacent to two sides of the buried layer, each deeper than the buried layer. The isolation regions and the buried layer isolate the connection zone and the well from the substrate. The first doped region in the well is a first electrode. The well and the connection region are electrically connected, acting as a second electrode.
US07696579B2 Formation of standard voltage threshold and low voltage threshold MOSFET devices
Wells are formed in a substrate where standard Vt and low Vt devices of both a first and second type are to be fabricated. Wells defining the locations of first type standard Vt devices are masked, and a first voltage threshold implant adjustment is performed within wells defining the second type standard Vt devices, and each of the first and second type low Vt devices. Wells that define the locations of second type standard Vt devices are masked, and a second voltage threshold implant adjustment is performed to the wells defining the first type standard Vt devices, and each of the first and second type low Vt devices. Doped polysilicon gate stacks are then formed over the wells. Performance characteristics and control of each device Vt is controlled by regulating at least one of the first and second voltage threshold implant adjustments, and the polysilicon gate stack doping.
US07696578B2 Selective CESL structure for CMOS application
A PMOS device less affected by negative bias time instability (NBTI) and a method for forming the same are provided. The PMOS device includes a barrier layer over at least a portion of a gate structure, a gate spacer, and source/drain regions of a PMOS device. A stressed layer is then formed over the barrier layer. The barrier layer is preferably an oxide layer and is preferably not formed for NMOS devices.
US07696570B2 Transistors of semiconductor device having channel region in a channel-portion hole and methods of forming the same
According to some embodiments of the invention, transistors of a semiconductor device have a channel region in a channel-portion hole. Methods include forming embodiments of the transistor having a channel-portion hole disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A channel-portion trench pad and a channel-portion layer are sequentially formed at a lower portion of the channel-portion hole. A word line insulating layer pattern and a word line pattern are sequentially stacked on the channel-portion layer and fill the channel-portion hole, disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The channel-portion layer is formed to contact the semiconductor substrate through a portion of sidewall of the channel-portion hole, and forms a channel region under the word line pattern. Punchthrough is prevented between electrode impurity regions corresponding to source and drain regions.
US07696562B2 Semiconductor device
To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, where defects such as a short between a gate electrode layer and a semiconductor layer and a leakage current, which would otherwise be caused due to a coverage defect of the semiconductor layer with an insulating layer, can be prevented. In order to form a plurality of semiconductor elements over an insulating surface, a semiconductor layer is not separated into a plurality of island-shape semiconductor layers, but instead, element isolation regions, which electrically insulate a plurality of element regions functioning as semiconductor elements, are formed in one semiconductor layer, i.e., a first element isolation region with high resistance and a second element isolation region which has a contact with the element region and has a conductivity type opposite to that of the source and drain regions of the element region.
US07696557B2 Contactless uniform-tunneling separate p-well (CUSP) non-volatile memory array architecture, fabrication and operation
Floating-gate field-effect transistors or memory cells formed in isolated wells are useful in the fabrication of non-volatile memory arrays and devices. A column of such floating-gate memory cells are associated with a well containing the source/drain regions for each memory cell in the column. These wells are isolated from source/drain regions of other columns of the array. Fowler-Nordheim tunneling can be used to program and erase such floating-gate memory cells either on an individual basis or on a bulk or block basis.
US07696555B2 Semiconductor device and its manufacture method
A semiconductor device includes: a first insulating layer with a flat surface formed over a semiconductor substrate structure in which a plurality of semiconductor elements are formed; column-like conductive plugs formed to penetrate the first insulating layer in the thickness direction; elongated wall-like conductive plugs formed through the first insulating layer in the thickness direction; a second insulating layer with a flat surface formed on the first insulating layer covering the column-like conductive plugs and the wall-like conductive plugs; and first wirings having dual damascene structures. Each of the first wirings has a first portion penetrating the second insulating layer in the thickness direction and connected to at least one of the columnar conductive plugs, and a second portion formed in the second insulating layer to an intermediate depth and apparently intersects at least one of the wall-like conductive plugs when viewed above.
US07696554B2 Flash memory device
A flash memory device and method of fabricating the same, wherein a width at the top of a floating gate is narrower than that at the bottom of the floating gate. The area of the floating gate can be reduced while maintaining the overlap area between the control gate and the floating gate. Therefore, inter-cell interference can be reduced without lowering program speed.
US07696551B2 Composite hard mask for the etching of nanometer size magnetic multilayer based device
A composite hard mask is disclosed that enables sub-100 nm sized MTJ cells to be formed for advanced devices such as spin torque MRAMs. The hard mask has a lower non-magnetic metallic layer such as Ru to magnetically isolate an overlying middle metallic spacer such as MnPt from an underlying free layer. The middle metallic spacer provides a height margin during subsequent processing to avoid shorting between a bit line and the MTJ cell in the final device. An upper conductive layer may be made of Ta and is thin enough to allow a MTJ pattern in a thin overlying photoresist layer to be transferred through the Ta during a fluorocarbon etch without consuming all of the photoresist. The MTJ pattern is transferred through the remaining hard mask layers and underlying MTJ stack of layers with a second etch step using a C, H, and O etch gas composition.
US07696549B2 Bismuth ferrite films and devices grown on silicon
A functional perovskite cell formed on a silicon substrate layer and including a functional layer of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3 or BFO) sandwiched between two electrode layers. An optional intermediate template layer, for example, of strontium titanate allows the bismuth ferrite layer to be crystallographically aligned with the silicon substrate layer. Other barrier layers of platinum or an intermetallic alloy produce a polycrystalline BFO layer. The cell may be configured as a non-volatile memory cell or a MEMS structure respectively depending upon the ferroelectric and piezoelectric character of BFO. Lanthanum substitution in the BFO increases ferroelectric performance. The films may be grown by MOCVD using a heated vaporizer.
US07696544B2 Solid-state image sensing device and manufacturing method thereof
Pixel portions each of which has a charge storage portion formed in a semiconductor substrate 11 and a transfer gate for transferring charges stored in the charge storage portion are isolated from each other by a device isolation region in the semiconductor substrate. A buried gate electrically connected to the transfer gate is embedded in the device isolation region. The buried gate includes a gate dielectric film and gate electrode formed in a trench of the semiconductor substrate.
US07696543B2 Solid-state imaging device
In each photosensitive cell, a photodiode 101, a transfer gate 102, a floating diffusion layer section 103, an amplifier transistor 104, and a reset transistor 105 are formed in one active region surrounded by a device isolation region. The floating diffusion layer section 103 included in one photosensitive cell is connected not to the amplifier transistor 104 included in that cell but to the gate of the amplifier transistor 104 included in another photosensitive cell adjacent to the one photosensitive cell in the column direction. A polysilicon wire 111 connects the transfer gates 102 arranged in the same row, and a polysilicon wire 112 connects the reset transistors 105 arranged in the same row. For connection in the row direction, only polysilicon wires are used.
US07696539B2 Device fabrication by anisotropic wet etch
A method of fabrication and a field effect device structure are presented that reduce source/drain capacitance and allow for device body contact. A Si based material pedestal is produced, the top surface and the sidewalls of which are oriented in a way to be substantially parallel with selected crystallographic planes of the pedestal and of a supporting member. The pedestal is wet etched with an anisotropic solution containing ammonium hydroxide. The sidewalls of the pedestal become faceted forming a segment in the pedestal with a reduced cross section. The dopant concentration in the reduced cross section segment is chosen to be sufficiently high for it to provide for electrical continuity through the pedestal.
US07696538B2 Sensor for measuring liquid contaminants in a semiconductor wafer fabrication process
Liquid detection sensors are attached to both sides of a robotic arm end effector of a semiconductor wafer process system. The sensor mechanism or probe is situated on the front side and backside of the end effector, designed with electrical lines that are traced onto a polyester base material. The electrical lines are positioned in a serpentine formation. The high conductance of the sulfuric acid in the copper sulfate solution acts as the conductor between the traced lines. When the conductive liquid comes in contact with the traced lines, the lines short and the sensor activates or turns on.
US07696535B2 Gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor having inner field-plate for high power applications
A gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor, in which an inner field-plate is disposed between the gate and drain of the high electron mobility transistor, so that an electric field is distributed between gate and drain regions to reduce a peak value and to reduce gate leakage current while maintaining high frequency performance, thus obtaining a high breakdown voltage, reducing the capacitance between the gate and the drain attributable to a shielding effect, and improving linearity and high power and high frequency characteristics through variation in the input voltage of the inner field-plate.
US07696533B2 Indium nitride layer production
The invention relates to a structure usable in electronic, optical or optoelectronic engineering which comprises a substantially crystalline layer made of an alloy consisting of at least one element of the column II of the periodic elements system and/or at least one element of the column IV of the periodic elements system and of N2 (said alloy being noted N-IV-N2), wherein said structure also comprises an InN layer. A method for producing an indium nitride layer, a substrate forming plate and the use thereof for indium nitride growth are also disclosed.
US07696530B2 Dual-gate sensor
A sensor includes a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a gate-insulating layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a sensing portion including an accommodating part and a receiving layer. The first and second gate electrodes are opposed to each other with the sensing portion, the semiconductor layer, and the gate-insulating layer therebetween. One surface of the semiconductor layer is in contact with a surface of the sensing portion, and another surface of the semiconductor layer is in contact with the gate-insulating layer. A surface of the gate-insulating layer is in contact with the second gate electrode. The first gate electrode and the receiving layer are opposed to each other with the accommodating part therebetween. The source and drain electrodes are in contact with the semiconductor layer.
US07696529B2 Array substrate for use in a transflective liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same
The present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal display device having at least one switching element having at least a drain electrode, a first passivation layer formed over the switching element with the first passivation layer defining a drain contact hole exposing a first portion the drain electrode, a transparent pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole and defining a contact opening that exposes a second portion of the drain electrode, the contact opening being defined in a portion of the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole, and a reflective pixel electrode contacting the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole and contacting the drain electrode through the contact opening.
US07696527B2 Light source, manufacturing method of light source, lighting apparatus, and display apparatus
Provided is a light source that has high reliability and hardly causes conductivity failure between a light emitting device and a conductive land. In an LED light source of the present invention, an LED bare chip is mounted to conductive lands of a substrate, using bumps (55a, 55b). The LED bare chip (D65) is provided with a p-electrode (Lp) and an n-electrode (Ln) on a rear surface. The p-electrode (Lp) is larger in area than the n-electrode (Ln). The p-electrode (Lp) is bonded to a corresponding conductive land via four bumps (55a), whereas the n-electrode (Ln) is bonded to a corresponding conductive land via one bump (55b). A bonded area (Sn) between the n-electrode (Ln) and the bump (55b) is larger than a bonded area (Sp) between the p-electrode (Lp) and one of the bumps (55a).
US07696523B2 Light emitting device having vertical structure and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting device having a vertical structure and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of damping impact generated during a substrate separation process and achieving an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a multilayer structure, a first electrode arranged at one surface of the semiconductor layer, a metal support arranged on the first electrode, and an impact damping layer arranged between the first electrode and the metal support, and made of a metal having a ductility higher than a ductility of a metal for the metal support.
US07696520B2 Organic thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same, and organic light emitting display device having the same
Provided is an organic thin film transistor that can prevents damage to source and drain electrodes when patterning an organic semiconductor layer, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display device having the organic thin film transistor. The organic thin film transistor includes a source electrode and a drain electrode; an organic semiconductor layer that contacts the source and drain electrodes, and has an ashed surface except a channel area between the source and drain electrodes; a gate electrode insulated from the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the organic semiconductor layer; and a gate insulating film that insulates the gate electrode from the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the organic semiconductor layer.
US07696519B2 Wiring substrate, electronic device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
The invention achieves stable performance, such as low parasitic capacitance generated at conductive components. Components having a low dielectric constant of 4 or less are disposed on a base member. Functional films partitioned by the low-dielectric-constant components are also provided.
US07696516B2 Active matrix substrate, method of making the substrate, and display device
An active matrix substrate includes base substrate, gate lines, data lines, thin-film transistors and pixel electrodes. The gate lines are formed on the base substrate. The data lines are formed over the gate lines. Each of the data lines crosses all of the gate lines with an insulating film interposed therebetween. The thin-film transistors are formed over the base substrate. Each of the thin-film transistors is associated with one of the gate lines and operates responsive to a signal on the associated gate line. Each of the pixel electrodes is associated with one of the data lines and one of the thin-film transistors and is electrically connectable to the associated data line by way of the associated thin-film transistor. Each of the pixel electrodes and the associated thin-film transistor are connected together by way of a conductive member. Each of the pixel electrodes crosses one of the gate lines, while the conductive member for the pixel electrode crosses another one of the gate lines that is adjacent to the former gate line.
US07696514B2 Active matrix display device having a column-like spacer
There is disclosed a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device in which a heat treatment time required for crystal growth is shortened and a process is simplified. Two catalytic element introduction regions are arranged at both sides of one active layer and crystallization is made. A boundary portion where crystal growth from one catalytic element introduction region meets crystal growth from the other catalytic element introduction region is formed in a region which becomes a source region or drain region.
US07696513B2 Light-emitting device using oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor and image display apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a light-emitting device, including: a pixel region provided on a substrate and including a blue pixel region, a green pixel region, and a red pixel region which correspond to lights of three primary colors of blue, green and red light, respectively, the pixel region including: a thin-film transistor having a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, and an active layer; a light-emitting layer; and a lower electrode and a counter electrode for sandwiching the light-emitting layer therebetween, wherein the active layer includes an oxide; the drain electrode is electrically connected with a part of the light-emitting layer; and the thin-film transistor is arranged in a region other than the blue pixel region on the substrate.
US07696512B2 Electron device and process of manufacturing thereof
The electron device of the present invention has a carbon-based linear structural body including at least one conductive particle, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed at both end of the carbon-based linear structural body, so as to subject the carbon-based linear structural body including at least one conductive particle to connect between the first electrode and the second electrode. A process of manufacturing the electron device includes steps of: forming a carbon-based linear structural body including at least one conductive particle, using a catalyst of a first island and a second island selected from two or more of islands of the catalyst on a substrate; and forming a first electrode and a second electrode so as to connect the first electrode with the first island and one end of the carbon-based linear structural body, and the second electrode with the second island and the other end of the carbon-based linear structural body.
US07696509B2 Solid state electrolyte memory device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a solid state electrolytes memory device is provided. An insulator layer is formed on a substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the insulator layer. At least two openings partially overlapped and capable of communicating with each other are formed in the conductive layer, so that the conductive layer forms at least a pair of tip electrodes. Thereafter, solid state electrolytes are filled in the openings.
US07696506B2 Memory cell with memory material insulation and manufacturing method
A memory cell, the memory cell includes first and second electrodes and a memory material element electrically coupling the first and second electrodes. The memory material element comprises a first memory material, such as GST, the first memory material having an electrical property that can be changed by the application of energy. A thermal insulating layer surrounds the memory material element. The thermal insulating layer comprises a second memory material. A dielectric layer separates the thermal insulating material from the memory material element. A method for making a thermally insulated memory cell device is also disclosed.
US07696504B2 Phase change memory device
A phase change memory device comprises an insulating layer and a phase change layer formed on the insulating layer. A phase change layer has a pad portion. The pad portion is formed with at least one slit.
US07696500B2 Fused test source
A test source that combines infrared energy and visible light to produce a uniform output of energy in the visible and infrared spectra is disclosed. The test source includes an infrared energy source and a visible light source. The infrared energy source has a white coating thereon. The visible light source emits visible light onto the infrared light source, which generates a combination of infrared energy and visible light outwardly into the surrounding atmosphere.
US07696497B2 Focusing system and method for a charged particle imaging system
Apparatus for focusing a charged particle beam onto a surface, including a charged particle beam generator which is adapted to project the charged particle beam onto a location on the surface, thereby causing charges to be emitted from the location. The apparatus further includes an imaging detector which is adapted to receive the charges so as to form an image of the location, and an aberrating element which is positioned before the imaging detector and which is adapted to produce an aberration in the image. A processor is adapted to receive the image and to adjust at least one of the charged particle beam generator and a position of the surface in response to the aberration.
US07696493B2 Radiation system and lithographic apparatus
The invention relates to a radiation system for generating electromagnetic radiation. The radiation system includes a pair of electrodes constructed and arranged to generate plasma of a first substance and a pinch in the plasma. The radiation system also includes a plasma recombination surface that is arranged proximate to the pinch, and is configured to neutralize a plurality of plasma particles.
US07696491B2 Fluorescence observation or fluorescence measuring system, and fluorescence observation or fluorescence measuring method
A fluorescence observation or fluorescence measuring system has at least one of a low-fluorescence objective lens including optical elements made of low-fluorescence glass, satisfying Condition (a) described below, a low-fluorescence immersion substance satisfying Condition (b) described below, and a low-fluorescence cover glass satisfying Condition (c) described below: BOB′/BOB≦0.7  (a) BIM′/BIM≦0.7  (b) BCG′/BCG≦0.7  (c) where BOB′, BIM′, and BCG′ are average intensity values of auto-fluorescence from the low-fluorescence objective lens, immersion substance, and cover glass, respectively, and BOB, BIM, and BCG are average intensity values of auto-fluorescence from a conventional objective lens, immersion substance, and cover glass, respectively, generally used.
US07696487B2 Circuit pattern inspection apparatus
The via chain conduction failure due to non-conduction caused by insufficient etching in a contact plug/via plug forming process can be detected precisely in a short time. For its achievement, a defect is detected at high speed by taking advantage of characteristics of a potential contrast method using a via chain defect inspection structure and an electron beam defect detection apparatus which can perform continuous inspection while changing an inspection direction without rotating a wafer. Accordingly, the capturing efficiency of a critical electric defect and search efficiency of a defect point can be improved.
US07696486B2 Time-resolved, optical-readout detector for neutron and gamma-ray imaging
An efficient, large-area-detector and readout-system for combined sub-mm spatial imaging and time-of-flight spectrometry of fast and slow neutrons, as well as gamma-rays, capable of loss-free operation in mixed neutron-gamma fields of very high intensity.
US07696483B2 High DQE photon counting detector using statistical recovery of pile-up events
A photon-counting detector includes a direct conversion material and a data acquisition system with a first comparator having a first signal level threshold indicative of a noise level of a spectrum of photons, the first comparator configured to output a count when the electrical signal level exceeds the first signal level threshold, and a second comparator having a second signal level threshold indicative of the maximum energy of the spectrum of photons, the second comparator configured to output a count when the electrical signal exceeds the second signal level threshold where a photon count is determined based on the counts from the first and second comparators.
US07696480B2 Method and apparatus for determining an object material
One finding of the present invention is that, by use of radiation with a polyfrequent effective spectrum for the examination of the object, beam hardening or shift of the spectrum's center of gravity does indeed lead to the fact that the effectively operative absorption coefficient or attenuation coefficient and/or the effective operative reflection coefficient of the object material, and thus particularly also the ratio of two coefficients to different radiation spectrums, no longer is solely specific for the material, but also depends on the thickness, but that this may be accepted, and nevertheless exact classification of the object material can still be done by using, in addition to the ratio of the absorption and/or reflection coefficients, one of the intensity values resulting during irradiations, in order to perform an association with one of a plurality of predetermined materials on the basis of reference data.
US07696479B2 Method and apparatus for frequency-converting infrared light
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for modifying the frequency characteristics of a spatially-dispersed mid-IR spectra for spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, sum frequency generation between a frequency-dispersed IR beam and an ultrafast optical pulse generates a spatially-extended optical signal that is collected with a CCD detector.
US07696476B2 Apparatus and method for improving fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer signal
Disclosed is apparatus and method for improving the signal by changing the voltage applied to an analyzing trap of a high resolving power Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. More specifically, after the ion activation, a voltage different from that of a trap electrode is applied to an additional electrode in the center of the trap electrode, and the voltage is maintained until the end of a detection cycle. Applying the above method, the stability of the ions confined in a trap is more increased, and therefore, the detected time domain signal is being lengthened. The lengthened time domain signal results in an increase of the frequency or an improvement of the resolving power and the sensitivity of the mass-to-charge domain signal.
US07696475B2 Electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization device, mass spectrometer, and method for mass spectrometry
An electrospray-assisted laser desorption ionization device includes: an electrospray unit including a nozzle; a voltage supplying member disposed to establish between the nozzle and a receiving unit a potential difference such that liquid drops of the electrospray medium formed at the nozzle are laden with charges, and such that the liquid drops are forced to leave the nozzle toward the receiving unit along a traveling path; a laser desorption unit adapted to irradiate a sample such that, upon irradiation, analytes contained in the sample are desorbed to fly along a flying path which intersects the traveling path so as to enable the analytes to be occluded in the liquid drops, and such that as a result of dwindling in size of the liquid drops when moving along the traveling path, charges of the liquid drops will pass on to the analytes occluded therein to form ionized analytes.
US07696474B2 Methods and apparatus of ion mobility spectrometer
The present invention describes apparatuses and methods that provide energy to ions in a non-thermal manner. The elevated ion energy minimizes or eliminates interferences due to clustering with polar molecules, such as water. The energized ions are separated in an ion mobility spectrometer. During the ion transportation and separation process, the elevated energy level of ions prevents them from clustering with neutral molecule inside the spectrometer. The additional electric field component only causes ions to reach elevated energy level, whereby the spectrometer can preserve its normal performance, meanwhile avoiding interference from water and other neutral molecules. A RF electric field is applied to the ions in ionization, reaction and separation region of ion mobility spectrometers.
US07696471B2 Impact detection system using an optical fiber sensor
Disclosed is an impact detection system including: an optical fiber including a plurality of sensor sections to reflect light, a wavelength band of the reflected light vibrates depending on an elastic wave propagating through a subject to be inspected; a light source to input light into the optical fiber; optical filters each connected to an output terminal of the optical fiber; and an arithmetic processing unit to detect the impact from output values of sensor sections, wherein the wavelength bands of the sensor sections in the optical fiber are distributed such that the vibration bands caused by the impact to be detected do not overlap with each other, and a pass band of the optical filter corresponding to one of the sensor sections is distributed in the vibration band caused by the detection object, and is distributed in both sides of a center of the wavelength band of the one sensor section.
US07696464B2 Imaging device with reduced row readout time and method of operating the same
An imager in which a column line bias current control signal is pulsed at some time during and/or after the pulsing of the reset control and the transfer control signals to increase a bias current in a pixel column line during reset and transfer operations. The bias current is then decreased by removing the pulse before the sampling and storing of reset and image signals. Pulsing the bias control voltage signal and thus, the bias current, decreases the settling time of the column line, while maintaining the required low current during sampling and storage of the reset and image signals.
US07696462B2 Advanced image intensifier assembly
An advanced image intensifier assembly provides enhanced functionality. A grounded photocathode provides shielding from electromagnetic interference, improving the ability to work in multiple light conditions. Bi-directional wireless communication and non-volatile storage allow critical information to be permanently stored and read wirelessly at a scanning station, easing in identification of units. Because bi-directional communication components can be embedded within an image intensifier assembly, existing end-user night vision devices can be upgraded by simply replacing the image intensifier assembly. For enhanced safety, a programmable shutdown capability is provided. This renders the device inoperative in the absence of continuous input, either wireless or manual, from an authorized operator, thus rendering the device useless if captured by enemy combatants. Finally, direct 1-volt operation enables the device to be powered by, for example, a single AA battery.
US07696458B2 Induction heating system and method of output power control
A system and method for inductively heating a work piece. The induction heating system is coupleable to at least one temperature feedback device. The temperature feedback device is disposed within the induction heating system to provide a signal representative of the temperature of an induction heating system component. The induction heating system is operable to control the output of the induction heating system based on the temperature of the induction heating system component to protect the component from heat damage.
US07696449B2 Silicon crystallizing device
A silicon crystallizing device includes a laser beam source emitting a laser beam, a projector unit converging and changing a pattern of the laser beam from the laser beam source, a stage loading/unloading a substrate, a mirror deflecting the laser beam from the projector unit to an outside of the substrate, and a cooling device receiving the laser beam deflected by the mirror and sinking heat generated by the laser beam received, thereby warming up the projection lens before completion of loading the substrate, or cutting off laser beam incident on the substrate after crystallization of the substrate.
US07696441B2 Flexible wired circuit board
A flexible wired circuit board that is provided can improve the yield per sheet and the production efficiency of the wired circuit board and thus to reduce the production costs when a plurality of flexible wired circuit boards are formed and aligned on the sheet. The flexible wired circuit board includes a first wired circuit board portion having a first terminal portion, a second wired circuit board portion having a second terminal portion, and a connecting portion for connecting the first wired circuit board portion and the second wired circuit board portion. The first wired circuit board portion and the second wired circuit board portion are disposed adjacent to each other at one end of the connecting portion, and the first wired circuit board portion is foldable over the other end with respect to the connecting portion.
US07696440B2 Flexible flat cable with improved easy structures for engagement/disengagement
A flexible flat cable (10) is adapted for mating with a complementary connector (70). The flexible flat cable (10) includes a number of conductors (20) parallelly disposed, an insulation jacket (30) covering said conductors (20); and an insert portion (40) form at one end of the flexible flat cable (10) with the conductors (20) exposed outside the insert portion (40); a chamfer (201) is formed on the end of the conductors (20) located in the insert portion (40).
US07696438B2 Data cable with cross-twist cabled core profile
Cables including a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors, a separator disposed among the plurality of twisted pairs so as to physically separate a first twisted pair from a second twisted pair, and a jacket surrounding the plurality of twisted pairs and the separator. The jacket may include a plurality of protrusions extending away from an inner circumferential surface of the jacket toward a center of the cable. The plurality of protrusions are configured so as to hold the plurality of twisted pairs away from the inner circumferential surface of the jacket, and may provide an air gap between the plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors and the inner circumferential surface of the jacket. In one example, a boundary of the air gap adjacent the inner circumferential surface of the jacket is arc shaped.
US07696435B1 Electrical conduit with internal lining
A rigid conduit has a hard plastic exterior surface and electrical metallic tubing as the interior surface. The hard plastic exterior forms a smooth male fitting at one end of the conduit and a smooth female fitting at the other end of the conduit. Chemical solvent adhesives join together adjacent conduit sections, the hard plastic male and female fittings fusing together. The interior surface of electrical metallic tubing protects the exterior hard plastic material from damage caused during cabling of the electrical raceways. The exterior hard plastic protects the rigid conduit from corrosive environments, such as underground installations.
US07696434B2 Conduits
A conduit (1) having a substantially semi-circular outer cross-section comprising a base portion (3) and a lid portion (2), the lid portion (2) being attached to the base portion (3) by a hinge (4) and having a clip (23) on the opposite side, wherein the hinge (4) is located at an angular elevation from the base of between 10° and 35°, the base portion (3) having a clip socket for retaining the clip (23), wherein the clip socket comprises an outer wall (32), which forms part of the semi-circular outer cross-section, and an inner wall (33), between which is defined a channel (34) for the clip (23), the height of the inner wall above the bottom of the base portion (3) being substantially the same as the height of the hinge (4) above the bottom of the base portion (3).
US07696433B2 Cable outlet element, cable outlet device, cable outlet arrangement, method for producing a cable element and the use of a cable outlet element in an aircraft
A cable outlet element (101) for leading out a cable (106) that can be muted through a raceway arrangement (105) comprises a cable lead-in section (101), a raceway arrangement connection (102), a cable lead-out section (103) and a cable outlet connection (104). The raceway arrangement connection (102) can be connected to a raceway arrangement (105) such that a cable (106) that can be routed through the raceway arrangement (105) can be fed into the cable lead-in section (101). To jointly form a cable outlet aperture the cable outlet connection (104) can be connected to a cable outlet connection (111) of another cable outlet element (107) such that at the connected cable outlet connections (104,111) a cable (106) fed into the cable lead-in section (101) can be led out through the jointly formed cable outlet aperture.
US07696431B2 Distribution terminal pedestal spade for hardware free assembly
A spade or stake for hardware free mounting to a telecommunications data distribution terminal pedestal is disclosed. The spade may include one or more connectors of various types for engaging the pedestal to thereby couple the spade to the pedestal without hardware, and thus without tools. The pedestal may also include one or more connectors for mating with corresponding connectors on the stake.
US07696429B2 Solar cell with integrated protective diode
The invention relates to a solar cell which comprises photoactive semiconductor layers extending between the front and the back contact, and an integrated protective diode (bypass diode), said protective diode having a polarity opposite to that of the solar cell and is provided at its front with a p-conducting semiconductor layer, and the protective diode is connected to the front contact. The aim of the invention is to provide a highly stable protective diode and to prevent a migration of metal atoms. For this purpose, a tunnel diode (38) extends on the p-conducting semiconductor layer (36) of the protective diode (32), said tunnel diode being connected to the front contact (14) via an n+ layer.
US07696428B2 Electronic keyboard musical instrument
An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a body unit of the musical instrument and a stand attached to the body unit. The stand includes a pair of side boards disposed in a standing manner so as to interpose the body unit therebetween. The body unit includes a pair of lateral surfaces. Each of the pair of lateral surfaces faces one of the pair of side boards and includes a first engaging portion disposed thereon. Each of the pair of side boards includes a first engaged portion engaged by the first engaging portion and disposed on an inner lateral surface thereof, which faces one of the pair of lateral surfaces of the body unit. The first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged with each other by at least one of the body unit and the stand being moved in a predetermined direction.
US07696421B1 Soprano steel pan set and associated methods
A four-octave soprano steel pan set includes a first pan and a second pan. Each pan is divided into three concentric rings and six radial sectors. An outermost of the three rings is further radially divided into two portions, to form twenty-four note pads. Each note pad is adapted to produce a distinct musical pitch when struck. Each of the radial sectors has four note pads therein, the four note pads in each of the radial sectors in octave relation to each other. Thus the twelve total radial sectors of the first and the second pan contain the notes sufficient to span four octaves.
US07696419B2 Collapsible stringed musical instrument
A collapsible stringed instrument having a body with a soundboard, a back face, a neck, and a spacer. The perimeter of the soundboard is connected to the perimeter of the back face by the spacer. The volume between the spacer, the soundboard, and the back face define a sound chamber. The neck is pivotally and laterally coupled to the body which has a door in the back face. The neck is able to pivot and slide through the door and into the sound chamber.
US07696418B2 Spreading ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass plants with a spreading habit are provided. The perennial ryegrass plants of the present invention display a growth habit with intertwining tillers that form a very dense sward of 10,000 tillers or more per square foot within one growing season. The ryegrass plants of the present invention also display secondary tillers, something not seen in currently available commercial perennial ryegrass varieties. The spreading growth habit of the plants of the present invention makes a very attractive turfgrass when grown for turf and also provides high seed production.
US07696416B2 Non-pungent ornamental peppers
The present invention relates to new, distinct and stable Capsicum annuum plants that have an ornamental phenotype and produce fruit that is non-pungent.
US07696415B1 Soybean cultivar S07-04KL904015
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar S07-04KL904015 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar S07-04KL904015 and its progeny, and methods of making S07-04KL904015.
US07696408B2 Method to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants
The invention provides a method to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plant cells, parts and tissues, thereby enhancing the production of transgenic plants.
US07696407B2 Proteins and DNA related to salt tolerance in plants
The present invention relates to proteins and nucleic acids related to salt tolerance in plants.
US07696399B2 Sutureless wound closure and method of application
A sutureless biopsy closure that includes an adhesive member adapted to be disposed over a biopsy region prior to the performance of the biopsy; at least one adhesive strip including one end supported on the adhesive member and a second free end forming a tab. The tab is adapted to extend over the biopsy region to seal the wound.
US07696394B2 Treatment of alkylation catalyst poisons with dehydrogenation
Methods and processes for reducing alkylation catalyst poisoning are described herein. Such methods generally include providing a dehydrogenation system including a dehydrogenation reactor and a separation system, wherein the separation system includes a first column and a second column, introducing an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon into the dehydrogenation reactor, contacting the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon with a dehydrogenation catalyst disposed within the dehydrogenation reactor to form a dehydrogenation output stream comprising a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, passing at least a portion of the dehydrogenation output stream to first column, recovering a first overhead fraction including benzene and a first bottoms fraction from the first column, passing at least a portion of the benzene from the first column to an alkylation system including an alkylation catalyst, passing the first bottoms fraction from the first column to the second column, recovering a second overhead fraction and a second bottoms fraction from the second column, withdrawing offtest from effluent streams selected from the dehydrogenation output stream, the first bottoms fraction, the second bottoms fraction and combinations thereof to form withdrawn offtest and introducing the withdrawn offtest into the separation system downstream from the first column.
US07696392B2 Purification method of 1,1-difluoroethane
Crude 1,1-difluoroethane containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated compounds each having two carbon atoms within the molecule and saturated chlorine-containing compounds each having two carbon atoms within the molecule is brought into contact with a zeolite and/or a carbonaceous adsorbent, or crude 1,1-difluoroethane containing hydrogen fluoride and, as impurities, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated compounds each having two carbon atoms within the molecule is brought into contact with a fluorination catalyst in a gas phase state. High-purity 1,1-difluoroethane usable as a cryogenic refrigerant, or as an etching gas, can be produced in an industrially advantageous manner.
US07696391B2 System and process for production of nitrobenzene
A method for producing nitrobenzene is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising benzene-containing droplets or particles dispersed in a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid, wherein said particles have a mean diameter less than one micron, and subjecting the dispersion to reaction conditions comprising a pressure in the range of about 203 kPa (2 atm) to about 6080 kPa (60 atm) and a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., whereby at least a portion of said benzene is nitrated to form nitrobenzene. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
US07696388B2 Process for producing bisphenol-A
A process for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (p,p-bisphenol-A) from 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman (chroman 1.5) is disclosed. Phenol and chroman 1.5 are contacted over an acidic ion exchange resin at a given temperature for a given period of time. The process results in improved quality of p,p-bisphenol-A, better performance of catalyst, improved raw material usage, and reduced waste.
US07696386B2 Method of producing diol, polydiol, secondary alcohol or diketone compound
The invention is a process of using, as a reducing agent, a 12CaO.7Al2O3 electride containing electrons in a number of 1019 or more and 2.3×1021 cm−3 or less in its cages to subject a carbonyl compound to reductive coupling in a solvent, thereby synthesizing a diol or polydiol. The invention is also a process of reducing a ketone compound in a solvent, thereby synthesizing a secondary alcohol or diketone compound. According to the process of the invention, it is possible to synthesize a diol or polydiol, or a secondary alcohol or diketone compound through simple operations in a short period without using an expensive and harmful metal hydride or metal salt nor limiting the atmosphere for the synthesis to an inert gas atmosphere as in conventional processes.
US07696385B2 Polyetheramine production method
The invention relates to a method for producing amines of formula (1), wherein R3 is an organic group containing from 2 to 600 alkoxy groups and R1 and R3 groups are similar or different and represent a hydrogen atom or an organic group containing from 1 to 400 carbon atoms. The inventive method consists in bringing a compound of formula (2) into contact a compound of formula (3) in the presence of hydrogen with a metal-containing catalyst, wherein the metal content in cobalt is equal to or greater than 80% by weight.
US07696381B1 Alternative dimerisation reagents for synthesis of iodixanol
This invention relates generally to non-ionic X-ray contrast agents. It further relates to the synthesis of iodixanol. In particular, it relates to alternative dimerisation reagents in the conversion of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide (“Compound A”) to iodixanol.
US07696380B2 Amide-based compound, polyolefin resin composition and molded product
Disclosed are a mixture of at least two amide-based compounds represented by General Formula (1): wherein a represents an integer of 2 to 6, R1 represents a C2-30 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid residue, and the aliphatic polycarboxylic acid has a valency of 2 to 6, and two to six R2 groups are the same or different, and each represent a trans-2-alkylcyclohexylamine residue or a cis-2-alkylcyclohexylamine residue, the mixture having a content of a trans-2-alkylcyclohexylamine residue of at least 70 mole % but less than 100 mole % of the total 2-alkylcyclohexylamine residues in the mixture, or an all-trans amide-based compound wherein all of the 2 to 6 R2 groups represent a trans-2-alkylcyclohexylamine residue; a polyolefin resin nucleating agent comprising the mixture or the all-trans amide-based compound; a polyolefin resin composition containing the amide-based compound or the mixture; a molded article obtainable by molding the composition.
US07696376B2 Method for manufacture of esters by transesterification
A method for the manufacture of an ester by transesterification allows the transesterification reaction to proceed within a short reaction time and under a pressure of the order of normal pressure. It was found that transesterification proceeds when a starting material ester and an alcohol are brought into contact with a catalyst comprising (A) an amorphous zirconium oxide and (B) an oxide of a Group II element, an oxide of a Group V element, and/or an oxide of a Group IV element other than zirconium and hafnium. In this method, it is preferred that the starting material ester in a liquid-phase state and the alcohol in a vapor-phase state be brought into contact with a solid acid catalyst comprising the above components (A) and (B), the starting material ester be an oil or fat, and the alcohol be methanol or ethanol. An oxide of titanium, silicon, germanium, or tin is the preferred oxide of the Group IV element other than zirconium and hafnium.
US07696368B2 Start-up of high selectivity catalysts in olefin oxide plants
A method to achieve a controlled start-up temperature of an expoxidation process which exceeds the maximum achievable temperature of the epoxidation reactor relative to using an external heat source. The method of the present invention employs an oxidation reaction within the reactor to bring the temperature of the reactor to a temperature that is suitable for conditioning a high selectivity catalyst. The method of the present invention includes first bringing a reactor including a high selectivity catalyst to a first temperature using the external heat source to the reactor, while staying within the reactor design limitations and maintaining a gas flow to the reactor that is within 25 to 100% of the design rates. Once the reactor has achieved the first temperature, at least an olefin, e.g., ethylene, and then oxygen are introduced to the reactor feed gas. The olefin and oxygen concentrations are adjusted to have a heat of reaction that will allow raising the reactor gas flow to 100% of design and then have sufficient heat of reaction to raise the reactor temperature to a second temperature which is greater than the first temperature and greater than the temperature of the reactor achievable by the external heat source.
US07696366B2 Production process of bifunctional epoxy monomer by selective oxidation of diolefin compound
There is provided a novel method for producing a bifunctional epoxy monomer which comprises reacting diolefin with a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, in the presence of molybdenum or tungsten oxide as a catalyst to selectively epoxidize a double bound at a specific position. The bifunctional epoxy monomers provided by the present invention are substances widely used in various industrial fields such as chemical industry, as materials for resist materials (particularly solder resist materials), and intermediates of agrochemicals and medicines, and various polymers such as plasticizers, adhesives and coating resins.
US07696362B2 Derivatives of artemisinin, and their uses in the treatment of malaria
A new artemisinin derivatives, of following general formula (I): In which: a and b are a single or a double bond, n1 and n2 are 0 or 1, R1 is a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom, or a group, if appropriate ionisable, making it possible to render said compounds of formula (I) water-soluble, R3 is a group, if appropriate ionisable, making it possible to render said compounds of formula (I) water-soluble, R4 is H or OH. The invention also relates to the process by which they are obtained, and their uses in pharmaceutical compositions intended for the treatment of malaria.
US07696359B2 Compound modified with glycerol derivative
Objects of the present invention are to provide a compound which is useful as a surface modifier for producing a drug carrier or the like, or a salt thereof; a fine particle comprising the same; and the like. The present invention provides a compound in which a substance to be modified, which is selected from the group consisting of an amphiphilic substance and a hydrophobic substance, is modified with a glycerol derivative represented by the following formula (1): wherein R represents a residue comprising a reactive group for the substance to be modified, which is selected from the group consisting of an amphiphilic substance and a hydrophobic substance or for a spacer capable of binding the substance to be modified, which is selected from the group consisting of an amphiphilic substance and a hydrophobic substance, to R-X, or a group capable of being transformed into the reactive group; n represents an integer of 3 or more; and X represents a residue capable of having the following structure by n in number: directly or via the spacer, or a salt thereof; a fine particle comprising the same; and the like.
US07696358B2 Five-membered heterocyclyl tetracycline compounds and methods of use thereof
The present invention describes methods of treating bacterial infections with 7-pyrrolyl tetracycline compounds of formula (I):
US07696356B2 Process for preparing 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-methylene-4H-carbazol-4-one and ondansetron therefrom
The present invention provides a rapid, high-yielding process for preparing 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-methylene-4H-carbazol-4-one from 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-4H-carbazol-4-one without using a secondary amine as a catalyst, and without using glacial acetic acid as a solvent. The present invention further provides a rapid, high-yielding process for preparing ondansetron from 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-methylene-4H-carbazol-4-one without using alumina as a catalyst.
US07696353B2 Compound, composition and thin film
A liquid-crystalline compound of the following formula: wherein Y11, Y12 and Y13 are methine or N; L1, L2 and L3 are single bond or divalent group; H1, H2 and H3 are formula (DI-A) or (DI-B); YA1, YA2, YB1 and YB2 are methine or N; XA and XB are O, S, etc.; R1, R2 and R3 are -(-L21-Q2)n1-L22-L23-Q1; L21 is single bond or divalent group; Q2 is cyclic divalent group; n1 is 0-4; L22 is —O—, —O—CO—, etc; L23 is —O—, —S—, etc.; Q1 is polymerizable group or H.
US07696352B2 Factor Xa inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug thereof which are inhibitors of Factor Xa. The present invention is also directed to and intermediates used in making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions characterized by undesired thrombosis and methods of inhibiting the coagulation of a blood sample.
US07696351B2 Process for the preparation of S-(+)-clopidogrel by optical resolution
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of S-(+)-clopidogrel by an optical resolution and, more particularly, to a process for the preparation of S-(+)-clopidogrel represented by the following formula 1 with high optical purity by converting a clopidogrel racemic carboxylic acid into a diastereomeric salt using a (+)-cinchonine for optical resolution, extracting an S-(+)-clopidogrel carboxylic acid from the diastereomeric salt using a suitable solvent under an acidic condition and then reacting the S-(+)-clopidogrel carboxylic acid with methanol.
US07696349B2 Method for asymmetric synthesis
The present invention relates to a process for asymmetric synthesis in the presence of a chiral catalyst comprising at least one complex of a metal of transition group VIII with ligands capable of dimerization via noncovalent bonds, such catalysts and their use.
US07696348B2 Quinoxaline derivative, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device using the quinoxaline derivative
It is an object to provide a novel bipolar organic compound. In particular, it is an object to provide a bipolar organic compound excellent in thermal stability. Further, it is another object to provide a bipolar organic compound which is electrochemically stable. A quinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (1) is provided. Further, since the quinoxaline derivative represented by the general formula (1) is bipolar, the use of the quinoxaline derivative of the present invention allows fabrication of a light-emitting element and a light-emitting device with a low driving voltage and low power consumption. Furthermore, a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency can be obtained.
US07696338B2 Immunotoxin fusion proteins and means for expression thereof
The present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings provides novel recombinant DT-based immunotoxins, and, more specifically anti-T cell immunotoxin fusion proteins. Also provided are immunotoxins that can be expressed in bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells. The invention also provides means for expression of the immunotoxin fusion protein.
US07696336B2 Nucleic acids and corresponding proteins entitled 251P5G2 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene 251P5G2 and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 251P5G2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 251P5G2 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 251P5G2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 251P5G2 can be used in active or passive immunization.
US07696334B1 Bioinformatically detectable human herpesvirus 5 regulatory gene
The present invention relates to a group of novel viral RNA regulatory genes, here identified as “viral genomic address messenger genes” or “VGAM genes”, and as “genomic record” or “GR” genes. VGAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known host target genes, and are believed to represent a novel pervasive viral attack mechanism. GR genes encode an operon-like cluster of VGAM genes. VGAM and viral GR genes may therefore be useful in diagnosing, preventing and treating viral disease. Several nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding several VGAM genes, as are vectors and probes, both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting VGAM genes, and for counteracting their activity.
US07696333B1 Promoter in the presence of organic acid and utilization thereof
The invention provides a promoter that can be used in the presence of an organic acid. The promoter includes DNA with promoter activity of high osmolarity response 7 gene (HOR7 gene), glycelaldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase 2 gene (TDH2 gene), heat shock protein 30 gene (HSP30), hexose transport protein 7 gene (HXT7 gene), thioredoxin peroxidase 1 gene (AHP1 gene), or membrane protein 1 associated gene gene) of yeasts.
US07696332B2 Replication vector showing cell-specific expression
The present invention provides a cell-specific replication-competent vector system, which does not target normal cells. The vector system is constructed by linking a transcriptional initiation regulatory promoter region upstream of a viral replication-related gene that integrates the linked region into a viral DNA vector. The constructed vector, when introduced into malignant tumor cells, selectively injures only tumor cells or proliferating smooth muscle cells of tumor neovascular tissue due to the selective expression of the regulatory promoter region upstream of a viral replication-related gene. In particular, the present invention relates to a transcriptional initiation regulatory region of the human calponin gene that can selectively express in tumor cells or proliferating smooth muscle cells of tumor neovascular tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of constructing the cell-specific replication-competent vector system and to treatment methods using the vector system by introducing the vector system into particular living tissues or cells such as malignant tumors and the like.
US07696326B2 Multiple antigen glycopeptide carbohydrate, vaccine comprising the same and use thereof
The invention of the present application relates to a method for obtaining antibodies directed against a carbohydrate moiety contained in a carbohydrate peptide conjugate, by administering to a subject a composition containing a carbohydrate peptide conjugate and collecting the antibodies directed against the said carbohydrate moiety from a serum previously obtained from the subject.
US07696322B2 Fusion antibodies
The present invention provides novel antibodies. In particular, the present invention provides fusion antibodies comprising antibody heavy and light chain fusions. The present invention further provides multivalent antibodies comprising multiple fusion antibody chains. The present invention further provides methods of generating splice resistant antibody genes.
US07696318B2 Host cell protein knock-out cells for production of therapeutic proteins
The present invention relates to methods and means for making Vitamin K-dependent protein compositions which are devoid or substantially devoid of protein contaminants. In particular, methods and means useful for the reduction or elimination of protein contaminants also being Vitamin K-dependent proteins are described.
US07696315B2 Polynucleotides encoding useful polypeptides in Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum
The present invention provides novel polypeptides and polynucleotides useful as biotechnological tools, specifically identified in a coryneform bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum and methods of producing substances in organisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.
US07696314B2 Hypoallergenic mutant polypeptides based on fish parvalbumin
The present invention relates to non-naturally occurring polypeptides derived from fish allergens such as parvalbumin Cyp c 1.01 from carp. The polypeptides display reduced allergenic activity and are useful as allergy vaccines for treatment of sensitized allergic patients and for prophylactic vaccination.
US07696313B2 Prodrug compounds with isoleucine
The compounds of the invention are modified forms of therapeutic agents. A typical prodrug compound of the invention comprises a therapeutic agent, an oligopeptide having an isoleucine residue, a stabilizing group and, optionally, a linker group. The prodrug is cleavable by an enzyme associated with the target cell. Methods of making and using the compounds are also disclosed.
US07696312B2 Compositions containing, methods involving, and uses of non-natural amino acids and polypeptides
Disclosed herein are non-natural amino acids and polypeptides that include at least one non-natural amino acid, and methods for making such non-natural amino acids and polypeptides. The non-natural amino acids, by themselves or as a part of a polypeptide, can include a wide range of possible functionalities, but typical have at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Also disclosed herein are non-natural amino acid polypeptides that are further modified post-translationally, methods for effecting such modifications, and methods for purifying such polypeptides. Typically, the modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides include at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Further disclosed are methods for using such non-natural amino acid polypeptides and modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses.
US07696307B2 Function and regulation of ADAMTS-1
The present invention relates to ADAMTS-1 and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to fragments of ADAMTS-1 and methods of inhibiting cell growth and metastasis. The present invention also provide methods of identifying inhibitors and activators relating to the function of ADAMTS-1.
US07696303B2 Polymers their preparation and uses
A polymer for use in an optical device comprising a first, optionally substituted, repeat unit of formula and a second, optionally substituted, repeat unit of formula wherein each Ar and Ar′ is the same or different and comprises an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group and optionally a third, optionally substituted, repeat unit in a molar ratio of no greater than 5%, the third repeat unit having a formula —Ar—N(Ar)—Ar— and having a single nitrogen atom in its backbone.
US07696298B2 Poly(arylenebenzimidazole) polymers and copolymers
Polymers and copolymers of formula I: in which m is typically 30 to 500 and n is 0 to 500; Ar is for example, 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, or 2,6-pyridylene; Ar2 and Ar3 are selected from various bivalent aryl and heteroaryl groups; and X is for example, the bivalent SO2 or CO. have high temperature properties which make them useful as films, matrices in carbon fiber reinforced composites and high performance adhesives; processes for preparing the polymers and copolymers employ a novel C—N coupling reaction.
US07696295B2 Condensation products of silicic acid derivatives and optical waveguide devices using the same
The present invention relates to condensation products of silicic acid derivatives usable especially in optical waveguides and particularly to a condensation product obtained by condensing a silane diol compound (A) of the general formula (1): R12Si(OR2)2 (1) wherein R1 represents a group having at least one aromatic group and having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen (H which may also be a heavy hydrogen D), with a modified silane compound (B) of the general formula (2): R3Si(OR4)3 (2) wherein R3 represents an organic group having at least one C═C double bond; and R4 represents a group of CnH2n+1 (n=a number of 1 or 2), in the molar ratio 1.1 to 1.4:1 [(A):(B)], and to a process for producing the same condensation product, as well as to an optical waveguide device fabricated using the same condensation product.
US07696292B2 Low-polydispersity photoimageable acrylic polymers, photoresists and processes for microlithography
The invention pertains to low polydispersity acrylic polymers useful for photoimaging and photoresist compositions, and to the photoimaging processes which use these compositions. The low polydispersity polymers of this invention are prepared using controlled radical polymerization (CRP) techniques, such as RAFT (reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer) polymerization.
US07696291B2 Fluoropolymer for chromatic aberration-free lens and chromatic aberration-free lens
A material having properties required for a chromatic aberration-free lens and excellent in moldability and impact resistance, which material is an amorphous fluoropolymer containing a carbon atom chain as a main chain and containing a fluorinated atom-bonded carbon atom as a carbon atom of the main chain, wherein vd>75, θgF>0.50, and ΔθgF>0.03, where vd represents an Abbe number, θgF represents a relative partial dispersion of a g-F line, and ΔθgF represents a deviation from a standard line of the relative partial dispersion of the g-F line.
US07696288B2 Olefin polymerization process with sequential discharging
The present invention relates to a polymerization process for producing olefin polymers in a loop reactor comprising two or more settling legs, comprising the steps of: —introducing into the loop reactor one or more olefin reactants, polymerization catalysts and diluents, and while circulating said reactants, catalysts and diluents; —polymerizing said one or more olefin reactants to produce a polymer slurry comprising essentially liquid diluent and solid olefin polymer particles; said process further comprising one or more cycles of: (a) allowing said polymer slurry to settle into said setting legs, and (b) sequentially discharging said settled polymer slurry from said two or more settling legs out of the reactor, whereby the aggregate time of discharge of all the legs is more than 50%, preferentially more than 80% and most preferably more than 95% of the time interval between two triggerings of the same settling leg.
US07696285B2 Carbamate functional reactive polymer composition
Disclosed is a carbamate functional reactive polymer composition, comprising an acrylic resin (a′) comprising a functional group (F3) that is at least one of a primary carbamate group, a primary hydroxyl group, a secondary hydroxyl group, and mixtures thereof, and a nonvolatile solvent (b′nv) that is not a crystalline solid at 75° C. but is a fluid solid at a temperature of free radical polymerization and comprises (i) four or more isomers, and (ii) at least two reactive functional groups (F2) that are selected from primary carbamate, primary hydroxyl, and secondary hydroxyl, wherein no more than 10% of the sum of functional groups (F2) and (F3) are primary hydroxyl groups and at least 60% of the sum of functional groups (F2) and (F3) are primary carbamate groups. In one exemplary embodiment, the reactive polymer composition is made by a disclosed method.
US07696278B2 Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive compositions
The present invention relates to an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive composition, specifically, an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive composition having improved anti-static properties, comprising 100 part by weight of acrylic copolymers, 0.01 to 20 part by weight of ester plasticizer having at least one ether linkage in the molecular structure, and 0.001 to 25 part by weight of metal salts consisting of alkali metal cation, and anion which is counter-ion of super strong acid and has perfluoro alkyl group, and prevent whitening of appearance under high temperature and humidity condition as well as static electricity without change of the durability, transparency, and adhesion.
US07696277B2 LLDPE and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer thermoplastic blend
The present invention provides a highly-filled thermoplastic composition comprising a linear low density polyethylene and an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The thermoplastic composition exhibits high tensile strength, high flex modulus, high temperature resistance and high tear strength.
US07696274B2 Conductive resin composition
Disclosed is a conductive resin composition containing a polyamide, a polyphenylene ether, a polyester and a conductive carbon filler. The resin composition has attained excellent conductivity by being added with a small amount of the conductive carbon filler, while being excellent in fluidity and surface luster. Also disclosed is a molded body formed from such a resin composition.
US07696271B2 High barrier compositions and articles employing same
A high barrier composition to a gas or organic liquid usable as a coating or layer on an article. The composition includes a blend of polyetheramine resin and at least one additive being a highly hydrolyzed organic compound, preferably of a low molecular weight, either with our without boric acid. Articles employing the gas barrier composition also constitute a part of this invention.
US07696264B2 Silicon-containing polytrimethylene homo- or copolyether composition
Processes for preparing silicon-containing polytrimethylene homo- or copolyethers, wherein at least a portion of the polymer end groups are silicon-containing end groups, are provided.
US07696261B2 Mixed deposit friction material
The present invention relates to a friction material having a fibrous base material as a primary layer and a secondary layer comprising a mixture of carbonaceous material and friction modifying particles on at least one surface of the primary layer for use as an anti-shudder friction material.
US07696260B2 Cationic compositions and methods of making and using the same
A composition comprising a cationically-polymerizable compound, an iodonium-based cationic initiator, a sensitizer for said cationic initiator and an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of phenol antioxidants, lactone antioxidants, and combinations of these antioxidants is provided. The addition of this antioxidant to this composition contributes to the reduction of potential run-away reaction when it is exposed in-bulk to actinic radiation.
US07696258B2 Photo-curable adhesive composition, optical pick-up device using the same and optical recording/reproducing drive including the optical pick-up device
A photo-curable adhesive composition including an oligourethane acrylate in a range of about 10 to about 30% by weight, a reactive monomer-diluent in a range of about 32 to about 46% by weight, a polymeric filler in a range of about 20 to about 30% by weight, a photoinitiator in a range of about 2.5 to about 5.0% by weight, an antioxidant in a range of about 0.005 to about 0.02% by weight, a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride in a range of about 3.0 to about 10%, the chlorinated polyvinyl chloride having a chlorine content of about 62 to about 64% by weight, oxalic acid in a range of about 0.3 to about 2.0% by weight, a thixotropic agent in a range of about 0.5 to about 3.0% by weight, and a plasticizer in a range of about 1.0 to about 10.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
US07696255B2 Process for the recycling of plastics
Process for recycling soluble or dispersible plastics from a waste product containing plastics by treatment with an organic solvent, concentrating the plastics solution thus obtained to more than 40 wt % of plastics, preconditioning the concentrated plastics solution to a pressure of at least 2 bar using a first pump and a temperature of 1-10° C. below the boiling temperature of the solvent at that pressure, bringing this preconditioned concentrated plastics solution above the critical point of the plastics solution using a high-pressure pump and a high-pressure heat exchanger, spraying the concentrated plastics solution above the critical point to recover the plastics through evaporation of the organic solvent, and recovery of the organic solvent. The process has advantages over known processes in that higher concentrations of plastics can be processed, without the danger of cavitations, and the need for solvent and energy can be reduced.
US07696246B2 Bicyclic androgen and progesterone receptor modulator compounds and methods
The present invention is directed to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for modulating processes mediated by AR and PR. More particularly, the invention relates to nonsteroidal compounds and compositions that are high affinity, high specificity agonists, partial agonists (i.e., partial activators and/or tissue-specific activators) and antagonists for AR and PR. Also provided are methods of making such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, as well as critical intermediates used in their synthesis.
US07696245B2 Fluorescent probe for zinc
A compound represented by the following general formula (IA) or (IB) or a salt thereof which specifically traps a zinc ion and emits fluorescence, and is useful as a fluorescent probe for zinc: wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a group represented by the following formula (A): wherein X1 to X4 represent a hydrogen atom, a 2-pyridylmethyl group, a 2-pyridylethyl group, a 2-methyl-6-pyridylmethyl group, or a 2-methyl-6-pyridylethyl group, provided that at least one is the group except a 2-pyridylmethyl group, and m and n represent 0 or 1, provided that they are not simultaneously 0; provided that R1 and R2 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms; R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an alkylcarbonyloxymethyl group; and R7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
US07696244B2 Compounds having activity in increasing ion transport by mutant-CFTR and uses thereof
The invention provides compositions, including pharmaceutical preparations, which comprise one or more substituted thiophene, benzofuran, pyrimidinetrione, dihydropyridine, tetrahydrocarbazol or anthraquinone compounds. The invention also features methods of use of such compositions in increasing activity of mutant-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein in a cell, e.g. by increasing ion transport in a mutant-CFTR.
US07696242B2 Hepatitis C inhibitor peptide analogs
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Y, n and m are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.
US07696234B2 Histamine H3 receptor agents, preparation and therapeutic uses
The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which have histamine-H3 receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I as well as methods of using these compositions to treat obesity, cognitive deficiencies, narcolepsy, and other histamine H3 receptor-related diseases.
US07696232B2 Anthranilamide arthropodicide treatment
This invention pertains to methods for protecting a propagule or a plant grown therefrom from invertebrate pests comprising contacting the propagule or the locus of the propagule with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, its N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof wherein A and B and R1 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure. This invention also relates to propagules treated with a compound of Formula I and compositions comprising a Formula I compound for coating propagules.
US07696231B2 Oxindole hydrazide modulators of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs)
The present invention is related to the use of oxindole hydrazide derivatives of formula (I) for the treatment and/or prevention of metabolic disorders mediated by insulin resistance or hyperglycemia, comprising diabetes type I and/or II, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In particular, the present invention is related to the use of oxindole hydrazide derivatives of formula (I) to modulate, notably to inhibit the activity of PTPs, in particular of PTP1B, TC-PTP, SHP and GLEPP-1. The present invention is furthermore related to novel oxindole hydrazide derivatives and method of preparation thereof.(I).
US07696229B2 Compounds having 5-HT6 receptor affinity
The present disclosure provides compounds having affinity for the 5HT6 receptor which are of the formula (I): wherein R1-R3 A, B, D, E, G, Q, and x are as defined herein. The disclosure also relates to methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.
US07696227B2 Small-molecule inhibitors of the androgen receptor
The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an androgen receptor by administering a compound of Formula I: or a compound of Formula II: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R8 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl. R4 is absent or is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkyl-OH. R5 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or —NR6R7. R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, or are combined with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a heterocycloalkyl having from 5 to 7 ring members. L is a linker of C1-6 alkylene, C2-6 alkenylene, C2-6 alkynylene or C3-6 cycloalkylene. The compounds of Formula I include the salts, hydrates and prodrugs thereof. Each R9 is H, C1-6 alkyl, —OH or —O—C1-6 alkyl. The compounds of Formulas I and II include the salts, hydrates and prodrugs thereof. By administering the compound of Formula I or II, the method inhibits the androgen receptor.
US07696224B2 Phenylurea derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosine kinases for the treatment of tumour diseases
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1a—R1e, R2a, R2b, R3 and X have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular TIE-2, and Raf kinases and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumours.
US07696223B2 Pyrrolo- and Thiazolo-pyridine compounds, and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to novel compounds capable of modulating the stability and/or activity of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF).
US07696222B2 Indole derivatives as CRTH2 receptor antagonists
Compounds according to formula (I) wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3 are as herein defined, and wherein Ar represents an aryl group or heteroaryl group, preferably phenyl, n is 1 or 2, and the radical X represents a group selected from —C(Ra)(Rb)—, —C(Ra)(Rb)—C(Ra)(Rb)—, —C(Ra)═C(Ra)—, OC(Ra)(Rb)— or SC(Ra)(Rb)—. These compounds and their pharmaceutical acceptable salts are used in pharmaceutical compositions as prostaglandine D2 receptor antagonists useful in the treatment of CRTH2-mediated diseases such as respiratory, inflammatory or allergic conditions among others.
US07696218B2 Substituted 1,3-dialkyl-2,4-dioxo-6-(arylamino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-hydroxamic acid inhibitors of MAPK/ERK kinase
Compounds of the substituted 1,3-dialkyl-2,4-dioxo-6-(arylamino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-hydroxamic acids, show below: wherein the variables are as defined herein, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are provided for use as inhibitors of with MEK kinase.
US07696213B2 4-methylpyridopyrimidinone compounds
The present invention is directed to novel 4-methylpyridopyrimidinone compounds of Formula (I), and to salts thereof, their synthesis, and their use as inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha (PI3-Kα).
US07696209B2 CGRP-antagonists, process for preparing them and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to the CGRP-antagonists of general formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates, mixtures and salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, as well as those compounds of general formula I in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, the use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof.
US07696208B2 Therapeutic agents useful for treating pain
Compounds of formulae: where X is S or O and Ar2, R1, R2, R3, R8, n, m, and t are disclosed herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (a “3-substituted Pyridyl Compound”), compositions comprising an effective amount of a 3-substituted Pyridyl Compound, and methods for treating or preventing pain, urinary incontinence, an ulcer, inflammatory-bowel disease, irritable-bowel syndrome, an addictive disorder, Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism, anxiety, epilepsy, stroke, a seizure, a pruritic condition, psychosis, a cognitive disorder, a memory deficit, restricted brain function, Huntington's chorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia, retinopathy, a muscle spasm, a migraine, vomiting, dyskinesia or depression in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a 3-substituted Pyridyl Compound are disclosed herein.
US07696205B2 Cyclic derivatives as modulators of chemokine receptor activity
The present application describes modulators of MCP-1 of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, useful for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis and asthma.
US07696201B2 Modulators of muscarinic receptors
The present invention relates to modulators of muscarinic receptors. The present invention also provides compositions comprising such modulators, and methods therewith for treating muscarinic receptor mediated diseases.
US07696200B2 Bicyclic sulfonamide derivatives which are L-CPT1 inhibitors
The invention is concerned with novel heterobicyclic derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, V, W, X and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and can be used as medicaments.
US07696199B2 Sigma receptor inhibitors
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) having pharmacological activity towards the sigma receptor, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which the sigma receptor is involved.
US07696195B2 Selected CGRP-antagonists, process for preparing them and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to the CGRP antagonists of general formula wherein A, X, Q and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates, mixtures and salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, their use and processes for preparing them.
US07696192B2 Tricyclic anilide spirolactam CGRP receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: I (where A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, D1, D2, J, K, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c, m and n are defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US07696191B2 Crystalline compound
A novel crystalline form of 3-{[5-(azetidin-1-ylcarbonyl)pyrazin-2-yl]oxy}-5-[(1-methylethyl)oxy]-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylbenzamide is described in the specification. This compound is a glucokinase (GLK or GK) activator and useful as a pharmaceutical agent in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through GLK, leading to a decreased glucose threshold for insulin secretion. Processes for the manufacture of the crystalline form, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline form and the use of the crystalline form in medical treatment are also described.
US07696185B2 Peptidomimetic inhibitors of PSMA, compounds comprising them, and methods of use
Compounds of the formula, A—L—B, wherein A is glutamate or a glutamate analog; L is a phosphoramidate or a phosphoramidate analog; and B is serine or a serine analog are described which are potent inhibitors of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA). Such compounds are useful in treatment of prostate cancer; and when chemically attached to a fluorescent dye, can efficiently and selectively label prostate cancer cells for fluorescent imaging.
US07696184B2 Amino-propanol derivatives as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator
The present invention relates to amino-propanol derivatives, process for their production, their uses in treating and/or preventing diseases or disorders mediated by lymphocyte interactions, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. For example, Compounds of formula I wherein A, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification are described.
US07696182B2 Antimicrobial locking solutions comprising taurinamide derivatives and biologically acceptable salts and acids, with the addition of small concentrations of heparin
The present invention relates to inhibiting or preventing infection and protecting against patency complications after a blood catheter has been inserted in a patient comprising administering to the device a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising: (A) at least one taurinamide derivative, (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of biologically acceptable acids and biologically acceptable salts thereof; and (C) heparin at a low concentration.
US07696181B2 Partial and full agonists of A1 adenosine receptors
Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, myocardial infarction and hyperlipidemia. The structure of the compounds is given by Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y, Z, and T are as described herein.
US07696180B2 Therapeutic agents for treatment of solid tumors comprising an expression-inhibiting substance against Wilms' tumor gene (WT1)
The present invention relates to therapeutic agents for treatment of solid tumors comprising an expression-inhibiting substance (an antisense oligonucleotide derivative, a WT1 mutant gene, a WT1 mutant protein, a low molecular weight substance, and the like) against the Wilms' tumor gene (WTI).
US07696169B2 Inhibitors of the interaction between HMGB polypeptides and toll-like receptor 2 as anti-inflammatory agents
The invention features a method of treating an inflammatory condition in an individual, comprising administering an agent inhibits the interaction between a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and a high mobility group B (HMGB) polypeptide to the individual. The invention also features methods for identifying agents that inhibit the interaction between TLR2 and HMGB.
US07696163B2 Erythropoietin: remodeling and glycoconjugation of erythropoietin
The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.
US07696159B2 Treatment for basal cell carcinoma
The present invention provides a method of treating basal cell carcinoma in a subject. Generally, the method includes administering to the subject an amount of IRM compound effective for treating basal cell carcinoma in a treatment cycle that includes at least two consecutive days in which the IRM compound is administered and at least one day in which the IRM compound is not administered.
US07696157B2 Methods and means for producing proteins with predetermined post-translational modifications
Described are methods for identifying, selecting, and obtaining mammalian cells capable of producing proteinaceous molecules having predetermined post-translational modifications, wherein the post-translational modifications are brought about by the mammalian cell in which the proteinaceous molecule is expressed. Preferably, the predetermined post-translational modifications include glycosylation. Also described are methods for obtaining and producing proteinaceous molecules, using mammalian cells obtainable by a method of the present invention. Preferably, the proteinaceous molecules include erythropoietin (EPO), since EPO's effect depends heavily on its glycosylation pattern. Mammalian cells that have been obtained on the basis of their ability to produce proteins and/or post-translational modifications that are indicative for a predetermined post-translational modification that is desired are also provided. Preferably, the mammalian cells have neural characteristics and properties, such that significant amounts of recombinant proteins can be produced that harbor “neural- or brain-type” properties.
US07696156B2 Human hemojuvelin (HJV) or dragon-like 1 (DL-1) polypeptides and variants and uses thereof
This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed.
US07696153B2 G-CSF conjugates
Polypeptide conjugates with G-CSF activity comprising a polypeptide having at least one introduced lysine residue and at least one removed lysine residue compared to the sequence of human G-CSF, and which are conjugated to 2-6 polyethylene glycol moieties. The conjugates have a low in vitro bioactivity, a long in vivo half-life, a reduced receptor-mediated clearance, and provide a more rapid stimulation of production of white blood cells and neutrophils than non-conjugated recombinant human G-CSF.
US07696150B2 Modulation of the activity of an interleukin 17 receptor-related protein, EVI27, and uses thereof
The present invention describes the cloning and molecular and cellular characterization of a novel protein with homology to the IL-17 receptor. The gene was cloned by virtue of its proximity to a common site of retroviral integration in a murine acute myeloid leukemia. The gene described herein possibly codes for a novel interleukin receptor that binds an as yet unidentified cytokine ligand, and may be useful in cancer diagnostics and therapies that rely on immune system modulation.
US07696149B2 Pharmaceutical administration form for peptides, process for its preparation, and use
A method for preventing aggregation of an LHRH antagonist in a pharmaceutical composition. The method comprises combining the LHRH antagonist in the form of an acetate, gluconate, glucuronate, lactate, citrate, ascorbate, benzoate or phosphate salt and at least one of the acids for forming the salts in free acid form.
US07696145B2 Natural cleaning compositions
A cleaning composition with a limited number of natural ingredients contains alkyl polyglucoside, solvent, acetic acid and water. The cleaning composition optionally contains dyes, glycerol, builders, fatty acids, polymers, fragrances, colorants, anti-foaming agents and preservatives. The cleaning composition can be used to clean hard surfaces and cleans as well or better than commercial compositions containing synthetically derived cleaning agents.
US07696138B2 Alkyl acrylate copolymer dispersants and uses thereof
A novel reaction product and method for making the reaction product. The reaction product is a copolymer obtained by reacting together i) an acylated alkylacrylate copolymer having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 5,000 to about 500,000; ii) a hydrocarbyl acylating agent having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 5000; and iii) a compound selected from the group consisting of (a) a polyamine; (b) a polyol; and (c) an aminoalcohol to provide a functionalized polyalkylacrylate copolymer. According to the reaction, a mole ratio of component (i) to (ii) ranges from about 1:10 to about 5:1.
US07696131B2 Diesel oil-based invert emulsion drilling fluids and methods of drilling boreholes
Diesel oil-based invert emulsion drilling fluids having fragile gel properties and improved performance. Methods are also disclosed for drilling, running casing, cementing, and/or producing hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation.
US07696128B2 Catalytic coating for the self-cleaning of ovens and stoves
A part on or in a cooking, roasting, baking, or grilling device with a self-cleaning coating enables remnants of foodstuffs to be removed without mechanical action. The part includes a coating which has a structure comprised of (a) porous particles A, and (b) a binder, in which the porous particles A do not have a solid or liquid secondary phase in their pores (a).
US07696122B2 Electrocatalyst inks for fuel cell applications
An electrocatalyst ink composition comprising a liquid vehicle, particles comprising at least one electrocatalyst metal, and at least one copolymer dispersant comprising at least one polyalkylene oxide segment.
US07696118B2 Dielectric ceramic composition, electronic device and the production method
A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including barium titanate expressed by a composition formula of BamTiO2+m, wherein “m” satisfies 0.990
US07696117B2 Method and apparatus which reduce the erosion rate of surfaces exposed to halogen-containing plasmas
A ceramic article which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas used in semiconductor processing. The ceramic article includes ceramic which is multi-phased, typically including two phase to three phases. The ceramic is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 50 mole % to about 75 mole %; zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %; and at least one other component, selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, scandium oxide, neodymium oxide, niobium oxide, samarium oxide, ytterbium oxide, erbium oxide, cerium oxide, and combinations thereof, at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole % to about 30 mole %.
US07696116B2 Implementing a pressure-induced phase transformation in beta-eucryptite to impart toughening
The invention provides composite materials comprising eucryptite particles distributed in a matrix material other than eucryptite. The matrix material may be a ceramic material such as an oxide ceramic. In an embodiment, the eucryptite particles are transformed from the β-phase to the ε-phase during fabrication of the composite. This phase transformation can enable a eucryptite-based transformation toughening mechanism.
US07696115B2 Sag control of isopipes used in making sheet glass by the fusion process
Isopipes for use in making sheet glass by a fusion process are provided which exhibit reduced sag. The isopipes are composed of a zircon refractory which has a mean creep rate (MCR) at 1180° C. and 250 psi and a 95 percent confidence band (CB) for said mean creep rate such that the CB to MCR ratio is less than 0.5, the MCR and the CB both being determined using a power law model. The zircon refractory can contain titania (TiO2) at a concentration greater than 0.2 wt % and less than 0.4 wt %. A concentration of titania in this range causes the zircon refractory to exhibit a lower mean creep rate than zircon refractories previously used to make isopipes. In addition, the variation in mean creep rate is also reduced which reduces the chances that the zircon refractory of a particular isopipe will have an abnormally high creep rate and thus exhibit unacceptable sag prematurely.
US07696112B2 Non-woven material with barrier skin
A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material.
US07696110B2 Sheet material for seat
A sheet material for a seat characterized in that the stress at 5% elongation (A) is from 40 to 300 N/4 cm width wherein A is a larger value between a stress measured in the longitudinal direction and a stress measured in the lateral direction, that the ratio A/B is from 1.5 to 15.0 wherein B is the smaller value obtained in the above measurement, and that the reduction in width (H) is from 0 to 15% when the sheet material is fixed on a frame at the one end and the opposite end while stretched and pressured.
US07696107B2 Nitride film forming method, semiconductor device fabrication method, capacitor fabrication method and nitride film forming apparatus
The nitride film forming method comprises the first step of loading a semiconductor substrate 12 into a reaction furnace, and decompressing the inside of the reaction furnace 14 to remove oxygen and water from the inside of the reaction furnace 14 and the semiconductor substrate 12, the second step of heating the reaction furnace 14 to further remove the oxygen and the water from the reaction furnace 14 and the semiconductor substrate 12, and the third step of purifying nitrogen gas to have the oxygen concentration to be 1 ppb or below, and performing thermal processing with the purified nitrogen gas being fed into the reaction furnace to form a nitride film 56 over the semiconductor substrate 12. The thermal nitriding is performed using an ultrahigh-purity nitrogen gas of an oxygen concentration of 1 ppb or below, whereby nitrogen film of very good quality can be formed without setting the thermal processing temperature very high.
US07696104B2 Mirror package and method of manufacturing the mirror package
A mirror package is provided which can reflect a laser to an external screen according to a video signal when the laser enters from outside, and a method of manufacturing the mirror package. The mirror is packaged with a glass to protect from external contamination, an inlet and an outlet are formed by, for example, an anisotropic etching on the glass and blocks a reflected light reflected from the glass. The mirror package is formed as a set, combined on a wafer using a wafer level package and diced to individual chips. Subsequently, a productivity is improved and a ghost image or phenomenon is removed.
US07696102B2 Methods for fabrication of three-dimensional structures
A multi-layer fabrication method for making three-dimensional structures is provided. In one embodiment, the formation of a multi-layer three-dimensional structure comprises: 1) fabricating a plurality of layers with each layer comprising at least two materials; 2) aligning the layers; 3) attaching the layers together to form a multi-layer structure; and 4) removing at least a portion of at least one of the materials from the multi-layer structure. Fabrication methods for making the required layers are also disclosed. In another embodiment, the formation of a multi-layer three-dimensional structure comprises: 1) attaching a layer of a material to a substrate or a previously formed layer; 2) machining the attached layer to form a layer that comprises at least two materials; and 3) repeating the operations of 1) and 2) a plurality of times to form a multi-layer structure; and 4) removing at least a portion of at least one of the materials from the multi-layer structure to form a desired three-dimensional structure.
US07696101B2 Process for increasing feature density during the manufacture of a semiconductor device
A method used during the manufacture of a semiconductor device comprises the formation of a first patterned layer having individual features of a first density. Through the formation and etching of various layers, for example conformal layers and a spun-on layer, a second patterned layer results which comprises individual features of a second density, which is about three times the first density. An in-process semiconductor apparatus formed using the method, and a system comprising the semiconductor apparatus formed according to the method, is also described.
US07696097B2 Methods for site-selective growth of horizontal nanowires, nanowires grown by the methods and nanodevices comprising the nanowires
Methods for the site-selective growth of horizontal nanowires are provided. According to the methods, horizontal nanowires having a predetermined length and diameter can be grown site-selectively at desired sites in a direction parallel to a substrate to fabricate a device with high degree of integration. Further provided are nanowires grown by the methods and nanodevices comprising the nanowires.
US07696096B2 Self-aligned masks using multi-temperature phase-change materials
A method of forming a pattern includes forming a first layer on a substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, depositing a multi-temperature phase-change material on the second layer, patterning the second layer using the multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask, reflowing the multi-temperature phase-change material, and patterning the first layer using the reflowed multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask.
US07696095B2 Auto-stopping slurries for chemical-mechanical polishing of topographic dielectric silicon dioxide
The present invention provides auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions that minimize post-CMP non-uniformity and also extend the time that polishing can be continued beyond the end point without the risk of over-polishing the dielectric silicon dioxide film. Auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions according to the invention include ceria abrasive particles and an effective amount of a polyalkylamine such as polyethyleneimine dispersed in water. The methods of the invention include polishing a topographic dielectric silicon dioxide film layer using the auto-stopping CMP slurry compositions to obtain a dielectric silicon dioxide surface having a desired predetermined minimum step height.
US07696089B1 Passivated thin film and method of producing same
A method of producing a passivated thin film material is disclosed wherein an insulating thin film layer (10), having pinholes (12) therein, is positioned upon an underlying electrically conductive substrate (11). The thin film layer is then electroplated so that the pinholes are filled with a reactive metal. The thin film layer and substrate are then immersed within a silicon doped tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. Excess silica within the solution precipitates onto the top surfaces of the aluminum plugs (13) to form an electrically insulative cap which electrically insulates the top of the aluminum plug. As an alternative, the previously described metal plugs may be anodized so that at least a portion thereof becomes an oxidized metal which is electrically insulative.
US07696086B2 Fabricating method of an interconnect structure
An interconnect structure is described, disposed on a substrate with a conductive part thereon and including a dielectric layer, a composite plug and a conductive line. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate covering the conductive part. The composite plug is disposed in the dielectric layer electrically connecting with the conductive part, and includes a first plug and a second plug on the first plug, wherein the material or the critical dimension of the second plug is different from that of the first plug. The conductive line is disposed on the dielectric layer electrically connecting with the composite plug.
US07696084B2 Semiconductor device and method of producing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor. The first field effect transistor includes a first gate electrode formed; first impurity diffused areas; and first sidewall portions. The first sidewall portions include a first lower insulation film and a first charge accumulation film. The second field effect transistor includes a second gate electrode; second impurity diffused areas; and second sidewall portions. The second sidewall portions include a second lower insulation film and a second charge accumulation film. The first lower insulation film contains one of a silicon thermal oxide film and a non-doped silicate glass, and the second lower insulation film contains a non-doped silicate glass. The second sidewall portions have a width along a gate longitudinal direction larger than that of the first sidewall portions. The second lower insulation film has a thickness larger than that of the first lower insulation film.
US07696081B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device that uses both a normal photomask and a phase shift mask for defining interconnect patterns
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes below steps.A step of preparing a phase shift mask and a normal photomask.A step of stacking a first wiring layer on a semiconductor substrate, and further stacking, on the first wiring layer, a second wiring layer. The a second wiring layer includes a second wiring and a third wiring.A step of stacking an interlayer insulating film on the second wiring layer.A step of forming, in the interlayer insulating film, a first opening in which the second wiring is exposed, and a second opening in which the third wiring is exposed by photolithography using the normal photomask.A step of burying a metal in the first opening and the second opening.A step of providing a pad to be overlaid on the first and second openings.
US07696077B2 Bottom electrode contacts for semiconductor devices and methods of forming same
Bottom electrode contact structures for a semiconductor assembly and a method for forming same are described. An exemplary semiconductor device comprises electrode contact structures in a phase change memory device. The phase change memory device comprising a phase change cell is made up of a bottom electrode contact structure comprising a phase change material liner connecting between a conductive top electrode and a conductive bottom electrode where the resulting ultra-small contacts are determined by the intersection of the sidewall bottom electrode and the phase change liner.
US07696076B2 Method of fabricating flash memory device
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a flash memory device. In a method according to an aspect of the present invention, a first hard mask film is formed over a semiconductor laminate. A plurality of first hard mask patterns are formed by etching an insulating layer for a hard mask. Spacers are formed on top surfaces and sidewalls of the plurality of first hard mask patterns. A second hard mask film is formed over a total surface including the spacers. Second hard mask patterns are formed in spaces between the spacers by performing an etch process so that a top surface of the spacers is exposed. The spacers are removed. Accordingly, gate patterns can be formed by employing hard mask patterns having a pitch of exposure equipment resolutions or less.
US07696074B2 Method of manufacturing NAND flash memory device
A method of manufacturing a NAND flash memory device, including the steps of forming gates over a semiconductor substrate; forming a junction region over the semiconductor substrate between the gates; forming a buffer oxide film on the gates and the semiconductor substrate; stripping the buffer oxide film at one side of the gates; forming a nitride film spacers over the sidewalls of the gates; forming a self-aligned contact process (SAC) nitride film and an insulating film over the entire structure; etching regions of the insulating film and the SAC nitride film to form a contact through which the junction region is exposed; and forming a conductive film to bury the contact, thereby forming a contact plug.
US07696071B2 Group III nitride based semiconductor and production method therefor
The invention provides a method for producing a group III nitride based semiconductor having a reduced number of crystal defects.A GaN layer 2 is epitaxially grown on a sapphire substrate 1 having C-plane as a main plane (FIG. 1A). Then, the layer is wet-etched by use of a 25% aqueous TMAH solution at 85° C. for one hour, to thereby form an etch pit 4 (FIG. 1B). Then, a GaN layer 5 is grown on the GaN layer 2 through the ELO method (FIG. 1C). The thus-formed GaN layer 5 has a screw dislocation density lower than that of the GaN layer 2.
US07696070B2 System and method for digital light valve processing
A system and method are provided for processing a semiconductor film using a digital light valve. The method enables pixel elements from an array of selectable pixel elements; gates a light in response to enabling the pixel elements; exposes selected areas of a semiconductor film, such as Si, to the gated light; and, creates light-related reactions in the semiconductor film, in response to the light exposure. More specifically, enabling pixel elements from an array of selectable pixel elements may include: exposing a digital light valve array of selectable pixel elements to the light; enabling a pattern of pixel elements; and, transmitting light from the pattern of enabled pixel elements. Examples of light-related reactions include changing the topology of a film surface, creating a chemical reaction, diffusing a dopant, activating a dopant, alloying the semiconductor film, and changing the semiconductor crystalline structure.
US07696069B2 Wafer dividing method
Disclosed herein is a method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of streets which are formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface and having devices which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by the plurality of streets into individual devices along the streets. The method includes applying a laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the wafer along the streets to form a deteriorated layer along the streets in the inside of the wafer; forming a groove in areas corresponding to the streets from the rear side of the wafer; and exerting external force to the wafer where the deteriorated layer and the groove have been formed along the streets to divide the wafer into individual devices along the streets.
US07696068B2 Method for manufacturing vertical light-emitting diode
A method for manufacturing a vertical light-emitting diode is described. In the method for manufacturing the vertical light-emitting diode, a sapphire substrate is provided. An illuminant epitaxial structure is formed on the sapphire substrate. Next, a first conductivity type electrode is formed on a surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure. Then, a local removal step is performed to remove a portion of the sapphire substrate from another surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure and to expose a portion of the other surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure, wherein the other surface is opposite to the surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure. Subsequently, a second conductivity type electrode is formed on the exposed portion of the other surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure, wherein the first conductivity type electrode and the second conductivity type electrode are opposite conductivity types.
US07696065B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by forming separation regions which do not extend to the peripherals of a substrate, and structures thereof
A semiconductor device manufacturing method is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate having a separation region and a semiconductor region which covers the separation region entirely is prepared. One or a plurality of circuit elements are formed in the semiconductor region. The semiconductor substrate is split at the separation region.
US07696064B2 Methods for forming a through via
A through via is constructed in a two-stage process. A void in a portion of the depth of the substrate is filled from a first surface of the semiconductor substrate creating an enclosed volume within the substrate. Thereafter, the enclosed volume is exposed and the remaining portion of the void is filled.
US07696061B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device comprises a drift region of a first conduction type, a base region of a second conduction type, a source region of the first conduction type, a contact hole, a column region of the second conduction type, a plug and wiring. The drift region formed on a semiconductor substrate of the first conduction type. The base region of a second is formed in a prescribed region of the surface of the drift region. The source region is formed in a prescribed region of the surface of the base region. The contact hole extends from the source region surface side to the base region. The column region is formed in the drift region below the contact hole. The plug comprises a first conductive material and fills the contact hole. The wiring comprises a second conductive material and is electrically connected to the plug.
US07696051B2 Method of fabricating a MOSFET having doped epitaxially grown source/drain region on recessed substrate
A MOSFET includes a semiconductor substrate with a first region having a relatively thick first thickness and a second region having a relatively thin second thickness; a gate insulating layer pattern formed on the first region of the semiconductor substrate; a gate conductive layer pattern formed on the gate insulating layer pattern; an epitaxial layer formed on the second region of the semiconductor substrate so as to have a predetermined thickness; spacers formed on sidewalls of the gate conductive layer pattern and part of the surface of the epitaxial layer; a lightly-doped first impurity region formed in the semiconductor substrate disposed below the spacers and in the epitaxial layer; and a heavily-doped second impurity region formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate, exposed by the spacers.
US07696044B2 Method of making an array of non-volatile memory cells with floating gates formed of spacers in substrate trenches
In order to reduce the integrated circuit area that is occupied by an array of a given number of flash memory cells, floating gate charge storage elements are positioned along sidewalls of substrate trenches, preferably being formed of doped polysilicon spacers. An array of dual floating gate memory cells includes cells with this structure, as an example. A NAND array of memory cells is another example of an application of this cell structure. The memory cell and array structures have wide application to various specific NOR and NAND memory cell array architectures.
US07696036B2 CMOS transistors with differential oxygen content high-k dielectrics
An NFET containing a first high-k dielectric portion and a PFET containing a second high-k gate dielectric portion are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A gate sidewall nitride is formed on the gate of the NFET, while the sidewalls of the PFET remain free of the gate sidewall nitride. An oxide spacer is formed directly on the sidewalls of a PFET gate stack and on the gate sidewall nitride on the NFET. After high temperature processing, the first and second dielectric portions contain a non-stoichiometric oxygen deficient high-k dielectric material. The semiconductor structure is subjected to an anneal in an oxygen environment, during which oxygen diffuses through the oxide spacer into the second high-k dielectric portion. The PFET comprises a more stoichiometric high-k dielectric material and the NFET comprises a less stoichiometric high-k dielectric material. Threshold voltages of the PFET and the NFET are optimized by the present invention.
US07696033B2 Method of fabricating complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) thin film transistor (TFT)
A method of fabricating a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) Thin Film Transistor (TFT) using a reduced number of masks includes: forming a buffer layer on the entire surface of a substrate; forming polysilicon and photoresist layers on the entire surface of the substrate having the buffer layer; exposing and developing the photoresist layer to form a first photoresist pattern having a first thickness in a region where a semiconductor layer of a first TFT is to be formed, a second thickness in a region where a channel and a Lightly Doped Drain (LDD) region of a second TFT are to be formed, and a third thickness in a region where source and drain regions of the second TFT are to be formed; etching the polysilicon layer using the first photoresist pattern as a mask to pattern the semiconductor layers of the first and second TFTs; performing a first ashing process on the first photoresist pattern to form a second photoresist pattern where the region having the third thickness has been removed from the first photoresist pattern; implanting a first impurity into the source and drain regions of the second TFT using the second photoresist pattern as a mask; performing a second ashing process on the second photoresist pattern to form a third photoresist pattern where the region having the second thickness has been removed from the first photoresist pattern; and implanting a second impurity into the second TFT using the third photoresist pattern as a mask to perform channel doping on the second TFT.
US07696031B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to control the position in crystal lateral growth of a semiconductor film without making a system cumbersome and complicated.A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes the step of forming a semiconductor film over an insulating substrate, forming a reflective film comprising an insulating film on the semiconductor film, exposing a portion of the semiconductor film by patterning of the reflective film, and crystallizing the exposed semiconductor film by irradiating the exposed semiconductor film with laser light while using the patterned reflective film as a mask. In the above-described method according to the present invention, the reflective film has a structure in which an insulating film that has a higher refractive index and an insulating film that has a lower refractive index are stacked alternately.
US07696029B2 Method for forming thin film devices for flat panel displays
Methods of forming thin film devices with different electrical characteristics on a substrate comprising a driver circuit region and a pixel region. A first and a second polysilicon pattern layers are formed on the driving circuit region and the pixel region of the substrate, respectively. A first ion implantation is performed on the second polysilicon pattern layer using a masking layer covering the first polysilicon pattern layer as an implant mask, such that the first polysilicon pattern layer has an impurity concentration different from the second polysilicon pattern layer. After removal of the masking layer, a gate dielectric layer and a gate are successively formed on each of the first and second polysilicon pattern layers and a source/drain region is subsequently formed in each of the first and second polysilicon pattern layers to define a channel region therein.
US07696021B2 Semiconductor device manufactured using a non-contact implant metrology
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including calibrating an ion implant process. The calibration includes forming a dielectric layer over a calibration substrate. A dopant is implanted into the dielectric layer. Charge is deposited on a surface of the dielectric layer, and voltage on the surface is measured. An electrical characteristic of the dielectric layer is determined, and a doping level of the dielectric layer is determined from the electrical characteristic. The electrical characteristic is associated with an operating set-point of the ion implant process. The calibrated ion implant process is used to implant the dopant into a semiconductor substrate.
US07696020B2 Process for fabricating a thin film semiconductor device, thin film semiconductor device, and liquid crystal display
A process of fabricating a thin film semiconductor device is proposed, which is suitable for mass production and enables to lower the production cost. A first substrate is subject to anodization to form a porous layer thereon. Then, a thin film semiconductor layer is formed on the porous layer. Using the thin film semiconductor layer, a semiconductor device is formed, and wiring is formed between the semiconductor devices. After that, the semiconductor devices on the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate. The semiconductor devices are separated from the first substrate. Further, the semiconductor devices are electrically insulated by removing a part of the thin film semiconductor layer from the separated surface of the second substrate.
US07696011B2 Methods for applying front side and edge protection material to electronic devices at the wafer level, devices made by the methods, and systems including the devices
Methods for applying a dielectric protective layer to a wafer in wafer-level chip-scale package manufacture are disclosed. A flowable dielectric protective material with fluxing capability is applied over the active surface of an unbumped semiconductor wafer to cover active device areas, bond pads, test socket contact locations, and optional pre-scribed wafer street trenches. Preformed solder balls are then disposed over the bond pads, and the wafer is subjected to a heating process to reflow the solder balls and at least partially cure the dielectric protective material. During the heating process, the dielectric protective material provides a fluxing capability to enable the solder balls to wet the bond pads. In other exemplary embodiments, the dielectric protective material is applied over only intended physical contact locations and/or pre-scribed wafer street trenches, in which case the dielectric protective material need not include flux material and may additionally include a filler material.
US07696010B2 Wafer dividing method
A method of dividing a wafer having devices which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by a plurality of dividing lines formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface, into individual devices along the dividing lines, comprising: a deteriorated layer forming step for forming a deteriorated layer in the inside of the wafer along the dividing lines by applying a laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the wafer along the dividing lines; a wafer supporting step for putting the rear surface of the wafer on the surface of an adhesive tape which is mounted on an annular frame and whose adhesive strength is reduced by applying ultraviolet radiation thereto; an adhesive strength reducing step for reducing the adhesive strength of the adhesive tape by applying ultraviolet radiation to the adhesive tape to which the wafer has been affixed; and a dividing step for dividing the wafer into individual devices along the dividing lines where the deteriorated layer has been formed by exerting external force to the wafer affixed to the adhesive tape whose adhesive strength has been reduced after the adhesive strength reducing step.
US07696006B1 Composite flip-chip package with encased components and method of fabricating same
Composite flip-chip with encased components and method of fabricating the same is described. One aspect of the invention relates to fabricating composite flip-chip packages for integrated circuit dice. Interposing substrates are formed. At least one discrete component is attached to a bottom surface of each of the interposing substrates. A first array of solder balls is placed on the bottom surface of each of the interposing substrates. The interposing substrates are mounted to a carrier strip. The integrated circuit dice are attached to top surfaces of the interposing substrates. The integrated circuit dice and the interposing substrates are encapsulated in molding compound to define flip-chip assemblies.
US07696003B2 Microelectronic component assemblies with recessed wire bonds and methods of making same
The present disclosure suggests various microelectronic component assembly designs and methods for manufacturing microelectronic component assemblies. In one particular implementation, a microelectronic component assembly includes a microelectronic component, a substrate, and at least one bond wire. The substrate has a reduced-thickness base adjacent terminals of the microelectronic component and a body having a contact surface spaced farther from the microelectronic component than a bond pad surface of the base. The bond wire couples the microelectronic component to a bond pad carried by the bond pad surface and has a maximum height outwardly from the microelectronic component that is no greater than the height of the contact surface from the microelectronic component.
US07695999B2 Production method of semiconductor device
Provided is a method of producing a semiconductor device having an organic semiconductor layer, which includes the steps of providing a crystallization promoting layer on a substrate; providing an organic semiconductor precursor on the crystallization promoting layer; and applying light energy and thermal energy simultaneously to the organic semiconductor precursor to form a layer containing an organic semiconductor. Thereby, an organic semiconductor device is provided which is low cost and has excellent durability.
US07695998B2 Methods for making and using high-mobility inorganic semiconductive films
Inorganic semiconductive films are made by depositing a suitable precursor substance upon a substrate, irradiating the precursor substance with electromagnetic radiation to form a nascent film, and heating the nascent film at a predetermined temperature to form an inorganic semiconductive film.
US07695991B2 Method for manufacturing GaN semiconductor light-emitting element
A method for manufacturing a GaN semiconductor light-emitting element is provided. The method for manufacturing a GaN semiconductor light-emitting element includes forming, by crystal growth, a first GaN compound semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, the top face of which corresponds to the A plane, an active layer composed of InxGa(1−x)N, the top face of which corresponds to the A plane, and a second GaN compound semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, the top face of which corresponds to the A plane, in that order on a base which is a nonpolar plane, wherein the active layer is formed at a crystal growth rate of 0.3 nm/sec or more.
US07695987B2 Method for automatic determination of semiconductor plasma chamber matching and source of fault by comprehensive plasma monitoring
A method and apparatus for automatic determination of semiconductor plasma chamber matching a source of fault are provided. Correlated plasma attributes are measured for process used for calibration both in a chamber under study and in a reference chamber. Principal component analysis then is performed on the measured correlated attributes so as to generate steady principal components and transitional principal components; and these principal components are compared to reference principal components associated with a reference chamber. The process used for calibration includes a regular plasma process followed by a process perturbation of one process parameter. Similar process perturbation runs are conducted several times to include different perturbation parameters. By performing inner products of the principal components of chamber under study and the reference chamber, matching scores can be reached. Automatic chamber matching can be determined by comparing these scores with preset control limits. The potential source(s) of chamber fault can also be identified by the lowest matching score(s).
US07695985B2 Light exposure apparatus and manufacturing method of semiconductor device using the same
When annealing of a semiconductor film is conducted using a plurality of lasers, each of the distances between laser irradiation regions is different. When a lithography step is conducted in accordance with a marker which is formed over a substrate in advance after the step, light-exposure is not correctly conducted to a portion crystallized by laser. By using a laser irradiation region obtained on a laser irradiation step as a marker, light-exposure is conducted by making a light-exposure position of a stepper coincide with a large grain size region in the laser irradiation region. A large grain size region and a poorly crystalline region are detected by utilizing a thing that scattering intensity of light is different between the large grain size region and the poorly crystalline region, thereby determining a light-exposure position.
US07695982B2 Refurbishing a wafer having a low-k dielectric layer
A wafer comprising a low-k dielectric layer is refurbished for reuse. Initially, a removable layer is provided on the wafer. The low-k dielectric layer is formed over the removable layer. The overlying low-k dielectric layer is removed from the wafer by etching away the removable layer by at least partially immersing the wafer in an etching solution. Thereafter, another low-k dielectric layer can be formed over another removable layer.
US07695981B2 Seed layers, cap layers, and thin films and methods of making thereof
A seed layer is formed on a substrate using a first biological agent. The seed layer may comprise densified nanoparticles which are bound to the biological agent. The seed layer is then used for a deposition of a metal layer, such as a barrier layer, an interconnect layer, a cap layer and/or a bus line for a solid state device.
US07695978B2 MALDI target plate utilizing micro-wells
An arrangement for a MALDI sample plate for ion mass spectroscopy is disclosed. The sample is configured to shape the hypersonic explosion which creates the ions generated in a MALDI-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The MALDI sample plate includes a glass wafer formed from a plurality of clad glass fibers and has a first planar surface. The plate also has a plurality of micro-wells formed in the glass wafer. The micro-wells extend to a depth that is less than the thickness of the glass wafer and act to hold a spot sample in a manner that prevents spreading, maximizes the formation of ions, and shapes the resulting ion cloud to improve ion migration.
US07695975B2 Detection of adulterated samples
In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a method for detecting an adulterant in a biological sample. A combination of a biological sample, an agent for detecting the adulterant and an ionic moiety capable of undergoing reduction by gaining electrons is provided in an assay medium. The combination is incubated under conditions sufficient for the ionic moiety to undergo reduction and for the agent for detecting the adulterant to interact with the adulterant. The reduction of the ionic moiety enhances the detection of the adulterant as a result of increasing the sensitivity of the agent for detecting the adulterant. The extent of interaction between the agent for detecting the adulterant and the adulterant is measured and is related to the presence or absence of the adulterant in the biological sample.
US07695973B2 Determination of glycated protein
The present invention provides methods for quantitation of glycated protein in a biological sample using a solid support matrix by making a first bound protein measurement total bound protein under conditions where both glycated and non-glycated protein bind to the support in making a second bound protein measurement under conditions where glycated protein is bound to the support and non-glycated protein is not substantially bound. Diagnostic devices and kits comprising the methods of the present invention are also provided.
US07695970B2 Optical fiber based fluorescence sensor for in-situ measurement and control of fuel cells
The present invention provides, a system and method for unobtrusively determining water content within a fuel cell. One embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention includes a fuel cell body including an ionomeric membrane, water and a fluorophore contained therein. The system further includes a medium for permitting light transfer therein, such as an optical fiber, having opposing ends, wherein one end contacts or is disposed in a portion of the ionomeric membrane and the other end extends from the fuel cell body. The other end is preferably divided into at least two portions, one portion being operatively associated with a light source, and another portion being operatively associated with a spectrometer.
US07695968B2 Nucleotide sequences regulating gene expression and constructs and methods utilizing same
Novel plant derived regulatory sequences and constructs and methods of using such sequences for directing expression of exogenous polynucleotide sequences in plants are provided.
US07695967B1 Method of growing stem cells on a membrane containing projections and grooves
The present invention provides a novel substrate for use in growing cells and for the study of mechanobiology. The membrane of the present invention comprises appropriate microtopography and surface chemical modifications to facilitate the production of adherent and oriented cells that phenotypically resemble cells in vivo.
US07695964B2 Compositions and methods for generating short double-stranded RNA using mutated RNAse III
Compositions and methods are provided for preparing an hsiRNA mixture and for silencing of gene expression in vivo. The composition relates to a mutant RnaseIII. The methods are directed to reacting a preparation of dsRNA with an effective amount of a mutant RNAse III to produce the hsiRNA mixture.
US07695963B2 Methods for increasing definitive endoderm production
Disclosed herein are methods for increasing the production of definitive endoderm cells from pluripotent stem cells. Also disclosed herein are agents capable of increasing definitive endoderm cell production.
US07695962B2 Polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding same
DNAs are provided, whose genes are induced at least by Wnt-1. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides, and methods for producing the polypeptides.
US07695961B2 Insulin related transcription factor and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated mMafA polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells containing them, which encode a novel insulin related transcription factor. Diagnostic methods, methods of selecting and differentiating insulin-producing cells, and methods of treatment utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07695953B2 Apparatus for high-sensitivity body fluid testing device
An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of any of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates the reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.
US07695951B2 Innovative biosensors for chemical and biological assays
Disclosed herein are microcantilevers having structural shapes that are less sensitive to turbulence and drift effects yet provide greater deflections due to analyte concentration. The structural shapes include a C-shaped microcantilever, an E-shaped microcantilever, an L-shaped microcantilever, a double microcantilever, a slit microcantilever, a tapered microcantilever, and a triangular microcantilever. The microcantilevers may be piezoresistive microcantilevers. Also disclosed are microsensors, microfluidic devices, and biochips that comprise the microcantilevers as well as methods of using the microcantilevers to detect analytes in a fluid sample.
US07695948B2 Antibodies that bind TNF-α converting enzyme
A metalloprotease that converts TNF-α from the 26 kD cell form to the 17 kD form has been isolated and purified and the cDNA sequence known. In particular, the protease has a molecular weight of approximately 80 kD. The isolated and purified protease is useful for designing an inhibitor thereof, and may find use as a therapeutic agent. Assays for detecting the protease-inhibiting activity of a molecule are also an aspect of the invention.
US07695947B2 Modified xylanases exhibiting increased thermophilicity and alkalophilicity
The present invention pertains to modified xylanase enzymes that exhibit increased thermostability and alkalophilicity, when compared with their native counterparts. Several modified xylanases exhibiting these properties are disclosed including xylanases with at least one modification at amino acid position 10, 27, 29, 75, 104, 105, 125, 129, 132, 135, 144, 157, 161, 162 or 165, or a combination thereof. Also included within the present invention is a modified xylanase that comprises at least one substituted amino acid residue and that may be characterized as having a maximum effective temperature (MET) between about 69° C. and about 78° C., wherein the modified xylanase is a Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. The present invention also includes a modified Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. characterized as having a maximum effective pH (MEP) between 5.8 and about 7.6. Modified xylanases characterized as having a MET between about 69° C. and about 78° C. and a MET between about 5.8 and 7.6 are also disclosed.
US07695940B2 Gamma-1 and gamma-3 anti-human CD23 monoclonal antibodies and use thereof as therapeutics
Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind human CD23, the low affinity receptor for IgE (FceRII/CD23), and contain either a human gamma-1 or human gamma-3 constant domain, are disclosed. The antibodies are useful for modulating or inhibiting induced IgE expression. Accordingly, they have practical utility in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease conditions wherein inhibition of induced IgE production is therapeutically desirable, including allergic conditions, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases.
US07695936B2 Knobs and holes heteromeric polypeptides
The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding cavity in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation. “Protuberances” are constructed by replacing small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first polypeptide with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory “cavities” of identical or similar size to the protuberances are created in the interface of the second polypeptide by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). The protuberance and cavity can be made by synthetic means such as altering the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides or by peptide synthesis.
US07695928B2 Disheveled PDZ modulators
The invention provides modulators of Dvl PDZ-ligand interaction, and methods of identifying and using these modulators.
US07695925B2 Compositions and methods for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Compositions comprising fusion polypeptides of T. cruzi epitopes are provided, together with methods for the use of such compositions in the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection and in screening blood supplies. Diagnostic kits comprising such compositions are also provided.
US07695915B2 Molecular prognostic signature for predicting breast cancer distant metastasis, and uses thereof
The present invention is based on the discovery of a unique 14-gene molecular prognostic signature that is useful for predicting breast cancer metastasis. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and reagents for detecting and profiling the expression levels of these genes, and methods of using the expression level information in predicting risk of breast cancer metastasis.
US07695913B2 Gene expression markers for colorectal cancer prognosis
A method of predicting clinical outcome in a subject diagnosed with colorectal cancer comprising determining evidence of the expression of one or more predictive RNA transcripts or their expression products in a biological sample of cancer cells obtained from the subject.
US07695911B2 Genetic polymorphisms associated with Alzheimer's Disease, methods of detection and uses thereof
The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US07695909B2 Susceptibility genes for age-related maculopathy (ARM) on chromosome 10q26
Allelic variations in the genes PLEKHA1 and LOC387715 are identified herein as risk factor for Age Related Maculopathy (ARM). A method is therefore provided for identifying a risk of development of ARM in an individual that comprises identification of allelic variations in PLEKHA1 and/or LOC387715. Related apparatus, such as an array, are identified as being useful in implementing those methods.
US07695904B2 Reducing non-target nucleic acid dependent amplifications: amplifying repetitive nucleic acid sequences
The present invention provides for compositions and methods for amplifying target nucleic acids using nucleic acid primers designed to limit non-target nucleic acid dependent priming events. The present invention permits amplifying and quantitating the number of repetitive units in a repetitive region, such as the number of telomere repetitive units.
US07695901B2 Identification of poinsettia cultivars
Methods of determining whether a plant is a member of a known cultivar utilize DNA fingerprinting techniques and the discovery of 41 polymorphic fragments that correlate with cultivar identity. These methods are useful in determining whether a plant is a member of a particular breeding family and potentially whether plants are genetically similar to each other.
US07695893B2 Photo-sensitive compound and photoresist composition including the same
Disclosed are a photo-sensitive compound and a photoresist composition containing the same, for forming ultra-fine photoresist patterns. The photo-sensitive compound is resented by following Formula 1, wherein x is an integer of 1 to 5, y is an integer of 2 to 6, R is a C2˜C20 hydrocarbon group. The photoresist composition comprises 1˜85 weight % of a photo-sensitive compound represented by following Formula 1, 1˜55 weight % of a compound which reacts with a hydroxyl group (—OH) of the compound represented by Formula 1 to combine with the photo-sensitive compound represented by Formula 1; 1˜15 weight % of a photo-acid generator; and 12˜97 weight % of an organic solvent.
US07695890B2 Negative photoresist for silicon KOH etch without silicon nitride
New photoresists for use during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The primer layer preferably comprises a silane dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. The photoresist layer includes copolymers prepared from styrene, acrylonitrile, and epoxy-containing monomers. The photoresist layer comprises a photoacid generator, and is preferably negative-acting.
US07695887B2 Method for producing pattern-forming body
A method of producing a pattern-forming body with high accuracy with no need for a post-exposure treatment and without allowing any photocatalyst to remain in the resultant pattern-forming body and whereby any problematic effect of the photocatalyst in the pattern-forming body is eliminated. The method includes providing a photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate and a pattern-forming body substrate having a characteristic-changeable layer, which is changed by the effect of the photocatalyst in the photocatalyst-containing layer, and a light-shading part formed as a pattern in such a manner that the photocatalyst-containing layer and the characteristic-changeable layer are brought into contact with each other, followed by exposure on the side of the pattern-forming body substrate to change the characteristics of the characteristic-changeable layer of the exposed part, followed by removing the photocatalyst-containing layer-sided substrate.
US07695883B2 Toner and developer, toner container, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method using the same
To provide a toner containing an ethyl acetate-soluble polyester component and an ethyl acetate-insoluble polyester component, wherein the toner is granulated in an aqueous medium, the ethyl acetate-insoluble polyester component is obtained by elongating and/or cross-linking a modified polyester resin during granulating and/or after granulating, the modified polyester resin is produced by condensation polymerization of an acid component and at least one type of diol compound selected from aliphatic diol and alicyclic diol in the presence of a catalyst, and the mass average molecular weight of the modified polyester resin is 10,000 to 100,000.
US07695870B2 Organic/inorganic composite separator and electrochemical device containing the same
An organic/inorganic composite separator includes a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; and a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the porous substrate with a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder polymer. The binder polymer is a copolymer including: (a) a first monomer unit having a contact angle to a water drop in the range from 0° to 49°; and (b) a second monomer unit having a contact angle to a water drop in the range from 50° to 130°. This organic/inorganic composite separator has excellent thermal stability, so it may restrain an electric short circuit between a cathode and an anode. In addition, the separator may prevent inorganic particles in the porous coating layer from being extracted during an assembling process of an electrochemical device, thereby improving stability of an electrochemical device.
US07695867B2 Method for regulating terminal voltage of cathode during overdischarge and cathode active material for lithium secondary battery
Disclosed is a method for regulating terminal voltage of a cathode during overdischarge. Also disclosed is a lithium secondary battery, which is low in capacity loss after overdischarge, having excellent capacity restorability after overdischarge and shows an effect of preventing a battery from swelling at a high temperature.
US07695865B2 Method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte battery having particle ink layers
A method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte battery includes a step of thermally pressing a composite layer including a positive electrode ink layer, an electrolyte ink layer and a negative electrode ink layer that are formed by coating a positive electrode ink, an electrolyte ink and a negative electrode ink. Further, the positive electrode ink, the electrolyte ink and the negative electrode ink contain a polymer electrolyte. By this method, it is possible to improve the flow of ions across respective interlayers of a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer and a negative electrode active material layer.
US07695861B2 Lithium sulphide battery and method of producing the same
A chemical source of electrical energy may include a positive electrode (cathode) made of an electrically conductive material, a mixture of lithium sulphide and sulphur, a permeable separator or membrane, and a negative electrode (anode) made of an electrically conductive material or a material that is able reversibly to intercalate lithium ions, wherein an aprotic electrolyte comprising at least one lithium salt in at least one solvent is provided between the electrodes.
US07695857B2 Electrode assembly for lithium ion secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery using the same
A lithium ion secondary battery and a jelly-roll type electrode assembly in a lithium ion secondary battery including a can and a cap assembly together with the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is made up of two electrodes; a ceramic separator coating on at least one surface among the four surfaces of the two electrode plates and located between the two opposing electrodes; and porous polymer resin separation films placed between the electrode plates at certain locations where the plates are bent to relatively small radii of curvature and outward from an innermost portion of a core, and/or at terminal ends of the electrode plates, respectively.
US07695856B2 Deformation resistant battery, group-battery, multiple group-battery and automobile therewith
A battery of the present invention is provided with positive and negative terminals led out of the battery and one or more sealing members filled between the positive and negative terminals and the battery. Each of the sealing members is provided with one or more resin layers, each of which is provided with one or more non-molecular-oriented resin layers.
US07695855B2 Electrode for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery
There is provided an electrode for a lithium secondary battery where particles, composed of an active material capable of occluding and releasing lithium, are arranged on a current collector, the active material particle being directly bonded to the surface of the current collector in a state where the bottom of the active material particle is imbedded in a concave portion formed on the surface of the current collector. A second particle layer may be provided on a first particle layer comprising the active material particles directly bonded to the surface of the current collector.
US07695849B2 Low Pt content direct methanol fuel cell anode catalyst: nanophase PtRuNiZr
A method for the preparation of a metallic material having catalytic activity that includes synthesizing a material composition comprising a metal content with a lower Pt content than a binary alloy containing Pt but that displays at least a comparable catalytic activity on a per mole Pt basis as the binary alloy containing Pt; and evaluating a representative sample of the material composition to ensure that the material composition displays a property of at least a comparable catalytic activity on a per mole Pt basis as a representative binary alloy containing Pt. Furthermore, metallic compositions are disclosed that possess substantial resistance to corrosive acids.