Document Document Title
US07706121B2 Ion generator
In an ion generator, a high-voltage electrode with a contact portion is disposed on a first main surface of an insulating substrate and is connected to a wire electrode, and a ground electrode covered with an insulating film is disposed on a second main surface of the insulating substrate. The ground electrode is electrically connected to a contact portion on the first main surface via a through hole. By disposing the high-voltage electrode and the ground electrode on different surfaces, the occurrence of an undesirable leakage current flowing from the high-voltage electrode to the ground electrode is prevented.
US07706119B2 Electrostatic discharge protection apparatus
An electrostatic discharge protection apparatus disposed in an optical disk drive includes a spindle motor and a feeding mechanism for driving a pick-up head. The mechanism includes a sled motor for driving the pick-up head. A traverse is disposed in a casing of the optical disk drive for disposing the motor and the mechanism. The electrostatic discharge protection apparatus is an elastic sheet disposed at one end of the spindle motor adjacent to the sled motor and includes a main body and several strips extending from the main body. The main body is connected with a metal fixing plate of the spindle motor. One strip contacts the sled motor, another strip contacts the guide bar, and another obliquely protruding strip penetrates and contacts a base plate and presses against the casing. A big electrostatic discharge sink is formed to buffer the transient impact caused by high electrostatic charges.
US07706117B2 Buoyant grounding terminal electrode apparatus for lightning protection
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for lightning protection for a vessel or structure operated on a fluid such as water. In a specific embodiment, a sailboat mast or lightning rod collects the lightning charge and a flexible conductive wire is attached to the mast or lightning rod which goes over the side of the vessel. A grounding electrode has buoyancy so that the grounding electrode is substantially kept at the water surface. The grounding electrode and buoyancy may also serve to allow the grounding electrode to hydrodynamic plane at the water surface when moving through the water. The buoyancy place's portions of the grounding electrode both above or below the water line and the buoyancy keeps the electrode substantially positioned with respect to the water surface even if the vessel or structure is heeled.
US07706116B2 SSPC technology incorporated with thermal memory effects to achieve the fuse curve coordination
Methods and apparatuses implement a thermal memory effect for a solid state power controller. A solid state power controller trip apparatus with thermal memory according to one embodiment comprises: a trip module including a first capacitor (156) and a counter (174), wherein the first capacitor (156) charges multiple times, when an over current event occurs, and the counter (174) accumulates a count related to the charging of the first capacitor (156) for the multiple times, to detect a trip condition; and a discharging module connected to the trip module, the discharging module including a resistor (166) and a second capacitor (158), wherein an electrical parameter associated with the count decays with time using the resistor (166) and the second capacitor (158).
US07706111B2 Motor lock detection circuit
A motor lock detection circuit for detecting lock of a motor, comprising: a binarizing circuit to binarize a signal, obtained from the motor, having a frequency corresponding to rotation speed of the motor, to generate a binary signal; an edge detecting circuit to generate an edge detection signal when detecting an edge of the binary signal; a first counter to count based on a first counter clock, be reset according to the edge detection signal generated by the edge detecting circuit, and generate a count signal when counting for a first count period longer than an interval between edges of the binary signal; and a second counter to count based on a second counter clock, be reset according to the count signal, and generate a motor lock detection signal indicative of detection of lock of the motor when counting for a second count period longer than the first count period.
US07706110B2 Compact superconducting current limiting component in coil configuration with low inductance
The present invention is directed to a superconducting current limiting component, particularly to a ceramic high temperature superconducting current limiting component which is self triggering, comprising a coil (1) made of ceramic high temperature superconductor material, wherein around the outer surface of the coil (1) made of ceramic high temperature superconductor material a second coil (3) is applied as a shunt and, preferably, wherein the coil (1) made of ceramic high temperature superconductor material is applied onto a hollow cylindrical body (2) made of a ceramic high temperature superconductor material.
US07706109B2 Low thermal coefficient of resistivity on-slider tunneling magneto-resistive shunt resistor
A slider includes a Tunneling Magneto-Resistive (TuMR) read sensor and a shunt resistor connected in parallel. The shunt resistor may be located in a read structure of the slider. The shunt resistor may reduce a total resistance of the read structure and any corresponding impedance mismatch between the read structure, a transmission line, and a preamplifier. The shunt resistor may be made of a material having a near zero thermal coefficient of resistivity (TCR) to test a quality of the TuMR read sensor. The TuMR read sensor may be deemed defective if its TCR deviates from a population average by a specific criterion. The TuMR read sensor may include a MgO tunneling barrier to improve signal strength. The TuMR read sensor may include a free layer that is able to be saturated with a perpendicular background field to calculate a more accurate TCR of the TuMR read sensor.
US07706108B2 Lead/shield structure for read head sensors
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a read head for a data storage device including a sensor for reading data from a data storage medium, a first shield disposed adjacent to the sensor and characterized as moment-compensated, and a second shield disposed adjacent to the sensor, the second shield being moment-compensated.
US07706105B2 Hard disk drive, suspension assembly of actuator of hard disk drive, and method of operation of hard disk drive
A suspension assembly of an actuator of a hard disk drive prevents collisions with a data storage disk of the drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam, a bracket having a rear end at which the bracket is coupled to the load beam and a flexure, a slider that is attached to the bracket and carries the read/write head of the hard disk drive, and a limiting mechanism capable of selectively attaching and detaching a respective portion of the bracket to and from the load beam during operation. The load beam has a dimple projecting toward the bracket and which normally contacts a first surface of the bracket. The slider is attached to a second surface of the bracket opposite the first surface. The limiting mechanism attaches a portion of the bracket bearing the slider to the load beam when the read/write head is unloaded from the disk. Therefore, the wobbling of the slider is suppressed during the unloading operation. On the other hand, the portion of the bracket bearing the slider is detached from the load beam during a read/write operation to allow the slider to pitch and roll more freely about the dimple.
US07706103B2 Electric field assisted writing using a multiferroic recording media
An apparatus comprises a data storage medium including a piezoelectric material and a ferromagnetic material, an electric field source for applying an electric field to a portion of the data storage medium, and a write pole for applying a magnetic field to the portion of the data storage medium. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.
US07706101B2 Transducer positioning assembly
An actuator assembly is provided for positioning a transducer with a primary frame and a secondary frame mounted thereto for transverse translation. A coarse actuator is connected to the frames for translating the secondary frame incrementally. A carriage with a transducer is mounted to the secondary frame for transverse translation. A fine actuator is connected to the secondary frame and the carriage. The coarse actuator provides coarse adjustment and the fine actuator provides fine adjustment of the transducer for following tape. A method for positioning a transducer is provides a transducer connected to a coarse actuator and a fine actuator. Tape is conveyed across the transducer and lateral motion of the tape is monitored. The transducer is positioned by the fine actuator relative to a lateral tape position, and if the position exceeds a predetermined range, then the transducer is positioned by the actuation of the coarse actuator.
US07706100B2 Storage apparatus, storage control circuit, and head-position-displacement measuring method
A measurement recording unit causes the head to move across a predetermined amount, at least more than one track during one lap of track, with a predetermined radial position and a track position of the magnetic disk being taken as recording start points, thereby writing measurement data while drawing a spiral path. A measurement reading unit causes the measurement data recorded in a spiral manner to be read while gradually shifting a read-beginning point within a predetermined scanning range from an inner perimeter side including the recording start points to an outer perimeter side. A position-displacement detecting unit finds a distribution of amplitudes of a read-back signal within a read scanning range and detects, in a distribution of evaluation values, an amount of position displacement of a read head and a write head on the storage medium in a radial direction for storage.
US07706097B2 Magnetic disk drive with head retraction control
Embodiments of the invention improve utility of a magnetic disk drive in which a head is retracted if the magnetic disk drive is in a dropping state. In one embodiment, an HDC/MPU provided in a magnetic disk drive judges whether the magnetic disk drive is in a dropping state based on an output from an acceleration sensor which may detect an acceleration and performs a retraction operation of a head. After the HDC/MPU judges that a drop is occurring, the HDC/MPU detects whether the drop judgment is incorrect according to whether a shock sensor detects a shock occurrence and changes the drop judgment condition based on a detection history of detected incorrect judgments.
US07706095B2 Multi-speed storage device
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to adjusting a fly height of a transducer to enable a first data access with a storage medium rotating at a first speed, rotating the storage medium at a second speed substantially different from the first speed, and adjusting the fly height of the transducer to enable a second data access with the storage medium rotating at the second speed.
US07706091B2 Magnetic disk devices with data recording areas set separately for each device
The present invention relates to a magnetic disk device and provides a magnetic disk device in which data recording areas are separately set based on the inner recording boundary or outer recording boundary of the head measured for each magnetic disk device. When the recording linear (angular) density that has to be attained to ensure a prescribed capacity cannot be attained by the head, the recording linear (angular) density that has to be attained by the head is reduced and the prescribed capacity is realized by expanding the data recording area. A method using a counter-electromotive force generated when the head is moved toward a stopper or ramp load or a method by which the measurements are conducted based on the head position information from the servo signal can be used for measuring the positions of the inner recording boundary and outer recording boundary of the head.
US07706089B2 Lens driving device
A lens driving device including: a lens barrel having at least one lens therein and provided with a friction member; a housing for housing the lens barrel therein; an actuator having a piezoelectric body disposed at an edge of the housing to apply a driving force, the piezoelectric body having at least one output member provided at one side thereof to be in contact with the friction member; a preload member disposed between the edge of the housing and the actuator to apply an elastic force toward the lens barrel; and a guiding part disposed between the housing and the lens barrel to guide the lens barrel to move in an optical axis direction. The lens driving device is simplified in a driving mechanism and thus reduced in size, while experiencing minimum loss of a driving power and ensuring more accurate and stable movement of the lens.
US07706088B2 Voice coil type lens drive assembly
A lens drive assembly includes a pair of electrically conductive springs (2) disposed on the base (1), a metallic yoke (6) disposed on the electrically conductive springs (2), magnets (5) mounted within the yoke (6), a movable unit (M1) inserted into the yoke, a leaf spring (7) disposed on the yoke (6), and an upper cover frame (8) coupled to the base (1) while being superimposed on the leaf spring (7). The conductive springs (2) include spring body (2b), spring piece (2a) and a spring wire. The spring wire has U-turn curvilinear portions connected between the outer spring body (2b) and the spring piece (2a) in a sole plane. The leaf spring (7) has a spring frame (7a), a thin circular spring ring (7b), and a spring wire. The spring wire has U-turn curvilinear portions between the spring frame (7a) and the spring ring in a sole plane.
US07706086B2 Imaging lens
An imaging lens includes: in order from an object side, an aperture diaphragm; a first lens of a positive lens having a convex surface on the object side; a second lens of a meniscus lens having a concave surface on the object side; and a third lens. The imaging lens satisfies: f/f3<0.95 and BR2<0. BR2 satisfies BR2=A/D4, A represents a distance from a vertex position on a object-side surface of the second lens and on an optical axis to a position on a image-side surface of the second lens through which a light ray passes toward a corner of an image height, provided that a traveling direction of the light ray is taken as appositive direction, and D4 represents a center thickness of the second lens. f represents a focal length of the imaging lens. f3 represents a focal length of the third lens.
US07706085B2 Imaging optical system and imaging apparatus comprising the same
An imaging optical system includes: an object-side lens group having, in order from its object side, an object-side positive meniscus lens that is convex on its object side and has positive refracting power, and an object side negative meniscus lens that is convex on its object side and has negative refracting power; and image-side lens group having, in order from its object side, an image-side negative lens, an image-side first positive lens and an image-side second positive lens. The image-side negative lens and the image-side first positive lens adjacent thereto form together a cemented doublet.
US07706081B2 Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, a fourth lens group, and an aperture stop, from an object side to an image side on an optical axis. The zoom lens system satisfies the following condition: Y × L 2 × f W × f T ≤ 1.06 where Y is a maximum diagonal length of the image side 170, L is a total track length of the zoom lens system 100, fW is a focal length of the zoom lens system 100 at a wide status, fT is a focal length of the zoom lens system 100 at a telephoto status.
US07706080B2 Zoom lens and image-pickup apparatus
To provide a zoom lens capable of achieving stable optical quality by inhibiting an effect of assemble errors during manufacturing. A zoom lens includes a positive first lens group G1, a negative second lens group G2, a positive third lens group G3, and a positive fourth lens group G4, which are arranged from an object side in that order, and during variation in lens position from a wide angle end state to a telescopic end state, G1 and G3 are fixed, G2 is moved toward an image side, G4 moves so as to compensate fluctuations in image-surface position due to the shift of G2, and an aperture diaphragm S is fixed adjacent to the object side of G3, etc. G2 includes a negative meniscus lens L21 with a concave surface opposing the image side and a cemented lens L22 of a biconcave lens and a positive lens with a convex surface opposing the object side, which are arranged from the object side in that order, and the negative meniscus lens is a compound lens of a glass lens and a resin lens PL formed adjacent to the image side of the glass lens, the lens surface adjacent to the image side of the resin lens is aspheric, and the conditional equation (1) below is satisfied: n2>1.75,   (1) where n2 is the average refractive index of glass constituting G2.
US07706078B2 Laser light irradiation apparatus and laser light irradiation method
An object is to provide a laser light irradiation apparatus and a laser light irradiation method which reduce errors of an irradiation position of laser light to an irradiated object and allow irradiation with laser light of any size when the irradiated object is irradiated with the laser light through a beam expander optical system. One feature of a laser light irradiation apparatus of the present invention is to include a laser oscillator; a beam expander optical system having a zoom function; and a correction lens disposed to conjugate the laser oscillator and the beam expander optical system including at least a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens in order in a traveling direction of the laser light, wherein the second lens and the third lens are cooperated with each other in accordance with the magnification of the laser light.
US07706076B2 Optical system
An optical system for arranging between a light source and a field diaphragm in an illumination beam path of a microscope comprises n imaging optical elements with focal lengths fi and Abbe numbers νi (i=1, . . . , n). The following relationship is met for the optical system: ∑ i = 1 n ⁢ h i f i · v i ≤ 0.07 , where hi is one half of the bundle diameter of a bundle of light rays proceeding from a point of the light source at the entrance to the imaging optical element i.
US07706074B2 Projection optical system, method of manufacturing projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
A projection optical system provided with at least one of optical members made of a calcium fluoride single crystal, wherein each of the optical members satisfies at least any one of the following conditions of (i) to (iii): (i) an RMS value of a spatial frequency component having a number of periods fPD in partial diameter in a range from 10 periods to 50 periods inclusive out of fluctuation of a transmission wavefront relative to light having a wavelength of 633 nm is equal to or below 0.35 nm/cm; (ii) an RMS value of a spatial frequency component having a number of periods fPD in partial diameter in a range from 10 periods to 100 periods inclusive out of fluctuation of a transmission wavefront relative to light having a wavelength of 633 nm is equal to or below 0.45 nm/cm; and (iii) an RMS value of a spatial frequency component having a number of periods fPD in partial diameter in a range from 10 periods to 150 periods inclusive out of fluctuation of a transmission wavefront relative to light having a wavelength of 633 nm is equal to or below 0.50 nm/cm.
US07706071B2 Lens systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide zoom and/or autofocus lenses. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a lens is provided with at least one tunable lens. The focal length and/or focus of the lens may be varied without mechanically moving or changing the separation between one or more lens components.
US07706069B2 Attenuator for high-power unpolarized laser beams
Apparatus for attenuating an unpolarized laser beam includes a polarizing beamsplitter for separating the laser beam into two plane-polarized beams following separate paths. The two plane-polarized beams are polarization rotated by a single polarization rotator. Each of the polarization-rotated beams is separated by a polarizing beam-combiner into two plane-polarized portions. One of the portions of one polarization-rotated beam is combined by the beam-combiner with one of the portions of the other polarization-rotated beam to provide an attenuated output-beam. In certain examples of the apparatus the separate paths are made equal in length so that combined beam portions are equal in diameter.
US07706065B2 Compact spotting scope with side focus control
A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in a user's hand. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.
US07706063B2 Image capturing device with focusing assembly
An image capturing device with a focusing assembly comprises a case formed by an upper casing and a lower casing; a cover for sealing the lower casing; an lower side of the cover having an opening for capturing images of outside objects; a base installed at a connection between the upper casing and the lower casing; an image sensor installed at a lower side of the base for capturing images through an opening of the front cover; a focus adjusting unit including an object lens, an adjusting wheel, an inner tube and an outer adjusting tube; the outer adjusting tube being located within the lower casing and has a longitudinal retaining groove at an inner side thereof; the inner tube being received in the outer adjusting tube; the inner tube having a helical groove; an outer side of the adjusting wheel having a post for driving the adjusting wheel.
US07706058B2 Multilayer mirror, method for manufacturing the same, and exposure equipment
A multilayer mirror aims to reduce incidence angle dependence of reflectivity. A substrate is made of low thermal polished expansion glass with 0.2 nm RMS or less roughness of the surface. On the surface thereof formed is a Ru/Si multilayer having a wide full-width half maximum of peak reflectivity, and on the Ru/Si multilayer formed is a Mo/Si multilayer having a high peak reflectivity value. This enables higher reflectivity than when Ru/Si alone provided and a reflectivity peak having a wider full-width half maximum than when the Mo/Si multilayer alone provided. Since Ru absorbs EUV ray more than Mo does, higher reflectivity is obtainable than that of a structure having the Ru/Si multilayer formed on the Mo/Si multilayer. The multilayer with a wide full-width half maximum has small incidence angle dependence of reflectivity in spectral reflectivity, thereby achieving high imaging performance in projection optical system.
US07706057B2 Spectral purity filter for a multi-layer mirror, lithographic apparatus including such multi-layer mirror, method for enlarging the ratio of desired radiation and undesired radiation, and device manufacturing method
A multi-layer mirror includes a multi-layer stack. The multi-layer stack includes a plurality of alternating layers with a multi-layer stack top layer and a spectral filter top layer arranged on the multi-layer stack. The spectral filter top layer includes a first spectral purity enhancement layer that includes a first material m1 and has a first layer thickness d1, an intermediate layer that includes a second material m2 and has a second layer thickness d2. The intermediate layer is arranged on the multi-layer stack top layer. The first material is selected from SiN, Si3N4, SiO2, ZnS, Te, diamond, CsI, Se, SiC, amorphous carbon, MgF2, CaF2, TiO2, Ge, PbF2, ZrO2, BaTiO3, LiF or NaF. The second material includes a material different from the first material, and d1+d2 has a thickness between 1.5 and 40 nm.
US07706055B2 Optical module and processing method
The present invention relates to an optical module which is capable of amplifying light to be amplified to high power and which has a structure for effectively reducing influences of damage to other optical parts, and heat generation. The optical module includes a fiber unit constituted by an optical coupler, an amplification optical fiber, and an absorption optical fiber. Each of the amplification optical fiber and the absorption optical fiber has a core, a first cladding, a second cladding, and a third cladding. Further, each of the fibers allows the light to be amplified to propagate in a single mode in each of the cores, and allows pumping light to propagate in a multimode in the core, the first cladding, and the second cladding. The core of the amplification optical fiber is doped with an amplification dopant for amplifying the light to be amplified. The second cladding of the absorption optical fiber is doped with an absorption dopant for absorbing the pumping light.
US07706051B2 Display medium and method of manufacturing display medium
A display medium includes a pair of substrates, an electrophoretic medium, and a partitioning medium. The pair of substrates is disposed in spaced-apart relation and substantially parallel to each other. The electrophoretic medium is disposed between the pair of substrates and contains charged particles. An electric field generated between the pair of substrates causes the charged particles contained in the electrophoretic medium to migrate for switching a display state. The partitioning medium has fluidity and is phase-separated from the electrophoretic medium at least at room temperature. The partitioning medium is in a phase-separated state phase-separated from the electrophoretic medium. The partitioning medium is disposed between the pair of substrates as a partition to partition the electrophoretic medium.
US07706050B2 Integrated modulator illumination
A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light. The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.
US07706049B2 Mirror device and optical apparatus
The present mirror device for suppressing PDL on the assumption of multiple modes of angles of input light and output light to movable mirrors with respect to the crystal axis of a crystal member at the time light passes through the crystal member. The mirror device includes a mirror system 2 and a flat-shaped crystal member 3 which is arranged in such a manner that a first angle is not larger than a second angle. The crystal member is constructed in such a manner that a third angle is substantially equal to a half of a fourth angle.
US07706047B2 Acousto-optical laser scanner and UV laser analyzer of micro-objects based on it
Two-coordinate AO laser scanner for 355 and 266-nm UV wavebands utilizing AO cells with specially shaped TeO2 and KDP AO crystals, and equipped with LiNbO3 pulse-fed transducers of special configuration that allows enlarging scanning angle. This technology is utilized in computer-controlled UV laser analyzer of micro-objects, which performs florescent and reflected light analysis of any chosen micro-spot of a sample, and UV laser micro-machining unit that can process a sample with simultaneous control of the operation by built-in CCD camera. The technical solution utilized in the analyzer and micro-machining unit allows precisely matching coordinates of the processed sample and CCD matrix.
US07706039B2 Scanner apparatus having electromagnetic radiation devices coupled to MEMS actuators
A disclosed scanner apparatus includes a member having spaced apart proximal and distal portions. An electromagnetic radiation device is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation therefrom and is movably coupled to the distal portion of the member. The electromagnetic radiation device is configured to move in a first plane of movement to a first position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a first path and configured to move in the plane of movement to a second position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a second path. A MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) actuator is coupled to the electromagnetic radiation device, wherein the MEMS actuator is configured to move in a first direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the first position and configured to move in a second direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the second position. Other scanning and robotic structure devices are disclosed.
US07706038B2 Method and device for manufacturing a hologram recording medium
Arrangements are made to enable different original images to be reproduced upon observation from different positions and yet enable reproduced images of high resolution to be obtained. In a case of recording two original images, each of the two original images Ia and Ib is defined as a set of point light sources in an XYZ global coordinate system, and two propagation spaces Sa and Sb, each enabling propagation of light emitted from an origin Q of an α β γ local coordinate system, are defined. A predetermined recording plane and a reference light are set in the XYZ coordinate system, and an interference fringe pattern, which is formed on the recording plane by object light components from the point light sources constituting the respective original images and the reference light, is determined by computation. In this process, the computation is performed upon deeming that a light from a point light source belonging to the original image Ia spreads only within the propagation space Sa, with the origin Q of the α β γ coordinate system being overlappingly set at the position of the point light source, and that a light from a point light source belonging to the original image Ib spreads only within the propagation space Sb, with the origin Q of the α β γ coordinate system being overlappingly set at the position of the point light source.
US07706032B2 Scanner device and image forming apparatus
A scanner device and an image forming apparatus, each having a shading correction unit are disclosed. The shading correction unit is implemented by a lens block, including a fixer and a wall. The fixer fixes a position of the lens block. The wall, connected to the fixer at a connecting point, has an opening. The minimum distance between the circumference line of the opening and the connecting point is larger than a thickness of the wall.
US07706029B2 Display apparatus using optical modulator and display method thereof
A mobile display apparatus using an optical modulator is disclosed, comprising: a sensor sensing a light reflected from a side of a scanning device and then generating a scanning device reference signal specifying a position of the scanning device; and a driving signal control unit generating such scanning device control signal and optical modulator control signal that allow a light emitted from an optical modulator to be reflected in a predetermined area of the scanning device, by synchronizing the scanning device reference signal transferred from the sensor with an image synchronization signal.
US07706028B2 Apparatus and method for scanning an object
A scanner has a plurality of cameras positioned around an object to be scanned. The object is illuminated by unstructured light and the object is covered by a textured surface. The cameras can be arranged as pairs and each camera pair is supported on a single support. The scanned object can be a foot, among other things, and the scanner is positioned at a predetermined incline so that the foot is evenly supported. A positioning system, either visual or automatic, is included on the scanner platform. If automatic, a sensor array is affixed to the platform such that a scan will only initiate when certain sensors or combinations of sensors are ON. Method for attaching the camera pairs on the support, method for calibrating the camera pairs and method of scanning the foot to provide shoe sizes and shoe lasts are also disclosed.
US07706020B2 Extensible system for color management
A color engine supports extensibility by allowing plug-ins. The color engine transforms an image file associated with a source device for consumption by a destination device. Within the color engine, a device model operates over a device model profile to generate a gamut boundary shell, which describes the range of colors a device is capable of producing. A color appearance model operates over a color appearance model profile to compensate for external viewing conditions. A gamut map model accepts as input gamut boundary shells describing the source device and the destination device, and operates over a gamut map model profile to generate a transform, which is used to transform the image file for consumption by the destination device. The device model profiles and gamut map model profiles may be extended using XML plug-ins, and the device models and gamut map models may be extended using DLL plug-ins.
US07706018B2 Image enhancement system and method
An image enhancement system includes a scanning device including a photosensor element having a plurality of different color channels. The system also includes an exposure control module configured to vary an exposure time of the plurality of different color channels to generate at least two different exposure level scans of a media object. The system further includes an imaging application configured to generate an enhanced scanned image of the media object using image data obtained from the at least two different exposure level scans.
US07706008B2 Output system, network device, output data managing device, output program and output data managing program, and output method
An output system includes a network device for performing an output on the basis of output data and an output data managing device for managing the output data, wherein: the network device and the output data managing device are communicably connected and the network device performs the output.
US07706004B2 Apparatus and system for scanning maintenance prediction
An apparatus for predicting when maintenance is required for a scanner comprises a tracking module configured to track a quality parameter history, a prediction module configured to predict when maintenance is required based on the quality parameter history, and a notification module configured to notify a user when maintenance is predicted to be required based on a quality parameter trend. The quality parameter is selected from a group consisting of an average brightness, a maximum brightness, a video gradient, and a contrast.
US07706000B2 Orientation sensing of a rod
A laparoscopy simulator includes two rods and an orientation sensor that determines the orientation of the rods. An optical sensor is used to determine measurements of each rod based on the rotation of the rod around a central axis of the rod and a sliding of the rod along the central axis. An accelerometer is used to determine additional measurements of each rod based on a rotation of the rod around two additional rotation axes of the simulator. The measurements are used to determine the overall orientation of the rods.
US07705995B1 Method of determining substrate etch depth
A method of monitoring, in real time, the depth to which a process sample is etched by an etching procedure involving investigating a sample substrate that has a patterned surface which, when electromagnetic radiation in an appropriate wavelength range is caused to reflect from, demonstrates lateral interference effects, such that when a frequency transform is applied to spectroscopic reflection data, three distinguishable peaks occur, at least for some range of pattern depth in the sample surface.
US07705994B2 Monolithic displacement measuring interferometer with spatially separated but substantially equivalent optical pathways and optional dual beam outputs
An interferometer and corresponding system are provided having several aspects. In a first aspect, there is provided an interferometer adapted to receive separate first and second beams f1 and f2 therein, the interferometer comprising substantially equivalent and separate first and second optical pathways for the first and second beams f1 and f2. In a second aspect, there is provided an interferometer adapted to receive as separate inputs therein first and second beams f1 and f2, where such beams are not mixed or combined until just prior to being output by the interferometer. In a third aspect, an interferometer is provided having one or more beam blockers for intercepting extraneous or undesired light, and keeping such light from contaminating or interfering with separate beams f1 and f2.
US07705992B2 Optical coherence tomography system
A polarization maintaining optical fiber, for guiding a measuring light beam, is provided within a probe. The probe is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the polarization maintaining optical fiber. A polarization direction rotator, for rotating the polarization direction of the measuring light beam that enters the polarization maintaining optical fiber accompanying rotation of the probe, is provided in order to maintain a state in which the polarization direction of the measuring light beam that enters the polarization maintaining optical fiber and the direction of the polarization axis of the polarization maintaining optical fiber are matched.
US07705991B2 Gas concentration measuring apparatus
A gas concentration measuring apparatus is in miniaturized form and permits the measurement of anesthetic gas components. A variable interferometer is provided on the basis of a Fabry Perot interferometer (1) wherein the mirrors (2, 3) can be changed in spacing with respect to each other. The mirrors (2, 3) have coatings which make possible the transmission in two spectral ranges (Δλ1, Δλ2).
US07705985B2 Method and apparatus for testing fibres
The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring the maturity or cell wall thickening of a sample of cellulosic fiber. The method at least includes exposing the sample of fiber to polarized light, capturing one or more images of the sample through crossed polar lenses and a compensator plate so that the image(s) include interference colors from the sample; and conducting computer analysis on the captured image(s) to determine the maturity or degree of cell wall thickening of the cellulosic fiber by comparing the image(s) to reference color interference data.
US07705984B2 Spectroscope having spectroscopic paths with individual collimators
A spectroscope includes a diffraction grating having a plurality of ruled parallel lines; and a plurality of spectroscopic paths, each of which has a collimator for collimating incident light, emits the collimated light to the diffraction grating, and emits return light, which returns from the diffraction grating, through a slit provided on the path. In the spectroscope, measured light is emitted through the plurality of spectroscopic paths so as to extract light which is included in the measured light and has a predetermined wavelength; and the collimators of the spectroscopic paths are arranged so that irradiation areas of light emitted from the collimators are offset from each other at least in a direction along the ruled parallel lines. The collimators of the spectroscopic paths may be arranged so that incident angles of light emitted from the collimators coincide with each other.
US07705982B2 Methods and apparatus for analyzing fluid properties of emulsions using fluorescence spectroscopy
This relates to methods and apparatus for analyzing samples by fluorescence spectroscopy. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus use a fluorescence detection unit (FDU) of a composition fluid analyzer (CFA™) module to detect variations in fluid properties (gradients) within an oil bearing column. Some embodiments enable efficient downhole fluid analysis in heavy oils where water/oil emulsions are present (water in dispersed phase and oil in the continuous phase). The principles described herein may also be applied when there are fine particles in the oil such as from unconsolidated sands.
US07705981B2 Method and apparatus for super montage large area spectroscopic imaging
The disclosure relates to Method and Apparatus for Super Montage Large area Spectroscopic Imaging. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for producing a spectroscopic image of an object includes the steps of (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object scattered and/or emitted (interchangeably “scattered”) light for each of a plurality of wavelengths; (b) producing separately for each of the plurality of wavelengths a plurality of substantially contiguous sub-images of the object; (c) compensating for spatial aberrations in ones of the sub-images for a select one of the plurality of wavelengths; (d) compensating for intensity aberrations between ones of the substantially contiguous sub-images for one of the plurality of wavelengths; and (e) combining the sub-images for the select one wavelength to thereby produce said spectroscopic image of the object.
US07705978B2 Method and apparatus for inspection of multi-junction solar cells
A technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in solar cells and solar panels, by illuminating each cell under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is secularly reflected from the cell. Multi-junction solar cells have a metal backing layer that secularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the solar cell materials are relatively transparent.
US07705977B2 Methods for depth profiling in semiconductors using modulated optical reflectance technology
Methods of obtaining dopant and damage depth profile information are disclosed using modulated optical reflectivity (MOR) measurements. In one aspect, the depth profile is constructed using information obtained from various measurements such as the junction depth, junction abruptness and dopant concentration. In another aspect, a full theoretical model is developed. Actual measurements are fed to the model. Using an iterative approach, the actual measurements are compared to theoretical measurements calculated from the model to determine the actual depth profile.
US07705975B1 Reticle
A reticle has a vertical line; a horizontal line intersecting the vertical line at a center point; and a plurality of quadrilaterals. Each of the plurality of quadrilaterals intersects either the vertical line or the horizontal line to form first and second measuring points. Each of the first and second measuring points is spaced a predetermined distance from the center point.
US07705967B2 Exposure system
In an exposure system for substrate members which bear a photosensitive coating on a substrate surface, comprising a machine frame, a substrate carrier bearing the substrate member and an exposure device, wherein the substrate member and the exposure device can be moved relative to one another such that the photosensitive coating can be exposed as a result of this relative movement, it is suggested for an exposure of the photosensitive coating which is as precise as possible that the exposure device have an optics slide which can be moved in the second direction and on which an optical imaging device for the exposure of the substrate member is arranged, and that the exposure device have a light source unit which is arranged on the machine frame separately from the optics slide and has a plurality of light sources, the radiation of which can be coupled into the optical imaging device.
US07705965B2 Backside lithography and backside immersion lithography
The present disclosure relates to formation of latent images in a radiation sensitive layer applied to a substrate that is transparent to or transmissive of radiation at the exposing wavelength. In particular, it relates to so-called backside lithography, in which the final lens of an exposing system is positioned to project electromagnetic radiation through a first side of the transparent substrate and expose a radiation sensitive layer that overlays a second side of the transparent substrate that is opposite the first side. Five alternative embodiments for further treatment to form a radiation opaque layer corresponding to the latent image (the image or its inverse) are described. These methods and corresponding devices are useful for producing masks (sometimes called reticles), for producing latent images in semiconductor devices and for forming features of semiconductor devices using masks.
US07705959B2 Curved optical device and method having a pair of opposed thermoplastic substrates with spacers therebetween to permanently retain a curved shape
A curved optical device includes a pair of initially flat opposed flexible substrates that may have a fluid material with spacers disbursed therein disposed between the pair of substrates and sealed. The substrates have a uniform controlled distance therebetween. The substrates are permanently curved by applying heat and pressure with a mold while maintaining the controlled distance therebetween. The fluid material maybe a liquid crystal to provide the optical device with enhanced optical properties.
US07705957B2 Liquid crystal panel having multiple spacer walls
A liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate having thereon a display active region; an inner spacer wall disposed on the first substrate along periphery of the display active region; an outer spacer wall disposed adjacent to the inner spacer wall on the first substrate; a groove formed between the inner spacer wall and the outer spacer wall; a seal spread in the groove; a second substrate being supported by the inner spacer wall and the outer spacer wall and being glued to the first substrate via the seal, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate and the inner spacer wall define a chamber; and a liquid crystal layer filling the chamber by using one-drop-fill process.
US07705955B2 Liquid crystal display device having more uniform seal heights and its fabricating method
A liquid crystal display device, and a fabricating method thereof, that is capable of providing uniform liquid cell gaps. A main seal defines a liquid crystal injection area. A first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between a substrate on which the main seal has been coated and the main seal. A plurality of dummy seals is arranged external to the main seal. A second step coverage-compensating layer having the same thickness as the first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between the substrate on which the dummy seals are arranged and the dummy seals. Accordingly, a main seal and dummy seals having the same thickness produce uniform liquid crystal cell gaps. The liquid crystal display device is beneficially made by a fabrication process employing four or five masks.
US07705954B2 Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An LCD and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The LCD includes a gate pad. The gate pad includes a gate ITO electrode formed on a substrate, a first and a second gate pad bottom electrode formed on a predetermined region of the gate ITO electrode, a gate insulating layer formed on the first and the second gate pad bottom electrode, a passivation layer formed on the gate insulating layer, a gate pad top electrode formed on the passivation layer, and at least one contact hole. The LCD further comprises a liquid crystal panel having a gate line that has a dual structure integrally formed with the first gate pad bottom electrode and the second gate pad bottom electrode.
US07705951B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid-crystal display device is provided which is improved in image quality by supplying a reference voltage signal to a liquid-crystal display panel through a multiplicity of distributed supply paths. The liquid-crystal display device includes a liquid-crystal display panel and a semiconductor device connected to a part of a periphery of the liquid-crystal display panel. The liquid-crystal display panel has a plurality of signal lines for supplying various signals to address pixels, on one of a pair of substrates arranged oppositely through a liquid crystal. The signal lines include a common bus line for supplying a reference voltage signal. The semiconductor device is structured with a semiconductor chip mounted on a flexible board. The flexible board at least has a line leading to a terminal for supplying a signal to the signal line of the liquid-crystal display panel through the semiconductor chip. The reference voltage signal is to be supplied to the common bus line of the liquid-crystal display panel through at least a common line formed on the flexible board of the semiconductor device. The common line on the flexible board is formed in an area outside a mount area of the semiconductor chip and in an area passing through the mount area of the semiconductor chip.
US07705946B2 High quality and ultra large screen liquid crystal display device and production method thereof
A large screen liquid crystal display device using a transverse electric field system which is capable of dramatically improving an aperture ratio, a transmittance ratio, brightness, and contrast with low cost and high production yield. For example, the width of the common electrodes that shield the electric fields of the video signal lines can be decreased dramatically and the aperture ratio can be improved dramatically. Especially, the bumps covering the video signal lines can be used along with the spacers, and with the use of halftone exposure method, the bumps covering the video signal lines and the spacers can be constructed at the same time, which dramatically shortens the time required for the production process.
US07705943B2 LCD device having vertically aligned liquid crystal layer between first and second substrates in which the first substrate has a first opening and a second opening and/or cut in which the second opening and/or cut width is greater than the first opening width
The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate 1110a, a second substrate 1110b placed to face the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer 1120 interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal display device has a plurality of pixels each including a first electrode 1111 formed on the first substrate, a second electrode 1131 formed on the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode 1131 has at least one opening 1114 formed at a predetermined position in the pixel, the first substrate has a shading region in gaps between the plurality of pixels, and a wall structure 1115 is placed regularly on the surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer in the shading region. The liquid crystal layer has at least one liquid crystal domain having axisymmetric alignment formed when at least a predetermined voltage is applied, and the center axis of the axisymmetric alignment of the at least one liquid crystal domain is formed in or near the at least one opening.
US07705941B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a first field generating electrode arranged on the first substrate and including first and second cutouts, and a second substrate facing the first substrate. A second field generating electrode is arranged on the second substrate and includes a third cutout, and a liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second field generating electrodes. A column spacer is interposed between the first and second substrates and is disposed in the first cutout region.
US07705940B2 Dual display liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is a dual display LCD device including: a front light unit supplying light; a first polarizer on the front light unit; an LCD panel on the first polarizer; a selective reflection/transmission part on the LCD panel; and a second polarizer on the selective reflection/transmission part; wherein the selective reflection/transmission part selectively reflects the light in a reflection mode to display an image on a front side thereof in a first display mode; and wherein the selective reflection/transmission part passes the light in a transmission mode to display an image on a rear side thereof in a second display mode.
US07705936B2 Color filtering device for improved brightness
A color filtering member for improving the brightness of a display device is presented. The color filtering member includes colored regions (e.g., regions with RBG color filters) and black-and-white regions for transmitting white light. The black-and-white regions may be colorless gaps between adjacent colored regions. Multiple planarizing layers may be deposited on the colored regions and the black-and-white regions to form a surface that is sufficiently even. The color filtering member may include an intercepting region that extends between neighboring colored regions. The position of the intercepting region is not centered between the two colored regions that it separates. Rather, the intercepting region is shifted in the direction of rubbing (in the direction of liquid crystal alignment) to more effectively cover the regions where light leakage occurs. This color filtering member may be combined with an array member and a liquid crystal layer to form a display device.
US07705933B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer that, when in a horizontal alignment state, exhibits a slow axis that is parallel to a polarized-light transmitting or absorbing axis of a polarizing layer that is disposed opposite to the displaying liquid crystal layer from the viewing-angle controlling liquid crystal layer.
US07705928B2 Liquid crystal display device
A small-sized display device having a holder for holding a liquid crystal display panel and a frame for accommodating the holder is disclosed. Projecting portions 41 are formed in part of the holder 4 and are used as horizontal stoppers against the liquid crystal panel. Cutout portions 71 are formed in the frame 7 at positions corresponding to the projecting portions 41 of the holder 4. The outer surfaces of the projecting portions 41 of the holder are made almost flush with the outline of the frame 7 or are made somewhat inside the frame outline. With this configuration, the frame thickness is reduced, and tolerance dimensions in assembling the frame and the holder need not be taken into account, thus making it possible to reduce the outline size of the display device.
US07705927B2 Pixel structure having a second TFT electrically connected to a coupling electrode formed over and electrically insulated from the data line
A pixel structure including a scan line, a data line, a first sub-pixel, a coupling electrode and a second sub-pixel is provided. The first sub-pixel includes a first thin film transistor (TFT) and a first pixel electrode, and the first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line via the first TFT. The coupling electrode is disposed above the data line and electrically insulated from the data line. The second sub-pixel includes a second thin film transistor and a second pixel electrode. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second TFT, and the second TFT is electrically connected to the coupling electrode. When seeing an image from a slant direction, color shift of image can be solved by utilizing the pixel structure. Besides, a liquid crystal display panel having the described pixel structure is also provided.
US07705926B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the substrate wherein each of the pixel electrodes includes first and second sub-pixel electrodes, and a plurality of first data lines formed on the substrate, wherein a first data line of the plurality of first data lines does not overlap a first sub-pixel electrode and partially overlaps a second sub-pixel electrode of a pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes.
US07705925B2 Method of manufacturing an array substrate for use in a LCD device
A TFT array substrate has a substrate with a pixel region and a switching region. A gate line has both a gate electrode that extends into the switching region and a gate pad is formed on the substrate. A gate pad electrode is formed on the gate pad. A data line includes both a source electrode that extends from the data line into the switching region and a data pad. A data pad electrode is formed on the data pad. A drain electrode that is spaced apart from the source electrode is over the gate electrode. A gate insulation layer covers the gate electrode and the substrate. Semiconductor layers, including a pure amorphous silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer, and a protection layer extends over the source electrode, over the silicon layers, and over part of the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is formed on the pixel region. The pixel electrode contacts a side portion of the drain electrode. The TFT array substrate is fabricated using a back exposure.
US07705920B2 Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcast receiving system and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a broadcast signal having mobile service data and main service data multiplexed therein, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, wherein the FIC signaling information includes a current/next (C/N) indicator, and wherein the TPC signaling information includes FIC version information, and detecting ensemble configuration information of a current MH frame.
US07705919B2 Video processing device, video display device and video processing method therefor and program thereof
In the video processing device, a correction amount update determining unit determines whether to update a correction amount based on an input image obtained from an image input unit and when a cut point is detected or when the number of frames in a number of frames storing unit exceeds a fixed value, determines that update is required, and at this time, a correction amount obtaining unit obtains a new correction amount based on the input image. Then, if no cut point is detected, an amount of change of a correction amount in time is limited and the obtained result is recorded in a correction amount storing unit, and an image correcting unit conducts quality improving correction processing with respect to the input image based on a correction amount recorded in the correction amount storing unit and the image corrected is sent to an image output unit.
US07705918B2 Noise reduction apparatus and noise reduction method
According to one embodiment, a noise reduction apparatus includes a frame delay module, first and second impulse noise detectors, first and second impulse noise reducers, a motion detector, and a noise reducer. The frame delay module delays a video signal by one frame to obtain a frame delay video signal. The first and second impulse noise detectors detect impulse noise in the video signal and the frame delay video signal. The first impulse noise reducer generates a current frame video signal by reducing the impulse noise in the video signal. The second impulse noise reducer generates a previous frame video signal by reducing the impulse noise in the frame delay video signal. The motion detector detects motion amount from the current and previous frame video signals. The noise reducer reduces noise other than the impulse noise in the current frame video signal based on the motion amount.
US07705912B2 Method for processing a digital video signal
A method of decoding audio data, encoded in multiple DIF blocks in a Digital Video (DV) data stream, and outputting said audio data as a PCM frame, includes fetching a single Digital Interface Frame (DIF) block from the DV data stream. A first byte in the single DIF block is de-shuffled to determine its index (n) in the PCM frame. Each byte in the in the single DIF block is de-shuffled to determine its respective index (n) in the PCM frame. The de-shuffled data is written into the PCM frame for output if the present DIF block is the last in the present DV frame. Subsequent DIF blocks in the DV frame are processed in the manner described above.
US07705911B2 Image pick-up apparatus and image pick-up system
An image pick-up apparatus comprising an area sensor in which detecting elements are two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate, and a reference supply circuit, for supplying a reference voltage to the detecting elements, which comprises a regulator for regulating the reference voltage. A low-pass filter is arranged between the regulator and the detecting elements. The reference voltage is supplied through the low-pass filter from the reference supply circuit.
US07705910B2 Photographic device for obtaining a plurality of images at a time by rolling shutter method
A photographic device includes an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed. A vertical scan circuit selects horizontal drive lines of the image sensor in order. And a horizontal scan circuit reads out in order voltages due to electric charges from the pixels in the horizontal row which is selected by the vertical scan circuit. A plurality of optical lenses are arranged in a direction parallel to the vertical drive lines, and these optical lenses form images of the same photographic regions upon respective pixel regions which face them. The voltages due to electric charges are read out in order from the pixels, and a plurality of images are acquired with some time difference between them. The emission of light by a light source is controlled, so that photography in each of the pixel regions is performed in different photographic conditions.
US07705909B2 Camera module with improved leaf spring attachment
A camera module for small digital cameras and camera-equipped cellular phones includes a lens unit; a holder housing the lens unit and displaceable along an optical axis; a coil on the holder; a yoke and magnets in the yoke providing a magnetic field to the coil; a leaf spring for supporting the holder; and an imaging element below the lens unit. The leaf spring includes an outer annular portion attached to the yoke, an inner annular portion attached to the holder, and bridge portions coupled between the outer and inner annular portion to resiliently support the inner annular portion. Each bridge portion has an outer and an inner annular portion side base part, and extends between an inner peripheral edge of the outer annular portion and an outer peripheral edge of the inner annular portion, the outer annular portion welded to the top surface of the yoke.
US07705906B2 Image sensing apparatus and control method thereof and program for implementing the method
From image data for foreign substance detection obtained by an image sensing device that converts an optical image of an object into image data, correction data is created for correcting photographed image data in a case that normal image sensing is performed, and by correcting the photographed image data using the correction data, image data is obtained in which effects due to a foreign substance have been removed. In a case where a foreign substance removal operation, which removes a foreign substance affixed to an optical member, has been executed, the correction data is updated, so that correction of subsequent photographed image data using old correction data is prevented.
US07705894B2 Data processing apparatus and control method thereof with updating of unique identification information of a changed recorded file
A data recording apparatus holds device state information which is updated according to use of the apparatus and represents a use state of the apparatus, and device identification information unique to the apparatus. Upon recording data, the data recording apparatus acquires information associated with generation of recording data, which is different from the device state information, as recording information, in association with the recording data. The apparatus generates unique identification information of the recording data based on the device identification information, the device state information, and the recording information, and records a file including the recording data and the unique identification information in a recording medium.
US07705888B2 System for changing setup of first device that executes predetermined function by second device and these devices
The user of an objective device registers a favorite setup of the objective device in a user setup data recording device in correspondence with user information based on a physical feature. Upon detecting the physical feature of the user, the objective device sends its device ID to the user setup data recording device together with the user information based on the physical feature. The user setup data recording device sends setup data of the objective device, which is set in advance by the user, to the objective device on the basis of the received user information and device ID. The objective device changes its setup on the basis of the received setup data.
US07705883B2 Systems and methods of anti-aliasing with image stabilizing subsystems for cameras
Systems and method for implementing anti-aliasing with image stabilizing subsystems for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing motion of a camera, characterizing aliasing for an image being photographed by the camera, and moving at least one optical element in the camera during exposure of the image for both stabilizing and anti-aliasing the image.
US07705882B2 Device and system for enabling families to share in long haul truckers' travels
A portable hand-held device (20) has a camera (102) for use by a professional truck driver while on the road to allow pictures taken to be transmitted via a transceiver of the device through a cellular telephone network to an Internet site that is linked with the telephone network and that can be securely accessed via the Internet from a personal computer at the driver's home. Pictures from home can be uploaded to the site and when one is, an alert is issued to the driver. The device also includes a GPS (132) for enabling the site to display travel of the driver on a map.
US07705878B2 Method and apparatus to create a down-hole video log to transmit down-hole video data
A system for obtaining video data is provided, the system comprising a video camera positioned down a bore-hole to obtain a plurality of video frames wherein the plurality of video frames comprises sequential video frames, wherein each of the sequential video frames contains information, and wherein a portion of the information of each of the sequential video frames comprises new information not found on a previous sequential video frame. The system also comprises a data extractor to extract information only from the portion comprising the new information from each sequential video frame.
US07705875B2 Display device, system, display method, and storage medium storing its program
A display device comprising includes an acquiring unit and a display unit. The acquiring unit acquires information about a conference from a storage device that stores conference information. The display unit creates an icon being representative of a feature of the conference and also a table, and displays the icon on the table corresponding to the conference. The display unit creates the icon and the table based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit.
US07705869B2 Light shielding member, a line head and an image forming apparatus using the line head
A line head, includes: a head substrate that includes a plurality of light emitting element groups as groups of light emitting elements; a lens array that includes a plurality of lenses each of which faces the corresponding light emitting element group in a first direction; and a light shielding member that is disposed between the head substrate and the lens array and includes a plurality of light shielding plates which are arranged side by side in the first direction while defining a space layer therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of light shielding plates is provided with a plurality of light guide holes penetrating in the first direction and facing the plurality of light emitting element groups in the first direction respectively, the plurality of light guide holes facing each of the light emitting element groups are arranged in the first direction respectively to form a plurality of light guide portions, and lights from the plurality of light emitting element groups are incident on the plurality of lenses through the plurality of light guide portions respectively.
US07705868B2 Light emitting array with improved characteristics, optical writing unit, and image forming apparatus
A light emitting array including at least a plurality of light emitting elements, each of which is provided thereon with a microlens in one-to-one correspondence. Light emitting portions of the light emitting element are provided having the shape of a rectangle and formed so as to satisfy the relational expression, Lmin≦D≦P, where Lmin is the length of the shorter side of the rectangle, P an alignment pitch of the light emitting elements, and D the diameter of microlens. In addition, light emitting elements are formed in line on a transparent thin film layer to satisfy the relationship, T1≦2·D2, where T1 is the thickness of the transparent thin film layer and D2 the diameter of each microlens. The light emitting array may suitably be included in the light source unit which is then incorporated into image forming apparatuses for forming mono-color or multiple-color images.
US07705866B2 Image forming apparatus with an image exposure unit light emission control feature
An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a charging unit for charging the image bearing member, and an image exposure unit including a light emitting portion for emitting light to form an electrostatic image. The image forming apparatus also includes a developing unit including a toner carrying member and a bias controlling unit for applying a bias voltage to the toner carrying member, the developing unit being effective to develop the electrostatic image with toner by a potential difference between the toner carrying member and the electrostatic image, a potential difference determining unit, and a storing unit for storing a light amount control value, corresponding to the potential difference, set on a basis of a light emission amount information inherent to the light emitting portion. The image exposure unit reads the light amount control value and controls the light amount based on the light amount control value.
US07705864B2 User selectable hardware zoom in a video display system
A display controller system is controlled to provide a display surface zoom using hardware scaling from user input at the operating system, application program or hardware level. User input defining coordinates of a frame portion within a frame buffer memory is obtained, and a resolution of the zoom display device is determined. An aspect ratio of the zoom portion defined by the user input is adjusted to correspond to the zoom display device resolution. The display controller system is programmed to implement the display surface zoom to provide a full screen view of the zoom portion on the zoom display device. In the display controller system, the zoom portion of the frame buffer memory is scaled, converted into a display signal and output.
US07705862B1 System and method for improved keystone correction
I describe and claim a system and method for improved keystone correction. The method comprising identifying input values associated with an image projected on the projection surface, the input values including one or more center-points on edges of a distorted projection of the image and including a plurality of corners within the distorted projection of the image, the corners corresponding to an undistorted projection of the image, determining one or more keystone scaling values responsive to the identifying, and predistorting the image responsive to the determining, the predistorted image exhibiting no distortion and aligning with the plurality of corners when projected on the projection surface.
US07705860B2 Full scale video with overlaid graphical user interface and scaled image
The present disclosure relates to displaying full scale images with overlaid similar scaled images and a graphical user device in a display of a client device. The client device receives video streams of the full scale images and scaled images. The video streams are broadcast independent of one another, and a user of the client device may manipulate the format of the images of either or both streams, and/or place the scaled image on any portion of the full scaled image. The graphical user interface is placed so it does not obscure the scaled image. Alternatively a single video stream may be received by the client device. When a single video stream is received, the client device creates two video streams, one stream comprising full scale images and the other stream comprising scaled images. The full scale image is overlaid with the scaled image and the graphical user interface.
US07705858B2 Techniques for displaying digital images on a display
A method and apparatus for displaying digital images on a display is provided. A pile of images that includes a plurality of images arranged in a first arrangement in which at least one image in the pile overlaps with at least one other image in the pile is displayed. Location data that indicates the location of each image in the first arrangement is stored. In response to first user input while the images of the pile are displayed in the first arrangement, without changing the location data, the images that belong to the pile are displayed in a second arrangement in which no image in the pile overlaps with any other image of the pile. In response to second user input while the images of the pile are displayed in the second arrangement, the pile of images are redisplayed in the first arrangement based on the location data.
US07705854B2 Overlap density (OD) heatmaps and consensus data displays
Systems and methods that generate or provide overlap displays of multiple sets of data in a manner that advantageously simplifies trend visualization in large sets of data. A two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or greater-dimensional occurrence count array is generated for a plurality of similar data sets. Each element in the array is a number of times a corresponding vector of data values occurs in the plurality of N data sets, wherein each array element corresponds to a discrete interval of data values. Once the array has been generated, a graphical display of overlap density may be generated by comparing a desired degree of overlap with the value of each array element. Those array elements having values that satisfy the desired degree of overlap are rendered, as a display object, using one or more colors, shades and/or patterns representing varying degrees of overlap.
US07705851B2 Multiple-level graphics processing system and method
A multiple-level graphics processing system and method (e.g., of an operating system) for providing improved graphics output including, for example, smooth animation. One such multiple-level graphics processing system comprises two components, including a tick-on-demand or slow-tick high-level component, and a fast-tick (e.g., at the graphics hardware frame refresh rate) low-level component. In general, the high-level, less frequent component performs computationally intensive aspects of updating animation parameters and traversing scene data structures, in order to pass simplified data structures to the low-level component. The low-level component operates at a higher frequency, such as the frame refresh rate of the graphics subsystem, to process the data structures into constant output data for the graphics subsystem. The low-level processing includes interpolating any parameter intervals as necessary to obtain instantaneous values to render the scene for each frame of animation.
US07705848B2 Method of identifying semantic units in an electronic document
A method of identifying semantic units in an electronic document includes the steps of: providing an electronic document being described in a page description language, the document having at least one page having a plurality of text fragments, each text fragment including a plurality of glyphs that have not been identified as semantic units, the document further including geometric information and page description language parameters; determining strips of at least one glyph by comparing the geometric position of subsequent glyphs; determining zones of at least one strip wherein a zone is defined by the combined area of strips, the geometrical areas of which overlap with each other; determining a boundary between two semantic units in a zone based on the geometric properties of the glyphs; sorting the identified semantic units in the zone in a sorted list; and, combining subsequent semantic units in the sorted list according to geometric considerations.
US07705846B1 Processing high numbers of independent textures in a 3-D graphics pipeline
Circuits, methods, and apparatus provide for the storage of texture descriptors in a graphics memory. Since the texture descriptors are stored in a graphics memory, they do not need to be stored in the graphics processor itself, thus reducing graphics processor circuitry and cost. This allows more textures to be associated with each graphics primitive, thereby improving image realism.
US07705845B1 Clipping graphics primitives with deferred derivation of vertex attributes
Apparatus, system, and method for clipping graphics primitives are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes a clipping engine and an output unit connected to the clipping engine. The clipping engine is configured to clip an input graphics primitive with respect to a set of clipping planes to derive spatial attributes of new vertices. The output unit is configured to identify a subset of the new vertices that defines an output graphics primitive, and the output unit is configured to derive non-spatial attributes of the subset of the new vertices to produce the output graphics primitive.
US07705844B2 Image display device, portable terminal device, display panel and image display method using the same
A three-dimensional image/two-dimensional image display device includes a plurality of display pixels, and a lenticular lens for three-dimensional display. Each display pixel is consisted of M×N number of sub-pixels to be viewed from N view points. A pitch a of sub-pixels arranged in the longitudinal direction of ridge projection of the lenticular lens and a pitch b of the sub-pixels arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens satisfy the following expression. The M×N number of sub-pixels included in each of said display pixels are formed within a square area. a:b=N:1
US07705843B2 Electric circuit, latch circuit, display apparatus and electronic equipment
In order to perform operations securely, a high potential power supply is connected to a gate electrode of a P-type TFT to which data signals are input. Similarly, a low potential power supply is connected to a gate electrode of an N-type TFT. Thus, a TFT to which data signals are input can be turned OFF during a non-operating period. Switch TFT's are provided between the high potential power supply and the P-type TFT and between the low potential power supply and the N-type TFT so as to turn the TFT OFF as required. Similarly, Switch TFT's are provided between a data signal input terminal and a P-type TFT and between a data signal input terminal and an N-type TFT such that a data signal can be input thereto as required. The switching is controlled by using a latch signal and an inverse latch signal. Therefore, a latch circuit without a level shifter can be produced which can operate with stability.
US07705841B2 Display system and method for embeddedly transmitting data signals, control signals, clock signals and setting signals
A display system includes a display panel, a timing controller, a plurality of source drivers and an EDDS interface. The control signals, the clock signals and the setting signals generated by the timing controller are embedded as protocols into the data signals. The embedded signals are then transmitted from the timing controller to each source driver via a corresponding pair of differential data lines of the EDDS interface. The decoders of the source drivers can then decode the embedded signals for generating corresponding driving signals for the display panel.
US07705840B2 Display panels
Display panels capable of eliminating reliability issues due to high switching frequency. The display panel comprises a data driver outputting first, second, third and fourth data signals in sequence through a data line, a scan driver outputting first and second scan signals in sequence through first and second scan lines and an auxiliary driver generates first and second auxiliary signals in sequence, and first and second display cells commonly receives the first scan signal through the first scan line and receives the first and the second data signal through the data line, and a first switch is coupled to the data line and the second display cell, turning on and off in sequence according to the first auxiliary signal when the first scan signal is applied thereto such that the second and the first display cells receive the first and the second data signals in sequence.
US07705837B2 System and method for alarming for misplaced computer tablet pen
A computer tablet includes a wireless receiver, and a pen is configured to be manipulated by a person to ride against the computer tablet and thereby provide input to the computer tablet. The pen includes a wireless transmitter. A processor associated with the computer tablet outputs an alarm when a signal from the transmitter of the pen is not sensed by the computer tablet within a time period.
US07705836B2 Touch panel device
A plurality of excitation elements are disposed on two facing sides of a quadrilateral detection range in a non-piezoelectric substrate, and a plurality of receiving elements are disposed on the other two sides of the detection range so as to face the excitation elements respectively. Surface acoustic waves are transmitted from the respective plurality of excitation elements in two diagonal directions of the detection range respectively, and the surface acoustic waves from the two diagonal directions are received by the respective receiving elements, so that a position of an object in contact with the substrate is detected based on received results in the receiving elements.
US07705833B2 Display device and method of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal and its display method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the mobile terminal includes a display unit of a touch screen type divided into at least one of first and second display regions; and a controller that performs a particular function or re-adjusts a divisional boundary between the first and second display regions according to a user's instruction sensed from the display unit, wherein the display unit displays a movable menu bar that partitions the first and second display regions.
US07705830B2 System and method for packing multitouch gestures onto a hand
A multi-touch system is disclosed that compares finger arrangements at the beginning of multi-touch gestures and discriminates between neutral- and spread-hand performances. Gestures by the neutral- and spread-hand versions of each chord are then mapped to separate, but intuitively related cursor functions or sets of commands. Less-frequently performed functions and commands are typically assigned to the spread-hand chord, since spreading the hand from neutral takes deliberate effort. With these neutral and spread distinctions, a two-handed gesture set can be packed into a one-handed touch surface, or for two-handed touch surfaces, twice as many intuitively customizable gesture command sets can be accommodated.
US07705826B2 Flexible video displays and their manufacture
A flat panel display has a linear array of switchable light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) to emit bands of light across the display, providing a light pattern programmable at video frequencies and a two-dimensional electropolymeric shutter array to convert the light pattern into a video image. The light pattern can be varied or controlled spatially, with respect to both hue and intensity, by suitable drive signals, at points along the array determined by the location of individual LEDs, or groups of LEDs, and temporally as the shutters in the array are opened and closed to provide a pleasing full color gamut for every pixel in the display. Closed shutters, displaying a reflective appearance, can be employed for background or other effects. The shutter array can be flexibly constructed and supported on a flexible substrate to provide a flexible display.
US07705824B2 Apparatus for displaying drawings
A first apparatus for displaying drawings comprises a housing having an aperture, a drawing sheet comprising electro-optic material movable through the aperture between closed and open positions, and a writing device for writing on the sheet as it moved between its closed and open positions. A second apparatus comprises a display member having a viewing surface, support means for supporting this display member above a floor, an electro-optic medium disposed on the display member, and a movable writing head for writing on the electro-optic medium. Another display comprises an optic medium with two display states visible through a viewing surface. A touch screen is disposed on the opposed side of the optic medium from the viewing surface, and the optic medium is deformable such that pressure applied to the viewing surface will be transmitted to the touch screen.
US07705821B2 Driving method using divided frame period
A driving method of a display device for performing time-division gray scale display is disclosed, which is capable of inputting accurate data into a panel by using one memory. M groups each having a pair of a first period and a second period are provided in one frame period. Video signals are written into a memory in the first period of at least one group among the m groups, while video signals are read out from the memory in the respective second periods of the m groups. The start timing of reading out video signals from the memory is synchronized with the start timing of each of the n sub-frame periods.
US07705820B2 Liquid crystal display of line-on-glass type
A line-on-glass type liquid crystal display device capable of preventing voltage differences between separate gate driver integrated circuits due to line resistances of LOG-signal line patterns includes a picture display area having a plurality of liquid crystal cells, gate driver integrated circuits for driving gate lines, line-on-glass type signal lines provided at an area outside the picture display area for applying driving signals to the gate driver integrated circuits, wherein each of the gate drive integrated circuits includes a gate input line resistor having a predetermined resistance value connected to each gate line. A resistance value of the gate input line resistors incrementally increases by a predetermined amount until a line resistance value of the line-on-glass type signal line connected between the gate driver integrated circuits is reached.
US07705818B2 Electro-optical device, signal processing circuit thereof, signal processing method thereof and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a plurality of scanning lines that extends in a row direction, a plurality of data lines that extends in a column direction, a plurality of pixels which are provided at intersections of the scanning lines and the data lines and whose gray-scale levels are designated by data signals supplied through the data lines, a common electrode that is provided so as to be opposite to pixel electrodes, a shift register that outputs sampling signals to sequentially select a plurality of blocks each composed of a plurality of the data lines, in a period where the scanning lines are selected, a sampling circuit that samples the data signals to the plurality of data lines belonging to the block selected by the sampling signal, respectively, a data signal supply circuit that changes the potential of the data signal into a higher level and a lower level than a predetermined potential in every predetermined period and then alternately outputs the potentials, and a correction circuit that superimposes, on the data signals, correction signals for correcting potential errors that are generated in the data lines belonging to each of the blocks, corresponding to the potentials of the data lines.
US07705814B2 Method and apparatus for driving liquid crystal display
A driving method and apparatus for a liquid crystal display uses a comparison between the previous frame and the current frame to expand the contrast ratio and reduce the manufacturing cost. A limited amount of data from the current image may be used: either using a limited area of the image or merely the amount of green in the overall image or the limited area. In the apparatus, an image signal modulator expands the contrast of the input data when the previous image is analogous to the current image to thereby generate output data. A timing controller re-arranges the output data to apply the output data to a data driver.
US07705812B2 Liquid crystal display device having a drive IC mounted on a flexible board directly connected to a liquid crystal panel
A liquid crystal display apparatus including a glass substrate having a liquid display part formed thereon and a plurality of flexible boards connected to a periphery of the glass substrate. The apparatus also includes a liquid crystal drive IC mounted on each of the flexible boards so as to generate liquid crystal drive signals based on input signals. Additionally, the glass substrate has first internal lines and second internal lines. The first internal lines supply the input signals supplied from a first one of the flexible boards to a second one of the flexible boards, and the second internal lines return the input signals supplied from the first one of the flexible boards back to the first one of the flexible boards without any change.
US07705810B2 Four-color data processing system
An organic electro-luminescent display (OELD) device for processing multi-color gray-scale data, comprises a four-color converting part for converting primary RGB gray-scale data into compensated RGBW gray-scale data by adding white gray-scale data to the primary RGB gray-scale data, a data driving part for processing the compensated RGBW gray-scale data provided from the four-color converting part to generate four-color signals in an analog type, a scan driving part for generating scan signals in sequence, and an OELD panel for emitting light with a color in response to the four-color signals from the data driving part and the scan signals from the scan driving part. The four-color converting part includes a gamma converting part for converting the primary RGB gray-scale data, a white extracting part for extracting a white color component from the gamma-converted RGB data, a data determining part for generating four-color RGBW data by subtracting the white color component from the gamma-converted RGB data and adding the white gray-scale data to the gamma-converted RGB data, and a reverse-gamma converting part for reverse-gamma converting the four-color RGBW data.
US07705808B2 Driving apparatus and driving method for an electron emission display
A driving apparatus, and a driving method for an electron emission display, includes a controller for comparing external video data input signals, switching a polarity control signal in a predetermined period on the basis of the comparison and controlling a video data output signal in accordance with the polarity control signal, and a data driver for modulating the video data signal output from the controller. The switching of the polarity control signal may be shifted temporally when the comparison indicates the video data input signals have the same gray level.
US07705802B2 Method for performing high-speed error diffusion and plasma display panel driving apparatus using the same
A method for diffusing errors in a display device. Each frame of an input video signal is separated into at least two independent subframes. An error diffusion process is applied to each subframe of at least two independent subframes. The errors transmitted reciprocally from subframes are partially mixed, and the error diffusion process is applied to the mixed errors at each independent subframe.
US07705800B2 Multi-angle mirror
Multi-angle mirror methods and related systems.
US07705794B2 Vehicle-mounted communication antenna
A vehicle-mounted communication antenna to be mounted on a vehicle for performing communication by an electromagnetic wave, includes an antenna body having an antenna case and an antenna element contained in the antenna case, and an antenna cover for protecting the antenna body that can transmit the electromagnetic wave.
US07705790B2 Antenna mounting method
A method of mounting an antenna assembly into computer apparatus including forming a mounting bracket on an interior surface of a housing of the computer apparatus, the mounting bracket including at least two upstanding surfaces defining a gap therebetween, and inserting a first portion of the antenna assembly into engagement with the mounting bracket and adhering a second portion of the antenna assembly to the interior surface.
US07705789B2 Portable wireless device
Herein disclosed is a portable wireless device, comprising: a first case 11 having a metal portion; a second case 12; a hinge portion 13 operative to rotatably connect the first case with the second case; a circuit board 18 having a ground pattern, the circuit board accommodated in the second case; and a feed portion connected to the circuit board, the hinge portion 13 having a rotating shaft 23 formed by a conductive metal, and the first case, the rotating shaft 23 and the ground pattern collectively function as an antenna element, wherein the portable wireless device further comprises a first conductor element 25 accommodated in the first case 11 in spaced-apart relationship with the rotating shaft 23 with a predetermined gap, the first conductor element having an electrical length substantially equal to a half wavelength of a wireless frequency.
US07705786B2 Antenna for mobile telephone handsets, PDAs, and the like
The present invention relates to an antenna structure comprising a dielectric pellet and a dielectric substrate with upper and lower surfaces and at least one groundplane, wherein the dielectric pellet is elevated above the upper surface of the dielectric substrate such that the dielectric pellet does not directly contact the dielectric substrate or the groundplane, and wherein the dielectric pellet is provided with a conductive direct feed structure. A radiating antenna component is additionally provided and arranged so as to be excited by the dielectric pellet. Elevating the dielectric antenna component so that it does not directly contact the groundplane or the dielectric substrate significantly improves bandwidth of the antenna as a whole.
US07705785B2 Antenna patch arrays integrally formed with a network thereof
An antenna has a plurality of metallic patches and a feed network both being spaced apart from a ground plate at different levels to obtain better radiation pattern and gain effects. Each of the metallic patches has a body with an outer edge from which an inclined wing extends upwardly and outwardly. Furthermore, the metallic patches and the feed network are integrally formed by bending a single piece of metal plate, thus the antenna improves the design flexibility and also simplifies the production process.
US07705783B2 Slot-strip antenna apparatus for a radio device operable over multiple frequency bands
A hybrid slot-strip antenna apparatus, and an associated methodology, for a multi-mode mobile station or other radio device. The antenna is formed of a plurality of slot-strips disposed upon a printed circuit board, or other substrate. The antenna is defined by width and length design parameters, the selections of which are determinative of the antenna functionality. Through appropriate selection of the design parameters, the antenna is operable, that is, resonant, at each of the frequency bands of the multi-mode mobile station.
US07705781B2 Histogram for ambiguity visualization and evaluation (HAVE)
A method is provided for constructing a histogram to represent the root-mean-squared phase differences for a signal received at pairs of elements in an array. A pair-wise element phase difference (“PEP”) between a signal received at an angle of arrival θ1 and a signal received at an angle of arrival θ2 are determined. The difference ΔΨ between the differential phase measurements at θ1 and θ2 is computed. The process is repeated for all unique pairs of angles (θ1, θ2) from 0 to 359 degrees and the results are summed over all PEPs to calculate the root mean squared phase difference √{square root over (ΔΨ2(θ1,θ2))} between two different angles of arrival θ1 and θ2. A two-dimensional histogram is created by pairing the measurements √{square root over (ΔΨ2)} and Δθ, where Δθ=θ2−θ1. The histogram can be used to determine whether a particular array is ambiguous to facilitate design of an array that can resolve and/or minimize ambiguities and so provide more accurate information regarding the source of a received signal.
US07705777B2 Mobile multifrequency transmitter transmitting on frequencies based on geographic locations and a method thereof
A mobile multifrequency transmitter includes a self-locator, a frequency selector, and a communication unit. The self-locator is configured to determine a current self location without transmitting an outgoing signal, and to provide the self location to the multifrequency transmitter. The frequency selector is configured to select a usable frequency based on the current self location. The communication unit is configured to transmit on said selected usable frequency. A mobile communication method includes the steps of obtaining a current self location from a self-locator without transmitting an outgoing signal, looking up in a database an allowable frequency band corresponding to the current self location, and transmitting on the allowable frequency band. Thus, the mobile multi-frequency transmitter is capable of handling an automatic frequency switchover without the need for higher level cellular direction.
US07705773B2 Self-calibrating a radar altimeter based on a simulated return signal
Systems and methods for performing self calibration of a radar altimeter. An example system includes a first component that generates a simulated return signal based on one or more range values. A transmitter generates a transmission radar signal and a receiver processes the simulated return signal based on the transmission radar signal. A second component determines one or more calibration factors based on the processed simulated return signal and ideal return signal characteristics. The transmission radar signal is a fixed frequency signal and the first component includes a programmable frequency divider that creates at least on sideband of a known signal. A third component determines if the radar system is in at least one of a calibration mode or normal mode of operation. If the radar system is determined to be in a normal mode of operation, a fourth component applies the determined calibration factors to actual radar return signals.
US07705766B2 Synthetic aperture radar
A method of operating synthetic aperture radar in a low PRF mode, comprising generating a stream of radar pulses, imposing onto said stream a predetermined modulation of the Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF), directing said stream to a target area, and processing received pulses, comprising separating the received pulses as a sequence of sets, and superposing received radar pulses of said sets, whereby to enhance the central received lobe and to attenuate side lobes.
US07705764B2 Method of algorithmic analog-to-digital conversion and algorithmic analog-to-digital converter
Provided are a method of algorithmic analog-to-digital conversion and an algorithmic Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). The algorithmic ADC includes a Multiplying Digital-to-Analog Converter (MDAC). The MDAC includes a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) for converting a first digital signal into an analog signal, a subtractor for calculating a difference between the signal output from the DAC and an analog signal input from a first Sample and Hold Amplifier (SHA), an amplifier for amplifying the difference, a first capacitor unit connected with an output end of the first SHA and an input end of the amplifier through a first switching unit, a second capacitor unit connected with the input end and an output end of the amplifier through a second switching unit, and a third capacitor unit connected with the input end and the output end of the amplifier through a third switching unit.
US07705763B2 A-D convert apparatus
Provided is an AD conversion apparatus including a bit selecting section that sequentially selects conversion target bits of the output data, from an upper bit downward; a data control section that outputs comparison data determining a value of the conversion target bit, each time a conversion target bit is selected; a DA converting section that outputs an analog comparison signal corresponding to the comparison data; a timing generating section that outputs a comparison control signal ordering comparison initiation; a changing section that changes a timing of the comparison control signal according to a bit position of the conversion target bit, such that the timing of the comparison initiation indicated by the comparison control signal is later for higher conversion target bits; a comparing section that begins comparing the input signal to the comparison signal at the comparison initiation timing indicated by the comparison control signal having the timing changed by the changing section; and a completion detecting section that outputs a completion signal causing the bit selecting section to select a next conversion target bit, after the comparing section has output the comparison result.
US07705753B2 Methods, systems and computer-readable media for compressing data
An approach is described for the compression of input data, and particularly one which is suited for providing a lossless method for compressing random input data. Both a compression algorithm is described, as well as a decompression algorithm for restoring the original uncompressed data. The decompression algorithm allows for its parameters to be adjusted to suit one's needs as they relate, for example, to the ratio of compression as a function of the decompression speed.
US07705752B2 Character input apparatus and method for mobile communications terminal
A method for inputting characters on a terminal, which includes displaying virtual character sets on a display screen of the terminal, in which each of the virtual character sets includes a plurality of virtual characters corresponding to physical keys included on a keypad of the terminal. The method also includes selecting a particular virtual character set among the displayed virtual character sets, and selecting a particular virtual character from the selected virtual character set.
US07705749B2 Alert device
An alert device for a vehicle includes a communications receiver for receiving file fragments for the device, a positioning data receiver for providing vehicle location data, a microcontroller system including a microcontroller and a programmable non-volatile memory system, for building and storing application and data files from the fragments, and executing an alert application of the device by processing at least one application file and associated data identified by configuration instructions included in at least one of the fragments to provide alert data for the vehicle corresponding to the location of the vehicle determined by the application on the basis of the vehicle location data.
US07705744B2 Monitoring systems and methods for monitoring the condition of one or more components of an electrical device
Methods and systems for monitoring a component of an electrical device and/or a brush of a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes receiving data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations at a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes or other components of an electrical device at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a component of an electrical device may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison or visual observation, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush or other component, such as a threshold and/or anomalous condition of the brush or other component.
US07705743B2 Self-assembling wireless network, vehicle communications system, railroad wheel and bearing monitoring system and methods therefor
A low power self-organizing network is made up of a plurality of wireless communication nodes communicating wirelessly with each other. The nodes each have a sensor providing a respective sensor data value indicative of a physical parameter in the environment of that node. The wireless network discontinues communication with any nodes in which the sensor data value is outside a range of network sensor data values. The network is preferably a group of vehicles moving together, especially a train in which each node is associated with a respective wheel of a railroad car. The nodes are low-power devices that communicate using wireless communications according to a Zigbee protocol. The nodes each have an additional sensor sensing a physical parameter the respective wheel thereof and determines from said electrical signal a degree of degradation of a bearing of the wheel, and transmits data of the degree of degradation to the main node. The main node communicates with another computer system using a higher power communication system and transmits thereto data indicative of degradation of said bearings.
US07705742B1 System and methodology providing coordinated and modular conveyor zone control
The present invention relates to conveyor control system and methodology that may be operatively coupled with other such systems in order to implement a control strategy for a modular conveyor system. A module and/or series of modules are provided that clamp to a cable, the modules having associated logic and inter-module communications for control. This includes relatively inexpensive power distribution, interconnection and motion logic for industrial conveyor systems.
US07705739B2 Integrated airborne substance collection and detection system
A collection and detection system is directed to a combined system in which a detect to warn system is integrated with a detect to treat system. Such a combined system provides multi-levels of detection to determine the presence and identity of one or more different types of specific particles. In some applications, the combined system is configured to detect and identify one or more different types of specific biological particles such as toxins and pathogens. The combined system includes a first level detection device, in which the presence of one or more toxins and/or pathogens are detected, and a second level detection device. Upon detection by the first level detection device, the second level detection device performs a second level of detection in which the one or more toxins and/or pathogens are identified.
US07705735B2 Method and system for agricultural data collection and management
Agricultural data collection and management, such as for tracking a product in a supply chain. A data collection interface is established between a first supply management device and a transaction database, the data collection interface providing the transaction database with access to identification data and event data, the identification data uniquely identifying the product, and the event data relating to a supply chain process step for the product. A product tracking request for formatted identification data and/or event data is received from a second supply management device. A data conversion interface is established between the second supply management device, and the identification data and/or the event data, the data conversion interface providing the second supply management device with access to the identification data and/or the event data, according to the product tracking request.
US07705732B2 Authenticating an RF transaction using a transaction counter
A system and method for securing a Radio Frequency (RF) transaction using a RF identification device (RFID) transaction device is provided. RFID transaction device includes a transactions counter for tallying the number of transactions attempted or completed with the RFID transactions device. Counter value is used to create a RFID device authentication tag for use in validating the RFID device. A RFID reader, interacting with the RFID device, provides a random number to the RFID device which may be used in the RFID device authentication tag creation and validation. RFID reader may also use counter value and random number to create a RFID reader authentication key useful for validating RFID reader. RFID transaction device may include an encryption key for creating RFID transaction device authentication tag. Likewise, RFID reader may include a RFID reader encryption key for creating RFID reader authentication tag.
US07705729B2 Surveillance system and method
A plurality of modules interact to form an adaptive network in which each module transmits and receives data signals indicative of proximity of objects. A central computer accumulates the data produced or received and relayed by each module for analyzing proximity responses to transmit through the adaptive network control signals to a selectively-addressed module to respond to computer analyses of the data accumulated from modules forming the adaptive network.
US07705724B2 Augmented security system
A system for augmenting security sensor accuracy and reduction of false alarm signals. The system includes the security sensor system along with an external sensor system for measuring the effect of environmental conditions on the security sensors and further includes a sensor data augmentation component to adjust the sensitivity of the security sensors according to measured environmental conditions. Weather sensors and video sensors are two preferred external sensor systems.
US07705723B2 Method and apparatus to provide outbreak notifications based on historical location data
A method and apparatus to collect user location data over time, correlating user location data with outbreak data. The method and apparatus further comprising an alert mechanism to indicate to a user if there was a potential exposure.
US07705707B2 Bistable microelectronic switch stack
A stack for a bistable microelectronic switch. A porphyrin compound and a conductive polymer are sandwiched between two electrodes. The device exhibits a switching behavior at a certain voltage and can be used in arrays to form a memory device. When a first voltage is applied between the electrodes, the resistance across the two electrodes is very high, and when a increased voltage is applied, the resistance is generally two orders of magnitude lower. Copper phthalocyanine or 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21H, 23H-porphine cobalt(II) can be used as the bistable compound, and poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly-(styrenesulphonic acid) can be used as the conductive polymer.
US07705706B2 Plug with replaceable fuse
A plug with a replaceable fuse is provided. The plug includes an outer housing, an inner core, a pair of prongs and a pair of conductive cords. The outer housing includes a fuse uninstall button opening and an inner core install opening. The inner core is installed into the outer housing through the inner core install opening, and the inner core includes a fuse socket and a fuse uninstall button. The fuse socket has an uninstall opening. When it is intended to replace the fuse, the fuse uninstall button is pressed from the fuse uninstall button opening, the fuse is ejected or pushed out of the fuse socket by one end of the fuse uninstall button extending to the uninstall opening. When the fuse uninstall button is not pressed, the fuse uninstall button restores to the original position, such that a new fuse is installed into the fuse socket.
US07705704B2 Inductor structure
An inductor structure disposed over a substrate and including a coil layer is provided. The coil layer has a plurality of coil turns electrically connected with each other. An innermost coil turn of the coil layer has a portion with a narrower width in a region with a higher magnetic flux density than that in the other region with lower magnetic flux density.
US07705703B2 Signal distributing inductor
A signal distribution inductor is suitable to be adsorbed by a surface mounting technology (SMT) apparatus. The signal distribution inductor includes a base, a separated iron-core, and a plurality of induction coils. The separated iron-core includes a first induced body and a second induced body, wherein the first induced body and the second induced body are provided at the base. The first induced body and the second induced body are joined together to form a joining surface through which the signal distribution inductor is adsorbed by the SMT apparatus. In addition, the first induced body has a first through hole, and the second induced body has a second through hole. The induction coils are wound on the first induced body, the second induced body and the base through the first through hole, the second through hole.
US07705700B2 Relay with overtravel adjustment
An electromagnetic relay has an overtravel adjustment to set the gap in the contact arrangement. The armature is actuated by a relay coil and linked to a pusher to drive the pusher to operate the contact system. The pusher includes a rotary dial disposed in a slot on the pusher adjacent to the armature. The rotary adjustment increases or decreases a gap of the contacts to provide an over-travel adjustment. The pusher includes bifurcated tines defining the slot for receiving an armature linkage and the rotary adjustment. The rotary adjustment includes a head and a post depending from the head. The post is disposed within the slot and the head portion in contact with the armature linkage portion. The rotary adjustment sets the distance between the forward edge and the armature to achieve the desired overtravel for the contact arrangement.
US07705697B2 Waveguide coupler
Conventionally, waveguide terminals formed in a plurality of dielectric substrates are joined together by mounting the dielectric substrates on carriers and fastening them to a waveguide adapter with screws. In the present invention, to reduce cost and improve machinability, a plurality of solders 7 are disposed around the waveguide terminal 2b formed in one dielectric substrate 1b, and the other dielectric substrate 1a having the waveguide terminal 2a is placed across the solders 7 to thereby connect the waveguide terminals by soldering.
US07705695B2 Composite via structures and filters in multilayer printed circuit boards
A composite via structure in a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and also compact and shielded filters formed by the use of composite via structures as building blocks are provided. The composite via structure consists of two functional parts. The first functional part is designed to form an interconnected circuit with low return and leakage losses between the first pad disposed at the one side of the PCB and the special pad serving for a connection to a planar transmission line. The second functional part of the composite via structure serves to form a shielded open- or short-circuited resonant length (stub) extended in the vertical direction from the special pad to the second pad disposed at the opposite side of the PCB.
US07705691B2 Capacitor interconnection
A substrate for power decoupling and a method of forming a substrate for power decoupling. The substrate comprises one or more decoupling capacitors; and one or more interconnections to the decoupling capacitors. At least one of the interconnections comprises a lossy material.
US07705685B2 Low-voltage oscillator with capacitor-ratio selectable duty cycle
An oscillator operates at a very low voltage yet has a duty cycle that is set by a ratio of capacitors that are charged and discharged. Sub-threshold p-channel transistors conduct sub-threshold currents below the normal threshold voltage, and drive set and reset inputs of a set-reset S-R latch. The S-R latch drives the oscillator outputs. The oscillator outputs feed back to charging p-channel transistors that charge one plate of the capacitors. During half of the cycle, the charging p-channel transistor is off, allowing one plate of the capacitors to discharge through an n-channel discharge transistor. After a period of discharge determined by the capacitance of the capacitor, the gate of a sub-threshold p-channel transistor falls enough for sub-threshold current to flow, triggering the set or reset input of the S-R latch. Since sub-threshold currents are needed to toggle the S-R latch, the oscillator begins to oscillate below the threshold voltage.
US07705680B2 Gain switching low-noise amplifier circuit
In a gain switching LNA including a first transistor, a first transistor group (for example, second to ninth transistors) and a second transistor group (for example, tenth to seventeenth transistors), a first resistor connected between an emitter of the tenth transistor and a collector of the first transistor and a second resistor connected to emitters of eleventh to seventeenth transistors and the collector of the first transistor and having a resistance one seventh as high as that of the first resistor are provided. In a high-gain mode, since isolation of the tenth to seventeenth transistors which are turned OFF and the first and second to ninth transistors is secured by the first resistor and the second resistor, there is no deterioration in the noise factor.
US07705676B2 Class D amplifier arrangement
An amplifier arrangement for operation at supply voltages of at least 100V and at output powers of at least 1 kW includes a half-bridge formed from two switching elements connected in series, two supply voltage terminals, and an output connection between the switching elements. A bypass capacitor is in parallel with the switching elements, and a current path is through the switching elements and the bypass capacitor, where the current path has a length of 10 cm or less, the half-bridge and the bypass capacitor are arranged on an area of 30 cm2, and a resonant circuit formed by capacitances and inductances in the current path has a resonance frequency of 100 MHz or greater.
US07705673B2 Over-current sensing during narrow gate drive operation of class D output stages
Two transistors of a class D output stage are driven by complementary, variable duty cycle signals PWM+ and PWM−. When the pulse width of the PWM+ signal becomes too narrow for reliable operation of prior art over-current protection circuits sensing the drain to source voltage of FET1 driven by PWM+, a Narrow Pulse Detector generates a signal indicative of this narrow pulse condition. A Negative Current Sense circuit measures the drain to source voltage across FET2 during the much longer conduction time of FET2 driven by PWM−. Because of the energy stored in the series inductor coupled to the output of the class D stage, a negative current flows through this FET2 during its conduction time. The resulting drain to source voltage of FET2 is measured and compared to a threshold. If the voltage indicative of current is over the threshold, and the Narrow Pulse Detector output indicates a narrow pulse condition, then an inhibit signal is generated which reduces current. A second Negative Current Sense circuit is utilized to similarly detect over-current conditions when the pulse width of PWM− becomes too narrow for reliable operation of prior art over-current protection circuits, thus protecting both FETs in the class D output stage from excessive current.
US07705672B1 Buck converters as power amplifier
An amplifier circuit comprising an input unit for maintaining a linearly amplified replica of the main input signal receives the main input signal and outputs a first output signal, which is the linearly amplified replica of the main input signal. The amplifier circuit further comprising a modulator controller that outputs a mutually exclusive first and second modulated signals from a respective first and second portion of the linearly amplified replica of the main input signal only when the input unit receives the main input signal. The first and the second modulator signals drive a voltage converter, with the voltage converter driving a respective first portion of a load and a second portion of the load. The amplifier circuit further includes a feedback unit for correction of a main output signal in relation to the main input signal.
US07705670B2 Wide-range and high-resolution programmable gain amplifier
A first gain stage and a second gain stage having different gains are linked in cascade to construct a wide range and high resolution programmable gain amplifier. The second gain stage can be used only for low gain and low power consumption. Furthermore, two pairs of chopper circuits are used to shift flicker noise when the programmable gain amplifier is operated.
US07705669B2 Preamplifier and method for calibrating offsets therein
A preamplifier includes cascade-connected amplifying circuits, and at least one of the cascade-connected amplifying circuits includes a differential switch pair circuit, a comparator and energy storing elements. The differential switch pair circuit has a pair of differential inputs and a pair of differential outputs. The comparator outputs a comparison signal by comparing the differential outputs. The energy storing elements are respectively and selectively coupled to one of the differential outputs based on the comparison signal to adjust potential of the differential outputs. A method for calibrating offsets in a preamplifier is also disclosed herein.
US07705667B2 Filter adjusting circuit
A filter adjusting circuit, has: a filter circuit which has a circuit configuration operating as an n-th order filter including n (n≧1) integrators and can switch a connection of the circuit configuration to operate as a circuit equivalent to the n integrators; a signal generating circuit that outputs a first signal having a predetermined reference frequency to the filter circuit, and outputs a second signal having the reference frequency; a phase comparator that compares a phase of a third signal and a phase of the second signal and determines a phase shift between the signals, the third signal being obtained by processing the first signal in the filter circuit and outputted from the filter circuit; and a control circuit controls the filter circuit.
US07705665B2 Digital tuning circuit of GM-C filter
Provided is a tuning circuit of a Gm (transconductance)-C (capacitance) filter. The tuning circuit tunes a transconductance using direct current incorporating variations of a capacitance, instead of a clock signal, in a Gm tuning mode, while using the clock signal in a capacitance tuning mode. As such, it is possible to prevent deterioration of a received signal caused by the clock signal.
US07705661B2 Current control apparatus applied to transistor
The present invention provides a current control apparatus applied to a transistor. The transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The current control apparatus includes a current control module, a first current mirror module, a second current mirror module, a current subtractor, and a current adjusting module. The current control apparatus provided by the present invention can be applied to a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) to prevent temperature measurement errors from occurring when using a dual current mode temperature measurement method to measure the temperature of the BJT.
US07705656B2 Leakage current detection circuit and leakage current comparison circuit
A leakage current measurement circuit measuring a substrate leakage current and a gate leakage current in response to a variation in the size of an MOS transistor and a leakage current comparison circuit judging which one of the substrate leakage current and the gate leakage current is dominant. The leakage current measurement circuit includes a charge supply, a leakage current generator and a detection signal generator. The leakage current comparison circuit includes a charge supply, a leakage current comparator and a detection signal generator.
US07705655B2 Input buffer circuit
An input buffer circuit. In one embodiment, the input buffer circuit includes a first transistor operable to receive a first input signal, a second transistor operable to receive a second input signal, and a first mechanism coupled to the first transistor and to the second transistor. The first mechanism is operable to control the first and second transistors such that the first and second transistors can receive either single-ended input signals or differential input signals. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the input buffer combines single-ended input and differential input functionalities without compromising performance.
US07705653B2 System and method for providing a compatible signal to a medical device
An interface system delivers an output signal having a first signal characteristic in response to first and second input signals having the first signal characteristic and a second, different signal characteristic. The interface system includes a signal input for receiving a first signal having a first signal characteristic and a second signal having a second signal characteristic which is different from the first signal characteristic, a detector circuit for detecting whether the signal at the input is the first signal or the second signal, and a translator circuit for translating either of the first signal or the second signal into the output signal.
US07705651B2 Delay circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus
A delay circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus can include a clock period sensing unit for generating a sensing signal in response to a clock frequency, and a selective delay unit for delaying an input signal for a delay time and then output the input signal as an output signal, wherein the delay time can be one selected from a plurality of delay times according to the sensing signal. The delay time can be selectively determined according to a clock frequency used in a semiconductor memory apparatus.
US07705650B2 System and method for effectively implementing an IQ generator
A system and method for effectively implementing an IQ generator includes a master latch that generates an I signal and a slave latch that generates a Q signal. The master latch includes a master data circuit, a master latch circuit, and a master clock circuit. The slave latch includes a slave data circuit, a slave latch circuit, and a slave clock circuit. A cross-coupled current-source technique is used to compensate for certain device mismatches. A current source A generates an operating current A for the master clock circuit, the master data circuit, and the slave data circuit, and a current source B generates an operating current B for the slave clock circuit, the master latch, and the slave latch. In addition, resistors are utilized to provide fixed impedances to compensate for device mismatches between certain components in the master clock circuit and the slave clock circuit.
US07705648B1 Duty cycle detector with hysteresis
A circuit for monitoring a PWM signal and providing an output indicating a condition of the PWM signal. The circuit also uses condition based hysteresis to maintain an output value at a previous state until the condition of the PWM signal has remained unchanged for a given duration. In addition, the circuitry may be used in conjunction with a switching regulator to reduce switching noise during high duty cycle operation.
US07705646B2 Threshold correction circuit, integrated circuit with threshold correction function, and circuit board with threshold correction function
In order to monitor various types of noises which are to be introduced on signals through signal lines on a circuit board and automatically adjust the thresholds for signal state discriminations to make it possible to surely make a signal state discrimination without being affected by these noises even if the amplitude of a signal is reduced for higher-speed transmission and lowered electric power, there is provided a configuration comprising a signal generation unit generating a noise monitor signal; a noise monitor signal line receiving and propagating the noise monitor signal; a noise detection unit detecting a noise which has been introduced into that noise monitor signal propagated through the noise monitor signal line and which affects a state discrimination using a threshold; and a threshold adjustment unit, if the noise detection unit detects the noise, adjusting the threshold such that the state discrimination is not affected by the noise.
US07705645B2 Delay locked loop circuit
A delay element generates a delayed clock signal which transitions with a delay from a rising (or falling) of a reference clock signal by a delay amount determined based on an output of a loop filter. A signal generation circuit generates two signals which complementarily change according to rising and falling of the reference clock signal and a transition of the delayed clock signal. A charge pump circuit performs on the loop filter, according to these two signals, a push (or pull) operation during an interval extending from a rising (or falling) of the reference clock signal to the transition of the delayed clock signal and a pull (or push) operation during an interval extending from the transition of the delayed clock signal to a falling (or rising) of the reference clock signal.
US07705644B2 Broadband multi-phase output delay locked loop circuit utilizing a delay matrix
A broadband multi-phase output delay locked loop (DLL) circuit can be operated in a wide range of frequencies and generate various phases. Unlike conventional voltage control delay lines in which delay cells are connected in series, the DLL circuit utilizes a delay matrix in which a resistant network is used so that the number of delay cells connected in series is reduced, various phases can be outputted, and a delay interval error (phase error) due to the resistant network is minimized. The current of the delay cells is controlled so that the delay cells in the delay matrix can operate in a wide range of frequencies, and load capacitance values of capacitors connected in parallel in the delay cells can be controlled.
US07705641B2 Fast response phase-locked loop charge-pump driven by low voltage input
Phase-locked loop charge pump driven by low voltage input. In one aspect, a charge pump for a phase-locked loop circuit includes a sourcing current transistor providing a sourcing current, wherein the sourcing current transistor is coupled to a high-voltage operating voltage supply. A sourcing control circuit uses low-voltage sourcing control signals to selectively cause the charge pump to source the sourcing current to an output of the charge pump, and a sinking control circuit uses low-voltage sinking control signals to selectively cause the charge pump to sink the sinking current from the output.
US07705636B2 Buffer circuit which occupies less area in a semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a buffer circuit of a semiconductor memory device, and includes a common bias supply unit and a plurality of interface units having a differential amplifying structure. Each interface unit receives an input signal and differentially amplifies the input signal and a common bias. The common bias supply unit is driven by a reference voltage to provide the common bias signal to each of the interface units. The buffer circuit makes it possible to reduce the area occupied by the buffer circuit in a semiconductor memory device.
US07705631B2 Level shifter circuit
A level shifter comprises a voltage converting circuit, a voltage pull-up circuit, and a control signal generating circuit. The voltage converting circuit is configured to receive an input signal of a first voltage level and to output an output signal of a second voltage level. The voltage pull-up circuit is coupled to the voltage converting circuit and configured to expeditiously pull up a voltage of an output node of the level shifter to the second voltage level in response to a control signal. The control signal generating circuit is configured to receive the input signal and to provide the control signal to the voltage pull-up circuit. The control signal generating circuit includes three transistors.
US07705630B1 Negative voltage level shifter having simplified structure
A negative voltage level shifter having simplified structure includes a first inverter, a pass unit, a voltage-dividing unit, a second inverter, and a third inverter. The first inverter is powered with a positive supply voltage. Both the second and third inverters are powered with a negative supply voltage. The first inverter inverts an input signal for generating a first internal signal. The pass unit functions to forward the first internal signal to become a second internal signal when the first internal signal has a voltage greater than a threshold voltage. The voltage-dividing unit is employed to generate a third internal signal having a voltage divided from the negative supply voltage and the second internal signal. The second inverter inverts the third internal signal for generating a fourth internal signal. The third inverter inverts the fourth internal signal for generating an output signal.
US07705628B1 Programmable logic device having logic elements with dedicated hardware to configure look up tables as registers
A programmable logic device architecture having logic elements with dedicated hardware to configure the look up tables of the logic element to either perform logic functions or to operate as a register for pipelining or other purposes. The programmable logic device includes a general interconnect and a plurality of logic array blocks interconnected by the general interconnect. Each of the plurality of logic blocks further includes one or more logic elements. The logic elements each include a first look up table, a second look up table, and dedicated hardware within the logic element to configure the first look table and the second look up table as a register without having to use the general interconnect. In one embodiment, the dedicated hardware includes a plurality of dedicated interconnects within the logic element to configure the two look up tables as a pair of cross coupled muxes or latches when configured as a register.
US07705621B2 Test pattern and method of monitoring defects using the same
A test pattern includes a normal pattern, an abnormal pattern having predetermined defects, and a conductive line electrically connected to the normal pattern and electrically isolated from the abnormal pattern. Thus, a non-contact test process and a contact test process may be compatible with the single test pattern.
US07705612B2 Capacitance type sensor
A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1 to SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11 to E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15 to E18. Switches SW 11 to SW 15 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1 to E5 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1 to SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1 to SW4 is off, periodic signals are input only to the capacitance electrodes E1 to E4 corresponding to X- and Y-axial directions. When any of the switches SW1 to SW4 is on, a periodic signal is input only to the capacitance electrode E5 corresponding to a Z-axial direction.
US07705605B2 Voltage detecting apparatus
A voltage detecting apparatus for detecting a voltage of a direct current power source by using a capacitor, which can process an abnormal voltage without elongation of measuring time. When a voltage between both terminals of the capacitor is greater than a maximum voltage in normal condition, a micro-computer discharges the capacitor through a third switch and a fourth switch to earth until the voltage between both terminals of the capacitor reduces to be not larger than a voltage corresponding to a maximum rated current of a reset switch. When the voltage between both terminals reaches to be not larger than the voltage corresponding to the maximum rated current, the capacitor is rapidly discharged through the reset switch by controlling the reset switch to be closed.
US07705599B2 Buoy-based marine electromagnetic signal acquisition system
A sensor cable system for measuring electromagnetic response of the Earth's subsurface includes a sensor cable deployable on the bottom of a body of water. The sensor cable has a plurality of electromagnetic sensing devices thereon at spaced apart locations. A system control unit is in signal communication with the sensing elements. The system control unit includes a transceiver for communicating signals to and from a corresponding sensor cable system. The system control unit includes a global positioning system signal receiver. The system control unit includes a processor configurable to receive signals detected by sensing elements in the corresponding sensor cable system. The processor is configurable to compute stacked signals from the sensing elements in the sensor cable and from sensing elements in the corresponding system. The processor is configurable to calculate a statistical measure of the stacked signals. The system control unit is disposed in a flotation device.
US07705598B2 Systems and methods useful for detecting presence and / or location of various materials
The present invention provides systems and methods which can be employed to locate or detect presence of various materials, including nonferrous metals. These systems include new and useful sensors, circuits, systems and devices which power and/or interoperate with the sensors, and methods of making, operating and using such systems. Any or all of the systems, devices or processes can be combined with other systems, devices or processes disclosed.
US07705594B2 System and method for designing improved RF pulse profiles
A system and method are provided for designing RF pulses which have improved magnetization profiles. By utilizing an optimal control approach as an alternative to, or in combination with, non-iterative approximations, RF pulses generated by the system and method described herein will exhibit less deviation from that of “ideal” Bloch solutions. Consequently, the magnetization profiles produced by the RF pulses generated by the system and method described herein will be closer to the desired profiles. In addition, limitations of non-iterative approximations, such as maximum tip angle limits and linearity constraints, can be avoided.
US07705591B2 Radio frequency sensor systems, electromagnetic sensor arrays, and methods of manufacture
An embodiment includes a radio frequency (RF) sensor system having a plurality of magnetoresistive (MR) sensors, where each MR sensor includes a configuration of MR elements and is adapted to produce a time-varying output voltage in response to a time-varying, external magnetic field. The RF sensor system also includes combiner circuitry, electrically coupled to the plurality of MR sensors, and adapted to receive and combine a plurality of time-varying output voltages from the plurality of MR sensors to generate a sensor output voltage. Another embodiment includes an electromagnetic sensor array having a plurality of MR sensors arranged in an array configuration, where each MR sensor includes a plurality of MR elements forming a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and where each MR sensor is adapted to produce a time-varying output voltage in response to a time-varying, external magnetic field. Still another embodiment includes a method for manufacturing an electromagnetic sensor array.
US07705590B2 SQUID arrangement
The invention relates to a SQUID arrangement for measuring a change in a magnetic field, the change in the magnetic field being caused by a specimen that is arranged in a magnetization field and the SQUID arrangement including a direct current SQUID. In order to provide a simple design in which the losses in the magnetic flux are also simultaneously minimized, it is provided that the SQUID itself is embodied for generating the magnetization field.
US07705587B2 Irregular saturated pole position sensor
According to the invention, the position sensor is characterized in that the correction means (3) are achieved by at least one saturated magnetic pole, a so-called stabilization pole (Ps), having a sign opposite to the sign of the irregular pole (Pi) which is also saturated, each stabilization pole (Ps) extending from one to the other edge of the magnetic ring, by being inserted in the irregular pole, so as to stabilize the magnetic signal delivered by the passage of the poles adjacent to the irregular pole, said magnetic signal delivered between the passage of the adjacent poles not passing through the zero value.
US07705586B2 Magnetic sensor for input devices
In an example embodiment, a magnetic sensor has a magnet and a magneto-resistive, arranged on a substrate such that magnetic field lines through the magneto-resistive element are substantially parallel to a plane of the substrate. Movement of a movable magnetically permeable element MMPE near the substrate is detected as it alters the number of field lines through the element. The MMPE can be more sensitive than devices arranged with perpendicular field lines, and can be easier to manufacture and integrate. Applications include analog pointers, pressure sensors and microphones. The MMPE can use magnets placed either side of the element to detect changes in size of a gap above the element. As the gap closes, less of the parallel oriented field passes through the magneto resistive element.
US07705582B2 Broadband micro-machined thermal power sensor
A power sensor includes a substrate, an aperture within the substrate, a membrane formed over at least a portion of the substrate and extending over the aperture, and an electro-thermal transducer partially supported by the insulating membrane. The electro-thermal transducer includes an impedance matched, bifurcated load supported over the aperture by the insulating membrane, and a thermopile extending over the aperture and supported by the insulating membrane, the thermopile being adapted to generate a voltage in response to heat generated in the impedance matched, bifurcated load. A signal conductor is electrically connected with one end of the impedance matched, bifurcated load to guide electromagnetic signals to the load, and a conductive under-layer stratified from the signal conductor by an intermediary dielectric is connected with an opposite end of the impedance matched, bifurcated load to act as a ground plane.
US07705581B2 Electronic device and method for on chip jitter measurement
The present invention relates to an integrated electronic device for digital signal processing, which includes a reference clock input for receiving a reference clock, a phase locked loop (PLL), a phase interpolator (PI) coupled to the phase locked loop (PLL) for shifting a phase of an output clock signal of the PLL in a stepwise manner so as to generate a shifted output clock signal (PHI_out), a logic stage for determining the state of the reference clock signal (REF_CLK) multiple times during an edge of the shifted output clock for each phase shift, a storing means for storing information whether or not the determined state of the reference clock signal (REF_CLK) is stable for a phase of the shifted output clock signal (PHI_out), and an interface configured to read out the stored information for determining the jitter of the shifted output clock signal (PHI_OUT).
US07705578B2 Switching regulator
Provided is a switching regulator for preventing generation of an inrush current flowing through a switching element of an output stage, which is provided in the switching regulator. A soft start control circuit (116) detects a current flowing through a PMOS transistor (104) serving as a switching element of an output stage. When the detected current is equal to or larger than a current limiting value for limiting the current flowing through the PMOS transistor (104), the soft start control circuit (116) controls the PMOS transistor (104) to be turned off. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent generation of the inrush current flowing through the PMOS transistor (104).
US07705575B2 Standby regulator
A standby regulator circuit includes a standby bias circuit and a standby operational amplifier. The standby regulator circuit provides a standby regulated control voltage to a multiplexer. A regular operational amplifier provides a regulated control voltage to the multiplexer. During regular operation, the multiplexer selects the regular operational amplifier and selects the standby regulator circuit in a low-power mode. The multiplexer couples to a native pass transistor gate having a threshold voltage about equal to 0 V. The native pass transistor provides a regulated output voltage with relatively low-level input control voltages. In low-power mode, a power-down signal, provided to the multiplexer, smoothly transitions regulated control voltage from the regular operational amplifier to regulated control voltage sourcing from the standby operational amplifier. In low-power operation regular operational amplifier power is saved and the standby operational amplifier is appropriate for regulating the low threshold voltage native pass transistor.
US07705573B2 Constant voltage circuit
A voltage change detecting circuit part amplifies an output signal of a differential amplifying circuit so that a slew rate thereof may be larger than that of a control signal output from a first error amplifying circuit to an output transistor, responding to change of an output voltage output from an output terminal quicker than a control signal output from the first error amplifying circuit to a first transistor, and causing a discharging circuit part to carry out discharging operation.
US07705572B2 Power supply device and projection apparatus using the same
A projection apparatus comprises a projection control unit, power supply device and fan. The projection control unit generates an image beam. The power supply device comprises a filter and voltage driving unit. The voltage driving unit is coupled to the filter and comprises a voltage-regulation feedback unit and current amplification component. The filter receives a PWM signal and accordingly outputting a first DC voltage. The voltage-regulation feedback unit receives the first DC voltage and outputs a second DC voltage. The current amplification component is coupled to the voltage-regulation feedback unit for receiving an operational voltage and the second DC voltage, current-amplifying the second DC voltage, and accordingly outputting a driving voltage, which is fed back to the voltage-regulation feedback unit. The voltage-regulation feedback unit regulates the driving voltage according to the first DC voltage. The fan receives the driving voltage for releasing heat of the projection control unit.
US07705570B2 Power supply output voltage trimming
A power supply trim control signal is produced by integrating differences between monitored and target values of the output voltage of a power supply. Register storage requirements are reduced by producing the target value from a nominal voltage value and one of a plurality of margin offsets selected in accordance with control data. The control data also selects between open and closed loop trim control. Stability is enhanced by changing the target value slowly in response to any change in the control data.
US07705569B2 Slope rate compensation circuit, method thereof and pulse width modulation boost converter circuit
A slope rate compensation circuit includes a source follower level-shift amplifier, a capacitor, a first resistor and a second resistor. The source follower level-shift amplifier includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor allows a first current to flow therein, the second transistor allows a second current to flow therein, and the first current increases with the second current. The capacitor is connected to the source terminal of the first transistor. The first resistor is connected to the source terminal of the second transistor. The second resistor allows a third current to flow therein, and the third current increases with the second current. The second resistor is related to the output voltage of the slope rate compensation circuit.
US07705568B2 Power-generator control apparatus for addressing occurrence of voltage transient
In a power-generator control apparatus, a control circuit intermittently controls the supply of a field current from a battery to a field winding of a power generator in normal mode so as to adjust power induced in an output winding of the power generator. The control circuit interrupts the supply of the field current from the battery to the field winding in transient mode when a transient voltage occurs. An energy absorbing circuit absorbs magnetic energy stored in the field winding independently of magnetic-energy consumption by a resistance of the field winding itself.
US07705567B2 Capacitor power source and charging/discharging control apparatus therefor
A capacitor power source 1 including a plurality of capacitors comprises: an inflection-point voltage detection circuit (11) for detecting the inflection-point voltage of the capacitor based on a set voltage Vbot; an overvoltage detection circuit (12) for detecting the overvoltage Vful of the capacitor;and an initialization circuit (13) for putting charging current of the capacitor into bypass operation using initialization voltage Vini when an initialization mode is selected, wherein charging/discharging control is performed such that a discharging stop signal is generated based on a detection signal of the inflection-point voltage of any one of the plurality of capacitors, a charging stop signal is generated based on a detection signal of the overvoltage of any one of the plurality of capacitors, and an end signal of the initialization charging is generated based on a plurality of bypass operation signals.
US07705559B2 Aseptic battery with a removal cell cluster, the cell cluster configured for charging in a socket that receives a sterilizable battery
A battery assembly with a housing that contains a removable battery pack. The housing, which is sterilizable, has a head designed to couple to a power consuming device. The battery pack, which is not sterilizable, contains at least one rechargeable cell. The battery pack has a head dimensioned to fit the same charger socket that can receive a sterilizable battery. The battery pack has contacts that abut charger contacts. The housing has internal contacts. Collectively, the housing and battery pack are shaped so that, when the battery pack seats in the housing, the battery pack contacts abut the housing internal contacts. The housing internal contacts are connected to the housing external contacts for supply power to the power consuming device. A cover selectively holds the battery pack in the housing chamber.
US07705558B2 In situ rechargeable battery and charging stand
A secondary button cell battery that is particularly suited for use in hearing aid appliances, and an associated charging station. Recharging is accomplished without direct conductive connection between the source of the energy and either the battery or its appliance. Radio frequency energy is harvested in an enclosed chamber in a charging station and applied to the recharging of the button cell. Such energy is harvested by the use of one or more energy harvesting diodes connected in parallel with the battery. Multiple diodes connected in parallel or serial may be used to adjust charging current or voltage or both. Charge control is provided by directly or indirectly detecting the level of charge on the cell. Where the associated appliance is a hearing aid, the charge level detection may be accomplished acoustically by determining the characteristics of the sound emitted by the hearing aid, and charging is accomplished with the cell within the hearing aid appliance.
US07705557B2 Smart battery charging and power management circuit with optional power source selection based on load current
Traditionally, system loads are placed in parallel with the battery. This simple topology wastes the available power if the USB power and/or wall adapter is present. Recent topologies have made some improvements by powering the load by the maximum available voltage. Thus, if a USB power source or wall adapter is present, the load is powered by them rather than the battery, thus improving the system efficiency. However, since the USB power and wall adapter power are current limited, if the load requires higher current than the current limited USB or adapter, then the entire system is powered at voltage of the battery. The present invention further improves the system efficiency by distinguishing the load and powering the constant power loads by the maximum voltage and placing the constant current loads in parallel with the battery.
US07705556B2 Vehicle control system capable of controlling electric-power generation state of vehicle alternator
A vehicle control system has a battery, a vehicle alternator for charging the battery, a vehicle-alternator control device capable of controlling the vehicle alternator, and a battery current detection device. The battery current detection device has a battery current detecting means capable of detecting a charging/discharging current of the battery, a battery voltage detection means capable of detecting a voltage of the battery, a battery temperature detection means capable of detecting a temperature of the battery, a microcomputer, and a communication controller. The communication controller performs digital data communication to transfer digital control signals between the vehicle alternator and the battery current detection device. The vehicle alternator has a display unit to display the occurrence of abnormal information of those detection means transferred from the battery current detection device, the occurrence of a battery failure, and a disconnecting of a charging wire of the battery by using different display patterns.
US07705555B2 Method and controller for detecting a stall condition in a stepping motor during micro-stepping
A method is provided for detecting a stall condition in a stepping motor. The stepping motor has two coils and a rotor, and is micro-stepped by substantially continuously driving both of the two coils with out-of-phase time varying voltages. The method includes stepping the stepping motor to a next micro-step. It is then determined when a predetermined motor parameter of a first coil of the two coils is to be sampled. To sample the predetermined motor parameter of, for example, the first coil, the first coil is opened for a predetermined period, wherein the predetermined period is less than or equal to a micro-step. Then the first coil is sampled during the predetermined period and the result of sampling is integrated and used to increment or decrement an accumulated value. If the accumulated value is less than a preset value, then a stall condition exists.
US07705552B2 Robotic system
A robotic system is provided that enables easy manipulation and various operations. A walking operation allocated to a manipulated switch operation section is performed. Meanwhile, the right ankle roll axis control motor, the left ankle roll axis control motor, right hip joint roll axis control motor, and the left hip joint roll axis control motor are driven according to the operation amount of a manipulated analog operation section. Thus, the barycentric position of the robot is shifted to change the traveling direction of walking.
US07705544B1 Lamp circuit with controlled ignition pulse voltages over a wide range of ballast-to-lamp distances
A lamp ignition circuit provides a high voltage electrical pulse to ignite a gas discharge lamp. A non-linear filter element within a charge circuit regulates the voltage of the ignition pulse such that the ignition pulse remains within a prescribed voltage range over a wide variety of conduit lengths between the lamp and the lamp ignition circuit. This allows for the ballast and lamp ignition circuit to be mounted either close to the lamp or far from the lamp without modifying the ignition circuitry.
US07705541B2 Light control circuit
An illuminance sensor is formed as a current output type sensor that outputs a current which increases or decreases in an analog manner corresponding to an increasing or decreasing change of the illuminance. A light-emitting device is connected with a detection resistor that detects a current flowing through a light-emitting device. A driving control circuit has a light-emitting device driver that outputs to the light-emitting device a voltage for holding a voltage, which is obtained when a current flowing through the light-emitting device and a current detected by the illuminance sensor flows through the detection resistor, in a predetermined value all the time. The light-emitting device emits a large amount of light in a dark place and emits a small amount of light in a bright place.
US07705539B2 Tungsten-halogen quartz lamp
A tungsten-halogen quartz lamp with a structure for preventing glass-bead supporter from breaking off, which can insure that its glass-bead supporter could not leave and drop from the top of a bulb in any case, so that reliability of a holding-filament structure is greatly improved and the service life of the lamp is prolonged. For this purpose, a concave-baking ring is provided at the circumference of the bulb, which corresponds to a position below the glass-bead supporter which is mounted in the upper of inner-cavity of the bulb in a horizontal direction, to restrict the glass-bead supporter to the upper of the bulb.
US07705537B2 Plasma display device
A plasma display device having a panel main body in which a pair of transparent substrates is arranged in opposition so as to form a discharge space between the substrates on at least a front side, barrier ribs are arranged on at least one of the substrates to divide the discharge space into a plurality of spaces, a group of electrodes is arranged on the substrates so as to generate discharge in the discharge space divided with the barrier ribs, and phosphor layers that emit by discharge are provided, in which the phosphor layers are equipped with a green phosphor layer including at least a mixture of Zn2SiO4:Mn and (Y, Gd)BO3:Tb, the surface of the Zn2SiO4:Mn is coated with aluminum oxide, and the ratio of the Al element to the Si element on the surface measured with an XPS apparatus is 0.6 to 7.0.
US07705529B2 Full color organic electroluminescent device and method for fabricating the same
A full color organic electroluminescent device and a method for fabricating the same reduces misalignment errors caused by fine patterning of the emitting layer by reducing the steps of the fine patterning process. In particular, the blue emitting layer functions as a hole inhibition layer which results in superior color purity and improved stability for the color organic electroluminescent device. The use of such a blue emitting layer also reduces the manufacturing steps. The device comprises a substrate; a first electrode pattern formed on the substrate; a red emitting layer formed by patterning a red emitting material on a red pixel region of the first electrode pattern and a green emitting layer formed by patterning a green emitting material on a green pixel region of the first electrode pattern. A blue emitting layer is applied over the entire substrate, over the upper parts of the red and green emitting layers and a second electrode is formed on an upper part of the blue emitting layer.
US07705521B2 Electroactive polymer torsional device
The present invention relates to mechanical-electrical power conversion systems. The systems comprise one or more electroactive polymers that convert between electrical and mechanical energy. When a voltage is applied to electrodes contacting an electroactive polymer, the polymer deflects. This deflection may be converted into rotation of a power shaft included in a motor. Repeated deflection of the polymer may then produce continuous rotation of the power shaft.
US07705518B2 Ultrasonic motor
An ultrasonic motor includes a stator that includes a comb body with a plurality of circumferentially-arranged comb-like projections and a piezoelectric body integrally mounted on the comb body, a rotor rotatable with respect to the stator, the rotor having a contact surface that establishes pressure contact with the stator, and a resin film formed with predetermined hardness on the contact surface of the rotor, the resin film containing a solid lubricant.
US07705516B2 Drive unit
It is provided a drive unit 1 in which the displacement amount of the frictional engagement member 7 can be reduced without lowering the driving torque, having a drive circuit 4 comprised of a bridge circuit which includes charge switching elements Q1, Q3 for connecting the electrodes 5a, 5b of the piezoelectric element 5 to the power supply 2 and discharge switching elements Q2, Q4 for connecting the electrodes 5a, 5b to ground, and a switch circuit 9 for inserting a limiting resistor R2 in at least either one of an current path between the power supply 2 and the piezoelectric element 5 and an current path between the piezoelectric element 5 and the ground.
US07705515B2 Surface acoustic wave device
A surface acoustic wave device utilizing a Rayleigh wave includes a LiNbO3 substrate having Euler angles of (0°±5°, θ±5°, 0°±10°), an electrode which is disposed on the LiNbO3 substrate and which includes an IDT electrode primarily including Cu, a first silicon oxide film disposed in a region other than the region in which the electrode is disposed, the first silicon oxide film having a film thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the electrode, and a second silicon oxide film arranged to cover the electrode and the first silicon oxide film, wherein the film thickness of the electrode is within the range of about 0.12λ to about 0.18λ, where λ represents the wavelength of a surface acoustic wave, and θ of the above-described Euler angles of (0°±5°, θ±5°, 0°±10°) is in the range satisfying the following Formula (1): θ=32.01−351.92×exp(−TCu/0.0187)  Formula (1) where TCu is a value of Cu electrode film thickness normalized with the wavelength λ.
US07705510B2 Strip-type segment and laminated stator core for an electrical machine
A striplike lamination (10) for a stator of an electrical machine is proposed, in which the striplike lamination has an end contour (19) on each strip end (18). The end contours (19) are embodied such that a difference in length at the lamination (10) resulting from bending can be compensated for.
US07705507B2 Electrical machine having a three-phase winding system
The electrical machine has a stator, which comprises thirty-six slots and thirty-six teeth with an alternating sequence and a winding system (10) which is arranged at least partially in the slots and has three winding phases (34, 35, 36). The winding system (10) contains in total eighteen coil elements (11-28), which are laid in each case two slots, with the result that a slot associated with another of the coil elements (11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 28) is located between the two slots associated with one of the coil elements (13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27). In each case two of the coil elements (11-28) form one of nine interwound groups of coil elements (29), wherein, of the four adjacent slots belonging to a group of coil elements (29), the first and the third slot are associated with one coil element (13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27), and the second and the fourth slot are associated with the other coil element (11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 28) in this group of coil elements (29). The two coil elements (11-28) of each group of coil elements (29) are associated with in each case two different winding phases (34, 35, 36). In each case one substantially unwound tooth (30) is provided between two adjacent groups of coil elements (29).
US07705497B2 Power tool cooling
A power tool cooling system comprises a cooling fan disposed on a motor in a position between the upper field coil and the lower commutator. A transmission housing encapsulates the transmission mechanism. During operation, the fan is driven by the motor and draws air axially through the motor and expels the air radially outwardly through holes in the outer housing of the motor. This causes air to be drawn in through the air vents formed on the top of a tool housing, in the side of the housing and between the housing and a battery pack. The cool air flows outside of the transmission housing, but inside the tool housing such that air does not pass through the transmission mechanism. A plurality of motor openings are also formed in the outer housing of the motor to enable cool air to pass into the motor to cool the motor.
US07705492B2 Arrangement for failsafe evaluation of a position encoder
A safety switching device comprises a position encoder, such as a potentiometer, for user selection of an operational quantity, such as an operating mode. The position encoder has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a tap moveable through a plurality of positions. A total impedance is defined between the first terminal and the second terminal. A first partial impedance is defined between the first terminal and the tap, and a second partial impedance is defined between the tap and the second terminal. An arrangement for determining an instantaneous position of the tap comprises a first evaluation circuit designed to determine a first measurement value representative of the first partial impedance, and a second evaluation circuit designed to determine a second measurement value representative of the second partial impedance. At least one from the first and second evaluation circuits is designed to determine the instantaneous position of the tap by means of the first and second measurement values.
US07705488B2 Apparatus, system, and method for a high voltage, high frequency redundant bus power system
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for redundant power supplies. A regulator module receives a first power waveform from a first power supply module and a second power waveform from a second power supply module and provides power to a low voltage, regulated output bus. The power waveforms include high voltage, high frequency, chopped power waveforms. The regulator module includes an interleaved power supply stage that receives the power waveforms as pulse-width modulated power signals and converts the first and second power waveforms to the low voltage, regulated voltage on the output bus. The regulator module includes a feedback module that receives a voltage feedback signal from the output bus, adjusts a duty cycle based on the feedback signal, and transmits a drive signal based on the duty cycle to the power supply modules which use the drive signals to generate the first and second power waveforms.
US07705487B2 Power restoration system for electrical power network
A robust power restoration method is described. The method involves establishing a set of virtual paths within a mesh network having at least two sources of electrical power. Each of the virtual paths is used to determine a suitable location for a non-conducting electrical bridge. When a fault is detected within the network, the state of the electrical bridges is modified to restore power.
US07705486B2 Integrated circuit having multiple power domains
An integrated circuit includes first and second power domains, a power supply control unit, and a switch block. The power supply control unit supplies a first voltage to the first power domain and a second voltage to the second power domain. The switch block provides at least one current path between the first and second power domains during a predetermined operating mode such as by connecting a first power line of the first power domain to a second power line of the second power domain.
US07705482B2 Tool having integrated electricity generator with external stator
A tool includes a nonmagnetic tool housing; a cylindrical rotor inside the tool housing and rotatable in response to a flow of pressurized fluid through the tool housing; magnets mounted in the rotor; and a stator on the exterior of the tool housing. The stator is dimensioned to cooperate with the magnets to, upon rotation of the rotor, generate electrical current for supply to a load.
US07705481B2 Wind energy plant with pitch controller
A wind energy plant having at least one rotor blade with a pitch angle, the pitch angle being adjustable by means of a pitch controller, and a generator converter unit, at least one electrical quantity of the generator converter unit being adjustable by means of a converter controller, wherein the wind energy plant has a power train with a rotor having the at least one rotor blade, the rotor being disposed at a front end of the power train and the power train leading to the generator converter unit, wherein a first rotation speed detection unit is provided at the power train near the front end of the power train and a second rotation speed detection unit is provided at the power train near the generator converter unit, wherein the measured rotation speed nrot of the first rotation speed detection unit is applied as an input variable to the pitch controller and the measured rotation speed of the second rotation speed detection unit is applied as an input variable to the converter controller.
US07705476B2 Integrated circuit package
Integrated circuit (IC) packages are described. Each IC package includes a die having an exposed metallic layer deposited on its back surface. Solder joints are arranged to physically and electrically connect I/O pads on the active surface of the die with associated leads. A molding material encapsulates portions of the die, leadframe and solder joint connections while leaving the metallic layer exposed and uncovered by molding material.
US07705475B2 Integrated circuit package system
An integrated circuit package system is provided including forming a substrate with a device thereover, forming an encapsulation having a planar top surface to cover the device and the substrate spanning to an extraction side of the encapsulation, and forming a recess in the encapsulation from the planar top surface.
US07705471B2 Conductive bump structure of circuit board and method for forming the same
A conductive bump structure of a circuit board and a method for forming the same are proposed. A conductive layer is formed on an insulating layer on the surface of the circuit board. A first resist layer is formed on the conductive layer and a plurality of first openings is formed in the first resist layer to expose the conductive layer. Then, a patterned trace layer is electroplated in the first openings and a second resist layer is covered on the circuit board with the patterned trace layer. Second openings are formed in the second resist layer to expose part of the trace layer to be used as electrical connecting pads. Thereafter, metal bumps are electroplated in the second openings and the surface of the circuit board is covered with a solder mask. A thinning process is applied to the solder mask to expose the top surface of the metal bumps. Afterwards, an adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the metal bumps exposing out of the solder mask.
US07705468B2 Stacked semiconductor package that prevents damage to semiconductor chip when wire-bonding and method for manufacturing the same
A stacked semiconductor package includes a substrate having first and second contact pads. A first stacked package group is disposed on the substrate, and the first stacked package group includes first semiconductor chips stacked in a stair form to expose first edge bonding pads. First conductive wires are used to electrically couple the first edge bonding pads and the first contact pads. An adhesive member is disposed on the uppermost first semiconductor chip, and a second stacked package group is disposed on the adhesive member. The second stacked package group includes second semiconductor chips that are stacked in a stair form to expose second edge bonding pads. When the second stacked package group is disposed on the adhesive member, the bottommost second semiconductor chips is aligned with the uppermost first semiconductor chip. Second conductive wires are used to electrically couple the second edge bonding pads and the second contact pads.
US07705467B2 Stacked package electronic device
An electrical component includes a substrate, a first integrated circuit attached to the substrate, a metal portion coupled to the first integrated circuit, and a second integrated circuit attached to the first integrated circuit. The metal portion is sandwiched between the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit.
US07705466B2 Three dimensional multi layer memory and control logic integrated circuit structure
A Three-Dimensional Structure (3DS) Memory allows for physical separation of the memory circuits and the control logic circuit onto different layers such that each layer may be separately optimized. One control logic circuit suffices for several memory circuits, reducing cost. Fabrication of 3DS memory involves thinning of the memory circuit to less than 50 μm in thickness and bonding the circuit to a circuit stack while still in wafer substrate form. Fine-grain high density inter-layer vertical bus connections are used. The 3DS memory manufacturing method enables several performance and physical size efficiencies, and is implemented with established semiconductor processing techniques.
US07705452B2 Carrier assembly for an integrated circuit
A carrier assembly for an integrated circuit is described. The assembly includes a retainer for receiving the integrated circuit, and island defining portions surrounding the retainer. Each island defining portion is connected to neighboring island defining portions through a serpentine member. This arrangement allows resilient deflection between the island defining portions.
US07705451B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a laminated substrate formed by laminating a plurality of semiconductor substrates, a concave part formed in the laminated substrate, and a semiconductor element mounted in the concave part. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a first step of forming a laminated substrate by laminating a plurality of semiconductor substrates, a second step of forming a concave part by etching the laminated substrate, and a third step of mounting a semiconductor element in the concave part.
US07705450B2 Decoupling capacitor closely coupled with integrated circuit
An integrated circuit module, decoupling capacitor assembly and method are disclosed. The integrated circuit module includes a substrate and integrated circuit die mounted on the substrate and having die pads and an exposed surface opposite from the substrate. A plurality of substrate bonding pads are positioned on the substrate adjacent the integrated circuit die. A decoupling capacitor assembly is mounted on each integrated circuit die and includes a capacitor carrier secured onto the exposed surface of the integrated circuit die and a decoupling capacitor carried by the capacitor carrier. A wire bond extends from the decoupling capacitor assembly to a die pad and from a die pad to a substrate bonding pad.
US07705449B2 Cooling apparatus for memory module
A cooling apparatus for a circuit module having a substrate extending axially with an IC chip of a first type and IC chips of a second type mounted thereon, comprising: a first heat spreading element disposed to form a heat conduction path with the IC chip of the first type; and a second heat spreading element disposed to form a heat conduction path with the IC chips of the second type, wherein there is at least one IC chip of the second type mounted axially away from opposite sides of the IC chip of the first type, wherein the first type of IC chip is capable of generating a larger amount of heat than the second type of IC chips, and the first heat spreading element has a higher thermal conductivity than the second heat spreading element.
US07705448B2 Semiconductor device for pipe for passing refrigerant liquid
A semiconductor device includes 1) a conductive pipe including an inner surface forming an inner space shaping a path of an insulative cooling refrigerant liquid and an outer surface including a plane potion partially formed thereof, 2) a power semiconductor element fixed onto the plane portion of the conductive pipe through a bonding layer such as solder, 3) a first external connecting terminal including an inner lead part including a tip portion bonded onto the plane portion of the conductive pipe and an outer lead part continuous with the inner lead part, 4) a second external connecting terminal which is in the state of floating above the outer surface, and 5) a mold resin covering the whole surface of the power semiconductor element, the whole of the inner lead parts of the external connecting terminals, and the whole of the outer surface covering a central portion of the conductive pipe.
US07705432B2 Three dimensional six surface conformal die coating
Semiconductor die are typically manufactured as a large group of integrated circuit die imaged through photolithographic means on a semiconductor wafer or slice made of silicon. After manufacture, the silicon wafer is thinned, usually by mechanical means, and the wafer is cut, usually with a diamond saw, to singulate the individual die. The resulting individual integrated circuit has six exposed surfaces. The top surface of the die includes the circuitry images and any passivation layers that have been added to the top layer during wafer fabrication. The present invention describes a method for protecting and insulating all six surfaces of the die to reduce breakage, provide electrical insulation for these layers, and to provide physical surfaces that can be used for bonding one semiconductor die to another for the purpose of stacking die in an interconnected module or component.
US07705421B1 Semiconductor die with an integrated inductor
An integrated circuit inductor has a number of vertical metal segments, a number of lower metal straps that electrically connect alternate metal segments, and a number of upper metal straps that electrically connect alternate metal segments to form a continuous electrical path. Layers of a ferromagnetic material are formed normal to the metal segments to extend past at least two sides of each metal segment to increase the inductance of the inductor.
US07705416B2 Method for forming horizontal buried channels or cavities in wafers of monocrystalline semiconductor material
A method of forming buried cavities in a wafer of monocrystalline semiconductor material with at least one cavity formed in a substrate of monocrystalline semiconductor material by timed TMAH etching silicon; covering the cavity with a material inhibiting epitaxial growth; and growing a monocrystalline epitaxial layer above the substrate and the cavities. Thereby, the cavity is completely surrounded by monocrystalline material. Starting from this wafer, it is possible to form a thin membrane. The original wafer must have a plurality of elongate cavities or channels, parallel and adjacent to one another. Trenches are then excavated in the epitaxial layer as far as the channels, and the dividers between the channels are removed by timed TMAH etching.
US07705411B2 MEMS-topped integrated circuit with a stress relief layer
The bow in a wafer that results from fabricating a large number of MEMS devices on the top surface of the passivation layer of the wafer so that a MEMS device is formed over each die region is reduced by forming a stress relief layer between the passivation layer and the MEMS devices.
US07705409B2 High voltage transistors
Some embodiments of the present invention provide high voltage transistors including a semiconductor substrate and a device isolation film defining an active region in the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode extends along a central portion of the active region while maintaining a predetermined width on the semiconductor substrate. A second well is formed on both sides of the gate electrode in the semiconductor substrate, and partially extends to a bottom surface of the device isolation film. The active region in the semiconductor substrate comprises a first active region disposed under the gate electrode, and separating the device isolation film and a second active region defined by the first active region and the device isolation film. Methods of manufacturing high voltage transistors are also provided.
US07705407B2 High voltage semicondutor transistor device having small size and long electron flow path
Embodiments relate to a high voltage semiconductor device. The device includes a substrate having impurities of a first conductivity and having a first surface and a second surface, a gate electrode over the first surface, an LDD region having low concentration impurities of a second conductivity doped in the substrate at a first side of the gate electrode, a drain region having high concentration impurities of the second conductivity doped in the LDD region, a source region having high concentration impurities of the second conductivity doped in the substrate at a second side of the gate electrode, and spacers formed at sidewalls of the gate electrode. The first surface is higher than the second surface, and the source and LDD regions are at least partially formed in a region at the second surface. A bottom side of one of the spacers directly contacts the LLD region.
US07705403B1 Programmable ESD protection structure
In a LVTSCR or snapback NMOS ESD structure, low voltage protection as well as higher voltage protection is provided by introducing a floating gate that capacitively couples with the control gate of the ESD structure and programming the floating gate to have different charges on it as desired.
US07705397B2 Devices, methods, and systems with MOS-gated trench-to-trench lateral current flow
A DMOS transistor is fabricated with its source/body/deep body regions formed on the walls of a first set of trenches, and its drain regions formed on the walls of a different set of trenches. A gate region that is formed in a yet another set of trenches can be biased to allow carriers to flow from the source to the drain. Lateral current low from source/body regions on trench walls increases the active channel perimeter to a value well above the amount that would be present if the device was fabricated on just the surface of the wafer. Masking is avoided while open trenches are present. A transistor with a very low on-resistance per unit area is obtained.
US07705395B2 Flash memory cell and method of manufacturing the same and programming/erasing reading method of flash memory cell
Disclosed is a flash memory cell and method of manufacturing the same, and programming/erasing/reading method thereof. The flash memory cell comprises a first tunnel oxide film formed at a given region of a semiconductor substrate, a first floating gate formed on the first tunnel oxide film, a second tunnel oxide film formed over the semiconductor substrate and along one sidewall of the first floating gate, a second floating gate isolated from the first floating gate while contacting the second tunnel oxide film, a dielectric film formed on the first floating gate and the second floating gate, a control gate formed on the dielectric film, a first junction region formed in the semiconductor substrate below one side of the second tunnel oxide film, and a second junction region formed in the semiconductor substrate below one side of the first tunnel oxide film. Therefore, the present invention can implement 2-bit cell or 3-bit cell of a high density using the existing process technology. Further, it can reduce the manufacture cost and implement a high-integrated flash memory cell that is advantageous than a conventional flash memory cell in view of charge storage/retention as well as programming time.
US07705394B2 Nonvolatile semicondutor memory with metallic silicide film electrically connected to a control gate electrode layer
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell transistor including a first floating gate electrode layer formed on a first tunneling insulating film, a first inter-gate insulating film, first and second control gate electrode layers, and a first metallic silicide film; a high voltage transistor including a high voltage gate electrode layer formed on the high voltage gate insulating film, a second inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, third and fourth control gate electrode layers, and a second metallic silicide film; a low voltage transistor including a second floating gate electrode layer formed on a second tunneling insulating film, a third inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, fifth and sixth control gate electrode layers, and a third metallic silicide film; and a liner insulating film directly disposed on first, second and third source and drain regions of the memory cell transistor, low voltage transistor, and high voltage transistor, respectively.
US07705391B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor device including a plurality of memory cells, comprising a plurality of floating gate electrodes which are formed on a tunnel insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate and have an upper portion which is narrower in a channel width direction than a lower portion, an interelectrode insulating film formed on the floating gate electrodes, and a control gate electrode which is formed on the interelectrode insulating film formed on the floating gate electrodes and partially buried between the floating gate electrodes opposing each other.
US07705389B2 Thickened sidewall dielectric for memory cell
Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.
US07705388B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has source-line-side diode formed in a contact for connecting source line and memory cell string in direction perpendicular to substrate
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a source-line-side diode an anode region that is connected to a source line; a bit-line-side diode a cathode region that is connected to a bit line; and memory cell string connected between a cathode region of the source-line-side diode and an anode region of the bit-line-side diode. The memory cell string includes a series connection of a plurality of memory cell transistors. The source-line-side diode is formed in a contact for connecting the source line and the memory cell string in a first direction perpendicular to a semiconductor substrate. The bit-line-side diode is formed in a contact for connecting the bit line and the memory cell string in the first direction.
US07705387B2 Non-volatile memory with local boosting control implant
A substrate of a non-volatile storage system includes selected regions in which additional ions are deeply implanted during the fabrication process. NAND strings are formed over the selected regions such that end word lines of the NAND strings are over the deeply implanted ions. The presence of the deeply implanted ions below the end word lines increases a channel capacitance of the substrate under the end word lines. Due to the increased capacitance, boosting of a channel in the substrate below the end word lines is reduced, thereby reducing the occurrence of gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) and band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) and, consequently, program disturb. A shallow ion implantation may also be made to set a threshold voltage of storage elements of the NAND string.
US07705381B2 Solid-state image sensing device and camera system using the same
A solid-state image sensing device includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a photodiode, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The photodiode is constituted by a first-conductivity-type semiconductor region and a second-conductivity-type semiconductor region. The first and second conductivity types are opposite to each other. The first transistor has a first-conductivity-type drain region formed in the second-conductivity-type semiconductor region to transfer signal charge to the drain region. The second transistor has a source region and a drain region which are formed in the second-conductivity-type semiconductor region and which have the first conductivity type. At least one second-conductivity-type potential barrier is provided under the drain region of the first transistor and the source region and/or the drain region of the second transistor.
US07705377B2 Field effect transistor comprising compound semiconductor
A field effect transistor having a double recess structure, which minimizes an influence exerted on a channel region depending upon the surface state of an outer recess section. In the field effect transistor having such a double recess structure, an ohmic contact layer at the surface of the outer recess section is made to have a thickness so as to be in a to completely depleted state.
US07705369B2 High-voltage diode with optimized turn-off method and corresponding optimization method
The invention relates to a high-voltage diode having a specifically optimized switch-off behavior. A soft recovery behavior of the component can be obtained without increasing the forward losses by adjusting in a specific manner the service life of the charge carriers by irradiating only the n+-conducting cathode emitter (6) side or both sides, i.e. the n+-conducting cathode emitter (6) side and the p+-conducting anode emitter (4) side.
US07705367B2 Pinned photodiode sensor with gate-controlled silicon-controlled rectifier transfer switch and method of formation
A pinned photodiode sensor with gate-controlled SCR switch includes a pinned photodiode and a gate-controlled SCR switch. The SCR switch includes a P-type substrate, an N− doped region, and an N+ doped region formed on the substrate; a P+ doped region formed on the N− doped region; an oxide layer formed on the P substrate, the N− doped region, the N+ doped region, and the P+ doped region; and a gate formed above the P substrate and the N− doped region. The gate includes a P+ doped region and an N+ doped region. During an exposure procedure, a depletion region will not reach the interface between the oxide layer and the substrate, thereby preventing dark current leakage.
US07705361B2 Heterojunction bipolar transistor having (In)(Al) GaAsSb/InGaAs base-collector structure
A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) has a (In)(Al)GaAsSb/InGaAs base-collector structure. A discontinuous base-collector conduction band forms a built-in electric field to infuse electrons into a collector structure effectively, while a discontinuous base-collector valence band prevents holes from spreading into the collector structure at the same time. Thus, a current density is increased. In addition, the small offset voltage of the base-emitter and base-collector junctions reduce a power consumption.
US07705360B2 Array substrate for display device and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate includes a substrate, a data line formed on the substrate, a passivation layer formed on the data line, a gate line including a gate electrode and a capacitor line formed on the passivation layer, a gate insulation layer formed on the gate electrode and the capacitor line, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulation layer, a contact hole formed through the passivation layer and the gate insulation layer to expose the data line and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer. The capacitor electrode is overlapped with the data line. The source electrode is connected to the data line through the contact hole and the source electrode and the drain electrode include a transparent conductive material.
US07705358B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
It is an object to improve operation characteristics and reliability of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device which includes an island-shaped semiconductor film having a channel-formation region, a first low-concentration impurity region, a second low-concentration impurity region, and a high-concentration impurity region including a silicide layer; a gate insulating film; a first gate electrode overlapping with the channel-formation region and the first low-concentration impurity region with the gate insulating film interposed therebetween; a second gate electrode overlapping with the channel-formation region with the gate insulating film and the first gate electrode interposed therebetween; and a sidewall formed on side surfaces of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. In the semiconductor device, a thickness of the gate insulating film is smaller in a region over the second low-concentration impurity region than in a region over the first low-concentration impurity region.
US07705356B2 Electronic device, thin film transistor structure and flat panel display having the same
The invention provides an electronic device configured to prevent or reduce electrostatic discharge from causing a pixel to malfunction. An electronic device manufactured according to the principles of the invention may include multiple conductive layers that cross but do not contact each other, wherein at least one of the conductive layers includes a width change part having a width that changes in a length direction of the at least one of the conductive layers, and a tab connected to at least one of the conductive layers at a region thereof that does not cross a neighboring conductive layer. Alternatively, the width change part may have a width that continuously varies along a length of the at least one conductive layer and may also have obtuse corner edges. The invention also provides a flat organic electroluminescent display (OELD) or LCD display device that includes such an electronic device.
US07705354B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A display device includes a main body, a support stand, and a display portion. The display portion includes a pixel having a TFT and a capacitor. The capacitor includes a capacitor electrode on an insulating surface, an insulating film on the capacitor electrode, and a pixel electrode of the TFT on the insulating film.
US07705353B2 Bonding pad, active device array substrate and liquid crystal display panel
A bonding pad includes a metal layer, a gate insulting layer, a passivation layer, and a transparent conductive layer. The metal layer has a first metal pattern and a second metal pattern which are separated from each other. The gate insulating layer covers the metal layer, and the passivation layer covers the gate insulating layer. The gate insulating layer and the passivation layer have a first contact opening and a second contact opening respectively exposing a portion of the first metal pattern and a portion of the second metal pattern. The transparent conductive layer covers the passivation layer and fills the first and second contact openings. The transparent conductive layer on the second contact opening serves as a testing-probe contact area. The present invention also provides an active device array substrate having the bonding pad.
US07705350B1 Fractional biasing of semiconductors
A method and system of fractional biasing of semiconductors. A small negative voltage is applied to the back of a semiconductor wafer or device. An operating voltage is applied to the semiconductor. Operating characteristics of the semiconductor are enhanced by application of a fractional bias.
US07705345B2 High performance strained silicon FinFETs device and method for forming same
A strained Fin Field Effect Transistor (FinFET) (and method for forming the same) includes a relaxed first material having a sidewall, and a strained second material formed on the sidewall of the first material. The relaxed first material and the strained second material form a fin of the FinFET.
US07705340B2 Inflected magnetoresistive structures and memory cells having inflected magnetoresistive structures
Disclosed herein is a magnetoresistive structure having a non-planar form. Embodiments of the present MR structure includes those having at least one inflection between a first portion of the MR structure that is somewhat vertical relative to a substrate and a second portion of the MR structure that is somewhat horizontal relative to the substrate. Such a structure can be used for memory device, for example an MRAM memory device, wherein the memory density is increased compared to devices having prior planar MR structures without reducing the surface area of the MR structures.
US07705339B2 Portable reactor for real-time nucleic acid amplification and detection comprising a reaction chamber formed from a flexible printed circuit board
The present invention provides core technologies necessary for a portable, low cost LED-based handheld fluorometer. The fluorometer is based on a heater integrated within the walls of the reaction chamber, and an orthogonal geometry LED based light source to provide optical excitation. Power is supplied through either an internal power supply, and data is collected in real-time through standard serial interfaces of personal computers, which can also be used to provide power, or personal digital assistants. Thermal regulation is automatically maintained using temperature sensor feedback control. Such a handheld system can allow applications requiring temperature sensitive photometric measurements for real time analyte detection to be performed in the field.
US07705337B2 System and method for image detection using large area pin diode
A photo-detector circuit for barcode scanners, endoscopes, and the like, includes a large area PIN photo-diode and an amplifier. Adverse effects associated with a terminal capacitance from the large area PIN diode may be minimized by maintaining a relatively constant voltage across the input terminals of the amplifier. Noise levels may be minimized by the arrangement of the amplifier circuit and the large area PIN diode resulting in an increased signal-to-noise ratio and an increased gain-bandwidth product. Due to the large numerical aperture of the photo-detector, increased resolution and/or lower output power in a reflective imaging system may be obtained with relatively low cost components. Detection area of the large area PIN diode may be larger than approximately 25 mm2 when compared to typical PIN diodes used in photo-detector applications.
US07705336B2 Optical interrogation system and method for increasing a read-out speed of a spectrometer
A typical use of linear or two dimensional spectrometers is to expose the detector area, and then shift the photo-electric charges out of the device in a serial fashion. If the illuminating signal is spatially narrow relative to the size of the array, this will drive down the percent of the detector that is utilized, as only a relatively small number of pixels are used to detect the beam. The present invention proposes a method which capitalizes on this spatial under-utilization, and alters the clocking scheme to maximize the read-out speed of the pixels containing signal information. This type of clocking scheme raises the optical power saturation level of the spectrometer. Such an improvement in optical power handling is beneficial for spectrometer based detection of resonant waveguide grating biochemical binding, since in such systems the performance is frequently limited by spectrometer saturation.
US07705333B2 Extreme ultra violet light source apparatus
In an extreme ultra violet light source apparatus that exhausts debris including fast ions and neutral particles by the effect of a magnetic field, neutral particles emitted from plasma are efficiently ionized. The extreme ultra violet light source apparatus includes a plasma generating unit that generates plasma, that radiates at least extreme ultra violet light, through pulse operation; collective optics that collects the extreme ultra violet light radiated from the plasma; a microwave generating unit that radiates microwave through pulse operation into a space in which a magnetic field is formed to cause electron cyclotron resonance, and thereby ionizes neutral particles emitted from the plasma; a magnetic field forming unit that forms the magnetic field and a magnetic field for trapping at least ionized particles; and a control unit that synchronously controls at least the plasma generating unit and the microwave generating unit.
US07705332B2 Nanometer-scale lithography using extreme ultraviolet/soft x-ray laser interferometry
Direct patterning of nanometer scale features by interferometric lithography using a 46.9 nm laser is described. Multiple exposures using a Lloyd's mirror interferometer permitted printing of arrays having 60 nm FWHM features.
US07705331B1 Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for a process performed on the specimen
Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for a process performed on the specimen are provided. One system configured to provide illumination of a specimen for a process performed on the specimen includes a laser configured to generate excitation light. The system also includes focusing optics configured to focus the excitation light to a plasma in an electrodeless lamp such that the plasma generates light. The system is also configured such that the light illuminates the specimen during the process.
US07705325B2 Sterilization device for a stethoscope and associated apparatus
A sterilization device for a stethoscope is provided, comprising a cover member and an ultraviolet light source. The stethoscope includes a chestpiece member having a face portion adapted to contact a patient. The cover member is adapted to operably engage the chestpiece member such that the cover member is movable with respect to the face portion and normally biased to cover the face portion. The ultraviolet light source is operably engaged with the cover member and configured to emit ultraviolet radiation for interacting with the face portion only when the cover member is covering the face portion. The ultraviolet light source thereby provides anti-microbial sterilization of at least the face portion of the chestpiece member. An associated apparatus is also provided.
US07705323B2 Microscope stage with flexural axis
A microscope stage with a flexural axis may exhibit predictable flexure characteristics and limited cross-coupling translations. Z motion of a Z plate proximate to a Z actuator may be substantially linear, while a distal side of the Z plate may be allowed to rotate about a hinge axis associated with a flexural component.
US07705320B2 Radiation detector with co-planar grid structure
A semiconductor radiation detector (1′, 1″, 1′″, 1″″) includes a body of semiconducting material (2) responsive to ionizing radiation for generating electron-hole pairs in the bulk of said body (2). A conductive cathode (4) is disposed on one side of the body (2) and an anode structure (6) is disposed on the other side of the body (2). The anode structure (6) includes a first set of spaced elongated conductive fingers (8) in contact with the body (2) and defining between each pair of fingers thereof an elongated gap (10) and a second set of spaced elongated conductive fingers (12) positioned above the surface of the body (2) that includes spaced elongated conductive fingers (8). Each finger of the second set of spaced elongated conductive fingers (12) overlays, either partially or wholly, the elongated gap between a pair of adjacent fingers of the first set of spaced elongated conductive fingers (8).
US07705316B2 Dynamic SPECT camera
A dynamic SPECT camera is provided, comprising, a plurality of single-pixel detectors, a timing mechanism, in communication with each single-pixel detector, configured for enabling time-binning of the radioactive emissions impinging upon each single-pixel detector to time periods not greater than substantially 30 seconds, and a position-tracker, configured for providing information on the position and orientation of each detecting unit, with respect to the overall structure, substantially at all times, during the individual motion, the dynamic SPECT camera being configured for acquiring a tomographic reconstruction image of a region of interest of about 15×15×15 cubic centimeters, during an acquisition time of 30 seconds, at a spatial resolution of at least 10×10×10 cubic millimeter. The dynamic camera is configured for very short damping time, and may further acquire images in a stationary mode, with no motion. It is further configured for time binning at dynamically varying time-bin lengths, dynamically determining a spectral energy bin for each detecting unit, and employing an anatomic construction of voxels in the imaging and reconstruction.
US07705314B2 Method and apparatus for PET time of flight generation of compression sinogram and image reconstruction
A method for reducing a need for physical memory includes compressing a sub-region of an intermediate histogram to obtain a compressed result, and storing the compressed result in a physical or virtual file.
US07705311B2 Optical-path-difference compensation mechanism for acquiring wave from signal of time-domain pulsed spectroscopy apparatus
A time-domain pulsed spectroscopy apparatus which has a pulsed laser light source; a splitting unit to split pulsed laser light; a pulsed-light emitting unit; a detector; a sample holder; and a sample-unit entrance and exit optical systems; wherein the time-domain pulsed spectroscopy apparatus further comprises: at least one optical-path-length varying unit for setting a photometric range; at least one optical delay unit for the wave form signal measurement; and, at least one gate member to pass or block the pulsed light to a reflector.
US07705310B2 Passive infra-red detectors
A passive infra-red detector including at least three sub-detectors, each sub-detector being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each sub field-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other sub field of view, the sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other, adjacent ones of the sub fields-of-view being separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees and at least one of the sub fields-of-view having at least one of the following characteristics: extending over no more then 45 degrees in azimuth; and including not more than three azimuthally distributed detection zones, and signal processing circuitry, operative to receive output signals from the sub detectors and to provide a motion detection output.
US07705308B2 Image pickup apparatus including image pickup devices having sensitivity in infrared region
A plurality of first pixels receive both visible light and infrared light. A plurality of second pixels receive infrared light. A ratio calculation unit calculates the ratio of an output signal of another first pixel different from saturated first pixel and an output signal of a second pixel corresponding to the another first pixel. A signal estimation unit multiplies the output signal of a second pixel corresponding to the saturated first pixel, by the ratio calculated by the ratio calculation unit. A subtractor subtracts the output of a second pixel corresponding to the saturated first pixel, from a signal estimated as an output signal of the saturated first pixel.
US07705307B1 Thermal displacement-based radiation detector of high sensitivity
A radiation detector comprises an infrared radiation sensing micro mirror array, where each micro mirror is supported with a deformable cantilever beam having an organic layer for increased dynamic range. The radiation detector includes two or more sources of optical radiation for irradiating the micro mirror array, an image sensor array for receiving optical reflection from the micro mirror array, and an aperture plate for (i) spatially restricting optical radiation reaching the micro mirror array and (ii) spatially restricting reflected optical reflection reaching the image sensor array.
US07705304B2 Scanning electron microscope and three-dimensional shape measuring device that used it
In three-dimensional shape measurement, a backscattered electron detection signal and selection signal generator in a control section controls, by selection signal, a signal switching section and a frame memory so that: detection signals from respective semiconductor elements are sequentially switched in the signal switching section in synchronization with a scanning frame of an electron beam on a sample; and the detection signals from the respective semiconductor elements can be sequentially recorded in recording addresses in the frame memory which correspond to the respective semiconductor elements. After four electron beam scanning sessions, each image data for three-dimensional shape measurement is recorded in the frame memory, and processed in a computing processing section for three-dimensional shape measurement, and the result can be displayed in a display section. The backscattered electron detection signal and selection signal generator in the control section is configured to include, for example, a counter updated in frame scanning units, and can be composed of a very simple circuit or software.
US07705300B2 Charged particle beam adjusting method and charged particle beam apparatus
In an apparatus for obtaining an image by irradiating a charged particle beam on a specimen, a condition of the beam conditioned differently from vertical incidence as in the case of the beam being tilted is required to be adjusted. To this end, the apparatus has a controller for automatically controlling a stigmator, an objective lens and a deflector such that astigmatism is corrected, focus is adjusted and view filed shift is corrected. The controller has a selector for inhibiting at least one of the astigmatism correction, focus adjustment and FOV shift correction from being executed.
US07705299B2 Scanning ion probe systems and methods of use thereof
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include scanning ion probe systems, methods of use thereof, scanning ion source systems, methods of use thereof, scanning ion probe mass spectrometry systems, methods of use thereof, methods of simultaneous ion analysis and imaging, and methods of simultaneous mass spectrometry and imaging.
US07705298B2 System and method to determine focus parameters during an electron beam inspection
This invention relates to apparatus and method to fast determine focus parameters in one pre-scan during an e-beam inspection practice. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method that provide accurate focus tuning after primary focusing has been done.
US07705297B2 Flexible open tube sampling system for use with surface ionization technology
The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
US07705289B2 Scanning unit for an optical position-measuring device
A scanning unit for an optical position-measuring device includes a semiconductor light source and at least one downstream reflector element that has a defined optical effect on the beams of rays emitted by the semiconductor light source. The optically active surface of the reflector element is arranged in subregions to be reflection-preventive such that no beams of rays are reflected back from the reflector element into the semiconductor light source.
US07705288B2 Optical reading device with light blocking gasket
An optical reading device comprising a sensor array having pixels which are exposed to an image; an illumination generator for illuminating the image with light, the illumination generator being configured to have a front face; a housing for housing the sensor array, aiming pattern generator and illumination generator for hand held operation, the housing having a window disposed between the illumination generator and the image for permitting transmission of the illuminating light; a lens for focusing light to the sensor array, wherein the lens protrudes through the illumination generator; a gasket disposed around the lens for blocking light reflected off of the window from reaching the sensor array.
US07705287B2 Broadband light source unit that produces a supercontinuum lightwave, and optical analyzer
A broadband light source unit that produces a supercontinuum lightwave having a flat spectral form and has a light source that outputs a first source lightwave, which is a pulse lightwave having periodic pulses with a constant intensity, an intensity modulator that receives the first source lightwave, produces a second source lightwave having pulses whose intensities are different from one another, and outputs it, and a nonlinear optical medium section that receives the second source lightwave, produces a supercontinuum lightwave having a wavelength band broadened through a nonlinear optical phenomenon, and outputs it. An optical analyzer includes a light-applying section that applies a supercontinuum lightwave outputted from the broadband light source unit to a light-receiving region of a measurement-undergoing object, and an image pickup section that receives a lightwave generated at the light-receiving region by the application of the supercontinuum lightwave and picks up an image of the measurement-undergoing object.
US07705285B2 Photodetector arrangement having a semiconductor body with plural layers and transistors, measurement arrangement with a photodetector arrangement and process for operating a measurement arrangement
A photodetector arrangement has a semiconductor body formed of a substrate, a first layer at a first main surface of the semiconductor body, and a second layer at a second main surface of the semiconductor body. The second main surface is remote from the first main surface. A first and a second measurement terminal are arranged at the second main surface on the edge of the second layer in regions remote from one another and are formed for the electrical contact-connection of the second layer from outside the semiconductor body. A first and a second transistor couple the second layer to the first and respectively the second measurement terminal.
US07705282B2 EDS protection for an image detecting device
An image detecting device includes a substrate including plural accumulating portions, plural data lines, plural first protection lines, plural first diodes, and plural second diodes. The plural accumulating portions, due to the irradiation of incident electromagnetic waves expressing an image which is an object of detection, charges expressing the image are accumulated. In the plural data lines, the plural accumulating portions are respectively connected individually via switching elements. The plural first protection lines are for protecting a circuit from excess voltage. In the plural first diodes, anodes are connected to a portion of the plural first protection lines respectively, and cathodes are connected to the plural data lines respectively. In the plural of second diodes, cathodes are connected to another portion of the plural first protection lines respectively, and anodes are connected to the plural data lines respectively.
US07705280B2 Multispectral plasmonic crystal sensors
The present invention provides plasmonic crystals comprising three-dimensional and quasi comprising three-dimensional distributions of metallic or semiconducting films, including multi-layered crystal structures comprising nanostructured films and film arrays. Plasmonic crystals of the present invention include precisely registered and deterministically selected nonplanar crystal geometries and spatial distributions providing highly coupled, localized plasmonic responses in thin film elements and/or nanostructures of the crystal. Coupling of plasmonic responses provided by three-dimensional and quasi-three dimensional plasmonic crystal geometries and structures of the present invention generates enhanced local plasmonic field distributions useful for detecting small changes in the composition of an external dielectric environment proximate to a sensing surface of the plasmonic crystal. Plasmonic crystal structures of the present invention are also useful for providing highly localized excitation and/or imaging of fluorophores proximate to the crystal surface.
US07705275B2 Substrate support having brazed plates and resistance heater
A substrate support comprises top, middle and bottom plates which are brazed together. The top plate has a top surface with a plurality of outwardly projecting mesas dispersed across a recessed pocket, a network of recessed grooves, a vacuum port terminating in the recessed grooves, and plurality of gas ports. The middle plate has a plurality of middle feedthroughs aligned to corresponding top feedthroughs of the top plate, and the bottom plate has a plurality of bottom feedthroughs aligned to the middle feedthroughs of the middle plate. The top and middle plates are joined by a first brazed bond layer and the middle and bottom plates are joined by a second brazed bond layer.
US07705269B2 Method and apparatus for advance warning and controlled shutdown in an arc processing system
Warning and shutdown systems and methods are presented for providing advance warnings of pending fault conditions to an operator of an arc processing system. The warning system comprises an input, a logic system, and a signaling system, where the input receives a sensor signal indicative of an operational condition of the arc processing system, the logic system detects a pending fault condition based on the sensor signal, and the signaling system provides a warning signal to the operator, wherein the warning signal is indicative of the pending fault condition. Shutdown apparatus is provided which has a sensor input, a logic system to detect a fault condition, and a shutdown system that selectively shuts the arc processing system down a predetermined time period after fault detection.
US07705268B2 Method and system for laser soft marking
Methods and systems for laser soft marking, especially for semiconductor wafers and devices, are provided. A laser-marking system for marking a semiconductor wafer to form a softmark on the wafer is provided. The system includes a laser subsystem for generating one or more laser pulses and a controller operatively connected to the laser subsystem. The controller sets a laser pulse width of the one or more laser pulses to selectively provide one or more laser output pulses having one or more set pulse widths that affect the depth of a softmark that is to be formed. The mark depth is substantially dependent on the one or more set pulse widths. The controller further sets a pulse energy of the one or more output pulses to selectively provide the one or more output pulses having a set total output energy that is within an acceptable process energy window for producing the softmark.
US07705266B2 Hybrid laser processing apparatus
A hybrid laser processing apparatus 1 includes a laser oscillator 4 which oscillates a laser beam L, a high-pressure pump 5 which supplies liquid, wherein liquid supplied from the high-pressure pump 5 is injected from an injection nozzle 13 provided at a tip of a processing head 6 and becomes a liquid column W to reach an object to be processed 2. A first inclined plane 13b which reduces the diameter toward the object to be processed 2 is formed in the injection nozzle 13, the condensing lens 12 which condenses the laser beam L is designed so that the focus of the laser beam L is positioned beyond the injection nozzle 13 and closer to the side of the object to be processed 2 and the laser beam L on the side outer than the minimum diameter part 13d is reflected on the first inclined plane 13b and thereafter guided to the liquid column W.Positional matching of the condensing lens and the injection nozzle is simple and the guided laser beam does not pop out of the liquid column. Moreover, manufacturing costs and running costs can be reduced.
US07705263B2 Arc chute assembly for a circuit breaker
An arc chute assembly includes a housing having a lateral axis and a quenching portion disposed within the housing. The quenching portion includes at least two deion plates being spaced along the lateral axis of the housing and each having a cut portion wherein the cut portions are staggered along the lateral axis with respect to one another and are configured to mitigate an arc.
US07705260B2 Switch assembly
A switch assembly provides a pressing plate on a pivot contact lever to minimize heat generation at the point between the pivot contact lever and the contact point by providing an additional parallel connection contact plate which is in parallel connection to the pivot contact lever. The switch assembly provides convex contact portions on the internal output ports of the forward/reverse switch mechanism. A supplementary elastic metal plate to the pivot contact lever is provided to solve the problem of loose contact at the pivot connection site where the pivot contact lever and the support unit meet, and provides a supplementary contact unit to the movable contact device at the forward/reverse switch mechanism.
US07705255B2 Electronic device
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including an opening, a button disposed in the opening, a switch contained in the housing and operated by using the button, a wall extending in the housing from that part of the housing which surrounds the opening, a sealing member interposed between the button and the switch, covering the opening, and including an edge part extending along a peripheral surface of the wall, and a holder which presses the edge part of the sealing member against the peripheral surface of the wall.
US07705252B2 Rotary control device
The invention relates to a rotary control device intended, in particular, for being fixed to a handle of a remote control of a heavy-construction machine, comprising: a housing to be fastened to the handgrip in a fixed manner; a moving actuating part that rotates relative to the housing about an axis; first means for generating a rate control signal starting from the angular position of the moving actuating part, comprising a moving part driven by the actuating part and a part fixed to the housing, the moving actuating part being able to be driven by the operator in two opposite directions starting from a home position up to elastic means.
US07705249B2 Electronic scales configured to determine a profile and perform a weighing operation, and associated method
Electronic scales having an integrated computer including a display for presenting information to a user, an input unit for entering selection data by a user, a memory for storing a plurality of activatable profiles as sets of parameter values for assignment to corresponding sets of parameters, and a data processing unit for controlling the display, the input unit, and the memory, and for determining and processing measured values in accordance with the current activated profile. The measured values are generated during a weighing operation by the user. To determine a profile, a user is requested, over a plurality of successive steps, to select one of several options presented by the display, the combination of the options presented in a step being dependent on the selection made in the preceding step. Then, during the weighing operation, the user is requested, again, over a plurality of successive steps, to perform an action presented by the display. A request, is a function of the type of actual current activated profile, and is made only if the action requested in the preceding step is confirmed as carried out.
US07705248B2 EMI shielded module
A module for containing a circuit is provided that attenuates emitted signals without the use of a cover. The module includes a housing and a receptacle. The housing has a front having a certain thickness and the receptacle is accessible from the front of the housing. The receptacle is shaped to receive a circuit component and forms a waveguide.
US07705247B2 Built-up printed circuit board with stack type via-holes
A built-up printed circuit board includes stacked micro via-holes, each of which is provided for interconnection between layers in the printed circuit board, and in each of which a filling material, such as liquefied resin or conductive paste, is filled using a poly screen of a general screen printing machine.
US07705246B1 Compact differential signal via structure
A differential signal via structure for a printed circuit board having a pair of signal vias extending vertically from a surface of the board to an interior region of the board to contact signal conductors disposed horizontally within the interior region of the board and a pair of ground vias extending vertically from a surface of the circuit board to an interior region of the board to contact ground conductors disposed horizontally within the interior region of the board.
US07705245B2 Electronic device substrate and its fabrication method, and electronic device and its fabrication method
An electronic device substrate is formed of a thin-plate reinforcing substrate; an external connection wiring layer stacked on the reinforcing substrate, and comprising an electrical insulation provided on the reinforcing substrate, an opening formed in the electrical insulation, a first conductor pattern and a via-hole conductor provided in the opening and formed integrally with each other; and a second conductor pattern formed on the opposite side of the electrical insulation to the reinforcing substrate, and at least partially electrically connected to the via-hole conductor.
US07705244B2 Multi-conductor cable construction
A cable for use in computer networking for example has a jacket defining an internal space. A separator is located in the internal space and divides the space into three or more segments. The separator has a three or more radiating walls, at least one of which has an extension extending substantially normally from the wall to at least partially enclosed one of the segments. A conductor is located within each segment.
US07705242B2 Electrical conductor and core for an electrical conductor
A core for an electrical conductor. The core includes an inner core component, an intermediate cladding component and an outer cladding component. The inner core component comprises a plurality of glass based stranded members in a first resin matrix. The intermediate cladding component surrounds the inner core component and comprises a plurality of carbon stranded members in a second resin matrix. The outer cladding component surrounds the intermediate cladding component and comprises a plurality of glass based stranded members in a third resin matrix. The first resin matrix and the second resin matrix are substantially independent of each other, meeting at a boundary. An electrical conductor as well as a manufacturing method is likewise disclosed.
US07705241B2 Coiled wire armored cable
The coiled wire armored cable (10) includes transmission wires (14) encased by an insulator (12). A solid protective wire (16) is spirally wound over the exterior of the insulator. The protective wire (16) is fabricated from a metal, such as steel or titanium material, and will have a gauge that prevents a rodent from chewing through the wire. The coils of the protective wire are spaced apart along the length of the cable. The spacing (a) of the coils will be less than the width of the teeth of the rodent so that the coils create a “fence” that prevents the rodent's teeth from contacting the insulator.
US07705240B2 Cord seal for swimming pool and spa light niches
A cord seal for use in an underwater niche including a main seal and a seal cap. The main seal includes a one-piece member with passages that are accessible from one side of the main seal and an opposite side of the main seal. The main seal includes at least a first split. The seal cap is placed in physical contact with the opposite side of the main seal. The first split spans from the one side of the main seal to the opposite side and the first split begins at an edge of one of the passages and ends at an outer circumferential edge of the main seal.
US07705236B2 Electrode material, solar cell, and method for producing solar cell
The present invention is an electrode material comprising at least, a silver powder, a glass frit, and an organic vehicle, wherein a rate of Ag content of the electrode material is 75 wt % to 95 wt %, and a ratio of contents of Ag grains having an average grain diameter of 0.5 μm to 3 μm and Ag grains having an average grain diameter of 4 μm to 8 μm in the electrode material is (the Ag grains having an average grain diameter of 0.5 μm to 3 μm):(the Ag grains having an average grain diameter of 4 μm to 8 μm)=20-80 wt %:80-20 wt %, and a solar cell comprising an electrode formed by using the electrode material. Thereby, an electrode material that can be stably filled in an electrode groove formed on a semiconductor device and that an electrode with narrow line width and small resistance loss can be easily formed by, and a solar cell with high power having an electrode formed by using the electrode material are provided.
US07705234B2 Solar module having a connecting element
A solar module having a housing and a solar element is described, wherein the housing comprises a connecting element, which is connected to the contact surface of the solar element in an electrically conductive manner. Furthermore the connecting element is connected to electrical connection sockets, by means of which connecting conductors may be connected. A contact element which is biased against the contact surfaces of the solar elements is arranged between the connecting element and the contact surfaces of the solar element as a contact element. As a result of this, soldered, clamped or screwed connections between the solar element and the connecting element are unnecessary. A simple and cost-effective automated production of the solar module is thus made possible.
US07705233B2 Filled skutterudite-based alloy, production method thereof and thermoelectric conversion device fabricated using the alloy
A method for producing a filled skutterudite-based alloy includes the steps of melting alloy raw material that includes a rare earth metal R that is at least one species selected from among La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Yb, a transition metal T that is at least one species selected from among Fe, Co, Ni, Os, Ru, Pd, Pt and Ag, and metallic antimony Sb to form a melt; and rapidly quenching the melt through strip casting to form a solidified product that is the filled skutterudite-based alloy advantageously usable for a thermoelectric element.
US07705231B2 Automatic accompaniment for vocal melodies
A method for generating an accompaniment for a recorded audio melody includes providing a recorded audio melody that includes segments; performing a frequency analysis of the recorded audio melody; summing the total duration of each fundamental frequency within a segment of the melody; based on the summing, computing a probability for each possible chord for each segment; based on the computed probabilities, selecting a set of chords for the segments; and outputting the set of chords as an accompaniment for the recorded audio melody. Various other methods, devices, systems, etc. are also disclosed.
US07705229B2 Method, apparatus and programs for teaching and composing music
A method and apparatus for the construction and teaching of music is described. The method involves a user following a supported sequence of tasks that guide their creativity in order to construct a musical Arrangement. The musical Arrangement constructed from building blocks comprising notes, Ideas, Phrases and a Song Form Template. The described method allows for the concepts such as rhythm, chords, harmony, pitch, repetition, variation, resolution, and phrase structure, that are normally hidden within a final composition to the systematically introduced to a user. Development of keyboard apparatus, a mobile phone environment and related computer software allows for automation of the process for constructing and teaching of music.
US07705225B2 Locking nut for guitar
A bridge assembly for a guitar having a bridge plate connected to an anchor plate by a single, horizontally positioned flat spring. The bridge plate has an opening that receives a portion of a sustain block. The sustain block has receptacles for receiving fine tuners and string clamps. Intonation screws extend through flange openings on the bridge plate and are adjustably connected to saddles. A locking nut is positioned on the neck of the guitar having a plurality of pieces connected by a tensioning bolt. At least one piece has one or more stabilizing flanges.
US07705221B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV237850
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV237850. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV237850, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV237850 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV237850.
US07705220B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV521290
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV521290. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV521290, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV521290 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV521290 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV521290.
US07705219B1 Maize variety X6R223
A novel maize variety designated X6R223 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X6R223 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X6R223 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X6R223, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X6R223. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X6R223 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods.
US07705213B2 Bean line RS08051272
The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated RS08051272. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line RS08051272, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line RS08051272 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line RS08051272, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US07705206B2 Lettuce line P2231-3013596
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated P2231-3013596. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line P2231-3013596, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line P2231-3013596 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line P2231-3013596, including the gametes of such plants.
US07705205B1 Pea line 08520702
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated 08520702. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line 08520702, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line 08520702 with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line 08520702, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US07705199B2 Compositions and methods for treatment of autoimmune and related diseases
Compositions and methods are provided for treatment of autoimmune and other related diseases. 3d, a point mutation of the protein uncoordinated-93b (unc-93B), unc-93A, unc-93B, and unc-93C, polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them, for example, to produce transgenic non-human animals.
US07705195B2 Screening method
The present invention is directed to methods using transgenic mice to screen for biologically active agents.
US07705194B2 Article for assisting in toilet training
A toilet training article in the form of a toilet training pad containing an effervescent agent is disclosed. The toilet training pad, which may be an insertable pad or integrated directly into an undergarment, contains an effervescent agent which releases gas upon being contacted by urine. The effervescent agent may be in the form of a compound containing a substantially inert gas, or may be a combination of compounds that, upon being contacted by urine, produce a gas.
US07705193B2 Process for improving gasoline fractions and gasoil conversion with additional treatment to increase the gasoil fraction yield
The invention relates to a process for conversion of a gasoline-range hydrocarbon feed into a gasoline fraction with a higher octane rating than that of the feedstream, and a gasoil fraction with a cetane number higher than 45, including the following steps: a) a membrane separation step (B) applied to the hydrocarbon feed under conditions enabling selective separation of the majority of the linear olefins present in said feed and constituting the β fraction, the fraction containing the majority of the branched olefins, termed the γ fraction, constituting a gasoline with a high octane rating, greater than that of the feed; b) an oligomerisation step (C) applied to the linear olefins (β fraction) contained in the effluent stream from the membrane separation step (B) under moderate oligomerisation conditions; c) a distillation separation step (D) applied to the effluent stream arising from the oligomerisation step in at least two fractions; d) a hydrogenation step (E) applied to one of the fractions obtained at step c).
US07705192B2 Catalytic conversion of ethanol and methanol to an isobutanol-containing reaction product using a thermally decomposed hydrotalcite catalyst
Hydrotalcites are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol plus methanol to a reaction product comprising isobutanol.
US07705191B2 Hydrofluoroalkyl phenols having anesthetic properties
Substituted hydrofluoroalkylphenol compounds and methods of using the compounds, e.g., for anesthetizing a subject, are disclosed.
US07705183B2 Aromatic amine derivative and organic electroluminescence device employing the same
An aromatic amine derivative with a special structure bonding to a fused polycyclic hydrocarbon group having silyl group. An organic electroluminescence device which comprises one or more organic thin film layers comprising at least a light emitting layer sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layer comprises the above aromatic amine derivative singly or as its mixture component. An organic electroluminescence device having a long lifetime and an enhanced efficiency of light emission together with the aromatic amine derivatives realizing the device are provided.
US07705179B2 Method for oxidising hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones
The present invention relates to the oxidation with oxygen, or a gas containing it, of hydrocarbons to the corresponding carboxylic acids, alcohols and/or ketones or of alcohols and/or ketones to the corresponding carboxylic acids.More specifically, the invention consists of a process for oxidizing hydrocarbon, alcohol and/or ketone using oxygen or a gas containing it, in a liquid phase and in the presence of a catalyst dissolved in the reaction medium, characterized in that the catalyst comprises at least one soluble manganese and/or cobalt compound, at least one soluble chromium compound and at least one soluble iron compound.
US07705176B2 Macromolecular antioxidants based on sterically hindered phenols and phosphites
Sterically hindered phenol and phosphite based compounds, represented by a formula selected from I-III: and their use as antioxidants in a wide range of materials including, but not limited to, food, plastics, elastomers, composites and petroleum based products is disclosed herein.
US07705172B2 Process for the preparation of a metal-organic compound comprising a spectator ligand
The invention relates to a process for the production of an organometallic compound according to formula (1): MALjYrX(p.(n+v+r)Rn (formula 1) where: M is a metal of groups 3-13 or the lanthanide series, and p is the valency of the metal M, A represents an anionic spectator ligand whose valency v is 1 or 2, Y is a spectator ligand represented by formula (2): wherein the spectator ligand is covalently bonded to the metal M via the imine nitrogen atom, Sub1 is a substituent, which comprises a group 14 atom through which SUb1 is bonded to the imine carbon atom, Sub2 is a substituent, which comprises an atom of groups 15-16, through which Sub2 is bonded to the imine carbon atom, sub1 and sub2 might be connected to each other forming a ring system, r is an integer>0, L is an optional neutral Lewis basic ligand, j is an integer denoting the number of neutral ligands L, X is an halide, and R is an anionic ligand, wherein an organometallic reagent according to formula (3), MALjXp−v (formula 3), is contacted with an alkylating agent, thus forming a precursor in which at least one of the halide atoms is replaced by an anionic ligand R that may be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, arylalkyl, aryl, or a combination thereof, which precursor is subsequently contacted with an imine according to formula (2).
US07705170B2 Method of preparing fatty acid alkyl esters from waste or recycled fatty acid stock
The present invention is directed to a method or preparing fatty acid alkyl esters from fatty acids contained in co-product streams, or waste or recycled fatty acid stock. The present method utilizes an acidic resin to convert the fatty acid stock into esters. The present method encompasses the use of reactive simulated moving bed chromatography, wherein above about 95 percent of the fatty acid stock is converted to fatty acid alkyl esters. The present method has been optimized to separate the ester product from the raffinate stream formed during the chromatographic process, thereby improving the yield of the esterification and preventing acid hydrolysis of the ester.
US07705161B2 Process for producing nitrogenous 5-membered cyclic compound
A method of the intramolecular and intermolecular cyclization of an N-acylhydrazone for obtaining a pyrazoline skeleton or pyrazolidine skeleton under ordinary conditions with high stereoselectivity and in high yield. An N-acylhydrazone represented by the following formula (I): (wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group and Ar represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group) is converted to an N-acylpyrazoline derivative with high stereoselectivity in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst or asymmetric Lewis acid catalyst.
US07705156B2 Heteroaryl (substituted)alkyl N-substituted sulfoximines as insecticides
N-Substituted heteroaryl (substituted)alkyl sulfoximines are effective at controlling insects.
US07705155B2 Processes for the production of useful intermediates
The present application relates to a new process for the asymmetric production of 3-(pyridin-4-yl)-3-hydroxy-pentanoic acid derivatives, which are useful intermediates in the manufacture of compounds that are known to show antiproliferative activity.
US07705154B2 Process for the preparation of 2-substituted-5-(1-alkylthio)alkylpyridines
2-Substituted-5-(1-alkylthio)alkylpyridines are produced efficiently and in high yield by cyclization and thioalkylation.
US07705151B2 1,6 Naphthridines useful as inhibitors of SYK kinase
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I): wherein R3, R5, R7 and R8 are defined herein, which are useful as inhibitors SYK kinase and are thus useful for treating diseases resulting from inappropriate mast cell activation, which include allergic and inflammatory diseases. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and processes for preparing these compounds.
US07705150B2 Cyanine dyes
The invention provides a novel class of cyanine dyes that are functionalized with a linker moiety that facilitates their conjugation to other species. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.
US07705147B2 Indole derivatives as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS)
The present invention is directed to novel indole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor.
US07705143B2 Benzoimidazole compounds
Benzoimidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of using them in leukocyte recruitment inhibition, in modulating H4 receptor, and in treating conditions such as inflammation, H4 receptor-mediated conditions, and related conditions.
US07705139B2 Zinc finger proteins for DNA binding and gene regulation in plants
Disclosed herein are modified plant zinc finger proteins; compositions comprising modified plant zinc finger proteins and methods of making and using modified plant zinc finger proteins. The modified plant zinc finger proteins, in contrast to naturally-occurring plant zinc finger proteins, have a binding specificity that is determined by tandem arrays of modular zinc finger binding unit.
US07705137B2 Microbial trypsin mutants having chymotrypsin activity and nucleic acids encoding same
The present invention relates to microbial trypsin variants having chymotrypsin-like activity, comprising: (a) a one or more substitutions corresponding to positions 144, S193A, 198, 201, 218, 223, 227, 228, 229, 230, and 231 of amino acids 25 to 248 of SEQ ID NO: 2, (b) one or more deletions corresponding to positions 192, 197, and 226 of amino acids 25 to 248 of SEQ ID NO: 2; and (c) an insertion between positions corresponding to positions 224 and 225 of amino acids 25 to 248 of SEQ ID NO: 2. The present invention further relates to nucleotide sequences encoding microbial trypsin variants having chymotrypsin-like activity; nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences; and methods of producing microbial trypsin variants having chymotrypsin-like activity or a precursor thereof.
US07705135B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising aloe pectins, and methods for their production and use
Pectins having a combination of unexpectedly high molecular weights and low degrees of methylation have been isolated from Aloe vera plants, are superior gel pectins for forming calcium cross-lined gels. Such pectins can be obtained by extracting homogenized Aloe Vera plants or portions thereof. These pectins can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions comprising pharmacological agents for application to animals and humans, so as to provide controlled release of the pharmacological agent.
US07705134B2 Antibodies that bind to BGS-4
The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding BGS-4 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel BGS-4 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.
US07705130B2 Antibodies directed to HER-3 and uses thereof
The present invention relates to binding proteins that bind to HER-3 and polynucleotides encoding the same. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the same for the production of the binding protein of the invention are also provided. In addition, the invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases associated with HER-3 mediated signal transduction and/or its ligand heregulin.
US07705127B1 HDM2 Polypeptides
The present invention relates to HDM2 polypeptides and mutants thereof which are complexed with various compounds, e.g., HDM2 inhibitors.
US07705126B2 Compositions for controlling hair growth
FP-1 is a protein that is specifically expressed in the follicular papilla of the hair follicle. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FP-1, as well as antibodies that specifically bind FP-1 are provided. In addition, methods of isolating follicular papilla cells and methods of modulating hair growth are also disclosed.
US07705122B2 mTOR ligands and polynucleotides encoding mTOR ligands
The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate mTOR activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands.
US07705118B2 Methods for preparing internally constrained peptides and peptidomimetics
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a peptide having a stable, internally constrained alpha-helical, beta-sheet/beta-turn, 310-helical, or pi-helical region and a method of stabilizing an alpha-helical, beta-sheet/beta-turn, 310-helical, or pi-helical region within a peptide structure. The resulting peptides and methods of using them are also disclosed.
US07705110B2 Non-gelled curable compositions containing imide functional compounds
The present invention is directed to a non-gelled, curable composition including at least one compound having a plurality of imide functional groups. The compound in particular contains a reaction product of a) at least one hydroxyalkylamino functional succinimide; b) at least one polyisocyanate; and optionally c) at least one capping agent. The composition is suitable for use in coatings and castings.
US07705109B2 Block copolyetherester elastomer and preparation thereof
Processes for the preparation of a block copolyetherester elastomer and block copolyether elastomers made thereby are provided having polyester hard blocks and poly(alkylene oxide) polyol soft blocks, wherein at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid or an ester-forming derivative thereof, and at least one alkylene diol, are esterified with a poly(alkylene oxide) polyol, comprising an poly(propylene oxide), end capped with ethylene oxide, are esterified, an ethylene oxide content of between 22 and 90% by weight, relative to the total weight of the poly(alkylene oxide) polyol, and an unsaturation content, being the total content of vinyl and allyl groups, of less than 35 meq per kg poly(alkylene oxide) polyol.
US07705108B2 Fused thiophenes, methods for making fused thiophenes, and uses thereof
Described herein are compositions including heterocyclic organic compounds such as fused thiophene compounds, methods for making them, and uses thereof.
US07705106B2 Initial compounds for producing polyurethanes
The invention relates to starting compounds which can be used for the preparation of polyurethanes and can be prepared by reaction of hydroxyl-containing oligomers of formaldehyde.
US07705103B2 Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide copolymers
Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a precursor having at least one polydiorganosiloxane segment and at least two oxalyamino groups. The polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.
US07705102B2 Golf equipment formed from amine-adduct modified polyurea compositions
Golf equipment having at least one portion formed from amine-adduct modified polyurea compositions, including epoxy-silicone modified polyurea compositions, epoxy modified polyurea compositions, silicone modified polyurea compositions, and polyurea compositions including polyamine/carbonyl adducts and/or amine-modified adducts having backbones based on polyfunctional acrylates or methacrylates or caprolactone monomers or oligomers.
US07705101B2 Branched polydiorganosiloxane polyamide copolymers
Branched polydiorganosiloxane polyamide, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting one or more amine compounds including at least one polyamine with a precursor having at least one polydiorganosiloxane segment and at least two ester groups.
US07705092B2 Process for producing vinyl polymer
The present invention has its object to provide a process for producing a vinyl polymer which can provide a vinyl polymer in such form that a polymerization catalyst is effectively removed from that. The present invention relates to a process for producing a vinyl polymer wherein a vinyl polymer at the time of completion of the polymerization is treated with oxygen in the presence of a polar solvent. More preferably, the present invention relates to a process for bringing a polymer added with a polar solvent having a relative dielectric constant at 20° C. of not lower than 10 into contact with mixed gases of oxygen and an inert gas such as nitrogen with an oxygen concentration below the explosion limit oxygen concentration of this solvent as in the state of occurrence as a pure component.
US07705090B2 Method for preparing polyolefins containing a high percentage of exo-olefin chain ends
The present invention is directed to a method for preparing polyolefins containing a high percentage of exo-olefin chain ends. The method involves ionizing a polyolefin containing tert-chloride chain ends and reacting the ionized polyolefin with one or more nitrogen-containing five-membered aromatic ring or one or more hindered secondary or tertiary amines, or mixtures thereof.
US07705089B2 Rubber-modified styrene resin composition
A rubber-modified styrene resin composition having excellent impact resistance, high tensile strength, and good moldability is provided. The present invention is accomplished by a rubber-modified styrene resin composition containing 99.9 to 97 percent by weight of a rubber-modified styrene resin (E) and 0.1 to 3 percent by weight of a polyorganosiloxane-containing graft copolymer (D), the polyorganosiloxane-containing graft copolymer (D) being a specific copolymer prepared with a polyorganosiloxane (A) produced by polymerizing 99.9 to 99.6 percent by weight of a organosiloxane with 0.1 to 0.4 percent by weight of a graft-linking agent.
US07705086B2 Room temperature curable water-based mold release agent for composite materials
A room temperature curable water-based mold release agent that is useful for demolding composite parts, such as epoxy and polyester based polymer materials. The mold release agent is curable at low temperatures, such as room temperature, but is thermally stable up to conventional epoxy based composite molding temperatures, e.g., greater than 200 or 280° C. The mold release agent is useful for demolding large composite parts that are cured in large ovens at high temperature when the molds themselves are prepped at room temperature before placing in the oven. The mold release agent is also useful for demolding polyester composite parts that are prepared and cured at low temperature such as room temperature.
US07705084B2 Water borne film-forming compositions
The present invention provides a film-forming composition comprising a particulate polymer or emulsified liquid pre-polymer, water and a coalescent aid comprising an ester having the formula RCOOX wherein R and X are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, and at least one of R and X contain at least two unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds. The coalescent aid helps lower the minimum film formation temperature of low glass transition temperature coatings and high glass transition temperature coatings and allows optimum film formation at ambient temperatures. The coalescent aid of this coating composition is not volatile like conventional coalescent aids but rather remains part of the film and air oxidizes to cure the film. This coating composition also exhibits properties of adhesion and gloss superior to that of coating compositions containing conventional coalescent aids. Additionally, this coalescent aid can be made from natural or synthetic oils.
US07705081B2 Low-VOC emulsion polymer coating compositions
An aqueous latex coating composition and method of making an aqueous latex coating composition that comprises at least one oligomeric ethylene glycol derivative having the structure RO—(CH2—CH2—O—)n—H, at least one latex polymer, and water, wherein R is H or Cl-C4 alkyl and preferably H, and n is from 3 to 9, preferably from 3 to 8, and more preferably from 3 to 6. The oligomeric ethylene glycol derivative functions as both a coalescing solvent and freeze-thaw stabilizer without contributing to the VOC content of the composition.
US07705071B2 Aqueous ink, ink-jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit and ink jet recording apparatus
An aqueous ink to be used in an ink jet recording method that an ink is ejected from a recording head by the action of thermal energy, wherein the ink contains a pigment, a polymer and a water-soluble organic solvent, the hydrophilicity δm of the pigment falls within a range of from 21.5 or more to 23.5 or less, and the content (mass %) of the water-soluble organic solvent is from 5.0 mass % or more to 17.5 mass % or less with respect to the whole mass of the aqueous ink.
US07705070B2 Ink-jet compatible latexes
The present invention is directed to latex particulates having a greater concentration of acid at their surfaces than at their cores. A method of making such particulates can comprise copolymerizing an acidic monomer with a non-acidic monomer so as to yield a copolymer chain having more acidic monomer at one end than at the other.
US07705068B2 Polyurethane dispersions in an aqueous asphalt emulsion
The invention relates to liquid compositions that include an aqueous asphalt mixture and polyurethane dispersion. The polyurethane dispersion includes a polyurethane that is based on an aliphatic polyol backbone based on polytetramethyl ethlene glycol and/or polycaprolactone. The aqueous asphalt mixture in the liquid composition generally constitutes a majority volume percent of the liquid composition. The polyurethane dispersion generally constitutes at least about 0.1 volume percent of said liquid composition.
US07705063B2 Polyurethane foam and a resin composition
A polyurethane foam and a resin composition that may be used to form the polyurethane foam is provided. The resin composition comprises a first ethylene diamine-based polyol having about 100% ethylene oxide capping present in an amount of from 0.5 to 8 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin composition, a second polyol, and a physical blowing agent. The polyurethane foam comprises the reaction product of an isocyanate component and the resin composition. A method of forming the polyurethane foam on a substrate, comprising the steps of combining the isocyanate component, the first ethylene diamine-based polyol having about 100% ethylene oxide capping, the second polyol, and the physical blowing agent to form a polyurethane composition is also provided. The polyurethane composition is applied onto the substrate at an ambient temperature of 0° C. or lower to form the polyurethane foam.
US07705060B2 Method to start a process for producing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas
The present invention provides a method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an activated catalyst in tubes of a fixed bed reactor, preferably a multitubular fixed bed reactor, the catalyst being suitable to convert synthesis gas to normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; (ii) contacting the activated catalyst with a liquid to obtain a wetted activated catalyst; (iii) contacting the wetted activated catalyst with synthesis gas and catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons.
US07705059B2 Selective oxidative conversion of methane to methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products
The present invention relates to a method of producing methanol from a methane source by oxidizing methane under conditions sufficient to a mixture of methanol and formaldehyde while minimizing the formation of formic acid and carbon dioxide. The oxidation step is followed by treatment step in which formaldehyde is converted into methanol and formic acid which itself can further be converted into methanol via catalytic hydrogenation of intermediately formed methyl formate.
US07705056B1 Aerosol adhesive and canister-based aerosol adhesive system
A cannister-based, high solids, low and non-VOC aerosol adhesive and canister based system. The aerosol adhesive typically includes a high solids polymeric base, a hexane or cyclohexane and acetone solvent mixture and a compressed gas dissolved within the solvent. The compressed gas typically includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide and air. The aerosol adhesive is adapted to be filled into a cannister including a hose connected to the canister and a spray gun connected to the hose. The system typically includes high solids with a high viscosity. Thus the canister typically maintains high pressures up to 350 psi, but typically at 260 psi while maintaining 325 psi at 130° F., to deliver effective spray patterns.
US07705054B1 Method of preventing and/or treating oxidant injury in neurodegenerative and oxidative diseases
A method of treating and/or preventing oxidative damage, comprising administering an effective IsoK/NeuroK adduct formation suppressing amount of a phenolic amine compound and/or pyridoxamine or pyridoxamine analog, including embodiments where the phenolic compound is at least one of a pyridoxamine, salicylamine, tyrosine compound or an analog thereof.
US07705052B2 Sulfonamide derivatives for the treatment of diabetes
The present invention is related to the use of sulfonamide derivatives in the treatment of metabolic disorders mediated by insulin resistance or hyperglycemia, comprising diabetes type II, inadequate glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Formula (I). R1 is selected from the group comprising or consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, amino, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, sulfonyloxy, sulfonamide, acylamino, aminocarbonyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carboxy, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, hydrazides. R2 is selected from the group comprising or consisting of hydrogen, COOR3, —CONR3R3′, OH, a C1-C4 alkyl substituted with an OH or amino group, a hydrazido carbonyl group, a sulfate, a sulfonate, an amine or an ammonium salt. Y is an 4-12-membered saturated cyclic or bicyclic alkyl containing at least one nitrogen atom, whereby one nitrogen atom within said ring is forming a bond with the sulfonyl group of formula I thus providing the sulfonamide.
US07705051B2 Therapeutical agent useful for the treatment of plasma cell neoplasias
The use of calcium trifluoroacetate for the preparation of a drug for the treatment of plasma cell neoplasias, particularly multiple myeloma.
US07705050B2 Amides, useful in the inhibition of IL-8-induced chemotaxis of neutrophils
N-(2-aryl-propionyl)-amides of formula (I) are described. The process for their preparation and pharmaceutical preparations thereof are also described.The amides of the invention are useful in the prevention and treatment of tissue damage due to the exacerbate recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (leukocytes PMN) at the inflammatory sites. In particular, the invention relates to the R enantiomers of N-(2-aryl-propionyl)amides of formula (I) for use in the inhibition of the chemotaxis of neutrophils induced by IL-8. The compounds of the invention are used in the treatment of psoriasis, ulcerative cholitis, glomerular nephritis, acute respiratory insufficiency, idiopathic fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
US07705044B2 Benzamidoacetonitriles and their use as antiparasitics
The invention relates to compounds of the general formula and optionally the enantiomers thereof. These compounds have advantageous pesticidal properties. They are especially suitable for controlling parasites in warm-blooded animals.
US07705041B2 Inhibitors of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase for stimulating pigmentation of the skin or skin appendages
Inhibitors of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), for example tetrazole, styrylpyrazole, phenylfuran, phenylthiophene, phenylpyrrazole, pyrazolecarboxamide, 2-thioacetamide and azo compounds, are useful for promoting or stimulating pigmentation of the skin and/or skin appendages and/or for preventing and/or for limiting depigmentation and/or whitening of the skin and/or skin appendages, notably for preventing and/or limiting canities.
US07705036B2 Deuterated aminocyclohexyl ether compounds and processes for preparing same
This invention is directed to deuterated aminocyclohexyl ether compounds and processes for preparing same and methods of using same.
US07705033B2 Methods and compounds for producing dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and intermediates thereof
Methods and compounds for production of cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV are provided.
US07705030B2 Amino-5-(5-membered)hetero-arylimidazolone compounds and the use thereof for β-secretase modulation
The present invention provides a 2-amino-5-heteroaryl-5-phenylimidazolone compound of formula I The present invention also provides methods for the use thereof to inhibit β-secretase (BACE) and treat β-amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles.
US07705022B2 IDO inhibitors and methods of use thereof
Novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitors, compositions comprising the same, and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
US07705021B2 Isoindolone compounds, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof for the treatment of viral infections related to the etiology of cancer
Isoindolone derivatives, compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infection are disclosed.
US07705014B2 Inhibitors of AKT activity
The instant invention provides for compounds that inhibit Akt activity. In particular, the compounds disclosed selectively inhibit one or two of the Akt isoforms. The invention also provides for compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds and methods of inhibiting Akt activity by administering the compound to a patient in need of treatment of cancer.
US07705010B2 Use of minoxidil sulfate as an anti-tumor drug
The invention relates to compositions, methods and kits for the treatment of cancer. ATP-dependent potassium channel agonists, salts thereof, or chemical analogs thereof, for example, minoxidil sulfate, have been found to possess anti-neoplastic properties. Administering minoxidil sulfate may prolong the life of a cancer patient; for example, a patient with a brain tumor.
US07705006B2 Anti-cancer cyclopenta[g]quinazoline compounds
Cyclopenta[g]quinazolines of the formula (I): wherein: A is a group OR or NR0R1 wherein R0 and R1 are each independently hydrogen C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkenyl, C1-4 alkynyl, C1-4 hydroxyalkyl, C1-4 halogenoalkyl or C1-4 cyanoalkyl, or R0 and R1 together with the intermediate N form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring, p is an integer in the range 1 to 4, R2 is hydrogen C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkenyl, C1-4 alkynyl, C1-4 hydroxyalkyl, C2-4 halogenoalkyl or C1-4 cyanoalkyl; Ar1 is phenylene, thiophenediyl, amino, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, C1-4 alkyl and C1-4 alkoxy, and R3 is a group of one of the following formulae: -A1-Ar2-A2-Y1-A5-CON(R)CH(Y4)Y5-A5-X-Ar4 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof are of therapeutic value particularly in the treatment of cancer.
US07705000B2 Oral suspension comprising meloxicam
The present invention relates to an oral suspension comprising meloxicam, its preparation and its use in alleviating inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders.
US07704998B2 Sulfonyl-derivatives as novel inhibitors or histone deacetylase
This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, L, Q, X, Y, Z and have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.
US07704990B2 Agents for preventing and treating disorders involving modulation of the RyR receptors
The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula I and salts, hydrates, solvates, complexes, and prodrugs thereof. The present invention further provides methods for synthesizing compounds of Formula I. The invention additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula I and methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions of Formula I to treat and prevent disorders and diseases associated with the RyR receptors that regulate calcium channel functioning in cells. Such disorders and diseases include, by way of example only, cardiac disorders and diseases, skeletal muscular disorders and diseases, cognitive disorders and diseases, malignant hyperthermia, diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome. Cardiac disorder and diseases include, but are not limited to, irregular heartbeat disorders and diseases; exercise-induced irregular heartbeat disorders and diseases; sudden cardiac death; exercise-induced sudden cardiac death; congestive heart failure; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and high blood pressure. Irregular heartbeat disorders and diseases include and exercise-induced irregular heartbeat disorders and diseases include, but are not limited to, atrial and ventricular arrhythmia; atrial and ventricular fibrillation; atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmia; atrial and ventricular tachycardia; catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT); and exercise-induced variants thereof. Skeletal muscular disorder and diseases include, but are not limited to, skeletal muscle fatigue, exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue, muscular dystrophy, bladder disorders, and incontinence. Cognitive disorders and diseases include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's Disease, forms of memory loss, and age-dependent memory loss.
US07704989B2 Derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxamides, preparation method thereof and use of same in therapeutics
The present invention is related to a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are as defined herein, or an addition salt with an acid thereof, its pharmaceutical composition or use for treating or preventing diseases involving Nurr-1 nuclear receptors, also known as NR4A2, NOT, TINUR, RNR-1 and HZF3.
US07704988B2 Anti-hypercholesterolemic compounds
This invention provides cholesterol absorption inhibitors of Formula I: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. The compounds are useful for lowering plasma cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol, and for treating and preventing atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic disease events.
US07704985B2 Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and related bowel diseases
The present invention discloses a method of treating an individual having irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects. Further provided is a method of inhibiting the onset of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or a related disorder in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to the individual a prophylactically effective dose of a luminally active anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive compound with minimal or no systemic side effects.
US07704983B1 Antiprogestin method for reducing side effects associated with low dosage HRT and oral contraception
Menses regulation and, when desired, contraception is achieved at low doses of estrogen and progestin, which otherwise would create episodes of breakthrough bleeding and/or withdrawal amenorrhea, by periodically inducing menses with an antiprogestin.
US07704979B2 Materials and methods for the treatment or prevention of obesity
The subject invention provides methods of inducing the loss of adipose tissue by providing a diet high in calcium. In one aspect of the invention, the calcium is provided in the form of dairy products. In yet another aspect of the invention, calcium is provided in the form of a dietary supplement, such as calcium carbonate, of vitamin supplements. Methods of suppressing [Ca2+]i levels in individuals are also provided. The subject invention also provides methods of stimulating lipolysis, inhibiting lipogenesis, and increasing the expression of white adipose tissue uncoupling protein 2 (UPC2). The subject invention also provides methods of increasing the core temperature of an individual.
US07704975B2 Modafinil compound and cyclodextrin mixtures
Mixtures of a modafinil compound with a cyclodextrin, methods for their use, and compositions thereof are disclosed, along with complexes comprising a modafinil compound and a cyclodextrin which are taste-masked and suitable for oral consumption in an aqueous solution.
US07704968B2 Suppression of nuclear factor-κB dependent processes using oligonucleotides
Antisense oligonucleotides which hybridize with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA and methods of using these oligonucleotides.
US07704960B2 Macrolide compounds endowed with antiinflammatory activity
Macrolide compounds endowed with antiinflammatory activity are described, and more particularly macrolide derivatives lacking cladinose in position 3, with antiinflammatory activity, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient.
US07704958B1 Methods and compositions for inhibiting apoptosis using serine protease inhibitors
The instant invention provides a method of treating an animal suffering a disease characterized by excessive apoptosis by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one serine protease inhibitor and thereafter monitoring a decrease in apoptosis. The inhibitor of the invention includes α1-antitrypsin or an α1-antitrypsin-like agent, including, but not limited to oxidation-resistant variants of α1-antitrypsin, and peptoids with antitrypsin activity. The diseases treatable by the invention include cancer, autoimmune disease, sepsis neurodegenerative disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia-reperfusion injury, toxin induced liver injury and AIDS. The method of the invention is also suitable for the prevention or amelioration of diseases characterized by excessive apoptosis.
US07704955B2 Methods and compositions for modulating conditions in both mammals and plants
The invention relates to compositions comprising of SEQ NO: 1-244, 248-249, and any homologs, analogs, and fragments thereof. Such compositions can be used to treat, prevent, and modulate pain, inflammation, and metabolic processes in various organisms including plants and animals. Such compositions can be formulated with an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient for administration to a human or a plant. The compositions can be administered topically or for systemic use.
US07704953B2 Phage displayed cell binding peptides
The present disclosure relates to the construction, expression, and selection of genes that encode novel Trp cage polypeptides with desirable cell and/or tissue binding properties, as well as the novel Trp cage polypeptides themselves. A polypeptide of this disclosure may contain all or part of amino acid sequence AAADX1YX2QWLX3X4X5GPX6SGRPPPX7 (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein Xn represents an amino acid found in position n, the polypeptide comprising a tryptophan cage (Trp cage).
US07704948B2 Pharmaceutical composition
A stool softener and enteric coated bisacodyl form of a pharmaceutical composition.
US07704947B2 Methods and compositions for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
The present invention features compositions and related methods for treating IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders and conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia (including functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia), gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), and disorders and conditions associated with constipation, e.g., constipation associated with use of opiate pain killers, post-surgical constipation, and constipation associated with neuropathic disorders as well as other conditions and disorders using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.
US07704945B2 IL-18 receptors
A novel polypeptide that functions as an IL-18 receptor is disclosed. The receptor is multimeric and includes at least one AcPL polypeptide, or fragment thereof, and at least one IL-1Rrp1 polypeptide, or fraction thereof. The receptor binds IL-18 and finds use in inhibiting biological activities mediated by IL-18.
US07704942B2 Fragrance and flavour compositions
The invention relates to phenyl-cycloalkanes of formula (I) wherein the groups R1 to R6 are defined in the specification.
US07704941B2 Citral derivatives
Improved citral derivatives, and fragrances and flavorings including the derivatives, that have a longer useful shelf life than citral and/or fragrances and flavorings including citral, are disclosed. In particular, the derivatives maintain the fragrance characteristics of citral, while lowering the allergic properties, and lemony flavors and fragrances with a longer shelf-life than citral, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making the derivatives, and articles of manufacture including the derivatives. In one embodiment, the derivatives are prepared by replacing one or more double bonds in citral with a cyclopropyl group, which can be unsubstituted, or substituted with one or two lower alkyl, preferably methyl groups. The alkyl groups can optionally be substituted, for example, with electron donating groups, electron with drawing groups, groups which increase the hydrophilicity or hydrophobocity, and the like. In another embodiment, the derivatives are prepared by replacing the aldehyde group in citral with a nitrile, methyl ether or acetal group. The acetal groups can provide the compounds with a long lasting flavor or fragrance, where the acetals slowly hydrolyze to provide the aldehyde group in citral. In some embodiments, both the aldehyde and at least one of the double bond functional groups are both derivatized as described herein. Examples of suitable articles of manufacture include candles, air fresheners, perfumes, disinfectant compositions, hypochlorite (bleach) compositions, beverages such as beer and soda, denture cleanser tablets and flavored orally-delivered products such as lozenges, candies, and the like.
US07704936B2 Methods and removers for removing anodized films
A remover contains an alkaline component, a bivalent zinc ion, a ferric ion, a chelating agent, and a nitrate ion. By using this remover, an anodized film can be selectively removed from an aluminum or aluminum-alloy member.
US07704935B1 Chlorhexidine acetate antiseptic cleaning agent
An antiseptic cleaning agent, generally, comprising chlorhexidine acetate and a solvent, such as an alcohol and/or water. The chlorhexidine acetate acts as a highly effective biocide. Additionally, the chlorhexidine acetate allows the cleaning agent to dry without leaving a tacky residue. Where the cleaning agent comprises one or more alcohols, the alcohols may comprise any suitable alcohols, including lower alcohols having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as ethanol and isopropanol. In addition to chlorhexidine acetate, the cleaning agent optionally comprises another non-alcohol biocide, such as triclosan. The cleaning agent can be used in any suitable manner. For instance, the cleaning agent may be impregnated in an absorbent material, such as a towelette, swabstick, or gauze. Additionally, the absorbent material may comprise a positively charged or a non-ionic substance, such as polypropylene or polyester.
US07704932B2 Personal cleaning compositions
Personal cleansing compositions, especially body washes and shampoos, are disclosed comprising surfactant, fragrance oil and less than about 7.5% non-fragrance oil, wherein the surfactant and fragrance oil form: a) a first micellar phase; and b) a second phase which rotates polarized light.
US07704931B2 Lubricant compositions stabilized with multiple antioxidants
A lubricant composition is disclosed that comprises lubricating oil and a mixture of at least two antioxidants, the first antioxidant being a secondary diarylamine and the second antioxidant being a substituted para-phenylenediamine. Also disclosed is a method of increasing the oxidation stability of a lubricating oil comprising adding thereto at least two antioxidants, the first antioxidant being a secondary diarylamine and the second antioxidant being a substituted para-phenylenediamine.
US07704928B2 Lubricating oil composition for manual transmission
Provided is a lubricating oil composition for manual transmissions which has anti-seizure properties for shift forks and can provide manual transmissions with excellent shifting characteristics though it has a low viscosity and can save fuel to be used in automobiles. The lubricating oil composition for manual transmissions comprises a lubricating base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 4 to 6 mm2/s, on the basis of the total mass of the composition, (A) 0.14 to 0.20 percent by mass in terms of magnesium of magnesium sulfonate, (B) 0.14 to 0.18 percent by mass in terms of zinc of a specific zinc dithiophosphate, (C) 0.3 to 0.5 percent by mass in terms of sulfur of a sulfur-containing extreme pressure additive other than zinc dithiophosphate, and (D) 0.02 to 0.05 percent by mass in terms of phosphorus of an alkyl phosphite, and having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 25 to 30 mm2/s.
US07704926B2 Viscoelastic compositions
The present invention provides aqueous viscoelastic compositions comprising a cleavable surfactant and possibly also an electrolyte. The cleavable surfactants useful in the present invention comprise at least one weak chemical bond, which is capable of being broken under appropriate conditions, to produce oil soluble and water soluble products typically having no interfacial properties and surface activity compared with the original surfactant molecule. Further, the rheological properties of the aqueous viscolelastic composition are usually altered upon cleavage of the cleavable surfactant generally resulting in the elimination of the viscofying, viscoelastic and surfactant properties of the composition. Aqueous viscoelastic compositions in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use in oil-field applications, particularly for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations. Thus, the present invention also relates to a wellbore service fluid and a method of fracturing a subterranean formation. The present invention also concerns novel cleavable surfactants.
US07704924B2 Library of compounds comprising pyrrolobenzodiazepine moieties
A compound of formula (IV): O is a solid support; L is a linking group or a single bond; X′ is selected from CO, NH, S, or O; A is O, S, NH, or a single bond; R2 and R3 are independently selected from: H, R, OH, OR, ═O, ═CH—R, ═CH2, CH2—CO2R, CH2—CO2H, CH2—SO2R, O—SO2R, CO2R, COR, CN and there is optionally a double bond between C1 and C2 or C2 and C3; R6, R7, and R9 are independently selected from H, R, OH, OR, halo, nitro, amino, Me3Sn; R11 is either H or R; Q is S, O or NH; R10 is a nitrogen protecting group; and Y is a divalent group such that HY═R, and other related compounds and collections of compounds.
US07704915B2 Methods for preparing coated metal substrates
A coated metal substrate useful for carrying an exhaust emission treatment catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst for use with small engine platforms. The coated metal substrate comprises a metal such as a stainless steel, a carbon steel, a FeCr alloy, HASTELLOY® and the like. The coating on the metal substrate comprises an alumina silicate having alumina particles impregnated therein. The coating is applied using a liquid dispersion containing an aluminum silicate and the alumina particles are dispersed into the aluminum silicate coating while the coating is still wet. The coated metal substrate is then calcined. Thereafter, a washcoat containing an engine exhaust treatment catalyst may be applied to the surface of the coated metal substrate.
US07704913B2 Visible-light-responsive three-dimensional fine cell-structured photocatalytic filter, its manufacturing method and purifier device
A visible-light-responsive three-dimensional fine cell-structured photocatalytic filter in accordance with the present invention includes a sponge-like porous structure (B) containing an anatase-type titanium oxide coating formed on a surface of a sponge-like porous structural body (A) which has a porosity of 85 vol % or more. The sponge-like porous structural body (A) is composed of one material selected from the group consisting of one metal selected from the group consisting of (a) to (e): (a) carbon and either or both of silicon and a silicon alloy; (b) silicon carbide and at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicon, a silicon alloy, and carbon; (c) silicon nitride and at least one material selected from the group consisting of silicon, a silicon alloy, carbon, and silicon carbide; (d) carbon; and (e) carbon and one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, platinum, and gold.
US07704912B2 Mixtures of chiral monophosphorus compounds used as ligand systems for asymmetric transition metal catalysis
The invention relates to certain chiral transition metal catalysts, to the metal of which at least two structurally different monophosphorus ligands are bonded, at least one of said monophosphorus ligands being chiral. Said chiral transition metal catalysts are suitable as catalysts for use in asymmetric transition metal-catalyzed reactions, providing better enantioselectivities than in cases where only one structurally defined ligand is used.
US07704907B2 Synthesized hybrid rock composition, method, and article formed by the method
The invention relates to synthetic hybrid rock compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes employing mineral waste starting materials such as mine tailings, mine development rock, ash, slag, quarry fines, and slimes, to produce valuable articles of manufacture and products, which are characterized by superior physical and structural characteristics, including low porosity, low absorption, increased strength and durability, and retained plasticity. The resulting materials are compositionally and chemically distinct from conventional synthetic rock materials as demonstrated by scanning electron microprobe analysis, and are useful in a wide variety of applications, particularly with respect to commercial and residential construction.
US07704906B2 Semiconductor porcelain composition and method of producing the same
A semiconductor porcelain composition [(BiNa)x(Ba1-yRy)1-x]TiO3 with 0
US07704905B2 Reduced strain refractory ceramic composite and method of making
A composition is disclosed comprising a fine zircon component having a median particle size of less than 5 μm, a medium zircon component having a median particle size of from 5 μm to 15 μm, and a sintering aid, wherein the composition, after firing, has a strain rate of less than about 1×10−6/hr. A method for making a green body comprising contacting a fine zircon component having a median particle size of less than 5 μm, a medium zircon component having a median particle size of from 5 μm to 15 μm, and a sintering aid, and then forming the mixture into a desired shape is disclosed.
US07704887B2 Remote plasma pre-clean with low hydrogen pressure
A plasma cleaning method particularly useful for removing photoresist and oxide residue from a porous low-k dielectric with a high carbon content prior to sputter deposition. A remote plasma source produces a plasma primarily of hydrogen radicals. The hydrogen pressure may be kept relatively low, for example, at 30 milliTorr. Optionally, helium may be added to the processing gas with the hydrogen partial pressure held below 150 milliTorr. Superior results are obtained with 70% helium in 400 milliTorr of hydrogen and helium. Preferably, an ion filter, such as a magnetic filter, removes hydrogen and other ions from the output of the remote plasma source and a supply tube from the remote plasma source includes a removable dielectric liner in combination with dielectric showerhead and manifold liner.
US07704884B2 Semiconductor processing methods
Some embodiments include methods in which insulative material is simultaneously deposited across both a front side of a semiconductor substrate, and across a back side of the substrate. Subsequently, openings may be etched through the insulative material across the front side, and the substrate may then be dipped within a plating bath to grow conductive contact regions within the openings. The insulative material across the back side may protect the back side from being plated during the growth of the conductive contact regions over the front side. In some embodiments, plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition may be utilized to for the deposition, and may be conducted at a temperature suitable to anneal passivation materials so that such annealing occurs simultaneously with the plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition.
US07704880B1 Method of forming contact layers on substrates
A method is provided for manufacturing removable contact structures on the surface of a substrate to conduct electricity from a contact member to the surface during electroprocessing. The method comprises forming a conductive layer on the surface. A predetermined region of the conductive layer is selectively coated by a contact layer so that the contact member touches the contact layer as the electroprocessing is performed on the conductive layer.
US07704879B2 Method of forming low-resistivity recessed features in copper metallization
A method is provided for forming low-resistivity recessed features containing a ruthenium (Ru) film integrated with bulk copper (Cu) metal. The method includes providing a patterned substrate containing a recessed feature, depositing a barrier film in the recessed feature in a barrier film deposition chamber, transferring the patterned substrate from the barrier film deposition chamber to a Ru metal deposition chamber, heat-treating the barrier film in the presence of a H2-containing gas in the Ru metal deposition chamber, and depositing a Ru metal film on the heat-treated barrier film. The method further includes, depositing a Cu seed layer on the Ru metal film and filling the recessed feature with bulk Cu metal. In other embodiments, the method further includes heat-treating the Ru metal film and the Cu seed layer prior to the bulk Cu metal filling.
US07704876B2 Dual damascene interconnect structures having different materials for line and via conductors
Methods are disclosed for forming dual damascene back-end-of-line (BEOL) interconnect structures using materials for the vias or studs which are different from those used for the line conductors, or using materials for the via liner which are different from those used for the trench liner, or having a via liner thickness different from that of the trench liner. Preferably, a thick refractory metal is used in the vias for improved mechanical strength while using only a thin refractory metal in the trenches to provide low resistance.
US07704871B2 Integration of thin film resistors having different TCRs into single die
An integrated circuit structure including multiple thin film resistors having different sheet resistances and TCRs includes a first oxide layer (2) formed on a semiconductor substrate (1), a first thin film resistor (3) disposed on the first oxide layer (2), and a second oxide layer (14) disposed over the first oxide layer (2) and first thin film resistor (3). A second thin film resistor (15) is formed on the second oxide layer (14) and a third oxide layer (16) is formed over the second thin film resistor (15) and the second oxide layer (14). Interconnect metallization elements (12A,B & 22A,B) disposed on at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers electrically contact the circuit element (4), terminals of the first thin film resistor (3), and terminals of the second thin film resistor (15), respectively, through corresponding contact openings through at least one of the second (14) and third (16) oxide layers.
US07704869B2 Method of fabricating ultra-deep vias and three-dimensional integrated circuits using ultra-deep vias
A method of forming a high aspect ratio via opening through multiple dielectric layers, a high aspect ratio electrically conductive via, methods of forming three-dimension integrated circuits, and three-dimensional integrated circuits. The methods include forming a stack of at least four dielectric layers and etching the first and third dielectric layers with processes selective to the second and fourth dielectric layers, etching the second and third dielectric layers with processes selective to the first and second dielectric layers. Advantageously the process used to etch the third dielectric layer is not substantially selective to the first dielectric layer.
US07704863B2 Method of the application of a zinc sulfide buffer layer on a semiconductor substrate
Chemical bath deposition (CBD) has proved top be the most favorable method for application of a buffer layer to semiconductor substrates, for example, chalcopyrite thin-film solar cells, whereby previously cadmium sulphide (CdS) was deposited and as cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal, alternatives have been required. According to the invention, the semiconductor substrate is dipped in a solution for approximately 10 minutes, produced by the dissolution of zinc sulphate (0.05-0.5 mol/l) and thiourea (0.2 to 1.5 mol/l) in distilled water at a temperature being held essentially constant throughout said period. For the first time, the ZnS layer permits comparable or higher efficiencies than conventionally only achieved with toxic cadmium compounds. The method is hence much more environmentally-friendly with the same result.
US07704860B2 Nitride-based semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A nitride-based semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor multilayer structure supported on a substrate structure 101 with electrical conductivity. The principal surface of the substrate structure 101 has at least one vertical growth region, which functions as a seed crystal for growing a nitride-based semiconductor vertically, and a plurality of lateral growth regions for allowing the nitride-based semiconductor that has grown on the vertical growth region to grow laterally. The sum ΣX of the respective sizes of the vertical growth regions as measured in the direction pointed by the arrow A and the sum ΣY of the respective sizes of the lateral growth regions as measured in the same direction satisfy the inequality ΣX/ΣY>1.0.
US07704857B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
After a semiconductor element is formed and before resin sealing is performed, a surface of a scribe line between the adjacent semiconductor elements of a semiconductor wafer is scraped thinly. A laser is irradiated on a broken layer of the surface of the scribe line thus scraped thinly to recrystallize the broken layer.
US07704855B2 Method for fabricating strained silicon-on-insulator structures and strained silicon-on-insulator structures formed thereby
A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device and structure having locally strained regions in the silicon active layer formed by increasing the thickness of underlying regions of a buried insulating layer separating the silicon active layer from the substrate. The stress transferred from the underlying thickened regions of the insulating layer to the overlying strained regions increases carrier mobility in these confined regions of the active layer. Devices formed in and on the silicon active layer may benefit from the increased carrier mobility in the spaced-apart strained regions.
US07704853B2 Method for the elimination of the effects of defects on wafers
A method eliminates effects of defects on wafers caused by cavities adjacent to the surface of a semiconductor (e.g., silicon) wafer. A first insulating layer is applied to the surface of the semiconductor wafer and into the cavities adjacent to the surface. The applied first insulating layer is covered with a sacrificial layer. A selective back-etching of the sacrificial layer is carried out, such that the cavities adjacent to the surface remain filled with the sacrificial layer. A second insulating layer is applied directly to the first insulating layer and, in a subsequent method step, a conducting layer is applied to the second insulating layer.
US07704852B2 Amorphization/templated recrystallization method for hybrid orientation substrates
The present invention provides an improved amorphization/templated recrystallization (ATR) method for fabricating low-defect-density hybrid orientation substrates. ATR methods for hybrid orientation substrate fabrication generally start with a Si layer having a first orientation bonded to a second Si layer or substrate having a second orientation. Selected regions of the first Si layer are amorphized and then recrystallized into the orientation of the second Si layer by using the second Si layer as a template. The process flow of the present invention solves two major difficulties not disclosed by prior art ATR methods: the creation of “corner defects” at the edges of amorphized Si regions bounded by trenches, and undesired orientation changes during a high temperature post-recrystallization defect-removal annealing of non-ATR'd regions not bounded by trenches. In particular, this invention provides a process flow comprising the steps of (i) amorphization and low-temperature recrystallization performed in substrate regions free of trenches, (ii) formation of trench isolation regions that subsume the defective regions at the edge of the ATR'd regions, and (iii) a high-temperature defect-removal anneal performed with the trench isolation regions in place.
US07704850B2 Semiconductor device for measuring an overlay error, method for measuring an overlay error, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device for determining an overlay error on a semiconductor substrate includes a first and a second transistor. Each transistor includes two diffusion regions associated with a gate, the diffusion regions of each transistor being arranged in a first direction. The second transistor is arranged adjacent to the first transistor in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second gate each have a non-uniform shape, and the second gate is oriented with respect to an orientation of the first gate in such a way that an effect of an overlay error on a device parameter of the second transistor has an opposite sign in comparison to an effect of the overlay error on a corresponding device parameter of the first transistor.
US07704844B2 High performance MOSFET
A semiconductor structure which exhibits high device performance and improved short channel effects is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOFET) that includes a low dopant concentration within an inversion layer of the structure; the inversion layer is an epitaxial semiconductor layer that is formed atop a portion of the semiconductor substrate. The inventive structure also includes a well region of a first conductivity type beneath the inversion layer, wherein the well region has a central portion and two horizontally abutting end portions. The central portion has a higher concentration of a first conductivity type dopant than the two horizontally abutting end portions. Such a well region may be referred to as a non-uniform super-steep retrograde well.
US07704842B2 Lateral high-voltage transistor with vertically-extended voltage-equalized drift region
A lateral high-voltage device in which conductive trench plates are inserted across the voltage-withstand region, so that, in the on state, the current density vectors have less convergence. This can help reduce on-resistance.
US07704841B2 Transistor structure and method for making same
A gate structure in a transistor and method for fabricating the structure are disclosed. A gate structure is formed on a substrate. The gate structure includes three layers: an oxide layer, a nitride layer and a polysilicon layer. The oxide layer is located on the substrate, the nitride layer is located on the oxide layer, and the polysilicon layer is located on the nitride layer. The gate structure is reoxidized to form a layer of oxide over the gate structure.
US07704838B2 Method for forming an independent bottom gate connection for buried interconnection including bottom gate of a planar double gate MOSFET
A method is provided for making a semiconductor device, which comprises (a) providing a semiconductor structure comprising a top gate (228) and a bottom gate (240); (b) creating first, second and third openings in the semiconductor structure, wherein the first opening exposes a portion of the bottom gate; (c) filling the first, second and third openings with a conductive material, thereby forming source (258) and drain (260) regions in the second and third openings and a conductive region (253) in the first opening; and (d) forming an electrical contact (278) to the conductive region.
US07704833B2 Method of forming abrupt source drain metal gate transistors
A gate structure may be utilized as a mask to form source and drain regions. Then the gate structure may be removed to form a gap and spacers may be formed in the gap to define a trench. In the process of forming a trench into the substrate, a portion of the source drain region is removed. Then the substrate is filled back up with an epitaxial material and a new gate structure is formed thereover. As a result, more abrupt source drain junctions may be achieved.
US07704829B2 Method for fabricating nonvolatile memory device
A nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes an active region; a source region formed in the active region; a source line formed on the source region and electrically connected with the source region, to cross over the active region; word lines aligned at each sidewall of the source line to cross over the active region in parallel with the source line; and a charge storage layer interposed between the word lines and the active region. Since the word lines are formed at both sides of the source line using an anisotropic etch-back process, without photolithography, the area of a unit cell can be reduced.
US07704815B2 Method of creating defect free high Ge content (>25%) SiGe-on-insulator (SGOI) substrates using wafer bonding techniques
A method for achieving a substantially defect free SGOI substrate which includes a SiGe layer that has a high Ge content of greater than about 25 atomic % using a low temperature wafer bonding technique is described. The wafer bonding process described in the present application includes an initial prebonding annealing step that is capable of forming a bonding interface comprising elements of Si, Ge and O, i.e., interfacial SiGeO layer, between a SiGe layer and a low temperature oxide layer. The present invention also provides the SGOI substrate and structure that contains the same.
US07704813B2 Reliable high-voltage junction field effect transistor and method of manufacturing therefor
The present invention provides a high-voltage junction field effect transistor (JFET), a method of manufacture and an integrated circuit including the same. One embodiment of the high-voltage junction field effect transistor (JFET) (300) includes a well region (320) of a first conductive type located within a substrate (318) and a gate region (410) of a second conductive type located within the well region (320), the gate region (410) having a length and a width. This embodiment further includes a source region (710) and a drain region (715) of the first conductive type located within the substrate (318) in a spaced apart relation to the gate region (410) and a doped region (810) of the second conductive type located in the gate region (410) and extending along the width of the gate region (410). In place of or addition to the doped region (810), the high-voltage junction field effect transistor (JFET) (300) may includes a conductive field plate (920) located over and extending along the width of the gate region (410).
US07704812B2 Semiconductor circuit and method of fabricating the same
According to the invention, a plurality of semiconductor devices which are required to have conformance are formed from crystalline semiconductor films having uniform crystallinity on the same line, and a semiconductor circuit in which variation between semiconductor devices is small can be provided, and a semiconductor integrated circuit having high conformance can be provided. The invention is characterized in that, in a part or whole of thin film transistors which configure an analog circuit such as a current mirror circuit, a differential amplifier circuit, or an operational amplifier, in which high conformance is required for semiconductor devices included therein, channel forming regions have crystalline semiconductor films on the same line. High conformance can be expected for an analog circuit which has the crystalline semiconductor films on the same line formed using the invention as the channel forming regions of the thin film transistors. That is, the invention is characterized in that, among the thin film transistors which configures the analog circuit, the channel forming regions of the thin film transistors having at least the same polarity are formed on the same line.
US07704808B2 Methods of forming semiconductor-on-insulating (SOI) field effect transistors with body contacts
Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) field effect transistors include a semiconductor substrate and a first semiconductor active region on a first portion of a surface of the substrate. A first electrically insulating layer is provided. This first electrically insulating layer extends on a second portion of the surface of the substrate and also on a first sidewall of the first semiconductor active region. A second electrically insulating layer is provided, which extends on a third portion of the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The second electrically insulating layer also extends on a second sidewall of the first semiconductor active region. A second semiconductor active region is provided on the first semiconductor active region. The second semiconductor active region extends on the first semiconductor active region and on ends of the first and second electrically insulating layers. Source and drain regions are also provided, which are electrically coupled to opposite ends of the second semiconductor active region. An insulated gate electrode extends on the second semiconductor active region and opposite the first semiconductor active region.
US07704806B2 Thin film transistor having silicon nanowire and method of fabricating the same
A thin film transistor includes: a silicon nanowire on a substrate, the silicon nanowire having a central portion and both side portions of the central portion; a gate electrode on the central portion; and a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode on the both side portions, the source electrode and the drain electrode electrically connected to the silicon nanowire, respectively.
US07704803B2 Semiconductor device having diffusion layers as bit lines and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region; a plurality of bit line diffusion layers formed in an upper portion of the semiconductor region and each extending in a row direction; a plurality of bit line insulating films formed on the bit line diffusion layers; a plurality of gate insulting films formed between the respective adjacent bit line diffusion layers on the semiconductor region; and a plurality of word lines each formed on the semiconductor region in a column direction and each intersecting with the bit line insulating films and the gate insulating films. Memory cells are formed at intersections of the gate insulating films and the word lines. A plurality of connection diffusion layers including connection parts electrically connected to the bit line diffusion layers are formed in the upper portion of the semiconductor region, and a level of upper faces of the connection parts is lower than a level of upper faces of the connection diffusion layers in the semiconductor region.
US07704802B2 Programmable random logic arrays using PN isolation
Disclosed are a programmable, random logic device array, and a method of forming such a device. The device comprises a substrate, and a semiconductor layer above the substrate. That semiconductor layer, in turn, includes a first region of a first semiconductor type, an array of spaced apart second regions of a second semiconductor type, and a plurality of space-charge regions. Each of the space charge regions extends around a respective one of the second regions and separates that one of the second regions from the first region of the semiconductor layer. The programmable, random, logic device array further comprises first and second sets of contacts. The first set of contacts are in electrical contact with areas of said first region of the semiconductor layer, and the second set of contacts are in electrical contact with the second regions.
US07704801B2 Resin for sealing semiconductor device, resin-sealed semiconductor device and the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A resin sealed semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a main surface, a plurality of surface electrodes formed on the main surface of the chip, a plurality of projection electrodes formed the main surface, each projection electrode being connected to respective one surface electrodes, and a resin shield covering the main surface, the surface electrodes and side surfaces of the projection electrodes, the resin having a thermal expansion coefficient in the range of 8-10 ppm/° C. and a Young's modulus in the range of 1.8-2.0 Gpa.
US07704799B2 Method of manufacturing wiring substrate
A wiring substrate (1) comprises an insulating base (10) with connection holes (11), buried conductors (12) provided in the connection holes (11) without reaching a rear surface of the insulating base (10), and wiring layers 14 connected to the buried conductors (12). The buried conductors (12) thicken the wiring layers (14), and can form aligning parts (110) on the rear surface of the connection holes (11) to be used for three-dimensional mounting structure. Each wiring layer (14) includes thin terminals (14A), wirings (14B) and thick electrodes (14C). Not only the terminals (14A) and wirings (14B) but also the buried conductors (12) are raised by the same manufacturing process. A semiconductor element (2) is attached to the electrodes (14C) of the wiring substrate (1).
US07704797B2 Module and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a module, formed of a semiconductor element flip-chip bonded to a substrate and chip component soldered to the substrate, is disclosed. The method includes a step of mounting the chip component and the semiconductor element to the substrate, a first injection step for injecting first resin from a center of a lateral face of the semiconductor element into a gap between the semiconductor element and the substrate, a second injection step for applying second resin having a greater viscosity than the first resin to corners of the semiconductor element before the first resin reaches the corners, and a curing step for heating the module. This method allows mounting the chip component closer to the semiconductor element, so that the component can be mounted at a higher density on the module.
US07704795B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a display device which can efficiently separate individual thin-thickness display devices from a large-sized mother substrate. Scribe marks for separating a plurality of display devices are preliminarily formed on back surfaces of a TFT mother substrate and a sealing mother substrate. By etching front surfaces of these mother substrates, etching portions reach the scribe marks so that a plurality of display devices each of which is constituted of a TFT substrate and a sealing substrate can be separated from each other.
US07704793B2 Electronic part and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing an electronic part, including: cutting a wiring substrate, which contains a base substrate, a wiring pattern provided on a first surface of the base substrate, and a reinforcing member provided on a second surface of the base substrate, along a line intersecting with an outer circumference of the reinforcing member; wherein a wire, out of a plurality of wires composing the wiring pattern, arranged closest to an intersecting point of the outer circumference of the reinforcing member and the line has a widest width.
US07704792B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An insulating layer having an opening from which an electrode pad of a device is exposed is formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate having the device fabricated therein, and an external terminal pad defined by a portion of a conductor layer formed on the insulating layer is connected to the electrode pad by means of a bonding wire. Further, a conductor post is formed on the external terminal pad, and an encapsulation resin layer is formed to coat a region on the semiconductor substrate in which the conductor post is formed, and to expose a top portion of the conductor post. An external connecting terminal is bonded to the top portion of the conductor post.
US07704788B2 Methods of fabricating multi-bit phase-change memory devices and devices formed thereby
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming at least one non-volatile memory cell on a substrate. The memory cell includes a plurality of phase-changeable material regions therein that are electrically coupled in series. This plurality of phase-changeable material regions are collectively configured to support at least 2-bits of data when serially programmed using at least four serial program currents. Each of the plurality of phase-changeable material regions has different electrical resistance characteristics when programmed.
US07704785B2 Organic semiconductor solutions, processes for forming organic semiconductor layers therewith and devices containing such layers
Solutions comprising: (i) at least one organic semiconductor, (ii) at least one organic solvent A having a boiling point, and (iii) at least one organic solvent B having a boiling point; wherein the at least one organic semiconductor comprises at least one high molecular weight component, wherein the at least one organic solvent A is a good solvent for the at least one organic semiconductor, wherein the at least one organic solvent B is a poor solvent for the at least one organic semiconductor; and wherein the boiling point of the at least one solvent A is greater than the boiling point of the at least one solvent B; and the use of such solutions in processes for forming organic semiconductor layers on substrates and devices formed by such processes.
US07704784B2 Semiconductor devices having regions of induced high and low conductivity, and methods of making the same
Semiconductor apparatus comprising: a substrate having a substrate surface; a layer of a first material overlying a first region of the substrate surface; a layer of a semiconductor overlying the layer of first material and overlying a second region of the substrate surface; a first region of the layer of semiconductor, overlying the layer of first material and having a first conductivity; a second region of the layer of semiconductor, overlying the second region of the substrate surface and having a second conductivity; and the first conductivity being substantially different from the second conductivity. Such semiconductor apparatus further comprising a layer of a second material overlying the second region of the substrate surface, the second region of the layer of semiconductor overlying the layer of the second material.
US07704782B2 Method of forming pixel cells with color specific characteristics
Imager devices having an array of photosensors, each photosensor having at least two doped regions. The two doped regions are each independently tailored to a particular wavelength.
US07704781B2 Pixel cells in a honeycomb arrangement
The present invention, in the various exemplary embodiments, provides a RGB color filter array. The red, green and blue pixel cells are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The honeycomb layout provides the space to vary the size of pixel cells of an individual color so that, for example, the photosensor of blue pixels can be made larger than that of the red or green pixels. In another aspect of the invention, depicted in the exemplary embodiments, the honeycomb structure can also be implemented with each pixel rowing having a same color of pixel cells which can simplify can conversion in the readout circuits. In another aspect of the invention, the RGB honeycomb pixel array may be implemented using a shared pixel cell architecture.
US07704777B2 Method for producing semiconductor device
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes bonding a transfer layer disposed on a first substrate to a second substrate and detaching the transfer layer from the first substrate. In bonding the transfer layer disposed on the first substrate to the second substrate, the method further includes placing a seal having a frame shape on a surface of the first substrate on which the transfer layer is disposed or a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, placing an adhesive in a region inside the seal, and superposing the surface of the first substrate on which the transfer layer is disposed on the second substrate with the seal and the adhesive. The seal and the adhesive are incompatible with each other. The seal and the adhesive are not cured in the period from placing the seal to superposing the surface of the first substrate on which the transfer layer is disposed on the second substrate.
US07704770B2 Light emitting diode by use of metal diffusion bonding technology and method of producing light emitting diode
The main objective of present invention is to provide a manufacturing method of light emitting diode that utilizes metal diffusion bonding technology. AlInGaP light emitting diode epitaxial structure on a temporary substrate is bonded to a permanent substrate having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the epitaxial structure, and then the temporary substrate is removed to produce an LED having a vertical structure and better performance. The other objective of the present invention is to provide a high performance LED that uses metal diffusion technology and wet chemical etching technology to roughen the LED surface in order to improve light extraction efficiency.
US07704767B2 Manufacturing method of electro line for liquid crystal display device
A manufacturing method of an electro line for a liquid crystal display device includes depositing a barrier layer made of a conducting material on a substrate, depositing a copper layer (Cu) on the barrier layer, wet-etching the Cu layer using a first etchant, and dry-etching the barrier layer using a second etchant using the wet-etched Cu layer as an etch mask.
US07704759B2 Semiconductor laser device and method for fabricating the same
In a semiconductor laser device, a plurality of light-emitting elements emitting light with different wavelengths are integrated on a substrate. Each of the light-emitting elements includes, on the substrate, an active layer and cladding layers respectively provided on top and bottom of the active layer. One of the cladding layers provided on top of the active layer is an upper cladding layer having a mesa ridge portion. An etching stopper layer for forming the ridge portion is interposed between the ridge portion and the other portion of the upper cladding layer. The thickness of the etching stopper layer varies among the light-emitting elements.
US07704756B2 Fluorogenic dyes
Fluorogenic or chromogenic dyes are useful as reporter molecules for detecting cell entry by a specific molecule.
US07704754B2 Method of plasmon-enhanced properties of materials and applications thereof
Methods and applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced antibacterial, anti-adhere, adhere, catalytic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, spectral change, biological and chemical decomposition properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles are disclosed. A method of the nonlinear generation of surface plasmon resonance enables the use of light with wavelengths from X-Ray to IR to enhance properties of materials by several orders of magnitude. The nanoparticle size is crucial for the enhancement and their size is considered to be in the proposed methods and applications within a range of 0.1 nm to 200,000 nm. The nanoparticles preferably are made of noble metals and/or semiconductor oxides. The invention describes a very broad spectrum of applications of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced properties of materials with embedded nanoparticles, from environmental cleanup by road pavement and construction materials, self-cleaning processes of surface materials, thermochromic effects on heat blocking materials, corrosion preventing paint, to sanitization by antibacterial textile fabrics, filters, personal clothing, contact lenses and medical devices.
US07704753B2 Devices and methods for analyte assays with built-in result reporting using recognizable symbols
The present invention provides devices, methods and kits for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample and indicating to the user the presence or absence of the analyte through the formation of a recognizable symbol during the assay. In one embodiment, the present invention provides test strips having a matrix including a sample application zone, a reagent zone, and a detection zone. Within the detection zone are located positive and negative control areas, and an analyte binding area. The positive control area contains one or more components that exhibit a first color when dry and a second color when wetted. When the assay is conducted, the positive control area is wetted by the assay fluids and turns to a second color, thereby functioning as a positive procedural control. When analyte is present in the sample, it binds at the analyte binding area, which interacts with the positive control area to form a second recognizable symbol at the detection zone.
US07704750B2 Visual spill indicator
Composition, which includes a dye that changes color when contacted with a suitable amount of an organic substance, in conjunction with a matrix, paste, support or web, can indicate visually or photometrically the presence of the organic substance. An organic spill absorbing material may be present. For instance, the dye may be selected from the class of anthracene, azo, anthraquinone, pyrazolone, and quinone dyes, and be hydrophobic and organic oleophilic. For an example, the dye may be Oil Red “A.” The matrix, paste, support or web may include a microfiber cloth, which may be coated with an adhesive for attachment of the dye, and/or include a water-dissolving paper which may envelope the dye. A device for ascertaining whether an organic substance is present includes the dye or composition with the dye at a certain locale, and a light-transmissive pathway in communication with the location and a detection site external the location. A spectral instrument may be included for the detection, and a remote monitor site may be in communication with the instrument. Various organic substances can be detected, to include oils and gasoline.
US07704747B2 Dual blood glucose meter
Disclosed herein is a dual blood glucose meter. The dual blood glucose meter includes a meter body, a measurement strip, a variety of electronic parts and upper and lower strip receiving ports. The meter body is provided with a liquid crystal display panel on the front thereof to display measured numerical values and various pieces of pictorial information. The measurement strip is brought into contact with blood at a blood collection spot so as to measure blood glucose of the blood. The electronic parts are used to measure the blood glucose of the blood. The upper and lower strip receiving ports are formed at upper and lower ends of the meter body to receive the measurement strip, and are each electrically connected to the electric parts.
US07704744B2 Methods for casein determination in milk
The content of casein in milk is determined by two measurements of infrared absorbance in a milk sample by infrared spectrometry before and after a separation of the casein. The casein content is calculated by use of absorbance data recorded during the two absorbance measurements. The new method is considerable faster than the known wet-chemical methods, such as the normal wet chemical reference method for casein determination in milk using a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the milk sample, then a coagulation of the milk, and finally a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the filtrate. Further the new method provides a more reliable accuracy than the know determination using a single infrared analysis of a milk sample.
US07704742B2 Method and polynucleotides for determining translational efficiency of a codon
A method is disclosed for determining the translational efficiency of an individual codon in a cell. The method includes introducing into the cell a synthetic construct including a reporter polynucleotide fused in frame with a tandem repeat of the individual codon, wherein the reporter polynucleotide encodes a reporter protein, and wherein the synthetic construct is operably linked to a regulatory polynucleotide; and measuring expression of the reporter protein in the cell to determine the translational efficiency of the codon.
US07704729B2 Apparatus and method for analyte detection
Disclosed is a testing device and methods for the identification of an analyte of interest in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the testing device includes a front panel having at least one sample application aperture; a rear panel having at least one solvent application aperture; a sample collection matrix disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, the sample collection matrix being in communication with the sample and solvent application apertures of the front and rear panels; and at least one insertable test strip containing a reagent enabling detection of the analyte of interest.
US07704727B2 Device and method for processing biological material
Disclosed is a device for processing biological material which at least comprises a chamber at least closable to the outside and having an inner space for receiving the biological material. The chamber comprises at least one electrode placed in contact with the inner space for generating an electric field. Also disclosed is a method for processing biological material. The biological material is introduced into the inner space above and the electrode can generate an electric field after said biological material is introduced by applying voltage to said electrode and a further electrode in contact with the inner space. The chamber comprises at least one inlet line having at least one opening arranged close to the electrode. The biological material is almost completely rinsed out of the inner space after the electric field is generated, via a solution guided via an inlet line of the chamber along at least one electrode.
US07704726B2 Active programmable matrix devices
A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. The device includes a power supply and waveform generator adapted to supply a DC bias and superimposed AC signal to the system through an interface to the array of microlocations.
US07704725B2 Process for the production of macrolides using a novel strain, Streptomyces sp. BICC 7522
The present invention discloses a new strain of Streptomyces sp. BICC 7522, its variants or mutants and use of the strain for the production of macrolides, process of production and purification of microlides.
US07704723B2 Isolation and characterization of novel clostridial species
A novel clostridia bacterial species (Clostridium ragsdalei, ATCC BAA-622, “P11”) is provided. P11 is capable of synthesizing, from waste gases, products which are useful as biofuel. In particular, P11 can convert CO to ethanol. Thus, this novel bacterium transforms waste gases (e.g. syngas and refinery wastes) into useful products. P11 also catalyzes the production of acetate.
US07704719B2 Glucose isomerase mutants, DNA thereof and use thereof
This invention provides a series of recombinant Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum glucose isomerases with improved catalytic activity and thermostability obtained by using recombinant techniques. These recombinant glucose isomerases comprise amino acid variation including phenylalanine (Phe) at position 139, alanine (Ala) at position 182, serine (Ser) at position 187, and glutamine (Gln) at position 299, and carry at least one additional mutated amino acid at position 87, position 217, position 260 or position 276, and possess a higher catalytic activity than that of the wild-type when using D-glucose as substrate. These recombinant glucose isomerases can be used for direct production of high fructose corn syrup containing 55.% [wt] or higher concentration of fructose.
US07704718B2 Method of reducing the viscosity of mucus
Disclosed is a pO157 plasmid-specified polypeptide found in E. coli EDL933 and other E. coli that binds to and cleaves C1-esterase inhibitor, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods employing the polypeptide for diagnosing enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection, identifying potential inhibitors of its activity, and reducing viscosity of material containing glycosylated polypeptides.
US07704717B2 Plant caffeic acid-3-O-methyltransferase homologs
This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism in a transformed host cell.
US07704715B2 Peroxide-driven cytochrome P450 oxygenase variants
The invention relates to novel variants of cytochrome P450 oxygenases. These variants have an improved ability to use peroxide as an oxygen donor as compared to the corresponding wild-type enzyme. These variants also have an improved thermostability as compared to the cytochrome P450 BM-3 F87A mutant. Preferred variants include cytochrome P450 BM-3 heme domain mutants having I58V, F87A, H100R, F107L, A135S, M145A/V, N239H, S274T, L324I, I366V, K434E, E442K, and/or V446I amino acid substitutions.
US07704713B2 Polypeptides having DNA polymerase activity
A polypeptide having a high fidelity DNA polymerase activity and thus being useful as a genetic engineering reagent; a gene encoding this polypeptide; a method of producing the polypeptide; and a method of amplifying a nucleic acid by using the polypeptide.
US07704709B2 Modified human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and process for producing same
A modified human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) is produced by culturing a microorganism transformed with an expression vector comprising a gene encoding a modified hG-CSF to produce and secrete the modified hG-CSF to periplasm, said modified hG-CSF being obtained by replacing at least one of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 17th amino acids of wild-type hG-CSF (SEQ ID NO: 2) with other amino acid.
US07704708B2 Monomeric streptavidin muteins
The invention includes a streptavidin mutein having at least one mutation chosen to cause one or more of steric hindrance, charge repulsion, or improvement of solubility by changing interfacial hydrophobic residues to less hydrophobic or hydrophilic residues. The mutein may exist in monomeric form even in the presence of biotin, and reversibly binds to biotin. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding such muteins, expression systems and host cells for producing such muteins. The invention also includes a method of capturing biotinylated molecules using the muteins of the invention.
US07704706B2 L-alanyl-L-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid (alaphosphin) for selective inhibition of cell growth
Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting for growth of non-target cells in a mixed population of target and non-target cells, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the mixed population with a selective agent which comprises a carrier moiety linked by a scissile linkage to a toxic moiety; wherein the selective agent is able to enter non-target cells in which the scissile linkage is cleaved, releasing the toxic moiety to exert a toxic effect on the non-target cells causing inhibition of the growth of the non-target cells, whereas the selective agent is unable to enter target cells and/or the scissile linkage is not cleaved in target cells and/or toxic moiety, if released from the selective agent, does not exert a toxic effect on the target cell; and (b) culturing the cells in conditions which allow for growth of non-inhibited cells.
US07704704B2 Implantable system for glucose monitoring using fluorescence quenching
This disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods of sensing an analyte. An implantable sensor may be contacted with a test sample under conditions that permit a binding protein and a ligand of the sensor to interact in an analyte-dependent manner to produce an analyte-dependent signal, and (b) detecting the analyte-dependent signal with a detector. A binding protein may reversibly bind an analyte and/or a ligand. A binding protein may have a higher binding affinity for an analyte than for a ligand. A binding protein and a ligand may each include a fluorophore, the absorption and/or emission properties of which may change in an analyte-dependent manner. A binding protein and/or a ligand may be bound to an active or inactive substrate. Some embodiments of systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in vitro, in situ, and/or in vivo. Systems and/or devices of the disclosure may be configured to be wearable.
US07704700B2 Methods for determining the prognosis for patients with a prostate neoplastic condition using inhibitor of apoptosis polypeptides
The invention provides a method of determining a prognosis for survival for a patient with a prostate neoplastic condition. The method consists of (a) measuring the level of XIAP in a neoplastic prostate cell-containing sample from the patient, and (b) comparing the level of XIAP in the sample to a reference level of XIAP, where an increased level of XIAP in the sample correlates with increased survival of the patient.
US07704699B2 Method for the characterization of the three-dimensional structure of proteins employing mass spectrometric analysis and computational feedback modeling
A method for characterizing the three-dimensional surface structure of molecules, particularly proteins and protein complexes, employing mass spectrometric analysis, an electrospray ionization (ES) source, a novel data interpretation process that utilizes comparisons of particular binding constants (KB) and heats of formation (ΔHf), and computational feedback modeling.
US07704697B2 Protein which can be used, in particular, for the in vitro isolation and prevention of Legionella pneumophila infections
The invention relates to novel polynucleotides, including SEQ ID NO: 1 or parts or variants of the sequence, novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides, expression vectors including the polynucleotides and host cells including the expression vectors. The polynucleotides and polypeptides can be used in the field of in vitro diagnosis and/or for production of vaccines against Legionella pneumophila.
US07704695B2 Screening of compounds for BGT1 transporter activity
BGT1 is consistently expressed at high levels in brain microvessel endothelial cells. Disclosed herein are assays for determining whether a test material/molecule is a substrate for, and/or is actively transported by, the BGT1 transporter, and therefore a candidate substrate for crossing the blood brain barrier. The assays are useful in screening for therapeutic, cytotoxic or imaging compounds used in the treatment or diagnosis of neurological diseases.
US07704690B2 Synthesis of error-minimized nucleic acid molecules
A method is provided for synthesis of error-minimized nucleic acid molecules. Oligonucleotides intended to have fragments of a desired, full-length nucleotide sequence, and optionally containing other desired nucleotides, such as nucleotides for binding the oligonucleotides to a substrate, are obtained. Oligonucleotides for both strands of the desired, full-length sequence may be obtained. The oligonucleotides are amplified and assembled into a first set of molecules intended to have the desired, full-length nucleotide sequence. The first set of molecules is denatured and annealed to form a second set of molecules intended to have the desired, full-length nucleotide sequence. The second set of molecules is cut into smaller segments, for example, by mixing the molecules with endonucleases that form blunt cuts in the second set of molecules where there are sequence errors, as well as randomly along the molecules. The smaller segments are assembled into a set of molecules intended to have the desired, full-length nucleotide sequence. By promoting cutting of the molecules in this manner near the end of the nucleic acid molecule synthesis process, a set of full-length molecules can be obtained with fewer nucleotide sequence errors than can be achieved with other methods.
US07704687B2 Digital karyotyping
Alterations in the genetic content of a cell underlie many human diseases, including cancers. A method called Digital Karyotyping provides quantitative analysis of DNA copy number at high resolution. This approach involves the isolation and enumeration of short sequence tags from specific genomic loci. Analysis of human cancer cells using this method identified gross chromosomal changes as well as amplifications and deletions, including regions not previously known to be altered. Foreign DNA sequences not present in the normal human genome could also be readily identified. Digital Karyotyping provides a broadly applicable means for systematic detection of DNA copy number changes on a genomic scale.
US07704681B2 Manufacturing method for pixel structure
A manufacturing method for a pixel structure is provided. The method includes the following steps. A first photomask is used to form a source/drain on a substrate. A second photomask is used twice to form a transparent conductive layer and a channel layer on the substrate respectively. The transparent conductive layer covers a portion of the source/drain and is electrically connected with the same, and the pattern of the transparent conductive layer and the pattern of the channel layer are complementary patterns. Then, a dielectric layer is formed over the substrate to cover the transparent conductive layer and the channel layer. A third photomask is used to form a gate on the dielectric layer.
US07704674B1 Method for patterning a photo-resist in an immersion lithography process
A method for patterning a photo-resist in an immersion lithography process is described. The method includes forming a photo-resist layer above a substrate. A hydrophobic and contrast-enhancing barrier layer is formed above the photo-resist layer. The photo-resist layer is exposed, through the hydrophobic and contrast-enhancing barrier layer, to a light source. The photo-resist layer is developed to provide a patterned photo-resist layer.
US07704668B1 Photoresist compositions and methods and articles of manufacture comprising same
The invention provides positive-acting chemically-amplified photoresist compositions that can provide excellent lithographic performance as well as significantly enhanced storage stability. In one aspect, photoresist compositions are provided that comprise a solvent that is free of hydroxy groups (i.e. non-hydroxylic solvent), a resin binder and a photoactive compound that exhibits enhanced and long-term solubility in the solvent. In a further aspect, resists are provided that are formulated in a hydroxyl-containing solvent such as ethyl lactate and that contains a sulfonium salt photoactive compound that includes a sulfonate counter anion that can provide enhanced storage stability for the resist.
US07704665B2 Single component developer
A method for developing toner for use in a single component development system, wherein the process includes a) contacting a styrene acrylate polymer binder resin having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of from about 50 to about 100 Kpse, and a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 10 to about 30 Kpse, a wax selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene, and at least one colorant to produce a toner blend, b) aggregating the blend by heating at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the styrene acrylate resin to form an aggregated toner core; c) adding a second binder resin to the aggregated toner core to form a shell over said toner core thereby forming a core-shell toner; d) growing said core-shell toner to a desired size; e) coalescing the core-shell toner by heating at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the second latex; and f) recovering toner particles, wherein the toner particles have an onset glass transition temperature of from about 50° C. to about 60° C., and a circularity of from about 0.950 to about 0.990.
US07704664B2 Method of manufacturing toner and toner
In a method of manufacturing a toner in which toner particles are obtained by mixing resin particles and at least a colorant with each other to be coagulated, and heating an obtained coagulated product, binder resin is granulated into fine particles by a granulating method including a coarse particle preparing step, a slurry preparing step, a pulverizing step, a cooling step, and a depressurizing step. Slurry containing coarse particles of binder resin obtained by way of the coarse particle preparing step and the slurry preparing step is made to pass under heat and pressure through a pressure-resistant nozzle whereby the coarse particles of binder resin are pulverized into resin particles. By providing the cooling step and the depressurizing step immediately after the pulverizing step, the resin particles are prevented from coarsening.
US07704661B2 Toner and image forming method
A toner is provided which has toner particles and a fine silica powder mixed by external addition to the toner particles. The toner has a weight average particle diameter of 4.0 to 9.0 μm. The fine silica powder is subjected to hydrophobic treatment with dimethylsilicone oil, and has, in particle size distribution based on volume, a peak at which cumulative frequency is largest, in the measurement range of 0.02 μm to 1,000.00 μm; the cumulative frequency of 0.10 μm to less than 1.00 μm being 7.0% or less, and, the fine silica powder fulfills the following conditions: 1) A+B≧93.0; 2) 0.45≦A/B≦6.00; and 3) the value of [(carbon content of the treated fine silica powder)/(BET specific surface area of fine silica powder before hydrophobic treatment)] is 0.030 or more to 0.055 or less.
US07704660B2 Developer for electronic printing, and process for producing glass plate having electric conductor pattern
To provide a process for producing a glass plate having an electric conductor pattern excellent in adhesion to the surface of the glass plate, whereby it is not required to have a screen ready for every model and adjustment to desired electric heating performance and antenna performance is easy, and a developer therefor. A developer for electronic printing, characterized in that the ratio of Ftc/Ftp is at least 2.5, where Ftc is the adhesive force acting between one toner particle containing conductive fine particles and one carrier, and Ftp is the adhesive force acting between one toner particle containing conductive fine particles and a photoconductor. A process for producing a glass plate is having an electric conductor pattern, which comprises a step of using such a developer for electronic printing and forming a pattern of a toner on a surface of a glass plate by an electronic printing system, and a step of heating the glass plate having the pattern of the toner formed on its surface, at a predetermined temperature to convert the pattern of the toner to a pattern of an electric conductor.
US07704658B2 Imaging member having nano polymeric gel particles in various layers
Imaging members useful in electrostatographic apparatuses, including printers, copiers, other reproductive devices, and digital apparatuses. More particularly, imaging members having nano polymeric gel particles embedded into one or more layers of the imaging member that provide for increased mechanical strength and improved wear.
US07704653B2 Method of data encoding, compression, and transmission enabling maskless lithography
A method and tool for conducting charged-particle beam direct write lithography is disclosed. A disclosed method involves condensing an initial design file down to a set of profiles and a pattern of relative locations to form a formatted pattern file. The formatted pattern file is adjusted to accommodate desired pattern corrections. Portions of the formatted pattern records are extracted to form data strips that have a plurality of channels with a pattern of profiles and spatial indicators. Data strips are sequentially read to construct a printable pattern of profiles and spatial indicators that specify the locations of the profiles. Additionally, the pattern of profiles are sequentially printed from each data strip onto a substrate to form the desired pattern on the substrate.
US07704652B2 Exposure operation evaluation method for exposure apparatus and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
An exposure operation evaluation method for an exposure apparatus for arranging a predetermined number of at least one evaluation pattern in an overlapping area and printing the at least one evaluation pattern on a substrate when performing a plurality of exposures and printing on the substrate while sequentially step-moving an exposure area in quadrangle, the exposure area having evaluation patterns arranged on an outer peripheral side of a circuit pattern, the overlapping area overlapping respective exposure areas adjacent to four sides of the exposure area, the method including: measuring a printing misalignment between each evaluation pattern of adjacent exposure areas printed on the substrate; and calculating a plurality of linear components in an exposure operation of the exposure apparatus based on the result of the measurement of the printing misalignment and suppressing and controlling the printing misalignment based on the plurality of linear components.
US07704647B2 Mask and manufacturing method thereof
A mask and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A transparent substrate having three regions is provided first. A non-transmitting layer is formed in a first region of the transparent substrate. Then, a first photoresist layer is formed on the transparent substrate, and the first photoresist layer exposes a second region of the transparent substrate. Next, a first transmitting layer is formed on the transparent substrate and the first photoresist layer. Finally, the first photoresist layer is removed. The first transmitting layer on the first photoresist layer is removed at the same time and the first transmitting layer in the second region of the transparent substrate is remained and a third region of the transparent substrate is exposed. A lift-off process is used in the mask manufacturing method of the present invention to form the transmitting layer.
US07704643B2 Holographic recording medium with control of photopolymerization and dark reactions
The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.
US07704639B2 Process for preparing ionomeric membranes
A process for preparing membranes formed by (per) fluorinated ionomeric electrolytes salified with the lithium ion, comprising the following steps: a) obtaining of (per) fluorinated polymer membranes, containing —SO2F groups; b) partial or complete salification of (per)fluorinated polymer membranes containing —SO2F groups with basic lithium compounds and final washing with water; c) swelling and contemporaneous drying process of membranes by dipping in a heterogeneous biphasic system of a dipolar aprotic solvent wherein insoluble solid drying agents are dispersed.
US07704636B2 Cell having film outer casing
A cell having a film outer casing with high volume energy density and preferably sealing performance is provided. The cell has a flat electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to opposed to each other via a separator and wound into a flat shape having two flat side R portions. The flat electrode assembly is housed in an outer casing made of a film of a metal layer and a resin layer laminated atop one another. The first electrode is located the outermost layer of the flat electrode assembly. A portion of the first electrode corresponding to an upper end and/or a lower end of at least one of the flat side R portions is cut off. Thus, a separator-exposed portion is formed where a portion of the separator wound immediately inside the outermost layer of the flat electrode assembly is exposed.
US07704630B2 Fuel cell with a large exchange surface area
A support wafer made of silicon wafer comprising, on a first surface a porous silicon layer having protrusions, porous silicon pillars extending from the porous silicon layer to the second surface of the wafer, in front of each protrusion. Layers constituting a fuel cell can be formed on the support wafer.
US07704628B2 Platinum, titanium, cobalt and palladium containing electrocatalysts
The present teachings are directed toward electrocatalyst compositions of platinum, titanium and at least a third metal for use in fuel cells. The electrocatalyst composition is composed essentially of platinum present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 50 percent and about 85 percent, titanium present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 5 percent and about 30 percent, and at least a third metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 30 percent. The third metal can be at least one member selected from the group consisting of cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium and gold.
US07704627B2 Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell having an integral electrically-conductive, resiliently compressible, porous pad
Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater). The invention is also directed to a fuel cell wherein the pad replaces the carbon fiber paper or carbon fiber cloth in contact with the cathode or anode.
US07704625B2 Fuel cell
Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.
US07704624B2 Fuel cell bipolar plate, process for producing the same, and fuel cell including the bipolar plate
A fuel cell bipolar plate that while retaining its mechanical strength, has its electrical conductivity enhanced; a process for producing the same; and a fuel cell including the bipolar plate. There is provided a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising laminated molded item formed by a sheet-shaped molding material, wherein the sheet-shaped molding material contains a resin and a carbon material, and wherein the laminated molded item has a laminate structure of, arranged in sequence, surface layer C/inner layer B/central layer A/inner layer B′/surface layer C′, and wherein each of the central layer A, inner layer B, inner layer B′, surface layer C and surface layer C′ consists of a single layer or multilayer of the sheet-shaped molding material, and wherein when the carbon material content of central layer A is referred to as a, the carbon material content of inner layer B as b, the carbon material content of inner layer B′ as b′, the carbon material content of surface layer C as c and the carbon material content of surface layer C′ as c′, there are satisfied the relationships 55≦a≦85, 55≦c≦85, 55≦c′≦85, 10≦a−b≦30, 10≦c−b≦30, 10≦a−b′≦30 and 10≦c′−b′≦30 (the unit of each of a, b, b′, c and c′ is % by volume).
US07704623B2 Fuel cell separator
A mold for a use of making a fuel cell separator comprises: a first flow path forming portion to form a cooling medium flowing path, or to form an oxidizing gas flowing path, or to form a fuel gas flowing path; and an injection gate to shoot out a forming material settled on the first flow path, and/or disposed at near place with the first flow path.
US07704620B2 Laminar bypass for cascaded stack
A fuel cell stack that includes cascaded stack stages and tube bundle flow restrictions for providing a cathode input gas to each stage in the stack. The stack includes a first flow pipe for providing cathode gas flow to a first stage of the plurality of stages of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack also includes a second flow pipe that receives a cathode exhaust gas flow from the first stage and fresh cathode gas flow, where the cathode exhaust gas flow and the fresh cathode gas flow are combined and sent to a second stage of the plurality of stages of the fuel cell stack. The tube bundle flow restriction is positioned within the second flow pipe and controls the flow of the cathode gas flow to the second stage, where the flow restriction provides a laminar flow through the control valve to the second stage.
US07704612B2 Jig for electronic part firing
The long-term use of a conventional jig for calcining an electronic component arises a problem such as peel-off of a zirconia surface layer. Even if the performance is not deteriorated in the short-term use, the zirconia surface layer reacts with the electronic component to shorten the life of the jig for calcining the electronic component when the use is prolonged for a longer period of time. A jig for calcining an electronic component is provided which is stable after use of a longer period of time by suitably setting the composition of a zirconia surface layer. For example, in the zirconia surface layer containing zirconia particles and a partially fused-bonding agent, an amount of calcia is made to be 4 to 15% in weight.
US07704604B2 Silicate coating and method of coating by acoustic excitation
The invention relates to a method for forming a silicate coating on particles and to the particles thus obtained, characterized in that a solution containing silicate is added to a dispersion of uncoated particles having a diameter of less than 50 μm and acoustic excitation occurs.
US07704603B2 Aqueous solution of phenolic compound-formaldehyde-aminoalcohol resin, preparation method, mineral fiber sizing compositions containing said resin and resulting products
The present invention relates to a liquid resin intended more particularly for the sizing of mineral fibers which exhibits a dilutability in water at 20° C. at least equal to 1 000% and a level of free formaldehyde preferably of less than 0.4%, expressed as total weight of liquid, this resin being characterized in that it is composed essentially of condensates obtained from a phenolic compound, from formaldehyde and from an aminoalcohol according to the Mannich reaction.The invention also relates to a sizing composition including said resin, to the mineral fibers sized by means of this composition and to the products formed from the mineral fibers, in particular for thermal and/or sound insulation.
US07704601B2 Fibrous structures
Fibrous structures that exhibit a cross machine direction total energy absorption (CDTEA) of greater than 8 cm-g/cm2 as measured according to the TEA Test Method.
US07704599B2 Coatable compositions, coatings prepared therefrom, process and luminescent coated articles
The invention is directed to a composition having a carrier matrix, and a particulate luminescent composition dispersed therein, the particulate luminescent composition comprising a rare-earth-doped alkaline earth fluoride represented by the formula RExA1−xF2+x−2yOy wherein RE represents a three-valent rare-earth element, A is alkaline earth, 0.002≦x≦0.20, and 0≦y≦x; the particulate luminescent composition exhibiting a luminescence spectrum having a plurality of intensity peaks at characteristic wavelengths. It is further directed to a process by contacting a surface with the composition and articles made therefrom.