| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07715216B2 |
Powering circuit of AC-DC converter
A powering circuit of an AC-DC converter, for converting a high AC input voltage into a low DC output voltage to provide a load voltage in a stable DC bias range, includes a rectifier, a sensing circuit, a control switching circuit, and a voltage regulating capacitor. The rectifier has a primary side coupled to an AC power supply and a secondary side for outputting a DC power supply. The sensing circuit compares the AC input voltage with a preset reference voltage, and turns on a second switch in the control switching circuit when the AC input voltage is lower than the reference voltage, thereby providing a low DC output voltage. The control switching circuit sustains the DC output voltage in a stable DC bias range. Therefore, in addition to reducing the power consumption of the second switch, this circuit structure is simple and can achieve the purpose of circuit integration. |
| US07715214B2 |
Malfunction determining device for drive circuit and drive unit including the same, and method for determining malfunction in drive circuit
A device and method for determining whether a malfunction is present in a drive circuit, which drives an electric device that generates counter-electromotive force, when all gates in the switching elements of the drive circuit are blocked. After the gates are blocked, the temperature of the switching elements is monitored and the presence of a malfunction is determined based on the detected temperature of the switching elements. A malfunction is determined to be present when the detected temperature equals or exceeds a predetermined temperature; the change in the detected temperature equals or exceeds a predetermined value; or the rate of change in the detected temperature equals or exceeds than a predetermined rate. Thus, it can be appropriately determined whether the gates in the drive circuit are appropriately blocked and minimize the influence of any malfunctions on other elements outside of the drive circuit. |
| US07715212B2 |
Printed board including a joining portion and a bore
A printed board includes a printed board body and throwaway boards provided on opposite sides of the printed board body through joining portions spaced away from each other in a longitudinal direction. Bores are provided in areas bridging the joining portions and throwaway boards. The bores can receive guide pins on a conveying unit for carrying the printed board to an electronic element mounting apparatus. The joining portions and throwaway boards can be removed from the printed board body after mounting the electronic elements on the printed board. This structure can minimize a width of a throwaway board and reduce total costs without lowering mounting efficiency of electronic elements in an electronic element mounting step. |
| US07715210B2 |
Patch panel chassis
A patch panel system including a chassis and a plurality of modules. The chassis includes elongated structures configured to interconnect top, bottom and side portions of the chassis. The elongated structures are also configured to receive and secure a printed circuit board and the plurality of modules to the chassis. The modules include a housing and a module card. The card can include a variety of connections that provide communication to connections located on a back plane of the chassis. The system can include a combination of passive and active modules that are interchangeable to provide a variety of interface configurations. |
| US07715204B2 |
Ultrasound probe wiring apparatus
Wiring an IC, using flexible circuits, by relating a circuit board to an IC and using traces on the circuit board as a second set of input to the IC. More specifically, a set of first lands on the circuit board are connected to a first set of lands on the IC. The circuit board and IC are positioned so as to present a second set of lands on the circuit board in close proximity to a second set of lands on the IC. A first flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the circuit board while a second flex circuit is connected to the second lands on the IC. The flex circuits may be connected to signal wires or may serve themselves as the main signal wires. |
| US07715200B2 |
Stacked semiconductor module, method of fabricating the same, and electronic system using the same
A stacked semiconductor module, a method of fabricating the same, and an electronic system using the module are provided. A first semiconductor module having a plurality of semiconductor devices mounted on a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) and a second semiconductor module having a plurality of other semiconductor devices mounted on a flexible PCB are provided. On the rigid PCB a number L of first tabs may be disposed on a first surface, and a number K of second tabs may be disposed on a second surface of the rigid PCB. The flexible PCB may have a number M of third tabs on a third surface, and a number N of fourth tabs on a fourth surface of the flexible PCB. The second tabs may be combined with the third tabs using a conductive adhesive. The third tabs may be electrically connected to corresponding ones of the second tabs. |
| US07715197B2 |
Coined-sheet-metal heatsinks for closely packaged heat-producing devices such as dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs)
A heatsink structure and method for the cooling of closely spaced packaged heat-producing devices, such as dual-in-line memory modules (DIMMs). A folded sheet metal heatsink structure is provided which is constituted of a coined metallic material and which has a large plurality of waffle-shaped ridges extending therefrom constituting additional surface areas which are adapted to enable heat generated by hub chips to pass upwardly and then outwardly through waffle-like ridges and, thus, dissipated to the exterior, thereby imparting an improved degree of cooling to heat-producing components or devices. |
| US07715195B2 |
Inverter casing
The invention relates to an inverter casing, said inverter casing comprising in the bottom at least one depression for receiving heat dissipating electric components, coils in particular. |
| US07715190B2 |
Electronic device with support legs
An exemplary electronic device (30) includes a main body (40) and two support leg (60). The main body has two guiding rails (413). The guiding rails are formed at two adjacent corners of the main body correspondingly. Each support leg is slidably disposed at one corresponding guiding rail so that the main body aslant supported. |
| US07715188B2 |
Disk array apparatus for providing equalized cooling
A disk array apparatus includes a plurality of disk drives arranged in at least one disk drive line in a direction of an airflow, at least one shield plate, a housing containing the disk drives and the at least one shield plate therein, and flow passages arranged between an upper surface of the disk drives and an inner wall of the housing for enabling the airflow to pass through. The at least one shield plate is arranged between at least two of the disk drives of the at least one disk drive line for controlling the airflow on a downstream side of the flow passages. |
| US07715186B2 |
Case of extending base for electronic device
A case of an extending base for an electronic device includes a body, a cover, and at least two link elements. The body has a hollow. The cover is disposed aside the hollow. Each link element has a first pivot part, a first block part, a second pivot part, and a first elastic member. The first pivot part has a first end pivoted on the body and a second end connected to the first block part. The second pivot part has a first end pivoted on the cover and a second end connected to the first block part. The first elastic member provides a force to push the first block part from a first position to a second position so as to correspondingly push the cover. Herein, when the first block part is positioned at the first position, the first block part is separated from the body and the cover covers the body. In addition, when the first block part is positioned at the second position, the first block part is in contact with the body and the cover is separated from the body. |
| US07715185B2 |
Mounting apparatus for data storage device
A mounting apparatus for a data storage device that includes a tab includes a bracket, a locking member, and an operating assembly. The bracket includes a bezel defining an opening and a first cutout corresponding to the tab. The locking member, movable on the bezel, defines a second cutout corresponding to the first cutout. The operating assembly is assembled in the bezel and slides the locking member on the bezel to align or misalign the second cutout with the first cutout. |
| US07715183B2 |
Air damping shockproof structure
An air damping shockproof structure disposed between a hard disk and a system for damping or buffering a shocking or a vibration to the hard disk in the system. The air damping shockproof structure includes a top portion, a side portion, and a bottom portion, and an air chamber array disposed in the top portion. The air chamber array includes a plurality of air chambers, and a plurality of air outlets disposed corresponding to each air chamber respectively. The cross-sectional area of each air outlet is smaller than a cross-sectional area of each air chamber. |
| US07715182B2 |
Drive box
A rack mount drive blade system having a chassis and a drive blade. The chassis has at least one blade bay to accept a drive blade, where the chassis accepts the drive blade into the blade bay with the drive blade in a horizontal orientation. Each blade bay has chassis to blade electrical contacts including at least one cable having a length, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the drive blade. Each blade bay also has slot portions for engaging the drive blade along a length of the drive blade. The chassis has at least one module bay to accept a shared resource module, where each module bay has chassis to module electrical contacts, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the shared resource module. The drive blade has a printed circuit board for providing electrical connections to and from components on the drive blade. The drive blade has at least one hard drive, and drive blade electrical contacts for making electrical connections to the chassis through the at least one cable. The drive blade has rail portions disposed along the length of the drive blade, the rail portions for engaging the slot portions of the bay. The drive blade can be at least partially removed from the chassis without breaking the electrical connections between the chassis and the drive blade. |
| US07715179B2 |
Power supply for a computer device
A power supply includes a casing mounted in a computer housing, a power module disposed in the casing, and an electrical socket and a switch module embedded in an exposed side wall of the casing. The switch module includes an operating unit mounted movably in a mounting seat, and operable so as to move among a first position adjacent to the side wall, where two terminal units coupled respectively to the electrical socket and the power module disconnect electrically from each other such that the switch module is in an OFF mode, a second position distal from the side wall, and a third position between the first and second positions, where a conducting member contacts electrically the terminal units such that the switch module is in an ON mode. When the switch module is switched from the ON mode to the OFF mode, the operating unit is moved from the third position to the first position via the second position. |
| US07715173B2 |
High voltage capacitors
A capacitor includes a ceramic capacitor body having opposite ends and comprised of a plurality of electrode layers and dielectric layers and first and second external terminals attached to the ceramic capacitor body. The internal active electrodes within the ceramic capacitor body are configured in an alternating manner. Internal electrode shields within the ceramic capacitor body are used to assist in providing resistance to arc-over. The shields can include a top internal electrode shield and an opposite bottom internal electrode shield wherein the top internal electrode shield and the opposite bottom internal electrode shield are on opposite sides of the plurality of internal active electrodes and each internal electrode shield extends inwardly to or beyond a corresponding external terminal to thereby provide shielding. Side shields are used. The capacitor provides improved resistance to arc-over, high voltage breakdown in air, and allows for small case size. |
| US07715172B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor includes a capacitor body in which internal electrodes in a first internal electrode group are overlapped with internal electrodes in a second internal electrode group with dielectric layers sandwiched therebetween. A first external electrode has a first wraparound portion and a second wraparound portion, and a second external electrode has a third wraparound portion and a fourth wraparound portion. The volume proportions of the effective layers in a first area sandwiched between the first wraparound portion and the second wraparound portion and in a third area sandwiched between the third wraparound portion and the fourth wraparound portion are set to at least about 10%. The volume proportions of the effective layers in a second area toward a lower surface in the first area and in a fourth area toward the lower surface in the third area are set to about 15% or less. The external dimensions of the multilayer capacitor 1 are about 1.6±0.1 mm in length by about 0.8±0.1 mm in width by about 0.8±0.1 mm in thickness. |
| US07715171B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor
The “squeal” that occurs when an electric field is applied to a multilayer ceramic capacitor mounted on a substrate is suppressed by providing in an active part contributing to formation of capacitances between internal electrodes facing each other in a capacitor body, low-activity regions positioned near respective end edges of respective external electrodes. A facing area of the internal electrodes in the low-activity regions is less than or equal to one fifth that of the internal electrodes in a normal region having the same volume as that of the low-activity regions. This makes it possible to suppress occurrence of electric-field-induced distortion near the external electrodes bonded to a substrate and reduce the force that causes the substrate to bend. |
| US07715168B2 |
Controlled solenoid drive circuit
A method and system for proving a solenoid drive circuit. An exemplary solenoid drive circuit comprises a solenoid drive circuit input coupled to a primary switch. The primary switch comprises a first set of contacts residing in a first stable position. A remote control switch is coupled to an output of the primary switch and the remote control switch comprises a solenoid drive circuit having a predetermined delay. The predetermined delay energizes a solenoid after the primary switch contact transitions from a first stable position to a second stable position. |
| US07715167B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling excitation frequency of magnetostrictive transducer
Apparatus and method for controlling the frequency of the current in the excitation coil of the handpiece of a dental magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaling unit, or similar transducer. A microprocessor continually samples a predetermined function of the current through the excitation coil, and adjusts the frequency for a function maximum, performing coarse and fine frequency adjustments. The function can be proportional to the current, its time-derivative, or combination thereof. A voltage-controlled oscillator is employed, controlled by pulse-width modulation from the microprocessor. The base frequency scan is performed each time the handpiece is energized by the practitioner, assuring automatic optimal frequency adjustment at all times and under all conditions. Apparatus according to the invention does not require transformers, sensing coils, or complex power- or impedance-sensing circuitry, and covers a wide range of resonant frequencies for different insert types. A configuration with multiple handpieces is supported. |
| US07715163B2 |
Electronic system and cell module thereof
An electronic system and a cell module thereof are provided. The electronic system includes an electronic device and a cell module. The cell module includes a cell, a discharge switching circuit, and a surge current suppressed and controlled circuit. The discharge switching circuit is coupled to the cell. The surge current suppressed and controlled circuit is used for controlling the discharge switching circuit, so that the current flowing from the cell into the electronic device gradually increases by the discharge switching circuit when the electronic device is coupled to the discharge switching circuit. |
| US07715162B2 |
Optically triggered electro-static discharge protection circuit
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing electro-static discharge (ESD) protection between a first and a second circuit node. One embodiment of the ESD protection circuit includes one or more steering diodes that generate electromagnetic radiation and couple the first circuit node to ground in response to a voltage applied to the first circuit node. The ESD protection circuit also includes a latch circuit that couples the first circuit node to ground in response to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the steering diode(s). |
| US07715160B2 |
Monitoring a load driven by a power semiconductor switch
A method and an apparatus for monitoring a load driven by a power semiconductor switch. The method may comprise, for example: driving a control electrode of the power semiconductor switch, in such a way that a rise in the load current through the power semiconductor switch is effected after a delay time; generating a diagnostic current flowing through the load, wherein the diagnostic current brings about a voltage drop across the load before the delay time has elapsed; and evaluating the voltage drop across the load before the delay time has elapsed. |
| US07715159B2 |
ESD protection circuit
An electro-static discharge protection circuit including: a first input terminal and a second input terminal; a first output terminal coupled to the first input terminal, and a second output terminal coupled to the second input terminal; a first circuit branch connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal, said first circuit branch including at least one first Zener diode having a cathode terminal and an anode terminal; a second circuit branch connected between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, wherein the first circuit branch comprises a load element coupled between the second input terminal and the anode terminal of the at least one first Zener diode; the second circuit branch includes a first transistor having a control terminal adapted to receive a transistor control voltage, the first transistor being coupled to the load element so as to receive from the load element the transistor control voltage. |
| US07715158B2 |
Circuit interrupter with live ground detector
A ground detector circuit in the form of a live ground detector circuit. This live ground detector circuit can be combined with a circuit interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device can have a grounding conductive path, and a set of contacts which are configured to break an electrical connection between input and output terminals on the circuit interrupting device when operated. The ground detector when combined with a circuit interrupter, triggers the circuit interrupter into a fault condition when the detector circuit detects the presence of a signal or a fault. |
| US07715156B2 |
Tunnel magnetoresistive effect element and thin-film magnetic head with tunnel magnetoresistive effect read head element
A TMR element includes a lower electrode layer, a TMR multi-layer stacked on the lower electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer stacked on the TMR multi-layer. The TMR multi-layer includes a tunnel barrier layer having a three-layered structure of a first crystalline layer, a crystalline semiconductor layer and a second crystalline insulation layer stacked in this order. |
| US07715153B2 |
Magnetoresistive effect element having inner and outer pinned layers including a cobalt iron alloy
A magneto-resistive effect element includes a free layer having a magnetization direction which varies with respect to an external magnetic field; a pinned layer which includes a stacked structure comprising an outer pinned layer which has a magnetization direction that is fixed with respect to the external magnetic field, a non-magnetic intermediate layer which is made of ruthenium with a thickness of about 0.4 nm, and an inner pinned layer with a thickness of 3 nm or more, wherein the inner pinned layer has a magnetization direction which is fixed with respect to the external magnetic field due to anti-ferromagnetic coupling with the outer pinned layer via the non-magnetic intermediate layer; and a spacer layer sandwiched between the free layer and the inner pinned layer. Sense current flows through the pinned layer, the spacer layer, and the free layer substantially in a stacked direction. |
| US07715151B2 |
Microactuator, head gimbal assembly and hard disk drive using the same, and method of manufacturing head gimbal assembly
A microactuator includes: a base to be joined to a flexure; a pair of arms joined to the base; and PZT devices, mounted on the arms, to be deformed in an expanding or contracting manner based on driving signals applied, and the microactuator holds the side faces of the magnetic head slider between the arms. The length of each arm is set to a length same as or shorter than that of the magnetic head slider in a longitudinal direction. |
| US07715150B2 |
Apparatus and method for head gimbal assembly sharing power to slider amplifier and micro-actuator in a hard disk drive
The head gimbal assembly includes a slider and a micro-actuator assembly sharing power for the micro-actuator assembly to aid in positioning the slider and for an amplifier included in the slider to generate an amplified read signal when the slider read accesses data on a rotating disk surface included in a hard disk drive. The slider includes a read-write head providing a read differential signal pair to an amplifier to generate an amplified read signal reported when read accessing a rotating disk surface near the slider, which includes a read head employing a spin valve or employing a tunneling valve. Hard disk drive including a head stack assembly, which includes at least one of the head gimbal assemblies. Manufacturing the head gimbal assembly, the head stack assembly, and the hard disk drive, as well as these items as products of the invention's manufacturing processes. |
| US07715148B2 |
Negative pressure slider with groove
A slider having an improved atmospheric pressure variation characteristic can be provided by ensuring the desired amount of inflow of air flowing to the air bearing surface in a region where it is difficult to ensure the desired air inflow amount, e.g., a region where the slider/disk relative speed is low or a region where the area of the air bearing surface is small by forming a groove configuration surface in a specified shape. In the negative pressure utilization type slider, a groove configuration surface lower in height than an air in flow surface is formed between the disk inner peripheral end and the disk outer peripheral end of the air inflow surface in the air flow incoming end side of a pressure generating surface, separately from a negative pressure generating surface. |
| US07715145B2 |
Variable spindle speed for ramp unload
In a particular embodiment, a controller is adapted to control a spindle motor that controls rotation of at least one rotatable disc of a storage device. The controller is adapted to increase a spindle speed associated with the spindle motor to an unload spindle speed that is greater than an operating spindle speed during a ramp unload operation. |
| US07715140B2 |
Method of determining size of error and write control method for hard disc drive, hard disc drive using the write control method, and media storing computer programs for executing the methods
A method of determining a size of an error generated in a servo sector, a write control method of controlling whether to write data to data sectors successive to a servo sector according to the size of the error generated in the servo sector therein, a HDD using the write control method, and a recording media storing computer programs for executing the methods. A method of determining a size of an error generated in a servo sector of a HDD includes: reading servo information from the servo sector in which the error was generated; and determining the size of the error by the number of corresponding bits that differ from each other between the read servo information and a normal servo information. |
| US07715139B2 |
Method of testing magnetic disc device
A write head, which is positioned by reading a servo pattern with a read head, writes data on even tracks of a magnetic disc, and then writes data on odd tracks. Then a read head is positioned on a read position and sequentially reads all the written data. As a result, it is decided whether a read error has occurred. Further, positional deviation of the tracks, in which the read error occurs, is measured. |
| US07715134B1 |
Demodulation compensation for spiral servo tracks in hard disk drives
A servo compensation processor includes an input that receives samples of a waveform generated from a servo track, the servo track including servo data and synchronization symbols. A peak estimator estimates a first location of a peak amplitude of the waveform. A phase determiner determines a sampling phase based on a first number of the samples between one of the synchronization symbols and a first predetermined one of the samples. A compensator determines a compensation amount based on a compensation curve and the sampling phase. A location estimator determines a second location of the peak amplitude based on the first location and the compensation amount. A location determiner determines a center location of the servo track based on the second location. |
| US07715131B2 |
Voice coil motor actuator
A voice coil motor (VCM) actuator includes a fixed bracket, a lens barrel, two flat spring plates, a support plate, a plurality of positioning pins, a plurality of coils, and a plurality of magnets. The fixed bracket includes a first chamber and a plurality of magnet mounting holes. A lens barrel is positioned in the first chamber. The flat spring plates and the support plate include a plurality of first locating holes and second locating holes. Two resilient heads are formed on two ends of each positioning pin. Each positioning pin interconnects between respective first locating holes of the flat spring plates and respective second locating holes of the support plate. A plurality of coils are wrapped around an outer wall of the lens barrel. A plurality of magnets is received in the magnet mounting holes. |
| US07715129B2 |
Method for aligning and assembling two lens pieces, and a machine to accomplish this task
A method for aligning and assembling two lens pieces, and a machine to accomplish this task are provided. In one example of the method, the method includes holding an upper lens above a lower lens, holding the lower lens in a horizontal position, lowering the upper lens into a contact position with the lower lens, and allowing the upper lens to self-align to a top surface of the lower lens. |
| US07715126B2 |
Compound lens having a sealing configuration suitable for motor vehicles
An optical recording unit having a compound lens which includes a lens stack. The lens stack encompasses a plurality of lenses, which are inset in a tubular housing. The lens stack includes a spacer ring which accommodates a sealing material or a sealing element and which is braced resiliently against one of the lenses in the tubular housing. |
| US07715122B2 |
Wide-angle zoom optic system
A wide-angle zoom optic system includes: in an order from an object, a first lens group having a negative refractive power; a second lens group having a positive refractive power; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first lens group includes two lens elements. In the zoom optic system, the ratio of the distance between the last lens element with respect to the object and an image field at a wide-angle position to a focal length at the wide-angle position is adjusted, so that a compact zoom optic system having a high magnification and a wide viewing angle can be implemented. |
| US07715119B2 |
Imaging lens
An imaging lens is provided and includes: in order from an object side of the imaging lens, a first lens having a convex surface on the object side and having a positive power; a second lens having a concave surface on the object side and having a negative power; a third lens having a positive power; and a fourth lens having a convex surface on the object side near a paraxial axis and having a meniscus shape. The imaging lens satisfies conditional expressions as specified. |
| US07715114B2 |
Zoom lens and pickup apparatus
Disclosed herein is a zoom lens, including: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; a third lens group having a positive refracting power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power; the first, second, third and fourth lens groups being disposed in order from the object side; the first lens group including only a cemented lens including a positive lens and a negative lens cemented in order from the object side and having a generally positive refracting power; the first lens group being configured so as to satisfy the conditional expression (25<νd11−νd12<50) where νd11 is the Abbe number of the positive lens of the first lens group and νd12 is the Abbe number of the negative lens of the first lens group. |
| US07715113B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A fourth lens group of a four-lens group zoom lens includes, in order from an object side, a single positive lens having aspheric surfaces on both sides, and a cemented lens formed of a negative lens and a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface directed to the object side. The object-side surface of the positive single lens is convex and has a stronger refractive power. The cemented lens has a negative refractive power as a whole. The following conditional expressions are satisfied: 0.04 |
| US07715111B2 |
Projection zoom lens system and projection type display apparatus
The projection zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, a third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, a fifth lens group, and a positive sixth lens group. The lens system is nearly telecentric on a reduction side. During zooming, the second to fifth lens groups are moved while the first and six lens groups remain stationary. The third lens group includes a positive lens LP having a convex surface directed to a magnification side, and a negative lens LN having a concave surface which is directed to the reduction side and has a curvature stronger than a magnification-side surface of the negative lens LN. The conditional expression of 5.0≦|fG3/RLN-2| is satisfied. Here, fG3 denotes a focal length of the third lens group, and RLN-2 denotes a radius of curvature of the reduction-side surface of the negative lens LN. |
| US07715109B2 |
Digital image pointing and digital zoom optical system
An optical system for the production of images, comprising an all optical system is disclosed. Said all optical system manipulates images directly by digital electronics without loss in the number of resolvable spots at higher magnifications. |
| US07715104B2 |
Micro-lens array substrate and production method therefor
In the micro-lens array substrate of the present invention, a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of consecutive concave lens-shaped micro-lenses is directly formed in a surface of a quartz substrate or glass substrate, and the micro-lens array is formed by a transfer method based on dry-etching. In the micro-lens array substrate of the present invention, a taper portion is formed toward the surface of the substrate in a peripheral portion of the micro-lens array in the quartz substrate or glass substrate. |
| US07715098B1 |
Projection screen having reduced ambient light scattering
An apparatus and method for improving the contrast between incident projected light and ambient light reflected from a projection screen are described. The efficiency of the projection screen for reflection of the projected light remains high, while permitting the projection screen to be utilized in a brightly lighted room. Light power requirements from the projection system utilized may be reduced. |
| US07715097B2 |
Screen
The screen of the invention comprises an oriented film having a direction of maximum scattering (scattering axis) and a direction of minimum scattering (transmitting axis) for linear polarized light, and containing macromolecular fine particles in a macromolecular matrix, wherein the refractive index of the macromolecular fine particles is within a specified range and the matrix and macromolecular fine particles satisfy a specified relationship. The screen reproduces bright and high-quality projected images with virtually no moire effect or glare, and is therefore highly useful as a transmissive or reflective projector screen. |
| US07715095B2 |
Reflective organic layers
The present invention pertains to organic reflective layers comprising an organic radical cation compound, wherein the layer reflects in the infrared region. Preferably, the organic radical cation compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Provided are solar window films comprising such infrared reflective layers. |
| US07715094B2 |
Optical fiber element and method for imparting non-reciprocity of light using the same
The present invention provides a rare earth element-doped optical fiber amplifier having a function which allows to omit an optical isolator component, and a method for providing the optical non-reciprocity using the same. In the optical fiber, the optical fiber matrix material is a ferroelectric solid state material, and the ferroelectric solid state material is doped by a rare earth element such as erbium (Er) or thulium (Tm). The optical fiber is characterized by an optical amplification function and an optical non-reciprocity function. |
| US07715092B2 |
Dynamic raman tilt compensation
Raman tilt is induced by the propagation of optical signals in optical communication fibers during and after transient events. Certain characteristics of the light are monitored at each amplification node and Raman tilt correction is achieved by spectral tilt control optics. The light is monitored either as total power, and/or the power of light after passing through one or more optical filters. In the case of EDFA (Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier) the correction is performed by adjusting stage gains and VOA loss distribution within the amplifier. The light detection is relatively fast, whereby the tilt is compensated by fast controlled VOA and pump power adjustment during a transient event. |
| US07715087B2 |
Segment electrophoretic displays and methods for their manufacture
The present invention relates to novel patterned embossing and patterned filling methods. Both methods are simple, reliable and cost effective ways for manufacturing the segment of signage electrophoretic displays. The displays prepared by the present invention requires only one patterned electrode layer. The undesired visible line traces are eliminated and the manufacture of the present displays does not involve the costly precision registration step used in the previously known assembly processes dealing with two patterned electrodes. Moreover, the electrophoretic fluid is present only in the patterned and switchable area of the display. This not only significantly reduces the material cost, but also improves the overall display quality by reducing defects and non-uniformity. |
| US07715084B2 |
Retarder-based despeckle device for laser illumination systems
A method and apparatus for reducing speckle in a laser illumination system uses a despeckle device including an optical retarder providing an odd integer multiple of substantially half-wave retardation for light emitted from a coherent laser in the laser illumination system. The near half-wave optical retarder has a substantially constant retardance and a spatially varied slow axis. The spatially varied slow axis imposes a phase mask on the beam of light, which provides sub-resolution optical phase modulation to a resolution spot on the detector. The near half-wave optical retarder is actuated mechanically or electrically to vary the sub-resolution optical phase modulation within an integration time of the detector. |
| US07715083B2 |
Light control material and light control film
The present invention aims to provide a light control material capable of optionally controlling the light transmittance in an arbitrary wavelength range among a wide wavelength range, and a light control film formed by using the light control material. |
| US07715082B2 |
Electrochromic devices based on lithium insertion
An electrochromic switching device comprises a counter electrode, an active electrode and an electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the active electrode. The active electrode comprises at least one of an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitrides, a partial oxide, a partial nitride and a partial oxynitride of at least one of Sb, Bi, Si, Ge, Sn, Te, N, P, As, Ga, In, Al, C, Pb and I. Upon application of a current to the electrochromic switching device, a compound comprising at least one of the alkali and the alkaline earth metal ion and an element of the active electrode is formed as part of the active electrode. |
| US07715079B2 |
MEMS devices requiring no mechanical support
MEMS devices such as interferometric modulators are described having movable layers that are mechanically isolated. The movable layers are electrically attractable such that they can be selectively moved between a top and bottom electrode through application of a voltage. In interferometric modulators, the movable layers are reflective such that an optically resonant cavity is formed between the layer and a partially reflective layer, thereby providing a display pixel that can be turned on or off depending on the distance between the reflective layers in the resonant cavity. |
| US07715078B2 |
Optical scan device, optical scan type microscope, observation method, control device, and control program
It is an object to realize smooth switching between free scanning and high speed scanning in a light scanning apparatus and a light scanning microscope. To attain the object, a light scanning apparatus includes at least three mirror scanners disposed at predetermined positions of a light path for light scanning, and a light path switching unit switching the light path between a light path in which a highest-speed mirror scanner among the mirror scanners is valid and a light path in which the highest-speed mirror scanner is invalid. Therefore, the switching between a free scanning mode and a high speed scanning mode is performed by the driving of the light switching unit and involves no movement of galvanometer scanners. In addition, since the resonant galvanometer scanner is invalid during the free scanning mode, it is possible to make the resonant galvanometer scanner on standby. |
| US07715077B2 |
Micro mirrors having a mirror plate with interdigitated arms
A micro mirror device includes a first hinge supported by a substrate, a mirror plate tiltable around the first hinge and having a first set of arms facing the substrate, and a second set of arms on the substrate. The first set of arms and the second set of arms can be interdigitated when the mirror plate is tilted. The micro mirror device includes a first lateral guard on the substrate (or the mirror plate). The first lateral guard can limit movement of the mirror plate to a position in a first direction substantially parallel to an upper surface of the substrate to prevent the first set of arms from contacting the second set of arms when the arms are in the interdigitated position. |
| US07715075B2 |
Optical beam scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
An optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention includes a body housing; a light source that emits one or more light fluxes; a pre-deflection optical system; an optical beam deflecting device; a sensor that detects a portion of the light flux deflected by the optical beam deflecting device; a holder base fixed to the body housing by a screw; a rotating holder attached to the holder base and provided with a shaft; a sensor substrate fixed to the rotating holder by a screw, the sensor being fixed to the sensor substrate; a rotation adjusting mechanism that rotationally adjusts the rotating holder around the shaft with respect to the holder base; and a fixing mechanism that fixes the rotating holder to the holder base. With this configuration, it is possible to properly adjust deviation of a recording position while making precise rotational adjustment of a horizontal synchronization sensor. |
| US07715067B2 |
Scanner capable of positioning a scan start position and related method
A scanner includes a housing, a transparent platen disposed on the housing for positioning a document, and a calibration pattern formed on a side of the transparent platen. The calibration pattern includes an arc having a first point and a second point. The scanner further includes an optical engine installed inside the housing for scanning the document and the calibration pattern with movement in a first direction, and a control module installed inside the housing for controlling the optical engine to move to a scan start position according to the first point and the second point of the calibration pattern scanned by the optical engine and a radius of curvature of the arc. |
| US07715066B2 |
Document reading apparatus, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and copying machine
An opening detector detects a state of a platen whether the platen is “opened” at a level equal to or above a set opening degree or “closed” at a level less than the set opening degree. A reading controller starts lighting of an illumination lamp in response to a change of the state of the platen from the “opened” to the “closed”. A rising detector detects a rising of light intensity of the illumination lamp. A size detector reads an image signal of an imaging element after the rising detector detects a rising of the light intensity, determines presence of a document in a main scanning direction, and decides a document size in the main scanning direction. |
| US07715064B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus including a plurality of image sensors aligned in a zigzag shape and a draft carrying unit operated to a draft to carry in a sub scanning direction, the image reading apparatus forming an image data of a total of the draft from image data provided by the respective image sensors. The draft carrying unit is provided to be operated to the draft in a region aligned in a zigzag shape to constitute an inverse phase relative to the image sensor. |
| US07715062B2 |
Image reading apparatus and recording apparatus including image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus configured to be disposed in an image forming apparatus. An image reading unit is configured to read an image from a document. A light permeable member has a surface configured to face the image on the document, the surface having a roughness of at most 0.5 S. A coating is disposed on the surface of the light permeable member, the coating configured to prevent adherence of contaminants on the surface. |
| US07715053B2 |
Halftone process giving specified characteristics to particular dot patterns, and generating and evaluating a dither matrix therefor
A printing method for performing a halftone process on image data representing input tone values of pixels constituting an original image to determine dot formation on each print pixel of a print image to be formed on a print medium, generating dot data representing the determined dot formation, and forming a dot on each of the print pixels for generating the print image according to the dot data. The step of generating the print image includes mutually combining dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel groups in a common print area, the plurality of pixel groups having a physical difference at dot formation, the dot formation being performed with respect to each of the pixel groups. A plurality of pixel groups having a physical commonality for the dot formation among the plurality of pixel groups constitute a pixel group family. The halftone process is configured to give specified characteristics with a first dot pattern being formed on print pixels of the print image, a second dot pattern being formed on print pixels belonging to each of the plurality of pixel groups, and a third dot pattern being formed on print pixels belonging to the pixel group family. |
| US07715052B2 |
System for distributing and controlling color reproduction at multiple sites
The system provides for controlling color reproduction of input color image data representing one or more pages or page constituents in a network having nodes (or sites). Each one of the nodes comprises at least one rendering device. The system distributes the input color image data from one of the nodes to other nodes, and provides a data structure (virtual proof) in the network. This data structure has components shared by the nodes and other components present only at each node. Next, the system has means for providing color calibration data at each node characterizing output colors (colorants) of the rendering device of the node, and means for producing at each node, responsive to the color calibration data of the rendering device of the node, information for transforming the input color image data into output color image data at the rendering device of the node. The information is then stored in the data structure in different ones of the shared and other components. Means are provided in the system for transforming at each node the input color image data into output color image data for the rendering device of the node responsive to the information in the data structure. The rendering device of each node renders a color reproduction of the page constituents responsive to the output color image data, wherein colors displayed in the reproduction at the rendering device of each node appear substantially the same within the output colors attainable by the rendering devices. The system further has means for verifying at each node that the information for the rendering device of the node properly transformed the input color image data into the output color image data, and means for revising the information stored in the data structure at the node responsive to results of the verifying means. Shared components of the data structure may also store color preferences selected by a user. The information producing means of the system may further operate responsive to both the color calibration data and the color preferences. The rendering devices in the system can provide color reproductions having three or four colorants, and may provide more than four output colors (color inks). |
| US07715051B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for forming an image according to image drawing data
An image forming apparatus receives printing data including image drawing data and job information specifying a name of an application program used to generate the image drawing data. The apparatus includes: a data analyzer which determines whether the image drawing data were generated by the application program; a data quantity assessor which analyzes the image drawing data to determine a quantity of data to be printed; and an image forming unit which forms an image by a first process if the image drawing data were not generated by the application program or the quantity of data to be printed does not exceed a predetermined threshold, and forms an image by a second process if the image drawing data were generated by the application program and the quantity of data to be printed exceeds the predetermined threshold. |
| US07715050B2 |
Tonescales for geographically localized digital rendition of people
In a method and system for processing a photographic image having lightness values, L*, representing one of the colorimetric values of an original scene, the photographic image is transformed. The transformed image has a gamma as a function of CIE 1976 L*, which includes a dark region having a rising slope, a light region having a falling slope, and a plateau region having a slope constantly within 5 percent of a maximum value in said plateau region. The rising slope is at least twice as large as the absolute value of the falling slope. The plateau region is between 10 L* and 30 L* wide. Gamma is a derivative of visually perceived reproduced CIE 1976 L* versus scene CIE 1976 L*. Gamma has a maximum slope between 1.5 and 2.0. |
| US07715048B2 |
Print controlling apparatus performing variable printing including watermark image, and method therefor
A print-data generating apparatus utilizes advantages of both a printed matter and electronic data. Information to be contained on a sheet of paper is separated into secret information and public information. The public information is presented such that the content thereof can be made public on a sheet. The secret information is embedded in the sheet as watermark image data, which is reversibly convertible electronic data. Print data based on a portion including the public information and a portion including the secret information is generated on the same sheet and a printed matter is printed. Accordingly, information contained on paper is prevented from leaking, and the convenience of paper is ensured. |
| US07715045B2 |
System and methods for comparing documents
A method includes scanning a page of a paper document to generate a first digital page image. The method further includes obtaining a second digital page image which corresponds to a second page. The method also includes comparing the first digital page image pixel-by-pixel with the second digital page image to generate a score that indicates a degree to which the first digital page image differs from the second digital page image. |
| US07715044B2 |
Two-dimensional gray component replacement
A method of gray component replacement receives a current pixel color value. A highlight likelihood and color neutrality is determined for the current pixel color value. An output pixel color value depending upon the color neutrality and the highlight likelihood is generated. The input pixel color value is obtained from an image acquisition system and the output color pixel value is used by an output engine to render the pixel. |
| US07715041B2 |
Method for managing desired print content of a print job
A method for producing a content data file for a desired print job including a plurality of customized versions of a printable work includes the step of receiving an electronic template of the printable work including a common portion and a customizable portion. A form accessible via a network is developed to allow each of a plurality of users to associate a corresponding customized content with the customizable portion via the network. The corresponding customized content together with the template defines a corresponding customized version of the printable work. A desired number of copies is associated with each customized version of the printable work, and the customized versions of the printable work and the corresponding desired number of copies are aggregated to produce a content data file for the desired print job. |
| US07715039B2 |
Printer formatter in a cable
A printer cable that is configured for coupling to a printer having an enclosure and a printer port. The printer cable includes a first connector for connecting to the printer port and a second connector for coupling to a host device (e.g., a personal computer (PC)). The printer cable includes a printer formatter for providing formatting services to the printer via the first connector. Since the printer formatter is integrated into the printer cable, the printer formatter is external to the printer enclosure and is easily removable and configurable by a user. |
| US07715038B2 |
Method and apparatus to authenticate image data that includes a digital signature
Provided is an image forming apparatus control method which, when an image is to be formed from image data with a digital signature, safely manages the image formed from the image data even if it is impossible to certify whether the image data is tampered. When receiving a request for formation of an image of image data with a digital signature from a personal computer, this image input/output apparatus requests a digital signature issue/authentication server to certify the authenticity of the signature data. On the basis of the certification result, the apparatus adds, to the output image, an additional image indicating that the original image is tampered, or an additional image indicating that whether the original image is tampered cannot be certified. |
| US07715036B2 |
Mobile device for printing on pre-tagged media
A mobile telecommunications device including: a first receiver for receiving signals from a mobile telephony system; a first transmitter for transmitting signals over the mobile telephony system; and a stylus allowing the user to use the mobile telecommunications device as a writing or drawing device. |
| US07715033B2 |
Compensating for changed capability information
When the function of a printer has been changed, the printer notifies a DSC of a change in printer function using a capabilityChanged tag. If the DSC does not return any inquiry about the capabilityChanged tag, the printer determines that the DSC has no function that supports the capabilityChanged tag. The printer executes disconnection and re-connection of USB to execute a communication procedure with the DSC from the beginning, thereby notifying the DSC of the latest capability information in the printer. |
| US07715032B2 |
Bulk communications process using multiple delivery media
A method (100), a system and, a computer program product for bulk communication of information to recipients via multiple delivery media are disclosed. The media include facsimile, email, surface mail, SMS messaging, and archiving (and is adapted for new media types in the future). A single interface is used to receive information (106, 108, 110) for distribution including one or more template documents (110) and data (106) specific to each recipient. At least one document based on the received information (106, 108, 110) is transmitted using a specified delivery media (144, 150, 156, 162, 168) for each recipient based on the recipients' delivery preferences (122, 176). Escalating (172, 178) transmission of the document may occur using a different delivery media for any recipients for whom transmission by the specified delivery media fails. The escalating step (172, 178) may depend upon status information (176) from a carrier regarding delivery of the document to each recipient. |
| US07715020B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measuring system
A three-dimensional shape measuring system is provided with a measuring unit having a three-dimensional measurement range and adapted to measure the three-dimensional shape of a measurement object in a noncontact manner, a measurement range shifting unit for shifting the position of the measurement range of the measuring unit, a shape calculating unit for calculating the overall three-dimensional shape of the measurement object from a plurality of measurement data obtained by shifting the measurement range relative to the measurement object, and a judging unit for setting judgment areas in specified peripheral areas within the measurement range and judging the presence or absence of any unmeasured area of the measurement object outside the measurement range based on measurement data corresponding to the judgment areas. The measurement range shifting unit shifts the position of the measurement range in a direction toward the unmeasured area when the presence of the unmeasured area is judged by the judging unit. |
| US07715018B2 |
3-dimensional imaging by acoustic warping and defocusing
The present invention relates to a system for three-dimensional (3-D) acoustic imaging of a scattering structure using information from a two-dimensional (2-D) image. The system uses a characterized sensor array to emit a signal from the sensor array into an object of interest to generate at least one 2-D representation of the object of interest. The 2-D representation comprises a plurality of x and y coordinate pairs and at least one candidate scattering structure. The candidate scattering structure comprises a shape defined by at least one pair of x and y coordinates. The candidate scattering structure shape is restricted to at least one pair of x and y coordinates. The pair of x and y coordinates of the candidate scattering structure shape are then compared with a first coordinate-dependent response function to assign an x, y, and z position of a scattering structure in 3-D space. |
| US07715017B2 |
Dynamic fringe phase detection for measurement of very small spacing
An apparatus and a method for measuring very small separations between a transparent or semi-transparent first body and a second body, wherein one or more light sources produce light that is split into two distinct paths. One path is directed through the first body at two locations, one where it reflects from the interface at the separation to be measured, and another where the second body does not affect the reflection. The second path is directed at a frequency shifter, which shifts the frequency of the light. The two paths are recombined and interfereometric variations of intensity, substantially at the frequency of the shifter, are detected. The difference in phase between the measurement and reference areas with the second body not present is subtracted from the difference in phase between the measurement and reference areas with the second body present. The difference in differences yields the phase change that occurs when the second body is introduced. Using this phase change and the optical properties of the bodies and the medium between them, the separation is calculated. The preferred embodiment applies to the field of magnetic recording on hard disk drives and is used to measure the spacing or “flying height” between a transparent or semi-transparent replica of a magnetic recording disk and an actual recording head. |
| US07715015B2 |
Adaptive mixing for high slew rates
A method and apparatus for demodulation of detected fringes from interferometric sensors with high slew rates are provided. A detected interference signal may be mixed with a local oscillator phasor to obtain a mixed signal, the local oscillator being controlled to produce a frequency that roughly matches the fringe frequency of the interference signal. A sensor phase estimate may be obtained from the detected interference signal or the mixed signal. The local oscillator signal can be computed from the sensor phase estimate. The mixed signal and the sensor phase estimate may be low pass filtered and decimated and the resulting decimated mixed signal and decimated sensor phase estimate may be processed and combined with moderate processing power requirements in an effort to accurately measure the sensor phase for the interferometric sensor. |
| US07715014B2 |
Methods and systems for fiber optic gyroscopes vibration error suppression
Systems and methods for performing vibration error suppression in a fiber optic gyro sensor. An example system includes a light source, a sensing loop assembly, a photo detector, and a processing component. The light source generates a light signal that is then modulated by the sensing loop assembly and applied to a fiber optic coil in the assembly. The photo detector receives a modulated light signal that is an output of the sensing loop assembly (coil) and generates an analog signal. The processing component converts the generated analog signal into a modulated digital signal, determines an average of the modulated digital signal, determines an intensity modulation amplitude based on the determined average of the modulated digital signal, and re-scales the modulated digital phase signal based on the determined intensity modulation amplitude. |
| US07715012B2 |
Sensor unit and assay method of assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection
A sensor unit of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay system includes a transparent dielectric medium. A thin film has a first surface and a sensing surface. The first surface is connected with the dielectric medium to constitute an interface. The sensing surface is back to the first surface, for detecting (bio) chemical reaction. A flow cell block has a flow channel for flowing of the sample to the sensing surface. Attenuated total reflection of illuminating light is checked at the interface, to analyze interaction between ligand and analyte as samples. The flow channel includes a first inner surface, disposed opposite to the sensing surface to extend along, for passing the sample to flow between. The first inner surface has a height, defined with reference to the sensing surface, and in a range of 200-500 microns. |
| US07715011B2 |
Methods for using light reflection patterns to determine location of pith and curvature of the annual ring
Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature. |
| US07715010B2 |
Non-dispersive electromagnetic radiation detector
A flow-through gas cell and a method for passing a sample gas through a flow-through gas cell for spectroscopy are disclosed. In an embodiment, a flow-through gas cell is disclosed. The gas cell includes a substantially cylindrical interior cavity. The interior cavity comprises an inner surface that is reflective. In addition, the gas cell includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet. In the gas cell, a source is disposed on a side of the gas cell, and a detector is disposed on the same side of the gas cell as the source. The source emits electromagnetic radiation, and the detector detects electromagnetic radiation. The gas cell further includes mirrors disposed on opposing ends of the interior cavity. |
| US07715006B2 |
Optical system for a particle analyzer and particle analyzer using same
A compact optical system for a particle analyzer and particle analyzer using same are provided. The optical system for a particle analyzer of the present invention comprises a light source, an irradiation optical system for irradiating particles passing through a flow cell with light from the light source, a photodetector for receiving the scattered light from the particles, a light shielding member for blocking the direct light from the light source from impinging the photodetector, and a detecting lens for directing the scattered light toward the photodetector, wherein the irradiation optical system forms a first focus that focuses the light from the light source on the particle passing through the flow cell, and forms a second focus that focuses the light from the light source at a position between the detecting lens and photodetector, and disposes the light shielding member at the position of the second focus. |
| US07715003B2 |
Metalized semiconductor substrates for raman spectroscopy
In one aspect, the present invention generally provides methods for fabricating substrates for use in a variety of analytical and/or diagnostic applications. Such a substrate can be generated by exposing a semiconductor surface (e.g., silicon surface) to a plurality of short laser pulses to generate micron-sized, and preferably submicron-sized, structures on the surface. The structured surface can then be coated with a thin metallic layer, e.g., one having a thickness in a range of about 10 nm to about 1000 nm. |
| US07714996B2 |
Automatic inspection system for flat panel substrate
Automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems are described comprising optical modules that include an illumination component and a lens array configured to direct illumination of the illumination component at a portion of a substrate. The lens array includes a Fresnel lens. The optical module includes a camera that receives reflected light resulting from an interaction of the illumination and the substrate. The camera includes a time delay integration (TDI) sensor. A telecentric imaging lens directs reflected light from the substrate to the camera. The illumination component comprises a controller coupled to multiple LED light sources, each emitting light at a different wavelength. The controller independently controls each LED light source. The illumination component includes a bright field and/or a dark field light source. The illumination component can include a front side and/or a back side light source. An optical fiber is coupled to the camera and an image processor. |
| US07714992B2 |
Equipment and method for monitoring an immersion lithography device
The invention concerns an equipment for monitoring an immersion lithography device provided with a main light source and a projection optics for printing images on a wafer. The propagating medium extending from the projection optics to the wafer consists of a liquid (3). The equipment comprises: a chamber (51) for receiving at least part of said liquid (3), a diffraction grating (50) immersed in the chamber; a secondary light source (271) for emitting a secondary incident beam (20) towards the grating so as to obtain a diffracted beam; angle measuring members (57) capable of measuring at least one diffraction angle corresponding to a maximum intensity of an order of diffraction of the beam diffracted by the grating (500), and computing means (505) for calculating an estimate of a physical quantity concerning the refractive index of the liquid. |
| US07714990B2 |
Hand-held laser distance measuring device with a pulse reflection mixing method
A hand-held pulse laser distance measuring device and a pulse reflection mixing method both having an algorithm which controls a microcontroller and which serves to calculate the distance to a measurement object by at least two different time differences τ11, τ12 between a measurement pulse and a reference pulse with a pulse width Δt, which time differences τ11, τ12 are measured with a pulse repetition frequency f1, f2, respectively, wherein a selection module is provided which selects at least the first pulse repetition frequency f1 from at least a first frequency set {f}1 with at least one other pulse repetition frequency f1i in such a way that the condition |τ11·f1i|>A >2·|Δt11·f1i| is satisfied with a pre-selected lower limit A, a relative time difference |τ1i·f1i| and a relative pulse width |Δtλ·f1i|. |
| US07714982B2 |
Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus includes: an optical system having an optical element on which a first exposure light and a second exposure light are incident, the first exposure light and the second exposure light from the optical element being irradiated onto a first exposure field and a second exposure field; and a detection device that detects at least one of the first exposure light and the second exposure light, which are from the optical element and are directed towards a different direction from directions towards the first and second exposure fields. |
| US07714981B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method
In a lithographic apparatus, a slip of a patterning device relative to a support, the support being constructed to support the patterning device, may be provided by: measuring a position of the support relative to a structure of the lithographic apparatus; measuring a position of the patterning device relative to the structure of the lithographic apparatus; determining a correlation between the position of the patterning device and the position of the support; and deriving from the correlation a slip of the patterning device relative to the support. The structure may include a projection system to project a radiation beam patterned by the patterning device onto a target portion of the substrate. The projection system may be connected to a frame, such as a metrology frame of the lithographic apparatus. |
| US07714979B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus enables an efficient collection of a solvent vapor discharged via a nozzle onto a wafer on which a resist pattern is formed. A retaining base that retains the wafer is moved relative to the nozzle, which includes a nozzle head. A pair of leakage preventing portions are disposed opposite to each other across the nozzle head. Each of the leakage preventing portions has an opening via which the solvent vapor discharged out of the discharge opening can be sucked, or a solvent vapor blocking gas can be discharged selectively. A solvent vapor supply source and a gas supply source are switchably connected to the supply opening of the nozzle head via a first switching valve. An exhaust pump and a solvent-vapor-blocking gas supply source are switchably connected to the openings of the leakage preventing portions via a second switching valve. |
| US07714978B2 |
Method for cutting liquid crystal display panel and method for fabricating liquid crystal display panel using the same
A method for cutting a liquid crystal display panel including: forming prearranged cut lines on a pair of attached mother substrates on which a plurality of panel regions have been disposed; and separating the liquid crystal display panel from a dummy glass around the liquid crystal display panel through a transfer unit which includes a body for adsorbing a liquid crystal display panel and transferring it, and a plate attached on an edge of the body, fixing and separating a dummy glass of a mother substrate from the liquid crystal display panel, and moving up and down separately from the body. A dummy removing plate is attached at an edge of a trans hand to remove a dummy glass when a breaking process-finished liquid crystal display panel is extracted, so a damage of the liquid crystal display panel due to the dummy glass can be prevented. |
| US07714976B2 |
Optical resin sheet and liquid crystal cell substrate including the same, liquid crystal display device, substrate for an image display device, and image display device
An optical resin sheet includes a cured resin layer containing glass fiber, wherein the ratio of the elastic modulus of the glass fiber to the elastic modulus of a cured resin material, which forms the cured resin layer, is 25 or more. With the thus arranged optical resin sheet, stress is applied to the glass fiber, thereby reducing the phenomenon of occurrence of birefringence, and when it is applied to a display device, there is achieved a significantly small light leakage in an oblique direction. The optical resin sheet is capable of achieving excellent display quality of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device, as well as keeping the coefficient of thermal expansion lower and the mechanical strength higher. |
| US07714971B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of preventing spots from being generated by difference in brightness caused by variation in a gap between substrates is provided. The LCD includes a first pad unit positioned on an upper corner of a lower substrate, a second pad unit positioned on a lower corner of the lower substrate diagonally across from the first pad unit, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the first pad unit and the second pad unit, and dummy pads positioned on the other upper corner of the lower substrate. The dummy pads are substantially symmetrical with second pads included in the second pad unit thus helping maintain the gap between the substrates uniform. |
| US07714966B2 |
Liquid crystal display with common electrode having cross shaped alignment members
A picture electrode of an MVA liquid crystal display device has a configuration where sub-picture electrodes are successively provided, while a cross-shaped slit is provided as an alignment restriction member on a common electrode of the side of a counter substrate. A columnar spacer is provided on a signal line of a TFT substrate in conformity to a position of a singular point of an alignment of liquid crystal molecules, the singularity occurring in a display region. This structure makes it possible, when a panel surface is depressed, to cause quick re-aligning of the liquid crystal molecules at the singular point of +1, as a base point, which has occurred at a center of the cross-shaped slit and in the vicinity of the columnar spacer, hence achieving a speedy recovery of displaying. |
| US07714963B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a transflective liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a gate line and a data line on the substrate, the gate line and the data line crossing each other to define a pixel region including a transmissive area and a reflective area surrounding the transmissive area; a thin film transistor having a gate insulating layer, the thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate line and the data line; a first passivation layer having a drain contact hole exposing a drain electrode of the thin film transistor and a through hole exposing the substrate in the transmissive area; a pixel electrode on the first passivation layer, the pixel electrode contacting the substrate in the transmissive area through the through hole; and a reflective plate on the pixel electrode, the reflective plate being electrically connected to the drain electrode through the drain contact hole and to the pixel electrode. |
| US07714958B2 |
Display device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device and the like with high visibility by forming a marker for alignment without increasing an additional step, thereby enabling alignment with high accuracy and reduction in time required for an inspection process in addition to suppressing reduction in yield. A pattern formed over an active matrix substrate which is one of a pair of substrates arranged to be opposed to each other and has a pixel portion is formed as a first marker for alignment, and an opening portion of a light-shielding film formed over an opposite substrate which is the other one of the pair of substrates is formed as a second marker for the alignment. It is to be noted that, by conducting alignment using these markers, alignment of the active matrix substrate and the opposite substrate with high accuracy can be conducted. |
| US07714956B2 |
Front illuminating device and a reflection-type liquid crystal display using such a device
A front-illuminating device of the present invention, which is placed over the entire surface of an object to be illuminated such as a reflection-type liquid crystal display device when it is used, is provided with a light source and a light-directing body. The light-directing body has an incident surface on which light from the light source (light-source light) is made incident, a first light-releasing surface for releasing the light toward the object to be illuminated, and a second light-releasing surface which faces the first light-releasing surface and releases reflected light from the object to be illuminated. The second light-releasing surface is formed into a step shape in which slanting portions and flat portions are alternately placed. The light source light, released from the first light-releasing surface to the object to be illuminated, is reflected by the object to be illuminated and the reflected light is allowed to reach the observer from the first light-releasing surface through the flat portions. In this case, among the light-source light rays, the light components progressing in parallel with the flat portions are reflected by the slanting portions and directed to the object to be illuminated. Consequently, the present invention makes it possible to provide a brighter front-illuminating device in which the efficiency of use of the light-source light is improved. |
| US07714954B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Light-emitting elements can be accurately directly opposed to the entrance surface of a light guide at an accurate distance therefrom, and can be mounted on a single side of a printed circuit board together with other electronic components, whereby the number of manufacturing steps and the thickness of a liquid crystal display device can be reduced. The light guide and the printed circuit board are disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel, and the respective light-emitting elements are inserted through through-holes formed to extend through the printed circuit board, with the light-emitting portions of the respective light-emitting elements opposed to the entrance surface of the light guide. The light-emitting elements, together with the other electronic components, are mounted on the printed circuit board from one side. Electrodes of the light-emitting elements are bridged and secured to a mounting surface of the printed circuit board. |
| US07714953B2 |
Display device
A display device has a laminated body including a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate, and an inside frame for supporting the laminated body. A polarizing plate is provided on a first surface as one main surface of the first glass substrate, and a part of a second surface as one main surface of the second glass substrate faces a third surface as the other surface of the first glass substrate via a liquid crystal member. And a driver for controlling the liquid crystal is provided at the non-face-to-face area of the end of the second surface where the second surface does not face the third surface. An inside frame has a fifth surface which faces a fourth surface as the other main surface of the second glass substrate via the polarizing plate, and is formed with a notch at the end of the fifth surface on the side of the non-face-to-face area. |
| US07714952B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly capable of reducing a frame size, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus having the backlight assembly is provided. The backlight assembly includes a bottom chassis having a receiving space, a lamp unit disposed at an edge portion of the receiving space, a light-guide plate disposed on the receiving space and an optical sheet. The lamp unit includes a light-emitting lamp a lamp cover covering a portion of the lamp and a sheet-fixing part that protrudes in an upward direction. The light-guide plate guides light from the lamp unit toward an upward direction. The optical sheet includes a fixing hole in which the sheet-fixing part is be inserted. |
| US07714948B2 |
Active matrix substrate, method for fabricating active matrix substrate, display device, liquid crystal display device, and television device
An active matrix substrate includes a substrate, a TFT formed on the substrate, a storage capacitor element formed on the substrate, an interlayer insulating film covering the storage capacitor element, and a pixel electrode formed on the interlayer insulating film. The storage capacitor element includes a storage capacitor line, an insulating film formed on the storage capacitor line, and two or more storage capacitor electrodes opposed to the storage capacitor line with the insulating film interposed therebetween. The two or more storage capacitor electrodes are electrically connected via associated contact holes formed in the interlayer insulating film to the pixel electrode and electrically continuous with a drain electrode of the TFT. |
| US07714944B2 |
Projection system
The main object of the present invention is to present a projection system excellent in visibility from inside of projection system to outside, and capable of obtaining a sharp contrast display without being influenced by the ambient light.The present invention provides a projection system comprising: a projection screen, containing a substrate and a polarized light selective-reflection layer formed on the substrate and diffuse-reflects right-handed circularly polarized light or left-handed circularly polarized light, which displays an image by reflecting an image light irradiated from a projector; a projector for projecting an image light on the projection screen; and an external light screen installed at an external light entrance, disposed in a sequence of a linearly polarizing plate and a retardation plate from an external side, and circularly polarizes a light in reverse direction to the circularly polarized light diffuse-reflected by the polarized light-selective reflection layer, wherein a transmission axis of the linearly polarizing plate is in vertical direction. |
| US07714939B2 |
Reliability estimation of temporal noise estimation
A method for reliability estimation of temporal noise estimation in a sequence of video frames. The temporal local differences from a difference between a previous frame and a next frame in the sequence of frames is determined. A distribution of the temporal local difference is determined. Characteristics values of the distribution are determined. The characteristics values are compared to the thresholds to obtain an indication of the reliability of the temporal noise estimation. If the estimated noise variance is determined as not reliable, it will be discarded and the previous estimated reliable noise variance will be used instead indicating the noise level of the current frame. |
| US07714936B1 |
Omniview motionless camera orientation system
An apparatus and method is provided for converting digital images for use in an imaging system. The apparatus includes a data memory which stores digital data representing an image having a circular or spherical field of view such as an image captured by a fish-eye lens, a control input for receiving a signal for selecting a portion of the image, and a converter responsive to the control input for converting digital data corresponding to the selected portion into digital data representing a planar image for subsequent display. Various methods include the steps of storing digital data representing an image having a circular or spherical field of view, selecting a portion of the image, and converting the stored digital data corresponding to the selected portion into digital data representing a planar image for subsequent display. In various embodiments, the data converter and data conversion step may use an orthogonal set of transformation algorithms. |
| US07714927B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method and computer program product, with eye blink detection features
An imaging apparatus includes a focus control unit that sets an image area including eyes, which is included in an input image inputted in the imaging apparatus, as a range finding area for calculation of a subject distance and acquires an evaluation value based on contrast of the range finding area to detect a focus position and a blink detecting unit that detects presence or absence of a blink on the basis of image analysis in the range finding area. The focus control unit inputs blink detection information in the blink detection unit, identifies evaluation value data in a blink period and a non-blink period, and executes processing for detecting a focus position on the basis of only an evaluation value in a period judged as the non-blink period. |
| US07714926B2 |
Imaging apparatus, user interface, and associated methodology for a co-existent shooting and reproduction mode
A currently captured image R of an object is displayed nearly at a center portion of a display frame SC on a display screen ST1 that is a shooting mode. When a time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the counterclockwise direction, the currently captured image R is moved rightward. A reproduced image P1 captured before the currently captured image R is displayed on the left thereof. A reproduced image P2 captured before the reproduced image P1 is displayed on the left thereof. The currently captured image R and the reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed at the same time on a display screen ST2 as a co-existent state of a shooting mode and a reproducing mode. When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the counterclockwise direction, only the reproduced images P1 to P4 are displayed on a display screen ST3 that is a reproducing mode. As a plurality of reproduced images, the reproduced images P1 to P4 are displayed along a time axis. |
| US07714925B2 |
Method of marking desired images in a digital image processing apparatus using a go to function
Provided is a method of controlling a digital image processing apparatus which sequentially stores images in a recording medium after capturing the images in a photographing mode and sequentially displays the images stored in the recording medium by receiving direction signals input by a user in a play mode. A go to setting is set regarding the captured images according to a selection of the user in the photographing mode. A list of images that are set with the go to setting is displayed according to the selection of the user in the play mode and then the image selected by the user from the list is displayed. |
| US07714910B2 |
Image file recording method, image recording and playback method, image recording and playback system, image recording apparatus, and image playback apparatus
Clock time information displayable together with a corresponding image upon image playback display is recorded in a header field of an image file as EXIF data, and clock time information specific to a digital camera is recorded in a header field of the image file difference from the header field for the clock time information recorded as the EXIF data. Since the camera-specific time information is recorded in addition to the display time information, even if pictures are taken with a digital camera abroad where there is a difference in time after the display clock time is corrected or changed to the local time, images of the pictures can be playback-displayed in order of actual shooting based on the camera-specific time information. |
| US07714907B1 |
Method for processing digital images
A portable image capture device, program and method for controlling and managing data captured thereby. A device program residing on the portable image capture device generally associates data processing attributes with image files generated for image data captured by the portable image capture device. In some embodiments, the device program associates data processing attributes related to prompts for pre-defined image data with corresponding image files generated in response to the prompts. The device program, and attribute and prompt data therefor are created on a data processing system and are transferrable therefrom to the portable image capture device. |
| US07714906B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing program for creating first image groups based on photographing time and creating second image groups from the first image groups
According to the present invention, groups each of whose number of photographed image data is large and whose photographing dates/times are consecutive are integrated as an important group, so that image data, for example, corresponding to a series of images photographed during event or the like over a few days can be classified into an important group automatically, and a level of importance of the image data can be calculated. Thereby, retrieving of stored images is facilitated and utilization rate of images can be increased. |
| US07714905B2 |
Digital camera and method of changing data processing sequence used for the same
A digital camera such that the order of processing of image data recorded on a recording medium and a method of changing the order of processing of the recorded image data. When an image is recorded, information concerning image data is recorded in an image data management file as a management record of respective image data units. The image number of the images of which the order or processing is desired to be changed is determined, and a desired, processing order is determined. The management records after the image number are saved and the control record of the image to be processed is written in the control record position of the desired processing order. The saved control records are written in the control record positions in the desired order, and the written image numbers are rearranged in the ascending order. |
| US07714901B2 |
Systems and methods for converting color image data to monochrome output
When converting color input from a color scanner or the like to monochrome output, the measured luminance values are reduced, to help avoid the loss of text or other image portions in the monochrome output. The luminance reduction may be performed based on chrominance values. |
| US07714898B2 |
Image capture device having a learning function
Embodiments provide for an image capture device having a learning function. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises at least one manual control adapted to generate a control signal that controls image capture operation, the control operable by a user of the image capture device; at least one sensor adapted to sense an operating condition during image capture; a first element adapted to analyse inputs from the sensor to learn at least one associated operating condition, and adapted to analyse the control signal to learn a corresponding preference of the user; a second element adapted to predict a value corresponding to the control signal and the associated operating condition; and a third element adapted to compare the predicted value and the control signal, and adapted to determine a confidence level from the compared predicted value and control signal, wherein the confidence level corresponds to a degree of confidence in the predicted value. |
| US07714897B2 |
Trigger tone of a camera
The invention relates to a digital camera comprising at least a memory unit for saving pictures and a control unit that is adapted to control the operation of the camera and to form a trigger tone on the basis of the state of the camera. The trigger tone indicates the triggering of the camera and the current state of the camera. The invention also relates to a method and a computer program product for forming an information tone of a digital camera. |
| US07714895B2 |
Interactive and shared augmented reality system and method having local and remote access
An augmented reality system including a camera movably located at a local site captures an image. A registering unit generates graphics and registers the generated graphics to the image from the camera to provide a composite augmented reality image. A display device located at a remote site, physically separated from the local site, displays a view including the composite augmented reality image. A communication link communicates information between the local and the remote site. A specifying unit specifies a position and an orientation in the remote site. The registering unit is adapted to register the generated graphical representation to the image in dependence of the specified position and orientation. The camera is arranged such that its position and orientation is dependent on the specified position and orientation. |
| US07714894B2 |
Remote head camera
According to one embodiment, a remote head camera includes a camera control unit, and a camera head configured to be connected to the camera control unit and including an imaging device, a drive signal generator, and a format identifying unit. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal for driving the imaging device. The format identifying unit identifies a format of the imaging device based on a clock count in a synchronization period from a first synchronization pulse to a second synchronization pulse output after the first synchronization pulse. The first synchronization pulse and the second synchronization pulse constitutes a synchronization signal. |
| US07714890B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and method for controlling pixel reading using a shake determination
An image pickup apparatus configured to pick up a still image includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels to convert an object image formed by an optical system to an electric charge. A pixel reading circuit operates in either a first reading mode for reading electric charges obtained from the respective pixels of the image pickup device on a pixel by pixel basis or a second reading mode for adding and reading the electric charges obtained from the respective pixels of the image pickup device. A controller evaluates camera shake during exposure. When an evaluation level of the shake is greater than a predetermined level, this controller controls the pixel reading circuit to operate in the second reading mode. when the evaluation level is smaller than the predetermined level, the controller controls the pixel reading circuit to operate in the first reading mode. |
| US07714889B2 |
Digital camera using exposure information for image processing
A digital camera with an auto exposure setting that adjusts the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and, an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data; wherein, the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture when processing the image data from the CCD. |
| US07714888B2 |
Reflection spectroscopic means for detecting patterned objects
A device detects the location of patterned objects in an environment by receiving an optical image and converting the optical image of the lost object into a color digital image. The device employs software to perform an analysis of the color digital image to detect the location of the one or more patterned objects in the environment by using color characteristics of light reflected from a pattern on the one or more patterned objects. The software uses a range of the visible portion of the color space uniquely identified for the light reflected from the pattern on the object and identifies those pixels in the digital image that may be possible targets. |
| US07714883B2 |
Optical head, control method thereof, and image forming apparatus
A control method for controlling an optical head having a plurality of light emitting devices, includes: dividing the plurality of light emitting devices into a plurality of blocks by grouping adjacent light emitting devices of the plurality of light emitting devices; adjusting levels of driving signals supplied to the adjacent light emitting devices for each of the plurality of blocks so that emission luminances of the adjacent light emitting devices belonging to the each of the plurality of blocks become substantially equal to each other; and adjusting emission periods so that the equalized emission luminances of the plurality of blocks become substantially equal to each other. |
| US07714881B2 |
Method and device for visual masking of defects in matrix displays by using characteristics of the human vision system
The present invention provides a method for reducing the visual impact of defects present in a matrix display comprising a plurality of pixels, said pixels comprising at least three sub-pixels, each sub-pixel intended for generating a sub-pixel color which cannot be obtained by a linear combination of the sub-pixel colors of the other sub-pixels of the pixel, the method comprising: providing a representation of a human vision system, characterizing at least one defect sub-pixel present in the display, the defect sub-pixel intended for generating a first sub-pixel color, the defect sub-pixel being surrounded by a plurality of non-defective sub-pixels, deriving drive signals for at least some of the plurality of non-defective sub pixels in accordance with the representation of the human vision system and the characterizing of the at least one defect sub-pixel, to thereby minimize an expected response of the human vision system to the defect sub-pixel, and driving at least some of the plurality of non-defective sub-pixels with the derived drive signals, wherein minimizing the response of the human vision system to the defect sub-pixel comprises changing the light output value of at least one non-defective sub-pixel for generating another sub-pixel color, said another sub-pixel color differing from said first sub-pixel color. The present invention also provides a corresponding system for reducing the visual impact of defects present in a matrix display, and a matrix display with reduced visual impact of defects present in the display. |
| US07714877B1 |
Apparatus, system, and method for determining clipping distances
An apparatus, system, and method for determining clipping distances are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes a clipping unit and an instruction memory connected to the clipping unit. The instruction memory includes a clipping program to direct the clipping unit to perform clipping operations. The clipping program includes a clipping distance instruction to determine a clipping distance with respect to any of a set of clipping planes. |
| US07714876B1 |
Method and system for creating visualizations
There is provided a method and an apparatus for creating visualizations. Specifically, there is provided a computer-implemented method for creating visualizations, the method comprising importing data, generating an interaction rule for the data, and creating a visualization using the data and the interaction rule. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided. |
| US07714873B2 |
Strategies for compressing textures
A technique is described for compressing textures for use in a graphics application, such as a 3D game application. The technique includes parsing first-compressed texture information (e.g., S3TC texture information) into respective components of the first-compressed texture information (such as main color information, color index information, main alpha information, and alpha index information). The technique then further compresses the respective components to yield second-compressed texture information (referred to as modified compressed texture information or MCT texture information). The MCT texture information can be stored and then decoded to reconstruct the original S3TC texture information for use in the graphics application. Compared to the use of unmodified S3TC texture information, the technique allows more economical storage of texture information, as well as more efficient loading of the texture information from storage to memory. |
| US07714871B2 |
System and method for controlling display of mobile terminal
A system and method are provided for controlling a display unit of a mobile terminal which allows for enhanced display capabilities. A controller of the mobile terminal includes an output buffer region allocated within an external memory of the controller to receive and store screen data, and a display interface to transmit the screen data directly to the display unit. Screen data is stored and transmitted based on a clock cycle associated with an internal bus of the controller, thereby increasing display speed and maximizing the capabilities of a high performance, high speed display unit. |
| US07714868B2 |
Apparatus and methods of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal
Apparatus and methods of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes storing a set of European alphabet letters in a memory, inputting an alphabet letter to be converted in a European alphabet letter, determining a mode conversion key has been activated, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory, and selecting a desired one of the displayed European alphabet letters. |
| US07714865B2 |
Compositing list caching for a raster image processor
A method of rendering an image one or more pixels at a time in scanline order, wherein the image includes objects described by one or more levels, includes the steps of identifying at least one edge of the objects, with the at least one edge intersecting a first scanline, and building a compositing list for at least one identified edge. The compositing list includes levels that are activated on the first scanline at the identified edge and that contribute to at least one pixel on the first scanline in the rendered image. Additional steps include caching one or more of the compositing lists, wherein each cached compositing list is associated with a corresponding edge, checking, for a current edge intersecting a second scanline subsequent to the first scanline, whether the cached compositing list associated with the current edge is valid for the current edge on the second scanline, retrieving the cached compositing list if the checking step indicates that the cached compositing list is valid, and rendering one or more pixels on the second scanline using the retrieved compositing list. |
| US07714864B2 |
Visual resource profiler for graphical applications
A visual representation of performance data is displayed for a target application. The visual representation includes a visual indicator associated with a visual element of the target application. The visual indicator graphically illustrates a processing cost for the associated visual element with respect to other visual elements in the target application. The processing cost for the visual element includes a relative and/or absolute processing cost. The processing cost may be separated into different categories, such as animation, layout, rendering, and the like. |
| US07714855B2 |
Volume rendering processing distribution in a graphics processing unit
An intersection of a cut plane with a proxy geometry representing a scan volume is determined with a processor. The intersection is simplified, such as identifying a quadrilateral or triangle most closely enclosing the intersection. The vertex processor of a GPU deforms a reference grid and determines Cartesian coordinates and the texture coordinates for grid points of the reference grid as a function of the input intersection. The vertex processor provides coordinates for data for subsets of cut planes. The fragment processor inputs the texture coordinates and retrieves the data from the texture memory. The data is blended. The blended subsets are then blended together in the frame buffer of the GPU. |
| US07714851B2 |
Single supply video line driver
Video line drivers that operate using a single external supply voltage, without the need for large external capacitors (e.g., 470 uF) on the output, are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a video line driver includes a charge pump and a plurality of amplifiers. The charge pump uses the single external supply voltage to produce a further voltage having an opposite polarity than the external supply voltage. The plurality of amplifiers are each powered by the external supply voltage and the further voltage produced by the charge pump. Each amplifier receives a portion of a video signal and outputs an amplified version of the received portion of the video signal. The video signal can include, e.g., an R portion, a G portion and a B portion, or a Y portion, a Pb portion and a Pr portion. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of the invention. |
| US07714850B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes a left and a right panel sections provided adjacently along a sequence of a plurality of data signal lines, and a plurality of source drivers which are provided along a sequence of the data signal lines and correspond to the panel sections. A controller sends data signals to the respective source drivers in parallel, and a start signal to one of the source drivers in each of the display panel. In each panel section, an operation of acquiring data signals sequentially shifts from the source driver having received the start signal to the next source driver. The controller sends the start signals to the two source drivers closest to a border between the two display regions, and rearranges an order of data signals, which are supplied to source drivers in one of the display regions, to be in line with an order of data signals which are supplied to the other one of the display regions. |
| US07714847B2 |
Capacitive touchpad having dual traces coupled with uneven spaced interlaced sensors
A capacitive touchpad comprises two traces with a plurality of first and second sensors coupled thereto respectively, and the first and second sensors are arranged interlaced and uneven spaced to each other. By detecting the capacitance variances produced by the sensors from the traces, phase leading or lagging Z-axis signals are generated to determine the moving direction of a finger sliding on the capacitive touchpad. |
| US07714845B2 |
Touch panel and input device including the same
A touch panel includes a light-transmissible, piezoelectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a first light transmissible, resistor layer provided on the first surface of the substrate, and a second light transmissible, resistor layer provided on the second surface of the substrate. A portion of the piezoelectric substrate, upon being pressed, has an electric resistance locally decreasing. The touch panel, even having a simple construction, can avoid reflections of external light and suppress a Newton's ring. |
| US07714842B2 |
Intelligent mouse
The present invention provides an intelligent mouse includes a physical environment conditions detector for sampling physical environment conditions in the intelligent mouse, a physical condition adjustor for adjusting the physical environment conditions; and a microprocessor unit for processing operations of the intelligent mouse. The microprocessor unit comprises a memory for storing a reference physical condition value represented a modest physical condition range; and an environment controller for processing the physical condition values and outputting a controlling command to the physical condition adjustor. The intelligent mouse can measure physical environment conditions automatically and adjust the physical environment conditions into a modest range automatically. |
| US07714838B2 |
Handheld electronic device having hidden sound openings offset from an audio source
An improved handheld electronic device has a case with an elongated cavity formed therein. An audio transducer is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a number of sound openings are formed in the case and are in fluid communication with the cavity and with the atmosphere surrounding the handheld electronic device. The sound openings are generally spaced from a central region of the audio transducer to space the sound openings generally farther from an edge of the case than the audio transducer. The cavity is configured to form a Helmholtz resonator that enables the communication of sound through the cavity between the audio transducer and the sound openings. The spacing of the sound openings from an edge of a case helps a user to form a seal between the case and the user's ear to enable sound from the sound openings to enter the ear and to be perceived by the user. In one embodiment, the sound openings face into a channel formed in the case, which enables the sound openings to be largely hidden from view and enable the sound openings to be spaced an even greater distance from the audio transducer. |
| US07714834B2 |
Wide flat panel LCD with unitary visual display
A flat panel display, particularly a liquid crystal display has a front plate with a plate area defined by a plate perimeter, which is in turn defined by a first and second pair of parallel sides, the pairs of sides in perpendicular relationship to each other. An active display area providing a unitary visual display is located within the plate perimeter. In the invention, this active display area is divided into at least first and second display areas, a visual output of said first and second display areas being separately driven. In some embodiments, one or both of the display areas is subdivided into first and second subdisplay areas, with the visual output of the first and second subdisplay areas being separately driven. |
| US07714830B2 |
Liquid crystal display backlight with level change
A display is backlit by a source having spatially modulated luminance to attenuate illumination of dark areas of images and increase the dynamic range of the display. |
| US07714829B2 |
Method for maintaining the white colour point in a field-sequential LCD over time
A field sequential liquid crystal display maintains its white colour point through compensation values to at least one colour light emitting diode that illuminates the display. The compensation values may be impedances to control the current or pulsing of the current source according to a pulse width modulation technique. A degradation curve may be used to calculate extrapolate the theoretical forward voltage of the light emitting diode. Additional complexity arises from the need for calculating uptime for multiple light emitting diodes of different colours. Brightness levels may also be factored in. |
| US07714827B2 |
Integrated circuit for scan driving
An integrated circuit is provided for scan driving that can significantly reduce the chip size. In first region AODD, odd-numbered output pads OUT1, OUT3, . . . OUT173, OUT175, driver circuits DR1, DR3, . . . DR173, DR175, and flip-flops SREG1, SREG3, . . . SREG173, SREG175 in an order corresponding to the order of the odd-numbered scanning lines are each arranged as a column in the X-direction, and, at the same time, output pads OUTi, driver circuits DRi and flip-flops SREGi corresponding to the scanning lines are arranged in the same row in the Y-direction (chip width direction). In second region AEVEN, even-numbered output pads OUT2, OUT4, . . . OUT174, OUT176, driver circuits DR2, DR4, . . . DR174, DR176, and flip-flops SREG2, SREG4, . . . SREG174, SREG176 in an order corresponding to the order of the even-numbered scanning lines are each arranged as a column in the X-direction, and, at the same time, output pads OUTi, driver circuits DRi and flip-flops SREGi corresponding to the scanning lines are arranged in the same row in the Y-direction (chip width direction). |
| US07714826B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an LCD panel having a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines crossing the data lines, a data driving circuit to generate a data voltage, a demultiplexer to apply the data voltage from the data driving circuit to the data lines using a plurality of switching devices, and a control signal generator to generate a plurality of control signals having a first polarity of voltage in order to turn on the switching devices and in order to add a second polarity of voltage to the control signals. |
| US07714823B2 |
Method of driving liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel has a first switch, a second switch and a first pixel electrode. The second pixel has a third switch and a second pixel electrode. The driving method of the liquid crystal display panel includes the following steps. During a first time period, the first scan line and the second scan line are enabled at the same time, and a first pixel voltage is inputted to the data line. During a second time period, the first scan line is enabled, the second scan line is disabled, and a second pixel voltage is inputted to the data line. The second time period is shorter than the first time period. |
| US07714820B2 |
Contact structure of conductive films and thin film transistor array panel including the same
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: a display cell array circuit including a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of thin film transistors, and a plurality of pixel electrodes; a gate driving circuit supplying gate signals to the gate lines; and a signal line connected to the gate driving circuit and including first and second line segments separated from each other and a connection member connected to the first and second line segments through at least a contact hole exposing at least one of the first and the second line segments. |
| US07714818B2 |
Element substrate and a light emitting device
A light emitting device and an element substrate which are capable of suppressing variations in the luminance intensity of a light emitting element among pixels due to characteristic variations of a driving transistor without suppressing off-current of a switching transistor low and increasing storage capacity of a capacitor. According to the invention, a driving transistor also serves as an erasing transistor and the driving transistor is operated in a saturation region. The gate of the driving transistor is connected to an erasing scan line and it can be selected whether or not to flow current by a potential of the erasing scan line. In addition, a current controlling transistor which operates in a linear region is connected in series to the driving transistor, thus a video signal transmitting a light emission or non-emission of a pixel is input to the gate of the current controlling transistor through a switching transistor. |
| US07714815B2 |
Organic light emitting display utilizing parasitic capacitors for storing data signals
An organic light emitting display including a demultiplexer on each data line that splits and supplies each data signal to a plurality of data lines, thereby decreasing the number of output lines required and reducing production cost. Further, voltages corresponding to the data signals are sequentially charged in data capacitors, while the charged voltages are supplied to the pixels simultaneously allowing the organic light emitting display to display an image with uniform brightness. Scan periods for supplying the scan signals do not overlap with data periods for supplying the data signals thus yielding a stable image. Also, the capacitance of the data capacitor is set to compensate the voltage drop in the first power source line, thereby displaying an image with uniform brightness. |
| US07714811B2 |
Light-emitting device and method of driving the same
A light-emitting device avoids a cross-talk phenomenon. The device includes a precharge controlling circuit and a precharge circuit. The precharge controlling circuit provides a precharge controlling signal in accordance with display data input from an external source. The precharge circuit applies a precharge current corresponding to display data and a scan line resistance to the data lines in accordance with the precharge controlling signal transmitted from the precharge controlling circuit. As a result, precharge current is applied to data lines according to a pixel cathode voltage, and thus cross-talk occurs is eliminated or at least substantially reduced in the device. |
| US07714809B2 |
Plasma display device and driving method thereof
A plasma display device and driving method thereof has a peak value of one frame is detected and then converted. A grayscale or a grayscale value is converted according to an original peak value and a converted peak value, and a total number of sustain pulses applied to the one frame is reset such that a brightness corresponding to the converted grayscale or grayscale value is set to be equal to a brightness corresponding to the original grayscale or grayscale value. In such a manner, the numbers of on-subfields and useable subfields corresponding to the grayscale of the input video signal are increased, so that the discharge characteristics are enhanced and the false contour is reduced. |
| US07714808B2 |
Plasma display apparatus and driving method thereof
A plasma display apparatus comprises a scan electrode and a sustain electrode; a data electrode for intersecting the scan electrode and the sustain electrode; and a pulse controller for controlling to apply a pulse having an opposite phase to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode during a reset period and apply a negative sustain pulse to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode during a sustain period, wherein a distance between the scan electrode and the sustain electrode is longer than that between the sustain electrode and the data electrode. Therefore, a surface discharge mode can be used even when applying negative pulses to the sustain electrode in a reset period, and a size and cost of a plasma display apparatus can be reduced by applying a negative pulse of the same magnitude as a sustain voltage without a separate negative voltage source. |
| US07714802B2 |
Integrated information presentation system with environmental controls
An integrated information presentation system includes environmental controls that at least enhances the experience of giving a presentation. During the presentation, multiple controls are available which enable the presenter to have direct control of the presentation environment. The system makes it easier to give presentations using computer-aided text, images, and sounds, yet it is far from just a tool to be used during these events themselves. Using this system, it is possible for presenters to practice a presentation before actually giving it, to transmit and/or receive a presentation, either pre-recorded or live to/from a remote location(s), to record a presentation for later distribution, to view a pre-recorded or live presentation from a remote location(s), or to upload a video or audio message to a website. This system includes an exemplary integrated information presentation device “Power Podium”) and an Integrated Presentation Environment Assembly a “Presentation Booth”). |
| US07714799B2 |
Antenna device and wireless signal transmission device with the same
An antenna device comprises a base, a combination element, a fixing element, a rotation unit, and a radiation conductor. The base has a through hole and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a plurality of pins, and the through hole is approximately parallel to the bottom surface. The combination element has a first blocking portion. The fixing element has an embedding surface, wherein the embedding surface is surrounded by a plurality of metal plates. The first blocking portion touches one terminal of the fixing element. The rotation unit has a second blocking portion, and the second blocking portion touches the other terminal of the fixing element. The other terminal of rotation unit pivoted at the radiation conductor. The fixing element wedges with close in the inner of the through hole of the base. Therefore, the antenna device is formed a firm structure. |
| US07714794B2 |
RFID antenna
An antenna particularly suitable for use in radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders. First and second half portions each include nominally straight conductive sections primarily defining a radiating characteristic and nominally spiral conductive sections creating a positive reactive characteristic of the antenna. The straight conductive sections have feed points for connecting the antenna into the RFID transponder, and further connect with the respective spiral conductive sections. The first and said second half portions characterize the antenna as being a dipole type, and adding an optional loop section connecting the straight conductive sections can further characterize it as being of a folded dipole type. |
| US07714791B2 |
Antenna with improved illumination efficiency
An antenna is provided including a first loop having at least one first conductor and a second loop having at least one second conductor, the second conductor connected to the first conductor. The first loop has a first enclosed area defined by the area inside the perimeter of the first loop and a first phase center point defined by the geometric center point of the first enclosed area. The second loop is coupled to the first loop and is disposed a distance from and substantially parallel to the first loop. The second loop has a second enclosed area substantially equal to the first enclosed area and a second phase center point. A line normal to the plane of the first loop passes through the first and second phase center points. The first and second loops are disposed to substantially reduce the far-field illumination, while substantially maintaining the near-field illumination at effective radio frequency identification system operational levels. The antenna may be used to energize devices through inductive coupling. |
| US07714789B2 |
Antenna having a diversity effect
An antenna includes a dielectric substrate, a grounding plane, first and second grounding elements, and first and second radiating elements. The grounding plane is formed on the dielectric substrate and is disposed between the first and second radiating elements. The first and second grounding elements extend from the grounding plane away from each other. The first and second radiating elements are coupled electromagnetically to the first and second grounding elements, respectively. |
| US07714788B2 |
Antenna
An antenna comprises a ground element, a transmission element, a conductive element and a coupling element. The conductive element connects the ground element and the transmission element. The coupling element extends from the conductive element substantially parallel to the transmission element, wherein the coupling element is located on a first plane, the transmission element is located on a second plane, and the second plane is parallel to the first plane. |
| US07714786B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device including a ground plane, a circuit board, an antenna, and a conductive wire is provided. The circuit board includes a signal feed point, and the antenna includes a radiation portion and a feed portion extending externally from the radiation portion. The feed portion is electrically connected to the signal feed point, and the conductive wire is disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the ground plane and the signal feed point. The conductive wire is, for example, a printed trace formed on the circuit board. |
| US07714784B2 |
Base station and mobile terminal for location detection, and location detecting method
Disclosed are a base station and a mobile terminal for location detection, and a location detecting method. The base station in which a plurality of antennas having RF modules are installed transmits a signal including location information of each of the antennas to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal carries out location detection by selectively using location information received from a GPS receiver or location information received from a DSRC transceiver. The base station and mobile terminal for location detection can perform location detection with high accuracy using the existing DSRC service. Thus, the base station and mobile terminal can carry out location detection having an error of approximately 10 m in downtown areas or buildings. |
| US07714783B2 |
Method and system for analog beamforming in wireless communications
A method and system for analog beamforming for wireless communication is provided. Such analog beamforming involves performing channel sounding to obtain channel sounding information, determining statistical channel information based on the channel sounding information, and determining analog beamforming coefficients based on the statistical channel information, for analog beamforming communication over multiple antennas. |
| US07714782B2 |
Phase arrays exploiting geometry phase and methods of creating such arrays
In the context of array sensors such as radar, sonar, and communications receiver arrays, the present invention exploits the geometry phase components of radiated wavefronts associated with the signals of interest in order to reduce the bandwidth requirements for DOA and beamforming processing. Additionally, geometry phase is exploited in order to effectively increase the resolution of an array without changing the size of its physical footprint or the number of array elements. Other embodiments of the invention include the use of virtual array elements for increase in effective array size. |
| US07714777B2 |
Semiconductor device for spread spectrum radar apparatus
Provided is a semiconductor device for a spread spectrum radar apparatus which suppresses spurious signals resulting from non-linearity of active elements. The semiconductor device as the inverse spread spectrum modulation unit for the spread spectrum radar apparatus has a coupled line of two lines and another coupled line of two lines. The semiconductor device includes: an unbalanced to balanced transforming circuit which converts a received signal inputted as an unbalanced signal into a balanced signal pair; a switch circuit having one or more transistors; and a balanced inverse spread spectrum circuit which obtains as differential signal PN signals belonging to the same sequence code as a PN code which is used to generate an original signal of the received signal, also obtains the balanced signal pair from the unbalanced to balanced transforming circuit, and performs inverse spread spectrum modulation on the balanced signal pair by the switch circuit using the PN codes inputted as the differential signal. |
| US07714771B2 |
Method and device for measuring the distance and relative speed of multiple objects
A method and device are provided for measuring distance and relative speed of a plurality of objects with the aid of an FMCW radar, transmitted signals being reflected by objects, and the reflected signals being received and mixed with the transmitted signals. A combination of distance and relative speed values is assigned to the mixer output frequencies of each frequency ramp for each object, and the distance and relative speed of a possible object are determined from points of intersection of a plurality of distance and relative speed combinations. The apparent (unreal) objects are eliminated by modifying the frequency slope of at least one frequency ramp according to the random principle in a subsequent measurement cycle. |
| US07714769B2 |
Method for estimating the width of radar objects
In a method for estimating the width of radar objects in a position finding system for motor vehicles, which has at least two angle-resolving radar sensors, the reflection points positioned by several of the radar sensors, which are to be assigned to the same object on the basis of their distance data and relative velocity data, are combined into a group, lateral positions of the reflection points from this group are calculated, the difference of the lateral positions is calculated for various pairs of these refection points, and the maximum of these differences is sought out to determine an estimated value for a minimum width of the object. |
| US07714759B1 |
Low power linear interpolation digital-to-analog conversion
A resistor network digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subdivides each sampling clock cycle of the DAC into a number of phases. For at least one bit input of the DAC associated with a desired input resistor weight, the input bit value is sampled at each phase. Each of those sampled values is then applied to a respective resistor branch, the parallel set of resistor branches forming the parallel equivalent of the desired input resistor weight for that bit input. Such application may be, for example, via a slew-rate controlled driver, to smooth transient edges in the generated analog output signal. The resulting analog signal experiences reduced reconstruction errors at a higher frequency while consuming less power than a comparable oversampling DAC. Shifting reconstruction errors to higher frequencies relaxes downstream filtering requirements, which simplifies analog signal filtering and allows, for example, the use of current-mode low pass filters. |
| US07714757B2 |
Chopper-stabilized analog-to-digital converter
This disclosure describes a chopper-stabilized sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC is configured to provide accurate output at low frequency with relatively low power. The chopper-stabilized ADC substantially reduces or eliminates noise and offset from an output signal produced by the mixer amplifier. Dynamic limitations, i.e., glitching that result from chopper stabilization at low power are substantially eliminated or reduced through a combination of chopping at low impedance nodes within the mixer amplifier and feedback. The signal path of the ADC operates as a continuous time system, providing minimal aliasing of noise or external signals entering the signal pathway at the chop frequency or its harmonics. In this manner, the chopper-stabilized ADC can be used in a low power system, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), to provide a stable, low-noise output signal. |
| US07714756B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter
The present invention discloses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), including a bias voltage generating unit, a digital-to-analog converting stage, and an operating amplifier. The bias voltage generating unit is utilized for generating a first bias voltage. The digital-to-analog converting stage is utilized for converting a digital signal into a voltage signal, the digital-to-analog converting stage includes a current source for providing a current, and a switching unit is coupled to the current source for controlling the current to pass the switching unit according to the digital signal, and a load. The current flows through the load to generate the voltage signal. The operating amplifier is coupled to the bias voltage generating unit and the digital-to-analog converting stage for controlling the current source according to the first bias voltage. |
| US07714755B2 |
Dynamic bias control circuit and related apparatus for digital-to-analog converters
A dynamic bias control circuit includes a current source, a first switch, a differential amplifier, and a third switch. The current source outputs a first current. The first switch is coupled to an output end of the current source for generating the first current. The differential amplifier includes a first input end for receiving a reference voltage and a second input end coupled to the first switch. The third switch is coupled to an output end of the differential amplifier and to the first end of the first switch for adjusting a voltage at the first end of the first switch according to a result outputted from the differential amplifier. A control end of the first switch is coupled to a second switch. The second switch is used for inputting a second current into the second switch, wherein the second current to the first current is a predetermined ratio. |
| US07714750B2 |
Audio processing circuit and method
An audio processing circuit includes a clock synthesizer, a clock divider, a digital interpolator module, a sampling rate converter and a digital-to-analog converter. The clock synthesizer generates a base clock signal according to a sampling clock signal and a first reference clock signal. The clock divider generates a multiple frequency clock signal according to the base clock signal. The digital interpolator module interpolates a digital audio data according to the multiple frequency clock signal. The sampling rate converter processes the interpolated digital audio data into a re-sampled digital audio data according to the multiple frequency clock signal and a second reference clock signal. The digital-to-analog converter is coupled to the sampling rate converter for converting the re-sampled digital audio data into an analog audio signal according to the second reference clock signal. |
| US07714749B2 |
Method for constructing RLL codes of arbitrary rate
The claimed embodiments provide methods, apparatuses and systems directed to run-length limited (RLL) coding of data. In one implementation, concatenatable RLL codes with run lengths of zeroes not exceeding k are constructed for any rate N/(N+1) where N≦2k−2+k−1. As code rates increase, the value of k departs from the minimum possible value more slowly than that of many other codes. Further, occurrences of k-bit run lengths occur only at the juncture of two codewords. Due to this, the codes are mostly k−1. This quality makes the codes ideal for parity bit insertion applications such as LDPC channels. The method, in one implementation, places the bit addresses of violating sequences in a table at the beginning of the codeword, and the user data, occupying the locations where the table entries are placed, are moved into the locations of the violating sequences. This is done iteratively and in a way which provides for cases in which the violating sequence is inside the address table itself. |
| US07714746B2 |
Method and apparatus for keyboard readout
A key switch matrix circuit includes key switches arranged in rows and columns, each row having a scan line, each column having a sense line. Each key switch is operable to couple a scan line to a sense line. A scan signal delivery circuit supplies scan signals to the scan lines, the scan signals delivering a scan pulse to each row of the key switch matrix circuit in turn. A key switch detection circuit outputs a first signal if a key switch is operated and a scan pulse detection circuit outputs a second signal if a scan pulse is coupled to a sense line. The scan signal delivery circuit begins supplying scan signals in response to the first signal and stops supplying scan signals in response to the second signal. In one embodiment, a processor reads the sense lines in response to the second signal. |
| US07714744B1 |
Systems and methods for generating alert signals in an airspace awareness and warning system
An airspace awareness and warning system (“AAWS”) provides input to an airspace alert (“AA”) processor from at least one real-time aircraft system or sensor, a navigation system, and an airspace database containing three-dimensional delineations of defined airspace; the processor determines an airspace clearance surface and an aircraft airspace alert surface, and if one surface penetrates the other, the processor generates an alert signal and provides an alert signal to a crew alerting system. The two surfaces are determined by the processor by executing an algorithm(s) embedded in software containing the disclosed embodiments and methods. At least one criterion used to define an aircraft airspace alert surface is programmed to include real-time and/or static input factor data provided by at least one system or sensor input from an aircraft. Such input factor could be used to define an airspace clearance surface. |
| US07714743B1 |
Aircraft lightning strike detector
An aircraft lightning event detector includes a sensor mounted to an aircraft. The sensor determines whether a lightning event has struck the aircraft or induced a possibly damaging current into the aircraft. A threshold mechanism determines whether the sensed lightning event is greater than a predetermined size. A memory stores a record of the sensed lightning event for post-flight maintenance analysis when the lightning event is greater than the predetermined size. |
| US07714742B1 |
Wireless mesh network parking measurement system
A real-time parking activity measurement system comprising multiple, self-powered, mesh networked wireless vehicle sensors, a collection device, and a host computer. The wireless mesh network architecture allows the wireless vehicle sensors to be more reliable and to be more energy efficient by at least an order of magnitude compare to traditional wireless point-to-point and star-topology architectures. This architecture also enables the expansion of the measurement area without any additional infrastructure besides the necessary addition of wireless vehicle sensors. |
| US07714740B2 |
Automatic monitoring of analog gauges
A digital monitoring device for monitoring an analog gauge including a pointer, the digital monitoring device comprising: a pixilated optical sensor array for mounting over the analog gauge to generate a digital signal corresponding to movement of the pointer; an image processing means for reading the pointer of the analog gauge from the electrical signals from the pixilated array, and an alert output for outputting an alert corresponding to pointer exceeding acceptable boundaries. |
| US07714739B2 |
Illuminated deadbolt handle assembly
A self-contained handle assembly for a door provides a light emitting diode which indicates whether the door is locked or unlocked. The LED blinks when the door is locked and thus provides an active reminder of the position of the deadbolt. |
| US07714733B2 |
Emergency warning system integrated with building hazard alarm notification system
A hazard alarm system includes a hazard alarm notification appliance, and a warning detector which detects a warning alert message from an external source (such as a governmental organization). The hazard alarm system processes the warning alert message and issues an alarm system alert via the notification appliance. In issuing the alarm system alert, the hazard alarm system determines whether, how, what, where, and/or when to issue the alarm system alert using the notification appliance. |
| US07714729B2 |
Enhanced claim validation
Enhanced product tracking, in which 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 a pharmaceutical, and the event data relating to a supply chain process step for the pharmaceutical. Tracking also includes receiving a tracking request for formatted identification data and/or event data from a second supply management device; and establishing a data conversion interface 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 tracking request. |
| US07714726B2 |
Semi-transparent RFID tags
A “semi-transparent” antenna and Radio Frequency (RF) device implementing the same. The semi-transparent antenna gathers some of the RF energy in a carrier signal, but most of the energy in the RF wave does not couple into the antenna. Accordingly, because the antenna minimally affects the electromagnetic RF fields surrounding the antenna even in the vicinity of the antenna, assemblies of objects carrying the RF devices can be formed while maintaining acceptable communications with the RF devices. |
| US07714725B2 |
Method and system for locating a dependent
A method and system for locating a dependent by a guardian entity at a locality using RFID technology is disclosed. A RFID tag is situated with the dependent and a plurality of RFID reader devices capable of communicating with the RFID tag are distributed about the locality. A processor is directing communications between the RFID tag and the plurality of RFID reader devices, and is tracking the RFID tag. An authenticating system, which uniquely associates the RFID tag with the guardian entity, validates commands pertaining to the tracking of the RFID tag. The processor upon receiving a validated command generates a response, which includes location information regarding the dependent. |
| US07714722B2 |
Apparatus, a system and a method for securing and/or for displaying a device on a fixture
An apparatus, a system and a method secure and/or display a device on a fixture. Additionally, the apparatus, the system and the method attach and/or secure the device and/or a detachable means of the device to the fixture. A housing and/or a cable connects the device and/or the detachable means of the device to an alarm box and/or an alarm board. The housing has an optical sensor and/or a sensor board with a micro-controller and/or a resistor in communication with the micro-controller. The alarm box and/or the alarm board is in communication with an optical sensor and/or the micro-controller via a cable. A power source is in communication with the micro-controller via the cable to control a voltage which delivers from the power source to the device. Furthermore, the cable extends outward with respect to the fixture and/or a retracting means which allows the device and/or the detachable element of the device to be manipulated and/or to be examined by a customer and/or a user. |
| US07714721B1 |
Anti-theft ring tag
An anti-theft tag deterring theft of a ring is provided. The anti-theft tag includes an elongated housing for accommodating an EAS marker, a product support member that locks into the housing and which supports the ring, and a flexible, tear resistant strap for securing the ring to the support member, the strap being disposed at least partially within the housing during use. In one embodiment, the support member includes an arcuate seat portion for supporting a circular shank portion of the ring, and a locking member that locks into a corresponding cavity in the housing. In use, the tear resistant strap extends over the ring shank, and the strap ends are received within the cavity of the housing to protect the strap from unauthorized removal by a consumer. |
| US07714719B2 |
Field disturbance sensor utilizing leaky or radiating coaxial cable for a conformable antenna pattern
A system, device, and method for monitoring an uncontrolled area around a mobile object uses a distributed antenna, which can be a leaky coaxial cable, enclosing its perimeter. A field disturbance sensor, such as a microwave sensor, detects an intruder entering a protected area defined by field of the antenna. An alarm signal is sent to a wireless transceiver for transmission of an alarm event to a remote station. A biometric sensor, such as a passive infrared heat detector, can be used in conjunction with the field disturbance sensor to reduce possible false alarms. Identification of a legitimate alarm may alternatively be verified with video images obtained near an area of interest in proximity to the mobile object, which may be forwarded by the wireless transceiver to a remote station for analysis. |
| US07714716B2 |
Coded security sensor for a door
A method of detecting a position of a movable building structure includes mounting a readable code in association with a first surface of the movable building structure or with a second surface of a second structure. A code reader is mounted in association with the other of the first surface and the second surface. The readable code is read by the code reader to thereby verify that the first surface of the movable building structure is disposed in opposition to the second surface of the second structure. |
| US07714713B2 |
Relay apparatus
A relay apparatus for relaying communication between a water heater main body and a radio remote control unit, comprising: a switch section for setting an address of the radio remote control unit; a control section for establishing communication with the water heater main body and commanding and controlling to read out maintenance information stored in the water heater main body assuming that input information at the switch section is a request from the radio remote control unit having an address which was set by operation of the switch section; and a display section for displaying the maintenance information received from the water heater main body. |
| US07714712B2 |
Mobile surveillance
In some embodiments, a technique for logging an item encountered by a mobile device comprises automatically detecting an item in an uncontrolled environment, extracting an identity associated with the item, logging an encounter, wherein the encounter includes the identity, and deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant. |
| US07714710B2 |
Method and system for tracking equipment employing RF-ID technology
Disclosed is a method and system for determining the location of at least one of a plurality of uniquely-identified transducers within one of a plurality of known areas (210-270). The method comprises the steps of receiving information from at least one sensor selected from a plurality of first (211, 212, 216) and second sensors (218, 228, 238), wherein the first sensors (211, 212, 216) are distributed within the plurality of known areas, and the second sensors are located between adjacent ones of the plurality of known areas (220, 240), the information including at least a transducer-unique identification, associating the received information based on the transducer identification, and determining the location based on the information received by at least one of the first sensors. In one aspect the information is a signal strength. In another aspect of the invention, the location may be determined based on information received by a plurality of the first sensors. In another aspect of the invention, the transition of the transducers from one area to an adjacent area may be determined and such transition stored in a database. |
| US07714708B2 |
Smart pallet-box cargo container
Smart cargo container system comprising auditable, secure, sealable, stackable, trackable and pollable, universal, “pallet boxes” used: 1) auto-latchingly secured to the under-carriage transverse I-beams of over-the-road semi-trailers by means of a guiding latching system; and 2) stackable, up to three or more high, in the trailers or warehouses. Sophisticated battery-powered electronic locks, sensors and alarms are provided, as well as an RF communications and GPS locator module that radios to a base station the time, location and status of the inventive smart cargo container, and any anomalous events as they occur, including unauthorized attempts to open or break into the container, or potential damage events. In addition, both the locks and comm modules are programmable, and provide extensive, and selectably pollable and downloadable event, access and transport history and audit trails. The comm system permits remote tracking and real time status check via the Internet, LAN or WAN wireless networks. |
| US07714707B2 |
System for measuring life expectancy of a tire condition monitoring system
A system (10) is provided for monitoring a remote tire monitoring sensor. The system includes a tire-based unit (16) having a sensor (42) and transmitter (44) that receives power from a power supply (18) located within the tire-based unit (16). The transmitter (44) transmits a signal (22) relating to a parameter measured by the sensor (42). The system (10) further includes a controller (36) that evaluates the life of the power supply (18) by monitoring energy usage of the power supply (18) by counting the number of occurrences in which the energy usage is above a prescribed amount (59) and comparing the number of occurrences to an energy threshold (60). |
| US07714706B2 |
Linking of a sensor element with a transponder
The invention relates to the coupling of a sensor element to a transponder, the connection of said sensor element to the transponder being achieved by capacitive or inductive coupling. This enables any separation layer that may lie between the sensor element and the transponder to be retained, allowing the invention to be advantageously used in gas and liquid-tight containers, such as tires. In addition, electrically non-conductive materials of the object to be measured can be used as a dielectric for the capacitive coupling and electrically conductive parts can form part of a conductor loop for the inductive coupling. |
| US07714704B1 |
Removable video safety system for a moving vehicle
A removable video safety system for a moving vehicle comprising: a display device and a video device, both adapted to be removably mounted on the moving vehicle, and an audio device in proximity to the display device. The video device and audio device are in communication with the display device. Computer instructions and data storage in the display device instruct a processor to receive a video stream from the video device, display the video stream on the display device, prevent operation of the audio device while the display device is not displaying the video stream, and permit operation of the audio device while the display device is displaying the video stream. |
| US07714703B2 |
Radio communication module and method for installing radio communication module on license plate
When a radio communication module for electronic license plates is installed on a license plate, the following procedure is taken: an attaching portion and an enclosure integrated with it are fixed on a license plate with a bolt. Further, a protruded portion fixed on the attaching portion is engaged into the license plate, and the rotation of the radio communication module for electronic license plates on the bolt is thereby suppressed. |
| US07714698B2 |
RFID-UWB system connected to WLAN infrastructure
A system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) network and a wireless local area network (WLAN). The RFID network transfers ultra-wide band signals between a reader and a tag. In the wireless local area network (WLAN) an access point communicates with a WLAN transceiver using WLAN signals. The reader is operatively attached to either the wireless access point or the WLAN transceiver and the WLAN is a back haul network of the RFID network. Co-existence of the two networks is provided either by time division between the ultra-wide band signals and WLAN signals; and/or receiver isolation of said RFID network from said WLAN signals. |
| US07714696B2 |
Apparatus for providing drive-off security in a motor vehicle environment and a motor vehicle being provided with such apparatus
An apparatus is arranged for providing drive-off security in a motor vehicle environment through blocking one or more vehicle engine system sub-functions, such blocking is triggered by detecting an unauthorized system activation. A particular such sub-function facility comprises an on-off control circuit is used to control the functionality of a fuel pump arrangement. |
| US07714694B2 |
Compensating for linear and non-linear trimming-induced shift of temperature coefficient of resistance
A compound resistor is used to compensate for trimming induced shift in temperature coefficient of resistance of a trimmable resistor. The compound resistor is composed of a first and second portion, at least one of the two portions being thermally trimmable, and the parameters for the first and second portion are selected such that the trimming induced shift can be minimized on an overall resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance of the compound resistors by trimming the trimmable resistor. The invention also allows for exploring trimming range available via true thermal trimming without actually trimming out resistor's value of a resistor. The invention also allows design of thermal isolation to minimize or optimize resistance variation of the overall compound resistance. |
| US07714688B2 |
High Q planar inductors and IPD applications
Disclosed is methodology and apparatus for producing a planar inductor having a high quality (Q) factor. The inductor is formed by providing a first, relatively wide coil turn, and at least a pair of relatively more narrow second coil turns, displaced in a different plane from that occupied by the first coil turn. The configuration of such coil turns produces a high value of mutual coupling among the coil turns, resulting in an inductor having a high quality (Q) factor. |
| US07714680B2 |
Ceramic monoblock filter with inductive direct-coupling and quadruplet cross-coupling
A ceramic monoblock filter including a direct signal path defined by at least four spaced-apart through-hole resonators in combination with ground bars extending between the through-hole resonators and a separate quadruplet cross-coupling alternate signal path defined by two conductive pads located adjacent the first and fourth ones of the through-hole resonators respectively and a separate external bridge member which interconnects and couples the two pads. The bridge member is preferably made of a material having a lower dielectric constant than the block of the filter. In one embodiment, the filter is a monoblock duplexer filter comprising respective transmit and receive sections each including at least four of the through-hole resonators, the ground bars, the two pads, and the bridge member. In the duplexer embodiment, additional through-hole resonators may define shunt zeros. |
| US07714679B2 |
Spiral coupler
An improved spiral coupler including a plurality of parallel, coextensive conductive strips disposed in a planar spiral path, including a first strip having an input port and a direct or through port, a second strip having a coupler port and an isolated port and a first cross-over connection for bridging the strips from the inside to the outside of the spiral path to provide all four the ports external access to the spiral path. |
| US07714678B2 |
Tunable microwave devices with auto-adjusting matching circuit
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a delay line and a matching network coupled to the delay line, the matching network including a plurality of voltage tunable dielectric varactors. |
| US07714672B2 |
Surface-mount crystal oscillator
The crystal oscillator has a configuration where circuit elements including a crystal unit are arranged on a mounting board comprising external terminals, opening end faces of a concave metal cover are made to touch the surface of the mounting board, clearances from the opening end faces are comprised in the central regions at both ends in the width direction of the metal cover, protruding parts, which extend from the opening end faces and have a protrusion on an inner face, are comprised at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the metal cover, and each of the protruding parts is elastically inserted in a groove provided on both side faces in the longitudinal direction of the mounting board 1 and bonded by solder, wherein the tip side of each protrusion is thrust and bites into a metal film provided in the groove. |
| US07714671B1 |
Wideband nonlinear “channelizer” for rapid processing of static and time-varying signals
A target signal analyzer having at least one receiving antenna configured to receive the target signal, and a parallel array of oscillator rings. Each oscillator ring is operatively coupled to receive the target signal from the receiving antenna. Each oscillator ring has an odd number of at least three bistable, nonlinear oscillators circularly coupled to each other such that only one-way signal flow is allowed between the oscillators in each oscillator ring. Each of the oscillator rings is configured to oscillate and thereby produce a response signal only when the target signal frequency is within a designated frequency band. For every designated frequency band in a spectrum of interest, at least one of the oscillator rings is configured to produce a response signal. |
| US07714668B2 |
Phase locked loop circuit and wireless communication system
In a PLL circuit including a VCO having a plurality of oscillation frequency bands, a TDC circuit calculates a phase difference between a predetermined reference signal from a fixed frequency divider and a PLL frequency-divided signal from a variable frequency divider. The TDC circuit detects the amount of time by which the phase of the PLL frequency-divided signal leads or lags with respect to that of the reference signal in one cycle of the reference signal, thereby detecting which of the signals has a higher frequency and which has a lower frequency. Therefore, for each oscillation frequency band, the frequency comparison is completed in one cycle of the reference signal, allowing an oscillation frequency band selection circuit to detect an optimum oscillation frequency band corresponding to a predetermined PLL output frequency in a short time. |
| US07714667B2 |
Programmable linear trimming method and system for phase locked loop circuit calibration
The present invention implements an apparatus for calibrating a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting frequencies of a reference signal and a controlled oscillator contained in the PLL circuit. The detector outputs the frequency difference to a control circuit. The control circuit is programmed to adjust one or more control signals to the controlled oscillator based upon the frequency difference in an orderly fashion to complete the calibration process. |
| US07714665B2 |
Harmonic characterization and correction of device mismatch
An apparatus and method fore harmonic characterization and ratio correction of device mismatch between coarse and fine varactor tuning devices within a segmented unified varactor bank of an (RF) digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The DCO is divided into an MSB bank, LSB bank and sigma-delta (SD-LSB) bank. Any ratio mismatches between MSBs and LSBs are digitally calibrated out using a DCO step-size pre-distortion scheme wherein LSB steps are adjusted to account for ratio mismatch between the MSB/LSB step sizes. A harmonic characterization technique is used to estimate the mismatches in the minimal size CMOS tuning varactors of a digitally controlled RF oscillator (DCO), wherein nominal ratio mismatch between the MSB and LSB devices is estimated using hybrid stochastic gradient DCO gain estimation algorithms. The nominal ratio mismatch and the mismatches in MSB and LSB banks are used to determine average MSB/LSB mismatch which is then used to correct the LSB steps. |
| US07714661B2 |
Single supply direct drive amplifier
A driver amplifier operative from a single DC voltage supply, coupled directly to the output load without the need for DC coupling capacitors used for preventing DC reaching the output load. An onboard power supply generates a negative voltage rail that powers the output amplifiers, allowing driver amplifier operation from both positive and negative rails. Since the amplifiers can be biased at ground potential (0 volts), no significant DC voltage exists across the load and the need for DC coupling capacitors is eliminated. |
| US07714660B2 |
Amplifier circuit and methods of operation thereof
A signal amplifying circuit and associated methods and apparatuses, the circuit comprising: a signal path extending from an input terminal to an output terminal, a gain controller arranged to control the gain applied along the signal path in response to a control signal; an output stage within the signal path for generating the output signal, the output stage having a gain that is substantially independent of its supply voltage, and a variable voltage power supply comprising a charge pump for providing positive and negative output voltages, the charge pump comprising a network of switches that is operable in a number of different states and a controller for operating the switches in a sequence of the states so as to generate positive and negative output voltages together spanning a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage. |
| US07714657B2 |
Low noise amplifier gain controlled scheme
An amplifier includes an amplifier module coupled to an input node, and an attenuating module. The attenuating module includes an attenuation resistor coupled to the input node, and an impedance compensation module coupled to the input node. The impedance compensation module compensates an input impedance when an input RF signal is attenuated by the attenuating module. |
| US07714655B2 |
Closed loop surge protection technique for differential amplifiers
A differential amplifier with surge protection is described. The differential amplifier includes a first output driver device, a second output driver device, a first replica device, a second replica device, a current comparator, and a clamp circuit. The first replica device is configured to be a replica of the first output driver device. The second replica device is configured to be a replica of the second output driver device. The current comparator is configured to generate a threshold current, and to compare the threshold current to a first current through the first replica device and a second current through the second replica device. The clamp circuit is configured to limit a third current through the first output driver device and a fourth current through the second output driver device if the current comparator determines that the threshold current is greater than the first current or the second current. |
| US07714654B2 |
Amplifier and amplifier gain adjustment circuitry using current steering, and multimode communication device containing same
Disclosed is a multi-mode radio frequency amplifier. The amplifier includes a plurality of input transistors, a plurality of output branches, and a switching stage interposed between the plurality of input transistors and the plurality of output branches for selectively connecting the plurality of input transistors to the plurality of output branches. Individual ones of operational modes of the multi-mode amplifier correspond to an individual one of the plurality of frequency selective loads. A particular one of the plurality of frequency selective loads is one of operating or non-operating during operation of the multi-mode amplifier. A gain of the multi-mode amplifier is reduced by controlling the plurality of elements to steer a predetermined portion of a total signal current that is output from one of the input transistors, from an associated operating frequency selective load to a non-operating frequency selective load. |
| US07714649B1 |
High-efficiency linear amplifier using non linear circuits
A high-efficiency linear amplifier using non linear circuits. The examples describe of a high-efficiency linear amplifier using non linear circuits (“high-efficiency LINC PA”) that can allow linear (typical of less efficient amplifier modes) amplitude modulation (“AM”) while operating in a high efficiency quasi-Class-E mode. The exemplary quasi class-E amplifier may be classified as being a type of linear amplifier using nonlinear circuits (“LINC”). This LINC circuit typically combines a quasi-class-E power amplifier with bi-directional power switch parallel coupling at least one capacitor within the power amplifier output network. Complementary phase modulation of the drive signals coupled to the power amplifier and a power switch circuit results in an amplitude modulation of the RF output envelope. |
| US07714647B2 |
Multiple output power mode amplifier
A multi-mode power amplifier and an electronic device including the amplifier are described. |
| US07714645B2 |
Offset cancellation of a single-ended operational amplifier
A single-ended operational amplifier includes an output stage, a first transconductance amplifier and a second transconductance amplifier. In an offset cancellation mode, two inputs of the first transconductance amplifier are supplied with a reference voltage to sink two currents from two inputs of the output stage respectively, the output stage generates a third current according to the difference between the two currents to charge a capacitor, and the second transconductance amplifier generates two currents according to the voltage in the capacitor to make currents in the two inputs of the output stage equal to each other, thereby canceling the offset of the single-ended operational amplifier. |
| US07714640B2 |
No-trim low-dropout (LDO) and switch-mode voltage regulator circuit and technique
An optimized output voltage circuit and technique obtainable without trimming is set forth. A voltage reference circuit and method devoid of trim resistors comprising a high gain amplifier, a plurality of bandgap resistors, and at least a plurality of bipolar devices interconnected across circuitry in a predetermined configuration having emitter areas greater than traditional emitter areas of traditional bipolar devices is set forth. |
| US07714639B2 |
Stabilizing methods for current source
A stabilizing method for a current source is provided. The current source is provided a current which increases when temperature rises. An adjustment circuit provides an input current increasing when temperature rises. A rising ratio of the input current with temperature is the same as a rising ratio of the current of the current source with temperature. The current of the current source is subtracted from the input current. After the current of the current source is subtracted from the input current, the current of the current source does not vary when temperature varies. |
| US07714638B2 |
Eased gate voltage restriction via body-bias voltage governor
An arrangement, to ease restriction upon gate voltage (Vgg) magnitudes for a dynamic threshold MOS (DTMOS) transistor, may include: an MOS transistor including a gate and a body; and a body-bias-voltage (Vbb) governor (Vbb-governor) circuit to provide a governed version of Vgg of the MOS transistor to the body of the MOS transistor as a dynamic body bias-voltage (Vbb). |
| US07714637B2 |
Negative potential discharge circuit and method thereof
A negative potential discharge circuit may include an internal voltage generating circuit and/or a discharge unit. The internal voltage generating circuit may be configured to generate a regulated output voltage based on a power supply voltage. The discharge unit may be configured to discharge a negative potential using the regulated output voltage. A method of discharging a negative potential may include generating a regulated output voltage based on a power supply voltage, and/or discharging a negative potential using the regulated output voltage. |
| US07714631B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing a clock generator in the presence of jittery clock sources
There are provided, in a clock generator for generating a plurality of output clock signals, an apparatus and method for synchronizing the clock generator to an input reference clock in the presence of a jittery input clock provided to the clock generator from a PLL. The clock generator and the PLL each have a divider with the same ratio. The apparatus includes a synchronizer (205) and a state machine (210). The synchronizer receives the input reference clock and the jittery input clock, and generates there from a synchronized input clock signal with respect to the jittery input clock. The state machine receives the synchronized input clock signal and the jittery input clock, synchronizes with the synchronized input clock signal using the jittery input clock, and abstains from a re-synchronizing operation when the jittery input clock has a jitter of up to a pre-defined maximum number of clock widths. |
| US07714630B2 |
Method and apparatus to limit circuit delay dependence on voltage
The present disclosure is an apparatus for generating a decreasing delay with increasing input voltage to a predetermined voltage value at which point the delay may remain constant. The apparatus may include a circuit comprising a voltage regulator receiving an input voltage and two paths of inverters. At least two paths of inverters may be coupled to an input signal, the input signal may be low voltage (e.g. 0) or high voltage (e.g. 1). A first path may be referenced to a reference voltage while the second path may be referenced to the input voltage. The apparatus may include logic gates for receiving the output of each of the first path of inverters and the output of the second path of inverters to generate a desired output. As the input voltage increases, delay of the apparatus may decrease until the input voltage is approximately the same voltage as the reference voltage, at which the delay may remain constant. |
| US07714629B2 |
Delay circuit and delay time adjustment method
A delay circuit includes an interface for giving a command of setting a delay time and a delay device that can be set to any desired delay time, and the delay time of the delay device is set according to a command from the interface. |
| US07714626B2 |
System, method and apparatus having improved pulse width modulation frequency resolution
Using a combination of frequency dithering of a PWM counter and a variable time delay circuit yields improved PWM frequency resolution with realizable circuit components and clock operating frequencies. A controllable time delay circuit lengthens a PWM signal during the first PWM cycle. During the second PWM cycle, the PWM period is increased beyond the desired amount, but the delay is reduced during this second PWM cycle to achieve the correct (desired) PWM signal period. The dithering of the PWM signal period enables the time delay circuit to be “reset” so that an infinite delay circuit is not required. The time delay circuit provides short term (one cycle) frequency adjustment so that the resulting PWM cycle is not dithered and has a period at the desired frequency resolution. |
| US07714623B2 |
Agile high resolution arbitrary waveform generator with jitterless frequency stepping
Jitterless transition of the programmable clock waveform is generated employing a set of two coupled direct digital synthesis (DDS) circuits. The first phase accumulator in the first DDS circuit runs at least one cycle of a common reference clock for the DDS circuits ahead of the second phase accumulator in the second DDS circuit. As a phase transition through the beginning of a phase cycle is detected from the first phase accumulator, a first phase offset word and a second phase offset word for the first and second phase accumulators are calculated and loaded into the first and second DDS circuits. The programmable clock waveform is employed as a clock input for the RAM address controller. A well defined jitterless transition in frequency of the arbitrary waveform is provided which coincides with the beginning of the phase cycle of the DDS output signal from the second DDS circuit. |
| US07714621B2 |
Input signal detecting circuit
An input signal detecting circuit includes a plurality of comparators configured to output a plurality of differential output signals in response to a differential input signal, respectively; and a differential exclusive OR circuit configured to output an exclusive OR resultant signal from the plurality of differential output signals outputted from the plurality of comparators. In at least one of the plurality of comparators, a DC operation voltage is changed in response to a control signal supplied to the comparator. |
| US07714620B1 |
Comparator with amplitude and time hysteresis
A comparator generates lower and upper reference voltages to establish an amplitude hysteresis. A first comparator circuit generates a first comparison signal indicating whether an input signal is above the upper reference voltage. A second comparator circuit generates a second comparison signal indicating whether the input signal is below the lower reference voltage. Further, the first and second comparison signals may be low-pass filtered to establish a time hysteresis. A latch is set to a first state if the first control signal indicates the input signal is above the upper reference voltage. The latch is set to a second state if the second control signal indicates the input signal is below the lower reference voltage. In some embodiments, the comparator has a rail-to-rail common mode input voltage range, a low-power mode of operation, and is self-biased to compensate for temperature, voltage, and process characteristics. |
| US07714618B2 |
Output driver circuit with output preset circuit and controlling method thereof having lower power consumption
The configurations of an output preset circuit for an output driver circuit and the controlling methods thereof are provided. The proposed output preset circuit includes a latch generating an latch output signal and a pull-up circuit receiving an preset enable signal and the latch output signal, in which the pull-up circuit increases an output voltage of the output driver circuit from a ground level to a first level when the preset enable signal is at a low level and the latch output signal is at the high level. |
| US07714611B1 |
Permutable switching network with enhanced multicasting signals routing for interconnection fabric
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit has a L-level permutable switching network (L-PSN) comprising L levels of intermediate conductors. The integrated circuit can be used in electronic devices, such as switching networks, routers, and programmable logic circuits, etc. |
| US07714610B2 |
Low-power FPGA circuits and methods
Field Programmable Logic Arrays (FPGAs) are described which utilize multiple power supply voltages to reduce both dynamic power and leakage power without sacrificing speed or substantially increasing device area. Power reduction mechanisms are described for numerous portions of the FPGA, including logic blocks, routing circuits, connection blocks, switch blocks, configuration memory cells, and so forth. Embodiments describe circuits and methods for implementing multiple supplies as sources of Vdd, multiple voltage thresholding Vt, signal level translators, and power gating of circuitry to deactivate portions of the circuit which are inactive. The supply voltage levels can be fixed, or programmable. Methods are described for performing circuit CAD in the routing and assignment process on FPGAs, in particular for optimizing FPGA use having the power reduction circuits taught. Routing methods describe utilizing slack timing, power sensitivity, trace-based simulations, and other techniques to optimize circuit utilization on a multi Vdd FPGA. |
| US07714609B1 |
Method and apparatus to power down unused configuration random access memory cells
A method for reducing power consumption for a programmable logic device (PLD) is provided. In the method, configuration cells associated with used logic portions of the PLD are powered. A programmable power signal preventing source to drain leakage is provided to an inverter of a configuration random access memory (CRAM) cell associated with an unused logic portion of the PLD. The programmable power signal deactivates at least a portion of a configuration cell associated with the unused logic portion. That is, the programmable power signal eliminates the source to drain leakage as the power provided to the configuration cell is at ground. In one embodiment, the programmable power signal is provided to both inverters of a cross coupled pair of inverters rather than a single one of the cross-coupled pair of inverters. A programmable logic device capable of minimizing standby power consumption is also included. |
| US07714607B2 |
Resistor circuit, interface circuit including resistor circuit, and electronic instrument
A resistor circuit includes n-stage unit circuits, each of which includes a first resistor element provided between first and second terminals, a first disconnection element provided between the second and third terminals, and a second disconnection element and a second resistor element provided in series between the second and fourth terminals. The first terminal of each of the n-stage unit circuits is connected with a first interconnect, the fourth terminal of each of the n-stage unit circuits is connected with a second interconnect, the third terminal of the first-stage unit circuit is connected with a third interconnect, and the third terminal of the mth-stage unit circuit is connected with the second terminal of the (m−1)th-stage unit circuit. |
| US07714605B2 |
Arbitrary quantum operations with a common coupled resonator
A quantum logic gate is formed from multiple qubits coupled to a common resonator, wherein quantum states in the qubits are transferred to the resonator by transitioning a classical control parameter between control points at a selected one of slow and fast transition speeds, relative to the characteristic energy of the coupling, whereby a slow transition speed exchanges energy states of a qubit and the resonator, and a fast transition speed preserves the energy states of a qubit and the resonator. |
| US07714604B2 |
System and method for testing an operating condition of LEDs on a motherboard
A computer-implemented method for testing an operating condition of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on a motherboard includes assigning an LED identification for each LED according to positions of the LEDs on the motherboard, selecting a first LED identification for a first LED and a second LED identification for a second LED, setting the first LED in a bright state, the second LED in a dim state, and any remaining LEDs in a flicker state, and controlling the LEDs to operate. The method further includes determining whether the total count of the LEDs in the bright state is equal to one, and whether the total count of the LEDs in the dim state is equal to one, comparing the first LED identification input with the first LED identification, and comparing the second LED identification input with the LED identification, and reporting a comparison result. |
| US07714603B2 |
Predictive, adaptive power supply for an integrated circuit under test
A main power source supplies current through path impedance to a power terminal of an integrated circuit device under test (DUT). The DUT's demand for current at the power input terminal temporarily increases following edges of a clock signal applied to the DUT during a test as transistors within the IC switch in response to the clock signal edges. To limit variation (noise) in voltage at the power input terminal, an auxiliary power supply supplies an additional current pulse to the power input terminal to meet the increased demand during each cycle of the clock signal. The magnitude of the current pulse is a function of a predicted increase in current demand during that clock cycle, and of the magnitude of an adaption signal controlled by a feedback circuit provided to limit variation in voltage developed at the DUT's power input terminal. |
| US07714600B2 |
Load fluctuation correction circuit, electronic device, testing device, and timing generating circuit
To provide a load fluctuation correction circuit having a function of correcting the change in the current consumption amount due to the change in the driving state of a logic circuit, thereby suppressing the change in the source voltage applied to the logic circuit. The present invention provides a load fluctuation correction circuit for correcting the source voltage applied to a logic circuit, comprising: a delay circuit which is designed such that upon the source voltage which is to be supplied to the logic circuit is applied to the delay circuit as a power supply, it outputs a received cycle signal with a predetermined delay time, and which operates with the source voltage supplied to the logic circuit as a power supply; a current consumption circuit provided such that it shares a power supply with the logic circuit; and a phase comparison circuit which controls the current amount consumed by the current consumption circuit such that the phase difference between the cycle signal input to the delay circuit and the signal output from the delay circuit matches a predetermined period of time. |
| US07714597B2 |
Support member assembly for conductive contact members
Provided is a support member assembly suitable for use in a contact probe head comprising a support member formed with a plurality of holder holes for supporting conductive contact members in a mutually parallel relationship, and a reinforcing member integrally formed with the support member and extending in a part of the support member devoid of any holder holes. The reinforcing member increases the overall mechanical strength of the support member assembly, and prevents the thermal deformation of the support member. Because the holder holes are formed in the support member made of material suitable for forming holes, such as plastic material and ceramic material, the holder holes can be formed at high precision and at low cost. |
| US07714596B2 |
System and methods of measuring semiconductor sheet resistivity and junction leakage current
Sheet resistance, junction leakage and contact conductivity of a semiconductor layer, associated with an ultra-shallow junction layer or metal film are measured by contacting the surface with a plurality of probes. The probes can be used, in conjunction with a four-point probe system, to determine sheet resistivity. Junction leakage through an ultra-shallow junction is determined by establishing a reverse bias across the junction set at a predetermined voltage value, measuring through a first probe a total junction current conduction value, measuring through second, third, and fourth probes a plurality of voltage values. The junction leakage value is then directly computed based on the sheet resistivity value, reverse bias potential, wafer radius, and the measured voltage values. Contact conductivity between a metal film and semiconductor layer can be similarly directly computed. |
| US07714594B2 |
Current detection printed board, voltage detection printed board, and current/voltage detector using same, and current detector and voltage detector
A current detection printed board includes: a board having a penetration hole that penetrates the board; and at least one wire that is formed in a coiled shape having both ends by penetrating the board along the periphery of the penetration hole and alternately connecting a front surface layer and a rear surface layer of the board, wherein, when a conductor, in which an AC current flows, is disposed to pass through the inside of the penetration hole, a current flowing in the wire is output through electromagnetic induction. |
| US07714591B2 |
Apparatus and methods for linearizing piezoresistive wheatstone bridges
A pressure sensing apparatus including: at least one deflectable diaphragm having a center, wherein each diaphragm supports: at least one positive piezoresistive gauge and at least one negative piezoresistive gauge coupled in series across a voltage differential in a half-Wheatstone bridge configuration having an output between the positive and negative piezoresistive gauges; and, a compensating piezoresistive gauge coupled in series with the half-Wheatstone bridge configuration across the voltage differential; wherein, the compensating piezoresistive gauge is nearer the center of the diaphragm than the negative piezoresitive gauge, the negative piezoresitive gauge is nearer the center of the diaphragm than the positive piezoresitive gauge, and the compensating piezoresistive gauge linearizes the half-Wheatstone bridge output. |
| US07714590B2 |
Method for testing component built in circuit board
A method is provided for testing a built-in component including multiple terminals in a multi-layered circuit board. At least one signal pad is provided on a top surface of the multi-layered circuit board for signal transmission. Each of the signal pads are electrically connected to one of the multiple terminals. At least one test pad is provided on the top surface of the multi-layered circuit board and each of the test pads is electrically connected to one of the multiple terminals. Then, detection occurs regarding one of the signal pads and one of the test pads that are electrically connected to a same one of the multiple terminals in order to determine a connection status of an electric path extending from the one signal pad through the same one terminal to the one test pad. |
| US07714589B2 |
Array test using the shorting bar and high frequency clock signal for the inspection of TFT-LCD with integrated driver IC
In accordance with the present invention, a first shorting bar drives the data lines of a TFT array having integrated gate driver circuitry. Another set of shorting bars drive the corresponding terminals of the gate driver circuitry. The pixel voltages are measured after all the pixels are charged by the driving signals applied to the shorting bars. Gate voltages are progressively applied to the gate lines by the gate driver integrated circuit (IC) via the set of shorting bars that, in turn, are driven by clock signals received from one or more pattern generators. Voltages are concurrently applied to the data lines which are connected together by the first shorting bar. The application of voltages generates a display pattern that is subsequently compared to an expected display pattern. By comparing the resulting display pattern and the expected display pattern, possible defects are detected. |
| US07714587B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting a faulty ground strap connection
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a faulty ground strap connection for a machine hosting a high voltage system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a ground strap, a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage detection switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage detection switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage detection switch and the current source, and determines whether the ground strap is properly connected to the machine frame. |
| US07714585B2 |
Multi-frequency cancellation of dielectric effect
Measurements made with an induction logging tool are responsive to formation conductivity and permittivity. The effect of permittivity can be substantially removed by multifrequency focusing. |
| US07714583B2 |
Power supply for supplying multi-channel, stable, isolated DC power and method of making same
A power supply having an input, wherein the power supply includes a multi-winding transformer having an input and a plurality of outputs, and a plurality of rectifiers to provide a plurality of DC output voltages, wherein each rectifier is coupled to an output of the multi-winding transformer. The power supply further includes a regulator circuit coupled between the transformer input and one of the transformer outputs, and configured to regulate an input voltage to the multi-winding transformer to minimize a variance of each rectifier DC output voltage. |
| US07714576B2 |
Automatic selection of a receiver element in an MRI apparatus
The magnetic resonance apparatus comprises a carrier (8) to position an object (7), notably a patient to be imaged in an imaging volume V, first magnet system (2), a second magnet system (3), a power supply unit (4), an RF transmitter and modulator (6), an RF transmitter coil (5), a plurality of receiver elements (18, 19), a transmitter-receiver circuit (9), a signal amplifier and demodulation unit (10), a processing unit (12), an image processing unit (13), a monitor (14), and a control unit (11). The gradient coils (3) are fed by the power supply unit (4). The RF transmitter coil (5) serves to generate RF magnetic fields and is connected to the RF transmitter and modulator (6). The transmitter coil (5) is connected to the signal amplifier and demodulator unit (10) via the transmitter-receiver circuit (9). Receiver elements (18, 19), positioned at their respective locations L1, L2 on the carrier (8), are arranged to detect a response of the object to the RF magnetic fields. The control unit (11) controls the RF transmitter and modulator (6), the power supply unit (4) and automatically selects suitable receiver elements (18, 19) to detect the response of the object (7) to the magnetic resonance excitation. |
| US07714571B2 |
Method and device for estimating variations of the position of the rotor of an electric motor
A method estimates variations of position of the rotor of a motor having a plurality of uniformly spaced sensors that generate a position pulse at every rotation by a pre-established angle of the rotor. The method may include generating a first clock signal at a first frequency, generating a second clock signal at a second frequency multiple than the first frequency by a first factor, in each interval between two consecutive position pulses, counting the number of pulses of the first clock signal comprised in the interval, counting the number of pulses of the second clock signal comprised in the interval. The method may also include that each time the number of counted pulses of the second clock reaches the number of pulses of the first clock counted in an interval that precedes the currently considered interval, signaling that the position of the rotor has varied of an angle equal to the ratio between the pre-established angle and the factor. |
| US07714570B2 |
Methods and apparatus for an analog rotational sensor having magnetic sensor elements
Methods and apparatus for a sensor include a signal generation module including a first magnetic sensor to generate a first waveform in the form of a sine wave and a second magnetic sensor to generate a second waveform in the form of a cosine wave, the first and second waveforms containing angular position information of a magnet in relation to the first and second magnetic sensors, and an analog signal processing module for providing an algebraic manipulation of the first waveform and the second waveform to generate a linear position output voltage signal. |
| US07714569B2 |
Adaptor for electrical connector
An adaptor is for electrically connecting with pins of an electrical connector. The adaptor includes an insulating housing, a pair of crimping connectors, and two connecting members. The insulating housing includes two holes. The crimping connectors are accommodated respectively in the holes. Each crimping connector includes a first crimping portion for electrically connecting to one of the pins and a second crimping portion together formed with the first crimping portion. The connecting members are electrically connected with the crimping connectors respectively. Each connecting member includes a first end, a cable, and a second end. The first end is electrically connected with the second crimping portion. The cable is electrically connected with the first end. The second end is electrically connected with the cable, wherein the second end has a through hole. A testing device for testing the electrical connector is also disclosed. |
| US07714567B2 |
Power cable magnetic field sensor
A method and apparatus to detect non-cancelled magnetic field produced when current flows through an electric conductor are provided. The sensor includes multiple coils, which allow the sensor to be arbitrarily oriented and attach to the outside of an electrical power cable. Arbitrary orientation provides for easy of field installation. |
| US07714566B2 |
Clamp-on current and voltage module for a power monitoring system
A clamp-on current and voltage module for an electrical power monitoring system that monitors characteristics of power distributed through one or more power conductors includes a current transformer having a core divided into at least two parts so that the core can be installed around a power conductor without cutting the conductor. The transformer produces a current signal corresponding to current passing through the power conductor. A pair of clamping elements fit on opposite sides of the conductor, for gripping the conductor. The transformer core parts and the clamping elements have engaging surfaces that prevent relative movement between the CT enclosure and the power conductor in a direction transverse to the axis of the power conductor. A voltage sensor makes electrical contact with the power conductor and produces a voltage signal corresponding to the voltage on the power conductor. |
| US07714564B2 |
Gated sweep in spectrum analyzers
A measurement technique that provides a full solution to the gated local oscillator sweep measurement and improves the accuracy of signal analyzers in gated sweep mode by pre-sweeping the local oscillator at the beginning of a gate pulse and over-sweeping the local oscillator at the end of each gate pulse. |
| US07714557B2 |
DC-DC converter, power supply system, and power supply method
According to an embodiment, a DC-DC converter comprises: an error amplifier that receives a soft start signal and amplifies a difference between an output voltage signal and a reference voltage signal; a PWM control circuit that controls ON and OFF states of a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor based on the output of the error amplifier; a frequency divider that divides a frequency signal and outputting a divided frequency signal; an accumulator that performs an adding operation based on the divided frequency signal and a control signal; and a DA converter that generates the soft start signal based on an output of the accumulator. |
| US07714552B2 |
LDO with large dynamic range of load current and low power consumption
An electronic device has an LDO regulator for varying loads. The LDO regulator includes a primary supply node coupled to a primary voltage supply. An output node provides a secondary supply voltage and a load current. A bias current source generates a bias current. A gain stage coupled to the bias current source increases the maximum available load current. The gain stage includes a first MOS transistor biased in weak inversion coupled to a current mirror which mirrors the drain current through the first MOS transistor to the output node. The gate-source voltage of the first MOS transistor increases in response to a decreasing secondary supply voltage level at the output node to increase the available load current. |
| US07714550B2 |
System and method for tracking a variable characteristic through a range of operation
An analog control circuit is coupled to an apparatus having a variable characteristic over an operating range. A sensing circuit is coupled to the apparatus and the control circuit during the range of operation of the apparatus and is operative to sense the variable characteristic. The operating parameter of the apparatus is controlled to be set at a level corresponding to a prescribed criterion, which may be a maximum or minimum, of the characteristic sensed over the range of operation. |
| US07714549B2 |
Switching regulator control circuit, switching regulator using the circuit, and switching signal generating apparatus
A switching regulator includes a first switching regulator corresponding to a master channel, and a second switching regulator corresponding to a slave channel. The first switching regulator generates first output voltage Vout1 by a constant on-time system in which on-time is constant. On the other hand, the second switching regulator monitors a first switching signal and a second on-time control circuit determines on-time of a second switching signal in accordance with lapse time from the rising time of the first switching signal to the rising time of a second switching signal. |
| US07714546B2 |
Step-up regulator with multiple power sources for the controller
An output voltage VC obtained by boosting an input voltage VIN by means of a charge pump control circuit 3 of a charge pump 102 is supplied as a power supply voltage to a control circuit 4 of a step-up converter. It is thus possible to eliminate the need for a conventional self-bias method, eliminate switching from startup oscillation to main oscillation of the conventional self-bias method upon startup, and overcome problems caused by the switching of oscillation states, thereby achieving switching power supply circuitry starting in a reliable and stable manner. |
| US07714539B2 |
Apparatus for regulating state of charge in battery assembly
A plurality of discharge resistors Rd1 to Rdn having different resistance values is provided. A CPU 72 selects one from a plurality of unit cells B1 to B16 as a connection cell and selects one resistance value according to a voltage across the connection cell from the plurality of resistance values. The CPU 72 turns on/off a cell selecting switch group 2, a polarity reversing switch group 3 and a discharge resistor selecting switch group 5 and connects the connection cell to the discharge resistor having the selected resistance value to discharge stored electric charge of the connection cell, thereby equalizing the respective voltages across the unit cells. |
| US07714537B2 |
Contact-less power transfer
There is disclosed a system and method for transferring power without requiring direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar charging surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an charging area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface or at least subtend an angle of 45° or less to the surface within the charging area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core. Because the electromagnetic field is spread over the charging area and is generally parallel or near-parallel thereto, coupling with flat secondary devices such as mobile telephones and the like is significantly improved in various orientations thereof. |
| US07714533B2 |
Battery charging system and method
A system and method are disclosed for charging battery packs. A battery pack connects to an external battery charger. A processor of the battery pack recognizes that the processor is connected the external battery charger. The external battery charger provides charging parameters to the battery pack. The processor sends charging parameters to the external battery in response to recognizing that the processor is connected to the external battery charger. |
| US07714529B2 |
Permanent magnet synchronous motor and controller therefor
A low-cost sine-wave drive for a 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous AC machines (PMSM) in open-loop control is based on the measurements of two linear Hall sensors. The two Hall sensors are excited by a magnetic ring with the same pole number as the PMSM rotor magnet and sinusoidal flux distributions. The output signals of the Hall sensors are unified through a two-phase-type phase-lock-loop in order to reduce the impact of the sensor mounting non-uniformity during mass production. The peak torque and speed of motor is simply controlled by adjusting the amplitude of pulse-width-modulation carrier. Smooth torque control is achieved due to sinusoidal 3-phase currents. Such a simple sine-wave drive can be achieved with or without the assistance of a micro-controller unit (MCU). No current sensor is required for the motor phase current detection. This motor can be used in industrial applications where there is no strict requirement on torque response and constant speed control of PMSM machines. |
| US07714527B2 |
Garbage container automatically openable through infrared induction
The garbage container, having a simple structure, a reliable performance, and being easy to install and cost effective, includes a container body, an infrared induction device, a movable cover automatically opened through infrared induction device, an infrared induction device, an automatic cover-opening device connected with the control unit, an output shaft of the driving motor connected with a cable-collecting wheel via a first set of reduction gears. One end of the cable is fixed to the cable-collecting wheel while the other end of the cable is connected with the cover. An output shaft of the cable-collecting wheel is connected with a cam via a second set of reduction gears. The protruding part of the cam is rotated to contact a cover-opening stroke switch and a cover-closing stroke switch respectively. The cover-opening stroke switch and the cover-closing stroke switch are connected respectively with the control unit through a data line. |
| US07714525B2 |
Reversing circuit for ice delivery system
The present invention comprises a gear motor assembly and control system for use with ice crushers and the other similar devices. The assembly utilizes a novel reversing circuit which allows the use of a bidirectional DC powered gear motor in existing refrigerator and freezer configurations, which heretofore used AC powered gear motors, to power ice crushing and dispensing apparatus. |
| US07714523B2 |
Load driving method
A load driving device controls two motors by PWM signals. When a standard duty ratio of the PWM signals is 50% and a level of a drive instruction is the standard duty ratio, the standard duty ratio are output to the respective motors to provide a reverse phase relationship that the PWM signal of the standard duty ratio does not overlap. A continuous off-period and the standard PWM signal output when the level of the drive instruction is lower than the standard, and the continuous on-period and the standard PWM signal output when the level of the drive instruction is higher than the standard are changed over at the ratios corresponding to the level of the drive instruction. |
| US07714521B2 |
Methods and system for controlling an illuminating apparatus
This invention provides an improved digital luminance controlling system, which can control the luminous intensity of an illuminating apparatus by choosing the number of the ignited luminaries. It optimizes the number of the ignited luminaries according to the different contribution rate of each luminary to the general luminous intensity to reduce the power consumption. By properly adjusting the sampling frequency of the luminous intensity of the circumstance, this invention could decrease the operating frequency of the luminance controlling system, thereby to further reduce the power consumption. This invention also provides a analog type of the luminance controlling system, which consists of a optical sensing apparatus, a analog type of the luminance controlling apparatus and a set of optical source and can realize a real time luminance adjustment, to reduce the power consumption. |
| US07714520B2 |
LED driver circuit capable of adjusting output current
An LED driver circuit includes a power controller, a voltage regulator, a detecting resistor, a light emitting device, and a voltage detecting circuit. The voltage detecting circuit has a first input end connected to a higher potential end of the detecting resistor, and a second input end thereof is connected to a lower potential end of the detecting resistor. The output end of the voltage detecting circuit is connected to a feedback end of the power controller so as to output a detected voltage signal to the power controller for adjusting the output voltage and supplying a stable and proper value of current to the light emitting device. The voltage detecting circuit is a differential amplifier capable of detecting the voltage difference between the detecting resistor and amplifying it as a feedback to the power controller. Therefore, the output current from the power controller is precisely controlled. |
| US07714517B2 |
LED driver with current sink control and applications of the same
A backlight system for use in an LCD display with a driver providing current sink control includes an LED array module, a current feedback circuit, and a current compensation circuit. The LED array module has N columns of LEDs and each LED column has M LEDs connected in serial, wherein the current feedback circuit includes N current feedback units and the current compensation circuit includes N current compensation units, both of the current feedback circuit and the current compensation circuit being electrically coupled to the LED array module. When the backlight system is in operation, a current passes through an LED column, a current feedback unit, and a current compensation unit to generate an output voltage that is used for comparison with a predetermined DC voltage, and the current is compensated based on the results of the comparison. |
| US07714516B2 |
Lighting control apparatus for vehicle lamp
When the level at an input terminal goes low upon the reception of a signal to dim an LED, a PNP transistor is rendered on and a voltage at the positive input terminal of an operational amplifier is raised, in accordance with a time constant that is defined by a resistor and a capacitor. In accordance with the increase in this voltage, a source current is supplied from the operational amplifier to a current detection terminal, and as the value of the source current is gradually increased, a current flowing across the shunt resistor of the switching regulator is gradually reduced. Further, the light emission level of the LED is gradually lowered from the fully lighted state to the 70% lighted state, and there is, for the LED, a light quantity change of about 30% in ten seconds. |
| US07714514B1 |
Large area organic electroluminescent display using bimorph MEMS devices
An active matrix organic LED display having a matrix of multiple light emitting pixels and electronic drive circuitry for selectively addressing the pixels, each pixel containing an organic LED. The electronic drive circuitry includes row scan electrodes and column data electrodes that interconnect the matrix of pixels. The circuitry also includes a MEMS switching device and a memory capacitor for each pixel, the MEMS switching device connecting the memory capacitor to a column data electrode during addressing of a pixel and connecting the memory capacitor to the organic LED of each pixel during light emission. |
| US07714512B2 |
High red color rendition metal halide lamp
An arc discharge metal halide lamp for use in selected lighting fixtures having a discharge chamber with light permeable walls of a selected shape bounding a discharge region of a selected volume through which walls a pair of electrodes are supported with ionizable materials being provided in the discharge region of the discharge chamber comprising at least one member selected from a group consisting of halides of cerium, dysprosium, holmium, lithium, sodium, praseodymium, thallium and thulium, and further comprising a halide of calcium in a selected fraction of that weight total of all halides present in the discharge chamber with this selection depending also on the addition or not of a halide of aluminum. Others of the foregoing halides that are present are provided in amounts with certain limits. |
| US07714511B2 |
Excimer lamp having UV-reflecting film
An excimer lamp which can emit UV radiation with a high degree of efficiency and high degree of uniformity, has a UV-reflecting film that does not peel. The excimer lamp is fitted with a silica glass discharge vessel that encloses a discharge gas which forms excimer molecules by dielectric barrier discharge in an internal space enclosed by a top wall panel, a bottom wall panel, side wall panels and end panels and with an electrode on both the outer surface of the top wall panel and another electrode on the outer surface of the bottom wall panel. On the inner surface of the discharge vessel, a UV-reflecting film comprised of silica and alumina particles is formed, at least, on the inner surface area of the side wall panels with the silica particles composing at least 30 weight % of the UV-reflecting film. |
| US07714509B2 |
Plasma display panel having auxiliary terminals
A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) in which terminals of discharge electrodes are stably formed includes: first and second substrates spaced apart from each other and facing each other; first barrier ribs interposed between the first and second substrates and partitioning a plurality of discharge cells; and a plurality of pairs of discharge electrodes adapted to generate a discharge in the discharge cells. The discharge electrodes are buried in the first barrier ribs, extend along an outside of the discharge cells and are arranged in a direction to form a terminal in an edge of the discharge electrodes, and at least one groove is formed in an outermost side of the first barrier ribs through which the terminals of the discharge electrodes are exposed. |
| US07714504B2 |
Multicolor organic electroluminescent device formed of vertically stacked light emitting devices
A multicolor organic light emitting device employs vertically stacked layers of double heterostructure devices which are fabricated from organic compounds. The vertical stacked structure is formed on a glass base having a transparent coating of ITO or similar metal to provide a substrate. Deposited on the substrate is the vertical stacked arrangement of three double heterostructure devices, each fabricated from a suitable organic material. Stacking is implemented such that the double heterostructure with the longest wavelength is on the top of the stack. This constitutes the device emitting red light on the top with the device having the shortest wavelength, namely, the device emitting blue light, on the bottom of the stack. Located between the red and blue device structures is the green device structure. The devices are configured as stacked to provide a staircase profile whereby each device is separated from the other by a thin transparent conductive contact layer to enable light emanating from each of the devices to pass through the semitransparent contacts and through the lower device structures while further enabling each of the devices to receive a selective bias. The devices are substantially transparent when de-energized, making them useful for heads-up display applications. |
| US07714503B2 |
Organic electroluminescence panel and method for fabricating the same
An organic electroluminescent panel includes several sub-pixels. The sub-pixels include at least one first electrode; at least one shadow wall formed at the periphery of the first electrode; at least one first common layer formed on the first electrode; several emission layers independently formed on the first common layer; at least one second common layer formed on the emission layers; and at least one second electrode formed on the second common layer. During the fabricating process, the first, second, and third color evaporation sources are provided independently for forming the first, second, and third color emission layers on the corresponding region of first electrode. The tilt directions of three color evaporation sources and the evaporation angles between the evaporation source and the substrate surface are determined according to the positions and heights of the shadow walls. |
| US07714498B2 |
Electroluminescent device with acetylacetonato complex salt included in phosphor layer
An electroluminescent device having a phosphor layer including a phosphor material and a pair of electrodes for applying a voltage to the foregoing phosphor layer wherein an acetylacetonato complex salt is included in the phosphor layer to realize an electroluminescent device with high luminance. Further, the EL device realizes an electroluminescent device with higher luminance by constructing the foregoing phosphor layer so as to contain acetylacetonato complex salt, in which ligands coordinate with a trivalent metal atom, particularly a metal atom of Group III or Group XIII as the foregoing acetylacetonato complex salt. |
| US07714493B2 |
Field emission device and field emission display employing the same
A field emission device (6), in accordance with a preferred embodiment, includes a cathode electrode (61), a gate electrode (64), a separator (62), and a number of emissive units (63) composed of an emissive material. The separator includes an insulating portion (621) and a number of conductive portions (622). The insulating portion of the separator is configured between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode for insulating the cathode electrode from the gate electrode. The emissive units are configured on the separator at positions proximate to two sides of the gate electrode. The emissive units are in connection with the cathode electrode via the conductive portions respectively. The emissive units are distributed on the separator adjacent to two sides of the gate electrode, which promotes an ability of emitting electrons from the emissive material and the emitted electrons to be guided by the gate electrode toward a smaller spot they bombard. |
| US07714488B2 |
Plasma jet spark plug and ignition system for the same
A plasma jet spark plug provides improved ignitability and durability by forming a part of a spark discharge gap outside the electric discharge space which generates plasma. An ignition system for the plasma jet spark plug is also disclosed. The plasma jet spark plug includes a center electrode, an insulator defining an axial bore which partially surrounds the center electrode, a cavity surrounded by an inner circumferential face of the axial bore which extends from an opening portion of a front end of the axial bore of the insulator and wherein a front end face of the center electrode is formed. A ground electrode is bent towards a front end portion of the insulator. |
| US07714487B2 |
Discharge lamp, method for manufacturing the discharge lamp electrode, lighting system
It is possible to prolong service life of a discharge lamp of hot-cathode type and to reduce a diameter thereof. A discharge lamp 1 is provided with an electrode 3. The electrode 3 has a heater 4 made up a coil portion 4a, and a first lead wire portion 4b and a second lead wire portion 4c that respectively extend from rear ends of this coil portion 4a and applied by an electron emission material 3a. In the electrode 3, a first lead-in wires 6a is connected to the first lead wire portion 4b and a second lead-in wires 6b is connected to the second lead wire portion 4c, so that the coil portion 4a is arranged vertically along the tube axis of the glass tube 2. The electrode 3 is also provided a sleeve 7 covering surrounding of the coil portion 4a and having openings in the faces respectively opposite to the forward end and rear end of the coil portion 4a. An open end 7a of the sleeve 7 exceeds a forward end of the coil portion 4a, thereby protecting the coil portion 4a. |
| US07714477B2 |
Stator of rotating electric machine and structure thereof
In a stator core support structure in a conventional rotating electric machine, it has been difficult to set the circumferential and radial stiffnesses with which elastic bars support a stator core, to appropriate values in view of a relationship between transmission of torque and vibration prevention. In order to solve the above problem, sectional shape of elastic support bars is formed as rectangular, elliptic, rhombic or the like, and accordingly, the ratio between circumferential and radial stiffness of the elastic support bars can be changed. |
| US07714473B2 |
Electrical machines with reduced cogging
The present invention provides an electrical machine 1 with reduced cogging. The magnet poles 3 of the electrical machine are comprised of at least two separate groups of at least two circumferentially adjacent magnet poles. One of the circumferentially outer magnet poles 3 in one of the groups of magnet poles is defined as being in its reference position. The reference position of each other magnet pole 3 is defined as the position each other magnet pole would occupy if all the magnet poles were equally circumferentially spaced around the first or second body and the one circumferentially outer pole was in its reference position. At least one of the circumferentially outer magnet poles 3 in each group is sited in its reference position. At least one magnet pole 3 in each group is a displaced magnet pole and is sited in a position that is displaced from its reference position by an amount that is not equal to an integral multiple of the reference angular pitch of the winding slots. The displacement of the magnet poles 3 provides a pronounced reduction in cogging. |
| US07714472B2 |
Small DC motor
A small DC motor includes a motor frame having a cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion having a constant thickness and having a cross section in a shape that comprises four sides and connecting portions, each of the connecting portions connecting adjacent two of the four sides and being located inward from a corresponding corner in a quadrangle comprising the four sides; and a magnet having a circumferential surface on an inside thereof and having conformable contact with the motor frame on an outside thereof. |
| US07714470B2 |
Resolver and brushless motor
A connector portion of a resolver stator includes a connecting portion to which a lead wire is connected and a guiding groove which guides the lead wire in an axial direction. The lead wire connected to the connecting portion is retained by the guiding groove and guided in the axial direction. |
| US07714466B2 |
Claw-teeth-type rotating electrical machine
To realize reduction in vibration and noise while utilizing reluctance torque, a rotating electrical machine includes: a rotor having permanent magnets disposed in a cylindrical surface coaxial with a rotary shaft; and a stator having an annular stator core disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft, and a annular coil for magnetizing the stator core. The stator core has an annular part covering the annular coil, claws disposed at equal intervals in an inner radius surface of the annular part and extending axially, and magnetic gaps formed between neighboring claws. The number of claws is equal to the number of permanent magnets, and magnet flux in a direction orthogonal to a center axis of the magnetic pole of the permanent magnet at right angles in electric angle is larger than magnetic flux in the center axis direction generated between neighboring permanent magnets. Metal interpoles are provided between neighboring permanent magnets. |
| US07714464B2 |
Load control module
A load control module suitable for an electrical equipments driven by an operation of a switch is disclosed. The load control module includes an energy storage unit, a signal transforming unit, a first control unit and a second control unit. The energy storage unit still outputs a reserved voltage for a predetermined time during the switch is turned off. The signal transforming unit and the first and the second control unit are driven by the reserved voltage. With a different switching speed of the switch, the second control unit may operate in coordination with the actions of the signal transforming unit and the first control unit to regulate a level of the control voltage, or maintain the level of the control voltage in a current state. The electrical equipments may perform diversified control functions under control of the load control module operated in coordination with an operation of the switch. |
| US07714460B2 |
Electric steering lock device
An electric steering lock device includes an operation relay for operating an electric motor, a pair of switching relays for switching the rotating direction of the electric motor, and diodes for energizing each relay connected to a port of a control unit respectively. A steering shaft is unlocked by providing the operation relay in an ON status to allow the electric motor to displace the locking rod in the unlocking direction. The steering shaft is locked by providing the operation relay and the pair of switching relays in an ON status respectively to allow the electric motor to displace the steering rod in the locking direction. |
| US07714458B2 |
Method for operating a wind energy plant and wind energy plant
A method for operating a wind energy plant having a rotor with at least one rotor blade which has an adjustable pitch angle and a generator coupled to the rotor, and a regulation means which, if a there is a deviation of the rotation speed of the generator or rotor from a rotation speed set point, adjusts the pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade such that the rotation speed set point is reached again, wherein an electrical quantity provided by the wind energy plant by means of a generator and fed into a grid is reduced to a predetermined value in a short time by a reduction of a preset value for the generator, wherein prior to the regulation means noticing a deviation of the rotation speed of the rotor or generator from the rotation speed set point effected by the reduction of the preset value, an adjustment of the at least one rotor blade to a new pitch angle is initiated, wherein at the new pitch angle the rotation speed of the rotor or the generator reaches the rotation speed set point at the reduced electrical quantity and the current wind speed. |
| US07714454B2 |
Chip module and method for producing a chip module
A chip module comprises a substrate, a chip arranged on one side of the substrate and conductor structures arranged on at least one side of the substrate and conductively connected to the chip. At least one stiffening element is arranged on one side of the substrate and a moulding cap encapsulates at least the chip. For producing the chip module, provision is made for providing a substrate and applying conductor structures to at least one side of the substrate. At least one stiffening element is mounted onto one side of the substrate. Furthermore, a chip is mounted onto one side of the substrate and connected to the conductor structures. A moulding compound is applied on the substrate, such that the chip is covered. |
| US07714450B2 |
On-die bond wires system and method for enhancing routability of a redistribution layer
An integrated circuit includes a first die and a second die positioned in a package. The first die has a redistribution layer formed on the die and including a plurality of relocated bond pads. The relocated bond pads are positioned near an inner edge of the first die that is adjacent to an inner edge of the second die. Each relocated bond pad is coupled to a corresponding bond pad on the second die through a respective bonding wire. The first die further includes a plurality of original bond pads. The redistribution layer further includes at least one intermediate bond pad electrically interconnected through a respective conductive trace to a corresponding original bond pad. Each intermediate bond pad is electrically connected to a corresponding relocated bond pad through a respective bond wire. |
| US07714448B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An inventive semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a passivation film, and a sealing resin layer provided over the passivation film for sealing a front side of the semiconductor chip. The sealing resin layer extends to a side surface of the passivation film to cover the side surface. |
| US07714447B2 |
Semiconductor chip arrangement
A patterned connection plane between two semiconductor chips which are connected using face-to-face technology is patterned into first pads, second pads, and conductor strips which are alternatively connected to one of these pads. The conductor strips are connected to a read-out circuit in one of the semiconductor chips via connections. |
| US07714445B2 |
Dynamic random access memory with an electrostatic discharge structure and method for manufacturing the same
The invention provides a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) with an electrostatic discharge (ESD) region. The upper portion of the ESD plug is metal, and the lower portion of the ESD plug is polysilicon. This structure may improve the mechanical strength of the ESD region and enhance thermal conductivity from electrostatic discharging. In addition, the contact area between the ESD plugs and the substrate can be reduced without increasing aspect ratio of the ESD plugs. The described structure is completed by a low critical dimension controlled patterned photoresist, such that the processes and equipments are substantially maintained without changing by a wide margin. |
| US07714442B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for making the same
A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more wiring interlayer films disposed on or above the semiconductor substrate, and one or more metal wires embedded in the wiring interlayer films. The one or more wiring interlayer films are composed of a diffusion preventing material that prevents the diffusion of the metal wire. |
| US07714441B2 |
Barrier layer configurations and methods for processing microelectronic topographies having barrier layers
A microelectronic topography includes a dielectric layer (DL) with a surface higher than an adjacent bulk metal feature (BMF) and further includes a barrier layer (BL) upon the BMF and extending higher than the DL. Another microelectronic topography includes a BL with a metal-oxide layer having a metal element concentration which is disproportionate relative to concentrations of the element within metal alloy layers on either side of the metal-oxide layer. A method includes forming a BL upon a BMF such that portions of a first DL adjacent to the BMF are exposed, selectively depositing a second DL upon the BL, cleaning the topography thereafter, and blanket depositing a third DL upon the cleaned topography. Another method includes polishing a microelectronic topography such that a metallization layer is coplanar with a DL and further includes spraying a deionized water based fluid upon the polished topography to remove debris from the DL. |
| US07714439B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a P-type contact layer and a P-type electrode provided on the P-type contact layer. The P-type electrode includes a AuGa film provided on the P-type contact layer, a Au film provided on the AuGa film, a Pt film 4 provided on the Au film, and a Au film provided on the Pt film. The ratio of the thickness of the AuGa film to the total thickness of the AuGa film and the Au film is not less than 12% but not more than 46%. |
| US07714436B2 |
Electronic device and electronic apparatus
An electronic device includes a semiconductor device and a wiring substrate having a wiring pattern. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor chip having an electrode; a convex-shaped resin protrusion provided on a surface of the semiconductor chip, the surface having the electrode; and wiring having a plurality of electrical coupling sections which are aligned on the resin protrusion and electrically coupled to the electrode. The semiconductor device is mounted to the wiring substrate so that the electrical coupling sections and the wiring pattern are brought into contact and electrically coupled with each other. The plurality of electrical coupling sections brought into contact with the wiring pattern include curved or bent shapes projecting in a longitudinal direction of the resin protrusion. |
| US07714435B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a three dimensional type capacitor is provided. The method includes forming a first insulation layer including first contact layers over a substrate, forming a second insulation layer over the first insulation layer, forming second contact layers by using a material having an etch selectivity different from the first contact layers such that the second contact layers are connected with the first contact layers within the second insulation layer, forming an etch stop layer over the second insulation layer and the second contact layers, forming a third insulation layer over the etch stop layer, etching the third insulation layer and the etch stop layer to form first contact holes exposing the second contact layers, etching the exposed second contact layers to form second contact holes exposing the first contact holes, and forming bottom electrodes over the inner surface of the second contact holes. |
| US07714434B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus with decoupling capacitor
A lead frame type of semiconductor apparatus includes a die pad on which a semiconductor chip is mounted; ground terminals which are to be grounded; power supply terminals which are connected to a power supply; inner leads connected to the ground terminals and power supply terminals, in which a pair of adjacent inner leads for power supply terminal and ground terminal are extended inwardly; a chip capacitor mounting pad which is provided at inner ends of the extended inner leads; and a chip capacitor which is mounted on the chip capacitor mounting pad so that a decoupling capacitor is provided. |
| US07714432B2 |
Ceramic/organic hybrid substrate
A semiconductor device is provided that includes one or more ceramic material layers and one or more low dielectric constant (low-K) epoxy layers on top to be electrically coupled to an integrated circuit device, such as a chip die. The resulting ceramic/organic hybrid substrate takes advantage of the thin low-cost, low-K epoxy layer, by routing the dense circuitry from the chip die to the ceramic material layer. In addition, the use of low-K epoxy layer may reduce the number of ceramic material layers required to about three layers, thus significantly reducing the cost of the substrate. Low-K epoxy material layer may be laminated onto the ceramic material layer to reduce throughput time and cost. The ceramic/organic hybrid substrate may also take advantage of the properties of ceramic materials, which have a much more rigid structure than organic materials and a low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) that works well with ultra low-K chip dies. The ceramic/organic hybrid substrate also may make possible the fabrication of a bottom cavity package for capacitors placement. |
| US07714431B1 |
Electronic component package comprising fan-out and fan-in traces
A method of forming an electronic component package includes coupling a first surface of an electronic component to a first surface of a first dielectric strip, the electronic component comprising bond pads on the first surface; forming first via apertures through the first dielectric strip to expose the bond pads; and filling the first via apertures with an electrically conductive material to form first vias electrically coupled to the bond pads. The bond pads are directly connected to the corresponding first vias without the use of a solder and without the need to form a solder wetting layer on the bond pads. |
| US07714430B2 |
Substrate with lossy material insert
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a semiconductor package with lossy material inserts. The lossy material inserts may reduce electronic noise such as package resonance. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07714429B2 |
Wafer structure with a plurality of functional macro chips for chip-on-chip configuration
A semiconductor device that reduces the size and cost of functional macro chips used in a chip-on-chip configuration. Functional macro chips each include a macro region. The macro regions are formed adjacent to one another. A pad region for testing the functional macro chips is formed surrounding the macro regions. |
| US07714426B1 |
Ball grid array package format layers and structure
Layers suitable for stacking in three dimensional, multi-layer modules are formed by interconnecting a ball grid array electronic package to an interposer layer which routes electronic signals to an access plane. The layers are under-filled and may be bonded together to form a stack of layers. The leads on the access plane are interconnected among layers to form a high-density electronic package. |
| US07714422B2 |
Electronic module with a semiconductor chip and a component housing and methods for producing the same
An electronic module includes a component housing and at least one semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip is arranged on a circuit carrier in the component housing. The semiconductor chip is connected to an upper face of the circuit carrier via connection elements. In this case, the semiconductor chip, the connection elements and, partially, the circuit carrier are embedded in a plastic housing compound. A metal plate which is structured into lead interconnects and contact connecting pads is provided on the upper face of the component housing. |
| US07714420B2 |
Apparatus for contactlessly coupling chips
A chip arrangement comprising a first chip having at least one first signal interface with first coupling elements arranged along a first line in a first number density and at least one second chip with at least one second signal interface with second coupling elements arranged along a second line in a second number density, where the first and second coupling elements permit contactless signal transmission between the first and second signal interfaces, where the two chips are so arranged relative to each other that coupling elements of the first and second signal interfaces can contactlessly transmit signals with each other, where the longitudinal extent of at least one of the signal interfaces along the line associated therewith is greater than the length of the overlap of the two longitudinal extents, and where one of the signal interfaces has a greater number density of coupling elements than the other. |
| US07714413B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof
A seal ring is provided between a region where a circuit is formed on a semiconductor substrate and a dicing region. The seal ring has a portion where sealing layers of which the cross sectional form is in T-shape are layered and a portion where sealing layers of which the cross sectional form is rectangular are layered. |
| US07714410B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate that has an integrated circuit and an electrode, the electrode being electrically coupled to the integrated circuit; a resin layer that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, the resin layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface and the lower surface opposing each other, the lower surface facing the substrate; and a spiral inductor that is formed on the upper surface of the resin layer with a spiral wiring line, the spiral inductor being electrically coupled to the electrode. The wiring line has both ends in a width direction intersecting an axial line spirally extending and a mid-portion between the both ends. At least a part of the mid-portion makes contact with the upper surface of the resin layer, and at least the both ends are positioned apart from the upper surface of the resin layer. |
| US07714406B2 |
Low-cost electrostatic clamp with fast de-clamp time
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer electrostatic clamp, comprising providing a mounting plate, forming an insulative layer on an insulating portion of the mounting plate, forming a first electrode on a first portion of the mounting plate, forming a second electrode on a second portion of the mounting plate, forming a first segment having a first conductivity over the first electrode, forming a first region having a second conductivity over the first segment that creates an n-p type composite, forming a second segment having a third conductivity formed over the over the second electrode, forming a second region having a fourth conductivity formed over the second region that creates an p-n type composite. |
| US07714401B2 |
Solid state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same
A solid state imaging device comprises: a photoelectric converting portion provided on a semiconductor substrate; a charge transfer path, formed in an adjacent position to the photoelectric converting portion, that receives a signal charge generated in the photoelectric converting portion and transfers the signal charge in a predetermined direction; and a gate electrode that transfers the signal charge from the photoelectric converting portion to the charge transfer path, wherein the gate electrode comprises polysilicon having a different conductive type from that of a semiconductor region forming a charge storing portion of the charge transfer path. |
| US07714399B2 |
Magnetic memory element and magnetic memory apparatus
A magnetic memory element includes a laminated construction of an electrode, a first pinned layer, a first intermediate layer, a first memory layer, a second intermediate layer, a second memory layer, a third intermediate layer, a second pinned layer and electrode. The magnetization direction of the first memory layer takes a first and a second directions and that of the second memory layer takes a third and a fourth directions corresponding to a value and polarity of a current between the electrodes. In response to the current, the second intermediate layer has an electric resistance higher than the first intermediate layer and than the third intermediate layer. |
| US07714397B2 |
Tri-gate transistor device with stress incorporation layer and method of fabrication
A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body having a top surface and laterally opposite sidewalls is formed on an insulating substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric on the top surface of the semiconductor body and is formed adjacent to the gate dielectric on the laterally opposite sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A thin film is then formed adjacent to the semiconductor body wherein the thin film produces a stress in the semiconductor body. |
| US07714396B2 |
Metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
The invention is directed to a method for forming a metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. The method comprises steps of providing a substrate having a gate structure formed thereon, wherein a plurality of isolation structures are located in the substrate adjacent to both sides of the gate structure and then forming a first spacer on the sidewall of the gate structure. A portion of the substrate between the first spacer and the isolation structures is removed to form a recession and a source/drain layer is deposited in the recession, wherein the top surface of the source/drain layer is higher than the top surfaces of the isolation structures. A second spacer is formed on the isolation structures and at the sidewall of the source/drain layer and a metal silicide layer is formed on the source/drain layer. |
| US07714395B2 |
Static random access memory and fabricating method thereof
A static random access memory at least includes: pluralities of transistors disposed on a substrate, each transistor at least includes a gate, a gate dielectric layer, a source doped region and a drain doped region, in which some of the source doped regions are used for connecting with a Vss voltage or a Vdd voltage, and a salicide layer disposed on the gates, the source doped regions except those source doped regions used for connecting a Vss voltage and a Vdd voltage and the drain doped regions. |
| US07714394B2 |
CMOS semiconductor devices having elevated source and drain regions and methods of fabricating the same
A Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) device is provided. The CMOS device includes an isolation layer provided in a semiconductor substrate to define first and second active regions. First and second gate patterns are disposed to cross over the first and second active regions, respectively. A first elevated source region and a first elevated drain region are disposed at both sides of the first gate pattern respectively, and a second elevated source region and a second elevated drain region are disposed at both sides of the second gate pattern respectively. The first elevated source/drain regions are provided on the first active region, and the second elevated source/drain regions are provided on the second active region. A first gate spacer is provided between the first gate pattern and the first elevated source/drain regions. A second gate spacer is provided to cover edges of the second elevated source/drain regions adjacent to the second gate pattern and an upper sidewall of the second gate pattern. Methods of fabricating the CMOS device is also provided. |
| US07714393B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including an N-channel insulated gate field effect transistor and a P-channel insulated gate field effect transistor, the device having: a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer; and gate electrode contact plugs. Each of the gate electrodes of the N-channel insulated gate field effect transistor and the P-channel insulated gate field effect transistor is buried in a gate electrode formation opening provided in the first insulating layer. |
| US07714390B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising a substrate and a resistor
An integrated circuit includes a substrate and a resistor. The resistor is formed from at least two access wells of a first conductivity type and a deep buried layer electrically connecting the wells. The deep buried layer is at least partly covered by a region of opposite conductivity. |
| US07714389B2 |
Semiconductor device having two bipolar transistors constituting electrostatic protective element
A semiconductor device includes a pair of transistors formed in a first conductive type semiconductor substrate. Each of the transistors contains a collector region of a second conductive type, opposite to the first conductive type, formed in the semiconductor substrate, a base region of the first conductive type formed in the collector region, and an emitter region of the second conductive type formed in the base region, the collector region of one transistor of the pair of transistors being separated from that of the other transistor. The semiconductor device further includes a first region of the first conductive type formed between the collector regions of the pair of transistors, and a buried layer of the second conductive type formed in the semiconductor substrate under the collector region of one transistor of the pair of transistors to connect the collector regions of the transistors therethrough. |
| US07714383B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer, a first semiconductor region provided on a major surface of the semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor region provided in a surface portion of the first semiconductor region, a trench extending through the second semiconductor region and the first semiconductor region to the semiconductor layer, a first insulating film provided on an inner wall of the trench, a third semiconductor region filling the trench below an interface between the semiconductor layer and the first semiconductor region, a second insulating film provided on the third semiconductor region, a gate electrode filling the trench above the second insulating film. A portion of the first insulating film in contact with the semiconductor layer is opened. The semiconductor layer is in contact with the third semiconductor region through the opened portion. |
| US07714376B2 |
Non-volatile memory device with polysilicon spacer and method of forming the same
Non-volatile memory device with polysilicon spacer and method of forming the same. A dielectric layer lines a sidewall of a polysilicon gate. A polysilicon spacer is patterned on the dielectric layer adjacent to the sidewall of the polysilicon gate. A protection spacer is patterned on the dielectric layer and disposed on the polysilicon spacer adjacent to the sidewall of the conductive gate for preventing a shortage path between the polysilicon gate and the polysilicon spacer during a subsequent silicidation process. |
| US07714374B2 |
Structure and fabrication method of flash memory
A method for forming a flash memory cell and the structure thereof is disclosed. The flash memory cell includes a substrate, a first raised source/drain region and a second raised source/drain region separated by a trench in-between, a first charge-trapping spacer and a second charge-trapping spacer respectively on the sidewall of the first and second raised source/drain region, a gate structure covering the first and second spacers, the trench and the first and second raised source/drain regions and a gate oxide layer located between the gate structure and the first and second raised source/drain regions and the substrate. By forming the charge-trapping spacers with less e-distribution, the flash memory affords better erasure efficiency. |
| US07714372B2 |
Dynamic random access memory devices and methods of forming the same
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices include first node pads and second node pads alternately arranged in a first direction on a substrate to form a first pad column. A width of the second node pads in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, is greater than a width of the first node pads in the second direction. Storage electrodes are electrically connected to the first node pads and the second node pads. Bit line pads may be arranged in the first direction on the substrate to form a second pad column. The second pad column is adjacent the first pad column and displaced therefrom in the second direction. |
| US07714368B2 |
Method and apparatus providing imager pixel array with grating structure and imager device containing the same
An imager pixel array capable of separating and detecting the spectral components of an incident light without the use of a color filter array. The imager pixel array employs a grating layer which allows one or more spectral components of incident light to be transmitted therethrough, but diffracts other spectral components of the incident light. Both the transmitted and diffracted spectral components can be sensed by photosensors in the imager pixel array and used in subsequent data processing, thereby improving the quantum efficiency of the imager device. The grating layer can be formed of first and second materials each having a refractive index which are substantially the same at a predetermined wavelength. |
| US07714367B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device of which manufacturing steps can be simplified by doping impurities at a time, and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor device comprises the steps of: forming first and second semiconductor layers over a substrate, forming a first insulating film over the first and second semiconductor layers, forming first and second conductive films thereover, forming a first gate electrode having a stacked layer of the first and second conductive films, in which a portion of the first conductive film is exposed from the second conductive film, over the first semiconductor layer with the first insulating film interposed therebetween, forming a second insulating film over the first insulating film, forming third and fourth conductive films thereover, and forming a second gate electrode having a stacked layer of the third and fourth conductive films, in which a portion of the third conductive film is exposed from the fourth conductive film, over the second semiconductor layer with the first and second insulating films interposed therebetween. |
| US07714366B2 |
CMOS transistor with a polysilicon gate electrode having varying grain size
Polysilicon electrical depletion in a polysilicon gate electrode is reduced by depositing the polysilicon under controlled conditions so as to vary the crystal grain size through the thickness of the polysilicon. The resulting CMOS transistor may have two or more depth-wise contiguous regions of respective crystalline grain size, and the selection of grain size may be directed to maximize dopant activation in the polysilicon near the gate dielectric and to tailor the resistance of the polysilicon above that first region and more distant from the gate dielectric. A region of polycrystalline silicon may have a varying grain size as a function of a distance measured from a surface of the dielectric film. |
| US07714364B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising gate electrode having arsenic and phosphorus
A semiconductor device is disclosed, which comprises a gate electrode having a laminated structure of a polycrystalline silicon film or a polycrystalline germanium film containing arsenic and a first nickel silicide layer formed in sequence on an element forming region of a semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film, a sidewall insulating film formed on a side surface of the gate electrode, source/drain layers containing arsenic formed in the element forming region at both side portions of the gate electrode, and second nickel silicide layers formed on the source/drain layers, wherein a peak concentration of arsenic contained in the gate electrode is at least 1/10 of a peak concentration of arsenic contained in the source/drain layers. |
| US07714359B2 |
Field effect transistor having nitride semiconductor layer
A field effect transistor includes a nitride semiconductor layer; an InxAlyGa1-x-yN layer (wherein 0 |
| US07714357B2 |
Semiconductor device
The present invention has for its purpose to provide a technique capable of reducing planar dimension of the semiconductor device. An input/output circuit is formed over the semiconductor substrate, a grounding wiring and a power supply wiring pass over the input/output circuit, and a conductive layer for a bonding pad is formed thereover. The input/output circuit is formed of MISFET elements in the nMISFET forming region and the pMISFET forming region, resistance elements in the resistance element forming regions and diode elements in the diode element forming regions functioning as protective elements. A wiring connected to the protective elements and positioned under the grounding wiring and the power supply wiring is pulled out in a pulling-out region between the nMISFET forming region and the pMISFET forming region and between the grounding wiring and the power supply wiring to be connected to the conductive layer. |
| US07714354B2 |
Electroformed metal structure
A method is provided for electroforming metal integrated circuit structures. The method comprises: forming an opening such as a via or line through an interlevel insulator, exposing a substrate surface; forming a base layer overlying the interlevel insulator and substrate surface; forming a strike layer overlying the base layer; forming a top layer overlying the strike layer; selectively etching to remove the top layer overlying the substrate surface, exposing a strike layer surface; and, electroforming a metal structure overlying the strike layer surface. The electroformed metal structure is deposited using an electroplating or electroless deposition process. Typically, the metal is Cu, Au, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Pt, or Ag. The base, strike, and top layers can be deposited using physical vapor deposition (PVD), evaporation, reactive sputtering, or metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). |
| US07714352B2 |
Hetero junction semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, includes: a first conductivity-semiconductor substrate; a hetero semiconductor region for forming a hetero junction with the first conductivity-semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode adjacent to a part of the hetero junction by way of a gate insulating film; a drain electrode connecting to the first conductivity-semiconductor substrate; a source electrode connecting to the hetero semiconductor region; and a second conductivity-semiconductor region formed on a part of a first face of the first conductivity-semiconductor substrate in such a configuration as to oppose the gate electrode via the gate insulating film, the gate insulating film, the hetero semiconductor region and the first conductivity-semiconductor substrate contacting each other to thereby form a triple contact point. A first face of the second conductivity-semiconductor region has such an impurity concentration that allows a field from the gate electrode to form an inversion layer on the first face of the second conductivity-semiconductor region. |
| US07714347B2 |
Casting for an LED module
A casting adapted to carry a light emitting diode die and an anti-static die is disclosed. The casting comprises two electrodes for opposite electrodes and a wall. The light emitting diode die is mounted one of electrodes and the anti-static die is mounted on the other electrode. The wall is arranged between the light emitting diode die and the anti-static die. Further, the height of the wall is larger than that of the anti-static die to shade the anti-static die, whereby reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting diode die. Therefore, the reflection ratio of the light emitting diode die is improved, and the intensity generated by the whole light emitting diode is also improved. |
| US07714342B2 |
Chip coated light emitting diode package and manufacturing method thereof
A chip coated LED package and a manufacturing method thereof. The chip coated LED package includes a light emitting chip composed of a chip die-attached on a submount and a resin layer uniformly covering an outer surface of the chip die. The chip coated LED package also includes an electrode part electrically connected by metal wires with at least one bump ball exposed through an upper surface of the resin layer. The chip coated LED package further includes a package body having the electrode part and the light emitting chip mounted thereon. The invention improves light efficiency by preventing difference in color temperature according to irradiation angles, increases a yield, miniaturizes the package, and accommodates mass production. |
| US07714341B2 |
Sub-mount for mounting light emitting device and light emitting device package
A sub-amount for mounting a light emitting device and a light emitting device package using the sub-mount are disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a package body having a mount for mounting a light emitting device, and through holes, electrodes formed on the package body, and a reflective layer arranged on one of the electrodes formed on an upper surface of the package body. The reflective layer has openings for enabling the light emitting device to be coupled to the electrodes. |
| US07714340B2 |
Nitride light-emitting device
A bottom-emitting nitride light-emitting device with enhanced light extraction efficiency is provided. The increased light output is provided by the reflector that redirects upward-going light towards the bottom output. A mesh contact area, in one form, spreads current across the entire carrier injection area without occupying the entire top surface of the device. |
| US07714328B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing electro-optical devices
The present invention provides an electro-optical device capable of achieving an increased light emission efficiency and an enhanced visibility. An organic electroluminescents (EL) display device has a plurality of material layers including a luminescent layer. In a plurality of material layers layered in the direction of light emission from the luminescent layer, first and second insulating interlayers are disposed between a substrate, which is positioned at the outermost surface, and the luminescent layer. The first and second insulating interlayers have a refractive index lower than that of the substrate. Accordingly, by forming predetermined materials having a low refractive index, the resulting low refractive index layers have a low dielectric constant, and consequently, the capacity between wires can be reduced. |
| US07714323B2 |
Organic thin film comprising pyrene derivatives
The present invention relates to an organic thin film transistor which includes an organic layer comprising an organic compound facilitating the ohmic contact between a semi-conducting layer and electrodes and serving as the semi-conducting layer.The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention has excellent electric contact between the semiconductor layer and the source electrode/drain electrode, and thus can be widely used as components for electric/electronic devices. As a result, as the materials for the source electrode or the drain electrode in the organic thin film transistor, materials which are less expensive and excellent in processibility though they have a low work function as the materials can be used. |
| US07714321B2 |
Organic thin film transistor, flat display device including the same, and method of manufacturing the organic thin film transistor
An organic thin film transistor, a flat display device including the same, and a method of manufacturing the organic thin film transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic thin film transistor includes: i) a substrate, ii) a gate electrode disposed on the substrate, iii) a gate insulation film disposed on the gate electrode, iv) a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced from each other and disposed on the gate insulation film, v) an organic semiconductor layer contacting the source electrode and the drain electrode and having an edge to be distinguished from an adjacent organic thin film transistor, and vi) a cantilever layer disposed to cover the organic semiconductor layer, contacting a portion of a layer which is disposed in or under the organic semiconductor layer, and is exposed to the outside of the edge of the organic semiconductor layer. According to one embodiment, a patterning effect of an organic semiconductor layer is easily obtained and characteristics such as an on/off ratio are improved. |
| US07714319B2 |
Organic thin film transistor
A thin film transistor comprising at least three terminals consisting of a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; an insulating layer and an organic semiconductor layer on a substrate, which controls its electric current flowing between the source and the drain by applying a electric voltage across the gate electrode, wherein the organic semiconductor layer comprises a heterocyclic compound containing a nitrogen atom formed by condensation between five member rings each having a nitrogen atom at their condensation sites or between a five member ring and a six member ring each having a nitrogen atom at their condensation sites. The transistor became to have a fast response speed (driving speed), and further, achieved a large on/off ratio getting an enhanced performance as a transistor. |
| US07714312B2 |
Phase change memory cell with high read margin at low power operation
A memory cell device includes a first electrode, phase-change material adjacent the first electrode, a second electrode adjacent the phase-change material, a diffusion barrier adjacent the phase-change material, and isolation material adjacent the diffusion barrier for thermally isolating the phase-change material. The diffusion barrier prevents diffusion of the phase-change material into the isolation material. |
| US07714309B2 |
Phantom for ion range detection
A phantom for heavy ion radiation therapy provides characterization of an ion beam that may enter but not exit from the phantom. The phantom may include multiple materials and multiple spatially dispersed ion detectors to obtain signals that may be fit to known beam curves to accurately characterize the location and other parameters of Bragg peak of a given ion beam within a patient. |
| US07714307B2 |
Method of designing a projection system, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Optimization of a projection system is performed to obtain a starting configuration that is at a local minimum of the merit function or simply a previously known minimum system is used as the starting configuration. A zero-thickness meniscus lens is inserted at a surface in the local minimum starting configuration with N surfaces to construct a saddle point with Morse Index=1 having N+2 surfaces. The saddle point is perturbed and optimization is performed on both sides of the saddle, and the distances at the two surfaces that have been introduced are increased, to generate two new configurations, m1 and m2, that are new minima in the merit function. Each resulting configuration is output, e.g., as a table of parameters specifying the projection system or as a computer file for use in making an actual projection system. |
| US07714305B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Apparatus and methods for compensating for the movement of a substrate in a lithographic apparatus during a pulse of radiation include providing a pivotable mirror configured to move a patterned radiation beam incident on the substrate in substantial synchronism with the substrate. |
| US07714302B2 |
Apparatus for detecting laser-stimulated luminescent radiation
An apparatus is disclosed for inspecting a surface containing a material that emits luminescent radiation in response to absorbing excitation radiation. The apparatus comprises a laser disposed in or adjacent to a housing. A sensor opening is defined in the housing and permits emission of excitation radiation generated by the laser and permits admission of the luminescent radiation emanating from the surface in response to the excitation radiation. A sensor monitors whether ambient light is being admitted between an edge of the sensor opening and the surface upon which the sensor opening is in contact. A safety circuit permits the laser to be actuated only when the sensor detects a substantially or completely light-impermeable contact between the edge of the sensor opening and the surface. |
| US07714301B2 |
Instrument excitation source and calibration method
An apparatus including an LED excitation source and module useful for full plate imaging fluorescence instruments as well as methods for calibrating such instruments. The apparatus may include a light source operative to provide simultaneous illumination of a first wavelength selected to a plurality of samples to excite the fluorescent emission of light of a second wavelength by said plurality of samples wherein the light source is an LED array; and an optical sensor, responsive to light at said second wavelength. |
| US07714300B1 |
High-speed high-efficiency solid-state electron detector
One embodiment relates to a solid-state charged-particle detector. The detector includes a PIN diode and a conductive coating on the front-side of the PIN diode, wherein the front-side receives incident charged particles to be detected. In addition, the detector includes a metal layer on the backside of the PIN diode and electrical connections to the metal layer and to the conductive coating. Other embodiment are also disclosed. |
| US07714298B2 |
Pattern definition device having distinct counter-electrode array plate
A multi-beam pattern definition device for use in a particle-beam processing or inspection apparatus, which is set up to be irradiated with a beam of electrically charged particles and allow passage of the beam through a plurality of apertures thus forming beamlets, which are imaged onto a target. A deflection array has a plurality of electrostatic deflector electrodes for each beamlet. Each deflector electrode can be applied an electrostatic potential individually. Counter electrodes are electrically connected to a counter potential independently of the deflection array through a counter-electrode array. The counter potentials may be a common ground potential or individual potentials in order to improve system reliability. In conjunction with an associated counter electrode, each deflector electrode deflects its beamlet sufficiently to deflect the beamlet off its nominal path when applied an activating voltage against the respective counter electrode. |
| US07714294B2 |
Radiation detecting apparatus and radiographing system
A radiation detecting apparatus includes: a sensor panel having a substrate and a photoelectric conversion element array arranged on the substrate; a scintillator layer arranged on one surface side of the sensor panel; and a light generator arranged on the sensor panel at the other side in opposition to the one side on which the scintillator layer is arranged, in corresponding to an area in which the photoelectric conversion element array is arranged. The light generator includes a light transmitting electrode layer, a rear electrode layer and a light emitting layer arranged between the light transmitting electrode layer and the rear electrode. The light emitting layer according to a first aspect is formed from light emitting substance, a binder and a black pigment. The light emitting layer according to a second aspect contains a first pigment or dye absorbing a light of the same wavelength of a maximum light emission from the scintillator layer, and a second pigment or dye different from the first pigment or dye. |
| US07714293B2 |
Methods and apparatus for keystone effect
A method includes mechanically correcting for a keystone effect on an x-ray detector. |
| US07714292B2 |
Geiger mode avalanche photodiode
A avalanche mode photodiode array (102) is fabricated using a silicon on insulator wafer and substrate transfer process. The array includes a plurality of photodiodes (100). The photodiodes (100) include an electrically insulative layer (206), a depletion region (204), and first (208) and second (210) doped regions. An interconnection layer (212) includes electrodes (214, 216) which provides electrical connections to the photodiodes. The photodiode array (102) is carried by a handle wafer (217). |
| US07714285B2 |
Spectrometer for surface analysis and method therefor
A spectrometer (10) for sample surface analysis by irradiation of the surface by primary particles and a corresponding method of surface analysis spectroscopy. The spectrometer (10) provides sample viewing and secondary charged particle collection substantially normal to the sample surface. A collection chamber (22) comprises a secondary charged particle lens arrangement (20) to focus the emitted particles in a downstream direction along a first normal axis (24) and thereby to define a charged particle optical crossover location (25); and a light-reflecting optical element (50) downstream of the lens arrangement and arranged to receive image light (41) and reflect it away from a second normal axis (42) for providing a viewable image of the surface. The optical element (50) is positioned at, or near to, the crossover location (25) and comprises an opening (52) therethrough, such that the focused particles pass through the opening for downstream spectroscopic analysis substantially without obstruction by the optical element. |
| US07714283B2 |
Electrostatic trap
An electrostatic trap such as an orbitrap is disclosed, with an electrode structure. An electrostatic trapping field of the form U′(r,φ,z) is generated to trap ions within the trap so that they undergo isochronous oscillations. The trapping field U′(r, φ,z) is the result of a perturbation W to an ideal field U(r, φ,z) which, for example, is hyperlogarithmic in the case of an orbitrap. The perturbation W may be introduced in various ways, such as by distorting the geometry of the trap so that it no longer follows an equipotential of the ideal field U(r, φ,z), or by adding a distortion field (either electric or magnetic). The magnitude of the perturbation is such that at least some of the trapped ions have an absolute phase spread of more than zero but less than about 2π radians over an ion detection period Tm. |
| US07714282B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming a gas composition gradient between FAIMS electrodes
A method of separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region for separating ions, the FAIMS analyzer region in fluid communication with an ionization source and with an ion detecting device. The method further includes affecting a gas composition within a first portion of the FAIMS analyzer region to be different from a gas composition within a second portion of the FAIMS analyzer region. The establishment of a gas composition gradient within the FAIMS analyzer region enhances ion focusing and ion transport efficiency. |
| US07714280B2 |
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer
A time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which generates cluster ions each comprised of two or more atoms, a pulsing mechanism which pulses the cluster ions, a selecting mechanism which selects ions having a specific mass number from the pulsed cluster ions and passes the selected ions in an ON state of the selecting mechanism, and, passes the pulsed cluster ions without the selecting in an OFF state of the selecting mechanism, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometric unit which measures a mass spectrum of secondary ions generated from a sample using a difference in time of flight when the sample is irradiated with the ions passed through the selecting mechanism. |
| US07714277B2 |
Smart FAIMS sensor
A smart FAIMS sensor system and method includes a 2/2-electrode filter that pumps the ions through the system and separates the ionic species, a detector for collecting the separated ions and generating a detector signal in response to the collected ions, and a controller configured to change the operating parameters of the system in response to changes in the sensor's environment detected by the sensor. The ability to dynamically change the operating parameters of the sensor enables the sensor to maintain high sensitivity to environmental threats while decreasing the incidences of false positive events. |
| US07714275B2 |
Mass spectrometry with selective ion filtration by digital thresholding
The methods described herein generally relate to characterization of large analytes, such as biomolecules, by molecular mass analysis. Specifically, the methods are directed to molecular mass analysis of singly- or multiply-charged ions by selective ion filtering carried out by a digital thresholding process. |
| US07714272B2 |
Optical absolute rotary encoder
An optical absolute rotary encoder can have a simple and small structure, for determining the absolute values of rotational positions with high accuracy. The encoder can include an optical scale having an absolute pattern representing a code corresponding to a single absolute value using a transmitting area and/or an intercepting area. A light emitting unit can be arranged at one side with respect to the optical scale, and configured to project light on the optical scale. A light receiving unit can be arranged at the same side as the light emitting unit, can configured to receive light passing through the transmitting area of the optical scale. A light guide unit can be provided and configured to guide the light from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit. The optical scale and the light emitting unit can rotate relative to each other about an axis of rotation, and the light receiving unit can be disposed on the axis of rotation. |
| US07714271B1 |
Simple fiber optic seismometer for harsh environments
Disclosed is a sensor capable of measuring motion in a harsh environment. The sensor uses a fiber optic sensor element formed within a core of an optical fiber that is disposed within an enclosure made of a high strength, corrosion-resistant material. The optical fiber is attached to a supporting fixture in a cantilever fashion so that the intrinsic internal mass of the optical fiber has the freedom to be affected by gravity so that an environmental disturbance acting on the sensor results in a bending strain being applied to the optical fiber. A Bragg grating is located at the bending portion of the optical fiber. The modulation of an optical signal promulgating through the optical fiber is sensed using conventional means and used to measure the magnitude of the environmental disturbance. |
| US07714270B2 |
Convex lenslet array diffuser
An illuminator system comprising an illuminator array positioned adjacent to an image bearing surface, the illuminator array comprising a plurality of discrete illuminator elements spaced in a linear arrangement, the illuminating elements each being configured to emit a light beam for transmission to the image bearing surface at an incidence angle; a light diffuser comprising a plurality of rounded lenslets having convex or concave configuration positioned between the illuminator array and the image bearing surface, the rounded lenslets being positioned with respect to the illuminator array to receive the light beams emitted by the illuminator elements and to diffuse the light beams being transmitted to the image bearing surface in the linear direction of the illuminator array; and a linear sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors positioned adjacent to the image bearing surface such that the light beams reflecting off the image bearing surface at a reflectance angle are received by the sensors. |
| US07714269B2 |
Light receiving circuit
A light receiving circuit according to the present invention includes a current control voltage generation circuit 10 outputting control voltages Vcont1 and Vcont2, a first current adjusting circuit 11 generating a first output current Io1 by regulating a first input current Ii1 depending on a voltage difference of the control voltages Vcont1 and Vcont2, the first input current Ii1 generated by adding a first reference current Ia1 and an input current Ipd, a second current adjusting circuit 12 generating a second output current Io2 by regulating a second reference current Ia2 depending on the voltage difference of the control voltages Vcont1 and Vcont2, and a current voltage conversion circuit 13 generating a first output voltage Vo1 by converting the first output current Io1 to voltage based on a first resistance Rf1 and generating a second output voltage Vo2 by converting the second output current Io2 to voltage based on a second resistance Rf2. |
| US07714267B2 |
Intensity detector circuitry using a cascade of gain elements
A system is described that may determine an intensity measure. In certain example embodiments, a system may include circuitry for receiving and circuitry for assessing. The circuitry for receiving may receive an input signal at an input of a first gain element of a cascade of N gain elements. The circuitry for assessing may assess an intensity in response to one or more times associated with one or more output signals of the cascade of N gain elements satisfying one or more threshold values. |
| US07714265B2 |
Integrated proximity sensor and light sensor
Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity and to detect light. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a detector of electromagnetic radiation; the detector has a sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity, and to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when sensing visible light. The emitter may be disabled at least temporarily to allow the detector to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter, such as ambient light. In one implementation, the ambient light is measured by measuring infrared wavelengths. Also, a fence having a non-IR transmissive material disposed between the emitter and the detector to remove electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described. |
| US07714264B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit device such as a for-camera preprocessing LSI suitable for a semiconductor integrated circuit and having improved responsiveness. In a D/A converter circuit for generating a feedback signal for compensating for black level variation in a for-camera preprocessing LSI, first-conductivity-type MOSFETs as first current sources produce currents corresponding to digital signals. The digital signals are supplied to first-conductivity-type first differential MOSFETs and second-conductivity-type second differential MOSFETs, with the gates and drains of the first differential MOSFETs and the gates and drains of the second differential MOSFETs being connected together respectively. There is provided a differential amplifier circuit in which a bias voltage is supplied to a noninverting input terminal thereof and an inverting input terminal thereof is connected to an analog current output node which is the drains connected together of one sides of the first differential MOSFETs, and a resistive element is provided between the inverting input terminal and an output terminal thereof. A converted analog output voltage is generated at the output terminal, and a voltage equal to the bias voltage is supplied to drains of the other sides of the first differential MOSFETs. |
| US07714261B2 |
System and method for protection of aircraft based on correlating suspected missile tracks to derive a confirm missile track
A system and method for protection of aircraft against surface-to-air missiles deploys sensors to provide coverage around an airport The use of a fixed (or slow moving) set of sensors around the airport allows detection of missile threats to all aircraft using the airport without requiring each individual aircraft to be provided with a threat detection system. Information about a detected threat is then typically transmitted in real time directly to the aircraft under threat to allow timely deployment of aircraft-based countermeasures. The detection system and method preferably employ spaced-apart sensors with overlapping fields of view to provide enhanced tracking through triangulation and reduced false alarm rates by redundancy of information. Airborne systems with overlapping coverage may be also used. |
| US07714259B2 |
Video projector having a power transmission mechanism between a drive wheel and a zoom ring
A video projector (1) comprises a projection lens (18) which projects an image on a screen (S), a zoom ring (19) which varies a magnification ratio of the projection lens (18), a drive wheel (32) which is partially protruded from a bottom face of a housing (2), and a plurality of gears (310, 311, 312) that constitutes a power transmission mechanism (31) between the drive wheel (32) and the zoom ring (19). When the video projector (1) is moved in an anteroposterior direction to the screen with rotating the drive wheel (32), the zoom ring (19) is turned in conjunction with the rotation of the drive wheel (32) through the power transmission mechanism (31). Since the magnification ratio of the projection lens (18) is varied with the turning of the zoom ring (19), the size of the image projected on the screen is varied without a direct operation of the zoom ring (19) by a user. |
| US07714257B2 |
Electrical connector assembly for an arcuate surface in a high temperature environment and an associated method of use
An electrical connector assembly for an arcuate surface in a high temperature environment and associated method of use is disclosed for a variety of applications. This can include, but is not limited to, an injection molding heater assembly having at least one heater and an injection molding heater and nozzle assembly having at least one heater and a nozzle that is in thermal communication with the at least one heater. This at least one electrical connector, having a first electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one first conductive portion on at least one arcuate surface and a second electrical conductor that is electrically connectable to at least one second conductive portion on the at least one arcuate surface, and at least one disconnect mechanism positioned adjacent to the at least one electrical connector and in electrical connection with the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. |
| US07714255B2 |
Bus bar attachments for flexible heating elements
A flexible heating subassembly, that may be incorporated in a heating blanket or any other type of flexible heater, includes a flexible sheet-like heating element, or heater, to which first and second conductive bus bars are coupled, each with a respective first and second row of conductive stitching. A first electrically insulating member is interposed between the first bus bar and the heater and is secured therebetween by the first row of stitching, and a second electrically insulating member is interposed between the second bus bar and the heater and is secured therebetween by the second row of stitching. The first and second insulating members prevent direct electrical contact between respective first and second bus bars and the heater. |
| US07714251B2 |
Laser irradiation apparatus
Since the size of a plate for issuing gas used for a conventional laser irradiation apparatus is large and the distance between an optical system through which a laser light lastly passes and the plate is not enough, it is difficult to check the state of laser light delivered from the optical system which the laser light lastly passes through. A laser irradiation apparatus includes a laser oscillator, an optical system shaping laser light produced by the laser oscillator, a plate having an opening for issuing a gas, a stage provided below the blower, means for maintaining a constant distance between the blower and the stage above the stage, and means provided between the optical system and the blower for observing the laser light transmitted through the optical system are provided. |
| US07714245B2 |
Keyswitch with balance member
The invention discloses a keyswitch, which includes a keycap and a balance member. The keycap thereof defines a lower surface, which has at least one mounting portion. The balance member has an axle thereof defines a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. Additionally, the axle is folded with a first angle and elongated from the first end to form a first side, and folded with a second angle and elongated from the second end to form a second side. The axle is mounted in the at least one mounting portion. Particularly, the second angle is between 30° and 60°. |
| US07714244B1 |
Button panel for elevators, lifts, and similar machinery
“BUTTON PANEL FOR ELEVATORS, LIFTS OR SIMILAR MACHINERY”, wherein said button has a new functional shape in such way that its four parts fit together perfectly and also fits with the elevator panel that may be put together with it. |
| US07714242B2 |
Switch device
A switch device including a switch operation shaft movable between a plurality of operation positions for setting a control amount for an apparatus. A follower is driven to follow the movement of the switch operation shaft. An attraction member generates magnetic force to attract the follower so that the follower becomes immovable and to hold the switch operation shaft at a single operation position. |
| US07714240B1 |
Microfabricated triggered vacuum switch
A microfabricated vacuum switch is disclosed which includes a substrate upon which an anode, cathode and trigger electrode are located. A cover is sealed over the substrate under vacuum to complete the vacuum switch. In some embodiments of the present invention, a metal cover can be used in place of the trigger electrode on the substrate. Materials used for the vacuum switch are compatible with high vacuum, relatively high temperature processing. These materials include molybdenum, niobium, copper, tungsten, aluminum and alloys thereof for the anode and cathode. Carbon in the form of graphitic carbon, a diamond-like material, or carbon nanotubes can be used in the trigger electrode. Channels can be optionally formed in the substrate to mitigate against surface breakdown. |
| US07714238B2 |
Mattress seat force sensing method
A weighing system and method associated with a mattress is operable to determine a patient weight value while the patient is positioned on the mattress. |
| US07714236B2 |
Electric component
An electric component includes a substrate, a function element provided on the substrate, a first sealing body provided on the substrate to cover the function element at a certain distance, the first sealing body including multiple apertures communicating with an internal space formed between the first sealing body and the substrate, and a second sealing body provided on the first sealing body and configured to occlude the multiple apertures. Here, a boundary between the first sealing body and the substrate is curved in a direction to narrow the internal space. |
| US07714235B1 |
Lithographically defined microelectronic contact structures
Microelectronic contact structures (260, 360, 460) are lithographically defined and fabricated by applying a masking layer (220, 320, 420) on a surface of a substrate (202, 302, 402) such as an electronic component, creating an opening (222, 322, 422) in the masking layer, depositing a conductive trace of a seed layer (250, 350, 450) onto the masking layer and into the openings, and building up a mass of conductive material on the conductive trace. The sidewalls of the opening can be sloped (tapered). The conductive trace can be patterned by depositing material through a stencil or shadow mask (240, 340, 440). A protruding feature (230, 430) may be disposed on the masking layer so that a tip end (264, 364, 464) of the contact structure acquires a topography. All of these elements can be constructed as a group to form a plurality of precisely positioned resilient contact structures. |
| US07714233B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board including a wiring substrate provided with at least one conductor circuit, a solder resist layer formed on the surface of the wiring substrate, covering the at least one conductor circuit, conductor pads formed on a part of the at least one conductor circuit exposed from respective openings provided in the solder resist layer for mounting electronic parts, and solder bumps formed on the respective conductor pads. The ratio (H/D) of a height H of the solder bumps from solder resist layer surface to an opening diameter of the openings are made to be about 0.55 to about 1.0 with the pitch of the openings provided in the solder resist layer of about 200 μm or less. |
| US07714228B2 |
Trim panel with wiring harness and method of making the same
A wiring harness for connection to a body, the wiring harness includes at least one conductor and a protective covering having an inner portion for insulating the at least one conductor and an outer portion arranged over a region of the inner portion, wherein at least a section of the outer portion is adapted to be fused to said body. |
| US07714226B2 |
Housing device and electronic apparatus
In a housing device, a first wall portion 10A and a second wall portion 20A are adjacent to each other with a right angle formed therebetween when a case cover 20 is coupled to a case main body 10. A first recess 11 and a first claw 12 are integrally formed with the first wall portion 10A at a part thereof where the first wall portion 10A is butted to the second wall portion 20A. A second claw 21 and a second recess 22 are integrally formed with the second wall portion 20A at a part thereof where the second wall portion 20A is butted to the first wall portion 10A. |
| US07714224B2 |
Photovoltaic power generation module and photovoltaic power generation system employing same
A photovoltaic power generation module that can make use of arcuate cells and a photovoltaic power generation system employing such a module are disclosed. The photovoltaic power generation module may include arcuate cells divided from a disk-shaped single crystal silicon photovoltaic power generation cell. The arcuate cells may have a circular arc with a central angle of 90°. The arcuate cells may have a grid-perpendicular to the chord and at least one busbar perpendicular to the grid. The arcuate cells may be arrayed in a lattice pattern, the arcuate cells having an area of 28 to 65 cm2 and 14 to 42 thereof being arrayed. |
| US07714218B2 |
String instrument frets and associated fret optical apparatus
An instrument comprising a body, a neck and a plurality of strings. The neck comprises a first end having a headstock, a fretboard, at least one mineral fret coupled to the fretboard, and a second end one of coupled and integrated to the body. The mineral fret may be generally transparent. |
| US07714217B2 |
Marked precoated strings and method of manufacturing same
A coated string for a stringed device which includes a coating applied to the surface of the string. The coating includes a base layer bonded to the surface of the string and an at least partially transparent low-friction top coat applied to the base layer. The base layer includes heat activated pigments that change color when heated above a color shifting temperature. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment in one area contrasts with the color of the pigment in an adjacent area without otherwise affecting the low-friction surface of the coating. The areas of different color created in locations along the length of the low-friction coated string. |
| US07714216B1 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH491400
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH491400. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH491400, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH491400 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH491400. |
| US07714214B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH163678
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH163678. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH163678, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH163678 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH163678. |
| US07714212B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH759587
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH759587. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH759587, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH759587 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH759587. |
| US07714203B1 |
Inbred corn line BE9513
An inbred corn line, designated BE9513, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line BE9513, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line BE9513 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line BE9513 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BE9513, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BE9513 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods. |
| US07714202B2 |
Cotton variety 04Z007
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 04Z007. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 04Z007. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 04Z007 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 04Z007 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07714201B2 |
Cotton variety 781000G
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 781000G. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 781000G. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 781000G and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 781000G with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07714198B2 |
Soybean cultivar S070154
A soybean cultivar designated S070154 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S070154, to the plants of soybean S070154, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S070154 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S070154 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S070154, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S070154 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S070154 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US07714197B2 |
Cucumber variety Paraiso
A hybrid cucumber cultivar designated ‘Paraiso’ is disclosed which is the first parthenocarpic slicing cucumber that also has intermediate resistance to powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, cucumber vein yellowing virus and cucumber yellow stunting disorder virus. The invention relates to the seeds of hybrid cucumber cultivar ‘Paraiso’, to the plants of hybrid cucumber cultivar ‘Paraiso’ and to methods for producing a cucumber plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the hybrid cultivar ‘Paraiso’ with itself or another cucumber cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a cucumber plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other cucumber cultivars derived from the hybrid ‘Paraiso’. |
| US07714194B2 |
Pea line 08240773
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated 08240773. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line 08240773, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line 08240773 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 08240773, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants. |
| US07714186B2 |
Plant cells and plants which synthesize a starch with an increased final viscosity
The present invention relates to a plant cell which is genetically modified, the genetic modification leading to the reduction of the activity of one or more SSIII proteins which occur endogenously in the plant cell and to the reduction of the activity of one or more BEI proteins which occur endogenously in the plant cell and to the reduction of the activity of one or more BEII proteins which occur endogenously in the plant cell in comparison with corresponding plant cells, of wild-type plants, which have not been genetically modified. Further aspects of the invention relate to plants containing such plant cells, to a method for generating the plant cells and plants, and to the starch obtainable from them. |
| US07714177B2 |
Processes for synthesis of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene comprising: a) reacting a compound of the formula (I) CHFX2 with a compound of formula (II) CH2═CF2 to produce a reaction product comprising a compound of formula (III) CHXFCH2CXF2, wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine; and (b) exposing said compound of formula (III) to reaction conditions effective to convert said compound to 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. |
| US07714175B2 |
Production method of aromatic hydroxide
According to the present invention, two hydroxyl groups can be introduced into the 1-position and the 4-position of the benzene ring of an aromatic compound highly efficiently and highly selectively by a one step process to give the corresponding aromatic hydroxide.The present invention provides a production method of an aromatic hydroxide represented by the formula (2) wherein R1, R2, R3, and, R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1-20, and R1, R2 and/or R3 and R4 are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring, which comprises irradiating light to a photoelectrode comprised of metal oxide while applying a given potential in the presence of an aromatic compound represented by the formula (1) wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined above. |
| US07714174B2 |
Lower-color polytrimethylene ether glycol using hydride compounds
The present invention relates to a process for preparing lower-color polytrimethylene ether glycol, comprising contacting said polytrimethylene ether glycol, or its precursor reaction-mixture, with a hydride compound during at least one stage of the process of manufacture, or on the polytrimethylene ether glycol resulting form such process, such that the polytrimethylene ether glycol demonstrates a reduced color (as compared to using no hydride compound). |
| US07714171B2 |
Method for purifying cyclic ketones
The present invention relates to a process for purifying a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, which comprises thermal treatment of the composition (I) with at least one acid and further purification by means of a process selected from the group consisting of distillation, extraction and crystallization, Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclododecanone, which comprises such a purification, and the use of at least one acid for purifying a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms by thermal treatment of the composition (I) with the acid. |
| US07714168B2 |
Amide compounds and their use
Since an amide compound represented by the formula (1) is effective for controlling plant diseases, it is useful as an effective ingredient of a composition for controlling plant diseases. |
| US07714166B2 |
Process for producing carnitinamide
A process for producing carnitinamide which is an intermediate for production of L-carnitine is provided, which can hydrate carnitine nitrile to form carnitinamide with high selectivity, whereby highly-purified carnitinamide excellent as a substrate for stereoselective hydrolysis by optical resolution or a microorganism is produced in high yield. The process comprises hydrating carnitine nitrile to form carnitinamide using a catalyst containing a manganese oxide, and thus carnitinamide substantially free from by-produced carnitine is produced in high yield, so that carnitinamide of extremely high purity can be obtained through simple and easy crystallization operation. |
| US07714162B2 |
Base multiplying agents and base-reactive curable compositions
To provide such a base multiplying agent capable of being used for crosslinking reaction, for example of a epoxy compound and the like, that generates another base by action of a base, and can efficiently perform base multiplying reaction, and a base-reactive curable composition using the base multiplying agent.The base generating agent of the invention is represented by the following formula (1): (In the formula (1), X represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted alkyl group or an unsubstituted alkyl group; Y represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene chain; and n represents an integer of from 1 to 4.) |
| US07714160B2 |
Process for producing alkyl nitrite
An alkyl nitrite is produced with high efficiency by bringing a nitrogen monoxide gas into contact with an aqueous solution of an alkyl alcohol and nitric acid in a reactor 2, which aqueous solution may be a liquid fraction generated in an alkyl nitrite-production process in which an alkyl alcohol is reacted with nitrogen monoxide and oxygen in a reaction column 1. |
| US07714159B2 |
Synthesis of boronic ester and acid compounds
The invention relates to the synthesis of boronic ester and acid compounds. More particularly, the invention provides improved synthetic processes for the large-scale production of boronic ester and acid compounds, including the peptide boronic acid proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. |
| US07714154B2 |
Preparation of amino acid-fatty acid anhydrides
The present invention describes compounds produced from an amino acid molecule and a fatty acid molecule. The compounds being in the form of amino-fatty acid compounds being bound by an anhydride linkage, or mixtures thereof made by reacting amino acids or derivatives thereof with an appropriate fatty acid previously reacted with a thionyl halide. The administration of such molecules provides supplemental amino acids with enhanced bioavailability and the additional benefits conferred by the specific fatty acid. |
| US07714153B2 |
Curable diamantane compound
A 4,9-bis(glycidyloxy)diamantane and a 4,9-bis[(3-ethyloxetane-3-yl)methyloxy]diamantane are novel curable diamantane compounds, and cured bodies thereof are useful as encapsulants exhibiting excellent light resistance and heat resistance, and can be favorably used, for example, as encapsulants for near ultraviolet LEDs and white LEDs. |
| US07714152B2 |
Carrier for olefin oxide catalyst
A carrier for a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of an olefin which comprises an inert, refractory solid carrier is provided. The carrier has no or little absolute volume from small pores, of less than 1 micrometer, and large pores, of above 5 micrometer. By “no or little absolute volume from small pores of less than 1 micron” it is meant that the pore volume of such pores is less than 0.20 ml/g. By “no or little absolute volume from large pores of above 5 micron” it is meant that the pore volume of such pores is less than 0.20 ml/g. The invention further provides a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of an olefin supported on such a carrier and a process for the oxidation of an olefin, especially ethylene, to an olefin oxide, especially ethylene oxide. |
| US07714145B2 |
2-2′-disubstituted 9,9′-spirobifluorene-base triaryldiamines and their application
The present invention discloses synthesis of 2,2′-disubstituted 9,9′-spirobifluorene-based triaryldiamine. First, 2,2′-diamino-9,9′-spirobifluorene, a Pd-catalyst as auxiliary and aryl halide BX are provided, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: Cl, Br and I, B comprises one of the following group: aryl moiety, hetero cycle, multiple fused ring, multiple fused ring with hetero atom(s). Next, a substitution reaction is performed to react the 2,2′-diamino-9,9′-spirobifluorene with the aryl halide BX to produce the 2,2′-disubstituted 9,9′-spirobifluorene-based triaryldiamines. In addition, the present invention discloses organic light emitting devices comprising hole transporting material comprising 2,2′-bis(N,N-disubstituted amino)-9,9′-spirobifluorenes. |
| US07714144B2 |
Method for the production of 5-fluoro-1,3-dialkyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carbonyl fluorides
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing known 5-fluoro-1,3-dialkyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl fluorides which can be used as starting materials for active fungicidal ingredients by a halex reaction. |
| US07714138B2 |
Monocyclic heterocycles as kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds having the formula and methods for using them for the treatment of cancer. |
| US07714134B2 |
Compounds and use of tetrahydropyridothiophenes
The compounds of a certain formula (1) in which Ra and Rb have the meanings indicated in the description are novel for treating hyperproliferative diseases and/or disorders responsive to the induction of apoptosis. The invention further relates to certain compounds of formula (I), in which Ra and Rb have the meanings indicated in the description. |
| US07714133B2 |
Method for manufacturing crystalline form I of clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate
A method for manufacturing hydrogen sulphate (alpha S) of the alpha-(2-chlorophenyl)-6,7dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine-5(4H)-acetic acid methyl ester (clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate) of formula I, in crystalline Form I, wherein the compound of formula is separated out of a solution of clopidogrel in the form of the free base or salt in a solvent selected from the series of primary, secondary or tertiary C1-C5 alcohols, their esters with C1-C4 carboxylic acids, or optionally of mixtures thereof. |
| US07714131B2 |
Process for the stereoselective preparation of (−)-halofenate and derivatives thereof
The present invention provides a compounds the formula (IV): and methods for producing an α-(phenoxy)phenylacetic acid compound of the formula: wherein R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of: each R2 is a member independently selected from the group consisting of (C1-C4)alkyl, halo, (C1-C4)haloalkyl, amino, (C1-C4)aminoalkyl, amido, (C1-C4)amidoalkyl, (C1-C4)sulfonylalkyl, (C1-C4)sulfamylalkyl, (C1-C4)alkoxy, (C1-C4)heteroalkyl, carboxy and nitro; the subscript n is 1 when R1 has the formula (a) or (b) and 2 when R1 has the formula (c) or (d); the subscript m is an integer of from 0 to 3; * indicates a carbon which is enriched in one stereoisomeric configuration; and the wavy line indicates the point of attachment of R1; and compounds. |
| US07714125B2 |
Process for producing penam compound useful for preparing tazobactam
An object of the invention is to provide an industrially advantageous process capable of remarkably suppressing the generation of an undesirable by-product cepham compound to thereby efficiently produce a desired 2α-methyl-2β-[(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]penam-3α-carboxylic acid ester. In the present invention, a diphenylmethyl 2β-bromomethyl-2α-methylpenam-3α-carboxylate (BMPB) is reacted with 1,2,3-triazole in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent at −5° C. or lower. The reaction in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent at −5° C. or less can remarkably suppress the generation of an undesirable by-product cepham compound, so that the desired diphenylmethyl 2α-methyl-2β-[(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]penam-3α-carboxylate (TMPB) can be efficiently produced. |
| US07714122B2 |
Nucleic acid molecules and kits including VP1 and VP3 nucleic acid molecules, useful for detecting and identifying enteroviruses
Disclosed are methods of using enterovirus-specific primers for the detection and identification of enterovirus infection. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules and kits useful for detection and diagnostic testing of enterovirus infection in a subject. |
| US07714113B2 |
Fusion proteins of humanized g250 specific antibodies and uses thereof
Chimeric antibodies, as well as fusion proteins which comprise chimeric antibodies, are disclosed. The antibodies bind to GM-CSF, CD-30, and G250 antigen. The fusion proteins include biologically active portions of tumor necrosis factor, or full length tumor necrosis factor. Expression vectors adapted for production of the antibodies, as well as methods for manufacturing these, are also disclosed. |
| US07714111B2 |
Arginine derivative wash in protein purification using affinity chromatography
The invention relates to methods for isolating a product and/or reducing turbidity and/or impurities from a load fluid comprising the product and one or more impurities by passing the load fluid through a medium, followed by at least one wash solution comprising an arginine derivative, and collecting the product using an elution solution. The invention further relates to a product prepared using a method as described herein. |
| US07714104B2 |
Methods for inhibiting immune complex formation in a subject
Polypeptides and other compounds that can bind specifically to the CH2-CH3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule, and methods for using such polypeptides and compounds to inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation, are described. |
| US07714101B2 |
Identification of protective antigenic determinants of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and uses thereof
The invention relates to a polypeptide of a protective antigenic determinant (PAD polypeptide) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide. The PAD polypeptide and nucleic acids encoding a PAD polypeptide are useful in the development of antibodies directed to PAD, vaccines effective in providing protection against PRRSV infection, and diagnostic assays detecting the presence of PAD antibodies generated by a PAD-specific vaccine. The invention also discloses methods of generating antibodies to PAD, for vaccinating a pig to provide protection from PRRSV infections, a method of preparing the vaccine, a method of treating PRRSV infections in a pig, and a method of detecting antibodies to PAD of PRRSV. |
| US07714100B2 |
Nucleotide and amino acid sequences, and assays and methods of use thereof for diagnosis of cardiac disease
Novel markers for cardiac disease that are both sensitive and accurate. These markers are differentially and/or specifically expressed in cardiac tissue, as opposed to other types of tissues, optionally and preferably including muscle tissue. The measurement of these markers, alone or in combination, in patient samples provides information that the diagnostician can correlate with a probable diagnosis of cardiac disease, including pathology and/or damage, including acute and/or chronic damage. The markers of the present invention, alone or in combination, show a high degree of differential detection between cardiac disease states and non-cardiac disease states. |
| US07714099B2 |
Luminescent compositions and their uses
High quantum yield luminescent monomers, oligomers, and polymers, comprising benzotriazole repeating units and derivatives thereof have been discovered and utilized in optical devices and components therefor, including electroluminescent devices, light emitting devices, photoluminescent devices, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), OLED displays, sensors, and the like. |
| US07714096B2 |
Resin composition, cured product and optical parts
It is provided for a resin composition including (A) at least one polyamic acid having the structure represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 is independently an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a cyano group; a is independently an integer of 0 to 4; R is a tetravalent organic group; n is an integer of 1 to 4; and m is an integer of 1 to 100,000, and (E) an organic solvent. |
| US07714094B2 |
Simplified isophthalic acid process for modifying PET
Disclosed are modified PET polymer compositions and process for making modified PET polymer compositions by reacting purified terephthalic acid and non-hydrogenated isophthalic acid with ethylene glycol. Compositions with acceptable visual appearance, such as clarity and color, can be made at typical modification levels for many packaging application. Disclosed are also shaped articles and the process for making shaped articles of the modified PET polymer composition. |
| US07714093B2 |
Urethane resin solution, process for its production and process for producing urethane resin
Provided are a urethane resin solution to provide a urethane resin having a low tensile elasticity, a low elastic modulus under low temperatures, good elastic recovery, excellent heat resistance and excellent adhesion, a production method of the solution and a production method of the urethane resin.An isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer is synthesized by reacting a polyisocyanate compound with a polyetherester diol having a molecular weight of from 800 to 4,000, which is obtained by a ring-opening polymerization of a mixture of an alkylene oxide and a lactone monomer using a polyoxy tetramethylene diol having a molecular weight of from 500 to 2,500 as an initiator and using a composite metal cyanide complex catalyst if necessary, and the resulting prepolymer is reacted with a chain extender, for example, comprised of a low molecular weight diamine and/or a low molecular weight diol, in an organic solvent. The urethane resin solution obtained is molded into a predetermined shape, or a substrate is coated or impregnated with the urethane resin solution and thereafter the organic solvent is removed to obtain a urethane resin. |
| US07714092B2 |
Composition, preparation of polycarbosilanes and their uses
The invention provides branched copolymers as precursors for preparing silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics represented by the general formulae: [Si(˜)RC(˜)H]xn[SiR1R2CH2]yn, Formula Type-I wherein n is the degree of polymerization, 0.1≦x<0.8, 0.2≦y<0.9 and x+y=1; and R=methyl or H, R1 and R2 are randomly composed of hydrogen (H), allyl, methyl (Me), phenyl (Ph), propargyl or vinyl. Another branched copolymer is represented by the general formula: [Si(˜)RC(˜)H]xn[SiR1R2CH2]yn[SiR3R4CH2]zn Formula Type-II wherein n is the degree of polymerization, 0.1≦x<0.8, 0≦y<0.8, 0.2≦z<0.8 and x+y+z=1; and R=methyl or H, R1 and R2 are randomly composed of hydrogen (H), methyl (Me) and phenyl; R3 and R4 are randomly composed of H, allyl, methyl, phenyl (Ph), propargyl, and vinyl. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of such branched copolymers. |
| US07714088B2 |
Poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives with proximal reactive groups
An activated, substantially water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having of a linear or branched poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and at least one terminus linked to the backbone through a hydrolytically stable linkage, wherein the terminus is branched and has proximal reactive groups. The free reactive groups are capable of reacting with active moieties in a biologically active agent such as a protein or peptide thus forming conjugates between the activated (polyethylene glycol) and the biologically active agent. |
| US07714085B2 |
Production method of polymers by using living anionic polymerization method
An anionic polymerizable monomer is added to a reaction system in which an anion species which is incapable of initiating polymerization but may react with polymerization inhibiting substances to convert them into compounds that do not inhibit polymerization is present, and then an anion species capable of initiating polymerization is added thereto. It becomes possible to produce high molecular weight polymers and to precisely control the molecular weight thereof even if polymerization inhibiting substances are present in the system or when polymerization inhibiting substances enter from outside. |
| US07714082B2 |
Gas-phase polymerization process to achieve a high particle density
A process for increasing a granular particle density of a polymeric product using at least one particle density promoting agent is described. The process includes passing a gaseous stream comprising at least one monomer through a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form a polymeric product having a first granular particle density of less than or equal to about 850 kg/m3, contacting the polymeric product with at least one particle density promoting agent to increase the granular particle density of the polymeric product by at least 2%, withdrawing the polymeric product having an increased granular particle density and a recycle stream comprised of unreacted monomers, and cooling and reintroducing the recycle stream into the fluidized bed reactor with sufficient additional monomer to replace the monomer polymerized and withdrawn as the polymeric product. |
| US07714077B2 |
Triblock copolymer, method for producing the same, and biocompatible material
The present invention relates to a triblock copolymer, that is multipurpose yet has sufficient properties particularly for medical applications, and is useful as a material having excellent flexibility and water absorbability, as well as to a method for producing the same, and a biocompatible material. The copolymer of the present invention is composed of segments A1 and A2 each composed of a polymer having a depsipeptide unit, such as a segment selected from a homopolymer of depsipeptide or a copolymer of lactide and depsipeptide, and segment B composed of polyalkylene glycol, such as PEG, and is a A1-B-A2 triblock copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 8000 to 500000. The biocompatible material of the present invention contains the triblock copolymer as a main component, and may be used as a tissue anti-adhesion barrier. |
| US07714073B2 |
Ethylene copolymers and blend compositions
The invention provides blends comprising an ethylene copolymer formed from ethylene with at least one comonomer selected from (a) the group comprising compounds represented by the formula H2C═CHR wherein R represents a C1-C20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group or a C6-C20 aryl group, and (b) a C4-C20 linear, branched or cyclic diene. Each copolymer has a specific density, a specific molecular weight distribution, and a specific comonomer content distribution characteristic. |
| US07714072B2 |
Polymer composition and process to manufacture high molecular weight-high density polyethylene and film therefrom
The present invention is a multimodal polyethylene composition having (1) a density of at least about 0.940 g/cm3; (2) a melt flow index (I5) of from about 0.2 to about 1.5 g/10 mm; (3) a melt flow index ratio (I21/I5) of from about 20 to about 50; (4) a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, of from about 20 to about 40; and (5) a bubble stability measured on an HS50S stationary extrusion system with an BF 10-25 die, HK 300 air ring, A8 take off, and WS8 surface winder, with a 100 mm die diameter having a 50 mm 21:1 L/D grooved feed extruder used for a film of about 6×10−6 m thickness of at least about 1.22 m/s line speed, at least about 45 kg/hr (0.013 kg/sec) output rate, or at least about 0.5 lb/hr/rpm (0.0000011 kg/s/rps) specific output rate or a combination thereof. |
| US07714071B2 |
Polymer blends from interpolymers of ethylene/α-olefins and flexible molded articles made therefrom
Polymer blends comprises 1) at least one ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and 2) at least one polyolefin, or at least one styrenic block copolymer, or a combination thereof. Such polyolefins include, but are not limited to, high melt strength high density polyethylene and high melt strength polypropylene. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are random block copolymers comprising at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The polyolefins can be homopolymers or interpolymers. The resulting polymer blends can be used to make flexible molded articles. |
| US07714063B2 |
Solid support for Fmoc-solid phase synthesis of peptides
The present invention provides compositions and processes for the solid phase synthesis of polypeptides. In particular, the present invention provides solid supports and processes for preparing solid supports for the synthesis of polypeptides. |
| US07714057B2 |
Automotive articles prepared from filled TPO compositions, and methods of making the same
An automotive part containing at least one component formed from a composition comprising the following: (i) a crystalline, isotactic propylene homopolymer, (ii) an ethylene/α-olefin elastomeric impact modifier, and (iii) a reinforcing grade of filler, for example, talc. The crystalline isotactic propylene homopolymer has a flex modulus of greater than about 1930 MPa and a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of greater than about 100° C.; the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer has a Tg of less than about −30° C., and a tan delta measured at 0.1 radians/s at 190° C. of less than about 2; and the filler has a HDT reinforcing efficiency of at least about 2. The automotive part has an HDT of greater than about 100° C. and a flex modulus of greater than about 1930 MPa. |
| US07714055B2 |
Tire with component comprised of a blend of polybutadiene rubber and composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer which contains exfoliated clay platelets
Pneumatic rubber tire having at least one component of a polybutadiene-rich rubber composition comprised of a blend of a continuous phase of a specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a dispersed phase comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer which contains a dispersion of at least partially exfoliated, intercalated, clay platelets, wherein said cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and styrene/butadiene elastomer have spatially defined glass transition temperatures, wherein said blend contains amorphous silica and carbon black reinforcement. Such tire component may be, for example, a circumferential tread having a running surface intended to be ground-contacting or a sidewall insert. |
| US07714052B2 |
Hot melt adhesive based on acrylic block copolymers
High performance, low viscosity hot melt adhesives are obtained using acrylic block copolymers. The level of acrylic block copolymer in the adhesive formulation is less than 50% by weight. |
| US07714050B2 |
Rubber compositions and methods for decreasing the tangent delta value and maintaining the abrasion resistance index
A rubber composition is disclosed wherein the rubber composition contains at least (a) a rubber component; (b) a silica filler; (c) a coupling agent; (d) an effective amount of a nitrogen-containing compound; and, (e) a thiuram disulfide having a molecular weight of at least about 400. |
| US07714047B2 |
Process for producing aqueous fluoropolymer dispension and aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion
The present invention provides a method of producing a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion by which the fluorine-containing emulsifier contained in the fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion as obtained after polymerization can be efficiently removed as well as a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion low in fluorine-containing emulsifier concentration. The present invention is a method of producing a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion which comprises carrying out a concentration treatment comprising a concentration operation of a pretreatment fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion, wherein the pretreatment fluoropolymer aqueous dispersion is obtained by carrying out a polymerization in an aqueous medium in the presence of a fluorine-containing surfactant (A), the fluorine-containing surfactant (A) is a fluorine-containing surfactant having an octanol/water partition coefficient of 1.5 to 3.5. |
| US07714046B2 |
Process for producing crystal nucleator composition and crystalline polymer composition
The present invention provides a process for producing a crystal nucleator composition comprising; a first step pulverizing 95% by mass or more of a crystal nucleator ingredient containing one or two or more kinds of specific compounds to a primary particle diameter of 0.8 μm or smaller with a dry medium-stirring type pulverizer; and a second step mixing and pulverizing the pulverized crystal nucleator ingredient obtained in the previous step and a metal aliphatic carboxylate ingredient containing one or two or more kinds of specific metal aliphatic carboxylates. Also provided is a crystalline polymer composition comprising a crystal nucleator composition obtained by the production process |
| US07714045B2 |
Colored thermoplastic resin compositions for laser welding, anthraquinone colorants therefor and molded product therfrom
Thermoplastic resin compositions suitable for laser welding are described in which black colorants are added. These colorants constitute amine salt of anthraquinone dyes. Additional dyes, coloring agents, and a variety of other materials may be added. These compositions demonstrate outstanding mechanical and chemical properties once laser-welded. |
| US07714042B2 |
Coating composition for cans
The present invention provides a coating composition for cans comprising 100 parts by mass of a neutralized acrylic resin-modified epoxy resin (A), and from 1 to 50 parts by mass of anionic polymer crosslinked fine particles (B), (A) and (B) being dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein the anionic polymer fine particles (B) are polymer fine particles comprising a polymer having an acid value of from 10 to 120 mg KOH/g and being produced by polymerizing radically polymerizable unsaturated monomers comprising from 2 to 30% by mass of a carboxyl group-containing radically polymerizable unsaturated monomer (b1), from 2 to 30% by mass of a polyvinyl compound (b2) and from 40 to 96% by mass of other radically polymerizable unsaturated monomer (b3) in the presence of water. |
| US07714041B2 |
Method of increasing plasticity of tread composition
The plasticity of a tread composition may advantageously be increased by incorporating, for example, a relatively small amount of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”). A tread cap composition, in accordance with the principles of the invention, may be a composition resulting from the combination of components including: a sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation; a reinforcing filler; a mineral oil softener; a silane coupling agent; and an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”). |
| US07714039B2 |
Low-tack ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers and a tack-reducing macromer additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants. |
| US07714035B1 |
Plumbing manifolds
There is provided a method for preparing a plumbing manifold for use in a water system in which the manifold after molding is subjected to cross-linking high energy radiation. The manifold is made by polyethylene or a metallocene polyethylene. |
| US07714033B2 |
Photosensitive insulating resin composition, cured product thereof and electronic component comprising the same
The objective of the present invention is to provide a photosensitive insulating resin composition which is highly sensitive to g-line and h-line and enables to form a surface-protecting film, an interlayer insulation film and a planarized film that are excellent in various properties including resolution, electrical insulation property and thermal shock resistance, a cured product and an electronic component having the cured product. The present photosensitive insulating resin composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a radiation sensitive acid generator comprising an s-triazine derivative represented by the following general formula (1), and a crosslinking agent. [In the formula (1), R is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom and Y is oxygen atom or sulfur atom.] |
| US07714032B2 |
Thiol compound and photosensitive composition using the same
The present invention relates to a thiol compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and n have the same meanings as in the specification, method for producing the compound, and to a photosensitive composition and a black matrix resist composition using the same which have high sensitivity and excellent property of retaining a line width in fine line patterns at the time of alkaline development, that is, being excellent in development latitude. |
| US07714031B2 |
Shaped articles of melamine/formaldehyde foams having low formaldehyde emission
Shaped articles of melamine/formaldehyde foam have a formaldehyde emission of less than 0.1 ppm, determined according to DIN 55666, and are obtainable by the following process: a) a foam is prepared from a melamine/formaldehyde precondensate having a molar melamine: formaldehyde ratio greater than 0.5, b) the foam obtained is annealed at below 200° C., and c) the annealed foam is molded in a press at from 160 to 240° C. and an absolute pressure from 5 to 100 bar in the course of from 15 to 120 seconds to give the shaped article. |
| US07714028B2 |
Compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion exchange polymer
Solid and liquid compositions containing particles of highly fluorinated ion-exchange polymer having sulfonate functional groups with an ion exchange ratio of less than about 33. The compositions contain at least about 25% by weight of polymer particles having a particle size of about 2 nm to about 30 nm. |
| US07714025B2 |
Modified chalcone compounds as antimitotic agents
Antimitotic agents comprising a modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative are disclosed. The modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative compounds are of the general formula CHAL-LIN—COV, wherein CHAL is a chalcone or chalcone derivative portion, LIN is an optional linker portion, and COV is a covalent bonding portion (e.g., an α,β-unsaturated thiol ester group). The modified chalcone or modified chalcone derivative compounds provide an improved method of interference with tubulin polymerization, for example by covalent (and essentially irreversible) bonding between tubulin and the covalent bonding portion, potentially resulting in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer, to the benefit of cancer patients. |
| US07714024B2 |
Compositions and methods for the intraocular transport of therapeutic agents
Membrane transporter-targeted therapeutic agents and methods of making and using the same. |
| US07714023B2 |
Treatment or prophylaxis of migraine or headache disorders using citalopram, escitalopram or citalopram metabolites
Methods for prophylaxis of or treating or preventing migraine or migraine headaches, or other headache disorders include administering to a subject in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of citalopram, escitalopram, or a racemic or optically pure citalopram metabolite, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, polymorphs, or hydrates thereof. |
| US07714022B2 |
Pyrrole derivatives as therapeutic compounds
Novel pyrrole derivatives are disclosed as Aβ42-lowering agents for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the formation or accumulation of amyloid plaques comprising the Aβ42 peptide. |
| US07714020B2 |
Treatment of non-convulsive seizures in brain injury using G-2-methyl-prolyl glutamate
Aspects of this invention include the use of G-2MePE to treat patients with brain injury characterized by non-convulsive seizures. G-2MePE is useful in treating brain injuries caused by traumatic brain injury, stroke, hypoxia/ischemia and toxic injury. |
| US07714016B2 |
Cytotoxic compounds and conjugates with cleavable substrates
The present disclosure provides drug-cleavable substrate conjugates that are potent cytotoxins. The disclosure is also directed to compositions containing the drug-cleavable substrate conjugates, and to methods of treatment using them. |
| US07714011B2 |
Compositions to reduce congestion and methods for application thereof to the nasal membrane
A gelled composition formulated to maintain an active ingredient in association with the nasal membrane for an extended period of time is provided. The gelled composition may be formulated as a decongestant or a sinus discomfort relieving agent. The invention further includes a system and method for applying the gelled composition to the nasal membrane. |
| US07714010B2 |
Pyrrolobenzimidazolones and their use as anti-proliferative agents
The invention relates to pyrrolobenzimidazolone compounds of formula (I), wherein A, T and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation and the use thereof for preparing a pharmaceutical composition. |
| US07714007B2 |
Method of alleviating chronic pain via peripheral glutaminase regulation
A composition having sustained pain-relieving properties such that the composition may be administered to a subject to alleviate chronic pain. The composition includes an effective amount of at least one glutaminase inhibitor. A method for alleviating chronic pain in a subject for an extended period of time is also disclosed, in which the compound is administered to a subject suffering from chronic pain at a site of inflammation such that the administration of the compound results in a reduction in at least one of thermal and mechanical pain responses at the site of inflammation for a period of at least two days without any resulting acute pain behavior. The composition may further include an effective amount of at least one compound having analgesic effects such that the composition also alleviates acute pain. |
| US07714005B2 |
Small molecule Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitors
Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitors useful in the treatment of unwanted proliferating cells, including cancers and precancers, in subjects in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having unwanted proliferating cells comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of preventing the proliferation of unwanted proliferating cells, such as cancers and precancers, in a subject comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject at risk of developing a condition characterized by unwanted proliferating cells. |
| US07714004B2 |
Indane acetic acid derivatives and their use as pharmaceutical agents, intermediates, and method of preparation
This invention relates to novel indane acetic acid derivatives which are useful in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerotic diseases. The invention also relates to intermediates useful in preparation of indane acetic derivatives and to methods of preparation. |
| US07713999B2 |
Thrombin receptor antagonists
Heterocyclic-substituted tricyclics of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: the dotted line represents an optional single bond; represents an optional double bond, n is 0-2; Q is cycloalkyl, optionally substituted by R13 and R14; R13 and R14 are independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C3-C8)cycloalkyl, —OH, (C1-C6)alkoxy, R27-aryl(C1-C6)alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, halogen and haloalkyl; or R13 and R14 together form a spirocyclic or a heterospirocyclic ring of 3-6 atoms, Het is a mono- or bi-cyclic optionally substituted heteroaryl group; and B is a bond, alkylene, or optionally substituted alkenylene or alkynylene, wherein the remaining substituents are as defined in the specification, are disclosed, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them and a method of treating diseases associated with thrombosis, atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, heart failure, and cancer by administering said compounds. Combination therapy with other cardiovascular agents is also claimed. |
| US07713997B2 |
Pyridonecarboxylic acid derivatives or salts thereof
The present invention provides an agent which exhibits excellent antibacterial activity, low toxicity, improved bioavailability, and low binding rate to serum proteins. The present invention is directed to a pyridonecarboxylic acid derivative represented by formula (1): or a salt thereof, wherein R1 represents a methyl group, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R3 represents an isopropyl group or a tert-butyl group; R4 represents a methyl group or a halogen atom; and R5 represents a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom. The present invention is also directed to an antibacterial agent and a medicament containing the derivative or the salt thereof as an active ingredient. |
| US07713993B2 |
Multi-cycle cinnamide derivatives
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I): or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Ar1 represents an imidazolyl group that may be substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group, or the like, Ar2 represents a phenyl group that may be substituted with a C1-6 alkoxy group, or the like, X1 represents a double bond or the like, and Het represents an imidazolyl group that may be substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group, or the like, which is effective as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for a disease caused by Aβ. |
| US07713991B2 |
Imidazo[[1, 5-A] pyridine derivatives and methods for treating aldosterone mediated diseases
Compounds of the formula (I) provide pharmacological agents which are inhibitors of the P450 enzyme, aldosterone synthase, and thus may be employed for the treatment of aldosterone mediated conditions. Accordingly, the compounds of formula (I) may be employed for prevention, delay of progression, or treatment of hypokalemia, hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, in particular, chronic renal failure, restenosis, atherosclerosis, syndrome X, obesity, nephropathy, post-myocardial infarction, coronary heart diseases, increased formation of collagen, fibrosis and remodeling following hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Preferred are the compounds of formula (I) which are selective inhibitors of aldosterone synthase devoid of undesirable side effects due to general inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes. |
| US07713990B2 |
3,8-substituted 8-AZA-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives and their use as monomine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors
This invention relates to novel 8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. |
| US07713988B2 |
4,5-diphenyl-pyrimidinylamino substituted carboxylic acids, method for the production and use thereof as medicaments
This invention relates to a compound of formula I, wherein R1, R2, R3, m, n, W, X and Y are as defined herein, or a physiologically tolerated salt thereof, its pharmaceutical composition and use for lowering blood glucose, treating diabetes, or increasing insulin release. |
| US07713986B2 |
Compounds and methods for treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia
The invention relates to methods and compounds for treating chemotherapy-induced anemia. In particular, methods for treating chemotherapy-induced anemia in subjects refractory to treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin are encompassed herein. |
| US07713979B2 |
Cycloalkyl lactam derivatives as inhibitors of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1
The present invention discloses compounds of Formula I: (I) having 11beta-HSD type 1 antagonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, as well as the use of the Formula I and compositions as medicaments to treat diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Syndrome X, and other conditions associated with hyperglycemia. |
| US07713978B2 |
Compounds
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and to their use in the treatment of gastrointestinal and other disorders. |
| US07713976B2 |
[(1H-indol-5-yl)-heteroaryloxy]-1-aza-bicylco[3.3.1]nonanes as cholinergic ligands of the n-AChR for the treatment of psychotic and neurodegenerative disorders
The present invention relates to 1-aza-bicycloalkyl derivatives of Formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and to processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US07713968B2 |
Substituted arylcyclopentenes as therapeutic agents
Compounds comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, are disclosed, wherein Y, A, and B are as described. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US07713967B2 |
Therapeutic substituted hydantoins, and related compounds
Compounds comprising a structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof; wherein a dashed line represents the presence or absence of a bond are disclosed, wherein Y, A, B, and J are as described. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US07713965B2 |
7-substituted 3-carboxy-oxadiazino-quinolone derivatives, their preparation and their application as anti-bacterials
A subject of the invention is the compounds of formula (I): in which either R1 represents H, OH, NH2, —(CH2)m—NRaRb(m=0.1 or 2), Ra and Rb represent H, linear, branched or cyclic (C1-C6) alkyl, (C3-C6) cycloalkyl-(C3-C6)— alkyl, Rc, S(O)2Rc, C(O)Rc, S(O)2Rd or C(O)Rd; or Ra and Rb with N form an Rc radical; Rc represents a saturated, unsaturated or 5- or 6-members aromatic ring, containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms chosen from N, O and S, optionally substituted; Rd represents a linear, branched or cyclic (C1-C6) alkyl, optionally substituted by 1 to 4 halogens; or R1 represents Rc or CHReRc or CHReRd; Re represents H, OH, NH2, NH—(C1-C6)-alk or N-(C1-C6)-alk2, or NH—(C1-C7)-acyl or NHRc; R2 represents H, (CH2)m—NRaRb, Rc, CHReRc or CHReRd, and R′2 represents H. |
| US07713964B2 |
Methods for treating asthmatic conditions
This invention provides methods for treating in mammals asthma and asthmatic conditions using substituted indole compounds of the general formula: and pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, and methods for using the compounds as inhibitors of the activity of various phospholipase enzymes, particularly phospholipase A2 enzymes, and for the medical treatment, prevention and inhibition of pain and inflammation. |
| US07713963B2 |
Acylated indanyl amines and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to acylated indanyl amines according to the general formula (I) wherein R1—R4 have the meanings given in the description, A is CH2, CHOH or CH—(C1-C3-alkyl), B is CH2 or CH—(C1-C3-alkyl), and R5 is an aryl or heteroaryl group, possibly substituted by the substituents listed in the description. These compounds are useful in the upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and may therefore be useful for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, stable or unstable angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, Prinzmetal angina, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis, peripheral artery occlusive disease, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, restenosis, endothelial damage after PTCA, hypertension, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, secondary hypertension, renovascular hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, erectile dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmia, diabetes or diabetes complications, nephropathy or retinopathy, angiogenesis, asthma bronchiale, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, osteoporosis, restricted memory performance, a restricted ability to learn, or for the lowering of cardiovascular risk of postmenopausal women or after intake of contraceptives. |
| US07713961B2 |
Substituted 1,2-ethylenediamines, methods for preparing them and uses thereof
The present invention relates to substituted 1,2-ethylenediamines of general formula (I) wherein the groups R1 to R15, A, B, L, i as well as X1—X4 are defined as in the specification and claims and the use thereof for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and similar diseases. |
| US07713958B2 |
Compounds and compositions as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention provides a novel class of compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases and disorders associated with kinase activity, particularly diseases associated with the activity of CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK5, GSK3β, Bcr-abl, Flt-3, c-Kit, PDGFRβ, Src, Mek1 and CK1. |
| US07713952B2 |
2-methylene-19,26,27-trinor-(20S)-1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 and its uses
This invention discloses 2-methylene-19,26,27-trinor-(20S)-vitamin D analogs, and specifically 2-methylene-19,26,27-trinor-(20S)-1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also has little, if any, calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy. This compound may also be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity. |
| US07713945B2 |
Control of NK cell function and survival by modulation of SHIP activity
Inhibition of dendritic cell function in solid organ grafts or allogeneic bone marrow transplants prior to or during engraftment by blocking SH2-containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP) expression or function is taught as a method of abrogating immune rejection and thereby increasing the efficacy of engraftment of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant or solid organ allograft or xenograft. Also disclosed is a transgenic mouse having the genotype SHIP−/− which exhibits enhanced survival following mismatched allogeneic marrow grafts. |
| US07713944B2 |
Oligomers comprising activated disulfides which bind to plasma proteins and their use for delivery to cells
The activated oligomer compounds described herein are capable of forming bio-reversible covalent bonds with plasma proteins, in particular with human serum albumin. The plasma protein-oligomer complexes of the present invention exhibit enhanced cellular entry and significantly enhanced serum half-life. |
| US07713939B2 |
Illudin analogs useful as antitumor agents
The present invention provides illudin analogs of the general formula (I): where R1 is (CH2)n—X—Y or H; n is 0 to 4; X is O or S or N or absent; and Y is an optionally substituted (C1-C8)alkyl, (C6-C10)aryl, (C6-C10)aryl(C1-C4)alkyl or cyclo(C3-C6)alkyl optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms; a monosaccharide, an amino acid residue, or H when n is 2-4; R2 is absent; or R1 and R2 together comprise a 5-7 membered cyclic ring; R3 is (C1-C4)alkyl or H; R4 is H, SCH2CO2(C1-C4)alkyl, O—(C5-C12)aryl or —S—(C5-C12)aryl; R5 is H, OH or absent; R6 is (C1-C4)alkyl or absent; R7 is OH or OSi((C1-C4)alkyl)3; or R6 and R7 together are ethylenedioxy; R8 is optionally substituted (C1-C4)alkyl; and the bonds represented by ----- are individually present or absent. The invention further provides dimers comprising analogs of formula (I). |
| US07713932B2 |
Calcitonin drug-oligomer conjugates, and uses thereof
Calcitonin drug-oligomer conjugates that include a calcitonin drug coupled to an oligomer including a single polyalkylene glycol moiety consisting of between 4 and 10 polyalkylene glycol subunits are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions including such conjugates and methods of treating bone disorders by administering such conjugates are also disclosed. |
| US07713929B2 |
Rapid acting and long acting insulin combination formulations
A combined rapid acting-long acting insulin formulation has been developed in which the pH of the rapid acting insulin is decreased so that the long acting glargine remains soluble when they are mixed together. In the preferred embodiment, this injectable basal bolus insulin is administered before breakfast, provides adequate bolus insulin levels to cover the meal, does not produce hypoglycemia after the meal and provides adequate basal insulin for 24 hours. Lunch and dinner can be covered by two bolus injections of a fast acting, or a rapid acting or a very rapid acting insulin. As a result, a patient using intensive insulin therapy should only inject three, rather than four, times a day. |
| US07713925B2 |
Syndecans and angiogenesis
The invention provides methods and materials related to modulating syndecan levels and angiogenesis in an animal. The invention provides syndecan polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding syndecan polypeptides, including dominant negative syndecan polypeptides. The invention also provides polynucleotides and polynucleotide analogues for modulating angiogenesis, as well as cells and embryos containing the polynucleotides and polynucleotide analogues. The invention further provides methods for identifying syndecan- and angiogenesis-modulating agents. |
| US07713924B2 |
Methods for treating conditions associated with the accumulation of excess extracellular matrix
The present invention is methods and compositions for reducing and preventing the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix in a tissue and/or organ or at a wound site using a combination of agents that inhibit TGFβ, or using agents that inhibit TGFβ in combination with agents that degrade excess accumulated extracellular matrix. The compositions and methods of the invention are used to treat conditions such as fibrotic diseases and scarring that result from excess accumulation of extracellular matrix, impairing tissue or organ function or skin appearance in a subject. |
| US07713922B2 |
Perfume compositions
Perfume compositions comprise over 50% by weight of perfume ingredients characterized by possessing (i) a molecular formula possessing from 8 to 13 carbon atoms, including at least one phenyl moiety, substituted or unsubstituted; (ii) an octanol/water partition coefficient (log P) of at least 1.5; (iii) a saturated vapour pressure (SVP) of at least 3 micron Hg at 25 C; and (iv) belonging to one of the following groups (i) ethers of general formula R1OR2; (ii) aldehydes or nitriles of general formula RIX, wherein X is CHO (formyl group) or CN (cyano group); (iii) esters of general formula R1CO2R2; (iv) alcohols or phenols of general formula R1OH; or (v) ketones of general formula R1COR2; wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl residues, optionally substituted, whose alkyl moieties may be straight-chained or branched, and which may be linked as part of a ring structure. The compositions find particular application in the form of encapsulates for use in consumer products. |
| US07713921B2 |
Detergent composition
Liquid detergent composition comprising greater than 5% anionic surfactant, less than 15% nonionic surfactant, a light-sensitive ingredient and an inorganic pearlescent agent. |
| US07713920B2 |
Detergent compositions containing azo initiator compounds for improved bleaching performance and stain-removal benefits
Detergent compositions containing azo initiator compounds are provided. More particularly, detergent compositions containing azo initiator compounds having improved bleaching performance and stain-removal benefits, and methods of using the same, are provided. Composition of matter and articles of manufacture are also provided. |
| US07713918B2 |
Porous particulate materials and compositions thereof
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems. |
| US07713917B2 |
Thermal insulation compositions containing organic solvent and gelling agent and methods of using the same
A thermal insulating composition containing an organic solvent of low thermal conductivity and a gelling agent hydratable in the solvent is useful for controlling heat transfer from a production tubing or transfer pipe in a wellbore to a surrounding annuli and/or the environment. Further, the composition is capable of reducing convection flow velocity within the annulus surrounding production tubing or a transfer pipe. |
| US07713915B1 |
Cytotoxic heteromeric protein combinatorial libraries
A method is provided for constructing, identifying and using new therapeutic or diagnostic proteins capable of binding to a target cell. The new proteins are derived by mutating a binding subunit of a wild type heteromeric cytotoxic protein to create a library of microorganism clones producing mutant proteins which are then screened for their ability to specifically bind to and kill a target cell. |
| US07713914B2 |
Method for effecting the rapid release of a signature chemical from bacterial endospores, and for detection thereof
A weak organic acid is used to effect the release of CaDPA from Bacillus or Clostridium endospores, rapidly and at room temperature, to enable detection and measurement of DPA and thereby the assessment of risk associated with exposure to Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, and like spores. The method can be applied to airborne, food-borne, and water-borne spores, as well as to spores collected from surfaces or contained in body fluids, and analysis is advantageously carried out using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. |
| US07713912B2 |
Nano photocatalytic sol and application thereof
The present invention relates to a nano-sized photocatalytic sol and application thereof. The invention utilizes spherical nano-photocatalyst and non-spherical photocatalytic sol for coating a photocatalyst layer on a substrate. Because of the stereo, interlaced and composite structure between spherical photocatalyst and non-spherical photocatalyst, a hard and well adhesion coated layer of photocatalyst with good photocatalytic activity can be obtained without using binder. |
| US07713911B2 |
Catalyst powder, exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and method of producing the catalyst powder
A method of producing catalyst powder of the present invention has a step of precipitating a transition metal particle and a base-metal compound in a reversed micelle substantially simultaneously, and a step of precipitating a noble metal particle in the reversed micelle. By this method, it is possible to obtain catalyst powder which restricts an aggregation of noble metal particles even at the high temperature and is excellent in the catalytic activity. |
| US07713905B2 |
Off-site treatment for hydrogenation catalysts
The present invention concerns a process for “ex situ” treatment of a hydrogenation catalyst containing nickel prior to use, consisting of carrying out three steps, namely bringing the catalyst into contact with at least one sulphur-containing compound or agent (the step termed selectivation), treating said catalyst with hydrogen at a temperature of more than 250° C. (the step termed reduction) and passivation of said catalyst. |
| US07713903B2 |
Carrier, a process for preparing the carrier, an olefin epoxidation catalyst, a process for preparing the catalyst, and a process for the production of an olefin oxide, A 1,2-diol, A 1,2-diol ether, or an alkanolamine
A carrier that may be used in the manufacture of an olefin epoxidation catalyst is provided that is prepared from a process involving depositing boron on the carrier and subsequently calcining the carrier. Also provided is an olefin epoxidation catalyst comprising a silver component deposited on such a calcined carrier. Also provided is a process for the epoxidation of an olefin employing such a catalyst and a process for producing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, or an alkanolamine employing the olefin oxide. |
| US07713894B2 |
Process for preparing an elastic nonwoven web
A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web. |
| US07713892B2 |
Laminate sheet
A laminate sheet that can be easily produced together with improving the heat resistance and the water absorbency. Provided is a laminate sheet prepared by laminating plural sheet materials by a resin composition, wherein the resin composition is comprised of an aromatic polyamide resin and an epoxy group-containing phenoxy resin having an epoxy group in the molecule, and the resin composition is a polyamide resin composition that contains 30 to 50% by mass of the epoxy group-containing phenoxy resin. |
| US07713888B2 |
Magnetic processing of electronic materials
The electronic properties (such as electron mobility, resistivity, etc.) of an electronic material can be modified/enhanced when subjected to dynamic or stationary magnetic fields in conjunction with select cycles of heating, cooling and passage of electric current through the material. This “processing” includes one or more cycles using combinations of the aforementioned variables. |
| US07713883B2 |
Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, and substrate processing apparatus
An object of this invention is to make it possible to suppress early-stage oxidation of a substrate surface prior to oxidation processing, and to remove a natural oxidation film. For this reason, a method is provided comprising the steps of loading a substrate into a processing chamber, supplying a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas into the processing chamber, and subjecting a surface of the substrate to oxidation processing, and unloading the substrate subjected to oxidation processing from the processing chamber. In the oxidation processing step, the hydrogen-containing gas is introduced in advance into the processing chamber, with the pressure inside the processing chamber set at a pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure, and the oxygen-containing gas is then introduced in the state in which the introduction of the hydrogen-containing gas is continued. |
| US07713879B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing method
In an embodiment, a chemical mechanical polishing method for a substrate having a first layer and a stepped portion. A surface of the first layer is positioned above an upper face of the stepped portion. A polishing process for selectively removing the stepped portion is performed on the first layer by using a first slurry composition that has a self-stopping characteristic so that the first layer is changed into a second layer having a substantially flat surface. A second polishing process is performed using a second slurry composition that does not have the self-stopping characteristic, until the upper face of the stepped portion is exposed. |
| US07713877B2 |
Method for fabricating dielectric on metal by baking dielectric precursor under reduced pressure atmosphere
A dielectric film production process comprising a baking step in which a dielectric film is formed by heating a precursor layer formed on a metal layer, wherein the metal layer contains at least one type of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Al, stainless steel and austenitic nickel-chromium-based superalloy and during at least part of the baking step the precursor layer is heated in a reduced pressure atmosphere. |
| US07713871B2 |
System for contacting electronic devices and production processes thereof
An embodiment of a system for contacting at least one electronic device having a plurality of contact elements is proposed. The system includes a substrate having a main surface and a plurality of contact terminals projecting from the main surface, wherein each contact terminal includes a core of polymeric material and a covering of conductive material surrounding the core, the covering having an operative portion spaced apart from the main surface for electrically connecting a corresponding contact element and a lateral portion extending between the main surface and the operative portion. In an embodiment, the lateral portion forms an angle with the main surface between 45° and 75°. |
| US07713867B2 |
Method for forming a metal line in a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes contact plugs formed in contact holes defined in an interlayer dielectric. Upper portions of the contact plugs are etched. A first barrier layer is formed on a surface of the interlayer dielectric including the contact plugs. A second barrier layer is formed on the first barrier layer over the interlayer dielectric. The second barrier layer has lower compatibility with a metallic material than the first barrier layer. A first metal layer is formed over the first and second barrier layers. The first metal layer, the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer are then patterned. |
| US07713865B2 |
Preventing damage to metal using clustered processing and at least partially sacrificial encapsulation
Methods are disclosed for metal encapsulation for preventing exposure of metal during semiconductor processing. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an opening in a structure exposing a metal surface in a bottom of the opening, where the opening forming step occurs in a tool including at least one clustered chamber. An at least partially sacrificial encapsulation layer is then formed on the exposed metal surface in the tool to prevent reaction of the exposed metal surface with the ambient. Exposure of the metal is thereby prevented. |
| US07713864B2 |
Method of cleaning semiconductor substrate conductive layer surface
A method of cleaning a semiconductor substrate conductive layer surface that can remove a residual organic material and a natural oxide satisfactorily and does not adversely affect a k value without damaging the side-wall insulation film of a via hole. A semiconductor device, including insulation films formed on the surface of a conductive layer of a semiconductor substrate and a via hole formed in an insulation film to partly expose the conductive layer, is carried into a reaction vessel, plasma including hydrogen is generated in the reaction vessel to clean the surface of the conductive layer at the bottom of the via hole, a residual organic material is decomposed and removed by ashing, and a copper oxide film on the surface of the conductive layer is reduced to Cu. |
| US07713862B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a method for manufacturing a printed wiring board, which can enhance the peel strength between an insulating layer and a conductive pattern by a two-step process, that is, a semi-hardening and full-hardening of the insulating layer. In the method for manufacturing the printed wiring board having one or more layers of a conductive pattern and an insulating pattern, an insulating pattern is formed on an insulating substrate, and at least one of the insulating substrate and the insulating pattern is semi-hardened. A conductive pattern is formed on the insulating substrate and/or the insulating pattern, thereby providing a stack structure. Then, a thermal treatment is performed on the stack structure to fully harden the semi-hardened insulating substrate and/or insulating pattern, and the conductive pattern is fired. |
| US07713861B2 |
Method of forming metallic bump and seal for semiconductor device
The method mainly contains the following steps. First, an UBM is formed on a top side of a semiconductor's I/O pad. An isolative layer and a metallic foil are sequentially arranged in this order on the UBM. Then, a via is formed to expose the top surface of the UBM. Subsequently, a thin metallic layer is formed in the via and a resist is formed on the metallic foil. Then, by using the metallic foil and the thin metallic layer as an electrode to conduct electrical current, a metallic bump is formed using electroplating in the via on the top side of the UBM. Finally, the resist and the metallic foil are removed and the formation of the metallic bump is completed. Optionally coating on bump may be needed for certain chosen bump materials. |
| US07713858B2 |
Carbon nanotube-solder composite structures for interconnects, process of making same, packages containing same, and systems containing same
A carbon nanotube (CNT) array is patterned on a substrate. The substrate can be a microelectronic die, an interposer-type structure for a flip-chip, a mounting substrate, or a board. The CNT array is patterned by using a patterned metallic seed layer on the substrate to form the CNT array by chemical vapor deposition. The patterned CNT array can also be patterned by using a patterned mask on the substrate to form the CNT array by growing. A computing system that uses the CNT array for heat transfer from the die is also used. |
| US07713852B2 |
Methods for forming field effect transistors and EPI-substrate
A semiconductor method includes thermally treating at least a portion of a substrate so as to generate a plurality of vacancies in a region at a depth substantially near to a surface of the substrate. The substrate is then quenched so as to substantially maintain the vacancies in the region substantially near to the surface of the substrate. |
| US07713851B2 |
Method of manufacturing silicon epitaxial wafer
A silicon epitaxial layer 2 is grown in vapor phase on a silicon single crystal substrate 1 manufactured by the Czochralski method, and doped with boron so as to adjust the resistivity to 0.02 Ω·cm or below, oxygen precipitation nuclei 11 are formed in the silicon single crystal substrate 1, by carrying out annealing at 450° C. to 750° C., in an oxidizing atmosphere, for a duration of time allowing formation of a silicon oxide film only to as thick as 2 nm or below on the silicon epitaxial layer 2 as a result of the annealing, and thus-formed silicon oxide film 3 is etched as the first cleaning after the low-temperature annealing, using a cleaning solution. By this process, the final residual thickness of the silicon oxide film can be suppressed only to a level equivalent to native oxide film, without relying upon the hydrofluoric acid cleaning. |
| US07713840B2 |
Electronic components produced by a method of separating two layers of material from one another
A semiconductor body selected from the group consisting of a semiconductor layer, a semiconductor layer sequence or a semiconductor layer structure. The semiconductor body is transferred from a growth substrate to a support material by: exposing an interface between the growth substrate and the semiconductor body or a region in the vicinity of said interface to electromagnetic radiation through one of the semiconductor body and the growth substrate; decomposing a material at or in proximity to said interface by absorption of the electromagnetic radiation in proximity to or at said interface so that the semiconductor body can be separated from the growth substrate; and connecting the semiconductor body to the support material. |
| US07713839B2 |
Diamond substrate formation for electronic assemblies
Electronic assemblies and methods for forming assemblies including a diamond substrate are described. One embodiment includes providing a diamond support and forming a porous layer of SiO2 on the diamond support. A diamond layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition on the porous layer so that the porous layer is between the diamond support and the diamond layer. A polycrystalline silicon layer is formed on the diamond layer. The polycrystalline silicon layer is polished to form a planarized surface. A semiconductor layer is coupled to the polysilicon layer. After coupling the semiconductor layer to the polysilicon layer, the diamond support is detached from the diamond layer by breaking the porous layer. The semiconductor layer on the diamond layer substrate is then further processed to form a semiconductor device. |
| US07713830B2 |
Method of forming poly pattern in R-string of LCD drive IC and structure of the same
A method of forming a poly pattern for minimizing a change in a storage value in the R-string pattern of the LCD panel drive IC (LDI) that includes depositing a poly silicon layer used as a resistor in a R-string structure over a semiconductor substrate; and then forming a poly silicon layer pattern having interconnected H-shaped cross-sections; and then forming a silicide-anti blocking area (SAB) layer over the poly silicon layer pattern and then patterning the SAB layer to thereby form SAB layer patterns over portions of the poly silicon layer pattern while exposing other portions of the poly silicon layer pattern; and then forming a silicide layer over the exposed portions of the poly silicon layer pattern. Therefore, although the size of the SAB pattern is reduced due to problems caused in processing steps, the poly line that occupies most of the resistance does not change so that a change in the resistance is entirely reduced. |
| US07713829B2 |
Incorporation of carbon in silicon/silicon germanium epitaxial layer to enhance yield for Si-Ge bipolar technology
A SiGe bipolar transistor containing substantially no dislocation defects present between the emitter and collector region and a method of forming the same are provided. The SiGe bipolar transistor includes a collector region of a first conductivity type; a SiGe base region formed on a portion of said collector region; and an emitter region of said first conductivity type formed over a portion of said base region, wherein said collector region and said base region include carbon continuously therein. The SiGe base region is further doped with boron. |
| US07713826B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a high-k dielectric thin layer formed using an interfacial reaction. The method includes the steps of: forming an oxide layer on a silicon substrate; depositing a metal layer on the oxide layer to form a metal silicate layer using an interfacial reaction between the oxide layer and the metal layer; forming a metal gate by etching the metal silicate layer and the metal layer; and forming a lightly doped drain (LDD) region and source and drain regions in the silicon substrate after forming the metal gate. In this method, a semiconductor device having high quality and performance can be manufactured by a simpler process at lower cost. |