Document Document Title
US07945034B2 Process for determining characteristics of a telephone number
After receiving a telephone number, various characteristics of the telephone number are determined. These include, the type of phone associated with the telephone number, the phone carrier of the telephone number, and geographic characteristics of the telephone number. This can be done, for instance, by analyzing the telephone connection or querying a database containing a plurality of telephone numbers and characteristics of each of the telephone numbers. The determination may be used to prevent fraudulent or restricted access to a website or system.
US07945033B2 Prepaid calling time processing: a method and apparatus for processing pre-paid calling time in a telephone communication system
Methods and systems are provide for processing prepaid calling time to a subscriber by determining an identity of a subscriber of prepaid calling time upon origination of a call to which a subscriber of prepaid calling time is to be a party; determining an amount of prepaid calling time available to the subscriber; allowing a call to which the subscriber is to be a party to be connected if prepaid calling time is available to the subscriber; and deducting calling time from the available prepaid calling time of the subscriber as the connected call proceeds. The method also provides for purchasing pre-paid calling time by electronically transferring funds from an account of the subscriber to an account of a pre-paid call time provider, the amount of funds transferred equal, to the dollar amount of pre-paid calling time to be credited to the subscriber; and crediting to the subscriber an amount of pre-paid calling time corresponding to the dollar amount of the transferred funds.
US07945029B1 Translation server for facilitating operations with multiple media messaging systems
A telecommunications network includes multiple media messaging systems, such as voicemail platforms. A translation server stores messaging system data that associates each mailbox with a routing address (e.g., an IP address) that can be used to reach the media messaging system that hosts the mailbox. The translation server receives a translation request that includes an identification of a destination mailbox and a service code. The service code indicates that a routing address for a media messaging system is being requested. In response to the translation request, the translation server obtains from the messaging system data the routing address associated with the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox, and the translation server returns the routing address in a translation response. The routing address may then be used to send a call or to send a media message to the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox.
US07945025B2 Telephony based remote location monitoring
A method, system, and program for telephony based remote location monitoring are provided. A telephone network receives the caller request to listen only to a remote location telephony device. The telephone network allocates a listen only channel between the caller telephony device and the remote location telephony device. The telephone network activates a microphone at the remote location telephony device via the listen only channel. Then, audio detected at the microphone is streamed via the listen only channel to the caller telephony device, such that the telephone network enables a caller to monitor a remote location through the remote location telephony device with minimized allocation of telephone network resources.
US07945020B2 Medical inspection apparatus
The present invention provides a medical inspection apparatus which comprises a frame, an inspection module, and a motion control unit. The frame has a couch for positioning a patient, a flexible broad bandage, an opening on the flexible broad bandage, and a chamber formed inside the frame at a position corresponding to the opening. The inspection module is disposed in the chamber and is configured with at least one detector. The motion control unit is coupled to the inspection module for actuating the inspection module to perform a vertical movement and a rotating movement and for adjusting the relative position between the at least one detector.
US07945019B2 Method and device for thermal breast tumor treatment with 3D monitoring function
An X-ray machine for monitoring thermal treatment of human tissue produces a reference exposure of the tissue to be treated prior to commencement of the treatment. Thermal treatment is performed subsequently. Check exposures are made with the X-ray machine during the treatment or also during treatment intervals. The check exposures are performed as partial volume exposures at a lower radiation load than the reference exposures. From a comparison of check exposures with the reference exposures, conclusions can be drawn concerning changes of tissue temperature and also tissue properties.
US07945017B2 Method and device for inspection of liquid articles
Disclosed are a method and a device for security-inspection of liquid articles with dual-energy CT imaging. The method comprises the steps of obtaining one or more CT images including physical attributes of liquid article to be inspected by CT scanning and a dual-energy reconstruction method; acquiring the physical attributes of each liquid article from the CT image; and determining whether there are drugs concealed in the inspected liquid article based on the difference between the acquired physical attributes and reference physical attributes of the inspected liquid article. The CT scanning can be implemented by a normal CT scanning technique, or a spiral CT scanning technique. In the normal CT scanning technique, the scan position can be preset, or set by the operator with a DR image, or set by automatic analysis of the DR image.
US07945012B2 Computed tomography image acquisition
A computed tomography acquisition geometry provides an increased field of view (218). A radiation source (202, 702) such as an x-ray source and a radiation detector (204, 704) are displaced from the imaging center (214). In one implementation, the central ray (216) of a radiation beam (212) is parallel to the plane of the detector (204, 704) at the detector midpoint (219, 719), but is displaced from the imaging center.
US07945010B2 Apparatus and method for compensating for phase jump of reference signal in digital phase-locked loop/frequency-locked loop
An apparatus and method for compensating for a phase jump of a reference signal in a digital Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)/Frequency-Locked Loop (FLL) are provided. The apparatus includes a phase discriminator for comparing a phase of an external clock signal (i.e., the reference signal) with a phase of an internal clock signal to determine a phase difference between the two signals, a phase jump compensator for detecting a phase jump moment by using the phase difference, for estimating a previous phase jump value according to a current phase difference upon detecting a phase jump, and for correcting the phase difference by using a phase jump correction value obtained in the estimation process, and a Low Pass Filter (LPF) for filtering a high-frequency component of the corrected phase difference. Accordingly, reliable synchronization can be achieved over an E1/T1 network.
US07945008B2 Systems and methods for lattice enumeration-aided detection
Embodiments provide systems and methods for improved multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) detection comprising generating at least one list of candidate vectors by employing lattice enumeration which approximates hyperellipsoid detection search space and calculating a reliability of the candidate vectors. At least one advantage to embodiments is that improved detection occurs because detection can be performed in a search space defined by the eigenvectors (which define the general shape of an ellipsoid/hyperellipsoid, depending upon number of dimensions) and eigenvalues (which provide the appropriate scaling in each direction of the eigenvectors) of the effective channel.
US07945006B2 Data-driven method and apparatus for real-time mixing of multichannel signals in a media server
An apparatus for mixing audio signals in a voice-over-IP teleconferencing environment comprises a preprocessor, a mixing controller, and a mixing processor. The preprocessor is divided into a media parameter estimator and a media preprocessor. The media parameter estimator estimates signal parameters such as signal-to-noise ratios, energy levels, and voice activity (i.e., the presence or absence of voice in the signal), which are used to control how different channels are mixed. The media preprocessor employs signal processing algorithms such as silence suppression, automatic gain control, and noise reduction, so that the quality of the incoming voice streams is optimized. Based on a function of the estimated signal parameters, the mixing controller specifies a particular mixing strategy and the mixing processor mixes the preprocessed voice streams according the strategy provided by the controller.
US07945003B2 Method and apparatus for detecting offset in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system
Disclosed is a method for detecting a frequency offset in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. The method includes determining a first frequency index based on autocorrelation values calculated according to a frequency index for a pilot signal of a received symbol, accumulating the autocorrelation values calculated according to the frequency index for the pilot signal of the received symbol depending on a symbol count, and determining a second frequency index based on the accumulated autocorrelation values, and determining at least one of the first frequency index and the second frequency as a frequency offset according to channel quality.
US07944993B2 Downstream broad beam diversity
A satellite communication system is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The satellite communication system includes a plurality of satellites, a gateway and a plurality of subscriber terminals in communication with the gateway through the satellites. The gateway includes a plurality of antennas pointed toward a specific satellite. Each antenna may transmit the same signal to the satellites. The signal may be an OFDM signal. The subscriber terminals may include an antenna pointed toward at least one of the satellites and configured to receive OFDM signals. The OFDM signal time is proportional to the longest transmission time difference of all subscriber terminals within the geographic area serviced by the satellites. The transmission time difference is a measure of the difference between the transmission time of a signal over the longest transmission path and the transmission time of a signal over the shortest transmission path at a subscriber terminal.
US07944992B2 Multicarrier CDMA system
In a multicarrier CDMA system, a data stream is divided into two or more substreams and each substream is assigned to a different carrier. An RLP context is created for each carrier and the substreams are transmitted within a corresponding RLP context over a designated carrier. If a carrier is lost or dropped, the corresponding RLP context can persist after loss of the carrier and retransmitted packets tunneled to a different carrier.
US07944989B2 Quadrature modulation apparatus, method, program, and recording medium
An RF signal, which has been obtained by a quadrature modulation, is corrected without performing quadrature demodulation. There are included an in-phase multiplier, a quadrature multiplier, an adder, a power detector, and an error determining part. The in-phase multiplier outputs an in-phase conversion signal by mixing an in-phase local signal of a predetermined local frequency with an in-phase correction user signal obtained by adding an in-phase user signal to an in-phase correction signal of a sinusoidal voltage outputted from an in-phase correction signal output unit. The quadrature multiplier outputs a quadrature conversion signal by mixing a quadrature local signal, which is different in phase by 90 degrees from the in-phase local signal, with a quadrature correction user signal obtained by adding a quadrature user signal to a quadrature correction signal, which is different in phase by 90 degrees from the in-phase correction signal, from a quadrature correction signal output unit. The adder adds the in-phase conversion signal to the quadrature conversion signal. The power detector measures an output voltage of the adder. The error determining part determines, based on the measurement result of the power detector, the error of the quadrature modulation.
US07944987B1 MIMO equalizer design: an algorithmic perspective
Methods and systems for communication include determining multiple angles based on a channel response matrix, calculating a triangular matrix based on the determined angles and the channel response matrix, receiving signals from a transmitter, and estimating transmitted signals using an inverse of the triangular matrix, the determined angles, and the received signals. The determined angles can include one or more angles to perform phase cancellation on the channel response matrix and one or more angles to zero one or more below diagonal elements of the channel response matrix.
US07944983B2 Coarse carrier frequency offset estimation for CMMB mobile TV receiver
A method of estimating coarse frequency offset of received symbols based on a received frequency domain sample at a kth sub-carrier of a 53rd Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) data symbol in a jth time slot (TS) of a receiver in a China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) mobile television network includes dividing a received sample, Ykj, into two sets of noise only tones and data plus noise tones Dkj, obtaining a received sample only if there is a coarse frequency offset mismatch between a transmitter and the receiver, dividing a summation of a power of the data plus noise tones by a summation of a power of the noise only tones to obtain Λkj, and estimating an integer coarse frequency offset estimate, Δ{circumflex over (f)}Ij, of the received symbols when the Λkj is a maximum.
US07944982B2 Method and related apparatus for improving MIMO procedure in a wireless communications system
In order to avoid malfunction of lower layers of a user equipment, known as UE, in a wireless communications system, the present invention provides a method of improving a multi-input multi-output, known as MIMO, procedure. The method includes the following steps. A MIMO operation is activated, and the MIMO operation is then de-activated when the UE initiates a cell update procedure.
US07944970B2 Apparatus and method for displaying 3-dimensional graphics
An apparatus and method for displaying topography around a position of a mobile object such as a vehicle in 3-dimensional graphics. The method includes predicting a candidate region for the mobile object's position at a display time after a predetermined period of time using current position and motion information of the mobile object; loading 3-dimensional graphic data corresponding to the predicted candidate region to memory; and rendering and displaying data corresponding to a region around a position of the mobile object at the display time among the 3-dimensional graphic data loaded to the memory.
US07944959B2 Quantum cascade laser amplifier with an anti-reflection coating including a layer of yttrium fluoride
A quantum cascade laser amplifier (12) having an active zone (20) includes a stack of raw layers of semi-conductor materials formed in an epitaxial manner on a substrate layer (16) of indium. phosphide (InP) or gallium arsenide (GaAs) bearing the active zone (20), and a vertical anti-reflection coating (34) that covers an outlet face (28) of the laser radiation made of materials having given refraction indices and a predetermined thickness so that the entire laser radiation can flow through the outlet face. The anti-reflection coating (34) includes a first layer (36) having a first predetermined retraction index (n1) lower than the predetermined refraction index (nD), and at least a second layer (38) having a second refraction index (n2) higher than the predetermined refraction index (nD), wherein the first layer (36) of the anti-reflection coating (34) is made of yttrium fluoride (YF3).
US07944957B2 Surface emitting semiconductor laser, method for fabricating surface emitting semiconductor laser, module, light source apparatus, data processing apparatus, light sending apparatus, optical spatial transmission apparatus, and optical spatial transmission system
A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes a substrate, a lower reflective mirror formed on the substrate, an active layer formed on the lower reflective mirror, an upper reflective mirror formed on the active layer, an optical mode controlling layer formed between the lower reflective mirror and the upper reflective mirror, and a current confining layer formed between the lower reflective mirror and the upper reflective mirror. The active layer emits light. The upper reflective mirror forms a resonator between the lower reflective mirror and the upper reflective mirror. In the optical mode controlling layer, an opening is formed for selectively absorbing or reflecting off light that is emitted in the active layer. The optical mode controlling layer optically controls mode of laser light. The current confining layer confines current that is applied during driving.
US07944956B2 Heat sink, laser apparatus provided with such heat sink, and laser stack apparatus
A heat sink has a first flat plate, a partition plate, and a second flat plate. The first flat plate has an upper surface in which a first recess is formed. The second flat plate has a lower surface in which a second recess is formed, and an upper surface on which a semiconductor laser element is mounted. These recesses form a part of a refrigerant channel. The partition plate has a lower surface covering the first recess, an upper surface covering the second recess, and at least one through hole having the first recess communicated with the second recess. The first flat plate and the second flat plate both have a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The partition plate has a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
US07944955B2 Liquid cooled laser bar arrays incorporating diamond/copper expansion matched materials
A laser diode array having a plurality of diode bars bonded by a hard solder to expansion matched spacers and mounted on a gas or liquid cooled heatsink. The spacers are formed of a material such as copper/diamond composite material having a thermal expansion that closely matches that of the laser bars.
US07944954B2 Laser apparatus with all optical-fiber
A laser apparatus with all optical-fiber includes a plurality of pumping light sources in different wave bands and an optical-fiber laser system. The optical-fiber laser system includes an optical fiber at least doped with erbium (Er) element and doped with or not doped with ytterbium (Yb) element according to a need. The optical-fiber laser system outputs a laser light through the pumping light source.
US07944948B2 Broadband network with enterprise wireless communication system for residential and business environment
The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless access system in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network. The system includes Media Terminal Adapter is coupled via the RBN to the access port(s) and via the service provider's broadband transport network to the service provider's broadband packet network. The access port is coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter via either a RBN (e.g., a Local Area Network—LAN) or simply via a traditional POTS line interface. The access port receives and sends wireless signals to a plurality of RBN devices, allowing the user to control theses devices remotely from the residence, business, SOHO or public environments. The integration of an RBN to a service provider's broadband packet network allows a subscriber to communicate at home and at the office with one communication device anytime anywhere.
US07944937B2 Data transmission apparatus efficiently using network resources
A data transmission apparatus connecting to a network consisted of a plurality of data transmission apparatuses comprises a disconnecting device that disconnects a connection established between a transmission plug of a transmitting node and a reception plug of a receiving node, both nodes being connected to the network, an optimization requesting device that requests optimization of transmitting sequences to the transmitting node, a receiver that receives information about a transmission plug newly assigned to the transmitting sequence used by the transmitting nodes of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device, the information being received as an answer for the optimization request from the transmitting node, and a connecting device that establishes a new connection between the newly assigned transmission plug and the reception plug of the receiving node of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device.
US07944935B2 Method for priority based queuing and assembling of packets
Data packets having different assigned priorities are multiplexed by operating a queue for each different priority of data packet and assembling groups (80) of the data packets for transmission. Each group has two portions. A first portion (90) of the group is populated with data packets selected from one or more of the queues according to a first rule and a second portion (95) of the group is populated with data packets selected from one or more of the queues according to a second rule. Preferably the first portion contains data packets having the highest priority, and the second portion contains a selection of the data packets having a lower a priority. Selection of data packets for the second portion may depend on criteria such as delay experienced and queue length. The size of the first and second portions may be adapted according to delay experienced and queue length.
US07944932B2 Interconnect fabric for a data processing system
A data processing system includes a plurality of processing units each having a respective point-to-point communication link with each of multiple others of the plurality of processing units but fewer than all of the plurality of processing units. Each of the plurality of processing units includes interconnect logic, coupled to each point-to-point communication link of that processing unit, that broadcasts operations received from one of the multiple others of the plurality of processing units to one or more of the plurality of processing units.
US07944929B2 Secure integrated mobile internet protocol transit case
A self-contained wireless internet protocol system includes a power supply converter for receiving input power of any type and converting the input power to a system power. A wireless local area network (WLAN) bridge and a wireless wide area network (WWAN) bridge contained within a case receives the system power. A mobile access router also receives the system power and facilitates data communications between the WLAN bridge and the WWAN bridge.
US07944928B2 Method and apparatus for transporting local area network signals in optical transport network
The method for transporting LAN signal in an OTN is provided by embodiments of the present invention includes mapping a LAN signal into an adaptation protocol frame; mapping the adaptation protocol frame into a virtual concatenation group comprising at least one 1 Gbps level Optical Channel Data Unit (ODU); multiplying the 1 Gbps level ODU in the virtual concatenation group into a higher order ODU; mapping the higher order ODU into a higher order Optical Channel Transport Unit (OTU); and outputting the higher order OTU to the OTN. Embodiments of the present invention improve the bandwidth utilization rate while implementing the transparent transporting of the LAN signal in the OTN.
US07944920B2 Data processing system using internet protocols and RDMA
Disclosed are systems employing an architecture that provides capabilities to transport and process Internet Protocol (IP) packets from Layer 2 through transport protocol processing and may also perform packet inspection through Layer 7. A set of engines may perform passthrough packet classification, policy processing and/or security processing enabling packet streaming through the architecture at nearly the full line rate. A scheduler schedules packets to packet processors for processing. An internal memory or local session database cache stores a session information database for a certain number of active sessions. The session information that is not in the internal memory is stored and retrieved to/from an additional memory. An application running on an initiator or target can in certain instantiations register a region of memory, which is made available to its peer(s) for access directly without substantial host intervention through RDMA data transfer.
US07944919B2 Connection identifier for wireless broadcast system
A wireless broadcast system that collects content for distribution over a wireless communication network. Multiple content streams are received and interleaved into an aggregate content stream. The aggregate content stream is encapsulated into a stream of transport packets that are ruggedized for broadcast over the wireless communication link. One connection identification is associated with the entire aggregate content stream. The aggregate content stream is packetized into multiple service data units. An identical signal that includes the service data units and one connection identifier is broadcast by multiple synchronized transmitters in a single frequency network. The content can include multimedia data, such as audio/video data, movies, game, audio broadcasts, television network programs, or other types of multimedia content.
US07944916B2 Host device interfacing with a point of deployment (POD) and a method of processing broadcast data
A host device interfacing with a point of deployment (POD) and method of processing broadcasting data are disclosed. An IP physical interface unit receives a frame including an internet protocol (IP) packet carrying broadcast data through a network modem. A routing engine routs the frame based on a destination information included in the frame. An IP to TS Decapsulator extracts a MPEG-2 TS packet from the IP packet included in the routed frame. And a multiplexer augments the extracted MPEG-2 TS packet with Packet Header carrying an identification information, multiplexes the augmented MPEG-2 TS packet and forwards the multiplexed MPEG-2 TS to the POD.
US07944914B2 Default subscription profile for a roaming terminal device in a packet data based mobile communication network
The invention concerns providing a default subscription profile for controlling a roaming terminal device in a packet data based mobile communication network. A roaming terminal device requesting to use a gateway is detected. A request for a subscription profile for the roaming terminal device is sent from the gateway. A default subscription profile stored in a network element of the mobile communication network is sent to the gateway. The invention allows avoiding the need to transmit the subscription profile of the roaming terminal device from a home network of the roaming terminal device to the visited network. Thus real-time signaling and its associated delay are decreased. Furthermore, the subscription profile is accessible even when there are connection problems between the home network and the visited network.
US07944913B2 Node, communication method, and program for node
The present invention provides a node capable of preventing the problems caused by switching between traffic communication paths when a link failure occurs. According to an embodiment of the invention, among ports of a node 10, ports P1 and P2 connected to a link between the node 10 and a node 20 are registered in a virtual port VP1, and ports P3 and P4 connected to a link between the node 10 and the node 30 are registered in a virtual port VP2. The virtual ports VP1 and VP2 are registered in a virtual port VP3 allocated to a virtual LAG group. When one link between the node 10 and the node 20 is disconnected, the node 10 transmits frames, which have been transmitted from a physical port connected to the link, from the virtual port including the physical port, among the virtual ports belonging to the virtual port VP3 allocated to the virtual LAG group.
US07944907B2 Temporal alignment of codec data with wireless local area network RF slots
A wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiving integrated circuit services voice communications in a WLAN with at least one other WLAN device. The WLAN transceiving integrated circuit includes a WLAN interface, an input buffer, a transcoder, and a processor. The WLAN interface wirelessly communicates with the at least one WLAN device to receive packetized audio data from the at least one WLAN device. The input buffer operably couples to the WLAN interface and receives the packetized audio data from the WLAN interface. The transcoder converts the packetized audio data to Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) audio data and outputs the PCM audio data to a coupled audio COder/DECoder (CODEC) such that the PCM audio data is substantially temporally aligned with Radio Frequency (RF) slots of the WLAN interface.
US07944906B2 Method and system for operating a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) wireless communications system
A technique for operating a wireless communications system that supports multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) communications between a base station and multiple mobile stations involves generating inter-cell interference information at the mobile stations and providing the inter-cell interference information to the base station. The base station uses the inter-cell interference information to calculate channel quality indicators (CQIs) and then makes scheduling decisions in response to the CQIs. Data is transmitted from the base station to the mobile stations according to the scheduling decisions.
US07944901B2 Systems and methods for automatic connection with a wireless network
A Intelligent Mobile HotSpot (IMHS) comprises a wide area network radio interface configured to enable communications between a wide area network and the IMHS; a local area network radio interface configured to enable communications between the IMHS and a computing device; a power input configured to cause the IMHS to be powered on; memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled with memory, the instructions configured to cause the processor to perform the following in response to an activation of the power input: automatically establish a data connection with a base station associated with the wide area network over the wide area network, automatically establish a data connection with computing device over the local area network, and be in a ready state to route data packets from the computing device to the base station via the local area network data connection and the wide area network connection.
US07944898B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus
A wireless communication method and apparatus are provided. The wireless communication method includes receiving a packet including information of a device connected to a wireless network, the wireless network uses a first channel and a second channel supporting different transmission capabilities, and storing the information of the device included in the packet.
US07944895B2 Methods and apparatuses for allocating time slots to circuit switched channels
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for allocating time slots to circuit-switched channels established to comprise one or more respective time slots in a recurrent frame of a time division multiplexed network. According to the invention, a time slot allocated to said channel is associated with a selected level, of at least two available levels of priority. Decisions as to whether or not to deallocate said time slot from said channel is then based upon a comparison of said selected level of priority and a level of priority associated with a request for a time slot for another channel.
US07944888B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate handover
A method and apparatus for handing over a mobile node from a source access point to a target access point is provided herein. During operation the source access point will create handover messages on behalf of the mobile node. When the source access point detects that handover is taking place, the source access point will transmit the appropriate handover message to the mobile node's anchor node. Because the source access point may not have the necessary security credentials to create messages on behalf of the mobile node, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the messages are created by the mobile node and stored at the source access point until needed.
US07944885B2 General access network controller bypass to facilitate use of standard cellular handsets with a general access network
Enabling a standard cellular handset to be used to access a core mobile network via a generic access network is disclosed. A communication between a generic access network element and the core mobile network is intercepted. A modified version of the communication is generated. The modified communication is forwarded.
US07944883B2 Wireless mesh networks
A wireless network system includes overlapping wireless mesh networks. Nodes that are members of more than one mesh network are capable of communicating with the gateways of each of those mesh networks, which allows sharing information between interrelated control systems through the wireless network system.
US07944882B2 Channel access apparatus, systems, and methods
An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to reserve access to one or more overlapping channels having a resource allocation (e.g., a frequency range) overlapping a resource allocation of at least two overlapped channels by reserving access to the overlapped channels. Reservation of the overlapped channels may occur in a substantially simultaneous, serial, or semi-serial fashion.
US07944877B2 Apparatus and method for allocating resources in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access mobile communication system
A method for receiving resources allocated from a base station by a terminal in an OFDMA mobile communication system. The method includes receiving, for a data channel, a number of first components, which indicates an amount of resources used with a first resource allocation scheme, and a number of second components, which indicates an amount of resources used with a second resource allocation scheme, from the base station over a common control channel; determining first and second identifier lengths of channel elements for the first and second resource allocation schemes according to the number of first components and the number of second components; receiving resource allocation information including an identifier indicating at least one channel element allocated to the terminal, over a data control channel using one of the identifier lengths; and transmitting and receiving data over a resource of a channel element indicated by the received identifier.
US07944874B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting control frame to hidden node in wireless LAN
A method and apparatus informs nodes included in a wireless local area network (LAN) of how to avoid access collision in a wireless LAN. A wireless LAN access point or an independent basic service set (IBSS) control station receives a Contention-Free-End (CF-End) frame, compares a basic service set ID (BSSID) of the received CF-End frame of the access point or the IBSS, and rebroadcasts the received CF-End frame if the comparison result indicates that the two BSSIDs coincide with each other. Thus, all stations included in one BSS can receive the same time information for controlling medium access.
US07944873B2 Method and system for access and accounting of point-to-multipoint services
The present application relates to a method for managing point-to-multi-point services in a mobile communication network, comprising: receiving from a mobile station a request for accessing a point-to-multipoint service, storing a subscriber identification in association with a point-to-multipoint service identification, performing an access enabling procedure, and providing accounting information to an accounting entity of the mobile communication network, where said accounting information identifies the subscriber who placed the request together with the point-to-multipoint service for which access was requested.
US07944870B2 Methods and systems for temporary additional telephone numbers
A temporary phone number system completes telephone calls only for non-expired telephone numbers. A user terminal makes a phone call to a subscriber terminal through a network having server. The subscriber terminal is associated with an IP address located at the server. A dynamic database of telephone numbers that ring the subscriber terminal resides at the IP address on the server. At least one number in the database expires at a selected time so that the call is completed only if the number input into the user terminal is not expired. Methods and computer-readable media containing instructions for performing the methods of the temporary phone number system are described.
US07944865B2 Wireless LAN system and control method and control program of wireless LAN system
A wireless LAN system uses a single wireless telephone line. When a telephone apparatus outside the network originates a call to the LAN, the system allows establishment of wireless telephone communication between that telephone apparatus and a slave communication device. Each transmission/reception device is controlled to switch between a first state in normal times in which a transmission/reception device of a master communication device is turned on and transmission/reception device of respective slave communication devices are turned off and a second state in which the transmission/reception device of the master communication device is turned off and only the transmission/reception device of any one of the slave communication devices is turned on.
US07944864B2 Method and system for supporting dynamic stream attributes
A publisher-subscriber system includes a broker configured to receive and distribute at least one data stream from publishers to subscribers in accordance with subscriptions. An annotator/classifier is configured to annotate or classify the data stream by employing one or more additional stream-level attributes to create an annotated data stream wherein the annotated data stream applies the stream-level attribute to all messages therein. Subscribers can subscribe to the annotated data stream created by the annotator/classifier.
US07944863B2 Accelerated channel change in rate-limited environments
Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate. In that period, the first delivery functionality can provide media information at a join interval data rate. The join interval data rate, if it is below the nominal data rate, will cause the client module to miss packets of media information. The client module can receive these missing packets by issuing retry requests to the first delivery functionality or to some other entity. The client module can determine the excess amount available by investigating the amount of missing information that occurs at different data rates; or the excess amount can be defined in advance.
US07944862B2 Accelerated session establishment in a multimedia gateway
In one aspect, a method of establishing a reduced setup time session through a gateway is provided which includes: receiving a first capability message transmitted from the first terminal to the gateway; receiving a second capability message transmitted from the second terminal to the gateway; transmitting first and second capability response messages from the terminal to the first and second terminals, respectively; receiving a media stream transmitted from the second terminal to the gateway; processing the media stream, including identifying a temporal feature in the media stream that enables a decoder to establish a decoder refresh point; receiving an acknowledgment message transmitted from the first terminal to the gateway; and, thereafter transmitting the processed media from the gateway to the first terminal.
US07944858B2 Method for protecting a network configuration set up by a spanning tree protocol
A method for protecting a network configuration set up by a spanning tree protocol, STP, by selecting one of a plurality of bridges (2 to 11) of a computer network (1) as a root bridge (2) and by selecting one of a plurality of bridge ports (2a to 11a, 3b, 4b, 6b, 7b, 9b, 10b) of each of the plurality of bridges (2 to 11) as a root port (2a to 11a), the method comprising the steps of: setting a sub-state of at least one bridge port (2a to 11a, 3b, 4b, 6b, 7b, 9b, 10b) of at least one of the bridges (2 to 11) to an active sub-state in case that bidirectional traffic passes through the bridge port (2a to 11a, 3b, 4b, 6b, 7b, 9b, 10b), receiving an STP message, in particular a Bridge Protocol Data Unit, BPDU, in one of the bridge ports (2a to 11a, 3b, 4b, 6b, 7b, 9b, 10b) being in the active sub-state, and protecting the network configuration by discarding the STP message and/or by sending an alarm message to a network management unit (27) in case that the STP message indicates a change of the root bridge (2) of the network configuration.
US07944857B2 Method and system for deriving tunnel path information in MPLS networks
Presented is a method and system for deriving the path of a traffic engineering tunnel in a network using Multi Protocol Label Switching, MPLS, traffic engineering and a Management Information Base, MIB, describing managed objects of the network. The method comprises: obtaining node connectivity information from the MIB; obtaining network connectivity information from a network node manager; and deriving tunnel path information based on the node connectivity information and the network connectivity information.
US07944854B2 IP security within multi-topology routing
A method for IP Security within Multi-Topology Routing is disclosed. Disclosed methods may also include IKE extensions. A route eligible for IPSec protection is injected into a topology routing table. Network traffic can then be protected in accordance with a security session, such as an IPSec session, between a first network node and a second network node and forwarded through a selected topology to take advantage of the service-differentiation capabilities of MTR.
US07944853B2 Virtual root bridge
A network includes a plurality of network clusters. Each network cluster includes a plurality of nodes. At least one of the plurality of nodes includes a portal node. A portal node is a node with at least one link that crosses a boundary of the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate detection packets for detecting the existence of other portal nodes within the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate with nodes within the network cluster associated with the respective portal node to indicate that the respective portal node is a predetermined number of hops away from a virtual root bridge associated with the network cluster.
US07944850B2 Base station, user equipment, and method
A base station performing a radio communication with a user equipment includes a transmission format determining unit configured to determine a transmission format of a downlink data channel not to be associated by a control channel, based on a downlink reception signal quality measured by the user equipment, a notification unit configured to notify, to the user equipment, the transmission format determined by the transmission format determining unit, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit downlink data to the user equipment via the downlink data channel, by using the transmission format determined by the transmission format determining unit.
US07944845B2 Application specific traffic optimization in a wireless link
A packet data system such as a TCP/IP network transmits packets containing a variety of data types along links in the network. Packets are transmitted in a stream between nodes interconnected by the links, which conform to a transport layer protocol such as TCP, UDP, and RSTP, and include wireless links, which transmit packets using a radio frequency (RF) medium. Typical protocols, however, are usually developed to optimize throughput and minimize data error and loss over wired links, and do not lend themselves well to a wireless link. By examining the data in a packet, performance characteristics such as a port number are determined. The performance characteristics indicate the application type, and therefore, the data type, of the packets carried on the connection. Since certain data types, such as streaming audio and video, are more loss tolerant, determination of the data type is used to compute link control parameters for the wireless link that are optimal to the type of data being transmitted over the link.
US07944843B2 Path based network management method and apparatus for data communication networks
Network analysis in a network management system for a data network is improved by mapping the communication paths established in the network. Queries are sent by the network management system to each network element in the network. Queries are triggered by events within the network, for example, after notification by a network element that a communication path is being set up. Each query sent by the network management system requests certain connection and topology information from the network elements. Using this information, the network management system constructs the overall network topology and performs a path analysis to map completely each communication path through the network. When the communication path mapping is complete, various types of analyses are performed using the communication path information. These analyses include but are not limited to network capacity analysis, network performance analysis, and network fault analysis. Through the use of a network analysis engine module communicating with the network elements, the present network management system can interpret multiple networking protocols and different routing protocols.
US07944842B2 Opportunistic queueing injection strategy for network load balancing
Embodiments of the invention include a method, system, and article of manufacture that provide opportunistic queuing injection strategy used for data communication between nodes of a parallel computer system. A message may be encapsulated into a set of data packets. When the packets are sent, an opportunistic injection queue may be configured to transmit them to multiple hardware injection ports. This approach allows for complete network link saturation. In a parallel system with network links in multiple dimensions, sending message packets using more than one dimension may substantially increase network throughput.
US07944841B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting error information between ethernet network and synchronous digital hierarchy network
Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting error information between an Ethernet network and a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) network. According to the present invention, when an error occurs in the Ethernet network or the SDH network, OAM information is transferred to the opposite network by using a conventional MAC control frame from a linked part of the Ethernet network and the SDH network and thus the EoS network may be efficiently operated and managed. Also, by using standardized MAC control frame, the present invention may be applied to an existing system without additionally changing hardware or defining a new OAM frame.
US07944839B2 Method of resource control in a wireless network
Wireless resource control is used in a wireless user terminal. A user utility function is stored which gives a user utility value for the user terminal as a function of one or more wireless resources. Price per unit of each wireless resource usage is also stored. An indication of the price per unit of wireless resource usage is received over a wireless link from another wireless terminal. A rate of wireless resource usage is calculated using the indicated price per unit of wireless resource usage as an input to the user utility function such that the user utility value is maximized.
US07944837B2 Method and system for controlling data flow
A method and system for controlling data flow are provided. The method includes: selecting optional reference data of a flow algorithm to generate configuration information; and performing traffic calculation based on the configuration information to determine hash distribution of the data flow to load balancing links. The flow algorithm is a HASH algorithm. The system includes: a selecting configuring unit, for selecting corresponding reference data according to the optional reference data for the flow algorithm; a controlling information processing unit, for generating a corresponding controlling parameter according to the selected reference data; a forwarding table interface unit, for generating configuration information according to the generated controlling parameter and storing the information in a corresponding forwarding table; a forwarding controlling unit, for completing the traffic calculation according to the configuration information in the forwarding table and determining the hash of the data flow on the load balancing link.
US07944834B2 Policing virtual connections
Traffic flow is monitored in a plurality of links. Based on the monitoring, a manner in which traffic is allocated to the links is determined, and at least one policer is assigned according to the manner in which traffic is allocated to the links.
US07944832B2 Method and device for realizing content flowing on P2P network
This invention relates to a method and device for realizing content flowing continuously on P2P network, which is used for dividing the content to be transmitted into a plurality of blocks; detects connection state of all nodes performing the content transmission, calculates an upload rate coefficient of each node, determines the selected upload rate coefficient according to the upload rate coefficient, and determines a transmission rate of the content stream and the number of the content stream transmitted by a content source, the content source distributes the content blocks being able to be transmitted by each node proportionally according to the selected upload rate coefficient of each node; and transmits the distributed content blocks to the corresponding nodes respectively, and controls the node to re-transmit the received content block to other nodes. The present invention can utilize the resource more reasonably and fully.
US07944831B2 Data communication network having multidimensional link structure
The present invention provides a data communication network that has a link structure that allows a large traffic-handling performance to be obtained with a small network construction cost. In the data communication network of the present invention, the nodes are assigned with m-dimensional coordinates (J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, . . . , Jm−1, Jm), in which any one of the coordinate values J1 to Jm is zero and the other coordinate values are all natural numbers, and each of said node is connected to other nodes which satisfy both of the following conditions (i) and (ii): (i) the coordinate Jp whose value is zero at said other node differs from a coordinate Jq whose value is zero at said node; and (ii) the value of coordinates other than the Jp and the Jq at said the other node all match the corresponding coordinate values of said node.
US07944823B1 System and method for addressing dynamic congestion abatement for GSM suppression/compression
An apparatus for communicating data is provided that includes a cell site element associated with a base transceiver station and operable to receive a plurality of packets associated with a communications flow, the packets including a plurality of subrates. The cell site element is further operable to detect a congestion condition via a measurement of a level in a receive jitter buffer. When the congestion condition exists, individual subrates can be dropped from subsequent backhaul packets until congestion subsides. Single timeslots of the flow are systematically added back during a configured time interval such that congestion abatement will back-off gradually. In more particular embodiments, the cell site element can be informed that congestion exists, whereby a congestion level is assigned to a collection of the subrates. In addition, the cell site element prioritizes the subrates and removes individual samples from one or more of the packets.
US07944821B2 Flow control buffering
A method and system for improved buffering during a flow control event, the system comprising: a mobile station having a mobile timer; a radio network communicating wirelessly with the mobile station and including: a base station; and a packet control function (PCF) capable of interrupting the flow of data to the wireless device during the flow control event; a packet data serving node (PDSN) communicating with the PCF and having a buffer to store data received for the mobile station during the flow control event, the buffer having a buffer timer; and a push function communicating with the PDSN and having a retry timer to indicate when to resend an unacknowledged packet; wherein the system coordinates the buffer timer with either the mobile timer or the retry timer to eliminate redundant messages.
US07944820B2 Methods and devices for maximizing the throughput of TCP/IP data along wireless links
The amount of TCP/IP packets which can be sent from an Internet network to a wireless network is maximized by modifying a receive window value of an acknowledgment (ACK) before the ACK is sent on to a source of data packets within the Internet network. The receive window value is modified to take into consideration delay and rate variations which occur in the wireless network.
US07944818B2 High-availability communication system
There is described a communication system for reliable communication between communication stations, wherein there is at least one communication connection between the communication stations, wherein the communication connection features at least two channels for transmitting payload data telegrams, wherein only one channel acts as primary channel for the communication at any time, and wherein the other channels are provided as backup channels. A status indicator in the payload data telegram is provided for the indication of information concerning which channel is primary channel or backup channel at a given time point, wherein the communication stations adopt as primary channel that channel for which, during receipt of the payload data telegrams, the most recent status change from backup channel to primary channel was detected by the communication stations.
US07944816B2 System and method for detecting and isolating a remote loop
A system and method are provided for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network connected thereto. The first network runs a first instance of a Spanning Tree Protocol and the second network runs either a different instance or no instance. The method includes sending a Remote Loop Detection Packet (“RLDP”) from the ports in bridges of the first network which are connected to the second network. The RLDP includes identifiers such as the source bridge, port and VLAN. The system and method further includes checking for receipt of the RLDP on the same bridge which sent the RLDP. If such a receipt occurs, a loop is detected and one of the ports of the receiving/sending bridge is blocked.
US07944812B2 Redundant intermediary switch solution for detecting and managing fibre channel over ethernet FCoE switch failures
A method for detecting a switch failure and managing switch failover in a Fiber Channel over Ethernet network. The plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches are connected to an intermediary Ethernet switch and to each other via an Ethernet connection. The intermediary Ethernet switch is different from the plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches. A plurality of end ports are also connected to the intermediary Ethernet switch. A failure is detected in a first switch in the plurality of Fiber Channel over Ethernet switches. The first switch is associated with a first end port in the plurality of end ports. A failure notification is sent to the first end port using the intermediary Ethernet switch. The failure notification might specify a second switch destination and an identification of the first switch. A fabric login is exchanged between the first end port and the second switch.
US07944811B2 Multiple multicast forwarder prevention during NSF recovery of control failures in a router
In one embodiment, a multicast router initiates non-stop forwarding (NSF) recovery. In the NDF recovery, data traffic forwarding operations continue throughout a data plane of the multicast router in the presence of a failure in a control plane of the multicast router. When the multicast router receives incoming multicast packets on an interface during the NSF recovery, it compares the incoming multicast packets with entries of a multicast forwarding table of the data plane of the multicast router. In response to the comparison, the multicast router prevents multiple multicast forwarders from forwarding multicast packets for a route over a link coupled to the interface during the NSF recovery.
US07944810B2 Receiving apparatus and method for single carrier frequency division access system
A receiver and a receiving method for a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) system are provided. The receiver includes a matrix selector for selecting a constant channel matrix according to a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) reception scheme, a channel equalizer for equalizing a multi-path channel to a specific path channel in a frequency domain by using the constant channel matrix, and a MIMO detector for detecting a Euclidean distance of transmittable symbols from a time-domain Transmit (Tx) signal by using the channel equalized in the frequency domain and then for selecting a symbol having a minimum distance.
US07944809B2 Method of controlling data transmission mode in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing wireless relay system and apparatus using the method
A method of controlling data transmission mode in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless relay system and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method of controlling data transmission mode includes: dividing all frequency bands of an OFDM signal into a frequency band group including at least one subcarrier band; estimating a plurality of channels of wireless links which respectively link a base station (BS), at least one relay station (RS), and a mobile station (MS) with respect to the at least one subcarrier band; selecting any one of a plurality of data transmission modes based on a feature of the estimated plurality of channels of wireless links with respect to the frequency band group; and applying the selected data transmission mode to all of the at least one subcarrier bands in the frequency band group to transmit data.
US07944808B2 OFDM symbol design for different channel conditions and for backward compatibility with 1xEV-DO and NxEV-DO
A method for generating a transmission slot includes receiving a transmission slot that includes a plurality of data regions and a plurality of control regions, in which each of the data regions include digital spread spectrum data. The method further includes substituting each of the plurality of data regions with at least one OFDM symbol having variable duration, in which each of the at least one OFDM symbol has a cyclic prefix extension (CPE).
US07944805B2 Method of and apparatus for recording data on write-once disc and write-once disc therefor
A method of recording, and an apparatus to record, data on a write-once disc, and the write-once disc used with the method and apparatus. The write-once disc includes a plurality of update areas in which to record a predetermined type of updated information, at least one main access information area (AIA) in which to record main access information (AI), the main AI indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded, among the plurality of update areas, and at least one sub AIA in which to record sub AI, the sub AI indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area.
US07944797B2 Recording and reproducing method, recording medium, and recording and reproducing apparatus
A recording method which optically records two-dimensional data including a positioning mark and data area in a recording medium. In this method, the state of the positioning mark is changed from a first state to at least one second state different from the first state every given number of recording times of such two-dimensional data.
US07944793B2 Holographic storage with homodyne detection
The invention concerns the field of holographic storage units. More particularly, the invention concerns the field of holographic storage units used for bit-by-bit storage of information. It concerns a method for reading data recorded in a holographic material in the form of a hologram obtained by interference of two beams of substantially the same wavelength, and using at least one reflecting layer. The invention is characterized in that it includes the following steps: emitting a light comprising at least said wavelength at said holographic material comprising said hologram; performing a homodyne detection between the signal resulting from the first light diffracted by said hologram and at least one signal selected between the reflected signal and the signal transmitted by said at least one reflecting layer.
US07944790B2 Optical disc apparatus and data recording method thereof
In order to ensure recording quality while suppressing the adverse effects due to performance variations among apparatuses and disc radial positions on an optical disc, an optical disc apparatus according to the present invention performs, at the time of data recording, the steps of: acquiring a jitter value and β value from a reproduced signal based on laser light reflected from the optical disc in relation to a disc radial position; learning a β value when the acquired jitter value is a minimum as a target β value; and, if a jitter value acquired thereafter is larger than the minimum jitter value by a preset reference value or above, correcting recording power based on the magnitude relation and the difference between the β value associated with the acquired jitter value and the target β value or performing trial record processing.
US07944788B2 Optical disk drive
An optical disk drive capable of reproducing data even when defects, such as flaws or stains, are present in the disk. A system controller of an optical disk drive reproduces data by setting the maximum speed in accordance with the type of an optical disk, an amount of side-to-side runout, and the like. When reproduction of data becomes impracticable for reasons of meandering of a track, or the like, in the middle of reproduction of data, the rotational speed is decreased, and a retry is performed. However, when reproduction of data becomes impracticable for reasons of flaws or stains, the rotational speed is reversely increased, and a retry is performed.
US07944783B2 Write-once optical disc and method for managing spare area thereof
Disclosed is a write-once optical disc and method for managing a spare area thereof, the write-once optical disc possibly having a temporary defect management area within one or more spare areas. The method includes the steps of: allocating one or more spare areas including the temporary defect management area at an initial status of the optical disc; and during use of the optical disc, expanding the spare area allocated including the temporary defect management area to set a new spare area. By employing the above optical disc and method, it becomes possible to establish unified regulations on the structures of the spare area and temporary defect management area applicable to the write-once optical disc, so that usage efficiency of the optical disc can be improved.
US07944777B2 Watch fitted with an electric motor control case
The invention concerns an electronic watch (8) including: a motor (5), a power circuit (7) supplying first and second voltage levels; a case (11), in which there are mounted: first and second (A, D) output connections; a switch (9) actuated by an external actuator to connect the first connection to the second level (Vdd); a control circuit (4) for the motor including first and second three-state gates (12, 14) respectively connected to the first and second connections (A, D), a member (13) selectively connecting the first connection to the first level, the circuit including a test mode wherein the gates are brought to high impedance, the first connection (D) is connected to the first level (Vss), actuation of the actuator is determined as a function of the voltage measured at the output of the first gate.
US07944773B2 Synchronous command-based write recovery time auto-precharge control
Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
US07944771B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of processing address and command signals thereof
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes an input unit configured to receive address and command signals, an internal address generator configured to output an internal address signal by adjusting a timing of the input address signal to correspond to a predetermined internal signal processing timing margin, and an internal command generator configured to output an internal command having a predetermined time difference from the internal address signal by adjusting a timing of the input command signal.
US07944768B2 Software refreshed memory device and method
A software refreshed memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that must be periodically refreshed to avoid losing data. Preferably, the memory cells can avoid losing data even though the time interval between successive memory refresh operations is relatively long, as compared to the time interval between successive memory refresh operations in a conventional volatile memory device, such as a DRAM. A processor can perform periodic memory refresh operations by executing a set of memory refresh instructions implemented in software, rather than in hardware. Accordingly, the memory device can advantageously be simplified, because the need for memory refresh circuitry and for a unique refresh control signal are advantageously eliminated. Moreover, the processor executing the memory refresh instructions can typically perform more sophisticated algorithms, as compared to memory refresh circuitry implemented in hardware, for determining when to perform a memory refresh operation. For example, the processor can determine whether each individual memory cell needs to be refreshed, thereby advantageously avoiding performing unnecessary refresh operations on memory cells that do not need to be refreshed.
US07944766B2 Sense amplifier and semiconductor memory device having sense amplifier
A sense amplifier comprises: a differential amplifier circuit configured to generate an amplified signal depending on a difference in voltage between bit lines; an output circuit receiving the amplified signal; and a load. The differential amplifier circuit comprises: a first output node supplying the amplified signal to the output circuit; and a second output node symmetrically placed with respect to the first output node and connected to the load. The output circuit comprises an output terminal for outputting an output signal generated based on the amplified signal. In response to a control signal, the load switches between a first capacitance value with which an offset voltage at the output terminal becomes a first voltage and a second capacitance value with which the offset voltage becomes a second voltage.
US07944756B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
When data is written to a memory cell transistor, a write controller controls in such a manner that a verification operation subsequent to a program operation is carried out while a program voltage is increased stepwise for each program operation. The write controller controls in such a manner that a verification operation subsequent to a program operation by which a threshold voltage of a memory cell transistor to be written has become equal to or higher than a verification level for the first time is carried out twice or more at the same verification level, verification operations of the second and subsequent times are carried out after a second program operation which is carried out with the memory cell transistor set in an unselected state.
US07944751B2 Method for programming of memory cells, in particular of the flash type, and corresponding programming architecture
A method is described for programming memory cells, in particular of the Flash type. In accordance with the method, a verification is performed with a first parallelism (M) in which a reading is carried out for determining the state of a group of memory cells, a determination is performed of a programming parallelism (np), based on the results of the verification, and a real programming of the memory cells carried out with the programming parallelism (np). An architecture is also described for programming memory cells in particular of the Flash type.
US07944750B1 Multi-programmable non-volatile memory cell
A non-volatile memory device and method for manufacture and programing which does not require a control gate for the programing or erasure of the device. The memory device is comprised of two wells with the opposite conductivity type of the semiconductor body. In one of the wells is a source and drain well of the same conductivity type as of the body. A oxide is formed on the surface of the body on which a floating gate is formed. Specific voltages are applied to the source, drain, first well and second well region to program, erase and read the memory device.
US07944740B2 Multi-level cell programming of PCM by varying the reset amplitude
A phase change memory device and a method for programming the same. The method includes determining a characterized lowest SET current and corresponding SET resistance for the phase change memory device. The method includes determining a characterized RESET current slope for the phase change memory device. The method also includes calculating a first current amplitude for a RESET pulse based on the characterized lowest SET current and the characterized RESET current slope. The method includes applying the RESET pulse to a target memory cell in the phase change memory device and measuring the resistance of the target memory cell. If the measured resistance is substantially less than a target resistance, the method further includes applying one or more additional RESET pulses. In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more additional RESET pulses have current amplitudes greater than a previously applied RESET pulse.
US07944739B2 Phase change memory device with bit line discharge path
A phase change memory device includes a cell array. The cell array includes a phase change resistance cell formed at an intersection of a word line and a bit line and a dummy cell configured to discharge the bit line in response to a bit line discharge signal in a precharge mode. A column switching unit is configured to selectively control a connection between the bit line and a global bit line in response to a column selecting signal.
US07944737B2 Magnetic memory cell based on a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with independent storage and read layers
Embodiments of the invention magnetic memory device, comprising: a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) which includes a first free layer optimized for reading; and a second free layer separate from the MTJ and optimized for writing.
US07944734B2 Integrating nonvolatile memory capability within SRAM devices
A nonvolatile static random access memory (SRAM) device includes a pair of cross-coupled, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverters configured as a storage cell for a bit of data and a pair of magnetic spin transfer devices coupled to opposing sides of the storage cell. The magnetic spin transfer devices are configured to retain the storage cell data therein following removal of power to the SRAM device, and are further configured to initialize the storage cell with the retained data upon application of power to the SRAM device.
US07944732B2 Integrated capacitor with alternating layered segments
A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a first node plate link formed in a first metal layer of the IC electrically connected to and forming a portion of a first node of the capacitor extending along a first axis (y) and a second node plate link formed in a second metal layer of the IC extending along the axis and connected to the first node plate with a via. A third node plate link formed in the first metal layer is electrically connected to and forming a portion of a second node of the capacitor and extends along a second axis (x) of the node plate array transverse to the first node plate link, proximate to an end of the first node plate link and overlying a portion of the second node plate link.
US07944731B2 Resistive sense memory array with partial block update capability
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a method and apparatus for carrying out a partial block update operation upon a resistive sense memory (RSM) array, such as formed from STRAM or RRAM cells. The RSM array is arranged into multi-cell blocks (sectors), each block having a physical block address (PBA). A first set of user data is written to a selected block at a first PBA. A partial block update operation is performed by writing a second set of user data to a second block at a second PBA, the second set of user data updating a portion of the first set of user data in the first PBA. The first and second blocks are thereafter read to retrieve the second set of user data and a remaining portion of the first set of user data.
US07944726B2 Low power termination for memory modules
An apparatus is provided that includes a memory controller to provide a first on-die termination (ODT) signal and a second ODT signal, a memory channel, a first memory module to couple to the memory channel, and a second memory module to couple to the memory channel. The first memory module may include a first memory having a first ODT circuit to receive the first ODT signal, and a second memory having a second ODT circuit to receive the first ODT signal. The first ODT signal may disable the ODT circuit of the first memory when the first memory is to be ACTIVE.
US07944725B2 Semiconductor memory and method for operating a semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory has a plurality of read amplifiers to which a pair each of two complementary bit lines is connected, wherein the semiconductor memory includes at least one switching element each for each bit line, by which at least a partial section of the bit line may be electrically decoupled from the read amplifier, and wherein the semiconductor memory controls the first switching element so that the first switching element, when reading out and/or refreshing any memory cell connected to the bit line, temporarily electrically decouples at least the partial section of the bit line from the read amplifier.
US07944723B2 Matrix converters
A matrix converter that can be used as part of a two-stage power converter has three ac three ac voltage lines AC1, AC2 and AC3 and two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2. An array of six semiconductor switches 10a to 10f are arranged such that each of the three ac voltage lines AC1, AC2 an AC3 can be connected to one of the two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2 when the associated switch is closed. A freewheel path is provided between the two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2, which provides a fifth state of operation when all the switches 10a to 10f are open.
US07944722B2 Switch mode power supply controller with feedback signal decay sensing
This invention relates to SMPS controllers employing primary side sensing. We describe a system for identifying a knee point in a sensing waveform, at which the output voltage of the SMPS may be sampled accurately on the primary side. The system identifies the knee point by fitting a tangent to a portion of a power transformer voltage waveform, and samples the voltage waveform at the knee point to determine the SMPS output voltage. In preferred embodiments this technique is implemented using a decaying peak detector, providing a timing signal indicating detection of the knee point. Sample/hold and error amplifier circuits may be employed to achieve output voltage regulation.
US07944721B2 Switching control circuit for multi-channels and multi-phases power converter operated at continuous current mode
A switching control circuit for multi-channels and multi-phases power converter according to the present invention comprises a master control circuit and a slave control circuit. The master control circuit generates a multiplier signal in response to an input voltage and an output voltage of the power converter, and generates a first switching signal to switch a first inductor of the power converter in accordance with the multiplier signal and the first-current signal generated by a first current-sense device. The slave control circuit generates a second switching signal to switch a second inductor of the power converter in accordance with the multiplier signal, the first switching signal and a second-current signal generated by a second current-sense device. Once the power converter is at light-load, the multiplier signal is disabled to turn off the second switching signal to turn off the slave control circuit for power saving of the power converter.
US07944718B2 Circuit device
A circuit device includes: a first booster circuit, started by a predetermined input voltage, which converts the input voltage into a first boosted voltage higher than the input voltage; a capacitor, connected to the booster circuit, which charges the first boosted voltage; a second booster circuit, connected to the capacitor via a first switch element and started by a storage voltage in the capacitor, which converts the input voltage into a second boosted voltage higher than the first boosted voltage; and a second switch element which connects an output terminal of the second booster circuit with the capacitor. The first switch element turns on to start the second booster circuit so as to supply the storage voltage in the capacitor to the second booster circuit. After the second booster circuit has been started, the first switch element turns off to stop supplying the storage voltage. After the second booster circuit has been started, the second switch element turns on to supply the second boosted voltage to the capacitor.
US07944713B2 Electric power conversion circuit having transfer gain variable by pulse-width modulation
The present invention discloses a single stage DC to DC electric power conversation circuit which has a transfer gain variable by pulse-width modulation over a continuum from zero to beyond unity. Conversion efficiency of the circuit is optimal when the transfer gain is set to its middle range, where a large part of power is transferred from input directly to output without undergone electro-magnetic conversion. Conversion efficiency is therefore very high and such a high efficiency occurs under normal operating condition.
US07944711B2 Discrete electronic component and related assembling method
The present invention relates to a substantially package-like discrete electronic component of the type comprising a power electronic circuit, a body or casing, substantially parallelepiped, and electric connecting pins connected inside the body with said circuit and projecting from said body for an electric connection on the electronic printed circuit board. The body has a heat dissipating header having at least one surface emerging from the body and laying on a plane whereas the pins project from the body for a first section initially extended parallel to the plane. Advantageously a pair of pins has a substantially U-shaped bending, after the first section parallel to the plane for allowing a more stable bearing of the component during the step of welding to a heat dissipating intermediate die.
US07944707B2 Package structure for connection with output/input module
A package structure for connection with an output/input module is disclosed. The package structure can be applied to conventional multi-chip packages and system in packages. The package structure defines at least one insertion cavity that is vertically or horizontally disposed. By simply inserting an output/input module into the insertion cavity, an electrical connection can be established between the output/input module and the package structure. Accordingly, the package structure thus constructed can address the repairing, replacement and upgrading problems of electronic components encountered by a package structure that adopts the conventional soldering connection method.
US07944703B2 Flash memory device assembly using adhesive
A flash memory device includes one or two panels that are attached solely by a thermal bond adhesive to either a frame or integrated circuits (e.g., flash memory devices) disposed on a PCBA. The frame is disposed around the PCBA and supports peripheral edges of the panels. The thermal bond adhesive is either heat-activated or heat-cured, and is applied to either the memory devices, the frame or the panels, and then compressed between the panels and flash memory devices/frame using a fixture. The fixture is then passed through an oven to activate/cure the adhesive. An optional insulating layer is disposed between the panels and the ICs. An optional conforming coating layer is formed over the ICs for preventing oxidation of integrated circuit leads or soldering area, covering or protecting extreme temperature exposure either cold or hot, and waterproofing for certain military or industrial applications.
US07944702B2 Press-push flash drive apparatus with metal tubular casing and snap-coupled plastic sleeve
A press-push type computer peripheral “flash drive” device includes an elongated (e.g., metal) tubular casing containing a PCBA having a plug connector. A plastic housing assembly includes front and rear cap portions mounted over the open ends of the tubular casing, and a fixed plastic sleeve portion disposed in the tubular casing. The PCBA is secured to a plastic sliding rack structure that is disposed in the tubular casing and includes an actuating button protruding through a slot formed in a wall of the tubular casing. When the actuating button is manually pushed and slid along the slot, a portion of the sliding rack structure slides against the plastic sleeve portion in deploying and retracting the USB connector out of the device.
US07944701B2 Housing for a power semiconductor module
A housing for a power semiconductor module in which load-connecting elements having contact devices are arranged. The contact devices are arranged in housing troughs on the exterior of the housing. The housing troughs are formed at an associated lateral wall of the housing. The housing is closed off by a cover. The housing is preferably formed as a unitary piece of material having a circumferential sealing frame and the cover includes an outer rim that extends over the circumferential sealing frame, to prevent the penetration of fluid or moisture into the power semiconductor module when the cover is closed. On its inner rim, each housing trough includes a sealing rib formed of a section of the sealing frame. The associated load-connecting element is crimped about the sealing rib, so that the contact device is disposed within the trough.
US07944700B2 Case of server
A case of server includes a chassis, a first top cover, a second top cover, at least a first tray, at least a second tray, an input/output interface circuit board, a mother board, and a third top cover. The first and the second top covers are fixed at two sides of the chassis, where an opening is formed therebetween. The first and the second trays are slidingly disposed at the chassis. The first and the second trays are correspondingly under the second top cover and the first top cover respectively. The input/output circuit boards are disposed on the first trays and the mother boards are disposed on the second trays. The third top cover is located between the first and the second top covers for covering the opening. When the third top cover is detached from the chassis, the electronic components disposed therein can be taken out from the opening.
US07944696B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a chassis and a heat sink. The heat sink forms one side wall of the chassis. The heat sink has inner and outer wall surfaces corresponding to inner and outer surfaces of the chassis. The heat sink has a guide portion guiding a drop of water initially adhered to the heat sink along the outer wall surface of the heat sink.
US07944694B2 Liquid cooling apparatus and method for cooling blades of an electronic system chassis
Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating liquid cooling of a plurality of blades of an electronic system chassis. The apparatus includes a chassis-level manifold assembly with a first coolant path and a plurality of second coolant paths. The first coolant path is isolated from the plurality of second coolant paths by a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger facilitates transfer of heat from coolant within the second coolant paths to coolant within the first coolant path. Each second coolant path is isolated from the other second coolant paths, and coolant passing therethrough facilitates cooling of a respective blade. When operational, each second coolant path forms a portion of a respective closed loop coolant path extending between the manifold assembly and the electronic system chassis, and in one embodiment, each blade is an immersion-blade, with multiple components thereof immersion-cooled by coolant flowing through the respective second coolant path.
US07944692B2 Method and apparatus for installation and removal of overhead cooling equipment
Disclosed is a data center comprising a first row of equipment racks, a second row of equipment racks, a hot aisle defined by a space between the first row of equipment racks and the second row of equipment racks, and a track system above the hot aisle of the data center upon which cooling units may be mounted. Cooling units may be moved along the track system. The track system may include portions of track secured to the top sides of one or more cooling units. Also disclosed is a method for installing a cooling unit above a hot aisle of a data center including a plurality of equipment racks.
US07944687B2 Storage device carrier
Carriers for a data storage device. The carriers comprise a support member sized and shaped to receive and retain the data storage device. The carriers also comprise one or more projecting members configured to retain the data storage device in the support member. The projecting member extends from a portion of the carrier towards the data storage device. The projecting member is retained in position by a structure selected from the group consisting of a rail and a sidewall of the support member. The projecting member can comprises a pin.
US07944685B2 Interactive display cabinet
An apparatus including a cabinet which displays content in a screen in response to digital contact with a transparent surface.
US07944682B2 Gasket, screen spacer, and display device with gasket and screen spacer
A gasket includes an elastic member absorbing an external shock, a conductive member surrounding the elastic member, and a reinforcing member disposed within the conductive member and extending along a bottom surface and a side surface of the conductive member. A screen spacer includes an elastic member absorbing an external shock, and a reinforcing member disposed on one side of the elastic member. A display device includes a driving circuit substrate supplying a driving signal to a display panel, a chassis receiving the display panel and the gasket attached to the driving circuit substrate and contacting the chassis, the gasket grounding the driving circuit and the chassis.
US07944678B2 Low voltage power supply for spark igniter and flame sense
A low voltage power supply circuit for intermittent pilot and/or direct spark ignition systems utilized in gas burning appliances is provided. The circuit utilizes a single transformer and a resonant circuit to supply power to both a flame sense circuit as well as the spark generation circuit. The resonant circuit allows the use of low power sources such as batteries or self-supplied voltage systems such as thermopiles or hydro generators. Recognizing that power draw from the low power source is high during a sparking event and recharging of a sparking capacitor, the flame sensing is suspended during the sparking event and for a short recharge time thereafter.
US07944668B2 Connection apparatus with high voltage impulse protection
Connection apparatuses are provided, in which at least one isolation transformer comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil each comprising a first end, a second end and a tap, and a high voltage impulse protector is disposed between the primary coil of the isolation transformer and a ground terminal, discharging an overcurrent caused by a high voltage impulse to the ground terminal by point discharge when a high voltage impulse event occurs.
US07944667B2 Thermal security for hybrid vehicle recharging cable plugs device and method
A system is provided for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug. The system comprises a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug, and a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.
US07944666B2 Hot plug electronic device with high using safety and over-thermal protection device thereof
A hot plug electronic device with high using safety is provided. The hot plug electronic device includes an operation circuit, a voltage regulator and an over-thermal protection device. The operation circuit is used for communicating with an external host. The voltage regulator is coupled to the operation circuit for supplying power to the operation circuit. The over-thermal protection device is coupled to the voltage regulator for sensing the present temperature of the hot plug electronic device, and accordingly controlling the voltage regulator to normally supply/stop supplying the power to the operation circuit.
US07944664B2 Safety device for a semiconductor switch
A safety device for a semiconductor switch controlling a secondary line provided with a fuse on the input side of the switch device that includes component to create a short circuit in the secondary line, so as to cut off the fuse, and means of activating this component following detection of an overcurrent in the secondary line.
US07944662B2 Multi-battery system for high voltage applications with proportional power sharing
A multi-battery system comprises a circuit having a circuit positive terminal and a circuit negative terminal. At least two batteries are provided to combine to deliver required system power. The batteries are connected to a protection circuit, an energy storage device, a system output voltage sensor and a logic gate. The protection circuit generates a protection signal and the voltage sensor generates an enabling signal that are fed into the logic gate as true signals to generate a true control signal. The true control signal causes the energy storage device to discharge. The digital enabling signal for each of the circuits is time-shifted by a time “t” so that at any time one of the circuits is discharging and one of the at least two circuits is charging during said time “t”.
US07944654B2 Multiple-pole circuit breaker with shared current sensor for arcing fault detection
A multi-pole circuit breaker for a power distribution system having multiple line conductors carrying AC currents that are out of phase with each other, and a common neutral conductor, comprises first and second current sensors, a ground fault detection circuit, and an arcing fault detection circuit. The first current sensor is adapted to be coupled to both of the line conductors and to the neutral conductor and produces a first output signal indicative of the resultant of the electrical currents flowing in the line and neutral conductors. The ground fault detection circuit receives the first output signal and produces a trip signal in response to the detection of a ground fault. The second current sensor comprises a coil wound on a toroidal core and is adapted to be coupled to both of the line conductors in a manner that the electrical currents in the line conductors flow in opposite directions inside the toroidal core, thus inducing in the coil a second output signal that is a function of the difference of the electrical currents in the line conductors. The arcing fault detection circuit receives the second output signal and includes a processor programmed to analyze the second output signal and produce a trip signal in response to the detection of an arcing fault.
US07944652B2 Inverter with protection function
A pulse width modulator generates a PWM signal whose duty ratio is feedback-controlled so that a detection voltage according to a current across a secondary coil of a transformer is brought close to a reference voltage. A logic control unit performs a switching control of the current across the primary coil of the transformer, based on the PWM signal outputted from the pulse width modulator. A first protection circuit detects a circuit failure of an inverter and stops the switching control of the inverter when the circuit failure continues for a predetermined duration of error detection time. A second protection circuit monitors a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of the inverter, and lowers the reference voltage sets the duration of error detection time short when the feedback voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold voltage.
US07944650B2 Magnetoresistive element including layered film touching periphery of spacer layer
An MR element includes an MR stack including a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the first and the second ferromagnetic layer. The MR stack has an outer surface, and the spacer layer has a periphery located in the outer surface of the MR stack. The magnetoresistive element further includes a layered film that touches the periphery of the spacer layer. The spacer layer includes a semiconductor layer formed using an oxide semiconductor as a material. The layered film includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer stacked in this order. The first layer is formed of the same material as the semiconductor layer, and touches the periphery of the spacer layer. The second layer is a metal layer that forms a Schottky barrier at the interface between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer is an insulating layer.
US07944643B1 Patterns for pre-formatted information on magnetic hard disk media
A magnetic disk media is physically preformatted to have a non-user data area providing any of a servo pattern, a gray code pattern and a timing line pattern. The non-user data area patterns are preformatted to have non-recordable regions with a radial width that is always less than the track pitch of the data area. In exemplary implementations, servo patterns, gray code patterns and timing line patterns are physically preformatted to have a recordable:non-recordable radial width ratio substantially equal to that of a user data area. In certain embodiments, non-magnetic or magnetically suppressed regions having cross-track dimension substantially equal to that of spaces between tracks in the user data area are consecutively offset in a cross-track direction from the discrete track recording pattern of the user data area.
US07944636B2 Lens driving device
In the present invention, a lens driving device has appropriate offset for miniaturization, excellent linearity of driving current versus displacement, and good displacement sensitivity. A casing holding a yoke with at least one permanent magnet mounted on an inner circumference thereof is connected with a lens holder having a driving coil installed on an outer sidewall thereof between an upper spring member and a lower spring member. When the driving coil is not powered, the lens holder props against the casing at a side opposite to an imaged object. When the lens holder props against the casing, the position of the driving coil along Z axis causing a magnitude of driving magnetic field intersecting with the driving coil is 50%˜90% of a maximum value of the driving magnetic field intersecting with the driving coil while the lens holder moves toward the imaged object.
US07944633B2 Lens holder for alignment of stacked lens module and manufacturing method thereof
A lens holder for alignment of a stacked lens module and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. A stacked lens submodule disposed with at least one first alignment fixture is used as a molding insert to be set into a mold arranged with a second alignment fixture where the first alignment fixture connects with the second alignment fixture correspondingly. Then by injection or press molding of the embedded molding insert, a lens module with the lens holder for alignment is formed. Thereby the conventional manufacturing method of the lens molder is improved, the processes are simplified and the yield rate is increased. Moreover, the molded lens module is packed into the lens more easily so that it is suitable to be applied to camera lenses, small lenses and mobile phone lenses.
US07944631B2 Lens actuator, lens unit using the lens actuator and method for manufacturing the lens unit
A lens actuator has a carrier, a cover, a first spring, a second spring, a coil, and a magnet. The carrier with a cylindrical shape is provided with a hollow section formed along a first direction, and has a holding section formed on one side of the first direction. The hollow section has a shape configured to mount a lens barrel therein. The cover, which is disposed on the side having the holding section of the carrier, has a supporting section that meets with the holding section of the carrier. The first spring and the second spring make a resilient contact with each of both surfaces in the first direction of the carrier. The coil is circumferentially disposed on the carrier so as to face the magnet. Of the coil and the magnet, one is mounted on the carrier and the other is disposed on the outer or the inner periphery of the carrier.
US07944630B2 Lens holder for stacked lens module and manufacturing method thereof
A lens holder of a stacked lens module and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. A stacked lens submodule is used as a molded molding insert to be set into a mold cavity. The molding insert is aligned in the alignment fixture and the clamp of the mold by injection molding or press molding. After molding process, a lens module included the stacked lens submodule as well as the lens holder is formed. Thereby the manufacturing method of conventional lens assemblies or lens modules is improved. Moreover, the processes are simplified and the yield rate is increased. Furthermore, the molded lens module is packed into the lens more easily so that it is suitable to be applied to camera lenses, small lenses and mobile phone lenses.
US07944627B2 Image forming optical system
To provide a compact image forming optical system in which an incident angle to an imaging plane of a solid-state imaging device is small and whose chromatic aberration, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion are reduced. An image forming optical system of a first embodiment of the present invention comprises four lenses arranged from the object side to the imaging plane side in order, that are a first lens that is a double-convex lens, a second lens that is a double-concave lens, a third lens that is a positive meniscus lens that is convex toward an image side, and a fourth lens that is a negative meniscus lens that is convex toward an object side. An aperture is placed closer to the object than the image side surface of the first lens. The image forming optical system of the first embodiment of the present invention satisfies the following equations, where fi is an absolute value of a focal length of i-th lens, f is an absolute value of a focal length of a whole optical system, vdi is Abbe's number of i-th lens, and TTL is a distance from the object side surface of the first lens, in the object side surface and an aperture side surface, to the imaging plane. 0.425
US07944623B2 Fixed-focus lens
A fixed-focus lens adapted to be disposed between a magnified side and a reduced side is provided. The fixed-focus lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group disposed between the magnified side and the reduced side includes three lenses and has a negative refractive power. The second lens group disposed between the first lens group and the reduced side includes five lenses and has a positive refractive power. The third lens group disposed between the second lens group and the reduced side includes five lenses and has a positive refractive power. The fixed-focus lens satisfies |F1/F|<1.35, 3.5<|F2/F|<4.5, and 4<|F3/F|<5, wherein F1 is the effective focal length (EFL) of the first lens group, F2 is the EFL of the second lens group, F3 is the EFL of the third lens group, and F is the EFL of the fixed-focus lens.
US07944619B2 Zoom optical system and image pickup apparatus provided with the same
An zoom optical system comprises a prism component which comprises in order from an object side, an entrance surface having negative refracting power, and a reflecting surface, and movable groups which are movable when either of zooming or focusing is carried out. An image pickup apparatus is provided with the zoom optical system. Thereby, thinning of the image pickup apparatus can be attained sufficiently, and it is possible to shorten the full length of the optical system furthermore, while keeping a moderate zooming ratio.
US07944618B2 Optical element and imaging apparatus
An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07944617B2 Lens array device and image display device
A lens array device and an image display device using the lens array device, which allow a lens effect characteristic different from that of a single variable lens array to be easily obtained, are provided. The lens array device includes a variable lens array and a fixed lens array. The variable lens array includes a plurality of variable lenses each having electrically-adjustable refracting power. The fixed lens array includes a plurality of fixed lenses each provided in correspondence to each of the plurality of variable lenses. Each of the fixed lenses has a refracting power which, once a corresponding variable lens has come to have a first refracting power, allows the first refracting power to be cancelled out.
US07944616B2 Head-mounted display
A head-mounted display includes a frame shaped like glasses to be worn on the head of an observer, two image display apparatuses respectively including image generating devices to be placed outside the eyes of the observer, and light guide devices attached to the image generating devices and provided closer to the center of the face of the observer than the image generating devices as a whole, light emitted from the image generating device entering the light guide devices, and being guided and emitted from the light guide devices toward the eyes of the observer, and a coupling member configured to couple the image generating devices and attached to a center portion of the frame between the eyes of the observer.
US07944615B2 Optical system and method for shaping a profile of a laser beam
An optical system for shaping an incoming beam having a divergence with an angular distribution at least in a first direction comprises at least one angle selective optical element for clipping the angular distribution in the at least first direction. The approach according to the present invention bases on using an angle-selective device operated by the principle of total internal reflection to reduce divergence of the incoming beam, in contrast to a spatially-selective device as for example a field-stop or slit. The method according to the present invention has the advantage that no physical sharp edges have to be exposed at high energy densities. Thus, thermal impact and demands on the optical elements to withstand a high power laser beam are significantly reduced.
US07944614B2 Light converging sheet unit
A light converging sheet unit includes first and second light converging sheets stacked one on top of the other. The first light converging sheet has first light converging micro-prism structures with a first average peak-to-peak distance between adjacent ones of the first light converging micro-prism structures. The second light converging sheet has second light converging micro-prism structures with a second average peak-to-peak distance between adjacent ones of the second light converging micro-prism structures. At least one of the first and second average peak-to-peak distances is not larger than 35 μm.
US07944610B2 Methods and apparatus providing improved visual capabilities of optical instruments
An apparatus for forming an image has one or more lenses in an optical path, at least one angular-sensitive light transmission filter in the optical path, in which transmission varies with change in angular orientation of the filter with reference to the direction of light in the optical path, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the light transmission filter.
US07944608B2 Microscope
Provided are an illuminating optical system which illuminates a sample, an illumination-side pupil modulating device which is arranged on a side of the illuminating optical system, an illumination-side turret which holds the illumination-side pupil modulating device, an illumination-side-turret revolving mechanism which revolves the illumination-side turret to move the illumination-side pupil modulating device along an orbital circumference on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, a relaying optical system which relays a pupil of an objective lens, an imaging-side pupil modulating device which is arranged on a side of the relaying optical system, an imaging-side turret which holds the imaging-side pupil modulating device, and an imaging-side-turret revolving mechanism which revolves the imaging-side turret to move the imaging-side pupil modulating device along the orbital circumference on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
US07944607B2 Method and device for high resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region
The subject matter of the invention is a method of high-resolution acousto-optic programmable filtering in the infrared region of an incident optical wave. To that end it proposes the use of a birefringent acousto-optic crystal whereof the propagation speed of acoustic waves is slow, such as compounds of mercury, which acousto-optic crystal comprises, on one of its faces, a piezoelectric transducer designed to generate a transverse acoustic wave with wave vector whereof the energy propagates according to the same axis but in the opposite direction to the energy of the incident optical wave, knowing that the optical wave resulting from the acousto-optic interaction between the incident optical wave and the acoustic wave with wave vector is diffracted perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly to the direction of the incident optical wave.
US07944606B2 Display device
A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a partition element disposed between the first and the second substrates, a dielectric liquid and a plurality of dielectrophoretic particles. The first substrate includes a base having surface and an electrode layer being disposed on the surface and having at least one electrode. The partition element forms at least one accommodating room between the first and the second substrates. The electrode is adapted to forming an electric field in the accommodating room. A plurality of sections of the electrode parallel to the surface are gradually reduced in a direction towards the second substrate. The dielectric liquid is disposed in the accommodating room and has a first dielectric constant. The dielectrophoretic particles are dispersed in the dielectric liquid. Each of the dielectrophoretic particles has a color and a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant.
US07944604B2 Interferometric modulator in transmission mode
A transmissive micromechanical device includes a substrate, an optical stack over the substrate and a moveable membrane over the optical stack. The moveable membrane may include a partially reflective mirror and be configured to move from a first position to a second position. When the movable membrane is in the first position the transmissive micromechanical device is configured to pass light of a predetermined color and when the movable membrane is in the second position, the micromechanical device is configured to block substantially all of light incident on the substrate.
US07944596B2 Display medium and display device
A display medium is provided. The display medium includes a pair of electrodes disposed so as to have a gap therebetween, an electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, an electroconductive porous layer disposed at least one of the pair of electrodes at the side facing the other electrode, a first electrochromic dye held by the porous layer, a second electrochromic dye dispersed in the electrolyte and forming a color different from the color of the first electrochromic dye. Both the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye are oxidation dyes which form colors by an electrochemical oxidation reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction, or reduction dyes which form colors by an electrochemical reduction reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction. The threshold values of voltages applied to the pair of the electrodes for changing from a color-faded state to a colored state of the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye satisfy a specific relationship.
US07944592B2 Image capture device
Embodiments of a method performed by an image capture device are provided. The method includes performing a calibration operation on a photosensor array of the image capture device using a background surface with a substantially uniform grey color and performing a scan operation to capture a scanned image from a medium using the background surface.
US07944591B2 Media interaction device drive system
Various methods and apparatus relating to a media interaction device drive system having at least one reduced dimension are disclosed.
US07944589B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is capable of accurately reading out a document without various data transmission between a document feeding section and a document reading section. The reading position setter sets a fresh document reading position (RP3) at a position where no foreign object (F) adheres. A shift distance calculator calculates a shift distance (Z) between an upstream-most reading position (RP2) and the refresh document reading position (RP3). A delay time calculator calculates delay time based on the calculated shift distance (Z). A start signal sender instructs the document reading section to start reading a document (P) when the leading end of the document (P) reaches the upstream-most reading position (RP2). An ASIC outputs the instruction to start reading the document to an A/D with a delay of the feed delay time found by the delay time calculator to instruct an image sensor to start reading the document (P).
US07944586B2 Page expansion and printing method
A page expansion and printing procedure requires a first page description into a first memory buffer, the first page description having a bi-level black layer and a contone CMYK layer; decompressing the bi-level black layer and the contone CMYK layer in parallel; half-toning the contone CMYK layer to bi-level CMYK; compositing the bi-level black layer over the bi-level CMYK layer to form a printable image; and transmitting the printable image to a second memory buffer for printing by the pagewidth printer. The step of transmitting the printable image to a second memory buffer is performed simultaneously with receiving a subsequent page description in the first memory buffer.
US07944584B2 Color-converting device
When executing a color conversion process, a CPU determines whether a CMYK conversion indication flag Fc has been set. If the flag Fc has been set, then the CPU reads data of an RGB-CMYK conversion table and performs a cube interpolation process by using the RGB-CMYK conversion table. On the other hand, if the flag Fc has not been set, then the CPU reads data of an RGB-RGB conversion table and performs a triangular pyramid interpolation process by using the RGB-RGB conversion table.
US07944581B2 Imposition systems, methods and drivers for printer products
Imposition system and drivers for printer products prepare a document for printing by receiving an electronic document to be printed, determining a smallest font size of the text of at least a portion of the document; determining a scale factor for at least one portion of the document based on the smallest font size and a predetermined minimum font size; and scaling at least a portion of the document by the scale factor.
US07944576B2 Printer formatter in a removable card
A method and system for integrating a printer controller with a PC card. This system includes an office machine and a removable PC card that can be operationally coupled with the office machine. The office machine has a rendering engine for rendering images and a PC card slot for operationally coupling to a removable PC card and for receiving print engine ready data (PERD). The PC card slot is coupled to the print engine for providing the PERD thereto. The PC card has a printer formatter for receiving printer formatter ready data and for converting it into PERD and providing printer formatter functions. When the PC card is operationally coupled to the PC card slot, the print engine ready data can be selectively transferred from the PC card to the office machine.
US07944574B2 Remote firmware upgrade via I/O connection
Imaging devices and methods of operating imaging devices that facilitate reducing nonvolatile storage needs of the imaging devices. The imaging devices are adapted to request control programs from external devices. Control programs are received on a communication input of the imaging device and stored on a volatile storage media for use by a processor of the imaging device. The embodiments can also facilitate more reliable updating within a networked system in that updating an image of a control program on one network device can automatically lead to updating of multiple imaging devices, thus eliminating a need to individually update each imaging device. A default control program is used if no control program is received on the communication input within a predetermined timeout period.
US07944568B2 Method and system for producing tomographic image by optical tomography with processing of interference light signals
When reflection light, reflected from a measurement target that has been irradiated with measurement light in such a manner to scan the measurement target, and reference light are combined in each wavelength sweep, interference light is detected as interference signals. When a thinning region in which the interference signals obtained by detecting the interference light in each wavelength sweep are thinned so that the interference signals that are used to produce the tomographic image remain is set, thinning is performed on the plurality of interference signals in the thinning region. Light intensity information about the measurement target in the thinning region is obtained, based on the interference signals for the respective wavelength sweeps, the interference signals remaining after thinning. The tomographic image in the thinning region is produced based on the obtained light intensity information.
US07944567B2 Semiconductor light emitting element, light source using the semiconductor light emitting element, and optical tomography imaging apparatus
A semiconductor light emitting element is equipped with a layered structure including an active layer, and electrode layers at the upper and lower surfaces thereof. At least one of the upper and lower electrode layers is divided into at least two electrodes, which are separated in the wave guiding direction of light. The active layer is structured to have different gain wavelengths along the wave guiding direction, to emit light having different spectra from each region corresponding to each of the at least two electrodes. The spectral distribution of output light is enabled to be varied by individually varying the current injected by each of the at least two divided electrodes.
US07944566B2 Single fiber endoscopic full-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging probe
A single fiber full-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging probe (300) includes a hollow tube (301), and a single fiber (305) disposed within the tube for transmitting light received from a broadband light source to a beam splitter (350) in the tube optically coupled to the single fiber (305). The beam splitter (350) splits the light into a first and a second optical beam, wherein the first beam is optically coupled to a reference arm including a MEMS reference micromirror (335) which provides axial scanning and the second beam is optically coupled to a sample arm for probing a sample to be imaged. Both the reference arm and the sample ami are disposed in the tube. A photodetector array (315) is preferably disposed inside the tube (301) optically coupled to the beam splitter (350). The photodetector array (315) receives a reflected beam from the MEMS reference micromirror (335) and a scattered beam from the sample to form an image of the sample.
US07944565B2 Semiconductor ring laser gyro
A semiconductor ring laser gyro includes: a semiconductor laser for emitting light from each end of the gyro; at least one reflection prism comprising a plurality of reflection surfaces for forming an optical circuit, the at least one reflection prism adapted to receive and internally reflect the light emitted from the semiconductor laser; a transmissive mirror disposed at one of the plurality of reflection surfaces of the at least one reflection prism and adapted to transmit part of the light traveling clockwise and part of the light traveling counterclockwise through the optical circuit; and a beam multiplexing prism for multiplexing the light transmitted through the transmissive mirror.
US07944564B2 Device and method for acquiring information on objective substance to be detected by detecting a change of wavelength characteristics on the optical transmittance
An information-acquiring device for acquiring information on an objective substance to be detected, which is provided with a sensing element that has a surface capable of fixing the objective substance to be detected thereon, and makes applied light change its wavelength characteristics in response to the fixed state of the objective substance to be detected onto the surface, a light source, and light-receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light source through the sensing element, has the light-receiving means and the light source arranged on the same substrate so that the light which has been emitted from the light source and has been transmitted through the sensing element can be led to the light-receiving means, and has means for varying the wavelength regions of each light incident on each of a plurality of the light-receiving means installed in an optical path from the light source to the light-receiving means.
US07944563B2 Sensing apparatus
The sensing apparatus includes a measuring light emission device, a waveguide member including a sensing surface modified by a surface modification substance, a detection device and an analyzer. The measuring light of a predetermined polarized state is emitted from the emission device so that the measuring light is totally reflected on the sensing surface of the waveguide member holding target substances labeled by fine metal particles to illuminate the particles by evanescent light generated near the sensing surface. The amount of evanescent light scattered by the fine metal particles is detected by the detection device. The measuring light emission device, the waveguide member and the analyzer are included in an optical waveguide system which sets a polarized state of scattered light generated when no target substance is present on the sensing surface in a crossed nicol relation to the analyzer.
US07944558B2 Method and system for physicochemical analysis using a laser pulsed ablation
A method for physicochemical analysis of a material during its ablation with a pulsed laser. The method uses the ratio of intensity levels of two emission lines of a tracer element derived from plasma generated by the laser beam to characterize the plasma excitation temperature. The method determines concentration of an element to be measured in the plasma using standard measurements indicating correspondence between a concentration of the element to measured and a variation of intensity of an emission line and different ratios between intensity levels of two emission lines of the tracer element, the ratios representing the plasma temperature.
US07944556B2 Method for correcting a spectral image for optical aberrations using software
A spectral image is corrected for optical aberrations. Tissue is exposed to a high-intensity, narrow band of light. The narrow band of light is scattered by at least one analyte in the tissue. Raman signals are optically collected from the scattered light. The Raman signals are directed to a wavelength-separating device. The Raman signals are detected as a function of intensity and wavelength to create the spectral image. The spectral image is corrected for optical aberrations using a software algorithm to spatially reassign intensity. The software may be adapted to use a reference image to make dynamic corrections. Fluorescence signals may also be collected.
US07944553B1 Method of measuring diffractive lenses
A method and system for measuring an optical property of a multi-focal lens are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: filtering out light transmitted by all but one of a plurality of diffraction orders of the lens to provide an unfiltered light from a single diffraction order; receiving the unfiltered light at a wavefront detector; and analyzing the unfiltered light at the wavefront detector to measure the optical property. The multi-focal lens can be a multi-focal diffractive intra-ocular lens. The measured optical property can be a discontinuity in the lens surface. Filtering can comprise blocking all but the unfiltered light using an aperture operable to let through the unfiltered light from the single diffraction order, and/or blocking all but the unfiltered light using an opaque obstruction operable to let through only a selected amount of light corresponding to the light transmitted by the single diffraction order. The method can further comprise generating an image quality parameter, such as a modulation transfer function, based on the measured optical property.
US07944552B2 Method for displaying result of measurement of eccentricity
A method for displaying a result of measurement of eccentricity in an optical system is provided where an amount of eccentricity for each lens element's surface in a lens system can be displayed and where the amount of eccentricity displayed can be a magnified amount of eccentricity. Additionally a sectional view of the lens system can be displayed using scaling factor.
US07944550B2 System and method for detecting local mechanical stress in integreated devices
A method of detecting local mechanical stress in integrated devices is provided, the method comprising: enabling the detection of a photovoltage difference between a scan probe device and a surface portion of an integrated device, the scan probe device being configured to deflect in response to the photovoltage difference; measuring the deflection of the scan probe device in response to the photovoltage difference between the scan probe device and the surface portion of the integrated device; and calculating a local stress level within the integrated device by determining a local work function of the surface portion of the integrated device based upon the deflection of the scan probe device.
US07944548B2 Increasing measurement rate in time of flight measurement apparatuses
An apparatus for measuring distance to a surface is disclosed. The apparatus transmits at least one subsequent pulse of light prior to receiving a reflection of a previously sent pulse of light. Thus, multiple pulses of light are in-flight at a given time. The embodiments are applicable to terrain mapping, bathymetry, seismology, detecting faults, biomass measurement, wind speed measurement, temperature calculation, traffic speed measurement, military target identification, surface to air rangefinding, high definition survey, close range photogrammetry, atmospheric composition, meteorology, distance measurement, as well as many other applications. Examples of such apparatuses include laser ranging systems, such as light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems, and laser scanners. Data received from the apparatus by a data processing unit can be used to create a data model, such as a point cloud, digital surface model or digital terrain model describing the surface, terrain, and/or objects.
US07944546B2 Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus comprises a component configured to project a pattern of an original onto a substrate, a structure configured to support the component, a support configured to support the structure, a gas spring which is located between the structure and the support and configured to support the structure, and a stopper accommodated in an internal space of the gas spring so as to prevent the structure from moving relative to the support in excess of an allowable level.
US07944545B2 High contrast lithographic masks
A structure and a method for an equi-brightness optimization. The method may include projecting a plurality of bright patterns having a plurality of bright points and a plurality of dark patterns having a plurality of dark points on a substrate, generating a plurality of joint eigenvectors of the plurality of bright points and a plurality of dark points, selecting a predetermined number of joint eigenvectors to project the plurality of bright patterns, generating a plurality of natural sampling points from the plurality of bright points, wherein the plurality of natural sampling points has a substantially equal intensity, and obtaining a representation of an aperture from the plurality of natural sampling points, wherein an image of the representation of the aperture has a substantially uniform intensity.
US07944543B2 Liquid crystal lens and lens module incorporating same
A liquid crystal lens includes a first light-pervious plate, a second light-pervious plate opposite to the first light-pervious plate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first light-pervious plate and the second light-pervious plate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a driving voltage chip. The first electrode layer includes a plurality of concentric, annular electrodes arranged on a surface of the first light-pervious plate. A material of the first electrode layer is carbon nanotube. The second electrode layer is arranged on a surface of the second light-pervious plate. The driving voltage chip is configured for providing voltages between each of the annular electrodes and the second electrode layer in radial gradient distribution. A lens module is also provided in the present invention.
US07944542B2 Layout of liquid crystal display panels and size of mother substrate
A layout of LCD panels and a size of the mother substrate are disclosed, to improve the efficiency in arrangement of the LCD panels, and to maximize the substrate efficiency, the layout comprising a mother substrate; a dummy region of 15 mm or less in a periphery of the mother substrate; and six LCD panels of the 26-inch model in a matrix of 2×3 on the mother substrate excluding the dummy region with a margin corresponding to 2˜4% of a length of the LCD panel.
US07944540B2 Color filter on thin film transistor type liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal panel for a color filter on thin film transistor (COT) type liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes: first and second substrates facing each other and having a display area and a non-display area, the non-display area is at a periphery of the display area; a gate line and a data line on the first substrate, the gate line and the data line crossing each other to define a pixel region in the display area; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a color filter layer over the thin film transistor; a black matrix on the color filter layer; a pixel electrode contacting the thin film transistor on the color filer layer; a common electrode on the second substrate; a first alignment key on the second substrate in the non-display area; a sealant between the first and second substrates at a boundary between the display area and the non-display area; and a liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
US07944538B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device having a narrowed peripheral area, particularly, a liquid crystal display device in which disconnection or short-circuiting of connecting lines disposed in the peripheral area is restrained is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a pixel area having pixel electrodes, and a peripheral area surrounding the pixel area, and a gate driver and a drain driver are disposed in the peripheral area. A plurality of gate connecting lines which connect the gate driver and a plurality of gate lines are stacked in the peripheral area.
US07944535B2 Liquid crystal display and a method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes opening patterns in the electrodes or protrusions on the electrodes. The opening patterns or the protrusions have a pattern which controls the direction of the liquid crystal molecules. Thus the quality of the LCD can be improved.
US07944534B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device used as a display part of an electronic apparatus which exhibits high brightness and favorable display quality. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner; vertical-alignment type liquid crystal which is sealed between the pair of substrates; a plurality of pixel regions, each pixel region including a sub pixel having a pixel electrode on one substrate and a sub pixel having a pixel electrode on one substrate, a slit formed between the pixel electrodes; and a singular point control part which includes projecting portions which are formed on end portions of the pixel electrodes on the slit-side and controls singular points of the liquid crystal.
US07944532B2 Liquid crystal display device treated by UV irradiation
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 μm can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.
US07944529B2 Transflective liquid crystal display device
A transflective liquid crystal display device with improved display quality in which the liquid initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of a clearance between the counter electrode of a transmission portion and a counter electrode of a reflection portion or in a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises positive type liquid crystals, or the liquid crystal initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is in a direction parallel with the extending direction of a clearance, or a direction within a range of ±2° in the clockwise direction relative to the extending direction of the clearance in a case where the liquid crystal layer comprises negative type liquid crystals.
US07944528B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
In an LCD apparatus, a non-effective display region disposed between pixel electrodes and a light leakage region disposed on the pixel electrodes are covered by means of a light-leakage preventing layer and by overlapping color filters of a color filter substrate, thereby preventing the light from being leaked through the non-effective display region and the light leakage region. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent brightness of the light from being decreased and images displayed through the LCD apparatus from being deteriorated in quality.
US07944527B2 Liquid crystal display device with particular LED arrangement in backlight unit
A LCD device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a LCD panel including liquid crystal, and a backlight unit including a light emitting diode (LED) array including a plurality of LEDs, the plurality of LEDs having a peripheral LED disposed at a peripheral end of the LED array, and a light guide plate disposed below the LCD panel, each LED having a light emission surface to emit light to a light incidence surface of the light guide plate. The emission surface of the peripheral LED completely covers a peripheral end of the light incidence surface, the peripheral end of the light incidence surface being an area adjacent to a lateral surface of the light guide plate.
US07944526B2 Liquid crystal display device with a backlight unit having a diffusion plate
A liquid crystal display device having a direct backlight which uses a high-bright light source achieves both of a high efficiency and thin uniformity. In a liquid crystal display device which includes a liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit which is arranged on a side of the liquid crystal panel opposite to a display screen of the liquid crystal panel, the backlight unit includes a housing, a plurality of light sources arranged in the inside of the housing, and a diffusion plate which is arranged between the plurality of light sources and the liquid crystal panel, the diffusion plate includes a plurality of light blocking regions at positions corresponding to the plurality of respective light sources, and the light blocking region at a center portion of the housing and the light blocking region at an edge portion of the housing exhibits transmissivities different from each other.
US07944523B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising a first conductive adhesive member arranged on the first connector to connect the first connector to the shield case
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of protecting a printed circuit board from electromagnetic interference. The LCD device of the present invention includes a LCD panel for presenting an image, a backlight assembly for illuminating light to the LCD panel, a bottom chassis for securing the LCD panel and the backlight assembly, a first printed circuit board seated on a rear surface of the bottom chassis for generating signals to be supplied to the LCD panel on the basis of externally input signals, a first connector coupled with a signal transfer film which provides the input signal of the first printed circuit board, a shield case made of a conductive material for protecting an upper surface of the first printed circuit board, and a first conductive adhesive member interposed between the first connector and the shield case for discharging an electromagnetic wave from the first connector to the shield case.
US07944522B2 Computer having liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel having a display area, a light source joined with the liquid crystal panel, a first frame coupled to a surface of the light unit and sides of the liquid crystal panel, a second frame coupled to edges of the liquid crystal panel and sides of the first support frame, an outer casing, and a fastening part joining together the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing through the sides of the first support frame, the second support frame, and the outer casing.
US07944521B2 Display apparatus and electronic apparatus with the same
A display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a front side viscoelastic layer, a front side hard layer, a back side viscoelastic layer, a back side hard layer, a backlight unit, a driving circuit board, and a metal plate. The front side viscoelastic layer that is viscoelastic covers a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The front side hard layer has a higher modulus of elasticity than the front side viscoelastic layer. The back side viscoelastic layer that is viscoelastic covers a back surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The back side hard layer has a higher modulus of elasticity than the back side viscoelastic layer. The back side viscoelastic layer has a thickness Tb of not less than about 20 μm, and the front side viscoelastic layer has a thickness Ta and satisfies: Ta/Tb>1 (Tb≠0). Thus, the display apparatus is resistant to breakage caused by a load placed on a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel and an impact when dropped, thereby attaining mechanical durability.
US07944520B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus provided with same
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight system, a driving circuit board for driving the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight system, and a housing for housing the foregoing members. A metal plate is provided between the backlight system and the driving circuit board, which metal plate has a plane surface on a front and back surface which is broader than the backlight system and the driving circuit board. On at least a pair of opposed edges of the metal plate, at least one of a falling portion and a rising portion is provided along the edges of the metal plate. Further, a bezel is provided between the housing and at least one of the falling portion and rising portion, which bezel is arranged so as to integrally support the metal plate and at least the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight system. Hence, a liquid crystal display apparatus and an electronic apparatus including same are provided, which liquid crystal display apparatus is capable of reducing a possibility of breakage due to load placed on a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel or an impact when dropped.
US07944516B2 Liquid crystal display device having a dummy pattern for repairing data lines
A liquid crystal display device and its fabrication method may prevent occurrence of light leakage generated from the sides of a data line. A dummy pattern at sides of the data line with glass powder as an insulation film may simplify the repairing process. A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes a gate electrode, a gate line, a dummy pattern and a first insulation film that are formed on a substrate. A switching element is formed on a portion of the gate electrode and includes a source electrode, a drain electrode and an active layer. A data line formed at a portion of the dummy pattern. A second insulation film is formed on the substrate and has a first contact hole that exposes a portion of the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is formed on the substrate and is electrically connected with the drain electrode through the first contact hole.
US07944515B2 Liquid crystal display and panel therefor
A flat panel display having an improved picture quality is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode are formed in each subpixel area. The electrodes enclose an open space (gap) such that their outer boundary has a substantially rectangular shape. The flat panel display may also include a capacitance electrode coupled to the second pixel electrode to form a coupling capacitor. In use, the coupling capacitor operates such that a magnitude of a voltage applied to the first pixel electrode is lower than an applied data voltage, and a magnitude of a voltage applied to the second pixel electrode is higher than an applied voltage. The different voltages operate such that a tilt direction of LC molecules disposed above the first pixel electrode differs from a tilt direction of LC molecules disposed above the second pixel electrode.
US07944513B2 Display device
A display device includes a substrate having a display area; a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, arranged in the display area over the substrate, wherein the data lines extend substantially orthogonally to the scanning lines; a plurality of switching elements each connected to respective one of the scanning lines and to respective one of the data lines; a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected to respective one of the switching elements; and a plurality of storage capacitance lines disposed substantially in parallel with the data lines, each of the storage capacitance lines having a portion overlapping with a portion of the pixel electrode, the storage capacitance lines being disposed on a plane on which the data lines are disposed and being made of the same material as the data lines.
US07944512B2 Receiver and receiving method
A receiver selecting a channel to be received based on a channel list enumerating receivable channels includes: a memory capable of storing the channel list; a first tuner configured to perform a quick scan to scan a partial frequency band out of a predetermined frequency band to obtain first service information including information of a service corresponding to the channel received by the quick scan; a channel list generation module configured to generate the channel list based on the first service information obtained by the first tuner and store the channel list in the memory; a second tuner configured to perform, in parallel with the quick scan by the first tuner, a full scan to scan the entire predetermined frequency band to obtain second service information including information of a service corresponding to the channel received by the full scan; and a channel list updating module configured to update the channel list stored in the memory based on the second service information after the full scan by the second tuner is completed.
US07944509B2 Video processing apparatus, video processing method and program for asynchronous input and output video images
There is provided with a video processing method including: writing first video signals representing an input video frame alternately into first and second storage regions every input video frame; reading out the written first video signals from either the first storage region or the second storage region; generating second video signals representing an output video frame including a video image represented by the first video signals read out; acquiring write region information indicating either the first storage region or the second storage region into which writing is being performed, before reading is performed; acquiring write location information indicating a location on the first or second storage region, associated with the first video signal which is being written, before reading is performed; and deciding either the first storage region or the second storage region from which reading should be performed, by using the write region information and the write location information.
US07944505B2 Image processing apparatus and method, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
An information processing apparatus includes storage means for storing an adjusted value previously set by a user for an output state of information and prediction means for predicting a prediction value for adjustment of the output state in accordance with the stored adjusted value.
US07944504B2 Apparatus for interpolating scanning lines
A scanning line interpolating apparatus has a scanning line interpolating unit for converting an inputted interlaced scanning picture to a progressive scanning picture by using motion compensation, a motion vector search device that searches for a motion vector for use in the motion compensation, and a control unit for controlling the precision with which the motion vector is searched for. The control unit is adapted to determine the search precision on the basis of a pixel structure of a display device for displaying the progressive scanning picture.
US07944498B2 Multi-focal camera apparatus and methods and mediums for generating focus-free image and autofocus image using the multi-focal camera apparatus
A multi-focal camera apparatus and methods and mediums for generating a focus-free image and an autofocus image using the multi-focal camera apparatus are provided. The multi-focal camera apparatus includes a lens module which comprises a plurality of lenses that concentrate light incident thereupon, and an image-sensor module which comprises a plurality of sensing zones respectively corresponding to the lenses, and obtains a plurality of images by converting beams of light that transmit through the lenses into electrical signals using the sensing zones, wherein the lenses have the same optical properties and are different distances apart from the respective sensing zones.
US07944497B2 Imaging device driver and photography instrument employing it
An image pickup device driving apparatus including an image pickup device holding portion for holding an image pickup device with an image pickup surface directed to a predetermined direction and capable of moving in an optical axis direction; a movable portion provided facing the image pickup device holding portion and capable of moving with respect to the image pickup device holding portion; three inclined portions provided on a surface of any one of the movable portion and the image pickup device holding portion, which faces the other; three spheres provided on a surface of the other of the movable portion and the image pickup device holding portion, which faces the three inclined portions, in a way in which they are respectively brought into contact with the three inclined portions; and a driving portion for moving the movable portion so as to change positions in which the three inclined portions and the three spheres are brought into contact with each other and to move the image pickup device held in the image pickup device holding portion in the optical axis direction with the surface direction of the image pickup surface maintained.
US07944496B2 Imaging apparatus and driving method for CCD type solid-state imaging device
A driving method for driving a CCD type solid-state imaging device, includes: controlling, when taking dynamic images without a mechanical shutter, exposure time of a first pixel group and exposure time of a second pixel group separately by an electronic shutter function and by timings of reading pulses applied to transfer electrodes which concurrently functions as reading electrodes and which are included in vertical charge transfer paths; causing the vertical charge transfer paths to hold, until the reading pulses are applied to the second pixel group, signal charges read from the respective pixels of the first pixel group to which the reading pulses are applied beforehand of the first pixel group and the second pixel group; and transferring the signal charges read from the first pixel group and signal charges read from the second pixel group together on the vertical charge transfer paths.
US07944492B2 Solid-state image pickup device and camera system
A solid-state image pickup device, including: a pixel section including at least one pixel circuit including a mechanism for converting an optical signal into an electric signal and accumulating the electric signal in response to exposure time; a pixel driving section configured to drive the pixel section to carry out signal accumulation and signal outputting; at least one different circuit section configured to carry out a process relating to accessing to the pixel section through the pixel driving section; and a control section configured to control, at least upon the signal accumulation of the pixel circuit, the pixel driving section so as to maintain the pixel circuit in a state wherein the pixel circuit accumulates the electric signal and control supply of a power supply voltage to the different circuit section.
US07944490B2 Image pickup apparatus and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same
An image pickup apparatus includes an element-including optical system, a variable aperture, a detector, and a converter. The element-including optical system has an optical system and an optical wavefront modulation element which modulates an optical transfer function. The detector picks up an object image that passes through the optical system, the variable aperture, and the optical wavefront modulation element. The converter generates an image signal with a smaller blur than that of a signal of a blurred object image output from the detector. Positions at which the element-including optical system and the detector are attached are adjusted by stopping down a variable aperture included in the element-including optical system.
US07944486B2 Signal readout method of solid-state imaging device and image signal processing method
The present invention provides a signal readout method of solid-state imaging device which can simultaneously readouts the signals having different properties that can generate multiple images obtained by capturing the same subject under different capturing conditions from one solid-state imaging device.A signal readout method of solid-state imaging device that is applied to a solid-state imaging device with a color filter array (CFA) and multiple pixels, the method characterized in that a pixel mixture of a different number of pixels is performed for every readout signal in the solid-state imaging device, and a signal after the pixel mixture is readout. The signal after the pixel mixture means a first signal after the pixel mixture that is obtained by performing the pixel mixture of predetermined L pixels (L≦n×m) within (n×m) pixels (n and m are natural numbers) consisting of n pixels in a vertical direction and m pixels in a horizontal direction of the solid-state imaging device, and a second signal after the pixel mixture that is obtained by down sampling pixel signals of (n×m) pixels without performing pixel mixture of (n×m) pixels.
US07944482B2 Pixel information readout method and image pickup apparatus
When successively reading out pixel information from an image region, where image pickup devices are arranged two-dimensionally, which is divided into a plurality of sub-regions, a readout unit inserts pixel information on pixels of interest in the respective sub-regions successively at predetermined intervals and reads them out. A control unit generates a frame from the pixel information, on pixels of interest inserted at the predetermined intervals, which has been read out from the readout unit. The control unit grasps a tendency of a picked-up image from the generated frame and performs a predetermined adaptive control according to the grasped tendency.
US07944478B2 Medical image photographing system and medical image managing method
A medical image photographing system comprising a control apparatus for corresponding a photographing order information related to medical photography and a medical image and managing them, and a portable terminal for obtaining the photographing order information from the control apparatus; wherein the control apparatus has a first communication unit for communicating with the portable terminal, and a first control unit for transmitting the photographing order information through the first communication unit to the portable terminal; and the portable terminal has a second communication unit for communicating with the control apparatus, a display unit for displaying a display information, and a second control unit for receiving the photographing order information from the control apparatus through the second communication unit, extracting the photographing order information corresponding to a predetermined extract condition from a received photographing order information, and displaying a extracted photographing order information on the display unit.
US07944470B2 Wireless integrated security controller
A system and method are disclosed for improved video transmission, particularly in security settings. An improved security controller combines the interfaces and functionality for high quality video delivery over often less-than-perfect wireless networks, multi-camera analog/digital video controllers and encoders, multi-frequency wireless camera support, connectivity for serial controllers, network switching, and distributed digital video recording with optional object and motion detection. The video transmission is enhanced using wireless adaptive video encoding, mobile viewing optimization, and wireless bandwidth improvement.
US07944467B2 Task-based imaging systems
A task-based imaging system for obtaining data regarding a scene for use in a task includes an image data capturing arrangement for (a) imaging a wavefront of electromagnetic energy from the scene to an intermediate image over a range of spatial frequencies, (b) modifying phase of the wavefront, (c) detecting the intermediate image, and (d) generating image data over the range of spatial frequencies. The task-based imaging system also includes an image data processing arrangement for processing the image data and performing the task. The image data capturing and image data processing arrangements cooperate so that signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the task-based imaging system is greater than SNR of the task-based imaging system without phase modification of the wavefront over the range of spatial frequencies.
US07944466B2 Endoscope apparatus
An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an imaging device that forms a color image signal of a body to be observed; a storage portion that stores matrix data for forming a spectral image based on the color image signal; a spectral image-forming circuit that conducts matrix calculation based on the color image signal by using the matrix data of the storage portion and forms at least one spectral image signal each of which corresponds to an arbitrarily selected wavelength range; and an amplifier circuit that amplifies said at least one spectral image signal formed by the spectral image-forming circuit.
US07944464B2 Three-dimensional image display device, three-dimensional image display method, and computer program product for three-dimensional image display
A three-dimensional image display device includes a two-dimensional image display screen having color filters in which each color is disposed on sub-pixels obtained by dividing one pixel in a vertical direction and same color is disposed on each column of sub-pixels; an optical plate having an exit pupil, the exit pupil being provided for making a viewing zone different for each pixel and having a longitudinal axis disposed as to be inclined from a vertical direction of the two-dimensional image display screen at a degree (θ) (θ≠0, −45°<θ<45°), the viewing zone being a region in which parallax information displayed on the two-dimensional image display screen is observed; and a viewing zone adjusting unit that adjusts the viewing zone by shifting the viewing zone in a horizontal direction of the two-dimensional image display screen by shifting the parallax information disposed on each pixel of the two-dimensional image display screen in the vertical direction by pixel.
US07944459B2 Light-emitting device, driving circuit, driving method, electronic apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, each emitting light with a light amount according to a driving signal, a storage unit that stores first gray-scale data for assigning a gray-scale value of each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, a data processing unit that generates second gray-scale data from the first gray-scale data stored in the storage unit for each light-emitting element such that, as the gray-scale value assigned by the first gray-scale data is large, a gray-scale value assigned by the second gray-scale data is made small, and a driving unit that causes the individual light-emitting elements to emit light in a first period upon supply of a driving signal according to the first gray-scale data stored in the storage unit, and causes the individual light-emitting elements to emit light in a second period different from the first period upon supply of a driving signal according to the second gray-scale data generated by the data processing unit.
US07944455B1 Controlling a display device to display portions of an entire image in a display area
A computer-implemented method is for controlling display of an image, in a display area, by a display device. A plurality of elements of a sequence is determined based on operation of an input device. A position in the entire image is determined, associated with the determined one of the plurality of elements in the sequence. Based on the determined position in the entire image, a corresponding portion of the entire image is caused to be displayed in the display area.
US07944453B1 Extrapolation texture filtering for nonresident mipmaps
A multi-threaded graphics processor is configured to use to extrapolate low resolution mipmaps stored in physical memory to produce extrapolated texture values while high resolution mipmaps are retrieved from a high latency storage resource. The extrapolated texture values provide an improved image that appears sharper compared with using the low resolution mipmap level texture data in place of the temporarily unavailable high resolution mipmap level texture data.
US07944449B2 Methods and apparatus for export of animation data to non-native articulation schemes
A method for exporting animation data from a native animation environment to a non-native animation environment includes determining first object poses in response to a first object model in the native environment and animation variables, determining a second object model including a geometric object model, determining second object poses in response to the second object model and animation variables, determining surface errors between the first object poses and the second object poses, determining a corrective object offsets in response to the surface errors, determining actuation values associated with the corrective object offsets in response to the surface errors, determining a third object model compatible with the non-native animation environment in response to the second object of poses, the corrective offsets, and the actuation values, and storing the third object model in a memory.
US07944448B2 Apparatus and method for socially intelligent virtual entity
An agent that receives an input event and outputs Emotion_Response messages based on personality trait indices and emotional state indices is disclosed. The agent has a social response generator that receives an input event, an output from an emotional state register and an output from a predefined personality trait register, and updates at least one of a current state of the emotional state register or a Social_Response message stored an event buffer. The agent has an emotion generator that outputs an Emotion_Response message based on at least one of the Social_Response message stored in the event buffer, one or more outputs of the predefined personality trait register, or one or more outputs of the emotional state register. The agent operates within an environment server that provides contextual environment that facilitates interaction amongst a group of agents, which receive input events from the contextual environment and outputs emotional response messages thereto.
US07944445B1 System and method for providing a dynamic expanded timeline
Generating a child timeline on a drawing sheet of a diagramming program such that the child timeline is dynamically linked to a parent timeline. An automated method allows for the automatic placing of information on the child timeline that was on the parent timeline when the child timeline is created. Parent and child timelines can be modified and a child timeline can be automatically updated when changes are made to the parent timeline and these changes affect the time interval corresponding to the child timeline.
US07944435B2 Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.
US07944434B2 Mouse with gain weight means
A mouse with gain weight means comprising a case, a cursor control unit, a plurality of keys, a housing, and a balancing weight component. The case has a circuit board disposed inside of the case and a plurality of balancing weight notches in the bottom of the case. The cursor control unit 2 is disposed in the circuit board and extends to the outside of the bottom of the case. Disposed on the case are the keys and the housing. The balancing weight component includes a plurality of balancing weight lumps installed in the balancing notches. The mouse of the present invention has the balancing weight lumps installed in the bottom of the case to make the mouse easier for the user to handle.
US07944433B2 Force feedback device including actuator with moving magnet
A force feedback interface device is coupled to a host computer that displays a graphical environment, the device including a user manipulatable object physically contacted and moveable by a user. A sensor detects a position of the user object and provides a sensor signal to the host computer, where the sensor signal includes information representative of the position of the user object. An actuator is coupled to the device or user object and outputs a force on the user manipulatable object or a housing of the device. The actuator includes a magnet and a grounded coil, where the magnet moves approximately within a plane with respect to the coil, and wherein a current is provided in the coil to generate the force. Other embodiments provide a magnet that moves in a linear degree of freedom within a coil housing, or provide an at least partially spherical magnet providing rotary degrees of freedom to a user manipulatable object coupled to the magnet. One embodiment includes a planar frame support mechanism.
US07944432B2 Data input device, data input method, data input program and recording medium wherein such data input program is recorded
This invention is directed to the provision of a data input device that is operated by a novel method of inputting the force applied on a force sensor as polar coordinate data and subjecting the data to input processing which utilizes the r value and the θ value.A portable telephone 1 detects the force applied on a force sensor 51 of an input unit 50 as rectangular coordinate data and converts the detected rectangular coordinate data into polar coordinate data. Then, with reference to an allocating table that has recorded characters and ranges of θ values to which the individual characters are allocated, the character allocated to the obtained θ value is selected. Then, when the r value larger than a prescribed threshold is input, the entry of the selected parameter is determined.
US07944430B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting backlight brightness
A method for adjusting backlight brightness for an image display device whose backlights are arranged in an M×N, 2-dimensional array, and an apparatus for realizing this are provided. The method comprises a full search step determining the brightness adjustment value for each of the M×N image blocks corresponding to the backlights for the entire input image and selecting a reference block; a partial search step determining the brightness adjustment value for the selected reference block and surrounding blocks thereof for the image frame inputted following the full search step and reselecting a reference block based on the brightness adjustment value of the previous reference block and surrounding blocks thereof; and an adjustment step adjusting brightness of the backlights in accordance with the brightness adjustment value for each block as determined by the full search step and/or partial search step. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to increase the speed of image analysis for a display that uses backlights. Likewise, controlling the backlight using the characteristics of the analyzed image enables reducing power consumption and increasing the contrast ratio by applying backlight brightness according to the characteristics of the image.
US07944429B2 Liquid crystal display device having photo-sensor and fabricating method and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel divided into a non-display area and a display area where pixel cells are arranged in a matrix, a backlight for supplying light to the liquid crystal panel, and a photo-sensing device in the non-display area for sensing an external light to control light output from the backlight in accordance with the sensed the external light.
US07944428B2 Scanning backlight for flat-panel display
An illuminator for a flat-panel display comprises a tapered slab waveguide 1 co-extensive with the display, a light source 2-4 arranged to inject light into an edge of the waveguide so that it emerges over the face of the waveguide, and means for scanning the light injected into the wedge so that different areas of the panel are illuminated in turn. Preferably the light source is a set of rows of LEDs, each row injecting light at a different range of angles so that it emerges over different areas of the waveguide 1.
US07944427B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display for supplying a discharge voltage for preventing a delay to reduce a delay of a scanning pulse, and a driving method thereof are disclosed. In the liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of gate lines. A timing controller supplies a gate output enable signal which controls a supply of a scanning pulse. A discharging part generates a discharge voltage in response to the gate output enable signal. And a gate driver supplies the discharge voltage together with a scanning pulse to the gate lines in response to the gate output enable signal.
US07944424B2 Pixel control device and display apparatus utilizing said pixel control device
A pixel control device and a display apparatus utilizing said pixel control device are provided. The pixel control device is electrically connected to a sub-pixel area to provide a first voltage level, a second voltage level, and a third voltage level to the sub-pixel area, so that liquid crystals can be disposed in various angles. A scan line of the pixel control device controls a first transistor, a second transistor, and a third transistor to be switched on. The first and second data lines thereof provide a first and a second data-referenced voltage levels, respectively, to determine the first, the second, and the third voltage levels.
US07944423B2 Image processing unit with black-and-white line segment pattern detection, image processing method, image display device using such image processing unit, and electronic apparatus using such image display device
An image processing unit includes a discriminating unit for discriminating, for every data unit of an input image signal, whether the data unit is black-and-white image data or color image data; a black-and-white image processing unit for detecting at least one of pre-stored line segment patterns from the data unit, and generating color signals for a black-and-white image corresponding to the detected line segment pattern when the discriminating unit has discriminated that the data unit is black-and-white image data; and a color image processing unit for generating color signals for a color image when the discriminating unit has discriminated that the data unit is color image data or when the black-and-white image processing unit has failed to detect any of the pre-stored line segment patterns from the data unit.
US07944421B2 Image display system, image display method, image display device, image data processor, program, storage medium, and image processing program distribution server
An image display system includes an image data processor that processes image data, an image display device that displays an image based on the image data processed by the image data processor, and a transmission path that allows bi-directional data communication between the image data processor and the image display device. The image display device includes an image processing program storing unit that stores an image processing program including characteristics correction data corresponding to the image display device, an image processing program transmitting unit responsive to a transmission request for an image processing program received from the image data processor through the transmission path for transmitting the image processing program stored in the image processing program storing unit through the transmission path, and an image display unit that displays an image based on the processed image data received from the image data processor through the transmission path. The image data processor includes an image processing program transmission request unit that requests the image display device to transmit an image processing program, an image processing program executing unit that executes the image processing program transmitted from the image display device in response to the request by the image processing program transmission request unit, thereby executing image data processing including characteristics correction processing for the image display device based on the characteristics correction data, and an image data transmitting unit that transmits the image data processed by the image processing program executing unit to the image display device through the transmission path.
US07944419B2 Flat panel display having pre-charging circuit
Provided is a flat panel display and a method for driving the same. The flat panel display comprises a substrate, a pixel part having a plurality of sub-pixels formed on the substrate; and a data driver supplying to the pixel part data signals and charge signals containing charge values that correspond to the data signals. Each charge signal comprises a first charge signal and a second charge signal, and the first charge signal is a voltage signal selected from a plurality of preset voltage levels. The second charge signal is a current signal corresponding to the difference between the voltage value corresponding to the first charge signal and the charge value that corresponds to the data signal.
US07944412B2 Semiconductor device, display apparatus, and display apparatus driving method
Each of pixels arranged in a matrix comprises an element to be driven, a switching TFT, an element driving TFT, and a storage capacitor, and a potential shifting capacitor. The storage capacitor is connected between the gate and a source of the element driving TFT. Before a data signal is output, a precharge signal is output to a data line to turn on the element driving TFT, a set signal is output to a power supply line that is used to supply power through the turned-on element driving TFT to the element to be driven, and, before a data signal is applied to one electrode of the storage capacitor, the source of the element driving TFT and another electrode of the storage capacitor are discharged in response to the set signal to be fixed at a constant potential. By performing control as described above, the element to be driven is driven using a minimum number of circuit elements.
US07944411B2 Current-drive circuit and apparatus for display panel
To equalize the intensity of light emitted by display elements on a display device, a plurality of current-drive circuits are connected in cascade through two terminals of each of the current-drive circuits, each comprising a reference current generation section including a reference resistor and a plurality of current drive sections. Reference current sunk by an external reference current source causes a voltage drop across the reference resistor, and the voltage drop is applied across a current adjustment resistor In response to an image signal, the current-drive circuit outputs current, determined by multiplying each of a plurality of internal reference currents by an optional factor and summing the resulting currents to the display elements. Since the magnitude of the internal reference current flowing inside the current-drive circuit can be varied by varying the value of the current adjustment resistor, gamma correction can be applied to drive current with high accuracy.
US07944408B2 Plasma display apparatus and method of driving the same
A plasma display apparatus and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including first electrodes, second electrodes, and third electrodes, a first driver, a second driver, and a reference separation controller. The first driver supplies sustain signals each including a positive polarity sustain signal and a negative polarity sustain signal to the first electrodes during a sustain period, and supplies a ground level voltage during at least one time interval between the positive polarity sustain signals and the negative polarity sustain signals. The reference separation controller connects or separates a first reference voltage source commonly connected to the first driver and the second electrodes to or from a second reference voltage source connected to the second driver.
US07944407B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus, that can prevent thermal destruction and burning with a simple structure, has been disclosed. In the apparatus it is judged that there is possibility of a pattern, whose area with high brightness is small, being displayed frequently, when a state in which the total light emission pulse number remains large occurs with high frequency, and if such a state is detected, the total light emission pulse number (sustain frequency) is reduced to prevent the thermal destruction and burning.
US07944406B2 Method of driving plasma display apparatus
A method of driving a plasma display apparatus is disclosed. The method includes supplying a first scan signal to a first scan electrode group of a plurality of scan electrode groups each including at least one scan electrode during an address period, supplying a second scan signal having a different voltage magnitude from a voltage magnitude of the first scan signal to a second scan electrode group of the plurality of scan electrode groups during the address period, and supplying a data signal corresponding to the first scan signal and the second scan signal to an address electrode. The first scan signal or the second scan signal is supplied depending on scanning order of the plurality of scan electrodes during the address period.
US07944405B2 Dual display device
A dual display device includes a display panel having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and including a plurality of first pixels displaying an image on the first surface and a plurality of second pixels displaying an image on the second surface, a gate driver supplying gate signals to the first and second pixels, a signal controller including first and second receivers receiving input image signals and generating first and second output image signals based on the input image signals, and a data driver analog-converting the first and second output image signals to generate first and second data voltages, respectively, and supplying the first and second data voltages to the first and second pixels, respectively. By using two different interfaces, memories can be reduced by driving transmissive pixels and reflective pixels independently, and different normal images can be displayed on both surfaces of the display panel. When the same image is displayed on both surfaces, only one interface is selectively driven to thereby reduce power consumption.
US07944404B2 Circular polarized helical radiation element and its array antenna operable in TX/RX band
Provided are Circular Polarized Helical Radiation element and its Array Antenna operable in TX band and RX band. The circular polarized helical radiation element and its array antenna and the antenna with double reflection boards using that array can operate at TX/RX dual band which is high frequency such as Ka band by operating the helical antenna in axial mode and implementing dual feeding structure. The array antenna having a number of radiation elements operable in the both of TX band and RX band, wherein the radiation elements are arrayed on predetermined column lines, each radiation element comprising: a helix for radiating orthogonal circular polarized waves in the different frequency bands wherein the helix is fed at its beginning point and its terminating point; and a wave guide for accommodating the helix.
US07944397B2 Chip antenna
The present invention relates in general, to a chip antenna and, more particularly, to a dual-band small-sized chip antenna, in which a first antenna element, including a plurality of coil members, is coupled with a second antenna element, having a plurality of circuit patterns, in a zigzag fashion, thus forming resonance frequencies, and relates to a multi-band chip antenna fed with current from external part wherein the third antenna element having coil formed in helical form and the fourth antenna formed parallel with the third antenna element and in helical form are connected to the fifth antenna having a plurality of circuit pattern on the layered-substrate, and relates to chip antenna using multi-layered radiator to generate the mutual coupling of two radiator by placing non-feeding radiation element having fixed pattern between the radiator for performing the radiation of the low frequency band and the radiator for performing the radiation of the high frequency band and to have wide band characteristic by forming multiple current path to radiator.
US07944396B2 Retrodirective transmit and receive radio frequency system based on pseudorandom modulated waveforms
Embodiments provide radio-frequency systems that can automatically detect, focus-on, and track objects in the environment without the need for expensive electronic scanning and phase-shifting components. Some embodiments are directed to retrodirective systems including: (1) quiescently broadcast pseudorandom-modulated radiation, such as pseudorandom bit sequences, in the absence of a target, over a field-of-view comparable to the beam solid angle of a single element in the transmit array; (2) a receive antenna element or array, in a desired spatial relationship with respect to the transmit antenna array, that receives reflected pseudorandom radiation from a target; and (3) an electronic signal-processing and feedback channel between the receive and transmit arrays that carries out cross-correlation between the received radiation and the transmitted pseudorandom signals and computes complex correlation coefficients to form a re-transmitted beam. Some embodiments are useful for short-range applications involving small and fast moving targets.
US07944395B1 Weighted dilution of precision calculation for GPS fix qualification
A method and apparatus for qualifying a Satellite Positioning System (SPS) location determination. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises determining a constellation of satellites used in the location determination, making a measurement set based on signals received from the constellation of satellites, comparing the measurement set and the constellation of satellites used in the location determination to a predetermined threshold, and reporting the location determination only when the threshold is not exceeded.Such a method further optionally includes the threshold being user-selectable, the threshold being adjusted or disabled based on a pre-defined scheme, the threshold being adjusted in a sequential form based on a pre-defined scheme, and the measurement set being made in a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
US07944393B2 Method for positioning and a positioning system
A method for recording a position of at least one component in a location system of a control system of an industrial facility for an industrial process. A model of the facility is created, including position coordinates for major parts of the facility. The model is stored in a location system storage. A component is identified. A mobile information processing device is placed adjacent the component and position coordinates are detected for the mobile information processing device. Identification information of the component and position coordinates of the mobile information processing device are stored in the location system storage.
US07944392B2 Radar receiver and a method for processing radar returns
A method for processing received radar returns of a radiated wide-band arbitrary waveform in a wide-band radar processing system using spectral processing. The received wide-band radar returns are undersampled by using a first sampling rate to obtain an undersampled digital wide-band radar waveform. Spectral processing is performed on the power spectrum of the undersampled digital wide-band radar waveform in order to obtain a discrete ripple frequency power spectrum of the undersampled digital wide-band radar waveform. Ripple frequencies indicating radar targets are located in the discrete ripple frequency power spectrum of the undersampled digital wide-band radar waveform. A radar receiver, a digital wide-band radar processing system and a computer program product.
US07944391B2 Correction for near field radar imaging
A near field radar imaging system looks at the distance between the several points under evaluation, and corrects image strength based upon varying distances such that a more accurate image of the object under evaluation is provided.
US07944388B1 Quantization splitting multiple description encoder
An improved (N:K) multiple description binning encoder that employs binning yet permits recovery of the input signal when fewer than K of the descriptions are available. In creating the encoder, a first choice is made of the number of descriptions that the encoder is to create and the minimum number of descriptions below which full recovery of the input signal is not possible. A second choice is made as to the number of descriptions that are to be broken up, to form descriptions that have two portions each. Once the first choice is made, appropriate quantization and binning scheme are selected by employing conventional techniques, and in response to the second choice, the chosen number of descriptions are each quantization split into coarse and fine quantization arrangements.
US07944383B2 Data processing device comprising ADC unit
A device (100) for processing data, the device (100) comprising a plurality of signal paths (130, 140, 150) each receiving an identical analog input signal (104), at least one signal conditioning unit (101 to 103) in at least one of the plurality of signal paths (130, 140, 150), wherein each signal conditioning unit (101 to 103) is adapted for generating a respective analog intermediate signal (105 to 107) by manipulating a property, particularly an amplitude, of the analog input signal (104), and a plurality of analog to digital converting units (108 to 110) each of which being assigned to a corresponding one of the plurality of signal paths (130, 140, 150) and being supplied with the analog input signal (104) or a respective analog intermediate signal (105 to 107), wherein each of the plurality of analog to digital converting units (108 to 110) is adapted for generating a respective digital intermediate signal (111 to 113) based on the respective analog intermediate signal (105 to 107) or based on the analog input signal (104); a digital signal processing unit (114) supplied with the plurality of digital intermediate signals (111 to 113) and adapted for generating a digital output signal (115) by processing the digital intermediate signals (111 to 113).
US07944381B2 Compensation of nonlinearity of single ended digital to analog converters
This disclosure relates to a compensating for nonlinearity resulting from a capacitance feedback in current cells of a single ended digital to analog circuit.
US07944379B2 SAR ADC and method with INL compensation
An apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion using successive approximation is provided. There is a successive approximation register or SAR controller for providing a digital code representing a conversion result, and an integral non-linearity (INL) compensator configured to provide an INL compensation signal for reducing INL of the analog-to-digital conversion in response to the digital code.
US07944377B2 Method, medium and apparatus for quantization encoding and de-quantization decoding using trellis
Provided are a method and apparatus for quantization encoding and de-quantization decoding using a trellis. Unlike a trellis coded quantization (TCQ) index, by classifying quantization levels to which cosets are allocated and allocating indexes to the quantization levels so that a coset corresponding to a specific branch in a predetermined state in the trellis can be selected with only indexes without encoding or decoding information on paths, quantization encoding and de-quantization decoding are performed by using a new index.
US07944376B2 Technique for improving modulation performance of translational loop RF transmitters
A transmit signal generated by the baseband processor in a translational loop type RF transmitter is “pre-distorted” so as to counter act magnitude distortion and group delay variation imposed by a narrow PLL signal filter. The pre-distortion occurs in two steps: a magnitude equalizer in the baseband processor pre-distorts the amplitude of the transmit signal according to the inverse of the PLL signal filter magnitude response, and a group delay equalizer linearizes the phase response of the entire transmitter chain, i.e., pre-distorts the transmit signal such that the combined phase response of magnitude equalizer, group delay equalizer, and PLL signal filter is linear. With such pre-distortion, a loop filter is provided for with component values that define a relatively small bandwidth for the loop filter to filter spurious tones that result from an IF reference feedthrough to a voltage controlled oscillator of the translational loop.
US07944373B2 Handheld electronic device and method for disambiguation of compound text input and for prioritizing compound language solutions according to completeness of text components
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound text input. The device is able to assemble language objects in the memory to generate compound language solutions. The device is able to prioritize compound language solutions according to various criteria, including the degree of completeness of the text components of a compound language solution.
US07944358B2 Traffic and population counting device system and method
A traffic and population counting device system and method is provided. The traffic and population counting device may be executable by a computing device and may include an entry selector configured to be selected to indicate that a shopper has entered a shopping zone and to keep a running count of a number of shoppers who enter the shopping zone. An exit selector may be configured to be selected to indicate that a shopper has exited a shopping zone and to keep a running count of a number of shoppers who exit the shopping zone. Further, a display may be configured to display a running population count of shoppers within the shopping zone. The running population count may be determined by a running difference between the running count of the number of shoppers who enter the shopping zone and the running count of the number of shoppers who exit the shopping zone.
US07944356B2 Method and system to determine physical parameters as between an RFID tag and a reader
A method and system to determine physical parameters as between an RFID tag and a reader. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising generating an antenna feed signal, and transmitting a first electromagnetic wave to a radio frequency device (by coupling the antenna feed signal to a reading antenna), receiving a backscattered electromagnetic wave from the radio frequency device to create a received signal, calculating a combined signal based on the antenna feed signal and received signal, and determining relative velocity between the radio frequency device and the reading antenna based on the combined signal.
US07944345B2 System and process to ensure performance of mandated safety and maintenance inspections
A handheld, portable device is used to store data that indicates an operator was sufficiently close to each of a plurality of components during a safety inspection to actually inspect the components. The portable device includes a sensor that detects tokens, such as radio frequency identification tags, which are affixed adjacent to the components. Messages appearing on a display of the portable device prompt the operator to proceed to each checkpoint, determine a state of the component disposed there, and if the component is not operating properly, indicate a plurality of predefined conditions from which the operator can choose to identify the observed condition of the component. The state and condition of each component entered during the safety inspection are stored as data that are subsequently transferred to a remote data storage site over a wire or wireless link.
US07944341B2 Network system using DC power bus and auto power control method
There is disclosed a home network system using a DC power bus. The network system with a network server and more than one device being connected comprises a main power supply means for converting an AC power into a DC power to supply the DC power to the more than one device; and a DC power bus for providing a supply path of the DC power converted by the main power supply means. Since the DC power is supplied to each device via a power outlet located on the DC power bus, it is possible to supply the power necessary to each device of various kinds included in the network system more efficiently using the main power supply means and the DC power bus. Further, it is possible to prevent the DC power from being supplied to the area to which the power does not need to be supplied, by switching on/off a power breaker within the main power supply means automatically with regards to operation states of the devices located in each area at home, which results in preventing unnecessary power consumption.
US07944337B2 Stacked PTC thermistor and process for its production
A stacked PTC thermistor 1 comprises a body 4 obtained by alternating lamination of a semiconductor ceramic layer 2 and an internal electrode 3, and a pair of external electrodes 5a, 5b provided at the edge faces 4a, 4b of the body 4 and electrically connected with the internal electrode 3. The semiconductor ceramic layer 2 is composed of a porous sintered compact containing crystal grains of a barium titanate-based compound, and an alkali metal element is preferentially distributed in at least one of the grain boundaries and voids of the sintered compact.
US07944336B2 Laminated coil component and method for manufacturing the same
A laminated coil component includes a spiral coil including laminated ceramic films and coil conductors. Pad portions provided at ends of the coil conductors are connected to one another using via-hole conductors to provide an interlayer connection among the pad portions. Thus, a spiral coil is provided. The pad portions are thinner than the coil conductors, and accordingly, a concentration of stress on portions at which the pad portions and the via-hole conductors overlap one another is reduced.
US07944335B2 Operating element with tilt haptics
An operating element is provided, in particular a joystick, with tilt haptics for a motor vehicle, having a tiltably supported lever with one primary lever arm and at least one secondary lever arm, as well as at least one pair of permanent magnets, wherein one magnet of a permanent magnet pair is located on a secondary lever arm and one magnet is located in a fixed position in the operating element in such a manner that unlike poles of the magnets are located opposite and a distance apart from one another when the operating element is in its center position.
US07944333B2 Sealed contactor
A low cost, sealed contactor comprises a hermetically sealed housing with a flat header having internal components for changing the state of said contactor. Terminals are electrically connected to the internal components for connection to internal circuitry and applying an electrical signal to control the state of the contactor. A solenoid-driven plunger with a hollow shaft is included. Power-reducing electronics located within the hermetically sealed housing are also included. Two contact springs are also included to improve electrical performance. O-rings are added to help seal the contactor and keep it hermetically sealed.
US07944331B2 Circuit interrupting device with reverse wiring protection
Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.
US07944328B2 Low-pass filter
A low-pass filter includes a first curved microstrip, a second curved microstrip, a first flat microstrip, a second flat microstrip, and a third flat microstrip. The first curved microstrip is in an n-shape and defines a first receiving space therein. The second curved microstrip is in an n-shape and defines a second receiving space therein. The first flat microstrip is received in the first receiving space and connected to a topside of the n shape of the first curved microstrip. The second flat microstrip is received in the first receiving space along with the first flat microstrip and connected to one end of the first curved microstrip. The third flat microstrip is received in the second receiving space and connected to one end of the second curved microstrip.
US07944327B2 Band-pass filter having a ring resonator
A bandpass filter is described herein. The bandpass filter has two parallel signal branches, each connected, on an input side, to an input node and, on an output side, to an output node. The two signal branches form a ring resonator, having a wave mode with a complex amplitude of {right arrow over (U)}CW=|{right arrow over (U)}CW|exp{−jφCW} propagating in a clockwise direction and a wave mode with a complex amplitude of {right arrow over (U)}CCW=|{right arrow over (U)}CCW|exp{−jφCCW} propagating in a counterclockwise direction. The vector sum of a resulting wave {right arrow over (U)}out at the output node of the bandpass filter at two or more stop frequencies is: {right arrow over (U)}out={right arrow over (U)}CW+{right arrow over (U)}CCW=0, and |{right arrow over (U)}CW|=|{right arrow over (U)}CCW| and |φCW−φCCW|=180°. The stop frequencies are arranged such that a passband is formed between two stop frequencies.
US07944323B2 Temperature-compensated PIN-diode attenuator
Temperature compensation is provided for a PIN-diode attenuator by temperature-sensitive resistive networks. In one embodiment, each temperature-sensitive resistive network includes a resistor connected in series to a parallel network formed from another resistor and an n-type thermistor, whose resistance decreases as temperature increases. As a result, as temperature increases, the currents applied by the resistive networks to PIN diodes in the attenuator also increases to compensate (at least partially) for the temperature dependence of the operations of the PIN-diode attenuator. Low-pass filters are provided in the resistive networks to inhibit relatively high-frequency (e.g., RF) signals in the attenuator from reaching and distorting the operations of the thermistors.
US07944322B2 Method and system for flip chip configurable RF front end with an off-chip balun
Methods and systems for a flip chip configurable RF front end with an off-chip balun may include bonding a balun package to a single integrated circuit (IC) comprising an integrated transmitter and a receiver. The balun package may comprise one or more layers and may be electrically coupled to the IC. The balun package may comprise various devices such as, for example, inductors, capacitors, resistors, and/or switches, which may be on an exterior surface and/or inner layers of the balun package. Accordingly, the balun package and/or the IC may be configured for receiving RF signals and/or transmitting RF signals. The balun package and/or the IC may also be configured for single-ended RF input, single-ended RF output, differential RF input, and/or differential RF output. An off-chip amplifier may be used to amplify signals on the single transmit line in the single-ended RF output mode of operation.
US07944320B2 Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board including multi-via
An electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board that intercepts to transfer a signal having a predetermined frequency band are disclosed. In particularly, the electromagnetic bandgap structure includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer; a metal plate, placed between the first metal layer and a second metal layer; a multi-via, penetrating the first metal layer, passing through the same planar surface as an outer metal layer and turning toward the first metal layer to connect the metal plate and the first metal layer; and a dielectric layer, stacked in between the first metal layer and the metal plate, between the metal plate and the second metal layer and between the first metal layer and the outer metal layer. With the present invention, a bandgap frequency can be decreased without increasing the size of the metal plate.
US07944319B2 Clock spreading systems and methods
Clock spreading systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a clock spreading system is provided in an integrated transceiver system that comprises a base band control system and a transceiver coupled to the base band control system. The clock spreading system provides a spread clock output signal derived from a clock reference signal for clocking one of the base band control system and the transceiver. The clock spreading system is configured to provide a periodic phase modulated spread clock output signal during receiving of data in a receive mode and a pseudo-random phase modulated spread clock output signal during transmitting of data in a transmit mode.
US07944312B2 Active free-running frequency circuit for phase-locked loop applications
This disclosure relates to a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) device and a method for providing a stable free-running voltage signal to a voltage controlled oscillator.
US07944310B2 Active balun circuit
An active balun circuit is provided, which includes an input end, a first and a second output ends, a first and a second transistors, a feedback capacitor, and a current source. The input end receives an input signal. A drain of the first transistor is coupled to the second output end, and a gate of the first transistor is coupled to the input end. A gate of the second transistor is coupled to a ground end, and a drain of the second transistor is coupled to the first output end. The feedback capacitor is coupled between the second output end and the gate of the second transistor. One end of the current source is coupled to sources of the first and second transistors, and the other end of the current source is coupled to the ground end.
US07944307B2 Wideband RF amplifiers
A device for amplifying signals over a wide frequency range features stacked amplifying modules connected between a DC voltage source and an electrical ground. The stacking configuration reuses the DC current produced the voltage source, and thus reduces the amount of operational DC current permitting the use of lower voltage, higher frequency devices to be used. The amplifying modules are fed signals which are different versions of an input signal, and the output signals are AC coupled using capacitors to balance out gain imbalances and asymmetries between the amplifying modules.
US07944306B2 Dual bias control circuit
The present invention relates to a bias control circuit and method for supplying a bias signal to at least one stage of an amplifier circuit, wherein a dual bias control is provided by generating a bias current and additionally using this bias current to derive a control signal for limiting a supply voltage of the at least one amplifier stage in response to the control signal. Thereby, a compression of the output signal of the amplifier stage, which results from the voltage limitation, can be realized in addition to the base current steering. This leads to a decrease in small signal gain and thus reduced output noise.
US07944299B2 Method for adjusting threshold voltage and circuit therefor
A method and circuit for changing a threshold voltage of a transistor. The circuit includes a sense circuit coupled to a switching transistor, a circuit transistor and to one terminal of a resistor. The other terminal of the resistor is connected to a body contact. The switching transistor directs current along one of two different paths in response to an input voltage sensed by the sense circuit. When the switching transistor directs a first current along one path, the first current is steered towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in one direction and when the switching transistor directs a second current along the other path, the second current is directed towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in the opposite direction from the first current. Steering the currents varies the potential of a body with respect to the potential at the source of the circuit transistor.
US07944294B2 Signal amplification
An apparatus for amplifying a signal. The apparatus includes an amplifier powered by a power supply, a monitor that monitors an output signal of the amplifier and a controller operative to adjust the power supply if distortion is detected in the output signal of the amplifier by the monitor.
US07944292B1 Method and apparatus to remove the DC component of a feedback signal
A feedback circuit disposed across input and output terminals of an amplifier is adapted so as not inject DC current back into the input terminal of the amplifier. The feedback circuit includes, in part, first and second current sources, a transistor, and a resistive load. The first current source supplies current to one of the terminals of the transistor in communication with an input terminal of the amplifier. The second current source receives this current and diverts it to a voltage supply. The transistor is maintained in the active region of operation. The resistive load has a first terminal in communication with an output terminal of the amplifier and a second terminal in communication with the transistor. The DC voltages at the two terminals of the resistive load are substantially equal so as to inhibit DC current flow therethrough.
US07944287B2 Low-noise, wide offset range, programmable input offset amplifier front end and method
A programmable offset amplifier includes first (M1) and second (M2) input transistors having differentially connected sources and gates coupled to first (Vin+) and second (Vin−) input voltages. A tail current (Itail1) is shared between the first and second input transistors. First (M3) and second (M4) load devices are coupled between a reference voltage and drains of the first and second input transistors, respectively. An output stage (13) has a first input (+) coupled to the drain of the second input transistor and a second input (−) coupled to the drain of the first input transistor. Programmable voltage changes are produced on input elements of programmable input offset circuitry to cause changes in offset voltages associated with electrodes of the input transistors which are reflected back to the amplifier input to provide a large programmable input-referred offset voltage.
US07944280B2 Bandgap reference generator utilizing a current trimming circuit
A circuit for providing a bandgap voltage. The circuit includes a classic bandgap reference voltage generation circuit including first end second serially connected transistors acting as a current mirror to another portion of the classical bandgap reference circuit and being coupled between a supply voltage Vdd and an output resistor. The circuit also includes a current trimming circuit coupled in parallel with the classical bandgap reference generation circuit including a fixed element portion including a plurality of transistors and a switch portion including a plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of transistors is coupled to the supply voltage Vdd and to a one of the plurality of switches and each switch includes a fuse.
US07944279B1 Charge pump stage of radio-frequency identification transponder
A charge pump stage of an RFID transponder includes an RF node, a capacitor bank, a plurality of current-biased rectifier stages, a DC bus, a programmable current source and a control circuit. The RF node provides an RF signal. The capacitor bank has a selectable capacitance and is electrically coupled to the RF node. The plurality of current-biased rectifier stages receives the RF signal from the RF node. The plurality of current-biased rectifier stages provides a DC output. The DC bus receives the DC output from the plurality of rectifier stages and provides a supply voltage. The programmable current source provides a plurality of current bias signals for each of the plurality of current-biased rectifier stages. The control circuit is in electrical communication with the capacitor bank and the programmable current source. The control circuit selects the selectable capacitance of the capacitor bank and programs the current source.
US07944278B2 Circuit for generating negative voltage and semiconductor memory apparatus using the same
A circuit for generating negative voltage of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first detecting unit configured to generate a first detecting signal by detecting a first negative voltage level, a first negative voltage generating unit configured to generate the first negative voltage in response to the first detecting signal, a second detecting unit configured to generate a second detecting signal by detecting the second negative voltage level, a timing controlling unit configured to output the second detecting signal as an enable signal when a power up signal is enabled and the first detecting signal is disabled, and a second negative voltage generating unit configured to generate the second negative voltage in response to the enable signal.
US07944277B1 Circuit and methods of adaptive charge-pump regulation
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a circuit for suppressing noise with adaptive charge-pump regulation. The circuit comprises an oscillator circuit, a charge pump, an amplifier, a current mirror, and a filter. The charge-pump receives an oscillating signal and provides an output voltage. The amplifier is responsive to the output voltage and a reference voltage and provides a control signal. The control signal alters a frequency of the oscillator and the output voltage is responsive to this frequency. The current mirror and filter suppress a noise component of the output voltage. The current mirror provides a supply current to a regulator loop. The regulator loop is operable to generate a consistent regulator voltage. In this manner, the adaptive charge-pump allows for a more consistent, noise free, regulator voltage.
US07944275B2 VPP pumping circuit and VPP pumping method using the same
Disclosed are a high voltage pumping circuit and a VPP pumping method using the same. The high voltage pumping circuit includes an initializing unit for initializing a high voltage in response to a first enable signal, a first pump for pumping the high voltage in response to the first enable signal, a second pump for pumping the high voltage in response to a second enable signal and a first mode signal, and a mode signal transmitting unit for generating a second mode signal in response to the second enable signal and the first mode signal. The driving of the initializing unit and the first pump is controlled in response to the first pump and the second mode signal.
US07944273B1 Active filtering
Techniques for adjusting the voltage across an active filter element include a controlled circuit element and a control circuit element adapted to control the voltage across the controlled circuit element to increase transient load response and to reduce power dissipation.
US07944271B2 Temperature and supply independent CMOS current source
An improved current source may provide an improvement over a typical ΔVgs-type current source. The improved current source may comprise two branches. A first branch may be configured to generate a PTC (proportional to absolute temperature) current based on a ΔVgs developed across a resistor. A second branch may be configured to generate an NTC (inversely proportional to absolute temperature) current. The PTC current and NTC current may be combined to obtain a third current having a magnitude that is the sum of the respective magnitudes of the PTC current and the NTC current, and a temperature coefficient that is a combination of the respective temperature coefficients of the PTC current and NTC current. The current source may be configured to generate the NTC current and PTC current to be substantially insensitive to variations in the supply voltage.
US07944269B2 Power transistor and method for controlling a power transistor
Embodiments of the invention are related to a power transistor and a method for controlling a power transistor. In one embodiment a power transistor comprises a power semiconductor body with a plurality of power transistor cells each having a control electrode and a current path. The power transistor furthermore comprises a temperature sensor formed by at least one transistor cell in the power semiconductor body whose control electrode is coupled to one electrode of the current path forming a reversed biased pn-junction.
US07944266B2 Low-voltage down converter
A low-voltage level converter provides level conversion for multiple-supply voltages for very large scale integration (VLSI) systems. Low voltage-level down conversion is achieved at very low voltage operation for on-chip test circuitry for multiple-supply voltage systems. The converter includes an output driver PMOS FET (positive metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) with its well grounded. An output NMOS FET (negative MOS FET) and an extra input pulldown NMOS FET are connected in parallel to the input of the converter. The extra input pulldown NMOS FET provides a negative gate voltage at its drain to the output driver PMOS FET gate. The negative gate voltage and grounded well significantly decrease rise time of the output signal noise pulse of the converter and virtually eliminate a negative spike voltage at the initial transition of the output pulse produced by coupling effect between the input pulse and output pulse due to Miller capacitance effect.
US07944263B2 Timing generator and semiconductor test apparatus
A timing generator reduces operation-dependent power consumption (AC component) and noises generated from a clock distribution circuit itself in distributing a clock, and further reduces a skew attributed to the clock distribution. A clock distribution circuit 20 for distributing the clock to timing generating sections 10-1 to 10-n has a clock main path 21 connected to a main path buffer 24 and a clock return path 26 connected to a return path buffer 27. A load capacity of the main path buffer 24 is equal to that of the return path buffer 27. Biases of the buffers are the same potential and are generated by a delay locked-loop circuit 30. A propagation delay time of the clock distribution circuit is controlled so as to be an integral multiple of a clock period.
US07944262B2 Duty correction circuit
A duty correction circuit is formed using at least one delay circuit, which is constituted of a first inverter including three transistors of different conduction types and a second inverter including three other transistors of different conduction types and which delays and adjusts an input clock signal at the leading-edge/trailing-edge timing so as to convert it into an output clock signal based on a first or second bias voltage produced by a bias circuit detecting the duty ratio of the output clock signal. The duty correction circuit decreases the high-level period of the output clock signal having a high duty ratio based on the first bias voltage. Alternatively, the duty correction circuit increases the high-level period of the output clock signal having a low duty ratio based on the second bias voltage.
US07944261B1 Method and apparatus for detecting clock loss
Method and apparatus for detecting clock loss in clock circuit. An example of the invention relates to detecting loss of a feedback clock signal input to a digital clock manager, where the feedback clock signal is derived from the reference clock signal. A clock divider is provided to produce a divided feedback clock signal from the feedback clock signal. A first pair of flip-flops is configured to store samples of the divided feedback clock signal on consecutive edges of the reference clock signal. A second pair of flip-flops is configured to store samples of the divided feedback clock signal on consecutive edges of an inversion of the reference clock signal. Detection logic is configured to detect whether each of the first pair of flip-flops and each of the second pair of flip-flops store the same value.
US07944259B2 Clock signal generating circuit, display panel module, imaging device, and electronic equipment
A delay synchronization loop type clock signal generating circuit includes: a delay line for delaying a first clock signal by a set delay amount and outputting; a delay time length setting unit for setting a delay time length of the delay line, based on phase difference between a second clock signal output from an output terminal and the first clock signal; a phase relation determining unit for determining whether or not the phase relation of the first clock signal and the second clock signal are in a particular phase relation; and a phase inversion/non-inversion unit for performing phase inversion of the first clock signal on a transmission path including the delay line, at the time of detecting the particular phase relation.
US07944258B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit including delay line of delay locked loop and method of controlling delay time using the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a delay line of a delay locked loop. The delay line of the delay locked loop includes a delay variation detecting unit that outputs a detection signal according to a variation in delay time using a reference clock signal, and a plurality of delay units that change a delay time according to the detection signal and delay the output of an input signal by the changed delay time.
US07944255B2 CMOS bias circuit
A CMOS bias circuit includes a starter circuits and a started circuit part which supplies a current to the outside. The starter circuits has a connection node (first terminal) between it and the started circuit part. The starter circuits includes a first MOS transistor connected at its drain to the first terminal, a first current supply circuit which supplies a starter current to the started circuit via the first MOS transistor, and a circuit which supplies a second current in a direction that interrupts a current flowing through the first MOS transistor to a node between the first MOS transistor and the first current supply circuit in accordance with a potential at the first terminal. The starter circuits has a function of preventing a current flowing between the drain and source of the first MOS transistor in the opposite direction by increasing or decreasing a gate bias of the first MOS transistor in accordance with a value of the second current.
US07944252B1 High performance LVDS driver for scalable supply
Traditionally, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and bipolar transistors have been separately employed in low voltage differential signal (LVDS) drivers. Here, a hybridized LVDS driver is provided with an input stage that uses CMOS transistors and output stages that use bipolar transistors. As a result of this hybridization, the LVDS driver has superior functional characteristics compared to conventional LVDS drivers as well as being able to function with a supply range between about 1.8V and 3.3V.
US07944251B2 Reduced line driver output dependency on process, voltage, and temperature variations
According to one exemplary embodiment, a transmitter module includes a line drive including a current digital-to-analog converter, where the line driver provides an analog output waveform. The current digital-to-analog converter receives a digitally filtered input waveform including at least two voltage steps. The at least two voltage steps of the digitally filtered input waveform cause a rise time of the analog output waveform to have a reduced dependency on process, voltage, and temperature variations in the line driver, while meeting stringent rise time requirements. The digitally filtered input waveform has an initial voltage level and a final voltage level, where the final voltage level is substantially equal to a sum of the at least two voltage steps of the digitally filtered input waveform.
US07944250B2 Circuit arrangement for providing a voltage supply for a transistor driver circuit
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for providing a voltage supply for a driver circuit for driving a semiconductor switch. The circuit arrangement has: a first bootstrap circuit which is supplied with a first auxiliary voltage referring to a lower supply potential, the bootstrap circuit comprising a first capacitor which provides a supply voltage for the driver circuit; a first charge pump which is designed to keep the charge in the first capacitor at or above a particular level at least during a particular period of time; a second bootstrap circuit which is supplied with a second auxiliary voltage referring to an upper supply potential, the bootstrap circuit comprising a second capacitor which provides a supply voltage for the first charge pump; and a second charge pump which is designed to generate the second auxiliary voltage.
US07944249B2 Photoreceiving circuit
A buffer circuit includes a first transistor (T1) having a base connected to a first power supply, the emitter (E1) and collector (C1) connected as input and output nodes, a second transistor (T2) having a base connected to the first power supply, a first constant current circuit using a difference between outgoing current from E1 and an input current at the current signal input node as a constant current, and determining outgoing current from the emitter of T2 equal to the constant current; and a first mirror circuit equalizing first and second collector currents with a third transistor (T3) with C1 and a fourth transistor (T4) with a collector connected to a collector of T2, a first operating point voltage is provided to the current signal output node between T3 and T1, and a second operating point voltage based on the first operating point voltage between T4 and T2.
US07944247B2 Operating circuit
An operating circuit includes a differential amplifier stage, which has a first input node for receiving a first input signal of a differential input, a second input node for receiving a second input signal of the differential input, a first output node for outputting a first output signal of a differential output, and a second output node for outputting a second output signal of the differential output; an offset current stage coupled to the first output node and the second output node for inducing a first offset current at the first output node and a second offset current at the second output node; and a first clamping device coupled to the first output node for selectively clamping an output voltage at the first output node according to the first output signal at the first output node.
US07944244B2 Multi-functional logic gate device and programmable integrated circuit device using the same
Provided is a logic gate device capable of performing multiple logic operations by using a single logic gate circuit. The multi-functional logic gate device includes a pull-up switching unit having input switches of a first group being respectively connected to multiple input terminals and selection switches of the first group connected to either a selection terminal or a logically inverted selection terminal, the pull-up switching unit electrically connecting the input switches of the first group in series or in parallel between a power source and an output terminal according to logic levels of the selection terminal and the inverted selection terminal. The multi-function logic gate includes a pull-down switching unit having input switches of a second group being respectively connected to multiple input terminals and selection switches of the second group connected to either the selection terminal or the inverted selection terminal, the pull-down switching unit electrically connecting the input switches of the second group in parallel or in series between the output terminal and a ground terminal according to the logic levels of the selection terminal and the inverted selection terminal. The connection of the input switches of the second group is complementarily opposite to the connection of the input switches of the first group.
US07944237B2 Adjustable hold flip flop and method for adjusting hold requirements
A method and apparatus are provided for storing a value in a process register of an electrical circuit, which indicates a strength of a process in which the circuit was fabricated, and adjusting an input delay applied to data signals received by a synchronous storage element of the electrical circuit based on the stored value.
US07944234B2 Programmable on-chip logic analyzer apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein may cause an event trigger state machine associated with a programmable on-chip logic analyzer (POCLA) to transition to a programmable state at a programmable number of occurrences of a programmable set of events associated with a first subset of signals on a first subset of input signal paths. States associated with a second subset of signals on a second subset of input signal paths may be stored at a time relative to a transition to the programmable state if a set of storage criteria have been met. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US07944228B2 Mother substrate, substrate for display panel and method of manufacturing display panel
In a mother substrate for a lower substrate, a substrate for a display panel and a method of manufacturing a display panel, the substrate for the display panel includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate facing the lower substrate. The lower substrate includes an inspection line that receives a first inspection signal externally provided, a gate driving part that outputs a second inspection signal in response to the first inspection signal from the inspection line, and a pixel part driven in response to the second inspection signal. The inspection line is disposed on a grinding area. Thus, the display panel may have an enhanced productivity and an improved yield, on which the gate driving part is formed.
US07944226B2 Test apparatus and transmission apparatus
A test apparatus for testing a device under test includes a test signal generating section that generates a test signal to be supplied to the device under test, a main driving section that outputs an output voltage determined in accordance with the test signal, to an input/output pin connected to a signal input/output terminal of the device under test, a replica driving section that outputs a comparison voltage determined in accordance with the test signal, a resistance voltage dividing section that generates a divided voltage by resistance-dividing the comparison voltage, a comparing section that compares a voltage of the input/output pin with the divided voltage, a judging section that judges acceptability of the device under test based on a result of the comparison by the comparing section, and an adjusting section that adjusts a voltage dividing ratio of the resistance voltage dividing section so that the divided voltage becomes equal to a voltage obtained by adding together a predetermined threshold voltage and a voltage of the input/output pin that is observed when the main driving section has output the output voltage and the signal input/output terminal of the device under test has not output a response signal.
US07944221B2 System and method for automatically discovering total transistor resistance in a hybrid power over ethernet architecture
A system and method for automatically discovering total transistor resistance in a hybrid power over Ethernet (PoE) architecture. A critical factor for a PoE system is the total resistance of the power FET. Typical PoE systems consist of a single power FET that may be integrated with the controller or external to the controller. In a hybrid architecture the PoE system consists of both an internal power FET and an external power FET. The external power FET can be used to customize a design to meet a particular application or need. The total resistance in the hybrid architecture can be automatically determined using voltage and current measurements of the internal and external power FETs.
US07944218B2 Immersion sensor to protect battery
A system for detecting liquid on a battery or on an electronic device connected with the battery is presented. The battery has an electrical contact for transferring current from the battery to the electronic device. The system includes a sensor for detecting liquid on the battery or on the electronic device and sensor circuitry connected with the sensor. The sensor circuitry prevents current from flowing through the electrical contact of the battery upon detecting liquid.
US07944214B2 Padé approximant based compensation for integrated sensor modules and the like
Methods and systems using Pade' Approximant expansion ratios provide mappings between nonlinear sensors and a more linear output domain. The method includes a method of converting an input digital signal having a nonlinear dependency on a physical variable into an output digital signal that exhibits a substantially linear dependency with respect to the variable is disclosed. The method includes: (a) multiplying the input digital signal by a variable multiplying factor to thereby generate a multiplied digital version of the input signal; (b) adding to the multiplied digital version of the input signal, a predefined digital offset signal to thereby produce the output digital signal; (c) multiplying the output digital signal by a predefined feedback gain correction factor to thereby produce a digital feedback signal; (d) using the digital feedback signal to produce the variable multiplying factor.
US07944211B2 Characterization of formations using electrokinetic measurements
A method for characterization of a formation that includes inducing fluid motion in a formation while making electronic measurements.
US07944208B2 Active image area positioning with adjustable patient bench permitting chair-shaped patient transport into and out of an open MRI apparatus system
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging System consisting of a magnet (10) with a U-shaped frame (15), whose pole faces define an open magnetic imaging area [R] for a patient, and a magnetic field generator (17) that is controlled to generate magnetic fields inside the magnetic imaging area; a transport system (30) associated with the magnet has a support structure (20) that defines a movement path through the magnetic imaging area. The transport system (30) also includes a bench (40) to support the patient. The transport system (30) can slide the bench (40) along the support structure so that the patient can be introduced into and extracted from the magnetic imaging area. The bench (40) may further include a non-reclinable support part (41) coupled to reclinable support parts (42 and 43) at opposing ends to allow the position of patient to be rotatably changed on the bench (40).
US07944207B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is configured to divide an object to be examined into a plurality of regions in a predetermined direction, set images of slice positions for each of the regions so that the slice positions are continuous in each region, obtain an image of each of the regions while moving the object stepwise, and acquire a plurality of image data having three types of categories for the region, the slice position and the imaging sequence. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus selectively sets one of the three types of categories and rearranges and displays a plurality of images having the set category in the lengthwise direction or the lateral direction according to the two other categories that have not been selectively set.
US07944202B2 Rotation angle detector
A rotation angle detector is arranged to detect a rotation angle of an object. The rotation angle detector includes a rotor that rotates about a rotation axis according to a rotation of the object, a detecting unit for detecting a rotation of the rotor, a controller for detecting a rotation angle of the rotor based on a detection signal output from the detecting unit, and a case for accommodating the rotor rotatably. The case has at least three elongate holes provided therein. The elongated holes have longitudinal directions extending radially from the rotation axis of the rotor.
US07944201B2 Sliding element with position indicator
The position indicator for a stick shaped sensor is received in a particularly annular sliding element, comprised of wear resistant, slide capable material as e.g. plastic, with an extended guidance length, which additionally comprises axial flow channels for the pressure medium in order to avoid local pressure buildup.
US07944200B2 Probe apparatus
A probe apparatus includes a holding frame holding a test head through a biasing unit biasing the test head. An annular member is rotatably mounted in an opening of a ceiling plate of a main body. Cam followers are rotatably provided circumferentially on the annular member. An intermediate connecting member is provided in a lower surface of the test head, for bringing the test head into electrical contact with an upper surface of the probe card. Protrusions for guiding the cam followers are provided corresponding thereto at an outer periphery of the intermediate connecting member, upper surfaces of the protrusions being inclined. The cam followers are moved relatively upward along the respective inclined surfaces of the protrusions by rotating the annular member so that the intermediate connecting member is pushed downward against a biasing force of the biasing unit to bring the test head into press-contact with the probe card.
US07944191B2 Switching regulator with automatic multi mode conversion
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for efficient switching regulators that adapt automatically to, and operate with, input voltages that are above, below, or equal to the output voltage. The disclosed switching regulators demonstrate advantages of both buck and boost converters at high efficiency.
US07944190B2 Control circuit of power supply unit which controls output power of external power supply based upon current from the external power supply, power supply unit and control method thereof
The control circuit 30 of power supply unit and power supply unit 10 controlling output power with electric power supplied from the external power 15, comprise a monitoring portion 40 monitoring current I1 and voltage outputted from the external power supply 15 and output power of the external power supply 15 and a setting portion e1 which sets an upper limit value of current outputted from the external power supply 15 based on a monitoring result of the monitoring portion 40.
US07944189B2 Load driving device and portable apparatus utilizing such driving device
A load such as an LED and a constant-current source are connected in series with each other between the node of a dc-dc conversion type power supply circuit providing an output voltage and the ground. The constant-current source provides a constant current Io, the magnitude of which can be adjusted. The power supply circuit controls the output voltage such that the voltage drop across the constant-current source serving as a detection voltage becomes equal to a reference voltage. Thus, the load current can be varied within a predetermined range while avoiding the power loss due to an increase in the load current, thereby always permitting efficient operation of the load.
US07944188B1 Power converter circuits having bipolar outputs and bipolar inputs
A new bipolar output boost converter for ac input applications is revealed. The new boost converter is bridgeless, i.e., it does not require use of a line frequency diode rectifier which improves the efficiency of the converter significantly. The new bipolar boost converter does not include the common mode noise generating mechanisms of prior art ac input bridgeless boost rectifier circuits, thereby easing electromagnetic compatibility problems. Although the new converter requires two output filter capacitors, total capacitor stored energy is the same as other boost converters of the same power level so that capacitor volume and cost is not significantly adversely effected. Zero voltage switching cells which can be substituted for a switch to eliminate first order switching losses are also revealed. New three terminal bipolar input source switching networks having operating properties similar to conventional full bridge source switching networks are also revealed.
US07944185B2 Power control system and method
A power control system comprises a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the prime mover and the generator wherein the control device ascertains a power level of the generator and varies an output power of the prime mover according to the power level. The control device measures a duty cycle of a generator output power controller to ascertain the generator power level and generates a signal to a prime mover controller so that the generator duty cycle remains within a pre-determined range. The power control system may include a transmission wherein the control device operation maybe conditioned on a state of the transmission. The power control system may include a speed converter coupled with the prime mover wherein the control device converts a speed of the prime mover according to the generator power level. The control device may operate to control an output power of the generator concurrently with controlling the output power of the prime mover.
US07944184B2 Static compensator apparatus for HVDC system
A static compensator apparatus for a HVDC system may control harmonic wave compensation at high passive speed to meet operating characteristics of the HVDC system. A static compensator is turned-on in a normal mode and compensates for invalid power and removes a harmonic wave generated by the high voltage direct current system. A static compensator controller controls an operation of the static compensator. A diesel power generator operates complementarily to the static compensator and being turned-on when the high voltage direct current system starts.
US07944181B2 Battery pack
A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.
US07944178B2 Fully-charged battery capacity detection method
A fully-charged battery capacity detection method includes a capacity variation detection step, an open-circuit voltage detection step, a remaining capacity determination step, a remaining capacity variation rate calculation step, and a fully-charged capacity calculation step. The capacity variation detection step calculates a capacity variation value of a battery between first detection timing and second detection timing. The open-circuit voltage detection step detects first and second open-circuit voltages of the battery at the first and second detection timing, respectively. The remaining capacity determination step determines first and second remaining capacities of the battery based on the first and second open voltages, respectively. The remaining capacity variation rate calculation step calculates a remaining capacity variation rate based on the difference between the first and second remaining capacities. The fully-charged capacity calculation step calculates a fully-charged capacity of the battery based on the remaining capacity variation rate and the capacity change value.
US07944167B2 Method and apparatus for improving the position accuracy of a servo motor
A method of operating a motor controlled by a closed loop servo control system is provided. The closed loop servo control system employs a digital filter, such as a PID filter, that employs one or more gain coefficients. The method includes temporarily increasing one or more of the gain coefficients by a corresponding first predetermined amount when the motor reaches a coefficient boost motor position that is a predetermined distance before a commanded motor rest position, and decreasing the one or more of the gain coefficients by a corresponding second predetermined amount a predetermined time after the motor reaches the commanded motor rest position.
US07944165B1 Inspection system with dual encoders
A dual encoder motion control system for high speed and high resolution motion control of a spindle is described.
US07944159B2 Rotor orientation detection in brushless DC motors
In order to determine the orientation of the rotor of a brushless DC motor 100, a sequence of current pulses may be applied to the stator phases U, V, W by the respective drivers HS0, LS0, HS1, LS1, HS2, LS2. The current generated in the stator phases U, V, W in turn generates a current in a shunt resistor 110. The current in this shunt resistor 110 is monitored by use of a current voltage converter 120 and a comparator 130 to determine when it exceeds a predetermined threshold. The rise time until the threshold current is exceeded is recorded in capture unit 140. A processor unit 150 then calculates a scalar parameter SU, SV, SW for each respective stator phase U, V, W from the recorded rise times associated with each pulse. The orientation of the magnetic axis of the rotor can then be determined by consideration of the scalar parameters SU, SV, SW of each stator phase U, V, W, as the respective rise times of each pulse are determined by the inductive properties of the respective stator phases U, V, W, which in turn are dependent upon the orientation of the rotor.
US07944157B2 Dual ring dedicated drive control system for medium voltage variable frequency drives
The present invention provides a motor drive system that is substantially more robust than those of the prior art. Generally, the motor drive system provides a redundant communication topology with the drives, thereby greatly reducing the chance of failure by a fault in the drive-to-drive communication link. Specifically, the motor drive system includes a plurality of motor drives joined by a communication media. Each motor drive has a motor control circuit configured to control the speed of an electric motor and a media access control unit having two communication modules. Each communications module includes a transmitter and a receiver joined to the communications media. A set of routing switches in the media access control unit joins the communication modules to connect the motor drives in an independent primary and a secondary ring communicating data for controlling the motor drives.
US07944155B2 LED driver with single inverter circuit with isolated multi-channel outputs
A single-converter circuit-based LED driver circuit (10) with isolated multi-channel outputs is disclosed. The circuit (10) includes an IC control circuit (11), a plurality of isolated output channels (70, 74) each having an output current sensing and conditioning circuit (74, 90), and an output current regulation circuit (128). The output current regulation circuit (128) includes a voltage-sensing transformer winding (T4) that senses an output voltage level across a secondary side of the circuit (10), and a peak output current sensing component (156) that senses output currents from the isolated output channels and determines which channel has a highest current output. Additionally, the circuit (10) facilitates providing output current regulation when detected output voltage is below a predetermined threshold, and providing output current regulation when the detected output voltage is above the predetermined threshold.
US07944154B2 Fluorescent tube power supply and backlight
A fluorescent tube power supply including an inverter power supply which outputs a DC voltage, and an inverter which converts an output of the inverter power supply to an AC; wherein a power stabilizing unit for stabilizing a power input to the inverter is arranged between the inverter power supply and the inverter; and a feedback control of the inverter power supply is performed based on an output of the power stabilizing unit. The power stabilizing unit detects a current flowing between the inverter power supply and the inverter, and the feedback control of the inverter power supply is performed based on the current.
US07944152B2 Two-stage balancer for multi-lamp backlight
A two-stage balancer for a multi-lamp backlight is electrically connected to a driving unit through a driving transformer. The two-stage balancer includes a plurality of first balancing transformers, second balancing transformers, and lighting units. Each of the first balancing transformers is electrically connected to the corresponding second balancing transformers to form a two-stage structure. In addition, a primary winding and a secondary winding of the second balancing transformer is electrically connected in series to one lighting unit, respectively, to form a circuit loop. Further, each of the circuit loops is electrically connected in parallel. Whereby the two-stage balancer provides much better current balance between the parallel circuit loops, and outputs a sinusoid-like driving current to increase lighting efficacy and further maintain uniform brightness of the multi-lamp backlight.
US07944151B2 Frequency modulation method and device for high intensity discharge lamp
An electronic control gear for a HID lamp receives an input signal for operating the lamp and frequency modulates the input signal to generate a frequency modulated output signal that drives an arc of the lamp. The frequency modulation of the output signal sweeps continuously between a low frequency modulation and a high frequency modulation, the low frequency modulation being a frequency f1 in a range of 125 kHz to 150 kHz and the high frequency modulation being a frequency f2 in a range of 230 kHz to 300 kHz, where f2-f1 is at least 0.4*f1. A power amplifier changes an amplitude of the frequency modulated output signal during the low frequency modulations so that a current amplitude of the frequency modulated output signal is substantially constant, and a variable gain transformer adjusts a voltage of the frequency modulated output signal during starting of the lamp.
US07944143B2 Organic light-emitting display device with frit seal and reinforcing structure bonded to frame
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting display device in which a substrate and an encapsulation substrate are joined by a frit and a reinforcing structure. The first substrate has a pixel region in which an organic light-emitting diode is formed, and a non-pixel region formed outside the pixel region. The second substrate is attached the first substrate by the frit. A bracket is joined with substrates by the reinforcing structure. A curable material is applied to inside the frame, moves between the first and second substrates, and then cured to form the reinforcing structure.
US07944142B2 Light-emitting device with improved brightness control and narrow frame and electronic apparatus with the light-emitting device
The invention provides a light-emitting device and an electronic apparatus, which are capable of preventing reduction of the amount of current flowing through light-emitting elements and which have an excellent display characteristic. Cathode wiring lines connected to a cathode are provided to surround an effective area outside the effective area where a plurality of pixels having light-emitting elements are provided. First to third power source lines connected to pixel electrodes are provided between the cathode wiring lines and the effective area.
US07944140B2 Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting display includes a substrate having a pixel region and a non-pixel region; an organic light emitting diode (OLED) in the pixel region and including a first electrode, an organic thin layer, and a second electrode; a driving circuit unit in the non-pixel region and for driving the OLED; a shielding layer in the non-pixel region and on the driving circuit unit, the shielding layer being electrically coupled to a ground power source; and an insulating layer interposed between the driving circuit unit and the shielding layer. The shielding layer effectively protects the driving circuit unit in the non-pixel region form electrostatic discharge (ESD). Also, the light emitting display may include a guard ring at an edge portion of the non-pixel region and electrically coupled to the shielding layer to further protect the driving circuit from ESD.
US07944137B2 Electron source and image display apparatus
There is provided an electron source according to the present invention, having a plurality of electron-emitting devices wherein each of the electron-emitting devices has a pair of electrodes, and a plurality of conductive films having respective electron emitting portions, provided between the pair of electrodes so as to be electrically connected to the pair of electrodes, the electron source including: a short-circuit suppressing film which is positioned between the plurality of conductive films and is provided on the electron-emitting device so as to be electrically connected to the pair of electrodes, and mainly contains tungsten (W) and germanium (Ge) nitride, wherein a ratio of the number of tungsten atoms to the number of tungsten and germanium atoms is 0.24 or more in the short-circuit suppressing film, surface resistivity of the short-circuit suppressing film is not less than 1×1010 Ω/square and not more than 1×1013 Ω/square.
US07944133B2 Light source device
Light source device, including an alternating current high-pressure mercury lamp having a pair of opposed electrodes within a spherical light-emitting part containing at least 0.15 mg/mm3 of mercury and 10−6 μmol/mm3 to 10−2 μmol/mm3 of halogen, and cylindrical hermetically sealed portions extending from both ends of the light-emitting part. External leads protrude from the ends of the light-emitting part. A reflecting mirror has a concave reflecting part surrounding the light-emitting part and a cylindrical neck part. An adhesive fills a periphery one of the hermetically sealed portions in the area of the external leads in a manner fulfilling the relationship L1/R≧0.5 where L1 (mm) is the length along the hermetically sealed portion filled with an adhesive and R (mm) is the diameter of the hermetically sealed portions. Feed wires connect to the external leads and openings for the feed wires can be formed in the reflecting part with flexible tubes between them.
US07944132B2 Tuning-fork resonator with grooves on principal surfaces
A resonator having a base part; and a resonating arm that performs flexing vibration, the resonating arm part has two principal surfaces, a first groove provided on one principal surface, a second groove provided in juxtaposition with the first groove on the other principal surface, a third groove provided in juxtaposition with the first groove and provided nearer the base part side than the first groove on the other principal surface, and a fourth groove provided in juxtaposition with the second groove and provided nearer the base part side than the second groove on the principal surface. The sum of a depth of the first and second groove part and a sum of a depth of the third and fourth groove part are larger than a distance between the one principal surface and the other principal surface.
US07944131B2 Quartz crystal unit, quartz crystal oscillator and manufacturing method of the same
A quartz crystal unit comprises a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator capable of vibrating in a flexural mode of an inverse phase and having at least one groove having at least one stepped portion formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines. An electrode is disposed on the at least one stepped portion of the at least one groove so that the electrode of the first quartz crystal tuning fork tine has an electrical polarity opposite to an electrical polarity of the electrode of the second quartz crystal tuning fork tine. The quartz crystal unit comprising the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator has a capacitance ratio r1 of a fundamental mode of vibration less than a capacitance ratio r2 of a second overtone mode of vibration.
US07944130B2 Multi-cantilever MEMS sensor, manufacturing method thereof, sound source localization apparatus using the multi-cantilever MEMS sensor, sound source localization method using the sound source localization apparatus
Disclosed herein is a multi-cantilever MEMS sensor functioning as a mechanical sensor having a plurality of cantilevers, replacing a conventional DSP based sound source localization algorithm and reducing production cost when the MEMES sensor applied to mass-produced robots, a manufacturing method thereof, a sound source localization apparatus using the multi-cantilever MEMS sensor and a sound source localization method using the sound source localization apparatus. The multi-cantilever MEMS sensor comprises a plurality of cantilevers 100 each of which includes a piezoresistor 20 and a sensing part 30 for sensing a predetermined signal generated according to the piezoresistor 20; and a terminal T for detecting the signal generated according to the piezoresistor 20, wherein one end of each cantilever is a free end and the other end thereof is a fixed end of each cantilever, the piezoresistor 20 and the sensing part 30 are formed at the fixed end, and the free ends of the plurality of cantilevers 100 have different lengths. A method of manufacturing the multi-cantilever MEMS sensor is provided. Furthermore, a method of using the multi-cantilever MEMS sensor and a sound source localization apparatus are provided.
US07944122B2 Self-contained voltage generating systems
A self-contained voltage generating system is incorporated in a package or device for housing a product. There is at least one piezoelectric element incorporated in the package or device and the piezoelectric element generates a source of voltage when it is activated. The voltage is then used to perform various activities on other elements that are part of the package or device, such as operate a motor, provide heat, provide ultrasonic energy, furnish light, provide acoustic energy, and provide vibration energy. The piezoelectric elements are in the form of discrete particles, piezoelectric fibers, filaments, transducers, and actuators.
US07944119B2 Vibratory actuator and drive unit including the same
Damage of a piezoelectric element due to deformation of a piezoelectric element beyond an elastic limit is prevented.An ultrasonic actuator (2) includes an actuator body (4), a case (5), and a support unit (6). The support unit (6) includes two support rubbers (61) and a connection rubber (63), provided between the case (5) and the actuator body (4), for applying compression force to the actuator body (4) in advance at non-node portions of the vibrations of the actuator body (4) from both sides in the vibration direction of longitudinal vibration. The connection rubber (63) includes center portions (64a), end portions (64b), and reduced-material portions (67) having a lower stiffness than those of the center portions (64a) and the end portions (64b). When the support unit (6) is placed between the case (5) and the actuator body (4), at least the connection rubber (63) is compression-deformed at the reduced-material portions (67).
US07944118B2 System and methodology for generating electricity using at least one heat engine and thermoacoustic element to apply cyclic pressure gradients to piezoelectric material
A system for generating electrical power supply signals includes at least one heat engine that undergoes heating/cooling cycles and corresponding temperature variations. A thermoacoustic element is thermally coupled to the chamber. The temperature variations of the heat engine induce thermoacoustic oscillations of the thermoacoustic element which form a pressure wave. At least one piezoelectric transducer is deformed by the pressure wave. A power converter can be used to transform the electric signals generated in response to deformation of the at least one piezoelectric transducer to a desired electrical power supply signal. The heat engine preferably uses a geothermal source of cold and an ambient source of hot (typically used in the summer months), or vice-versa (typically used in the winter months).
US07944111B2 Stator and motor
A stator core is formed by arranging divided cores (20) in a circumference direction in cylindrical shape. On an upper end surface (60) of a core back (50) of the divided core, holes (62, 64) are made. Then, on the upper end surface, a reinforcing ring (40) having through holes (66, 68) is arranged, and is connected with rivets (70, 72). Thus, stress is transmitted not only through a side surface (58) but also through the reinforcing ring (40), between the adjacent divided cores. Thus, strength of the stator using a powder magnetic core is ensured and a space is saved.
US07944102B2 Electrical machine with magnetic brake directly on the rotor
An electrical machine includes a stator having circumferentially arranged winding heads, with a winding head space being defined radially beneath the winding heads. Interacting with the stator is a rotor which has a rotatable laminated core. A magnetic brake is received in the winding head space and includes a magnet module having at least one permanent magnet which is axially resiliently fixed and constraint against rotation and which is magnetized in an axial direction, and an electromagnet which is arranged axially adjacent to the permanent magnet and securely fixed thereto. The electromagnet produces a magnetic field with a main direction oriented in an axial direction. Interacting with the at least one permanent magnet and the electromagnet is a ring-shaped armature which is secured directly and rigidly to the rotor so as to establish a fixed rotative engagement between the armature and the rotor.
US07944098B2 Generator structure for a bicycle hub
A generator structure for a bicycle hub is provided with a generator on an axle in a hub housing. The generator is provided with a magnet group and two opposite yoke iron groups on an outer periphery of a coil unit. The magnet group is formed by arranging plural magnets into an annular shape, and the respective magnets are made of sintered NdFeB and have an N pole at one side thereof and an S pole at the other side thereof. The N poles and the S poles of the magnets are alternately arranged around the magnet group. The outer periphery of each of the yoke iron groups is provided with claws, and the two yoke iron groups are oppositely combined together from both sides of the coil in such a manner that the claws of the yoke iron groups are located on the outer periphery of the coil unit.
US07944097B2 Drive mechanism for a mail sorting sorting machine, or method for assembling a drive mechanism for a mail sorting sorting machine
The claimed subject matter relates to a mechanism and method for assembling a drive mechanism for a mail sorting machine, or to a drive mechanism for a sorting gate of a mail sorting machine, used to deflect flat, flexible mail items during their conveyance through a mail sorting machine, comprising a base plate that has a bottom plate, a shaft, a bearing assembly for mounting the shaft on the base plate, a stator, which is firmly mounted on the base plate, and a rotor, which is rotatably mounted in the base plate so as to accommodate the shaft and rotate the shaft, wherein the bearing assembly, the rotor, the stator, preferably at least one stop surface for a stop on the rotor, and preferably also a heat dissipation assembly for the stator are all arranged on the base plate.
US07944094B2 Power station having a consumer and method for its operation
A power station (40) is provided having a turbine section including a gas turbine (12) and a generator (28) which is driven directly by the gas turbine (12) and produces alternating current at a first operating frequency, and whose output can be connected to a consumer (V) having a predetermined second operating frequency. Increased flexibility for design and operation of the power station (40) is achieved in that an electronic decoupling apparatus (27), which decouples the two operating frequencies from one another, is arranged between the generator (28) and the consumer (V).
US07944088B2 Battery backup device
A battery backup device is provided. The battery backup device includes a first connector; a second connector; a data line which transmits data provided from an external source via the first connector to the second connector; a storage unit which is connected to the data line and selectively stores the data; and a charging unit which receives and becomes charged with a first power supply voltage provided from the external source via the first connector, selectively adjusts a voltage level of the first power supply voltage, and outputs a second power supply voltage to the second connector.
US07944085B2 Multiple output switching power source apparatus including multiple series resonant circuits
A multiple output switching power source apparatus includes first and second switching elements Q1 and Q2, a first series resonant circuit connected in parallel with Q1 or Q2 and having a first current resonant capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer that are connected in series, a first rectifying-smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage generated by a secondary winding of the transformer, a second series resonant circuit connected in parallel with the secondary winding and having a second current resonant capacitor and a second resonant reactor that are connected in series, a second rectifying-smoothing circuit to rectify and smooth a voltage of the second series resonant circuit, and a control circuit to determine an ON period of Q1 according to a voltage obtained from one of the first and second rectifying-smoothing circuits, determine an ON period of Q2 according to a voltage obtained from the other of the first and second rectifying-smoothing circuits, and alternately turn on/off Q1 and Q2.
US07944079B1 Systems and methods for assembling a gearbox handling assembly for use in a wind turbine
A method of assembling a gearbox handling assembly to facilitate removal of a gearbox from a wind turbine uptower from the wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a rotor rotatably coupled to the gearbox with a rotor shaft. The gearbox and the rotor shaft are supported from a support frame. The method includes coupling a support assembly between the gearbox and the support frame for supporting the gearbox from the support frame. A positioning assembly is coupled to the support frame. The positioning assembly is configured to contact the gearbox to move the gearbox between a first position wherein the gearbox is operatively coupled to the rotor shaft and a second position wherein the gearbox is operatively decoupled and spaced from the rotor shaft to facilitate removing the gearbox from the wind turbine without removing the rotor from the wind turbine.
US07944070B2 Yaw system for a nacelle of a wind turbine and wind turbine
A yaw system of a wind turbine includes a plurality of motors, each motor being coupled to the nacelle for applying torque to the nacelle; a plurality of controllers, one controller for each of the motors, each controller being configured to control the respective motor and coupled to at least one other controller to transmit operation information thereto; and a yaw system controller configured to transmit control information to at least one controller of the plurality of controllers. At least one of the controllers is configured to control the respective motor based on at least one of the control information and the received operation information from the at least one other controller. Communication between the controllers of the respective motors can allow a faster response of the yaw system to yaw the nacelle according to a change of wind direction.
US07944069B2 Wind power generation system, arrangement of permanent magnets, and electrical power-mechanical force converter
A wind power generation system 10 comprising a frame, an impeller 12 rotatably supported by the frame, plural permanent magnets 31 aligned at equal intervals from the rotation center, and coils 32 aligned annularly on the frame. The relative motion of the permanent magnets 31 and the coils 32 in close vicinity generates electric powers by the inverse action of a linear motor. The coils 32 are mounted on the ring provided on the frame, and the permanent magnets 31 are provided on the lower end of the longitudinal blades 26 of the impeller.
US07944067B2 System and method for reducing rotor loads in a wind turbine upon detection of blade-pitch failure and loss of counter-torque
A system and method for reducing rotor loads in a wind turbine that includes a brake and one or more rotor blades coupled to a rotor. Upon detection of a loss of counter torque and a blade-pitch failure in at least one rotor blade, a processor reduces a generator overspeed threshold value by a predetermined amount and determines a brake-release threshold value. The brake is applied to slow the rotor if the generator/rotor speed exceeds the reduced generator/rotor overspeed threshold value. In addition, the brake is applied to slow the rotor until the generator/rotor speed is below the brake-release threshold value. The rate of change of the pitch angle of the rotor blade may be varied as the blade moves toward feather in response to the detected blade-pitch failure.
US07944062B2 Air cavity package for a semiconductor die and methods of forming the air cavity package
A die package (72) for a semiconductor die (20). A plurality of the die packages (72) are formed on a single carrier (10) by applying a body (55) of molding compound across a carrier (10) with an air cavity (70) defined in the molding compound about each of a plurality of device regions (12) of the carrier (10). After a semiconductor die (20) is attached inside the air cavity (70) of each device region (12) and electrically connected with at least one contact pad (14, 16, 18), a cover (68) is applied to close all of the air cavities (70). Following singulation, each semiconductor die (20) is located inside the sealed air cavity (70) of one die package (72). The molding compound of each die package (72) may be locked against movement relative to the device region (12) of the carrier (10) by locking features (30, 38, 48, 50). The locking features (30, 38, 48, 50) may constitute portions of contact pads (14, 16, 18) used to establish electrical communication paths from the semiconductor die (20) to the environment outside of the package (72).
US07944061B2 Semiconductor device having through contacts through a plastic housing composition and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising through contacts through a plastic housing composition and a method for the production thereof. For this purpose, the wiring substrate has a solder deposit on which through contact elements are arranged vertically with respect to the wiring substrate and extend as far as the top side of the semiconductor device.
US07944058B2 Semiconductor device and process for fabricating the same
A thin stacked semiconductor device has a plurality of circuits that are laminated and formed sequentially in a specified pattern to form a multilayer wiring part. At the stage for forming the multilayer wiring part, a filling electrode is formed on the semiconductor substrate such that the surface is covered with an insulating film, a post electrode is formed on specified wiring at the multilayer wiring part, a first insulating layer is formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate, the surface of the first insulating layer is removed by a specified thickness to expose the post electrode, and the other surface of the semiconductor substrate is ground to expose the filling electrode and to form a through-type electrode, A second insulating layer is formed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate while exposing the forward end of the through-type electrode, and bump electrodes are formed on both electrodes.
US07944056B2 Hillock-free aluminum layer and method of forming the same
A hillock-free conductive layer comprising at least two aluminum (Al) layers formed on a substrate, wherein said at least two Al layers comprise a barrier Al layer formed on the substrate, and a pure Al layer formed on the barrier Al layer. The barrier Al layer could be an aluminum nitride (AlNx) layer, an aluminum oxide (AlOx) layer, an aluminum oxide-nitride (AlOxNy) layer, or an Al—Nd alloy layer. Also, the pure Al layer is physically thicker than the barrier Al layer, for effectively inhibiting the occurrence of hillocks and the like.
US07944054B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first group wiring layers laminated on a substrate, and each of the first group wiring layers having a wire formed with a first minimum wire width and a main dielectric film portion; and a plurality of second group wiring layers laminated on a top layer of the plurality of first group wiring layers and each of the second group wiring layers having a wire formed with a second minimum wire width greater than the first minimum wire width and a main dielectric film portion, wherein a main dielectric film portion in a bottom layer of the plurality of second group wiring layers has a relative dielectric constant which is substantially identical to a relative dielectric constant of main dielectric film portions of the other second group wiring layers, and Young's modulus of the main dielectric film portion in the bottom layer of the plurality of second group wiring layers is smaller than those of the main dielectric film portions of the other second group wiring layers and larger than those of main dielectric film portions of the first group wiring layers.
US07944052B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, an electrode pad provided in the semiconductor chip, in which the electrode pad includes Al as a major constituent and further includes Cu, a coupling member coupled to the electrode pad, in which the coupling member primarily includes Cu, a plurality of layers of Cu and Al alloys formed between the electrode pad and the coupling member, and an encapsulating resin that includes a halogen of less than or equal to 1000 ppm, in which the encapsulating resin encapsulates the semiconductor chip, the electrode pad, and the coupling member. The plurality of layers of Cu and Al alloys includes a CuAl2 layer formed on the electrode pad, a CuAl layer formed on the CuAl2 layer, and a layer including one of Cu9Al4 and Cu3Al2 formed on the CuAl layer.
US07944051B2 Semiconductor device having external connection terminals and method of manufacturing the same
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device has a semiconductor element made up of a semiconductor chip, first solder balls provided on the semiconductor chip and a BGA substrate on which the semiconductor chip is mounted via the first solder balls. Furthermore, the semiconductor device has external terminals on a surface of the BGA substrate opposing to a surface on which the semiconductor chip is mounted. The external terminals include oxide films provided with through holes.
US07944049B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device comprises a package substrate, a semiconductor chip, a plurality of bump electrodes and one or more dummy chips. The semiconductor chip is mounted on one surface of the package substrate. The bump electrodes are the other surface of the package substrate and electrically connected to the semiconductor chip through a wiring structure. Each of the dummy chips is mounted on a predetermined region close to a corner portion of the semiconductor chip on the one surface of the package substrate.In the semiconductor chip, the dummy chips are formed of material having the same or similar coefficient of thermal expansion as that of the semiconductor chip. Therefore the stress caused by a difference between coefficients of thermal expansion is suppressed so as to improve connection reliability.
US07944048B2 Chip scale package for power devices and method for making the same
A chip scale package is disclosed that includes a semiconductor die further comprising an array of power buses electrically coupled to a high power integrated circuit, and a plurality of Under Bump Metallization (UBM) multi-layer power buses disposed parallel to one another and spanning substantially across the entire length of the semiconductor die. The plurality of multi-layer UBM power buses, electrically coupled to the array of power buses, further includes a thick metal layer configured in a geometric shape that have interconnection balls completely posited thereupon.
US07944046B2 Heat spreader for a multi-chip package
Embodiments of a heat spreader and an assembly including such a heat spreader are disclosed. The heat spreader includes a stiffening member, which in one embodiment comprises a wall extending from a lower surface of the heat spreader. The wall may be coupled with a substrate, and the addition of this wall may decrease warpage of the substrate and increase package stiffness. The wall may be located between adjacent integrated circuit die that are disposed on the substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07944043B1 Semiconductor device having improved contact interface reliability and method therefor
A semiconductor package has an insulative layer having at least one channel formed on a first surface thereof. A conductive pattern conforming to the at least one channel and exposed to a bottom surface of the semiconductor package is formed. A semiconductor die is electrically connected to the conductive patterns. An encapsulant is used to at least partially filling the at least one channel.
US07944041B2 Integrated semiconductor substrate structure using incompatible processes
A plurality of FPGA dice is disposed upon a semiconductor substrate. In order both to connect thousands of signal interconnect lines between the plurality of FPGA dice and to supply the immense power required, it is desired that the substrate construction include two different portions, each manufactured using incompatible processes. The first portion is a signal interconnect structure containing a thin conductor layers portion characterized as having a plurality of thin, fine-pitch conductors. The second portion is a power connection structure that includes thick conductors and vertical through-holes. The through-holes contain conductive material and supply power to the FPGA dice from power bus bars located at the other side of the semiconductor substrate. The portions are joined at the wafer level by polishing the wafer surfaces within a few atoms of flatness and subsequent cleaning. The portions are then fusion bonded together or combined using an adhesive material.
US07944037B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor memory device
A plurality of semiconductor elements configuring a first element group are stacked in a step-like shape on a wiring board. A plurality of semiconductor elements configuring a second element group are stacked in a step-like shape on the first element group toward a direction opposite to the stepped direction of the first element group. The semiconductor elements are electrically connected to connection pads of the wiring board through metallic wires. Among the plurality of semiconductor elements configuring the second element group, the lowermost semiconductor element has a thickness larger than those of the other semiconductor elements.
US07944032B2 Integrated circuit package with molded insulation
A variety of improved arrangements and processes for packaging integrated circuits are described. More particularly, methods of encapsulating dice in lead frame based IC packages are described that facilitate covering some portions of the bottom surface of the lead frame while leaving other portions of the bottom surface of the lead frame exposed. In some embodiments, a method of encapsulating integrated circuits mounted on a lead frame panel is described. The lead frame panel includes a plurality of leads having associated contacts and supports. A shim having a plurality of cavities is positioned under the lead frame such that the cavities are adjacent to the supports and not adjacent to the contacts. During the encapsulation process, encapsulant material flows under the supports such that the bottom surfaces of the supports are electrically insulated by the encapsulant while the bottom surfaces of the contacts remain exposed.
US07944030B2 Lead frame and method of manufacturing the same
A lead frame includes a base material having a front surface for mounting of a semiconductor chip and a back surface for connection with an external board, and an Ni layer having a thick section and thin section. The thick section is formed on the back surface of the base material, whereas the thin section is formed on all or a part of the front surface of the base material. It is preferable that the thick section has a thickness ranging from 2.5 to 5 μm, and the thin section is 0.5-2 μm thinner than the thick section. The lead frame can be manufactured with improved productivity by forming an Ni layer on both front and back surfaces of the base material, and then etching only the Ni layer formed on the front surface of the base material.
US07944029B2 Non-volatile memory with reduced mobile ion diffusion
Mobile ion diffusion causes a shift in the threshold voltage of non-volatile storage elements in a memory chip, such as during an assembly process of the memory chip. To reduce or avoid such shifts, a coating can be applied to a printed circuit board substrate or a leader frame to which the memory chip is surface mounted. An acrylic resin coating having a thickness of about 10 μm may be used. A memory chip is attached to the coating using an adhesive film. Stacked chips may be used as well. Another approach provides metal barrier traces over copper traces of the printed circuit board, within a solder mask layer. The metal barrier traces are fabricated in the same pattern as the copper traces but are wider so that they at least partially envelop and surround the copper traces. Corresponding apparatuses and fabrication processes are provided.
US07944019B2 Voltage-controlled semiconductor inductor and method
A voltage-controlled semiconductor inductor and method is provided. According to various embodiments, the voltage-controlled inductor includes a conductor configured with a number of inductive coils. The inductor also includes a semiconductor material having a contact with at least a portion of at least one of the coils. The semiconductor material is doped to form a diode with a first doped region of first conductivity type, a second doped region of second conductivity type, and a depletion region. A voltage across the diode changes lengths of the first doped region, the second doped region and the depletion region, and adjacent coils in contact with at least one of the doped regions are electrically shorted, thereby varying the inductance of the inductor. In various embodiments, the inductor is electrically connected to a resistor and a capacitor to provide a tunable RLC circuit. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US07944018B2 Semiconductor devices with sealed, unlined trenches and methods of forming same
A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.
US07944016B2 Power managing semiconductor die with event detection circuitry in thick oxide for reduced power consumption
According to one exemplary embodiment, a power managing semiconductor die with reduced power consumption includes a power island including an event detection block and an event qualification block. The event detection block is configured to activate the event qualification block in response to an input signal initiated by an external event. The input signal is coupled to the event detection block, for example, via a bond pad situated in an I/O region of the power managing semiconductor die. The event qualification block is configured to determine if the external event is a valid external event. The event qualification block resides in a thin oxide region and the event detection block resides in a thick oxide region of the semiconductor die. The power managing semiconductor die further includes a power management unit configured to activate the event qualification block in response to power enable signal outputted by the event detection block.
US07944011B2 Optically controlled electrical-switch device based upon carbon nanotubes and electrical-switch system using the switch device
Described herein is an optically controlled electrical-switch device which includes a first current-conduction terminal and a second current-conduction terminal, and a carbon nanotube connected between the first and the second current-conduction terminals, the carbon nanotube being designed to be impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation and having an electrical conductivity that can be varied by varying the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon. In particular, the carbon nanotube may for example, in given conditions of electrical biasing, present a high electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially parallel to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself, and a reduced electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially orthogonal to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself.
US07944006B2 Metal gate electrode stabilization by alloying
Stabilized metal gate electrode for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) applications and methods of making the stabilized metal gate electrodes are disclosed. Specifically, the metal gate electrodes are stabilized by alloying wherein the alloy comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of Re, Ru, Pt, Rh, Ni, Al and combinations thereof and an element selected from the group consisting of W, V, Ti, Ta and combinations thereof.
US07944005B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an NMOS region and a PMOS region, active regions of the semiconductor substrate defined by a device isolation structure formed in the semiconductor substrate, the active regions including an NMOS active region defined in the NMOS region and a PMOS active region defined in the PMOS region, a gate insulating film disposed over the active regions, and a dual poly gate including an amorphous titanium layer formed over the gate insulating film in the NMOS region and the PMOS region. The dual poly gate includes a stacked structure having a lower gate electrode formed of an impurity doped polysilicon layer, a barrier layer including the amorphous titanium layer, and an upper gate electrode formed of a tungsten layer.
US07943999B2 Stress enhanced MOS circuits
A stress enhanced MOS circuit is provided. The stress enhanced MOS circuit comprises a semiconductor substrate and a gate insulator overlying the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode overlies the gate insulator; the gate electrode has side walls and comprising a layer of polycrystalline silicon having a first thickness in contact with the gate insulator and a layer of electrically conductive stressed material having a second thickness greater than the first thickness overlying the layer of polycrystalline silicon. A stress liner overlies the side walls of the gate electrode.
US07943996B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor integrated circuit using the same
The present invention provides a high speed and low power consumption LSI operable in a wide temperature range in which a MOS transistor having back gates is used specifically according to operating characteristics of a circuit.In the LSI, an FD-SOI structure having an embedded oxide film layer is used and a lower semiconductor region of the embedded oxide film layer is used as a back gate. A voltage for back gates in the logic circuits having a small load in the logic circuit block is controlled in response to activation of the block from outside of the block. Transistors, in which the gate and the back gate are connected to each other, are used for the circuit generating the back gate driving signal, and logic circuits having a heavy load such as circuit block output section, and the back gates are directly controlled according to the gate input signal.
US07943993B2 Structure and method for forming field effect transistor with low resistance channel region
A trench-gate field effect transistor includes trenches extending into a silicon region of a first conductivity type, and a gate electrodes in each trench. Body regions of second conductivity type extend over the silicon region between adjacent trenches. Each body region forms a PN junction with the silicon region. A gate dielectric layer lines at least upper sidewalls of each trench, and insulates the gate electrode from the body region. Source regions of the first conductivity flank the trenches. A silicon-germanium region vertically extends through each source region and through a corresponding body region, and terminates within the corresponding body region before reaching the PN junction.
US07943990B2 Power semiconductor device with interconnected gate trenches
A power semiconductor device which includes a plurality of gate trenches and a perimeter trench intersecting the gate trenches.
US07943987B2 Semiconductor component with a drift zone and a drift control zone
A semiconductor component has a drift zone and a drift control zone, a drift control zone dielectric, which is arranged in sections between the drift zone and the drift control zone, and has a first and a second connection zone, which are doped complementarily with respect to one another and which form a pn junction between the drift control zone and a section of the drift zone.
US07943986B2 Method for fabricating a body contact in a finfet structure and a device including the same
A method for fabricating a Finfet device with body contacts and a device fabricated using the method are provided. In one example, a silicon-on-insulator substrate is provided. A T-shaped active region is defined in the silicon layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate. A source region and a drain region form two ends of a cross bar of the T-shaped active region and a body contact region forms a leg of the T-shaped active region. A gate oxide layer is grown on the active region. A polysilicon layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer and patterned to form a gate, where an end of the gate partially overlies the body contact region to complete formation of a Finfet device with body contact.
US07943982B2 Semiconductor device having laminated electronic conductor on bit line
There are provided a semiconductor device and a fabrication method therefor including an ONO film (18) formed on a semiconductor substrate (10), a word line (24) formed on the ONO film (18), a bit line (20) formed in the semiconductor substrate (10), and a conductive layer (32) that is in contact with the bit line (20), runs in a length direction of the bit line (20), and includes a polysilicon layer or a metal layer. In accordance with the present invention, a semiconductor device and a fabrication method therefor are provided wherein degradation of the writing and erasing characteristics and degradation of the transistor characteristics such as a junction leakage are suppressed, and the bit line resistance is decreased.
US07943978B2 Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device may include a first active structure, a first gate insulation layer, a first gate electrode, a first impurity region, a second impurity region and a contact structure. The first active structure may include a first lower pattern in a first region of a substrate and a first upper pattern on the first lower pattern. The first gate insulation layer may be formed on a sidewall of the first upper pattern. The first gate electrode may be formed on the first gate insulation layer. The first impurity region may be formed in the first lower pattern. The second impurity region may be formed in the first upper pattern. The contact structure may surround an upper surface and an upper sidewall of the first upper pattern including the second impurity region. Accordingly, the contact resistance between the contact structure and the second impurity region may be decreased and structural stability of the contact structure may be improved.
US07943976B2 CMOS image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A CMOS image sensor includes isolation regions and a photo diode region formed in a substrate, gate electrodes formed on the substrate, impurity injection regions formed in the substrate respectively positioned between the gate electrodes and the isolation regions, silicide regions formed on upper surfaces of the gate electrodes and the impurity injection regions, a first insulating layer formed on a surface of the photodiode region and sides of the gate electrodes, a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer, a third insulating layer formed on the second insulating layer, an interlayer insulating layer formed to cover the third insulating layer, and via plugs vertically passing through the interlayer insulating layer and connected to the silicide regions.
US07943972B2 Methods of fabricating transistors having buried P-type layers coupled to the gate
A unit cell of a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) is provided. The MESFET has a source, a drain and a gate. The gate is between the source and the drain and on an n-type conductivity channel layer. A p-type conductivity region is provided beneath the gate between the source and the drain. The p-type conductivity region is spaced apart from the n-type conductivity channel layer and electrically coupled to the gate. Related methods are also provided herein.
US07943964B2 AlxGayIn1−x−yN crystal substrate, semiconductor device, and method of manufacturing the same
An AlxGayIn1-x-yN crystal substrate of the present invention has a main plane having an area of at least 10 cm2. The main plane has an outer region located within 5 mm from an outer periphery of the main plane, and an inner region corresponding to a region other than the outer region. The inner region has a total dislocation density of at least 1×102 cm−2 and at most 1×106 cm−2. It is thereby possible to provide an AlxGayIn1-x-yN crystal substrate having a large size and a suitable dislocation density for serving as a substrate for a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device including the AlxGayIn1-x-yN crystal substrate, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US07943963B2 Organic light-emitting display device
The present invention provides a top emission type organic light-emitting display device in a production of which it is possible to prevent the organic film from being oxidized when the upper transparent electrode is formed, and which is capable of emitting light at a low voltage. This organic light-emitting display device contains an organic light-emitting layer and an upper electrode and a lower electrode sandwiching the organic light-emitting layer, and is of a structure in which the emitted light is taken out from the upper electrode side, and a buffer layer mainly made of an oxide producing less oxygen by decomposition in the film-forming process than the upper electrode material is provided between the organic light-emitting layer and the upper electrode.
US07943961B2 Strain bars in stressed layers of MOS devices
A semiconductor structure includes an active region; a gate strip overlying the active region; and a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) device. A portion of the gate strip forms a gate of the MOS device. A portion of the active region forms a source/drain region of the MOS device. The semiconductor structure further includes a stressor region over the MOS device; and a stressor-free region inside the stressor region and outside the region over the active region.
US07943960B2 Integrated circuit arrangement including a protective structure
An integrated circuit arrangement. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes at least one first semiconductor zone of a first conduction type which is doped more highly than the basic doping of a first semiconductor layer and which is arranged at a distance from a first component zone adjoining the first semiconductor layer. At least one connecting zone extends as far as the at least one first semiconductor zone proceeding from the first side. A second semiconductor zone of the second conduction type, is arranged in the first semiconductor layer and is electrically conductively connected to the at least one connecting zone.
US07943959B2 Low capacitance semiconductor device
A surge protection device with small-area buried regions (38, 60) to minimize the device capacitance. The doped regions (38, 60) are formed either in a semiconductor substrate (34), or in an epitaxial layer (82), and then an epitaxial layer (40, 84) is formed thereover to bury the doped regions (38, 60). The small features of the buried regions (38, 60) are maintained as such by minimizing high temperature and long duration processing of the chip. An emitter (42, 86) is formed in the epitaxial layer (40, 84).
US07943958B1 High holding voltage LVTSCR-like structure
In an ESD protection device making use of a LVTSCR structure, the holding voltage is increased by forming diodes in the p-well of the LVTSCR structure. This provides an alternative current path at high currents and provides a defined voltage drop thereby increasing the holding voltage.
US07943949B2 III-nitride based on semiconductor device with low-resistance ohmic contacts
The present invention utilizes high-indium-content InxGa1-xN islands (0
US07943948B2 High efficient phosphor-converted light emitting diode
A light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The light-emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light-emitting structure, a filter layer, and a fluorescent conversion layer. The method comprises forming a semiconductor light-emitting structure over a substrate, forming a filter layer over the semiconductor light-emitting structure, and forming a fluorescent conversion layer over the filter layer.
US07943941B2 Device for emitting various colors
A device for emitting various colors by mixing light from a first light emitting diode and light from a second light emitting diode comprises, according to one embodiment: the first light emitting diode including an LED chip comprising InGaN and being capable of emitting a blue color light, and a phosphor capable of absorbing a part of the blue color light and emitting a yellow color light, the blue color light and the yellow color light being mixed to make white-color light; the second light emitting diode being capable of emitting red, green or blue color light; and a drive circuit for separately driving each of the first and second light emitting diode.
US07943939B2 Thin film transistor array panel and methods for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a simplified method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display. A gate wire including a gate line, a gate pad, and a gate electrode are formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and an ohmic contact layer are sequentially deposited, and a photoresist layer is coated thereon. The photoresist layer is exposed to light through a mask and developed to form a photoresist pattern. At this time, a first portion of the photoresist pattern which is located between the source electrode and the drain electrode is thinner than a second portion which is located on the data wire, and the photoresist layer is totally removed on other parts. The thin portion is made by controlling the amount of irradiating light or by a reflow process to form a thin portion, and the amount of light is controlled by using a mask that has a slit, a small pattern smaller than the resolution of the exposure device, or a partially transparent layer. Next, the exposed portions of conductor layer are removed by wet etch or dry etch, and thereby the underlying ohmic contact layer is exposed. Then the exposed ohmic contact layer and the underlying semiconductor layer are removed by dry etching along with the first portion of the photoresist layer. The residue of the photoresist layer is removed by ashing. Source/drain electrodes are separated by removing the portion of the conductor layer at the channel and the underlying ohmic contact layer pattern. Then, the second portion of the photoresist layer is removed, and red, green, and blue color filters, a pixel electrode, a redundant gate pad, and a redundant data pad are formed.
US07943935B2 Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and electro-optical apparatus
A semiconductor device includes a thin-film transistor including a polycrystalline silicon layer, disposed above a substrates serving as an active layer. The thin-film transistor includes a first thin-film transistor section including a first channel region disposed in a drain-side portion of the polycrystalline silicon layer and also includes a second thin-film transistor section including a second channel region that is adjacent to the first channel region with an impurity-implanted region disposed therebetween. The first and second thin-film transistor sections are of the same conductivity type. The gate electrode of the first thin-film transistor section is electrically connected to the gate electrode of the second thin-film transistor section. The first thin-film transistor section has a channel length of less than 2 μm.
US07943931B2 Array substrate having a supporter for a data pad, and display apparatus having the array substrate
A substrate includes an array area and a data pad area adjacent to the array area. A gate line, a data line and a switching device are formed in the array area of the substrate. A data pad extending from an end of the data line and a supporter provided between the substrate and the data pad are provided in a data pad area to allow the data pad to be placed at a higher position than a passivation layer. Thus, a contact resistance occurring between an anisotropic conductive film and a bump and a contact resistance occurring between the anisotropic conductive film and the data pad are reduced.
US07943928B2 ESD protection structures for semiconductor components
An ESD protection structure includes a structure to be protected disposed in a semiconductor body. A region of a first conductivity type is disposed within the semiconductor body and a channel is disposed in the semiconductor body and extends through the region of the first conductivity type. A semiconductor of a second conductivity type is disposed within the channel adjacent the region of the first conductivity type such that the region of the first conductivity type and the semiconductor of the second conductivity type form a diode. At least one of the region of the first conductivity type and the semiconductor of the second conductivity type is electrically coupled to the structure to be protected.
US07943921B2 Phase change current density control structure
A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes first and second electrodes. A first layer of phase change material is between the first and second electrodes. A second layer including a metal-chalcogenide material is also between the first and second electrodes and is one of a phase change material and a conductive material. An insulating layer is between the first and second layers. There is at least one opening in the insulating layer providing contact between the first and second layers.
US07943918B2 Multi-layer phase-changeable memory devices
A phase-changeable memory device includes a phase-changeable material pattern and first and second electrodes electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern. The first and second electrodes are configured to provide an electrical signal to the phase-changeable material pattern. The phase-changeable material pattern includes a first phase-changeable material layer and a second phase-changeable material layer. The first and second phase-changeable material patterns have different chemical, physical, and/or electrical characteristics. For example, the second phase-changeable material layer may have a greater resistivity than the first phase-changeable material layer. For instance, the first phase-changeable material layer may include nitrogen at a first concentration, and the second phase-changeable material layer may include nitrogen at a second concentration that is greater than the first concentration. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
US07943916B2 Method for controlling a blood processing system by observing a separation region and an extraction port
The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components with a two-dimensional optical measurement and control device. The method may comprise the steps of providing a blood processing system comprising a density centrifuge blood processing system and an elutriation blood processing system; filling the elutriation blood processing system with a desired component; measuring a cellular flux of cells entering the elutriation blood processing system with a two-dimensional optical control system; and flushing the elutriation blood processing system.
US07943914B2 Back illumination method for counter measuring IR guided missiles
Commercial aircraft are protected from attack by infrared seeking guided missiles through the utilization of a ground-based directed infrared countermeasure system in which the deployment of an IR guided missile is detected off-aircraft and more particularly on the ground. An infrared laser beam is projected towards the detected missile such that the projected laser infrared radiation impinges upon the missile from the rear. The off-axis infrared radiation illuminates the IR transmissive dome at the head of the missile where it is internally reflected back towards the IR detector carried by the missile through the total internal reflection characteristics of the dome. The domes of these missiles are typically made of a high index of refraction IR transmissive materials such that the material is prone to total internal reflection. The infrared laser generated radiation is a modulated so as to interfere with the guidance system of the missile causing it to execute a turn and plunge to the ground. In one embodiment, the long wavelength infrared laser is a 100-W laser with a beam width of 100 microradians, thus to provide a zone of protection of about three miles.
US07943911B2 Method of luminescent solid state dosimetry of mixed radiations
A method of determining the doses of neutrons, gamma and X-ray photons, beta, alpha and other ionizing radiations using a method of image processing in spatial and frequency domain that produces parameters that are related to the radiation dose absorbed in a luminescent material. Portions of the luminescent material may be covered by different converters to allow for doses of different radiations to be discriminated.
US07943908B2 Sensor system with surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) enhanced selective fluorescence excitation and method
In a sensor system, an active sensor chip includes an array of periodically-patterned dielectric active sensor patches of different periodicities and geometries formed on a metal film. A specimen under study is positioned on each patch, and the active sensor chip is interrogated by illumination the patches in a predetermined sequence to result in a fluorescence response from each patch enhanced by SPP. The intensity of the fluorescence response is controlled by varying the wavelength, incidence angle, azimuthal orientation and polarization direction of the excitation light beam as the function of the periodicity of the illuminated patch. The system is compatible with commercial fluorescence microscopes and scanned laser interrogation systems.
US07943902B2 Method for introducing ions into an ion trap and an ion storage apparatus
A method of introducing ions into an ion trap and an ion storage apparatus are described. Introduction means are used to introduce first ions into an ion trap through an entrance aperture to the ion trap. An operating condition of the introduction means is adjusted to cause second ions, of different polarity to the first ions to be introduced into the ion trap through the same entrance aperture.
US07943892B2 Projection image generation apparatus, method for generating projection image of moving target, and program
Projection is performed in such a manner that the same point on a moving internal organ can be constantly observed, thereby improving the accuracy of diagnosis. Motion information about the motion of a projection target between one set of three-dimensional volume data in a group of sets of three-dimensional volume data and a different set of three-dimensional volume data in the group of sets of three-dimensional volume data that was obtained by imaging at a different time from the time of imaging of the one set of three-dimensional volume data is obtained based on the projection target that is present in the one set of three-dimensional volume data and the projection target that is present in the different set of three-dimensional volume data. Then, the viewpoint of projection is moved to a position at which the projection target in the different set of three-dimensional volume data can be projected.
US07943890B2 Discharge lamp lighting device and image display device with switching frequency
An output of a load voltage detector is read by an A/D converter, and a reference value Is and a switching frequency are decided by a microcomputer. In order that the decided switching frequency can be achieved, a SET signal is inputted from a switching frequency counting unit to a drive controller, and a switching element is turned on. When a current flowing through the switching element, which is detected by a resistor, exceeds the reference value Is of a reference arithmetic unit, a RESET signal is inputted from a current detector to the drive controller, and the switching element is turned off. Thereafter, the reference value Is and the switching frequency are set so that the switching element can be turned on at the next time at timing when a regenerative current of a diode turns to substantial zero. As described above, the switching frequency is controlled in response to a state of a discharge lamp while controlling the switching element to turn on at the timing when the regenerative current turns to substantial zero without bringing up a cost increase of a discharge lamp lighting device.
US07943888B2 Slow cooker with nestable containers
A slow cooker includes a cooking base having a heating element and an open end. The slow cooker has a first container sized to fit within the open end of the cooking base. The first container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The volume of the first container is sized to accommodate a second container. The second container has an opening for receiving foodstuff. The opening of the second container is generally equal in size to the opening of the first container. The first container has a cooking position wherein the first container is inserted in the cooking base. The second container has a cooking position wherein the second container is inserted in the cooking base. The first container and second container have a storage position, wherein the second container is nested within the first container. The slow cooker also includes a lid that is sized to enclose the opening of either of the first and second containers during their respective cooking positions. The lid is also sized to enclose the opening of the second container when in the storage position.
US07943886B2 Heat treatment apparatus
A heat treatment apparatus capable of ensuring a uniform temperature distribution on a substrate and reducing the generation of a sublimate includes a housing, a mounting table being arranged to move up and down within the housing, and a first heater being provided on the mounting table to heat a substrate placed on the mounting table, a second heater is provided on one side of the housing while an exhaust device is provided on the other side of the housing.
US07943884B2 Gas container and method of producing the same
An object is to provide a gas container and a method of producing the gas container in which liner constituting members can appropriately be joined to each other and productivity can be improved. A gas container has a resin liner constituted by joining a plurality of liner constituting members, the liner constituting members each having at least a hollow cylindrical part, and a reinforcement layer arranged on an outer periphery of the resin liner. Joining portions of the liner constituting members are joined to each other over a circumferential direction by laser welding, and the joining portions are made of a laser transmitting resin and a laser absorbing resin, respectively.
US07943882B2 Sealing apparatus having circulating channel for wire cutting machine
A sealing apparatus comprises a circulating channel for a wire cutting machine, and the sealing apparatus further includes a channel at the position of a lower arm in the fluid tank for injecting a liquid, and a sealing O-ring installed at the sealing apparatus for preventing a leak of liquid, such that a circulating channel is formed around the periphery of the lower arm. The liquid is injected through an injecting inlet into the circulating channel such that the centrifugal force produced by the whirling flow can wash away the debrises attached on the lower arm, and discharge the debrises from a discharge opening to the outside.
US07943880B2 Operations for product processing
An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.
US07943879B2 Method for sorting unaddressed mail items
In a method for sorting mail items which are unaddressed and held in a number of batches each batch is obtained and registered by recording at least one graphical feature of a mail item which uniquely describes the batch (i.e. clearly identifies the batch from other batches). The graphical reference feature is linked to a batch of unaddressed mail and an associated sorting plan. In a subsequent sorting of all batches, each batch is recorded once again and its reference feature is detected and it is distributed according to the sorting plan, if necessary to an end delivery point.
US07943877B2 Switch structure having display and playback device
A switch structure having a display and playback device is proposed. The switch structure comprises an upper housing and a lower housing jointly enclosing therein the display and playback device that is connected to a circuit board. A resilient member is provided for supporting and positioning internal components of the switch structure. A display-and-playback-device housing has support rods provided at two sides thereof to prevent the switch structure from slanting when pressed. When a conductor and a terminal settled in the lower housing connect with or disconnect from each other, functions of opening and closing a circuit and enabling signal input are enabled. The display and playback device plays back and displays dynamic and still images to indicate functions and state of use of an equipment and enable personalized panels, thereby improving work efficiency and accuracy of operation.
US07943876B2 Light emitting apparatus for clothing handler
A light emitting apparatus is provided for a clothing handler that handles clothes received therein. The light emitting apparatus includes a selection device that selects processes for handling the clothes, light emitting devices that emit light according to a selection by the selection device, a transparent window that covers light emitting devices, and a selection device guiding member having holes through which light generated by the light emitting devices, respectively, passes. An end portion of each of the holes is adjacent to the transparent window based on a proceeding direction of the light. The transparent window includes protrusion portions that contact an inner wall of the corresponding hole of the selection device guiding member.
US07943874B2 Ground contact switch for personal navigation system
A ground contact switch system comprises a first object configured to contact a ground surface during a stride, and one or more switches coupled to the first object. An inertial measurement unit can be coupled to the first object. The one or more switches are configured to detect when the first object is at a stationary portion of the stride. The one or more switches can also be configured to send a signal to activate an error correction scheme for the inertial measurement unit.
US07943872B2 Command device with switching element monitoring
An embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical installation unit for making contact with electrical loads, wherein the installation unit has at least two contact elements. In at least one embodiment, an installation unit is disclosed in which an electrical connection provided between the two contact elements is necessarily interrupted when the installation unit is dismantled. In at least one embodiment, the installation unit includes at least one device for interrupting the conductive connection leading to the contact elements when the installation unit is dismantled. This at least one device, in at least one embodiment, includes two connecting elements in a switching element of the installation unit and, for example, a contact pin consisting of a conductive material, which produces a conductive connection between the connecting elements in a properly installed state of the installation unit. Alternatively, for example, the electrical connection between the connecting elements can be produced by a wire or a braided wire, by which the electrical connection is interrupted, for example by the wire or braided wire being ripped, when the installation unit is dismantled. A particularly advantageous application for the installation unit according to at least one embodiment is, for example, the use as an EMERGENCY STOP command device.
US07943871B2 Rotational stabilizer
An in-line electrical conductor switch including a frame, an electrical connection section movably connected to the frame, and a rotational stability device. The frame includes first and second connection sections insulated from each other by an electrical isolation section. The first and second connection sections are configured to connect to respective ends of first and second electrical conductors. The switch is entirely supported by the first and second electrical conductors. The electrical connection section is movably connected to the frame between a first connected position and a second disconnected position. The rotational stability device is connected to the frame and adapted to reduce or prevent rotation of the frame about an axis through the ends of the electrical conductors during movement of the electrical connection section to the second disconnected position.
US07943870B2 Switch device
A switch device, includes a device main body incorporating a fixed pressure contact portion and includes a fixed sliding contact portion that forms a circuit together with the fixed pressure contact portion, and at least one pair of switches supported on the device main body, each switch comprising an operating knob. One switch of the at least one pair of switches includes a pressure-operated switch includes a movable pressure contact portion corresponding to the fixed pressure contact portion, and another switch includes a slide-operated switch includes a movable sliding contact portion corresponding to the fixed sliding contact portion.
US07943869B2 Lightning resistive and manufacture procedure
A lightning resistive bush body includes a cylindrical bush body. The bush body is composed of an inner insulative layer, a center electric-magnetic absorbing metal layer and an outer insulative layer, wherein the inner insulative layer, the center electric-magnetic absorbing metal layer and the outer insulative layer is integrated, and the center electric-magnetic absorbing is provided between the inner insulative layer and the outer insulative layer, and two axial edges of the center electric magnetic absorbing metal layer shape having radial openings.
US07943867B2 Electronic device capable of ejecting an external device
The present invention provides an electronic device having a ejector for an external device. The ejector includes a body, a first elastic member, a plate, a block, a rotating unit, and a second elastic member. The ejector of the present invention is able to eject the external device engaged therewith. Thus, the apparatus can be applied to an electronic device required for detaching the external device.
US07943865B2 Device for isolation of electrical components
A device for creating a relatively isolated environment for protecting dangerous and/or fragile components, particularly electrical components, from the surrounding environment. The device will typically include a front member and base member which may be formed as a unitary body. A relatively isolated environment will be formed in the area behind the front member and above the base member and the isolation may be enhanced by placing the device near a wall or partition. The device may also include side members for enhancing the isolation of the internal environment. Openings or slots may be located in any of the members to permit the passage of cables or other tubular objects and also to provide ventilation. Retaining elements disposed on the inside of the base member or front member may be used to retain various components in a desired position. The front member may also include a fan or comfort elements for use as a footrest or cooling device.
US07943864B2 Printed circuit board having electromagnetic bandgap structure
In accordance with an embodiment, the printed circuit board, having an analog circuit and a digital circuit includes: a first metal layer and a second metal layer, one of the first metal layer and the second metal layer being a power layer and the other being a ground layer; a third metal layer, layer-built between the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and a mushroom type structure including a via connected to a metal plate, the metal plate being arranged in a space between circuit patterns of the third metal layer.
US07943863B2 Wiring substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and semiconductor device
A wiring substrate includes a first insulation layer, a connection terminal, a second insulation layer, a via, and a wiring pattern. The connection terminal is disposed in the first insulation layer so as to be exposed from a first main surface of the first insulation layer, and is electrically connected with a semiconductor chip. The second insulation layer is disposed on a second main surface of the first insulation layer situated on the opposite side from the first main surface. The via is disposed in the second insulation layer, and is electrically connected with the connection terminal. The via is separated from the connection terminal. The wiring pattern is disposed on the second main surface of the first insulation layer and electrically connects the connection terminal and the via.
US07943862B2 Method and apparatus for optically transparent via filling
A method and apparatus for filling a via with transparent material is presented, including the steps of providing a panel having a via, occluding the via with transparent material in a workable state so that a portion of the occluding material is internal to the via and a portion of the material is external to said via. The external and internal portions are separated so the transparent filler material, when set, forms a smooth and featureless surface. This causes the filled via to have a substantially even and uniform appearance over a wide range of viewing angles when lit.
US07943861B2 Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A composite layer composed of an Ni layer 72 and a Pd layer 73 is formed on a solder pad 77U, and a solder 76α on the composite layer is composed of a solder containing no lead. Because a Pd layer (palladium layer) reduces phenomenons such as repellency of the solder, adhesiveness with the solder can be enhanced. Because a Pd layer has a higher degree of rigidity than a gold layer, thermal stress is absorbed into the Pd layer and buffered so as to reduce the degree of transmission of stress to the solder bump, or to the solder layer, by means of thermal stress.
US07943856B2 Composition for producing printed circuit board and printed circuit board using the same
A composition for producing a printed circuit board is provided. The composition includes a polyamic acid having one or two crosslinkable functional groups introduced at one or both ends thereof, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) or a liquid crystalline thermoset (LCT) oligomer, and an organic solvent. Therefore, the composition can be used as a material for next-generation boards that are becoming gradually lighter in weight and smaller in thickness and size. Further provided is a printed circuit board produced using the composition.
US07943854B1 Wire twist optimizing grommet
A grommet for routing wires between a relatively stationary body and a hinged panel can include a first sealing end and a second sealing end. Two bellows segments can extend between the first and second sealing ends. The bellows segments can be linked by an intermediate portion. A retainer can include a first element having a means for attachment to the intermediate portion and a second element having a means for attachment to the second sealing end of the grommet. The first and second elements can have complementary latch features opposite the attachment means, such that the first and second elements directly connect to each other in a connected position. One of the two bellows segments can be bent between the intermediate portion and the second sealing end of the grommet bringing the intermediate portion into close proximity with the second sealing end.
US07943853B2 Method for manufacturing a post insulator and a post insulator
A method for manufacturing a post insulator. A core is introduced into a tube of an insulating stiff material while leaving a small circumferential space separating the core and inner walls of the tube. Adhesive is introduced under an overpressure into an interior of the tube and is cured while maintaining an overpressure in the interior of the tube.
US07943850B2 Environmentally sealed wiring device with removable weather-resistant cover
An environmentally sealed wiring device with removable weather-resistant cover includes a wiring device with a device housing, a shoulder extending from the device housing and a sealing element disposed about the shoulder. The wiring device includes wires extending through one or more openings in the device housing. The openings are environmentally sealed around the wires to prevent moisture from entering the device. A weatherproof cover housing includes a pair of openings. The wiring device is positioned next to, and sometimes through, one of the openings. The sealing element is disposed between the weatherproof cover housing and the shoulder of the wiring device, providing a weatherproof seal therebetween, to prevent moisture from entering the device. A door is coupled to the weatherproof cover housing and can be rotated about an axis along an edge of the weatherproof cover housing between an open position and a closed position.
US07943849B2 Photoelectric conversion device
Provided is a photoelectric conversion device capable of improving a conversion efficiency. In a dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion device including a working electrode and a facing electrode, and an electrolyte inclusion, a dye is carried on a metal-oxide semiconductor layer of the working electrode. The dye includes cyanine dye having a benzyl group and an indolenine skeleton. Therefore, crystallization of the dye on the surface of the metal-oxide semiconductor layer is suppressed.
US07943848B2 Photoelectric conversion element, method of manufacturing the same and solar cell
A photoelectric conversion element comprising an electrically conductive support having thereon an oxide semiconductor electrode comprising an oxide semiconductor which is adsorbed with a dye, and a counter electrode facing the oxide semiconductor electrode through a charge transfer layer, wherein the dye is represented by Formula (1):
US07943847B2 Apparatus and methods for solar energy conversion using nanoscale cometal structures
An apparatus and methods for solar conversion using nanoscale cometal structures are disclosed herein. The cometal structures may be coaxial and coplanar. A nanoscale optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprises a plurality of nanoscale cometal structures each including a photovoltaic material located between a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor. A method of fabricating solar cells comprises preparing a plurality of nanoscale planar structures; coating a plurality of planar surfaces of the plurality of planar structures with a photovoltaic semiconductor while leaving space between the plurality of planar surfaces; and coating the photovoltaic semiconductor with an outer electrical conductor layer, wherein a portion of the outer electrical conductor layer is located between the planar structures to form coplanar structures.
US07943841B2 High-hat type electronic pad
A hi-hat type electronic pad capable of detecting, with reality, an up-and-down motion of a movable pad body that operates similarly to a top cymbal of an acoustic hi-hat, and capable of accurately detecting the operation by one of operation switches which is depressed by a corresponding actuator, even if the movable pad body is moved downward in an inclined state. An operation detecting unit includes a base plate and an elastic member and is provided on an HH pad body. When the HH pad body is moved downward by a pedal operation, the actuators formed on an upper surface of the elastic member and corresponding sheet switches disposed on the base plate are made in contact with one another, whereby operation ON is detected. The sheet switches are formed into an annular shape as viewed in plan.
US07943834B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH621537
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH621537. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH621537, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH621537 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 CH621537.
US07943833B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH291585
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH291585. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH291585, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH291585 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 CH291585.
US07943829B2 Cotton variety 07W590DF
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 07W590DF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 07W590DF. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 07W590DF and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 07W590DF with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07943827B1 Soybean cultivar 05JR004683
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 05JR004683 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 05JR004683 and its progeny, and methods of making 05JR004683.
US07943826B2 Soybean cultivar 7925084
A soybean cultivar designated 7925084 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7925084, to the plants of soybean 7925084, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7925084 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7925084 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 7925084, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7925084 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 7925084 with another soybean cultivar.
US07943823B2 Delta-8 desaturase and its use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding a delta-8 desaturase along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using this delta-8 desaturase in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US07943821B2 Stress-induced transcription factor derived from maize
This invention relates to a stress-inducible transcription factor derived from maize, a gene encoding the same, and a method for using the same. Specifically, this invention provides a gene comprising the following DNA (a) or (b): (a) DNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; or (b) maize-derived DNA hybridizing under stringent conditions with DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to the DNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and encoding a protein that regulates the transcription of a gene located downstream of a stress responsive element. Further, this invention relates to a transgenic plant having improved tolerance to environmental stress, such as high-temperature or dehydration stress, into which such gene has been introduced.
US07943820B2 Genetically modified plants producing lactosylceramide and utilization thereof
Plant expression vectors comprising an ORF of an isoform gene (β1,4GT5) of human β1,4-galactosyltransferase were constructed. Then, the vectors were introduced into tobacco using plant gene-recombination techniques, and transformed tobacco was made. Analysis of the obtained transformed tobacco showed that more than 200 μg of lactosylceramide was produced from 1 g of fresh leaves. Accordingly, the present invention made it possible to mass synthesize lactosylceramide by using recombinant plants.
US07943818B2 Soybean seed and oil compositions and methods of making same
Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
US07943814B2 Densified fibrous structures and methods for making same
Differentially densified fibrous structures, methods for making same, and processes for treating fibers used in the fibrous structures are provided. More particularly, fibrous structures comprising two or more regions, at least one of which exhibits a density that is at least 1.6 times greater than another region within the fibrous structure, methods for making such fibrous structures and non-naturally occurring fibers useful in such fibrous structures are provided.
US07943808B2 Methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons
The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of acetylene and other higher hydrocarbons from methane feed using a reverse-flow reactor system, wherein the reactor system includes (i) a first reactor and (ii) a second reactor, the first and second reactors oriented in a series relationship with respect to each other, the process comprising supplying each of first and second reactant through separate channels in the first reactor bed of a reverse-flow reactor such that both of the first and second reactants serve to quench the first reactor bed, without the first and second reactants substantially reacting with each other until reaching the core of the reactor system.
US07943799B2 Method for producing optically active cycloalkylidenebisoxazoline compound and intermediate thereof
It is provided to an optically active cycloalkylidenebisamidoalcohol compound represented by the formula (3): wherein R1 represents a C1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or a hydrogen atom, or two R1s, which are bonded to the same carbon atom, are bonded to form a ring together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, R2 represents a C1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group and * represents an asymmetric center, a method for producing it and a method for producing an optically active cycloalkylidenebisoxazoline compound represented by the formula (4): wherein R1, R2 and * are as defined above, using thereof.
US07943796B2 Lubricating oil additive and lubricating oil composition containing same
An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of no more than about 325° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a lubricating oil composition containing at least (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) the overbased salt of the oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound.
US07943795B2 Vitamin D receptor modulators
The present invention relates to novel, non-secosteroidal, phenyl-naphthalene compounds of Formula (I): wherein R, R1, RP, ZP, LP1, LP2 LNP, RP3, RN, and ZNP are defined herein, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use.
US07943792B2 Production of biodiesel, cellulosic sugars, and peptides from the simultaneous esterification and alcoholysis/hydrolysis of materials with oil-containing substituents including phospholipids and peptidic content
The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters as well as cellulosic simplified sugars, shortened protein polymers, amino acids, or combination thereof resulting from the simultaneous esterification and hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or both of algae and other oil containing materials containing phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerides, or combination thereof as well as polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, protein polymers, or combination thereof in the presence of an alcohol and an optional acid catalyst.
US07943789B2 Alkenylsuccinic anhydride composition and method of using the same
The invention relates to an aqueous sizing composition comprising (a) an emulsion comprising an alkenylsuccinic anhydride component containing alkenylsuccinic anhydride particles suspended in a first starch component containing emulsifying starch selected from the group consisting of non-ionic starches, ionic starches, and mixtures thereof, and (b) a second starch component selected from the group consisting of non-ionic starches, ionic starches and mixtures thereof, such that the alkenylsuccinic anhydride and the starch in the emulsion and the second starch component are present at a starch: alkenylsuccinic anhydride weight ratio that is sufficiently high to enable the sizing composition to impart useful sizing properties to a fibrous substrate when the sizing composition contacts the fibrous substrate. The invention also relates to fibrous substrates treated with the sizing composition, processes for making the composition and processes for using such a composition, and other compositions. In one embodiment, alkylene ketene dimer is used instead of alkenylsuccinic anhydride.
US07943787B2 Preparation of pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) heterocycles: pyrroles and thiophenes
The subject invention pertains to pentafluorosulfonyl (SF5) substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, 3-pyrrolines and 2,5-dihydrothiophenes, as well as methods for their synthesis.
US07943786B2 Process for preparing amorphous (4R-cis)-6-[2-[3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-pyrrol-1-yl]-ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]-dioxane-4-yl-acetic acid
The invention relates to a process of preparing amorphous (4R-cis)-6-[2-[3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylethyl)-pyrrol-1-yl]-ethyl]-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]-dioxane-4-yl-acetic acid-tertiary butyl ester which is a useful pharmaceutical intermediate in the preparation of atorvastatin salts.
US07943784B2 Process for the preparation of almotriptan
The present invention encompasses a method for the preparation of Almotriptan and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts comprises, i) Methylation of 3-[5-(1-Pyrrolidinyl sulfonyl methyl)1H-indol-yl]ethane amine ii) Treating crude Almotriptan with a hydroxy benzoic acid yields hydroxy benzoic acid addition salt of Almotriptan iii) Converting Almotriptan hydroxy benzoic acid addition salt to Almotriptan and iv) Salification of Almotriptan to its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
US07943783B2 Multifunctional amine capture agents
Multifunctional compounds having acylsulfonamide amine-reactive groups are described that can be used for the capture of amine containing materials.
US07943781B2 Process for preparing telmisartan
A process comprising cyclizing 3-amino-4-butyramido-5-methylbenzoic acid to form 2-n-propyl-4-methyl-benzimidazole-6-carboxylic acid.
US07943775B2 Small molecules for imaging protein-protein interactions
A tissue is imaged to detect the presence of amyloid deposits or other target proteins prior to their aggregation into plaques, with the assistance of the administration of a labeled bifunctional compound of which one functionality binds to the target protein and the second functionality binds to a chaperone protein that is present in the tissue of interest. The two functionalities have different binding affinities, the target-binding functionality having the greater binding affinity, with the result that the bifunctional compound preferentially remains in the tissue when bound to the chaperone and then the target protein while bifunctional compound that is not bound to the target protein will leave the tissue. The inclusion of the chaperone allows the imaging process to detect the non-aggregated proteins by way of the label and the difference in kinetics of the binding to the chaperone and the target protein permits one to distinguish between binding of the bifunctional molecule to the chaperone only and binding to the chaperone and then to the target protein. Certain intermediates toward the synthesis of these bifunctional compounds are novel by themselves, and labeled bifunctional molecules in general that utilize a lysine linker are also disclosed as a novel class of compounds.
US07943769B2 Fluorinated derivative of quinolin-2(1H)-one, method for preparing the same and use thereof as a synthesis intermediate
The invention relates to a fluorinated derivate of quinolin-2(1H)-one (I), to a method for preparing the same, and to the use thereof as an intermediate in the synthesis of 7-fluoro-2-oxo-4-[2-[4-[thieno[3,2-c]pyridine-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-1,2-dihydro-quinolin-1-acetamide. The invention also relates to the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US07943764B2 Method for producing sulphated glycosaminoglycans from biological tissues
A method for isolating sulphated glycosaminoglycans washes a mechanically cleaned tissue, exposes tissue in a solution of 0.1M phosphate pH 5.8-6.0 buffer heated to a temperature of 65° C. for 30 minutes, overcooks the tissue in activated 0.1-0.4% papain at 65° C. for 6-24 hours, cools the papain digest to 4° C., removes fats and undigested tissue residues, selectively isolates the sulphated glycosaminoglycans for 4-10 hours on a solid carrier, obtained from bone tissue collagen with particle sizes ranging from 0-01 to 0.35 cm3, washes the carrier with 0.05-0.1 N-hydrochloric acid, degreases and eluates the carrier with a solution of 0.6-0.15 N-mineral salt in 0.8 N-acetic acid or in 0-01-0-025 N-alkali liquor, precipitates the sulphated glycosaminoglycans with ethanol, centrifuges with 1500 r.p.m. for 15 minutes at a temperature of 4° C., washes the precipitate with ethanol or acetone, and dries and sterilizes the precipitate.
US07943751B2 Ladder copolymers
The present invention relates to a copolymer termed a ladder copolymer because it has two backbones that serve as legs/sides of a ladder structure. These two backbones, one of which is a nucleic acid or nucleic acid-like polymer, are linked together as the legs/sides of a ladder are linked together by the rungs.
US07943750B2 Process for obtaining pure monosialoganglioside GM1 for medical use
A process for preparing pure monosialoganglioside GM1 in the form of its sodium salt. There is provided a process for the isolation and purification of monosialoganglioside GM1 comprising (a) separation of GM1 from a lipidic mixture containing the monosialoganglioside GM1 as the main ganglioside component by ion exchange column-chromatography using an eluent comprising potassium or caesium ions, (b) recovery of the solute from the eluted solution, (c) diafiltration of an aqueous solution of the recovered solute, and (d) second diafiltration after the addition of 1 M NaCl, and recovering GM1. The purity level of GM1 obtained is higher than 99.0%.
US07943749B2 Antimicrobial 2-deoxystreptamine compounds
The present invention is directed to analogs of paromomycin having a variety of chemical functional groups attached at the 2″-O-position as well as their preparation and use as prophylactic or therapeutics against microbial infection.
US07943744B2 ICAM-1 binding antibodies
The invention provides binding molecules, including antibody molecules which selectively bind to a cell surface antigen of a target cell, and wherein the binding molecules, on binding the cell surface antigen, induce apoptosis of the target cell. There is also provided methods of and pharmaceutical compositions for apoptosis induction and uses thereof.
US07943742B2 Anti-αvβ6 antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention is in the fields of cell biology, immunology and oncology. The invention provides humanized antibodies that recognize αvβ6 integrins, which antibodies comprise a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also provides methods for preparation of such antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods of treating, diagnosing and/or preventing various diseases and disorders by administering the humanized anti-αvβ6 antibodies of the invention. The invention also relates to the identification of differential expression of the integrin αvβ6 on the surfaces of tumor cells and tissues, the use of this differential expression in determining the metastatic potential of tumor cells, and methods of diagnosis and treatment/prevention of tumor metastasis and for elimination of residual metastatic tumor cells using ligands, particularly antibodies, that bind to integrin αvβ6.
US07943737B2 Bacillus thuringiensis crystal polypeptides, polynucleotides, and compositions thereof
The present invention provides insecticidal polypeptides related to Bacillus Cry2 polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed.
US07943735B2 Bacillus thuringiensis crystal polypetides, polynucleotides, and compositions thereof
The present invention provides insecticidal polypeptides related to Bacillus Cry2 polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed.
US07943732B2 AKT ligands and polynucleotides encoding AKT ligands
The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate AKT activity. The ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands to a cellular localization signal, epitope tag and/or a reporter. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands.
US07943726B2 Process for preparation of oxymethylene polymers in a homogeneous phase, and use
A process and an apparatus are described for preparation of oxymethylene polymers. This process encompasses polymerization, in a homogeneous phase, of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups, as far as 90% of maximum conversion in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by deactivation of the reaction mixture. The resultant oxymethylene polymers have alkyl ether end groups and are extremely stable.
US07943723B2 Process for the synthesis of ethers of aromatic acids
The inventions disclosed herein include processes for the preparation of an ether of an aromatic acid, processes for the preparation of products into which such an ether can be converted, the use of such processes, and the products obtained and obtainable by such processes. A key feature of the processes described is the use of a solvent comprising an alcohol ROH and an alcoholate RO−M+.
US07943719B2 Encapsulation resins
Curable polyorganosiloxanes are provided that cure in the absence of a hydrosilylation catalyst. The cured polyorganosiloxanes have increased stability and can be used as encapsulation resin is at a temperature far lower than 300° C., have excellent light transmission properties (colorless transparency. in a wavelength region of from ultraviolet light to visible light, light resistance, heat resistance, resistance to moist heat and UV resistance, and do not generate cracks and peeling even in use over a long period of time.
US07943714B2 Label adhesive and activation method for polymeric label
A water activated adhesive system is described that is particularly suited for applying non-paper polymeric labels to surfaces which have low moisture permeability. The adhesive system is characterized by a dry non-tacky surface that becomes tacky in less than one second when contacted with a water-based activator. While it is a water activated adhesive, it is also characterized after aging bonded to a substrate by resistance to adhesive failure during 72 hours of immersion in ice/water mixture. The adhesive is beneficial to allow use of existing paper labeling equipment with polymeric labels.
US07943713B2 Polymeric boronic acid derivatives and their use for papermaking
Polymeric compounds of formula I comprising boronic acid are provided. These polymeric compounds are prepared either by grafting boronic acid containing compounds (e.g. 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid) to hydrolysed poly(N-vinylformamide) or hydrolysing copolymer(s) obtained by copolymerizing vinyl group containing boronic acid monomers (e.g. -vinylphenyl boronic acid) and N-vinylformamide. These polymeric compounds are used in increasing the wet strength of paper in paper-making processes. Formula (I).
US07943710B2 Multi-metal oxide catalyst and method for producing (meth)acrylic acid by using the same
The present invention provides a Mo—Bi—Nb based composite metal oxide (with the proviso that Te is not included); a method for producing (meth)acrylic acid from at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of propylene, propane, isobutylene, t-butyl alcohol and methyl-t-butyl ether, in which a Mo—Bi—Nb based composite metal oxide (with the proviso that Te is not included) is used as a catalyst; and a reactor used for producing (meth)acrylic acid from at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of propylene, propane, isobutylene, t-butyl alcohol and methyl-t-butyl ether, in which a Mo—Bi—Nb based composite metal oxide (with the proviso that Te is not included) is used as a catalyst. Further, the present invention provides a method for producing (meth)acrylic acid from at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of propylene, propane, isobutylene, t-butyl alcohol and methyl-t-butyl ether by using a Mo—Bi—Nb based composite metal oxide as a catalyst, without any additional process of convening (meth)acrolein into (meth)acrylic acid.
US07943703B2 Modified acrylic block copolymers for hydrogels and pressure sensitive wet adhesives
A method of creating a bioadhesive in a substantially aqueous environment is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing an anionicially polymerized block copolymer containing an amide, which is prepared by reacting a difunctional anionic initiator with a sterically hindered ester of methacrylic acid (SEMA), into a solvent to allow the solvent to swell the block copolymer; reacting the anionically polymerized hindered ester of methacrylic acid with methacrylic acid (MMA); hydrolyzing the anionically polymerized block copolymer with an aqueous solution to afford a methyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate block copolymer (MMA-MAA-MMA); reacting the MMA-MAA-MMA block copolymer with 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine to afford an amide with the MAA portion of the block copolymer; and placing the solvent swollen block copolymer in water. The water is exchanged with the solvent to provide a bioadhesive in an aqueous environment.
US07943701B2 Fibers and non-wovens prepared with propylene-based elastomers
A nonwoven fabric made from a composition comprising (a) a propylene-based elastomer characterized by including from about 5% to about 35% by weight units deriving from alpha-olefin and a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of less than 80 J/g, (b) a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer characterized by an MFR (ASTM D-1238 2.16 kg @ 230° C.) of from about 3 to about 300 dg/min, and a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of greater than 80 J/g, and (c) a feel modifier selected from the group consisting of (i) a high-MFR thermoplastic resin having an MFR (ASTM D-1238 2.16 kg @ 230° C.) in excess of 400 dg/min, (ii) a hydrocarbon resin, (iii) a polyolefin wax, (iv) a functionalized hydrocarbon resin, (v) a functionalized polyolefin, and (vi) a combination of two or more of the foregoing feel modifiers, and (d) optionally a slip aid.
US07943697B2 Radiation resistant silicone formulations and medical devices formed of same
The disclosure is directed to a sterilized medical device including a non-polymerized blend including a silicone matrix material and a radiation resistant component.
US07943696B2 Use of sulfur containing initiators for anionic polymerization of monomers
A vulcanized rubber composition comprising the vulcanization product of a functional polymer, where the functional polymer is defined by the formula where R is selected from C1 to C6 trialkyl-silyl groups, C1 to C20 alkyl groups, C4 to C20 cycloalkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, thienyl, furyl, and pyridyl groups; and R may optionally have attached thereto any of the following functional groups: C1 to C10 alkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, C2 to C10 alkenyl groups, C3 to C10 non-terminal alkynyl groups, ethers, tert-amines, oxazolines, thiazolines, phosphines, sulfides, silyls, and mixtures thereof; where R1 is selected from C2 to C8 alkylene groups, where X is NR, and where π is a polymer chain.
US07943691B2 Heat tolerant, optically clear CPVC and method of making same
A high HDT CPVC compound that is optically clear is disclosed. The choice of CPVC resin, the use of external lubricants, and other optional ingredients achieves a threshold of optical clarity for the compound to be used to make optically clear articles via extrusion or molding. An optically clear CPVC industrial pipe is particularly useful for monitoring of fluid flow.
US07943687B2 Continuous microreactor process for the production of polyester emulsions
A process and system for continuously making a resin emulsion suitable for use in forming toner particles includes at least one micromixer for micromixing a resin mixture and aqueous phase to continuously produce an emulsion of a high solids content. The process comprises contacting a polyester resin possessing acid groups with a component selected from the group consisting of an organic solvent and a solvent inversion agent to form a resin mixture; neutralizing the resin mixture with a neutralizing agent; and subjecting the resin mixture to micromixing.
US07943673B2 Process for conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons using a zeolite-methanol catalyst system
A process is described for converting synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen to hydrocarbons via methanol as an intermediate, by contacting the synthesis gas with a catalyst system containing a mixture of gallium silicate zeolite catalyst and a methanol catalyst. The process results in reduced amounts of undesirable low carbon number hydrocarbons, e.g., C4 and lower, undesirable high carbon number hydrocarbons, e.g., C10 and higher, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The process provides higher yields of useful, high octane hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range.
US07943670B2 Liquid formulations of ractopamine
Described is a soluble stable liquid formulation, process for preparing, and a method of using the soluble stable liquid formulation comprising ractopamine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, a liquid nonionic cosolvent, and water.
US07943663B2 Process and an apparatus for producing episesamin-rich compositions
To provide a process and an apparatus by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % on the basis of the sum weight of sesamin and episesamin can be produced conveniently and at high yield.There are provided a process and an apparatus which comprise the step of applying epimerization to sesamin or a sesamin-containing composition so that at least part of the sesamin is converted to episesamin and the step of selectively crystallizing episesamin by recrystallization and by means of which a composition that contains episesamin in a concentration greater than 50 wt % can be produced conveniently and at high yield.
US07943658B2 Indole indane amide compounds useful as CB2 agonists and method
Indole indane amides which are CB2 agonists are provided which have the structure wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein, which compounds are useful in treating autoimmune diseases, inflammation, pain, cardiovascular disorders and other diseases mediated by CB2 receptors. A method for preventing or treating such diseases employing the compounds of the invention is also provided.
US07943653B2 Substituted 5-vinylphenyl-1-phenyl-pyrazole cannabinoid modulators
This invention is directed to a cannabinoid modulator compound of formula (I): or a form thereof, and methods for use in treating, ameliorating or preventing a cannabinoid receptor mediated syndrome, disorder or disease.
US07943650B2 Methods of treating cancer with imidazolyl compounds
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a method of treating and/or mitigating prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer or lung cancer, comprising administering to an individual in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of formula (I): where T is optionally substituted phenyl; n is 1 to 6: C represents optionally substituted carbon; and D is imidazolyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester of said compound.
US07943649B2 2-(phenyl or heterocyclic)-1H-phenantrho[9,10-d]imidazoles as mPGES-1 inhibitors
The invention encompasses novel compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme and are therefore useful to treat pain and/or inflammation from a variety of diseases or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute or chronic pain. Methods of treating diseases or conditions mediated by the mPGES-1 enzyme and pharmaceutical compositions are also encompassed.
US07943636B2 1-substituted pyrazolo (3,4-C) ring compounds as modulators of cytokine biosynthesis for the treatment of viral infections and neoplastic diseases
Pyrazolo[3,4-c] ring compounds of Formula (I), e.g., pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines, pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinolines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinolines, and pyrazolo[3,4-c]naphthyridines, substituted at the 1-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed.
US07943631B2 Method of treating drug addiction using dextro-morphine
The present invention relates a method of treating drug addiction in an individual by administering to the addicted individual a therapeutically effective amount of dextro-morphine capable of activating an opioid receptor. It is disclosed here that dextro-morphine is suitable for treating addiction to natural opiates, semi-synthetic opiates, fully synthetic opioids, and endogenous opioid peptides, as well as nicotine.
US07943629B2 Sulphimides as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention relates to sulphimides as protein kinase inhibitors of the general formula I
US07943624B2 Pyridinylpyrazolopyrimidinone derivatives as PDE 7 inhibitors
To provide the compounds inhibiting PDE 7 selectively, and therefore, enhance cellular cAMP level. Consequently, the compound is useful for treating various kinds of disease such as allergic disease, inflammatory disease or immunologic disease. The compound is pyridinylpyrazolo-pyrimidinone compound represented by the following formula (IA) or (IB): especially, R1 is cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl group, R2 is methyl; R3 is a group: —NR5R6 or —S(O)0-2R8;hydrogen atom; nitro group; cyano group; a halogen atom; heteroaryl group; and R4 is methoxy or ethoxy group.
US07943623B2 Pharmaceutical composition comprising 2,3-dihydro-6-nitroimidazo [2,1-B] oxazole derivatives
A pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention comprises: (I) at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxazole compounds, optically active isomers thereof, and salts thereof, the oxazole compounds being represented by general formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or C1-6 alkyl group; n represents an integer from 0 to 6; and R2 represents, for example, a group of general formula (A) shown below: wherein R3 represents a phenoxy group, optionally substituted on the phenyl ring with one or more members selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halo-substituted or unsubstituted C1-6 alkyl groups, and halo-substituted or unsubstituted C1-6 alkoxy groups; and (II) at least one cellulose compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate. The present pharmaceutical composition has an improved oxazole compound water solubility.
US07943622B2 Piperazines, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof
Disclosed are novel piperazine derivatives that act as agonists of the α7 nAChR. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, methods of treating CNS disorders, methods for inhibiting cytokine release from mammalian cells and methods for the preparation of the novel compounds.
US07943621B2 Salts of piperazine compounds as D3/D2 antagonists
The present invention relates to novel monohydrochloride, dihydrochloride, monohydrobromide, maleate and methanesulphonate salts of trans 4-{2-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazine-1-yl]-ethyl}-N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl-cyclohexylamine and/or their hydrates and/or solvates. Moreover, the invention relates to the process for preparing the salts and their hydrates and/or solvates, to their use in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions which require modulation of dopamine receptor and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US07943618B2 Btk protein kinase inhibitors
This application discloses pyridine and pyrimidine compounds according to formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X1 and A are as described herein which inhibit Btk. The compounds disclosed herein are useful to modulate the activity of Btk and treat diseases associated with excessive Btk activity. The compounds are further useful to treat inflammatory and auto immune diseases associated with aberrant B-cell proliferation such as rheumatoid arthritis. Also disclosed are compositions containing compounds of formula I and at least one carrier, diluent or excipient.
US07943617B2 Heterobicyclic compounds useful as kinase inhibitors
A compound of Formula (I) and enantiomers, diastereomers and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I, and methods of treating conditions associated with the activity of p38 kinase.
US07943616B2 Azaindoles for inhibiting aurora2 and other kinases
The invention is directed to physiologically active compounds of general formula (I):— and compositions containing such compounds; and their prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates of such compounds and their prodrugs, as well as to novel compounds within the scope of formula (I). Such compounds and compositions have valuable pharmaceutical properties, in particular the ability to inhibit kinases.
US07943614B2 Carboxamide compound and use of the same
A carboxamide compound represented by the formula (I): [wherein Q represents a nitrogen-containing 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group optionally fused with a benzene ring, two or more ring constitutional atoms of the heterocyclic group are a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic group may be substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of a C1-C3 alkyl group etc.], and a plant disease controlling agent comprising this as an active ingredient.
US07943608B2 Diazepinoes
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I), to the preparation and use thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases, in particular tumours and/or diseases in the development or course of which kinases are involved.
US07943606B2 Compositions and methods to control abnormal cell growth
A class of compounds commonly containing a trialkylammonium group have been synthesized and characterized as anticancer compounds. They can be used alone or in combination with other therapies to treat cancer and other cell proliferative diseases. Representative compounds of this class, N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-2-[(9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-2-yl)methoxy]ethanaminium iodide and N,N-diethyl-N-allyl-3-(2-methyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-ylidene)-propane-1-aminium bromide, were shown in various tumor models to decrease tumor volume, enhance the effects of other chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, reduce chemotherapy-induced loss of body weight, and increase survival of animals co-treated with toxic amounts of cisplatin. These compounds had even greater effects on tumor volume, body weight, and survival when administered together with the human protein placental alkaline phosphatase.
US07943605B2 Compounds comprising a lactam or a lactam derivative moiety, processes for making them, and their uses
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) comprising a lactam or a lactam derivative moiety, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and their uses as pharmaceuticals.
US07943603B2 Medical uses of a selective estrogen receptor modulator in combination with sex steroid precursors
Novel methods for the medical treatment and/or inhibition of the development of osteoporosis, breast cancer, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia or atherosclerosis in susceptible warm-blooded animals including humans involving administration of selective estrogen receptor modulator particularly compounds having the general structure: and an amount of a sex steroid precursor selected from the group consisting of dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol and compounds converted in vivo to one of the foregoing precursor. Further administration of bisphosphonates in combination with selective estrogen receptor modulators and/or sex steroid precursor is disclosed for the medical treatment and/or inhibition of the development of osteoporosis. Pharmaceutical compositions for delivery of active ingredient(s) and kit(s) useful to the invention are also disclosed.
US07943600B2 Antimicrobial combination therapy
This invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating a subject having a condition associated with an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection. The invention includes administering to a subject a therapeutically effective combination of an antibiotic and a toxic compound (e.g., a nucleic acid damaging agent, an alkylating agent, or a heavy metal containing compound).
US07943597B2 Phosphate-binding chitosan and uses thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods for removing phosphate from a subject using chitosan. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for treating hyperphosphatemia based on phosphate-binding chitosan.
US07943594B2 Solid-phase and solution-phase synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol glycans
One aspect of the present invention relates to solution-phase approaches to GPI synthesis. Another aspect of the present invention relates to key building blocks, and syntheses thereof, useful for GPI assembly. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an automated method for the synthesis of GPIs and fragments thereof.
US07943582B2 Crystalline form of 1-(β-D-glucopyransoyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2- thienylmethyl]benzene hemihydrate
A novel crystal form of 1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl]benzene hemihydrate, and having favorable characteristics, is characterized by its x-ray powder diffraction pattern and/or by its infra-red spectrum.
US07943580B2 Polypeptide and the use thereof
The present invention provides a variety of useful polypeptides. In particular, a polypeptide comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3, its amide, or a salt thereof can be used as an agent for preventing/treating hypotension; an agent for preventing/treating obesity, hyperphagia, etc.; an agent for preventing/treating lethargy, time-zone change syndrome (jet lag), etc.; an agent for preventing/treating sterility, etc. A compound or its salt that promotes the activity of a polypeptide comprising the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by any of SEQ ID NOS: 7 to 12 and 37 to 42, its partial peptide, or a salt thereof is useful as an agent for preventing/treating, e.g., menopausal symptoms or hyperthyroidism. A compound or its salt that inhibits the activity of said polypeptide is useful as an agent for preventing/treating, e.g., sterility or hypothyroidism.
US07943577B2 Alpha-fetoprotein peptides and uses thereof
Therapeutic compounds which are cell proliferation modulators, preferably inhibitors. These modulators contain amino acid structures that are arranged as a hydrophilic analog of an alpha-fetoprotein. The modulator may be a peptide itself, e.g., an octapeptide like that of SEQ ID NO: 5; a peptidomimetic; or may be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable scaffold, such as a polycyclic hydrocarbon to which is attached the necessary amino acid structures for biological and/or chemical activity. The modulators of the invention are distinguished in one aspect over previous compounds in that they are orally active, and therefore do not have to be injected into the patient. The compositions and methods are useful for reducing estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent growth of cells, and treating or preventing cancer, such as breast cancer, brain cancer, head-and-neck cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and skin cancer. The treatment or prevention methods can include the use of tamoxifen therapy in combination with the peptide therapy.
US07943576B2 Methods of using enterostatin as inhibitor of angiogenesis
It has been discovered that enterostatin inhibits angiogenesis in an in vitro adipose tissue angiogenesis model. In concentrations from about 10−6 to about 10−9 M, enterostatin effectively blocked the angiogenic response. Enterostatin will be effective in treating noncancerous and cancerous diseases that involve an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. This, antiangiogenic activity was confirmed in two additional tissue cells lines (liver and neuronal cells) using a microarray analysis.
US07943575B2 Sustained release drug formulations containing a carrier peptide
The invention features a method of administering one or more therapeutic agents to a patient and delivering said agent or agents continuously over an extended period of time, said method comprising: obtaining a pharmaceutical composition including a peptide carrier, one or more therapeutic agents, and up to 30 percent, by weight, of a pharmaceutically acceptable, soluble, monomeric carrier; and parenterally administering said pharmaceutical composition to a subject by injection, wherein said composition automatically forms a gel after interaction with the patient's bodily fluids and releases said peptide carrier and said agent or agents continuously within the patient over an extended period.
US07943565B2 Sanitizing and cleaning composition and its use for sanitizing and/or cleaning hard surfaces
The present invention relates to acidic sanitizing and/or cleaning compositions comprising a specific quaternary antimicrobial system consisting of C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, C5-C18 alkyl monocarboxylic acids, unsubstituted or substituted, saturated or unsaturated C4-dicarboxylic acids and additional inorganic or organic acids. The compositions of the present invention can be present in the form of concentrates and in the form of diluted use solutions. They can be used in a process for sanitizing and/or cleaning hard surfaces, preferably in a cleaning-in-place (CIP) and/or sanitize-in-place (SIP) process for cleaning and/or sanitizing plants in the food, dairy, beverage, brewery and soft drink industries.
US07943562B2 Semiconductor substrate cleaning methods, and methods of manufacture using same
In a cleaning composition, a method of cleaning a semiconductor substrate and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the cleaning composition includes about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of an organic ammonium hydroxide compound, about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of a fluoride compound, about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of a buffering agent, about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of an etching accelerant, and a remainder of water.
US07943561B1 Heavy duty hand cleaner
A liquid hand cleansing composition which has the ability to remove stubborn soils such as ink, grease, paint and the like. The composition is also able to hold water insoluble particles in suspension without separation or sedimentation because of cooperation between a special suspension system and a surfactant system. Additionally, the composition remains homogenous and viscosity stabilized even in the presence of relatively large quantities of solvent such as d-limonene.
US07943555B2 Wellbore treatment kits for forming a polymeric precipitate to reduce the loss of fluid to a subterranean formation
Wellbore treatment kits are provide that include a polymeric solution for placement in a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation and an activator for causing a polymer to precipitate out of the polymeric solution when it contacts the polymeric solution, wherein the resulting precipitate is capable of at least partially blocking a flow of a wellbore servicing fluid into the subterranean formation. The wellbore servicing fluid may be, for example, a drilling fluid, a cement composition, a workover fluid, or combinations thereof. The polymeric solution may comprise, for example, a poly vinyl pyrrolidone aqueous solution, and the activator may comprise, for example, a formate brine. When desirable, the precipitate may be easily and quickly removed from the subterranean formation by dissolving it in fresh water.
US07943554B2 Wellbore fluid comprising at least one polymer containing pendant alkyl groups
Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and containing at least one polymer which (a) has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000; (b) contains hydrophilic units such that the polymer is at least 2% soluble in water at a temperature of 20° C. wherein none of said hydrophilic units comprise —CH2.CH2.O— units; and (c) contains pendant alkyl groups having at least 10 carbon atoms. The combined molecular weight of the pendant alkyl groups is in the range of from 15 to 70% by weight based on the weight of the polymer. The polymer is selected from (A) a homopolymer of a compound of general formula HO(O)CCH═CHC(O)OR where R is a C10 to C40 alkyl group; and (B) a copolymer of (i) at least one hydrophilic monomer selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, hydroxypropylmethacrylate, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and (ii) at least one hydrophobic monomer that provides a pendant alkyl group selected from a C12 to C40 alpha-olefin, a C10 to C24 alkyl vinyl ether, an acrylamide of the general formula CH2═CR5C(O)NHR6 (I) where R5 is selected from H and C1 to C4 alkyl groups and R6 is a C10 to C40 alkyl group, and an acrylate of the general formula CH2═CR7C(O)OR8 (II) where R7 is H or methyl and R8 is a C10 to C40 alkyl group; and additionally containing at least one additive selected from additional fluid loss control agents, bridging particulate materials, finely dispersed additives for increasing the fluid density, thinners, and shale inhibitors.
US07943552B2 Inventory control
A novel encoding system, compositions for use therein and methods for determining the source, location and/or identity of a particular item or component of interest is provided. In particular, the present invention utilizes a collection of one or more sizes of populations of semiconductor nanocrystals having characteristic spectral emissions, to “track” the source or location of an item of interest or to identify a particular item of interest. The semiconductor nanocrystals used in the inventive compositions can be selected to emit a desired wavelength to produce a characteristic spectral emission in narrow spectral widths, and with a symmetric, nearly Gaussian line shape, by changing the composition and size of the semiconductor nanocrystal. Additionally, the intensity of the emission at a particular characteristic wavelength can also be varied, thus enabling the use of binary or higher order encoding schemes.
US07943550B2 4-(3-Aminobenzoyl)-1 methylpyrazoles and their use as herbicides
What is described are 4-(3-aminobenzoyl)pyrazoles of the general formula (I) and their use as herbicides. In this formula (I), R1 and R2 are radicals such as hydrogen and organic radicals, such as alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl. Y is hydrogen or a protective group, such as tosyl.
US07943549B2 Biological-based catalyst to delay plant development processes
The present invention is directed to methods for delaying a plant development process comprising exposing a plant or plant part to one or more bacteria or enzymes. In specific embodiments, the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Rhodococcus spp., Pseudomonas chloroaphis, Brevibacterium ketoglutamicum, and a mixture comprising any combination of these bacteria. Apparatuses for delaying a plant development process comprising a catalyst that comprises one or more of the above bacteria.
US07943546B2 Polymerization modifiers
A combinatorial method for identifying a catalyst composition for use in the homogeneous addition polymerization of an olefin monomers, said catalyst composition comprising a transition metal compound, a cocatalyst and a polymerization modifier, as well as catalyst compositions and improved olefin polymerization processes resulting therefrom.
US07943544B2 Method of recycling spent flue gas denitration catalyst
The present invention provides a method of recycling a spent flue gas denitration catalyst and a method of determining a washing time of the spent flue gas denitration catalyst. The method of recycling the spent flue gas denitration catalyst includes physically removing solids deposited in the spent flue gas denitration catalyst, removing poisoning substances deposited in the spent flue gas denitration catalyst by washing the spent flue gas denitration catalyst with a washing liquid for a washing time determined by measuring the hydrogen ion concentration of the washing liquid and drying the resulting spent flue gas denitration catalyst.
US07943542B2 Dielectric ceramic composition and an electronic component
A dielectric ceramic composition of the invention comprises a main component expressed in a compositional formula of (Ba1-x-yCaxSry)m(Ti1-zZrz)O3, a first subcomponent of at least one compound selected from La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y, a second subcomponent of at least one compound selected from Si and Ag.
US07943539B2 Glass-ceramics and method for manufacturing the same
There are provided glass-ceramics comprising, in mass %, 50-60% SiO2, 22-26% Al2O3 and 3-5% Li2O, having an average crystal grain diameter exceeding 100 nm, and having an average linear thermal expansion coefficient of 30×10−7/° C. or below within a temperature range of 0° C. to 50° C. These glass-ceramics are manufactured by a step of melting glass raw materials, a step of forming the molten glass, a step of annealing the formed glass, a first heat treating step for heat treating the annealed glass at a temperature of 650-750° C. for 0.1 hour to 200 hours, and a second heat treating step for heat treating the glass at a temperature of 800-1000° C. for 0.1 hour to 50 hours.
US07943538B2 Water-decomposable cleaning product and production method thereof
A water-decomposable cleaning product dispersible in water, including: a cleaning part, at least a part of the cleaning part having a water-decomposable fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric; and a holding part.