最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US07978415B2 Observation device
An observation device includes at least one day vision channel, an information channel with a graphic electronic display for producing a display image and a combination optical system for combining the day vision channel and the information channel, so that a combined overall image forms.
US07978411B2 Tetraform microlenses and method of forming the same
A lens is formed to support and tilt at least one microlens formed on the lens. The degree and direction of slope of the microlens can be controlled based on desired focal characteristics to direct light to or from a pixel of a pixel array.
US07978405B2 Optical system for cell imaging
A microscope system (10, 10′, 10″, 10′″) includes a laser (18) or light emitting diode (18′″) that generates source light having a non-uniform spatial distribution. An optical system includes an objective (40) defining a field of view, and an optical train (22, 22′, 22″, 22′″) configured to convert the source light into an enlarged-diameter collimated light, to spatially homogenize the enlarged-diameter collimated light, and to couple the homogenized enlarged-diameter collimated light into the objective to provide substantially uniform static illumination of the field of view. A camera system (56) is statically optically coupled by the objective with at least most of the field of view.
US07978402B2 Robust window for infrared energy
Articles transparent to infrared radiation and resistant to impact and wear are provided. The article comprises a substrate and a composite coating disposed over the substrate and extending from an interface with the substrate to an external surface. The composite coating comprises a first phase and a second phase. The second phase has a higher resistance to erosive wear than the first phase. The coating comprises a compositional gradient proceeding from a first composition at the interface of the coating with the substrate to a second composition at the external surface, the first composition comprising a higher concentration of the first phase than that of the second composition.
US07978394B1 Magnetic spin based photonic/plasmonic devices
A photonic/plasmonic device is disclosed that uses a ferroelectric material and its magnetization state in order to affect the physical properties of electromagnetic waves. The magnetization state of the ferromagnetic material may either be zero or nonzero. When the magnetization state of the ferromagnetic material is non-zero physical properties of the electromagnetic waves are altered. This effect can be used to make switches and the like.
US07978393B2 Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements
The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
US07978387B2 Laser projector
A laser projector including a laser light source, a scan unit to scan the laser beam, a scan signal generation unit to generate a pulse signal, a drive unit to drive the scan unit and a pulse pattern adjustment unit to adjust a pulse pattern, wherein the pulse pattern adjustment unit adjusts the pulse pattern to a first pulse pattern for adjusting the swing amount from a first swing amount to a second swing amount in a projection interval, adjusts the pulse pattern to a second pulse pattern for adjusting the swing amount from the second swing amount back to the first swing amount in a first-stage interval in a non-projection interval, and adjusts the pulse pattern to a third pulse pattern for keeping the swing amount at the first swing amount in a second-stage interval in the non-projection interval until a scan position returns to the projection interval.
US07978385B2 Information processing method, information processing apparatus, program and medium
A patch image generating section 101 generates a patch image by resolving the RGB space into an arbitrary number of steps, and by converting into a CMYK space via an LUT. A patch image calorimetric section 102 outputs the patch image onto a recording medium via a printer, and carries out colorimetry of the output image with a calorimeter. As calorimetric values, calorimetric values represented in an L*a*b* space independent of the RGB space and CMYK space are obtained. A linear space generating section 104 calculates ideal spatial distribution in the color space of the LUT according to the calorimetric values supplied. A color separation evaluation value calculating section 105 compares the ideal spatial distribution in the color space of the LUT with actual measurement data of the LUT. According to the compared results, color separation evaluation values are calculated from differences between the ideal value and actual measurement values.
US07978384B2 Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium thereof
A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.
US07978379B2 Image sensor
An image sensor includes a light source; a bar-shaped light-guiding element having a first light-emitting section, which propagates light from the light source and irradiates an document from an oblique direction, and a second light-emitting section emitting light in a carrying direction of the document; a lens converging the light reflected from the document; a sensor receiving the light passed through the lens; a reflector disposed on the opposite side of the light-guiding element, by reflecting the light from the second light-emitting section such that an optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting section is located between the lens and the document, and irradiating the document from an oblique direction; and first and second light-scattering layers formed in areas opposed to the first and the second light-emitting sections, respectively, in the light-guiding element.
US07978377B2 Image playback method, image playback apparatus, and image playback program
An image playback method is provided which allows the viewer to easily recognize how much time has elapsed and to evoke, with nostalgia, the memories from the time when the image was acquired. This image playback method includes the steps of determining a time elapsed from image acquisition based on an acquisition date and time of image information obtained by the image acquisition and a current date and time; determining a fading rate based on the determined elapsed time; subjecting the image information to image processing in which the image information is faded based on the determined fading rate; and displaying the image-processed image information to play back the image.
US07978372B2 Printhead driven by multiple print engine controllers
A print engine controller configured to be coupled with others to drive an ink drop printhead comprising: an interface at which to receive compressed page data; image decoders to decode compressed image planes in the received compressed page data; a half-toner/compositer to composite respective strips of the decoded image planes; and a printhead interface to output the composite strip to a printhead, the printhead interface including: a multi-segment printhead interface outputting printhead formatted data; and a synchronization signal generator outputting a synchronization signal to couple print engine controllers to synchronize their respective strips at the printhead.
US07978367B2 Printer control system, printer control method and printer
A print and colorimetry instructing section delivers an exclusive-use start instruction to start exclusive use of the printer prior to delivery of the printing instruction and the colorimetry instruction, the print and colorimetry instructing section delivering an exclusive-use canceling instruction to cancel the exclusive use of the printer at a predetermined time subsequent to delivery of the exclusive-use start instruction. The printer carries out only a process according to the instruction from the print and colorimetry instructing section having delivered the exclusive-use start instruction until accepting a predetermined exclusive-use canceling instruction subsequent to acceptance of the exclusive-use start instruction.
US07978365B2 Document type discriminating apparatus
A document type discriminating apparatus is provided in which discrimination as to whether or not a document is a duplicate is made with high degree of accuracy. The document type discriminating apparatus includes means for discriminating whether a type of a screen pattern used in an image captured by reading a document is a line screen, means for detecting whether a value indicating a change in a period of the screen used in the image exceeds a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating sharpness of an edge seen in the image is lower than a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating a blur in an edge color seen in the image exceeds a predetermined value, and means for discriminating that the document is a duplicate when at least two out of the four detection results mentioned above are true.
US07978364B2 Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
In order to provide a technique which can shorten the processing time in large-scale variable print processing, an image processing apparatus includes: an input unit adapted to input a rendering job which includes a single fixed object common to respective pages, and a plurality of variable objects which are independent for respective pages; a designation unit adapted to designate an inclusion region that includes rendering regions respectively for the plurality of rendering objects; a transparent processing unit adapted to generate transparent processed images by executing transparent processing in correspondence with the plurality of transparency attributes for a region of the fixed object that overlaps the inclusion region; a clipping image generation unit adapted to generate a clipping image by clipping a region from the transparent processed image; and a generation unit adapted to generate rendering data by blending the clipping image and the fixed object.
US07978363B2 Printing apparatus and printing method
There is provided a printing apparatus including: an image creating device which creates a plurality of two-dimensional code images; an interval setting device which sets an interval between the plurality of two-dimensional code images; and a printing device which prints the plurality of two-dimensional code images having the interval set therebetween by the interval setting device.
US07978360B2 Print system
In a print system including a server holding an application program connected to a network. In a client computer, when a print request for data obtained by the application program is received, client information and a request to make print data for the data are requested to the server. In the server, print data are made according to print control information according to the received client information, the print data is sent.
US07978359B2 Control device, image processing device control system, method of controlling control device, program, and computer-readable recording medium
In an image processing device control system, a function that a predetermined image processing device operated by the user cannot execute is executable by a substitute device, the user can input to the predetermined image processing device setting information regarding the function; and a control device includes: a multifunction device specifying section specifying a multifunction device having the function to the user-operated multifunction device; a UI control section sending to the user-operated multifunction device, data of the setting screen of the function; and a device control section which receives from the user-operated multifunction device the setting information of the function, and sends, to the multifunction device specified by the multifunction device specifying section, the setting information and a control instruction which instructs the execution of the function.
US07978356B2 Printing management system
A remote proofing system (10) on an information network (400) includes a networked controller (20) configured to be a master proofing controller and at least one remote proof printer (30, 90, 300, 310, 320, 330). The master proofing controller monitors at least one monitored information folder (13) maintained on the information network, associating a set of associated printer instructions (15) with the at least one monitored information folder, and instructing the at least one remote proof printer to print according to the set of associated printer instructions the contents of a proof printing file set when the proof printing file set is deposited in the at least one monitored information folder. Further embodiments of the remote proofing system allow for performing print proofing through an information firewall (800) via layered authorization from the operator of the remote proof printer; and multiple and partially overlapping remote proofing systems on the same information network.
US07978351B2 Printer configuration data setting method and server using the printer configuration data
A method for setting configuration data of a printer for a printer driver in a server is provided, in which the server is used in an image printing system that includes a client, the printer and the server including the printer driver for the printer. In the method, the server stores the configuration data obtained from the printer, and a configuration data obtaining part in the server reads the stored configuration data according to a request from the printer driver, and sends the configuration data to the printer driver.
US07978349B1 Apparatus and method for high speed printing of form and variable data
A web platform has multiple print modules adapted to print form data and variable data in a continuous operation. A controller with access to a form image database and a variable document database is connected to the web platform. Each print module on the web platform uses single color, ink jet, print heads. Form data is printed by a plurality of single color print modules. Variable data is printed by a single color print module. Bulk paper in rolls is fed through the web platform to print the forms and customer statements. The controller can direct printing of multiple statements simultaneously in discrete lanes on the web platform. Printed customer statements are subsequently separated into individual finished documents for process and mailing.
US07978347B2 Information processing apparatus, print data forming method, print control program, and memory medium
An information processing apparatus for forming print data to be print-processed by a printer is constructed by: designation receiving means for receiving designation of a duplex printing, discriminating means for discriminating the number of pages in the case where data to be printed has been arranged on a recording paper, and command adding means for receiving the designation of the duplex printing by the designation receiving means and, in the case where it is determined by the discriminating means that the number of pages of the recording paper on which the data to be printed has been arranged is equal to an odd number, adding a command to urge a forced paper ejection in the printer lest a blank page of the last page is logically counted in the printer. A print data forming method and a print control program for realizing such an apparatus and a memory medium which stores such a program are provided. When the last page is printed as a blank page in the printer in a duplex printing mode, the print data is formed lest the last blank page is counted up by a counter.
US07978343B2 Nanoscale optical tomography based on volume-scanning near-field microscopy
An apparatus and methods for nanoscale optical tomography based on back-scattering mode near-field scanning optical microscopy with a volumetric scan of the probe. The back-scattered data collected by a volumetric scan of the probe contains three-dimensional structural information of the sample, which enables reconstruction of the dielectric sample without other mechanical movements of the instrument.
US07978341B2 Multi-channel laser interferometric method and apparatus for detection of ultrasonic motion from a surface
A multi-channel laser interferometric method and apparatus are provided for optically measuring transient motion from a surface (17). A laser beam (11) is generated and then divided into first and second beams having respective intensities representing minor and major fraction of the predetermined laser intensity. The reference beam (18) illuminates the surface (17) at which deformation is expected. The light back-scattered by the surface is collected by a single aperture lens (15) and then made to interfere with the probe beam (67) which has been expanded (32), onto a two-dimensional array of detectors (71). Each signal (83) corresponding to each detector of the array is converted individually to an electrical signal, each electrical signal is amplified and processed (84), and the plurality of processed signals (85) is then averaged in an electrical summing means (45).
US07978339B2 Lithographic apparatus temperature compensation
A lithographic apparatus includes a position measurement system to determine along a measurement path a position of a first part of the lithographic apparatus with respect to a position of a second part of the lithographic apparatus. The position determination system comprises a plurality of temperature sensors to measure a temperature of a medium along the measurement path. The position measurement system corrects the determined position making use of the temperature as measured by the temperature sensors.
US07978337B2 Interferometer utilizing polarization scanning
In one aspect, the disclosure features methods that include using a microscope to direct light to a test object and to direct the light reflected from the test object to a detector, where the light includes components having orthogonal polarization states, varying an optical path length difference (OPD) between the components of the light, acquiring an interference signal from the detector while varying the OPD between the components, and determining information about the test object based on the acquired interference signal.
US07978336B2 Three wavelength quantitative imaging systems
An optical system includes more than two optical interferometers that generate interference phenomena between optical waves to measure a plurality of distances, a plurality of thicknesses, and a plurality of indices of refraction of a sample. An electromagnetic detector receives an output of the optical interferometers to render a magnified image of at least a portion of the sample. A controller reduces or eliminates undesired optical signals through a hierarchical phase unwrapping of the output of the electromagnetic detector.
US07978332B2 Optical measurement device
An optical measurement device for measuring the optical appearance of a surface (12) of a sample (10), in particular a surface (12) of a human skin, wherein the surface is at least partly translucent, comprising: an illumination device (18) for illuminating the surface (12) with an illumination beam (20), wherein the illumination beam (20) is generated from a radiation beam emitted from a radiation source (58), a detection device (56) for intercepting a response beam (30, 32), wherein the response beam (30, 32) is generated as a response of the sample (10) to the illumination beam (20), incident on the surface (12). The optical measuring device comprises a measuring head (14), that can be brought into contact with the surface (12) of the sample (10), wherein the measuring head (14) comprises at least one elongated aperture (40) that is designed such that the response beam (30, 32), generated below the surface (12) in a sub-surface area (16) of the sample (10), is detected by the detection device (56), wherein the illumination beam (20) directly reflected at the surface is cut off.
US07978329B2 Portable scattering and fluorescence cytometer
An apparatus having scattering and multi-color fluorescence detecting, analyzing and identification capabilities of blood or other fluids of interest. The sample to be tested may be entered in a disposable microfluidic cartridge which in turn is insertable in a hand-holdable or implantable miniaturized and portable cytometer instrument. This cytometer has significant application in biological warfare agent detection, hematology and other clinical and research fields.
US07978326B2 DNA sequencing system
An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.
US07978325B2 Biochemical analyzer
A light amount is increased and an analyzing accuracy can be kept in accordance with an enlargement of a load angle, however, a scattered light tends to be loaded in an analysis accompanying the scattered light and a dynamic range of a concentration which can be measured becomes narrow. A light is dispersed by a light dispersing portion, a load angle of the received light is changed per wavelength, the load angle is made larger in the light of a wavelength having a small light amount, and the load angle is made smaller in the light a wavelength having a large light amount and used for an analysis accompanying a scattered light. Accordingly, it is possible to gain a dynamic range of a concentration which can be measured in the analysis accompanying the scattered light, while increasing the light amount and maintaining the analyzing accuracy.
US07978319B2 Optical switching method and optical switch
In a method and an optical switch by which a signal light is accurately switched even if a polarization state of a signal light inputted has a fluctuation, power of an output light of a polarizer which receives a signal light extracted from an output light of a nonlinear optical medium is monitored and a polarization state of an input signal light to the nonlinear optical medium is controlled so that the power becomes minimum (or maximum). The polarization state of the input signal light is monitored, a calculation of performing a predetermined conversion is executed to the polarization state of the input signal light, and a calculated polarization state is recorded (or recorded without conversion). A polarization state of a control light with respect to the input signal light is monitored and the polarization state of the control light is controlled so as to coincide with the polarization state of the input signal light recorded.
US07978318B2 Asymmetric capillary for capillary-flow cytometers
The present invention provides improved capillaries that lead to increased resolution in conventional capillary-flow cytometers. The cross-sectional shape of capillaries made according to the present invention lack a center of symmetry. In some embodiments, capillaries have inner side walls that are tilted at angles with respect to the collection-system optical axis so that the widest dimension of the inner bore is closest to the collection optical system and have an outer wall closest to the collection optical system with a dimension large enough to minimize the contribution of outer-wall refraction to the collected light signal. Exemplary capillary embodiments include tubes with a rectangular outer wall and a trapezoidal inner wall, a rectangular outer wall and a triangular inner wall, triangular outer and inner walls, a triangular outer wall with a trapezoidal inner wall, and a hemispherical or rhomboid outer wall and trapezoidal or triangular inner wall.
US07978315B2 Range finder
A range finder is provided. A light emitting unit emits a light pulse. A light receiving unit senses an incident light pulse. A reflective mirror reflects the light pulse emitted from the light emitting unit to an outside space and reflects the light pulse incident from the outside space to the light receiving unit. An actuator is configured to move the reflective mirror in a first direction rotating about a vertical axis and a second direction rotating about a horizontal axis. A controller controls the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit and driving the actuator. The actuator includes: a rotation motor unit supporting the reflective mirror to be rotated in the second direction and rotating the reflective mirror in the first direction; a bushing hinge-coupled with the reflective mirror to rotate in the first direction together with the reflective mirror and installed movably in a vertical direction; and a vertical driving unit moving the bushing in the vertical direction.
US07978312B2 Three-dimensional range imaging apparatus and method
A three-dimensional range imager includes a light source for providing a modulated light signal, a multiplexer, an optical fiber connecting the light source to the multiplexer, a plurality of optical fibers connected at first ends to the multiplexer and at second ends to a first fiber array, and a transmitter optic disposed adjacent the first fiber array for projecting a pixel pattern of the array onto a target.
US07978311B2 Method of locating an object in 3D
Methods and devices for calculating the position of a movable device are disclosed. The device may include multiple optical detectors (ODs) and the movable device may include light sources. Optics may be above the ODs. A controller may calculate the position of the light source based on data from the ODs and properties of the optics. The device may be a game console, and the light source may be a game controller. The roles of the OD and light sources may be interchanged. The rotation of the movable device may be determined using multiple light sources and/or multiple ODs on the movable device. The movable device may calculate its position and transmit it to a console. The light sources may be modulated by time or frequency to distinguish between the light sources. There may be two or more movable devices. There may be two or more consoles.
US07978309B2 Clamping apparatus capable of fixing a film and image processing apparatus utilizing the same
A clamping apparatus capable of fixing a roll film is disclosed. The clamping apparatus includes: a carrier comprising a slot; a cover positioned in the slot; and a cannelure formed between the cover and the carrier, for guiding the film inserted from the first film door to a predetermined position. The cover includes: an upper ramp, positioned on one side of the cannelure opening, for guiding the film from the first film door to the cannelure opening, wherein a first edge of the upper ramp is near the cannelure opening, and a second edge of the upper ramp is away from the slot opening and inclines to the first edge of the upper ramp.
US07978307B2 Gas bearing, and lithographic apparatus provided with such a bearing
A gas bearing has a first bearing part defining a first bearing surface and a second bearing part defining a second bearing surface. Between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface there is a gap. A gas supply device supplies a gas to the gap. The first bearing part is at least partly ferromagnetic, and the second bearing part has at least one permanent magnet interacting with the first bearing part for pre-tensioning the gas bearing. The gas bearing may be part of a lithographic apparatus.
US07978299B2 Liquid crystal device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a columnar spacer and liquid crystal. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together with the columnar spacer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The columnar spacer has a base portion formed on the first substrate, and a tip portion fixed to the second substrate by using an adhesive material.
US07978297B2 Electro-optical device having resistor with adjustable resistance value connected to IC and wiring lines
An electro-optical device includes: a substrate; a plurality of wiring lines which is formed on the substrate; and an IC which is mounted on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the plurality of wiring lines. At least a pair of wiring lines among the plurality of wiring lines include a first conductive layer formed on the substrate and a second conductive layer formed on at least the first conductive layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer have different resistance values. The first conductive layer of one of the pair of wiring lines has a plurality of first resistors each extending toward the other wiring line, and the second conductive layer of the other wiring line has a second resistor extending toward the one wiring line. The plurality of first resistors is connected to the second resistor.
US07978293B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display including an upper panel having an upper alignment layer, a lower panel having a lower alignment layer, and a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules interposed between the upper panel and the lower panel. Each of the liquid crystal molecules has different refractive indexes and different permittivities with respect to each axis direction. The upper alignment layer and the lower alignment layer are vertical alignment layers and have a rubbing direction, respectively. Before the application of an electric field, a first axis of each liquid crystal molecule is aligned in a vertical direction by the vertical alignment layer, and a second axis of each liquid crystal molecule is aligned in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction, and, after the application of the electric field, one having the largest permittivity of the axis directions of the liquid crystal molecule is aligned in parallel to the applied electric field.
US07978289B2 Flexible display device
A flexible display device may include a first panel including a multifunction film, a second panel arranged facing the first panel with a gap therebetween, the second panel including a substrate and electrodes formed on the substrate, and an electro-optical active layer disposed in the gap between the first panel and the second panel. The multifunction film may perform at least two of the following functions: aligning molecules in the electro-optical active layer, protecting the electro-optical active layer, keeping the thickness of the electro-optical active layer uniform, and serving as a flexible substrate.
US07978279B2 Panel receiving device
A panel receiving device enables anti-electrostatic ions to contact surfaces of panels. The panel receiving device includes at least three panel guides arranged at inner sides within an exterior case. Each panel guide includes support plates for supporting and securing the panels, wherein the support plates contact a minimal area of each of the panels.
US07978277B2 Liquid crystal display device
It is an object to provide a liquid crystal display device which has excellent viewing angle characteristics and higher quality. The present invention has a pixel including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first liquid crystal element, and a second liquid crystal element. A pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a signal line through the first switch. The pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element through the second switch and the first resistor. The pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a Cs line through the third switch and the second resistor. A common electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a common electrode of the second liquid crystal element.
US07978275B2 Active matrix display and method for producing the same
A method for producing a display comprising: forming a plurality of pixels arrayed on a flexible substrate and independently driven by TFTs, wherein the TFTs are formed in such a manner that the direction of the channel length L between the source and drain of each TFT is the direction of two orthogonal directions on the substrate in which the substrate has a smaller dimensional change ratio than the other direction. When the TFTs include a switching TFT and a driving TFT, the TFTs are formed in such a manner that the direction of the channel length between the source and drain of at least the driving TFT is the direction of the two orthogonal directions on the substrate in which the substrate has a smaller dimensional change ratio than the other direction.
US07978272B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising a surface of the pixel electrode on an insulating film in the area where the auxiliary capacitance is formed is uneven
The invention relates to an active matrix liquid crystal display device which uses a switching device to control a pixel, and an object is to provide a liquid crystal display device which has an excellent viewing angle property and high brightness and a fabrication method of the same. A TFT substrate has a structure which reduces the film thickness of a protective insulating film in a control capacitance part in which control capacitance is formed and the film thickness of a protective insulating film in an auxiliary capacitance part in which auxiliary capacitance is formed thinner than the film thickness of a protective insulating film which covers a TFT and the other elements.
US07978267B2 Broadcasting receiver, broadcasting transmitter, broadcasting system and control method thereof
A broadcasting receiver, broadcasting transmitter, broadcasting system and a control method are provided. The broadcasting receiver includes a broadcasting reception unit which receives caption data including information on an edge shape of a caption window and caption text to be displayed in the caption window, and a caption processor which processes the received caption data, determines the edge shape of the caption window corresponding to the caption data, and generates the caption window and the caption text according to the edge shape and the caption text. Accordingly, the edge shapes of the caption windows in which the caption text is displayed can be expressed in various forms.
US07978263B2 Mobile phone configuration
A handheld electronic device hinge for mechanically connecting first and second rotatable body members of a handheld electronic device, said hinge comprising a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein said first bracket comprises: a first connecting member for connecting to the first rotatable body member of the handheld electronic device for rotation around a first axis; and a second connecting member connected to the second bracket for rotation of said second bracket around a second axis, said first and second axes being parallel to each other, and wherein said second bracket comprises a third connecting member for connecting to the second rotatable body member of the handheld electronic device for rotation around a third axis, said third axis being perpendicular to said first and second axes.
US07978258B2 Automatic exposure time selection for imaging tissue
The invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting an exposure time to improve or otherwise optimize a dynamic range of a digital image. The system includes a camera configured to capture an image of a subject within the field of view at a first exposure time. The captured image is composed of multiple pixels, with each pixel having a respective intensity value. The system further includes a shutter or suitable control configured to control an exposure time of the camera. A controller configured to carryout the following steps including: (a) querying a frequency distribution of pixel intensity values; (b) determining an effective “center of mass” of such a distribution, or histogram, to determine an adjusted exposure time; and (c) capturing a second image of the subject at the adjusted exposure time thereby obtaining an image with an improved or optimal dynamic range.
US07978256B2 Imaging device having manual and auto focus and a control method for the imaging device
An imaging device, comprising a photographing lens having a manual focus mechanism, an imaging unit for receiving subject light flux, that has been made incident by the photographing lens, on an imaging surface, a display unit for carrying out a live view display operation using image data acquired by the imaging unit, a contrast AF unit for obtaining contrast information of the subject information from image data acquired by the imaging unit and guiding the photographing lens into a specified focus permissible range based on the contrast information, and a control unit for, when a manual focus operation is carried out after executing a focus adjustment operation using the contrast AF unit during the live view display, carrying out control so that there is a transition to a shooting operation without again executing the focus adjustment operation.
US07978255B2 Solid-state image sensor and image-capturing device
A solid-state image sensor includes: a plurality of image-capturing pixels, each equipped with a first micro-lens used to condense light; and a plurality of focus detection pixels engaged in focus detection, each equipped with a second micro-lens used to condense light; the plurality of image-capturing pixels and the plurality of focus detection pixels being disposed in a two-dimensional array. The first micro-lens and the second micro-lens are formed so that a light condensing position at which light is condensed via the second micro-lens is set further toward a micro-lens side than the light condensing position at which light is condensed via the first micro-lens.
US07978253B2 Image pickup device using blur processing and control method thereof
An image pickup device includes a system control section which determines an area with closest proximity as an AF area among AF evaluation areas in a central part of an image. In addition, a block with the same distance as the AF area is determined as a main subject block. Then the system control section calculates and memorizes an average brightness of an image data of a position corresponding to a main subject block. Then, the system control section determines a main subject area based on obtained information on the main subject block and a photographed image. Furthermore, based on information on a main subject area, an extraction processing of the main subject image, a blur processing of a background image and a composite processing are sequentially performed.
US07978252B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging system, and imaging method
An imaging apparatus, imaging system, and imaging method enabling restoration of image according to a plurality of optical systems by one apparatus, having a plurality of imaging apparatuses 100A to 100C each having an optical system 110, phase plate (optical wavefront modulation element) 120, imaging element 130 able to capture an object aberration image passing through the optical system 110 and phase plate 120, imaging apparatus side storage portion 140 storing coefficient specifying information for specifying a convolution coefficient, and transmission device 150 transmitting object aberration image data obtained from the imaging element 130 and the coefficient specifying information stored in the storage portion 140; and a processing device 200 acquiring one coefficient from among a plurality of convolution coefficients stored in advance based on coefficient specifying information in accordance with a zoom position or zoom amount transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100, and generating dispersion-free object image data from a dispersed image signal from the imaging element 130.
US07978251B2 Imaging apparatus and arranging method for the same
An optical system for a CMOS sensor includes an aspherical lens with which an exit pupil distance appears short in a central region of an imaging plane and long in a peripheral region of the imaging plane. The aspherical lens functions such that the exit pupil distance monotonously increases from a central region of the imaging plane toward a peripheral region of the imaging plane. In addition, pupil correction is performed in accordance with an exit pupil distance d which satisfies (d1+d2)/2
US07978250B2 Lens barrel and image pickup device therefor
A lens barrel capable of reliably housing a flexible printed circuit board without increasing the number of its component parts and its outer diameter. A guide member is inserted in a through hole of a fixing member and projects from a holding member in a direction opposite to the direction toward the subject when the lens barrel is in a collapsed position.
US07978247B2 Focusing information visualization device, and corresponding method, program and recording medium
The focusing information visualization system of the invention extracts an edge having an edge intensity of not less than a first reference value Th1 and an edge width of not greater than a second reference value Th2 in a photographic image and displays the extracted edge in a preset color at a position of the edge extraction to be overlapped with the original photographic image on a screen. A focused area defined by the extracted edge is displayed as N divisional areas. In response to a user's operational specification of one divisional area among the N divisional areas, an enlarged photographic image corresponding to the specified divisional area at a desired magnification ratio is displayed on the screen. This arrangement adopts the automatic rough judgment and the user's final visual check to accurately recognize the focusing status of the photographic image.
US07978246B2 Electronic mirror
An Electronic Mirror is described that can capture and display, using a digital/video camera or cameras, the image of a subject as they look when viewing themselves in a mirror. The captured image is displayed on a video monitor or TV set. A widescreen flat panel monitor is utilized, having the ability to physically rotate 90°. In portrait mode the monitor functions as an Electronic Mirror, and in landscape mode is capable of functioning as a conventional TV set or video monitor. Rotation is either manual or motorized. Captured images of a subject may be split such that a portion reflecting one type of outfit may be combined with a portion reflecting a different outfit, thus electronically creating a combination of clothing that may never have been actually worn. Video capture may also be supported enabling a subject to capture and display a 360 degree view as they turn around.
US07978240B2 Enhancing image quality imaging unit and image sensor
There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.
US07978239B2 Digital camera using multiple image sensors to provide improved temporal sampling
A method and apparatus for capturing image data from multiple image sensors and generating an output image sequence are disclosed. The multiple image sensors capture data with one or more different characteristics, such as: staggered exposure periods, different length exposure periods, different frame rates, different spatial resolution, different lens systems, and different focal lengths. The data from multiple image sensors is processed and interleaved to generate an improved output motion sequence relative to an output motion sequence generated from an a single equivalent image sensor.
US07978238B2 Image data correction processing based on sensitivity
A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.
US07978235B2 Electronic zooming device
A vertical zooming unit vertically resizes image data by a tap number m. A horizontal zooming unit horizontally resizes the vertically-resized image data outputted from the vertical zooming unit by a tap number n. A tap coefficient setting unit arbitrarily sets respective tap coefficients when the vertical zooming unit or the horizontal zooming unit is operated. A memory stores the image data therein. A memory controller controls input and output of the image data among the memory, the vertical zooming unit and the horizontal zooming unit.
US07978231B2 Method for automatic exposure control within a video capture device
On embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for automatically computing exposure parameters for a digital video camera (DVC) system. The exposure parameters include exposure gain, analog gain, and digital gain. Each frame is analyzed with respect to an image luma value. Exposure gain and analog gain are adjusted to reduce differences between a target image luma value and measured image luma values over sequential frames. Digital gain is adjusted with respect to each frame to reduce visually abrupt changes in sequentially captured video frames.
US07978230B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a camera module to compensate for the color spectrum of a white LED
A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a spectrum of light not following characteristics of a blackbody source of light with a camera module programmed for use with light sources following characteristics of blackbody sources of light, wherein a white-balance patch is transmitted to the camera module to cause the camera module to accept color coordinates representing a point on a chromaticity chart that partly defines a region of color coordinates on the chromaticity chart into which color coordinates of the light source fall and to which color coordinates of a reference white color derived by a white-balance routine of the camera module are constrained.
US07978226B2 Imaging apparatus and system adopting extraction-type, camera shake correction, and control method thereof
An imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving unit configured to successively reset signal charges stored in a photoelectric conversion unit at every predetermined line and successively read out a signal based on the signal charges at every predetermined line, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which a starting readout line of the pixels is fixed and a second mode in which the starting readout line of the pixels is changeable based on input control information. The control unit changes a reset timing of the pixels of the starting readout line in the second mode so as to cause a second charge storage period to be less or equal to a first charge storage period in the second mode.
US07978221B2 Method and apparatus for capturing an image
A method for capturing an image using an image capturing module with multiple pixels configured in a 2-dimensional matrix and a focal plane electronic shutter function which sequentially slides the exposure timing by constant interval by pixel group which is a unit of predetermined number of the pixels while scanning; the method includes an image data input process for detecting shutter operation, obtaining a reference image while skipping one or more of the pixel groups by sequentially sliding the exposure timing by the constant interval, and obtaining a target image while not skipping pixel groups to be captured, a motion data detection process for calculating the motion data of the target image based on the reference image, and a distortion compensation process for compensating for distortion in the target image according to the motion data.
US07978218B2 Single instrument/card for video applications
Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.
US07978216B2 Versatile conference adapter and method employing same
A conference adapter. In an illustrative embodiment, the conference adapter implements a method for interfacing one or more conference endpoints with one or more conference servers. The method includes registering an endpoint and a conference server to determine endpoint registration information associated with the endpoint and to determine conference-server registration information associated with the conference server. Next, the method includes receiving a connection from the endpoint and a connection from the conference server. Subsequently, the conference adapter establishes communications between the endpoint and the conference server as initiated by the endpoint and based on the endpoint registration information and the conference-server registration information. In a more specific embodiment, the method further includes receiving plural connections from conference servers of disparate types, and then selectively switching communications between the endpoint and a first conference server to communications between the endpoint and a second conference server. The method further includes selectively switching endpoints for a given conference session.
US07978212B2 Disk label printer
Disclosed is a disk label printer that includes a slot-in type optical disk driving mechanism and a printing mechanism integrated with each other, has a small size, and smoothly transfers optical disks. The disclosed disk label printer includes: a case that has a slot through which an optical disk is inserted or ejected formed therein; an optical disk driving mechanism that is provided in the case and writes and/or reads signals to and/or from the optical disk mounted to a disk mounting portion; and a printing mechanism that is provided in the case and includes a thermal head which prints a desired image on a label surface of the optical disk. The printing mechanism is provided on a transfer path of the optical disk toward the optical disk driving mechanism between the slot and the optical disk driving mechanism. The thermal head and a platen roller come into pressure contact with each other with the optical disk interposed therebetween on the transfer path, only when the optical disk is transferred during the driving of the printing mechanism. The thermal head and the platen roller are withdrawn from the transfer path so as to be separated from each other, when the optical disk is transferred during operations other than the driving of the printing mechanism.
US07978211B2 Liquid crystal display device and related operating method
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a plurality of pixels is driven to display a first frame and a second frame in sequence. A gray-scale difference between the first frame and the second frame is detected to determine a driving mode variation between the first frame and the second frame. The number of pixels driven by a dynamic mode and a static mode in the second frame is adjusted according to the driving mode variation. Gray-scale data corresponding to the pixels in the second frame is output.
US07978210B2 Detail-in-context lenses for digital image cropping and measurement
In one or more implementations, a cropped image is defined within a boundary on an original image displayed on a display. The original image is distorted to give an appearance of a lens being applied to the original image displayed on the display, the appearance of the lens including a focal region and a base region. A graphical user interface (“GUI”) is displayed on the display for adjusting the appearance of the lens.
US07978206B2 Look-up table action
A first block represents a two or three dimensional object in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model, and has a visual presentation in a presentation of the CAD model based on a first plurality of property values denoted by a first label in a plurality of labels. User input specifying a new value for a first property value in the first plurality of property values is received. A second plurality of property values denoted by a second label is selected. The second plurality of property values differs by at least one value from the first plurality of property values and the second plurality of property values has a second property value that is satisfied by the new value. The visual presentation of the first block is updated based on the second plurality of property values.
US07978203B1 Methods and apparatus for color grading with gamut match preview
A method for color grading within a component color space associated with a display includes receiving a source image comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel is associated with a color comprising a plurality of color component values in the component color space, wherein the component color space comprises RGB, and wherein a pixel is associated with a color inside a gamut of the display but outside a gamut of a target media, receiving a color grading signal from a user, modifying the color associated with the pixel from the plurality of pixels in response to the color grading signal, to form a graded image comprising the pixel, wherein the pixel is associated with a graded color comprising a plurality of color component values, displaying the graded image on the display to the user, automatically performing a gamut remapping of the graded color associated with the pixel, to form a gamut remapped image comprising the pixel, wherein the pixel is associated with a gamut remapped color comprising a plurality of color component values, wherein at least one color component value of the graded color is substantially similar to one color component value of the gamut remapped color, and displaying the gamut remapped image on the display to the user, wherein the gamut remapped image comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel from the plurality of pixels is associated with a color within a gamut of the target media.
US07978201B2 Method for compensating an image
A method for compensating an image produced by image means for implementing image information takes account of ambient illumination. Luminance of external background illumination around the image means is measured. The measured luminance of the background illumination is compared with preset tristimulus values and a reflectance factor of the image means, a comparison result is computed, and a control signal is generated to compensate luminance and chroma of an image. Luminance and chroma of the image means are compensated in response to the control signal.
US07978188B2 Data driver and organic light emitting display using the same
A data driving circuit including n channels, where n is an integer, the data driving circuit including a shift register unit receiving data during a first input period and a second input period, the shift register unit shifting and outputting the received data, a first latch unit receiving the data input during the first input period from the shift register unit, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously outputting the data corresponding to the first input period, and a second latch unit receiving the data input during the second input period from the shift register unit, and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously outputting the data corresponding to the second input period.
US07978187B2 Circuit and method for driving an array of light emitting pixels
A technique for driving a column of pixels that include light emitting elements. The technique incorporates feedback data provided from feedback data sources connected to the data line and to feedback line of the array, pixel driving circuit with feedback path. The technique can also include block of the reference elements for input signal corrections.
US07978184B2 Interactive window display
A method and system for providing an enhanced and interactive window shopping and retail information exchange with shoppers, includes acoustic sensing in connection with one or more storefront windows of a retail store, and a corresponding transparent display located within the store and visible through the storefront window, the interior of the store being visible through the transparent display. Display of information on the transparent display, and in optional combination with audio information external to the store, prompts shoppers to tap the storefront window at locations which correspond to the locations of information displayed on the transparent display. The system and method is programmed to respond to taps on the window according to the locations of the taps with incentives to enter the store and/or to redeem awards or coupons in the store.
US07978183B2 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.
US07978176B2 Portrait-landscape rotation heuristics for a portable multifunction device
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display and one or more accelerometers. The method includes displaying information on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers. The method also includes detecting a predetermined finger gesture on or near the touch screen display while the information is displayed in a first view, and in response to detecting the predetermined finger gesture, displaying the information in a second view and locking the display of information in the second view. The method further includes unlocking the display of information in the second view when the device is placed in an orientation where the second view is displayed based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers.
US07978173B2 Pointing device including a moveable puck with mechanical detents
A pointing device includes a moveable puck that is capable of moving over a surface in a puck field of motion. The surface includes a detent feature defined within the puck field of motion for engaging with a detent feature of the moveable puck.
US07978172B2 Switching device and switching methods of the same
A switching device that selectively changes a computer to be operated from multiple computers including a control unit that the control unit detects a cursor position on the computer to be operated based on coordinate data and a computer resolution of the computer to be operated, the coordinate data being generated by performing a same acceleration process as the computer to be operated, on relative coordinate data that has been acquired from a given pointing device, and the control unit selectively changing changes the computer to be operated according to the cursor position. It is thus possible to selectively change the computer to be operated without any dedicated software or requiring a given space for manipulation.
US07978171B2 Control circuit of area control driving circuit for LED light source and controlling method thereof
A control circuit of a driving circuit for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) light source having a plurality of areas is provided. The control circuit includes the error amplifiers receiving a feed back current signal and a external reference voltage, and generating an error signal; a buffer register receiving a serial digital signal and generating the parallel digital signals; a work register receiving the parallel digital signals and a trigger signal, and outputting the parallel digital signals when the trigger signal is at a relatively high level; and a switch module having the power switches, each of which receives the error signal and the parallel digital signal for generating a driving signal to control a driving current of a specific area of the light source, in order to control the brightness in each area of the LED light source.
US07978168B2 D/A converter
A D/A converter for receiving a plurality of divisional voltages and converting a digital signal to an analog voltage with the divisional voltages, the D/A converter includes a selection circuit for receiving the divisional voltages and the digital signal to select one of the divisional voltages. The selection circuit includes a plurality of first switch circuits that are selectively activated in response to the digital signal to select one of the divisional voltages, with each of the first switch circuits being provided with a logic switch function and having an ON resistance when activated, and at least an activated one of the first switch circuits further dividing the selected one of the divisional voltages with the ON resistance. The plurality of switch circuits includes at least one voltage dividing switch circuit used to further divide the selected one of the divisional voltages.
US07978163B2 Apparatus and method for driving a liquid crystal display
An system is disclosed for driving a liquid crystal display for automatically adjusting a level of a common voltage at the point that a positive polarity gray scale level voltage and a negative polarity gray scale level voltage are supplied to a liquid crystal display panel.A plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are provided at a liquid crystal display panel. A gate driver supplies a gate pulse to the plurality of gate lines. A data driver supplies a positive polarity gray scale level voltage and a negative polarity gray scale level voltage to the plurality of data lines. A controller controls a common voltage level supplied to the liquid crystal display panel in accordance with a supply point of a gate pulse. A common voltage supplier alternatively supplies a first and second common voltage defined as a division reference of the positive polarity gray scale level voltage and the negative polarity gray scale level voltage based on a control of the controller to the liquid crystal display panel.
US07978162B2 Liquid crystal display
In a liquid crystal display device which inputs analogue video signals after phase development, the deterioration of display quality due to the irregularities of circuit can be reduced. To correct the irregularities due to a plurality of analogue circuits, the liquid crystal display device includes look up tables for a plurality of analogue circuits in the inside of a digital signal processing circuit. The liquid crystal display device performs the correction of irregularities of the analogue circuits based on data set in the look up tables.
US07978161B2 Organic light emitting diode display and driving method thereof
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode display and method for minimizing a change of a driving current of R, G, and B organic light emitting diode devices to improve a display quality when a temperature within a panel is changed and an organic light emitting diode device is degraded.
US07978160B2 Emission driver, emission control signal driving method and electroluminescent display including such an emission driver
An emission driver may include a first signal processor adapted to receive a clock signal, an input signal and an inverse input signal, and to generate a first output signal, a second signal processor adapted to receive the first output signal, an inverse clock signal and negative feedback signals, and to generate a second output signal, a third signal processor adapted to receive the second output signal and the input signal, and to generate a third output signal that is an inverse signal to the second output signal, and a fourth signal processor adapted to receive the third output signal, and to generate a fourth output signal that is an inverse of the third output signal based on the third output signal, wherein the negative feedback signals include the third output signal and the fourth output signal.
US07978159B2 Organic light emitting diode display device and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting diode display device for changing a gamma reference voltage step by step in accordance with an image brightness of a current frame to reduce damage with which the organic light emitting diode and the driving transistor thereof are applied is disclosed. In the organic light emitting diode display device, a brightness detector calculates a maximum brightness value of each pixel using inputted image data of current frame. An adder adds all maximum brightness values of each pixel which are detected by the brightness detector. An average value calculator calculates an average brightness value of a current frame using an added value of maximum brightness values which are added by the adder. A gamma weight calculator calculates a gamma reference voltage weight which is set to correspond to the calculated average brightness value among predetermined gamma reference voltage weights. And a gamma reference voltage generator changes a gamma reference voltage step by step in accordance with a gamma reference voltage weight which is calculated by the gamma weight calculator.
US07978154B1 Plasma-shell for pixels of a plasma display
An AC or DC gas discharge plasma display panel (PDP) device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels that are defined by a hollow plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. The plasma-shell is illustrated with reference to a plasma-dome, but other plasma-shell shapes may be used including plasma-disc and plasma-sphere. A plasma-dome has at least one domed or round side and one opposing flat side such as a dome top and flat bottom or vice versa. One or more other sides or edges may also be flat or non-flat. Two or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-dome, at least one electrode being in electrical contact with a side or end of the plasma-dome that is not flat. The electrical contact may include a conductive pad in electrical contact with the electrode and/or the plasma-dome.
US07978153B2 Plasma display device
The plasma display device includes connecting means for connecting the X/Y electrodes of the plasma display panel and the X/Y electrode drive circuits. In the X electrode pattern and the Y electrode pattern on the printed board in the connecting means, a current path connecting the center electrodes of the plasma display panel and the X electrode drive circuit or Y electrode drive circuit is longer than a current path connecting the peripheral electrodes and the X electrode drive circuit or Y electrode drive circuit. The current paths at the plasma display panel side are in the U-shape folded in the upper part and the lower part in the periphery of the plasma display panel, respectively. Also, the current paths are first connected to the upper or lower electrodes, and then sequentially connected to the center electrodes via the upper part and the lower part.
US07978151B2 Three-dimensional image display apparatus
A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes an image display configured to output image light which arrays a plurality of pixels and has polarization, a lens array arranged in front of the image display, configured to function as lens at light which has a 1st polarization direction, and not to function as lens at light which has a 2nd polarization direction differed from the 1st polarization direction, and a birefringent phase modulator placed between the image display and the lens array and configured to rotate a polarization plane of the image light.
US07978149B2 Dielectric resonator antenna with bending metallic planes
The present invention relates to a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) with bending metallic planes. The ground plane of the dielectric resonator antenna is bent around the DRA to increase the half-power beam width (HPBW) and the gain on H-plane, moreover, to improve the pattern on E-plane. The ground plane of the invention is further bent in different angles to reshape the radiation pattern of the dielectric resonator antenna, and a well is carved in the dielectric resonator antenna to increase its radiation bandwidth. The invention can also be adjusted as WiMAX sectorial antenna.
US07978147B2 Electronic monitoring systems, shipment container monitoring systems and methods of monitoring a shipment in a container
A shipping container has a passive radio antenna element having internal and external antennas. A connector spanning the wall joins the two antennas. An internal communications device is disposed within the container and an external communications device is disposed external to the container. Another shipping container has a repeater element having internal and external antennas. A repeater unit spans the wall joining the two antennas. A communications device is disposed within the container and another communications device is disposed externally. RF signals are re-radiated by the antennas. Methodology includes emitting RF signals from a communication device disposed at a first location, receiving the signals through an antenna comprised by an antenna element, and re-radiating the signal from a second antenna comprised by the element, where the element spans the wall of a shipping container. The re-radiated signal is received by a second communications device disposed at a second location.
US07978146B2 Coil antenna and portable electronic apparatus
Coil units including windings are disposed on opposite sides across a virtual center line that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of positional displacement of a portable electronic apparatus that is to be disposed close to a reader/writer. The windings are connected in series through a conductor such that winding directions of the windings are the same. A difference in the communication performance between a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a central portion of the reader/writer and a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a position that is deviated from the central portion of the reader/writer can be reduced. In particular, even in a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a peripheral portion of the reader/writer, a predetermined maximum possible communication range can be ensured.
US07978145B2 Reconfigurable fluidic shutter for selectively shielding an antenna array
A reconfigurable fluidic shutter for selectively shielding an antenna array includes a first surface and second surface spaced apart and defining a cavity; and a pump configured to pump liquid that attenuates electromagnetic radiation, such as a liquefied metal or alloy composition, into and out of the cavity. The first and second surface are transparent to electromagnetic radiation, for instance, microwave or other RF radiation.
US07978143B2 Multiband jamming antenna
Disclosed is a multiband jamming antenna for use with RF jamming systems. An exemplary embodiment of the antenna comprises high-band, medium-band and low-band radiating structures arranged in a collinear manner. The three radiating structures are operable in three respective overlapping frequency bands. In the exemplary embodiment, the high-band radiating structure comprises a hybrid biconical/dipole antenna disposed at an upper end of the antenna. The medium-band radiating structure is collinearly coupled to the high-band radiating structure and comprises upper and lower dipole elements that are tuned using a dual section coaxial transformer. The low-band radiating structure is collinearly coupled to the medium-band radiating structure. The low-band radiating structure comprises a coaxial Ruthroff UNUN transformer that is coupled to the low-band radiating structure, and a feeder cable that connected to the coaxial Ruthroff UNUN transformer, and the high-band, medium-band, and low-band radiating structures.
US07978136B2 Associating a universal time with received signal
A method of associating a universal time with time of arrival information of an identified component of a signal at a terminal of a radio positioning system is disclosed. In the method a marker signal with an associated universal time tag is obtained from a timing device (or the marker signal is obtained from an independent oscillator and a universal time tag assigned to the marker signal), and the time or phase relationship between the marker signal (or between the time of arrival information of said identified component respectively) and the oscillator is measured. The time of arrival information of said identified component relative to the oscillator is determined and the universal time corresponding to the time of arrival information of said identified component is calculated from said universal time tag and said measured time or phase relationship, before the calculated universal time is associated with said time of arrival information.
US07978133B1 GPS gyro calibration
GPS gyro calibration methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a ground station can receive antenna position data for a spot beam antenna from a global positioning system (GPS) platform where the antenna position data indicates a boresight direction of the spot beam antenna. GPS-enabled receiver(s) can receive scan signals transmitted via the spot beam antenna of the GPS platform, and the GPS-enabled receivers can determine signal power measurements for each of the scan signals. The ground station can receive the signal power measurements from the GPS-enabled receiver(s) and estimate a pointing error of the spot beam antenna based on the signal power measurements and the antenna position data received from the GPS platform. The ground station can then determine gyro calibration parameters from the estimated pointing error and communicate the gyro calibration parameters to the GPS platform to calibrate for gyro drift errors.
US07978132B2 GPS signal data converter for providing GPS signals to a plurality of connection ports
A global positioning system (GPS) signal data converter device includes a plurality of output ports configured to connect with and transmit GPS information to devices connected with the output ports, and a processor configured to receive GPS information in a first format, convert the GPS information from the first format into a second format, and to transmit the GPS information to at least two output ports in the first and second formats.
US07978131B2 System and/or method for determining sufficiency of pseudorange measurements
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for determining a sufficiency of measurements for locating positions. In one example, although claimed subject matter is not so limited, a process to improve accuracy of pseudorange measurements may be conducted using multiple dwells.
US07978128B2 Land survey system
A method and system obtains precise survey-grade position data of target points in zones where precise GPS data cannot be obtained, due to natural or man-made objects such as foliage and buildings. The system comprises position measurement components such as a GPS receiver, together with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an electronic distance meter (EDM) or an image capture device all mounted on a survey pole. The system and method obtains GPS data when outside the zone and uses the other position measurement systems, such as the IMU, inside the zone to traverse to a target point. The EDM or the image capture device may be used within or without the zone to obtain data to reduce accumulated position errors.
US07978120B2 Imaging system and method
A radar imaging system for capturing an image of an object within an area of interest through at least one visual impairment. The radar imaging system comprises at least one radar array. The radar array includes a plurality of transmitter elements and a plurality of receiver elements for receiving a plurality of coded return signals from an object through the at least one visual impairment. The system further comprises at least one processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver elements, which is adapted to transmit a plurality of differently coded signals toward the object and the at least one visual impairment; decode the plurality of coded return signals received by each of the receiver elements; extract from the decoded return signals a multiplicity of captured signals for each transmitter to receiver path; focus the multiplicity of signals on all points of interest within the area of interest by aligning the multiplicity of captured signals to be co-incident from a particular point within the area of interest; and sum the aligned signals to produce an image of the object. A method for capturing an image of an object in an area of interest through at least one visual impairment is also provided.
US07978118B1 Algorithmic analog-to-digital conversion
A 1.5-bit algorithmic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) generates a digital value representative of an input voltage. The ADC implements a series of conversion cycles for a conversion operation. Each conversion cycle has three sub-cycles: a scaling sub-cycle, a first sample sub-cycle, and a second sample sub-cycle. In the scaling sub-cycle, the residual voltage from the previous conversion cycle is doubled to generate a first voltage. In the first sample sub-cycle, a first bit of a corresponding bit pair is determined based on the polarity of the first voltage. The first voltage is either increased or decreased by a reference voltage based on the polarity of the first voltage to generate a second voltage. In the second sample sub-cycle, a second bit of the corresponding bit pair is determined based on the polarity of the second voltage. The second voltage then is either increased or decreased by the reference voltage based on the polarity of the second voltage to generate the residual voltage used for the next conversion cycle in the series. Each bit pair is mapped to a corresponding two-bit code value and the resulting code values are used to generate the digital value.
US07978115B2 System and method for analog-to-digital conversion
A system for converting an analog signal to a digital signal may include a plurality of converter stages. One of the converter stages may include a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) and an analog-to-digital subconverter (ADSC). The MDAC may be configured to (i) receive from a previous stage a first residue analog signal and a first idealized digital signal representing a first portion of the digital signal and corresponding to the first residue analog signal; (ii) convert the first idealized digital signal to an idealized analog signal; and (iii) output a second residue analog signal based on the difference between the first residue analog signal and the idealized analog signal. The ADSC may be configured to convert the second residue analog signal into a second idealized digital signal representing a second portion of the digital signal and corresponding to the second residue analog signal, the ADSC comprising a sloping analog-to-digital converter.
US07978114B2 Analog-to-digital conversion apparatus and method
The A/D conversion apparatus includes an A/D converter for converting a potential difference between a reference voltage input and a voltage input to be measured to a digital signal and outputting the digital signal; a first switch connected between a voltage source to be measured and the voltage input to be measured; a first sampling capacitor having a first end connected to the voltage input to be measured and to a first end of the first switch, and having a second end connected to a reference power source; a second switch connected between a reference voltage source and the reference voltage input; a second sampling capacitor having a first end connected to the reference voltage input and to a first end of the second switch, and having a second end connected to the reference power source; and an impedance adjusting circuit, which is connected between the reference voltage source and a second end of the second switch, for changing, in stepwise fashion, impedance between the reference voltage source and the second end of the second switch.
US07978112B2 Flash converter differential reference ladder adjustment with stable common mode voltage
An adjustment circuit for use with a resistive reference ladder that establishes nominal reference steps and a common mode voltage for a plurality of comparators, such as used in a flash converter. An “H” arrangement of current sources injects current at a first node, VH, and sinks at a second node, VL. with VH, and VL. being coupled to ends of the ladder. The voltage difference between these two nodes thus controls the scale applied to the reference ladder, without affecting a common mode voltage reference Vcm. Alternatively, the current source may inject current at VL and sink current at VH to decrease the reference for each comparator.
US07978109B1 Output apparatus and test apparatus
Provided is an output apparatus for outputting a current from an output end, including: a plurality of current sources; a plurality of switches provided in association with the plurality of current sources respectively, and switching whether to supply a current of a corresponding current source to the output end; a time changing section that changes a propagation time of each of a plurality of control signals for controlling switching states of the plurality of switches respectively; and an adjusting section that adjusts the propagation time of each of the plurality of control signals to reduce glitch noise contained in a current supplied to the output end.
US07978096B2 Parking angle determination and cross traffic alert
The subject of the present invention is a vehicle that determines a parking angle while parking and employs the parking angle when using a cross traffic alert system while backing out of a parking space. The parking angle is used to determine areas of interest and areas not of interest within the fields of view of vehicle mounted sensors. The areas of interest are those used to determine if cross traffic alerts need to be issued.
US07978095B2 Test mode circuitry for a programmable tamper detection circuit
An integrated circuit includes an output pad, an alarm output pad, and a test mode output pad. A first multi-bit register is programmable to store programmable data such as data that identifies a customer for whom the integrated circuit has been manufactured. A second multi-bit register is programmable to store customer specified threshold data. A first circuit selectively couples the first and second multi-bit registers to the output pad. The first circuit is operable responsive to the integrated circuit being placed into a test mode to perform parallel-to-serial conversion of either the customer identification data stored in the first multi-bit register or the customer specified threshold data stored in the second multi-bit register and drive the converted data for output through the output pad. The integrated circuit further includes a tamper detection circuit operable responsive to the customer specified threshold data to generate a tamper alarm signal. A second circuit selectively couples the tamper alarm signal to the alarm output pad and test mode output pad depending on whether the integrated circuit is in a test mode. More specifically, the second circuit operates to drive the alarm output pad with the tamper alarm signal when the integrated circuit is not in test mode and drive the test mode output pad with the tamper alarm signal when the integrated circuit is in test mode (with the alarm output pad driven to a known state).
US07978093B2 Comparative tire animation
In the specification and figures a method of displaying comparative tire data is described and shown, wherein a vehicle with a particular set of tires is driven through a test course, vehicle data is recorded, the vehicle is driven through the test course with a different set of tires, the recorded data is processed, the processed data is transformed into an animation, and the animation is displayed.
US07978092B2 Portable electronic device
Disclosed is a portable electronic device, including: an interface unit connected to an external device; a housing provided with the interface unit; a cap placed in a location allowing for the covering of the interface unit and covering the interface unit when attached to the housing; a signal detecting line placed in the interface unit and connected to a predetermined electric potential when the external device is connected to the interface unit; a switch which electrically connects the signal detecting line to the predetermined electric potential when the cap is attached to the housing and electrically disconnects the signal detecting line from the predetermined electric potential when the cap is separated from the housing; and a control unit connected to the interface unit and configured to determine whether the signal detecting line is electrically connected to the predetermined electric potential or not.
US07978090B2 Apparatus, system, and method for safely and securely storing materials
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for safely and securely storing materials. A plurality of smart tiles sense traffic and generate traffic data. A network transmits the traffic data from the smart tiles. A computer determines a plurality of normal traffic patterns from the traffic data. In addition, the computer detects an abnormal traffic pattern from the traffic data. The computer activates a security response in response to the abnormal traffic pattern.
US07978086B2 Method and device for recognizing tiredness
In a method and in a device for detecting when the driver of a motor vehicle becomes tired, the tiredness is determined as a function of a detected steering inactivity phase and a subsequent steering action. In this context, the steering inactivity phase is logically combined with the steering action, and the logic combination is stored at various times. The logic combination is stored with an assigned weighting factor, and the weighting factor is determined as a function of a classification of a steering situation.
US07978083B2 Hand washing compliance detection system
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring use of hand washing agents to determine compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. A hand washing agent is provided with a detectable, volatile compound, such as odors, which is then rubbed onto a subject's hands using the subject's hand washing technique. After the hand washing event, the subject's hand is then exposed to an detector (such as a badge), which includes a sensor capable of detecting the volatile compound, and an indicator that communicates detection of the volatile compound, indicating use of the hand washing agent and hand hygiene compliance.
US07978082B2 RFID-based personnel tracking
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for RFID-based personnel tracking. A method of tracking employees includes, in a first computer system, prompting a user for identification input, validating the identification input, receiving data from a first scan of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag upon initiation of a task, receiving data from a second scan of the RFID tag upon termination of the task, and uploading the identification input and the data of the first and second scans to a second computer system for storage and correlation.
US07978071B2 Device and method for detecting the presence of an object
A device for detecting the presence of an object in a detection zone is provided. The device includes a transmission line, a generator which is connected to an input of the transmission line and which is able to generate an input signal, and a receiver which is connected to an output of the transmission line and which is able to measure an output signal, the transmission line being able to radiate a radiated signal in the detection zone when the generator generates the input signal, the detection device further including analysis means which are able to detect the presence of an object in the detection zone in accordance with the output signal.
US07978068B1 Lost and found tagging and communication system and method
A method and system of facilitating communication between a finder of an article and an owner of the article including providing a unique ID to the owner and allowing the owner to register an association between the ID and owner contact information, allowing the owner to associate the ID and a virtual locale with the article, and forwarding communications of the finder of the article to the owner where the finder may provide no more information to the virtual locale than the ID and the communication.
US07978065B2 Device, system and method for tracking mobile assets
A device attached to an outside surface of a shipping container for tracking the shipping container includes a solar panel, a battery, a GPS receiver module, a cellular data transceiver module, and a microcontroller for controlling the GPS receiver module and the cellular data transceiver module to periodically obtain the location of the shipping container and transmit the location to a tracking database of a central tracking computer. The solar panel, battery, GPS receiver module, cellular data transceiver module and microcontroller are integrated into a one-piece, watertight master control unit. The master control unit may further include a local wireless network master transceiver module. The local wireless network master transceiver module is for communicating with a wireless sensor located within the shipping container through the walls of the shipping container.
US07978063B2 Wireless network having body coupled communication for mobile patient monitoring
A wireless network for monitoring a patient (10) comprises at least one wearable monitor (12, 70) including a physiological condition sensor (34, 74) coupled to the patient (10) to sense and communicate data related to one physiological function of the patient (10). A first body communication unit (16, 78) interfaces with the at least one wearable monitor (12, 70) to communicate over the patient (10) utilizing a near field capacitive body coupled protocol. A relay system (14, 50 72) includes a second body communication unit (18, 52, 80) that receives data from the at least one wearable monitor (12, 70) and communicates with the first body communication unit (16, 78) utilizing the near field capacitive body coupled protocol. An external communication unit (22) communicates the data to a remote medical monitoring station via a cell phone network or the internet.
US07978057B2 Information storage apparatus
There is provided an information storage apparatus capable of storing information on a parked vehicle acquired before and after detection of unusual conditions with lesser amount of power to be consumed. During halt of a vehicle, at least one of image information and sound information of the interior of the vehicle is acquired by an anti-theft device main body, and the acquired information is transmitted from the anti-theft device main body to a drive recorder at a transmission interval that varies between before and after detection of unusual vehicle conditions by the anti-theft device main body. A drive recorder main body allows a second RAM to store therein information received from an anti-theft device at a second transmission period and information received from the anti-theft device at a first transmission period.
US07978055B2 Virtual mesero POS table
A table designed for use in a restaurant. The table enables a patron of such restaurant to communicate with at least one of a hostess, waiter, waitress, chef and manager at such restaurant. The said table includes at least one leg member. A table top, having a predetermined configuration, is secured to the at least one leg member. Such table top includes at least one screen formed in a top surface thereof to enable viewing pre-selected information. A terminal control panel engages with the table top for at least indicating at least one of the table is in use, the table is being cleaned and the table is ready for seating a patron. Finally, there is a computer device that includes a server connected to the table for communicating with at least one of a hostess, waiter, waitress, chef and manager at such restaurant.
US07978049B2 Time-of-flight ranging systems using coarse and fine measurements
A time-of-flight ranging system, such as a keyless access Control system, comprises a first part and a second part, e.g., a portable device such as a key fob. Both parts have a transceiver for effecting communication with each other. At least the first part includes a device, e.g., a processor, for determining the distance between the two parts based on time-off-light. To save power, when the two parts are a relatively great distance apart, a time-of-flight measuring device computes the time based on a relatively coarse algorithm, and when the parts are relatively close, the computation is carried-out using a more precise algorithm. The clock frequency may be reduced when the two parts are a relatively great distance apart, and increased when they are closer. Further the transmitter power may be reduced when the two parts are relatively close together and increased when they are a relatively great distance apart.
US07978044B2 Transformer
A transformer includes a frame type iron core having plate-shaped magnetic members. At least one of the plate-shaped magnetic members has a large width and forms a magnetic circuit in which a magnetic flux is concentrated. Each of the plate-shaped magnetic members includes magnetic member pieces. Each adjacent pair of end surfaces of the magnetic member pieces are joined together to form a joint portion. Three or more joint portions, each of which is formed, by joining together adjacent end surfaces of an adjacent pair of the magnetic member pieces included in the plate-shaped magnetic member having the large width, are shifted from each other in the direction of a magnetic path of the magnetic circuit to increase an effective cross sectional area of the magnetic path. The magnetic member pieces included in the plate-shaped magnetic member having the large width have a high magnetic permeability to reduce a magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit. This configuration contributes to suppressing an increase in the material cost of the frame type iron core and an increase in the number of processes for manufacturing the frame type iron core and reducing a no-load loss.
US07978043B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including at least one of a circuit and a circuit element, and an inductor element having a coil axis extending in a direction parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and disposed adjacent to the main surface. A main direction of a magnetic field induced by passing a current through the inductor element is parallel to the main surface.
US07978042B2 Electronic component
A multilayer body is formed by laminating multiple insulating layers. External electrodes are provided on the opposed side surfaces of the multilayer body and extend in the z axis direction. Coil conductors are laminated together with the insulating layers and form a coil. Coil conductors other than coil conductors connected to the external electrodes are made up of pairs of adjacent coil conductors having an identical shape, and coil conductors forming each pair are connected in parallel to each other. None of the coil conductors connected to the external electrodes is connected in parallel to coil conductors with an identical shape.
US07978038B2 Electromagnetic actuator with variable reluctance
The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator with variable reluctance comprising a fixed ferromagnetic armature (3) comprising at least two concentric cylinders of revolution linked by a ring nut, at least one magnetizing winding (2) arranged between said cylinders, a ferromagnetic moving armature (4) guided in reciprocating translation movements relative to said fixed armature (3), with which it defines a magnetic circuit with an air gap (20), the dimension of which varies during reciprocating translation movements of the moving armature (4), wherein said fixed armature (3) comprises at least two series of slots, a first series of slots provided radially in said outer cylinder and extending over the entire height of said outer cylinder, and a second series of slots provided radially in said outer and inner cylinders and extending only over a major part of the height of said cylinders.
US07978034B2 Electromechanical element and electronic equipment using the same
A quick response/low voltage driven electromechanical switch equipped with a mechanism for adjusting a spring constant of a movable electrode is provided. The electromechanical element includes a first electrode formed on a substrate, a second electrode formed at a predetermined interval to the first electrode so that the interval is changed, and supporting portions for supporting the second electrode, wherein the supporting portions of the second electrode are able to be displaced.
US07978027B2 Coplanar waveguide resonator and coplanar waveguide filter using the same
A coplanar waveguide resonator (100a) has a center conductor (101) formed on a dielectric substrate (105) that has a line conductor (a center line conductor) (101b) extending in the input/output direction, a ground conductor (103) that is disposed on the dielectric substrate (105) across a gap section from the center conductor (101), and a line conductor (a base stub) (104) formed as an extension line from the ground conductor (103), and a part of the base stub (104) constitutes a line conductor (a first collateral line conductor) (104a) disposed in parallel with the center line conductor (101b).
US07978025B2 Film bulk acoustic resonator, filter, communication module and communication device
There is provided a film bulk acoustic resonator which has a substrate, a lower electrode formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric membrane formed on the lower electrode, an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric membrane, and an insulating film disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric membrane between the upper electrode and the substrate and at a position at which the upper electrode and the substrate are opposed each other. The substrate is preferably formed so as to form a void at a portion facing to the lower electrode. The lower electrode has preferably a tapered end and a part of the boundary between the piezoelectric membrane and the insulating film is disposed on an inside from the upper end of the tapered end.
US07978018B2 Non-reciprocal circuit device
A non-reciprocal circuit device comprising a magnetic plate F1; center conductors L1, L2, and L3 that are mutually insulated and disposed so as to intersect on magnetic plate F1; a plane conductor P1 that is disposed facing the center conductors with magnetic plate F1 placed therebetween, the plane conductor being connected to first ends of all the center conductors; matching capacitors C1 to C3 that have first ends grounded electrically and second ends connected to second ends of the center conductors; first matching circuits that have first ends connected to the second ends of the center conductors and second ends that are input/output ports; and a second matching circuit that has a first end connected to or integrated with the plane conductor and a second end grounded electrically.
US07978015B2 Oscillator with reduced phase noise characteristics
One well known problem associated with voltage controlled oscillators or VCOs is phase noise, and it is desirable to reduce phase noise in order to improve VCO performance. Here, a VCO is provided where gain elements are provided that reduce phase noise. These gain elements are generally comprised of oscillator tanks.
US07978014B2 Digital fast-locking frequency synthesizer
A digital PLL frequency synthesizer characterized by fast-locking and low-jitters is presented. The PLL comprises a phase detector, a controllable oscillator, a loop filter having an automatically-adjusted loop gain, a feedback phase integration circuit, and a reference phase integration circuit. Fast-locking is achieved by dynamically adjusting forward-path gain and integral-path gain according to the output of the phase detector and the output of the integral-path during phase tracking. A skew-compensated counter circuit is proposed, which incorporates an asynchronous counter, a data register and a sample phase generator and features high-speed and low-power operation.
US07978006B2 Quantum interference transistors and methods of manufacturing and operating the same
A quantum interference transistor may include a source; a drain; N channels (N≧2), between the source and the drain, and having N−1 path differences between the source and the drain; and at least one gate disposed at one or more of the N channels. One or more of the N channels may be formed in a graphene sheet. A method of manufacturing the quantum interference transistor may include forming one or more of the N channels using a graphene sheet. A method of operating the quantum interference transistor may include applying a voltage to the at least one gate. The voltage may shift a phase of a wave of electrons passing through a channel at which the at least one gate is disposed.
US07978004B2 Body bias coordinator, method of coordinating a body bias and sub-circuit power supply employing the same
The present invention provides a body bias coordinator for use with a transistor employing a body region. In one embodiment, the body bias coordinator includes a control unit configured to control the transistor and make it operable to provide a virtual supply voltage from a source voltage during activation of the transistor. The body bias coordinator also includes a connection unit coupled to the control unit and configured to connect the body region to the virtual supply voltage during activation of the transistor. In an alternative embodiment, the connection unit is further configured to connect the body region to another voltage during non-activation of the transistor. These embodiments improve transistor active and passive performance, permit smaller transistor sizing and reduce leakage current.
US07977996B1 Pulse generator with precision edge placement
A digital pulse generator including a fractional delay filter is provided as having a plurality of step response functions that can be selected on a sample by sample basis by selection of filter coefficients. The step response functions are all identical but each have different group delay. Responsive to an input waveform having leading and trailing edges aligned with a system clock, the fractional delay filter can output the impulse responses as a pulse waveform having respective leading and trailing edges delayed by different respective fractions of a signal clock cycle from the respective leading and trailing edges of the input waveform. The pulse waveform as output can thus have desired pulse width and desired period of repetition with finer edge placement resolution of improved accuracy.
US07977992B2 Precision phase generator and method for phase generation
A phase generator includes a delay element configured to receive an input signal and delay the input signal by a predetermined amount to develop a delayed version of the input signal, a logic element configured to receive the input signal and the delayed version of the input signal, the logic element configured to produce a signal dependent on a phase difference between the input signal and the delayed version of the input signal, a circuit configured to generate a reference signal, and a comparator configured to receive an output of the logic element and the reference signal. The comparator is configured to generate a control signal that is dependent on the difference between the output of the logic element and the reference signal, where the control signal is applied to the delay element to determine the delay applied to the input signal.
US07977991B2 Adjacent channel interference detection apparatus and method
To provide an adjacent channel interference detection apparatus having high detection sensitivity and suitable for LSI integration in a small circuit size. The adjacent channel interference detection apparatus (4) includes: two sign inversion detection units (13a and 13b) that respectively detect sign inversions of an I signal (101) and a Q signal (102); a rotation judgment unit (14) that detects a direction in which a signal point rotates on an IQ plane; a counter unit (15) that counts an output of the rotation judgment unit (14); and an adjacent channel interference detection unit (16) that detects an imbalance in the number of times the signal point rotates in each direction, from the count in the counter unit (15). Adjacent channel interference is detected by an imbalance between the number of times the signal point rotates clockwise and the number of times the signal point rotates counterclockwise on the IQ plane.
US07977990B2 Duty correction circuit, duty correction system, and duty correction method
A duty correction circuit is provided which includes a level shifter receives complementary differential input signals having a duty ratio and controls levels of the differential input signals; a TrTf control circuit receives output signals of the level shifter and controls edge angles of the output signals; a waveform shaping circuit receives output signals of the TrTf control circuit and shapes waveforms of the output signals; a first common mode comparator extracts common modes of the output signals of the TrTf control circuit and compares the common modes; and a second common mode comparator extracts common modes of output signals of the waveform shaping circuit and compares the common modes. The level shifter controls the levels based on outputs of the first common mode comparator and the TrTf control circuit controls the edge angles based on outputs of the second common mode comparator.
US07977985B2 Bias generator providing for low power, self-biased delay element and delay line
An improved bias generator incorporates a reference voltage and/or a reference current into the generation of bias voltages. In some cases, the output of a biased delay element has a constant voltage swing. A delay line of such constant output voltage swing delay elements may be shown to provide reduced power consumption compared to some known self-biased delay lines. Furthermore, in other cases, providing the reference current to a novel bias generator allows a delay line of delay elements biased by such a novel bias generator to show reduced sensitivity to operating conditions, reduced sensitivity to variation in process parameters and improved signal quality, thereby providing more robust operation.
US07977983B1 Device having synchronizing capabilities
A method and a device having synchronizing capabilities, the device includes; (i) a first circuit that is adapted to receive a first clock signal; (ii) a second circuit that is adapted to receive a second clock signal; wherein the first and second clock signals and mutually asynchronous; and a (iii) synchronizer that is coupled between the first and second circuit and is adapted to receive the second clock signal, to receive an input signal from the first circuit and to output an output signal of definite values to the second circuit, wherein the input signal is synchronized with the first clock signal and the output signal is synchronized with the second clock signal.
US07977977B1 Dynamic logic circuit with device to prevent contention between pull-up and pull-down device
A circuit including is disclosed. The circuit includes a precharge circuit configured to pull a dynamic node toward a voltage present on the voltage supply node during a precharge phase, and an evaluation circuit configured to, during an evaluation phase, pull the dynamic node toward a ground voltage responsive to a first input condition and configured to inhibit pulling of the dynamic node down responsive to a second input condition. A pull-up circuit coupled between the first dynamic node and the voltage supply node includes first and second pull-up transistors. The first pull-up transistor is configured to activate responsive to the precharge phase. The second pull-up transistor is configured to activate at a delay time subsequent to entry of the evaluation phase. When the first and second pull-up transistors are active, a pull-up path is provided between the dynamic node and the voltage supply node.
US07977974B2 Integrated circuit device and electronic instrument
An integrated circuit device includes a digital power supply regulation circuit, an analog power supply regulation circuit, a control logic circuit, an analog circuit, and a power supply wiring region. A digital power supply line which supplies a digital power supply voltage and an analog power supply line which supplies an analog power supply voltage are provided in the power supply wiring region. The digital power supply regulation circuit, the analog circuit, and the analog power supply regulation circuit are disposed in a first direction with respect to the control logic circuit. The power supply wiring region is formed along a second direction in a region between the control logic circuit and the digital power supply regulation circuit, the analog circuit, and the analog power supply regulation circuit.
US07977973B2 Electronic basic unit for a system on chip
An electronic basic unit for a system on chip comprises a semiconductor substrate and an area on the semiconductor substrate. The area is bounded by a geometric basic shape and the electronic basic unit is formed on the semiconductor substrate and has the form of an integrated circuit. The electronic basic unit further comprises a functional circuit core which determines a function for the electronic basic unit and at least one connecting port at the edges of the geometric basic shape. The at least one connecting port is designed to be coupled to a further connecting port of a further electronic basic unit produced on the semiconductor substrate and being adjacent to the electronic basic unit. The electronic basic unit comprises also a programmable connecting-port controller for controlling data transfers between the electronic basic unit and the further electronic basic unit produced on the semiconductor substrate via the at least one connecting port.
US07977972B2 Ultra-low power multi-threshold asynchronous circuit design
A Multi-Threshold CMOS NULL Convention Logic asynchronous circuit (MTNCL). The MTNCL circuit provides delay-insensitive logic operation with significant leakage power and active energy reduction. The MTNCL circuit is also capable of functioning properly under extreme supply voltage scaling down to the sub-threshold region for further power reduction. Four MTNCL architectures and four MTNCL threshold gate designs offer an asynchronous logic design methodology for glitch-free, ultra-low power, and faster circuits without area overhead.
US07977964B2 Single flux quantum circuits
Superconducting single flux quantum circuits are disclosed herein, each having at least one Josephson junction which will flip when the current through it exceeds a critical current. Bias current for the Josephson junction is provided by a biasing transformer instead of a resistor. The lack of any bias resistors ensures that unwanted power dissipation is eliminated.
US07977962B2 Apparatus and methods for through substrate via test
A stack of vertically-connected, horizontally-oriented integrated circuits (ICs) may have electrical connections from the front side of one IC to the back side of another IC. Electrical signals may be transferred from the back side of one IC to the front side of the same IC by means of through substrate vias (TSVs), which may include through silicon vias. Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to test and/or replace defective TSVs. Additional apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed.
US07977960B2 Cantilever type probe head having introducing portion with end face having a tapered portion and an extended rectangular portion
A cantilever type probe head, the head at least includes a probe having an introducing portion for contacting a pad of a member to be probed, the introducing portion is a conical column with its end face having a tapered portion and an extended rectangular portion, the tapered portion and the extended rectangular portion are provided in a coplanar position at the end face on the introducing portion.
US07977959B2 Method and apparatus for testing devices using serially controlled intelligent switches
Methods and apparatus for testing devices using serially controlled intelligent switches have been described. In some embodiments, a probe card assembly can be provided that includes a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) serially coupled to form a chain, the chain coupled to at least one serial control line, the plurality of ICs including switches coupled to test probes, each of the switches being programmable responsive to a control signal on the at least one serial control line.
US07977958B2 Bi-directional buffer for interfacing test system channel
An emitter follower or source follower transistor is provided in the channel of a wafer test system between a DUT and a test system controller to enable a low power DUT to drive a test system channel. A bypass resistor is included between the base and emitter of the emitter follower transistor to enable bi-directional signals to be provided between the DUT channel and test system controller, as well as to enable parametric tests to be performed. The emitter follower transistor and bypass resistor can be provided on the probe card, with a pull down termination circuit included in the test system controller. The test system controller can provide compensation for the base to emitter voltage drop of the emitter follower transistor.
US07977956B2 Method and apparatus for probe card alignment in a test system
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for aligning a probe card assembly in a test system are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for testing devices may include a probe card assembly having a plurality of probes, each probe having a tip for contacting a device to be tested, and having an identified set of one or more features that are preselected in accordance with selected criteria for aligning the probe card assembly within a prober after installation therein. In some embodiments, the identity of the identified set of one or more features may be communicated to the prober to facilitate a global alignment of the probe card assembly that minimizes an aggregate misalignment of all of the tips in the probe card assembly.
US07977953B2 In-mould molding touch module and method for manufacturing the same
An in-mold molding touch module includes a plastic film, a touch circuit and a molding rind. The plastic film includes an inner surface and an outer surface for handling and touching. At least one region of the inner surface and a corresponding region of the outer surface define a touch area. The touch circuit is arranged on the inner surface in the touch area. The molding rind is integrated on the inner surface by an in-mold injecting mode to contain the touch circuit for forming a one-piece body. In addition, the invention also provides a method for manufacturing an in-mold molding touch module.
US07977950B2 Time-domain reflectometer
The present invention provides a time domain reflectometer for testing an electrical cable. The time domain reflectometer includes a test signal generator, at least one line feed resistor, connected between the test signal generator and a pair of terminals, for connection to the ends of the electrical cable under test, and a signal processor, connected to the terminals, to receive a line signal including a reflection of a test signal transmitted into the cable under test. The signal processor is programmed to filter the line signal to enhance a portion of the signal indicative of any fault on the cable by balancing the signal according to the electrical characteristics of a normal cable of the same type as the cable under test by applying a filter function, and acquiring at least one estimate of the input admittance of the transmission line from known or estimated electrical characteristics of the cable under test.
US07977949B2 Loop resistance tester control system
A method is present for remotely controlling, monitoring, and analyzing loop resistance in a vehicle. A loop resistance test unit is positioned in the vehicle. A set of commands is sent from a monitoring unit to the loop resistance test unit over a wireless communications interface. Measurements are generated with the loop resistance test unit in response to the set of commands. The measurements are received from the loop resistance test unit at the monitoring unit in response to the set of commands send over the wireless communications interface.
US07977935B2 Temperature tolerant magnetic linear displacement sensor
A linear motion sensor has two pairs of opposed spaced apart stacks of two simple two-pole bar magnets. Each stack has one shorter outer magnet and one longer inner magnet, with the outer magnets centered on the inner magnets. The poles of the magnets are oriented the same in each pair, but opposite with respect to the other pair. The shape of the magnets results in the magnetic fields produced by each pair of magnets being substantially outside of the magnets themselves, so that the load line for the combined magnets is above the knee in its B/H material demagnetization curve. The pairs of magnets define a gap therebetween in which a magnetic field sensor is mounted for travel. The shorter magnets are about one half the length of the longer magnets such that the magnetic field in the gap varies substantially linearly as the sensor moves along the gap.
US07977929B2 Method for regulating a voltage and circuit therefor
A voltage regulator (10) having an undervoltage protection circuit 11 and a method for protecting against an output voltage out being less than a predetermined level. The voltage regulator has an undershoot limitation circuit (11) coupled between a feedback network (30) and a regulation section (42). A power factor correction circuit (46) is connected to the regulation section. An output voltage out from the power factor correction circuit (46) is fed back to the feedback network (30), which transmits a portion of the output voltage to the undershoot limitation circuit (11). If the output voltage is greater than the predetermined voltage level, a switching circuit portion (34) of the undershoot limitation circuit (11) transmits a normal control signal to the regulation circuit (42). If the output voltage is less than the predetermined voltage level, the switching circuit portion transmits an enhanced control signal to the regulation circuit. The enhanced control signal quickly brings the output voltage up to at least the minimum desired level.
US07977927B2 Step-up DC/DC voltage converter with improved transient current capability
A DC/DC voltage converter includes an inductive switching voltage regulator and a capacitive charge pump connected in series between the input and output terminals of the converter. The charge pump has a second input terminal connected to the input terminal of the converter. This reduces the series resistance in the current path by which charge is transferred from the capacitor in the charge pump to the output capacitor and thereby improves the ability of the converter to respond to rapid changes in current required by the load.
US07977926B2 Boost and up-down switching regulator with synchronous freewheeling MOSFET
A freewheeling MOSFET is connected in parallel with the inductor in a switched DC/DC converter. When the freewheeling MOSFET is turned on during the switching operation of the converter, while the low-side and energy transfer MOSFETs are turned off, the inductor current circulates or “freewheels” through the freewheeling MOSFET. The frequency of the converter is thereby made independent of the lengths of the magnetizing and energy transfer stages, allowing far greater flexibility in operating and converter and overcoming numerous problems associated with conventional DC/DC converters. For example, the converter may operate in either step-up or step-down mode and may even transition for one mode to the other as the values of the input voltage and desired output voltage vary.
US07977917B2 Electric power supply control system for vehicle
An electric power supply control system has a battery, a vehicular alternator, large electric power systems, operation limitation target systems, and a battery condition management device. Each large electric power system generates a rush current when initiating its operation by electric power supplied. Each operation limitation target system is capable of limiting its operation for a demand during the operation of the large electric power systems. The large electric power systems and the operation limitation target systems change their operation conditions based on an allowable electric power (or an allowable electric current) supplied from the battery condition management device in order to maintain a terminal voltage of the battery which is not less than a limitation voltage.
US07977916B2 Battery pack
A battery pack includes a secondary cell, a selection unit, a judging unit, an elapsed time period comparing unit, and a control unit. The selection unit selects either a first operation state or a second operation state. The control unit controls the selection unit to switch from the first operation state to the second operation state when the elapsed time period is longer than a predetermined time period. The control unit also controls the selection unit to switch from a second operation state to a first operation state either (a) when judged as being in an used state by the judging unit while the second operation is selected (b) when a voltage of the second cell becomes equal to or less than a second voltage threshold value which is smaller than a first voltage threshold value while the second operation state is selected.
US07977914B2 Battery maintenance tool with probe light
A battery maintenance tool, which electrically couples to a battery, includes a maintenance tool housing and electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. A cable, substantially external to the maintenance tool housing includes a plurality of conductors. At least some conductors of the plurality conductors are configured to electrically couple to the electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. At least one probe light that is configured to electrically couple to at least two of the plurality of conductors in the cable is also included. The probe light, which is separate from the maintenance tool housing, receives power via the at least two of the plurality of conductors to which it is electrically coupled.
US07977911B2 Power supply topology
A power supply system can include a primary power supply coupled to an output, and a secondary power supply coupled to the output. The primary power supply provides power to the output when a voltage level of the secondary power supply is less than a first predetermined level. The secondary power supply provides power to the output when the voltage level of the secondary power supply is greater than the first predetermined level. The secondary power supply not only provides power to the output, but also charges the primary power supply when the voltage level of the secondary power supply is greater than a second predetermined level that is greater than the first predetermined level.
US07977906B1 Saccadic tracking for an electro-mechanical system
Described is a fault-tolerant electro-mechanical system that is able to saccade to a target by training and using a signal processing technique. The invention enables tracking systems, such as next generational cameras, to be developed for autonomous platforms and surveillance systems where environment conditions are unpredictable. The invention includes at least one sensor configured to relay a signal containing positional information of a stimulus. At least one actuator is configured to manipulate the sensor to enable the sensor to track the stimulus. A processing device is configured to receive positional information from each sensor and each actuator. The processing device sends a positional changing signal to at least one actuator and adjusts at least one positional changing signal according to the information from each sensor and each actuator to enable the actuator to cause the sensor to track the stimulus.
US07977905B1 Electric drive
An electric drive which has an inductor with poles, an armature having a plurality of windings and rotatable relative to the inductor and its poles, and a control unit which, when a respective one of the windings of the armature approaches a respective one of the poles of the inductor, turns off a voltage supply to the winding so that when the winding passes the pole it does not have a voltage, and when the winding moves away from the pole the control unit supplies opposite voltage to the winding, and therefore no counter electric motive force is generated during the operation of the electric drive.
US07977904B2 Automated shade control method and system
This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
US07977901B2 Electromechanical machine control system
There is provided an electromechanical machine control system for variable speed controlling an electromechanical machine which can realize a desired control response and a stable control system by online regulating the gain of a linear differential controller by current feedback based on an electric parameter or mechanical parameter of the electromechanical machine. The electromechanical machine control system includes a current coordinate transformer (15) for coordinate transforming a current detection value of the electromechanical machine (13) which is inputted into a γ-axis current having the same phase as a position reference and a δ-axis current which advances 90 degrees further than the position reference, a δ-axis stabilizer (16) for implementing a linear differential control on the δ-axis current which is inputted to output a δ-axis current voltage correction amount and a δ-axis stabilizing gain regulator (17) for regulating the linear differential control gain of the δ-axis stabilizer.
US07977898B2 Current sensing for a multi-phase DC/DC boost converter
Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing currents on a plurality of phases and determining current information therefrom. The multi-phase boost converter includes a single sensor coupled to all of the plurality of phases and a controller coupled to the sensor for determining the current information in response to currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor. The sensing method utilizes the gate drive signals and the DC current sensor output to calculate the currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor.
US07977897B2 Apparatus and method for controlling or regulating an oscillating deflectable micromechanical element
The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for controlling or regulating the deflection of micromechanically manufactured deflectable elements which, driven electrostatically, are deflected in an oscillating manner. It is the object of the invention to provide a possibility with which a much larger deflection range can be utilized and in so doing the required voltage potential difference for the electrostatic drive of a deflection can be kept small and the occurrence of the pull-in effect can be avoided. In accordance with the invention, a deflectable element is present which is held at a frame element by at least one spring element and which can be deflected using an electrostatic drive. The deflection can be achieved by means of at least one counter-electrode and the deflectable element usable as an electrode. In addition, at least one detector is present which is suitable for the contactless detection of at least one deflection position and which is connected to an electronic evaluation and control unit to influence the electrical voltage potential difference between the deflectable element and the counter-electrode(s) in dependence of a specific deflection position.
US07977889B2 Direct-current power supply device, power supply device for driving LED and semiconductor integrated circuit for driving power supply
Disclosed is a direct-current power supply device, including: an inductor; a switching element to intermittently supply a current to the inductor; an output terminal connected to an external unit; a rectifying element connected between the inductor and the output terminal; a PFM comparator to generate a first pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to a voltage proportional to an output current of the external unit; a duty control circuit to generate a second pulse signal by controlling a pulse width of an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency in response to an externally-supplied current control signal; a logic circuit configured to output the second pulse signal during a period when the first pulse signal is at a predetermined level; and a drive circuit to generate a drive signal for driving the switching element based on the second pulse signal.
US07977887B2 Low leakage current LED drive apparatus with fault protection and diagnostics
An LED drive apparatus includes a microprocessor having a configurable input/output port, a FET current control transistor, and a diagnostic interface circuit. The diagnostic interface circuit includes a transistor having an input coupled to a junction between the FET and the LED, and an output coupled to an input of the FET. The microprocessor input/output port is coupled to the input of the FET for turning the LED ON and OFF and performing fault protection and diagnostics. At each desired transition of the LED, the microprocessor configures its input/output port as an output and momentarily sets the output state to achieve the desired transition, then re-configures the input/output port to determine the conduction state of the diagnostic interface circuit transistor, and determines an output fault status of the drive apparatus based on the determined conduction state.
US07977882B2 Plasma display panel having laminated dielectric layer
A PDP is equipped with row electrode pairs deposited on the inner face of a front glass substrate and a dielectric layer covering the row electrode pairs. A discharge space defined between the front glass substrate and the back glass substrate is filled with a discharge gas. The dielectric layer has a laminated structure made up of a first dielectric layer formed of a smaller nano-particle silica film including silica particles of a particle diameter of 10 nm to 25 nm, and a second dielectric layer formed of a larger nano-particle silica film including silica particles of a particle diameter of 25 nm to 40 nm.
US07977879B2 Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel is disclosed. The plasma display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate positioned adjacent to each other, a first barrier rib positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and partitioning a discharge area, a sealing portion attaching the first substrate to the second substrate, and an auxiliary barrier rib. The auxiliary barrier rib may be spaced apart from the sealing portion with a predetermined distance therebetween, extended from the first barrier rib, and may include a portion with a height lower than a height of the first barrier rib positioned in the discharge area.
US07977877B2 Flat panel OLED device having deformable substrate
A flat panel OLED device including a transparent deformable substrate having first and second sides and defining a predetermined illumination region and a non-illumination region; a moisture-sensitive OLED disposed over the first side of the transparent substrate within the illumination region and means for applying electrical signals to the OLED which causes the OLED to produce light and heat; a protective layer disposed over the OLED; a flexible encapsulating foil disposed over the protective layer, but not attached thereto; and a rigid chassis structure operatively associated with the transparent deformable substrate for dissipating the heat and providing rigidity to the transparent deformable substrate.
US07977876B2 Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Technology to reduce the manufacturing cost of a manufacturing process of a light emitting device is provided. The manufacturing cost of a device using a light emitting element can be reduced by using a multilayout process for forming a plurality of light emitting devices from a large-sized substrate. In particular, an existing line for manufacturing liquid crystal cells can be diverted to a process of encapsulating light emitting elements, which can greatly reduce the manufacturing cost including the investment in plant and equipment.
US07977874B2 Organic EL display device comprising a reflection structure
The present invention provides an organic EL display device which has a long lifetime. The organic EL display device includes a plurality of pixels each of which is constituted of a top-emission-type active matrix organic EL element. The EL element includes: a pixel electrode; a reflective layer arranged between the pixel electrode and an active element and is formed over a leveling layer; an organic light emission layer; and a common electrode. The reflective layer includes: a first reflective layer which is made of high-melting-point metal; and a second reflective layer which is arranged on the first reflective layer. The second reflective layer includes a planar pattern in which an outer periphery of the second reflective layer is surrounded by the first reflective layer. The pixel electrode extends outward from the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer.
US07977872B2 High-color-temperature tandem white OLED
An OLED device having two spaced electrodes including: first, second, and third light-emitting units disposed between the electrodes, the first light-emitting unit produces light that has multiple peaks at wavelengths longer than 500 nm and substantially no emission at wavelengths shorter than 480 nm, and the second and third light-emitting units produce light that has substantial emission at wavelengths shorter than 500 nm; intermediate connectors respectively disposed between the first and second light-emitting units, and between the second and third light-emitting units; and wherein the OLED device emits light with a color temperature greater than 7,000K.
US07977870B2 OLED pixel structure and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display (OLED) pixel structure is provided to improve the resolution of an OLED without significantly changing the current OLED manufacturing process. With a novel pixel arrangement and circuit layout, an organic light emitting material is evaporated onto a substrate through a mask and thus a plurality of sub-pixels are formed simultaneously while enabling each sub-pixel to correspond to different pixels. Therefore, the area of each sub-pixel is reduced and the resolution of a display is increased.
US07977867B2 Organic EL panel
A top-emission type organic EL panel has a substrate carrying thin film transistors formed thereon, a plurality of organic EL devices formed on the substrate, each of the organic EL devices including a reflecting electrode, organic compound layers and a transparent electrode arranged in this order from the substrate side, a device separation layer formed in a space separating adjacently located organic EL devices, a protective layer covering the organic EL devices and the device separation layer and a light-shielding layer formed on the protective layer in a display region other than light emitting sections of the organic EL devices so as to be held in contact with the protective layer and cover at least part of lateral surfaces of the device separation layer.
US07977866B2 Organic electroluminescence element having partition wall covered by insulating layer
According to the present invention a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence element and a display device is provided, wherein the method includes forming an organic light emitting medium layer inside a pixel sectioned by a partition wall, wherein an out gas from a partition wall is small, thereby damage to an organic light emitting medium layer is controlled, and wherein, in an organic electroluminescence element, there is no defect and no unevenness because a uniform film is formed without ink-repellent phenomenon on an organic light emitting medium layer.
US07977860B2 Organic light-emitting display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light-emitting display device and a method of fabricating the same. The organic light-emitting display device includes: a substrate; a first electrode including a first metal layer disposed on the substrate and formed of titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), a titanium or aluminum alloy, a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the second metal layer; an organic layer disposed on the first electrode and including at least one organic emission layer; and a second electrode disposed on the organic layer. The method includes: forming a first electrode including a first metal layer formed of Ti, Al, or a titanium or aluminum alloy, a second metal layer, and a transparent conductive layer, on a substrate; forming an organic layer including at least one organic emission layer on the first electrode; and forming a second electrode on the organic layer.
US07977857B2 High thread ground shield
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine comprises an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate the other end, an insulator substantially surrounding the center electrode, and a ground shield. The insulator has a substantially cylindrical body with at least a first insulator section and a second insulator section. The first and second insulator sections having first and second diameters respectively and are separated by an insulator shoulder. The ground shield has an elongated base section substantially surrounding the first insulator section, a frustoconical flange protruding from one end of the base section to engage the insulator shoulder, and a ground electrode extending from the other end of the base section to define an axial spark gap with respect to the center electrode tip. The base section and the ground electrode are formed as separate components and secured together to form the ground shield.
US07977855B2 Incandescent lamp and illumination system with optimized filament shape and size
An incandescent lamp that is specially adapted for use in combination with a concave reflector in providing a high-intensity beam of light. The lamp includes an optimized filament shape that consist of a filament arranged in coiled coils having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the reflector longitudinal axis and the larger coils of the coiled coil filament spaced from each other by a distance substantially the same as the filament coil diameter. The filament length, width, and height can be limited to substantially twelve millimeters to optimize the lamp for use with concave reflectors having a focal length of substantially twenty five millimeters, any type curvature, and any size diameter.
US07977854B2 Component for an electric lamp with outer bulb
An assembly for an electric lamp with an elongated inner bulb, which is sealed at two ends, the inner bulb including a lamp axis, and a light-emitter being accommodated in the inner bulb, the inner bulb being surrounded by an outer bulb, wherein the outer bulb is substantially circular-cylindrical, and includes two parts, at least one part having a rounded-off, sealed first end, and the two parts each having an open second end, which ends are matched to one another in terms of diameter, and the parts being connected to one another in the region of the open end via a certain sealing path, the inner bulb being held in the outer bulb via two frame wires, which are passed out of the outer bulb between the two parts.
US07977853B2 Piezoelectric device, and liquid discharge device using the piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device having a piezoelectric film formed over a substrate through an electrode by vapor phase deposition using plasma, and constituted by columnar crystals of one or more perovskite oxides Pb(Tix, Zry, Mz)O3 (0
US07977852B2 Method and apparatus for harvesting energy from mechanical vibrations
A method of harvesting energy from a vibrational energy source having a varying energy characteristic. The method includes the step of varying a characteristic of a harvesting arrangement arranged to harvest the energy, the characteristic of the harvesting arrangement being varied in response to the varying energy characteristic of the vibrational energy source.
US07977848B2 Planar surface acoustic wave device, communication module, and communication apparatus
An acoustic wave device of the present application includes a piezoelectric substrate (14), interdigital transducer electrodes (13) formed on the piezoelectric substrate (14), and an SiO2 film (12) formed so as to cover the electrodes (13). The acoustic wave device also includes a displacement adjustment film (11) formed on the SiO2 film (12), and the displacement adjustment film (11) is formed from a substance whose acoustic velocity is slower than that of the substance forming the SiO2 film (12). According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress unnecessary waves as well as improve temperature characteristics. Also, by mounting such an acoustic wave device in a communication module or communication apparatus, it is possible to achieve an improvement in reliability.
US07977844B2 Inductor-type synchronous machine
An inductor-type synchronous machine having an axial gap structure, which has a shaft portion at the center thereof, the machine includes: a field-side stator which has a yoke made of a magnetic material and a field body protruding from the yoke in an axial direction of the shaft portion to form an N pole and an S pole in a radial direction; a rotor which has N pole inductors disposed so as to be opposed to the N pole formed by the field body and S pole inductors disposed so as to be opposed to the S pole formed by the field body; and an armature-side stator in which an armature coil is disposed so as to be opposed to the N pole inductors and the S pole inductors.
US07977833B2 Diode lead support shell
A shell that mechanically supports the diode lead wires against movement both during assembly and subsequent operation of the rotor shaft. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for retaining diode lead wires in a power generator rotor by using the shell of the present invention.
US07977827B2 Stepper motor device
A stepper motor device has a stator and a rotor. The rotor comprises: a shaft; a rotor core associated with the shaft; and a magnet fixed to the rotor core. The stator comprises: a stator shell; a yoke disposed within the shell; a coil wound about the yoke and an end plate magnetically connecting the yoke to the stator shell. The coil is located beside the magnet in the axial direction of the motor. The stator has a number of salient poles, and the salient poles are arranged to face the magnet across a small air gap. The coil creates magnetic poles in the salient poles with a common polarity.
US07977826B2 Multipole permanent-magnet synchronous machine having tooth-wound coils
The permanently excited synchronous machine (1) includes a rotor (3) and a stand (2) which contains a three-branched winding system (8) which comprises tooth coils. The stand (2) has a total of three or six grooves (5) and a tooth (6, 7) is formed there between. A total of three tooth coils (9) are arranged in the grooves (5) and each coil is associated with one of the three winding phases. The number of user pole pairs (pN) is four or five. The rotor (3) has twice as many user pole pairs (pN) of permanent magnets (18) which are evenly distributed on the periphery.
US07977825B2 Energy saver
A universal device for saving the standby power consumption of a functional group of appliances that can be constituted equally well by a set of items of computer equipment or a set of items of audiovisual equipment. The device includes at least one control device for switching on the functional group that is exclusively dedicated to the device, parts for connection to the electricity network and parts for connection to at least one main controlled appliance.
US07977823B2 Load condition controlled power module
In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and circuit for reducing power consumption of a power module during idle conditions is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a power module is configured for reducing power during idle mode by disengaging at least one power output from a power input. A power module may include one or more power outputs and one or more power module circuits, with power input connected to the power outputs through the power module circuit(s). The power module circuit may include a current measuring system, a control circuit, and a switch. The current measuring system provides an output power level signal that is proportional to the load at the power output. If current measuring system behavior indicates that a power output is drawing substantially no power from the power input, the switch disengages the power input from the power output.
US07977822B2 Dynamically changing control of sequenced power gating
Power control circuitry for controlling connection of a voltage source to a switched power rail powering an associated circuit is provided. A plurality of switch blocks are connected in parallel between the switched power rail and the voltage source, each switch block being controlled by an enable signal provided by a switch controller. The switch controller performs a turn-on sequence providing a series of enable signal patterns to the switch blocks. The switch controller applies a time varying generation operation to at least one sequence stage of a predetermined turn-on sequence to produce a corresponding enable signal pattern for that sequence stage. When the turn-on sequence is later repeated, the enable signal pattern produced for at least one of the sequence stages differs from the enable signal pattern previously produced for that sequence stage.
US07977818B1 Safety device for plug and play solar energy system
An apparatus and system for preventing branch circuit current overload in a non-dedicated branch circuit where current is supplied at least in part by a co-generation power system through an electrical receptacle or outlet. Co-generation systems of this type are typically used in residential applications and can include solar photovoltaic systems and wind turbines. The apparatus modulates or adjusts the current flowing into the branch circuit from the co-generation power system so that the apparatus does not cause the combination of current supplied from the utility power grid into the branch circuit and current supplied by the co-generation system into the branch circuit outlet to exceed the branch circuit current capacity.
US07977814B2 Centralized HV interlock system
A centralized high voltage interlock system includes an electrical source, an interlock control unit electrically connected to the electrical source, at least one high voltage component disposed in direct electrical contact with the interlock control unit and a high voltage electrical interlock disposed in electrical contact with the at least one high voltage component.
US07977813B2 System and method for reducing quiescent power draw and machine using same
A machine includes a plurality of electronic controllers electrically connected to an electrical power source along a first electrical circuit through a first relay and along a second electrical circuit through a second relay. A relay controller is directly connected to the electrical power source along a third electrical circuit, and is in communication with the first relay and the second relay. The relay controller is configured to open or close the first relay or the second relay in response to a power requirement indication.
US07977809B2 Tidal stream energy conversion system
An energy conversion system for converting tidal energy into electrical energy includes a barrier deployable across a body of water. The barrier has an upper and lower closed loop of cable between which are secured a series of sail arrays adapted to effect displacement of the cables around the closed loop, which motion is converted into electrical energy by one or more transducers forming part of the system.
US07977808B2 Generator for rotor
Provided is a generator for a rotor, having a simple structure and being capable of enhancing power generation efficiency. A supporting member fixes or releases a slender shaft material to or from a rotor. Rotating members are disposed respectively at both ends of the shaft material 25 so as to be rotatable around the shaft material, which is a central axis. A control unit releases the fixation of the shaft material to the rotor when the direction of rotational movement of each of the rotating members around the shaft material is coincident with the direction of rotational movement of the rotor, thereby accelerating each of the rotating members. A power generation unit generates electricity by recovering energy obtained when each of the rotating members is accelerated by the rotation of the rotor.
US07977807B1 Wearable device to generate electricity from human movement
This invention uses hydraulic or pneumatic passageways to create a wearable, portable, washable, and relatively unobtrusive device for efficiently converting movement of a relatively large portion of the human body into electricity. This device comprises: a flowable substance; passageways through which the flowable substance flows that are worn over the exterior of the human body; and energy-converting members that convert the energy of the flow of the flowable substance into electricity.
US07977801B2 Integrated circuit chip component, multi-chip module, their integration structure, and their fabrication method
A multi-chip module and an integrated structure of the present invention including: at least one of either a terminal unit formation area expanded type integrated circuit chip, or a terminal unit formation area identical type integrated circuit chip; terminal unit formation areas of these integrated circuits that are covered with protective layers, and expanded wiring units and terminal units formed in the protective layers; one or a plurality of the terminal unit formation area expanded type and the terminal unit formation area identical type integrated circuit chip components that are two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally aligned in further protective layers; a horizontal or a vertical wiring formed for arbitrarily connecting the plurality of the integrated circuit chip components in the further protective layers.
US07977800B2 Semiconductor device and fabrication method for the same
The semiconductor device includes: a transistor having a gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate and first and second source/drain regions formed in portions of the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode; a gate interconnect formed at a position opposite to the gate electrode with respect to the first source/drain region; and a first silicon-germanium layer formed on the first source/drain region to protrude above the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The gate interconnect and the first source/drain region are connected via a local interconnect structure that includes the first silicon-germanium layer.
US07977799B2 Planar packageless semiconductor structure with via and coplanar contacts
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first side and a second side and an epitaxial layer disposed over the second side. The device also includes a conductive via extending through the epitaxial layer to the second side and comprising a conductive contact; and a bond pad disposed over the epitaxial layer and comprising a conductive material, wherein the semiconductor is not provided in a package.
US07977798B2 Integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate with a barrier layer
An integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate with a barrier layer is disclosed. The arrangement includes a semiconductor substrate and a metallic element. A carbon-based barrier layer is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the metallic element.
US07977797B2 Integrated circuit with contact region and multiple etch stop insulation layer
The present invention is a semiconductor contact formation system and method. Contact insulation regions are formed with multiple etch stop sublayers that facilitate formation of contacts. This contact formation process provides relatively small substrate connections while addressing critical lithographic printing limitation concerns in forming contact holes with small dimensions. In one embodiment, a multiple etch stop insulation layer comprising multiple etch stop layers is deposited. A contact region is formed in the multiple etch stop insulation layer by selectively removing (e.g., etching) some of the multiple etch stop insulation layer. In one embodiment, a larger portion of the multiple etch stop insulation layer is removed close to the metal layer and a smaller portion is removed closer to the substrate. The different contact region widths are achieved by performing multiple etching processes controlled by the multiple etch stop layers in the multiple etch stop insulation layer and spacer formation to shrink contact size at a bottom portion. Electrical conducting material (e.g., tungsten) is deposited in the contact region.
US07977794B2 Aluminum metal line of a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method of forming an aluminum line of a semiconductor device where first A metal thin layer, a first aluminum layer, and a first B metal thin layer are sequentially applied on an interlayer insulating layer. A photolithography process is performed to form a metal line pattern, and etching is performed thereon. An intermetallic dielectric layer is applied on the metal line pattern. The first B metal thin layer is removed by a chemical mechanical planarization process to form a first stage metal line. A second aluminum layer and a second metal thin layer are sequentially applied. Photoresist is applied, a photolithography process is performed to form a metal line pattern, and etching is performed to form a second stage metal line. An intermetallic dielectric layer is applied on the second stage metal line. A chemical mechanical planarization process is performed on the second intermetallic dielectric layer.
US07977790B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
When manufacturing a semiconductor device by mounting a semiconductor chip 2 on a substrate 1 with a flip-chip method, projections 9 are formed between pads 4 arranged in multiple annular concentric layers on the semiconductor chip 2 other than pads 4 arranged along the innermost periphery thereof. On the substrate 1, bonding resin 3 is dispensed onto an area inside the innermost periphery along which the pads 4 are arranged. By heating and applying pressure, the bonding resin 3 is spread over the entire gap between the substrate 1 and the semiconductor chip 2 so as to secure the substrate 1 to the semiconductor chip 2 by the bonding resin 3, thereby preventing a void from being formed in an area outside the innermost periphery along which the pads 4 are arranged and thus stabilizing an electrical connection state between the semiconductor chip 2 and the substrate 1.
US07977786B2 Saw debris reduction in MEMS devices
An improved MEMS device and method of making. Channels are formed in a first substrate around a plurality of MEMS device areas previously formed on the first substrate. Then, a plurality of seal rings are applied around the plurality of MEMS device areas and over at least a portion of the formed channels. A second substrate is attached to the first substrate, then the seal ring surrounded MEMS device areas are separated from each other. The channels include first and second cross-sectional areas. The first cross-sectional area is sized to keep saw debris particles from entering the MEMS device area.
US07977782B2 Integrated circuit package system with dual connectivity
An integrated circuit package system includes: forming a lead having a both top contact portion and a bottom contact portion; connecting an integrated circuit die and the lead; and forming a package encapsulation, having a top side and a bottom side, over the integrated circuit die. The forming the package encapsulation includes partially exposing the top contact portion at the top side, and partially exposing the bottom contact portion along the bottom side with the bottom contact portion extending beyond a nonhorizontal portion of the package encapsulation.
US07977780B2 Multi-layer package-on-package system
A package-on-package system includes: providing a bottom package module incorporating a bottom package substrate; attaching a central internal stacking module, incorporating a central interposer, on top of the bottom package module; placing a spacer on the top surface of the central internal stacking module; mounting a first top package module, incorporating a first top interposer with an opening, on the spacer; and enclosing at least portions of the bottom package module, the central internal stacking module, and the first top package module with an encapsulant.
US07977779B2 Mountable integrated circuit package-in-package system
A mountable integrated circuit package-in-package system includes: providing an interface integrated circuit package system with a terminal having a plated bumped portion of an inner encapsulation; mounting the interface integrated circuit package system over a package carrier with the terminal facing away from the package carrier; connecting the package carrier and a pad extension of the terminal; and forming a package encapsulation over the interface integrated circuit package system with the terminal exposed.
US07977776B2 Multichip discrete package
A multichip discrete package with a leadframe having a plurality of leads and a first die attach pad (DAP), the first DAP having side portions that extend above the first DAP, a first discrete die bonded to the first DAP, at least a first wirebond which forms an electrical connections between the first discrete die and a first selected one of the plurality of leads, a metal plate attached to tops of the side portions forming a second DAP, a second discrete die bonded to the second DAP, at least a second wirebond which forms an electrical connections between the second discrete die and a second selected one of the leads; and encapsulating material formed around the first and second die and the first and second DAPs.
US07977770B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first pad including a first metal and an inter-connection line including the first metal in a scribe lane region; forming a second pad including the first metal in a chip region; sequentially forming an etch-stop layer and a first insulation layer on the first pad, the inter-connection line, and the second pad; exposing the first and second pads by patterning the etch-stop layer and the first insulation layer; forming third and fourth pads including a second metal on the first and second pads; sequentially forming second and third insulation layers on the third pad, the fourth pad, and the patterned first insulation layer; and etching the first, second, and third insulation layers using the patterned photosensitive layer on the third insulation layer to expose the third and fourth pads.
US07977768B2 Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece having a buried layer disposed beneath a top portion thereof. A trench is disposed in the workpiece extending at least through the buried layer. At least one sinker contact is disposed in the top portion of the workpiece. The at least one sinker contact is proximate sidewalls of at least a portion of the trench and is adjacent the buried layer. An insulating material is disposed on the sidewalls of the trench. A conductive material is disposed within the trench and is coupled to a lower portion of the workpiece.
US07977766B2 Trench anti-fuse structures for a programmable integrated circuit
Trench anti-fuse structures, design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a programmable integrated circuit. The anti-fuse structure includes a trench having a plurality of sidewalls that extend into a substrate, a doped region in the semiconductor material of the substrate proximate to the sidewalls of the trench, a conductive plug in the trench, and a dielectric layer on the sidewalls of the trench. The dielectric layer is disposed between the conductive plug and the doped region. The dielectric layer is configured so that a programming voltage applied between the doped region and the conductive plug causes a breakdown of the dielectric layer within a region of the trench. The trench sidewalls are arranged with a cross-sectional geometrical shape that is independent of position between a bottom wall of the deep trench and a top surface of the substrate.
US07977765B2 Antifuse circuit with well bias transistor
An antifuse circuit includes a terminal, an antifuse transistor, and a bias transistor. The antifuse transistor is formed on a substrate. The antifuse transistor is coupled to the terminal and includes a first gate terminal coupled to receive a first select signal. The bias transistor is coupled between the substrate and a bias voltage terminal. The bias transistor has a second gate terminal and is operable to couple the bias voltage terminal to the substrate responsive to an assertion of a bias enable signal at the second gate terminal.
US07977761B2 Controlled growth of a nanostructure on a substrate, and electron emission devices based on the same
The present invention provides for an array of nanostructures grown on a conducting substrate. The array of nanostructures as provided herein is suitable for manufacturing electronic devices such as an electron beam writer, and a field emission device.
US07977759B2 Fingerprint sensor chip package method and the package structure thereof
A fingerprint sensor chip package method and the package structure thereof are disclosed. The invention includes: providing a substrate; arranging a sensor chip on the substrate, with an active surface of the sensor chip facing upward; forming a patterned conductive colloid on the sensor chip, wherein the patterned conductive colloid extends from the periphery of the active surface of the sensor chip along the side wall of the sensor and electrically connects with the circuit layer of the substrate; forming a non-conductive film to cover the sensor chip, the patterned conductive colloid and a portion of the substrate; and forming a conductive film on the non-conductive film. The patterned conductive colloid replaces the conventional bond wires to improve the product yield and to omit the molding process. The conductive film is electrically connected with the grounding point/area on the substrate to dissipate the static charges for protecting the chip.
US07977751B2 Insulated gate field effect transistor and a method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is an insulated gate field effect transistor including: (A) a source/drain region and a channel formation region; (B) a gate electrode formed above the channel formation region; and (C) a gate insulating film; wherein the gate insulating film is composed of a gate insulating film main body portion formed between the gate electrode and the channel formation region, and a gate insulating film extension portion extending from the insulating film main body portion to a middle of a side surface portion of the gate electrode, and when a height of the gate electrode is HGate and a height of the gate insulating film extension portion is HIns with a surface of the channel formation region as a reference, a relationship of HIns
US07977750B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a semiconductor device in which a bottom-gate TFT or an inverted stagger TFT arranged in each circuit is suitably constructed in conformity with the functionality of the respective circuits, thereby attaining an improvement in the operating efficiency and reliability of the semiconductor device. In the structure, LDD regions in a pixel TFT are arranged so as not to overlap with a channel protection insulating film and to overlap with a gate electrode by at least a portion thereof. LDD regions in an N-channel TFT of a drive circuit is arranged so as not to overlap with a channel protection insulating film and to overlap with a gate electrode by at least a portion thereof. LDD regions in a P-channel TFT of the drive circuit is arranged so as to overlap with a channel protection insulating film and to overlap with the gate electrode.
US07977749B2 Semiconductor device with increased channel area
A semiconductor device includes an active region defining at least four surfaces, the four surfaces including first, second, third, and fourth surfaces, a gate insulation layer formed around the four surfaces of the active region, and a gate electrode formed around the gate insulation layer and the four surfaces of the active region.
US07977748B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device having a first semiconductor region and second semiconductor region including impurities formed on an insulating layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, an insulator formed between the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region, a first impurity diffusion control film formed on the first semiconductor region and a second impurity diffusion control film formed on the second semiconductor region, a channel layer formed on the first impurity diffusion control film and second impurity diffusion film to cross at right angles with a direction where the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region are extended, a gate insulating film formed on the channel layer and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer.
US07977747B2 Composite substrate and method of fabricating the same
The invention specifically relates to methods of fabricating a composite substrate by providing a first insulating layer on a support substrate at a thickness of e1 and providing a second insulating layer on a source substrate at a thickness of e2, with each layer having an exposed face for bonding; providing plasma activation energy in an amount sufficient to activate a portion of the thickness of the face of the first insulating layer emp1 and a portion of the thickness of the face of the second insulating layer emp1; providing a final insulating layer by molecular bonding the activated face of the first insulating layer with the activated face of the second insulating layer; and removing a back portion of the source substrate while retaining an active layer comprising a remaining portion of the source substrate bonded to the support substrate with the final insulating layer interposed therein to form the composite substrate. The thicknesses e1, e2 of the first and second insulating layers are sufficient to provide the final insulating layer with a thickness of 50 nanometers or less, and the plasma activation energy and respective thicknesses e1, e2 of the first and second insulating layers are selected such that only respective thicknesses emp1 and emp2 of the faces of the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are activated.
US07977740B2 Configuration of high-voltage semiconductor power device to achieve three dimensional charge coupling
This invention discloses semiconductor device that includes a top region and a bottom region with an intermediate region disposed between said top region and said bottom region with a controllable current path traversing through the intermediate region. The semiconductor device further includes a trench with padded with insulation layer on sidewalls extended from the top region through the intermediate region toward the bottom region wherein the trench includes randomly and substantially uniformly distributed nano-nodules as charge-islands in contact with a drain region below the trench for electrically coupling with the intermediate region for continuously and uniformly distributing a voltage drop through the current path.
US07977739B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
Generally, a power MOSFET mainly includes an active region occupying most of an internal region (a region where a gate electrode made of polysilicon or the like is integrated), and a surrounding gate contact region (where the gate electrode made of polysilicon or the like is derived outside a source metal covered region to make contact with a gate metal) (see FIG. 65 in a comparative example). Since the gate electrode made of polysilicon or the like has a stepped portion existing between both regions, a focus margin may be reduced in a lithography step, including exposure or the like, for formation of a contact hole for a source or for a gate. The invention of the present application provides a semiconductor device having a trench gate type power MISFET with a gate electrode protruding from an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, in which respective main upper surfaces of the gate electrode in an active region and a gate contact region are substantially at the same height.
US07977738B2 Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes bodies electrically floating; sources; drains; gate electrodes, each of which is adjacent to one side surface of the one of the bodies via a gate dielectric film; plates, each of which is adjacent to the other side surface of the one of the bodies via a plate dielectric film; first bit lines on the drains, the first bit lines including a semiconductor with a same conductivity type as that of the drains; and emitters on the semiconductor of the first bit lines, the emitters including a semiconductor with an opposite conductivity type to that of the semiconductor of the first bit lines, wherein the emitters are stacked above the bodies and the drains.
US07977736B2 Vertical channel transistors and memory devices including vertical channel transistors
A semiconductor device is provided which includes an NMOS vertical channel transistor located on a substrate and including a p+ polysilicon gate electrode surrounding a vertical p-channel region, and a PMOS vertical channel transistor located on the substrate and including an n+ polysilicon gate electrode surrounding a vertical n-channel region. The NMOS and PMOS vertical channel transistors are optionally operable in a CMOS operational mode.
US07977735B2 Stacked non-volatile memory device and methods for fabricating the same
A stacked non-volatile memory device comprises a plurality of bit line and word line layers stacked on top of each other. The bit line layers comprise a plurality of bit lines that can be formed using advanced processing techniques making fabrication of the device efficient and cost effective. The device can be configured for NAND operation.
US07977733B2 Non-volatile semiconductor storage device
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell area in which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are formed; and a peripheral circuit area in which transistors that configure peripheral circuits to control the memory cells are formed. The memory cell area has formed therein: a semiconductor layer formed to extend in a vertical direction to a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of conductive layers extending in a parallel direction to, and laminated in a vertical direction to the semiconductor substrate; and a property-varying layer formed between the semiconductor layer and the conductive layers and having properties varying depending on a voltage applied to the conductive layers. The peripheral circuit area has formed therein a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are formed on the same plane as each of the plurality of conductive layers and that are electrically separated from the conductive layers.
US07977732B2 Nonvolatile memory devices and methods of forming the same
Provided are nonvolatile memory devices and methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices. Nonvolatile memory devices include a device isolation layer that defines an active region in a substrate. Nonvolatile memory devices further include a first insulating layer, a nonconductive charge storage pattern, a second insulating layer and a control gate line that are sequentially disposed on the active region. The charge storage pattern includes a horizontal portion and a protrusion disposed on an upper portion of an edge of the horizontal portion.
US07977731B2 NOR flash memory and method of manufacturing the same
A NOR flash memory has a plurality of memory cell transistors, wherein each memory cell transistor shares the source diffusion layer with another memory cell transistor adjacent thereto on one side thereof in the column direction and shares the drain diffusion layer with another memory cell transistor adjacent thereto on the other side thereof in the column direction, and the width of the source diffusion layer in the column direction is narrower than the width of the drain diffusion layer in the column direction.
US07977730B2 Memory device and fabrication method thereof
A method of forming a memory device, where a first insulator layer and a charge trapping layer may be formed on a substrate, and at least one of the first insulator layer and charge trapping layer may be patterned to form patterned areas. A second insulation layer and a conductive layer may be formed on the patterned areas, and one or more of the conductive layer, second insulator layer, charge trapping layer and first insulator layer may be patterned to form a string selection line, ground selection line, a plurality of word lines between the string selection and ground selection lines on the substrate, a low voltage gate electrode, and a plurality of insulators of varying thickness. The formed memory device may be a NAND-type non-volatile memory device having a SONOS gate structure, for example.
US07977728B2 Non-volatile NAND memory semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes first, second gate electrodes, first, second diffusion layers, contact electrodes electrically connected to the first diffusion layers, a first insulating film which has concave portions between the first and second gate electrodes and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, a second insulating film which is formed on the first insulating film and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, and a third insulating film formed on the first diffusion layers, first gate electrodes, second diffusion layers and second gate electrodes with the second insulating film disposed therebetween in a partial region. The second insulating film is formed to fill the concave portions and a portion between the first and second gate electrodes has a multi-layered structure containing at least the first and second insulating films.
US07977727B2 Semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include methods of reflecting ions off of vertical regions of photoresist mask sidewalls such that the ions impact foot regions along the bottom of the photoresist mask sidewalls and remove at least the majority of the foot regions. In some embodiments, trenches may be formed adjacent the photoresist mask sidewalls in a material that is beneath the photoresist mask. Another material may be formed to have projections extending into the trenches. Such projections may assist in anchoring said other material to the material that is beneath the photoresist mask. In some embodiments, the photoresist mask is utilized for patterning flash memory structures. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having materials anchored to underlying materials through fang-like projections.
US07977726B2 DRAM cell with enhanced capacitor area and the method of manufacturing the same
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and the method of manufacturing the same are provided. The DRAM cell includes a cell transistor and a cell capacitor. The cell capacitor includes a first, second and third dielectric layer, and a first, second and third capacitor electrode. The first dielectric layer is located on a first capacitor electrode. The second capacitor electrode is located on top of the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is located on the second capacitor electrode. The third capacitor electrode is located on the second dielectric layer and is electrically connected with the drain. The third dielectric layer is located between the third capacitor electrode and the gate for isolating the gate from the third capacitor electrode.
US07977725B2 Integrated circuit semiconductor device including stacked level transistors
An integrated circuit semiconductor device includes a first transistor formed at a lower substrate and configured with at least one of a vertical transistor and a planar transistor. A bonding insulation layer is formed on the first transistor, and an upper substrate is bonded on the bonding insulation layer. A second transistor configured with at least one of a vertical transistor and a planar transistor is formed at the upper substrate. The first transistor and the second transistor are connected by an interconnection layer.
US07977710B2 Solid state imaging device
A solid state imaging device in which Υ characteristic is obtained and enlargement of dynamic range is provided. The solid state imaging device of the present invention includes a vertical overflow function and has a feature in which potential of a semiconductor substrate is changed from a high potential to a low potential in a stepwise manner during a period from an exposure start to an exposure end.
US07977709B2 MOS transistor and semiconductor device
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a MOS transistor includes a semiconductor layer including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region. A gate structure is arranged above the channel regions. A source wiring structure is arranged above the source region and is connected to the source region. A drain wiring structure is arranged above the drain region and is connected to the drain region. The width of the source wiring structure is larger than the width of the drain wiring structure, and the height of the source wiring structure is smaller than the height of the drain wiring structure, or vice versa.
US07977708B1 HBT/FET process integration
A co-integrated HBT/FET apparatus and system, and methods for making the same, are disclosed. A co-integrated HBT/FET apparatus may include a first epitaxial structure formed over a substrate, the first epitaxial structure forming, at least in part, a FET device, a separation layer formed over the first epitaxial structure, and a second epitaxial structure formed over the separation layer, the second epitaxial structure forming, at least in part, a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) device.
US07977707B2 Capacitorless DRAM having a hole reserving unit
Provided are a capacitorless DRAM and methods of manufacturing the same. The capacitorless DRAM may include a substrate including a source, a drain and a channel, a gate on the channel of the substrate, and a hole reserving unit below the channel.
US07977704B2 Semiconductor device having insulated gate semiconductor element, and insulated gate bipolar transistor
A semiconductor device having an IGBT includes: a substrate; a drift layer and a base layer on the substrate; trenches penetrating the base layer to divide the base layer into base parts; an emitter region in one base part; a gate element in the trenches; an emitter electrode; and a collector electrode. The one base part provides a channel layer, and another base part provides a float layer having no emitter region. The gate element includes a gate electrode next to the channel layer and a dummy gate electrode next to the float layer. The float layer includes a first float layer adjacent to the channel layer and a second float layer apart from the channel layer. The dummy gate electrode and the first float layer are coupled with a first float wiring on the base layer. The dummy gate electrode is isolated from the second float layer.
US07977702B2 Surface textured LEDs and method for making the same
A light-emitting device that includes an LED and a light extraction layer and the method for making the same are disclosed. The LED includes a substrate on which an active layer is sandwiched between a p-type layer and an n-type layer, the active layer generating light in a band of wavelengths about a central wavelength when holes and electrons recombine therein. The n-type layer, active layer, and p-type layer are formed on the substrate. First and second electrodes for providing a potential difference between the p-type layer and the n-type layer are included in the LED. The light extraction layer includes a clear layer of material having a first surface in contact with a surface of the LED and a second surface having light scattering features with dimensions greater than 0.5 times the central wavelength. The material of the clear layer can be polycrystalline or amorphous.
US07977696B2 Light-emitting element mounting substrate, light-emitting element package, display device, and illumination device
A light emitting element mounting substrate that enables a high quality light emitting element package to be readily manufactured with minimal variations in the chromaticity when manufacturing a white LED, a light emitting element package that employs the substrate, and a display device and illumination device that employs this package, are provided. In the light emitting element mounting substrate, at least a light emitting element mounting portion of a surface of a core metal is coated with a fluorescent enamel layer that consists of a fluorescent material-containing glass. In the light emitting element package, a light emitting element is mounted on the light emitting element mounting substrate, and the light emitting element is sealed with a transparent sealing resin.
US07977693B2 Semiconductor light-emitting material with tetrahedral structure formed therein
A semiconductor light-emitting material includes a semiconductor substance including a matrix semiconductor whose constituent atoms are bonded to form a tetrahedral structure, an impurity atom S substituted for an atom in a lattice site of the matrix semiconductor, and an impurity atom I inserted in a interstitial site of the matrix semiconductor, the impurity atom S and the impurity atom I being bonded through charge transfer therebetween in a state that the impurity atom S has an electric charge coincident with that of the constituent atom of the matrix semiconductor and the impurity atom I has an electron configuration of a closed shell structure, in which the semiconductor substance is stretched in a direction of a bond forming the tetrahedral structure.
US07977692B2 SMT LED with high light output for high power applications
A method and apparatus is described for a light-emitting diode with high light output. A polymeric cup to reflect light holds a light-emitting diode chip connected to surface-mounting leads and is filled with an optically clear filter. The use of a polymeric cup allows for better bonding between the cup and the filler.
US07977690B2 Techniques for use of nanotechnology in photovoltaics
Techniques for combining nanotechnology with photovoltaics are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a photovoltaic device is provided comprising the following steps. A plurality of nanowires are formed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of nanowires attached to the substrate comprises a nanowire forest. In the presence of a first doping agent and a first volatile precursor, a first doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the nanowire forest. In the presence of a second doping agent and a second volatile precursor, a second doped semiconductor layer is conformally deposited over the first doped layer. The first doping agent comprises one of an n-type doping agent and a p-type doping agent and the second doping agent comprises a different one of the n-type doping agent and the p-type doping agent from the first doping agent. A transparent electrode layer is deposited over the second doped semiconductor layer.
US07977688B2 Light emitting device, light emitting system having the same, and fabricating method of the light emitting device and the light emitting system
A semiconductor device includes a first light emitting chip, the first light emitting chip having a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a first active layer disposed therebetween, a second light emitting chip disposed on the first light emitting chip, the second light emitting chip having a third semiconductor layer, a fourth semiconductor layer, and a second active layer disposed therebetween, and a conductive layer disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer and the fourth semiconductor layer having different conductivity types.
US07977683B2 Light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure comprising an active layer to generate first light, a first conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer so that the active layer is disposed between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers, wherein a portion of the light emitting structure is implanted with at least one element which generates second light from the first light.
US07977680B2 Semiconductor device having thin film transistors on a metal substrate
In a semiconductor device having a substrate which has a metal surface, an insulating film which is formed on the substrate having the metal surface, and a pixel unit which is formed on the insulating film; the pixel unit includes a TFT, and wiring lines connected with the TFT, and a storage capacitor is constituted by the substrate (11) having the metal surface, the insulating film (12), and the wiring line (21). As the insulating film is thinner, and as the area of a region where the insulating film and the wiring line lie in contact is larger, the storage capacitor is endowed with a larger capacity.
US07977679B2 Thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of gate lines formed on the substrate, a plurality of data lines, and an insulating layer. Each of the gate lines include a plurality of gate electrodes. The data lines cross the gate lines with insulation therebetween. Each of the data lines include a plurality of source electrodes. A plurality of drain electrodes face the source electrodes. The insulating layer is formed on the gate lines, the data lines, and the drain electrodes. A plurality of pixel electrodes are formed on the insulating layer and connected to the drain electrodes. The insulating layer has an opening or a trench and the opening or the trench is disposed in a part of the insulating layer that is not covered by the pixel electrodes.
US07977677B2 Thin-film transistor substrate, method of manufacturing the same and display apparatus having the same
In a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate, a gate insulating layer is disposed on a gate electrode electrically connected to a gate line. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer. A source electrode is electrically connected to a data line that intersects the gate line. A drain electrode faces the source electrode and defines a channel area of a semiconductor layer. An organic layer is disposed on the data line and has a first opening exposing the channel area. An inorganic insulating layer is disposed on the organic layer. A pixel electrode is disposed on the inorganic insulating layer and electrically connected to the drain electrode. The inorganic insulating layer covers the first opening, and thickness of the inorganic insulating layer is substantially uniform.
US07977676B2 Thin film transistor array substrate with organic sol compound passivation layer
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a method for fabricating the thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate is disclosed, wherein a passivation layer is directly subjected to exposing and patterning processes without using any photoresist, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and ensuring reduced preparation costs. In particular, the method comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) array comprising: forming a gate line and a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a semiconductor layer to be insulated from the gate electrode, and overlapped with a portion of the gate electrode; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on both sides of the semiconductor layer, respectively, while forming a data line intersecting with the gate line; forming a passivation layer over an entire upper surface of the substrate including the source electrode and the drain electrode using a sol compound of a metal alkoxide having a photosensitive group X and a silicon alkoxide having a photosensitive group Y; light-exposing and developing the passivation layer to form a contact hole through which the drain electrode is exposed; and forming a pixel electrode to be in contact with the drain electrode through the contact hole.
US07977672B2 Organic light-emitting device with field-effect enhanced mobility
A two-terminal organic light-emitting device structure is presented with low absorption losses and high current densities. Light generation and emission occur at a predetermined distance from any metallic contact, thereby reducing optical absorption losses. High current densities and thus high emitted light intensity are achieved by combining two types of conduction in one device: by combining space charge limited conduction and field-effect conduction or by combining ohmic conduction and field-effect conduction, thereby optimizing the current densities. This results in a very high local concentration of excitons and therefore a high light intensity, which can be important for applications such as organic lasers, and more in particular electrically pumped organic lasers.
US07977661B2 Memory having shared storage material
An integrated circuit includes a bit line, a plurality of access devices coupled to the bit line, and a plate of phase change material. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of phase change elements contacting the plate of phase change material and a plurality of first contacts. Each first contact is coupled between an access device and a phase change element.
US07977654B2 Writing apparatus and writing method
A writing apparatus includes a writing unit configured to a write a pattern onto a target workpiece, based on a writing data of the pattern to be written on the target workpiece, and a generation unit configured generate, after the pattern has been written, writing data of a figure code indicating a writing information of when the target workpiece is written, based on the writing information, wherein the writing unit further writes the figure code onto the target workpiece, based on the writing data of the figure code.
US07977652B2 Optical heater for cryogenic ion implanter surface regeneration
In an ion implanter, one or more optical heaters are disposed above a pair of support arms. The support arms have an engaged positioned which is disposed beneath a platen and a retractable position displaced vertically away from the platen and rotated away from the platen in a direction parallel to a planar surface thereof. When the support arms are in the retracted position, the one or more optical heaters is configured to provide optical energy incident on surfaces of the cooling pads disposed on the support arms for removal of unwanted materials thereon. In this manner, the optical heaters are used during a regeneration cycle of cryogenic surfaces in an ion implanter.
US07977650B2 Method and device for 3D reconstruction of the distribution of fluorescent elements
A device and method for processing fluorescence signals emitted after excitation by radiation coming from a radiation source, by at least one fluorophore with a lifetime τ in a surrounding medium, which signals are detected by detection means, and which method includes the calculation, on the basis of detected fluorescence signals, of values of a variable, independent of τ, of the position or the distribution of fluorophore in said medium.
US07977645B1 Mixed cesium sodium and lithium halide scintillator compositions
The present invention relates to scintillator compositions and related devices and methods. The scintillator may include, for example, a mixed scintillator composition including at least two different CsXLa halide compounds and a dopant, wherein X is Na or Li. Related radiation detection devices and methods are further included.
US07977641B2 Scintillator, associated detecting device and method
A scintillator is provided, comprising: a composition of formula (Lu1-x-y-zCexInyM1z)2SiO5, wherein M1 is Y, Sc, Gd, or a combination thereof; 0.00001
US07977637B1 Honeycomb infrared detector
An absorber is disclosed. The disclosed absorber contains a base layer, and a pyramidally shaped absorbing material disposed above the base layer and configured to absorb an incident light and generate minority electrical carriers and majority electrical carrier, wherein the pyramidally shaped absorbing material defines a plurality of holes within it.
US07977635B2 Radiant energy imager using null switching
In some aspects, the present invention embodies both the method and apparatus for converting a pattern of irradiation to a visible image. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array of micro-electro-mechanical sensors with each sensor includes a deflectable micro-cantilever, responsive to absorbed incident radiation and to an applied repulsive electrostatic field. In an aspect, the sensor device also includes a null-sensing circuit coupled to a switch contact on or near the substrate, which senses when the micro-cantilever reaches its null location, by electrical connection with an upper switch contact on the micro-cantilever. Other embodiments are also described.
US07977634B2 Thermal imaging camera
A thermal imaging camera (1) is provided in which the utilization of the energy reserve carried along is improved in a thermal imaging camera. A sensor element (9) is provided at the carrying device of the thermal imaging camera. The sensor element (9) generates a switching signal for switching between a standby phase and an operating phase.
US07977629B2 Atmospheric pressure ion source probe for a mass spectrometer
An ion source able to ionize both liquid and gaseous vapors from interfaced liquid separation techniques and a solids/liquid atmospheric pressure (AP) probe. The liquid effluents are ionized by electrospray ionization, photoionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and the vapors released from a probe device placed in a heated gas stream in the AP source are ionized by a corona or Townsend electrical discharge or photoionization. The source has the ability to ionize compounds from both liquid and solid sources, which facilitates ionization of volatile and semivolatile compounds by applying heat from a gas stream as well as highly non-volatile compounds infused by electrospray or separated by liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis.
US07977626B2 Time of flight mass spectrometry method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for performing time of flight mass spectrometry wherein the number of sums of transients taken for generating a given spectra is determined as a function of a characteristic of the incoming data for that spectrum. For instance, the number of transient measurements taken for a given spectrum output can be determined as a function of the abundance of ions in the sample or the abundance of ions corresponding to a base peak or another selected peak. In yet another embodiment, the collection of transients is terminated when a threshold signal to noise ratio is attained.
US07977621B2 Thermochromic optical filter in which transition wavelength is variable and controllable by adjustable temperature of a chosen quantum well layer
A thermochromic optical filter incorporating quantum confinement devices is formed as multilayered composite film of semiconducting materials. A quantum well adjacent a barrier layer ensures proper confinement of charge carriers within the well. A transition wavelength (i.e., the energy/wavelength at which the filter becomes transparent) is established by selecting a quantum well material with a bandgap near the desired energy and a barrier layer material with a higher bandgap. For a given reference temperature (e.g., room temperature), the exact transition wavelength is fixed by the thickness of the quantum well. The quantum confinement energy is added to the bandgap energy to yield the transition energy. A thermal control system varies the temperature of the thermochromic filter to adjust the transition wavelength. Temperature changes affect both the bandgap and the quantum confinement energy, and thus the optical properties of the thermochromic filter. The thermochromic filter may function as a longpass filter.
US07977620B2 Laser-welding method for stacked workpieces
A laser welding method for stacked workpieces. A laser irradiation diameter that is irradiated on a surface of one workpiece among two stacked workpieces is set such that a laser irradiation diameter at a weld ending-edge portion is equal to or greater than approximately 1.5 times a laser irradiation diameter at a weld starting-edge portion. Thus, at the weld ending-edge portion, the material is melted in a wider area compared to a conventional example, and therefore, the melted material is supplied to the center portion of the weld ending-edge portion while the weld ending-edge portion is solidifying. As a result, a depth of the recess at the weld ending-edge portion can be made shallow enough to guarantee the welding quality of each of the workpieces.
US07977618B2 Testing of transimpedance amplifiers
Testing is performed on an amplifier wafer housing a transimpedance amplifier prior to packaging the transimpedance amplifier with an external photodetector, wherein the transimpedance amplifier includes a small, auxiliary, integrated silicon photodetector provided at the input of the transimpedance, in parallel with external photodetector attachment points. To test the transimpedance amplifier, the transimpedance amplifier is stimulated by optically exciting the small auxiliary photodetector, wherein the small auxiliary photodetector is excited using short wavelength light, whereby advantages such as higher efficiency may be obtained. The testing method includes placing the amplifier wafer in a testing system, probing the power and ground connections on the amplifier wafer, illuminating the small auxiliary photodetector on the amplifier wafer, and detecting the output of the transimpedance amplifier housed on the amplifier wafer.
US07977610B2 Device for receiving ceramic heating elements and method for the manufacture thereof
A device and a method for receiving ceramic heating elements (PTC elements, cold conductors) in a heating device, use an insulating frame and at least one contact plate held by the latter and on which the heating elements can be placed. The device is characterized in that the contact plate is frictionally held in the frame. The method is characterized in that at least on the contact plate side remote from the heating element reception side is moulded on or spread a layer of the following materials: plastic, polymer ceramic, ceramic.
US07977604B2 Wire drive roll
A drive roll for advancing a wire is provided. In certain embodiments, the drive roll includes a body having a wire feed portion, a mounting portion, and a central aperture through the body. In one embodiment, the feed portion includes an outer circumferential surface of the drive roll and a plurality of grooves for receiving and advancing various wires, while the mounting portion includes mounting features that are each uniquely associated with only one of the grooves. Various wire feed systems and welding systems are also provided.
US07977601B2 X and Y orthogonal cut direction processing with set beam separation using 45 degree beam split orientation apparatus and method
An X & Y orthogonal cut apparatus for scribing a pair of parallel cuts on a planar workpiece, the workpiece plane having an X-axis and a Y-axis, where the apparatus includes a laser device generating at least two beams including a first beam and a second beam, the first beam and the second beam each having an impact point on the workpiece, the first and second impact points being positioned diagonally with respect to the X and Y axes of the workpiece, and at least one actuator to move at least one of the impact points relative to the workpiece and the workpiece relative to the impact points.
US07977597B2 Wire bonders and methods of wire-bonding
Wire bonders and methods of wire-bonding are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a wire to a terminal of a microelectronic component and generating an arc between a first electrode and a second electrode to sever the wire at a point at least proximate to the first and second electrodes. In another embodiment, a wire bonder includes a bond head having a capillary, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed relative to the bond head, and a controller operably coupled to the first and second electrodes. The controller has a computer-readable medium containing instructions to perform the above-mentioned method.
US07977595B2 Automatic discharging apparatus for closing spring in air circuit breaker and air circuit breaker having the same
Provided are an air circuit breaker capable of allowing a closing spring to be automatically discharged at a pulled-out position in a pull-out type air circuit breaker and an automatic discharging apparatus for the closing spring in the air circuit breaker, the automatic discharging apparatus for the closing spring comprising a cam shaft rotation preventing unit installed on a cam shaft allowing the closing spring to be charged or discharged and configured to restrict the rotation of the cam shaft by an elastic restoring force of the closing spring, and a unit for releasing the cam shaft rotation preventing unit connected to the cam shaft rotation preventing unit and configured to allow the cam shaft to be rotated by the elastic restoring force of the closing spring according to positions where a main body of the air circuit breaker is pulled out of a cradle.
US07977592B2 Double break disconnect/contact system
The present invention relates generally to a mechanism of a contact system for circuit breakers. More particularly, the invention encompasses a mechanism for a rotary double-break contact system, which enables a direct transfer of torque from stored energy components, such as, springs, to the contact arm in the ON-position (contacts closed) without using intermediate cam surface. The mechanism described in the invention also ensures reliable locking of the contact arm in the blow-off position using stationary means that are integral with or fixed to a crossbar module. This invention enables to achieve significant reduction or even to eliminate friction at certain critical interfaces between the contact mechanism components, thus, reducing or potentially eliminating hysteresis, and improving performance consistency, and also eliminating mechanism performance dependency on wear level and condition of an intermediate cam surface. An additional feature of this invention is a reduction of a loss of contact torque/force during over-travel in the ON position when the fixed and/or moveable contacts erode. Configurations described in this invention may also feature physical protection for the moving components of the contact mechanism assembly from flying particles resulting from short circuit shots.
US07977591B2 Liquid level monitor including electromechanical float switch having reduced liquid migration into the switch
A liquid level monitor (100) includes a liquid bowl cavity (102) having a liquid sampling port (106). A switching device cavity (104) is formed within an upper portion of the housing (105) having an electromechanical switching device (112) therein. A separator (116) is between the liquid bowl cavity (102) and the switching device cavity (104). A venting pathway (120) including a vent passage (122) is for equalizing pressure between a region over the liquid in the liquid bowl cavity (102) and the switching device cavity (104). A liquid level indicator including a float (131) is positioned in the liquid bowl cavity (102) for indicating the height of the liquid. The liquid level indicator (131) actuates the electromechanical switching device (112) when the fluid level falls below a predetermined level. A mechanical barrier (115) is positioned in the venting pathway (120) for redirecting liquid back into the liquid bowl cavity (102).
US07977590B2 Switch lockout device
A lockout device for a switch assembly includes a body and first and second laterally extending pins and a cam member assembled with the body. The laterally extending pins are laterally movable between hole engaging and hole disengaging positions. The cam member is pivotable with respect to the body between locking and unlocked positions. When the cam member is in the locking position, the cam member holds the first and second pins in the hole engaging position. When the cam member is in the unlocked position, the first and second pins are movable from the hole engaging position to the hole disengaging position. The body defines a lock opening configured to receive a lock member to secure the cam member in the locking position.
US07977586B2 Weight sensor and balance controller for a blood purification system
A weight sensor includes an arm having an end fixed to a pillar and a free end; a filtrate holder, a replacement fluid holder, and a dialysate holder provided at three locations of the arm along a longitudinal direction of the arm to hold respective substances; a first strain value sensor, a second strain value sensor, and a third strain value sensor each of which detects a strain value of the arm corresponding to a total weight of the substances held by the holders ranging from a holder proximate to the free end to a corresponding holder; and a weight calculation unit that calculates the total and each of the weights from the obtained detection results.
US07977584B2 Electric apparatus module
The invention provides an electric apparatus unit which can be easily assembled. The electric apparatus module includes an upper case, a lower case assembled with the upper case and having an opening, an electric apparatus unit accommodated in the upper case and the lower case, a connection unit including a board, a connector mounted on the board and connected to the electric apparatus unit, and a connecting member, a first end of the connecting member attached to the board and a second end of the connecting member guided to outside of the lower case through the opening, and an assembling portion provided on the connection unit and the lower case and assembling the connection unit to the lower case, the assembling portion enabling the board to move along surficial direction of the board and restricting the board to move in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the board.
US07977583B2 Shielded cable interface module and method of fabrication
A shielded cable interface module having cable receiving grooves extending laterally to an edge of the board, each including a center conductor groove, an insulator groove, and a shield groove. A center conductor via and a shield via extend through the board. A conductor plane on the cable termination side surrounds the cable receiving grooves. The conductor plane includes a non-conductor region within the conductor plane adjacent to each of the conductor center conductor grooves. Ground vias associated with the cable receiving grooves are spaced apart from and partially surround the center conductor via outside and adjacent to the non-conductor region, the ground vias extend through the printed circuit board from the cable termination side to the system interface side.
US07977582B2 Flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with reduced EMI emissions
A flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with shield fences. The flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with multiple conductive layers includes logic ground vias that connect logic ground plane layers together, and shield vias that connect a top and a bottom shield plane layer together. Each of the shield fences is formed between the shield vias on an outside perimeter of each of the conductive layers. Each of the shield fences contains the logic ground vias inside, and also contains each corresponding conductive layer in the horizontal direction to which each layer extends.
US07977575B2 High performance data cable
A high performance data cable which has an interior support or star separator. The star separator or interior support extends along the longitudinal length of the data cable. The star separator or interior support has a central region. A plurality of prongs or splines extend outward from the central region along the length of the central region. Each prong or spline is adjacent with at least two other prongs or splines. The prongs or splines may be helixed or S-Z shaped as they extend along the length of the star separator or interior support. Each pair of adjacent prongs or splines defines grooves which extend along the longitudinal length of the interior support. At least two of the grooves have disposed therein an insulated conductor. The interior support can have a first material and a different second material. The different second material forms an outer surface of the interior support.
US07977573B1 Solderless cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) joint
A cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) joint for use with a hybrid magnet. An elongate copper member is disposed in sandwiched relation between a first and second cable that are disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another. A first elongate member is disposed in overlying relation to the first cable and a second elongate member is disposed in underlying relation to the second cable. All of the parts are positioned within a joint box, and the joint box is sandwiched between first and second flat plates that are interconnected to one another by elongate bolts. Tightening the bolts compresses the parts within the joint box. A heat treatment completes the solderless joint.
US07977572B1 Electrical device cover
An electrical device cover with a rotatable lid. An implementation of a weatherproof electrical device cover may include a base unit having a face, an electrical device aperture, and a box mounting screw aperture therethrough. A lid may be rotatably coupled to the base unit and rotate over the base unit in a plane substantially parallel with the base unit. The lid may cover the electrical device aperture of the base unit when the lid is closed over the base unit.
US07977563B2 Overdubbing device
A CPU of an overdubbing device plays back a music file recorded in a memory card of the device and outputs the file as a played-back audio signal while mixing the played-back audio signal with an external audio signal input from the outside, to thus perform overdubbing. A music file recorded through overdubbing last time is automatically set as a playback music file for the next time, and a selected state of means for selecting execution/nonexecution of overdubbing is maintained as the state of execution. As a result, overdubbing is enabled by twice operations of a record key, whereby the operation is made identical with operation performed during ordinary recording. Further, playback is performed by changing either playback speed or musical interval of the playback music file.
US07977562B2 Synthesized singing voice waveform generator
Various technologies for generating a synthesized singing voice waveform. In one implementation, the computer program may receive a request from a user to create a synthesized singing voice using the lyrics of a song and a digital file containing its melody as inputs. The computer program may then dissect the lyrics' text and its melody file into its corresponding sub-phonemic units and musical score respectively. The musical score may be further dissected into a sequence of musical notes and duration times for each musical note. The computer program may then determine a fundamental frequency (F0), or pitch, of each musical note.
US07977556B2 Music notation system
The invention relates to a music notation system that obviates the need for one to have any knowledge of conventional music notation in order to play a keyboard, including those that are a component of a conventional musical instrument, those that are a component of an electronic musical instrument and those that are configured as a user interface with a computer system and/or video game.
US07977555B2 Method of modifying the frequency response of a wooden article
Disclosed is a method for modifying the frequency response of a wooden article by exciting the article with acoustic energy. Frequency response is the measure of a system's spectrum response at the output due to a signal of varying frequency (but constant amplitude) at its input. The acoustic energy includes at least one excitation frequency, a composite broadband frequency component, or a combination thereof, which is preferably in the audible spectrum (20 to 20,000 Hz). The use of acoustic energy from the remote source provides non-contact excitation of the wooden article. In one embodiment, the acoustic energy is at least one sound wave which comprises at least one resonant frequency of the wooden article, at least one acoustic mode of the wooden article, at least one discrete frequency, a broadband frequency component, or any combination thereof.
US07977554B1 Maize variety hybrid X7P215
A novel maize variety designated X7P215 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7P215 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7P215 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7P215, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7P215. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7P215.
US07977550B2 Non-toxic endophytes, plants injected therewith and methods for injecting plants
Seeds of plants stably infected with isolated endophytes selected from the group consisting of ATCC Deposit No. PTA-6499, PTA-8827, PTA-8828, and PTA-8829 are disclosed.
US07977549B2 Soybean variety D5824620
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5824620. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5824620. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5824620 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5824620 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07977547B1 Soybean variety XB26W09
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB26W09. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB26W09, to the plants of soybean XB26W09 to plant parts of soybean variety XB26W09 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB26W09 with another soybean plant, using XB26W09 as either the male or the female parent.
US07977540B2 Sclerotinia-resistant Brassica
The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB accession number 41393.
US07977539B2 Sclerotinia-resistant Brassica
The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB Accession Number 41388 or 41390.
US07977533B2 Genetic loci associated with iron deficiency tolerance in soybean
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying soybean plants that are tolerant, have improved tolerance or are susceptible to iron deficient growth conditions. The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct disease-tolerant plants or identify and counterselect disease-susceptible plants. Soybean plants that display tolerance or improved tolerance to Phytophthora root rot infection that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.
US07977526B2 Simulated countercurrent adsorptive separation process
A process is described for the separation of a first chemical compound from a liquid feed stream comprising at least first and second chemical compounds by simulated countercurrent adsorptive separation. In the process, the feed stream and a liquid desorbent stream are passed into at least one multi-bed adsorbent chamber at two different points via different transfer lines and an extract stream rich in the first chemical compound and a raffinate stream depleted in the first chemical compound are removed from the adsorbent chamber at two different points by two additional transfer lines. In addition, the contents of the transfer line which has just been used to supply the desorbent stream are flushed into the adsorbent chamber at a point along the chamber between the transfer line just used to supply the desorbent stream and the transfer line just used to withdraw the raffinate.
US07977521B2 Oxygenate to olefins process involving supercritcal conditions
This invention, in one embodiment, is drawn to a process for forming olefin product by contacting an oxygenate with an olefin-forming catalyst under supercritical conditions to form an olefin product. This invention also relates to methods for activating molecular sieve catalyst, regenerating molecular sieve catalyst, and forming and/or disposing a co-catalyst within a molecular sieve catalyst, each under supercritical conditions.
US07977517B2 Synthesis of liquid fuels and chemicals from oxygenated hydrocarbons
Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, to C4+ hydrocarbons, alcohols and/or ketones, by condensation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.
US07977515B2 Formaldehyde synthesis
A process is disclosed for the synthesis of formaldehyde from methane starting with the oxychlorination of methane to produce methylene chloride. Hydrolysis of methylene chloride yields the product formaldehyde. Gaseous formaldehyde is condensed for shipment. Byproduct chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are recovered and hydrogenated to provide additional methylene chloride.
US07977514B2 Process for isolation of an organic amine
The invention relates to a process for the isolation of an organic amine from a composition comprising the organic amine and an acid, or a salt of the organic amine and the acid, wherein the process comprises steps wherein ammonia or hydrazine is added to the composition thereby forming a multi-phase system comprising an organic amine-rich phase and an acid-rich phase, the organic amine-rich phase and the acid-rich phase obtained in step (i) are separated, and the organic amine is isolated from the organic amine-rich phase.
US07977513B2 Method and apparatus for producing mono-lower-alkylmonoalkanolamine
An amine producing apparatus includes a reactor that reacts a mono-lower-alkylamine and an alkylene oxide, an unreacted-raw-material-recovery distillation column that separates unreacted raw materials by distillation from a product including unreacted raw materials obtained in the reactor, a non-aqueous distillation column that removes water and a light component by a distillation method from a reactive product from which unreacted raw material have been separated, and a purification and distillation column that separates by distillation a desired reactive product (mono-lower-alkylmonoalkanolamine) and residue (mono-lower-alkyldialkanolamine which is a dimer) from a reactive product from which the water and the light component have been removed.
US07977512B2 Amine derivative, and production method and use thereof
Disclosed is a benzonitrile derivative which is useful as a production intermediate for benzylamine derivative represented by the general formula (5) below and s secondary amine derivative represented by the general formula (9) below. Also disclosed are a method for producing such a benzonitrile derivative and a use thereof as a bactericide. Specifically disclosed are a novel benzonitrile derivative represented by the general formula (1) below, a salt thereof, a production method thereof, and a use thereof as a pharmaceutical intermediate or a bactericide. [Chemical formula 1] (5) (In the formula, n represents an integer of 0-3, and R1 represents a hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms or the like.) [Chemical formula 2] (9) (In the formula, n and R1 are a defined above, and R4 represents a hydrogen, a linear or branched alkl group having 1-6 carbon atoms or the like.) [Chemical formula 3] (1) (In the formula, n represents an integer of 0-3, and R1 represents a hydrogen, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms or the like.)
US07977511B2 Carnitine conjugates of adamantanamines and neramexane derivatives as dual prodrugs for various uses
This invention concerns compounds of adamantanamines and neramexane, including their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, diesterioisomers, and formulations for treating Alzheimer's related dementias, depression, AIDS related dementias, as antivirals, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and cerebral ischemia, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
US07977510B2 Fluorine-containing polyether compound and process for producing the same
A fluorine-containing polyether compound having the following general formula: (where R1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group; X is a bromine atom or an iodine atom; l and m each are independently an integer of 10 or more; and l+m is 30-200) can be produced by reaction of a fluorine-containing dicarboxylic acid fluoride compound having the following general formula: (where l and m each are independently an integer of 10 or more, and l+m is 30-200) with an aromatic amine compound having the following general formula: [where R1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or a group represented by the general formula —SiR3R4R5 (where R3, R4 and R5 each are independently an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a phenyl group); and X is a bromine atom or an iodine atom] preferably in the presence of pyridine or a tertiary amine compound such as triethylamine, etc.
US07977507B2 Nateglinide crystals
Nateglinide M-type crystals (main peaks in powder X-ray diffraction: 6.0°, 14.2°, 15.2°, 18.8° (2θ)) can be produced by dissolving nateglinide in a solvent in which nateglinide is highly soluble and then adding a solvent in which nateglinide is difficultly soluble.
US07977504B2 Process for producing isocyanates and aromatic hydroxy compounds
An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing isocyanates, which are industrially useful compounds, without using phosgene, and to provide a process for chemically recycling waste polycarbonate resin. The present invention discloses a process enabling isocyanate compounds to be produced without using phosgene as a raw material by subjecting a carbamic acid ester compound obtained by a reaction between an aromatic polycarbonate resin and an amine compound to a thermal decomposition reaction, while at the same time disclosing a process enabling chemical recycling of aromatic polycarbonate resin by recovering a divalent aromatic hydroxy compound forming aromatic polycarbonates.
US07977500B2 Platinum complexes for targeted drug delivery
The subject invention concerns biotin-conjugated platinum complexes that exhibit direct and indirect (immunological) antitumor cell activity. The subject invention also concerns the biotin-platinum complexes of the invention that have another molecule, such as an antibody, a ligand, a receptor, etc., bound to the biotin moiety. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.
US07977492B2 Crystal of 3-[5-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoyl]-2-[(3-hydroxy-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-yl)methoxy]phenyl]propionic acid
The crystal of 3-{5-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoyl]-2-[(3-hydroxy-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-yl)methoxy]phenyl}propionic acid having peaks at the position of 14.0, 16.0, 23.3, 23.7 and 26.3° and the crystal of 3-{5-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoyl]-2-[(3-hydroxy-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-yl)methoxy]phenyl}propionic acid having peaks at the position of 14.6, 23.1, 24.7, 25.6 and 26.0° on 2θ of diffraction angle in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern have a small specific volume, are hard to be charged with electricity, are easily handled and are useful for an active pharmaceutical ingredient of excellent anti-rheumatic agents.
US07977485B2 2-heteroaryl carboxamides
The invention relates to novel 2-heteroaryl carboxamides and to the use thereof for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and for improving perception, concentration, learning and/or memory.
US07977480B2 Synthesis of paliperidone
A 9-hydroxy or 9-acyloxy group can be added to a pyridopyrimidinone ring structure by a process comprising acylating a compound of formula (5) under Vilsmeier-Haack or Friedel-Crafts conditions to form a compound (6); and transforming with a peroxo-compound to obtain the compound (1). R represents hydrogen or a C1-C20 acyl group. The process is useful in the synthesis of paliperidone and derivatives.
US07977478B2 Polymorphic forms of vardenafil
Crystalline polymorphic forms of vardenafil and vardenafil hydrochloride, and processes for preparing them.
US07977477B2 Benzimidazole derivatives and their use as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of the formula (I): The compounds have activity against cyclin dependent kinases, glycogen synthase kinase and Auroa kinases and are therefore useful to treat cancer and viral diseases.
US07977476B2 Methods of attaching biological compounds to solid supports using triazine
Disclosed are methods of attaching biologically active compounds to a solid surface, comprising modifying the solid surface using triazine chloride and attaching the biologically active compound to the triazine moiety.
US07977471B2 siRNA targeting TNFα
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to TNFα.
US07977469B2 Fad4, fad5, fad5-2, and fad6, novel fatty acid desaturase family members and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode novel fatty acid desaturase family members. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing desaturase nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g., DHA.
US07977468B2 Chromosome 3p21.3 genes are tumor suppressors
Tumor suppressor genes play a major role in the pathogenesis of human lung cancer and other cancers. Cytogenetic and allelotyping studies of fresh tumor and tumor-derived cell lines showed that cytogenetic changes and allele loss on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p) are most frequently involved in about 90% of small cell lung cancers and greater than 50% of non-small cell lung cancers. A group of recessive oncogenes, Fus1, 101F6, Gene 21 (NPRL2), Gene 26 (CACNA2D2), Luca 1 (HYAL1), Luca 2 (HYAL2), PL6, 123F2 (RaSSFI), SEM A3 and Beta* (BLU), as defined by homozygous deletions in lung cancers, have been located and isolated at 3p21.3.
US07977463B2 Polypeptide compounds for inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor growth
In certain embodiments, this present invention provides polypeptide compositions (e.g., antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof that bind to EphB4), and methods for inhibiting EphB4 activity. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for treating cancer or for treating angiogenesis-associated diseases.
US07977461B2 Anti-platelet membrane glycoprotein VI monoclonal antibody
The present invention provides an antibody which has the following features, its active fragment, or a derivative thereof: a) It specifically binds to human platelet membrane glycoprotein VI (GPVI); b) The function to activate a platelet and/or the function to induce a thrombocytopenia in vivo are low; and c) It at least partially depletes GPVI on the platelet membrane by contacting with a platelet.
US07977456B2 Apparatus and method for separation of liquid phases of different density and for fluorous phase organic syntheses
A simple, efficient apparatus and method for separating layers of immiscible or partially miscible liquids useful in methods of high-throughput combinatorial organic synthesis or parallel extraction of large libraries or megaarrays of organic compounds is disclosed. The apparatus and method are useful, whether as part of an automated, robotic or manual system for combinatorial organic synthesis or purification (extraction). In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus and method for separating layers of immiscible or partially miscible liquids compatible with microtiter plate type array(s) of reaction vessels is disclosed. Another application of centrifugation based liquid removal was found for washing the plates in biological assays or synthesis on modified substrates.
US07977455B2 Analogues of GLP-1
The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1, the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using such analogues to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefor comprising said analogues.
US07977454B2 Preparation of insulin conjugates
The present invention discloses a process for making an insulin-oligomer conjugate as a one-pot reaction by conjugation of insulin-ester with an activated oligomer wherein simultaneous deblocking and conjugation is carried out.
US07977453B2 Processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in shaped articles
The present invention relates to processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in shaped articles.
US07977450B2 Synthesis of caprolactam from lysine
In various embodiments, the present invention can involve a method of synthesizing α-amino-ε-caprolactam. The method can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol. In other embodiments, the present invention can involve methods for synthesizing ε-caprolactam. The methods can comprise heating a salt of L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol and deaminating the reaction product. In various embodiments, the invention can include methods of converting biomass into nylon 6. The methods can comprise heating L-lysine in a solvent comprising an alcohol to produce α-amino-ε-caprolactam, deaminating to produce ε-caprolactam and polymerizing into nylon 6, wherein the L-lysine is derived from the biomass. In other embodiments, the present invention can include methods of making nylon 6. The methods can comprise synthesizing ε-caprolactam and then polymerizing, wherein the ε-caprolactam is derived from L-lysine.
US07977446B2 Air-activated organotin catalysts for polyurethane synthesis
This invention relates to an organotin-based catalyst system for polyurethane synthesis that is useful in coatings applications. The catalyst has low activity in the absence of oxygen. When a coating mixture comprising the catalyst is sprayed and/or applied to a substrate as a thin film in air, the catalyst is activated. For solvent-based refinish systems comprising hydroxyl and isocyanate species at high solids levels, the catalyst system therefore provides extended viscosity stability, i.e., pot life.
US07977443B2 Copolymer rubber, rubber composition and rubber molded product
The invention provides a copolymer rubber excellent in processability in kneading and processability in extrusion; rubber compositions containing the rubber; and crosslinked moldings of the compositions excellent in sealing properties and shape retention. A random copolymer rubber of ethylene (A), a C3-20 α-olefin (B) and a nonconjugated polyene (C) which satisfies the following requirements (1) to (5): (1) the structural units (A) and (B) are contained at an (A)/(B) molar ratio of 40/60 to 95/5, (2) the structural unit (C) content is 0.01 to 5% by mole, (3) the limiting viscosity [η] is 1.0 to 5.0 dl/g as determined in decahydronaphthalene at 135°., (4) the Mw/Mn is 1 to 8, and (5) the P value is 0.46 to 1.00 as defined by formula (1): P=Ln(limiting viscosity [η])−5.0×105×η*(10) (1) (wherein Ln is a natural logarithm; and η*(10) is viscosity (Pa·sec) as determined at 190° C. and at 10 rad/sec.
US07977434B2 Polymeric hydrophobic aminonitrile quats used for bleach activation
The present invention relates to a polymer for use as a bleach activator, comprising the monomer units where n is an integer from 1 to 4 and R is a branched or unbranched, saturated hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, to processes for the preparation and to the use thereof as laundry detergents, cleaning compositions and disinfectant compositions, and also in textile bleaching and paper bleaching.
US07977421B2 Brominated diphenyl ethane mixtures and resin compositions including the same
A brominated diphenyl ethane mixture of the present invention comprises about 0 to about 2% by weight of pentabromodiphenyl ethane, about 55 to 85% by weight of hexabromodiphenyl ethane, about 1 to 20% by weight of heptabromodiphenyl ethane, about 1 to 25% by weight of octabromodiphenyl ethane, about 0 to about 10% by weight of nonabromodiphenyl ethane, and about 0 to about 5% by weight of decabromodephenyl ethane. The brominated diphenyl ethane mixture can be added to thermoplastic resin as a flame retardant, can exhibit excellent compatibility with thermoplastic resins, can minimize the generation of environmental problems, and can obtain excellent impact resistance, thermal stability, weatherability and flowability as well as improved flame resistance.
US07977420B2 Reactive material compositions, shot shells including reactive materials, and a method of producing same
A reactive material that includes at least one binder and at least one fuel, at least one oxidizer, or combinations thereof; at least one metal and at least one fuel; or at least two fuels. The reactive material is used in a reactive material shot shell in which at least a portion of a slug, shot, or combinations thereof are formed from the reactive material.
US07977418B2 Bisphenol monoester-based stabilizer composition, thermoplastic polymer composition and method of manufacturing the same, thermoplastic polymer molded product, and method of stabilizing thermoplastic polymer
The present invention provides a bisphenol monoester-based stabilizer composition that can improve resistance to discoloration at high temperature of a thermoplastic polymer compared with a conventional one using a bisphenol monoester-based stabilizer composition including a bisphenol monoester-based compound mainly, wherein a compound represented by the following formula: is contained in an area percentage by liquid chromatography analysis of 0.1 to 3%, a thermoplastic polymer composition and a method of manufacturing the thermoplastic polymer composition, a thermoplastic polymer molded product, and a method of stabilizing a thermoplastic polymer, as well as a thermoplastic polymer composition in which resistance to discoloration at high temperature is improved by using the stabilizer composition and a method of manufacturing the thermoplastic polymer composition, a thermoplastic polymer molded product, and a method of stabilizing a thermoplastic polymer.
US07977412B2 Epoxy resin composition and semiconductor device
An epoxy resin composition for encapsulating semiconductors which comprises as essential components (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a phenol resin, (C) a curing accelerator, (D) an inorganic filler and (E) a component comprising (e1) a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer having carboxyl group and/or (e2) a reaction product of (e1) a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer having carboxyl group with an epoxy resin, wherein the content of component (e1) in the entire epoxy resin composition is 0.01 to 1% by weight. The composition exhibits excellent releasing property in molding, continuous molding property and resistance to solder reflow.
US07977411B2 Foam/aerogel composite materials for thermal and acoustic insulation and cryogen storage
The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.
US07977407B1 Antifouling coating composition, antifouling coating film formed from the composition, coated object having the coating film on surface, and method of antifouling by forming the coating film
An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for forming an environment friendly antifouling coating film that can effectively exhibit an antifouling effect in seawater for a long period of time and furthermore exhibits a small temperature dependency of the coating film dissolving amount. The present invention provides an antifouling coating composition comprising: (A) a triorganosilyl ester-containing copolymer obtained by a mixture of (a) a triorganosilyl methacrylate monomer represented by a general formula (1) in which R1, R2, and R3 are equal or different each other, and each represent an alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbons and branched on α-position or a phenyl group, and (b) a methoxyalkyl methacrylate monomer represented by a general formula (2) in which R4 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbons, wherein a content ratio of the monomer (a) in the mixture is 45 to 65 weight %, and a total content of the monomer (a) and the monomer (b) in the mixture is 80 weight % or more, and a copper salt that is at least one member selected from the group consisting of rosin copper salts and copper salts of rosin derivatives.
US07977404B2 Tough, long-lasting dental composites
A dental composite containing a nanoparticulate filler has a resin matrix with structural element (Ib) R is an open-chain and/or cyclic alkylene, arylene, or alkylene arylene with 1-10 C, optionally modified by oxygen, sulfur, carboxyl or amino, R1 is an open-chain and/or cyclic alkylene, arylene, or alkylene arylene with 1-10 C, optionally modified by oxygen, sulfur, carboxyl or amino; R′ is an open-chain and/or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkyl aryl, or aryl alkyl with 1-20 C; B and B′ are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched organically polymerizable group with (meth)acrylate residue; R3 are identical or different and a bond to another Si or hydrogen, alkyl with 1-10 C, or a bond to another metal atom; a is 1 or 2 and b is 0 or 1.
US07977402B2 Radiation curable inks
Radiation curable ink compositions for impulse printheads are described. The compositions include a photoinitiator system, containing both a photocation polymerization initiator and a free-radical photoinitiator, an acrylate ester of a carboxylic acid ester, and at least one radiation curable material.
US07977398B2 UV-curable coatings and methods for applying UV-curable coatings using thermal micro-fluid ejection heads
An aqueous-based UV-curable fluid composition for use in a micro-fluid ejection device. The fluid composition includes a mixture of poly-functional compounds, a colorant compound, a photo-initiator and less than about 50 weight percent water based on a total weight of the fluid composition, wherein the fluid composition is substantially devoid of volatile organic carrier fluids.
US07977395B2 Electronically and ionically conductive porous material and method for manufacture of resin wafers therefrom
An electrically and ionically conductive porous material including a thermoplastic binder and one or more of anion exchange moieties or cation exchange moieties or mixtures thereof and/or one or more of a protein capture resin and an electrically conductive material. The thermoplastic binder immobilizes the moieties with respect to each other but does not substantially coat the moieties and forms the electrically conductive porous material. A wafer of the material and a method of making the material and wafer are disclosed.
US07977394B2 Triblock copolymers with acidic groups
Triblock copolymers useful for forming ion conductive membranes are provided. The triblock copolymers are characterized by having either a hydrophobic-hydrophilic-hydrophobic or a hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic polymer sequence that induces a microphase separated morphology. Variations in which the hydrophilic polymer sequence component includes either acid groups or salts of acid groups are also disclosed. Methods for forming an ion conductive membrane from the triblock copolymers are provided.
US07977393B2 Composition containing oxocarbon and use thereof
Provided is a polymer composition containing an oxocarbon and a polymer, further, a polymer composition that the oxocarbon are expressed by formula (1).
US07977391B2 Process for producing condensed-phase product from one or more gas-phase reactants
Process for the production of a condensed-phase product from one or more gas-phase reactants, by feeding one or more reactants into a reactor, in which reactor the one or more reactants react in the gas-phase in the presence of a solid catalyst having one or more catalyst components to produce at least one product which is in a condensed-phase under reaction conditions. The solid catalyst is present as a bed having two or more regions in which the contact time of the one or more gas-phase reactants with the one or more catalyst components is different.
US07977387B2 Aminobenzophenone compounds
The invention provides novel compounds according to formula I relates to compounds with the general formula I said compounds being useful, e.g. in the treatment of inflammatory, ophthalmic diseases or cancer.
US07977381B2 Platinum complexes and methods for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation
The subject invention concerns platinum complexes that exhibit antitumor cell and/or antiparasitic activity. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.
US07977380B2 Inhibitors of plasma kallikrein
The present invention provides compounds that inhibit the activity of plasma kallikrein (PK) and methods of preventing and treating the formation of thrombin during or after a PK dependent disease or condition, for example, after fibrinolysis treatment.
US07977378B1 Compositions and methods for enhancing weight-loss by cyclical administration of compounds
Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of obesity in a human in need of such treatment which comprises administration to the human of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of a weight loss enhancing beta-3-adrenergic compound of Cycle I, and a different weight loss enhancing adenylate cyclase receptor replenishing compound of Cycle II, in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, wherein the Compound of Cycle I and the compound of Cycle II are administered sequentially. The composition may be present as a kit having each sequence in blister packs.
US07977375B2 Antibiotic and method of production thereof
The invention relates to a novel antibiotic from the macrolactin group and a microbial method for production of macrolactins and a novel isolated Bacillus subtilis, of application as the producing strain for the known Macrolactin A and the novel derivative.
US07977374B2 Thiophene and thiazole substituted trifluoroethanone derivatives as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof. The compounds of the present invention are inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) and are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases, including cancer. Further, the compounds of the present invention are useful for treating neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia and stroke among other diseases.
US07977372B2 Ortho aminoamides for the treatment of cancer
Compounds of formula are HDAC inhibitors. These compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer in humans or animals.
US07977370B2 (Hetero)aryl cyclohexane derivatives
The invention relates to compounds that have an affinity to the μ-opioid receptor and the ORL 1-receptor, methods for their production, medications containing these compounds and the use of these compounds for the treatment of pain and other conditions.
US07977369B2 Medical compositions for intravesical treatment of bladder cancer
Methods for treating bladder cancer comprising intravesicular administration of a stabilized pharmaceutical formulation comprising 5-(1-aziridinyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-[(E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-enyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole-4,7-dione (EO9). More specifically, the stabilized pharmaceutical formulation is instilled in the bladder for a time sufficient to treat the cancer.
US07977368B2 Pyrazolopyrrolidines as inhibitors of gamma secretase
The invention provides compounds of Formula I wherein A, Y, R1, R1a, R2, and R2a are as described in the specification. Compounds of Formula I are useful in treating and/or preventing cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, methods of preparing compounds of Formula I, and methods of treating cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
US07977364B2 Indazoles, benzisoxazoles and benzisothiazoles and their use as estrogenic agents
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3, X, Y and A are as defined in the specification. The compounds are modulators of the estrogen receptors.
US07977361B2 Nitro-imidazole hypoxia imaging agent
The present invention relates to novel radioactively labeled bioreducible tracers of Formula I useful for detecting hypoxic tumors or ischemic tissue in vivo. In one embodiment, the tracers consist of a 2-nitroimidazole moiety, a triazole, metabolically stable linker with pharmacokinetics enhancing substituents, and a radioisotope. The preferred in vivo imaging modality is positron emission tomography.
US07977354B2 Heterocyclic compounds, their preparation and their use as medicaments, in particular as anti-alzheimer agents
The invention is related to compound which comprises at least one radical C═Y, Y being O or S, and an oxidable and non protonable nitrogen atom N wherein the distance (d) between the at least one carbon atom of the radical group C═Y and the nitrogen atom, when oxidized, is comprised between 0.3 and 0.8 nanometers. The invention is related to new heterocyclic compounds defined by formula G, their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to their use as therapeutic agents, particularly in the treatment of neurodegenerative or Alzheimer disease.
US07977349B2 Substituted quinolones III
The invention relates to substituted quinolones and to methods for their preparation as well as to their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for use as antiviral agents, particularly against cytomegaloviruses.
US07977347B2 Quinazoline based EGFR inhibitors
The present invention relates to quinazoline containing zinc-binding moiety based derivatives of formula I that have enhanced and unexpected properties as inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) and their use in the treatment of EGFR-TK related diseases and disorders such as cancer.
US07977343B2 Adenine derivatives
Novel adenine derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, X and Y have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are HSP90 inhibitors and can be used for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of HSP90 plays a role.
US07977340B2 Antibacterial compositions
Compounds of formula (I) have antibacterial activity: wherein: m is 0 or 1; Q is hydrogen or cyclopropyl; AIk is an optionally substituted, divalent C1-C6 alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene radical which may contain an ether (—O—), thioether (—S—) or amino (—NR)— link, wherein R is hydrogen, —CN or C1-C3 alkyl; X is —C(═O)NR6—, —S(O)NR6—, —C(═O)O— or —S(═O)O— wherein R6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, -Cyc, or —(C1-C3 alkyl)-Cyc wherein Cyc is optionally substituted monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic having 3-7 ring atoms; Z is N or CH, or CF; R2 and R3 are as defined in the description.
US07977337B2 Quinoline derivatives and their use as 5-HT6 ligands
Disclosed are quinoline compounds having affinity for the 5-HT6 receptor and having the formula: where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n, m, p and A are defined herein, and salts thereof, compositions containing these compounds and salts and processes for making and using the same.
US07977333B2 Substituted pyridines and pyridazines with angiogenesis inhibiting activity
Substituted and pyridines and pyridazines having angiogenesis inhibiting activity and the generalized structural formula wherein the ring containing A, B, D, E, and L is phenyl or a nitrogen-containing heterocycle; groups X and Y may be any of a variety of defined linking units; R1 and R2 may be defined independent substituents or together may be a ring-defining bridge; ring J may be an aryl, pyridyl, or cycloalkyl group; and G groups may be any of a variety of defined substituents. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these materials, and methods of treating a mammal having a condition characterized by abnormal angiogenesis or hyperpermiability processes using these materials are also disclosed.
US07977327B2 Substituted pyrrolidine derivative
A quinolone antibacterial compound, or a salt or hydrate of the compound, for the treatment of infectious diseases, which exhibit potent antibacterial activity and higher selective toxicity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which do not cause side effects (e.g., convulsion), which exhibit higher safety, and which has a structure of formula (I):
US07977325B2 3-amino-pyrazolo[3,4b]pyridines as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, their production and use as pharmaceutical agents
This invention relates to compounds of general formula I in which R1 and R2 are described in this application, the use of the compounds of general formula I as inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases for treatment of various diseases as well as the compounds of general formulas II and III as intermediate compounds for the production of compounds of general formula I, wherein X, R1a and R2a have the meaning that is described in general formulas II and III.
US07977323B2 C2-C5-alkyl-imidazole-bisphosphonates
C2-C5-Alkyl-substituted [(imidazol-1-yl)-1-hydroxy-1-phosphono-ethyl]-phosphonic acids, as well as methods or processes for their manufacture, their use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical formulations, their use in the treatment of diseases, methods of using them in the treatment of diseases, pharmaceutical formulations encompassing them and/or the compounds for use in the treatment of diseases, are described. The compounds are able to inhibit excessive or inappropriate bone resorption and for the treatment of other diseases which are caused by excessive prenylation of target proteins, such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. The compounds are of the formula I, wherein one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen and the other is C2-C5-alkyl that is branched or unbranched, and can be in free form, in the form of an ester, and/or of a salt.
US07977321B2 Small interfering RNAs targeting feline herpes virus
The present application provides polynucleotides, compositions thereof and methods of treating feline herpes virus infections. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotides and compositions thereof can be used to reduce replication of feline herpes simplex virus 1 (FHV-1) in vivo and/or in vitro.
US07977317B2 Compositions and methods for modulating blood-brain barrier transport
This invention provides conjugates of therapeutic or active agents with melanotransferrin or with other ligands of a melanotransferrin receptor, melanotransferrin receptor modulators, and related compositions and methods for modulating blood-brain barrier transport by providing methods of screening and selecting such conjugates, ligands, and modulators in vitro and in vivo, and methods of use of such conjugates, modulators and ligands in diagnosis and the treatment of diseases, including particularly diseases of the central nervous system or lysosomal storage diseases.
US07977315B2 Conjugated nitro alkene anticancer agents based on isoprenoid metabolism
Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).
US07977313B2 Methods and compositions for promoting localization of pharmaceutically active agents to bone
Compositions are provided comprising a family of peptides having binding specificity for bone, and their use to produce coating compositions. The coating compositions are used to deliver a pharmaceutically active agent to bone, and are used in methods related to bone implants, bone repair, and bone-related diseases.
US07977312B2 Compositions and methods for increasing bone mineralization
A novel class or family of TGF-β binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules.
US07977309B2 Methods of using motilin homologs
The present invention is directed to polynucleotides, polypeptides and peptide fragments thereof, and uses thereof for a novel cDNA sequence which has homology to motilin. Tissue distribution of the mRNA for the novel polypeptide is specific to the stomach, small intestine and pancreas. The present invention further includes agonists, antagonists, antibodies, host cells expressing the cDNA encoding the novel motilin homologs and methods for increasing gastric motility using the novel molecules.
US07977307B2 Method for reducing pain with ziconotide and morphine
The present invention is direct to a method of producing analgesia in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the subject an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyil, buprenorphine, and sufentanil, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the ω-conopeptide retains its potency and is physically and chemically compatible with the analgesic compound. A preferred route of administration is intrathecal administration, particularly continuous intrathecal infusion. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, an antioxidant, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivacaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and sufentanil.
US07977302B2 Detergent bar composition
A detergent composition comprising 40 to 80% by weight soap, 2 to 10% by weight Zinc oxide, and balance of other conventional ingredients, wherein at least 25% by weight of said soap is a salt of Lauric acid.
US07977298B2 Laundry articles
An article comprising a first pouch made of a water-soluble material containing a first solid and/or liquid composition and a second pouch made of a water-soluble material containing a second solid and/or liquid composition characterized in that at least one of the first and second pouches is made from a material which remains substantially intact when immersed in water under a first set of conditions but will readily dissolve or disintegrate when immersed in water under a second set of conditions.
US07977297B2 Liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition
The present invention relates to a liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition comprising an acid system, wherein the acid system comprises oxalic acid and a second acid selected from the group consisting of: maleic acid; lactic acid; glycolic acid; and sulphamic acid; and mixtures thereof.
US07977294B2 Gelled adhesive remover composition and method of use
The present invention includes a process using environmentally friendly materials for the removal of adhesive residues from hard substrates, particularly vehicles, e.g., cars, trucks, buses, aerospace vehicles including airplanes, and the like. The process uses a novel adhesive remover composition comprising one or more non-halogenated organic solvents, a non-abrasive thickening agent, a surfactant, and a vapor-pressure modulating agent. The total Hansen Solubility Parameter (δt) at 25° C. for each of the non-halogenated organic solvents is from about 14 MPa1/2 to about 24 MPa1/2. The invention provides a cost effective, safe, environmentally friendly adhesive remover composition specifically formulated for removal of, e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive residues from large areas of aircraft composite and aluminum surfaces, as well as others.
US07977293B1 Volatile cleaning solution for fragile objects and method of use
A cleaning solution for fragile objects, such as chandeliers, and a multi-purpose cleaning solution, and methods of manufacture and use. The cleaning solutions comprise about 22% isopropyl alcohol, 0.2%-0.9% detergent, traces of volatile coloring and/or odorizing agents, and up to 100% distilled water to make 100%. As a chandelier cleaner, the solution is applied in two steps by dipping or spraying. The initial application loosens and/or dissolves any contaminants, and the second application causes them to flow away, leaving virtually no film or residue.
US07977291B2 Graffiti removal materials and methods
Graffiti removal compositions has been developed and are disclosed that when coupled with reliable methods: a) consistently removes graffiti and other unwanted or undesirable paint, inks or permanent markers from a surface, b) is packaged such that it is easily transported, c) is easy to use and requires no additional on-site additives or special equipment, and d) utilizes less harmful chemicals and lower concentrations of chemicals that may be considered harmful. Graffiti removal compositions are described that include: at least one alcohol-based compound, at least one aromatic compound, at least one halogenated compound, at least one hydrocarbon; and at least one lactam-based compound.
US07977288B2 Compositions containing cationically surface-modified microparticulate carrier for benefit agents
A coated microparticulate composition comprising a microparticulate; wherein the microparticulate comprises a benefit agent; and wherein the microparticulate is coated with: a Type-1 Polymer, wherein the Type-1 Polymer comprises a cationic polymer with a cationic atom content greater than about 3 wt. % and a weight average molecular weight less than about 800,000 Dalton; and a Type-2 Polymer, wherein the Type-2 Polymer comprises a cationic polymer with a cationic atom content less than about 3 wt. % and a weight average molecular weight greater than about 1,000,000 Dalton.
US07977286B2 Lubricating compositions containing ashless catalytic antioxidant additives
The invention comprises lubricating compositions and hydraulic fluids containing N,N′-diaryl-o-phenylenediamine compounds that impart good levels of oxidation inhibition in the lubricants and hydraulic fluids. The invention further comprises a method of making N,N′-diaryl-o-phenylenediamine compounds.
US07977282B2 Chemical amendments for the stimulation of biogenic gas generation in deposits of carbonaceous material
Methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content are described. The methods may include accessing a consortium of microorganisms in a geologic formation that includes a carbonaceous material. They may also include providing a phosphorous compound to the microorganisms. The phosphorous compound stimulates the consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous material into a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content. Also, methods of stimulating biogenic production of a metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content by providing a yeast extract amendment to a consortium of microorganisms is described. The yeast extract amendment stimulates the consortium to metabolize carbonaceous material in the formation into the metabolic product with enhanced hydrogen content.
US07977276B2 Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and method of producing the same
Disclosed is an exhaust gas purifying catalyst exhibiting excellent purification performance for a long period of time by suppressing coagulation of a noble metal. A catalyst powder comprises a noble metal and first and second compounds. In the catalyst powder, the first compound carries the noble metal and is separated from another first compound carrying a noble metal by the second compound. At least one catalyst layer comprising the catalyst powder is formed on an inner surface of a substrate. The catalyst layer has fine pores. A fine pore volume of fine pores having a fine pore diameter of greater than 0.1 μm to less than or equal to 1 μm is 10% to 60% of the fine pore volume of fine pores having a pore diameter of 1.0 μm or less.
US07977275B2 Catalytically coated particle filter and method for producing the same and its use
The invention proposes a particulate filter having a catalytic coating which contains two catalysts arranged one behind the other. The first catalyst is located in the gas inlet region of the filter and contains a palladium/platinum catalyst. The second catalyst is arranged downstream of the first catalyst and preferably contains platinum alone as catalytically active component. The combination of these two catalysts provides the coated filter with a good ageing stability and resistance to sulphur poisoning.
US07977270B2 Photocatalyst-coated body and photocatalytic coating liquid therefor
There is disclosed a photocatalyst-coated body which is superior in weather resistance, noxious gas decomposability, and various coating properties (such as ultraviolet absorptivity, transparency and film strength) while preventing corrosion of a substrate (in particular an organic substrate), and a photocatalyst coating liquid therefor. The photocatalyst-coated body comprises a substrate and a photocatalyst layer provided on the substrate. The photocatalyst layer comprises photocatalyst particles of 1 part or more by mass and less than 20 parts by mass; inorganic oxide particles of 70 parts or more by mass and less than 99 parts by mass; and a hydrolyzable silicone of zero parts or more by mass and less than 10 parts by mass, provided that a total amount of the photocatalyst particles, the inorganic oxide particles and the hydrolyzable silicone is 100 parts by mass.
US07977269B2 Diimine metal complexes, methods of synthesis, and methods of using in oligomerization and polymerization
Novel α-diimine metal complexes, particularly iron complexes, having a phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are disclosed. The α-diimine metal complexes having a phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are produced by forming one of the α-diimine metal complex imine bonds in the presence of a metal salt or an α-acylimine metal complex. The α-diimine metal complexes having phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are useful for polymerizing or oligomerizing olefins.
US07977262B2 Glass composition for lamp, lamp, backlight unit and method for producing glass composition for lamp
A glass composition which contains Ce ions as a component substantially comprises, in terms of oxides, SiO2: 55 to 75 wt %, B2O3: 6 to 25 wt %, CeO2: 0.01 to 5 wt %, SnO: 0.01 to 5 wt %, Al2O3: 0 to 10 wt %, Li2O: 0 to 10 wt %, Na2O: 0 to 10 wt %, K2O: 0 to 10 wt %, MgO: 0 to 5 wt %, CaO: 0 to 10 wt %, SrO: 0 to 10 wt %, BaO 0 to 10 wt %, TiO2: 0 to 1.0 wt %, Fe2O3: 0.01 to 0.2 wt %, Sb2O3: 0 to 5 wt %, ZrO2: 0.01 to 5 wt %. By having such constituents, the glass composition is capable of suppressing transmission of ultraviolet light and solarization, and thus the glass composition hardly suffers from initial coloring or coloring during lamp production.
US07977261B2 Thermal barrier fabric
A thermal barrier fabric includes an inner impermeable material layer, an outer impermeable material layer, a spacer material disposed between the inner and outer impermeable material layers, and a reflective layer of material disposed between the spacer and a selected one of the inner impermeable material layer and the outer impermeable material layer. The inner and outer impermeable material layers are bound to each other along portions thereof outboard of the spacer material and the reflective layer of material to define a closed compartment. The compartment is under a vacuum, such that the reflective layer of the fabric reflects thermal energy back toward the source thereof and the vacuum substantially prevents thermal energy transfer through the compartment.
US07977257B2 Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices
In a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a lower electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first zirconium oxide layer is formed on the lower electrode by performing a first deposition process using a first zirconium source and a first oxidizing gas. A zirconium carbo-oxynitride layer is formed on the first zirconium oxide layer by performing a second deposition process using a second zirconium source, a second oxidizing gas and a nitriding gas, and an upper electrode is formed on the zirconium carbo-oxynitride layer. A zirconium oxide-based composite layer having a high dielectric constant and a thin equivalent oxide thickness can be obtained.
US07977256B2 Method for removing a pore-generating material from an uncured low-k dielectric film
A method of forming a porous low dielectric constant (low-k) dielectric film on a substrate is described, wherein the dielectric constant of the low-k dielectric film is less than a value of approximately 4. The method comprises exposing the low-k dielectric film to infrared (IR) radiation and adjusting a residual amount of cross-linking inhibitor, such as pore-generating material, within the low-k dielectric film.
US07977251B2 High selectivity BPSG to TEOS etchant
Methods of selectively etching BPSG over TEOS are disclosed. In one embodiment, a TEOS layer may be used to prevent contamination of other components in a semiconductor device by the boron and phosphorous in a layer of BPSG deposited over the TEOS layer. An etchant of the present invention may be used to etch desired areas in the BPSG layer, wherein the high selectivity for BPSG to TEOS of etchant would result in the TEOS layer acting as an etch stop. A second etchant may be utilized to etch the TEOS layer. The second etchant may be less aggressive and, thus, not damage the components underlying the TEOS layer.
US07977250B2 Stripper solution and method of manufacturing liquid crystal display using the same
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes simultaneously forming a gate electrode and a gate bus line on a transparent dielectric substrate, simultaneously forming a channel layer, an ohmic contact layer, and source/drain electrodes by forming a gate insulation film, an amorphous silicon film, a doped amorphous silicon film, and a metal film on the transparent dielectric substrate on which the gate electrode and the gate bus line are formed and etching the metal film, the amorphous silicon film, and the doped amorphous silicon film, and forming a pixel electrode by forming a protective film and a transparent metal film on the transparent dielectric substrate upon which the source/drain electrodes are formed and finely etching the transparent metal film through a lift-off process using a stripper solution.
US07977240B1 Metal inks for improved contact resistance
Metal ink compositions, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of forming conductive layers are disclosed. The ink composition includes a bulk metal, a transition metal source, and an organic solvent. The transition metal source may be a transition metal capable of forming a silicide, in an amount providing from 0.01 to 50 at. % of the transition metal relative to the bulk metal. Conductive structures may be made using such ink compositions by forming a silicon-containing layer on a substrate, printing a metal ink composition on the silicon-containing layer, and curing the composition. The metal inks of the present invention have high conductivity and form low resistivity contacts with silicon, and reduce the number of inks and printing steps needed to fabricate integrated circuits.
US07977239B2 Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes: a first insulation film formed over a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of first interconnects selectively formed in the first insulation film. A plurality of gaps are formed in part of the first insulation film located between adjacent ones of the first interconnects so that each of the gaps has a cylindrical shape extending vertically to a principal surface of the semiconductor substrate. A cap film is formed of metal or a material containing metal in upper part of each of the first interconnects.
US07977235B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with metal-containing cap layers
A method for integrating metal-containing cap layers into copper (Cu) metallization of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a patterned substrate containing Cu metal surfaces and dielectric layer surfaces, forming a patterned mask layer on the patterned substrate, where the patterned mask layer contains openings that expose the Cu metal surfaces. The method further includes depositing a metal-containing layer on the Cu metal surfaces, depositing an additional metal-containing layer on the patterned mask layer, and removing the patterned mask layer and the additional metal-containing layer from the patterned substrate to selectively form metal-containing cap layers on the Cu metal surfaces.
US07977228B2 Methods for the formation of interconnects separated by air gaps
The microelectronic device interconnects are fabricated by a process that utilizes a silicon-based interlayer dielectric material layer, such as carbon-doped oxide, and a chemical mixture selective to materials used in the formation of the interconnects, including, but not limited to, copper, cobalt, tantalum, and/or tantalum nitride, to remove the interlayer dielectric material layer between adjacent interconnects thereby forming air gaps therebetween.
US07977224B2 Method using multiple layer annealing cap for fabricating group III-nitride semiconductor device structures and devices formed thereby
A method of preventing the escape of nitrogen during the activation of ion implanted dopants in a Group III-nitride semiconductor compound without damaging the Group III-nitride semiconductor comprising: depositing a first layer of another Group III-nitride that acts as an adhesion layer; depositing a second layer of a Group III-nitride that acts as a mechanical supporting layer; said first and second layers forming an annealing cap to prevent the escape of the nitrogen component of the Group III-nitride semiconductor; annealing the Group III-nitride semiconductor at a temperature in the range of approximately 1100-1250° C.; and removing the first and second layers from the Group III-nitride semiconductor.
US07977223B2 Method of forming nitride semiconductor and electronic device comprising the same
A method of forming a nitride semiconductor through ion implantation and an electronic device including the same are disclosed. In the method, an ion implantation region composed of a line/space pattern is formed on a substrate at an ion implantation dose of more than 1E17 ions/cm2 to 5E18 ions/cm2 or less and an ion implantation energy of 30˜50 keV, and a metal nitride thin film is grown on the substrate by epitaxial lateral overgrowth, thereby decreasing lattice defects in the metal nitride thin film. Thus, the electronic device has improved efficiency.
US07977219B2 Manufacturing method for silicon wafer
In a manufacturing method for a silicon wafer, a first heat treatment process is performed on the silicon wafer while introducing a first gas having an oxygen gas in an amount of 0.01 vol. % or more and 1.00 vol. % or less and a rare gas, and a second heat treatment process is performed while stopping introducing the first gas and introducing a second gas having an oxygen gas in an amount of 20 vol. % or more and 100 vol. % or less and a rare gas. In the first heat treatment process, the silicon wafer is rapidly heated to first temperature of 1300° C. or higher and a melting point of silicon or lower at a first heating rate, and kept at the first temperature. In the second heat treatment process, the silicon wafer is kept at the first temperature, and rapidly cooled from the first temperature at a first cooling rate.
US07977218B2 Thin oxide dummy tiling as charge protection
Novel fabrication methods implement the use of dummy tiles to avoid the effects of in-line charging, ESD events, and such charge effects in the formation of a memory device region region. One method involves forming at least a portion of a memory core array upon a semiconductor substrate that involves forming STI structures in the substrate substantially surrounding a memory device region region within the array. An oxide layer is formed over the substrate in the memory device region region and over the STI's, wherein an inner section of the oxide layer formed over the memory device region region is thicker than an outer section of the oxide layer formed over the STI's. A first polysilicon layer is then formed over the inner and outer sections comprising one or more dummy tiles formed over one or more outer sections and electrically connected to at least one inner section.
US07977216B2 Silicon wafer and fabrication method thereof
Provided is a silicon wafer including: a first denuded zone formed with a predetermined depth from a top surface of the silicon wafer; and a bulk area formed between the first denuded zone and a backside of the silicon wafer, wherein the first denuded zone is formed with a depth ranging from approximately 20 um to approximately 80 um from the top surface, and wherein a concentration of oxygen in the bulk area is uniformly distributed within a variation of 10% over the bulk area.
US07977215B2 Method of processing optical device wafer
A method of dividing an optical device wafer includes: a laser beam processing step of performing laser beam processing to provide an optical device wafer with breakage starting points along streets on the face side of the optical device wafer; a protective plate bonding step of bonding the face side of the optical device wafer to a surface of a highly rigid protective plate with a bonding agent permitting peeling; a back side grinding step of grinding the back side of the optical device wafer so as to form the optical device wafer to a finished thickness of the optical devices; a wafer supporting step of adhering the back-side surface of the optical device wafer to a surface of a dicing tape, and peeling the protective plate adhered to the face side of the optical device wafer; and a wafer dividing step of exerting an external force on the optical device wafer so as to break up the optical device wafer along the streets along which the breakage starting points have been formed, thereby dividing the optical device wafer into the individual optical devices.
US07977211B2 Method for reducing the thickness of substrates
The current invention presents a method for thinning wafers. The method uses a two-step process, whereby first the carrier wafer (2) is thinned and in a second step the device wafer (1) is thinned. The method is based on imprinting the combined thickness non-uniformities of carrier (2) and glue layer (3) essentially on the carrier (2), with a resulting low TTV of the wafer (100) after thinning.
US07977210B2 Semiconductor substrate and semiconductor device
A semiconductor substrate includes a silicon carbide substrate having a first impurity concentration, a first silicon carbide layer formed on the silicon carbide substrate and having a second impurity concentration, and a second silicon carbide layer of a first conductivity type formed on the first silicon carbide layer and having a third impurity concentration, wherein the second impurity concentration is higher the an either the first impurity concentration or the third impurity concentration.
US07977208B2 Method and apparatus for packaging circuit devices
A hermetically sealed package includes a lid (14) hermetically bonded to a wafer or substrate (12), with a chamber therebetween defined by a recess (16) in the lid. A circuit device (26) such as MEMS device is provided within the chamber on the substrate. A plurality of vias (41-46) are provided through the substrate, and each have a structure which facilitates a hermetic seal of a suitable level between opposite sides of the substrate. The vias provide electrical communication from externally of the assembly to the device disposed in the chamber.
US07977207B2 MEMS device and fabrication method of the same
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a frame, an actuator formed on the same layer as the frame and connected to the frame to be capable of performing a relative motion with respect to the frame, and at least one stopper restricting a displacement of the actuator in a direction along the height of the actuator. The MEMS device is fabricated by bonding a second substrate to a first substrate, forming the frame and the actuator by partially removing the first substrate, and forming the at least one stopper by partially removing the second substrate.
US07977205B2 Method of forming isolation layer of semiconductor device
A method of forming an isolation layer of a semiconductor device includes forming first trenches in an isolation region of a semiconductor substrate. Sidewalls and a bottom surface of each of the first trenches are oxidized by a radical oxidization process to form a first oxide layer. An oxidization-prevention spacer is formed on the sidewalls of each of the first trenches. Second trenches are formed in the isolation region below the corresponding first trenches, wherein each second trench is narrower and deeper than the corresponding first trench. The second trenches are filled with a second oxide layer. The first trenches are filled with an insulating layer.
US07977203B2 Programmable via devices with air gap isolation
Programmable via devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a programmable via device is provided. The programmable via device includes a first dielectric layer; a heater over the first dielectric layer; an air gap separating at least a portion of the heater from the first dielectric layer; an isolation layer over the first dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the heater; a capping layer over a side of the isolation layer opposite the first dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater, the programmable via including at least one phase change material; a conductive cap over the programmable via; a second dielectric layer over a side of the capping layer opposite the isolation layer; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer, the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive cap.
US07977202B2 Reducing device performance drift caused by large spacings between active regions
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; and forming a first and a second MOS device. The first MOS device includes a first active region in the semiconductor substrate; and a first gate over the first active region. The second MOS device includes a second active region in the semiconductor substrate; and a second gate over the second active region. The method further include forming a dielectric region between the first and the second active regions, wherein the dielectric region has an inherent stress; and implanting the dielectric region to form a stress-released region in the dielectric region, wherein source and drain regions of the first and the second MOS devices are not implanted during the step of implanting.
US07977194B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device with fully silicided gate electrode
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a first MISFET including first source/drain regions and a first gate electrode of a polycrystalline silicon, and a second MISFET including second source/drain regions and a second gate electrode of a polycrystalline silicon and having a gate length larger than that of the first gate electrode; and substituting the polycrystalline silicon forming the first and the second gate electrodes with a metal silicide. In the step of substituting the polycrystalline silicon with the metal silicide, the polycrystalline silicon forming the first gate electrode is totally substituted with the metal silicide and a part of polycrystalline silicon forming the second gate electrode is substituted with the metal silicide by utilizing that the gate length of the second gate electrode is larger than the gate length of the first gate electrode.
US07977192B2 Fabrication method of trenched metal-oxide-semiconductor device
A fabrication method of a trenched metal-oxide-semiconductor device is provided. Firstly, an epitaxial layer is formed on a substrate. Then, a plurality of gate trenches is formed in the epitaxial layer. Afterward, a spacer is formed on the sidewall of the trench gates. The spacer is utilized as a mask to selectively implant oxygen ion into the bottom of the gate trenches so as to form a bottom oxide layer on the bottom of the gate trenches to reduce capacitance between gate and drain.
US07977190B2 Memory devices having reduced interference between floating gates and methods of fabricating such devices
A floating gate memory array comprising transistors having isolated inter-gate dielectric regions with respect to one another and methods of fabricating the same. Floating gate transistors are formed such that each of the floating gate transistors in the array has a floating gate, a control gate and an inter-gate dielectric layer therebetween. The inter-gate dielectric layer for each transistor is isolated from the inter-gate dielectric of each of the other transistors in the array. Methods of fabricating such structures are also provided.
US07977189B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate (10) having source/drain diffusion regions (14) formed therein and control gates (20) formed thereon, with grooves (18) being formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate (10) and being located below the control gates (20) and between the source/drain diffusion regions (14). The grooves (18) are separated from the source/drain diffusion regions (14), thereby increasing the effective channel length to maintain a constant channel length for charge accumulation while enabling the manufacture of smaller memory cells. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.
US07977185B2 Method and apparatus for post silicide spacer removal
A method (and apparatus) of post silicide spacer removal includes preventing damage to the silicide spacer through the use of at least one of an oxide layer and a nitride layer.
US07977183B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
To provide a technique capable of improving the reliability of a semiconductor device even if the downsizing thereof is advanced.The technical idea of the present invention lies in the configuration in which in a first to a third silicon nitride film to be formed by lamination, the respective film thicknesses thereof are not constant but become smaller in order from the third silicon nitride film in the upper layer to the first silicon nitride film in the lower layer while the total film thickness thereof is kept constant. Due to this it is possible to improve the embedding characteristic of the third silicon nitride film in the uppermost layer in particular, while ensuring the tensile stress of the first to third silicon nitride films, which makes effective the strained silicon technique.
US07977179B2 Dopant profile tuning for MOS devices by adapting a spacer width prior to implantation
By selectively modifying the spacer width, for instance, by reducing the spacer width on the basis of implantation masks, an individual adaptation of dopant profiles may be achieved without unduly contributing to the overall process complexity. For example, in sophisticated integrated circuits, the performance of transistors of the same or different conductivity type may be individually adjusted by providing different sidewall spacer widths on the basis of an appropriate masking regime.
US07977178B2 Asymmetric source/drain junctions for low power silicon on insulator devices
A semiconductor device includes a buried insulator layer formed on a bulk substrate; a first type semiconductor material formed on the buried insulator layer, and corresponding to a body region of a field effect transistor (FET); a second type of semiconductor material formed over the buried insulator layer, adjacent opposing sides of the body region, and corresponding to source and drain regions of the FET; the second type of semiconductor material having a different bandgap than the first type of semiconductor material; wherein a source side p/n junction of the FET is located substantially within whichever of the first and the second type of semiconductor material having a lower bandgap, and a drain side p/n junction of the FET is located substantially entirely within whichever of the first and the second type of semiconductor material having a higher bandgap.
US07977175B2 Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a data line crossing each other on a substrate to define a pixel region, an insulating layer between the gate line and the data line, a gate electrode extending from the gate line, and a transistor in the pixel region having an active layer on the insulating layer, ohmic contact layers of a first material that are adjacent to ends of the active layer, buffer layers of a second material, which is different from the first material, on the ohmic contact layers, a source electrode contacting one of the buffer layers and a drain electrode contacting another one of the buffer layers, wherein the active layer is in an island shape over the gate electrode and within a boundary defined by a perimeter of the gate electrode.
US07977171B2 Method for fabricating thin film transistor substrate
A method of fabricating a thin film transistor substrate for reducing a mask process and, at the same time removing a transparent electrode ITO which remains at a non-display area by a contact hole filling process is disclosed. In the method of fabricating the thin film transistor substrate having a display area and a non-display area, a gate pattern is formed at the exterior of the display area. A gate insulating film is formed on a substrate provided with a gate pattern, and then a data pattern is formed. And a protective film is formed on an entire substrate provided with a data pattern, and then a conductive pattern, and then a conductive pattern, which is comprised of a pixel electrode which is formed at a display area, and a lower gate pad electrode and a lower data pad electrode which are formed at a non-display area, is formed.
US07977169B2 Semiconductor device including active layer made of zinc oxide with controlled orientations and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor thin film layer primarily including zinc oxide having at least one orientation other than (002) orientation. The zinc oxide may have a mixed orientation including (002) orientation and (101) orientation. Alternatively, the zinc oxide may have a mixed orientation including (100) orientation and (101) orientation.
US07977159B2 Memory chip and semiconductor device using the memory chip and manufacturing method of those
In a wafer, a plurality of basic chips F is arranged therein. The basic chip F has a memory capacity of i-mega bytes. By dicing, a memory chip including four basic chips F is cut out of the wafer. The memory chip has a memory capacity of 4×i-mega bytes. A dicing line is interposed between four basic chips F configuring the memory chip, Four basic chips F can change word organization by a control signal individually.
US07977153B2 Methods for forming resistive-switching metal oxides for nonvolatile memory elements
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed from resistive-switching metal oxide layers. Metal oxide layers may be formed using sputter deposition at relatively low sputtering powers, relatively low duty cycles, and relatively high sputtering gas pressures. Dopants may be incorporated into a base oxide layer at an atomic concentration that is less than the solubility limit of the dopant in the base oxide. At least one oxidation state of the metal in the base oxide is preferably different than at least one oxidation state of the dopant. The ionic radius of the dopant and the ionic radius of the metal may be selected to be close to each other. Annealing and oxidation operations may be performed on the resistive switching metal oxides. Bistable metal oxides with relatively large resistivities and large high-state-to-low state resistivity ratios may be produced.
US07977152B2 Non-volatile resistive-switching memories formed using anodization
Non-volatile resistive-switching memories formed using anodization are described. A method for forming a resistive-switching memory element using anodization includes forming a metal containing layer, anodizing the metal containing layer at least partially to form a resistive switching metal oxide, and forming a first electrode over the resistive switching metal oxide. In some examples, an unanodized portion of the metal containing layer may be a second electrode of the memory element.
US07977151B2 Double self-aligned metal oxide TFT
A method of fabricating metal oxide TFTs on transparent substrates includes the steps of positioning an opaque gate metal area on the front surface of the substrate, depositing transparent gate dielectric and transparent metal oxide semiconductor layers overlying the gate metal and a surrounding area, depositing transparent passivation material on the semiconductor material, depositing photoresist on the passivation material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove exposed portions, etching the passivation material to leave a passivation area defining a channel area, depositing transparent conductive material over the passivation area, depositing photoresist over the conductive material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove unexposed portions, and etching the conductive material to leave source and drain areas on opposed sides of the channel area.
US07977150B2 Method for manufacturing an organic semiconductor element
In manufacturing a device using an organic TFT, it is essential to develop an element in which a channel length is short or a channel width is narrow to downsize a device. Based on the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an organic TFT in which characteristic is improved. In view of the foregoing problem, one feature of the present invention is that an element is baked after an organic semiconductor film is deposited. More specifically, one feature of the present invention is that the organic semiconductor film is heated under atmospheric pressure or under reduced pressure. Moreover, a baking process may be carried out in an inert gas atmosphere.
US07977148B2 Method for manufacturing image sensor
A method for manufacturing an image sensor includes forming a photolithography key in a scribe lane of a first substrate over which circuitry is formed in an active region. A photodiode is formed on an active region of a second substrate. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate such that the photodiode is electrically connected to the circuitry. The photolithography key in the scribe lane of the first substrate is opened. A pattern is formed on the active region of the bonded second substrate using the opened photolithography key on/over the first substrate.
US07977145B2 Method of fabricating silicon/dielectric multi-layer semiconductor structures using layer transfer technology and also a three-dimensional multi-layer semiconductor device and stacked layer type image sensor using the same method, and a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional multi-layer semiconductor device and the stack type image sensor
Fabrication of a three-dimensional semiconductor structure is provided by the present disclosure. A buffer oxide film, a nitride film, and an ONO dielectric layer are formed on a handle wafer. A semiconductor layer and an oxide film are formed on a donor wafer, which is turned over and is then bonded to a handle wafer. Silicon of the donor wafer is then removed. In the same manner, blue, green, and red diode layers, and a transistor layer are sequentially formed. A metal layer is formed on the transistor layer. Inter-elements contact and pixel separation processes are performed and a support layer is bonded. The whole device is turned over and the nitride film is etched using an etch-stop layer, thus removing the handle wafer. After the elements are separated, packaging is performed to complete the device. Therefore, a back illuminated image sensor of a multi-layer structure can be provided.
US07977141B2 Solid-state image pickup device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment includes forming first and second holes in a semiconductor substrate, forming insulating films on surfaces of the first and second holes, forming a contact and an alignment mark by embedding a conducting material in the first and second holes, forming a photodiode in the semiconductor substrate, forming a wiring layer including a connecting part for connecting to the contact and a wiring for connecting to the connecting part, bonding a supporting substrate on the wiring layer, exposing the contact and the alignment mark on the surface of the semiconductor substrate by reducing the semiconductor substrate in thickness, and forming a filter and a lens on the photodiode based on the alignment mark.
US07977140B2 Methods for producing solid-state imaging device and electronic device
A method for producing a solid-state imaging device includes steps of: forming transfer electrodes on a substrate having a plurality of light-sensing portions through a gate insulating layer so that the light-sensing portions are exposed; forming a planarized insulating layer on the substrate to cover the transfer electrodes formed on the substrate; forming openings in the planarized insulating layer so that each of the transfer electrodes is partly exposed out of the planarized insulating layer at a predetermined position; forming a wiring material layer so that the openings are filled with the wiring material layer; forming a resist layer on the wiring material layer; exposing and developing the resist layer so that only the resist layer in a predetermined area covering the openings is left; and patterning the wiring material layer using the exposed and developed resist layer to form connection wirings connected to the transfer electrodes by the openings.
US07977135B2 Micron gap thermal photovoltaic device and method of making the same
A method of making a micron gap thermal photovoltaic device includes forming at least one standoff on a photovoltaic substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer on the photovoltaic substrate and about the standoff, forming an emitter attached to the standoff and having a lower planar surface separated from the photovoltaic substrate by the sacrificial layer, and removing the sacrificial layer to form a sub-micron gap between the photovoltaic substrate and the lower planar surface of the emitter.
US07977134B2 Nitride-based semiconductor light emitting diode and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride-based semiconductor LED includes a substrate; an n-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; an active layer and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer that are sequentially formed on a predetermined region of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; a transparent electrode formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer; a p-electrode pad formed on the transparent electrode, the p-electrode pad being spaced from the outer edge line of the p-type nitride semiconductor layer by 50 to 200 μm; and an n-electrode pad formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer.
US07977133B2 Method of fabricating vertical structure compound semiconductor devices
A method of fabricating a vertical structure opto-electronic device includes fabricating a plurality of vertical structure opto-electronic devices on a crystal substrate, and then removing the substrate using a laser lift-off process. The method then fabricates a metal support structure in place of the substrate. In one aspects the step of fabricating a metal support structure in place of the substrate includes the step of plating the metal support structure using at least one of electroplating and electro-less plating. In one aspect, the vertical structure is a GaN-based vertical structure, the crystal substrate includes sapphire and the metal support structure includes copper. Advantages of the invention include fabricating vertical structure LEDs suitable for mass production with high reliability and high yield.
US07977132B2 Extension of contact pads to the die edge via electrical isolation
Light emitting diode (LED) dies are fabricated by forming LED layers including a first conductivity type layer, a light-emitting layer, and a second conductivity type layer. Trenches are formed in the LED layers that reach at least partially into the first conductivity type layer. Electrically insulation regions are formed in or next to at least portions of the first conductivity type layer along the die edges. A first conductivity bond pad layer is formed to electrically contact the first conductivity type layer and extend over the singulation streets between the LED dies. A second conductivity bond pad layer is formed to electrically contact the second conductivity type layer, and extend over the singulation streets between the LED dies and the electrically insulated portions of the first conductivity type layer. The LED dies are mounted to submounts and the LED dies are singulated along the singulation streets between the LED dies.
US07977128B2 Etchant for etching double-layered copper structure and method of forming array substrate having double-layered copper structures
An etchant for forming double-layered signal lines and electrodes of a liquid crystal display device includes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a phosphate, F-ions, an organic acid having a carboxyl group (—COOH), a copper (Cu) inhibitor, and a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stabilizer, wherein each of the double-layered signal lines and electrodes of the liquid crystal display device includes a first layer of one of aluminum (Al), aluminum alloy (Al-alloy), titanium (Ti), titanium alloy (Ti-alloy), tantalum (Ta), and a tantalum alloy (Ta-alloy) and a second layer of copper (Cu).
US07977125B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
In a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus, a gate line, a data line, and a plurality of layers are formed on an array substrate on which a pixel area, a pad area, and a peripheral area are defined. During the forming processes of the gate line, the data line, and the layers, the gate line and the data line are partially exposed in the peripheral area, or contact portions formed on the gate line and the data line in the peripheral area are exposed. Thus, the gate line and the data line may be tested using the contact portions as electrical terminals during the manufacturing process of the display apparatus.
US07977123B2 Arrangements and methods for improving bevel etch repeatability among substrates
A method, performed in connection with bevel etching of a substrate, for improving bevel-etch repeatability among substrates, is disclosed. The method includes providing an optical arrangement and ascertaining at least one bevel edge characteristic of a bevel edge of said substrate. The method also includes deriving at least one compensation factor from said at least one bevel edge characteristic, said at least one compensation factor pertaining to an adjustment in a bevel etch process parameter. The method further includes performing said bevel etching utilizing said at least one compensation factor.
US07977117B2 Vitamin D metabolite determination utilizing mass spectrometry following derivatization
The invention relates to the detection of vitamin D metabolites. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting derivatized vitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry.
US07977111B2 Devices using addressable magnetic tunnel junction array to detect magnetic particles
A magnetic sensor for identifying small superparamagnetic particles bonded to a substrate contains a regular orthogonal array of MTJ cells formed beneath that substrate. A magnetic field imposed on the particle, perpendicular to the substrate, induces a magnetic field that has a component within the MTJ cells that is along the plane of the MTJ free layer. If that free layer has a low switching threshold, the induced field of the particle will create resistance changes in a group of MTJ cells that lie beneath it. These resistance changes will be distributed in a characteristic formation or signature that will indicate the presence of the particle. If the particle's field is insufficient to produce the free layer switching, then a biasing field can be added in the direction of the hard axis and the combination of this field and the induced field allows the presence of the particle to be determined.
US07977104B2 Methods for predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by hCG assay
The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
US07977102B2 Isotopically labeled compositions and method
Compounds having stable isotopes 13C and/or 2H were synthesized from precursor compositions having solid phase supports or affinity tags.
US07977099B2 Method for alcohol content determination
The present invention provides a low-cost, easy-to-use, and accurate method and apparatus for determining alcohol content in a test sample, such as wine. The method for alcohol content determination includes the following steps. A known quantity of a test sample is provided. A measurement of electrolytic conductivity EC0 of the test sample is taken. Next, a known quantity of conductive additive with known composition is added to the test sample to produce a first solution. A measurement of Electrolytic conductivity EC1 is taken for the first solution. Data representing predetermined values for EC0 and EC1 with corresponding known alcohol concentrations is provided for comparison. The electrolytic conductivity values for EC0 and EC1 are cross-referenced against the known data to determine a value for the alcohol concentration of the test sample. In addition, the values for EC0 and EC1 are adjusted for temperature and other variables.
US07977096B2 Stem cell growth media and methods of making and using same
The invention provides media formulations. A complete media formulation of the invention includes, for example, the following components: albumin, an iron carrier, glutamine, a glycosidase or hydrolase, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a salt or mineral, and essential amino acids, at an osmolarity of about 220-330 mOsm/Liter.
US07977095B2 Generation and isolation of antigen-specific T cells
The present invention relates generally to methods for generating, expanding, and isolating antigen-specific T cells. Compositions of antigen-specific T cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.
US07977089B2 Bioreactors with multiple chambers
A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber.
US07977088B2 Bio-composting domestic waste treatment apparatus, system and method of the same
A solid waste treatment apparatus and/or comprises a tank comprising an interior volume and an outlet and a liner comprising a floor and a plurality of upstanding exterior walls and at least one upstanding interior wall forming a first chamber and a second chamber in the liner. Each one of the exterior walls comprises a permeable surface. The at least one interior wall comprises an impermeable surface. The apparatus includes a multi-panel sieve disposed in the second chamber. A tank includes a removable lid comprising a window in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. A separator housing may be disposed on the lid and coextensive to the window, the housing comprising a planar sieve disposed at an angle in the housing and an inlet in fluid communication with the planar sieve.
US07977087B2 Detection instrument with the use of polynucleotides mapped on barley chromosome
As the results of mass sequencing of cDNA clones originating in barley varieties “H. spontaneum”, “Haruna Nijo” and “Akashinriki”, a large number of sites showing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among the varieties are found out. Because of involving nonsynonymous substitutions and likely relating to phenotypes inherent in respective varieties, these SNPs are usable for various purposes, for example, genetically distinguishing a variety, isolating a gene, producing/selecting a novel transformant and so on.
US07977082B2 Isomaltulose synthases, polynucleotides encoding them and uses therefor
The invention is directed to novel enzymes that convert sucrose to isomaltulose. More particularly, the present invention discloses novel sucrose isomerases, polynucleotides encoding these sucrose isomerases, methods for isolating such polynucleotides and nucleic acid constructs that express these polynucleotides. Also disclosed are cells, including transformed bacterial or plant cells, and differentiated plants comprising cells, which contain these sucrose isomerase-encoding polynucleotides, as well as extracts thereof. Methods of producing isomaltulose are also disclosed which use the polypeptides, polynucleotides, cells, cell extracts and plants of the invention.
US07977076B2 Integrated processes and systems for production of biofuels using algae
A process for production of biofuels from biomass can include depolymerizing a biomass to form a feed. The feed can be formed by autotrophically growing algal biomass and extracting the feed therefrom. The algal feed can be converted to an algal oil by introducing the algal feed to an oil-producing algae under growth conditions sufficient to encourage formation of algal oil within the oil-producing algae. The algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae and can further be converted to biodiesel.
US07977069B2 DNA encoding a CCK-8S G-protein coupled receptor, and vectors, transformants, cell kits, and methods employing such DNA
DNA encoding a cholecystokinin octapeptide sulfated form (CCK-8S) G-protein coupled receptor, a complementary strand thereof, a vector containing the DNA, a transformant containing the vector, a pharmaceutical composition, and a reagent kit are provided. Such DNA and constructs are useful in identifying a compound that inhibits or promotes a function of the protein and/or expression of a DNA encoding the protein. Such DNA and constructs are also useful for identifying an anti-depressant drug or a compound that has an anti-depressant action.
US07977066B2 Method for preparing tryptophan rich peptides
Described is a method for selectively isolating tryptophan containing peptides from an aqueous peptide mixture, including the steps of controlling the pH of the aqueous peptide mixture to 4.0-6.0, forming a precipitate of tryptophan containing peptides, and isolating the precipitated peptides.The aqueous peptide mixture is preferably obtained by enzymatic cleavage at acidic pH of a protein source. Further, peptides having a Trp content of 8-15 w/w % and the use thereof as a food additive and as an active ingredient in a medicament are described.
US07977061B2 Ex vivo method for determining potential GLP-2 receptor modulators
Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the contractility of intestinal tissue upon treatment with GLP-2 or a GLP-2 ligand. Also disclosed is an assay which directly measures the activity of GLP-2 or GLP-2 ligands ex vivo and permits the screening of putative GLP-2 ligands in native tissue.
US07977060B2 Mammalian sweet taste receptors
The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sweet taste receptors comprising two heterologous G-protein coupled receptor polypeptides from the T1R family of sensory G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sweet taste receptors.
US07977050B2 Nucleic acid amplification with integrated multiplex detection
A method mediated with in-vitro transcription (“IVT”) which permits miniaturization of multiplexed DNA and RNA analysis, and in which elongation-mediated multiplexed analysis of polymorphisms (eMAP®) is used as the analysis step, is described. Also described is a method mediated with IVT is for selecting a designated strand from T7-tagged double stranded DNA: wherein, the selected strand forms the template for RNA synthesis. In one embodiment, double stranded DNA incorporating the T7 (or other) promoter sequence at the 3′ end or the 5′ end is produced, for example, by amplification of genomic DNA using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Also disclosed are nested PCR designs permitting allele analysis in combination with strand selection by IVT. Further, in one embodiment of a homogeneous format for transcription-mediated amplification and multiplexed detection (which may be particularly suited for viral or pathogen detection), encoded microparticles display “looped” capture probe configurations permitting the generation of a signal upon capture of RNA product and real-time assay monitoring.
US07977049B2 Methods and compositions for extending the life span and increasing the stress resistance of cells and organisms
The invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the life span of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and for protecting cells against certain stresses, e.g., heatshock. One method comprises modulating the flux of the NAD+ salvage pathway in the cell, e.g., by modulating the level or activity of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of NPT1, PNC1, NMA1 and NMA2. Another method comprises modulating the level of nicotinamide in the cell.
US07977047B2 Delete sequence in M. tuberculosis, method for detecting mycobacteria using these sequences and vaccines
The present invention is the identification of a nucleotide sequence which make it possible in particular to distinguish an infection resulting from the vast majority of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from an infection resulting from Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, Mycobacterium microti, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The subject of the present invention is also a method for detecting the sequences in question by the products of expression of these sequences and the kits for carrying out these methods. Finally, the subject of the present invention is novel vaccines.
US07977043B2 Assays useful in determining CD38 inhibition
An assay for use in high-throughput screening of chemical libraries to determine whether compounds in such libraries will inhibit CD38 catalytic activity, and CD38 production of ADPR and cADPR.
US07977041B2 Methods and kits for testing the efficacy of therapeutic compounds and other therapies in a three-dimensional matrix with respect to tumorous cells and tissue
Three-dimensional physiological matrices, methods, apparatus and kits for the expedited design, testing and evaluation of oncological remedies are provided. Key aspects of the inventions include matrices, and especially gel matrices, comprising one or more physiological fibers, which are adapted and arranged to provide conditions which permit behaviors, such as the movement of cells away from the margins of samples of target tissue through the matrix, to be evaluated in a manner that produces data useful for evaluating the oncological status and characteristics of the cells. In a further key aspect, the invention permits the in vitro testing and analyses of one or more conventional, experimental or theoretical therapies with respect to specific target tissues or cells. Among such therapies are therapeutic compounds and combinations thereof, radiation therapies, combinations of therapeutic compound and radiation and numerous other possible therapies.
US07977038B2 Substrate processing method, substrate processing system, and computer-readable recording medium recording program thereon
In the present invention, the position of a substrate on a thermal plate is detected when baking after exposure is performed in a first round of patterning. In a second round of patterning, the setting position of the substrate is adjusted based on a detection result of the position before the substrate is mounted on the thermal plate in the baking after exposure. In the baking after exposure in the second round of patterning, the substrate is mounted at the same position with respect to the thermal plate as that in the baking after exposure in the first round of patterning. In performing a plurality of rounds of patterning on a film to be processed, a pattern with a desired dimension is finally formed above the substrate, and the uniformity of the pattern dimension within the substrate is ensured.
US07977037B2 Photoresist processing methods
A photoresist processing method includes treating a substrate with a sulfur-containing substance. A positive-tone photoresist is applied on and in contact with the treated substrate. The method includes selectively exposing a portion of the photoresist to actinic energy and developing the photoresist to remove the exposed portion and to form a photoresist pattern on the substrate. The treating with a sulfur-containing substance reduces an amount of residual photoresist intended for removal compared to an amount of residual photoresist that remains without the treating.
US07977033B2 Method of forming pattern of semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device. According to the method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a photoresist film is formed on a semiconductor substrate. An exposure process is performed on a plurality of light transparent patterns arranged in tandem and the photoresist film corresponding between the light transparent patterns using a photomask including the light transparent patterns. A photoresist pattern is formed by performing a development process so that an opening portion of a line form is formed in the light transparent patterns and the photoresist film between the light transparent patterns. Accordingly, a uniform line pattern can be formed.
US07977031B2 Method of processing overcoated lithographic printing plate
A method of processing an on-press developable lithographic printing plate involves the removal of overcoat by brushing or rubbing while in contact with water or an aqueous solution after imagewise exposure and before on-press development. The plate comprises a substrate, an on-press ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer, and a water soluble or dispersible overcoat. Preferably, the overcoat is incapable of being completely removed with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic press during roll up. Such a method allows the use of more durable overcoat for on-press developable plate.
US07977029B2 Positive photosensitive composition
A positive photosensitive composition comprising (A) an acid generator that generates an acid upon irradiation of an actinic ray or radiation, (B) a resin that has a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and is decomposed by the action of an acid to increase solubility in an alkali developing solution, and (C) a specific basic compound.
US07977022B2 Developer, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
The invention provides a developer having at least a toner, an aeration ratio (AR) of the developer measured by a powder rheometer being in a range of about 5.0 to about 10.0. It is preferable that the developer further contains an external additive of silica particles having a small diameter. The invention further provides a process cartridge having at least: a photoreceptor; and a developing device that comprises plura developer storage portions and that makes visible a latent image formed on the photoreceptor by using the developer. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus having at least the process cartridge.
US07977018B2 Exposure data preparation method and exposure method
In the exposure data preparation method for charged particle beam exposure in which an exposure object is exposed while dose is adjusted for each pattern, the method including the steps of: classifying a pattern in terms of a target linewidth; setting a standard characteristic showing the relationship between a standard dose and a resultant linewidth of a resist pattern for a group of patterns having the target linewidth; and preparing exposure data by correcting a shape and dose so that a characteristic showing the relationship between dose of each pattern having the target linewidth and a resultant linewidth of a resist pattern follows the standard characteristic.
US07977017B2 Method to recover the exposure sensitivity of chemically amplified resins from post coat delay effect
Methods of fabricating a photomask, methods of treating a chemically amplified resist-coated photomask blank, a photomask blank resulting from the methods, and systems for fabricating a photomask are provided. The method is useful for recovering the exposure sensitivity of a chemically amplified resist disposed on a photomask blank from a post-coat delay effect.
US07977016B2 Method for fabricating extreme ultraviolet lithography mask
A method for fabricating an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography mask comprises forming a reflecting layer, an absorber layer, and a resist layer over a substrate; defining a plurality of split regions by partially splitting the resist layer with regular spacing; performing an exposure process, wherein the exposure region is irradiated with an electron beam at different intensities on the split regions to generate a difference in electron beam doses implanted into the resist layer; forming a resist layer pattern which selectively exposes the absorber layer and has a slanted side wall profile by performing a development process to remove a portion of the resist layer, into which the electron beam doses are implanted; and forming an absorber layer pattern with a slanted side wall profile by sequentially etching the portion of the absorber layer exposed by the resist layer pattern.
US07977003B2 Fuel cell
A power generation cell includes an anode side seal member and a cathode side seal member. The anode side seal member is provided outside an anode of a membrane electrode assembly, and directly contacts a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode side seal member is provided outside the membrane electrode assembly. A space is formed between the anode side seal member and the cathode side seal member. First ribs are formed integrally with the anode side seal member. The first ribs protrude toward the space. Further, second ribs are formed integrally with the cathode side seal member. The second ribs protrude toward the space. The first ribs and the second ribs are arranged alternately.
US07977000B2 Thermally primed hydrogen-producing fuel cell system
Thermally primed fuel processing assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems that include the same. The thermally primed fuel processing assemblies include at least one hydrogen-producing region housed within an internal compartment of a heated containment structure. In some embodiments, the heated containment structure is an oven. In some embodiments, the compartment also contains a purification region and/or heating assembly. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to heat and maintain the internal compartment at or above a threshold temperature, which may correspond to a suitable hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to maintain this temperature during periods in which the fuel cell system is not producing power and/or not producing power to satisfy an applied load to the system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is adapted to provide backup power to a power source, which may be adapted to power the containment structure.
US07976999B2 Fuel cell system and method of controlling the same fuel cell system
The fuel cell system is provided which detects a freeze among specific components and portions thereof by evaluating various conditions upon starting operation of the fuel cell system. If a freeze is detected through those evaluations, the start of the system is prohibited in order to prevent some deterioration in the fuel cell system.
US07976998B2 Apparatus for the deionization of cooling media for fuel cells
The present invention relates to a process for the deionization of a cooling medium in a fuel cell (11) circulating in a cooling circuit (20), in which the cooling medium is subjected to at least intermittent, but preferably continuous, electrochemical deionization. To this end, at least one electrode deionization cell (23) , through which a diluate stream (27) serving as cooling medium and a concentrate stream (28) flow, is arranged in the cooling circuit. The concentrate stream (28) may be part of a secondary cooling circuit.
US07976997B2 Robust heating of fuel cells during subfreezing start
The electrical output connections (155, 158) of a fuel cell stack (151) are short circuited (200; 211, 212) during start up from freezing temperatures. Before the stack is short circuited, fuel is provided in excess of stoichiometric amount for a limiting stack current, and oxidant is provided to assure stoichiometric amount for the limiting stack current.
US07976994B2 Electricity production installation comprising fuel cells connected in series and comprising means for isolating a cell and method for monitoring such an installation
An electric current production installation, for powering electrical members of a vehicle, including at least two fuel cells electrically connected in series via electric connection lines. Each connecting line includes a connecting switch. The installation further includes bypass lines, each bypass line including a bypass switch, so as to isolate at least one fuel cell by selectively controlling the position of the connection and bypass switches of the lines associated with the cell. A method monitors such an installation.
US07976993B2 Fuel composition for fuel cell and fuel cell using the same
Provided is a fuel composition for a fuel cell including a first fuel which generates protons and electrons, and hydrogen gas. Also, provided is a fuel cell using the fuel composition. Using the fuel composition for a fuel cell, catalyst activation can be increased. Also, a fuel cell having high efficiency and excellent performance can be prepared using the fuel composition.
US07976985B2 Electrode active material for secondary battery
Disclosed is an electrode active material comprising: a core layer capable of repeating lithium intercalation/deintercalation; an amorphous carbon layer; and a crystalline carbon layer, successively, wherein the core layer comprises at least two core particles. A secondary battery comprising the same electrode active material is also disclosed. The electrode active material can inhibit variations in volume of the core layer that may occur during repeated charge/discharge cycles, since the core layer comprising at least two core particles, each core particle having an increased area that is in contact with the carbon layer coated thereon. Therefore, the battery using the electrode active material can provide improved cycle life characteristics.
US07976984B2 Powdered graphite and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A powdered graphite and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery are provided. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided which has a highly efficient charge and discharge performance and superior cycle properties. Spheroidizing treatment is appropriately performed for natural graphite having a high capacity by grinding and/or applying impact to form a negative electrode active material, and a negative electrode active layer formed therefrom is provided on a metal electrode foil. Subsequently, the metal electrode foil is applied with a magnetic field so that the spheroidized natural graphite is oriented, followed by drying and compression molding, thereby forming a negative electrode. By the use of this negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be formed having superior battery properties such as the cycle properties and peeling strength.
US07976981B2 Pouch-type lithium secondary battery and fabricating method thereof
A pouch-type lithium secondary battery in which an additional packing case is not used is provided. The pouch material is used to perform packing processes, thereby simplifying packing processes and methods of manufacturing. The pouch-type lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a pouch material. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate to which a first electrode tab is attached, a second electrode plate to which a second electrode tab is attached, and a separator between the first and second electrode plates. The pouch material has first, second, and third surfaces. The first and second surfaces are folded along a first fold to form an electrode assembly accommodating unit for accommodating the electrode assembly. The third surface wraps around the electrode assembly accommodating unit at least once. The first fold is parallel to a line along which the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab extend.
US07976979B2 Secondary battery and method for manufacturing secondary battery
An electrode group 4 having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate arranged with a porous insulating layer interposed therebetween and end portions of the positive and negative electrode plates protruding from the porous insulating layer is prepared, and current collector plates 10 and 11 each of which is provided with a projection 12 having a gap 12a formed therein is prepared. With the end portion 2a of the electrode plate protruding from the porous insulating layer 3 kept in contact with a principle surface of the current collector plates 10 and 11, the projection 12 is locally heated to join the end portion 2a of the electrode plate and the current collector plates 10 and 11. the end portion 2a of the electrode plate is welded to the current collector plates 10 and 11 with a fused material obtained by fusing the projection 12.
US07976977B2 Electrochemical device with alternative separator system
Provided is an electrochemical device comprising multi-stacked unit cells of full cells or bicells and a separation film disposed therebetween, whereby the separation film and separators are alternately stacked between electrode layers with an opposite polarity. Herein, as the separation film is formed of a material having a higher thermal shrinkage rate than that of the separator, the thermal stability of the device can be secured by stable induction of shutdown via thermal behavior of the separation film, without causing short-circuiting due to thermal shrinkage of the separator even when a temperature of a battery suddenly rises by internal or external factors.
US07976966B2 Magnetic tape formed of carbon nanotube arrays containing magnetic nanoparticles
A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within carbon nanotubes, which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.
US07976965B2 Magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording and reproducing device
A magnetic recording medium comprises a nonmagnetic substrate on which is disposed at least a vertical magnetic layer. The vertical magnetic layer comprises at least three layers including a lower layer, an intermediate layer and an upper layer from the substrate side. The lower, intermediate and upper magnetic layers are bound by ferro-coupling and are constituted of magnetic particles which are columnar crystals extending continuously from the lower layer to the upper layer. A nonmagnetic layer is between the lower and intermediate magnetic layers or between the intermediate and upper magnetic layers. The upper layer has a magnetic anisotropic constant (Ku) from 0.8×106 to 4×106 (erg/cc), the intermediate layer has a magnetic anisotropic constant (Ku) from 2×106 to 7×106 (erg/cc) and the lower layer has a magnetic anisotropic constant (Ku) from 1×106 to 4×106 (erg/cc).
US07976964B2 Disk drive with laminated magnetic thin films with sublayers for magnetic recording
The invention includes a disk drive with a magnetic recording disk with an upper and lower sublayer in at least one magnetic layer of a laminated magnetic layer structure that includes a spacer layer that substantially decouples the magnetic layers. The lower sublayer has a lower boron content than the upper sublayer and a preferred embodiment is CoPtCrBTa. The upper sublayer is deposited onto the lower sublayer and is preferably CoPtCrB with a higher boron content than the lower sublayer. The composition of the lower sublayer gives it a very low moment with low intrinsic coercivity which would not be useful as a recording layer on its own. The upper sublayer is a higher moment alloy with high intrinsic coercivity. An embodiment of the invention includes a laminated magnetic layer structure which is antiferromagnetically coupled to a lower ferromagnetic layer.
US07976963B2 Concrete product with enhanced ornamental surface layer
A concrete product is provided having a body including an ornamental surface layer, an intermediate strengthening layer and a concrete substrate layer. The intermediate strengthening layer functions as a buffer between any air bubbles remaining in the concrete substrate layer and the ornamental facing layer following curing of the product.
US07976959B2 Organic electroluminescent element including bibenzothiopene containing organic compound and display device including the same
An organic electroluminescent element which has a long lifetime and excellent manufacturability includes a charge-transporting polymer material having high mobility and solubility in solvents, and further includes a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer sandwiched between the pair of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes being transparent, the organic compound layer being formed of one or more layers, and at least one of the one or more layers containing at least one charge-transporting polyester represented by Formula (I-1) or (I-2),
US07976952B2 Multilayer sheet, production method thereof and pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet using the multilayer sheet
To provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet used during processing articles such as semiconductor wafers and laminate sheet used for such a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, which does not contaminate or break the semiconductor wafers during the processing and can minimize the curl of the articles due to residual stress of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, a multi-layer sheet includes a composite film containing a urethane polymer and a vinyl-based polymer as effective components and a first film made of a material different from that of the composite film, wherein the urethane polymer is formed from a polyolefin diol and a polyisocyanate. A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is obtained by providing a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on at least one side of the multi-layer sheet.
US07976949B2 High strength ceramic elements and methods for making and using the same
One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.
US07976946B2 Sound-absorbing fabric
The invention relates to a sound-absorbing fabric comprising a glass fabric which is made from glass yarns that are coated with a thermoplastic material, with an opening factor of between 0.5 and 6%.
US07976944B2 Temperature-regulating fiber and a method of making the same
A temperature-regulating fiber may include a spun phase change polymeric material that may include a plurality of phase change polymer blocks. The fiber may have a fixity ratio of at least 80% and a recovery ratio of at least 74%.
US07976941B2 Boron nitride particles of spherical geometry and process for making thereof
A low viscosity filler boron nitride agglomerate particles having a generally spherical shape bound together by an organic binder and to a process for producing a BN powder composition of spherically shaped boron nitride agglomerated particles having a treated surface layer which controls its viscosity.
US07976929B2 Surface mat for controlling liquids
A liquid-controlling surface, comprising a formation comprising a plurality of individual cells for containing liquid, each of said cells having a cell wall; a plurality of distribution channels, one connecting each cell to each adjacent cell, each distribution channel being positioned on the internal cell wall at a height so as to channel liquid to the adjacent cell when a cell liquid level exceeds a predetermined limit; a perimeter wall for preventing liquid from leaking to an area outside the wall.
US07976927B2 Metal-integral conductive rubber component
A metal-integral conductive rubber component (10) of the present invention includes a laminate in which conductive rubber layers (1) and insulating rubber layers (2) are laminated alternately in parallel. The conductive rubber layers (1) and the insulating rubber layers (2) are integrated at their boundaries by cross-linking between the conductive rubber layers and the insulating rubber layers. The volume resistivity of the conductive rubber layers (1) is 10−5 Ω·cm or more and 10 K Ω·cm or less. The volume resistively of the insulating rubber layers (2) is 1 M Ω·cm or more and 1016 Ω·cm or less. A metal plate is integrated with at least one surface of the laminate that is perpendicular to the electric conduction direction via a conductive adhesive layer (3) made of conductive rubber. With this configuration, the metal-integral conductive rubber component can have high compression set properties, achieve a stable electric connection over a long period of time, be bonded to a printed wiring board, reduce in cost, and improve the production efficiency.
US07976924B2 Active garment materials
An adaptable garment material and method of producing such a material. The material may have a substrate and a plurality of shape memory polymer elements integrated therewith, or may be a mat of interwoven shape memory polymer elements. The shape memory elements adapt in the presence of an actuation trigger and exhibit different properties upon actuation.
US07976923B2 Fastening assembly and cushion having fastening assembly
A fastening assembly and a cushion having the same are provided. The fastening assembly includes a first band, a second band, a third band, and a magnetic layer. The first band has a first surface protrudingly provided with plural hooks, and a second surface. The second band has a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface bonded to the second surface of the first band. The second band is wider than the first band and forms a pair of wings protruding beyond longitudinal edges of the first band, respectively. The third band, narrower than the second band, has a fifth surface and a sixth surface, with the fifth surface bonded to a central portion of the fourth surface of the second band. The magnetic layer is located on the third surface or the fourth surface of the wings of the second band and comprises a magnetic material.
US07976920B2 Flexible unbonded pipe and a method for producing such pipe
The present invention relates to a flexible unbonded pipe comprising an inner liner capable of forming a barrier against outflow of a fluid which is conveyed through the pipe, and one or more armouring layers on the outer side of the inner line. The flexible unbonded pipe comprises at least one polymer layer and one film layer, said polymer layer being bonded to said film layer. The film layer may preferably be a metal film layer, such as aluminum film, stainless steel film or duplex film. The polymer layer may preferably be cross-linked polyethylene. The interfacial bonding between the polymer layer and the film layer should preferably be sufficiently strong to prevent creation of gas pockets between the layers when subjected to an increased pressure of aggressive fluids (hydrogen, sulphides, methane and carbon dioxide) on the film side of the pipe. Thereby, it is possible to protect armour layer(s) from aggressive fluids.
US07976919B2 Multilayer blow molded container and production process thereof
A multilayer blow molded container having a layer structure that a polyglycolic acid layer is provided as a core layer, and thermoplastic polyester resin layers are arranged as inner and outer layers, wherein the core layer formed of the polyglycolic acid layer is not present between the inner and outer layers in at least part of an opening end portion of the container, and the core layer formed of the polyglycolic acid layer is not present between the inner and outer layers in at least part of a bottom of the container, wherein the melt viscosity x of a polyglycolic acid forming the polyglycolic acid layer is 300 to 900 Pa·s as measured at a temperature of 270° C. and a shear rate of 122 sec−1, the melt viscosity y of a thermoplastic polyester resin forming the thermoplastic polyester resin layers is 250 to 600 Pa·s as measured at a temperature of 290° C. and a shear rate of 122 sec−1, and a melt viscosity ratio x/y between both melt viscosities is 0.85 to 1.80, and a production process thereof.
US07976918B2 Biaxially drawn, blow-molded bottle and its preform
A biaxially drawn, blow-molded bottle and its preform comprise at least a layer of a gas barrier material laminated inside the PET resin layers, a functional portion having a screw thread raised spirally in the upper portion of neck and also having a stop ring disposed under the screw thread, and a neck ring disposed at the lower end of the neck. In these preform and bottle, the leading edge of the gas barrier layer is positioned at a half height of the neck ring where the most advanced front of the leading edge neither reaches a half height of the stop ring nor extends to the functional portion. It is intended here that the neck would not be affected by the shrinking deformation caused by the existence of the gas barrier layer in the functional portion of the neck, which is treated for thermal crystallization.
US07976907B2 Method for transferring a functional organic molecule onto a transparent substrate
This invention relates to a process for the functionalization of a transparent or translucent substrate by formation of a layer, characterized in that it comprises the stages consisting in evaporating over the substrate at least one type of organic or organometallic functionalization molecule, simultaneously with the formation, by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, of an inorganic glass matrix forming part of the layer; a substrate made according to this process; a device for the implementation of this process; and the applications of this substrate.
US07976902B2 Coating solution for forming insulating film with excellent corrosion resistance property and film close adhesion property and film intensity without chrome and a method for making the insulation film on non-oriented electrical steel sheet by using it
There is provided a chromium-free coating composition for forming an insulation film, the composition having excellent corrosion resistance and excellent film adhesion and film strength after stress relief annealing (SRA), including, based on a 100 g phosphate solution having a solid content of 60% by weight, in which monoaluminum phosphate and monozinc phosphate are mixed at a 1:1 ratio: 0.5˜5 g of a solid in which cobalt hydroxide and strontium hydroxide are mixed at a 1:1 ratio: 100˜300 g of an emulsified polyester resin or an emulsified epoxy resin having a solid content of 20% by weight; 3˜10 g of aluminum silicate having a solid content of 20% by weight; and 0.1˜6 g of a titanium chelate.
US07976896B2 Method of processing a substrate and apparatus processing the same
A spin chuck rotatably holds a semiconductor wafer, while resist is dropped on a surface of the semiconductor wafer through a resist application nozzle and thus applied thereon, and before the resist applied on the wafer dries, a cleaning liquid is supplied through a bevel cleaning nozzle to a portion of the wafer located at a peripheral portion thereof in a vicinity of a beveled portion to remove the resist adhering to the beveled portion. Thereafter, a film of the resist that is formed on the surface of the wafer is dried.
US07976894B1 Materials with thermally reversible curing mechanism
Novel materials with thermally reversible curing mechanisms are provided. These inventive compositions are useful in forming microelectronic structures, such as dual damascene structures. The compositions comprise a crosslinkable polymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system with a crosslinking agent. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and crosslinked. Additional layers may be applied on top of the cured layer followed by additional processing steps. Upon exposure to a temperature above the crosslinking temperature of the composition, the cured layer will undergo a decrosslinking reaction to render the layer soluble in common photoresist solvents, including solvents used to make the composition itself. Thus, after processing, the remaining material can be dissolved away without damaging the substrate. The inventive materials are especially suited for processes involving low-k dielectric substrates.
US07976888B2 Methods for preparing oat bran enriched in beta-glucan and oat products prepared therefrom
Dry milling methods for preparing oat products enriched in the content of β-glucan and methods for preparing foodstuffs incorporating such an enriched oat product especially ready-to-eat cereals are provided. Heat conditioned dehulled oats are dry milled to form a coarse whole non defatted oat flour and then, without a preceding removal of fat, dry fractionated into coarser bran and finer oat flour fractions at multiple stages. The coarse oat flour is first dry classified to separate or form a coarser fraction oat bran containing more concentrated β-glucan and a finer oat flour or starch containing or endosperm containing fraction. The oat bran is fractionated into a coarse and fine oat bran sub-streams. The oat bran sub-streams are each is subjected to second roller milling step and then bolted. The second bolting of oat bran is then subjected to a third round of milling and classification to form a high β-glucan content (>7-9%) oat bran and a low β-glucan content (3%) oat flour. The methods are low cost and commercially practical. Preferably, the high β-glucan content oat bran and oat flour fractions can have a syringic acid to ferulic acid ratio of at least 2.5:1 indicating improved flavor. Preferably, the oat bran and oat flour have a Farinograph value of 5 to 20 minutes indicated partial gelatinization. The oat bran and oat flours can be used to prepare foodstuffs such as ready-to-eat cereals.
US07976884B2 Edible animal chew toy
An edible pet chew that is made of rehydrated hide about an inner fill via a positioning shealth.
US07976880B2 Pregnane glycoside compositions and Caralluma extract products and uses thereof
Pregnane glycoside or a Caralluma extract including the pregnane glycoside of the present invention can be used for medical purposes and as food additives, such as a treatment of obesity, a reduction of blood glucose, a reduction of blood pressure, a reduction in hip, waist and arm circumferences, a reduction of fat, increase of BMR, a decrease of BMI, an increase of lean body mass, an appetite-suppression and a reduction/elimination of joint pain, anti-aging, a treatment for falling sex drive, the treatment for impotency and an erectile dysfunction, and an enhancement of energy levels.
US07976873B2 Extracellular polysaccharide solvating system for treatment of bacterial ear conditions
Chronic otitis media and other bacterial ear conditions may be treated by applying a solvating system containing a metal ion sequestering agent and surfactant to a bacterial biofilm in the middle or inner ear. The solvating system disrupts the biofilm and aids in its removal.
US07976868B2 Liposomes comprising duramycin and anti-viral agents
Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.
US07976866B2 Bandage and method for vital bleaching of skin
A bandage and method for vital bleaching of human skin discolored as a result of bruising (ecchymosis) provides transdermal delivery of hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent in gel or other form. The bandages provide delivery and application by waterproof and light-proof strips and pads carrying hydrogen peroxide in sufficient concentration for safe oxidation of bruised tissue with resultant eradication of visible discoloration, and amelioration of associated tenderness.
US07976865B2 Medical tape preparation
A medical tape preparation which comprises a support and, superposed on one side thereof in the following order, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a release liner. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can contain a large amount of an oleophilic oily matter. The tape preparation is excellent in adhesion, cohesiveness, and stability even when no crosslinking agent is used. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in the medical tape preparation comprises a blend of two tacky polymers, which are a tacky polymer (A) comprising a copolymer obtained from 2-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate and other vinyl monomer(s) as constituent ingredients and a tacky polymer (B) comprising a copolymer which is obtained from a C4-10-alkyl (meth)acrylate and other vinyl monomer(s) as constituent ingredients and is different from the tacky polymer (A).
US07976864B2 Film preparation and process for preparing the same
An object is to provide a film preparation comprising a polymer harmless to living bodies and being highly adhesive to the skin; and a film preparation further containing a pharmaceutically active oily ingredient and being highly adhesive to the skin. More specifically, provided is a film preparation comprising a drug, a wetly shear-triturated low-substituted cellulose ether having a molar substitution of from 0.05 to 1.0 per anhydrous glucose unit, and a water-soluble cellulose ether, and having 100 minutes or greater of adhesion ability to the skin. The preparation becomes a skin-adhesive hydrous sheet having excellent skin adhesion after it is wet with water as it is used.
US07976862B2 Controlled release bioactive agent delivery device
The invention provides implantable sustained release bioactive agent delivery devices that include a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension; and a polymeric coated composition in contact with a surface of the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent. The polymeric coated composition is formulated to provide controlled release of bioactive agent over time when introduced into physiological conditions. Methods of preparing implantable devices configured and formulated to provide controlled release of bioactive agent are also provided.
US07976861B2 Irradiated implantable bone material
A method for making an implantable bone material. The method includes providing a bone composition consisting essentially of demineralized human bone, and irradiating the composition at a temperature less than about 0° C.
US07976859B2 Implant filling material and method
Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions.
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