最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08154977B2 Reflecting wavelength plate and optical pickup using reflecting wavelength plate
Disclosed is a reflecting wavelength plate that deflects and reflects a light path and adds a phase difference with respect to plural incident light having different wavelengths. The reflecting wavelength plate includes a substrate; a reflecting film laminated on the substrate; and a sub-wavelength concavo-convex structure that is laminated on the reflecting film and has a pitch less than or equal to the shortest wavelength of the plural incident light. The filling factor and the groove depth of the sub-wavelength concavo-convex structure are determined so as to add the phase difference obtained by (kπ)/8, where k is an integer, to the plural incident light having the different wavelengths.
US08154969B2 Recording parameter setting device and method using pulse sequences
A recording parameter setting device setting parameters of pulse sequences forming recording marks on recording media. The device includes a storage section storing first and second look-up tables, and a recording parameter setting section for obtaining from the tables and setting parameters corresponding to recording information. The pulse sequences form at least marks equal to or longer than a first predetermined length but not longer than a maximum mark length, and include top and last sections. Also, the first lookup table stores parameters for top sections that control heat of front edges of marks classified into a same group. The second lookup table stores parameters for last sections for controlling heat of rear edges that are equal to or longer than a second predetermined recording mark length, that is longer than the first predetermined recording mark length, through the maximum recording mark length and classified into a same group.
US08154968B1 Method and apparatus for optimizing optical recording
Aspects of the disclosure can provide a method to optimize optical recording. The method can include recording a pre-defined pattern on an optical medium according to a first write strategy, measuring edge timings corresponding to the pre-defined pattern recorded on the optical medium, determining a second write strategy including at least timing modifications to the first write strategy. The timing modifications can be determined based on means and variances of the measured edge timings, edge timing means and variances targets for desired edge timings, and edge timing sensitivities to the timing modifications.
US08154965B2 Method and device for retrieving information from an optical record carrier at various reading speeds
The present invention is related to a method and a reading device (1) for retrieving information from an optical record carrier (10) in which the read power level of a radiation beam (3) for scanning the optical record carrier is set in dependence on the read-out speed. The invention is also related to a record carrier for use with such a method and a reading device.
US08154963B2 Method of writing data to a disc, disc drive
The invention relates to a method of writing data to a disc (OD). The method comprised: a) performing a plurality of writing actions in which a plurality of data portions are written to the disc, b) performing a plurality of verification actions in which written data portions are at least partly verified and at least part of the data portions are replaced if needed. The method further comprises a2) performing a decision action for each writing action in which a decision whether or not to perform the verification action for a specific written data portion is taken.
US08154960B2 Power saving method and system applied in optical disk drive
The present invention sets forth a power saving method and a power saving system applied in an optical disk drive. The power saving system comprises a central processing unit, a spindle motor, an optical pick-up unit, an analog portion of control circuits and a digital portion of control circuits. Each of the analog or digital portions of control circuits can be divided into several sets of circuits. Each set of circuits is coupled to an associated operation mode of the optical disk drive. The power saving system further comprises a power controlling unit for differentiating the specific sets of circuits not being used in the specific operation mode and powering them down. The sets of circuits not being used will be powered up while the associated operation mode in which they are required to operate is nearly started. The present invention also provides a power saving method of powering down the sets of circuits not being used relative to a specific operation mode of the optical disk drive.
US08154957B1 Magneto-optical device with an optically induced magnetization
A magneto-optical device (MOD) with optically induced magnetization for use in magnetic field sensors as a magnetic element pinning a magnetization in a preferred direction of a ferromagnetic layer as well as a magnetic memory cell for magneto-optical recording. The MOD comprises the Mg—Mg—Co ferrite film deposited on a magnesium oxide (MgO) substrate. The ferrite film is illuminated at room temperature with a circularly polarized light (CPL) in a static magnetic H-field (about of 3 kOe) normal to the illuminated ferrite film surface. At certain (“writing”) combinations of H, sigma (CPL helicity), the long-lived optically induced magnetization with a unidirectional anisotropy, stable to a conventional demagnetization occurs. For readout of information, conventional magnetoresistive sensors and MFM can be used. To erase information, the ferrite film should be illuminated with two field-light combinations, other than “writing”, or annealed at temperature higher than 530 degrees C.
US08154952B1 Method and system for real-time automated change detection and classification for images
A computer based system and method for real-time display of co-registered historical and current side scan sonar imagery during a side scan sonar survey. Embodiments also include modules for detection of clutter in the current imagery, identification of features, extraction of snippets, filtering based on predetermined size and shape parameters, and determination if a current feature is the same as a previously identified contact from historical imagery.
US08154950B2 Method for displaying geologic stress information and its application to geologic interpretation
A method for displaying geologic stress includes determining magnitudes and directions of principal stresses at at least one a selected location. An analog symbol is generated for each magnitude and direction of the principal stresses. The analog symbols include a magnitude descriptor and a direction descriptor. The analog symbols are stored or displayed.
US08154949B2 Burst termination control circuit and semiconductor memory device using the same cross-references to related application
A burst termination control circuit includes: a pull-up unit for pulling up a first node in response to a burst termination signal, a latch unit for latching a signal of the first node, a buffer for generating a first termination control signal for stopping data output operation by buffering an output signal of the latch unit, and a logic unit for generating a second termination control signal for stopping burst operation and generation of an output enable signal in response to an output signal of the latch unit.
US08154948B2 Method of operating nonvolatile memory device
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes supplying a variable voltage of a first voltage level to a selected page buffer and supplying the variable voltage to a first bit line, coupled to a selected memory cell selected for data reading, for a first time period, cutting off the supply of the variable voltage to the first bit line, after the first time period, and precharging the first bit line to a second voltage level through a sense node of the selected page buffer, which is in a precharge state, evaluating a voltage of the first bit line, after the precharging of the first bit line, so that the voltage of the first bit line is shifted according to a program state of the selected memory cell, and sensing the voltage of the evaluated first bit line and latching data in the selected memory cell.
US08154943B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first region configured to operate at a specified first voltage, a second region configured to operate at a varying second voltage, and a memory device formed between the first region and the second region so as to straddle the first and second regions, wherein the memory device comprises a first port driven at the first voltage to transmit an output signal to and receive an input signal from the first region, a second port driven at the second voltage to transmit an output signal to and receive an input signal from the second region, and a memory cell accessed by the first and second ports.
US08154942B1 Integrated circuits with fuse programming and sensing circuitry
Circuitry on an integrated circuit is provided that may be used to program fuses such as polysilicon fuses. Fuse programming may be performed using an elevated power supply voltage. Other circuitry on the integrated circuit may be powered using a standard power supply voltage that is less than the elevated power supply voltage. Fuse sensing may be performed using the standard power supply voltage. A control block may be used to produce a fuse programming control signal. Power-on-reset circuitry may monitor the elevated power supply voltage and may produce a corresponding elevated power supply voltage power-on-reset signal indicative of whether the elevated power supply voltage is valid. The power-on-reset circuitry may also produce a standard power supply power-on-reset signal indicative of whether the standard power supply voltage is valid. The power-on-reset signals may be used in controlling fuse programming and fuse sensing.
US08154938B2 Memory array power domain partitioning
An integrated circuit containing a nonvolatile memory circuit which contains memory segments and sense amplifier banks individually powered by a power decoder circuit. A method of accessing a portion of a powered-down memory.
US08154937B2 Auto-precharge signal generator
An auto-precharge signal generation circuit comprises a signal generator, a set signal generator, and an auto-precharge signal generator. The signal generator is configured to generating a control signal and a precharge control signal in response to receiving a first column address strobe signal and an auto-precharge flag signal. The set signal generator is configured to generating a set signal in response to receiving the control signal and the precharge control signal. The auto-precharge signal generator is configured to generate an auto-precharge signal in response to receiving the set signal and a period set signal.
US08154934B2 Semiconductor memory device and memory system having the same
A semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell array, a clock signal generator configured to receive an external clock signal from the outside of the memory device and output an internal clock signal, and a data output unit configured to receive an internal data signal from the memory cell array and output a read data signal in response to the internal clock signal. The semiconductor memory device also includes a read data strobe unit configured to output a read data strobe signal having a cycle time of n times (n is an integer equal to or more than 2) a cycle time of the internal clock signal, based on the internal clock signal.
US08154924B2 Nonvolatile memory device and read method
Disclosed is a nonvolatile memory including a memory cell array including a first cell string connected between a first bit line and a first common source line, and a second cell string a second common source line and a second bit line adjacent to the first bit line. The nonvolatile memory also includes a control logic circuit configured to independently control the first and second common source lines.
US08154918B2 Method for page- and block based scrambling in non-volatile memory
A method and system for programming and reading data with reduced read errors in a memory device. In one approach, date to be written to the memory device is scrambled using a first pseudo random number which is generated based on a page of the memory device to which the data is to be written, to provide first scrambled data, which is scrambled using a second pseudo random number which is generated based on a block of the memory device to which the data is to be written. This avoids bit line-to-bit line and block-to-block redundancies which can result in read errors. The data may also be scrambled using a third pseudo random number that depends on a section within a page. Scrambling may also be based on one or more previous pages which were written.
US08154916B2 Nonvolatile memory circuit using spin MOS transistors
Certain embodiments provide a nonvolatile memory circuit in which a first p-channel MOS transistor and a first n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected in series, a second p-channel MOS transistor and a second n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected in series, gates of the first p-channel MOS transistor and the first n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected, gates of the second p-channel MOS transistor and the second n-channel spin MOS transistor are connected, a first n-channel transistor includes a drain connected to a drain of the first p-channel transistor and the gate of the second p-channel transistor, a second n-channel transistor includes a drain connected to a drain of the second p-channel transistor and the gate of the first p-channel transistor, and gates of the first and second n-channel transistors are connected.
US08154915B2 Magnetoresistive element and magnetoresistive random access memory including the same
The present invention provides a low-resistance magnetoresistive element of a spin-injection write type. A crystallization promoting layer that promotes crystallization is formed in contact with an interfacial magnetic layer having an amorphous structure, so that crystallization is promoted from the side of a tunnel barrier layer, and the interface between the tunnel barrier layer and the interfacial magnetic layer is adjusted. With this arrangement, it is possible to form a magnetoresistive element that has a low resistance so as to obtain a desired current value, and has a high TMR ratio.
US08154914B2 Predictive thermal preconditioning and timing control for non-volatile memory cells
A method and apparatus for using thermal preconditioning to write data to a non-volatile memory cell, such as a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) memory cell. In some embodiments, a logical state is written to an unconditioned non-volatile first memory cell associated with a first block address. Thermal preconditioning is concurrently applied to a non-volatile second memory cell associated with a second block address selected in response to the first block address.
US08154912B2 Volatile memory elements with soft error upset immunity
Memory elements are provided that exhibit immunity to soft error upset events when subjected to high-energy atomic particle strikes. The memory elements may each have ten transistors including two address transistors and four transistor pairs that are interconnected to form a bistable element. Clear lines such as true and complement clear lines may be routed to positive power supply terminals and ground power supply terminals associated with certain transistor pairs. During clear operations, some or all of the transistor pairs can be selectively depowered using the clear lines. This facilitates clear operations in which logic zero values are driven through the address transistors and reduces cross-bar current surges.
US08154910B2 Full CMOS SRAM
A full complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) static random access memory (SRAM) may have a reduced cell size by arranging a word line of a pair of transistors arranged on the uppermost layer of the SRAM. First and second transistors may be arranged on first and second active regions. Third and fourth transistors may be arranged on first and second semiconductor layers formed over the first and second active regions. Fifth and sixth transistors may be arranged on the third and fourth semiconductor layers over the first and second semiconductor layers. A word line may be arranged in a straight line between the first and second gates of the first and second transistors and between the third and fourth gates of the third and fourth transistors.
US08154907B2 Method for fabricating indium (In)-antimony (Sb)-tellurium (Te) nanowires and phase-change memory device comprising the nanowires
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing (In)—(Sb)—(Te) (IST) nanowires and a phase-change memory device comprising the nanowires. The method comprises providing a substrate and vapors of In, Sb and Te precursors in a chamber and allowing the vapors to react with each other on the substrate in the chamber at a temperature of 230-300° C. and a pressure of 7-15 Torr. With the method, IST nanowires can be fabricated cost-effectively.
US08154906B2 Memory cells, memory cell programming methods, memory cell reading methods, memory cell operating methods, and memory devices
Embodiments disclosed include memory cell operating methods, memory cell programming methods, memory cell reading methods, memory cells, and memory devices. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes a wordline, a first bitline, a second bitline, and a memory element. The memory element is electrically connected to the wordline and selectively electrically connected to the first bitline and the second bitline. The memory element stores information via a resistive state of the memory element. The memory cell is configured to convey the resistive state of the memory element via either a first current flowing from the first bitline through the memory element to the wordline or a second current flowing from the wordline through the memory element to the second bitline.
US08154905B2 Semiconductor memory device having a resistive memory element
A semiconductor memory according to an aspect of the invention including first and second bit lines, a word line, a resistive memory element which has one end and the other end, the one end being connected with the first bit line, a selective switch element which has a current path and a control terminal, one end of the current path being connected with the other end of the resistive memory element, the other end of the current path being connected with the second bit line, the control terminal being connected with the word line, a first column switch connected with the first bit line, a second column switch connected with the second bit line, wherein the first and second bit lines is activated and then the word line is activated when starting writing or reading data with respect to the resistive memory element.
US08154896B2 STATCOM system for providing reactive and/or active power to a power network
A static compensator system for providing reactive and/or active power to a power network. The system includes a static compensator, which has a DC capacitor Ud and a voltage source converter. The static compensator is connected to an energy storage device. The system further includes a booster converter device connected in series with the energy storage device and in parallel with the DC capacitor Ud of the static compensator. The booster converter device and the energy storage device are further connected in parallel with the voltage source converter of the static compensator.
US08154893B2 Three-phase power converting apparatus
A three-phase inverter circuit including a DC portion including capacitors connected between output terminals of a solar battery and single-phase inverters connected in series with AC output lines of the three-phase inverter circuit that together constitute an inverter section, the inverter section being connected to a three-phase power system. The three-phase inverter circuit outputs a reverse-polarity voltage pulse during a period within each of basic voltage pulses of which pulsewidth corresponds to a half cycle every half cycle of a system voltage. A power burden born by the individual single-phase inverters in each half cycle is made approximately zero and the individual single-phase inverters make a correction for subtracting a common voltage from target output voltages of individual phases during the period when the reverse-polarity voltage pulse is generated.
US08154892B2 Method for controlling electrical power
Power output of a power generation system is controlled by measuring the output voltage of the system, dividing the measured voltage value into a target power value, then controlling the current provided by the generation system to the calculated value. In some embodiments the power generation system is connected to a grid.
US08154881B2 Radiation-shielded semiconductor assembly
A radiation-shielded semiconductor assembly includes at least one radiation-shielding lamina within the package. In some embodiments, a semiconductor assembly includes a microelectronic component, and at least one radiation-shielding layer affixed to a surface of the component.
US08154880B1 Method and apparatus for active line interface isolation
A method and apparatus for active line interface isolation have been described.
US08154879B2 Motherboard
A motherboard includes a printed circuit board, a first chip and a second chip arranged on the printed circuit board in parallel. A plurality of securing holes are defined in the printed circuit board around the first chip. At least one isolating hole is defined in the printed circuit board between the second chip and a first line determined by two of the securing holes close to the second chip. Should the printed circuit board suffer an impact, damage to the chips may be effectively minimized or prevented.
US08154875B2 Power bank with replaceable battery core
A power bank with a replaceable battery core includes a box and an electric power unit. The electric power unit includes one or more battery core and a power management module. A circuit protection module is disposed on a side of the battery core, and a first connecting unit is disposed between the power management module and the circuit protection module. The connecting unit is provided for connecting the power management module to the circuit protection module separately, such that the battery core can be separated from the power management module for a replacement easily when the battery core is damaged or failed.
US08154873B2 Heat dissipation device for memory module
A heat dissipation device removing heat from a memory module includes two conducting plate clipping the memory module and an elastic member. Each conducting plate includes a lower part and an upper part. The two lower parts of the two conducting plates abut against two opposite sides of the memory module, respectively. The two upper parts of the two conducting plates are pivotably connected together and located above the memory module. The elastic member is located between the two upper parts and urges the two lower parts towards the memory module. The upper part of each conducting plate is slantwise at an obtuse angle to the lower part to make the two upper parts of the two conducting plates splay upwardly.
US08154872B2 Portable hand held multi-source power inverter with pass through device
A portable hand held power inverter/converter having a pass through device for simultaneously sourcing A.C. and multiple voltage D.C. power consuming devices through a single D.C. power source connection. Inverter and converter circuitry is provided to invert and convert D.C. voltage to an A.C. voltage source and a lower DC voltage. A.C. electrical outlets are provided to facilitate a connection to an external A.C. power-consuming device and a DC outlet to a lower volt DC power-consuming device. The pass through device provides an independent and simultaneous connection to an additional D.C. outlet that would otherwise be eliminated when occupied by the inverter thus allowing simultaneous connection and operation of both A.C. and multi source D.C power consuming devices through a single external D.C. power outlet of a single D.C. power source.
US08154869B2 Method and device for cooling heat-generating computer components
The invention relates to a cooling arrangement with a first and at least one second heat-creating computer component, each coupled to at least one heatsink (40, 50). Heatsinks (40, 50) are arranged one after the other in a plane (10) in the direction of a provided coolant air stream (30). The cooling arrangement is distinguished in that heatsinks (40, 50) are of identical construction, and each heatsink (40, 50) comprises at least two side-by-side areas (41, 42, 51, 52) with heat transfer properties different from one another. In addition, heatsinks (40, 50) are arranged in plane (10) rotated relative to one another in such a manner that areas (42, 52) of heatsinks (40, 50) with a higher respective heat transfer power than the adjacent area (41, 51) are arranged one after the other in the direction of coolant air stream (30).
US08154856B2 Cabinet for a power distribution system
A power distribution system comprising a cabinet configured to hold electronic components therein. An outside surface of the cabinet has one or more electrical termination contacts thereon such that a surface of the electrical termination contacts is part of the outside surface. The electrical termination contacts are configured to be coupled to an external DC power source at the outside surface.
US08154850B2 Systems and methods for a thin film capacitor having a composite high-k thin film stack
Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a thin film capacitor involving depositing an electrode layer of conductive material on top of a substrate material, depositing a first layer of ferroelectric material on top of the substrate material using a metal organic deposition or chemical solution deposition process, depositing a second layer of ferroelectric material on top of the first layer using a high temperature sputter process and depositing a metal interconnect layer to provide electric connections to layers of the capacitor.
US08154846B2 Feedthrough capacitor assemblies
A feedthrough capacitor assembly for attachment to a mount having an opening is disclosed. The assembly includes a feedthrough terminal adapted for insertion through said opening for coupling a signal from a first side of the mount to a second side of the mount. The assembly includes a first conductive region extending about and electrically coupled to the feedthrough terminal and a second conductive region extending about the first conductive region. A plurality of capacitors are electrically coupled between the first conductive region and the second conductive region. The plurality of capacitors are arranged about the feedthrough terminal with each capacitor having about the same capacitance as each of the other capacitors.
US08154840B2 Fuel injector control
A method for controlling the displacement of a stack of a piezoelectric actuator adapted for use in a fuel injector in order to control the fuel injection rate and volume. The method comprises driving a varying current through the stack during an opening phase including a first opening stage and a second opening stage; driving the stack during the first opening stage with a first opening current level for a first opening time period and driving the stack during the second opening stage with a second opening current level for a second opening time period. The second opening current level is less than the first opening current level and the current levels are selected so that the fuel injection rate in the opening phase includes a first portion corresponding to the first opening stage having a gradient that is steeper than a second portion corresponding to the second opening stage.
US08154839B2 High voltage surge arrester and method of operating the same
An arrester includes at least one elongate outer first housing made of an electrically insulating material, a pair of electrical terminals at opposite ends of the first housing, an array of electrical components arranged in the first housing that form a series path between the terminals, and a voltage grading arrangement for providing a substantially uniform voltage gradient along the arrester, wherein the voltage grading arrangement includes (i) an elongated outer second housing, and (ii) capacitor circuitry arranged in the outer second housing, and wherein the outer second housing is arranged external to the outer first housing.
US08154836B2 Line current differential protection upon loss of an external time reference
A line current differential protection system that uses an external time reference continues providing protection to a power apparatus upon the loss of the external time reference. An external time reference synchronization mode and a channel based synchronization mode may be selectively applied on a per channel basis such that only those channels in the system that are not guaranteed to stay symmetrical use external time reference synchronization. When the external time reference is lost, fallback strategies may be used such as disabling or de-sensitizing the line current differential protection function, switching from the external time reference synchronization mode to a channel based synchronization mode with appropriately selected protection settings, and/or marking the channel as unavailable to isolate the system from the consequences of synchronization errors over this channel and instead using a master-slave mode with other available channels to continue providing line protection with the current differential system.
US08154833B2 Line side crowbar for energy converter
A line side crowbar circuit for an energy converter is disclosed. In one aspect there is a power unit that includes an energy converter; a transformer configured to transfer electrical energy generated from the energy converter to an electrical grid; and a crowbar coupled to the energy converter and the transformer that is configured to prevent an overvoltage event from damaging electrical components associated with the energy converter and the transformer.
US08154826B2 Thin-film magnetic head with variable-volume cavity in medium-opposed surface
Provided is a thin-film magnetic head in which the magnetic spacing can be appropriately controlled by dynamically and accordingly, by adjusting the pressure working between the thin-film magnetic head and the magnetic recording medium according to the change of conditions such as the change over time. The thin-film magnetic head comprises at least one cavity for adjusting a pressure working between the thin-film magnetic head and the magnetic recording medium, provided in a surface of the head opposed to the magnetic recording medium, and a volume of the at least one cavity being variable. When the magnetic recording medium passes through near the cavity, the cavity generates a (negative) pressure that attracts the head and the medium toward each other. The amount of the negative pressure depends on the volume of the cavity; thus, a magnetic spacing dMS can be controlled dynamically and accordingly by adjusting the volume.
US08154823B2 Information recording and reproducing apparatus, information recording and reproducing system, information processing apparatus and information reproducing apparatus
An information recording and reproducing apparatus 1 having a high efficiency of information transfer includes one or more recording media forming a plurality of recording surfaces, a plurality of heads respectively disposed on the recording surfaces, a first actuator for supporting the heads and moving the heads uniformly, a plurality of second actuators provided one for an associated one of the heads, the second actuators moving the heads independently relative to the first actuator, recording processing circuits for simultaneously outputting recording signals, and reproducing processing circuits simultaneously supplied with reproduced signals read out by the heads to reproduce information from the reproduced signals.
US08154822B1 Analog techniques to decode signals extracted from computer-readable storage media
Methods, apparatuses, and systems implementing analog techniques to decode signals extracted from servo wedges of computer-readable storage media. A digital signal representing a repeatable runout (RRO) signal included in an analog signal of a computer-readable storage medium is obtained. The RRO signal includes a preamble that represents a magnitude of the RRO signal, and data. The digital signal includes a digital representation of the preamble. An estimate of the magnitude of the RRO signal is determined based on the digital representation. The estimate is compared with a specified level to generate an error signal based on a difference between the two. The provision of the error signal, for application to a subsequent RRO signal of the computer-readable storage medium, is delayed. The RRO signal is amplified prior to being represented as the digital signal to match a value established to decode the RRO signal.
US08154819B2 Method of controlling flying height of magnetic head and disk drive using the method
The flying heights of magnetic heads of a disk drive are set using an FOD (flying on demand) method in a bank mode. A first signal for adjusting the flying height of a magnetic head is issued to each magnetic head and the value of the first signal is scaled by scale values set for the magnetic heads, respectively, with one of the scale values differing from the others. The value of the first signal is changed until the magnetic head associated with the scale value different from the others touches down. A flying height for the magnetic head which touched down is determined based on the value of the first signal at the time of touch-down. The process is repeated, however with a different bank of scale values each time and set in such a way as to cause the sequential touch-down of the remaining magnetic heads, and determinations of flying heights for the magnetic heads.
US08154818B2 Systems and methods for adaptive CBD estimation in a storage device
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for adaptive channel bit density estimation. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for adaptively estimating channel bit density. Such methods include providing a storage medium (178) that includes information corresponding to a process data set, and accessing the process data set from the storage medium (505). A first channel bit density estimate (535) is computed based at least in part on a first portion of the process data set (520-530), and a second channel bit density estimate (535) is calculated based at least in part on the first portion of the process data set, a second portion of the process data set (520-530) and the first channel bit density estimate (535).
US08154812B1 Condensing a defect scan log for a disk of a disk drive
The embodiments relate to optimizing a defect log of a storage device, such as a disk drive. The defect log may comprise entries for individual locations, such as sectors on a disk, and entries indicating zones. A zone comprises a plurality of locations in the medium of the storage device and may contain adjacent or non-adjacent defects. One or more medium of the storage device may be scanned for defects and locations of these defects are recorded in the defect log. The defect log may then be analyzed to determine if certain number of defects are in proximity to each other, adjacent or non-adjacent, within a zone. If the defects within a zone exceed a threshold, then the defect log may be condensed by coalescing the individual entries of the defects into zone entries. In addition, the defect log may be further condensed by coalescing zone entries of adjacent zones into combined entries.
US08154808B2 Autofocus imaging apparatus
An autofocus imaging apparatus (200) for three-dimensional imaging on a surface of a flexible media mounted on a cylindrical drum (104) includes a carriage (210) which moves parallel to a surface of the drum and an imaging stage (208) mounted on the carriage. The imaging stage includes a displacement sensor (112) for measuring a distance to the surface of the flexible media; imaging optics (216) for producing a three-dimensional image on the flexible media; and an autofocus drive (220) for changing a focus of the imaging optics. Encoders (256, 260) provide data on the drum and carriage position. A controller (116) receives and processes data from the displacement sensor and the encoders. A computer (236) receives data from the controller, processes controller data, and transmits instructions to the controller. The controller receives computer instructions and transmits focus commands to the autofocus drive or the imaging stage.
US08154807B2 Imaging lens assembly
This invention provides an imaging lens assembly including: in order from an object side toward an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, a second lens with negative refractive power having at least one of its object-side surface and image-side surface being aspheric, a third lens with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, and both of its object-side surface and image-side surface being aspheric. An aperture stop is positioned between the first lens element and second lens element. The imaging lens assembly further comprises an electronic sensor on which an object is imaged, and there are three lens elements with refractive power.
US08154805B2 Variable power optical system
Liquid lens cells are used in a variable power optical system. In one embodiment, a stop is located between a first lens group comprising at least a first liquid lens cell and a second lens group comprising at least a second liquid lens cell. In one embodiment, a liquid lens cell controls an incident angle of light rays on an image surface.
US08154802B2 Chromatic diffractive optical element corrector, optical system including the same and associated methods
An optical element may include a substrate including a diffractive structure having multiple periods, at least one period of the multiple periods having multiple steps, heights of the multiple steps non-monotonically increasing across the at least one period. The optical element may be used with at least two wavelengths, e.g., three wavelengths, may be on a single surface and may provide an efficiency of at least 50% for all wavelengths.
US08154797B2 Surgical microscope for use in surgical procedures including neurosurgery
A surgical microscope has an illuminating arrangement for illuminating light in an operating region to be examined with the surgical microscope. The arrangement contains a high-power light source which includes an intensity adjusting device. The device makes possible an adjustment of the intensity of the illuminating light, which is guided to the object region, between a maximum value and a minimum value. The microscope has a control unit for the illuminating arrangement which includes an operator-controlled module via which the illuminating arrangement can be activated and controlled. For adjusting the intensity of the illuminating light guided to the operating region, the control unit coacts with the adjustable filter unit. A signal generator outputs a warning signal when an intensity of the illuminating light is adjusted via the operator-controlled module which exceeds the safety limit value stored in a memory.
US08154791B2 Light control film
Disclosed is a light control film comprising: two transparent electroconductive resin substrates; and a light control layer sandwiched between the two transparent electroconductive resin substrates, the light control layer containing: a resin matrix; and a light control suspension dispersed in the resin matrix, wherein the light control film has a primer layer on the light control layer side of at least one of the transparent electroconductive resin substrates, and the primer layer is formed by using a phosphoric ester having in the molecule thereof one or more polymerizable groups. By virtue of the above constitution, the light control film has an improved adhesion between a film matrix and a substrate, and has a stable light control function.
US08154790B2 Electrophoretic display structures
This invention relates to a display device comprising a plurality of display cells, wherein said display cells are separated by slanted partition walls. This invention also relates to a display device comprising a plurality of display cells, wherein said display cells are separated by indented partition walls having indented areas. The electrophoretic structures of the present invention may be manufactured by a continuous or semi-continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing process. The structures in which display cells are separated by slanted partition walls or partition walls having indented areas are capable of providing enhanced color states.
US08154788B2 Thermochromic window structures
An energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when sunlight is absent or at high sun angles and substantially blocks solar radiation when sunlight is directly on the window.
US08154786B2 Light control device, semiconductor wafer, and light control system
A light control device includes: a single crystal substrate (10); an electro-optic thin film (20) which is provided on the single crystal substrate (10) and has an electro-optic effect; and a plurality of electrodes (30, 40) which are provided along a crystal axis of the electro-optic thin film and apply an electrical field along the crystal axis of the electro-optic thin film (20).
US08154785B2 Rotating mirrored stile for usage within a mirror labyrinth
A process for enhancing an illusion created by a mirror labyrinth containing a series of interreflective mirrors includes the placement of a rotatable mirrored stile rotating about a vertical axis within the mirror labyrinth to interact with the series of interreflective mirrors to enhance the illusion created by the mirror labyrinth. The rotatable mirrored stile preferably has a motor drive mechanism mountable to a floor or ceiling of a mirror maze. A polygonal post is mounted to the drive mechanism to define a rotational axis with the post defining from two to eight rotationally degenerate faces. At least one of the rotationally degenerate faces is mirrored.
US08154782B1 Method and system for generating a drive signal for a MEMS scanner
A method for generating a drive signal for a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner is provided. The method includes generating the drive signal for the MEMS scanner using a direct digital synthesis, numerically-controlled oscillator. For a particular embodiment, the drive signal is generated by receiving a summation of (i) an initial control word and (ii) an accumulated correction signal generated based on a comparison of a horizontal drive signal for the MEMS scanner and a horizontal sensor signal received from the MEMS scanner. The summation is added to a phase accumulator output, an address is extracted from the phase accumulator output, and a digital lookup table output is addressed based on the extracted address. The digital lookup table output is converted into an analog signal with a digital-to-analog converter, the analog signal is filtered to generate the drive signal, and the horizontal drive signal is generated based on the drive signal.
US08154779B2 Image reading apparatus
A method is provided for processing image data read from a book document placed on a platen of an image reading apparatus. The method includes determining a background pixel of the image data based on a luminance difference or a color difference between neighboring pixel arrays, identifying a shadow region based on a luminance change between the neighboring background pixel arrays, discriminatively detecting a shadow of a binding portion and a shadow of a front edge in a document region with reference to a changing direction of shadow luminance, and performing a luminance correction on the shadow region according to characteristics of the shadows.
US08154775B2 Book scanner using the digital camera
The present invention relates to a book scanner using a digital camera, including a main body including a housing opened at a top thereof and having an inner space and a table covering the opened top of the housing, illuminating units disposed in the main body and configured to irradiate light to the table so that left and right images of a book are projected from the table, a digital camera having a lens disposed from the inside bottom of the housing toward the center of the table and configured to capture images of the left and right pages of the book, fixed mirrors disposed on the left and right sides of the digital camera at the bottom of the housing and configured to primarily reflect images of the left and right pages of the book toward the digital camera, and a rotating mirror disposed over the digital camera and configured to secondarily reflect images of the left and right pages of the book toward the digital camera selectively while rotating left and right.
US08154774B2 Optical unit, image reading device, and image forming apparatus
An optical unit including a lens unit including a lens and an optical element configured to receive a light beam focused by the lens, and a support member configured to support the lens unit. Cutouts are provided on joint surfaces of the lens unit and the support member, respectively, such that the cutouts on the joint surface of the lens unit match the cutouts on the joint surface of the support member. The cutouts are configured to accommodate a jig inserted thereinto and rotated to move the lens unit relative to the support member and adjust a position of the lens unit in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the lens.
US08154773B2 Image communication apparatus and image communication control method
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus comprising a first FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a first FAX communication function using a public telephone network, a second FAX communication unit configured to make communications with a partner apparatus according to a second FAX communication function using an IP network, an accepter unit configured to accept an operation designation of the first and second FAX communication functions, and a limiter unit configured to limit the first and second FAX communication functions based on the operation designation accepted by the accepter unit.
US08154770B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that includes an image reading part to read an image of an original, an image recording part to record the image read by the image reading part on a sheet, a sheet discharge part to discharge the sheet recorded by the image recording part from front to rear of a main body of the image forming apparatus, a sheet stack part to stack the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge part between the image reading part and the image recording part, first and second supporters provided outside the sheet stack part along a discharge direction of the sheet to form a space between the sheet stack part and the image reading part, and a lock mechanism to lock the image reading part. The image reading part slides relative to the first and second supporters in the discharge direction.
US08154767B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method with color shift correction
Image formation free from quality degradation is achieved by selecting whether to perform correction of color shift before or after a halftone process. When the amount of color shift is determined as larger than a predetermined threshold value, the halftone process is executed before a color shift correction process. On the other hand, when the amount of color shift is determined as equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the halftone process is executed after the color shift correction process. That is, with the large amount of color shift, the image degradation as a result of not being able to keep the number of screen lines when the correction of color shift is performed before the halftone process looks more conspicuous than the case with the correction of color shift after the halftone process.
US08154766B2 Image processing device, image forming system, image forming method and computer readable medium storing program
An image processing device includes plural image processing units that perform image processing on print data; a delivery unit that delivers a whole set of print data formed of plural segments to the plural image processing units; and a sending unit that sends a processing request command that specifies which segment of print data should be subjected to image processing to the plural image processing units, respectively, each of the plural image processing units including a conversion unit that converts print data for a segment specified by the processing request command sent by the sending unit into image information as bitmap data for primary colors.
US08154764B2 Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus and image processing method with generation of binary data according to a correspondence relationship defined by a dot arrangement pattern
17-valued data of a pixel in a multi-valued image is divided into two divisions for a two-pass printing, obtaining the division data. Next, by using an index pattern where arrangements of the numerals of 1 to 16 are dispersed, each dot data of C, M and Y in the division data is arranged. First, six dot data of C are assigned to the respective minor pixels of the numerals of 1 to 6 in accordance with a value of C1=6. Next, four dot data of M are assigned to the respective minor pixels of the numerals of 7 to 10 in accordance with a value of M1=4. Further, one dot data of Y is assigned to the minor pixel of the numerals of 11 in accordance with a value of Y1=1.
US08154762B2 Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same
In order to enlarge a gamut in the low-brightness region of the hue of a special color, an image forming apparatus comprises an input unit for inputting color image data for which an image is to be formed; a color separation unit for generating color data in which the color image data has been separated into each of the plurality of colors; and an image forming unit for forming a color image based upon the color data; wherein said color separation unit generates the color data so that the color data has a region in which amount of the color material of the color black used is increased and amount of the color material of the special color used is increased as brightness declines in a low-brightness region in the hue of the special color.
US08154760B2 Image forming apparatus, content display method, and computer program product
An operation display unit displays an operation screen for receiving input. A first storage unit stores therein a file that contains a definition of a screen described in a markup language, and a compound content that contains a still image and a moving image. A browser unit displays a markup content based on the definition on the operation screen by executing the file. A displaying unit displays the compound content on the operation screen. A control unit controls switch between display of the markup content and display of the compound content on the operation screen.
US08154759B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method and computer readable information recording medium
An image forming apparatus transfers plot data stored in a first storing part of a side of a controller to a side of a writing engine. A second storing part temporarily stores the plot data from said first storing part. When data stored in the second storing part reaches a data amount to be previously stored in order that continuous transfer of the plot data to the side of the writing engine from the second storing part is available at a predetermined transfer rate, even when a predetermined delay occurs in a transfer operation of the plot data from the first storing part to the second storing part, reading of the plot data from the second storing part is started for starting image forming operation.
US08154758B2 Apparatus capable of using memory-equipped sheet and sheet selection apparatus
An apparatus capable of using a memory-equipped sheet, in which a memory device is provided to a sheet, comprises a selection part that selects a specific memory-equipped sheet from a plurality of memory-equipped sheets based on information stored in the memory device on the memory-equipped sheets.
US08154757B2 Delivery expert system, method and computer program product
Embodiments disclosed herein can facilitate delivery of a document from a source to a destination over a network where an initial delivery attempt has been unsuccessful. Actions to be taken are based upon input conditions which may include a time-variable set of input conditions such as identifying non-business days and/or hours at the destination. The document can be a fax, an email, or a voice mail. The actions may include resubmitting the document to the network for a next delivery attempt, cancelling the document, sending a request to the source or destination for additional delivery information, identifying the destination as a technical problem, or a combination thereof.
US08154755B2 Internet-based synchronized imaging
A internet based method and apparatus is described for automatically processing a captured digital image taken by a smart device at a fixed-location, mobile or virtual event, and synchronizing the combination of that captured primary image with a secondary image, be it a picture frame, or a watermark to create a combined media image. If desired, the combined image may also contain an audio file. Once combined, the image may be stored for later viewing, and/or automatically returned to the user of the smart device or the PC of the user who captured the primary image, forwarded to an online print service website, posted to a photo sharing website, and/or forwarded to a distribution list. The automated post processing of said captured images is handled by a process engine hosted at an Application Provider's website, the process engine containing instructions for the media combining and metadata tagging of said images.
US08154754B2 Apparatus, method, and program for processing job data from a network
In response to a print request from a host computer, a port for receiving print data is assigned to the host computer, the host computer is notified of a URI representing the port that serves as a destination of print data, and the port is associated with the URI in a port-status management table. When a connection for sending print data from a host computer is established, the port-status management table is referred to. If the host computer is associated with the port of the connection, printing is executed. After receiving print data, the port is closed, and the port-status management table is updated to cancel the assignment of the port to the host computer.
US08154751B2 Printing according to priority of plurality of input interfaces
A printing device includes a plurality of sorts of interfaces each of which is configured to receive therethrough a print job sent by a sending source device, a printing unit configured to perform a printing operation for the print job received by each of the interfaces, a determining unit configured to determine a print priority of each of the print jobs based on a sort of an interface through which the print job is received, a control unit configured to control the printing unit to preferentially perform a printing operation for a print job with a higher print priority given thereto by the determining unit.
US08154747B2 External terminal control apparatus and control method thereof
An external terminal control apparatus associates a category which classifies menu information about a first group of menu screens for operating the external terminal control apparatus with address information corresponding to file data that configure a second group of menu screens for operating an external terminal to integrate menu items of the external terminal with the menu items of the external terminal control apparatus. The external terminal control apparatus adds a menu item corresponding to address information to the menu information according to the associated category.
US08154743B2 Printer testing system that conserves paper and toner
A method for processing print data to a printer, comprising processing data through an optimized tester, which transforms the data by simplifying each page image while preserving information to enable recognizing identity of each page; and sending the transformed print data to a printer. The invention results in conservation of paper and toner while testing of printing systems, and presents a uniform and general way of transforming print data by simplifying each page image. The methods also include shifting printing position for each printing run to enable reuse of paper, substitution with an identification number or scaled-down image; sending normal print data through optimized tester; optimized tester generating print data, using saved print file; printer driver containing optimized tester; embedding print data PDL with tester commands; processing data through optimized tester parser and renderer within printer controller; saving data in NVRAM; and only storing log data corresponding to simplified transformed data into log storage without consumption of paper or toner.
US08154742B2 Print interruption processing
A printing method in a system which receives a designated document from a print service server and prints the received document by a printer in order to print it from the state upon interruption by a simple operating instruction at the same or different base without re-inputting printed matter information, print setting information, and the like by the user. A print interrupting instruction is inputted from a first print control apparatus. Information indicative of an interrupting print position of the designated document is stored into a print interruption information storing unit of the print service server on the basis of the inputted print interrupting instruction. In accordance with a restarting request from a second print control apparatus, the designated document is obtained from a printed matter information storing unit or the like on the basis of the information indicative of the interrupting print position of the designated document. The printing is restarted by a second printing apparatus which is controlled by the second print control apparatus which can print.
US08154741B2 Apparatus for low cost embedded platform for device-side, distributed services enablement
A class of add-on system components providing functionality of devices, management of self-help, customization and enhancement of services for devices, and remote monitoring at significantly reduced cost. It reduces the cost of UI and greatly enhances ease-of-use by realizing that the networked system can be headless and use a browser-based UI for its platform. It embeds a Device Model Agent (DMA) and connects to the Device-Centric Services platform to offer services. Additionally, it offers customized diagnostic access for customer representatives to enable self-help service actions to be performed, unifies and manages multiple access needs to several disparate data access mechanisms, and uses largely COTS PC hardware rather than customized PWBs.
US08154737B2 Method and system for estimating color ink usage for a print job element
Methods and systems for estimating the amount of color ink that will be used to print a print job element classify individual color drawing objects of the print job element in a pre-raster image process (pre-RIP) format into drawing object classes and apply predetermined rules associated with the drawing object classes to obtain color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects. Combination of color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects yields a prompt and meaningful estimate of color ink usage for the print job element. The estimate of color ink usage for the print job element can be put to advantageous use in a pay-for-print service.
US08154733B2 Method and system for the optical measurement of large radii of curvature of optical functional surfaces
The system and the method of the present invention differ from the prior art in that radii of curvature of any length of spherical and cylindrical test surfaces can be optically measured, with only a supplementary dual-focus lens being required in addition to an interferometer or an autocollimator. The supplementary dual-focus lens has a first focal plane, into which the surface vertex of the test surface is positioned, which establishes the cat's eye position (P(cat)), and a second focal plane into which the center of curvature of the test surface is moved, which establishes the autocollimation position (P(aut)) for the test surface. The radius of curvature of the test surface is determined from the distance between the focal planes (D(foc)) and the path of movement which can be reduced to zero.
US08154721B2 Method of online predicting maintenance of an apparatus
A method of online predicting maintenance of an apparatus is disclosed. Using an optical emission spectroscopy (OES) positioned on the apparatus and the change of emission spectrum intensity detected by the OES in the process, according to the detected results, measuring the parameter in the process, the function relation between the process parameter and spectrum intensity is acquired. A control threshold is decided by the processing requirement to the apparatus. When the parameter exceeds the control threshold, maintenance to the etching apparatus is engaged in order to avoid processing error caused by frequent shutdown or deficient maintenance which is estimated by experience, and hence decreasing the cost and increasing processing efficiency of substrates (such as silicon wafers) without changing apparatus and adding other online sensor, and improving production rate by avoiding waste substrates caused by error processing results. The method is suitable for semiconductor substrate etching maintenance of the apparatus and also other maintenance of the apparatus.
US08154719B2 Mask inspection apparatus
A lightweight and inexpensive mask inspection apparatus having highly efficient environmental radiation resistance is provided. The mask inspection apparatus is a mask inspection apparatus for inspecting for mask defects and includes a light source, an illuminating optical system configured to irradiate a mask with an inspection light emitted from the light source, a magnifying optical system configured to cause the inspection light with which the mask is irradiated to form an image as an optical image, and image sensor configured to acquire the optical image. The image sensor has an environmental radiation shielding member of heavy metal having a specific gravity equal to or greater than that of tantalum (Ta) at least on a side opposite to a receiving surface of a sensor chip.
US08154709B2 Method of placing a substrate, method of transferring a substrate, support system and lithographic projection apparatus
A method of placing a substrate onto a surface of a substrate holder, in which the surface is provided with a plurality of burls. Substrate placement data for allowing placement of the substrate at a certain position with respect to a position of the plurality of burls on the surface of the substrate holder is calculated. The substrate is placed at the certain position in accordance with the substrate placement data. The certain position may be based on the position at which placement would result in a minimized overlay error or may be based on the position at which placement would result in minimized substrate deformation.
US08154708B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed in which a space between the projection system and a sensor is filled with a liquid.
US08154707B2 Illumination optical system and exposure apparatus having the same
An illumination optical system for illuminating an object surface using light from a light source, the illumination optical system includes, a first optical system that includes a movable unit that is movable along an optical axis, said first optical system guiding the light to the object surface and varying an irradiation area on a certain plane, and a second optical system that can be located on and removed from an optical path of said first optical system, the second optical system varies, when located on the optical path of said first optical system, the irradiation area on the certain plane in cooperation with said first optical system, while maintaining a shape of a light intensity distribution on the certain plane, relative to the irradiation area irradiated only by said first optical system.
US08154706B2 Scanning optical device, image forming apparatus using the same, and method of adjusting scanning optical device
A scanning optical device including a plurality of light source devices 1a-1d, a light beam converting system 3 for converting the light focus state of the plurality of light beams emitted from light emitting members of the light source devices, a deflecting member 5 for scanningly deflecting the light beam from the light beam converting system, and imaging optical members 6a-6d for imaging the light beam from the deflecting member upon scan surfaces 8a-8d corresponding to the light beams, respectively, wherein the light beam converting system is comprised of a plurality of optical elements 3a-3d formed integrally and each converting the light focus state of associated one of the light beams from the light source devices, and wherein the light source devices are fixed to a holding member 12 while the positions with respect to the associated optical elements are adjusted.
US08154702B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device having an LED flexible substrate which requires no bonding by making a simple structural change. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, an LED for providing a light to the liquid crystal display panel, and an LED flexible substrate having a seating portion for mounting the LED thereto, and first and second flat portions bent from the seating portion perpendicular thereto respectively, to form a flexible printed circuit (FPC).
US08154700B2 Electronic device having electrodes and organic active regions and processes of forming the same
An electronic device can include an electrode and an organic active region. In one aspect, the electronic device can include the electrode having a corresponding pitch and an organic active region adjacent to the electrode, wherein the organic active region has a width greater than the corresponding pitch. In another aspect, an electronic device can include a first set of electrodes oriented substantially along a direction and a second set of electrodes oriented substantially along the direction. The electronic device can also include a space between the first and second sets of the electrodes. The electronic device can still further include an organic active region overlying or underlying the first and second sets of electrodes and the space. In other aspects, processes of forming the electronic devices are also disclosed.
US08154698B2 In-plane field type liquid crystal display device comprising liquid crystal molecules with more than two kinds of reorientation directions
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the first substrate, the second electrode being arranged at an upper layer with respect to the first electrode, a drain signal line and a gate signal line formed on the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer driven by an electric field formed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode extends in parallel to the drain signal line and the second electrode extends at a slanted direction to the drain signal line.
US08154696B2 Array substrate for fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device and fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device including the same
An array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines on the gate insulating layer and crossing the plurality of gate lines to define a plurality of pixel regions; a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate and data lines and in each pixel region; a pixel electrode having a plate shape and in the each pixel region, the pixel electrode connected to a portion of the thin film transistor; a first passivation layer on the pixel electrode and over the thin film transistor; and a common electrode on the first passivation layer and having a plurality of openings of a bar shape in the each pixel region, each of the openings having a major axis along the data line and a minor axis along the gate line, wherein a center portion of each opening overlaps the pixel electrode, and both ends along the major axis of each opening protrude beyond the pixel electrode.
US08154694B2 Laminated optical film, and liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus using the laminated optical film
Provided are a laminated optical film capable of enhancing a contrast ratio in an oblique direction remarkably while enhancing viewing angle characteristics when being used in a liquid crystal display apparatus or the like, and a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the laminated optical film. The laminated optical film of the present invention includes a polarizer, a first optical compensation layer, and a second optical compensation layer in the stated order, in which the first optical compensation layer has a refractive index profile of nx>nz>ny and is placed so that a slow axis direction thereof is substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis direction of the polarizer, and the second optical compensation layer converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light or circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light in a visible light region.
US08154692B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, and a light diffusing layer which has first and second major surfaces and which is arranged such that the first major surface opposes a viewer side surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The light diffusing layer includes a first region formed of a first substance which has a first refractive index N1 and a plurality of second regions formed of a second substance which has a second refractive index N2 (
US08154691B2 Altering surfaces of display screens
A matte surface of a display screen is converted to an optically flat surface, for example, via an epoxy resin coating or the like which has a refractive index equal to that of the matte surface. A film with a substantially flat surface may be applied to the matte surface. Alternatively, the matte surface may be removed from the screen, and replaced with an optically smooth surface. The matte surface may be a diffusive surface formed on a birefringent film of an LCD screen. The display screen is the front screen of a multilevel three-dimensional display comprising layered screens, and altering the surface from matte to flat reduces the blurring of displayed images.
US08154690B2 Polarized-light splitting device, display including the same, method of manufacturing the same, and apparatus for manufacturing the same
A polarized-light splitting device includes a transmissive base member having a base portion and pattern of ridges on the base portion, and a non-transmissive layer on the ridges, wherein the non-transmissive layer includes a light reflecting portion, and a light absorbing portion.
US08154688B2 Planar light-emitting device and liquid crystal display apparatus
A planar light-emitting device has a plurality of light-emitting units each including a light source and a lightguide plate. The light-emitting units are arranged with the light-exiting surfaces of their respective lightguide plates being substantially flush with each other. Each lightguide plate has an upper surface as a light-exiting surface, a lower surface opposite to the light-exiting surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the respective peripheral edges of the upper and lower surfaces. The lightguide plate emits light received from the light source from the light-exiting surface. At least a part of the peripheral side surface is an inclined surface inclined relative to the light-exiting surface.
US08154685B2 Planar illumination device, and image display device
A laser light source (1) emits a beam. A collimator lens (2) converts the beam emitted from the laser light source (1) into first substantially parallel light. A lenticular lens (3) expands a beam of the first substantially parallel light converted by the collimator lens (2) into a linear shape in a first direction. A Fresnel lens (4) converts the beam expanded in the first direction by the lenticular lens (3) into second substantially parallel light. A free curved surface mirror (5) has a reflecting surface formed into a free curved surface, and expands a beam of the second substantially parallel light converted by the Fresnel lens (4) into a planar shape in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. This arrangement enables to provide a planar illumination device with a small thickness and high light use efficiency.
US08154684B2 Light emission device and display device using the light emission device as a light source
A light emission device including: a light emission panel including at least two emissive regions spaced apart from each other and a non-emissive region between the emissive regions; and a light diffuser located in front of the light emission panel, the light diffuser including at least two first diffusion parts corresponding to the emissive regions and a second diffusion part corresponding to the non-emissive region, wherein the second diffusion part has diffusion transmittance that is greater than diffusion transmittance of the first diffusion parts.
US08154682B2 Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit comprising: a quadrilateral light guide plate 4; and a substrate 3 comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes 2; and an inner frame 8 which surround the light guide plate 4; and an outer frame 7 which surround the inner frame 8 and the substrate 3; a plurality of rubber members 9; wherein a side of the inner frame 8 is opposite to the light-emitting diodes 2, and two corners are formed edges of the side; and the rubber member 9 is placed the each corners; and wherein the rubber member 9 comprises a cylindrical part; and wherein the cylindrical part is projected inside of the inner frame 8.
US08154681B2 Display apparatus and electronic apparatus having the display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a front cover, a display panel, a rear cover configured to receive, with the front cover, the display panel, and a sheet member sandwiched by the display panel and the rear cover, the sheet member having a conductivity and shock absorption and vibration absorption properties.
US08154678B2 Display device, electronic device and method of driving display device
The present invention provides a display device which can display characters clearly and display images smoothly. An area gray scale method is adopted and a configuration of one pixel is changed depending on a mode, by selecting one or more display regions in each pixel. When characters are needed to be displayed clearly, one pixel is configured by selecting a stripe arrangement. Thus, clear display can be conducted. When images are needed to be displayed, one pixel is configured by selecting an indented state. Thus, smooth display can be conducted.
US08154675B2 Liquid crystal display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A lateral electric field liquid crystal display panel is provided which includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal enclosed between the pair of substrates, liquid crystal-drive electrodes provided on one of the pair of substrates, a translucent electrostatic shielding layer provided on an exterior surface of at least one of the pair of substrates, and a polarizer disposed on the translucent electrostatic shielding layer, and in this liquid crystal display panel, the translucent electrostatic shielding layer has properties not to disappear by a chemical reaction with a material forming the polarizer.
US08154669B2 Illumination system and television using the same
A system includes a light source, a driving module and a processing unit. The light source includes a red, green and blue light emitting diodes. The driving module is electrically coupled to the red, green and blue light emitting diodes. The driving module is for controlling a driving current outputted to each of the red, green and blue light emitting diodes. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the driving module. The processing unit receives a video signal containing display information which is inputted into a display screen and is to be displayed thereon. The processing unit analyzes the video signal and determines color temperature of the display information, and outputs a first controlling signal to the driving module for synchronously adjusting the color temperature of the light emitted from the light source to be substantially equal to that of the display information displayed on the display screen.
US08154667B2 Digital planetarium picture-projecting apparatus
It is intended to provide a digital planetarium picture-projecting apparatus capable of recording and executing an operation procedure, facilitating recording of the operation procedure, editing the operation procedure, and executing an ad-lib representation when the operation procedure is executed. The digital planetarium picture projecting apparatus comprises an operating portion which accepts an operation by an operator about picture projection, an operation display panel which displays information about picture projection to the operator, a manual process recording portion which records an operation procedure executed to the operating portion, and a control portion which executes picture projection according to the operation procedure recorded in the manual process recording portion, wherein a temporary stop or restart operation by the operator is accepted during recording of the operation procedure by the manual process recording portion. Further, information about a projection screen is displayed on an operation display panel during execution of picture projection according to the operation procedure.
US08154654B2 Frame interpolation device, frame interpolation method and image display device
According to one embodiment, a frame interpolation device includes a detecting section which receives a frame signal of 60 Hz and outputs a pull-down detection signal when determining that the frame signal is a pull-down signal, a generation section which generates a first frame signal of 120 Hz by use of a first insertion pattern based on the frame signal of 60 Hz and a second frame signal of 120 Hz by use of a second insertion pattern, and a selecting section which outputs the first frame signal by the first insertion pattern when the pull-down detection signal is not received and outputs the second frame signal of 120 Hz of the second insertion pattern when the pull-down detection signal is received.
US08154653B2 Expandable two axis or three axis camera support
A camera support or head has a pan frame pivotably attached to a support hub. The support hub is attached to a camera crane or similar apparatus. The pan frame has first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length pan arms. A pan motor is attached to the pan frame and adapted to pivot the pan frame about a pan axis relative to the support hub. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the pan frame. The tilt frame may include first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length tilt arms attached to opposite ends of a camera mounting plate. A tilt motor is attached to the tilt frame and to the pan frame and is adapted to pivot the tilt frame about a tilt axis perpendicular to the pan axis. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera head to extended to accommodate cameras requiring more vertical clearance. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera platform to be moved to better locate the center of gravity of the camera on the tilt axis, for more balanced loading.
US08154648B2 Zoom lens system and image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens system includes in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a negative refracting power, a second lens unit having a positive refracting power, a third lens unit having a positive refracting power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refracting power. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens unit moves such that a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit decreases, and distances between the other lens units change. The first lens unit includes in order from the object side, one negative lens component having an aspheric surface at least on one surface, and one positive lens component, the fourth lens unit includes one negative lens component having a surface on the object side as a concave surface, and satisfies the following conditional expression (1) −4<(R4a+R4b)/(R4a−R4b)<−0.5  (1).
US08154647B2 Automated extended depth of field imaging apparatus and method
An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.
US08154646B2 Image capturing apparatus with zoom function
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit which captures image data of an object, a zoom image data generating unit which generates items of zoom image data having different zoom magnifications, a display control unit which displays through images on a display unit based on the items of the generated zoom image data, a selection unit which selects one of the zoom magnifications by selecting one of the through images displayed on the display unit, and a recording control unit which records image data corresponding to the selected zoom magnification in a storing medium.
US08154645B2 Image pickup system including image pickup device and connection device for connecting to external display device
An image pickup system including an image pickup device and a connection device is provided. The image pickup device includes an image pickup unit which picks up a subject image, a display unit, a first character image generation unit, and a first control unit. The first character image generation unit generates a first character image representing one or more characters to be displayed on the display unit. The first control unit outputs the subject image and information representing the above-noted one or more characters to the connection device when the image pick-up device and the connection device are connected with each other. The connection device includes a second character image generation unit. The second character image generation unit generates a second character image representing one or more characters to be displayed on an external display device, based on the information representing the above-noted one or more characters.
US08154644B2 System and method for manipulation of a digital image
A system for rendering a digital image includes a rendering device for rendering a digital image and a camera for capturing a sequence of images of a user. A conversion module converts the sequence of images into a manipulation command for altering the rendering of the digital image. In one embodiment, the conversion module is a lip reading module that converts a sequence of images depicting the motion of the user's facial features into text tag or visual effects command. The text tag or command may then be applied to the digital image. The digital image may be divided into portions containing principle subject matter, and a text tag or visual effects command may be generated for one or more of the image portions. A facial detection module may be employed to detect changes in the user's facial features to navigate among the image portions.
US08154638B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus
A frequency converting unit 101 includes a connection circuit for connecting a plurality of inverting circuits through which a delay time between an input signal and an output signal is changed according to a magnitude of the signal output by the image pickup unit, and one or a plurality of switch elements which are connected between an output terminal of the inverting circuit and an input terminal of another inverting circuit not adjacent to the inverting circuit, and generates a clock signal having a frequency according to the connection circuit. The control unit 20 controls the switch elements included in the frequency converting unit 101 to open and close. The count unit 103 counts the clock signal generated by the frequency converting unit.
US08154637B2 Image sensor
An image sensor, in particular a CMOS image sensor, for electronic cameras having a plurality of light-sensitive pixels which are arranged in rows and columns and whose signals are conducted via a plurality of column lines to column amplifiers, with a column amplifier being associated with each column line. At least one further column amplifier which is simultaneously also associated with at least one other column line is associated with the respective column line. A switching device switches the respective column line selectively to one of the associated column amplifiers.
US08154636B2 Image enhancement using hardware-based deconvolution
An image enhancement circuit (26, 60, 190, 260) includes an input interface (64, 262), which is operative to accept a stream of input pixel values belonging to pixels (32) of an input image. The input image includes a plurality of different input sub-images including respective subsets of the pixels, such that the input pixel values of the pixels in the different input sub-images are interleaved in the stream. A plurality of filter cells (92, 144, 206, 222, 238, 364) are connected in a two-dimensional array configuration and are arranged to separately filter the input pixel values of each of the input sub-images with respective two-dimensional deconvolution kernels so as produce respective output sub-images that include output pixel values. A multiplexer (88, 332) is coupled to multiplex together the output pixel values of the output sub-images so as to produce a filtered output image.
US08154633B2 Line removal and object detection in an image
In one aspect, lines in image data of an event are automatically found and repaired. For example, the event may be a sporting event which is played on a field, and the line segment is a field line on the field which may be obscured by a player, game ball or other object. The line segment is automatically detected in a mask image, and a portion of the line segment which is occluded by the object is automatically determined, and the object is automatically removed. The line segment can also be repaired. Optionally, a virtual viewpoint of the event is provided from the image, with the line repaired and the object removed. In another aspect, an object in an image of an event is automatically located by detecting blobs in the image which meet at least one specified criterion, such as size, aspect ratio, density or color profile.
US08154629B2 Noise canceling circuit, noise canceling method, and solid-state imaging device
A noise canceling circuit that includes a sharp/flat-part determining unit that determines whether a neighborhood of a target pixel in a digital video signal is a sharp part or a flat part by calculating a sharpness value indicating sharpness and an approximate noise value approximately indicating a noise value included in the target pixel based on pixel values of the target pixel and a predetermined number of pixels inputted immediately before and after the target pixel, and comparing the sharpness value and the approximate noise value, a noise extracting unit that extracts the noise value of the target pixel by performing a noise extraction corresponding to a result of the determination performed by the sharp/flat-part determining unit, and a correcting unit that corrects the pixel value of the target pixel by using the extracted noise value of the target pixel.
US08154626B2 Imaging apparatus having enhanced zoom operation
An imaging apparatus includes a zoom operation unit operable to perform a zoom operation, an extraction unit configured to extract a main object from an captured image plane, and a control unit configured to control a zoom speed by using the size of a region occupied by the main object with respect to the captured image plane and operation information of the zoom operation unit.
US08154624B2 Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof
An image pickup apparatus that has an optical zooming unit and an electronic zooming unit includes a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the image pickup apparatus, and a controller configured to move the electronic zooming unit along with an operation of the optical zooming unit, and to move a telephoto end for control of the optical zooming unit toward a wide-angle side according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector. Along with control to move the telephoto end of the optical zooming unit to the wide-angle end, the controller sets smaller than a change rate of a zoom magnification of an electronic zooming unit in a first zoom region a change rate of a zoom magnification of an electronic zooming unit in a second zoom region that is adjacent with and closer to the telephoto end than the first zoom region.
US08154623B2 Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof
An image pickup apparatus that includes an optical zooming unit, an electronic zooming unit, and a controller, wherein when the optical zooming unit moves from a first zoom region to a second zoom region that is closer to a wide-angle end than the first zoom region, the controller discretely moves the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit at the first change rate, and when the optical zooming unit moves from the first zoom region to a third zoom region that is closer to a telephoto end than the first zoom region, the controller discretely operates the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit at the second change rate.
US08154619B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging processing method, and imaging control program
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device outputting, during a unit period of time, a long-exposure-time image signal having a relatively long exposure time and a short-exposure-time image signal having a relatively short exposure time; a first clipping processing mechanism clipping a part not lower than a first signal level of a luminance signal obtained from the long-exposure-time image signal; a second clipping processing mechanism clipping a part not higher than a second signal level of a luminance signal obtained from the short-exposure-time image signal; and a signal processing mechanism generating a synthesized image signal having a dynamic range wider than dynamic ranges of both of the image signals by synthesizing the clipped image signals, wherein the second signal level is not lower than a signal level obtained by dividing the first signal level by a ratio in time of the long exposure time to the short exposure time.
US08154617B2 Method of detecting the existence of visually sensitive thin lines in a digital image
A method of detecting existence of visually thin lines in images is described herein. The method includes profile generation, profile analysis and deciding the existence of thin lines. The profile generation includes generating a profile in each direction of the input image. Multiple projection lines are projected along the direction and all of the pixel values along the projection lines are added and averaged to obtain a profile. The profile analysis includes determining presence of thin lines in the input image and also noticing if the direction of the thin lines is similar to that of the projection lines. At the third step, according to the analysis made, existence of thin lines in the image is decided.
US08154616B2 Data processing apparatus and method, and recording medium
A data processing apparatus acquires images captured by cameras. A data processing apparatus 2 calculates relative positional relationship between the camera that captured an image and a camera that is captured in the captured image, by image recognition of the captured image. The data processing apparatus 2 aggregates positional relationships calculated for the captured images, respectively, and by having one camera as reference, calculates the relative positions and directions of other cameras. Based on the calculated results, a user interface for supporting selection of the captured image by a user is generated.
US08154615B2 Method and apparatus for image display control according to viewer factors and responses
A device and system and a method for selecting and displaying images in accordance with attention responses of an image viewer. An image capture device captures a viewer image of a spatial region potentially containing a viewer of the image display device and a viewer detection mechanism analyzes the viewer image and determines whether a potential viewer is observing the display screen. A gaze pattern analysis mechanism identifies a viewer response to a currently displayed image by analysis of the viewer's emotional response as revealed by the viewer's facial expression and other sensory inputs, and the selection of an image to be displayed is then modified in accordance with the indicated viewer's attention response.
US08154610B2 Image sensor with built-in ISP and dual camera system
A dual camera system includes a first bayer sensor block for outputting an external bayer image data constituted with photosensitive values of respective photosensitive cells which are sensitive to an incident light and a data processing unit, including a second bayer sensor block for outputting an internal bayer image data, for converting the external and the internal bayer image data into an image frame data with a predetermined format.
US08154607B2 Method and apparatus to correct digital image blur due to motion of subject or imaging device
Signal processing techniques are applied to digital image data to remove the distortion caused by motion of the camera, or the movement of the subject being photographed, or defective optics, or optical distortion from other sources. When the image is captured, the effect of relative motion between the camera and the subject is that it transforms the true image into a blurred image according to a 2-dimensional transfer function. The 2-dimensional transfer function representing the motion is derived using blind estimation techniques or by using information from sensors that detect the motion. The transfer function is inverted and used to define a corrective filter. The filter is applied to the image and the blur due to the motion is removed, restoring the correct image. Another embodiment uses the transfer function to avoid blur by combining multiple consecutive images taken at a fast shutter speed.
US08154605B2 Image tracking apparatus, image tracking method and camera for improved recognition of a target object
An image tracking apparatus includes: an imaging device that generates image information by capturing an image formed through an image forming optical system; a setting unit that sets, based upon the image information, first reference image information that includes image information corresponding to a part of an image to be designated as a target in the image information and also sets second reference image information based upon information related to an image assuming a position close to an image corresponding to the first reference image information; and a recognition unit that recognizes the target based upon the first reference image information and the second reference image information.
US08154604B2 Camera motion parameter retrieving system and solving process
A camera motion parameter retrieving system and solving process begins with using the equation of that the vector field divergence volume integral is equal to the total outgoing throughput passing through the surface area of the volume through the vector in conjunction with camera motion detection to solve the Motion Vectors (MVs) in the domain, followed by operation to further solve camera motion parameter respectively contains that for PAN, TILT and ZOOM while the value of the parameter represents the motion value; upon obtaining those three parameters, the moving direction of the camera motion of the present image being indicated after simple addition and subtraction operation.
US08154603B2 Imaging device transferring data to external device
An imaging device comprises an interface for connecting an external recording device, a control circuit for controlling data communication with the external recording device connected to the interface, and an information storage. The control circuit comprises a connection establisher for realizing a connection established status with the external recording device, an information supplier for supplying the data management information stored in the information storage to the external recording device, and a connection canceller for canceling the connection established status before or at the time of setting the device main body to the electric power saving mode, after making the information supplier execute the data management information supply operation or after completion of the data management information supply operation by the information supplier.
US08154596B2 Reduction in load of image transmission
An image transmitting method is disclosed for reducing the load on a CPU of an image transmission apparatus. An image change monitoring unit provided in the image transmission apparatus monitors the latest image used to generate image data transmitted to an image reception apparatus via a network, and a subsequent image to determine whether or not the latest image has changed. An image capture unit captures the image after the image has changed to acquire the image when the image change monitoring unit determines that the latest image has changed.
US08154592B2 Device and method for inspecting fast repetitive events of defined duration
The invention relates to a device for inspecting fast repetitive events of defined duration, comprising image recording means for recording successive images of the repetitive event, and image reproduction means for providing a synchronized slow motion representation of said successive images of the repetitive event during the total duration of the repetitive event or a multiple thereof, whereas said image recording means comprise high frame rate image recording means for digitally recording a limited burst of successive images of a fraction of one event, and the device comprises software means to provide synchronized image recording of said fraction of one event and slow motion representation of said limited burst of successive images during the total duration of said one event or multiple thereof, andto an inspection method for such repetitive events involving high frame rate image recording of a limited burst of successive images of a fraction of one event, and synchronized slow motion representation of said limited burst of successive images during the total duration of said one event or multiple thereof.
US08154591B2 Eyelid opening level determination device and computer readable medium storing computer program thereof
An eyelid opening level determination device includes a face image taking unit; an upper eyelid detection unit for detecting an upper eyelid in the face image; a lower eyelid area setting unit for setting an area for searching a lower eyelid based on the upper eyelid; an edge group detecting unit for detecting an edge group where brightness changes from dark to bright as a lower eyelid candidate by scanning the area from an upper side to a lower side; a reliability value obtaining unit for obtaining a reliability value of the edge group; a lower eyelid determination unit in which the edge group having the reliability value exceeding a predetermined value in the edge group is determined to be the lower eyelid; and an eyelid opening level obtaining unit for obtaining opening level of the eyelid based on positions for the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid.
US08154587B2 Apparatus and method of displaying the three-dimensional image
A three-dimensional image display apparatus displays element images each composed of a set of parallax component images. An exit pupil array is located opposite the display surface. Exit pupils of the array correspond to the respective element images. The horizontal pitch of the exit pupils or an integral multiple of the horizontal pitch is set equal or slightly smaller than an integral multiple of the horizontal pitch of pixels. The parallax component images are oriented in different directions via the exit pupil. Principal beams from the parallax component images via the exit pupils are emitted substantially parallel to one another. The element image contains substantially the same parallax image component in two pixel areas in which two adjacent parallax image components are otherwise displayed. The same parallax image component is oriented in different directions via the corresponding exit pupil.
US08154585B2 Processing multiview video
Decoding a multiview video signal comprises: receiving a bitstream comprising encodings of multiple views of the multiview video signal. Each view comprises multiple pictures segmented into multiple segments. The decoding also comprises extracting flag information associated with a portion of the multiview video signal from the bitstream indicating whether illumination compensation of segments within said portion of the multiview video signal is enabled. For a portion in which illumination compensation is enabled according to the extracted flag information, a value associated with a segment within the portion is extracted from the bitstream and it is determined from said extracted value whether illumination compensation of the segment is to be performed.
US08154584B2 Image capture system for a digital holographic printer
An image capture system for a digital holographic printer is disclosed comprising a digital camera (22) having a relatively small horizontal field of view (29). The camera (22) is translated along a rail (21). As the camera (22) is translated along the rail (21) the camera (22) is also rotated so that it faces a target point of an object which is to be reproduced as an hologram. The image data which is obtained by the camera (22) is converted into image data which corresponds with image data which would have been obtained had a non-rotating camera having a substantially higher horizontal field of view been translated along the rail (21) and been used to capture images of the object.
US08154581B2 Audio-video communication system for receiving person at entrance
An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.
US08154578B2 Multi-camera residential communication system
Video communication devices and methods are provided. The device has an image display device; a first image capture device that acquires video images depicting a wide field of view within the local environment; a second image capture device that acquires video images depicting a narrow field of view within the wide field of view; a communication system that is adapted to use a communication network to transmit outgoing video images; and a computer causing the capture of video images during a communication event, and further being adapted to identify a video context for the communication event; wherein said computer uses a scene analysis algorithm to examine concurrent video images from the image capture device based upon the identified video context to determine the extent to which video images from the first image capture device and the second image capture device are to be incorporated into the outgoing video images.
US08154577B2 Apparatus and method of controlling light level of a light source, and recording medium storing program of controlling light level of a light source
An apparatus and a method of controlling a light level of a light beam irradiated by a light source are provided. The light source is caused to irradiate the light beam having a light level determined based on a light level correction value for a specific main scanning position. The light level correction value is calculated based on light level change information indicating the change in the light level correction value for the specific main scanning position changes with respect to an initial light level correction value or a preceding light level correction value.
US08154575B2 Heating resistor element, manufacturing method for the same, thermal head, and printer
Provided is a heating resistor element, including: an insulating substrate (9); a heat accumulating layer (10) bonded to a surface of the insulating substrate (9); and a heating resistor (11) provided on the heat accumulating layer (10), in which: on at least one of bonded surfaces between the heating substrate (9) and the heat accumulating layer (10), at least one of the insulating substrate (9) and the heat accumulating layer (10) is provided with a concave portion (16) in a region opposed to the heating resistor (11) to form a hollow portion (17); and the concave portion (16) has a curvature radius of 10 μm or more at each corner thereof. Accordingly, occurrence of stress concentration caused by heat or a load can be suppressed to improve durability, and both a sufficient strength and heating efficiency are realized.
US08154573B2 Method of forming a latent image on an overcoat layer
A method of forming a latent image portion on an overcoat layer by a difference in surface brilliance, at the time of layering an overcoat layer on a thermal transfer subject sheet by a heat transfer method, includes the steps of: setting at least two types of applied energy from the thermal head wherein a plurality of thermal elements are arrayed in line form, and layering the overcoat layer on the thermal transfer subject sheet; forming a difference in surface brilliance made up of a region of relatively high degree of brilliance and a region of relatively low degree of brilliance, based on the difference in the applied energy, to form a line pattern with a plurality of lines; and forming the lines by shifting a phase of a line pattern of the latent image portion and the line pattern of a background portion excluding the latent image portion.
US08154572B2 Adjusting the calibration of an imaging system
The calibration of an imaging system is adjusted for geometric distortion of an image formed by a group of imaging channels on a media supported on a media support. The media support includes a plurality of individually spaced reference features disposed on a surface of the media support and a change in an expected position of at least one of the reference features is determined. Activation timing of the channels is adjusted in accordance with such changes. The imaging channels can be supported on a movable carriage and movement of the carriage can be adjusted in accordance with such changes.
US08154570B2 Arrangement with a mobile data carrier and a hand-held device
An arrangement (1) with a mobile data carrier (2) and a handheld device (4) displays driving periods, rest periods and other types of activity recorded by a tachograph and evaluated by the hand-held device (4). The hand-held device has an evaluation unit (11), a display unit (6) and an input unit. In order to minimize the outlay necessary for evaluating the periods of time, the recording data (20) stored in digital form in a memory of the mobile data carrier (2) designed as a data card (3) can be transmitted via a data transmission interface (17), to computers or notebooks in the transport company or in the vehicle of the control units, and the evaluation unit (11) determines and evaluates the driving periods and/or rest periods and/or the period of time spent in other types of activity.
US08154569B2 System and method for modular display
A modular display system and method assembles an external interface module with a display module to support built-to-order display configurations. The display module has display panel, timing controller and speaker components assembled in a display module housing that accepts a single LVDS and a single audio interface. The external interface module couples to the display module housing to form an integral display system. Selective assembly of the display system from plural types of external interface modules allows selective configuration of the display system with various television and information handling system display functionalities, such as to fill a purchaser order in a build-to-order manufacturing process.
US08154567B2 Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device including the same
A liquid crystal panel includes a first type pixel and a second type pixel that are formed adjacent to each-other. The first type pixel has a first layout of respective first and second sub-pixels, and the second type pixel has a second layout of respective first and second sub-pixels. The first layout is different from the second layout such that the liquid crystal panel is driven according to dot inversion with alternating first and second sub-pixels determining the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel for preventing vertical faults.
US08154564B2 Dynamically configurable bilinear filtering system
Apparatus and methods for a bilinear filter system comprising a pre-formatter module, a bilinear module, an accumulator module, and a format module. The pre-formatter module is configured to receive texel data and convert it to a normalized fixed point format. The bilinear module is dynamically reconfigurable to perform an interpolation or an extended precision interpolation on the normalized fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module and generate re-normalized floating point texel data. The interpolator analyzes the exponent range of fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module to determine if an extended precision calculation is appropriate. The accumulator module is configured to accumulate floating point texel data from the bilinear module to achieve the desired level of bilinear, trilinear, and anisotropic filtering. The format module is configured to convert texel data from the accumulator module into a standard floating point representation.
US08154563B2 Color conversion method and apparatus for display device
A color conversion method and apparatus for a multi-primary display (MPD) are provided with analyzing an input image to determine a transformation parameter; interpolating at least two look-up tables for color conversion according to the transformation parameter, in order to calculate a look-up table for the input image; and applying the calculated look-up table to the input image to perform the color conversion. Accordingly, it is possible to provide good color reproduction and efficiently use a color gamut of an MPD having color coordinates that are different from those of primaries of an input image.
US08154560B2 Display drive circuit
A display drive circuit of the invention has: an initial-color-gamut-apex-coordinate-storing unit capable of storing initial color gamut apex coordinates; a user-target-color-gamut-apex-coordinate-storing unit capable of storing user target color gamut apex coordinates; a saturation-expansion-coefficient-deciding unit for deciding expansion coefficients of saturation data based on the initial and user target color gamut apex coordinates; and an expansion unit for expanding saturations of display data based on the saturation expansion coefficients. The expansion coefficients of saturation data are decided based on the initial and user target color gamut apex coordinates, and saturations of display data are expanded according to the expansion coefficients. Thus, the degree of expanding the saturations can be controlled for each color gamut or each of R, G and B color properties of an LC display panel.
US08154556B1 Multiple simultaneous unique outputs from a single display pipeline
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a system for generating multiple video output signals from a single video pipeline within a graphics processing unit. Pixel data from more than one display surface is retrieved and multiplexed before being transmitted to a video pipeline for processing. The resulting video pixel data is routed to video output encoders, which selectively accept the video pixel data for transmission to attached display devices.
US08154555B2 Memory address re-mapping of graphics data
A method and apparatus for creating, updating, and using guest physical address (GPA) to host physical address (HPA) shadow translation tables for translating GPAs of graphics data direct memory access (DMA) requests of a computing environment implementing a virtual machine monitor to support virtual machines. The requests may be sent through a render or display path of the computing environment from one or more virtual machines, transparently with respect to the virtual machine monitor. The creating, updating, and using may be performed by a memory controller detecting entries sent to existing global and page directory tables, forking off shadow table entries from the detected entries, and translating GPAs to HPAs for the shadow table entries.
US08154554B1 Unified assembly instruction set for graphics processing
Systems and methods for providing a unified instruction set allow shader programs of different types to use a common instruction set. The unified instruction set provides easy access for new graphics hardware features and faster compile times for shader programs. Programmers may use the unified instruction set to write fragment, vertex, or geometry programs. Functions that use the unified instruction set can be included in shader, vertex, or geometry programs without modification. Existing shader programs may be compiled to produce shader microcode based on the unified instruction set. The shader microcode may then be executed by processing units designed to support the unified instruction set.
US08154553B2 Centralized streaming game server
Exemplary embodiments include an interception mechanism for rendering commands generated by interactive applications, and a feed-forward control mechanism based on the processing of the commands on a rendering engine, on a pre-filtering module, and on a visual encoder. Also a feed-back control mechanism from the encoder is described. The mechanism is compression-quality optimized subject to some constraints on streaming bandwidth and system delay. The mechanisms allow controllable levels of detail for different rendered objects, controllable post filtering of rendered images, and controllable compression quality of each object in compressed images. A mechanism for processing and streaming of multiple interactive applications in a centralized streaming application server is also described.
US08154549B2 Data display apparatus, data display method and data display program
A data display apparatus includes: an axis display section that displays an axis indicating a predetermined range on a display section; a data association section that associates a plurality of data with positions on the axis based on attribute information of the data, the plurality of data being different from one another; and a data display control section that arranges, out of the plurality of data, a certain number of data associated with arbitrary areas on the axis in a predetermined order and displays the certain number of data.
US08154548B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A measured value of a physical quantity measured using a measuring device within a predetermined region on a real space, and a position where the measuring device performs measurement are acquired (S1001 to S1003). An analytic value of the physical quantity at that position in the predetermined region is calculated (S1004). A first object representing the measured value and a second object representing the analytic value are arranged at a place corresponding to this position on a virtual space having a coordinate system which matches the coordinate system of the real space (S1005, S1006). An image which is seen upon viewing the virtual space on which the first and second objects are arranged from a viewpoint is generated, and the generated image is output (S1008, S1009).
US08154544B1 User specified contact deformations for computer graphics
An embodiment of the invention creates contact deformations in objects by combining two deformations. A collider contacting an object defines a primary deformation that modifies at least a portion of the object in contact with the collider. A secondary deformation based at least in part on user-provided parameters is added in the vicinity of the primary deformation to deform nearby portions of the objects that are not in contact with the collider, providing an aesthetic contact effect. A secondary deformation specification defines the general shape of the secondary deformation. The secondary deformation specification is associated with a location based on the location of the primary deformation. In an embodiment, the modification of the object due to the secondary deformation specification is modulated by attributes of the collision points, the primary deformation, user-specified weightings, and/or weight maps.
US08154543B2 Stereoscopic image display device
A stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel including a plurality of left eye pixels and a plurality of right eye pixels, a memory including a left eye image section for storing data corresponding to the left eye pixels and a right eye image section for storing data corresponding to the right eye pixels, a geometric engine for converting an input 3D image data into left eye 3D image data corresponding to the left eye pixels or right eye 3D image data corresponding to the right eye pixels, and a rendering engine for calculating a coordinate value and a color information value to be stored in the left eye section or the right eye section by using coordinate and color information of the left eye 3D image data or the right eye 3D image data, and for storing the color information value in the memory based on the coordinate value.
US08154540B2 Drive circuit of display panel and display apparatus
A drive circuit of a display panel having wirings and display devices connected to the wirings includes a first switch that transits potential of the wirings toward a first potential, a feedback amplifier that maintains the potentials of the wirings at the first potential, and a second switch that selects whether or not to supply an output from the feedback amplifier to the wirings. In addition, a self switch controls the second switch by comparing the potential of the wirings with a reference potential that is higher by a predetermined value than the first potential. The first switch and the second switch are connected to the wirings in parallel, and a drive performance of the first switch is lower than that of the second switch.
US08154538B2 Differential signaling system and flat panel display with the same
A differential signaling system where a first wire and a second wire are connected to a sending end and a receiving end of a differential signal line. A termination resistor is connected between the first wire and the second wire adjacent to the receiving end. A programmable compensation circuit is connected to the termination resistor in parallel. The programmable compensation circuit includes: a plurality of switches for receiving each bit of an input digital control signal through a gate thereof; a plurality of first capacitors including a first electrode connected to a source electrode of each of the switches, and a second electrode connected to the first wire; and a plurality of second capacitors including a first electrode connected to a drain electrode of each of the switches, and a second electrode connected to the second wire.
US08154537B2 Resistive actuator with dynamic variations of frictional forces
A system for generating haptic effects on a rotary knob includes an electrical coil and a core. A first level of voltage is applied to the coil to enable a first surface interface having a first coefficient of friction and to generate a first haptic effect by varying the voltage. A second level of voltage is applied to the coil to enable a second surface interface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction and to generate a second haptic effect by varying the voltage.
US08154535B2 Display apparatus and position detecting method
An image generating unit of a display apparatus generates a determination image based on first and second light reception images obtained from light reception cells in a light-emission period and in a non-light-emission period, respectively. An image determining unit determines whether or not an image of an object to be detected is included in the determination image, stores data corresponding to the determination image as initial data into a storage when the object image is not included in the determination image, and stores the data corresponding to the determination image as detection data into the storage when the object image is included in the determination image. A position determining unit determines at least an object position based on an image represented by the detection data in the storage and an image represented by the initial data in the storage.
US08154533B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is adapted to reduce cross-talk and signal noise so as to improve the perception ratio and accuracy of a sense element. The liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels connected to gate lines and data lines thereon, respectively; a gate drive circuit applying scan signals to the gate lines; a data drive circuit applying pixel voltage signals to the data lines; at least one sensor unit formed in at least one pixel region and sensing external lights and a touch of the liquid crystal panel; a switch unit switching a switch voltage and the pixel voltage signals to be applied to the data lines on the liquid crystal panel; a sense processor processing the sensed signal from the sensor unit; and a timing controller controlling the gate drive circuit, the data drive circuit, the switch unit, and the sense processor to be driven in one of data write mode and light sense mode.
US08154532B2 LCD display with photo sensor touch function
The present invention relates to a method for driving a display device having a panel having a display region and a peripheral region, a first photosensor member formed in the display region, and a second photosensor member formed in the peripheral region. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of measuring an intensity of ambient light by the second photosensor member, and driving the first photosensor member according to the measured intensity of the ambient light, so as to sense a change of incident light caused by a touch on the display region.
US08154525B2 Position detecting device and position detecting method
An excitation coil (19) surrounding the periphery of the position detecting area is connected to an oscillating circuit (21), which oscillates at a frequency f0, through a drive circuit (20). A CPU (18) supplies control signals to a selecting circuit (12), a sample-and-hold circuit (16), an A/D conversion circuit (17), and the drive circuit (20). Based on the control signal output from the CPU (18), the drive circuit (20) controls the power of the signal output from the excitation coil (19) to ON or OFF. Further, the strength of the excitation signal supplied from the excitation coil (19) is controlled based on information obtained by analyzing a signal received from a position indicator (40), such as the position indicated by the position indicator on the position detecting area and/or a strength of the signal received from the position indicator.
US08154524B2 Physics simulation-based interaction for surface computing
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing interactive surface technologies for data manipulation. A surface detection component can employ a multiple contact surfacing technology to detect a surface input, wherein the detected surface input enables a physical interaction with a portion of displayed data that represents a corporeal object. A physics engine can integrate a portion of Newtonian physics into the interaction with the portion of displayed data in order to model at least one quantity related associated with the corporeal object, the quantity is at least one of a force, a mass, a velocity, or a friction.
US08154522B2 Recovering image system
The invention relates to a recovering image system comprising a data inputting device, a driver and a panel. The data inputting device outputs digital data signals. The driver device receives the digital data signals, converts the digital data signals to analog data signals, outputs the analog data signals or reset data signals according to timing control signals. The panel receives the analog data signals or the reset data signals and displays normal images, reset images or both according to the analog data signals and the reset data signals. To recover only the disturbed area, feedback of the touch panel to the driver is required.
US08154521B2 Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal having a terminal body and a keypad located on the terminal body is provided. The keypad includes a plurality of keys configured to input information, a plurality of light emitting units, each light emitting unit being associated with a corresponding key of the plurality of keys to separately illuminate the corresponding key, a shielding member to reduce leakage of light from an activated light emitting unit to adjacent keys, and a control unit configured to detect when one of the plurality of keys is operated and to activate at least the light emitting unit associated with the operated key.
US08154520B2 Handheld electronic communication device transitionable between compact and expanded configurations
A handheld electronic communication device is disclosed that is transitionable between at least a compact configuration and expanded configuration. The handheld electronic communication device includes a display panel pivotally interconnected to a keyboard panel. The display panel can be overlaid on, and in substantial registration with, the keyboard panel in a compact configuration. Furthermore, the display panel can be offset above the keyboard panel in an expanded configuration. A pivot connection can be configured to couple and maintain the keyboard and display panels in substantial parallel orientation to each other in the compact and expanded configurations. The pivot connection includes an axis of rotation and is located in an upper corner of the handheld electronic communication device in the compact configuration. Additionally, a trackball navigation tool assembly is located at the upper corner of the handheld electronic communication device where the axis of rotation is located.
US08154518B2 Handheld electronic device and associated method employing a multiple-axis input device and elevating the priority of certain text disambiguation results when entering text into a special input field
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. If a field into which text is being entered is determined to be a special input field, a disambiguated result can be sought first from a predetermined data source prior to seeking results from other data sources on the device.
US08154514B2 Method of controlling movement of graphics object and remote control device using the same
A remote control device is provided. The device includes an attitude sensing unit that senses the attitude of a device; an axis determining unit that determines one axis in space according to the attitude; a direction input unit that receives a selection command input of one of two directions that are parallel to the axis and are in opposite directions to each other; and a transmission unit that transmits a control signal to move a predetermined graphics object in a direction corresponding to the selection command.
US08154513B2 Display system and method for detecting pointed position
At least two infrared light-emitting areas are displayed within a display screen of a liquid crystal display apparatus. The infrared light-emitting areas are areas for emitting light having a wavelength in the infrared region. Then, an image is captured by an operating device in the direction of a position pointed by the operating device. A position on the display screen that is pointed by the operating device is calculated based on the positions of the infrared light-emitting areas that are included in the captured image. This arrangement makes it possible to appropriately calculate the position on the display screen that is pointed by the operating device, independently of the distance between the operating device and the display screen of the liquid crystal display apparatus.
US08154509B2 Electronic display system, electronic paper writing device, electronic paper and method for manufacturing the same
Aspects of the invention provide an electronic paper display system that can include an electronic paper and the writing device. The writing device transmits power and baseband signals by using an electromagnetic coupling between a coil of the writing device and a coil of the electronic paper. The baseband signals, which are encoded by the writing device, are decoded by a decoder of the electronic paper and fed to the control circuit to illustrate images on a bi-stable display unit. The electronic paper has a power storage that temporarily stores power transmitted by using electromagnetic coupling for absorbing fluctuation of power in both transmission and consumption. The asynchronous design of this invention brings both robustness and low-power consumption.
US08154506B2 Device and method for adjusting backlight brightness
A device and method for adjusting backlight brightness employed in a display. The device has a buffer, a counter, and a comparator. The buffer receives and stores an image data of a frame. The counter receives the image data and obtains an image-loading value of the image data. The comparator is coupled to the counter and compares the image-loading value with a preset image-loading value. The comparator outputs a control signal indicating the comparison result to a backlight module to adjust the brightness of the backlight module.
US08154504B2 Liquid crystal display device capable of automatically switching to a mode and method for driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate divided into a display region and a non-display region including a first region and a second region, a liquid crystal layer, and a second substrate. The backlight unit is disposed opposite a surface of the first substrate to emit light onto the liquid crystal display panel. The first sensor is disposed in the first region to sense ambient light, and the second sensor is disposed in the second region to sense light emitted from the backlight unit.
US08154502B2 Display apparatus having reduced kickback voltage
A display apparatus includes; a display panel including a plurality of data lines which receive a data signal, a plurality of gate lines which receive a gate signal and a plurality of pixels, a data driving circuit which provides the data liens with the data signal, and a gate driving circuit which sequentially applies the gate signal to the plurality of gate lines, wherein an area between an ith gate line and an (i+1)th gate line is divided into a plurality of areas by the plurality of data lines, and wherein each area includes first and second pixel areas which are aligned in an extension direction of the data lines, and the first pixel area and the second pixel area are provided with a first pixel connected to the ith gate line and a second pixel connected to the (i+1)th gate line, respectively.
US08154500B2 Gate driver and method of driving display apparatus having the same
A gate driver includes: a shift register and a gate signal generating unit. The shift register unit sequentially outputs scanning signals. The gate signal generating unit generates a normal gate signal and an inverted gate signal based on the scanning signals, controls a charge sharing operation of the normal gate signal and the inverted gate signal, and generates an output gate signal having a rising edge and a falling edge at which a voltage level of the output gate signal is increased and decreased by a charge sharing voltage.
US08154488B2 Liquid crystal display module having contact protrusion between top chassis and bottom chassis
A liquid crystal display module with a thermal passage between a bottom chassis and top chassis is presented. The liquid crystal display module includes a top chassis and a bottom chassis. The top chassis has an inwardly elongated contact protrusion on a lateral cover. The contact protrusion connects the lateral cover and a side wall of the bottom chassis. Here, near the contact protrusion, a light source of the liquid crystal display module is located, and at least a portion of the light source heat can migrate outside rather than being trapped inside of the liquid crystal module.
US08154487B2 Display apparatus
In a display apparatus, a plurality of pixels including light emitting elements emitting colors of R, G and B, is arranged on a single surface. To each pixel, corresponding R image signal wiring, G image signal wiring, and B image signal wiring, are connected. Wirings are arranged so that the resistance or the capacitance of each image signal wiring differs every color of corresponding pixels, and by this, the rise times of the signal for R, G and B will be substantially equal to each other. The resistance value is changed by adjusting the width, the thickness, or the specific resistance of the material of the image signal wiring, or the capacitance is changed by adjusting the thickness of the insulator or the relative dielectric constant of the material while sandwiching an insulator between the image signal wiring and a scanning wiring at the intersection of them.
US08154486B2 Driving of electrowetting display device
The invention relates to a method of driving an electrowetting display device including a display element, the display element having an electrode for applying a voltage and providing a display state in response to a signal level of the voltage. The method comprises the following subsequent steps for maintaining a display state of the display element: (1) applying a first signal level (Va) during a first period (t1 t2) for the display state; (2) applying a second signal level (0) during a second period (t2-t3); and (3) applying the first signal level during a third period (t3-t4). The first period is longer than 1 ms and the first period plus the third period is longer than five times the second period.
US08154483B2 Image display apparatus and driving method thereof
Disclosed is an image display wherein luminance change due to change of the light-emitting device over time is compensated while suppressing affects of characteristics change in the drive transistor. Specifically disclosed is an image display comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel has a light-emitting device (OLED) which emits light when current is passed therethrough, a driver device (Td) for controlling light emission of the light-emitting device, and a control circuit (A) which is electrically connected to the light-emitting device and the driver device, and directly or indirectly detects the voltage applied to the light-emitting device at least during when the light-emitting device is emitting light and reflects the detection results to the driver device.
US08154482B2 Organic light emitting display and method for driving the same
An organic light emitting display and a method for driving the same. An organic light emitting display includes: a frame memory having a first portion configured to store a first portion of image signals that is the same in an n−1th frame and an nth frame, and a second portion configured to store a second portion of the image signals that is different in the n−1th frame and the nth frame; a storing unit for storing the first portion of the image signals; a luminance controller for summing the second portion of the image signals and the first portion of the image signals stored in the storing unit to generate a frame data; and a scan driver for supplying light emitting control signals with a controlled pulse width according to a magnitude of the frame data.
US08154476B2 Plasma display device
A plasma display device includes plasma display panel and a data driver. Plasma display panel includes a front substrate and a rear substrate faced to each other to form a discharge space therebetween. The front substrate includes a plurality of display electrodes, each having scan electrode and sustain electrode. The rear substrate includes a plurality of data electrodes intersected with the display electrodes. Discharges cells are formed at the intersections of the display electrodes and data electrodes. Data electrodes have a plurality of main electrode parts) formed in portions facing the display electrodes, and wiring parts that connect main electrode parts and have a width smaller than the widths of main electrode parts. Further, the corner of main electrode part is chamfered.
US08154474B2 Driving method of memory access
The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel elements wherein each of the pixel elements comprises at least a switching element; a plurality of control lines connected to at least one of the switching elements; and a controller for generating and transmitting a control signal through the control line for controlling the switching element, wherein the controller starts transmitting the control signal to a first switching element through a first control line before the control signal applied to a second switching element through a second control line is turned off at a low voltage level.
US08154473B2 Display control system
A display control system for a multi-layer display system including at least one multi-layer display unit (6). A multi-layer display unit includes multiple stacked or overlapped display layers (1a, 1b, 1c, 14, 15) each adapted to render display elements (2, 16B, 17B, 18B) thereon for viewing through the uppermost display layer. The level of difficulty for a user to view an overlapped image differs depending on the colour, brightness or type of images (for example text-on-text) being displayed and also the layer in which the image is being displayed and whether the image is currently active. At least any overlapping portion of display elements from different display layers are adjusted (automatically or by a user) in order to improve the viewing experience for a viewer. Types of adjustment possible include moving the images within their display layer or to an alternative display layer or altering their visual properties (such as colour, brightness, contrast etc).
US08154472B2 Display system, display method, and display program
Enlarged display of part of display data on display by a first display section is performed to a second display section, based on a relative position of the second display section with respect to the first display section. A display system has a first display section that displays display data; a second display section that performs enlarged display of part of the display data on display by the first display section; a display partial area storage section that stores an area of the partial data to be displayed to the second display section that is part of the display data on display by the first display section; a relative position determination section that determines a relative positional relation between the first display section and the second display section; and a display control section that performs enlarged display of at least part of the partial data of the area stored in the display partial area storage section in association with the positional relation information indicating the relative positional relation determined by the relative position determination section, to the second display section.
US08154466B2 Antenna feed module
A feed module is provided for an array antenna. The feed module comprises a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) feed structure for coupling signals between connections to transmitters or receivers and connection points for connecting to antenna elements of the array antenna. The multi-layer PCB feed structure comprises a body portion, incorporating coupling components, and a number of line sections for connecting to elements of the array antenna. The planar layers of the multi-layer PCB are arranged to be mounted substantially perpendicular to a planar array of antenna elements of the array antenna when the feed module is integrated therewith.
US08154455B2 Mobile communications systems and methods relating to polarization-agile antennas
A wireless communication system can include polarization agile antennas to enable adaptation to the polarization characteristics of a changing propagation channel. In one embodiment, a mobile terminal can include one or more polarization-agile antennas, and can select polarization orientations that are preferentially propagated through the changing propagation channel. In another embodiment, a mobile terminal having two polarization-agile antennas can provide spatial diversity, polarization diversity, or combinations of both. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems can include polarization-agile antennas to allow for switching between spatial and polarization diversity, combined spatial and polarization diversity, and various Eigen channel decompositions using spatial, polarization, and combined spatial and polarization dimensions. An extended polar normalization provides enhanced fidelity for methods of communications system modeling.
US08154454B2 Systems and methods for using a satellite positioning system to detect moved WLAN access points
The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement.
US08154449B2 Signal acquisition systems with applications of general clocks
A global positioning system (GPS) system includes a clock module for providing multiple counter values at multiple time points. The GPS system also includes a system module coupled to the clock module. The system module is capable of obtaining a time value for each time point according to a set of signals from a signal source. The system module is further capable of calculating a set of parameters based on the counter values and the time value for each time point, and determining an estimated time value based on the parameters and a present counter value from the clock module.
US08154447B2 Position calculating method and position calculating device
A position calculating method includes: determining a positioning satellite used for position calculation on the basis of at least reliability of satellite orbits in a prediction target period corresponding to a position calculation point, the reliability of satellite orbits being set in long-term predicted orbit data in which satellite orbits of positioning satellites and reliability of the satellite orbits are associated for each prediction target period; and calculating a position on the basis of a positioning signal received from the determined positioning satellite.
US08154446B2 Method for acquiring signal of satellite
Disclosed is a method for acquiring a signal of a satellite by a receiver, including pre-storing weighting factors of satellites, which include possibility indexes of satellite signal acquisition with respect to positions and times of the receiver, receiving a request for acquisition of the satellite and initializing operational status information and search history information of the satellites, searching for the satellites in sequence according to the weighting factors, resetting the operational status information and search history information of the satellites based on whether signals of the satellites are detected, updating the weighting factor of a satellite having a signal that has been detected, and selecting the satellite having the signal that has been detected in consideration of the updated weighting factor, and acquiring the signal from the selected satellite.
US08154442B2 Method and apparatus for navigation systems
The invention relates to navigation systems and elements. A network element (M) includes a controlling element (M.1) for forming assistance data relating to one or more reference stations (S1, S2) of at least one navigation system; and a transmitter (M.3.1) for transmitting the assistance data via a communications network (P) to a device (R). The device (R) includes a positioning receiver (R.3) for performing positioning on the basis of one or more signals transmitted by reference stations (S1, S2) of the at least one satellite navigation system; a receiver (R.2.2) for receiving the assistance data relating to at least one navigation system from the network element (M); and an examining element (R.1.1) adapted to examine the received assistance data to find out information relating to the status of the one or more signals of the reference stations (S1, S2) including indication on the reference station (S1, S2) the signal relates to, and the status indicating the usability of the signal. Therefore, the device (R) is adapted not to use in the positioning such a signal which is indicated not to be usable.
US08154440B2 GPS pathfinder cell phone and method
A device and system for use in emergency management operations before and after a disaster. The device incorporates a GPS and a radio with very simplified, pre-programmed instructions which are uploaded automatically in the device's memory via wireless technology prior to the unit's first use at a disaster site. Maps of areas to be searched are uploaded into the device and the areas covered during the search are retained in the devices' memory. A unique feature enables the searcher to quickly indicate a specific need or service at a particular location during the search, which information automatically is geocoded and time/date stamped once the user saves the information inputted. Via wireless technology areas that have been searched during an operational period are downloaded to a base unit and areas to be searched the following operational period are uploaded to the portable units at the beginning of the day. Radios on the units can enable the searchers to audibly communicate with each other without cell towers. The system can be employed by cleanup teams, insurance adjusters, and any number of post incident response teams both focused on short and long term recovery operations. The entire system is designed to be self contained to operate when normal cell and Internet systems are damaged or destroyed. The system can quickly organize, sort, and edit the data collected by field users for daily and future analysis and documentation or any and all disaster operations.
US08154439B2 Sub-millimeter wave imaging system
A system for detecting the amplitude of radio frequency energy includes: an antenna for receiving the radio frequency energy; a modulator, responsive to a reference frequency signal, for pulse modulating the received radio frequency energy at the reference frequency; a detector for converting such pulse modulated signal to a detector output signal having a low frequency component representative of the amplitude of the received radio frequency energy, in summation with DC bias current, and a high frequency component at the reference signal; and a high pass or band pass filter fed for the detector output signal for passing the high frequency components and for removing the low frequency component. A phase detector, with or without a subsequent IF amplifier, is fed by the reference frequency and the high frequency components for producing an output representative of the high frequency components. A low noise amplifier is fed by the antenna and has a bias fed by the reference frequency signal for modulating the received radio frequency energy at the reference frequency.
US08154433B2 Linearity correction circuit for voltage mode DAC
A force/sense voltage-mode DAC coupled with multiple transconductance amplifiers that generate a correction current injected to a node in one of the DAC cells is discussed. The correction current injected into the DAC cell may reduce nonlinearity produced by biasing current to the operational amplifiers in the DAC.
US08154431B2 Data generator providing large amounts of data of arbitrary word length
A waveform memory 66 stores data streams with each data stream having M-bit parallel data. A sequence memory 60 stores sequence information and data discard information on the amount of data to discard from the last data in each data stream. A sequencer 62 and a waveform memory controller 64 access the waveform memory 66 to provide the data streams using the sequence information. A barrel shifter 68 shifts data in the data stream according to the number of effective data of the last parallel data in the previous data stream if the number of the effective data is less than M. A data shift controller 100 generates data enables indicating whether the data in the data stream are effective or not based on the data discard information. A combiner 72 combines the effective data in the data stream using the data enables.
US08154430B2 Digital recording apparatus and method, digital reproduction apparatus and method, and digital data conversion apparatus
A digital recording apparatus for recording 1-bit digital audio data of a first sampling frequency on a recording medium in accordance with the recording format of multi-bit PCM data of a second sampling frequency includes a storage section to which input 1-bit digital audio data of the first sampling frequency is written; an encoder configured to read, from the storage section, the 1-bit digital audio data at a clock synchronized with the second sampling frequency and configured to convert the 1-bit digital audio data in such a manner that bits of the 1-bit digital audio data are arrayed in a 1-bit data area provided in the multi-bit PCM data that is in accord with the recording format; and a recorder configured to record data output from the encoder on the recording medium in accordance with the recording format.
US08154429B2 Keyboard device
The present invention relates to a keyboard device. The keyboard device includes a base, a main circuit board, a base cover, a touching membrane switch, a touching thin plate, an upper cover and a plurality of keys. The touching membrane switch is activated to implement a predefined hot key function so as to reduce fabricating cost.
US08154422B2 Vehicle collision avoidance system and method
A vehicle collision avoidance system is implemented in a host vehicle. A wireless communication module in the host vehicles wirelessly broadcasts vehicle information packages of the host vehicle and receives external vehicle information packages from other neighboring vehicles. Based on the received vehicle information packages, a collision avoidance process is performed. The process has steps of mapping coordinates system, categorizing collision zones, determining whether a possible collision position exists, calculating a collision time and outputting warning messages. The estimations of the possible collision position and the collision time are not affected by the positions of the neighboring vehicles. Therefore, the neighboring vehicles approaching the host vehicle from different direction are effectively monitored.
US08154416B1 Underseat wheel chair alarm
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an alarm assembly for a wheel chair is disclosed. A pair of mounting brackets is combined to the frame underneath the seat of the wheel chair. A removable and extendable switch-bar selectively combines to the mounting brackets. The switch-bar is adjustable in length to accommodate chairs of various widths and selectively positionable on the mounting brackets to change the distance between the seat and switch. The switch on the switch-bar senses the presence of a patient and in response to the absence of a patient communicates an alarm signal to the alarm.
US08154413B2 System and methods for monitoring caregiver performance
Systems and methods for monitoring the performance of a caregiver are disclosed. The systems may be configured to monitor the movement of each subject in a network of subjects. One such system includes a plurality of strips adhered in spaced-apart relation on a mattress pad, upon which a subject is positioned. One or more transmitter is provided coupled to the plurality of strips. A processor is connected to the one or more transmitter. The processor is provided with operating software to record and report caregiver activity or both caregiver activity and subject activity.
US08154412B2 Hand wash monitoring system and method
An identification badge worn by an individual is sensed when that individual enters a lavatory. The individual is also provided with an indicator device which is worn on or about the hands. Inside the lavatory, there is also provided a hand cleaning station which includes one or more indicator readers that determines whether the indicator device is in close proximity and dispenses soap on the individual's hands, then provides an appropriate indication to a computer system. Should the badge sensor sense the individual's departure from the lavatory without an appropriate indication being generated by the indicator readers, a warning signal is generated, which is sent to the computer system and to an appropriate officer, who can then address the individual.
US08154406B2 RFID product identification and tracking system
Apparatus for RFID tagging of packages is provided, including a conveyor, along which tags having microchips and antennae are applied to packages, with the tags being encoded via radio waves, to contain information about package identification and other information, with the encoding being done upstream of a palletizer system, and with the palletizer system being provided for receiving encoded packages from the conveyor.
US08154405B2 RFID mutual authentication verification session
In a protocol for preserving the privacy of communications between a RFID reader and a RFID tag, two distinct actions are taken. First, the reader and the tag must be mutually authenticated as being authorized participants in the communications. After that process is successfully completed, the authenticity of each authorized participant must be validated prior to each subsequent communication between reader and tag.
US08154402B2 Wireless temperature sensor network
A wireless temperature sensor network includes a base station unit which transmits query signals cyclically addressing a plurality of temperature sensor transponder units. The transponder units are passive and derive operating power from the query signal to encode measured temperature data into a reply signal which is received by the base station. In a dual carrier embodiment, the query signal and reply signals are transmitted on separate frequencies. In a backscattering embodiment, the antennas of the transponder units can be switched between an absorption mode in which the query signal is received and a reflection mode in which the query signal is reflected back to the base station. The transponder antennas are switched in such a manner as to encode temperature data in the reflected signal to form a reply signal. The network embodiments are particularly applicable to space based platforms.
US08154399B2 Method of operating a networked CBRNE detection system
A CBRNE detection system and method for operating same are disclosed. The method provides a relatively increased Probability of Detection and a relatively decreased Probability of False Alarms for a networked system of detectors. In the illustrative embodiment, a central controller of the system is capable of receiving information from individual CBRNE detectors and of determining whether or not to issue an alarm indicating that a CBRNE event has occurred. Data obtained from individual CBRNE detectors is evaluated based on one or more “sensor alert-to-system alarm” processing modes. The various processing modes specify the requirements that must be satisfied before a system-wide “alarm” is issued.
US08154398B2 Remote location monitoring
A remote location monitoring system, for example, a home monitoring or weather monitoring system may include one or more sensors and/or receivers at a remote location such as a residence or business to be monitored. The sensors and receivers may communicate with a central server via a gateway device, and may be controlled by users locally or remotely via the server. Users may register to receive remote notifications of weather events and other home monitoring events. Users may also access remotely sensors and receivers to configure alerts, notifications, and automatic responses for the devices and integrated appliances at the remote location.
US08154397B2 Locking mechanism, systems and methods for cargo container transport security
A system comprises a network of sensors inside a cargo container, each sensor capable of generating sensor information pertaining to the environment within the cargo container; an operation center; and a device (e.g., a lock) outside of the cargo container capable of communicating with the network of sensors (possibly using a wireless standard) and with the operation center (possibly using a satellite or cellular network), capable of receiving the sensor information, and capable of reporting a message based on the sensor information to the operation center. The sensor network may include an arrangement of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, radioactivity sensors, chemical/biological toxin sensors, chemical explosive sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, collision sensors, and/or light sensors. The device may include a communication module capable of communicating with other device on other containers. The operation center may monitor messages received from the devices to determine proper responses.
US08154396B2 Vehicle disablement device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle disablement device that includes deployment of a tire puncture strip in front of the tire of a moving vehicle.
US08154392B2 Apparatus that prepares and delivers intelligible information to the human brain by stimulating the sense of touch in intelligible patterns within an area of skin
The apparatus is typically constructed within a sock or shoe and interfaces the output of a source system/systems (not part of this invention and hereinafter referred to as “the source system” or “the source systems”) with an area of touch sensitive skin. Being a receiving, processing, interfacing and delivering apparatus, the uses of the apparatus are limited only by the imagination of those who invent the source systems. By using the wearer's sense of touch to convey information to the brain, outdoorsmen and soldiers can be kept constantly aware of the direction of north while keeping their eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and hands focused and dedicated to other tasks. The apparatus consists of a connection between the source system and the electronics which prepares and delivers the intelligible information to a touch inducer pad which is directly or indirectly, via an intermediate material, in contact with an area of touch sensitive skin specifically including but not limited to a bottom of a foot. A typical application is to electrically stimulate a point on the bottom of the foot and then move that point repeatedly through the center of the touch inducer pad in the direction of north.
US08154391B1 Door bell button mechanism
A door bell button for activation of a door bell is provided which includes a mounting base for attachment to a surface adjacent to a door, a switch secured to the mounting base and having a lighted actuator plunger, and a translucent bell button shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end abutted against the lighted actuator plunger and slidably disposed and capable of limited movement along an axis perpendicular to the mounting base. Light from the lighted actuator plunger shines through the translucent bell button shaft to light the shaft.
US08154390B2 System and method for automating and verifying medication compliance
A computer-based system for monitoring medication compliance. The system can include one or more processors configured to process and manage data. Additionally, the system can also include one or more medication packagings comprising a machine-readable medium. Notably, the machine-readable medium can comprise medication information among other types of information. The one or more processors can be configured to receive the medication information of the machine-readable medium. The machine-readable medium and corresponding medication information can be adjustable based on a dispensing of a medication from the one or more medication packagings.
US08154385B2 Local processing of received RFID tag responses
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags selected for inventorying using combination of preselect and/or post select criteria. The selection commands can be for selecting according to a tag memory content, by invoking the mask address or by comparing other tag characteristics. Selection criteria can be determined locally at a modem block of a reader or provided to the modem block by higher layers of the reader. Tags meeting the selection criteria are reported to the higher layers for further actions. Some tags may be held while waiting for instructions from the higher layer block(s).
US08154383B2 System and method for factory key code display with an automotive keyless entry system
A system and method for providing keypad information to a user for a keypad coupled to an exterior portion of the vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving a first radio frequency (RF) signal from a first transmitter and increasing a first count in response to detecting the first RF signal. The method includes receiving a second RF signal from a second transmitter and increasing a second count in response to detecting the second RF signal. The method includes comparing the first count to a first predetermined count and comparing the second count to a second predetermined count. The method includes transmitting the keypad information to the display device based on at least one of the comparison of the first count to the first predetermined amount and the comparison of the second count to the second predetermined amount.
US08154381B2 System and method for interactive appliance control
A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.
US08154379B2 Electrical PTC thermistor component, and method for the production thereof
An electrical PTC thermistor component includes a base that includes a peripheral surface, first and second faces on different sides of the component, and first and second conductive layers, each of which is on at least one of the first and second faces. The first conductive layer is not on the peripheral surface. The second conductive layer includes a cap that covers, and overlaps edges of, the at least one of the first and second faces.
US08154378B2 Thermal actuator for a MEMS-based relay switch
A representative embodiment of the invention provides a thermal actuator for a MEMS-based relay switch. The thermal actuator has an “active” arm that is movably mounted on a substrate. The “active” arm has (i) a thermal expansion layer and (ii) a resistive heater that is electrically isolated from the thermal expansion layer. The thermal expansion layer is adapted to expand in response to a temperature change induced by a control current flowing through the resistive heater, thereby bending the “active” arm and moving that arm with respect to the substrate. Due to the fact that mechanical and electrical characteristics of the “active” arm are primarily controlled by the thermal expansion layer and the resistive heater, respectively, those characteristics can be optimized independently to obtain better operating characteristics for MEMS-based relay switches of the invention compared to those attained in the prior art.
US08154377B2 Passive triggering of a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines of motor vehicles
The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines, particularly power supply lines or battery cables, for motor vehicles, which circuit breaker is comprised of a first connecting element (1), a second connecting element (3) connectable to said first connecting element (1), and a current path whereby in the conducting state of the circuit breaker a current passes between the first connecting element (1) and the second connecting element (3).The technical problem of providing a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines which can be manufactured and advantageously ensures an error-free operation is solved in that a pyrotechnic separating unit (5) is thermally actuatable by Joule heat emitted by at least one of said connecting elements (1, 3) and in that, the connection between the connecting elements (1, 3) can be released by means of the actuated pyrotechnic separating unit (5).
US08154376B2 Fuses with slotted fuse bodies
A configuration for fuses and a method of manufacturing is disclosed. A fuse body is made with slots on the ends, allowing solder a greater surface area to grip the body and form an excellent bond. The slots communicate with a central cavity in the fuse body. The improvements relate primarily to surface mount fuses because of the great volume of such fuses in commerce, but may be applied to fuses of any size.
US08154375B2 Overcurrent protection device having trip free mechanism
This invention relates to an overcurrent protection device, which comprises a housing having a first side mounted with first and second wire terminals and a second side installed with a button, an elastic element installed therein for abutting against the button, a memory alloy plate disposed therein and having a first end connected to the first wire terminal and a free end having a first contact, and an elastic metal sheet having two ends movably connected to the first and free ends respectively. When the button is pressed, an extended rod thereof can push the first contact and cause the memory alloy plate to be deformed for enabling the first contact to contact a second contact on the second wire terminal. When the button is released and shifted away from the first contact, a space will be provided for the first contact to return an original status prior to deformation.
US08154373B2 Circuit breaker-like apparatus with combination current transformer
In a circuit breaker, a current transformer for fault powering trip unit electronics and sensing low currents and high currents includes a core with solid laminations and gapped laminations to sense a wide range of currents from locked-rotor currents to high, instantaneous short-circuit currents in a single current transformer. The current transformer can also fault power trip unit electronics without requiring an additional current transformer. The operating range of the circuit breaker is significantly enhanced compared to existing breakers that can sense only a limited range of current levels.
US08154371B2 Method and apparatus for adjusting displacement current in an energy transfer element
A method includes calculating a number of turns of a shield winding included in an energy transfer element of a power supply, where the calculating is to have a low noise current in an input conductor of the power supply. The method further includes: increasing the number of turns for the shield winding; operating the power supply; and adjusting a value of a shield impedance to substantially reduce the noise current. An apparatus includes a power supply having an energy transfer element and a shield impedance. The energy transfer element includes a shield winding having an end terminated externally to the energy transfer element. The shield impedance is coupled between the externally terminated end of the shield winding and an input conductor of the power supply, where the shield impedance has a non-zero finite impedance value to substantially reduce a noise current in the input conductor.
US08154369B2 Method and device for controlling of a magnetic flux
A device for controlling a magnetic flux in an electromagnetic system, wherein the system includes magnetically connected magnetic cores, between which a volume is arranged. The volume includes a controllable magnetic flux region and the magnetic flux region includes a magnetic material having a relative permeability that may be varied by influencing the temperature of the material. The magnetic material includes a magnetic material, the Curie point of which lies within the temperature operating range of the device and exhibits paramagnetic properties within the temperature range. Also a method of controlling a magnetic flux.
US08154367B2 Switch and switch device using same
Regarding a switch used for various controls of a motor vehicle in particular and a switch device using the switch, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration and to perform reliable detection of trouble. A first detector is disposed on a surface opposing to a magnet fitted to an actuator, and a second detector is disposed thereunder. A controller detects magnetism of the magnet by using the first detector and the second detector. In case one of the detectors is out of order, it can also be detected from ON/OFF signal from the first detector and the second detector.
US08154366B2 Device mounted contactor
Provided is a device mounted contactor and a method of reducing continuous charge distribution, especially in a vehicle. The contactor includes a housing, and a plurality of power terminals. The device may further include a conductance shield and support structure extending from the housing. Situated at least partially in the housing is a switch, which is capable of electrically coupling at least two of the plurality of power terminals. One or more electrically insulative covers may be provided. The contactor may also provide a fused accessory terminal, which is electrically coupled to one of the power terminals through a fuse. A method according to the present invention reduces continuous electrical charge distribution in an electrical circuit by mechanically attaching a first contactor power terminal to a battery terminal and electrically coupling a second contactor power terminal to a circuit, which may include a vehicle starter.
US08154365B2 MEMS switching device protection
A micro-machined switching system for equalizing an electrical property, such as charge due to parasitic capacitance formed at an input and an output of a micro-machined switching device. The micro-machined switching device may be a MEMS relay or a MEMS switch. In addition to the micro-machined switching device, the switching system also includes a balancing module for equalizing the electrical property between the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device. In certain embodiments, the balancing module includes a switch operable in a first state causing charge due to the parasitic capacitance on the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device to substantially balance. The switch is also operable in a second state wherein parasitic capacitance can separately accumulate at the input and the output of the micro-machined switching device.
US08154364B2 High-frequency transmission line having ground surface patterns with a plurality of notches therein
A high-frequency transmission line includes: a dielectric substrate; a signal line formed on one surface of the dielectric substrate; a first and a second surface ground patterns formed so as to sandwich the signal line at a given distance from the signal line on the surface of the dielectric substrate; a backside surface ground pattern formed on another surface of the dielectric substrate; and a plurality of contacts penetrating the dielectric substrate for connecting the first and the second surface ground pattern to the backside surface ground pattern. In a given frequency range, the sum of the shortest distance from any point of the first and the second surface ground patterns to the nearest contact and the thickness of the dielectric substrate is shorter than ¼ of the effective wavelength of a transmission signal converted in the effective permittivity of the dielectric substrate.
US08154360B2 Resin multilayer device and method for manufacturing same
Provided is a resin multilayer device having a balun, wherein the resin multilayer device comprises: a substrate; a first resin layer formed on the substrate; two balanced signal transmission lines that are electrically independently disposed on the first resin layer; a second resin layer formed on the two balanced signal transmission lines and the first resin layer; an unbalanced signal transmission line disposed on the second resin layer and facing the two balanced signal transmission lines; and a third resin layer formed on the unbalanced signal transmission line and the second resin layer.
US08154351B2 Voltage-controlled oscillator and gain calibration technique for two-point modulation in a phase-locked loop
A VCO in a phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. The controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input.
US08154350B2 PLL with continuous and bang-bang feedback controls
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprising a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), an amplifier, a switch, a calibration capacitor, and a control loop. The VCO includes a capacitive network that receives a first tuning voltage that is based at least in part on an input signal and a switched capacitor array that is coupled to the capacitive network. The amplifier amplifies the difference between the reference voltage and the first tuning voltage. The switch receives the reference voltage and the amplified difference between the reference voltage and the first tuning voltage. The calibration capacitor receives the output from the switch and generates a second tuning voltage. The control loop receives the input signal and the second tuning voltage. The control loop also controls the switch so as to apply the reference voltage to the calibration capacitor when the apparatus resets and controls the switched capacitor array so as to adjust the capacitance of the VCO to generally maintain phase and frequency lock.
US08154347B2 Audio processing circuit and preamplifier circuit
An audio processing circuit is provided, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone to output a differential signal. A preamplifier receives the microphone signal to output a first preamplified voltage and a second preamplified voltage. A gain stage receives the first preamplified voltage and the second preamplified voltage to output the differential signal comprising a first differential output and a second differential output. In the preamplifier, a first operational amplifier is provided. A first voltage controlled current source is controlled by the output end of the first operational amplifier to provide a first current. A first transistor has a gate coupled to a ground voltage supply, a source coupled to the first voltage controlled current source for receiving the first current, and a drain coupled to a voltage ground. Likewise, a second voltage controlled current source and a second transistor are presented symmetrically to render the differential output.
US08154343B2 High dynamic range low-power differential input stage
A low-power high dynamic range RF input stage (200) with a noiseless degeneration component, such as a capacitor (201), is provided. High dynamic range means a combination of low noise contribution by the stage (200) and a low level of intermodulation products occurring especially at high input levels. Low power means that the power consumption of a conventional input stage is about 5 times higher than the power consumption of the stage according to the invention, for the same noise, gain and distortion level. This new stage can be used in amplifiers, but also in the lower stage of double balanced mixers (300-400) commonly used in RF receivers, examples of which are applications, are provided.
US08154337B1 Apparatus and method for automated offset reduction in matched differential input devices
An amplifier includes an input stage, a comparator coupled to an output of the differential input stage, and a trimming controller coupled to an output of the comparator. The input stage includes a plurality of trim devices coupled in parallel with a first input device. The trimming controller is adapted to configure the trim devices based on an output of the comparator. The trim devices may selectively control a total effective device area of the first input device. Each of the trim devices, when enabled, may add a specified area to the total effective device area of the first input device. The input stage may also include a second plurality of trim devices coupled in parallel with a second input device.
US08154336B2 Method and apparatus for reducing interference
A method and apparatus is provided for reducing interference in circuits. A management strategy is provided to reduce reference spurs and interference in circuits. The management strategy uses a combination of one or more techniques which reduce the digital current, minimize mutual inductance, utilize field cancellation, prevent leakage current, and/or manage impedance. These techniques may be used alone, or preferably, used on combination with one another.
US08154333B2 Charge pump circuits, systems, and operational methods thereof
A charge pump circuit includes at least one stage between an input end and an output end. The at least one stage includes a first CMOS transistor coupled with a first capacitor and a second CMOS transistor coupled with a second capacitor. The at least one stage is capable of receiving a first timing signal and a second timing signal for pumping an input voltage at the input end to an output voltage at the output end. During a transitional period of the first timing signal and the second timing signal, the at least one stage is capable of substantially turning off at least one of the first CMOS transistor and the second CMOS transistor for substantially reducing leakage currents flowing through at least one of the first CMOS transistor and the second CMOS transistor.
US08154325B2 Semiconductor integrated device and control method thereof
Provided is a semiconductor integrated device that selects one or more of a plurality of functional blocks and resets the selected functional block, and a control method of the semiconductor integrated device. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a functional block that is reset when a clock signal and a reset signal are supplied, a reset signal output unit that outputs the reset signal for resetting the functional block, a clock mask circuit that stops the clock signal to be supplied to the functional block, and a clock mask control circuit that controls the clock mask circuit.
US08154322B2 Apparatus and method for HDMI transmission
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a high frequency transmitter. One such apparatus includes a pre-amplifier configured to receive an input signal via an input node; and a capacitor block electrically coupled between the pre-amplifier and an output node from which an output signal is transmitted. The capacitor block is configured to provide charge to the output node or pull charge from the output node while the output signal transitions. The apparatus further includes a switch electrically coupled between the output node and a voltage reference, wherein the switch is turned on or off at least partly in response to a signal from the pre-amplifier. This configuration effectively reduces rise and fall time of the output signal for high-frequency transmission.
US08154318B2 Signal transceiver apparatus and system
A signal transceiver apparatus suitable for a wired signal transceiver system includes a differential signal transmitter, an impendence matching control module and a signal receiver. The signal transmitter has an output terminal which is connected to a transceiver wire. The signal transmitter includes a first impendence tuner and is used to receive a control signal so as to tune impendence of the first impendence tuner according to the control signal. Moreover, the impendence matching control module generates the control signal according to a compare signal and a lock signal. Besides, the signal receiver generates the lock signal and the compare signal according to a compare result between a current flowing through the first impendence tuner and a reference current.
US08154312B2 Sensor system
A sensor system having a sensor unit for detecting a measured variable, and an evaluation unit, which are interconnected via at least one or a plurality of connection line(s), the sensor unit having a sensor, which is connected to a supply voltage, and includes a signal output for a measuring signal that is a function of the measured variable, the evaluation unit having a voltage meter to detect the status of the measured variable as a function of a potential, the sensor unit including a first resistive circuits connected to the sensor, and the evaluation unit including a second resistive circuit connected to the voltage meter. The first and the second resistive circuits are coupled to one another via at least the sensor line and forming a resistor network. The first and the second resistive circuit are configured so that, in a fault-free state of the one or the plurality of connection line(s), the voltage meter detects one or a plurality of measuring potential(s) in one or a plurality of defined measuring potential range(s) as a function of the measured variable, and, in a fault case, it detects a measuring potential that lies within a fault potential range. The first and the second resistive circuits are dimensioned so that the fault potential range lies outside of the one or the plurality of defined measuring potential range(s).
US08154309B2 Configurable PSRO structure for measuring frequency dependent capacitive loads
A configurable PSRO measurement circuit is used to measure the frequency dependent capacitance of a target through silicon via (TSV) or other conductive structure. Measurements of the target structure are aided by using adjustable resistors and a de-embedding structure to measure the effects of parasitic capacitance, CPAR. Current is measured to both the device under test (DUT) and the de-embedding structure. From these measurements, the frequency dependent capacitance of the DUT is calculated.
US08154308B2 Method for characterizing integrated circuits for identification or security purposes
A method of detecting small changes to a complex integrated circuit measuring RF/microwave scattering parameters between every pin over a wide frequency range. The data from a characterization of a known good integrated circuit is stored and compared to each subsequent integrated circuit of unknown background.
US08154307B2 Electronic circuit comprising a device to measure phase noise of an oscillating and/or resonant device
An electronic circuit includes several (at least two) oscillating and/or resonant devices. The circuit uses a measuring device to measure the phase noise of one of the two oscillating/resonant devices. This measuring device is integrated on a chip on which the oscillating/resonant device to be measured is also integrated. The circuits and methods described find application in the area of radiofrequency/high frequency electronics RF/HF, in particular adapted to general public applications in mobile communication systems and/or to metrology.
US08154303B2 Method for locating cable impairments
Methods are disclosed for identifying and locating points of impairment in a cable plant, such as that used for cable television (CATV). The methods utilize both known characteristics of signals as well as propagation times in free space and within the cable in conjunction with accurate determination of locations at which measurements are taken. The methods can be applied to both RF cable leaks as well as points of ingress of interference.
US08154301B2 Method of testing substrate
Disclosed herein is a method of testing a substrate. In the method, a first test terminal is connected to a first external circuit layer coupled to a first connection pad of a first active element included in a substrate, and a second test terminal is connected to a second external circuit layer coupled to a second connection pad of the first active element. Static electricity is applied through the first test terminal and a voltage drop of an electrostatic discharge protection circuit of the first active element is measured at the second test terminal, thus testing a status of a connection between the first active element and the external circuit layers. In the method, status of a connection of a connection circuit layer, a connection of an external circuit layer, a connection of a surface mount element, and a normal operation of the substrate is further tested.
US08154298B2 Apparatus for detecting an electrical variable of a rechargeable battery, and method for producing said apparatus
An apparatus for detecting an electrical variable of a rechargeable battery and a method for producing said apparatus, has: a measuring element (1), a printed circuit board (4) and a contact element (5) having a first end (6) and a second end (7), wherein the first end (6) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (4), and the second end (7) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the measuring element (1) by a welded joint.
US08154292B2 Apparatus for carrying out DNP-NMR measurements with a compensation configuration and method for designing the compensation configuration
An apparatus for DNP-NMR measurement on a sample, with a magnet configuration for producing a magnetic field in a first working volume and in, a second working volume with a magnetic field gradient in the direction of an axis (z) which extends through the second working volume, with a device for measuring MR signals, with a DNP excitation device, and with a positioning mechanism for transferring the sample, is characterized in that, near the second working volume, a compensation configuration made of magnetic material is mounted that, in the operating condition of the magnet configuration, produces a magnetic field gradient in the direction of the axis (z) in the second working volume that is between −90% and −110% of the magnetic field gradient of the same order of the stray field of the magnet configuration.
US08154291B2 Inherently decoupled solenoid pair elements
The present invention relates to an element configuration within an RF coil for use for MRI. The invention provides for an inherently electromagnetically decoupled solenoid element pair for receiving radio frequency magnetic resonance signals within a vertical field MRI system. The elements of the solenoid element pair described herein are typically positioned in a coplanar, side-by-side position. The decoupling of the solenoid pair can be accomplished through numerous methods including but not limited to an overlapping between the elements of the solenoid pair, use of a capacitor shared between the elements of the solenoid pair, or the use of overlapped inductors between the elements of the solenoid pair.
US08154287B2 System and method for ghost magnetic resonance imaging
A system and method enables the creation of medical images using data related to ghost artifacts. The method thus allows components of an imaged subject to be segmented based on state changes in the components that lead to the controlled production of ghost artifacts. This is achieved in MR by performed a pulse sequence so that multiple sets of MR data are acquired in which the signals from a target tissue vary across the data sets while the signals from a background tissue do not vary across the data sets. A composite data set is generated by populating selected k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a first MR data set and populating the remaining k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a second MR data set. An MR image is then reconstructed from the composite data set. The MR image contains ghost artifacts that faithfully reproduce the 2D or 3D anatomic detail of the target tissues without signal contributions from the background tissues, allowing for background-suppressed or segmented MR images of a target tissue without the need for image subtraction.
US08154285B1 Non-external static magnetic field imaging systems, devices, methods, and compositions
Magnetic resonance systems, devices, methods, and compositions are provided. Further provided are systems, devices, methods, and compositions for obtaining magnetic resonance information of a region within a biological subject without the need or use of an external-magnet.
US08154279B1 Non-destructive testing apparatus for the detection of graphitization of iron
A sensor measures the interaction of an applied magnetic field to an iron sample surface to determine whether the sample surface has been graphitized. The sensor measures the magnetic force resulting from the interaction or the magnetic flux density to determine the content of magnetic material in localized regions of the sample surface. The sensor includes a cantilever beam with a strain gauge for measuring magnetic force. Alternatively, the sensor includes a magnetic flux density sensor to measure magnetic flux density.
US08154275B2 Apparatus and method for testing sense amplifier thresholds on an integrated circuit
An apparatus and method for testing sense amplifier threshold voltages on an integrated circuit includes one or more sense amplifier modules each including a number of sense amplifier circuits, a voltage generator unit, and detection logic. The voltage generator unit may select a differential voltage to supply to at least some of the sense amplifier circuits, and each sense amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an output value that is dependent upon the applied differential voltage in response to receiving an enable signal. The detection logic may detect and capture an output value of each of the sense amplifier circuits. In one implementation, the voltage generator unit may iteratively select a different differential voltage in response to a control input. Accordingly, the detection logic may capture the output value of the sense amplifiers after each change in differential voltage.
US08154270B2 Power-up control for very low-power systems
An input protection circuit (IPC) may prevent an input signal from propagating into a system, such as an integrated circuit (IC), when the voltage level of the input signal exceeds a specified value. The IPC may be configured to compare the input signal voltage, which may be that of an external input signal received by the system, with a reference voltage, which may be the power supply voltage. If the input signal voltage exceeds the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may be set to the value of a specified clamp voltage. If the input signal voltage does not exceed the reference voltage, the output of the IPC may track (or follow) the input signal voltage. For certain integrated circuits, the IPC may be configured to provide circuit protection for an input signal voltage ranging between 0V to 5V, and a power supply voltage ranging between 3.0V and 3.6V.
US08154269B2 Control apparatus and control method for a power factor correction power converter
A control apparatus and a control method for a power factor correction power converter are provided. The control apparatus is configured to reduce the variation rate of a reference signal with a rising portion and a falling portion. When the primary winding almost completely releases the stored energy, and the falling portion of the reference signal reaches a determined condition, the control apparatus turns on a switch for increasing the stored energy of the primary winding.
US08154263B1 Constant GM circuits and methods for regulating voltage
In one embodiment the present invention includes a voltage regulator circuit comprising a voltage to current converter. The voltage to current converter is coupled to provide a current to maintain an output voltage under changing load conditions. A transconductance of the voltage to current converter is independent of the output current and therefore improves stability for the voltage regulator across load conditions.
US08154260B2 Generating system
Within generator systems maintenance of stability in terms of voltage is desirable. Generally, several generators will be arranged in parallel within the generator system with one generator voltage controlled to provide dynamic responsiveness to load switching. With regard to some loads which are generally of an active nature, the capacity of a first generator, which is voltage controlled, may be insufficient to adequately avoid transient voltage instability. By providing an actuator signal from a load to act as a pre-emptive or forward feed to an electrical current controlled generator, that second electrical current generator can be arranged to provide additional or reduced electrical current to avoid system voltage instability.
US08154259B2 Capacitor save energy verification
A memory subsystem is configured to obtain power from an external system and from at least one power capacitors. The memory subsystem includes logic to verify the power delivery capability of the power capacitors.
US08154255B2 Systems and methods for waking up a battery system
Systems and methods for waking up a battery system (e.g., battery pack such as a smart battery pack) installed in an information handling system from a shipping mode in response to the occurrence of one of at least two detected events. The first of these of these at least two events is detection of the battery system being removed and reinstalled into operational electrical contact with the information handling system, and the second of these at least two events is the activation of a user input device provided for the battery system.
US08154254B2 Power supply system providing electric power to a vehicle and vehicle including the same
A converter ECU obtains a temperature increase start signal indicating start of temperature increase of a power storage unit from each sensor and ECU provided in a vehicle. In addition, the converter ECU obtains allowable electric power of the power storage unit from a battery ECU and obtains a power storage unit temperature from a temperature detection unit. When any of the obtained power storage unit temperatures is lower than a corresponding temperature lower limit value, the converter ECU generates a temperature increase instruction for the power storage unit of which temperature is lower than the corresponding temperature lower limit value, based on the temperature increase start signal. In addition, the converter ECU selects one control mode from among a plurality of control modes set in advance, based on the generated temperature increase instruction, and sets that mode as the control mode for a converter.
US08154251B2 System and method for controlling vehicle idling and maintaining vehicle electrical system integrity
A battery charge maintenance system for a vehicle is provided.
US08154248B2 Signal for pre-charge selection in lithium charging and discharge control/pre-charge function
A rechargeable battery pack for a power tool can have a data terminal that provides a signal that is indicative of whether the voltage is below a threshold and can serve as both a pre-charge signal for a charger and as a stop-discharge signal for a power tool. A charger can include a power supply circuit and a voltage detection circuit. A charger control module can receive a signal indicative of the voltage of the battery pack and determine a pre-charge time based on the voltage and can monitor a change in the voltage of the battery pack during the pre-charge operation and stop the pre-charge operation based on the change in voltage and the time period.
US08154246B1 Method and system for charging of electric vehicles according to user defined prices and price off-sets
A method and system provides for the charging of electric vehicles according to user defined parameters. The method and system can include an enhanced thermostat, personal computer, and/or an electric vehicle charger which can receive various user defined vehicle charging parameters such as an initial price set point at which to start the charging of an electric vehicle. Another charging parameter can include one or more price offsets relative to the initial set point that can be provided by a user or generated by a computer program. The price offsets allow charging of an electric vehicle at prices above the desired initial price set point when the time remaining to charge an electric vehicle has diminished and the desired initial price set point has not been reached by the energy market. The price offsets can be assigned according to predetermined increments of time, such as an on an hourly basis.
US08154244B1 Power management of device with modular components
A method, system, and medium are provided for managing power in an electronic device to enhance battery performance. One aspect includes automatically accelerating discharge of a battery below a threshold prior to recharging the battery. Another aspect includes measuring power requirements of modular components to create an order for use in power distribution. For example, a modular component with a highest power requirement might be charged first. In another example, power might be transferred first from a modular component with a lowest power requirement.
US08154235B2 Electric drive
An electric drive has at least one electric motor and a power converter feeding electrical motor current thereto. A current desired-value emitter generates a reference signal. An additional circuit is coupled to the current desired-value emitter so as to receive the reference signal and generates a current desired-value signal. A current regulator is coupled to the additional circuit so as to receive the current desired-value signal. The current regulator generates a control signal to the power converter so as to regulate the motor current as a function of the current desired-value signal. The additional circuit has a first mode wherein the current desired-value signal corresponds to the reference signal and a second mode wherein the current desired-value signal is a pulsed signal.
US08154234B2 Reliable drive cut off device
A protective device enables reliably cutting a drive region off the power supply of a guided vehicle. The drive region is connectible to the power supply via at least one drive region switch and it comprises stator sections that are strung together. The sections are connectible to a drive region supply line by way of a stator section switch. The protective device has a control unit for opening at least one switch in the event of a malfunction. The object is to provide a protective device that is inexpensive and that allows a flexible allocation of the power supply to the drive regions. For this purpose, the control is adapted to open all stator section switches and the one or more drive regions switches in the event of a malfunction.
US08154232B2 Method for operating a motor system, and a motor system
In order to enable in a motor system, in which a soft start of the motor has been implemented, the operation of the motor, wherein the power consumption is reduced, it is proposed to operate the driver circuit during a switch-on phase in order to carry out a soft start of the motor. In at least one embodiment, the driver circuit can be bypassed in a normal operational phase as a function of a load, by means of which the motor is operated.
US08154228B2 Dynamic braking for electric motors
A system and method are provided for improved dynamic braking in AC motors with an electronic drive, and more particularly to using a current regulation circuit to control the current supplied to the motor to be in phase with the internal EMF voltage of the motor such that the braking torque of the current is maximized per ampere of dynamic braking current when needed to stop the motor in case of a control failure or emergency. A current regulator produces a voltage command to the motor based on the current command input. The motor is still controlled by a d-q current regulator and the q-axis (torque axis) voltage is driven to zero while the d-axis (non-torque axis) is left in current control with a zero current command. This way the motor internal voltage drives a current in the terminals of the motor but the current is in phase with the internal voltage of the motor. Since the current loops are still active, current limiting may be implemented and the dynamic brake current amplitude can be well controlled and entirely goes into stopping the motor.
US08154227B1 Model train control system
A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules.
US08154224B2 Display apparatus that can be moved in space
A medical examination or treatment facility comprising at least one display facility that can be moved in space is provided. The facility includes one or a plurality of lighting facilities arranged in a distributed manner to illuminate the space. It is possible to change the brightness and/or position of the individual lighting facilities automatically by a control or regulation facility as a function of a captured spatial position and/or orientation of the object, in particular of the display facility.
US08154223B2 Driving apparatus of light emitting diode and driving method thereof
A driving apparatus of a light emitting diode (LED) and a driving method thereof are provided. In the driving method, when the driving apparatus performs dimming and a duty cycle of a dimming signal is smaller than a predetermination value, outputting time of driving currents are equally allotted in a period, and a magnitude of each driving current is regulated correspondingly. When the driving apparatus performs dimming and the duty cycle of the dimming signal is equal to or greater than the predetermination value, the driving currents are simultaneously output in the period, and the magnitude of each driving current is regulated according to the dimming signal. Therefore, an audio noise and an electromagnetic interference caused by excessive variation of a sum of the driving currents are suppressed.
US08154222B2 Pulse-width modulation current control with reduced transient time
One embodiment of the present invention includes a current regulator circuit. The circuit includes at least one switch configured to periodically couple and decouple a respective at least one voltage rail to an inductor to maintain a current through the inductor. The circuit also includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller configured to set a duty-cycle associated with a switching signal to control the at least one switch based on a feedback signal that is associated with a magnitude of the current. The circuit also includes a switch-controlled current path configured to shunt the current from a load in response to a control signal. The circuit further includes an error circuit configured to provide an error term to the PWM controller upon activating the control signal to adjust the duty-cycle substantially instantaneously in response to the control signal.
US08154218B2 Method and apparatus for retrofitting HID lamps with system to periodically adjust operating wattage
A method, apparatus, and system for increasing usable light from a high intensity lighting fixture to a target area without an increase in energy use. In one aspect, the circuit is retrofitted into an existing lamp circuit that allows selective change in operating power or wattage to the lamp, over a substantial period of operation time, to save energy. In one aspect operating wattage of the lamp would be reduced. In another aspect of the invention, reduction in operating wattage is accomplished by a switchable capacitance in electrical communication with the lamp circuit.
US08154216B2 External resonator/cavity electrode-less plasma lamp and method of exciting with radio-frequency energy
Described is a plasma electrode-less lamp. The device comprises an electromagnetic resonator and an electromagnetic radiation source conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. The device further comprises a pair of field probes, the field probes conductively connected with the electromagnetic resonator. A gas-fill vessel is formed from a closed, transparent body, forming a cavity. The gas-fill vessel is not contiguous with (detached from) the electromagnetic resonator and is capacitively coupled with the field probes. The gas-fill vessel further contains a gas within the cavity, whereby the gas is induced to emit light when electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source resonates inside the electromagnetic resonator, the electromagnetic resonator capacitively coupling the electromagnetic radiation to the gas, which becomes a plasma and emits light.
US08154215B2 Discharge lamp lighting apparatus
In a discharge-lamp lighting apparatus, a switching frequency of an AC voltage applied to an LC series circuit including an inductor and a capacitor is swept near a frequency having a value provided by dividing the resonant frequency of the LC series circuit by an odd number at startup of a discharge lamp and is set to a frequency near or greater than the frequency after the sweeping after the switching frequency is swept to control the on-off duty ratio of switching elements in a DC-AC inverter circuit and, after the operation at startup of the discharge lamp is repeated once or more times, the switching frequency is set to less than the frequency after the sweeping to light the discharge lamp.
US08154201B2 Display device
A display device is provided with a display panel displaying variable visual images, a transparent protective unit located at a front side of the display panel, an adhesive layer that is formed between the display panel and the transparent protective unit to adhere the transparent protective unit to the display panel, and a fixing member disposed at a rear side of the display panel and surrounding and fixing side surfaces of the display panel and the adhesive layer.
US08154199B2 Display apparatus
An electroluminescent apparatus having a substrate and a transistor formed above the substrate and having a gate electrode and a semiconductor film. The electroluminescent apparatus having a first insulation film including a first contact hole and a junction electrode contacted to the semiconductor film through the first contact hole. The electroluminescent apparatus having a second insulation film formed above the junction electrode and the first insulation film and including a second contact hole and a pixel electrode formed on the second insulation film and contacted to the junction electrode through the second contact hole. The electroluminescent apparatus having an insulating layer formed above the second insulation film, an organic semiconductor film formed at an emitting region above the pixel electrode, and an opposite electrode formed above the organic semiconductor film and insulating layer. The insulating layer surrounding the emitting region and overlapping the second contact hole.
US08154197B2 Organic light emitting diode display device having refraction layers that improve light extraction efficiency and color reproducibility
Provided is an organic light emitting diode display device which can improve brightness and color coordinate characteristics in all emission wavelength ranges, and thus can enhance light extraction efficiency and color reproducibility. The organic light emitting diode display device includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, an organic layer disposed on the first electrode and having an emission layer, a second electrode disposed on the organic layer, and first and second refraction layers. A stack of the first and second refraction layers is disposed either between the first electrode and the substrate or on the second electrode. A refractive index of the first refraction layer is smaller than a refractive index of the second refraction layer. A thickness of the first refraction layer is no greater than 100 nm.
US08154196B2 Organic light emitting display with improved power supply control and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display having an improved image quality. The organic light emitting display includes a data driver for supplying a data signal to data lines; a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to scan lines; pixels at crossing regions between the data lines and the scan lines; a power source unit for generating a first power; a first voltage divider for dividing the first power to generate a first reference power; a second voltage divider for dividing a power from an external power source to generate a second reference power; and a switch to transmit one of the first reference power or the second reference power to the data driver. Each of the pixels includes an organic light emitting diode that emits light when a current flows from the first power to the second power.
US08154195B2 Organic electroluminescence device and material for organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device includes: a cathode; an anode; and a single-layered or multilayered organic thin-film layer provided between the cathode and the anode. In the organic electroluminescence device, the organic thin-film layer includes at least one emitting layer, and the at least one emitting layer contains: at least one phosphorescent material; and a host material represented by the following formula (1). Ra—Ar1—Ar2—Rb  (1) In the formula, Ar1, Ar2, Ra and Rb each represent a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring or a substituted or unsubstituted condensed aromatic hydrocarbon group selected from a group consisting of a naphthalene ring, a chrysene ring, a fluoranthene ring, a triphenylene ring, a phenanthrene ring, a benzophenanthrene ring, a dibenzophenanthrene ring, a benzotriphenylene ring, a benzochrysene ring, a picene ring and a benzo[b]fluoranthene ring.
US08154192B2 Lighting system
An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting system which uses a stacked light emitting element provided with a plurality of light emitting units and causes little change in emission color even after being used for a long time. A lighting system is provided, which includes a first light emitting element including a plurality of light emitting units; a second light emitting element; a first control means which controls light emission of the first light emitting element; and a second control means which controls light emission of the second light emitting element, where the first light emitting element emits light of a first emission color that is an initial emission color and a second emission color that is an emission color after change over time, and the second light emitting element emits light of a complementary color of the second emission color. With the above structure, color shift due to change over time can be suppressed.
US08154190B2 Light emitting device with resin layer containing blue, green and red emitting phosphors which emits white light when excited by ultraviolet light
A light emitting device 1 has, as a light source, a light emitting semiconductor element such as a light emitting diode 2. Light radiated from the light emitting diode 2 is converted to visible light in a light emitting part 8 having a plurality of phosphors 9 different in emission color, and the visible light is emitted. In such a light emitting device 1, a maximum value (Δx, Δy) of color difference (absolute value) between emission chromaticity (x, y) and emission chromaticity (x1, y1) satisfies conditions of Δx<0.05 and Δy<0.05, where (x, y) is emission chromaticity measured directly above the light source and (x1, y1) is emission chromaticity measured for each of front lights and side leakage lights in all directions from the light emitting device 1.
US08154186B2 Fixing mechanism for an inner assembly to outer bulb
A lamp assembly includes an inner assembly that has a CFL source, an electronics board, and a holder that interconnects the CFL source and electronics board. An outer, light transmissive envelope surrounds the inner assembly and various fixing arrangements are disclosed for securing the inner assembly to the outer envelope. Three primary mechanisms are a ratchet mechanism, a spring mechanism, or using adhesive to secure the inner assembly to the outer envelope under a predetermined tension.
US08154185B2 Diamondoid monolayers as electron emitters
Provided are electron emitters based upon diamondoid monolayers, preferably self-assembled higher diamondoid monolayers. High intensity electron emission has been demonstrated employing such diamondoid monolayers, particularly when the monolayers are comprised of higher diamondoids. The application of such diamondoid monolayers can alter the band structure of substrates, as well as emit monochromatic electrons, and the high intensity electron emissions can also greatly improve the efficiency of field-effect electron emitters as applied to industrial and commercial applications.
US08154183B2 Mitigating shorting risks in encapsulated organic light emitting devices (OLEDs)
A generally planar, flexible light source assembly or OLED device includes a generally planar, flexible light emitting member having opposite first and second surfaces. An impermeable backsheet is disposed along the first surface of the light emitting surface and includes a conductive portion and an opening through the backsheet. A conductive tab or cover is received over the opening, and an insulator is disposed between the tab cover and the opening to mitigate the risk of electrical contact between the components. The insulator can be precut washer-like members or an applied insulating material situated between the conductive components of the light source assembly that pose a potential for shorting. Using tabs with burr-free edges also mitigates against the risk of electrical shorting.
US08154179B2 Light emitting diode lamp having replaceable light source module
The present invention is a LED lamp, which comprises an insulation body having a first end electrically installed onto a lamp holder and a second end electrically connected to the first end, a heat dissipation element sleeved on the insulation body, and a light source module electrically and movably connected to the second end, wherein the light source module includes at least one LED, each of the LED is electrically mounted on a lower surface of a printed circuit board, and a lower surface and a upper surface of a heat dissipation plate are connected to an upper surface of the printed circuit board and a lower surface of the heat dissipation element respectively. Since the light source module is electrically and movably connected to the second end, a user can replace the light source module without replacing the whole LED lamp when the light source module is damaged.
US08154178B2 Piezoelectric frame surrounding a piezoelectric vibrating piece and package with exhaust channel
In the disclosed piezoelectric devices a piezoelectric frame includes a vibrating piece. An excitation electrode is formed on the vibrating piece. An outer frame portion surrounds the vibrating piece and includes an extraction electrode connected to the excitation electrode. A package base is bonded to one surface of the outer frame portion and includes a connection electrode connected to the extraction electrode. The package base includes an external terminal formed on a surface thereof opposite the surface on which the connection electrodes are formed. Through-hole conductors connected the connection electrodes with respective external terminals. A lid is bonded to an opposing surface of the piezoelectric frame. An exhaust channel is in communication with the extraction electrode adjacent the through-hole conductors.
US08154177B1 Wide-band vibration energy harvester with stop
A device for harvesting an external source of energy includes an electricity generating device, a flexure, and a first stop. Displacement of the flexure is limited by the first stop. The flexure has a vibration amplitude, wherein the vibration amplitude is amplitude the flexure would have if unconstrained by the first stop. The first stop allows the flexure to oscillate with a vibration amplitude that is higher than displacement of the flexure as limited by the first stop. The electricity generating device generates electrical energy while the first stop allows the flexure to oscillate with the higher vibration amplitude.
US08154174B2 Bending transducer device for generating electrical energy from deformations and circuit module
A bending transducer device for generating electrical energy includes at least one elastically deformable support structure, one piezoelectric element, and a bearing device. The piezoelectric element is configured and situated on the support structure in such a way that the piezoelectric element is deformable due to a deformation of the support structure caused by vibration, and the support structure is supported vibration-capably in at least one bearing of the bearing device, the bearing being configured as an articulated receptacle, e.g., a hinge.
US08154169B2 Rail brush assembly with detent
A rail brush assembly for an electric motor having a commutator, comprises a brush, a spring, a pair of rails and at least one detent for retaining the brush on the rails. The brush has a groove on each of a pair of opposite sides. The rails are disposed in the grooves for guiding the brush to the commutator with the brush being freely slidable along the rails within a predetermined range of motion. The spring is arranged to urge the brush along the rails towards the commutator of the motor and is attached to an end of the brush remote from the commutator. The detent is formed between the spring and at least one rail to limit the range of movement of the brush along the rails.
US08154166B2 Dual layer winding pattern
A dual-winding layer arrangement for a three-phase, four pole motor is provided.
US08154164B2 System and method for device suspension and wireless power transmission
A system and method for device suspension and wireless power transmission are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus, comprises a suspended object having a wireless receiving circuit. A wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit power to the wireless receiving circuit housed in the suspended object. A magnetic stabilization mechanism is beneath and not in contact with suspended object. A circuit is configured to magnetically control a position of the suspended object.
US08154161B2 Miniature motor
A miniature motor includes a substrate having a pivotal portion. A coil unit and a detection element are provided around the pivotal portion. A rotor is rotatably mounted to the pivotal portion and includes a hub and a permanent magnet mounted to the hub and aligned with the coil unit and the detection element. The permanent magnet includes a plurality of north and south poles each having a stronger magnetism section. A weaker magnetism section is formed between two adjacent stronger magnetism sections. At least one auxiliary starting member is mounted between the substrate and the rotor and aligned with the permanent magnet. When the rotor stops rotating, the at least one auxiliary starting member aligns with and magnetically attracts at least one of the stronger magnetism sections, locating the detection element in a position not aligned with the weaker magnetism sections along an axis of the hub.
US08154160B2 Drive device control unit
A drive device control unit that controls a drive device including a rotating electrical machine, the drive device control unit includes a control substrate that controls the drive device; a switching element module that forms an inverter that drives the rotating electrical machine; a smoothing capacitor that smoothes an input power supply of the inverter; a first base having the switching element module fixed thereto; and a second base supported by the first base and having the smoothing capacitor fixed to a first surface of the second base, wherein the control substrate is fixed to a second surface of the second base opposite to the first surface having the smoothing capacitor fixed thereto.
US08154153B2 Method and apparatus for providing a communication channel through an output cable of a power supply
A power supply system is introduced herein. The power supply system includes a power converter to supply a power source to an electronic circuit through an output cable of the power supply. A communication unit is coupled to the output cable of the power supply to develop a communication channel between the power converter and the electronic circuit in order to report the status of the power converter to the electronic circuit.
US08154150B2 Power line communication system
A power line communication system which enables high quality communication utilizing a pair of power lines connected to a vehicle mounted battery, has a pair of communication lines connected to a pair of power lines, respectively, to communicate a high frequency signal of 1 MHz or more. This system has a balance filter which is interposed between each of the communication lines and a vehicle mounted communication apparatus, the filter, a circuit configuration of which is formed in balance type. The communication system also has a pair of electrically balanced lines which are connected between the balance filter and each of the communication apparatuses and are power-fed from the battery, for performing communication between the communication apparatuses.
US08154149B2 Method and apparatus for charging a vehicle energy storage system
A propulsion system is provided that includes an energy system, wherein the energy system comprises a first energy storage system electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) link, a bi-directional boost converter electrically coupled to the first energy storage system and to the DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the bi-directional boost converter. The propulsion system further comprises an electric drive coupled to the DC link, an auxiliary energy source coupled to the energy system; and a system controller, wherein the system controller is configured to determine an operational status of the first energy storage system and an operational status of the second energy storage system, and if the first and second energy storage systems are determined to be non-operational, then the system controller causes energy from the auxiliary energy source to be supplied to the first energy storage system.
US08154144B2 Linear generator with a primary part and a secondary part for power generation in a wave-driven power station and wave-driven power station
A linear generator for power generation in a wave-driven power station is provided. The linear generator includes a primary part which has a plurality of annular primary coils, which are arranged concentrically with respect to an axis and are separated from one another by intermediate elements, and a secondary part which has a plurality of secondary coils, to which direct current can be applied. The secondary coils are arranged axially alongside one another with alternating polarity and have superconductor windings. The the arrangement of the primary coils in the primary part is in the form of an air-gap winding with intermediate elements composed of non-magnetizable material. The primary part or the secondary part is moved parallel to the axis, in an externally operated manner, by a buoy and the current which is induced in the primary coils by the relative movement between the primary part and the secondary part can be tapped off for power generation.
US08154140B2 Air regeneration for a moving vehicle
Airflow regeneration device, which generates electricity from air resistance, but only when the vehicle is in the speed reduction mode. In the non-speed reduction mode, the air resistance is minimally increased. In the speed reduction mode, the air resistance is intentionally increased.
US08154139B2 Method for controlling wind turbines, and devices therefore
Method for controlling the rotational speeds of wind turbines, including determining the rotor rotational speed of a first and a second wind turbine; determining the rotor azimuth angle of the first and the second wind turbine; calculating a speed control value for the first wind turbine, based on the determined rotor azimuth angles and rotor rotational speeds; adjusting the rotor rotational speed of the first wind turbine according to its speed control value, wherein the speed control value is calculated such that the rotor azimuth angle of the first wind turbine is equal to the rotor azimuth angle of the second wind turbine after speed adjustment, and a wind turbine control master unit, a wind turbine control slave unit, a wind turbine control device, a signal light control module, and a wind turbine therefor.
US08154136B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor device
Method of fabricating thin-film transistors in which contact with connecting electrodes becomes reliable. When contact holes are formed, the bottom insulating layer is subjected to a wet etching process, thus producing undercuttings inside the contact holes. In order to remove the undercuttings, a light etching process is carried out to widen the contact holes. Thus, tapering section are obtained, and the covering of connection wiring is improved.
US08154135B2 Stacked semiconductor package
A stacked semiconductor package is presented which includes multiple semiconductor chips and through-electrodes. Each semiconductor chip has bonding pads formed on a first surface of the semiconductor chip and has a projection which projects from a portion of a second surface of the semiconductor chip. The first and second surfaces of the semiconductor chip face away from each other the first surface. The through-electrodes pass through the first surface and through the projection on the second surface.
US08154134B2 Packaged electronic devices with face-up die having TSV connection to leads and die pad
A packaged electronic device includes a leadframe including a die pad, a first, second, and third lead pin surrounding the die pad. An IC die is assembled in a face-up configuration on the lead frame. The IC die includes a substrate having an active top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface includes integrated circuitry including an input pad, an output pad, a power supply pad, and a ground pad, and a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) including an electrically conductive filler material and a dielectric liner. The TSVs couple the input pad to the first lead pin, the output pad to the second lead pin, the power supply pad to a third lead pin or a portion of the die pad. A fourth TSV couples pads coupled to the ground node to the die pad or a portion of the die pad for a split die pad.
US08154130B2 Self-aligned metal to form contacts to Ge containing substrates and structure formed thereby
A method for forming germano-silicide contacts atop a Ge-containing layer that is more resistant to etching than are conventional silicide contacts that are formed from a pure metal is provided. The method of the present invention includes first providing a structure which comprises a plurality of gate regions located atop a Ge-containing substrate having source/drain regions therein. After this step of the present invention, a Si-containing metal layer is formed atop the said Ge-containing substrate. In areas that are exposed, the Ge-containing substrate is in contact with the Si-containing metal layer. Annealing is then performed to form a germano-silicide compound in the regions in which the Si-containing metal layer and the Ge-containing substrate are in contact; and thereafter, any unreacted Si-containing metal layer is removed from the structure using a selective etch process. In some embodiments, an additional annealing step can follow the removal step. The method of the present invention provides a structure having a germano-silicide contact layer atop a Ge-containing substrate, wherein the germano-silicide contact layer contains more Si than the underlying Ge-containing substrate.
US08154127B1 Optical device and method of making the same
An optical device includes a first electrode of a first conductivity type, and a second electrode of a second conductivity type. A nanowire is positioned between the first and second electrodes. The nanowire has at least two segments and a junction region formed between the at least two segments. One of the segments is the first conductivity type and the other of the segments is the second conductivity type. At least one of the at least two segments has a predetermined characteristic that affects optical behavior of the junction region.
US08154125B2 Chip package structure
A chip package structure including a carrier, a chip, and an underfill layer is disclosed. The carrier has a number of bumps disposed thereon. The chip has an active surface. The chip is flip-chip bonded and electrically connected to the carrier through the bumps such that the active surface of the chip faces the carrier. The underfill layer is disposed on the carrier between the chip and the carrier such that a gap is maintained between the underfill layer and the chip.
US08154123B2 Solder bump, semiconductor chip, method of manufacturing the semiconductor chip, conductive connection structure, and method of manufacturing the conductive connection structure
A solder bump and a conductive connection structure are provided which can conductively connect a semiconductor chip and a substrate with high connection reliability. Filler 5 is contained in a solder bump 6 and a solder joint 17 which connect a connection electrode 3 of a semiconductor chip 2 and a substrate 11, and the filler has a larger density on the side of the connection electrode 3 than on the side of the substrate 11 in the solder joint 17. Therefore, in the cooling solidification of solder, the shrinkage of the solder joint 17 near the connection electrode 3 of the semiconductor chip 2 is reduced by the filler 5 and the occurrence of a stress is reduced on the peripheral portion of the connection electrode 3, thereby preventing the occurrence of cracks near the joint.
US08154118B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device (10) includes: an base substance (15) having a ferromagnetic material; a first semiconductor chip (11) and a second semiconductor chip (12) installed on the base substance (15); a first coil (131) installed on the base substance (15) and electrically connected to the first semiconductor chip (11); a second coil (132) installed on the first coil (131), electromagnetically connected to the first coil (131) and electrically connected to the second semiconductor chip (12); a transformer assembly (18) made of a ferromagnetic material and installed on the base substance (15), and a sealing body. The transformer assembly (18) includes a first core section (181), a first side shield section (182), and a first upper shield section (183).
US08154116B2 Layered chip package with heat sink
A layered chip package includes: a plurality of layer portions stacked, each of the layer portions including a semiconductor chip; and a heat sink. Each of the plurality of layer portions has a top surface, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces. The heat sink has at least one first portion, and a second portion coupled to the at least one first portion. The at least one first portion is adjacent to the top surface or the bottom surface of at least one of the layer portions. The second portion is adjacent to one of the side surfaces of each of at least two of the plurality of layer portions.
US08154109B2 Leadframe having delamination resistant die pad
A lead frame (410) including a die pad (100) for mounting at least one integrated circuit (405) thereon and a plurality of lead fingers (413). The die pad (100) includes a metal including substrate (105) having a periphery that includes a plurality of sides (111-114), an intersection of the sides forming corners (115). A first plurality of grooves including least one groove (106) is formed in a top side surface of the substrate and is associated with each of the corners (115). The groove (106) has a dimension oriented at least in part at an angle of 75 to 105 degrees relative to a bisecting line (118) originating from the corners (115). A lead-frame-based packaged semiconductor device (400) includes a lead frame (410) including at least one metal comprising die pad (418) and a plurality of lead fingers (413) around the die pad (418). At least one integrated circuit (405) is mounted on the top surface of the die pad (418), and electrically connected to the plurality of lead fingers (413). A mold compound (414) encapsulates the integrated circuit (405), wherein the mold compound (414) is present inside the first plurality of grooves to form a restraint from delaminating between the mold compound (414) and the die pad (418).
US08154106B2 Coating and developing system and coating and developing method
A coating and developing system for forming a resist film on a substrate by coating the substrate with a liquid resist and developing the resist film after the resist film has been processed by immersion exposure that forms a liquid layer on the surface of the substrate is capable of reducing difference in property among resist films formed on substrates.The coating and developing system includes: a cleaning unit for cleaning a surface of a substrate coated with a resist film; a carrying means for taking out the substrate from the cleaning unit and carrying the substrate to an exposure system that carries out an immersion exposure process; and a controller for controlling the carrying means such that a time interval between a wetting time point when the surface of the substrate is wetted with the cleaning liquid by the cleaning unit and a delivery time point when the substrate is delivered to the exposure system is equal to a predetermined set time interval. The set time interval is determined such that the substrate is subjected to the immersion exposure process after contact angle drop rate at which contact angle between the cleaning liquid and a surface of the substrate drops has dropped from an initial level at the wetting time point when the surface of the substrate is wetted with the cleaning liquid to a level far lower than the initial level.
US08154105B2 Flip chip semiconductor device and process of its manufacture
A semiconductor die and method of making it are provided. The die includes a first via extending through the entire thickness of the die and a first via electrode disposed inside the via electrically connecting an electrode at a top surface of the die with another electrode disposed at a bottom surface of the die.
US08154102B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes groove-like regions that are formed between two adjacent bit lines among a plurality of bit lines each having upper and side surfaces covered with a cap insulating film and a side-wall insulating film, respectively, a SiON film that contains more O (oxygen) than N (nitrogen) and continuously covers inner surfaces of the groove-like regions, and a silicon dioxide film formed by reforming polysilazane and filled in the groove-like regions with the SiON film interposed therebetween.
US08154101B2 High voltage diode with reduced substrate injection
A high voltage diode in which the n-type cathode is surrounded by an uncontacted heavily doped n-type ring to reflect injected holes back into the cathode region for recombination or collection is disclosed. The dopant density in the heavily doped n-type ring is preferably 100 to 10,000 times the dopant density in the cathode. The heavily doped n-type region will typically connect to an n-type buried layer under the cathode. The heavily doped n-type ring is optimally positioned at least one hole diffusion length from cathode contacts. The disclosed high voltage diode may be integrated into an integrated circuit without adding process steps.
US08154097B2 Image sensor and method of manufacturing the same
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The image sensor includes a substrate having a sensor array area and a peripheral circuit area a first insulating film structure formed on the peripheral circuit area and including a plurality of first multi-layer wiring lines and a second insulating film structure formed on the sensor array area and including a plurality of second multi-layer wiring lines. The uppermost-layer wiring line of the plurality of first multi-layer wiring lines is higher than that of the uppermost-layer wiring line of the plurality of second multi-layer wiring lines. The first insulating film structure includes an isotropic etch-stop layer, and the second insulating film structure does not include the isotropic etch-stop layer.
US08154096B2 Photoelectric conversion element and manufacturing method of photoelectric conversion element
An object is to provide a photoelectric conversion element having a side surface with different taper angles by conducting etching of a photoelectric conversion layer step-by-step. A pin photodiode has a high response speed compared with a pn photodiode but has a disadvantage of large dark current. One cause of the dark current is considered to be conduction through an etching residue which is generated in etching and deposited on a side surface of the photoelectric conversion layer. Leakage current of the photoelectric conversion element is reduced by forming a structure in which a side surface has two different tapered shapes, which conventionally has a uniform surface, so that the photoelectric conversion layer has a side surface of a p-layer and a side surface of an n-layer, which are not in the same plane.
US08154095B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an image sensor that comprises a readout circuitry, an interlayer dielectric, an interconnection, an image sensing device, an ion implantation region, a contact, and a pixel separation layer. The readout circuitry is disposed at a first substrate. The interlayer dielectric is disposed on the first substrate. The interconnection is disposed in the interlayer dielectric, and electrically connected to the readout circuitry. The image sensing device is disposed on the interconnection, and comprises a first conductive type layer and a second conductive type layer. The contact electrically connects the first conductive type layer of the image sensing device and the interconnection. The ion implantation region is formed in the second conductive type layer at a region corresponding to the contact. The pixel separation layer is disposed at a pixel boundary of the image sensing device.
US08154093B2 Nano-electronic sensors for chemical and biological analytes, including capacitance and bio-membrane devices
Embodiments of nanoelectronic sensors are described, including sensors for detecting analytes inorganic gases, organic vapors, biomolecules, viruses and the like. A number of embodiments of capacitive sensors having alternative architectures are described. Particular examples include integrated cell membranes and membrane-like structures in nanoelectronic sensors.
US08154089B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: a substrate; a plurality of fins made of a semiconductor and formed on the substrate; a plurality of via contact regions formed between the fins, the plurality of via contact regions and the plurality of the fins constituting a closed loop structure; a gate contact region on the substrate arranged at a position surrounded by the closed loop structure; a plurality of gate electrodes connected to the gate contact region respectively, each of the plurality of gate electrodes sandwiching both side faces of each of the plurality of fins between its opposite regions via gate insulating film; and source/drain regions formed in regions in the plurality of fins and in the contact region, the regions being formed on both sides of a region sandwiched by the gate electrodes along longitudinal direction of the fin.
US08154087B2 Multi-component strain-inducing semiconductor regions
A multi-component strain-inducing semiconductor region is described. In an embodiment, formation of such a strain-inducing semiconductor region laterally adjacent to a crystalline substrate results in a uniaxial strain imparted to the crystalline substrate, providing a strained crystalline substrate. In one embodiment, the multi-component strain-inducing material region comprises a first portion and a second portion which are separated by an interface. In a specific embodiment, the concentration of charge-carrier dopant impurity atoms of the two portions are different from one another at the interface.
US08154082B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes an NMISFET region. The NMISFET region includes a Ge nano wire having a triangular cross section along a direction perpendicular to a channel current direction, wherein two of surfaces that define the triangular cross section of the Ge nano wire are (111) planes, and the other surface that define the triangular cross section of the Ge nano wire is a (100) plane; and an Si layer or an Si1-xGex layer (0
US08154081B2 Processes and apparatus having a semiconductor fin
A process may include first etching a trench isolation dielectric through a dielectric hard mask that abuts the sidewall of a fin semiconductor. The first etch can be carried out to expose at least a portion of the sidewall, causing the dielectric hard mask to recede to a greater degree in the lateral direction than the vertical direction. The process may include second etching the fin semiconductor to achieve a thinned semiconductor fin, which has receded beneath the shadow of the laterally receded hard mask. The thinned semiconductor fin may have a characteristic dimension that can exceed photolithography limits. Electronic devices may include the thinned semiconductor fin as part of a field effect transistor.
US08154080B2 Dielectric structure having lower-k and higher-k materials
An electronic device including in any sequence: (a) a semiconductor layer; and (b) a dielectric structure comprising a lower-k dielectric polymer and a higher-k dielectric polymer, wherein the lower-k dielectric polymer is in a lower concentration than the higher-k dielectric polymer in a region of the dielectric structure closest to the semiconductor layer.
US08154078B2 Semiconductor structure and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor structure is provided. A second conductivity type well region is disposed on a first conductivity type substrate. A gate structure comprising a first sidewall and second sidewall is provided. The first sidewall is disposed on the second conductivity type well region. A second conductivity type diffused source is disposed on the first conductivity type substrate outside of the second sidewall. A second conductivity type diffused drain is disposed on the second conductivity type well region outside of the first sidewall. First conductivity type buried rings are arranged in a horizontal direction, separated from each other, and formed in the second conductivity type well region. Doped profiles of the first conductivity type buried rings gradually become smaller in a direction from the second conductivity type diffused source to the second conductivity type diffused drain.
US08154074B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A SiC semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a drift layer on a first side of the substrate; a trench in the drift layer; a base region contacting a sidewall of the trench; a source region in an upper portion of the base region; a gate electrode in the trench via a gate insulation film; a source electrode on the source region; and a drain electrode on a second side of the substrate. The source region has multi-layered structure including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer as an upper layer contacts the source electrode with ohmic contact. The second layer as a lower layer has an impurity concentration, which is lower than an impurity concentration of the first layer.
US08154073B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vertical type trench gate MOS transistor; a Schottky barrier diode; multiple trenches having a stripe pattern to divide an inner region into first and second separation regions; and a poly silicon film in each trench. The first separation region includes a first conductive type region for providing a source and a second conductive type layer for providing a channel region. The first conductive type region is adjacent to a first trench. The poly silicon film in the first trench is coupled with a gate wiring. A second trench is not adjacent to the first conductive type region. The poly silicon film in the second trench is coupled with a source or gate wiring. The substrate in the second separation region is coupled with the source wiring for providing a Schottky barrier.
US08154072B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a source and drain regions formed at a distance from each other in a semiconductor layer; a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer located between the source region and the drain region, the first insulating film including a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and having a higher dielectric constant than the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer having a first site performing hole trapping and releasing, the first site being formed by adding an element different from a base material to the second insulating film, the first site being located at a lower level than a Fermi level of a material forming the semiconductor layer; a charge storage film formed on the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed on the charge storage film; and a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating film.
US08154070B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A nonvolatile memory includes a semiconductor substrate having a body member and a step member formed on the body member, a highly doped first well layer formed on the step member, a control electrode formed on the step member, a first and a second diffusion layers in the substrate, lightly doped second well layers formed on the main surface of the substrate between the first or the second diffusion layer and the first well layer, and a first and a second charge-storage multi-layers sandwiching the step member and the control electrode, each of the first and the second charge-storage multi-layers including a bottom oxide layer, a charge-storage film, a top oxide layer and a floating electrode which are formed in that order.
US08154068B2 Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing the same
Each of memory strings comprising: a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction to a substrate and a joining portion formed to join lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; an electric charge accumulation layer formed to surround a side surface of the first semiconductor layer; and a first conductive layer formed to surround a side surface of the electric charge accumulation layer. The columnar portions are aligned at a first pitch in a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and arranged in a staggered pattern at a second pitch in a second direction orthogonal to the vertical and first directions. The first conductive layers are configured to be arranged at the first pitch in the first direction, and extend to curve in a wave-like fashion in the second direction along the staggered-pattern arrangement.
US08154056B2 Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device and method of driving solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device capable of securing sufficient sensitivity and obtaining favorable characteristics is provided.The solid-state imaging device includes a charge-transfer portion 2 provided on one side of each column of light-receiving sensor portions 1, each forming a pixel, arranged in the form of a matrix and a transfer electrode of the charge-transfer portion 2 including a first transfer electrode formed of first electrode layers 3A and 3C and a second transfer electrode formed by electrically connecting first electrode layers 3B and 3D and a second electrode layer 4; the first electrode layers 3B and 3D in the second transfer electrode are independently formed in each of the charge-transfer portion 2; and the first transfer electrodes 3A and 3C and the second electrode layer 4 are laminated in a portion between pixels adjacent to each other in the direction of the charge-transfer portions 2.
US08154055B2 CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a photodiode formed in a substrate structure, first to fourth gate electrodes formed over the substrate structure, spacers formed on both sidewalls of the first to fourth gate electrodes and filled between the third and fourth gate electrodes, a first ion implantation region formed in a portion of the substrate structure below the spacers filled between the third and fourth gate electrodes, and second ion implantation regions formed in portions of the substrate structure exposed between the spacers, the second ion implantation regions having a higher concentration than the first ion implantation region.
US08154053B2 Programmable metal elements and programmable via elements in an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit may include one or more cells, with each cell comprising a first and a second input terminal, a first and a second output terminal, and a number of connection stages configured to couple each input terminal to a corresponding respective output terminal. The stages may include one stage per metal layer of the integrated circuit and one stage per VIA layer of the integrated circuit. Each stage may be configured with a pair of input ports and a pair of output ports. Each output port of a stage may serially connect to a corresponding respective input port of a first adjacent stage, and each input port of the stage may also serially connect to a corresponding respective output port of a second adjacent stage. The pair of input ports may also be configured to programmably connect to the pair of output ports within the same stage, according to one of two different connection patterns, to establish a respective connection within the stage. A combination of the respective connections within the stages may determine which input terminal of the cell connects to which output terminal of the cell.
US08154043B2 Packaged light emitting devices
Packaged semiconductor light emitting device are provided including a reflector having a lower sidewall portion defining a reflective cavity. A light emitting device is positioned in the reflective cavity. A first quantity of cured encapsulant material having a first index of refraction is provided in the reflective cavity including the light emitting device. A second quantity of cured encapsulant material having a second index of refraction, different from the first index of refraction, is provided on the first quantity of cured encapsulant material. The first and second index of refraction are selected to provide a buried lens in the reflective cavity.
US08154040B2 Light-emitting diode arrangement and method for producing the same
A light-emitting diode arrangement comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips which are provided for emitting electromagnetic radiation from their front side (101) and which are fixed by their rear side (102)—opposite the front side—on a first main face (201) of a common carrier body (2), wherein the semiconductor chips consist of a respective substrateless semiconductor layer stack (1) and are fixed to the common carrier body without an auxiliary carrier, and to a method for producing such a light-emitting diode arrangement.
US08154039B2 High efficiency group III nitride LED with lenticular surface
A light emitting diode is disclosed having a vertical orientation with an ohmic contact on portions of a top surface of the diode and a mirror layer adjacent the light emitting region of the diode. The diode includes an opening in the mirror layer beneath the geometric projection of the top ohmic contact through the diode that defines a non-contact area between the mirror layer and the light emitting region of the diode to encourage current flow to take place other than at the non-contact area to in turn decrease the number of light emitting recombinations beneath the ohmic contact and increase the number of light emitting recombinations in the more transparent portions of the diode.
US08154038B2 Group-III nitride for reducing stress caused by metal nitride reflector
A device structure includes a substrate; a group-III nitride layer over the substrate; a metal nitride layer over the group-III nitride layer; and a light-emitting layer over the metal nitride layer. The metal nitride layer acts as a reflector reflecting the light emitted by the light-emitting layer.
US08154037B2 Light-emitting diode light source apparatus
An LED light source apparatus comprises a circular base having thermal conductivity, an insulative substrate concentric with the base and including a pass-through hole provided to pass through an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate, at least one mounting area formed having a central portion of an upper surface of the base exposed from the pass-through hole of the substrate, and a plurality of LED elements mounted on the mounting area and electrically connected to electrodes provided on the upper surface of the substrate, the pass-through hole being formed in a circular shape concentric with the base and the substrate.
US08154035B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting element
In a nitride semiconductor light emitting element, a light transmitting substrate has an upper surface on which a nitride semiconductor layer including at least a light emitting layer is formed. On the upper surface of the light transmitting substrate, recess regions and rise regions are formed. One of each of the recess regions and each of the rise regions is formed by a polygon having at least one apex having an interior angle of 180° or greater when viewed in a planar view. The other of each of the recess regions and each of the rise regions is formed not to be connected to one another in a straight line when viewed in a planar view. A nitride semiconductor light emitting element having such a configuration has excellent light extraction efficiency and can be manufactured at a moderate cost.
US08154033B2 LED device and method of packaging the same
A light emitting diode (LED) device including a transparent substrate, a plurality of LED chips, a circuit, and a transparent encapsulant is provided. The LED chips are fixed on the transparent substrate, and utilized for radiating at least a light beam. The circuit is disposed on the transparent substrate and electrically connected to the LED chips. The transparent encapsulant is utilized for packaging the LED chips. The light beam of the LED chips can propagate from two opposite sides of the transparent substrate. Blue LED chips and the circuit of the transparent substrate can be directly soldered, and the phosphors are arranged to convert the wavelength of blue light, so a dual-side white light emitting device can therefore be provided.
US08154030B2 Integrated diode in a silicon chip scale package
An optical component with integrated back monitor photodiode. The optical component includes a substrate doped with a first type dopant, such as an n-type dopant. The substrate has a trench with sloped walls. An optical source is disposed in the trench. An implant of a second type dopant, such as a p-type dopant, is in the substrate around at a least a portion of the optical source. The implant in the substrate in combination with the first type dopant in the substrate forms a diode.
US08154029B2 Planar light source device
A planar light source device includes: a substrate having a thickness larger than 0.9 mm and including a metal layer; and a plurality of light-emitting diode chips disposed on the substrate in a matrix array. Each light-emitting diode chip has a chip size ranging from 0.0784 mm2 to 0.25 mm2. Two adjacent ones of the light-emitting diode chips are spaced apart from each other by a distance of at least two times a length of the light-emitting diode chips.
US08154024B2 Field effect transistor using amorphous oxide film as channel layer, manufacturing method of field effect transistor using amorphous oxide film as channel layer, and manufacturing method of amorphous oxide film
An amorphous oxide containing hydrogen (or deuterium) is applied to a channel layer of a transistor. Accordingly, a thin film transistor having superior TFT properties can be realized, the superior TFT properties including a small hysteresis, normally OFF operation, a high ON/OFF ratio, a high saturated current, and the like. Furthermore, as a method for manufacturing a channel layer made of an amorphous oxide, film formation is performed in an atmosphere containing a hydrogen gas and an oxygen gas, so that the carrier concentration of the amorphous oxide can be controlled.
US08154020B2 Photo-voltaic cell device and display panel
A photo-voltaic cell device includes a first electrode, an N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, a P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed on the first electrode, and the N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is doped with an N-type dopant. The P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed on the N-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer, and the P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer is doped with a P-type dopant. The second electrode is disposed on the P-type doped silicon-rich dielectric layer. A display panel including the photo-voltaic cell device is also provided.
US08154016B2 Composition containing thiazole rings, organic semiconductor polymer containing the composition, organic active layer containing the organic semiconductor polymer, organic thin film transistor containing the organic active layer, electronic device containing the organic thin film transistor and method of preparing the same
Disclosed herein is a composition containing hetero arylene or arylene showing a p-type semiconductor property in addition to thiophene showing a p-type semiconductor property and thiazole rings showing a n-type semiconductor property at a polymer main chain, an organic semiconductor polymer containing the composition, an organic active layer containing the organic semiconductor polymer, an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) containing the organic active layer, an electronic device containing the OTFT, and a method of preparing the same. The composition of example embodiments, which is used in an organic semiconductor polymer and contains thiazole rings, may exhibit increased solubility to an organic solvent, coplanarity, processability and an improved thin film property.
US08154008B2 Light emitting diode with improved structure
A light emitting diode (LED) for minimizing crystal defects in an active region and enhancing recombination efficiency of electrons and holes in the active region includes non-polar GaN-based semiconductor layers grown on a non-polar substrate. The semiconductor layers include a non-polar N-type semiconductor layer, a non-polar P-type semiconductor layer, and non-polar active region layers positioned between the N-type semiconductor layer and the P-type semiconductor layer. The non-polar active region layers include a well layer and a barrier layer with a superlattice structure.
US08154006B2 Controlling the circuitry and memory array relative height in a phase change memory feol process flow
A CMOS logic portion embedded with a PCM portion is recessed by a gate structure height as measured by a thickness of a gate oxide and a polysilicon gate to provide planarity of the CMOS logic portion with the PCM portion is described.
US08153998B2 Temperature radiator
A temperature radiator, which comprises an emission surface emitting a thermal radiation, is provided with a radiation converter to which a laser beam is irradiated. The radiation converter comprises a micro-structured receiving surface and a micro-structured emission surface. These two surfaces are surrounded by a smooth boundary. The laser radiation is absorbed at the receiving surface and converted into thermal radiation which is emitted in a uniformly distributed manner at the emission surface.
US08153991B2 Direct write lithography system
A direct write lithography system. The system includes a converter having an array of light controllable electron sources, each field emitter being arranged for converting light into an electron beam, the field emitters having an element distance between each two adjacent field emitters, each filed emitter having an activation area. A plurality of individually controllable light sources, each light source arranged for activating one field emitter. A controller controls each light source individually. Each electron beam is focused from the field emitters with a diameter smaller than the diameter of a light source on an object plane.
US08153988B2 Porous material neutron detector
A neutron detector employs a porous material layer including pores between nanoparticles. The composition of the nanoparticles is selected to cause emission of electrons upon detection of a neutron. The nanoparticles have a maximum dimension that is in the range from 0.1 micron to 1 millimeter, and can be sintered with pores thereamongst. A passing radiation generates electrons at one or more nanoparticles, some of which are scattered into a pore and directed toward a direction opposite to the applied electrical field. These electrons travel through the pore and collide with additional nanoparticles, which generate more electrons. The electrons are amplified in a cascade reaction that occurs along the pores behind the initial detection point. An electron amplification device may be placed behind the porous material layer to further amplify the electrons exiting the porous material layer.
US08153986B2 Hybrid Compton camera/coded aperture imaging system
A system in one embodiment includes an array of radiation detectors; and an array of imagers positioned behind the array of detectors relative to an expected trajectory of incoming radiation. A method in another embodiment includes detecting incoming radiation with an array of radiation detectors; detecting the incoming radiation with an array of imagers positioned behind the array of detectors relative to a trajectory of the incoming radiation; and performing at least one of Compton imaging using at least the imagers and coded aperture imaging using at least the imagers. A method in yet another embodiment includes detecting incoming radiation with an array of imagers positioned behind an array of detectors relative to a trajectory of the incoming radiation; and performing Compton imaging using at least the imagers.
US08153985B2 Neutron detector cell efficiency
Neutron detection cells and corresponding methods of detecting charged particles that make efficient use of silicon area are set forth. Three types of circuit cells/arrays are described: state latching circuits, glitch generating cells, and charge loss circuits. An array of these cells, used in conjunction with a neutron conversion film, increases the area that is sensitive to a strike by a charged particle over that of an array of SRAM cells. The result is a neutron detection cell that uses less power, costs less, and is more suitable for mass production.
US08153982B1 Yttrium-containing scintillator compositions, devices and methods
The present invention relates to scintillator compositions and related devices and methods. The scintillator compositions may include, for example, a scintillation compound and a dopant, the scintillation compound having the formula CsLi(LaxY1-x)Z, where Z is a halide. The scintillator composition can include a dopant or mixture of dopants.
US08153978B1 Dual color/dual function focal plane
A single focal plane integrated circuit hybrid replaces multiple focal plane circuits and associated off-focal plane signal processing electronics. A dual function, dual color focal plane PSD sensor chip assembly includes a PSD array, a traditional pixelized camera array, a signal processing chip, and flip-chip interconnects and wirebond pads to support electronics on the signal processing chip. The camera array is made of a material sensitive to wavelengths longer than the PSD array material is sensitive to. The PSD array is disposed in the same substrate as the camera array. The PSD array tracks object locations and directs the camera array to window and zoom while capturing images. Inherent registration of PSD cells to the pixelized camera array makes responsivity map testing and spatial calibration unnecessary. Reduction in power dissipation is achieved by powering on the camera array only when the PSD detects a change in scene.
US08153977B2 Optic having a dichroic reflector
Various embodiments are disclosed that are related to an optic with a dichroic coating. In one embodiment, sn optic comprises a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and a turning film bonded to the wedge-shaped light guide. The turning film comprises a plurality of facets oblique to the first face of the wedge-shaped light guide and supports a dichroic coating.
US08153974B2 Electronic device for minimizing laser light leakage
A transportable electronic cassette and an image reading device carry out communication by laser light between themselves, with the separation distance to the casing of the opposing device detected by separation distance sensors provided respectively to the electronic cassette and the image reading device. The value of the separation distance detected is monitored to see whether or not the separation distance exceeds a reference value of the detected value at the start of communication by a specific value or more. Conclusion can be made that there has been a relatively large change in the relative position of the electronic cassette and the image reading device if the detected value of the separation distance becomes greater than the reference value by the specific value or more, and consequently emission is halted of the laser light from the electronic cassette and the image reading device.
US08153970B2 Scanning electron microscope
A scanning electron microscope for digitally processing an image signal to secure the largest focal depth and the best resolution in accordance with the magnification for observation is disclosed. The angle of aperture of an optical system having a plurality of convergence lenses is changed by changing the convergence lenses and the hole diameter of a diaphragm. The angle α of aperture of the electron beam is changed in accordance with the visual field range corresponding to a single pixel, i.e. what is called the pixel size.
US08153966B2 Electrode unit and charged particle beam device
A high-resolution sample image is acquired by eliminating both of charge over an entire sample (global charge) and charge in a local region irradiated with a primary charged particle beam (local charge). An electrode unit (50) according to the present invention is used in a charged particle beam device. The electrode unit (50) includes a plate electrode disposed facing an insulator sample between an objective lens and the sample, and further includes: a first charge-neutralization charged particle beam source which emits a first charged particle beam to eliminate local charge on the sample; and a second charge-neutralization charged particle beam source (25) which emits a second charged particle beam to eliminate global charge on the sample. A first hole (53) through which a primary charged particle beam passes, and a second hole through which the second charged particle beam is emitted are provided in the plate electrode, and the first and second charge-neutralization charged particle beam sources are disposed at such positions as not to interfere with each other. The charged particle beam emitted from the first charge-neutralization charged particle beam source is introduced in the vicinity of the first hole (53).
US08153962B2 Mass spectrometry assay for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Methods are provided for detecting the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes (i.e., pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone, deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisol) in a sample by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing one or more CAH panel analytes in a sample and quantifying the generated ions to determine the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes in the sample. In methods where amounts of multiple CAH panel analytes are detected, the amounts of multiple analytes are detected in the same sample injection.
US08153961B2 Methods for acquisition and deductive analysis of mixed fragment peptide mass spectra
A method for acquiring and analyzing polypeptide mass spectra comprising: creating first and second sets of fragmented ions using first and second fragmentation techniques; obtaining mass spectra of the first and second sets of fragmented ions; searching a database of fragments of a first fragment pair type and of a second fragment pair type to respectively provide a set of M ranked and a set of N ranked best matching polypeptide sequences; subtracting synthetic spectra corresponding to each of the M and N ranked sequences from the mass spectra to provide first and second sets of modified mass spectra; searching the database of fragments of the second fragment pair type and of the first fragment pair type to provide third and fourth sets of polypeptide sequences providing best matches to the first and second sets of modified spectra, respectively; and creating a cumulative ranking of the third and fourth sets.
US08153959B1 Measurement of undisturbed radon ground surface flux using a passive radon surface flux monitor
A passive radon surface flux monitor has a dome with an open base having a radial flange and a top opening where an electret can be threaded. Attached to and extending below the open base of the dome is a metal collar that supports the dome when placed on the ground. The collar holds a conductive screen against the radial flange. The conductive screen permits diffusion of gas including radon, thoron, and their daughter products into the dome. A thin paper diaphragm on the conductive screen prevents dust from entering the dome. Sealant seals the connection of the collar, screen, flange, and diaphragm to prevent lateral loss of radon. A collar is pressed partially into the ground at a suitable site and an electret is threaded into the top opening. After a time, the electret is removed and its change in voltage measured.
US08153957B2 Integrated optical imaging systems including an interior space between opposing substrates and associated methods
An integrated optical imaging system includes a first substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, a second substrate having third and fourth opposing surfaces, a spacer between a substantially planar portion of the third surface of the second substrate and a substantially planar portion of the second surface of the first substrate, at least two of the spacer, the first substrate and the second substrate sealing an interior space between the third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate, and an optical imaging system having n surfaces, where n is greater than or equal to two, at least two of the n surfaces of the optical imaging system are on respective ones of the first, second, third and fourth surfaces.
US08153956B2 Interrogator for a plurality of sensor fiber optic gratings including a masking compensation operation
An interrogator for a plurality of sensor fiber optic gratings. The interrogator includes a broadband optical source; at least one beam splitter directing output of the optical source to the sensor fiber optic gratings; at least one linear filter for converting changes in peak reflection wavelength to changes in intensity; at least one optical receiver; and at least one amplifier associated with each optical receiver. The interrogator also includes, alternatively, a driver/modulator for the optical source providing on/off pulses; an analog integrator following the at least one amplifier; or a mechanism compensating for masking of one sensor fiber optic grating by another.
US08153949B2 Obtaining sensing results indicating time variation
In response to objects having relative motion within an encoding/sensing region relative to an encoder/sensor that, e.g., photosenses emanating light or performs impedance-based sensing, sensing results can indicate sensed time-varying waveforms with information about the objects, about their relative motion, about excitation characteristics, about environmental characteristics, and so forth. An encoder/sensor can include, for example, a non-periodic arrangement of sensing elements; a longitudinal sequence of sensing elements with a combined sensing pattern that approximates a superposition or scaled superposition of simpler sensing patterns; and/or IC-implemented sensing elements that include photosensing arrays on ICs and readout/combine circuitry that reads out photosensed quantities from cells in groups in accordance with cell-group sensing patterns and combines the readout photosensed quantities to obtain the sensing results. Objects can move fluidically as in flow cytometry, through scanning movement as in document scanning, or in other ways.
US08153947B2 Pixel circuit for global electronic shutter
An image sensor formed of an array of pixels, each pixel including a photodiode coupled between a first reference voltage and a first switch, the first switch being operable to connect the photodiode to a first node; a capacitor arranged to store a charge accumulated by the photodiode, the capacitor being coupled between a second reference voltage and a second node; a second switch coupled between the first and second nodes, the second switch being operable to connect the capacitor to the first node; and read circuitry coupled for reading the voltage at the second node.
US08153946B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a light-receiving element which is connected to a negative power supply and generates conductive carriers by receiving light, an amplifier transistor which is a depletion transistor and amplifies an electrical signal obtained by the conductive carriers, and a transfer gate transistor which is a depletion transistor and is controlled by a negative potential applied to a gate to electrically connect or disconnect the light-receiving element and the amplifier transistor.
US08153944B2 Tracking solar collector with parallel arrays of cells
A tracking concentrator with a positioning system for alternately aiming the tracking solar concentrator based on the sun or a database is disclosed. The preferred positioning system comprises a sensor adapted to detect an incident light level; a tracking database comprising solar angle information; an orientation processor; one or more actuators for aiming the one or more optical elements based on the orientation processor; wherein the orientation processor is configured to track the sun based on (a) the receiver if the sensed light level exceeds a determined threshold, and (b) the tracking database if the sensed light level does not exceed the determined threshold.
US08153943B2 Tornado detection network
A tornado disarming network includes a command center, tornado detection systems, and tornado busting missile launch sites in communications with the command center. Tornado busting missiles are at the tornado busting missile launch sites. Each tornado busting missile includes a radar, a guidance system and a solid rocket motor for propelling the missile toward the tornado. A thruster control system causes the tornado busting missile to travel upward within the tornado upon reaching the tornado. An explosive discharge system explodes within the tornado to generate heat for causing the air within the tornado to expand, thereby weakening the tornado.
US08153942B2 Methods of making horizontally oriented long carbon nanotubes and applications of same
An apparatus and method for synthesizing nanostructures in a reactor having a reaction zone and a conductive susceptor positioned in the reaction zone. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of placing a semiconductor plate having a film of a catalyst in the reaction zone such that the semiconductor plate is supported by the conductive susceptor; transporting a gas mixture having a feedstock gas having hydrocarbon and a carrier gas into the reaction zone of the chamber; inductively heating the reaction zone; and regulating the heating so that the temperature of the conductive susceptor increases from a first temperature to a second temperature when the gas mixture is introduced into the cavity of the chamber to allow nanostructures to be grown from the interaction of the gas mixture with the film of a catalyst of the semiconductor plate.
US08153938B2 Added electrical heater for a heating system or air conditioner of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to an added electrical heater (1), especially for a heating system or air conditioner of a motor vehicle. A plurality of heating elements (2) are provided which are formed by PTC elements while being fitted with at least one electrically conducting coating (3).
US08153937B2 Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions
A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state.
US08153936B2 Method for the heating up of a ceramic glow plug
Herein is described a method for the heating-up of a ceramic glow plug by applying a variable electric voltage to the glow plug. In accordance with the invention it is provided that, starting from a base value, the electric voltage increases in a time-averaged manner superproportional to the elapsed heating-up time. The invention relates also to a glow plug control unit for carrying out of such a method.
US08153935B2 Flux cored wire for duplex stainless steel and method of manufacturing the same
A flux cored wire for duplex stainless steel and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The flux cored wire can include a sheath and a flux filled into the sheath. The flux cored wire comprises about 24.0-30.0 wt % Cr, about 7.0-10.5 wt % Ni, about 2.0-4.0 wt % Mo, about 0.10-2.50 wt % Cu, about 0.40-1.00 wt % Si, about 1.5-3.0 wt % Mn, about 0.10-0.30 wt % N compound (converted value of N), and the remainder including Fe and inevitable impurities on the basis of the total weight of the wire. The flux comprises about 6.50-12.00 wt % of TiO2+SiO2+ZrO2+Al2O3, about 0.10-0.50 wt % of Li2O+K2O+Na2O, about 0.10-2.00 wt % of the other oxides, and about 0.10-0.50 wt % of metal fluoride (converted value of F) on the basis of the total weight of the wire. The flux can be filled into the sheath at a ratio of about 26-35%.
US08153934B2 Saw flux system for improved as-cast weld metal toughness
A granular flux having controlled amounts of titanium and boron to facilitate in the formation of a weld metal having a high toughness without requiring refinement of the weld metal by reheating the weld metal, and enabling the slag to be easily removed from the weld bead.
US08153932B2 Method and device for controlling a power source and power source having such a device
A method and device for controlling a power source of a welding, cutting or plasma coating system is provided. The power source comprises a measuring part and a controllable clocked power part. A value correlating with a characteristic variable of the power part to be controlled is continuously measured by means of the measuring part, to obtain an electrical measured variable. The electrical measured variable is at least approximately integrated starting from a prescribed initial value over a prescribed integration time, the duration of which corresponds to one or more clock periods of the clocked power part. A measure value is continuously determined from the integration value and used to control the power part.
US08153931B2 Method of and system for setting laser processing conditions, laser processing system, computer program for setting laser processing conditions, computer readable media and recording device on which laser processing conditions are recorded
A method of setting processing data for a computer-assisted laser processing apparatus is disclosed, along with a system for setting a laser processing data. The method comprises a function of setting a profile of a three-dimensional object and a processing pattern, a function of generating processing data representing the processing condition, a function of visually displaying representation of the processing data on a display and a function of detecting an defective area of the object surface that is processable but defectively with the laser beam under the printing conditions by making a calculation based on the object profile and an incident angle of the laser beam incident upon the object surface and hiding a processing pattern from the display means when the processing pattern cuts across the defective area.
US08153926B2 Etching method and system
An etching method and an etching system are adapted to produce a high etch selectivity for a mask, an excellent anisotropic profile and a large etching depth. An etching system according to the invention comprises a floating electrode arranged vis-à-vis a substrate electrode in a vacuum chamber and held in a floating state in terms of electric potential, a material arranged at the side of the floating electrode facing the substrate electrode to form an anti-etching film and a control unit for intermittently applying high frequency power to the floating electrode. An etching method according to the invention uses a material arranged at the side of the floating electrode opposite to the substrate electrode to form an anti-etching film as target and only rare gas as main gas and is adapted to repeat a step of forming a film on the substrate by sputtering by applying high frequency power to the floating electrode and a step of subsequently etching the substrate by suspending the application of high frequency power to the floating electrode and introducing etching gas into the vacuum chamber in a predetermined sequence.
US08153925B2 Heat exchanger and moisture removal for a plasma cutting system
A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a compressor and a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method is provided that includes compressing a gas via compressor and removing moisture from the gas via a moisture remover coupled to the compressor. A method of manufacturing a torch system is also provided. Additionally, a system for a torch power unit is provided that includes a moisture remover.
US08153924B2 Plasma cutter having thermal model for component protection
A system is provided that includes a torch power unit. The torch power unit includes a monitor and/or control configured to determine a temperature of a component of the torch power unit based on the one or more inputs without a direct temperature measurement of the component. A method of operation is provided that includes receiving one or more inputs associated with a device, and estimating a temperature of the device based on the one or inputs without directly measuring temperature of the device. A tangible machine-readable medium is provided that includes code for determining a thermal capacity of the device, code for determining a thermal resistance of the device, and code for determining a temperature of the device based on thermal capacity and the thermal resistance method.
US08153920B2 Touch panel roll and manufacturing method thereof
A touch panel roll and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes providing a first structure roll and a second structure roll. A manufacturing method of the first structure roll includes forming an opening in a first flexible substrate, wherein conductive lines respectively connected with electrodes extend to the opening. A manufacturing method of the second structure roll includes forming conductive lines respectively connected with electrodes and independent conductive lines corresponding to the conductive lines in the first structure roll on a second flexible substrate, wherein one end of each conductive line in the second structure roll is located at a position corresponding to the opening. The method further includes laminating the first structure roll and the second structure roll by a roll-to-roll process.
US08153917B2 Moving contact head for tap switches
A moving contact head for tap switches comprises a moving contact head installation plate component (200) rotating with a switch main shaft (100), and a holder-type moving contact head (300) arranged on the moving contact head installation plate component (200). The holder-type moving contact head (300) is divided into two sets of upper and lower moving contact head components, which are connected to each other and formed a holder shape; wherein, each moving contact head component comprises a moving contact head unit (320) consisting of a plurality of single moving contact heads (321) in parallel, and a leaf spring component (330) arranged on the moving contact head component (320); both ends of each single moving contact head (321) are provided with a contact point, respectively. A contacting ring (500) is clamped at one ends of the two moving contact head units (320), and a static contact head (600) is clamped the other ends of the two moving contact head units to deform a leaf spring (331) in the leaf spring component (330). However, the reaction force by the leaf spring (331) causes the moving contact head unit (320) to contact with the contacting ring (500) and the static contact head (600) to achieve on-state of large current.
US08153916B2 Tap changer switch
A transformer switch, such as a dual voltage switch or a tap changer. The switch includes a cover, a housing, and a rotor sandwiched between the cover and the housing. The cover and housing are molded from a non-conductive plastic. An interior space of the cover includes at least one pocket within which stationary contacts are disposed. Each stationary contact is electrically coupled to one or more windings of a transformer. The rotor extends within a channel of the housings from a top of the transformer switch to an interior surface of the cover. The interior surface includes a protrusion about which the rotor and at least one movable contact coupled thereto can rotate. The movable contact is configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts. For example, different stationary contact-movable contact pairs can correspond to different voltages of the transformer.
US08153915B2 Control element for a motor vehicle
A control element including at least four switches for electrical/electronic functions having a precise guidance for operation, where mount arms are disposed in a cross shape on their underside on a tip disposed in a housing, and on their top side in a spherical shell, and a pin is attached to the housing in each corner formed by the arms.
US08153913B2 Encapsulated weighing cell with eccentric load error adjustment
A gravimetric measuring instrument has a weighing cell and a flexible, tubular-shaped encapsulation. The weighing cell has a parallel-guiding mechanism and at least one measurement transducer. The ends of the encapsulation are attached, respectively, to the stationary parallelogram leg and the movable parallelogram leg, so that at least the parallel-guiding mechanism and the measurement transducer are enclosed by the encapsulation, protecting them from dirt and humidity. In some aspects, the parallel-guiding mechanism has an adjustment region formed at one of the parallelogram legs which allows adjustment of the distance between at least one flexure pivot of the upper parallel-guiding member and a flexure pivot of the lower parallel-guiding member. This adjustment region is mechanically connected to at least one adjustment-setting area, which is arranged outside the encapsulation and allows changes to be made to the adjustment region.
US08153911B2 Dynamically weighing mail pieces in real time within an automated destination bar code sorter machine by temporarily accelerating the mail piece and capturing resulting closed loop motor torque sample data
Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed, and for checking that the correct amount of postage has been paid for delivery of the article. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision closed-loop servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282) to determine weight. Correct postage is determined in a processor (1212), and the postage actually paid is checked either by image analysis (1204, 1214, 1280) or by accessing a stored mailer manifest (1280).
US08153905B2 Method for manufacturing printed wiring board and printed wiring board
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board includes forming a metal film on a surface of an insulative board, a plating resist on the metal film, and a plated-metal film on the metal film exposed from the plating resist, covering a portion of the plated-metal film with an etching resist, etching to reduce thickness of the plated-metal film exposed from the etching resist, removing the resists, and forming a wiring having a pad and a conductive circuit thinner than the pad by removing the metal film exposed through the removing of the plating resist, a solder-resist layer on the surface of the board and wiring, in the layer an opening exposing the pad and a portion of the circuit contiguous to the pad, a solder film on the pad and portion of the circuit exposed through the opening, and a solder bump on the pad by solder reflow.
US08153895B2 Weatherproof while-in-use electrical box cover with insertable hinge pin
The present invention provides a weatherproof while-in-use electrical box cover. The box cover includes a base having a back wall including an opening therein for accessing an electrical outlet and permetrical base side walls extending thereabout defining an open front face. The box cover further includes a hood having a front wall for covering the open front face of the base and permetrical hood side walls extending therefrom. The hood is matable with the base and including a cooperative mating assembly on respective side walls for defining a pivot location for pivotally attaching the hood to the base. A hinge pin is insertably connected to the cooperative mating assemblies for hingedly attaching the hood to the base and the hinge pin is configured to non-releaseably engage with the cooperative mating assembly.
US08153893B2 Vertical patching system
A patching system includes network equipment in a cabinet; a first patch panel cabinet; a second patch panel cabinet; a vertical patch panel mounted between the first patch panel cabinet and the second patch panel cabinet, the vertical patch panel having telecommunications connectors mounted therein; and a vertical cable manager mounted adjacent to one of the first patch panel cabinet and the second patch panel cabinet.
US08153889B2 Roll-to-roll integration of thin film solar modules
A photovoltaic module which has at least two solar cells, and a method and system to manufacture such photovoltaic modules. The solar cells are disposed on a surface of an insulating carrier film and an isolation structure is formed between the solar cells to electrically isolate them. A conductor structure such as conductive fingers and busbars is formed on the module. The fingers are formed substantially on the top transparent conductive layer of the cells and the busbar is formed substantially over the insulation structure. The busbar electrically connects the top transparent conductive layer of one of the cells to the conductive base of the other cell.
US08153887B2 Method and structure for hydrogenation of silicon substrates with shaped covers
Method and structure for hydrogenation of silicon substrates with shaped covers. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a photovoltaic material. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming a crystalline material characterized by a plurality of worm hole structures therein overlying the semiconductor substrate. The worm hole structures are characterized by a density distribution from a surface region of the crystalline material to a defined depth within a z-direction of the surface region to form a thickness of material to be detached. The method further includes providing a glue layer overlying a surface region of the crystalline material. The method includes joining the surface region of the crystalline material via the glue layer to a support substrate.
US08153885B2 Integrated thin-film solar cell and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are an integrated thin-film solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The method comprises forming and patterning a conductive material to be adjacently spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on a substrate; forming a solar cell (semiconductor) layer on the resultant substrate; obliquely depositing a first transparent conductive material on the solar cell layer; etching the solar cell layer using the first transparent conductive material as a mask; and obliquely depositing a second transparent conductive material on the resultant substrate, and electrically connecting the conductive material with the first transparent conductive material.
US08153880B2 Performance apparatus and storage medium therefor
A performance apparatus capable of reproducing performance data having a desired tempo, even if performance data having the desired tempo is not present in a play list. In a search, a main point value indicated in each of meta data in music information files respectively corresponding to pieces of music registered in the play list is compared with a target tempo value. If the main point value falls within a range in which main point does not vary more than plus or minus 3% from the target tempo value, the music whose main point value is currently compared with the target tempo value is determined as intended music. If the intended music is not present in the play list, music data having the target tempo is automatically produced and reproduced.
US08153879B2 Data processing apparatus, data reproduction apparatus, data processing method and data processing program
A reproduction list PL1 and specified BPMs of pieces of music that are to be used to control the operation of replaying the pieces of music are prepared on the basis of their ordinary BPMs that indicate the tempos specified in advance for the respective pieces of music (and hence the reproduction speeds specified in advance by the audio data of the respective pieces of music) so that it is now possible to prepare with ease a reproduction list PL1 for replaying only pieces of music having the same tempo or specified BPMs for changing the tempo of each of the pieces of music to a desired one, according to the tempo of a piece of music. Thus, it is also possible to replay with ease each of the pieces of music with a desired tempo (or a reproduction speed) according to the reproduction list PL1 and the specified BPMs.
US08153878B2 Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing musical compositions
A method of providing a file structure for use in a music playback device is disclosed. A slotted structure is provided that has a header portion that precedes a plurality of slot portions. The header portion includes a set of parameter locations indicating one or more of the following: header length, checksum, file type, file version, and number of slots. A first slot portion includes a set of parameter locations indicating one or more of the following: slot type, name length, name, data length, and data. A second slot portion includes a set of parameter locations indicating one or more of the following: slot type, name length, name, data length, and data. The first slot data parameter location contains audio waveform data, and slots can be added and removed via firmware/operating system without affecting the other slots.
US08153866B2 Corn inbreds like FAR045 and hybrids thereof
A maize inbred line having the characteristics selected from those of FAR045, including plant parts, tissue, and pigments of the inbred is disclosed.
US08153865B2 Plants and seeds of spring canola variety SCV152154
The invention relates to a novel canola line designated as SCV152154. The invention also relates to the seeds, the plants, and the plant parts of canola line SCV152154 as well as to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV152154 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention further relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV152154, to methods for producing other canola lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV152154 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention additionally relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV152154 with another canola line.
US08153859B2 DGAT genes from oleaginous organisms for increased seed storage lipid production and altered fatty acid profiles in oilseed plants
Transgenic soybean seed having increased total fatty acid content of at least 10% and altered fatty acid profiles when compared to the total fatty acid content of non-transgenic, null segregant soybean seed are described. DGAT genes from oleaginous organisms are used to achieve the increase in seed storage lipids.
US08153856B2 Absorbent article having absorbent core including regions of lower density
An absorbent article is defined by a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 20;22 and a pair of opposing transverse edges 24;26. An absorbent core 18 has at least a first 28 and a second 30 region, the average density of the absorbent core 18 in these first and second regions 28, 30 being lower than the average density of the absorbent core 18 surrounding said first and second regions 28;30, the first and second lower density regions 28;30 being arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center line A of the article such that each of the first and second lower density regions 28;30 extends to the respective longitudinal edge 20;22 of the absorbent core. The distance ax varying along the longitudinal direction of the article. A minimum distance a1 is located at least in the transition 32 between the crotch portion 14 and the front portion 12.
US08153850B2 Integrated biofuel production system
According to an embodiment, a biomass conversion subsystem produces methane and/or alcohol and residual biomass. A pyrolysis or a gasification subsystem is used to produce thermal energy and/or process gasses. The thermal energy may be stored thermal energy in the form of a pyrolysis oil. A fuel conversion subsystem produces liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the methane and/or alcohol using thermal energy and/or process gasses produced by the gasification or pyrolysis subsystem. Because the biomass production system integrates the residual products from biomass conversion and the residual thermal energy from pyrolysis or gasification, the overall efficiency of the integrated biomass production system is greatly enhanced.
US08153849B2 Trityl chloride recovery
Methods of recovering a triarylmethyl halide from a sucrose derivatization process include the steps of (a) forming a mixture including 1) a triarylmethylated sucrose derivative including at least one triarylmethyl substituent and at least one acyl substituent on the sucrose, 2) triarylmethylated sucrose ester byproducts, and 3) an amine; (b) separating from the output of step (a) i) the triarylmethylated sucrose derivative, and ii) a mixture including the triarylmethylated sucrose ester byproducts and the amine; (c) removing the amine from the mixture of step (b) ii); (d) contacting the product of step (c) with hydrogen halide to cleave triarylmethyl groups and thereby form a crude triarylmethyl halide component; (e) contacting the crude triarylmethyl halide component with hydrogen halide to form a purified triarylmethyl halide component; and (f) recovering the triarylmethyl halide from the output of step (e).
US08153845B2 Method for producing aminonitriles
The invention relates to a process for preparing an amino nitrile mixture comprising aminoacetonitrile (AAN) and from 5 to 70% by weight of iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN), which comprises heating crude AAN which is largely free of formaldehyde cyanohydrin (FACH-free) at a temperature of from 50 to 150° C.
US08153844B2 Process for making 3-substituted 2-amino-5-halobenzamides
Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 by contacting compound of Formula 2 with R1—NH2 in the presence of a carboxylic acid and a method for preparing a compound of Formula 2 by contacting a compound of Formula 4 with phosphorus tribromide. wherein R1 is H, C1-C4 alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or methylcyclopropyl; R2 is CH3 or Cl; R3 is C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 alkenyl, each optionally substituted with up to 3 halogen and up to 1 phenyl; and X is Cl or Br. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 5 wherein R4, R5, R6 and Z are as defined in the disclosure, using a compound of Formula 1 that is characterized by preparing the compound of Formula 1 by the method above.
US08153839B2 Method for synthesis of keto acids or amino acids by hydration of acetylene compound
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for synthesis of keto acids by hydration of an acetylene compound (acetylene-carboxylic acids) under mild conditions free from harmful mercury catalysts and a method for synthesis of amino acids from acetylene-carboxylic acids in a single container (one-pot or tandem synthesis). In one embodiment of the method according to the present invention for synthesis of keto acids, acetylene-carboxylic acids is hydrated in the presence of a metal salt represented by General Formula (1), where M1 represents an element in Group VIII, IX, or X of the periodic table, and X1, X2, or X3 ligand represents halogen, H2O, or a solvent molecule, and k represents a valence of a cation species, and Y represents an anion species, and L represents a valence of the anion species, and each of K and L independently represents 1 or 2, and k×m=L×n.
US08153827B2 Reagents for biomolecular labeling, detection and quantification employing Raman spectroscopy
The present disclosure provides isotopically substituted compounds of the formula (I): wherein T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, R0, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined in the detailed description. The method for detection and quantification using the same is also disclosed.
US08153825B2 Preparation of phthalic anhydride by gas phase oxidation of o-xylene
A process is described for preparing phthalic anhydride by catalytic gas phase oxidation of o-xylene, in, in a main reactor, a gaseous mixture of o-xylene and an oxygenous gas is passed through at least two reaction zones whose temperature can be controlled independently, and converted to a gaseous intermediate reaction product which comprises unconverted o-xylene, phthalic anhydride underoxidation products and phthalic anhydride, and the intermediate reaction product is introduced into a postreactor, wherein the temperature of the reaction zones in the main reactor is regulated in such a way that the concentration of unconverted o-xylene in the intermediate reaction product is at least 0.5% by weight. The process allows an increase in the overall yield of phthalic anhydride without or without significant deterioration in the product quality.
US08153824B2 Antidepressant oral liquid compositions
The invention provides for the first time an oral liquid composition of duloxetine or its pharmaceutically equivalent derivatives like salts, isomers, complexes, polymorphs, hydrates or esters thereof. The duloxetine or its pharmaceutically equivalent derivative is present from about 2 mg to approximately 200 mg; and a buffering agent was used to stabilize the acid sensitive duloxetine. The composition has duloxetine from about 0.1 meq to about 2.5 mEq per mg of duloxetine. The invention further discloses an oral liquid composition of duloxetine or its pharmaceutically equivalent derivative wherein the degradation product 1-Naphthol is less than 0.01%. Also provided is a method for treating of major depressive disorder and or diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a composition.
US08153821B2 Compounds
The present invention related to compounds that bind to and modulate the activity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, to novel salts thereof, to processes for preparing these compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and to methods of using these compounds for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders, including those associated with dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS).
US08153819B2 Fungicidal mixtures comprising substituted 1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxanilides
Fungicidal mixtures, comprising as active components 1) at least one 1-methylpyrazol-4-ylcarboxanilides of the formula I where X=O or S, R1=C1-C4-alkyl or C1-C4-haloalkyl, R2=hydrogen or halogen, R3, R4 and R5=independently of one another cyano, nitro, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy or C1-C4-alkylthio; and 2) at least one active compound II, selected from the active compound groups A) to F): A) azoles; B) strobilurins; C) carboxamides; D) heterocyclic compounds; E) carbamates; F) other fungicides; in a synergistically effective amount, methods for controlling harmful fungi using mixtures of at least one compound I and at least one active compound II and the use of the compound(s) I with active compounds II for preparing such mixtures, and also compositions and seed comprising such mixtures.
US08153816B2 Process for production of 3-[5-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-2-hydroxybenzoyl]-2-[(3-OXO-2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzisoxazol-6-yl)methoxy]phenyl]propionate ester and intermediate for the process
A 6-(halomethyl)-1,2-benzisoxazol-3(2H)-one derivative represented by the formula: wherein R5 is a methyl group that is substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl groups, or an optionally substituted oxygen-containing heterocyclic group; and X is a halogen atom.
US08153814B2 Sulfonamide derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or tautomers thereof, to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, and compositions containing such compounds, and the uses of such compounds, in particular for the treatment of pain.
US08153812B1 Two-photon absorbing diphenylaminofluorene-benzothiazole bis(aminophenoxy) monomers
Provided are new 2PA chromophores of the formula: wherein X=para- or meta-NO2; para- or meta-NH2; and CnHn+1 is either a straight or branched alkyl chain, and n is an integer from 1-20.
US08153811B2 Latent fluorimetric indicator for biological analytes determination and the preparation method thereof
The present invention provides a sensitive fluorimetric indicator for analytes determination in the oxygen-insensitive DT-diaphorase-coupled dehydrogenases assay by omitting NADH, which is generated by reaction in the presence of analytes, which presents to the applicability as a biosensor for future clinical diagnostic. Furthermore, the novel long-wavelength latent fluorimetric indicator is also a user-friendly probe for monitoring DT-diaphorase activity. The fluorescence signal revealed by this process is specific and exhibited in the near red spectrum region.
US08153810B2 Alkylidene complexes of ruthenium containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands; use as highly active, selective catalysts for olefin metathesis
The invention relates to a complex of ruthenium of the structural formula I, where X1 and X2 are identical or different and are each an anionic ligand, R1 and R2 are identical or different and can also contain a ring, and R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or/and a hydrocarbon group, the ligand L1 is an N-heterocyclic carbene and the ligand L2 is an uncharged electron donor, in particular an N-heterocyclic carbene or an amine, imine, phosphine, phosphate, stibine, arsine, carbonyl compound, carboxyl compound, nitrile, alcohol, ether, thiol or thioether, where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are hydrogen or/and hydrocarbon groups. The invention further relates to a process for preparing acyclic olefins having two or more carbon atoms or/and cyclic olefins having four or more carbon atoms from acyclic olefins having two or more carbon atoms or/and from cyclic olefins having four or more carbon atoms by an olefin metathesis reaction in the presence of at least one catalyst, wherein a complex is used as catalyst and R′1, R′2, R′3 and R′4 are hydrogen or/and hydrocarbon groups.
US08153809B2 Dihydropyridone ureas as P2X7 modulators
Compounds of the formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, n, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds and using the compounds for treatment of diseases associated with the P2X7 purinergic receptor.
US08153808B2 Dihydropyridone amides as P2X7 modulators
Compounds of the formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, n, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making the compounds and using the compounds for treatment of diseases associated with the P2X7 purinergic receptor.
US08153795B2 Substituted 1-oxa-3,8-diazaspiro[4.5]-decan-2-one-compounds and the use thereof for producing drugs
The present invention relates to substituted 1-oxa-3,8-diazaspiro[4.5]-decan-2-one compounds, to methods for the production thereof, to medicaments containing these compounds and to the use of these compounds for producing medicaments.
US08153794B2 Catalysts useful for catalyzing the coupling of arylhalides with arylboronic acids
The present invention relates to a new method of cross-coupling aryl moieties comprising reacting an arylhalide with an arylboronic acid in the presence of a palladium compound and a compound comprising a di-alkylphosphine moiety.
US08153792B2 Process for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazole compounds as kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to an industrial process of preparing pharmaceutical compounds having the formula (1) which are useful as certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly as c-kit and bcr-abl inhibitors. The groups R1 and R2, identical or different, represent each a hydrogen, halogen atom, an alkyl, an alkoxy, a trifluoromethyl, an amino, an alkylamino, a dialkylamino, a solubilising group; m is 0-5 and n is 0-4; the group R3 represents an aryl or an heteroaryl group as described in claims herein.
US08153790B2 Process for the preparation and purification of etravirine and intermediates thereof
In one embodiment the present invention encompasses 4-(2,6-dichloropyrimidin-4-yloxy)-3,5-dimethylbenzonitrile (“ETHER”), 4-(4,6-dichloropyrimidin-2-yloxy)-3,5-dimethyl-benzonitrile (“ETHER C-2 isomer”), mixtures and salts thereof of. The present invention encompasses the use of ETHER and salts thereof to prepare Etravirine and Etravirine intermediates, and salts thereof. In another embodiment the present invention encompasses the use of ETHER and salts thereof to prepare debrometravirine (“DEBETV”) and salts thereof. In yet another embodiment the present invention encompasses the use of ETHER and salts thereof to prepare 4-(6-chloro-2-(4-cyanophenylamino)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-3,5-dimethyl-benzonitrile (“ARCPBN”) and salts thereof. The compound, 4-(2,6-dichloropyrimidin-4-yloxy)-3,5-dimethylbenzonitrile “ETHER” of formula (A) wherein n is either 0 or 1 and HA is an acid.
US08153786B1 Synthesis of azido heterocycles
Energetic candidate azido heterocycles and their synthesis are described.
US08153781B2 Dendrimer conjugates of agonists and antagonists of the GPCR superfamily
Disclosed are conjugates comprising a dendrimer and a ligand, which is a functionalized congener of an agonist or antagonist of a receptor of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, for example, wherein the functionalized congener is an A1 adenosine receptor agonist having a purine nucleoside moiety and a functional group at the N6 position of the purine nucleoside moiety, wherein the functional group has the formula (I):N6H—Ar1—CH2—C(═O)NH—R1 (I), wherein Ar1 and R1 as defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating various diseases, and a diagnostic method employing such conjugates.
US08153780B2 Reporter unit for detection of target molecules using polymerisable substrate
The invention relates to a reporter unit for detecting a target molecule comprising at least one component attached to a target molecule specific probe, wherein said at least one component is liberated from said probe by the activity of a first enzyme thereby making the at least one component available as a substrate for a second enzyme which employs the substrate in a polymerization reaction to obtain a detectable structure.
US08153778B2 RNA interference mediated inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating vascular cell adhesion molecule gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules. This invention also relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating the expression and activity of other genes involved in pathways of vascular cell adhesion molecule gene expression and/or activity by RNA interference (RNAi) using small nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the instant invention features small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules and methods used to modulate the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule genes, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).
US08153776B2 Methods and compositions for RNA interference
The present invention provides methods for attenuating gene expression in a cell, especially in a mammalian cell, using gene-targeted double stranded RNA (dsRNA), such as a hairpin RNA. The dsRNA contains a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under physiologic conditions of the cell to the nucleotide sequence of at least a portion of the gene to be inhibited (the “target” gene).
US08153774B2 Human T1R2 taste receptor nucleic acids and cells containing these nucleic acids
Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.
US08153770B1 Mutants of human fibroblast growth factor having increased stability and/or mitogenic potency
Mutants of human FGF-1 are disclosed having increased stability and mitogenic potency. In the FGF-1 polypeptide, primarily residue 12 is substituted with cysteine and/or residue 134 is substituted cysteine, valine or threonine to render the polypeptide more stable and/or to increase its mitogenecity.
US08153769B2 Process for producing proteoglycan
An efficient low-cost method of proteoglycan recovery from natural resources. There is provided a process for producing proteoglycan, comprising the steps of immersing a biological sample containing proteoglycan in an alkali solution of 0.0025 to 0.1 N and recovering the solution after the immersion. As compared with the conventional extraction method, proteoglycan can be recovered in unaltered undecomposed form easily within a short period of time, thereby attaining substantial reduction of proteoglycan production cost. Further, proteoglycan highly useful in industry can be recovered from wasted portions of fin, feather, mammal, etc. having mainly been discarded, thereby contributing toward effective utilization of industrial waste and reduction of the volume of industrial waste per se.
US08153766B2 Monoclonal antibodies against activated protein C
The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies that selectively bind to and inhibit activated protein C without binding to or inhibiting unactivated protein C. Other antibodies inhibit both activated protein C and activation of unactivated protein C. Methods of treatment employing these antibodies are described herein as are methods of screening for and detecting these antibodies.
US08153765B2 Anti-CD38 antibodies for the treatment of cancer
Antibodies, humanized antibodies, resurfaced antibodies, antibody fragments, derivatized antibodies, and conjugates of same with cytotoxic agents, which specifically bind to CD38, are capable of killing CD38+ cells by apoptosis, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and/or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Said antibodies and fragments thereof may be used in the treatment of tumors that express CD38 protein, such as multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, or acute lymphocytic leukemia, or the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, erythematosus, and asthma. Said derivatized antibodies may be used in the diagnosis and imaging of tumors that express elevated levels of CD38. Also provided are cytotoxic conjugates comprising a cell binding agent and a cytotoxic agent, therapeutic compositions comprising the conjugate, methods for using the conjugates in the inhibition of cell growth and the treatment of disease, and a kit comprising the cytotoxic conjugate. In particular, the cell binding agent is a monoclonal antibody, and epitope-binding fragments thereof, that recognizes and binds the CD38 protein.
US08153763B2 Heteromeric T1R2/T1R3 taste receptors
Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R2 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R2 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.
US08153756B2 Fluorine-containing monomer, fluorine-containing polymer and surface treating agent
Disclosed is a fluorine-containing polymer having:(A) a repeating unit derived from a fluorine-containing monomer which is represented by the following formula: CH2═C(—X)—C(═O)—Y—[—(CH2)m—Z—]p—(CH2)n—Rf  (I) (B) a repeating unit derived from a monomer containing no fluorine atom, and if necessary (C) a repeating unit derived from a crosslinkable monomer. This fluorine containing polymer has excellent water repellency, oil repellency and antifouling property.
US08153753B2 Alicyclic or aromatic polyamides, polyamide films, optical members made by using the same, and polyamide copolymers
A polyamide having at least an alicyclic or aromatic group exhibiting a light transmittance of 80% or more in the wavelength region of 450 to 700 nm is produced by using an aramide polymer comprising specific structural units at an amount of 50 mol % or more. Colorless transparent alicyclic or aromatic polyamide films having high rigidity and high thermal resistance are provided by using the polyamide. Further, the invention provides various optical members made by using the polyamide or the polyamide films, and polyamide copolymers.
US08153752B2 Polyols based on modified amino resins, process for their preparation and their use
Disclosed herein is a polyol (A) based on modified amino resins, prepared by reacting: an amino resin (B) comprising three acetalized or etherified N-methylol groups of the general formula (I) >N—CHR—OR1, wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group of 6 to 10 carbon atoms and R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; with a polyol (C) of the general formula (II) R2(—OH)n, wherein n is a number from 2 to 6 and R2 is a divalent to hexavalent organic radical; wherein an equivalent ratio of the acetalized or etherified N-methylol groups to the polyol (C) is 0.5:1 to 1.2:1; with elimination of at least 50 mol % of a monoalcohol (D) of the general formula R1—OH, wherein R1 is as defined above, from the amino resin (B).
US08153750B2 Viscosity reducer for highly viscous polyols
Ring opening products of epoxides with fatty acid methyl esters with alkanols or water are eminently suitable as viscosity adjusters (reducers) for high-viscosity polyols.
US08153748B2 Thermosetting composition
A thermosetting composition containing an aluminosiloxane, a silicone oil containing silanol groups at both ends, and a silicone alkoxy oligomer. The thermosetting composition of the present invention can be used for, for example, encapsulating materials, coating materials, molding materials, surface-protecting materials, adhesive agents, bonding agents, and the like. Especially, in a case where the thermosetting composition of the present invention is used as an encapsulating material, the thermosetting composition is suitably used for, for example, photosemiconductor devices mounted with blue or white LED elements (backlights for liquid crystal displays, traffic lights, outdoor big displays, advertisement sign boards, and the like).
US08153744B2 Hyperbranched polymer and process for production thereof
There is provided a novel hyperbranched polymer in which the refractive index is precisely controlled while retaining its hyperbranched structure, and a method for producing the hyperbranched polymer. Further, there is also provided an optically and thermally stable novel hyperbranched polymer in which the desired refractive index is precisely controlled, and a method for producing the hyperbranched polymer. The hyperbranched polymer has, as a branched structure, a repeating unit structure produced from two dithiocarbamate compounds each having a vinyl structure, at the polymerization initiation site having a vinyl structure. A specific example of the hyperbranched polymer can be produced by subjecting to a living radical polymerization N,N-diethyldithiocarbamylmethylstyrene in the presence of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamylethyl methacrylate.
US08153742B2 Acrylic polymer-based adhesives
Acrylic polymers comprising a non-primary hydroxyl functional monomer and low Tg alkyl acrylate monomers are useful in adhesive compositions that find use in skin contact applications.
US08153741B2 Furanone copolymers
The present disclosure provides copolymers including a first monomer including at least one phospholipid possessing at least one vinyl group and a second monomer including a furanone possessing vinyl and/or acrylate groups. Compositions, medical devices, and coatings including such copolymers are also provided.
US08153733B2 Electrocoat compositions with amine ligand
A coating layer prepared from an aqueous electrodeposition coating composition comprising an electrodepositable binder, the binder comprising a tridentate amine ligand-containing resin, and optionally further comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxide, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, zinc oxide, strontium oxide, yttrium oxide, molybdenum oxide, zirconium oxide, lanthanum oxide, and oxides of the lanthanide series of elements provides corrosion protection to a metallic substrate.
US08153732B2 Biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film
A biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film contains polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide, wherein the contents of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide are 70 to 99 parts by weight and 1 to 30 parts by weight respectively when the total amount of the polyphenylene sulfide and the polyether imide is taken as 100 parts by weight, and further contains a compound having one or more groups selected from an epoxy group, an amino group and an isocyanate group as a compatibilizing agent in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyphenylene sulfide and polyether imide in total, and the polyether imide forms a dispersed phase with an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 nm and the biaxially oriented polyphenylene sulfide film exhibits a tensile elongation at break of 110 to 250% in both the longitudinal direction and width direction.
US08153730B2 Polyolefin blends used as masterbatch concentrates
Polyolefin blends and processes for forming polyolefin blends are described. The process generally includes forming of polyolefin blends with acrylic monomer system comprising: providing a polyolefin comprising a first portion and a second portion; providing a concentrated monomer system comprising an acrylic monomers and the first portion of the polyolefin, wherein the concentrated monomer system comprises the acrylic monomers at a first concentration and a first portion of the polyolefin; and blending the concentrated monomer system with the a second portion of the polyolefin to form a modified polyolefin, wherein the modified polyolefin comprises a second concentration of acrylic monomers that is less than the first concentration. Described blends can be used as masterbatch concentrates.
US08153728B2 PDMS-PVP block copolymers
Methods for preparing functionalized polyvinylpyrrolidones with polymerizable functions. Also, amphipathic polydimethylsiloxane-PVP block copolymers, such as and (meth)acrylated and (meth)acrylamide-functionalized polyvinylpyrrolidone compounds, such as The block copolymers are useful as biomaterial components in biomedical devices. They provide improved wettability, lubricity, and material compatibility to the biomedical device, e.g., ophthalmic lenses.
US08153725B2 Supports for oligomer synthesis
Universal linkers, their facile processes of manufacture and methods of using the same are provided.
US08153716B2 Dispersant for reducing viscosity of particulate solids
The invention provides a dispersant for an aqueous dispersion of positively charged or chargeable solid particulates which comprises a compound having an anchoring moiety linked to a polymeric hydrophilic moiety, the anchoring moiety containing at least one acid and/or hydroxy group and having an overall acidity or neutrality and the polymeric moiety having a lower affinity for the particulate surface than the anchoring moiety. The anchoring moiety preferably contains at least two acid groups, preferably carboxylic acid groups, attached either in a [1,1], [1,2] or [1,3] relationship and is linked to the polymeric moiety, which is preferably derived from acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer units, preferably by a sulfur atom. The dispersant can reduce the viscosity of an aqueous dispersion of positively charged or chargeable solid particulates and can reduce the tendency of the resulting dispersion to form a gel or a yield stress material. The dispersant facilitates the processing of the resulting compositions in manufacturing operations and it may be used, for example, as a component of a coating material, a ceramic, paint, refractory material, filler or in an inkjet recording paper or film. Additionally, the dispersant can allow the use of higher concentrations of solid particulates and enable control of the yield stress, as some yield is often beneficial in helping prevent or reduce sedimentation.
US08153714B2 Process for producing polyolefin molded articles comprising an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer
A process for producing polyolefin articles comprising an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the polyolefin component is melted and mixed with the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in the presence of a stabilizing composition comprising: a) one or more acid scavengers in amounts equal to or higher than 300 ppm by weight with respect to the weight of the polyolefin component; and b) one or more phenolic antioxidants in amounts equal to or higher than 1100 ppm by weight with respect to the weight of the polyolefin component.
US08153712B2 Crosslinkable rubber composition and cross-linked rubber
A crosslinkable rubber composition comprising 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of an aromatic secondary amine-based anti-aging agent and 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a polyamine-based crosslinking agent with respect to 100 parts by weight of a nitrile rubber including an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated nitrile unit and an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monoester unit, and with iodine value of 120 or less. The present invention can provide a crosslinkable rubber composition, providable of a cross-linked rubber excellent in a variety of properties such as mechanical strength and small in compression set, and a cross-linked rubber obtained by cross-linking the rubber composition.
US08153711B1 Polyurea sag control agent in polytrimethylene ether diol
The present disclosure relates to a sag control composition consisting essentially of the reaction product of an amine and a polyisocyanate and polytrimethylene ether diol. The sag control composition can be used for providing further compositions that have excellent sag resistance, especially on vertical surfaces. The sag control composition can also provide compositions having a relatively lower content of organic solvent when compared to previously known sag control compositions.
US08153707B2 VOC-free coalescing agent
A film-forming composition including a coalescent aid comprising fatty acid esters of ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol having the formula R1COO[(EO)x(PO)y]zH wherein R1CO is a linear saturated aliphatic acyl group, or a combination thereof, having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, EO is —CH2CH2O—, PO is —CH2CH(CH3)O— or —CH(CH3)CH2O— or a combination thereof, where the acyl radical is bonded to a carbon atom of the EO or PO radical, and x=0 to about 5, y=about 0 to about 5, the sum of x and y is equal or greater than 0.5, z=1 to about 5, and (x+y)z is less than or equal to 6. It is to be understood that x, y, and z are average values for the composition.
US08153702B2 Method of producing an electret material
The present invention relates to a method of producing an electret material, to a new class of electret materials and to a device comprising such electret materials.
US08153700B2 Roofing system and method
A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture.
US08153699B2 Self-priming surfacing composition for finished surfaces
A surfacing composition made of recycled paint, which requires no priming, has a non-reflective “flat” appearance, and is partially composed of dried paint. The composition provides a useful application for used or excess household paint, which would otherwise require special methods of disposal and potentially create future toxic cleanup problems. The composition is made of granular dried paint and a water-based sealer, which can be spread on a surface to repair imperfections. The surface can then be finished, and no priming is required. Due to the composition's flat appearance, the patch does not display any characteristic sheen where the repair has been made. The composition provides a simple means of recycling paint, and provides a simple and inexpensive means of repairing imperfections in walls and other surfaces while saving the step of priming the patch before painting or repainting.
US08153697B2 Antifoaming agent for aqueous media
The invention relates to the use of a polyamide prepared from at least one diamine and at least one dicarboxylic acid in a formulation for defoaming aqueous media. The invention also relates to defoamers for aqueous media that comprise such a polyamide.
US08153696B2 Medicinal preparation particularly for the treatment of slipped discs hernias
The invention concerns a product consisting in an injection medicinal formulations comprising at least one compound to provide a viscous formulation, ethanol and at least one compound making said formulation opaque to X rays so as to control its delivery and its action. Said formulation is in particular useful for treating herniated invertebral discs but also in intervention having demonstrated the efficacy of pure ethanol: treatment of hepatocellular tumours or osteoid osteomas, renal cysts and arterial-veinous angiomas.
US08153692B2 Oral preparation for preventing or improving skin dryness
An oral preparation for the prophylaxis or improvement of dry skin accompanied by atopic dermatitis, xeroderma, chapped hand, chapped skin and the like is provided. The present invention can provide an oral preparation for the prophylaxis or improvement of dry skin, which comprises citrulline or a salt thereof as an active ingredient.
US08153687B2 Gallium complexes with polyalcohols and methods of use
Provided are complexes of gallium and polyalcohols. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such complexes and methods of their use. Methods of preparing the complexes are also provided.
US08153686B2 Amino- and amido-aminotetralin derivatives and related compounds as mu opioid receptor antagonists
The invention provides amino- and amido-aminotetralin compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and n are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08153685B2 Salts, addition compounds and complex compounds of guinadinoacetic acid
The present invention provides new salts and/or addition compounds and/or complex compounds of guanidinoacetic acid with malic acid, aspartic acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, oxalic acid, pyroglutamic acid, 3-nicotinic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, taurine, betaine, choline, methionine and lipoic acid as well as in the form of sodium, potassium or calcium guanidinoacetate. These salts have improved physiological and therapeutic properties and are particularly suitable for use as dietary supplements, as animal feeds and in cosmetic or dermatological preparations in which especially the marked stability and good bioavailability of the salts come to the fore.
US08153681B2 Method of treating epilepsy by administering 5-(4{[(2-fluorophenyl)methyl]oxy}phenyl)prolinamide
The invention provides a compound of formula (I), a solvate, a salt or prodrug thereof, useful in the treatment of diseases and conditions mediated by modulation of use-dependent voltage-gated sodium channels. Methods of treating epilepsy in a mammal are also provided.
US08153679B2 Radiolabelled inhibitors of the glycine 1 transporter
The present invention relates to novel radiolabelled inhibitors of formula I for the Glycine 1 transporter (GlyT1), useful for the labelling and diagnostic imaging of the glycine 1 transporter functionality. wherein R1 is isopropoxy or 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methyl-ethoxy; and R2 is a radiolabelled group CH3, wherein the radionuclide is 3H or 11C. The radiolabelled compounds of formula I may be used as PET (Positron Emission Tomography) radiotracer for the labelling and diagnostic molecular imaging of the glycine 1 transporter functionality.
US08153677B2 Substituted pyrazolylamide compounds useful as glucokinase activators
Compounds are provided which are phosphonate and phosphinate activators and thus are useful in treating diabetes and related diseases and have the structure wherein is a heteroaryl ring; R4 is —(CH2)n—Z—(CH2)m—PO(OR7)(OR8), —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—OPO(OR7)R9, —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—OPO(R9)(R10), or —(CH2)nZ—(CH2)m—PO(R9)(R10); R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and halogen; Y is R7(CH2)s or is absent; and X, n, Z, m, R4, R5, R6, R7, and s are as defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A method for treating diabetes and related diseases employing the above compounds is also provided.
US08153675B2 Crystalline form of an alkoxyimidazol-1-ylmethyl biphenyl carboxylic acid
The invention provides a crystalline freebase form of 4′-{2-ethoxy-4-ethyl-5-[((S) -2-mercapto-4-methylpentanoylamino)methyl]imidazol-1-ylmethyl}-3′-fluorobiphenyl-2 -carboxylic acid. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline compound, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline compound, and methods of using the crystalline compound to treat diseases such as hypertension.
US08153674B2 Organic compounds
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): said compound is inhibitor of aldosterone synthase, and thus can be employed for the treatment of a disorder or disease mediated by aldosterone synthase. Accordingly, the compound of formula I can be used in treatment of hypokalemia, hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, in particular, chronic renal failure, restenosis, atherosderosis, syndrome X, obesity, nephropathy, post-myocardial infarction, coronary heart diseases, increased formation of collagen, cardiac fibrosis and remodeling following hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Finally, the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition.
US08153669B2 Quaternary ammonium salts as M3 antagonists
Compounds of formula (I), in salt or zwitterionic form, wherein J, L, M, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions that are mediated by the muscarinic M3 receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and a process for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08153668B2 Polymorphic forms of (S)-1-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl-3-(3-(3-methoxy-4-(oxazol-5-yl)phenyl)ureido)benzylcarbamate
The present invention relates to polymorphic forms of (S)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl 3-(3-(3-methoxy-4-(oxazol-5-yl)phenyl)ureido)benzylcarbamate, processes therein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and uses therewith.
US08153662B2 Heterocycles substituted pyridine derivatives and antifungal agent containing thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide an antifungal agent which has excellent antifungal effects and is superior in terms of its physical properties, safety and metabolic stability. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a compound represented by the following formula (I), or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group or a C1-6 alkoxy C1-6 alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, an amino group or a di C1-6 alkylamino group; one of X and Y is a nitrogen atom while the other is a nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom; ring A represents a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl ring or a benzene ring which may have a halogen atom, or 1 or 2 C1-6 alkyl groups; Z represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —NH—, —CH2NH—, —NHCH2—, —CH2S—, or —SCH2—; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-10 aryl group, a 5- or 6-member heteroaryl group, or 5- or 6-member non-aromatic heterocyclic group which may have 1 or 2 substituents; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom.
US08153655B2 Compositions useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08153654B2 6-and 7-amino isoquinoline compounds and methods for making and using the same
6- and 7-amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6- and 7-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US08153651B2 Amide derivatives as ion-channel ligands and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same
Compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, traumatic injury, and others.
US08153650B2 N-(amino-heteroaryl)-1H-pyrrolopyridine-2-carboxamides derivatives preparation thereof and their use in therapy
The invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I): Wherein X, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and n are as defined herein. The invention also relates to a method for making the same and to the use thereof in therapy.
US08153649B2 3-aminoimidazo 1,2-A pyridine derivatives having an SGLT1- and SGLT2-inhibiting action for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Novel compounds of the formula (I), in which W, T, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 have the meanings indicated in Patent Claim (1), are suitable as antidiabetics.
US08153645B2 Treating pain using selective antagonists of persistent sodium current
The present invention provides methods of treating chronic pain in a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective amount of a selective persistent sodium channel antagonist that has at least 20-fold selectivity for persistent sodium current relative to transient sodium current.
US08153641B2 Compounds and methods for kinase modulation, and indications therefor
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one Raf protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including diseases and conditions associated with activity of Raf protein kinases, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pain or polycystic kidney disease.
US08153640B2 HIV inhibiting bicyclic pyrimdine derivatives
HIV replication inhibitors of formula N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, quaternary amines or stereoisomeric forms thereof, wherein -a1=a2-a3=a4- is —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—N═CH—, —N═CH—CH═N—, —N═N—CH═CH—; -b1=b2-b3=b4- is —CH═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—CH═CH—, —N═CH—N═CH—, —N═CH—CH═N—, —N═N—CH═CH—; n and m is 0, 1, 2, 3 and in certain cases also 4; R1 is hydrogen; aryl; formyl; C1-6alkylcarbonyl; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl; C1-6alkyloxycarbonyl; R2 is OH; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; substituted carbonyl; carboxyl; CN; nitro; amino; substituted amino; polyhalomethyl; polyhalomethylthio; —S(═O)pR6; C(═NH)R6; R2a is CN; amino; substituted amino; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; —CH═N—NH—C(═O)—R16; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxyC1-6alkyl; substituted C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; —C(═N—O—R8)—C1-4alkyl; R7 or —X—R7; R3 is CN; amino; C1-6alkyl; halo; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; —CH═N—NH—C(═O)—R16; substituted C1-6alkyl; optionally substituted C1-6alkyloxyC1-6alkyl; substituted C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; —C(═N—O—R8)—C1-4alkyl; R7; —X—R7; R4 is halo; OH; optionally substituted C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C2-6alkynyl; C3-7cycloalkyl; C1-6alkyloxy; CN; nitro; polyhaloC1-6alkyl; polyhaloC1-6alkyloxy; substituted carbonyl; formyl; amino; mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino or R7; -A-B— is —CR5═N—, —N═N—, —CH2—CH2—, —CS—NH—, —CO—NH—, —CH═CH—; pharmaceutical compositions comprising these; methods for the preparation of these compounds and compositions; the use of these compounds for the prevention or the treatment of HIV infection.
US08153636B2 Pyridyl derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents
Methods of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, are disclosed, wherein the methods comprise administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound of formula (I): wherein x, y, W, V, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9, R9a, R10 and R10a are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed.
US08153633B2 Phthalazine compounds, compositions and methods of use
The present invention relates generally to compounds represented in Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of treating of diseases or disorders such as cancer.
US08153632B2 Oxygen linked pyrimidine derivatives
The present invention relates to pyrimidine compounds that are useful as anti-proliferative agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to oxygen linked and substituted pyrimidine compounds, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and uses of these compounds in the treatment of proliferative disorders. These compounds may be useful as medicaments for the treatment of a number of proliferative disorders including tumors and cancers as well as other disorders or conditions related to or associated with kinases.
US08153631B2 Triazole compounds and uses related thereto
The present invention provides a triazole compound of the following formula: a prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The above-mentioned triazole compound has superior HSD1 inhibitory activity, and is useful as an HSD1 inhibitor, a therapeutic drug of diabetes or a therapeutic drug of obesity or a therapeutic drug of metabolic syndrome.
US08153627B2 Quinazoline linked pyrrolo[2,1-C][1, 4]benzodiazepine hybrids as potential anticancer agents and process for the preparation thereof
The present invention provides a compound of general formula 5, useful as potential antitumour agents against human cancer cell lines. The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine hybrids of general formula (5): wherein n=3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and wherein R1 and R2 is selected from the group consisting of R1═H, R2═H or R1═CH3O, R2=CH3O or R1═CH3O and R2═C2H5O.
US08153625B2 Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and medicinal use thereof
The compound represented by formulae (I) and (II), the salt thereof, the N-oxide thereof or the solvate thereof, or the prodrug thereof and the pharmaceutical composition comprising thereof have a CXCR4-regulating effect, and they are effective in treatment and prevention of various inflammatory disease, various allergic disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection with human immunodeficiency virus, or agents for regeneration therapy. (wherein ring A represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s); ring B represents a homocyclic group which may have a substituent(s) or a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s); and Y represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent(s), a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent(s), an amino group which may be protected, a hydroxyl group which may be protected or a mercapto group which may be protected; T represents ring A or an amino group which may be protected.).
US08153620B2 Photoactive metal nitrosyls for blood pressure regulation and cancer therapy
Disclosed are nitric oxide delivery agents and methods of their use, more specifically to photoactive compounds, which are able to perform targeted delivery of nitric oxide in vitro and in vivo and are useful for medicinal applications including, but not limited, to blood pressure regulation and cancer treatment.
US08153615B2 Synthesis of glycerolipid carbamates and dicarbamates and their use as an antitumor compounds
The syntheses and in vitro antitumor properties of carbamate-containing, dicarbamate-containing, and ureido-containing phospholipid compounds that have an ether linkage at the C-1 position of a glycerol backbone, a carbamate, dicarbamate, or ureido moiety at the C-2 position of the glycerol backbone, and a phosphocholine, phosphonocholine, or glycoside moiety at the C-3 position of the glycerol backbone are described. The synthesis and antiproliferative activity of ether lipids with a naphthol moiety at the C-1 position are also described. These compounds were shown to be potent inhibitors of cancer cell growth. These compounds are useful for killing cancer cells and treating cancer.
US08153614B2 Treatment of osteoarthritis
There is provided a therapeutic agent for treating osteoarthritis, which is a drug comprising hyaluronan as an active ingredient. The hyaluronan is preferably a tetrasaccharide including two units, with a single unit being -D-glucuronic acid-β-1,3-D-N-acetylglucosamine-β-1,4- (HA4).
US08153610B2 Sulfoglycolipid antigens, their extraction from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and their use against tuberculosis
The present invention relates to compounds of the following general formula: (I) wherein R1 and R2 are fatty acyl groups, a process to extract them from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and their use in the treatment or the prophylaxis of tuberculosis.
US08153607B2 Transcription factor decoys and use thereof
A pharmaceutical composition having a transcription factor decoy and a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier thereof is provided, wherein the transcription factor decoy is TCF decoy. A method for curing or preventing endotoxin-treated endothelial cells from apoptosis is provided. A method for treating or meliorating septic shock is also provided. The transcription factor decoy is effective on melioration of endothelial cell death after lipopolysaccharide challenge. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical composition is easy to be prepared, economic and has low immunogenicity.
US08153606B2 Treatment of apolipoprotein-A1 related diseases by inhibition of natural antisense transcript to apolipoprotein-A1
Oligonucleotide compounds modulate expression and/or function of an apolipoprotein (ApoA1) polynucleotides and encoded products thereof. Methods for treating diseases associated with apolipoprotein-A1 (ApoA1) comprise administering one or more Oligonucleotide compounds designed to inhibit the Apo-A1 natural antisense transcript to patients.
US08153603B2 Compositions and their uses directed to IL-4R alpha
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of IL-4R alpha in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders related to expression of IL 4R-α, airway hyperresponsiveness, and/or pulmonary inflammation.
US08153601B2 Azithromycin-containing aqueous pharmaceutical composition and a method for the preparation of the same
The invention provides an azithromycin-containing aqueous pharmaceutical composition, which comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of azithromycin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and which does not comprise boric acid or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and a method for the preparation of the composition, wherein an azithromycin-containing liquid is maintained at pH of 4.0 or higher throughout the method for the preparation. The composition has good heat and storage stability.
US08153598B2 PKD ligands and polynucleotides encoding PKD ligands
The invention relates to kinase ligands and polyligands. In particular, the invention relates to ligands, homopolyligands, and heteropolyligands that modulate protein kinase D (PKD) activity. The ligands and polyligands are utilized as research tools or as therapeutics. The invention includes linkage of the ligands and polyligands to cellular localization signals, epitope tags and/or reporters. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the ligands and polyligands.
US08153594B2 Tacrolimus standard and methods of using same
A composition and kit useful as a tacrolimus standard solution for immunoassays, and methods for making and using same. The composition and kits include a known amount of tacrolimus or a derivative thereof, and a non-specific protein capable of forming a complex with the tacrolimus or derivative thereof. The standard solution may be used to generate calibration curves for an immunoassay or to check the precision of an analytical instrument.
US08153593B2 Transglutaminase inhibitors and methods of use thereof
Transglutaminase inhibitors and methods of use thereof are provided.
US08153592B2 Modulating toll-like receptor activity
This description provides methods and materials related to modulating Toll-like receptor activity. For example, methods and materials for increasing or decreasing the responsiveness of a TLR4 polypeptide are provided.
US08153584B2 Methods for promoting organ development
Compositions and methods are provided for promoting organ development in warm blooded animals, and in particular in certain aspects a premature infant or fetus. Compositions and methods are also provided for the administration of at least one colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof, or otherwise, at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding colony stimulating factor-1 protein (CSF-1), precursor, variant, analogue, derivative thereof, or combinations thereof.
US08153578B2 Soap recycling system and method
In one embodiment, a method for recycling soap includes scraping the surface of a soap bar using a bladed implement; soaking the soap bar in a cleansing solution including dimethyl benzylammonium chlorides monohydrate; placing the soap bar on a rack in a Rational Clima Plus Combi unit; placing a pan under the rack; steaming the soap bar using the Rational Clima Plus Combi unit for five minutes at 212° F.; cooling the soap bar in a refrigerator unit at 38° F. for at least seven minutes; and packaging the soap for reuse.
US08153577B2 Methods for cleaning recyclable substrates or containers
A method for treating a contaminated substrate comprising the steps of contacting an emulsion to a substrate surface soiled with one or more contaminants, the emulsion comprising a blend of dibasic esters, whereby the emulsion is capable of emulsifying all or some of the contaminants, forming a resulting emulsion; removing substantially all of the resulting emulsion from the substrate surface; and, optionally, in recovering the contaminant, adding an amount of water or a solvent to the resulting emulsion effective to form at least a first phase layer comprising a substantial amount of the contaminant and a second phase layer comprising a substantial amount of the emulsion. The dibasic esters can be a blend of adipic, glutaric, and succinic diacids, and, in one particular embodiment, the blend comprises dialkyl methylglutarate and dialkyl ethylsuccinate, wherein the alkyl groups individually comprise a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group. The one or more surfactants and additional components can be added.
US08153573B2 Development of an aluminum hydroxycarboxylate builder
A cleaning composition for removing soils includes an aluminum salt, a hydroxycarboxylate, an alkalinity source and optionally, a surfactant system. The cleaning composition has a pH of between about 9 and about 14.
US08153558B2 Method of improving grass quality
The invention relates to a method of improving grass quality comprising applying an effective amount of a composition containing a phthalocyanine to the grass in the substantial absence of phosphorous acid, monoalkyl esters of phosphorous acid, or salts thereof.
US08153556B2 Synergistic herbicidal compositions containing benfluralin
An herbicidal composition containing (a) benfluralin and (b) either diflufenican, flufenacet or prosulfocarb provides synergistic control of selected weeds in cereals.
US08153548B2 Isomerization catalyst
The isomerization catalyst is a solid acid catalyst formed with a base of tungstated zirconium mixed oxides loaded with at least one hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal catalyst from Groups 8-10 (IUPAC, 2006) and impregnated with at least one alkali metal from Group 1 (IUPAC, 2006). The metal from Groups 8-10 is preferably selected from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, osmium and mixtures thereof, and most preferably is platinum. The Group I alkali metal is selected from lithium, sodium, potassium rubidium and cesium and mixtures thereof, and is preferably lithium, sodium, or potassium. Preferable, the catalyst forms, by weight, a base having between about 80-90% zirconium mixed oxides and between about 10-20% tungstate; between about 0.1-3.00% Group 8-10 metal; and between about 0.01-1.00% Group 1 alkali metal.
US08153546B2 Mixed metal oxide ammoxidation catalysts
A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprising a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoter elements, wherein the X-ray diffraction pattern of the catalytic composition has X-ray diffraction peaks at 2θ angle 28±0.3 degrees and 2θ angle 26.5±0.3 degrees, and wherein the ratio of the intensity of the most intense x-ray diffraction peak within 2θ angle 28±0.3 degrees to the intensity of most intense x-ray diffraction peak within 2θ angle 26.5±0.3 degrees is defined as X/Y, and wherein X/Y is greater than or equal to 0.7.
US08153545B2 Process for homo—or copolymerization of conjugated olefins
Metal complexes, catalyst compositions containing the metal complexes, and processes for making the metal complexes and the catalyst compositions are described for the manufacture of polymers from ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable monomers. The metal complexes have chemical structures corresponding to one of the following formulae: wherein MI and MII are metals; T is nitrogen or phosphorus; P is a carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus atom; groups R1, R2 and R3 may be linked to each other; Y is a divalent bridging group; X, X1, and X2 are anionic ligand groups with certain exceptions; D is a neutral Lewis base ligand; and s, o, k, i, ii, p, m, a, b, c, d, c, t, and y are numbers as further described in the claims.
US08153538B1 Process for annealing semiconductor wafers with flat dopant depth profiles
A process is disclosed for annealing a single crystal silicon wafer having a front surface and a back surface, and an oxide layer disposed on the front surface of the wafer extending over substantially all of the radial width. The process includes annealing the wafer in an annealing chamber having an atmosphere comprising oxygen. The process also includes maintaining a partial pressure of water above a predetermined value such that the wafer maintains the oxide layer through the annealing process. The annealed front surface is substantially free of boron and phosphorus.
US08153536B2 Transfer of high temperature wafers
This invention provides apparatus, protocols, and methods that permit wafers to be loaded and unloaded in a gas-phase epitaxial growth chamber at high temperatures. Specifically, this invention provides a device for moving wafers or substrates that can bath a substrate being moved in active gases that are optionally temperature controlled. The active gases can act to limit or prevent sublimation or decomposition of the wafer surface, and can be temperature controlled to limit or prevent thermal damage. Thereby, previously-necessary temperature ramping of growth chambers can be reduced or eliminated leading to improvement in wafer throughput and system efficiency.
US08153531B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a semiconductor device, which forms two insulation layers having different patterns by one mask process, and a method of manufacturing the same. In a semiconductor device having double insulation layers, a photosensitive material is included in an upper insulation layer. During a manufacture of the semiconductor device, the photosensitive material is used as a photo resist layer in order to reduce the number of masks.
US08153530B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
In this method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the remaining layer of an etching mask layer remains in a predetermined thickness when the stamping face of a nano-stamper is pressed on the surface of the etching mask layer. Therefore, the remaining layer of the etching mask layer functions as a cushion so that the stress added to the nano-stamper and the semiconductor substrate is reduced. Accordingly, the crystal defect that might otherwise be introduced in the semiconductor substrate in pressing the nano-stamper on the semiconductor substrate can be restrained, resulting in suppression of the degradation of optical characteristics of the semiconductor device. Also, since the nano-stamper can be prevented from being damaged, extra steps such as the replacement of the nano-stamper can be avoided.
US08153528B1 Surface characteristics of graphite and graphite foils
The invention relates generally to preparation of a substrate for use in a photovoltaic device by application of a filling material and subsequent planarization of the top surface; optionally, a barrier layer is added.
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