| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08154940B2 |
Method of reducing current of memory in self-refreshing mode and related memory
The present invention provides a method of reducing current of a memory in a self-refreshing mode and a related memory. The memory includes a word line driver and a controller, and the word line driver includes a transistor. The transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a word line, and a second terminal. The method includes: after the memory enters the self-refreshing mode: controlling a voltage difference between the control terminal and the second terminal to correspond to a first value during a self-refreshing operation period; and controlling a voltage difference between the control terminal and the second terminal to correspond to a second value smaller than the first value during a non self-refreshing operation period. |
| US08154939B2 |
Control method for nonvolatile memory and semiconductor device
In a nonvolatile memory, the threshold is restored to a state before changing, without increasing number of writing undesirably. In a system including a nonvolatile memory, a random number generator, and a controller accessible to the nonvolatile memory, every time access to the nonvolatile memory is performed, the controller determines a refresh-targeted area, based on a random number generated by the random number generator. The controller is made to perform refresh control to re-write to the refresh-targeted area. By such refresh control, the threshold is restored to a state before changing, without increasing the number of writing undesirably. |
| US08154935B2 |
Delaying a signal communicated from a system to at least one of a plurality of memory circuits
A system and method are provided for delaying a signal communicated from a system to a plurality of memory circuits. Included is a component in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. Such component is operable to receive a signal from the system and communicate the signal to at least one of the memory circuits after a delay. In other embodiments, the component is operable to receive a signal from at least one of the memory circuits and communicate the signal to the system after a delay. |
| US08154933B2 |
Mode-register reading controller and semiconductor memory device
A mode-register reading controller includes a switching signal generator, first and second transmitters, and a control signal generator. The switching signal generator generates a switching signal that is activated when the reset command is input during a mode-register reading operation. The first transmitter buffers and transfers the mode-register read signal in response to the switching signal. The second transmitter, in response to the switching signal, delays and transfers the enable signal at a predetermined delay time. The control signal generator receives a signal from one of the first and second transmitters and generates a first control signal and a second control signal for transferring the data into a data output buffer from the input/output line. |
| US08154931B2 |
Circuits, devices, systems, and methods of operation for capturing data signals
Embodiments of the invention are described for driving data onto a data bus. The embodiments include a data driver circuit having a data capture circuit coupled to the data bus. The data capture circuit receives a data signal relative to a write strobe signal and captures a first data digit of the data signal responsive to a first edge of the write strobe signal and at least a second data digit responsive to a second edge of the write strobe signal. The data driver circuit includes a feedback capture circuit that captures each of the data digits of the data signal in substantially the same manner as the data capture circuit, and also generates a latch control signal indicative of when each data bits is latched. The latch control signal is provided to a write control circuit coupled to the feedback capture circuit and the data capture circuit. The write control circuit determines which of the data digits was latched first relative to an external timing, and generate a select control signal to drive the captured data digits onto the data bus in the order in which the data digits were received. |
| US08154930B2 |
Semiconductor memory device which stores plural data in a cell
A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage. |
| US08154929B2 |
Flash memory device controlling common source line voltage, program-verify method, and memory system
Disclosed is a flash memory device and a program-verify method. The flash memory device includes; a plurality of memory cells connected between a bit line and a common source line, and a data input/output circuit connected to the bit line and configured to store program data for a selected one of the plurality memory cells. The data input/output circuit maintains the program data during a program-verify operation and controls a voltage level on the bit line in accordance with the program data. |
| US08154928B2 |
Integrated flash memory systems and methods for load compensation
Systems and methods are disclosed including features that compensate for variations in the magnitude of supply voltages used in memory arrays. According to some aspects, compensation circuits may provide a tunable current-limiting load for data columns, where the load can be tuned to dynamically compensate for variations in supply voltage. In certain aspects, a compensation circuit may employ an operational amplifier configured as a voltage follower. The voltage follower compensates for any variations in supply voltage, forcing a constant voltage drop across the load element(s), thus maintaining a constant load. Other circuits may also be included, such as precharge circuits, clamp circuits, buffer circuits, trimming circuit, and sense amplifier circuits with sensed body effect. System-On-Chip integrated system aspects may include a microcontroller, a mixed IP, and a flash memory system having functionality and blocks that interface and interoperate with each other for load compensation. |
| US08154927B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory system employing same
A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell array, a row selection circuit and a voltage generator. The memory cell array comprises a first dummy memory cell, a second dummy memory cell, and a NAND string comprising a plurality of memory cells coupled in series between a string selection transistor and a ground selection transistor through the first dummy memory cell and the second dummy memory cell. During a read-out operation mode, a dummy read-out voltage is applied to a first dummy wordline coupled to the first dummy memory cell, and to a second dummy wordline coupled to the second dummy memory cell. The dummy read-out voltage has a lower magnitude than a read-out voltage applied to an unselected memory cell during the read-out operation mode. |
| US08154925B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and system capable of executing an interleave programming for a plurality of memory chips and a 2-plane programming at the respective memory chips
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory chips and a control logic configured to execute an interleave program between the first and second memory chips. The control logic receives write data to be written into first and second memory blocks of the first memory chip. If the first and second memory blocks are normal blocks, the control logic simultaneously performs a program operation for the first and second memory blocks. If one memory block of the first and second memory blocks is a bad block, the control logic writes the received write data corresponding to the one memory block into a storage circuit. |
| US08154923B2 |
Non-volatile memory and method with power-saving read and program-verify operations
A non-volatile memory device capable of reading and writing a large number of memory cells with multiple read/write circuits in parallel has features to reduce power consumption during read, and program/verify operations. A read or program verify operation includes one or more sensing cycles relative to one or more demarcation threshold voltages to determine a memory state. In one aspect, selective memory cells among the group being sensed in parallel have their conduction currents turned off when they are determined to be in a state not relevant to the current sensing cycle. In another aspect, a power-consuming period is minimized by preemptively starting any operations that would prolong the period. In a program/verify operation cells not to be programmed have their bit lines charged up in the program phase. Power is saved when a set of these bit lines avoids re-charging at every passing of a program phase. |
| US08154922B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device comprises memory cells, a bitline connected to the memory cells, a read circuit including a precharge circuit, and a first transistor connected between the bitline and the read circuit, wherein a first voltage is applied to a gate of the first transistor when the precharge circuit precharges the bitline, and a second voltage which is different from the first voltage is applied to the gate of the first transistor when the read circuit senses a change in a voltage of the bitline. |
| US08154921B2 |
Dynamic and adaptive optimization of read compare levels based on memory cell threshold voltage distribution
A process is performed periodically or in response to an error in order to dynamically and adaptively optimize read compare levels based on memory cell threshold voltage distribution. One embodiment of the process includes determining threshold voltage distribution data for a population of non-volatile storage elements, smoothing the threshold voltage distribution data using a weighting function to create an interim set of data, determining a derivative of the interim set of data, and identifying and storing negative to positive zero crossings of the derivative as read compare points. |
| US08154919B2 |
Method of reading nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory device for implementing the method
A nonvolatile memory device includes a read margin critical value calculation unit configured to calculate a critical value of a read margin between a read voltage and a threshold voltage of a specific cell, an interference value calculation unit configured to calculate an interference value affecting the threshold voltage of the specific cell, a comparison unit configured to compare the critical value and the interference value and to output a result of the comparison, and a data selection unit configured to output either first data, read from the specific cell using a first read voltage, or second data, read from the specific cell using a second read voltage, based on the result outputted from the comparison unit. |
| US08154913B2 |
Magnetoresistance effect element and magnetic random access memory
A magnetoresistance effect element comprising: a first magnetization fixed layer whose magnetization direction is fixed; a first magnetization free layer whose magnetization direction is variable; a first nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first magnetization fixed layer and the first magnetization free layer; a second magnetization fixed layer whose magnetization direction is fixed; a second magnetization free layer whose magnetization direction is variable; and a second nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the second magnetization fixed layer and the second magnetization free layer. The first magnetization fixed layer and the first magnetization free layer have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, while the second magnetization fixed layer and the second magnetization free layer have in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The first magnetization free layer and the second magnetization free layer are magnetically coupled to each other. In a plane parallel to each layer, center of the second magnetization free layer is displaced from center of the first magnetization free layer. |
| US08154911B2 |
Memory device and method of writing data to a memory device
A memory device includes bitlines, wordlines and a matrix of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Each of the bitlines is electrically connected to memory cells in one of the columns. Each of the wordlines is electrically connected to memory cells in one of the rows. A bitline write voltage is applied to a first bitline. A wordline voltage is applied to a first wordline for writing data to a first memory cell connected to the first wordline and the first bitline. The first bitline and the second bitline are electrically connected for charge sharing between the first bitline and the second bitline. A predetermined time after electrically connecting the first bitline and the second bitline, the first and the second bitline are electrically disconnected and the bitline write voltage is applied to the second bitline. The wordline voltage is applied to a second wordline for writing data to a second memory cell connected to the second wordline and the second bitline. |
| US08154909B2 |
Resistance variable memory apparatus
A resistance variable memory apparatus (100) of the present invention includes a current suppressing element (116) which is connected in series with each resistance variable layer (114) and whose threshold voltage is VF, and is configured to apply a first voltage V1 to a first wire (WL) associated with a selected nonvolatile memory element, apply a second voltage V2 to a second wire (BL) associated with the selected nonvolatile memory element, apply a third voltage V3 to a first wire (WL) which is not associated with the selected nonvolatile memory element and apply a fourth voltage V4 to a second wire (BL) which is not associated with the selected memory element when writing data or reading data, wherein V2≦V3 |
| US08154904B2 |
Programming reversible resistance switching elements
A storage system and method for operating the storage system that uses reversible resistance-switching elements is described. Techniques are disclosed herein for varying programming conditions to account for different resistances that memory cells have. These techniques can program memory cells in fewer attempts, which can save time and/or power. Techniques are disclosed herein for achieving a high programming bandwidth while reducing the worst case current and/or power consumption. In one embodiment, a page mapping scheme is provided that programs multiple memory cells in parallel in a way that reduces the worst case current and/or power consumption. |
| US08154902B2 |
Bit line decoder architecture for NOR-type memory array
An integrated circuit including a plurality of bit lines, a memory array, and a bit line decoder. The memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell is respectively coupled to (i) two corresponding bit lines of the plurality of bit lines. During sensing of a state of a given memory cell, the bit line decoder (i) precharges a first bit line of the two corresponding bit lines to which the given memory cell is coupled to a first voltage potential, including precharging all other bit lines on a same side of the memory array as the first bit line to the first voltage potential, and (ii) precharges a second bit line of the two corresponding bit lines to a second voltage potential, including precharging all other bit lines on a same side of the memory array as the second bit line to the second voltage potential. |
| US08154901B1 |
Circuit providing load isolation and noise reduction
Certain embodiments described herein include a memory module having a printed circuit board including at least one connector configured to be operatively coupled to a memory controller of a computer system. The memory module further includes a plurality of memory devices on the printed circuit board and a circuit including a first set of ports operatively coupled to at least one memory device. The circuit further includes a second set of ports operatively coupled to the at least one connector. The circuit includes a switching circuit configured to selectively operatively couple one or more ports of the second set of ports to one or more ports of the first set of ports. Each port of the first set and the second set comprises a correction circuit which reduces noise in one or more signals transmitted between the first set of ports and the second set of ports. |
| US08154900B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a content addressable memory
Power consumption in a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) circuit is reduced by use of a CAM circuit. According to one embodiment of the CAM circuit, the CAM circuit includes a plurality of match lines and match line restoration circuitry. The match line restoration circuitry is configured to prevent at least one of the match lines from being restored to a pre-evaluation state responsive to corresponding enable information. |
| US08154898B2 |
Current driven bipolar high voltage driver for capacitive loads
A circuit for generating a high voltage alternating current to drive a load has a current source having a first terminal and a second terminal. The circuit further has an output terminal and a circuit ground terminal. A first switch will conduct between the first terminal of the current source and the circuit ground terminal when the first switch is closed. A second switch will conduct between the first terminal of the current source and the output terminal when the second switch is closed. A third switch will conduct between the second terminal of the current source and the circuit ground terminal when the third switch is closed. A fourth switch will conduct between the second terminal of the current source and the output terminal when the fourth switch is closed. A load is coupled to the output terminal and the circuit ground terminal. |
| US08154897B2 |
RF power supply
An RF power supply, in particular a plasma supply device, for generating an output power greater than 500 W at an output frequency of at least 3 MHz includes at least one inverter connectable to a DC power supply, which inverter comprises at least one switching element and an output network. An accompanying line connects an electrical component to the inverter by a lead-in of the output network. |
| US08154895B2 |
Method and apparatus for DC bus capacitor pre-charge
A method and apparatus for converting three phase AC voltages on first, second and third input lines to DC voltage across positive and negative DC buses, the apparatus comprising a rectifier including first, second and third rectifier legs, each leg including a switch and a diode wherein the switch is linked between the positive DC bus and an cathode of the diode, an anode of the diode is linked to the negative DC rail and the first, second and third diode cathodes are linked to the first, second and third input lines, respectively, a DC bus voltage sensor linked to the positive DC bus and measuring the DC bus voltage to generate a measured DC bus voltage and a rectifier controller that receives the measured DC bus voltage, a reference voltage value and the three phase AC voltages wherein, when the measured DC bus voltage is at least equal to the reference voltage value, the controller turns on the switches in the first, second and third rectifier legs when the voltages on the first, second and third input lines are positive, respectively. |
| US08154889B1 |
Operating mode detection in a flyback converter
Particular embodiments generally relate to detecting an operating mode of a flyback converter. In one embodiment, a voltage of a flyback converter is measured. A waveform for the voltage includes a first rate of change when the flyback converter is in a first mode of operation and a second rate of change when the flyback converter is in a second mode of operation. The presence of the first rate of change or the second rate of change is detected based on the waveform. The first mode of operation or the second mode of operation is determined depending on whether the first rate of change or the second rate of change is detected. |
| US08154888B2 |
Offline synchronous rectifier circuit with turned-on arbiter and phase-lock for switching power converters
A synchronous rectifier circuit of a switching power converter is provided and includes first and second power transistors and first and second diodes connected to a transformer and an output of the power converter for rectifying. An arbiter circuit generates a lock signal to prevent the second power transistor from being turned on when the first power transistor is turned on. A controller generates a drive signal to control the first power transistor according to an on signal and an off signal. A phase-lock circuit generates the off signal according to the on signal. The on signal is enabled once the first diode is forward biased. The one signal enables the drive signal for turning on the first power transistor. The off signal disables the drive signal for turning off the first power transistor. The off signal is enabled before the disabling of the on signal. |
| US08154887B2 |
Dual isolated input single power supply topology
An electric power supply system includes a transformer having two primary windings for receiving input power and a secondary winding for delivering output power, in which the primary windings are galvanically isolated from each other. A method for supplying electrical power to a load includes magnetically coupling a first primary voltage to a secondary power output; and magnetically coupling a second primary voltage to the secondary power output so that the second primary voltage is kept galvanically isolated from the first primary voltage. |
| US08154886B2 |
Compact fiber panel with sliding tray having removable hood
A cable organization unit includes a housing. A tray is attached to the housing by at least one slide, and is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing. A hood is removably secured to the tray. A user may remove the hood from the tray to access adapters attached to a bulkhead on the tray. The tray may include a latch for securing the tray to the housing in the first position, and the hood may be removed from the tray while the tray is in the first or second positions. A retainer is optionally attached to the housing. The retainer includes an adjustable opening which may be reduced in size such that edges of the opening frictionally engage and hold a jacket of a cable passing therethrough. |
| US08154885B2 |
Display mounting system
A mounting system for use in mounting products such as audio/visual devices to a surface such as a wall. According to various embodiments, one or more surface mounting structures are configured to attach to a surface such as a wall, while one or more device mounting structures are configured to attach to a device such as a flat panel display. Mating “touch” or “burr” fasteners on at least one surface mounting structure and at least one device mounting structure serve to inhibit the movement or rotation of these components relative to each other when the mounting system is in an assembled position. |
| US08154884B2 |
Electronic device with electrostatic protection structure
An electronic device includes a circuit board and an electrostatic protection structure. The circuit board has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. The electrostatic protection structure is positioned on the top surface of the circuit board. The electrostatic protection includes an insulating layer and a conducting layer coating on the insulating layer. Four ground terminals are formed on the bottom surface of the circuit board. The insulating layer includes a main portion and four first connecting portions extending from the main portion. The conducting layer on the four first connecting portion are connected to the four first ground terminal. |
| US08154882B2 |
Computer system and motherboard and monitor thereof
A first terminal of a first switch, a first idling pin, a third idling pin, and a power pin are connected together. A second terminal of the first switch, a first ground pin, a second ground pin, and a third ground pin are electrically connected together. A first terminal of the second switch, a second idling pin, a fourth idling pin, and a reset pin are electrically connected together. A second terminal of the second switch, a first ground pin, a second ground pin, and a third ground pin are electrically connected together. The first switch controls the motherboard to power on or power off, and the second switch controls the motherboard to reset. |
| US08154877B2 |
Expansion system for portable electronic devices
An expansion system for portable electronic devices is provided. A portable electronic device includes: a main logic board; an expansion device for expanding functionality of the portable electronic device; a flexible interconnection for logically connecting the expansion device to the main logic board; and a package for enclosing the main logic board and the expansion device together. The main logic board is mechanically isolated from the expansion device. The expansion device is physically spaced from the main logic board when enclosed in the package. An intrinsic expansion for a portable electronic device includes: an expansion board for expanding functionality of the portable electronic device, an expansion interface for logically connecting the expansion board to a main logic board of the portable electronic device, and a flexible interconnection for interconnecting the expansion board and the expansion interface. The expansion device is mounted in the portable electric device so as to be physically spaced from the main logic board when assembled. |
| US08154876B2 |
Circuit board module and electronic apparatus
A circuit board module includes: a board having a mounting surface; an electronic component mounted on the mounting surface; a frame which is mounted on the mounting surface so as to surround the electronic component; a resin portion which is provided inside the frame and closely contacts the electronic component, the mounting surface, and the frame; and a lid portion which covers the electronic component, and which is connected to the frame. The lid portion includes a flat portion which is provided at a region containing an area corresponding to the electronic component not covered with the resin portion and which protrudes outward more than the other regions. |
| US08154871B2 |
Cooling structure of electronic device
According to one embodiment, a cooling structure includes a first heat radiating member receiving heat generated by a first heat generating body, and including a plurality of first heat radiating fins projecting toward a second housing, a first flow-in portion provided to the first housing to be open in one of first directions, a second heat radiating member receiving heat generated by a second heat generating body, and including a plurality of second heat radiating fins projecting toward a first housing, and a first flow-out portion provided to the second housing to be open in one of second directions crossing the first directions. The cooling structure includes a cooling fan unit configured to supply the air that has flown from outside to the first heat radiating fins, thereafter supply the air to the second heat radiating fins and cause the air to flow to the outside. |
| US08154870B1 |
Air directing device for rack system
A computing system includes a rack system that allows air to flow into the rack system on a first side of the rack system and to discharge from the rack system on a second side of the rack system. One or more air directing devices are coupled to the rack system on the first side of the rack system or the second side of the rack system. At least one of the air directing devices includes a duct having an upwardly increasing interior cross section over at least a portion of the height of the duct. The duct segregates air passing through the duct from air outside the duct. The air directing device may include a louver that couples to the rack system. The louver may include one or more airflow control members that allow air to pass through the louver. |
| US08154866B2 |
Single rotor ducted fan
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a single rotor ducted fan is disclosed. The single rotor ducted fan comprises a duct having an intake diameter and an impeller having a hub with blades that extend radially from the hub. The blades have a maximum tip diameter. The bellmouth diameter is less than the maximum tip diameter. |
| US08154865B2 |
Computer including a disk drive, motherboard and fan
A computer includes an enclosure, at least one disk drive, a panel and a fan. The at least one disk drive is located in the enclosure. The panel is mounted to a side of the enclosure. The panel has different material relative to the enclosure. The fan is mounted to the panel. The vibration generated from fan is indirectly transferred to the at least one disk drive. |
| US08154864B1 |
LED display module having a metallic housing and metallic mask
The present invention is a robust LED display module for use in an electronic sign which display module includes a metallic housing, a heat conductive interface panel, an LED circuit board and LEDs, and a metallic mask arranged in intimate contact and association therewith, and which components operate synergistically in concert with each other in order to evenly distribute, reduce and dissipate heat along, about and within the structure of the present invention. Display uniformity is provided by the use of major metallic structures in order to prevent warpage and to protect the geometric integrity of the LED display module. |
| US08154858B2 |
Electronic device and electronic system
An electronic device includes: an accommodation section that detachably accommodates a portable device; an eject unit that ejects the portable device accommodated in the accommodation section; and a guide mechanism that guides the portable device so that a first side of the portable device is positioned in the accommodation section and a second side thereof opposite to the first side is ejected from the accommodation section. The eject unit is arranged behind the accommodation section, and the accommodation section has an opening through which the second side of the portable device accommodated in the accommodation section is exposed. |
| US08154857B2 |
Appliance host with multiple service interfaces for coupling multiple consumer electronic devices
A modular system of an appliance host with multiple identical host service interfaces. The multiple identical host service interfaces provide a mechanical service and an electrical service for removable consumer electronic devices. Multiple distinct consumer electronic devices or adapters for consumer electronic devices may be coupled alternatively to the multiple host service interfaces. |
| US08154853B2 |
Method and apparatus for partitioned capacitor
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a stack of substantially planar electrodes including at least a first and second anode layer, and a plurality of cathode layers, a case in which the stack is disposed and to which the plurality of cathode layers is connected, a first feedthrough disposed through the case and connected to the first anode and a second feedthrough disposed through the case and connected to the second anode, wherein a first capacitor including the first anode layer and a second capacitor including the second anode layer are electrically isolated. |
| US08154851B2 |
Dielectric ceramic, manufacturing method thereof, and multilayer ceramic capacitor
A dielectric ceramic includes primary crystal grains. The primary crystal grains include a composite oxide of Ti and at least one kind of alkaline earth metal element selected from Ca, Sr and Ba. The primary crystal grains contain metal compositions of Mg, Mn and a rare earth element. At least one of the metal composition of the Mg, the Mn and the rare earth element is present at a higher concentration on the surface side of the primary crystal grains than the inside thereof. A 0.04 to 0.2 parts by mass of Zr in terms of oxide to 100 parts by mass of the composite oxide is present. As a result, a high dielectric constant can be imparted even to finely granulated barium titanate based crystal grains. |
| US08154848B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component including external electrodes that include a plating layer having a low film stress
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a laminate including a stack of a plurality of ceramic layers and a plurality of internal electrodes extending along interfaces between the ceramic layers, and a plurality of external electrodes electrically connecting the internal electrodes exposed at surfaces of the laminate. Each external electrode includes a plating layer at least at the portion directly connected to the internal electrodes. The plating layer has a compressive film stress of about 100 MPa or less or a tensile film stress of about 100 MPa or less. |
| US08154842B2 |
Static-conducting sheet and electronic device using the same
A static-conducting sheet of conductive material is provided. The static-conducting sheet includes a longitudinal substrate, two fixed portions and at least one elastic arm. The fixed portion includes a perpendicular portion and a lateral portion. The perpendicular portion extends from two opposite ends of the longitudinal substrate. The perpendicular portion extends perpendicularly upward from the planar surface. The lateral portion is parallel to the planar surface. The elastic arm includes a fixed end and a distal end. The fixed end is fixed on the longitudinal substrate. The arm extends perpendicular from the planar surface. The arm includes a fixed end and a distal end. The fixed end is connected to the longitudinal substrate, and the distal end is hooked. |
| US08154837B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for monitoring wheel speed sensors in a motor vehicle control device
Circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) in an electronic control device which is connected to at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9) transmitting wheel speed information, in particular in the form of a current signal, the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) having at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) for the at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9), where this at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) is suitable for monitoring an excess current fault on at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9), in which, when an excess current fault is detected by the at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) the respective wheel speed sensor channel(s) (6,7,8,9) is/are blocked by a blocking circuit (10,11,12,13) of the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5), and/or in which the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) causes the blocking of the respective wheel sensor channel or channels (6,7,8,9) from outside the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5). |
| US08154829B2 |
Tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) device with improved ferromagnetic underlayer for MgO tunneling barrier layer
A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) device, like a TMR read head for a magnetic recording hard disk drive, has a magnesium oxide (MgO) tunneling barrier layer and a ferromagnetic underlayer beneath and in direct contact with the MgO tunneling barrier layer. The ferromagnetic underlayer comprises a crystalline material according to the formula (CoxFe(100-x))(100-y)Gey, where the subscripts represent atomic percent, x is between about 45 and 55, and y is between about 26 and 37. The ferromagnetic underlayer may be the CoxFe(100-x))(100-y)Gey portion of a bilayer of two ferromagnetic layers, for example a CoFe/(CoxFe(100-x))(100-y)Gey bilayer. The specific composition of the ferromagnetic underlayer improves the crystallinity of the MgO tunneling barrier after annealing and improves the tunneling magnetoresistance of the TMR device. |
| US08154827B2 |
Integrated lead suspension with multiple crossover coplanar connection of the electrically conductive traces
An integrated lead suspension (ILS) or flexure has a connection scheme that allows for coplanar and interleaved conductive traces between read/write circuitry and a read/write head in a magnetic recording disk drive. At each end of the flexure there is an island of electrically conductive substrate material with vias in an insulator layer that permit electrical connection to the islands. Conductive traces on the insulator layer are grouped into two sets and extend generally parallel along the length of the flexure, with the traces from one set being interleaved with traces from the other set and each set carrying one of the positive or negative signals. At each of the ends, all of the traces from a set are connected through the vias to the island at that end. |
| US08154825B2 |
Magnetic recording head and magnetic recording device
It is made possible to provide a magnetic head that can stabilize the high-frequency magnetic field generated from the spin torque oscillator. A magnetic head includes: first and second main magnetic poles; and a spin torque oscillator provided between the first and second main magnetic poles. |
| US08154816B1 |
Magneto resistive voltage biasing scheme with fast recovery and maximum dynamic range
A system and method for providing a fast recovery for voltage bias applied to an MR sensor, when a voltage is applied to the MR sensor very quickly while the MR sensor transitions from an idle or sleep state to an active state includes an apparatus and method for adjusting the voltage and range applied to the MR sensor. The apparatus includes a circuit having a current biasing circuit for supplying a current bias to a transducer, a voltage biasing circuit configured to supply a voltage bias to a transducer, and a charge pump for maintaining the current bias and the voltage bias at the maximum range so that the voltage at the transducer is maximized. The method includes specifying the magneto resistive biasing voltage, measuring a resistance of the magneto resistive sensor, setting an internal reference resistance value to be near the measured resistance of the magneto resistive sensor, determining a code that specifies the amount of current that flows through the magneto resistive sensor, flowing current through the magneto resistive sensor by turning on a digital to analog converter adjustable resistor. |
| US08154815B2 |
Systems and methods for generating equalization data using shift register architecture
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data equalization. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for generating equalization data. The method includes inputting N bits of an equalization data pattern into respective stages of a shift register, wherein inputting the N bits occurs synchronous to a system data clock having a system data rate, and shifting the N bits of equalization data to next adjacent next stages of the shift register synchronous to an equalization data clock having an equalization data rate N times the system data rate. |
| US08154813B2 |
Embedded servo on track for bit-patterned device
A method of making a disc for a computer disc drive and a disc made in accordance with the same. The disc includes a deposited magnetic layer of a thin film medium over a disc-shaped substrate. A master pattern having a plurality of tracks is recorded on the disc. Each track on the disc includes a plurality of magnetic islands, each having a size and magnetic properties. The size and/or magnetic properties of one or more of the magnetic islands of each track are modulated such that each track has a modulation frequency, so as to imprint a magnetic topology on the disc. The modulation frequency of each track is either a fundamental frequency or an overtone of the fundamental frequency. |
| US08154811B2 |
Measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head
In a method of electronically measuring reader/writer offset in a tape drive head, a plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks are written on a tape with a write head. Error rate information is measured while reading a data track of the plurality of sequentially adjacent data tracks with a read head of the tape drive. A bathtub shaped curve is built from a set of the error rate information which is accumulated by reading the data track at a plurality of offsets of the read head relative to the data track. Offset of the read head relative to the write head is measured by determining an offset of the read head which correlates to a magnetic center of the data track as represented by a center point between edges of the bathtub shaped curve. |
| US08154809B2 |
Lens apparatus and image-pickup apparatus
A lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel member and a second lens barrel member coupled with the first lens barrel member via a cam mechanism. The first lens barrel member includes a stopper portion and a gear portion. The stopper portion comes into contact with a first contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member, when the first lens barrel member protruding from the second lens barrel member in the optical axis direction receives the external force from a front end side of the first lens barrel member in its protruding direction, to restrict a displacement of the first lens barrel member with respect to the second lens barrel member due to the external force. The gear portion comes into contact with a second contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member to restrict the displacement due to the external force. |
| US08154806B2 |
Zoom lens system and camera including the same
Disclosed is a zoom lens system including a first lens unit having a positive optical power, a second lens unit having a negative optical power, and a rear unit including at least one lens unit, which are disposed in the stated order from an object side to an image side. At least two lens units move for zooming so that a distance between adjacent lens units is changed. In this zoom lens system, the first lens unit includes a composite optical element in which a first optical element having a positive optical power and a second optical element having a negative optical power are cemented to each other. Refractive indexes and Abbe numbers of materials of the first optical element and the second optical element are set appropriately so that high optical performance is realized. |
| US08154804B2 |
Electro-optic lenses for correction of higher order aberrations
A lens is presented in which the lens includes a substrate and an electrode layer. The electrode layer is positioned upon the substrate. The electrode layer has radially alternating rings of electrodes and resistive material. When voltage is applied across two adjacent electrodes the profile of the electric field therebetween is linear. When voltage is applied to the rings of electrodes, the optical phase profile of the lens closely approximates the optical phase of ideal spherical aberration correction. |
| US08154803B2 |
Diffractive optical element with improved light transmittance
A diffractive optical element (10) includes a substrate (11), a protective film (13a, 13b), and a diffraction grating (12a, 12b) disposed between the substrate (11) and the protective film (13a, 13b), wherein the diffraction grating (12a, 12b) is formed of a composite material containing a resin and inorganic particles, a volume ratio of the inorganic particles with respect to the composite material is equal to or smaller than 50% by volume, and the diffraction grating (12a, 12b) has a thickness of equal to or smaller than 20 μm. Since the diffractive optical element (10) uses the composite material containing the resin and the inorganic particles as a material for the diffraction grating (12a, 12b), which is relatively difficult to process, the moldability improves compared with the conventional case of using glass, etc. |
| US08154799B2 |
2D/3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus and method
A two dimensional/three dimensional (2D/3D) switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus and method. The 2D/3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus and method may selectively display a 2D image and 3D image using two displays, control a display operated as backlight from among the two displays when displaying the 2D image, and thereby may increase a contrast. Also, the 2D/3D switchable autostereoscopic display apparatus and method may output a 2D object and a 3D background using two displays. |
| US08154796B2 |
Microscope apparatus
A microscope apparatus that can observe into the interior of a specimen and that can apply an optical stimulus over a wide area within a short period of time is provided. The microscope apparatus comprises at least one observation scanning optical system including a laser light source for emitting observation laser light, an objective lens, and a scanning optical system for two-dimensionally scanning the observation laser light in a predetermined examination plane of the specimen via the objective lens; and at least one stimulus optical system which includes a lamp light source for emitting light having a wavelength used for optical stimulation and which irradiates the specimen with the light emitted from the lamp light source. |
| US08154795B2 |
Stereo microscope with beam splitter device
The present invention relates to a stereo microscope (20) with a first and a second main beam path (21, 22), the spacing of which defines a stereo base (23), wherein an axis of the microscope (24) extends through the middle of the stereo base (23) parallel to the main beam paths (21, 22), and with an optical beam splitter device (30) for producing an assistant beam path (31) and a documentation beam path (32), wherein the direction of the assistant beam path (31) in a first position is rotated by 180° to the direction of the assistant beam path (31) in a second position of the beam splitter device (30), and the decoupled documentation beam path (32) in both positions of the beam splitter device (30) is in each case perpendicular to the decoupled assistant beam path (31), and wherein in both the first and second positions of the beam splitter device (30) the assistant beam path (31) can in each case be decoupled at least from the first main beam path (21) and the documentation beam path (32) can in each case be decoupled at least from the second main beam path (22). |
| US08154793B2 |
Nonlinear chirped pulse fiber amplifier with pulse compression
A chirped-pulse fiber amplification method and system operates with large nonlinear phase shifts (as large as ˜20π or more). In this regime, the pulse spectrum is modified by strong self-phase modulation and gain shaping. With large-enough nonlinear phase shift, substantial spectral broadening occurs. The amplified spectrum can therefore be much broader than the spectrum that is obtained with small nonlinear phase shifts. The broader spectrum enables the formation of a shorter pulse, and the bandwidth generated in nonlinear chirped-pulse amplification can in fact be exploited to generate shorter pulses. Ultimately, this allows the generation of pulses shorter than the gain-narrowing limit of a fiber amplifier. |
| US08154792B1 |
Multi-layer gallium arsenide-based fresnel phase-shift device for infrared wavelength conversion
A new nonlinear optical structure for frequency conversion is described. The new nonlinear optical structure is a multilayer wafer comprising alternating layers of gallium arsenide and aluminum gallium arsenide onto a gallium arsenide substrate. The new device is both more efficient and easier to make than prior art gallium arsenide crystal structures designed for nonlinear optical conversion. |
| US08154784B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
A disclosed optical scanning device includes a light beam generating unit configured to generate a light beam; a light beam deflecting unit configured to receive the light beam and deflect/emit the light beam with a deflecting mirror; a light beam ON/OFF control unit configured to control the light beam generating unit so that the light beam deflected by the light beam deflecting unit is turned ON/OFF in a particular light beam scanning region while the light beam is being reciprocally scanned; and a light beam scanning time measuring unit configured to obtain a measurement value by measuring a time at which the light beam passes a reference point provided on an edge part of the entire light beam scanning region that is away from a center part of the entire light beam scanning region. Timings at which the light beam is turned ON/OFF are controlled in accordance with the measurement value. |
| US08154781B2 |
Compact holographic display device
A holographic display device comprises a first OLED array writing onto a first OASLM, the first OLED array and the first OASLM forming adjacent layers, and a second OLED array writing onto a second OASLM, the second OLED array and the second OASLM forming adjacent layers. The first and the second OASLMs encode a hologram and a holographic reconstruction is generated by the device when an array of read beams illuminates the first and second OASLMs and the first and second OASLMs are suitably controlled by the first and second OLED arrays. Advantages include that this device permits independent control of phase and amplitude, and the device lends itself to compactness. |
| US08154780B2 |
Holographic image projection systems
A holographic image projection system for projecting an image at an acute angle onto a surface includes: a spatial light modulator (SLM) to display a hologram; an illumination system to illuminate the displayed hologram; projection optics to project light from the illuminated displayed hologram onto the surface at an acute angle form the image; and a processor having an input to receive input image data for display and an output to provide hologram data for the SLM, wherein the processor is configured to: input image data and convert this to target image data; generate from the target image data hologram data for display as a hologram on the SLM to reproduce a target image; and wherein the target image is distorted to compensate for the projection of the hologram at an acute angle to form the image. |
| US08154777B2 |
Color compensation of images
A color correction method includes for each of a plurality of color separations of a digital image, establishing a tone reproduction curve in the form of a vector. The vector is a function of a plurality of basis vectors. The basis vectors account for colorant interactions between a primary colorant with which the color separation is to be rendered and at least one secondary colorant with which at least a second of the plurality of color separations is to be rendered. The vector includes modified input values corresponding to input values for the color separation which vary, depending on the input values of at least the second color separation. For a pixel of interest in the digital image, a modified input value for the color separation which corresponds to the input value of the given color separation is identified from the vector. |
| US08154776B2 |
Bitstream format for compressed image data
It is desirable to provide a bitstream format for compressed data that would allow multiple processors to access and decompress different parts of the data in parallel. Compressed images are usually defined in terms of macroblocks that have a width less than the image width and a height less than the image height. Thus, an image is divided several bands of multiple lines, and each band of multiple lines is divided into a macroblock. The set of macroblocks that define a band is called herein a macroblock rasterscan. The bit stream format includes, for each image, a picture header followed by image scan data. The image scan data includes data corresponding to a plurality of macroblock rasterscans. The data for each macroblock rasterscan includes data for a plurality of macroblocks for a band of lines in the image followed by padding. The padding ensures that data for each macroblock rasterscan terminates on a data boundary. The picture header references an image scan index that indicates a number of macroblock rasterscans in the image scan data and a number of lines per macroblock rasterscan, followed by entries of the index. Each entry in the index includes an offset of the macroblock rasterscan in image scan. The picture header may contain a reference to a picture header type, that references an I_frame_image_descriptor, which references the image scan index. |
| US08154772B2 |
Facsimile apparatus
A facsimile apparatus includes a document size detecting unit, a first image data generating unit, a size acquiring unit, a size comparing unit, a second image data generating unit, an image data transmitting unit, and a first transmission result outputting unit. The document size detecting unit detects a first size of a first document. The first image data generating unit generates first image data based on a first image on the first document. The size acquiring unit acquires a second size of a second document that can be received by a reception-side apparatus. The size comparing unit compares the first size with the second size. The second image data generating unit generates second image data for forming a second image on the second document from the first image data based on a comparing result of the size comparing unit. The image data transmitting unit transmits the second image data to the reception-side apparatus. The first transmission result outputting unit outputs exclusively a transmission result indicating a result of transmission of the second image data to the reception-side apparatus. |
| US08154768B2 |
Display device and electrical apparatus having such display device
An electrical apparatus includes a main body and a display device. The display device has a display panel that moves between a first and second position, and the display device, and a first and second link member. Each of the first and second link members has a first and second end. The first end of both the first and second link member is connected to the frame, and the second end of the first and second link member is connected to the main body. The first end of the first link member rotates about a first axis, and the second end rotates about a second axis. The first end of the second link member rotates about a third axis, and the second end rotates about a fourth axis. The first, second, third, and fourth axes are orthogonal to a direction in which the first and second link members extend. |
| US08154763B2 |
Image forming device, color data conversion method, and color data conversion program
The present invention claims and discloses an image forming device for generating color data contained in a second color gamut of a second device based on color data contained in a first color gamut of a first device. The image forming device comprises a color data generation unit that divides the first color gamut into two or more layers based on a grid point coordinate of a color conversion lookup table; a color gamut compression unit that generates a chroma value of each layer of the second color gamut based on a chroma value of each layer of the first color gamut; and an LUT generation unit that generates the color conversion lookup table based on the generated second color gamut. |
| US08154761B2 |
Method for color regulation of reproduction copies of a printing press
A method for color regulation of reproduction copies of a printing press prints a substrate, which appears dark in a standardized color measurement, with at least one printing ink which is lighter than the substrate. At least one color value of the printing ink is determined from a measured variable, and the color value of the at least one printing ink is regulated with the aid of a fixed reference value of a color locus in the color space which is lighter than the printing ink. |
| US08154756B2 |
Printers and printer systems having cellular input/output
A method includes receiving, with a printer, a cellular communication from a cellular device that provides an indication of a resource that is to be printed by the printer; accessing, with the printer, a network via which the resource can be retrieved; using the indication to retrieve the resource via the network; and printing the resource. |
| US08154753B2 |
Method and system for providing access to image system services
A method and system according to the disclosure facilitates subscription based access to services for image systems including an image acquisition device configured to generate image data describing a target object in a target area of the image acquisition device and an image display device configured to generate a human perceptible rendering of the target object based on the image data. |
| US08154752B2 |
Print management system providing documents with plural users identifications
A print management system may include at least one client device for generating print jobs, and a plurality of print servers for storing print job information based upon the generated print jobs. The print servers may cooperate to share the print job information therebetween. At least one printing station may retrieve the shared print job information, and selectively print print jobs based thereon. |
| US08154750B2 |
Image forming apparatus and job information management method
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a first storage section to store a plurality of pieces of job information each having a plurality of data items corresponding to a plurality of items; a second storage section to store read-out definition information in which one or more of the items to be read out from each of the pieces of job information are set; an input section to input an instruction to read out one or more of the pieces of job information; and a control section to extract one or more of the data items corresponding to one or more of the items set in the read-out definition information from each of the one or more of the pieces of job information when the instruction is inputted by the input section, and to output the extracted one or more of the data items. |
| US08154749B2 |
Image signal processor and deferred vertical synchronous signal outputting method
A method of transferring a deferred vertical synchronous signal and an image signal processor executing the method thereof are disclosed. Once the vertical synchronous signal for a kth frame is inputted from an encoding unit after a capture command is inputted, the method transmits a defer control command for a (k+1)th frame to an image sensor. Then, a return control command is transmitted to the image sensor if encoding of the kth frame is completed. With the present invention, complete encoding of image data becomes possible. |
| US08154744B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device is disclosed that is able to extend functions without performing installation and enables easy function settings. The information processing device is able to communicate with an image forming device, and includes a storage unit for storing basic information of the information processing device; an information acquisition unit for acquiring function information from the image forming device; a function detection unit for detecting a function of the image forming device from the function information; and a storage controller which determines whether function data of the detected function is included in the basic information, and modifies the basic information according to the determination results. When the function data of the detected function is not included in the basic information, the storage controller stores the function data in the storage unit. |
| US08154736B2 |
Image forming apparatus, tray ID allocating method thereof, computer program product, and recording medium
An image forming apparatus has at least one tray for feeding or discharging a sheet, and includes an input tray ID holding unit which holds an input tray ID that is optionally input so as to identify the tray, an initial tray ID holding unit which holds an initial tray ID set beforehand so as to identify the tray, a tray ID comparing unit which compares the input tray ID and the initial tray ID, and a tray ID allocating unit which allocates a new tray ID to the tray to which the initial tray ID is allocated, when the input tray ID and the initial tray ID are found overlapped as a result of the comparison by the tray ID comparing unit. |
| US08154735B2 |
Apparatus for measuring quasi-static error of rotation driving shaft
In an apparatus for measuring a quasi-static error of a rotation driving shaft, a positional error and an angular error in each of X, Y, and Z axis directions during rotation of a driving shaft is measured by means of a single measurement apparatus. In the apparatus, a first splitter, a second splitter, and a reflector spectrally output or reflect a laser beam, which is output from a laser driving device, to a first position sensor and a second position sensor, so that it is possible to obtain every error information on positional errors and angular errors in X, Y, and Z axis directions of a rotation driving shaft through input position change data of the inputted laser beam. |
| US08154734B2 |
Optical interferometric sensor
Embodiments of environmental stimulus sensors comprising multiple sources and detectors for interrogating one or more optically resonant cavities that are responsive to one or more environmental stimuli are disclosed. Such sensors have, among other advantages, improved immunity to source and/or detector noise. |
| US08154732B2 |
Multiband spatial heterodyne spectrometer and associated methods
A multiband spatial heterodyne spectrometer for determining spectra in first and second wavelength bands has a beam splitter configured to split incident light and to direct the incident light upon a first and a second diffraction grating. The gratings are configured for Littrow reflection of incident light of the first wavelength band at a first order and Littrow reflection of incident light of the second wavelength band at a second order. Light reflected by the first and the second diffraction grating forms diffraction patterns that are imaged by an electronic camera. A dispersive device such as a prism or diffraction grating separates the imaged interference patterns onto separate rows of pixel sensors corresponding to the wavelength bands. A processing device receives information from the detector and computes spectra therefrom. In embodiments, the spectrometer is configured to compute hyperspectral images of a target. |
| US08154731B2 |
Method and a system for the assessment of samples
The present invention offers an alternative strategy for the correlation of interference information to chemical and/or physical properties of a sample. This strategy can be implemented in a method and a system, which offer substantial technical and commercial advantages over state of the art techniques based on interference spectroscopy. The invention further provides a method for standardizing an interferometer, as well as a method and a system using the standardized interferometer. |
| US08154730B2 |
Arc flash detection method
An arc flash detection method includes transmitting light via an optical fiber to a sensor and transmitting light from the sensor that includes components representative of acoustic waves and light for filtering and processing to detect an occurrence of an arc flash. |
| US08154729B2 |
Near field detector for integrated surface plasmon resonance biosensor applications
A near-field surface plasmon detector is provided. The near-field surface plasmon detector includes one or more semiconductor layers that absorb one or more surface plasmons of thin metal films in the vicinity of the semiconductor layer. The surface plasmons are excited by incoming light being emitted from a light emitting source. The metal films are also employed as electrical contacts used to capture photocurrent generated after absorption of surface plasmons by the semiconductor layers. |
| US08154724B2 |
Two-dimensional optical imaging methods and systems for particle detection
The present invention provides methods and systems for particle detection and analysis using two-dimensional optical imaging to access enhanced detection sensitivity and expanded sensing functionality relative to conventional point and array detection-based optical particle counters. Methods and systems of the present invention provide a two-dimensional optical imaging-based particle sensing platform wherein system components and specifications are selected to generate reproducible and readily identifiable signals, including particle detection signatures, from optical scattering or emission from particles provided to the system. Systems and methods of the present invention are capable of accurately and sensitively detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., determining the size of) particles in liquid phase or gas phase samples. |
| US08154723B2 |
Method and systems for particle characterization using optical sensor output signal fluctuation
Methods and systems for particle characterization using a light fluctuation component of an optical sensor output signal. The use of the light fluctuation component enables particle characterization (e.g. provision of information on particle size, type and confidence) without requiring measurements at multiple wavelengths or multiple angles and using relatively lightweight calculations. The methods and systems allow integration of real-time airborne particle characterization into portable monitors. The methods and systems in some embodiments also use the output signal to further characterize particles through determination of particle density information. |
| US08154722B2 |
Sensor element structure, sensor element array, and manufacturing method of sensor element array
Even when only a few antigens exist in a specimen, a change in a dielectric constant and a change in an optical spectrum accompanied thereto in the periphery of a conductive member are made larger, so that sensing at high sensitivity can be performed. A structure including a protrusion including a dielectric material protruded on a substrate and a conductive member provided on a first surface of the protrusion, in which the maximum value of the cross-sectional area in the cross-section in parallel with a first surface of the conductive member is larger than the area of the first surface. |
| US08154720B2 |
Calibration of a spatial light modulator
A method for calibrating a spatial light modulator comprising an array of channels includes selecting a plurality of channel sets; operating each of the channel sets to provide corresponding output radiation; providing a detector for measuring the output radiation; determining a plurality of intensity values, each representing an intensity of the output radiation provided by a different one of the channel sets; providing a correction factor for each of the channels sets, wherein each correction factor remains constant during a subsequent recalibration of the spatial light modulator; modifying each determined intensity value in accordance with a corresponding one of the correction factors; determining a difference between one of the modified intensity values and a target intensity value; and reducing the determined difference by adjusting a control level of at least one channel in the channel set corresponding to the one of the modified intensity values. |
| US08154718B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting micro-structured devices on a semiconductor substrate
Previously used examination devices and methods mostly operate with reflected visible or UV light to analyze microstructured samples of a wafer (38), for example. The aim of the invention is to increase the possible uses of said devices, i.e. particularly in order to represent structural details, e.g. of wafers that are structured on both sides, which are not visible in VIS or UV because coatings or intermediate materials are not transparent. Said aim is achieved by using IR light as reflected light while creating transillumination (52) which significantly improves contrast in the IR image, among other things, thus allowing the sample to be simultaneously represented in reflected or transmitted IR light and in reflected visible light. |
| US08154717B2 |
Optical apparatus for defect inspection
An optical apparatus for defect inspection having an illuminating optical system for irradiating illumination light beams on the surface of a specimen to form a beam spot and a detection optical system for detecting a reflection light ray originating from the beam spot comprises a storage unit in which the position and size of a standard particle of known size on a specimen for correction are stored in advance, a correction processing section which, when the correction specimen is used as an inspection target, correlates a detected scattering light quantity from the standard particle with the known size of standard particle stored at a corresponding position in the storage unit to prepare a correlation between the scattering light quantity and a true value, and a signal processing section which, when an inspection wafer is used as an inspection target, converts a detected scattering light quantity into a defect dimension. |
| US08154715B2 |
Method for monitoring and measuring optical properties of device in polarization maintaining fibers by using reference fiber bragg grating and fiber components manufactured thereby
A method for measuring and monitoring the state of polarization (SOP) of a polarization maintaining (PM) fiber using a narrowband fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written on the same is provided. The PM fiber comprises a first narrowband reference FBG which is used as a reference to measure and monitor the SOP of the PM fiber. Due to the birefringence properties of the PM fiber, the reference FBG typically reflects two narrowband spectra, each having a central wavelength; one in the slow axis and one in the fast axis. By measuring the intensity of the reflected spectra in each axis and by tuning the fiber with a polarization controller, it is possible to adjust the fiber to a predetermined SOP. Accurate measures of optical properties (e.g. reflectivity) of optical devices (e.g. a FBG grating), according to the predetermined SOP, are possible. |
| US08154714B2 |
Gas analyzer
Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components. |
| US08154713B2 |
Methods of determination of iron deficiency and hemochromatosis
New diagnostic parameters or indexes for detection of absolute iron deficiency, latent iron deficiency, functional iron deficiency, or latent functional iron deficiency have been disclosed. The parameters include a RBC size factor, RSf1 defined by the formula of (MCV×MRV)1/2, or RSf2 defined by the formula of (MCV×MRV)/100, a volume-hemoglobin factor (VHf) defined by the formula of (MCV×Hgb)/100, and a volume-hemoglobin/distribution factor (VHDWf) defined by the formula of (MCV×Hgb)/(RDW×10). Further disclosed are the methods of using these parameters for detection of absolute iron deficiency, latent iron deficiency, functional iron deficiency, or latent functional iron deficiency. Also disclosed is a method of using RSf for detection of hemochromatosis. |
| US08154711B1 |
Spray diagnostic and control method and system
The purpose of the invention is to ensure high-quality coatings of medical implants using a new data evaluation and process control approach. Information on spray errors, such as areas with high and low droplet distribution, can be easily and reproducibly obtained by analyzing the axial and/or longitudinal cross-section of the spray using the apparatus and method of the present invention. |
| US08154710B2 |
Lithography process window analyzing method and analyzing program
A lithography process window analyzing method for setting a process window based on ranges of exposure amounts and focus positions, and giving evaluation of reliability of the set process window, includes setting, based on a plurality of process conditions including exposure amounts and focus positions in the performed exposure processing, analysis reliability M for process conditions including an arbitrary exposure amount and an arbitrary focus position; calculating reliability R of the process window based on the analysis reliability M concerning the process conditions included in the process window; and comparing a magnitude relation between the reliability R and a predetermined threshold and determining presence or absence of reliability of the process window according to a result of the comparison. |
| US08154705B2 |
Method of defining patterns in small pitch and corresponding exposure system
A method of defining patterns in a small pitch is described. A substrate having a target layer thereon is provided, and two laterally separate reflective structures with two opposite sidewalls are formed over the target layer. A photoresist layer is formed over the target layer between the two opposite sidewalls. An exposure step is performed allowing light to be reflected by the two opposite sidewalls in the lateral direction, wherein the two opposite sidewalls are spaced by a distance to cause the reflected light to produce a periodical intensity distribution in the photoresist layer in the lateral direction. |
| US08154697B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving same
There is disclosed a lightweight and small liquid crystal display which achieves low power consumption and in which the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal material is compensated for in order to enhance the viewing angle characteristics and the response speed of the liquid crystal material. Display electrodes and a common electrode are formed on one of the substrates. The orientation of the liquid crystal material is of the HAN (hybrid alignment nematic) type. This compensates for the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal material and improves the response speed. |
| US08154693B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method for same
An object of the present invention is to increase the dichroic ratio of the built-in polarizing layer in reflective regions so that the display performance improves in a semi-transmission type liquid crystal display device having a transmissive display portion and a reflective display portion. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having first and second substrates which face each other with a liquid crystal layer in between, where a transmissive region and a reflective region are formed in each pixel on the above described first substrate, as well as: a reflective layer formed in the above described reflective region on the above described first substrate; a polarizing layer formed on the above described first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side of the above described reflective layer from chromonic liquid crystal molecules; a pixel electrode formed on the above described first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side of the above described reflective layer and electrically connected to a source electrode of a thin film transistor; and a protective layer formed in the reflective region between the above described polarizing layer and the above described pixel electrode which makes contact with the above described polarizing layer. |
| US08154686B2 |
Directional backlight, a multiple view display and a multi-direction display
A directional backlight, a multiple view display and a multi-direction display A multiple view display (18) comprises a directional display device (19) for displaying a first image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a first range of directions relative to the device and for simultaneously displaying a second image or sequence of images so as to be mainly visible from a second range of directions relative to the device different from the first range. The display (18) further comprises a directional backlight (20) for directing light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges. Since the directional backlight (20) directs light through the display device (19) at least mainly in the first and second ranges, the display provides users located in the first and second ranges with images of greater intensity than a conventional display. The backlight may be arranged to direct substantially no light in at least part of a third range of directions that lies between the first range of directions and the second range of directions. This provides a ‘black window’ between the first and second ranges in which the intensity of the display is lower than in other ranges. The intensity of the display in the black window is possibly zero, or close to zero, so that an observer located in this window will not perceive an image. |
| US08154676B2 |
Active matrix liquid crystal display device
An conductive coating serves as a light shield film and is kept at a give voltage. A metal interconnection is located in the same layer as a source line and connected to the drain of a thin-film transistor. An interlayer insulating film is constituted of at least lower and upper insulating layers and formed between the conductive coating and the source line. According to one aspect of the invention, an auxiliary capacitor is formed by the metal interconnection and the conductive coating serving as both electrodes and at least the lower insulating layer film serving as a dielectric. The auxiliary capacitor is formed in a region of the interlayer insulating film in which the upper insulating layer has been removed by etching. According to another aspect of the invention, the conductive coating has a portion that is in contact with the lower insulating layer in a region where the conductive coating coextends with the metal interconnection. |
| US08154674B2 |
Liquid crystal display, array substrate and mother glass thereof
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal display comprising the array substrate, and a mother glass from which the array substrate is cut off, are provided. The array substrate comprises a plurality of scan lines; a plurality of data lines crossing with the plurality of scan lines; and a common electrode bus, wherein each of the array substrate further comprises a shorting bar which transmits the same signal as a signal that the common electrode bus transmits during operation of the corresponding liquid crystal display. The invention both improves the utilization of a mother glass and allows testing the data lines and/or scan lines with shorting bars. |
| US08154666B2 |
Spectrum sensing function for cognitive radio applications
A method and system are disclosed to detect a broad class of signals including Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) digital television (DTV) and wireless microphone signals. This signal detection method performs in Gaussian noise, employing Higher Order Statistics (HOS). Signals are processed in time and frequency domains as well as by real and imaginary components. The spectrum sensing employed also supports Denial of Service (DoS) signal classification. The method can include parameters that may be tailored to adjust the probability of detection and false alarm. |
| US08154663B2 |
System and method for adaptive contrast enhancement of video signals
A method for contrast enhancement of a video signal comprises receiving a video signal frame, gathering statistics about the video signal frame, calculating the effective input dynamic range of the video signal frame, calculating the effective output dynamic range of the video signal frame, and constructing a transform to enhance the picture in the video signal frame by mapping the effective input dynamic range to the effective output dynamic range via the transform. |
| US08154660B2 |
Image displaying method and display using the same
A method of controlling a display device selectively displaying one of a first signal received from a first signal source and a second signal received from a second signal source is provided. The method includes the steps of: displaying the second signal; detecting whether the first signal is received; and displaying the first signal when the first signal is received by the display device. |
| US08154659B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
To perform operation check self-diagnosis of a digital terrestrial television broadcasting reception function of a multifunctional mobile communication terminal in any place without requiring addition of a special additional circuit component, or the like. When performing operation check self-diagnosis of a DTV reception unit 4, a first transmission signal of a GSM transmission/reception circuit 2 and a second transmission signal of a WLAN communication unit 3 are mixed using the non-linear characteristic of the LNA 41 of the DTV reception unit 4 while using transmission outputs of the GSM transmission/reception circuit 2 and WLAN communication unit 3. Due to the mixture, a difference signal having a frequency that is the difference between both the transmission signals in the reception frequency band of the DTV reception unit 4 is generated. On the basis of the difference signal, operation check self-diagnosis of the DTV reception unit 4 is performed. |
| US08154650B2 |
Electronic device having a camera flash redirector
An electronic camera device has an imaging sensor to capture an image of a scene, a flash to illuminate the scene for capture by the sensor, and an evaluator to detect a condition in the scene. A redirector shifts the peak of a spatial energy profile of light from the flash. The peak is shifted from being aimed at one region in the scene to being aimed at another region in the scene, in response to the evaluator having detected the condition in the scene. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08154649B2 |
Optical unit and image pickup apparatus utilizing electrostrictive drive elements
An optical unit is provided which is characterized by compact configuration, high performance and minimized noise, and which has a drive element to drive a lens cone holding an image pickup optical system, and has the same outside diameter as the lens cone, wherein the optical unit drives the image pickup optical system by expanding and contracting the drive element in a direction of an optical axis of the image pickup optical system. An image pickup apparatus is provided which is characterized by compact configuration, high performance and minimized noise, and which has an optical unit coupled to an image pickup unit through a drive element, and has the same outside diameter as the optical unit, wherein the apparatus drives the optical unit by expanding and contracting the drive unit in a direction of an optical axis of the optical unit. |
| US08154641B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device and radiation image pickup device
A solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a plurality of switching elements. The photoelectric conversion element is formed above at least one switching element, and a shielding electrode layer is disposed between the switching elements and the photoelectric conversion elements. Further, a radiation image pickup device according to the present invention has a radiation conversion layer for directly converting radiation into electric charges, and a plurality of switching elements, and has the radiation conversion layer formed above one or more switching elements, and a shielding electrode layer disposed between the switching elements and the radiation conversion layer. |
| US08154640B2 |
Sub-pixels, unit pixels, image sensors and methods of operating the same
An image sensor includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in an array. Each unit pixel includes a plurality of sub-pixels configured to be irradiated by light having the same wavelength. Each sub-pixel includes a plurality of floating body transistors. Each floating body transistor includes a source region, a drain region, a floating body region between the source region and the drain region, and a gate electrode formed on the floating body region. |
| US08154639B2 |
Solid state imaging apparatus and method of driving the same
In a solid-state imaging apparatus, during a horizontal scanning period, a pixel signal is written in a first holding unit, while a horizontal scanning circuit outputs, to the horizontal common output line, the other pixel signal held by a second holding unit. And, a transition time of an edge of a sampling pulse during the horizontal scanning period is set longer than a transition time of an edge of the sampling pulse during a time period other than the horizontal scanning period. |
| US08154632B2 |
Detection of defective pixels in an image sensor
A system and method for detecting defective pixels in a sensor. A plurality of pixel values of the sensor may be detected. The values may include those of a first pixel and each nearest neighboring pixel to the first pixel. A second pixel may have the highest value of the neighboring pixels. A third pixel may have the next highest value of the neighboring pixels. A first function may be performed on the second pixel value, producing a first output value. A second function may be performed on the third pixel value, producing a second output value. If the first pixel value is higher than the first output value, or, if the first pixel value is higher than the second output value and the second pixel value is higher than the second output value, it may be determined that the first pixel is defective. |
| US08154630B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable storage medium which stores image processing program
An image processing apparatus includes a noise reduction unit which performs noise reduction processing to image signals, a first noise presumption unit which presumes a first noise amount from a present image signal among the image signals, and a second noise presumption unit which presumes a second noise amount based on the first noise amount, the present image signal, and the image signal of the past which underwent the noise reduction processing. The noise reduction unit performs the noise reduction processing to the present image signal based on the second noise amount. |
| US08154628B2 |
Image processing apparatus and imaging apparatus and method
An image processing apparatus (5) that corrects an input image signal (Xin) pixel by pixel to generate a corrected image signal (Xout), having a filtering means (2) that determines a luminance distribution of a pixel to be corrected and pixels neighboring the pixel to be corrected, a correction gain calculation means (3) that determines the correction gain of the pixel to be corrected, and an operation means (4) that uses the correction gain determined by the correction gain calculation means to perform an operation on the input image signal pixel by pixel. With this simple configuration, the dynamic range of the input image can be appropriately improved. |
| US08154627B2 |
Imaging device
To improve sensitivity by adding pixels, and improve precision of pixel interpolation in an imaging device.An imaging device is provided in which pixels are added along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to improve sensitivity of an imaging element. An R pixel signal, a G pixel signal, and a B pixel signal in which pixels are added, for example, along the vertical direction are output from a CCD (12). A CFA interpolation unit (24) interpolates the G pixel signal using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction. The CFA interpolation unit (24) also interpolates the R pixel signal and the B pixel signal along the horizontal direction using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction and interpolates along the vertical direction using correlation of the interpolated G pixel. |
| US08154625B2 |
Camera with multiple viewfinders
A novel method and apparatus for controlling the display of a portable electronic device having a user input device and a camera function; the portable electronic device including a photosensor chip having a sensor array of a predetermined number of rows and columns of pixels for converting radiant energy into electronic signals representing an image for display via a viewfinder. The method comprises selecting via the user input a zoom level and viewfinder resolution for the camera application, and in the event the zoom level is 1× then scaling the predetermined number of rows and columns of pixels to the selected viewfinder resolution and generating an image corresponding thereto; and in the event the zoom level is greater than 1× then cropping a region of interest of the predetermined number of rows and columns of pixels in accordance with the zoom level and then scaling the cropped region of interest in accordance with the viewfinder resolution and generating an image corresponding thereto. |
| US08154622B2 |
Content recording apparatus in which attribute information is suppressed according to operation mode
A content recording apparatus (10) includes an image sensor (12). When a shutter operation is performed, an image imaged by the image sensor is captured in an SDRAM (26), and the captured image is recorded in a memory card (28). The recorded image is transmitted to a recorder (40) being host equipment through a USB controller (30) when a USB transfer mode is selected, and an imaging transfer mode as a subordinate mode is turned off. That is, the CPU prohibits a capturing operation, and registers all the attribute information of the recorded image in a management table (26t), and the recorder performs an image acquiring operation referring to the management table. When the imaging transfer mode is turned on, the CPU skips registration of all the attribute information to allow a capturing operation. When the image is captured, the CPU registers only the attribute information of the image in the management table and sends an image acquiring request to the recorder. |
| US08154621B2 |
Photographing apparatus and photographing method
An image of a subject is focused on an image pickup device through a zoom lens and a diaphragm. The image focused on the image pickup device is photoelectrically converted into an electric signal. The electric signal as a picture signal is supplied to an amplifying circuit. The amplifying circuit amplifies the supplied picture signal. The amplified picture signal is digitized by an A/D converter. The digitized picture signal is supplied to a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit performs a clamping process, a color signal process, a luminance signal process, and other processes such as contour compensation, defect compensation, and white balance compensation. A camera CPU controls the zoom lens through a lens driving circuit, controls the image pickup device through a timing generating circuit, and controls an auxiliary lighting portion 7. A signal received from an operating portion is supplied to the camera CPU. |
| US08154613B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and method for reducing jaggedness on color image edge and image sensing apparatus having same
In a signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal, a hue difference between adjoining pixels is detected by a color image edge detector, and an aperture control main gain circuit amplifies a luminance signal using a gain determined on the basis of the hue difference detected by the color image edge detector to enhance an edge pixel of an image. |
| US08154608B2 |
Digital camera security
An image capture device, includes a body; an image sensor in the body; a lens configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor; a communications interface in the body; an image processor coupled to receive device information from an external device; a controller coupled to the communications interface and configured to control operations of the digital camera; and executable code embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to cause the controller to configure operational parameters of the digital camera based on information received from the external device. Examples of operational parameters that can be configured include locking and unlocking of the image capture device, encryption or other encoding of captured images, and device settings and configuration. |
| US08154606B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and reproduction control apparatus
Image pickup means is capable of picking up an image at a first frame rate and a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate. A highlight scene is detected by detection means. When detecting the highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a high speed mode and an image signal at high frame rate (240 fps) is produced for a period of predetermined time. When detecting no highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a normal mode and an image signal at normal frame rate (60 fps) is produced. It is possible to save time and labor for performing a switchover operation of a frame rate when imaging a highlight scene. It is also possible to save power consumption and a capacity of a storage medium. |
| US08154600B2 |
Method and system for distributed multiple target tracking
A method and system for distributed tracking of multiple targets is disclosed. Multiple targets to be tracked by a plurality of trackers are detected in a frame. The motion state variable of each of the plurality of trackers is calculated in the E-step of a variational Expectation-Maximization algorithm. Further, the data association variable of each of the plurality of trackers is calculated in the M-step of the algorithm. Depending on the motion state variable and the data association variable, the multiple targets are tracked. |
| US08154599B2 |
Imaging region adjustment device
An imaging region adjustment device includes plural camera terminals, capable of imaging an entire imaging target without blinds spots. Each of the camera terminals includes a camera which images a virtual imaging region obtained while changing the position of an imaging region within a specific region in a specific period of time and an adjusting unit B which adjusts the position of the virtual imaging region by controlling the camera. The adjusting unit B adjusts the position and aspect ratio of the virtual imaging region of one's own camera terminal so that a combined region of the virtual imaging regions of the camera terminals completely covers a specific imaging target region, based on the virtual imaging region of one's own camera terminal and virtual imaging regions of the other camera terminals, and when the virtual imaging regions A of N other camera terminals are contained in the virtual imaging region of one's own camera terminal, divides the virtual imaging region of one's own camera terminal into N+1 regions. |
| US08154598B2 |
Multipurpose unattended ground sensor node with relay capability
An unattended sensor is provided for use in a surveillance system. The sensor is generally comprised of: a detector; a signal processor; a radio transceiver; a power source; and a controller which configures the sensor in either a sensor mode or a relay mode. When configured in the sensor mode, the detector and signal processor are operational and the transceiver is non-operational. When configured in the relay mode, the transceiver is operational but the detector and signal processor are non-operational. In an alternative approach, the detector and the signal process may remain operational in the relay mode. |
| US08154594B2 |
Mobile peripheral monitor
A standard camera picks up a standard image, and a reference camera picks up a reference image. A flat area is extracted from the standard image and the reference image. An edge image is created by extracting the edges and feature points from the standard image and then a corrected edge image is created by removing the flat area. Object detection processing is carried out on the edges and feature points of the corrected edge image with reference to the reference image. |
| US08154593B2 |
Appearance inspection device
An appearance inspection device, which inspects an appearance of test objects, includes a first and second conveying means 21 and 22a conveying the test objects, a back/front reversal means 23 turning over the front and back surfaces of the test objects being conveyed by the first conveying means 21 and supplying the test objects to the second conveying means 22a, and a plurality of image-pickup means 30b and 30c capturing images of each test object from upper oblique directions while the test objects are conveyed by the first and second conveying means 21 and 22a. The appearance inspection device also includes a defect detection means detecting the presence of defects in the test objects based on image data captured by the image-pickup means 30b and 30c. This appearance inspection device makes it possible to reliably and readily inspect an entire appearance of the test objects. |
| US08154590B2 |
Method for observation of a person in an industrial environment
A method for observing a person in an industrial environment using a multicamera system to acquire image data about the position and alignment of a person, including a person's body parts. These image data are then examined with regard to the imaging of a person so that whenever a person has been detected in the image data, an articulated virtual 3D model of the human body is matched to this person hypothesis. Subsequently, this virtual body model is continuously matched to the movement behavior of the person detected in the image data. A hazard potential is determined using knowledge of the position and the movement behavior of the virtual body model in space. The hazard potential thus determined is subjected to a threshold value comparison in order to act upon the movement control of the machine or the machine part in the event of this threshold value being exceeded. |
| US08154588B2 |
Participant audio enhancement system
A system of microphones, signal processors, and loudspeakers provides enhanced comprehension of speech in noisy social events where the locations of participants are relatively constrained. Speech enhancement comprises both boosting sounds moderately at higher frequencies and delaying them to match the arrival of sounds directly from speakers. Virtual loudspeakers create the illusion for each listener that the boosted sounds come from the vicinity of each talker. Video cameras determine the head positions and facing directions of participants. Subgroups of participants having at least temporary conversational affinities can be identified. Such subgroups may overlap and change. Speech from talking participants is picked up by directional microphones and filtered, sorted, and relayed selectively via loudspeakers to listening participants identified as subgroup members, reinforcing and enhancing the naturally heard speech. More weight can be given to enhancing speech between affined participants. Either conventional or parametric loudspeakers may be used. |
| US08154586B2 |
Projection system and method of curved film
The invention involves a sort of curved film projection system, including a rendering surface, a projection screen, a real scene rendering model of image system, a rendering model of projection system that renders the projection the image rendered by the rendering model of image system on the rendering surface, and projecting devices that projects the image finally rendered by the rendering model of projection system onto the projection screen through optical lens. The viewing direction and angle from observer's eyes to the rendering surface is consistent with that to the projection screen. The image system rendering model can be reversible on optical path with the projection system rendering model. The curved film projection system not only reduces the rendering cost, but also produces lifelike experience for audience. |
| US08154583B2 |
Eye gazing imaging for video communications
Video communication systems and methods for communicating between an individual in a local environment, and a remote viewer in a remote environment are provided. The system has an image display device; at least one image capture device which acquires video images for fields of view of a local environment, and any individuals therein; an audio system having an audio emission device and an audio capture device; a computer, which includes a contextual interface having a gaze adapting process, and image processor; and a communication controller which transmits and receives video images of the local environment and the remote environment, and data regarding video scene characteristics thereof across a network between the local environment and the remote environment; wherein the gaze adapting process identifies video scene characteristics of the local environment indicative of eye gaze image capture and altering the video images when the characteristics are indicative. |
| US08154576B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method and computer readable memory storing a control program therefor
An image forming apparatus which performs exposure for “n” lines in one scan by scanning “n” light rays from “n” light sources in a main scanning direction of an image carrier, where “n” is an integer greater than 1, including: a laser driving section; and a control section which, corresponding to density unevenness generated in an adjoining section of a nth exposure in a Nth scan and a first exposure in a N+1th scan, determines a correction value of exposure amount to resolve the density unevenness for the nth exposure amount in the Nth scan and the first exposure amount in the N+1th scan, along with that, determines a correction value of each exposure amount for the “n” lines, based on the correction values of the first and nth exposure amount. |
| US08154571B2 |
Thermal recording material containing tris(2-Methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane
A thermal recording material of the invention contains, as a storability improver, tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane trapping and containing water and/or methanol and having a crystal structure that shows a maximum X-ray diffraction peak at a diffraction angle 2θ of 6.58° according to X-ray diffraction measurement using an X ray having a wavelength of a Cu—Kα line. The recording material has improved heat resistance in non-printing sections while maintaining the moisture-and-heat resistance in printing sections. The thermal recording material of the invention has a thermal-recording layer that contains the tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane in an amount of preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass with respect to the thermal-recording layer. The amount of the water and/or methanol trapped and contained in the tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass in total. |
| US08154568B2 |
Color filter
A color filter includes a transparent base board and a pixel portion formed on the base board. The pixel portion includes a plurality of pixels and each pixel includes eight sub-pixels in at least four different colors. Light passing through each pixel is colored to be in a color formed by mixed light emitting from the eight sub-pixels and changed by changing the luminance of light respectively passing through the sub-pixels, and light passing through the plurality of pixels cooperatively form colored images. |
| US08154562B2 |
Method and arrangement for improving the grayscale resolution of a monochrome monitor
A method and an arrangement for improving the digital-signal-generated grayscale resolution of a monochrome visual display unit (3) to which the digital signals from an image source (1) can be supplied over n-bit wide RGB channels (2). Measures are proposed that make it possible to display distinguishable grayscale gradations on the visual display unit (3) regardless of whether a grayscale signal (6; 10) or RGB color signals (12, 13, 14) are transmitted to the visual display unit (3). |
| US08154559B2 |
Mapping method along anchored mapping trajectories with improved uniformity
In the different mapping planes, described by plane coordinates, of the color space in which colors to map are represented, a uniformity testing curve can be found that intersects all mapping trajectories of this mapping plane and, at any intersection of a mapping trajectory with said uniformity testing curve, the gradients calculated in said plane coordinates of the intersecting mapping lines and the first derivation along this uniformity testing of these gradients are continuous.Thank to the invention, colors are better preserved after mapping, even if there are different mapping methods in the same mapping plane. |
| US08154557B2 |
Flat-panel display device
According to an embodiment of the invention, even if a sample-and-hold circuit samples a signal from a signal processor to a display unit, an image quality reduction is hard to occur. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a flat-panel display device includes a phase control circuit setting a state that a first parallel arrangement RGB pixel signal shifts by 120 degrees, a sample-and-hold circuit sampling a second parallel arrangement RGB pixel signal parallel-output from the phase control circuit to obtain a series arrangement RGB pixel signal, which is three times as much as a single pixel signal, and a driver supplying the series arrangement RGB pixel signal to the corresponding display pixel. |
| US08154551B2 |
Coordination operation method and communication terminal
When a character input is necessary during an execution of an engine application 39k in an engine section, a character input processing request section 65 of the engine section issues a character input processing request FRQ depending on a request from the engine application 39k. After receiving the character input processing request, a character input processing section 61 of a host section carries out a character input processing, and notifies a character input processing result to the engine section. In the engine section which has received the character input processing result, characters according to the character input processing result are displayed by using character font data in the engine section. As a result, it is possible to make an apparatus structure compact, as well as to improve a convenience for a user. |
| US08154550B2 |
Waveform display device and waveform display method
The invention aims to implement a waveform display device capable of visibly displaying a comparison waveform in an arbitrary range and a waveform display method. The waveform display device for executing waveform display of waveform data on a display section comprises an input section for inputting at least two data ranges of the waveform data, and comparison waveform display means for executing waveform display of the waveform data while overlaid on one another on the display section based on at least two data ranges inputted by the input section. |
| US08154547B2 |
Method and system for early Z test in title-based three-dimensional rendering
A method and system for an early Z test in a tile-based three-dimensional rendering is provided. In the method and system for an early Z test, a portion which is not displayed to a user is removed prior to performing a rasterization process, and thereby performing the 3D rendering efficiently. The method includes segmenting a scene into tiles for performing a rendering with respect to a triangle; selecting a first tile of the tiles, which has a tile Z value less than a minimum Z value of the triangle; and performing the rendering with respect to the triangle in remaining tiles excluding the selected first tile of the tiles. |
| US08154542B2 |
Plasma display device and plasma-display-panel driving method
In a plasma-display-panel driving method, a field period is divided into a plurality of sub fields, each of which has an address period for allowing discharge cells to selectively generate an address discharge and a sustain period for allowing the discharge cells having generated the address discharge to generate a sustain discharge by a number of times corresponding to a brightness weight. In the sustain period, a period for setting display electrode pairs to the base potential is disposed between the sustain pulse for causing the final sustain discharge in the sustain period and the previous sustain pulse. In a time interval corresponding to the lighting ratio of the discharge cells in the sub field after applying to the display electrode pairs a voltage for generating the final sustain discharge, a voltage for reducing the potential difference between electrodes of the display electrode pairs is applied to the display electrode pairs. Accordingly, it is possible to generate a stable address discharge and thus to reduce a crosstalk without increasing the voltage for generating the address discharge. |
| US08154531B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel having high durability is provided. Either one or both of a display device and a flexible panel have island-shaped protective bodies formed on surfaces of electrode layers (upper electrode layer, lower electrode layer), and a transparent conductive film is exposed between the protective bodies. Since the protective bodies protrude highly from the surface of the transparent conductive film, when the flexible panel is pressed and the upper electrode and the lower electrode layer are brought into contact, a load to be applied to the transparent conductive film is reduced by the protective bodies, so that the transparent conductive film is not broken. |
| US08154530B2 |
Light transmissable touch panel
A touch panel includes a transparent substrate having a surface, a plurality of first touch sensor pads arrayed in a matrix on the surface, a plurality of second touch sensor pads arrayed in a matrix and staggered between the plurality of first touch sensor pads, a dielectric layer disposed upon the plurality of first touch sensor pads and the plurality of second touch sensor pads, a plurality of third touch sensor pads arrayed in a matrix on the dielectric layer, and a plurality of fourth touch sensor pads arrayed in a matrix on the dielectric layer and staggered between the plurality of third touch sensor pads. Each first touch sensor pad includes a first hollowed-out pattern, and each third touch sensor pad includes a second hollowed-out pattern and a solid portion formed around the second hollowed-out pattern, wherein a portion of the solid portion of each third touch sensor pad and a portion of the hollowed-out pattern of the first touch sensor pad overlap. |
| US08154526B2 |
Touch screen display device and application thereof
A touch screen display device is provided. The touch screen display device includes a touch screen, a sensor, a control element and a sensitivity-setting element. The sensor is configured to detect if the touch screen display device is being inserted in a connection chamber. The control element is electrically connected with the sensor and is configured to generate a control signal according to an insertion status of the touch screen display device. The sensitivity-setting element is configured to set the touch screen to a first sensitivity or a second sensitivity according to the control signal. The touch screen with the first sensitivity is more sensitive than with the second sensitivity. A method for setting sensitivity of a touch screen is also provided. |
| US08154517B2 |
Multifunction display and operating device in a motor vehicle
A multifunctional display and operating device in a motor vehicle includes a display field for displaying information, and, situated adjacent to the display field, includes operating elements for selecting functions, the operating elements arranged as keys which are each pivotable about a rotational axis extending in, or at an end region of the keys parallel to a surface of the display field. |
| US08154516B2 |
Multi-function wheel mouse with two scroll wheels
A wheel mouse includes a first scroll wheel, a second scroll wheel, a first encoder, a second encoder and a control unit. The first encoder generates a first rotation signal according to the rotating condition of the first scroll wheel. The second encoder generates a second rotation signal according to the rotating condition of the second scroll wheel. The control unit is electrically connected to the first encoder and the second encoder for executing a corresponding function in response to the first rotation signal and the second rotation signal. The control unit executes a first function when only the first rotation signal is generated. The control unit executes a second function when only the second rotation signal is generated. The control unit executes a third function when the first rotation signal and the second rotation signal are simultaneously generated. |
| US08154512B2 |
Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in resistive interface devices
Products and processes for providing haptic feedback in a user interface are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of an apparatus comprises a first element comprising a first surface, a second element comprising a second surface, and an actuator configured vary a force between the first and second surfaces. In one embodiment, the second element may be configured to be displaced relative to first element in a degree of freedom. In another embodiment, at least one of the first surface and the second surface may comprise a thermoplastic polymer. |
| US08154510B2 |
Method for constituting identification code utilized in a wireless human input device and wireless human input system thereof
A method for constituting identification code utilized in a wireless human input device includes the following steps. Step A is to save a predetermined identification code in a non-electrical memory of a wireless human receiving device. Step B is that the wireless human transmitting device sends a packet contained an identification code with the same value as the predetermined identification code to the wireless human receiving device during the wireless human transmitting device being first time set up. The identification code is automatically generated by micro controller of the wireless human transmitting device. Step C is that the wireless human receiving device receives the packet in step B. Step D is that the computer detects if the wireless human receiving device in step C can receive normally via executing program codes and the computer reads the memory of the wireless human receiving device via executing the program codes in case of normal receiving being detected, and then the computer compares the predetermined identification code to the read data and outputs a message of the wireless human input device being normally operated if a result is true after comparison. |
| US08154508B2 |
Repeated-scan driving method for field sequential color liquid crystal display
The present invention discloses a REPEATED-SCAN driving method, which applies to a field sequential color liquid crystal display, wherein each sequential-color cycle of the multiplex-scan signal has at least two stages of scans to increase the luminous fluxes of all colors of backlights and bring closer the total amounts of fluxes, whereby is achieved higher color saturation and better flux uniformity between the rows. Further, the method of the present invention controls the backlights to form dark stages between the intervals respectively of two different colors of the backlights and controls the dark stage to coincide with a color-mixing interval, which is caused by response delay of liquid crystal, to prevent from color distortion caused by color mixing. Therefore, the present invention can generate the pure colors and the designed derived colors accurately. |
| US08154507B2 |
Back light system and liquid crystal display device using the back light system
A back light system and a liquid crystal display device, which can reduce the power consumption substantially, are provided. The power consumption can be substantially reduced by providing a plurality of light-emitting dividing parts to which area division of the light emitting surface which illuminates with light towards a liquid crystal panel is performed, and controlling the luminescent brightness in the light-emitting dividing parts according to the corresponding display image of a display area in the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08154505B2 |
Backlight module having a chambered circuit board
The backlight module includes a first lamp, a second lamp, a circuit board and a driving circuit board. The circuit board includes chambers to be connected to the first lamp and the second lamp, and capacitors to stabilize a voltage across two ends of each of the first lamp and the second lamp. The driving circuit board includes an inverter for driving the first lamp and the second lamp via the circuit board. |
| US08154503B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a liquid crystal display device
The present invention in one aspect relates to a source driver comprising a first digital-to-analog converter with a positive polarity (PDAC), a second digital-to-analog converter with a negative polarity (NDAC), a first operational amplifier and a second operational amplifier. Each operational amplifier is characterized with a 1st & 2nd stage and an output stage. Both the PDAC and NDAC are coupled to the first and second operational amplifiers through a first pair of switches. The 1st & 2nd and output stages of the first operational amplifier are coupled to the 1st & 2nd and output stages of the second operational amplifier through a second pair of switches. The first and second operational amplifiers are coupled to odd data lines and even data line through a third pair of switches. Further, the amplitudes of the operational voltages for the PDAC, the NDAC and the output stages first and second operational amplifiers are set to be between the supply voltage and the ground voltage. Accordingly, the power consumption and the operational temperature are substantially reduced. |
| US08154498B2 |
Display device
In a display device using an RGB time division drive system in which RGB data to be supplied to display pixels of three colors RGB are subjected to time-division multiplexing and input to a liquid crystal panel unit, (1) data are input to the liquid crystal panel unit alternately in the order of RGB and BGR every line signal, and a selection signal SC which is in the on-state at a break of one line period is kept in the on-state until the next line period. In addition, (2) over a partial non-display period in partial display, selection signals SA, SB and SC are always in the off-state and an equalize signal EQG is in the on-state. |
| US08154497B2 |
Driving apparatus for display device
A driving apparatus for a display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each pixel includes first and second sub-pixels. The driving apparatus includes a memory for storing digital data, a controller for calling the digital data to output the digital data together with a clock signal and at least one selection signal, and a gray voltage generator formed of an integrated circuit to receive the digital data from the controller and to generate gray reference voltage sets. The gray voltage generator includes first and second registers for storing the digital data, a selector including a plurality of multiplexers for receiving the outputs of the first and second registers, and a converter including a plurality of digital-analog converters connected to the multiplexers. As described above, the gray voltage generator is provided in the form of a chip so that it is possible to reduce the area occupied on a printed circuit board (PCB) and to reduce the cost of the gray voltage generator. |
| US08154496B2 |
Liquid crystal display drive circuit
This invention offers an LCD drive circuit that prevents conversion to a wrong duty driving state and an unintended display caused by taking in of serial data corresponding to the wrong duty driving state. The LCD drive circuit is provided with an LCD drive signal generation circuit that generates driving signals to turn LCD segments on and off based on serial data received by a serial data receiving circuit and is switchable between a ¼ duty driving state and a ⅓ duty driving state. The LCD drive circuit is also provided with a driving state setting circuit that sets the LCD drive signal generation circuit to the ¼ duty driving state based on identification data when the serial data receiving circuit receives the serial data corresponding to the ¼ duty driving state and thereafter forbids the LCD drive signal generation circuit to take in serial data corresponding to the ⅓ duty driving state when the serial data receiving circuit receives the serial data corresponding to the ⅓ duty driving state. |
| US08154494B2 |
Image display device with liquid crystal modulation elements
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal modulation element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer, a potential difference providing unit that provides a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an illumination optical system that illuminates the liquid crystal modulation element by using light from a light source. The liquid crystal display device includes a charge adjusting mode for reducing the intensity of an electric field generated by electric charge stored between the liquid crystal layer and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08154491B2 |
Overdrive method for anti-double edge of LCD
An overdrive method for anti-double edge of LCD uses: a register unit, a signal processing module including a selection unit and a driving-voltage lookup table (ADE LUT) and a plurality of multiplex processing units to effectively save the resources of hardware and to eliminate the double edge phenomenon generated during overdrive liquid-crystal image developing by selecting among present frame driving-voltage values, overdrive voltage values and actually achieved voltage values input from the driving-voltage lookup table and by outputting driving-voltage values suitable for respective situations according to selection signals of a selection unit by the multiplex processing units. The method is added with a complementary table and an operation unit to increase its scope of application, to eliminate double edge generated by different response speeds; and thereby is suitable for various liquid crystal displays. |
| US08154490B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving liquid crystal display
A apparatus and method for driving a liquid crystal display that minimizes the generation of electro-magnetic interference (EMI) in a cost effective manner includes a gate control signal generator that generates a gate control signal using a externally inputted synchronizing signal, a data control signal generator that generates a data control signal using the synchronizing signal, a data aligner that re-aligns externally inputted video data, a plurality of buffers at output terminals of the gate control signal generator, the data control signal generator and the data aligner, and a control unit that applies control signals to the buffers to control current values of signals outputted by the buffers. |
| US08154485B2 |
Display element
A display element comprising a single layer of porous material and a discrete drop of liquid. Application of a voltage between the liquid and the layer causes movement of the liquid and consequential optical changes to the element. |
| US08154479B2 |
Electro-luminescence pixel, panel with the pixel, and device and method for driving the panel
An electro-luminescence display having a plurality of pixels is disclosed. One of the pixels of the electro-luminescence display includes an electro-luminescence diode electrically connected between first and second voltage sources; first and second thin film transistors adjusting an amount of current flowing to the electro-luminescence diode; and a control circuit complementarily operating the first and second thin film transistors in an active mode and a refresh mode. |
| US08154478B2 |
Organic electro luminescence display and driving method thereof
An organic electro luminescence display and driving method uses an image determination unit to generate image determination signals indicative of whether images generated in response to data signals are moving images still images, selects a gamma value corresponding to the brightness of the ambient light sensed, applies gamma correction signals corresponding to selected gamma values to control grey level voltages of the data signals, generates a selection signal based on a comparison of a previously set reference value with the photo sensor signal, and generates R′,G′,B′ data to vary an input image RGB data to correspond to the selection signal, varies a change range of the changing R′,G′,B′ data to correspond to the image determination signal, and supplies the varied change range of the changing data (R′,G′,B′ data) to the data driver. |
| US08154477B2 |
Plasma display apparatus including a driver supplying a signal to a scan electrode during a reset period
A plasma display apparatus and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The plasma display apparatus driven in a frame comprised of a plurality of subfields includes a plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode, and a driver. The driver supplies a first signal, that rises from a first voltage to a second voltage, is maintained at the second voltage during a predetermined period of time, and falls from the second voltage to a third voltage smaller than the first voltage with a slope, to the scan electrode. The predetermined period of time is set at different values in at least two subfields. |
| US08154475B2 |
Plasma display and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a plasma display device and a driving method thereof. The plasma display device includes a first switch, and a second switch. The first switch has a first end electrically connected to a first power source that supplies a first voltage and a second end electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes, and gradually increases a voltage of the plurality of first electrodes during a reset period. The second switch has a first end electrically connected to a second power source that supplies a second voltage that is less than the first voltage and a second end electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes. The first and second switches are simultaneously turned on in the reset period. |
| US08154470B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with antenna function
An electrical connector assembly (100) with antenna function comprising: an electrical connector (20) comprising a metal shell (21); a metal patch (30) connecting to the metal shell (20) and comprising a radiating element (32) and a connecting element (31); the connecting element connecting to the metal shell that serve as a grounding element; the radiating element, the connecting element, and the metal shell forming an antenna that serves as a medium for transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals. |
| US08154469B2 |
Radio frequency (RF) transition design for a phased array antenna system utilizing a beam forming network
In accordance with an embodiment, a radio frequency transition system includes a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter wavelength resonator and an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector, wherein the RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an a back side of a phased array antenna system with minimal RF losses. An RF transition system is disclosed. The RF transition system comprises a stripline trace section with openings in ground planes and forms a quarter-wavelength resonator. The RF transition system further includes an electromagnetic mechanism to couple the RF energy from the stripline trace section to a connector. The RF signal energy is transferred from inside a beam forming network printed wiring board to an a back side of a phased array antenna system with minimal RF losses. |
| US08154468B2 |
Multi-band antenna
A multi-band antenna includes a grounding element located on a first planar, a connecting element, a first radiating portion, and a second radiating portion. The connecting element is substantially of L-shape configuration and located on the first planar. The first radiating portion, with a free end, extends from connecting element. The second radiating portion, with a free end, extends from the connecting element and is separated from the first radiating element. The free end of the first radiating portion and the free end of the second radiating portion extend in the same direction. |
| US08154464B2 |
Magnetic material antenna and ferrite sintered body
A magnetic material antenna using a ferrite sintered body comprising one or more conductors disposed at least on a surface or in internal portion of the ferrite sintered body, wherein the ferrite sintered body is a sintered body of Y-type ferrite containing BaO, CoO, and Fe2O3 as main components and wherein the ferrite sintered body contains Cu and, in a cross section for the sintered body, an area rate of a cubic Co-rich phase, which has a ration of an amount of Co being higher than a Y-type ferrite phase being a mother phase, is 1% or less. |
| US08154460B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus with housing changing between open and closed states
When first and second housings are in an open state, first and second switches are electrically opened, and thus, a first antenna element and a ground conductor operate as a first dipole antenna, and a second antenna element and the ground conductor operate as a second dipole antenna with isolation from the first dipole antenna by the slit. When the first and second housings are in the closed state, the first and second switches are electrically closed, and thus, the first antenna element operates as a first inverted F antenna on the ground conductor, and the second antenna element operates as a second inverted F antenna on the ground conductor with isolation from the first inverted F antenna by the slit. |
| US08154458B2 |
Antenna module, method for making the antenna module, and housing incorporating the antenna module
An antenna module includes a first antenna structure, a second antenna structure, a first insulating layer, and a matching unit. The first antenna structure includes a plurality of first antenna layers, second insulating layers respectively positioned between each two adjacent first antenna layers, and first conductive portions respectively connecting to two adjacent first antenna layers. The second antenna structure includes a plurality of second antenna layers, third insulating layers respectively positioned between each two adjacent second antenna layers, and second conductive portions respectively connecting to two adjacent second antenna layers. The first insulating layer is positioned between the first antenna structure 22 and the second antenna structure. The matching unit is filled in the first insulating layer and electrically connects first antenna structure to the second antenna structure. |
| US08154448B2 |
Global positioning system (GPS) receiver and method of determining location of GPS receiver
A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver includes a GPS receiving unit configured to receive navigation data from at least one visible satellite, a decoder configured to decode the received navigation data to extract time and almanac information from the decoded navigation data and a database configured to store satellite disposition information. A satellite location determining unit is configured to select at least one visible satellite candidate using the time information and the satellite disposition information, and to determine locations-in-space of the at least one visible satellite candidate with the almanac information. Also, a navigation filter is configured to calculate pseudo-ranges from the at least one visible satellite and the selected at least one visible satellite candidate using the corresponding locations-in-space, and to determine a location of the GPS receiver using the calculated pseudo-ranges. |
| US08154445B2 |
System and method for frequency domain correction of global navigation satellite system pseudorance measurements in receivers having controlled reception pattern antennas
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) pseudorange measurements must be compensated for receiver hardware and directionally dependent antenna errors to obtain desired accuracies for high precision GNSS positioning applications. The problem of pseudorange measurement errors resulting from directionally dependent group delays is not an issue in Fixed Reception Pattern Antenna (FRPA) GNSS sensors. However, for the complex case of a GNSS receiver employing a controlled reception pattern antenna (CRPA) and dynamic beam steering, the multiplicity of combinations of antenna element outputs makes compensation of directionally dependent antenna induced errors more difficult, as the simple subtraction that might be used for FRPA compensation does not work with a CRPA. Example embodiments provide for frequency domain correction of GNSS pseudorange measurements in CRPA receivers. The correction takes place in the signal processing of the satellite signals, after they have been converted to the frequency domain, but before they are formed into beams for the respective satellites. |
| US08154441B2 |
Electronic device and method for positioning the electronic device
A system and method for positioning an electronic device. The electronic device communicates with one or more monitoring electronic devices via a location server and a plurality of base stations. The system and method receives a standard command message, determines whether information in a received message is the same as information in the standard command message, and obtains position information of the electronic device if the information in the received message is the same as the information in the user-defined standard command message. The system and method further transmit a reply message, which comprises the position information and time for acquiring the position information of the electronic device, to a corresponding monitoring electronic device. |
| US08154435B2 |
Stability monitoring using synthetic aperture radar
A stability monitoring system is described that provides an accurate, automated, and remote way of monitoring small movements over a large surface area without the need to pre-place reflective targets using a mobile SAR. The stability monitoring system allows the rapid, automated identification and measurement of small surface movements over a wide field of view from a safe standoff distance without the need for personnel working in hazardous zones. Using this data, authorities can more accurately identify hazard areas and efficiently allocate mitigation resources. |
| US08154428B2 |
Gesture recognition control of electronic devices using a multi-touch device
Controlling external electronic devices using presence recognition through a multi-touch device is provided. An indication of the presence of at least one of an object or a gesture on a surface of the multi-touch device is received. A plurality of characteristics associated with the object or gesture are identified. Using the plurality of physical characteristics, a data structure is searched to determine the existence of a single object or a single gesture with characteristics that matches the plurality of characteristics. Responsive to a match, a determination is made as to whether the single object or the single gesture has an associated function. Responsive to the existence of the associated function, the associated function is executed on one of a plurality of external electronic devices. |
| US08154427B2 |
Multiturn rotary encoder and method of operating a multiturn rotary encoder
A multiturn rotary encoder includes: a single-turn unit, including a code carrier and a single-turn evaluation unit for processing single-turn position signals to form a single-turn code word; a first multiturn unit, including at least one first multiturn code carrier and a first multiturn evaluation unit for processing first multiturn position signals to form a first multiturn code word that indicates the number of revolutions covered by input shaft; and a second multiturn unit, including at least one second multiturn code carrier and a second multiturn evaluation unit for processing second multiturn position signals to form a second multiturn code word that likewise indicates the number of revolutions covered by the input shaft. The functioning of the multiturn units is ascertainable by the multiturn code words generated independently of each other. |
| US08154426B2 |
Parking assist apparatus and method
The present invention is aimed at setting an efficient target track of a vehicle and thus improving convenience of the parking assist. According to the present invention, a parking assisting apparatus for assisting parking a vehicle is provided. The parking assisting apparatus comprises detecting means for detecting a positional relationship between an obstacle near the vehicle and a parking section line painted on the ground. The parking assisting apparatus is configured to vary a target track of the vehicle toward a target parking position based on the detected positional relationship between the obstacle and the parking section line. |
| US08154425B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for reinforcing a traffic control assembly
Devices, systems, and methods for reinforcing a traffic control assembly are provided. In some embodiments, a retrofitted traffic control assembly configured to reinforce a traffic signal assembly in high wind conditions is provided, where the assembly includes a clamping assembly having clamping members that at least partially surround an existing traffic signal disconnect hanger, and bar members positioned substantially perpendicular to the clamping members. In certain embodiments, stiffening members may be placed in, on, or adjacent to a traffic signal and/or a traffic signal disconnect hanger to further reinforce the traffic signal assembly. Also provided are connection assemblies for reinforcing the portion of a traffic control assembly positioned between a traffic signal disconnect hanger and an upper span wire, for example. |
| US08154424B2 |
Sequenced vehicular traffic guiding system
A system of signal emitting modules is disclosed. The modules emit light or other signals to warn oncoming traffic that a road or other pathway has changed or is traversing a tortuous pathway. The modules are interconnected in a sequence so that they flash on and off in a pattern that leads the driver or observer along a path with less confusion than with randomly flashing or steady lights or reflectors. The modules are self-powered and can be arrayed first and programmed following deployment. The programming can be done with “mesh” technology, an external controller, or by dialing a specific number in each of a plurality of distributed controllers. The modules can improve highway safety by reducing driver confusion. The modules are arrayed to prevent a driver from seeing them from an oncoming direction. The driver coming from the opposite direction will have his or her own guiding system. The modules can also be deployed for use in nautical situations, to designate nautical obstructions (such as entering a harbor), shallow water, or other area of danger, and in the field of aviation to mark the direction and position of temporary runways or landing zones for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. |
| US08154423B2 |
Traffic control system
A traffic control system utilizes geometric or mathematical designs and/or secondary lights for traffic signals so as to allow red/green color blind individuals to determine whether the signal is for stop or go. |
| US08154421B2 |
Real time temperature and location tracker
A shipper having an outer housing with a temperature sensitive payload and a temperature/location tracker disposed therein. The outer housing has a body having an interior surface bounding a compartment that is accessed through an opening. A first panel is coupled with the body and configured to extend over at least a portion of the opening, with a first access port extending through the first panel. The payload and temperature/location tracker are disposed within the compartment of the body. The temperature/location tracker includes a first temperature probe, a GPS receiver, a cellular modem, and a GPS antenna. The GPS antenna is disposed so as to be aligned with the first access port when the shipper is in a fully assembled state such that the GPS antenna is directly accessible through the first access port. The temperature/location tracker monitors and periodically transmits temperature and location values of the shipper over a cellular communication network. |
| US08154420B2 |
System and method for downhole telemetry
A system and method are provided for providing electromagnetic (EM) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry capabilities using an existing mud-pulse MWD tool. An EM tool intercepts the output from the mud-pulse tool and generates an EM signal that mimics a mud-pulse pressure signal. The EM signal is intercepted at the surface by a receiver module that conditions the signal and inputs the signal into the existing pulse tool receiver. Since the EM signal mimics a mud-pulse signal, the pulse tool receiver does not require software or hardware modifications in order to process an EM telemetry mode. The EM tool can be adapted to also provide dual telemetry by incorporating a conventional pressure pulser that would normally be used with the pulse tool. |
| US08154419B2 |
Oilfield area network communication system and method
A method of conducting a well treatment service job. The method comprises assembling an oilfield communication network. The oilfield communication network comprises a plurality of mobile terminals distributed across a plurality of well sites and a plurality of base transceiver stations. Some of the mobile terminals are coupled to each other in wireless communication by the base transceiver stations. The method further comprises preparing a well for the well treatment service job, performing one or more well treatment steps, collecting one or more data parameters associated with the well treatment service job, and communicating the one or more data parameters from at least a first one of the mobile terminals via the oilfield communication network. |
| US08154418B2 |
Interior rearview mirror system
A mirror system of a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and an information input display providing a display representative of a plurality of input characters. The information input display is disposed behind the reflective element and viewable through the reflective element and a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information input display is backlit by a backlighting device. A control is operable to determine a location of a touch or proximity of an object at the reflective element and correlate the determined location to an input character of the information input display. The mirror system may include a video display for displaying video images and the information input display may be disposed at a main viewing region of the reflective element so as to provide an information input display that is larger than the video display. |
| US08154414B2 |
Systems and methods for collecting data with sensors
Systems and methods for collecting data. A modular sensing system includes a renewable power source with wireless and/or optical communication modules, a processing plane, and a sensing plane. The sensing systems can be deployed in various environments or on active subjects. A device with various components can be used to interact with the sensing system and collect data in real time or at a later time. Sensing systems can be enclosed within a structure or body and then recharged or renewed using an optical signal transmitted through the boundary. |
| US08154411B2 |
System and method for person or object position location utilizing impulse radio
A System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio, comprising a plurality of reference impulse radios; an object or person to be tracked having a mobile impulse radio associated therewith; an architecture with an associated positioning algorithm associated with said plurality of impulse radio reference radios and said mobile impulse radio; and display means for displaying the position of the person or object whose position is to be determined. |
| US08154410B2 |
Radio frequency tag and method for manufacturing radio frequency tag
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a radio frequency tag comprising: a base; a radio frequency antenna disposed on the base; a circuit chip mounted on the base and electrically connected to the radio frequency antenna, the circuit chip performing radio communication via the radio frequency antenna; and a protection sheet disposed on the radio frequency antenna, the protection sheet comprising a flexible material and rigid bodies dispersed in the flexible material so as to prevent the protection sheet from being collapsed when the radio frequency tag is bent and compressed. |
| US08154404B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting movement of a shipping container latch
A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring and detecting movement of components of a shipping container latch. A latch monitor may embody an electromagnetic sensing unit and a nearby magnet or light emitter for measuring and characterizing the profile of a nearby electromagnetic field. The field profile is monitored to detect a change in the profile, log the change, and report any abnormal disturbance to the electromagnetic field, indicating a breach of the integrity of a latching mechanism on a shipping container. An alert of a breach event may be sent via a communication network to an authority for response. The invention can distinguish authorized, incidental, and tampering events, and also store and upload an electronic manifest for a shipping container. |
| US08154401B1 |
System and method for communication with a tracking device
A system and method for providing communication with a tracking device are disclosed. An example tracking device includes a location detector, a communication device, memory, a processor, and a configuration routine. The location detector is operative to determine locations of the tracking device. The communication device is operative to communicate with a remote system. The memory stores data and code, the data including location data determined by the location detector and configuration data. The processor is operative to execute the code to impart functionality to the tracking device. The functionality of the tracking device depends at least in part on the configuration data. The configuration routine is operative to modify the configuration data responsive to communications from the remote system. Thus, functional access to the tracking device is provided to the remote system. |
| US08154400B2 |
System comprising a plurality of electrical switches, especially for a magnetic levitation railway line
A system includes a plurality of electrical switches. Every switch is associated with at least one monitoring device for detecting the respective switching condition of the switch. All of the monitoring devices are interconnected through a data connection through which the switching conditions of all of the switches are made known to every monitoring device. |
| US08154394B2 |
Occupant seat detection system and method
An occupant system includes a sensing device disposed in a seat and an electronic device configured to acquire data from the sensing device. The electronic device includes a system controller which uses that data to determine an appropriate system response. Data is acquired in at least two different system configurations and in at least two different time periods. A data set is created which represents a comparison of data acquired in the different configurations and times. The elements of this data set are compared to each other to identify anomalous data and respond accordingly. |
| US08154393B2 |
Vehicular system having a warning system to alert motorists that a mobile phone is in use
This invention relates to a warning system for use on board a motorized road vehicle. The warning system includes an activity detector that detects an RF signal emitted from a mobile phone when a person driving the motorized vehicle is communicating over the mobile phone. The warning system also has a display device in communication with the activity detector, the display device providing a visual indication to a motorist of another vehicle near the motorized vehicle in traffic, in a manner that allows the motorist of the other vehicle to ascertain when the person driving the motorized vehicle is using the mobile phone. |
| US08154389B2 |
Wireless sensor reader
A wireless sensor reader is provided to interface with a wireless sensor. The wireless sensor reader transmits an excitation pulse to cause the wireless sensor to generate a ring signal. The wireless sensor reader receives and amplifies the ring signal and sends the signal to a phase-locked loop. A voltage-controlled oscillator in the phase-locked loop locks onto the ring signal frequency and generates a count signal at a frequency related to the ring signal frequency. The voltage-controlled oscillator is placed into a hold mode where the control voltage is maintained constant to allow the count signal frequency to be determined. |
| US08154384B2 |
Personal authentication apparatus and personal authentication method
A personal authentication apparatus comprises an input unit configured to input image data; a face detection unit configured to detect a face region of a person included in the image data input by the input unit, and to detect feature data from the detected face region; a facial expression determination unit configured to determine a facial expression from the face region detected by the face detection unit; a storage unit configured to store feature data used to authenticate a person in correspondence with respective facial expressions of a plurality of faces; a selection unit configured to select feature data corresponding to the facial expression determined by the facial expression determination unit from the storage unit; and an authentication unit configured to authenticate a person by comparing the feature data of the face region detected by the face detection unit, and the feature data selected by the selection unit. |
| US08154382B2 |
Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener
Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener. |
| US08154374B2 |
Transformer winding and a method of reinforcing a transformer winding
A transformer winding having a conductor wound in a plurality of turns is disclosed, wherein the transformer winding includes a reinforcing part arranged at a winding transition in a manner so that the reinforcing part covers more than 180 degrees of the conductor circumference, whereby the bending strength of the conductor at the location of the reinforcing part is increased. The resistibility of the transformer winding against bending stress is hence improved. |
| US08154372B2 |
Light-weight, conduction-cooled inductor
A lightweight inductor for the motor controller of an aircraft starter includes a toroidal inductor core divided into multiple sections that are separated by a thermally conductive, but electrically insulating, material. The inductor core is wound with wire and positioned inside of an electrically and thermally conductive container, which acts as a heat sink and EMI shield, while also reducing eddy currents within the inductor core. |
| US08154359B2 |
Thin film balun
The present invention provides a thin film balun includes: an unbalanced transmission line 2 including a first coil portion C1 and a second coil portion C2; a balanced transmission line 3 including a third coil portion C3 and a fourth coil portion C4 that are magnetically coupled to the first coil portion C1 and the second coil portion C2, respectively; a first balanced terminal T1 connected to the third coil portion C3; a second balanced terminal T2 connected to the fourth coil portion C4; and an auxiliary coil portion C5 provided between the third coil portion C3 and the first balanced terminal T1 and/or between the fourth coil portion C4 and the second balanced terminal T2. |
| US08154358B2 |
System and method of changing a PWM power spectrum
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device includes a pulse edge control circuit to receive at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal from a PWM source. The pulse edge control circuit is adapted to selectively invert and swap the at least one PWM signal with a logic-inverted duty-cycle complement of the at least one PWM signal at discrete time intervals to produce at least one modulated PWM signal having a changed power spectrum. The pulse edge control circuit provides the at least one modulated PWM signal to at least one output of the pulse edge control circuit. |
| US08154355B2 |
High-frequency colpitts circuit
A high-frequency Colpitts circuit having a feedback transistor Q2 in addition to an oscillation transistor Q1 is provided, wherein a collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to a base of the transistor Q2, a supply voltage is applied to a collector of the transistor Q2 through a resistance R5 and is connected to an output terminal, the collector is connected to a base of the transistor Q1 through a feedback resistance Rf, a crystal oscillator and one end of capacitors C1 and C2 connected in series are connected to the base, the other end of the capacitors is grounded, and a point between the capacitors C1 and C2 is connected to an emitter of the transistor Q1 and is grounded through a resistance R4. |
| US08154352B2 |
Oscillating circuit
An oscillating circuit includes N nodes outputting oscillating signals, a main loop circuit including N inverting circuits, and a plurality of auxiliary loop circuits. Each inverting circuit in the auxiliary loop circuits is connected in parallel with even numbers of inverting circuits cascaded in the main loop circuit. The circuits for feeding back signals from outputs to inputs of the respective inverters of the main loop circuit have circuit configurations equivalent to each other. Each inverting circuit in the main loop circuit and the auxiliary loop circuits drives an output line such that a phase of an output signal is inverted with respect to a phase of an input signal and has driving power that becomes lower when the phases of the output signal and the input signal are inverted with respect to each other than when the output signal and the input signal are in phase with each other. |
| US08154348B2 |
Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit operating at a fundamental angular frequency •0, includes: a transistor which is represented by an equivalent circuit which includes: an equivalent output current source, a drain-source capacitor as a parallel parasitic capacitor to an output node of the equivalent output current source, and a drain inductor as serial parasitic inductor connected between the equivalent output current source and a drain output node; a harmonic frequency processing circuit which includes an input node connected with the drain output node and an output node; a resonant circuit section provided between the output node of the harmonic frequency processing circuit and a ground node and comprising (2n+1) resonators which have resonance frequencies different from each other; and a load resistance provided in a back stage of the harmonic frequency processing circuit. The resonance frequencies of the (2n+1) resonators are coincident with frequencies of (n+1) poles and n zeros formed between the drain output node and the ground node in the transistor when the output node of the harmonic frequency processing circuit is short-circuited to the ground node. |
| US08154342B2 |
Power amplifier and processing device utilizing the same
A processing device including a control unit and a power amplifier is disclosed. The control unit generates a plurality of control signals according to an input signal. The power amplifier includes a plurality of switches. The control signals control the switches to turn on or off such that a short through current does not occur in the power amplifier. |
| US08154340B2 |
Metamaterial power amplifier systems
Power amplifying systems and modules and components therein are designed based on CRLH structures, providing high efficiency and linearity. |
| US08154335B2 |
Fail safe adaptive voltage/frequency system
A system on chip (SoC) has a digital domain. An adaptive voltage/frequency scaling circuit includes a critical path replica circuit with respect to that digital domain. The critical path replica circuit generates a margin signal, and the adaptive voltage scaling circuit responds to the margin signal by decreasing bias voltage (and/or increasing clock frequency) applied to the digital domain of the system on chip so as to recover available margin. A fail-safe timing sensor is included within the digital domain of the system on chip. The timing sensor generates a flag signal when timing criteria within the digital domain are violated. The adaptive voltage scaling circuit responds to the flag signal by increasing the bias voltage (and/or decreasing the clock frequency) applied to the digital domain of the system on chip so as to implement a recovery operation. |
| US08154331B2 |
Duty correction circuit
A duty correction circuit is presented for use in compensating for a duty rate error brought about when a malfunction of a clock signal generator or a failure of a signal transmission line occurs. The duty correction circuit is configured to select one of differential signals as an input signal according to a duty rate. The duty correction circuit is also configured to combine the input signal and a signal obtained by delaying the input signal by a delay time adjusted in accordance to the duty rate. The duty correction circuit is also configured to generate the combined signal as a duty correction signal. |
| US08154330B2 |
Delay line calibration mechanism and related multi-clock signal generator
A delay line calibration mechanism includes a delay line, a phase detector, and a controller. The delay line receives an input pulse, a calibration pulse, a first delay selection signal, and a second delay selection signal, delays the input pulse for a delay period according to the first delay selection signal to output a delayed pulse, and delays the calibration pulse for a calibration delay period according to the second delay selection signal to output a delayed calibration pulse. The controller is for generating the input pulse, the calibration pulse, and a reference pulse. The controller also generates the first delay selection signal, and generates the second delay selection signal according to a phase difference signal. The phase detector is for generating the phase difference signal indicating the difference between the delayed calibration pulse and the reference pulse by comparing the delayed calibration pulse and the reference pulse. |
| US08154329B2 |
Device and method for phase compensation
A frequency generation unit is provided that permits a receiver to tune from channel to channel without cycle skipping and in which compensation for phase offset introduced during tuning is provided. The frequency generation unit includes a fractional-N synthesizer, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). The fractional-N synthesizer generates frequencies from the VCO as well as a temperature controlled crystal oscillator. Outputs from the fractional-N synthesizer are supplied both the VCO and the DDS to control the VCO and DDS. The combination of the voltage controlled oscillator and fractional-N synthesizer is perpetually locked. The fractional-N synthesizer is maintained in a locked condition. The VCO output is provided to the DDS. An output from the DDS or from the fractional-N synthesizer forms the output signal of the frequency generation unit. |
| US08154328B1 |
Techniques for measuring phases of periodic signals
A phase detector circuit generates a phase comparison signal based on a phase difference between first and second periodic signals during a test mode. Phases of the first and the second periodic signals do not change in response to variations in a signal generated by the phase detector circuit during the test mode. A lock generation circuit generates an output signal based on the phase comparison signal that indicates if the first and the second periodic signals are within a lock window of the lock generation circuit. The lock window of the lock generation circuit changes in response to a variation in a control signal. |
| US08154327B2 |
Phase adjusting apparatus and camera
A phase adjusting apparatus includes a comparison code generating section, a calculating section, and a delay section. The comparison code generating section individually generates a first comparison code having a phase of a head code advanced and a second comparison code having the phase of the head code delayed, the head code being included in serial transfer data. The calculating section acquires a direction of adjustment of a phase of the serial transfer data using a comparison result of the head code and the first comparison code and a comparison result of the head code and the second comparison code. The delay section adjusts a delay amount of the serial transfer data based on the direction of adjustment of the phase. |
| US08154326B2 |
Power control circuit, method of controlling power control circuit, and DLL circuit including power control circuit
A power control circuit includes a check unit that receives a reference clock and generates a check signal for cyclically activating a feedback loop of a DLL circuit, a phase detecting unit that detects a phase difference between the reference clock and a feedback clock, and generates a phase difference detection signal, and a signal combining unit that generates a power cutoff signal in response to a locking completion signal, the check signal, and the phase difference detection signal. |
| US08154317B2 |
Integrated circuit device to support inductive sensing
An integrated circuit device inductive touch analog front end (AFE) excites selected ones of a plurality of inductive touch sensors, measures voltages across the coils of the plurality of inductive touch sensors, and provides analog output signals representative of these coil voltages. A physical displacement (touch) to the inductive sensor causes the inductance value of the inductive touch sensor to change with a corresponding change in a voltage across the coil of the inductive touch sensor. A digital processor controls selection of each one of the plurality of inductive touch sensors and receives the respective analog output voltage signal from the inductive touch AFE. When a sufficient change in the coil voltage is determined by the digital processor, that inductive touch sensor is assumed to have been actuated and the digital processor takes action based upon which one of the plurality of inductive touch sensors was actuated (touched). |
| US08154315B2 |
Self-referencing voltage regulator
A voltage regulator includes an input terminal for receiving a power input having a first voltage level, and an output terminal for generating a power output. A reference signal having a second voltage level is derived from the first voltage level adjusted with a predetermined offset value for controlling the power output to be at a third voltage level proportional to the second voltage level. |
| US08154314B2 |
Side-docking type test handler and apparatus for transferring test tray for same
In a side-docking type test handler, a descending mechanism lowers a horizontally postured test tray, which has been transferred into a soak chamber, down to a descent finish position and a vertical posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray, which has been lowered to the descent finish position, from the horizontal state to a vertical state, to transfer the test tray into a test chamber. Further, a horizontal posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray in the test chamber from the vertical state to the horizontal state while transferring the test tray to an ascent start position in a desoak chamber. |
| US08154313B1 |
Water detection assembly for primary drain lines
A water detection assembly having an electronic fluid-sensing probe located in-line within a primary drain line associated with a fluid-producing unit via probe connection to an access port used for clearing and removing clog-causing debris from the primary drain line. The probe has no moving parts and quick-disconnect connection to a signal-generating unit. The access port is configured for vertical or horizontal installation and introduction of chemicals to clean the drain without retrograde backflow into the fluid-producing unit. The probe is inserted into the access port through a longitudinal opening when vertically installed, and alternatively through a lateral opening in a horizontal installation. When the probe detects fluid, the connected signal-generating unit sends an electronic signal that shuts off fluid production, activates an alarm or pump, and/or provides remote notification. One of the two power potentials in the electronic fluid-sensing probe needed for signal generation may have a circular configuration. |
| US08154306B2 |
Method for selecting protective resistor value for a capacitor charging circuit which enables maximum energy transfer with minimal heat
Electronic devices operate in an analog world and their circuitry is subject to non-linear environmental effects that can cause operational problems. Selecting components for a design for a capacitor-charging circuit that incorporates a current-limiting resistor and uses non-linear power supplies, either means having to test every possible combination of elements, and suffering a resultant ‘combinatorial explosion’ as complexity increases, or choosing to over-engineer against untested surprise failure points. Doing the latter in a cost-efficient manner through a min/max/log-set testing series also enables use of non-linear power supplies whose parameters are not known due to competitive or trade secret protective efforts by their manufacturers. |
| US08154304B2 |
PCB delivery apparatus PCB testing system employing the same
A printed circuit board (PCB) testing system includes two gear groups, a pair of transmission belts and a driver. The pair of transmission belts geared onto and driven by the two gear groups is parallel and respectively perpendicular to the PCB transmission guideway so as to define a PCB accommodation space therebetween. Each transmission belt includes a plurality of projections. The two gear groups are rotated synchronously and inversely. During operation, the projections on the pair of transmission belts, facing the PCB accommodation space, move down, the projections move away from each other and to the bottom of the corresponding transmission belts, and a PCB supported by the pair of projections drops onto the PCB transmission guideway. |
| US08154302B2 |
Device for detecting the failure of an electrical power supply for a logic unit
An electrical power supply device for a logic unit (1), includes a control member (7) that can transmit a control voltage (6), a power relay (3), transmitting a power voltage (2) when it is controlled, an electronic stage (8) controlling the power relay (3) when the electronic stage (8) receives a control voltage (6, 22) from the control member (7) or from the logic unit (1), a voltage regulator (12) transmitting a power supply voltage (20) to the logic unit (1) when it receives the power voltage (2) from the power relay (3) and a control voltage (6, 23) and a wake-up element (17) capable of transmitting an additional control voltage (24) to the voltage regulator (12) when the power relay (3) transmits the power voltage (2). The power supply is applicable to motor vehicle computers and to the detection of failure of the relay stage (3, 8). |
| US08154296B2 |
Cathodic protection monitoring
A method of monitoring cathodic protection of an item located at an underwater facility having an item requiring cathodic protection, and the facility are provided. The facility can include a processing device. The steps can include providing a pair of first and second electrodes, the first electrode being electrically connected to the item and the second electrode being in contact with water proximate the item, measuring the potential between the first and second electrodes, producing an electrical signal indicative of the cathodic protection level, converting the signal into a communications format compatible with the processing device and passing it to the processing device, and transmitting the converted signal from the processing device to a surface location. |
| US08154294B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method for correcting error due to gradient magnetic field
In a non-cartesian sampling method, in order to reduce an artifact on an image caused by an error of a gradient magnetic field, data for correcting the error caused by the gradient magnetic field are obtained when data used for image reconstruction are obtained, and the data used for the image reconstruction are corrected by using the obtained data for the correction. In order to obtain the data for correcting the error, a block having plural parallel echo signals is measured. |
| US08154293B2 |
Apparatus and method for acquisition and reconstruction of non-CPMG propeller sequences
An apparatus and method of MR imaging is disclosed. The apparatus and method comprises segmenting acquisition of an echo train into separate odd and even acquisition blades in k-space, wherein the odd and even acquisition blades extend orthogonally through a common reference point in a central region of k-space. A segment of MR data is acquired using a quadratic phase modulation scheme, wherein a first set of MR echo signals occurring after odd-numbered RF refocusing pulses are stored in the odd acquisition blade, and a second set of MR echo signals occurring after even-numbered RF refocusing pulses are stored in the even acquisition blade. This acquisition and segmentation is repeated until a sufficient number of blades are acquired to fill k-space. Finally, an image is reconstructed from the acquisition blades. |
| US08154289B2 |
Method for joint sparsity-enforced k-space trajectory and radiofrequency pulse design
A system and method is provided for simultaneously designing a radiofrequency (“RF”) pulse waveform and a magnetic field gradient waveform in a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system. The method includes determining a desired pattern of RF excitation and determining, from the desired pattern of RF excitation, a plurality of k-space locations indicative of the magnetic field gradient waveform and a plurality of complex weighting factors indicative of RF energy deposited at each k-space location. The method also includes calculating, from the determined k-space locations, the magnetic field gradient waveform and calculating, from the complex weighting factors, the RF pulse waveform that will produce the desired pattern of RF excitation when produced with the calculated magnetic field gradient. |
| US08154288B2 |
Method, processor, and magnetic resonance apparatus for selective presentation of lung movement
In a method for selective presentation of a movement of the lung, magnetic resonance images (MR images) of the lung are acquired in a temporal progression, i.e. MR images of the lung are acquired over multiple breathing cycles. The acquired MR images are registered with regard to a reference position and the signal curve over time is determined in the acquired MR images. The frequency spectrum of the determined signal curves is then determined, such as by a Fourier transformation. A specific frequency spectrum is filtered with a frequency band filter, wherein the frequency range of the frequency band filter is adapted to the movement to be shown. The filtered frequency spectrum is transformed back into a filtered signal curve of the MR images, and the magnetic resonance images obtained via this back-transformation are displayed in the temporal progression with the filtered signal curve. A computer readable medium, an image processing unit and a magnetic resonance apparatus implement such a method. |
| US08154284B2 |
Hyperpolaritzation of compounds for NMR, in particular by means of PHIP
An NMR method is presented having enhanced sensitivity on a compound comprising hyperpolarizable nuclei, in particular applying enhanced PHIP. Polarization is thereby transferred from a prepared fluid, which is enriched with symmetric molecules of a particular spin state (e.g. para-hydrogen enriched), directly to the hyperpolarizable nuclei of a compound, without altering the chemical identity of the compound in this process. Spin transfer is achieved using a template having sites of ordered environment, and the fluid and the compound are brought together in the presence of the template. Polarization transfer to the hyperpolarizable nuclei of the compound is thereby easier to perform and can be applied to a broader scope of compounds. |
| US08154282B2 |
Magnetic field-sensitive component comprising a diluted magnetic semiconductor, devices incorporating same and use method
The invention concerns a magnetic field-sensitive component, a magnetic field sensing device and a memory structure each incorporating said component, and a method for detecting a magnetic field using said component. A component according to the invention comprises: at least one diluted magnetic semiconductor, first means for generating an electric current in said semiconductor along one predetermined direction, and second means for producing a signal representing a Hall voltage transverse to said direction, and it is so designed that the semiconductor is selected from the group consisting of II/VI and IV/IV type semiconductors and comprises a zone sensitive to said field which forms all or part of a magnetic quantum well, wherein are confined current carriers incorporated by doping in the semiconductor and inducing in said well ferromagnetic exchange interactions. |
| US08154278B2 |
Metal face inductive proximity sensor
Metal face inductive proximity sensors and methods are presented for sensing the presence or absence of a target object in a target sensing area in which a coil system is operated to generate a magnetic field extending outward from the sensing face at a frequency in a range that maximizes a relative target effect for the sensing face area, material, and thickness, and a target material from which the target object is made to allow the protective advantages of metal sensing face materials while enhancing sensing distance by optimizing the ratio of the target energy loss to the energy loss in the metal face. |
| US08154276B2 |
Method and arrangement for locating magnetic markers in a region of action
A method and an arrangement for influencing and/or detecting and/or locating magnetic markers in a region of action is disclosed, which method comprises the steps of: generating a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic marker changes, generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength providing a magnetic field gradient in the region of action, acquiring a first signal by means of a first receiving probe and acquiring a second signal by means of a second receiving probe, the first receiving probe and the second receiving probe being located at different locations relative to the region of action, the first signal and the second signal depending on the magnetization of the magnetic marker in the drive field and in the selection field and further depending on the location of the magnetic marker, the magnetic selection field having a first magnetic field strength configuration, repeating at least once the acquisition of the first signal and of the second signal in the presence of the selection field having a second magnetic field strength configuration, computing an estimation of the location of the magnetic marker by means of the acquired signals. |
| US08154272B2 |
Reference voltage generating apparatus and method thereof for removing temperature invariant current components from a reference current
A method and apparatus for generating a low reference voltage having low power consumption characteristics is provided. A reference voltage generating apparatus includes a constant current source circuit which generates a reference current. A load circuit is connected to the constant current source circuit and generates a voltage which is proportional to the reference current. A current branch circuit removes a portion of temperature-invariant current components included in the reference current from a connection terminal of the constant current source circuit and the load circuit to a ground terminal through a current branch which is different from a current branch of the load circuit. |
| US08154268B2 |
Switching regulator with balanced control configuration with filtering and referencing to eliminate compensation
A controller for a switching regulator is disclosed including a sense circuit, an error amplifier circuit, a filter and reference circuit, and a comparator circuit. The switching regulator includes a pulse switch circuit coupled to an output inductor for developing an output voltage. The sense circuit provides a sense signal indicative of current through the output inductor. The error amplifier circuit develops an error signal indicative of error of the output voltage. The filter and reference circuit high pass filters the sense signal to provide a filtered sense signal, and references the filtered sense signal and the error signal to a common DC level. The comparator circuit develops a pulse control signal used to control switching of the pulse switch circuit based on comparing the error signal with the filtered sense signal. |
| US08154267B2 |
Current mode control type switching regulator
A switching regulator for converting input voltage to output voltage includes a switch; an inductor energized by input voltage by the switch; a rectifier for discharging the inductor; and a slope voltage generator for generating slope voltage inclined responsive to current of the inductor, amplifies a difference between reference voltage and divided output voltage, and compares the amplified voltage and the slope voltage to generate signal for controlling the switch. The slope voltage generator includes a detector for converting current flowing through the inductor when the switch is on into voltage; and a voltage generator for generating ramp voltage. These voltages are added as the slope voltage. The voltage generator includes constant current; a resistor; and a ramp capacitor charged by the constant current through the resistor. Voltage drop of the resistor is added to terminal voltage of the ramp capacitor to output the ramp voltage. |
| US08154266B2 |
Bi-directional DC power circuit
Bi-directional direct current (DC) power circuit having: a signal processing module for processing feedbacks of output voltage and voltage drop, and outputting pulse control and directional control signals; a pulse width modulation (PWM) module for outputting pulse signals in response to the control signals from the signal processing module; and a switch rectifying module for switching on and off in response to the pulse signals from the PWM module. The pulse control signal from the signal processing module can be in response to an input current signal from a sense resistor. The circuit is capable of achieving both step-up and step-down voltage conversions. |
| US08154253B2 |
Cell voltage abnormality detector and cell voltage monitoring device for a multi-cell series battery
A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28. |
| US08154252B2 |
System and method for monitoring the state of charge of a battery
A process for monitoring the status of a battery. Steps of the process include measuring a battery current and comparing the battery current to a predetermined threshold. A battery status is determined as one of charging, discharging and quiescent. For a battery charging status determination, the charging state of charge of the battery is computed. For battery discharge status determination, the discharge current is compared to a predetermined threshold. Based upon the discharge current comparison, a basis for the discharge current is selected from one of a plurality of predetermined discharge conditions and the discharging state of charge of the battery is computed for the select discharge condition. For a quiescent status, the quiescent state of charge of the battery is computed. The computed state of charge of the battery is provided in a quantitative form. |
| US08154241B2 |
In-vehicle electronic control apparatus and steering control system
An electric power steering system includes a multi-phase electric motor, an inverter connected to the rotary electric machine and an electronic control apparatus. One phase of the motor is pulled up by a resistor. The electronic control apparatus detects disconnection abnormality between the motor and the inverter by checking phase voltages of the inverter by stopping the inverter operation. If disconnection is detected, current is supplied to the remaining normal two phases. The electronic control apparatus detects short-circuit abnormality by checking an electric angle (rotation angle) of the motor. |
| US08154240B2 |
Control apparatus for electric railcar
A control apparatus for an electric railcar includes an inverter that exchanges power with an AC rotating machine, a filter capacitor connected in parallel to a DC side of the inverter, a filter reactor provided between the filter capacitor and an overhead line, an overhead line voltage measuring instrument that measures a voltage value of the overhead line, a voltage increase detection unit that senses an amount of voltage increase occurring when, with an overhead line voltage being supplied, the overhead line voltage goes beyond a reference voltage value and rises at a rate equal to or higher than that by a predetermined time constant. A correction torque command value calculation unit calculates a correction torque command value that is corrected so that a torque command value to be received from an external unit becomes smaller for a predetermined time elapsing after the voltage increase detection unit has sensed, during regeneration operation of the inverter, an amount of voltage increase more than a predetermined range. A vector control unit controls the inverter so that the AC rotating machine develops torque coincident with the correction torque command value. |
| US08154239B2 |
Medical manipulator
A medical manipulator includes an actuator block having a motor, a coupler detachably mounted on the actuator block and having a rotor connected to a rotatable shaft of the motor, a distal-end working unit mounted on a distal end of a joint shaft, which extends from the coupler and is operatively connected to the rotor by a wire, an encoder for detecting an angular displacement of the motor, and a controller for reading a signal from the encoder and comparing the read signal with an operation command value for energizing the motor through a feedback loop. The controller outputs a signal having a level greater than the resolution of the encoder and a lower operation limit of the motor within a range in which the distal-end working unit remains still, and monitors the angular displacement of the motor for thereby determining whether the feedback loop is malfunctioning or not. |
| US08154238B2 |
Accurate and versatile back EMF sensor
A filter representing a complex impedance of a motor system based on a deviation between a first voltage driven by a command signal and a second voltage driven by the command signal can be dynamically adjusted. The motor system can be held in a steady state, eliminating back electromotive force, by providing zero mean current excitation. |
| US08154236B2 |
Electric power conversion circuit, and control device for multiphase electric rotary machine
An EPC connected between a three phase motor and a battery fixes a voltage of the V phase of the three phase motor to a voltage potential of a positive electrode of the battery. A converter unit is placed for each of the U and W phases of the three phase motor. Each of the converter units has a chopper circuit part and a capacitor. Each of the converter units converts the voltage of the battery to a desired voltage. The voltage of each of V and W phases is adjusted until the voltage of being twice of the voltage of the battery based on the voltage potential at the positive electrode of the battery as a reference voltage. This makes it possible to adjust the absolute value of a line voltage between V and W phases until the voltage of the battery as an upper limit voltage. |
| US08154231B2 |
Motor controller and vehicular steering system using said motor controller
A low speed region position estimating portion is designed to be suitable for when the motor is operating in a low speed region, and estimates a low speed estimated rotational position θ^L. A high speed region position estimating portion is designed to be suitable for when the motor is operating in a high speed region, and estimates a high speed estimated rotational position θ^H. A dividing portion obtains a divided estimated rotational position θ^M by internally dividing the low speed estimated rotational position θ^L and the high speed estimated rotational position θ^H. A rotation speed calculating portion obtains a rotation speed ω of a rotor based on an output signal from a steering sensor. The rotational position of the rotor is then obtained by selecting one of i) the low speed estimated rotational position θ^L, the high speed estimated rotational position θ^H, or the divided estimated rotational position θ^M, based on that rotation speed ω. |
| US08154230B2 |
Chopper control system for rotary machines
A control apparatus is to drive a power converter. The power converter has a power supply unit, a switching member electrically connected to the power supply unit, and a power accumulator electrically connected to the switching member. The control apparatus controls a rotary machine with a terminal electrically connected to the power accumulator. A calculator calculates, based on a command voltage to the rotary machine, a command value for an output current to the power accumulator and the rotary machine. A chopper control unit carries out chopper control of the power converter by switching on and off the switching member based on the command value for the output current to thereby convert a voltage across the power accumulator into a desired voltage relation to a voltage of the power supply unit. |
| US08154229B2 |
Control system for multiphase rotary machines
In a control system designed to use a plurality of voltage vectors expressing a switching mode for a switching circuit to thereby control a difference between a current actually flowing through a multiphase rotary machine and a command current value therefore within an allowable range, a calculating unit calculates a direction of change in the difference during the switching mode for the switching circuit being set to a zero vector. A zero-vector setting unit sets the switching mode for the switching circuit to the zero vector when a preset positional condition between the difference and the direction of change in the difference is met in a space. |
| US08154225B2 |
Control device for an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator
A control device for an ultrasonic piezoelectric actuator including a first stage supplied by a DC voltage source and including a mechanism forming a second DC voltage above that voltage delivered by the DC voltage source, and a second stage including a mechanism amplifying the second voltage and chopping the voltage obtained by excitation of the actuator with the chopped voltage, under control of a computer. The amplifying mechanism includes an inductor in electrical resonance with the piezoelectric actuator. The inductor is connected to the first stage so as to constitute, during formation of the second voltage, a secondary winding of a transformer forming part of a flyback voltage converter introduced into the first stage to develop the second voltage. The control device may find application to control of a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine. |
| US08154221B2 |
Controlling a light emitting diode fixture
One embodiment in accordance with the invention can include a circuit for controlling a light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture via a power line. The circuit can include a power switch coupled to the power line and is for outputting a firing angle. Additionally, the circuit can include a control circuit coupled to the power switch and is for implementing firing angle control of the power switch. Furthermore, the circuit can include a translator coupled to receive the firing angle and for mapping the firing angle to a function of the LED lighting fixture. |
| US08154213B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for operating a high-pressure discharge lamp
A circuit arrangement (10) for operation of a high-pressure discharge lamp having a commutation device (K), which has an input (E1, E2) for coupling to a DC voltage source and has an output (A1, A2) for coupling to the high-pressure discharge lamp (EL). A control apparatus (12) is configured to commutate the polarity with which the voltage (UZW), which is applied to the input (E1, E2) of the commutation device (K), is coupled to the output (A1, A2) of the commutation device (K). A synchronization apparatus (14) is configured to provide a synchronization signal (Sy) at its output (A1, A2). A timer apparatus (16) is configured to produce a commutation initiation signal (KA) at its output (A1, A2), which commutation initiation signal (KA) is synchronized with a predeterminable operating frequency of the high-pressure discharge lamp (EL). A pattern apparatus (18) stores a choice of possible commutation times, with the choice of the possible commutation times being synchronized in time to the synchronization signal (Sy). |
| US08154211B2 |
End-of-life protection circuit and method for high intensity discharge lamp ballast
An apparatus and method thereof for igniting and operating a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp during an in service life, and powering down the lamp when an end-of-life (EOL) lamp condition is detected. The apparatus and method defines a series of thresholds of lamp voltage asymmetry, or rectification thresholds, and monitors the lamp rectification from ignition through normal operation. The detection scheme is masked off for a predetermined period of time when the lamp is initially started. Thereafter, the rectification threshold of the lamp voltage asymmetry is gradually reduced over time, until a defined minimum rectification threshold level is reached and maintained. The method continuously monitors the lamp voltage and records whenever the lamp voltage asymmetry is higher than the rectification threshold level at any lamp voltage cycle. An EOL lamp condition is determined to exist when a certain number of high asymmetrical cycles occurs in selected total number of lamp voltage cycles during a rolling measurement window. |
| US08154206B2 |
Portable microwave plasma generator capable of generating plasma with low electric power
There is provided a small-sized portable microwave plasma generator capable of generating plasma at atmospheric pressure with low electric power including a coaxial cable, an outer conductor, a connection conductor, and a connection member. The coaxial cable includes a first inner conductor and a dielectric material encircling the first inner conductor. The outer conductor encircles the coaxial cable. The connection conductor includes at least one gas inlet tube. The connection conductor electrically connects between the first inner conductor and the outer conductor at one end of the coaxial cable. The connection member includes a second inner conductor passing through the outer conductor and then connecting to the first inner conductor. |
| US08154204B2 |
Plasma display device
A plasma display panel includes a front plate having a dielectric layer covering a display electrode formed on a substrate and a protective layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a rear plate facing the front plate so as to form a discharge space. The plasma display panel also includes an address electrode in a direction crossing the display electrode, barrier ribs for partitioning the discharge space, and phosphor layers. The protective layer is constructed by forming a ground film on the dielectric layer and adhering agglomerated particles to the ground film. The agglomerated particles are produced by coagulating a plurality of crystal particles made of metal oxide. |
| US08154202B2 |
Starter member for a low-pressure discharge lamp
Disclosed is a starter member to which a mercury-absorbing layer is applied and which can be used in low-pressure mercury discharge lamps. A starter member for a low-pressure amalgam discharge lamp comprises a mercury-absorbing layer on a base. A coating layer which is provided on the mercury-absorbing layer has a getter effect and prevents the material of the mercury-absorbing layer from coming off. |
| US08154194B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device comprising: an anode; a cathode; a light-emitting layer located between the anode and the cathode, said light-emitting layer containing a light-emitting metal complex comprising general formula 1: (1) where M represents Re(I), W(0), Ir(III), or Os(II); L1 represents a tridentate ligand; and L2, L3 and L4 represent ligands, characterised in that L1 comprises general formula 2:(2) where R1 represents a bridging group; and Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 each independently represents a group comprising a heteroaryl ring and * indicates coordination to M. |
| US08154191B2 |
Silicate base luminescent materials having multiple emission peaks, processes for preparing the same and light emitting devices using the same
A silicate luminescent material excitable by an excitation light source having emissions in UV to blue light region, a process for producing the same, and a white light emitting device. The luminescent material has an emission spectrum with at least two peaks in a range of from 370 to 760 nm, and has a general chemical composition formula of aAO.bA′O.cSiO2:xEu.yLn.zM.δN, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, Ba, and combinations thereof; A′ is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Zn, and combinations thereof; Ln is selected from the group consisting of Nd, Dy, Ho, Tm, La, Ce, Er, Pr, Bi, Sm, Sn, Y, Lu, Ga, Sb, Tb, Mn, Pb and combinations thereof; M is one or a combination of halogen ions; N is selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+, Ag+, and combinations thereof; and a, b, c, x, y, z, and δ are molar coefficients. |
| US08154189B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method of the same
In a display device with a pixel constituted using an EL element or the like, leak light from a monitoring element that is provided for correcting changes in the properties of the element due to the temperature change, deterioration, or the like is effectively suppressed. The display device has a structure in which an insulating layer is formed over a substrate and a plurality of light emitting elements each of which has a light emitting layer interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode are formed over the insulating layer. Furthermore, at least part of the plurality of light emitting elements has a structure in which an opening is formed in the insulating layer, and the light emitting layer is formed in the opening region of the insulating layer. |
| US08154187B2 |
Light emitter substrate and image displaying apparatus using light emitter substrate
There is provided a light emitter substrate which can suppress halation by forming a rib between adjacent light-emitting members of respectively different light emitting colors, and at the same time can withdraw a potential difference when a discharge occurs between adjacent metal backs, thereby achieving a desired discharging current suppressing capability. For that purpose, the plural parallel ribs protruding from a substrate are formed, a phosphor is provided between the adjacent ribs, plural divided metal backs are disposed respectively on the phosphors in the direction along the ribs, the metal back is connected to a feeding resistor on the rib by means of a connection conductor, and the feeding resistor is covered by a high-resistance cover member. |
| US08154181B1 |
Light-guide type light-emitting device
A light-guide type light-emitting device includes a heat-dissipating unit, a conductive unit, a light-emitting unit and a light-guiding unit. The heat-dissipating unit includes at least one heat-dissipating body. The conductive unit is disposed on a first side of the heat-dissipating body. The light-emitting unit is disposed on a second side of the heat-dissipating body, and the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements electrically connected to the conductive unit. The light-guiding unit includes at least one light-guiding element disposed on the light-emitting unit for receiving light beams generated by the light-emitting unit, and the light-guiding element has a plurality of micro light-guiding structures formed on the outer surface thereof. Hence, the instant disclosure can not only mate the light-emitting unit with the light-guiding unit to solve glaring problem as a result of using LED, but also provides a wider light-emitting range. |
| US08154171B2 |
Boundary acoustic wave device
A boundary acoustic wave device includes a first medium layer made of piezoelectric material, a second medium layer provided on the first medium layer, a third medium layer provided on the second medium layer, and an electrode provided at an interface between the second and third medium layers. The electrode drives the third medium layer to generate a transverse wave. A propagation speed of the transverse wave in the third medium layer is lower than a propagation speed of the transverse wave in the first medium layer. A propagation speed of the transverse wave in the second medium layer is lower than the propagation speed of the transverse wave in the first medium layer. This boundary acoustic wave device has a large electro-mechanical coupling coefficient. |
| US08154170B2 |
Acoustic wave device and method for manufacturing the same
An acoustic wave device includes: a piezoelectric substrate on which an acoustic wave element and an electrode pad connected to the acoustic wave element are formed; a first resin part having a first opening located above a function area in which an acoustic wave is excited by the acoustic wave element and a second opening located above the electrode pad; a second resin part that covers the first opening and has a third opening located above the second opening; and a metal layer formed on the electrode pad in the second opening, the first opening and the second opening being inversely tapered. |
| US08154168B2 |
Fixing enhancement mechanism for large iron core
A fixing enhancement mechanism for large iron core, including an iron core and two end rings. The iron core is composed of several arc-shaped bodies, which are successively connected in an annular form with their curvature centers coinciding with each other. The end rings are coaxially fixedly connected to two axial ends of the iron core respectively to keep the iron core in the annular form. The fixing reinforcement mechanism further includes an enhancement section having several rod-shaped enhancement members. The enhancement members are bridged between the two end rings in abutment with outer arc surfaces of the arc-shaped bodies. According to the fixing enhancement mechanism, the components for fixing the large iron core are simplified and the fixing performance is enhanced to keep the motor operating stably. |
| US08154167B2 |
Induction motor lamination design
A high efficiency, high torque density, high speed induction motor is provided, the motor utilizing (i) stator teeth with parallel side surfaces; (ii) rotor teeth with parallel side surfaces; (iii) wide open stator slots; (iv) closed rotor slots with thick tooth bridges; and (v) deep stator and rotor slots. |
| US08154163B2 |
Electric power collection/distribution ring of rotary electric machine
An electric power collection/distribution ring of a rotary electric machine including: a plurality of ring shaped bus rings each of which is to be connected to one of a plurality of coils provided in the rotary electric machine, the coils each corresponding to phases of the rotary electric machine; a plurality of fixing member which are fixed to the bus rings and arranged along the circumferential direction thereof; and a plurality of connection terminals which are fixed to the bus rings and arranged along said circumferential direction, and which can be connected with one of leader line sections of the coils. |
| US08154159B2 |
Electric motor
An electric motor for use in an electric vehicle, the electric motor includes: an inner housing which holds a stator; and an outer housing which defines a space through which cooling water is caused to flow between the inner housing and itself. The inner housing and the outer housing are connected by a plurality of columns disposed in the space. |
| US08154157B2 |
Primary part of a linear motor and linear motor therewith
The invention relates to a primary part of a linear motor having a receptacle for a secondary part which can move along an axis in the receptacle, having a plurality of annular coils which are arranged coaxially with respect to the receptacle, and having a yoke, with teeth which are composed of a soft-magnetic material being arranged or formed between the end faces of adjacent coils. In order to provide a primary part or a linear motor which has a high power density in a compact form and allows good cooling with coolant, cooling gaps in which spacers are arranged are formed between the end faces of the coils and the teeth. |
| US08154156B2 |
Coil assembly for linear motor
A coil assembly for a linear motor includes a coil unit which has multiple adjacently arranged coils, a base, and a resin encapsulated layer. The coils have two corresponding vertical action sides, a first non-action side, and a second non-action side. The coils further form multiple interlaced first bending sections on the first non-action side. Plural conducting wires disposed on the second non-action side could connect to an external cable on an end section of the coil unit. The base has a receiving slot thereon. The cross-section of the receiving slot corresponds in shape to that of the first bending sections for insertion of the coils. The resin encapsulated layer covering the coils and sealing the receiving slot of the base increases the contacting area between the coils and the inner wall of the receiving slot of the base to enhance the heat dissipation rate. |
| US08154155B2 |
Machine tool protection apparatus
A machine tool protection apparatus, for a machine tool, that is provided for monitoring of a protection region associated with a tool, including a first sensor unit that is provided for reception of a first protection signal. The machine tool protection apparatus further includes at least one second sensor unit that is provided for reception of a second protection signal. |
| US08154145B2 |
Flow energy installation
A flow energy installation with a roller-like rotor (1) is presented. The roller-like rotor (1) rotates about an axis (A1) and has a plurality of rotor blades (2). One of the rotor blades (2), a plurality of the rotor blades (2) or all rotor blades (2) have associated with themselves at least one efficiency-improving fluid conducting fin (3) which in the direction of rotation is arranged upstream or downstream of the rotor blade (2). The rotor (1) is at least partly surrounded by at least one efficiency-improving diffuser element. The flow energy installation can be operated with liquid and/or gaseous media at any desired orientation of the axis (A1). |
| US08154131B2 |
Profiled contact
A semiconductor chip, having IC pads, the semiconductor chip having a device, electrically connected to at least one electrical contact through the IC pad, the electrical contact having a height and a cross sectional profile, through the height, configured to facilitate penetration of at least a portion of the electrical contact into a malleable contact on a second semiconductor chip. |
| US08154129B2 |
Electrode structure and semiconductor device
In a power MOS transistor, for example, a source electrode is formed so as to be commonly connected to a plurality of source regions formed on the front surface. Thus, a current density varies based on in-plane resistance of the source electrode, thereby providing the necessity of increasing the number of wires connecting the sources and a lead. In the invention, an electrode structure includes a copper plating layer 10e formed on a pad electrode 10a by an electrolytic plating method, and a nickel plating layer 10f and a gold plating layer formed so as to cover the upper and side surfaces of the copper plating layer 10e by an electroless plating method. |
| US08154128B2 |
3D integrated circuit layer interconnect
A three-dimensional 3D interconnect structure with a small footprint is described, useful for connection from above to levels of circuit structures in a multi-level device. Also, an efficient and low cost method for manufacturing the 3D interconnect structure is provided. |
| US08154124B2 |
Semiconductor device having a chip-size package
A semiconductor chip has a main surface, a back surface and a plurality of side surfaces. A plurality of electrodes is provided on the main surface of the semiconductor chip so as to be arranged in a plurality of lines. An insulating film is formed on the main surface of the semiconductor chip so as to expose at least one of the plurality of electrodes. A plurality of leads are formed on the insulating film, each of the plurality of leads having a first end and a second end, and the first end of the lead being connected to the one of the plurality of electrodes. A base resin film is formed on the insulting film and the plurality of leads, the base resin film having a plurality of electrodes holes exposing a part of the second end of each of the leads and a device hole in which the first end of the lead and the one of the plurality of electrodes are located. |
| US08154121B2 |
Polymer interlayer dielectric and passivation materials for a microelectronic device
Polymer interlayer dielectric and passivation materials for a microelectronic device are generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes one or more interconnect structures of a microelectronic device and one or more polymeric dielectric layers coupled with the one or more interconnect structures, the polymeric dielectric layers including copolymer backbones having a first monomeric unit and a second monomeric unit wherein the first monomeric unit has a different chemical structure than the second monomeric unit and wherein the copolymer backbones are cross-linked by a first cross-linker or a second cross-linker, or combinations thereof. |
| US08154120B2 |
Chip-mounted film package
A chip-mounted film package includes a base film, an effective film package defined on the base film by a cutting line, a driving chip mounted on the effective film package, a plurality of input pads arranged on an input area of the effective film package and connected to the driving chip, and a plurality of output pads arranged on an output area of the effective film package and connected to the driving chip, wherein the output area includes at least one extended portion that protrudes from a side of the effective film package in a horizontal direction of the base film. |
| US08154119B2 |
Compliant spring interposer for wafer level three dimensional (3D) integration and method of manufacturing
The present invention is an apparatus for integrating multiple devices. The apparatus includes a substrate having a first via and a second via, a semiconductor chip positioned on a top portion of the substrate and positioned between the first via and the second via, first and second bumps positioned on the semiconductor chip, and an interposer wafer having a first interposer spring assembly and a second interposer spring assembly, the first interposer spring assembly having a first interposer spring and a first electrical connection attached to the first interposer spring, and the second interposer spring assembly having a second interposer spring and a second electrical connection attached to the second interposer spring. |
| US08154115B1 |
Package structure having MEMS element and fabrication method thereof
A package structure having an MEMS element includes: a chip having at least an MEMS element and a plurality of first conductive pads; a lid disposed on the chip to cover the MEMS element and having a plurality of second conductive pads formed thereon; a plurality of bonding wires electrically connecting the first and second conductive pads; a plurality of first bumps disposed on the second conductive pads, respectively; an encapsulant formed on the chip to encapsulate the lid, the bonding wires, the first and second conductive pads and the first bumps while exposing the top surfaces of the first bumps; and a plurality of circuits formed on the encapsulant and electrically connecting to the exposed first bumps, thereby avoiding the conventional drawback of electrical connection failure caused by position deviation of bonding wires due to mold flow of the encapsulant. |
| US08154114B2 |
Power semiconductor module
A power semiconductor module is disclosed. One embodiment includes a multilayer substrate having a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of ceramic layers, where the ceramic layers are located between the metal layers. |
| US08154111B2 |
Near chip size semiconductor package
A semiconductor package that can fit semiconductor chips of various sizes without having to change the footprint of the carrier package. One aspect of the semiconductor package comprises a leadframe, a semiconductor chip attached to the leadframe, electrical connectors electrically connecting the semiconductor chip to the leadframe, and a sealing material. The leadframe has a plurality of leads, with each one of the plurality of leads having an upper side, a lower exposed side, and a laterally exposed side. The upper side of each one of the plurality of leads defines a generally co-planar surface. Further, after sealing material encapsulates the components of the semiconductor package in a spatial relationship, the lower exposed side and the lateral exposed side of the plurality of leads are exposed to the outside surface of the semiconductor package. |
| US08154108B2 |
Dual-leadframe multi-chip package and method of manufacture
A dual-leadframe multi-chip package comprises a first leadframe with a first die pad, and a second leadframe with a second die pad; a first chip mounted on the first die pad functioning as a high-side MOSFET and second chip mounted on the second die pad functioning as a low-side MOSFET. The package may further comprises a bypass capacitor configured as a third chip mounted on the first die pad or integrated with the first chip. The package may further comprise a three-dimensional connecting plate formed as an integrated structure as the second die pad for electrically connecting a top contact area of the first chip to a bottom contact area of the second chip. A top connecting plate connects a top contact area of the second chip and a top contact area of the third chip to an outer pin of the first leadframe. |
| US08154107B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the device
A semiconductor device having at least one transistor covered by an ultra-stressor layer, and method for fabricating such a device. In an NMOS device, the ultra-stressor layer includes a tensile stress film over the source and drain regions, and a compressive stress film over the poly region. In a PMOS device, the ultra-stressor layer includes a compressive stress film over the source and drain regions and a tensile stress film over the poly region. In a preferred embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor forming a CMOS device and covered with an ultra stressor layer. |
| US08154103B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a substrate, a source region formed on the surface portion of the substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the substrate, a gate electrode formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, a body section connected with the source region, penetrating through the first insulating layer, the gate electrode and the second insulating layer, and containing a void, a gate insulating film surrounding the body section, and formed between the body section and the gate electrode, and a drain region connected with the body section. |
| US08154100B2 |
Electromagnetic wave detecting element
The present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave detecting element that can suppress the trapping of charges in a semiconductor layer. Plural lower electrodes, which collect charges generated in the semiconductor layer, are each provided to cover at least a portion in a length direction and the entire region in a width direction of a scan line adjacent thereto, and the lower electrodes are disposed at positions at which the scan lines are provided. |
| US08154099B2 |
Composite semiconductor structure formed using atomic bonding and adapted to alter the rate of thermal expansion of a substrate
In certain embodiments, a method includes forming a composite semiconductor structure for altering a rate of thermal expansion of a first substrate. The composite semiconductor structure is formed by atomically bonding a first surface of a thermal matching substrate to a first surface of the first substrate, and atomically bonding a second surface of the thermal matching substrate to a first surface of a balancing substrate. The thermal matching substrate is adapted to alter the rate of thermal expansion of the first substrate and the balancing substrate is adapted to substantially prevent warping of the composite semiconductor structure. |
| US08154092B2 |
Silicon carbide MEMS structures and methods of forming the same
MEMS structures that include silicon carbide micromechanical components, as well as methods of forming and using the same, are provided. The silicon carbide micromechanical components may be integrated on the same structure with electronic components that control or detect movement of the micromechanical components. MEMS structures of the invention may be used in a variety of applications including microsensor and microactuator applications. |
| US08154090B2 |
Non-volatile two-transistor semiconductor memory cell and method for producing the same
The invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory cell and to an associated fabrication method, a source region (7), a drain region (8) and a channel region lying in between being formed in a substrate (1). In order to realize locally delimited memory locations (LB, RB), an electrically non-conductive charge storage layer (3) situated on a first insulation layer (2) is divided by an interruption (U), thereby preventing, in particular, a lateral charge transport between the memory locations (LB, RB) and significantly improving the charge retention properties. |
| US08154088B1 |
Semiconductor topography and method for reducing gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) in MOS transistors
Improved semiconductor topographies and methods are provided herein for reducing the gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) associated with MOS transistors. In particular, a disposable spacer layer is used as an additional mask during implantation of one or more source/drain regions. The physical spacing between the gate and the source/drain regions of a MOS transistor (i.e., the gate/drain overlap) can be varied by varying the thickness of the disposable spacer layer. For example, a larger spacer layer thickness may be used to decrease the gate/drain overlap and reduce the GIDL associated with the MOS transistor. The disposable spacer layer is completely removed after implantation to enable electrical contact between the source/drain regions and subsequently formed source/drain contacts. A method is also provided herein for independently customizing the amount of current leakage associated with two or more MOS transistors. |
| US08154086B2 |
Semiconductor surround gate SRAM storage device
It is intended to achieve a sufficiently-small SRAM cell area and a stable operation margin in an E/R type 4T-SRAM comprising a vertical transistor SGT. In a static type memory cell made up using four MOS transistors and two load resistor elements, each of the MOS transistor constituting the memory cell is formed on a planar silicon layer formed on a buried oxide film, to have a structure where a drain, a gate and a source are arranged in a vertical direction, wherein the gate is formed to surround a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, and each of the load resistor elements is made of polysilicon and formed on the planar silicon layer. |
| US08154084B2 |
Performance enhancement in PMOS and NMOS transistors on the basis of silicon/carbon material
A silicon/germanium material and a silicon/carbon material may be provided in transistors of different conductivity type on the basis of an appropriate manufacturing regime without unduly contributing to overall process complexity. Furthermore, appropriate implantation species may be provided through exposed surface areas of the cavities prior to forming the corresponding strained semiconductor alloy, thereby additionally contributing to enhanced overall transistor performance. In other embodiments a silicon/carbon material may be formed in a P-channel transistor and an N-channel transistor, while the corresponding tensile strain component may be overcompensated for by means of a stress memorization technique in the P-channel transistor. Thus, the advantageous effects of the carbon species, such as enhancing overall dopant profile of P-channel transistors, may be combined with an efficient strain component while enhanced overall process uniformity may also be accomplished. |
| US08154083B2 |
Semiconductor device formed on high-resistance substrate
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A high-resistance silicon wafer is manufactured in such a manner that a large-sized silicon wafer manufactured by the Czochralski method is irradiated with neutrons, and high-resistance and low-resistance elements are simultaneously formed on the high-resistance silicon wafer. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be remarkably saved, and the reliability of products can be enhanced. |
| US08154076B2 |
High and low voltage vertical channel transistors
A semiconductor device includes low voltage and high voltage transistors over a substrate. The low voltage transistor is configured by at least one unit transistor. The high voltage transistor is configured by a greater number of the unit transistors than the at least one unit transistor that configures the low voltage transistor. Each of the unit transistors may include a vertically extending portion of semiconductor providing a channel region and having a uniform height, a gate insulating film extending along a side surface of the vertically extending portion of semiconductor, a gate electrode separated by the gate insulating film from the vertically extending portion of semiconductor, and upper and lower diffusion regions being respectively disposed near the top and bottom of the vertically extending portion of semiconductor. The greater number of the unit transistors are connected in series to each other and have gate electrodes eclectically connected to each other. |
| US08154071B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method for fabricating nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a memory cell being formed in a first region of a semiconductor substrate and a periphery circuit being formed in a second region of the semiconductor substrate, including forming a first gate electrode material film over the semiconductor substrate via a first gate insulator in the first region, etching the first gate electrode material film and the first gate insulator using a mask having a first opening in a first element isolation of the first region, etching the semiconductor substrate to a first depth to form a first isolation groove, forming a first insulation isolation layer in the first isolation groove, forming a second insulator on the first insulation isolation layer and on the first gate electrode, removing the second insulator by anisotropic etching, etching an upper portion of the first gate electrode to a second depth to form a first concave portion on the upper portion of the first gate electrode, etching the first side-wall film and the first insulation isolation layer to a depth at a bottom surface of the first concave portion, forming a second gate insulator on the upper portion of the first gate electrode, and forming a second gate electrode material film on the second gate insulator. |
| US08154069B2 |
NAND flash memory with selection transistor having two-layer inter-layer insulation film
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell string having a plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series, a selection gate transistor connected in series with one end of the memory cell string, and having a gate electrode provided on a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, and an element isolation insulating layer which is provided in the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode includes a first gate electrode provided on the gate insulating film, a first and second insulating films provided on the first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode provided on the second insulating film and the element isolation insulating layer, and electrically connected to the first gate electrode. An first upper surface portion of the element isolation insulating layer below the second gate electrode is leveled with an upper surface of the first gate electrode. |
| US08154067B2 |
Selective spacer formation on transistors of different classes on the same device
A method of selectively forming a spacer on a first class of transistors and devices formed by such methods. The method can include depositing a conformal first deposition layer on a substrate with different classes of transistors situated thereon, depositing a blocking layer to at least one class of transistors, dry etching the first deposition layer, removing the blocking layer, depositing a conformal second deposition layer on the substrate, dry etching the second deposition layer and wet etching the remaining first deposition layer. Devices may include transistors of a first class with larger spacers compared to spacers of transistors of a second class. |
| US08154063B2 |
Ultrafast and ultrasensitive novel photodetectors
A photodetector is provided that includes a FET structure with a channel structure having one or more nanowire structures. Noble metal nanoparticles are positioned on the channel structure so as to produce a functionalized channel structure. The functionalized channel structure exhibits pronounced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption near the SPR frequency of the noble metal nanoparticles. |
| US08154062B2 |
CMOS image sensors and related devices and fabrication methods
An image sensor device includes a substrate including a light sensing, region therein and a reflective structure on a first surface of the substrate over the light sensing region. An interconnection structure having a lower reflectivity than the reflective structure is provided on the first surface of the substrate adjacent to the reflective structure. A microlens is provided on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. The microlens is configured to direct incident light to the light sensing region, and the reflective structure is configured to reflect portions of the incident light that pass through the light sensing region back toward the light sensing region. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08154059B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object of the present invention is to prevent the deterioration of a TFT (thin film transistor). The deterioration of the TFT by a BT test is prevented by forming a silicon oxide nitride film between the semiconductor layer of the TFT and a substrate, wherein the silicon oxide nitride film ranges from 0.3 to 1.6 in a ratio of the concentration of N to the concentration of Si. |
| US08154057B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and driving method thereof
A solid-state imaging device includes: a photoelectric converting section comprising a photo-diode; a charge storage section; a charge transfer section; a first control gate section provided between the photoelectric converting section and the charge storage section to control transfer of a signal charge from the photoelectric converting section to the charge storage section; and a second control gate section provided between the charge storage section and the charge transfer section to control transfer of the signal charge from the charge storage section to the charge transfer section. The charge storage section includes: a first region formed on a side near to the first control gate section; and a second region formed on a side near to the second control gate section and configured to have a channel potential increased more than that of the first region. The second region is configured to hold the signal charge in a pinning condition. |
| US08154051B2 |
MOS transistor with in-channel and laterally positioned stressors
A strained channel transistor can be provided by combining a stressor positioned in the channel region with stressors positioned on opposite sides of the channel region. This produces increased strain in the channel region, resulting in correspondingly enhanced transistor performance. |
| US08154050B2 |
Semiconductor device with semiconductor epitaxial layers buried in source/drain regions, and fabrication method of the same
A semiconductor device in which semiconductor epitaxial layers are embedded in the source/drain regions includes an element formation region formed in the major surface of a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode formed on a part of the element formation region, the semiconductor epitaxial layers formed in the source/drain regions of the element formation region so as to sandwich the channel region below the gate electrode, and silicide layers formed on the gate electrode and semiconductor epitaxial layers. Each semiconductor epitaxial layer has a three-layered structure in which first semiconductor films different in material or composition from the semiconductor substrate sandwich a second semiconductor film having a silicidation reactivity higher than that of the first semiconductor films. Each silicide layer extends to the second semiconductor film along the interface between the semiconductor substrate and semiconductor epitaxial layer. |
| US08154047B2 |
Solid element device and method for manufacturing the same
A solid element device includes a solid element, an electric power receiving and supplying part for receiving electric power from and supplying the electric power to the solid element, and an inorganic sealing material for sealing the solid element. The inorganic sealing material includes a low melting glass selected from SiO2—Nb2O5-based, B2O3—F-based, P2O5—F-based, P2O5—ZnO-based, SiO2—B2O3—La2O3-based, and SiO2—B2O3-based low melting glasses. |
| US08154044B2 |
Light emitting diode package structure and method for fabricating the same
A light emitting diode and method for fabricating the same are provided. The light emitting diode comprises a lead frame. A first material body is formed on the lead frame, wherein the first material body comprises a tip, an inner surface and an outer surface. A second material body is formed on the lead frame to completely cover the outer surface of the first material body. Particularly, the first material body comprises hydrophilic polymer and the second material body comprises hydrophobic polymer. |
| US08154041B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device including a substrate, a first conductive semiconductor layer on the substrate, an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, and a reflective layer under the substrate and including a light reflection pattern configured to reflect light emitted by the active layer in directions away from the reflective layer. |
| US08154036B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device
A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention sequentially includes at least an n-electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer includes: an n-type GaN contact layer including n-type impurity-doped GaN having an electron concentration ranging from 5×1016 cm−3 to 5×1018 cm−3; the n-electrode provided on one of a main surface of the n-type GaN contact layer; and a generating layer provided on other main surface of the n-type GaN contact layer, including at least any one of AlxGa1-xN (0 |
| US08154034B1 |
Method for fabricating vertical light emitting devices and substrate assembly for the same
In a method for fabricating a vertical light emitting device, the separation or lift-off of the substrate from the light emitting diode structure formed thereon is facilitated by forming voids at the interface between the substrate and the light emitting diode structure where the separation or lift-off occurs. A substrate assembly contains a substrate and an epitaxial layer, and voids are formed at the interface between the substrate and the epitaxial layer in a controlled manner. A light emitting diode structure is then formed on the epitaxial layer, followed by attaching the light emitting diode structure to a superstrate, separating the substrate from the epitaxial layer, and forming a conductive layer and a contact pad in place of the substrate, so as to form a vertical light emitting device. |
| US08154031B2 |
Module comprising radiation-emitting semiconductor bodies
A module comprising a regular arrangement of individual radiation-emitting semiconductor bodies (1) which are applied on a mounting area (6) of a carrier (2), wherein a wire connection is fitted between two adjacent radiation-emitting semiconductor bodies (1) on a top side, opposite to the mounting area (6), of the two radiation-emitting semiconductor bodies (1). |
| US08154028B2 |
Infrared external photoemissive detector
An infrared external photoemissive detector can have an n-p heterojunction comprising an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-layer; the n-layer semiconductor comprising doped silicon embedded with nanoparticles forming Schottky barriers; and the p-layer is a p-type diamond film. The nanoparticles can be about 20-30 atomic percentage metal particles (such as silver) having an average particle size of about 5-10 nm. The p-layer can have a surface layer that has a negative electron affinity. The n-layer can be in the range of about 3 μm to 10 μm thick, and preferably about 3 μm thick. The doped silicon can be doped with elements selected from the list consisting of phosphorus and antimony. |
| US08154027B2 |
Silicon carbide substrate, epitaxial wafer and manufacturing method of silicon carbide substrate
An SiC substrate includes the steps of preparing a base substrate having a main surface and made of SiC, washing the main surface using a first alkaline solution, and washing the main surface using a second alkaline solution after the step of washing with the first alkaline solution. The SiC substrate has the main surface, and an average of residues on the main surface are equal to or larger than 0.2 and smaller than 200 in number. |
| US08154026B2 |
Silicon carbide bipolar semiconductor device
In a SiC bipolar semiconductor device with a mesa structure having a SiC drift layer of a first conductive type and a SiC carrier injection layer of a second conductive type that are SiC epitaxial layers grown from a surface of a SiC single crystal substrate, the formation of stacking faults and the expansion of the area thereof are prevented and thereby the increase in forward voltage is prevented. Further, a characteristic of withstand voltage in a reverse biasing is improved. An forward-operation degradation preventing layer is formed on a mesa wall or on a mesa wall and a mesa periphery to separate spatially the surface of the mesa wall from a pn-junction interface. In one embodiment, the forward-operation degradation preventing layer is composed of a silicon carbide low resistance layer of a second conductive type that is equipotential during the application of a reverse voltage. In another embodiment, the forward-operation degradation preventing layer is composed of a silicon carbide conductive layer of a second conductive type, and a metal layer that is equipotential during the application of a reverse voltage is formed on a surface of the silicon carbide conductive layer. In still another embodiment, the forward-operation degradation preventing layer is composed of a high resistance amorphous layer. |
| US08154022B2 |
Process for fabricating a structure for epitaxy without an exclusion zone
A process for fabricating a composite structure for epitaxy, including at least one crystalline growth seed layer of semiconductor material on a support substrate, with the support substrate and the crystalline growth seed layer each having, on the periphery of their bonding face, a chamfer or an edge rounding zone. The process includes at least one step of wafer bonding the crystalline growth seed layer directly onto the support substrate and at least one step of thinning the crystalline growth seed layer. After thinning, the crystalline growth seed layer has a diameter identical to its initial diameter. |
| US08154021B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
Array substrates for liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are formed on a substrate with first and second gate lines crossing a data line to define first and second pixel regions. A thin film transistor includes a source electrode and a drain electrode. A metal pattern overlaps a common line and makes up a portion of the drain electrode. A passivation layer is disposed on the source and drain electrodes and on the metal pattern. A first pixel electrode is connected to the metal pattern and a common electrode is connected to the common line. Various repair patterns are formed to define one or more repairing portions that enable connection of the drain electrode or metal pattern to a second pixel electrode of the second pixel region if the cut line is cut in the event the first pixel electrode fails to display an image. |
| US08154017B2 |
Amorphous oxide semiconductor, semiconductor device, and thin film transistor
An amorphous oxide semiconductor contains at least one element selected from In, Ga, and Zn at an atomic ratio of InxGayZnz, wherein the density M of the amorphous oxide semiconductor is represented by the relational expression (1) below: M≧0.94×(7.121x+5.941y+5.675z)/(x+y+z) (1) where 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1, and x+y+z≠0. |
| US08154015B2 |
Light-emitting device including thin film transistor
The present invention provides a TFT that has a channel length particularly longer than that of an existing one, specifically, several tens to several hundreds times longer than that of the existing one, and thereby allowing turning to an on-state at a gate voltage particularly higher than the existing one and driving, and allowing having a low channel conductance gd. According to the present invention, not only the simple dispersion of on-current but also the normalized dispersion thereof can be reduced, and other than the reduction of the dispersion between the individual TFTs, the dispersion of the OLEDs themselves and the dispersion due to the deterioration of the OLED can be reduced. |
| US08154014B2 |
Organic thin film transistor and organic thin film light-emitting transistor
The present invention aims to provide an organic thin film transistor that is superior in stability in the atmosphere and that has a high operation speed. The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention includes three kinds of terminals consisting of a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, an insulator layer that insulates the gate electrode from the source electrode and from the drain electrode, and an organic semiconductor layer; the terminals, the insulator layer, and the organic semiconductor layer being disposed on a substrate; the organic thin film transistor controlling a source-to-drain electric current by a voltage applied to the gate electrode, and the organic thin film transistor is characterized by further including a crystallinity control layer that is formed from a crystalline compound that controls crystallinity of the organic semiconductor layer, and is characterized in that the organic semiconductor layer is formed on the crystallinity control layer and contains a compound having heterocyclic groups or a compound having a quinone structure. The organic thin film light-emitting transistor according to the present invention is characterized in that either one of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the organic thin film transistor is formed of a hole-injecting electrode, and the other electrode is formed of an electron-injecting electrode. |
| US08154012B2 |
Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconducting layer, and a gate electrode. The drain electrode is spaced from the source electrode. The semiconducting layer is connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode. The gate electrode is insulated from the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconducting layer by an insulating layer. The semiconducting layer includes a carbon nanotube film, a plurality of carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film oriented along a direction from the source electrode to the drain electrode. |
| US08154011B2 |
Thin film transistor
A thin film transistor includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor layer, a channel and a gate electrode. The drain electrode is spaced from the source electrode. The gate electrode is insulated from the source electrode, the drain electrode, and the semiconducting layer by an insulating layer. The channel includes a plurality of carbon nanotube wires, one end of each carbon nanotube wire is connected to the source electrode, and opposite end of each the carbon nanotube wire is connected to the drain electrode. |
| US08154010B2 |
Memory device and method of fabricating the same
A memory device includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and a nanotube or nanowire network disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, having a stacked structure of a P-type network and an N-type network, and having a diode characteristic. Since the nanotube or nanowire network has the stacked structure of the P-type network and the N-type network, and has the diode characteristic, it is possible to enhance a degree of integration of the memory device and simplify the fabrication processes without separately requiring a selection device. |
| US08154003B2 |
Resistive non-volatile memory device
The present disclosure provides a memory cell. The memory cell includes a first electrode, a variable resistive material layer coupled to the first electrode, a metal oxide layer coupled the variable resistive material layer; and a second electrode coupled to the metal oxide layer. In an embodiment, the metal oxide layer provides a constant resistance. |
| US08154002B2 |
Nanoscale wire-based data storage
The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and submicroelectronic devices that can be used in circuitry and, in some cases, to nanoscale wires and other nanostructures able to encode data. One aspect of the invention provides a nanoscale wire or other nanostructure having a region that is electrically-polarizable, for example, a nanoscale wire may comprise a core and an electrically-polarizable shell. In some cases, the electrically-polarizable region is able to retain its polarization state in the absence of an external electric field. All, or only a portion, of the electricallypolarizable region may be polarized, for example, to encode one or more bits of data. In one set of embodiments, the electrically-polarizable region comprises a functional oxide or a ferroelectric oxide material, for example, BaTiO3, lead zirconium titanate, or the like. In some embodiments, the nanoscale wire (or other nanostructure) may further comprise other materials, for example, a separation region separating the electrically polarizable region from other regions of the nanoscale wire. For example, in a nanoscale wire, one or more intermediate shells may separate the core from the electrically polarizable shell. |
| US08154001B2 |
Ion radiation therapy system with variable beam resolution
An ion radiation therapy machine provides a steerable beam for treating a tumor within the patient where the exposure spot of the beam is controlled in width and/or length to effect a flexible trade-off between treatment speed, accuracy, and uniformity. |
| US08153999B2 |
Terahertz wave generating device and apparatus using the same
Provided is a terahertz wave optical device that can be used as a terahertz wave generating device including: an optical switch portion for generating a carrier abruptly by irradiation with excitation light; and a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion that are disposed so as to be opposed to each other with the optical switch portion therebetween so as to apply an electric field in a thickness direction of the optical switch portion. The first electrode portion includes, at least in part, an antenna portion having an antenna function of distributing the carrier generated by the irradiation with the excitation light in a direction crossing an application direction of the electric field. With the terahertz wave optical device, a step for adjusting the incident angle of the excitation light is simplified. |
| US08153995B2 |
Ion implanting apparatus
An illuminating device includes: a light source which is disposed outside a vacuum chamber; a light guide which guides the light emitted from the light source, into the vacuum chamber; a light projecting portion which is fixed in the vacuum chamber, and which emits the light guided by the light guide; a light receiving portion which is attached to a support table of a holder driving device, and which receives the light emitted from the light projecting portion in a state where a holder is positioned in a notch detecting position; a light guide which guides the light received by the light receiving portion; and a light emitting device which is attached to the support table, and which irradiates an outer circumferential portion of a substrate with the light guided by the light guide. |
| US08153994B2 |
Cooling systems and methods for grazing incidence EUV lightography collectors
A cooling system (10) for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) grazing incidence collector (GIC) mirror assembly (240) having at least one shell (20) with a back surface (22) is disclosed. The cooling system has a plurality of spaced apart circularly configured cooling lines (30) arranged in parallel planes (PL) that are perpendicular to the shell central axis (AC) and that are in thermal contact with and that run around the back surface. Input and output secondary cooling-fluid manifolds (44, 46) are respectively fluidly connected to the plurality of cooling lines to flow a cooling fluid from the input secondary cooling-fluid manifold to the output cooling secondary fluid manifold over two semicircular paths for each cooling line. Separating the cooling fluid input and output locations reduces thermal gradients that can cause local surface deformations in the shell that can lead to degraded focusing performance. |
| US08153993B2 |
Front plate for an ion source
The present invention relates to a front plate for an ion source that is suitable for an ion implanter. The front plate according to the invention comprises obverse and reverse sides, an exit aperture for allowing egress of ions from the ion source that extends substantially straight through the front plate between the obverse and reverse sides, and a slot penetrating through the front plate from obverse side to reverse side at a slant for at least part of its depth, the slot extending from a side of the front plate to join the exit aperture. The slot is slanted to occlude line of sight into the ion source when viewed from in front, yet provides an expansion gap. |
| US08153992B2 |
Ionization emitter, ionization apparatus, and method for manufacturing ionization emitter
Provided is an ionization emitter which can reduce a dead volume without deteriorating separating capacity. An ionization emitter (2) is provided with a tip (1) composed of a columnar or conical porous self-standing structure, and a channel for supplying a solution sample into the tip (1) from the base end side of the tip (1). The channel is formed by filling a pipe line with a packing, and the tip (1) is exposed from the pipe line of the channel. The packing and the porous self-standing structure constituting the tip (1) have an integrated structure composed of a same porous body formed at the same time. |
| US08153990B2 |
Particle beam therapy system
A particle beam therapy system that is capable of irradiating a target area with an irradiation beam suitable for a particle beam therapy using a spot scanning method includes a synchrotron, a beam transport system and an irradiation device. The beam transport system is provided with a beam interrupting device adapted to block supply of a charged particle beam to the irradiation device. The beam interrupting device has a beam shielding magnet, an exciting power supply for the beam shielding magnet and a beam dump. The beam transport system has a bending magnet. The beam shielding magnet is provided on an inlet side of the bending magnet. The beam dump is provided on an outlet side of the bending magnet. A controller controls the exciting power supply to control the timing of an operation of the beam shielding magnet. |
| US08153989B2 |
Charged particle beam irradiating apparatus
The present invention provides a charged particle beam irradiating apparatus capable of simply preventing unevenness or reduction in a peripheral portion of the dose distribution of a charged particle beam.A charged particle beam irradiating apparatus includes scanning electromagnets that scan a charged particle beam and a control device that controls the operations of the scanning electromagnets. In the charged particle beam irradiating apparatus, the control unit changes a scanning speed when the charged particle beam is irradiated along an irradiation line such that a peripheral portion of the dose distribution of the charged particle beam is corrected. |
| US08153987B2 |
Automated calibration methodology for VUV metrology system
A calibration pad having multiple calibration sites is provided. A particular calibration site may be utilized until that particular site has been determined to have become unacceptable for further use, for example from contamination, in which case the calibration processes may then move to use a different calibration site(s) on the calibration pad(s). A variety of techniques may be utilized to provide the determination that a site is no longer acceptable for use. Movement may thus occur over time from site to site for use in a calibration process. A variety of criteria may be established to determine when to move to another site. Though the designation of a site as “bad” may be based upon measured reflectance data, other criteria may also be used. For example, the number of times a site has been exposed to light may be the criteria for designating a site as bad. Alternatively the cumulative exposure of a site may be the criteria. Further, the plurality of calibration sites that are provided on the single calibration pad may be pre-evaluated so as to initially screen out unacceptable calibration sites prior to use. The techniques provided may be utilized in calibration processes which utilize a single calibration sample or processes which require a plurality of calibration samples. |
| US08153980B1 |
Color correction for radiation detectors
Systems and methods for color correcting radiation by alternately focusing a first radiation spectrum on a first radiation spectrum detector, and then focusing at least one additional radiation spectrum on at least one additional radiation spectrum detector. |
| US08153979B2 |
Interference spectroscopic analysis device
A device for interference spectroscopic analysis of radiation is of the interference type. The device includes at least a first reflecting layer onto which is deposited a multilayer of alternately transparent and photo-absorbing films. Each photo-absorbing layer is connected to an electronic detection unit supplying a primary electronic signal. The device also includes an electronic analyzing unit for analyzing the primary signals and configured in such a manner as to determine the spectral distribution of the original radiation. |
| US08153976B2 |
Infrared sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method for an infrared sensor includes the following steps: providing a wafer having several chips and a substrate; forming four soldering portions, a thermistor, and an infrared sensing layer on the bottom surface of each chip, wherein the soldering portions are connected electrically to the thermistor and the infrared sensing layer; disposing a soldering material onto at least one bonding location for each soldering portion; backside-etching each chip of the wafer to form a sensing film and a surrounding wall around the sensing film; bonding the wafer and the substrate; heating the soldering materials to connect the substrate and each chip of the wafer; disposing an infrared filter on the surrounding wall of each chip; cutting the wafer and the substrate to form a plurality of individual infrared sensors. The instant disclosure further provides an associated infrared sensor. |
| US08153972B2 |
Infrared camera for locating a target using at least one shaped light source
An infrared camera including optics and a detector sensitive to infrared radiation is used in conjunction with at least one light source, such as a laser, to locate a reference point on a target. Two intersecting line segments are produced by the one light source or a combination of two light sources to locate the reference point on the target. The infrared camera would display both an infrared image as well as a visible image which can be merged onto a single display. The teaching of the present invention could also be used to determine the distance to the target as well as the area of the target. |
| US08153969B2 |
Inspection method and inspection system using charged particle beam
In an electric immersion lens having high resolution capability, secondary electrons generated from a specimen are accelerated to suppress the dependency of rotational action of the secondary electrons applied thereto by an objective lens upon energy levels of the secondary electrons and when selectively detecting low and high angle components of elevation and azimuth as viewed from a secondary electron generation site by means of an annular detector interposed between an electron source and the objective lens, the secondary electrons are adjusted and deflected by means of an E×B deflector such that the center axis of secondary electrons converged finely under acceleration is made to be coincident with the center axis of a low elevation signal detection system and the secondary electrons are deviated from an aperture of a high elevation signal detection system. |
| US08153967B2 |
Method of generating particle beam images using a particle beam apparatus
A representation of a particle beam image is generated by acquiring plural data sets using a particle beam apparatus. Each data set represents secondary particle intensities from a region of an object. The secondary particle intensities are acquired for the different data sets with different parameter adjustments of the particle beam apparatus. From the plural acquired data sets image data are generated using a tone-mapping method. The image data are represented at an output medium. |
| US08153965B1 |
Apparatus and method for merging a low energy electron flow into a high energy electron flow
An apparatus for merging a low energy electron flow into a high energy electron flow may include: a high energy electron path for accommodating the high energy electron flow; and a plurality of magnetic elements arranged to guide the low energy electron flow through a chicane presenting a path having a first end and a second end. The path intersects the high energy electron path at the second end. The path has a plurality of turns and path segments intermediate the first and second ends. Respective adjacent path segments intersect at each respective turn. The path establishes a respective bend radius and subtends a respective path angle between respective adjacent path segments at each respective turn. Each respective path angle is maximized within predetermined path angle limits. Each respective bend radius is minimized within predetermined bend radius limits. |
| US08153958B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing hyperthermal beams
An exemplary apparatus and method for producing a hyperthermal beam is provided. An apparatus may comprise a plasma discharge source, an emission system, and a magnetic source. The plasma discharge source may be configured to receive an elemental source, generate plasma based on the elemental source, and generate one or more neutral atoms of the elemental source. The emission system may be configured to emit a hyperthermal beam, comprising the one or more neutral atoms of the elemental source, from the plasma discharge source through an aperture of the plasma discharge source. The magnetic source may be configured to provide a magnetic field and to collimate the hyperthermal beam in a first direction and control a size of the hyperthermal beam. |
| US08153951B2 |
Optical communication device and electronic equipment having an array of light receiving sections
An optical communication device includes a one-chip light receiving element having a plurality of light receiving sections having light receiving sensitivity to different wavelength ranges in a visible light spectrum. The photodiode has a light receiving surface, which is divided into nine blocks. For each light receiving section group in which light receiving sections have the light receiving sensitivity to an identical wavelength range, the light receiving sections are dispersedly placed in corresponding ones of the blocks. |
| US08153945B2 |
Heliostat with integrated image-based tracking controller
A system (100) for directing incident sun light to a receiver (150) based on an integral imager (116) is disclosed. The system includes an imager (116) mounted to a reflector (112); a tracking controller (226) coupled to the imager; and one or more actuators (114) connected to the reflector and tracking controller. The tracking controller (226) is configured to receive and process image data from the imager (116); determine angular positions of a radiation source and target relative to the mirror normal vector (N) based on the image data; and orient the reflector with the axis bisecting the angular positions of the sun and receiver (150). When the optical axis of the imager is precisely aligned with the vector normal to the reflector, the source and target will be detected as antipodal spots (320, 330) with respect to the center of the imager's field of view, which may be used to effectively track the sun or like object. |
| US08153940B2 |
Flat heater including conductive non-woven cellulose material
The invention relates to a flat heater, which is used for applications in the range of heating voltages of up to 1000 V, produces attainable powers of up to 2 kW/m2 and is characterized by the fact that the electrical resistance required for the heating is formed by an electrically conductive cellulose nonwoven. Metallic contacts which are incorporated ensure the connection of the conductive cellulose nonwoven to a voltage source. Polymer films applied on both sides provide mechanical and electrical protection and prevent the ingress of moisture into the cellulose nonwoven. |
| US08153939B2 |
Fluid-heating device comprising a thermal fuse
The invention relates to a fluid-heating device (1) comprising: a fluid circulation conduit (5), electric heating means (4), and a switch (6) which can be moved selectively between a configuration in which the electric heating means are powered and a configuration in which the electric power being supplied to the electric heating means is cut off. The invention also comprises a thermally-fusible part (7) which is intended to be heated by the electric heating means when in operation and which is designed (i) to fuse at least partially when at least one area (8) of the electric heating means exceeds a critical temperature threshold and (ii) to move the switch (6) from the power supply configuration to the power cut-off configuration. |
| US08153933B2 |
Welding control apparatus and method
The present invention provides a welding control apparatus including: a droplet separation detecting unit that detects separation of a droplet from a tip end of welding wire; and a waveform generator that alternately generates a first pulse for separating the droplet and a second pulse for shaping the droplet and outputs the generated pulse to a welding power source, the waveform generator generating a third pulse having a pulse shape different in a pulse peak current and/or a pulse width from the second pulse to output the generated third pulse to the welding pulse source after a base time of the first pulse if separation of the droplet is not detected within a peak period, a falling slope period, or a base period of the first pulse to thereby restore a droplet supply regularity. |
| US08153930B1 |
Apparatus and methods for improving the intensity profile of a beam image used to process a substrate
Methods and apparatuses are provided for improving the intensity profile of a beam image used to process a semiconductor substrate. At least one photonic beam may be generated and manipulated to form an image having an intensity profile with an extended uniform region useful for thermally processing the surface of the substrate. The image may be scanned across the surface to heat at least a portion of the substrate surface to achieve a desired temperature within a predetermined dwell time. Such processing may achieve a high efficiency due to the large proportion of energy contained in the uniform portion of the beam. |
| US08153928B2 |
Method and installation for laser cutting/welding
A laser cutting/welding installation including a laser head configured to deliver a laser beam and a cooling device for cooling the laser head is disclosed. The laser beam is designed to generate a hot spot on a workpiece by incidence thereon and form a solder bath from a portion of the workpiece affected by the hot spot. The cooling device includes a vortex tube with a compressed gas inlet supplied with a compressed gas, a cold gas outlet, and a hot gas outlet. The vortex tube cold gas outlet is plumbed directly to an interior volume of the laser head and configured to deliver a cold gas directly to the interior volume of the laser head for cooling thereof. |
| US08153922B2 |
Insert weld repair
A method of repairing an aperture and adjacent defect in a part which is started by removing one or more defects adjacent an aperture in a base material. The material is removed to create a weld seam that extends past an area of high stress concentration on the aperture. An insert of material containing a profile that corresponds to the profile of the base material removed adjacent the aperture and a combination top and runoff plate that encompasses the insert of material are provided. A backing plate is inserted underneath the combination top and runoff plate and insert such that there remains an air space between the backing plate and the combination plate which prevents the combination plate from becoming fused to the backing plate during a welding process. The insert is welded to the base material, and the backing plate is removed. Excess material is removed from the insert to obtain an aperture containing a profile essentially the same as the profile of the aperture prior to initiating the repair. |
| US08153918B2 |
Automatic light switch with manual override
An automatic switch control includes a wheel member having a cam member with a ramp surface. A first plunger mechanism has a first spring member that is operable to urge a first cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. A second plunger mechanism has a second spring member that is operable to urge a second cam follower into sliding engagement with the ramp surface. The second plunger mechanism is disposed on an opposite side of the toggle from the first plunger mechanism when the automatic switch control is installed over the switch. An electric motor is operable to rotate the cam member to position the first plunger mechanism in a retracted condition and to position the second plunger mechanism in an extended condition that is operable to move the toggle to the on position. |
| US08153914B2 |
Switching distribution board
The invention relates to a switching distribution board (1), comprising a number of m input contact pairs (2) and n output contact pairs (16), it being possible for an input contact pair (2) to be connected to any desired output contact pair (16) by a mechanical switching mechanism, the mechanical switching mechanism being driven by at least one motor (5). |
| US08153912B2 |
Baby balance with detachable tray halves
A baby scale includes a weighing tray configured to hold a baby and having a first tray half and a second tray half disposable together in a storage position; a measuring device configured to support the weighing tray and configured to determine a weight of the baby, the measuring device including at least one load cell; a display configured to show the weight of the baby; and a connection device configured to establish a mechanical connection and an electrical connection when the first tray half and the second tray half are in a weighing position. |
| US08153910B1 |
Junction and outlet boxes for in floor wiring systems
A utility floor box includes a body having a horizontal base, first and second longitudinally extending side walls extending from first and second opposed edges of the horizontal base, and first and second laterally extending end walls extending from third and fourth opposed edges of the horizontal base. At least one of the first and second side walls defines a branch opening, and at least one of the first and second end walls defines a duct opening. First and second horizontal support bars extend through aligned first and second support openings in the first and second side walls. First and second vertical support legs are secured to the first support bar, and third and fourth vertical support legs secured to the second support bar. The first, second, third and fourth support legs are vertically adjustable with respect to the corresponding first and second support bars. |
| US08153909B2 |
Multilayer wiring board and method of manufacturing the same
A coreless wiring board has no core board but a laminated structure in which a conductor layer and resin insulating layers are alternately laminated into a multilayer. Each of the resin insulating layers is formed to contain a glass cloth in an epoxy resin. A plurality of via holes is formed to penetrate each of the resin insulating layers, and a filled via conductor for electrically connecting the conductor layers is formed in the via holes respectively. A tip of the glass cloth contained in each of the resin insulating layers is protruded from an internal wall surface of the via hole and cuts into a sidewall of the filled via conductor. |
| US08153908B2 |
Circuit board and method of producing the same
The circuit board is capable of tightly bonding a cable layer on a base member even if thermal expansion coefficients of the base member and the cable layer are significantly different. The circuit board comprises: the base member; and the cable layer being laminated on the base member with anchor patterns, which are electrically conductive layers formed on a surface of the base member. |
| US08153904B2 |
Substrate panel including insulation parts and bus line
A substrate panel is disclosed. The substrate panel may include a clamp contact, a bus line formed at a distance from the clamp contact, and a plurality of substrate units supplied with an electric current by way of the bus line, where an insulation part may be formed between the clamp contact and the bus line, through which electricity may not flow. |
| US08153903B2 |
Circuit board and image display apparatus
In a circuit board disposed in parallel to a fixing plane, a guard spacer (abutting member) is disposed on a multi-layer printed circuit board on the side of the fixing plane to suppress deformation of the multi-layer printed circuit board to prevent short circuit if an impact is applied to the circuit board. The guard spacer may be a dummy electronic component or a plate member. An image display using the circuit board is also disclosed. |
| US08153902B2 |
Wiring board and electronic component device
A wiring board includes a wiring forming region in which a plurality of wiring layers are stacked while sandwiching insulating layers, an outer periphery region which is arranged around the wiring forming region and in which a reinforcing pattern is formed in the same layer as each of the wiring layers. An area ratio of the reinforcing pattern to the outer periphery region and an area ratio of the wiring layer to the wiring forming region are substantially the same in each of the layers, and the reinforcing patterns exist without a gap in the outer periphery region when the wiring board is viewed in planar perspective. |
| US08153899B2 |
Conductor wire connecting method, and connecting terminal, stator, and rotary electric machine
After melted enamel coating is discharged from the crimping connectors, electrical wire-to-wire connection, that is, the fusion process, is carried out inside the crimping connector. In this conductor connection method based on the fusion process, plural the above enamel-coated conductor wires are inserted in the above crimping connector prior to the start of the fusion process. Further, the temporary crimping process which provides the crimping connector a temporary crimping by mechanical pressurizing means is also a part of entire process. Addition of force at both the end parts or either one of them of the cross-section orthogonal to the axis of the above crimping connector may cause expansion, which needs to be suppressed with external fore. At the same time, the areas of cross-section corresponding to both the end parts or either of them mentioned above should preferably be held as small as possible. The above temporary crimping is applied to the above crimping connector for this purpose. |
| US08153898B2 |
Power feeding device for slide structure
A power feeding device for a slide structure, which includes a link arm turnably provided to one of a slide structure and a fixed structure in a direction to absorb a surplus length of a wire harness, and a harness holding portion provided to a top end side of the link arm. The wire harness is provided from the harness holding portion to a harness fixing portion of the other of the slide structure and the fixed structure, is employed. The link arm is energized by a resilient member. A harness guide is provided along the link arm, and an electric wire portion of the wire harness is provided along the harness guide so as to have a surplus length. A frame-like guide case into which the wire harness is inserted in a turning direction of the link arm is provided. |
| US08153897B2 |
Harness routing structure for link
A harness routing structure includes: a supporting portion; a link pivotally supported by the supporting portion; and a harness protector provided on the supporting portion. The harness protector includes a harness guide portion for guiding to lead a wire harness thereto, a harness guide path, successive to the harness guide portion, along which the wire harness is routed, and a harness accommodating portion, successive to the harness guide path, for accommodating the wire harness bendably. The wire harness is led from the link to the harness protector to be routed in the harness protector. An excess length of the wire harness is absorbed into the harness accommodating portion in conjunction with rotation of the link. |
| US08153894B2 |
Mounting system
A mounting system for a member to a support structure. The member includes ends and sides. A hinge may be attached to one of the ends of the member. Hinges may be attached to both ends along the same side of the member. The hinge may include an arm from which a tab extends. The ends may include securing means. The support structure includes a mounting aperture that is configured to interact with the hinge of the member. In some embodiments, the support structure may have multiple mounting apertures. The mounting aperture is configured to prevent the hinge of the member from disengaging from the support structure. In some embodiments, the mounting aperture is configured to pivotally retain the hinge of the member. |
| US08153892B2 |
Internal light trapping method and structure using porous monocyrstalline silicon films for photovoltaic applications
A thin photovoltaic device for solar cell applications. As used herein, the term “thin” generally means less than about 20 microns of silicon crystal material, but can also be other dimensions. The term thin should not be limited and should be construed broadly and consistently as one of ordinary skill in the art. In a specific embodiment, the device has a support substrate having a surface region. The device has a thickness of photovoltaic material overlying the surface region of support substrate and having a predefined surface texture to facilitate trapping of one or more incident photons using at least a refraction process to cause the one or more photons to traverse a longer optical path within an inner region of the thickness of material according to a specific embodiment. In a specific embodiment the longer optical path is provided relative to a shorter optical path characteristic of a surface region without the predefined surface roughness. In a specific embodiment, the device also has a dimension of about one wavelength of visible light to about two microns characterizing the thickness of the photovoltaic material. |
| US08153888B2 |
Lateral ultra-high efficiency solar cell
A high-efficiency lateral multi-junction solar cell (C) includes ultra-low profile planar spectral band splitting micro-optics having a shortpass filter (48) reflecting desired frequencies of light (24) to a reflective mirror (58) combined with spectrally optimized photovoltaic (solar) cells. |
| US08153886B1 |
Method of improving the efficiency of loosely packed solar cells in dense array applications
An increased efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic System having a plurality of solar cells laterally spaced from each other on a substrate panel. The solar cells are mounted on electrically conductive areas of an otherwise non-conductive top surface of the substrate with each cell isolated from another by a non-conductive area. The individual cells are connected using ribbons or wires, between the front contact of the solar cells to the conductive area of another cell to form a circuit connecting the cells in a desired configuration. A plurality of tubular enclosures for concentrating light on the solar cells are mounted directly above the solar cells. |
| US08153883B2 |
Rotary control device for manipulating digital audio signals
The disclosure relates to control and audio manipulation of a digital audio signal by a user manipulable rotary control. The disclosure is specifically applicable to manipulation of a digital audio signal by disc jockeys (DJs). A magnet and corresponding sensor are used to obtain rotational state information from the turning of the user manipulable rotary control. This rotational state information is used to manipulate a digital audio signal. Manipulation of the digital audio includes forward and backward motion as well as a “scratch effect”. Rotational state information obtained from rotating magnet includes the possibility of absolute rotation position as well as relative rotational position, or rotational direction. |
| US08153876B2 |
Systems and methods of stretching and tuning drumheads
A system for stretching and tuning a drumhead includes a plurality of bolts each provided with a threaded shank and at least one associated nut threaded thereon. Each bolt is secured circumferentially and substantially equi-angularly about the periphery of the drum shell. The system includes a flexible, elongate member that is woven alternatively between the drumhead and each of the bolts until the elongate member is taut. Thereafter, the bolt shanks may be rotated relative to the bolt nuts so as to pull the elongate member into a more taut tension, whereby the condition of the drumhead increases. A drum including the system, a kit for implementing the system, and a method of implementing the system are also disclosed. |
| US08153875B1 |
Balanced harmonic minor harmonica
Harmonicas are disclosed in which the predetermined pitches of the draw-reeds and the blow-reeds are arranged such that, they produce the complete, repeating Harmonic Minor scale and its six other associated Middle Eastern modal scales, accompanied by full, repeating tonic—dominant chord cadences in both its relative minor and relative major tonalities. Disclosed harmonicas employ the use of a repeating eight-note scale of predetermined reed pitches which also produce all seven complete and repeating Western modal scales of which the Major scale is the parent scale thereof. |
| US08153872B1 |
String keeper device for stringed musical instruments
This is a device that keeps the stings of a stringed musical instrument from unwinding over the top of open ended tuning machines. |
| US08153869B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7H208
A novel maize variety designated X7H208 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7H208 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7H208 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7H208, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7H208. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7H208. |
| US08153868B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7M675
A novel maize variety designated X7M675 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7M675 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7M675 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7M675, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7M675. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7M675. |
| US08153864B2 |
Method for seed devitalization
The invention provides a method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of hydrating a viable whole plant seed and freezing the hydrated whole plant seed. The invention further provides a collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved. |
| US08153863B2 |
Transgenic plants expressing GLK1 and CCA1 having increased nitrogen assimilation capacity
Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing transgenic plants. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants comprise a construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1, operably linked to a plant-specific promote, wherein the CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 is ectopically overexpressed in the transgenic plants, and wherein the promoter is optionally a constitutive or inducible promoter. In other embodiments, transgenic plants in which express a lower level of CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 are provided. Also provided herein are commercial products (e.g., pulp, paper, paper products, or lumber) derived from the transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic trees) produced using the methods provided herein. |
| US08153862B2 |
Cytochrome P450 gene for increasing seed size or water stress resistance of plant
The present invention relates to cytochrome P450 protein originating from Arabidopsis thaliana which can be used for increasing seed size or storage protein content in seed or for increasing water stress resistance of plant, a gene encoding said protein, a recombinant plant expression vector comprising said gene, a method of increasing seed size or storage protein content in seed and a method of increasing water stress resistance of plant by using said vector, plants produced by said method and transgenic seed of said plants. According to the present invention, by using cytochrome P450 gene of the present invention, seed size or storage protein content in seed can be increased or water stress resistance of plant can be increased. |
| US08153861B2 |
Genes for improving salt tolerance and drought tolerance of plant and the uses thereof
A gene comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and another gene comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, the latter being artificially synthesized according to plant preferred codons. Both genes encode a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. Also provided are recombinant vectors containing each of the genes and host cells transformed with the recombinant vectors. The host cells can be prokaryotic cells [[and]] or eukaryotic cells. The transgenic plants comprising the gene having the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 show improved salt and drought tolerance after the [[said]] gene is expressed in the transgenic plants. |
| US08153860B2 |
Alteration of embryo/endosperm size during seed development
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments for altering embryo/endosperm size during seed development are disclosed along with a method of controlling embryo/endosperm size during seed development in plants. |
| US08153855B2 |
Blasting system and blasting method
The object is to rapidly clean-up an off-gas generated by blasting in a pressure vessel to such a level as to permit the exhaust of the off-gas. An object to be blasted is blasted in a pressure vessel to generate an off-gas, which is introduced into a combustion furnace to burning a combustible component contained in the off-gas. The off-gas after the burning in a reservoir section is stored in the reservoir section, and exhausted out of the reservoir section if a component contained in the off-gas complies a predetermined emission requirement, otherwise returned to at least one of the pressure vessel and the combustion furnace to be re-treated if the component does not comply the emission requirement. |
| US08153854B2 |
Gasoline alkylate RVP control
A process for producing an alkylate having a low Reid vapor pressure, the process including: contacting a C6+-containing hydrocarbon stream with a mixture of isopentane and isobutane in the presence of an acid catalyst in an alkylation reactor to form a dilute alkylate product, wherein the C6+-containing hydrocarbon stream includes at least one of oligomers of C3 to C5 olefins and a dilute alkylate produced by contacting an isoparaffin with at least one of C3 to C5 olefins and oligomers of C3 to C5 olefins; fractionating the dilute alkylate product to form an isobutane-rich fraction, a n-butane-rich fraction, a fraction containing isopentane, and an alkylate product having a Reid vapor pressure less than 0.35 bar (5 psi); recycling at least a portion of the fraction containing isopentane to the alkylation reactor. |
| US08153853B2 |
Processes using dividing wall distillation column
A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream. |
| US08153852B2 |
Process of using germanium zeolite catalyst for alkane aromatization
This invention is for a catalyst for conversion of alkanes having two to six carbon atoms per molecule to aromatics. The catalyst is a MFI zeolite with a crystallite size of less than 15 microns with, in addition to silicon and aluminum, germanium as a framework element. Platinum is deposited on the zeolite. The zeolite may contain other optional tetravalent and trivalent elements in the zeolite framework. The catalyst is synthesized by preparing a zeolite containing aluminum, silicon, germanium and, optionally, other elements in the framework, calcining the zeolite and depositing platinum on the zeolite. The catalyst may be used for aromatization of alkanes, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes. |
| US08153851B2 |
Integrated propylene production
A process for the production of propylene, the process including: fractionating a hydrocarbon stream comprising n-butenes, isobutylene, and paraffins into at least two fractions including a light C4 fraction comprising isobutylene and a heavy C4 fraction comprising n-butenes and paraffins; contacting at least a portion of the heavy C4 fraction with a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesis product comprising ethylene, propylene, C4+ olefins, and paraffins; fractionating the metathesis product into at least four fractions including an ethylene fraction, a propylene fraction, a C4 fraction comprising C4 olefins and paraffins, and a C5+ fraction; cracking the light C4 fraction and the C5+ fraction to produce a cracking product comprising ethylene, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons; and fractionating the cracking product into at least two fractions including a light fraction comprising propylene and a fraction comprising C5 to C6 hydrocarbons. |
| US08153847B2 |
Hydrogenolysis of glycerol and products produced therefrom
A process is provided for producing biobased propylene glycol, the process comprising placing a biobased glycerol containing solution at a concentration of at least 20% glycerol by weight and hydrogen in contact with a solid catalyst such that the biobased propylene glycol is formed. |
| US08153846B2 |
Sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines and isocyanates
The present invention provides a method of making sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines which overcomes the problems of previously known methods. Sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines are useful as intermediates for compounds which are in turn useful for imparting water and oil repellency to textiles. Sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines used in this manner may be found in Example 8 of Rondestvedt et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,732) wherein they are made by reacting an iodo-fluoroalkyl with an aminoalkyl thiol. Specifically, Rondestvedt et al. teaches reacting CF3(CF2)5(CH2)2I (an iodo-fluoroalkyl) with HS—CH2CH2—NH2 (an aminoalkyl thiol) to make CF3(CF2)5(CH2)2—S—CH2CH2—NH2 (a sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amine). Unlike previously known methods, the method of the present invention can achieve higher yields of sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines without resorting to costly solvents. Furthermore, unlike previously known methods, the method of the present invention can produce oxidized forms of sulfur containing fluoroalkyl amines wherein the sulfur atom thereof is oxidized. |
| US08153843B2 |
Antibacterial agents
Antibacterial compounds of formula I are provided: As well as stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of treating bacterial infections by the administration of such compounds; and processes for the preparation of the compounds. |
| US08153842B2 |
Method for producing 3-(2,2,2-trimethyl-hydrazinium) propionate dihydrate
A method for producing 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate dihydrate by saponification of salts of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate esters with subsequent purification step using saturation with carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide in alcoholic solution. |
| US08153840B2 |
Oxidation system with sidedraw secondary reactor
Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process. |
| US08153838B2 |
Process for producing isocyanates
An isocyanate is produced by: (a) reacting chlorine with carbon monoxide to form phosgene, (b) reacting the phosgene with an organic amine to form an isocyanate and hydrogen chloride, (c) separating the isocyanate and hydrogen chloride, (d) optionally, purifying the hydrogen chloride, (e) preparing an aqueous solution of the hydrogen chloride, (f) optionally, purifying the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, (g) subjecting the aqueous hydrogen chloride solution to electrochemical oxidation to form chlorine, and (h) returning at least a portion of the chlorine produced in (g) to (a). |
| US08153837B2 |
Resorbable phenolic polymers
The invention provides biocompatible resorbable polymers, comprising monomer units having formula (I), formula (II), formula (III) or formula (IV). The polymers degrade over time when implanted in the body, and are useful as components of implantable medical devices. |
| US08153836B2 |
Silsesquioxane compound mixture, hydrolyzable silane compound, making methods, resist composition, patterning process, and substrate processing
In a mixture of silsesquioxane compounds comprising silsesquioxane units having a side chain including a direct bond between a silicon atom and a norbornane skeleton and having a degree of condensation of substantially 100%, a dimethylene chain of the norbornane skeleton remote from the silicon bonded side is substituted with at least one substituent group other than hydrogen, and an isomer having a bulkier substituent group on the dimethylene chain at an exo position is present in a higher proportion. |
| US08153830B2 |
Production method of asymmetric copper complex crystal
A method of producing an asymmetric copper complex crystal comprising reacting an optically active salicylidene amino alcohol compound with a copper compound, then, performing a crystallization treatment in the presence of an alcohol solvent. |
| US08153828B2 |
Optical molecular sensors for cytochrome P450 activity
The invention provides a compound, useful as an optical probe or sensor of the activity of at least one cytochrome P450 enzyme, and methods of using the compound to screen candidate drugs, and candidate drugs identified by these methods. The optical probe of the invention is a compound having the generic structure Y-L-Q, wherein Q is a chemical moiety that gives rise to optical properties in its hydroxy or hyrdoxylate, phenol or phenoxide form that are different from the optical properties that arise from its ether form. |
| US08153826B2 |
Process for production of (±)-3a,6,6,9a-Tetramethyldecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]Furan-2(1H)-one
The present invention relates to industrially useful production processes in which (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(1H)-ones and further (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldo decahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are produced from raw materials which are readily available at low costs, through short steps and in a simple manner. The process for producing (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(1H)-ones represented by the general formula (III): which includes the steps of cyclizing a homofarnesylic acid amide represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and wavy lines each represents a carbon-to-carbon single bond having a cis or trans structure, and/or a monocyclohomofarnesylic acid amide represented by the general formula (II): wherein R1 and R2 and wavy lines are the same as defined above; and dotted lines represent that a carbon-to-carbon double bond is present at any of positions represented by the dotted lines, in the presence of an acid agent; and subjecting the cyclized product to hydrolysis. |
| US08153822B2 |
Fluorene compound
A fluorene compound is provided, which is represented by the following Formula (I): in Formula (1), R11 and R12 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R21 and R22 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and n1 and n2 each independently represent an integer of from 1 to 5. |
| US08153820B2 |
Method for the production of N-substituted (3-dihalomethyl-1-methylpyrazol-4-yl) carboxamides
The present invention relates to a process for preparing N-substituted (3-dihalomethylpyrazol-4-yl)carboxamides of the formula (I) in which R1 is optionally substituted phenyl or C3-C7-cycloalkyl, R1a is hydrogen or fluorine, or R1a together with R1 is optionally substituted C3-C5-alkanediyl or C5-C7-cycloalkanediyl, R2 is C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl or C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C2-alkyl, X is F or Cl and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; which comprises A) providing a compound of the formula (II) in which X is F or Cl, Y is Cl or Br and R2 has one of the meanings given above and B) reacting a compound of the formula (II) with carbon monoxide and a compound of the formula (III) in which R1, R1a and n have one of the meanings given above; in the presence of a palladium catalyst; to intermediates used for the preparation according to the process according to the invention, and also to processes for their preparation. |
| US08153815B2 |
Pseudoproline dipeptides
Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of pseudo proline dipeptides of the formula wherein R1 is a side chain of an alpha amino acid, R2 is an amino protecting group and R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-4-alkyl, R5 is hydrogen or methyl starting from an amino acid derivative of the formula wherein R1 and R2 are as above. Pseudo proline dipeptides can be used as reversible protecting groups for Ser, Thr and Cys and thus are versatile tools in peptide chemistry. |
| US08153813B2 |
Benzothiazole and benzooxazole derivatives and methods of use
Compounds of formula (I) are useful in treating conditions or disorders prevented by or ameliorated by histamine-3 receptor ligands. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions of compounds of formula (I), methods for using such compounds and compositions, and a process for preparing the compounds. |
| US08153802B2 |
Dyes linked to target molecules, oligonucleotides or polynucleotides comprising dye molecules, composite dyes and other compositions useful for detecting or quantifying desirable target molecules
The present invention provides dyes, reactive dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes are also provided that comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been modified by the addition of charged and polar groups to provide beneficial properties. |
| US08153800B2 |
Macrocyclic inhibitors of hepatitis C virus
Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I) and the N-oxides, salts, and stereoisomers, wherein each dashed line represents an optional double bond; X is N, CH and where X bears a double bond it is C; R1 is —OR7 or —NH—SO2R8; R2 is hydrogen, and where X is C or CH, R2 may also be C1-6alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxyC1-6alkyl, or C3-7cycloalkyl; R4 is aryl or Het; n is 3, 4, 5, or 6; R5 is halo, C1-6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkoxy, phenyl, or Het; R6 is C1-6alkoxy or dimethylamino; R7 is hydrogen; aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; R8 is aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; Het is a 5 or 6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated or completely unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and being optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds (I) and processes for preparing compounds (I). Bioavailable combinations of the inhibitors of HCV of formula (I) with ritonavir are also provided. |
| US08153799B2 |
Azabicyclic carbamates and their use as alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists
The invention relates to novel benzothiophene-, benzofuran-, and indole ureas and to the use thereof for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and for improving perception, concentration, learning, and/or memory. |
| US08153798B2 |
Indole- and benzimidazole amides as hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors
The use of substituted amides of structure (I) for modulating the activity of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 βHSD1) and the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, are described. Also a novel class of substituted amides, their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as their use in the manufacture of medicaments are described. The present compounds are modulators and more specifically inhibitors of the activity of 11 βHSD1 and may be useful in the treatment, prevention and/or prophylaxis of a range of medical disorders where a decreased intracellular concentration of active glucocorticoid is desirable. |
| US08153797B2 |
Chromen-2-one derivatives and their use as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors
This invention relates to novel chromen-2-one derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. |
| US08153796B2 |
Tricyclic N-heteroaryl-carboxamide derivatives, preparation and therapeutic use thereof
The invention relates to tricyclic N-heteroaryl-carboxamide derivatives having the formula (I): Wherein A, P, W, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, Z7, Z8, R3 and R3′ are as described herein. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the same and to the therapeutic use thereof. |
| US08153793B2 |
Sulfonamide derivative having PGD2 receptor antagonistic activity
The present invention provides an sulfonamide derivative having DP receptor antagonistic activity and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said compound as an active ingredient, and further a therapeutic agent for treating allergic diseases.A compound of the general formula (II): wherein the ring A is an aromatic carbocyclic ring etc.; the ring B is a nitrogen-containing non-aromatic heterocyclic ring etc.; the ring C is an aromatic carbocyclic ring etc.; R1 is carboxy etc.; R2 is independently a halogen atom etc.; R3 is optionally substituted alkyloxy etc.; R4 is independently a halogen atom etc.; R5 is independently optionally substituted alkyl etc.; M is sulfonyl etc.; Y is a single bond etc.; L1 is a single bond etc.; L2 is a single bond etc.; k is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 0, 1 or 2; and q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; provided that a) k is not 0 when the ring B is a 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring containing one or two nitrogen atom(s) and the ring C is a benzene ring, etc.; a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a hydrate thereof. |
| US08153791B2 |
Substituted pyrimidinyl oxime kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to substituted pyrimidine compounds of formula (I): and forms thereof, their synthesis and use for treating, preventing or ameliorating a chronic or acute protein kinase mediated disease, disorder or condition. |
| US08153788B2 |
Substituted 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazines, processes for their use as herbicides and crop growth regulators
Compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof, in which in which R1 is an optionally substituted amino group or analogous group, and R2 to R7 are each as described herein, are suitable as herbicides and crop growth regulators. The compounds (I) can be prepared by the processes described, via intermediates including novel intermediates for example of the formula (III). |
| US08153785B2 |
Stabilizing ligands for regulation of protein function
The invention pertains to novel compounds of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, W, Y, Z, A, m, n, p, and q are defined herein. Such compounds are useful as stabilizing ligands in systems that assist in the determination of protein function. |
| US08153782B2 |
Reformation of ionic liquids
Processes for recycling an ionic liquid comprising employing an initial ionic liquid as a solvent and/or reagent resulting in a modified ionic liquid and thereafter subjecting at least a portion of the modified ionic liquid to at least one anion exchange process to produce a reformed ionic liquid. The initial ionic liquid can be employed in a cellulose esterification process, thereby producing the modified ionic liquid. At least a portion of the reformed ionic liquid can be recycled to a point upstream in the cellulose esterification process. |
| US08153777B2 |
Modulation of toll-like receptor 5 expression by antisense oligonucleotides
Antisense oligonucleotide compounds, compositions and methods are provided for down regulating the expression of TLR5. The compositions comprise antisense oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding TLR5. The compositions may also comprise antisense oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding TLR5 in combination with other therapeutic and/or prophylactic compounds and/or compositions. Methods of using these compounds and compositions for down-regulating TLR5 expression and for prevention or treatment of diseases wherein modulation of TLR5 expression would be beneficial are provided. |
| US08153775B2 |
Kits for detecting rank
Isolated receptors, DNAs encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response. The receptors are also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof. |
| US08153772B2 |
Oligonucleotide probes and primers comprising universal bases for diagnostic purposes
Aspects of the invention relate to novel oligonucleotides comprising universal and generic bases for use as primers and probes, as well as, methods of using said oligonucleotides for the diagnosis of disease. |
| US08153771B1 |
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 threonine and/or residue 134 is substituted cysteine, valine or threonine to render the polypeptide more stable and/or to increase its mitogenecity. |
| US08153764B2 |
Biomarker specific to brain/nerve or specific to neuronal differentiation
The invention provides a polypeptide and a specific partial peptide thereof, as well as a polynucleotide and a specific partial nucleotide thereof, that can be used as a biomarker specific for the brain/nerves or specific for nerve differentiation; an expression vector for such a polynucleotide and a specific partial peptide thereof; a transformant incorporating such an expression vector; an antisense molecule, RNAi-inducing nucleic acid (e.g., siRNA), aptamer, or antibody for such a biomarker, and a composition comprising the same; a mammalian cell or non-human mammal wherein the expression or a function of such a biomarker is regulated; a measuring means (e.g., primer set, nucleic acid probe, antibody, aptamer) for such a biomarker, and a reagent comprising the same and the like. |
| US08153759B2 |
Depsipeptide containing lactic acid residue
Disclosed are a compound represented by the general formula (I) below and a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing such a compound. R1-Gly-Lac-Pro-R2 (I): where -Gly-Lac-Pro- represents a structure represented by the following formula (II),R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or an amino acid, a polypeptide or a hydroxycarboxylic acid which are linked through an amide bond,R2 represents a hydroxyl group, or an amino acid or a polypeptide which are linked through an amide bond, or a hydroxycarboxylic acid which is linked through an ester bond. |
| US08153757B2 |
Solution polymerization process for preparing polyolefins
A solution process for polymerizing one or more α-olefins of formula CH2═CHR, where R is H or an alkyl radical C1-12, to produce a polyolefin soluble in the reaction medium, the process comprising:a) polymerizing said one or more α-olefins in a solution phase in the presence of a polymerization catalyst and a inert solvent having a vapor pressure lower than 100 kPa at 20° C.;b) separating the produced polyolefin from the unreacted monomers and the inert solvent by means of a sequence of at least three volatilization chambers operating at a decreasing pressure, the second devolatilization chamber being operated at a pressure from 0.8 to 5 bar. |
| US08153755B2 |
Electronic devices
An electronic device, such as a thin film transistor containing a semiconductor of the Formula: wherein R, R′ and R″ are, for example, independently hydrogen, a suitable hydrocarbon, a suitable hetero-containing group, a halogen, or mixtures thereof; and n represents the number of repeating units. |
| US08153754B2 |
Equipment and method for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid
An equipment for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, includes a ring-opening polymerization apparatus, a liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus, and a drying apparatus, wherein an indirect heat exchanger is connected to a vent gas discharge path of the liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus. The indirect heat exchanger captures a dispersed in-process substance containing hydroxycarboxylic acid cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the ring-opening polymerization apparatus; a wet condenser and a hot well are connected to a vent gas discharge path of the indirect heat exchanger and that of the drying apparatus, respectively. The wet condenser captures a dispersed in process substance containing the cyclic dimers with the use of a refrigerant containing hydroxycarboxylic acid corresponding to the cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the hot well; the hot well causes hydrolysis of the cyclic dimers for generation of hydroxycarboxylic acid; the generated hydroxycarboxylic acid is mixed with a refrigerant and the mixture is circulated to the wet condenser; and hydroxycarboxylic acid is highly concentrated via circulation between the wet condenser and the hot well and then discharged. |
| US08153747B2 |
Two-part organopolysiloxane composition
A two-part organopolysiloxane composition is provided. A first part comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane, (B) a ketene silyl acetal compound or 2-methyldialkoxysilylpropionic ester, (C) an organic compound or silane compound having at least one nitrogen atom, (D) a silane compound having at least two alkoxy groups, and (E) another ketene silyl acetal compound or 2-trialkoxysilylpropionic ester. A second part comprises (F) an organopolysiloxane, (G) an organotin catalyst, and (H) water. The first and second parts are mixed to form a sealing composition which is fast curable to the depth with alcohol removal. |
| US08153746B2 |
Modified vegetable oil-based polyols
Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described. |
| US08153745B2 |
Multi-branched polypropylene
Multi-branched polypropylene having a g′ of less than 1.00. |
| US08153743B2 |
Controlled exotherm of cyanoacrylate formulations
An adhesive composition includes one or more polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomers, a polymerization initiator and a polymerization accelerator for the one or more polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomers. A system for treating living tissue includes a first reservoir containing one or more polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomers, a second reservoir in a non-contacting relationship with the first reservoir containing a polymerization initiator and accelerator for the one or more polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomers, and an applicator capable of combining the polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomer and the polymerization initiator and accelerator to form an adhesive composition and then applying the adhesive composition to living tissue. The initiator may be a quaternary ammonium salt, and the accelerator may be a trihydroxy tertiary amine. |
| US08153737B2 |
Synthetic mycotoxin adsorbents and methods of making and utilizing the same
The present invention relates generally to molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). In particular, the present invention relates to reusable, ecologically friendly MIPs that can be produced in relatively large quantities, methods of producing the same, and methods of utilizing the same (e.g., to sequester and/or adsorb target compounds (e.g., mycotoxins)). Compositions and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications including dietary therapeutic, prophylactic, food and beverage processing and manufacture, as well as research, quality control and traceability applications. |
| US08153736B2 |
Random copolymers and formulations useful for thermoforming and blow molding applications
A composition that may be useful for thermoforming and blow molding applications comprises a metallocene catalyzed propylene-ethylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 weight percent based on the copolymer, and exhibits a flexural modulus of at least about 1,100 MPa, a haze of less than about 40 percent, a melt flow of from about 1.0 dg/min to about 3.0 dg/min, and a xylene solubles content from about 0.2 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent based on the copolymer. A process for preparing the copolymer and articles prepared therefrom are also disclosed. The composition's properties may make it particularly desirable for applications such as bottles, syringes and containers such as those used for food and medical purposes. |
| US08153734B2 |
Process for preparing a polyethylene resin in a double loop reactor with a mixture of bis-indenyl and bis-tetrahydroindenyl
The present invention discloses a process for preparing polyethylene resins in a double loop reactor wherein the catalyst system comprises a bis-tetrahydroindenyl and a bis-indenyl catalyst component deposited on the same support. It also discloses the polyethylene resins obtained by the process and their use to prepare films having a good compromise of haze, processing and mechanical properties. |
| US08153727B2 |
Block copolymer, resin composition comprising same, and process for producing the resin composition
A block copolymer comprised of a polymer block or blocks (A) comprising conjugated diene monomer units and a polymer block or blocks (B) comprising conjugated diene monomer units and aromatic vinyl monomer units, wherein (1) the polymer block or blocks (A) have a glass transition temperature in the range of −88 to −45° C., (2) the polymer block or blocks (B) have a glass transition temperature in the range of 30 to 90° C., (3) the content of aromatic vinyl monomer units in the block copolymer is in the range of 30 to 52% by weight based on the total weight of the block copolymer, (4) the block copolymer has an aromatic vinyl block ratio of smaller than 69% by weight based on the total weight of the block copolymer, and (5) the viscosity of a 5% by weight solution of the block copolymer in styrene is at least 5 mPa·s but smaller than 30 mPa·s. This block copolymer is used as a modifier for resin. |
| US08153726B2 |
Highly oxygen permeable rigid contact lenses from polyacetylenes
Provided are rigid contact lenses having high oxygen permeability and methods to make the same. The rigid contact lenses comprise a polyacetylene. Also provided are methods of making rigid high oxygen permeability contact lenses. |
| US08153719B2 |
Composites comprising elastomer, layered filler and tackifier
The invention relates to rubber nanocomposites particularly suitable for innerliners and other tire applications. The uncured nanocomposite comprises an elastomer, tackifier and nanoclay. |
| US08153717B2 |
Rubber composition
A rubber composition includes a vulcanization promoter composition which comprises a modified calcium carbonate (A) surface-treated with a fatty acid or a resin acid and a silicic acid, an inorganic filler (B) exhibiting an oil absorption of as high as 50 to 300 ml/100 g, and a vulcanization promoter component (C) liquid at ordinary temperatures, characterized in that the (A):(B) mixing ratio is within the range of 30:70 to 95:5 and the content of (C) is 30 to 80 wt % based on the whole of the promoter composition and precipitated silica are blended into a rubber. |
| US08153715B2 |
Aminofunctional polyvinylacetals
Polyvinyl acetals which contain acetal moieties derived by acetalizing polyvinyl alcohol with both aliphatic aldehydes or their derivatives and with amino- and/or ammonium-substituted aldehydes display exceptional substrate adhesion when used in printing ink as binders, allowing inks without adhesion promoters to be produced. |
| US08153713B2 |
Core-shell particle, method, and composition
A core-shell particle is formed by a method that includes forming a crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, reacting a graftlinking agent with the crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, and polymerizing a poly(alkenyl aromatic) shell around the graftlinking agent-functionalized polyorganosiloxane core. The method produces a core-shell particle with improved adhesion between shell and core. The core-shell particle is useful as an impact modifier in thermoplastic compositions. |
| US08153710B2 |
Weatherable polyolefin nanocomposites
A method is disclosed concerning discovering how the use of an additive in a polyolefin compound affects the weatherability of that compound, Applying that technique, a weatherable polyolefin nanocomposite is disclosed, which contains UV stabilizers that filter wavelengths in a range influenced by presence of organoclay in the nanocomposite. |
| US08153708B2 |
Process for forming a waterborne composite polyurethane/acrylic polymer dispersion
The present invention provides a process for forming a waterborne composite polyurethane/acrylic polymer dispersion without the use of N-methyl pyrrolidone. The process includes polymerizing a reaction mixture of polyisocyanate, polyol, and a hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional reactant in an organic solvent medium of alkyl carbonate, then adding ethylenically unsaturated monomers and inverting the mixture into an aqueous medium. Addition polymerization is performed to yield a waterborne composite polyurethane/acrylic polymer dispersion, and any remaining alkyl carbonate is hydrolyzed. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersions are environmentally friendly and are suitable for use in coating compositions that conventionally contained similar dispersions prepared in the presence of N-methyl pyrrolidone. Comparable physical properties are observed. |
| US08153705B2 |
Silyl esters, their use in binder systems and paint compositions and a process for production thereof
A hydrolysable paint composition comprising organosilyl esters. The organosilyl esters are used in paint formulations which require hydrolysis of one or more of the components of the paint in use. The organosilylesters of the invention may also independently be film forming. The organosilyl ester may be the ester of a carboxylic, sulphonic or phosphoric acid. The binder systems of the invention can be used in paint compositions, such as self-polishing antifouling paints. |
| US08153704B2 |
Polymer cement for percutaneous vertebroplasty and methods of using and making same
The invention provides a fluid cement for medical use for bone reconstruction, in particular for filling the vertebral body, and a binary composition which is intended for the preparation of such a cement. The invention also provides a device for conditioning the binary composition, and a method of preparing a bone cement from a binary composition. The fluid cement according to the invention comprises: a) approximately 60% to 85% by weight of a polymer comprising a polymethylmethacrylate and a methylmethacrylate monomer and b) approximately from 15 to 40% by weight of a radio-opaque composition. Preferably, the radio-opaque composition comprises a radio-opacifier, such as barium sulfate and zirconium dioxide, in a mixture with a calcium phosphate, for example apatite hydroxide. |
| US08153703B2 |
UV/visible light absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials
Benzotriazole UV/Visible light-absorbing monomers are disclosed. The UV/Vis absorbers are particularly suitable for use in intraocular lens materials. |
| US08153698B2 |
Method for producing bio-fuel that integrates heat from carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions to drive biomass gasification reactions
A low-temperature catalytic process for converting biomass (preferably glycerol recovered from the fabrication of bio-diesel) to synthesis gas (i.e., H2/CO gas mixture) in an endothermic gasification reaction is described. The synthesis gas is used in exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, such as Fischer-Tropsch, methanol, or dimethylether syntheses. The heat from the exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction is integrated with the endothermic gasification reaction, thus providing an energy-efficient route for producing fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass resources. |
| US08153694B2 |
Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid compound
A compound of the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the description, a salt thereof, and a prodrug thereof of the present invention unexpectedly have a superior GPR40 receptor agonist activity and superior properties as pharmaceutical products such as stability and the like, and can be safe and useful pharmaceutical agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of GPR40 receptor-related pathology or diseases in mammals. |
| US08153693B2 |
Compounds for the selective treatment of the intestinal immuno-inflammatory component of the celiac disease
The present invention relates to amino-salicylic-aminophenyl compounds for use in the treatment of the inflammatory component of celiac disease. These compounds act by blocking the cytokines released in celiac disease and are specifically useful in the treatment of refractory cases. |
| US08153691B2 |
Method for preparing compositions for preventing or treating inflammatory bowel disease
A method for preparing compositions, comprising docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and optionally one or more fatty acids selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (ARA), linoleic acid (LA), and α-linoleic acid (ALA), that are administered to felines for treating feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). |
| US08153682B2 |
Sulfonamides as TRPM8 modulators
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula I as follows: wherein A, B, G, Y, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are defined herein. |
| US08153680B2 |
Alkyl indole-3-carbinol-derived antitumor agents
Compounds and methods for treating cancer or inducing apoptosis in proliferating cells. The compounds are shown in formula I: wherein X is selected from hydroxyl, thiol, and amino; Y is selected from carboxyl and sulfonyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, and combinations thereof; R5, R6, and R7 are selected from hydrogen, halo, nitro, amino, methoxy, and combinations thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US08153678B2 |
Process for preparing A 3-pyrrole substituted 2-indolinone malate salt
The invention relates to the malic acid salt of N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide, to the use thereof as an intermediate for preparing the malic acid salt of sunitinib, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said malic acid salt of sunitinib. |
| US08153676B2 |
Use of compounds of formula A-R-Xo pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for producing a pharmaceutically preparations
The invention relates to a compound of formula A-R—X or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which can be used for producing a pharmaceutical preparation suitable for preventing or treating cancerous diseases, pathological consequences of alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, steatohepatitis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, toxic renal diseases, hepatic insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus, hepatic damage in Wilson's disease and sideroses and/or ischaemic reperfusion damage, as an antidote against environmental toxins and medicament intoxication in order to extend the resistance time of medicaments in organisms, or for combating toxic side effects in the administration of chemotherapeutics. In the formula R is an aliphatic or aromatic C6- to C40-hydrocarbon radical which has a hydrophilic end A, and X is a radical having at least one free electron pair of a carbon or heteroatom and/or π-electrons. |
| US08153673B2 |
Metalloproteinase inhibitors
Compounds of the formula (I) wherein Z is SO2(N6) or N(R7)SO2 or N(R7)SO2N(R6) useful as metalloproteinase inhibitors, especially as inhibitors of MMP12. |
| US08153672B2 |
Polymorphic forms of deferasirox (ICL670A)
The invention relates to crystalline forms of 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid and to its amorphous form, to processes for the preparation thereof, to compositions containing the same and their uses for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the human body. |
| US08153670B2 |
Factor Xa inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of Factor Xa. The present invention is also directed to and intermediates used in making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions characterized by undesired thrombosis and methods of inhibiting the coagulation of a blood sample. |
| US08153665B2 |
Agents for controlling plant pests
The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant pests containing the compound of the formula (I) in a mixture with specified fungicidally active compounds. |
| US08153661B2 |
Controlled delivery system
The present invention relates to novel anesthetic compositions containing a non-polymeric carrier material and an anesthetic, where the compositions are suitable for providing a sustained local anesthesia without an initial burst and having a duration for about 24 hours or longer. Certain compositions are also provided that include a first anesthetic and a second anesthetic. In such compositions, the second anesthetic is a solvent for the first anesthetic and provides an initial anesthetic effect upon administration to a subject. The non-polymeric carrier may optionally be a high viscosity liquid carrier material such as a suitable sugar ester. The compositions can further include one or more additional ingredients including active and inactive materials. Methods of using the compositions of the invention to produce a sustained anesthetic effect at a site in a subject are also provided. |
| US08153660B2 |
Piperidyl-propane-thiol CCR3 modulators
One object of the present invention are novel substituted piperidyl-propane-thiols of the formula (1), wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined as below. Another object of the present invention is to provide agonists or antagonists of CCR-3, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, more particularly to provide pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US08153659B2 |
4′-O-substituted isoindoline derivatives and compositions comprising and methods of using the same
Provided are 4′-O substituted isoindoline compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, clathrates, stereoisomers, and prodrugs thereof. Methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds are disclosed. |
| US08153657B2 |
Dopamine-, norepinephrine- and serotonin-transporter-selective heterocyclic compounds and their therapeutic applications
One aspect of the invention relates to piperidine compounds that are useful as inhibitors of monoamine transporters. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a piperidine compound of the invention. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the aforementioned compounds in a method of treating a disorder of the central nervous system in a mammal. |
| US08153652B2 |
Fab I inhibitors
Compounds are disclosed which are Fab I inhibitors and are useful in the treatment bacterial infections. |
| US08153648B2 |
Solid and crystalline dutasteride and processes for preparation thereof
The solid state chemistry of 17β-N-[2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl-4-aza-5-α-androst-1-en-3-one of which the international nonproprietary name is Dutasteride (the active ingredient in products marketed as Avodart, Avidart, Avolve, Duagen, Dutas, Dutagen, Duprost) and its process for preparing. The synthetic process comprises formation of the mixed anhydride, its subsequent reaction with 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylamine in the presence of an appropriate Lewis catalyst and its isolation, purification and crystallization from acetonitrile/water. |
| US08153647B2 |
Aryl- and heteroaryl-ethyl-acylguanidine derivatives, their preparation and their application in therapeutics
Disclosed are compounds according to formula (I): wherein A, Q, X, Y, Z, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are as defined herein. The disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula (I), to processes for preparing the compounds of formula (I), and to methods of using the compounds of formula (I). |
| US08153644B2 |
Diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitors
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, obesity, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. |
| US08153643B2 |
Quinazoline derivatives
The invention concerns quinazoline derivatives of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, solvate or pro-drug thereof, wherein each of X1, p, R1, q, R2, R3, R4, R5, Ring A, r and R6 has any of the meanings defined hereinbefore in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders or in the treatment of disease states associated with angiogenesis and/or vascular permeability. |
| US08153642B2 |
Quinazolines useful as modulators of ion channels
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium 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. |
| US08153639B2 |
Substituted thieno- and furano- fused pyrimidines as PI3K inhibitors
Fused pyrimidines of formula (I): wherein A, n, R1, R2, and R3 have any of the values defined herein and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have activity as inhibitors of PI3K and may thus be used to treat diseases and disorders arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior associated with PI3 kinase such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine disorders and neurological disorders. Processes for synthesizing the compounds are also described. |
| US08153637B2 |
Phenyl-alkyl piperazines having TNF-modulating activity, preparation method, and therapeutic use thereof
The present invention relates to phenyl-alkyl piperazines of formula (I): in which A, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, having TNF-modulating activity. The invention also relates to the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and to the therapeutic use thereof. |
| US08153635B2 |
Compounds and compositions as modulators of GPR119 activity
The invention provides compounds of Formula I: wherein A, L, m, q, Q, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined in the Summary of the Invention. The invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with the activity of GPR119. |
| US08153634B2 |
Carbinol derivatives having cyclic linker
[Object] To provide a novel LXRβ agonist that is useful as a preventative and/or therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis; arteriosclerosis such as those resulting from diabetes; dyslipidemia; hypercholesterolemia; lipid-related diseases; inflammatory diseases that are caused by inflammatory cytokines; skin diseases such as allergic skin diseases; diabetes; or Alzheimer's disease.[Solving Means] A carbinol compound represented by the following general formula (I) or salt thereof, or their solvate. |
| US08153629B2 |
Pharmaceutical compounds
Fused pyrimidines of formula (I): wherein R1-R3, A and n have any of the values described in the specification; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; have activity as inhibitors of PI3K and may thus be used to treat diseases and disorders arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior associated with PI3 kinase such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine disorders and neurological disorders. Processes for synthesizing the compounds are also described. |
| US08153624B2 |
Compounds and methods for modulating FXR
Compounds of formula (I): formula (I) wherein variables are as defined herein and their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are disclosed as useful for treating dyslipidemia and diseases related to dyslipidemia. |
| US08153621B2 |
5ht2C receptor modulator compositions
The present invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist. In addition, the invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist having Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. These compositions are useful in pharmaceutical compositions whose use includes the treatment of obesity. |
| US08153619B2 |
Diazonamide analogs
Novel diazonamide analogs having anti-mitotic activity, useful for the treatment of cancer and other proliferative disorders are provided. |
| US08153617B2 |
Bridged polycyclic compound based compositions for coating oral surfaces in humans
A pharmaceutically active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent carrier and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a composition. The composition may include one or more bridged polycyclic compounds. At least one of the bridged polycyclic compounds may include at least two cyclic groups, and at least two pharmaceutically active agents may be associated with the bridged polycyclic compound. In some embodiments, one or more bridged polycyclic compounds may be applied to an oral surface of a human such that an oral malady may be inhibited and/or ameliorated. |
| US08153616B2 |
Combination preparation for oral contraception and oral therapy of dysfunctional uterine bleeding containing estradiol valerate and dienogest and method of using same
The multiphase combination preparation for oral therapy of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and for oral contraception contains a first phase consisting of 2 daily dosage units, each containing 3 mg of estradiol valerate or <3 mg of estradiol; a second phase consisting of a first group of 5 daily dosage units, each consisting of a combination of 2 mg of dienogest with 2 mg of estradiol valerate or <2 mg of estradiol, and a second group consisting of 17 daily dosage units, each consisting of a combination of 3 mg of dienogest with 2 mg of estradiol valerate or <2 mg of estradiol; a third phase consisting of 2 daily dosage units, each containing 1 mg of estradiol valerate or <1 mg of estradiol; and another phase consisting of 2 daily dosage units of a pharmaceutically harmless placebos. |
| US08153613B2 |
Barrier film-forming germicidal composition for controlling mastitis
A long-lasting persistent, uniform film-forming skin protecting germicidal composition provides a long-lasting persistent barrier film when applied to skin. The compositions have particular utility as barrier teat dips for protecting cows against mastitis. A barrier film-forming agent is selected from the modified or hydrolyzed polysaccharides, particularly a hydrolyzed or modified starch, such as dextrin and maltodextrin. The barrier film-forming agent is stably solubilized in a solvent that dries to form the long-lasting persistent uniform film over the animal skin. The compositions also contain antimicrobial agents that fight against microbes that manage to penetrate the protective barrier film. Particularly, advantageous is that all the materials used are safe food additive and cost effective over the traditional barrier film forming agents. |
| US08153612B2 |
Injectable chitosan mixtures forming hydrogels
A chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of acetylation in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, and at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% is disclosed. Further disclosed is a chitosan composition which forms a hydrogel at near physiological pH and 37° C., comprising at least one type of chitosan having a degree of deacetylation of at least about 70% and a molecular weight of from 10-4000 kDa, and at least one type of a chitosan having a molecular weight of from 200-20000 Da. Further disclosed are methods of preparation and uses of the chitosan compositions. |
| US08153608B2 |
Modulation of immunostimulatory properties of oligonucleotide-based compounds by utilizing modified immunostimulatory dinucleotides
The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. More particularly, the invention provides immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides for use in methods for generating an immune response or for treating a patient in need of immunostimulation. The immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention preferably comprise novel purines. The immunomers according to the invention further comprise at least two oligonucleotides linked at their 3′ ends, internucleoside linkages or functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotidic linker, at least one of the oligonucleotides being an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide and having an accessible 5′ end. |
| US08153604B2 |
CNS-tumor treatment method and composition
A method, aerosol composition, and aerosolizing device for treating a brain tumor in a subject are disclosed. The method includes intranasally administering to the subject, an amount of a telomerase inhibitor, such as an oligonucleotide telomerase inhibitor, effective to inhibit growth of the tumor in the subject. |
| US08153602B1 |
Composition and methods for the pulmonary delivery of nucleic acids
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the pulmonary delivery of nucleic acids, particularly oligonucleotides. In one preferred embodiment, the compositions and methods of the invention are utilized to effect the pulmonary delivery of an antisense oligonucleotide to an animal in order to modulate the expression of a gene in the animal for investigative, therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. |
| US08153600B2 |
Direct application of non-toxic crosslinking reagents to resist progressive spinal deformity
A method of improving the resistance of collagenous tissue to mechanical degradation in accordance with the present invention comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of a collagenous tissue with an effective amount of a crosslinking reagent. Methods and devices for enhancing the body's own efforts to stabilize discs in scoliotic and other progressively deforming spines by increasing collagen crosslinks. This stability enhancement is caused by reducing the bending hysteresis and increasing the elasticity and bending stiffness of progressively deforming spines, by injecting non-toxic crosslinking reagents into the convex side of discs involved in the potential or progressing deformity curve. Alternatively, contact between the tissue and the crosslinking reagent is effected by placement of a time-release delivery system directly into or onto the target tissue. Methods and devices that use crosslinking agents for increasing the permeability of an intervertebral disc, improving fluid flux to the intervertebral disc, and increasing the biological viability of cells within the intervertebral disc are provided. |
| US08153597B2 |
Modulators of the ABC transporter family and methods for their use
An isolated factor derived from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and confirmed by proteomics to be a protein that reduces expression of ABC transmembrane proteins and active fragments and mimetics thereof are provided. Also provided is a method for inhibiting expression of ABC transmembrane proteins in cells by administering to the cells the isolated factor or protein or active fragment thereof or a mimetic thereof. Such methods are useful in the enhancing delivery of small molecule therapeutic agents to the CNS and in treating cancers, particularly multidrug resistant cancers, and secretory diarrhea. In addition, compositions, methods for identifying compositions and methods for use of compositions that inhibit suppression of ABC transmembrane protein expression or reduce epoxide hydrolase activity by this factor are provided. Such compositions and methods are useful in treatment of cystic fibrosis. |
| US08153596B2 |
Use of SH2 STAT3/STAT1 peptidomimetics as anticancer drugs
The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are peptidomimetics that inhibit STAT function. Peptidomimetics of the invention display selective inhibition of specific STAT isoform homo-dimerization. The peptidomimetic probes of STAT1 function, described herein, provide the means to preferentially inhibit STAT1 over STAT3 through the exploration of the C-terminus. |
| US08153595B2 |
B7-DC variants immunogenic compositions and methods of use thereof
Compositions and methods for costimulating T cells (i.e., increasing antigen-specific proliferation of T cells, enhancing cytokine production by T cells, stimulating differentiation ad effector functions of T cells and/or promoting T cell survival) are provided. Suitable compositions include variant B7-DC polypeptides, fragments and fusion proteins thereof. Variant B7-DC polypeptides have reduced binding affinity for the inhibitory PD-1 ligand and substantially retain the ability to costimulate T cells. Methods for using variant B7-DC polypeptides to stimulate immune responses in subjects in need thereof are provided. |
| US08153591B2 |
Protein biomaterials and biocoacervates and methods of making and using thereof
The present invention relates to protein biocoacervates and biomaterials and the methods of making and using protein biocoacervates and biomaterials. More specifically the present invention relates to protein biocoacervates and biomaterials that may be utilized for various medical applications including, but not limited to, drug delivery devices for the controlled release of pharmacologically active agents, coated medical devices (e.g. stents, valves . . . ), vessels, tubular grafts, vascular grafts, wound healing devices including protein suture biomaterials and biomeshes, dental plugs and implants, skin/bone/tissue grafts, tissue fillers, protein biomaterial adhesion prevention barriers, cell scaffolding and other biocompatible biocoacervate or biomaterial devices. |
| US08153588B2 |
Methods useful in the treatment of bone resorption diseases
The invention relates to a combined pharmaceutical preparation comprising parathyroid hormone and a bone resorption inhibitor, said preparation being adapted for (a) the administration of parathyroid hormone during a period of approximately 6 to 24 months; (b) after the administration of parathyroid hormone has been terminated, the administration of a bone resorption inhibitor during a period of approximately 12 to 36 months. |
| US08153587B2 |
Orally administering parathyroid hormone and calcitonin
A method for orally administering a parathyroid hormone, PTH, comprising orally co-administering to a patient in need of PTH an effective amount of a PTH and an effective amount of calcitonin. The method according to the invention allows for the oral administration of PTH without the hypercalcemia, hypercalcuria and nephrolithiasis side effects. |
| US08153585B2 |
Peptide antagonists of vascular endothelial growth factor and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having VEGF antagonist activity, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of subjects having a disease or disorder associated with VEGF activity or subjects having tumors expressing a VEGF receptor. The polypeptides of the invention include polypeptides comprising a portion of SEQ ID NO: 1 having VEGF antagonist activity, polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO: 2 or a portion thereof having VEGF antagonist activity, and a polypeptide having the structure of formula (I), set forth above. The present invention further includes analogs and derivatives of these polypeptides having VEGF antagonist activity. |
| US08153583B2 |
Toll like receptor 3 antagonists, methods and uses
Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) antagonists, polynucleotides encoding TLR3 antagonists, and methods of making and using the foregoing are disclosed. |
| US08153580B2 |
Nogo receptor binding protein
The invention provides Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof, Sp35 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also provides compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Sp35 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof. |
| US08153579B2 |
Laundry composition
A particle having a hueing dye and C8-C20 fatty acid soap. |
| US08153574B2 |
Structured fluid detergent compositions comprising dibenzylidene polyol acetal derivatives and detersive enzymes
Fluid detergent compositions comprising an external structurant comprising dibenzylidene polyol acetal derivatives for providing desired rheological benefits such as product thickening, shear thinning behavior, as well as particle suspension capabilities, and a detersive enzyme such as lipase. |
| US08153572B2 |
Conditioning shampoo composition
Aqueous conditioning shampoo comprising cleansing surfactant and a conditioning gel network, the gel network comprising a particulate having a melting point above 70° C. and glyceryl monostearate. |
| US08153570B2 |
Quaternary ammonium salt detergents for use in lubricating compositions
A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a lubricating composition. |
| US08153568B2 |
Water-resistant grease and water-resistant-grease-enclosed rolling bearing and hub
The present invention provides water-resistant grease which improves the resistance to peeling which occurs from the surface of a bearing composed of carbon steel for machine structural use or the like even in a strict lubricating condition in which water may penetrate into the water-resistant grease during the operation of the bearing, and a rolling bearing and a hub bearing which use the water-resistant grease and have a long life. The water-resistant grease is composed of non-water-based base oil, a thickener, and a water dispersant used as an additive. The saturated amount of water dispersible in the water-resistant grease is 30 to 60 wt %. The water dispersant capable of dispersing the water in the water-resistant grease is a surface active agent. The non-water-based base oil is mineral oil. The thickener is a urea-based compound. The present invention also provides a rolling bearing and a hub bearing in which the water-resistant grease is enclosed. |
| US08153566B2 |
Lubricating oil compositions
A lubricating oil composition is disclosed which comprises (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity, and (b) an oil-soluble tetra-functional hydrolyzable silane compound of the general formula Si—X4 or a hydrolysis product thereof, wherein each X is independently a hydroxyl-containing group, hydrocarbyloxy-containing group, acyloxy-containing group, amino-containing group, monoalkyl amino-containing group or a dialkyl amino-containing group, and further wherein the lubricating oil composition is free of any zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate. |
| US08153563B2 |
Cement compositions comprising stevia retarders
Methods and compositions that include a method of cementing comprising providing a cement composition comprising water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a stevia retarder and inulin; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set in the formation. |
| US08153562B2 |
Oligoglycerol fatty acid ester thickeners for oil-based drilling fluids
Oligoglycerol esters of fatty acids, preferably of unsaturated fatty acids, can be used as thickeners in oil-based drilling mud compositions. The oligoglycerides are preferably employed in invert drilling muds, the oily phase of which contains paraffins. |
| US08153560B2 |
Pesticidal active mixtures comprising aminothiazoline compounds
Pesticidal mixtures comprising aminothiazoline compounds The present invention relates to pesticidal mixtures comprising as active compounds 1) at least one aminothiazoline compound I of the Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined in the description; and 2) at least one active compound II selected from a group A comprising acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, sodium channel modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists/antagonists, chloride channel activators, juvenile hormone mimics, compounds affecting the oxidative phosphorylation, inhibitors of the chitin biosynthesis, moulting disruptors, inhibitors of the MET, voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, inhibitors of the lipidsynthesis and other compounds as defined in the description, in synergistically effective amounts. The invention relates further to methods and use of these mixtures for combating insects, arachnids or nematodes in and on plants, and for protecting such plants being infested with pests, especially also for protecting seeds. |
| US08153557B2 |
Agriculturally useful compositions
A composition comprising at least one aromatic compound and at least one lactate ester compound is provided. Optionally, said composition can further comprise Cloquintocet-mexyl. Optionally, said composition can further comprise at least one emulsifier. Optionally, said composition can further comprise at least one herbicide. Processes comprising mixing such components are provided. Processes for controlling weeds or grasses or both with such compositions are provided. |
| US08153554B2 |
Reversible hydrogen storage materials
In accordance with the present disclosure, a process for synthesis of a complex hydride material for hydrogen storage is provided. The process includes mixing a borohydride with at least one additive agent and at least one catalyst and heating the mixture at a temperature of less than about 600° C. and a pressure of H2 gas to form a complex hydride material. The complex hydride material comprises MAlxByHz, wherein M is an alkali metal or group IIA metal, Al is the element aluminum, x is any number from 0 to 1, B is the element boron, y is a number from 0 to 13, and z is a number from 4 to 57 with the additive agent and catalyst still being present. The complex hydride material is capable of cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation and has a hydrogen capacity of at least about 4 weight percent. |
| US08153553B2 |
Gas sorbing composite systems and methods for their manufacturing
A gas sorbing system is formed by gas sorbing components which are dispersed in a polymeric matrix which is porous or permeable to the gases to be sorbed. The gas sorbing components include a central nucleus, selected among a silica particle, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and a spherosilicate, to which there are bound at least one organic or metalorganic radical carrying a functional group, which is able to chemically fix the gas to be sorbed, and at least one anchoring organic radical including a chain of carbon atoms, which has the functionality of fixing the nucleus in the matrix polymer. |
| US08153552B2 |
Cement-based composition for the embedding of a boron-containing aqueous solution, embedding process and cement grout composition
Cement-based composition for the embedding of a boron-containing aqueous solution, said composition being composed of a sulphoaluminate cement optionally comprising gypsum, and of a sand.Process for embedding, by cementation, of a boron-containing aqueous solution in which said aqueous solution is kneaded, mixed with said cement-based composition.Cement grout composition thus obtained. |
| US08153550B2 |
Process of manufacturing oil adsorption foaming sheet using peat moss
Provided is a process of manufacturing an oil adsorption foaming sheet for preventing or recovering pollution of ocean or soil by oil or hydrocarbon. The oil adsorption foaming sheet is manufactured by mixing polyurethane prepolymer with refined peat moss, lecithin as a dispersion and surfactant agent, N-methylmorpline as a foaming agent, and triethylenamin as a catalyst, to thereby form a foaming composite, foaming the foaming composite, to thereby obtain a soft continuous air bubble foaming body, slicing the foaming body, and drying the sliced foaming body into a moisture content of 2 wt % or below. |
| US08153549B2 |
Catalyst for treating exhaust gas and device for treating exhaust gas using the same
A catalyst for treating an exhaust gas has at least a carrier and plural layers formed on the carrier, wherein at least one layer of the above plural layers has an interstice in the layer, and at least one layer of the above plural layers contains a catalyst component. The above catalyst for treating an exhaust gas allows the enhancement of the diffusion of an exhaust gas in a catalyst layer, which results in the improvement of catalyst efficiency. |
| US08153547B2 |
Photocatalyst material, process for producing the photocatalyst material, and method for decomposing contaminant using the material
This invention provides a photocatalyst material, which can be produced at low cost without using platinum, particularly a visible light response-type photocatalyst material, a material having a photocatalyst mechanism not possessed by the conventional photocatalyst material, a process for producing the material, and a method for decomposing a contaminant using the material. The photocatalyst material comprises a) an oxide of a first metal and b) an aqua complex salt of a second metal. In this case, for the oxide of a first metal, the redox potential of a conduction band lower end in the oxide is on a rather negative side than 0.2 V (a value as measured at pH=0, vs. reference electrode potential). For the aqua complex salt of a second metal, the redox potential of a second metal ion in the aqua complex salt is on a rather negative side than 3.0 V (a value as measured at pH=0, vs. reference electrode potential). In the material, the aqua complex salt of a second metal is chemically adsorbed on the oxide of a first metal. |
| US08153540B2 |
Soda-lime-silica glass composition for a display screen
The invention relates to the field of display screens, especially plasma screens. One subject of the invention is a glass composition which comprises the constituents below in the following weight proportions: SiO2 55-75%; Al2O3 1-5%; ZrO2 1-5%; Na2O 1-5.5%; K2O 1-9%, preferably 1-8.5%, and advantageously 1-7.5%; CaO 7-11%; and SrO 3-9%, preferably 3.5-9%, and advantageously 4.5-9%, said composition having an Al2O3/ZrO2 weight ratio varying from 0.7 to 1.8, preferably from 0.7 to 1.2. The substrates obtained have a strain point at least equal to 570° C. and a coefficient of thermal expansion α20-300 between 70 and 90×10−7/° C. |
| US08153535B1 |
Combinatorial plasma enhanced deposition techniques
Combinatorial plasma enhanced deposition techniques are described, including designating multiple regions of a substrate, providing a precursor to at least a first region of the multiple regions, and providing a plasma to the first region to deposit a first material on the first region formed using the first precursor, wherein the first material is different from a second material formed on a second region of the substrate. |
| US08153534B2 |
Direct oxidation method for semiconductor process
An oxidation method for performing direct oxidation includes respectively supplying an oxidizing gas and a deoxidizing gas to the process field, and directly oxidizing a surface target substrates by use of oxygen radicals and hydroxyl group radicals generated by a reaction between the oxidizing gas and the deoxidizing gas. The oxidizing gas is supplied through an oxidizing gas nozzle extending over a vertical length corresponding to the process field and is spouted from a plurality of gas spouting holes formed on the oxidizing gas nozzle and arrayed over the vertical length corresponding to the process field. The deoxidizing gas is supplied through a plurality of deoxidizing gas nozzles having different heights respectively corresponding to a plurality of zones of the process field arrayed vertically and is spouted from gas spouting holes respectively formed on the deoxidizing gas nozzles each at height of a corresponding zone. |
| US08153529B2 |
Method for selective deposition and devices
A chemical vapor deposition method such as an atomic-layer-deposition method for forming a patterned thin film includes applying a deposition inhibitor material to a substrate. The deposition inhibitor material is a hydrophilic polymer that is a neutralized acid having a pKa of 5 or less, wherein at least 90% of the acid groups are neutralized. The deposition inhibitor material is patterned simultaneously or subsequently to its application to the substrate, to provide selected areas of the substrate effectively not having the deposition inhibitor material. A thin film is substantially deposited only in the selected areas of the substrate not having the deposition inhibitor material. |
| US08153527B2 |
Method for reducing sidewall etch residue
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method comprising forming a first layer over a substrate and a second layer over the first layer. A patterned masking layer is subsequently provided over the second layer and a patterned second layer with outwardly tapered sidewalls is formed by isotropically etching exposed portions of the second layer. A patterned first layer is the formed by etching the first layer in accordance with the patterned second layer. |
| US08153521B2 |
Wafer-level stack package
A wafer-level stack package includes semiconductor chips, first connection members, a second connection member, a substrate and an external connection terminal. The semiconductor chips have a power/ground pad and a signal pad. The first connection members are electrically connected to the power/ground pad and the signal pad of each of the semiconductor chips. The second connection member is electrically connected to at least one of the power/ground pads of each of the semiconductor chips, the power/ground pads being connected to the first connection members. The substrate supports the stacked semiconductor chips, the substrate including wirings that are electrically connected to the first connection members and the second connection member. The external connection terminal is provided on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface where the semiconductor chips are stacked, wherein the external connection terminals are electrically connected to the wirings, respectively. |
| US08153514B2 |
Method of forming metal/high-κ gate stacks with high mobility
The present invention provides a gate stack structure that has high mobilities and low interfacial charges as well as semiconductor devices, i.e., metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) that include the same. In the semiconductor devices, the gate stack structure of the present invention is located between the substrate and an overlaying gate conductor. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating the inventive gate stack structure in which a high temperature annealing process (on the order of about 800° C.) is employed. The high temperature anneal used in the present invention provides a gate stack structure that has an interface state density, as measured by charge pumping, of about 8×1010 charges/cm2 or less, a peak mobility of about 250 cm2V-s or greater and substantially no mobility degradation at about 6.0×1012 inversion charges/cm2 or greater. |
| US08153512B2 |
Patterning techniques
A method of forming a patterned layer, including the steps of: (i) depositing via a liquid medium a first material onto a substrate to form a first body on said substrate; (ii) depositing via a liquid medium a second material onto said substrate to form a second body, wherein said first body is used to control said deposition of said second material so as to form a patterned structure including said first and second bodies; and (iii) using said patterned structure to control the removal of selected portions of a layer of material in a dry etching process or in a wet etching process using a bath of etchant. |
| US08153507B2 |
Method of manufacturing high power array type semiconductor laser device
A method of manufacturing an array type semiconductor laser device. The method includes forming first and second electrodes on lower and upper surfaces of a wafer comprising a plurality of semiconductor laser arrays having a plurality of laser emission regions, and forming a metal bonding layer on the second electrode of the wafer. The method also includes dicing the wafer into the semiconductor laser arrays and mounting each of the individually separated semiconductor laser arrays on a base with the surface of the metal bonding layer in contact with the base. The method further includes melting the metal bonding layer to fix the mounted semiconductor laser array on the base. |
| US08153501B2 |
Maskless selective boron-doped epitaxial growth
A semiconductor device, comprising a silicon layer, an n-type field-effect transistor (NFET) disposed in and on a silicon layer, and a p-type field-effect transistor (PFET) disposed in and on the silicon layer, wherein the PFET includes a boron-doped silicon-germanium layer disposed on the silicon layer. Also, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising forming a first conductive layer over a p-well of a silicon layer, forming a second conductive layer over an n-well of the silicon layer, implanting fluorine ions into both the p-well and the n-well, exposing both the p-well and the n-well to ammonium hydroxide and peroxide, and epitaxially growing a boron-doped silicon-germanium layer on the silicon layer. |
| US08153496B1 |
Self-aligned process and method for fabrication of high efficiency solar cells
An improved method of doping a substrate is disclosed. The method is particularly beneficial to the creation of interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells. A patterned implant is performed to introduce a first dopant to a portion of the solar cell. After this implant is done, an oxidation layer is grown on the surface. The oxide layer grows more quickly over the implanted region than over the non-implanted region. An etching process is then performed to remove a thickness of oxide, which is equal to the thickness over the non-implanted regions. A second blanket implant is then performed. Due to the presence of oxide on portions of the solar cell, this blanket implant only implants ions in those regions which were not implanted previously. |
| US08153494B2 |
Nanowire MOSFET with doped epitaxial contacts for source and drain
A FET structure with a nanowire forming the FET channel, and doped source and drain regions formed by radial epitaxy from the nanowire body is disclosed. A top gated and a bottom gated nanowire FET structures are discussed. The source and drain fabrication can use either selective or non-selective epitaxy. |
| US08153493B2 |
FinFET process compatible native transistor
Provided is a top-channel only finFET device. The methods and devices described herein may provide a native device that is compatible with a finFET process flow. A gate may be formed on the top of a fin providing the channel region of the device. In an embodiment, the gate is provided only on one side of the channel, for example, on the top of the fin. The sidewalls of the fin including channel may abut an isolation structure. In an embodiment, isolation structures are formed between the fins to provide a planar surface for the formation of a gate. |
| US08153490B2 |
Fabrication method of power semiconductor structure with reduced gate impedance
A fabrication method of a power semiconductor structure with reduced gate impedance is provided. Firstly, a polysilicon gate is formed in a substrate. Then, dopants are implanted into the substrate with the substrate being partially shielded by the polysilicon gate. Afterward, an isolation layer is formed to cover the polysilicon gate. Thereafter, a thermal drive-in process is carried out to form at least a body surrounding the polysilicon gate. Then, the isolation layer is removed to expose the polysilicon gate. Afterward, a metal layer is deposited on the dielectric layer and the polysilicon gate, and a self-aligned silicide layer is formed on the polysilicon gate by using a thermal process. |
| US08153485B2 |
Method for fabricating memory
A method for fabricating a memory is described. Word lines are provided in a first direction. Bit lines are provided in a second direction. A top electrode is formed connecting to a corresponding word line. A bottom electrode is formed connecting to a corresponding bit line. A resistive layer is formed on the bottom electrode. At least two separate L-shaped liners are formed, wherein each L-shaped liner has variable resistive materials on both ends of the L-shaped liner and each L-shaped liner is coupled between the top electrode and the resistive layer. |
| US08153483B2 |
Semiconductor device having a vertical transistor and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having a vertical transistor comprises a silicon substrate; a drain region, a channel region and a source region vertically stacked on the silicon substrate; a buried type bit line formed under the drain region in the silicon substrate to contact with the drain region and to extend in one direction; and gates respectively formed on both side walls of the stacked drain region, channel region and source region. |
| US08153482B2 |
Well-structure anti-punch-through microwire device
A well-structure anti-punch-through microwire device and associated fabrication method are provided. The method initially forms a microwire with alternating highly and lightly doped cylindrical regions. A channel ring is formed external to the microwire outer shell and surrounding a first dopant well-structure region in the microwire, between source and drain (S/D) regions of the microwire. The S/D regions are doped with a second dopant, opposite to the first dopant. A gate dielectric ring is formed surrounding the channel ring, and a gate electrode ring is formed surrounding the gate dielectric ring. The well-structure, in contrast to conventional micro or nanowire transistors, helps prevent the punch-through phenomena. |
| US08153480B2 |
Air cavity package for flip-chip
According to an example embodiment, there is method (100) for manufacturing a semiconductor device in an air-cavity package. For a device die having an active surface, a lead frame is provided (5), the lead frame has a top-side surface and an under-side surface, the lead frame has predetermined pad landings on the top-side surface. A laminate material is applied (10) to the top-side surface of the lead frame. In the laminate material, an air-cavity region and contact regions are defined (15, 20, 25, 30, 35). The contact regions provide electrical connections to the predetermined pad landings on the lead frame. With the active circuit surface in an orientation toward the laminate material, the device die is mounted (40, 45). The bond pads of the active surface circuit are connected with ball bonds to the predetermined pad landings on the lead frame. An air-cavity is formed between the active surface of the device die and the top-side surface of the lead frame. |