最新美国发明专利
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US08305930B2 Hybrid clustering based data aggregation method for multi-target tracking in wireless sensor network
Provided are a sensor network structure, a data aggregation method, and a clustering method for efficient multi-target tracking. The multi-target tracking may be efficiently performed in a heterogeneous sensor network by combining clustering methods and adaptively varying the clustering methods. As such, an energy consumption problem in a sensor network may be reduced, and a data transmission delay problem or a data traffic problem may be solved by reducing the amount of data to be transmitted.
US08305923B1 Custom automatic remote monitoring for network devices
A network device including a port configured to exchange packets of data with one or more networks. The network device further includes a rule storing circuit is configured to store a plurality of event classification rules. Each of the event classification rules describes at least one event characteristic for an event in the network device. At least one of the event classification rules includes a change in state of the at least one port of the network device. The change in state of the at least one port is generated by a change in spanning tree mode. The network device further includes an event classifier is configured to identify events having the at least one event characteristic described by any of the event classification rules, and a plurality of event counters configured to count the events identified by the event classifier for a respective one of the event classification rules.
US08305922B2 Method for PCRF to autonomously respond to cell capacity shortage
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node and machine-readable storage medium including one or more of the following: determining network status; receiving an application request at the PCRN; generating a new PCC rule in response to the application request and network status; and providing the new PCC rule to a PCEN. Various exemplary embodiments further include receiving an event message, determining the network status from received event messages and isolating congestion using previously issued PCC rules and a network topology.
US08305921B2 Channel selection and interference suppression
Several adaptive techniques are described to combat interference in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. In addition to adaptive frequency selection, interference suppression techniques for a selected carrier frequency are presented. The interference suppression technique can be adaptively selected based on the availability and quality of channel state information (CSI) and interference statistics. Techniques to estimate interference statistics are also presented. Interference mitigation techniques are also presented for automatic gain control (AGC), intermittent interference, and interference caused to other networks.
US08305919B2 Dynamic management of end-to-end network loss during a phone call
A method and system of managing end-to-end loss in a manner that allows phone calls to be executed across many networks at desirable end-to-end loss levels, including networks having fixed-loss stratagems, by controlling devices to adjust their local loss or gain in order to establish target end-to-end loss.
US08305918B2 Method of configuring the quality-of-service profile of a given stream at an access node of a packet communications network
A method is provided for configuring the service quality profile of a given flow at the access node of a packet communication network to which is connected to the gateway of a receiving user of the flow. The method includes a step where the gateway determines on its own a service quality profile to be associated with the flow, that is triggered upon reception of a packet from the access node, and a step where the service quality profile thus determined is sent to the access node. The profile is used by the access node for transmitting packets intended for the gateway and belonging to the flow in question.
US08305914B2 Method for signal adjustment through latency control
A method for adjusting latency in a video conference signal originating from a video conference camera and encoder is described herein. Latency in a video conference connection between more than two video conference sites is measured. The latency between each of the more than two video conference sites is compared with a latency threshold. Parameters of the video conference camera and encoder associated with each video conference site are adjusted by a video controller to modify the image quality of the video signal if the measured latency of a respective video conference connection is below the threshold.
US08305912B2 Network and method providing an indication of network capabilities to a user for special number calls
Networks and methods are disclosed for providing an indication of the capability of a communication network for serving special number calls. Before a user places a special number call, the communication network determines the capability of the communication network for serving a special number call, and provides the indication of the network capability to the user. The user is thus kept aware of the quality of the special number service available to them through the communication network.
US08305911B2 System and method for identifying and managing service disruptions using network and systems data
A method for identifying disruptions using network and systems data includes receiving resource utilization information for a network component at a first time and receiving resource utilization information for the network component at a second time. The method also includes identifying a resource utilization pattern for the network component, predicting a resource utilization for the network component at a third time based on the resource utilization pattern, and determining whether the predicted resource utilization will breach a utilization threshold for the network component.
US08305910B2 Method and apparatus for configuring, and compiling code for, a communications test set-up
Computer-readable code stored on computer-readable media includes code to allocate at least one data structure in computer memory. The at least one data structure has a plurality of message parameter fields, and each of the message parameter fields has a deterministic position within the at least one data structure. The computer-readable code also includes code to navigate to different ones of the message parameter fields by interpreting non-compiled instructions. The instructions have a form that specifies a position of a particular message parameter field within the at least one data structure, and a number of bits in the particular message parameter field. The position of the particular message parameter field is specified in terms of a number of data offsets in the at least one data structure. The computer-readable code also includes code to configure a communications test-set following navigation to at least one of the message parameter fields.
US08305905B2 Multinode arrangement
The present invention provides a multinode arrangement that utilizes a plurality of nodes that communicate with each other by RF transmissions and hardwire communications. The use of both hardwire and RF transmission provides the advantages obtained with both forms of transmission.
US08305901B2 Method of generating a buffer status for a wireless communication system and related device
A method of generating a buffer state of a packet data convergence protocol, hereinafter called PDCP, layer for a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes including volume information of packets, which have been submitted to a layer lower than the PDCP layer and have not been confirmed by the layer or by a PDCP status report, in a buffer state report of the PDCP layer, where the packets have not been confirmed by the layer due to buffer clearing of the layer.
US08305896B2 Selective performance enhancement of traffic flows
In an example embodiment, a method for selective performance enhancement of traffic flows, such as a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) flow, on devices where enhancement of a limited number of concurrent flows is supported, or where a limited number of TCP accelerated or IP (Internet Protocol) compressed flows are supported. Flows are selected to be enhanced, accelerated or compressed based on configured priorities, including but not limited to type of the flow, importance of the flow, and availability of resources to enhance, accelerate or compress the flow. For example, a high-priority TCP session is accelerated for the lifetime of the session, while a low-priority TCP session is accelerated while there are available resources for the low-priority flow.
US08305895B2 Adaptive cross-network message bandwidth allocation by message servers
In one embodiment, a network device is described as including a rate monitor to monitor an actual individual message rate of event messages sent from each one of a plurality of sending devices operatively in communication with the network device, an allocator to allocate an individual message rate limit to each of the plurality of sending devices, and a communication module to communicate a rate limit instruction to at least one of the sending devices, the rate limit instruction to limit the transmission rate of event messages.
US08305894B1 Paging channel queue management based on load
A method and apparatus for more efficiently scheduling transmission of page messages over a paging channel in a radio access network (RAN). The RAN, which generally assigns slotted messages a higher transmission priority than non-slotted messages, may determine a level of occupancy of the paging channel either periodically, continuously, or responsive to a triggering event. Thereafter, the RAN may compare the level of occupancy to a load threshold, which may either be based on (i) a predicted probability of non-slotted messages that will result from slotted messages in the RAN, or (ii) a ratio of non-slotted messages to slotted messages in the RAN. If the load threshold is based on the ratio, the RAN may determine the load threshold before making the comparison. After making the comparison, the RAN may assign non-slotted messages a higher transmission priority than slotted messages if the level of occupancy exceeds the load threshold.
US08305890B2 Method and apparatus for prioritizing voice over internet protocol signaling messages
A method and apparatus for enabling prioritization of signaling messages in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method receives at least one signaling message, and classifies each of the at least one signaling message. The method schedules each of the at least one signaling message for processing, and discards selectively one or more signaling messages that have been scheduled under an overload condition.
US08305888B2 System and method for improving transport protocol performance in communication networks having lossy links
Providing transport protocol within a communication network having a lossy link. The receiver distinguishes between packets received with non-congestion bit errors and packets having been not at all received due to congestion. When packets are received with non-congestion bit errors, the receiver sends selective acknowledgments indicating that the packets were received with bit errors while suppressing duplicate acknowledgments to prevent the invocation of a congestion mechanism.
US08305885B2 Control of quality of service in overlapping basic service sets in wireless local area networks
Access priority for wireless devices located in an area in which radiofrequency (RF) coverage areas of a first wireless access point and a second wireless access point overlap is controlled by coordinating operation of the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point. The wireless devices access a common RF channel via a collision sense multiple access/collision avoidance mechanism. The probability of accessing the RF channel may be varied by adjusting the length of interframe spacings and the length of contention windows. The length of the interframe spacings and the length of the contention windows associated with the first access point and associated with the second access point are configured such that the probability of wireless devices associated with the first wireless access point accessing the RF channel is greater than the probability of wireless devices associated with the second wireless access point accessing the RF channel.
US08305884B2 Systems and methods for a self-healing carrier ethernet topology
Systems and methods for self-healing Ethernet topologies which are compatible with PBT, which use standards-based protocols, which do not self-configure, and which use Ethernet OAM are provided. Interconnected nodes are configured with a primary and secondary path which is determined by VLANs, MPLS label, Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) VLAN ID (VID), Frame Relay (FR), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Virtual Circuits (VCs), and the like. One or more head-end nodes are designated for terminating each path and for performing cross-connects between the primary and secondary paths. IEEE 802.1ag Continuity Check Messages (CCM) are transmitted by all nodes on both the primary and secondary routes. Responsive to a loss of a predetermined number of CCM messages, traffic is switched to the secondary route. In non-fault conditions, both the paths for the primary and secondary routes can carry traffic.
US08305882B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting and/or correcting faults in a multiprotocol label switching network by using redundant paths between nodes
Faults are detected and recovered from in a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network by communicating packets between a first node and a second node in the MPLS network using a set of prioritized label switch path (LSP) pairs. A failure to receive a relatively constant rate of packets during a predetermined time interval is detected at the first node. Packets are sent from the first node to the second node using a backup LSP pair responsive to detecting the failure. Packets are then sent from the second node to the first node using a backup LSP pair responsive to receiving packets at the second node on the backup LSP pair.
US08305875B2 Method for allocating frequency domain spread code in base station of MC-CDMA communication system
The present invention relates to a method for allocating a frequency domain spread code in a base station of a multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) communication system. A code allocation priority is established based on interference between previously allocated spread codes and a newly allocated spread code so as to minimize the interference caused by channel fading or a synchronization error according to a transmitting or receiving timing offset when a scheduler of the base station in the MC-CDMA communication system allocates a subcarrier group to the plurality of user terminals or channels, and the spread code is allocated to the plurality of user terminals or channels according to the established priority, by the scheduler of the base station.
US08305873B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting sequence in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting a sequence in a wireless communication system is provided. A transmitter generates a block sequence comprising a first sub-block sequence and a second sub-block sequence, generates a phase modulated block sequence by performing phase modulation on the block sequence, maps the phase modulated block sequence to a plurality of sub-blocks, and transmits the phase modulated block sequence mapped to the plurality of sub-blocks.
US08305867B2 Lens and optical pick-up
A lens including: a lens body having first and second surfaces; a flange part formed to protrude from a periphery of the lens body and to have a cylindrical outer circumferential surface; a lens installation surface formed at an outer edge part of the flange part; a recessed part formed as a part of the flange part such that a part of the cylindrical outer circumferential surface is recessed toward the optical axis; and a gate root part located at a central part of the recessed part. The gate root part has a flat surface which is in a same level with respect to the lens installation surface. The gate root part lies on an optical axis side with respect to a virtual curved surface formed by extending the cylindrical outer circumferential surface through the recessed part.
US08305858B2 Variable delay circuit, recording apparatus, and delay amount calibration method
Provided are a variable delay circuit, a recording apparatus, and a delay amount calibration method. The variable delay circuit includes a delay line in which a delay amount is variably set, a delay setting unit that performs delay setting of the delay line using a unit delay control value, in a calibration period, overlaps a test pulse with the input signal, and generates a comparison pulse, and a unit delay determining unit that sets the delay of the unit delay amount in the delay line by providing the unit delay control value to the delay setting unit in the calibration period, determines the unit delay control value equivalent to the unit delay amount based on a phase comparison result between the comparison pulse and the test pulse, and provides, to the delay setting unit, the determined unit delay control value as the unit delay control value of a calibration result.
US08305856B2 Disk-shaped record medium and producing method for same, disk recording method and device, and disk playback method and device
To record specific information to a disk-shaped record medium and reproduce the recorded specific information without any influence on the error correction capability. Copy protection information (CPID) having an error correction code appended thereto, shuffled and otherwise treated is sent as a CPID bit block to an EDC rewrite circuit (14). The EDC rewrite circuit (14) rewrites an error detection code appended to user data in each sector in accordance with bit information in the CPID bit block. Thereafter, the data in each sector is scrambled, and an ECC block including a plurality of sectors is modulated with an error correction code and sync signal appended thereto. The modulated signal is recorded in a reserve area of a lead-in area of the disk-shaped record medium. During reproduction, CPID is restored based on the result of error detection of each sector.
US08305853B2 Optical disc drive device
A hybrid BD drive 1 (1) of the present invention includes a flash control section (2) which (a) uses a flash memory (7) as a cache memory in a case where the hybrid BD drive (1) receives an address or data via an interface (13) and which (b) uses the flash memory (7) as a data memory in a case where the hybrid BD drive (1) receives an address or data via an interface (14). This makes it possible to provide an optical disc drive device having a nonvolatile memory capable of reducing an access time in random access and storing data except cache data.
US08305848B2 Timepiece movement fitted with an inertial coupling mechanism
A timepiece movement comprising a coupling mechanism including first and second coupling wheel sets, whereby the rotation of the first coupling wheel set causes the second coupling wheel set to rotate, whereby the coupling mechanism is a centrifugal coupling mechanism including an inertial click secured to the hub of the first coupling wheel set, and meshing with stop members secured to the second coupling wheel set.
US08305847B2 Ultra high resolution timing measurement
A method for high-resolution timing measurement includes a first oscillator generating a first clock with a first frequency. A second oscillator generates a second clock with a second frequency. A delay pulse generator generates a delayed pulse from the second clock. An oscillator tuner controls the second frequency to be as close as possible to the first frequency without being the same as the first frequency. A sampling module samples the delayed pulse at the first frequency. A counter generates a digital counter value by counting a number of samples made by the sampling module.
US08305846B2 Time piece with LED light means
A timepiece with LED lights uses a simple light-medium body with a very rough finish to allow light from LED(s) to pass though input-end(s) of the light-medium body and travel within the body and obtain a very even brightness on all surfaces of the light medium that are seen by a viewer. Combined with a milky/frosted front sheet overlay, the light-medium surface can get perfect area illumination effects. The movement for the time display can include analog indicators with a guilt-in light-medium on the top cover to achieve a super slim LED illumination for the time piece. For night light application, the sealed-unit may consist of prong-means and an LED related circuit sealed within a safety standard plastic material and assembled with the night light body to save a lot of cost enable use of all kinds of materials. The invention may also be adapted to an LCD display timepiece.
US08305843B2 Channel impulse response estimation
A human-machine interface system adapted to track movement of an object in air is disclosed. In one aspect, the human-machine interface includes an acoustic transmitter, an acoustic receiver, and logic configured to apply a calculated inverse matrix of an impulse signal transmitted by the acoustic transmitter to a signal received by the acoustic receiver, wherein movement of the object is used to control the machine.
US08305841B2 Method and apparatus for determining the topography of a seafloor and a vessel comprising the apparatus
A method and apparatus for determining the topography of a seafloor includes providing a vessel with a multibeam sonar device which transmits first pulses of first signals, and a pair of sidescan sonar devices, which transmit second pulses of second signals, spaced apart rearwardly from the multibeam sonar device on the vessel. The first and second pulses produced by the multibeam sonar device and the sidescan sonar devices, respectively, are interleaved, and the time duration between each second pulse and the next following first pulse, and between each first pulse and the next following one of the first and second pulses is determined as a function of the maximum time-of-flight of the first signals of one of the previous first pulses from the time of transmission thereof to the time of reception of the backscattered first signals.
US08305838B2 Semiconductor memory device for guaranteeing reliability of data transmission and semiconductor system including the same
A semiconductor device includes a system clock input unit configured to receive a system clock for synchronizing input times of an address signal and a command signal from a memory controller, a data clock input unit configured to receive first and second data clocks for synchronizing an input/output time of a data signal from the memory controller, wherein a phase of the second data clock is shifted according to a training information signal, and the second data clock having the shifted phase is inputted to the data clock input unit, and a phase detection unit configured to detect a logic level of the second data clock based on an edge of the first data clock, and generate the training information signal to transmit the generated signal to the memory controller according to the detected logic level.
US08305836B2 Semiconductor memory device highly integrated in direction of columns
First and second read word lines are provided in each set made of two adjacent rows. First, second, third, and fourth read bit lines are provided in each column. Each of the first and second read word lines is connected to memory cells in a corresponding one of the sets. Each of the first and third read bit lines is connected to a memory cell in one row in each of the sets, out of memory cells in a corresponding one of the columns. Each of the second and fourth read bit lines is connected to a memory cell in the other row in each of the sets, out of the memory cells in the corresponding one of the columns.
US08305835B2 Memory elements having configurable access duty cycles and related operating methods
Apparatus and methods are provided for accessing memory elements. An exemplary memory element includes an array of memory cells and a control module. Each memory cell of the array is coupled to an access line, wherein the control module is configured to assert a first signal for a write duty cycle on the access line to enable writing to a first memory cell of the array of memory cells, and the control module is configured to assert a second signal for a read duty cycle on the access line to enable reading from the first memory cell. The write duty cycle and the read duty cycle are each selected from a plurality of possible duty cycles. In an exemplary embodiment, the read duty cycle and the write duty cycle are chosen to optimize a performance parameter for the memory element.
US08305832B2 Integrated circuits, systems, and methods for reducing leakage currents in a retention mode
An integrated circuit includes at least one memory array for storing data. A first switch is coupled with the memory array. A first power line is coupled with the first switch. The first power line is operable to supply a first power voltage. A second switch is coupled with the memory array. A second power line is coupled with the second switch. The second power line is operable to supply a second power voltage for retaining the data during a retention mode. A third power line is coupled with the memory array. The third power line is capable of providing a third power voltage.
US08305831B2 Power management
An SRAM includes circuitry configured for the SRAM to operate at different operation modes using different voltage levels wherein the voltage level and thus the supply current leakage is regulated based on the operation mode. For example, the SRAM, in a normal operation mode, consumes power as other SRAMs. In a deep sleep mode the supply voltage (e.g., VDDI) for the bit cell in the SRAM macro is lowered by about 20-40% of the SRAM supply voltage (e.g., VDD), sufficient to retain the data in the bit cell. When access to the SRAM is not needed, the SRAM operates in the sleep mode, consuming little or no power.
US08305827B2 Dual rail memory
A memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. A column of the plurality of columns includes a first power supply node configured to provide a first voltage, a second power supply node configured to provide a second voltage, and a plurality of internal supply nodes electrically coupled together and configured to receive the first voltage or the second voltage for a plurality of memory cells in the column and a plurality of internal ground nodes. The internal ground nodes are electrically coupled together and configured to provide at least two current paths for the plurality of memory cells in the column.
US08305826B2 Method and apparatus for programming an anti-fuse element in a high-voltage integrated circuit
A method for programming a programmable block of a power IC device includes selecting an anti-fuse element of the programmable block to be programmed. The anti-fuse element includes first and second capacitive plates separated by a dielectric layer. A voltage pulse is then applied to a pin of the power IC device. The pin is connected to a drain of a high-voltage field-effect transistor (HVFET) that drives an external load via the pin during a normal operating mode of the power IC device. The voltage pulse, which is coupled to the first capacitive plate of the anti-fuse element, has a potential sufficiently high to cause a current to flow through the anti-fuse element that destroys at least a portion of the dielectric layer, thereby electrically shorting the first and second capacitive plates.
US08305821B2 Memory systems and methods for dynamically phase adjusting a write strobe and data to account for receive-clock drift
A memory system includes a memory controller that writes data to and reads data from a memory device. A write data strobe accompanying the write data indicates to the memory device when the write data is valid, whereas a read strobe accompanying data from the memory device indicates to the memory controller when the read data is valid. The memory controller adaptively controls the phase of the write strobe to compensate for timing drift at the memory device. The memory controller uses the read strobe as a measure of the drift.
US08305814B2 Sense amplifier with precharge delay circuit connected to output
Single-ended sense amplifier circuit. An example of the sense amplifier circuit includes an inverter coupled to a bit line to read a bit cell. The sense amplifier circuit also includes a first circuit responsive to a control signal to charge the bit line for a predefined time. Further, the sense amplifier circuit includes a second circuit coupled to the bit line and responsive to a read 1 operation to retain voltage of the bit line above a first threshold to render the inverter to read 1 from the bit cell.
US08305813B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method of operating the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a data latch unit configured to store data to be programmed into a memory cell or store data read from a memory cell, and page buffers each comprising a sense node discharge unit configured to selectively ground a sense node depending on data stored in the data latch unit and in response to a sense node discharge signal.
US08305811B2 Flash memory device and method of reading data
A flash memory device and method of reading data are disclosed. The method includes; performing a test read operation directed to test data stored in a memory cell array of the flash memory device by iteratively applying a sequence of test read retry operations, wherein each successive test read retry operation uses a respectively higher test read voltage level than a preceding test read retry operation, until one test read retry operation in the sequence of test read retry operations successfully reads the test data using a minimum test read retry voltage associated with the one test read retry operation, setting an initial read voltage for the flash memory device equal to the minimum test read retry voltage, and thereafter performing a normal read operation directed to user data stored in the memory cell array by iteratively applying a sequence of read retry operations, wherein an initial read retry operation in the sequence of read retry operations uses the initial read voltage.
US08305807B2 Detection of broken word-lines in memory arrays
Techniques and corresponding circuitry are presented for the detection of broken wordlines in a memory array. In an exemplary embodiment, a program operation of the memory circuit is performed on a first plurality of memory cells along a word-line, where the programming operation includes a series of alternating programming pulses and verify operations, with the memory cells individually locking out from further programming pulses as verified. The determination of whether the word-line is defective based on the number of programming pulses for the memory cells of a first subset of the first plurality to verify as programmed relative to the number of programming pulses for the memory cells of a second subset of the first plurality to verify as programmed, where the first and second subsets each contain multiple memory cells and are not the same.
US08305806B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method for controlling word line or bit line thereof
A nonvolatile memory device includes global selection lines, local selection lines, a first selection circuit, and a second selection circuit. The local lines correspond respectively to the global selection lines. The first selection circuit is configured to connect to the global selection lines to select the global selection lines. The second selection circuit is connected between the global selection lines and the local selection lines and is configured to select the local selection lines. The first selection circuit is configured to select at least one global selection line, and the second selection circuit is configured to select the local selection lines corresponding to the selected global selection line while the at least one global selection line is continuously activated.
US08305804B2 Flash memory device and system including the same
The invention provides an operation method of a memory system including a flash memory device. The method includes programming at least one page included in a selected memory block of the flash memory device; and determining the selected memory block or the flash memory device to be invalid, according to whether a loop number of the programmed page is out of a reference loop range.
US08305795B2 Nonvolatile variable resistance memory element writing method, and nonvolatile variable resistance memory device
To provide a variable resistance element writing method that, even when a variable resistance element has a possibility of becoming a half LR state, can ensure a maximum resistance change window by correcting the variable resistance element to a normal low resistance state. In a method of writing data to a variable resistance element (10a) that reversibly changes between a high resistance state and a low resistance state according to a polarity of an applied voltage, as a voltage applied to an upper electrode (11) with respect to a lower electrode (14t): a positive voltage is applied in a high resistance writing step (405) to set the variable resistance element (10a) to a high resistance state (401); a negative voltage is applied in a low resistance writing step (406, 408) to set the variable resistance element (10a) to a low resistance state (403, 402); and a positive voltage is applied in a low resistance stabilization writing step (404) after the negative voltage is applied in the low resistance writing step (408), thereby setting the variable resistance element (10a) through the low resistance state to the high resistance state (401).
US08305793B2 Integrated circuit with an array of resistance changing memory cells
An integrated circuit includes an array of resistance changing memory cells, and a circuit configured to apply an initialization signal to a first one of the memory cells that is in a virgin resistance state. The initialization signal is configured to modify the first memory cell without switching an operation state of the first memory cell.
US08305790B2 Electrical anti-fuse and related applications
A first terminal and a second terminal of a FinFET transistor are used as two terminals of an anti-fuse. To program the anti-fuse, a gate of the FinFET transistor is controlled, and a voltage having a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined duration is applied to the first terminal to cause the first terminal to be electrically shorted to the second terminal.
US08305788B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit line pairs, a plurality of column selectors, a common signal line pair including one common line commonly connected to one of each of the plurality of bit line pairs, and the other common line commonly connected to the other of each of the plurality of bit line pairs, a sense amplifier amplifying the potential difference of the common signal line pair, and a plurality of capacitance adding circuits that balance with parasitic capacitances of the column selectors which are not selected, the capacitance adding circuits being provided respectively between the one of each of the bit line pairs and the other common line and between the other of each of the bit line pairs and the one common line.
US08305786B2 Power controller for electric vehicle
A controller calculates a total power fluctuation including a power fluctuation on a first unit and a power fluctuation on a second unit. The controller estimate a voltage fluctuation of the system voltage based on the total power fluctuation. Then, the controller calculates a control amount for a voltage converter by reflecting the estimated voltage fluctuation. The estimated voltage fluctuation can be used to correct a feed-forward control amount. As a result, a voltage stabilizing control is performed based on the estimated voltage fluctuation which could be occurred in response to the total power fluctuation if no stabilizing control is performed. Thereby, the stability of the system voltage can be improved without using a large size smoothing capacitor.
US08305785B2 Power source apparatus
Power source apparatus utilizing a synchronous rectification system including a main transformer having a primary coil, and two secondary coils connected to each other by a tap mutually electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil. The power source apparatus includes a gate driver generating a first drive signal and a second drive signal to a gate of a first field effect transistor and to a gate of a second field effect transistor, respectively. The first field effect transistor and the second field effect transistor are turned on and off alternative by the gate driver.
US08305784B2 High efficiency universal input switching power supply with switchable PFC circuits
A universal input switching power supply has a signal detecting unit, two DC converting units and a physical wiring and controlling unit. The DC converting units are respectively adapted to couple to an AC power source to convert the AC power source to two first DC power sources and changes a voltage of each of the first power sources according to different voltage of the AC power source. The physical wiring and controlling unit is connected to the outputs of the DC converting units and the signal detecting unit and automatically connects the outputs of the PFC circuits in parallel if a high line voltage range of the AC power source is coupled to the full bridge rectifier. On the contrary, the physical wiring and controlling unit automatically connects the outputs of the PFC circuits in serial. Accordingly, the universal input switching power supply has good transmitting efficiency at different AC power source conditions.
US08305778B2 Method and system to influence the power generation of an adjustable speed generator
A method and a system to influence the power generation of at least one adjustable speed generator. The system includes a first voltage source converter connected to a local AC bus. The local AC bus is provided with power by the at least one adjustable speed generator. A second voltage source converter connected to an AC grid. A DC link is connected between the first and the second voltage source converter. At least one control unit controls the first and the second voltage source converters. The at least one control unit performs the method to control the AC voltage in the local AC bus via the first voltage source converter and to modify a reference value for the AC voltage magnitude of the local AC bus in dependence on the AC voltage magnitude of the AC grid.
US08305771B2 Electromagnetic interference suppressing device and related electronic device
An electromagnetic interference suppressing device includes a plurality of signal guiding units coupled to a metal housing of an electronic component for receiving a plurality of signals transmitted from the metal housing (the electronic component is installed on a circuit board), a plurality of grounding units coupled to a plurality of ground pads of the circuit board for transmitting the plurality of signals to the plurality of ground pads, and a main body coupled to the plurality of signal guiding units and the plurality of grounding units for transmitting the plurality of signals between the plurality of signal guiding units and the plurality of grounding units so as to implement a return path.
US08305767B2 Printed wiring board reliably achieving electric connection with electronic component
Terminal pads are arranged on a first surface of the substrate for an electronic component to receive terminals of the electronic component. An electrically-conductive film is formed on a second surface defined on the back of the first surface over the back of a mounting area for the electronic component. The mounting area is contoured along the outer periphery of the arrangement of the terminal pads. The ratio of the area of the electrically-conductive material to the area of the surface of the substrate over the back of the mounting area is set appropriate to the ratio of the area of the electrically-conductive material to the area of the surface of the substrate over the mounting area for each electronic component. This results in suppression of flexure of the printed wiring board during reflow.
US08305765B2 Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a signal wiring and an electronic component. The signal wiring is provided on a first surface which is an inner surface of the housing. The electronic component is accommodated in the housing and includes a conductive member for electrical continuity with the signal wiring. The conductive member is formed on a surface of the electronic component facing the first surface of the housing. The electronic component is fixed to the first surface of the housing by a conductive adhesive agent having conductivity so that the conductive member has electrically continuity with the signal wiring. The electronic component is fixed to the first surface of the housing by a reinforcing adhesive agent having adhesive strength higher than the conductive adhesive agent.
US08305763B2 Housing case for electronic circuit board
In a housing case for housing an electronic circuit board, comprising a case body, a cover, a pedestal formed on the case body to support the board, a holder formed on the cover at a location to face the pedestal to hold the board from opposite side of the pedestal, a recess formed at the case body near the pedestal, and a convex formed on the cover at a position corresponding to the recess, it is configured such that the convex is inserted in and adhered to the recess to attach the cover to the case body. With this, it becomes possible to change the amount of adhesive member in accordance with the environment, etc., with the simple structure.
US08305762B2 Planar heat pipe for cooling
There is disclosed an apparatus of planar heat pipe for cooling, which may be embedded in a printed circuit board for cooling of heat-dissipating components.The apparatus includes two panels that are both metal clad on one side, at least one of the panels being grooved on its metal clad side, the panels being assembled by their metal clad sides to form a sealed cavity, the cavity being filled with a fluid, the fluid circulating by capillary action along the grooves towards zones exposed to heat where it vaporizes.Application: electronics, cooling, printed circuit boards
US08305758B2 Heat-dissipating module
A heat-dissipating module is disclosed, which is suitable for an electronic apparatus with a case and a heat source. The heat-dissipating module includes a set of dissipation fins and a fan. The set of dissipation fins is suitable to connect a heat source and there is a flow channel between the set of dissipation fins and the case. The fan is for producing an airflow flowing towards the set of dissipation fins, while the partial airflow flows through the flow channel.
US08305756B2 Spring-loaded doors to prevent air recirculation without need for additional space
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to modular information handling systems configured to automatically adjust coolant flow upon insertion and/or removal of heat-releasing elements (e.g., blades). A system may comprise, for example, a chassis at least partially defining a cavity, at least one fan in fluid communication with the cavity and operable to move coolant through at least a portion of the cavity, and one or more bays. Each of the one or more bays (a) may be at least partially defined by a bay wall, (b) may be configured to receive a heat-releasing element, and/or (c) may comprise an obturator configured to conditionally block fluid communication between the bay and the chassis cavity, the fan, and/or a coolant, wherein the obturator allows fluid communication when a blade is present in the bay and blocks fluid communication when a blade is absent from the bay. A system may further comprise at least one heat-releasing element positioned in at least one of the one or more bays.
US08305755B2 Power modules, cooling devices and methods thereof
A jet impingement cooling device may include a jet structure and a target layer. The jet structure may include at least one fluid jet operable to produce an impingement jet of cooling fluid. The target layer may further include a heat receiving surface configured to be coupled to a heat generating device and a jet impingement target surface. The jet impingement target surface may further include at least one target structure having a wavy-fin topology with a fin peak, wherein the fluid jet and the target structure are arranged such that the fin peak of the target structure is aligned with a centerline of the impingement jet of cooling fluid during operation of the jet impingement cooling device.
US08305751B2 Vibration isolation within disk drive testing systems
A disk drive test slot includes a housing that defines a test compartment for receiving and supporting a disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The housing also defines an open end that provides access to the test compartment for insertion and removal of disk drive transporter carrying a disk drive for testing. The disk drive test slot also includes a mounting plate connected to the housing. One or more isolators are disposed between the housing and the mounting plate. The one or more isolators are operable to inhibit transmission of vibrational energy between the housing and the mounting plate.
US08305747B2 Rotary hinge and a portable electronic device with the same
A rotary hinge for an electronic device with a cover and a body is mounted between a bottom of the cover and a top of the body and has a receiving assembly, a connecting assembly and a retaining assembly. The receiving assembly is connected to the cover. The connecting assembly is connected to the body and is attached pivotally to the receiving assembly. The retaining assembly is connected respectively to the receiving and connecting assemblies to selectively hold the cover at closed and open positions. With only one pivot between the rotary hinge and the cover, part of the body is exposed to allow the input unit being used when the cover is pivoted to open. Regardless of opening or closing the cover, the rotary hinge is hidden to prevent from damaging and foreign matters.
US08305746B2 Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a first case 1 including a keyboard 5 and a signal processing portion, a second case 2 including a liquid crystal display 21 that is capable of displaying visible information obtained by converting an input signal into a visible information signal in the signal processing portion, hinges 3 for rotatably supporting the first case 1 and the second case 2, and light source bodies 11, 12 that are capable of illuminating the keyboard 5 and located at both ends of the second case 2 in the axial direction of the hinges 3. With this configuration, the electronic apparatus can not only illuminate the input portion but also prevent light from entering the eyes of a user directly, thereby making it possible for the user to perform the input operation properly in a dark place.
US08305745B2 Display device and housing structure of the display device
A housing structure includes a casing unit for connection with a selected one of first and second display panels and defining a receiving space for receiving an electronic component module used for connecting electrically with one of the first and second display panels, and two side frames respectively connected to left and right sides of the casing unit at different height positions. When the casing unit and the side frames are connected to one of the first and second display panels, a third fastening hole set of each side frame is adapted to be aligned with a first or second fastening hole set of the first or second display panel so that the side frames can be connected to the selected one of the first and second display panels, thereby reducing the cost of making molds for the housing structure.
US08305743B2 Curved display panel and method for manufacturing the same
A curved display panel includes a display module, a first fixing substrate and an adhering material. The display module has a first glass plate. The first glass plate has a first curved surface. The first fixing substrate has a second curved surface facing the first curved surface. The adhering material is connected between the first curved surface and the second curved surface.
US08305742B2 Cycling computer attaching mechanism and method
There is provided an improved solution for a user interface of a cycling computer user interface unit and an improved solution for mounting a cycling computer to a bicycle. The user interface solution comprises a swing switch rotating about a shaft and the mounting solution comprises a cross element enabling mounting in 90 degree resolution.
US08305739B2 High density power/lighting panelboard
A panelboard supplies electricity to multiple loads, such as lighting fixtures and/or other electrical devices via one or more high-amperage circuit breakers and one or more low-amperage circuit breakers. The panelboard includes one or more vertical busbars and one or more horizontal busbars coupled together in a single housing. The one or more horizontal busbars are coupled to a main input breaker that receives electricity from a source. The main input breaker distributes the electricity to the horizontal busbars. The horizontal busbars distribute the electricity to the high-amperage circuit breakers coupled thereto and to the vertical busbars. The vertical busbars distribute the electricity to the low-amperage circuit breakers coupled thereto.
US08305738B1 Transfer switch housing having a strain relief member
A power transfer device adapted for interconnection with the electrical system of a building includes a cabinet, a set of switches mounted to an upper panel of the cabinet, and wires adapted to connect the switches to an electrical distribution panel associated with a building electrical system. The power transfer device includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment partitioned from one another by an intermediate wall. The upper panel closes the upper compartment and a lower panel is adapted to selectively close the lower compartment. A strain relief member is mounted in the lower compartment and tightly holds the wires against the housing to prevent the unintentional disconnection of the wires from the switches.
US08305732B2 Dielectric ceramic and capacitor
Disclosed is a dielectric ceramic having crystal grains mainly composed of barium titanate and an intergranular phase formed among the crystal grains. The dielectric ceramic contains certain amounts of manganese and at least one rare earth element (RE) selected from magnesium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium and erbium, in terms of oxides, per 1 mole of barium constituting the barium titanate. The dielectric ceramic also contains a certain amount of yttrium in terms of oxides, per 100 parts by mass of the barium titanate. The crystal grains have an average grain size of 0.05-0.2 μm. By using the dielectric ceramic as a dielectric layer, there can be obtained a capacitor having high capacity and stable capacitance temperature characteristics.
US08305731B2 Lead and cadmium free, low temperature fired X7R dielectric ceramic composition and method of making
Multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCC's) which satisfy X7R TCC requirements and which are compatible with silver-palladium internal electrodes. The MLCC's exhibit desirable dielectric properties—high capacitance, low dissipation factor, high insulation resistance, stable TCC—and excellent performance on highly accelerated life testing, and good resistance to dielectric breakdown. The dielectric layers include a lead-free and cadmium-free barium titanate base material doped with other metal oxides such oxides of zinc, boron, bismuth, barium, titanium, praseodymium, cerium, tungsten, neodymium, tungsten, tin, niobium, copper, and/or manganese in various combinations. The dielectric ceramic materials herein can be fired at less than 1150° C. with an inner electrode having 70 wt % or more Ag and 30 wt % or less Pd to form an MLCC.
US08305725B2 Current limiting apparatus and method
A battery pack (200) includes a power limiting apparatus (230) comprising a power limiting resistor (232) in series with an overcurrent protection device (234). A switch (236) under the control of a data line (202) is placed in parallel with the series coupled power limiting resistor (232) and overcurrent protection device (234). When the switch (236) is enabled via the data line (202), current limiting is provided via the switch and a fuse. When the switch (236) is disabled via the data line (202) current limiting is provided via the overcurrent protection device (234) which limits the maximum battery system current.
US08305724B2 Circuit protector and electric connection box
An electric connection box 10 comprises an FET 32 for connection with a power supply B, a substrate side conduction path 18 connected with the FET 32 and connecting the FET 32 with a load L, a diode element D connected with the substrate side conduction path 18 electrically and to transfer heat and having a PN junction, and a CPU 19 for judging whether the voltage drop value between the input/output terminals 25 and 26 of the diode element D is larger than a threshold or not and delivering an off-command signal to the FET 32 if a judgment is made that the voltage drop value is smaller than the threshold.
US08305723B2 Motor drive ground fault detection
A motor drive ground fault detection device operates by computing the total RMS voltage of all the phases, and comparing the total RMS voltage to a threshold to determine if a ground fault has occurred.
US08305722B2 Dual-directional electrostatic discharge protection method
A two terminal ESD protection structure formed by an alternating arrangement of adjacent p-n-p-n-p semiconductor regions provides protection against both positive and negative ESD pulses. When an ESD pulse appears across the two terminals of the ESD protection structure, one of the inherent n-p-n-p thyristors is triggered into a snap-back mode thereby to form a low impedance path to discharge the ESD current.Some embodiments of the ESD protection structure of the present invention have an enhanced current handling capability and are formed by combining a number of standard cells. The standard cells include a corner cell, a center cell and an edge cell which are arranged adjacent each other to form an ESD protection structure which provides for current flow from across many locations therein.Some embodiments of the ESD protection structure of the present invention include a network consisting of a pair of current sources, e.g. back-to-back zener diodes, each connected in series with a resistor to control the trigger voltage of the ESD protection structure.
US08305721B2 Electrostatic discharge protection device and method thereof
An electrostatic discharge protection device for protecting an inner circuit, which is operated in a source voltage, is provided and includes a protection unit and a control unit. The protection unit provides a discharge path for transmitting an electrostatic signal from a pad to a ground line. According to a voltage level at a control end, the protection unit adjusts a holding voltage and a triggering voltage determining whether to conduct the discharge path. When the source voltage is supplied, the control unit transmits the input voltage to the control end of the protection unit, so as to raise the holding and the triggering voltages of the discharge path. When the source voltage is not supplied, the control unit switches the control end of the protection unit to a floating condition by the electrostatic signal, so as to lower the holding and the triggering voltages of the discharge path.
US08305710B2 Metal layer having aperture, method of forming the same, light delivery module including metal layer having aperture, and heat assisted magnetic recording head including the same
A metal layer having an aperture for delivering light, a method of forming the same, a light delivery module including the metal layer having the aperture, and a heat assisted magnetic recording head including the same are provided. The aperture of the metal layer has an inlet and an outlet of different sizes, and also has curved side surfaces. Also, the light delivery module includes the metal layer at an output end thereof, and the heat assisted magnetic recording head includes the light delivery module as an optical heating unit.
US08305709B2 Perpendicular magnetic head and magnetic recording system having non-magnetic region in shield layer
A perpendicular magnetic head for writing information on a magnetic recording medium comprises an ABS, a coil for generating a magnetic flux, a magnetic pole layer, a magnetic shield layer, and a gap layer disposed between the magnetic pole layer and the magnetic shield layer. Further the magnetic head has a non-magnetic region of a non-magnetic material. The non-magnetic region is disposed in the magnetic shield layer and positioned behind the ABS at a predetermined distance. The non-magnetic region is also disposed in the magnetic shield layer and has a predetermined width. With such a configuration, an undesirable concentration of the magnetic flux on the ABS is prevented.
US08305708B2 Disk drive having a disk clamp with openings directly radially outboard of fasteners
A disk drive includes a spindle motor attached to a disk drive base. The spindle motor includes a hub that rotates about a spindle rotation axis. An annular disk is mounted on the hub. A clamp contacts a top surface of the hub. The clamp includes first and second pluralities of openings therethrough. The clamp is attached to the hub by a plurality of fasteners, each of the plurality of fasteners passing through one of the first plurality of openings. Each of the second plurality of openings has a closed outer periphery within the clamp. Each of the first plurality of openings is disposed directly between the spindle rotation axis and a corresponding one of the second plurality of openings.
US08305705B1 Disk drive cross correlating track crossing signal with ideal signal to calibrate jog value
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of tracks, and a head actuated over the disk, wherein the head comprises a read element radial offset from a write element. A jog value corresponding to the radial offset is calibrated by writing data to a plurality of tracks, reading the plurality of written tracks to generate an actual track crossing signal, cross correlating the actual track crossing signal with an ideal track crossing signal to generate a cross correlation signal, and calibrating the jog value in response to the cross correlation signal.
US08305698B2 Imaging lens, imaging device, and portable terminal
An imaging lens good in mass-productivity, compact, low in manufacturing cost, good in aberration performance is provided by effectively correcting aberrations without greatly varying the variation of the thickness of a curing resin. An imaging device having such an imaging lens and a portable terminal are also provided. A third lens (L3) has a flat surface on the object side, a convex surface near the optical axis on the image side, and a concave aspheric surface around the peripheral portion within the region where a light beam passes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the other optical aberrations such as distortion and simultaneously to design the imaging lens so that the astigmatism takes on a maximum value at the outermost portion. Hence, the resolutions at low to middle image heights are high. In addition, such a shape does not cause a large variation of the thickness of the third lens (L3) from the region along the axis to the periphery. Therefore, the thickness of the third lens (L3) can be small, and the material cost can be reduced.
US08305697B1 Image capturing lens assembly
This invention provides an image capturing lens assembly in order from an object side to an image side comprising: a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface; a fourth lens element having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; and a fifth lens element having a concave image-side surface, the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof being aspheric and at least one inflection point being formed on at least one of the object-side and image-side surfaces thereof. By such arrangement, it can effectively reduce the aberration as well as the total track length of the imaging lens system for obtaining higher image resolution.
US08305696B2 Inner focusing zoom lens
The present invention is directed to an improved inner focusing zoom lens barrel that implements a zoom ratio as high as 15×±α and that ensures a well-balanced cam configuration for the smooth zooming and focusing. The inner focusing zoom lens barrel includes a fixed barrel; a focusing cam barrel, a linear shuttle barrel, and a first cam barrel laid one over another in this order inside the fixed barrel; and a zoom linkage ring, a second cam barrel, and a 1st-lens-group sliding barrel laid one over another in this order outside the fixed barrel.
US08305694B2 Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive fourth lens group, in this order from an object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the first and the second lens groups increases, and the distance between the second and the third lens groups decreases. The third lens group includes a positive first sub-lens group and a negative second sub-lens group, in this order from the object. The first sub-lens group comprises a positive lens element provided at the most object-side thereof and a cemented lens provided at the most image-side thereof. The cemented lens includes a positive lens element and a negative lens element, in this order from the object.
US08305690B2 Collimating optical member for real world simulation
A collimating image-forming apparatus comprising a first linear polarizer is disclosed. A first quarterwave plate (14) is disposed adjacent the first polarizer (12) and has its fast and slow axes at substantially 45° to the plane of polarization of the first polarizer. The apparatus further comprises a beam-splitting curved mirror (16) having a convex surface adjacent the first polarizer and facing towards the first quarter-wave plate, a second quarter-wave plate (22) adjacent the concave side of the curved mirror, the second quarterwave plate having its having its fast and slow axes oriented with respect to the corresponding axes of the first quarter-wave plate at angles substantially equal to a first integral multiple of 90°, and a reflective-transmissive polarizing member (24) adjacent the second quarter-wave plate. A second linear polarizer (26) is adjacent the reflective-transmissive polarizing member, the second linear polarizer having its plane of polarization oriented with respect to the plane of polarization of the first linear polarizer at an angle substantially equal to a second integral multiple of 90°, both of the multiples being even or both being odd.
US08305687B2 Telephoto zoom lens
A telephoto zoom lens having four lens groups in a P-N-P-P configuration arranged sequentially from an object side. The first lens group includes a front group which is fixed when focusing and has a positive refractive power, and a rear group which moves when focusing and has a positive refractive power. The entire first lens group, including the front and rear groups, is fixed during zooming, and the second and third lens groups move during zooming. The second lens group compensates for shaking of an image plane caused by hand-shaking, by moving in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and satisfies the following condition: 1.2
US08305681B2 Light source apparatus
The invention is directed to the provision of a wavelength conversion-type ultraviolet light source apparatus that can obtain a stable output. A light source apparatus according to one mode of the invention includes: a laser light source 1 which produces fundamental light L1; at least one nonlinear optical crystal 3 which takes the fundamental light L1 or a harmonic thereof as incident light and outputs wavelength-converted light L2; and polarization adjusting means 2 which is placed in an optical path of the incident light and causes an output of the wavelength-converted light L2 to change by changing its refractive index for a polarized component of the incident light. The polarization adjusting means 2 changes the amount of change of the refractive index in accordance with an electrical signal output from a photodetector 7.
US08305677B2 System and method for operating light processing electronic devices
A system and method for operating an electronic device used in light processing. A method comprises altering a spatial relationship between a spatial light modulator (SLM) and a light incident on the SLM, shifting light modulator states of a first portion of light modulators to a second portion of light modulators, and placing a third portion of light modulators in the SLM into a performance degradation-reducing mode. The amount of shifting performed is proportional to the amount of change in the spatial relationship. The method allows for a change in light modulators used to modulate the light, thereby preventing the overuse of some of the light modulators, which may help to prevent degradation of the light modulators. The performance degradation reducing mode may help to further reduce or even reverse the performance degradation of the light modulators.
US08305673B2 Light scanning unit
Disclosed is a light scanning unit that includes an imaging optical system disposed between a beam deflector and a surface to be scanned. The imaging optical system includes two adjacent imaging optical devices that are inclined with respect to the light path. The inclination directions of the two adjacent imaging optical devices may be determined according to the number of reflection units that are disposed on the light path between the two adjacent imaging optical devices. The disclosed light scanning unit of the above configuration may advantageously exhibit reduced ghost images, reduced bowing of the scan line, improved beam diameter uniformity, and/or improved color registration.
US08305672B2 Magnetically actuated system
A magnetically actuated system includes a conductor and a magnetic field apparatus to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field apparatus includes magnets and magnetically permeable materials to focus the magnetic field in areas of the conductor that produce a drive torque when the conductor carries a current.
US08305664B2 Image forming apparatus and density correcting method
An image forming apparatus, comprises: a plurality of color image forming units each forming an image for correction for each different color on a different paper to output a correction chart; an operation unit for accepting an input of density correction instruction information corresponding to each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the correction chart; a control unit for setting color of the image for correction according to the density correction instruction information input by the operation unit, generating the image for correction for the set color, and causing the image for correction to be formed on the paper by the color image forming unit in order to output the correction chart; and a density unevenness correction unit for correcting density unevenness of each pixel in a main scanning direction for each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the density correction unevenness information input by the operation unit.
US08305662B2 Image reading device, method, and computer readable medium for the same
An image reading device comprising: a carrying unit; a reading unit; a first obtaining unit to obtain a first value representing a ground color of a first face of the document; a first judgment unit to judge whether to execute correction for the ground color of the first face; a first correction unit to correct the ground color of the first face; a second obtaining unit to obtain a second value representing a ground color of a second face of the document; a second judgment unit to judge whether the second value falls within a predetermined range including the first value; a third judgment unit to judge whether to execute correction for the second face of the document in accordance with a judgment result by the first judgment unit if the second judgment unit judges that the second value falls within the predetermined range; and a second correction unit.
US08305659B2 Sheet-fed double-sided document scanner capable of changing scanning modes dependent on power input
A sheet-fed double-sided document scanner is disclosed and includes a first image-capturing assembly, a second image-capturing assembly, a sheet-transporting mechanism, a power receiving interface, and a control circuit. The scanner switches scanning modes according to a power input. The sheet-transporting mechanism transports a document past the first image-capturing assembly and the second image-capturing assembly. The power receiving interface receives power. When a power level of the received power is less than a default threshold level, the control circuit controls the scanner to scan a first side and a second side of the document in a first mode. When the power level of the received power reaches the default threshold level, the control circuit controls the scanner to scan the first side and the second side of the document in a second mode.
US08305655B2 Image reading device and image forming apparatus
An image reading device includes: a foreign-matter image position detection unit that detects a predetermined foreign-matter image from the image read by a document reading unit when the document conveyed by a document conveying unit comes off from a document reading position and detects a main scanning direction position of the foreign-matter image in the main scanning direction; and a lighting control unit that lights up the light-emitting element group arranged in the main scanning direction and lights up the light-emitting elements within a predetermined range from the main scanning direction position of the foreign-matter image in a light emission mode that is different from a light emission mode of other light-emitting elements when the foreign-matter image is detected by the foreign-matter image position detection unit.
US08305653B2 Printing system with improved scanning functionality
A method and system including a scanning subsystem for scanning a plurality of documents with a plurality of corresponding images is presented. The system further includes an image generation subsystem for automatically generating (1) a plurality of thumbnail images corresponding to the plurality of documents scanned with the scanner, and (2) a mark sense area corresponding to each one of the plurality of thumbnail images. A printing subsystem is included for producing at least one print including the plurality of thumbnail images and a plurality of mark sense areas. A thumbnail selection module is also included that causes at least one of the plurality of corresponding images to be replaced when both the at least one print with one or more marked mark sense areas and at least one of the plurality of documents are scanned with the scanning subsystem.
US08305652B2 Image reading apparatus, image forming apparatus, and carriage positioning method
An image reading apparatus includes a carriage having mounted thereon a linear light source and an image sensor and a reference pattern member disposed at a reference position located toward the first direction from a home position. The current location of the carriage is judged relatively to first and second areas that are divided by a boundary defined in advance at a location toward the first direction from the reference position. The first area is located toward the first direction and the second area is located toward the second direction. Immediately after the power is turned ON, current location information indicating whether the carriage is currently located in the first area or the second area is read from the nonvolatile memory. The carriage is first moved to the reference position and then moved a predetermined distance in the second direction, so that the carriage is duly positioned at the home position.
US08305651B2 Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a sheet conveyance path on which a sheet of a document from which an image is to be read is conveyable; a light source that emits light to be irradiated on the sheet; a conductive unit through which heat generated at the light source is transferable; and a heat radiating unit that forms a part of the sheet conveyance path, through which the heat transferred from the light source to the conductive unit is propagable, and that radiates the heat propagated from the conductive unit to air flowing in the sheet conveyance path when the sheet is being conveyed.
US08305647B2 Printing device and printing method
The present invention provides an information printing method and a printing device, which assure a higher level of security when outputting printed matter. The present invention provides a printing device comprising a document storage means for storing electronic document data generated at a printing instruction issuing terminal operated by a printing instruction issuer and transmitted from the printing instruction issuing terminal, an ID setting means for setting a print retriever ID of a print retriever who is to execute processing for outputting the electronic document data stored at the document storage means onto paper, a watermark information superimposing means for superimposing the print retriever ID having been set at the ID setting means as watermark information onto the electronic document data and a printing means for outputting the electronic document data having the watermark information superimposed thereupon by the watermark information superimposing means onto paper.
US08305645B2 Image processing and/or forming apparatus for performing black generation and under color removal processes on selected pixels, image processing and/or forming method for the same, and computer-readable storage medium for storing program for causing computer to function as image processing and/or forming apparatus for the same
A segmentation process section classifies signals of pixels in input image data into respective signals of a black text/low density area, a black text/high density area, a color text area, and an area other than a text area. A black generation and under color removal section performs an under color removal process with respect to the signal of the black text/low density area so that an amount of UCR is a middle value (C, M, Y) of signals indicative of color component density levels. Consequently, it is possible to prevent color fringing and a white spot at a time when chromatic aberration occurs in the input image data.
US08305639B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
A determining unit determines a color of a character. A color converting unit converts a chromatic color having a predetermined hue into the predetermined color and a chromatic color having a hue other than the predetermined hue and an achromatic color into a black color. A processing unit processes either one of a color character and a black character determined by the determining unit such that the color character having the chromatic color converted into the black color is relatively noticeable to the black character.
US08305631B2 Image processing to reduce image printing time based on image dimension and print pass thresholds of print apparatus
A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus. If the size of the image may be reduced such that the image could be printed in one less print pass while also meeting optional criteria such as enforcement of a maximum image reduction threshold, the image is scaled prior to printing to reduce the number of print passes performed by the print apparatus in printing the image.
US08305629B2 Method and apparatus for forming image and recording medium
One or more among a PC document receive filter, a FAX document receive filter, a read filter, and a readout filter create a report on each of the corresponding functions in a format common to the functions. A report filter changes a format of the created report as desired by the user. Therefore, when a setting for a report output process is changed, it is not necessary to change the setting with respect to each of the functions. Thus, it is possible to reduce development man-hours for the report output process.
US08305624B2 Image formation system, image formation program recording medium, and image formation method
An image formation system includes I storage units, an assignment unit that assigns to the storage units storage destinations of color component data forming a part of image data, J color component image formation units that form color component images of corresponding colors based on color component data stored in the storage units, and an image formation unit that forms an image of the image data based on the formed color component image, wherein the assignment unit includes a J-color assignment unit that assigns to the I storage units storage destinations of J sets of color component data forming a part of J-color image data, and an L-color assignment unit that assigns a storage destination of L sets of color component data forming a part of L-color image data to N storage units among the I storage units, and each of I, J, and N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, L is a natural number greater than or equal to 1, L
US08305619B2 Image processing device, image processing method and program
The present invention is intended to improve operability of an image processing device by reading a document with multiple pages at a time, changing a page addressed to each destination, and transmitting the page to each destination. In order to achieve this, an image processing device 1 for example comprises: a scanner unit 2 for reading a document with multiple pages and for generating image data; a destination setting part 52 for setting a plurality of destinations to which the image data generated by the scanner unit 2 are addressed; a transmission page setting part 53 for selecting at least one page addressed to each of the plurality of destinations from the multiple pages for which the image data are generated by the scanner unit 2, and for setting the selected page as a transmission page addressed to each destination; a file creation part 54 for creating a transmission file containing the image data of the selected page to be transmitted to each destination based on the transmission page set for each destination by the transmission page setting part 53; and a file transmission part 55 for individually transmitting the transmission file created by the file creation part 54 to each destination.
US08305616B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus sets print setting information applied to a document upon printing and finishing information applied to a printed matter of the document and designates a first printing apparatus for executing the printing. In the case where the first printing apparatus can execute a process regarding the set finishing information, the information processing apparatus transmits print data including the print setting information and the finishing information to the first printing apparatus. In the case where the first printing apparatus cannot execute the process regarding the finishing information, the information processing apparatus designates a second printing apparatus for executing the process regarding the finishing information, transmits the print data including the print setting information to the first printing apparatus and transmits the print data including the finishing information to the second printing apparatus.
US08305611B2 Multifunction system and its manufacturing method
The present invention provides a multifunction system and a control method thereof which enables output of conference materials of appropriate content at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate location, without making the conference organizer worry about the needs and rank of conference attendees. To accomplish this, the multifunction system of the present invention comprises a server which manages attribute information of members, a server which manages reservation information of conferences, and a print server which manages output of conference materials. The print server acquires attribute information corresponding to attendees of the conference included in the reservation information from the member management server, and outputs the conference material for each attendee based on the attribute information of each.
US08305610B2 Method for changing printer drivers in information processing apparatus
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus comprises a determination unit that determines whether a combination of a source application and a destination printer driver is a combination of a first type application and a first type printer driver or a combination of a second type application and a second type printer driver; and a changing unit that changes the printer driver properties referenced by an operating system to properties value that satisfies the combinations in the event that the determination unit determines that the source application and the destination printer driver are neither of the combinations.
US08305605B2 Composition engine RFID data store and schema element system
A composition engine for a print shop includes a database having a unique identifier for each electronic data storage device associated with the print shop and print shop data. The composition engine also includes a schema element that associates a set of the data stored in the database with each print job and assigns the set of data to at least one electronic data storage device. The composition engine generates the print job and transmits the print job and the set of data to a printing device of the print shop as page description language. The set of data is stored on the electronic data storage device with a programming device associated with the printing device, the set of data including a unique identifier associated with the electronic data storage device on which the set of data is stored. The print job is printed and the electronic data storage device is attached to or printed on a page of the print job.
US08305603B2 Job processing apparatus coordinating update of software used in job execution and control method thereof
An object of this invention is to allow deleting/updating firmware at high speed and properly deleting/updating a software part for executing a job without posing any problem in a general job in an image processing apparatus which executes a job by combining a plurality of independent software parts. For this purpose, when updating one software part associated with an image processing job, it is determined whether a standby job as a job contains a software part to be updated. If it is determined that the standby job does not contain any software part to be updated, the software part is updated. If it is determined that the standby job contains the software part to be updated but a software part in another image processing apparatus on the network can replace the software part to be updated, software parts which execute the job are reconstructed to update the target software part. If it is determined that no alternative image processing apparatus exists, the update request is saved and held.
US08305601B2 Device information management system, computer and program
There is provided a device information management system, including a server, a client and a device in which the server and the client are configured to communicate with each other via a first communication channel while the client and the device are configured to communicate with each other via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel and device information is transmitted from the device to the client via the second communication channel and from the client to the server via the first communication channel and registered in a database of the server. The device includes a device-side information supplying unit configured to supply the device information to the client via the second communication channel.
US08305590B2 Driver of server managing image forming device drivers, and data printing method using the same
A driver of a server managing a plurality of image forming device drivers and a data printing method using the same are provided. The virtual driver includes an object information storage part for storing image forming device information to provide object information and objects of the image forming devices; an object information register for registering new object information and corresponding image forming device information in the object information storage part by searching another new object different from the objects stored in the object information storage part when the image forming device is connected to the server, and then a new object is found by recognizing the connection; a user interface unit for displaying the object information stored in the object information storage part when the client device requests a data output; and a job controller for outputting print data to the image forming device providing the object when the object is selected through the user interface unit.
US08305589B2 Image processing apparatus, method, and system for generating image data from prints
An image processing apparatus comprises: an image transformation section which generates, from print data, image data of character or line drawing of gradation value n1 and image data of a photographic image of gradation value n2 (n2>n1); an encoding section which encodes the image data of the character or the line drawing of the gradation value n1, and generates the encoded image data of the character or the line drawing of the gradation value n2; an attribute adding section which generates attribute data indicating an attribute of each of images with respect to the encoded image data of the character or the line drawing of the gradation value n2 and the generated image data of the photographic image of the gradation value n2, and adds the attribute data to each of the encoded image data of the character or the line drawing and the generated image data of the photographic image; and a synthesizing section which synthesizes the encoded image data of the character or the line drawing to which the attribute data is added and the generated image data of the photographic image to which the attribute data is added, and outputs the synthesized data.
US08305588B2 Position-measuring method and device adapted for the positioning of a wheel
A measuring method and a device are adapted for the positioning of a wheel for mash seam resistance welding in the butt-joining of steel strips on continuous processing lines. A rotary roller which is fastened to a movable frame is positioned in a measuring position that is vertically below a reference wheel. The reference wheel is lowered vertically to come into contact and bear on the rotary roller. A distance between an index on a measuring arm of the frame and an articulated column is repeatedly measured during the continuous lowering movement of the roller. The distance is compared with a distance threshold for each of the repeated measurements until the wheel reaches a first operating position where the distance equals a predefined distance threshold factor. The first operating position is recorded as a reference point in a system for the vertical movement of the reference wheel.
US08305587B2 Apparatus for the optical inspection of wafers
A metrology tool (1) for measuring the positions of structures (32) on a mask surface (31) is disclosed. On a measuring stage (33) a reflector (36) selective with respect to the wavelength is provided, which essentially reflects light within a first wavelength region emitted from a first illumination device (10), and essentially does not reflect light within a second wavelength region emitted from a second illumination device (20). The reflector (36) selective with respect to the wavelength preferentially is a dichroic mirror. By detecting the light within the first wavelength region reflected by the reflector (36) the position of predefined sections of outer edges (37) of the mask is determined. The light from the second wavelength region is used for determining the coordinates of structures on the mask. Due to the selectivity with respect to the wavelength of the reflector (36) this determination of coordinates is not perturbed by a reflection of the light within the second wavelength region from the reflector (36).
US08305586B2 Optical encoder, bending operation system, and method of detecting displacement of linear power transmission member
An optical encoder includes a linear power transmission member which moves longitudinally, a reflector which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the linear power transmission member and which is longitudinally movable integrally with the linear power transmission member, the reflector including two kinds of reflecting portions different in reflectance are longitudinally arranged, and a light source which radiates light. Further, the optical encoder includes a linear light transmitter which guides the light from the light source to the reflector and to which reflection light reflected from the reflector is guided, and a calculation mechanism configured to calculate a longitudinal displacement of the reflector on the basis of an intensity of the reflection light from the reflector which is guided via the linear light transmitter.
US08305584B2 Measurement instrument of optical characteristics for sample flowing in passage
An optical property measurement apparatus includes a light source unit, a first optical coupler, a second optical coupler, a lens, a lens, a phase modulation unit, a drive unit, an optical path length difference adjustment unit, a control unit, a light receiving unit, a synchronization detection unit, and a measurement unit. The phase modulation unit carries out phase modulation with a frequency f. The synchronization detection unit outputs a first signal having a value corresponding to a magnitude of a component of the frequency f included in an electrical signal output from the light receiving unit, and also outputs a second signal having a value corresponding to a magnitude of a component of the frequency 2f included in the electrical signal. The control unit controls the optical path length difference adjusted by the optical path length difference adjustment unit to be a predetermined value based on the first signal or the second signal output from the synchronization detection unit.
US08305582B2 Methods and apparatus for analyzing samples and collecting sample fractions
Methods and apparatus for analyzing a sample using at least one detector are disclosed.
US08305577B2 Method and apparatus for spectrometry
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, apparatus comprising a waveguide and a spectral dispersion element, the apparatus being configured to be moveably attachable to a portable device, the portable device comprising a radiation sensing element and a radiation source, the apparatus being configured to be moveably attachable to the portable device to provide a first configuration in which the waveguide is positioned to transmit radiation from the radiation source towards an analyte region and/or from the analyte region towards the dispersion element; and such that the dispersion element is positioned to disperse radiation from the analyte region to form a spectrum which is provided towards the radiation sensing element for spectral analysis, and a second configuration in which the radiation sensing element and radiation source are able to capture and illuminate a scene for image capture.
US08305574B2 Analyzer
This invention is to make the detection sensitivities as even as possible among a plurality of specimens to be inspected in an analyzer that leads light transmitted from the plurality of specimens to be inspected to a single spectrometer via optical fibers, the analyzer includes first and second light guide members provided for every first and second specimen to be inspected so as to lead the light obtained from each of the specimens to be inspected to a photo-detecting part, and light projection side end portions of a plurality of optical fiber elements composing the first and second light guide members are arranged in mixture.
US08305572B2 Wavelength dependent reflective sample substrates for Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy
A material which is generally transparent in the visible region of the spectrum but reflective at laser wavelengths reduces undesirable, substrate-induced Raman and fluorescence scattering. A substrate provides a surface for supporting the sample, with the material being disposed between the surface of the substrate and the sample. The material is substantially transparent in the visible region of the spectrum but reflective at the laser wavelength, thereby minimizing unwanted Raman or fluorescence scattering that would be produced by the substrate if the material were not present. The substrate will typically be a glass microscope slide or multi-cell well plate. The optical filter material is preferably a multilayer dielectric filter acting as a “hot mirror” that reflects near-infrared energy. An advantage of visible transmission is that it allows back illumination from behind/underneath the slide or well plate, thereby being visible to a microscope's eyepiece or video camera. Methods and article are also disclosed.
US08305569B2 Apparatus for optical inspection
An apparatus for optical inspection comprises a platform extending in a first direction, a transmitting unit for transporting at least one carrier in the first direction from an input port to an output port thereof, each of the at least one carrier to support one of at least one object to be inspected, a first detector disposed above the platform and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for inspecting the at least one object on the at least one carrier, the first detector including a first scanner extending in the second direction between the input port and the output port, and a first roller set between the first scanner and the input port to apply force onto a surface of each of the at least one object.
US08305566B2 Apparatus for detecting electromagnetic waves
An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic waves includes a first electromagnetic wave sensor, two first electrodes, a second electromagnetic wave sensor, and two second electrodes. The two first electrodes are electrically connected to different portions of the first electromagnetic wave sensor. The second electromagnetic wave sensor crosses with and is spaced from the first electromagnetic wave sensor. The two second electrodes are electrically connected to different portions of the second electromagnetic wave sensor.
US08305565B2 System, method, and product for multiple wavelength detection using single source excitation
An embodiment of a method for adjusting system gain of a biological probe array scanner for a plurality of fluorophore species is described that comprises setting an excitation beam comprising an excitation wavelength at a first power level that elicits an optimal signal to noise ratio response from a first fluorophore species; scanning a biological probe array with the excitation beam; setting the excitation beam comprising the excitation wavelength at a second power level different than the first power level that elicits the optimal signal to noise ratio response from a second fluorophore species; and scanning the biological probe array with the excitation beam.
US08305560B2 Exposure apparatus, device manufacturing method, and aperture stop manufacturing method
A projection exposure apparatus includes an aperture stop that includes a light attenuation part that is located between a light shielding part and an opening part, and has a transmittance larger than that of the light shielding part and smaller than that of the opening part. A width of the light attenuation part is set within a range from a wavefront splitting period of the wavefront splitting device or a value of Z×tan(arcsin(α))/2 to a length that is five times as long as the wavefront splitting period of the wavefront splitting device, where α is a numerical aperture on an exit side of the wavefront splitting device, and Z is a distance between the focal plane of the wavefront splitting device on the exit side and the aperture stop.
US08305556B2 Projection optical system, exposure apparatus, exposure method, display manufacturing method, mask, and mask manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus of the present invention is an exposure apparatus for, while moving a first object M and a second object P along a scanning direction, performing projection exposure on the second object, which has a first projection optical system PL10 for forming an enlargement image of a portion on the first object in a first region being a partial region on the second object, and a second projection optical system PL11 for forming an enlargement image of a different portion from the portion on the first object in a second region different from the partial region on the second object, and which also has a first stage MST holding the first object and making at least one of the portion and the different portion of the first object movable along the non-scanning direction, wherein the first region and the second region are arranged at a predetermined interval along the non-scanning direction intersecting with the scanning direction.
US08305554B2 Roll-to-roll type apparatus for forming thin film pattern
An apparatus for forming a thin film pattern according to an aspect of the invention may include: an unwinding roll and a winding roll running a sheet; a rotary drum having an elastic layer provided on a circumferential surface thereof, and disposed between the winding roll and the unwinding roll to run the sheet along the circumferential surface; a source containing unit accommodating a deposition source and mounted such that the deposition source is evaporated and the evaporated deposition source moves toward the sheet located on the rotary drum; a shutter selectively preventing the movement of the deposition source toward the rotary drum from the source containing unit; a mask having a pattern defining a pattern of a thin film to be deposited onto the sheet and making tight contact with the sheet located on the rotary drum during thin-film deposition; and a tensioning unit pressurizing the sheet in a direction of the rotary drum to allow the sheet to run after the thin-film deposition and separating the sheet from the mask by a reduction in thickness.
US08305552B2 Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and method for producing device
A part of exposure beam through a liquid(LQ) via a projection optical system(PL) enters a light-transmitting section(44), enters an optical member(41) without passing through gas, and is focused. The exposure apparatus receives the exposure light from the projection optical system to perform various measurements even if the numerical aperture of the projection optical system increases.
US08305550B2 Electrically-driven liquid crystal lens and stereoscopic device using the same
An electrically-driven liquid crystal lens, and a stereoscopic display device using the same, including first and second substrates arranged opposite each other and including an active region having a plurality of lens regions and a pad region defined at an outer rim of the active region, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first substrate to correspond to the respective lens regions and spaced apart from one another, a second electrode formed on the entire surface of the second substrate, a voltage source to apply different voltages to the plurality of first electrodes, respectively, and to apply a ground voltage to the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08305542B2 Thin film transistor array substrate with improved test terminals
A thin film transistor array substrate comprises thin film transistors and pixel electrodes formed at respective pixels that are defined by gate lines and data lines that orthogonally intersect each other. The thin film transistor array substrate further comprises a plurality of gate pad units that group a plurality of gate pads extended from the gate lines, and a plurality of data pad units that groups a plurality of data pads extended from the data lines. The thin film transistor array substrate further includes a plurality of gate test terminals connected to the gate pad units and beside at least one side of the respective gate pad units, and a plurality of data test terminals connected to the data pad units and located beside at least one side of the respective data pad units.
US08305541B2 Tape carrier package and liquid crystal display device having the same
A tape carrier package (TCP) includes a base film, an integrated circuit (IC) chip and an output pad group. The IC chip is formed on the base film. The output pad group is formed on a first end of the base film. The output pad group includes a plurality of output blocks having a plurality of output pads, wherein the plurality of output pads in an output block have substantially the same width as each other. The widths of the output pads from one output block to another output block are different from each other.
US08305535B2 Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal layer disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, a pixel electrode in a reflection region and a transmission region over the first substrate, a film for adjusting a cell gap in the reflection region over the first substrate, and an opposite electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region over the second substrate. The pixel electrode in the reflection region is provided over the film and reflects light. The pixel electrode in the transmission region transmits light. The pixel electrode in the reflection region and the transmission region includes a slit. The slit is overlapped with at least a part of a step portion which is provided by the film between the reflection region and the transmission region.
US08305532B2 Liquid crystal display having wide viewing angle
Saw-shaped protrusions, which are parallel to each other, are formed on the common electrode and the pixel electrode in two substrates. Protrusions in two substrates are arranged alternately and the bent portions of the saw-shaped protrusions are placed on the line transverse passing through the center of a pixel. Branches extend from the convex point of one saw-shaped protrusion toward the apex to the other saw-shaped protrusion, and another branch extend from the point where the protrusion meets the boundary of the pixel electrode toward the point where the boundary of the pixel electrode and the saw-shaped protrusion make an acute angle. A liquid crystal layer between two electrodes are divided to four regions where the directors of the liquid crystal layer have different angles when a voltage is applied to the electrodes, and then, wide viewing angle is obtained. In most regions, protrusions are formed straight and the protrusions have only obtuse angles at the bent points. Therefore, fast response time is shortened, disclination is removed and luminance increases.
US08305529B2 Process and apparatus for producing optical compensation film, optical compensation film, polarizer, and liquid-crystal display
A process for producing an optical compensation film comprises a liquid crystal layer application step (10) of applying a liquid crystal layer coating solution containing a liquid crystal compound to an alignment layer on a surface of a transparent substrate (4c) that is continuously transported; a liquid crystal layer drying step (11) of drying the liquid crystal layer; a cooling and curing step of curing the liquid crystal layer while cooling the liquid crystal layer to a temperature lower than a drying temperature used in the drying step; and a heating and curing step of curing the alignment layer while heating the alignment layer to a temperature higher than a cooling temperature used in the cooling and curing step. The process enables the durability and damage resistance as well as the optical characteristics of the optical compensation film to be independently controlled.
US08305525B2 Liquid crystal display device, method for manufacturing the same, and image display device
There is provided a liquid crystal display device that diminishes flickers caused by crosstalk of a three-dimensional image (an overlap of images) or reflection of external light. A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, at least one of the pair of substrates having an electrode and the pair of substrates being placed opposite each other, and a first polarizing plate placed on a light source side and a second polarizing plate placed on a view side with the liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, in which a protective film on the view side of the second polarizing plate includes a transparent support satisfying 0≦|Re(550)|≦10 and an optically anisotropic layer having a λ/4 function, and Rth of the protective film on the view side of the second polarizing plate is |Rth|≦20.
US08305524B2 Liquid crystal display polarizing plate, method for producing liquid crystal display polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display polarizing plate that can reliably exhibit optical properties and be bonded to a liquid crystal cell without causing degradation of the optical properties. The liquid crystal display polarizing plate includes: a retardation film which has a substrate including a cellulose derivative and a retardation layer formed directly on the substrate and containing the cellulose derivative and a rod-like compound having refractive index anisotropy; a polarizer bonded to the retardation layer of the retardation film and including polyvinyl alcohol; and a polarizing plate protection film bonded to the polarizer.
US08305522B2 Plasma display panel and display device
With the objective of achieving increased luminous efficiency while suppressing a rise in discharge voltage in a high-definition PDP, a PDP is configured with ribs at intervals between a front plate and a back plate, the ribs partitioning a gap between the front plate and the back plate into spaces. Each space constitutes a discharge cell. A minimum width of a discharge space in the discharge cell is in a range from 65 μm to 100 μm at a position adjacent to a pair of discharge electrodes. A ternary discharge gas of xenon, neon, and helium is enclosed in the discharge space. The partial pressure ratio of xenon in the discharge gas is in a range of 15% to 25%, and the partial pressure ratio of helium is in a range of 20% to 50%. The total pressure of the discharge gas is set between 60 kPa and 70 kPa.
US08305517B2 Light bar structure, and backlight module and liquid crystal display applying the same
A light bar structure including a circuit board provided with two hollow frames disposed thereon and a conductive material filled in the two hollow frames; and a light emitting device disposed above the two hollow frames. The conductive material is used for electrically connect the circuit board with the light emitting device so as to prevent misalignment of the light emitting device. A backlight module and a liquid crystal display both applying the light bar structure is also provided.
US08305516B2 Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device capable of improving a use efficiency of light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit boards (PCBs) by configuring the existing plate type LED PCBs in a bar type so as to reduce an area used, the LCD device including, an LCD panel configured to display images, a backlight unit disposed at a lower portion of the LCD panel for providing light to the LCD panel, and provided with a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit boards (PCBs) formed in a bar type, and a plurality of LEDs disposed on each of the LED PCBs to be spaced apart from each other, and casing components including a mold frame for receiving and fixing the LCD panel and the backlight unit, an upper cover and a bottom cover.
US08305513B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which a light transmitting conductive layer formed on a surface of a color filter substrate is electrically connected with a backlight lower frame using conductive rubber. One end of the conductive rubber is connected with the light transmitting conductive layer, and another end of the conductive rubber is connected with the backlight lower frame through a hole which is formed in a backlight upper frame. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention can remove static electricity charged in a surface of a display panel and, at the same time, can realize the narrowing of a picture frame and the reduction of thickness thereof.
US08305511B2 Backlight module, stereo display apparatus, and beam splitting film
A beam splitting film including a light transmissive plate and a plurality of strip protrusion groups is provided. The light transmissive plate has a first surface and a second surface. The strip protrusion groups are disposed on the second surface. Each of the strip protrusion groups includes a first strip protrusion and a second strip protrusion. The first strip protrusion has a first strip surface and a second strip surface inclined relative to the second surface. The second strip protrusion has a third strip surface and a fourth strip surface inclined relative to the second surface. An average slope of the first strip surface is not equal to an average slope of the third strip surface. An average slope of the second strip surface is not equal to an average slope of the fourth strip surface. A backlight module and a stereo display apparatus are also provided.
US08305510B2 Liquid crystal display device with notched gate line and gate electrode
An LCD device has data lines and drain electrodes that are not open at crossing areas overlapped with gate lines and gate electrodes. The LCD device includes a gate line arranged on a substrate and having a portion bent angularly and inwardly; a gate electrode projecting from the gate line; a gate insulating layer on the surface of the substrate; a data line overlapped with some of the bent portion of the gate line, the data line perpendicular to the gate line to define a pixel region; a source electrode projecting from the data line; a drain electrode on the gate insulating layer at a fixed interval from the source electrode; an active layer below the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a pixel electrode in the pixel region.
US08305507B2 Thin film transistor array panel having improved storage capacitance and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes a gate line, a data line intersecting the gate line, a storage electrode apart from the gate and data lines, a thin film transistor connected to the gate and data lines and having a drain electrode, a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode, a first insulating layer over the thin film transistor and disposed under the pixel electrode, and a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and having an opening exposing the first insulating layer on the storage electrode.
US08305506B2 Pixel set
A pixel set including two scan lines parallel to each other, a data line intersected with the scan lines, and two pixels located between the scan lines is provided. The pixels are at two sides of the data line, respectively. Each pixel includes an active device disposed adjacent to the data line, a pixel electrode, a storage capacitance electrode partially overlapped with the pixel electrode, and a drain compensating pattern including a branch. The branch is located at a side of the pixel electrode away from the data line, and has a concavity located at a side of the branch adjacent to the data line. The drain compensating pattern is connected to a drain of the active device. A portion of the drain compensating pattern is located inside the concavity. The branch is not overlapped with the drain compensating pattern at a side of the concavity away from the gate.
US08305505B2 Optoelectronic patterned transient electrodes for particulate manipulation
An optically based transport system and method for transporting particles across a virtual electrode array are disclosed. The system comprises a photoconductor layer where optically induced electrodes are projected thereon through sequential light images in a traveling wave grid pattern in order to transport particles across the virtual electrode array with a traveling wave.
US08305503B1 Phase difference element and display device
A phase difference element and a display device having the phase difference element are provided. A base film 31 of the phase difference element 30 includes, for example, a thin resin film having optical anisotropy. A slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 points in a vertical or horizontal direction, and points in a direction intersecting with a slow axis AX1 of a right-eye region 32A of the phase difference element 30 and with a slow axis AX2 of a left-eye region 32B thereof. Thus, influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film 31 is exerted on each light being transmitted by the base film 31, so that the influence is not extremely greatly exerted on only one of light corresponding to a right eye and light corresponding to a left eye, the respective light being transmitted by the base film 31.
US08305495B2 Video processing device, video display device, and video processing method
A video processing device that divides and processes video data representing a video for one screen includes: an input unit that receives input of the video data; plural image processing units that are provided to correspond to respective plural areas obtained by dividing the video data, receive image data corresponding to the areas, and apply predetermined image processing to image data; an image-data extending unit that acquires image data, which is required by the image processing unit that processes an area adjacent to each of the areas, prior to the image processing by each of the image processing units from the image data corresponding to the area received by each of the image processing units, inputs the image data to the adjacent image processing unit, extends the image data corresponding to the area received by each of the image processing units, and sets the image data as a target of the predetermined image processing by each of the image processing units; and an image combining unit that receives the image data processed by the plural image processing units and reconfigures the screen.
US08305493B2 Receiver, signal processing apparatus, and video display apparatus
A receiver for receiving signals in a plurality of transmission schemes, reducing the circuit size thereof successfully. The receiver for receiving a baseband signal and a modulated signal, includes a first PLL circuit configured to generate a first internal clock based on an external clock synchronized with the baseband signal; a demodulator configured to demodulate the modulated signal to output the demodulated signal; a selector configured to select one of the baseband signal or the demodulated signal; and a first CDR circuit configured to generate a recovered clock and recovered data from the signal selected by the selector, by using the first internal clock.
US08305489B2 Video conversion apparatus and method, and program
A video conversion apparatus includes: a video format conversion unit configured to interpolate, in the case that video signals, which are made up of a luminance component and color difference components and of which the video format is the interlace format, have been supplied, the luminance component and color difference components of the video signals, thereby converting the video format of the video signals into the progressive format; and a color difference format conversion unit configured to interpolate the color difference components of the video signals obtained with the conversion by the video format conversion unit, thereby converting the color difference format of the video signals from a first color difference format to a second color difference format that includes more color difference components than the first color difference format.
US08305488B2 Time-sliced multiplexed image display
A device for displaying multiple image streams each comprising multiple image frames that entertains multiple viewers includes at least three image generators for generating at least three separate image streams that each include multiple image frames. At least one of the image generators is configured for at least one viewer input. An image multiplexer is provided for interleaving image frames of each image stream to produce an interleaved image stream and a display is provided for showing the interleaved image stream. A method of displaying multiple image streams is also presented.
US08305475B2 Solid-state image sensing device and image signal output circuit
A solid-state image sensor element outputs either n bits or in a bit number of an integral multiple of n in synchronization with an output clock. An allocating unit allocates respective bit data of pixel signals obtained by the solid-state image sensor element into at least two series of bit data alternately, in synchronization with a clock converted by a clock converting unit. A first selector selects an output from the bit data allocated by the allocating unit and the bit data not allocated by the allocating unit. A second selector selects an output from a clock with a frequency converted by the clock converting unit and a clock with a frequency not converted by the clock converting unit.
US08305474B2 Analog-to-digital conversion in image sensors
An image sensor has a per-column ADC arrangement including first and second capacitors allowing a comparator circuit to perform correlated double sampling. The capacitors are continuously connected to, respectively, the analog pixel signal and a ramp signal without use of a hold operation. The comparator circuit comprises a differential input being connected to the junction of the two capacitors and being biased by a reference signal. The reference signal is preferably sampled and held from a reference voltage. The use of a differential input as first stage of the comparator addresses problems arising from ground voltage bounce when a large pixel array images a scene with low contrast. Connectivity of the differential input stage allows the ramp signal to see a constant capacitive load thus reduce image artifacts referred to as smear.
US08305472B2 Image capturing system
An image capturing system includes an image sensor and a mechanical shutter. A charge accumulation operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor starts at the end of a reset operation, and ends when the mechanical shutter sets the pixels of each row to a light shield state. The reset operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor is performed to select rows sequentially in a first direction from an upper surface to a lower surface of a housing. The mechanical shutter ends exposure of the image sensor while causing a shutter curtain to run in the first direction, and a readout operation of the pixels of each row of the image sensor is performed to select rows sequentially in a second direction that is the reverse of the first direction.
US08305469B2 Image pickup apparatus having a dummy signal readout circuit
An image pickup apparatus is provided that is capable of obtaining a correction value effective for horizontal noise correction, while suppressing increase in chip area of an image pickup device. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device (101) for converting an object image into electrical signals, and a correcting section for correcting a picked-up image. The image pickup device includes a pixel signal readout circuit (204) for reading out pixel signals from a pixel region on a line-by-line basis via vertical signal lines, a dummy signal readout circuit (209) for reading out dummy signals, and a horizontal transfer circuit (205) for transferring outputs of the pixel signal readout circuit and the dummy signal readout circuit. The correcting section corrects the outputs of the pixel signal readout circuit on a line-by-line basis using the outputs of the dummy signal readout circuit.
US08305468B2 Image acquisition apparatus and image acquisition program
A plurality of preliminary image signals is acquired by carrying out preliminary image acquisition of a subject, before actual image acquisition, with different amounts of light received by an image acquisition device. Subsequently, a dynamic range and an amount of noise, or an S/N ratio, for a case in which the plurality of preliminary image signals is combined is calculated, and a received-light-level difference of the image acquisition device among a plurality of actual image signals acquired through the actual image acquisition is calculated on the basis of the dynamic range and the amount of noise, or the S/N ratio. Then, by carrying out the actual image acquisition on the basis of the calculated received-light-level difference, a plurality of actual image signals with different received light level is acquired. These actual image signals are combined to acquire a combined image.
US08305464B2 Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, zoom control method, and zoom control program
An imaging apparatus is provided which includes an image recording range extraction unit for extracting, from a video of a subject to be imaged, an image corresponding to a first imaging region configured by a predetermined first aspect ratio and an image corresponding to a second imaging region configured by a predetermined second aspect ratio different from the first aspect ratio, a zoom control unit for magnifying or reducing the video of the subject to be imaged, and a zoom restriction setting unit for setting a zoom restriction on either one of or both of the first imaging region and the second imaging region. A predetermined process for preventing the predetermined subject from being image-defected from an imaging region set with the zoom restriction is executed according to a relationship of the predetermined subject magnified or reduced by the zoom process and the imaging region set with the zoom restriction.
US08305463B2 Video data saving device and video data saving method
A video data transmitting device 30 manages storage areas 31a, 31b of a memory card 31 by equally segmenting these storage areas into partitions whose capacities are equal to each other. Image data forming video data is stored piece by piece in each partition in the sequence from a head partition toward a tail partition. Then, the image data is overwritten sequentially from the oldest, whereby the storage areas 31a, 31b are always temporarily stored with N-pieces of image data starting from a point of the time when recording the image data and ending to a point of time tracing back for a predetermined period of time.
US08305462B2 Image reproduction apparatus
An image capturing apparatus 100 comprising a built-in memory 8 which stores a plurality of images captured by an image capturing unit 1 and a system file F2 that registers reproduction control information involving a position where reproduction of each of the images by a display 5 is permitted or prohibited, a GPS unit 2 to position the current position of the image capturing apparatus, and a CPU 9 which compares the positioned current position of the image capturing apparatus with the reproduction control information registered in the system file to control reproduction of the image by the display.
US08305461B2 Information display device
The present invention provides an information display device including an imaging unit that executes an imaging process to image a subject to output an imaging signal; a monitor capable of displaying an image of the subject based on the imaging signal; a switching part located near the monitor; a first display controller for displaying, in a menu on the monitor, each of a first group of items consisting of a plurality of items associated with the imaging process, whereby first setting data can be set; and a second display controller for displaying, in a menu on the monitor, each of a second group of items associated with a plurality of particular items in the first group and having fewer items than the first group, whereby second setting data can be set, wherein switching between the first and second display controllers is performed by operating the switching part.
US08305460B2 Detection device and image capture system using the same
A detection device includes an image capture element, a control signal generator, and a processor. The image capture element is used for capturing an optical signal, and outputting an image signal. The control signal generator is used for generating a control signal. The processor selectively converts the image signal into an object feature or an image feature in response to the control signal. Such a detection device can appropriately convert an operation mode, so as to have both efficacies of reducing the amount of transferred data and processing complex image data.
US08305459B2 Image processing apparatus and camera module
According to the Embodiments, an Image Processing apparatus includes a pixel interpolation processing unit. The pixel interpolation processing unit generates a sensitivity level value through addition of a first frequency range component of an image signal for a lacking color component and a second frequency range component of a frequency band lower than the first frequency range component. The pixel interpolation processing unit adjusts a ratio of the first frequency range component to be added to the second frequency range component.
US08305458B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and storage medium for correcting chromatic aberration
There is a problem in that when magnification chromatic aberration correction is carried out, the difference in reproducibility of high-frequency components, depending on the spatial position, between a color for which position shift correction is not performed and a color for which position shift correction is performed may influence the image quality of an output image. In order to perform magnification chromatic aberration correction, high-frequency components, which are lost due to the position shift correction of a color for which position shift correction is carried out, are extracted from a color for which position shift correction is not carried out, and are added to the color for which position shift correction is carried out. Therefore, the high-frequency components are restored in a pseudo manner.
US08305457B2 Image processing apparatus, dynamic picture reproduction apparatus, and processing method and program for the same
A dynamic picture storage section (200) stores a picked up dynamic picture picked up by an image pickup apparatus. A metadata storage section (210) stores transformation information for transforming, with reference to at least one of picked up images, a different picked up image. An arrangement information calculation section (230) calculates a display range for a synthesized image based on the transformation information and calculates an arrangement position and a size for a top image in an image memory (250) such that the display range is smaller than the size of the storage region of the image memory (250). An image transformation section (240) arranges the top image at the arrangement position and with the size calculated by the arrangement information calculation section (230) in the image memory (250) and synthesizes the transformed picked up images with history images to form a synthesized image. Consequently, where a dynamic picture picked up by the image pickup apparatus is to be accessed, the contents of the dynamic picture can be grasped readily.
US08305456B1 Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving array camera image data
Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving image data captured by an imager array including a plurality of focal planes are described. One embodiment of the invention includes capturing image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module, where an image is formed on each active focal plane by a separate lens stack, generating lines of image data by interleaving the image data captured by the plurality of active focal planes, and transmitting the lines of image data and the additional data.
US08305454B2 Image-blur correction device and corresponding method for controlling compensation within an octogon region
An image-blur correction device includes a vibration detection unit which detects vibrations of two different detection axes in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, a correction unit which corrects vibration using a correction optical system which is displaced in directions of at least two correction axes different from the detection axes in the plane, a calculation unit that calculates amounts of displacements used to drive the correction optical system so that image-blur generated due to the vibrations is corrected based on amounts of vibrations obtained using the vibration detection unit, a coordinate conversion unit which rotates amounts of vibrations in the two detection axes relative to the corresponding at least two correction axes for conversion through calculations, and a restriction unit which restricts a driving range of the correction unit based on a displacement-amount restriction value obtained from a performance limitation region of the correction optical system.
US08305451B2 Adapter apparatus and control method thereof, and computer program
Media data, which includes an image file recorded on a disk recording medium of a connected image sensing apparatus, management information including the recording position of the image file on the disk recording medium, and backup information of the management information, is received from the image sensing apparatus. Finalize processing of the disk recording medium is virtually executed using the received media data, and a generated disk image is stored on a memory. In response to a request from a data receiving terminal, the media data of the virtual disk image on the memory is transmitted to the data receiving terminal via a communication unit.
US08305448B2 Selective privacy protection for imaged matter
An image processing device includes a face detector configured to detect a face based on a taken image, and an output processor configured to have a function to execute privacy-mask processing for privacy protection for an image of a face detected by the face detector or an image of a background of the face. The output processor includes a function to separately output an image of a face detected by the face detector and an image of a background of the face which are each subjected to or not subjected to the privacy-mask processing.
US08305442B2 Entry control point device, system and method
The present invention provides an entry control device, system and method which can recognize a vehicle by its undercarriage image only. The present invention compares a new vehicle undercarriage image with those stored in a reference database to facilitate the automatic search of a vehicle's undercarriage. The present invention can compare the new undercarriage image to the same or similar undercarriage image previously entered in the reference database, highlighting any anomalies such as, for example, foreign objects, explosives, drugs, paraphernalia and other illegal and/or harmful substances and devices.
US08305441B2 Data processing apparatus
Data processing apparatus comprising a video data receiver configured to receive video data, and an audio data receiver configured to receive audio data. The apparatus further comprises an alarm engine configured to analyse said received video and audio data and generate an alarm signal based on an output signal generated by said analysis.
US08305435B2 Image processing system and scanning electron microscope
The present invention achieves the process of easily registering a template which is prepared for a size change in pattern matching for specifying a measurement point, and high-speed pattern matching by which adequate position accuracy can be obtained in measurement. The present invention includes means for automatically calculating the size and position of a positioning template different from a measurement point itself when the measurement point is designated, to display a template having the calculated size and position. The present invention further includes means for performing pattern matching by using all or some of a plurality of divided templates and extracting templates having a similar positional relationship to the original positional relationship.
US08305434B2 Photographing apparatus and microscope system
A photographing control unit comprising a drive signal generator, an analog front end, a synchronization signal generation unit, and a system control unit controls an imager under a predetermined photographing condition, so that the imager photographs an observation image of a sample observed by a microscope and formed on a light receiving surface of the imager. A computing unit obtains inputs of a plurality of photographing parameters, determines a photographing condition based on the obtained photographing parameters, and sets the photographing condition for the photographing control unit. A display unit displays the designable ranges of the photographing parameters. Here, when the computing unit obtains the input of a priority parameter, it changes the designable range of the plurality of photographing parameters other than the priority parameter based on the priority parameter and causes the display unit to display the designable range after the change.
US08305424B2 System, apparatus and method for panorama image display
Camera sections pick up divided images obtained by dividing a panorama image to generate image data at a high resolution. Image data processing sections perform compression encoding on the image data at the high resolution through encoder to obtain first compressed image data. The image data processing sections perform size change to obtain image data at a low resolution and perform compression encoding on the image data through another encoder to obtain second compressed image data. A data transfer section transmits the first and second compressed image data through a network to an image display apparatus.
US08305421B2 Automatic determination of a configuration for a conference
Determining a configuration for a conference. Input may be received specifying a plurality of devices for use in the conference. A configuration may be automatically determined for the plurality of devices for the conference. The configuration may be automatically determined based on the specified plurality of devices and may specify usage of the plurality of devices during the conference. The configuration may specify a first device of the plurality of devices as a control unit. Automatic determination may include obtaining information regarding capabilities of each of the plurality of devices, and creating the configuration based on the capabilities of each of the plurality of devices. Finally, the configuration may be displayed on a display device.
US08305419B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus, including: an image carrier; an exposure section, having a light emitting surface which is positioned above the image carrier, to focus the light rays on the surface of the image carrier; a cleaning section, having a cleaning member, to make the cleaning member to come into contact with the light emitting surface and to move the cleaning member on the light emitting surface, so that the cleaning member removes dust particles accumulated on the light emitting surface, wherein the cleaning section makes the cleaning member to move to an outside of an end portion of the light emitting surface; and a dust receiving section, mounted under the outside of the end portion of the light emitting surface, to receive the dust particles removed from the light emitting surface by the cleaning section.
US08305416B2 Image forming apparatus, optical writing process control method, and optical writing process control program
An image forming apparatus includes light sources, a light intensity controller, an optical writing unit, a controller, and an image forming unit. The light sources are switchable between activated and deactivated conditions according to supplied image data. The light intensity controller controls light intensity of the light sources. In the optical writing unit, light beams output from the light sources are deflected in a main scanning direction. The controller sets a given number of light sources to activated condition to write a latent image on an image bearing member according to an image forming line speed. The controller instructs the given number of light sources to emit light beams onto an image area on the image bearing member, and instructs all of the light sources to emit light beams at a blank area on the image bearing member to execute a light intensity control for all of the light sources.
US08305413B2 Optical writing apparatus and image forming apparatus, configured to include synchronous detector
An optical scanner unit includes an LD unit, a polygon mirror deflecting a light beam, an optical scan system focusing the light beam from the polygon mirror on a photoconductive drum to form an electrostatic latent image, and a synchronous detector receiving a part of the light beam to detect a write start position on the photoconductive drum in main scan direction. The synchronous detector is fixed on a portion of a housing at predetermined angles in main and sub scan directions relative to an incidence angle of the light beam on the synchronous detector.
US08305410B2 Thermal head unit and thermal printer with driver IC on flexible substrate
A thermal head unit includes a head substrate having a heating element serving as a thermal head formed thereon, a flexible substrate, a driver IC disposed on the flexible substrate to drive the thermal head, and a heat sink attached to the head substrate and to the flexible substrate, wherein the driver IC and the flexible substrate are electrically connected to each other, and the driver IC and the head substrate are electrically connected to each other.
US08305407B2 Exposure device and image-forming apparatus
There is provided an exposure device including: plural exposure heads having plural light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction, the plurality of exposure heads also being arranged in the first direction; plural temperature detecting units for detecting temperature arranged at both ends in the first direction of each of the plural exposure heads; and a correction unit for correcting quantities of light emitted from the exposure heads based on temperature data detected by the temperature detecting units.
US08305401B1 Digital light management controller
A light management unit (LMU) includes multiple brightness compensation modules and algorithms mixed together in a digital domain. The LMU is configured to receive content data, such as gamma correction data generated by a graphics or video processor and corresponding to frames of video data, ambient light data obtained using a light sensor, ambient temperature data using a temperature sensor, and a manual brightness setting. An ambient light compensation value is multiplied into the manual brightness settings so the resulting compensation value is a percent of the manual settings. A content adjustment interface (CAI) module is configured to compensate the backlight brightness according to real-time video data. The content adjustment performed by the CAI module is combined with the ambient light adaptive dimming. A final stage step generator enables a gradual brightness transition to minimize, if not eliminate jitter and jump.
US08305394B2 System and method for improving the quality of halftone video using a fixed threshold
A system and method for processing video data are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes generating halftone data for a first video frame and generating halftone data for a second video frame. The method further includes, to reduce at least one visual artifact, selectively copying the halftone data for the first video frame into the halftone data for the second video frame, the selective copying being based upon a comparison between a predetermined fixed threshold and the difference in the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the originally generated halftone data for the second video frame and the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the halftone data for the second video frame after the copying is done.
US08305382B2 Multi-thread graphics processing system
A graphics processing system comprises at least one memory device storing a plurality of pixel command threads and a plurality of vertex command threads. An arbiter coupled to the at least one memory device is provided that selects a command thread from either the plurality of pixel or vertex command threads based on relative priorities of the plurality of pixel command threads and the plurality of vertex command threads. The selected command thread is provided to a command processing engine capable of processing pixel command threads and vertex command threads.
US08305380B2 Managing resources to facilitate altering the number of active processors
A method of managing resources is provided. The method includes identifying a resource associated with a processor responsive to an impending transition, and copying the identified resource from a memory associated with the GPU or to the memory associated with the GPU.
US08305379B2 Method for managing animation chunk data and its attribute information for use in an interactive disc
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method and system of managing animation data and related control data for recording on an enhanced navigation medium is provided. The method comprises constructing animation data comprising first image data into a first graphic MNG file in chunk data format, wherein the first graphic file comprises a first header portion, a second end portion, first control data and a frame containing additional data; and recording the first graphic file on an enhanced navigation medium.
US08305371B2 Apparatus and method for generating VCOM voltage in display device with buffer amplifier and charge pump
An apparatus for generating a VCOM voltage in a display device includes first and second buffer amplifiers and a charge pump. The first buffer amplifier is biased with high and low rail voltages for generating the VCOM voltage. The second buffer amplifier generates the high rail voltage at an output node not connected to an external capacitor. The charge pump generates the low rail voltage by charge pumping directly from an external power supply voltage. Alternatively, a charge pump and a comparator are used for generating the VCOM voltage at an output of the charge pump. The comparator generates a charge pump control signal from comparing the VCOM voltage with a reference voltage.
US08305370B2 Organic light emitting display, controller therefor and associated methods
A display driven by a data signal and a light emission signal may be controlled by a control system including a first through fourth controller. The first controller may select a gamma value in accordance with ambient illumination and output a corresponding gamma compensation signal to control a gradation voltage of input image data. The second controller may compare the ambient illumination with a reference value, generate a selection signal in response thereto, and provide changed image data obtained by changing input image data in accordance with the selection signal as the data signal. The third controller may apply a scaling factor to the input image data generated from extracted features related to the input image data and a scale ratio obtained from the extracted features, and output scaled image data as the data signal. The fourth controller may control a pulse width of the emission control signal.
US08305369B2 Display drive circuit, display device, and display driving method
One embodiment of the present invention includes: a gate line drive circuit that outputs, in a horizontal scanning period which is sequentially allocated to each one of rows, a gate signal for turning on the switching element on one row; a source bus line drive circuit that outputs a source signal of which polarity is reversed in sync with the horizontal scanning period for each of the rows and of which polarity is opposite in an adjacent horizontal scanning period on one and the same row; a CS bus line drive circuit that outputs, after the horizontal scanning period for each of the rows, a CS signal of which potential is switched along a direction (from low level to high level or from high level to low level) determined according to the polarity of the source signal in the horizontal scanning period concerned, wherein the CS bus line drive circuit outputs the CS signal in a first frame so that a potential of the CS signal at a time of on-to-off switching of the switching element on the one row is different from a potential of a CS signal on an adjacent row. This eliminates the occurrence of lateral stripes in the first frame from which display corresponding to a video signal is started in CC driving premised on line inversion driving.
US08305368B2 Method for determining an optimum skew and adjusting a clock phase of a pixel clock signal and data driver utilizing the same
A data driver including a receiver, a skew adjusting circuit and a processing device is provided. The receiver samples image data on a data bus according to a processed pixel clock signal. The image data includes pixel data during active periods and a test pattern repeatedly inserted in the image data during blanking periods. The skew adjusting circuit receives a pixel clock signal and adjusts a clock phase of the pixel clock signal by delaying the pixel clock signal with a controllable skew according to a feedback control signal so as to generate the processed pixel clock signal. The processing device stores a predetermined test pattern synchronized with the inserted test pattern, determines an optimum skew by comparing the sampled test patterns with the predetermined test pattern, and generates the feedback control signal including information indicating the optimum skew.
US08305366B2 Flat panel display having a multi-channel data transfer interface and image transfer method thereof
A flat panel display includes a scaler, a first transmitter, a second transmitter, a first receiver, a second receiver, a compensated driving unit, a timing controller, a data driver, a scan driver and a panel. The scaler generates first and second adjusted image data according to an image signal, and outputs the first and second adjusted image data to the first and second receivers through the first and second transmitters, respectively. The compensated driving unit outputs compensated driving data according to the first and second adjusted image data. The timing controller receives the compensated driving data, and outputs the compensated driving data to the data driver and a scan-starting signal to the scan driver according to timing so as to control each row of pixels on the panel sequentially. The data driver receives the compensated driving data and then outputs a driving voltage to each row of pixels.
US08305361B2 Device and method for detecting position of object and image display system having such device
An object position detecting device includes a touch film, a first electrode set, a second electrode set, and a sensing and computing circuit. An object position detecting method includes the following steps. Firstly, an object is provided on the touch film. Then, first equivalent capacitance values of multiple first electrode groups of a first electrode set under the touch film are sensed, wherein each first electrode group includes n adjacent first electrodes that are parallel with and connected with each other. Then, second equivalent capacitance values of multiple second electrode groups of a second electrode set under the touch film are sensed, wherein each second electrode group includes m adjacent second electrodes that are parallel with and connected with each other. According to the first equivalent capacitance values and the second equivalent capacitance values, first position information of the object is calculated.
US08305359B2 Capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly
One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a capacitive sensing device for use in a keypad assembly of an electronic system. The capacitive sensing device includes a substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor. The substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor is configured to be disposed within the keypad assembly without requiring the formation of key post holes therethrough. Additionally, the substantially transparent single sheet capacitive sensor has a flexibility which enables desired tactile response during use of keys of the keypad assembly.
US08305358B2 Sensor, display including a sensor, and method for using a sensor
A sensor includes an insulating support defining a front side; a membrane arranged on the front side of the support, the membrane including at least one layer including a pattern of electrically conductive material; at least one capacitance measuring unit configured for measuring a capacitance between at least a portion of the pattern of one of the at least one layer and its surrounding environment; and at least one resistance measuring unit configured for measuring a resistance between a pair of points of the pattern of one of the at least one layer. A display including the sensor and a method of using the sensor are also disclosed.
US08305353B2 Glare-resistant touch panel
A glare-resistant touch panel has a touch-sensing layer, a polarizing filter, a diffraction layer and an anti-reflection layer. The polarizing filter is mounted on the touch-sensing layer. The diffraction layer is mounted on the polarizing filter and splits lights into different polarized angles. The anti-reflection layer is mounted on the diffraction layer. With the diffraction layer, light polarized at a specific angle are split to be polarized at different angles and are allowed to partly pass through polarized sunglasses. Hence a sunglasses wearer can still see what the screen from the touch panel displays even if the sunglasses and the polarizing filter are oriented perpendicular to each other.
US08305348B2 Display device, method of manufacturing the same and mobile communication terminal having the same
A display device includes a display panel, an integral type printed circuit board electrically connecting the display panel and a signal transmission member formed on a rear side of the integral type printed circuit board to transmit the input signal. The integral type printed circuit board comprises a driving circuit member applying a driving signal to the display panel, and an input circuit member integrally formed with the driving circuit member to generate an input signal.
US08305345B2 Multimedia playing device
A multimedia playing device includes a central processing unit, a plurality of sensors electrically coupled to the central processing unit, and an output unit electrically coupled to the central processing unit. The plurality of sensors are operated together with the central processing unit, such that after the sensors detect different hand movements of a user, the central processing unit reads and determines the hand movement and transmits related control signals to the output unit according to different hand movements to achieve the effects of using a hand posture to control related functional movements and enhancing the convenience of using the multimedia playing device.
US08305341B2 Dielectrophoretic displays
A dielectrophoretic display comprises a substrate having walls defining at least one cavity, the cavity having a viewing surface and a side wall inclined to the viewing surface; a suspending fluid contained within the cavity; a plurality of at least one type of particle suspended within the suspending fluid; and means for applying to the fluid an electric field effective to cause dielectrophoretic movement of the particles to the side wall of the cavity.
US08305340B2 Touch sensitive display device and method thereof
The present invention relates to a touch sensitive display device, the display device including a display panel unit, a sensing unit formed on the display panel unit, receiving a sensor control signal, and generating a sensor data signal based on a touch exerted on the display panel unit, an output unit generating a sensing signal based on the sensor data signal from the sensing unit, and a compensation unit adjusting the sensor control signal such that the sensing signal is bounded in a predetermined range.
US08305339B2 Image processing apparatus and image displaying apparatus
There is provided an image displaying apparatus in which a light-source luminance calculator calculates light-source luminance of the light emitted by a backlight based on pixel values of an input image, a cumulative light-emission amount calculator calculates a cumulative light-emission amount by summing up light-source luminance for an arbitrary period for which an image is displayed at a time before the input image is displayed, the cumulative light-emission amount is compared with a reference light-emission amount determined in advance, and if the difference between the cumulative light-emission amount and the reference light-emission amount is smaller than a reference, a light-source luminance correcting unit corrects the light-source luminance to a smaller value to obtain corrected light-source luminance corrected.
US08305338B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus and backlight adjustment method
A liquid crystal display apparatus and backlight adjustment method are provided.Backlight luminance sensors 111A to 111D are disposed in the vicinity of four outer corners of an effective screen of an LCD panel 121. Each of the backlight luminance sensors 111A to 111D detects the luminance of each of three primary colors. A backlight unit is composed of a three-primary LED array and a light diffusion unit. Transistors of the backlight luminance sensors and transistors of a pixel portion are formed on the same substrate in the same process. When a transistor is irradiated with backlight in its sufficient off region, an off current occurs due to light excitation. Since the value of the off current corresponds to the luminance of the rays of backlight that irradiates the transistor, the luminance of the backlight is detected with an output voltage into which the off current is converted. As a result, the luminance of the backlight is kept constant.
US08305337B2 Method of driving a light source, display apparatus for performing the method and method of driving the display apparatus
In method of individually driving a plurality of light-emitting blocks of a light source module providing light to a display panel including a unit pixel, luminance of a first light-emitting block corresponding to a first image block that includes an out of gamut (OOG) data among a plurality of image blocks corresponding to the light-emitting blocks is boosted. A second light-emitting block corresponding to a second image block that does not include the OOG data is driven so that the second light-emitting block has luminance corresponding to a representative gray-scale of the second image block.
US08305331B2 LCD device power saving system and method of reducing power consumption of LCD device
A control system for a portable display device includes a battery power supply powering a display panel of the portable display device, a backlight controller and a video processor connected to the display panel for displaying images, an adaptive controller providing output signals to the backlight controller and the video processor, a video analyzer providing a first input to the adaptive controller, and a remaining display time estimator providing a second input to the adaptive controller, wherein the remaining display time estimator determines a remaining display time of the portable display device and controls the adaptive controller to adjust one of the backlight controller and the video processor based upon the determined remaining display time.
US08305330B2 Gate driving circuit of display panel including shift register sets
A gate driving circuit of a display panel including a plurality of shift register sets coupled in series is provided. Every shift register set includes a shift register unit and a transistor coupled therewith. The shift register units receive a gate timing signal and an inverted gate timing signal, and one of a first level shift register unit and a last level shift register unit further receives a threshold driving signal. The shift register units respectively output a plurality of gate driving signals sequentially according to the threshold driving signal, the gate timing signal and the inverted gate timing signal. A gate and a first source/drain of each transistor are coupled to receive a gate controlling signal, and a second source/drain of each transistor is coupled to the corresponding shift register unit to output one of the gate driving signals.
US08305325B2 Color display apparatus and active matrix apparatus
A color display apparatus includes a display unit having electro-optical elements arranged in a row direction and a column direction, scanning lines provided in respective rows of the electro-optical elements to select respective rows, and data lines provided in respective columns and supplying data signals to electro-optical elements in the row which the scanning lines select, and conversion circuits each of which receives a digital video signal and converts the digital video signal to an analog video signal. In addition, a first dispersion circuit receives the analog video signals outputted from the conversion circuits and exchanges an arrangement of the analog video signals to output to bus lines, column drive circuits sample the analog video signals in the bus lines in a time sharing manner and generate and output the data signals, and a second dispersion circuit receives the data signals outputted from the column drive circuits and rearranges the data signals to output to the data lines. The rearranging of the data signals by the second dispersion circuit restores the exchanging of the arrangement by the first dispersion circuit.
US08305320B2 Liquid crystal display and two-frame overdriving method using LSB to indicate modulation status
A liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof are provided. The liquid crystal includes a liquid crystal display panel, a data driving circuit, a gate driving circuit, a timing controller, and an over-driving controller. The over-driving controller, if a difference between input data input during a (N)th frame period (N is a positive integer) and (N−1)th frame data read from a memory is more than 2 gray levels, modulates the data at an over/under shoot ratio of 20 to 80% and supplies the modulated data to the timing controller, if the difference is less than 2 gray levels, differently supplies the input data to the timing controller and converts the least significant bit of the data stored in the memory according to whether or not the data is modulated.
US08305319B2 Liquid crystal display device having look up table for adjusting common voltages and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an LCD panel, and a common voltage generating circuit configured for providing common voltages to the LCD panel. The common voltage generating circuit includes a microprocessor, a timer, a voltage adjustment circuit, and a look up table. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the timer, the look up table, and the voltage adjustment circuit. The timer is configured for recording a continuous operated time of the LCD panel. The look up table is configured for storing optimal common voltages corresponding to each continuous operated time. The microprocessor is configured for reading the optimal common voltage at set intervals corresponding to the continuous operated time, and controlling the voltage adjustment circuit to provide the corresponding optimal common voltage to the LCD panel.
US08305317B2 Method for addressing an LCD display in color sequential mode
In a method for addressing an LCD display in color sequential mode, the color frames of a received video sequence are rearranged to form a display sequence applied to the LCD display. The arrangement of the color frames in the display sequence is such that the succession of the colors of the color frames and/or the duration of the color frames is random. Such a method may find application to direct view screens.
US08305309B2 Display device with power source supply scan circuits and driving method thereof
A display device includes a pixel array unit having pixels disposed in a matrix shape, each pixel including an electro-optical element, a write transistor for sampling and writing an input signal voltage, a holding capacitor for holding a signal voltage written by the write transistor, and a driver transistor for driving the electro-optical element in response to the signal voltage held in the holding capacitor. The display device further includes a scan circuit for selectively scanning each pixel in the pixel array unit at a row unit basis and a plurality of power source supply scan circuits for selectively supplying a first potential and a second potential lower than the first potential to a power supply line wired per each pixel row of the pixel array unit to supply current to the driver transistors, synchronously with scanning by the scan circuit.
US08305308B2 Display device and method of driving the same
The display device including pixels has formed therein at least two drive blocks each made up of pixel rows. Each of the pixels includes: a drive transistor; a capacitor element, a luminescence element; a first switching transistor which causes conduction between the gate of the drive transistor and a fixed potential line; and a second switching transistor which causes conduction between the source of the drive transistor and the capacitor element. Each of the pixels further includes a third switching transistor which connects a pixel in a k-th drive block and a first signal line or a fourth switching transistor which connects a pixel in a (k+1)-th drive block and a second signal line.
US08305306B2 Light-emitting device and driving method thereof
In a light emitting device, luminance irregularities caused by fluctuation in threshold of TFTs for supplying a current to EL elements among pixels hinder the light emitting device from improving the image quality. A voltage equal to the threshold of a TFT 110 is held in capacitor means 111 in advance. When a video signal is inputted from a source signal line, the voltage held in the capacitor means is added to the signal, which is then applied to a gate electrode of the TFT 110. Even when threshold is fluctuated among pixels, each threshold is held in the capacitor means 111 of each pixel, and therefore, influence of the threshold fluctuation can be removed. Since the threshold is stored in the capacitor means 111 alone and the voltage between two electrodes is not changed while a video signal is written, fluctuation in capacitance value has no influence.
US08305297B2 Spectacles-type image display device
A spectacles-type image display device comprises an image output unit for outputting image light of images to be displayed and a reflection unit disposed in a field of view of at least one eyeball of a viewer. The reflection unit is adapted to reflect the image light output from the image output unit toward the eyeball of the viewer so that the viewer can see virtual images of the images. The minimum value of a width of a projection cross-section of the reflection unit in an output direction of the image light to the eyeball is smaller than a dark-adapted pupil diameter of human and is larger than a light-adapted pupil diameter of human.
US08305290B2 Planar antenna array and article of manufacture using same
A planar antenna array and articles of manufacture using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, close-packed antenna elements, disposed on a substrate, number N where N=3x and x is a positive integer. Each of the close-packed antenna elements includes a substantially continuous photonic transducer arranged as an outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spiral having six turns. Each of the outwardly expanding generally logarithmic spirals may be a golden spiral. As an article of manufacture, the planar antenna array may be incorporated into a chip, such as a cell phone, or an article of clothing, for example.
US08305287B2 Method and apparatus for propping devices
Apparatus for propping a device, comprising a platform, a bracket, a carriage and a backstay. The backstay is rotatable relative to the carriage and to the device. The carriage can be moved in a first direction, which can causes a device to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. Apparatus comprising a rotatable assembly and a device movable between stowed and deployed positions, a center of rotation of the device in the deployed position being at or displaced only substantially vertically from a center of gravity of the rotatable assembly. Apparatus comprising a platform mounting portion, a platform structure rotatably mounted thereon, a duct extending through the platform mounting portion and into a space within the platform structure, whereby fluid can be passed through the duct and into the enclosed space while the platform structure is rotating relative to the mounting portion. Methods of propping a device.
US08305283B2 Coplanar differential bi-strip delay line, higher-order differential filter and filtering antenna furnished with such a line
This coplanar differential bi-strip delay line includes two conducting strips disposed on one and the same face of a dielectric substrate and each comprising a first and a second end. The two first ends of the two conducting strips are respectively joined to two conductors of a first bi-strip port for connection to a first external differential device. The two second ends of the two conducting strips are respectively joined to two conductors of a second bi-strip port for connection to a second external differential device.
US08305282B2 Field probe
In a stalk-type field probe, each of three resistive dipoles is formed with a resistive feedline on a common circuit board. Each circuit board comprises an elongated feedline section that extends through a cylindrical stalk, and a cross-arm that is disposed at a 54.7° angle relative to the elongation of the feedline section. The feedline sections are arranged to form an equilateral triangular prism, and the cross arms are arranged so that the dipole on each cross-arm is perpendicular to an imaginary plane to which the lines along which the elements of both of the other dipoles extend are parallel.
US08305281B2 Core-shell magnetic material, method of manufacturing core-shell magnetic material, device, and antenna device
The present invention provides a core-shell magnetic material having an excellent characteristic in a high frequency band, particularly, in a GHz band. The core-shell magnetic material includes: core-shell magnetic particles including magnetic metal particles and an oxide coating layer, the magnetic metal particle containing magnetic metal selected from the group of Fe, Co, and Ni, nonmagnetic metal selected from the group of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Zr, Ti, Hf, Zn, Mn, a rare-earth element, Ba, and Sr, and an element selected from carbon and nitrogen, and the oxide coating layer being made of an oxide containing at least one nonmagnetic metal as one of the components of the magnetic metal particle; and oxide particles existing at least a part between the magnetic metal particles and containing nonmagnetic metal selected from the group of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Zr, Ti, Hf, Zn, Mn, a rare-earth element, Ba, and Sr, and in which nonmagnetic metal/magnetic metal (atomic ratio) in the particles is higher than that in the oxide coating layer.
US08305280B2 Low loss broadband planar transmission line to waveguide transition
A transition for coupling a microwave signal between a transmission line formed on a planar dielectric substrate and a hollow waveguide may include a half-notch antenna formed on a portion of the dielectric substrate extending into an open end of the hollow waveguide.
US08305275B2 Mobile wireless communications device having diversity antenna system and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device has a portable handheld housing. A circuit board is carried by the portable handheld housing. RF circuitry is carried by the circuit board. A diversity antenna and main antenna are carried by the portable handheld housing and coupled to the RF circuitry and operative together. The RF circuitry tunes the diversity antenna into a diversity communications frequency band to achieve a diversity mode of operation with the main antenna and tunes the diversity antenna into a non-diversity communications frequency band when cross-coupling has occurred from the diversity antenna to the main antenna when operating in the diversity communications frequency band. A switch is carried by the portable handheld housing and connected to the RF circuitry and coupled between the diversity and main antennae and disconnects the diversity antenna when operating in the non-diversity band to prevent cross-coupling from the diversity antenna to the main antenna.
US08305272B2 Multi-band antenna structure
A multi-band antenna structure includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, a first metal strip and a second metal strip formed on the first surface, a third metal strip formed on the second surface, and a metal part located on the substrate. The first metal strip has a first strip and a second strip and the second strip has an inductance characteristic. The first strip of the first metal strip and the third metal strip define a first overlap area in the direction vertical to the substrate. The first overlap area has a first capacitor characteristic. The second metal strip and the third metal strip define a second overlap area in the direction vertical to the substrate. The second overlap area has a second capacitor characteristic.
US08305268B2 Method and apparatus for a GPS receiver capable of reception of GPS signals and binary offset carrier signals
A system and method capable of mitigating the migration from the current GPS system to the Galileo system and allow a single satellite system positioning receiver to process both GPS signals and Galileo signals.
US08305262B1 Mismatched pulse compression of nonlinear FM signal
A signal processing method includes transforming a received NLFM waveform from a first domain to a second domain, multiplying the transform of the received NLFM waveform with a complex conjugate of a low-pass filtered and transformed reference signal, and inverse transforming a product of the multiplication from the second domain to the first domain.
US08305257B2 Method and apparatus for coherent marine radar measurements of properties of ocean waves and currents
A method and apparatus of determining a wave height directional spectrum of an ocean wave field using the intermediate-frequency (IF) signal from marine radars with a rotating antenna, using either a fully coherent or a standard non-coherent transmitter/receiver modified for coherent-on-receive use. The method may include receiving the IF radar ocean surface echo signal for a series of transmit pulses, at a sequence of azimuthal antenna positions, and a number of antenna rotations covering several minutes, then generating a matrix of complex IF signal samples from these, deriving phases for each sample, generating the difference in phase for consecutive azimuths, then Doppler shifts, and finally radial velocities. These are interpolated to a Cartesian-transformed representation cube of samples, a subset of which is Fourier transformed in three dimensions, filtered, and the resulting power spectrum generated is used to derive ocean wave height directional spectra, frequency spectra, and root-mean-squared wave height.
US08305255B2 Dual-band antenna array and RF front-end for MM-wave imager and radar
The radar includes a PCB having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a processor mounted on the bottom surface of the PCB. The radar includes a second liquid crystal polymer layer formed on the top surface of the printed circuit board, a second microstrip array printed on the second liquid crystal polymer layer, the second microstrip array having a patch, a first liquid crystal polymer layer formed on the second liquid crystal polymer layer, a first microstrip array printed on the first liquid crystal polymer layer, the first microstrip array having a perforated patch, an antenna positioned underneath the patch and connected to the second microstrip array, and a transmit/receive module connected to a bottom surface of the second liquid crystal polymer layer and configured to transmit a first frequency signal to the first microstrip array and a second frequency signal to the second microstrip array.
US08305251B2 Wireless remote control system
A wireless remote control system is provided. This system includes a remote controller, plural detectors, and a decision module. The detectors are used for detecting the frequency a wireless signal emitted by the remote controller and respectively generate a detecting result. Based on at least one frequency difference between the detecting results, the decision module determines how the remote controller is moving and thereby generates a control signal. Because the decision module needs no knowledge of the frequency of the emitted wireless signal, the wireless remote controller has the advantages of small size, low cost, and low power consumption.
US08305249B2 Systems and methods for controlling power consumption in electronic devices
A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode.
US08305248B2 Sub-exponent time-to-digital converter using phase-difference enhancement device
A time-to-digital converter includes a phase-difference enhancement section configured to receive first and second input signals having a reference phase difference Δt, and to output first and second output signals having an enhanced phase difference; and a comparison section configured to receive the first and second output signals, to compare a phase difference between the first and second output signals with a reference delay time τ, and to output a comparison signal. The time-to-digital converter has a high resolution. That is to say, the time-to-digital converter has a resolution less than the minimum phase delay time of a delay element, which is obtainable in a corresponding semiconductor process.
US08305247B2 Low voltage digital to analog converter, comparator and sigma-delta modulator circuits
Circuits that operate with power supplies of less than 1 Volt are presented. More particularly, circuits that operate with supply voltages near or lower than the threshold voltage of the transistors in those circuits are presented. Various circuits embodiments such as operational transconductance amplifiers (1101, 1102, 1103), biasing circuits, integrators (1113, 1123, 1133), continuous-time sigma delta modulators, track-and-hold circuits, and others are presented. The techniques and circuits can be used in a wide range of applications and various transistors from metal-oxide-semiconductor to bipolar junction transistors may implement the techniques presented herein.
US08305237B2 Aircraft tire pressure loop link
The aircraft tire pressure loop link is formed of first and second single metal loops connected by parallel spaced apart metal shafts, and provides for coupling a magnetic field between a wheel hub coil and a tire pressure sensor coil to provide electromagnetic communication between a control unit connect to the wheel hub coil and a tire pressure sensor connected to the tire pressure sensor coil. The current induced in the first single metal loop travels the distance from the edge of the wheel axle coil to the periphery of the of the wheel rim to the second single metal loop, which generates the flux in the tire pressure sensor receiver coil necessary to power the tire pressure sensor.
US08305236B2 Optical receiving apparatus, shield plate, computer product, transit support method, and transit support apparatus
An optical receiving apparatus is provided on a mobile object and includes a receiving unit that receives an optical signal transmitted from a transmitting unit of a communication device disposed apart from the mobile object; and a blocking unit that blocks the optical signal when an incident angle of the optical signal relative to a disposition surface of the receiving unit becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined incident angle.
US08305235B2 Exterior mirror reflective element sub-assembly with signal indicator
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate and a signal indicator. The mirror back plate includes (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion. The indicator receiving portion has a wall structure extending at an angle from the generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through the mirror back plate. The signal indicator has a light source disposed at a circuit element and a housing substantially encases the circuit element therein. An electrical connector protrudes from the circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of the housing for connecting to electrical wiring of the vehicle. The signal indicator includes an indicia element at a forward end thereof. When the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source emanates through the aperture and through the mirror reflective element and is transmitted through the indicia element.
US08305226B2 Drinking water level alarm lamp
A drinking-water level alarm lamp for being placed in a water feeder includes a watertight casing including therein a lamp, a rolling ball tilt switch, a battery and a weight. When the water feeder contains drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp half floats above the water by virtue of the inner space of the watertight casing and the weight. When the water feeder contains no drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp lies at a bottom of the water feeder. The drinking-water level alarm lamp uses the presence and absence of the drinking water in and from the water feeder to change a position of the drinking-water level alarm lamp, so that the rolling ball tilt switch in the drinking-water level alarm lamp is accordingly switched to turn on or off the lamp.
US08305222B2 Device for detecting and signalling malfunctions in the use of electrical appliances
A device for detecting and signaling malfunctions in use of electrical appliances which have a cyclical or a continuous central measuring and processing unit connected to two input/output ports for connecting between a source of electrical power and an electrical appliance respectively. The central unit is connected to at least one signaling element controlled by a malfunction occurrence signal that is processed by the central unit.
US08305221B2 Programmable MIT sensor using the abrupt MIT device, and alarm apparatus and secondary battery anti-explosion circuit including the MIT sensor
Provided are an abrupt MIT device with variable MIT temperature or voltage, an MIT sensor using the abrupt MIT device, and an alarm apparatus and a secondary battery anti-explosion circuit including the MIT sensor. The MIT device includes an abrupt MIT layer undergoing an abrupt MIT at a transition temperature or a transition voltage and at least two electrode layers contacting the abrupt MIT layer. The transition temperature or the transition voltage varies with at least one of factors including a voltage applied to the electrode layers, a temperature, an electromagnetic wave, a pressure, and a gas concentration that affect the abrupt MIT layer. The MIT sensor is a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, a pressure sensor, a gas-concentration sensor, or a switch. The alarm apparatus includes the MIT sensor and an alarm-signaling unit connected in series with the MIT sensor. The secondary battery anti-explosion circuit includes a secondary battery, the MIT sensor attached to the secondary battery to sense the temperature of the secondary battery and thus to prevent the possible explosion of the secondary battery, and a protection circuit body powered by the secondary battery.
US08305220B2 Monitoring and displaying activities
Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring and displaying the activities and behaviours of animals over a period of time. The display includes a sequence of visual representations correlating to the activities of the animal.
US08305219B2 EAS tag using tape with conductive element
An electronic article surveillance apparatus for monitoring large objects is comprised of a base, at least one segment of tape, and an electronics housing. The segment of tape has a least one electrically conductive element running the length of the tape. The base rests on an object to be monitored, and the housing releasably latches onto the base, while each tape segment wraps around the object with each end of tape segment being fixed between the base and housing. Electronics within the housing complete a circuit through each tape segment and monitor the tape segments for electrical continuity. If electrical continuity is lost, either by cutting a tape segment, or unauthorized unlatching of the housing, an alarm can be sounded by the electronics within the housing. The electronic housing may be disarmed by a remote device and delatched from the base. Both base and tape segments may have adhesive elements.
US08305218B2 System and program product for automatic RFID attenuation and recovery
The invention provides a system and program product for attenuating a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. In one embodiment, the system includes optimizing a coverage area of an RFID reader.
US08305214B2 Electronic tag configured to sense a plant environment
A system for tracking at least one plant includes an electronic tag including an interrogation interface and memory circuitry and a package for the electronic tag, the package being configured for physical association with at least one corresponding plant.
US08305213B2 Film-like article and method for manufacturing the same
Since the chip formed from a silicon wafer is thick, the chip is protruded from the surface or the chip is so large that it can be seen through the eyes, which affects the design of a business card or the like. Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new integrated circuit which has a structure by which the design is not affected. In view of the above problems, it is a feature of the invention to equip a film-like article with a thin film integrated circuit. It is another feature of the invention that the IDF chip has a semiconductor film of 0.2 mm or less, as an active region. Therefore, the IDF chip can be made thinner as compared with a chip formed from a silicon wafer. In addition, such an integrated circuit can have light transmitting characteristic unlike a chip formed from a silicon wafer.
US08305211B1 Method and apparatus for surveillance system peering
A security installation positions a peering ability with a peer installation by establishing a peering agreement to define the conditions constituting a situation for which peering applies, and identifies the resources and assets which will be shared, as well as the duration of the peering, typically until the resolution of the exigent situation or circumstances that prompted the peering. Peering selectively couples security installations for monitoring a particular upon determining that a situation responsive to mediation has occurred within an area monitored by the security installation for monitoring an area. The security installation initiates a peering invitation to a peer installation, in which the peer installation is configured to share resources with the security installation for mitigating the cause of the situation. The resulting peered access provides communication between the peer installation and the security installation, the access being temporary and conditional on the exigency of the determined situation.
US08305209B2 Alarm device
Provided is an alarm device capable of performing transmission and reception reliably while suppressing an amount of current consumption. An alarm device (100) includes: a fire detection circuit (7); a control circuit (1); and a transmitting/receiving circuit (5). The transmitting/receiving circuit (5) transmits the status signal to the another alarm device (100) with a transmission pattern formed by combining transmission periods and transmission suspension periods a predetermined number of times, and receives the status signal transmitted by the another alarm device (100) in an intermittent reception cycle. A time length of each of the transmission periods and the transmission suspension periods is set so that the another alarm device (100) that has failed to receive the status signal transmitted in a first intermittent reception cycle can receive the status signal in a second intermittent reception cycle and subsequent intermittent reception cycles.
US08305208B2 Aircraft uplink message response prompt
A method for prompting an operator to reply to a first data link message before it expires includes receiving the first data link message, storing the first data link message, starting a timer at an initial timer value when the first data link message is received, determining whether a response to the first data link message has been input, determining whether the timer will expire in less than a predefined amount of time, requesting an input from the operator before the timer expires, determining whether the input has been received since requesting input, and determining whether the timer has expired before the input is received. In cases where the input is received before the timer expires, a second data link message is sent. In cases where the input is not received before the timer expires, a status for the first data link message is set to expired.
US08305203B2 Device for setting the wheel size of a bicycle on a bicycle computer
The present invention relates to an apparatus for setting the wheel size of a bicycle (1, 2) on a bicycle computer (3) using input means (4, 5) on the bicycle computer (3). The aim is to be able to set the bicycle computer to the correct wheel size in a simpler and more reliable, virtually automatic, manner. This is achieved in that the bicycle computer (3) has at least two input means (4, 5) for at least two wheel sizes, in that a transmission means (6, 7), which can be assigned to the bicycle (1, 2), is provided for transmitting the wheel size of the bicycle (1, 2), and in that the transmission means (6, 7) interacts exclusively with that input means (4, 5) of the bicycle computer (3) which corresponds to the wheel size of the bicycle (1, 2).
US08305202B2 Antitheft apparatus for equipment with prime mover
In an apparatus for preventing theft of equipment having a prime mover, an prime mover controller, and an authenticator that acquires ID information from an electronic key when the key is brought close thereto by an operator, and permits the prime mover controller to start the prime mover when the acquired ID information is determined to correspond with authentication ID information, data indicating a number of times the key is updated is included in the ID information, and the authenticator determines whether the number of times indicated in the data is greater than that in the authentication ID information, and when the number of times indicated in the data is greater than that in the authentication ID information, updates the authentication ID information such that it is equal to the number of times indicated in the data, thereby enabling to easily update authentication ID information of the equipment.
US08305200B2 Reactive networks to reduce acoustic noise and ensure maximum efficiencies in driving piezoelectric elements in haptic applications
A device and method are provided to drive piezoelectric elements in haptic applications. In one embodiment, a pattern generator provides user programmable PWM waveforms to a driver. The load of the driver is an inductor in series with the piezoelectric element. The filtration of the inductor in series with the capacitance of the piezoelectric element suppresses the high-frequency components of the PWM pulse train, and recovers a value commensurate with the duty cycle of the PWM pulse train. The resulting waveform across the piezoelectric element is converted to physical motion, thereby creating a haptic effect on a user interface. Advantageously, there is reduced power loss, reduced switching induced noise, and a more haptic rich environment.
US08305192B2 RFID reader with automatic near/far field interrogation mode switching, and related operating methods
A dual-mode RFID reader is capable of automatically switching from a far-field interrogation mode to a near-field interrogation mode upon the detection of certain operating or handling conditions. The RFID reader includes an RFID radio module configured to support a far-field interrogation mode and a near-field interrogation mode, an antenna arrangement coupled to the RFID radio module, and a mode-switch sensor architecture coupled to the RFID radio module. The mode-switch sensor architecture is configured to detect conditions indicative of near-field interrogation, and the RFID radio module automatically configures itself for operation in the near-field interrogation mode upon detection of such conditions.
US08305188B2 System and method for logging in multiple users to a consumer electronics device by detecting gestures with a sensory device
A system and method of maintaining login state information is disclosed. In one embodiment a system comprises a memory configured to store login state information, a camera configured to capture an image, and a processor configured to determine, based at least in part on the image data, a location of a central object associated with the user, to determine, based at least in part on the image data, a location of a satellite object associated with the central object, to determine, based at least in part on the location of the central object and the location of the satellite objection, an angle, and to modify, based at least in part on the angle, the login state information to indicate that the user has logged in.
US08305183B2 Transformer for multi-output power supplies
This invention relates to a transformer (1) for multi-output power supplies such as those commonly found in electronic equipment. The transformer comprises a magnetic core (3) and a plurality of windings (5, 7, 9) at least some of which are fractional windings, arranged about the magnetic core. The transformer comprises a dual transformer structure with a pair of transformers, a main transformer (11) and an auxiliary transformer (13). In a preferred embodiment, the main transformer and the auxiliary transformer are connected together. In this way, readily available magnetic components may be used in the construction of the transformer and the simple construction allows for a large cross-sectional area of transformer to be deployed so that reduced turn counts of windings may be used.
US08305182B1 Symmetric differential inductor structure
A symmetric differential inductor structure includes first, second, third and fourth spiral conductive wirings disposed in four quadrants of a substrate, respectively. Further, a fifth conductive wiring connects the first and fourth spiral conductive wirings, and a sixth conductive wiring connects the second and third spiral conductive wirings. The first and second spiral conductive wirings are symmetric but not intersected with one another, and the third and fourth spiral conductive wirings are symmetric but not intersected with one another. Therefore, the invention attains full geometric symmetry to avoid using conductive wirings that occupy a large area of the substrate as in the prior art and to thereby increase the product profit and yield.
US08305177B2 Multi function magnetic decoupler
A magnet assembly for decoupling a plurality of different types of magnetically operated security devices includes a center pole magnet having a magnetic orientation along a first direction. A plurality of magnets adjacent to and surrounding the center pole magnet define an opening above the center pole magnet. Each adjacent magnet has a magnetic orientation orthogonal to the first direction. An end pole magnet is disposed adjacent to one of the magnets adjacent to the center pole magnet. The end pole magnet has magnetic orientation opposed to the first direction.
US08305174B2 Superconducting coil cast in nanoparticle-containing sealing compound
A superconducting coil for a magnetic resonance apparatus is formed by one or more wound superconducting conductors that are embedded in a cured sealing compound, with a filler composed only of nanoparticles added to the sealing compound.
US08305172B2 Toggle switch with magnetic mechanical and electrical control
A switch includes magnets that provide both mechanical actuation of the switch as well as electrical operation of the switch. A system controller detects a state of the switch and controls operation of one or more systems in a structure based on the state of the switch. The system controller can detect the state of the switch by detecting a position of a magnet of the switch.
US08305168B2 Forced return solenoid
A forced return solenoid that includes an electrical winding configured to create an electromagnetic field when electrical current flows through the winding, an electrical terminal configured to be connected to a source of electrical energy, and a moveable contact plate configured to be moved into contact with the electrical terminal. Embodiment of the forced return solenoid include a plunger configured to move axially in response to the electromagnetic field generated by the electrical winding. Movement of the plunger in one direction causes the moveable contact plate to connect with the electrical terminal. Movement of the plunger in the opposite direction causes an impact intended to break the connection between the moveable contact plate and the electrical terminal. Embodiments of the forced return solenoid further include a return spring configured to move the plunger in the second direction, wherein the impact means comprises a removable snap ring affixed to the plunger.
US08305167B2 Electromagnetic relay
To provide a twin-type power electromagnetic relay having high reliability, having a reduced size and low mounting height, and suitable for surface mounting.By inserting projections provided in a coil spool, which is a component constituting an electromagnetic relay block, into projection insertion holes 5a and 5b formed in a base plate 5, two electromagnetic relay blocks 4A and 4B are arranged side by side on the base plate 5 such that their central axes are nearly parallel to the base plate. A base protective wall 5c is provided on the base plate 5, and a coil wire winding terminal portion of a spool is covered by the base protective wall and by a fixed terminal protective wall on the fixed terminal block when assembled, preventing foreign matters such as flux from entering between the contacts from the winding terminal portion.
US08305160B2 Elastic wave device and duplexer
An elastic wave device includes an unbalanced terminal and first and second balanced terminals. A longitudinally-coupled-resonator-type first elastic wave filter is provided between the unbalanced terminal and the first balanced terminal. An elastic wave filter, which is connected in parallel with the first elastic wave filter, is connected between the unbalanced terminal and the second balanced terminal. The current paths through which IDT electrodes of the elastic wave filters of the elastic wave device are connected to ground terminals, are not symmetrical.
US08305155B2 Phase locked loop circuit with variable voltage sources
A PLL circuit comprises a phase detector, a charge pump, a loop filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and two variable voltage sources. The phase detector and the charge pump each comprises low-voltage transistors, and operates with a fixed supply voltage VCC1 (e.g., 5 V) which is a potential difference applied from the variable voltage source of a power-supply voltage VL and the variable voltage source of a power-supply voltage VDC (=VL+VCC1). A tuning control signal VC generated by integrating an output current signal of the charge pump using the loop filter is input to the VCO having an input voltage range of the tuning control signal from 0 V to VCC2 (e.g., 16 V). At this time, the output voltage range of the tuning control signal is from VL to VDC, but the output voltage range is expanded to cover the full input voltage range from 0 V to VCC2 by controlling the output voltages VL, VDC of the variable voltage sources, thereby allowing the VCO to output an output signal with a desired oscillation frequency.
US08305154B1 Parametrically driven quartz UHF oscillator
The present invention is a piezoelectric crystal oscillator using parametric amplification to enhance the Q. Parametric amplification is accomplished by driving the same region of the crystal as used for the oscillator with an overtone of the crystal resonator.
US08305149B2 Semiconductor circuit apparatus and delay difference calculation method
A semiconductor circuit apparatus having a clock oscillating circuit includes a first inverter circuit having a power supply terminal connected to a power supply potential via a first power supply potential connection transistor and a ground terminal connected to a ground potential via a first ground potential connection transistor, an inverter circuit block having a second inverter circuit connected to the power supply potential via a second power supply potential connection transistor and to the ground potential via a second ground potential connection transistor and connected to the first inverter circuit in parallel and a selection circuit block that outputs a power supply potential connection signal to any one of gate terminals of the first and second power supply potential connection transistors and a ground potential connection signal to any one of gate terminals of the first and second ground potential connection transistors.
US08305147B2 Power amplifier
A power amplifier according to the embodiments includes: a silicon substrate; an input terminal configured to receive an input of a RF signal; a power dividing unit configured to divide the RF signal into a first signal and a second signal; a phase modulating unit configured to modulate a phase of the second signal; an N well formed in the silicon substrate; a P well formed in the N well and configured to receive an input of the second signal of a modulated phase; a gate insulating film formed on the P well; a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film and configured to receive an input of the first signal; source and drain electrodes formed on both sides of the gate electrode in the silicon substrate; and an output terminal configured to output a RF signal obtained from the drain electrode.
US08305146B2 Multi stage amplifier
A multi-stage amplifier includes a first, a second, and a third sub-amplifier, each with respective input and output ports. The multi-stage amplifier also includes a common output port. The output port of the second sub-amplifier is connected to the output port of the first sub-amplifier as well as to the common output port of the multi-stage amplifier, and the output port of the third sub-amplifier is connected to the common output port. The electrical lengths of the connections from the second sub-amplifier's output port both to the first amplifier's output port and to the common output port are longer or shorter than one quarter of a wavelength (λ) of the frequency for which the multi-stage amplifier is intended to operate.
US08305145B2 Receiving circuit
A receiving circuit in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a first voltage-dividing circuit that outputs a first input signal obtained by voltage division of one of differential signals based on the resistance ratio between first and second resistors, a second voltage-dividing circuit that outputs a second input signal obtained by voltage division of the other of the differential signals based on the resistance ratio between third and fourth resistors, a differential amplifier that amplifies the differential component between the first and second input signals, a common-mode voltage detection circuit that detects the common-mode voltage of the differential signals, and a bias voltage switching circuit that switches the voltage value of a bias voltage based on the common-mode voltage.
US08305144B1 Circuits and methods for controlling quiescent current in amplifiers
A power amplifier provides relatively stable quiescent current while maintaining relatively high signal gains and peak to quiescent current ratios. The power amplifier has an input stage and a current mirror stage and incorporates a control transistor between these stages. The control transistor transitions to the triode mode for small inputs and offset voltages thereby reducing the amplifier circuit's gain. However, the control transistor transitions from the triode region to saturation as the input signal becomes larger thereby allowing the amplifier circuit to maintain a relatively high gain for large inputs. Accordingly, better quiescent current characteristics can be obtained without significantly sacrificing performance.
US08305139B1 Methods and apparatuses for high power and/or high frequency devices
Driver circuits and methods related thereto for driving high power and/or high frequency devices are described. The driver circuits comprise transistor stacks and capacitors coupled with the transistor stacks. Voltages across the capacitors depend on state (on or off) of each transistor in the transistor stacks. These voltages in turn determine output voltages generated by the driver circuits.
US08305137B2 Isolating interface with a differentiating circuit comprising a capacitive barrier and method for transmitting a signal by means of such isolating interface
A known method for parallel two-way symmetrical signal transmission by means of an isolating interface with a differentiating circuit comprising a capacitive barrier is improved. When restarting communication in the selected direction after a longer break, a pilot signal is conducted via the transmitting plates for the communication in the reverse direction and capacitive compensators to one of the receiving plates for communication in the selected direction. Threshold levels for comparisons of the signals of the first and second time derivative are decreased, the capacitance of capacitive compensators is then set to reduce output the output signal and finally communication is reestablished. Transmitting plates for communication in the reverse direction are now connected to the receiving plates for communication in the selected direction through the capacitive compensators with the capacitance adjusted as described above. This provides satisfactory signal transmission even when a thick layer of an electrically well conductive liquid appears between the plates of the isolating interface.
US08305136B2 Switchable capacitive element with improved quality factor, and method of production
A switchable capacitive element having an adjustable capacitance and an improved quality factor is specified. To this end, the characteristic variables of the switchable capacitive element are optimized in accordance with the equations cited in the description.
US08305134B2 Reference current source circuit provided with plural power source circuits having temperature characteristics
A reference current source circuit outputs a constant reference current even if surrounding environments such as temperature and power source voltage change in a power source circuit that operates in a minute current region in an order of nanoamperes. The reference current source circuit includes an nMOS-configured power source circuit, a pMOS-configured power source circuit, and a current subtracter circuit. The nMOS-configured power source circuit includes a current generating nMOSFET, and generates a first current having temperature characteristics of an output current dependent on an electron mobility. The pMOS-configured power source circuit includes a current generating pMOSFET, and generates a second current having temperature characteristics of an output current dependent on a hole mobility. The current subtracter circuit generates a constant reference current by subtracting the second current from the first current.
US08305132B2 Low-pass filter with adjustable cut-off frequency
A low-pass filter includes an integrator having an adjustable unity frequency. The integrator includes a first input, first output and feedback loop between the first input and output of the integrator. The first input is connected to a branch that includes a first impedance, to which is applied a first input voltage of the low-pass filter. The feedback loop includes a second impedance and the first output of the integrator is the first output of the low-pass filter.
US08305129B2 Internal clock generating circuit and method for generating internal clock signal with data signal
An internal clock generating circuit and a method for generating an internal clock signal are disclosed. The internal clock generating circuit includes a transition detecting block for detecting transitions in a data signal and generating data transition information, and an internal clock generating block for generating and storing a period digital data while detecting the unit period of the data signal in a period confirming mode. In the internal clock generating circuit, the internal clock signal can be generated without the external clock signal, so that the internal clock generating circuit can be implemented with a simple constitution. Additionally, an extra locking time is not required for locking the extra clock signal, so that the operating speed of the internal clock generating circuit is improved. The internal clock signal is dependent on the data signal, so that it is easy to control the set-up and hold for data.
US08305127B2 Data delay control circuit and method
A data delay control circuit and method that can adaptively reflect changes in an operating environment, such as an operating temperature, an operating voltage and a manufacturing process of a semiconductor chip. The data delay control circuit is designed to be able to adaptibly delay data when an expected delay of a predetermined period should be required when the semiconductor chip is designed. The data delay circuit includes a clock oscillation unit that can reflect changes in a delay period of a delay cell and automatically adjust the delay period of the delay cell. Since the data delay circuit includes a monitoring circuit and a plurality of delay paths, the data delay circuit can provide a delay path having a desired delay value. Therefore, even when the operating environment of a semiconductor device changes, the data delay circuit can control the delay period of a data signal. Consequently, the data delay circuit can automatically generate a data delay signal according to the changes in the operating environment.
US08305125B2 Low latency synchronizer circuit
A synchronizer circuit includes a master stage and a slave stage. The master stage may include a first master latch coupled to receive a data input signal, and a clock signal. The master stage may also include a second master latch coupled to receive the data input signal, and a delayed version of the clock signal. The master stage may further include a pull-up circuit that may drive an output line of the master stage depending upon an output of each of the first master latch and the second master latch. The slave stage may include a slave latch having an input coupled to the output line of the master stage. The slave stage may provide an output data signal that corresponds to the captured input data signal and is synchronized to the receiving clock signal.
US08305118B2 Power supply system
A power supply system, for discharging a resume and reset (RSMRST) signal during the RSMRST signal pull down, includes a voltage regulating circuit, a delay circuit, a switch circuit, and a discharge circuit. The voltage regulating circuit receives a first voltage signal and converts the first voltage signal to a second voltage signal. The delay circuit is charged by the second voltage signal and outputs the second voltage signal once fully charged. The switch circuit receives the second voltage signal and then outputs a RSMRST signal. The discharge circuit discharges the delay circuit. The delay circuit is charged during a first state and discharged during a second state.
US08305115B2 Elimination of fractional N boundary spurs in a signal synthesizer
A portable frequency synthesizer is provided with fine tuning over a broad bandwidth using a Fractional N type Delta Sum Phase Locked Loop circuit that enables elimination of boundary value spurs. In the system, frequencies where spurs occur are calculated to define a region of fractional N values that cannot be used with a first time base. To avoid the boundary spurs, a second time base reference is selected that can generate boundary spurs that do not overlap with the first time base. Circuitry is provided to select the appropriate time base and the fractional N values to generate desired output frequencies throughout the synthesizer range while avoiding the boundary spurs.
US08305113B1 Intra-pair skew cancellation technique for differential signaling
A method for deskewing a differential signal is provided. A common-mode voltage of a differential signal and an average for the common-mode voltage of the differential signal are measured. A difference between first and second portions of the differential signal is determined, and deskew information is derived from the common-mode voltage and the average. The deskew information can then be combined with the difference to deskew the differential signal.
US08305112B2 Power reducing logic and non-destructive latch circuits and applications
In some embodiments, a logic circuit is provided that has a plurality of gates with gate inputs. Also provided is one or more latch circuits coupled to the logic circuit to provide operational data when in an operational mode and to cause at least some of the gate inputs to be at values resulting in reduced leakage during a sleep mode. Additionally provided are embodiments of non-destructive latch circuits, which may be used to implement the latch circuits just discussed. Other embodiments are disclosed and/or claimed herein.
US08305109B2 Logic circuit, light emitting device, semiconductor device, and electronic device
An object is to obtain a desired threshold voltage of a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor. Another object is to suppress a change of the threshold voltage over time. Specifically, an object is to apply the thin film transistor to a logic circuit formed using a transistor having a desired threshold voltage. In order to achieve the above object, thin film transistors including oxide semiconductor layers with different thicknesses may be formed over the same substrate, and the thin film transistors whose threshold voltages are controlled by the thicknesses of the oxide semiconductor layers may be used to form a logic circuit. In addition, by using an oxide semiconductor film in contact with an oxide insulating film formed after dehydration or dehydrogenation treatment, a change in threshold voltage over time is suppressed and the reliability of a logic circuit can be improved.
US08305107B2 System for testing a power supply unit
A system for testing a power supply unit includes a test sub-system and a test control sub-system connected to the test sub-system and the power supply unit. The test sub-system perform tests and record the results. The test control sub-system is capable of selecting test items to test the power supply unit and setting an execution sequence of the test items. The test items includes a standby test item for testing the power supply unit at a standby state, a normal test item for testing the power supply unit at a normal state, and an over temperature protection test item for testing the power supply unit at an over heated state. The test control sub-system is further capable of automatically switching the standby test item to the normal test item, and switching the normal test item to the over temperature protection test item.
US08305106B2 Electronic self-healing methods for radio-frequency receivers
Systems and methods for providing self-healing integrated circuits. The method is characterized in that the behavior of a circuit or a device in response to an input signal is observed. One or more operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or the device are derived. A corrective action to bring the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or device within a desired range is deduced, if needed. The corrective action can be the application of a correction signal or a modification of one or more parameters or characteristics of an element in the circuit. The calculated corrective action, if needed, is applied to bring the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or device within the desired range. Optionally, the operational parameters or characteristics of the circuit or the device after the correction is effectuated can be checked.
US08305101B2 Microelectronic contactor assembly, structures thereof, and methods of constructing same
A plurality of inserts are anchored in holes or recesses in a probe head. Shafts are coupled to the inserts, and adjustable multi-part fasteners are attached to the shafts and to a stiffener. The multi-part fasteners are operated to move the shafts and couple the probe head, the stiffener, and other components of a microelectronic contactor assembly. In some embodiments, the inserts may be anchored in the probe head using an adhesive. In some embodiments, the probe head may comprise more than one major substrate, and the inserts may be anchored in either of the substrates.
US08305100B2 Diagnosing an electronic sensor
The apparatus (1) for checking the operational condition of an electronic sensor element (3) which measures a physical quantity comprises testing means for providing a test deflection, corresponding to a specific change in the measured physical quantity, in the measurement signal produced by the sensor element and by a measuring circuit (2) connected thereto. According to the invention, the testing means comprise a testing circuit (4) which is galvanically separated from the measuring circuit and includes a light source (5a, 5b), and a light-sensitive component (6a, 6b) connected to the measuring circuit for receiving a light signal (7a, 7b) emitted by the light source and for further providing in the measurement signal a test deflection proportional to the light signal.
US08305099B2 High speed full duplex test interface
A full duplex, high speed test interface comprises a tester side circuit and a device under test side circuit, each comprising balancing circuits. The balancing circuit of the test side circuit is configured to cancel its own transmitted data at the test side circuit such that the transmitted data does not influence any other signal generated at the test side circuit. Similarly, the balancing circuit of the device under test side circuit is configured to cancel its own transmitted data at the device under test side circuit such that the transmitted data does not influence any other signal generated at the device under test side circuit.
US08305098B2 Element usable with the method, and a standalone probe card tester formable using the method
A probe card assembly used to test electronic devices in an automated test equipment system. The probe card assembly includes a substrate having a plurality of through-holes contained therein and a plurality of electrical contact elements. Each of the plurality of electrical contact elements has characteristics of both a torsional beam and a cantilever beam design and is configured to scrub a test pad associated with the electronic device in two directions concurrently. The plurality of electrical contacts is configured to be magnetically aligned to the substrate. Each of the plurality of electrical contact elements is further configured to be removably adhered to the substrate thus allowing easy field replacement of individual electrical contact elements.
US08305094B2 Resistance measuring device, display panel, and measuring method of bonding resistance
The resistance measuring device of the present invention includes switch transistors and switch conductive lines disposed between the bonding pads on a first substrate and between the bumps on a second substrate, such that the bonding pads and the bumps are conducted when the transistors are turned on, and the bonding resistance between at least one of the bonding pads and its corresponding bump can be directly measured.
US08305090B2 Capacitance touch sensing device and door locking device
A capacitance touch sensing device that detects the touch of a user against a surface of a door handle on the outside of a vehicle includes an upper sensor electrode provided in an upper portion of the door handle, a lower sensor electrode provided in a lower portion of the door handle, an upper detecting portion that detects when the user has touched an upper surface of the door handle based on output from the upper sensor electrode, and a lower detecting portion that detects when the user has touched a lower surface of the door handle based on output from the lower sensor electrode. The detection sensitivity of one of the upper detecting portion or the lower detecting portion is lower than the detection sensitivity of the other.
US08305088B2 Process and device for differentiating objects influencing an electromagnetic alternating field, in particular metal objects
A process for differentiating conductive and/or ferromagnetic objects (O) in a material stream (2) comprises generating an electromagnetic alternating field by exciting a coil (S) with a sinusoidal voltage (ue(t)) of a constant frequency (fM), detecting an impedance change in the coil, which has been caused by an object (O), by determining at least one pair of values from a peak value (ÎM) and a phase shift (Φm) of the coil current (iM(t)) toward the excitation potential (ue(t)) of the coil, and determining the material by comparing the peak values (ÎM) and phase shifts (Φm) with reference values, wherein the peak values (ÎM) of the coil current (iM(t)) are calculated at at least one measuring phase angle (Φm) with the aid of a window comparator having a constant window width (Δi), wherein the time (ΔtM) between the window inlet point (p4) and the window outlet point (p6) of the coil current (iM(t)) is measured and the gradient of the current profile (iM(t)) is calculated from the window width (Δi) and the measured time (ΔtM) and the peak value (ÎM) is calculated from the gradient of the sinusoidal current profile iM(t) and its frequency (fM).
US08305084B2 Voltage measuring apparatus for assembled battery
A voltage measuring apparatus measures an output voltage of an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are connected in series and are divided into a plurality of blocks. The apparatus includes: a block voltage detection section which detects a voltage of at least one of the plurality of blocks and provides an analog voltage signal; a reference power supply which generates a reference voltage; a sampling voltage generation section which generates a sampling voltage based on the reference voltage; a storage for storing voltage date corresponding to the sampling voltage; and an A/D conversion section of the block voltage detection section that digitizes the sampling voltage with the reference voltage for A/D conversion. A difference between the digitized sampling voltage and the voltage data is calculated and it is determined that abnormality occurs in the A/D conversion section when the difference is larger than a threshold.
US08305080B2 Power supply for magnetic resonance imaging system
In one embodiment, a power supply for a static tap changer transformer is provided. The power supply comprises a rectifier section configured to supply input voltage, a latch circuit section coupled to the rectifier section and a tap changing section comprising three taps for each phase of three phase input power supply. The latch circuit section comprises a zener breakdown circuit with a selected breakdown voltage rating, an operational amplifier configured to activate the latch circuit section when the input voltage is higher than the selected breakdown voltage, a gate control device configured to generate a tap changing signal and thereby control the operation of the latch circuit section and a semi-conductor diode coupled to the gate control device and the operational amplifier, the semiconductor diode configured to provide the tap changing signal to the operational amplifier. Further, each tap in the tap changing section comprises a single MOSFET configured to act as a switch based on the output from the zener breakdown circuit and the gate control device.
US08305070B2 Programmable power supply controller and methodology for automatic phase adjustment of a PWM output signal
A controller and methodology for a power supply are disclosed. The controller includes output channels for providing a pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage signal for driving a load, for example, a microprocessor. Each channel provides a portion of the PWM signal. The controller receives user input information and uses that information to automatically determine window sizes. A window size defines the maximum output current level for a given window. The controller uses feedback signals to determine the current being drawn by the load, and selects the number of windows and channels that are needed to adequately provide that current. The controller selectively activates and deactivates the output channels accordingly. In response a change in the user input information the controller automatically adjusts the window sizes.
US08305064B2 Control device for a switching converter
A control device for a switching converter, the converter having at least one transistor supplied by an input voltage and adapted to supply a load by means of an output voltage. The converter also including a circuit adapted to turn on and off the at least one transistor. The control device includes an operation circuit adapted to change the state of the at least one transistor from turned on to turned off or vice versa, respectively when the output voltage goes down or goes up by a first voltage of a given value by defining a first state; the operation circuit including a further circuit adapted to generate a ramp signal and to change the first state of the at least one transistor from turned on to turned off or vice versa when the ramp voltage is equal to the output voltage of the converter.
US08305062B2 Method for controlling a voltage regulator, in particular a converter of the multiphase interleaving type and corresponding controller
An embodiment of method is described for controlling a voltage regulator of the type comprising at least one modulator of the PWM type, the method comprising: 1) generation of a control voltage signal for said PWM modulator; 2) frequency modulation of said control voltage signal obtaining a modulated control voltage signal having an harmonic at a switching frequency of said voltage regulator of reduced entity with respect to said control voltage signal; and 3) application of said modulated control voltage signal to said PWM modulator for generating a driving signal for said voltage regulator.
US08305061B1 Apparatus and method for digitally controlled buck-boost switching regulator
A buck/boost regulator controller is provided. The buck-boost regulator controller controls four switches in an H-bridge configuration to control voltage regulation. The buck/boost regulator controller includes a digital error amplifier and buck-boost control logic. The digital error amplifier provides a multi-bit digital error voltage signal that is based on the difference between the output voltage and the desired output voltage. The buck-boost control logic controls the opening and closing of the four switches in the H-bridge based, in part, on the multi-bit digital error voltage signal.
US08305060B2 Switching power supply device and a semiconductor integrated circuit
In a switching power source which controls a current which flows in an inductor through a switching element which performs a switching operation in response to a PWM signal, and forms an output voltage by a capacitor which is provided in series in the inductor, a booster circuit which is constituted of a bootstrap capacity and a MOSFET is provided between an output node of the switching element and a predetermined voltage terminal. The boosted voltage is used as an operational voltage of a driving circuit of the switching element, another source/drain region and a substrate gate are connected with each other such that when the MOSFET is made to assume an OFF state, and a junction diode between one source/drain region and the substrate gate is inversely directed with respect to the boosted voltage which is formed by the bootstrap capacity.
US08305058B2 Power supply having an improved maximum power point tracking function
The present invention relates to power supplies, and more particularly, to a power supply having a maximum power point tracking function that can reduce manufacturing costs and circuit size by using a maximum power point tracking section with a simplified circuit in a solar photovoltaic power generator supplying power using sunlight instead of using a micro controller, the maximum power point tracking section that controls power switching according to a result of integration of a value obtained by dividing a power variation by a voltage variation to track a maximum power value. A power supply having a maximum power point tracking function according to an aspect of the invention may include: a converter section switching input power, and converting the switched input power into predetermined DC power; and a maximum power point tracking section detecting a voltage and a power value of the input power, dividing a variation of the detected power by a variation of the detected voltage, integrating a result of the division, and controlling the switching operation of the converter section according to a value of the integration.
US08305055B2 Non-inverting buck boost voltage converter
A non-inverting buck boost voltage converter includes a buck boost voltage regulation circuitry for generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage. A current sensor monitors an input current to the buck boost voltage regulation circuitry. Buck boost mode control circuitry controls the buck boost voltage regulation circuitry using peak current mode control in a buck mode of operation and valley current mode control in boost mode of operation responsive to the monitored input current.
US08305054B2 Inductive conversion device and energy control method
An energy control method for a inductive conversion device comprising: determination of individual error of multiple output voltages; determination of peak current based on the errors, determination of total energy through the peak current and charging to at least one inductor according to the peak current, whereas the inductor will store the total energy.
US08305053B2 System and method for controlling a power switch in a power supply system
One embodiment of the invention includes a power supply system. The system includes at least one power switch configured to be activated and deactivated based on a duty-cycle of a respective at least one control signal to generate an output voltage. The system also includes a gate driver configured to generate the at least one control signal and to adjust a slew-rate of each pulse of the at least one control signal to substantially mitigate amplitude ringing at a switching node during a first rising-edge portion and to substantially mitigate conduction losses associated with the at least one power switch during activation and deactivation of the at least one power switch during a second rising-edge portion.
US08305048B2 Vehicle power generating device and an alternator control method
A vehicle power generating device includes an alternator which has a voltage regulator that keeps the voltage of generated power constant, and an electronic control unit that controls the voltage regulator. In this vehicle power generating device, the alternator has an abnormally high temperature determining portion that determines whether the temperature of the alternator is abnormally high, and an abnormal signal outputting portion which, when it has been determined by the abnormally high temperature determining portion that the temperature of the alternator is abnormally high, outputs a signal indicative of the determination that the temperature is abnormally high to the electronic control unit. Also, when the electronic control unit receives the signal indicative of the determination that the temperature is abnormally high, the electronic control unit controls the voltage regulator such that the voltage generated by the alternator is suppressed.
US08305044B2 Battery pack, information processing apparatus, charge control system, charge control method by battery pack, and charge control method by charge control system
A battery pack includes: an obtaining unit for obtaining computation information for calculating a charge current including temperature information of a battery; a computation unit for computing a charge current for the battery based on the computation information; and a notification unit for notifying a computer of the charge current computed by the computation unit. The notification unit uses a dedicated command to notify the computer of the charge current. The battery pack includes: a storage unit for storing therein a first threshold value and a second threshold value relating to the temperature information, and the computation unit may compute the optimal charge current depending on which of ranges divided by the first threshold value and the second threshold value the temperature information belongs to.
US08305042B2 Electric hand-held power tool with a shut-off delay device
The invention relates to a handheld electrical machine tool having at least one electrical drive, at least one electrical device requiring electrical energy for its operation, a shut-off delay apparatus for the electrical drive and/or the electrical device and having at least one rechargeable battery for the electrical supply to the drive and the electrical device. Provision is made for the handheld electrical machine tool to have an exhaustive discharge protection apparatus (8), which predetermines the delay time (t) of the shut-off delay apparatus (3) as a function of the state of charge of the rechargeable battery (9) detected by it. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding method.
US08305040B2 Battery charging method
A battery charging method is provided for extending life of batteries. The method includes providing an appropriate charge-off voltage with respect to variation in both of a remaining capacity and an idle time of the battery. Further, the charge-off voltage may vary according to the remaining capacity and the idle time of the battery, so as to increase charging efficiency of the battery. Additionally, the present invention also provides adjusting a charge-off current to a value according to the variation in an actual capacity of the battery.
US08305037B2 Battery powered device
A battery powered device includes a base unit, a connector coupled to the base unit for controlling an electronic device, and a retaining cap. The connector further comprises one or more contact points. The retaining cap further comprises a cell for powering the base unit, one or more electrical contact terminals for coupling the cell and the one or more contact points for providing an electrical connection to the base unit, and a locking mechanism for locking the retaining cap to the base unit and for sealing the electrical connection to the base unit. Further, the coupling of the base unit and connector, and locking of the base unit and the retaining cap provides powering of the battery powered device.
US08305035B2 Energy storage device
In an energy storage device, a charging circuit is electrically coupled to the energy storage section. A first comparator is electrically coupled to an energy storage section, and its output is inverted when voltage Vc of the energy storage section reaches first predetermined voltage Vc1. A second comparator is electrically coupled to the energy storage section, and its output is inverted when voltage Vc of the energy storage section reaches second predetermined voltage Vc2. A control circuit is electrically coupled to the first comparator and the second comparator. The control circuit obtains period tm from inversion of the output of the first comparator to the output of the second comparator. Capacitance C of the energy storage section is calculated based on this period tm and voltage change width ΔVc between the first predetermined voltage Vc1 and the second predetermined voltage Vc2.
US08305033B2 Proximity detection circuit for on-board vehicle charger
A proximity detection circuit suitable for use with an on-board vehicle charger, such as but not limited to the type of charges used within hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles, to facilitate current conservation during period of time when it is unnecessary or otherwise undesirable for the on-board charger to test for connection of a cordset or other connection used to connect the on-board charger to a charging station or other current source.
US08305030B2 Classified solar charging method
A classified solar charging method defines four magnitude classes of charging current in accordance with a combination selected from four magnitude classes of power production of a solar cell and four magnitude classes of capacity of each rechargeable battery of a rechargeable battery pack. In addition to the optimal charging current, the method simultaneously takes an operating temperature of the rechargeable battery into account upon using the solar cell to store energy in the rechargeable battery. Accordingly, the present invention can selectively charge overall, partial or single rechargeable battery based on the power production of the solar cell and the capacity of the rechargeable battery to enhance a charging efficiency and reduce a charging time.
US08305027B2 Electric compressor control device
An electric compressor control device includes: an inverter for electric compressor motor; a communication microcontroller arranged in a low-voltage region for transmission of an instruction signal via a high-speed communication bus; and a control microcontroller arranged in a high-voltage region and connected to the communication microcontroller via an insulation element for transmitting the instruction signal from the communication microcomputer as an inverter control signal to the inverter. The power voltage of the communication microcomputer is supplied from a low-voltage power source. The voltage from the low-voltage power source is transformed via a transformer and supplied as a power voltage of the control microcontroller. Thus, it is possible to use the existing insulation element at an insulation boundary between the low-voltage region and the high-voltage region so as to surely supply a predetermined power voltage to the microcontroller for controlling the inverter, thereby improving the communication reliability of the entire control device.
US08305024B2 Motor starting and switching
A method of starting and apparatus for starting a multiphase electrical machine is disclosed. The aim is to reduce oscillatory pulsation in torque generated by the motor and inrush current that occurs shortly after start-up. The starting method comprises the steps of first connecting at least one, but less than all, of a plurality of windings to a respective phase-shifted supply voltage at a controlled point in the supply phase. Then, after a controlled delay following the first connection, connecting the or each remaining winding of the machine a respective phase-shifted supply voltage. The invention has particular application to multiphase (most usually, 3-phase) motors. However, it can also be applied to other electrical machines, such as generators and transformers. The method can be performed at initial start-up or, in the case of application to a motor, at Y-delta switchover.
US08305023B2 System and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator
A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator is provided. This system and method allows a drawer to be withdrawn from or inserted into a main body of a refrigerator at a preset speed regardless of the weight of items stored within the drawer, thus increasing reliability of the driving system and enhancing utility of the drawer.
US08305021B2 Dual purpose permanent magnet speed sensor and generator
An apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously measuring the rotational speed and/or direction of a shaft, and providing control power in accordance with the shaft rotation. The apparatus includes a permanent magnet machine (PMM) having a multipole rotor and a stator. The rotor has a plurality of permanent magnet poles and connection to the rotating shaft; the stator includes a winding and electrical connections, so that motion of the rotor with respect to the stator causes a voltage signal at the electrical connections. The apparatus also includes a circuit including a power conversion portion and a speed/direction sensing portion. The circuit receives the voltage signal from the PMM, and simultaneously outputs control power from the power conversion portion and a signal indicating the rotational speed and/or direction of the shaft from the sensing portion.
US08305016B2 Control device with learning function for electric motors
A control device for electric motors, capable of precisely moving one object by using two electric motors based on periodically repeated commands. The control device includes a first learning controller for calculating an amount of correction so that a positional deviation of a first electric motor is minimized, and a second learning controller for calculating an amount of correction so that a positional deviation of a second electric motor is minimized. The first and second learning controllers are independent from each other, and configured to minimize the positional deviation of the corresponding electric motor. The parameters set in the learning controllers, each defining the response of learning control of each electric motor, are equal to each other.
US08305014B1 Lighting control using scan and step change
A lighting control system determines an optimal way to operate one or more lamps to achieve a desired light output and/or to control one or more parameters. The lighting control system includes a detection circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit performs a wide-scope scan and a narrow-scope scan to find the best way to operate the lamps. The wide-scope scan includes driving the lamp(s) using multiple output settings, evaluating the light output at each setting, and determining which setting produced the best results. The narrow-scope scan includes making small adjustments to the settings to better refine the light output. The detection circuit includes one or more sensors for providing measurements of the light output by the lamp(s) or of a controller parameter, such as power consumption, for each setting evaluated by the control circuit.
US08305013B2 Circuits and methods for controlling dimming of a light source
A controller that monitors a rectified voltage and detects whether the rectified voltage comes from a TRIAC dimmer or an on/off switch dimmer is disclosed. The controller controls dimming of a light source according to the rectified voltage if the rectified voltage comes from the TRIAC dimmer. The controller controls dimming of the light source according to an operation of the on/off switch dimmer if the rectified voltage comes from the on/off switch dimmer.
US08305011B2 Driving circuit for light emitting elements
Multiple LED terminals are provided to multiple LEDs, respectively. Each of these LED terminals is connected to the anode of the corresponding LED. A booster circuit boosts an input voltage. Multiple constant current sources are provided to the multiple LEDs, respectively. One terminal of each of the constant current sources is connected to the corresponding one of the LEDs via the corresponding one of the LED terminals. Multiple switches are provided to the multiple constant current sources, respectively, each of which selectively outputs a voltage selected from the input voltage and the output voltage of the booster circuit to the corresponding constant current source. A control circuit monitors each of the voltages at the multiple LED terminals, and controls the connection state of each of the switches based upon the corresponding voltage.
US08305009B2 Inverter driver and lamp driver using the same
An inverter driver controls an inverter that supplies driving voltages to a plurality of discharge lamps. The inverter driver includes a first amplifier having an output terminal, a second amplifier having an output terminal connected to the output terminal of the first amplifier, and a capacitor connected between the output terminal and a ground source. The first amplifier outputs only a negative current corresponding to the maximum value among the driving voltages supplied to the plurality of discharge lamps, and the second amplifier outputs a current corresponding to the maximum value among the driving currents flowing through the plurality of discharge lamps. Such inverter driver controls the inverter according to a voltage of the capacitor.
US08305008B2 Constant-current controller for LED light string
A constant-current controller for a LED light string has a control unit, multiple constant current circuits, multiple first switches and multiple second switches. The control unit outputs driving signals to turn on the first switches, causing the second switches being turned on subsequently. Therefore, the constant current circuits output electric currents flowing through the second switches to activate the LED light string.
US08305005B2 Integrated circuit for driving high-voltage LED lamp
An integrated circuit for driving high-voltage LED lamps is applied to a rectified alternative current (AC) power and a plurality of LED stacks. The integrated circuit includes a control unit, a plurality of current-clamping units which electrically connect to the control unit and the LED stacks respectively, and a plurality of current-sensing units which electrically connect to the current-clamping units and the control unit. When the rectified power is switched on, the current-sensing unit constantly monitors the electrical current flowing through the respective current-clamping unit and feeds back the monitored data to the control unit. The control unit sequentially switches on or off the current-clamping units according to the combinatorial logic state of the monitored data.
US08305004B2 Apparatus and method for constant power offline LED driver
A single-stage integrated circuit drives LED sources in a constant power mode to eliminate the need for LED current sensing, while reshaping the waveform of the inductor current near line zero crossing to achieve high power factor. The integrated circuit achieves substantially constant input power by maintaining a constant voltage at a power factor corrector controller through an input voltage feedforward system. Accordingly, the disclosed circuit provides a high power factor, high efficiency, simple, and cost-effective solution with substantially consistent input power for both isolated and non-isolated offline LED applications.
US08305001B2 Light-emitting diode driver circuit and lighting apparatus
A light-emitting diode driver circuit includes: a first-rectifier circuit to output a first-rectified voltage; a transformer including primary and secondary coils and an auxiliary coil inductively coupled to the primary or secondary coils, the primary coil being applied with the first-rectified voltage; a transistor connected in series to the primary coil; a second-rectifier circuit to output a second-rectified voltage obtained by rectifying a voltage generated in the auxiliary coil; a capacitor to be charged with the second-rectified voltage; and a control circuit to control on and off of the transistor based on a charging voltage of the capacitor so that the charging voltage becomes equal to a predetermined voltage, the secondary coil outputting a voltage that varies with a frequency corresponding to a frequency of the first-rectified voltage and that corresponds to a turns ratio between the primary and secondary coils, as a voltage for driving a light-emitting diode.
US08304990B2 Hermetically sealing a device without a heat treating step and the resulting hermetically sealed device
A method for hermetically sealing a device without performing a heat treatment step and the resulting hermetically sealed device are described herein. The method includes the steps of: (1) positioning the un-encapsulated device in a desired location with respect to a deposition device; and (2) using the deposition device to deposit a sealing material over at least a portion of the un-encapsulated device to form a hermetically sealed device without having to perform a post-deposition heat treating step. For instance, the sealing material can be a Sn2+-containing inorganic oxide material or a low liquidus temperature inorganic material.
US08304985B2 Light emitting device having singlet and triplet compounds with different emission colors
There is provided a light emitting device which enables a color display with good color balance. A triplet compound is used for a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits red color, and a singlet compound is used for a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits green color and a light emitting layer of an EL element that emits blue color. Thus, an operation voltage of the EL element emitting red color may be made the same as the EL element emitting green color and the EL element emitting blue color. Accordingly, the color display with good color balance can be realized.
US08304979B2 Light emitting device having inorganic luminescent particles in inorganic hole transport material
A light emitting device (10) of the present invention includes luminescent particles (14) and a pair of electrodes (12, 16) for injecting an electric current into the luminescent particles (14). An inorganic hole transport material (15) is disposed between the electrodes (12, 16). The luminescent particles (14) are dispersed in the inorganic hole transport material (15). Conductive fine particles may be adhered to at least a part of the surfaces of the luminescent particles (14) for the purpose of achieving further high brightness and high efficiency.
US08304978B2 Light source module and display apparatus having the same
A light source module includes first and second light sources. The first light source includes a blue light-emitting body emitting blue light and a red fluorescent material disposed around the blue light-emitting body emitting red light by virtue of being excited by the blue light. The second light source is disposed adjacent to the first light source, and includes a green light-emitting body emitting green light. The blue and green light-emitting materials may include a light-emitting diode (LED) chip including substantially the same material. Accordingly, since a variation of light efficiency of the light source module with respect to temperature is small, a color feedback system may be omitted, and color reproducibility may be high.
US08304975B2 Electron beam apparatus and image display apparatus using the same
There is provided a new electron beam apparatus which improves the instability of an electron emission characteristic and provides a high efficient electron emission characteristic. The electron beam apparatus includes: an insulating member having a recess on its surface; a cathode having a protruding portion extending over the outer surface of the insulating member and the inner surface of the recess; a gate positioned at the outer surface of the insulating member in opposition to the protruding portion; and an anode positioned in opposition to the protruding portion through the gate.
US08304974B2 Fluorescent lamp
The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp including: a discharge space containing a discharge gas and being surrounded by a glass; a discharge electrode; a phosphor; and a mayenite type compound provided on at least a part of an inner surface contacting the discharge gas. According to the fluorescent lamp of the present invention, a fluorescent lamp that has good luminous efficiency of ultraviolet ray from a discharge gas, has good discharge characteristics such as discharge starting voltage and discharge sustaining voltage in a fluorescent lamp, is chemically stable, has excellent oxidation resistance, has excellent sputtering resistance, and can achieve electric power saving is provided.
US08304973B2 Flash lamp
In a flash lamp 1, a front end part 62 of a cathode 60 and a front end part 72 of an anode 70 are opposed to each other on a reference line RL, and with respect to a reference surface RS including the reference line RL, a front end part 82 of a trigger electrode 80 is located on one side, and a front end part 92 of a trigger electrode 90 is located on the other side. Further, a terminal end 82a of the front end part 82 of the trigger electrode 80 and a terminal end 92a of the front end part 92 of the trigger electrode 90 are separated from the reference line RL, and each front end part 82, 92 is formed so as to taper toward the reference line RL. Accordingly, an arc discharge occurs in a limited route R from a terminal end portion of the front end part 62 of the cathode 60 through a terminal end portion of the front end part 82 of the trigger electrode 80 and a terminal end portion of the front end part 92 of the trigger electrode 90 to a terminal end portion of the front end part 72 of the anode 70.
US08304969B2 Heat insulation structure for cooling fan
A heat insulation structure for cooling fan includes a base, a blade hub, and a stator. The base has a ceramic bearing sleeve, which defines an axial inner space for receiving at least one bearing therein. The bearing has an axial shaft hole; and a heat insulating nanomaterial is applied between the bearing and the bearing sleeve. The blade hub has a plurality of blades and a rotor shaft provided thereon. The rotor shaft has an end connected to the blade hub and another end inserted in the shaft hole on the bearing. The stator is fitted around the bearing sleeve, and a heat insulating nanomaterial is applied between the stator and the bearing sleeve. The ceramic bearing sleeve and the heat insulating nanomaterial together protect the bearing against damage caused by heat produced by windings wound around the stator to thereby largely increase the lifetime of the cooling fan.
US08304966B2 Piezoelectric thin film element and manufacturing method of the piezoelectric thin film element, piezoelectric thin film device
To provide a piezoelectric thin film element capable of improving piezoelectric characteristics and realize a piezoelectric thin film device with high performance and high reliability, comprising: a substrate; and a piezoelectric thin film formed on the substrate by a sputtering method, with perovskite oxide expressed by (NaxKyLiz)NbO3 (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦0, 2, x+y+z=1) as a main phase, wherein an absolute value of an internal stress of the piezoelectric thin film is 1.6 GPa or less.
US08304964B2 Mobile device and power supply device with converter for converting energy of mechanical movement into electrical energy
A mobile device and a power supply device are provided in which a first part of a connector detachably connects an electrical device to the mobile device, a second part of the connector matches the first part, and a converter generates electrical energy by converting energy of a mechanical movement into electrical energy, where the electrical energy is generated by relative mechanical movement occurring between first and second parts of the connector when the first and second parts are connected.
US08304959B2 Surface acoustic wave device
A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate including an R-plane, a-plane, or m-plane sapphire substrate and a LiNbO3 film of (90°, 90°, −15° to 15°) or (0°, 90°, −15° to 15°) in terms of Euler angles (φ, θ, Ψ) disposed on the sapphire substrate, and electrodes disposed on the piezoelectric substrate and made of metal.
US08304955B2 PM stepping motor having a stator assembly
A PM stepping motor includes: a stator assembly composed of two stator units which are axially coupled to each other with a molding resin material, and each of which includes: inner and outer yokes each having a plurality of pole teeth; a bobbin including inner and outer flanges; and a coil wound around the bobbin, thus providing two such inner yokes, outer yokes, bobbins and coils in total; a rotor assembly which includes a shaft and a magnet, and which is rotatably disposed in the hollow of the stator assembly; and two bearings to rotatably support the shaft of the rotor assembly, wherein the two bobbins are formed of the molding resin material to be consolidated with the two inner yokes, and wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed of the molding resin material to extend integrally from the outer flange of each of the two bobbins.
US08304952B2 Electric motor with no counter electromotive force
An electromagnetic motor system with no counter/back electromotive force due to the ability of the system to change from one magnetic state to another magnetic state in a defined sequence. In the first state a kinetic energy component is added to the system's rotor where two permanent magnetic materials, which are affixed to the rotor, are allowed to come into an angular range such that they act in a symmetrical manner on a fixed soft ferromagnetic material. This fixed soft ferromagnetic material also acts as the core of an electromagnetic coil and when the rotor's permanent magnets are at the closest proximity to the soft ferromagnetic core a voltage is applied across the coil, resulting in the soft ferromagnetic coil being saturated in a horizontal manner where previously it was polarized in a vertical manner while under the influence of the rotor's two permanent magnets.
US08304950B2 Dynamoelectric machine
A dynamoelectric machine that can suppress increases in rotor inertia to extend belt service life and increase field magnetomotive force to increase output. In the dynamoelectric machine, first and second magnetic guidance members are fitted into first and second holding grooves that are disposed so as to extend axially on facing portions of first and second trough portions radially outside inner wall surfaces, and are disposed so as to span over first and second trough portions. First and second permanent magnets that are magnetically oriented in a reverse direction to a magnetic field that originates from a field coil are fitted into and held by interfitting grooves of the first and second magnetic guidance members so as to face inner circumferential surfaces near tip ends of second and first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions so as to have a predetermined clearance.
US08304946B2 Spindle motor
The present invention provides a spindle motor which has superior operating characteristics. The spindle motor includes a stationary support shaft which is fastened to a base plate, a thrust plate which is fitted over the stationary support shaft, a sleeve which is rotatably provided around the stationary support shaft and is coupled to a rotor casing, and an annular stopper which is fastened to the sleeve or the rotor casing to support the lower surface of the thrust plate and prevent the sleeve from being removed. A first fluid sealing part is formed between the stopper and the thrust plate. The spindle motor further includes an annular sealing cap which is coupled to the sleeve or the rotor casing to store fluid between the sealing cap and an upper surface of the sleeve. A second fluid sealing part is formed between the sealing cap and the stationary support shaft.
US08304940B2 Stator
A stator that includes a cylindrical stator core, which has a plurality of slots that are provided at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction and open toward an inner peripheral surface of the stator core; and a coil, which has a coil end portion protruding from an axial end of the stator core.
US08304937B2 AMPG device for generation of electrical energy from vibrations, an AMPG device assemby, and a method to optimize the generation of said electrical energy
An AMPG device for generation of electrical energy, including a bobbin, at least one magnet, and at least one spring member. The magnet is arranged to be movable together with the spring member. The device is arranged so that when exposed to an acceleration component in a possible path of mobility of the first magnet, the first magnet will, due to its association with the spring member, move in an oscillating manner in relation to the bobbin, so as to generate electrical energy. The device is arranged to at a limiting position of the mobile magnet's path of mobility a spring member with an equal or higher spring constant than the remainder portions of the magnet's mobile path acting on the magnet. An AMPG device assembly includes several AMPG devices. A method to optimize the electrical output of the device adapts the device to the frequencies appearing in the application where it shall be used.
US08304932B2 Efficient solar energy power creation systems
Different systems to achieve solar power conversion are provided in at least three different general aspects, with circuitry that can be used to harvest maximum power from a solar source (1) or strings of panels (11) for DC or AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid (10) three aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) electrical power conversion in a multimodal manner, 2) alternating between differing processes such as by an alternative mode photovoltaic power converter functionality control (27), and 3) systems that can achieve efficiencies in conversion that are extraordinarily high compared to traditional through substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion capability that can achieve 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses. Switchmode impedance conversion circuits may have pairs of photovoltaic power series switch elements (24) and pairs of photovoltaic power shunt switch elements (25).
US08304929B2 Inverter with network interface
An inverter configured for use within a vehicle to power consumer electronic devices and other types of devices requiring single-phase, AC energy. The inverter may include a network interface or other type of the connection to a vehicle data bus or other message exchange system in order to communicate with an electronic control unit (ECU) or other feature included within the vehicle to monitor and control energy consumption by one or more vehicle subsystems.
US08304924B2 Composition for sealing semiconductor, semiconductor device, and process for producing semiconductor device
The invention provides a composition for sealing a semiconductor, the composition being able to form a thin resin layer, suppress the diffusion of a metal component to a porous interlayer dielectric layer, and exhibit superior adherence with respect to an interconnection material. The composition for sealing a semiconductor contains a resin having two or more cationic functional groups and a weight-average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 100,000; contains sodium and potassium each in an amount based on element content of not more than 10 ppb by weight; and has a volume average particle diameter, measured by a dynamic light scattering method, of not more than 10 nm.
US08304923B2 Chip packaging structure
A chip packaging structure comprising a chip, a plurality of conductive pillars surrounding the chip, an encapsulation encapsulating the chip and the conductive pillars, and a connecting layer is provided. The encapsulation has a first side and a second side corresponding to the first side. The connecting layer is disposed at the first side of the encapsulation and electrically connected between the chip and the conductive pillars. Furthermore, a chip packaging process accompanying the chip packaging structure is also provided. The chip packaging structure is more useful and powerful and is suitable for various chip packaging applications, and the chip packaging process can reduce the manufacturing time and save the production cost.
US08304920B2 Energy ray-curable polymer, an energy ray-curable adhesive composition, an adhesive sheet and a processing method of a semiconductor wafer
In a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition or a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet containing an energy ray-curable polymer, problems associated with the volatilization of a low molecular weight compound contained in the composition are overcome. An energy ray-curable polymer characterized by comprising a radical generating group, which is capable of initiating a polymerization reaction upon excitation with an energy ray, and an energy ray-polymerizable group bonded together in the main or side chain.
US08304914B2 Flash memory device with word lines of uniform width and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a bit line in a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of word lines which intersect with the bit line at predetermined intervals on the semiconductor substrate; eliminating a portion of the plurality of word lines; forming an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate; and forming a metal plug which penetrates through the interlayer insulating film and is coupled to the bit line in a region where the portion of the plurality of word lines was eliminated.
US08304913B2 Methods of forming fully embedded bumpless build-up layer packages and structures formed thereby
Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods may include a die embedded in a coreless substrate, wherein a mold compound surrounds the die, and wherein the die comprises TSV connections on a first side and C4 pads on a second side of the die, a dielectric material on a first side and on a second side of the mold compound; and interconnect structures coupled to the C4 pads and to the TSV pads. Embodiments further include forming packaging structures wherein multiple dies are fully embedded within a BBUL package without PoP lands.
US08304911B2 Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first stacked structure, a second stacked structure, a dielectric element, and a conductive line. The first stacked structure and the second stacked structure are disposed on the substrate. Each of the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure includes conductive strips and insulating strips stacked alternately. The conductive strips are separated from each other by the insulating strips. The dielectric element is disposed on the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure and includes a second dielectric portion. The first stacked structure and the second stacked structure are separated from each other by only the second dielectric portion. The conductive line is disposed on the stack sidewalls of the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure far from the second dielectric portion.
US08304906B2 Partial air gap formation for providing interconnect isolation in integrated circuits
Partial air gap formation for providing interconnect isolation in integrated circuits is described. One embodiment is an integrated circuit (“IC”) structure includes a substrate having two adjacent interconnect features formed thereon; caps formed over and aligned with each of the interconnect features; sidewalls formed on opposing sides of each of the interconnect features and a gap formed between the interconnect features; and a dielectric material layer disposed over the substrate to cover the caps and the gap.
US08304905B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, wiring formed thereon, a first insulating film formed on the wiring, provided with a first opening, a pad electrode formed so as to be in contact with the wiring, a second insulating film formed on the pad electrode film, provided with a second opening, and a flip chip bump formed so as to be in contact with the pad electrode film. In this case, the second insulating film exists between the flip chip bump and the pad electrode film, in a region directly underneath the outer edge of the flip chip bump, as seen in a plan view, and the outer edge of the flip chip bump is formed in a region inside the outer edge of the pad electrode film.
US08304902B2 Semiconductor device
A power semiconductor chip (first semiconductor chip) 41 is mounted on the main surface of a first radiator plate 31, and a control IC chip (second semiconductor chip) 42 is mounted on the main surface of a second radiator plate 32. The first radiator plate 31 has an extending portion 31A extending toward the side on which the second radiator plate 32 is provided in the arrangement direction of first lead terminals (lead terminals 21 to 24). The first lead terminals (lead terminals 21 to 24) are connected to a first side of the first radiator plate 31 to function as extraction electrodes of a rear side electrode (D: drain electrode) of the power semiconductor chip 41. A second lead terminal (lead terminal 25) is connected to a bonding pad 411 serving as a source electrode (S). The third lead terminals (lead terminals 26 to 28) are connected to an electrode of the control IC chip 42.
US08304899B2 Element wafer and method for manufacturing the same
A recessed portion is provided in first and second insulating films, the first insulating film being stacked on a semiconductor wafer, the second insulating film being stacked on the first insulating film. The first and second insulating films are processed to form wiring in a formation region of the semiconductor wafer in which an acceleration sensor is to be formed. After a sacrificial film is stacked on the wiring and processed, a conductive film is stacked on the wiring and processed to form a plurality of thin film structures in the formation region. The recessed portion surrounds the formation region.
US08304897B2 Thermal interface material design for enhanced thermal performance and improved package structural integrity
An electronic package 100 comprising a semiconductor device 105, a heat spreader layer 110, and a thermal interface material layer 115 located between the semiconductor device and the heat spreader layer. The thermal interface material layer includes a resin layer 120 having heat conductive particles 125 suspended therein. A portion of the particles are exposed on at least one non-planar surface 135 of the resin layer such that the portion of exposed particles 130 occupies a majority of a total area of a horizontal plane 140 of the non-planar surface.
US08304895B2 Semiconductor package and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor package is provided. The semiconductor package includes a package body, a plurality of semiconductor chips, and an external connection terminal. The package body is stacked with a plurality of sheets where conductive patterns and vias are disposed. The plurality of semiconductor chips are inserted into insert slots extending from one surface of the package body. The external connection terminal is provided on other surface opposite to the one surface of the package body. Here, the plurality of semiconductor chips are electrically connected to the external connection terminal.
US08304891B2 Semiconductor package device, semiconductor package structure, and fabrication methods thereof
A semiconductor package device, a semiconductor package structure, and fabrication methods thereof are provided, which mainly includes disposing a plurality of semiconductor chips on a wafer formed with TSVs (Through Silicon Vias) and electrically connecting the semiconductor chips to the TSVs; encapsulating the semiconductor chips with an encapsulant; and disposing a hard component on the encapsulant. The hard component ensures flatness of the wafer during a solder bump process and provides support to the wafer during a singulation process such that the wafer can firmly lie on a singulation carrier, thereby overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, namely difficulty in mounting of solder bumps, and difficulty in cutting of the wafer.
US08304889B2 Power semiconductor module and fabrication method thereof
An elastic printed board is provided so that stress applied by the silicon gel is absorbed by the printed board. Further, the printed board is formed to be so narrow that the stress can escape. On the other hand, the wires on which a high voltage is applied are patterned on respective printed boards. This serves to prevent discharge through the surface of the same printed board serving as a current passage. This design makes it possible to hermetically close the power module, prevent intrusion of moisture or contamination as well as displacement, transformation and cracks of the cover plate.
US08304885B2 Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus equipped with the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprises an IC chip body and a package substrate that has thereon many external electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional grid configuration. Groups of signal lines that are likely to emit noise (noisy signal lines) are separated and spaced apart from groups of signal lines that are susceptible to noise (noise susceptible signal lines). Each of the noisy signal lines and noise susceptible signal lines is connected to an associated member of an associated IC pad group separated and spaced apart from other IC pad groups. Further, each of the noisy signal lines and noise susceptible signal lines is connected to an associated member of an associated external electrode group selected from the multiplicity of external electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional grid configuration on the package substrate. Thus, groups of potentially interfering signal lines are mutually separated and spaced apart from one another, thereby suppressing the noise.
US08304878B2 Embedded component substrate, semiconductor package structure using the same and fabrication methods thereof
An embedded electronic component semiconductor package structure and a packaging process thereof are provided. By providing two or more preformed building blocks, the electronic component can be assembled to the joined building blocks to obtain the embedded component semiconductor package structure.
US08304877B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which has a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on a substrate. The semiconductor device includes semiconductor chip 2, semiconductor chip 3a stacked on substrate 4 together with semiconductor chip 2, and having a foot print larger than semiconductor chip 2, through electrode 22 extending through semiconductor chip 2 only in a central portion of semiconductor chip 2, through electrode 32 extending through semiconductor chip 3a at a position facing to through electrode 22, and conduction bump 7b arranged between through electrode 22 and through electrode 32, and conductively connecting through electrode 22 with through electrode 32.
US08304874B2 Stackable integrated circuit package system
A stacked integrated circuit package-in-package system is provided including forming a first external interconnect; mounting a first integrated circuit die below the first external interconnect; stacking a second integrated circuit die over the first integrated circuit die in an offset configuration not over the first external interconnect; connecting the first integrated circuit die with the first external interconnect; and encapsulating the second integrated circuit die with the first external interconnect and the first integrated circuit die partially exposed.
US08304872B2 Lead frame, method for manufacturing the same and semiconductor device
A lead frame includes a lead frame body 21 having a die pad 24 to which a semiconductor chip 12 is bonded and a plurality of leads 25 arranged around the die pad 24 and made of Cu or an alloy containing Cu, and a metallic film formed on the lead frame body 21 and to connected to a metallic wire 15 connected to the electrode pad 36 of the semiconductor chip 12. The metallic film is an Ag-plated film 22 with nanoparticles 34 arranged in gaps 33 among Ag crystal grains 31.
US08304870B2 Electronic device, relay member, and mounting substrate, and method for manufacturing the electronic device
The relay member is at least partly positioned between the semiconductor chip and lead in the plan view, and metal pieces insulated from one another are arranged on the surface. At least either of the first wire and the second wire has their respective other ends and joined to at least one of the metal pieces arranged on the surface of the relay member. Also, the first wire and the second wire have their respective other ends and joined to each other at that part of the relay member which is between the semiconductor chip and the lead. The foregoing structure is highly reliable and versatile for wire connection.
US08304868B2 Multi-component electronic system having leadframe with support-free with cantilever leads
A pallet (501) supporting a half-etched leadframe with cantilever-type leads (403) without metallic supports during the step of attaching components (510) to the leads in order to assemble an electronic system. After assembly, the pallet is removed before the molding step that encapsulates (601a) the components on the leadframe and mechanically supports (601b) the cantilever leads. The pallet is machined from metal or inert plastic material, tolerates elevated temperatures during soldering, and is reusable for the next assembly batch.
US08304863B2 Electromigration immune through-substrate vias
A through-substrate via (TSV) structure includes at least two electrically conductive via segments embedded in a substrate and separated from each other by an electrically conductive barrier layer therebetween. The length of each individual conductive via segment is typically equal to, or less than, the Blech length of the conductive material so that the stress-induced back flow force, generated by each conductive barrier layer, cancels the electromigration force in each conductive via segment. Consequently, the TSV structures are immune to electromigration, and provide reliable electrical connections among a chips stacked in 3 dimensions.
US08304857B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which size reduction is possible without functional devices below pads being damaged by stress. The semiconductor device has a plurality of pads above a semiconductor substrate as terminals for external connection. A plurality of dual use pads which are used in both a probing test and assembly are provided in a first area above a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, an application of pressure by a probe during the probing test being permitted in the first area, and a plurality of assembly pads which are not used in the probing test are provided in a second area above the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the application of pressure by the probe during the probing test being not permitted in the second area.
US08304851B2 Semiconductor thermocouple and sensor
Conventional “on-chip” or monolithically integrated thermocouples are very mechanically sensitive and are expensive to manufacture. Here, however, thermocouples are provided that employ different thicknesses of thermal insulators to help create thermal differentials within an integrated circuit. By using these thermal insulators, standard manufacturing processes can be used to lower cost, and the mechanical sensitivity of the thermocouple is greatly decreased. Additionally, other features (which can be included through the use of standard manufacturing processes) to help trap and dissipate heat appropriately.
US08304850B2 Integrated infrared sensors with optical elements, and methods
An infrared (IR) radiation sensor device (27) includes an integrated circuit radiation sensor chip (1A) including first (7) and second (8) temperature-sensitive elements connected within a dielectric stack (3) of the chip, the first temperature-sensitive element (7) being more thermally insulated from a substrate (2) than the second temperature-sensitive element (8). Bonding pads (28A) on the chip (1) are coupled to the first and second temperature-sensitive elements. Bump conductors (28) are bonded to the bonding pads (28A), respectively, for physically and electrically connecting the radiation sensor chip (1) to corresponding mounting conductors (23A). A diffractive optical element (21,22,23,31,32 or 34) is integrated with a back surface (25) of the radiation sensor chip (1) to direct IR radiation toward the first temperature-sensitive element (7).
US08304844B2 Pressure measuring device
A pressure measuring device having a pedestal, an intermediate piece of semiconductor arranged on the pedestal and, connected with the pedestal and arranged on the intermediate piece and connected with the intermediate piece, a semiconductor pressure sensor having a support and a measuring membrane, or diaphragm. The pressure measuring device offers reliable protection of the sensitive measuring membrane, or diaphragm, against mechanical distortions. Provided extending in the interior of the intermediate piece is an annular cavity, which surrounds a first cylindrical section and, pedestal end thereof, a second cylindrical section of the intermediate piece. The second cylindrical section has a greater outer diameter than the first cylindrical section. The cavity is open on an end of the intermediate piece toward the pedestal. The second cylindrical section has an end face facing the pedestal and lying on an end face of the pedestal, for forming a connecting area, via which the intermediate piece is mechanically connected with the pedestal.
US08304842B2 Interconnection structure for N/P metal gates
The disclosure relates to integrated circuit fabrication, and more particularly to an interconnection structure for N/P metal gates. An exemplary structure for an interconnection structure comprises a first gate electrode having a first portion of a first work-function metal layer under a first portion of a signal metal layer; and a second gate electrode having a second portion of the first work-function metal layer interposed between a second work-function metal layer and a second portion of the signal metal layer, wherein the second portion of the signal metal layer is over the second portion of the first work-function metal layer, wherein the second portion of the signal metal layer and the first portion of the signal metal layer are continuous, and wherein a maximum thickness of the second portion of the signal metal layer is less than a maximum thickness of the first portion of the signal metal layer.
US08304837B2 Differentially recessed contacts for multi-gate transistor of SRAM cell
A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor static random access memory cell that includes a plurality of P-channel multi-gate transistors and a plurality of N-channel multi-gate transistors. Each transistor includes a gate electrode and source and drain regions separated by the at least one gate electrode. The SRAM cell further includes a plurality of contacts formed within the source and drain regions of at least one transistor. A plurality of contacts of at least one transistor are recessed a predetermined recess amount, wherein a resistance of the at least one transistor is varied based upon the predetermined recess amount.
US08304833B2 Memory cell with a channel buried beneath a dielectric layer
The invention provides various embodiments of a memory cell formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SeOI) substrate and comprising one or more FET transistors. Each FET transistor has a source region and a drain region at least portions of which are arranged in the thin layer of the SeOI substrate, a channel region in which a trench is made, and a gate region formed in the trench. Specifically, the source, drain and channel regions also have portions which are arranged also beneath the insulating layer of the SeOI substrate; the portion of channel region beneath the insulating layer extends between the portions of the source and drain regions also beneath the insulating layer; and the trench in the channel region extends into the depth of the base substrate beyond the insulating layer. Also, methods for fabricating such memory cells and memory arrays including a plurality of such memory cells.
US08304824B2 Semiconductor device comprising buried word lines
A semiconductor device includes: an isolation layer for defining a plurality of active areas of a substrate, where the isolation layer is disposed on the substrate; a plurality of buried word lines having upper surfaces that are lower than the upper surfaces of the active areas, being surrounded by the active areas, and extending in a first direction parallel to a main surface of the substrate; a gate dielectric film interposed between the buried word lines and the active areas; and a plurality of buried bit lines having upper surfaces that are lower than the upper surfaces of the plurality of buried word lines and extending parallel to the main surface of the substrate in a second direction that differs from the first direction.
US08304821B2 CMOS image sensor
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate; a photodiode defined on the substrate; a gate dielectric layer provided over the photodiode and the substrate; a polysilicon interconnect contacting a given area of the photodiode via an opening in the gate dielectric layer; a reset transistor coupled to the photodiode; a source follower transistor coupled to the photodiode; and a select transistor coupled to the source follower transistor. The given area of the photodiode defines a node that is coupled to the reset transistor and source follower transistor.
US08304819B2 Semiconductor device including metal silicide layer and method for manufacturing the same
A device formed from a method of fabricating a fine metal silicide layer having a uniform thickness regardless of substrate doping. A planar vacancy is created by the separation of an amorphousized surface layer of a silicon substrate from an insulating layer, a metal source enters the vacancy through a contact hole through the insulating layer connecting with the vacancy, and a heat treatment converts the metal in the vacancy into metal silicide. The separation is induced by converting the amorphous silicon into crystalline silicon.
US08304818B2 Dram arrays, vertical transistor structures, and methods of forming transistor structures and dram arrays
The invention includes a method of forming a semiconductor construction. Dopant is implanted into the upper surface of a monocrystalline silicon substrate. The substrate is etched to form a plurality of trenches and cross-trenches which define a plurality of pillars. After the etching, dopant is implanted within the trenches to form a source/drain region that extends less than an entirety of the trench width. The invention includes a semiconductor construction having a bit line disposed within a semiconductor substrate below a first elevation. A wordline extends elevationally upward from the first elevation and substantially orthogonal relative to the bit line. A vertical transistor structure is associated with the wordline. The transistor structure has a channel region laterally surrounded by a gate layer and is horizontally offset relative to the bit line.
US08304817B2 Field effect transistor and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a field effect transistor, includes: forming a mask of an insulating film on a semiconductor layer containing Si formed on a semiconductor substrate; forming the semiconductor layer into a mesa structure by performing etching with the use of the mask, the mesa structure extending in a direction parallel to an upper face of the semiconductor substrate; narrowing a distance between two sidewalls of the mesa structure and flattening the sidewalls by performing a heat treatment in a hydrogen atmosphere, the two sidewalls extending in the direction and facing each other; forming a gate insulating film covering the mesa structure having the sidewalls flattened; forming a gate electrode covering the gate insulating film; and forming source and drain regions at portions of the mesa structure, the portions being located on two sides of the gate electrode.
US08304816B2 Image sensor capable of increasing photosensitivity
An image sensor capable of overcoming a decrease in photo sensitivity resulted from using a single crystal silicon substrate, and a method for fabricating the same are provided. An image sensor includes a single crystal silicon substrate, an amorphous silicon layer formed inside the substrate, a photodiode formed in the amorphous silicon layer, and a transfer gate formed over the substrate adjacent to the photodiode and transferring photoelectrons received from the photodiode.
US08304814B2 Power semiconductor device
A bipolar power semiconductor device is provided with an emitter electrode on an emitter side and a collector electrode on a collector side. The device has a trench gate electrode and a structure with a plurality of layers of different conductivity types in the following order: at least one n doped source region, a p doped base layer, which surrounds the at least one source region, an n doped enhancement layer, a p doped additional well layer, an additional n doped enhancement layer, an additional p doped well layer, an n doped drift layer and a p doped collector layer. The trench gate electrode has a gate bottom, which is located closer to the collector side than the additional enhancement layer bottom.
US08304808B2 Electric field read/write head
Provided is an electric field head including a resistance sensor to read information recorded on a recording medium. The resistance sensor includes a first semiconductor layer including a source and a drain, and a second semiconductor layer that is heterogeneously combined with the first semiconductor layer. Also, the electric field head further includes a channel between the source and the drain, in a junction region of the first and second semiconductor layers.
US08304806B2 ESD and EMC optimized HV-MOS transistor
Devices and circuits related to Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) are herein described. An ESD protection device is incorporated into a transistor in order to protect the gate of the transistor from excessive current loads related to ESD or EMC events. In an implementation, a device includes a first diode and a second diode that are electrically connected via their respective cathodes. The breakdown voltage of the first diode is lower than the breakdown voltage of the second diode in order to divert excessive current through the second diode.
US08304797B2 Light emitting diode light source having a ceramic substrate
An LED light source (10) comprises a ceramic substrate (20) with first and second opposed surfaces (30, 40). Pockets (50) are formed in the first surface (30) and each of the pockets includes a bottom (60) and a sidewall or sidewalls (70). A final electrical contact (105) comprised of a first electrically conductive material (57) with a coating of a second electrically conductive material (100) thereover is positioned in each of the pockets (50). An LED (110) is positioned in each of the pockets (50) and affixed to the electrical contact (105) and electrical connections (120), preferably in form of wire bonds, join the LEDs, the electrical connections (120) extending from a first LED (110) to an adjacent electrical contact (105). The ceramic substrate (20) is formed by injection molding a ceramic material and binder to form a green substrate (12) and subsequently sintering the green substrate to form the substrate (20). An LED light (150) can be formed from the LED light source (10) by adding a dome (150) formed of a ceramic material containing therein a homogeneous dispersion of a phosphor material capable of emitting light when excited by the light emitted from the operating LEDs (110).
US08304792B2 Semiconductor light emitting apparatus and optical print head
A semiconductor light emitting apparatus is supplied capable of providing a high performance that can optimize simultaneously both an electrical characteristic and a light emitting characteristic. The semiconductor apparatus comprises an anode layer; a cathode layer that has a conductive type different from that of the anode layer; a gate layer that controls an electrical conduction between the anode layer and the cathode layer; an active layer that is set between the anode layer and the cathode layer and emits light through recombination of electron and positive hole; a first cladding layer that is set on one surface of the active layer and has an energy band gap larger than that of the active layer; and a second cladding layer that is set on other surface of the active layer, has an energy band gap larger than that of the active layer and has a conductive type different from that of the first cladding layer, wherein a thickness of the gate layer is or below a mean free path of carriers implanted into the gate layer.
US08304788B2 Display apparatus and method of producing same
To further improve light extraction efficiency, a light-emitting apparatus includes a cavity for resonating light emitted from a emission layer between a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first reflective surface is located on a first electrode side relative to the emission layer. The second reflective surface is located on a second electrode side relative to the emission layer. A periodic structure for extracting, to outside of a light-emitting device, light which is generated from the emission layer and wave-guided in an in-plane direction of the light-emitting device between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface is formed in the first reflective surface, or in the second reflective surface, or between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface.
US08304783B2 Schottky diodes including polysilicon having low barrier heights and methods of fabricating the same
Hybrid semiconductor devices including a PIN diode portion and a Schottky diode portion are provided. The PIN diode portion is provided on a semiconductor substrate and has an anode contact on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The Schottky diode portion is also provided on the semiconductor substrate and includes a polysilicon layer on the semiconductor substrate and a ohmic contact on the polysilicon layer. Related Schottky diodes are also provided herein.
US08304780B2 Printed dopant layers
A method for making an electronic device, such as a MOS transistor, including the steps of forming a plurality of semiconductor islands on an electrically functional substrate, printing a first dielectric layer on or over a first subset of the semiconductor islands and optionally a second dielectric layer on or over a second subset of the semiconductor islands, and annealing. The first dielectric layer contains a first dopant, and the (optional) second dielectric layer contains a second dopant different from the first dopant. The dielectric layer(s), semiconductor islands and substrate are annealed sufficiently to diffuse the first dopant into the first subset of semiconductor islands and, when present, the second dopant into the second subset of semiconductor islands.
US08304778B2 Thin film transistor and pixel structure having the thin film transistor
A thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel structure having the TFT are provided. The TFT is configured on a substrate. Besides, the TFT includes a gate, a gate insulation layer, a source, a channel layer, and a drain. The gate insulation layer covers the gate and the substrate. The source is configured on a portion of the gate insulation layer. The channel layer is configured on the gate insulation layer and covers a portion of the source located above the gate. The drain is configured on and electrically connected to the channel layer.
US08304774B2 Transistor and method for fabricating the same
The invention provides a transistor having a leak current between a source and drain in a nitride compound semiconductor formed on a substrate that is reduced. A gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed respectively on the surface of the nitride compound semiconductor formed on the silicon substrate in the transistor. At least one of the source electrode and the drain electrode is surrounded by an auxiliary electrode connected with the gate electrode. Because a depletion layer is formed in the nitride compound semiconductor under the auxiliary electrode, a route of the leak current is shut off and the leak current between the source and drain may be effectively reduced.
US08304773B2 Oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor
A transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer including an amorphous oxide, source-drain electrodes, and a protective layer on a substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a first region corresponding to a region in which the source-drain electrodes are formed, and a second region not corresponding to the region in which the source-drain electrodes are formed. At least the first region includes a crystalline component having a composition different from the composition of the amorphous oxide in the second region.
US08304764B2 Organic electroluminescent element
The present invention provides a white organic electroluminescent element which can emits white light and is free from deviation of chromaticity. This organic electroluminescent element comprises a substrate and, provided on the substrate, at least an anode, a cathode, and a light emitting layer held between the anode and the cathode. This organic electroluminescent element is characterized in that the light emitting layer contains at least three types of light emitting materials different from each other in λ max, and the absolute value of HOMO level of the light emitting material having the shortest wavelength is smaller than the absolute value of HOMO level of the other light emitting materials.
US08304763B2 Thin-film semiconductor device and field-effect transistor
A semiconductor thin film (1) that is laminated on a gate electrode (13) with a gate insulation film (15) therebetween is included. The semiconductor thin film (1) has a layered structure and includes at least two semiconductor layers (a, a′). In the semiconductor thin film (1), for example, an intermediate layer (b) composed of a material different from the two semiconductor layers (a, a′) is sandwiched between the semiconductor layers (a, a′). The two semiconductor layers (a, a′) are composed of an identical material and the intermediate layer (b) is composed of an insulation material. A material constituting such a layered structure is composed of an organic material. Thus, a thin-film semiconductor device and a field-effect transistor in which a decrease in the mobility caused by heating and degradation of characteristics caused by the decrease can be suppressed and the heat resistance is enhanced are provided.
US08304761B2 Organic field effect transistor and making method
In an organic field effect transistor with an electrical conductor-insulator-semiconductor structure, the semiconductor layer is made of an organic compound, and the insulator layer is made of a polymer obtained through polymerization or copolymerization of 2-cyanoethyl acrylate and/or 2-cyanoethyl methacrylate.
US08304759B2 Integrated image sensor system on common substrate
It is highly desirable to design a monolithic image sensor (and array), which could offer high quantum efficiency over broad spectral ranges, and the possibility to rapidly and randomly address any element in the array. This invention utilizes the growth of semiconductor nanowires such as Si, Ge, Si:Ge, ZnO, or their alloys based nanowires on standard substrates to create multispectral image sensors and photovoltaic cells having these highly desirable features.
US08304753B2 Image reading device
An image reading device comprises: a light source; a first optical element that focuses light emitted from the light source, the emitted light being reflected by a medium in a first detection area; a first detector that outputs first detection information in response to arrival of light in the first detection area; a second optical element that guides to a second detection area a portion of the light emitted from the light source, which portion does not arrive at the reflective medium in the first detection area; a second detector that outputs second detection information responsive to detection of light at the second detection area; and a generator that generates image data of the medium by revising the first detection information on the basis of the second detection information.
US08304751B2 Charged particle beam irradiation apparatus
In a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus to be adapted to a particle beam cancer treatment system or the like, a desired depth dose distribution is highly precisely created. In the charged particle beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates a particle beam, which is radiated from a particle beam generation unit, to a subject to be irradiated via a ridge filter exhibiting a cyclic thickness distribution for causing the particle beam to exhibit a desired energy distribution, the ridge filter has plural ridges thereof arranged to be perpendicular to entering directions of the particle beam.
US08304747B2 Sensors and methods for determining whether an item has been exposed to an environmental condition
A method for determining whether an item has been exposed to an environmental condition during a monitoring period. The method includes placing a sensor at least in proximity to the item at the beginning of the monitoring period so that the sensor will be exposed to a level of an environmental condition that can be correlated to an exposure level of the item to the environmental condition; reading the sensor; and determining from reading the sensor whether the item has been exposed to the environmental condition. The sensor includes a detecting material comprising a photochromic or photothermochromic material, the detecting material selected so that upon exposure to the environmental condition the detecting material exhibits a detectable color change.
US08304746B2 Fluorescent measurement device for living body and exciting light-irradiating device for fluorescent measurement
Disclosed herein is a fluorescence measurement device for a living body configured to be able to reduce wavelength components that will become leak light and to easily switch a wavelength and an irradiation direction. The fluorescence measurement device for a living body comprises: a sample holder on which a living body sample is to be placed; an exciting light-irradiating device having a plurality of exciting light sources arranged at mutually different positions, each of which is composed of a laser diode or a light-emitting diode and is provided with a filter having an optical property to eliminate, from a spectrum of the exciting light source, disturbing wavelength components overlapping with wavelength components of fluorescence to be detected; an electrical switch for switching lighting of the exciting light sources; a detector for picking up an image produced by fluorescence emitted from the sample placed on the sample holder; and an image display device for displaying the image picked up by the detector.
US08304731B2 Infrared light detector
An infrared light detector with an infrared light sensitivity thereof further improved. According to the infrared light detector, an isolated region of a first electronic layer is switched between a “disconnected status” and a “connected status”. Under the connected status, saturation of an electrostatic charge quantity of the isolated region in the disconnected status is eliminated, and consequently, saturation of a variation amount of an electrical conductivity of a second electronic layer is eliminated. Therefore, the infrared light sensitivity is further improved by time integration of the variation amount of the electrical conductivity of the second electronic layer.
US08304730B2 Nadir emissive hyperspectral measurement operation (NEHMO)
A method for measuring spectral characteristics includes capturing spectral-spatial data that includes radiance measurements over spectrally flat, highly emissive surface portions of a sample material and heater at least two different heater temperatures for transmissive and/or emissive configurations. Temperatures of the sample material and heater are determined at the different heater temperatures for each configuration using, in each instance, radiance measurements taken after the temperatures of the heater and sample material have both stabilized. The transmissivity of the sample material is determined using the temperatures determined in the transmissive configuration and spectral-spatial data collected at selected points of interest over the sample material. The emissivity of the sample material is determined using the temperatures determined in the emissive configuration, the spectral-spatial data collected at selected points of interest over the sample material, and the transmissivity. The reflectivity of the sample material is determined using the emissivity and transmissivity.
US08304726B2 Test apparatus
A scan control unit for generating two-dimensional coordinates for performing a scan with an electron beam of an electron scanning microscope is provided with first and second transforming units for transforming coordinates in the horizontal (X) direction and the vertical (V) direction. An area to be tested in a sample is scanned with an electron beam in an arbitrary direction. As the first and second transforming units, small-capacity transformation tables (LUTs) capable of operating at high speed in each of the horizontal (X) direction and the vertical (Y) direction are used. By also using a large-capacity transformation table (LUT) that stores coordinate transformation data corresponding to plural scan types, a test apparatus compatible with the plural scan types, having multiple functions, and capable of performing high-speed scan control is realized.
US08304725B2 Charged particle beam system
A charged particle beam system wherein the output of the secondary electron detector is detected while the retarding voltage is varied between the values for which the secondary electrons do not reach the sample and the values for which the secondary electrons reach the sample, and the surface potential of the sample is determined on the basis of the relationship between the retarding voltage and the detected output of the secondary electron detector.
US08304724B2 Microstructured pattern inspection method
The edges of the reticle are detected with respect to the microstructured patterns exposed by the stepper, and the shapes of the microstructured patterns at the surface and at the bottom of the photoresist are detected. The microstructured patterns are evaluated by calculating, and displaying on the screen, the dislocation vector that represents the relationship in position between the detected patterns on the surface and at the bottom of the photoresist. Furthermore, dislocation vectors between the microstructured patterns at multiple positions in a single-chip or single-shot area or on one wafer are likewise calculated, then the sizes and distribution status of the dislocation vectors at each such position are categorized as characteristic quantities, and the corresponding tendencies are analyzed. Thus, stepper or wafer abnormality is detected.
US08304721B2 Micro cross-section processing method
A micro cross-section processing method includes the steps of determining a linear cross-section estimated position including an observation object on a surface of the sample, irradiating the focused ion beam to the cross-section estimated position perpendicularly to or at a tilt angle to form a cross-section at a position in front of the cross-section estimated position, irradiating the focused ion beam to both ends of the cross-section to form side cuts extending to a position in rear of the cross-section estimated position, irradiating the focused ion beam to a position on the surface of the cross-section and at a position deeper than the observation object to form a bottom cut extending to a position in rear of the cross-section estimated position, irradiating the focused ion beam along from the side cuts to the cross-section estimated position to form wedges connecting to the bottom cut, and applying impact to a region in front of the cross-section estimated position of the sample to cleave the vicinity of the cross-section estimated position between the wedges and form a plane of cleavage.
US08304719B2 Precise and thorough background subtraction
A method for identifying and characterizing components of interest in complex samples includes subjecting both a sample and its control samples to chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry analysis to detect ions of the samples. The method includes defining sections of control sample data within specified chromatographic fluctuation time and mass precision windows around each ion or each group of the same ions of question in the test sample data. The defined sections of the control sample data are examined and the maximal intensities are subtracted from respective ions in the test sample. Components of interest are determined from the resultant data of the test sample. The method can be used for identifying molecular ions and/or their fragment ions for components of interest in complex samples.
US08304718B2 Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface
A method of interfacing atmospheric pressure ion sources, including electrospray and desorption electrospray ionization sources, to mass spectrometers, for example miniature mass spectrometers, in which the ionized sample is discontinuously introduced into the mass spectrometer. Discontinuous introduction improves the match between the pumping capacity of the instrument and the volume of atmospheric pressure gas that contains the ionized sample. The reduced duty cycle of sample introduction is offset by operation of the mass spectrometer under higher performance conditions and by ion accumulation at atmospheric pressure.
US08304716B2 Sampling device for ion migration spectrometer and method for using the same, and ion migration spectrometer
The present invention discloses a sampling device for an ion migration spectrometer (IMS), comprising: an inner sleeve part, inside of which an inner cavity is defined, one end of the inner sleeve part is connected with an inlet of an migration pipe via an inner-layer channel, and the other end of the inner sleeve part is configured with an inner end cap having an inner opening; and an outer sleeve part, which is configured as an eccentric sleeve that is coaxial with the inner sleeve part and able to rotate with respect to the inner sleeve part, so as to form a sleeve cavity between the inner sleeve part and the outer sleeve part, wherein one end of the outer sleeve part is configured with at least one connecting opening that is selectively connected with the inner-layer channel, and the other end of the outer sleeve part is configured with an outer end cap, on which a first outer opening selectively connected with the inner opening and a second outer opening selectively connected with the sleeve cavity are configured, wherein the outer end cap is configured to be able to rotate between a first location and a second location with respect to the inner end cap, so as to selectively introduce a sample to be detected into the inner-layer channel via one of the inner cavity and the sleeve cavity. Moreover, the present invention further relates to a method for solid and gas sampling by using the above sampling device.
US08304711B2 Vehicle rearview mirror system
An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and ambient and glare light sensors. A control circuit is operable to establish a reflectance level of the reflective element. At least one of (a) the mirror system includes a charge accumulation device selectively connected with the ambient or glare light sensor and the control circuit establishes the ambient and glare light levels as a function of time for an output of the charge accumulation device to reach a reference level when connected to the respective light sensor, (b) a common element is used to measure outputs of the light sensors sequentially to correspond errors due to component variations, and (c) the mirror system includes temperature compensation of the glare and/or ambient light sensor and the temperature compensation is responsive to a reference light sensor that is substantially not exposed to light.
US08304707B2 Method and apparatus providing an optical guide in image sensor devices
A device and method for providing an optical guide of a pixel to guide incoming light to/from a photo-conversion device of the pixel to improve the optical crosstalk immunity. The optical guide includes an optically reflecting barrier formed as a trench filled with a material which produces reflection. The trench fill material may have an index of refraction that is less than the index of refraction of the material used for the trench surrounding layers to provide a light reflective structure or the trench fill material may provide a reflection surface.
US08304705B2 System and method for adjusting light sources in measurement of a surface image
A computer-implemented method for adjusting light intensity of light sources of an image measuring machine in measurement of a surface image of an object includes obtaining the surface image of the object, setting one light source to be adjusted and adjusting a light intensity of the light source according to an adjusting mode. The method further includes computing an optimum light intensity level, adjusting a light intensity to the optimum light intensity level to obtain an optimum surface image of the object, and storing the optimum surface image and the optimum light intensity level into a storage system.
US08304702B2 Cooking apparatus
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking cavity, an upper space formed above the cooking cavity, lateral side spaces formed to at opposite lateral sides of the cooking cavity, a rear space formed behind the cooking cavity, and a lower space formed below the cooking cavity. A fan provided in the rear space generates a cooling flow that cools components housed in the rear space. A cooling flow path extends from the rear space and into the upper space and lateral side spaces. Flow from the upper space enters the door to cool the door and is exhausted through a lower portion of the door. Flow from the lateral side spaces, which includes an exhaust flow from the cooking cavity, is guided to the lower space and exhausted. In this manner, the cooking apparatus can be completely cooled and cooking odors and heat appropriately exhausted by the cooling fan positioned in the rear space.
US08304701B2 Ceramic heater and method for making the same
A resistive heating element 30 has a higher molybdenum carbide content in a central portion 35 than in a peripheral portion 34. Since molybdenum carbides have a low temperature coefficient of resistance compared to molybdenum, the amount of heat generated in the central portion 35 of the resistive heating element 30 does not increase as much as in the peripheral portion 34 even when the temperature is increased, and the increase in difference in temperature between the peripheral portion 34 and the central portion 35 can be suppressed. In other words, generation of hot spots near the center can be suppressed and a good uniform heating property in a wide range of operation temperatures can be obtained.
US08304699B2 Proximity sensor
A proximity switch flow sensor detects movement of a faucet handle of a faucet of a hot water container in order to detect flow from the hot water container. The proximity switch flow sensor includes an emitter paired with a detector, which can be mounted in association with the faucet handle to detect open and closed positions of the faucet handle, to provide electronic logic information regarding the status of the faucet handle position, as an indication of a flow condition, to a control unit that controls heating of water in the hot water container. An electro-mechanical switch and a mechanism to transfer movement of the faucet handle to the switch may also be used to detect open and closed positions of the faucet handle as an indication of a flow condition.
US08304696B2 Air circulator for an oven
An air circulator and an oven including such an air circulator. Ducting has an inlet located toward an upper end of a cooking chamber of the oven and an outlet proximate the lower portion of the chamber. An air mover can move air in the chamber though a fluid passage defined in the ducting from the upper portion of the chamber to the lower portion.
US08304693B2 Refractory materials reinforced composites for the GMAW contact tips
A contact tip for a welding torch includes a refractory material reinforced copper composite including approximately 10 to 50% by volume of a refractory material and at least one of copper and a copper alloy. The refractory material is one of a metal and a ceramic material. The contact tip may include an elongated, generally cylindrical body having a front contact end, an opposite rear retaining end, and a passageway extending from the rear retaining end to the front contact end. A portion of the passageway may be defined by the refractory material reinforced copper composite. The portion may have a diameter that is approximately 3 to 8% larger than an outer diameter of a consumable electrode wire, and the portion may have a length of approximately 0.2 to 0.6 inches.
US08304688B2 Apparatuses for fabricating micro patterns using laser diode array and methods for fabricating micro patterns
Apparatuses for fabricating micro patterns using a laser diode array and methods for fabricating micro patterns are presented. The apparatus includes a laser diode array having at least one laser diode wherein light emitted from each laser diode is focused by a convex lens onto a second material layer attached to a first material layer. At least one driving shaft drives motion of the first and the second material layers. An adjustment means is used for adjusting the gap and pitch between adjacent laser diodes.
US08304687B2 Process and apparatus for spot welding with a laser beam
The invention relates to a laser spot welding process for executing a spot weld in two successive steps, namely a first step of preparing the surface state of the material to be welded and a second step of welding as such. The luminous energy (BR) reflected by the weld region of the material is measured in real time during the first step and then processed by a controller circuit (37) connected to a control circuit (30) of the laser source (31). In this way, the characteristics (LM) of the laser beam are adjusted in real time as a function of the measurements effected to allow effective control of the quality of the weld obtained, and in particular of its dimensions.The invention also relates to a welding device for implementing this process.
US08304684B2 Plasma arc torch rotational assembly
A plasma torch rotation assembly for relieving stress on a lead. The rotation assembly can include an outer housing, which can have a mounting surface adapted to be fixedly coupled to a torch mount. The rotation assembly can include an inner component disposed at least partially within the outer housing, and a bearing structure disposed between the outer housing and the inner component. The bearing structure can facilitate rotational movement of the outer housing relative to the inner component, about a longitudinal axis of the rotation assembly. The rotation assembly can include a torch adapter disposed near a first end of the inner component. The torch adapter can be adapted to mate with a plasma arc torch. The rotation assembly can include a receiving portion disposed at a second end of the inner component, the receiving portion adapted to receive at least a portion a lead.
US08304682B2 Welder
The system provides both a portable and appliance welding system. It can be use in the shop and field. In either location it can be plugged in or battery driven. When plugged in it can weld while charging simultaneously offering 100% duty cycle for heavy shop use, and a full range of metal thicknesses can be welded with ease. The system is implemented with a solid state high energy circuit; unrestricted and unfiltered, offering a wide spectrum of pure analog power. The systems is compact for maximum portability and use in remote field operations, yet can handle deep welds in a variety of metal compositions, conditions, environments, and sizes. The system uses a proven and robust storage medium of direct electric potential energy that is supplied by industrial batteries.
US08304679B2 Vacuum insulated switchgear
A vacuum insulated switchgear comprising a vacuum container accommodating at least a pair of movable contacts and a pair of fixed contacts, wherein the movable contacts are capable of taking three positions, the switchgear being a double-break three-position type switch having breaking and disconnecting functions.
US08304677B2 High voltage gas circuit breaker
The present invention relates to a high-voltage gas circuit breaker, and there is provided a gas circuit breaker including a movable arc contact and a fixed arc contact engaged with the movable arc contact; a cylinder rod coupled with the movable arc contact; an insulating rod connected to the cylinder rod through a link mechanism in which an end thereof is connected to an operating mechanism; and an ejection nozzle for ejecting an arc-extinguishing gas between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contact, wherein the link mechanism is reduced in a length direction of the insulating rod to pull the cylinder rod to a side of the insulating rod when the insulating rod is moved apart from the cylinder rod.
US08304675B2 Matrix touch panel
A matrix touch panel has an upper panel, a separation layer, an insulation layer and a lower panel. The lower panel has a plurality of first transparent electrodes on a bottom intersected by a plurality of second transparent electrodes on the upper panel. A plurality of wires and leading lines are formed on a border of the upper and lower panels. One terminal of each wire is connected to one end of the corresponding first or second transparent electrode, and the other terminal is connected with a corresponding leading line. One end of the first and second transparent electrode corresponding to the wires has an inner lead and an outer lead. The outer lead is electrically connected with the wires. An area defined between the inner lead and the outer lead varies to generate different impedance to balance the impedance difference among the wires with different lengths.
US08304674B2 Signaling device for circuit breaker and electrical apparatus comprising the signaling device
A signaling device having an electrical switch configured to generate an electrical signal indicating a transition of an associated circuit breaker from a first state to a second state. A movable body is pivotally mounted around a first axis (101) so as to interact with the actuating mechanism. A return spring is operatively connected to the pivoting body (3) and is mounted around an axis substantially parallel to said first axis.
US08304673B2 Push-button switch with display screen
A push-button switch with display screen includes a seat having an open-topped recess, a top cover located in the recess, a display screen, such as an LCD, an OLED or a TFT-LCD, located in below the top cover, an actuating member located in the recess below the display screen and connected to a microswitch located below the seat, a frame-like light-guiding member located in the recess around a periphery of the top cover, and a circuit board with light-emitting diodes located in the recess below the light-guiding member. The display screen is connected to an external circuit for displaying different dynamic or non-dynamic indicating images. When the light-emitting diodes are turned on to emit light onto the light-guiding member, a bright rim is generated along the periphery of the top cover to highlight the indicating images on the display screen and give the push-button switch a beautiful eye-catching appearance.
US08304670B2 Portable weighing system with alignment features
A system for weighing a load is disclosed. The weighing system includes a pad having at least one transducer for weighing a load disposed on the pad. In some embodiments the pad has a plurality of foot members and the weighing system may include a plate that disposed underneath the pad for receiving the plurality of foot member and for aligning the foot members when the weighing system is installed. The weighing system may include a spacer disposed adjacent the pad and in some embodiments, a spacer anchor operatively secures the spacer to a support surface, such as a plate, a railway bed, or a roadway. In some embodiments the spacer anchor operatively secures both the spacer and the pad to a roadway.
US08304668B2 Scale with kiosk ordering interface system and method
A food product scale is adapted to interface with an electronic product ordering system, such as a kiosk ordering system, enabling store personnel to more readily identify, process and complete such orders.
US08304665B2 Package substrate having landless conductive traces
A package substrate having landless conductive traces is proposed, which includes a core layer with a plurality of plated through holes formed therein, and a plurality of conductive traces formed on at least a surface of the core layer. Each of the conductive traces has a connection end, a bond pad end, and a base body connecting the connection end and the bond pad end, the conductive trace is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plated through holes through the connection end, and the connection end has a width greater than that of the base body but not greater than the diameter of the plated through hole, thereby increasing the contact area between the conductive trace and the plated through hole and preventing the contact surface of the conductive trace with the plated through hole from cracking.
US08304662B2 Buildup board, and electronic component and apparatus having the buildup board
A buildup board includes a buildup layer having a multilayer structure and/or a core layer having a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure includes a signal wiring pattern, a pad connected to the signal wiring pattern, an insulating part arranged around the pad on the same layer as the pad, and a conductor arranged around the insulating part on the same layer as the pad. The multilayer structure has at least two different keepouts where the keepout is defined as a minimum interval between an outline of the pad and the conductor closest to the pad on the same layer.
US08304659B2 Differential trace profile for printed circuit boards
Circuit boards and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. The circuit boards carry high-speed signals using conductors formed to include lengthwise channels. The channels increase the surface area of the conductors, and therefore enhance the ability of the conductors to carry high-speed signals. In at least some embodiments, a discontinuity also exists between the dielectric constant within the channels and just outside the channels, which is believed to reduce signal loss into the dielectric material.
US08304658B2 Ni-P layer system and process for its preparation
The invention relates to a layer system comprising on a substrate, the surface of which has been electropolished, (i) a Ni layer having a thickness ≦3.0 μm, (ii) a Ni—P layer having a thickness ≦1.0 μm, and (iii) a Au layer having a thickness ≦1.0 μm.
US08304657B2 Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a core substrate having a penetrating hole, a first circuit on a first surface of the substrate, a second circuit on a second surface of the substrate, and a through-hole conductor in the hole connecting the first and second circuits. The hole has first and second opening portions. The first opening portion becomes thinner toward the second surface. The second opening portion becomes thinner toward the first surface. The first opening portion has first and second portions. The second opening portion has first and second portions. The first and second portions of the first opening portion form inner walls bending inward at the boundary between the first and second portions. The first and second portions of the second opening portion form inner walls bending inward at the boundary between the first and second portions.
US08304654B2 Coaxial cable
A coaxial cable includes an electric conductor, an insulating layer formed on a periphery of the electric conductor, wherein the insulating layer includes an insulating material including a fluorine-containing polymer obtained by grafting at least one compound selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters of the unsaturated carboxylic acids to a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, a conductive layer formed on a periphery of the insulating layer, wherein the conductive layer includes a sintered product from a metallic nanoparticle paste, and an outer insulating layer formed on a periphery of the conductive layer.
US08304649B2 Waterproofing method for electric wire and the wire having waterproof part formed by the waterproofing method
A waterproofing method is provided for a wire to be arranged in a water susceptible area of a vehicle. The method includes removing an insulating coating layer in a lengthwise intermediate part of the wire to expose a core. A fluid waterproofing agent then is dropped to an exposed core section. Negative pressure then is introduced into the inside of the insulating coating layer from wire ends to suck the waterproofing agent into the inside of the insulating coating layer. Alternatively the exposed core section is loaded with pressure air to press the waterproofing agent into the inside of the insulating coating layer. Thus the waterproofing agent is infiltrated between the strands inside the insulating coating layer.
US08304647B2 Luminescent solar collector
Disclosed are fluorescent dye compounds of Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, and G are as described herein. The fluorescent dyes are suitable for use in luminescent solar collectors or as a colorant. Methods of making the fluorescent dyes and luminescent solar collectors comprising them are also described.
US08304645B2 Luminescent solar collector
A luminescent solar collector contains a first fluorescent dye and a dye compound of Formula (I) or (II): where R, R′, m, and k are as described herein. The luminescent solar collector has improved output.
US08304642B1 Music and lyrics display method
The MUSIC AND LYRICS DISPLAY METHOD provides for a complete solution comprising a way of displaying correct portions of lyrics and or musical notation at appropriate times while something live is happening. By using a predetermined series of symbols in a song sequence, symbols may serve as indices for looking up and displaying distinct portions of lyrics identified by corresponding symbols comprised within bodies of lyrics. Furthermore, when displaying words and music notation, notes are spaced horizontally to align with words that are large and not broken up, such that words are natural looking and easy to read, while musical notes are easy to sight read with words to which they obviously correspond. Another aspect of the present invention allows for providing such multimedia in such a way that users may play audio for free for a certain span of days or demo trial period, and where users may register to retain access thereto.
US08304638B2 Inbred sunflower (Helianthus annuus) line, designated OI1153A/B
The present invention relates to an inbred sunflower line, designated OI1153A/B. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred sunflower line OI1153A/B, to the plants of inbred sunflower line OI1153A/B and to the methods for producing a sunflower plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line OI1153A/B with itself or another sunflower line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a sunflower plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred sunflower lines derived from the inbred OI1153A/B.
US08304635B1 Maize variety hybrid X08A105
A novel maize variety designated X08A105 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 hybrid maize variety X08A105 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A105 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A105, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A105. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A105.
US08304633B1 Inbred maize variety PH18G5
A novel maize variety designated PH18G5 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH18G5 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH18G5 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH18G5 or a locus conversion of PH18G5 with another maize variety.
US08304629B1 Soybean cultivar 00330721
A soybean cultivar designated 00330721 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 00330721, to the plants of soybean cultivar 00330721, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 00330721, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 00330721. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00330721. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 00330721, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 00330721 with another soybean cultivar.
US08304627B1 Soybean variety XBP00902
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP00902 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP00902, cells from soybean variety XBP00902, plants of soybean XBP00902, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP00902. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP00902 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP00902, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP00902, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP00902. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP00902 are further provided.
US08304625B1 Soybean variety XBP38009
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP38009 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP38009, cells from soybean variety XBP38009, plants of soybean XBP38009, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP38009. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP38009 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP38009, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP38009, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP38009. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP38009 are further provided.
US08304624B2 Soybean variety A1024320
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024320. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024320. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024320 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024320 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08304622B1 Soybean variety XBP40007
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP40007 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP40007, cells from soybean variety XBP40007, plants of soybean XBP40007, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP40007. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP40007 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XBP40007, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP40007. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP40007 are further provided.
US08304616B2 Soybean variety G00-3209
Embodiments of the invention relate to the new soybean variety designated G00-3209 as well as the seeds, plants and derivatives of the new soybean variety G00-3209. Also provided are tissue cultures of the new soybean variety G00-3209 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the new soybean variety G00-3209 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08304614B2 Canola cultivar G2X0044
The present invention relates to a new and distinctive canola cultivar, designated G2X0044. Also included are seeds of canola cultivar G2X0044, to the plants, or plant parts, of canola G2X0044 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing the canola G2X0044 with itself or another canola cultivar, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of canola G2X0044.
US08304610B2 Brassica juncea lines with high oleic acid profile in seed oil
In various aspects, the invention provides Brassica juncea plants, seeds, cells, nucleic acid sequences and oils. Edible oil derived from plants of the invention may have significantly higher oleic acid content than other B. juncea plants. In one embodiment, the B. juncea line MJ02-357-3 contains a mutant allele MJ02-313-1/BjFAD2-a at the BjFAD2-a gene locus, having a single base-pair change (a G to A substitution in the ORF at position 281 in reference to the first ATG start codon) relative to the wild type sequence. The change is predicted to encode a Glycine-94 Aspartic acid mutation in the sequence of the predicted BjFAD2-a protein. In another embodiment, the B. juncea line MJ02-357-3 contains a mutant allele MJ02-357-3/BjFAD2-a at the BjFAD2-a gene locus, having a single base-pair change (a C to T substitution in the ORF at position 647 in reference to the first ATG start codon) relative to the wild type sequence. The change is predicted to encode a Proline-216 Leucine mutation in the sequence of the predicted BjFAD2-a protein. As a result of these mutations, it can be predicted that the function of the BjFAD2-a proteins are negatively affected in Brassica juncea lines MJ02-313-1 and MJ357-3 as reflected in the increased levels of oleic acid in seed oil in comparison with the wild-type line J96D-4830. Seeds from MJ02-313-1 and MJ02-357-3 plants may for example yield an oil having oleic acid content of greater than 70% by weight.
US08304606B2 Genetically modified plants which synthesize a starch having increased swelling power
The present invention relates to genetically modified plant cells and plants, and to processes for the production of genetically modified plant cells and plants which have an increased activity of a protein having the activity of a starch synthase II and an increased activity of a protein having the activity of a glucan-water dikinase. Plants of this type synthesize starches having increased hot water swelling power. The present invention likewise relates to starches having increased hot water swelling power, and to processes for their production.
US08304605B2 DIG-11 insecticidal cry toxins
DIG-11 Cry toxins, polynucleotides encoding such toxins, use of such toxins to control pests, and transgenic plants that produce such toxins are disclosed.
US08304603B2 Plants with increased tolerance to water deficit
The invention relates to a method for increasing the tolerance of a plant to water deficit, by overexpression in the plant of a protein, designated ABA4, which is involved in the conversion of violaxanthin to neoxanthin in the biosynthesis of abscisic acid.
US08304600B2 Absorbent article
An absorbent article comprising nonwoven fabric having convex and concave surfaces, and that allows liquid such as excreta and the like to permeate quickly. A sanitary napkin has a plurality of raised ridge portions and groove portions in a top sheet member. The fiber density of the side edge portions of each of the plurality of raised ridge portions in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric is substantially uniform, and is higher than the average fiber density in the raised ridge portions. The fiber density of the central portion between both the side edge portions of each of the plurality of raised ridge portions is substantially uniform in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric, and is lower than the average fiber density in the raised ridge portions.
US08304599B2 Polymeric film exhibiting improved anti-blocking characteristics and process of making
A method of forming a film resistant to blocking including the steps of providing a polymeric film having a first and second surface; applying the anti-blocking agent in a fluid or molten state to at least the first surface of the polymeric film; and gathering the treated film. The anti-blocking agent may be substantially acrylic free.
US08304596B2 Fecal sampling device and method
A fecal sample collecting device and method. The device of an embodiment includes a removable first layer, having primary and secondary apertures and a second layer having a releaseable adhesive on an inner surface that secures the first and second layers, a flap aligned with the primary aperture, and an integrally formed removable tab. The device also includes a sheet between the two layers. In a first configuration, the sheet is aligned with the primary aperture such that a sample is deposited thereon when the device is used to wipe one's anus, and the removable tab is aligned with the secondary aperture such that a second sample is deposited thereon. Subsequently, the first layer is discarded, thereby exposing the adhesive on the inner surface of the second layer. The device is placed in a second configuration by folding the inner surface upon itself. Thus, primary and secondary samples are enclosed.
US08304595B2 Resorbable nanoenhanced hemostatic structures and bandage materials
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for nanomaterial-enhanced hemostatic medical devices are provided. Hemostatic materials and structures are provided that induce coagulation of blood at a wound/opening caused by trauma, a surgical procedure, ulceration, or other cause. The hemostatic materials and structures may incorporate nanostructures and/or further hemostatic elements such as polymers and/or glass beads. The hemostatic materials and structures may be resorbable. Example embodiments include hemostatic bandages, hemostatic plugs, and hemostatic formulations.
US08304593B2 Hydrocarbon conversion using an improved molecular sieve
The present invention comprises a hydrocarbon-conversion process using an improved MgAPSO-31 molecular sieve which demonstrates a favorable combination of conversion and selectivity in aromatics conversion. The sieve has a specific combination of crystal configuration, being limited in diameter and length, specified crystallinity as measured by an X-Ray Diffraction Index (XRDI), and a narrow range of magnesium content.
US08304590B2 Autothermal and mobile torrefaction devices
Autothermal torrefaction devices, which can be either stationary of mobile, are provided and include a torrefaction chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving biomass and at least one chamber outlet. The torrefaction chamber can be substantially surrounded by an exterior housing defining an outer jacket and having a jacket inlet and a jacket outlet. The outer jacket and torrefaction chamber define a space therebetween such that a burner unit including an inlet operatively connected to the chamber outlet and an outlet operatively connected to the jacket inlet allows vapors produced or released from within the torrefaction chamber to travel into the burner unit for combustion of at least a portion of the vapors and subsequently travel through the space between the jacket and the torrefaction chamber to provide heat necessary for autothermal torrefaction of biomass.
US08304586B2 Process for purifying ethanol
Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves returning acetaldehyde separated from the crude ethanol product to the reactor.
US08304585B2 Production process of 1,6-hexanediol
A method is provided for producing highly pure 1,6-hexanediol in which the contents of impurities such as 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,5-hexanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,7-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and high boiling point components are significantly reduced. The process contains the steps of (1) treating an aqueous extraction concentrate of a reaction mixture obtained by oxidation of cyclohexane with a lower alcohol to esterify monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids contained in the extract, and simultaneously removing and separating by distillation water, excess lower alcohols and carboxylic acid esters; (2) converting oligomer esters contained in the bottom liquid to carboxylic acid esters by depolymerizing the oligomer esters at a high temperature and high pressure in the presence of a lower alcohol and a catalyst; and (3) hydrogenating the carboxylic acid esters distilled off in step (1) and the carboxylic acid esters obtained in step (2) either respectively or collectively to convert to 1,6-hexanediol.
US08304583B2 Hydrogenation of aliphatic dialdehydes to aliphatic diols
A process of hydrogenating an aliphatic dialdehyde, preferably, a C6-C16 alicyclic dicarboxaldehyde, to form an aliphatic diol, preferably, a C6-C16 alicyclic diol, most preferably, cis/trans-(1,3)(1,4)-cyclohexanedimethanol. The process involves contacting one or more aliphatic dialdehydes in a liquid phase with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrogenation zone and in the presence of water in an amount equal to or greater than 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the total liquid feed to the hydrogenation. The alicyclic dicarboxaldehyde is preferably prepared via hydroformylation of an olefin with subsequent extraction of the alicyclic dicarboxaldehyde product from the hydroformylation product fluid.
US08304582B2 Fluidized catalytic process for production of dimethyl ether from methanol
The present invention provides a fluidized catalytic process for production of dimethyl ether from methanol, wherein said process is carried out in a reactor in which the catalyst is in a fluidized state. Said process comprises the following steps of (1) feeding the methanol feedstock via two or more locations selected from the bottom, lower part, middle part and upper part of the reactor, contacting with the catalyst for preparation of dimethyl ether by methanol dehydration, carrying out the reaction of preparing dimethyl ether by methanol dehydration to obtain the reaction stream, separating said reaction stream to obtain a coked catalyst and a crude product primarily containing the target product, i.e. dimethyl ether; (2) totally or partially feeding the coked catalyst obtained in step (1) into a regenerator in a continuous or batch manner for regeneration via coke-burning, the regenerated catalyst being directly recycled to step (1) after being totally or partially cooled.
US08304581B2 Method of enantioselective addition to enones
The present invention relates to a method of enantioselective addition to enones, including: reacting R3(CH2)pCH═CR5C(═O)Y(CH2)qR4 with R6ZnR7 in the presence of a compound represented by the following formula (I) and a transition metal catalyst, in which Y, p, q, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are defined the same as the specification. Accordingly, the present invention can perform asymmetric conjugate addition in high yields and enantioselectivity.
US08304578B2 Process for producing 1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-phenol)ethyl]cyclohexanol
The present invention relates to an improved, process for large scale production of 1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-phenol)ethyl]cyclohexanol (O-desmethylvenlafaxine) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts with increased yield and minimal impurities.
US08304577B2 Modulators of G protein-coupled receptor 88
The present disclosure is generally directed to compounds which can modulate G-protein coupled receptor 88, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for modulating G-protein coupled receptor 88.
US08304576B2 Process for production of halogenated alpha-fluoroethers
Halogenated α-fluoroethers (or bis-derivatives thereof) can be produced by reacting a halogenated hemiacetal (or bis-derivative thereof) with sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) in the presence of an organic base. The reaction is conducted preferably in the presence of “a salt or complex of an organic base with hydrogen fluoride”, whereby the objective dehydroxyfluorination can proceed extremely favorably. It is still preferable to use as the starting substrate a halogenated hemiacetal prepared from fluoral or 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvic acid ester. Thus, industrially important halogenated α-fluoroethers can be industrially produced with high selectivity and in high yield.
US08304574B2 Biolubricant esters from the alcohols of unsaturated fatty acids
The present invention is generally directed to triester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such triester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor comprising mono-unsaturated fatty acids, wherein such mono-unsaturated fatty acids are reduced to mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols en route to the synthesis of triester species for use as/in the triester-based lubricant compositions. Subsequent steps in such synthesis may employ carboxylic acids and/or acyl halides/anhydrides derived from biomass and/or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
US08304569B2 Method for producing isocyanate-terminated siloxanes
Isocyanate-functional or protected isocyanate-functional organopolysiloxanes are prepared directly by reaction of a siloxane bearing at least one silicon-bonded hydroxyl group with an alkoxy-functional α-silane containing an isocyanate group or blocked isocyanate group.
US08304568B2 Organopolysiloxanes having polyhydroxyamido groups and preparation thereof
Polyhydroxyamido group-containing polyorganosiloxanes contain from 20 to 90% of end groups which are polyhydroxyamido groups, and are free flowing.
US08304566B2 Processes and apparatus for small-scale in situ biodiesel production
Processes and apparatus produce economically feasible biodiesel without subsidies. Toward that end, integrated small plants process materials containing lipids with anhydrous bioethanol as solvent and reactant, and sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide mainly as catalysts to produce up to 3 million gallons of biodiesel per plant per year. The product is predominantly fatty acids ethyl esters (FAEE) and a chemically-enhanced organic fertilizer as byproduct. The raw material may include a wide variety of non-edible solid matter that contains lipids, which normally have from 0.5% to 80% by weight of free fatty acids in total oils. Multiple apparatus makes this process feasible. In addition to not competing with food production, since they supply fertilizer for small scale farmers, the processes and apparatus allow sustainable liquid fuel production.
US08304560B2 Aptamer conjugates
Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes that are intramolecularly crosslinked between the 1-position and 3′-position, their bioconjugates and their uses are described. 1,3′-crosslinked carbocyanines are superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar 1,1′-crosslinked or non-crosslinked dyes. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
US08304559B2 Method for the synthesis of 5-amino-1-phenyl-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl sulfinyl
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of the 5-amino-1-phenyl-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl sulfinyl pyrazole having the described general formula (I), particularly preferred for the synthesis of Fipronil, through oxidation of a compound having the general formula (II) as follows: wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or halogen, and wherein the oxidizing agent is dichloroperacetic acid.
US08304558B2 Method for producing thiazole compound
Disclosed is a simple and advantageous method for producing a thiazole compound, which method is suitable for commercial-scale implementation. In this method, a thiazole compound is produced by a reaction between 2-halogeno-allylisothiocyanate and sulfuryl chloride generating a large amount of heat, while suppressing decrease in the yield of the thiazole compound. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing 2-chloro-5-chloromethylthiazole represented by the formula (1): This method is characterized in that sulfuryl chloride is added to and reacted with 2-halogeno-allylisothiocyanate represented by the formula (2): wherein Hal represents chlorine or bromine, while blowing a gas inactive to the reaction into the reaction liquid.
US08304557B2 Fused heterocycle derivatives and use thereof
A compound represented by the formula (I): wherein Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are the following combination, (Z1,Z2,Z3,Z4)=(CR4,N,CR5,C), (N,N,CR5,C), (N,C,CR5,N), (S,C,CR5,C) or (S,C,N,C); R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is (1) a hydrogen atom, (2) a halogen atom, (3) a group bonded via a carbon atom, (4) a group bonded via a nitrogen atom, (5) a group bonded via an oxygen atom or (6) a group bonded via a sulfur atom; R3 is an amino optionally having substituent(s); R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is (1) a hydrogen atom, (2) a halogen atom, (3) a group bonded via a carbon atom, (4) a group bonded via a nitrogen atom, (5) a group bonded via an oxygen atom or (6) a group bonded via a sulfur atom; R3 and R4 optionally form a ring optionally having substituent(s); and a group represented by the formula is a cyclic group optionally having substituent(s), or a salt thereof.
US08304555B2 Thiazolothiazole derivatives and organic electronic device using the same
The present invention relates to novel thiazolothiazole derivatives and an organic electronic device such as an organic light emitting device, an organic transistor, and an organic solar cell using the same. In the compound of the invention, various substituents are introduced to the core structure, so as to satisfy the requirements such as suitable energy levels, and electrochemical and thermal stability, and also have amorphous or crystalline property depending on the kind of the substituents, so as to satisfy the characteristics individually required for each of the devices. Further, an organic semiconductor of p-type or n-type can be fabricated by introducing various substituents to the core structure having a property of n-type. Therefore, the compound of the present invention can provide a device having higher stability.
US08304554B2 Compound, composition and thin film
A compound represented by the following formula (DII): wherein Y31, Y32 and Y33 each independently represents a methine group or a nitrogen atom; R31, R32 and R33 each independently represents the following formula (DII-R):
US08304552B2 Fatty acid niacin conjugates and their uses
The invention relates to fatty acid niacin conjugates; compositions comprising an effective amount of a fatty acid niacin conjugate; and methods for treating or preventing an metabolic disease comprising the administration of an effective amount of a fatty acid niacin conjugate.
US08304548B2 Method for producing 1, 2-dihydropyridine-2-one compound
The present inventions provide a method for commercially producing a 1,2-dihydropyridine-2-one compound represented by the following formula (III-a) wherein the ring A represents an optionally substituted 2-pyridyl group, the ring B represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, and the ring C represents an optionally substituted phenyl group. Further, the invention provides crystals of 3-(2-cyanophenyl)-5-(2-pyridyl)-1-phenyl-1,2-dihydropyridin-2-one and production processes therefor.
US08304547B2 Azolecarboxamide compound or salt thereof
[Object] To provide a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence associated with various lower urinary tract diseases including overactive bladder, various lower urinary tract diseases accompanied by lower urinary tract pain, such as interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, and the like, and various diseases accompanied by pain, based on an excellent trkA receptor inhibitory action.[Means for Solution] A novel azolecarboxamide compound in which a thiazole ring or an oxazole ring is bonded to a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyridazine ring, a thiophene ring, a pyrazole ring or a pyrrole ring through carboxamide, or a salt thereof is confirmed to have a potent trkA receptor inhibitory activity, and found to be capable of being used as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent which is excellent in efficacy and safety for urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and urinary incontinence associated with various lower urinary tract diseases including overactive bladder, various lower urinary tract diseases accompanied by lower urinary tract pain, such as interstitial cystitis, chronic prostatitis, and the like, and various diseases accompanied by pain, thereby completing the present invention.
US08304546B2 Quinolone compound and pharmaceutical composition
The present invention provides a quinolone compound that inhibits the chronic progression of Parkinson's disease or protects dopamine neurons from disease etiology, thereby suppressing the progression of neurological dysfunction, so as to prolong the period of time until L-dopa is administered while also improving neuronal function; the quinolone compound of the invention is represented by Formula (1): wherein: R1 represents hydrogen or the like; R2 represents hydrogen or the like; R3 represents substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or the like; R4 represents halogen or the like; R5 represents hydrogen or the like; R6 represents hydrogen or the like; and R7 represents hydrogen or the like.
US08304541B2 Process for the manufacture of an indolinone derivative
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a specific indolinone derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, namely 3-Z-[1-(4-(N-((4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methylcarbonyl)-N-methyl-amino)-anilino)-1-phenyl-methylene]-6-methoxycarbonyl-2-indolinone and its monoethanesulfonate, to new manufacturing steps and to new intermediates of this process.
US08304538B2 Method of producing benzoxazinone-based compound
A method of producing a compound represented by Formula (I), which comprises a step A of reacting an anthranilic acid compound with a carboxylic halide in the absence of a base, but does not comprise a step of isolating of an amide intermediate compound represented by Formula (II): wherein R1 represents a substituent; n1 is an integer of 0 to 4; R2 represents an n2-valent substituent or a linking group; and n2 is an integer of 1 to 4.
US08304536B2 Phthalocyanine compound
Disclosed is a phthalocyanine compound characterized by being represented by the formula (1) below. This phthalocyanine compound has good affinity to titania, and is suitably used for an organic thin film of an organic solar cell and the like. [In the formula, M represents a hydrogen atom or a central metal; Z1 and Z2 independently represent a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a phenyl group; and Ar represents at least one aryl group selected from those represented by the following formulae (2) to (12). (In the formulae (2) to (12), R1 to R103 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a silanol group, a thiol group, a carboxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, a phosphate group, an ester group, a thioester group, an amide group, a nitro group, a monovalent hydrocarbon group, an organoxy group, an organoamino group, an organosilyl group, an organothio group, an acyl group or a sulfone group.)]
US08304535B2 Sugar production by decrystallization and hydrolysis of polysaccharide enriched biomass
Sugar solutions are obtained from polysaccharide enriched biomass by contacting biomass with water and at least one nucleophilic base to produce a polysaccharide enriched biomass comprising a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. The solid fraction is separated from the lignin-containing liquid fraction and contacted with an acid solution, the acid solution comprising about 70 weight percent to about 100 weight percent sulfuric acid or an acid mixture comprising phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, at a temperature and for a reaction time sufficient to produce a decrystallized biomass mixture. Water is added and the diluted biomass mixture is then hydrolyzed to produce a saccharification product comprising sugars.
US08304527B2 Kit for high throughput mutation screening methods
One example embodiment includes a kit to execute a method of simultaneously screening for genetic mutations in different genes in a multitude of samples. The kit includes an antisense deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe, where the antisense DNA probe will be mixed with a strand of a ribonucleic acid (RNA) to be tested to form a heteroduplex molecule within a sample. The kit also includes a ribonuclease enzyme, an RNA-primed DNA polymerase, a single strand-specific nuclease, DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, a blocking adapter and a tagged reporter adapter. Through ribonuclease digestion, differential sequence fill-in (DSF) and full-length sequence extension, tagged mutant-dual adapter hybrids are formed for detection, quantification or amplification. The sequence ubiquity of said mutant-dual adapter hybrids enables the use of universalized primers for sequence amplification regardless of the numbers or the origins of the mutations involved.
US08304524B2 Manufacture of factor H (FH) and FH-derivatives from plasma
The present invention provides compositions and pharmaceutical formulations of Factor H derived from plasma. Also provided are methods for the manufacture of the Factor H compositions and formulations, as well as methods for the treatment of diseases associated with Factor H dysfunction.
US08304523B1 Nanowire manufacture and approaches therefor
Nanowires are constructed using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a nanowire material is introduced to a microtubule lumen as a solution. The nanowire material is solidified to form a nanowire substantially within the microtubule lumen.
US08304522B2 Soy protein gel and method of producing the same
It is intended to provide a soy protein gel which has such gel properties that have never been obtained hitherto and is excellent in taste and color tone, and a soy protein food taking advantage of the gel properties. It has been found out that gel properties can be modified at an extremely elevated level and thus the desired soy protein gel can be obtained by preparing a gel by using a soy protein material in which the lipophilic protein content is reduced and conducting the gelation with the utilization of not only heat but also the action of a protein crosslinking enzyme.
US08304520B2 Labeled fusion protein
The present invention aims at providing a general-purpose experimental tool which specifically binds to a macromolecular substance that will be a receptor for a specific ligand such as drug, and is applicable throughout various processes to explore the nature of the macromolecular substance. In order to achieve this object, a molecular module has been developed which binds to a target compound and is used for purifying or labeling the target compound, wherein the molecular module has a rod-like spacer substance, an interacting substance that interacts with the target compound, a tag and a labeling substance, the interacting substance being positioned at one end of the rod-like spacer substance, and the tag and the labeling substance being positioned at the other end of the rod-like spacer substance.
US08304515B2 Process for the purification of polyol PFPE derivative
A process for the purification of a tetraol PFPE derivative [tetraol (T)] of formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CF2—O—Rf—CF2—CH2O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH, wherein Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf), from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives, said mixture comprising said tetraol (T) and at least one hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether [PFPE (OH)] comprising a chain Rf terminated with at least one end group of formula: —CF2CH2OH; —CF2CH2O—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH; said process comprising: step 1: reacting the mixture (M) with ketones and/or aldehydes so as to selectively protect couples of hydroxyl groups on vicinal carbon atoms by forming corresponding cyclic ketal/acetal derivatives, so as to yield a protected mixture (P); step 2: reacting residual hydroxyl groups of the mixture (P) with suitable functionalizing agents enabling substantial volatility modification, so as to obtain a functionalized protected mixture (Pf); step 3: fractional distillation of the mixture (Pf) so as to isolate the cyclic acetal/ketal derivatives of tetraol (T); and step 4: hydrolyzing the acetal/ketal derivatives of tetraol (T) so as to recover pure tetraol (T).
US08304513B2 Polyesters comprising fluorovinylether functionalized aromatic moieties
Disclosed are polyesters, particularly poly(trimethylene terephthalate), comprising fluorovinylether functionalized aromatic repeat units, and methods to make the polyester polymers. The polymers are useful for imparting soil resistance to polyesters, particularly in the form of fibers, fabrics, and carpets.
US08304512B2 Benzodithiophene based materials compositions
A polymer semiconductor that includes a polythiophene having an Mn from about 1,000 to about 400,000 Daltons and derived from benzodithiophene monomer segments of Formula (1) and at least one divalent linkage providing compound selected from the group consisting of an aromatic or heteroaromatic electron acceptor compound X and an aromatic or heteroaromatic compound Y, wherein R1 and R2 are side chains independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a heteroatom and combinations thereof.
US08304510B2 Polyester resins for high-strength articles
The present invention relates to slow-crystallizing, titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are useful for making high-strength, high-clarity bottles that possess improved resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep. The polyethylene terephthalate resins possess improved reheating profiles and are especially useful for making polyester articles that have exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and thermal stability.
US08304509B2 Process for preparing diaryl carbonates from dialkyl carbonates
The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing diaryl carbonates from dialkyl carbonates and at least one monohydroxyl compound in the presence of catalysts, and to the use thereof for preparation of polycarbonates. The alkylene glycol obtained in the preparation of the dialkyl carbonate used is recycled by oxidative carbonylation with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to give the cyclic alkylene carbonate which is in turn converted to the dialkyl carbonate. More particularly, the process utilizes the alkylene glycol obtained for the diphenyl carbonate preparation process (DPC process).
US08304501B2 Composition containing silsesquioxane and silsesquioxane-containing hydroxyalkyl cellulose resin composition
It is to provide a silsesquioxane having α,β-diol group, and to provide an organic-inorganic hybrid resin composition comprising silsesquioxane and hydroxyalkyl cellulose. A composition comprising a cage-type structure of silsesquioxane represented by general formula (A), and a partially cleaved cage-type structure of silsesquioxane represented by general formula (B); (RSiO3/2)l  (A) (RSiO3/2)m(RSiO2H)n  (B) [wherein in formulae (A) and (B), l and m represent an integer of 4 or more, n represents an integer of 1 or more, and n/(l+m) is 0.03 to 0.2; each R may be the same or different, and represents an alkoxy group with 1 to 10 carbons, etc.; wherein at least one R in one molecule is a group having α,β-diol group, and when the number of groups having α,β-diol is 2 or more, they may be the same or different].
US08304500B2 Polyglycolic acid resin particle composition and process for production thereof
A particulate polyglycolic acid resin composition, comprising: a blend of a first particulate polyglycolic acid resin and a second particulate polyglycolic acid resin each having a moisture content of at most 110 ppm and providing a ratio of melt-viscosity (as measured at 270° C. and a shear rate of 121 sec−1; the same as hereinafter) therebetween of above 1 and at most 10. After the polymerization, the first and second particulate polyglycolic acid resins can cause change in properties before the forming (e.g., during storage); or during the forming process. However, by adequately determining the blending ratio between the resins while taking the melt-viscosities thereof into account, it becomes possible to provide a particulate polyglycolic acid resin composition showing a stable melt-formability and suitable as a starting material for various forming processes.
US08304493B2 Methods of forming block copolymers
Methods of modifying block copolymers to enhance thermodynamic properties thereof without sacrificing material properties and methods of forming modified block copolymers having desired properties are disclosed. The modified block copolymers may be used, for example, as a mask for sublithographic patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication. For example, block copolymers having desirable material properties, such as etch selectively, may be chemically modified to tailor a χ value thereof to optimize the process conditions for achieving a self-assembled state and to reduce a defectivity of the self-assembled block copolymer pattern.
US08304491B2 Producing polychloroprene latices
The novel process provides latices of homo- and copolymers of chloroprene and of one or more further copolymerizable monomers at a higher reaction rate and hence in an improved space-time yield. The latices obtained have a high gel content, distinctly lower levels of by-products, in particular of chloroprene dimer, than prior art products, and are useful, if appropriate in concentrated form, for a wide variety of applications.
US08304490B2 Polylactic acid and manufacturing process thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide polylactic acid containing a stereocomplex crystal and having excellent moldability, a high molecular weight, high crystallinity and a high melting point and a process for manufacturing the same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising the polylactic acid and a molded product of the polylactic acid. The present invention is characterized from polylactic acid having a weight average molecular weight of 80,000 to 500,000 and a melting peak at 195° C. or higher which accounts for 80% or more of the total of melting peaks in the temperature elevation step when measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a process for manufacturing the same.
US08304487B2 Concentrates of additives for use in the processing of polyolefins
Concentrates comprising a blend of polybutene-1 and polypropylene and up to 60 wt. % of one or more additives, in particular suitable for use in processes of bulk coloring and spinning of polyolefins.
US08304483B2 Thermoplastic fiber concentrate methods and articles
A feedstock concentrate material, including a first phase including fibers having a length greater than 5 mm; and a polymeric phase including a first polyolefin having a first melt flow rate; and a second polyolefin having a second melt flow rate. Kits, methods of using and resulting articles including the concentrate are also disclosed.
US08304478B2 Polyamide/poly(arylene ether) composition, article, and method
A polyamide-poly(arylene ether) composition is prepared by melt blending specific amounts of components including a polyamide, a poly(arylene ether), a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene, a compatibilizing agent, and partially saponified ester of a C16-C36 aliphatic carboxylic acid and a C2-C12 aliphatic alcohol. The composition is useful for molding articles that have a significantly reduced incidence of the cosmetic defect known as “silver streaks”.
US08304477B2 Liquid oxyalkylene bridged bis- and Tris-phosphite ester mixtures
Disclosed are mixtures of oxyalkylene bridged bis- and tris-phosphite esters of formulae I and II where R is hydrogen or methyl, n and n′ are independently an integer from 1 to 45 and R1, R2 and R3 are each independently hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 9 carbon atoms substituted on the phenyl ring by one to three straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or R1, R2 and R3 are each independently —(CH2)k—COOR4 where k is 0, 1 or 2 and R4 is hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The mixtures of formula I and II are liquid at ambient conditions and are effective stabilizers for polyolefins.
US08304476B2 Flame retardant resin composition and molded article thereof
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a flame retardant resin composition having a high level of flame retardancy and excellent physical properties and a molded article thereof.The flame retardant resin composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a resin component (component A) containing polylactic acid (component A-1); (B) 10 to 50 parts by weight of an organic phosphorus compound represented by the following formula (1) (component B): (in the above formula, the phenyl group may have a substituent); (C) 5 to 30 parts by weight of a hydrogenated styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (component C); and (D) 1 to 10 parts by weight of talc (component D).
US08304475B2 Process for the production of a bituminous composition
A process for the production of a bituminous composition, includes (i) producing a mix of aggregates with a maximum diameter less than or equal to 30 mm and of an amount less than or equal to 0.8 g per square meter of specific surface developed by the aggregates of at least one cationic polymer in the liquid form having a density of cationic charges greater than or equal to 0.5 meq/g and an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.01 to 0.8 dl/g; and (ii) putting the mix obtained in stage (i) into contact with at least one bituminous binder. A bituminous composition includes at least one specific cationic polymer and the use of at least one specific cationic polymer in the surface treatment of aggregates intended for the preparation of a bituminous composition are the other two subject-matters of the present invention.
US08304474B2 Two-component mortar compound and its use
A two-component mortar compound including a curable resin component (A) that contains 30% to 45% by weight of at least one radically polymerizable resin, 30% to 45% by weight of fillers, 15% to 25% by weight of cement and 1% to 8% of a thickeners, and including a separately arranged so as to inhibit reaction curing component (B) that contains 1% to 20% by weight of a peroxide, 10% to 35% by weight of water, 40% to 80% by weight of fillers and 0.5% to 5% by weight of thickeners, with the proviso that the sum of the quantities of the constituents of the resin component or of the curing component is always 100% by weight, which is characterized in that the resin component (A) contains 0.01% to 5% by weight of an organic and/or inorganic acid and/or salts and esters thereof.
US08304473B2 Carbon/epoxy resin composition and method of producing a carbon-epoxy dielectric film using the same
A carbon/epoxy resin composition and a method of producing a carbon-epoxy dielectric using the same. The carbon/epoxy resin composition includes about 45 volume percent (volume %) to about 50 volume % of an epoxy composition, the epoxy composition including a bisphenol-based epoxy compound and an alicyclic epoxy compound, based on a total volume of the carbon/epoxy resin composition, about 2.0 volume % to about 3.1 volume % of carbon black, based on a total volume of the carbon/epoxy resin composition, about 80 parts by volume to about 104 parts by volume of an acid anhydride-based curing agent, based on 100 parts by volume of the epoxy composition, and about 1 part by volume to about 3 parts by volume of a tertiary alkylamine-based curing catalyst, based on 100 parts by volume of the epoxy composition.
US08304470B2 Resin composition for optical components, optical component using the same and production method of optical lens
The present invention relates to a resin composition for optical components, which is an ultraviolet-curable transparent resin composition used as a material for an optical component, in which the resin composition includes (A) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule thereof, (B) an oxetane compound having one or more oxetanyl groups in one molecule thereof and (C) a photo-acid generator, and in which the component (C) is contained in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a total amount of the components (A) and (B). The present invention also relates to an optical component obtained by using the resin composition for optical components, and a production method thereof.
US08304468B2 Polymers comprising thioester bonds
This invention is in the field of polymer chemistry. More in particular it provides a method to produce polymers such as block copolymers or cross-linked networks that are suitable for medical applications. The invention also provides degradable materials that may degrade completely when used in the human or animal body, minimizing residual components that may be toxic or otherwise undesirable.
US08304466B2 Composite resin
The invention relates to a composite comprising a thermosetting resin with a hardness of at least 55 Shore D, wherein the resin essentially consists of an ethylene α-olefin copolymer with a density of less than 880 kg/m3, which resin is crosslinked to a degree such that the volume swelling measured in decaline after 64 hours at 23° C. is less than 50% by volume on the composite and the composite contains at least 40% by volume of a reinforcing filler, wherein the vol % of the filler is related to the volume of the resin. The composite according to the invention is an excellent isolator when at least 100 phr cork are present in the composite. A composite according to the invention can be made by crosslinking of the copolymer in the presence of a high amount of peroxide in the presence of at least 40% by volume on the resin of a filler.
US08304462B2 Process for making polymer composites having thermoplastic properties
The present invention provides methods of making composite materials comprising combining particles of crosslinked rubber with one or more aqueous polymer dispersion of a suspension polymer to form a mixture in aqueous dispersion, and, optionally, subjecting the aqueous dispersion mixture to solid state shear pulverization to form materials that can be processed as thermoplastics at crosslinked rubber concentrations of from 10 to as high as 95 wt. %, based on the total solids of the material. The method may further comprise kneading and/or compression molding the pulverized product to form useful articles, such as roofing membranes and shoe soles.
US08304458B2 Method and chemical composition for reclaiming of cured elastomer materials
A method of reclaiming a cured elastomer material in the form of crumb or chips, comprising mixing the elastomer material with a devulcanization-aiding chemical composition and performing devulcanization by applying a shear-stress deformation while performing a mechanical disintegration into fine-ground crumbs under a controllable temperature not exceeding about 90 degrees C.
US08304455B2 Compositions and methods of their use for improving the condition and appearance of skin
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating, preventing and improving the condition and/or aesthetic appearance of skin, particularly, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing and/or eliminating fine lines and/or wrinkles of skin, where the compositions include active agents which increase expression levels of genes associated with the dermatological signs of aging. The compositions of the invention are topically applied to the skin, or are delivered by directed means to a site in need thereof, once daily in an amount effective in improving the condition and/or aesthetic appearance of skin.
US08304453B2 Composition comprising at least one alkanolamide to inhibit migration of langerhans cells and uses therof
The invention concerns a composition containing at least an alkanolamide, optionally combined with at least a compound such as a metalloprotease inhibitor, a PKC inhibitor, an anti-inflammatory agent, a soothing agent, an immunosuppressor, an ion chelating agent, an oxazolin, an oxazolidinone and a carbamic acid derivative. The invention also concerns the use of such a composition as medicine, in particular its use for preventing or treating skin pathologies of allergic and/or inflammatory and/or irritative origin or resulting from a danger signal. The invention further concerns a method for cosmetic treatment of sensitive, irritated, intolerant, allergy-prone, ageing skin and/or mucosa exhibiting skin barrier disorder, or exhibiting non-pathological immunologic imbalance, which consists in applying such a composition on the skin and/or mucosa.
US08304452B2 Radical scavenger and active oxygen eliminating agent
It is an object to provide a radical scavenger, an active oxygen-scavenging agent and the like, which are highly efficacious clinically and novel, and so as to attain the object, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine derivatives such as N-β-alanyl-5-S-glutathionyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (5-S-GAD) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are contained as an active ingredient.
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