| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08547642B2 |
Multi-beam, high efficiency diffractive optics system formed in a single substrate
An optics system is provided that is made up of a single diffractive optical element that performs beam collimating, beam splitting, and light blocking functions. The diffractive optical element is made up of a substrate having a first surface comprising an entrance facet and a second surface comprising an exit facet. The first surface comprising the entrance facet performs at least the functions of collimating the beam of light produced by the light source and of tilting the collimated beam in a particular direction. The second surface comprising the exit facet performs at least the functions of splitting the tilted collimated beam into at least two collimated light beams and of blocking unintended light (i.e., one or more mode order groups that are not intended to be used for imaging purposes). By performing all of these functions on different surfaces of a single substrate, an extremely compact optics system having very high optical efficiency and a very high signal-to-noise ratio is realized. |
| US08547630B2 |
Optical semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor
A manufacturing method for an optical semiconductor device, including disposing a semiconductor element that has a polarization dependent gain or polarization dependent loss between optical waveguide modes differing in the direction of polarization, positioning a lens at one end face side of the semiconductor element based on an optical coupling loss between the lens and the semiconductor element, and repositioning the lens based on the polarization dependent gain or the polarization dependent loss of the semiconductor element. |
| US08547628B2 |
Methods and compositions for improved electrophoretic display performance
The invention is directed to methods and compositions useful for improving the performance of electrophoretic displays. The methods comprise adding a conductive filler in the form of nanoparticles and having a volume resistivity of less than about 104 ohm cm into at least one electrode protecting layer of the display. |
| US08547627B2 |
Electrical routing
An electronic device may have a MEMS device formed of a first conductive material. A trench may be formed in the MEMS device. A layer of non-conductive material may be formed in the trench. A second conductive material may be formed upon the non-conductive material. |
| US08547624B2 |
Variable transmission window system
An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed. |
| US08547621B2 |
Laser light source, wavelength conversion laser light source and image display device
A laser light source having a semiconductor laser light source which emits a laser beam, a laser medium excited by the semiconductor laser light source to emit light, two reflectors configured to work as a resonator to confine the light emitted by the laser medium, and a holder which holds the laser medium, wherein stress is generated in the laser medium formed of a ceramic material situated in the resonator so as to control a polarization direction of the light emitted by the laser medium. |
| US08547618B2 |
Beam scanning display apparatus
A scanning type image display apparatus includes a light source unit for emitting a laser beam, a scanning mirror for scanning the laser beam two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a control unit for controlling driving of the scanning mirror. The control unit drives the scanning mirror such that a scanning frequency in the first direction is higher than a scanning frequency in the second direction, and varies a scanning amplitude in the first direction by varying the scanning frequency in the first direction in synchronization with a period of the scanning frequency in the second direction. |
| US08547615B2 |
Head-mounted display device for generating reconstructions of three-dimensional representations
A head-mounted display device for generating reconstructions of three-dimensional representations including a frame, in which at least one light source, at least one optical system and at least one encodable light modulator are situated, wherein the light modulator with an encoding of a wavefront of the three-dimensional representation in the encoding area is positioned at the place of an observer window defined in an observer plane or the light modulator with an encoding of a hologram of the wavefront of the three-dimensional representation in the encoding area is positioned in the region closely in front of the observer window for transforming the hologram into the observer window. When the light modulators are illuminated, complex wavefronts of the three-dimensional representation are situated in the observer window and the reconstruction of the three-dimensional representation is visible in a visual cone spanned by the observer window and the light modulator. |
| US08547611B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a storing section, an image forming section to form a measurement image to output a measurement chart, and a control section for inputting density information indicating densities at positions of the measurement image, to calculate a correction value corresponding to each position based on the density information, to store the value in association with an output condition including a screen condition indicating a screen processing at the time of outputting the chart, to determine the output condition of the image data, to read the value corresponding to the output condition, and to correct the image data based on the value, wherein the image forming section forms an image based on the corrected image data, and when no correction value corresponding to the screen condition of the input image data is stored in the storing section, the control section inhibits the correction from being executed. |
| US08547610B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes: an output unit that outputs a tone-correction-parameter generation sheet and a scanner-profile generation sheet identical in layout of patch columns, each containing patches of different tone values, formed thereon; a scanning unit that scans the patches at scanner positions on a platen; a scanner-profile creating unit that creates, for each of the scanner positions, a scanner profile specifying a relationship between readout values of patches on the scanner-profile generation sheet and color measurement values of the patches measured with a colorimeter; a color-measurement-value deriving unit that determines, from readout values of the patches on the tone-correction-parameter generation sheet and the scanner profiles for the scanner positions, color measurement values of the patches; and a calculating unit that calculates a tone correction parameter for correcting differences between the color measurement values and target color measurement values for the patches on the tone-correction-parameter generation sheet. |
| US08547609B2 |
Color conversion of image data
Methods and systems herein provide for the color conversion of image data. Such color conversion includes receiving the image data from an input imaging device and generating a CMYK to CIELab model for conversion of the image data to a color gamut of an output imaging device. From there, a table of CMYK color values and corresponding CIELab color values is generated based on the model. The color conversion then includes mapping the CIELab color values of the image data to a CIELab color gamut of the output imaging device such as a printer. The color conversion also includes comparing the mapped CIELab color values to the CIELab color values of the table to retrieve corresponding CMYK color values and processing the retrieved CMYK color values (e.g., via multidimensional optimization) to convert the CIELab color values of the image data to the CIELab color values of the output imaging device. |
| US08547605B2 |
Image processing method and computer-readable storage medium
In a control method for a processing apparatus connected to an image reading apparatus, in a case where the processing apparatus receives a cancellation instruction while the image reading apparatus performs a reading step, the processing apparatus causes the image reading apparatus to terminate the reading step and deletes image data of a page being read, and in a case where the processing apparatus receives a cancellation instruction after the image reading apparatus has performed the reading step, the processing apparatus performs controlling processing for deleting image data that has been acquired in the last reading step and has yet to be stored. |
| US08547598B2 |
Polygonal-boundary-based halftone method
As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate halftoning using boundaries and centers of a polygonal tiling with a parameterized spot function that operates within the tiles. Defining the halftone structure includes defining the polygonal tiling with a specification of the polygon boundaries and center, and setting and applying parameters of the spot function, which utilizes center-to-boundary distances. The tiling can be defined explicitly, by defining a tile structure, or providing centers, one per polygon, and vertices for the polygons. The vertices and centers are used to generate the polygon boundaries. The polygonal tiling can be regular (e.g., repetitive) or irregular, and can also be varied in a manner adapted to the image content or to data that is being embedded. |
| US08547594B2 |
Profile correcting device
The present invention provides a profile calibrating device, method and program capable of performing color matching with no significant loss in precision relative to absolute color matching while preventing strange sensation in the rendered black and white colors. The profile correcting device includes a first profile acquiring unit, a second profile acquiring unit, a first connecting unit, and a second correcting unit. The first profile acquiring unit acquires a first profile representing correspondence relationship between input color values and first colorimetric values. The second profile acquiring unit acquires a second profile representing correspondence relationship between the input color values and second colon metric values. The first correcting unit corrects the second colorimetric value for the white value, and the second colon metric value for the black value. The second correcting unit corrects the second colonimetric value for the near-white color value, and the second calorimetric value for the near-black color value. |
| US08547593B2 |
Document reading device and image forming apparatus
A document reading device includes: a document image acquisition unit that reads a document and obtains a document image; a memory that holds the document image obtained by the document image acquisition unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not a size or orientation of the document, the image of which is obtained by the document image acquisition unit, matches a set parameter; and a setting change unit that, when it is determined that the size or orientation of the document does not match the set parameter, changes a setting of the parameter so as to match the size or orientation of the document. |
| US08547592B2 |
Device and method for digital exposure
The invention relates to a device for exposing light-sensitive materials, with an electronic picture memory (2) for storing a master image, with an exposure unit which comprises a light source (22), an electronically activatable light modulator (21) for representing a part picture (24) of the master image (2), and imaging optics (23) for the projection of the part picture (24) onto the light sensitive material (10), with a drive device consisting of motors (9) and of a motor control (12), for moving the exposure unit (8) parallel to the surface of the light-sensitive material (10), with a scroll means (7) for scrolling a picture strip (25, 26) of the master image through the light modulator (21), and with a control device (1) for synchronizing the drive device (9, 12) with the scroll means (7). For reducing the processing time for the exposure of the complete printing plate (10), according to the invention, it is envisaged for a rapid intermediate memory (16) for storing a strip-like region to be provided, from which the picture data for the part picture (24) to be exposed, in each case, may be transmitted onto the light modulator (21) synchronously with the movement of the exposure unit (8). |
| US08547589B2 |
Data capture from multi-page documents
A method for processing a batch of scanned images is provided. The method comprises processing the scanned images into documents; for documents comprising multiple pages maintaining a page-based coordinate system to specify a location of structures within a page and joining the pages to form a multi-page sheet having a sheet-based coordinate system to specify a location of structures within the multi-page sheet; performing a data extraction operation to extract data from each document, said data extraction operation comprising a page mode wherein structures are detected on individual pages using the page-based coordinate system and a document mode wherein structures are detected within the entire document using the sheet-based coordinate system. |
| US08547583B2 |
Method and apparatus for printing from a mobile device
A system and method by which to implement revenue sharing between printer vendors and network service providers or operators. In one example, a method for providing printing access to a mobile device may include acts of requesting information from a printer, receiving the information at a mobile device, providing the information to a communications subsystem of a mobile network operator, based on the information, acquiring a printing capability of the printer, sending the printing capability from the communications subsystem to the mobile device, and upon receipt of the printing capability, if the printing capability is enabled, sending a print request from the mobile device to the printer. A corresponding apparatus may be used to implement the method, which may be provided as instructions encoded on a computer readable medium. |
| US08547582B2 |
Print job management based on energy pricing and load
An approach is provided that prints print jobs based on energy demand data. The print job manager, which is a software application running on an information handling system receives a print request, the print request including a print job. The print job manager retrieves energy demand data. The energy demand data corresponds to a power grid that is a power source for a printer accessible from the information handling system. If the energy demand data indicates a a non-elevated energy demand, then the print job is printed on the printer. On the other hand, if the energy demand data indicates an elevated energy demand, then the print request is stored in a storage and the process waits until the energy demand is not elevated, at which time the print job is printed on the printer. |
| US08547581B2 |
Printing system, printing apparatus, printing method, and storage medium
A printing system includes a storage unit that stores printing status information and host apparatus identification information. The printing status information includes a printing status representing whether a printing processing of the print job is interrupted, and the host apparatus identification information represents the host apparatus as a requestor of the print job. The printing system includes a update unit that updates the printing status information based on a monitoring result of the printing apparatus; a job managing unit that judges whether to execute the print job according to the printing status information when receiving a processing request of the print job from the host apparatus; and a printing status information managing unit that decides printing status information to be stored in the storage unit. The printing status information managing unit first deletes, from the storage unit, printing status information on a print job transmitted from a low-ranked host apparatus. |
| US08547580B2 |
Diagnostic targets for evaluating printing performance
Print performance is evaluated by printing a diagnostic image comprising color patches. Colorant usage in the printed image is measured by, for instance, scanning each patch. Measured color values are then compared to target color values. Based on the comparison, groups of patches whose color values vary significantly from expectations are identified. Variant groups are then analyzed to identify, in addition to color quality control problems, spatial problems that affect only a localized area of a printed page. Such spatial problems may include, for example, problems with contrast or streaks. A heat map illustrating the differences may be generated to help an operator visualize the spatial problem. A template for the diagnostic image may be selected from a plurality of randomly generated diagnostic targets based on total colorant usage for at least one colorant in each column of color patches. Certain patches may be predefined across for each candidate target. |
| US08547578B2 |
Print driver, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium for generating different types of drawing commands and job commands
A printer driver includes a job command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of job command generation modules for generating a job command, a drawing command generation module storage unit that stores therein a plurality of drawing command generation modules for generating a drawing command to instruct a printer to print an image, a determining unit that determines a combination of the job command generation module stored in the job command generation module storage unit and the drawing command generation module stored in the drawing command generation module storage unit, a generation requesting unit that requests the determined job command generation module and drawing command generation module to generate a command, and a transmitting unit that transmits the generated job command and drawing command to the printer. |
| US08547574B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for wireless communication with other information processing apparatuses
A technique for providing a first information processing apparatus configured to acquire first identification information as information for identifying the information processing apparatus, searching for a second information processing apparatus capable of wireless communication, acquiring a second identification information as information for identifying the second information processing apparatus that was found, comparing the first identification information and the second identification information, changing the first identification information when the first identification information and the second identification information are identical, and notifying when the first identification information is changed. |
| US08547572B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system, recording medium, and method for transmitting URL information of a web browser
An image processing apparatus realizes easy access with a Web browser of a terminal apparatus to a URL that has been accessed with a Web browser of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus comprises a unit for managing URLs accessed by a user with a Web browser of a terminal apparatus in association with a user name of the user and a location of a terminal apparatus corresponding to the user name, and a unit for transmitting the URL to the location of the terminal apparatus. |
| US08547570B2 |
Image processing system and access control information registration method of function access control
When an image processing apparatus is newly installed, an access control request is issued from the image processing apparatus to a control apparatus at step S302. Then at step S303, regarding the image processing apparatus that has issued the access control request, an access control table to control access to functions of the image processing apparatus is automatically generated and registered in the control apparatus. In the control apparatus, access control is managed for each function of the image processing apparatus based on the registered access control table. |
| US08547569B2 |
Information processing system and information processing device suitable to perform process by communicating data among plurality of information processing devices connected to network, process condition setting program stored on a computer readable medium and executed in each of plurality of information processing devices, and process condition setting method
In order to easily set a process condition with effective use of a function of each of a plurality of MFPs, an image processing system includes a plurality of MFPs connected to a network. Each of a plurality of MFPs includes a group function information storing unit to store, for each of a plurality of MFPs, function information which defines an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any MFP other than that MFP and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any MFP other than that MFP, a setting screen display unit to read function information of all of a plurality of MFPs to display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of a plurality of MFPs, a process condition reception unit to receive the process condition, and an output unit to output the process condition to any one of a plurality of MFPs. |
| US08547568B2 |
Approach for securely printing electronic documents
An approach is provided for securely printing electronic documents using a portable media. The approach is applicable to a wide variety of contexts and implementations and includes secure direct printing of electronic documents, secure direct printing of electronic documents with remote user authentication and secure printing of electronic documents with remote data management. The particular information provided on the portable media varies, depending upon the implementation. Furthermore, the approach provides varying degrees of security and may be used in conjunction with conventional printing of electronic documents. |
| US08547564B2 |
Image processing apparatus connectable to a plurality of host devices and having a receiver
An image processing apparatus includes an image forming unit, power supplier, power controller, memory, signal transmission unit and transmission timer. The image forming unit forms an image based on image data from a plurality of host devices. The power supplier supplies power to a power system including the image forming unit. The power controller controls the power from the power supplier to the power system. The memory stores a usage amount of each host device. The signal transmission unit transmits a response request to a host device having at least a predetermined usage amount. The transmission timer counts a first time period from a transmission of the response request. The power controller halts the power from the power supplier to the power system when determining, based on the first time period, that a reply to the response request is not transmitted from the specific host device for a predetermined period. |
| US08547561B2 |
Information processing apparatus, printing processing method, and program therefor
The present invention aims that in a printing environment holding only a print instruction and a print data, a printing system capable of updating, changing, correcting, etc. only an additional drawing object is provided by holding an instruction about printing of an additional drawing object (added information) based on the print instruction. In printing out print data on a target page with an additional drawing object added, a job ticket generation means generates a job ticket according to the information about an additional drawing object and instruction information about the printout. Printout means perform printout based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generating means. |
| US08547560B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet processing apparatus includes a gripper unit which is moved to a retreat region along long grooves in advance when moving a stapler unit to any one of first and second binding positions. The stapler unit is moved to the binding position by being guided by a guide rail portion while passing above the long grooves. Therefore, moving operations of both of the gripper unit and the stapler unit can be smoothly performed under a state in which movement of both thereof is not prohibited by the long grooves and the guide rail portion. Further, an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus is provided. |
| US08547555B1 |
Spectrometer with built-in ATR and accessory compartment
The present application is directed to a novel spectrometer configured with a built-in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and accessory compartment. In particular, an arranged sample analysis compartment provided by the spectrometer performs attenuated total reflectance analysis of a sample and includes a crystal, a tip configured to press the sample against the crystal, and a detector configured to detect light after reflection within the crystal. As part of the configuration, an actuator moves an optical element between a first position wherein the optical element receives modulated light and reflects the modulated light toward the crystal and a second position wherein the optical element does not receive the modulated light so as to instead allow an additionally configured optical component to receive the modulated light. |
| US08547552B2 |
Method for detection of analyte in microarray of samples and apparatus for performing such method
A method for detecting a target analyte associated with nano-sized gold- and/or silver-containing detecting labels in a microarray of samples. The labels indicate presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method includes sequentially illuminating at least two sample groups with at least two different monochromatic light beams. The sample groups include (a) a first sample group containing at least one sample potentially containing the target analyte, and (b) a second sample group serving as positive control or negative control. The method also includes (ii) detecting intensity of light reflected, absorbed, or emitted from each of the sample groups when illuminated with each of the monochromatic light beams. (iii) recording groups of values associated with the intensity reflected, absorbed, or emitted light. (iv) comparing the groups of values associated with the sample groups; and (v) determining the presence of the target analyte based on the comparison. |
| US08547542B2 |
Device for measuring the focal distance of a thermal lens
A method for measuring focal distance of a thermal lens located in an analyte, the method including: providing an exciting optical beam passing through the analyte and creating the thermal lens therein; emitting a coherent probe optical beam passing through the analyte and being propagated substantially perpendicular to the exciting optical beam; intercepting the probe optical beam by a detector after passing through the analyte; focusing the probe optical beam upstream or downstream of the thermal lens such that only a fraction of the probe optical beam passes through the thermal lens; acquiring an interference image by the detector; and processing the interference image to calculate the focal distance of the thermal lens. Such a method may find application in physico-chemical analysis of the analyte. |
| US08547541B2 |
Method for the characterization of optical properties of an optical fiber
A method for determining optical properties of an optical fiber including providing optical fibers having varying values of an optical property, measuring values of the optical property of the fibers, selecting one of the fibers as a reference fiber, determining the relative backscatter coefficient of the fibers compared to the reference optical fiber, correlating data obtained in step ii) with data obtained in step iv) to obtain a calibration curve showing a correlation between the Rrel and the values of the optical property of the optical fibers, measuring the Rrel of another optical fiber compared to the reference fiber, and determining a value of the optical property of the another optical fiber based on the calibration curve obtained in step v). |
| US08547536B2 |
Analysis of mixtures including proteins
The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatizing the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc. |
| US08547534B2 |
Optical fiber sensor, pressure sensor, end effector and sensor signal processor
An FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor is equipped with a plurality of stress detection sensors made up from optical fibers in which gratings that reflect light of a specified wavelength are arrayed, and a stress direction converter that converts stresses applied from the exterior into stresses of a direction in which the gratings are arrayed, and which transmits the stresses to each of the gratings. Consequently, the stress direction converter can transmit stresses, which are applied from a body, to a plurality of gratings. |
| US08547533B2 |
Composite probes and use thereof in super resolution methods
Composite probes for super resolution optical techniques using super resolution via transiently activated quenchers (STAQ) include a donor moiety and an acceptor moiety joined by a linker, wherein the acceptor moiety, when excited by incident radiation, is excited to a state which, for example, absorbs in the donor emission region, such that the acceptor moiety in its excited state quenches at least a portion of the donor moiety emission. Other transiently activated quenching mechanisms and moieties could accomplish the same task by reducing donor population. Also disclosed are methods for irradiating a selected region of a target material including the composite probe, wherein the composite probe enables improved resolution by point spread function modification and/or nanoscale chemical reactions. |
| US08547531B2 |
Imaging device
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imaging a target area. Light is emitted from a device and separated into individual rays of light. These rays are then directed to a target area where they are reflected and returned to a receiving device. The time of flight for the individual rays of light is calculated to determine the range and shape of objects in the target area. |
| US08547528B2 |
Stage drive method and stage unit, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
When a transition from a first state where one stage is positioned at a first area directly below projection optical system to which liquid is supplied to a state where the other stage is positioned at the first area, both stages are simultaneously driven while a state where both stages are close together in the X-axis direction is maintained. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a transition from the first state to the second state in a state where liquid is supplied in the space between the projection optical system and the specific stage directly under the projection optical system. Accordingly, the time from the completion of exposure operation on one stage side until the exposure operation begins on the other stage side can be reduced, which allows processing with high throughput. Further, because the liquid can constantly exist on the image plane side of the projection optical system, generation of water marks on optical members of the projection optical system on the image plane side is prevented. |
| US08547527B2 |
Movable body drive method and movable body drive system, pattern formation method and pattern formation apparatus, and device manufacturing method
First positional information of a stage is measured using an interferometer system, for example, an X interferometer and a Y interferometer. At the same time, second positional information of the stage is measured using an encoder system, for example, one X head and one Y head. A coordinate offset is set by performing a moving average of the difference between the first positional information and the second positional information for over a predetermined measurement time, and the reliability of output signals of the encoder system is verified using the coordinate offset. In the case the output signals are determined to be normal, the stage is servocontrolled using the sum of the first positional information and the coordinate offset. Such servocontrol by a hybrid method makes it possible to perform drive control of the stage having stability of the interferometer and accuracy of the encoder together. |
| US08547526B2 |
Photolithography systems and associated methods of selective die exposure
Several embodiments of photolithography systems and associated methods of selective die exposure are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for exposing a microelectronic substrate in a photolithography system includes producing an illumination radiation from a radiation source and identifying a field on the microelectronic substrate to be exposed. The field is partitioned into a first region discrete from a second region. The method further includes inhibiting the illumination radiation to expose the first region while simultaneously exposing the second region to the illumination radiation. |
| US08547517B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate that includes gate and data lines crossing each other to define a pixel region, and a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode in the pixel region; an opposing substrate that faces the array substrate and includes a black matrix corresponding to a boundary of the pixel region, and a color filter layer filling a region surrounded by the black matrix; a patterned spacer on the black matrix and having a diamond shape in plane; and a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the opposing substrate, wherein the patterned spacer corresponds to a crossing portion of the gate and data lines, and vertices of the diamond shape of the patterned spacer are on the gate and data lines. |
| US08547515B2 |
Display substrate with pixel electrode having V-shape and trapezoidal protrusions, a method of manufacturing the same and a display apparatus having the same
A display substrate includes a transparent substrate, a gate line formed on the transparent substrate, a data line crossing the gate line, a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, and a pixel electrode. The pixel electrode includes a body electrode section electrically connected to the thin film transistor and a plurality of protruding electrodes protruding from the body electrode section. Each of the protruding electrodes includes a trapezoidal electrode having two sides that are inclined with respect to a protrusion direction that is a lengthwise direction of the body electrode section. |
| US08547514B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is a liquid crystal display device where source electrodes each of which includes an overlapping portion which is a portion overlapping a surface of a pixel electrode, video signal lines each of which is formed of a stacked portion constituted of the metal layer and the semiconductor layer, and drain electrodes each of which is formed of a stacked portion constituted of the metal layer and the semiconductor layer are formed, and opening portions each of which exposes a joining portion which is a portion leading to a surface of the pixel electrode from a surface of the source electrode via an edge portion of the overlapping portion are formed in a second insulation layer, and a conductive film which is formed into a common electrode is formed over the joining portion exposed by the opening portion. |
| US08547513B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device adapted to reduce power consumption and to prevent deterioration of the picture quality is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; pixel regions defined by a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines arranged on the substrate which are arranged to intersect with each other on the substrate; thin film transistors each formed at intersections of the pluralities of gate and data lines; pixel electrodes formed in each of the pixel regions; a passivation layer formed on an entire surface of the substrate provided with the thin film transistors, the gate lines, the data lines and the pixel electrodes; and common electrode wirings and common electrode patterns formed on the passivation layer, wherein the passivation layer includes a first portions formed on an gate insulation layer opposite to the thin film transistors, gate lines and data lines, and second portions formed on the pixel regions corresponding to the pixel electrodes in a thinner thickness than that of the first portion. |
| US08547511B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonally crossing with the first direction. A first alignment pattern is formed in the counter electrode. The first alignment pattern faces the pixel electrode and extending in the first direction. A second alignment pattern is formed in the counter electrode. The second alignment pattern also faces the pixel electrode and extends in the second direction intersecting with the first alignment pattern. An expanding alignment portion is arranged at the intersecting portion of the first alignment pattern and the second alignment pattern. The first and second alignment patterns are formed of alignment slits or alignment protrusions arranged in the counter substrate. |
| US08547508B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with an anisotropically reflecting layer and manufacturing method for the same
A liquid crystal display device comprises an optically diffusively reflecting layer arranged to maximize utilization of incident light. The reflecting layer contains a thin metallic film with projections (14a) each having an unsymmetrical cross section to centralise reflected light in a specific azimuth direction (y). The range of viewing angles (θx-z, θy-z) into which a substantial portion of the incident light is reflected is broader in the specific azimuth direction (y) than in another direction (x). The director (5d) of liquid crystal molecules initiallly lies in a plane (y-z) parallel to the specific azimuth direction (y) to achieve retardation self-compensation. |
| US08547507B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A reflective liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided for efficiently preventing white coordinates from being yellowish. The LCD includes a substrate having red color filters, green color filters, and blue color filters. The blue color filters have an overall area smaller than that of the red color filters and the green color filters while blocking green light better than the red color filters and blocking red light better than the green color filters. |
| US08547503B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a pixel electrode layer positioned between first and second common electrode layers
By providing a pixel electrode layer in a center of a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first common electrode layer and a second common electrode layer, a structure in which the following two optical elements are stacked can be obtained: a first liquid crystal element including the first common electrode layer, the liquid crystal layer, and the pixel electrode layer; and a second liquid crystal element including the pixel electrode layer, the liquid crystal layer, and the second common electrode layer. |
| US08547500B2 |
Light guide plates of liquid crystal display devices having a plurality of fixation members
A backlight unit that includes a plurality of light source packages configured to each include a metal printed-circuit-board (PCB) and light emitting diodes; a plurality of light guide plates disposed parallel to the light source packages, respectively; at least one fixation member formed on an incident surface of each light guide plate corresponding to one side surface of each light guide plate; and a bottom cover configured to include a plurality of fixation holes which are formed to receive and secure the respective fixation members. |
| US08547496B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a groove accommodating excess resin
A liquid crystal display (LCD) including: a display panel; a backlight unit to radiate light to the display panel; a mold frame surrounding the backlight unit and supporting the display panel; a housing to receive the display panel, backlight unit, and mold frame; and a resin unit provided between the display panel and the housing. A receiving groove is formed below the resin unit, by sloped surfaces of the mold frame and side walls of the housing. |
| US08547488B2 |
Optical unit and display device having the same
A display device includes: a display unit, displaying an image; and an optical unit including a first substrate on the display unit, a first electrode on the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer on the first electrode and configured to be responsive to a vertical electric field or a horizontal electric field, a second electrode on the liquid crystal layer, an insulation layer on the second electrode, a third electrode on the insulation layer, and a second substrate on the third electrode. |
| US08547486B2 |
Liquid crystal shutter and display system using the same
A liquid crystal shutter includes a first support substrate having a first electrode and a second support substrate having a second electrode opposite to the first electrode. A liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first and second electrodes so as to have a switching region. The switching region becomes a bend alignment state from a splay alignment state when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer. A nucleus region formation portion is arranged on the first support substrate to form a nucleus region in the switching region corresponding to the nucleus region formation portion in the liquid crystal layer, in which the splay alignment is more stable than in the switching region. |
| US08547485B2 |
Systems and methods for channel scanning
Methods for channel scanning are provided. An embodiment of a method for channel scanning comprises scan progress information stored when interrupting a channel scanning process. A carrier RF subsequent to the most recently processed carrier RF is locked onto with reference to the stored scan progress information when resuming the interrupted channel scanning process. Channel information of a program carried by the locked carrier RF is acquired. The acquired channel information of the program is stored in a channel table. |
| US08547478B2 |
Lens barrel, image pickup device, and lens barrel manufacturing method
A lens barrel includes a fourth lens, a prism, and a sixth lens. The fourth lens receives a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The prism includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light flux passing through the fourth lens to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting with the first optical axis. The sixth lens receives the light flux reflected by the prism. A second group frame includes an opening portion, a prism retaining frame that is arranged in a more inner position than the opening portion and in which the prism is contained, and a plurality of adhesive pockets arranged on an area around the prism retaining frame and being open to the side of the opening portion. Adhesive agent is filled in the adhesive pockets. |
| US08547477B2 |
Camera shutter and position control thereof
Systems and methods using the same to achieve a precise timing of a camera shutter, which can be used also for a controllable aperture, are disclosed. A bidirectional linear motor having two coils driving the shutter blades can also be used as a position sensor. A movable iron is driven dependent upon currents through the coils and as the iron moves, the inductance of both coils changes. The difference of inductance of both coils indicates the actual position of the iron. Since the movable iron is mechanically connected to the entirety of shutter blades the difference of inductance indicates the actual position of the shutter blades. A read-out circuit senses the difference of inductance of both coils, which is indicating the actual position, and a control loop is comparing the inductance difference signal with a target signal in order to control the current through the coils in a way that the shutter blades are moved quickly to their target position. |
| US08547475B2 |
Imaging arrangements and methods therefor
Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected. |
| US08547474B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof
The image pickup apparatus is configured to move a focus lens and an image pickup element to perform focusing, the image pickup element being moved in a predetermined movable range. The image pickup apparatus includes a position detector configured to detect a position of the image pickup element moved for the focusing; and a controller configured to move, after the focusing, the image pickup element to a specific position closer to a center of the predetermined movable range than the position detected by the position detector and to move the focus lens so as to decrease generation of defocus due to the movement of the image pickup element to the specific position. |
| US08547473B2 |
Method and apparatus for imaging a surrounding area on a detector device
A surrounding area is imaged onto a detector of a detector device. An optical system produces an imaging beam path and a panel, which is arranged in the imaging beam path, shadows a subarea of the image of the surrounding area on the detector. In order to mask out an object which would dazzle the detector device, while nevertheless being able to monitor the surrounding area, the panel is illuminated in a subarea, and the transmission of the panel in the subarea is reduced by the illumination in the entire frequency range in which the detector is sensitive. The illuminated subarea of the panel shadows the selected subarea of the image. |
| US08547472B2 |
Image pickup device and camera module using the same
An image pickup device includes a signal processing unit which processes a signal generated by separating a luminous signal into wavelength components of two or more colors by use of a sensor unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels to which a wavelength separating unit for separating light wavelengths is arranged at a front face of a photoelectric converting element which converts the luminous signal condensed by an optical lens unit into electric signals, wherein the optical lens unit includes at least one optical lens having different focusing positions in accordance with the wavelengths of the luminous signal, and the signal processing unit includes an outline signal generating unit which extracts an outline signal from an output signal of the sensor unit. |
| US08547464B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and frame data correcting method which determine a voltage value corresponding to a pixel portion in frame data
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, etc., having a structure which enables to obtain an image with higher resolution by correcting pixel data even when any one of row selecting wirings is disconnected. A solid-state imaging device (1) comprises a photodetecting section (10), a signal reading-out section (20), a controlling section (30), and a correction processing section (40). The photodetecting section (10) has M×N pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N two-dimensionally arrayed in M rows and N columns, and each of the pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N includes a photodiode which generates charges of an amount corresponding to an incident light intensity and a reading-out switch connected to the photodiode. Charges generated in each of the pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N are inputted into an integrating circuit Sn through a reading-out wiring LO,n. A voltage value outputted from the integrating circuit Sn corresponding to the amount of inputted charges is outputted to an output wiring Lout through a holding circuit Hn. The correction processing section (40) applies correction processing to frame data repeatedly outputted from the signal reading-out section (20), and then outputs the frame data after correction processing. |
| US08547463B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and control method for same
In realizing an entire-screen simultaneous shutter function using a solid-state imaging device having a device structure as a CMOS solid-state imaging device, the restriction undergone by exposure time is relieved to secure a sufficient exposure time with swift operation. Separately from a transfer Tr for transferring a signal charge of a buried-type PD to an FD, a drain Tr is provided to exclude a signal charge of the buried PD. Both a channel potential on the drain transistor when turned on and a channel potential on the transfer transistor when turned on are set higher than a depleting potential for the PD. This makes it possible to completely transfer the signal charge of the PD by both the transfer Tr and the drain Tr. In the operation to sequentially read out a signal charge from the FD on a pixel-row basis, PD exposure operation is started in a course of reading out the same. |
| US08547455B2 |
Image processing circuit for processing image abnormality caused by power supply
An image processing circuit includes an analogue front-end (AFE) processing unit, comprising a horizontal driver, an image-capturing unit, a voltage current regulation unit, and a dummy loading device. The image-capturing unit is driven by the horizontal driver. The voltage current regulation unit at least provides a voltage and a current to the AFE processing unit. The dummy loading device bears an inrush current noise of the current, connected to an output terminal of the voltage current regulation unit. During a predetermined time section just before a start of transmitting a horizontal shift clock by the AFE processing unit to the image-capturing unit, the dummy loading device is set at a turned-on state within the predetermined time section, and set at a turned-off state other than the predetermined time section. |
| US08547450B2 |
Methods and systems for automatic white balance
A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system is provided that includes capturing an image of a test target under a natural lighting condition, generating a first color temperature reference from the captured image, and outputting AWB configuration data for the digital system, wherein the AWB configuration data comprises the first color temperature reference and a second color temperature reference generated using the test target under simulated lighting conditions. A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system comprising a first imaging sensor is provided that includes receiving a reference for AWB that was generated using an image captured using a second imaging sensor, and compensating a histogram reference into a histogram reference for AWB for the first imaging sensor in the digital system based on R, G, B adjustment values from the second imaging sensor to the first imaging sensor. |
| US08547445B1 |
Camera using combined color processing in lookup
An apparatus having a circuit is disclosed. The circuit may be configured to (i) process a digital image received from a camera sensor and (ii) convert the digital image after the processing. The converting generally uses a lookup table-based conversion that performs both (a) a color correction and (b) a tone correction. |
| US08547441B2 |
System and methods for de-blurring motion blurred images
Systems and methods for providing a substantially de-blurred image of a scene from a motion blurred image of the scene are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a primary detector for sensing the motion blurred image and generating primary image information representing the blurred image, a secondary detector for sensing two or more secondary images of the scene and for generating secondary image information representing the two or more secondary images, and a processor for determining motion information from the secondary image information, estimating a point spread function for the motion blurred image from the motion information, and applying the estimated point spread function to the primary image information to generate information representing the substantially de-blurred image. |
| US08547439B2 |
Testing an optical characteristic of a camera component
A camera module under test is signaled to capture an image of a target. A group of pixels of the image that represent portions of several objects in the target are low pass filtered and then analyzed to compute a pixel distance between different subgroups of pixels that represent portions of the different objects. The computed pixel distance is then converted into a true distance using a predetermined math relationship that relates a pixel distance variable with a true distance variable. |
| US08547437B2 |
Method and system for tracking and behavioral monitoring of multiple objects moving through multiple fields-of-view
A computerized method of video analysis that includes receiving several series of video frames generated by a number of image sensors. Each image sensor has its own field-of-view which can, but does not have to, overlap with another image sensor's field-of-view. The image sensors monitor a portion of a monitored environment. The computerized method also includes concurrently tracking, independent of calibration, multiple objects within the monitored environment as the objects move between fields-of-view, and multiple objects within one field-of-view. The tracking is based on the plurality of received series of video frames. |
| US08547434B2 |
Integrated image surveillance system and image synthesis method thereof
Disclosed is an integrated multi-view surveillance system which integrates multiple surveillance camera images of an area into a large-coverage image of the area in order to monitor the area. The system includes a first camera, a second camera, a third camera, an image processing device, and a display device. The image processing device includes a first defining component, a first synthesis component, a second defining component, an adjusting component, a transforming component, a third defining component, and a second synthesis component. |
| US08547429B2 |
Apparatus and method for monitoring semiconductor device manufacturing process
A hotspot searching apparatus manufactures a small number of chips or regions on a semiconductor wafer under respectively different manufacturing process conditions, compares SEM images of their external appearances to output a point having large differences as a narrow process window, that is, a process monitoring point that should be managed in mass production, the narrow process window having a narrow manufacturing process condition (exposure condition) in the manufacturing of the semiconductor wafer, and sets the point as a measurement point by a CD-SEM apparatus, such that it extracts and determines plural circuit pattern parts having a narrow manufacturing process margin as the process monitoring point in a short time and a process monitoring point monitoring performs shape inspection or shape length measurement in detail at high resolution. |
| US08547422B2 |
Multi-user autostereoscopic display
A display apparatus for projecting images towards eyes of at least one viewer selectively when said eyes are spaced horizontally within a viewing field, said apparatus comprising: transmitting means for transmitting light; image generation means for generating different images, the image generation means being capable of generating image parts in a plurality of different vertical image areas; and light configuration means for configuring said transmitted light to provide a plurality of sets of vertical light configurations, the different configurations in each set being selectable to provide different emergent light characteristics for a vertical image area which is common to each configuration in a set and which is different for each set, whereby said different images are projected by said apparatus to coincide with one or more eyes selected from the eyes of each of the one or more viewers, and not one or more other eyes of the viewers. |
| US08547420B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: a photographing section that can photograph a subject from a plurality of viewpoints with parallax, and can photograph a 2D moving image of the subject obtained by photographing from at least one of the viewpoints and a 3D image of the subject obtained by photographing from the plurality of the viewpoints; a recording section that records the 2D moving image and the 3D image; a subject situation determination section that determines a timing suitable for photographing the 3D image while photographing the 2D moving image; and a photographing control section that controls the photographing section so as to photograph the 3D image when the subject situation determination section determines that the timing is suitable for photographing the 3D image. |
| US08547416B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, program, and recording medium for enhancing voice
A signal processing apparatus processing a video signal and an audio signal in synchronization with the video signal includes generating means for generating information indicating a probability of a certain subject appearing in the image on the basis of the video signal that is input; determining means for determining whether the certain subject appears in the image on the basis of the information generated by the generating means; and directional characteristic varying means for, if the determining means determines that the certain subject appears in the image, varying a directional characteristic of the audio signal so as to increase the level of the audio signal collected from the direction of the subject and/or to decrease the levels of the audio signals collected from directions other than the direction of the subject. |
| US08547414B2 |
Touch screen video switching system
The present invention is a video production and control system that uses a touch screen display and user interface, managed by a controller, for video switching. The system is used to select Preview and Program video feeds from a set of video input feeds. The video source configuration for some of the feeds may have been selected using touch screen video source control technology. Over time, the user can use the touch screen controls to switch which feeds are then designated as the Preview and Program feeds. The evolving Program signal is sent to a Program output connection for consumers of the Program, possibly after some reformatting. The current Program feed may be promoted from the current Preview feed. User controls determine the type of transition, such as cut or crossfade, that will apply to a transition from Preview to Program. |
| US08547412B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a light source; a photosensitive member; a brushless motor including a stator and a rotor; a rotary polygon mirror rotated by the brushless motor; an energization switching unit that turns on/off energizations of the coils; a voltage detecting unit that outputs a detection signal based on induced voltages generated in coils of the stator by rotation of the rotor; and a motor controlling unit that controls the turning on/off of the energizations by the energization switching unit based on the detection signal. In a non-image forming period after one image forming operation, the motor controlling unit performs a low-speed process where the motor controlling unit maintains a rotation speed of the brushless motor at a speed, which is lower than a speed in the image forming operation, and at which the induced voltages are detectable by the voltage detecting unit. |
| US08547411B2 |
Exposure device, LED head and image forming device
An exposure device includes: a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements are mounted; an optical system that converges light irradiated from the light emitting elements onto a photosensitive surface; a holding member that holds and fixes the substrate; a support member that supports the optical system and the holding member; a first adhesive member that is provided between the substrate and the holding member; and a second adhesive member that is provided between the holding member and the support member, wherein the first adhesive member has higher elongation and lower hardness than the second adhesive member. |
| US08547410B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus
An exposure device includes a plurality of light emitting elements provided on a substrate, a plurality of hologram elements multiplexing-recorded in correspondence with the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively, such that, when the plurality of light emitting elements are made to emit light in the recording layer arranged on the substrate, a plurality of condensing points having light components emitted from two or more light emitting elements and condensed on one point, is formed, and a condensing point row extending in a predetermined direction is formed on the face to be exposed, and a driving unit that drives the plurality of light emitting elements, respectively. |
| US08547407B2 |
Backlight control method and apparatus for high brightness contrast images
An apparatus and method for providing backlight control for high brightness contrast images is provided. The apparatus and system can classify images to be displayed on a display device according to their intensity characteristics. The apparatus and system can also adjust a backlight control signal based on the image's classification, such that optimal backlight control can be achieved whether of not the image is a high brightness contrast image. |
| US08547405B2 |
Gamma voltage generation circuit
A gamma voltage generation circuit is provided. The gamma voltage generation circuit includes a resistor string, a first switch, and a second switch. The resistor string includes a plurality of resistors connected in series. An output terminal of the first switch is coupled to a first end of the resistor string. An output terminal of the second switch is coupled to a second end of the resistor string. The first switch selects and outputs one of a first high reference voltage and a second high reference voltage to the first end of the resistor string according to a control signal. The second switch selects and outputs one of a first low reference voltage and a second low reference voltage to the second end of the resistor string according to the control signal. |
| US08547401B2 |
Portable augmented reality device and method
A portable device configured to provide an augmented reality experience is provided. The portable device has a display screen configured to display a real world scene. The device includes an image capture device associated with the display screen. The image capture device is configured to capture image data representing the real world scene. The device includes image recognition logic configured to analyze the image data representing the real world scene. Image generation logic responsive to the image recognition logic is included. The image generation logic is configured to incorporate an additional image into the real world scene. A computer readable medium and a system providing an augmented reality environment are also provided. |
| US08547400B2 |
Method for arranging images in electronic documents on small devices
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable storage media arrange a digital image in one of several image receiving placeholders of an electronic photo album document. The document is displayed on a first virtual plane of a display on a display device. The digital images are arranged on a second virtual plane on the display separate from first virtual plane. At least one of the digital images and the document are partly transparent, enabling the digital images and document to be contemporaneously visible. The second virtual plane extends beyond the boundary of the display and can be panned on the display device independently of the document. A digital image is selected from the displayed digital images; upon selection, the non-selected digital images are at least partly hidden so that the visibility of the document on display device is increased. The selected digital image is arranged in an image receiving placeholder. |
| US08547399B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program using depression time input
An image processing apparatus which includes a extension width determination unit for determining a extension width based on a depression time of the cursor at a reference position on an image display unit where a releasing operation of the cursor was performed, which is a time during which the cursor had been kept depressed until the releasing operation was performed, and an ornament piece arrangement unit for arranging the plurality of ornament pieces at positions radially extended away from the reference position with the extension width determined by the extension width determination unit. |
| US08547397B2 |
Processing of an image representative of an observation zone
A method for processing data, in particular an image representative of an observation zone in which is situated an object arranged with respect to a reference plane.Such a method comprises the following steps: reception of the image which has been captured beforehand by means of first and second image capture devices, display (EV2) of the image received in a plane which comprises an object plane, containing said object, and said reference plane which has been determined beforehand as being the plane situated at the intersection of a conical beam and of a parallel beam emitted respectively by said first and second image capture devices, determination (EV3), in the displayed image, of the number of pixels separating two contiguous sides, respectively of the object plane and of the reference plane, and extending along a determined direction (X or Y), correlation (EV4) of the determined number of pixels with the value of the measurement of the real distance (d) which separates said object from said reference plane. |
| US08547391B2 |
High efficacy lighting signal converter and associated methods
A signal adapting chromacity system to control that may include a signal conversion engine to receive a source signal designating a color of light defined by a two spatial plus luminance dimensional color space, such as the xxY color space. The signal conversion engine may convert the source signal to a three dimensional color space defined within a subset gamut of a full color gamut, such as an RGW, RBW, or GBW color space. The subset gamut may include a first color light, a second color light and a high efficacy light. The signal conversion engine may perform a conversion operation to convert the source signal to an output signal, using the output signal to drive light emitting diodes (LEDs). The conversion operation may be a matrix, angular or linear conversion operation. |
| US08547383B2 |
Method and system to pre-fetch data in a network
A system, a computer readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method of pre-fetching in a network. A request is received from a user device for a first network-accessible data item in a plurality of network-accessible data items. The first network-accessible data item is transmitted to the user device. A determination of the most frequently viewed data items is made and a second network-accessible data item is retrieved from the most frequently viewed items and transmitted to the user device. The second network-accessible data item is transmitted before receiving a request for the second network-accessible data item from the user device. |
| US08547381B2 |
Controlling communications with proximate avatars in virtual world environment
A first user's avatar in a virtual world environment may be controlled by using a virtual world application enabling access to a virtual world environment within which the first user has an avatar associated with the first user. A virtual world location corresponding to the first avatar is identified. At least one second avatar proximate to the virtual world location is identified. Filtering information is accessed. Profile information related to the second avatar is accessed. Filtering information is compared to the accessed profile information. Based on the comparison results, a metric related to the second avatar is determined. The metric is related to a threshold. It is determined whether relating the metric to the threshold supports enabling communications between the first and second avatars, and if so, communications to be exchanged between the first and second avatars are enabled. |
| US08547380B2 |
Persistent, immersible and extractable avatars
Avatar data is stored in a management application. The management application sends an immersion request to the application. The management application identifies the avatar data fields used by the application, and any appropriate scaling and avatar transformation. The management application scales the data appropriately, transforms the avatar if necessary, and transmits the (scaled and transformed) avatar data to the application. When the avatar is to be removed from the application, the application transmits the avatar data back to the management application, which integrates any changes to the avatar data into the original avatar data. |
| US08547379B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for generating multidimensional heat maps
Systems, methods, and media for generating heat maps of event data are provided herein. Methods may include gathering instances of event data according to a performance characteristic, discretely decomposing the instances by applying at least one constraint to the instances, assigning a hue to each instance, the hue being associated with the at least one constraint, and generating a heat map that includes representations of the instances, wherein each representation includes the hue associated with the at least one constraint to which the instance has been assigned. |
| US08547369B2 |
Organic light emitting display for improving display quality and lifetime and driving method thereof
Provided is an organic light emitting display for improving the display quality and lifetime, the organic light emitting display includes a display panel comprising sub pixels disposed at intersections of data lines and first and second scan lines; a data driver alternately outputting a positive data signal and a negative data signal to the data lines; and a scan driver respectively outputting a first scan signal and a second scan signal to the first scan lines and the second scan lines. |
| US08547366B2 |
Driving devices for providing driving signals to display arrays
A driving device outputting a plurality of sequentially asserted driving signals is provided, including a shift register, a buffer unit, and switch circuits. The shift register includes shift registering units coupled in series. The shift registering units respectively generate shift registering signals which are sequentially asserted. The buffer unit receives at least one input signal. The input signal is periodically asserted, and the buffer unit outputs the input signal. The switch circuits are coupled to the shift registering units to receive the shift registering signals, respectively. All of the switch circuits are coupled to the buffer unit to receive the input signal, and the switch circuits sequentially output the input signal to serve as the driving signals according to the assertion of the shift registering signals. |
| US08547365B2 |
Display apparatus and method for outputting parallel data signals at different application starting time points
Provided are a display device and method. The display device includes a plurality of data driving integrated circuits (ICs) configured to receive reception signals, each of which includes data and load signal information indicating an application starting time point of the data, and apply parallel data signals corresponding to the data at the application starting time points according to the load signal information included in the reception signals, and a display panel configured to display an image according to the parallel data signals, wherein at least two of the data driving ICs apply parallel data signals at different application starting time points. |
| US08547360B2 |
Capacitive touch screen sensing and electric field sensing for mobile devices and other devices
A system includes a touch screen having multiple electrodes. The system also includes a processing unit configured to use the electrodes to (i) detect an object contacting the touch screen or within a first distance from the touch screen in a first mode and (ii) detect the object within a second distance from the touch screen in a second mode. The second distance is larger than the first distance. The processing unit can be configured to use the multiple electrodes in the first mode to perform capacitive touch screen sensing. The processing unit can also be configured to use the multiple electrodes in the second mode to perform electric field sensing. |
| US08547359B2 |
Capacitive touchscreen system with switchable charge acquisition circuit
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a capacitive touchscreen system which includes switchable charge acquisition circuits and corresponding charge integrator circuits for sensing mutual capacitances associated with a touchscreen. Various embodiments of the switchable charge acquisition circuits and corresponding charge integrator circuits provide lower power consumption, increased operational stability, substantially reduced integrated circuit area, and increased temperature stability. |
| US08547358B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a calculation unit that calculates, when state quantities of an object are changed by changing a predetermined parameter specifying a space in which the object is present in accordance with a contact quantity detected by a detection unit, the state quantities of the object after the change based on a dynamic model using the predetermined parameter, physical quantities of the object stored in a storage unit, and the state quantities of the object stored in the storage unit and updates the state quantities of the object stored in the storage unit with the calculated state quantities of the object after the change. |
| US08547357B2 |
Portable game machine with touch panel display
A portable game machine with a display which also serves as a touch panel type input portion is comprised of means for detecting a contact between a finger of a player and a screen, means for computing a coordinate position of the finger on the screen, means for computing and determining the coordinate position where the object to be displayed on the display is displayed so as to separate a predetermined distance from the coordinate position of the finger and to create a gap between the object displayed on the display and a periphery of the finger contacted with the screen, and object display means for displaying the object at the computed and determined coordinate position on the display. |
| US08547355B2 |
Video manager for portable multifunction device
A video player for a portable multifunction device is disclosed. In some embodiments, a list of video items is displayed in a portrait orientation of a touch screen display of a portable electronic device. Upon user selection of a respective video item in the list, the user selected video item is automatically displayed in a landscape orientation of the touch screen display. |
| US08547354B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for manipulating soft keyboards
A method includes, at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface: concurrently displaying a first text entry area and an unsplit keyboard on the display; detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface; and, in response to detecting the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, replacing the unsplit keyboard with an integrated input area. The integrated input area includes a left portion with a left side of a split keyboard, a right portion with a right side of the split keyboard, and a center portion in between the left portion and the right portion. |
| US08547353B2 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for displaying hyperlink information on a web page
Methods, systems, and graphical user interfaces for displaying hyperlink information are disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable electronic device with a touch screen display: displays content on the touch screen display, wherein the content includes a plurality of links to additional content; detects a contact by a finger with the touch screen display, wherein the contact includes an area of contact; determines a point within the area of contact; choosing a first link in the plurality of links based on proximity of the first link to the determined point; and displays information associated with the first link over the displayed content, wherein the information associated with the first link includes information other than anchor text of the first link. |
| US08547352B2 |
Method, apparatus for sensing moved touch and computer readable record-medium on which program for executing method thereof
Provided is a moved touch sensing method. The moved touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: acquiring channel information corresponding a touch inputted into a contact region; converting each of first channel information and second channel information acquired as the touch moves into order information according to a predetermined order; and outputting a movement distance clock signal representing a movement distance of the touch on the basis of the converted order information. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a burden of a control processor by outputting information regarding a movement distance and a movement direction of a moved touch by using two clock signals. |
| US08547351B2 |
Touch sensor device, control method, touch panel device and program
A touch sensor device 1 includes a touch sensor 11; an average value calculating means 12 for calculating the average value of output voltages sent out from an output section 111 of the touch sensor 11; a threshold value calculating means 13 for calculating a threshold value based on the average value; and a comparing/determining means 14 for comparing the output voltage with the threshold value and, when determining that the output voltage exceeds the threshold value, outputting a determination signal. |
| US08547350B2 |
Floating plane touch detection system
A force/displacement touch device, this invention employs a base-plane 32 and flexible mounting material to suspend, or “float,” a non-rigidly mounted touch-plane 12, and uses sensors at each mounting point 22 to measure Z-axis deflection of the floating touch-plane 12. The system adapts existing planes in typical LCD assemblies to implement touch screens. This floating touch detection system provides an accurate, sensitive, compact and low-cost solution. It mitigates XY friction to improve detection of Z-forces. This approach provides latitude in locating sensors 34, allows for additional mid-plane sensors, enables greater accuracy and resolution, and adds features such as “multi-touch” sensitivity. This touch system is defined as a unique and novel ‘floating’ co-planar assembly of a touch-plane 12 to a base-plane 32, which uses a flexible material 22 or medium to define a consistent resting air gap, and then senses and measures any deflection from the co-planar resting position, using any among a broad variety of sensor types. |
| US08547347B2 |
Method for generating multiple windows frames, electronic device thereof, and computer program product using the method
A method for generating multiple windows frames, an electronic device thereof, and a computer program product using the method are provided. In the present method, first, a touch trajectory generated by continuously touching a touch panel of the electronic device is detected, wherein the center of the touch panel is a display area, and a non-display area surrounds the display area. Then, whether the touch trajectory is started from one side of the non-display area and passed through the display area to be extended to another side of the non-display area is determined. If so, the display area is split according to the touch trajectory to display at least two windows frames. As a result, an intuitional and convenient method for generating multiple windows frames in the display area is provided, and the operation of the electronic device is made very convenient. |
| US08547343B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus comprises a display module and an antenna module. The display module is adapted to display a plurality of function icons. When the antenna module detects the approaching of an input device, such as the finger of the user or a metal element, the display module displays an indicator. The indicator is able to overlap at least one of the plurality of function icons, and the user can conveniently and correctly choose the function icon he or she needs without touching the display apparatus. |
| US08547342B2 |
Gesture-based delivery from mobile device
A computing device displays an item on a display of the computing device and establishes a wireless connection with one or more other devices. The computing device receives an input gesture on a touch panel of the computing device, where the input gesture has a direction, and determines a geographic direction of the input gesture. The computing device also identifies one of the one or more other devices in the geographic direction and sends the item on the display to the one of the one or more devices in the geographic direction. |
| US08547340B2 |
Portable user control device and method for vehicle information systems
A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system. |
| US08547335B2 |
RFID-based input device
A device for use with a computer system includes: an array of antennas for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals; a portable unit operating within radio frequency range of the array of antennas, wherein a location of the portable unit is estimated by the radio frequency signals transmitted from the portable unit to a processor device. The device also includes storage for storing user identification. |
| US08547331B2 |
Interactive user interfaces and methods for viewing line temperature profiles of thermal images
An interactive graphical user interface includes a moveable pointer, which may be activated to select points of a computer-generated thermal image of an object, as the pointer is moved over a display of the image, so that line temperature profiles, which correspond to predetermined lines extending through the selected points, may be viewed, for example, on a line temperature profile chart of the interface, for each selected point as the pointer is moved. Each predetermined line extends between the corresponding selected point and another, predetermined, point of the image. The other predetermined point may either coincide with an origin of an x-axis or a y-axis of an orthogonal coordinate system, in which the image is aligned, or may be any other point of the thermal image, for example, one that is pre-selected by a user, with the moveable pointer. |
| US08547328B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and article for force feedback based on tension control and tracking through cables
A haptic interface system includes a cable based haptic interface device and a controller. The controller receives information related to movement of a grip in real-space and generates a stereoscopic output for a display device. The stereoscopic output includes images of a virtual reality tool whose motions mimic motions of the real-space grip. |
| US08547324B2 |
Electrophoretic display sheet, electrophoretic display apparatus, and electronic device
An electrophoretic display sheet comprising a display layer, a first electrode, and second electrodes. The display layer has a plurality of reservoir portions filled with a dispersion liquid containing particles. Each of the plurality of reservoir portions has predetermined positions. When an electric field having a direction is generated by applying a voltage to between the first electrode and the second electrodes, the particles are locally gathered to the predetermined positions of each of the plurality of reservoir portions so as to make rows of the particles along the direction of the electric field in the dispersion liquid. The electrophoretic display sheet is capable of exhibiting both superior responsiveness (responsibility) and superior color display performance with high contrast in changing a display color. |
| US08547321B2 |
LED backlight driver synchronization and power reduction
A method and apparatus for providing a LED backlight to a LCD display screen is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: N LED strings, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two; a first circuit operable to synchronize a LED clock signal to a LCD timing signal; and a second circuit operable to generate N PWM drive signals synchronized with the LED clock signal, wherein the N PWM drive signals are phase offset from each other by a multiple of 360/N degrees and used to drive respective ones of the N LED strings. |
| US08547316B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a panel substrate including a data line driver, a controller connected to the panel substrate, and a connection unit provided in the panel substrate. The controller selects M signal lines from N signal lines (M is a natural number satisfying M≦N) in accordance with a frame rate of a video data, and transmits M-phase video data to the panel substrate via the selected M signal lines. The data line driver controls the switching circuits of the connection unit in accordance with the frame rate of the video data to connect the M signal lines via which the video data is transmitted, to the data lines, and sequentially selects the M data lines to supply each piece of the video data transmitted via the M signal lines to each pixel connected to the selected M data lines. |
| US08547315B2 |
Display device
The invention provides an active matrix EL display device which can perform a clear multi-gray scale color display. In particular, the invention provides a large active matrix EL display device at low cost by a manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern. Power supply lines in a pixel portion are arranged in matrix by the manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern. Further, capacitance between wirings is reduced by providing a longer distance between adjacent wirings by the manufacturing method which can selectively form a pattern. |
| US08547312B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a driving circuit portion driving a display panel portion, in which the driving circuit portion and a power unit which supplies electric power to the driving circuit portion are arranged on the back surface side, a case housing both the driving circuit portion and the power unit with the display panel portion, a partitioning wall portion which divides a housing space of the case, a gap which is formed between the display panel portion and the partitioning wall portion, and a cooling fan which leads outside air into the gap and which is arranged on the partitioning wall portion. The driving circuit portion and the power unit are arranged on an opposite side of the partitioning wall portion against the gap. The gap is shrunk along a direction from downside to upside of the display panel portion. |
| US08547310B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for selecting overdriving when the pixel data is motion image data
Provided are a liquid crystal display device capable of improving motion image quality and a method for driving the same. The liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit, an overdriving compensation unit, a selection unit, and a data selection control unit. The input unit supplies pixel data to a pixel of a liquid crystal panel. The overdriving compensation unit outputs overdriving compensation pixel data using the pixel data input from the input unit. The selection unit selects one of the pixel data input from the input unit and the overdriving compensation data input from the overdriving compensation unit. The data selection control unit detects whether the pixel data input from the input unit is motion image data to control the selection unit. |
| US08547304B2 |
Electro-optical device, driving method of electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a pixel column, a first and second data lines, and a first and second output circuits. The pixel column including pixel portions are arranged in a first direction. The first and second data lines extend in the first direction. The first and second output circuits output data voltages to different pixel portions of the pixel column through the first and second data lines, respectively. |
| US08547303B2 |
Active matrix organic light emitting display (AMOLED) device
The present invention relates to an active matrix OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) device. It comprises a matrix of luminous elements associated to different color components (red, green, blue). According to the invention, the connection of the row driver and/or data driver to the luminous elements of the matrix is modified. Each output of the row driver is connected to luminous element associated to a same color component (red or green or blue). |
| US08547300B2 |
Light emitting display and display panel and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a light emitting display, and display panel and driving method thereof. The display panel includes a plurality of data lines for transmitting a data signal, a plurality of scan lines for transmitting a selection signal, and a plurality of pixels coupled to the data lines and the scan lines. The pixel includes at least two emitters for emitting different colors from each other in response to an applied current, and a driver for receiving the data signal while the selection signal is applied and outputting a first current corresponding to the data signal. The driver outputs the first current to at least the first and second emitters for emitting substantially the same color among the emitters formed in the pixels. |
| US08547299B2 |
Field emission device and driving method thereof
Provided is a pulse drive-type field emission device. The pulse drive-type field emission device includes anode and cathode substrates that are spaced apart from and face each other, a cathode electrode formed on the cathode substrate, and a field emitter formed on the cathode electrode. The pulse drive-type field emission device further includes a metal mesh-type gate electrode having an opening through which electrons emitted from the field emitter pass and a power source which applies a compensated pulse wave power to the gate electrode or the cathode electrode to compensate for vibration of the gate electrode. Thus, noise from the metal mesh can be prevented without additional fabrication processes by modifying a waveform in pulse driving. |
| US08547293B2 |
System and method for identification of displays
A data structure (100) for formatting and storing properties of a visual display (210) is disclosed. The data structure (100) comprises a plurality of fields that include information relating to stable properties of a visual display (105, 110). The data structure (100) also includes at least one field that includes information relating to a changeable property of the display (145). Methods of using such a data structure (100) are also provided. |
| US08547291B1 |
Direct fed bifilar helix antenna
The invention as disclosed is a direct fed bifilar helix antenna. The bifilar helix is lengthened as needed to obtain the desired unidirectional pattern. The bifilar helix is employed as an infinite balun to bring a feed cable onto the antenna structure and eventually connect the feed cable to the antenna feed point. The bifilar elements are widened such that the combined width of each element is as wide as practically possible before the elements touch and/or overlap (approximately 98.5% of the available width) so that the practical lowest characteristic impedance value of approximately 50 ohms is obtained so that there is no need for a matching network. |
| US08547290B2 |
Device for conveying signals for mobile antenna positioner
A device for conveying signals for a mobile antenna positioner is provided. The device comprises a waveguide with a conductive structure including a first end connected to the antenna, and a second end connected to the mount of the positioner, wherein the waveguide has a continuous structure, each of its ends being attached by means allowing a range of movement of the waveguide in order to limit the bending forces of said guide and to reduce the force applied to the attachment means during the movements of the positioner. The device applies notably to communication systems with mobile antennas, and more particularly to the production of antenna stations comprising antenna positioners with a wide range of movement in relative bearing. |
| US08547287B2 |
Light transmissible resonators for circuit and antenna applications
Provided is a circuit for an electronic device having a non-planar transparent resonator. The transparent resonator is mounted on said circuit so as to at least partially occupy a footprint of another component of the circuit. The transparent resonator forms part of a light pathway on said circuit for transmitting light to or from said another component. Also provided is a transparent dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for optical applications. Since the DRA is transparent, it can let light pass through itself and, thus, the light can be utilized by an optical part of a system or device. The transparent DRA can be placed on top of a solar cell. Since the DRA does not block the light, the light can reach the solar cell panel and power can be generated for the system or device. The system or device so obtained is very compact because no extra footprint is needed within the system or device for the DRA. It finds application in compact wireless applications that need a self-sustaining power device. |
| US08547282B2 |
MIMO antenna and communication device using the same
A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna and a communication device using the same is provided. The MIMO antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements in which a feeding unit is formed at one end, and another end is connected to a ground, and a connection unit which connects the antenna elements. |
| US08547280B2 |
Systems and methods for exciting long slot radiators of an RF antenna
Provided is a radiator transition assembly for exciting a long slot radiator of an antenna, the transition assembly including a folded flexible circuit substrate including at least two folds forming a long slot radiator, an excitation circuitry configured to generate signals for exciting the long slot radiator, and a microstrip transmission line coupled to the excitation circuitry and positioned along the folded flexible circuit substrate, where the microstrip transmission line extends across an opening of the long slot radiator. |
| US08547277B1 |
Airborne cell tower selection system and method
Disclosed are a system and method for controlling transmit power of a mobile node in air-to-ground communications to a fixed node. Power is controlled by taking into consideration the position of the mobile node, the ground position of a plurality of fixed nodes, and the RF pattern of an antenna. The ground position of the plurality of fixed nodes is determined by at least using a tower i.d. broadcast by the fixed nodes. Preferably, a power level is selected that will excite the fewest number of the plurality of fixed nodes while still maintaining a stable connection with at least one of the fixed nodes. The system may also utilize a repeater to receive communication signals from one or more mobile phones. This repeater then pre-amplifies the signal with a gain control signal received from one of the plurality of fixed nodes. The repeater would then pass the pre-amplified signal to the power amplifier for further amplification as controlled by the power controller. |
| US08547274B2 |
Inclusion of assessment data in millimeter wave concealed object detection systems
A millimeter wave object detection system includes a millimeter wave imager and a data entry device configured to assign assessment information to events where a concealed object is detected by an operator/observer or automated computer program interrogating imagery produced by the millimeter wave imager. A computer is programmed to store assessment data from the data entry device into a database, and statistical operations can be performed upon the database. |
| US08547272B2 |
Charge sharing analog computation circuitry and applications
In one aspect, reduced power consumption and/or circuit area of a discrete time analog signal processing module is achieved in an approach that makes use of entirely, or largely, passive charge sharing circuitry, which may include configurable (e.g., after fabrication, at runtime) multiplicative scaling stages that do not require active devices in the signal path. In some examples, multiplicative coefficients are represented digitally, and are transformed to configure the reconfigurable circuitry to achieve a linear relationship between a desired coefficient and a degree of charge transfer. In some examples, multiple successive charge sharing phases are used to achieve a desired multiplicative effect that provides a large dynamic range of coefficients without requiring a commensurate range of sizes of capacitive elements. The scaling circuits can be combined to form configurable time domain or frequency domain filters. |
| US08547271B2 |
Method and apparatus for low power analog-to-digital conversion
A method and apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) includes M ADCj, j=1, 2, . . . , M. Each ADCj comprises a number of cells each of which comprises a first switch, a second switch, a current sink and an inverter. An inverter of a cell in an ADCj changes state in response to a current associate with an input signal of the ADCj exceeding a threshold, thus switching on the next cell. Each ADCj is enabled to perform analog-to-digital conversion on a residual current of a previous ADCj-1 after the previous ADCj-1 has completed its analog-to-digital conversion and has been disabled. |
| US08547269B2 |
Robust encoder for folding analog to digital converter
An apparatus comprises: a coarse voltage level comparator that generates a coarse voltage level comparison; a folder, a fine analog to digital (ADC) comparator coupled to an output of the folder, wherein an output of the fine ADC is cyclical; an up encoder coupled to an output of the fine ADC encoder, the up encoder configured to output a first value if the cyclical output of the fine ADC is in a defined downward transition; and a fold information generator coupled to an output of the up encoder, wherein the fold information generator is configured to generate a determination as to in which fold an analog voltage occurs. |
| US08547268B2 |
Switched current-cell with intermediate state
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide digital-to-analog conversion of signals while minimizing switching related errors. Digital to analog converter (DAC) cells may be arranged to include one or more operating states in addition to binary output states, and may employ a switching technique to “dump” the DAC cell between binary outputs. Further, an array of DAC cells may include a partial set of redundant DAC cells for implementation of the switching technique. |
| US08547266B2 |
Low-power sigma-delta converter
A sigma-delta converter may include an input node, a switched capacitor input stage integrating a difference signal between an input signal from the input node and a feedback signal representing an output signal, and a switched capacitor adder coupled downstream from the switched capacitor input stage and generating a sum signal based upon the input signal with a signal generated by the switched capacitor input stage. The sigma-delta converter may include a switched capacitor output stage amplifying the sum signal and generating an analog amplified signal, a quantization stage coupled in cascade to the switched capacitor output stage and generating the output signal as a digital replica of the analog amplified signal, and a circuit generating the feedback signal as an analog replica of the output signal. |
| US08547261B2 |
Calibration device for mobile terminal and ADC module thereof
The present invention relates to the field of mobile terminal technology and describes a calibration device for a mobile terminal and an ADC module thereof, the ADC module being disposed inside a baseband chip. The calibration device includes a bandgap voltage reference inside the mobile terminal platform for generating a reference voltage; the device further includes a circuit for connecting the bandgap voltage reference, the circuit being connected with the ADC module for providing the reference voltage generated by the bandgap voltage reference to the ADC module. The present invention uses a bandgap voltage reference inside a mobile terminal platform to provide voltage to an ADC module, which, during the ADC module calibration, does not require an external reference voltage source to perform the ADC calibration, and therefore greatly reduces calibration errors and improves calibration efficiency. |
| US08547260B2 |
Compressive sense based reconstruction algorithm for non-uniform sampling based data converter
Compressive sensing is an emerging field that attempts to prevent the losses associated with data compression and improve efficiency overall, and compressive sensing looks to perform the compression before or during capture, before energy is wasted. Here, a reconstruction algorithm is proposed for a compressive sensing successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Accordingly, an analog signal is converted to a first digital signal at a sampling frequency that is less than a Nyquist frequency for the analog signal, and a second digital signal is constructed from the first digital signal with a box constrained linear optimization process such that the second digital signal is approximately equal to an analog-to-digital conversion of the analog signal at the Nyquist frequency for the analog signal. |
| US08547258B2 |
Compressive sense based reconstruction in the presence of frequency offset
A calibration method to compensate for a sparsifying basis mismatch is provided. An analog signal is converted to a first digital signal at a sampling frequency that is less than a Nyquist frequency for the analog signal to generate a first digital signal. Each of a plurality of spectral terms is iteratively isolated from the first digital signal, and the offset for each of the plurality of spectral terms is iteratively determined. A dictionary is then constructed using the offset for each of the plurality of spectral terms, where the dictionary compensates for mismatch from a sparsifying basis. |
| US08547255B2 |
Method for encoding a symbol, method for decoding a symbol, method for transmitting a symbol from a transmitter to a receiver, encoder, decoder and system for transmitting a symbol from a transmitter to a receiver
In a method for encoding a symbol it is determined whether the symbol can be encoded by a codeword of a first codebook. In case this is true, the appropriate codeword for the symbol is selected from the first codebook. Otherwise, a codeword is selected from the first codebook indicating that the symbol cannot be encoded by a codeword of the first codebook and the symbol is split into a plurality of first sub-symbols and for at least one of the first sub-symbols a codeword is selected from a second codebook. Also a corresponding method for decoding is described. |
| US08547254B2 |
Handheld electronic device that has a keypad which can be rendered ineffective, and associated method
An improved handheld electronic device is movable among a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. Several different exemplary embodiments are described, some having two members, others having more. In one embodiment, certain features or objects are unavailable in a retracted configuration but are available in a deployed configuration or an overtravel configuration. A method of responding to predetermined events comprises detecting a movement of a handheld electronic device away from a first configuration toward a second configuration without reaching the second configuration. |
| US08547247B1 |
Detecting, locating and tracing of buried assets using distributed processing over communications networks
A method on a mobile computing device for detecting, locating and tracing buried assets, is provided. The method includes reading, from one or more sensors communicatively coupled with the mobile computing device, a plurality of analog radio frequency signals from a buried asset, and amplifying the plurality of analog signals. The method further includes converting the analog signals to a plurality of digital signals, encoding the digital signals for transmission, so as to produce a plurality of encoded digital signals, and transmitting the plurality of encoded digital signals to a server via a communications network. The method further includes receiving, from the server, buried asset data including depth measurement data and electrical current measurement data for one or more buried assets, wherein the buried asset data corresponds to the analog radio frequency signals, and displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device. |
| US08547245B2 |
System and method for downhole telemetry
A system and method are provided for providing electromagnetic (EM) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry capabilities using an existing mud-pulse MWD tool. An EM tool intercepts the output from the mud-pulse tool and generates an EM signal that mimics a mud-pulse pressure signal. The EM signal is intercepted at the surface by a receiver module that conditions the signal and inputs the signal into the existing pulse tool receiver. Since the EM signal mimics a mud-pulse signal, the pulse tool receiver does not require software or hardware modifications in order to process an EM telemetry mode. The EM tool can be adapted to also provide dual telemetry by incorporating a conventional pressure pulser that would normally be used with the pulse tool. |
| US08547238B2 |
Optically redundant fire detector for false alarm rejection
A system for confirming the detection of a fire using a plurality of radiation or flame sensors each equipped with a radiation detector and an optical filter having a spectral transmission characteristic in which at least one optical filter is redundant to at least one other optical filter. The result is a system having operationally redundant sensors. In use, if a fire is detected by one of the redundant sensors without including the other redundant radiation sensor in the fire detection calculation, then a fire detection algorithm can switch to the other operationally redundant sensor to check for confirmation of a fire. Due to the spatial separation and if the object is small and close, a different result will be obtained with the redundant detector being used in the calculation compared to the primary detector that is associated with the redundant detector. |
| US08547231B2 |
Medical system
The invention relates to a medical system (1) with a monitoring station (3) and at least one medical work station (5, 7). The medical work station (5, 7) is designed to gather physiological data of a patient (4). The invention is characterized in that the at least one medical work station (5, 7) comprises a respiratory device (43, 60) with a connection (49, 51, 72, 74) for a respiratory hose (53, 57). The medical work station (5, 7) comprises a radio frequency detection unit (45, 68), which is designed for detecting a radio frequency marking (55) connected with a respiratory hose in the region of the connection for a respiratory hose, and to create a marking signal, representing the marking information. The medical system (1) is designed to associated the physiological data and the patient data, particularly the data set representing the physiological data and the patient data set, with each other, as a function of the marking signal. |
| US08547230B1 |
Unobtrusive proprioceptive monitor for shipping containers and vehicles
An identification system and method comprising attaching an identification tag to an inside surface of a shipping container port cover and communicating data from the tag via electromagnetic radiation. |
| US08547225B2 |
Systems and methods for remote detection of volcanic plumes using satellite signals
Systems and methods for remote detection of volcanic plumes using satellite signals. The invention solves the problem of remotely detecting volcanic plumes, including those embedded in clouds, by providing a system that can be installed onboard a mobile platform, such as an aircraft, a satellite, a weather balloon, a ship or a buoy. The volcanic plume detection system tracks RF signals (such as GPS signals from satellites) arriving at the mobile platform, and issues an alert or warning when characteristics of the RF signals indicate the likely presence of a volcanic plume in the monitored space. More specifically, the system in accordance with one embodiment utilizes the refractive properties of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas that is abundant in nearly all volcanic eruptions, to infer the presence of a volcanic plume. |
| US08547224B2 |
Device and method for collecting information related to infrastructure, and positioning method and system using the same
An infrastructure information collecting device collects measurement information including location information regarding a plurality of wireless access devices disposed in an indoor space based on an indoor map, and a positioning system generates information regarding a wireless communication infrastructure of the corresponding indoor space based on the thusly collected measurement information. The positioning system then provides the generated wireless communication infrastructure information to a terminal of which location is desired to be measured, and then the terminal measures its location based on the wireless communication infrastructure information and signals received from nearby wireless access devices. |
| US08547217B2 |
Belt lock with status detector
A belt lock for a seat belt that has a locking mechanism that is arranged in a belt lock housing. The locking mechanism includes a component that changes location from a first end position into a second end position when the locking mechanism is actuated, and in doing so interacts with a status detector. The status detector is designed as an electrical switching system. The component that changes location is a mandrel that can be moved axially when the locking mechanism is actuated and that is provided with an electrically conductive contact region and forms a component of the electrical switching system. |
| US08547212B2 |
Method and system for interacting with a vehicle over a mobile radiotelephone network
A telemetry system coupled to a vehicle can communicate with a remote site using the overhead control channels of a wireless network, such as a cellular mobile radiotelephone network. The telemetry system can monitor or control aspects of the vehicle's operations based on remote user input. The telemetry system can receive a command from a data processing center and, based on the command, perform an action at the vehicle such that a user can remotely interact with the vehicle. |
| US08547207B2 |
RFID converter module
A tag communication method includes providing a tag reader operating at a first frequency and having transmit and receive antenna ports, providing a frequency converter module having transmit and receive plugs adapted to directly mate with the transmit and receive ports, and directly mating the transmit plug with the transmit port and the receive plug with the receive port. A transmit signal at the first frequency is received from the reader by the converter module by way of the directly mated transmit plug and converted to a second frequency differing from the first frequency to provide a converted transmit signal which is transmitted to the tag. A receive signal is received from the tag at the second frequency and converted to the first frequency to provide a converted receive signal which is applied by the conversion module to the reader by way of the directly mated receive plug. |
| US08547206B2 |
Apparatus, method and program for detecting direction of noncontact IC medium and computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon
A noncontact IC medium direction detecting apparatus (1), method, and computer readable medium are provided. The apparatus (1) includes: receiving means (10) capable of reading a noncontact IC medium (25) in different directional orientations; and information processing means (13) that controls the receiving means, the information processing means being arranged to perform: a first obtaining process of aiming a directional orientation toward a first direction to obtain a signal level of a signal received from the noncontact IC medium having predetermined identification information; a second obtaining process of aiming another directional orientation toward a second direction to obtain a signal level of a signal received from the noncontact IC medium; a composition process of subjecting the signal levels corresponding to the first and second directions to subtraction operation or division to obtain a composite signal level; and an existence direction operating process of obtaining a direction where the noncontact IC medium of interest exists from an operation using the composite signal level. |
| US08547200B2 |
Home appliance and method for operating the same
A home appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The home appliance outputs product information as a predetermined sound signal and the sound signal is transmitted to a remote service center over a communication network so that the state of the home appliance is easily checked at the service center. Data associated with each operation of the home appliance is stored as product information according to the operation state of the home appliance. The product information is also stored when the operation is suddenly terminated and is then output as a sound signal so that it is possible to correctly check the state of the home appliance and to correctly diagnose an error that has occurred in the home appliance. |
| US08547199B2 |
System for retrieving data stored in a database
A computer-implemented, transaction-making, municipal bond trading system having a capability to conduct a private electronic auction of bid wanteds between a central brokers' broker and multiple prospective remote bidders and to maintain a reference database of accurate individual bond lot descriptions and identifications, including CUSIP (trademark) numbers. |
| US08547197B2 |
Bending sensor and method for fabricating the same
A bend-detecting (bending) sensor is provided, including a flexible substrate, at least a pair of electrode patterns spaced apart from each other provided on the flexible substrate, and a paste layer containing conductive particles. The paste layer is coated onto the flexible substrate where the electrode patterns are formed, such that when the flexible substrate is bent, the density of the conductive particles between the electrode patterns changes and an electric resistance between the electrode patterns also changes, thereby sensing deformation of the flexible substrate, and eventually, a target to which the flexible display element or the flexible substrate is attached. When the bending sensor is applied to the flexible display device, the electrode patterns and the paste layer may be formed on the flexible substrate which is to form the flexible display element, thus forming a bending sensing structure with a thickness of the flexible display element or less. |
| US08547196B2 |
Thermally responsive switch
A thermally responsive switch includes a hermetic container including a housing and a header plate hermetically secured to an open end of the housing, a conductive terminal pin inserted through the header plate, a conductive pin, a thermally responsive plate having one of two ends fixed to the terminal pin, a movable contact secured to the other end of the thermally responsive plate, and a fixed contact fixed via an electrical conductor to the terminal pin, the conductor having a fuse part and a heater. The fixed contact is fixed to a ceramic member disposed between the container and the fixed contact. The housing includes a bottom surface including both lengthwise ends between which the conductive pin is interposed. Both ends of the housing bottom surface are deformed axially relative to the conductive pin from an initial state, so that an operating temperature of the switch is calibratable. |
| US08547189B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes a capacitor having a desired capacitance value and a laminate including a plurality of laminated insulating material layers. Land electrodes are provided on a bottom surface of the laminate. Internal conductors face the land electrodes, respectively, across the insulating material layer within the laminate, have areas larger than those of the land electrodes, respectively, and contain the land electrodes, respectively, when seen in a planar view from a z-axis direction. A capacitor conductor is provided on the positive direction side of the capacitor conductors in the z-axis direction and faces the capacitor conductors. |
| US08547188B2 |
Filter with integrated loading capacitors
There is provided an improved filter having resonators substantially disposed between conductive planes which form one or more loading capacitors that are in turn coupled to the resonators. Further, inclusion of a designed void or slot in one or more of the conductive planes allows for control of an introduced transmission zero to manipulate the performance of the filter to achieve desired results, such as improved skirt performance. |
| US08547185B2 |
Center-tapped inductor balun
An electronic balun circuit is provided for converting a single-ended signal into a differential signal and vice versa, comprising a center-tapped inductor having a first node, a center-tap coupled to a constant voltage source, and a second node. A first impedance circuit is coupled with the first node and with a line carrying single-ended signal to and from the first node. A second impedance circuit is coupled with the second node. The first node receives the single-ended signal to produce a differential signal at the first and second nodes. The first and second nodes receive the differential signal to produce the single-ended signal at the first node. Both first and second impedance circuits have an impedance of 2RL, resulting in a total effective impedance of Rin for achieving an impedance match between the line and the first node. Furthermore, a passive network is added to balance the balun. |
| US08547179B2 |
PLL circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A PLL circuit includes a phase detector, a loop filter (LF), a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and a frequency divider. The phase detector compares a phase of a signal Fs which is input from outside with a phase of a signal Fo/N which is input from the frequency divider. The loop filter generates a signal Vin by removing alternating current components from a signal input from the phase detector. The voltage-controlled oscillator outputs a signal Fo based on the signal Vin input from the loop filter. The frequency divider converts the signal Fo output from the voltage-controlled oscillator into Fo/N (frequency division by N), and outputs it to the phase detector. |
| US08547176B2 |
Distributed power amplifier with active matching
A distributed power amplifier arranged to operate over a bandwidth. An input side with an input terminal is arranged to receive an input signal and connected to an input transmission line. An output side with an output terminal is adapted to deliver an output signal and connected to an output transmission line. A power splitter is connected to the input terminal, thus being arranged to divide the input signal in a first path to the input transmission line and in a second path to an input of an active matching circuit. The active matching circuit has an output connected to the output transmission line. The other end of the output transmission line is connected to the output terminal. A method to design a distributed power amplifier and to modify existing distributed power amplifiers. |
| US08547173B2 |
Signal amplifying circuit and signal amplifying method
A signal amplifying circuit is provided. The signal amplifying circuit includes a signal amplifier and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a compare unit and a register unit. The compare unit compares an input signal of the signal amplifier with a reference signal to generate a compare signal. The register unit receives and registers a control signal to be transmitted to the signal amplifier, and provides a registered signal to the signal amplifier according to the registered control signal when the compare signal is changed. |
| US08547172B1 |
Optical transmitter with multiple isolated inputs and signal combining network
Systems and methods can provide an optical transmitter/combiner having improved isolation and signal to noise ratio performance. The input ports can be amplified with single ended amplifiers, attenuated with a loss network, combined and re-amplified with a second amplifier stage. The amplifier distortion performance, loss and gain levels can be chosen such that the second order distortions of the input port amplifier and the amplifier following a combiner are self-cancelling such that the distortion can be reduced. The obtained distortion performance can be reasonable while gain and signal to noise ratio are improved. |
| US08547171B2 |
System and method for controlling radio frequency transmissions from an electronic device
The disclosure relates to a printed circuit board (PCB) for an electronic circuit for a power amplifier of a wireless communication device. The PCB comprises: a substrate; a ground reference in the substrate; first through fourth locations and first and second pads in the substrate; and first and second electrical tracks in the substrate. The locations are for components for the PCB, including a 0 ohm component, and pads connect tracks to the components. The first pad is for a high band power input terminal of the amplifier. The first track connects the first pad to the second location. The third location is in the first track for placement of a first capacitor in a circuit between the first pad and ground. The second pad is for an output terminal of the amplifier. The second track connects the second pad to an output stage circuit of the amplifier. |
| US08547170B1 |
Multimode integration circuit for sensor readout
Techniques are disclosed for radiation sensors that generate current signal to provide flexible placement of one or more integration intervals between resets of an integration capacitor. With flexible timing, an embodiment of the present invention provides several modes of operation including: multiple stray light blanking interval to occur during the integration cycle; range gating for LIDAR applications; time-delay-integration (TDI) with multiple short integration periods between frame resets; and hyper-resolution gating that provides better resolution than is normally possible with a fixed gate width. Numerous variations will be apparent in light of this disclosure. |
| US08547168B2 |
High current drive switched capacitor charge pump
Systems, methods, and devices that employ a dynamic gate boost component (DGBC) to generate a desired boosted gate voltage to facilitate controlling an enhanced charge pump are presented. An enhanced charge pump can comprise a desired number of charge transfer switches (CTSs) and a desired number of DGBCs, wherein a DGBC can apply a desired boosted gate voltage to the gate of an associated CTS to control switching of the CTS. An auxiliary gate boost component (AGBC) of one circuit path can apply a desired boosted gate voltage to a CTS of another circuit path to control switching of that CTS. The AGBC and DGBC can operate to facilitate maintaining the overdrive voltages of all of the CTSs in the enhanced charge pump so that the overdrive voltages are essentially unchanged under various loading current conditions. Multiple enhanced charge pumps can be cascaded to produce a higher output voltage. |
| US08547161B1 |
Transistor having asymmetric gate-voltage control
Embodiments of a circuit, which includes a device and a switch, which is electrically coupled to the device, to control power applied to the device, are described. This switch includes a control terminal, which controls the switch, and two other terminals, which can receive power to be applied to the device. Moreover, the circuit is configured to apply a voltage to the control terminal to ensure the switch remains open when a supply voltage is applied to one of the two other terminals while powering-up the circuit, thereby preventing spurious application of the supply voltage to the device. |
| US08547159B2 |
Constant Vgs analog switch
Apparatus and methods for a switch circuit to provide a substantially constant gate-to source voltage to a passgate are provided. In an example, a switch circuit includes a summing circuit having an output configured to couple to the gate of a passgate, the summing circuit can be configured to maintain a substantially constant voltage between the gate and the source of the pass gate. |
| US08547157B1 |
Radio frequency switching device with fast transient response time
Embodiments provide a radio frequency (RF) switching apparatus including an RF switching device configured to receive an RF input signal and to pass an RF output signal if the RF switching device is activated. The RF switching apparatus may include a control terminal to receive a control signal to activate the RF switching device. A gate resistor may be coupled between the control terminal and a gate terminal of the RF switching device. A helper circuit may be coupled in parallel with the gate resistor. The helper circuit may be configured to provide a temporary conductive path between the control terminal and the gate terminal in response to a state transition of the control signal. The helper circuit may provide an open circuit between the control terminal and the gate terminal during a steady state of the control signal between state transitions. |
| US08547156B2 |
Linearizing field effect transistors in the OHMIC region
Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to using one or more field effect transistors as a resistor. One such apparatus can include a field effect transistor (FET), averaging resistors and a bidirectional current source. The averaging resistors can apply an average of a voltage at the source of the FET and a voltage at the drain of the FET to the gate of the field effect transistor. The bidirectional current source can turn the FET on and off. The FET can operate in the ohmic region when on. Such an apparatus can improve the linearity of the FET as a resistor, for example, at lower frequencies near or at direct current (DC). In some implementations, the apparatus can include one or more current sources to remove an offset introduced by the bidirectional current source at the source and/or the drain of the FET. |
| US08547155B2 |
Soft error robust low power latch device layout techniques
A latch device and related layout techniques are provided to reduce soft error rates caused by radiation or other exposure to ionized/charged particles. The latch device comprises a pair of cross-coupled inverters forming a storage cell. A pair of clock pass transistors is coupled to the pair of cross-coupled inverters. The pair of clock pass transistors is configured to receive as input a clock signal. On both true and complement sides of the latch device, a channel-connected region is formed between one of the pair of cross-coupled inverters and one of the pair of clock pass transistors. Each channel-connected region is configured to have a reduced Linear Energy Transfer (LET) cross-section. The reduced LET cross-section results in a reduced soft error rate. |
| US08547152B2 |
Clock and data recovery circuit
The invention provides a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit, including: a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, providing a reference voltage; a first delay device, delaying an input data according to a control signal so as to generate a first delay signal; an edge detector, generating an edge signal according to the first delay signal and the input data; a second delay device, delaying the edge signal so as to generate a second delay signal; a first gated voltage-controlled oscillator, generating an output recovery clock according to the second delay signal and the reference voltage; a phase detector, detecting a phase difference between the first delay signal and the output recovery clock so as to generate a phase signal and a output recovery data; and an amplifier, amplifying the phase signal by a factor so as to generate the control signal. |
| US08547149B2 |
Clock and data recovery system
This invention provides a clock and data recovery system, which comprises a plurality of gm cells, control device, resistor and capacitor. The gm cells respectively have an input end and an output end. The control devices are connected to these output ends. According to a time value, the control device controls a part of the plurality of gm cells to form a first gm cell, and the control device controls another part of the plurality of gm cells to form a second gm cell. The resistor is connected between the first gm cell and the second gm cell. The capacitor is connected to the second gm cell. Wherein, the control device controls the ratio of the first gm cell and the second gm cell in accordance with a time-division multiplexed manner. |
| US08547147B2 |
Power-on-reset circuit and reset method
Apparatus and methods for a power-on-reset (POR) circuit are provided. In an example, a (POR) circuit can include a self-bias module configured to provide a reference voltage, a feedback module configured to provide a feedback voltage, a comparison module configured to compare the feedback voltage to the reference voltage and to provide an output signal, an inverter configured to couple the output of the comparison module to an enable input of the self-bias module, and a switch module coupled to the inverter, wherein the switch module and the inverter are configured to disabled the self bias module when the feedback voltage exceeds the reference voltage. |
| US08547144B2 |
Semiconductor device including power-on reset circuit
A semiconductor device including a power-on-reset (POR) circuit. The semiconductor device includes a driving voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage that rises at a first slope and subsequently rises at a second slope greater than the first slope and a first POR signal generator configured to receive the first voltage and generate a first POR signal having a first ramp-up time. |
| US08547143B2 |
Resonant gate drive circuit for a power switching device in a high frequency power converter
A resonant gate drive circuit for a power switching device, having a gate-emitter capacitance, is adapted for use with a high frequency power converter. The resonant gate drive circuit comprises a signal input source, a power supply and a resonant inductor. An electrical isolator is connected between the signal input source and a switching node. The electrical isolator is connected to the power supply. A first bidirectional switch is connected between the resonant inductor and the power switching device and includes a first switch control circuit connected to the node to be controlled by a signal from the signal input source. A second bidirectional switch is connected between the power supply and the power switching device and includes a second switch control circuit connected to the node to be controlled by the signal from the input source. The first and second control circuits are adapted to control the first bidirectional switch to provide a first charge path during a resonant period from the resonant inductor to the gate-emitter capacitance defining a quick resonant charge path and to control the second bidirectional switch to provide a second charge path defining a voltage equalization charge path subsequent to the resonant period. |
| US08547142B2 |
Power semiconductor device and operation method thereof
A power semiconductor device has: an output transistor connected between a power-supply terminal and an output terminal; a gate charge-discharge circuit configured to charge/discharge a first node connected to a gate of the output transistor to ON/OFF control the output transistor; a short switch circuit connected between the first node and the output terminal; and a short control circuit configured to control the short switch circuit. In the turn-ON period, the ON period and the turn-OFF period, the short control circuit cuts off electrical connection between the first node and the output terminal through the short switch circuit. In the OFF period, the short control circuit electrically connects the first node and the output terminal through the short switch circuit. |
| US08547141B2 |
Wide dynamic range, wide bandwidth, voltage to current converter
A voltage to current converter comprising a composite amplifier arrangement having a common-base transistor for providing voltage to current conversion, the input current to common-base transistor is corrected to account for the temperature drift of the transistor and variations in the bias supply voltage. |
| US08547126B2 |
Self testing fault circuit apparatus and method
A self testing fault circuit interrupter device comprising a fault circuit comprising at least one line monitoring circuit, at least one line interrupting circuit and at least one fault detector circuit which is configured to selectively operate said at least one line interrupting circuit when a fault is detected. This fault circuit also includes at least one test circuit configured to initiate a self test on the fault circuit and at least one timing circuit for controlling the time period for a self test being performed on said at least one self test circuit. The timing circuitry can be in the form of external circuitry which comprises a transistor which controls the discharge rate of a timing capacitor. The timing capacitor is present to prevent any false triggering of a fault circuit. A fault circuit test condition does not stop until the capacitor is fully discharged. By controlling the timing capacitor discharge rate, the triggering of an SCR is not delayed too much in the presence of an external fault because during the presence of this external fault the test cycle is considerably shortened in time based directly upon the size of the external fault. The testing circuit can include a microcontroller which can be programmed to perform a self test across at least two different half cycles of opposite polarity. The determination of the timing of the self test is based upon timing performed by the microcontroller in combination with zero crossing circuitry. |
| US08547124B2 |
Pin card
A DUT is connected to an I/O terminal. An AC test unit performs an AC test operation for the DUT. A DC test unit performs a DC test operation for the DUT. An optical semiconductor switch is arranged such that a first terminal thereof is connected to the AC test unit and a second terminal thereof is connected to the I/O terminal. The optical semiconductor switch 10 is configured to be capable of switching states, according to control signals input to control terminals, between a connection state in which the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other, and a disconnection state in which they are disconnected from each other. A first impedance circuit is arranged on a signal line for the control signal to be input to the positive-electrode control terminal. Furthermore, a second impedance circuit is arranged on a signal line for the control signal to be input to the negative-electrode control terminal. |
| US08547115B2 |
Touch sensing system, capacitance sensing circuit, and capacitance sensing method
A touch sensing system including a touch input interface and a capacitance sensing circuit is provided. The touch input interface includes a plurality of sensing capacitors for outputting a capacitance under test and a reference capacitance. The capacitance sensing circuit includes a first sensing channel, a second sensing channel, and a difference comparing unit. During a first period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the capacitance under test, and the second sensing channel senses the reference capacitance. During a second period of the sensing period, the first sensing channel senses the reference capacitance, and the second sensing channel senses the capacitance under test. The difference comparing unit outputs a difference according to the capacitance under test and the reference capacitance. Additionally, a capacitance sensing method is also provided. |
| US08547109B2 |
Capacitor monitoring systems and methods of metering and monitoring capacitor bank
The present invention relates to a capacitor bank monitoring system for monitoring the status of a capacitor bank in a power distribution system. The capacitor bank monitoring system includes a current transformer, a metering connection, and a housing for an electric utility meter. The current transformer is in electrical communication with a neutral terminal of the distribution system and can measure the current carried by the neutral terminal. The meter connection subsystem can provide electrical communication between the electric utility meter and the current transformer, such that the electric utility meter communicates the status of the capacitor bank. |
| US08547106B2 |
Methods and systems involving monitoring circuit connectivity
A circuit protection system includes a processor, a current sensing device having a first node and a second node, a current sensing circuit connected to the first node and the second node, the current sensing circuit operative to output a voltage indicative of a current sensed by the current sensing device to the processor, and a connection verification portion connected to the first node, the second node, and the processor, the connection verification portion operative to induce a current through the current sensing device. |
| US08547105B2 |
System and method for detecting a location of fault in a cable
A system for detecting a location of fault in a cable includes a cable transmitting a fault current a current transforming unit connected to the cable and receiving the fault current and detecting an original signal of fault current, a detecting unit detecting a first detail signal and a second detail signal from the original signal of fault current where both signals being detail components in a high frequency band, a comparing unit comparing the first detail signal with a preset reference value and determining a fault in the cable, and a signal filtering unit generating a first filtering signal and a second filtering signal by use of the first detail signal and the second detail signal and outputting a fault detection signal based on a result of comparing the both signals. |
| US08547090B2 |
Electronic spin based enhancement of magnetometer sensitivity
A method is disclosed for increasing the sensitivity of a solid state electronic spin based magnetometer that makes use of individual electronic spins or ensembles of electronic spins in a solid-state lattice, for example NV centers in a diamond lattice. The electronic spins may be configured to undergo a Zeeman shift in energy level when photons of light are applied to the electronic spins followed by pulses of an RF field that is substantially transverse to the magnetic field being detected. The method may include coherently controlling the electronic spins by applying to the electronic spins a sequence of RF pulses that dynamically decouple the electronic spins from mutual spin-spin interactions and from interactions with the lattice. The sequence of RF pulses may be a Hahn spin-echo sequence, a Can Purcell Meiboom Gill sequence, or a MREV8 pulse sequence, by way of example. |
| US08547085B2 |
Plasma-facing probe arrangement including vacuum gap for use in a plasma processing chamber
An arrangement for measuring process parameters within a processing chamber is provided. The arrangement includes a probe arrangement disposed in an opening of an upper electrode. Probe arrangement includes a probe head, which includes a head portion and a flange portion. The arrangement also includes an o-ring disposed between the upper electrode and the flange portion. The arrangement further includes a spacer made of an electrically insulative material positioned between the head portion and the opening of the upper electrode to prevent the probe arrangement from touching the upper electrode. The spacer includes a disk portion configured for supporting an underside of the flange portion. The spacer also includes a hollow cylindrical portion configured to encircle the head portion. The spacer forms a right-angled path between the o-ring and an opening to the processing chamber to prevent direct line-of-sight path between the o-ring and the opening to the processing chamber. |
| US08547082B2 |
Semiconductor device and pulse width detection method
An internal pulse waveform shaping circuit provided to an IC chip generates an internal pulse monitor signal that changes in a predetermined direction at a rise timing of an internal pulse signal during a period in which a first enable signal is asserted and a second enable signal is de-asserted and then continues in the changed state for a predetermined period of time or longer, and generates the internal pulse monitor signal that changes in the predetermined direction at a fall timing of the pulse signal during a period in which the first enable signal is de-asserted and the second enable signal is asserted and then continues in the changed state for the predetermined period of time or longer. The generated internal pulse monitor signal is output to a tester for detecting the pulse width of the internal pulse signal. |
| US08547081B2 |
Reference voltage supply circuit including a glitch remover
A reference voltage supply circuit is provided. The reference voltage supply circuit includes a first amplifier for amplifying a first input voltage and a fed back first reference voltage, a second amplifier for amplifying a second input voltage and a fed back second reference voltage, a reference voltage generator for generating the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage according to output signals of the first and second amplifiers and feeding the first and second reference voltages back to the first and second amplifiers, and a glitch remover turned on/off according to an input pulse signal to conduct or cut off current flowing between a power supply terminal and the ground. |
| US08547075B1 |
Voltage regulators with a shared capacitor
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (e.g., FPGA) has two voltage regulators sharing stability and filter capacitors. A switch is located between each plate of each capacitor and a common voltage reference (e.g., ground) such that one of the two voltage regulators can be selectively connected to ground via the stability and filter capacitors. |
| US08547073B2 |
Output side capacitor voltage balancing DC power supply system
A DC power supply system delivers a DC output that has a neutral point and is higher than the input voltage of a single DC power supply, by a circuit with series-connected switching elements. The DC power supply system addresses the problem of imbalance between the voltage between a positive terminal and the neutral point and the voltage between a negative terminal and the neutral point. In operational control of the DC power supply system, a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the positive terminal and a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the negative terminal are compared, and four switching elements are operated to equalize the two capacitor voltages. |
| US08547072B2 |
Phase control apparatus
A phase control apparatus includes a first transistor whose source or emitter is connected to one end of an AC power supply and whose drain or collector is connected to one end of a load, a second transistor whose source or emitter is connected to the other end of the AC supply and whose drain or collector is connected to the other end of the load, a diode bridge that rectifies an AC voltage of the AC supply, and a parallel circuit of a zener diode and a capacitor. The parallel circuit generates a high potential relative to a bridge negative output terminal potential, or generates a low potential relative to a bridge positive output terminal potential. First and second transistor control terminal potentials are switched between the high and the bridge negative output terminal potentials, or between the low and the bridge positive output terminal potentials. |
| US08547070B2 |
Methods for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing and operating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first capacitor node, a second capacitor node, a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is coupled between the first capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the first switch has a first position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the first capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. The second switch is coupled between the second capacitor electrode and the first and second capacitor nodes such that the second switch has a first position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the first capacitor node and a second position that couples the second capacitor electrode to the second capacitor node. |
| US08547068B2 |
Protection circuit module and secondary battery including the protection circuit module
A protection circuit module (PCM) for a secondary battery including a bare cell is provided. The PCM includes: a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB); and control circuitry mounted on the FPCB via adhesive material and configured for electrical coupling to the bare cell through the FPCB. The control circuitry is adapted to control charging and discharging of the bare cell. |
| US08547066B2 |
Method and apparatus for powering an electric hand-held power tool device
An apparatus for powering an electric hand-held power tool device by an output voltage includes at least two connectors for connecting the apparatus to at least two batteries. At least two switches, and a command circuit of the switches, are provided. The command circuit is arranged for commanding the powering of the electric hand-held power tool device by using the battery which presents the highest open circuit voltage if the output voltage is higher than the open circuit voltage of each of the other batteries. And, by using the battery which presents the highest open circuit voltage and at least one other battery if the output voltage is lower than the open circuit voltage of the other battery, the battery which presents the highest open circuit voltage and the at least one other battery being connected in parallel. |
| US08547058B2 |
Non-contact charging module and reception-side and transmission-side non-contact charging apparatuses using the same
It is an object to provide a non-contact charging module that uses a magnet included in a counterpart-side non-contact charging module or does not use the magnet when aligning with the counterpart-side non-contact charging module is performed. An L value of a coil that is provided in the non-contact charging module is not changed. This non-contact charging module includes a planar coil portion where electrical lines are wound and a magnetic sheet that places a coil surface of the planar coil portion and faces the coil surface of the planar coil portion, and in the magnetic sheet, a hole portion is provided at the position corresponding to a hollow portion of the planar coil portion. |
| US08547054B2 |
Power supply apparatus
Provided is a technology where a voltage capable of driving a mobile device, to which a power supply apparatus is connected, is automatically detected. The power supply apparatus, for supplying power to the device connected, includes a power supply, a voltage conversion unit which varies a voltage inputted from the power supply to a predetermined voltage and outputs the varied voltage to the device, an ammeter which measures an output current value of the power supply apparatus, and a control unit which controls the voltage varied by the voltage conversion unit. The control unit boosts the voltage outputted from the power supply in stages and detects, by detecting a change in the output current value, that the output voltage of the power supply apparatus boosted by the voltage conversion unit has reached a voltage capable of driving the device. |
| US08547052B2 |
Driving control apparatus of brushless motor
A driving control apparatus includes an inverter circuit, a motor driving circuit and a motor control unit. In performing overlap energization, at a start time of an overlap time period, a pulse width of a first PWM signal at an energization side is widened to increase a number of pulses of a second PWM signal accordingly, and a first PWM signal at an energization side corresponding to a constant voltage side is also widened. |
| US08547050B2 |
Control method and system with feedback indicative of load flux
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including an induction-motor controller having a phase path; a solid-state switch interposed on the phase path; and a controller coupled to the solid-state switch. In certain embodiments, the controller is configured to switch the solid-state switch so that the solid-state switch is conductive during a conduction angle of a cycle of an incoming AC power waveform conveyed by the phase path, calculate the conduction angle based on a generally sinusoidal reference value that has a frequency lower than a frequency of the incoming AC power waveform, and adjust the generally sinusoidal reference value based on a value indicative of flux in a load coupled to the phase path. |
| US08547049B2 |
DC motor assembly with step adjusting control arrangement
A DC motor assembly includes a motorized unit for generating a rotatable power at an output shaft, and a step adjusting control arrangement including an optical grating and a photocoupler. The optical grating, which is operatively coupled at the output shaft, has a plurality of light transmissible portions and a plurality of light blocking portions alternating with the light transmissible portions. The photocoupler is activated to send out an impulse signal in responsive to a phase shift between the light transmissible portion and the light blocking portion of the optical grating, wherein the output shaft is controllably driven to be rotated and stopped in a sequent manner as a stepping movement thereof in responsive to the impulse signal so as to controllably adjust the rotational speed of the output shaft. |
| US08547048B2 |
Drive control circuit for linear vibration motor
A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. The drive signal generating unit estimates the eigen frequency of a linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency. The zero-cross detecting unit sets a detection window for avoiding the detection of zero cross of voltages other than the induced voltage. The zero-cross detecting unit enables a zero cross detected within the detection window and disables a zero cross detected outside the detection window. |
| US08547047B2 |
Method and device for monitoring a movement-controlled machine with an electronically commutated drive motor
In a method and device for monitoring a movement-controlled machine, such as a manipulator, having an electronically commutated drive motor for which a commutation angle is provided based on its detected real position and a control variable, in particular a predetermined desired position, a limit value is determined for a rate of change in particular a time derivative of the real position of the drive motor, and the commutation angle is predetermined such that the rate of change of the commutation angle does not exceed a limit value. |
| US08547030B2 |
Current source, current source arrangement and their use
A current source (10), comprising a bipolar transistor (1) including a control terminal and a controlled path, a first terminal on the controlled path, to which first terminal an electrical load (D1, D2) may be connected, a second terminal on the controlled path, which second terminal may be connected to a reference potential via a resistor (4), a measuring device (2) coupled to the control terminal for measuring a control current on the control terminal, a compensation device (3) coupled to the measuring device (2) and the bipolar transistor (1) in such a manner that the control current of the bipolar transistor (1) is compensated for at the first terminal of the controlled path. |
| US08547028B2 |
Constant current power supply device
A constant current power supply device according to the present invention includes: an error amplifier to amplify an error signal of an error voltage between a voltage of a current detection resistor and a reference voltage, and a second control circuit to sample and hold the error signal in an ON period of the external signal, output the error signal to a first control circuit, hold the error signal just before the external signal is turned from ON to OFF, increase an amplification ratio of the error amplifier by a predetermined magnification ratio in an OFF period of the external signal, and output the increased error signal to the first control circuit. |
| US08547025B2 |
Two-terminal current controller and related LED lighting device
An LED lighting device includes a first luminescent device for providing light according to a first current, a second luminescent device coupled in series to the first luminescent device for providing light according to a second current, a silicon-controlled rectifier coupled in parallel to the first luminescent device and configured to conduct a third current when a voltage established across the first luminescent device exceeds a break-over voltage, and a two-terminal current controller coupled in parallel with the first luminescent device and in series to the second luminescent device and configured to regulate the second current according to a voltage established across the two-terminal current controller. |
| US08547023B2 |
LED light source module
A light emitting diode (LED) light source module includes a circuit substrate, a driving IC electrically coupled to the circuit substrate and having at least one input terminal and an output terminal, an LED coupled onto the circuit substrate and electrically coupled to an output terminal of the driving IC, and a packaging layer, having a transparent structure shaped by a colloidal solidification, such that the transparent structure is covered outside the driving IC and LED, and the LED light source module covers the driving IC and LED by the transparent structure of the packaging layer, and serves as a light source module of a lamp directly without the need of installing another driving IC to the lamp, and promotes its extensive use in LED lamps. |
| US08547019B2 |
Lamp assembly and circuits for protection against miswiring in a lamp controller
An electronic circuit for use with a lamp controller includes a driver component and a voltage interface circuit powered by the driver component. The interface component delivers a low voltage power signal at a defined operating range via output lines to a downstream controller. A protection circuit is coupled with the voltage interface circuit. The protection circuit in one embodiment has an under-voltage switch disposed in one of the output lines and configured to open at a voltage less than the defined voltage range, and a blocking device disposed in the other output line and configured to block reverse power flow at a voltage above the defined voltage range. In another embodiment, the protection circuit has a first blocking device disposed in either one of the output lines to block reverse power flow to the voltage interface circuit, a PTC device disposed in either one of the output lines, and a second blocking device disposed across the output lines to protect the control circuit from a high voltage reverse polarity condition. |
| US08547017B2 |
Vehicle dome and reading light
A vehicle dome and reading light assembly for a vehicle includes a lighting device assembled to the interior of the vehicle and capable of generating plural light colors. A first switch is actuatable to cause the lighting device to generate a first color light and a first light intensity to serve as a dome lamp. A second switch is actuatable to cause the lighting device to generate a second color light at a second light intensity to serve as a map or reading lamp. |
| US08547013B2 |
Organic EL display device with a color converting layer
A display device of the present invention includes a red-light-emitting element (1), a green-light-emitting element (2), and a blue-light-emitting element (3). The red-light-emitting element (1) and the green-light-emitting element (2) each include an organic EL section (20) and a color converting layer (15). The color converting layer (15) has an optical distance that extends from (i) a position of the color converting layer from which position light is emitted to (ii) an extraction surface of the color converting layer, the optical distance being varied between the red-light-emitting element (1) and (2). The blue-light-emitting element (3) may include a film-thickness adjusting layer (19) instead of the color converting layer (15). |
| US08547004B2 |
Encapsulated metal microtip microplasma devices, arrays and fabrication methods
An embodiment of the invention is a microtip microplasma device having a first metal microtip opposing a second metal microtip with a gap therebetween. The first and second metal microtips are encapsulated in metal oxide that electrically isolates and physically connects the first and second metal microtips. In preferred devices, the first and second metal microtips and metal oxide comprise a monolithic, unitary structure. Arrays can be flexible, can be arranged in stacks, and can be formed into cylinders, for example, for gas and liquid processing devices, air filters and other applications. A preferred method of to forming an array of microtip microplasma devices provides a metal mesh with an array of micro openings therein. Electrode areas of the metal mesh are masked leaving planned connecting metal oxide areas of the metal mesh unmasked. Planned connecting metal oxide areas are electrochemically etched to convert the planned connecting metal oxide areas to metal oxide that encapsulates opposing metal microtips therein. The mask is removed. The electrode areas are electrochemically etched to encapsulate the electrode areas in metal oxide. |
| US08547002B2 |
Heat removal design for LED bulbs
An LED bulb having bulb-shaped shell and thermally conductive fluid or gel within the shell. The bulb includes at least one LED within the shell. The bulb includes at least one LED within the shell and a base. The base can be configured to fit within an electrical socket and can include a series of screw threads and a base pin, wherein the screw threads and base pin are dimensioned to be received within a standard electrical socket. Alternatively, the base can be configured to fit within a suitable electric socket. |
| US08546996B2 |
Devices and techniques for cutting and coagulating tissue
Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. |
| US08546995B2 |
Two-dimensional micromechanical actuator with multiple-plane comb electrodes
A micro-electro-mechanical actuator consists of a first semiconductor layer comprising a movable element with comb electrodes, a support element with inner and outer comb electrodes and a stationary element with comb electrodes, an electrical insulation layer, and a second semiconductor layer with a cavity to allow out-of-plane rotation of the movable and support elements. The movable element is mounted to the support element by a first pair of torsional hinges whereas the support element is mounted to the stationary element by a second pair of torsional hinges such that the actuator is in gimbaled structure. Inner comb electrodes of the support element interdigitate with comb electrodes of the movable element, and outer comb electrodes of the support element interdigitate with comb electrodes of the stationary element in the same plane defined by the first semiconductor layer to form in-plane comb-drive actuators. The in-plane comb-drive actuator may be controlled to generate two-dimensional oscillation of the movable element about the two axes defined by the torsional hinges. The second semiconductor layer may further comprise comb electrodes which interdigitate vertically with outer comb electrodes of support element to form vertical comb-drive actuators. Combing the in-plane and the vertical comb-drive actuators, the movable element is controllable to perform two-dimensional raster scan motion. |
| US08546992B2 |
Insulation structure for winding of motor stator
The present invention provides an improved insulation structure for winding of motor stator, which is an improved design of structure for providing effective insulation for stator winding and improving winding volume. A stator piece that is arranged inside a motor body forms arrayed holes for wire winding. The holes receive insulation plates that are configured to correspond to the shape of the holes to be fit therein. Opposite ends of the stator piece receive end rings to fix and assemble thereto. End tabs formed at edges of the insulation plates are arranged to fit into and cover edge surface of a winding slot of each of the holes to realize complete coverage of the insulation for stator winding thereby ensuing operation safety when the motor is activated and put into operation. |
| US08546989B2 |
Motor and electrical appliance provided with same
An electric motor includes a stator that has a stator winding wound on a stator iron core; a rotor having a rotating body with a rotating shaft in the center; a bearing for journaling the rotating shaft; and two conductive brackets for fixing the bearing. The rotating body holds a magnet such that the magnet faces the stator, and is fastened to the rotating shaft penetrating through the center of the rotating body. In the rotating body, a dielectric layer is formed between the rotating shaft and the outer circumference of the rotating body. The dielectric layer has a polygonal shape with the rotating shaft in the center. An electric device includes the thus configured electric motor. |
| US08546982B2 |
Electric machine module cooling system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module comprising a module housing. In some embodiments, the module housing can include a sleeve member and at least one end cap. Also, an inner wall of the module housing can at least partially define a machine cavity. In some embodiments a coolant jacket can be positioned within a portion of the sleeve member. Further, in some embodiments, at least one partition can be positioned substantially within the coolant jacket. The partition can be dimensioned to at least partially seal a first region of the coolant jacket from a second region of the cooling jacket. |
| US08546981B2 |
Actuator
An actuator is provided, which includes a main shaft having a first shaft portion for generating a magnetic field in a linear direction and a second shaft portion for generating a magnetic field in a rotational direction, and a coil wound around an outer peripheral surface of the main shaft. The actuator performs both a rotational driving function and a straight driving function via a single unit to improve the positional accuracy and provide spatial efficiency, thereby improving the merchantable quality of the actuator. |
| US08546980B2 |
Radio-frequency module and radio communication system
There is provided a radio-frequency module and a radio communication system capable of supporting multiple bands at low cost or small size. A high-frequency power amplifier device includes a power amplifier circuit unit for GSM and a control circuit outputting antenna switch control signals with a VSW1 level or a VSW2 level in response to a mode setting signal for selecting GSM or W-CDMA. The VSW2 level is generated by boosting the VSW1 level using a clock signal from an oscillation circuit. When GSM is selected by the mode setting signal, the high-frequency power amplifier device stops the oscillation circuit and outputs the antenna switch control signals of the VSW1 level to an antenna switch device. When W-CDMA is selected by the mode setting signal, the high-frequency power amplifier device outputs the antenna switch control signals of the VSW2 level to the antenna switch device, using the oscillation circuit. |
| US08546974B2 |
Synchronous switching power supply
A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element. |
| US08546973B2 |
Mild hybrid system and method for controlling the same
A mild hybrid system according embodiments of the invention may include: a motor-alternator; an inverter for controlling electrical energy flow to and from the motor-alternator; an electrical energy storage for storing electrical energy generated by the motor-alternator; and a unidirectional DC/DC buck converter including a bypass means for providing a physical connection between the motor-alternator and a vehicle electrical load. With the system, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, packaging process can be simplified, and an additional cooling device is not required. |
| US08546971B2 |
Apparatus for generating electricity from wind power
An apparatus for generating electricity from wind power includes a turbine, a generator connected with the turbine and generating electricity in response to rotation of the turbine's impeller around a substantially upright axis under an action of wind, a wind guiding device guiding wind substantially upwardly toward the turbine, wherein the wind guiding device has a guiding element which is inclined relative to a vertical plane so as to direct the wind toward the turbine. |
| US08546970B2 |
Turbine for a fluid stream
A turbine for a fluid stream has a support structure, a cage rotor, and a generator. The cage rotor is rotated about a first axis by motive fluids moving with a component perpendicular to the first axis. The cage rotor is pivotally mounted to the support structure about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A generator is driven by the rotation of the cage rotor. An actuator adjusts the pivotal position of the cage rotor relative to the support structure. |
| US08546958B2 |
Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for protecting semiconductor wafer
The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for protecting a semiconductor wafer, which does not cause curve (warpage) in the semiconductor wafer, when the semiconductor wafer is ground, is excellent in followability to a pattern, has adequate stress dispersibility in a grinding operation, suppresses the crack in a wafer and chipping in a wafer edge, and does not leave a residue of a tackiness agent on the surface of the wafer. The protective sheet has one face having tackiness, does not have an interface existing between a substrate and the tackiness agent and is made of one layer, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet has different tack strengths on both faces from each other. |
| US08546955B1 |
Multi-die stack package
An embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed. This embodiment of the apparatus includes an interposer, a first die stack, a second die stack, a third die stack, and a fourth die stack which are all coupled to the interposer. The interposer provides a common base for and a stratum of each of the first die stack, the second die stack, the third die stack, and the fourth die stack. The first die stack includes an optical engine. The optical engine includes at least one optical engine die. The second die stack includes a plurality of programmable resource dies. The third die stack includes at least one memory die. The fourth die stack includes a serializer-deserializer die. |
| US08546953B2 |
Through silicon via (TSV) isolation structures for noise reduction in 3D integrated circuit
Through silicon via (TSV) isolation structures are provided and suppress electrical noise such as may be propagated through a semiconductor substrate when caused by a signal carrying active TSV such as used in 3D integrated circuit packaging. The isolation TSV structures are surrounded by an oxide liner and surrounding dopant impurity regions. The surrounding dopant impurity regions may be P-type dopant impurity regions that are coupled to ground or N-type dopant impurity regions that may advantageously be coupled to VDD. The TSV isolation structure is advantageously disposed between an active, signal carrying TSV and active semiconductor devices and the TSV isolation structures may be formed in an array that isolates an active, signal carrying TSV structure from active semiconductor devices. |
| US08546951B2 |
3D integration microelectronic assembly for integrated circuit devices
A 3D interposer (and method of making same) that includes a crystalline substrate handler having opposing first and second surfaces, with a cavity formed into the first surface. A layer of insulation material is formed on the surface of the handler that defines the cavity. The cavity is filled with a compliant dielectric material. A plurality of electrical interconnects is formed through the interposer. Each electrical interconnect includes a first hole formed through the crystalline substrate handler extending from the second surface to the cavity, a second hole formed through the compliant dielectric material so as to extend from and be aligned with the first hole, a layer of insulation material formed along a sidewall of the first hole, and conductive material extending through the first and second holes. |
| US08546950B2 |
Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor package and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The semiconductor package includes a substrate, a semiconductor element, a package body and a conductive part. The substrate has an electrical contact. The semiconductor element is disposed on the substrate. The package body covers the semiconductor element and defines a through hole from which the electrical contact is exposed. Wherein, the package body includes a resin body and a plurality of fiber layers. The fiber layers are disposed in the resin body and define a plurality of fiber apertures which is arranged as an array. The conductive part is electrically connected to the substrate through the through hole. |
| US08546947B2 |
Chip structure and process for forming the same
A chip structure comprises a substrate, a first built-up layer, a passivation layer and a second built-up layer. The substrate includes many electric devices placed on a surface of the substrate. The first built-up layer is located on the substrate. The first built-up layer is provided with a first dielectric body and a first interconnection scheme, wherein the first interconnection scheme interlaces inside the first dielectric body and is electrically connected to the electric devices. The first interconnection scheme is constructed from first metal layers and plugs, wherein the neighboring first metal layers are electrically connected through the plugs. The passivation layer is disposed on the first built-up layer and is provided with openings exposing the first interconnection scheme. The second built-up layer is formed on the passivation layer. The second built-up layer is provided with a second dielectric body and a second interconnection scheme, wherein the second interconnection scheme interlaces inside the second dielectric body and is electrically connected to the first interconnection scheme. The second interconnection scheme is constructed from at least one second metal layer and at least one via metal filler, wherein the second metal layer is electrically connected to the via metal filler. The thickness, width, and cross-sectional area of the traces of the second metal layer are respectively larger than those of the first metal layers. |
| US08546940B2 |
Manufacturing method of lead frame substrate and semiconductor apparatus
A lead frame substrate, including: a metal plate with a first surface and a second surface; a connection post formed on the first surface; wiring formed on the second surface; and a pre-molding resin layer, in which a thickness of the pre-molding resin layer is the same as a height of the connection post. |
| US08546932B1 |
Thin substrate PoP structure
A PoP (package-on-package) package includes a bottom package with a substrate encapsulated in an encapsulant with a die coupled to the top of the substrate. At least a portion of the die is exposed above the encapsulant on the bottom package substrate. A top package includes a substrate with encapsulant on both the frontside and the backside of the substrate. The backside of the top package substrate is coupled to the topside of the bottom package substrate with at least part of the die being located in a recess in the encapsulant on the backside of the top package substrate. |
| US08546930B2 |
3-D ICs equipped with double sided power, coolant, and data features
Three dimensional integrated circuits with double sided power, coolant, and data features and methods of constructing same are provided. According to some embodiments, an integrated circuit package can generally comprise one or more semiconductor wafers and opposing end substrates. The semiconductor wafers can each have a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface. The plurality of semiconductor wafers can form a multi-dimensional wafer stack of die wafers such that adjacent wafers have facing surfaces. Each of the semiconductor wafers can comprise one or more channels formed through the wafers. A portion of the channels can extend generally between the top and bottom exterior surfaces of the semiconductor wafers. A portion of the channels can carry conductors for coupling the wafers and/or coolant for cooling the wafers. The opposing end substrates can be disposed proximate opposing ends of the multi-dimensional stack. The opposing end substrates can be configured to supply power, coolant, and data signals to opposing ends of the multi-dimensional wafer stack. Other embodiments are also claimed and described. |
| US08546928B2 |
Micromechanical housing comprising at least two cavities having different internal pressure and/or different gas compositions and method for the production thereof
The present application relates to a multiple component which is to be subsequently individualized by forming components containing active structures, in addition to a corresponding component which can be used in microsystem technology systems. The multiple component and/or component comprises a flat substrate and also a flat cap structure which are bound to each other such that they surround at least one first and one second cavity per component, which are sealed against each other and towards the outside. The first of the two cavities is provided with getter material and due to the getter material has a different internal pressure and/or a different gas composition than the second cavity. The present application also relates to a method for producing the type of component and/or components for which gas mixtures of various types of gas have a different absorption ratio in relation to the getter material. |
| US08546927B2 |
RFIC chip mounting structure
An RFIC module includes an RFIC chip that is mounted on a mounting substrate and that is encapsulated with an encapsulation resin layer. The mounting substrate includes a flexible base and electrodes provided on the flexible base. External terminals are disposed near four corners of a mounting surface of the RFIC chip. One of a plurality of mounting lands located on the surface of the flexible base is a shared mounting land and defines an integrated mounting land that is shared by an RF terminal and an NC terminal of the RFIC chip. The shared mounting land is arranged to cover one side of the RFIC chip when viewed from above. |
| US08546924B2 |
Package structures for integrating thermoelectric components with stacking chips
Package structures for integrating thermoelectric components with stacking chips are presented. The package structures include a chip with a pair of conductive through vias. Conductive elements are disposed one side of the chip contacting the pair of conductive through vias. Thermoelectric components are disposed on the other side of the chip, wherein the thermoelectric component includes a first type conductive thermoelectric element and a second type conductive thermoelectric element respectively corresponding to and electrically connecting to the pair of conductive through vias. A substrate is disposed on the thermoelectric component, wherein the thermoelectric component, the pair of conductive through vias and the conductive element form a thermoelectric current path. Therefore, heat generated from the chip is transferred outward through a thermoelectric path formed from the thermoelectric components, the conductive through vias and the conductive elements. |
| US08546919B2 |
Die stacking with an annular via having a recessed socket
A die stack including a die having an annular via with a recessed conductive socket and methods of forming the die stack provide a structure for use in a variety of electronic systems. In an embodiment, a die stack includes a conductive pillar on the top of a die inserted into the recessed conductive socket of another die. |
| US08546918B2 |
Semiconductor device
In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming islands by forming deep trenches within scribe lines of a substrate. The islands have a first notch disposed on sidewalls of the islands. A first electrode stack is formed over a top surface of the islands. The back surface of the substrate is thinned to separate the islands. A second electrode stack is formed over a back surface of the islands. |
| US08546917B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection having parallel NPN and PNP bipolar junction transistors
A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method and an operating method for the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a first well region, a second well region, a first doped region, a second doped region, an anode, and a cathode. The second well region is adjacent to the first well region. The first doped region is on the second well region. The second doped region is on the first well region. The anode is coupled to the first doped region and the second well region. The cathode is coupled to the first well region and the second doped region. The first well region and the first doped region have a first conductivity type. The second well region and the second doped region have a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. |
| US08546914B2 |
Embedded capacitor structure and the forming method thereof
A method for forming an embedded capacitor structure is provided. Firstly, a first dielectric layer having a trench therein on a substrate is provided. A capacitor structure is formed on the bottom surface of the trench. The capacitor structure includes a first metal layer, a capacitance-insulating layer and a second metal layer and the portion surface of the first metal layer on the bottom surface of the trench is exposed. A cap layer is formed on the top surface and the inner surface of the trench and on the capacitor structure. A second dielectric layer is formed on the cap layer. The portion of second dielectric layer and the portion of the cap layer are removed to form a plurality of contact windows therein, and the portion surface of the first metal layer and the portion surface of the second metal layer are exposed by the plurality of contact windows. |
| US08546913B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A capacitance cell includes a substrate structure layer having pair diffusion regions, and an interconnect layer having pair of power supply lines. The capacitance cell also includes a capacitance composed of a first electrode, a dielectric member and a second electrode stacked together, and is formed in a frame shape and disposed in a space between the substrate structure layer and the interconnect layer so as to extend along an outer rim of the frame shape of a standard cell region in which a standard cell is arranged. The capacitance cell also includes a first substrate contact that electrically connects one of the pair of power supply lines to one of the diffusion regions externally of the standard cell region. The capacitance cell also includes a second substrate contact that electrically connects the other power supply line to the other diffusion region, externally of the standard cell region. The capacitance cell further includes a first capacitance contact electrically connecting the first electrode to the other diffusion region internally of the standard cell region, and a second capacitance contact electrically connecting the second electrode to the one power supply line internally of the standard cell region. |
| US08546909B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having air gap proximate to element isolation region and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes an element region, a gate insulating film, a first gate electrode, an intergate insulating film, a second gate electrode and an element isolation region. The gate insulating film is formed on the element region. The first gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film. The intergate insulating film is formed on the first gate electrode and has an opening. The second gate electrode is formed on the intergate insulating film and in contact with the first gate electrode via the opening. The element isolation region encloses a laminated structure formed by the element region, the gate insulating film, and the first gate electrode. The air gap is formed between the element isolation region and side surfaces of the element region, the gate insulating film and the first gate electrode. |
| US08546907B2 |
Enhanced transmission lines for radio frequency applications
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a depletion region in the semiconductor substrate; and a deep well region substantially enclosed by the depletion region. The deep well region is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, and includes a first portion directly over the deep well region and a second portion directly under the deep well region. A transmission line is directly over the depletion region. |
| US08546906B2 |
System and method for packaging of high-voltage semiconductor devices
A method and an electronic device structure comprising at least one access lead to adapted to be connected to an electrical circuit; at least one substrate region; at least one semiconductor die positioned on the substrate; the at least one semiconductor die being operatively connected to the at least one access lead; a dielectric region extending below the at least one semiconductor die; the dielectric region being formed by creating a cavity in the at least one substrate region; whereby the dielectric region operates to reduce electric field stresses produced by the at least one semiconductor die to thereby reduce the possibility of material failure and voltage breakdown. The method of making an electronic device structure comprises providing at least one substrate region; providing at least one semiconductor die located on the at least one substrate region; removing a portion of the at least one substrate region to provide a dielectric region within the substrate extending below the at least one semiconductor die; whereby the dielectric region within the at least one substrate region operates to reduce electric field stresses produced by the at least one semiconductor die to thereby reduce the possibility of material failure and voltage breakdown. |
| US08546903B2 |
Ionic isolation ring
There has been very little (if any) attention to address contamination diffusion within an integrated circuit (IC) because there are very few applications where a protective overcoat will be penetrated as part of the manufacturing process. Here, a sealing ring is provided that address this problem. Preferably, the sealing ring uses the combination of electrically conductive barrier rings and the tortuous migration path to allow an electronic device (i.e., thermopile), where a protective overcoat is penetrated during manufacture, to communicate with external devices while being isolated to prevent contamination. |
| US08546900B2 |
3D integration microelectronic assembly for integrated circuit devices
A microelectronic assembly for packaging/encapsulating IC devices, which includes a crystalline substrate handler having opposing first and second surfaces and a cavity formed into the first surface, a first IC device disposed in the cavity and a second IC device mounted to the second surface, and a plurality of interconnects formed through the crystalline substrate handler. Each of the interconnects includes a hole formed through the crystalline substrate handler from the first surface to the second surface, a compliant dielectric material disposed along the hole's sidewall, and a conductive material disposed along the compliant dielectric material and extending between the first and second surfaces. The compliant dielectric material insulates the conductive material from the sidewall. The second IC device, which can be an image sensor, is electrically coupled to the conductive materials of the plurality of interconnects. The first IC can be a processor for processing the signals from the image sensor. |
| US08546895B2 |
Electronic device including MEMS devices and holed substrates, in particular of the LGA or BGA type
An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free. |
| US08546884B2 |
High value resistors in gallium arsenide
A high value resistor of the present invention has an active layer deposited over a semi-insulating substrate. Channel etch regions are defined within the active layer. Gate metal is deposited over each channel etch region. Ohmic contact material is deposited at opposing ends of the active layer to define connection regions. A second metal is deposited over the connection regions to form input/output pads. This resistor pattern presents significant increase in resistance in a given area without any additional processing or process steps. |
| US08546878B2 |
Semiconductor device incorporating charge balancing
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed thereon. The semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type is characterized by a first thickness. The semiconductor device includes a set of trenches having a predetermined depth and extending into the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, thereby defining interfacial regions disposed between the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type and each of the trenches. The trenches comprises a distal portion consisting essentially of a dielectric material disposed therein and a proximal portion comprising the dielectric material and a gate material disposed interior to the dielectric material in the proximal portion of the trench. The semiconductor device further includes a source region coupled to the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type. |
| US08546874B2 |
Power switching semiconductor devices including rectifying junction-shunts
A semiconductor device includes a drift layer and a body region that forms a p-n junction with the drift layer. A contactor region is in the body region, and a shunt channel region extends through the body region from the contactor region to the drift layer. The shunt channel region has a length, thickness and doping concentration selected such that: 1) the shunt channel region is fully depleted when zero voltage is applied across the first and second terminals, 2) the shunt channel becomes conductive at a voltages less than the built-in potential of the drift layer to body region p-n junction, and/or 3) the shunt channel is not conductive for voltages that reverse bias the p-n junction between the drift region and the body region. |
| US08546872B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, first, second, third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures, each having memory strings stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and each extending to a second direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first part connected to first ends in the second direction of the first and second fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a second part connected to first ends in the second direction of the third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a third part connected to second ends in the second direction of the first and third fin-type stacked layer structures each other, and a fourth part connected to second ends in the second direction of the second and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other. |
| US08546870B2 |
Semiconductor devices having gate structures with conductive patterns of different widths and methods of fabricating such devices
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first dielectric pattern, a data storage pattern and a second dielectric pattern, which are sequentially stacked on a semiconductor substrate. A first conductive pattern is provided on the second dielectric pattern. A second conductive pattern having a greater width than the first conductive pattern is provided on the first conductive pattern. |
| US08546869B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices having vertically integrated nonvolatile memory cell sub-strings therein
Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices according to embodiments of the invention include techniques to form highly integrated vertical stacks of nonvolatile memory cells. These vertical stacks of memory cells can utilize dummy memory cells to compensate for process artifacts that would otherwise yield relatively poor functioning memory cell strings when relatively large numbers of memory cells are stacked vertically on a semiconductor substrate using a plurality of vertical sub-strings electrically connected in series. |
| US08546864B2 |
Three dimensional memory and methods of forming the same
Some embodiments include a memory device and methods of forming the memory device. One such memory device includes a first group of memory cells, each of the memory cells of the first group being formed in a cavity of a first control gate located in one device level of the memory device. The memory device also includes a second group of memory cells, each of the memory cells of the second group being formed in a cavity of a second control gate located in another device level of the memory device. Additional apparatus and methods are described. |
| US08546855B2 |
Charging protection device
Shallow trench isolation silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices are formed with improved charge protection. Embodiments include an SOI film diode and a P+ substrate junction as a charging protection device. Embodiments also include a conductive path from the SOI transistor drain, through a conductive contact, a metal line, a second conductive contact, an SOI diode, isolated from the transistor, a third conductive contact, a second conductive line, and a fourth conductive contact to a P+-doped substrate contact in the bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate. |
| US08546850B2 |
Superjunction collectors for transistors and semiconductor devices
Superjunction collectors for transistors are discussed in this application. According to one embodiment, a bipolar transistor having a superjunction collector structure can comprise a collector electrode, a base electrode, an emitter electrode, a collector-base space charge region, and a superjunction collector. The collector-base space charge region can be disposed in electrical communication between the collector electrode and the base electrode. The superjunction collector region can be disposed in the collector-base space charge region. The superjunction collector region can comprise a plurality of alternating horizontally disposed P-type and N-type layers. The layers can be horizontally disposed layers that are layered on top of each other. The P-type and N-type layers can be doped with different types of doping levels. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also discussed and claimed. |
| US08546845B2 |
Light emitting device comprising a green emitting sialon-based material
The invention relates to a light emitting device, especially a LED comprising a green emitting material of the composition Sr5−y−z−aMySi23−xAl3+xOx+2aN37−x−2a:Euz:Cez1. This material has been found to have a narrow emission in the green wavelight range together with a good producibility and stability. |
| US08546841B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device uses a conductive bonding agent in bonding a package and a cap, and the light emitting device is a non-air tight and can be manufactured stably, with an improved yield. A method of manufacturing the light emitting device includes a step of bonding a cap having a frame portion to a package having a light emitting element mounted in a recess of the package to cover an opening of the recess. In the step of bonding, a metal bonding agent having greater wettability to the frame portion than to the package is partially disposed to the package or the frame portion, and extended along the frame portion so that ends of the metal bonding agent are joined to each other. With this, a space is defined at a joining portion where the ends of the metal bonding agent are joined, and the package and the frame portion are bonded. |
| US08546840B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
The present invention provides a semiconductor light emitting element having; a semiconductor layer where an n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are laminated; an n-side electrode connected to the n-type semiconductor layer; and a p-side electrode connected to the p-type semiconductor layer; when the semiconductor light emitting element is viewed from above, the n-side electrode has a n-side pad electrode and n-side extension, the n-side extension comprises an n-side first extension extending from the n-side pad electrode toward the p-side pad electrode and an n-side second extension extending from the n-side first extension and formed T shape with the n-side first extension, the p-side electrode has a p-side pad electrode and a p-side extension formed so as to surround the n-side electrode, the p-side side extension comprises an p-side first extension extending from the p-side pad electrode parallel to the n-side second extension. |
| US08546838B2 |
Light emitting device package and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting device package capable of achieving an enhancement in light emission efficiency and a reduction in thermal resistance, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method includes forming a mounting hole in a first substrate, forming through holes in a second substrate, forming a metal film in the through holes, forming at least one pair of metal layers on upper and lower surfaces of the second substrate such that the metal layers are electrically connected to the metal film, bonding the first substrate to the second substrate, and mounting at least one light emitting device in the mounting hole such that the light emitting device is electrically connected to the metal layers formed on the upper surface of the second substrate. |
| US08546837B2 |
Light emitting device having vertical structure, package thereof and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting device having a vertical structure, a package thereof and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of damping impact generated in a substrate separation process, and achieving an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The method includes growing a semiconductor layer having a multilayer structure over a substrate, forming a first electrode on the semiconductor layer, separating the substrate including the grown semiconductor layer into unit devices, bonding each of the separated unit devices on a sub-mount, separating the substrate from the semiconductor layer, and forming a second electrode on a surface of the semiconductor layer exposed in accordance with the separation of the substrate. |
| US08546834B2 |
LED package
An LED package improved in efficiency and brightness. In the package, a body has a mounting part thereon. A plurality of light emitting diode chips are mounted on the mounting part. The mounting part has a cross-section upwardly convexed with a non-planar top portion so that at least two adjacent ones of the light emitting diode chips have opposing side surfaces facing a different direction from each other. |
| US08546829B2 |
Posts in glue layer for group-III nitride LEDs
A semiconductor light emitting device and a method for making the semiconductor light emitting device are described. The semiconductor light emitting device includes an epitaxial structure having a first type doped layer, a light emitting layer, and a second type doped layer. The epitaxial structure may further include an undoped layer. A substrate is bonded to at least one surface of the epitaxial structure with an adhesive layer. One or more posts are located in the adhesive layer. The posts may have different widths depending on the location of the posts and/or the posts may only be located under certain portions of the epitaxial structure. |
| US08546823B2 |
Light emitting device and illumination apparatus including same
A light emitting device includes a plurality of solid-state light emitting elements mounted on a substrate; and a wavelength converting unit covering the solid-state light emitting elements, the wavelength converting unit containing fluorescent materials. The solid-state light emitting elements include inner solid-state light emitting elements arranged in a central position of the substrate and outer solid-state light emitting elements arranged outwardly of the inner solid-state light emitting elements, and the wavelength converting unit is configured such that a probability that light propagating through the wavelength converting unit is brought into contact with the fluorescent materials in a portion of the wavelength converting unit covering the outer solid-state light emitting elements is lower than a probability that light propagating through the wavelength converting unit is brought into contact with the fluorescent materials in other portions. |
| US08546822B2 |
Backlight film, method and apparatus for forming same
A backlight film includes a flexible substrate with a first electrode layer, a polymeric light emitting layer, a second electrode layer and a protection layer formed subsequently on the flexible substrate. The first electrode layer, the polymeric light emitting layer and the second electrode layer each has a predetermined pattern. The backlight film further includes an insulating layer arranged around the polymeric light emitting layer. A method and an apparatus for forming the backlight film are also provided. |
| US08546821B2 |
Display device for controlling an organic light emitting layer thickness
A display device includes an array of light emitting cells. Banks define each of the light emitting cells. The light emitting cells include a first light emitting cell that is located in a central region of the array and a second light emitting cell that is located in a peripheral region of the array. First and third banks border the first light emitting cell with the first bank being closer to a periphery of the array than the second bank. Second and fourth banks border the second light emitting cell with the third bank being closer to the periphery of the array than the fourth bank. An inclination angle of an innermost sidewall of the third bank that is adjacent the second light emitting cell is different than an inclination angle of an innermost sidewall of the first bank that is adjacent the first light emitting cell. |
| US08546817B2 |
High temperature strain sensor
An example sensor that includes a first Schottky diode, a second Schottky diode and an integrated circuit. The sensor further includes a voltage generator that generates a first voltage across the first Schottky diode and a second voltage across the second Schottky diode. When the first Schottky diode and the second Schottky diode are subjected to different strain, the integrated circuit measures the values of the currents flowing through the first Schottky diode and the second Schottky diode to determine the strain on an element where the first Schottky diode and the second Schottky diode are attached. |
| US08546815B2 |
SiC semiconductor element and manufacturing method for same
Disclosed are an SiC semiconductor element and manufacturing method for an SiC semiconductor element in which the interface state density of the interface of the insulating film and the SiC is reduced, and channel mobility is improved. Phosphorus (30) is added to an insulating film (20) formed on an SiC semiconductor (10) substrate in a semiconductor element. The addition of phosphorous to the insulating film makes it possible to significantly reduce the defects (interface state density) in the interface (21) of the insulating film and the SiC, and to dramatically improve the channel mobility when compared with conventional SiC semiconductor elements. The addition of phosphorus to the insulating film is carried out by heat treatment. The use of heat treatment to add phosphorous to the insulating film makes it possible to maintain the reliability of the insulating film, and to avoid variation in channel mobility and threshold voltage. |
| US08546814B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a plurality of body regions of a second conductivity type, each formed in a region extending from the surface of the semiconductor layer to a halfway portion of the same in the thickness direction, and each spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction; source regions of the first conductivity type, each formed on the surface layer part of each body region and spaced away from the edges of each body region; a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer; and gate electrodes formed on the gate insulating film. In the semiconductor layer, trenches extending between two neighboring source regions are formed by digging from the source of the semiconductor layer, the inside surface of the trenches are covered by the gate insulating film, and the gate electrodes comprise surface-facing parts, which face the surface of the semiconductor layer, and buried parts, which are buried in the trenches. |
| US08546812B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a plurality of pads configured to provide a driver thereon, a plurality of first contacts respectively connected to the plurality of pads, a plurality of second contacts respectively provided so as to be opposed to the plurality of first contacts, a polysilicon layer configured to form a plurality of polysilicon films that are respectively extended to connect the plurality of first contacts and the plurality of second contacts to each other, and a gate metal layer different from the polysilicon layer. Each of a plurality of transistors is formed at a position where the gate metal layer traverses the polysilicon layer, and a plurality of transistor groups are arranged in a zigzag pattern. Each of the plurality of transistor groups include three adjacent transistors of the plurality of transistors. |
| US08546811B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor in which miniaturization is achieved while favorable characteristics are maintained. The semiconductor includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate electrode overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer provided between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, and an insulating layer provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. A side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer is in contact with the source electrode or the drain electrode. An upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer overlaps with the source electrode or the drain electrode with the insulating layer interposed between the oxide semiconductor layer and the source electrode or the drain electrode. |
| US08546810B2 |
Thin film transistor, display device, and electronic appliance
A thin film transistor in which an effect of photo current is small and an On/Off ratio is high is provided. In a bottom-gate bottom-contact (coplanar) thin film transistor, a channel formation region overlaps with a gate electrode, a first impurity semiconductor layer is provided between the channel formation region and a second impurity semiconductor layer which is in contact with a wiring layer. A semiconductor layer which serves as the channel formation region and the first impurity semiconductor layer preferably overlap with each other in a region where they overlap with the gate electrode. The first impurity semiconductor layer and the second impurity semiconductor layer preferably overlap with each other in a region where they do not overlap with the gate electrode. |
| US08546802B2 |
Pick-and-place tool for packaging process
An apparatus includes a guide ring, and a bond head installed on the guide ring. The bond head is configured to move in loops along the guide ring. The bond head is configured to pick up dies and place the dies during the loops. |
| US08546798B2 |
Composite dielectric material doped with rare earth metal oxide and manufacturing method thereof
A composite dielectric material doped with rare earth metal oxide and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The composite dielectric material is doped with nano-crystalline rare metal oxide which is embedded in silicon dioxide glass matrix, and the composite dielectric material of the nano-crystalline rare metal oxide and the silicon dioxide glass matrix is synthesized by the manufacturing method using sol-gel route. The dielectric value of the glass composite dielectric material is greater than that of pure rare metal oxide or that of silicon dioxide. In presence of magnetic field, the dielectric value of the composite dielectric material is substantially enhanced compared with that of the composite dielectric material at zero field. |
| US08546793B2 |
Organic light-emitting device
A heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1 below and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound: wherein Ar1, Ar2, X, and R1 to R5 are defined as in the specification. |
| US08546791B2 |
Electro-optic diode devices
A light emissive or photovoltaic device comprising: a cathode structure for injecting electrons, the cathode structure having one or more constituent regions; an anode structure for injecting holes, the anode structure having one or more constituent regions; and an organic light emissive component located between the anode structure and the cathode structure; the refractive indices and the thicknesses of the or each constituent region of the cathode and anode structures and of the light emissive component being such that the emission or absorption spectrum of the device is substantially angularly dependent. |
| US08546785B2 |
Memristive device
A memristive device includes a first electrode and a second electrode crossing the first electrode at a non-zero angle. An active region is disposed between the first and second electrodes. The active region has defects therein. Graphene or graphite is disposed between the active region and the first electrode and/or between the active region and the second electrode. |
| US08546783B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same with easy formation of a phase change film is realized, realizing high integration and using a phase change film as a memory element. Between a MISFET of a region forming one memory cell and an adjoining MISFET, each MISFET source adjoins in the front surface of an insulating semiconductor substrate. A multi-layer structure of a phase change film and electric conduction film of specific resistance lower than the specific resistance is formed in plan view of the front surface of a semiconductor substrate ranging over each source of both MISFETs, and a plug is stacked thereon. The multi-layer structure functions as a wiring extending and existing in parallel on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and an electric conduction film sends current in a parallel direction on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08546782B2 |
Memory element and memory device
A memory element and a memory device with improved controllability over resistance change by applied voltage are provided. The memory element includes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer provided on the first electrode side, and an ion source layer provided on the second electrode side and is higher in resistance value than the resistance change layer. A resistance value of the resistance change layer is changeable in response to a composition change by applied voltage to the first and second electrodes. |
| US08546779B2 |
Resistance change memory and manufacturing method thereof
According to one embodiment, a resistance-change memory of embodiment includes a first interconnect line extending in a first direction, a second interconnect line extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and a cell unit. The cell unit is provided at an intersection of the first interconnect line and the second interconnect line. The cell unit includes a non-ohmic element having a silicide layer on at least one of first and second ends thereof, and a memory element to store data in accordance with a reversible change in a resistance state. The silicide layer includes a 3d transition metal element which combines with an Si element to form silicide and which has a first atomic radius, and at least one kind of an additional element having a second atomic radius greater than the first atomic radius. |
| US08546769B2 |
Charged particle beam irradiation apparatus, charged particle beam irradiating method, and method of attaching and detaching transport line
A charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes an accelerator that accelerates the charged particle beam; a first transport line that transports the charged particle beam which is delivered from the accelerator; a plurality of second transport lines that may be provided for each of plurality of irradiation chambers and further transports the charged particle beam to be transported by the first transport line to the respective irradiation chambers; and a line switching unit that may be provided between the first transport line and the second transport lines, wherein the plurality of irradiation chambers may be radially disposed around the line switching unit, the line switching unit has an electromagnet that induces the charged particle beam, and a rotating mechanism that rotates the electromagnet, and the second transport lines of the induction place may be switched by rotating the electromagnet. |
| US08546759B2 |
Infrared localization device having a multiple sensor apparatus
A measuring device, in particular a handheld measuring device, for the localization of objects enclosed in a medium, including at least one photometric sensor that obtains by way of the at least one photometric sensor a first measurement signal of the object to be examined, so that by evaluation of that measurement signal, information about an object enclosed in the medium is obtained, and at least one further sensor, for generating at least one further second measurement signal for obtaining information about the object enclosed in the medium. A method for the localization, by way of a photometric sensor, of objects enclosed in a medium. |
| US08546757B2 |
Pixel structure for microbolometer detector
Microbolometer pixel structures including membrane material in a current path between at least two spaced electrodes, the membrane material having multiple openings defined in the current path that are configured such that substantially the entire volume of electrically conductive membrane material in at least a portion of the current path contributes to conduction of current between the electrical contacts. |
| US08546756B2 |
System and method for material analysis of a microscopic element
A system and a method for material analysis of a microscopic element, the method comprising: illuminating an area that includes at least a portion of the microscopic element by a charged particle beam, detecting particles that are generated in the area in response to the charged particle beam and analyzing the detected particles to provide an indication about a material characteristic of the microscopic element, wherein the operation of illumination is implemented as a sequence of displacement compensation determination periods, each provided between consecutive material analysis periods, the method further comprising evaluating during a displacement compensation determination period, a displacement of the charged particle beam with respect to the microscopic element and during a consecutive material analysis period applying a spatial adjustment measure as required, thereby compensating for a drift of the charged particle beam. |
| US08546751B2 |
3D ion trap as fragmentation cell
In a tandem mass spectrometer with mass selector spatially separated from a mass analyzer, ions are fragmented in a three-dimensional RF by electron transfer dissociation. The fragment ions are then extracted from the 3D ion trap and introduced into the mass analyzer. The extraction is accomplished by providing, in one of the ion trap end cap electrodes, an aperture with a relatively large area covered by a conductive mesh or formed by closely spaced smaller apertures. The fragment ions are extracted from the RF ion trap by applying a DC voltage to one of the end cap electrodes. |
| US08546750B2 |
Mass spectrometer interface
A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions. |
| US08546748B2 |
Helium barrier atom chamber
The present invention discloses a vacuum chamber having operating pressures in the ultra-high vacuum (UHV) range (10−8 torr to 10−13 torr) and incorporating transparent windows, said windows constructed from transparent materials (preferably glass), and having low helium permeability velocity under operating and storage conditions. Embodiments may also contain surface coatings on windows to reduce helium permeation. Also disclosed herein is a method for vacuum processing said chamber by heating entire chamber and exposing the inside and outside of the chamber windows to helium free environments. Methods for final sealing said chamber are also discussed. The vacuum chamber is useful as a container for optically-cooled atoms for use in quantum information and atomic clocks and as a sensor for magnetic fields, gravitational fields, and inertial effects. |
| US08546737B2 |
Systems and methods for color binning
In various exemplary embodiments, optically sensitive devices comprise a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region includes an optically sensitive layer over a substrate and has subpixel regions for separate wavebands. A pixel circuit comprises a charge store and a read out circuit for each subpixel region. Circuitry is configured to select a plurality of subpixel elements from different pixels that correspond to the same waveband for simultaneous reading to a shared read out circuit. |
| US08546733B2 |
Method of manufacturing a shaped component
A heater element for formed components is disclosed, along with the final formed component itself. The heater element is produced by photochemically etching a suitable heater track pattern from porous metallized fabric such a nickel coated woven polyester. The heater element is located within a mold. Thermo-formable material is then applied to the mold and the final component is shaped according to the shape of the mold. The final component has a heater element located within it. The component may have microencapsulated agents for initiation by operation of the heater element. Furthermore, the final component may have one or more digital images printed onto the surface for the purposes of decoration or personalization. |
| US08546732B2 |
Heating plate with planar heater zones for semiconductor processing
A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable planar heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. Each planar heater zone includes one or more heater elements made of an insulator-conductor composite. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic sheets having planar heater zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias. |
| US08546731B2 |
Electrical appliance for cooking food
An electric appliance for pressure cooking food includes a casing (1) and a lid (4) forming the outer jacket of the appliance, an outer vessel (2) forming the inner chamber of the appliance, a heating element (25) placed in the bottom of the outer vessel (2), a removable inner vessel (3) forming the container (30) for cooking food, wherein the inner vessel (3) includes at least one handhold (31) extending past the periphery of the casing (1). |
| US08546729B2 |
Wired glazing
A laminated glazing (e.g. a vehicle windscreen) comprising two panes of glazing material (e.g. glass) having a ply of laminating interlayer extending between them, and one or more wires between the panes of glazing material, each having a conductive central core and an outer dark-colored (e.g. black) sheath, which is substantially resistant to color- and substance-degradation by ultraviolet light. The wires may be in the form of a capacitive sensing plate, an inductive coupling loop, a heating element, an antenna and/or an RFID tag. |
| US08546728B2 |
Welder with integrated wire feeder having single-knob control
A welding-type component is disclosed having a single user input that requires a user to input only a single parameter to identify a welding-type process. From the single input, operating parameters for the welding-type process automatically are set or otherwise determined. The invention streamlines the welding-type process prescription process by allowing a user to input only a single parameter than can be used to determine and coordinate other parameters for the welding-type process. |
| US08546727B2 |
Contact tube for a welding torch
The invention relates to a contact tube (29) for a welding torch (10), having a longitudinal axis (31) along which a through-opening (30) for guiding a welding wire (13) from an inlet region (37) to an outlet region (35) and from an outlet opening (39) towards a workpiece (16) is provided, wherein at least one slot (34) is provided in the outlet region (35) for making contact with the welding wire (13). A contact tube (29) with improved contacting of the welding wire (13) is obtained by providing at least one further slot (36) in the inlet region (37) of the contact tube (29), wherein the slot (36) in the inlet region (37) is arranged in line with the slot (34) in the outlet region (35), and a web (38), which serves as a pivot point, is formed between the slot (34) in the outlet region (35) and the at least one slot (36) in the inlet region (37). |
| US08546722B2 |
Laser processing apparatus and processing method employed therein
A laser processing apparatus 1 includes a processing light source 3 emitting processing light; an observation light emitting unit 4 emitting observation light; optical fibers 19 conducting light having a plurality of wavelengths generated at an electronic component 2; a detecting unit 5 detecting the light conducted by the optical fibers 19; and a control unit 31 controlling a light emitting state of the processing light emitting unit 3. The optical fibers 19 are categorized into four groups, and disposed so as to surround an optical fiber 18 conducting the processing light. The optical fibers 19 categorized into the four groups are capable of conducting the observation light to the electronic component 2 every group. |
| US08546719B2 |
Method and plasma arc torch system for marking and cutting workpieces with the same set of consumables
A plasma arc torch both cutting and marking of metal workpieces includes a plasma nozzle having a plasma nozzle orifice through which an electric arc from an electrode and a stream of plasma gas are emitted toward a workpiece, and a liquid-injection shield cup that injects liquid tangentially inwardly to the arc and stream of plasma gas. A power supply is operable to selectively deliver electrical power to the electrode at either a low power level suitable for marking of a workpiece or a high power level suitable for workpiece cutting. The torch may be selectively operated to mark at the low power level, with a plasma marking gas being delivered to the plasma gas passage, or to cut at the high power level, with a plasma cutting gas being delivered to the plasma gas passage, and liquid being delivered to the liquid injection passage for both cutting and marking. |
| US08546718B2 |
Electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch and contact start plasma arc torch employing such electrodes
An electrode for a contact start plasma arc torch includes an elongated electrode body formed of an electrically conductive material. The electrode body is movable relative to the torch. A resilient element, contacting a proximal end of the electrode body, is used for imparting a separation force to the electrode body. The electrode body is adapted to overcome the separation force and engage a contact element of the torch when the torch is operated in a transferred arc mode. |
| US08546715B2 |
Key device for mobile phone
The present invention discloses a key device for a mobile phone, which comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), a key disposed on the PCB and a metal dome disposed above the key. The metal dome is able to make electrical contact with the key. The key comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, and the third electrode is formed as two rings in which the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed respectively. In the key device for a mobile phone provided by the present invention, the key is formed with three electrodes, so when the metal dome makes contact with the first electrode or the second electrode, the three electrodes of the key are electrically connected with each other simultaneously. This imparts the key for a mobile phone with the compatibility, thereby reducing the product cost and shortening the duration of research and development. |
| US08546713B2 |
Push button structure with curved lever
A push button structure includes a casing and a button body that are integrally formed by injection molding. The casing has an opening that extends through the surface of the casing. The button body is formed within the opening, and has an outer periphery spaced from the inner periphery of the opening and has an outer surface exposed on the surface of the casing and an inner surface extended by the curved lever. The curved lever has one end fixedly connected to an inner wall of the casing at a position adjacent to the opening such that the button body is movably positioned inside the opening. When the button body is pressed, the elasticity of the curved lever allows the button body to move toward the inside of the casing and thereby trigger an electronic switch in the casing. |
| US08546712B2 |
MEMS devices
A MEMS device comprises first and second opposing electrode arrangements (22,28), wherein the second electrode arrangement (28) is electrically movable to vary the electrode spacing between facing sides of the first and second electrode arrangements. At least one of the facing sides has a non-flat surface with at least one peak and at least one trough. The height of the peak and depth of the trough is between 0.01t and 0.1t where t is the thickness of the movable electrode. |
| US08546711B2 |
Pneumatic switch
A pneumatic switch (1) having a diaphragm (3) and a switching mechanism operationally connected to the diaphragm (3), the switching mechanism comprises a prestressing element which can be adjusted. |
| US08546710B2 |
Automatic transmission switch
An automatic transmission switch includes a fixed member provided with a fixed-side contact, and a movable member provided with a movable-side contact. The movable-side contact includes an intermittent contact portion with respect to the fixed-side contact. The contact portion extends along a moving direction of the movable member. The movable member is connected to an automatic transmission, and if the movable member is turned according to a switching operation of a shift lever, the movable member brings the fixed-side contact and the movable-side contact into contact with each other and separates them from each other. The movable-side contact is fixed to the movable member. The fixed member is provided with a coil spring which biases the fixed-side contact toward the movable-side contact. |
| US08546703B2 |
Enclosure of electronic device
An enclosure of an electronic device includes a chassis, a sliding plate slidably disposed on the chassis, and a pivot member. A number of vent holes and a location hole are defined in the chassis. A number of teeth are formed on a sidewall bounding the location hole. A through slot is defined in the sliding plate. A toothed rack is formed on a sidewall bounding the through slot. The pivot member extends through the through slot and the location hole. The pivot member includes a toothed portion engaging with the toothed rack and the teeth, and a smooth neck. When the toothed portion disengages from the teeth, the neck is pivotably received in the location hole, the pivot member is pivoted to drive the sliding member to slide relative to the chassis by the toothed portion rolling on the toothed rack, thereby exposing or covering the vent holes. |
| US08546701B2 |
Method and apparatus for using flex circuit technology to create an electrode
A method of creating an active electrode that may include providing a flex circuit having an electrode made of a first material and providing a first mask over the flex circuit, the first mask having an offset region and an opening that exposes the electrode. The method may also include depositing a second material over the offset region and the opening, the second material being different from the first material and providing a second mask over the second material, the second mask having an opening over a portion of the second material that is over the offset region. |
| US08546700B2 |
Capacitor for incorporation in wiring board, wiring board, method of manufacturing wiring board, and ceramic chip for embedment
A capacitor comprising: a capacitor body including a plurality of laminated dielectric layers, a plurality of inner electrode layers which are respectively disposed between mutually adjacent ones of the dielectric layers, a first main surface located in a laminated direction of the dielectric layers, and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a first outer electrode formed on the first main surface of the capacitor body and electrically connected to the inner electrode layers; a second outer electrode formed on the second main surface of the capacitor body and electrically connected to the inner electrode layers; a first dummy electrode formed on the first main surface of the capacitor body; and a second dummy electrode formed on the second main surface of the capacitor body. |
| US08546694B1 |
Cord management device
A cord management device is provided for storing excess length of electrical cord neatly in a compact space. The device provides a housing having a first open end and a second open end. The first open end and the second open end are each configured for passing a cord therethrough whereby a medial portion of the cord is positioned in the housing. The housing includes a medial portion and a medial opening positioned in the medial portion of the housing. A first access door is pivotally coupled to the housing for selectively closing over the medial opening in the medial portion of the housing. |
| US08546690B2 |
Multimedia cable
A multimedia cable, particularly one designed to carry digital signals in accordance with an HDMI standard, which comprises two or more concentric rings of conductor cores arranged about a central conductor core. |
| US08546688B2 |
High speed data cable with shield connection
A high speed cable with terminating assemblies at the respective ends of the cable includes a ground wire, one or more signal wires, and a conductive layer enclosing the ground wire and the signal wires. The ground wire as well as the signal wires and the conductive layer extend into the terminating assemblies, in each of which corresponding inductive elements are coupled between the conductive layer and the ground wire. In each terminating assembly, the ground wire is shunted to the conductive layer by inductive elements, thus providing added low frequency connectivity in the cable, while at the same time blocking high frequency noise energy that may be present in the ground wire and preventing it from being coupled into, and transmitted through, the conductive layer. |
| US08546686B2 |
Solar energy collection system
A solar collector utilizes multiple reflections of light passing down a tapered, pyramidal-type structure made of highly-reflective mirrored surfaces. A right-angled truncated reflective pyramidal structures have been discovered to have many properties which make them superior to existing concentrator geometries. The use of a tapered, pyramidal-type structure creates multiple reflections which appear at the collector output in the form of a Buckminster-Fullerene display, providing improved collector efficiency and amplification when compared to prior art “concentrators” of the Fresnel lens or parabola type. |
| US08546685B2 |
Crystalline silicon based solar cell and method for manufacturing thereof
Provided is a hetero-junction solar cell with a silicon crystalline substrate of small thickness but exhibiting less warpage, and having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The crystalline silicon substrate has a thickness of 50 μm to 200 μm, and has a rough structure on the light-incident-side surface thereof. The surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side has an irregular structure. The top-bottom distance in the irregular structure of the transparent conductive layer in the light-incidence-side is preferably smaller than the top-bottom distance in the rough structure of the crystalline silicon substrate in the-light-incidence side. The distance between tops of the projections in the irregular structure on the surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side is preferably smaller than the distance between tops of the projections in the rough structure on the surface of the crystalline silicon substrate in the light incidence side. |
| US08546684B2 |
Organic photoelectric conversion element and organic photoelectric conversion element manufacturing method
Provided is an organic photoelectric conversion element having a high photoelectric conversion ratio. Provided is also a method for manufacturing an organic photoelectric conversion element which can significantly reduce the manufacturing cost by forming a transparent electrode and an organic generation layer portion by coating a material. The organic photoelectric conversion element includes on a transparent substrate, a first electrode unit having a transparent conductive layer, an organic generation unit, and a second electrode unit which are successively arranged in this order when viewed from the transparent substrate. The transparent conductive layer constituting the first electrode unit contains conductive fiber and transparent conductive material. |
| US08546681B2 |
Device and method for solar power generation
A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element. |
| US08546679B2 |
Keyboard musical instrument, program, performance data conversion program and device
A keyboard musical instrument, including: keys; a pedal; an input portion configured to input performance data including tone generation control data that specifies generation and halt of a musical tone and pedal control data that specifies a depression depth of the pedal; a drive portion configured to drive the pedal; and a controller configured to control the drive portion on the basis of the pedal control data in the performance data inputted by the input portion, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive portion such that, where the depression depth of the pedal exceeds a first depth by controlling the drive portion, the pedal is located at a third depth that is shallower than a second depth after the pedal has reached the second depth that is deeper than the first depth. |
| US08546678B1 |
Compact electronic timpani
A compact electronic timpani configured to provide substantially the same or better performance characteristics as a conventional full-size acoustic timpani while being substantially smaller in size. A compact electronic timpani consistent with the present disclosure provides a musician with a similar playing experience as that of conventional full-size acoustic timpani or set of timpani. The compact electronic timpani may allow a performer to perform conventional timpani playing techniques and experience substantially the same acoustical properties, physical sensations and tone production as the performer would encounter when playing a full-size acoustic timpani without the limitations commonly associated with size and/or cost of a full-size acoustic timpani. |
| US08546674B2 |
Sound to light converter and sound field visualizing system
An object is to readily visualize a propagation state of sound emitted within a sound space. A sound to light converter includes: a microphone; a light emitting unit; and a light emission control unit that acquires an instantaneous value of an output signal from the microphone in synchronization with a strobe signal and that allows the light emitting unit to emit light with a luminance level corresponding to the acquired instantaneous value. The strobe signal is generated and output in a signal generator of the sound to light converter. Alternatively, the strobe signal is generated and output in a control device of a sound field visualizing system in synchronization with an emission of sound to be visualized by the sound to light converter. |
| US08546660B1 |
Soybean variety XB35AT11
A novel soybean variety, designated XB35AT11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB35AT11, cells from soybean variety XB35AT11, plants of soybean XB35AT11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB35AT11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB35AT11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB35AT11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB35AT11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB35AT11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB35AT11 are further provided. |
| US08546659B2 |
Soybean variety XB28AD11
A novel soybean variety, designated XB28AD11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB28AD11, cells from soybean variety XB28AD11, plants of soybean XB28AD11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB28AD11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB28AD11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB28AD11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB28AD11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB28AD11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB28AD11 are further provided. |
| US08546648B2 |
Rubisco activase with increased thermostability and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides thermostable polypeptides related to Arabidopsis Rubisco Activase polypeptides. Nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides of the invention are also provided. Methods for using the polypeptides and nuclei acids of the invention to enhance resistance of plants to heat stress are encompassed. |
| US08546641B2 |
High-capacity disposable absorbent inserts for reusable outer covers
High-capacity disposable absorbent inserts for reusable outer covers. |
| US08546640B2 |
Infused sponge delivery system
A method for delivering active ingredients to a wet substrate from a flexible, three-dimensional, water-absorbent substrate material comprised of a web of substantially water-insoluble fibers into which is infused a solid anhydrous composition having a melting point of from about 45° C. to about 55° C. said anhydrous composition comprising (i) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of cationic quaternary surfactants, anionic surfactants or nonionic surfactants or one multi-lamellar liquid crystal emulsifier system, (ii) at least one fatty alcohol, (iii) at least one emollient selected from the group consisting of cosmetically-acceptable oils, esters and liquid triglycerides, (iv) at least one active ingredient and (v) optionally, a solid cleansing agent having a melting point from about 50° C. to about 70° C. Preferred active ingredients are skincare and haircare actives, including emollients, humectants, conditioning agents, sunscreens and sunblocks, and artificial tanning agents. |
| US08546638B2 |
Absorbent article having improved signal member
An absorbent article comprises a signal element having a body-facing surface, a garment-facing surface, a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a z-direction. The signal element includes a water-soluble polymeric buffering film and a stimulation material. The water-soluble polymeric buffering film comprises a water-soluble base polymer. In some aspects, the stimulation material comprises a temperature change agent, and the signal element exhibits a surface temperature change of at least +/−2° C. In some aspects, the signal element exhibits a stimulation effect over at least two aqueous insults. |
| US08546637B2 |
Medical articles and methods of making using immiscible material
Provided are medical articles (e.g., wound dressings) that include a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and methods of making the medical articles using immiscible materials that increase moisture vapor transmission rates. |
| US08546630B2 |
Methods for removing unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon stream using clay
Disclosed is a method for removing unsaturated aliphatic compounds from a hydrocarbon feed stream by contacting the hydrocarbon feed stream with an adsorbent comprising clay to produce a hydrocarbon effluent stream having a lower unsaturated aliphatic content relative to the hydrocarbon feed stream. The hydrocarbon feed stream comprises an aromatic compound, a nitrogen compound, and an unsaturated aliphatic compound. |
| US08546617B1 |
Dioxaborinanes and uses thereof
A dioxaborinane compound, or salt thereof, where boron has two oxy substituents, each independently substituted with H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, —C(O)R3, —C(O)OR3, —C(O)NHR3, or the two oxy substituents, together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form a 5- or 6-membered ring; and R3 is H, alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl, where the alkyl and alkenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; and where boron also has the substituent -L-X1-PG1; where L may be absent, or alkylenyl, alkenylenyl, or arylene, where the alkylenyl and alkenylenyl are optionally interrupted with one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms; X1 is absent, or is amino, oxo, thio, or phosphino; and PG1 is a polymerizable group. The dioxaborinane compound can be used as a wood preservative. |
| US08546614B1 |
Multifunctional crosslinkers for shape-memory polyimides, polyamides and poly(amide-imides) and methods of making the same
Multifunctional amine crosslinkers that may be used to create crosslinked polyimide, polyamide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and films having shape memory properties at elevated temperatures and methods of making the same. |
| US08546611B2 |
Method for preparing succinic acid
A method for preparing succinic acid, including producing a modified palladium-containing catalyst by using an acid and liquid-phase hydrogenation of unsaturated acid compounds on the modified catalyst at an increased temperature and pressure; separating the catalyst from the succinic acid; wherein the modification of the catalyst is performed on a substrate having the palladium-containing catalyst delivered thereon, the delivery being performed in an oxygen-free atmosphere; the delivery being performed in an aqueous medium of succinic, maleic or fumaric acids and/or their mixtures at a Pd2+/acid ratio of 1:1-1:100; hydrogenating the liquid-phase unsaturated acid compounds selected from maleic, fumaric acids or their anhydrides or their mixtures; and crystallizing the succinic acid from an aqueous solution containing 0.001-0.01 wt. % succinic acid seed. |
| US08546604B2 |
Polyvinyl chloride resin plasticiser
The invention relates to a diol-ester based plasticizer prepared by reacting a diol and a carboxylic acid for use with a polyvinyl chloride resin composition to impart improved physical properties, such as hardness and tensile strength. |
| US08546602B2 |
5,6-D hydro-1H-pyridin-2-one compounds
The invention is directed to 5,6-dihydro-1H-pyridin-2-one compounds of Formula I wherein X is N, and A is and compounds used to synthesize the compounds of Formula I. |
| US08546601B2 |
Storage-stable 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyronitrile
A storage stable mixture containing 86 to 97% by weight of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile, 2 to 14% by weight of water, 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of HCN and having a pH of 1 to 4, measured using a pH electrode at 23° C. is provided. A method to produce the storage stable mixture and its use in manufacture of DL-methionine or 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid is also provided. |
| US08546592B2 |
Olefin epoxidation process
A process for the production of an olefin oxide, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in a reactor tube in the presence of a silver-containing catalyst, wherein the presence of water in the catalyst bed is controlled such that the ratio of the partial pressure of water (PPH2O) divided by the vapor pressure of water (VPH2O) is less than 0.006, preferably less than 0.004. |
| US08546588B2 |
Substituted hydroxamic acids and uses thereof
This invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein X1, X2, X3, R2, R4b, R1, and G have values as described in the specification, useful as inhibitors of HDAC6. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological or cardiovascular diseases or disorders. |
| US08546586B2 |
Pyrazole-based cyanine dye containing quaternary ammonium cation
A cyanine dye derivative having high fluorescence intensity in a short wavelength region, and also a controllable migration velocity by further introducing a quaternary ammonium cation. A compound having general formula [1] or a salt thereof: wherein R1 to R6 each independently represent an alkyl group having, as a substituent, a group represented by the general formula [101]: |
| US08546580B2 |
Chemical probe compounds that become fluorescent upon reduction, and methods for their use
Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents. |
| US08546579B2 |
Bicycloheteroaryl compounds as P2X7 modulators and uses thereof
Bicycloheteroaryl compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, traumatic injury, and others. |
| US08546577B2 |
Substituted enaminocarbonyl compounds
The present invention relates to novel substituted enaminocarbonyl compounds, to processes for their preparation and to their use for controlling animal pests, especially arthropods, in particular insects. |
| US08546574B2 |
Conglomerates of tenatoprazole potassium salts
The invention relates to conglomerates of tenatoprazole potassium salts of the following general formula (I), that consist of an equimolar mixture of enantiomers having R and S configurations and capable of crystallization in the form of a conglomerate, wherein said salts are selected from tenatoprazole dehydrated potassium salt, tenatoprazole potassium dimethanolate, tenatoprazole potassium diethanolate and tenatoprazole potassium ethylene-glycolate. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing such salt, and to the use of said salt. |
| US08546572B2 |
Process for the preparation of morphinane analogues
The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing morphinane analogues of formula (1) wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Y have the same meanings as defined in the specification. |
| US08546571B2 |
Catalytic hydrogenation of ene-carbamates
A process for preparing the S or R enantiomer of a compound of formula A, the process comprising subjecting a compound of formula B to asymmetric hydrogenation in the presence of a chiral catalyst and a source of hydrogen, wherein: X is CH2, oxygen or sulphur; R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and signify hydrogens, halogens, alkyl, alkyloxy, hydroxy, nitro, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylamino or dialkylamino group; and R4 is alkyl or aryl, wherein: the term alkyl means hydrocarbon chains, straight or branched, containing from one to six carbon atoms, optionally substituted by aryl, alkoxy, halogen, alkoxycarbonyl or hydroxycarbonyl groups; the term aryl means a phenyl or naphthyl group, optionally substituted by alkyloxy, halogen or nitro group; and the term halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. |
| US08546569B2 |
Chemical compounds
The use of a compound of formula I Y is a single bond, C═O, C═S or S(O)m where m is 0, 1 or 2; the ring is a 6 membered aromatic ring or is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaromatic ring; Z and Z′ are provided that both are not N; R1, R2, R3, R3a, R4, R8 and Ra are specified organic groups and n and p are independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; or salts or N-oxides thereof or compositions containing them in controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs. Novel compounds are also provided. |
| US08546568B2 |
Coelenterazine analogs and manufacturing method thereof
There has been a need for coelenterazine analogs that exhibit luminescence properties different from those of known coelenterazine analogs. The present invention provides the compound represented by general formula (1). |
| US08546567B2 |
Method for producing 2-(2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives
This disclosure relates to a novel process for obtaining a compound of formula I: wherein the values of R1, R2, and R3 and P are as described in the specification, and intermediates thereof. |
| US08546566B2 |
Process for manufacturing dihydropteridinones and intermediates thereof
The present invention relates to an improved process for manufacturing dihydropteridinones of general formula (12) as well as intermediates thereof, wherein the groups R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 have the meanings given in the claims and specification. |
| US08546565B2 |
Quinazolinamide derivatives
Novel quinazolinamide derivatives of the formula (I), in which R1-R5 and X have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are HSP90 inhibitors and can be used for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of HSP90 plays a role. |
| US08546548B2 |
Method to produce a highly concentrated immunoglobulin preparation for subcutaneous use
The present invention relates to a new and improved method for preparing a highly concentrated immunoglobulin composition from pooled plasma for subcutaneous injection. A composition comprising 20% or more immunoglobulin suitable for subcutaneous use is also described. |
| US08546546B2 |
Anti-Muc 17 antibody
An antibody that binds to Mucin17 (Muc17) is disclosed. The antibody of the present invention preferably binds to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:3 and does not bind to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4 or the peptide of SEQ ID NO:5. Also disclosed are an anti-cancer agent, preferably an anti-cancer agent for pancreatic cancer, which comprises the antibody of the present invention, as well as a method of diagnosing cancer using the antibody of the present invention, preferably the antibody of the present invention that does not bind to the secreted-form of Muc17. |
| US08546544B2 |
Antibody specifically binding to c-Met and methods of use
Antibodies specifically binding to c-Met protein, hybridoma cell lines, and compositions comprising the antibodies are disclosed herein. Methods of making and using the antibodies and compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08546543B2 |
Fc variants that extend antibody half-life
The invention relates generally to compositions and methods for altering the serum half-life in vivo of an antibody. |
| US08546542B2 |
Anti-sweat antigen monoclonal antibody
The invention relates to an antibody that inhibits histamine releasing activity induced by an antigenic substance contained in sweat. The invention further relates to an antibody which can react with a sweat antigen composition and inhibit the histamine releasing activity of the composition on a sweat antigen stimulation-responsive cell. |
| US08546541B2 |
Compositions and methods for modulating lymphocyte activity
The present invention provides a novel lymphocyte inhibitory receptor termed BTLA which is expressed on both T and B cells, and identifies HVEM as interacting with BTLA. Methods and compositions for modulating BTLA-mediated signaling and interfering with the interaction of BTLA and HVEM for therapeutic, diagnostic and research purposes are also provided. |
| US08546538B2 |
Lymphoid chemokines in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of inflammatory disease
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a Th1-mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that is widely used as an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study it was demonstrate that CXCL13, a chemokine involved in the development of secondary lymphoid tissues, is expressed in CD11c+ myeloid cells that accumulate in EAE lesions. Blockade or deficiency of CXCL13 ameliorates clinical EAE, both during acute and relapsing stages. CXCL13 deficiency did not inhibit the priming or differentiation of autoimmune effector T-cells in the periphery, but appeared to exert its effects during the effector phase of pathogenesis. These findings indicate that reagents that antagonize or inhibit CXCL13 are useful for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases such as MS. |
| US08546534B2 |
Branched chain-containing aromatic compound
The present invention provides a particular branched chain-containing aromatic compound. The branched chain-containing aromatic compound of the present invention is easily-soluble in isopropyl acetate superior in liquid-separation operability, and can be used for a production method of peptide and the like, which provides a final product simply by extraction separation, without crystallization and isolation of each intermediate in each step. |
| US08546532B2 |
Synthesis of directed sequence polymer compositions and antibodies thereof for the treatment of protein conformational disorders
The instant invention comprises a process for the solid phase synthesis of directed epitope peptide mixtures useful in the treatment and diagnosis of protein conformational disorders, such process defined by a set of rules regarding the identity and the frequency of occurrence of amino acids that substitute a base or native amino acid of a known epitope. The resulting composition is a mixture of related peptides for therapeutic use. The invention also pertains to the process of generating antibodies using the directed epitope peptide mixtures as the antigens, and antibodies generated by such process, useful in the treatment and diagnostics of the said protein conformational disorder. |
| US08546530B2 |
Process for the manufacture of persilylated peptides
Process for the manufacture of a peptide or peptide analog, which comprises (a) producing a persilylated peptide or persilylated peptide analogue by silylating a corresponding peptide by reaction with a silylating agent other than trimethylsilylcyanide, and (b) reacting a compound of formula (I) X-A-COOH wherein X is an amino protecting group, A is an amino acid, peptide or peptide analogue residue, and —COOH designates an optionally activated carboxylic group, with a persilylated peptide or a persilylated peptide analogue containing from 4 to 15 amino acids. |
| US08546528B2 |
Skin or hair binding peptides
The invention is directed to peptides. Specifically, the invention is directed to peptides which bind skin and do not bind hair. Alternatively, the invention is drawn to peptides which bind hair and do not bind skin. |
| US08546527B2 |
Molecular weight markers for membrane proteins
The present invention provides a novel membrane protein molecular weight marker. |
| US08546525B2 |
Chimeric human beta defensins
The invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule selected from the group comprising a) a nucleic acid molecule having one of the nucleotide sequences presented in SEQ ID:NO 4 to SEQ ID:NO 8, b) a nucleic acid molecule that codes for a peptide having one of the amino acid sequences presented in SEQ ID:NO 12 to SEQ ID:NO 16, c) a nucleic acid molecule, the complementary strand of which hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule according to a) or b) and which codes for a peptide having antimicrobial activity, and d) a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleotide sequence of which deviates from the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule according to c) because of the degenerated genetic code. |
| US08546524B2 |
Smoothened polypeptides and methods of use
Disclosed is an isolated or purified polypeptide or peptidomimetic comprising an amino acid sequence of a portion of a Smoothened (SMO) protein, wherein the portion comprises an amino acid sequence of any of the intracellular loops of the SMO protein, a functional fragment thereof, or a functional variant of either the portion or the functional fragment, wherein the functional fragment comprises at least 7 contiguous amino acids of the intracellular loops, and wherein the functional fragment or functional variant inhibits proliferation of a diseased cell, or a fatty acid derivative thereof. Related conjugates, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are further provided. Methods of inhibiting proliferation of a diseased cell, treating or preventing cancer, treating a neoplasm or psoriasis, and inhibiting the expression of genes involved in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway, are furthermore provided by the invention. |
| US08546522B2 |
Method for preparing fine spherical polycarbonate powders and method for preparing high molecular weight polycarbonate resin using same
Provided are a method for preparing fine round powdery polycarbonate and a method for preparing a high molecular weight polycarbonate resin using the same.More specifically, provided are a method for preparing fine round powdery polycarbonate, comprising (A) polymerizing non-phosgene polycarbonate, (B) extruding the polycarbonate into fine round powdery amorphous polycarbonate, (C) surface-crystallizing the fine round powdery amorphous polycarbonate in the presence of a solvent or dispersion medium, and (D) drying the surface-crystallized fine round powdery polycarbonate, and a method for preparing high molecular weight polycarbonate resin capable of obtaining polycarbonates with various molecular weights ranging from low molecular weights to high molecular weights by continuously using the obtained fine round powdery polycarbonate via a solid state polymerization step. In accordance with the methods, it is possible to remarkably simplify crystallization of amorphous polycarbonate and thus to realize process continuousness and economical efficiency enabling commercial mass-production, and to overcome production of high molecular weight polycarbonate, the most serious problem of conventional non-phosgene melt polymerization processes. |
| US08546520B2 |
Method for treatment of natural rubber products
The present invention relates to a method of reducing allergenicity of natural rubber latex products caused by allergens by reducing extractable protein levels found for said products, said method comprising the steps of: subjecting said products to a wash in a strong alkaline solution to deteriorate the allergens, and a system for reducing allergenicity of natural rubber latex products caused by allergens by reducing extractable protein levels found for said products, and a product, such as a glover or condom, manufactured from natural rubber latex. |
| US08546519B2 |
Polyketal compounds, synthesis, and applications
The invention relates to polyketal compounds. The compounds are synthesized by the selective ketalization of oxocarboxylic acids, e.g. keto acids and semialdehydes, and esters thereof with tetrols and higher polyols that products two or more cyclic ketal ester moieties per molecule, wherein the cyclic ketal moieties are situated in a bis-, tris-, or polyketal conformation. The invention further relates to applications of these compounds and subsequent reactions thereof. |
| US08546518B2 |
Polyarylene sulfide and method for producing the same
A method is provided for producing a polyarylene sulfide by reacting a sulfidizing agent with a dihalogenated aromatic compound in an organic polar solvent in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide, the method includes |
| US08546515B2 |
Processes for producing polycarbonate and molded polycarbonate articles
A subject for the invention relates to processes for producing a polycarbonate containing a plant-derived starting material and to molded articles thereof, the polycarbonate having excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, a low refractive index, a large Abbe number, low birefringence, and excellent transparency. The invention relates to a process for producing a polycarbonate which includes a step in which one or more dihydroxy compounds including a dihydroxy compound having at least one linking group —CH2—O— in the molecule thereof are reacted with a carbonic acid diester in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, wherein the dihydroxy compound having at least one linking group —CH2—O— in the molecule thereof has a formic acid content lower than 20 ppm. The invention further relates to a molded article constituted of a polycarbonate or a composition of the polycarbonate, the polycarbonate being a polycarbonate which contains constituent units derived from a dihydroxy compound having at least one linking group —CH2—O— in the molecule thereof and has an Abbe number of 50 or larger and a 5% weight loss temperature of 340° C. or higher. |
| US08546513B2 |
Catalytic polymerization of polymers containing electrophiic linkages using nucleophilic reagents
The disclosure relates to methods and materials useful for polymerizing a monomer. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for polymerizing a monomer containing a plurality of electrophilic groups, wherein the method comprises contacting the monomer with a nucleophilic reagent in the presence of a guanidine-containing catalyst. The methods and materials of the disclosure find utility, for example, in the field of materials science. |
| US08546510B2 |
Crystalline resin cured product, crystalline resin composite material, and method for producing the same
Provided are a crystalline resin cured product which shows high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, high heat resistance, low moisture absorption, and good gas barrier properties and a crystalline resin composite material produced therefrom. Further provided is a method for producing the crystalline resin cured product and the crystalline resin composite material. The crystalline resin cured product is obtained by the reaction of an aromatic diglycidyl compound or a diglycidyl resin with an aromatic dihydroxy compound or with a dihydroxy resin and it shows a heat of melting of 10 J/g or more in differential thermal analysis while the endothermic peak corresponding to the melting appears in the range of 120 to 320° C. The crystalline resin composite material is obtained by combining the crystalline resin cured product with a filler or a base material. The crystalline resin cured product has a unit represented by -A-O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—B—, wherein A and B are divalent aromatic groups. |
| US08546508B2 |
Sealant or filler for electrical and electronic components, and electrical and electrical components
A sealant or filler of the invention for electrical and electronic components comprises a two or more liquid type organopolysiloxane composition curable by a hydrosilylation reaction, the viscosity of the composition being doubled at room temperature during 10 min. or more from the initial value obtained directly after mixing all the components, and being increased at room temperature from 5-fold to 10-fold of the initial viscosity within another 10 min. The sealant or filler for electrical and electronic components can be cured to a sufficient degree at room temperature and improve reliability of the sealed or filled components. |
| US08546505B2 |
Carbazole-based hole transport and/or electron blocking materials and/or host polymer materials
This invention relates generally to norbornene-monomer, poly(norbornene)homopolymer, and poly(norbornene)copolymer compounds containing a functionalized carbazole side chain, having desirable solution processability and host characteristics. It also relates to hole transport and/or electron blocking materials, and to organic host materials for an organic luminescence layer, an OLED device, and compositions of matter which include these compounds. |
| US08546494B2 |
Isocyanate-terminated prepolymer
An isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having three components. The first component is 30-60 wt % polymerized residues of a first polyol containing a substituent of formula (I) attached via a carbon-carbon single bond to a saturated carbon atom in a fatty acid hydrocarbyl group; wherein R1 and R2 are esterified residues of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diols; and wherein the first polyol contains: (i) from 0.33 to 0.4 units of formula (I) per fatty acid hydrocarbyl group, and (ii) from 0 to 12 wt % esterified residues of at least one C4-C12 anhydride, C4-C12 diacid or C4-C12 lactone, not including units of formula (I) attached to a fatty acid hydrocarbyl group; and wherein the first polyol has a hydroxyl number from 75 to 150 mg KOH/g. The second component is 40-55 wt % polymerized residues of diphenyl methane diisocyanate. The third component is 0-20 wt % polymerized residues of a glycol having Mn from 300 to 3500. |
| US08546493B2 |
Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) and related polymers for modification of surfaces and molecules
Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable polymers are described having the structure wherein Z is a moiety that can be activated for attachment to biologically active molecules such as proteins and wherein P and Q represent linkage fragments that join polymer arms polya and polyb, respectively, to central carbon atom, C, by hydrolytically stable linkages in the absence of aromatic rings in the linkage fragments. R typically is hydrogen or methyl, but can be a linkage fragment that includes another polymer arm. A specific example is an mPEG disubstituted lysine having the structure where mPEGa and mPEGb have the structure CH3O—(CH2CH2O)nCH2CH2— where n may be the same or different for polya- and polyb- and can be from 1 to about 1,150 to provide molecular weights of from about 100 to 100,000. |
| US08546491B2 |
Polyolefin-based composite resin spherical particles, coating composition, and coated object
The present invention provides a polyolefin-based composite resin spherical particle that gives a coating film having a matte appearance, a soft feeling, and excellent scratch resistance by being used for a coating material. The present invention also provides a coating composition containing the polyolefin-based composite resin spherical particle and a coating resin, and a coated article obtained by applying the coating composition to a substrate.The invention relates to a polyolefin-based composite resin spherical particle, which is a spherical particle obtained by mixing 100 parts by mass of a polyolefin-based resin, 40 to 1,500 parts by mass of water, and 3 to 30 parts by mass of an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 4,000 to 30,000 to prepare a mixture, emulsifying the mixture at a temperature of the highest melting point of the polyolefin-based resin or higher, and cooling the mixture from a temperature at least 25° C. higher than the highest crystallization temperature of the polyolefin-based resin to a temperature at least 25° C. lower than the lowest crystallization temperature of the polyolefin-based resin at a cooling speed of 0.2° C./min or more, wherein the polyolefin-based resin is a composite resin containing 5 to 70% by mass of a partially saponified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. |
| US08546485B2 |
Photocurable dicing die bonding tape
A pressure sensitive adhesive comprising (A) pressure sensitive adhesive polymers having pendant carbon-carbon unsaturation and (B) hydrophobic polymers terminated with carbon-carbon unsaturation. In one embodiment the hydrophobic polymers are vinyl terminated polydimethoxyl siloxane polymers and/or vinyl terminated fluoropolymers reduces the interaction of the pressure sensitive adhesive with adherends and provides excellent release of the pressure sensitive adhesive after cure. |
| US08546480B2 |
Relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving and method for producing relief printing plate
A relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving, including a relief forming layer formed by thermally crosslinking a resin composition including (A) a polymer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond in a side chain wherein the polymer is an acrylic resin or a polyvinyl acetal, (B) carbon black, and (C) a thermopolymerization initiator. |
| US08546474B2 |
Thermally-stable crosslinked silicone elastomers
Thermally-stable silicone elastomers are prepared from organopolysiloxane compositions by polyaddition, polycondensation or vulcanization reactions in the presence of peroxide; the thermal stability of the silicone elastomers is achieved by the inclusion of an additive derived from an iron (III) complex. |
| US08546473B2 |
Polyolefin resin composition
A polyolefin resin composition having excellent transparency which comprises a polyolefin resin having a melt flow rate (MFR) at 230° C. of 20 dg/min or more, (A) a dibenzylidene sorbitol compound represented by the following general formula (1), (wherein n represents an integer of 0 to 2; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like) and (B) an alkali metal salt compound of organic phosphoric acid ester represented by the following general formula (2), (wherein R6 to R9 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or the like), and wherein the sum of the amount of the component (A) and the component (B) is 0.01 to 1.0 part by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polyolefin resin, and (A)/(B), the ratio (mass ratio) between the component (A) and the component (B), is within a range from 99/1 to 80/20. |
| US08546467B2 |
Process for improving hiding efficiency in pigment paints
The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of a) contacting an aqueous dispersion of a TiO2 slurry containing adsorbing dispersant with an adsorbing latex to form a mixture, wherein the pH of the mixture of the TiO2 slurry and adsorbing latex are sufficiently high to inhibit interaction between the TiO2 and the adsorbing dispersant; then b) lowering the pH of the mixture of step a) sufficiently to promote interaction between the TiO2 and the adsorbing latex, thereby forming a composite; wherein the adsorbing latex comprises structural units of itaconic acid or a salt thereof. The process of the present invention provides for improved hiding and reduced grit for coatings compositions. |
| US08546461B2 |
Method for the continuous production of water-absorbent polymer particles
The present invention relates to a method for producing water-absorbing polymer particles by radiation-inducing polymerization on a continuously revolving belt, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of greater than 400 nm being shielded. |
| US08546460B2 |
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene for bearing surfaces
A prosthetic device may comprise an insert having a first surface configured to contact a first prosthetic component and a bearing surface configured to articulate against a second prosthetic component. The insert comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and vitamin E. The vitamin E may have a concentration in the range of 0.02 to 0.12 wt % first mixed with the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and then molded with the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene at a temperature greater than the melting point of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and vitamin E may be gamma irradiated with a dosage of radiation between 5 and 20 Mrad. The insert may be machined prior to gamma irradiating the insert in air such that the gamma irradiation, at suitably high dosages, may also sterilize the insert. |
| US08546458B2 |
Process for texturing materials
Provided are methods for making textured implantable materials made from two part RTV silicone foams and having a desired color or tone without the need for dyes or colorants. |
| US08546455B2 |
Expanded polystyrene solubilization method
The invention relates to a method of solubilizing expanded polystyrene (EPS), in which the EPS is brought into contact with at least one initial solvent, enabling the transition of the EPS from an expanded solid state to the gel state. The aforementioned gel is subsequently treated with at least one complementary solvent that is different from the initial solvent, enabling the solubilization thereof such as to produce a true solution. The invention also relates to the product thus obtained and to the use of said product. |
| US08546453B2 |
Propofol compositions and methods for reducing pain associated with propofol injection
The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical formulations containing propofol, methods for making such formulations, and methods for administering propofol at a pH above about 6.5, wherein the pain normally associated with propofol administration is reduced. |
| US08546452B2 |
S1P3 receptor antagonist
The present invention relates to arylamidrazone derivatives having an antagonistic action against S1P3 receptors represented by the following formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: |
| US08546443B2 |
Benzylic oxindole pyrimidines
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (I) wherein the groups R5 to R10, A, L1, B, m and p are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, pharmaceutical preparations which contain such compounds and their use as medicaments. |
| US08546442B2 |
Pyrazolopiperidine compounds as CCR1 receptor antagonists
Disclosed are compounds of the formula (I), useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of CCR1 including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Also disclosed are methods of making and methods of using same. |
| US08546441B2 |
PDK-1/AKT signaling inhibitors
A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of formula I: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl; Ar is an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl; and wherein Ar is optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, azido, C1-C4 azidoalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloaryl, haloalkylaryl, and combinations thereof; and R is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, acetonitrile, ethylnitrile, propylnitrile, carboxamide, amidine, tetrazole, oxime, hydrazone, acetamidine, aminoacetamide, guanidine, and urea. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer in humans. |
| US08546440B2 |
Substituted bicyclic imidazole derivatives as gamma secretase modulators
The present invention is concerned with novel substituted bicyclic imidazole derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R0, R1, R3, R4, X, A1, A2, A3, A4, Y1, Y2 and Y3 have the meaning defined in the claims. The compounds according to the present invention are useful as gamma secretase modulators. The invention further relates to processes for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said novel compound as an active ingredient as well as the use of said compounds as a medicament. |
| US08546439B2 |
Small molecule inhibitors of retroviral assembly and maturation
Chemical compounds that disrupt retroviral assembly and maturation are presented herein. More particularly, this disclosure provides small molecule compounds that disrupt the formation and maturation of virus particles and methods of using such small molecules to treat HIV-1 infection. |
| US08546436B2 |
Polymorphic forms of 2-(5-bromo-4-(4-cyclopropylnaphthalen-1-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio)acetic acid and uses thereof
Crystalline polymorph forms of 2-(5-bromo-4-(4-cyclopropyl naphthalen-1-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio)acetic acid are described. Pharmaceutical compositions and the uses of such compounds, compound forms, and compositions for the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are also presented. |
| US08546435B2 |
Triazole derivatives with improved receptor activity and bioavailability properties as ghrelin antagonists of growth hormone secretagogue receptors
The present invention provides novel triazole derivatives with improved receptor activity and bioavailability properties as ghrelin analogue ligands of growth hormone secretagogue receptors according to formula (I) that are useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions in mammals, preferably humans, that are mediated by GHS receptors. The present invention further provides GHS receptor antagonists and agonists that can be used for modulation of these receptors and are useful for treating above conditions, in particular alcohol disorder, drug abuse, growth retardation, cachexia, short-, medium-, and/or long term regulation of energy balance, short-, medium-, and/or long term regulation (stimulation and/or inhibition) of food intake, intake of rewarding food, adipogenesis, adiposity and/or obesity, body weight gain and/or reduction, diabetes, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, tumor cell proliferation, inflammation, inflammatory effects, gastric postoperative ileus, postoperative ileus and/or gastrectomy (ghrelin replacement therapy). |
| US08546434B2 |
Triazole compounds as KSP inhibitors
The present invention provides triazole compounds of Formula I: as further described herein. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, and a method of treating a disorder mediated, at least in part, by KSP in a mammalian patient comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I. |
| US08546433B2 |
Axl inhibitors for use in combination therapy for preventing, treating or managing metastatic cancer
This invention is directed to methods of preventing, treating or managing cancer, preferably metastatic cancer, in a patient. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of an Axl inhibitor in combination with the administration of an effective amount of one or more chemotherapeutic agents. |
| US08546430B2 |
Thalidomide analogs
Thalidomide analogs that modulate tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) activity and angiogenesis are disclosed. In particularly disclosed embodiments, the thalidomide analogs are isosteric sulfur-containing analogs. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject with the analogs. |
| US08546429B2 |
1,2,3-trisubstituted aryl and heteroaryl derivatives as modulators of metabolism and the prophylaxis and treatment of disorders related thereto
The present invention relates to certain trisubstituted aryl and heteroaryl derivatives of Formula (I) that are modulators of metabolism. Accordingly, compounds of the present invention are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of metabolic disorders and complications thereof, such as, diabetes and obesity. |
| US08546428B2 |
Fumarate salt of (alpha S, beta R)-6-bromo-alpha-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-methoxy-alpha-1-naphthalenyl-beta-phenyl-3-quinolineethanol
The present invention relates to the fumarate salt of (alpha S, beta R)-6-bromo-alpha-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-methoxy-alpha-1-naphthalenyl-beta-phenyl-3-quinolineethanol, pharmaceutical compositions comprising as active ingredient said salt and to processes for their preparation. |
| US08546421B1 |
Oncogenic-RAS-signal dependent lethal compounds
Compounds with cancer cell specific lethality are provided. In particular, RAS-selective lethal compounds and compositions are provided. Also provided are methods of screening for such compounds and methods of treating a condition in a mammal, by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of such compounds or compositions. |
| US08546419B2 |
Dual phase drug release system
The present invention relates to conjugate comprising a carrier substituted with one or more occurrences of a moiety having the structure: wherein each occurrence of M is independently a modifier having a molecular weight ≦10 kDa; denotes direct of indirect attachment of M to linker LM; and each occurrence of LM is independently an optionally substituted succinamide-containing linker, whereby the modifier M is directly or indirectly attached to the succinamide linker through an amide bond, and the carrier is linked directly or indirectly to each occurrence of the succinamide linker through an ester bond. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions comprising the conjugates, methods for their preparation, and methods of use thereof in the treatment of various disorder, including, but not limited to cancer. |
| US08546413B2 |
Substituted pyrimidinylpyrrolopyridinone derivatives, process for their preparation and their use as kinase inhibitors
Pyrimidinylpyrrolopyridinone derivatives of formula (I) as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful, in therapy, in the treatment of diseases associated with a disregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer. |
| US08546412B2 |
Methods of treating heart failure
Methods of treating heart failure by administration of beneficial agents to the heart. |
| US08546411B2 |
Polymorphs of methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy) pyrimidin-4-yloxy] phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate
The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic and amorphous forms of the compound methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxy-acrylate (azoxystrobin). Infrared Raman spectra, X-ray powder diffraction pattern and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of two polymorphs “A” and “B” are provided. Further, the present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphic forms “A” and “B”, as well as processes for producing mixtures of the polymorphs, and a process for preparing amorphous azoxystrobin. Yet further, the present invention provides anti-fungal compositions comprising the novel crystalline polymorphs “A” and “B” or amorphous azoxystrobin, which are useful for controlling and combating fungi grown on agricultural and horticultural crops and up-land, and methods of using the same as pesticidal agents for combating fungi on agricultural and horticultural crops. |
| US08546407B2 |
Ortho-condensed pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives (e.g., purines) as protein kinases inhibitors
The invention provides a compound for use as a protein kinase B inhibitor, the compound being a compound of the formula (Ic) or salts, tautomers or N-oxides thereof. |
| US08546405B2 |
Anti-viral compounds
Compounds effective in inhibiting replication of Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) are described. This invention also relates to processes of making such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HCV infection. |
| US08546402B2 |
Chromone derivatives, a process for their preparation and their therapeutic applications
The present invention relates to chromone derivatives, their preparation, their pharmaceutical compositions and their application as D3 dopaminergic ligands as a medicament for disorders of the central nervous system. |
| US08546398B2 |
Stereoisomerically enriched 3-aminocarbonyl bicycloheptene pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present invention provides stereoisomers and stereoisomeric mixtures of 3-aminocarbonyl-bicycloheptene-2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds having antiproliferative activity, compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds to inhibit cellular proliferation and to treat proliferate diseases such as tumorigenic cancers. |
| US08546394B2 |
Substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-A]pyrazine 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors
Novel compounds are provided which are 1 1-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 1 1-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 1 1-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: W-L-Z or stereoisomers or prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, L are defined herein and Z is selected from the following bicyclic heteroaryl groups: (a), (b), (c), (d). |
| US08546389B2 |
Viral polymerase inhibitors
The present invention relates to viral polymerase inhibitors of formula (I), salts, N-oxides, solvates, hydrates, racemates, enantiomers or isomers thereof, processes for their preparation and their use in the treatment of Flaviviridae viral infections such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections: |
| US08546387B2 |
Pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-substituted compounds and their use
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds for treating proliferative disorders, cancer, etc., and more specifically to certain pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-substituted compounds, as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit RAF (e.g., B-RAF) activity. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit RAF (e.g., BRAF) activity, to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity, to inhibit cell proliferation, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of RAF, RTK, etc., proliferative disorders such as cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, melanoma), etc. |
| US08546378B2 |
5HT2C receptor modulator compositions and methods of use
The present invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist. In addition, the invention relates to a composition comprising phentermine and a selective 5HT-2C receptor agonist having Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof. These compositions are useful in pharmaceutical compositions whose use includes the treatment of obesity. |
| US08546367B2 |
Synthetic bile acid compositions and methods
Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties. |
| US08546361B2 |
Pseudolipid complex mixture and a skin external application composition containing same
Provided is a pseudolipid complex mixture comprising a pseudoceramide and a stearic acid and an external skin application composition comprising the same. The complex mixture has improved phase stability and a structure similar to that of the stratum corneum which can retain water and other beneficial materials, and accordingly the composition comprising the same can be used as an external skin application composition having improved moisturization and barrier repair capabilities. |
| US08546356B2 |
Administration form of osteogenic protein complexes
Osteogenic compositions composed of a coprecipitate that contains at least one insoluble calcium salt and at least one complex between an osteogenic protein and a polysaccharide, the coprecipitate being in divided form, are described. Kits are also described, as are a process for preparing the coprecipitate in divided form, containing at least one insoluble calcium salt and at least one complex between an osteogenic protein and a polysaccharide. |
| US08546354B2 |
Acylated decasaccharides and their use as antithrombotic agents
The instant invention relates to decasaccharides of formula (I): wherein Ac represents an acetyl group and R represents a group of formula —OH or —OSO3−, in their acid form or in the form of any one of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and to their process of preparation. The oligosaccharides of formula (I) are useful as antithrombotic agents. |
| US08546353B2 |
Compounds and combinations
The present invention relates to a combination of a hyaluronan oligomer and/or polymer and a factor capable of mobilizing stem cells. The present invention also relates to a method for altering the relative amounts of blood cells and/or the types of blood cells in a subject by administering the combination to the subject. Further, the present invention relates to a method for mobilizing stem cells to the bloodstream of a subject by administering the combination to the subject. Additionally, the present invention relates to a hyaluronan oligomer and/or polymer. |
| US08546352B2 |
Pharmacological preparation for topical use containing N-palmitoyl-vanillamide
The present invention relates to topical preparations containing N-palmitoyl-vanillamide having hyperalgesic activity. In particular, the invention relates to N-palmitoyl-vanillamide for use in the treatment of pathologies selected from: post-herpetic neuralgia, neuralgia of trigeminus, occipital neuralgia, dental neuralgia, glottopharyngeal neuralgia, uremic neuralgia, diabetic neuralgia, headache of different origin, neuropathic itch, neurogenic itch, uremic itch, vulvodinia, vulvar vestibulitis, ano-rectal pain and itch, balano-preputial pain and itch, painful urogenital disorders of dogs and cats, psoriasis-associated pruritus and pain, itching skin diseases (e.g. atopic dermatitis) in the human and veterinary field, muscular pain, pain of the tendon, osteoarthritis associated pain in humans, dogs and cats; painful eye diseases in the human and veterinary field, inflammatory pathologies of the oral cavity in the human and veterinary field. |
| US08546344B2 |
Crystalline phases of 5,6-dichloro-2-(isopropylamino)-1-β-L-ribofuranosyl)-1H-benzimidazole
The invention relates to novel crystalline phases of 5,6-dichloro-2-(isopropylamino)-1-(β-L-ribofuranosyl)-1H-benzimidazole (Maribavir), pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use in medical therapy. |
| US08546338B2 |
Self-assembling hydrogels based on dicephalic peptide amphiphiles
We have disclosed dicephalic amphiphiles having peptide sequences as the head groups. We have also disclosed self-assembly hydrogels prepared from the dicephalic peptide amphiphiles. These hydrogels are useful for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactives to a patient. |
| US08546334B2 |
Device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties
The present invention relates to a device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo comprising a carrier containing calcium phosphate and an osteoinductive protein, wherein the carrier is homogenously coated with the protein. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for the production of a device having osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties in vivo. The invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the device of the invention or a device which is obtainable by the method of the invention and relates to the use of the device for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to be used for bone augmentation, for treating bone defects, for treating degenerative and traumatic disc disease, for treating bone dehiscence or to be used for sinus floor elevation. Finally, the invention relates to a kit comprising the device of the invention or a device which is obtainable by the method of the invention. |
| US08546330B2 |
Compositions and methods for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
Isolated peptides are provided, being less than 20 amino acids in length. The peptides comprising an amino acid sequence GVLYVGSKTREGV (SEQ ID NO: 12) AAATGLVKREE (SEQ ID NO: 13) or GVVAAAEKTKQG (SEQ ID NO: 14), mimetics and/or fragment thereof, the peptides being capable of inhibiting alpha synuclein aggregation. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising same are also provided as well as uses thereof. |
| US08546326B2 |
Glp-1 analogue formulations
The present invention relates to compositions forming a low viscosity mixture of: a) at least one neutral diacyl lipid, such as a diacyl glycerol; b) at least one phospholipid, such as a phosphatidyl choline; c) at least one biotolerable solvent, such as an oxygen containing solvent; d) at least one GLP-1 analogue; wherein the pre-formulation forms, or is capable of forming, at least one liquid crystalline phase structure upon contact with an aqueous fluid. The invention further relates to methods of treatment comprising administration of such compositions, especially in treating diabetes, and to pre-filled administration devices and kits containing the formulations. |
| US08546319B2 |
Use of p97 as an enzyme delivery system for the delivery of therapeutic lysosomal enzymes
The present invention provides for compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing a lysosomal storage disease by administering to a patient suffering from a lysosomal storage disease a P97 conjugated with an enzyme which is capable of transportation into the lysosomes of cells on either sides of the blood brain barrier. |
| US08546318B2 |
Microfibrous cellulose having a particle size distribution for structured surfactant compositions
An aqueous composition comprising surfactant, water, and a suspending agent comprising microfibrous cellulose that is characterized by a particle size distribution of the microfibrous cellulose that provides for increased structuring of the composition to suspend material. |
| US08546317B2 |
Hard surface cleaning composition
The present invention relates to a hard surface cleaning composition comprising a polybetaine polymer, wherein said polybetaine polymer comprises a zwitterionic unit A or a mixture thereof, wherein said unit A comprises a betaine group or a mixture thereof and wherein said betaine group of said unit A is a sulphobetaine group or a mixture thereof, and a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer, wherein said polybetaine polymer and said vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer are present in said composition at a weight ratio of polybetaine polymer to vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer of at utmost 1.5:1. |
| US08546311B2 |
Method for lubricating a clutch-only automatic transmission component requiring lubrication
The present disclosure provides a fluid for lubricating the clutch-only portion of a wet clutch in a dual clutch transmission. The fluid provides high dynamic friction durability and comprises an oil of lubricating viscosity formulated with additive components comprising: i) at least one metal detergent; ii) at least one phosphorus-based wear preventative; iii) a phosphorylated and boronated dispersant different than the at least one phosphorus-based wear preventative; iv) a sulfurized extreme pressure agent; and a ratio between the content (ppm) of the sulfur based on the total weight of the fluid composition and a content (ppm) of phosphorus based on the total weight of the fluid composition ranging from about 2.0 to about 0.5 (ppm/ppm). |
| US08546306B2 |
Microcapsules comprising a lipophilic surfactant and oil
The invention relates to an aqueous dispersion comprising microcapsules, the capsule wall of which is formed from radically polymerized monomers and the capsule core of which comprises at least one oil, in which the capsule core comprises at least one lipophilic surfactant and the continuous phase of the dispersion comprises at least one agrochemical. In addition, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous dispersion by (i) providing an aqueous dispersion comprising microcapsules, the capsule wall of which is formed from radically polymerized monomers and the capsule core of which comprises at least one oil and at least one lipophilic surfactant (microcapsule crude dispersion), and (ii) mixing with at least one agrochemical. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the microcapsule crude dispersion for the preparation of an aqueous dispersion, and also to a product comprising, as separate components, a microcapsule crude dispersion and at least one agrochemical for combined use in combating undesirable plant growth and/or in combating undesirable insect or acarid infestation on plants and/or in combating phytopathogenic fungi. |
| US08546305B2 |
Active compound combinations
The invention relates to active compound combinations, in particular a fungicidal and/or insecticidal composition, comprising Isotianil (3,4-dichloro-N-(2-cyanophenyl)-5-isothiazolecarboxamide) and at least one further insecticide of the anthranilamide group and optionally one further insecticide of the neonicotinoids. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or pests of plants or crops, to the use of a combination according to the invention for the treatment of seed, to a method for protecting a seed and not at least to the treated seed. |
| US08546303B2 |
Thermal transfer sheet
A thermal transfer sheet comprising: a substrate; a heat resistant slip layer provided on one side of the substrate; an undercoat layer and a dye layer provided in that order on the other side of the substrate, wherein the undercoat layer is formed by using colloidal inorganic pigment ultrafine particles and a copolymer resin of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl acetate as main components. |
| US08546299B2 |
Color-developing composition and recording material containing the same
Provided is a recording material with a superior heat resistance and having a low content of a dihydroxydiphenylsulfone derivative, and a color-developing composition for producing the recording material. With the use of this color-developing composition, a recording material with a superior heat resistance at the background part can be provided and the content of a dihydroxydiphenylsulfone derivative, such as 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, in the color-developing composition can be reduced to 2% by mass or less, or further to 1% by mass or less. |
| US08546298B2 |
Filtration media having a chemical reagent
An odor filtration media having a chemical reagent which removes odor causing fluid contaminants from a fluid stream through the use of granular or shaped media have a chemical composition including permanganate is provided. A method of producing the odor absorbing media having a chemical reagent is also provided and comprises the steps of mixing H2O, KMnO4, and at least one salt adding ions or ionic compounds selected from the group consisting of Na+, Li+, K+, NH4+, Cl−, SO42−, BO32−, CO32−, PO43−, NO3− and combinations thereof, or from the group consisting of Na+, Li+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, BO32−, NO3− and combinations thereof, forming an impregnating solution. The impregnating solution is heated and combined with a support material to form a coherent mass. |
| US08546296B2 |
Exhaust gas-purifying catalyst, powdery material, and method of manufacturing exhaust gas-purifying catalyst
An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a substrate, and a catalytic layer supported by the substrate. The catalytic layer includes a support made of alumina, an oxygen storage material, an alkaline earth metal and/or a compound of alkaline-earth metal selectively supported by a surface of the support and dispersed on the surface of the support, and a precious metal supported by the surface of the support. A ratio of a number of moles of the alkaline-earth metal in the catalytic layer with respect to a volumetric capacity of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst falls within a range of 0.0004 mol/L to 0.35 mol/L. |
| US08546295B2 |
Process for preparing shaped catalyst bodies whose active composition is a multielement oxide
A process for preparing shaped catalyst bodies whose active composition is a multielement oxide, in which a finely divided precursor mixture with addition of graphite having a specific particle size is shaped to the desired geometry and then treated thermally. |
| US08546294B2 |
Rhenium-promoted epoxidation catalysts and methods of making and using them
The present invention provides rhenium-promoted epoxidation catalysts based upon shaped porous bodies comprising a minimized percentage of their total pore volume being present in pores having diameters of less than one micron, and a surface area of at least about 1.0 m2/g. Processes of making the catalysts and using them in epoxidation processes are also provided. |
| US08546292B2 |
Metal-carbon compositions
A zinc-carbon compound that is a reaction product of zinc and carbon, wherein the zinc and the carbon form a single phase material that is meltable. The compound is one in which the carbon does not phase separate from the zinc when the single phase material is heated to a melting temperature. |
| US08546290B2 |
Solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization, manufacturing method, and catalyst and olefin polymer manufacturing method
A solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization includes a solid component obtained by causing a magnesium compound (a), a titanium halide compound (b), and an electron donor compound (c) to come in contact with each other, the titanium compound in an amount equivalent to a titanium content of 0.2 to 2.5 wt % in the solid catalyst component being washed away from the solid catalyst component by washing with heptane. A granular or spherical polymer that has high stereoregularity and a narrow particle size distribution can be obtained in high yield while suppressing production of a fine powder by polymerizing an olefin using a catalyst that includes the solid catalyst component. |
| US08546287B2 |
Rhenium promoted catalyst
A group V metal/rhenium-modified molecular sieve catalyst can be used in hydrocarbon conversion reactions. Embodiments can provide a toluene conversion of at least 30 wt % with selectivity to benzene above 40 wt % and to xylenes above 40 wt % and non-aromatics selectivity of less than 2.0 wt %. |
| US08546284B2 |
Process for the production of plasma sprayable yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and plasma sprayable YSZ powder produced thereby
Most widely used commercial zirconia powders are composed of porous particles 10-105 μm and 45-75 μm in size. Furthermore, these powders are mixtures of tetragonal, cubic, and monoclinic modifications, which indicate the heterogeneous distribution of the stabilizing yttria dopant in finished powder not suitable for Solid oxide fuel cell applications. Most of the methods reported in the prior art employs an additional agglomeration step which makes the process more expensive and laborious, Present invention provides a simple and economical process for the preparation of plasma grade yttria stabilized zirconia powder useful for applications in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and thermal barrier coatings without the agglomeration step. Plasma grade yttria stabilized zirconia powders of present invention are prepared at different mole % of yttria varying from 3 to 12%. Finished powder has particle size varying between 33-51 μm and flowabilty of 30-54 seconds per 50 gm of powder having particle morphology ranging from almost spherical to blocky angular shape. |
| US08546282B2 |
Glass for light guide fiber
A glass for a light guide fiber GA1 is used in a core of a fiber 10 of a light guide, and has a refractive index nd between 1.56 and 1.74. The glass for a light guide fiber GA1 has the following composition: (A) SiO2: 20 to 55 wt %, (B11) B2O3: 0 to 2.0 wt %, (B2) does not contain P2O5 and GeO2, (C1) (BaO+SrO+La2O3+Lu2O3+Ta2O5+Gd2O3+WO3): 39 to 46 wt %, (D1) ZnO: 4 to 16 wt %, (E) does not contain Al2O3, (F) does not contain ZrO2, (G) does not contain PbO and As2O3, (H1) (Na2O+K2O): 4 to 10 wt %, (I) Sb2O3: 0 to 0.050 wt %, and (J1) (Na2SO4+K2SO4): 0.32 to 0.78 wt %. |
| US08546280B2 |
Lithium silicate materials
Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength. |
| US08546278B2 |
Composite board containing glass fiber mat
A composite board including: at least one glass fiber mat having an upper surface and a lower surface; a foam layer attached to the glass fiber mat; and a first binding composition applied to the upper surface of the at least one glass fiber mat and a second binding composition applied to the lower surface of the at least one glass fiber mat, the first and second binding compositions being the same or different compositions. |
| US08546276B2 |
Deposition of group IV metal-containing films at high temperature
Disclosed are group IV metal-containing precursors and their use in the deposition of group IV metal-containing films {nitride, oxide and metal) at high process temperature. The use of cyclopentadienyl and imido ligands linked to the metal center secures thermal stability, allowing a large deposition temperature window, and low impurity contamination. The group IV metal (titanium, zirconium, hafnium)-containing f{umlaut over (υ)}m depositions may be carried out by thermal and/or plasma-enhanced CVD, ALD, and pulse CVD. |
| US08546273B2 |
Methods and apparatus for forming nitrogen-containing layers
Methods and apparatus for forming nitrogen-containing layers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a nitrogen-containing layer may include placing a substrate having a first layer disposed thereon on a substrate support of a process chamber; heating the substrate to a temperature of at least about 250 degrees Celsius; and exposing the first layer to a radio frequency (RF) plasma formed from a process gas consisting essentially of ammonia (NH3) and an inert gas while maintaining the process chamber at a pressure of about 10 mTorr to about 40 mTorr to transform at least an upper portion of the first layer into a nitrogen-containing layer. |
| US08546272B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, method of processing substrate and substrate processing apparatus
An insulating film having features such as a low dielectric constant, a low etching rate and a high insulating property is formed. An oxycarbonitride film having a predetermined thickness is formed on a substrate in a process vessel by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, wherein the cycle includes steps of: (a) performing a set of steps a predetermined number of times to form a carbonitride layer having a predetermined thickness on the substrate; and (b) supplying an oxygen-containing gas into the process vessel to oxidize the carbonitride layer having the predetermined thickness, thereby forming an oxycarbonitride layer, wherein the set of steps includes: (a-1) supplying a gas containing an element into the process vessel accommodating the substrate under a condition where a CVD reaction is caused to form a layer containing the element on the substrate; (a-2) supplying a carbon-containing gas into the process vessel to form a carbon-containing layer on the layer containing the element, thereby forming a layer including the element and a carbon; and (a-3) supplying a nitrogen-containing gas into the process vessel to nitride the layer including the element and the carbon, thereby forming the carbonitride layer. |
| US08546271B2 |
Method of improving oxide growth rate of selective oxidation processes
A method for selective oxidation of silicon containing materials in a semiconductor device is disclosed and claimed. In one aspect, a rapid thermal processing apparatus is used to selectively oxidize a substrate by in-situ steam generation at high pressure in a hydrogen rich atmosphere. Other materials, such as metals and barrier layers, in the substrate are not oxidized. |
| US08546269B2 |
Top-down nanowire thinning processes
Techniques for fabricating nanowire-based devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided comprising the following steps. A wafer is provided having a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer over a buried oxide (BOX) layer. Nanowires and pads are etched into the SOI layer to form a ladder-like structure wherein the pads are attached at opposite ends of the nanowires. The BOX layer is undercut beneath the nanowires. The nanowires and pads are contacted with an oxidizing gas to oxidize the silicon in the nanowires and pads under conditions that produce a ratio of a silicon consumption rate by oxidation on the nanowires to a silicon consumption rate by oxidation on the pads of from about 0.75 to about 1.25. An aspect ratio of width to thickness among all of the nanowires may be unified prior to contacting the nanowires and pads with the oxidizing gas. |
| US08546262B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing the same and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device including: a trench formed in an insulating film above a light-receiving portion; a first waveguide core portion provided on an inner wall side of the trench; a second waveguide core portion filled in the trench via the first waveguide core portion; and a rectangular lens formed of the same material as that of the second waveguide core portion and provided integrally with the second waveguide core portion. |
| US08546261B2 |
Slurry for polishing and planarization method of insulating layer using the same
A polishing slurry includes an abrasive, a dispersion agent, a polish accelerating agent and an adhesion inhibitor. The adhesion inhibitor includes a benzene compound combined with a carboxyl group. Methods of planarizing an insulating layer using the slurry are also provided. |
| US08546255B2 |
Method for forming vias in a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor device having the semiconductor substrate
The present invention relates to a method for forming vias in a semiconductor substrate, including the following steps: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; (b) forming a groove on the semiconductor substrate; (c) filling the groove with a conductive metal; (d) removing part of the semiconductor substrate which surrounds the conductive metal, wherein the conductive metal is maintained so as to form an accommodating space between the conductive metal and the semiconductor substrate; and (e) forming an insulating material in the accommodating space. In this way, thicker insulating material can be formed in the accommodating space, and the thickness of the insulating material in the accommodating space is even. |
| US08546247B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device with amorphous silicon layer formation
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in which an amorphous silicon layer is formed into a shape of a gate electrode of a MOS transistor, and then impurity is implanted to a surface of a silicon substrate from a diagonal direction using the amorphous silicon layer as a mask. |
| US08546237B2 |
Transferring and resizing of epitaxial film arrays and method thereof
A method of transferring an epitaxial film from an original substrate to a destination substrate comprises: growing an epitaxial film grown with a sacrificial layer on the original substrate; patterning the epitaxial film into a plurality of sections; attaching the plurality of sections to a stretchable film; removing the plurality of sections attached to the stretchable film from the original substrate; stretching the sections apart as needed; and attaching a permanent substrate to the plurality of sections; and trimming the sizes of the sections as needed for precise positioning prior to integrated circuit device fabrication. |
| US08546236B2 |
High performance dielectric stack for DRAM capacitor
A method for fabricating a DRAM capacitor stack is described wherein the dielectric material is a multi-layer stack formed from a highly-doped material combined with a lightly or non-doped material. The highly-doped material remains amorphous with a crystalline content of less than 30% after an annealing step. The lightly or non-doped material becomes crystalline with a crystalline content of equal to or greater than 30% after an annealing step. The dielectric multi-layer stack maintains a high k-value while minimizing the leakage current and the EOT value. |
| US08546235B2 |
Integrated circuits including metal-insulator-metal capacitors and methods of forming the same
An integrated circuit includes a substrate and a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor disposed over the substrate. The MIM capacitor includes a first metallic capacitor plate disposed over the substrate. At least one first insulator layer is disposed over the first metallic capacitor plate. A second metallic capacitor plate is disposed over the at least one first insulator layer. At least one first dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. At least a portion of the at least one first dielectric layer is disposed between the first metallic capacitor plate and the at least one first insulator layer. |
| US08546234B2 |
Semiconductor process
A semiconductor process is provided. A mask layer is formed on a substrate and has a first opening exposing a portion of the substrate. Using the mask layer as a mask, a dry etching process is performed on the substrate to form a second opening therein. The second opening has a bottom portion and a side wall extending upwards and outwards from the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion is exposed by the first opening and the side wall is covered by the mask layer. Using the mask layer as a mask, a vertical ion implantation process is performed on the bottom portion. A conversion process is performed, so as to form converting layers on the side wall and the bottom portion of the second opening, wherein a thickness of the converting layer on the side wall is larger than a thickness of the converting layer on the bottom portion. |
| US08546233B2 |
Method for producing an integrated circuit arrangement with capacitor in an interconnect layer
A method produces integrated circuit arrangement that includes an undulating capacitor in a conductive structure layer. The surface area of the capacitor is enlarged in comparison with an even capacitor. The capacitor is interlinked with dielectric regions at its top side and/or its underside, so that it can be produced by methods which may not have to be altered in comparison with conventional CMP methods. |
| US08546232B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a laminated structure comprising a boron-doped silicon germanium film and a metal film
A semiconductor device has memory cell portions and compensation capacitance portions on a single substrate. The memory cell portion and the compensation capacitance portion have mutually different planar surface areas. The memory cell portion and the compensation capacitance portion include capacitance plate electrodes of the same structure. The capacitance plate electrode has a laminated structure including a boron-doped silicon germanium film and a metal film. |
| US08546219B2 |
Reducing performance variation of narrow channel devices
Embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming transistors such as narrow channel transistors. The method includes creating a transistor region in a substrate; the transistor region being separated from rest of the substrate, by one or more shallow trench isolation (STI) regions formed in the substrate, to include a channel region, a source region, and a drain region; the STI regions having a height higher than the transistor region of the substrate; and the channel region having a gate stack on top thereof; forming spacers at sidewalls of the STI regions above the transistor region; creating recesses in the source region and the drain region with the spacers preserving at least a portion of material of the substrate underneath the spacers along sidewalls of the STI regions; and epitaxially growing source and drain of the transistor in the recesses. |
| US08546215B2 |
Methods of fabricating a memory device
A memory device comprising a vertical transistor includes a digit line that is directly coupled to the source regions of each memory cell. Because an electrical plug is not used to form a contact between the digit line and the source regions, a number of fabrication steps may be reduced and the possibility for manufacturing defects may also be reduced. In some embodiments, a memory device may include a vertical transistor having gate regions that are recessed from an upper portion of a silicon substrate. With the gate regions recessed from the silicon substrate, the gate regions are spaced further from the source/drain regions and, accordingly, cross capacitance between the gate regions and the source/drain regions may be reduced. |
| US08546212B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabricating method thereof
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. At least one gate trench and a first inter-layer dielectric layer are formed on the substrate. A work function metallic layer is then formed in the gate trench. A first contact hole is then formed in the first inter-layer dielectric layer. A main conductive layer is formed in the gate trench and the first contact hole simultaneously. |
| US08546208B2 |
Isolation region fabrication for replacement gate processing
A method for isolation region fabrication for replacement gate integrated circuit (IC) processing includes forming a plurality of dummy gates on a substrate; forming a block mask over the plurality of dummy gates, such that the block mask selectively exposes a dummy gate of the plurality of dummy gates; removing the exposed dummy gate to form an isolation region recess corresponding to the removed dummy gate; filling the isolation region recess with an insulating material to form an isolation region; removing the block mask to expose a remaining plurality of dummy gates; and performing replacement gate processing on the remaining plurality of dummy gates to form a plurality of active devices, wherein at least two of the plurality of active devices are electrically isolated from each other by the isolation region. |
| US08546203B1 |
Semiconductor structure having NFET extension last implants
Method of forming a semiconductor structure which includes an extremely thin silicon-on-insulator (ETSOI) semiconductor structure having a PFET portion and an NFET portion, a gate structure in the PFET portion and the NFET portion, a high quality nitride spacer adjacent to the gate structures in the PFET portion and the NFET portion and a doped faceted epitaxial silicon germanium raised source/drain (RSD) in the PFET portion. Low quality nitride and high quality nitride are formed on the semiconductor structure. The high quality nitride in the NFET portion is damaged by ion implantation to facilitate its removal. A faceted epitaxial silicon RSD is formed on the ETSOI adjacent to the high quality nitride in the NFET portion. The high quality nitride in the PFET portion is damaged by ion implantation to facilitate its removal. Extensions are ion implanted into the ETSOI underneath the gate structure in the NFET portion. |
| US08546201B2 |
Method of crystallizing silicon layer and method of forming a thin film transistor using the same
A method of crystallizing a silicon layer and a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor using the same, the method of crystallizing the silicon layer including forming an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; performing a hydrophobicity treatment on a surface of the amorphous silicon layer so as to obtain a hydrophobic surface thereon; forming a metallic catalyst on the amorphous silicon layer that has been subjected to the hydrophobicity treatment; and heat-treating the amorphous silicon layer including the metallic catalyst thereon to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer. |
| US08546197B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic device
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor includes: forming a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode; forming an organic semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; forming an organic semiconductor pattern by selectively removing part of the organic semiconductor layer by means of a laser ablation method; and forming source and drain electrodes on the organic semiconductor pattern. |
| US08546191B2 |
Disposing underfill in an integrated circuit structure
In one embodiment, a method of forming a multi-die semiconductor device is provided. A plurality of dice is mounted on a semiconductor substrate, and neighboring ones of the dice are separated by a distance at which a first one of the neighboring dice will contact a meniscus of a flange of the neighboring die during underfill to form a capillary bridge between the neighboring dice. Solder bumps are reflowed to electrically connect contact terminals of the plurality of dice to contact terminals on a top surface of the substrate. Underfill is deposited along one or more edges of one or more of the plurality of dice. As a result of the capillary bridge formed between neighboring dice, flow of underfill is induced between the bottom surfaces of the neighboring dice and the top surface of the substrate. The dispensed underfill is cured. |
| US08546190B2 |
Method for positioning chips during the production of a reconstituted wafer
A process for fabricating a reconstituted wafer that includes chips having connection pads on a front side of the chip, this process including positioning of the chips on an adhesive support, front side down on the support; deposition of a resin on the support in order to encapsulate the chips; and curing of the resin. Before deposition of the resin, the process includes bonding, onto the chips, a support wafer for positioning the chips, this support wafer having parts placed on one side of the chips. |
| US08546186B2 |
Planar interconnect structure for hybrid circuits
Described herein is an electronic device in which one or more planar interconnect structure are interposed between two substrates each incorporating a hybrid circuit. The planar interconnect structure has a plurality of conductive traces formed on one of its faces for electrically connecting sets of interconnection points of each of the hybrid circuits. |
| US08546185B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes: providing a plurality of semiconductor substrates formed with through holes which penetrate between main surfaces of the substrates and are filled with porous conductors; stacking the plurality of semiconductor substrates while aligning the porous conductors filled in the through holes; introducing conductive ink containing particle-like conductors into the porous conductors of the plurality of stacked semiconductor substrates; and sintering the plurality of stacked semiconductor substrates. |
| US08546181B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A highly reliable semiconductor device is provided. A semiconductor device is manufactured at a high yield, so that high productivity is achieved. In a semiconductor device including a transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating film, an oxide semiconductor film containing indium, and an insulating layer provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film so as to overlap with the gate electrode layer are stacked and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor film and the insulating layer, the chlorine concentration and the indium concentration on a surface of the insulating layer are lower than or equal to 1×1019/cm3 and lower than or equal to 2×1019/cm3, respectively. |
| US08546175B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device. An organic light-emitting display device may include, for example, a thin-film transistor (TFT) including a gate electrode, an active layer insulated from the gate electrode, source and drain electrodes insulated from the gate electrode and contacting the active layer and an insulating layer disposed between the source and drain electrodes and the active layer; and an organic light-emitting diode electrically connected to the TFT. The insulating layer may include, for example, a first insulating layer contacting the active layer; and a second insulating layer formed of a metal oxide and disposed on the first insulating layer. |
| US08546165B2 |
Forming light-emitting diodes using seed particles
A seed layer for growing a group III-V semiconductor structure is embedded in a dielectric material on a carrier substrate. After the group III-V semiconductor structure is grown, the dielectric material is removed by wet etch to detach the carrier substrate. The group III-V semiconductor structure includes a thick gallium nitride layer of at least 100 microns or a light-emitting structure. |
| US08546162B2 |
Method for forming light guide layer in semiconductor substrate
A method for forming a light guide layer with improved transmission reliability in a semiconductor substrate, the method including forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate, forming a cladding layer and a preliminary light guide layer in the trench such that only one of opposite side end portions of the preliminary light guide layer is in contact with an inner sidewall of the trench, and performing a thermal treatment on the substrate to change the preliminary light guide layer into the light guide layer. |
| US08546156B2 |
High efficiency light-emitting diode and method for manufacturing the same
A high efficiency light-emitting diode and a method for manufacturing the same are described. The high efficiency light-emitting diode comprises: a permanent substrate; a first contact metal layer and a second contact metal layer respectively deposed on two opposite surfaces of the permanent substrate; a bonding layer deposed on the second contact metal layer; a diffusion barrier layer deposed on the bonding layer, wherein the permanent substrate, the bonding layer and the diffusion barrier layer are electrically conductive; a reflective metal layer deposed on the diffusion barrier layer; a transparent conductive oxide layer deposed on the reflective metal layer; an illuminant epitaxial structure deposed on the transparent conductive oxide layer, wherein the illuminant epitaxial structure includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a second conductivity type compound electrode pad deposed on the second surface of the illuminant epitaxial structure. |
| US08546153B2 |
Resin dispensing apparatus for light emitting device package and method of manufacturing light emitting device package using the same
There is provided a resin dispensing apparatus for a light emitting device package and a method of manufacturing a light emitting device package using the same. The resin dispensing apparatus includes a resin dispensing part including a resin storage portion filled with a resin therein and a resin discharge portion combined with the resin storage portion and discharging the resin therefrom; a supporting part having a light emitting device package disposed on an upper surface thereof and electrically connected to the light emitting device package; a voltage applying part having both terminals respectively connected to the resin dispensing part and the supporting part to apply a voltage thereto; and a sensing part electrically connected to the resin dispensing part and the supporting part individually and sensing a contact between the resin dispensing part and the light emitting device package with an electrical signal. |
| US08546148B2 |
Composition for use as an assay reagent
A composition for use as an assay reagent comprises a solid support comprising a member of a signal producing system and a coating of a synthetic copolymer. The synthetic copolymer comprises a first polymerized monomer comprising a pendant moiety comprising a reactive functionality or a derivative of a reactive functionality and a second polymerized monomer comprising a pendant moiety comprising at least 1 carbon atoms and at least 2 heteroatoms. In some embodiments the copolymer comprises a polyethylenic backbone comprising the pendant moiety comprising a reactive functionality or a derivative of a reactive functionality and the pendant moiety comprising at least 1 carbon atom and at least 2 heteroatoms. |
| US08546147B2 |
Imidazo[1,2-α]pyrazin-3(7H)-one derivatives bearing a new electron-rich structure
The present invention relates to compound of formula I: and their use as chemiluminescent and/or bioluminescent reagents. |
| US08546144B2 |
Method of preparing controls for glycated hemoglobin S-A1c derived from healthy blood cells
By way of summary, the present invention meets some or all of the above needs by providing in a first aspect a method comprising contacting red blood cells in a suspension medium containing mannose under conditions such that the concentration of S-Alc glycated hemoglobin is increased to greater than about 6 percent by weight of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Preferably the suspension medium is an aqueous suspension medium. In preferred embodiments, the method is performed at about ambient temperature, 18° C. to about 23° C. |
| US08546143B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene
The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is substantially identical to at least a part of a target gene and which is no more than 49, preferably less than 25, nucleotides in length, and which comprises a complementary (antisense) RNA strand having a 1 to 4 nucleotide overhang at the 3′-end and a blunt 5′-end. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as for treating diseases caused by expression of the target gene, at low dosages (i.e., less than 5 milligrams, preferably less than 25 micrograms, per kg body weight per day). The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. |
| US08546138B2 |
Mesenchymal precursor cell
A method of enriching mesenchymal precursor cells including the step of enriching for cells based on at least two markers. The markers may be either i) the presence of markers specific for mesenchymal precursor cells, ii) the absence of markers specific for differentiated mesenchymal cells, or iii) expression levels of markers specific for mesenchymal precursor cells. The method may include a first solid phase sorting step utilising MACS recognising expression of the antigen to the STRO-1 Mab, followed by a second sorting step utilising two colour FACS to screen for the presence of high level STRO-1 antigen expression as well as the expression of VCAM-1. |
| US08546137B2 |
Inhibition of dendritic cell-driven regulatory T cell activation and potentiation of tumor antigen-specific T cell responses by interleukin-15 and MAP kinase inhibitor
The invention involves the discovery that if dendritic cells loaded with a tumor antigen are cultured in interleukin-15 (IL-15), or if T cells activated by the dendritic cells are cultured in IL-15, Treg activity that is specific for the tumor antigen is reduced. This reduction in Treg activity results in an increase in anti-tumor immune response. Another embodiment of the invention involves the discovery that incubating dendritic cells with a MAP kinase inhibitor in combination with IL-15 gives synergistic benefits when the dendritic cells are used to activate T cells. Dendritic cell and T cell compositions incubated with IL-15 or a MAP kinase inhibitor are provided. |
| US08546136B2 |
Compositions and methods for the assembly of polynucleotides
The present invention provides compositions and methods for rapid assembly of one or more assembled polynucleotides from a plurality of component polynucleotides. The methods of the invention utilize circular nucleic acid vectors that comprise a DNA segment D flanked by an annealable linker sequence, annealable linker sequence pairs LA and LB, or annealable linker sequence/primer binding segment pairs LA and PB or PA and LB. Restriction endonuclease digestion of a plurality of vectors containing the DNA segments to be assembled generates a plurality of DNA fragments comprising the elements PA-D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D-PB or D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D. The sequences of annealable linker sequences LA and LB provide complementary termini to the DNA fragments, which are utilized in host cell mediated homologous recombination or together with promer binding segments PA and PB in a polymerase cycling assembly reaction for the ordered assembly of the various DNA segments into one or more assembled polynucleotides. |
| US08546133B2 |
Systems and methods for contaminant removal from a microalgae culture
Systems and methods for the removal of contaminants from a liquid culture microalgae and/or cyanobacteria comprise an inlet tube, a pump, a gas injector, a vertical chamber, and/or a collection container that promotes the production of foam in the microalgae culture, wherein the foam contains the contaminants. |
| US08546131B2 |
Method for detecting nucleic acid, and device or kit
A method and a device or kit for detecting a nucleic acid, which enable simple and precise visual detection of a nucleic acid amplified by an nucleic acid amplification method, without necessity of special devices are provided. The method for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample comprises: contacting a sample with a dye to react with each other; and observing a substance produced by the reaction with visible light, and evaluating the presence or absence of a nucleic acid by eye. The device or kit for detecting a nucleic acid in a sample comprises: a carrier that holds a dye which can bind to a nucleic acid; a path for passing a sample through the carrier; and an evaluation part for observing a substance produced by the reaction between the sample and the dye with visible light, and evaluating the presence or absence of a nucleic acid by eye. |
| US08546129B2 |
Sample analysis chip, sample analyzer using sample analysis chip, sample analysis method, and method of producing sample analysis chip
A low cost sample analysis chip in which liquid is supplied to wells formed on the chip so as to carry out reaction by a simple liquid supply method with no variation in the amount of liquid in each well, the sample analysis chip including a plurality of wells and a flow passage leading to the respective wells, wherein the flow passage includes a main flow passage which supplies liquid to each well, and the sample analysis chip has the main flow passage provided closer to the rotation center side than the well; and is formed so as to have one peak between neighboring wells in the direction of rotation center. |
| US08546123B2 |
Production of poliovirus at high titers for vaccine production
Provided is a process for the production of poliovirus, comprising the steps of: a) providing a serum-free suspension culture of cells, which are primary human retina (HER) cells that have been immortalized by expression of adenovirus E1 sequences, b) infecting the cells with poliovirus, at a cell density of between 2×106 cells/ml and 150×106 cells/ml, and c) harvesting poliovirus at a time of between 12 and 48 hours after infection. |
| US08546120B2 |
Perhydrolase variant providing improved specific activity
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications. |
| US08546118B2 |
Aldolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts. In some embodiments, the invention provides polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways that are useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid (R-MP) and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R and S,R monatin, and salts thereof, as well as certain stereoisomers of monatin derivatives, such as the R,R and S,R configurations, and salts thereof. |
| US08546117B2 |
Method and device for forming a three-dimensional arrangement of biological cells
A method for forming a three-dimensional cell arrangement (1) of biological cells is disclosed, including the steps of preparation of the cell arrangement (1) on a flexible substrate (10) and deformation of the substrate (10), wherein the deformation of the substrate (10) is brought about by an attractive force exerted by the cells (2) on the substrate (10). A substrate (10), is also disclosed, made from a flexible material and including a substrate surface (11) for adhesion of a cell arrangement (1) of biological cells, wherein the substrate surface (11) has a number of force attachment points arranged to exert an attraction force which may be transmitted from the cells to the substrate (10) and the substrate (10) has a flexibility such that the substrate (10) is deformable with the action of the attraction force. |
| US08546115B2 |
Esterases and their use
The present invention relates to polyesterases having cutinase and/or suberinase activity obtainable from Coprinus and Trichoderma. The invention further relates to a method for producing the polyesterases, and to polynucleotides, vectors and host cells used therein. The enzymes are useful in hydrolysing cutin, suberin and other polyesters for example in treating agricultural or food raw materials, or wood raw materials, pulp and paper products and waste, and in modifying polyester fibers, or in laundry and dish applications. |
| US08546113B2 |
Hydrogen peroxide-forming NADH oxidase and DNA encoding the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide DNA encoding novel NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium having excellent pH stability and thermostability. The present invention relates to DNA encoding NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium that is the following (a) or (b): (a) NADH oxidase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18; or (b) NADH oxidase comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 by deletion, substitution, or addition of 1 or more amino acid(s) and having NADH oxidase activity. |
| US08546112B2 |
Process for the stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester and its salts. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of 5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid salt and a process for the preparation of 3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid. (S)-5-Methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form as well as salts thereof, (S)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester or (R)-5-methyl-3-nitromethyl-hexanoic acid ester in enantioenriched form or enantiopure form and a compound, namely Formula (XIII), in racemic form, enantioenriched form or enantiopure form are also disclosed. |
| US08546110B2 |
Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
An automated method for preparing and amplifying a sequence contained in a nucleic acid present in a sample, the nucleic acid being prepared in a receptacle that is part of a unit that includes a plurality of receptacles and holds a removable contact-limiting element for aspirating a fluid component of the sample from the receptacle. |
| US08546109B2 |
Biomass pretreatment
The present invention relates to a method for lignocellulosic conversion to sugar using an ionic liquid pretreatment for the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass. Thus, cellulose, hemicellulose, when hydrolyzed into their sugars, can be converted to ethanol fuel through well-established fermentation technologies. These sugars also form the feedstocks for production of a variety of chemical and polymers. The complex structure of the biomass required pretreatment to enable efficient saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose components to their constituent sugars. |
| US08546108B2 |
Methods of intracellular conversion of single-chain proteins into their di-chain form
The present specification discloses expression constructs comprising single-chain proteins comprising a di-chain loop region comprising an exogenous protease cleavage site and a protease that can cleave the exogenous protease cleavage site located within the di-chain loop, cell compositions comprising such expression construct, and intracellular methods of converting the single-chain protein into its di-chain form. |
| US08546107B2 |
Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations
Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (“PI3K”), and of B-Raf are described. Methods of treating tumors containing mutated EGFr with human monoclonal antibodies against EGFr are described. Methods and kits for ascertaining the presence of one or more mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf in a sample and for treating disorders or conditions related to the presence of mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf are also described. Methods of treating tumors containing mutant EGFr, mutant PI3K, and/or mutant B-Raf are also described. |
| US08546104B2 |
Processes for the preparation of phosphatide salts
The present invention discloses processes a process for the preparation of phosphatide-salt complexes, the process including the steps of: using at least one raw material lecithin as a substrate; and enzymatically processing at least one raw material lecithin with phospholipase-D, racemic or enantiomerically-pure serine, and/or amine in an aqueous carboxylate-salt-complex solution, wherein the step of processing is performed in a single-phase reaction environment, to produce phosphatide-salt complexes having a structural fatty-acid chain derived from at least one raw material lecithin. Preferably, the step of processing is performed at a pH in the range of about 4.5-8.0 at a temperature in the range of about 25-60° C. Preferably, the aqueous carboxylate-salt-complex solution is formed from an aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid with a chain length of C2-C8 and a salt in an approximately 1:2 (weight per weight) acid-to-salt ratio. |
| US08546102B2 |
Methods for determining sodium-proton-exchanger ligand efficiency
The present invention relates to methods for determining the in vivo efficiency of a sodium-proton-exchanger (NHE) ion channel ligand comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a cell expressing a sodium-proton-exchanger (NHE) ion channel in vitro with either (i) plasma of an animal and the ion channel ligand or (ii)) the plasma of an animal which has been administered the ion channel ligand; (b) determining the effect of the ion channel ligand on the cell; c) determining ion channel ligand availability by comparing the ligand concentration in the plasma to the concentration of ligand administered; and d) correlating the effect of the ion channel ligand on the cell with the ligand availability to determine the in vivo efficiency of the ligand. |
| US08546101B2 |
Compound screening using chondrocytes derived from primate pluripotent stem cells
This invention provides a system for obtaining cells of the chondrocyte lineage by differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells. The process involves culturing the cells as a micromass or other aggregate form in a cocktail of differentiation agents that facilitates outgrowth of the desired cell type. Progeny are capable of synthesizing Type II collagen or aggrecan, or other products that are characteristic of the chondrocyte lineage. Chondrocytes and chondrocyte precursor cells obtained according to this disclosure are suitable for use in both research and clinical therapy. |
| US08546100B2 |
Microorganism concentration process and agent
A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a concentration agent that comprises diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof; (b) providing a sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration agent with the sample such that at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration agent. |
| US08546097B2 |
Methods and compositions for detection of microbial contaminants in peritoneal dialysis solutions
Methods and compositions for detection of microbial contaminants in peritoneal dialysis solutions are provided. The methods and compositions employ modified bioburden testing and the detection of peptidoglycan. A novel cause of aseptic peritonitis is provided—aseptic peritonitis associated with gram positive microbial contamination of a dialysis solution. Peptidoglycan is a major component of a gram positive bacterial cell wall and thus can serve as a marker for gram positive bacteria. In this regard, testing for peptidoglycans can be utilized to effectively prevent peritonitis in patients that use the peritoneal dialysis solutions, such as peritoneal dialysis solutions that contain a glucose polymer including an icodextrin and the like. |
| US08546092B2 |
One step nanosensor for single and multidrug resistance in acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
An embodiment relates to a method of detecting a drug resistance in a patient comprising adding nanoparticles to sample platelets to form activated platelets containing the nanoparticles and comparing a difference in activation of the activated platelets and the sample platelets. Another embodiment relates to a method of monitoring a thrombotic risk factor in a subject in a general population comprising adding nanoparticles to sample platelets to form activated platelets containing the nanoparticles and comparing a difference in activation of the activated platelets and the sample platelets. Yet another embodiment relates to a kit comprising nanoparticles, a fluorescence dye tagged antibody and optionally a buffer, wherein the kit is configured to detect a drug resistance in a patient or a likelihood of the thrombotic risk factor in a subject in general population. |
| US08546091B2 |
AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 as an indicator for taxane-based chemotherapy
Methods for determining whether a cancer patient is likely to benefit from treatment with a taxane compound based on Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation status are provided, together with kits for determining Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation status and methods for improving treatment of a cancer patient that include obtaining a determination of the Akt-Ser473 phosphorylation status of the cancer. |
| US08546090B2 |
SIRT4 activities
Methods of modulating insulin secretion and treating metabolic disorders by modulating the expression or activity of Sirt4 are provided. |
| US08546087B2 |
Diagnosis of restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, methods and/or kits for determining and/or predicting and/or diagnosing and/or treating restenosis in a patient. |
| US08546081B2 |
Methods and compositions for assaying a sample for an aggregant
This invention relates to an aggregation sensor useful for the detection and analysis of aggregants in a sample, and methods, articles and compositions relating to such a sensor. The sensor comprises first and second optically active units, where energy may be transferred from an excited state of the first optically active unit to the second optically active unit. The second optically active unit is present in a lesser amount, but its relative concentration is increased upon aggregation, increasing its absorption of energy from the first optically active units. This increase in energy transfer can be detected in variety of formats to produce an aggregation sensing system for various aggregants, including for quantitation. Other variations of the inventions are described further herein. |
| US08546079B2 |
Reporter gene construct, assay kit and detection method
According to one embodiment, there is provided a reporter gene construct. The reporter gene construct comprises a transcriptional regulatory sequence and a reporter gene that is functionally bound to downstream of the transcriptional regulatory sequence. The reporter gene construct is activated dependently of environment and the reporter gene codes for a protein producible of producing a free radical by the activation of the transcriptional regulatory sequence. |
| US08546078B2 |
Materials and method for assaying for methylation of CpG islands associated with genes in the evaluation of cancer
Provided are methods, reagents, and kits for evaluating cancer, such as prostate cancer, in a subject. Disclosed methods of evaluating cancer include methods of diagnosing cancer, methods of prognosticating cancer and methods of assessing the efficacy of cancer treatment. The methods include assaying a biological sample for methylation of a CpG island associated with specified genes. Provided reagents and kits include primers suitable for amplifying at least a portion of a target CpG islands associated with specified genes. |
| US08546073B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced detection of toxic agents
A biosensor based detection of toxins includes enhancing a fluorescence signal by concentrating a plurality of photosynthetic organisms in a fluid into a concentrated region using biased AC electro-osmosis. A measured photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms is obtained in the concentrated region, where chemical, biological or radiological agents reduce a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. A presence of the chemical, biological and/or radiological agents or precursors thereof, is determined in the fluid based on the measured photosynthetic activity of the concentrated plurality of photosynthetic organisms. A lab-on-a-chip system is used for the concentrating step. The presence of agents is determined from feature vectors, obtained from processing a time dependent signal using amplitude statistics and/or time-frequency analysis, relative to a control signal. A linear discriminant method including support vector machine classification (SVM) is used to identify the agents. |
| US08546071B2 |
High-throughput in vitro translation (cell-lysate based) assay for detecting quorum sensing signals
A cell-lysate extract based assay reagent for detecting quorum sensing signals is generally provided, along with methods of making and using the same. The assay reagent generally includes a cell-lysate extract formed from a biosensor bacterium (e.g., Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 (pCF218)(pCF372)) and a detecting substrate (e.g., an absorbance-based or luminescence-based substrate). The cell-lysate extract can be prepared by (1) disrupting the cell membranes of the biosensor bacterium to release the cellular components into a solution, (2) centrifuging the resulting solution, and (3) removing the resulting supernatant solution. |
| US08546068B2 |
Method for fabricating microbeads and microbeads
In one example embodiment, a method fabricates microbeads, which can supply a bead set containing a various types of microbeads and having distinct populations of the respective types of microbeads. In one example embodiment, the method includes forming a hydrophilic layer made of a hydrophilic organic material on a substrate. In one example embodiment, the method includes laminating on the hydrophilic layer a thin film capable of being peeled off in the form of microbeads. In one example embodiment, the method includes forming the thin film in a given configuration by photolithography. In one example embodiment, the method includes solid-phasing a given substance on the post-formed thin films. In one example embodiment, the method includes peeling off the post-formed thin films, which have been solid-phased with the substance, from the substrate along with at least a part of the hydrophilic layer to obtain microbeads. |
| US08546066B2 |
Method for electroconductive pattern formation
A method for forming a conductor pattern comprising the steps of (a) forming a photo-crosslinkable resin layer on a substrate provided with a conductive layer on its surface, (b) treating the photo-crosslinkable resin layer with an alkali aqueous solution to render it thinner, (c) carrying out exposure for a circuit pattern, (d) developing and (e) etching, the steps included in this order, said alkali aqueous solution being an aqueous solution containing 5 to 20 mass % of an inorganic alkaline compound, or method for forming a conductor pattern comprising the steps of (a′) forming a photo-crosslinkable resin layer on a substrate provide with a conductive layer on its surface and inside a hole thereof, (i) curing the photo-crosslinkable resin layer on the hole alone or on the hole and a surrounding area thereof, (b′) treating the photo-crosslinkable resin layer in an uncured portion with an alkali aqueous solution to render it thinner, (c) carrying out exposure for a circuit pattern, (d) developing and (e) etching, these steps included in this order, said alkali aqueous solution being an aqueous solution containing 5 to 20 mass % of an inorganic alkaline compound. |
| US08546065B2 |
Mask for crystallizing a semiconductor layer and method of crystallizing a semiconductor layer using the same
A mask for crystallizing a semiconductor layer includes a plurality of first main-slit portions, a plurality of second main-slit portions, upper slit portion and lower slit portion. The first main-slit portions extend along an inclined direction with respect to a first direction. The second main-slit portions are spaced apart from the first main-slit portions. The upper slit portion is disposed on the first main-slit portions along a second direction to be parallel to the first main-slit portions, and extends partway over the second main-slit portions to be longer than the first main-slit portions. The lower slit portion is disposed under the second main-slit portions along the second direction to be parallel to the second main-slit portions, and extends partway under the first main-slit portions to be longer than the second main-slit portions. |
| US08546063B2 |
Organic solvent development or multiple development pattern-forming method using electron beams or EUV rays
Provided is a pattern-forming method including, in the following order: (1) a process of forming a film with an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising a resin which contains an acid-decomposable repeating unit and is capable of decreasing the solubility in an organic solvent by the action of an acid; (2) a process of exposing the film with an electron beam or an EUV ray; and (4) a process of developing the film with a developer containing an organic solvent. |
| US08546056B2 |
Toner and method of manufacturing toner
A toner including a colorant and a binder resin is provided. The binder resin includes a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 18 to 40° C., a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000, and a flow beginning temperature of 70 to 120° C. The toner has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 10 μm. |
| US08546054B2 |
Toner for electrophotography
An electrophotographic toner includes a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent, wherein the electrophotographic toner has a complex viscosity (η) of 4e2 Pa·s to 8e3 Pa·s at a temperature range of 120 to 160° C. and an angular velocity range of 1.6 to 10 rad/s, a rate of change of the complex viscosity of 165 to 185 Pa·s/° C. at 1.6 rad/s, and 70 to 80 Pa·s/° C. at 10 rad/s within the temperature range, a stress relaxation of 1.0 e3 to 4.5 e4 Pa at a relaxation time of 0.05 to 0.3 seconds under a temperature range of 120 to 160° C., and a rate of change of the stress relaxation (ΔG/ΔT) of 785 to 1000 Pa/° C. at 0.05 seconds and 190 to 215 Pa/° C. at 0.3 seconds within the temperature range above. |