| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08749756B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate is disclosed. The lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system and an outlet connected to a pumping system to pump away gas from between an inner wall and outer wall of the illumination system or, if a radiation source is present, between the inner wall of the illumination system and an inner wall of the radiation source. |
| US08749755B2 |
Stage apparatus and exposure apparatus
A stage apparatus includes: a moving stage, which moves along a movement plane; a first moving table, which holds a specimen while being able to move with respect to the moving stage; and a second moving table, which is provided on the moving stage and, when the first moving table has moved from a first position to a second position, is positioned at the first position. |
| US08749753B2 |
Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus and optical system unit, and device manufacturing method
The upper end of a static gas bearing member of a wafer side seal unit is connected to an edge section on the outgoing side of an exposure beam of a chamber in an air tight state via bellows, and the lower end surface is in a state forming a predetermined clearance with a wafer and a wafer holder. By this arrangement, the inside of the chamber is isolated from the outside. Accordingly, it becomes possible to maintain a vacuum environment in the periphery of the optical path of the exposure beam without arranging a vacuum chamber to house a wafer, a wafer holder, and a wafer stage, which allows the size of the entire exposure apparatus to be reduced, and also makes it easy to have access to the vicinity of the wafer stage. |
| US08749752B2 |
Compact acquisition format for dimensionalized digital cinema projection at forty-eight images per second
Motion picture images are photographed at forty-eight frames per second, onto motion picture film in the thirty-five millimeter, two-perforation format. These film images are then converted to digital images and re-sized to accommodate an aspect ratio used for wide-screen motion picture exhibition. During exhibition, the images are projected digitally in the 1080 by 2048 or other commercially-used digital exhibition format. The server used for such exhibition is 3D compatible, although the interleaving feature used for three-dimensional exhibition is not used in the present invention. Instead, forty-eight discrete images are projected during each second, matching the forty-eight discrete images per second originally photographed on motion picture film in the practice of this invention. Thus, the present invention combines advantages of film photography in an economical film format with advantages of digital exhibition to theatrical motion picture audiences. |
| US08749750B2 |
Discrimination medium and production method therefor
A discrimination medium, which can have much information, can be produced on a small scale at low cost, and enables change of a sticker design at low cost, is provided. The discrimination medium includes an optically transparent first substrate on which a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is formed, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer being formed with a fine asperity used for displaying a hologram, an optically transparent second substrate on which a print layer is formed, the print layer having a predetermined pattern made of ink and having a transparent portion without the ink of the pattern around the pattern, the pattern reflecting or absorbing a light of a predetermined wavelength, and a transparent adhesive layer, wherein the optically transparent first substrate, the optically transparent second substrate, and the transparent adhesive layer, are disposed in turn from a side checked visually. |
| US08749740B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device exhibiting an excellent gray scale inversion characteristic in a state where a color close to black is displayed. The present invention is a liquid crystal display device including a first polarizer, a second polarizer disposed to face the first polarizer, a liquid crystal display panel provided between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and a first phase plate and a second phase plate provided between the first or second polarizer and the liquid crystal display panel. In the liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display panel has a pair of substrates disposed to face each other and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, the liquid crystal layer includes a homogeneously aligned liquid crystal molecule, the first phase plate includes a liquid crystal film, the liquid crystal film is formed by being set in a state where a nematic liquid crystal is hybrid-aligned, and a specific phase difference as a phase difference in a perpendicular direction of a member which is present between the first and second polarizers, excluding the liquid crystal layer and the first phase plate, is 120 nm or more. |
| US08749738B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and manufacturing method thereof, and liquid crystal display
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a liquid crystal display; the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal panel comprises the following steps: conducting materials are mixed into black matrix coating materials and black matrix deposition is conducted. In the present invention, because the conducting materials are mixed into the black matrix coating materials, the black matrix can conduct electricity and therefore, the liquid crystal panel can conduct static electricity by the conductivity of the black matrix to protect the liquid crystal panel and assemblies on the liquid crystal panel; the reliability of the liquid crystal panel is increased, because of the conductivity of the black matrix, the liquid crystal panel does not need additional conducting design (i.e. a layer of electrodes does not need to be deposited on the color film substrate of the liquid crystal panel), a deposition technology is omitted, production efficiency is increased and the production cost of the liquid crystal panel is economized. |
| US08749737B2 |
Display with color control
Techniques are provided for controlling the colors of reflected light out of a display surface in a display device, such that display discoloration (e.g., green tinting) may be reduced, particularly when the display is operating in bright ambient environments. In one embodiment, a display device may include a color filter black mask layer having an arrangement of red, green, and blue color filter areas, where the red and/or blue color filter areas are substantially greater than the green color filter area. In some embodiments, the display device may include red and blue color filter pigment resin areas which may be disposed over the reflective areas to increase the overall amount of red and blue light that will be generated by reflected light to result in a total light reflection that is substantially neutral in color. |
| US08749735B2 |
Color filter and display devices including the same
A color filter and display devices using the same are provided, the color filter includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other; and a variable filter layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable filter layer includes a polymer, liquid crystal dispersed in the polymer, and a plurality of color display materials mixed in the liquid crystal. |
| US08749734B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with layers of different color filters covering light shielding films
Unevenness due to the influence of a mesh when a sealing material for bonding a TFT substrate and a counter substrate together is formed on the counter substrate by screen printing is prevented. Light shielding films are extended in the horizontal direction and arranged in the vertical direction. Red color filters, blue color filters, and green color filters are extended in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. The blue color filters are extended also in the horizontal direction so as to cover the light shielding films. In a cross section along the red color filter and the green color filter, the level of a portion above the light shielding film is higher compared with that of the other portion by the thicknesses of the blue color filter and the light shielding film. In screen printing, since the high portion serves as a stopper for the mesh, the occurrence of unevenness due to the mesh can be prevented. |
| US08749733B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device, without light leakage in a black display mode, is provided. The liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a LCD panel, a light source, and an optical filter between the LCD and the light source. When the LCD panel is in the black display mode without the optical filter, leakage light leaking from the LCD panel in an oblique direction shows a hue having a local minimum value in a wavelength range from 450 nm to 550 nm. Normal incident light entering into the LCD in a normal direction shows a hue same as that of light just emitted from the light source, and oblique incident light entering into the LCD panel in an oblique direction shows a hue having a local maximum value in a wavelength range from 400 nm to less than 550 nm. |
| US08749732B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including LED light source
A liquid crystal display device includes a support main having a rectangular frame shape, a reflection sheet in the support main, a light guide plate over the reflection sheet, a light-emitting diode (LED) assembly including LEDs arranged along a light-incident surface of the light guide plate and a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the LEDs are mounted, an LED housing partially covering the LED assembly and including first and second portions, wherein the PCB is attached to the first portion, and the second portion is perpendicular to the first portion, a plurality of optical sheets over the light guide plate, a liquid crystal panel over the plurality of optical sheets, a cover bottom at a rear surface of the reflection sheet and having at least one side wall, and a top cover covering edges of a front surface of the liquid crystal and combined with the support main and the cover bottom. |
| US08749731B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A lighting device including a light source, a light guide plate, a first prism sheet which is arranged over the light guide plate, and a second prism sheet which is arranged between the first prism sheet and the light guide plate. The first prism sheet includes first prisms which are formed parallel to each other in the first direction on a first surface which is opposite to the second prism sheet, and the second prism sheet includes second prisms. |
| US08749728B2 |
Backplane and LCD device comprising backplane
The invention relates to the field of LCDs, and more particularly to a backplane and an LCD device including the backplane. The backplane includes a frame and a bottom plate; the frame is of a joining structure, and includes a plurality of frame edge members; the frame edge members are equilong. The backplane of the invention employs a modular design, the frame of the backplane is divided into a plurality of equilong frame edge member units, and the design is standardized. When the new products of LCD devices are developed, only frame edge members of different number are selected from the standardized modular units for combination and use. The members have a high generality, thereby reducing the development cost of special moulds, shortening the development cycle of products, avoiding the problem that a great deal of stagnant materials are inconveniently handled when developing a single device. Thus, the aim of reducing cost is achieved. |
| US08749726B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first storage capacitance line and a second storage capacitance line, a gate line located between the first storage capacitance line and the second storage capacitance line, a semiconductor layer located at a substantially central part of a pixel, a source line put in contact with the semiconductor layer, a drain electrode which is put in contact with the semiconductor layer and extends above the first storage capacitance line and the second storage capacitance line, and a pixel electrode including a first main pixel electrode opposed to the first storage capacitance line, and a second main pixel electrode opposed to the second storage capacitance line. |
| US08749722B2 |
Display device displaying an image for a first viewpoint and an image for a second viewpoint
A reflective liquid crystal display panel is a display panel for three-dimensional display in which pixel pairs as display elements composed of one left-eye pixel L and right-eye pixel R each are provided in a matrix. The lenticular lens is an optical member for image separation that is provided to separate the light from the left and right pixels, and numerous lenticular lenses form a lens array that is arranged in one dimension. An anisotropic scattering sheet as an anisotropic scattering element is provided between the lenticular lens and the reflective liquid crystal display panel. In this configuration, a reduction in the quality of the reflective display can be minimized, and improved image quality can be achieved without changing the concavo-convex structure of the reflecting panel and the lens shape of the lenticular lens in display device that is capable of displaying different images to a plurality of viewpoints. |
| US08749714B2 |
Distinguishing and communicating between white space devices transmitting ATSC-compatible signals
White space signals are differentiated from licensed ATSC signals through modification of a waveform of the white space signal. White space signals may be modified by shifting the ATSC-compatible waveform so that the pilot frequency of the white space signal is at a location outside of the frequency range associated with the pilot frequency in a licensed ATSC signal or embedding a watermark signal into said ATSC-like white space signals. White space device transmitters generate the signals with these modifications and white space receivers are equipped to detect whether a pilot exists in the standard licensed pilot frequencies. Based on these differences, white space devices can better operate without interfering with licensed ATSC transmission. Additionally, the modification techniques may be used to embed data in the white space signal that may be used to communicate connection data or networking data to other white space devices. |
| US08749711B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling screen of image display device
Apparatus and method for controlling a screen of an image display device on which an image signal transmitted from a PC can be displayed are provided. In the above apparatus and method, a TV mode and a PC mode are discerned by a selection of a user. In the case of a fast moving picture like in a TV, a fast display frame rate is set, and in the case of many slow moving pictures or still images, a normal display frame rate is set. In the PC mode having a fast moving picture, a motion degree is sensed such that the fast display frame rate is set, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption in advance. Also, a display frame rate most suitable to a display module can be set to thereby improve a life time problem of the display module, so that a user can view a natural screen without an afterimage phenomenon to enhance a user satisfaction. |
| US08749709B2 |
Video source correction
An input card of video switcher includes a detection block for detecting errors in the timing signals of a digital video signal within a range. For timing signals with errors that fall within the range, the input card implements a correction block to correct the signals to an expected resolution. For timing signals with errors that fall out of the range, the input card does implement the correction block and passes the raw timing signal through. |
| US08749708B2 |
Moving image processing apparatus and moving image processing method
In order to distribute low-frequency component image data L in image data for one frame to first and second sub-frames respectively as L1 and L2, a distribution of L2 in the low-frequency component image data L is decided. This decision is made based on a non-linear curve, so that when the low-frequency component image data L falls within a low-level region, a distribution rate of L2 is decreased, and when the low-frequency component image data L falls within a high-level region, the distribution rate of L2 is increased within a range that does not exceed 0.5. In this way, a negative-side clipping phenomenon of high-frequency components is suppressed in the low-level region, and flickers are suppressed in the high-level region. |
| US08749695B2 |
Imaging device and imaging apparatus
An imaging device includes: an image generation pixel including a light receiving element generating a signal for generating an image; a phase-difference detection pixel including a light receiving element generating a signal for performing in-focus determination by phase difference detection; and a holding section holding the signal generated by the light receiving element in the image generation pixel and disposed in an area where subject light is shielded by a light shielding layer in the phase-difference detection pixel. |
| US08749693B2 |
Light reduction device and imaging apparatus
A light reduction device for adjusting an amount of light reaching an imaging device includes: a light shielding plate in which light shielding parts are discretely formed for blocking the light, and a light transmission part is formed for transmitting the light; a first light reduction plate in which light reduction parts are discretely formed for reducing the amount of the light passing through, and a light transmission part is formed for transmitting the light; and a moving unit configured to move at least one of the light shielding plate and the first light reduction plate in a first direction which intersects with an incident direction of the light, in which the light shielding plate and the first light reduction plate overlap each other at least in part, when viewed from the incident direction of the light. |
| US08749692B2 |
Image processing apparatus that corrects deterioration of image, image pickup apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a data storing portion configured to store coefficient data for reconstructing an optical transfer function of an image pickup optical system in accordance with a type of the image pickup optical system and an imaging condition, a tap number determining portion configured to determine a tap number of the optical transfer function that is reconstructed by using the coefficient data in accordance with a size of one pixel of an image pickup element, and a reconstruction portion configured to reconstruct the optical transfer function in accordance with Nyquist frequency of the image pickup element and the tap number in a frequency space. |
| US08749690B2 |
In-context content capture
A user interface includes a tactile interface on a client device that allows users to interact with social networking system content in a manner that is optimized for touch screens and mobile devices. The tactile interface allows users to efficiently navigate the social networking system data as well as to capture new content for upload to the social networking system. New content may be captured in a way that allows the user to preview the content in-context. |
| US08749684B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are provided. The solid-state imaging device capable of performing an intermittent operation includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit in units of a plurality of pixels for each column. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators and a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by outputs of the comparators. Each of the comparators includes an initializing switch for determining an operating point for each column at a start of row operation, and is configured so that an initialization signal to be applied to the initializing switch is controlled independently in parallel only a basic unit of the initialization signal used for a horizontal intermittent operation, and the initializing switch is held in an off-state at a start of non-operating row. |
| US08749681B2 |
CMOS image sensor with noise cancellation
A memory comprises a two dimensional array of memory cells. Each memory cell comprises a first transistor, a second transistor and a capacitor. A multi-bit datum is stored as one of a plurality of voltage signal levels driven over a vertical input signal line and further across a source and a drain of the first transistor to be stored onto a gate of the second transistor. The first transistor is selected by a horizontal WR control line. The gate of the second transistor is connected to a first terminal of the capacitor. A second terminal of the capacitor is connected to a horizontal RD control line. The RD control line is driven to couple the second transistor to drive a signal onto a vertical output signal line during a read of the stored signal on the gate. |
| US08749679B2 |
Solid-state imaging device having an improved charge leakage, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device having a backside illuminated structure, includes: a pixel region in which pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion and a plurality of pixel transistors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; an element isolation region isolating the pixels which is provided in the pixel region and which includes a semiconductor layer provided in a trench by an epitaxial growth; and a light receiving surface at a rear surface side of a semiconductor substrate which is opposite to a multilayer wiring layer. |
| US08749677B2 |
Imaging element and imaging device
An imaging sensor has a pixel array in which pixels are disposed in a two-dimensional matrix state, a sampling part, a shutter control part, and a clipping circuit. A vertical signal line is coupled to the plurality of pixels disposed in a column direction, and to which a pixel signal is input from the pixels. The sampling part is coupled to the vertical signal line, and to which the pixel signal output to the vertical signal line is input. The clipping circuit is provided at an input side of the sampling part, and clips an electric potential of the vertical signal line to a first clip level before the pixel signal is input from the pixels to the vertical signal line when the shutter control part performs the global shutter operation. As a result, it is possible to stably operate the sampling part. |
| US08749676B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus which performs a global exposure operation, in a determined imaging region, for performing exposure as matching respective start times and respective end times of all rows, comprises: plural unit pixels arranged in two-dimensional matrix and each comprising a photoelectric converting unit for generating a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion, a holding unit for holding the generated pixel signal, and a first gate for transferring the generated pixel signal to the holding unit; a first controlling line connected commonly to the first gates in the unit pixels on the same row; a vertical controlling circuit for resetting the unit pixel; and a first driving line connected to the first controlling line, and not connected to and thus independent of the vertical controlling circuit, thereby enabling to reduce a current flowing in a power supply of the vertical controlling circuit when driving electrodes of the holding units. |
| US08749666B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, data generating apparatus, and non-transistory storage medium generating data of moving image file including raw data
An image capturing apparatus is provided with an image capturing unit and a generating unit. The image capturing unit includes an imaging sensor and captures a subject image to generate RAW data. The generating unit generates a moving image file including moving image data made up of a plurality of sets of RAW data which is generated by the image capturing unit, and incidental information data corresponding to each of the sets of RAW data and including at least one of image capturing information regarding the RAW data and property information of the RAW data. Accordingly, it is possible to generate the moving image data which is easy to be handled in image processing or image quality adjustment. |
| US08749665B2 |
Dynamic range extension for CMOS image sensors for mobile applications
A system for processing images may comprise a pixel configuration circuitry enabled to set for each pixel in a pixel array one of a plurality of integration times and one of a plurality of signal gains. A column analog-to-digital converter may be enabled to generate a corresponding digital data for a pixel in the pixel array, and digital processing circuitry may be enabled to interpolate output data from the corresponding digital data for pixels grouped into pixel groups, wherein the pixel group comprises a target pixel and neighboring pixels in a same color plane. |
| US08749658B2 |
Data processing device, image matching method, program, and image matching system
A data processing device 300 according to the present invention comprises difference value computing means 402, 412 that computes a difference value between a pixel value of a target pixel that is each pixel contained in an image and a pixel value of a pixel that is present at a predetermined neighboring relative position of the target pixel, representative value computing means 403, 413 that extracts a pixel group containing pixels that are similarly influenced by shading due to light from the image with respect to each pixel of the image and computes a representative value of difference values of the pixel group according to a statistical technique, feature value computing means 404, 414 that computes the feature value with respect to each pixel contained in the image based on comparison between the difference value with respect to each pixel and the representative value of difference values of the pixel group, and similarity determining means 301 that determines a similarity between the image and a predetermined image based on the feature value with respect to each pixel extracted by the feature value computing means. |
| US08749657B2 |
Image-capturing device and image processing method
An image-capturing device includes: a photographic optical system; a photoelectric conversion element array made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arrayed therein; a micro-lens array made up with a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; a data creation unit that creates pixel data at a plurality of pixels on a specific image forming plane by applying filter matrix data to output signals provided from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and an image synthesis unit that synthetically generates an image on the specific image forming plane at a given position assumed along an optical axis of the photographic optical system, based upon the pixel data. The filter matrix data assume a two-dimensional data array pattern conforming to a specific intensity distribution with a distribution center thereof set at an element corresponding to a central position of a projection image of each of the plurality of pixels. |
| US08749656B2 |
Apparatus and method for image decimation for image sensors
Previously available analog domain decimation techniques are limited to simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs. Decimation of a Bayer pattern image by an even-factor, such as by two or six, using simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs in the analog domain results in effective sampling locations that are unevenly spaced apart. Standard interpolation of the unevenly spaced effective sampling locations generates image artifacts that reduce the quality of the reconstructed image in the smaller format because standard interpolation methods assume that the effective sampling locations are evenly spaced. Implementations of systems, methods and apparatus disclosed herein aim to produce substantially evenly spaced effective sampling locations in the analog domain. More specifically, in some implementations, the unequally-weighted-average even-factor decimation methods disclosed herein produce substantially more evenly spaced effective sampling locations as compared to the equally-weighted-average even-factor decimation processes previously used in the analog domain. |
| US08749655B2 |
Information processing apparatus and image processing parameter editing method with limiting of editing processing based on extracted creator information
An information processing apparatus for editing an image processing parameter available in image processing by an image sensing apparatus. Creator information set by a creator of the image processing parameter, attached to the image processing parameter, is extracted. In accordance with the extracted creator information, editing processing to generate a new image processing parameter by editing the image processing parameter is limited. |
| US08749653B2 |
Apparatus and method of blurring background of image in digital image processing device
A digital image processor and a method, specifically, an apparatus for blurring a background of an image in a digital image processor is provided wherein an image is photographed with a flash being on and off when a shutter input signal is received once, the background of the image is blurred through comparison between an image prior to the shutter input signal being received and an image during which a flash is activated, and then a subject of the image with a flash being off is combined with the blurred background. A processor blurs an image generated by a brightness difference between a first image generated before a shutter input signal is received and a second image generated with the flash being on after the shutter input signal is received and combining a third image generated by turning off the flash after the shutter input signal, to the blurred image. |
| US08749647B2 |
Image capturing device and image capturing method
One of objects of the invention is to provide an image capturing device and an image capturing method, which is capable of capturing an image of the target at the proper angle by a simple device configuration. An image capturing device of the present invention includes: a housing; an image capturing unit capturing an image of a target; an image display unit that is capable of displaying the image; a position detection unit detecting a position of the housing; and an image correction unit correcting an original image acquired from the image capturing unit based on the position detected by the position detection unit, when a preview image of the captured image is displayed on the image display unit. |
| US08749646B2 |
Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, solid-state imaging device, image processing method and program
An image processing apparatus includes: a shaking estimating unit configured to estimate the shaking information of an image generated within a predetermined period of time; a short-time-exposure shaking correcting unit configured to correct the shaking of a plurality of short-time-exposure images generated due to intermittent exposure within the predetermined period of time based on the estimated shaking information; a long-time-exposure shaking correcting unit configured to correct the shaking of a long-time-exposure image generated due to consecutive exposure within the predetermined period of time based on the estimated shaking information; and an image synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the corrected short-time-exposure images and the corrected long-time-exposure image. |
| US08749645B2 |
Method and structure for suppressing resonance in an anti-shake lens focusing module
A method and a structure for suppressing resonance in an anti-shake lens focusing module are disclosed. The resonance suppressing method includes the steps of providing a lens focusing structure having a first movable part and a first immovable part; providing an anti-shake structure having a second movable part and a second immovable part; providing at least one shock-absorbing material between the first movable and immovable parts as well as between the second movable and immovable parts; and using the shock-absorbing material to absorb any vibration caused by movements of the first and the second movable part, so as to suppress any resonance possibly generated due to the movements of the first and the second movable part. |
| US08749640B2 |
Blur-calibration system for electro-optical sensors and method using a moving multi-focal multi-target constellation
Blur-calibration of an imaging sensor includes moving a known target pattern across the field-of view (FOV) of the imaging sensor to present the target pattern across different frames at different pixel phases. The known target pattern comprises a plurality of point-like objects with fixed relative positions in which at least one point-like object has a different focus position. Frames of images of the moving target pattern as seen in the FOV of the imaging sensor are captured to sample point-like objects at different focus positions and generate a multi-focal image data output, which may be subsequently processed to generate data products at different focus positions from a high-resolution composite image generated from the captured frames. |
| US08749639B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining video quality parameter, and electronic device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining a video quality parameter and an electronic device. The method includes dividing a target video segment into at least one video subsegment, where duration of every video subsegment is at least time perceivable by human eyes; obtaining a video quality parameter of the video subsegment; and processing the video quality parameter of the video subsegment, and obtaining a video quality parameter of the target video segment. |
| US08749638B2 |
Mapping method in a geographical tracking area for television white space bands
The present invention discloses an apparatus, a method and a computer program for mapping and allocating available television white space channels for a terminal requesting resources. The mapping is based on the data of available overlapping TV white space channels within a geographical tracking area and coexistence with other cellular secondary systems within the area. Furthermore, a location for a moving mode II device may be tracked periodically. The geo-location accuracy of the mode II device affects the TV white space resources which can be allocated to the device. |
| US08749637B2 |
Image recognition device, focus adjustment device, image-capturing device, and image recognition method
An image recognition device includes: an image sensor that captures an image via an image forming optical system and outputs image information repeatedly; a detector that detects differences between reference image information related to a reference image and a plurality of sets of partial information included in the image information; a recognition circuit that includes a microprocessor and recognizes a set of partial information, for which a smallest difference value among a plurality of differences detected in correspondence to the plurality of sets of partial information is calculated, as information matching the reference image information if the smallest value is smaller than a threshold value; and a controller that includes a microprocessor and sets the threshold value in correspondence to a color indicated in the reference image information. |
| US08749635B2 |
Infrared camera systems and methods for dual sensor applications
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for infrared camera systems and methods for dual sensor applications. For example, in one embodiment, an enhanced vision system comprises an image capture component having a visible light sensor to capture visible light images and an infrared sensor to capture infrared images. The system comprises a first control component adapted to provide a plurality of selectable processing modes to a user, receive a user input corresponding to a user selected processing mode, and generate a control signal indicative of the user selected processing mode, wherein the plurality of selectable processing modes includes a visible light only mode, infrared only mode, and a combined visible-infrared mode. The system comprises a processing component adapted to receive the generated control signal from the control component, process the captured visible light images and the captured infrared images according to the user selected processing mode, and generate processed images based on the processing mode selected by the user. The system comprises a display component adapted to display the processed images based on the processing mode selected by the user. |
| US08749634B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic video recording
System and methods for pointing a device, such as a camera, at a remote target wherein the pointing of the device is controlled by a combination of location information obtained by global positioning technology and orientation information obtained by line of sight detection of the direction from the device to the target. |
| US08749626B2 |
Safe nursing system and method for controlling safe nursing system
A safe nursing system that monitors movement of a patient on a bed includes a control unit and an image capturing unit disposed in a position from which an image including a side of a top surface of the bed can be captured. The control unit obtains image data captured by the image capturing unit; specifies feature points in an image of the patient in the obtained image data, and calculates a value of a predetermined index of the feature points used to determine a predetermined movement in the patient; sets a predetermined condition to determine the predetermined movement based on a region of the bed in the obtained image data; determines the predetermined movement based on the calculated value and the set predetermined condition; and outputs information indicating that the patient has performed the predetermined movement under the condition that the predetermined movement has been determined to have been performed. |
| US08749623B2 |
Stereoscopic display device with two liquid crystal displays
A stereoscopic display device is provided for displaying a 3-dimensional image including a first slice, a second slice and a third slice arranged in the order written. The stereoscopic display device includes a first LCD, a second LCD adjacent to the first LCD and a distance adjusting member. The first LCD has a first display surface. The second LCD is spaced from the first LCD. The second liquid crystal display having a second display surface facing away from the first display surface. The distance adjusting member is arranged between the first and second LCDs. The distance adjusting member is configured for reciprocally moving the first LCD relative to the second LCD between a first position where the first LCD displaying a contour of the second slice and a second position where the first LCD displaying a contour of the third slice. |
| US08749620B1 |
3D light field cameras, images and files, and methods of using, operating, processing and viewing same
A 3D stereo image of a scene is generated by generating first image data of the scene using light field data representing light rays from a first direction, and second image data of the scene using light field data representing light rays from a second direction. The 3D stereo image of the scene is then generated using the first image data and the second image data. A microlens array may be used to direct light rays onto a photosensor array, wherein each microlens of the microlens array includes a physical aperture which correlates to a plurality of associated photosensors, a first virtual aperture which correlates to a first subset of the associated photosensors, and a second virtual aperture which correlates to a second subset of the associated photosensors. Each virtual aperture thus provides light rays from a different direction for use in generating the 3D stereo image. |
| US08749619B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transient light imaging
In illustrative implementations of this invention, multi-path analysis of transient illumination is used to reconstruct scene geometry, even of objects that are occluded from the camera. An ultrafast camera system is used. It comprises a photo-sensor (e.g., accurate in the picosecond range), a pulsed illumination source (e.g. a femtosecond laser) and a processor. The camera emits a very brief light pulse that strikes a surface and bounces. Depending on the path taken, part of the light may return to the camera after one, two, three or more bounces. The photo-sensor captures the returning light bounces in a three-dimensional time image I(x,y,t) for each pixel. The camera takes different angular samples from the same viewpoint, recording a five-dimensional STIR (Space Time Impulse Response). A processor analyzes onset information in the STIR to estimate pairwise distances between patches in the scene, and then employs isometric embedding to estimate patch coordinates. |
| US08749617B2 |
Display apparatus, method for providing 3D image applied to the same, and system for providing 3D image
A display apparatus, a method for providing a three-dimensional (3D) image and a system for providing a 3D image are disclosed. The display apparatus determines a format of an input image if a first signal is received from 3D glasses, and displays the image currently being displayed in a two-dimensional (2D) image mode in a 3D image mode according to the determined format. Accordingly, the displays apparatus determines the format of the 3D image in response to a user wearing the 3D glasses and displays the 3D image in a 3D image mode according to the determined format. Thus, the user may enjoy the 3D image more easily and conveniently. |
| US08749614B2 |
Method for indicating a 3D contents and apparatus for processing a signal
A method and apparatus may be provided that includes receiving a signal that includes content at an image display device, determining whether the content within the received signal includes three dimensional (3D) image data, displaying information about the content within the received signal on a display of the image display device, and displaying a 3D indicator on the display when the content within the received signal is determined to include 3D image data. |
| US08749612B1 |
Reduced bandwidth usage in video conferencing
Video conferencing with reduced bandwidth usage is disclosed. One method comprises receiving an audio stream at a server station connected to a plurality of participants in the video conference, at least one participant being a client station connected to the server station by a network and supplying the audio stream, the server station including a first memory and processor, and the client station including a second memory and processor. A mixing algorithm is performed that determines which video streams of the participants to mix to form a conference video stream for display by at least one of the participants. A video stream from the client station is selectively transmitted to the server station responsive to the mixing algorithm, and the server station transmits the conference video stream and/or the streams to be mixed to the participant(s). |
| US08749610B1 |
Managing nodes of a synchronous communication conference
A system and methods for managing nodes of a synchronous communication conference are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more processors that receive a mute request to mute a first conferencing node. A connected group of users is associated with two or more second conferencing nodes and the two or more second conferencing nodes do not include the first conferencing node. The one or more processors transmit a mute authorization request to at least one conferencing node of the two or more second conferencing nodes associated with the connected group of users. The one or more processors receive a mute authorization response from the at least one conferencing node of the two or more second conferencing nodes and mute a first synchronous communication data stream designated for transmission to the first conferencing node based at least in part on the mute request and the mute authorization response. |
| US08749609B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for video call
An apparatus, system and method for implementing a video call between a first caller and a second caller are provided. The apparatus includes: an image sensor which captures an image of the first caller; a display which displays an image of the second caller; a microphone which captures an audio input by the first caller; a speaker which outputs an audio input by the second caller; a detector which is configured to determine a location of the first caller; and a controller which controls the detector to determine the location of the first caller as corresponding to an original location, wherein in response to the first caller changing a location from the original location to a new location, the controller controls the detector to determine the location of the first caller as being the new location, and controls the microphone to adjust a configuration of the microphone based on the new location of the first caller. |
| US08749608B2 |
Method and apparatus for arranging agent of call center
A method for arranging an agent of a call center includes: receiving a video call request sent by a user, and determining an agent capable of providing a service for the user according to the video call request; calculating video quality of the agent capable of providing a service for the user, and obtaining a requirement of the user corresponding to the video call request; if the calculated video quality of the agent meets the requirement of the user, allocating the agent with the video quality meeting the requirement of the user to the user; otherwise, putting the user into a queue for queuing. |
| US08749605B2 |
Image forming apparatus with control unit for preventing ripples in pulse signal produced by pulse generating unit
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, an exposure unit, a pulse generating unit, a smoothing unit, a drive current generating unit, and a second emitting control unit. The exposure unit includes a light source for emitting a light beam, and causes the light beam emitted from the light source to perform scanning in a main scanning direction, thereby drawing a main scanning line on the photosensitive body. The second emitting control unit causes the light source to emit the light beam, in an APC period of automatically controlling the light quantity of the light beam, by causing the pulse generating unit to generate a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 100 percent, causing the smoothing unit to smooth the pulse signal thereby generating an analog signal, and causing the drive current generating unit to generate a drive current based on the analog signal. |
| US08749604B2 |
Printing system for reducing printer artifacts
A printing system comprising two thermal printheads and an apparatus for smoothing a side of thermal media which may be compromised by an aggressive drive roller design. The smoothing apparatus in one embodiment is a heater which optionally comprises a heated roller for contacting and smoothing the receiver media. |
| US08749602B2 |
Method of manufacturing thermal head, and thermal printer
A method of manufacturing a thermal head, comprising the steps of: bonding a support substrate and an upper substrate, which have a flat shape, together in a laminated state, the support substrate and the upper substrate having opposed surfaces, at least one of which includes a concave portion; thinning the upper substrate bonded onto the support substrate; a measurement step of measuring a thickness of the thinned upper substrate; determining a target resistance value of a heating resistor from the following expression based on the measured thickness of the upper substrate; and forming the heating resistor having the target resistance value at a position opposed to the concave portion, Rh=R0×(1+(D1+D0)/(D0+K)) where Rh represents the target resistance value; R0, a design resistance value; D1, the thickness of the upper substrate; D0, a design thickness of the upper substrate; and K, a heating efficiency coefficient. |
| US08749601B2 |
Device detecting curl of sheet and image erasing device
There is provided a device detecting curling of a sheet, the device including a first guide member carrying the sheet; a second guide member including a carriage path that is broader than the carriage path of the first guide member and accepting the curling of the sheet; and sensors with detection ranges into which a portion of the curling of the sheet enters, in the carriage path of the second guide member. |
| US08749596B2 |
Display device based on pixels with variable chromatic coordinates
A pixel with variable chromatic coordinates comprises a plurality of color sub-pixels consisting of a light emitter and a color filter. The light emitters are identical and have an emission spectrum that is able to be modulated according to their supply voltage and/or current. The pixel control circuit supplies each color sub-pixel with a supply voltage and/or current dependent on the color of the sub-pixel for its emission spectrum to approximate the transmission spectrum of the associated color filter. Control means enable the application time of the supply voltage and/or current to be modified according to the color of the sub-pixel to obtain a predetermined mean luminance during a predetermined period. |
| US08749588B2 |
Positioning labels in an engineering drawing
A computer-readable media for performing a method for displaying information in an engineering drawing. Labels are connected to objects in an engineering drawing. The connections are governed by relationships based on calculations simulating particle interactions and collision avoidance. A change in the position of a first label or of the engineering drawing is indicated. A new location of a second label is calculated such that the relationships between the second label and the engineering drawing and between the first and second labels are maintained, and the second label does not overlap other labels or objects in the engineering drawing. The movement of the second label to the new location may be animated. |
| US08749587B2 |
System and method for content based automatic zooming for document viewing on small displays
Described is a technique for viewing a document page on a small display such as a mobile phone or PDA. The page can come from a scanned document (bitmap image) or an electronic document (text and graphics data plus metadata). The page with text and graphics is segmented into regions. For each region, a scale-distortion function is constructed based on image analysis. During interactive viewing of the document, as the user navigates by moving the viewport around the page, the zoom factor will be automatically adjusted by optimizing the scale-distortion functions of the regions in the viewport. |
| US08749581B2 |
DLP edge blend artefact reduction
A method of reducing visual artefacts in a blend zone of at least two projector images is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum intensity variance for each pixel group within a blend curve of the blend zone, the maximum intensity variance being based on a blend multiplier selected to achieve a net light intensity specific to the location of the pixel group within the blend curve. For each pixel group, a first adjusted blend multiplier is determined, wherein the blend multiplier is increased by at least a portion of the maximum intensity variance. For each pixel group, a second adjusted blend multiplier is also determined, wherein the blend multiplier is decreased by at least a portion of the maximum intensity variance. The light intensity of each pixel in each pixel group is adjusted using the first and second adjusted blend multipliers specific to each pixel group. The average pixel intensity of each pixel group after application of the first and second adjusted blend multipliers remains equal to the net light intensity of the pixel group within the blend curve. |
| US08749578B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for automatic generation of graphic artwork to be presented during displaying, playing or browsing of media files
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for automatic generation of graphic artwork to be presented by a device during playing or browsing of a media file by the device are provided. One method includes providing, via a computer or mobile device, a user interface through which a user can select a media file for which graphic artwork is to be generated and initiate automatic graphic artwork generation for the media file. The method further includes providing access to a media file graphic artwork generator via the computer or mobile device, where the media file graphic artwork generator, in response to user selection of the media file and the initiation of the media file artwork generation, automatically selects a plurality of images from at least one group of images, varies parameters of at least some of the images, and combines the images to form a graphic artwork file. At least one of the image selecting, the image parameter varying, and the image combining is performed using an algorithm structured to produce varying output in successive iterations of the algorithm invoked with the same input. The media file graphic artwork generator associates the graphic artwork file with the media file for display when the media file is browsed, displayed or played. |
| US08749577B2 |
Information processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing program
In an information processing apparatus, object data based on a part of, e.g., a scan image is extracted and the extracted object data is stored in relation to attribute information of the relevant object data. The object data correlated to the attribute information, which matches with a search condition input by a user, is searched for, and the object data found through the search is merged to another object data depending on a characteristic of the user. The merged object data are displayed as a search result. In such a control process, different search results are displayed when users having different user characteristics input the same search condition. |
| US08749576B2 |
Method and system for implementing multiple high precision and low precision interpolators for a graphics pipeline
A rasterizer stage configured to implement multiple interpolators for graphics pipeline. The rasterizer stage includes a plurality of simultaneously operable low precision interpolators for computing a first set of pixel parameters for pixels of a geometric primitive and a plurality of simultaneously operable high precision interpolators for computing a second set of pixel parameters for pixels of the geometric primitive. The rasterizer stage also includes an output mechanism coupled to the interpolators for routing computed pixel parameters into a memory array. Parameters may be programmably assigned to the interpolators and the results thereof may be programmably assigned to portions of a pixel packet. |
| US08749575B2 |
Display controller, electronic apparatus and method for creating a translucency effect using color model transform
A display controller is configured for creating a translucency effect for a target image area of a source image containing image data expressed in a first color model. The display controller has a first color model converter adapted for color model transformation of the image data from the first color model to a second color model based upon a first predefined set of transformation coefficients, as well as a second color model converter adapted for color model transformation of the image data from the first color model to the second color model based upon a second predefined set of transformation coefficients. The display controller is controllable to produce a destination image by selecting transformed image data from the second color model converter for the target image area and by selecting transformed image data from the first color model converter for other image area(s) of the source image than the target image area. |
| US08749572B2 |
System and method for simulation of brush-based painting in a color space that includes a fill channel
Systems and methods for performing brush behavior simulation in an image editing application may facilitate realistic paint simulation by the addition of a fill channel to a color space representation that includes a set of color channels and an alpha channel representing opacity of the paint. The fill channel value for each pixel of a brush model or canvas may represent the amount of paint stored at the pixel. The system may include logic to support paint compositing, mixing, and depletion operations that calculate a consequent color of a destination pixel resulting from the operations dependent on the fill channel values for the source and/or destination pixels. The resulting color channel, opacity channel, and fill channel values may be converted to a color space that does not include a fill channel or opacity channel for display. A source pixel may be a pixel of an atomic element of a texture. |
| US08749570B2 |
Identifying and generating color and texture video cohorts based on video input
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating video based cohorts. Digital video data is processed to identify a set of color and texture based attributes associated with the set of objects. The digital video data comprises metadata describing the set of objects. The set of color and texture based attributes are analyzed using cohort criteria to form a result. The cohort criteria specify attributes that are associated with members of a given cohort. A set of cohorts is generated based on the result. Each cohort in the set of cohorts comprises a subset of objects from the set of objects that share at least one color and texture based attribute in common. |
| US08749565B2 |
Error check-only mode
Video display pipes may terminate with a FIFO (first-in first-out) buffer from which pixels are provided to a display controller to display the pixels on a graphics/video display. The display pipes may frequently process the pixels at a much higher rate than at which the display controller fetches the pixels from the FIFO buffer. In an error-checking only mode, the FIFO may be disabled, and an error-checking (e.g. CRC) block connected in front of the FIFO may receive the pixels processed by the display pipes as fast as the display pipes are capable of processing the pixels. Accordingly, the length of test/simulation time required to perform a test may be determined by the rate at which pixels are generated rather than the rate at which the display controller displays the pixels. It also becomes possible to perform testing/simulation in environments where a display is not supported or is not available. The results generated by the error-checking may be read and compared to an expected value to detect test pass/fail conditions. |
| US08749564B2 |
Barrier commands in a cache tiling architecture
One embodiment of the present invention includes a graphics subsystem. The graphics subsystem includes a first processing entity and a second processing entity. Both the first processing entity and the second processing entity are configured to receive first and second batches of primitives, and a barrier command in between the first and second batches of primitives. The barrier command may be either a tiled or a non-tiled barrier command. A tiled barrier command is transmitted through the graphics subsystem for each cache tile. A non-tiled barrier command is transmitted through the graphics subsystem only once. The barrier command causes work that is after the barrier command to stop at a barrier point until a release signal is received. The back-end unit transmits a release signal to both processing entities after the first batch of primitives has been processed by both the first processing entity and the second processing entity. |
| US08749562B1 |
Sharing binding groups between shaders
A system and method for sharing binding groups between shaders allows for efficient use of shader state data storage resources. In contrast with conventional graphics processors and Application Programming Interfaces that specify a set of binding points for each shader that are exclusive to that shader, two or more shaders may reference the same binding group that includes multiple binding points. As the number and variety of different shaders increases, the number of binding groups may increase at a slower rate since some binding groups may be shared between different shaders. |
| US08749560B2 |
Image motion blurring
The disclosed systems and methods make the motion of an object in an animation appear smooth by blending a number of subframes of visually adjusted images of the object for each frame of the animation. A request to animate an object along a motion path can be received by a graphics processing system of a device, where the motion path traverses at least a portion of a user interface presented on a display of the device. For each frame of the animation, the graphics processing system blends N subframes of visually adjusted images of the object to create a final blurred image which is rendered on the display. The graphics processing system can determine whether there is more processing time to perform additional blending of subframes prior to rendering a final frame for display, and then blending more subframes of images prior to rendering the final frame for display. |
| US08749559B2 |
Mesh sequence file format
Technologies are described herein for generating a binary transition file. Multiple animation structures may be generated in the binary transition file. The animation structures may define a sequence of three-dimensional meshes. A header portion may also be generated in the binary transition file. The header portion may define slides that are applied to the three-dimensional meshes to produce a transition between the slides. A presentation program application may be modified with the binary transition file, thereby adapting the presentation program application to provide the transition. |
| US08749557B2 |
Interacting with user interface via avatar
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to interacting with a user interface via feedback provided by an avatar. One embodiment provides a method comprising receiving depth data, locating a person in the depth data, and mapping a physical space in front of the person to a screen space of a display device. The method further comprises forming an image of an avatar representing the person, outputting to a display an image of a user interface comprising an interactive user interface control, and outputting to the display device the image of the avatar such that the avatar faces the user interface control. The method further comprises detecting a motion of the person via the depth data, forming an animated representation of the avatar interacting with the user interface control based upon the motion of the person, and outputting the animated representation of the avatar interacting with the control. |
| US08749556B2 |
Data compression for real-time streaming of deformable 3D models for 3D animation
Systems and methods are described for performing spatial and temporal compression of deformable mesh based representations of 3D character motion allowing the visualization of high-resolution 3D character animations in real time. In a number of embodiments, the deformable mesh based representation of the 3D character motion is used to automatically generate an interconnected graph based representation of the same 3D character motion. The interconnected graph based representation can include an interconnected graph that is used to drive mesh clusters during the rendering of a 3D character animation. The interconnected graph based representation provides spatial compression of the deformable mesh based representation, and further compression can be achieved by applying temporal compression processes to the time-varying behavior of the mesh clusters. Even greater compression can be achieved by eliminating redundant data from the file format containing the interconnected graph based representation of the 3D character motion that would otherwise be repeatedly provided to a game engine during rendering, and by applying loss-less data compression to the data of the file itself. |
| US08749553B1 |
Systems and methods for accurately plotting mathematical functions
Technology is described herein for quickly, efficiently and accurately rendering a plot of the mathematical function within an interactive graph on a web page, such as a search results web page. The technology includes determining a sampling resolution indicating the points of the mathematical function to be plotted within a display region of the plot. The sampling resolution includes a higher number of sample points in sections of the mathematical function with function values that change considerably, and includes a lower number of sample points in sections with function values that change slightly. The interactive graph provides the user with a rich interactive experience that facilitates and encourages the user's understanding of mathematical concepts and underlying principles. |
| US08749552B2 |
Synthetic acceleration shapes for use in ray tracing
A synthetic acceleration shape bound primitives composing a 3-D scene, and is defined using a group of fundamental shapes arranged to bound the primitives, and for which intersection results for group members yield an ultimate intersection testing result for the synthetic shape, using a logical operator. For example, two or more spheres are used to bound an object so that each of the spheres is larger than a minimum necessary to bound the object, and a volume defined by an intersection between the shapes defines a smaller volume in which the object is bounded. A ray is found to potentially intersect the object only if it intersects both spheres. In another example, an element may be defined by a volumetric union of component elements. Indicators can determine how groups of shapes should be interpreted. Synthetic shapes can be treated as a single element in a graph or hierarchical arrangement of acceleration elements. |
| US08749548B2 |
Display system with image conversion mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a display system includes: calculating a focus measure for an original image; calculating a segment mean based on the focus measure for a segment; generating an ordered segment based on the segment mean; generating a segment depth based on the ordered segment; and generating a three-dimensional image with the segment depth for displaying on a device. |
| US08749547B2 |
Three-dimensional stereoscopic image generation
Three-dimensional image generation is used for generating, as images to be used for stereoscopic display, two images showing a scene within a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from two points of view set in the virtual three-dimensional space, the three-dimensional image generation includes: acquiring a value of a screen distance parameter, which indicates a distance from a representative position for the two points of view to a virtual screen position in the virtual three-dimensional space; and generating, as the images to be used for the stereoscopic display, the two images showing the scene within the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the two points of view disposed at positions and in directions that are determined based on the acquired value of the screen distance parameter. |
| US08749545B2 |
Space debris visualization
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods visualizing space debris events. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for visualizing positional probability of objects in space. The method includes receiving initial conditions of the objects, determining projected positions of the objects based, at least in part, on the initial conditions, determining a plurality of 2-dimensional (2D) boundaries around the projected positions; and assembling the plurality of 2D boundaries into a 3-dimensional (3D) representation of the positional probability of objects in space. |
| US08749544B2 |
Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene
A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides a set of GUI tracking menus for different navigation tasks where each navigation tool has action tools associated with the navigation task. The action tools are arranged in rings with the most used tools on an outside. |
| US08749542B2 |
Low color shift multi-view display device and display method thereof
According to various embodiments of the invention, gamma curves for multiple pixel groups can be calibrated using look-up tables or by using reference voltage groups provided by gamma voltage generators so that the pixels can display multiple images with correct gray levels at different view angles. Therefore, color shift can be avoided or lessened without necessarily using extra circuitry on the display panel. Also, any related light transmittance or light utilization efficiency reduction may be decreased or eliminated. |
| US08749534B2 |
Low-cost and pixel-accurate test method and apparatus for testing pixel generation circuits
A method and system of testing pixels output from a pixel generation unit under test includes generating pixels from the pixel generation unit under test using a first test data pattern to generate pixel information. The method and system also generate a per pixel error value for a pixel from the unit under test that contains an error based on the pixel by pixel comparison with pixel information generated substantially concurrently with pixels by a different unit using the first test data pattern. If desired, corresponding pixel screen location information (e.g., x-y location) can also be determined for the pixel that has the error. The per pixel error and x-y location information can be displayed. |
| US08749531B2 |
Method for receiving input on an electronic device and outputting characters based on sound stroke patterns
A method and electronic device for receiving input and outputting characters based on sound stroke patterns are described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for receiving input on an electronic device, comprising: detecting sounds generated by characters written on a writing surface; identifying strokes defining the characters from the detected sounds in accordance with a number of predefined sound signatures, wherein each character written on the writing surface is defined by a stroke sequence comprising at least one stroke; determining at least one character which matches the at least one stroke in each stroke sequence; and outputting a string comprising the at least one character which matches the at least one stroke in each stroke sequence. |
| US08749530B2 |
Optical touch display, a calibration apparatus and a calibration method thereof
An optical touch display, a calibration apparatus, and a calibration method thereof are disclosed. The calibration method is used for calibrating the optical touch display, and the optical touch display has a plurality of image detecting sensors. The calibration method includes the following steps: generating a plurality of calibration points; generating a plurality of representative calibration points from the plurality of calibration points; obtaining a first image position of each representative calibration point via the plurality of image detecting sensors; constructing a coordinate transformation mechanism for transforming the first image position into a first screen position; calculating a relative position between the representative calibration points and its neighboring calibration points; calculating a second image position of each calibration point based on the relative position; and calculating a second screen position by using the transformation mechanism and the second image position. |
| US08749527B2 |
Input device
An input device includes a transparent display panel configured to display a graphical interface, an input plate disposed above the display panel and composed of a material that transmits the graphical interface and allows infrared light to propagate through the input plate, an infrared-emitting unit disposed in contact with the input plate and configured to emit the infrared light into the input plate via a contact surface of the input plate, and an infrared detection unit disposed below the input plate and configured to detect diffused light of the infrared light which is generated at the input plate when the input plate is touched. |
| US08749524B2 |
Apparatus with position detection function
In an apparatus with a position detection function, a position detecting section detects the position of a target object on the basis of a result obtained by receiving detection light, which is emitted from a light source section for detection and reflected by the target object, using a light detection section. As seen from an emitting direction of the detection light, the light detection section is located inside a region surrounded by a closed circuit passing through a plurality of the light source sections for detection or inside a region pinched by the plurality of light source sections for detection. The plurality of light source sections for detection has a first light-emitting element, and a second light-emitting element located closer to the light detection section side than the first light-emitting element. The light source driving section alternately turns on the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. |
| US08749522B2 |
Optical sensor for measuring a force distribution
An optical sensor for measuring a force distribution includes a substrate, one or more light emitting sources, and one or more detectors provided on the substrate, with the detectors responsive to the light emitted by the sources. A deformable opto-mechanical layer is also provided on the substrate with light responsive properties depending on a deformation of the opto-mechanical layer. The design of the sensor and particularly the use of optical components in a deformable layer make it possible to measure the contact force accurately, including in some embodiments, the direction of the contact force. The sensor is scalable and adaptable to complex shapes. |
| US08749519B2 |
Touch panel device
A touch panel device comprises a touch panel including a capacitance detecting electrode and a resistance detecting electrode formed in a layer below the capacitance detecting electrode, and a control circuit using detection signals detected by the capacitance detecting electrode or the resistance detecting electrode to calculate a contact position on an input surface of the input area. The capacitance detecting electrode includes horizontal capacitance detecting electrodes and vertical capacitance detecting electrodes. A control circuit includes a contact position information generating section which uses detection signals to calculate one or more contact positions and generates information of large/small pressing force at the calculated contact position. With this configuration, it is possible to generate information of large/small pressing force at a contact position, and even when an input surface is contacted simultaneously at plural points, each of the contact positions can be calculated. |
| US08749516B2 |
Mobile device having a touch-lock state and method for operating the mobile device
A mobile device with a touch panel and a touch-lock operating method thereof are provided. The mobile device preferably includes an RF communication unit for supporting communication services; a touch panel for sensing input touches; a display unit for displaying a screen, where the screen includes at least one of a preset image, text, and map; and a controller for setting a touch-lock in the touch panel according to a preset condition. The controller also controls the display unit to display at least one of a text and image or at least one particular icon corresponding to the information reception event that occurs, based on the RF communication unit, in the touch-lock state. A portion of the display screen can be locked, or only certain predetermined touch functions permitted. |
| US08749513B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel includes a first conductive film with anisotropic impedance, a second conductive film with conductive structures, and an insulating layer disposed between the first conductive film and the second conductive film. The conducting direction of the conductive structures is perpendicular to the direction of least impedance of the first conductive film. |
| US08749510B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying graphical user interface depending on a user's contact pattern
A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display unit in an apparatus which may include a tactile sensor unit. When a contact by a user is detected at the tactile sensor unit, a control unit may receive a contact detection signal therefrom. Based on the contact detection signal, the control unit may determine a contact pattern and may then display the GUI corresponding to the contact pattern. The GUI may be displayed and modified depending on the location and pressure of contacts by a user's manipulating fingers. Therefore, a user can manipulate the apparatus without any inconvenience or accidental touches. |
| US08749508B2 |
Protective panel and electronic device
A pressure sensitive conductive member is arranged in a through hole of a base-material bonding layer so as to be in contact with a peripheral-switch upper electrode and a peripheral-switch lower electrode, and when a force applied to a peripheral switch is transmitted to the pressure sensitive conductive member through an upper electrode base material and the upper electrode, a current flows, so that the upper electrode and the lower electrode are electrically connected. |
| US08749505B2 |
Touch screen panel
A touch screen panel includes a display unit including a timing controller for receiving a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal to display an image, a touch sensing unit including driving electrodes, a control signal generator for generating a control signal from the vertical synchronizing signal and the horizontal synchronizing signal, and a touch controller for supplying a driving signal to the touch sensing unit in response to the control signal from the control signal generator. |
| US08749503B2 |
Touch position detector and mobile cell phone
A system and method for detecting a plurality of touch points on a touch panel is disclosed. A touch position detector comprises a touch panel, a detection module and an identification module. The touch panel comprises n+1 groups of mutually-parallel electrodes, and at least two of the n+1 groups are arranged at a predefined angle, where n is an integer. The detection module detects position information for each of the n+1 groups, and the position information corresponds to n touched positions on the touch panel. The identification module identifies the n touched positions based on the position information and the predefined angle. |
| US08749500B2 |
Touch display
A touch display including a display panel, multiple first stripe electrodes, a substrate, multiple second stripe electrodes, and multiple spacers is provided. The display panel has a first surface, and the first stripe electrodes are disposed on the first surface. The substrate has a second surface, and the first surface faces the second surface. The second stripe electrodes are disposed on the second surface. A longitudinal direction of the first stripe electrodes is perpendicular to that of the second stripe electrodes. The spacers are disposed between the first surface of the display panel and the second surface of the substrate. Orthogonal projections of the spacers are on the display panel at locations where the first stripe electrodes are not disposed. |
| US08749499B2 |
Touch screen for bridging multi and/or single touch points to applications
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods determining a number of contact points applied to a touch-screen, executing, using one or more processors, an application function based on the number of contact points, determining that the number of contact points has decreased during execution of the application function, determining that the number of contact points is greater than zero, and continuing execution of the application function in response to determining that the number of contact points is greater than zero. |
| US08749498B2 |
Touch panel and electronic device including the same
A touch panel and an electronic device are provided. The touch panel includes a first substrate; a second substrate that is spaced apart from the first substrate by a gap and includes a contact surface; driving electrodes that are formed on each of the first substrate and the second substrate; and electro-rheological fluid that is disposed in the gap. When a driving voltage is applied between the driving electrodes, a button area is delimited due to a variation in viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid at the button area. When a thickness of the gap is reduced to a value equal to or less than a threshold due to a pressing force applied to the contact surface at the button area, the driving voltage is cut off. |
| US08749495B2 |
Multiple actuation handheld device
A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program. |
| US08749494B1 |
Touch screen offset pointer
A device with a touch screen offset pointer is provided. The device includes a processor; a touch screen, and a navigator engine. When executed by the processor, the navigator engine detects a first touch input at a first location on the touch screen, determines a first offset for a pointer to overlay on content displayed by the touch screen, and displays the pointer on the touch screen at the first offset from the first location. The navigator engine also detects a second touch input at a second location on the touch screen, determines a second offset for the pointer, and displays the pointer on the touch screen at the second offset from the second location. |
| US08749490B2 |
Orientation calculation apparatus, storage medium having orientation calculation program stored therein, game apparatus, and storage medium having game program stored therein
An orientation calculation apparatus obtains data from an input device including at least a gyroscope and an acceleration sensor, and calculates an orientation of the input device in a three-dimensional space. Orientation calculation means calculates the orientation of the input device in accordance with an angular rate detected by the gyroscope. Acceleration vector calculation means calculates an acceleration vector representing an acceleration of the input device in accordance with acceleration data from the acceleration sensor. Correction means corrects the orientation of the input device such that a direction of the acceleration vector in the space approaches a vertically downward direction in the space. Also, the correction means corrects the orientation of the input device such that a directional change before and after the correction is minimized regarding a predetermined axis representing the orientation of the input device. |
| US08749485B2 |
User control gesture detection
The description relates to user control gestures. One example allows a speaker and a microphone to perform a first functionality. The example simultaneously utilizes the speaker and the microphone to perform a second functionality. The second functionality comprises capturing sound signals that originated from the speaker with the microphone and detecting Doppler shift in the sound signals. It correlates the Doppler shift with a user control gesture performed proximate to the computer and maps the user control gesture to a control function. |
| US08749483B2 |
Control device and control method for image display
A control device for an image display includes at least two reference points, a modulation unit and a remote controller. The modulation unit modulates the light of a predetermined spectrum generated by the reference points with a brightness variation cycle. The modulation unit controls the reference points to emit the light with a first brightness within a first period of the brightness variation cycle and to emit the light with a second brightness within a second period of the brightness variation cycle, wherein the first brightness and the second brightness are not zero gray level. The remote controller captures the light of the predetermined spectrum with a sampling cycle and demodulates an image variation of the reference points with respect to the remote controller. The present invention further provides a control method for an image display. |
| US08749476B2 |
Electrophoretic display device
A electrophoretic display device is provided, which includes: a thin film transistor array panel including a substrate, gate and data lines formed on the substrate and crossing each other, switching thin film transistors electrically connected to the gate and data lines, a photo sensor formed on the substrate, and pixel electrodes electrically connected to the switching thin film transistors; a common electrode panel facing the thin film transistor array panel and having a common electrode; and a display layer disposed between the thin film transistor array panel and the common electrode panel. The display layer includes micro capsules containing negative and positive pigment particles. |
| US08749474B2 |
LCD circuit and a method for triggering at least one pixel of a liquid crystal display
The invention relates to an LCD circuit and a method for triggering at least one pixel (3) of a liquid crystal display (LCD) in order to optionally apply a voltage (V) between a first and a second electrode (1, 2), between which a layer (4) of liquid crystals is arranged. The pixel (3) switches into a non-transparent state when a voltage (V) is applied whose value is greater than or equal to the value of a threshold voltage (VD, VD−) between the electrodes (1, 2), a sensor voltage (VS) which changes across a sensor period (T) being applied to at least one of the electrodes (1; 1, 2) as said voltage (V) or part of said voltage (V) in order to generate a sensor signal for detecting an object (5) approaching the pixel (3). Also disclosed are an advantageous liquid crystal display encompassing such a circuit as well as an advantageous communication device (7) comprising a first housing part (8) that is provided with a display device (9), a second housing part (10), and an adjusting mechanism (11) for moving the housing parts into a position in which the display device is located at a distance from the second housing part and moving the housing parts into a position in which the display device adjoins a bottom area (12) of the second housing part, said bottom area (12) being embodied by means of such a liquid crystal display. |
| US08749473B2 |
Video display device
The present invention causes noise in a low-luminance portion to become less prominent when a backlight is divided into a plurality of regions and the luminance of the backlight is controlled in accordance with a video signal corresponding to each of the regions. An area active control portion (2) divides a video signal into a plurality of regions and outputs a first feature amount for every region. An LED control portion (3) determines a first luminance for each of the divided regions of an LED backlight (5) in accordance with the first feature amount of every region. Within a range where the total value of an LED drive current is no greater than a predetermined allowable current value, a magnification constant is uniformly multiplied by the first luminance to determine a second luminance. The second luminance and a threshold value are compared, and, only with respect to those regions where the second luminance is lower than the threshold value, the second luminance is again lowered to make a third luminance. The third luminance and also the second luminance of the regions where the second luminance has not been lowered are used to control the LED light emission in each of the divided regions. |
| US08749472B2 |
LED driving system supporting 2D mode and 3D mode and display device using the same
A light emitting diode (LED) driving system driving a LED array of a display device includes a converter circuit, a pulse width modulator (PWM) controller, a 2D parameter circuit, a 3D parameter circuit and a microcontroller. The 3D parameter circuit outputs 3D parameter control signals when the display device is in a 3D mode, and stops from generating the 3D parameter control signals when the display device is in a 2D mode. The PWM controller outputs PWM signals to control the converter circuit according to outputs of the 2D parameter circuit and the 3D parameter circuit. |
| US08749471B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same
An impulsively driven liquid crystal display includes a display panel displaying an image in response to a gate signal and a data signal, a panel driving circuit providing the gate signal and the data signal to the display panel using an image signal and a control signal, a backlight unit including a plurality of light sources that blink at once to provide a light to the display panel, and a backlight control circuit. The backlight control circuit automatically detects an existence of text information from a received image signal, and if the text is detected to be present, adjusts the blinking timing of the light sources to correspond with the area on the display panel where the text will be displayed, the adjustment being a function of a liquid crystal response delay time of liquid crystals used in the display panel. |
| US08749469B2 |
Display device for reducing parasitic capacitance with a dummy scan line
A display device, in at least one embodiment, includes: a gate driver including a plurality of shift register stages each provided so as to correspond to each row, the gate driver outputting a gate signal for turning on switching elements in the each row; and a source driver outputting a data signal in accordance with an image to be displayed. For a row (first row) located at an outermost position from which scanning by use of the gate signal starts, a dummy line is provided. The dummy line is driven by a gate start pulse inputted into a shift register in the first row. |
| US08749468B2 |
Scanner, electro-optical panel, electro-optical display device and electronic apparatus
A scanner includes a plurality of unit circuits configured with transistors of a same conductivity type. In the scanner, the unit circuit constituting the scanner includes an output transistor that selectively outputs, to an output terminal of the unit circuit, a signal given from an outside. A gate electrode of the output transistor is connected to one end of a voltage limiting transistor, and a gate electrode of the voltage limiting transistor is supplied with a first power supply potential. |
| US08749464B2 |
Display device, and method of operation thereof
It is an object of the invention to provide a display device which performs high grayscale display in accordance with display contents and a game machine with an improved realistic sensation. The invention is a display device characterized by including a pixel portion which performs display based on a video signal and a driver circuit portion inputted with the video signal, wherein the driver circuit portion has a unit for controlling a grayscale in accordance with display of the pixel portion. In a liquid crystal display device, luminance of a lighting unit is controlled based on a signal from the unit for controlling a grayscale whereas a current supplied to a light emitting element is controlled in a light emitting device. By applying such a display device to a game machine, a realistic sensation can be improved. |
| US08749460B2 |
Image display device having a reset switch for setting a potential of a capacitor to a predetermined reference state
Provided is an image display device including: a plurality of pixel scanning lines; a plurality of signal lines; and a plurality of pixel circuits corresponding to intersections between the pixel scanning lines and the signal lines. Each of the pixel circuits includes: a driver transistor; a light emitting element for emitting light based on the current supplied from the driver transistor; a pixel switch for generating a potential based on an image signal and a scanning signal; a capacitor element for controlling the driver transistor based on a potential difference caused by the potential supplied from the pixel switch; and a reset switch for setting a potential at an end of the capacitor element to a predetermined state based on a scanning signal supplied from one of the pixel scanning lines preceding the scanning signal which corresponds to the corresponding one of the plurality of pixel circuits. |
| US08749459B2 |
Light emitting display device including a dummy pixel having controlled bias
A light emitting display includes a data driver, a scan driver, and a display. The data driver generates a data signal and transmits the data signal to data lines. The scan driver generates a first selection signal and transmits the first selection signal to first scan lines. The display includes the data lines and the first scan lines, first pixels, a first dummy pixel group, and a second dummy pixel group. The first pixels are defined by the data lines and the first scan lines. The first and second dummy pixel groups are respectively formed of dummy pixels, including pixel circuits, provided adjacent to the scan driver and the data driver. Each pixel circuit of the first dummy pixel group is applied with a voltage of a first power source. Each pixel circuit of the second dummy pixel group is applied with the voltage of the first power source. |
| US08749457B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display device manufacturing method and organic electroluminescence display device
A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display includes preparing a substrate including pixels. The pixels each include a drive transistor and a capacitor. The capacitor of a subject pixel is caused to hold a voltage which corresponds to a threshold voltage of the drive transistor, and the voltage is read. A first signal voltage is obtained by adding a first correction parameter of the subject pixel to a second signal voltage corresponding to a single gradation level belonging to an intermediate gradation region or a high gradation region of representative voltage-luminance characteristics. The first signal voltage is applied to the driver of the subject pixel, and a luminance emitted by the subject pixel is measured. A second correction parameter with which the luminance emitted by the subject pixel becomes a standard luminance is calculated. |
| US08749456B2 |
Method of driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) pixel, a system for driving an OLED pixel and a computer-readable medium
A new drive scheme is provided for OLED displays that uses a pulsed drive mode. The pulsed drive mode results in a reduced duty cycle for pixel operation. The peak OLED current is increased correspondingly to maintain a constant average luminance over the frame period so that there is no brightness loss. The method, system and computer-readable medium according to the present innovation uses a blanking signal to set the OLED pixel to black by discharging a capacitive element prior to re-programming the OLED pixel during a next synchronization cycle. An organic light emitting diode (OLED) pixel system is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. |
| US08749453B2 |
Semiconductor device including transistors
A first capacitor obtains a gate-source voltage of a first transistor in accordance with a programming current flowing through the first transistor, and a second capacitor obtains a threshold voltage of a second transistor. Then, the electric charges held in the first capacitor and the second capacitor are capacitively coupled. By using the voltage obtained with the capacitively coupling as a gate-source voltage of the first transistor, constant current in accordance with the programming current can be supplied to a light emitting element. |
| US08749449B2 |
Methods of modifying erect concealed antenna towers and associated modified towers and devices therefor
The disclosure describes installing an antenna canister in a portion of a concealed antenna pole at a location that is below a top of the pole while the antenna pole is erect and associated components to facilitate the procedure, as well as multi-piece vertical rods, pole mounting bracket assemblies and retrofit kits. |
| US08749446B2 |
Wide-band linked-ring antenna element for phased arrays
Technologies for a wide-band linked-ring antenna element covering two adjacent K-band military and/or commercial receive bands are provided. The antenna element comprises a linked-ring conductive resonator that is electromagnetically coupled to at least one feed line. The conductive resonator and feed line are further surrounded by a Faraday cage that is conductively coupled to an electromagnetically-shielding ground plane and operable to shield the conductive resonator and the feed line. |
| US08749445B2 |
Variable capacitance device, antenna module, and communication apparatus
A variable capacitance device includes a fixing member, a fixed electrode having a first end side fixed by the fixing member, an actuator element having a first end side fixed by the fixing member directly or indirectly, a movable electrode provided to connect to the actuator element directly or indirectly and disposed to approximately face the fixed electrode, and a driving section deforming a second end side of the actuator element, to change a distance between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. |
| US08749443B2 |
Wireless terminal device
A first conduction part (12) coated with a conductive paint is formed on a back housing (1CAR) to be attached to one housing of a portable telephone unit at a position near a hinge mechanism (9) which connects the one housing to the other housing of the portable telephone unit. A GPS antenna is disposed on the hinge mechanism (9) side inside the other housing. The first conduction part (12) is in contact with a conductive connection terminal (21). A condenser element (22C) and a coil element (22L) are connected in parallel between the connection terminal (21) and a reference potential line (10G) of a first circuit board (10) disposed inside the aforementioned one housing. |
| US08749442B2 |
Interface circuit
Presented is an interface circuit for connecting a RF antenna to a RF device. The interface circuit comprises: a first terminal adapted to connect to the RF antenna; a second terminal adapted to connect to the RF device; an inductive load connected to the second terminal; a first switch adapted to connect the inductive load to the first terminal; and a resistive load connected to the second terminal via a second switch. |
| US08749441B2 |
Simultaneous transmit and receive antenna system
Described is a simultaneous transmit and receive antenna system having a ring array of transmit antenna elements and a receive antenna element disposed on an axis that is perpendicular to and passing through the center of the ring array. Alternatively, the ring array includes receive elements and a transmit antenna element is disposed on the axis perpendicular to the ring array. Opposite antenna elements in the ring array differ in phase by 180° so that a radiation pattern null occurs at the antenna element at the center of the ring array. Also included are at least one ground plane and an electrically-conductive cylinder disposed on the perpendicular axis inside the ring array to provide a high degree of isolation between the transmit and receive antenna elements. The system may be configured for wireless communications, for example, according to WIFI IEEE standard 802.11 or WIMAX IEEE standard 802.16. |
| US08749438B2 |
Multiband antenna for a mobile device
A multiband antenna for a mobile device is disclosed. The multiband antenna includes a plurality of flexible antenna arms configured to communicate signals in multiple frequency bands, a flexible antenna counterpoise, a battery configured to provide power to the multiband antenna, and control logic configured to control communication of signals of the multiband antenna, where the plurality of flexible antenna arms, the flexible antenna counterpoise, the battery, and the control logic are bonded to a flexible insulation material. The multiband antenna further includes at least a portion of circuit schematics that connect the plurality of flexible antenna arms, the flexible antenna counterpoise, the battery and the control logic are placed and routed on the flexible insulation material. |
| US08749433B2 |
Multiplexing receiver system
A position tracking system includes a transmitter constructed and arranged to emit a electromagnetic signal and an array of at least three receiver antennae. Each of the at least three receiver antennae is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal emitted from the transmitter. The position tracking system also includes a receiver channel disposed in electrical communication with each of the at least three receiver antennae. The receiver channel is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae. The position tracking system also includes a data processing component disposed in electrical communication with the receiver channel. The data processing component is constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae. |
| US08749428B2 |
Virtual universal remote control
A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device. |
| US08749427B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling power consumption in electronic devices
A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode. |
| US08749426B1 |
User interface and pointing device for a consumer electronics device
A remote control comprises a touch-sensitive device configured to detect touching and convert the touching into one or more first data signals; a wireless data transmitter; and logic coupled to the touch-sensitive device and to the wireless data transmitter. The logic is configured to receive the first data signals, transform the first data signals into one or more second data signals that are compatible with a remotely controllable apparatus, and communicate the second data signals to the remotely controllable apparatus using the transmitter. The apparatus can interact with the remote control to generate a graphical user interface on a video display that enables controlling the apparatus using manipulation of the touch-sensitive device. For example, touch gestures can remotely control functions of a DVD player, including functions that are normally accessible only by viewing successive deeply nested menus using a multi-button remote control. |
| US08749423B2 |
Amplifying circuit and analog digital conversion circuit with the same
An analog to digital converting device includes a first digital conversion (ADC) circuit configured to convert an inputted analog signal into a first digital signal, a first multiplying digital to analog converting (MDAC) circuit configured to amplify a difference between a first converted signal and the inputted analog signal, a second ADC circuit configured to convert an output of the first MDAC circuit into a second digital signal, a second MDAC circuit configured to amplify difference between a second converted signal converted from the second digital signal and the output of the first MDAC circuit, a third ADC circuit configured to convert an output of the second MDAC circuit into a third digital signal, and a common amplifying circuit shared by the first and the second MDAC circuits, wherein the common amplifying circuit consumes current based on which MDAC circuit the common amplifying circuit operates with. |
| US08749414B2 |
Apparatus and method for calibrating time constant, and low pass delta sigma modulation apparatus including the same
A time constant calibration apparatus of a low pass delta sigma modulation apparatus calibrates a time constant of an integrator using a resistor and a capacitor, and the time constant calibration apparatus generates a reference voltage by flowing a reference current to a reference resistor, converts the reference voltage to a digital signal, and varies a value of a resistor of an integrator and a value of a capacitor from the digital signal. |
| US08749411B2 |
Analog-to-digital conversion device and method thereof
An analog-to-digital conversion device and a method thereof are provided. The analog-to-digital conversion device includes a first level adjustment unit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a linear range detection unit. The ADC converts a test signal or a first input signal to generate a test data stream or a first output data stream. In an adjustment mode, the linear range detection unit obtains a conversion curve of the ADC by using the test data stream and determines whether to adjust offset control information according to a linear range of the conversion curve. In an operation mode, the linear range detection unit continues outputting the offset control information. Additionally, before transmitting the first input signal, the first level adjustment unit adjusts a direct-current level of the first input signal according to the offset control information to allow the first input signal to be within the linear range of the conversion curve. |
| US08749407B2 |
Method and system for detecting hidden ghost keys on keyboard matrix
The present invention discloses a method and system for detecting hidden ghost keys on a keyboard matrix. The keyboard matrix is composed of multiple rows crossing with multiple lines that form multiple key-locating positions. The method comprises: selecting multiple preset keys from the matrix; detecting ghost keys among the matrix based on the selected preset keys; selecting multiple examining keys from the preset keys and the detected ghost keys, based on that at least one ghost key is included in the examining keys; and determining hidden ghost keys based on the examining keys. The system detects ghost keys among the matrix via a preset key selecting unit and a ghost key detecting unit, which selects multiple examining keys via an examining key selecting unit, and determines hidden ghost keys based on the examining keys through a hidden ghost keys detecting unit. |
| US08749406B2 |
Handheld electronic device and method for disambiguation of compound text input employing different groupings of data sources to disambiguate different parts of input
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate compound text input. The device is able to assemble language objects in the memory to generate compound language solutions. The device is able to generate compound language solutions by employing different groupings of data sources to generate different portions of the compound language solutions. |
| US08749400B2 |
Symbol synchronization for downhole OFDM telemetry
Enhanced symbol synchronization methods suitable for use in narrowband orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) telemetry systems. In at least some embodiments, a logging while drilling (LWD) tool assembly communicates with the surface using low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signals. The telemetry transmitter employs OFDM modulation to fully exploit the narrow range of available bandwidth, resulting in signals that have relatively long frames. At the surface a receiver digitizes the receive signal and applies an enhanced symbol synchronization technique to identify frame boundaries before demodulation is attempted. The enhanced symbol synchronization technique employs a pulse train filter to clean up a cyclic prefix correlation signal that otherwise behaves badly in the narrowband regime. The improved timing information from the enhanced symbol synchronization significantly reduces the error rate in the demodulated signal. |
| US08749398B2 |
Methods for clock synchronization in wellbore instruments
A method for synchronizing a clock in a device at the Earth's surface with a device disposed in a wellbore includes generating a time datum for a signal generated at at least one of the surface and in the wellbore proximate an end of the pipe string. A time delay is determined between detection of the signal at the at least one repeater and retransmission of the signal from the at least one repeater. The time datum is appended with a signal corresponding to the time delay. The retransmitted signal is detected at the other of proximate the end of the pipe string and at the surface. |
| US08749396B2 |
Assembling method, monitoring method, communication method, augmented reality system and computer program product
An augmented reality system, an assembling method for assembling a first set-up component to a second set-up component under the assistance of an augmented reality system, a method for monitoring a set-up component and a method for transmitting data from or to a set-up component are provided. The augmented realty system may capture a variable marker associated with the respective set-up component. The augmented reality system can recognize the location and/or status of the variable marker and thus decide whether the connection between the first and second set-up component is established correctly or not. Further, data can be transmitted by the variable marker monitored by the augmented reality system. |
| US08749391B2 |
Fall detection system
There is provided a fall detection system, comprising one or more sensors for monitoring the movement of a user of the fall detection system and for generating corresponding signals; means for determining a threshold from one or more measurements of the physical condition of the user; a processor for analyzing the signals to identify a fall by the user; analyzing the signals to identify a period of inactivity of the user following the fall; and comparing the length of the period of inactivity of the user with the threshold to determine the severity of the fall. |
| US08749387B2 |
Merchandise display security system including magnetic sensor
A merchandise display security system for displaying and protecting an item of merchandise having a movable or removable cover includes a sensor configured to be attached to the cover. The sensor may include a magnet assembly that produces a magnetic field defining a predetermined minimum strength when the sensor is attached to the cover and the cover is closed on the item of merchandise. A transducer detects the presence of the magnetic field, or alternatively, changes in the strength of the magnetic field and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field, for example an output voltage. The transducer communicates the electrical signal to electronics that activate an alarm if the strength of the magnetic field is less than a predetermined minimum strength or greater than a predetermined maximum strength. |
| US08749382B2 |
Portable security container
A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. e container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images. The host computer is operationally coupled to the port to participate in the communication by generating the data signals. The controller may generate a control signal and allow access to the interior of the container in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received From the host computer among the data signals via the port and a data sequence obtained by the control stage in dependence upon information stored within the memory. |
| US08749381B1 |
Systems and methods for automated house damage detection and reporting
A system for automated house damage detection and reporting may comprise at least one subsystem configured for receiving a damage detection signal detecting potential damage to a building from at least one sensor operably connected to the building, and at least one subsystem configured for automatically communicating damage detection data using the received damage detection signal to a remote system outside the building for further analysis. |
| US08749379B2 |
Portable medication dispensing containers
A portable container is disclosed that includes a body and a lid that cooperatively form a securable storage compartment and a latch that is coupled to the body and configured to releasably secure the lid. The portable container also includes a location-sensing element configured to determine the location of the portable container in a facility and provide location information to a processor coupled to the latch and the location sensing element. The processor is configured to receive the location information from the location-sensing element and allow the latch to release the lid upon a determination that the portable container is located in an area of the facility where access to the contents of the portable container is permitted. |
| US08749373B2 |
Emergency equipment power sources
Energy harvesting devices provide power to devices of emergency equipment stations (e.g., fire extinguisher station, fire alarm pull station, defibrillator station, etc.) distributed throughout a facility to monitor one or more internal or external conditions (e.g., identifiable objects detected near the station, presence of an obstruction restricting access to the station, etc.) and relay information about the monitored conditions to a central station. |
| US08749371B2 |
Diffractive signaling device for rear-view mirror with 2D/3D display
Signaling device designed to be arranged on the reflective element forming a mirror of a rear-view device comprising at least an illumination unit and at least an optical device, characterized by the fact that the optical device includes a symbol generation unit which is provided with at least a diffraction grating designed to form an illuminated image corresponding to a first illuminated symbol, the symbol generation unit being generally transparent and the diffraction grating being formed on the surface of the symbol generation unit without affecting its transparency. |
| US08749369B2 |
Tire position detecting system and tire position detecting method
The present invention relates to a system and a method for sensing positions of tires. The system for sensing the positions of the tires comprises: a plurality of transmitters having identification numbers (ID) which are attached to inner parts of a plurality of tires to detect the states of the tires; an external device which records position information of the transmitters located in a vehicle in each of the transmitters; and a receiver for receiving the IDs and the state information and the position information of the tires. |
| US08749366B2 |
Rear view mirror for a vehicle with an antenna module and an electronic display module
A multiple radio data service antenna module integrated in a rear view mirror being exposed towards a windscreen in an activated state enhances quality of reception of multiple radio data services and a display unit being integrated in a rear view mirror surface displaying information received by said antenna module informs a driver about relevant data of said data service without distracting the driver. |
| US08749358B2 |
Passive transponder for an RFID system, and method of transmitting data from/to a data source of such a passive transponder
A passive transponder includes an antenna, an antenna oscillator circuit and a data source. The antenna oscillator circuit is configured to operate at a first resonant frequency or at a second resonant frequency, depending on reception of energy at the transponder or on a data transmission from/to the data source. |
| US08749357B2 |
Method of de-activating and activating an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device, and an EAS device
A device for use in electronic article surveillance EAS is disclosed which comprises a resonant circuit, typically designed for 8.2 MHz operation, in addition to a transponder, such as RFID, for non-contact communication with a communication station. The RFID transponder can provide a signal to detune the resonant circuit to disable the EAS and optionally another signal to tune or retune the resonant circuit to enable or re-enable the EAS. The detuning and tuning or retuning may preferably be achieved using phase change memory material, configured as a programmable switch having two states with different resistances. |
| US08749355B2 |
Reader control system
An RFID reader control system and method is provided. A protocol for controlling an RFID reader and an RFID reader control unit of a mobile phone is defined. Messages, information, commands, responses, and notification are constructed and transmitted between the RFID reader and the RFID reader control unit. |
| US08749353B2 |
Wireless communication between two temporarily connected devices
A system for setting up a wireless connection between two temporarily connected devices includes a device interconnector having a first end provided with a first wireless communication identifier and a second end provided with a second wireless communication identifier, a first device having a first interconnector mating unit, a first wireless communication unit and a first reading unit and a second device having a second interconnector mating unit, a second wireless communication unit and a second reading unit. The wireless communication units of each device is configured to receive an identifier being read by the corresponding reading unit as the device interconnector is attached to the corresponding mating unit and the wireless communication unit is configured to employ this identifier in setting up, together with the other wireless communication unit, a wireless connection between the two devices. |
| US08749348B2 |
Sensor device with persistent low power beacon
One disclosed method involves providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter. The first device is operated in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data. When the battery is in a low power condition, the first device is operated in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal that indicates a low power condition of the battery. |
| US08749339B2 |
Coil-type electronic component and process for producing same
A coil-type electronic component has a coil inside or on the surface of its base material wherein the base material in the coil-type electronic component is constituted by a group of grains of a soft magnetic alloy containing iron, silicon and other element that oxidizes more easily than iron; the surface of each soft magnetic alloy grain has an oxide layer formed on its surface as a result of oxidization of the grain; this oxide layer contains the other element that oxidizes more easily than iron by a quantity larger than that in the soft magnetic alloy grain; and grains are bonded with one another via this oxide layer. The coil-type electronic component can be produced at low cost and combines high magnetic permeability with high saturation magnetic flux density. |
| US08749338B2 |
Laminated electronic component and manufacturing method thereof
A laminated electronic component with adjacent wires (such as coil conductors) in insulator layers inter-connected through via holes, wherein its laminate is structured in such a way that a coil-embedded layer constituted by first insulator layers and second insulator layers laminated alternately is sandwiched between a top magnetic layer and bottom magnetic layer, with external electrodes formed on both end faces. First coil conductors are formed on the first insulator layers and second coil conductors are formed on the second insulator layers, with these coil conductors connected through via holes. Formed at the end of each second coil conductor is a connection conductor of a size sufficiently large to block off the top of the via hole provided in the insulator sheet. By discharging the air in the via hole by means of pressure-bonding the laminate, the connection conductor will have a part filling inside the via hole and another part projecting on top of the via hole, with the center of the via hole recessed, to prevent shorting and cracking. |
| US08749336B2 |
Transformer and display device using the same
There is provided a transformer having a minimized leakage inductance. The transformer includes: a winding part including a pipe shaped body part having a plurality of coils wound therearound and flange parts extended from both ends of the body part in an outer diameter direction thereof; and a core coupled to the winding part, wherein a flange part formed at one end of the body part includes at least one lead groove, and the coils are led to the outside of the winding part through the at least one lead groove. |
| US08749334B2 |
Multi power sourced electric vehicle
An inductive power transfer (IPT) pad and system for the charging of electric and hybid electric vehicles. The batter of such a vehicle can be selectively coupled to a high power electrical supply for fast charging or a lower power electrical supply for charging using IPT. The batteries of the vehicles are used in a system to control the load demand in an electricity network through variations of the frequency of power supplied. |
| US08749330B2 |
Electric contact element and method for producing an electric contact element
The present invention relates to a method for producing an electric contact element from a semifinished product and to the electric contact element and the corresponding semifinished product. The method for producing an electric contact element (100), which can be electrically contacted by a mating contact, comprises the following steps: producing a wire (120) from a first electrically conductive material (112); coating the wire surface with a sheath (114) made of a second electrically conductive material; partially removing the sheath (114) in a direction along a longitudinal wire axis (118); forming at least one cylindrical semifinished product (110) by dividing the wire in a direction transverse to the longitudinal wire axis; fixing the semifinished product on a contact carrier (104) such that the second electrically conductive material is connected to the contact carrier; and reshaping the welded semifinished product so as to form the contact element (100), wherein a contact area (106), which is accessible for a mating contact, is formed by the first electrically conductive material. |
| US08749328B2 |
Shortage voltage trip device of molded case circuit breaker
Provided is a shortage voltage trip device of a molded case circuit breaker. In the molded case circuit breaker, driving current applied into a trip driving part is reduced in proportion to reduction of a power applied into a circuit. When the voltage applied into the circuit is greater than a rated voltage, the trip driving part is stopped, and an operation of a trip driving mechanism is restricted by a trip lever. When the voltage applied into the circuit is less than the rated voltage, the trip driving part is operated, and the restriction of the trip driving mechanism is released by the trip lever rotated by being linked with the operation of the trip driving part. Thus, the circuit may be more simply switched, and operation reliability of a product may be improved. Also, the product may have a more simplified structure. |
| US08749325B2 |
Circuit breaker having an unlocking mechanism and methods of operating same
Embodiments provide an electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker has a moveable contact arm having a moveable main electrical contact, and a lockout mechanism operable to contact the moveable contact arm and block motion of thereof, the lockout mechanism having a lockout latch with one or more pivot joints, a moveable stop on, and an offset engagement portion, the moveable stop adapted to contact the moveable contact arm, and an unlock actuator providing an unlock force at the engagement portion causing lockout latch pivoting and release of the moveable contact arm. Also disclosed are secondary electrical contacts configured to engage each other in the ON configuration, with a leaf spring operably supporting a moveable one of the secondary contacts, the leaf spring configured to be flexed to close the secondary contacts. A method of operating the electronic circuit breaker is provided, as are other aspects. |
| US08749324B2 |
Signal transmission apparatus and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a signal transmission apparatus for transmitting a signal to a signal processing section provided inside a rotated rotary body, the signal transmission apparatus including: a waveguide tube provided on the rotating shaft of the rotary body; a signal transmitting section provided outside the rotary body to serve as a section for transmitting the signal through the waveguide tube; a signal receiving section provided inside the rotary body to serve as a section for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting section through the waveguide tube and supplying the signal to the signal processing section; a slip ring rotated along with the rotary body around the waveguide tube serving as a rotation axis; and a power supplying section provided outside the rotary body to serve as a section for supplying power to the signal processing section through the slip ring. |
| US08749323B2 |
Band stop filter of composite right/left handed structure and the manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a band stop filter of a CRLH structure and a manufacturing method thereof. A band stop filter of a CRLH structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a microstrip transmission line formed on a substrate; a right handed material (RHM) region including a first stub and a first capacitor connected to the microstrip transmission line in parallel and stopping a signal of a first frequency band passing through the microstrip transmission line; and a left handed material (LHM) region further provided between the first stub and the first capacitor to block a signal of a second frequency band passing through the microstrip transmission line. |
| US08749322B2 |
Multilayer circuit board structure and circuitry thereof
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a multilayer circuit board structure, for suppressing the undesired electromagnetic wave propagation within a specific frequency band. The multilayer circuit board structure includes a plurality of crystals and a plurality of conducting channels, wherein a crystal includes a first through fourth conducting planes, at least a first conducting connector, and at least a second conducting connector, wherein the first through the fourth conducting planes are substantially parallel to each other. The first conducting plane is electrically connected to the third conducting plane through the first conducting connector. The fourth conducting plane is electrically connected to the second conducting plane through the second conducting connector. The first and the third conducting planes are configured to be electrically separated from the second and the fourth conducting planes. Furthermore, the conducting channels are for electrically connecting between crystals in the multilayer circuit board structure. |
| US08749320B2 |
Acoustic wave device and method for manufacturing the same
An acoustic wave device includes piezoelectric thin-film resonators, each of which includes: a substrate; a piezoelectric thin-film on the substrate; an lower electrode provided on a first surface of the piezoelectric film; an upper electrode provided on a second surface of the piezoelectric film opposite to the first surface; and a first addition film that is provided in a resonance portion in which the lower electrode and the upper electrode face each other through the piezoelectric film and is located between the piezoelectric thin-film and the upper electrode, the first addition film having a shape different from that of the resonance portion. |
| US08749319B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting RF field strength
A method and apparatus for detecting RF field strength. A field strength reference generator develops a field strength reference current as a function of a field strength of a received RF signal; and a field strength quantizer develops a digital field-strength value indicative of the field strength reference current. In one embodiment, detected field strength is used to dynamically vary the impedance of a tank circuit whereby, over time, induced current is maximized. |
| US08749317B2 |
Modulator and an amplifier using the same
The LINC modulator includes: a separator that generates a plurality of constant envelope signals from a source signal; a plurality of arms through which the plurality of the constant envelope signals are passed, wherein each arm includes a filter that compares frequencies of components of the constant envelope signals with a threshold frequency to generate a first signal including a first frequency part of the source signal, the first frequency part being composed of frequencies lower than a predetermined frequency; a processor that generates a second signal including a second frequency part of the source signal whose frequencies are different from the first frequency part and performs a frequency signal distortion of the second signal to generate a distorted signal; and a quadrature modulator that multiplies the first and distorted signals to reconstruct the constant envelope signals. |
| US08749316B2 |
Programmable varactor and methods of operation thereof
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a programmable varactor device. A varactor device may include an input device configured to receive a tuning voltage and generate a bias voltage at least partially dependent on the tuning voltage. The varactor device may also include a varactor pair coupled to the input device and having a first variable capacitor and a second variable capacitor, wherein each of the first variable capacitor and a second variable capacitor are configured for operable coupling to each of the bias voltage and the tuning voltage. |
| US08749313B2 |
Correction of low accuracy clock
An electronic device has two oscillators, for example a first highly accurate crystal oscillator and a second less accurate low power oscillator. In a normal mode of operation, time is counted based on an output from the crystal oscillator, but in a low power mode of operation, time is counted based on an output from the less accurate oscillator. During the low power mode of operation, a calibration process is performed repeatedly. During a first calibration time period the second oscillator is calibrated against the first oscillator to obtain a first calibration result, and a recalibration is performed during a second calibration time period to obtain a second calibration result. A correction factor is determined from the first and second calibration results, and the correction factor is applied when subsequently counting time based on the output from the second oscillator. |
| US08749312B2 |
Optimizing cascade gain stages in a communication system
Techniques for optimizing a cascade gain device comprising at least two gain stages are disclosed. A first noise figure associated with the first gain stage is incrementally increased by a plurality of noise figure increments determined based, at least in part, on a minimum noise figure and a maximum noise figure associated with the first gain stage. At each of the plurality of noise figure increments, at least a gain value that corresponds to the noise figure increment is calculated. One of the plurality of noise figure increments and the corresponding gain value is selected as an optimum noise figure of the first gain stage and an optimum gain value of the first gain stage respectively. Parameters of an inter-stage matching network associated with the first gain stage are configured based on the optimum noise figure and the optimum gain of the first gain stage. |
| US08749311B2 |
Active antenna arrangement with Doherty amplifier
A Doherty amplifier (100) is described which comprises an input terminal (102) for receiving an input signal (101) and an output terminal (103) for providing an amplified signal (104) of the input signal (101). The Doherty amplifier is supplied by a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage which have opposite polarities in respect to a reference level. |
| US08749310B2 |
Amplifier bias control
An improved method for maintaining optimal amplifier bias current utilizing a signal conditioning element 0710 which serves to symmetrically condition a sense voltage 0105 such that the sense voltage 0105 distortion is substantially determined by properties of the signal conditioning element 0710 rather than by properties of the amplifier amplification devices 0101 or the input perturbing signal. |
| US08749309B2 |
Gate-based output power level control power amplifier
A gate power control technique for a power amplifier (PA) provides practical improved efficiency at backed-off power levels. It can be applied to the main gate of the output stage of the PA, the cascode gate, or any combination thereof. Both voltage mode and current mode signal processing may be used. The gate power control can be implemented in both open-loop and closed-loop using AC and DC coupled drivers and output stages. It may further use one or more control ports in the radio frequency (RF) signal path. |
| US08749308B2 |
High efficiency amplification
A radio frequency amplification stage comprising: an amplifier for receiving an input signal to be amplified and a power supply voltage; and a power supply voltage stage for supplying said power supply voltage, comprising: means for providing a reference signal representing the envelope of the input signal; means for selecting one of a plurality of supply voltage levels in dependence on the reference signal; and means for generating an adjusted selected power supply voltage, comprising an ac amplifier for amplifying a difference between the reference signal and one of the selected supply voltage level or the adjusted selected supply voltage level, and a summer for summing the amplified difference with the selected supply voltage to thereby generate the adjusted supply voltage. |
| US08749307B2 |
Apparatus and method for a tunable multi-mode multi-band power amplifier module
An apparatus and method amplify a signal for use in a wireless network. The apparatus includes a power amplifier, an envelope modulator, a tunable matching network (TMN), and a controller. The power amplifier outputs the signal at an output power. The envelope modulator controls a bias setting for the power amplifier. The TMN includes a plurality of immittance elements. The controller is operably connected the envelope modulator and the TMN. The controller identifies a desired value for the output power of the power amplifier, controls the output power of the power amplifier by modifying the bias setting of the power amplifier, and sets a number of the plurality of immittance elements based on the bias setting of the power amplifier. |
| US08749304B2 |
Circuit arrangement for a redundant power supply for a power amplifier
The switching arrangement is used for the redundant power supply for a power amplifier, especially a high-frequency power amplifier. The power amplifier in this context provides several output-stage components and several power-supply units. The power-supply units are connected together at their load-end connections and supply the output-stage components jointly with energy. If a power-supply unit fails, at least two output-stage components are actively switched off, so that the power amplifier can continue to operate although with reduced output power. |
| US08749300B2 |
DC voltage conversion circuit of liquid crystal display apparatus
Disclosed is a DC voltage conversion circuit of a liquid crystal display apparatus, including: a main pumping circuit including a plurality of thin film transistors and configured to output voltage for driving a liquid crystal display apparatus when the plurality of thin film transistors are alternately turned on or off; and a switch control signal generator configured to control voltages applied to gates of the plurality of thin film transistors by inversion of a clock signal, in which each thin film transistor is turned on when positive gate-source voltage is applied thereto, and turned off when negative gate-source voltage is applied thereto. |
| US08749290B2 |
Clock circuit for a microprocessor
A mobile communication device includes an analog clock and a digital clock circuit. The analog clock circuit is configured to generate an oscillating output. The digital clock circuit is configured to generate a digital clock output having a frequency that is substantially equal to the frequency of the oscillating output. |
| US08749284B2 |
Phase-locked loop system
A phase-locked loop system is provided. The system includes a charge pump, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a bias converter. The charge pump outputs a control voltage according to a phase frequency detection signal, and generates an output current according to a bias signal. The VCO generates an output signal according to the control voltage. The bias converter is coupled between the VCO and the charge pump and for generating the bias signal according to the control voltage. |
| US08749283B2 |
PLL dual edge lock detector
A lock signal indicating that a target signal is in phase with a reference signal includes detecting the reference signal at the rising and falling edges of the target signal. The target signal is detected on the rising and falling edges of the reference signal. An out of phase condition between the target and reference signals is used to place a timing means in a reset state. When the timing means is allowed to time out, a signal is asserted which indicates that the target signal is deemed to be locked to the reference signal. |
| US08749282B1 |
Translational phase lock loop and synthesizer that eliminates dividers
This invention describes a method by which a low cost low phase noise Phase Locked Loop or Phase Locked Loop based. Frequency Synthesizer can be realized. The new method, called a Translational Phase Lock Loop or TPLL, allows the conversion of a traditional voltage controlled oscillator or VCO signal so that the phase noise of the VCO signal is substantially identical to the noise that the loop is aimed to correct via comparison to a low noise reference oscillator. It overcomes additional problems associated with traditional and prior art phase lock loops in terms of unwanted spurious signals, complexity, and cost. |
| US08749279B2 |
Driver apparatus for switching elements
In a driver apparatus for driving a voltage-controlled switching element, an absolute value of a voltage difference between a voltage at a reference terminal that is one of terminals of a current path of the switching element and a voltage at the switching control terminal of the switching element is clamped at a clamping voltage greater than a threshold voltage. A voltage greater than the threshold voltage applied to the switching control terminal allows the switching element to be turned on. When the current flowing through the switching element becomes equal to or greater than a clamp threshold after the switching element transitions from an off-state to an on-state, a voltage-drop-rate at which the absolute value is decreased to the clamping voltage is decreased. |
| US08749278B2 |
Semiconductor device driving unit and method
A turn-off feedback unit (23OFF) of a semiconductor device driving unit generates a feedback voltage as part of a voltage of a drive signal for establishing electrical continuity or disconnection in a bus according to a temporal variation of a collector current of a first semiconductor device (11U) when the first semiconductor device (11U) is turned off from on. A turn-on feedback unit (23ON) generates the feedback voltage according to a commutation current flowing through a free wheeling diode (12D) connected to a second semiconductor device (11D) when the first semiconductor device (11U) is turned on from off. |
| US08749273B2 |
Power amplifier saturation detection
In a portable radio transceiver, a power amplifier system includes a saturation detector that detects power amplifier saturation in response to duty cycle of the amplifier transistor collector voltage waveform. The saturation detection output signal can be used by a power control circuit to back off or reduce the amplification level of the power amplifier to avoid power amplifier control loop saturation. |
| US08749272B1 |
Apparatus and method for three-level input detection
The present disclosure relates to an Apparatus comprising at least one resistive voltage divider and at least two inverters, wherein the resistive voltage divider is coupled between a first supply potential terminal (VDD) and a second supply potential terminal (VSS), wherein the voltage divider comprises a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor and a fourth resistor being serially connected, and wherein a first connection point of the second resistor and the third resistor is connected to an voltage input, and a second connection point of the first resistor and the second resistor is connected to the input side of a first inverter, and a third connection point of the third resistor and the fourth resistor is connected to the input side of a second inverter, wherein the first inverter and the second inverter are configured to provide a first output voltage if a first voltage is applied to the voltage input, and the first inverter and the second inverter are configured to provide a second output voltage if a second voltage is applied to the voltage input, and the first inverter is configured to provide the second output voltage and the second inverter is configured to provide the first output voltage if an open input is applied to the voltage input as well as a method. |
| US08749270B2 |
Driver circuit of semiconductor apparatus and method for controlling the same
A driver circuit of a semiconductor apparatus includes a driver and a control unit configured to vary a voltage level of a power supply terminal of the driver in response to a standby mode signal. |
| US08749269B2 |
CML to CMOS conversion circuit
The present invention provides a CML to CMOS conversion circuit comprising a first differential unit, a second differential unit, and an output unit. The output unit comprises a series connection of a first inverter and a second inverter, wherein, a resistor is connected with the first inverter in parallel. The CML to CMOS conversion circuit of the present invention omits the amplifier in the conventional circuit and reduces the delay time to 34 ps, which is almost half of the delay time of 64 ps in the conventional circuit, and thus provides more clock delay redundancy for the high speed parallel-serial conversion circuit. |
| US08749266B2 |
Data output circuit responsive to calibration code and on die termination code
A data output circuit includes a pre-code generation unit configured to generate one of a pre-pull-up code and a pre-pull-down code according to a calibration code in response to a voltage level of input data; and a plurality of main driving units configured to be selectively activated in response to an on-die termination code, wherein respective outputs of the plurality of main driving units are commonly connected to an output node, and wherein activated main driving units drive the output node in response to the pre-pull-up code or the pre-pull-down code. |
| US08749264B2 |
Circuit for testing motherboard
A circuit includes first to third nodes, resistors with different resistance, capacitors with different capacitance, first switches corresponding to the same number of resistors, second switches corresponding to the same number of capacitors, and a third switch. A first terminal of each resistor is connected to the first node. A second terminal of each resistor is connected to a first terminal of a corresponding one first switch, a second terminal of each first switch is connected to the second node. A first terminal of the third switch is connected to the second terminal of each first switch. A second terminal of the third switch is connected to a first terminal of each capacitor. A second terminal of each capacitor is connected to a first terminal of a corresponding one second switch. A second terminal of each second switch is connected to the third node. |
| US08749263B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus, inspection method thereof and electric device
A semiconductor apparatus according to the present invention with a semiconductor element implemented on an insulated substrate comprises: a substrate front surface electrode formed on a front surface side of the insulated substrate and connected with an element electrode of the semiconductor element; a substrate back surface electrode formed on a back surface side of the insulated substrate and electrically connected with the substrate front surface electrode; and a plurality of connection electrodes, extending in a thickness direction of the insulated substrate from one side to the other side of a front surface and a back surface thereof, for electrically connecting the substrate front surface electrode with the substrate back surface electrode, where the substrate front surface electrode or the substrate back surface electrode is formed to have a plane pattern separated for each of the plurality of connection electrodes. |
| US08749261B2 |
Interfaces having a plurality of connector assemblies
Embodiments of interfaces are disclosed. One such interface has a plurality of connector assemblies, each connector assembly in a single opening of a plurality of openings passing completely through the interface. Each connector assembly has first and second connectors that are electrically and physically coupled to each other. |
| US08749260B2 |
Test wafer unit and test system
Provided is a test wafer unit that tests a plurality of devices under test formed on a wafer under test, the test wafer unit comprising a plurality of test circuits that are formed on the same semiconductor wafer, where a plurality of types of the test circuits having different functions are provided for each device under test; and a selecting section that selects which type of test circuit is electrically connected to each pad of a device under test. Therefore, the test wafer unit can select the test circuit corresponding to testing content to be performed and connect this test circuit to the device under test to perform testing on a variety of devices under test or to perform a variety of tests on a device under test. |
| US08749259B2 |
Full grid cassette for a parallel tester for testing a non-componented printed circuit board, spring contact pin for such a full grid cassette and adapter for a parallel tester for testing a non-componented printed circuit board
The invention relates to a full grid cassette for a parallel tester for testing a non-componented printed circuit board, to a spring contact pin for such a full grid cassette and to an adapter for a parallel tester for testing a non-componented printed circuit board. |
| US08749255B2 |
Electronic device test apparatus
An electronic device test apparatus which can optimize throughput and costs is provided.An electronic device test apparatus 1 comprises: a test cell cluster 10 having cell groups 11A to 11H each of which has a plurality of test cells 20; and a conveyor apparatus 30 supplying test carriers to a plurality of the test cells 20, and each of the test cell 20 has: contactors 215; a flow path 221 connected to a vacuum pump 25 and reducing pressure in a recess 211 of a pocket 21 so as to bring external terminals 73 and the contactors 215 into contact; and a test circuit for running a test on an electronic circuit formed into a die 90. |
| US08749253B2 |
Gem tester
A gem tester for testing a gem under test and a kit including a horizontal recharging stand are disclosed. In one embodiment of the gem tester, an elongated body has a line-of-sight contour tapering from a bulbous end to a radially deviating frontal nose having a probe extending therefrom. Internal circuitry measures electrical and thermal conductivity of the gem under test in order to identify the type of gem under test and drive a color control signal in response thereto. A luminescent mounting extends about the contact to provide, in response to the control signal, a color indication of the identified gem type. |
| US08749250B2 |
Micromechanical component and manufacturing method for a micromechanical component
A micromechanical component is described having a substrate which has a movable mass which is connected via at least one spring to the substrate so that the movable mass is displaceable with respect to the substrate, and at least one fixedly mounted stator electrode. The movable mass and the at least one spring are structured from the substrate. At least one separating trench which at least partially surrounds the movable mass is formed in the substrate. The at least one stator electrode is situated adjacent to an outer surface of the movable mass which is at least partially surrounded by the separating trench, with the aid of at least one supporting connection which connects the at least one stator electrode to an anchor situated on the substrate and spans a section of the separating trench. Also described is a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component. |
| US08749249B2 |
Test handler for electronic devices
A test handler comprises a package support for holding an electronic device in a certain orientation and for transporting the electronic device to a testing station for testing the electronic device. An orientation correction device is actuable and operative to engage the package support and to rotate the package support so as to change the orientation of the electronic device. |
| US08749246B2 |
Method and device for determining a maximum leakage current
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a maximum leakage current in unearthed power supply networks with a plurality of conductors. The method comprises the steps of: feeding of a measurement signal UP with a measurement frequency fPuls into a conductor arrangement, setting the measurement frequency fPuls, measuring a line-to-line voltage UL-E for each conductor, determining a maximum occurring line-to-line voltage UL-Emax from the measured line-to-line voltages UL-E, determining a voltage UZe across a measurement resistance RM for calculating a leakage impedance ZE, calculating the leakage impedance ZE, and calculating a maximum leakage current THC. The device comprises a signal generator for feeding in the UP with the fPuls, a network coupling circuit between the signal generator and the conductor arrangement, a voltage measuring circuit for measuring the UL-E, and an impedance measuring circuit for determining the Ze by means of the determining of the UZe. |
| US08749243B2 |
Real time determination of casing location and distance with tilted antenna measurement
Methods and apparatus for detecting nearby conductors such as pipes, well casing, etc., from within a borehole. A nearby casing string can be detected by transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a first antenna on a downhole logging tool and measuring a response signal with a second antenna. As the tool rotates, the transmitting and measuring are repeated to determine the azimuthal dependence of the response signal. The azimuthal dependence is analyzed to determine an diagonal component and a cross component. The amplitude of the diagonal component is indicative of distance to the conductive feature. Direction can be determined based on the diagonal component alone or in combination with the cross component. Sinusoidal curve fitting can be employed to improve accuracy of the distance and direction estimates. At least one of the antennas is preferably tilted. Measurement results are presented for parallel tilted and perpendicular tilted antennas. |
| US08749242B2 |
System and method for employing alternating regions of magnetic and non-magnetic casing in magnetic ranging applications
A system and methods for facilitating drilling and/or drilling a well in an orientation with respect to an existing well are provided. Specifically, one method in accordance with present embodiments is directed to producing a magnetic field with a magnetic field source positioned in a non-magnetic region of casing within a first well, wherein the first well is cased with alternating regions of magnetic casing and non-magnetic casing. The method may also include producing at least one output from at least one magnetic field sensor capable of sensing directional magnetic field components, wherein the at least one output is based on detection of the magnetic field and wherein the at least one magnetic field sensor is positioned in a second well. |
| US08749241B2 |
Methods and apparatus for geophysical prospecting to detect bodies of fluids in underground formations
A method of geophysical prospecting for detecting bodies of fluids in underground formations comprises the steps of activating a seismic energy source (2) to transmit seismic energy into the ground, detecting an electromagnetic signal (14) generated by interaction between the seismic energy and underground formations (12) including fluids, and recording properties of the detected electromagnetic signal against time, so as to record an electromagnetic signal generated by interaction between a secondary energy impulse (10) from the activation of the energy source and underground formations including fluids. The secondary energy impulse propagates to the formations more slowly than the primary seismic waves from the same activation of the energy source travelling at the speed of sound as attenuated by the materials through which they pass. The detected electromagnetic signal comprises frequencies in the range 0 to 30 Hz. Recorded signals may then be processed to correlate them with the depth and thickness of fluid-containing underground formations with which the secondary energy impulse interacts to generate the electromagnetic waves. |
| US08749237B2 |
Optically controlled MEMS switch and method of using the same
The present embodiments are directed towards the optical control of switching an electrical assembly. For example, in an embodiment, an electrical package is provided. The electrical package generally includes a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device configured to interface with an electrical assembly, the MEMS device being operable to vary the electrical assembly between a first electrical state and a second electrical state, a MEMS device driver in communication with the MEMS device and being operable to produce high voltage switching logic from an electrical signal, and an optical detector in communication with the MEMS device driver and configured to produce the electrical signal from an optical signal produced by a light source in response to an applied current-based electrical control signal. |
| US08749235B2 |
Birdcage coil for magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a bore configured to accommodate a subject therein, an RF coil positioned about the bore, and an RF shield positioned about the RF coil. The RF coil includes a first portion positioned adjacent a lower surface side of the bore and spaced a distance from the RF shield that is larger than a distance between a second portion of the RF coil and an upper surface side of the bore. |
| US08749234B2 |
Method and system for designing excitation pulses for magnetic resonance imaging
Methods and systems for designing excitation pulses for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. One method includes parameterizing spin-domain rotation parameters to define parameterized variables and defining a constrained optimization problem based on the parameterized variables. The method also includes solving the constrained optimization problem and generating parameters for the RF pulses based on the solved problem, wherein the RF pulses are one of multidimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories or one dimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories. |
| US08749226B2 |
Line-powered instrument transformer
An instrument transformer for measuring properties of electricity in a power line is provided. The instrument transformer includes a cover section releasably secured to a base section. The cover section includes a first core segment encapsulated in a first encasement formed from a polymer resin. The base section includes a second core segment with a low voltage winding mounted thereto and a voltage transformer, all of which are encapsulated in a second encasement formed from a polymer resin. When the cover section and the base section are secured together, the first core segment adjoins the second core segment, thereby forming a current transformer having a core formed from the first and second core segments. A method for making the instrument transformer includes the connection of the cover section to the base section to form a passage through which a high voltage conductor may extend. |
| US08749224B2 |
Voltage detection circuit and method for controlling the same
A voltage detection circuit including a voltage selection circuit that outputs a voltage commensurate with a power supply voltage as a first voltage; a detection voltage selection circuit that selects either an external input voltage inputted from an external terminal or the first voltage according to a first control signal, and outputs it as a comparison voltage; a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a reference voltage; a comparator that compares the reference voltage and the comparison voltage, and outputs the comparison result as a detection signal; a control circuit that generates the first control signal so that the detection voltage selection circuit may output either the first voltage or the external input voltage as the comparison voltage by time division, and when a variation of the first voltage is detected, generates the first control signal so that the detection object selection circuit may output the first voltage as the comparison voltage. |
| US08749223B2 |
Galvanic isolation device and method
Various exemplary embodiments relate to an isolation device including a semiconductor layer and an insulation layer. The insulation layer insulates a central portion of the semiconductor layer. A high voltage terminal connects to the insulation layer, a first low voltage terminal connects to a first non-insulated portion of the semiconductor layer, and a second low voltage terminal connects to a second non-insulated portion of the semiconductor layer. The first and second low voltage terminals are electrically connected via the semiconductor layer. A voltage applied to the high voltage terminal influences the conductance of the semiconductor layer. The high voltage terminal is galvanically isolated from the first and second low voltage terminals. |
| US08749221B2 |
Input-output circuit
A power supply detecting circuit detects feeding of power to a power supply terminal from the outside. A control unit identifies an accessory device connected to the connector based on a detection result acquired by the identification terminal voltage detecting circuit and a detection result acquired by the power supply detecting circuit. The identification terminal voltage detecting circuit can narrow down accessory device candidates based on whether or not there is feeding of power detected by the power supply detecting circuit. |
| US08749219B2 |
Current generating circuit
A current generating circuit may include a first current source configured to generate a first current having positive temperature characteristics; a second current source configured to generate a second current; a compensation transistor configured as an NPN bipolar transistor, and arranged such that the second current flows through from its collector and its emitter; and a first current mirror circuit configured to multiply a base current of the compensation transistor by a first coefficient so as to generate a third current. The current generating circuit may be configured to output a fourth current that is proportional to the difference between the first current and the third current. |
| US08749218B2 |
Control circuit for a DC-DC converter using a reference signal that is half a voltage level of a voltage of a battery to be charged
A control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention for a DC-DC converter which has an input, an output and a series connection of a differentiator, a comparator unit, and an integrator. The series connection is coupled in between the input and the output. The comparator unit has an inverting amplifier. |
| US08749217B2 |
Primary voltage sensing and control for converter
A controller for a DC/DC converter can include a first error analog to digital converter (EADC) configured to detect a primary voltage from a secondary side of a transformer and generate a first error signal corresponding to the primary voltage. The first error signal is generated based on a comparison between a first reference voltage and the detected primary voltage. A first accelerator can be configured to process the first error signal and generate a first compensation signal that is a primary voltage variation signal used for feedforward control. A second EADC and a second accelerator can be configured to provide a output voltage feedback control. A compensation signal of the first accelerator can be used to scale the second accelerator output to facilitate fast feedforward control. |
| US08749215B2 |
Switching method to reduce ripple current in a switched-mode power converter employing a bridge topology
Traditionally, buck-boost switching regulators with bridge topologies have been avoided due to their inability to seamlessly transition between buck mode and boost mode. Here, however, a buck-boost switching regulator with a bridge topology has been provided, which has an improved controller. Namely, a processor (such as a digital signals processor or DSP) provides digital control for the bridge that reduces ripple current or variations in the inductor current by adjusting phase relationships between corresponding buck and boost switches in a bridge or buck-boost mode. |
| US08749212B2 |
Method and apparatus to control a power factor correction circuit
An example on time control circuit for use in a power factor correction (PFC) controller includes an amplifier, an integrator, and a comparator. The amplifier generates an error signal that is representative of a difference between a feedback signal and a reference value. The integrator integrates a current sense signal that is representative of a current through the power switch to generate an integrator output signal. A gain of the integrator is varied in response to a voltage sense signal that is representative of a value of an input voltage of the PFC converter. The comparator generates a switch power off signal to terminate the on time of the power switch in response to comparing the integrator output signal with the error signal. |
| US08749208B2 |
Intelligent switching controller and power conversion circuits and methods
A power conversion circuit comprising a voltage estimation circuit, a current estimation circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The voltage estimation circuit is configured to receive a voltage corresponding to an input of an inductor of the power conversion circuit and generate an estimate of an output voltage of the power conversion circuit based on the voltage. The current estimation circuit is configured to receive a current corresponding to a switch connected in series with the inductor and generate an estimate of an output current of the power conversion circuit based on the current. The pulse width modulation circuit is configured to produce a pulse width modulated signal based on the estimate of the output voltage and the estimate of the output current. |
| US08749204B2 |
Battery condition detector, battery pack including same, and battery condition detecting method
A battery condition detector configured to detect a micro short circuit of a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery condition detector includes a processing part configured to calculate the remaining capacity and the full-charge capacity of a rechargeable battery 200 and to determine the micro short circuit of the rechargeable battery 200 by detecting an overcharge of the rechargeable battery 200 based on a charged capacity charged during the charging of the rechargeable battery 200, the remaining capacity calculated at a calculation time immediately before the start of the charging, and the full-charge capacity calculated before the start of the charging; and a communications part 70 configured to output a signal according to the determination result of the processing part 50. |
| US08749197B2 |
Battery charging apparatus for electric vehicle with fixing member and cooling mechanism
A battery charging apparatus for an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes a case chassis, a circuit board and at least one electronic component. The case chassis includes a plurality of side plates, a bottom plate and a receptacle. The circuit board is accommodated within the receptacle of the case chassis. The electronic component includes a passive component body with a plurality of conductive wires and a fixing member for accommodating the passive component body. The conductive wires are electrically connected to the circuit board. The fixing member is fixed on at least one of the side plates and the bottom plate of the case chassis. |
| US08749193B1 |
Battery protection circuit for multiple battery power supply and charging system
A battery protection circuit for connection to a vehicle's auxiliary battery, auxiliary battery load and chassis battery that is connected to the vehicle's alternator. A switching control circuit, including a digital processor, has a voltage sensing circuit connected to the alternator, a voltage sensing circuit connected to the auxiliary battery, a ground terminal for connection to the vehicle's common ground and outputs for controlling switches. An electrically controlled first switch is interconnected between the alternator and the auxiliary load. The first switch has a control input terminal connected to an output of the control circuit for being switched between a closed state and an open state. An electrically controlled second switch is interconnected between the auxiliary load and the auxiliary battery. The second switch has a control input terminal connected to an output of the control circuit for being switched between a closed state and an open state. |
| US08749190B2 |
Software center and highly configurable robotic systems for surgery and other uses
Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided. |
| US08749189B2 |
Software center and highly configurable robotic systems for surgery and other uses
Telerobotic, telesurgical, and/or surgical robotic devices, systems, and methods employ surgical robotic linkages that may have more degrees of freedom than an associated surgical end effector n space. A processor can calculate a tool motion that includes pivoting of the tool about an aperture site. Linkages movable along a range of configurations for a given end effector position may be driven toward configurations which inhibit collisions. Refined robotic linkages and method for their use are also provided. |
| US08749188B2 |
Adjustable foot pedal control for ophthalmic surgery
A foot pedal control for a surgical system, e.g., an ophthalmic surgery system, that adjusts to a number of different sizes of user's shoes. The foot pedal control has a treadle on which a user places his or her foot and a sensor that tracks the movements thereof. Adjustable lateral guides mount to the treadle and conform to both sides of the foot. The guides are shaped and positioned to conform to a wide variety of feet or shoes, and may easily be adjusted between users. A retractable heel stop converts between up for reference and down to enhance movement of the user's foot. A convertible handle may be stowed in a down position parallel to a base or pivoted up over the treadle for protection and ease of movement of the foot pedal control. The foot pedal control may be wireless and have various other electronic controls, and may have a dual-control treadle. |
| US08749184B2 |
Control apparatus for electric motor
A control apparatus for an electric motor provided with a rotator having a permanent magnet and with a stator for generating a rotating magnetic field by an applied voltage and revolving the rotator includes: a rectangular wave inverter that applies a rectangular wave voltage onto the stator of the electric motor to drive the electric motor; a voltage converting section that raises or lowers an output voltage of a direct-current power supply and applies the voltage onto the rectangular wave inverter; an electrical angle acquiring section that acquires an electrical angle of the rotator of the electric motor; and an output voltage command generating section that generates a command for instructing the voltage converting section to output an electrical-angle synchronized voltage whose amplitude ripples in synchronization with a change of the electrical angle of the rotator acquired by the electrical angle acquiring section. In response to the command generated by the output voltage command generating section, the voltage converting section raises or lowers the output voltage of the direct-current power supply to a voltage indicated by the command and applies the voltage onto the rectangular wave inverter. This reduces a loss caused by a response delay of the electric motor. |
| US08749183B2 |
Determining a position of a motor using an on-chip component
An embodiment of a motor controller includes first and second supply nodes, a motor-coil node, an isolator, a motor driver, and a motor position signal generator. The isolator is coupled between the first and second supply nodes, and the motor driver is coupled to the second supply node and to the motor-coil node. The motor position signal generator is coupled to the isolator and is operable to generate, in response to the isolator, a motor-position signal that is related to a position of a motor having at least one coil coupled to the motor-coil node. By generating the motor-position signal in response to the isolator, the motor controller or another circuit may determine the at-rest or low-speed position of a motor without using an external coil-current-sense circuit. |
| US08749181B2 |
Bicycle regenerative brake control device
A bicycle regenerative brake control device is provided for controlling a motor, in relation to a brake mechanism that can be mounted on an electric bicycle in which human-powered driving is assisted by the motor. The bicycle regenerative brake control device basically includes a first control part, a second control part and a switch control part. The first control part controls the motor so as to generate a uniform first regenerative braking force. The second control part controls the motor so as to generate a gradually increasing second regenerative braking force upon determining the brake mechanism shifts from an initial state to a braking state. The switch control part switches to a control performed by the second control part in response to the brake mechanism shifting from the initial state to the braking state while control is being performed by the first control part. |
| US08749180B2 |
Method for controlling an electric cylinder and a control system for the electric cylinder
The present invention is aimed to realize a method and a system for controlling an electric cylinder by which the load detector that is attached to an electric cylinder and the rod of the cylinder can avoid being overloaded. An unexpected bump between the rod of the cylinder and the material to be pressed can cause that overload.A servo controller 17 determines whether the load for pressurizing Pm detected by the load detector 13 is larger than or equal to the load for detecting a bump Pc. If it is determined that the load for pressurizing Pm is larger than or equal to the load for detecting a bump Pc, the servo controller 17 determines whether the flag for stopping is ON. Also, the controller 17 determines whether the speed Sm of the rod 11 is greater than or equal to an allowable speed to bump Sc. If it is determined that the flag for stopping is ON or if it is determined that the speed Sm of the rod 11 is greater than or equal to an allowable speed to bump Sc, then the rod 11 is crash stopped by providing to a servo amplifier 16 a command pulse signal for positioning in the reverse direction and by decreasing the number of stored pulses in the amplifier 16. |
| US08749179B2 |
Optical characterization systems employing compact synchrotron radiation sources
A compact synchrotron radiation source includes an electron beam generator, an electron storage ring, one or more wiggler insertion devices disposed along one or more straight sections of the electron storage ring, the one or more wiggler insertion devices including a set of magnetic poles configured to generate a periodic alternating magnetic field suitable for producing synchrotron radiation emitted along the direction of travel of the electrons of the storage ring, wherein the one or more wiggler insertion devices are arranged to provide light to a set of illumination optics of a wafer optical characterization system or a mask optical characterization system, wherein the etendue of a light beam emitted by the one or more wiggler insertion devices is matched to the illumination optics of the at least one of a wafer optical characterization system and the mask optical characterization system. |
| US08749175B2 |
System and method for driving LED
A system and method for driving one or more LEDs by regulating their brightness by controlling the LEDs' average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal, and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a PI or PID controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. Current is provided through an inductor and a power switch during an on time of the power switch. The ampseconds of the inductor are measured at an off time and compared with a periodic ramp signal. A set reference signal is also compared with the periodic ramp signal. Based on the comparisons between the ramp signal, the measured ampseconds, and the reference signal, a control signal is generated to regulate the peak current through the power switch. |
| US08749174B2 |
Load current management circuit
A circuit includes a switching power converter and a load current management circuit. The switching power converter provides a first current that varies between a first current value and a second current value in response to a dimming control signal. The load current management circuit provides a second current that varies between the second current value and a third current value in response to the dimming control signal. The second current varies in accordance with the first current. For example, the second current increases as the first current decreases and the second current decreases as the first current increases. In one example, the second current value corresponds to a required minimum load current for the power converter to regulate an output voltage. |
| US08749171B2 |
Lighting apparatus and control method thereof
A lighting apparatus includes a lighting unit, a converting circuit, a sensing circuit, and a current control circuit. The lighting unit includes at least one light emitting diode and a switching device connected with each other in series. The converting circuit has an output end electrically connected to the lighting unit for driving it. The sensing circuit includes a sensing element capable of indirectly detecting the current flowing through the light emitting diode and outputting a feedback signal. The current control circuit receives a reference current, the feedback signal and a dimming command, and sends a dimming control signal to the lighting unit and a current control signal to the converting circuit, capable of controlling the amplitude of the current flowing through the light emitting diode. |
| US08749170B2 |
Device for controlling power supply towards light sources and related method
In various embodiments, a device for controlling power supply towards at least one light source comprising a load having a value variable as a result of switching of at least one switch coupled thereto, is provided. The device may include: a power supply set controllable to determine the intensity of the current fed towards said load; a current feedback loop sensitive to the intensity of the current fed towards said load, said current feedback loop connected to said power supply set to maintain the intensity of the current fed towards said load upon variation of said load; and a voltage control sensitive to the voltage across said load, said voltage control likewise connected to said power supply set to maintain the intensity of the current fed towards said load upon variation of said load. |
| US08749168B2 |
Illumination light communication device, and illumination apparatus and system including same
An illumination light communication device includes a light source unit including light emitting elements; a power supply unit controlling a load current flowing through the light source unit to be maintained at a constant; a switch element connected in series to the light source unit; and a control unit configured to control on/off of the switch element to modulate a light intensity of illumination light from the light source unit such that a binary communication signal is superimposed on the illumination light. The control unit has a switching circuit to open/close a path between the light source unit and the power supply unit, controls on/off of the switching circuit based on a dimming signal to perform a dimming control on the light source unit by a PWM control, and allows the communication signal to be superimposed on the illumination light in synchronization with an ON time of the switching circuit. |
| US08749166B2 |
Method and device for driving an OLED device
An OLED has a characteristic threshold voltage (V2) above which the OLED is to be considered ON. A method for driving an OLED (20) includes the steps of switching the OLED on and off. According to the invention, a method for driving an OLED (20) includes of avoiding driving the OLED within a voltage range between zero and a predetermined voltage level (Vx) higher than zero, wherein this predetermined voltage level (Vx) may be in the order of said characteristic threshold voltage (V2). As a result, damage to the OLED is prevented or reduced, resulting in increased reliability of the OLED in terms of life time expectancy. |
| US08749164B2 |
Illuminating apparatus capable of detecting power supply and method using the same
An illuminating apparatus is disclosed. The illuminating apparatus includes a detecting unit, an illuminating unit, and a control unit. The illuminating unit includes multiple illuminating sets and a switching unit for adjusting a connection relationship among the illuminating sets. The detecting unit is for detecting an inputted power supply received by the illuminating unit while the control unit is coupled to the detecting unit and the switching unit. The control unit based on a detected inputted power supply controls the switching unit according to a predetermined setting parameter, so as to ensure a conducting voltage of the illuminating unit to vary according to a variation in the inputted power supply. |
| US08749159B2 |
Illumination systems
An illumination system includes a master power supply providing power to several illumination modules. The master power supply is constructed and arranged to generate high-frequency and low-voltage electrical power provided to a primary wire forming a current loop. Each illumination module includes an electromagnetic coupling element and several light sources. The electromagnetic coupling element includes a magnetic core arranged to receive the current loop in a removable arrangement, and a secondary wire wound around the magnetic core to enable inductive coupling. The secondary wire is connected to provide current to the light sources that may be arranged in the illumination module as a DC load or an AC load. |
| US08749158B2 |
Driving a lighting device
Driving a lighting device by a driving circuit for providing driving power for driving a lighting device, and by a decoupling unit for electrically decoupling the driving circuit from a lighting circuit. The driving power is transferred at least partially from the driving circuit to the lighting circuit, and the lighting device is arranged within the lighting circuit such that its anode is at ground potential of the driving circuit. |
| US08749152B2 |
Switching power supply and luminaire
A switching power supply includes a first switching element, a rectifying element, a first inductor and a second inductor. The first switching element supplies a power supply voltage to the first inductor and al lows a current to flow when the first switching element is on. The rectifying element is connected in series to the first switching element, and allows a current of the first inductor to flow when the first switching element is turned off. The second inductor is electromagnetically coupled to the first inductor, a potential to turn on the first switching element is induced when the current of the first inductor increases, and a potential to turn off the first switching element is induced when the current of the first inductor decreases. The induced potential is supplied to a control terminal of the first switching element. The rectifying element includes a diode and a second switching element. |
| US08749151B2 |
System for and method of providing high resolution images using monolithic arrays of light emitting diodes
Methods and apparatus are provided to fabricate massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, assemble a plurality of such massive monolithic arrays of individually addressable light emitting diodes, control each individual light emitting diode, and to assemble the same in manner to achieve the accuracy and stability for a massive number of individually controlled light emitting diodes that can then be focused using projection optics on to a photoreceptive surface. In addition methods and apparatus are provided to move the imaging system thus described relative to the photoreceptive surface in two axes orthogonal to each other thus exposing the photoreceptive surface. |
| US08749150B2 |
Circuit and method for driving light sources and lighting system
A circuit for driving a plurality of light sources via a current generator, wherein the light sources are grouped into a plurality of light source sets wherein the driver circuit comprises a plurality of inductive elements, a plurality of switches adapted to selectively connect each light source set in series with one of the inductive elements, and a control circuit configured for driving the switches, so that during a first operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective first inductive element, and during a second operation time interval, each light source set is connected in series with a respective second inductive element, wherein the respective second inductive element is separate from the respective first inductive element. |
| US08749149B2 |
Lighting device and illumination apparatus using the same
A lighting device includes: a lighting unit for supplying a lighting power to a light source unit; and a controller, for controlling the lighting unit. The lighting unit has an inductor and a switching element, and a diode for flowing a flyback current of the inductor to the light source unit during an OFF period of the switching element, and the controller has a unit for intermittently driving an ON/OFF operation of the switching element by a PWM signal and a unit for driving the switching element by a frequency higher than that of the PWM signal during an ON period of the PWM signal, and when the PWM signal falls, the controller reduces a peak value of a load current flowing through the light source unit during a certain period. |
| US08749148B2 |
Light emitting diode driving integrated circuit and method for driving a series of light emitting diodes
A driving integrated circuit of light emitting diodes is used for driving a plurality of series of light emitting diodes. The driving integrated circuit includes a current setting pin, a regulator circuit, and an adjuster. The driving integrated circuit sets a target current for a current flowing through the plurality of series of light emitting diodes according to an outflowing current of the current setting pin. The adjuster adjusts a target voltage according to the outflowing current. Then the regulator circuit provides a supply voltage for driving the plurality of series of light emitting diodes, so as to regulate a terminal voltage of the plurality of series of light emitting diodes to the target voltage. |
| US08749144B2 |
Method for driving a light source, driving apparatus for driving the light source and liquid crystal display apparatus having the driving apparatus
According to one or more embodiments, an inverter provides a light source with an input voltage. A protection circuit shuts down the inverter based on an overvoltage protection level that is detected based on the input voltage. A protection circuit control part shuts down the operation of the protection circuit during a predetermined interval. Abnormal operation of the protection circuit caused by a high voltage provided when the light source is turned on may be prevented. Therefore, a turn-on defect of the light source may be prevented. |
| US08749142B2 |
Exterior vehicle lights
A lighting system for exterior lights of an automobile comprises a first lighting unit (10,12,14,16) primarily for outputting a first automotive light signal and a failure detection system (26) for detecting a failure of the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16). A second lighting unit is primarily for outputting a second automotive light signal. The second lighting unit comprises an LED light unit. A controller (30) is adapted to determine if there is failure of the first lighting unit, and if there is failure of the first lighting unit, to use the second lighting unit to generate the first automotive light signal. This is in response to an output request from the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16). |
| US08749140B2 |
Light emitting apparatus
A light emitting apparatus receives an external power. A switching unit is electrically connected with a light emitting unit to form a serial circuit. A first electrical connection element is electrically connected with the external power and the light emitting unit. A second electrical connection element is electrically connected with the external power and the switching unit. A sensing unit is electrically connected with the first electrical connection element, the second electrical connection element and the switching unit. When filament currents flow between two electrical input terminals of the first electrical connection element and between two electrical input terminals of the second electrical connection element, the sensing unit controls the switching unit to turn on to enable the light emitting unit to receive the external power and start to emit light. Thus, users can avoid the risk of electric shock when installing the light emitting apparatus. |
| US08749134B2 |
Light emitting device with a layer sequence having electrode surfaces and partial regions
A radiation emitting device includes a substrate and a layer sequence disposed on top of the substrate. The layer sequence includes a first electrode surface with a first contact for applying a voltage, at least one functional layer that emits radiation during operation, and a second electrode surface. In the layer sequence, a plurality of partial regions is present that is modified in such a way that the emission of radiation visible to an external observer therefrom is interrupted. The distribution density of these partial regions can vary depending on their distance from the contact. |
| US08749130B2 |
Nanocrystal doped matrixes
The present invention provides matrixes doped with semiconductor nanocrystals. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor nanocrystals have a size and composition such that they absorb or emit light at particular wavelengths. The nanocrystals can comprise ligands that allow for mixing with various matrix materials, including polymers, such that a minimal portion of light is scattered by the matrixes. The matrixes of the present invention can also be utilized in refractive index matching applications. In other embodiments, semiconductor nanocrystals are embedded within matrixes to form a nanocrystal density gradient, thereby creating an effective refractive index gradient. The matrixes of the present invention can also be used as filters and antireflective coatings on optical devices and as down-converting layers. The present invention also provides processes for producing matrixes comprising semiconductor nanocrystals. |
| US08749128B2 |
Fluorescent member and light emitting module
In a plate-shaped fluorescent member configured to convert the wavelength of the light emitted by a semiconductor light emitting element, the fluorescent member is formed of an inorganic material having a refractive index of 1.5 or more and a light transmittance at the emission peak wavelength of the semiconductor light emitting element of less than 20%. A concave portion is formed, of the surfaces of the fluorescent member, on the surface on the side where the light in the semiconductor light emitting element is mainly emitted. In the fluorescent member, the light transmittance of the light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm may be less than 20%. The concave portion may be a groove. The concave portion may be a plurality of holes that are scattered. |
| US08749127B2 |
System and manufacturing a cathodoluminescent lighting device
A device for lighting a room is described. The device has an envelope with a transparent face, the face having an interior surface coated with a cathodoluminescent screen and a thin, reflective, conductive, anode layer. There is a broad-beam electron gun mounted directly to feedthroughs in a base of the envelope with a heated, button-on-hairpin, cathode for emitting electrons in a broad beam towards the anode, and a power supply mounted on the feedthroughs at the base of the envelope that drives the cathode to a multi-kilovolt negative voltage. A two-prong snubber serves as an anode contact to permit the power supply to drive the anode to a voltage near ground. A method of manufacture of the anode uses a single step deposition and lacquering process followed by a metallization using a conical-spiral tungsten filament coated with aluminum by a thermal spray coating process. |
| US08749124B2 |
Quartz crystal unit, quartz crystal oscillator and electronic apparatus
A quartz crystal unit comprises a quartz crystal resonator having an overall length less than 2.1 mm, a base portion, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion. At least one groove is formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms so that a width of the at least one groove formed in the at least one of the opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms is less than a spaced-apart distance between the first and second vibrational arms. The quartz crystal resonator is housed in a case, and a lid being connected to the case to cover an open end of the case. |
| US08749123B2 |
Piezoelectric device
A piezoelectric device has a plate-shaped substrate, a first frame defining a first concave portion at one surface of the substrate, a second frame defining a second concave portion at the other surface of the substrate, a first electrode member provided at one surface of the substrate, a second electrode member provided at the other surface of the substrate, a piezoelectric unit in which a first electrode section of the piezoelectric vibration plate is fixed to the first electrode member by a conductive binder, a cover sealing the first concave portion, and a temperature detection unit in which a second electrode section of the thermistor element is fixed to the second electrode member by a conductive joining material. |
| US08749121B2 |
Piezoelectric power generating device and manufacturing method thereof
A piezoelectric power generating device is provided which is capable of extracting a large amount of power without an increase in device size, even when applied with vibration of low frequency or weak external force, and which is easy to manufacture.The piezoelectric power generating device includes a piezoelectric power generating plate including a piezoelectric plate having a polarized regions that are different in polarization direction, and a support member attached to the piezoelectric power generating plate. Further, the piezoelectric power generating plate includes a fixed portion fixed to the support member, a free end displaced relative to the fixed portion when an external forced, such as a vibration forced, is applied, and a cutout located between the fixed portion and the free end. |
| US08749118B2 |
Vibrating actuator assembly
A vibrating actuator assembly includes a diaphragm, at least one vibrator at the diaphragm and that vibrates when an electric signal is applied thereto, a vibration shaft having one end connected to the diaphragm, a rotor on an outer side of the vibration shaft to contact an outer surface of the vibration shaft and that moves by vibration of the vibration shaft, and an elastic presser at another end of the vibration shaft and that elastically presses the rotor toward the diaphragm. |
| US08749116B2 |
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. |
| US08749115B2 |
Dynamically adjustable orthotic device
An orthotic device comprises a flexible support structure comprising at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user, a plurality of pressure sensors configured for coupling to a microcontroller, and a plurality of displacement regions. Each region defines a portion of said flexible support structure, wherein each portion includes at least one sensor disposed on or below the at least one surface and at least one electrically deformable unit. Each unit comprises at least one electroactive material and is configured for coupling to the microcontroller and to a power source. The device is dynamically adjustable to change its shape and support properties, when an electrical voltage is applied to the electroactive material under the control of a microcontroller. |
| US08749114B2 |
Acoustic wave device
An acoustic wave device includes, a substrate, an acoustic wave device chip that has a vibration part exciting an acoustic wave and is mounted on a surface of the substrate so that the vibration part is exposed to a space formed between the substrate and the acoustic wave device chip, and a joining part that is provided so as to surround the vibration part and joins the substrate and the acoustic wave device chip together. The joining part includes a first member made of solder, and a second member that is stacked on the first member and is made of a substance having a melting point higher than the solder. The second member has a thickness larger than a coplanarity of the surface of the substrate. |
| US08749113B2 |
Electrostatic actuator including a plurality of urging units with varying rigities
According to one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator includes an electrode unit, a conductive film body unit, a plurality of first urging units, and a plurality of second urging units. The electrode unit is provided on a substrate. The conductive film body unit is provided opposing the electrode unit. The plurality of first urging units are provided at a first circumferential edge portion of the conductive film body unit to support the film body unit. The plurality of second urging units are provided at a second circumferential edge portion opposing the first circumferential edge portion to support the film body unit. The electrode unit and the conductive film body unit contact or separate by the electrode unit being set to a voltage having a prescribed value. The plurality of first urging units have mutually different rigidities, and the plurality of second urging units have mutually different rigidities. |
| US08749112B2 |
Method for balancing the movement of mobile masses in a bi-linear electrodynamic motor
The motion of the magnetized movable masses of a bilinear electrodynamic motor comprising two movable masses moving in opposite senses parallel to the axis (x-x) of the motor is balanced. At least one first magnetic sensor and at least one second magnetic sensor are provided which are able to deliver respectively a first electrical signal (s1(t)) and a second electrical signal (s2(t)) respectively representative of the motion of a first and of a second movable mass. An error signal (Δs(t)) equal to the difference between the said first (s1(t)) and second (s2(t)) electrical signals is recorded. A harmonic analysis of the error signal performed. A sinusoidal excitation signal (e1(t)) at a given frequency f0 is applied to the first movable mass. N successive excitation signals (e2n(t)) are iteratively applied to the second movable mass, an excitation signal of rank n (0≦n≦N−1) being equal to a Fourier series of order n of fundamental frequency f0, the term of order n of the said series being adjusted in amplitude and in phase so as to minimize the component at the frequency n·f0 of the error signal. The excitation signal (e2N−1(t)) of rank N−1 is taken as excitation signal for the second movable mass. |
| US08749109B2 |
Rotor disk with spoke openings
A rotor disk for a rotor of a synchronous reluctance machine consists of a disk body material with high magnetic permeability. In order to improve the ability of the rotor disk to stand centrifugal and thermal loads, spokes extending in radial direction between a shaft opening and a disk periphery are provided with spoke openings. These openings extend over a wide distance both in circumferential direction and in radial direction to worsen the heat conducting properties of the spokes and to render the spokes less stiff. |
| US08749106B2 |
Electric motor
An electric motor has a stator and a rotor magnetically coupled to the stator. The rotor has a shaft, a rotor core fixed to the shaft and having a plurality of teeth, a commutator fixed to the shaft adjacent the rotor core and having a plurality of segments, and rotor winding units wound about the teeth and connected to the segments. Brushes arranged in sliding electrical contact with the commutator transfer power to the rotor. Each of the rotor winding units has at least two subcoils directly connected in series to each other and separated from each other by at least one tooth. An initial subcoil and a final subcoil of each rotor winding unit are respectively directly connected to two adjacent segments. |
| US08749101B2 |
Contact SH-guided-wave magnetostrictive transducer
A contact shear horizontal (SH) mode guided-wave magnetostrictive transducer including: a transduction band which is disposed on a surface of an object to be tested and in which electromagnetic acoustic transduction occurs; and radio frequency (RF) coils disposed on the transduction band, wherein the transduction band includes a plate-shaped solenoid including a magnetostrictive strip in which the electromagnetic acoustic transduction for transmitting or receiving SH mode guided waves occurs, and solenoid coil wound in a spiral form along a circumference of the magnetostrictive strip so as to form a bias magnetic field in a lengthwise direction of the magnetostrictive strip, and the RF coils are used to form a dynamic magnetic field in a widthwise direction of the magnetostrictive strip or to detect a change of magnetic flux in the magnetostrictive strip. |
| US08749098B2 |
Method and apparatus for removal of harmonic noise
An apparatus for removing harmonic noise from a power transmission line transmitting electricity at a primary frequency includes a filter and a controller coupled to the sensor and to an actuator-generator. The filter separates electricity at a harmonic of a primary frequency from the electrical signal transmitted by the power transmission line. The controller is configured to modulate consumption of electricity from the power transmission line. The consumption is controlled by electrical actuation of the actuator-generator, such that the electrical actuation of the actuator-generator causes consumption of electricity from the power transmission line at a harmonic of the primary frequency. The actuator-generator is coupled to an elastically deformable component, such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. |
| US08749096B2 |
Antistatic switch and electronic device with antistatic switch
An antistatic switch connected between a micro control unit and a power supply of an electronic device includes six terminals. A first terminal is left vacant and a third terminal is connected to the power supply. A second terminal is public access terminal connected to the micro control unit and selectively connected to the first terminal or the second terminal. The fourth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal are all grounded to remove the static electricity flowing to the electronic device. |
| US08749095B2 |
Uninterruptible power supply system and power management method thereof suitable for audio visual apparatus
An uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) and a power management method thereof suitable for an audio visual apparatus are provided. The uninterruptible power supply system includes a power management unit, a wireless transceiver module and a current detecting unit, wherein the current detecting unit is coupled to an output of the power management unit to detect a load current output from the UPS system. The UPS is capable of receiving and learning a wireless command code in an infrared ray (IR) remote control signal. When the UPS system detects a multimedia system connected thereto is turned on and the UPS system is in a lower power state, the UPS system sends command code to turn off the multimedia system to avoid the damage of the multimedia system during power failure. |
| US08749091B2 |
Battery emulator and methods of use
A dynamic battery emulator for replacing and mimicking the characteristics of a battery in a portable electronic device when the device is located in or on a vehicle can include a power control module capable of varying its output voltage to adapt to the voltage requirements of an attached portable electronic device; an input for conveying electrical power from the vehicle's electrical system to the power control module; an output for providing electrical power to the portable electronic device; an output for communicating a control signal from the power adaptor to the portable electronic device to selectively turn on and off the portable electronic device; a battery replacement module configured to replace the battery in a portable electronic device and including battery replacement circuitry for transferring electrical power from the power control module to the portable electronic device via the output for providing electrical power; an ignition sense controller for determining the power state of the vehicle's electrical system; and in communication with the ignition sense controller, at least one timer and switch for reducing the conveyance of electrical power from the vehicle's electrical system to the portable electronic device at a predetermined time after the vehicle's ignition or electrical system is turned off. |
| US08749085B2 |
Gas turbine control device and generating system
Provided is a gas turbine control device that is used in a generating facility including a gas turbine and a generator for generating power when at least rotational power of the gas turbine is transmitted, the gas turbine control device including a first control section for obtaining a first fuel control command for causing generator output to follow a generator output set value decided based on a demand load, where the first control section has a feedback control section (60), and the feedback control section (60) includes a subtraction section (62) for calculating a deviation of the generator output with respect to the generator output set value, a PI control section (64) provided in a later stage of control than the subtraction section (62), and a peak suppression section (66) for suppressing a peak in amplitude characteristics of the generator or a utility grid including the generator. |
| US08749082B2 |
Monitoring device for pitch systems of wind energy systems
A wind energy installation, monitoring device, and method. An exemplary wind energy installation includes a rotor including at least one blade and a generator configured to be driven by the rotor to produce electrical energy. The installation also includes a pitch device configured to vary the at least one blade of the rotor. The pitch device includes a power supply unit with a battery, an actuating drive, a monitoring unit, and a load module configured to switch the actuating drive between an operating mode and a test mode. In the test mode, the actuating drive forms a preselectable defined load for the battery. Accordingly, a high and reproducible load not dependent upon environmental conditions may be applied to conduct a stress test, even during ongoing operation. |
| US08749081B2 |
Moving fluid energy conversion device
Moving fluid energy conversion device (90) converts mechanical energy contained in moving fluid (16) to electrical energy. Moving fluid energy conversion device (90) comprises one or more transducers (10), a charge exchange means (600), a charge element (62) and a recovery element (65). Transducer (10) is comprised of one or polymer spacers (502) sandwiched between one or more top electrodes (504) and bottom electrode (506) pairs. Moving fluid energy conversion device (90) produces electrical energy by transferring electric charge from charge element (62), through charge exchange means (600) to transducer (10) in stretched state (6). Transducer (10) is then allowed to return to relaxed state (8). The charge in transducer (10) increases in energy when the transducer (10) returns to relaxed state (8). The increased energy electric charge flows to recovery element (65) through charge exchange means (600). |
| US08749080B2 |
Electric operating system for operating at least one electric equipment for a work machine and work machine comprising an electric operating system
An electric operating system for operating at least one electric equipment article for a work machine is provided. This electric operating system includes a flywheel generator for generating electric power needed for the operation of the at least one electric equipment article. Further, the system includes a power electronic device connected to the output of the flywheel generator for adapting a voltage level provided by the flywheel generator to a voltage level required for the operation of the at least one electric equipment article. Finally, the system includes a connector device adapted for to be connectable to the power electronic device and the at least one electric equipment article when the at least one electric equipment article is attached to, or arranged at, the work machine for providing the at least one electric equipment article with electric power at the adapted voltage level. |
| US08749078B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a stacked body in which a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers are alternately stacked. The semiconductor device includes a mark and a supporting unit. The mark is opened onto a surface of the stacked body. The supporting unit is provided around the mark. The supporting unit extends in a stacked direction of the stacked body. The supporting unit is in contact with at least a plurality of conductive layers. |
| US08749075B2 |
Integrated circuits and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes: a chip and encapsulation material covering at least three sides of the chip, the encapsulation material being formed from adhesive material. The integrated circuit includes a carrier adhered to the chip by means of the encapsulation material. |
| US08749070B1 |
Dielectric solder barrier for semiconductor devices
The present disclosure relates to a dielectric solder barrier for a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die includes a substrate, a semiconductor body on a first surface of the substrate, one or more first metallization layers on the semiconductor body opposite the substrate, a via that extends from a second surface of the substrate through the substrate and the semiconductor body to the one or more first metallization layers, and a second metallization layer on the second surface of the substrate and within the via. A portion of the second metallization layer within the via provides an electrical connection between the second metallization layer and the one or more first metallization layers. The semiconductor die further includes a dielectric solder barrier on the second metallization layer. Preferably, the dielectric solder barrier is on a surface of the portion of the second metallization layer within the via. |
| US08749068B2 |
Mounting method and mounting device
A mounting method of sequentially mounting elements on a substrate includes a mounting process of mounting one element, which is taken out by a take-out part from an accommodating part in which the elements are accommodated, on a first contact region of the surface of the substrate where a liquid is coated. The method further includes a coating process of coating a liquid, by a coating part movably provided together with the take-out part, on a contact region of the surface of the substrate different from the first contact region when the one element is mounted on the first region. |
| US08749066B2 |
Semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include semiconductor processing methods in which a copper barrier is formed to be laterally offset from a copper component, and in which nickel is formed to extend across both the barrier and the component. The barrier may extend around an entire lateral periphery of the component, and may be spaced from the component by an intervening ring of electrically insulative material. The copper component may be a bond pad or an interconnect between two levels of metal layers. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions in which nickel extends across a copper component, a copper barrier is laterally offset from the copper component, and an insulative material is between the copper barrier and the copper component. |
| US08749063B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object of the prevent invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a conductive film, which sufficiently serves as an antenna, and a method for manufacturing thereof. The semiconductor device has an element formation layer including a transistor, which is provided over a substrate, an insulating film provided on the element formation layer, and a conductive film serving as an antenna, which is provided on the insulating film. The insulating film has a groove. The conductive film is provided along the surface of the insulating film and the groove. The groove of the insulating film may be provided to pass through the insulating film. Alternatively, a concave portion may be provided in the insulating film so as not to pass through the insulating film. A structure of the groove is not particularly limited, and for example, the groove can be provided to have a tapered shape, etc. |
| US08749057B2 |
Methods of forming structures with a focused ion beam for use in atomic force probing and structures for use in atomic force probing
Methods for forming structures to use in atomic force probing of a conductive feature embedded in a dielectric layer and structures for use in atomic force probing. An insulator layer is formed on the dielectric layer such that the conductive feature is covered. A contact hole penetrates from a top surface of the insulator layer through the insulator layer to the conductive feature. The contact hole is at least partially filled with a conductive stud that is in electrical contact with the conductive feature and exposed at the top surface of the insulator layer so as to define a structure. A probe tip of an atomic force probe tool is landed on a portion of the structure and used to electrically characterize a device structure connected with the conductive feature. |
| US08749055B2 |
Semiconductor device with resin mold
An electronic device includes: a substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is opposite to the second surface; a first electronic element mounted on the first surface of the substrate; a second electronic element mounted on the second surface of the substrate; and a resin mold sealing the first electronic element and the first surface of the substrate. The resin mold further seals the second electronic element on the second surface of the substrate. The second surface of the substrate has a portion, which is exposed from the resin mold. The second electronic element is not disposed on the portion of the second surface. |
| US08749054B2 |
Semiconductor carrier with vertical power FET module
A monolithic power switch provides a semiconductor layer, a three dimensional FET formed in the semiconductor layer to modulate currents through the semiconductor layer, and a toroidal inductor with a ceramic magnetic core formed on the semiconductor layer around the FET and having a first winding connected to the FET. |
| US08749053B2 |
Plasma grid implant system for use in solar cell fabrications
A method of ion implantation comprising: providing a plasma within a plasma region of a chamber; positively biasing a first grid plate, wherein the first grid plate comprises a plurality of apertures; negatively biasing a second grid plate, wherein the second grid plate comprises a plurality of apertures; flowing ions from the plasma in the plasma region through the apertures in the positively-biased first grid plate; flowing at least a portion of the ions that flowed through the apertures in the positively-biased first grid plate through the apertures in the negatively-biased second grid plate; and implanting a substrate with at least a portion of the ions that flowed through the apertures in the negatively-biased second grid plate. |
| US08749046B2 |
Wiring substrate and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a wiring substrate. The wiring substrate includes: an insulating layer; first electrode pads having first exposed surfaces, the first exposed surfaces being exposed from the insulating layer; and second electrode pads having second exposed surfaces, the second exposed surfaces being exposed from the insulating layer. There is a level difference between the first exposed surfaces and the second exposed surfaces. |
| US08749044B2 |
Semiconductor memory modules and methods of fabricating the same
The inventive concept provides semiconductor memory modules and methods of fabricating the same. The semiconductor memory module may include a module board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and memory chips mounted directly on the module board by a flip-chip bonding method. Each of the memory chips may include a passivation layer disposed on a rear surface of each of the memory chips, and the passivation layer may have a color different from a natural color of single-crystalline silicon. |
| US08749043B2 |
Package on package structure
A package on packaging structure comprising a first package and a second package provides for improved thermal conduction and mechanical strength by the introduction of a thermally conductive substrate attached to the second package. The first package has a first substrate and a first integrated circuit. The second package has a second substrate containing through vias that has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second package also has a second integrated circuit having a second coefficient of thermal expansion located on the second substrate. The second coefficient of thermal expansion deviates from the first coefficient of thermal expansion by less than about 10 or less than about 5 parts-per-million per degree Celsius. A first set of conductive elements couples the first substrate and the second substrate. A second set of conductive elements couples the second substrate and the second integrated circuit. |
| US08749038B2 |
Substrate module having an embedded phase-locked loop, integerated system using the same, and fabricating method thereof
A substrate module having an embedded phase-locked loop is cooperated with at least one function unit mounted thereon for forming an integrated system. The substrate module includes a base, a multi-layer structure, a built-in circuit unit, and an external circuit unit. The built-in circuit unit is integrated inside the multi-layer structure and the multi-layer structure is formed in the base. The external circuit unit is mounted on the upper surface of the base and is electrically coupled to the built-in circuit unit for jointly forming a phase-locked loop, so as to cooperate with the function unit. |
| US08749029B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
The method includes providing a semiconductor chip having a first main face and a second main face opposite the first main face. The semiconductor chip includes an electrical device adjacent to the first main face. Material of the semiconductor chip is removed at the second main face except for a pre-defined portion so that a non-planar surface remains at the second main face. |
| US08749010B2 |
Infrared imaging device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate, a detecting section, an interconnection, a contact plug and a support beam. The detecting section is provided above the substrate and includes an infrared absorbing section and a thermoelectric converting section. The interconnection is provided on an interconnection region of the substrate and is configured to read the electrical signal. The contact plug is extends from the interconnection toward a connecting layer provided in the interconnection region. The contact plug is electrically connected to the interconnection and the connecting layer. The support beam includes a support beam interconnection and supports the detecting section above the substrate. The support beam interconnection transmits the electrical signal from the thermoelectric converting section to the interconnection. |
| US08749005B1 |
Magnetic field sensor and method of fabricating a magnetic field sensor having a plurality of vertical hall elements arranged in at least a portion of a polygonal shape
A magnetic field sensor has a plurality of vertical Hall elements arranged in at least a portion of a polygonal shape. The magnetic field sensor includes an electronic circuit to process signals generated by the plurality of vertical Hall elements to identify a direction of a magnetic field. A corresponding method of fabricating the magnetic field sensor is also described. |
| US08749001B2 |
Electronic component, electronic device, and method of manufacturing the electronic component
An electronic component includes: a semiconductor element including a circuit; a vibration element; a first electrode arranged on a first surface of the semiconductor element and connected to the circuit and the vibration element arranged on the first surface side; a second electrode arranged on the first surface; a first wiring board including a first wire connected to the second electrode; and a second wiring board including a second wire to which the first wire is connected. At least a part of an inner side region of an outer contour of the vibration element is arranged to overlap the second electrode in plan view facing the first surface. |
| US08748992B2 |
MOS transistors including SiON gate dielectric with enhanced nitrogen concentration at its sidewalls
A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) having at least one MOS device includes forming a SiON gate dielectric layer on a silicon surface. A gate electrode layer is deposited on the SiON gate layer and then patterning forms a gate stack. Exposed gate dielectric sidewalls are revealed by the patterning. A supplemental silicon oxide layer is formed on the exposed SiON sidewalls followed by nitriding. After nitriding, a post nitridation annealing (PNA) forms an annealed N-enhanced SiON gate dielectric layer including N-enhanced SiON sidewalls, wherein along lines of constant thickness a N concentration at the N-enhanced SiON sidewalls is ≧ the N concentration in a bulk of the annealed N-enhanced SiON gate layer −2 atomic %. A source and drain region on opposing sides of the gate stack are formed to define a channel region under the gate stack. |
| US08748987B2 |
Semiconductor device
A standard cell has gate patterns extending in Y direction and arranged at an equal pitch in X direction. End portions of the gate patterns are located at the same position in Y direction, and have an equal width in X direction. A diode cell is located next to the standard cell in Y direction, and includes a plurality of opposite end portions formed of gate patterns that are opposed to the end portions, in addition to a diffusion layer which functions as a diode. |
| US08748984B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. A fin of the semiconductor device including a fin-shaped channel region is configured in the form of a non-uniform structure, and a leakage current caused by the electric field effect generated in the semiconductor device is prevented from being generated, resulting in an increased operation stability of the semiconductor device. |
| US08748981B2 |
Semiconductor device and related fabrication methods
Semiconductor device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary semiconductor device structure includes a first vertical drift region of semiconductor material, a second vertical drift region of semiconductor material, and a buried lateral drift region of semiconductor material that abuts the vertical drift regions. In one or more embodiments, the vertical drift regions and buried lateral drift region have the same conductivity type, wherein a body region of the opposite conductivity type overlies the buried lateral drift region between the vertical drift regions. |
| US08748979B2 |
Trench lateral MOSFET having a multi-plane gate structure
Disclosed is a semiconductor device whose breakdown voltage is made high by controlling local concentration of an electric field. A source region faces a second plane, one of side faces of a groove part, and a part thereof extends in a direction in parallel to a nodal line of first and second planes. A drift region faces a third plane being the other side face of the groove part opposite to the second plane with a part thereof extending in a direction parallel to the nodal line of the first plane and the third plane, and is formed at a lower concentration than the source region. The drain region is provided so as to be placed on the other side of the drift region opposite to the groove part and so as to touch the drift region, and is formed at a higher concentration than the drift region. |
| US08748977B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a semiconductor layer 2 of a wide band gap semiconductor arranged on a principal surface of a substrate 1; a trench 5 arranged in the semiconductor layer and including a bottom surface, a plurality of main side surfaces, and a plurality of corner side surfaces each connecting together two adjacent main side surfaces; a gate insulating film 6 arranged on the bottom surface, the main side surfaces and the corner side surfaces of the trench 5; and a gate electrode 8 arranged in the trench, wherein the semiconductor layer includes a drift region 2d of a first conductivity type, and a body region 3 of a second conductivity type arranged on the drift region; the trench runs through the body region 3 and has the bottom surface inside the drift region; the corner side surfaces of the trench do not have a depressed portion; the gate insulating film 6 is thicker on the corner side surfaces of the trench than on the main side surfaces of the trench; and a portion of the gate insulating film 6 that is located on the corner side surfaces is a first insulating layer 6b, and a portion of the gate insulating film 6 that is located on the main side surfaces is a second insulating layer 6a. |
| US08748976B1 |
Dual RESURF trench field plate in vertical MOSFET
A semiconductor device contains a vertical MOS transistor with instances of a vertical RESURF trench on opposite sides of a vertical drift region. The vertical RESURF trench contains a dielectric trench liner on sidewalls, and a lower field plate and an upper field plate above the lower field plate. The dielectric trench liner between the lower field plate and the vertical drift region is thicker than between the upper field plate and the vertical drift region. A gate is disposed over the vertical drift region and is separate from the upper field plate. The upper field plate and the lower field plate are electrically coupled to a source electrode of the vertical MOS transistor. |
| US08748975B2 |
Switching element and manufacturing method thereof
A switching element is provided having a semiconductor substrate. A trench gate electrode is formed in the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. An n-type first semiconductor region, a p-type second semiconductor region, and an n-type third semiconductor region are formed in a region in contact with a gate insulating film in the semiconductor substrate. At a position below the second semiconductor region, there is formed a p-type fourth semiconductor region connected to the second semiconductor region and opposing the gate insulating film via the third semiconductor region and containing boron. A high-concentration-carbon containing region having a carbon concentration higher than that of a semiconductor region exposed on the lower surface of the semiconductor substrate is formed in at least a part of the portion of the third semiconductor region, positioned between the fourth semiconductor region and the gate insulating film, that is in contact with the fourth semiconductor region. |
| US08748972B2 |
Flash memory devices and methods for fabricating same
Flash memory devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating a memory device comprises the steps of fabricating a first gate stack and a second gate stack overlying a substrate. A trench is etched into the substrate between the first gate stack and the second gate stack and a first impurity doped region is formed within the substrate underlying the trench. The trench is filled at least partially with a conductive material. |
| US08748970B1 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having reduced contact region area achieved at least in part by forming pad portions of the word lines using an asymmetric stair shape separately formed in first and second pad structures. Contact region area is reduced when compared with manufacturing processes known in the art. This leads to an increase in device integrity and a less complex manufacturing process. |
| US08748969B2 |
Non-volatile memory device including dummy electrodes and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a non-volatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor pillars on the substrate. A plurality of control gate electrodes may be stacked on the substrate and intersecting the plurality of semiconductor pillars. A plurality of dummy electrodes may be stacked adjacent to the plurality of control gate electrodes on the substrate, the plurality of dummy electrodes being spaced apart from the plurality of control gate electrodes. A plurality of via plugs may be connected to the plurality of control gate electrodes. A plurality of wordlines may be on the plurality of via plugs. Each of the plurality of via plugs may penetrate a corresponding one of the plurality of control gate electrodes and at least one of the plurality of dummy electrodes. |
| US08748967B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
An aspect of the present embodiment, there is provided a semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate, a first insulator above the semiconductor substrate, the first insulator containing tungsten, germanium and silicon, a charge storage film on the first insulator, a second insulator on the charge storage film and, a control gate electrode on the second insulator. |
| US08748965B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell transistor obtained by sequentially stacking the gate insulation film, the floating gate electrode, the interelectrode insulation film, and the control gate electrode over the channel semiconductor layer. The control gate electrode has a structure obtained by sequentially stacking the semiconductor film, the silicide phase-change suppressing layer, and the silicide film. In addition, the silicide phase-change suppressing layer includes a polycrystalline silicon film in which at least one of C, F, and N is doped in a concentration range of 1×1020 to 5×1021 [atom/cm3]. |
| US08748964B2 |
Gettering agents in memory charge storage structures
Memory cells including a charge storage structure having a gettering agent therein can be useful for non-volatile memory devices. Providing for gettering of oxygen from a charge-storage material of the charge storage structure can facilitate a mitigation of detrimental oxidation of the charge-storage material. |
| US08748960B2 |
Multi-layer integrated circuit package
A multi-layer integrated circuit package includes a switched-mode power supply circuit including a plurality of transistors which form part of a main current loop of the switched-mode power supply circuit. The plurality of transistors are arranged in one or more layers of the integrated circuit package. The package further includes a conductive plate arranged in a different layer of the integrated circuit package than the plurality of transistors. The conductive plate is in close enough proximity to at least part of the main current loop so that a current can be electromagnetically induced in the conductive plate responsive to a change in current in the main current loop. |
| US08748959B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in an array of rows and columns. Each memory cell may include a first region connected to a source line extending in a first orientation. Each memory cell may also include a second region connected to a bit line extending a second orientation. Each memory cell may further include a body region spaced apart from and capacitively coupled to a word line, wherein the body region is electrically floating and disposed between the first region and the second region. The semiconductor device may also include a first barrier wall extending in the first orientation and a second barrier wall extending in the second orientation and intersecting with the first barrier wall to form a trench region configured to accommodate each of the plurality of memory cells. |
| US08748958B1 |
Phase-change random access memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A phase-change random access memory device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a heating electrode, forming an interlayer insulating layer including a preliminary phase-change region on the semiconductor substrate, reducing a diameter of an inlet portion of the preliminary phase-change region to be smaller than that of a bottom portion of the preliminary phase-change region, filling an insulating layer having a void in the preliminary phase-change region using a difference between the diameter of the inlet portion and the diameter of the bottom portion, removing the insulating layer to an interface between the inlet portion and the bottom portion, thereby forming a key hole exposing the heating electrode, and forming a phase-change material layer to be buried in the key hole and the preliminary phase-change region. |
| US08748955B2 |
CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A CMOS image sensor includes a substrate, a punch-through prevention layer formed over the substrate, an epitaxial layer formed over the punch-through prevention layer, a gate electrode formed over the epitaxial layer; a photodiode formed in the epitaxial layer to be substantially aligned with one side of the gate electrode, a floating diffusion region formed in the epitaxial layer to be substantially aligned with the other side of the gate electrode, and an extended photodiode region formed below the photodiode to be coupled with the punch-through prevention layer. |
| US08748952B2 |
Co-implant for backside illumination sensor
A system and method for image sensing is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a substrate with a pixel region, the substrate having a front side and a backside. A co-implant process is performed along the backside of the substrate opposing a photosensitive element positioned along the front side of the substrate. The co-implant process utilizes a first pre-amorphization implant process that creates a pre-amorphization region. A dopant is then implanted wherein the pre-amorphization region retards or reduces the diffusion or tailing of the dopants into the photosensitive region. An anti-reflective layer, a color filter, and a microlens may also be formed over the co-implant region. |
| US08748950B2 |
On-demand nanoelectronics platform
A reconfigurable device includes a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a nanoscale quasi one- or zero-dimensional electron gas region disposed at an interface between the first and second insulating layers. The device is reconfigurable by applying an external electrical field to the electron gas, thereby changing the conductivity of the electron gas region. A method for forming and erasing nanoscale-conducting structures employs tools, such as the tip of a conducting atomic force microscope (AFM), to form local electric fields. The method allows both isolated and continuous conducting features to be formed with a length well below 5 nm. |
| US08748948B2 |
SiC semiconductor device having CJFET and method for manufacturing the same
A SiC semiconductor device includes: a SiC substrate made of intrinsic SiC having semi-insulating property; first and second conductive type SiC layers disposed in the substrate; an insulation separation layer made of intrinsic SiC for isolating the first conductive type SiC layer from the second conductive type SiC layer; first and second conductive type channel JFETs disposed in the first and second conductive type SiC layers, respectively. The first and second conductive type channel JFETs provide a complementary junction field effect transistor. Since an electric element is formed on a flat surface, a manufacturing method is simplified. Further, noise propagation at high frequency and current leakage at high temperature are restricted. |
| US08748941B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device having reduced interface leakage currents
A nitride semiconductor device includes a semiconductor multilayer formed on a substrate, a first ohmic electrode and a Schottky electrode spaced apart from each other on the semiconductor multilayer; and a passivation film covering a top of the semiconductor multilayer. The semiconductor multilayer 102 includes a first nitride semiconductor layer, a second nitride semiconductor layer, and a p-type third nitride semiconductor layer 124 sequentially formed on the substrate. The third nitride semiconductor layer contains p-type impurities, and is selectively formed between the first ohmic electrode and the Schottky electrode in contact with the Schottky electrode. |
| US08748939B2 |
Transistor and method for manufacturing same
The transistor includes an underlying layer 301 formed on a substrate 300, and a first layer (including an operation layer 302) made of a nitride semiconductor formed on the underlying layer 301. The underlying layer 301 is a multilayered structure including a plurality of stacked nitride semiconductor layers. The underlying layer 301 includes a transition-metal-containing layer containing at least one of cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, or iridium which is a transition metal. |
| US08748938B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
There is provided a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arranged in a pixel region. Each of the pixels is formed in an island-shaped semiconductor. In this island-shaped semiconductor, a signal line N+ region and a P region are formed from the bottom. On an upper side surface of this P region, an N region and a P+ region are formed from an inner side of the island-shaped semiconductor. Above the P region, a P+ region is formed. By setting the P+ region and the P+ region to have a low-level voltage and setting the signal line N+ region to have a high-level voltage that is higher than the low-level voltage, signal charges accumulated in the N region are discharged to the signal line N+ region via the P region. |
| US08748937B2 |
Insulated gate bipolar transistor with high breakdown voltage
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductor type; a first semiconductor layer of a second conductor type, on the front of the semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer of the second conductor type, on the first semiconductor layer and having a higher impurity concentration than the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer of the second conductor type, on the second semiconductor layer and having a lower impurity concentration than the second semiconductor layer; a first semiconductor region of the first conductor type, in a surface layer of the third semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor region of the second conductor type, in a surface layer of the first semiconductor region; an input electrode contacting the second semiconductor region; a control electrode disposed above part of the first semiconductor region with an insulating film therebetween; and an output electrode disposed on the back of the semiconductor layer. |
| US08748930B2 |
Light-emitting device, lighting device, and manufacturing method of light-emitting device
The manufacturing method of the light-emitting device is provided in which an auxiliary electrode in contact with an electrode formed using a transparent conductive film of a light-emitting element is formed using a mask, and direct contact between the auxiliary electrode and an EL layer is prevented by oxidizing the auxiliary electrode. Further, the light-emitting device manufactured according to the method and the lighting device including the light-emitting device are provided. |
| US08748929B2 |
Light-emitting dies incorporating wavelength-conversion materials and related methods
In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are embedded within polymeric binder to form, e.g., light-emitting dies and/or composite wafers containing multiple light-emitting dies embedded in a single volume of binder. |
| US08748926B2 |
Chip package with multiple spacers and method for forming the same
A chip package includes: a substrate having a first and a second surfaces; a device region formed in or disposed on the substrate; a dielectric layer disposed on the first surface; at least one conducting pad disposed in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region; a planar layer disposed on the dielectric layer, wherein a vertical distance between upper surfaces of the planar layer and the conducting pad is larger than about 2 μm; a transparent substrate disposed on the first surface; a first spacer layer disposed between the transparent substrate and the planar layer; and a second spacer layer disposed between the transparent substrate and the substrate and extending into an opening of the dielectric layer to contact with the conducting pad, wherein there is substantially no gap between the second spacer layer and the conducting pad. |
| US08748923B2 |
Wavelength-converted semiconductor light emitting device
A material such as a phosphor is optically coupled to a semiconductor structure including a light emitting region disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region, in order to efficiently extract light from the light emitting region into the phosphor. The phosphor may be phosphor grains in direct contact with a surface of the semiconductor structure, or a ceramic phosphor bonded to the semiconductor structure, or to a thin nucleation structure on which the semiconductor structure may be grown. The phosphor is preferably highly absorbent and highly efficient. When the semiconductor structure emits light into such a highly efficient, highly absorbent phosphor, the phosphor may efficiently extract light from the structure, reducing the optical losses present in prior art devices. |
| US08748917B2 |
Light emitting device and method thereof
Disclosed are a method of fabricating a light emitting device includes the steps of: forming a plurality of compound semiconductor layers on a substrate, the substrate including a plurality of chip regions and isolation region; selectively etching the compound semiconductor layers to form a light emitting structure on each chip region and form a buffer structure on the isolation region; forming a conductive support member on the light emitting structure and the buffer structure; removing the substrate by using a laser lift off process; and dividing the conductive support member into the a plurality of chips of the chip regions, wherein the buffer structure is spaced apart from the light emitting structure. |
| US08748915B2 |
Emitter package with angled or vertical LED
The present invention is directed to LED packages and LED displays utilizing the LED packages, wherein the LED chips within the packages are arranged in unique orientations to provide the desired package or display FFP. One LED package according to the present invention comprises a reflective cup and an LED chip mounted in the reflective cup. The reflective cup has a first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, wherein the LED chip is rotated within the reflective cup so that the LED chip is out of alignment with said first axis. Some of the LED packages can comprise a rectangular LED chip having a chip longitudinal axis and an oval shaped reflective cup having a cup longitudinal axis. The LED chip is mounted within the reflective cup with the chip longitudinal axis angled from the cup longitudinal axis. LED displays according to the present invention comprise a plurality of LED packages, at least some of which have an LED chip mounted in a reflective cup at different angles to achieve the desired display FFP. |
| US08748909B2 |
Display system
A display system provides a first semiconductor light source that is electrically connected in a first plane. A second semiconductor light source is electrically connected in a second plane separate from the first plane. A third semiconductor light source is electrically connected in the first plane at least a distance away from the first semiconductor light source equal to the width of the second semiconductor light source. The first plane and the second plane are merged into a combined plane by positioning the electrically connected second semiconductor light source between the electrically connected first semiconductor light source and the electrically connected third semiconductor light source. |
| US08748908B2 |
Semiconductor optical emission device
A semiconductor optical emission device comprising a layer of material containing a plurality of stress variations and adhering to a surface of a semiconductor is described. In one embodiment the semiconductor is an indirect band gap semiconductor and is silicon in one aspect, the material of the layer comprises silicon and metal oxides and is prepared by a sol-gel process including thermal annealing in one aspect. The layer urges a plurality of randomly distributed elastic deformations in the semiconductor that substantially enhances the radiative recombination interactions among free carriers in the semiconductor. |
| US08748903B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element and method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element (1) provided with an n-type semiconductor layer (140), a light emitting layer (150), a p-type semiconductor layer (160), a transparent electrode (170), a p-side electrode (300) formed on the transparent electrode, and an n-side electrode (400) formed on the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-side electrode has a p-side joining layer (310) and a p-side bonding pad electrode (320), which are laminated on the transparent electrode, and the n-side electrode has an n-side joining layer (410) and an n-side bonding pad electrode (420), which are laminated on the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-side joining layer and the n-side joining layer are configured of a mixed layer composed of TaN and Pt, and the p-side bonding pad electrode and the n-side bonding pad electrode are configured of a laminated structure composed of Pt and Au. |
| US08748902B2 |
Light-emitting diode device generating light of multi-wavelengths
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an LED device which emits light of multi-wavelengths. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing LED devices which emit light of high quality from throughout the whole surface in a uniform manner. In particular, utilizing the manufacturing method of LED devices which emit light of multi-wavelengths makes it possible to produce LED devices of high quality in a simple and cost-efficient way, not by using adhesives, but by a sputtering or PLD method. In addition, since the characteristics of the desired emitted light can be controlled by controlling the amount and type of the phosphors during the manufacture of sputtering targets, high quality LED devices can be manufactured easily. |
| US08748901B1 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor element
This silicon carbide semiconductor element includes: a body region of a second conductivity type which is located on a drift layer of a first conductivity type; an impurity region of the first conductivity type which is located on the body region; a trench which runs through the body region and the impurity region to reach the drift layer; a gate insulating film which is arranged on surfaces of the trench; and a gate electrode which is arranged on the gate insulating film. The surfaces of the trench include a first side surface and a second side surface which is opposed to the first side surface. The concentration of a dopant of the second conductivity type is higher at least locally in a portion of the body region which is located beside the first side surface than in another portion of the body region which is located beside the second side surface. |
| US08748895B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device and an electronic apparatus incorporating the display device. The display device includes a transistor and a planarization film over the transistor. The planarization film has an opening where an edge portion is rounded. The display device further includes a first electrode over the planarization film and an organic resin film over the first electrode. The organic resin film also has an opening where an edge portion is rounded. The organic resin film is located in the opening of the planarization film. The first electrode and the transistor are electrically connected to each other through a conductive film. The first electrode is in contact with a top surface of the conductive film. Over the first electrode, a light-emitting member and a second electrode are provided. |
| US08748890B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor wafer, and composite base and composite substrate for use in that method
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer of the present invention includes the steps of: obtaining a composite base by forming a base surface flattening layer having a surface RMS roughness of not more than 1.0 nm on a base; obtaining a composite substrate by attaching a semiconductor crystal layer to a side of the composite base where the base surface flattening layer is located; growing at least one semiconductor layer on the semiconductor crystal layer of the composite substrate; and obtaining the semiconductor wafer including the semiconductor crystal layer and the semiconductor layer by removing the base surface flattening layer by wet etching and thereby separating the semiconductor crystal layer from the base. Thus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer capable of efficiently manufacturing the semiconductor wafer regardless of the type of a base, and a composite base and a composite substrate suitably used in that manufacturing method are provided to efficiently manufacture a semiconductor device. |
| US08748888B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a multi-chip package having a plurality of semiconductor chips. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a signal line; and a signal loading compensation section in a semiconductor chip among the plurality of semiconductor chips, configured to apply a designed signal loading to the signal line in response to activation of a test signal. Here, the designed signal loading has a value corresponding to a signal loading component of another semiconductor chip among the plurality of semiconductor chips to the signal line. |
| US08748886B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A transistor which is formed using an oxide semiconductor layer and has electric characteristics needed for the intended use, and a semiconductor device including the transistor are provided. The transistor is formed using an oxide semiconductor stack including at least a first oxide semiconductor layer in contact with a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer and a second oxide semiconductor layer which is provided over the first oxide semiconductor layer and has an energy gap different from that of the first oxide semiconductor layer. There is no limitation on the stacking order of the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer as long as their energy gaps are different from each other. |
| US08748885B2 |
Soft material wafer bonding and method of bonding
A semiconductor device including a first wafer assembly having a first substrate and a first oxide layer over the first substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second wafer assembly having a second substrate and a second oxide layer over the second substrate. The first oxide layer and the second oxide layer are bonded together by van der Waals bonds or covalent bonds. A method of bonding a first wafer assembly and a second wafer assembly including forming a first oxide layer over a first substrate. The method further includes forming a second oxide layer over a second wafer assembly. The method further includes forming van der Waals bonds or covalent bonds between the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer. |
| US08748884B2 |
Variable resistance memory devices having reduced reset current
A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate and a first insulating layer on the substrate. The first insulating layer includes a first opening therein. A lower electrode is provided in the first opening and protrudes from a surface of the first insulating layer outside the first opening. An electrode passivation pattern is provided on a sidewall of the lower electrode that protrudes from the surface of the first insulating layer. A second insulating layer is provided on the first insulating layer and includes a second opening therein at least partially exposing the lower electrode. A variable resistance material layer extends into the second opening to contact the lower electrode. The electrode passivation layer electrically separates the sidewall of the lower electrode from the variable resistance material layer. The electrode passivation pattern is formed of a material having an etching selectivity to that of the second insulating layer. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08748882B2 |
Thin film transistor, electronic device, display device, and method of manufacturing thin film transistor
A thin film transistor is provided. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, and an oxide semiconductor film, wherein at least a portion of the gate electrode includes a metal oxide. An electric device and a display device that include the thin film transistor are also provided in addition to a manufacture method. |
| US08748879B2 |
Semiconductor device, thin film transistor and a method for producing the same
A semiconductor device, a thin film transistor, and a method for producing the same capable of decreasing the management cost, and capable of decreasing the production steps to reduce the production cost are proposed. A method for producing a thin film transistor 2 provided with a semiconductor which is composed of a prescribed material and serves as an active layer 41 and a conductor which is composed of a material having the same composition as that of the prescribed material and serves as at least one of a source electrode 51, a drain electrode 53 and a pixel electrode 55, which includes the steps of simultaneously forming into a film an object to be processed and a conductor (a source electrode 51, a source wire 52, a drain electrode 53, a drain wire 54 and a pixel electrode 55) which are composed of the amorphous prescribed material, followed by simultaneous shaping, and crystallizing the object to be processed which has been shaped to allow it to be the active layer 41. |
| US08748878B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same, and display device
The present application provides a thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing same capable of suppressing diffusion of aluminum to oxide semiconductor and selectively etching oxide semiconductor and aluminum oxide. The thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode; a channel layer whose main component is oxide semiconductor; a gate insulating film provided between the gate electrode and the channel layer; a sealing layer provided on the side opposite to the gate electrode, of the channel layer; and a pair of electrodes which are in contact with the channel layer and serve as a source and a drain. The sealing layer includes at least a first insulating film made of a first insulating material, and a second insulating film made of a second insulting material having etching selectivity to each of the oxide semiconductor and the first insulating material and provided between the first insulating film and the channel layer. |
| US08748873B2 |
Electronic device with dual semiconducting layer
A thin film transistor has a dual semiconducting layer comprising two semiconducting sublayers. The first sublayer comprises a polythiophene and carbon nanotubes. The second sublayer comprises the polythiophene and has no carbon nanotubes. Devices comprises the dual semiconducting layer exhibit high mobility. |
| US08748872B2 |
Organic transistor and method for fabricating a dielectric layer of such a transistor
The present invention relates to an organic transistor comprising a conductive element which forms a drain; a conductive element which forms a source located away from the drain; a conductive element which forms a gate having a surface which faces the drain and a surface which faces the source; a semiconducting layer which is in contact with the drain and the source; and a dielectric layer located between, firstly, the gate and, secondly, the source and the drain with the dielectric layer having a dielectric permittivity which varies depending on its thickness. According to the invention, the dielectric layer comprises a layer of a first dielectric material having a dielectric permittivity of less than four in which there is formed, at least between said opposite-facing surfaces, a volume of a second material, said volume having an overall cross-section which tapers from gate towards the space between drain and source and in that the relative dielectric permittivity of the second material exceeds four. |
| US08748869B2 |
Strained transistor integration for CMOS
Various embodiments of the invention relate to a CMOS device having (1) an NMOS channel of silicon material selectively deposited on a first area of a graded silicon germanium substrate such that the selectively deposited silicon material experiences a tensile strain caused by the lattice spacing of the silicon material being smaller than the lattice spacing of the graded silicon germanium substrate material at the first area, and (2) a PMOS channel of silicon germanium material selectively deposited on a second area of the substrate such that the selectively deposited silicon germanium material experiences a compressive strain caused by the lattice spacing of the selectively deposited silicon germanium material being larger than the lattice spacing of the graded silicon germanium substrate material at the second area. |
| US08748864B2 |
Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
A light emitting device includes a metal backing layer, a reflective electrode layer disposed on the metal backing layer, and a plurality of nanorods disposed on the reflective electrode layer. Each nanorod includes a p-semiconductor layer, an active layer, and an n-semiconductor layer, which are sequentially stacked on the reflective electrode layer. The light emitting device further includes an anti-reflection electrode layer disposed on the nanorods, and quantum dots disposed between the nanorods. The method includes sequentially growing the n-semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the p-semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming the nanorods by etching the p-semiconductor layer using a mask pattern; sequentially forming the reflective electrode layer and the metal backing layer on the p-semiconductor layer and then removing the substrate; disposing quantum dots between the nanorods; and forming the anti-reflection electrode layer on the nanorods. |
| US08748860B2 |
Phase change memory device having self-aligned bottom electrode and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor memory device and a fabrication method thereof capable of improving electric contact characteristic between an access device and a lower electrode are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes an access device formed in a pillar shape on a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer formed over the access device, a protection layer formed on an edge of the first conductive layer to a predetermined thickness, and a lower electrode connected to the first conductive layer. |
| US08748857B2 |
System for automatic alignment, stabilization, and focus for an off-axis telescope using biased angle sensors
An off-axis telescope having a primary optical element configured to reflect an energy beam from an optical reference source that emits the energy beam along an optical path. The telescope includes angle sensors arranged on a periphery of the primary optical element to determine angular motion of the energy beam from the optical reference source. The angle sensors are operable to be biased to positional settings associated with a desired pointing direction of the energy beam. A secondary optical element is arranged in the optical path and translated along three orthogonal axes. A plurality of steering mirrors arranged between the optical reference source and the secondary optical element is configured to be tilted in response to a control signal. A controller auto-aligns the telescope by at least translating the secondary optical element and tilting the steering mirrors via the control signal using at least inputs from the plurality of angle sensors. |
| US08748855B2 |
Methods for manufacturing three-dimensional devices and devices created thereby
In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. |
| US08748852B2 |
Compac gantry for particle therapy
The present invention relates to a particle therapy apparatus used for radiation therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact isocentric gantry for delivering particle beams perpendicularly to a rotation axis of the gantry. The gantry comprises three dipole magnets. The angle of the last dipole magnet is smaller than 90° and a most preferred bending angle for this last dipole magnet is 60°. |
| US08748849B2 |
Scintillator panel
A scintillator panel which is capable of obtaining a radiation image exhibiting enhanced luminance and sharpness and achieving improved storage stability is disclosed, comprising on a support a base layer and a phosphor layer provided sequentially in this order, wherein the phosphor layer comprises (columnar) phosphor crystals formed of a phosphor parent compound and an activator by a process of vapor phase deposition and the base layer comprises crystals formed of the phosphor parent compound and an activator, and a relative density of the base layer is lower than a relative density of the phosphor layer and a relative content of an activator of the base layer is lower than a relative content of an activator of the phosphor layer. |
| US08748847B2 |
Method of manufacturing white light emitting device (LED) and apparatus measuring phosphor film
A method of manufacturing a white light emitting device includes dividing a phosphor sheet into phosphor film units to be applied to individual light emitting diode (LED) devices, measuring light conversion characteristics of the respective phosphor film units, classifying the phosphor film units of the phosphor sheet into a plurality of groups according to measurement results of the light conversion characteristics and combining the phosphor film units classified into the plurality of groups and an LED device having predetermined light characteristics so as to obtain target color characteristics. |
| US08748844B2 |
Sample analyzing apparatus and sample analyzing method
In accordance with an embodiment, a sample analyzing apparatus includes a charged beam generating unit, a detecting unit, and an analyzing unit. The charged beam generating unit is configured to generate a charged beam and apply the charged beam to a sample. The detecting unit is configured to detect charged particles and then output a signal, the charged particles being generated from the sample by the application of the charged beam in a manner depending on a three-dimensional structure and material characteristics of the sample. The analyzing unit is configured to process the signal to analyze the sample. |
| US08748837B2 |
Non-intrusive method for detection of chemical elements
A method for detecting the presence of a chemical element in an object by emission of neutrons onto the object, characterized in that the emission of neutrons onto the object is constituted, firstly, by a continuous emission of neutrons originating from an associated particle neutron generator (G1) and, secondly, by an emission of neutron pulses which are superimposed on the continuous emission of neutrons, where the neutron pulses originate from a pulsed neutron generator (G2) which generates neutron pulses of pulse duration T2, where two successive neutron pulses are separated by a duration T4, and where the continuous and pulsed emissions of neutrons on to the object produce a gamma capture radiation and an inelastic gamma radiation. |
| US08748836B2 |
Portable radiographic imaging device and radiographic imaging system
A portable radiographic imaging device including: a radiation detection panel including optoelectric conversion elements that convert irradiated radiation into an electrical signal; a signal processing substrate performing predetermined signal processing on the input electrical signal; a holding base provided between the radiation detection panel and the signal processing substrate and holding the signal processing substrate; a flexible substrate including a flexed portion, with one end of the flexible substrate being connected to the radiation detection panel and the other end of the flexible substrate being connected to the signal processing substrate; a casing in which the radiation detection panel, the signal processing substrate, the holding base and the flexible substrate are installed; and a contact avoidance portion formed at at least one of the signal processing substrate, the holding base or the casing such that contact of with the flexible substrate is avoided, is provided. |
| US08748830B2 |
Radiation sensor to detect different targeted radiation and radiation detection system including the radiation sensor
A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape. |
| US08748829B2 |
UV curing system with remote controller
An ultraviolet curing system separates the source of ultraviolet radiation and the controller, allowing an operator to stand at a relatively great distance away from the ultraviolet radiation when applied. The apparatus includes a base unit and a source of intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation coupled to the base unit by way of a pivoting arm. A controller, disposed remotely from the base unit, allows an operator to activate the source of UV radiation at a distance of at least several feet away from the source. The preferred embodiment allows an operator to control the UV radiation at a distance of 10 to 100 feet or more using a wired or wireless interconnection between the controller and the base unit. A detachable infrared lamp may be optionally disposed along side the UV source. |
| US08748820B2 |
Projection type display system having position detection function
A projection type display system having a position detection function which projects an image from an image projection device and optically detects a position of a target object between a surface on which the image is projected and the image projection device, includes: a position detection light source unit disposed on the image projection device to emit position detection light toward the target object; alight detector which detects the position detection light reflected by the target object in a detection area; and a position detection unit which detects the position of the target object based on a light reception result obtained by the light detector, wherein an intensity distribution of the position detection light is produced in an area to which the position detection light is supplied. |
| US08748809B2 |
Acquisition and analysis of mixed ion populations in a mass spectrometer
A method of obtaining and analyzing a mass spectrum of a sample comprising components is characterized by: setting values of a first energy level and a second energy level; chromatographically separating the components; ionizing a portion of the separated components to create precursor ions; introducing a first portion of the precursor ions into a collision or reaction cell and generating a first sub-population of ions corresponding to the first energy level; introducing a second portion of the precursor ions into the cell and generating a second sub-population of ions corresponding to the second energy level; transferring a mixture of the first and second sub-populations of ions into a mass analyzer; producing an analysis of the ions of the mixture; varying the value of at least one of the first and the second energy levels according to a pre-determined cyclical variation; repeating various above steps; and analyzing the time-variation of the analyses. |
| US08748808B2 |
Detection and correction of a loss of calibration of microbolometer thermal imaging radiometers
A method detects a loss of calibration of a thermal imaging radiometer including an array of imaging microbolometers and a gauge microbolometer. The detection method includes applying a first and a second electrical stimulation to the gauge microbolometer to bring it to a first and a second predetermined temperature, followed by measuring an ohmic responsivity of the gauge microbolometer that is representative of a difference between the first and second electrical stimulations. The measured ohmic responsivity is compared with a reference ohmic responsivity, such that a loss of calibration is signaled whenever the measured and reference ohmic responsivities differ by more than a predetermined threshold. A correction method includes steps of the detection method, to yield a corrected voltage response function for each imaging microbolometer. Advantageously, the methods involve probing the electrical response of the gauge microbolometer without requiring thermoregulated blackbody calibrations sources. |
| US08748801B2 |
Discrete wavefront sampling using a variable transmission filter
A discrete wavefront measurement device uses a variable transmission filter (VTF) to decouple the dynamic range of tilt angle measurements in the wavefront from the spatial sampling resolution and the measurement sensitivity as regards the physics of the readout. This approach allows the discrete wavefront measurement device to be configured to a specified dynamic range, transverse sampling resolution and measurement sensitivity at low cost. |
| US08748797B1 |
Two wavelength range photodiode demultiplexer and methods for using the same
A method is provided for demultiplexing optical signals. A first photodiode accepts first optical signals in a first range of wavelengths with second optical signals in a second range of wavelengths greater than the first range. First electrical signals are generated in the first photodiode in response to the first optical signals. A second photodiode accepts the second optical signals, and generates second electrical signals in response to the second optical signals. The first photodiode substantially absorbs photons associated with the first optical signal, and substantially passes photons associated with the second optical signals. In one aspect, the first photodiode has a first coefficient of absorption associated with the first range of wavelengths and the second photodiode has a second coefficient of absorption and a half value layer (HVL) associated with the second range of wavelengths. The first photodiode has thickness less than the HVL of the second photodiode. |
| US08748793B2 |
Image pickup element and image pickup device
An image pickup element includes a light-receiving portion having a matrix arrangement formed by disposing first-direction arrays, each having photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a first direction with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and micro-lenses provided above the light-receiving portion. A certain first-direction array in the matrix arrangement is provided with a pair of photoelectric conversion portions that optically receive, via a pair of micro-lenses, photographic-subject light beams passing through a pair of segmental regions in an exit pupil of a photographic optical system, the pair of segmental regions being disposed biasedly in opposite directions from each other in the first direction. The pair of micro-lenses is disposed such that light axes thereof extend through vicinities of edges of the pair of photoelectric conversion portions, the edges being the farthest edges from each other in the first direction. |
| US08748789B2 |
Assay instrument for detecting optical signals from samples
An optical system configured to detect optical signals during imaging sessions. The optical system includes an objective lens that has a collecting end that is positioned proximate to a sample and configured to receive optical signals therefrom. The optical system also includes a removable path compensator that is configured to be located at an imaging position between the collecting end of the objective lens and the sample. The path compensator adjusts an optical path of the light emissions when in the imaging position. Also, the optical system includes a transfer device that is configured to move the path compensator. The transfer device locates the path compensator at the imaging position for a first imaging session and removes the path compensator from the imaging position for a second imaging session. |
| US08748785B2 |
Microwave plasma apparatus and method for materials processing
A microwave plasma apparatus for processing a material includes a plasma chamber, a microwave radiation source, and a waveguide guiding microwave radiation from the microwave radiation source to the plasma chamber. A process gas flows through the plasma chamber and the microwave radiation couples to the process gas to produce a plasma jet. A process material is introduced to the plasma chamber, becomes entrained in the plasma jet, and is thereby transformed to a stream of product material droplets or particles. The product material droplets or particles are substantially more uniform in size, velocity, temperature, and melt state than are droplets or particles produced by prior devices. |
| US08748784B2 |
Surface heating system and vehicle with a surface heating system
A surface heating system is provided. The surface heating system includes a heatable surface element with a supporting structure on which a conductive layer is arranged that is completely covered by a cover layer. A first induction coil is configured separately of the heatable surface element and is connectable to an AC voltage source. The heatable surface element is configured for generating an eddy current that results in heating of the heatable surface element within the conductive layer when the first induction coil is acted upon with an AC voltage |
| US08748783B2 |
Oven with interface device
A countertop multi-function oven has a baking and a toasting mode. The oven has, in vertical arrangement, a first rotating time selection dial and second rotating temperature selection dial and graphic display area. The graphic area has a function selection indictor as well as first and second alphanumeric portions. In a toasting mode, one of the input dials is used to select a toasting load and the other input dial is used to select a toasting darkness. |
| US08748782B2 |
Ceramic heater
The ceramic heater 20 includes the ceramic substrate 22 and a hollow shaft 40. The ceramic substrate 22 is disk-shaped, and a resistance heating element 24 is embedded in the ceramic substrate 22. The hollow shaft 40 is attached to the center of a lower surface of the ceramic substrate 22. The ceramic substrate 22 has a rail groove 26 to which a slide lid 28 is attached and a guide groove 30 that serves as a thermocouple conduit. Moreover, a tube 32 is disposed outside the shaft 40. The tube 32 extends in the up-down direction and is connected to the guide groove 30. |
| US08748775B2 |
Switchable compound laser working machine
A switchable compound laser working machine comprises a machine body, a first output module, a second output module, a switch module, and a control module. The first and second output modules are respectively provided with a laser tube. The switch module has at least one lens. It is able to change the output direction of laser beams by moving the lens. The control module is used for controlling the laser tubes of the first and second output modules to perform output operation respectively and used for moving the lens of the switch module into output pathway of the laser beams from the first or the second output module to alter the output direction of the laser beams. |
| US08748769B2 |
Stacking assembly for a mailpiece sorter
A divert assembly is described for a mailpiece sorter operative to sort mailpieces into one of a plurality of sortation bins. The divert assembly comprising a re-direct mechanism for selectively re-directing mailpieces travelling along a feed path into the sortation bin and causing each selected mailpiece to be re-directed at an angle relative to the stack of mailpieces to be accumulated in the sortation bin. The divert assembly also including a stacking assembly including a Leading Edge (LE) urge roller, a support blade, and a Trailing Edge (TE) alignment device. The LE urge roller accepts and urges each of the selected mailpieces toward a sidewall of the sortation bin while the support blade holds each of the selected mailpieces between the urge roller and the support blade and in an on-edge parallel relationship relative thereto. The support blade is moveably mounted relative to the LE urge roller to allow the accumulation of additional mailpieces between the LE urge roller and the support blade. The TE alignment device includes a stepper motor rotationally driving a cam about a rotational axis. The cam defines a surface operative to urge the trailing edge portion of each selected mailpiece toward the support blade and into alignment with the stack. |
| US08748766B2 |
Button with water and dust proof structure
An electronic device includes a housing defining a hole and a button structure. The button structure includes a button cap passing through the hole and an elastic member. The elastic member includes a first connection part, a second connection part, and a body. The first connection part and the second connection part are connected via the body, the first connection part is connected to the housing, and the second connection part is connected to the button cap. |
| US08748760B2 |
Linear actuating earthing switch
A linear actuating earthing switch configuration that moves movable contacts using linear motion in a single axis. The earthing switch includes a frame with a rail on a slide wall. A sliding carriage slides on the rail in a linear direction, the sliding carriage including a plurality of movable contacts. A spring surrounding a linear shaft provides a linear expansion force between the frame and the sliding carriage when the earthing switch is in an open position. |
| US08748758B2 |
On-load tap changer with energy storage mechanism
The invention relates to an on-load tap changer having an energy storage device, by means of which an output shaft is rotatable in spurts. According to the invention, in addition to the actual energy storage spring or the actual energy storage springs, at least one further spring is provided, which absorbs/releases energy after the activation of the energy storage mechanism whereby the torque curve can be optimised. |
| US08748757B2 |
Temperature compensated bushing design
A bushing including a bottom contact, and a tubular conductor, having a lower part having an end in electrical and mechanical contact with the bottom contact, and a draw rod arrangement, inside the conductor, arranged to exert sufficient contact pressure between the bottom contact and the conductor, and the draw rod arrangement includes a member in mechanical contact with the conductor and draw rod having a second end, fixedly connected to the bottom contact, and a first end in connection to the member and clamping means, the clamping means is adapted to apply a force, urging the member in the direction of the bottom contact to generate sufficient contact pressure between the bottom contact and the conductor. The member of the draw rod arrangement is arranged to apply the force to the lower part of the conductor. |
| US08748750B2 |
Printed board assembly interface structures
Example printed board assembly (PBA) interfaces are described. In some examples, the disclosure relates to a printed board (PB) including a conductive layer, where the PB defines a first surface and a recess in the first surface, where a surface defining the recess is at least one of electrically or thermally connected to the conductive layer, and an electrical component body mounted on the PB. The electrical component body may be mounted on the PB such that a surface of the electrical component body extends over at least a portion of the recess, where the recess extends beyond the electrical component body such that the recess defines an aperture for introducing an interface material between the surface of the electrical component body and the surface of the recess. |
| US08748749B2 |
Patterned transparent conductors and related manufacturing methods
A patterned transparent conductor includes a substrate and additives at least partially embedded into at least one surface of the substrate and localized adjacent to the surface according to a pattern to form higher sheet conductance portions. The higher sheet conductance portions are laterally adjacent to lower sheet conductance portions. |
| US08748748B2 |
Clamp assembly and conductive cushion with molded-in grounding foil
Systems and methods for securing and electrically grounding objects or payloads are provided herein. Clamp assemblies and the manufacture of clamp assemblies in accordance with the present technology can provide reliable and redundant electrical grounding and secure cushioned fastening. In one embodiment, an electrically grounding cushioned clamp assembly includes an elastomer cushion with a longitudinal opening extending therethrough. The clamp assembly can include an engaging surface configured to engage a payload and an electrically conductive comb strip disposed at least partially in the longitudinal opening. Portions of the comb strip can be exposed adjacent to the engaging surface to contact the payload and provide a plurality of electrical grounding paths. |
| US08748745B2 |
Terminal connector for a wall mounted device
A wall mounted device includes a housing having a rear surface that is intended to face a wall to which the device is to be mounted. The housing also has an interior portion and an opening formed therein to allow wires from the wall to pass therethrough for communication with the interior housing. The opening has a center point. At least one terminal block may be disposed in the interior portion of the housing and includes a plurality of terminals that are configured to engage a wire to form an electrical connection. Each of the plurality of terminals can be located equidistant from a point within the opening such that the lengths of wire in the housing are reduced. |
| US08748744B2 |
Electrical box extender assembly
An electrical box extender assembly includes an electrical box having four side walls, and a back wall defining a cavity therein. A first of the four side walls of the box includes a first projection extending substantially transversely of the cavity. A substantially tubular extender having a first side wall including a first flange extending transversely thereon, and a tubular base extending transversely thereof. The first flange and tubular base are spaced from one another and a first fastener extends through the first projection, first flange and tubular base to couple the tubular extender to the electrical box. |
| US08748743B2 |
Junction box improved locking portion
A junction box includes a cable connecting box including an insulative box and a wire connecting module assembled to the insulative box. The insulative box has a receiving cavity, a bottom wall under the receiving cavity, a plurality of walls surrounding around the receiving cavity, at least a supporting portion located in the walls, a locking slot defined between the supporting portion and one of the walls, and a resilient locking portion received in the locking slot. A cover covers the cable connecting box and comprises a latching portion protruding outwardly from a side of the cover to lock with the resilient locking portion in the locking slot. In this arrangement, the junction box is convenient for users service. |
| US08748742B1 |
Wire theft protection for pull boxes
A kit and method for preventing theft of wires interconnected within a pull box includes a steel cover plate having a downwardly protruding cup which has a central perforation in its base that receives the upstanding shank of a J-bolt anchored in concrete poured into a bore made in the floor of a pit holding the pull box. A template plate inserted into the open upper end of the pullbox has a central hole which receives the shank of the J-bolt while the concrete is hardening to maintain the pull box centered on the J-bolt, removed after the concrete has hardened, and replaced by the cover plate which is secured in place by tightening an oval external cross-section security nut onto the upper surface of the cup base plate using a novel socket wrench. |
| US08748741B2 |
Corrosion resistant multiple tap connectors
A multi-tap enclosure for an electrical cable includes a housing including a first wall and an opposite second wall and a third wall extending between the first and second wall. A first opening is in the first wall of the housing. The first opening defines a main cable axis for the multi-tap enclosure. A second opening is in the second wall of the housing. The second opening is located on the main cable axis. A main cable access opening is in the third wall of the housing. The main cable access opening has a frangible wall therein configured to allow movement of the electrical cable horizontally therethrough towards the main cable axis. The first opening and the second opening have frangible covers therein configured to allow movement of the electrical cable horizontally therethrough towards the main cable axis to allow the electrical cable to extend along the main cable axis through the first and second openings when installed in the multi-tap enclosure. |
| US08748732B2 |
Solar generator apparatus with suspending supports
A solar generator apparatus, which has suspending supports and is mounted on a fixed structure, includes a solar generator module, a middle column, three side columns and three elastic members. The solar generator module converts light into electricity. The middle column for rotatably supporting the solar generator module has a first end mounted on the fixed structure, and a second end pivotally connected to a middle portion of a bottom of the solar generator module. First ends of the three side columns are mounted on the fixed structure. The three elastic members for assisting in supporting the solar generator module respectively connect second ends of the three side columns to the solar generator module. |
| US08748730B2 |
Systems and methods for concentrating solar energy without tracking the sun
Systems and methods for concentrating solar energy without tracking the sun are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a solar collector assembly for collecting and concentrating light for solar cell assemblies, the collector assembly including an array of solar collectors, each including a funnel shaped collector including a side wall defining a tapered opening having a base aperture and an upper aperture, the side wall including an outer surface, and a solar cell assembly positioned at the base aperture, where the outer surface is coated with a material that substantially reflects light, where the upper aperture is wider than the base aperture, where the funnel shaped collector is configured to substantially confine light, incident via the upper aperture, within the funnel shaped collector until the light exits proximate the base aperture, and where the solar cell assembly is configured to capture light exiting the base aperture. |
| US08748727B2 |
Flat-plate photovoltaic module
One example embodiment includes a PV module comprising a conductive backsheet, a non-conductive layer disposed on the conductive backsheet, a plurality of PV cells arranged in rows and collectively generating a first power output characterized by a first voltage, and a power conversion device. Each of the rows can include two or more PV cells. The PV cells within each row can be connected to each other in parallel. The rows can be connected in series. A top row can be connected to the conductive backsheet. The power conversion device can be redundantly connected to a bottom row and to the conductive backsheet to form a complete circuit. The power conversion device can convert the first power output to a second power output characterized by a second voltage that is larger than the first voltage. The power conversion device can also maintain peak power of the PV cells. |
| US08748721B2 |
Pedal device for musical instrument
A cam assembly includes a wheel member fixed to a shaft and a cam member removably attached to the wheel member. By attaching the cam member to the wheel member while arranging the cam member in a first orientation, a first cam shape is given to the cam assembly. Moreover, by attaching the cam member to the wheel member while vertically inverting the cam member to set the cam member in a second orientation, a second cam shape different from the first cam shape is given to the cam assembly. |
| US08748720B2 |
Short slide trombone with free floatation backslide and magnetic stop
The moveable double slide assembly of the comprises a backslide which is connected to the double slide with a link that allows free floatation of the backslide rather than a fixed connection, and thus, the double slide experiences less resistance during travel of the moveable portion. |
| US08748710B1 |
Maize variety hybrid 38V31
A novel maize variety designated 38V31 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 38V31 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 38V31 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 38V31, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 38V31. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 38V31. |
| US08748709B2 |
Soybean variety A1026649
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026649. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026649. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026649 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026649 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08748704B1 |
Soybean variety 20815NR2Y
Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean variety, designated 20815NR2Y, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-120628. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the variety, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 20815NR2Y variety, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program. |
| US08748698B2 |
Genome shuffling method for autogamous plants utilizing dominant male sterility obtained by gene engineering technique, and recurrent selection breeding system based on the genome shuffling method
A genome shuffling method for autogamous plants, including producing individuals having the following three traits in a tight coupling linkage by a gene engineering technique selected from a transgenic technique and a gene targeting technique: 1) dominant male sterility, 2) chemical tolerance and 3) lethality inducible by activating an inducible promoter, selecting, from progeny of the individuals, male-sterile individuals by means of the chemical tolerance described in 2) and male-fertile individuals by means of the lethality described in 3), arranging the male-sterile individuals and the male-fertile individuals close together in flowering periods thereof, so that the male-sterile individuals are crossed with the male-fertile individuals, harvesting seeds from the male-sterile individuals, and repeating outcrossing using the seeds from generation to generation. |
| US08748696B2 |
Increased stress tolerance and enhanced yield in plants
The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving biomass, as well as, the drought resistance of plants. More specifically, the present invention utilizes expression of aspartate carboxylase in plants and plant cells. |
| US08748694B2 |
Methods to identify soybean aphid resistant quantitative trait loci in soybean and compositions thereof
The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and aphid resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to aphids, Aphis glycines. The invention further includes method for monitoring the introgression quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring aphid resistance into elite germplasm in a breeding program. |
| US08748688B1 |
UZM-44 aluminosilicate zeolite
A new family of aluminosilicate zeolites designated UZM-44 has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where “n” is the mole ratio of Na to (Al+E), M represents a metal or metals from zinc, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E), “k” is the average charge of the metal or metals M, T is the organic structure directing agent or agents, and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to IM-5 but are characterized by unique compositions and synthesis procedures and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for carrying out various separations. |
| US08748686B2 |
Conversion of co-fed methane and low hydrogen content hydrocarbon feedstocks to acetylene
A process and apparatus are provided to produce acetylene from a feed stream of low hydrogen content hydrocarbons such as coal by: (a) blending the hydrocarbons with methane to provide a blended mixture containing at least about 12.5 wt % atomic hydrogen; (b) partially combusting the blended mixture in a reactor in the presence of a source of oxygen to provide a partially combusted mixture at or above a temperature sufficient to produce methyl radicals; (c) maintaining the partially combusted mixture at or above the temperature for a residence time sufficient to produce a product stream containing enhanced yields of acetylene without significant formation of coke or coke precursors; (d) cooling the product stream to reduce the temperature of the product stream within a time sufficiently brief to substantially arrest any cracking reactions and provide a cooled product stream; and (e) recovering acetylene from the cooled product stream. The acetylene can be converted to ethylene by a conventional hydrogenation process. |
| US08748684B2 |
Hydrocarbon conversion process using a high throughput process for manufacturing molecular sieves
A method of crystallizing a crystalline molecular sieve having a pore size in the range of from about 2 to about 19 Å, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mixture comprising at least one source of ions of tetravalent element (Y), at least one hydroxide source (OH), and water, said mixture having a solid-content in the range of from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. %; and (b) treating said mixture to form the desired crystalline molecular sieve with stirring at crystallization conditions sufficient to obtain a weight hourly throughput from about 0.005 to about 1 hr−1, wherein said crystallization conditions comprise a temperature in the range of from about 200° C. to about 500° C. and a crystallization time less than 100 hr. |
| US08748683B2 |
Dilute liquid phase alkylation
Methods of forming ethylbenzene are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting dilute ethylene with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene, wherein such contact occurs in a liquid phase reaction zone and recovering ethylbenzene from the reaction zone. |
| US08748682B2 |
Process for oligomerizing dilute ethylene
The process and apparatus converts ethylene in a dilute ethylene stream that may be derived from an FCC product to heavier hydrocarbons. The catalyst may be an amorphous silica-alumina base with a Group VIII and/or VIB metal. The catalyst is resistant to feed impurities such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxides, hydrogen and ammonia. At least 40 wt-% of the ethylene in the dilute ethylene stream can be converted to heavier hydrocarbons. |
| US08748672B2 |
2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1, 1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid salt and method for producing the same
By using an organic base when a carboxylic acid bromodifluoroethyl ester is sulfinated by using a sulfinating agent, there is obtained 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfinic acid ammonium salt. By oxidizing the 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfinic acid ammonium salt, there is obtained 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid ammonium salt. By using the 2-(alkylcarbonyloxy)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid ammonium salt as a raw material and exchanging it into an onium salt directly or through saponification/esterification, there can be obtained a 2-alkylcarbonyloxy-1,1-difluoroethanesulfonic acid onium salt. |
| US08748671B2 |
Ether production method involving alcohol separation by an ionic liquid
An enhanced method of producing ethers from iso-olefins and alcohols comprises at least one stage of separation of the excess alcohol by an ionic liquid. The ether-hydrocarbon-alcohol effluent treated in said separation stage by the ionic liquid comes from the reaction section and/or from a fractionating column. The separated and condensed alcohol is recycled in the process. |
| US08748669B2 |
Process for producing aldehydes or ketones by oxidizing alcohols with oxygen
Provided is a process for producing aldehydes or ketones by oxidizing alcohols with oxygen, which comprises oxidizing alcohols to aldehydes or ketones in an organic solvent at room temperature with oxygen or air as an oxidant, wherein ferric nitrate (Fe(NO3)3.9H2O), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl (TEMPO) and an inorganic chloride are used as catalysts, the reaction time is 1-24 hours, and the molar ratio of said alcohols, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl and the inorganic chloride is 100:1˜10:1˜10:1˜10. The present process has the advantages of high yield, mild reaction conditions, simple operation, convenient separation and purification, recoverable solvents, substrates used therefor being various and no pollution, and therefore it is adaptable to industrialization. |
| US08748668B2 |
Phosphonium salts and methods of their preparation
Methods for preparing phosphonium salts by reacting a primary phosphine or a secondary phosphine with an ester compound selected from the group consisting of: a phosphate triester; a phosphonate diester; a sulfate diester; and a sulfonate ester; to form a phosphonium salt of formula VII wherein each of RQ, RX, RY, and RZ is independently hydrocarbyl and X− is a phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate, or sulfonate are provided herein. These phosphonium salts may find utility in a wide range of applications, including as surfactants, as polar solvents (ionic liquids), as antimicrobial agents, and as a component of spinning finish in polyamide fiber processing. |
| US08748666B2 |
Preparation methods of methyl-D3-amine and salts thereof
Preparation methods of methyl-d3-amine and salts thereof are provided, which contain the following steps: (i) nitromethane is subjected to react with deuterium oxide in the present of bases and phase-transfer catalysts to form nitromethane-d3, which is subsequently subjected to reduction in an inert solvent to form methyl-d3-amine, and optionally, methyl-d3-amine reacts subsequently with acids to form salts of methyl-d3-amine; or (ii) N-(1,1,1-trideuteriomethyl)phthalimide is subjected to react with acids to form salts of methyl-d3-amine. The present methods are easy, high efficient, and low cost. |
| US08748663B2 |
Curing activators
Use of compounds of molecular formula (I) as curing activators of mixes having a cross-linkable unsaturated-chain polymer base: ([R1R2R3NR5(NR4R6R7)n](n+1)+)y(n+1)Xy− (I); where: X is an anionic atom or group; R1, R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, are each CmH2m+1, where m ranges between 1 and 3, or CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3; R4, R6 and R7, which may be the same or different, are each CH2CHCH2 or CHCHCH3; n is 0 or 1; y is 1 when n is 1; y is 1 or 2 when n is 0; R5 is an aliphatic group C15-C22 when n is 0; and is an aliphatic group C8-C16 when n is 1; when n is 0, at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R5 comprises a double bond. |
| US08748661B2 |
Polyamino polyketide antibiotics and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel polyamino polyketide antibiotics, methods of their production as well as methods of using these antibiotics, for example, for inhibition or removal of biofilm formation or for treating bacterial infection with these antibiotics. |
| US08748660B2 |
Process for the synthesis of antiepileptic drug lacosamide
The present invention relates to the improved and efficient process for the synthesis of antiepileptic drug Lacosamide in high enantiopurity (>98% ee) and better yield. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved and efficient, cost effective process for synthesis of desired (R) isomer of Lacosamide starting from commercially available (S)-benzyl glycidyl ether. |
| US08748658B2 |
Fast isolation method for the natural scaffold ursolic acid from Diospyros melanoxylon
The present invention relates to a process for the fast isolation of ursolic acid, a highly potent natural scaffold, from the leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon. The present invention also provides an improved and fast isolation process of the title compound, which is a pentacyclic triterpenic acid highly useful for the synthesis of a wide range of novel and potent bio-active molecules. |
| US08748656B2 |
Methods, compounds, compositions and vehicles for delivering 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid
The invention relates to methods, compounds, compositions and vehicles for delivering 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) in a subject, preferably a human subject. The invention encompasses compounds that will yield or generate 3APS, either in vitro or in vivo. Preferred compounds include amino acid prodrugs of 3APS for use, including but not limited to, the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08748655B2 |
Process for preparing light-coloured isocyanates of the diphenylmethane series
The present invention relates to a process for preparing light-colored polyphenylene-polymethylene-polyisocyanate (PMDI), comprising the steps (a) providing carbon monoxide and chlorine, (b) reacting carbon monoxide with chlorine to form phosgene, (c) reacting the phosgene from step (b) with at least one primary amine with the exception of mono- and polyphenylene-polymethylene polyamines with an excess of phosgene to form an at least one isocyanate containing reaction solution, and hydrogen chloride, (d) separating excess phosgene from the isocyanate-containing reaction solution obtained in step (c), (e) providing at least one polyphenylene-polymethylene polyamine, and (f) reacting at least a portion of the phosgene separated in step (d) with the at least one polyphenylene-polymethylene polyamine to form the light-colored polyphenylene-polymethylene polyisocyanate. |
| US08748650B2 |
Method for production of N-carboxy amino acid anhydride and amino acid carbamate compound
A method for production of an N-carboxy amino acid anhydride with efficiency is provided. The method for production of an N-carboxy amino acid anhydride includes a step of reaction of an amino acid organic salt compound with a carbonic acid diester. |
| US08748649B2 |
Di-fluoro containing compounds as cysteine protease inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds that are inhibitors of cysteine proteases, in particular, cathepsins B, K, L, F, and S, and are therefore useful in treating diseases mediated by these proteases. The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and processes for preparing them. |
| US08748644B2 |
Ruthenium compound, method of producing the same, method of producing ruthenium-containing thin film using the same, and ruthenium-containing thin film
This invention aims at providing (2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)-(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium which may contain its related structure compound, from which a ruthenium-containing thin film can be produced; a method of producing the same; a method of producing the ruthenium-containing thin film using the same; the ruthenium-containing thin film; and the like. The invention relates to producing the thin film using, as a precursor, (2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium containing the related structure compound in an amount not more than 5% by weight, which can be obtained by separating the related structure compound from (2,4-dimethylpentadienyl)(ethylcyclopentadienyl)ruthenium containing the related structure compound. |
| US08748642B1 |
Ultrasonic and megasonic method for extracting palm oil
A process for extracting palm oil includes an ultrasonic horn press and a megasonic clarifier. The ultrasonic horn press uses ultrasonic vibrations to rupture and heat the palm fruit. After pressing and filtering the palm oil from the ultrasonic horn press, the megasonic clarifier applies megasonic vibrations to clarify the palm oil. |
| US08748641B2 |
Process for preparing saturated branched chain fatty acids
A process for preparing saturated branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof involving subjecting unsaturated fatty acids having 10 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof to a skeletal isomerization reaction in the presence of water or a lower alcohol at a temperature of about 240° C. to about 280° C. using a combination of a stericly hindered Lewis base and zeolite as a Brönsted or Lewis acid catalyst, and isolating saturated branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof from the reaction mixture obtained by the skeletal isomerization reaction. The yield of said saturated branched chain fatty acids is ≧70 wt %. The stericly hindered Lewis base is a tertiary amine or phosphine with linear or branched C1 to C6 alkyl or phenyl groups attached thereto. |
| US08748639B1 |
3-azido-2,4,6-trinitrophenol, method of making, and method of transforming
The present disclosure sets forth the compound 3-azidopicric acid and a method of making the same. The method of producing 3-azidopicric acid is a two step reaction process of first reacting 3-aminopicric acid with sulfuric acid and sodium nitrite, and then reacting the result of the first step with phosphoric acid and sodium azide. Additionally described is a method of producing KDNP (4,6-dinitro-7-hydroxybenzofuroxan, potassium salt), by reacting 3-AzPA with potassium bicarbonate. |
| US08748631B2 |
Process for preparing saxagliptin and its novel intermediates useful in the synthesis thereof
Methods of making saxagliptin, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and hydrates thereof and intermediates thereof. |
| US08748628B2 |
Process and composition of making polymerizable resins containing oxazolidone
Disclosed herein are a process and composition to make polymerizable resins containing oxazolidone, in which organic acid-catalyzed and/or thermal annealing process got involved and consequently promoted a unique intramolecular transformation from a linear urethane linkage to a cyclic urethane linkage for those specifically constructed urethane resins containing α-substituted β-ketone moieties. |
| US08748627B2 |
Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) inhibitors and their use in diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), which inhibit acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and are useful for the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in humans. |
| US08748618B2 |
Inhibitors of inv(16) leukemia
This invention describes the development of targeted small molecule inhibitors of the inv(16) fusion, the causative agent in ˜12% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The inv(16) fusion results in expression of the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion protein in the blood cells of afflicted patients. The present invention provides compounds which inhibit the function of both CBFβ and the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion. These compounds block the growth of an inv(16) leukemia cell line as well as increase its apoptosis, while showing minimal effects against non inv(16) cell lines. As a mechanism to develop inhibitors with selectivity for the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion protein, the present invention further provides dimeric derivatives of these compounds which show both increased potency as well selectivity for CBFβ-SMMHC. These compounds show potent inhibition of an inv(16) leukemia cell line with minimal effects on non inv(16) cell lines. Analysis of the pharmacokinetics of the developed compounds has made it possible to improve the lifetime of the compound in the plasma of mice to a level commensurate with long-term treatment. |
| US08748613B2 |
Quinuclidine esters of 1-azaheterocyclylacetic acid as antimuscarinic agents, process for their preparation and medicinal compositions thereof
Compounds of formula (I): wherein A, R1, R2, X, m, and n are as defined in the specification, are selective M3 receptor antagonists and may be used in the treatment of, inter alia, a respiratory disease such as asthma and COPD. |
| US08748607B2 |
Imidazopyrizine syk inhibitors
Certain imidazopyrazines having the structure of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined herein, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided herein. Methods of treating patients suffering from certain diseases and disorders responsive to the inhibition of Syk activity, which comprises administering to such patients an amount of at least one chemical entity effective to reduce signs or symptoms of the disease or disorder are provided. Also provided are methods for determining the presence or absence of Syk kinase in a sample. |
| US08748605B2 |
Method for producing 4,6-dialkoxy-2-cyanomethylpyrimidine and synthetic intermediate thereof
Disclosed is a method for producing 4,6-dialkoxy-2-cyanomethylpyrimidine and also disclosed is a synthetic intermediate thereof. More specifically disclosed is a method for producing 4,6-dialkoxy-2-cyanomethylpyrimidine represented by general formula (2) (wherein R represents an alkyl group), comprising reacting a t-butyl cyanoacetate derivative represented by general formula (1) (wherein R has the same meaning as described above) in the presence of an acid, and also disclosed is a t-butyl cyanoacetate derivative represented by general formula (1) (wherein R represents an alkylgroup). |
| US08748604B2 |
Process for stereoselective synthesis of 5-fluoro-1-(2R,5S)-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine
The present invention provides an improved process for stereoselective preparation of 5-fluoro-1-(2R,5S)-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US08748603B2 |
Crystalline forms of N-[2-[[(2,3-difluorophenyl)methyl]THIO]-6-{[(1R,2S)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-methylpropyl]oxy}-4-pyrimidinyl]-1-azetidinesulfonamide
There is provided crystalline forms of N-[2-[[(2,3-difluorophenyl)methyl]thio]-6-{[(1R,2S)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-methylpropyl]oxy}-4-pyrimidinyl]1-azetidinesulfon-amide anhydrate. Such compounds/forms may be useful in the treatment of a disease/condition in which modulation of chemokine receptor activity is beneficial. |
| US08748598B2 |
Analogs of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid
Analogs of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and their method of preparation are presented. The analogs may be used as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. The compounds inhibit 5-lipoxygenase enzyme and various cell lines related to inflammation as well as to cancer showing a significantly better efficacy when compared to the normal boswellic acids. The analogs are capable of controlling and treating various inflammatory diseases and cancers. |
| US08748594B2 |
Process for the preparation and purification of topiramate
A process for the preparation of topiramate in an one pot reaction comprises the following steps: A) reacting 2,3:4,5-bis-O-{1-methylethylidene)-β-D-fructopyranose with sulfurylchloride in xylene in the presence of an organic or inorganic base to form 2,3:4,5-bis-O-(1-methylethylidene)-β-D-fructopyranose sulfuryl chloride, B) adding a second organic solvent to the mixture obtained in step A) C) reacting the mixture obtained in step B) with ammonia to form topiramate. |
| US08748593B2 |
Synthesis of protected 3′-amino nucleoside monomers
Orthogonally protected 3′-amino nucleoside monomers and efficient methods for their synthesis are described. The methods employ selective protection of the 3′-amino group in the presence of the unprotected nucleoside base. |
| US08748578B2 |
Mutant channelrhodopsin 2
The invention relates to mutant channelrhodopsins having improved properties, nucleic acid constructs encoding same, expression vectors carrying the nucleic acid construct, cells comprising said nucleic acid construct or expression vector, and their respective uses. |
| US08748577B2 |
Conjugates of biologically active polypeptides having an increased in vivo half-life
Disclosed are biologically active protein conjugates that comprise a biologically active polypeptide coupled via a peptide bond to a polypeptide comprising from 2 to about 500 units of a repeating peptide motif, wherein the biologically active protein conjugate exhibits a modified plasma half-life compared to the intrinsic half-life of the unconjugated biologically active polypeptide or protein. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the conjugated proteins, as well as methods for determining whether a given conjugate exhibits a modified half life relative to the intrinsic half life of the unconjugated polypeptide. |
| US08748575B2 |
Therapeutic peptides
Therapeutic peptides having guanylyl cyclase C agonist activity are disclosed. The therapeutic peptides are analogues of the E. coli STa peptide with non-natural amino acid, isosteric or D-amino acid substituents. The therapeutic peptides are useful in the treatment of chronic ideopathic constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutic peptides are also disclosed. |
| US08748574B2 |
Biomarker for psychiatric diseases including cognitive impairment and methods for detecting psychiatric diseases including cognitive impairment using the biomarkers
Methods are provided that detect cognitive impairment including mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease by using a protein or its partial peptide that differs in presence or absence. Novel biomarkers are also provided for cognitive impairment and non-psychiatric disease, as well as methods for detecting cognitive impairment using such biomarkers. Specifically, a biomarker for diagnosis is provided that comprises a protein fragment or peptide of not less than 5 amino acid residues arising from at least one protein or peptide selected from the group of proteins consisting of an amino acid sequence expressed by SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, or 20 and selected from the group of partial peptide in these proteins consisting of an amino acid sequence expressed by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, or 21. |
| US08748571B2 |
Thrombopoietic compounds
The invention relates to the field of compounds, especially peptides or polypeptides, that have thrombopoietic activity. The peptides and polypeptides of the invention may be used to increase platelets or platelet precursors (e.g., megakaryocytes) in a mammal. |
| US08748568B2 |
Isolated A-type FHF N-terminal domain peptides and methods of use
Isolated peptides are provided that are effective in inducing long-term inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in mammalian cells. Such peptides are useful in reducing the action potentials of these excitable cells, for example, neurons, myocytes, and tonic muscle cells, in mammals in need thereof. |
| US08748564B2 |
Oxytocin receptor agonists
The present invention relates to oxytocin receptor agonist compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, use of such compounds for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of inter alia, abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autism, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, labor induction and maintenance, lactation induction and maintenance, postpartum hemorrhage, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), pain, anxiety and other conditions, as well as to methods for the treatment of such conditions, wherein such compounds are administered. The compounds are represented by the general formula (I), as further defined in the specification: |
| US08748562B2 |
Process for preparing high molecular weight polyesters
A process for producing higher molecular weight polyester includes heating a polyester to form a melt, and applying and maintaining a vacuum of between about 5 mm and about 85 mm of mercury to the melt while passing bubbles of gas through the melt until molecular weight has increased. The process may involve esterification of a diacid component and a diol component at elevated temperature. After the acid functional groups have essentially reacted, a vacuum of about 5 mm of mercury or less was applied and excess diol stripped off during transesterification, thereby increasing molecular weight. |
| US08748554B2 |
Production of high-molecular-weight silicone resins
Silicone resins with a weight average molecular weight of at least 5000 g/mol and polydispersity of ≦65 are prepared by hydrolyzing and condensing: (A) silicon-bonded alkoxylated and optionally hydroxylated silicone resin intermediate(s), (C) a basic or acidic catalyst or mixture thereof which is not completely self-neutralizing, (D) water, and (E) in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic ester as the sole process solvent, with the provisos that I) alcohol eliminated in the reaction is removed from the reaction mixture by distillation, II) the catalyst (C) is deactivated by thermal treatment or neutralization, and III) a portion of (E) remains in the final product. |
| US08748551B2 |
β-amino ester compounds and uses thereof
Hair treatment compositions are disclosed comprising a β-amino ester compound in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, such as a spray or cream. In embodiments, the compounds include a polybutadiene moiety. Methods of treating hair with the compositions to impart volume, texture and definition are also disclosed. |
| US08748548B2 |
Macromonomer mixture, terminal-reactive polymer mixture, intermediate for macromonomer and silicone hydrogel
To obtain a hydrophilic macromonomer mixture which is a highly polymerized hydrophilic macromonomer, has few components not bonded to the polymer chain after polymerization, and is less likely to leaching. Provided is a macromonomer mixture containing macromonomer A being a macromonomer having a group obtained by further introducing a polymerizable group into a reactive group derived from a polymerization initiator at an end thereof; and macromonomer B being a macromonomer having a group obtained by further introducing a polymerizable group into a reactive group derived from a chain transfer agent at an end thereof. |
| US08748542B2 |
Colorant compatible hydrophobically modified polyurethane thickener for paint
A synthetic polymer has a water-soluble or water-swellable polyurethane backbone and terminal groups and/or intermediate groups of blocks of hydrophobes of alkyl- or aryl compounds containing a polymerizable cyclic monomer or a polymerizable double bond (or alkene) group or derivatives thereof. The blocks of hydrophobes are composed of two or more units of the same or different hydrophobes. These synthetic polymers are used as rheology modifiers, especially in latex paints. |
| US08748536B2 |
Multi-piece golf balls having layers made from epoxy systems
Multi-piece, solid golf balls containing an inner core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and an outer cover are provided. At least one layer is made from an epoxy composition comprising a curing agent such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. The epoxy composition is produced by reacting an epoxy prepolymer with a curing agent. Preferably, the epoxy composition is used to form an intermediate and/or cover layer resulting in a golf ball having high resiliency, good impact durability, and soft feel. |
| US08748535B2 |
Heterophasic polypropylene with improved balance between stiffness and transparency
The present invention relates to a heterophasic polypropylene composition with rather high melt flow rate, high stiffness, acceptable impact properties and an advantageous balance between stiffness and transparency. Still further, the present invention is also directed to a process for producing the inventive polypropylene composition, to an article made of the inventive polypropylene composition and to the use of the inventive polypropylene composition for the production of films and molded articles, such as thin-walled plastic containers for packaging. The inventive heterophasic polypropylene composition comprises at least a propylene homopolymer fraction, a propylene random copolymer fraction, two different ethylene-propylene rubber fractions and an ethylene homo- or copolymer fraction. |
| US08748533B2 |
Curable organopolysiloxane composition and method for manufacturing the same
A curable organopolysiloxane composition comprises the following: (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups and having an average unit formula (I): (R12SiO2/2)a(R23SiO1/2)b(R3SiO3/2)c(SiO4/2)d(CH2CH2)e; (B) a branched organopolysiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded alkenyl group and having a siloxane unit of formula R4SiO3/2; (C) an organopolysiloxane having an average unit formula (II) being capped with H: (R52SiO2/2)f(R63SiO1/2)g(R7SiO3/2)h(SiO4/2)i(CH2CH2)j; and (D) a catalyst, wherein R1 to R7 and a to j are as defined in the specification. |
| US08748530B2 |
Arborescent polymers and process for making same
The present invention relates to arborescent polymers and to a process for making same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with a polymer or copolymer having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to arborescent polymers formed from at least one inimer and at least one isoolefin that have been end-functionalized with less than about 5 weight percent end blocks derived from a polymer or copolymer having a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and to a process for making such arborescent polymers. |
| US08748524B2 |
Glue and coating for refractory materials and ceramics
The present invention relates to a heat crucible glue or coating for use in connection with refractory materials and ceramics. The glue or coating comprises 25 to 50 weight % silicon powder, 5 to 20 weight % SiC powder, 20 to 60 weight % formaldehyde resin or polyfurfuryl alcohol and 10 to 30 weight % of an organic solvent. |
| US08748516B2 |
Wood composite with water-repelling agent
The present disclosure includes a wood composite made from cellulosic particles, a binder, and a water-repelling agent. In some embodiments, the water repelling agent includes aliphatic compounds having a molecular distribution between about 16 and about 36 carbon atoms per molecule. In some embodiments, the water-repelling agent has an average molecular weight of about 220 to about 350 Daltons (solids portion). The water-repelling agent may be applied as a wax emulsion or in neat wax form. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a wood composite as described above. |
| US08748515B2 |
Mixtures and emulsions for use in providing strength to gypsum compositions
Settable gypsum compositions are described herein which include a gypsum slurry, comprising water; and a first additive comprising a vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer in latex or emulsion form and a second additive which is at least one of (i) a wetting agent and/or a surfactant; (ii) a titanium coupling agent, (iii) a zirconium coupling agent, and (iv) mixtures thereof. The compositions demonstrate improved strength and gypsum core adhesion. Such compositions may also include at least one dispersant and/or a wetting agent and/or a surfactant. Such dispersants may be lignosulfonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid, and combinations and salts thereof and the wetting agent and/or surfactant may be N-dodecyl 2-pyrrolidone, ethoxylated alcohol, and combinations thereof. The dispersant and/or wetting agents and/or surfactants can further enhance rheological properties to benefit the enhanced strength gypsum compositions. |
| US08748511B2 |
Curable composition
Curable compositions comprising a) an alkoxysilane and/or acyloxysilane terminated polymer having at least one end group of the general formula (I) -An-R—SiXYZ (I) and b) hollow microspheres made of a copolymer obtained by the polymerization of methacrylonitrile and at least one monomer M2 selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid alkyl esters and methacrylic acid alkyl esters, wherein the copolymer comprises at maximum 5 wt. % units that are due to the installation of additional monomers and is free of units containing chlorine, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof as silane cross-linking adhesive, sealing or coating substances. |
| US08748510B2 |
Flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition
Five to eighty-five percent by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate resin (A component) having a weight-average molecular weight (polystyrene equivalent) of 27000 to 35000, 0.2 to 10 percent by weight of an impact strength improver (D component), 0.05 to 4 percent by weight of a core-shell-type styrene-based polymer flame retardant (E component) having a sulfonate group bonded to a particle surface layer portion, 5 to 20 percent by weight of an inorganic filler (F component), and 0.1 to 0.5 percent by weight of a polyfluoroolefin resin (G component) are mixed. |
| US08748503B2 |
Macro-photoinitiators and curable compositions thereof
Macro-photoinitiators having defined polymer chain structure are provided. The macro-photoinitiators are terminated with residues of thiol and/or hydroxyl functional photoinitiators. The macro-photoinitiators may be prepared by controlled radical polymerization methods, such as atom transfer radical polymerization and single electron transfer polymerization methods. Also provided are curable (e.g., photocurable) compositions that include the macro-photoinitiators of the present invention. |
| US08748497B2 |
Optimized fluorocarbon emulsions for blood substitutes and other therapeutic uses
The present invention is directed to a stable fluorocarbon emulsion having a continuous aqueous phase and discontinuous fluorocarbon phase comprising two fluorocarbons and surprisingly demonstrates that perfluorodecyl bromide is as effective in stabilizing perfluorooctyl bromide emulsions of certain concentrations than much more highly concentrated perfluorooctyl bromide/perfluorodecyl bromide emulsions without the significant problems experienced in higher concentrated emulsions such as longer organ retention times, formation of PFDB crystals, larger emulsion particles, manufacturing problems and inability of repeat dosing inherent with higher concentrations of perfluorodecyl bromide. |
| US08748490B2 |
Capping bioprosthetic tissue to reduce calcification
A treatment for bioprosthetic tissue used in implants or for assembled bioprosthetic heart valves to reduce in vivo calcification. The method includes applying a calcification mitigant such as a capping agent or an antioxidant to the tissue to specifically inhibit oxidation in tissue. Also, the method can be used to inhibit oxidation in dehydrated tissue. The capping agent suppresses the formation of binding sites in the tissue that are exposed or generated by the oxidation and otherwise would, upon implant, attract calcium, phosphate, immunogenic factors, or other precursors to calcification. In one method, tissue leaflets in assembled bioprosthetic heart valves are pretreated with an aldehyde capping agent prior to dehydration and sterilization. |
| US08748487B2 |
Raw material for cosmetic preparation containing benzoate and cosmetic preparation containing such raw material
Disclosed is a raw material for cosmetic preparations having excellent gloss imparting properties and oxidation stability. Also disclosed is a cosmetic preparation having excellent gloss and feeling of use. The raw material for cosmetic preparations contains an ester compound of (A) benzoic acid, (B) an alcohol selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, dineopentyl glycol, trineopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, ditrimethylolpropane, tritrimethylolpropane, dipentaerythritol and tripentaerythritol, and (C) a fatty acid having 3-28 carbon atoms and/or a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 3-28 carbon atoms. The cosmetic preparation contains this raw material for cosmetic preparations. |
| US08748485B2 |
Compound and medical use thereof
Provided is a levodopa prodrug that overcomes the problems attributed to the blood kinetics of levodopa such as large number of doses and the incidence of side effects due to frequent dosing. (2S)-2-Amino-3-(3,4-bis((2-(benzoyloxy)-2-methylpropanoyl)oxy)phenyl)propanoic acid, a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof is a levodopa prodrug, and provides a flat blood concentration-time profile of levodopa through oral administration, and therefore is useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease and/or Parkinson's syndrome that overcomes the problems associated with pharmaceutical preparations of levodopa. |
| US08748477B2 |
Formulations containing insect repellent compounds
Dihydronepetalactone, a minor natural constituent of the essential oil of catmints (Nepeta spp.) such as Nepeta cataria, has been identified as an effective insect repellent compound. Synthesis of dihydronepetalactone may be achieved by hydrogenation of nepetalactone, the major constituent of catmint essential oils. This compound, and compositions thereof, which also has fragrance properties, may be used commercially for its insect repellent properties. |
| US08748476B2 |
Darifenacin for use in the treatment of urgency induced by overactive bladder
The invention provides the use of darifenacin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the reduction of urgency in patients suffering from overactive bladder. |
| US08748471B2 |
2-alkyl-cycloalk(en)yl-carboxamides
Novel 2-alkylcycloalk(en)ylcarboxamides of the formula (I) in which X, s, R1, L, R2 and A are as defined in the description, a plurality of processes for preparing these compounds and their use for controlling unwanted microorganisms, and also novel intermediates and their preparation. |
| US08748469B2 |
IDO inhibitors
Presently provided are compounds according to the formula (I) or (II), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, wherein R1, R4, and R5 are defined herein. Such compounds and compositions are useful for modulating an activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; treating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) mediated immunosuppression; treating a medical conditions that benefit from the inhibition of enzymatic activity of indoleamine -2,3-dioxygenase; enhancing the effectiveness of an anti-cancer treatment comprising administering an anti-cancer agent; treating tumor-specific immunosuppression associated with cancer; and treating immunosupression associated with an infectious disease. |
| US08748468B2 |
Manufacture, compositions and uses of coagulation factor VIIa modulator
Treatment of cancer and thromboembolic disorders using inhibitors of Factor VIIa are disclosed herein using a compound of Formula I: |
| US08748463B2 |
Histone deacetylase inhibitors and methods of use thereof
The invention provides novel classes of HDAC inhibitors. Methods of sensitizing a cancer cell to the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy are also provided as well as methods for treating cancer and methods for treating neurological diseases. Additionally, the invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an HDAC inhibitor of the invention, and kits comprising a container containing an HDAC inhibitor of the invention. |
| US08748462B2 |
Spirocyclic GPR40 modulators
The present invention provides compounds useful, for example, for treating metabolic disorders in a subject. Such compounds have the general formula IA, IB, I′A or I′B: where the definitions of the variables are provided herein. The present invention also provides compositions that include, and methods for using, the compounds in preparing medicaments and for treating metabolic disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes. |
| US08748459B2 |
Pyridinoylpiperidines as 5-HT1F agonists
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, where; R1 is C1-C6 alkyl, substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, substituted C3-C7 cycloalkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl-C1-C3 alkyl, substituted C3-C7 cycloalkyl-C1-C3 alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heterocycle, or substituted heterocycle; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl-C1-C3 alkyl, or a group of formula II R3 is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; R4 is hydrogen, halo, or C1-C3 alkyl; R5 is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl; R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 6 inclusively. The compounds of the present invention are useful for activating 5-HTlF receptors, inhibiting neuronal protein extravasation, and for the treatment or prevention of migraine in a mammal. The present invention also relates to a process for the synthesis of intermediates in the synthesis of compounds of Formula I. |
| US08748458B2 |
Scriptaid isosteres and their use in therapy
Compounds of the invention are of the formula (I); wherein: is a double bond and X is C; or is a single bond and X is N, CH or CQR1; and wherein: n is 1 to 10; R is H or QR1; each R′ is independently selected from H and QR1; each Q is independently selected from a bond, CO, NH, S, SO, SO2 or O; each R1 is independently selected from C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, acyl, C1-C10 cycloalkyl, halogen, C1-C10 alkylaryl or C1-C10 heterocycloalkyl; L is a nitrogen-containing heteroaryl; and W is a zinc-chelating residue; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are useful in therapy. |
| US08748456B2 |
Pyrazolo piperidine derivatives as NADPH oxidase inhibitors
The present invention is related to pyrazolo piperidine derivatives of Formula (I), pharmaceutical composition thereof and to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders or conditions related to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH Oxidase). |
| US08748455B2 |
Solid forms of a pharmaceutically active substance
The present invention provides solid forms of the compound of formula 1 and pharmaceutical uses thereof. |
| US08748454B2 |
Anti-constipation composition
An object of the present invention is to provide an anti-constipation composition containing a halogenated-bi-cyclic compound as an active ingredient in ratio of bi-cyclic/mono-cyclic structure of at least 1:1. The halogenated-bi-cyclic compound is represented by Formula (I): where X1 and X2 are preferably both fluorine atoms. The composition can be used to treat constipation with out substantive side-effects, such as stomachache. |
| US08748451B2 |
HDAC inhibitors and therapeutic methods of using same
Histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACIs) and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of treating diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of HDAC provides a benefit, like a cancer, a neurodegenerative disorder, a neurological disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, malaria, an autoimmune disease, autism, and inflammation, also are disclosed. |
| US08748447B2 |
Rifaximin powder, process for preparing the same and controlled release compositions containing said rifaximin useful for obtaining a long-lasting effect
The present invention describes rifaximin powder and to a process for preparing the same. The invention relates also to a pharmaceutical composition in solid form comprising said rifaximin, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and optionally other ingredients. The compositions according to the invention are suitable for oral administration and are characterized by producing a controlled release of rifaximin, whereby a long-lasting effect is obtained in a patient. |
| US08748443B2 |
Antiviral compounds and uses thereof
This invention relates to: (a) compounds and salts thereof that, inter alia, inhibit HCV; (b) intermediates useful for the preparation of such compounds and salts; (c) compositions comprising such compounds and salts; (d) methods for preparing such intermediates, compounds, salts, and compositions; (e) methods of use of such compounds, salts, and compositions; and (f) kits comprising such compounds, salts, and compositions. |
| US08748440B2 |
Quinazolinone modulators of nuclear receptors
Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating the activity of nuclear receptors are provided. In particular, quinazolinones are provided for modulating the activity of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and/or orphan nuclear receptors. |
| US08748439B2 |
Inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase
Disclosed herein are compounds that form covalent bonds with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Also described are irreversible inhibitors of Btk, such as those having the structure: Methods for the preparation of the compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the Btk inhibitors are disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or conditions, heteroimmune diseases or conditions, cancer, including lymphoma, and inflammatory diseases or conditions. |
| US08748436B2 |
Carboxylic acid derivatives having a 2,5,7-substituted oxazolopyrimidine ring
The invention relates to oxazolopyrimidine compounds of formula (I), where A, R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are defined as stated in the claims. The compounds of formula I are suitable, for example, for wound healing. |
| US08748434B2 |
1,2-pyridazines, 1,6-pyridazines and pyrimidines
This invention relates to novel 1,2-pyridazines, 1,6-pyridazines or pyrimidines of the formula wherein B1 to B3 and R1 to R7 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are GPBAR1 agonists and may therefore be useful as medicaments for the treatment of diseases such as type II diabetes. |
| US08748431B2 |
Microbicidal heterocycles
Compounds of the formula I Formula (I) wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are useful as active ingredients, which have microbiocidal activity, in particular fungicidal activity. |
| US08748430B2 |
Pyrrolidin-3yl-methylamine quinoxaline derivatives
The present invention is concerned with novel sulfonamides of formula I wherein R1, R2, Ar, Hetaryl, m and n are as described in the description and claims. The compounds are orexin receptor antagonists, useful in the treatment of disorders, in which orexin pathways are involved. |
| US08748427B2 |
Compositions of dibromomalonamide and their use as biocides
A biocidal composition comprising 2,2-dibromomalonamide and an aldehyde-based biocidal compound, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems. |
| US08748412B2 |
Phenylalanine derivatives and their use as non-peptide GLP-1 receptor modulators
Provided herein are non-peptide GLP-1 receptor modulator compounds, for example, of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and processes of preparation thereof. Also provided are methods of their use for the treatment of a metabolic disorder. |
| US08748410B2 |
Methods of treating aneurysm
The present invention is directed to a method for treating aneurysms in vascular tissue. The method includes administering a bisphosphonate compound to a subject in an amount which is effective against the formation or progression of aneurysm, or which is effective to induce regression of an established aneurysm. In alternative methods, an anti-RANKL neutralizing antibody is administered to the subject to achieve analogous anti-aneurysm effect. The methods of particular advantage in the treatment of subjects having an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a relatively common, and life-threatening, condition. |
| US08748408B2 |
Methods of treatment of mitochondrial disorders
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the treatment of mitochondrial disorders. Invention methods include the administration of a pyrimidine-based nucleoside such as triacetyluridine, or the like. Also provided are methods of reducing or eliminating symptoms associated with mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondrial disorders particularly appropriate for treatment include those attributable to a deficiency of one or more pyrimidines. |
| US08748405B2 |
Methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer or other diseases
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for improving immune function. More particularly, the present invention relates to multifunctional molecules that are capable of being delivered to cells of interest for the treatment of diseases and for the improvement in immune function. |
| US08748402B2 |
Ophthalmic formulations and uses thereof
Provided by the present invention are compositions or formulations suitable for application to a patient's eyes which utilizes a topical ophthalmically-acceptable formulation comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of an ophthalmically-active antimicrobial agent, and an ophthalmically-active anti-inflammatory or steroidal agent in combination with physiologic levels of serum electrolytes in an ophthalmic formulation for the treatment of changes in the normal eye condition. The invention also includes methods of treating patient's having an ophthalmic disease, injury or disorder, utilizing the compositions or formulations. Also provided are kits comprising the compositions or formulations and a means of applying the compositions or formulation to the patient's eyes. |
| US08748400B2 |
Use of ketogenic compounds for treatment of age-associated memory impairment
This invention relates to the field of therapeutic agents for the treatment of Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI). In particular, the present invention utilizes compositions comprising at least one compound capable of elevating ketone body concentrations in a mammal (e.g., ketogenic compounds), administered in an amount effective for treatment or prevention of loss of cognitive function caused by reduced neuronal metabolism in AAMI. In one embodiment, the composition includes medium chain triglycerides (MCT). In another embodiment, the compositions are administered in the presence of carbohydrate. The present invention also relates to oral dosage forms, in particular, a nutritional drink comprising at least one compound capable of elevating ketone body concentrations in a mammal. |
| US08748398B2 |
Stroke-targeting peptide and use thereof
The present invention relates to stroke-targeting peptides and use thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stroke-targeting peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 4 and use thereof. The peptide of the present invention can be specifically bound to stroke cells in the subject, and thus can be effectively used in diagnostic markers and kits for stroke, and compositions for drug delivery specific to stroke and pharmaceutical compositions and compositions for imaging stroke. |
| US08748397B2 |
Lyophilization of synthetic liposomal pulmonary surfactant
Lyophilized pulmonary surfactants having an increased specific surface area and porosity are described. Methods of making the lyophilized pulmonary surfactants are also described. |
| US08748395B2 |
Cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of the JNK signal transduction pathway
Protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase are described. Additionally, JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions for treating pathophysiologies associated with JNK signaling are described. |
| US08748391B2 |
β-turn peptidomimetic cyclic compounds for treating dry eye
The present invention relates to methods of treating dry eye using β-turn peptidomimetic cyclic compounds or derivatives thereof. The β-turn peptidomimetic cyclic compounds can be used alone, in combination and/or in conjunction with one or more other compounds, molecules or drugs that treat dry eye. |
| US08748390B2 |
Immunogenic epitopes of NGEP antigen
The invention provides a peptide comprising a human cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope from the human tumor-associated antigen (TAA) New Gene Expressed in Prostate (NGEP), which can be used in vaccine prevention or therapy of prostate cancer, as well as a nucleic acid encoding the peptide, a vector comprising the nucleic acid, a cell comprising the peptide, nucleic acid, or vector, and compositions thereof. |
| US08748389B2 |
Treating cancer
The present invention provides a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is part of the amino acid sequence of CDK4 protein, or homologous to part of the amino acid sequence of CDK4 protein, which peptide is cytotoxic to, and/or inhibiting to the growth of, a cancer cell and/or stimulating to the growth of a non-cancerous cell and/or a control cell. Methods of identifying such peptides and medical uses of such peptides are also disclosed. |
| US08748383B2 |
Method for treating bone related diseases and calcium disorders
Solid pharmaceutical compositions and methods of their use suitable for the oral delivery of pharmacologically active agents, e.g. peptides, comprising a therapeutically-effective amount of a pharmacologically active agent; a crospovidone or povidone; and a delivery agent for said pharmacologically active agent are disclosed. The compositions utilize micronized forms of the delivery agent which provides enhanced bioavailability of pharmacologically active agents, particularly calcitonin. |
| US08748382B2 |
Method of drug delivery for bone anabolic protein
The present invention provides a storage-stable composition containing a parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and methods of using a PTHrP and the PTHrP compositions described herein to treat osteoporosis, to increase bone mass or to increase bone quality. The composition is storage stable, in sterile form, and in general may be stored at room temperature for at least several weeks to allow convenient parenteral administration to human patients. |
| US08748381B2 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders involving epithelial cell apoptosis
The present invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions for use in treating and preventing disorders involving epithelial cell apoptosis, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in a subject, such as a human patient. |
| US08748379B2 |
RTEF-1 variants and the use thereof for inhibition of angiogenesis
Dominant negative (DN) variants of transcriptional enhancer factor 1-related (RTEF-1) are described. DN RTEF-1 polypeptides may be directly targeted to cells or delivered in nucleic acid expression vectors to alter cellular transcription. Methods for inhibiting VEGF production and thereby treating angiogenic disorders such as cancer are described. For example, in certain aspects, DN RTEF-1 may be used to treat angiogenic disorders of the eye such as age related macular degeneration (AMD). |
| US08748378B2 |
Therapies for acute renal failure
The present invention provides methods for the treatment, and pharmaceuticals for use in the treatment, of mammalian subjects in, or at risk of, acute renal failure, or subject to, or at risk of, inflammation, neutrophil-mediated cell damage, and apoptosis resulting from tissue damage or injury. The methods involve the administration of certain proteins of the osteogenic protein/bone morphogenetic protein (OP/BMP) family within the TGF-β superfamily of proteins. |
| US08748376B2 |
Stable formulations of peptides
Stable pharmaceutical composition comprising insulinotropic peptide. |
| US08748371B2 |
Nuclear targeting sequences
Isolated peptides comprising nuclear targeting activity or being capable of preventing endogenous nuclear targeting activity are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, as well as uses thereof are also disclosed. |
| US08748370B2 |
Peptide derivatives for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a condition associated with bone loss or low bone density or to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and stimulation
Novel compounds which may be for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a condition associated with bone loss or low bone density or to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and stimulation, bone resorption, or loosening of a prosthetic device. |
| US08748365B2 |
Solidification matrix comprising phosphinosuccinic acid derivatives
Stability enhancement agents for use in a solidification matrices and solid detergent compositions are described. Stability enhancement is provided by a hydratable salt, water and phosphinosuccinic acid (PSO) derivative binding agents forming a dimensionally stable composition. Preferred phosphinosuccinic acid (PSO) derivatives include phosphinosuccinic acid and mono-, bis- and oligomeric phosphinosuccinic acid (PSO) derivatives. The stability enhancement composition for use in a solid detergent and solid detergent compositions are preferably biodegradable and substantially free of phosphate and NTA-free. |
| US08748363B2 |
Solvent composition for removing radioactive substance and removing material, and method for removing radioactive substance
The present invention relates to a solvent composition for removing radioactive substance, characterized by comprising at least one selected from hydrofluorocarbon, hydrofluoroether, and perfluoroketone as a medium for transporting the radioactive substance, and a method for removing a radioactive substance characterized by using the solvent composition for removing. |
| US08748362B2 |
Method for improving the fuel efficiency of engine oil compositions for large low and medium speed gas engines by reducing the traction coefficient
The present invention is directed to a method for improving the fuel efficiency of large engine oil compositions by reducing the traction coefficient of the oil by formulating the oil using at least two base stocks of different kinematic viscosity wherein the differences in kinematic viscosity between the base stocks is at least 32 mm2/s, and, preferably, additizing the composition with a salicylate detergent, a mixture of salicylate-phenate detergents or a mixture of sulfonate and phenate detergents. |
| US08748361B2 |
Polyalpha-olefin compositions and processes to produce the same
This invention relates to a polyalpha-olefin (and hydrogenated analogs thereof) comprising more than 50 mole % of one or more C5 to C24 alpha-olefin monomers where the polyalpha-olefin has: a) 40 mole % or more of mm triads, b) a Bromine number of Y or greater, where Y is equal to 89.92*(V)′°5863, where V is the Kinematic Viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 100° C. in cSt, and c) 1,2 disubstituted olefins present at 7 mole % or more, preferably having Z mole % or more of units represented by the formula: where j, k and m are each, independently, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22, n is an integer from 1 to 350, and where Z=8.420*Log(V)−4.048, where V is the kinematic viscosity of the polyalpha-olefin measured at 1000 C in cSt This invention also relates to process to produce such polyalpha-olefins. |
| US08748358B2 |
Lubricating oil additive, lubricating oil composition containing the same, various low-friction sliding members, rolling bearing, and sliding bearing
Provided is an additive for lubricating oils which enhances frictional characteristics of slide parts in internal combustion engines and driving system transmission engines and which exhibit an excellent fuel consumption reducing effect. The above additive for lubricating oils comprises a heterocyclic compound having a heterocyclic skeleton originating in a compound selected from pyridines, pyrroles, pyrimidines, pyrazoles, pyridazines, indazoles, pyrazines, triazines, triazoles, tetrazoles, oxazoles, oxadiazoles, thiazoles, thiadiazoles, furans, dioxanes, pyrans and thiophenes. A lubricating oil composition containing the above additive for lubricating oils is effectively used for various low friction slide members, antifriction bearings and slide bearings. |
| US08748351B2 |
Method for identifying hetero-multimeric modified ubiquitin proteins with binding capability to ligands
The present invention refers to a method for identifying hetero-multimeric ubiquitins with binding capability to a ligand. Furthermore, the invention provides DNA libraries encoding for a population of said hetero-multimeric ubiquitins as well as protein libraries obtained by expression of said DNA libraries, cells and phages containing said DNA or proteins, polynucleotides encoding for said fusion proteins and vectors comprising said polynucleotides. Further new binding proteins based on hetero-multimeric ubiquitin being able to bind specifically with high affinity to selected ligands are provided. |
| US08748344B2 |
Agricultural adjuvant compositions, pesticide compositions, and methods for using such compositions
An adjuvant composition contains an adjuvant composition, comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (a) from about 10 to 100 parts by weight of a combined of one or more betaine surfactants and one or more glycoside surfactants, comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the combined amount: (i) from greater than 0 to less than 100 parts by weight of the one or more betaine surfactants, and (ii) from greater than 0 to less than 100 parts by weight of one or more glycoside surfactants, and (b) from 0 to about 90 parts by weight water A pesticide composition contains based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (a) from greater than 0 parts by weight to about 20 parts by weight of a combined amount of one or more betaine surfactants and one or more glycoside surfactants, comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the combined amount: (i) from greater than 0 to less than 100 parts by weight of the one or more betaine surfactants, and (ii) from greater than 0 to less than 100 parts by weight of one or more glycoside surfactants, and (b) from 0 to about 90 parts by weight water, and (c) an effective amount of one or more pesticides. A method for controlling the growth of a target plant includes applying the pesticide composition to the target plant. |
| US08748342B2 |
Pesticidal mixtures
The present invention relates to an agrochemical mixture for increasing the health of a plant, comprising as active ingredients a herbicidal compound (I) selected from the group consisting of: benzoic acids, pyridine carboxylic acids, quinoline carboxylic acids, and benazolin-ethyl; and a fungicidal compound (II) in synergistically effective amounts. The present invention further relates to a method for improving the health of a plant, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a mixture as defined above. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a mixture as defined above for synergistically increasing the health of a plant. |
| US08748341B2 |
Pesticidal mixtures
The present invention relates to synergistic mixtures comprising, as active components, chlorfenapyr as insecticidal compound I and a fungicidal compound II selected from the group of azoxystrobin, coumethoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, pico-xystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyribencarb, trifloxysstrobin, 2-(ortho-((2,5-dimethylphenyl-oxymethylen)phenyl)-3-methoxy-acrylic acid methyl ester, 2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide. |
| US08748340B2 |
Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto
This document discloses pesticidal compostions comprising molecules having the following formulas: and processes related thereto. |
| US08748339B2 |
Synergistic fungicidal mixtures
The present invention relates to a composition, comprising a 5-amino-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole of the formula I as defined in the claims and the description and at least one active compound II selected from groups A) to I) in a synergistically effective amount. |
| US08748338B2 |
Polysulfide-rubber-coated activated carbon (PSR-AC) as a multi-sorbent for mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS)
A toxin immobilization particle and method of fabrication is provided that includes a polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle that provides enhanced toxin adsorption. A porous activated carbon particle have a size range up to 2 mm is used. The polysulfide-rubber polymer coated activated carbon particle includes a polymer-dose range of up to 1.64 grams of sulfur per gram of activated carbon particles, where the toxins can include mercury, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The method of forming the toxin immobilization particle includes condensing a polymer in a sulfide mixture to form a polysulfide-rubber polymer compound and coating an activated carbon particle with the polysulfide-rubber polymer. The levels of sulfur loading in the toxin immobilization particles are controlled by the polymer dose during the coating process, where the polysulfide polymer coated activated carbon particle provides enhanced toxin adsorption. |
| US08748335B2 |
Photodegradation catalyst and photodegradation catalyst precursor comprising metal halide or metal oxyhalide
A photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor comprises a plurality of domains of an oxide of a first metal distributed in a substrate of a halide or oxyhalide of a second metal, wherein the mole percentage of the halide or oxyhalide of the second metal is above 50%. Additionally, a method of preparing a photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor, a photodegradation catalyst or a photodegradation catalyst precursor obtained from the method and a method of treating organic pollutants or substances in air or water by using the photodegradation catalyst or the photodegradation catalyst precursor are illustrated. |
| US08748334B2 |
Process for producing electrode catalyst for fuel cell
This invention provides a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, comprising a first support step of producing metallic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.5 nm provided at regulated particle intervals on an electroconductive carbon carrier, and a second support step of growing a metal identical to or dissimilar to the metal using the metallic fine particles as a nucleus. In the first support step, the metallic fine particles are supported by an immersion method. The above constitution can provide an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which has a high level of percentage support, has a high level of dispersibility, and has improved methanol oxidation activity per weight of the catalyst. Further, when treatment in an atmosphere containing hydrogen is carried out at a low temperature below 100° C., the methanol oxidation activity per active surface area can be improved without lowering the active area. |
| US08748330B2 |
Annealed nanostructured thin film catalyst
This disclosure provides methods of making an enhanced activity nanostructured thin film catalyst by radiation annealing, typically laser annealing, typically under inert atmosphere. Typically the inert gas has a residual oxygen level of 100 ppm. Typically the irradiation has an incident energy fluence of at least 30 mJ/mm2. In some embodiments, the radiation annealing is accomplished by laser annealing. In some embodiments, the nanostructured thin film catalyst is provided on a continuous web. |
| US08748329B2 |
Dielectric ceramic composition and laminated ceramic electronic component
A dielectric ceramic composition that contains, as its main constituent, (Ba1-x-yCaxSry)(Ti1-z-wZrzHfw)O3 (in the formula, 0≦x+y≦0.2, 0≦z+w≦0.1), and contains CuO and Bi2O3, and the dielectric ceramic composition has a feature that the total content of the CuO and Bi2O3 is 10 parts by weight or more with respect to 100 parts by weight of the main constituent, and the molar ratio CuO/(CuO+Bi2O3) is 0.5 or less. |
| US08748326B2 |
Device and method for forming low-temperature polysilicon film
Provided is a forming device and method making it possible to obtain a low-temperature polysilicon film in which the size of crystal grains fluctuates minimally, and is uniform. A mask has laser-light-blocking areas and laser-light-transmission areas arranged in the form of a grid such that the light-blocking areas and transmission areas are not adjacent to one another. Laser light is directed by the microlenses through the masks to planned channel-area-formation areas. The laser light transmitted by the transmission areas is directed onto an a-Si:H film, annealing and polycrystallizing the irradiated parts thereof. The mask is then removed, and when the entire planned channel-area-formation area is irradiated with laser light, the already-polycrystallized area, having a higher melting point, does not melt, while the area in an amorphous state melts and solidifies, leading to polycrystallization. The grain size of the polysilicon film obtained is regulated by the light-blocking areas and transmission areas and is thus controlled to a predetermined range. |
| US08748325B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A polyimide film is effectively formed on a complicated surface. The polyimide film is formed by reacting, on the surface, diamine monomer and tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride monomer both of which are dissolved within carbon dioxide in a supercritical states, together with a polyamic acid resulting from a reaction between the diamine monomer and the tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride reached to the surface. |
| US08748322B1 |
Silicon oxide recess etch
A method of etching silicon oxide from a trench is described which allows more homogeneous etch rates across a varying pattern on a patterned substrate. The method also provides a more rectilinear profile following the etch process. Methods include a sequential exposure of gapfill silicon oxide. The gapfill silicon oxide is exposed to a local plasma treatment prior to a remote-plasma dry etch which may produce salt by-product on the surface. The local plasma treatment has been found to condition the gapfill silicon oxide such that the etch process proceeds at a more even rate within each trench and across multiple trenches. The salt by-product may be removed by raising the temperature in a subsequent sublimation step. |
| US08748319B2 |
Printing method for printing electronic devices and relative control apparatus
Embodiments of the invention may provide a method of printing one or more print tracks on a print support, or substrate, comprising two or more printing steps in each of which a layer of material is deposited on the print support according to a predetermined print profile. In each printing step, subsequent to the first step, each layer of material is deposited at least partially on top of the layer of material printed in the preceding printing step, so that each layer of printed material has an identical or different print profile with respect to at least a layer of material underneath. The method may further comprise depositing material in each printing step that is equivalent to or different from the material deposited in at least one of other the print layers. |
| US08748315B2 |
Condition before TMAH improved device performance
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a back-side illuminated CMOS image sensor (BSI CIS). In some embodiments, the method comprises forming a plurality of photodetectors within a front-side of a semiconductor substrate. An implant is performed on the back-side of the semiconductor substrate to form an implantation region having a doping concentration that is greater in the center than at the edges of the semiconductor substrate. The back-side of the workpiece is then exposed to an etchant, having an etch rate that is inversely proportional to the doping concentration, which thins the semiconductor substrate to a thickness that allows for light to pass through the back-side of the substrate to the plurality of photodetectors. By implanting the substrate prior to etching, the etching rate is made uniform over the back-side of the substrate improving total thickness variation between the photodetectors and the back-side of the substrate. |
| US08748314B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which includes forming a TiN film as a hard mask directly on a second p-SiCOH film formed on a substrate, forming an opening passing through the TiN film and the second p-SiCOH film by photolithography and etching, cleaning the inside of the opening, removing the TiN film after cleaning the inside, and forming a second metal film filling the opening directly on the second p-SiCOH film after removing the TiN film. |