Document Document Title
US08913491B2 Overload detection and handling in a data breakout appliance at the edge of a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed in an appliance in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. The appliance in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services at the edge of the mobile data network based on the broken out data. The appliance has defined interfaces and defined commands on each interface that allow performing all needed functions on the appliance without revealing details regarding the hardware and software used to implement the appliance. The appliance includes overload detection and handling within the appliance. This appliance architecture allows performing new mobile network services at the edge of a mobile data network within the infrastructure of an existing mobile data network.
US08913490B1 Selective notification for label switched path re-routing
In one example, a network device includes a hardware-based processor, and a Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering extensions (RSVP-TE) module executing on the hardware-based processor that establishes a plurality of label switched paths (LSPs) having the network device as a common transit network device. The network device presents a plurality of options for selection, which each specify a different algorithm for selecting LSPs to evict from the link. In response to detecting an over-subscription condition on a link along the plurality of LSPs, the RSVP-TE module selects a subset of the plurality of LSPs to evict from the link, and the RSVP-TE module outputs an error message to one or more ingress network devices associated with the selected subset of LSPs without outputting an error message to the ingress network devices associated with those LSPs not selected for eviction.
US08913489B2 System and method for virtual fabric link failure recovery
Aggregation switches are connected to an edge node by a multi-chassis link aggregation group and a virtual fiber link provides a connection for exchange of information between the aggregation switches regarding MAC addressing to synchronize MAC address tables across the aggregation switches. When failure of the virtual fiber link is detected, the multi-chassis link aggregation group is reconfigured into two or more link aggregates with each link aggregate connecting the edge node to one of the aggregation switches. A spanning tree protocol is initiated over the link aggregates to prevent loops in the network. MAC address tables are flushed and relearned with the two or more link aggregates.
US08913487B2 Fast failover of access points in a split-plane deployment
A method, system and computer readable medium for fast failover of an access point are described. A system can cause a failover of a first wireless access point when a wireless control point determines that a first wireless switching plane has failed through a platform link failure mechanism. The system can also prevent a failover of the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point when a message is received from both the first wireless switching plane and a second wireless switching plane indicating that the other wireless switching plane has failed.
US08913481B2 Method and system for efficient provisioning of multiple services for multiple failure restoration in multi-layer mesh networks
A method and system for efficiently provisioning a multiple service, multiple layer mesh network in a manner enabling restoration from multiple failures.
US08913477B2 Method of allocating resources for transmitting uplink signal in MIMO wireless communication system and apparatus thereof
A method of allocating resources for transmitting a signal in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes allocating one or more spatial resources of a plurality of spatial resources corresponding to first Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols to a first transport block, allocating one or more other spatial resources of the plurality of spatial resources corresponding to the first SC-FDMA symbols to a second transport block, and allocating spatial resources corresponding to second SC-FDMA symbols to the first transport block and the second transport block.
US08913476B2 Optical information recording medium having super-resolution film
An optical information recording medium has a first information recording layer (20) and a second information recording layer (40) each of which includes (i) a group of pre-pits (31, 51) constituting marks (32, 52) and spaces (33, 53) and (ii) a super-resolution film (23, 43), the marks (32, 52) and the spaces (33, 53) having different lengths, an average length of a smallest mark that is smallest in length and a smallest space that is smallest in length being less than or equal to a resolution limit of a reproduction optical system for reproducing information recorded on the first information recording layer (20) and the second information recording layer (40), the group of pre-pits (31, 51) being formed so that a push-pull signal for the reproduction optical system to reproduce the information recorded by the group of pre-pits is negative in polarity. This provides an inexpensive and high-capacity multilayer optical information recording medium based on a super-resolution technology.
US08913474B2 Optical information recording/reproducing apparatus
An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information on a recording medium and/or reproducing information from the recording medium, includes: a laser light source for performing recording and/or reproducing information; a shielding part, using a liquid crystal, that can switch between transmission and interception of laser light emitted from the laser light source; a driving circuit for driving the switching between transmission and interception of the shielding part; a moving part for relatively moving the shielding part and the laser light; and a controlling circuit for controlling the moving part. The moving part relatively moves the shielding part and the laser light so as to switch a region to which the laser light is applied from a first region of the shielding part to a second region thereof different from the first region, in order to prevent the liquid crystal from deteriorating.
US08913473B2 Information recorder, information reproducer, recording media manufacturing system, and information recording media, method and program
The present invention provides an information recording configuration that achieves both difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading. Highly confidential additional information such as encryption key is recorded in a groove signal. During recording of the additional information, a groove signal is recorded that has an amplitude offset setting commensurate with the bit value. During reading of the additional information, a signal R0 with no offset is estimated from a signal R1 read from the groove signal for a predetermined period, after which a difference signal C=R1−R0 is calculated and integrated for each of the predetermined periods so as to determine the direction of the amplitude offset for each period. This process achieves recording and reproduction of additional information that offers enhanced difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading at the same time.
US08913471B2 Recording apparatus and recording method for a multilayer recording medium
A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit configured to perform recording of information on a recoding medium having a plurality of layers serving as recording layers where recording of information is performed, and a track serving as a continuous recording area is formed in the plurality of layers and recording of data is performed within a track; and a control unit configured to cause the recording unit to execute recording to the recording medium according to a request from a host apparatus, and also to enable the host apparatus to recognize, in the event of determining that a certain layer of the recording medium is in a recording disabled state, that all of tracks in this layer are in a recording disabled state.
US08913466B2 Electronic timepiece with internal antenna
An electronic timepiece with internal antenna maintains sufficiently high reception performance of circularly polarized waves even when having a metal external case. A drive unit of the timepiece counts a time inside the external case. An antenna has a tubular-shaped side part, a bottom part that covers one of two openings of the side part, and a top part that contacts an inside surface of the side part inside the external case. The bottom part is a back cover of the external case, and the top part has a slot part.
US08913463B2 Positioning system
A passive listening acoustic system and method of use may include source means for providing continuous, pulsed, or pulse coded acoustic signals at two or more frequencies and at least two acoustic sensors or hydrophones which detect and record a signal for use within a Seabed Logging system to determine the position and/or orientation of instruments in the system.
US08913462B2 Real-time reflection point density mapping during three-dimensional (3D) vertical seismic profile (VSP) surveys
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for generating three dimensional (3D) vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) in a more time efficient manner. The methods and apparatuses enable faster and more efficient VSP surveys than previous techniques. Real-time updating of the velocity model and real-time reflection point density calculations are carried out, which are used to determine the location of the next seismic source firing. In the event the data of a particular bin has an insufficient fold, common image points (CIPs) or reflection point density, additional source firings may be carried out prior to moving the source. Further, in the event the data of a particular bin is excessive in terms of the fold, CIPs or reflection point density before the planned source firings for the bin are completed, remaining source firings for that bin may be skipped to save time and improve the efficiency of the data collection.
US08913459B2 Semiconductor device including plural chips stacked to each other
A method for reading data from a plurality of DRAM devices connected to common command, address, and data busses. A clock signal is provided to the plurality of DRAM devices. A read command and address to the plurality of DRAM devices on the command and address busses in synchronization with the clock signal. A read clock signal is provided to the plurality of DRAM devices to initiate a read operation in one of the plurality of DRAM devices that is selected by the address. The one DRAM device delays the read clock signal by an amount based on a speed of the one of the plurality of DRAM devices to generate. First delayed read clock and second delayed read clock signals are provided. The read data is received on the data bus in synchronization with the second delayed read clock signal.
US08913457B2 Dual clock edge triggered memory
Memory circuitry includes memory components operable in response to first edges of an internal clock. The memory circuitry also includes internal clock generating circuitry to generate the internal clock in response to a system clock. The first edges of the internal clock are generated in response to both a rising and a falling edge of the system clock.
US08913453B2 Semiconductor device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor device including a memory block, which includes memory cells coupled to bit lines. The semiconductor device further includes a first sensing circuit coupled to an even bit line and configured to sense current flow through the even bit line in response to an even bit line control signal and an even discharge signal. The semiconductor device further includes a second sensing circuit coupled to an odd bit line and configured to sense current flow through the odd bit lines in response to an odd bit line control signal and an odd discharge signal. The first sensing circuit and second sensing circuit are configured to supply a ground voltage to the odd bit line when sensing the current flow through the even bit line, and to supply the ground voltage to the even bit line when sensing the current flow through the odd bit line.
US08913452B2 Semiconductor device and semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor device includes: a data transmission unit configured to transmit differential data between a first data line pair and a second data line pair; and first and second power supply voltage generation units configured to generate precharging voltages to be applied to the first and second data line pairs, respectively.
US08913446B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a write control unit that performs a first write operation with respect to a first threshold distribution, a first verify operation on the first threshold distribution, and a second write operation on the basis of a result of the first verify operation, and then starts a third write operation with respect to a second threshold distribution.
US08913436B2 Non-volatile memory (NVM) with word line driver/decoder using a charge pump voltage
A word line driver that includes a pull up transistor for biasing a node of a stack of transistors that are located between a high supply voltage terminal and a low supply voltage terminal. The node is biased at a voltage that is between the high supply voltage and the low supply voltage. The stack of transistors includes a stack of decode transistors and a cascode transistor. The cascode transistor is located between the node and a second node of the stack that is coupled to an inverting circuit.
US08913430B2 Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a first sector including a first sector selection transistor and a first plurality of pages connected to the first sector selection transistor, and a second sector including a second sector selection transistor and a second plurality of pages connected to the second sector selection transistor. Each of the first and second plurality of pages includes a memory transistor and a selection transistor, and a number of pages in the first plurality of pages is greater than a number of pages in the second plurality of pages.
US08913429B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, an erase verification execution unit that makes an erase verify operation of a memory cell, on which an erase operation is performed, to be performed, a number-of-erase-verifications counting unit that counts the number of erase verifications of a memory cell on which the erase operation is performed, and a number-of-erase-verifications setting unit that sets a minimum number of erase verifications for the next time based on the current number of erase verifications counted by the number-of-erase-verifications counting unit are included.
US08913425B2 Phase change memory mask
Technology for writing data to a phase change memory array is disclosed. In an example, a method may include identifying mask logic for masking cells in the phase change memory array and routing the mask logic to the cells. The method may further include routing input data to the cells. Set and reset pulses for the cells may be selectively prevented or inhibited based on the mask logic.
US08913424B2 Magnetic enhancement layer in memory cell
Magnetic memory cell comprising two conductors and a magnetic storage element between the two conductors, wherein a magnetic enhancement layer (MEL) is provided in the proximity of at least along a partial length of at least one of the two conductors. The MEL is for enhancing a magnetic field in the element when the two conductors are energized. Methods for operation and fabrication process for the memory cell are also disclosed. The memory cell is particularly for use in magnetic random access memory (MRAM) circuits, when using magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks as the magnetic storage elements.
US08913422B2 Decreased switching current in spin-transfer torque memory
Switching current in Spin-Transfer Torque Memory (STTM) can be decreased. A magnetic memory cell is driven with a first pulse on a write line of the memory cell to heat the cell. The cell is then driven with a second pulse on the write line to set the state of the cell.
US08913419B2 Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor memory device in which capacitance of a capacitor is lower and integration degree is higher. A plurality of memory blocks is connected to one bit line BL_m. A memory block MB_n_m includes a sub bit line SBL_n_m, a write switch, and a plurality of memory cells. A sub bit line SBL_n+1_m adjacent to the sub bit line SBL_n_m is connected to an amplifier circuit AMP_n/n+1_m including two inverters and two selection switches. A circuit configuration of the amplifier circuit can be changed with the selection switches. The amplifier circuit is connected to the bit line BL_m through a read switch. Because of a sufficiently low capacitance of the sub bit line SBL_n_m, potential change due to electric charges of the capacitor in each memory cell can be amplified by the amplifier circuit AMP_n/n+1_m without an error, and the amplified data can be output to the bit line BL_m.
US08913418B2 Confined defect profiling within resistive random memory access cells
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof. A stack including a defect source layer, a defect blocking layer, and a defect acceptor layer disposed between the defect source layer and the defect blocking layer may be subjected to annealing. During the annealing, defects are transferred in a controllable manner from the defect source layer to the defect acceptor layer. At the same time, the defects are not transferred into the defect blocking layer thereby creating a lowest concentration zone within the defect acceptor layer. This zone is responsible for resistive switching. The precise control over the size of the zone and the defect concentration within the zone allows substantially improvement of resistive switching characteristics of the ReRAM cell. In some embodiments, the defect source layer includes aluminum oxynitride, the defect blocking layer includes titanium nitride, and the defect acceptor layer includes aluminum oxide.
US08913406B2 Paralleled power converters with auto-stagger start-up
A power conversion system includes a shared output bus and a plurality of power conversion units coupled to the shared output bus. Each power conversion unit includes a power converter having a converter output coupled to the shared output bus and a delay generator that generates a start-up delay for the power converter if a pre-bias value of a bus voltage on the shared output bus is greater than a predefined threshold. Each power conversion unit also includes a voltage controller that controls the converter output subsequent to the start-up delay and maintains a current sourcing condition of the converter output during start-up of the power converter. The power conversion system also includes a load that is coupled to the shared output bus. A method of operating a power conversion unit is also provided.
US08913402B1 Triple-damascene interposer
This interposer provides interconnections between stacked layers of circuits, which may include integrated circuits, PC boards, and hybrid substrates. Fabricated as an integrated circuit itself using readily available process steps, this interposer uses single and dual-damascene layers to increase the density of usable interconnections on both its top and bottom surfaces. Access from a top surface to a bottom surface is provided by conductive through-vias that may be placed at a high density. For even greater density, interconnections may be routed within silicon trenches, while damascene processing reduces the total number of steps required for fabrication. The described techniques may be used to create double-sided integrated circuits.
US08913401B2 Multilayer wiring board
A multilayer wiring board includes a signal electrode, a first power supply electrode, and a ground electrode, which are connected to a first element that outputs a signal, an electrode connected to a second element that receives the signal, a ground layer that serves as a return path for a return current of the signal, a first power supply layer that is disposed adjacent to the ground layer with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween and supplies electric power to the first element, and a second power supply layer that is provided independently of the first power supply layer and supplies electric power to the second element. The first power supply layer causes the return current to return to the first element through the first power supply electrode as a displacement current between the ground layer and the first power supply layer.
US08913395B2 High tolerance connection between elements
This is directed to connecting two or more elements using an intermediate element constructed from a material that changes between states. An electronic device can include one or more components constructed by connecting several elements. To provide a connection having a reduced or small size or cross-section and construct a component having high tolerances, a material can be provided in a first state in which it flows between the elements before changing to a second state in which it adheres to the elements and provides a structurally sound connection. For example, a plastic can be molded between the elements. As another example, a composite material can be brazed between the elements. In some cases, internal surfaces of the elements can include one or more features for enhancing a bond between the elements and the material providing the interface between the elements.
US08913393B2 Wall-mountable support rack for equipment
A wall mountable rack for equipment, and an associated method of assembly for the rack and a method of use for the rack is disclosed. Exemplary equipment that may be mounted in the rack includes power strips, patch panels, servers, tower computers, tape drives, hubs, switches, cabling and other equipment related thereto.
US08913390B2 Thermally conductive printed circuit board bumpers
An electronic device may have electrical components that generate heat. The components may be mounted on a printed circuit board having a peripheral edge with an edge surface. The edge surface may be coated with a layer of metal. Metal traces in the printed circuit board such as ground plane traces may be used to conduct heat from the electrical components to the layer of metal on the edge surface. The edge surface may be separated from an adjacent thermally conductive electronic device housing structure by an air gap. Thermally conductive elastomeric bumper structures may bridge the air gap between the edge surface of the printed circuit and the housing structure. The thermally conductive elastomeric bumper structures may conduct heat from the layer of metal on the edge surface to the housing structure and may serve as a cushioning interface between the printed circuit and the housing structure.
US08913386B2 Cooling module for cooling electronic components
A cooling module including a condenser, a power module including the cooling module and a method for cooling electric and/or electronic components are provided. The condenser of the cooling module includes at least one panel for cooling electric and/or electronic components. Two sheets of the panel are attached to one another by a process involving roll-bonding such that a conduit is formed between the two sheets. The conduit extends in a direction of a plane formed by the sheets. Cooling may be provided by evaporating coolant in the conduit at an evaporation section of the panel and by condensing the coolant at a condensing section of the panel. A heat load may be transferred from a heat source to a heat receiving unit. The heat receiving unit is adapted to transfer the heat load to the panel which transfers the heat load to an ambient environment by a thermal carrier.
US08913385B2 Efficient cooling duct
A cooling system comprises an electronics module and a duct. The electronics module produces more heat at a first location than at a second location, and is rated to a safe operating temperature. The duct surrounds the electronics module, and has a shaped baffle with a constricted region near the first location and an open region near the second location. The expanded region has greater cross-sectional flow area than the constricted region. Airflow through the duct cools both the first location and the second location to within an efficiency margin below the safe operating temperature.
US08913378B2 Electronic apparatus and manufacturing method
An electronic apparatus includes a main body, a hinge through which the main body is attached to a stand, a chassis including a support portion that is attached to the hinge, a vibrating component to which a bracket is attached, the vibrating component being attached to the support portion through the bracket, and a shielding member that is attached to the chassis to cover the chassis without coming into contact with the vibrating component.
US08913376B2 Expandable keyboard device
An expandable keyboard device includes a keyboard, and a supporting assembly having interconnected first and second panels. The second panel is adapted to connect with an electronic device. The supporting assembly is movable relative to the keyboard between an unfolded state, where the first panel extends upwardly relative to the keyboard for supporting the electronic device above the keyboard, and a folded state, where the second panel along with the electronic device cover the keyboard. An electrical connector is disposed in the housing for electrical connection with the electronic device. A connecting unit interconnects the supporting assembly and the keyboard.
US08913371B2 Automotive fuse and relay block assembly
A fuse and relay block assembly (10) for an automotive vehicle includes a lower cover (12) and an upper cover (60) mounted in substantially opposed relationship to one another. A relay block (70) is mounted between the lower cover (12) and the upper cover (60) and can receive electrical devices (R, F) mounted along a mounting direction (MD). A relay module assembly (80) is mounted between the lower cover (12) and the upper cover (60) and can receive electrical devices (R, F) mounted along a transverse direction (TD) substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction (MD). Thus, a greater density of electrical devices (R, F) can be mounted within a smaller footprint.
US08913370B2 Switchgear spout design
A spout assembly is provided. The spout assembly includes a spout and a spout base. The spout base has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a spout sized to enclose an electrical switching apparatus electrical coupling. That is, the spout base includes a CT support surface with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the spout cross-sectional area. Current transformers are disposed upon the spout base CT support surface.
US08913364B2 Decoupling arrangement
In various embodiments, apparatuses and methods are disclosed that may be able to implement a multi-layer, three dimensional routing between a decoupling component and an input port for a SoC or MCM. A three dimensional (3D) structure may provide a defined current return path from the decoupling component to the input port. The current return path may be constrained by design to provide an equal and opposite electromagnetic flux to the input port thereby reducing series inductance between the input port and the decoupling component.
US08913356B2 Composite electronic circuit assembly
A composite electronic circuit assembly comprises two MOS or CMOS circuit dice (100, 200) superimposed inside a package. Different modules of the circuit assembly are distributed between the two dice based on the digital, analog, or hybrid nature of said modules. Such a distribution makes it possible to group together the digital modules of the circuit assembly in one of the die and the analog or hybrid modules in the other die. The production cost, development time, and electrical energy consumption of the circuit assembly may thus be reduced.
US08913348B2 Suspension board with circuit
A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting layer, an insulating base layer formed on the metal supporting layer, a conductive layer formed on the insulating base layer, and a slider supported on the metal supporting layer via a pedestal. The conductive layer includes a conductive overlapping portion which overlaps a plane on which the slider is projected when projected in a thickness direction. The conductive overlapping portion is provided to be spaced apart from the slider.
US08913344B1 Dynamically adjustable fluid dynamic bearing stiffness
An apparatus includes a fluid dynamic bearing and means for dynamically adjusting the stiffness or damping of the fluid dynamic bearing.
US08913342B1 Data storage device adjusting range of microactuator digital-to-analog converter based on operating temperature
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and a microactuator configured to actuate the head over the disk. The data storage device further comprises control circuitry comprising a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a control signal applied to the microactuator. The control circuitry measures an operating temperature and then adjusts a range of the DAC based on the measured operating temperature.
US08913341B1 Noise cancellation using cross-track scans
Multiple signals are read, respectively, from multiple different cross-track positions of a track of a magnetic medium. Weighting coefficients for each of the multiple signals are determined. The weighting coefficients are applied to the respective signals to form weighted signals. The weighted signals are combined and the combined signal is used to recover data stored in the track.
US08913338B1 Disk drive reducing write unsafe threshold when detecting an unrecoverable servo compensation value
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of servo tracks defined by servo sectors, wherein each servo sector comprises servo data and a servo compensation value. While servoing a head over a target data track during a write operation, a position error signal (PES) is generated at each servo sector based at least in part on the servo data. When the servo compensation value of a first servo sector is recoverable, the write operation is aborted when the PES generated at the first servo sector exceeds a first write unsafe threshold. When the servo compensation value of the first servo sector is unrecoverable, the write operation is aborted when the PES generated at the first servo sector exceeds a second write unsafe threshold less than the first write unsafe threshold.
US08913334B2 Data processing system having data reproduction independent of data processing
A processing unit performs a method including controlling a reading-out of data from a first storage medium at a predetermined read-out data rate to produce inputted data, and controlling a compression of the inputted data to produce first compressed data of a first compressed format. The method includes controlling a storage of the first compressed data in a second storage medium at a faster writing data rate than the predetermined read-out data rate, controlling a reading-out of second compressed data of a second compressed format from the second storage medium, and controlling a decompression of the second compressed data to produce decompressed data. The method also includes controlling simultaneously the storage of the first compressed data in the second storage medium, the reading-out of the second compressed data from the second storage medium, and audibly reproducing the decompressed data. The first compressed format is different from the second compressed format.
US08913332B2 Photographing lens optical system
A lens optical system including first, second, third, fourth, and fifth lenses that are sequentially arranged between an object and an image sensor on which an image of the object is formed. The first lens may have a positive refractive power and may be biconvex. The second lens may have a negative refractive power and may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object. The third lens may have a positive refractive power. The fourth lens may have a positive refractive power and may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the image sensor. The fifth lens may have a negative refractive power, and at least one of an incident surface and an exit surface of the fifth lens may be an aspherical surface.
US08913331B2 Imaging method and system with optimized extended depth of focus
An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.
US08913329B1 Image lens assembly
An image lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial. The second lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region. The third lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region. The fourth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region.
US08913324B2 Display illumination light guide
A near-eye display device has a multi-color light source, a micro display, an optical system and a light guide. The optical system collimates and redirects light from the micro display to an optical axis of the device. The light guide comprises multiple color-specific layers, an in-coupling diffraction grating through which light from the source enters the light guide, and an out-coupling diffraction grating through which light from the light guide exits towards the micro display. Two distinct embodiments are detailed: each different color-specific layer of the light guide is defined by a different refractive index; or by a different color-specific filter. In one example there is one in-coupling diffraction grating through which all light from the source enters the light guide; in another there are at least first and second in-coupling diffraction gratings on opposed light guide surfaces through which different colors enter the light guide.
US08913323B2 Local removal of a lenticular optical effect by a high volume offset coating
A combined use of a pervasively textured anilox supply roll and a customized, locally patterned flexographic roll is provided for forming a lenticular product. The customized, locally patterned flexographic roll includes an intermittent raised and recessed surface pattern analogous to a type used in a “spot” ink application. In the present case, however, the applied material is transparent and preferably matched in its refractive index to the lenticular sheet. Relevant aspects of the invention also register the selectively coated areas with graphic features on the planar reverse side of the lenticular sheet.
US08913321B2 Fine pitch grid polarizer
A grid polarizer including an array of groups of parallel elongated ribs disposed over a substrate. Each group of elongated ribs can comprise at least four ribs. Tops of two center ribs, at a center of each group, can be substantially the same elevational height and can be higher by more than 10 nm than tops of outer ribs of the groups. A region between adjacent ribs can have an index of refraction substantially equal to one. Some or all of the ribs can comprise polarizing wires disposed over substrate rods.
US08913313B2 Scanning optical apparatus
A scanning optical apparatus includes: a light source; a light deflector configured to deflect the light beam from the light source in a main scanning direction; an incident optical system disposed between the light source and the light deflector and configured to render the light beam from the light source nearly parallel in the main scanning direction and to converge the light beam in a sub-scanning direction to bring the light beam to a focus in proximity to the light deflector; and a scanning lens configured to focus the light beam deflected by the light deflector onto a target surface to form spot-like images. The incident optical system includes one or more lenses which provide at least one refracting surface and at least one diffraction surface, and φnS/φds<0 is satisfied, where φnS is a refractive power in the sub-scanning direction and φdS is a diffraction power in the sub-scanning direction.
US08913307B2 Illumination apparatus and image reading apparatus
An illumination apparatus configured to illuminate a target surface from a first side and a second side different from the first side, including: a guide; and a reflector, the guide including: incident surface; a surface for totally reflecting beam from the incident surface; a reflecting surface arranged on an opposite side of the incident surface relative to the surface; a first exit for causing the reflected beam to exit as converging beam from the first side, the first exit having condensing action in plane orthogonal to the one-dimensional direction; and a second exit, adjacent to the first exit, having condensing action in the orthogonal plane for causing beam not reflected by the reflecting surface to exit as converging beam, and the reflector reflecting the beam from the second exit to the target surface as beam from the second side.
US08913305B2 Recording apparatus
There is a problem in that, when a handle section is provided in a recording device, the handle section protrudes from a casing and the size of the recording apparatus is increased. A recording apparatus is provided with a recording head which records on paper and a discharge tray which is provided to be able to slide with regard to a casing and holds the paper which is recorded upon using the recording head and discharged, where the discharge tray has a through section which is formed on the downstream side in a discharge direction and a handle section which is formed at an edge section more to the downstream side in the discharge direction than the through section, the handle section is accommodated inside of the casing in a state where the discharge tray is accommodated in the casing, the through section and the handle section are positioned outside of the casing in a state where the discharge tray is drawn out from the casing, and the discharge tray is supported in a state of hanging down from the casing.
US08913304B2 Method of copying and scanning document
A method of reproducing an original document with a reproduction machine to produce a copied document, comprising the steps of: providing a marking member which contains a marking onto the reproduction machine; opening a cover unit of the reproduction machine; placing the original document on a glass surface of a glass unit of the reproduction machine; closing the cover unit so that the glass surface is covered by the cover unit; and pressing a start button of the reproduction machine to start a scanning process such that the marking and the original document are scanned together in the scanning process and are appeared in the copied document. The marking member is provided on the cover unit or the glass unit so as to make sure that the marking is well-positioned and copied in the copied document.
US08913302B2 Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and computer-readable medium for obtaining duplicates of a document in a bound form
Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including a reading section to read a document and to obtain image data, the document including a plurality of sheets and having a binding portion; a storage section to store the image data; an operating section to accept an operating instruction to designate a position of the binding portion of the document, to designate a page order on one side of the binding portion of the document, and to designate one face out of faces of the sheets, from which a reading operation is started; and a controller, in accordance with the designation, to determine an image area corresponding to one page of the document, to divide the image data into pieces of page image data based on the image area, and to respectively give identifiers to the pieces of the divided page image data following a page order of the document.
US08913298B2 Image processing apparatus that sets a spatial frequency of a chromatic foreground image of a watermark to be lower than a spatial frequency of an achromatic foreground image of a comparable watermark, associated image forming apparatus, image processing method and recording medium
Original image data obtained by reading an original is joined with watermark data associated with a watermark for copy control, which appears as a result of making a copy. The watermark generating section sets the spatial frequency of a chromatic halftone pattern of a foreground, which appears as a result of making a copy, lower than the spatial frequency of an achromatic halftone pattern of a foreground, which appears as a result of making a copy. Accordingly, it becomes more difficult to recognize a foreground in an original document when the foreground is generated using an achromatic color, while a foreground in the duplication is recognized clearly when the foreground is generated using a chromatic color.
US08913295B2 Printing control device and image formation system
In the present invention, a printing control device comprises: a generation unit that generates a clear toner plane data based on a type of a surface effect which is applied to a recording medium and gloss control plane data for specifying an area in the recording medium to which the surface effect is applied; a first gradation correction unit that performs first gradation correction that varies per combination of a color of colored plane data and the surface effect, with respect to each of a plurality of items of colored plane data that configures the colored plane data; and an output unit that outputs the image data generated based on the clear toner plane data generated by the generation unit and the colored plane data to which the first gradation correction is applied.
US08913293B2 Reliable high-speed duplex printing mode configured to issue simplex-printing requests for individual sides based on a plurality of input duplex-printing requests for individual sheets
An image forming apparatus includes a high-speed duplex-printing mode execution unit, a print request unit, an output processing unit, a request control unit, and a request invalidation unit. The high-speed duplex-printing mode execution unit executes a high-speed duplex-printing mode in which image formation is sequentially performed on first sides from a leading sheet, and then image formation is performed on a second side of at least the leading sheet. The print request unit issues simplex-printing requests. The output processing unit receives the requests, performs an output process, and causes image formation to be performed. The request control unit causes the print request unit to issue simplex-printing requests using, as a trigger, either input of each duplex-printing request or completion of the output process. The request invalidation unit maintains a trigger based on the output process completion as invalid.
US08913287B2 Color erasing apparatus and control method of the color erasing apparatus
A color erasing apparatus includes a conveyance member to convey a sheet on which an image is formed of a color erasable coloring material, a color erasing part to erase a color of the coloring material of the image formed on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance member, a control part that counts the processed number of sheets images of which are color-erased by the color erasing part and determines whether the processed number of sheets exceeds a previously set threshold, and a notification interface to output a signal for notifying that, cleaning of the color erasing part is required if the processed number of sheets exceeds the threshold.
US08913284B2 Media processing device and systems with multiple processing units
A roll paper print unit 120 processes roll paper. A first interface 110 receives commands transmitted from a POS terminal 20. A second interface 115 transmits a command received by the first interface 110 to a printer 200 that performs a same process as the roll paper print unit 120. A control unit 150 controls processing by the roll paper print unit 120, and transmitting a command to the printer 200 through the second interface 115, based on the received command. When the received command is a preset command, the control unit 150 controls the second interface 115 to transmit the preset command to the printer 200.
US08913282B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an automatic acquiring unit which is configured to form a mark for detecting at least one of positional deviation and density deviation and acquire an amount of deviation by measuring the mark, an image forming unit which is configured to form an image while adjusting at least one of positional deviation and density deviation based on a correction value specified by the amount of deviation, and an output unit which is configured to execute at least one of a pattern printing process and a notifying process when an amount of deviation within a permissible range is not acquired by the automatic acquiring unit. The pattern printing process includes printing a pattern image for specifying a correction value on a recording sheet. The notifying process includes making notification for prompting execution of the pattern printing process.
US08913279B2 Information processing apparatus that provides hot folders, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An apparatus comprises a construction unit which constructs a setting value tree expressed in a tree structure by defining a parent-child relationship between plural job setting values; a generation unit which generates plural hot folders corresponding to job setting value combinations respectively constructing plural setting value trees; and a display unit which displays plural hot folders, of the plural hot folders generated, which correspond to job setting value combinations which are selectable at levels designated by the plural setting value trees, wherein job setting values of the plural hot folder are respectively inherit the job setting values superordinate to combined job setting values on the plural setting value trees corresponding to the plural hot folders, and the display unit displays job setting values corresponding to hot folders in accordance with a hierarchical structure of each of the plural setting value trees.
US08913278B2 Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus which displays a preview of a relevance according to output forms between a plurality of pages upon outputting images of the plurality of pages, a control method thereof, and a program are provided. To accomplish this, this image forming apparatus analyzes a predetermined relevance according to output forms between pages based on setting information of print data, generates a preview image including a plurality of pages having the predetermined relevance as a group for a page for which the predetermined relevance is specified, generates a preview image of only a page for which the predetermined relevance is not specified, and displays the preview image including the plurality of pages as the group on a display unit.
US08913274B2 Image processing system, processing method, image processing apparatus, and relay apparatus for electronic file storage and transfer
An image processing system includes: an image processing apparatus; a relay apparatus; and a service providing apparatus, which are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus includes: an electronic-file storage unit; an address-get-request transmitting unit; an upload-message generating unit which, upon receiving an upload destination address and a template for an upload message for performing an upload request to the service providing apparatus from the relay apparatus after a request for getting the upload destination address is transmitted to the relay apparatus by the account-information-request transmitting unit, generates the upload message including an electronic file and the upload destination address according to the received template; and an upload-message transmitting unit that transmits the upload message to the service providing apparatus to upload the electronic file to the service providing apparatus. The relay apparatus includes: a program storage unit; an upload-destination-address getting unit; and an upload-destination-address transmitting unit.
US08913271B2 Information processing apparatus, display control method, and storage medium storing program
An information processing apparatus which stores a table in which a destination group and a user having a browsing right to browse the destination group are associated with each other refers to the table based on user information, and displays a list of destination groups for which the user has the browsing right. The apparatus accepts, from the user, selection of a destination group from the displayed list, and displays destinations included in the selected destination group.
US08913270B2 Authentication system having an authentication apparatus including an authentication unit configured to search records of identification information associated with group information to find matching identification information matching obtained identification information of a user, authentication method, and apparatus
An authentication system includes an apparatus and an authentication apparatus configured to perform authentication of a user of the apparatus. The apparatus includes an identification information obtaining unit configured to obtain identification information of the user and an authentication requesting unit configured to send the obtained identification information and group information indicating a group to which the user belongs to the authentication apparatus to request authentication of the user. The authentication apparatus includes an authentication unit configured to search records of identification information associated with the group information to find matching identification information matching the obtained identification information of the user.
US08913265B2 Image forming apparatus, method for controlling the image forming apparatus, and program
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external apparatus via a network.
US08913262B2 Image forming apparatus, power control method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus configured to execute image forming process by using hardware resources. The image forming apparatus includes a processor that executes application software including an image forming process, the application software causing display of one or more display screens. The image forming apparatus includes a display processing unit configured to display one of the one or more display screens on a display, a memory configured to store in association with each display screen, a power status indicating whether each of the hardware resources should be provided power during display of the display screen, a power status determining unit configured to determine which hardware resource should be provided power among the hardware resources, based on the displayed display screen and the power status stored in the memory, and a power control unit configured to provide power to the determined hardware resources.
US08913259B2 Computer-readable recording medium storing printer driver for causing computer to convert text or vector object into raster object, and printing method with the printer driver
A computer-readable recording medium stores a printer driver that causes a computer to function as: a PDL conversion unit configured to convert drawing data received from an application into PDL data; a rasterization unit configured to convert at least one of a text object and a vector object into a raster object when the drawing data is converted into the PDL data; and a communication control unit configured to transmit the PDL data to an image forming apparatus. Before-conversion information, that indicates a data format of the object before the conversion is associated with the converted raster object.
US08913258B2 Image processing apparatus and method and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit and a combining unit. The obtaining unit obtains, from attribute information, data format information indicating data formats of first image data representing a first image and second image data representing a second image. The attribute information is included in the first image data and the second image data. The first image is printed at predetermined positions in all units of printing. The second image is changed in accordance with the individual units of printing and is printed at predetermined positions in the individual units of printing. The combining unit divides the first image data and the second image data in accordance with the data formats, and combines compressed data generated by compressing raster data of the first image data with compressed data generated by compressing raster data of the second image data, depending on amounts of image represented by divided portions.
US08913256B2 Method and system for performing an imaging function by an imaging device
A method for reducing time in performing an imaging function by an imaging device. The method includes receiving at least one media sheet against an image capture window of the imaging device, detecting whether a lid for covering the image capture window is closed, capturing an image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window in response to detecting a closed lid, receiving a start signal indicative of a user request to start an image capture operation after capturing the image, and sending a final image based upon the captured image to a destination.
US08913252B2 Computing device and measurement control method
A computing device is electronically connected to a measurement machine and a controller. The controller is connected to a sensor installed on the measurement machine. The computing device receives spectral signal data sent from the controller and generates an intensity distribution diagram according to the spectral signal data. Furthermore, the computing device sends control commands to the measurement machine, to adjust a position of the sensor on the measurement machine according to variation of a peak value of a wave in the intensity distribution diagram.
US08913251B2 Estimating material properties using speckle statistics
A surface roughness value and a sub-surface scattering property of a material are estimated. The material is illuminated with a light beam with controlled coherence properties at multiple incident angles. Multiple speckle patterns are recorded, each speckle pattern being recorded for a respective one of the multiple incident angles. Both of a surface roughness value and a sub-surface scattering property of the material are estimated by calculations using the multiple speckle patterns and the incident angle for each such speckle pattern.
US08913245B2 System and method for interferometric autofocusing
The present invention includes a camera configured to collect light reflected from the surface of a specimen, a two beam interference optical system including: an illumination source; a reference mirror configured to reflect substantially less light from a center region than from a peripheral region; and a first beam splitter configured to direct a first portion of light from the illumination source along an object path and a second portion of light from the illumination source along a reference path, wherein the camera and reference mirror are arranged such that light reflected from the reference mirror does not impinge on a FOV of the camera; and an autofocusing system disposed along a secondary optical axis, wherein the autofocusing system is configured to analyze one or more interference fringes created by a superposition of light reflected from the specimen surface and the peripheral region of the reference mirror surface.
US08913240B2 Fluorescence spectrophotometer
A fluorescence spectrophotometer according to the present invention includes: a light source 1; a sample cell 3; an excitation-side light-dispersing system 2 for dispersing a light from the light source 1 and for casting a desired wavelength of light into the sample cell 3; an emission-side light-dispersing system 4 for dispersing a light emitted from the sample cell 3, the emission-side light-dispersing system 4 being located off an optical path of a transmitted light exiting from the sample cell 3 after being cast from the excitation-side light-dispersing system 2 into the sample cell 3; and a photodetector 5 capable of detecting, among the light from the emission-side light-dispersing system 4, an emission light having the same wavelength as the light cast from the excitation-side light-dispersing system 2 into the sample cell 3.
US08913239B2 Apparatus and method for quenching-resistant multiple flame photometric detector
Provided herein are apparatuses and methods regarding photometric analyte detection using multiple flames, including a multiple flame photometric detector (mFPD). Such a detector may be used, for example, to detect sulfur and phosphorous in effluent streams containing hydrocarbons.
US08913238B2 Check-tile for colour measurement instruments
The invention relates to a check-tile for validating instrument scales of color measurement instruments, in particular goniospectrophotometers, said check-tile comprising a non-transparent (opaque) substrate coated with a multi-layer coating, said multi-layer coating comprising: A) a pigmented ground coat, wherein said pigmented ground coat is opaque and made of a base coat coating composition I comprising at least one achromatic solid pigment, B) a pigmented mid-coat, wherein said pigmented mid-coat is translucent and made of a base coat coating composition II comprising at least one transparent interference pigment and at least one transparent or semi-transparent solid pigment, and C) a clear top coat made of a transparent clear coat coating composition on top of the mid-coat.
US08913234B2 Measurement of the positions of centres of curvature of optical surfaces of a multi-lens optical system
A method measures the positions of centers of curvature of optical surfaces of a multi-lens optical system. The spacings between the surfaces are measured along a reference axis using an interferometer. Subsequently the centers of curvature of the surfaces are measured using an optical angle-measuring device. In the course of the measurement of the position of the center of curvature of a surface situated within the optical system, the measured positions of the centers of curvature of the surfaces situated between this surface and the angle-measuring device and the previously measured spacings between the surfaces are taken into consideration computationally. In this way, a particularly high accuracy of measurement is achieved, because desired spacings do not have to be fallen back upon.
US08913230B2 Chucking system with recessed support feature
In an imprint lithography system, a recessed support on a template chuck may alter a shape of a template positioned thereon providing minimization and/or elimination of premature downward deflection of outer edges of the template in a nano imprint lithography process.
US08913228B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that is arranged to project a pattern from a patterning device onto a substrate, the lithographic apparatus has a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate table includes a conditioning system configured to hold a conditioning fluid and to condition the substrate table. The conditioning system includes a pressure damper that is in fluid communication with the conditioning system and is arranged to dampen a pressure variation in the conditioning system.
US08913227B2 Illumination optical system, aligner, and process for fabricating device
According to one embodiment, an illumination optical system configured to illuminate an illumination target surface on the basis of light from a light source comprises a distribution forming optical system and a correction unit. The distribution forming optical system forms a pupil intensity distribution on an illumination pupil of the illumination optical system. The correction unit changes an emission direction of a beam according to an incidence position of the beam, in order to correct the pupil intensity distribution. The correction unit is arranged at or near a position of the illumination pupil, or, arranged at or near a position optically conjugate with the illumination pupil.
US08913226B2 Cyclic error compensation in interferometric encoder systems
Methods and apparatuses for performing the same, where the methods include obtaining, from an interferometer, a time-varying interference signal S(t) based on a combination of a first beam and a second beam, the first beam being diffracted from an encoder scale, in which at least one of the encoder scale and the interferometer is moveable with respect to the other, obtaining one or more error correction signals based on one or more errors that modify the time-varying interference signal S(t), and outputting information about a change in a position of the encoder scale relative to the interferometer based on the time-varying interference signal S(t) and the one or more error correction signals.
US08913225B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In an immersion lithographic apparatus, a final element is disclosed having, on a surface nearest the substrate, a layer bonded to the surface and having an edge barrier, of the same material as the layer, extending from the layer away from the substrate to shield the final element from a liquid. In an embodiment, the final element is attached to the apparatus via the layer and/or edge barrier, which may be made of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the final element.
US08913224B2 Exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device producing method
An exposure apparatus EX is provided with a measuring unit 60 which measures at least one of property and components of a liquid LQ in a state that a liquid immersion area LR is formed on an object different from a substrate P to be exposed. There is provided an exposure apparatus which can accurately perform exposure process and measurement process through the liquid by judging the state of the liquid in advance and by performing a procedure as appropriate.
US08913223B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithography apparatus comprises a temperature controller configured to adjust a temperature of a projection system, a substrate and a liquid towards a common target temperature. Controlling the temperature of these elements and reducing temperature gradients may improve imaging consistency and general lithographic performance. Measures to control the temperature may include controlling the immersion liquid flow rate and liquid temperature, for example, via a feedback circuit.
US08913221B2 Display device
A groove is formed above a first group of interconnects of a first substrate, continuously extending along a substrate outer perimeter portion and across the first group of interconnects. An underlying metal is provided in the same layer in which a second group of interconnects are provided, below the groove in at least regions in which the groove overlaps the first group of interconnects as viewed from above.
US08913219B2 Methods for driving a transflective liquid crystal display device
An IPS-mode transflective LCD device includes an array of pixels each including a reflective region and a transmissive region. The reflective region operates in a normally-white mode, and the transmissive region operates in a normally-black mode. A first potential is applied to a liquid crystal layer in the reflective region, and a second potential is applied to the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive region. The first and second potential have therebetween an opposite magnitude relationship in each of the pixels.
US08913212B2 Display device and driving method for display device
An object is to suppress degradation of an image quality of a display image. A plurality of display circuits arranged in M rows (M is a natural number of 2 or more) and N columns (N is a natural number) and a light unit are included; the light unit includes a plurality of light-emitting diode groups arranged in X rows (X is a natural number of 2 or more), overlaps with a display circuit in at least different one or more rows every row, and includes a light-emitting diode emitting red light, a light-emitting diode emitting green light and a light-emitting diode emitting blue light and a light guide plate formed between the plurality of display circuits and the plurality of light-emitting diode groups. The light guide plate includes X light guide members which transmits the light of the light-emitting diode groups in the rows different from each other.
US08913207B2 Display device
Provided is a display device, including: a first protrusion formed to an inner side surface of one of side walls of the frame on a short side of an angled corner portion surrounded by the side walls; a second protrusion formed to an inner side surface of one of the side walls on a long side of the angled corner portion; and a third protrusion formed at another angled corner portion on another end side of at least one of the side walls sharing the angled corner portion provided with the first and second protrusions, and formed to an inner side surface of one of the side walls that is opposed to the side wall to which the first protrusion and/or the second protrusion are/is arranged, the optical sheet including cut-out first to third recesses which are to be fitted to the first to third protrusions.
US08913206B2 Device and display unit
A device includes a substrate, a metal layer being formed in a region on a part of the substrate, and a first insulating film being provided on the substrate and the metal layer and including a trench provided at a position corresponding to a part or all of a region where the metal layer is not provided.
US08913205B2 Split segmented liquid crystal modulator
Disclosed is a segmented liquid crystal modulator panel apparatus and method for driving the same that overcomes electrical cross-talk associated with capacitive coupling to a common electrode. Each modulator segment may be divided into subsegments and driven substantially synchronously and out-of-phase. The field-polarity insensitive LC materials yield a substantially identical optical response for each subsegment, while allowing current on the common electrode to flow between the subsegments, thereby reducing power consumption and decreasing response times.
US08913203B2 Stereoscopic display device comprising a phase retardation film with first-phase and second-phase retardation regions corresponding to positions of left and right eye pixel regions
A display module includes a transparent substrate, a black matrix layer, several light-shielding elements and a phase retardation film. The transparent substrate includes left-eye pixel regions and right-eye pixel regions for respectively displaying left-eye images and right-eye images. Each left-eye pixel region is adjacent to each right-eye pixel region. The black matrix layer is disposed on one side of the transparent substrate and corresponds to each boundary between the left-eye and right-eye pixel regions. The light-shielding elements are disposed on the other side of the transparent substrate and respectively correspond to the boundaries between the left-eye and right-eye pixel regions. The phase retardation film is disposed on the other side of the transparent substrate, and has first-phase retardation regions and second-phase retardation regions with difference phases. Positions of the first-phase and second-phase retardation regions respectively correspond to those of the left-eye and right-eye pixel regions.
US08913201B2 Hybrid touch device and manufacturing method thereof
A hybrid touch device includes a direct touch unit and an indirect touch unit disposed at two sides respectively. The direct touch unit includes a base layer, a sensing line layer, a driving line layer, a bonding layer, and a covering layer. The indirect touch unit includes a first conducting layer, a second conducting layer, and a plurality of spacers between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. An optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer is disposed between the direct touch unit and the indirect touch unit. The base layer of the direct touch unit is a conductive film. A shielding layer is disposed between the conductive film and the OCA layer. The second conducting layer of the indirect touch unit is a thin conductive glass.
US08913198B2 Controlling display settings using mobile device
A mobile settings control device (MSCD) presents a user interface (UI) enabling a user to establish display settings for a display associated with an audio video display device (AVDD) with which the MSCD communicates. Before and after adjustment screen shots may be presented full screen and toggled between on either the AVDD or MSCD, or split screens of before and after adjustment screen shots can be presented side by side on the AVDD or MSCD.
US08913197B2 Digital broadcast receiver unit
Digital broadcast receiving apparatus including: a receiver receiving at least three different video programs in one transport stream, including a plurality of different video signal formats having different combination of scan lines and scan method; an isolator to isolate a video signal; a decoder to decode the video signal; a processor to execute a plurality of video processing sub software programs, providing video processing according to a different combination of the number of scan lines and a scan method; a controller using information obtained from the digital multiplexed signal to determine a combination of the number of scan lines and a scan method, and selecting one video processing of the video processing sub software programs to perform video processing according to the determined combination of the number of scan lines and the scan method; and a display to display the video signal processed by the processor.
US08913194B2 Image processing apparatus and method of enhancing visibility of displayed image
An image processing apparatus and method to reduce the deterioration of visibility of an image displayed on an image display device occurring under various lighting conditions when the brightness of ambient light is brighter than that of the image display device, and includes a sensor to sense the brightness of an external light, a unit to store a luminance-contrast model curve representing an optimal contrast value for a particular luminance for each brightness of the external light, a unit to determine a target luminance value according to the sensed brightness of the external light, to obtain a contrast value corresponding to the target luminance value with reference to the luminance-contrast model curve corresponding to the sensed brightness, and to adjust an input image to have the target luminance value and the obtained contrast value, and a unit to adjust the saturation of the adjusted input image according to the target luminance value and the obtained contrast value.
US08913187B1 System and method to detect garbled closed captioning
A garbled closed captioning detector analyzes closed captioning data at predetermined intervals to determine whether a metric derived from the closed-captioning data exceeds a threshold. If the metric exceeds the predetermined threshold, the closed captioning data is presumed to be garbled. For example, the metric may be the percentage of words in the closed captioning data having a desired word length observed in a particular interval compared to all words in the closed captioning data observed in the interval. If the percentage of words having a desired word length exceeds a predetermined threshold, the closed captioning data is presumed to be garbled.
US08913183B2 Video projector and associated data transmission
A video projector, a cluster of video projectors and a method for wirelessly transmitting image data within the cluster of video projectors. The video projector includes a first antenna located at a first side of the projector and a second antenna located at a second side of the projector, opposite to the first side. Image data is divided into sub-parts, and distributed by assigning each image data sub-part to a video projector. A video projector receiving image data sub-parts extracts and stores the image data sub-part assigned to it, and retransmits image data sub-parts assigned to respectively a second and third video projectors.
US08913181B2 Camera module and method for assembling same
In a method for assembling a camera module, a sensor module, a lens holder, and a lens assembly are first provided. The sensor module includes a substrate and a sensor positioned on the substrate. The lens holder is positioned on the substrate and accommodates the sensor. The lens assembly is held in the lens holder. At least one of the lens holder and the lens assembly has a chamfer at an end thereof opposite to the substrate and located between the lens holder and the lens assembly. Then, curable adhesive is applied to the chamfer. The tilt of the lens is adjusted until the lens assembly is optically aligned with the sensor. The curable adhesive is cured.
US08913180B2 Folded tape package for electronic devices
Described herein is a folded tape package for electronic devices. The folded tape package uses a flexible tape substrate having two end sections for passive components and a middle section for connecting and stacking multiple dies. The stacked dies are encapsulated or covered with a mold. One side may be left exposed for device functionality and operation with additional components or devices. The passive components may also be covered with a mold. The end sections are folded such that the end sections are in a parallel configuration with the middle section. The flexible tape substrate may be a high density interconnect flexible tape substrate with two layers. A silicon substrate may be used to interconnect a die stack to the flexible tape substrate. The folded tape package has a reduced device footprint, lower substrate warpage effects, and higher substrate yields.
US08913176B2 Mobile terminal and method of performing multi-focusing and photographing image including plurality of objects using the same
The present invention provides a mobile terminal and a method of capturing an image using the same. The mobile terminal controls a camera conveniently and efficiently to capture an image and performs focusing in various manners to capture an image. Accordingly, a user can obtain a desired image easily and conveniently.
US08913174B2 Automated extended depth of field imaging apparatus and method
An imaging apparatus and method enables an automated extended depth of field capability that automates and simplifies the process of creating extended depth of field images. An embodiment automates the acquisition of an image “stack” or sequence and stores metadata at the time of image acquisition that facilitates production of a composite image having an extended depth of field from at least a portion of the images in the acquired sequence. An embodiment allows a user to specify, either at the time of image capture or at the time the composite image is created, a range of distances that the user wishes to have in focus within the composite image. An embodiment provides an on-board capability to produce a composite, extended depth of field image from the image stack. One embodiment allows the user to import the image stack into an image-processing software application that produces the composite image.
US08913173B2 Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section, an imaging acquisition range control section, a distortion information obtaining section, and a display section. The imaging section includes a lens and obtains an image data by imaging a subject image. The imaging acquisition range control section controls an acquisition range of the image data such that a part of the subject image is read out. The distortion information obtaining section obtains distortion information of the lens. The distortion correction section corrects distortion of the image data in accordance with the distortion information. The display section performs enlarged live-view display operation to display an enlarged image of the corrected image data in the acquisition range. The imaging acquisition range control section updates the acquisition range, when the distortion information is changed while the enlarged live-view display operation is performed, in accordance with the changed distortion information.
US08913170B1 Cameras for computing devices
The visible presence of one or more cameras of a computing device can be minimized or otherwise reduced using a aperture. A front aperture can be used with one or more cameras, where the piece providing the aperture can be colored to match a color of a surrounding portion of the device, such as a portion of a display window or cover glass of the device. The aperture can enable the associated camera to capture light passing through the aperture, while hiding the camera from the view of the user to the extent practical. In cases where the user might want to know where to look, one or more indicia can be provided by the device to notify the user of the location of the camera(s).
US08913167B2 Image pickup apparatus and method of driving the same
An image pickup apparatus includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, an amplifying element, a first signal holding unit and a second signal holding unit both disposed in an electric path between the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplifying element, a first charge transfer unit configured to transfer electrons from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first signal holding unit, and a second charge transfer unit configured to transfer electrons from the first signal holding unit to the second signal holding unit. Voltage are set such that a voltage supplied to the first control electrode when the electrons are transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first signal holding unit is lower than a voltage supplied to the second control electrode when the electrons held by the first signal holding unit are transferred to the second signal holding unit.
US08913166B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus wherein an FD capacitor value is variable without increasing the number of elements. There is provided a solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, for generating an electric charge by photoelectric conversion; a plurality of transfer transistors each connected to each of the photoelectric conversion elements, for transferring the electric charge generated by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of floating diffusion regions for holding the electric charge transferred by the transfer transistors; a plurality of amplifiers each connected to each of the floating diffusion regions, for amplifying a signal based on the electric charge in the plurality of floating diffusion regions; and a connecting unit for connecting and disconnecting between the plurality of floating diffusion regions.
US08913165B2 Color image pickup device
A color image pickup device is provided with four pixel groups i.e. first to fourth pixel groups. The first pixel group is composed of nine pixels of 3×3 each having one of color filters, and the pixels are arranged in a Bayer pattern. The second pixel group is adjacent to the bottom of the first pixel group. The third pixel group is adjacent to the right of the second pixel group. The fourth pixel group is adjacent to the top of the third pixel group. The second pixel group, the third pixel group, and the fourth pixel group have such array patterns of the color filters that the array pattern of the first pixel group is turned by 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees counterclockwise, respectively. By using the pixels of 6×6 including the first to fourth pixel groups as a basic unit, an imaging surface is configured.
US08913159B2 Recording apparatus for storing a data file of image data according to a predetermined file name
A recording apparatus including a mounting portion configured to allow a rewritable recording medium and an unrewritable recording medium to be mounted thereon includes a determination unit configured to determine a file name with a number for recording a file on a recording medium mounted on the mounting portion, and a recording control unit configured to record, on the recording medium mounted on the mounting portion, the file using the file name determined by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit changes a file name determination method when the recording medium mounted on the mounting portion is replaced such that the rewritable recording medium and the unrewritable recording medium are replaced with each other.
US08913154B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus comprises an estimation unit which estimates, from color distribution information of an image obtained by capturing an object, a depth of water at which the captured object is positioned, and a white balance control unit which performs white balance control along an axis different from a black body radiation axis in accordance with the depth of water estimated by the estimation unit.
US08913152B1 Techniques for user customization in a photo management system
A computer-implemented technique can receive a plurality of photos and automatically select a subset of the plurality of photos having a high degree of representativeness by jointly maximizing both photo quality and photo diversity to obtain a photo album. The technique can determine one or more clusters for the photo album using a hierarchical clustering algorithm, and store the photo album according to the one or more clusters. The technique can control the manner in which the photo album is displayed using the one or more clusters. The technique can adjust at least one of the one or more clusters and the automatic photo album generation based on user input. The user input can include at least one of adding, deleting, and moving a photo with respect to the one or more clusters. The technique can then re-cluster, automatically generate a new photo album, and/or adjust the presentation.
US08913151B2 Digital camera with quad core processor
A digital camera that has a CMOS image sensor and a central processor. The central processor has four processing units and an image sensor interface integrated onto a single chip. The image sensor interface receives data from the CMOS image sensor and the four processing units simultaneously process the data.
US08913148B2 Information supplying apparatus, lens apparatus, camera apparatus and image pickup system
The information supplying apparatus (11, 131) is configured to supply first information to an image processing apparatus performing image processing for reducing an image component which is included in an image obtained by image pickup through an optical system and is generated due to aberration of the optical system. The first information is used in the image processing. The information supplying apparatus includes an information acquiring part (11) configured to acquire second information showing a state of at least one of an optical adjusting element (15) included in the optical system and an operation part operated for actuating the optical adjusting element, and an information generating part (131) configured to generate, based on the second information, the first information used in the image processing performed at a point in time after acquisition of the second information.
US08913143B2 Panoramic experience system and method
In one general sense, a user may be presented with a multimedia experience corresponding to an entertainment event or venue by managing a sensor array having at least two sensors that are made configured to provide a stream of data units, associating location information with sensors in the sensor array, enabling the user to perceive a map related to an entertainment event or venue, relating the perceived map to one or more sensors within the sensor array, receiving a user request identifying a selected position within the map, identifying one or more sensors within the sensor array corresponding to the selection, and presenting to the user a multimedia experience based on one or more streams of data units associated with the selected sensors.
US08913134B2 Initializing an inertial sensor using soft constraints and penalty functions
An initialization method for an inertial sensor that estimates starting orientation and velocity without requiring the sensor to start at rest or in a well-known location or orientation. Initialization uses patterns of motion encoded as a set of soft constraints that are expected to hold approximately during an initialization period. Penalty metrics are defined to measure the deviation of calculated motion trajectories from the soft constraints. Differential equations of motion for an inertial sensor are solved with the initial conditions as variables; the initial conditions that minimize the penalty metrics are used as estimates for the actual initial conditions of the sensor. Soft constraints and penalty metrics for a specific application are chosen based on the types of motion patterns expected for this application. Illustrative cases include applications with relatively little movement during initialization, and applications with approximately periodic motion during initialization.
US08913132B2 Camera system and method for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle
A camera system for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle through a vehicle window pane (1), having a camera (2) having an image sensor (4), a first optical radiation (6) generated by the vehicle surroundings detectable by a sensor surface (10) of the image sensor (4), and a radiation source (3) for emitting a second optical radiation (7). At least a portion of the emitted second optical radiation (7) is detectable by the sensor surface (10) of the image sensor (4), and the portion of the second optical radiation (7) detected by the sensor surface (10) is a function of a state of window pane (1). The first and second optical radiation (6, 7) are jointly detectable via at least one partial area (8, 9) of the sensor surface (10). A method is also provided for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle employing the camera system.
US08913127B2 Calibration of imaging device for biological/chemical samples
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for imaging biological/chemical samples are provided. A calibrated imaging system can allow a user to obtain an optimal focus setting (position) for any effective distance (e.g. a zoom setting). The optimal focus can be determined from a functional approximation that defines a relationship between effective distance and focus setting. A user can input a size, and an imaging system can determine the appropriate effective distance and focus. An imaging system can also determine a size based on any effective distance. A flat-field correction can also be determined for any effective distance or size.
US08913123B2 Needle shield positioning system and method
A system for mounting a needle shield to a syringe. The system includes a syringe nest and a gripper having a gripping position and a release position. The gripper is movable between an aligned position and a spaced position. A shaker has a shaker axis that is generally coaxial with the syringe axis. The shaker is movable along the shaker axis. An inspection camera is positioned proximate the syringe axis and defines a line of sight. The syringe nest, gripper, shaker and cap plunger are generally aligned along the syringe axis in a placing configuration wherein the gripper is in the gripping position holding the needle shield. The gripper is in the spaced position and the distal end of the cap plunger is in engagement with the needle shield in a final cap mounting configuration.
US08913119B2 Short distance iris recognition camera
The short distance iris recognition camera of the present invention has a prism, installed on top of a guide for an infrared LED light, which has an inclined surface and a protrusion part, thereby enhancing the degree of uniformity in brightness around an iris, and thus enhancing iris recognition, and also effectively preventing static electricity from being delivered to internal devices. To accomplish this, the camera for iris recognition according to the present invention comprises a sensor and accessory circuits, a lens, and a lighting source including a white light and an infrared LED light. The lighting source is spaced apart from the lens centerline by a set length. The object plane of the lens is located where the iris is located, and is spaced apart by a set length L from the end of the lens. In practice, the object plane comprises the area around the lens centerline. The phase surface of the lens is an image sensor surface. The lighting source is disposed exactly or nearly parallel to the lens centerline such that the lighting centerline directs the object plane of the lens and has a lighting inclination angle of at least the arctangent of D/L with respect to the centerline of the lens. And also, the lighting centerline is separated from the centerline of the lens and inclined with respect to the object plane.
US08913118B2 Viewing and processing multispectral images
Multispectral images, including ultraviolet light and its interactions with ultraviolet light-interactive compounds, can be captured, processed, and represented to a user. Ultraviolet-light related information can be conveniently provided to a user to allow the user to have awareness of UV characteristics and the user's risk to UV exposure.
US08913117B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus 10 acquires an image. And, the image processing apparatus 10 extracts a domain characterizing an object of gesture recognition from the acquired image. Then, the image processing apparatus 10 maps domains between frames of the image. And then, the image processing apparatus 10 extracts a moving direction of the domains. And then, the image processing apparatus 10 outputs the moving direction when a moving distance of the domains is greater than a predetermined threshold. And then, the image processing apparatus 10 updates the threshold using a moving distance exceeding the threshold.
US08913116B2 Systems and methods of contact monitoring
Methods and apparatus for monitoring communication of contacts for identifying contacts for potential supervision are disclosed. The method can include electronically monitoring communication between an agent and a customer associated with a contact. The method can include monitoring the communication for one or more characteristics of the communication. The method can include automatically identifying, based on the one or more characteristics of the communication, that the contact includes a risk of producing a negative customer response. The method can include presenting the identified contact to a supervisor.
US08913111B2 Image processing device, electronic apparatus, information storage device, and image processing method
The image processing device includes a first image acquisition section that acquires a first image that includes an object image including information within a wavelength band of white light, a second image acquisition section that acquires a second image that includes an object image including information within a specific wavelength band, a type determination section that determines a type of the object image in the second image based on a feature quantity of each pixel included in the second image, and a highlight section that performs a highlight process on the first image based on the type of the object image determined by the type determination section.
US08913104B2 Audio synchronization for two dimensional and three dimensional video signals
A method for processing audio/video signals. The method includes determining if the video signals are in two dimensional or three dimensional format. If the video signals are in two dimensional format, the method includes providing a first delay to be applied to the audio signals. If the video signals are in three dimensional format, the method includes providing a second delay, longer than the first delay, to be applied to the audio signals.
US08913103B1 Method and apparatus for focus-of-attention control
Disclosed are methods for automatically generating commands to transform a video sequence based on information regarding speaking participants derived from the audio and video signals. The audio stream is analyzed to detect individual speakers and the video is optionally analyzed to detect lip movement to determine a probability that a detected participant is speaking. Commands are then generated to transform the video stream consistent with the identified speaker.
US08913102B2 Teleconferencing method and device
A teleconferencing method for a teleconferencing device (1), the device combining multiple individuals (21, 22, 23, 24) in different location (11, 12, 13) over a communication network (31), the device comprising at least one sensor (3, 4, 5) per location and at least one audio and/or visual playback means (2) per location, the teleconferencing method comprising the following steps: assigning multiple interaction counters (41, 42, 43, 44) to each of the individuals (21, 22, 23, 24) participating in the teleconference, each interaction counter (41, 42, 43, 44) characterizing interactions (70) between a specific individual and a third-party individual; estimating the interactions (70) between the specific individual and the third-party individual based on a measurement of the sensors (3, 4, 5) of the specific individual's location or the third-party individual's location; altering a value of the interaction counter (41, 42, 43, 44) corresponding to the interaction (70) between the specific individual and the third-party individual resulting from the step of estimating the interactions, and saving the value of the interaction counter (41, 42, 43, 44); selecting the data streams (66, 67, 68) to be presented to each individual (21, 22, 23, 24) participating in the conference, the data stream presented to a specific individual being related to at least one third-party individual and selected based on the values of the interaction counters (41, 42, 43, 44) in comparison to a threshold defined by the specific individual; and presenting the data flow to each individual participating in the teleconference by way of the audio and/or visual playback means (2).
US08913100B2 Mobile video calls
A mobile device, and a method and computer program product for displaying a streaming video image at the mobile device during a packet based video call via a channel established over a wireless communication network, the method includes receiving a speed indication of the mobile device and sending said indication to a communication client application; and responsive to receiving said indication, the communication client application is configured to limit the amount of information in the streaming video image that is supplied for display on a display of the mobile device during the video call when the speed of the mobile device is greater than, or equal to, a first predetermined speed threshold.
US08913098B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes a pre-deflection optical system including a first optical element that adjusts the shape of beams emitted from the light source; and a second and third optical elements arranged such that the second optical element is arranged closer to the light source than the third optical element is. Both of the second and third optical elements have no refracting power in the deflection scanning direction and have positive refracting power only in a direction perpendicular to the deflection scanning direction. An interval between scanning lines formed on the scanned area and a deviation of the scanning-line interval between scanning positions are adjusted by displacement of the second and third optical elements in a direction of an optical axis of the pre-deflection optical system and displacement of at least one of the second and third optical elements in the direction perpendicular to the deflection scanning direction.
US08913097B2 Optical scanning device, imaging forming apparatus, and optical element
An optical scanning device includes an optical element and an optical base. The optical element includes a first bonding surface, while the optical base includes a second bonding surface. A groove in which a bonding agent flows is formed in at least one of the first bonding surface of the optical element and the second bonding surface of the optical base. The optical element is bonded and fixed to the optical base through the first bonding surface and the second boding surface by means of the bonding agent.
US08913095B2 Duplex thermal printer with pivotable diverter
A roll-fed duplex thermal printing system, comprising a supply roll of receiver media, a printing path, a reversing path, a pivotable diverter and a cutter positioned between the diverter and the reversing path. When the diverter is in a first position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll, when the diverter is in a second position the receiver media is directed from the supply roll into the reversing path, and when the diverter is in the third position the receiver media is directed from the reversing path into the printing path. During a printing operation, the diverter is sequentially repositioned to feed the receiver media into the printing path where a first side image is printed, into the reversing path where it is cut, and into the printing path again where a second side image is printed.
US08913094B2 Display and method of displaying an image with a pixel
A pixel includes four sub-pixels. The pixel is used to receive a plurality of signal values to display an image. The signal values are N-bit signal values, and the largest value of the signal values is (2N−1). The method of displaying the image with the pixel includes providing three color signals, generating four transformation signals corresponding to the four sub-pixels according to the values of the three color signals, and using four output signals to display the image of the pixel when the color saturation value is not larger than a first predetermined value and a fourth transformation signal of the four transformation signals is larger than other three transformation signals of the four transformation signals.
US08913091B2 Image display device and method for repairing short circuit failure
The present invention relates to an image display device and a method for repairing a short circuit failure. The present invention is applicable to, for example, an active matrix type image display device using an organic EL device, and a short circuit location between wiring patterns is able to be repaired. In a scanning line WSL or a signal line DTL, a bypass wiring pattern BP for bypassing a region where the signal line DTL and the scanning line WSL intersect with each other is provided. By using the bypass wiring pattern BP, a short circuit location between wiring patterns is repaired.
US08913089B2 Methods and systems for enhancing display characteristics with frequency-specific gain
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for increasing the perceived brightness of an image. In some embodiments this increase compensates for a decrease in display light source illumination.
US08913084B2 Method and apparatus for performing virtual pullback of an intravascular imaging device
The present disclosure provides a method of simulating an intravascular procedure in a virtual environment. The method includes displaying information from a first view and a second view simultaneously. The first view contains virtual representations of an anatomical region of a human body and an intravascular imaging device disposed in the anatomical region. The second view contains a cross-sectional image of a segment of the anatomical region corresponding to a location of the intravascular imaging device. The method includes moving, in response to a user input, the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device with respect to the virtual representation of the anatomical region. The method includes updating the cross-sectional image as the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device is being moved. The updated cross-sectional image corresponds to a new location of the intravascular imaging device.
US08913081B2 Methods of managing a parameter displayed in an interactive graphic object
The method of displaying the preceding value of a parameter displayed in a first interactive graphic object by means of a display device defining a display window, a computer making it possible to interpret the actions of a graphic pointer, the pointer comprising means of selecting the first graphic object, the pointer being able to be overlaid on the first graphic object on the display device, comprises: a step for positioning the pointer at at least one point of the frame of the first graphic object; a step for activation of the means of selecting the first graphic object and of displacing the pointer within a determined area engaging the displacement of the first graphic object, a second graphic object appearing under the first graphic object, the second graphic object including the preceding value of the current parameter.
US08913077B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are provided. When a display apparatus is in the 3D display mode, a mode-switching unit adjusts the way to generate a vertical-count-value by counting every two rows of pixels and outputs the adjusted vertical-count-value. A dither unit outputs a carry value corresponding to the adjusted vertical-count-value. An adding unit adds the carry value and the surplus pixel bit together.
US08913075B2 Image display apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing method
An adder adds, to a luminance value indicated by the image signal of the nth frame, a correction value corresponding to a combination of a luminance value indicated by the image signal of the nth frame and one indicated by the image signal of the (n+1)th frame. The adder outputs an image signal having the luminance value after addition as the image signal of the nth frame.
US08913074B2 Colorization method and apparatus
A method for colorization of images is presented. The method comprises the following steps: Displaying an image (102); applying multiple color markings (at least two colors are different) to the displayed image (104); automatically coloring the image by applying a constrained optimization to a cost function that is responsive to the marked colors and the intensity differences of the neighborhoods of some of all of the pixels (106); the resultant image is subsequently stored (110), displayed (108), or transferred (112).
US08913069B2 Magnetic memory display driver system
In one embodiment there is provided, a display driver system, comprising, at least one display driver; a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) macro; and a display driver interface coupling the MRAM macro and the at least one display driver.
US08913066B2 Cross-application information display device, information display method
An information display device is provided. The information display device includes a controller for being able to execute a plurality of applications, a user interface for allowing a user to instruct the controller, and a display unit for simultaneously displaying an application selection menu item for allowing the user to select one of the applications and an application proprietary menu item that is used with a selected application, along with an information image created by execution of the selected application. The display unit is configured to display the information image, the application selection menu item, and the application proprietary menu at substantially the same position on a display screen of the display unit, regardless of which application is selected.
US08913064B2 Real-time terrain animation selection
In-game characters select the proper animation to use depending on the state of the terrain on which they are currently moving. In this specific case the character chooses an animation depending on the angle of the ground on which it is walking. The method involves real-time determination of the ground angle which is then used to choose the most desirable animation from a closed set of pre-created animations. The animation set consists of animations rendered with the character moving on flat terrain, as well as animations rendered of the character moving uphill and downhill (separately) at pre-determined angles. In this game an animation set consisted of the following animations: 0 degrees, 15 degrees uphill, 30 degrees uphill, 45 degrees uphill, 15 degrees downhill, 30 degrees downhill, 45 degrees downhill). Drawing of the animation is offset to give the best appearance relative to the ground angle.
US08913063B2 Pattern detection of avatars in a virtual environment
Techniques are described for detecting script-controlled avatars in a virtual environment engaging in certain pattern formation behaviors. In particular, a virtual environment server may select a group of avatars and determine a pattern formed by the selected group. The virtual environment system may further search for a match of the pattern from a library of prohibited words or symbols. In the event the pattern formed by the selected avatars matches one of the prohibited patterns, some form of remedial action may be performed to disrupt the pattern.
US08913062B2 Display device and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing display control program
A display device includes an operation portion, a display portion, a character designating portion, and a display control portion. The display control portion displays the at least one character on the display portion. The display control portion displays, in a case where the at least one character displayed on the display portion includes a predetermined special character and the number of at least one display lines is not less than a threshold value, a dot pattern for an alternate character instead of a dot pattern for the special character. The display control portion changes, in a case where a designated character is the alternate character, the dot pattern for the designated character displayed on the display portion to the dot pattern for the special character.
US08913060B2 Systems and methods for extracting a curve-skeleton from a volumetric image of a vessel
An accurate analysis of the spatial distribution and intravascular pattern of blood flow in any organ must be based on detailed morphometry (diameters, lengths, vessel numbers, branching pattern, branching angles, etc.) of the organ vasculature. Despite the significance of detailed morphometric data, there is relative scarcity of database on vascular anatomy, mainly because the process is extremely labor intensive. Novel methods in the form of a segmentation algorithm for semi-automation of morphometric data extraction are provided. The extraction algorithm is based on a topological analysis of a vector field generated by the normal vectors of the extracted vessel wall. With this approach, special focus is made on achieving the highest accuracy of the measured values, with excellent results when compared to manual measurements of the main trunk of the coronary arteries with microscopy.
US08913058B2 Displaying information associated with an object
Displaying information associated with an object is described herein. One method includes determining attributes associated with an object, visualizing the object using a mobile device, detecting, by the mobile device, the attributes from the visualization, and receiving, by the mobile device, information associated with the object in response to the detection of attributes.
US08913048B2 Source driver circuit of liquid crystal display device
Provided is a technology for preventing noisy data from being displayed before valid data is inputted when power is turned on in a liquid crystal display. A source driver circuit for a liquid crystal display includes: a power supply voltage input unit configured to divide a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage, such that a middle level of the second power supply voltage is lower than a level of the first power supply voltage; a power supply voltage comparison unit configured to compare division voltages inputted from the power supply voltage input unit, and output an output voltage of a high level in a time period in which the middle level of the second power supply voltage is higher than the level of the first power supply voltage; a Schmitt trigger configured to output the output voltage of the power supply voltage comparison unit as a reset signal while preventing a sensitive response to external environment; and a specific voltage supply unit configured to output a voltage of a specific level in a time period between the input of the reset signal from the Schmitt trigger and the input of a first gate start pulse.
US08913047B2 Semiconductor device, liquid crystal display panel, and mobile information terminal
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of sets of external drive terminals in a marginal region along one long side of a rectangular semiconductor substrate, a plurality of sets of ESD protection circuits arranged in the marginal region and coupled to corresponding sets of the drive terminals, and a plurality of output circuits coupled to corresponding sets of the drive terminals. Each set of drive terminals in a plurality of n columns along a Y direction is laid out in a staggered arrangement with drive terminals in adjacent columns shifted relative to each other. Each output circuit includes n output units associated with n drive terminals of each set and arranged in one column in an X direction. By the arrangement, the drive terminals can be arranged at a narrower pitch, and the total width for n output units can be compacted into that of one output circuit.
US08913046B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
An LCD and a driving method thereof include: data writing for applying a common voltage and a data voltage to a plurality of pixels; and sustaining for applying a shifted common voltage shifted by a predetermined level from the common voltage to the plurality of pixels for a sustain period during which the plurality of pixels emit light, corresponding to the data voltage. The shifted common voltage is shifted to an opposite polarity of a polarity of a gate-off voltage applied to the plurality of pixels to float the plurality of pixels. During a sustain period, a gate-source voltage of the switching transistor can be increased, and accordingly an influence due to the leakage current can be minimized, thereby preventing image deterioration. Further, since capacitance of the sustain capacitor can be reduced so that power consumption of the LCD can be reduced.
US08913042B2 Force sensing stylus
The present disclosure provides a force sensing stylus that includes a shaft. The shaft has a tip-end, which protrudes from the stylus body, and an interior-end that is located within the body. The shaft is supported in the body at the tip-end by a compliant element. A multi-axis force sensor, in contact with the interior-end of the shaft, senses lateral and longitudinal components of a force applied to the tip-end of the shaft, or a combination thereof. The sensed force components may be transmitted to an electronic device and used to control an application executed on the device.
US08913036B2 Optical touchscreen and electronic device using same
A touchscreen for an electronic device includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, and photosensors disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. When a first light at a first wavelength enters the second substrate via the second surface, the second substrate emits the first light at the first wavelength from the first surface. The second substrate further totally reflects the first light at a second wavelength. The plurality of photosensors detect the first light at the first wavelength penetrating through the second substrate, and output corresponding detecting signals.
US08913017B2 Touch sensing system, electronic touch apparatus, and touch sensing method
A touch sensing system including a touch interface, at least one sensing unit, and a switching unit is provided. The sensing unit is coupled to the touch interface. The touch sensing system is switched to a first sensing mode or a second sensing mode by the switching unit according to a control signal. When the touch sensing system is in the first sensing mode, the sensing unit senses a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal of the touch interface. On the other hand, when the touch sensing system is in the second sensing mode, the sensing unit senses the first sensing signal according to a driving signal. An electronic touch apparatus and a touch sensing method are also provided.
US08913016B2 Small-sized computing device with a radio unit and user interface means
A computing device (1) includes a controller (4), a radio unit with an antenna (5), detection element (3) and interface element (2). The interface element output, in response to a user actuation, towards detection element (3) a change in a defined physical characteristic. The detection element (3) include dielectric material and are located within the computing device spatially separated from the interface element (2). The detection element (3) is configured to detect the change output by the interface element and output to the controller (4) a signal that corresponds to the change in the defined physical characteristic. The distance from any part of the antenna to a straight line connecting any part of the interface element with any part of the detection element is at some point less than 6 mm.
US08913014B2 Information processing apparatus and method of controlling same
An information processing apparatus for data input in which input and editing can be performed through a simple operation is disclosed. The apparatus includes first determination means for determining whether drawing has been completed following input of coordinate data in the drawing mode; second determination means which, if completion of drawing has been determined, is for adopting drawing data, which has been drawn from input of coordinate data until completion of drawing, as a drawing object to be edited, and determining whether this drawing object has a portion that overlaps another object; and control means which, if it has been determined that the drawing object to be edited has a portion that overlaps another object, is for applying control to the drawing object to be edited in such a manner that this drawing object will no longer have a portion that overlaps another object.
US08913007B2 Display apparatus and control method
A display apparatus and a control method capable of preventing its user from viewing an image in an improper viewing position. The display apparatus includes: an imaging unit that captures a moving image in a predetermined range with respect to an image display direction; an image analyzer that analyzes the moving image captured by the imaging unit, and calculates a position of a target that should be guided to a proper viewing position; and a display controller that causes a display unit to perform display to guide the target to the proper viewing position when the target position calculated by the image analyzer is at an improper viewing position.
US08913002B1 Determining when to perform a flash of a display
Examples of when to perform a flash update to reset pixels of a display device are described. In some implementations, a pixel threshold may be determined based at least partly on a temperature associated with a display device. A counter may be modified based at least partly on a number of pixels changed by a plurality of updates sent within a predetermined period of time to the display device. A flash update of the display device may be performed based at least partly based on determining that the counter satisfies the pixel threshold.
US08913001B2 Control device, electrooptics device, electronic equipment, and control method
For a target pixel to be processed among plural pixels, when a comparison result between the gray level value stored in the first memory and the gray level value stored in the second memory, and the remainder frequency stored in the third memory meet a predetermined condition, the control device rewrites the remainder frequency to a set value decided according to the gray level value stored in the second memory, and the control device performs a cleanup processing to display a predetermined image at the plural pixels with a predetermined timing.
US08912999B2 Background plateau manipulation for display device power conservation
Described herein are systems and methods that that reduce power consumption for an electronics device that includes a display. The power conservation systems and methods alter background video information not needed for interactive use when a user returns to a display after some period of inactivity. Power conservation also preserves video information for one or more graphical user interface items. Preserving a graphics item maintains a person's ability to detect the graphical user interface item, and return to it at a later time, even though the background video information has been altered to conserver power.
US08912995B2 Gate driver and liquid crystal display including the same
A gate driver includes a gate integrated circuit (“IC”) chip which receives at least two scanning start signals and at least four clock control signals, and outputs a plurality of gate-on voltages, where at least two clock control signals of the at least four clock control signals are generated based on one scanning start signal of the at least two scanning start signals, timings of the at least two scanning start signals are independent of each other, and timings of the at least two clock control signals based on the one scanning start signal are independent of each other.
US08912992B2 Display device
A display device includes a driving circuit that applies an active potential which is a potential for turning on pixel transistors sequentially to a plurality of output signal lines, wherein the driving circuit includes a main driving circuit that outputs the active potential to one end of the output signal line of the plurality of output signal lines by applying a clock signal caused by a input of the active potential output from the upper output signal line, and an auxiliary driving circuit that has an auxiliary transistor which is a transistor where the other end of the output signal line is connected to a signal line for the clock signal via the source or the drain. Thereby, output waveform distortion in the scanning signal line can be improved and thus display quality can be enhanced.
US08912990B2 Display having a transistor-degradation circuit
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a device having a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel that includes a transistor-degradation circuit. In some embodiments, the transistor-degradation circuit is configured to output a signal indicative of a change in a property of a transistor on the LCD panel over time.
US08912988B2 EL display panel, power supply line drive apparatus, and electronic device
Disclosed herein is an electroluminescence display panel including a pixel circuit, a signal line, a scan line, a drive power supply line, a common power supply line, a power supply line drive circuit, a high-potential power supply line, and a low-potential power supply line.
US08912984B2 Method and device for overlapping display
Embodiments of an apparatus for having overlapping displays and methods for operating such apparatus can provide enhanced display and operational capabilities. The overlapping displays may include multiple overlapping transparent displays. Embodiments of additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08912980B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing system
An image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by a first imaging device provided in a HMD for presenting an image observed when a three-dimensional image in a virtual three-dimensional space is projected onto a real-world setting, the first imaging device being configured to visualize an area including a field of view of a user wearing the HMD. A marker detection unit detects a marker included in the image captured by the first imaging device and acquired by the image acquisition unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by a second imaging device having an angle of view that at least partially overlaps an angle of view of the first imaging device. If the marker is not captured in the image captured by the first imaging device, the marker detection unit detects the marker in an image captured by the second imaging device.
US08912979B1 Virtual window in head-mounted display
Methods and systems involving a virtual window in a head-mounted display (HMD) are disclosed herein. An exemplary system may be configured to: (i) receive head-movement data that is indicative of head movement; (ii) cause an HMD to operate in a first mode in which the HMD is configured to: (a) simultaneously provide a virtual window and a physical-world view in the HMD; (b) display, in the virtual window, a portion of a media item that corresponds to a field of view; (c) determine movement of the field of view; and (d) update the portion of the media item that is displayed in the virtual window; (iii) receive mode-switching input data and responsively cause the HMD to switch between the first mode and a second mode; and (iv) responsive to the mode-switching input data, cause the HMD to operate in the second mode.
US08912974B2 Solderless circularly polarized microwave antenna element
Disclosed herein is an antenna feed design for transmitting or receiving a circularly polarized microwave signal, and a communication device using that antenna feed design. Resonating disks are bowl-shaped to balance E-plane and H-plane magnetic field patterns, decreasing cross-polarization, and providing mechanical rigidity. A non-planar circuit replaces planar microstrip transmission lines for transmitting the signal, with 90° phase shifts, from an input point to excitation points. This non-planar circuit overcomes some of the layout problems encountered in planar circuits. It maintains impedance matching from the input point to the excitation points by progressively tapering down the characteristic transmission line impedance of each successive section. The non-planar circuit has sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity to allow it to be supported at only two anchor points. Similarly, the non-planar disks are also of sufficient strength to require only a single anchor point each. Thus, the antenna parts do not require any additional dielectric substrate support, and all parts are DC grounded. The use of fingers surrounding the ground plane and extending towards the resonating disks results in improved off-boresight polarization. All components of the antenna feed are built and combined without the use of solder or dielectric substrate support, creating a stable, corrosion-resistant, low-cross polarization antenna.
US08912969B2 Directional antenna and radiating pattern adjustment method
The present invention discloses a directional antenna for a multi-in multi-out or antenna beam switchable wireless communication system, including a substrate, at least one directional antenna, formed on the substrate, for generating a radiating pattern of a radiation plane according to a feeding signal, and a reflector, disposed in parallel to the radiation plane of the directional antenna, for reflecting the radiating pattern of the directional antenna, to increase a gain of the directional antenna corresponding to the radiation plane.
US08912967B2 Wideband high gain antenna for multiband employment
An antenna element employable singularly or in an array and configured for concurrent RF transmission and receipt on a plurality of frequencies concurrently. The element is formed of conductive material on a substrate by a pair of substantially identical horns extending in opposite directions to distal tips. A cavity formed between the horns narrows to a narrowest point prior to curving. The element is capable of wideband RF communication on any frequency between a low frequency defined by the distance between the distal tips to a highest frequency defined by the narrowest point of the cavity. The antenna is especially well adapted for portable devices such as smartphones where concurrent cellular, Wi-Fi, and bluetooth communications may be accomplished with a single element.
US08912966B2 Dual band slot antenna
A dual-band antenna (100) for transmitting or receiving radio frequency signals in a lower and a higher frequency band, comprises a conductive plane (120), a slot (110) in the conductive plane (120), the slot (110) having first, second and third branches (103, 104, 105) emanating from a common point within the conductive plane (120). The first branch (103) has an end (113) open at an edge of the conductive plane (120) and the second and third branches (104, 105) each have a closed end (114, 115).
US08912963B2 System for testing multi-antenna devices using bidirectional faded channels
A test system for testing multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems is provided. The test system may convey radio-frequency (RF) signals bidirectionally between a base station emulator and a device under test (DUT). The DUT may be placed within a test chamber during testing. An antenna mounting structure may surround the DUT. Multiple antennas may be mounted on the antenna mounting structure to transmit and receive RF signals to and from the DUT. A first group of antennas may be coupled to the base station emulator through downlink circuitry. A second group of antennas may be coupled to the base station emulator through uplink circuitry. The uplink and downlink circuitry may each include a splitter, channel emulators, and amplifier circuits. The channel emulators and amplifier circuits may be configured to provide desired path loss and channel characteristics to model real-world wireless network transmission.
US08912956B2 Cooperative calibration of platform shared voltage controlled oscillator
A mobile communication device includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver for receiving GNSS signals, a radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving RF signals and a voltage controlled oscillator supplying an oscillator signal to the GNSS receiver and the RF receiver. The GNSS receiver and the RF receiver use the oscillator signal to receive the GNSS signals and the RF signals. The mobile communication device also includes a processor for initializing and/or adjusting a model of a frequency behavior of the voltage controlled oscillator, and uses the model to track the GNSS signals when computing a location of the mobile communication device.
US08912954B2 Method and system for a full GNSS capable multi-standard single chip
A multi-standard single chip integrated within a multi-standard mobile device concurrently receives multi-standard radio frequency signals by corresponding two or more integrated radios. The multi-standard single chip generates full GNSS measurement comprising pseudo-range information using the received radio frequency signals. The multi-standard single chip comprises a GNSS radio and multiple non-GNSS radios such as Bluetooth. The full GNSS measurement is generated using GNSS radio frequency signals received by the integrated GNSS radio and communicated over, for example, Bluetooth radio. GNSS satellite reference information embedded in radio frequency signals received by the integrated non-GNSS radios is extracted to assist the full GNSS measurement. A full GNSS navigation solution for the multi-standard mobile device is generated internally to and/or externally to the multi-standard single chip depending on the location of a navigation engine. The generation of the full GNSS measurement is independent of a host processor within the multi-standard mobile device.
US08912949B2 Ultra-sensitive system for measuring distance or position
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system with which 3-dimensional position can be accurately measured.Plural UWB transmitter-receivers (1), periodically transmitting PN codes of M system and preliminarily disposed on known positions are provided, a server (3) to synchronize the plural UWB transmitter-receivers (1) is provided, an RF tag (T), attached to a moving object (20) as to receive signals (I0) synchronously and periodically transmitted from the UWB transmitter-receivers (1) and reflect the signals (I0) adding inherent tag recognition signal, is provided, and the UWB transmitter-receiver (1) is composed as to obtain the distance to the moving object (20) attached with the RF tag (T) by synchronous summation and correlative calculation of the PN codes of M system reflected by the RF tag (T).
US08912944B2 Human presence detector suitable for concealment and using a shaped microwave beam
A presence detector unit (PDU) of the type relying on microwave radiation provides a signal indicating movement within a defined space when such movement occurs. A source of microwave radiation within a housing projects a beam of microwave radiation directed through a side of the housing to suffuse at least a portion of the defined space. A detector within the housing senses changes in microwave radiation reflected back toward the detector. An adjustable beam occlusion structure is supported by the housing and blocks a portion of the microwave radiation emanating from the source and through the side of the housing.
US08912943B2 Near field subwavelength focusing synthetic aperture radar with chemical detection mode
Detection of objects such as a buried explosive device while operating from a moving platform using a radio frequency emission system having two modes. An electromagnetic wave emission and detection system operates in a first mode to locate objects of interest and in a second mode to determine if an object contains explosive materials. In the first mode, the emission and detection system preferably operates as a subwavelength focusing, wideband, superlens using a near field super gain synthetic aperture continuous wave (CW) swept radar. In the second mode the system preferably enabled after detection of an object in the first mode, uses chemical detection methods such as Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR).
US08912939B2 String DAC leakage current cancellation
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a multi-string DAC with leakage current cancellation. A leakage cancellation circuit may be coupled to output node(s) of the—multi-string DAC. The leakage cancellation circuit may replicate leakage current present at the coupled output node(s) and generate a corresponding complementary signal, a leakage cancellation signal. The leakage cancellation signal may be injected into the coupled output node(s) to cancel (or reduce) the net impact of the leakage current.
US08912938B1 Converter and method of controlling the same
A converter and a method for controlling a converter are disclosed herein, in which the converter includes a converting circuit, a current sensing circuit, a digital-to-analog converting circuit, a slope compensation circuit and a comparator circuit. The slope compensation circuit is independent from the digital-to-analog converting circuit, and the slope compensation circuit exclusively generates an analog slope compensation signal. The comparator circuit compares an analog signal generated by the digital-to-analog converting circuit with the superimposition of the analog slope compensation signal and a current sensing signal generated by the current sensing circuit or compares the current sensing signal with the superimposition of the analog slope compensation signal and the analog signal to generate a comparator output signal for a control operation of the converting circuit.
US08912937B2 High efficiency output stage amplification for radio frequency (RF) transmitters
Highly power efficient transmitter output stage designs are provided. In an embodiment, the probability density function (PDF) of an input signal is divided into a plurality of regions, and samples of the input signal are processed depending on the region of the PDF within which they fall. The PDF can be divided between an inner region corresponding to samples of the input signal that are within a predetermined amplitude range, and outer regions corresponding to samples of the input signal that are outside of the predetermined amplitude range. Samples of the input signal that fall in the inner region are processed by a class A biased amplifier and samples of the input signal that fall in the outer regions are processed by a class B biased amplifier. Output stage designs according to embodiments can be implemented as power amplifiers or power digital-to-analog converters (DACs).
US08912935B1 Digital input for a programmable logic controller
A digital input includes a galvanically isolated section having an integrating capacitor coupled to a high voltage signal input by at least one current-limiting resistor, a relaxation oscillator coupled across the integrating capacitor, and an electronic switch controlled by the relaxation oscillator. An optical isolator has an input side and an output side, wherein the input side is coupled across the integrating capacitor by the switch, and a low voltage section includes a decoder having an input coupled to the output side of the optical isolator and having a low voltage signal output.
US08912931B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding metadata
Provided are a meta data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The meta data decoding method includes decoding a media signal containing a media object, and decoding meta data corresponding to the media object. During the decoding of the meta data signal, decoding of the meta data is skipped when the meta data that is to be decoded is identical to already decoded meta data.
US08912930B2 Capacitive touch keyboard
A capacitive touch keyboard includes a sensor layer, ground plane, a flexible sensed body, and a sensing circuit. The sensor layer includes a substrate and a key sensing cell which disposed on the substrate spaced apart from the ground plane. The flexible sensed body includes a sensed portion and a connected portion connected with the ground plane where the sensed portion obliquely extends to above the key sensing cell such that the flexible sensed body and the key sensing cell jointly form a capacitor structure. The sensing circuit is electrically connected to the sensing cell for probing a capacitance change. Therefore, features of more simplified structure design, tactile feel, and improved durability are provided in a capacitive keyboard.
US08912929B2 Correction value derivation apparatus, displacement amount derivation apparatus, control apparatus, and correction value derivation method
Detection precision is improved by reducing a detection error of a change in position of a target. A correction value derivation apparatus is provided for deriving a correction value used in correction of a displacement amount derived based on an encoder signal indicating a change in position of a movable portion as a target. A displacement amount derivation unit is configured to derive a detected displacement amount of the movable portion based on the encoder signal. A displacement velocity derivation unit is configured to derive a detected displacement velocity based on the detected displacement amount derived by the displacement amount derivation unit. An average displacement velocity calculation unit is configured to calculate an average displacement velocity over a predetermined displacement range. A correction value derivation unit is configured to derive the correction value based on the detected displacement velocity and the average displacement velocity.
US08912925B2 Aircraft and method for displaying a visual information associated to flight parameters to an operator of an aircraft
There is described an aircraft, comprising a windscreen arranged in a front side of aircraft, characterized in that an edge of windscreen defines a visualization area visible by an operator, and by comprising displaying means configured for displaying at least one visual information of at least one flight parameter within visualization area, at least when aircraft is in a normal flight configuration.
US08912922B2 Field of view traffic signal preemption
Approaches for issuing preemption requests. The boundaries of a geo-window are repeatedly determined based on locations and headings of a vehicle as the vehicle is traveling along a roadway. The methods and systems determine whether or not any one of a plurality of intersections is located within the boundaries of the geo-window in response to changed boundaries of the geo-window. In response to determining that one of the plurality of intersections is located within the boundaries of the geo-window, a preemption request is transmitted from the vehicle to an intersection controller at the one of the plurality of intersections.
US08912920B2 Switchable low threshold current power supply
A device connectable to a power line conductor includes an electrically conductive insulated first winding of wire wound into at least two turns having a first and a second end. The first end is configured to be attached to a first power line conductor. An electrically conductive insulated second winding of wire wound into at least one turn having a first end connected to the second end of the first winding of wire and a second end is configured to be attached to a second power line conductor. A switchable connecting device is configured to move between a first position connecting the first and second power line conductors in series, a second position connecting the first winding of wire in series with the first and the second power line conductors, and a third position connecting the first and second power line conductors and the first and second windings of wire in series.
US08912919B2 Determination of resource consumption
System and method for determining consumption of resources to assist a meter reading personnel are described. According to an embodiment, the system includes a processor and an extraction module coupled to the processor configured to extract historical data associated with a meter to be read. The system further includes a prediction module coupled to the processor configured to determine a predicted resource consumption for a current cycle based on the historical data and provide the predicted meter reading to a display device corresponding to a meter reading personnel. Furthermore, the system includes a computation module coupled to the processor configured to determine an actual resource consumption for the current cycle based on an analysis of an observed resource consumption of the current cycle with respect to the predicted resource consumption.
US08912914B2 Apparatus for the treatment of containers with combined size-part and fitting detection
An apparatus for the treatment of containers may include a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path and a size part which is arranged in an interchangeable manner on the apparatus. The size part may include a first identification element based upon RFID technology in order to identify the size part. The size part may in turn include a position detection device which detects a position of at least one element of the apparatus with respect to the size part and emits a signal characteristic of this position.
US08912912B2 Remote identification device associated with a vehicle including means for remotely communicating battery state-of-charge information with the associated vehicle
The invention relates to a device (1) for remotely identifying a motor vehicle (2), including means (3) for remotely communicating with the associated vehicle (2). The device comprises means (4) for querying the state of charge of at least one vehicle battery and means (6) for receiving said state of charge.
US08912911B2 First energy storage device
A device including a first energy storage device configured to be charged by a machine when the device is coupled to the machine and a wireless transceiver configured to receive input commands from an input device and transmit the input commands to the machine, where the first energy storage device is configured to transfer electrical energy to the input device when the device is operatively coupled to the input device.
US08912908B2 Communication system with remote activation
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can also measure the conditions of the environment surrounding the system.
US08912903B1 Door knob security alarm
The door knob security alarm is a door alarm that is uniquely adapted to rest upon a top half of a door knob, and upon movement of the door knob the security alarm shell fall off of the door knob, and emit an alarm upon impacting the ground. An alarm housing includes a concave portion along a bottom portion of said alarm housing, which is uniquely adapted for placement atop of a portion of a door handle or door knob. A motion sensor detects impact of the alarm housing with a ground surface, and shall generate an alarm that is audible. The security alarm includes the use of at least one speaker that emits an audible alarm. The alarm housing includes at least one switch on a top surface, which enables operation of the security alarm.
US08912897B2 System, method, and software for controlling alert notifications
A method for controlling alert notifications includes receiving, at an alert notification monitor, notifications from at least one medical device. The method further includes analyzing, at the alert notification monitor, the notifications based on one or more complex triggers to identify at least one triggered notification. The method further includes transmitting the at least one triggered notification.
US08912892B2 Autonomous and controllable systems of sensors and methods of using such systems
An autonomous and controllable system of sensors and methods for using such a system of sensors are described.
US08912890B2 Surveillance devices with multiple capacitors
The disclosure relates to surveillance and/or identification devices having capacitors connected in parallel or in series, and methods of making and using such devices. Devices with capacitors connected in parallel, where one capacitor is fabricated with a relatively thick capacitor dielectric and another is fabricated with a relatively thin capacitor dielectric achieve both a high-precision capacitance and a low breakdown voltage for relatively easy surveillance tag deactivation. Devices with capacitors connected in series result in increased lateral dimensions of a small capacitor. This makes the capacitor easier to fabricate using techniques that may have relatively limited resolution capabilities.
US08912889B2 Monitoring method and system for detecting the torsion along a cable provided with identification tags
A method for monitoring the torsion of a cable includes the steps of: providing a cable having an outer surface and extending along a longitudinal direction, the cable being provided with at least one identification tag, preferably an RFID tag, arranged in a tag angular position in a cross-sectional plane taken transverse to the longitudinal direction, the at least one tag storing a tag identification code and being capable of transmitting a tag electromagnetic signal; interrogating the at least one identification tag to receive the tag electromagnetic signal, and detecting the tag electromagnetic signal, wherein the step of detecting the tag electromagnetic signal includes the step of reading the tag identification code and determining the tag angular position of the at least one identification tag. A torsion monitoring system of a cable includes at least one identification tag.
US08912888B2 Information storage medium, object of management and management system
An information storage medium, a managed product and a management system in which the possible communication distance of an IC tag for wireless communication can be improved and the reading direction limitation can be reduced are provided. The information storage medium includes a wireless IC tag in which information is stored, a sheet body including a first spacer, an auxiliary antenna and a second spacer, and an elongated member formed of a conductive material. The elongated member is provided to be opposite to the wireless IC tag with respect to the sheet body. As the elongated member, for example, a part of a tool such as a body portion of a screwdriver can be used.
US08912884B2 Electronic key lockout control in lockbox system
An electronic lockbox system includes a wireless portable transponder that communicates with an electronic lockbox using a low power radio link. The portable transponder includes: a wide area network radio to communicate to a central clearinghouse computer, a motion sensor to activate its wide area network radio, and a connector to communicate with a secure memory device. The electronic lockbox sends a hail message that is intercepted by the portable transponder; the hail message includes identification information. The portable transponder responds with a message that includes a time sensitive encryption key; the lockbox authenticates this response message using its own time sensitive encryption key. If an electronic key is used to access the lockbox, the improved system effectively disables the electronic key during a showing, so that the electronic key cannot be used to access another lockbox until the correct dwelling key has been placed back into the lockbox.
US08912878B2 Machine guidance system
A guidance system for a machine may include a scanning device configured to detect a presence of an object within a minimum desired distance of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device. The controller may be configured to compare a number of times the object is detected during a time period to a number of times the object is permitted to be detected during the time period. The controller may be configured to adjust the number of times the object is permitted to be detected. Further, the controller may be configured to output an indication, when the number of times the object is detected is equal to or greater than the number of times the object is permitted to be detected, that the object is less than the minimum desired distance from the machine.
US08912875B1 Transformer and transformer winding
A transformer winding includes a flexible metal plate having an outer periphery defining opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides. The flexible metal plate has a trunk region that extends from the second side toward the first side and that terminates at a terminating line between the first and second sides, and is formed with a cutting line that extends from the first side toward the second side and that terminates at the terminating line. The cutting line configures the flexible metal plate with first and second branch regions, each having a winding part covered with an electrical insulation layer.
US08912874B2 Monolithic ceramic electronic component and producing method therefor
A monolithic ceramic electronic component including coil conductors is capable of reducing the number of stacked ceramic layers without sacrifice of the performance of coils and be capable of increasing the number of turns of the coils without increasing the size in. In the monolithic ceramic electronic component, coil conductors having more than one turn for one ceramic layer are formed. The coil conductors include surface coil conductors that are located along surfaces of sequentially stacked ceramic layers and intra-layer coil conductors that are located inside the ceramic layers so as not to extend beyond the thickness of the individual ceramic layers. The surface coil conductors and the intra-layer coil conductors are connected in series with connecting portions therebetween.
US08912873B2 Magnetic shielding apparatus
An apparatus comprising: a transducer configured to generate a static magnetic field; at least one magnet plate configured with respect to the transducer to produce a magnetically shielded region from the static magnetic field; and at least one further plate located between the transducer and an exterior of the apparatus and within the magnetically shielded region wherein the at least one magnetic shielding plate is configured to form a trap for particles.
US08912872B2 Clamp assembly including permanent magnets and coils for selectively magnetizing and demagnetizing the magnets
A clamp assembly comprises a first clamp including a plurality of magnet devices. Each magnet device includes a permanent magnet and a coil surrounding the permanent magnet. The clamp assembly further comprises a controller for pulsing the coils to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the permanent magnets.
US08912865B2 Power combiner, power amplifying module having the same, and signal transceiving module
There are provided a power combiner implemented by a printed circuit board, a power amplifying module having the same, and a signal transceiving module. The power combiner includes: a primary wiring unit formed on one surface of a printed circuit board, receiving a plurality of balance signals having positive balance signals and negative balance signals, and including a plurality of positive primary wirings and a plurality of negative primary wirings, wherein the plurality of positive primary wirings are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, the plurality of negative primary wirings are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, one ends of the plurality of positive primary wirings are connected in common to thereby receive the plurality of positive balance signals, one ends of the plurality of negative primary wirings are connected in common to thereby receive the plurality of negative balance signals, and the other ends of the plurality of positive primary wirings and the other ends of the plurality of negative primary wirings are connected to each other to thereby form a loop; and a secondary wiring unit formed on the other surface of the printed circuit board, and including a secondary wiring combining powers of the plurality of balance signals from the primary wirings forming the loop to thereby output a single end signal.
US08912858B2 Interfacing between an integrated circuit and a waveguide through a cavity located in a soft laminate
A low-loss interface between a mm-wave integrated circuit and a waveguide comprises a surface having a contact location for said integrated circuit and a waveguide location for fixing a waveguide thereon; a transmission line extending along said surface from said contact location to the waveguide location and extending into the waveguide location as a waveguide feed; and a connection bump on a surface of the mm-wave integrated circuit. The mm-wave integrated circuit RFIC is connected to the surface at the contact location through the connection bump, such as to connect a signal output of the RFIC to the transmission line, thereby providing said low loss interface.
US08912854B2 Structure for an inductor-capacitor voltage-controlled oscillator
Embodiments of the present invention provide a design structure and method for compensating for a change in frequency of oscillation (FOO) of an LC-tank VCO that includes a first node; second node; inductor; first capacitive network (FCN) that allows the design structure to obtain a target FOO; compensating capacitive (CCN) network that compensates for a change in the design structure's FOO; second capacitive network (SCN) that allows the design structure to obtain a desired FOO; a filter that supplies a voltage to the SCN and is coupled to the SCN; a transconductor that compensates for a change in the design structure's FOO; and a sub-circuit coupled to the SCN that generates and supplies voltage to the CCN sufficient to allow the CCN to compensate for a reduction in the design structure's FOO. The first and second nodes are coupled to the inductor, FCN, CCN, SCN, and sub-circuit.
US08912853B2 Dynamic level shifter circuit and ring oscillator using the same
A dynamic level shifter circuit and a ring oscillator implemented using the same are disclosed. A dynamic level shifter may include a pull-down circuit and a pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit may include an extra transistor configured to reduce the current through that circuit when the pull-down circuit is activated. A ring oscillator may be implemented using instances of the dynamic level shifter along with instances of a static level shifter. The ring oscillator may also include a pulse generator configured to initiate oscillation. The ring oscillator implemented with dynamic level shifters may be used in conjunction with another ring oscillator implemented using only static level shifters to compare relative performance levels of the static and dynamic level shifters.
US08912849B2 Adaptive operational amplifier bias current
An operation amplifier (op amp) having a bias current detection circuit that monitors the bias current flowing in an output stage of the op amp. When the bias current detection circuit detects that too much current is being wasted, e.g., sunk to ground, then the amount of bias current is reduced. Similarly, when the bias current detection circuit detects that insufficient bias current is being supplied to the output stage of the op amp, the amount of bias current is increased. In one implementation, the output of the bias current detection circuit may be signals indicative of, respectively, too much bias current and too little bias current, wherein those outputs are supplied to a state machine which is configured to control the amount of bias current being supplied in a stepwise fashion.
US08912848B2 Digital pre-distortion device and method for a broadband power amplifier
According to the present invention, a digital pre-distortion device and method for use in a dynamic spectrum allocation system, which uses a breadband frequency range, such as a cognitive radio (CR) system, are implemented. Also, while as conventional pre-distortion device only enable the linearization of a signal of a fundamental frequency band, the digital pre-distortion device and method according to the present invention enable not only the linearization of a basic signal on frequency fc, but also simultaneously enable the elimination of harmonic signals on the high frequencies of 2fc, 3fc, 4fc, etc. The digital pre-distortion device for a broadband power amplifier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a nonlinear power amplifier; an equivalent amplifier model estimator; N pre-distorters; and a coefficient extractor for extracting the coefficients of the N pre-distorters.
US08912845B2 Multiple winding transformer coupled amplifier
An integrated circuit includes a radio frequency (RF) amplifier having a trifilar transformer coupled to a gain device in two negative feedback paths. The trifilar transformer includes a first winding, a second winding and a third winding, a first dielectric core is disposed between the first winding and the second winding, and a second dielectric core is disposed between the second winding and the third winding. A first winding ratio between the first winding and the second winding combined with a second winding ratio between the second winding and the third winding affects a total gain of the RF amplifier. In a specific embodiment, the gain device is a transistor, the first winding is coupled to a base of the transistor, the second winding is coupled to a collector of the transistor, and the third winding is coupled to an emitter of the transistor.
US08912842B2 Stabilization of an output current of a current supply
The invention provides a device for stabilizing an effective value of an output current of a converter. The device comprises the following: an input to receive an input voltage x of the converter, a memory in which a first set of polynomial coefficients a, b, c; kj is stored, a processor that is coupled to the input and the memory and is set up so as to determine a current correction y as a polynomial function with the stored first set of polynomial coefficients a, b, c; kj as a function of the received input voltage x, and a power stage that is coupled to the processor to receive the current correction y and set up to modify the effective value of the output current as a function of the current correction y.
US08912837B2 Mux-based digital delay interpolator
A digital delay interpolator may include an array of multiplexers, each multiplexer configured to be input with first and second input voltages, one of the first and second input voltages being delayed in respect to the other, and receive a respective selection signal. The digital delay interpolator may include output lines respectively coupled to the array of multiplexers, and an output terminal configured to be coupled in common to the output lines. Each multiplexer may be configured to selectively output on the respective output line one of the first and the second input voltages based upon a logic value of the respective selection signal.
US08912836B1 Low power quadrature waveform generator
An apparatus comprising a frequency divider comprising a first latch configured to receive a first clock signal and a complement of the first clock signal and to generate a first latch first output, and a second latch coupled to the first latch in a toggle-flop configuration, a first output circuit comprising a p-channel transistor, wherein the gate of a p-channel transistor is configured to receive the first clock signal, and a n-channel transistor, wherein the drain of the p-channel transistor is directly connected to the drain of a n-channel transistor, wherein the gate of the n-channel transistor is configured to receive the first latch first output, wherein the source of the n-channel transistor is configured to receive the complement of the first clock signal, and wherein the first output circuit is configured to generate an in-phase reference signal, and a second output circuit configured to generate a quadrature signal.
US08912833B2 Device and method for pulse width modulation
A device and a method for pulse width modulation is disclosed, wherein the temporal occurrence of both the respectively rising and the respectively falling edges of a pulse signal is varied.
US08912831B1 Apparatus and method for routing of signals
A signal routing apparatus comprises a register bank to store a set of data signals. A delay locked loop generates a set of phase displaced clock signals. A phase controlled read circuit sequentially routes the set of data signals from the register bank in response to the phase displaced clock signals. A Low Voltage Differential Signaling buffer connected to the phase controlled read circuit transmits the data signals in a Low Voltage Differential Signaling mode. The phase displaced clock signals operate in lieu of a higher clock rate in order to reduce power consumption.
US08912830B2 Method and apparatus for atomic frequency and voltage changes
A method and apparatus for atomic frequency and voltage changes in the processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the atomic frequency and voltage changes in the processor is feasible due to the enabling technology of fully integrated voltage regulators (FIVR) that are integrated in the processor. FIVR allows independent configuration of each core in the processor and the configuration includes, but is not limited to, voltage setting, frequency setting, clock setting and other parameters that affects the power consumption of each core.
US08912826B2 Voltage change detection device
A voltage change detection device, which reduces a deviation of a detection potential and detects a voltage change within a predetermined detection potential even when the threshold voltage of a field effect transistor is deviated. The voltage change detection device includes a first field effect transistor, a second field effect transistor, and a detection signal generator. The first field effect transistor has a drain connected to a power supply potential, a source connected to a first constant current source or a first resistor at a first node, and a gate connected to a fixed voltage. The second field effect transistor has a drain and a gate connected to the power supply potential and a source connected to a second constant current source or a second resistor at a second node. The detection signal generator generates a detection signal indicating that the power supply potential has crossed a predetermined detection potential.
US08912825B2 Sense amplifier system and sensing method thereof
A sense amplifier system and sensing method thereof are provided. The proposed sense amplifier system includes plural sense amplifiers, each of which includes a first switch having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a bulk terminal electrically connected to the first terminal, a second switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first switch, a second terminal, and a bulk terminal, a third switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the second switch, a second terminal, and a bulk terminal electrically connected to the bulk terminal of the second switch, and a fourth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the bulk terminal of the first switch and a second terminal electrically connected to the bulk terminal of the third switch.
US08912819B2 Termination circuits capable of receiving data signals in different formats for performing impedance matching
A termination circuit is provided. The termination circuit includes a first receiving terminal, a second receiving terminal, a first resistive device, a second resistive device, a third resistive device, a fourth resistive device and a first switch. The first receiving terminal receives a first data signal. The second receiving terminal receives a second data signal. The first resistive device is coupled between a supply voltage and the first receiving terminal. The second resistive device is coupled between the supply voltage and the second receiving terminal. The third resistive device is coupled between the first receiving terminal and a first node. The fourth resistive device is coupled between the second receiving terminal and the first node. The first switch is coupled between the supply voltage and the first node.
US08912815B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a logic circuit, the logic circuit including an attack detection circuit for checking multi-bit storage. The attack detection circuit includes an error determination circuit capable of detection through a logic operation such as a code theory and a light irradiation detection circuit having light detection elements, and the light detection elements are arranged so that the light irradiation detection circuit can detect errors of the number of bits beyond the detection limit of the error determination circuit. Due to error detection by the error determination circuit and light irradiation detection by the light irradiation detection circuit, the circuits complementarily detect fault attacks from outside.
US08912811B2 Test contact system for testing integrated circuits with packages having an array of signal and power contacts
A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120).
US08912808B2 Automatic characterization of an actuator based on capacitance measurement
An apparatus and method for determining characterizing attributes of an actuator is provided. An actuator may be moved to a maximum capacitance position. At the maximum capacitance position, an initial measurement of the actuator capacitance is made. The actuator is moved a predetermined increment toward a first extreme position, and the actuator capacitance is again measured. If the capacitance changed by a threshold amount, the signal preceding the signal that caused the actuator to move is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the first extreme position. The actuator is again moved a predetermined increment toward a second extreme position. After each move, the capacitance is measured. If it is determined the capacitance did change by a threshold amount from the previously measured capacitance, the signal related to the previously measured capacitance is recorded as an approximate response curve end point, or the second extreme position.
US08912806B2 Method of cutting and testing a pipeline cut under water or under a seabed
Disclosed is a method to determine whether a pipeline has been cut, the method including (a) transmitting an electromagnetic signal through the pipeline; (b) monitoring any reflected signal(s); and (c) interpreting the reflected signal to determine whether the pipeline has been cut.
US08912802B2 Component-embedded circuit substrate and method of inspecting the same
In a component-embedded circuit substrate having a plurality of capacitors embedded therein, the capacitors are connected in parallel, inspection electrodes are formed, and the inspection electrodes connect to respective terminal electrodes of the capacitor through via conductors. At the terminal electrodes of the capacitor, the connection position of the via conductors for connecting the inspection electrodes differs from the connection position of via conductors for connecting respective terminal electrodes of the capacitor.
US08912800B2 Wireless portable automated harness scanner system and method therefor
The present document describes an assembly for interfacing an existing harness connector of an installed wiring harness to a test module, the assembly comprising: a harness-specific connector for connecting to the existing harness connector; a test box connector module connected to the harness-specific connector and for connecting to a test module, the test box connector module comprising a key which is unique to the test box connector module and which is used to identify the test box connector module when connected to the test module. There is described a method for identifying a test box connector module used in testing an installed wiring harness comprising an existing harness connector, the method comprising: connecting the test box connector module to a test module; detecting a key which is unique to the test box connector module thereby determining the identity of the test box connector module; sending the identity of the test box connector module to a user interface.
US08912794B2 Angle detecting device
An angle detecting device has a combined structure of plural resolvers, but is simple and is easily produced, and has redundancy reducing the risk of failure. The angle detecting device has two resolvers which are combined in the axial direction and has a stator core 100. The stator core 100 is formed by laminating a first stator core 103 on a second stator core 104. The first stator core 103 is provided with plural salient poles 101 which extend to a center of an axis. The second stator core 104 is provided with plural salient poles 102 which extend to the center of the axis. The salient poles 101 and 102 differ in position when viewed from the axial direction, and the salient poles 102 are positioned between the adjacent salient poles 101 when viewed from the axial direction.
US08912793B2 Linear position measuring system and method for determining the absolute position of a carriage along a slide rail
A linear position measuring system and a method for determining an absolute position of a carriage along a slide rail are disclosed. An analog signal progression (S) based at on at least one reference point is here discretely scanned in response to a first threshold (SW1) and second threshold (SW2). The resultant digital values are stored in a first measured value register (MR1) and a second measured value register (MR2). The contents of the first and second measured value register (MR1, MR2) are compared with the respective contents of a first and second set measured value register. The reference point is output as an ideal reference point if the differential value lies within a predetermined tolerance range, and is otherwise discarded.
US08912786B2 Method and device for determining a direct current and resistance welding device
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a direct current (i(t)) flowing in a conductor (7) and having an amplitude greater than 500 A, which direct current (i(t)) is composed of a number of time-dependent partial currents (ii(t)) flowing in individual conductors (8) with switching elements. To create a drift-free measured value, it is provided that at least one Rogowski coil (10) is arranged around at least one of the individual conductors (8) for the induction of a partial voltage (ui(t)) through the at least one partial current (ii(t)), wherein the individual conductor (8) is formed by a path of a rectifier (6) on a secondary side of a transformer (5) with central tapping, the at least one integrator (11) is designed for integration of the at least one partial voltage (ui(t)), and the at least one integrator (11) is connected to an evaluation unit (12) for determining the direct current (i(t)).
US08912784B2 Conductive member evaluator and conductive member evaluation method
A conductive member evaluator includes a first electrode which has contact with an outer circumferential face of a conductive member, a second electrode which is connected to the shaft center of the conductive member, a voltage applier configured to apply evaluation voltage including at least an AD component between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current value measuring device configured to measure a current value flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode when the evaluation voltage is applied, an extreme value obtaining device configured to obtain at least one extreme value of a maximum value and a minimum value in one cycle of the AD component included in the current value from the current value measured by the current value measuring device; and an evaluation device configured to evaluate the conductive member based on the extreme value obtained by the extreme value obtaining device.
US08912783B2 Power-supply controller circuit and image forming apparatus including the same
A power-supply controller circuit includes: a power-supply switch unit configured to output an ON-signal when manually operated; a switching unit configured to switch ON and OFF an output voltage to a controller unit in response to the ON-signal of the power-supply switch unit; a latching unit configured to latch an ON-state of the switching unit, when the power-supply switch unit outputs an ON-signal under a condition where the switching unit is in an OFF-state; and the controller unit configured to control an unlatching signal to unlatch the ON-state latched by the latching unit when the latching unit is in the ON-state and detects the ON-signal sent from the power-supply switch unit.
US08912782B2 DC-to-DC converter
A DC-to-DC converter adapted for generating a power voltage required by a load and including a buck circuit and a boost circuit is provided. The buck circuit is used for receiving a DC input voltage, and outputting the power voltage by performing a buck process to the DC input voltage, or directly outputting the DC input voltage according to a first control signal. The boost circuit is used for receiving the power voltage or the DC input voltage both output from the buck circuit, and outputting the power voltage to the load by performing a boost process to the DC input voltage output from the buck circuit, or directly outputting the power voltage output from the buck circuit to the load according to a second control signal.
US08912779B2 Switching scheme for step up-step down converters using fixed frequency current-mode control
Novel circuitry and methodology for controlling a step up-step down switching regulator that produces a regulated output signal at an output node in response to an input signal at an input node, and has an inductive device, a plurality of switching circuits for providing connection of the inductive device to the input and output nodes and a ground node, and a switch control circuit for driving the switching devices so as to enable the power supply system to operate in a boost mode to increase the input signal, in a buck mode to decrease the input signal, and in a buck-boost mode when a difference between the input signal and the output signal is within a predetermined range. Buck-boost latch circuitry is provided for latching a transition between the buck mode and the buck-boost mode, or between the boost mode and the buck-boost mode based on a predetermined condition.
US08912768B1 Soft-switched voltage clamp tapped-inductor step-up boost converter
An apparatus provides a soft-switched voltage clamp tapped-inductor step-up boost converter that is capable of reducing voltage stress on a switch and a diode of the boost converter without using a dissipative snubber and that is capable of reducing a switching loss while maintaining a high input-to-output boost ratio.
US08912764B2 Power control unit and control method for power control unit
A power control unit is provided with a converter; a filter capacitor that is connected onto one side of converter; a smoothing capacitor that is connected onto the other side of converter; an MG-ECU that is operated to control converter with power supplied from filter capacitor; and a casing that houses these constituent elements therein. In order to electrically discharge filter capacitor and smoothing capacitor, an MG-ECU controls converter in such a manner as to alternately repeat ON/OFF of an npn-type transistor for a lower arm of an IPM and ON/OFF of an npn-type transistor for an upper arm of IPM, and further, to set a time of ON of npn-type transistor for the upper arm longer than that of ON of npn-type transistor for the lower arm.
US08912761B2 Upper-limit of state-of-charge estimating device and upper-limit of state-of-charge estimating method
A PM-ECU executes a program including: a step (S104) of estimating pre-charge SOC(1) when a plug-in charge is started (YES in S100), a step (S108) of calculating an integrated value of charging current when integration permitting conditions are satisfied (YES in S104, YES in S106), a step (S112) of setting a final integrated value when the charge is completed, a step (S116) of estimating post-charge SOC(2) when an ignition switch is turned on (YES in S114), a step (S122) of calculating a full-charge capacity of this cycle when calculation conditions are satisfied (YES in S120), a step (S128) of calculating a new full-charge capacity when the full-charge capacity of this cycle is within a specified range (YES in S124), and a step (S130) of updating the full-charge capacity by setting the new full-charge capacity as the current full-charge capacity when the new full-charge capacity is within a specified range (YES in S128).
US08912754B2 System and method for controlling exchange of current
A system for charging an electrically powered vehicle comprises a DC battery; and a current exchange controller. The current exchange controller is configured for receiving a supply current from an off-board power source and determining a desired current exchange characteristic. The current exchange controller is also configured for determining a modulation scheme for providing an exchange current that exhibits the desired current exchange characteristic; and modulating the exchange current in accordance with the modulation scheme so as to deliver an exchange current exhibiting the desired current exchange characteristic. The modulation scheme is configured to meet one or more criteria based on annoyance.
US08912751B2 Electric power tool system
An electric power tool system comprises a tool main body, a battery pack detachably attached to the tool main body, and a first charger that charges the battery pack. The first charger comprises a rechargeable battery that supplies current to at least one rechargeable battery of the battery pack. The at least one rechargeable battery of the first charger preferably has a larger charge storage capacity than the at least one rechargeable battery of the battery pack.
US08912750B2 Charger
Disclosed is a charger including a first rectifying portion that rectifies an alternating power and outputs the rectified power to a neutral point of a 3-phase motor; a second rectifying portion/inverter that charges output power of the first rectifying portion in a high-voltage battery in a charging mode and drives the 3-phase motor by switching the charged power of the high-voltage battery in a drive mode; a high-voltage charging controller that controls the first rectifying portion and second rectifying portion/inverter so as to charge the high-voltage battery in the charging mode; and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that controls the second rectifying portion/inverter so as to drive the 3-phase motor in the drive mode, and controls the high-voltage charging controller so as to charge the high-voltage battery in the charging mode.
US08912748B2 Radiant energy powered electrical power supply device and method for operating such a power supply device
An electrical power supply apparatus supplied with radiant energy is equipped with at least one electrical generator converting radiant energy into electrical power. The electrical power generator can be a photovoltaic solar generator that converts the impinging radiant energy into electrical power. A hydrogen generator produces hydrogen from water and a water reservoir is connected through a first water line to the hydrogen generator. A hydrogen reservoir is connected through a first hydrogen line to the hydrogen generator. A fuel cell or a hydrogen combustion engine is connected to a second electrical power generator, which fuel cell or engine is connected through a second hydrogen line to the hydrogen reservoir and is connected through a second water line to the water reservoir. A control unit is electrically connected to the electrical power generator, hydrogen generator, and fuel cell or hydrogen combustion engine.
US08912743B2 Apparatus and method of determining rotor position in a salient-type motor
An example apparatus includes a controller configured to control operation of a salient-type, multiphase motor in accordance with a technique including periodic on and off-times, the motor including a stator and a rotor. The controller is configured to calculate or receive values representing changes in current to the motor during the respective on and off-times or measurements proportional thereto, and calculate an inductance of the motor as a function of the values and a supply voltage to the motor. And the controller is configured to determine a position of the rotor based on the inductance of the motor, and control operation of the motor based on the position of the rotor.
US08912742B2 Control device for rotating electric machine and method of controlling rotating electric machine
An ECU executes a program including a step of detecting the rotation speed of a motor, a step of determining the diffusion width of carrier frequency, a step of determining the carrier frequency based on the determined diffusion width, a step of generating a carrier signal based on the determined carrier frequency, and a step of executing pulse width modulation based on an AC voltage command and the carrier signal.
US08912740B2 Actuator driver
A actuator driver includes a digital filter configured to perform phase compensation of a digital torque command signal using a fed-back digital signal; a digital PWM generator configured to generate a plurality of pulse-width modulated PWM control signals in response to an output of the digital filter; at least one H bridge configured to select and output a first or second terminal voltage in response to the plurality of PWM control signals; first and second continuous time ΔΣ A/D converters configured to convert the first and second terminal voltages from analog to digital, respectively; and a feed-back filter configured to decimate outputs of the first and second continuous time ΔΣ A/D converters to feed back the digital signal to the digital filter.
US08912739B2 Synchronous machine control apparatus
A synchronous machine control apparatus is characterized by including a magnet condition estimation unit (7, 7a) that estimates the temperature or the magnetic flux of a permanent magnet that forms the magnetic field of a synchronous machine (1), and is characterized in that the magnet condition estimation unit (7, 7a) coordinate-converts an armature current into currents on the γ-δ axis consisting of the γ axis and the δ axis that is perpendicular to the γ axis, based on the rotor position and the estimated γ axis, and estimates the temperature or the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, based on the control command for the synchronous machine (1) and the γ-δ axis currents.
US08912736B2 DC-DC converter system of an electric vehicle and control method thereof
Disclosed is a DC/DC converter system that, after calculating required voltages of the first and second motors based on the magnetic flux and speeds of the first and second motors, the voltage supplied to inverters is controlled by a final voltage command determined as a larger value of the battery voltage and the final required voltage. In particular, the final required voltage is determined as a larger value of the required voltages of the first and second motors.
US08912735B2 Commissioning for a lighting network
The present disclosure relates to lighting fixtures for use in a lighting network where the lighting fixtures and other elements are able to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication techniques. When the lighting network is being formed or modified, a lighting fixture is selected to act as a coordinator for forming the lighting network. For example, a user may employ a commissioning tool to select a particular lighting fixture as the coordinator. The coordinator will send out one or more ‘join my network’ messages toward the other elements of the lighting network. The elements that receive the ‘join my network’ message may respond in order to make the coordinator aware of their presence and join them to a lighting network.
US08912733B2 Light bulb and florescent tube replacement using FIPEL panels
A lighting device formed of a FIPEL panel driven by electrical connection. For example, a frequency generator can create a frequency that creates a light output having any frequency in the spectrum. The light emitting panel can be flexible, and can be coded along a curved surface, such as the inner surface of a light bulb.
US08912728B2 Lighting device
A lighting device using an electroluminescent material, in which color mixing and dimming can be performed by a simple method, is provided. A lighting device including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element which emits light having a wavelength longer than that of light emitted from the first light-emitting element and starts to emit light at a lower voltage than the first light-emitting element, is provided. The first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are connected in parallel, whereby a mixed color of emission colors of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element is controlled by a voltage applied to the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.
US08912727B1 Wagering game lighting device chains
In a wagering game environment, a light engine can determine a number of lighting devices that constitute a light chain, and a chaining configuration. The light chain is associated with a wagering game machine. The light engine can determine attributes of the constituent lighting devices and compute timing to produce the light effect. In accordance with the determined attributes and computed timing, the light engine generates output lighting device commands for controlling the lighting devices and/or light source elements of the constituent lighting devices. The light engine can dynamically handle a variation in the number or chaining configuration of the lighting devices that constitute the light at runtime. Accordingly, the light engine can generate appropriate output lighting device commands to display the appropriate light effects.
US08912723B2 Method, device for driving light modulation and light modulation lamp thereof
A method for driving light adjustments, a device therefor and a light adjustable lamp including the device are disclosed. The device includes a light source driving circuit, an MCU and a temporary power supplying circuit. The MCU includes a current detecting module, an analyzing and processing module and a storage module. The analyzing and processing module obtains a connecting signal or a disconnecting signal of the light source driving circuit and thereafter extracts a stored firmware program of gradually varying brightness of a light source or stored information about a constant brightness state of the light source from the storage module for analyzing and processing, so as to generate a controlling signal of adjusting the brightness of the light source and send the controlling signal into the light source driving circuit. Then the light source driving circuit adjusts the brightness of the light source according to the controlling signal.
US08912716B2 Copper core combustion cup for pre-chamber spark plug
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug housing. An insulator is concentrically located within the housing and has a distal end extending from an outer surface of the housing. A center electrode extends from a proximal end of the insulator. A ground electrode is secured to the housing and has an electrode tip arranged a distance from the center electrode. A chamber cap fixedly secured to the housing and surrounding both the center and ground electrodes, includes a laminate shell and a plurality of orifices.
US08912713B2 Method of producing an electrode support using brazing
A method of producing an electrode support for a spark plug is provided. The method includes providing the electrode support. The method includes brazing a chip to the electrode support.
US08912712B2 Light emitting device, electronic equipment and apparatus for manufacturing the same
To provide an aspect of a novel display device using a light emitting element which is composed of a cathode, an EL layer and an anode, and a manufacturing device of the display device. According to the present invention, dual-sided emission display can be performed in one sheet white color light emitting panel 1001 in which, for example, different images can be displayed on a topside screen and backside screen (full color display, monochrome display or area color display). Two polarizing plates 1002, 1003 are formed by shifting the position thereof with an angular deviation of 90 degrees each other so as to prevent outside light from passing through the pane, thereby realizing a black display when not displayed.
US08912706B2 Oscillatory wave motor capable of decreasing degradation of performance
An oscillatory wave motor includes an oscillator having an oscillation body and an electro-mechanical energy-converting element, and a flexible heat-conducting member configured to dissipate heat generated by the oscillatory wave motor. The oscillatory wave motor drives a moving body in contact with a contact portion formed in the oscillation body by an elliptical movement of the oscillator, and the heat-conducting member is provided in addition to a heat-conducting path that conducts heat generated by the oscillatory wave motor through an oscillator supporting member that supports the oscillator or a heat-conducting path that conducts heat through the moving body.
US08912704B2 Sectionalized electromechanical machines having low torque ripple and low cogging torque characteristics
A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the effects of torque ripple and cogging torque and otherwise improving performance in an electromechanical machine such as a motor or generator. The rotor and/or stator is conceptually sectionalized and the sections spaced apart by amount sufficient to alleviate deleterious aspects of cogging torque and torque ripple. Positioning of the stator teeth or rotor magnets is determined based on the calculated spacing. Conceptual sections may be formed as physically individual segments. Unwound teeth may be disposed in end spaces between sections occupying less than the entire area of the end space.
US08912703B2 Stator core and spindle motor including the same
There is provided a stator core formed by stacking a plurality of single core sheets, each including a coreback having a central hole formed therein, a plurality of tooth parts extended from the coreback in a radial direction, and extension parts extended from the plurality of respective tooth parts in a circumferential direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of single core sheets includes through-holes formed therein in order to reduce cogging torque, the through-holes being formed in the extension parts.
US08912699B2 DC field gradient motor
A field gradient motor with a stator housing and first and second stator disks fixed to the stator housing for turning B-field flux lines 90 degrees toward a motor air gap of the field gradient motor. A shaft is rotatably retained by the housing, and a rotor has a hole and keyway for producing a nonferrous hole through the shaft. A plurality of tangentially magnetized triangular magnets are fixed to the rotor. In operation, the stator housing, the stator disks, the rotor, the permanent magnets, and the shaft cooperate with the coil produce an electromagnetic action of the motor. The stator housing can be an iron ring, and the first and second stator disks and the rotor can be steel.
US08912697B2 Vacuum actuator including a stator forming a part of a vacuum partition wall
A vacuum actuator includes a vacuum partition wall, the interior of which can be evacuated to a vacuum, a rotor supported by the vacuum partition wall to be free to rotate, a permanent magnet provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor, a coil opposed to the permanent magnet, and a stator provided with the coil. The stator and the vacuum partition wall are formed integrally with each other.
US08912694B2 Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine according to an embodiment includes a rotor rotatable around a rotation axis, a stator arranged to face the rotor, and a frame which accommodates the rotor and the stator and in which a refrigerant flow path is formed in a sidewall. The frame includes a through hole that penetrates from the refrigerant flow path to an outer periphery of the sidewall and is covered by a lid member.
US08912692B2 Magnetic vibrator with inclined pole pieces
A magnetic vibrator including a first magnetic portion and a second magnetic portion is disclosed. The first magnetic portion includes an inner plate, a first magnet and a second magnet. The inner plate is disposed between the first magnet and the second magnet. The second magnetic portion includes a coil and a wrapper. The coil is disposed around the first magnetic portion and wrapped in the wrapper. The wrapper has a gap corresponding to the inner plate. An interval is configured between the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion. When a current is occurred in the coil, the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion are actuated to move axially with respect to each other.
US08912691B2 Rotating electrical machine cooling system
A rotating electrical machine cooling system includes a cooling structure for a rotating electrical machine that is mounted on a hybrid vehicle, and a controller. The cooling structure includes a coolant discharge channel and a coolant supply channel through which a coolant is circulated between an oil pump unit and the interior of a case body that includes the rotating electrical machine therein. The cooling structure further includes a bypass flow channel that connects the oil pump unit and the interior of the case body with each other, and a relief valve that is provided in the bypass flow channel. The oil pump unit includes a mechanical oil pump and an electric oil pump.
US08912678B2 Wave activated power generation system with the rack and pinion mechanism
The present invention is directed to a wave activated power generation system that converts the vertical movement of one or more power generation buoys resulting from interaction with waves into energy producing gyrations via a rack and pinion mechanism. The square-shaped power generation buoys are manufactured from fiber-reinforced plastic material.
US08912677B2 Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity
A power-generating device located in or on the surface of the ocean for generating power utilizing the energy in ocean wave motion. The device is moored to the bow and stern at ˜45° to incoming ocean waves, and with a yawing capability to adjust to change in wave direction. The device delivers power to a shore grid via a submarine cable from a generator. A rotational driving torque to the generator is produced by two long counter-rotating drive tubes, which are held by bearings in the bow hull and the stern hull of the device. As an alternative, hydraulics may be employed for energy capture and power smoothing and used to provide the rotational torque through a hydraulic motor to drive a generator. The main body is partially submerged and has multiple pod floats connected to the structure by rocker arms with bearings through which the drive tubes pass or double-acting hydraulic rams between the arms and the main body, which capture energy through pod displacement and store it in accumulators. Rotary torque of the drive tubes is produced when the pods move up and down according to motion of the waves and is transmitted to the generator to generate power. In the hydraulic case, energy is stored in accumulators as pressure due to the double-acting hydraulic pistons pumping when the pods move up and down according to the motion of the waves. Hydraulic pressure drives a pump, which provides torque to the generator.
US08912675B2 Reactive power regulation
The present invention relates to a method of reactive power regulation in a wind turbine comprising a local reactive power control system adapted to operate in a central control mode and a local control mode, a method of reactive power regulation in a wind park connected to an electrical grid, and to a wind park.
US08912670B2 Bumpless build-up layer package including an integrated heat spreader
An example includes a die package including a microelectronic die having a lower die surface, an upper die surface parallel to the lower die surface, and a die side, the microelectronic die including an active region and an inactive region. The example optionally includes a heat spreader having a lower heat spreader surface, an upper heat spreader surface parallel to the lower heat spreader surface, and at least one heat spreader side, the heat spreader disposed on the upper surface of the microelectronic die in thermal communication with the inactive region of the die and electrically insulated from the active region. The example optionally includes an encapsulation material encapsulating the die side and the heat spreader side and lower heat spreader surface, the encapsulation material including a lower surface substantially parallel to the die lower surface and an upper surface substantially parallel to the die upper surface.
US08912668B2 Electrical connections for chip scale packaging
Electrical connections for chip scale packaging are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a post-passivation layer disposed over a substrate, the substrate having a first direction of coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch. The semiconductor device includes a first opening through the post-passivation layer, the first opening comprising a plurality of elongated apertures. A longest of the plurality of elongated apertures comprises a first dimension, wherein the first dimension is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first direction of coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch.
US08912665B2 Dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface
The present invention provides a dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface, including: a dicing tape including a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the base material; and a film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface provided on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, in which the film for flip chip type semiconductor back surface has a storage elastic modulus (at 60° C.) of from 0.9 MPa to 15 MPa.
US08912664B1 Leadless multi-chip module structure
Multi-chip quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages and methods for making the same are disclosed. A multi-chip package may include a first die including a plurality of first bond pads, wherein selected first bond pads are wire-bonded to a first side of a leadframe, and a second die mounted on the first die and including a plurality of second bond pads, wherein selected second bond pads are wire-bonded to a second side, opposite the first side, of the leadframe. Another package may include a first die including a plurality of first bond pads, wherein selected first bond pads are wire-bonded to a first side of a leadframe, and a second die flip-chip mounted on a second side of the leadframe and including a plurality of second bond pads, wherein selected second bond pads are bonded to the second side of the leadframe. Other embodiments are also described.
US08912663B1 Embedded package structure and method for manufacturing thereof
The disclosure provides an embedded package structure comprising a metal substrate, a chip module, an insulation material layer, and at least one patterned metal layer. The metal substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The chip module is disposed on the first surface of the metal substrate, and comprises at least two stacked chips being electrically connected to each. The insulation material layer covers the first surface of the metal substrate and the stacked chips and has an electrical interconnection formed therein. The patterned metal layer is positioned on the insulation material layer, and is electrically connected the chip module through the electrical interconnection. The method for manufacturing the embedded package structure also provides.
US08912649B2 Dummy flip chip bumps for reducing stress
A device includes a metal pad over a substrate. A passivation layer includes a portion over the metal pad. A post-passivation interconnect (PPI) is electrically coupled to the metal pad, wherein the PPI comprises a portion over the metal pad and the passivation layer. A polymer layer is over the PPI. A dummy bump is over the polymer layer, wherein the dummy bump is electrically insulated from conductive features underlying the polymer layer.
US08912648B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming compliant stress relief buffer around large array WLCSP
A semiconductor device has a stress relief buffer mounted to a temporary substrate in locations designated for bump formation. The stress relief buffer can be a multi-layer composite material such as a first compliant layer, a silicon layer formed over the first compliant layer, and a second compliant layer formed over the silicon layer. A semiconductor die is also mounted to the temporary substrate. The stress relief buffer can be thinner than the semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited between the semiconductor die and stress relief buffer. The temporary substrate is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die, encapsulant, and stress relief buffer. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the semiconductor die. A stiffener layer can be formed over the stress relief buffer and encapsulant. A circuit layer containing active devices, passive devices, conductive layers, and dielectric layers can be formed within the stress relief buffer.
US08912644B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes an IGBT as a vertical semiconductor element provided between first, and second lead frames, in pairs, the first, and second lead frames being opposed to each other, first and second sintered-metal bonding layers provided on first and second bonding surfaces of the IGBT, in pairs, respectively, a through-hole opened in the second lead frame, and a heat-release member having a surface on one side thereof, bonded to a second sintered-metal bonding layer of the second bonding surface while a side (lateral face) of a surface of the heat-release member, on the other side thereof, being fitted into the through-hole. A solder layer is formed in a gap between an outer-side wall of the side of the surface of the heat-release member, on the other side thereof, and an inner-side wall of the through-hole.
US08912642B2 Packaging substrate and fabrication method thereof
A packaging substrate includes a first dielectric layer, a first circuit layer, a first metal bump, and a built-up structure. The first metal bump and the first circuit layer are embedded in and exposed from two surfaces of the first dielectric layer. The end of the first metal bump is embedded in the first circuit layer and between the first circuit layer and the first dielectric layer. In addition, a conductive seedlayer is disposed between the first circuit layer and the first metal bump. The built-up structure is disposed on the first circuit layer and the first dielectric layer. The outmost layer of the built-up structure has a plurality of conductive pads. Compared to the prior art, the present invention can effectively improve the warpage problem of the conventional packaging substrate.
US08912641B1 Low profile electronic package and associated methods
An electronic package includes a printed wiring board (PWB) having a die-receiving cavity therein, a semiconductor die in the die-receiving cavity and coupled to the PWB, and a lid mating ring at an upper surface of the PWB surrounding the die-receiving cavity. The lid mating ring has spaced apart pillar-receiving openings therein. A lid is coupled to the lid mating ring and covers the semiconductor die within the die-receiving cavity. The lid includes a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer, and spaced apart pillars extending downwardly from a lower surface of the LCP layer and received in corresponding ones of the spaced apart pillar-receiving openings.
US08912640B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is inhibited from being degraded in reliability. The semiconductor device has a tab including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces of the tab has a first portion continued to the bottom surface of the tab, a second portion located outwardly of the first portion and continued to the top surface of the tab, and a third portion located outwardly of the second portion and continued to the top surface of the tab to face the same direction as each of the first and second portions. In planar view, the outer edge of the semiconductor chip is located between the third portion and the second portion of the tab, and the outer edge of an adhesive material fixing the semiconductor chip to the tab is located between the semiconductor chip and the second portion.
US08912637B1 Self-adhesive die
A method and apparatus for enhancing the thermal performance of semiconductor packages effectively. The concept of this invention is to provide silicon nanowires on the backside of an integrated circuit die to directly attach the die to the substrate, thereby improving the interface between die and substrate, and thus enhancing thermal performance and enhancing reliability by improving adhesion.
US08912635B2 Semiconductor device package and method of making a semiconductor device package
A method of manufacturing an electronic device is provided. The method comprises providing a carrier sheet, etching the lead frame material sheet to form a recess on a first surface of the lead frame material sheet, placing an electronic chip into the recess of the carrier sheet, and thereafter, selectively etching a second surface of the lead frame material sheet, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.
US08912632B2 Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first major electrode, a first semiconductor layer, a first conductivity type base layer, a second conductivity type base layer, a first conductivity type second semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode, and a second major electrode. The gate insulating film is provided on a side wall of a trench penetrating the second conductivity type base layer to reach the first conductivity type base layer. The gate electrode is provided inside the gate insulating film in the trench. The second major electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer and electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. A maximum impurity concentration in the second semiconductor layer is within ten times a maximum impurity concentration in the second conductivity type base layer.
US08912631B2 High on-state breakdown heterojunction bipolar transistor
A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) is provided with an improved on-state breakdown voltage VCE. The improvement of the on-state breakdown voltage for the HBT improves the output power characteristics of the HBT and the ability of the HBT to withstand large impedance mismatch (large VSWR). The improvement in the on-state breakdown voltage is related to the suppression of high electric fields adjacent a junction of a collector layer and a sub-collector layer forming a collector region of the HBT.
US08912625B2 Semiconductor-on-insulator device with asymmetric structure
Device structures with a reduced junction area in an SOI process, methods of making the device structures, and design structures for a lateral diode. The device structure includes one or more dielectric regions, such as STI regions, positioned in the device region and intersecting the p-n junction between an anode and cathode. The dielectric regions, which may be formed using shallow trench isolation techniques, function to reduce the width of a p-n junction with respect to the width area of the cathode at a location spaced laterally from the p-n junction and the anode. The width difference and presence of the dielectric regions creates an asymmetrical diode structure. The volume of the device region occupied by the dielectric regions is minimized to preserve the volume of the cathode and anode.
US08912624B2 Semiconductor substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing thereof are provided. The method includes a step of forming a first insulating film containing silicon and oxygen as its composition over a single-crystal semiconductor substrate, a step of forming a second insulating film containing silicon and nitrogen as its composition over the first insulating film, a step of irradiating the second insulating film with first ions to form a separation layer in the single-crystal semiconductor substrate, a step of irradiating the second insulating film with second ions so that halogen is contained in the first insulating film, and a step of performing heat treatment to separate the single-crystal semiconductor substrate with a single-crystal semiconductor film left over the supporting substrate.
US08912623B2 Fast recovery diode
A fast recovery diode includes a base layer of a first conductivity type. The base layer has a cathode side and an anode side opposite the cathode side. An anode buffer layer of a second conductivity type having a first depth and a first maximum doping concentration is arranged on the anode side. An anode contact layer of the second conductivity type having a second depth, which is lower than the first depth, and a second maximum doping concentration, which is higher than the first maximum doping concentration, is also arranged on the anode side. A space charge region of the anode junction at a breakdown voltage is located in a third depth between the first and second depths. A defect layer with a defect peak is arranged between the second and third depths.
US08912620B2 Getter structure with optimized pumping capacity
Getter structure comprising at least one getter portion arranged on a support and including at least two adjacent getter material parts arranged on the support one beside the other, with different thicknesses and of which the surface grain densities are different from one another.
US08912617B2 Method for making semiconductor light detection devices
A semiconductor light detection device fabrication technique is provided in which the cap etch and anti-reflection coating steps are performed in a single, self-aligned lithography module.
US08912615B2 Shallow junction photodiode for detecting short wavelength light
The present invention is a photodiode or photodiode array having improved ruggedness for a shallow junction photodiode which is typically used in the detection of short wavelengths of light. In one embodiment, the photodiode has a relatively deep, lightly-doped P zone underneath a P+ layer. By moving the shallow junction to a deeper junction in a range of 2-5 μm below the photodiode surface, the improved device has improved ruggedness, is less prone to degradation, and has an improved linear current.
US08912613B2 Dual-side micro gas sensor and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a dual-side micro gas sensor and a method of fabricating the same. The sensor may include an elastic layer, a heat-generating resistor layer on the elastic layer, an interlayered insulating layer on the heat-generating resistor layer, an upper sensing layer on the interlayered insulating layer, and a lower sensing layer provided below the elastic layer to face the heat-generating resistor layer, thereby reducing heat loss of the heat-generating resistor layer.
US08912605B1 ESD protection circuit
A multi-fingered gate transistor formed in a substrate of one conductivity type overlying a well of a second conductivity type. Ohmic contact to the well is made by an implanted region of the second conductivity type that circumscribes the gate transistor. Ohmic contact to the substrate is made by taps located on sides of the gate structure between the gate structure and the well contact. Floating wells are located on opposite sides of the gate structure between the substrate taps and the ends of the gates to isolate these substrate taps and force current flow in the substrate under the gate transistor to be substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the gate fingers extend. This increases the potential difference between these substrate regions and source regions in the gate transistor, thereby aiding the triggering of the parasitic bipolar transistors under adjacent gate fingers into a high current state.
US08912604B2 Semiconductor device having buried bit lines and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes body lines, formed substantially perpendicular to a substrate, and having recessed sidewalls, buried bit lines, buried in the recessed sidewalls, and including a metal silicide, and a barrier layer interposed between each of the buried bit lines and the body lines corresponding thereto, and containing germanium.
US08912602B2 FinFETs and methods for forming the same
A Fin field effect transistor includes a fin disposed over a substrate. A gate is disposed over a channel portion of the fin. A source region is disposed at a first end of the fin. A drain region is disposed at a second end of the fin. The source region and the drain region are spaced from the substrate by at least one air gap.
US08912598B2 Stepped-source LDMOS architecture
A semiconductor device can include a source region near a working top surface of a semiconductor region. The device can also include a gate located above the working top surface and located laterally between the source and a drain region. The source region and the gate can at least partially laterally overlap a body region near the working top surface. The source region can include a first portion having the first conductivity type, a second portion having a second conductivity type, and a third portion having the second conductivity type. The second portion can be located laterally between the first and third portions and can penetrate into the semiconductor region to a greater depth than the third portion but no more than the first portion. The lateral location of the third portion can be determined at least in part using the lateral location of the gate.
US08912596B2 Semiconductor device
A transistor used for a semiconductor device for high power application needs to have a channel region for obtaining higher drain current. As an example of such a transistor, a vertical (trench type) transistor has been considered; however, the vertical transistor cannot have a high on/off ratio of drain current and thus cannot have favorable transistor characteristics. Over a substrate having conductivity, an oxide semiconductor layer having a surface having a dotted pattern of a plurality of island-shaped regions with a tapered shape in a cross section is sandwiched between a first electrode formed between the substrate and the oxide semiconductor layer and a second electrode formed over the oxide semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer functioning as a gate electrode is formed on the side surface of the island-shaped region in the oxide semiconductor layer with an insulating layer provided therebetween.
US08912594B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including silicon germanium semiconductor layer
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a second insulating layer, a select gate, a memory hole, a memory film, a channel body, a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer. The select gate is provided on the second insulating layer. The memory film is provided on an inner wall of the memory hole. The channel body is provided inside the memory film. The first semiconductor layer is provided on an upper surface of the channel body. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium. The second semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium doped with a first impurity. A boundary between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer is provided above a position of an upper end of the select gate.
US08912586B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor device, a polysilicon layer of a lower electrode contact plug is removed by a strip process such that the deposition area of a dielectric film is increased and capacitance of a capacitor is assured. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US08912585B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of forming the same
Provided may be a semiconductor memory device and a method of forming the semiconductor memory device. The memory device of example embodiments may include a bit line structure including a bit line on a semiconductor substrate, and a buried contact plug structure including a buried contact pad and a buried contact plug that extends in a lower portion of the bit line from one side of the bit line and connected to the buried contact pad. A width of the buried contact plug near a top surface of the buried contact pad may be greater than a width of the buried contact plug adjacent to the bit line.
US08912579B2 Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing solid-state image pickup device, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state image pickup device includes: a photoelectric conversion portion formed on a substrate and composed of a photodiode; an image pickup area in which plural pixels each including a reading-out electrode for reading out signal electric charges generated and accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portion are formed; and a light blocking film having an opening portion right above the photoelectric conversion portion in an effective pixel area of the image pickup area, and light-blocking said photoelectric conversion portion in an OB pixel area of the image pickup area, in which a film deposited between the light blocking film and the substrate right above the photoelectric conversion portion in the OB pixel area is composed of only a silicon oxide film.
US08912578B2 Solid-state image pickup device and image pickup system
The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.
US08912574B2 Device isolation with improved thermal conductivity
A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming a trench through a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure and into a substrate, and forming a liner including an electrical insulator material on sidewalls of the trench. The method also includes forming a core including a high thermal conductivity material in the trench and on the liner, and forming a cap in the trench and on the core.
US08912571B2 Compound semiconductor device including first film on compound semiconductor layer and second film on first film and method of manufacturing the same
A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor layer; a first film formed over the compound semiconductor layer, the first film being in a negatively charged state or a non-charged state at an interface with the compound semiconductor layer; a second film formed over the first film, the second film being in a positively charged state at an interface with the first film; and a gate electrode to be embedded in an opening formed in the second film.
US08912569B2 Hybrid transistor
A hybrid transistor (58) has a substrate (42) with a first (e.g., P type) well region (46) and a second (e.g., N type) well region (44) with an NP or PN junction (43) therebetween. A MOS portion (70-3) of the hybrid transistor (58) has an (e.g., N type) source region (48) in the first well region (46) and a gate conductor (52) overlying and insulated from the well regions (46, 44) that extends laterally at least to the junction (43). A drain or anode (D/A) portion (71-3) in the second well region (44) collects current 56 from the source region (48), and includes a bipolar transistor (78) having an (e.g., N+) emitter region (64), a (e.g., P type) base region (59) and a (e.g., N type) collector region (62) laterally separated from the junction (43). Different LDMOS-like or IGBT-like properties are obtained depending on whether the current 56 is extracted from the hybrid transistor (58) via the bipolar transistor (78) base (59) or emitter (64) or both. The bipolar transistor (78) is desirably a vertical hetero-junction transistor.
US08912560B2 Light emitting device package
Provided are a light emitting device package, a method of manufacturing the light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device package includes a package body, an electrode layer, a reflective layer, a nanopattern metal layer, a light emitting device, and a molding part. The electrode layer is disposed on the package body. The reflective layer is disposed over the electrode layer. The nanopattern metal layer is disposed over the reflective layer. The light emitting device is displayed over the electrode layer. The molding part is disposed over the light emitting device.
US08912559B2 Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
A Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, includes a groove having a depth extending from the top surface of a p-type layer to an n-type layer is provided in a region overlapping (in plan view) with the wiring portion of an n-electrode or the wiring portion of a p-electrode. An insulating film is provided so as to continuously cover the side surfaces and bottom surface of the groove, the p-type layer, and an ITO electrode. The insulating film incorporates therein reflective films in regions directly below the n-electrode and the p-electrode (on the side of a sapphire substrate). The reflective films in regions directly below the wiring portion of the n-electrode and the wiring portion of the p-electrode are located at a level lower than that of a light-emitting layer. The n-electrode and the p-electrode are covered with an additional insulating film.
US08912557B2 Light emitting diode having N-face GaN with roughened surface
An LED includes a substrate, a first n-type GaN layer, a connecting layer, a second n-type GaN layer, a light emitting layer, and a p-type GaN layer. The first n-type GaN layer, the connecting layer, and the second n-type GaN layer are formed on the substrate in sequence. The connecting layer is etchable by alkaline solution, and a bottom surface of the second n-type GaN layer facing towards the connecting layer has a roughed exposed portion. The GaN on the bottom surface of the second n-type GaN layer is N-face GaN. A top surface of the second n-type GaN layer facing away from the connecting layer includes a first area and a second area. The light emitting layer and the p-type GaN layer are formed on the first area of the top surface of the second n-type GaN layer in sequence.
US08912555B2 Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a circuit board with a layout layer and a die bonding area. At least one positive endpoint, negative endpoint and function endpoint are disposed on the layout layer. At least one semiconductor light-emitting chip is disposed within the die bonding area, and is electrically coupled to the positive endpoint, the negative endpoint and the function endpoint to facilitate various connection configurations.
US08912548B2 Organic light-emitting diode comprising amine-based compounds and anthracene-based compounds
An organic light-emitting diode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic layer includes an emission layer. The organic layer also includes at least one amine-based compound and at least one anthracene-based compound. The organic layer may include a first emission layer and a second emission layer, and the amine-based compound may be in the first emission layer and the anthracene-based compound may be in the second emission layer.
US08912546B2 Thin film transistor and display device
The present invention provides a technique by which a component forming a display device, such as a wiring can be formed with good adhesion.In the invention, a component forming a thin film transistor, a display device, or the like is formed with a material which is the same as at least one of the substances forming the formation subject surface added (mixed); thus, adhesion between the component and the formation subject is improved. An insulating layer formed over the component is formed with a laminate of a first insulating layer containing an organic material and a second insulating layer containing an inorganic material; thus, the insulating layer sufficiently covers irregularities on the surface of the component, and is also dense enough so as to be reliable as an insulating layer.
US08912540B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device having a pad on a semiconductor chip, a first passivation film formed over the semiconductor chip and having an opening portion on the pad of a probe region and a coupling region, a second passivation film formed over the pad and the first passivation film and having an opening portion on the pad of the coupling region, and a rewiring layer formed over the coupling region and the second passivation film and electrically coupled to the pad. The pad of the probe region placed on the periphery side of the semiconductor chip relative to the coupling region has a probe mark and the rewiring layer extends from the coupling region to the center side of the semiconductor chip. The present invention provides a technology capable of achieving size reduction, particularly pitch narrowing, of a semiconductor device.
US08912539B2 Array substrate and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate includes an oxide semiconductor layer; an etch stopper including a first contact hole exposing each of both sides of the oxide semiconductor layer; source and drain electrodes spaced apart from each other with the oxide semiconductor layer therebetween; a first passivation layer including a contact hole exposing each of both ends of the oxide semiconductor layer and each of ends of the source and drain electrode that oppose the both ends of the oxide semiconductor layer, respectively; and a connection pattern at the second contact hole contacting both the oxide semiconductor layer and each of the source and drain electrodes.
US08912538B2 Thin film transistor array substrate and method for manufacturing the same
Embodiments of the present invention provide a thin film transistor array substrate, a method for manufacturing the same, a display panel and a display device. The method for manufacturing the thin film transistor array substrate comprises: sequentially depositing a first metal oxide layer, a second metal oxide layer and a source and drain metal layer, conductivity of the first metal oxide layer being smaller than conductivity of the second metal oxide layer; patterning the first metal oxide layer, the second metal oxide layer and the source and drain metal layer, so as to form an active layer, a buffer layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, respectively. According to technical solutions of the embodiments of the invention, it is possible that the manufacturing process of the metal oxide TFT array substrate is simplified, and the production cost of products is reduced.
US08912537B2 Semiconductor device, RFID tag using the same and display device
Disclosed is an oxide semiconductor layer (13) which forms a channel for a thin-film transistor and which includes at least In and oxygen and one or more types of elements from among Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, Si, Sn, Ce, and Ge. A high concentration region (13d) is disposed on one section of the oxide semiconductor layer (13), whereby said region has a maximum In concentration 30 at %; or higher than other regions on the oxide semiconductor layer (13). The film thickness of the oxide semiconductor layer (13) is 100 nm max., and the film thickness of the high concentration region (13d) is 20 nm max. or, preferably, 6 nm max. This enables a thin-film transistor with a sub-threshold slope of 100 mV/decade max., a high on-current, and a high field effect mobility to be achieved.
US08912536B2 Transistors, methods of manufacturing the same and electronic devices including transistors
An oxide transistor includes: a channel layer formed of an oxide semiconductor; a source electrode contacting a first end portion of the channel layer; a drain electrode contacting a second end portion of the channel layer; a gate corresponding to the channel layer; and a gate insulating layer disposed between the channel layer and the gate. The oxide semiconductor includes hafnium-indium-zinc-oxide (HfInZnO). An electrical conductivity of a back channel region of the channel layer is lower than an electrical conductivity of a front channel region of the channel layer.
US08912535B2 Naphthalene-diimide-heterocycle-naphthalene diimide oligomers as organic semiconductors and transistors therefrom
The various inventions and/or their embodiments disclosed herein relate to certain naphthalene diimide (NDI) compounds wherein the NDI groups are bonded to certain subclasses of bridging heteroaryl (hAr) groups, such as the “NDI-hAr-NDI” oligomeric compounds, wherein hAr is a heteroaryl group chosen to provide desirable electronic and steric properties, and the possible identities of the “Rz” terminal peripheral substituent groups are described herein. Transistor and inverter devices can be prepared.
US08912528B2 Method for forming a cleaved facet of semiconductor device
Embodiments disclose a method including forming at least one compound semiconductor layer on a top r-face of a substrate, forming a line for cleavage on a bottom r-face of the substrate along a length of a guide line, wherein the guide line extends in a (11-20)-plane direction of the substrate, wherein the guide line extends from one portion of an edge to another portion of the edge, and wherein the edge is disposed between the top r-face and the bottom r-face of the substrate, and applying a force to the bottom r-face of the substrate to cleave the substrate along the line for cleavage in the (11-20)-plane direction and to form a cleaved facet along a m-plane of the at least one compound semiconductor.
US08912526B2 Electron multiplier device having a nanodiamond layer
An electron multiplier for a system for detecting electromagnetic radiation or an ion flow is disclosed. The multiplier includes at least one active structure intended to receive a flow of incident electrons, and to emit in response a flow of electrons called secondary electrons. The active structure includes a substrate on which is positioned a thin nanodiamond layer formed from diamond particles the average size of which is less than or equal to about 100 nm.
US08912525B2 Chemical oxidation of graphene and carbon nanotubes using Cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate
A process comprises combining a Ce (IV) salt with a carbon material comprising CNT or graphene wherein the Ce (IV) salt is selected from a Ce (IV) ammonium salt of a nitrogen oxide acid and is dissolved in a solvent comprising water. The process is conducted under conditions to substantially oxidize the carbon material to produce an oxidized material that is substantially non-conducting. After the oxidation, the Ce (IV) is substantially removed from the oxidized material. This produces a product made by the process. An article of manufacture comprises the product on a substrate. The oxidized material can be formed as a pattern on the substrate. In another embodiment the substrate comprises an electronic device with the oxidized material patterning non-conductive areas separate from conductive areas of the non-oxidized carbon material, where the conductive areas are operatively associated with the device.
US08912521B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
First conductive layers extend in a first direction horizontal to a substrate as a longitudinal direction, and are stacked in a direction perpendicular to a substrate. An interlayer insulating layer is provided between the first conductive layers. The variable resistance layers functioning as a variable resistance element are formed continuously on the side surfaces of the first conductive layers and the interlayer insulating layer. A columnar conductive layer is provided on the side surfaces of the first conductive layers and the interlayer insulating layer via the variable resistance layers. First side surfaces of the first conductive layers are recessed from a second side surface of the interlayer insulating layer in the direction away from the columnar conductive layers.
US08912518B2 Resistive random access memory cells having doped current limiting layers
Provided are semiconductor devices, such as resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells, that include current limiting layers formed from doped metal oxides and/or nitrides. These current limiting layers may have resistivities of at least about 1 Ohm-cm. This resistivity level is maintained even when the layers are subjected to strong electrical fields and/or high temperature annealing. In some embodiments, the breakdown voltage of a current limiting layer may be at least about 8V. Some examples of such current limiting layers include titanium oxide doped with niobium, tin oxide doped with antimony, and zinc oxide doped with aluminum. Dopants and base materials may be deposited as separate sub-layers and then redistributed by annealing or may be co-deposited using reactive sputtering or co-sputtering. The high resistivity of the layers allows scaling down the size of the semiconductor devices including these layer while maintaining their performance.
US08912515B2 Manufacturing method for pipe-shaped electrode phase change memory
A method for manufacturing a memory cell device includes forming a bottom electrode comprising a pipe-shaped member, a top, a bottom and sidewalls having thickness in a dimension orthogonal to the axis of the pipe-shaped member, and having a ring-shaped top surface. A disc shaped member is formed on the bottom of the pipe-shaped member having a thickness in a dimension coaxial with the pipe-shaped member that is not dependent on the thickness of the sidewalls of the pipe-shaped member. A layer of phase change material is deposited in contact with the top surface of the pipe-shaped member. A top electrode in contact with the layer of programmable resistive material. An integrated circuit including an array of such memory cells is described.
US08912514B2 Target for extreme ultraviolet light source
Techniques for forming a target and for producing extreme ultraviolet light include releasing an initial target material toward a target location, the target material including a material that emits extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light when converted to plasma; directing a first amplified light beam toward the initial target material, the first amplified light beam having an energy sufficient to form a collection of pieces of target material from the initial target material, each of the pieces being smaller than the initial target material and being spatially distributed throughout a hemisphere shaped volume; and directing a second amplified light beam toward the collection of pieces to convert the pieces of target material to plasma that emits EUV light.
US08912512B1 System and method for optical biopsy tissue characterization
A method for classifying a tissue sample of a biopsy specimen into one of a plurality of classes is presented. The method includes receiving a light from at least one location of the tissue sample including a plurality of chromophores, wherein the received light comprises at least one of an attenuated illumination light and a re-emitted light. The method further includes processing a spectrum of the received light to determine a feature for each of the chromophores in the at least one location of the tissue sample. In addition, the method includes estimating a Z-score for each of the chromophores based on the determined feature. Also, the method includes classifying the tissue sample into one of the plurality of classes based on the estimated Z-score for each of the chromophores.
US08912510B2 Fluorescence observation apparatus
Fluorescence observation apparatus includes laser scanning fluorescence observation unit and wide field fluorescence observation unit. The former unit includes: lasers; scanning unit that scans sample by laser light; and detector that detects fluorescence from the sample excited by the laser light. The latter unit includes: light source to planar-illuminate the sample; excitation filters that are selectively arranged on light path from the light source, and that correspond to the lasers, respectively; and two-dimensional detector that detects fluorescence from the sample excited by light that has passed through excitation filter arranged on light path from the light source. Each of the excitation filters has optical property in which center wavelength of transmissive band is approximately the same as oscillation wavelength of corresponding laser and bandwidth of transmissive band is approximately the same as tolerance width of oscillation wavelength of corresponding laser.
US08912509B2 Adjustable cathodoluminescence detection system and microscope employing such a system
A cathodoluminescence detection system is provided, including a collection optic collecting light radiation coming from a sample illuminated by a charged particle beam and sending the light radiation to an analyzer, a positioner for the collection optic; the positioner including several translation components of the collection optic. Each translation component effects the translation of the collection optic in one dimension of space so that the translation components effect the translation of the collection optic in several dimensions of space.
US08912506B2 Device for sustaining differential vacuum degrees for electron column
Disclosed is a device for sustaining different vacuum degrees for an electron column, including an electron emitter, a lens part, and a housing for securing them, to maintain the electron column and a sample under different vacuum degrees. The device comprises a column housing coupling part coupled to the housing to isolate a vacuum; a hollow part defined through the center portion of the device to allow an electron beam emitted from the electron column to pass therethrough; and a vacuum isolation part having a structure of a gasket for vacuum coupling, wherein a difference of no less than 10 torr in a vacuum degree is maintained between both sides of the device by selecting an appropriate diameter of a lens electrode layer which is finally positioned in a path along which the electron beam is emitted or by using the hollow part.
US08912505B2 Electron beam focusing electrode and electron gun using the same
An electron beam focusing electrode and an electron gun using the same may include a plate having a polygonal through-hole; at least a projecting portion formed on at least one side of the through-hole. By using the electron beam focusing electrode, a spreading phenomenon of an electron beam having a rectangular cross section may be reduced. Further, the output of the electron gun may be increased, and electron beams may be easily focused.
US08912504B2 Centralized detection of radiation in multiple facilities
A central system of monitoring radiation levels in a plurality of facilities at the same time is disclosed. The system may include radiation detection systems, at least one processor to process monitoring data generated by the radiation detection systems to compensate for naturally occurring radiation, and a central monitoring station capable of generating an alarm at the central monitoring station and at a facility where an undesired radiation level has been detected. A method of monitoring radiation levels in production facilities is also disclosed. The method may include providing a plurality of radiation detection systems, providing a central monitor in communication with the radiation detection systems, communicating data from the radiation detection systems to the central monitor, and analyzing the data to detect potential radioactive materials.
US08912503B2 Transmission X-ray analyzer and transmission X-ray analysis method
A transmission X-ray analyzer for detecting a transmission X-ray image of a sample that moves relatively in a predetermined scanning direction includes; a time delay and integration (TDI) sensor including a plurality of stages of line sensors including the plurality of two-dimensionally arranged image pickup devices arranged in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined scanning direction, being configured to transfer charge accumulated in one line sensor to an adjacent subsequent line sensor; a shield unit for shielding a part of the image of light entering the TDI sensor by moving back and forth in the predetermined scanning direction, the shield unit being disposed between the TDI sensor and the sample; and a shield unit position control unit for controlling a position of the shield unit so as to shield a predetermined number of stages of line sensors among the plurality of stages of line sensors.
US08912500B1 UV radiation detector with a replaceable secondary window
A UV radiation detector with a replaceable secondary window for that is easily replaced by an end user thereby increasing the accuracy of UV radiation measurements. The UV radiation detector with a replaceable secondary window generally includes a housing having a primary window, a UV radiation sensor within the housing to measure UV radiation passing through the primary window, a secondary window protecting the primary window from the fluid and a retainer member having an outer opening removably connectable to the housing to retain the secondary window. The secondary window can be easily replaced after becoming contaminated.
US08912489B2 Defect removal process
A process is provided for the removal of defects, for example, micro-bridging defects during device fabrication. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a wafer after lithography processing and exposing the wafer to at least one electron beam. In another aspect, a system includes: selecting a substrate with micro-bridging defects after the substrate undergoes lithography processing; preparing the substrate for exposure to at least one electron beam; and exposing the substrate to the at least one electron beam.
US08912488B2 Automated sample orientation
A method for aligning a sample that is placed in the vacuum chamber so that the sample is oriented normal to the focused ion beam is disclosed. The locations of different spots on the sample surface are determined using a focusing routine. The locations of the different spots are used to create an image line or an image plane that determines the proper calibrations that are needed. The image line or image plane is then used to calibrate the sample stage so that the sample is aligned substantially normal to the focused ion beam.
US08912487B2 Charged particle beam device, position specification method used for charged particle beam device, and program
Observation using an FIB image is enabled without causing any damage to a designated region. To this end, an ion beam scanning-prohibited region is set in a sample by using an image acquired by a charged particle beam other than an ion beam, or an image prepared as external data as a peripheral image including the designated region of a sample. Thereafter, the image used to set the ion beam scanning-prohibited region is exactly superimposed on an FIB image acquired for regions except the ion beam scanning-prohibited region, thereby forming an image including the ion beam scanning-prohibited region on which ion beam scanning has not been performed.
US08912482B2 Position determining device and method for objects on a touch device having a stripped L-shaped reflecting mirror and a stripped retroreflector
A method for determining the position of an object, includes: respectively detecting a light beam of a light emitting module emitted from a reference point and respectively reflected and retro-reflected by a stripped L-shaped reflecting mirror and retroreflector to obtain a first signal and a second signal; processing the first signal and the second signal to obtain a plurality of included angles A1 and a plurality of included angles A2 formed by respectively intercepting the light beam emitted from the reference point and blocked directly or indirectly by the object with the first reflecting unit and second unit; and respectively combining the plurality of included angles A1 with each included angle A2, respectively converting the combinations to obtain a plurality of coordinates, and selecting at least two coordinates with the same value among the plurality of coordinates, thereby confirming a relative coordinate of the objects on a work area.
US08912473B2 Variable-size induction heating plate
A variable-size induction heating plate includes a plurality of windings (10a, 10b, 10c, 10′a, 10′b, 10′c) arranged in a cooking surface. The heating plate includes two sets (10, 10′) of a plurality of windings arranged side-by-side, each set (10, 10′) of windings being adapted in such a way as to form a heating plate, and control elements (12, 12′, 13) which are adapted in such a way as to control the operation of the sets (10, 10′) both in an independent manner and a synchronous manner. Each set of windings is fed by a single current generator (11, 11). The inventive heating plate can be used in an induction cooking surface.
US08912469B2 Safety device
A safety device for regulating the supply of electricity and/or fuel to an appliance. Electricity and/or fuel may be supplied to an appliance for a period of time responsive to a user operating a user operable control means, such as a button. The safety device will cut off the supply of electricity and/or fuel after a first period of time unless the user operable control means is operated again to extend the period of time for which the regulator means allows the supply of electricity and/or fuel. Thus, the user must periodically operate the user operable control means if the appliance is to continue functioning. The safety device may function differently at different times of the day. The safety device is particularly useful with electric or fuel burning cookers, to reduce the risk of fire when the cooker is inadvertently left unattended.
US08912459B2 Batteries testing and sorting system and the method thereof
A system includes a robot, comprising a manipulator and a controller, with a gripper mounted on the manipulator, for picking the battery for testing and sorting, a battery holding section for receiving batteries for testing and sorting at predetermined locations in the battery holding section, and a testing section disposed within the working range of the robot, for testing an electrical condition of the battery for testing and sorting, whereby the controller controls the manipulator and the gripper to first-pick the battery for testing and sorting at the predetermined location from the battery holding section and place it to contact the testing section for testing, the testing section tests the battery and sends to the controller a signal indicating the electrical condition of the tested battery, and the controller controls the manipulator and the gripper to second-pick the battery contacting the testing section and sort it according to the signal.
US08912456B2 ATV switch actuator and housing design
A switch activator device for ATVs and like vehicles operating in robust environments having a switch housing including an open back side and a front side having a central opening and at least one slots for receiving a switch actuator. At least one switch activator is mounted in the housing with a flange sized to engage the at least one slot in the housing. A central housing insert is put in the housing between the at least one activator to substantially close off the front side of the housing and provide mounting support to maintain the at least one actuator flange in the slot. Preferably the housing, actuators and insert are made by injection molding plastic.
US08912455B2 Scale with an adjusting device configured as a fluid drive actuator imparting gearless translational motion to place the scale in a washing-down position or in a transport position
A balance having at least one adjusting device (2, . . . ) having a drive, wherein the drive of the adjusting device is configured as a fluidic drive (4, . . . ), to which pressure can be applied by a pressure source disposed outside the scales via a pressure connection.
US08912452B2 Z-directed printed circuit board components having different dielectric regions
A Z-directed component for mounting in a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes a body having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The body has a cross-sectional shape that is insertable into the mounting hole in the printed circuit board. A first portion of the body is composed of a first dielectric material having a first dielectric constant and a second portion of the body is composed of a second dielectric material having a second dielectric constant that is higher than the first dielectric constant. A conductive channel extends through a portion of the body forming a signal path.
US08912443B2 Bus bar mounting assembly
The present invention is intended to provide a novel assembly for properly or accurately mounting the terminal portion of the bus bar on the terminal-accommodating portion of a body for an electric junction box without doing any harm to an electrical conduit(s) which is disposed within the electric junction box. An assembly for mounting a bus bar (1) to a body (12) for an electric junction box, comprises a hole (9) disposed in the bus bar (1), and having a burr (31) created during the hole punching process; and a projection (21) formed in the body (12), and suited for being press-fit into the hole (9), wherein the projection (21) extends beyond the burr after being press-fit into the hole (9). In this configuration, the hole (9) may serve as a basis for position determination of each terminal portion (3, 4) of the bus bar (1), and the projection (21) may serve as a basis for position determination of each terminal-accommodating portion (25) of the body (12). A pair of the holes (9) may be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the bus bar (1), and a pair of the projections (21) may be correspondingly formed in the body (12) so as to be press-fit into the holes (9). The projection (21) may have a plurality of press-fit ribs (29) extending outwardly from a peripheral surface thereof, and being approximately triangular in traverse cross-section.
US08912441B2 Shielding device for preventing water flowing into electronic device
A shielding device includes an enclosure sidewall. The enclosure includes two side plates, a top plate and a connecting plate connected to the top plate. The connecting plate defines a through hole to engage the cable. The top plate is slanted relative to the sidewall.
US08912435B2 Organic photoelectric conversion element
Disclosed is an organic photoelectric conversion element which has excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent temperature stability with respect to power generation. The organic photoelectric conversion element comprises at least one photoelectric conversion layer and at least one carrier transport layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, and is characterized in that the carrier transport layer contains the salt of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or the complex thereof of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.
US08912434B2 Electron donating polymer and organic solar cell including the same
A polymer, and an organic solar cell including the polymer, include a repeating unit A represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a repeating unit B represented by Chemical Formula 2.
US08912431B2 Solar cell element and solar cell module
A semiconductor substrate comprises a semiconductor region of one conductivity type and a layer of another conductivity type with first, second and side surfaces. Over surfaces on the first surface side, the side surface side and an outer peripheral portion on the second surface side of the semiconductor region, the layer is formed. An electrode of the one conductivity type is located on the second surface adjacent to the layer. The semiconductor substrate includes a trench located between the outer periphery of the second surface and an end of the electrode with a spacing from the electrode and configured to isolate the layer along the outer periphery of the second surface. When viewed from the second surface side, a shortest distance between the end of the electrode and the trench is smaller than a shortest distance between a junction of the layer of the side surface side and the trench.
US08912427B2 Polyester film for sealing backside of solar cell
The present invention provides a polyester film for sealing the backside of solar cell having excellent light reflectivity and durability and good electric insulation. A polyester film for sealing the backside of solar cell having a light reflectance at 550 nm wavelength of 50% or more and containing 3 to 50% by mass of inorganic fine particles, characterized in that acid value of the film is 1 to 30 eq/ton and limiting viscosity of the film is 0.60 to 0.80 dL/g.
US08912426B2 Photovoltaic device
The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region.
US08912425B2 Self-tuning of carrier concentration for high thermoelectric performance
The inventors demonstrate herein that homogeneous Ag-doped PbTe/Ag2Te composites exhibit high thermoelectric performance (˜50% over La-doped composites) associated with an inherent temperature induced gradient in the doping concentration caused by the temperature-dependent solubility of Ag in the PbTe matrix. This method provides a new mechanism to achieve a higher thermoelectric efficiency afforded by a given material system, and is generally applicable to other thermoelectric materials.
US08912424B2 Multi-junction photovoltaic device and fabrication method
A method of forming a photovoltaic device that includes bonding a substrate to a germanium-containing semiconductor layer with a stressor layer, wherein the stressor layer cleaves the germanium-containing semiconductor layer. At least one semiconductor layer is formed on a cleaved surface of the germanium-containing semiconductor layer that is opposite the conductivity type of the germanium-containing semiconductor layer to provide a first solar cell. The first solar cell absorbs a first range of wavelengths. At least one second solar cell may be formed on the first solar cell, wherein the at least one second solar cell is composed of at least one semiconductor material to absorb a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range wavelengths absorbed by the first solar cell.
US08912423B1 Extensible torpedo
An extensible torpedo has a body, a cavity within the body and a water reactive material in communication with the cavity. A mechanism selectively positions the cavity between a first volume and a second volume and also selectively positions the torpedo between a first length and a second length. The second volume and length are greater than the first volume and length. The mechanism introduces ambient water into the cavity in a volume that represents a stoichiometric balance with the amount of water reactive material.
US08912419B2 Synchronized multiple device audio playback and interaction
A musical playback amusement system is disclosed. A primary audio track defined by a plurality of time-sequence audio data elements and associated synchronization identifiers are loaded and played back on a first interactive device. A second interactive device is in communication with the first interactive device to receive playback synchronization commands that coordinates playback of a secondary track loaded on the second interactive device. The synchronization identifiers in the primary track are transmitted from the first to the second interactive device as the playback synchronization commands in coordination with the playback of the primary audio track.
US08912418B1 Music notation system for two dimensional keyboard
A music notation system for a two dimensional keyboard consists of a five line staff per hand, where lines represent black keys and spaces represent white keys. The lines are vertically oriented, and spaced to resemble the pattern of black and white keys in an octave of piano keys. Note-octave symbols are placed on a line or space, indicating which column of keys the desired note is in. A note-octave symbol graphically indicates which row of octaves the desired note is in by the location of a note head on the stem of the note-octave symbol. A horizontal row in the notation represents an instant of time, at a particular subdivision of the beat. Solid horizontal lines indicate measure boundaries. Dashed horizontal lines indicate beat boundaries. The number of subdivisions of a given beat is indicated by the number of rows between the beat boundaries.
US08912414B1 Maize inbred PH18WG
A novel maize variety designated PH18WG and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH18WG with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH18WG through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH18WG or a locus conversion of PH18WG with another maize variety.
US08912411B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH889629
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH889629. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH889629, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH889629 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH889629.
US08912408B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH540328
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH540328. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH540328, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH540328 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH540328.
US08912404B2 Pepper hybrid PX 09939610
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PX 09939610 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PX 09939610 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08912403B2 Cotton variety FM 9160B2F
The cotton variety FM 9160B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 9160B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 9160B2F and to plants of FM 9160B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 9160B2F.
US08912396B1 Canola line NS6622
A novel canola variety designated NS6622 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a canola plant that comprise crossing canola variety NS6622 with another canola plant. Methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into NS6622 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the canola seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid canola seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the canola variety NS6622 or a locus conversion of NS6622 with another canola variety.
US08912395B2 Generation of plants with altered protein, fiber, or oil content
The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US08912394B2 Transcriptional regulation of plant disease tolerance
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including disease stress and abiotic stress tolerance, as compared to wild-type or control plants. The invention also pertains to expression systems that may be used to regulate these transcription factor polynucleotides, providing constitutive, transient, inducible and tissue-specific regulation.
US08912392B2 Methods for altering the genome of a monocot plant cell
Methods and compositions for altering the genome of a monocot plant cell, and a monocot plant are disclosed. The methods and compositions use a double-strand break inducing agent to alter a monocot plant or plant cell genomic sequence comprising a recognition sequence for the double-strand break inducing agent.
US08912389B1 Maize inbred PH1KPK
A novel maize variety designated PH1KPK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KPK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KPK through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KPK or a locus conversion of PH1KPK with another maize variety.
US08912388B2 Lolium multiflorum line inducing genome loss
Dihaploid homozygous Fescue species may be produced by interspecific hybridization of Fescue with novel ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum, lines, that induce genome loss. Plants that are dihaploid homozygous Lolium and amphidiploids are also produced.
US08912387B2 Genetic loci associated with head smut resistance in maize
Head smut is one of the most devastating diseases in maize, causing severe yield loss worldwide. The present invention describes the fine-mapping of a major QTL conferring resistance to head smut. Markers useful for breeding, and methods for conferring head smut resistance are described. Nucleic acid sequence from the genetic locus conferring head smut resistance is disclosed. Genes encoding proteins conferring head smut resistance are disclosed.
US08912386B2 Transgenic pig model of cystic fibrosis
The present invention provides transgenic, large non-human animal models of diseases and conditions, as well as methods of making and using such animal models in the identification and characterization of therapies for the diseases and conditions.
US08912382B2 Alkylation unit and method of modifying
One exemplary embodiment can be a method of modifying an alkylation unit to increase capacity. The method may include combining a first alkylation zone with a second alkylation zone. Generally, the first alkylation zone includes a first settler having a height and a width. Typically, the width is greater than the height. In addition, the second alkylation zone may have a second settler having a height and a width. Usually, the height is greater than the width.
US08912380B2 Fluid catalytic cracking system and process
One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking system. The system can include a reaction zone, in turn including a reactor receiving, a fluidizing stream, a fuel gas stream, a fluidizable catalyst, a stream having an effective amount of oxygen for combusting the fuel gas stream, and a feed.
US08912370B2 Method for producing hexafluoropropane
The present invention relates to a method for producing 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexaafluoropropane, involving reacting gaseous phase hexafluoropropene with hydrogen in a superstoichimetric amount in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a reactor, and recirculating a part of the gaseous effluent from the reactor.
US08912369B2 Method for production of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene
A production method of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene according to the present invention includes bringing a composition containing a compound of the general formula (1): CF3—CH2—CHClX (where X is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom) into contact with a solid catalyst in the presence of hydrogen chloride. In this production method, the composition containing ozone depleting HCFC such as 3-chloro-1,1,1,3-tetraluoforpropane or 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane can be efficiently converted to the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, which has less influence on the global environment and is useful as a solvent, a cleaning agent, a coolant, a working fluid, a propellant, a raw material for fluorinated resins etc.
US08912367B2 Method and system for liquid phase reactions using high shear
A method of reacting one or more components in a liquid phase to form an organic product, the method including feeding a carbon-based gas to a high shear device; feeding a hydrogen-based liquid medium to the high shear device; using the high shear device to form a dispersion comprising the carbon-based gas and the hydrogen-based liquid medium, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than about 5 μm; introducing the dispersion into a reactor; and reacting the dispersion to produce the organic product.
US08912358B2 Removing hydrocarbon impurities from acetic acid production intermediate
A method for removing hydrocarbon impurities from an acetic acid production intermediate is disclosed. The method comprises extracting the intermediate with a hydrocarbon extracting agent. The extraction is preferably performed with the alkane distillation bottom stream which comprises methyl iodide, acetic acid, and hydrocarbon impurities. The extraction forms a light phase which comprises the hydrocarbon impurity and the extracting agent and a heavy phase which comprises methyl iodide and acetic acid. The extraction heavy phase is optionally recycled to the alkane distillation or to the carbonylation reaction.
US08912351B2 Process for removing metals from tallow oil
A process for removing a metal from a tallow feed includes contacting the tallow feed comprising the metal with a tallow oil-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a tallow oil and TALLOW-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a tallow oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the tallow feed. The metals removed include iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and potassium.
US08912349B2 Method for producing purified dialkyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate separation and solid liquid separation
A process to produce a purified dimethyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DMFD) by feeding furan dicarboxylic acid and methanol to an esterification zone to generate a crude diester composition, and purifying the crude diester composition with a physical separation process followed by crystallization, solid liquid separation, and optionally drying to produce a purified DMFD composition. A portion of the stream generated by solid liquid separation can be dissolved and subjected to crystallization and solid liquid separation repeatedly. The process is useful to produce a purified DMFD composition having a low b*, at least 98 wt. % DAFD solids, and a low concentration of 5-(methoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (MCFC) and methyl 5-formylfuran-2-carboxylate (MFFC).
US08912348B2 Tetrahydropyranyl compound and method for producing the tetrahydropyranyl compound
To provide a tetrahydropyranyl compound represented by General Formula (1) below: General Formula (1) where X denotes any one of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, an oxygen atom, and a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each denote any one of a hydrogen atom, a methyl group and an ethyl group, and n denotes an integer of 1 to 4.
US08912347B2 Synthetic transtaganolide and basiliolide products, derivatives thereof, and synthesis methods thereof
Compounds represented by Formula I are provided that include synthetic transtaganolide and basiliolide products. Derivatives of these compounds and methods of synthesis are also provided.
US08912346B2 Palladium phosphine complexes for the telomerization of butadiene
A phosphine ligand suitable for use in telomerizing butadiene comprises two phenyl groups and a xanthene moiety.
US08912345B2 Method for preparing optically pure (−)-clausenamide compound
Disclosed in the present invention is a method for preparing a (−)-clausenamide compound of formula (I), comprising: firstly, catalyzing the asymmetrical epoxidation of trans-cinnamate using a chiral ketone derived from fructose or a hydrate thereof as a catalyst, and then subjecting the product to amidation, oxidation, cyclization and reduction successively to finally obtain the optically pure (−)-clausenamide compound of formula (I).
US08912341B2 Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed annulation reactions with imidazolidinones
Enantiomeric bicyclic lactone compounds as can be prepared via an N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed annulation reaction.
US08912340B2 Process for the preparation of 2-imino-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives
The present invention relates to a new process for the preparation of 2-imino-thiazolidin-4-one compounds of the Formula (I) and (II) and to compounds of Formula (II) as such. The present compounds of Formula (II) can be used as intermediates in the preparation of thiazolidin-4-one derivatives of the General Formula (II), said derivatives being described in WO 2005/054215. These compounds of General Formula (II) are described in WO 2005/054215 to act as immunosuppressive agents.
US08912337B2 Salts and polymorphs of dexrabeprazole
The present invention provides dexrabeprazole magnesium hydrate and a process for its preparation. The present invention also provides a magnesium, calcium or potassium salt of dexrabeprazole, optionally in amorphous form, and processes for its preparation.
US08912336B2 Aryl and heteroaryl sulfones as mGluR4 allosteric potentiators, compositions, and methods of treating neurological dysfunction
In one aspect, the invention relates to sulfone compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.
US08912331B2 3,5-disubstituted-3H-imidazo[4,5-B]pyridine and 3,5-disubstituted-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-B] pyridine compounds as modulators of protein kinases
The present invention provides, inter alia, compounds of formula I as protein kinase modulators, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of kinase mediated diseases or disorders with them.
US08912328B2 Formation of N-protected bis-3,6-(4-aminoalkyl)-2,5,diketopiperazine
The disclosed embodiments detail improved methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids. In particular improved methods for the cyclocondensation and purification of N-protected 3,6-(aminoalkyl)-2,5-diketopiperazines from N-protected amino acids. Disclosed embodiments describe methods for the synthesis of 3,6-bis-[N-protected aminoalkyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine comprising heating a mixture of an amino acid in the presence of a catalyst in an organic solvent. The catalyst is selected from the group comprising sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, 1-propylphosphonic acid cyclic anhydride, tributyl phosphate, phenyl phosphonic acid and phosphorous pentoxide among others. The solvent is selected from the group comprising: dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, diglyme, ethyl glyme, proglyme, ethyldiglyme, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, xylenes, ethylene glycol and phenol among others.
US08912323B2 Multifunctional small molecules
The present invention relates to dendrimer synthesis. Specifically, the present invention relates to triazine scaffolds capable of click chemistry for one-step synthesis of functionalized dendrimers, and methods of making and using the same.
US08912320B2 Process for removing dimethylamine
A process for removing dimethylamine (DMA) before and/or during and/or after deacylation in a reaction vessel of a feed stream comprising a sucralose-6-acylate resulting from the chlorination of a sucrose-6-acylate in the presence of dimethyl formamide (DMF), wherein the deacylation is conducted at a first set of conditions of temperature, pH and pressure, the process comprising: (a) providing a side stream loop from and to the reaction vessel; (b) adjusting the conditions of one or more of temperature, pH, and pressure in the loop, and setting the flow rate through the loop, to remove DMA while minimising carbohydrate degradation.
US08912319B2 Synthesis of 2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-5-methyl-1-B-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (18F-FMAU)
The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing 18F-FMAU. In particular, 18F-FMAU is synthesized using one-pot reaction conditions in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts. The one-pot reaction conditions are incorporated into a fully automated cGMP-compliant radiosynthesis module, which results in a reduction in synthesis time and simplifies reaction conditions. The one-pot reaction conditions are also suitable for the production of 5-substituted thymidine or cytidine analogs. The products from the one-pot reaction (e.g. the labeled thymidine or cytidine analogs) can be used as probes for imaging tumor proliferative activity. More specifically, these [18F]-labeled thymidine or cytidine analogs can be used as a PET tracer for certain medical conditions, including, but not limited to, cancer disease, autoimmunity inflammation, and bone marrow transplant.
US08912316B2 Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of CD45 gene
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the CD45 gene.
US08912315B2 Purkinje cell-tropic viral vector
The present invention relates to a Purkinje cell-tropic viral vector in which a modified L7 promoter and a therapeutic gene are operably linked to a virus-based plasmid vector.
US08912314B2 Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG/dPNAG)-binding peptides and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.
US08912312B2 PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection of Candida
This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection of one or more species of Candida yeast. Non-limiting examples of probing nucleobase sequences that can be used for the probes of this invention can be selected from the group consisting of: AGA-GAG-CAG-CAT-GCA (Seq. Id. No. 1), AGA-GAG-CAA-CAT-GCA (Seq. Id. No. 2), ACA-GCA-GAA-GCC-GTG (Seq. Id. No. 3), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-CCA-GA (Seq. Id. No. 4), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-CCC-AG (Seq. Id. No. 5), ACT-TGG-AGT-CGA-TAG (Seq. Id. No. 6), CCA-AGG-CTT-ATA-CTC-GC (Seq. Id. No. 7), CCC-CTG-AAT-CGG-GAT (Seq. Id. No. 8), GAC-GCC-AAA-GAC-GCC (Seq. Id. No. 9), ATC-GTC-AGA-GGC-TAT-AA (Seq. Id. No. 10), TAG-CCA-GAA-GAA-AGG (Seq. Id. No. 11), CAT-AAA-TGG-CTA-GCC-AG (Seq. Id. No. 12), CTC-CGA-TGT-GAC-TGC-G (Seq. Id. No. 13), TCC-CAG-ACT-GCT-CGG (Seq. Id. No. 14), TCC-AAG-AGG-TCG-AGA (Seq. Id. No. 15), GCC-AAG-CCA-CAA-GGA (Seq. Id. No. 16), GCC-GCC-AAG-CCA-CA (Seq. Id. No. 17), GGA-CTT-GGG-GTT-AG (Seq. Id. No. 18), CCG-GGT-GCA-TTC-CA (Seq. Id. No. 19), ATG-TAG-AAC-GGA-ACT-A (Seq. Id. No. 20), GAT-TCT-CGG-CCC-CAT-G (Seq. Id. No. 21), CTG-GTT-CGC-CAA-AAA-G (Seq. Id. No. 22) and AGT-ACG-CAT-CAG-AAA (Seq. Id. No. 23).
US08912311B2 Generation of a cancer-specific immune response toward MUC1 and cancer specific MUC1 antibodies
The present invention provides a method for inducing a cancer specific immune response against MUC1 using an immunogenic glycopeptide. Other aspects of the invention are a pharmaceutical composition comprising the immunogenic glycopeptide and a cancer vaccine comprising the immunogenic glycopeptide. Another aspect is an antibody generated using the immunogenic glycopeptide and the use of said antibody in therapy and diagnosis.
US08912306B2 Halogen-terminated sulfer-containing polymer
A halogen-terminated sulfur-containing polymer is represented by: X—(R—Sr)n—R—X wherein R is an ether bond-containing alkyl group having 3 to 26 carbon atoms, X is a halogen atom, n is an integer of 1 to 200, and r has an average of 1 to 5.
US08912301B2 Branched conjugated diene copolymer, rubber composition and pneumatic tire
The present invention relates to a branched conjugated diene copolymer which is useful for preparing a rubber composition, having high uniformity of a temperature dependence curve of a viscoelasticity tan δ, for a tire, a rubber composition comprising the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition for a tire. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is composed of monomer components comprising a branched conjugated diene compound represented by a general formula (1): wherein R1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and an aromatic vinyl compound represented by a general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and a copolymerization ratio (m) of the aromatic vinyl compound (2) is 45% by mass or more.
US08912300B2 Radical polymerizable composition, cured product, and plastic lens
There are provided a radical polymerizable composition having a low viscosity suitable for coating and a cured product and a plastic lens each obtained by curing the composition, the cured product having a high refractive index, good adhesiveness to a plastic film substrate, and good adhesiveness kept even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. The radical polymerizable composition includes phenylbenzyl (meth)acrylate (A), an epoxy (meth)acrylate (X) having an aromatic ring in its molecular structure, and a radical polymerization initiator (Y) as essential components.
US08912298B2 Method for producing particulate water absorbing agent containing water absorbent resin as main component
An apparatus (2) includes: a first tank (4); a line mixer (6); a second tank (8); a cooling jacket (10); a first tube (12); a second tube (14); and a third tube (16). In the first tank (4), (i) sodium persulfate serving as a polymerization initiator and (ii) water are fed so as to obtained an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is continuously taken out and transferred via the first tube (12) to the line mixer (6). Between the first tank (4) and the line mixer (6), water is injected into the first tube (12). The water and the sodium persulfate aqueous solution are stirred together in the line mixer (6). This stirring decreases a concentration of the aqueous solution. The resulting aqueous solution is continuously fed to the second tank (8) via the second tube (14). The aqueous solution is then continuously taken out via the third tube (16) and is continuously added to an acrylic acid (salt) aqueous solution. This provides a production method which allows a high-quality water absorbing agent to be obtained with a compact apparatus.
US08912297B2 Low density polyethylene with low dissipation factor and process for producing same
The present disclosure provides a process for producing low density polyethylene with a dissipation factor less than or equal to 1.48×10−4 radian at 2.47 GHz. The process includes free radical high pressure polymerization of ethylene and separation of the unreacted species from the resultant polyethylene to form a recycle stream. The process further includes purging dissipative components from the recycle stream. The purged recycle stream is then introduced into the polymerization reactor.
US08912296B1 Process for preparing polystyrene having a high melt flow rate
Provided is a process for preparing polystyrene having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 120,000-160,000 g/mol, a polydispersity in the range of 4-6 and a melt flow rate of at least 40 g/10 minutes by feeding styrene into a reaction system through which the styrene passes as a component of a reaction mixture as it is polymerized, the reaction system including an initial reaction zone (100) and a downstream reaction zone (200), comprising the steps of: polymerizing styrene in the initial reaction zone to form polystyrene having a Mw of greater than 300,000 g/mol and a polydispersity in the range 1.5-2.5, 10-30 wt. % of the styrene fed to the initial reaction zone being polymerized there, —and polymerizing styrene remaining in the reaction mixture in the downstream reaction zone, a chain transfer agent being mixed with the reaction mixture at the commencement of this reaction zone and optionally at one or more additional locations within this reaction zone. The polystyrene may be used to manufacture expandable polystyrene beads or polystyrene foam board.
US08912294B2 Polyamine having a reduced blushing effect, and use thereof as a curing agent for epoxy resins
Polyamines A1 of formula (I) or (II). They can be easily synthesized from readily available raw materials and have no primary amino groups or only a low content of primary amino groups and thus exhibit hardly any blushing. Their viscosity is relatively low, compared with polyamine/polyepoxide adducts of the polyamine on which polyamine A1 is based. Thus epoxy resin compositions can be formulated that are free of benzyl alcohol and free of blushing.
US08912289B2 Tapered asymmetric block copolymers and adhesives composition comprising the same
Provided is a tapered block copolymer having asymmetric vinyl aromatic blocks. The disclosed tapered block copolymer has very superior adhesion properties such as loop tack, 180° peel strength and softening point and may be used to prepare high-quality hot melt adhesives for industrial use.
US08912282B2 Oil based blends of interpolymers of ethylene/alpha-olefins
Polymer blends comprise at least one ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and one or more oil. The oil can be an aromatic oil, napththenic oil, paraffinic oil or a combination thereof. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are random block copolymers comprising at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The resulting blends can be used to make flexible molded articles.
US08912281B2 Urethane resin particles for slush molding
Provided are urethane resin particles for slush molding which make it possible that inconveniences based on the slip-down of a pigment, on the aggregation of particles of the pigment, and on other causes are removed although this coloring is coloring onto the resin particle surfaces. The present invention is urethane resin particles for slush mold which contain a urethane resin and an additive, wherein the particles have a shape factor SF1 of 101 to 200, a shape factor SF2 of 120 to 240, and a central particle diameter of 20 to 500 μm. It is preferred that the urethane resin has a concentration of urea groups of 0.5 to 10% by weight, a total of the concentration of urethane groups and that of the urea groups of 4 to 20% by weight, a melting point of 160 to 260° C. and a glass transition temperature of −65 to 0° C.
US08912273B2 Process for the preparation of an aqueous polymer dispersion
Process for the preparation of an aqueous polymer dispersion using RAFT compounds.
US08912271B2 Sound-deadening filled thermoplastic polyolefin composition
The present invention relates to filled thermoplastic polyolefin compositions useful e.g., as sound-deadening sheeting for formed automotive applications comprising a propylene polymer having a density equal to or greater than 0.885 g/cm3, one or more linear ethylene polymer and/or substantially linear polymer, a plasticizer, and a filler, preferably calcium carbonate. Said composition demonstrates a good balance of heat properties and stiffness such that it is particularly suitable for sheet extrusion and thermoforming articles therefrom.
US08912264B2 Aqueous ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer dispersion
It is an object of the present invention to provide an aqueous ethylene-vinyl alcohol-based copolymer dispersion which is excellent in long-term storage stability and in film-forming properties even when subjected to low-temperature or short-time drying or applied to give thick coats and can give coatings showing high gas barrier performance. The prevent invention is an aqueous ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer dispersion, which comprises: (A) an ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer with an ethylene content of 15-65 mole percent and a degree of saponification of not lower than 80 mole percent, (B) a base-neutralized ethylene/α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid-based copolymer and (C) a polyvinyl alcohol with a degree of saponification of 75-100 mole percent and a degree of polymerization of 100-3500, the content of the polyvinyl alcohol (C) being 0.5-100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the ethylene/vinyl alcohol-based copolymer (A).
US08912261B2 Process for making particulate-free poly(phenylene ether) compositions and photovoltaic backsheet materials derived therefrom
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing halogen-free melt-filtered polymer compositions, compositions prepared by the process, as well as articles derived therefrom. The process comprises filtering the melted composition through a filter to remove particulate impurities that are 0.5 mm2 in size or larger. The composition comprises: (a) 60 to 90 percent by weight of a poly(phenylene ether); (b) 3 to 23 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer; (c) 5-11 percent by weight of a halogen-free flame retardant comprising at least one organic phosphate flame retardant, wherein the composition has: (i) a melt viscosity of 620 Pa·s or less as measured according at 280° C. and 1500 s−1; and (ii) a heat deflection temperature that is 135° C. or more as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa.
US08912259B2 Formulated benzoxazine based system for transportation applications
The present disclosure provides a halogen-free thermosetting composition including a benzoxazine compound, a monobenzoxazine monomer, and a naphthalene epoxy. The halogen-free thermosetting composition is especially suited for use in aerospace, automobile, rail and marine applications.
US08912258B2 Polyacetal resin composition
A polyacetal resin composition obtained by compounding 0.01 to 10.0 parts by weight of sterically hindered phenol (B) and 0.001 to 5 parts by weight of magnesium hydroxide (C) having a BET specific surface area of 20 m2/g or lower and an average particle diameter of 2 μm or less relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyacetal resin (A).
US08912252B2 Film-forming pigments and coating system including the same
A coated pigment that includes polymer encapsulations which act as a pigment dispersant and film forming agent, coating systems that include the coated pigment and methods for producing the coated pigment and the coating system are described. The polymer encapsulations of the coated pigments allow the coated pigments that are included in the coating system to be dispersed without the addition of any other dispersants and/or resins. Thus, the disclosed coated pigments simplify the process of making coating systems. The disclosed coated pigments also extend the shelf-life of the coating systems, and provide a final coating with enhanced pigment orientation and aesthetics.
US08912246B2 Crosslinkable curing super-branched polyester and cured product and preparation method thereof
A crosslinkable curing super-branched polyester and the cured product and the preparation method thereof are disclosed. The super-branched polyester has high refractive index and comprises a compound represented by the following structural formula (I). In the formula (I), HBP is the backbone of the super-branched polyester; both a and b are positive integers; the sum of a and b is less than or equal to n; n is more than or equal to 10 and less than 80. In the super-branched polyester, A is represented by formula (II) and N is represented by formula (III), wherein R is methyl or hydrogen atom; the mole ratio of N relative to the total mole of A and N is more than 30 mol %, and the ratio of the total mole of A and N relative to the product of the total mole of HBP backbone and n is more than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.
US08912245B2 Aromatic polyesters, polyol blends comprising the same and resultant products therefrom
The present invention discloses low viscosity aromatic polyester polyols suitable for blending with other polyols or other materials mutually compatible with the polyester polyols to achieve polyurethane and polyisocyanurate products. In particular the present invention discloses polyester polyols comprising the reaction of: A) an aromatic component comprising at 80 mole percent or greater of terephthalic acid; B) polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight from 150 to 1000; and C) a glycol different from the glycol of B); wherein A, B, and C are present in the reaction on a percent weight bases of 20 to 60 weight percent A); 40 to 75 weight percent of B); and 0 to 40 weight percent of C).
US08912242B2 Polar polystyrene copolymers for enhanced foaming
A method of making a foamable polystyrene composition includes combining a styrenic monomer and a co-monomer containing a polar functional group to obtain a mixture, subjecting the mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic co-polymer, and combining the styrenic co-polymer with a blowing agent in a foaming process to obtain foamed articles.
US08912241B2 Rubber asphalt and preparation method thereof
A rubber asphalt and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The rubber asphalt comprises matrix asphalt and rubber powder modifier in a ratio of 4:1-4, wherein the rubber powder modifier comprises waste tire rubber powder and hexanediol in a ratio of 94-96:6-4. The method comprises the following steps: mixing the hexanediol with the waste tire rubber powder according to the ratio and stirring and wetting to obtain the rubber powder modifier; placing the matrix asphalt into a reaction kettle and heating to 90-170° C.; adding the rubber powder modifier into the reaction kettle according to the ratio; and raising the temperature to 190-210° C. under the stirring state to obtain the rubber asphalt. The rubber asphalt has an extensibility of 13-19 cm at 5° C., a penetration of 68-75 at 25° C. and a softening point of 53-90° C. The asphalt-aggregate ratio of a mixed material on the subsequent work section can be reduced to 6-8 from 8-10. The rubber asphalt can be used for producing a mixture for highway construction and preventing water and leakage of roofing and tunnel.
US08912239B2 Carbon recycling and reinvestment using thermochemical regeneration
Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for regeneration or recycling of carbon dioxide into renewable liquid fuel. In one aspect, a method of recycling carbon to produce a renewable fuel can include harvesting carbon dioxide emitted from an industrial process. Biomass waste is dissociated under an anaerobic reaction to produce hydrogen. The harvested carbon dioxide is reacted with the biomass waste produced hydrogen under pressure and heat to generate a renewable fuel.
US08912238B2 Compositions comprising supercritical carbon dioxide and metallic compounds
Methods of increasing the solubility of a base in supercritical carbon dioxide include forming a complex of a Lewis acid and the base, and dissolving the complex in supercritical carbon dioxide. The Lewis acid is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the base is substantially insoluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. Methods for increasing the solubility of water in supercritical carbon dioxide include dissolving an acid or a base in supercritical carbon dioxide to form a solution and dissolving water in the solution. The acid or the base is formulated to interact with water to solubilize the water in the supercritical carbon dioxide. Some compositions include supercritical carbon dioxide, a hydrolysable metallic compound, and at least one of an acid and a base. Some compositions include an alkoxide and at least one of an acid and a base.
US08912237B2 Stabilized carotenoid compositions
The present invention relates to novel compositions containing finely dispersed carotenoids. The novel compositions of this invention can be used as colorants or additives for food, beverages, animal feeds, cosmetics or drugs. The colorant composition may be a liquid or a solid composition. The solid composition comprises at least one carotenoid which is dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix contains at least one carbohydrate and/or one modified carbohydrate and optionally, a protein, a modified protein or mixtures thereof, wherein the at least one carbohydrate and/or one modified carbohydrate is starch or modified starch, wherein the amount of starch or modified starch is from about 10 wt-% to 60 wt-% of based on the total weight of the matrix, and wherein the concentration of the at least one carotenoid is at least 2% based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably β-carotene is used as a solid water-dispersible colorant composition.
US08912235B2 Oil-based composition
A method for producing a gel-like oily composition including the following components (A), (B), and (C): (A) 4 to 60% by weight of a sphingosine represented by the formula (1) (wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 30 carbon atoms; Y represents a methylene group, a methine group, or an oxygen atom; X1, X2, and X3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acetoxy group; X4 represents a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, or a glyceryl group or forms an oxo group together with the adjacent oxygen atom; R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group, or an acetoxymethyl group; “R”s each represent a hydrogen atom or an amidino group or represent a hydrocarbon group having a total of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; “a” represents a number of 2 or 3; and a bond represented by a broken line and a solid line indicates a saturated bond or an unsaturated bond); (B) 0.5 to 10% by weight of an anionic polymer having a carboxyl group; and (C) 30 to 95.5% by weight of an oil in a liquid state at 25° C. selected from a hydrocarbon oil, an ester oil, and an ether oil, the method including mixing the components (A), (B), and (C) and heating the resultant mixture to a temperature equal to or more than a melting point of the component (A) to neutralize the component (B) with the component (A) to form a salt.
US08912234B2 Composition containing resveratrol and/or derivatives thereof and plant oil, process for producing said composition, nutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical product, and method for enhancing the potential of resveratrol
The present invention is a method for obtaining a formulation of resveratrol and rice bran oil. The resulting product in the form of an oil or solid proves to increase the therapeutic potential of resveratrol by the synergistic action of the components of the rice oil.The product obtained through the method of the invention is an active principle which, when incorporated in nutraceutical and/or pharmaceutical compositions, provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and/or cancer chemoprotective action, besides protecting against infections and ischemia, reducing obesity, and preventing illnesses of old age.
US08912231B2 Method of treating airway remolding symptom
A method of treating airway remodeling symptom caused by phthalate esters, by providing a medication comprising: a ginger compound selected from one of (a) [6]-shogaol, (b) [6]-shogaol and [10]-gingerol, (c) [6]-shogaol and [8]-gingerol, and (d) [6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol, and an acceptable carrier or excipient, which can relieve the airway remodeling symptoms of asthma, particularly to phthalate ester-induced airway remodeling, by suppressing the proliferation and migration of bronchial smooth muscle cells and reducing the instances of fatal asthma.
US08912230B2 Method for treating cell degeneration using at least one molecule capable of inhibiting adhesion molecule expression and vascular endothelium actin fibre polymerization
The invention relates to the use of a molecule selected from the group which consists of geranyl acetate, geraniol, isomenthone, limonene or a mixture of at least two of the above, for preparing a drug for treating or preventing vascular endothelial cell senescence and subjacent tissue degeneration induced by repeated inflammatory episodes. Specifically, the drug is useful for treating vascular endothelial cell senescence and tissue degeneration induced by repeated inflammatory episodes resulting from the presence of cancer cells.
US08912228B2 Docetaxel formulations with lipoic acid
Pharmaceutical formulations comprising docetaxel or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, one or more solubilizers, α-lipoic acid, TPGS, one or more hydrotropes, and optionally one or more agents having a pKa of about 3 to about 6. The pharmaceutical formulations are stable and substantially free of excipients that can cause severe side effects and maintains chemical stability during storage. The pharmaceutical formulations are ready to be combined with an infusion solution for administration to patients in need thereof. Methods of treating patients in need thereof comprise administering the pharmaceutical formulations combined with an infusion solution.
US08912226B2 Pharmaceutical composition comprising (1r,4r) -6′-fluoro-N,N-dimethyl-4-phenyl-4′,9′-dihydro-3′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,1′-pyrano[3,4,b]indol]-4-amine and a NSAR
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a first pharmacologically active ingredient selected from (1r,4r)-6′-fluoro-N,N-dimethyl-4-phenyl-4′,9′-dihydro-3′H-spiro[cyclohexane-1,1′-pyrano[3,4,b]indol]-4-amine and the physiologically acceptable salts thereof, and a second pharmacologically active ingredient which is a non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drug selected from the group consisting of indometacin, diclofenac, sulindac, tolmetin, zomepirac, aclofenac, bumadizone, etodolac, lonazolac, fentiazac, acemetacin, difenpiramide, oxametacin, proglumetacin, ketorolac, aceclofenac, bufexamac, mefenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, and the physiologically acceptable salts thereof.
US08912222B2 Method to control insects resistant to common insecticides
N-Substituted sulfoximines are effective at controlling insects resistant to common insecticides.
US08912216B2 Hetaryl-[1,8]naphthyridine derivatives
Novel hetaryl-[1,8]naphthyridine derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, W1, W3, W5 and W6 have the meaning according to claim 1, are inhibitors of ATP consuming proteins, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors.
US08912211B2 Medicinal compositions comprising buprenorphine and naltrexone
An analgesic composition, in parenteral unit dosage form or in a unit dosage form suitable for delivery via the dermis or mucosa, comprises buprenorphine and an amount of naltrexone such that the ratio by weight of buprenorphine to naltrexone delivered to or reaching the plasma of a patient is in the range 100:1 to 5000:1. The analgesic action of the buprenorphine is potentiated by the low dose of naltrexone. Also provided are a method of treatment of pain and the use of buprenorphine and naltrexone for the manufacture of a medicament.
US08912204B2 Compounds and methods for kinase modulation, and indications therefor
Compounds of Formula I: and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one of Fms protein kinase or Kit protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including diseases and conditions associated with activity of Fms protein kinases and/or Kit protein kinases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, peri-prosthetic osteolysis, systemic sclerosis, demyelinating disorders, multiple sclerosis, Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, myelopreparation for autologous transplantation, transplant rejection, nephritis, nephropathy, type I diabetes, acute pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gliomas, glioblastomas, neurofibromatosis, osteolytic bone metastases, and giant cell tumors.
US08912202B2 N-(benzimimdazol-2-yl)-cyclopropane carboxamides as lysophosphatidic acid antagonists
The invention provides novel substituted cyclopropane carboxamide compounds according to Formula (I), their manufacture and use for the treatment of proliferative or inflammatory diseases, such as cancer, fibrosis or arthritis.
US08912198B2 Compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR kinase
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US08912196B2 Piperazine, piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives and their pharmaceutical use
Novel piperazine, piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives comprising a dibenzofurane moiety are provided herein, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and therapeutic uses thereof.
US08912193B2 Dry powder inhaler and system for drug delivery
A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.
US08912192B2 Extended release preparation
Disclosed is a sustained release preparation which releases a poorly soluble medicinal agent in a pH-independent manner. Also disclosed is a sustained release preparation which is capable of controlling the Cmax of a medicinal agent to an adequate amount and is thus capable of maintaining the level of the medicinal agent in the blood to a level at which medicinal effects can be expected for a long period of time. Specifically disclosed is a sustained release preparation which is characterized by containing a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of 4-bromo-6-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)propoxy]-5-(3-pyridylmethylamino)-3(2H)-pyridazinone, and hypromellose. An organic acid is blended in the sustained release preparation in an amount of less than 1% by mass.
US08912191B2 Pyrido[2,3-B]pyrazin-8-substituted compounds and their use
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds for treating proliferative disorders, cancer, etc., and more specifically to certain pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-8-substituted compounds, as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit RAF (e.g., B-RAF) activity. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit RAF (e.g., BRAF) activity, to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity, to inhibit cell proliferation, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of RAF, RTK, etc., proliferative disorders such as cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, melanoma), etc.
US08912187B2 Phthalazinone derivatives
Compounds of the formula (I): wherein A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X can be NRX or CRXRY; if X═NRX then n is 1 or 2 and if X═CRXRY then n is 1; RX is selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, C5-20 aryl, C3-20 heterocyclyl, amido, thioamido, ester, acyl, and sulfonyl groups; RY is selected from H, hydroxy, amino; or RX and RY may together form a spiro-C3-7 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group; RC1 and RC2 are both hydrogen, or when X is CRXRY, RC1, RC2, RX and RY, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted fused aromatic ring; and R1 is selected from H and halo.
US08912185B2 Use of glutaric acid derivatives or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as anti-arrhythmic agents
The invention relates to the use of glutaric acid derivatives of general formula (I), which are disclosed in the invention description, as anti-arrhythmic agents.
US08912179B2 Heterocyclyl compounds as histamine H3 receptor ligands
The present invention relates to heterocyclyl compounds of formula (I), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions containing them. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of above said novel compounds, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds of formula (I) are useful in the treatment of various disorders that are related to Histamine H3 receptors, for example cognitive disorders, sleep disorders, obesity and pain.
US08912178B2 mTOR selective kinase inhibitors
The 4-urea-phenyl substituted 6-morpholin-4-yl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives are potent and selective inhibitors of mTOR kinase and are useful in treating disorders related to abnormal mTOR activities such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, ocular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine disorders and neurological disorders.
US08912176B2 Azetidines as histamine H3 receptor antagonists
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R, R1, m, n and X1 to X3 have the meaning as cited in the description and the claims. Said compounds are useful as Histamine H3 receptor antagonists. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, the preparation of such compounds as well as the production and use as medicament.
US08912170B2 Prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, salts and hydrates of the prodrugs, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications.
US08912167B2 Heparin-based compositions and methods for the inhibition of metastasis
The invention provides the use in combination of a heparin containing composition that has anticoagulant activity when used alone, such as an unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin, in combination with an inhibitor of the anticoagulation activity/effect or effect of heparin, for the inhibition of metastasis.
US08912163B2 Compositions for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections
A compound of the general formula (III): wherein X is O, S, NH or CH2; Y is O, S or NH; Z is O, S or CH2; R1 is C1-8 alkyl, especially C1-6 alkyl, preferably n-alkyl, e.g., n-pentyl or n-hexyl; at least one of R2 and R3 is H—[R4—R5]n—R6—, in which: H—[R4—R5]n— comprises an oligopeptide, R4 being an amino acid and R5 being an amino acid selected from proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, R6 is a neutral, non-polar amino acid moiety that is bonded to R5 by a peptide bond, and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and the other of R3 and R2 is H—[R4—R5]n-R6— or H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08912154B2 Antisense compositions and methods of making and using same
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations for oral administration of antisense oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides against SMAD7. The pharmaceutical formulations can be used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
US08912152B2 HIV vif mutants
A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding Vif, wherein each of the amino acids corresponding to positions 127, 128, 130, 131, 132 and 142 of the amino acid sequence in FIG. 1A representing the Vif wild-type consensus sequence, are replaced with another amino acid, and wherein the nucleotide sequence does not encode the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2, representing the Vif sequence of the F12 non-producer variant of HIV-1.
US08912147B2 Mitochondrial proteins constructs and uses thereof
The invention provides fusion protein constructs comprising a functional mitochondrial protein and methods of treating mitochondrial disorders by the fusion proteins and compositions thereof.
US08912145B2 Vaccine composition for prophylaxis and/or therapy of Alzheimer's disease
A vaccine composition for prophylaxis and/or therapy of Alzheimer's disease, which comprises a fusion protein prepared by inserting a single or tandemly repeated multiple copies of amyloid β antigenic peptide having 5 to 15 continuous amino acid residues derived from the N-terminus of amyloid β peptide into a wild type seed storage protein.
US08912138B2 DNA-binding proteins and uses thereof
Disclosed herein are polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding, cells and organisms comprising novel DNA-binding domains, including TALE DNA-binding domains. Also disclosed are methods of using these novel DNA-binding domains for modulation of gene expression and/or genomic editing of endogenous cellular sequences.
US08912135B2 Method of promoting soil release from fabrics
A synergistic mixture for promoting soil release from fabric, under laundry washing conditions, which comprises a polyacrylate polymer and at least one water soluble modified cellulose ether. The polyacrylate polymer comprises: (i) 90-100 weight % of polymerized units derived from acrylic acid and (ii) up to 10 weight % of polymerized units derived from one or more C3-C8 monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, based on the total weight of said polyacrylate polymer. A laundry formulation is also provided which contains the synergistic mixture in an amount of up to 2 weight %, based on the total weight of the laundry formulation. Also provided are methods of promoting soil release from soiled fabric which involve contacting the soiled fabric with an aqueous solution comprising the above-described inventive synergistic mixture or with the above-described laundry formulation.
US08912130B2 Methods of forming and using a solid-phase support
Disclosed herein are methods of method of making a substrate for performing a chemical synthesis reaction.
US08912128B2 Carbohydrate chip for detection of pathogen Vibrio cholerae and method of preparing the same
The present invention related to a saccharide-based cholera toxin detection sensor for detection of Vibrio cholerae and its use. More specifically, the present invention relates to a carbohydrate chip for detection of Vibrio cholerae, a method for detecting Vibrio cholerae using the same, and a method for preparing the same, where the carbohydrate chip comprises GM1 pentasaccharide, GM2 tetrasaccharide, asialo GM1 tetrasaccharide, GM3 trisaccharide, galactose-β 1,3-N-acetylgalactosamine, lactose, and sialic acid that are immobilized on the surface of a solid substrate.
US08912127B2 Method of generating gene mosaics
The invention relates to a method for generating a gene mosaic by somatic in vivo recombination, comprising: e) in a single step procedure (vii) transforming a cell with at least one gene A having a sequence homology of less than 99.5% to another gene to be recombined that is an integral part of the cell genome or presented in the framework of a genetic construct, (viii) recombining said genes, (ix) generating a gene mosaic of the genes at an integration site of a target genome, wherein said at least one gene A has a single flanking target sequence either at the 5′ end or 3′ end anchoring to the 5′ or 3′ end of said integration site, and f) selecting clones comprising the gene mosaic, as well as a method of producing a diversity of gene mosaics and gene assembly.
US08912125B2 Control of trifluralin-resistant weeds with dithiopyr
Methods for controlling the growth of trifluralin-resistant annual ryegrass in cereals using dithiopyr are described. The methods include contacting the locus of the cereal, at planting or before weed emergence, with an herbicidally effective amount of dithiopyr. The dithiopyr can be applied to the soil and either incorporated into the soil at the time of planting the cereal or applied post-planting to the soil surface before the weeds have emerged.
US08912122B1 Wetting agent composition for enhancing plant productivity
The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the wetting rate of a plant growth medium utilizing a wetting agent composition. The composition is comprised of at least one modified block copolymer. The modified block copolymer is comprised of an ester of an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer and a fatty acid. The composition of the present invention also enhances plant growth and productivity by increasing the water uptake and the nutrient uptake by the plant roots.
US08912121B2 Herbicidal compositions comprising 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof and certain PS II inhibitors
Provided herein are synergistic herbicidal compositions containing (a) a compound of formula (I): or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) a PS II inhibitor, including but not limited to, atrazine, bentazon-sodium, bromoxynil, chlorotoluron, cyanazine, diuron, hexazinone, ioxynil, isoproturon, linuron, methibenzuron, metribuzin, propanil, pyridate, siduron, simazine, simetryne, tebuthiuron and terbuthylazine, or a salt or ester thereof. The compositions and methods provided herein provide control of undesirable vegetation, e.g., in direct-seeded, water-seeded and transplanted rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, corn or maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) or rights of way (ROW).
US08912120B2 Herbicidal compositions comprising 4-amino-3-chloro-5-fluoro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl) pyridine-2-carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof and synthetic auxin herbicides
Provided herein are herbicidal compositions containing and methods for controlling undesirable vegetation utilizing (a) a compound of formula (I): or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) a synthetic auxin herbicide, e.g., 2,4-D, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, clomeprop-P, clopyralid, dicamba, diclorprop-P, fluoroxypyr methylheptyl ester (MHE), MCPA, picloram, quinclorac, triclopyr, and halauxifen-methyl(methyl 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)picolinate), or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof. The compositions and methods provided herein provide control of undesirable vegetation, e.g., in direct-seeded, water-seeded and transplanted rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, corn/maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) or rights-of-way (ROW).
US08912118B2 Colour laser marking of articles and security document precursors
A method of color laser marking an article having a polymeric foil with at least one colorless layer containing an infrared absorber, a polymeric binder and a color forming compound; including the steps of:—laser marking the colorless layer with an infrared laser using a first laser operation mode to generate a blue or cyan color; and—laser marking the same colorless layer with an infrared laser using a second laser operation mode to generate a black color, wherein the first laser operation mode applies less energy to the colorless layer than the second laser operation mode. Also disclosed is an article, such as a security document, including a polymeric foil and a colorless layer containing laser marked graphical data having a blue or cyan color and laser marked information having a black color.
US08912116B2 Exhaust gas purification catalyst
A catalyst layer includes: a first mixed oxide particle component 4 which contains Ce and Rh 8 and in which Rh is partially exposed at particle surfaces; and a second mixed oxide particle component 5 containing Ce, Zr, and a rare earth metal except Ce. The particle size distribution of the first mixed oxide particle component 4 has a peak in the particle size range from 100 nm to 300 nm, both inclusive. The particle size distribution of the second mixed oxide particle component 5 has a peak in a particle size range larger than the particle size range in which the first mixed oxide particle component 4 has the peak. At least part of particles of the first mixed oxide particle component 4 is attached to at least part of particles of the second mixed oxide particle component 5.
US08912114B2 Platinum alloy electrocatalyst with enhanced resistance to anion poisoning for low and medium temperature fuel cells
A platinum alloy catalyst is made by a microemulsion method. The resulting catalyst has superior properties for use in low and medium temperature fuel cells.
US08912110B2 Catalyst for conversion of hydrocarbons
One embodiment is a catalyst for catalytic reforming of naphtha. The catalyst can have a noble metal including one or more of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium, an alkali or alkaline-earth metal, a lanthanide-series metal, and a support. Generally, an average bulk density of the catalyst is about 0.300 to about 1.00 gram per cubic centimeter. The catalyst has a platinum content of less than about 0.375 wt %, a tin content of about 0.1 to about 2 wt %, a potassium content of about 100 to about 600 wppm, and a cerium content of about 0.1 to about 1 wt %. The lanthanide-series metal can be distributed at a concentration of the lanthanide-series metal in a 100 micron surface layer of the catalyst less than two times a concentration of the lanthanide-series metal at a central core of the catalyst.
US08912109B2 Catalyst with an ion-modified binder
An alkylation catalyst having a zeolite catalyst component and a binder component providing mechanical support for the zeolite catalyst component is disclosed. The binder component is an ion-modified binder that can include metal ions selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, K, Cs, Ga, B, P, Rb, Ag, Na, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mo, Ce, and combinations thereof. The metal ions reduce the number of acid sites on the zeolite catalyst component. The metal ions can range from 0.1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ion-modified binder. Optionally, the ion-modified binder is present in amounts ranging from 1 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst.
US08912106B2 Glass-ceramic composite material
The present invention is directed to stably achieve a good thermal conductivity in a glass-ceramic composite material in which aluminum nitride particles are used as filler particles. The glass-ceramic composite material according to the present invention includes a glass matrix and filler particles, each of which is formed by an aluminum nitride particle having a surface layer on which an oxide film is formed, and arranged in the glass matrix. The present invention has characteristic features that the filler particle has a cornerless smooth surface, and that a percentage of the number of filler particles having a sphericity of 0.8 or greater, which is a value of a minor diameter divided by a major diameter, is higher than or equal to 70% on the condition where any fine particle of which particle diameter is smaller than 0.5 μm is excluded from the number of the filler particles.
US08912104B1 Method for fabricating integrated circuits with patterned thermal adjustment layers for design optimization
An integrated circuit may include a substrate in which transistors are formed. The transistors may be associated with blocks of circuitry. Some of the blocks of circuitry may be configured to reduce leakage current. A selected subset of the blocks of circuitry may be selectively heated to reduce the channel length of their transistors through dopant diffusion and thereby strengthen those blocks of circuitry relative to the other blocks of circuitry. Selective heating may be implemented by coating the blocks of circuitry on the integrated circuit with a patterned layer of material such as a patterned anti-reflection coating formed of amorphous carbon or a reflective coating. During application of infrared light, the coated and uncoated areas will rise to different temperatures, selectively strengthening desired blocks of circuitry on the integrated circuit.
US08912103B2 Method of fabricating and correcting nanoimprint lithography templates
A method of fabricating a nanoimprint lithography template includes installing a reticle on a reticle stage of scanning lithography equipment having a light source, the reticle stage and a template stage, mounting a template substrate on the template stage, and scanning the template substrate with light from the light source in an exposure process in which the light passes through the reticle and impinges the template substrate at an oblique angle of incidence.
US08912102B2 Laser annealing
A system for and method of processing an article such as a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The wafer includes first and second surfaces which are segmented into a plurality of first and second zones. The first surface of the wafer, for example, on which devices or ICs are formed is processed by, for example, laser annealing while the second surface is heated with a backside heating source. Corresponding, or at least substantially corresponding, zones on the first and second surfaces are processed synchronously to reduce variations of post laser anneal thermal budget across the wafer.
US08912100B1 Manufacturing method of complementary metal oxide semiconductor
A manufacturing method of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor includes steps as following: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a metal oxide semiconductor region having an oxide layer, which has a thickness greater than 1 micrometer, on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming the oxide layer as an isolation region of the metal oxide semiconductor region and a heat-isolation region of a poly heater; forming a poly gate of the metal oxide semiconductor region as at least a portion of the poly heater; forming an interlayer dielectric layer; and processing a selenium etching. Under this circumstance, the oxide layer is applied so as to be the isolation region of the metal oxide semiconductor region and a heat-isolation region of the poly heater, the poly gate of the metal oxide semiconductor region is sufficiently utilized as the poly heater, and the heat-dissipation of the poly heater is optimized.
US08912098B2 Self-aligned carbon electronics with embedded gate electrode
A device and method for device fabrication includes forming a buried gate electrode in a dielectric substrate and patterning a stack that includes a high dielectric constant layer, a carbon-based semi-conductive layer and a protection layer over the buried gate electrode. An isolation dielectric layer formed over the stack is opened to define recesses in regions adjacent to the stack. The recesses are etched to form cavities and remove a portion of the high dielectric constant layer to expose the carbon-based semi-conductive layer on opposite sides of the buried gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited in the cavities to form self-aligned source and drain regions.
US08912090B2 Mixer fabrication technique and system using the same
An improved microwave mixer manufactured using multilayer processing includes an integrated circuit that is electrically connected to a top metal layer of a substrate. The microwave mixer includes: a first metal layer; a dielectric substrate on the first metal layer; a second metal layer directly on the substrate, at least two passive circuits arranged on the second metal layer and a top layer metal; a thin dielectric layer on the second metal layer, wherein the top layer metal is directly on the thin dielectric layer; an integrated circuit (IC) attached to the second metal layer, wherein the IC includes at least one combination of non-linear devices, and wherein the IC is directly connected to the passive circuits on the second metal layer; and a protection layer on the IC.
US08912088B2 Transfer substrate for forming metal wiring and method for forming metal wiring using said transfer substrate
The present invention provides a transfer substrate for transferring a metal wiring material to a transfer-receiving object, the transfer substrate comprising a substrate, at least one metal wiring material formed on the substrate and an underlying metal film formed between the substrate and the metal wiring material, wherein the metal wiring material is a molded article prepared by sintering, e.g., gold powder having a purity of 99.9% by weight or more and an average particle size of 0.01 μm to 1.0 μm and the underlying metal film is composed of a metal such as gold or an alloy. The transfer substrate is capable of transferring a metal wiring material to the transfer-receiving object even at a temperature for heating the transfer-receiving object of 80 to 300° C.
US08912087B2 Method of fabricating a chip package
A method for manufacturing a chip package is provided. The method includes: forming an electrically insulating material over a chip side; selectively removing at least part of the electrically insulating material thereby forming a trench in the electrically insulating material, depositing electrically conductive material in the trench wherein the electrically conductive material is electrically connected to at least one contact pad formed over the chip side; forming an electrically conductive structure over the electrically insulating material, wherein at least part of the electrically conductive structure is in direct physical and electrical connection with the electrically conductive material; and depositing a joining structure over the electrically conductive structure.
US08912085B1 Method and apparatus for adjusting threshold voltage in a replacement metal gate integration
A methodology for enabling a gate stack integration process that provides additional threshold voltage margin without sacrificing gate reliability and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include conformally forming a margin adjusting layer in a gate trench, forming a metal capping layer on the margin adjusting layer, and forming an n-type work function (nWF) metal layer on the metal capping layer.
US08912082B2 Implant alignment through a mask
Methods to form complementary implant regions in a workpiece are disclosed. A mask may be aligned with respect to implanted or doped regions on the workpiece. The mask also may be aligned with respect to surface modifications on the workpiece, such as deposits or etched regions. A masking material also may be deposited on the implanted regions using the mask. The workpiece may be a solar cell.
US08912078B1 Dicing wafers having solder bumps on wafer backside
Approaches for hybrid laser scribe and plasma etch dicing process for a wafer having backside solder bumps are described. For example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having integrated circuits on a front side thereof and corresponding arrays of metal bumps on a backside thereof involves applying a dicing tape to the backside of the semiconductor wafer, the dicing tape covering the arrays of metal bumps. The method also involves, subsequently, forming a mask on the front side of the semiconductor wafer, the mask covering the integrated circuits. The method also involves forming scribe lines on the front side of the semiconductor wafer with a laser scribing process, the scribe lines formed in the mask and between the integrated circuits. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the scribe lines to singulate the integrated circuits, the mask protecting the integrated circuits during the plasma etching.
US08912075B1 Wafer edge warp supression for thin wafer supported by tape frame
Methods of and apparatuses for dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of reducing edge warping in a supported semiconductor wafer involves adhering a backside of a semiconductor wafer to an inner portion of a carrier tape of a substrate carrier comprising a tape frame mounted above the carrier tape. The method also involves adhering an adhesive tape to a front side of the semiconductor wafer and to at least a portion of the substrate carrier. The adhesive tape includes an opening exposing an inner region of the front side of the semiconductor wafer.
US08912074B2 Method of forming shallow trench isolations
A method of forming shallow trench isolation structures including the steps of forming a trench in a substrate, filling a first insulating layer in the lower portion of the trench and defining a recess at the upper portion of the trench, forming a buffer layer on the sidewall of the recess, filling a second insulating layer in the recess, and performing a steam annealing process to transform the substrate surrounding the first insulating layer into an oxide layer.
US08912073B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed, which can completely remove hard mask residues left along boundaries between a high-voltage device region and STI structures after a dry etch process, by partially reducing a thickness of each of the exposed portion of the respective STI structures adjacent to the high-voltage device region so as to sufficiently expose the residues. As a result, after a portion of an underlying pad oxide corresponding to the high-voltage device region is removed in a subsequent process, the exposed surface of the substrate is uniform with a smooth and clear border. Therefore, no sharp corners will emerge at a border of a gate oxide subsequently grown on the exposed surface of the substrate, and the gate oxide is thus morphologically improved, thereby resulting in an improvement of the reliability of the high-voltage semiconductor device being fabricated.
US08912069B2 Semiconductor device with STI and method for manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having first and second areas; an STI isolation region being made of an isolation trench formed in the semiconductor substrate and an insulating film burying the isolation trench and defining a plurality of active regions in the first and second areas; a first structure formed on an area from the active region in the first area to a nearby STI isolation region and having a first height; and a second structure formed on an area from the active region in the second area to a nearby STI isolation region and having a second height, wherein the surface of the said STI isolation region in the first area is lower than the surface of said STI isolation region in the second area.
US08912066B2 Lateral double-diffused high voltage device
A method of forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate with a device region. The method also includes forming a transistor in the device region. The transistor includes a gate having first and second sides along a gate direction. The transistor also includes a first doped region adjacent to a first side of the gate, a second doped region adjacent to a second side of the gate, and a channel under the gate. The transistor further includes a channel trench in the channel of the gate, wherein the channel trench is along a trench direction which is at an angle θ other than 90° with respect to the gate direction.
US08912063B2 Semiconductor device having blocking pattern and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a gate pattern which intersects a fin-type active pattern protruding upward from a device isolation layer. A first blocking pattern is formed on a portion of the fin-type active pattern, which does not overlap the gate pattern. Side surfaces of the portion of the fin-type active pattern are exposed. A semiconductor pattern is formed on the exposed side surfaces of the portion of the fin-type active pattern after the forming of the first blocking pattern.
US08912060B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and apparatus for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first layer on a substrate; forming a first contact hole in the first layer; burying a sacrificial film in the first contact hole; forming a second layer on the first layer and the first contact hole after burying; forming a second contact hole reaching the sacrificial film in the second layer; removing the sacrificial film from the first contact hole via the second contact hole; and providing a contact electrode in the first contact hole and the second contact hole.
US08912058B2 Method of forming a thin film transistor using a gray-scale photoresist
A method of making a thin film transistor device includes: forming a semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer, and a gate-forming layer on the dielectric layer to define a layered structure, forming a gray scale photoresist pattern on the gate-forming layer, stripping the gray scale photoresist pattern isotropically to cause removal of source and drain defining regions, etching the gate-forming layer anisotropically so as to remove source and drain covering region, doping a first type dopant into source and drain regions, and removing a gate defining region from the gate-forming layer.
US08912052B2 Semiconductor device and structure
A semiconductor device, including: a first layer including monocrystalline material and first transistors, the first transistors overlaid by a first isolation layer; a second layer including second transistors and overlaying the first isolation layer, the second transistors including a monocrystalline material; at least one contact to the second transistors, where the at least one contact is aligned to the first transistors with less than about 40 nm alignment error, a first set of external connections underlying the first layer to connect the device to external devices; and a second set of external connections overlying the second layer to connect the device to external devices.
US08912050B2 Capping coating for 3D integration applications
A structure for a semiconductor component is provided having a bi-layer capping coating integrated and built on supporting layer to be transferred. The bi-layer capping protects the layer to be transferred from possible degradation resulting from the attachment and removal processes of the carrier assembly used for layer transfer. A wafer-level layer transfer process using this structure is enabled to create three-dimensional integrated circuits.
US08912047B2 Method for producing a metal layer on a substrate and device
A method produces a metal layer on a semiconductor substrate. A metal layer is produced on the semiconductor substrate by depositing metal particles. The metal particles include cores made of a first metal material and shells surrounding the cores. The shells are made of a second metal material that is resistant to oxidation.
US08912046B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with lead frame and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming signal contacts; forming a power bar having a power bar terminal, the power bar terminal formed in a staggered position relative to the signal contacts; depositing a terminal pad on the power bar terminal; depositing a contact pad on one of the signal contacts; coupling an integrated circuit die to the power bar terminal and the signal contacts; and forming a package body on the integrated circuit die.
US08912045B2 Three dimensional flip chip system and method
Solder is simultaneously transferred from a mold to a plurality of 3D assembled modules to provide solder bumps on the modules. The mold includes cavities containing injected molten solder or preformed solder balls. A fixture including resilient pressure pads and vacuum lines extending through the pads applies pressure to the modules when they are positioned on the mold. Following reflow and solder transfer to the modules, the fixture is displaced with respect to the mold. The modules, being attached to the fixture by vacuum pressure through the pads, are displaced from the mold with the fixture.
US08912042B2 Manufacturing method for layered chip packages
In a manufacturing method for layered chip packages, a layered substructure with at least one additional package joined thereto is used to produce a plurality of layered chip packages. The layered substructure includes a plurality of main bodies to be separated from each other later. Each main body includes: a main part having top and bottom surfaces and including a plurality of layer portions stacked on each other; and a plurality of main terminals disposed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the main part. The additional package includes an additional semiconductor chip and at least one additional terminal that is electrically connected to the additional semiconductor chip and in contact with at least one of the plurality of main terminals.
US08912041B2 Method for forming recess-free interconnect structure
A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a dielectric material layer on a semiconductor substrate. An oxygen-rich layer is formed over the dielectric material layer. The dielectric material layer and the oxygen-rich layer are patterned to form a plurality of vias in the semiconductor substrate. A barrier layer is formed in the plurality of vias and on the dielectric material layer leaving a portion of the oxygen-rich layer exposed. A metal layer is formed on the barrier layer and on the exposed portion of the oxygen-rich layer, wherein the metal layer fills the plurality of vias. The semiconductor substrate is annealed at a predetermined temperature range and at a predetermined pressure to transform the exposed portion of the oxygen-rich layer into a metal-oxide stop layer.
US08912040B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to establish a processing technique in manufacture of a semiconductor device in which an oxide semiconductor is used. A gate electrode is formed over a substrate, a gate insulating layer is formed over the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the gate insulating layer, the oxide semiconductor layer is processed by wet etching to form an island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer, a conductive layer is formed to cover the island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer, the conductive layer is processed by dry etching to form a source electrode, and a drain electrode and part of the island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer is removed by dry etching to form a recessed portion in the island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer.
US08912036B2 Growth of ordered crystalline organic films
There is disclosed methods utilizing organic vapor phase deposition for growing bulk organic crystalline layers for organic photosensitive devices, heterojunctions and films made by such methods, and devices using such heterojunctions. There is also disclosed new methods for manufacturing heterojunctions and organic photosensitive devices, and the heterojunctions and devices manufactured thereby.
US08912035B2 Solar cell and fabricating method thereof
Discussed herein are a solar cell and a fabricating method thereof. The solar cell includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer formed on a front surface of the first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, and having a conductivity opposite to that of the first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, an anti-reflection film including at least one opening exposing a part of a surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and formed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, at least one front electrode contacting a part of the surface of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer exposed through the at least one opening, and at least one rear electrode formed on a rear surface of the first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, wherein the at least one front electrode includes a metal containing silver and lead-free glass frit.
US08912031B2 Electronic device, electronic apparatus, and method of manufacturing electronic device
An electronic device includes: a vibrator disposed within a cavity on a substrate and electrically driven; an enclosure wall which has electric conductivity and sections the cavity from an insulation layer surrounding the circumference of the cavity; a first wiring and a second wiring which connect with the vibrator and penetrate the enclosure wall; and a liquid flow preventing portion disposed at the position where the first wiring and the second wiring penetrate the enclosure wall to prevent flow of etchant dissolving the insulation layer from the cavity toward the insulation layer and insulate the first wiring and the second wiring from the enclosure wall.
US08912029B2 Manufacturing process of vertical type solid state light emitting device
A manufacturing process of a vertical type solid state light emitting device is provided. A substrate is provided. M metal nitride buffer layer is formed on the substrate, and a breakable structure containing M metal droplet structures is formed on the buffer layer. A first type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second type semiconductor layer are sequentially formed on the breakable structure. A second type electrode is formed on the second type semiconductor layer. The first type semiconductor layer, the active layer, the second type semiconductor layer and the second type electrode are stacked to form a light emitting stacking structure. The breakable structure is damaged to separate from the light emitting stacking structure, so that a surface of the first type semiconductor layer of the light emitting stacking structure is exposed. A first type electrode is formed on the surface of the first type semiconductor layer.
US08912028B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light emitting device, which includes a light transmissive electrode layer formed using a conductive thin film and an insulating thin film to substitute for a transparent electrode layer, comprises a substrate; a first semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; an active layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; a light transmissive electrode layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, the light transmissive electrode layer having a structure in which at least one conductive thin film and at least one insulating thin film are deposited; and a first electrode formed on the light transmissive electrode layer, wherein the light transmissve electrode layer includes at least one contact portion for contacting the at least one conductive thin film with the first electrode.
US08912020B2 Integrating active matrix inorganic light emitting diodes for display devices
A method of forming an active matrix, light emitting diode (LED) array includes removing, from a base substrate, a layer of inorganic LED material originally grown thereupon; and bonding the removed layer of inorganic LED material to an active matrix, thin film transistor (TFT) backplane array.
US08912013B2 Magnetic tunnel junction device and fabrication
A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an MTJ device. The MTJ device includes a free layer and a spin torque enhancing layer. The spin torque enhancing layer includes a nano-oxide layer.
US08912012B2 Magnetic tunnel junction device and fabrication
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction structure above a bottom electrode. The method also includes forming a diffusion barrier layer above and adjacent to the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The method further includes etching back the diffusion barrier layer, removing the diffusion barrier layer above the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The method also includes connecting a top of the magnetic tunnel junction structure to a conductive layer.
US08911998B2 Methods for identifying fragile histidine triad (FHIT) interaction and uses thereof
Provided herein are methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of a cancer associated disorder using the Fhit gene.
US08911989B2 Microfluidic biochip
The present invention provides a microfluidic biochip, which comprises: a fluid transportation unit having a fluid transportation reservoir and a fluid transportation air chamber; a first fluid storage reservoir; a second fluid storage reservoir; a first valve unit having a first valve and a first valve control air chamber; and a second valve unit having a second valve and a second valve control air chamber; wherein the first valve unit is located between the first fluid storage reservoir and the fluid transportation unit, the second valve unit is located between the second fluid storage reservoir and the fluid transportation unit, and the top portion of the fluid transportation reservoir and the valves are made of a flexible material. The structure of the present microfluidic biochip allows fluids to be transported and/or mixed therein.
US08911988B2 Menstrual fluid analysis
A disposable menstrual fluid fractionation apparatus for use in situ during menstruation is disclosed. The apparatus may include a filter configured to remove a particulate component of menstrual fluid from a liquid component of the menstrual fluid. A receptacle may be coupled to the filter. The filter, receptacle, and an analyte sensor may be integrated into a disposable feminine hygiene product. The integrated analyte sensor may be configured to detect a target analyte in the liquid component and indicate the presence/concentration of the target analyte.
US08911987B2 System for rapid identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent in a sample
An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.
US08911976B2 Lignin-based enzyme stabilizer
The invention relates to an enzyme stabilizer comprising a lignin derivative produced by reaction between lignin and a hydrophilic compound, and to a method of saccharifying lignocellulosic biomass which employs the enzyme stabilizer. According to the invention it is possible to accomplish effective saccharification of cellulosic biomass with saccharifying enzymes, by enhancing saccharifying enzyme activity and preventing nonspecific adsorption of saccharifying enzyme onto substrate.
US08911967B2 One pot desialylation and glycopegylation of therapeutic peptides
The present invention provides conjugates between peptides and PEG moieties. The conjugates are linked via an intact glycosyl linking group that is interposed between and covalently attached to the peptide and the modifying group. The conjugates are formed from both glycosylated and unglycosylated peptides by the action of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase ligates a modified sugar moiety onto either an amino acid or glycosyl residue on the peptide. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations including the conjugates. Methods for preparing the conjugates are also within the scope of the invention.
US08911960B2 Method for identifying idiopathic pneumonia progression by measuring the level of mannose-binding protein C
A method for characterizing the risk a subject will develop an autoimmune and/or alloimmune disease following tissue transplant includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject, wherein the subject has received the tissue transplant determining in the biological sample a level of at least one protein selected from Tables 1-4, comparing the measured level of the at least one protein to a control value, and characterizing a subject as at greater risk of developing an autoimmune disease and/or alloimmune disease if the level of at least one protein determined is increased or decreased compared to the control value.
US08911959B2 Methods of detection of coccidioides species in bodily fluid
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is currently diagnosed by relying on infected individuals (humans, dogs, etc.) to generate antibodies against the fungus. Since the immune response against Valley Fever can be delayed or absent in many cases, methods that detect a polypeptide or peptide component of the Coccidioides sp. fungus in a bodily fluid such as blood are provided.
US08911950B2 Methods and compositions for inhibiting the growth of hematopoietic malignant cells
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing the growth of hematopoietic malignant cells (e.g., B-cell leukemia cells). The methods involve reducing the growth of hematopoietic malignant cells by contacting hematopoietic malignant cells with GP88 antagonists. GP88 is an 88 KDa autocrine growth factor that promotes the growth of hematopoietic malignant cells. Antagonists to GP88 are provided which inhibit its expression or biological activity. The antagonists include antisense oligonucleotides and antibodies. Also provided are methods for determining if a patient is responding or is responsive to anti-cancer therapy (e.g., glucocorticoid therapy). Increased levels of GP88 in hematopoietic cells indicates a patient is not responding or responsive to anti-cancer therapy.
US08911946B2 Detection of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms
Method of detecting methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) in a nucleic acid coamplification assay. The invention advantageously reduces the incidence of false-positive MRSA determinations in real-time assays by requiring satisfaction of a threshold criterion that excludes certain co-infections from the MRSA determination. The invention further provides for determination of MSSA, even when the MSSA is present in combination with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative (MR-CoNS) bacteria at high or low levels.
US08911940B2 Methods of assessing a risk of cancer progression
Methods and kits that use miRNA expression to predict the development of brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer patients are disclosed.
US08911938B2 Reaction chamber having pre-stored reagents
Disclosed are preloaded analysis modules comprising reagents disposed within a barrier material capable of liberating the reagents, at a time advantageous to a reaction scheme, when exposed to certain activation conditions or reagents. Also disclosed are related methods for analyzing samples with such modules.
US08911937B2 Method for detecting methylation status by using methylation-independent primers
A reliable and highly sensitive method is provided for detecting methylation status of CpG-containing nucleic acids by nucleic acid amplification and melting curve analysis of amplification products. The methods and compositions employs a novel design of primers, CpG-containing methylation-independent oligonucleotide primers, wherein both unmethylated and methylated alleles of a CpG-containing nucleic acid can be detected by use of only one set of primers after the CpG-containing nucleic acid has been subjected to cytosine to thymine conversion of unmethylated Cytosine. The method is useful for detection of methylation status in for example cancer genes and other disease related genes, wherein methylation influences gene expression.