| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07671880B2 |
Optical disk labeling system and method
In one embodiment, a disk labeling system is configured to use calibration indicia to produce calibration data. A disk is then marked using a laser in a first position. The laser is then deflected from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data. The disk is then marked using the laser in the second position. |
| US07671879B2 |
Information recording apparatus
An information recording apparatus enables information to be recorded in a thermosensitive recording medium accurately while preventing the development of skew. When a rewritable medium is conveyed to a recording unit, the rotation of the rewritable medium and its position with reference to an axis are adjusted. Specifically, the rewritable medium is held between guide pins to such an extent as not to warp the rewritable medium while the medium is sandwiched between a clamper and a conveyance tray, until the rewritable medium reaches the recording unit. Thus, the rewritable medium is delivered to the recording unit with an adjusted posture, allowing the recording unit to record information in the rewritable medium without the development of skew in the rewritable medium. |
| US07671875B2 |
Information processing method and apparatus
In a case where a position and/or orientation of a shooting viewpoint is calculated by using information about image coordinates of markers placed in a scene, the present invention enables a user to easily determine positions of the markers so that the position and orientation can be calculated more accurately. Information about markers placed in a physical space is obtained and area information about mixing accuracy between a physical space image and a virtual space image is obtained based on the information about the markers, so that a virtual space image is generated in accordance with the obtained area information. |
| US07671869B2 |
Adaptive content delivery
A method and apparatus that provides adaptation in the content delivered to a palmtop computer. Connections between a palmtop computer and the Internet can vary from low speed dial-up to very high speed. Also, a palmtop computer's display, memory and processing power can vary considerably. Communication with the Internet is generally through a proxy server that can deduce these considerations from the palmtop computer's serial number and/or other information specified by user. The proxy server can then adapt the content based upon these considerations (e.g. only send two bit gray scale images to non-color palmtop computer, only send first frame of animated gif to low processing power palmtop computer, etc.). |
| US07671868B2 |
Method and apparatus to provide visual cues indicative of the level of severity or importance
A method of displaying information to relate level of severity or importance comprising the steps of (a) displaying data points; (b) coloring said data points in varying colors according to set levels; and (c) adjusting shades of said colors depending on further defined levels within said set levels. Another method of displaying information to relate level of severity or importance comprising the steps of (a) querying disparate information systems with a certain search parameter (b) displaying data points returned from said search parameter into a single window; (c) coloring said data points in varying colors according to set levels; and (d) adjusting shades of said colors depending on further defined levels within said set levels. A system for displaying information according to level of importance or severity comprising a database, a worklist and an interface wherein said interface conveys level of importance or severity using varying shades of colors. |
| US07671867B2 |
Method for locating underground deposits of hydrocarbon including a method for highlighting an object in a three dimensional scene
A method of highlighting a selected object in a 3D scene comprises: executing an off screen rendering software and, responsive thereto, generating a texture image containing an image of the visible parts of a selected object over a background color, and, in response to said texture image, executing an on screen rendering software in combination with a fragment shader software thereby drawing a silhouette of the selected object. |
| US07671863B2 |
Method and graphic engine chip for drawing processing
Architectures for graphic engine chips with minimum impact on other resources are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a graphic engine architecture includes a scheduler that is configured to schedule an execution time for each of the drawing instructions sent in groups from a processor. Each drawing instruction includes a piece of time information. The scheduler is provided to fetch the drawing instructions from a FIFO buffer that buffers the drawing instructions. Subsequently, the drawing instructions are successively executed according to their scheduling. |
| US07671862B1 |
Systems and methods for providing an enhanced graphics pipeline
An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming. By using the enhanced graphics pipeline, the programmer can optimize the usage of the hardware in the pipeline, program vertex, line or triangle topologies altogether rather than each vertex alone, and read any calculated data from memory where the pipeline can output the calculated information. |
| US07671861B1 |
Apparatus and method of customizing animated entities for use in a multi-media communication application
A method of creating an animated entity for delivering a multi-media message from a sender to a recipient comprises receiving from the sender an image file to a server, the image file having associated sender-assigned name, gender, category and indexing information. The server presents to the sender the image file and a group of generic face model templates. After the sender selects one of the generic face model templates, the server presents the image file and the selected model template to the sender and requests the sender to mark features on the image file. After the sender marks the image file, the server presents to the sender a preview of at least one expression associated with the marked image file. If the user does not accept the image file after the preview, the server presents again the image file and selected model template for the sender to redo or add marked features on the image file. If the user accepts the image file after the preview, the server presents the image file as an optional animated entity when the sender chooses an animated entity to deliver a multi-media message. |
| US07671850B2 |
Electronic pen
An electronic pen has a body which comprises a casing consisting of at least two casing parts which are joined to be separable, and electronic equipment arranged inside the casing. A girdle is arranged with a close fit round the joined casing parts. The casing and the girdle have coacting locking means which limit the movement of the girdle in the longitudinal direction of the pen in such manner that at least the girdle is destroyed as the locking is broken. |
| US07671849B2 |
Input device comprising thiophene derivative polymer and process for producing the same
The present invention relates to organic conductive polymer compositions adapted to produce touch panel input devices that hardly undergo resistance degradation even after prolonged and repeated usages, and represent remarkably improved reliability and lifetime in particular. The organic conductive polymer compositions according to the present invention comprise a thiophene derivative polymer, a water-soluble organic compound (except for nitrogen-containing compounds), and a dopant, wherein the thiophene derivative polymer is expressed by the formula (1). |
| US07671848B2 |
Display device and display method
The present invention includes a display device for displaying an image and receiving light simultaneously or alternately. The display device includes: a plurality of display elements for displaying the image on a display surface of the display device by emitting light; a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light incident on the display surface formed by the display elements; a storing unit for storing, as an initial value, a difference between two amounts of light received by the light receiving elements; and a detecting unit for detecting a state of contact with or proximity to the display surface and subtracting the initial value stored by the storing unit from a difference between the two detected amounts of received light. |
| US07671847B2 |
Touch panel and method for manufacturing the same
A touch panel for an electronic apparatus is provided. The touch panel comprises a thin film transistor substrate, a plurality of conductive islets, a supporting pattern layer and an elastic conductive film. The plurality of conductive islets is formed on the thin film transistor substrate. The supporting pattern layer is formed above the thin film transistor substrate. The supporting pattern layer has a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures for exposing at least part of each of the plurality of conductive islets. The elastic conductive film is formed on the supporting pattern layer. |
| US07671845B2 |
Directional input device and display orientation control
A computer system includes a processor creating a renderable image in a first orientation, a display showing the image in the first orientation, and a directional input device having an orientation indicator that is movable between a first position associated with the first image orientation and a second position associated with a second image orientation. The orientation indicator may provide a visual indication of the orientation of the image being shown on the display. The orientation indicator may be movable between a first position associated with the first image orientation and a second position associated with a second image orientation. The processor may create the renderable image in the second orientation and the display may show the image in the second orientation in response to the orientation indicator moving from the first position to the second position. |
| US07671837B2 |
Scrolling input arrangements using capacitive sensors on a flexible membrane
Scrolling input arrangements are presented including: a flexible membrane; a number of capacitive sensors mechanically integrated with the flexible membrane, the capacitive sensors radially disposed with respect to a first axis that is perpendicular with respect to the flexible membrane; an integrated circuit mechanically coupled with the flexible membrane and electronically coupled with the capacitive sensors, the integrated circuit configured to process a number of electronic signals from the capacitive sensors to provide a scrolling function; and a connection region on the flexible membrane for electronically coupling the scrolling input arrangement with an electronic device. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensors are configured with a plate element having a first surface area and a trace element having a second surface area such that the first surface area and second surface area comprise a sensor surface area, wherein the sensor surface areas for the capacitive sensors is substantially equal in size. |
| US07671830B2 |
Electronic apparatus with display device
Two display panels constituted at least by having a plurality of scanning lines and signal lines with display pixels situated near each intersecting point of each scanning line and signal line besides a common electrode situated in common with each of the display pixels and the display panels having a predetermined numbers of the scanning lines respectively. While repeating alternately between each of the display panels in a display period within a one frame period, an operation sequentially selects a number of the scanning lines of each of these display panels corresponding to the ratio of the numbers of the scanning lines in each of these display panels at predetermined scan timing. Reversal control of the signal polarity of each common signal voltage is applied to the common electrode of each display panel so that reversal drive of each display panel is performed for every scanning line and frame period. |
| US07671829B2 |
Driving method and driving circuit for color liquid crystal display
A driving method for a color liquid crystal display which drives the color liquid crystal display based on a video red signal, a video green signal and a video blue signal by independently applying a gamma compensation to a clamped video red signal, a clamped video green signal and a clamped video blue signal in gamma compensating circuits in order to make suitable to a red transmittance characteristic, a green transmittance characteristic and a blue transmittance characteristic. With this operation, it is possible to carry out an optimal gamma compensation suitable to a characteristic of the color liquid crystal display and to remove a gradation batter occurring in a specific color. |
| US07671828B2 |
Color filter substrate, liquid crystal unit, and electronic device
A color filter substrate includes a substrate and color layers of different colors which are disposed on the substrate. The color layers are provided in unit pixels. The unit pixels each include subpixels. The subpixels each include a reflection region where light entering the pixels is reflected and a transmission region where light entering the pixels is transmitted. The reflection and transmission regions include a different combination of two color layers selected from the color layers for each of the subpixels. The two color layers are adjacent to each other in a plane in the reflection region and are stacked on top of each other in the transmission region. The transmission region of at least one of the subpixels has an unstacked area where one of the two color layers is formed. |
| US07671822B2 |
Optical unit for a head-up display
The invention is directed to an optical unit for a head-up display comprising an image generator, a mirror and a cover plate which are arranged in a housing one behind the other in the direction of light propagation. The beam path is directed to a windshield. The invention is wherein that the mirror is a rear-surface mirror whose reflection surface has a light-bundling action. The rear-surface mirror has, in addition, a refractive action that can be generated by the refractive index of the mirror material and a material thickness which changes between the reflection surface and the transmissive surface. |
| US07671820B2 |
Luneberg dielectric lens and method of producing same
A hemispherical Luneberg dielectric lens including a hemispherical center layer having a hemispherical outer surface, and a plurality of hemispherical dome-shaped layers each having concentric hemispherical inner and outer surfaces, the outer surfaces of the center layer and dome-shaped layers having different diameters and the inner surfaces of said dome-shaped layers having different diameters. The center layer and dome-shaped layers are successively concentrically fitted into one another and integrated into a hemispherical shape. The center layer is a foam molding of ceramic-containing thermoplastic resin expanded beads, while each of said dome-shaped layers is a foam molding of thermoplastic resin expanded beads containing 0 to 80% by weight of a ceramic. The ceramic content per unit volume of the center and dome-shaped layers decreases from the center layer to the outermost dome-shaped layer, and the standard deviation of the apparent density of each of the center and dome-shaped layers is 0.07 g/cm3 or lower. |
| US07671814B2 |
Embedded antenna apparatus for utility metering applications
An embedded antenna for facilitating wireless transmission of utility meter data is disclosed, where in one embodiment an RF antenna is a part of the faceplate of the utility meter. In another embodiment the utility meter faceplate is a single-layer or a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with the RF antenna printed on any desired layer. Such faceplates may be labeled to be viewable from outside of the meter housing and/or have openings to accommodate visual access to an output display of the meter consumption information. |
| US07671807B2 |
High-directional wide-bandwidth antenna
A high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna is disclosed. The high-directional wide-bandwidth antenna includes a first element, a first radiating body, a second radiating body, a third radiating body, and a fourth radiating body. The first element has a first feeding point, wherein its equivalent reactance is inductive. One end of the first radiating body is connected to the first element and the other end of the first radiating body is a coupling surface. The second radiating body has a second feeding point and is extended through the second feeding point to the coupling surface so that the energy is transferred between the first radiating body and the second radiating body through the coupling surface. The first resonant frequency is attained by the first radiating body and the second radiating body, and the second resonant frequency is attained by the third radiating body and the fourth radiating body. |
| US07671802B2 |
Active player tracking
Sports objects, such as players and their equipment, are tracked by receiving signals transmitted by tags attached to the sports objects, and triangulating the signals to estimate the locations of the sports objects. One feature that promotes good signal reception is the use of different groups of three or more receivers. Another such feature is the use of two or more transmitter tags attached to different portions of the sports object. Still another such feature is the use of Ultra-Wideband signals. |
| US07671801B2 |
Armor for an electronically scanned array
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronically scanned array includes a plurality of armor segments interspersed between a plurality of transmit/receive integrated microwave modules (TRIMMs), and a clamping element compressing the armor segments. |
| US07671800B2 |
Beamforming apparatus and method in a smart antenna system
A DOA estimating apparatus and method in a smart antenna system using a fixed beamforming scheme are provided. An uplink weight for a received uplink signal is calculated and a projection matrix of an interference signal is generated using the uplink weight. A covariance matrix of the interference signal is generated using the projection matrix of the interference signal, and power of the received signal and power of the interference signal are calculated using the covariance matrix of the interference signal and a covariance matrix of the received signal. A DOA is estimated based on the difference between the received signal power and the interference power. |
| US07671798B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimal combining of noisy measurements
A method and system for optimally combining noisy measurements of attributes to obtain a composite statistically useful attribute result is disclosed. The method includes measuring a signal to noise ratio for each carrier in a pair, computing a signal to noise ratio power which is derived from said signal to noise ratio of each carrier in the pair and adding said signal to noise ratio powers that have been received within a predetermined period of time until the sum of said signal to noise ratio powers reaches a first threshold. The method continues with computing a weight based on the percentage of each measurements signal to noise ratio power in relation to said sum of said signal to noise ratio powers and deriving a statistically useful attribute result based at least in part on said weight of each signal to noise ratio power. |
| US07671794B2 |
Attitude estimation using intentional translation of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna
A system determines three-dimensional attitude of a stationary or moving platform using signals from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna that undergoes deliberate translation, which may be occasional. The system uses single GNSS receiver, a single GNSS antenna, and inertial acceleration and/or rotation rate sensors. In one implementation, the GNSS antenna and inertial sensing components are rigidly connected and mounted to a pallet that is intentionally translated along a track as needed. In a second implementation, the GNSS antenna is mounted to a pallet, and the inertial sensing components are fixed in position. To maximize effectiveness, the track is oriented along a geometrical direction of the platform that is predominantly in a lateral direction from the gravity vector. The system achieves three-dimensional attitude accuracy that rivals interferometric GNSS systems. |
| US07671792B2 |
Global positioning receiver with system and method for parallel synchronization for reducing time to first navigation fix
A global positioning system receiver with a system and method for parallel synchronization. The novel receiver includes a correlator having plural demodulator channels for receiving a signal from a first satellite, and a processor for processing the signal from the first satellite using a plurality of the channels. The processor includes a parallel synchronization process for synchronizing the receiver with the signal. In an illustrative embodiment, the processor is adapted to instruct the plurality of channels to track the signal from the first satellite in parallel, each channel using a different timing hypothesis. Only the channel determined to have the correct timing is retained for tracking the satellite. For the first satellite only, the processor also demodulates the hand-over word and determines a GPS transmit time. The parallel synchronization process is then repeated for subsequent satellites in turn. |
| US07671787B2 |
Target tracking apparatus and method
On adjusting a target specification data error predicted value so as to become larger on detecting maneuver of a target, the target specification data error predicted value is adjusted, in consideration of type of the maneuver and a course of the target, so as to make a direction of varying specification data large and to make a direction of constant specification data small. It is therefore possible to quickly recover a delay of the following of the varying specification data and to avoid increasing an error of the constant specification data. |
| US07671786B2 |
Method and apparatus for representing and classifying microwave back-projection radar signals
A moving object is classified by transmitting, by a linear array of transmit antenna elements, a microwave into a surveillance area. A scattered microwave backprojected from a moving object is received by a linear array of receive antenna elements. Features are extracted from the scattered microwave related to a spiral evolution of the scattered microwave. The moving object is then classified as one of a set of possible classes according to the extracted features, and an alarm signal can be generated indicating the selected class. |
| US07671783B2 |
Radar reflector
A submarine warfare radar training system 10 includes an underwater vehicle 15 towing a float device 40 and a radar reflective target 45. The radar reflective target 45 is configured as a hollow tube-shaped element 50 having circular open leading and trailing open circular end to allow water to flow through the target as it is towed. The target 45 includes a positive buoyancy material layer 60 and is horizontally oriented during towing. The float device 40 is configured to support the radar reflective target 45 open leading end above the water surface 30 as the float device 40 and radar reflective target 45 are towed along the water surface to deliver air into the hollow cross-section. The radar reflective target 45 has an adjustable RCS which can be increased or decreased by lengthening or shortening the radar reflective target. |
| US07671782B2 |
State-sensitive navigation aid
Navigation logic and related methods are described for assisting a user in using a remote control (RC) device. The navigation logic determines a current state of a user's interaction with an application, and then determines the keys of the RC device that are relevant to the determined state. The navigation logic then displays a representation of the relevant keys on a user interface presentation of a presentation device. The representation resembles a physical layout of associated physical keys on the RC device. To assist the user in focusing on the relevant keys, the representation de-emphasizes other input mechanisms of the RC device that do not have a bearing on the user's current interaction with the application. One exemplary way of de-emphasizing these other keys is to entirely omit these keys from the representation. |
| US07671781B2 |
System and method for producing character on interactive equipment
A system and method for producing a character are provided. A remote control device having a plurality of numeral keys and capable of inputting a plurality of values is used to issue a command representing one of the plurality of values and composed of a combination of the plurality of numeral keys to an interactive equipment. In the interactive equipment, a reference table is provided to provide a relationship between the plurality of values and a plurality of characters each corresponding to one thereof. By referring to the reference table, the value corresponding to the command can be converted to a corresponding character among the plurality of characters. Finally, the character can be displayed and thus produced on the interactive equipment. |
| US07671778B2 |
Digital signal processing scheme for high performance HFC digital return path system with bandwidth conservation
In a cable return path system, a method for performing digital companding adds a predetermined offset to the digital value to be companded, and employs a modified μ-law or a-law companding technique to obtain a reduced bit length digital value. One embodiment of this modified approach adds a predetermined offset (e.g., 129 for a 12-bit implementation) to the digital value before companding and then employs a two-bit chord and a 5-bit step for the 12-bit implementation. The end result is that the performance metrics are not significantly compromised by this bit reduction when compared to current transmission methods without this technique. |
| US07671777B2 |
AD converter
An AD converter includes an analog data storing unit, a first DA converter for converting an input digital data into a first analog reference voltage which varies within a first voltage range in a range of every possible signal voltage of the input analog data, a second DA converter for converting the input digital data into a second analog reference voltage which varies within a second voltage range in the range of every possible signal voltage of the input analog data, a first comparator for comparing the input analog data with the first reference voltage, a second comparator for comparing the input analog data with the second reference voltage and a digital data storing unit for storing a digital data corresponding to a point of time when a change of state occurs in the comparison results of each of the first and second comparators. |
| US07671775B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter
A converter of 6-bit input includes a reference voltage generating circuit generating 17 reference voltages, a first switch circuit having 19 switch pairs each including MOS transistors for selecting two adjacent reference voltages in accordance with the four most significant bits, a second switch circuit including a series circuit of MOS transistors for dividing the selected two reference voltages into four to obtain three intermediate voltages, and a third switch circuit for selectively outputting the lower of the selected two reference voltages or one of the three intermediate voltages. In a second mode in which a gray level having a smaller ON-resistance of a MOS transistor than that in the first mode is selected, the number of MOS transistors used in the first and second switch circuits for voltage division is increased. |
| US07671763B1 |
Vehicle locator system
A vehicle locator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the vehicle locator system includes a vehicle locator/charging unit having a unit microprocessor, a first cell phone circuitry and a first GPS and or RF circuitry connected to the unit microprocessor, a charge plug and a charge port connected to the charge plug; and a cell phone having a cell phone microprocessor, a second cell phone circuitry, a second GPS and or RF circuitry and a display connected to the cell phone microprocessor and a charge port adapted for connection to the charge port of the vehicle locator/charging unit. |
| US07671759B2 |
Remote control unit
There is provided a remote control unit capable of setting time by a simple operation at a time when a battery is attached. In the remote control unit which is operated by the battery to remote-control operation start and stop of an apparatus main body and in which setting of a timer operation by a clocking means is possible, when the battery is attached to start the operation, a forced mode setting means displays a clocking initial value in a liquid crystal display in step 1, starts a monitor timer in step 2, and sets a “time setting mode” in which the setting of a clocking start initial value is possible by UP and DOWN switches without depending on the operation of a time set switch. When the UP or DOWN switch is not operated in step 3, and time is up in the monitor timer in step 6, processing advances to step 7, and the forced mode setting means switches the mode from the “time setting mode” to an “operation instructing mode” in which the operation of the apparatus main body is possible by an ON/OFF switch. |
| US07671757B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting misalignment of train inspection systems
A method and system to detect misalignment of sensors used in train inspection systems are provided. The method includes receiving inputs from a train inspection sensor that is coupled to a railroad track, determining a position of the train inspection sensor using a motion detector, and identifying the inputs received from the train inspection sensor as at least one of acceptable or not acceptable based on the determined position of the train inspection sensor. |
| US07671752B2 |
Car alcohol monitoring system
An alcohol monitoring system for monitoring a driver of a car includes a vapor analyzer system for detecting the amount of alcohol in a driver operating the car. A speed controller is provided for setting the maximum speed of the car to a predetermined level in the event that the amount of alcohol detected in the driver is above a predetermined threshold. A cell phone is configured to automatically call a remote call center, in the event that the amount of the alcohol detected in the driver is above the predetermined threshold. Furthermore, a location system is configured to provide the location of the car to said remote call center. A mapping database in said remote call center is configured to provide nearest resting locations to said car so as to guide the driver to drive the car to any one of said locations. |
| US07671747B2 |
Wireless tag and method of reading data from a wireless tag
If the frequency of the electric waves used at a pre-designated inspection site is known frequency, the antenna seal connected to a base antenna is peeled off, in part or entirety. Thus, the resonance frequency is easily and correctly adjusted to the frequency known. |
| US07671746B2 |
System and method for providing secure identification solutions
The present invention provides a method and system for verifying and tracking identification information. In an embodiment of the invention, a system for delivering security solutions is provided that includes at least one of the following: a radio frequency (RF) identification device, an identification mechanism (e.g., a card, sticker), and an RF reader. |
| US07671744B2 |
Interrogator and interrogation system employing the same
An interrogator, methods of discerning the presence of an object, and interrogation systems employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation systems include multiple interrogators that communicate with a base command unit to track a location of an object. In another embodiment wherein the object is an RFID object (e.g., an object with an RFID tag), the interrogators employ signal processing techniques such as precharging the RFID object, and correlating a reference code with a reply code from the RIFD object using selected techniques to increase a sensitivity of the interrogator, especially for adverse environments. In other embodiments, the interrogation systems include variations of metal instruments and sponges employed therewith. In yet another embodiment, the interrogation system includes metal interrogators capable of discerning the presence of a metal object, especially in a presence of another metal object. |
| US07671743B2 |
Detecting a departure of an RFID tag from an area
A method of determining whether a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag has been removed from an area can include, responsive to detecting an RFID tag in a first area, making an entry within a tag read cache associated with the first area. The entry within the tag read cache can include an identifier corresponding to the RFID tag and a timestamp indicating when the RFID tag was detected in the first area. A difference between a current time and the timestamp from the entry within the tag read cache can be calculated. An indication that the RFID tag is no longer in the first area can be provided if the difference exceeds a departure threshold. |
| US07671740B2 |
Capacitive transmitter electrode
A transmitter electrode (10) for a capacitive sensing device comprises a conductive sheet material (12), said conductive sheet material comprising a first connecting point (16) for connecting the electrode to an electronic sensing unit. According to the invention the conductive sheet material comprises at least one second connecting point for connecting the electrode to an electronic sensing unit, said second connecting point (16′) being arranged at a certain distance from said first connecting point so that said conductive sheet material forms a conductive path between said first and second connecting point. The first and second connecting point (16, 16′), which in use are both connected to the electronic sensing unit, enable to check the integrity of the transmitter electrode and the connection lines used to connect the transmitter electrode to the electronic sensing unit. |
| US07671739B2 |
System and method for implementing ranging microwave for detector range reduction
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for use of ranging MW to detect range reduction in a dual (MW/PIR) intrusion detector. Embodiments of the invention utilize a Doppler microwave system capable of detecting an object range. Multiple range limited MW stages may be configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. Based on signal levels present on these MW stages, an approximate object range and size is determined. Embodiments of the invention recognize cases of PIR range reduction by use of range limited MW stages configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. If the MW recognizes a moving object of sufficient size within the coverage area, and if no PIR signal is present, the PIR is recognized as being blocked or disabled and notification is provided. |
| US07671738B2 |
Fan system and driving control device of motor
A driving control device of a motor includes a temperature sensing circuit, a comparing circuit, a rotation speed control circuit and a driving circuit. The temperature sensing circuit detects an environmental temperature for generating a sensing signal. The comparing circuit is electrically connected to the temperature sensing circuit, and compares the sensing signal with a reference voltage signal for outputting a comparing signal. The rotation speed control circuit is electrically connected to the comparing circuit and has a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, both of which are compared with the comparing signal for outputting a rotation speed control signal. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the rotation speed control circuit, and generates a driving signal to drive the motor in accordance with the rotation speed control signal. |
| US07671733B2 |
Method and system for medical alarm monitoring, reporting and normalization
A system for monitoring and reporting medical alarms includes an alarm messenger for receiving an alarm signal from monitored equipment. The alarm signal includes information to enable determination of the location of the monitored equipment. The alarm messenger outputs an alarm messenger signal including the information. A database includes a master association table stored in the database. A central server receives the alarm signal, utilizes the information from the alarm signal to access the master association table to determine alarm information and, in response to the alarm information, notifies the appropriate staff of an alarm condition. |
| US07671730B2 |
Automated computerized alarm system
An automatic alarm system has an alarm device having a sensor and a telephone having a telephone number. The telephone may be wireless. When the sensor senses a predetermined environmental indicator, the alarm device calls a receiver in a location separate from the alarm device to send an alarm. The receiver may identify the location of the alarm device by its telephone number or an identification code. The receiver can call the alarm device to confirm the alarm and monitor events around the alarm device. The alarm device may include a camera. |
| US07671724B2 |
Vehicle anti-theft apparatus and method
A vehicle anti-theft apparatus and method can prevent the theft of a vehicle and the illegal use thereof without increased costs. The apparatus includes an IC card carried by a user of a vehicle, an IC card reader in the vehicle for reading information contained in the IC card, and an authentication processing section in the vehicle for authenticating the user when the vehicle is used. The IC card includes a memory for storing identification information and use time limit information of the vehicle. The IC card reader reads the identification information and the use time limit information stored in the memory. When the identification information of the IC card and authentication identification information stored beforehand in the vehicle coincide with each other, and when a current time is within a use time limit of the use time limit information, the authentication processing section permits the use of the vehicle. |
| US07671720B1 |
Method and appratus for removing distortion in radio frequency signals
According to several embodiments of the invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator utilizing a circuit to remove unwanted distortion from a received signal is described. The interrogator transmits a transmitted signal continuously, while receiving a received signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The circuit samples the transmitted signal, and removes the unwanted distortion created by the transmitted signal from the received signal. |
| US07671719B2 |
Electronic storage box, opening and closing method of electronic storage box, and computer program product thereof
An electronic storage box, an electronic storage box opening and closing method, and computer program product, comprising: safety, portability, convenience, economical efficiency and presentation effects are provided. In case a cryptograph setting request signal is received from a PC 21, the electronic storage box 1 stores cryptograph information included in the cryptograph setting request signal. In case an opening and closing request signal is received from a PC 21, the electronic storage box 1 determines whether or not the cryptograph information included in the opening and closing request signal and the cryptograph information stored in a key storage portion 103 match with each other. In case it is determined that these pieces of the cryptograph information match with each other, the electronic storage box 1 allows a lid 12 to shift either to an opened state or a closed state according to the opening and closing state of the lid 12. |
| US07671718B2 |
Method and apparatus for detection and tracking of objects within a defined area
A method and apparatus for detecting and tracking an object with a defined area, and determining its position, status movement and identity therein, includes interrogating the defined area to communicate with an information device on object and transmit received to a master controller unit, which determines the object's presence, position, movement and identity with the defined area. |
| US07671717B2 |
Unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector having short-circuit fault alarm function
The present invention relates to an unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector having short-circuit fault alarm function, comprises a detecting cable comprising at least two detecting conductors disposed in parallel and a fusible insulation layer, a resistor, and a resistance signal measuring device, wherein the detecting cable further comprises a semiconductor layer, and wherein the semiconductor layer and the fusible insulation layer are disposed between the detecting conductors so as to space the detecting conductors apart. The detector of the present invention may distinguish short-circuit fault from short circuit caused by fire, and thus overcome the disadvantage of not distinguishing short-circuit fault from short-circuit due to fire in the conventional detector. Therefore, the problem of lack of short-circuit fault alarm function in the prior art is resolved. Accordingly, the present invention improves the reliability of unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector. |
| US07671715B2 |
Magnetic element and method for manufacturing the same
A magnetic element having an excellent direct-current saturation characteristic by effectively utilizing a size of a core is provided. The magnetic element has cores 11, 7, 8 and 17 formed of a magnetic material, buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 in the magnetic material, and a plurality of branch conductor parts 22, 23, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42 and 43 branching from the buried conductor parts 21, 31 and 41 to be a plurality of parts and separately turning around the magnetic material. |
| US07671713B2 |
Integrated structure of passive elements in LLC resonance converter realized by flexible circuit boards
An integrated structure of passive elements in an LLC resonance converter realized by flexible circuit boards includes a closed magnetic circuit formed by first and second magnetic cores, a tubular, double-sided, flexible circuit board, tubular magnetic-material layer and tubular, single-sided, flexible circuit board. The single-sided circuit board is coaxially sleeved in turn from inside outwards on a magnetic core column of the closed magnetic circuit. The tubular, double-sided, circuit board is a laminated plate material formed in turn of a first insulating layer, first copper foil, insulating medium layer, second copper foil and second insulating layer. The tubular, single-sided, circuit board is a laminated plate material formed in turn of a third insulating layer, third copper foil and fourth insulating layer. The integration of a resonance capacitor, resonance inductor, shunt inductor and transformer in a LLC resonance converter is realized by using these flexible circuit boards. |
| US07671712B2 |
Levitation of objects using magnetic force
The invention disclosed is a method of levitating one or both ends of an object permanently or temporarily, or altering the distance between two objects or the momentum of an object by manipulating the direction of the magnetic field of a permanent or electromagnet. |
| US07671710B2 |
MEMS oscillator with temperature sensitive MEMS capacitances
Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature. |
| US07671708B2 |
Mechanical temperature-compensating device for a phase-stable waveguide
The present invention relates to a mechanical compensating device for a waveguide (1). More precisely, the present invention provides a technology for ensuring phase stability in a waveguide (1) subject to expansions and contractions owing to temperature changes. To do this, actuators, which may consist of pairs of prongs (8-9, 10-11), connected to longitudinal ribs (2, 3) cut in the body of the waveguide (1) and integral therewith, cause, because of a large difference between the respective coefficients of thermal expansion of the waveguide (1) and of the actuators, a rotation of the longitudinal ribs (2, 3) about themselves, deforming the short sides (4, 5) of the waveguide (1) when said waveguide (1) expands or contracts according to the changes in temperature. |
| US07671702B2 |
2D transmission line-based apparatus and method
A power combiner comprising an LC lattice structure is shown, together with a method for generating a planar wave front. The LC structure can comprise constant or voltage dependent capacitors. Either the delay or the characteristic impedance of the two-dimensional transmission line formed by the LC lattice structure are kept constant. A planar wave propagating along one direction of the transmission line gradually experiences higher impedances at the edges, creating a lower resistance path for the current in the middle. This funnels more power to the center as the wave propagates. |
| US07671697B2 |
High-isolation switching device for millimeter-wave band control circuit
Provided is a high-isolation switching device for a millimeter-wave band control circuit. By optimizing a cell structure to improve the isolation of an off-state without deteriorating the insertion loss of an on-state, it is possible to implement a high-isolation switching device useful in the design and manufacture of a millimeter-wave band control circuit such as a phase shifter or digital attenuator using switching characteristics. In addition, when a switch microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) is designed to use the switching device, it is not necessary to use a multi-stage shunt field effect transistor (FET) to improve isolation, nor to dispose an additional λ/4 transformer transmission line, inductor or capacitor near the switching device. Thus, chip size can be reduced, degree of integration can be enhanced, and manufacturing yield can be increased. Consequently, it is possible to reduce manufacturing cost. |
| US07671695B2 |
Parallel coupled CPW line filter
A parallel coupled CPW line filter is provided, including a first and a second coupled lines arranged on one side of an insulating body and connected in parallel with each other, and a ground arranged on the same plane as the first and the second coupled lines, comprising a pair of ground parts spaced apart from the first and the second coupled lines, respectively, the ground parts each comprising recesses sunken from areas close to the first and the second coupled lines. |
| US07671694B2 |
Programmable passive equalizer
Embodiments of a programmable passive equalizer are described herein. |
| US07671693B2 |
System and method for a tunable impedance matching network
The present disclosure relates generally to tunable impedance matching networks and methods for the use of such networks. In one example, a method includes identifying state information about a mobile device, accessing a memory to identify a configuration of an impedance matching network based on the state information, and applying the values from the configuration to the impedance matching network. |
| US07671687B2 |
Electron beam RF amplifier and emitter
RF field is sensed to produce an incoming voltage that drives a microarray of electron guns in a sweep pattern towards a detector array. The electron guns emit a beam current that may amplify the incoming voltage signal, and the detector material may be selected to amplify the beam current at the detector, for example, by avalanche and/or cascade in a Schottky material, to provide a low current, high gain amplification. The microarrays may be arranged in various combinations to produce successive amplifications, frequency multipliers, transmit-receive amplifiers, crossbar switches, mixers, beamformers, and selective polarization devices, among other such devices. |
| US07671684B2 |
FET bias circuit
A FET bias circuit applies a bias voltage that is not adjusted separately to an amplifying element FET of a FET amplifying circuit. In the FET bias circuit is provided a monitor element FET m having a gate connected to the gate of the amplifying element FET a and a source connected to the source of the amplifying element FET a, respectively, and having a drain current with respect to the bias voltage substantially proportional to the drain current of the amplifying element FET a. In the FET bias circuit is further provided a fixed bias circuit for applying the bias voltage so that the amplifying element FET a enters a predetermined operating class by applying a bias voltage to the monitor element FET m so that a drain current flowing to the monitor element FET m enters a predetermined operating class. |
| US07671680B2 |
Electronic circuit
An electronic circuit includes an input terminal, a transimpedance amplifier connected to the input terminal and including an amplifier and a feedback resistor, a first time constant circuit smoothing an output from the transimpedance amplifier, a gain control circuit arranged between the input terminal and ground potential and controlling current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential on the basis of the output from the first time constant circuit, and a safeguard circuit controlling the gain control circuit and blocking the current flowing between the input terminal and the ground potential, when a signal to be input into the input terminal is stopped. |
| US07671678B2 |
Serial link output stage differential amplifier and method
Protection for the transmission of higher amplitude outputs required of differential amplifiers formed by thin oxide transistors with limited maximum voltage tolerance used where compliance with communication protocol standards requires handling voltages which may, in transition, exceed desirable levels is provided by limiting the voltage across any two device terminals under power down conditions. |
| US07671677B2 |
Current sense amplifier with extended common mode voltage range
A circuit includes an input stage configured to receive and amplify an input signal to produce an amplified signal, where the input signal is referenced to a higher voltage and is associated with a common mode voltage. The circuit also includes level shifter resistors configured to level shift the amplified signal to produce a shifted signal. The level shifter resistors are configured to provide a voltage drop so that the shifted signal is referenced to a lower voltage. The input stage may include multiple transistors floating in one or more isolated portions of a substrate, where the transistors perform amplification in the input stage. The circuit may also include circuitry configured to control current through the level shifter resistors so that the voltage drop depends on the common mode voltage of the input signal. In addition, the lower voltage may be between supply rails of the circuit. |
| US07671670B2 |
Device for demodulating a signal containing information being conveyed by phase shift keying
The invention relates to a device for demodulating an input signal containing information being conveyed by phase modulation of a carrier wave. A transmitter generates a signal controlling a phase variation in the carrier wave, for each symbol having N cycles, N being an integer strictly greater than 1. The phase variation stretches on the receiver side over n cycles, n being an integer greater than 1 and less than N. The device generates a single pulse for each symbol received suited to generate the leading edge of the pulse corresponding to the symbol considered after a constant duration from the moment the symbol considered starts; and generates the trailing edge of the pulse considered at a moment the phase shift corresponding to the symbol considered has to be measured. Conversion means generate an output signal with a voltage varying as a function of the duration of the pulse produced. |
| US07671667B2 |
Rapidly activated current mirror system
One embodiment of the invention includes a current mirror system. The system comprises a master circuit configured to conduct a first current in response to an activation state of an activation signal. The system also comprises a slave circuit configured to generate at least one second additional current in response to the activation state of the activation signal. Each of the at least one additional current can be proportional to the first current. The system further comprises a current path circuit that is configured as a substantial copy of the master circuit, the current path circuit being configured to conduct the first current in response to a deactivation state of the activation signal. |
| US07671661B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for automatically tuning process and temperature variations
Provided are an IC and a method for automatically tuning process and temperature variations. The IC includes: a test circuit unit including test circuit elements having identical element values and variations to a tuning-targeted circuit element and at least one reference circuit element having a smaller variation than the tuning-targeted circuit element; a comparator that obtains a difference between intensities of first and second signals detected from the test circuit unit; and a tuning unit that tunes the variation of the tuning-targeted circuit element according to the difference between the intensities of the first and second signals. Thus, process and temperature variations of a circuit element can be detected and accurately tuned with respect to the circuit element itself. Also, the process and temperature variations can be tuned inside an IC. Thus, the time required for tuning the process and temperature variations can be reduced. |
| US07671658B2 |
Mixer having frequency selection function
A mixer which has an enhanced frequency selection characteristic and generates no pass loss is realized without using an operation control signal having a frequency higher than a sampling frequency. Provided are a time control section 102 for supplying control signals, a first switched capacitor circuit 100 for outputting a discrete time sample stream of the input signal 107 in accordance with integration operation control signals Lo1 and Lo2, and a second switched capacitor circuit 104 functioning as a high-order IIR filter by sharing a charge, and a frequency of each of the integration operation control signals Lo1 and Lo2 is higher than frequencies of other control signals. |
| US07671656B2 |
Level converting circuit
A level shifter in which short circuit current and the increase in delay are reduced when a first power source is controlled. In a level shifter for converting a signal level of a first logic circuit to which a first power source is supplied into a signal level of a second logic circuit to which a second power source is supplied, the circuit includes a switching circuit between a GND power source terminal of a level shift core circuit and a GND power source. The switching circuit is controlled by a third logic circuit which generates a control signal under control of the first power source, and a pull-up/pull-down circuit at an output of the level shift core circuit. The pull-up and/or pull-down circuit is controlled by the third logic circuit. |
| US07671654B2 |
Device having clock generating capabilities and a method for generating a clock signal
A method for generating a clock signal and a device having clock generating capabilities, the device includes: (i) a first divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a first clock signal; (ii) a second divider, adapted to receive an input clock signal and divide the input clock signal to provide a second clock signal; wherein the first clock signal is phase shifted in relation to the second clock signal by half an input clock cycle; wherein a delay period of the first divider substantially equals a delay period of the second divider over a large range of delay affecting parameter values; (iii) a reconstruction circuit, connected to the first and second divider circuits, adapted to receive the first and second clock signals and apply a logical operation on the first and second clock signals to provide a reconstructed clock signal; and (iv) a selection circuit, connected to the first divider, second divider and reconstruction circuit, adapted to output an output clock signal in response to a selection signal that indicates whether to output the first clock signal, the second clock signal or the reconstructed clock signal. |
| US07671648B2 |
System and method for an accuracy-enhanced DLL during a measure initialization mode
A clock generator having a delay locked loop and a delay control circuit. The delay locked loop receives an input clock signal and adjusts an adjustable delay circuit to generate an output clock signal that is synchronized with received input clock signal. The delay control circuit coupled to the delay locked loop generates a control signal to initialize the delay measure operation to adjust the adjustable delay circuit, after comparing the phase difference of the input clock signal and the output clock signal. The delay control circuit further generates a start measure control signal to start measuring a delay applied to the measurement signal propagating through the adjustable delay circuit, and generates a stop measure control signal to stop the delay measurement of the measurement signal. The delay adjustment of the delay locked loop is then adjusted to apply the delay measurement when synchronizing the input and output clock signals. |
| US07671633B2 |
Glitch free 2-way clock switch
The present invention switches between a first clock signal (CLK0) and a second clock signal (CLK1). Each input signal is buffered by a corresponding tristate buffer (TBUF0, TBUF1). A multiplexer (MUX) receives the tristate buffer outputs and selects one clock signal in response to a multiplexer control signal (MUX_SEL). A control stage (CONTROL) received a clock selection signal (SEL) and provides multiplexer control signal (MUX_SEL). A change in multiplexer control signal (MUX_SEL) is triggered by a next edge of target clock (CLK1) following a delay. This prevents glitches in the output signal. |
| US07671632B2 |
Transmission system and method
A transmission system and method may be provided. The transmission system may transmit 2-bit data for each transmission line set and each transmission line set may include first, second and/or third transmission lines arranged in order. The first, second and/or third transmission lines may respectively transmit first, second and/or third signals each having one of first, second and/or third values such that a combination of a first electric field between the first and second transmission lines and a second electric field between the second and third transmission lines may be made depending on a logic state of the 2-bit data. The transmission system may transmit differential signals using a smaller number of transmission lines and the transmission system may transmit a larger number of signals in the same circuit area. |
| US07671631B2 |
Low voltage differential signal receiving device
A low voltage differential signal receiving device includes two differential receivers, two oversamplers, a phase locked loop, and a clock edge and data boundary detection & data extraction logic module. Clock and data signals are transmitted via channels having the same circuit layout, so that the clock signal is treated as another type of data signal. A frequency of sampling input clock and data is increased via asynchronous clock, clock transition is detected, and data bytes are extracted from clock and data samples. Therefore, the clock signal and the data signal have the same delay time to avoid any sampling error due to a difference in time sequence between the clock and the data. Meanwhile, due to the accurately increased sampling frequency, the sampled clock and the data signals are not adversely affected by different factors to enable upgraded data transmission efficiency and quality at the same time. |
| US07671630B2 |
USB 2.0 HS voltage-mode transmitter with tuned termination resistance
A high-speed universal serial bus (USB) transceiver includes a voltage-mode architecture for generating a USB signal. The voltage mode architecture reduces power consumption by reducing the current requirements for high-speed USB communications. The USB transceiver can include a reference voltage generator, a resistive element, and a switching element for completing and breaking a circuit including the reference voltage generator, the resistive element, and a data pin of a USB port to generate half of the differential USB signal (e.g., the D+ signal). A similar circuit can be used to generate the other half of the differential USB signal (i.e., the D− signal). The resistive element can be a set of parallel resistors in the transceiver, with the set of parallel resistors being specifically selected from a larger population of resistors to provide the specified resistance (45 Ω±10%) in the USB transceiver. |
| US07671628B2 |
Bus interface and method for conveying multi-level communication signals between a communication bus and a device coupled to a communication bus
A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths. |
| US07671619B2 |
Measuring system and method
A measuring system comprises a pulse generator, an under test device, a variable resistor and a detecting control system. The pulse generator provides pulse signals with different voltage peaks to the under test device and the variable resistor. The variable resistor adjusts its resistance value according to a control signal. The detecting control system detects the voltage ringing ranges of the first terminal of the under test device at different resistance values. The detecting control system generates the control signal to adjust the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the voltage ringing ranges. |
| US07671618B2 |
Analog IC having test arrangement and test method for such an IC
An integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of analog stages (10a-c), each of the analog stages being conductively coupled to a power supply (20; 20a-c), and being conductively coupled to each other by a signal path (12); and a test arrangement for testing the plurality of analog stages, the test arrangement comprising input means such as an analog bus (40) coupled to a signal path input of each analog stage from the plurality of analog stages, output means such as a further analog bus (50) for communicating a test result to an output of the integrated circuit, switching means such as a plurality of switches (36) in the biasing infrastructure of the IC for selectively disabling an analog stage, and control means such a shift register (60) for controlling the switching means. Consequently, the analog stages of the IC can be tested and debugged in isolation without the need for switches in the signal path through the cores. A current sensor (70) may be present in the power supply to facilitate structural testing of the analog stages in isolation. |
| US07671617B2 |
Test system to test multi-chip package compensating a signal distortion
A test system includes: a tester; and a test board, on which a multi-chip package including plural memories is mounted, being connected to the tester by way of a transmission line. The transmission line includes a compensation unit for compensating signal distortion. |
| US07671616B2 |
Semiconductor probe having embossed resistive tip and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor probe having an embossed resistive tip and a method of fabricating the semiconductor probe are provided. The semiconductor probe includes a protrusion portion protruded to a predetermined height on a cantilever in a first direction crossing a length direction of the cantilever, an embossed resistive tip formed on the protrusion portion, and first and second semiconductor electrode regions formed at opposite sides of the embossed resistive tip at the protrusion portion, wherein the cantilever is doped with a first dopant, the first and second semiconductor electrode regions and the embossed resistive tip are doped with a second dopant having a different polarity from the first dopant, and the embossed resistive tip is doped with a concentration lower than the first and second semiconductor electrode regions. |
| US07671612B2 |
Integrated compound nano probe card and method of making same
An integrated compound nano probe card is disclosed to include a substrate layer having a front side and a back side, and compound probe pins arranged in the substrate layer. Each compound probe pin has a bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and a bonding material bonded to the bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and filled in gaps in the nanotubes/nanorods. Each compound probe pin has a base end exposed on the back side of the substrate layer and a distal end spaced above the front side of the substrate layer. |
| US07671609B2 |
Sheet-like probe, method of producing the probe, and application of the probe
A sheet-like probe has a porous film. In the sheet-like probe, a contact film is penetratingly supported at each position of through-holes formed in the porous film, and a peripheral edge of the contact film and the porous film are integrated such that a flexible resin insulation layer is included in a fine hole of the porous film. Electrode structure bodies are supported in a penetrating manner in the insulation layer. Each electrode structure body includes a surface electrode section exposed to the front surface of the insulation layer and projecting from the front surface of the insulation layer, a back surface electrode section exposed to the back surface of the insulation layer, a short-circuit section continuously extending from the base end of the front surface electrode section, penetrating the insulation layer in its thickness direction, and connected to the back surface electrode section, a holding section extending outward, along the front surface of the insulation layer, from the base end section of the front surface electrode section, and a supporting body supporting the insulation layer. |
| US07671608B2 |
Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box is adapted to be set in a conductivity inspection device. The conductivity inspection device includes a sensing pin assembly and guide pins, the guide pins extending beyond the sensing pin assembly. The electrical junction box includes a casing including a containing section and at least two guide holes formed in a surface wall of the casing, the guide holes being spaced away from each other by a given distance. The casing is shaped such that when the electric junction box is set in the conductivity inspection device, the guide pins are inserted into the guide holes before the sensing pin assembly is inserted into the containing section. |
| US07671607B2 |
System and method for measuring air bearing gap distance
A method of determining the air gap distance between an air bearing pad and an apparatus floating on the air bearing pad comprises coupling a first probe to the air bearing pad; coupling a second probe to the apparatus floating on the air bearing pad, wherein the first and second probes provide the capacitance level between the air bearing pad and the apparatus; converting the capacitance level to a frequency; converting the frequency to a voltage level proportional to the air gap distance; and calculating the air gap distance based on the voltage level. |
| US07671603B2 |
Screening of electrolytic capacitors
A method for screening electrolytic capacitors places a capacitor in series with a resistor in series with a resistor, applying a test voltage and following the charge curve for the capacitor. A high voltage drop indicates high reliability and a low voltage drop is used to reject the piece. The leakage current is not adversely affected during the test. |
| US07671600B2 |
Gas concentration detection apparatus having function for detecting sensor element activation status
A gas concentration detection apparatus includes a series-connected combination of a sensor element and a resistor, with an AC voltage being applied to one of the outer terminals of that combination and with the other outer terminal being held at a fixed potential. A DC voltage signal at a level determined by an oxygen concentration that is detected by the sensor element, and an AC voltage signal at an amplitude determined by sensor element impedance and hence by the sensor element activation status, are extracted from the series-connected combination by respectively separate circuits which apply separately determined amplification factors. |
| US07671599B1 |
Static electricity monitor comprising a walking footpad electrode and handrail electrode
A static electricity monitor is disclosed operable to test a garment worn by a person, the garment comprising a first piece of footwear worn on a first foot of the person. The static electricity monitor comprises a first footpad electrode having a length of at least one meter, and a first handrail electrode running generally parallel to the first footpad electrode. The static electricity monitor further comprises control circuitry coupled to the first footpad electrode and the first handrail electrode, and operable to determine if the garment worn by the person passes a soundness test by taking a measurement as the person walks the first piece of footwear along the first footpad electrode while contacting a first hand to the first handrail electrode. |
| US07671597B2 |
Composite encased tool for subsurface measurements
A composite encased tool for making subsurface measurements in a borehole traversing a subsurface formation includes a conductive mandrel, a first composite layer wrapped around the conductive mandrel, the first composite layer having one or more slots, a source or sensor disposed in each of the one or more slots, and a second composite layer wrapped around the first composite layer with the source or sensor in the one or more slots. |
| US07671596B2 |
Detector for locating metallic objects with inductively coupled transmit and receive coils
A detector for locating metallic objects includes a transmit coil (116, 216) and at least two receive coils (112, 114; 212, 214), which are inductively coupled to one another; the at least two receive coils (112, 114; 212, 214) are located coaxial to one another in a plane (126, 226), and the transmit coil (116, 216) is located in a parallel plane with a height offset. Additional compensating windings (130, 132; 230, 232) of at least one of the receive coils (112, 114; 212, 214) are formed adjacent to a transmit coil (116, 216). |
| US07671591B2 |
Method and system for comparing micro-electronic devices using magnetic resonance imaging
A method of comparing micro-electronic devices. The method includes: placing a first micro-electronic device in a sample chamber of a magnetic resonance imaging machine, subjecting the first micro-electronic device to a magnetic field and a radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a first returned RF pulse from the first micro-electronic device and storing first data relating to the first returned RF pulse; placing a second micro-electronic device in the sample chamber, subjecting the second micro-electronic device to the magnetic field and the radio frequency pulse, turning off or adjusting the magnetic field and detecting a second returned RF pulse from the second micro-electronic device and storing second data relating to the second returned RF pulse; and comparing the first data to the second data and determining if the second micro-electronic device is essentially identical to the first micro-electronic device based on the comparing. |
| US07671588B2 |
MRI apparatus and RF transmit gain setting method
An MRI apparatus which obtains a tomogram of an object by utilizing magnetic resonance includes a calibrating device which figures out a relationship between a center frequency and an optimal gain of RF transmission with respect to a predetermined range of central frequencies, a saving device which saves information expressing said relationship, and a setting device which sets the RF transmission gain according to the center frequency during subsequent scanning by utilizing the saved information. |
| US07671587B2 |
Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods
Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample. |
| US07671585B2 |
Rotation angle detecting device with a selecting means for selecting a pair of output signals of the magneto-sensing elements
A rotation angle detecting device includes a magnetic field forming member, magneto-sensing IC circuit including first and second sensing sections in a magnetic field to have a first preset angle between them, and a selecting circuit. One of the first and second sensing section includes plural magneto-sensing elements whose sensing surfaces face in directions different from one another by a second preset angle. When the magnetic field forming member rotates relative to the magneto-sensing means, the magneto-sensing elements respectively provide the output signals. The selecting circuit selects a pair of the output signals of the magneto-sensing elements that is closest to a preset phase difference angle. |
| US07671583B2 |
Sensor element with laminated and spiral structure and without a power supply for a revolution counter
A sensor element for a revolution counter includes a laminated structure suitable to cause a change in magnetisation in the sensor element without a power supply, simply by the displacement of a magnetic field past the sensor element. Moreover, the laminated structure is suitable for storing a plurality of such changes. The sensor element has a spiral structure. |
| US07671582B2 |
Magnetic encoder and roller bearing unit having magnetic encoder
The magnetic encoder is constituted by integrally bonding a magnet portion obtainable by forming a magnetic material containing a magnetic powder and a binder for the magnetic powder in a circular ring shape to a slinger. The binder contains at least a thermoplastic resin and an impact resistance-improving agent. |
| US07671580B2 |
Integrated current sensing transformer and current sensing circuit using such transformer
An integrated current sensing transformer includes a bobbin, a magnetic core assembly, a first primary winding element, a second primary winding element, a secondary winding element. The bobbin has a receptacle therein. The magnetic core assembly is partially embedded into the receptacle for providing a closed path of magnetic flux. The first primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a first test current therein. The second primary winding element is wound around the bobbin for inputting a second test current therein. The secondary winding element is wound around the bobbin for outputting a sensing current when either the first test current or the second test current is sensed. The magnitude of the sensing current is directly proportional to the magnitude of the first test current or the second test current. |
| US07671578B2 |
Detection circuit for sensing the input voltage of transformer
A circuit for detecting an input voltage of a transformer is provided. The circuit includes a current source circuit coupled to a winding of a transformer. A current-to-voltage circuit is coupled to the current source circuit to generate a first voltage in response to a current outputted from the current source circuit. A sample-and-hold circuit generates an output voltage by sampling the first voltage. The transformer is coupled to the input voltage, and the output voltage is correlated to the input voltage of the transformer. |
| US07671575B1 |
Transient load response for a voltage regulator with a load current based control loop
A circuit for improving transient response for a load coupled to a voltage regulator by employing both load current level information and the regulator's output voltage to control a loop that provides relatively faster and accurate regulation of the regulator's output voltage. The circuit includes an error amplifier that is coupled to a reference voltage and feedback resistors connected to the regulator's output voltage. This error amplifier outputs a compensation signal that is subsequently summed at a summing point with additional information regarding the amount of current flowing through the load. Then, this summed compensation signal is subsequently employed by a pulse width modulation (PWM) comparator and other components to regulate the regulator's output voltage with improved speed and accuracy. The circuit can be arranged in different topologies, including buck, boost, and buck/boost. |
| US07671571B2 |
Semiconductor device having an integrated, self-regulated PWM current and power limiter and method
A method includes receiving an activation signal at a semiconductor device and generating an output power signal at the semiconductor device in response to receiving the activation signal. The output power signal has a duty cycle. The method also includes providing the output power signal to a load. The output power signal provides power to the load. An amount of power provided to the load is based on the duty cycle of the output power signal. In addition, the method includes adjusting the duty cycle of the output power signal using at least one of a current limiter and a power limiter integrated in the semiconductor device. |
| US07671568B2 |
Method of charging a lithium-ion battery comprising a negative electrode
The present invention relates to a method for charging a lithium-ion accumulator with a negative electrode at an operating potential larger than 0.5 volts relatively to the Li+/Li pair, which comprises a first charging step at a constant voltage between 2 volts and 5 volts. |
| US07671567B2 |
Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack. |
| US07671563B2 |
Electrical device with a swivelable rechargeable battery pack
An electrical device has an electrical device body, a rechargeable battery pack that can be removed from the electrical device body, and a fastening unit for attaching the rechargeable battery pack to the electrical device body. It is provided that the fastening unit is designed such that electrical contact between the electrical device body and the rechargeable battery pack is established during an attaching motion. |
| US07671557B2 |
Phase current detection method, inverter control method, motor control method and apparatus for carrying out these methods
Apparatus and methods for phase current detection used for driving a motor by supplying outputs from a pulse width modulation (PWM) converter to the motor. One method presented provides detecting a DC link current and a vector pattern, determining whether a voltage vector lengths exceeds a predetermined value, and adjusting the voltage vector by adding a positive or reversed voltage based upon the above determination and an integrated error value. |
| US07671550B2 |
Motor control apparatus providing exercise resistance and auto-rewinding functions
A motor control apparatus providing an exercise resistance and an auto-rewinding function mainly employs a microprocessor to operate with a current detection feedback loop and a motor rotation speed detection loop for precisely controlling a quick random operation of a motor such that an axle of the motor can quickly control a loss braking unit and a power driving unit based on the existence of an external force, and the motor can automatically switch to an electric generator output mode (for providing an exercise resistance) or an electric machine output mode (for providing the automatic rewinding function). |
| US07671547B2 |
System and method for measuring winch line pull
A control system for determining a line pull of a winch. The system comprises a first sensor configured to measure a torque generated by the winch to retract a cable and a second sensor configured to measure a number of layers of the cable retracted by the winch, wherein a layer of the cable is formed by a single wrap of the cable onto a container. The system further comprises a monitoring circuit coupled to the first and second sensors, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to determine the line pull of the winch based on the torque generated by the winch and the number of layers of cable retracted onto the container. |
| US07671545B2 |
Device and method for operating a high-pressure discharge lamp
The invention is a device for operating a high-pressure gas discharge lamp, which is provided with a starting auxiliary electrode, with a current of alternating polarity. The device has a series resonance circuit with a resonance inductive resistor, through which flows the lamp current when the lamp is in operation, and a starting device for subjecting the starting auxiliary electrode to the starting voltage required for starting the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp. There is also a capacitive component, which is connected in series to the resonance inductive resistor and is dimensioned in such a manner that the capacitive component effects, after the gas discharge in the high-pressure gas discharge lamp has been started, at least a partial compensation for the inductance of the resonance inductive resistor, through which the lamp current flows. |
| US07671534B2 |
Liquid crystal display, illuminant module and its manufacturing method
When a long illuminant module is constructed, debonding of a bonded interface or bending occurs due to a difference in a magnitude of thermal deformation between a lens material and a metal substrate. In an illuminant module including light emitting elements, a substrate on which the light emitting elements are mounted, a transparent encapsulating resin which encapsulates the light emitting elements, and a lens material having cavities formed therein, in which the respective light emitting elements and transparent encapsulating resin are stored, notches are formed in a surface of the lens material on the side of the substrate, and the notch surfaces of the notches and the surface of the substrate are bonded using a bonding material. |
| US07671533B2 |
Self-emission unit with integrally formed module and protecting frame
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of manufacturing a self-emission unit including a self-emission module having self-emission elements formed on a substrate, and a frame for protecting the self-emission modules, without carrying out some troublesome steps, thus making it possible to manufacture the self-emission unit in a shortened time. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-emission unit capable of being attached to an attachment base with a high precision. The self-emission unit has a self-emission module and a frame. The frame is provided to cover a part or the whole of the self-emission module so as to protect the same. Further, the frame has fastening sections for attaching the self-emission module to an attachment base. The frame is formed integrally with the self-emission module so that it is possible to avoid some troublesome steps and thus shorten manufacturing time. The foregoing structure also makes it possible to improve an attachment precision when attaching the self-emission unit to an attachment base. |
| US07671532B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a thin organic electroluminescent device capable of preventing permeation of oxygen or moisture. The organic electroluminescent device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels and a planarization layer. The substrate has grooves formed at the periphery of an active area. The pixels are formed in the active area. The planarization layer covers the pixels on the substrate. The passivation layer covers the planarization layer and the grooves. Since the organic electroluminescent device includes the grooves or path extending sections, oxygen (O2), water (H2O), etc. are not permeated into the inside of a passivation layer. |
| US07671528B2 |
Display apparatus with circularly polarizing member and a resonator assembly for attenuating external light
A display apparatus includes a substrate; a plurality of pixels arranged above the substrate, each including a plurality of sub-pixels emitting light of different colors; a circularly polarizing member disposed above the pixels, the transmittance of light of a selected color through the circularly polarizing member being higher than that of light of the other colors therethrough; and a light-absorbing member disposed only above the sub-pixels, emitting light of the non-selected colors. The light-absorbing member absorbs light of the selected color. |
| US07671523B2 |
Material for electrodes of low temperature plasma generators
Material for electrodes of low temperature plasma generators. The material contains a porous metal matrix impregnated with a material emitting electrons. The material uses a mixture of copper and iron powders as a porous metal matrix and a Group IIIB metal component such as Y2O3 is used as a material emitting electrons at, for example, the proportion of the components, mass %: iron:3-30; Y2O3:0.05-1; copper: the remainder. Copper provides a high level of heat conduction and electric conductance, iron decreases intensity of copper evaporation in the process of plasma creation providing increased strength and lifetime, Y2O3 provides decreasing of electronic work function and stability of arc burning. The material can be used for producing the electrodes of low temperature AC plasma generators used for destruction of liquid organic wastes, medical wastes, municipal wastes as well as for decontamination of low level radioactive waste, the destruction of chemical weapons, warfare toxic agents, etc. |
| US07671522B2 |
Large-area shower electron beam irradiator with field emitters as an electron source
An electron beam irradiator capable of performing electron beam irradiation in a wide area at a high current density with a field emitter tip. The electron beam irradiator comprises: a vacuum chamber having a beam irradiation window formed longitudinally in an outer periphery of the vacuum chamber; a cathode placed centrally and longitudinally inside the vacuum chamber, and having a field emitter tip formed on the cathode, corresponding to the beam irradiation window; and a high voltage supply placed at one end of the vacuum chamber, and adapted to apply high voltage toward the cathode. The electron beam irradiation can be made in a wide area without using an electromagnet as well as in a high current density without using a heater such as a filament or an additional power supply, thereby to ensure a simplified structure as well as a reduced size. |
| US07671512B2 |
Impact drive actuator
An impact drive actuator comprises a vibrating base plate configured to be slightly displaced in a reciprocating manner by a vibrator in first and second directions, a first slider disposed on the vibrating base plate, a first electrode formed on the vibrating base plate, a second electrode so formed on the first slider as to face the first electrode through an insulation film, and a potential difference generator configured to generate a potential difference between the first and second electrodes to allow a first electrostatic attractive force to act between the vibrating base plate and first slider. When the vibrator reciprocates the vibrating base plate, the time needed to displace the vibrating base plate in the first direction is different from that in the second direction. The first slider is displaced relative to the vibrating base plate in the direction where the time needed for displacement is larger. |
| US07671511B2 |
System for oscillating a micromechanical cantilever
This invention relates to a system for exciting oscillations of micromechanical cantilever sensors and for measuring and evaluating the corresponding oscillations. Such sensors can e.g. be used to detect chemical substances, biomolecules, microorganisms or viruses, or to analyze surface-related phenomena and processes such as conformational changes or phase transitions in thin layers, or to measure physical properties of their surrounding, such as viscoelastic properties of liquids. In the so-called dynamic operation mode, cantilever oscillations are excited and the frequency shift of the ground frequency and/or of one or some higher harmonics, occurring because of a process taking place at the cantilever surface, are measured. In the so-called static mode, the deflection of the cantilever is determined. The setup described in this invention allows measurements in gases as well as liquids. It is characterized by an efficient transfer of the oscillation from a piezoelectric driver element to the cantilever over a wide frequency range. This is achieved through a sophisticated combination of a solid support structure, oscillation driver and insulators. |
| US07671506B2 |
Brush apparatus
A brush apparatus includes a brush and a brush holder. The brush includes a pigtail embedded in a wider side thereof so that the longitudinal side in cross-section of the pigtail extends in parallel with a surface of the brush coming into contact with a commutator. The brush holder includes a brush holding member, a brush spring for pressing the brush against the commutator for sliding contact, a base for holding the brush holding member and electrically connecting the same to an earth circuit, and a connection lug on the base. The brush holding member is formed with a notch on a wider side from an upper end thereof for allowing a downward movement of the pigtail when the brush wears and hence is pressed downward. A distal end of the pigtail is connected to the connection lug. |
| US07671501B2 |
Electrical machine with torque limitation
An electrical machine with torque limitation which is only slightly larger structurally than an identical machine without torque limitation and is thus as compact as possible has a stator with windings and a rotor supported movably relative to the stator, recesses distributed over the circumference and extending axially are present on the rotor surface, and a driver, located coaxially relative to the rotor and extending axially, is located in the air gap between the rotor and the stator, and exciter magnets on the upper driver face toward the stator and driver magnets on the inner driver face toward the rotor are located in such a way that upon rotation of the driver, the rotor is likewise capable of being set into rotation as a result of the rotary field generated by the windings and by the driver magnets. |
| US07671498B2 |
Fan motor and stator thereof
A fan comprises a stator base, a rotor, at least one blade, an upper magnetic pole plate, a lower magnetic pole plate, a coil and a sidewall. The stator base comprises a stator base having a seat and a tubular portion protruding from the seat and having an axial hole. The seat and the tubular portion are formed as a monolithic piece to be a magnetic conductor. The rotor enclosing the tubular portion comprises a shaft disposed in the axial hole. The blades are circumferentially disposed at a periphery of the rotor. The upper magnetic pole plate is disposed near a top of the tubular portion and the lower magnetic pole plate is disposed near a bottom of the tubular portion. The coil is disposed between the upper and lower magnetic pole plates. The sidewall is circumferentially disposed at a periphery of the stator base. |
| US07671497B2 |
Hobby servo adapter
Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable splined output shaft and a rotational enhancement mechanism that is rotatably engaged to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The rotational enhancement mechanism has an auxiliary shaft that is in-line with the hobby servo motor output shaft. Embodiments also include a support panel that is rigidly connected to the hobby servo motor and displaced from the hobby servo motor. The support panel has an aperture that receives and supports the auxiliary shaft. |
| US07671496B2 |
Direct drive
A direct drive without bearings for coupling to a shaft has a housing having a first end face composed of a connection flange with a central recess and a second end face composed of a removable cover diametrically opposed to the connecting flange, a rotor and a stator located coaxially with each other inside the housing, with the stator being fixedly connected with the housing, and locking elements via which the rotor is fixed inside the housing in position in a radial direction, and/or axial direction. |
| US07671495B2 |
Armature and motor
In an armature of a motor, each of windings is wound around at least two of a plurality of tooth portions of a core to form at least two wound parts of the winding. A crossover of each winding, which connects between corresponding two of the at least two wound parts, is placed on one axial side of a ring portion of the core. A crossover relief space is axially recessed in an end surface of the ring portion on the one axial side. At least a portion of each crossover is received in the crossover relief space. Guides project on the other axial side of the core and guide winding terminal portions of the windings. |
| US07671493B2 |
Vibration assembly, input device using the vibration assembly, and electronic equipment using the input device
A vibration assembly includes a container, a vibration member containing a hollow portion with a bottom, at least two support members, a magnetic body, a coil having a spool axis, and a diaphragm that is attached to the container. Each of the support members has a flat and corrugated configuration. An end of the one of the support members is bonded to a portion of an edge portion of the hollow portion of the vibration member. The other end of the one of the support members is fixed to a portion of an upper edge of the container. An end of the other support member is bonded to the other portion of the edge portion of the hollow portion of the vibration member. The other end of the other support member is fixed to the other portion of the upper edge of the container. |
| US07671489B1 |
Method and apparatus for selectively maintaining circuit power when higher voltages are present
A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a specified voltage source and automatically switching off a second voltage source regardless of voltage source potential of the two voltage sources are disclosed. The present invention uses pinch-off of a JFET, controlled by an inverter, to control a backup power supply based on the availability of the main supply. |
| US07671485B2 |
Storage system
In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs 33 are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard 28. The HDD packs 33 each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD 107, 181, 185 or 187 with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter 109 to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs 33 have a data transfer interface conversion circuit 195 as well. |
| US07671481B2 |
Methods and systems for generating electrical power
A power generation system including a wind turbine generator for generating electrical power, an alternate power source, and a processor programmed to control operation of the alternate power source to control a power output of the alternate power source at least partially based on at least one of a wind parameter, a wind forecast, a wind turbine condition sensor, and a power output of the electrical generator. |
| US07671475B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory having a word line bent towards a select gate line side
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a cell unit having a select gate transistor and a memory cell connected in series, a select gate line connected to the select gate transistor, and a word line connected to the memory cell. One end of the word line is bent to the select gate line side, and a fringe is connected between a bent point and a distal end of the word line. |
| US07671473B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
There is provided a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same that employs an insulation film of a borazine-based compound to provided enhanced contact between a material for insulation and that for interconnection, increased mechanical strength, and other improved characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a first insulation layer having a recess with a first conductor layer buried therein, an etching stopper layer formed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer formed on the etching stopper layer, a third insulation layer formed on the second insulation layer, and a second conductor layer buried in a recess of the second and third insulation layers. The second and third insulation layers are grown by chemical vapor deposition with a carbon-containing borazine compound used as a source material and the third insulation layer is smaller in carbon content than the second insulation layer. |
| US07671472B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method for the same
A semiconductor device includes a first interlayer insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate; a second interlayer insulating film formed on the first interlayer film and including a plurality of grooves; a first barrier metal formed on inner surfaces of the grooves; a first interconnect part and a first bonding electrode part including a copper film formed on the first barrier metal; a second barrier metal formed on the first interconnect part and the first bonding electrode part; a second interconnect part including a metal film formed on the first interconnect part via the second barrier metal; a second bonding electrode part including a metal film formed on the first bonding electrode part via the second barrier metal; and a third interlayer insulating film formed on the second interlayer insulating film, the second interconnect part, and the second bonding electrode part, and including an opening that allows exposure of the surface of the second bonding electrode part. |
| US07671471B2 |
Method for making a semiconductor device having a high-k dielectric layer and a metal gate electrode
A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate, then forming a trench within the first dielectric layer. After forming a second dielectric layer on the substrate, a first metal layer is formed within the trench on a first part of the second dielectric layer. A second metal layer is then formed on the first metal layer and on a second part of the second dielectric layer. |
| US07671467B2 |
Power semiconductor module
A power semiconductor module having an integral circuit board with a metal substrate electrode, an insulation substrate and a heat sink joined is disclosed. A SiC semiconductor power device is joined to a top of the metal substrate electrode of the circuit board. A difference in average coefficients of thermal expansion between constituent materials of the circuit board in a temperature range from room to joining time temperatures is 2.0 ppm/° C. or less, and a difference in expansion, produced by a difference between a lowest operating temperature and a joining temperature, of the circuit-board constituent materials is 2,000 ppm or less. |
| US07671466B2 |
Semiconductor package having heat dissipating device with cooling fluid
A semiconductor package with a heat dissipating device and a fabrication method of the semiconductor package are provided. A chip is mounted on a substrate. The heat dissipating device is mounted on the chip, and includes an accommodating room, and a first opening and a second opening that communicate with the accommodating room. An encapsulant is formed between the heat dissipating device and the substrate to encapsulate the chip. A cutting process is performed to remove a non-electrical part of structure and expose the first and second openings from the encapsulant. A cooling fluid is received in the accommodating room to absorb and dissipate heat produced by the chip. The heat dissipating device covers the encapsulant and the chip to provide a maximum heat transfer area for the semiconductor package. |
| US07671464B2 |
Lighting device having a lighting unit with an optical semiconductor bare chip mounted on printed wiring board
A wiring board used for mounting an LED bare chip capable of firmly bonding the LED bare chip and improving yield. In a printed wiring board 2, a distance D between wiring patterns 81 and 85 disposed so as to oppose each other is the smallest at a position nearest to a center point (G) of an LED chip 14 disposed at a designed location, and increases with an increasing distance from the point G. In addition, pattern edges 83 and 87 of the wiring patterns 81 and 85 recede in the direction of widening the distance D as a distance from the center point G increases with respect to electrode edges 148 and 149 of the LED chip 14. |
| US07671462B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device, having a first semiconductor region, and a second semiconductor region; mounted with a first electrode pad on a semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, mounted in the second semiconductor region, and a multilayer substrate having first and second wiring layers, to take out an electrode of the semiconductor chip; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, mounted on the multilayer substrate, in a region opposing to the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region, and the first electrode pad, by a conductive material; joining the first wiring layer part for the first electrode, and the second wiring layer at a conductive part; and extending the second wiring layer to the outside of a region opposing the semiconductor substrate main surface at the inside surrounded by the third semiconductor region. |
| US07671461B2 |
Method and system for hermetically sealing packages for optics
A system for hermetically sealing devices. The system includes a substrate, which includes a plurality of individual chips. Each of the chips includes a plurality of devices and each of the chips are arranged in a spatial manner as a first array. The system also includes a transparent member of a predetermined thickness, which includes a plurality of recessed regions arranged in a spatial manner as a second array and each of the recessed regions are bordered by a standoff region. The substrate and the transparent member are aligned in a manner to couple each of the plurality of recessed regions to a respective one of said plurality of chips. Each of the chips within one of the respective recessed regions is hermetically sealed by contacting the standoff region of the transparent member to the plurality of first street regions and second street regions using at least a bonding process to isolate each of the chips within one of the recessed regions. |
| US07671460B2 |
Buried via technology for three dimensional integrated circuits
A three dimensional integrated circuit and method for making the same. The three dimensional integrated circuit has a first and a second active circuit layers with a first metal layer and a second metal layer, respectively. The metal layers are connected by metal inside a buried via. The fabrication method includes etching a via in the first active circuit layer to expose the first metal layer without penetrating the first metal layer, depositing metal inside the via, the metal inside the via being in contact with the first metal layer, and bonding the second active circuit layer to the first active circuit layer using a metal bond that connects the metal inside the via to the second metal layer of the second active circuit layer. |
| US07671457B1 |
Semiconductor package including top-surface terminals for mounting another semiconductor package
A semiconductor package including top-surface terminals for mounting another semiconductor package provides a three-dimensional circuit configuration that can provide removable connection of existing grid-array packages having a standard design. A semiconductor die is mounted on an electrically connected to a circuit substrate having terminals disposed on a bottom side for connection to an external system. The die and substrate are encapsulated and vias are laser-ablated or otherwise formed through the encapsulation to terminals on the top surface of the substrate that provide a grid array mounting lands to which another grid array semiconductor package may be mounted. The bottom side of the vias may terminate and electrically connect to terminals on the substrate, terminals on the bottom of the semiconductor package (through terminals) or terminals on the top of the semiconductor die. The vias may be plated, paste-filled, filled with a low melting point alloy and may have a conical profile for improved plating performance. |
| US07671453B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A semiconductor device in which chips are resin-molded, including: frames having front and back surfaces and die pads; power chips mounted on the surfaces of the die pads; an insulation resin sheet having a first and a second surfaces which are opposed against each other, the resin sheet being disposed such that the back surfaces of the die pads contact the first surface of the resin sheet; and a mold resin applied on the first surface of the resin sheet so as to seal up the power chips. The thermal conductivity of the resin sheet is larger than that of the mold resin. |
| US07671452B1 |
Microarray package with plated contact pedestals
A microarray package includes a leadframe having an array of contact posts, a die carried by the lead frame, and a plurality of bonding wires that electrically connect the die to the lead frame. An encapsulant is included that encapsulates the die, the bonding wire and the leadframe while leaving the distal ends of the contact posts exposed and substantially co-planar with a bottom surface of the microarray package. A plurality of pedestal members is plated to the distal end of a respective contact pad. A distal surface of each pedestal member protrudes outwardly beyond the bottom surface of the microarray package in the range of about 15 μm to about 35 μm. |
| US07671446B2 |
Semiconductor capacitor and manufacturing method
A capacitor can prevent a problem of step coverage in semiconductor device, caused by a thickness of an insulator film and an upper metal film included a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, between the MIM capacitor region and its circumferential region. A capacitor in a semiconductor device includes a first metal film provided with a recess having a predetermined depth over a semiconductor substrate. An insulator film and a second metal film may be formed in the recess with a thickness corresponding to a depth of the recess. The insulator and second metal films are disconnected from an inner lateral side of the recess. A dielectric film including a plurality of plugs is in contact with the first and second metal films and the insulator film. A plurality of metal electrodes is in contact with the plugs over the dielectric film. |
| US07671443B2 |
Integrated circuit fuse structures including spatter shields within opening of an insulating layer and spaced apart from a sidewall of the opening
At least one fuse pattern extending in a first direction is formed on a fuse region of a substrate. A preliminary first insulating pattern is formed on the fuse region to cover the fuse pattern. A conductive layer is formed on the preliminary first insulating pattern. The conductive layer and the preliminary first insulating pattern are etched to form at least one fence extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Related fuse structures are also disclosed. |
| US07671439B2 |
Junction barrier Schottky (JBS) with floating islands
A Schottky diode includes a Schottky barrier and a plurality of dopant regions disposed near the Schottky barrier as floating islands to function as PN junctions for preventing a leakage current generated from a reverse voltage. At least a trench opened in a semiconductor substrate with a Schottky barrier material disposed therein constitutes the Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier material may also be disposed on sidewalls of the trench for constituting the Schottky barrier. The trench may be filled with the Schottky barrier material composed of Ti/TiN or a tungsten metal disposed therein for constituting the Schottky barrier. The trench is opened in a N-type semiconductor substrate and the dopant regions includes P-doped regions disposed under the trench constitute the floating islands. The P-doped floating islands may be formed as vertical arrays under the bottom of the trench. |
| US07671437B2 |
Photogate stack with nitride insulating cap over conductive layer
A photogate structure having increased quantum efficiency, especially for low wavelength light such as blue light. The photogate is formed of a thin conductive layer, such as a layer of doped polysilicon. A nitride insulating cap is formed over the conductive layer. The nitride layer reduces the reflections at the conductor/insulator interface. A pixel cell incorporating the photogate structure also has a buried accumulation region beneath the photogate. A method of fabricating the photogate structure is also disclosed. |
| US07671434B2 |
Electronic component, laser device, optical writing device and image forming apparatus
An electronic component includes: a base a seal body fixed to the base, constituting a hermetically sealed space together with the base; and an electronic component main body attached to a metal substrate via an adhesive containing silver within the hermetically sealed space. The base has a nickel plated layer, substantially not containing phosphor, on the seal body side. |
| US07671432B2 |
Dynamic quantity sensor
A dynamic quantity sensor includes a sensor chip having a movable portion at one surface side thereof and a silicon layer at another surface side thereof. The movable portion is displaced under application of a dynamic quantity. The silicon layer is separated from the movable portion through an insulator. The dynamic quantity sensor also includes a circuit chip for transmitting/receiving electrical signals to/from the sensor chip. The circuit chip is disposed to confront the one surface of the sensor chip through a gap portion and cover the movable portion. The sensor chip and the circuit chip are bonded to each other around the gap portion so that a bonding portion is formed to substantially surround the gap portion and thereby seal the gap portion. |
| US07671431B1 |
Cloverleaf microgyroscope with through-wafer interconnects and method of manufacturing a cloverleaf microgyroscope with through-wafer interconnects
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cloverleaf microgyroscope containing an integrated post comprising: attaching a post wafer to a resonator wafer, forming a bottom post from the post wafer being attached to the resonator wafer, preparing a base wafer with through-wafer interconnects, attaching the resonator wafer to the base wafer, wherein the bottom post fits into a post hole in the base wafer, forming a top post from the resonator wafer, wherein the bottom and top post are formed symmetrically around the same axis, and attaching a cap wafer on top of the base wafer. |
| US07671429B2 |
Micro-mechanical device comprising suspended element which is connected to a support by means of a pier and producing method thereof
A cavity is etched in a substrate and opens out onto the surface of the substrate facing the suspended element (1). The cavity has at least one broader zone having a cross-section which is greater than the cross-section of the cavity at said surface. A base (4) of the pillar (2), of complementary shape to the cavity, is buried in the cavity. The base (4) of the pillar (2) can form a dovetail assembly with the cavity of the substrate. This assembly is obtained by deposition, on a surface of the substrate, of a sacrificial layer and etching, in the sacrificial layer, of a hole passing through the sacrificial layer and reaching the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then etched, in the extension of the hole, so as to form the cavity of the substrate. Then a material designed to form the pillar (2) is deposited in the cavity and on the walls of the hole. |
| US07671428B2 |
Methods for depositing, releasing and packaging micro-electromechanical devices on wafer substrates
A method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed, where a final release step is performed just prior to a wafer bonding step to protect the MEMS device from contamination, physical contact, or other deleterious external events. Without additional changes to the MEMS structure between release and wafer bonding and singulation, except for an optional stiction treatment, the MEMS device is best protected and overall process flow is improved. The method is applicable to the production of any MEMS device and is particularly beneficial in the making of fragile micromirrors. |
| US07671427B2 |
Method of manufacturing film bulk acoustic resonator using internal stress of metallic film and resonator manufactured thereby
A method of manufacturing a film bulk acoustic resonator and the resonator manufactured thereby. The method includes the laminating a sacrificial layer on a semiconductor substrate, removing a predetermined area from the sacrificial layer to realize electric contact between a signal line of the semiconductor substrate and a lower electrode, forming the lower electrode by depositing metal film for lower electrode on the sacrificial layer, by patterning based on a shape of the sacrificial layer, forming a piezoelectric layer by depositing a piezoelectric material on the lower electrode and by patterning based on a shape of the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode by depositing metal film on the piezoelectric layer and by patterning based on a shape of the piezoelectric layer, wherein at least one of a deposition pressure and a deposition power is controlled to generate upward stress when depositing the metal film for the lower electrode. |
| US07671425B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor device, pining regions 105 are disposed along the junction portion of a drain region 102 and a channel forming region 106 locally in a channel width direction. With this structure, because the spread of a depletion layer from a drain side is restrained by the pining regions 105, a short-channel effect can be restrained effectively. Also, because a passage through which carriers move is ensured, high mobility can be maintained. |
| US07671424B2 |
Power MOSFET, semiconductor device including the power MOSFET, and method for making the power MOSFET
A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor includes a semiconductor substrate; a well region containing an impurity of a first conductivity type disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the well region including a source region and a drain region formed by adding an impurity of a second conductivity type, the source region and the drain region being separated from each other by a predetermined gap; an insulating film disposed on the surface of the well region in the gap between the source region and the drain region; and a gate electrode disposed on the insulating film. The well region is composed of an epitaxial layer, and the epitaxial layer includes an impurity layer of the first conductivity type having a different impurity concentration. |
| US07671418B2 |
Double layer stress for multiple gate transistors
Multiple gate transistors are provided with a dual stress layer for increased channel mobility and enhanced effective and saturated drive currents. Embodiments include transistors comprising a first stress layer under the bottom gate and a second stress layer overlying the top gate. Embodiments further include transistors with the bottom gate within or through the first stress layer. Methodology includes sequentially depositing stressed silicon nitride, nitride, oxide, amorphous silicon, and oxide layers on a substrate having a bottom oxide layer thereon, patterning to define a channel length, depositing a top nitride layer, patterning stopping on the stressed silicon nitride layer, removing the amorphous silicon layer, epitaxially growing silicon through a window in the substrate to form source, drain, and channel regions, doping, removing the deposited nitride and oxide layers, growing gate oxides, depositing polysilicon to form gates, growing isolation oxides, and depositing the top stress layer. |
| US07671417B2 |
Memory cell array, method of producing the same, and semiconductor memory device using the same
A memory cell array includes isolated semiconductor regions formed on a supporting insulating substrate, memory cells formed in the respective semiconductor regions, and insulating regions formed so as to insulate the memory cells. Each memory cell formed in a semiconductor region includes a source region, a drain region, a front gate region formed on a gate insulating film formed on one of side surfaces of the semiconductor region such that the source region and the drain region are separated from each other by the front gate region, and a back gate region formed on a gate insulating film formed on an opposite side surface of the semiconductor region such that the source region and the drain region are separated from each other by the back gate region. Each memory cell shares the back gate region with a memory cell adjacent in a row direction. |
| US07671407B2 |
Embedded trap direct tunnel non-volatile memory
The cell comprises a substrate having a drain region and a source region. An oxynitride layer is formed over the substrate. An embedded trap layer is formed over the oxynitride layer. An injector layer is formed over the embedded trap layer. A high dielectric constant layer is formed over the injector layer. A polysilicon control gate formed over the high dielectric constant layer. The cell can be formed in a planar architecture or a two element, split channel, three-dimensional device. The planar cell is formed with the high dielectric constant layer and the control gate being formed over and substantially around three sides of the embedded trap layer. The split channel device has a source line in the substrate under each trench and a bit line on either side of the trench. |
| US07671405B2 |
Deep bitline implant to avoid program disturb
A method of forming at least a portion of a dual bit memory core array upon a semiconductor substrate, the method comprising performing front end processing, performing a first bitline implant, or pocket implants, or both into the first bitline spacings to establish buried first bitlines within the substrate, depositing a layer of the spacer material over the charge trapping dielectric and the polysilicon layer features, forming a sidewall spacer adjacent to the charge trapping dielectric and the polysilicon layer features to define second bitline spacings between adjacent memory cells, performing a deep arsenic implant into the second bitline spacings to establish a second bitline within the structure that is deeper than the first bit line, removing the sidewall spacers and performing back end processing. |
| US07671404B2 |
Fabrication method and structure of semiconductor non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device with good write/erase characteristics is provided. A selection gate is formed on a p-type well of a semiconductor substrate via a gate insulator, and a memory gate is formed on the p-type well via a laminated film composed of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon oxide film. The memory gate is adjacent to the selection gate via the laminated film. In the regions on both sides of the selection gate and the memory gate in the p-type well, n-type impurity diffusion layers serving as the source and drain are formed. The region controlled by the selection gate and the region controlled by the memory gate located in the channel region between said impurity diffusion layers have the different charge densities of the impurity from each other. |
| US07671400B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including double spacers on sidewall of flating gate, electronic device including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a device isolation layer formed in a semiconductor substrate to define a plurality of active regions. Floating gates are disposed on the active regions. A control gate line overlaps top surfaces of the floating gates and crosses over the active regions. The control gate line has an extending portion disposed in a gap between adjacent floating gates and overlapping sidewalls of the adjacent floating gates. First spacers are disposed on the sidewalls of the adjacent floating gates. Each of the first spacers extends along a sidewall of the active region and along a sidewall of the device isolation layer. Second spacers are disposed between outer sidewalls of the first spacers and the extending portion and are disposed above the device isolation layer. An electronic device including a semiconductor memory device and a method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device are also disclosed. |
| US07671399B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device in which product cost is reduced includes a memory cell section (cells belonging to word lines) and a bypass section (cells belonging to bypass word lines). The memory cell section has a select gate, floating gates, a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region and a first control gate. The bypass section has the first select gate, the first diffusion region, the second diffusion region and a second control gate. The second control gate controls a channel in an area between the select gate and the first diffusion region or between the select gate and the second diffusion region. The channel of the bypass section becomes a current supply path when a cell of the memory cell section is read out. |
| US07671398B2 |
Nano memory, light, energy, antenna and strand-based systems and methods
An apparatus includes a plurality of wash durable clothing strands; an array of nano electronic elements fabricated in the strands; and an array of memory elements coupled to the nano electronic elements. The nano electronic elements can include solar cells, display elements, or antennas, among others. |
| US07671397B2 |
Switching element
There is disclosed a switching element including a first input/output electrode, a movable portion which repeats contact/non-contact with respect to the first input/output electrode, a second input/output electrode connected with the movable portion, a floating gate electrode which is coupled with the movable portion through an insulating layer and in which electric charge is stored, and a first gate electrode which generates an electrostatic force between itself and the floating gate electrode to control an operation of the movable portion. |
| US07671389B2 |
SRAM devices having buried layer patterns
An SRAM device includes a substrate having at least one cell active region in a cell array region and a plurality of peripheral active regions in a peripheral circuit region, a plurality of stacked cell gate patterns in the cell array region, and a plurality of peripheral gate patterns disposed on the peripheral active regions in the peripheral circuit region. Metal silicide layers are disposed on at least one portion of the peripheral gate patterns and on the semiconductor substrate near the peripheral gate patterns, and buried layer patterns are disposed on the peripheral gate patterns and on at least a portion of the metal silicide layers and the portions of the semiconductor substrate near the peripheral gate patterns. An etch stop layer and a protective interlayer-insulating layer are disposed around the peripheral gate patterns and on the cell array region. Methods of forming an SRAM device are also disclosed. |
| US07671386B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, signal charge detection device, and camera
The solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes: a floating diffusion capacity unit which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and is operable to hold signal charges derived from incident light; an amplifier which is operable to convert the signal charges held in the floating diffusion capacity unit into a voltage; the first wire which connects the floating diffusion capacity unit to an input of the amplifier; and a second wire which is made of the same material as the first wire, formed in the same layer as the first wire, arranged around the first wire at least along long sides of the first wire, and electrically insulated from the first wire. |
| US07671385B2 |
Image sensor and fabrication method thereof
An image sensor contains a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of pixels defined on the semiconductor substrate, a photo conductive layer and a transparent conductive layer formed on the pixel electrodes of the pixels in order, and a shield device positioned between any two adjacent pixel electrodes. The shield device has a shield electrode and an isolation structure surrounding the shield electrode so that the shield electrode is isolated from the pixel electrodes and the photo conductive layer by the isolation structure. |
| US07671384B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device having improved punch-through resistance and production method thereof, semiconductor integrated circuit device including a low-voltage transistor and a high-voltage transistor
An integrated circuit device comprises a memory cell well formed with a flash memory device, first and second well of opposite conductivity types for formation of high voltage transistors, and third and fourth wells of opposite conductivity types for low voltage transistors, wherein at least one of the first and second wells and at least one of the third and fourth wells have an impurity distribution profile steeper than the memory cell well. |
| US07671379B2 |
Semiconductor system for voltage limitation
A semiconductor system for voltage limitation includes a first cover electrode, a highly p-doped semiconductor layer that is connected to the first cover electrode, a slightly n-doped semiconductor layer that is connected to the highly p-doped semiconductor layer and a second cover electrode. At least one p-doped semiconductor layer and two highly n-doped semiconductor layers are provided next to one another in an alternating sequence between the slightly n-doped semiconductor layer and the second cover electrode. |
| US07671377B2 |
Silicon based light emitting diode
Provided is a highly efficient silicon-based light emitting diode (LED) including a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR), an n-type doping layer, and a p-type substrate structure. The silicon-based LED includes: a substrate having a p-type mesa substrate structure; an active layer that is formed on the substrate and has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first reflective layer facing the first surface of the active layer; a second reflective layer that is located on either side of the p-type substrate structure and faces the second surface of the active layer; an n-type doping layer sandwiched between the active layer and the first reflective layer; a first electrode electrically connected to the n-type doping layer; and a second electrode electrically connected to the p-type substrate structure. |
| US07671376B2 |
Light emitting apparatus, method of manufacturing light emitting apparatus, and electronic apparatus
A light emitting apparatus includes first and second unit devices, each including a reflecting layer, a semi-transmitting semi-reflecting layer, a first light emitting layer disposed between the light reflecting layer and the semi-reflecting layer, and a resonator structure. Each resonator structure includes a light transmitting pixel electrode disposed between the corresponding light reflecting layer and semi-reflecting layer. The pixel electrode of the first unit device has more electrode layers than the pixel electrode of the second unit device. |
| US07671374B2 |
LED chip package structure with a plurality of thick guiding pins and a method for manufacturing the same
An LED chip package structure with thick guiding pin includes a plurality of conductive pins separated from each other, an insulative casing, a plurality of LED chips, and a packaging colloid. The insulative casing covers a bottom side of each conductive pin to form an injection concave groove for exposing a top surface of each conductive pin. Two lateral sides of each conductive pin are extended outward from the insulative casing. The LED chips are arranged in the injection concave groove, and each LED chip has a positive electrode side and a negative electrode side respectively and electrically connected with different conductive pins. In addition, the packaging colloid is filled into the injection concave groove for covering the LED chips. |
| US07671372B2 |
Digital signal transfer device
A digital signal transfer device generates from a modulating section (100) a modulated signal responsive to a digital input signal and transfers this to a demodulating section (200) through a pulse transformer (6). The demodulating section (200) generates from the modulated signal an output signal in which the digital input signal waveform is restored. |
| US07671370B2 |
Display device and fabrication method thereof
Improvement in characteristics of a SELAX-TFT and throughput of ELA crystallization is achieved. When a thin film transistor using pseudo single crystal semiconductor and a thin film transistor using particulate polysilicon semiconductor are formed on a single substrate, the film thickness of an amorphous semiconductor film before crystallization in the pseudo single crystal semiconductor portion is greater than that in the polysilicon semiconductor portion. |
| US07671369B2 |
Semiconductor display device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor display device having an interlayer insulating film which can obtain planarity of a surface while controlling film formation time, can control treatment time of heating treatment with an object of removing moisture, and can prevent moisture in the interlayer insulating film from being discharged to a film or an electrode adjacent to the interlayer insulating film. An inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover a TFT. Next, an organic resin film containing photosensitive acrylic resin is applied to the organic insulting film, and the organic resin film is partially exposed to light to be opened. Thereafter, an inorganic insulting film containing nitrogen, which is less likely to transmit moisture compared with an organic resin, is formed so as to cover the opened organic resin film. Then, in the opening part of the organic resin film, a gate insulating film and the two layer inorganic insulating film containing nitrogen are opened partially by etching to expose an active layer of the TFT. |
| US07671368B2 |
Capacitor and light emitting display using the same
A capacitor including a polysilicon layer doped with impurities to be conductive, a first dielectric layer formed on the polysilicon layer, a first conductive layer formed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer formed on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer formed on the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer is coupled to the polysilicon layer. |
| US07671367B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof
A liquid crystal display device and a fabricating method thereof for simplifying a process and improving an aperture ratio are disclosed, including forming a first mask pattern group including a gate line, a gate electrode and a common line; forming a second mask pattern group including a semiconductor pattern and a source/drain pattern having a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode overlapped thereon on the gate insulating film using a second mask; and forming a third mask pattern group including and a pixel electrode making an interface with the protective film in the pixel hole to be connected to the drain electrode, thereby forming a horizontal electric field with the common electrode, using a third mask. |
| US07671366B2 |
Thin film transistor and organic light emitting device including thin film transistor
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor. The thin film transistor includes a semiconductor having first, second, third, fourth, and fifth electrode regions arranged in a direction and spaced apart from each other and first, second, third, and fourth offset regions disposed between the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth electrode regions, respectively. An input electrode is connected to the third electrode region, an output electrode is connected to the first and fifth electrode regions, an insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor, and a control electrode is disposed on the insulating layer and the second and fourth electrode regions. |
| US07671365B2 |
Reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus and liquid crystal projector system
In order to suppress the effect due to electrons (holes) generated by incident light that cannot be prevented from entering only by means of light shielding, rather than the drain region 34 of a transistor, with respect to a majority carrier, a region 36 whose voltage is set to a value lower than the reference value of product of the voltage of a drain region and Q (unit electric charge) is provided, or a potential barrier is provided around the drain region. In such a configuration, by controlling the voltage of the periphery of the drain region 34 connected to a reflection electrode 30 to be in a floating state, photo carriers generated in the semiconductor substrate are caused to be hardly guided in the drain region 34. |
| US07671364B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate for display unit
A thin film transistor (TFT) substrate comprises: a plastic insulation substrate; a first silicon nitride layer with a first refractive index, formed one surface of the plastic insulation substrate; and a TFT comprising a second silicon nitride layer formed with a second refractive index smaller than the first refractive index on the first silicon nitride layer. Thus, the present invention provides a TFT substrate wherein there is reduced a problem in that thin films are lifted from a plastic insulation substrate. |
| US07671359B2 |
Thin film transistor, a method for preparing the same and a flat panel display employing the same
Provided are a thin film transistor, a method for preparing the same and a flat panel display employing the same. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes insulated from the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer insulated from the gate electrode and electrically connected to the source and drain electrodes, an insulating layer, and a carrier blocking layer interposed between the semiconductor layer and the insulating layer and preventing electrons or holes moving through semiconductor layer from being trapped in the insulating layer. Since the thin film transistor is constructed such that the carrier blocking layer is interposed between the semiconductor layer and the insulating layer, the electrons or holes injected into the semiconductor layer can be prevented from being trapped in the insulating layer, thereby suppressing hysteresis characteristic. In addition, a reliable flat panel display device can be manufactured using the thin film transistor. |
| US07671356B2 |
Electrically rewritable non-volatile memory element and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile memory element comprising a bottom electrode 12, a top electrode 17 provided on the bottom electrode 12, and a recording layer 18 containing phase change material connected between the bottom electrode 12 and the top electrode 17. In accordance with this invention, the top electrode 17 is in contact with a growth initiation surface 18a of the recording layer 17. This structure can be obtained by forming the top electrode 17 before the recording layer 18, resulting in a three-dimensional structure. This decreases heat dissipation to the bit line without increasing the thickness of the recording layer 18. |
| US07671352B2 |
Film scanner and detection apparatus therefor
A detection apparatus for detecting perforation holes of a cinematographic film comprises at least one light source, at least one scanning sensor, which is arranged so as to receive light emitted by the light source after interaction with a perforation zone of the film, and an evaluation circuit for detecting, by means of an output signal of the scanning sensor, when an edge of a perforation hole passes through between light source and scanning sensor. The light source emits light which is polarized with a first polarization and the scanning sensor is sensitive selectively to light with a second polarization. |
| US07671351B2 |
Finger sensor using optical dispersion sensing and associated methods
An optical dispersion finger sensor includes an integrated circuit substrate, and an optical source for directing light into a user's finger when positioned adjacent the integrated circuit substrate. The light may propagate into and be dispersed by the user's finger so that at least a portion of the dispersed light exits the user's finger in a direction toward the integrated circuit substrate. The sensor may also include at least one optical dispersion sensing pixel on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing dispersed light from the user's finger. A processor may be connected to the optical dispersion sensing pixels for generating optical dispersion biometric data based upon dispersed light from the user's finger. |
| US07671348B2 |
Hydrocarbon getter for lithographic exposure tools
Carbon contamination of optical elements in an exposure tool is minimized by incorporating a hydrocarbon getter. Embodiments include EUV lithography tools provided with at least one hydrocarbon getter comprising a substrate and a high energy source, such as an electron gun or separate EUV source, positioned to direct an energy beam, having sufficient energy to crack heavy hydrocarbons and form carbon, on the substrate. Embodiments also include exposure tools equipped with a hydrocarbon getter comprising an energy source positioned to impinge a beam of energy on a quartz crystal thickness monitor, a residual gas analyzer, and a controller to control the electron-current and maintain the amount of hydrocarbons in the system at a predetermined low level. |
| US07671347B2 |
Cleaning method, apparatus and cleaning system
A method to clean optical elements of an apparatus, the apparatus being configured to project a beam of radiation onto a target portion of a substrate, the apparatus comprising a plurality of optical elements arranged in sequence in the path of the radiation beam, wherein the cleaning method comprises: cleaning one or more second optical elements of the sequence, which receive one or more relatively low second radiation doses during operation of the apparatus, utilizing cumulatively shorter cleaning periods than one or more first optical elements of the sequence that receive one or more first radiation doses during operation of the apparatus, a second radiation dose being lower than each relatively high first radiation dose. |
| US07671343B2 |
Method of mass analysis and mass spectrometer
Mass analysis method and mass spectrometer in which the S/N of mass spectra does not deteriorate due to accumulation if an ionization method, such as MALDI, producing spectral intensities that are not uniform in time is employed. Every given number of collected mass spectra are accumulated and stored to produce primary accumulation mass spectra. After the measurements, some of the stored primary accumulation spectra are selected according to a given rule based on a time trace of the intensities of the primary accumulation mass spectra. The selected spectra are accumulated to produce a secondary accumulation mass spectrum. |
| US07671342B2 |
Multi-layer detector and method for imaging
X-ray portal imaging detectors have multiple layers, such as multiple layers of phosphor screens and/or detectors. Some x-rays that pass through one layer are detected or converted into light energies in a different layer. For example, one phosphor screen is provided in front and another behind that panel detector circuitry. Light generated in each of the phosphor screens is detected by the same detector circuitry. As another example, multiple layers of phosphor screens and associated detector circuits are provided. Some x-rays passing through one layer may be detected in a different layer. High energy x-rays associated with Megavoltage sources as well as lower or higher energy x-rays may be detected. |
| US07671340B2 |
Adjustable-focal-length collimators method and system
Embodiments relate to an imaging system that includes a collimator assembly having one or more pinhole apertures therein. The imaging system is configured so that one or more of the pinhole apertures has an adjustable focal length. The imaging system further includes a detector assembly configured to generate one or more signals in response to gamma rays that pass through the one or more pinhole apertures. Embodiments also relate to methods of changing collimator performance and methods of imaging a volume. |
| US07671339B2 |
Positron emission tomography scanner and radiation detector
A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is provided which uses information on the time-of-flight difference (TOF) between annihilation radiations for image reconstruction. The scanner has detection time correction information (memory) corresponding to information on coordinates in a radiation detection element (e.g., scintillator crystal), in the depth and lateral directions, at which an interaction has occurred between an annihilation radiation and the crystal. Reference is made to the detection time correction information, thereby providing information on time-of-flight difference with improved accuracy. As such, an improved signal to noise ratio and spatial resolution are provided for image reconstruction using time-of-flight (TOF) difference. |
| US07671334B2 |
Viewing device for use with coded data on a surface
A viewing device is used with coded data on a surface. The device includes a sensor arrangement for sensing the coded data when the device is placed on the surface, and a processor in signal communication with the sensor arrangement. The processor is configured to decode the coded data. Also included is a transceiver for transmitting the decoded data to a computer system, and to subsequently receive a file pre-associated with the decoded data from the computer system. The device also includes a display configured to display the received file to a user. |
| US07671333B2 |
Apparatus for observing a sample with a particle beam and an optical microscope
An apparatus for observing a sample (1) with a TEM column and an optical high resolution scanning microscope (10). The sample position when observing the sample with the TEM column differs from the sample position when observing the sample with the optical microscope in that in the latter case the sample is tilted towards the light-optical microscope. By using an optical microscope of the scanning type, and preferably using monochromatic light, the lens elements (11) of the optical microscope facing the sample position can be sufficiently small to be positioned between the pole faces (8A, 8B) of the (magnetic) particle-optical objective lens (7). This is in contrast with the objective lens systems conventionally used in optical microscopes, which show a large diameter. Furthermore the optical microscope, or at least the parts (11) close to the sample, may be retractable so as to free space when imaging in TEM mode. |
| US07671331B2 |
Apparatus and methods for processing imaging data from multiple detectors
An imaging system comprises a plurality of imaging detectors acquiring imaging data indicative of a patient over a length of time. The plurality of imaging detectors are arranged proximate the patient and remain in a fixed position with respect to the patient. A processor receives the imaging data and divides the imaging data into sub-sets. The processor iteratively processes the sub-sets. |
| US07671329B2 |
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer
An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer comprises a control device 70 for collectively controlling each of the following factors: the amount of liquid drops in the aerosol that is to be supplied to a plasma torch 20, the flow rate of carrier gases 76A and 76B in this aerosol, the RF output of a high-frequency power source 80, and the distance Z between plasma torch 20 and sampling interface 15 and 16. |
| US07671326B2 |
Image inputting apparatus
Disclosed is an image inputting apparatus including: a base; a sensor main body coupled with the base so as to be able to move in a vertical direction on the base; a switch provided on either one of an upper surface side of the base or a lower surface side of the sensor main body; and a convex part provided on another one of the upper surface side of the base or the lower surface side of the sensor main body at a position facing to the switch. |
| US07671325B2 |
Biological Agent Signature Detector With an Optical Fiber Cladding Combined With a Bio-Indicator
A biological agent detector for detecting predetermined biological agents. The biological agent detector includes an optical fiber, a cladding that clads a length of the optical fiber and a bioindicator disposed within the cladding. The biological agent detector also includes a coherent light source that excites the optical fiber and a biological agent signature detector that detects the presence of a biological agent based upon a change in a resonance characteristic of the optical fiber caused by absorption of the predetermined biological agent into the cladding of the fiber. |
| US07671323B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and light detection method
A semiconductor apparatus includes an optical waveguide provided within a semiconductor region and above an insulating layer, and a plurality of photodetectors provided at the optical waveguide. The plurality of photodetectors includes insulated-gate field-effect transistors. The photodetectors capture data at different timings. |
| US07671313B2 |
Image sensor and control method of the image sensor
An image sensor has plural array blocks B1 to B20 arranged in a two dimensional (2D) arrangement. Each array block has a sub array and a corresponding analogue to digital (A/D) converter for performing an A/D conversion of light signals (or detection signals) output from the sub array. The sub array has plural picture element cells arranged in a 2D arrangement. Each A/D converter has a pulse delay circuit having delay units of plural stages connected in series. Each delay unit delays an input pulse by a delay time corresponding to a level of the light signals received from the sub array. A pulse delay type A/D converter is used as the A/D converter, which outputs the number of the delay units as an A/D conversion data item through which the input pulse passes for a measurement time period. |
| US07671312B2 |
Optical pickup system, optical system, and optical information recording medium
The present invention provides an optical pickup system including a first light source emitting a light flux with a first wavelength; a second light source emitting a light flux with a second wavelength; and a light-converging optical system converging the light flux with the first wavelength from the first light source with a first magnification onto a first reference surface set at a first depth, and converging the light flux with the second wavelength from the second light source with a second magnification onto a second reference surface set at a second depth. The first and second wavelengths, the first and second depths, and the first and second magnifications satisfy: a first condition according to an aberration and a second condition according to a working distance. |
| US07671307B2 |
Transversal field heating installation for inductively heating flat objects
A transversal field heating installation for inductively heating flat objects transported in an advancing direction includes at least one inductor unit that extends across the width of the flat object. The inductor unit has at least two superimposed inductor layers parallel to the plane of the flat object. These inductor layers can be independently displaced transversally in relation to the advancing direction of the flat object, and each have two inductor sections with two parallel interspaced base limbs extending transversally in relation to the advancing direction and one lateral limb. Each inductor layer has lateral limb per strip edge of the flat object. The inductor sections of an inductor layer can be independently displaced transversally in relation to the advancing direction of the flat object. |
| US07671306B1 |
Laser ablative synthesis of carbon nanotubes
An improved method for the production of single walled carbon nanotubes that utilizes an RF-induction heated side-pumped synthesis chamber for the production of such. Such a method, while capable of producing large volumes of carbon nanotubes, concurrently permits the use of a simplified apparatus that allows for greatly reduced heat up and cool down times and flexible flowpaths that can be readily modified for production efficiency optimization. The method of the present invention utilizes a free electron laser operating at high average and peak fluence to illuminate a rotating and translating graphite/catalyst target to obtain high yields of SWNTs without the use of a vacuum chamber. |
| US07671305B2 |
Systems for regulating voltage to an electrical resistance igniter
Systems and methods for energizing an electrical resistance igniter are disclosed. The systems and methods determine the line voltage into the system and control the voltage being applied to the electrical resistance igniters so a first voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being the operating voltage for the igniter. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time required to heat-up the electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters. |
| US07671303B2 |
Glass-ceramic plate and method for making same
The present invention relates to a glass-ceramic plate intended especially for covering heating elements and provided on at least one face with at least one enamel patch and/or at least one coat of paint, with the exception, where appropriate, of functional and/or decorative areas.The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing the plate and to the cooking appliance comprising said plate. |
| US07671295B2 |
Processing a memory link with a set of at least two laser pulses
A set (50) of laser pulses (52) is employed to sever a conductive link (22) in a memory or other IC chip. The duration of the set (50) is preferably shorter than 1,000 ns; and the pulse width of each laser pulse (52) within the set (50) is preferably within a range of about 0.1 ps to 30 ns. The set (50) can be treated as a single “pulse” by conventional laser positioning systems (62) to perform on-the-fly link removal without stopping whenever the laser system (60) fires a set (50) of laser pulses (52) at each link (22). Conventional IR wavelengths or their harmonics can be employed. |
| US07671287B2 |
Automatic timing control device case
An automatic timing control device case which is used for accommodating a timing control rotation shaft and a plurality of switches. A motor is disposed on the case for driving a gear set connected to the timing control rotation shaft to rotate, thereby controlling on or off of the switches through the timing control rotation shaft. The automatic timing control device case includes a body and a gear box. The body has an accommodation space for accommodating the timing control rotation shaft and the plurality of switches. The gear box is integrally formed in the body for accommodating the gear set. The gear box has at least one through-hole communicating the gear box and the accommodation space, such that the gear set is connected to and drives the timing control rotation shaft. |
| US07671286B2 |
Key with variable position capability
A device may include a key having a key head and an actuator configured to move and to change a position of the key head when the actuator moves, where the actuator is configured to change the position of the key head to a first key position, and when the key head is at the first key head position, the key, when at a depressed position, cannot provide a connection with respect to an electrical interface. |
| US07671281B2 |
Multilayer wiring circuit board
An inexpensive multilayer wiring circuit board capable of conducting high frequency switching operation on the circuit while the generation of high frequency noise is being suppressed by reducing the inductance of the circuit in provided. A multilayer wiring circuit board with an uppermost layer designated as a first layer on which parts are mounted; a second layer on which one of a ground layer and an electric power source layer is arranged; a third layer on which the other is arranged; and an insulating layer arranged between the ground layer and the electric power source layer. A resin layer having a thermoplastic adhesion property on both faces is used as material of the insulating layer arranged between the electric power source layer and the ground layer. |
| US07671280B1 |
Bird guard
The bird guard provides a device to protect electrical insulators comprising a central shaft; a clamp attached to an end of the shaft to secure the device to a transmission tower; a top and bottom cover to shield transmission tower insulators; and bearings to allow the guard to rotate in order to frighten birds away from the insulators. |
| US07671277B2 |
Fitting divider wall for a multi-channel metal raceway
The present invention is directed towards a multi-channel raceway system with a raceway and a fitting component. The raceway includes a base with a bottom and sidewalls that define a channel and a divider wall positioned within the channel. The fitting component includes a base with a bottom and sidewalls that define a channel and a plurality of sets of raised projections. The fitting component also includes a fitting divider wall positioned within the channel of the fitting component. The fitting divider wall includes at least one positioning tab along the bottom of the fitting divider wall for engaging the raised projections extending from the fitting base to secure the fitting divider wall to the fitting base. |
| US07671272B2 |
Hole transporting material and solid electrolyte and photovoltaic device using same
Disclosed herein is a material, and a solid electrolyte and a photovoltaic device using the same. When the material is used as a hole transporting layer material of the photovoltaic device, the reduction of an electrolytic layer resulting from leakage or volatilization of an electrolytic solution is prevented, thus the battery characteristics, long-term stability, and reliability of the photovoltaic device are improved. |
| US07671269B1 |
Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application
Methods and systems for graphical actuation of a velocity and directionally sensitive sound generation application are disclosed. An identifier of a graphical element or elements that are traversed is received wherein the graphical element or elements are located on a coded surface. In one embodiment, the traversal has a velocity and a direction. Moreover, the traversal can be performed with an optical pen on a graphical representation of a sound generation system. The velocity and the direction of the traversal are determined and an identifier of the velocity and the direction of the traversal is used to actuate a directionally sensitive sound generation application. |
| US07671257B1 |
Inbred corn line G07-NPDI4214
Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated G07-NPDI4214, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line G07-NPDI4214 with plants of another corn plant. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred G07-NPDI4214 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line G07-NPDI4214 and plants produced by said methods. |
| US07671251B2 |
In vivo assay for neurite outgrowth in zebrafish and its application in drug screening
A genetically modified zebrafish embryo, comprising a HBNF cDNA or a NGF cDNA or a GDNF cDNA together with a cDNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) so as to induce neurite outgrowth during said zebrafish embryonic development, and a method of using such genetically modified zebrafish embryo to identify a therapeutic agent are disclosed. |
| US07671249B2 |
Operation input device, telecontrol system and telecontrol method
In the operation input device of the prior art, the input of a position and the input of an attitude are mixed up and both the position and attitude may be changed by the result of the input of a change in attitude. Therefore, the intention of an operator cannot be reflected accurately.To solve the above problem, an operation input device of the present invention has a first movement detection unit for detecting the position and attitude of a first operation input unit and a second movement detection unit, connected to the first movement detection unit, for detecting the position and attitude of a second operation input unit to separate a part for inputting a position from a part for inputting an attitude. |
| US07671247B2 |
Methods for purifying alkane liquids
Methods for purifying liquid alkanes are provided. The methods produce alkanes having low absorbance, particularly at 193 nm. The alkane liquids are useful as immersion liquids in photomicrolithography employed for production of electronic circuits. |
| US07671246B2 |
Method to make alkanes and saturated polyhydroxy compounds from carbonyl compounds
A catalytic process for converting biomass-derived carbohydrates to liquid alkanes, alkenes, and/or ethers is described. The process uses combinations of self- and crossed-aldol condensation reactions, dehydration reactions, and hydrogenation reactions, over specified metal-containing catalysts, to yield alkane, alkene, and ether products from carbohydrate reactants. |
| US07671244B2 |
Method for producing 1,2-dichloroethane by means of direct chlorination
The invention relates to a method for producing high-purity 1,2-dichloroethane from dissolved chlorine and dissolved ethylene which are brought into contact with each other using a circulating liquid reaction medium which essentially consists of 1,2-dichloroethane and a catalyst and passes through at least one reaction loop. The two limbs of the loop are connected to a gas-phase stripping container which is arranged at the top and from which the reaction product is outwardly transferred either in a gaseous or liquid form or both in a gaseous form and in a liquid form. The addition points for the addition of chlorine and dissolved ethylene are arranged in the limb of the loop in which the liquid rises. The addition point for dissolved chlorine is always arranged downstream of the ethylene addition point. At least one addition point for liquid 1,2-dichloroethane follows each chlorine addition point, and the addition of the liquid 1,2-dichloroethane is carried out under kinetic energy which is high enough to enable a vigorous mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane, dissolved chlorine and ethylene to be carried out. Preferably, the liquid 1,2-dichloroethane is added by means of at least one jet mixer. |
| US07671242B2 |
Isolation of aflatoxin-free lutein from aflatoxin-contaminated plants and plant products
An efficient method is disclosed for extracting lutein from corn, sweet potato, and other plant products, and for extracting aflatoxin-free lutein from aflatoxin-contaminated plant grains and other plant products safely without any toxic by-products. The lutein is extracted using acetone, and either chilled or saponified to separate from the lipids. If contaminated with aflatoxin, the extracted aflatoxin-contaminated lutein is treated with lipoxidase. This method may be used in producing aflatoxin-free lutein from other contaminated grains or plant oils, or other plant products, including corn, cotton, soybean, rice, barley, wheat, maize, millet, and peanut. |
| US07671241B2 |
Host material for blue OLED and white light emitting device utilizing the same
The invention provides a host material for organic light emitting diodes, having the general formula: wherein R1 is selected from a C1-8 alkyl group, each R2 is independently selected from a hydrogen or a C1-8 alkyl group, Ar is selected from a C5-14 aromatic or hetero aromatic group, R3 is selected from a C5-14 aromatic or hetero aromatic group, a C1-8 alkyl group, a C5-8 cycloalkyl group, a C1-8 fluoroalkyl group, or a C1-8 alkoxyl group, and n is an integer of 1-10. The host materials have a higher energy gap (greater than 4.0 eV), and high thermal stability. |
| US07671240B2 |
Method for producing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from methanol and formaldehyde
Processes for preparing tri- and tetraoxymethylene glycol dimethyl ether (POMDMEn=3,4) include feeding a reaction mixture of an aqueous formaldehyde solution and methanol into a reactive evaporator and separating into a first low boiler fraction and a first high boiler fraction, recycling the first high boiler fraction into the reactor, feeding the first low boiler fraction into a first distillation column and separating into a second low boiler fraction and a second high boiler fraction, recycling the second high boiler fraction into the reactive evaporator, feeding the second low boiler fraction into a second distillation column and separating into a third low boiler fraction and a third high boiler fraction, feeding the third high boiler fraction into a phase separation apparatus and separating into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, and feeding the organic phase into a third distillation column and separating into a low and high boiler fractions. |
| US07671239B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone
This invention relates to a method of producing purified methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) comprising subjecting a feed stream containing MIBK and impurities to a first distillation procedure from which acetone is recovered. The bottom product of the first distillation procedure is fed to a liquid-liquid separator and an organic phase from the said liquid-liquid separator is fed to the top region of a second distillation column to produce an overhead product. The said overhead product is condensed and fed to the said liquid-liquid separator. A bottom product containing MIBK is withdrawn from the second distillation column. This bottom product is fed to a third distillation column, high boiling impurities are withdrawn as a bottom product, and purified MIBK is also withdrawn. The invention also relates to an apparatus used in such a method. |
| US07671236B2 |
Process for production of cyclohexanone oxime
Provided is a process of producing cyclohexanone oxime comprising the steps of: pre-mixing an inorganic process solution containing a high concentration of hydroxylamine phosphate with a first stream of cyclohexanone such that the concentration of hydroxylamine phosphate is reduced to 80% or less of its initial concentration; and subjecting hydroxylamine phosphate in the premixed inorganic process solution to an oximation reaction with a second stream of cyclohexanone. According to the process, oximation is performed after the inorganic process solution containing a high concentration of hydroxylamine phosphate has been pre-mixed with the first stream of cyclohexanone to reduce the concentration of hydroxylamine phosphate. As a result, not only that the efficiency of oximation and the yield of cyclohexanone oxime are increased, but also the organic content of the inorganic process solution discharged from the oximation tower is reduced. |
| US07671233B2 |
Process for preparing carboxylic acid
A process for preparing a carboxylic acid by the carbonylation of an alcohol in a reaction medium is provided. The reaction medium includes a catalyst promoter having a metal species selected form the group consisting of group IIIA-IVA metals, group IB-VIIIB metals and lanthanides, together with a hydrohalic acid to prevent catalyst precipitation and to maintain high reaction rates in case of low water content. |
| US07671232B2 |
Method for fabricating a high specific surface area mesoporous alumina
A method for fabricating a high specific surface area mesoporous alumina is disclosed, which includes the following steps: (a) providing a water solution containing an aluminum salt and a fluoro-surfactant; (b) adding concentrated hydrochloric acid to adjust the PH value of the solution to about 6.0 to 8.0; (c) aging the solution at 70° C. to 110° C. for 12 to 20 hours; (d) washing the precipitate with water; (e) washing the precipitate with an organic solvent; (f) drying the precipitate; and (g) sintering the precipitate in a furnace of 500° C. to 1000° C. |
| US07671228B2 |
Method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol using a CO2-philic compound or substituent
A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound in a reactor. The method further provides a CO2-philic compound or a CO2-philic substituent. The CO2-philic compound and substituent enhance incorporation of the CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol and reduce formation of cyclic alkylene carbonates, such as cyclic propylene carbonate, which are undesirable byproducts. |
| US07671226B2 |
Transition metal complex, catalyst for olefin polymerization, and process for producing olefin polymer with the same
The present invention relates to a transition metal complex represented by the formula (I): wherein M represents a Group 4 transition metal; —Y— represents (a): —C(R1)(R20)-A-, (b): —C(R1)(R20)-A1(R30)—, (c): —C(R1)=A1-, or (d): —C(R1)=A1-A2-R30; A represents a Group 16 element and A1 and A2 each represents a Group 15 element; R1 to R9, R20, and R30 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc.; and X1 and X2 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-10 alkyl group, etc., and an intermediate product thereof, and a catalyst for olefin polymerization which comprises said transition metal complex as a component. |
| US07671214B2 |
Modified carbocyanine dyes and their conjugates
Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens. |
| US07671210B2 |
Process for production of optically active cyclopropanecarboxylate compound
A process for production of an optically active cyclopropanecarboxylate compound represented by the formula (5): wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9 represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like and R10 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, which comprises reacting an olefin represented by the formula (3): wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as described above, with a diazoacetic acid ester represented by the formula (4): N2CHCO2R10 (4) wherein R10 is as described above, in the presence of an asymmetric copper complex obtained by mixing (A) at least one monovalent or divalent copper compound,(B) at least one optically active bisoxazoline compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like; R3 represents a tert-butyl group or the like; and R4 and R5 are the same and represent C1-C3 alkyl groups or the like, and (C) at least one boron compound represented by the formula (2): wherein A represents a trityl group or the like, X represents a fluorine atom or the like, and n represents an integer of 1 to 5. |
| US07671197B2 |
Process for the purification of meloxicam
The present invention relates to a process for the purification of meloxicam and in particular of the impurity composed of 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-ethyl-N′-(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide and to meloxicam containing a quantity of less than 0.05% of the above-mentioned impurity (“ethylamide”). |
| US07671196B2 |
Diazepinoquinolines, synthesis thereof, and intermediates thereto
The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing compounds useful as 5HT2C agonists or partial agonists, derivatives thereof, and to intermediates thereto. |
| US07671194B2 |
Method of preparing naphthalocyanines
A method of preparing a naphthalocyanine is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride; (ii) converting said tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride to a benzisoindolenine; and (iii) macrocyclizing said benzisoindolenine to form a naphthalocyanine. |
| US07671192B2 |
Process for preparing an A2A-adenosine receptor agonist and its polymorphs
Synthesis methods suitable for large scale manufacture of the A2A-adenosine receptor agonist (1-{9-[(4S,2R,3R,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-6-aminopurin-2-yl}pyrazol-4-yl)-N-methylcarboxamide and precursors thereof. |
| US07671191B2 |
Methods for preparing 2-alkynyladenosine derivatives
Disclosed are methods for preparing 2-alkynyladenosine derivatives of formula A: or a stereoisomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, acid salt hydrate or isomorphic crystalline form thereof, the method comprising the step of: contacting 2-iodoadenosine-5′-N-ethyluronamide with a compound of formula B: wherein Z is —C(═O)OR or —CH2C(═O)R, where R is a C1 to C5 alkyl, preferably The methods are useful for preparing 2-alkynyladenosine derivatives that are, in certain embodiments, adenosine receptor agonists. |
| US07671190B2 |
Recombinant polynucleotides encoding pro-geldanamycin producing polyketide synthases and accessory proteins, and uses thereof
The invention relates to recombinant polyketide synthase enzymes, polyketide modifying proteins, and other proteins involved in polyketide biosynthesis or function. The invention provides domains of geldanamycin and herbimycin polyketide synthases, polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, and to host cells in which such encoding polynucleotides can be advantageously expressed. |
| US07671185B2 |
Monomeric red fluorescent proteins
Disclosed are nucleotide sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use thereof. |
| US07671184B2 |
Molecular beacons
The invention relates to a molecular beacon in the form of a hairpin oligonucleotide or oligonucleotide analogue comprising a first nucleotide sequence containing two or more aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems P able to form an excimer or exciplex; a second sequence (the loop) consisting of an oligonucleotide probe able to hybridise with a target polynucleotide; and a third sequence containing one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems X, wherein at least one aromatic ring system X interacts with two aromatic ring systems P of the first sequence inhibiting excimer or exciplex formation. The invention further relates to a method for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide using such a molecular beacon, and to a kit comprising a molecular beacon of the invention for use in this method. |
| US07671182B2 |
Gene variants of signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT 6) variants and process of detection the same
The present invention relates to allelic variants of the human Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-6 (STAT6) gene and provides primers and methods suitable for the detection of these allelic variants for applications such as molecular diagnosis, prediction of an individual's disease susceptibility, and /or the genetic analysis of the STAT6 gene in a population. Specifically, the invention provides a method for detection of predisposition to atopic disorders/other immunological disorders such as, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disorders, fibrosis, etc. where STAT6 plays an important role by screening for human Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-6 (STAT 6) gene variants. |
| US07671175B2 |
Polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US07671171B2 |
Processes for preparing high inherent viscosity polyareneazoles using metal powders
Disclosed are processes for preparing polyareneazole polymers that include contacting, in polyphosphoric acid, azole-forming monomers and metal powder, the metal powder added in an amount of from about 0.05 to about 0.9 weight percent, based on the total weight of the azole-forming monomers, and reacting the azole-forming monomers to form the polyareneazole polymers. Polyareneazoles, filaments and yarns are also disclosed. |
| US07671169B2 |
Polycarbonate-polyester block copolymer compositions, methods, and articles
A polycarbonate-polyester block copolymer includes a polycarbonate block and a polyester block, each having specific structures. The block copolymer can be prepared, at least in part, from renewable feedstocks. In some forms, the block copolymer includes biodegradable segments that facilitate structural breakdown of objects molded from the block copolymer. Methods of preparing the block copolymer are described as are compositions that include it and articles prepared from it. |
| US07671161B2 |
Process for producing controlled viscosity fluorosilicone polymers
A process for making a fluorosilicone MDaDFbM′ where M=R1R2R3SiO1/2; M′=(OH)R6R7SiO1/2 or (OH)R4R5SiO1/2; D=R4R5SiO2/2; and DF=R6R7SiO2/2; where the subscript a is zero or positive, the subscript b is positive and the subscripts a and b satisfy the following relationship: b>0.4(a+b) and R1 is selected from the group of 1 to 20 carbon atom monovalent alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl hydrocarbon radicals and terminally unsaturated alkenyl groups of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; R2, R3 are each independently any monovalent hydrocarbon radical: alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R1 and each R4 and R5 are any monovalent hydrocarbon radical: alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, or alkaryl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R6 is a fluorine substituted 3 to 20 carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radical having no fluorine substitution on the alpha or beta carbon atoms of the radical and R7 is any monovalent hydrocarbon radical: alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R6 by reacting 1) b moles of (R6R7SiO)3, with 2) a moles of (R4R5SiO)3, 3) R1R2R3SiOH and 4) an oxygenated promoter. Compositions made by the process and articles of manufacture made from the compositions. |
| US07671159B2 |
Process for the preparation of a shaped part of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a shaped part of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) comprising melt processing, wherein a) the UHMWPE has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 1*106 g/mol, b) during the shaping the storage plateau modulus of the UHMWPE (G*) is kept at a value of at most 1.5 MPa, c) whereafter, before the cooling, the G* is raised to its final value. The invention further relates to a shaped part obtainable with the process and the use of the shaped part in a medical application. |
| US07671155B2 |
Crosslinked polymers with amine binding groups
Crosslinked polymeric materials are described that contain pendant amine capture groups. The amine capture groups include N-sulfonyldicarboximide groups that can react with amine-containing materials by a ring opening reaction. Reaction mixtures used to prepare the crosslinked polymeric materials, articles containing the crosslinked polymeric materials, methods of making articles, and methods of immobilizing an amine-containing material are also described. |
| US07671153B2 |
Hardcoat compositions and methods
The invention relates to method of protecting a flooring surface and flooring materials by providing a hardcoat surface layer comprising a perfluororpolyether. The invention also relates to certain hardcoat compositions. |
| US07671152B2 |
Surfactantless synthesis of amphiphilic cationic block copolymers
The present invention is directed to a method of producing an amphiphilic block copolymer, including the steps of: (1) preparing a first aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) 4-vinylpyridine, (b) a trithiocarbonate RAFT agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium by the reaction of a latent surfactant with a surfactant activator; (2) polymerizing the 4-vinylpyridine within the first aqueous polymerization medium in the presence of a first free radical initiator to produce a poly(4-vinylpyridine); (3) protonating the poly(4-vinylpyridine) to form a protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator; (4) preparing a second aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and a monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation but is exclusive of a surfactant; and (5) polymerizing the protonated poly(4-vinylpyridine) RAFT macroinitiator and monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation within the second aqueous medium in the presence of a second free radical initiator and a temperature less than 100° C. to produce an amphiphilic block copolymer of the 4-vinylpyridine and monomer containing ethylenic unsaturation. |
| US07671148B2 |
Catalyst system for olefin polymerization, its production and use
Process for producing a catalyst system, which comprises the following steps: A) provision of a mixture of at least two different organic transition metal compounds, at least one hydrolyzed organoaluminum compound and a solvent and impregnation of a dry porous support component with the mixture from step A), with the total volume of the mixture being from 0.6 to 1.5 times the total pore volume of the support component, and also catalyst systems obtainable in this way and their use for olefin polymerization. |
| US07671143B2 |
Flame retardant polycarbonate resin composition having good impact, high heat resistance
Disclosed herein is a flame retardant polycarbonate resin composition having high heat resistance and good impact resistance. The flame retardant polycarbonate composition is prepared by incorporating into a polycarbonate resin a silicon-based core-shell graft copolymer, in which a vinyl monomer is graft polymerized onto a rubber comprising about 20 to about 95% by weight of silicon, and optionally a phosphoric acid ester compound. The present invention can accordingly provide superior flame retardance while maintaining good impact resistance, high flowability and high heat resistance. |
| US07671139B1 |
Functionalized polymers and tires made therefrom
A functionalized polymer defined by the formula where π is a polymer chain, R10 is a divalent organic group, and β is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group, or an amine group, where the amine group can be represented by the formula —NR2, where at least one R is a monovalent organic group and where the second R is hydrogen or a monovalent organic group, and where the alkoxyl group can be represented by the formula —OR′, where R′ is a monovalent organic group. |
| US07671135B2 |
Polar monomer-olefin copolymer and process for producing the same
A polar monomer-olefin copolymer comprising a polar monomer unit in an amount of 50 to 75% by mol and an olefin unit in an amount of 25 to 50% by mol, and containing a chain structure consisting of two or more olefin units; a process for producing said copolymer comprising the step of radically copolymerizing 100 parts by mol of an olefin with 1 to 100 parts by mol of a polar monomer; and a process for producing said copolymer comprising the step of radically copolymerizing an olefin having a concentration in a polymerization reactor of 0.04 to 100 mol/liter with a polar monomer having a concentration therein of 0.01 to 25 mol/liter. |
| US07671134B2 |
Compositions with improved adhesion to low surface energy substrates
Acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesives are modified with a telechelic hydrocarbon oligomer. The oligomer comprises a hydrocarbon polymer chain or backbone and a functional end group, e.g., an oligomer prepared from a mono hydroxyl polybutadiene polymer and toluene diisocyanate. The oligomer attaches to the acrylic backbone of the polymer as a pendant group and in a preferred embodiment, the oligomer is mixed with the PSA shortly before the PSA is coated. |
| US07671133B2 |
Vulcanized fluorine rubber and cushioning material for heat press containing same
A vulcanized fluoro rubber is provided by vulcanizing a composition comprising 100 parts by mass of mixture in which a raw fluoro rubber (A) in which appropriate amount of vulcanizing agent has been previously compounded and a raw fluoro rubber (B) in which the vulcanizing agent is not compounded are mixed at a rate of 8/2 to 3/7, 1 to 10 parts by mass of an acid acceptor and 0 to 5 parts by mass of another compounding agent which is compounded as needed. Number average molecular weight of each of the raw fluoro rubber (A) and the raw fluoro rubber (B) is 3.5×104 to 2.0×105. |
| US07671131B2 |
Interpolymers of ethylene/α-olefins blends and profiles and gaskets made therefrom
Polymer blends comprise at least an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers and at least one polyolefin. The polyolefins can be homopolymers or interpolymers and have a melt strength of at least about 6 cN. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block interpolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. The polymer blends can be profiled extruded to make profiles, gaskets, and other products. |
| US07671130B2 |
Thermoplastic elastomers having improved adhesive properties
This document relates to adhesive compositions comprising 1) a thermoplastic vulcanizate of thermoplastic polyurethane and at least partially crosslinked rubber, and 2) an adhesion modifying amount of styrenic block copolymer. These compositions are especially useful in adhering to polar engineering thermoplastics and so find utility in laminates and composite articles comprising at least one polar engineering substrate and the described adhesive compositions. |
| US07671122B2 |
Wax composition and method for production thereof
A process of producing a wax composition mainly comprising a wax, including the step of mixing the wax and a component to be mixed with the wax by applying an external force at a temperature lower than the melting completion temperature of the wax. |
| US07671118B2 |
Stabilizer system for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers
A stabilizer system for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers comprising a perchlorate salt and at least one indole compound, a composition comprising such a stabilizer system, process for stabilizing a chlorine-containing polymer using such a stabilizer system, and an article manufacture comprising PVC stabilized by such a stabilizer system. |
| US07671113B2 |
Process for the preparation of nanoscale particles of elastic material
The present invention discloses a method for the manufacture of nanoscale particles of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR). As SBR particles are elastic in nature, conventional methods of size reductions such as impacting, grinding are unable to achieve the final size. The present invention successfully achieves size reduction of the elastic material to nano scale by carefully controlled hydrodynamic cavitation techniques. |
| US07671111B2 |
Monitoring column breakthrough in a process for removing fluorosurfactant from aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions
A process for reducing the fluorosurfactant content of a stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion by passing dispersion through a first fixed bed of anion exchange resin to reduce fluorosurfactant content. The first fixed bed has a working zone which moves though the column as the ion exchange resin is saturated. The process includes monitoring a property of the dispersion as the dispersion exits the fixed bed to determine break though of the working zone indicating saturation of the fixed bed. The property being monitored is selected from the group consisting of pH and conductivity. |
| US07671109B2 |
Tinted, abrasion resistant coating compositions and coated articles
Disclosed are tinted, abrasion resistant coating compositions comprising polymer-enclosed color-imparting particles. Also disclosed are methods for making such a composition and substrates at least partially coated with a hard coat deposited from such a composition. |
| US07671108B2 |
Ink and printer matter
A printing ink including 100 parts by weight of an aluminum foil, 3 to 200 parts by weight of a binder polymer, and 600 to 2500 parts by weight of a solvent, wherein the aluminum foil contains aluminum foils with thicknesses of 0.03 μm or less and foil surface areas of 1.5 μm2 to 1500 μm2 in an amount of 80% or more based on an accumulated foil surface area, and having a viscosity of 1000 to 3000 cps (measured at 20° C. with a BM-type rotational viscometer) to keep a clearance on a thin outline with a width of 0.15 mm, and a printed matter printed on a surface of a transparent substrate with the ink and viewed as a front face opposite the printed face thereof. |
| US07671107B2 |
Cationic polymerizable resin composition
It has been discovered that an initiation reaction is efficiently progressed to a propagation reaction by adding a compound that potentially or directly generates a carbocation to the polymerization system of a cationic ring-opening polymerizable compound, and thus the activation of polymerization is rendered. Namely, the present invention relates to a cationic polymerizable resin composition which is characterized by comprising (A) a compound having at least one functional group capable of cationic ring-opening polymerization in one molecular chain, (B) a cationic polymerization initiator, and (C) a compound to generate a carbocation by the action of active species generated from (B) the cationic polymerization initiator by electromagnetic wave or particle beam. According to the present invention, it has been discovered that the initiation reaction is efficiently progressed to the propagation reaction by adding the compound that potentially or directly generates a carbocation to the polymerization system of the cationic ring-opening polymerizable compound, and thus the activation of polymerization is rendered. |
| US07671106B2 |
Cap liners, closures and gaskets from multi-block polymers
A polymer composition comprises at least an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and at least one other polymer. The other polymer can be selected from a second ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer, an elastomer, a polyolefin, a polar polymer, and an ethylene/carboxylic acid interpolymer or ionomer thereof. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block interpolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Also provided are gaskets, bottle cap liners, and closures that comprise or obtained from a compositon comprising at least one ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer and at least one polyolefin. The gaskets are capable of compression sealing various containers, without contaminating the contents. Liquid containers particularly benefit from the use of the novel gasket materials disclosed herein. |
| US07671103B2 |
Use of block polyethersiloxanes as stabilizers in polyurethane foams
The invention relates to the use of compounds of the general formula (VII) as stabilizers in the preparation of polyurethane foams. |
| US07671097B2 |
Stable phenolic resin polymer dispersions having low free aldehyde content
Stable dispersions of phenolic resins, particularly bisphenol-A/formaldehyde resins, for use in e.g., baking enamels, coatings, adhesives, binders, etc., are disclosed. The dispersions have low levels (e.g., <0.1% by weight) of free aldehyde, thereby reducing environmental harms associated with aldehyde emissions. Low free aldehyde levels are achieved using melamine as an aldehyde scavenger during preparation. It has now been discovered that melamine, in contrast to other scavengers of aldehydes, does not adversely affect dispersion stability, interfere with later processing operations, or negatively impact the final resin product quality (e.g., after curing). |
| US07671096B2 |
Light stabilizer emulsion composition
The light stabilizer emulsion composition of the present invention includes: water; an emulsifier; and a light stabilizer and/or a UV absorber, in which components constituting the light stabilizer emulsion composition has an average particle size of 150 nm or less. |
| US07671094B2 |
Bupropion hydrobromide and therapeutic applications
Bupropion hydrobromide formulations as well as their use for the treatment of conditions is described. |
| US07671092B2 |
Paclitaxel enhancer compounds
Disclosed is a compound represented by the Structural Formula (I): Y is a covalent bond, a phenylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted straight chained hydrocarbyl group. In addition, Y, taken together with both >C=Z groups to which it is bonded, is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group. Preferably, Y is a covalent bond or —C(R7R8)—. R1 and R2 are independently an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, R3 and R4 are independently —H, an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group. R5-R6 are independently —H, an aliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, an aryl group or a substituted aryl group. R7 and R8 are each independently —H, an aliphatic or substituted aliphatic group, or R7 is —H and R8 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or, R7 and R8, taken together, are a C2-C6 substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group. Z is ═O or ═S. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.Also disclosed is a method of treating a subject with cancer by administering to the subject a compound of Structural Formula (I) in combination with Paclitaxel or an analog of Paclitaxel. |
| US07671087B2 |
Amines that inhibit a mammalian anandamide transporter, and methods of use thereof
One aspect of the present invention relates to amines. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the amines as inhibitors of a mammalian anandamide transporter. The compounds of the present invention will also find use in the treatment of numerous ailments, conditions and diseases which afflict mammals, including but not limited to asthma, neuropathic pain, persistent pain, inflammatory pain, hyperactivity, hypertension, brain ischemia, Parkinson's disease, spasticity, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, hemorrhagic shock, septic shock, cardiac shock, migrane, Horton's headache, multiple sclerosis, anorexia, AIDS wasting syndrome, organ rejection, autoimmune diseases, allergy, arthritis, Crohn's disease, malignant gliomas, neurodegenerative diseases, Huntington's chorea, glaucoma, nausea, anxiety, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, premature ejaculation, and stroke. Another aspect of the present invention relates to combinatorial libraries of amines, and methods for preparing the libraries. |
| US07671082B2 |
Prodrugs of excitatory amino acids
This invention relates to synthetic excitatory amino acid prodrugs and processes for their preparation. The invention further relates to methods of using, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising, the compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders. |
| US07671080B2 |
1-benzylindole-2-carboxamide derivatives
The present invention relates to i-benzylindole-2-carboxamide derivatives of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said 1-benzylindole-2-carboxamide derivatives and to their use in therapy, particularly for the treatment of obesity or nicotine dependence. |
| US07671078B2 |
Isothiourea derivatives of imadazo[2,1-b]Thiazoles and 5,6-dihydro derivatives thereof useful as CXCR4 chemokine receptor inhibitors
The invention relates to isothiourea derivatives of formula I: wherein R1 is a residue of one of the following structures: where the variables are as defined in the claims of the invention, as well as processes for production of these compounds. |
| US07671076B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV)
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), which inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and are useful for the prevention or treatment of diabetes, especially type II diabetes, as well as hyperglycemia, syndrome X, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, atherosclerosis, and various immunomodulatory diseases. |
| US07671072B2 |
Aminopyrazole derivatives as GSK-3 inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) the stereoisomers and prodrugs thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, stereoisomers, and prodrugs, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein; pharmaceutical compositions thereof; combinations thereof; and uses thereof in the treatment of, inter alia, conditions, diseases, and symptoms including, inter alia, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, dementia, depression, diabetes, hair loss, schizophrenia, and stroke. |
| US07671071B2 |
Polymorphic Form XVI of fexofenadine hydrochloride
Provided is a crystalline (polymorphic) form of fexofenadine hydrochloride, denominated fexofenadine hydrochloride Form XVI. |
| US07671069B2 |
Tricyclic, heteroaromatic compounds modulating CXCR4 and/ or CXCR7
The present invention is directed to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that inhibit the binding of the SDF-1 chemokine to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and/or the binding of the SDF-1 or I-TAC chemokines to the chemokine receptor CCXCKR2 (CXCR7). These compounds are useful in preventing tumor cell proliferation, tumor formation, metastasis, inflammatory diseases, treatment of HIV infectivity, treatment of stem cell differentiation and mobilization disorders, and ocular disorders. |
| US07671066B2 |
Derivatives of 1-phenyl-2-pyridynyl alkylene alcohols as phosphodiesterase inhibitors
The invention relates to inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme. More particularly, the invention relates to compounds that are derivatives of 1-phenyl-2-pyridynyl alkylene alcohols, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing them and therapeutic use thereof. |
| US07671064B2 |
Fused pyrrolocarbazoles
The present invention relates generally to selected fused pyrrolocarbazoles, including pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of treating diseases therewith. The present invention is also directed to intermediates and processes for making these fused pyrrolocarbazoles. |
| US07671063B2 |
2,4 Di (hetero) -arylamino-pyrimidine derivatives as ZAP-70 and/or syk inhibitors
Disclosed are pyrimidine derivatives of formula wherein R0, R1, R3 to R9, and Z have a signification as indicated in claim 1, which have interesting pharmaceutical properties. |
| US07671062B2 |
Modulators of chemokine receptor activity, crystalline forms and process
The present invention provides a novel antagonist or partial agonists/antagonists of MCP-1 receptor activity: N-((1R,2S,5R)-5-(isopropyl(methyl)amino)-2-((S)-2-oxo-3-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4-ylamino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclohexyl)acetamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug, thereof, having an unexpected combination of desirable pharmacological characteristics. Crystalline forms of the present invention are also provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and methods of using the same as agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, allergic, autoimmune, metabolic, cancer and/or cardiovascular diseases is also an objective of this invention. The present disclosure also provides a process for preparing compounds of Formula (I), including N-((1R,2S,5R)-5-(isopropyl(methyl)amino)-2-((S)-2-oxo-3-(6-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4-ylamino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)cyclohexyl)acetamide: wherein R1, R8, R9, R10, and are as described herein. Compounds that are useful intermediates of the process are also provided herein. |
| US07671061B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating pain
The present application relates to compounds and methods for treating pain, incontinence and other conditions. |
| US07671057B2 |
Therapeutic agent for type II diabetes comprising protease-inhibiting compound
The problem of the present invention is to provide a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diabetes and/or complications of diabetes based on the novel mode of action.The protease-inhibiting compound according to the present invention is a compound represented by the general formula (I) [wherein all the symbols have the same meanings as described in the specification], its salt or solvate, or a prodrug thereof, is useful as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for diabetes and/or complications of diabetes. |
| US07671056B2 |
Piperazine-piperidine antagonists and agonists of the 5-HT1A receptor
The present invention relates to novel piperazine-piperidine compounds. The compounds are useful as 5-HT1A binding agents, particularly as 5-HT1A receptor antagonists and agonists. These compounds are useful in treating central nervous system disorders, such as cognition disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and sexual dysfunction. The invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of formula (I′): wherein R1-R16, Ra, Rb, and n are set forth in the specification. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of formula (I′). |
| US07671053B2 |
Benzamide inhibitors of the P2X7 receptor
The present invention provides benzamide inhibitors of the P2X7 receptor of the formula: wherein R1-R3 are as defined herein. The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of IL-1 mediated disorders, including, without limitation, inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; allergies, asthma, COPD, cancer, reperfusion or ischemia in stroke or heart attack, autoimmune diseases and other disorders. |
| US07671047B2 |
Cationically substituted diphenylazetidinones, process for their preparation, medicaments comprising these compounds, and their use
One embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 have the meanings given in the specification. Other embodiments of the invention relate to physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula I, to processes for their preparation and to medicaments comprising these compounds. The compounds of the invention are suitable for use, for example, as hypolipidemics. |
| US07671043B2 |
Cycloalkylamino acid derivatives
The invention relates to compounds of formula I and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates or hydrates thereof; wherein B, D, E, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, m, n, p, q, r, s, t and u are as defined herein. This invention also relates to a method of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases and autoimmune diseases in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US07671041B2 |
Hydrolysate of avian cartilage, process of preparation and uses thereof
This invention relates to a hydrolysate of avian cartilage comprising 45% to 70% by weight of hydrolysed type II collagen, 9% to 15% by weight of chondroitin sulphate, 0.5% to 2% in weight of hyaluronic acid; with a composition of amino acids in which valine represents 2.7% to 3.3%, isoleucine represents 2.0 to 2.4, phenylalanine represents 2.2% to 2.6%, lysine represents 3.8% to 4.2%, tryptophane represents 0.4% to 0,6%, hydroxyproline represents 5.5% to 8.7%, hydroxylysine represents 0.7% to 1.8%, and in which the molar ratio between hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine is between 5.0 and 8.0; and having an average molecular weight of the peptidic fraction between 500 and 1000 Daltons. The invention also relates to a process for preparing said hydrolysate, and its use as a food complement, and/or as a medicament, particularly for treatment or prevention of joint pain. |
| US07671038B1 |
Method of therapeautic treatments including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and other conditions in a human host by administering adenine nucleotides
The administration of adenine nucleotides or adenosine and inorganic phosphate to a human host results in the generation of elevated liver, other organs and red blood cell adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) pools as well as increased levels of ATP and adenosine in the extracellular blood plasma compartment of the blood. The present invention deals with the utilization of the elevated intracellular ATP levels and the elevated extracellular levels of ATP and adenosine for the treatment of a broad spectrum of clinical targets in HIV disease/AIDS and the achievement of decisive therapeutic gains. |
| US07671033B2 |
Amphiphilic dendritic dipeptides and their self-assembly into helical pores
An amphiphilic dendritic dipeptide, comprises a dipeptide(s) comprising one or more of a naturally occurring or synthetic amino acids and a dendron. These are suitable for use in various formulations, films, coatings, membranes and sensors, among other applications. |
| US07671029B2 |
Compositions and methods for enhanced pharmacological activity of compositions comprising peptide drug substances
Pharmaceutical agents, compositions containing the same and methods for their use for enhancing the bioavailability and pharmacological efficacy of therapeutic peptides. The pharmaceutical agents have the formula Carrier-Linker-Peptide Wherein Peptide is a therapeutically active peptide species having the formula aan wherein n is the number of amino acid residues in the peptide and n is 2 to 40, Carrier is benzoyl, phenylacetyl, cinnamoyl, 3-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamoyl, 3-methoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-diethoxy-cinnamoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, pivaloyl, N-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, fumaroyl and derivatives thereof and Linker is a C6 to C16 lipidic chain or a derivative thereof, an 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid or polymeric derivative thereof, pseudo peptide, or peptide mimic. Methods of use of compositions having the formula Carrier-Peptide wherein Carrier and Peptide are as just defined are also disclosed. |
| US07671025B2 |
Neurotensin receptor agonists and opioid receptor agonists
This document provides methods and materials for treating pain. For example, this document provides methods that involve administering a neurotensin receptor (NTR) agonist and an opioid receptor agonist to a mammal (e.g., a human). Compositions containing an NTR agonist in combination with an opioid receptor agonist also are provided. |
| US07671022B2 |
Methods for treating cardiovascular disease using a soluble CTLA4 molecule
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular system diseases by administering to a subject soluble CTLA4 molecules that block endogenous B7 molecules from binding their ligands. |
| US07671019B2 |
3-deoxyglucosone and skin
The invention relates to the discovery that 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG) and other alpha-dicarbonyl sugars associated diseases and disorders are present and produced in the skin. Further, the invention relates to the discovery that amadorase, an enzyme that mediates 3DG synthesis, is also present in the skin. Thus, the invention further relates to methods of inhibiting production and function of 3-deoxyglucosone and other alpha-dicarbonyl sugars in skin thereby treating or prevention various diseases, disorders or conditions. Additionally, the invention relates to treatment of various diseases, disorders or conditions associated with or mediated by oxidative stress since 3DG induces ROS and AGEs, which are associated with the inflammatory response caused by oxidative stress. |
| US07671018B2 |
Delivery system for heparin-binding growth factors
New uses of proteoglycans to bind and present growth factors, methods of accelerating wound, tissue or bone repair using such proteoglycans, pharmaceutical compositions of such proteoglycans, and scaffolds coated with such proteoglycans are disclosed. The proteoglycan of the invention is derived from domain I or perlecan. |
| US07671015B2 |
Aequorin-containing compositions and methods of using same
Compositions containing aequorin and methods for their use in preventing and/or alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance are provided by the present invention. |
| US07671013B2 |
Coagulation proteins, coagulation-anticoagulation protein complexes, derivatives thereof and their uses
The present invention relates to the use of coagulation proteins and complexes thereof with anticoagulation proteins for the lysis of blood clots or other applications affected by accelerated plasmin production. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for accelerating the dissolution of a blood clot through the administration of at least one coagulation protein, with or without being in complex with a serpin, comprising a basic C-terminal amino acid, wherein the coagulation protein may be a derivative of Factor X or Factor V or a combination thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prophylaxis of blood clots are also provided, wherein, the methods and products of the present invention advantageously accelerate clot dissolution while potentially minimizing the adverse side-effects, such as hemorrhaging, seen with other clot dissolving agents. The present invention also provides a method for detecting a fibrinolytic potential in a subject. |
| US07671005B2 |
Active containing delivery particle
The present invention relates to non-surfactant active containing delivery particles, cleaning compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and cleaning compositions. When employed in cleaning compositions, such particles provide more uniform active delivery. Thus, resulting in improved cleaning performance without the increased cleaning negatives that may be associated with higher levels of certain active levels. |
| US07671004B2 |
Cleaning composition and method of forming the same
A cleaning composition comprises a first surfactant and a second surfactant. The first surfactant is of the general formula R1—O-(A)mH, wherein R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, A is an alkyleneoxy group, and subscript m is a positive number. The second surfactant is of the general formula R2—O—(B)nH, wherein R2 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 12 to 15 carbon atoms, B is an alkyleneoxy group, and subscript n is a positive number. The cleaning composition has an average degree of alkoxylation of from about 3 to about 8 moles and an excess of the first surfactant relative to said second surfactant. The cleaning composition can further comprise a third surfactant in addition to the first and second surfactants. If employed, the third surfactant typically can comprise a linear alkyl sulfonate (LAS) and/or an alkyl ether sulfate (AES). |
| US07671002B2 |
Composition and method for removing copper-compatible resist
A composition for removing a copper-compatible resist includes: about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an alkylbenzenesulfonic compound; about 10% to about 99% by weight of a glycolether compound; and about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of a corrosion inhibitor. |
| US07671001B2 |
Alkaline, post plasma etch/ash residue removers and photoresist stripping compositions containing metal-halide corrosion inhibitors
The invention provides alkaline compositions useful in the microelectronics industry for stripping or cleaning semiconductor wafer substrates by removing photoresist residues and other unwanted contaminants. The compositions contain (a) one or more bases and (b) one or more metal corrosion inhibiting metal halides of the formula: WzMXy where M is a metal selected from the group Si, Ge, Sn, Pt, P, B, Au, Ir, Os, Cr, Ti, Zr, Rh, Ru, and Sb; X is a halide selected from F, Cl, Br and I; W is selected from H, to an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and a metal ion-free hydroxide base moiety; y is a numeral of from 4 to 6 depending on the metal halide; and z is a numeral of 1, 2 or 3. |
| US07671000B2 |
Stable liquid cleansing compositions comprising fatty acyl isethionate surfactant products with high fatty acid content
The invention provides liquid cleanser compositions which can use fatty acyl isethionates surfactant products, regardless of free fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt content of isethionate mixture or chain length distribution of isethionates mixture. The key is to insure a specific combination of liquid crystal inducer (of surfactant phase) and of modifier so that the isethionates will be stable at low and high temperatures. |
| US07670998B2 |
Solid hair conditioning product
A cosmetic product (1) for conditioning hair, the cosmetic product having the form of a solid and comprising at least one hair conditioning ingredient. Cocoa butter, cetearyl alcohol (and) sodium lauryl sulfate and glyceryl stearate (and) PEG 100 stearate are used to form the solid and the at least one hair conditioning ingredient is a known hair conditioning ingredient, such as lanolin and cetrimonium bromide. The solid cosmetic product may combined in a bar or a small shape (3) with shampoo (2). |
| US07670996B2 |
Lubricant composition having a base oil and one or more additives, wherein the base oil has been obtained from waxy paraffinic fischer-tropsch synthesized hydrocarbons
A lubricant composition having a base oil and one or more additives wherein the lubricant composition has a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of more than 5.6 cSt; a cold cranking simulated dynamic viscosity at −35° C. according to ASTM D 5293 of less than 6200 centiPoise (cP); and, a mini rotary viscosity test value of less than 60000 cP according to ASTM D 4684, wherein the base oil has been obtained from a waxy paraffinic Fischer-Tropsch synthesized hydrocarbon. |
| US07670994B1 |
Method for treating oil and gas wells
A two step process for treating an oil or gas well. The first step uses a cross linking agent, such as borax, as a preliminary wash for the well following drilling. The cross linking agent cleans the well of excess mud and pre-coats the tubing and the formation surfaces with the cross linking agent. The second step introduces a cement-polymer mixture into the well. A polymer, such as for example polyvinyl alcohol, that undergoes cross linking when exposed to the cross linking agent is employed. When the polymer comes into contact with the cross linking agent in the well, cross linking of the polymer occurs. This cross linking helps to prevent fluid loss into the formation. Also, because the cross linking agent wash previously cleaned the surfaces of the tubing and the formation, better bonding between the cement and the surfaces of the tubing and the formation occurs. |
| US07670992B2 |
Method of producing probe arrays for biological materials using fine particles
The use of probe arrays in which probes of various biological substances such as DNA are immobilized on the surface of a solid is becoming established as an effective means for high-speed screening. Different kinds of probes, such as DNA, are immobilized on the surface of a multiple number of independently treatable fine particles, such as beads, instead of the surface of a single solid, and the resulting beads are aligned in a capillary or a cell in a designated order. The size of the area where one probe is immobilized is reduced. The bead probe array is characterized in that such small beads are aligned one by one in a designated manner using a sheet with holes, and one or a multiple number of beads are held in the holes and then transferred to a probe array holder such as a capillary. |
| US07670991B2 |
Substituted benzoylcyclohexenones and their use as herbicidal agents
The invention relates to novel substituted benzoylcyclohexenones of the formula (I) in which Q, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Y and Z have one of the meanings given in the disclosure, to processes for their preparation, and to their use. |
| US07670990B2 |
Fungicidal composition comprising a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative and a compound capable of inhibiting mitosis and cell division
A composition comprising at least a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative of general formula (I) (a) and a compound capable of inhibiting mitosis and cell division (b) in a (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 0.01 to 20.A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound.A method for preventively or curatively combating the phytopathogenic fungi of crops by using this composition. |
| US07670986B2 |
Manganese dioxide catalyst for the hydrolysis of carbonitriles
A manganese dioxide catalyst for hydrolysing organic nitrites which bear readily oxidizable groups such as thiol or thioether groups to the corresponding carboxamides, and to a process for preparing the catalyst and to its use for hydrolysing organic nitrites. |
| US07670984B2 |
Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors and methods for making same
Hydrocarbon-soluble molybdenum catalyst precursors include a plurality of molybdenum cations that are each bonded with a plurality of organic anions to form an oil soluble molybdenum salt. A portion of the molybdenum atoms are in the 3+ oxidation state such that the plurality of molybdenum atoms has an average oxidation state of less than 4+, e.g., less than about 3.8+, especially less than about 3.5+. The catalyst precursors can form a hydroprocessing molybdenum sulfide catalyst in heavy oil feedstocks. The oil soluble molybdenum salts are manufactured in the presence of a reducing agent, such as hydrogen gas, to obtain the molybdenum in the desired oxidation state. Preferably the reaction is performed with hydrogen or an organic reducing agent and at a temperature such that the molybdenum atoms are reduced to eliminate substantially all molybdenum oxide species. |
| US07670979B2 |
Porous silicon carbide
A porous refractory product includes a matrix of sintered silicon carbide having a porosity of about 45% to about 65%. The matrix is formed by heating in a noble gas atmosphere a cast preform including a mixture of alpha-silicon carbide and boron carbide each having a particle size of less than about 1 micron. The heating causes the formation of gaseous SiO within the silicon carbide matrix, which, in turn, forms pores having an average size of less than about 1 micron. The porous refractory products herein are suitable for use in a variety of applications including for use in high temperature particulate filtering applications. |
| US07670978B2 |
Optical glass, precision press molding preform and optical element
The optical glass has a refractive index of equal to or greater than 1.65 and an Abbé number ranging from 50 to 60. In the optical glass, as molar basis, a ratio of SiO2 content to B2O3 content is greater than 0.5 and equal to or less than 0.90; a total content of SiO2 and B2O3 ranges from 50 to 70 percent; Li2O content ranges from 5 to 20 percent; La2O3 content ranges from 0.5 to 22 percent; a ratio of ZnO content to RO (MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO) is equal to or greater than 0.5; a total content of Gd2O3, Y2O3 and Yb2O3 ranges from 1 to 15 percent; Sb2O3 content ranges from 0 to 1 percent; and no BaO is comprised, or a ratio of the total content of La2O3, Gd2O3, Y2O3 and Yb2O3 to the content of BaO is equal to or greater than 10. |
| US07670976B2 |
High strain-point glass composition for substrate
The present invention relates to a glass substrate composition comprising SiO2 55˜70 wt %, Al2O3 0˜1 wt %, ZrO2 0.1˜5 wt %, Na2O 0.1˜5 wt %, K2O 7˜13 wt %, MgO 7˜14 wt %, CaO 0˜4 wt %, SrO 7˜12 wt % and SO3 0.01˜0.5 wt %. The glass substrate prepared by using the above composition shows less thermal deformation at a baking process under a high temperature since the strain point of the glass is at least 570° C., does not have such disadvantages as increase of fuel cost and short life cycle of refractories resulted from less than 1460° C. of melting point, and has 80˜95×10−7/° C. of thermal expansion coefficient in the temperature range of 50˜350° C. Therefore, the glass according to the present invention is suitable as a substrate. |
| US07670974B2 |
Optical glass, press molding preform, method of manufacturing same, optical element, and method of manufacturing same
A low dispersion optical glass comprising, given as molar percentages, 28 to 50 percent of P2O5; more than 20 percent but not more than 50 percent of BaO; 1 to 20 percent MgO; a sum of Li2O, Na2O, and K2O exceeding 3 percent (with 0 to 25 percent of Li2O, greater than or equal to 0 percent and less than 10 percent of Na2O, and 0 to 12 percent of K2O); more than 0 percent but not more than 15 percent of ZnO; 0 to 25 percent of B2O3; 0 to 5 percent of A12O3; 0 to 8 percent of Gd2O3; 0 to 20 percent of CaO; 0 to 15 percent of SrO; and 0 to 1 percent of Sb2O3; with a sum of oxide contents of P, Ba, Mg, Li, Na, K, Zn, B, Al, Gd, Ca, Sr, and Sb being greater than or equal to 98 percent. The optical glass comprises no La2O3. The press molding preform is comprised of the optical glass. |
| US07670970B2 |
Method for making carbon fabric and product thereof
A carbon fabric of high conductivity and high density is formed of oxidized fibers of polypropylene. The oxidized fibers have a carbon content at least 50 wt %, an oxygen content at least 4 wt %, and a limiting oxygen index at least 35%. The carbon fabric is made by preparing a raw fabric obtained from oxidized fibers of polypropylene by weaving and then carbonizing the raw fabric. |
| US07670966B2 |
Method of processing a semiconductor substrate by thermal activation of light elements
Method of processing a substrate containing at least one semiconductor of the SiXAY type and comprising at least four separate types of light elements, comprising at least the following steps: carrying out a first anneal of the substrate at a temperature T1 corresponding to a thermal activation temperature for a first one of the four types of light elements, carrying out a second anneal of the substrate at a temperature T2 corresponding to a thermal activation temperature for a second one of the four types of light elements, carrying out a third anneal of the substrate at a temperature T3 corresponding to a thermal activation temperature for a third one of the four types of light elements, carrying out a fourth anneal of the substrate at a temperature T4 corresponding to a thermal activation temperature for a fourth one of the four types of light elements, each anneal comprising a holding at the temperature T1, T2, T3 or T4 and the temperatures T1, T2, T3 and T4 being such that T1>T2>T3>T4. |
| US07670963B2 |
Single-wafer process for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. The method includes first forming a tunnel dielectric layer on a substrate in a first process chamber of a single-wafer cluster tool. A charge-trapping layer is then formed on the tunnel dielectric layer in a second process chamber of the single-wafer cluster tool. A top dielectric layer is then formed on the charge-trapping layer in the second or in a third process chamber of the single-wafer cluster tool. |
| US07670961B2 |
Reduction of cracking in low-k spin-on dielectric films
The present invention relates to a process that minimizes the cracking of low-k dielectric polymers. In an example embodiment, on a semiconductor substrate (200), there is a method of forming a composite dielectric disposed on a metal layer passivated with plasma deposited silicon oxide SiOx. The method comprises depositing a first layer of a first predetermined thickness of a spin-on dielectric on the metal layer protected with a plasma deposited silicon oxide SiOx. Next a thin stress relief layer of a second predetermined thickness is disposed on the first layer of spin-on-dielectric. Upon the thin stress-relief layer, a second layer of a third predetermined thickness of spin-on dielectric is deposited. Low-k spin-on dielectrics may include hydrogen silsequioxane (HSQ) and methyl silsequioxane (MSQ). |
| US07670955B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
The invention is directed to a semiconductor device having a penetrating electrode and a manufacturing method thereof in which reliability and a yield of the semiconductor device are enhanced. A semiconductor substrate is etched to form a via hole from a back surface of the semiconductor substrate to a pad electrode. This etching is performed under an etching condition such that an opening diameter of the via hole at its bottom is larger than a width of the pad electrode. Next, a second insulation film is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate including in the via hole 16, exposing the pad electrode at the bottom of the via hole. Next, a penetrating electrode and a wiring layer are formed, being electrically connected with the pad electrode exposed at the bottom of the via hole 16. Furthermore, a protection layer and a conductive terminal are formed. Finally, the semiconductor substrate is cut and separated in semiconductor dies by dicing. |
| US07670951B2 |
Grid array connection device and method
A method and device for input/output connections is provided. Devices and methods for connection structure are shown with improved mechanical properties such as hardness and abrasion resistance. Land grid array structures are provided that are less expensive to manufacture due to reductions in material cost such as gold. Ball grid array structures are provided with improved resistance to corrosion during fabrication. Ball grid array structures are also provided with improved mechanical properties resulting in improved shock testing results. |
| US07670950B2 |
Copper metallization of through silicon via
A method for metallizing a through silicon via feature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate comprising immersing the semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate into an electrolytic copper deposition composition comprising a source of copper ions, an organic sulfonic acid or inorganic acid, or one or more organic compounds selected from among polarizers and/or depolarizers, and chloride ions. |
| US07670946B2 |
Methods to eliminate contact plug sidewall slit
A method to form a barrier layer and contact plug using a touch up RIE. In a first embodiment, we form a first barrier layer over the dielectric layer and the substrate in the contact hole. The first barrier layer is comprised of Ta. A second barrier layer is formed over the first barrier layer. The second barrier layer is comprised of TaN or WN. We planarize a first conductive layer to form a first contact plug in the contact hole. We reactive ion etch (e.g., W touch up etch) the top surfaces using a Cl and B containing etch. Because of the composition of the barrier layers and RIE etch chemistry, the barrier layers are not significantly etched selectively to the dielectric layer. In a second embodiment, a barrier film is comprised of WN. |
| US07670945B2 |
In situ deposition of a low κ dielectric layer, barrier layer, etch stop, and anti-reflective coating for damascene application
The present invention provides a SiC material, formed according to certain process regimes, useful as a barrier layer, etch stop, and/or an ARC, in multiple levels, including the pre-metal dielectric (PMD) level, in IC applications and provides a dielectric layer deposited in situ with the SiC material for the barrier layers, and etch stops, and ARCs. The invention may also utilize a plasma containing a reducing agent, such as ammonia, to reduce any oxides that may occur, particularly on metal surfaces such as copper filled features. This particular SiC material is useful in complex structures, such as a damascene structure and is conducive to in situ deposition, especially when used in multiple capacities for the different layers, such as the barrier layer, the etch stop, and the ARC and can include in situ deposition of the associated dielectric layer(s). |
| US07670943B2 |
Enhanced mechanical strength via contacts
The present invention provides an enhanced interconnect structure with improved reliability. The inventive interconnect structure has enhanced mechanical strength of via contacts provided by embedded metal liners. The embedded metal liners may be continuous or discontinuous. Discontinuous embedded metal liners are provided by a discontinuous interface at the bottom of the via located within the interlayer dielectric layer. |
| US07670941B2 |
Method for production of semiconductor devices
A method for production of semiconductor devices which includes the steps of forming, on an interlayer insulating film formed on a substrate, a copper-containing conductive layer in such a way that its surface is exposed, performing heat treatment with a reducing gas composed mainly of hydrogen on the surface of the conductive layer, performing plasma treatment with a reducing gas on the surface of the conductive layer, thereby permitting the surface of the conductive layer to be reduced and the hydrogen adsorbed by the heat treatment to be released, and forming an oxidation resistance film that covers the surface of the conductive layer such that the surface of the conductive layer is not exposed to an oxygen-containing atmospheric gas after the plasma treatment. |
| US07670940B2 |
Plating method, semiconductor device fabrication method and circuit board fabrication method
The plating method comprises the step of forming a resin layer 10 over a substrate 16; the step of cutting the surface part of the resin layer 10 with a cutting tool 12; the step of forming a seed layer 36 on the resin layer 10 by electroless plating; and the step of forming a plating film 44 on the seed layer 36 by electroplating. Suitable roughness can be give to the surface of the resin layer 10, whereby the adhesion between the seed layer 36 and the resin layer 10 can be sufficiently ensured. Excessively deep pores are not formed in the surface of the resin layer 10, as are by desmearing treatment, whereby a micronized pattern of a photoresist film 40 can be formed on the resin layer 10. Thus, interconnections 44, etc. can be formed over the resin layer 10 at a narrow pitch with high reliability ensured. |
| US07670934B1 |
Methods for fabricating MOS devices having epitaxially grown stress-inducing source and drain regions
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device on and in a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method comprises forming a first gate stack overlying the first region and a second gate stack overlying the second region, etching into the substrate first recesses and second recesses, the first recesses aligned at least to the first gate stack in the first region, and the second recesses aligned at least to the second gate stack in the second region, epitaxially growing a first stress-inducing monocrystalline material in the first and second recesses, removing the first stress-inducing monocrystalline material from the first recesses, and epitaxially growing a second stress-inducing monocrystalline material in the first recesses, wherein the second stress-inducing monocrystalline material has a composition different from the first stress-inducing monocrystalline material. |
| US07670932B2 |
MOS structures with contact projections for lower contact resistance and methods for fabricating the same
MOS structures with contact projections for lower contact resistance and methods for fabricating such MOS structures have been provided. In an embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, fabricating a gate stack on the substrate, and forming a contact projection on the substrate. Ions of a conductivity-determining type are implanted within the substrate using the gate stack as an ion implantation mask to form impurity-doped regions within the substrate. A metal silicide layer is formed on the contact projection and a contact is formed to the metal silicide layer. The contact is in electrical communication with the impurity-doped regions via the contact projection. |
| US07670929B2 |
Method for direct bonding two semiconductor substrates
The invention provides methods of direct bonding substrates at least one of which includes a layer of semiconductor material that extends over its front face or in the proximity thereof. The provided methods include, prior to bonding, subjecting the bonding face of at least one substrate comprising a semiconductor material to selected heat treatment at a selected temperature and in a selected gaseous atmosphere. The bonded substrates are useful for electronic, optic, or optoelectronic applications. |
| US07670923B1 |
Method of fabricating strain-silicon CMOS
Recesses are formed in the drain and source regions of an MOS transistor. The recesses are formed using two anisotropic etch processes and first and second sidewall spacers. The recesses are made up of first and second recesses, and the depths of the first and second recesses are independently controllable. The recesses are filled with a stressed material to induce strain in the channel, thereby improving carrier mobility. The widths and depths of the first and second recesses are selectable to optimize strain in the channel region. |
| US07670921B2 |
Structure and method for self aligned vertical plate capacitor
A method of forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes forming a first planar dielectric layer with a first metallization layer therein; forming a first passivation layer on top thereof; forming a planar conductive layer above the first passivation layer; patterning and selectively removing the conductive layer up to the first passivation layer in designated areas to form a set of conductive features; patterning and conformally coating the set of conductive features and the exposed first passivation layer with a high strength dielectric coating; disposing a second dielectric layer above the first passivation layer and enclosing the set of conductive features; patterning and selectively removing portions of the second substrate to form channels and trenches; performing a dual-Damascene process to form a second metallization layer in the trenches and channels and to form an upper conductive surface above the high strength dielectric coating. |
| US07670920B2 |
Methods and apparatus for forming a polysilicon capacitor
An embodiment relates generally to a method of forming a capacitor. The method includes depositing a first layer of polysilicon on a substrate and implanting a high dose of implant into the first layer of polysilicon. The method also includes depositing a layer of dielectric over the first layer of polysilicon and depositing a second layer of polysilicon over the layer of dielectric. The method further includes implanting an equivalent concentration of implant in both the first layer of polysilicon into the second layer of polysilicon. |
| US07670917B2 |
Semiconductor device made by using a laser anneal to incorporate stress into a channel region
In one aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising forming gate electrodes over a semiconductor substrate, forming source/drains adjacent the gate electrodes, depositing a stress inducing layer over the gate electrodes. A laser anneal is conducted on at least the gate electrodes subsequent to depositing the stress inducing layer at a temperature of at least about 1100° C. for a period of time of at least about 300 microseconds, and the semiconductor device is subjected to a thermal anneal subsequent to conducting the laser anneal. |
| US07670916B2 |
Semiconductor device doped with Sb, Ga, or Bi and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a first dopant area and a second dopant area in a semiconductor substrate, the first dopant area and the second dopant area doped with one selected from the group consisting of Sb, Ga, and Bi. The semiconductor memory device includes an insulating layer disposed in contact with the first dopant area and the second dopant area, and a gate electrode layer disposed in contact with the insulating layer. |
| US07670907B2 |
Isolation regions for semiconductor devices and their formation
A hard mask layer is formed and patterned overlying a semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor device. The patterned hard mask layer exposes two or more areas of the substrate for future isolation regions of the semiconductor device. Portions of the substrate are removed in the areas for future isolation regions, thereby forming two or more trenches. A second mask layer is formed overlying a first portion of the hard mask layer and at least one first trench, and a second portion of the hard mask layer and at least one second trench are left uncovered. Additional substrate material is removed from the at least one second trench so that the at least one second trench is deeper than the at least one first trench. The hard mask layer and the second mask are removed substantially concurrently. |
| US07670906B2 |
Flash memory device
Embodiments relate to a flash memory device and to method of fabricating a flash memory device is disclosed. According to embodiments, a method may include forming a device isolation layer on a semiconductor substrate to define active regions, forming floating gate patterns on the active regions, forming the photoresist patterns on the device isolation layer such that the photoresist patterns have side walls higher than the floating gate patterns, forming spacer patterns at the side walls of the photoresist patterns such that the spacer patterns partially cover the floating gate patterns, and etching the floating gate patterns by a predetermined depth using the spacer patterns as an etching mask. |
| US07670904B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device comprises providing a substrate, forming an insulating layer and a conductive layer on the substrate, forming an electrical connection path out of a portion of the conductive layer, through which the conductive layer is electrically connected to the substrate, and gate patterning the insulating layer and the conductive layer. |
| US07670902B2 |
Method and structure for landing polysilicon contact
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device. A plurality of MOS transistor devices are formed overlying a semiconductor substrate. Each of the MOS transistor devices includes a nitride cap and nitride sidewall spacers. An interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the plurality of MOS transistor devices. A portion of the interlayer dielectric material is removed to expose at least portions of three MOS transistor devices and expose at least three regions between respective MOS transistor devices. The method deposits polysilicon fill material overlying the exposed three regions and overlying the three MOS transistor devices. The method performs a chemical mechanical planarization process on the polysilicon material to reduce a thickness of the polysilicon material exposing a portion of the interlayer dielectric material until the cap nitride layer on each of the MOS transistors has been exposed using the cap nitride layer as a polish stop layer. |
| US07670901B2 |
Method of fabricating a bottle trench and a bottle trench capacitor
A method of fabricating a bottle trench and a bottle trench capacitor. The method including: providing a substrate; forming a trench in the substrate, the trench having sidewalls and a bottom, the trench having an upper region adjacent to a top surface of the substrate and a lower region adjacent to the bottom of the trench; forming an oxidized layer of the substrate in the bottom region of the trench; and removing the oxidized layer of the substrate from the bottom region of the trench, a cross-sectional area of the lower region of the trench greater than a cross-sectional area of the upper region of the trench. |
| US07670900B2 |
Method and structure for fabricating capacitor devices for integrated circuits
A dynamic random access memory device including a capacitor structure, e.g., trench, stack. The device includes a substrate (e.g., silicon, silicon on insulator, epitaxial silicon) having a surface region. The device includes an interlayer dielectric region overlying the surface region. In a preferred embodiment, the interlayer dielectric region has an upper surface and a lower surface. The device has a container structure within a portion of the interlayer dielectric region. The container structure extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. The container structure has a first width at the upper surface and a second width at the lower surface. The container structure has an inner region extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. In a specific embodiment, the container structure has a higher dopant concentration within a portion of the inner region within a vicinity of the lower surface and on a portion of the inner region near the vicinity of the lower surface. The device also has a doped polysilicon layer overlying the inner region of the trench structure. The device has a first hemispherical grained silicon material having a first grain dimension near the vicinity of the lower surface and a second hemispherical grained silicon material having a second grain dimension near a vicinity of the upper surface of the container structure. In a preferred embodiment, the first grain dimension has an average size of no greater than about ½ of an average size of the second grain dimension to prevent any bridging of any portions of the hemispherical grained silicon material within the vicinity of the lower surface. |
| US07670896B2 |
Method and structure for reducing floating body effects in MOSFET devices
A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a bulk substrate, a gate insulating layer formed over the bulk substrate, source and drain regions formed in an active device area associated with the bulk substrate, the source and drain regions each defining a p/n junction with respect to a body region of the active device area, and a conductive plug formed within a cavity defined in the source region, across the p/n junction of the source region and into the body region, wherein the conductive plug facilitates a discharge path between the body region and the source region. |
| US07670894B2 |
Selective high-k dielectric film deposition for semiconductor device
Embodiments of the present invention describe a method of fabricating a III-V quantum well transistor with low current leakage and high on-to-off current ratio. A hydrophobic mask having an opening is formed on a semiconductor film. The opening exposes a portion on the semiconductor film where a dielectric layer is desired to be formed. A hydrophilic surface is formed on the exposed portion of the semiconductor film. A dielectric layer is then formed on the hydrophilic surface by using an atomic layer deposition process. A metal layer is deposited on the dielectric layer. |
| US07670893B2 |
Membrane IC fabrication
General purpose methods for the fabrication of integrated circuits from flexible membranes formed of very thin low stress dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, and semiconductor layers. Semiconductor devices are formed in a semiconductor layer of the membrane. The semiconductor membrane layer is initially formed from a substrate of standard thickness, and all but a thin surface layer of the substrate is then etched or polished away. In another version, the flexible membrane is used as support and electrical interconnect for conventional integrated circuit die bonded thereto, with the interconnect formed in multiple layers in the membrane. Multiple die can be connected to one such membrane, which is then packaged as a multi-chip module. Other applications are based on (circuit) membrane processing for bipolar and MOSFET transistor fabrication, low impedance conductor interconnecting fabrication, flat panel displays, maskless (direct write) lithography, and 3D IC fabrication. |
| US07670892B2 |
Nitrogen based implants for defect reduction in strained silicon
A transistor is fabricated upon a semiconductor substrate, where the yield strength or elasticity of the substrate is enhanced or otherwise adapted. A strain inducing layer is formed over the transistor to apply a strain thereto to alter transistor operating characteristics, and more particularly to enhance the mobility of carriers within the transistor. Enhancing carrier mobility allows transistor dimensions to be reduced while also allowing the transistor to operate as desired. However, high strain and temperature associated with fabricating the transistor result in deleterious plastic deformation. The yield strength of the silicon substrate is therefore adapted by incorporating nitrogen into the substrate, and more particularly into source/drain extension regions and/or source/drain regions of the transistor. The nitrogen can be readily incorporated during transistor fabrication by adding it as part of source/drain extension region formation and/or source/drain region formation. The enhanced yield strength of the substrate mitigates plastic deformation of the transistor due to the strain inducing layer. |
| US07670890B2 |
Silicide block isolated junction field effect transistor source, drain and gate
An junction field effect transistor (JFET) is fashioned with a patterned layer of silicide block (SBLK) material utilized in forming gate, source and drain regions. Utilizing the silicide block in this manner helps to reduce low-frequency (flicker) noise associated with the JFET by suppressing the impact of surface states, among other things. |
| US07670886B2 |
Method for fabricating polysilicon film
A method of fabricating a polysilicon film includes: forming a seed layer on a surface of a substrate; forming a silicon layer over the surface of the seed layer; and performing a laser annealing process to transform the silicon layer into a polysilicon layer at a laser energy equal to or greater than that needed to cause complete melting of the silicon layer. |
| US07670885B2 |
Thin-film semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a thin-film semiconductor device, including forming a crystallized region on a transparent insulating substrate, implanting an impurity into the crystallized region and an amorphous semiconductor layer to form a source diffusion region and a drain diffusion region in the crystallized region, subjecting the resultant structure to heat treatment, thereby not only activating the impurity implanted in the crystallized region and the amorphous semiconductor layer but also restoring crystallinity of only a portion of the amorphous semiconductor layer which is formed on the crystallized region to thereby turn the portion into a polycrystalline semiconductor layer, and subjecting the resultant surface to selective etching to thereby leave only the polycrystalline semiconductor layer and to remove the amorphous semiconductor layer formed on other regions, thereby forming, in a self-aligned manner, a stacked source diffusion layer and a stacked drain diffusion layer. |
| US07670881B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
At present, a forming process of a base film through an amorphous silicon film is conducted in respective film forming chambers in order to obtain satisfactory films. When continuous formation of the base film through the amorphous silicon film is performed in a single film forming chamber with the above film formation condition, crystallization is not sufficiently attained in a crystallization process. By forming the amorphous silicon film using silane gas diluted with hydrogen, crystallization is sufficiently attained in the crystallization process even with the continuous formation of the base film through the amorphous silicon film in the single film forming chamber. |
| US07670879B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor module including solid-liquid diffusion joining steps
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a semiconductor module which enables the joining at a low temperature within a short time and can obtain more reliable joining portions by performing the joining without using a solder joining medium. The manufacturing method of a semiconductor module includes a first joining step for joining first circuit electrodes which are formed on a circuit board and back-surface-side die electrodes of a semiconductor die, a second joining step for joining the front-surface-side electrodes of the semiconductor die and one ends of lead frames, and a third joining step for joining another ends of the lead frame and second circuit electrodes which are formed on the circuit board, wherein a low-melting-temperature metal layer is formed on one conductive portion of a pair of conductive portions to be joined and, thereafter, the low-melting-temperature metal layer is heated and pressurized thus diffusing the low-melting-temperature metal layer into the pair of conductive portions by solid-liquid diffusion whereby the conductive portions are joined to each other. |
| US07670872B2 |
Method of manufacturing ceramic LED packages
Methods of forming LED packages and light emitting devices are provided. LED packages and light emitting devices are preferably formed from ceramic layers, such as AlN, though layers of non-ceramic materials can also be used. The layers are formed to include vias, apertures, and metallization layers. The layers are then bonded together to form a panel. The panel is scribed to form a grid of snap lines and then the panel is fractured along the snap lines. To form light emitting devices from the panel, LED dies are added and encapsulated before the panel is fractured. |
| US07670867B2 |
Method for manufacturing CMOS image sensor having microlens therein with high photosensitivity
The method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor is employed to prevent bridge phenomenon between adjacent microlenses by employing openings between the microlenses. The method includes the steps of: preparing a semiconductor substrate including isolation regions and photodiodes therein obtained by a predetermined process; forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD), metal interconnections and a passivation layer formed on the semiconductor substrate in sequence; forming a color filter array having a plurality of color filters on the passivation layer; forming an over-coating layer (OCL) on the color filter array by using a positive photoresist or a negative photoresist; forming openings in the OCL by patterning the OCL by using a predetermined mask; and forming dome-typed microlenses on a patterned OCL. |
| US07670863B2 |
Method of fabricating complementary metal oxide silicon image sensor
Provided is a method of fabricating a complementary metal oxide silicon image sensor. The method includes: applying a passivation oxide and a passivation nitride after forming a pad; selectively removing the passivation nitride in a pad region and a pixel region by a photolithography process, and performing a first cleaning process; performing a hydrogen anneal process; opening the pad by removing the passivation oxide in the pad region and performing a second cleaning process; applying a pad protective layer; performing a color filter array process, a planarization process, and a microlens process after the applying of the pad protective layer; and removing the pad protective layer in the pad region. |
| US07670861B2 |
Controlling stress in MEMS structures
The objects of the present invention are to form MEMS structures of which stress is controlled while maintaining the performance of high-performance LSI, to integrate MEMS Structures and LSI on a single chip, to electrically and chemically protect the MEMS structure and to reduce the stress of the whole movable part of the MEMS structure. To achieve the above objects, a silicide film formable at a low temperature is used for the MEMS structure. The temperature at the silicide film deposition T1 is selected optionally with reference the heat treatment temperature T2 and the pseudo-crystallization temperature T3. T2, the temperature of manufacturing process after the silicide film deposition, is determined does not cause the degradation of the characteristics of the high-performance LSI indispensable. Thus, the residual stress of the MEMS structures may be controlled. |
| US07670859B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: preparing a semiconductor module including: a semiconductor substrate having an electrode; a test pad electrically connected to the electrode; a land electrically connected to the test pad; and an external terminal provided on the land; and testing an electrical characteristic by bringing a probe into contact with the test pad. |
| US07670855B2 |
Porin B (PorB) as a therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of infection by Chlamydia
The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila. |
| US07670854B2 |
Immunological assay and chip
The present invention provides an immunological assay suitable to be carried out on a chip. After an antigen-antibody complex in which an antigen 2 to be measured and an antibody 3 have bound to each other was obtained in a reaction chamber 7, the amount of the antigen-antibody complex or the antibody that has not bound to the antigen to be measured by using a measurement solution obtained by using the sample solution 8 as a solvent. According to the present invention, the measurement solution for detecting the signal that reflects the amount of the substance to be measured can be obtained without using a buffer solution free from a substance to be measured, such as protein. Thus, it is not necessary to supply a buffer solution from the outside of the chip or to allow the buffer solution to be retained on the chip beforehand. Accordingly, an immunological assay can be carried out easily on a chip. |
| US07670852B2 |
Assays for preimplantation factor and preimplantation factor peptides
The present invention relates to assay methods used for detecting the presence of PIF, and to PIF peptides identified using this assay. In particular, the present invention relates to flow cytometry assays for detecting PIF. It is based, at least in part, on the observation that flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled anti-lymphocyte and anti-platelet antibodies demonstrated an increase in rosette formation in the presence of PIF. It is further based on the observation that flow cytometry demonstrated that monoclonal antibody binding to CD2 decreased in the presence of PIF. The present invention further relates to PIF peptides which, when added to Jurkat cell cultures, have been observed to either (i) decrease binding of anti-CD2 antibody to Jurkat cells; (ii) increase expression of CD2 in Jurkat cells; or (iii) decrease Jurkat cell viability. In additional embodiments, the present invention provides for ELISA assays which detect PIF by determining the effect of a test sample on the binding of anti-CD2 antibody to a CD2 substrate. |
| US07670851B2 |
Assays for preimplantation factor and preimplantation factor peptides
The present invention relates to assay methods used for detecting the presence of PIF, and to PIF peptides identified using this assay. In particular, the present invention relates to flow cytometry assays for detecting PIF. It is based, at least in part, on the observation that flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled anti-lymphocyte and anti-platelet antibodies demonstrated an increase in rosette formation in the presence of PIF. It is further based on the observation that flow cytometry demonstrated that monoclonal antibody binding to CD2 decreased in the presence of PIF. The present invention further relates to PIF peptides which, when added to Jurkat cell cultures, have been observed to either (i) decrease binding of anti-CD2 antibody to Jurkat cells; (ii) increase expression of CD2 in Jurkat cells; or (iii) decrease Jurkat cell viability. In additional embodiments, the present invention provides for ELISA assays which detect PIF by determining the effect of a test sample on the binding of anti-CD2 antibody to a CD2 substrate. |
| US07670849B2 |
Method for diagnosing insulin resistance from nasal secretions
The invention is directed to a method of detecting a biological substance in the nasal secretion and diagnosing a disease following the detection of the biological substance wherein the biological substance is not related to a respiratory disease. The invention also provides treatment of the diseases following the detection of the biological substance and/or diagnosis of the disease. In some embodiments, the diseases are cancer, hepatitis, smell loss, taste loss, diabetes, and leprosy. The invention also provides a kit for diagnosing a disease.The present invention includes methods of analyzing samples from the nose for the detection of biological substances. In particular, nasal secretion or nasal mucus is collected and analyzed for biological substances. The results of this analysis are then suitable for use in diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of suitability of therapeutic interventions. |
| US07670846B2 |
Automatic differentiation of a sample solution and a control solution
The invention concerns a method for automatically differentiating between a sample liquid and a control liquid especially within the context of analytical measuring systems, wherein the presence of a special property of the control liquid and/or at least two criteria are used for the differentiation. In addition the invention concerns appropriate control liquids that are suitable for the new method. |
| US07670844B2 |
Supported molecular biofluid viscosity sensors for in vitro and in vivo use
A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered. |
| US07670838B2 |
Coupling of excitation and neurogenesis in neural stem/progenitor cells
Coupling of excitation to neurogenesis in proliferating post-natal NPCs is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Neurogenesis is potently enhanced by excitatory stimuli, and involves Cav1.2/1.3 channels and NMDA receptors. These Ca2+ influx pathways are located on the proliferating NPCs, allowing them to directly sense and process excitatory stimuli. Excitation increases the fraction of NPC progeny that are neurons, and increases total neuron number. Signaling in this pathway leads to rapid induction of a proneural gene expression pattern involving the bHLH genes HES1, Id2, and NeuroD, and the resulting cells become fully functional neurons defined by neuronal morphology, expression of neuronal structural proteins, expression of neuronal TTX-sensitive voltage gated Na+ channels, and synaptic incorporation into active neural circuits. |
| US07670836B2 |
Antimicrobial peptide isolated from Penaeus monodon
The present invention provides an antimicrobial peptide, monodoncin, which is isolated and purified from Penaeus monodon and is capable of being mass produced by molecular cloning techniques in a heterologous expression system, such as yeast. Monodoncin demonstrates a wide-range of bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on G(−) and G(+) bacteria as well as fungicidal activities, and can be used in combination with conventional antibiotics as “cocktail therapy” to improve the therapeutic effects of the conventional antibiotics. |
| US07670833B2 |
High throughput analysis for molecular fractions
This invention presents the high throughput (HT) analysis technology for molecular fractions employing micro-array format. Molecules are fractionated according to the properties of molecules and are assigned primary designated orders while their tissue origins are assigned secondary designated orders such that each fractionated molecules become addressable and traceable. Fractionated molecules are recovered, arrayed, and analyzed according to the same primary designated orders and secondary designated order in a high throughput manner. The above properties of molecules can be measured and predicted. |
| US07670828B2 |
Screening method for genes of brewing yeast
Provided herein are a method for selecting a gene participating in the desired brewing character and compiling a database of the whole genome sequence of industrial yeast; identifying a gene participating in a brewing characteristic from the database; functional analysis of the gene; and a DNA array of the whole genome sequences of an industrial yeast. Also provided are a method for yeast breeding; a method of producing an alcoholic beverage with improved quality; and a screening method to identify genes that increase productivity and/or improve flavor in the production of an alcohol or an alcoholic beverage by (A) analyzing a whole industrial yeast genome sequence, (B) comparing the genome sequence with the genome sequence of S. cerevisiae, (C) selecting a gene of the industrial yeast encoding having 70 to 97% identity to an amino acid sequence of S. cerevisiae; and (D) analyzing the selected gene. |
| US07670825B2 |
Method for enhancing production of isoprenoid compounds
The present invention provides methods of producing an isoprenoid or an isoprenoid precursor in a genetically modified host cell. The methods generally involve modulating the level of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) in the cell, such that the level of HMG-CoA is not toxic to the cell and/or does not substantially inhibit cell growth, but is maintained at a level that provides for high-level production of mevalonate, IPP, and other downstream products of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid pathway, e.g., polyprenyl diphosphates and isoprenoid compounds. The present invention further provides genetically modified host cells that are suitable for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs for use in generating a subject genetically modified host cell, including recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding one or more mevalonate pathway enzymes, and recombinant vectors (e.g., recombinant expression vectors) comprising same. The present invention further provides methods for identifying nucleic acids that encode HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) variants that provide for relief of HMG-CoA accumulation-induced toxicity. The present invention farther provides methods for identifying agents that reduce intracellular accumulation of HMG-CoA. |
| US07670823B1 |
Compositions for use in recombinational cloning of nucleic acids
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for use in recombinational cloning of nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more recombination sites or portions thereof, to nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more of these recombination site nucleotide sequences and optionally comprising one or more additional physical or functional nucleotide sequences. The invention also relates to vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, to host cells comprising the vectors or nucleic acid molecules of the invention, to methods of producing polypeptides using the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, and to polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules or produced by the methods of the invention. The invention also relates to antibodies that bind to one or more polypeptides of the invention or epitopes thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compositions in methods for recombinational cloning of nucleic acids, in vitro and in vivo, to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have particular characteristics and/or DNA segments. |
| US07670819B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US07670812B2 |
Method of producing glycogen
A method of producing glycogen comprising a step of: allowing a branching enzyme having the ability to synthesize glycogen to act on a substrate in a solution to produce a glycogen, wherein the substrate is an α-glucan being linked mainly with α-1,4-glucosidic bonds and having a degree of polymerization of 4 or more, and the number-average molecular weight of saccharides in the solution before initiation of the reaction is more than 180 but not more than 150,000. (The branching enzyme activity of the branching enzyme)/(the molecular-weight-decreasing activity of the branching enzyme) can be 500 or less. The branching enzyme can be a thermostable branching enzyme. |
| US07670803B2 |
Saponin-decomposing enzyme, gene thereof and large-scale production sytem for producing soyasapogenol B
The present invention provides a protein having saponin-decomposing activity, more specifically a protein which can decompose a glycoside having soyasapogenol B as an aglycone to produce soyasapogenol B, a polynucleotide encoding such a protein, and a method of producing soyasapogenol B on a large scale using the same. A protein according to the present invention are concerned with (a), (b) or (c), namely (a) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, and 6; (b) a protein that has at least 50% homology to the protein comprising the amino acid sequence of the sequence described in (a) and having saponin-decomposing activity; or (c) a protein comprising a modified amino acid sequence of the sequence described in (a) that has one or more amino acid residues deleted, substituted, inserted, or added and having saponin-decomposing activity. |
| US07670795B2 |
Methods for assaying acetyl transferase or deacetylase activity
The invention provides methods and kits for characterizing the activity of an acetyl transferase or deacetylase. The method involves enzymatically acetylating or deacetylating in vitro a substrate that is a peptide fragment of a full-length polypeptide, and then non-enzymatically acylating the peptide substrate with acyl groups that differ in molecular weight from the enzymatically added or removed acetyl groups. Typically, deuterated acetic anhydride is used to non-enzymatically acylate the substrate. The fully acylated substrate is then characterized by mass spectrometry to determine the amino acid positions of the substrate that are enzymatically acetylated or deacetylated. |
| US07670792B2 |
Biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules. |
| US07670788B2 |
Determining and reducing immunoresistance to a Botulinum toxin therapy using Botulinum toxin B peptides
The present invention provides BoNT/B peptides, BoNT/B peptide compositions, tolerogizing compositions, immune response inducing compositions, as well as methods of determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of treating immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of reducing anti-botulinum toxin antibodies in an individual and methods of inducing a BoNT/B immune response an individual. |
| US07670786B2 |
Membrane-based assay devices
A membrane-based assay device for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The device utilizes a self-calibrated magnetic binding assay format (e.g., sandwich, competitive, etc.) that includes detection probes capable of generating a detection signal (e.g., fluorescent non-magnetic particles) and calibration probes capable of generating a calibration signal (e.g., fluorescent magnetic particles). The amount of the analyte within the test sample is proportional (e.g., directly or inversely) to the intensity of the detection signal calibrated by the intensity of the calibration signal. It has been discovered that the fluidics-based device of the present invention provides an accurate, inexpensive, and readily controllable method of determining the presence of an analyte in a test sample. |
| US07670785B2 |
Polynucleotides and polypeptides associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis
The present invention is directed to polynucleotides encoding polypeptides associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis and homologs thereof. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for utilizing these polynucleotides and polypeptides in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of rheumatoid arthritis and related disease states. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention, and compounds identified thereby. |
| US07670778B2 |
Tumor suppressor pathway in C. elegans
The invention provides novel lin-8, lin-56, and lin-61 genes and polypeptides involved in cell fate determination and in cell proliferation. In addition, the invention includes mutants of these three genes, as well as methods for utilizing these genes, and their encoded polypeptides, in diagnosing and treating abnormal cell proliferation. |
| US07670776B1 |
MYH gene variants and use thereof
Variants in MYH gene are disclosed which can result in abnormal synthesis of MYH proteins and alteration of MYH activities. The invention provides methods for detecting the newly discovered genetic variants. Use of MYH genetic variants as biomarkers in diagnosing cancer and detecting a predisposition to cancer are also disclosed herein. |
| US07670775B2 |
Method for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid tissue
Methods of identifying malignant thyroid tissue comprising testing a thyroid tissue sample for the expression of at least two genes chosen from CCND2, PCSK2, and PLAB. Kits for use in the disclosed methods are also provided. |
| US07670773B2 |
MECP2E1 gene
The invention is a novel MECP2E1 splice variant and its corresponding polypeptide. The invention also includes methods of using these nucleic acid sequences and proteins in medical diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders or development disorders. |
| US07670769B2 |
IL1RL-1 as a cardiovascular disease marker and therapeutic target
This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure. |
| US07670768B1 |
Processes for isolating, amplifying and characterizing DNA
Processes for isolating, amplifying, and characterizing DNA from biological materials are provided. DNA is isolated by contacting a biological material on a solid support which is preferably pre-treated with a lysing reagent. The isolation process is simple and efficient and provides a source of purified DNA without the use of harmful organic solvents such as urea and guanidine-based solvents. The purified DNA and remaining fractions of biological material may be characterized or amplified as necessary. |
| US07670765B2 |
Method of forming monolayers of phage-derived products and used thereof
Methods and compositions for identifying and characterizing the affinity of one or more ligands of a peptide are provided. In particular, a “stripped phage ligand sensor device” (SPLSD) is provided comprising a sensor coupled to a binding element of interest. Binding elements of the invention comprise phage which in most embodiments express a peptide of interest on the phage surface. Assays using the SPLSD allow detection and quantitation of ligands. Also provided are improved methods for forming monolayers using phage. In particular, methods for the formation of monolayers using “stripped phage” are provided. Further provided are monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films formed by the methods of the invention as well as substrates having deposited thereon the films of the invention. The monolayers, films and substrates of the invention are useful as components of biosensors and/or chemosensors. |
| US07670759B2 |
Micro pattern forming method and semiconductor device manufacturing method
Photosensitive resist material is coated on a substrate and exposed and developed to form a resist pattern. The surface layer of sidewalls and a top wall of the resist pattern is etched by plasma of a mixture gas of a first gas and an SO2 gas, the first gas being at least one gas selected from a group consisting of He, Ne, Ar, Xe, Kr, CO, CO2 and N2. Resist pattern deformation and pattern collapse can be prevented while the resist pattern shrinks. |
| US07670757B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition, method of forming level difference pattern using the photosensitive resin composition, and method of producing ink jet head
To provide a positive type photosensitive resin composition, containing at least an acrylic resin having a carboxylic anhydride structure in a molecule, and a compound that generates an acid when irradiated with light. |
| US07670756B2 |
Pattern forming method, semiconductor device manufacturing method and exposure mask set
First, a first exposure process is performed using dipole illumination with only a grating-pattern forming region as a substantial object to be exposed. Next, a second exposure process is performed with only a standard-pattern forming region as a substantial object to be exposed. A development process is then performed to obtain a resist pattern. A mask for the first exposure process is such that a light blocking pattern is formed on the whole surface of a standard-pattern mask part corresponding to the standard-pattern forming region. A mask for the second exposure is such that a light blocking pattern is formed on the whole surface of a grating-pattern mask part corresponding to the grating-pattern forming region. |
| US07670755B2 |
Photomask correcting method and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A writing pattern data generating method for, in order to form a first photomask for use in a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which including forming a first resist pattern on a mask film formed on a first film using the first photomask, forming a first mask pattern by etching the mask film, removing the first resist pattern, forming a second resist film on the mask film, forming a second resist pattern on the mask film, forming a second mask pattern by etching the mask film, removing the second resist pattern, and forming a first film pattern by etching the first film, the generating method comprising correcting a first pattern data in accordance with a difference between the first film pattern and the second mask pattern and a difference between the first resist pattern and the first mask pattern. |
| US07670754B2 |
Exposure apparatus having a processing chamber, a vacuum chamber and first and second load lock chambers
An exposure apparatus for executing an exposure of a substrate to light via a mask. The apparatus includes a booth which stores the mask in an atmospheric pressure, a processing chamber in which the exposure is executed in a first vacuum pressure, a vacuum chamber, arranged between the booth and the processing chamber, stores the mask at a second vacuum pressure that is higher than the first vacuum pressure and is between 0.1 Pa and 100 Pa, a first load lock chamber, arranged between the booth and the vacuum chamber, through which the mask is transferred, in which the atmospheric pressure and the second vacuum pressure are replaceable, and a second load lock chamber arranged between the vacuum chamber and the processing chamber, through which the mask is transferred, in which the second vacuum pressure and the first vacuum pressure are replaceable. |
| US07670750B2 |
Polymer, resist protective coating material, and patterning process
A resist protective coating material comprises a polymer comprising repeat units having formulae (1a) and (1b) and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. R1a and R1b are H, F or alkyl or fluoroalkyl, R2a, R2b, R3a and R3b are H or alkyl, or R2a and R2b, and R3a and R3b may bond together to form a ring, 0 |
| US07670749B2 |
Resist material and method for forming a patterned resist layer on a substrate
A method for the formation of a patterned resist layer on a substrate surface by patternwise irradiation with actinic radiation. The first step of the method is formation of a coating layer comprising a substituted triphenylene compound having a diameter of between 1 and 3 nm, a sensitizer which increases the sensitivity of the exposed layer to the actinic radiation used in a subsequent irradiation step and a cross-linker on the substrate surface. Subsequently the coating layer is irradiated patternwise, and unirradiated areas of the coating layer are removed. A resist material comprising a solution of: (i) as the principal resist material a triphenylene derivative having a diameter of from 1 to 3 rim, (ii) a sensitizer which increases the sensitivity of the resist material to actinic radiation, and (iii) a cross-linker capable of cross-linking molecules of the triphenyl derivative, the cross-linker optionally being constituted by a moiety attached to the triphenylene derivative. |
| US07670746B2 |
Positive photosensitive composition and method of forming resist pattern
A positive photosensitive composition comprises: (A) 5 to 20 parts by weight of the total amount of at least one compound that generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray; and (B) 100 parts by weight of the total amount of at least one fluorine atom-containing resin having a group that increases a solubility of the resin in an alkaline developer by the action of an acid. |
| US07670745B2 |
Alkali soluble polymer and positive working photosensitive resin composition using the same
The invention provides an alkali soluble polymer including a specific vinylketone phenol and a derivative thereof as radical polymerizable monomers and a positive working photosensitive resin composition containing the alkali soluble polymer and a photosensitizing agent. According to the invention, there can be provided an alkali soluble resin having high solvent resistance, high water resistance, high acid resistance, high alkali resistance, high thermal resistance, high transparency, excellent adhesiveness with a substrate, and the like and useful for the formation of a patterned resin film obtained by developing in an aqueous alkali solution and a positive working photosensitive resin composition including such an alkali soluble resin. |
| US07670744B2 |
Toner, method for producing toner, two component developer, and image forming apparatus
First toner of the present invention includes colored particles and an external additive. The colored particles are produced by heating and aggregating a mixture that includes a resin particle dispersion in which first resin particles are dispersed and a pigment particle dispersion in which pigment particles are dispersed, so that at least part of the first resin particles is melted. The colored particles have a finely roughened surface. Second toner of the present invention includes aggregated particles including at least first resin particles and pigment particles, and colored particles having a finely roughed surface formed by fusing at least part of wax and at least part of second resin particles on the surface of the aggregated particles. Third toner of the present invention includes aggregated particles including at least first resin particles and pigment particles, and colored particles having a finely roughened surface formed by fusing at least part of third resin particles and at least part of fourth resin particles on the surface of the aggregated particles. When the aggregated particles are formed in an aqueous medium, the pH is controlled in the specified range. The toner can achieve oilless fixing that prevents offset without using oil while maintaining high OHP transmittance. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the spent of toner components on a carrier and to make the life longer. Moreover, thinning or scattering during transfer can be suppressed, thus ensuring high transfer efficiency. |
| US07670732B2 |
Image forming method, liquid developing device, and image forming apparatus
An image forming method includes: by using a plurality of liquid developers having different colors, forming a plurality of single color images corresponding to the colors; transferring a non-fixed color image onto a recording medium; and fixing the non-fixed color image onto the recording medium. In the image forming method, each of the liquid developers includes an insulting liquid containing unsaturated fatty acid components and toner particles dispersed in the insulating liquid, and an oxidation polymerization accelerator that accelerates an oxidation polymerization reaction of the unsaturated fatty acid components during fixation is contained in the liquid developer forming the single color image that is positioned closest to the recording medium among the plurality of single color images forming the non-fixed color image. |
| US07670727B2 |
Illumination compensator for curved surface lithography
A zero power identical pair of oppositely-oriented meniscus lens elements mounted in the projection light path, serves as curved mask support while compensating for optical anomalies such as beam shift and beam deviations produced by other transparent supports for the curved mask. The zero-power meniscus lens pair, without affecting the transmission beam characteristics, lets the beam diffract as efficiently as does a regular planar mask, thus preserving the partial coherence effects and resolution concepts of projection lithography. This simple but novel optics device is not only expected to clear several barriers for curved mask projection lithography but also find place in other applications where collimated or converging light beams have to travel extra paths without significant aberration. |
| US07670725B2 |
Optical masks and methods for measuring aberration of a beam
An optical mask for use with an exposure beam includes a mask substrate adapted to be placed on a traveling path of the exposure beam. A reference pattern is formed on the mask substrate. The reference pattern is adapted to direct the exposure beam to travel in a predetermined reference direction. A comparative pattern is formed on the mask substrate. The comparative pattern is adapted to direct the exposure beam to travel in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the reference direction. |
| US07670722B2 |
Cathode active material and lithium secondary battery containing the same
Provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte-based, high-power lithium secondary battery having a long service life and superior safety at both room temperature and high temperature, even after repeated high-current charging and discharging. The battery comprises a cathode active material composed of a mixture of lithium/manganese spinel oxide and lithium/nickel/cobalt/manganese composite oxide wherein at least one of two oxides has an average particle diameter of more than 15 μm. |
| US07670720B1 |
Electrochemical energy storage means
A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided. The solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided. |
| US07670717B2 |
Spirally-wound non-aqueous secondary battery and electrode plate used therefor
To provide a non-aqueous secondary battery having a capacity as high as that of a conventional battery using a conventional resin separator and achieving excellent overcharge characteristics and excellent resistance to external short-circuit, a combined electrode plate for a spirally-wound electrode group for a non-aqueous secondary battery including a current collector, an active material layer carried on the current collector and a multi-layer porous membrane carried on the active material layer is used. The multi-layer porous membrane includes a first porous membrane and a second porous membrane. The first porous membrane contains metal oxide particles and a first binder. The second porous membrane contains resin particles and a second binder. The thickness of the multi-layer porous membrane is preferably 15 to 25 μm. |
| US07670707B2 |
Electrical contacts for fuel cells
A laminar electrical contact for fuel cells is disclosed. By optimizing the contact area and pressure between a separator plate and a membrane electrode assembly, the lamina of the present invention improves fuel cell efficiency and performance. The lamina may rest upon compliant members or springs that push the lamina into the adjoining membrane electrode assembly, thereby assuring continuous and robust electrical contact between the separator plate and the membrane electrode assembly. |
| US07670703B2 |
Solid electrolyte fuel cell supported by an integrated reformer
The solid oxide fuel cell can comprise: an electroconductive and porous reformer including a catalytically active material and shaped to constitute a solid slab having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of adjacent grooves along the first surface, and flat regions adjacent the plurality of grooves; an anode layer covering the plurality of grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape; an electrolyte layer covering the anode layer over the plurality of grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape, and extending over the flat regions; and a cathode layer covering the electrolyte layer over the grooves of the reformer slab and having a corresponding grooved shape. |
| US07670700B2 |
Fuel cell system, related method and current measuring device for fuel cell system
A fuel cell system, control method and current measuring device for a power unit are disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having local areas, a current measuring device associated with at least one of the local areas to measure localized current related to a specified operating characteristic, and a control section for diagnosing an operating condition of the fuel cell in response to localized current to enable optimum control of the fuel cell depending upon a specified operating characteristic determined by localized current. The control method controls the operating condition of the fuel cell in response to localized current indicative of the specified operating characteristic of the fuel cell. The current measuring device includes an electrical conductor formed with a recessed portion, a localized current conductor received in the recessed portion, and a current sensor for detecting current flowing across the localized current conductor. |
| US07670697B2 |
Fuel cell system with fuel cell unit having means for storing or dispensing electrical energy
A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell unit for generating electrical energy, a unit for storing or dispensing electrical energy, an electrical consumer for consuming electrical energy, a diagnostic unit for ascertaining a functional capability of the at least one fuel cell unit during a diagnosis phase, and a control unit for determining an electrical power generated at least during the diagnosis phase by the at least one fuel cell unit. |
| US07670695B2 |
Lubricant for recording medium and magnetic disk
The present invention provides a lubricant for recording media that does not readily decompose, and which has high adhesion to recording media, and a magnetic disk that is durable against continuous sliding under high-speed rotation.The present invention provides a lubricant for recording media containing: a perfluoropolyether compound represented by Formula (1), R1—CH2CF2O—(CF2CF2O)m—(CF2O)n—CF2CH2—R2 (1) wherein R1 represents R represents a C1-4 haloalkyl group, R2 represents —OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, and m and n are each independently 1-30; and another perfluoropolyether compound represented by Formula (2), R1—CH2CF2O—(CF2CF2O)m—(CF2O)n—CF2CH2—R3 (2) wherein R1, m and n are as defined above and R3 represents —OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH. The present invention also provides a magnetic disk having a lubricating layer essentially consists of such a lubricant. |
| US07670693B2 |
Magnetic recording medium possessing a columnar structure
The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium that excels in electromagnetic conversion characteristics. The magnetic recording medium has a 55 nm or less thickness magnetic layer formed on a major surface of an elongated nonmagnetic support by performing a vacuum thin film forming technique, the magnetic recording medium being slid over a magnetoresistive effect magnetic head or a giant magnetoresistive effect head to reproduce a signal, wherein an angle θ which is formed by a growth direction of magnetic particles in a columnar structure in a longitudinal cross-section of the magnetic layer and a normal to a longitudinal direction of the nonmagnetic support, satisfies the following relation: θi−θf≦25°. where θi is an angle of θ in an initial growth portion of the magnetic layer, and θf is an angle of θ in a final growth portion of the magnetic layer. |
| US07670690B2 |
High strength vacuum deposited nitinol alloy films and method of making same
A vacuum deposition method for fabricating high-strength nitinol films by sputter depositing nickel and titanium from a heated sputtering target, and controlling the sputter deposition process parameters in order to create high-strength nitinol films that exhibit shape memory and/or superelastic properties without the need for precipitation annealing to attenuate the transition conditions of the deposited material. A vacuum deposited nitinol film having high-strength properties equal to or better than wrought nitinol films and which are characterized by having non-columnar crystal grain structures. |
| US07670685B2 |
Low loss visible-IR transmitting glass-ceramic spinel composites and process
This invention pertains to a composite of Spinel and BGG glass substrates and to process for bonding Spinel to BGG glass. The composite includes a Spinel and a BGG glass bonded together and having transmission in the visible and mid-infrared wavelength region. The process includes the step of heating them together above the softening temperature of the BGG glass, the composite having excellent, i.e., typically in excess of about 80%, transmission in the 0.5-5 wavelength region. |
| US07670682B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a carbon based foam article having a desired thermal-conductivity gradient
A carbon based foam article is made by heating the surface of a carbon foam block to a temperature above its graphitizing temperature, which is the temperature sufficient to graphitize the carbon foam. In one embodiment, the surface is heated with infrared pulses until heat is transferred from the surface into the core of the foam article such that the graphitizing temperature penetrates into the core to a desired depth below the surface. The graphitizing temperature is maintained for a time sufficient to substantially entirely graphitize the portion of the foam article from the surface to the desired depth below the surface. Thus, the foam article is an integral monolithic material that has a desired conductivity gradient with a relatively high thermal conductivity in the portion of the core that was graphitized and a relatively low thermal conductivity in the remaining portion of the foam article. |
| US07670681B2 |
Material composite and method of producing the composite
A material composite has at least one region of copper or a copper alloy, at least one region of a predominantly graphitic material, and at least one boundary region between them. The boundary region has one or more carbides from the group of the IVb, Vb, VIb transition metals and one or more elements of the group consisting of Si, B, Al, Ge, Mn, Sn. In a preferred implementation of the invention, the composite is produced with a back-casting process. |
| US07670679B2 |
Core-shell ceramic particulate and method of making
A core-shell ceramic particulate is provided. The core-shell ceramic particulate comprises a core particulate structure comprising a plurality of primary particulates and a plurality of primary pores; and a shell at least partially enclosing the core particulate structure. Each of the primary particulates comprises a plurality of secondary particulates and a plurality of secondary pores; and the shell comprises a plurality of tertiary particulates and a plurality of tertiary pores. A method of making a core-shell ceramic particulate is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a core particulate structure comprising a plurality of primary particulates and a plurality of primary pores wherein each primary particulate comprises a plurality of secondary particulates and a plurality of secondary pores; and disposing a shell comprising a plurality of tertiary particulates and a plurality of tertiary pores onto the core particulate structure. |
| US07670674B2 |
PVD coated cutting tool
There is described a cutting tool with improved properties for metal machining having a substrate of cemented carbide and a hard and wear resistant coating on the surface of said substrate. The coating is deposited by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). The coating is composed of metal nitrides in combination with alumina (Al2O3). The coating is composed of a laminar multilayered structure. The insert is further treated to have different outer layers on the rake face, and flank face respectively. |
| US07670672B2 |
Multilayer ceramic substrate and method for producing same
In a multilayer ceramic substrate having a cavity, base-material layers are arranged on a base side with respect to an interface between the base and a wall defining a cavity, and a constraining interlayer is arranged on the wall side. A conductive film is arranged between the base-material layers and the constraining interlayer, the base-material layers and the constraining interlayer sandwiching the interface. The effect of the first conductive film results in an increase in the adhesion of the constraining interlayer to the substrate layers, thus enhancing a shrinkage-inhibiting effect of the constraining interlayer. |
| US07670664B2 |
Honeycomb structure body
In a honeycomb structure 1 which is made of a ceramic and in which a plurality of honeycomb segments 12 having cell structures 5 and porous outer walls 7 on outer peripheries of the cell structures 5 are integrated by bonding these outer walls 7 to one another with a bonding material 8, each of the cell structures being provided with a plurality of cells 3 constituting fluid channels divided by porous partition walls 2, a base material constituting the honeycomb structure 1 has a thermal conductivity of 0.1 to 20 W/mK. Moreover, an outer periphery coating material constituting the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure 1 has a porosity of 10 to 60%. Furthermore, the outer periphery coating material constituting the outer peripheral wall of the honeycomb structure 1 has a thermal conductivity of 0.01 to 0.5 W/mK. |
| US07670660B2 |
Composite secondary carpet backing, method of manufacture thereof, and carpet made therefrom
A two-layer secondary carpet backing including a woven scrim layer and a fibrous layer is described. The woven scrim layer is characterized as having a low open area and a flat weave. The two-layer secondary backing is capable of having a non-abrasive, textile back surface. The secondary carpet backing is also capable of having a construction that permits high carpet manufacturing speeds due to high air permeability and is capable of providing high dimensional stability, seam strength, and delamination strength to tufted carpets made therefrom. |
| US07670659B2 |
Substrate marking using encapsulated materials
Substrates, coatings and methods for marking substrates using the coatings. The substrate contains a coating of encapsulated marking materials. Capsules of the encapsulated marking materials are designed to preferentially absorb a predetermined wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light. The capsules contain color chemistry capable of activation by the predetermined wavelength of light or range of wavelengths of light for the generation of a color response. By utilizing capsules of differing color chemistries, such substrates are capable of multi-color image generation. |
| US07670654B2 |
Bistable liquid crystal display device
A bistable nematic liquid crystal display device includes two cell walls enclosing a layer of a nematic liquid crystal material, means for applying an electric field across at least some of the layer, and means for inducing local planar alignments of said liquid crystal material at an inner surface of each cell wall. The local planar alignments are oriented to each other at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°. The device also includes means for selectively masking an alignment effect of either of the local planar alignments by applying a unidirectional electric field pulse of suitable magnitude and duration to stabilise the device in one of two different homeoplanar configurations determined by the polarity of the pulse. |
| US07670652B2 |
Method of manufacturing patterned film
A method of manufacturing a patterned film by which an accurately patterned film is formed when film formation is performed by using the AD method. The method includes the steps of: (a) disposing a multilayered mask containing at least one soft mask layer formed of a soft material and at least one hard mask layer formed of a hard material on a substrate or an electrode formed on the substrate; (b) spraying powder formed of a brittle material toward the substrate, on which the multilayered mask has been disposed, and allowing the powder to collide with an under layer to deposit the powder thereon, thereby forming a brittle material layer; and (c) removing the multilayered mask after step (b). |
| US07670649B2 |
Amphiphilic block copolymer-toughened epoxy resins and ambient cure high-solids coatings made therefrom
A curable ambient cure high-solids coating composition including (a) an epoxy resin; (b) an amphiphilic block copolymer containing at least one epoxy resin miscible block segment and at least one epoxy resin immiscible block segment; wherein the immiscible block segment comprises at least one polyether structure provided that the polyether structure of said immiscible block segment contains at least one or more alkylene oxide monomer units; such that when the epoxy resin composition is cured, the toughness of the resulting cured epoxy resin composition is increased; and (c) a sufficient amount of a nitrogen-containing curing agent to cure the coating composition at ambient temperature of less than about 60° C. |
| US07670647B2 |
Method for depositing zinc oxide coatings on flat glass
A method of forming zinc oxide films on a heated, moving glass substrate utilizes a gaseous precursor mixture comprising an alkyl zinc compound chelated by at least one tridentate ligand, an oxygen-containing compound, and one or more inert carrier gases. |
| US07670643B2 |
Method and system for dispensing resist solution
An apparatus and method for dispensing a solution on a substrate is described in which the solution is dispensed through a solution nozzle assembly while the substrate is rotated. As the solution is dispensed, the solution on the substrate forms a wave front that radially spreads from the substrate center to the substrate edge. The dispensing of the solution is performed in such a way that the solution is dispensed at a radial location substantially equivalent to or less than the radial location of the wave front at any instant in time. |
| US07670641B2 |
Coatings having low emissivity and low solar reflectance
The invention provides low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coatings. The invention provides a monolithic pane bearing a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Further, the invention provides an insulating glass unit bearing a low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coating. Finally, the invention provides methods of producing coated substrates by depositing low solar reflectance, low-emissivity coatings. |
| US07670637B2 |
Apparatus for applying coating solution and method of fabricating liquid crystal display device using the same
An apparatus for applying a coating solution and a method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided. In order to improve the shape of the inside of the nozzle and to secure the geometrical uniformity of the inside of the nozzle, the apparatus includes a nozzle comprising a nozzle body, the nozzle body including an external body and an internal body. A distance between the external body and the internal body is controlled. An inlet port is provided on the nozzle body so that coating solution is received, and a discharge port is provided below the nozzle body to coat the surface of a material to be processed with the coating solution and a driving unit for moving the nozzle in a predetermined direction. |
| US07670635B2 |
Aerated frozen suspension with adjusted creaminess and scoop ability based on stress-controlled generation of superfine microstructures
Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams. |
| US07670633B2 |
Removal of fiber from grain products including distillers dried grains with solubles
Methods, devices, and compositions relating to processed grain products are shown. An exemplary method shown is a fiber separation process for the ethanol industry corn products of Distillers Dried Grains (DDG) and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) resulting from the widely used dry grind technology. The disclosed process and apparatus allows the removal and separate recovery of fiber-reduced DDG or DDGS products with expanded potential for use as a non-ruminant feed product in addition to the removal and separate recovery of a fiber-enriched product. The specific processes, devices, and compositions shown are readily adaptable to modern ethanol production plants. |
| US07670630B2 |
Composition for treating cancer cells and preparation method for the same
A composition for treating cancer cells and a preparation method therefor are provided. The novel flavonoid compounds are obtained from natural plants, and more particularly the compounds have a cytotoxicity on cancer cells. |
| US07670628B2 |
Mesenchymal precursor cell
A method of enriching mesenchymal precursor cells including the step of enriching for cells based on at least two markers. The markers may be either i) the presence of markers specific for mesenchymal precursor cells, ii) the absence of markers specific for differentiated mesenchymal cells, or iii) expression levels of markers specific for mesenchymal precursor cells. The method may include a first solid phase sorting step utilizing MACS recognizing expression of the antigen to the STRO-1 Mab, followed by a second sorting step utilizing two colour FACS to screen for the presence of high level STRO-1 antigen expression as well as the expression of VCAM-1. |
| US07670627B2 |
pH triggered targeted controlled release systems for the delivery of pharmaceutical active ingredients
The present invention relates to a novel pH triggered, targeted controlled release system. The controlled delivery system of the present invention is substantially a free-flowing powder formed of solid hydrophobic nano-spheres comprising pharmaceutical active ingredients that are encapsulated in a pH sensitive micro-spheres. The invention also relates to the processes for preparing the compositions and processes for using same. The controlled release system can be used to target and control the release of pharmaceutical active ingredients onto certain regions of the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and the small intestine. The invention further pertains to pharmaceutical products comprising the controlled release system of the present invention. |
| US07670624B2 |
Gastrointestinal-specific multiple drug release system
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the multiple release of a drug in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject through the use of an oral multiple drug release system. The system provides site-specific release of the drug to both the small intestine and the colon in the form of multiple controlled doses for long-lasting efficacy, thereby reducing the drug dosing frequency. |
| US07670623B2 |
Hemostatic composition
A hemostatic composition includes a carrier medium including a predetermined amount of a particulate material. The particulate material is comprised of core particles with a coating. The core particles have an average particle size of about 5 nm to 10 μm, and the coating is one of gold, silica, silver, platinum, steel, cobalt, carbon, a polymer, or a combination thereof. |
| US07670621B2 |
Transdermal administration of (R)-3,3-diphenylpropylamin-monoesters
The invention relates to a device for transdermally administering a compound of formula (I), wherein A represents hydrogen or deuterium, R represents a group selected among C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl, or phenyl, each of which can be substituted by C1-3alkoxy, fluoride, chlorine, bromine, iodine, nitro, amino, hydroxy, oxo, mercapto, or deuterium, the C atom marked by * (asterisk) being provided in the R configuration. The invention is characterized in that the compound of general formula (I) is provided in a polymer matrix and is released at a dose of 0.5 to 20 mg per day through human skin. The invention further relates to the use of said compounds of formula (I) for producing transdermal medicaments. |
| US07670619B2 |
Controlled-release formulations containing tryptophan or its metabolites
New controlled-release formulations containing tryptophan and/or its metabolites are described, as well as the process to obtain them in tablet forms suitable for oral administration in the treatment of pathologies or conditions related to serotonin deficiency in the Nervous System. The formulations are comprised in double-layer tablets, one layer containing 5-hyrohytryptophan released rapidly (phase “fast), the other layer containing tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan, progressively released (“retarded”). The finished product is characterized by optimal differential release profile under physiological conditions. In all cases the release kinetics obtained is accurately time- and concentration-controlled, therefore avoiding fortuitous release of the active ingredients, and in clinical setting is free of undesirable side effects. |
| US07670617B2 |
Sequential drug delivery systems
The invention relates to methods and composition for improving absorption and dissolution of active ingredients of drugs. The invention provides a method of administration of an active ingredient to a mammal through a transmucosal route that includes delivering the active ingredient to a desired site in a body of the mammal, and, sequentially, at the desired site, promoting dissolution and absorption of the active ingredient. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the localized environment of the active ingredient is sequentially modified to promote dissolution and absorption. |
| US07670611B2 |
Cancer immunotherapy with semi-allogeneic cells
The present invention relates to improved semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells which act to stimulate and induce an immunological response when administered to an individual. In particular, it relates to cells which express both allogeneic and syngeneic MHC determinants and which also express at least one antigen recognized by T lymphocytes. The invention is also directed to methods of inducing an immune response and methods of treating tumors by administering the semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells to an individual. |
| US07670606B2 |
Method for administering a vaginal care composition
A vaginal care composition is introduced directly into the vagina in the form of an ovule, a cream or an ointment or with a tampon or which is brought into a position outside the vagina on a panty liner. The composition comprises viable Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium microorganisms, non-viable Saccharomyces cultures, saccharide(s), vitamin A, and zinc. |
| US07670605B2 |
Conjugate addition reactions for the controlled delivery of pharmaceutically active compounds
The invention features polymeric biomaterials formed by nucleophilic addition reactions to conjugated unsaturated groups. These biomaterials may be used for medical treatments. |
| US07670602B2 |
Concatameric immunoadhesion molecule
Disclosed are concatameric proteins comprising two soluble domains, in which the C-terminus of a soluble domain of a biologically active protein is linked to the N-terminus of an identical soluble domain or a distinct soluble domain of a biologically active protein. Also, the present invention discloses dimeric proteins formed by formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds at the hinge region of two monomeric proteins formed by linkage of a concatamer of two identical soluble extracellular regions of proteins involving immune response to an Fc fragment of an immunoglobulin molecule, their glycosylated proteins, DNA constructs encoding the monomeric proteins, recombinant expression plasmids containing the DNA construct, host cells transformed or transfected with the recombinant expression plasmids, and a method of preparing the dimeric proteins by culturing the host cells. Further, the present invention discloses pharmaceutical or diagnostic compositions comprising the dimeric protein or its glycosylated form. |
| US07670598B2 |
Method for limiting the growth of cancer cells using an attenuated measles virus
A method for treating cancer cells is provided comprising directly or systemically administering a therapeutically effective dose of an attenuated measles virus. In one embodiment, the therapeutically effective dose is from about 103 pfus to about 1012 pfus and is delivered by direct injection into a group of cancer cells or via intravenous injection. |
| US07670592B2 |
Polyvinyl alcohol microspheres, injectable solutions and therapeutic uses of the same
The present invention relates to microspheres useful for embolization which comprises polyvinylalcohol. The present invention also relates to an injectable suspension suitable for embolization which comprises the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. The present invention further relates to a method for prophylactic or therapeutic embolization which comprises administering to a mammal an injectable suspension containing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres and a suitable liquid carrier. Finally, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polyvinylalcohol microspheres. |
| US07670588B2 |
Hydrogen storage using porous carbon nanospheres
Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight. |
| US07670584B2 |
Inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors and methods for forming colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles using the same
Methods for forming colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles generally include forming soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors, which are then mixed with a surfactant and heated to form the colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. The soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors are generally formed using a hydrazine-based solvent. The methods can be used with main group and transition metals. |
| US07670583B2 |
Multi-step purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes
The present invention relates to processes for the purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production result in a single-wall carbon nanotube product that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes in addition to impurities including residual metal catalyst particles and amounts of small amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the side of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. The present purification processes remove the extraneous carbon as well as metal-containing residual catalyst particles. |
| US07670579B2 |
Nanostructured bioactive materials prepared by dual nozzle spray drying techniques
Nano-particles of calcium and phosphorous compounds are made in a highly pure generally amorphous state by spray drying a weak acid solution of said compound and evaporating the liquid from the atomized spray in a heated column followed by collection of the precipitated particles. Hydroxyapatite (HA) particles formed by such apparatus and methods are examples of particle manufacture useful in bone and dental therapies. Dual nozzle spraying techniques are utilized for generally insoluble compounds. |
| US07670576B2 |
Methods of treatment of chromite ore processing residue
Methods to reduce hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in chromite processing wastes include one or more of the following steps: contacting the chromite processing wastes with an oxygen scavenger or chemical reducer; permitting the chromite processing wastes to react with the oxygen scavenger or chemical reducer; contacting the chromite processing wastes with ferrous ion; contacting the chromite processing wastes with sulfide ion; and, contacting the chromite processing wastes with ferrous sulfide. |
| US07670574B2 |
Methods and apparatus to facilitate cooling syngas in a gasifier
A method of cooling syngas in a gasifier is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one tube-bundle that includes at least three tubes coupled together within a radiant syngas cooler and extends through a reaction zone of the gasifier, and circulating reactant fluid around the at least one tube-bundle to facilitate transferring heat from the reactant fluid to the cooling fluid. |
| US07670564B2 |
Liquid dispensing apparatus, automatic analyzer using same, and liquid surface detecting apparatus
In a liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing probe for sipping and injecting a liquid sample and a dispensing controller for operating the dispensing probe to ascend, descend and rotate, the liquid dispensing apparatus includes a sample moving device for moving a rack holding the liquid sample, a light beam generator, a photosensor for receiving a light beam reflected from a surface of the liquid sample, a computing unit for computing a liquid surface level based on an output signal from the photosensor, and a controller for controlling operations of those components in a supervising way and processing information necessary for the operations. With the liquid dispensing apparatus, precise information of the liquid surface level can be obtained before the start of the dispensing operation. |
| US07670560B2 |
Droplet transport system and methods
Embodiments of droplet transport systems and methods are disclosed for levitating and transporting single or encapsulated droplets using thermocapillary convection. One method embodiment, among others comprises providing a droplet of a first liquid; and applying thermocapillary convection to the droplet to levitate and move the droplet. |
| US07670551B2 |
Deodorizing and sanitizing employing a wicking device
A device and method for sanitizing and deodorizing including the selective transportation of a sanitizing composition by the capillary action of a wick to an acidic composition which may be held in a reservoir, or which also may be selectively transported through the capillary action of a wick to the reservoir. |
| US07670550B2 |
Rapid sterilization system
A method of sterilizing an article includes placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere and exhausting the inner atmosphere to lower pressure in the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor is present in the chamber during at least a portion of the step of exhausting the inner atmosphere. Exhaustion of the inner atmosphere is terminated and additional hydrogen peroxide is admitted into the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor contacts the article for a sufficient period to effect sterilization of the article. |
| US07670549B2 |
Multiple enzyme cleaner for surgical instruments and endoscopes
The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility. |
| US07670541B2 |
Optical shaping apparatus and optical shaping method
The cross-sectional shape data of a three-dimensional model is divided according to work small areas obtained by dividing a work entire area where optical shaping work is performed into a plurality of areas, and work small area data which is cross-sectional shape data corresponding to said work small areas is generated. Also, the work small area data is enlarged with offset width based on the contracting ratio of a light hardening resin, and areas, which are wider than the work small areas on the surface of the light hardening resin by the offset width, are subjected to one-shot exposure based on the enlarged work small area data to form a hardening layer for each of the work small areas. The present invention can be applied to, for example, an optical shaping apparatus. |
| US07670539B2 |
Method and apparatus of injection molding using a heat-transfer enhancing layer
The injection molding apparatus includes a cavity mold formed with a cavity surface for defining a cavity in which a molten injection material is injected, a core mold formed with a core surface for defining the cavity upon engagement with the cavity mold and installed to be movable forward and backward to open or close the cavity by guidance of a guide pin, an injection unit for injecting a material into the cavity during an injection process, and an injection controller for controlling a hydraulic cylinder to move the core mold forward or backward and the injection unit to inject the material into the cavity. |
| US07670532B1 |
Golf club head and method of making the same
A golf club head and a method of making a golf club head are disclosed. The method provides for winding a single continuous filament multiple times about a soluble core. The wound core is located in a mold and pressure coated with a pure or non-continuous fiber filled resin. The resin is allowed to cure to form a filament and resin shell about the core. The soluble core is removed leaving the continuous filament in the shell. |
| US07670531B2 |
Method for producing formed wooden article
A method for producing a formed wooden article by cutting out a primary blank member from a raw wood and forming the same into a final three-dimensional shape having a substantially uniform thickness, comprises: a primary compression step in which the primary blank member is compressed by primary molding dies, and the primary blank member is processed into a primary compressed article having a high compression portion in a vicinity of portions of the primary blank member corresponding to a die surface; a secondary blank processing step in which the primary compressed article is cut and processed into a secondary blank member; and a secondary compression step in which the secondary blank member is compressed by using secondary molding dies and the final three-dimensional shape is transferred onto the secondary blank member. |
| US07670527B2 |
Failsafe injected adhesive joint
A composite member is joined to another composite or noncomposite member, using liquid or paste adhesive resin that cures in the joint. The joint is configured in such a way that the adhesive forms an interlocking key within recesses in the joined members that prevents joint disassembly once the adhesive has cured and hardened. Both of the members are provided with recesses extending along their lengths in the joint. The recesses register with each other to define a cavity and may undulate. The recessed are designed in such a way as to take the full load capability if the joint, even if there is no adhesion to the joined members. Adhesive is injected into the cavity through injection ports spaced periodically along the length of the joint. |
| US07670526B2 |
Method of manufacturing a guidewire with an extrusion jacket
A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a discrete length. The method includes the steps of feeding a first end of a corewire into an extrusion device, gripping the first end of the corewire with a gripping apparatus, and extruding a first extrusion material onto an outer surface of the corewire while the gripping apparatus pulls the corewire through the extrusion device to form an extrusion jacket on the outer surface of the corewire. The corewire has a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the guidewire. |
| US07670517B2 |
Method of producing polyurethane foam sheet and laminated sheet using same
A method of producing a polyurethane foam sheet, and a laminated sheet that uses such a foam sheet, that can be applied to artificial leather, synthetic leather, and cushioning materials used in all manner of applications. A polyurethane foam sheet is produced by applying a liquid mixture, obtained by mixing together a heated and melted hot melt urethane prepolymer (A) containing isocyanate groups at molecular terminals, and a compound (B) containing at least 2 active hydrogen atom-containing groups, onto a substrate in a sheet-like manner, and then water foaming the liquid mixture by bringing the sheet-like liquid mixture into contact with water vapor or moisture (water). A laminated sheet is produced by bonding a third substrate to the polyurethane foam sheet. |
| US07670514B2 |
Method of producing optical disk-use original and method of producing optical disk
A method for manufacturing an optical disc master using an existing exposure system, and a method for manufacturing an optical disc having higher recording capacity. The method for manufacturing an optical disc, using a master to produce the optical disc having an irregular pattern thereon, the master being produced by the steps of forming a resist layer composed of a resist material including an incomplete oxide of a transition metal such as W or Mo on a substrate, the oxygen content of the incomplete oxide being smaller than the oxygen content of the stoichiometric composition corresponding to a valence of the transition metal; selectively exposing the resist layer with laser according to a recording signal pattern; and developing the resist layer to form the predetermined irregular pattern. |
| US07670513B2 |
Fire control composition and method
A composition and method of controlling a fire are disclosed. The composition contains a superabsorbent polymer, a colorant, an opacifying agent, and water. The method includes a step of applying the composition to a combustible object, either before or after initiation of combustion. The composition and method are especially useful for application to vegetation or foliage to prevent, retard, suppress, and/or extinguish forest fires and wildfires. |
| US07670510B2 |
Carbon nanotube adducts and methods of making the same
The invention provides an adduct comprising a carbon nanotube and a transitional metal coordination complex, wherein the metal of the complex is attached by a covalent linkage to at least one oxygen moiety on the nanotube. |
| US07670505B2 |
Compounds comprising 2,6-naphthyl groups
Compounds of the general formula I (variables defined herein) and processes for making compounds including 2,6 -naphthyl radicals are provided. Polymerizable or nonpolymerizable liquid-crystalline compositions including one or more compounds including 2,6 -naphthyl radicals, and products and processes employing such compositions, are also provided. |
| US07670499B2 |
Composition of polyetherdiamine, monoamine, di- or triamine, and alkylphenol
Special amine compositions comprising a) 30-70% by weight of a polyetherdiamine of the general formula (I) in which n is from 10 to 70, b) 3-30% by weight of a monoamine of the general formula R1—NH2, in which R1 is the straight-chain or branched, saturated or preferably unsaturated radical of a hydrocarbon having 5 to 22 carbon atoms or of a monofunctional polyetheramine having a molecular weight of up to 400 g/mol and c) 3-30% by weight of a di- or triamine and d) 5-40% by weight of an alkylphenol of the general formula (II) in which R2 is the straight-chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated radical of a hydrocarbon having 5 to 14 carbon atoms, and curable epoxy resin compositions comprising these special amine compositions, the use of which results in thermosets which have a low degree of crosslinking, are resilient even at low temperatures and are resistant to chemical compositions, and the production of shaped articles and coatings using these curable compositions. |
| US07670494B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for end-to-end control of water quality
A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network. |
| US07670489B2 |
Method for purifying effluent in an anaerobic reactor
The invention relates to a method for purifying effluents in an anaerobic reactor (1) in which the micro-organisms are held by supports, the supports forming a bed which is fixed in a part (4, 5) of the reactor. The inventive method is characterized in that it includes a step wherein the reactor is backwashed once it has been at least partially clogged, by temporarily suspending the supports. Advantageously, the method includes an initial step for starting the reactor, during which the load of the reactor is increased with a short and constant hydraulic residence time. |
| US07670488B2 |
Economical filter changing apparatus and method for electrical discharge machines and other applications
A reliable, cost effective system and method are disclosed for exchanging fluid-filtration filters associated with electrical discharge machines (EDMs) and other applications. The basic system comprises a housing to receive the filter, the housing having a top that opens and a bottom cap with an interior inlet fitting coupled to a supply line carrying fluid to be filtered. A pair of opposing swing arms, each having one end pivotally connected to a filter cabinet or other suitable base and another end pivotally connected to an opposing side of the housing, facilitate a first state, wherein the housing and filter are vertically oriented with the bottom opening of the filter sealed against the fitting for filtering operation, and a second state, wherein the housing is pivoted such that the top is oriented downwardly allowing the filter to disengage from the fitting and slide out of the housing. |
| US07670486B2 |
Phosphorus removal system and process
A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. |
| US07670482B2 |
Self-cleaning screen with check valve for use in shallow water pumping
A self-cleaning screen for shallow water pumping includes a rotatable drum made of mesh material for removing debris from water passing into the drum, and a suction chamber within the drum for feeding water to a suction pipe connected to a centrifugal pump. Inlet openings are arranged across a bottom side of the suction chamber. A check valve assembly is provided to prevent water from back flowing through the inlet openings, to thereby maintain a prime in the suction pipe when the pump is off. The check valve assembly includes valve members that are slidably mounted above the inlet openings for movement between closed and open positions. The valve members move upwardly from their closed positions to their open positions upon movement of water through the inlet openings into the suction chamber, and return to their closed positions by force of gravity when water stops flowing into the suction chamber. |
| US07670480B2 |
Solvent supply with correction of piston movement
A supply flow path for supplying a solvent is described. The supply flow path includes metering devices each with a piston, the metering devices being adapted for metering the solvent through separate source paths feeding the supply flow path. The supply flow path further includes a control unit adapted for controlling the metering devices' piston movement in accordance with solvent pressure, wherein a variation of the solvent pressure gives rise to a corresponding variation of a solvent volume contained in the supply flow path or a part thereof. The control unit is adapted for compensating for the variation of the solvent volume by corresponding movements or forward or backward displacements of the pistons. |
| US07670479B2 |
Fluid container having an additive dispensing system
A fluid container for dispensing a first fluid and a consumable additive. The fluid container includes a first chamber for containing a first fluid and an additive dispensing system. The first chamber is configured such that the first fluid may be dispensed from the first chamber. The additive dispensing system selectively operable to dispense an amount of additive and is not in fluid communication with the first chamber. |
| US07670478B2 |
FCC feed injection system
This invention relates to an apparatus and process for injecting a petroleum feed. More particularly, a liquid petroleum feed is atomized with a nozzle assembly apparatus in which the apparatus has injection nozzles that produce a generally flat spray pattern of finely dispersed feed. The injection nozzles are each designed such that the overall effect of the different spray patterns from the individual nozzles provides a more uniform feed coverage across the catalyst stream. |
| US07670470B2 |
Biosensor membranes composed of polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogens
Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped wish such membranes are also described. |
| US07670468B2 |
Contact assembly and method for electrochemical mechanical processing
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for processing a substrate in an electrochemical mechanical planarizing system. In one embodiment, a contact assembly for electrochemically processing a substrate includes a housing having a ball disposed in a passage formed through the housing. The ball is adapted to extend partially from the housing to contact the substrate during processing. The housing includes a fluid inlet that is positioned to cause fluid, entering the housing through the inlet, to sweep the entire passage. In another embodiment, a method for electrochemically processing includes flowing a processing fluid through a passage retaining a conductive element. The flow sweeps the entire passage of the housing. A first electrical bias is applied to the conductive element in contact with the substrate relative an electrode electrically coupled to the substrate by the processing fluid. After the substrate is separated from the conductive element, flow of processing fluid is continued through the passage past the conductive element. |
| US07670460B2 |
Production of paper using slica-based-sols
A process for the production of paper which includes the steps of providing an aqueous suspension containing cellulosic fibers, and optional fillers; adding to the suspension: (a) at least one charged organic polymer; and (b) an aqueous sol containing silica-based particles; wherein the sol has: (i) an S-value within the range of from 10 to 45%; (ii) a viscosity within the range of from 5 to 40 cP; and (iii) a molar ratio of SiO2 to M2O, where M is alkali metal or ammonium, within the range of from 10:1 to 40:1; and (III) forming and draining the suspension on a wire. The invention is further directed to processes for making paper wherein the added sol has: (i) an S-value within the range of from 10 to 45%; (ii) a viscosity within the range of from 5 to 40 cP; and (iii) a silica content of at least 10% by weight, or wherein the added sol has: (i) an S-value within the range of from 10 to 45%; (ii) a viscosity within the range of from 7 to 25 cP; (iii) a silica content of at least 10% by weight; (iv) a molar ratio of SiO2 to M2O, where M is alkali metal or ammonium, within the range of from 10:1 to 40:1; and (v) a pH of at least 10.6. The invention is further directed to a process for making paper wherein the added sol is modified by an aluminum-containing compound, a boron-containing compound or a mixture thereof and has: (i) an S-value within the range of from 10 to 45%; (ii) a viscosity within the range of from 5 to 40 cP; (iii) a silica content of at least 10% by weight; and (iv) a molar ratio of SiO2 to M2O, where M being alkali metal or ammonium, within the range of from 10:1 to 40:1. |
| US07670458B2 |
Method of manufacturing gravure paper
A method of manufacturing a gravure printing paper includes: providing a substance having an effect of inhibiting a binding between pulp fibers; preparing a mixture of pulp fibers and fillers; and adding the substance to the mixture; making a gravure printing paper using the substance-added mixture. |
| US07670453B1 |
Device for treating a container with microwave plasma
A device for treating with microwave plasma a container. The container is placed in a chamber (12) made of a conductive material and is rotationally symmetrical, and the device includes a wave guide tunnel (15) substantially perpendicular to the axis (A1) of the chamber and which emerges therein in the form of a rectangular window whereof the smaller dimension corresponds to its dimension along the chamber axis. The internal diameter of the chamber (12) is such that the microwaves are propagated in the chamber mainly according to a mode whereby the electric field resulting from the propagation of the microwaves exhibit an axial rotational symmetry. |
| US07670452B2 |
Separation apparatus and method
An apparatus and method are provided for separating two objects attached to each other in a sandwich structure, such as a stamp and a substrate pressed together in an imprint process. The apparatus includes a support structure, carrying first fastening means having a base surface and first gripping means for supporting and holding a first object, second fastening means, positioned opposite to the first fastening means, having second gripping means for holding a second object, and a pulling force mechanism to provide a pulling force at an angle to the normal direction of the base surface for displacing the two fastening means away from each other. Preferably, the second object is gripped at a periphery portion, and the pulling force is angled inwardly from said periphery portion. |
| US07670449B2 |
Method of manufacturing tire with turned down ply construction
A method of producing a tire having an outside-in ply construction is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a tire building drum; laying an inner liner on said drum, applying a first layer of ply on the right hand side of the drum so that a first end of the first ply layer is located over a first bead area while the second end of the first ply layer extends laterally outwards therefrom, applying a first bead over the first bead area and ply end; applying a second layer of ply on the left hand side of the drum so that one end of the second ply layer is located over a second bead area, while the second end extends laterally outwards therefrom; applying a second bead over the second toeguard and end of second ply layer; folding the second end of the first layer of ply over the first bead until the second end of the first layer of ply contacts the second bead; folding the second layer of ply over the second bead and apex so that the outer end of the second layer of ply is located over the first bead; and shaping the carcass into a toroid. A second method of building a tire carcass comprising the steps outlined above, with an additional third layer of ply being added that has lateral ends extending from said first bead to said second bead. The tire carcass may additionally comprise one or more pairs of sidewall inserts. |
| US07670445B2 |
Titanium alloy of low Young's modulus
A titanium alloy contains vanadium, from 10 to 20% by weight; aluminum, from 0.2 to 10% by weight; and a balance essentially titanium, and the alloy has a microstructure including a martensite phase. Alternatively, the titanium alloy contains vanadium, from 10 to 20% by weight; aluminum, from 0.2 to 10% by weight; and a balance essentially titanium, and the alloy has a microstructure including a β phase capable of transforming into a martensite phase by cold working or cooling under a room temperature. |
| US07670444B2 |
Non-heat treated steel for hot forging with easy fracture splitting
Disclosed is a non-heat treated steel for hot forging, particularly suitable for producing connecting rods of automobile engines. The steel consists essentially of: by weight, C: 0.3-0.8%, Si: 0.1-2.0%, Mn: 0.3-1.5%, P: 0.01-0.15%, Cr: 0-1.0%, V: 0-0.4%, Al: 0-0.05%, N: 0.005-0.03% and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, provided that the contents of C, Mn and Cr fulfill the following condition: 1.40[C %]+0.28[Mn %]+0.50[Cr %]≧0.75 Pearlite area fraction in this steel after hot forging is 50% or more. Notches are provided with laser beam on an intermediate part at the location from which fracture starts, and load is applied. Then, the intermediate is split to be two components (big end or cap and small end/rod for connecting rod). The components are adhered to form the parts. |
| US07670439B2 |
Chopping system for a dishwasher pump assembly
A dishwasher includes a pump assembly having a chopper blade and apertured plate arrangement which function to chop soil particles entrained in a flow of washing fluid. The chopper blade floats or axially slides relative to a drive member from a first position spaced from the apertured plate to a second position closer to the apertured plate in order to macerate the soil particles. The chopper blade is actually mounted to a hub member including a shaft portion that extends into and abuts an inner portion of an impeller to maintain a desired spacing between the chopper blade and the apertured plate, while transferring drive from the drive member to both the chopper blade and impeller. |
| US07670437B2 |
Mask and substrate alignment for solder bump process
A system for of aligning a mask to a substrate comprising: a fixture for holding the mask and the substrate in fixed positions relative to each other; means for holding the substrate, the means for holding the substrate protruding through openings in a table and the fixture, the means for holding fixedly mounted on a stage, the stage moveable in first and second directions and rotatable about an axis relative to the table; means for affixing the fixture containing the mask and the substrate to the table; means for controlling the means for temporarily affixing so as to generate a uniform force around a perimeter of the fixture to effectuate the temporarily affixing; means for aligning the mask to the substrate, the means for aligning controlling movement of the stage in the first and second directions and rotation about the axis; and means for fastening the fixture together. |
| US07670436B2 |
Support ring assembly
A substrate ring assembly is provided for a substrate support having a peripheral edge. The assembly has an annular band having an inner perimeter that surrounds and at least partially covers the peripheral edge of the substrate support. The assembly also has a clamp to secure the annular band to the peripheral edge of the substrate support. |
| US07670433B2 |
Vacuum deposition apparatus of the winding type
The problem solved by this Invention is to provide a vacuum evaporation deposition method of the winding type and a vacuum evaporation deposition apparatus of the winding type which can form a metal film on a base film made of single layer plastic film without thermal deformation and with superior productivity. To solve the above problem, there are provided an electron beam irradiator 21 for irradiating an electron beam onto a film material 12 arranged between an unwinding roller 13 and a deposition source 16; an auxiliary roller 18 for guiding the film 12 in contact with the deposited metal layer and arranged between a can roller 14 and a winding roller 15; a DC bias power source 22 for applying a DC voltage between the auxiliary roller 18 and the can roller 14; electricity removing unit 23 for removing electricity from the film 12 and arranged between the can roller 14 and the winding roller 15. The electricity removing unit 23 is a plasma generating source of the DC dipolar discharge type wherein one of its electrodes is earthed. |
| US07670429B2 |
High throughput screening of crystallization of materials
High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels. |
| US07670425B2 |
Ultra high strength fiber-reinforced cement composition, ultra high strength fiber-reinforced mortar or concrete and ultra high strength cement additives
An ultra high strength fiber-reinforced cement composition includes cement, silica fume, coal gasification fly ash, insoluble anhydrous gypsum, and metal fiber having a length between 5 and 30 mm and a diameter of between 0.1 and 1 mm. The coal gasification fly ash is spherical fine particles having a maximum particle size between 5 and 10 μm. Mass ratio of the silica fume: the coal gasification fly ash is 95 through 50 portions: 5 through 50 portions. |
| US07670423B2 |
Cement composition comprising environmentally compatible defoaming agents and methods of use
Provided herein are defoaming agents that comprise lecithin and a solvent. Optionally, they may comprise hydrophobic particles. One embodiment provides a defoaming agent that comprises lecithin and a solvent. |
| US07670421B2 |
Penetration reinforcing agent for preventing aging of concrete and process for preparing the same
A penetration reinforcing agent for preventing aging of concrete is prepared by using an inorganic silicate compound having an ethoxy or methoxy group and a monomer having a hydroxyl (OH) group. When the penetration reinforcing agent is applied onto the surface of a concrete structure it penetrates the concrete structure where it is hydrolyzed by water existing within the concrete to form silica (SiO2) having a particle size of several nanometers, is gelled by a sol-gel process and reacts with concrete hydrates, so that internal pores of the concrete structure are compactly filled with the reaction products. The penetration reinforcing agent is effective in enhancing the strength of, inhibiting penetration of aging factors into, improving waterproofness of, and preventing neutralization of the concrete structure. |
| US07670419B2 |
Hydraulic cement based on calcium phosphate for surgical use
A hydraulic cement based on calcium phosphate for surgical use comprising A) a first component comprising powder particles of calcium phosphate; and B) a second component comprising water. The calcium phosphate comprises anhydrous, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and the ACP is obtained by milling a calcium phosphate synthesized above 500° C. The cement according to the invention has the advantage of being very fast setting compared to prior art calcium phosphate cements. The setting reaction is finished much faster although the initial part of the reaction proceeds at the same speed as with known cements. |
| US07670418B2 |
Yellow ink composition, inkset for inkjet, inkjet recording method, and recorded matter
A yellow ink composition for inkjet recording, containing one or more pigments selected from a group consisting of C. I. Pigment Yellow 213, 185, and 155 as a colorant. |
| US07670415B1 |
Vapor barrier for porous structures and system
Systems and methods for enhanced moisture vapor barrier performance for concrete-containing materials and surfaces are disclosed. Treatment modalities that include addition of the disclosed materials, compositions and systems to pre- and post-construction concrete-containing materials and surfaces are provided. Moisture vapor barrier properties are effected over an extended period of time as compared to control systems. The disclosed compositions and systems also yield reductions in the rate and/or impact of corrosion are achieved for concrete-containing structures and surfaces and, despite the water soluble properties of the compositions and systems, the treatments are effective in delivering an advantageous level of liquid moisture resistance to the treated concrete-containing structure and/or surface. The composition is synthesized from a feedstock that includes C9 to C16 branched hydrocarbons of varying structures. |
| US07670414B2 |
Filter unit of air conditioner
Disclosed is a filter unit for an air conditioner, which is provided at an indoor unit for the air conditioner so as to purify the air discharged to a room. The filter unit includes a filter for purifying air, a filter case accommodated in the filter and having a filter gate at a side thereof for placing/withdrawing the filter, and a cover for opening/closing the filter gate. |
| US07670409B2 |
Method for processing organic solvent-containing air
A method for processing an organic solvent-containing air is disclosed. The method can be operated in spite of a rapid fluctuation of the concentration of the organic solvents in the air to be processed, specifically, the method does not increase the organic solvent content in the air to be emitted into the atmosphere after processing, even if the concentration of the organic solvents rapidly changes. The method comprises carrying out simultaneously and continuously an adsorbing-removing step, a regenerating step, and a combustion step, while mixing a purified air produced in the adsorbing-removing step with an exhaust gas from a combustion furnace produced in the combustion step, and decomposing the organic solvents in the mixture by oxidation. |
| US07670406B2 |
Deposition system, method and materials for composite coatings
A composite powder for a deposition of a composite coating comprises a nonmetallic component and a metallic component, the metallic component having an amorphous structure or a nanocrystalline structure. The metallic component may include an amorphous metallic alloy. The metallic alloy may include constituents having the amorphous structure. The metallic component may include a combination of the metallic alloy existing in the amorphous state and constituents of the amorphous metallic alloy in the amorphous state. The composite metal-ceramic powders are used for depositing composite coatings on a selected surface. Disclosed are several methods and systems for producing such composite powders. Disclosed are also several methods and systems for depositing composite coatings. Advantageously, the deposited coatings exhibit high corrosion resistance, high wear resistance, and excellent structural properties. |
| US07670404B2 |
Structure for filtering exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, and associated exhaust line
This structure (11) comprises first and second filtering elements (15A, 15B) extending essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis (X-X′) of the structure (11) between an admission region (21) of the gases into the structure (11) and an evacuation region (23) of the gases from the structure, and comprises a seal (17) for joining these elements (15A, 15B). The seal (17) comprises at least one downstream pat (43) which has a thermal mass per unit length greater than the thermal mass per unit length of an upstream part (41) of the seal (17). The invention is for use in particulate filters for the exhaust gases of a motor vehicle diesel engine. |
| US07670403B2 |
Filter assembly and adaptor
A device for adapting a cover for an existing air filter assembly to seal an end portion of a replacement cylindrical air filter having a round cross-sectional shape is disclosed. The cover has a plate with a radially inner convex guide separated from a radially outer convex guide by a concave receiver, a tightening member connected to the plate, and a catch having a first end movably connected to the tightening member, and the catch having a second end configured to engage a keeper, the tightening member adjustable to vary a distance between the catch and the plate. An adaptor is attachable to the plate of the cover. The adaptor has a first side for engagement with the plate and an opposing second side for engagement with an end portion of a cylindrical filter. The first side has a sealing surface extending radially inwardly from a peripheral edge. The sealing surface has a sufficient area to overlap a portion of the radially inner guide of the plate and a portion of the receiver when the adaptor is attached to the plate. |
| US07670402B2 |
Radial seal for axial flow air filter
An air cleaner located in the air intake tract of an internal combustion engine includes a filter housing, a filter element, and a sealing ring. The sealing ring comprises a support rim and a lip seal. The sealing ring is adapted to form a seal between an internal annular sealing surface of the filter housing and an interior annular sealing surface of a sealing band that is attached to one axial end of the filter element. |
| US07670397B2 |
Filter-fan unit
A filter-fan unit has a housing, at least one fan arranged in the housing, and at least one filter connected to the housing. The housing is transferable from a transport/storage position into a position of use, wherein the transport/storage position is significantly smaller than the position of use. The housing is foldable from the transport/storage position into the position of use. The housing has a housing frame and one or more sidewalls connected with one side to the housing frame. |
| US07670396B2 |
Filter and method of using the same
A filter for filtering a fluid passing therethrough is provided. The filter includes a filter media having an outer periphery, an inner periphery, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The filter further includes a first end cap disposed on the first end portion. The filter further includes a second end cap disposed on the second end portion. The filter further includes a deflecting member disposed over a portion of the outer periphery, wherein the fluid is deflected by the deflecting member and a portion of the fluid is filtered by the filter media by entering through a portion of the outer periphery not covered by the deflecting member. |
| US07670395B2 |
Compact reforming reactor
Reforming reactor for the conversion of a process fluid into hydrogen comprising: a reforming section which is contained within a closed volume, a boiler section and a combustion section, in which said reforming section contains one or more catalyst tubes filled with reforming catalyst, said boiler section is provided with one or more flow channels for the passage of flue gas from the combustion section and said combustion section is provided with at least one burner, wherein the heat exchanging medium required for the reforming of said process fluid in the one or more catalyst tubes is a gas-liquid mixture that self-circulates and is encapsulated inside said closed volume and wherein at least a portion of said closed volume protrudes inside said boiler section. |
| US07670393B2 |
Catalytic reactor
A method for causing chemical reactions between fluids, comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of metal sheets for providing first fluid flow channels adjacent to and in heat transfer contact with second fluid flow channels between adjacent ones of the metal sheets, placing catalyst material within at least some of the flow channels, passing a first fluid mixture through the first fluid flow channels and a second fluid mixture through the second fluid flow channels, wherein the first fluid mixture is different from the second fluid mixture, each fluid mixture undergoing separate reactions, one of the reactions being endothermic while the other reaction is exothermic, and causing heat to transfer between the adjacent fluid flow channels. |
| US07670390B2 |
Use of latent pigments for high-remanence dyeing, composition containing the said pigments and processes using them
The invention relates to the use, for dyeing keratin fibers, of at least one latent pigment, which is soluble in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, and which can be chemically, thermally or photochemically converted in the fibers into water-insoluble pigments, of formula A(B)x with A representing the chromophoric radical of dyes, and B representing a hydrogen atom or a group of formula (II) with Z representing a cationic water-solubilizing group Z+ or a polyethylene glycol residue, Y representing a hetero atom, F and F′ representing a linear or branched C1-C14 alkylene chain, which may contain hetero atoms and may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl, amino or halogen groups. The invention also relates to processes for dyeing keratin fibers using latent pigments, to particular compositions containing them and to multi-compartment dyeing devices or “kits”. |
| US07670388B2 |
Fiber-treating composition
Disclosed is a fiber-treating agent composition comprising an oil-in-water emulsion wherein composition (A) comprising the following component (b) is emulsified with the following component (a): a polymer compound of a polysaccharide derivative, and component (b): a polyether-modified silicone having an HLB value of larger than zero to 7 or smaller; wherein the mass ratio of the component (a) to the component (b) in the composition, that is, the component (a)/component (b), is 9/100 to 30/100. |
| US07670384B2 |
Bone graft composition comprising a bone material and a carrier comprising denatured demineralized bone
Formed compositions for application to a bone surface of a human or animal subject, comprising: a bone material; and a carrier comprising denatured demineralized bone, where the composition is formed into a shape suitable for administration to the bone. Methods are provided for making formed compositions for application to a bone surface of a human or animal subject comprise mixing a demineralized bone and water; heating the mixture to form a carrier; mixing the carrier with bone to form a moldable composition; and molding the moldable composition to produce a formed composition. Several apparatuses are provided in which to hydrate the formed bone composition. Methods of hydrating a formed bone composition are also provided. |
| US07670382B2 |
Extended articular surface resurfacing head
A resurfacing implant comprising a head and an extended articulating surface protruding from a portion of the head operable to articulate with at least one of a bone and a ligament. The head has an exterior articulating surface, an interior surface opposite the exterior articulating surface, and an anchoring device extending from the interior surface. |
| US07670379B2 |
Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method
A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge the aperture. The stent thereby occludes the defective region from the inside of the vertebral disc and prevents the migration of nucleus pulposus therethrough, while also providing a scaffold for tissue growth. |
| US07670378B2 |
Implant for insertion into a bone cavity or between vertebral bodies
The invention is related to an implant, in particular a bone replacement implant for insertion into a bone cavity, or an intervertebral implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human or animal spine. The implant can be brought from a normal position, in which the implant encompasses a maximum total volume, into an insertion position, in which the implant encompasses an insertion volume, which is smaller than the maximum total volume. Moreover, the implant has a plurality of cavities in fluidic connection with one another, and a net volume encompassed in the normal position by the plurality of cavities in fluidic connection with one another is smaller than the maximum total volume, which allows insertion of the implant through as small as possible an opening in a human or animal body while maintaining a high inherent stability. |