| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07688462B2 |
Computer readable recording medium storing printer drive program
A computer readable recording medium stores a printer driver program to be installed in a computer in order to use a printer. The printer driver program includes a grasping processing for grasping version information of various kinds of printer related programs for executing a processing as to the printer, installed in the computer; and a version information displaying processing for, when a predetermined version information displaying instruction is input, displaying version information of the printer driver program together with version information of the printer related programs grasped by the grasping processing. |
| US07688461B2 |
Distributed peripheral device control system and method
A distributed peripheral device control method for controlling the interaction between an information device and a peripheral device in communication with the information device, comprising requesting the peripheral device to perform a specified task, sending device identification information identifying the peripheral device to a server, selecting a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in dependence upon the device identification information, establishing a virtual port at the server to form part of a communications link between the server and the information device and associating the virtual port with the selected device driver, employing the server to perform, using the selected device driver, peripheral device-dependent processing operations relating to the performance of the task to produce device-dependent data, and sending the device-dependent data to the virtual port for onward transmission to the peripheral device via the information device to enable the peripheral device to perform the specified task. |
| US07688454B1 |
Scatterometry metrology using inelastic scattering
A system for characterizing material properties in miniature semiconductor structures performs a scatterometry analysis on inelastically scattered light. The system can include a narrowband probe beam generator and a detector. A single wavelength probe beam from the narrowband probe beam generator produces scattered light from a measurement pattern on a test sample. The scattered light is measured by the detector, and the measurement data (e.g., Raman spectrum) is used in a scatterometry analysis to determine material properties for the measurement pattern. The detector can measure either incoherent inelastically scattered light (e.g., using a spectrometer) or coherent inelastically scattered light (e.g., using an array detector). If the measurement pattern dimensions are substantially similar to actual device dimensions, the material property distributions determined for the measurement pattern can be applied to the actual devices on the test sample. |
| US07688453B2 |
Interferometry testing of lenses, and systems and devices for same
Modified MZ (Mach-Zender) interferometers preferably are utilized to analyze the transmitted, aspherical wavefront of an ophthalmic lens by mounting the lens in a cuvette having a rotatable carousel that can hold multiple lenses. Fresh, temperature controlled, saline solution is circulated about the lenses, and the cuvette is positioned in a vertical test arm of the interferometer configuration. Reverse raytracing preferably is utilized to remove aberrations induced into the wavefront as it is imaged from immediately behind the lens to the detector of the interferometer. |
| US07688452B2 |
Determination of interferometric modulator mirror curvature and airgap variation using digital photographs
Air gap variation in an interferometric modulator over a two-dimensional spatial map of the modulator is determined by acquiring a digital photograph of the modulator. Color parameters of individual pixels in the photograph are determined and compared to a model of color parameters as a function of air gap distance. The model and individual pixel color parameters may be plotted on a color space plot for comparison. The determined distances may be plotted over a two-dimensional spatial map of the interferometric modulator to visualize the mirror curvature and air gap variation. |
| US07688449B2 |
Microchip testing device
An absorptiometry microchip testing device with which, after one-time startup, test results of blood analyses are automatically obtained without a special tester. The microchip testing device has a rotary drive source which can be stopped at a prescribed angle; a centrifugal rotor connected to the rotary drive source via the main shaft; a direction switching mechanism for controlling the main shaft gear; a planetary gear which engages the main shaft gear which is located on the centrifugal rotor; a chip holder which turns together with the planetary gear; a microchip which is held in the chip holder and has a part for measuring absorbance; a light source from which light is incident in the absorbance measuring part of the microchip; a detector which receives light transmitted by the absorbance measuring part; and a controller which controls movements of the rotary drive source and the direction switching mechanism. |
| US07688446B2 |
Sample analyzing method, sample analyzing apparatus, manufacturing method of organic EL element, manufacturing equipment, and recording medium
Light is irradiated onto a glass substrate of an organic EL element, and the characteristics of an organic film are analyzed. In the sample analyzing apparatus, in such a way that the glass substrate is located on the upper side, the organic EL element is placed on a stage. The light is irradiated towards the glass substrate, and an amplitude ratio and a phase difference which are related to the organic EL element are measured. Also, the sample analyzing apparatus selects a model of a structure corresponding to reflected lights K1 to K3 of the irradiated light and calculates the amplitude ratio and the phase difference. The sample analyzing apparatus compares the measured result and the result calculated from the model, and properly executes the fitting, and determines the best model among the several models and then analyzes the characteristics related to the organic EL element. |
| US07688444B2 |
Method of determining laser stabilities of optical materials, crystals selected according to said method, and uses of said selected crystals
The method determines laser stability of an optical material, which is suitable for making an optical element through which high-energy light passes. The method includes pre-irradiation to produce radiation damage and measurement of the resulting induced non-intrinsic fluorescence. The method is distinguished by excitation of induced fluorescence immediately after pre-irradiation and after at least ten minutes after pre-irradiation with light of a wavelength between 350 and 810 nm, and measurement and quantitative evaluation of fluorescence intensities at wavelengths between 550 nm and 810 nm. Especially laser-stable optical materials, particularly CaF2 crystals, have a normalized difference (Z) of the fluorescence intensities measured at a first time immediately after pre-irradiation and at a second time at least ten minutes after the pre-irradiation, as calculated by the following equation (1): Z=(I2,λ1,λ2−I1,λ1,λ2)I2,λ1,λ2 (1), which is less than 0.3. |
| US07688442B2 |
Method to be used in fluorescence microscopy
A method using fluorescence microscopy for image evaluation using a laser scanning microscope in which an at least partially spectrally resolved detection of the fluorescence spectrum occurs. Reference spectra are used for spectral demixing. Temporally and/or spectrally variable dyes and/or dye combinations are employed for recording of the reference spectra. Finally, the recorded reference spectra are inspected for image evaluation. |
| US07688441B2 |
Arrangement for monitoring thermal spray processes
An arrangement for measuring characteristic properties of a plasma beam in a thermal spray process, including a device for introducing spray materials into the plasma, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array including first optical waveguides for receiving the light radiation emitted by the plasma, and other optical waveguides for distributing the light radiation emitted by the plasma. A device is provided for splitting the light guided in the first optical waveguides into the other optical wave guides, one optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a particle flow arrangement, and the other optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a spectrometer. A device is also provided for determining the current state of the spray process. |
| US07688440B2 |
Raman spectroscopic test strip systems
The invention provides diagnostic apparatuses that are advantageously adapted for the Raman spectroscopic analysis of fluid samples, such as biological fluid samples, deposited on test strip substrates. The tests strips may be include a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) surface for deposition and analysis of a sample and/or may be lateral flow binding assay type test strips. |
| US07688437B2 |
Machine for inspecting glass containers
A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The center of each captured object in an array is determined by a controller which determines the object centers in a plurality of adjacent bands. The band having the most object centers is determined and the objects in the band having the most object centers are deleted from the rest of the bands. The control repeatedly determines the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers and deletes the objects in the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers from the remainder of the bands until the objects in each band are unique. The maximum separation of objects in each band is defined and checks will be differentiated from blisters based on this separation. |
| US07688431B1 |
Dispersion demonstrator for eyewear lenses
The invention relates to an apparatus for comparatively demonstrating the optical properties of eyewear lenses, particularly dispersion. The apparatus includes an illumination source that provides output of shorter wavelength visible light and longer wavelength visible light, a target that creates an image on the light path, a test lens made of eyewear lens material that is illuminated by the light path from the target, and a detector that displays the image acted upon and transmitted through the test lens. The test lens can be interchangeably replaced with another test lens, for comparison of each lens' optical properties. Alternate configurations include multiple light paths, for simultaneous viewing of images through different test lenses. |
| US07688430B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring the birefringence autocorrelation length in optical fibers
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for determining the birefringence autocorrelation length of a fiber in a non-destructive manner. The PMD of an optical fiber is measured over a first optical spectrum. A Faraday rotation angle is measured over a second optical spectrum. The birefringence autocorrelation length is determined from the measuring of the PMD and the Faraday rotation angle. |
| US07688429B2 |
Device for the analysis or absorption measurement of a small quantity of a liquid medium by means of light
A device (1) having integrated beam switching systems is provided which uses corresponding devices (7 and 9) and fiber optic light guides (10 and 11) for guiding the light (3) used for analysis of a liquid medium (2), for example in a spectrophotometer, a spectrofluorimeter or a similar measuring device, to a measuring point located on the device (1) and embodied as a receiving surface (4) for the medium, and back therefrom to the detector for the spectrophotometer, a spectrofluorimeter or the like. The receiving surface (4) forms a flat measuring point on the upper side of the device (1) and is closed by a cover-type detachable reflector (8) in the position of use. The reflector is in close contact with the sample of the medium (2) and can be removed before the application of the sample and for cleaning the measuring point. |
| US07688423B2 |
Methods and systems to compensate for a stitching disturbance of a printed pattern in a maskless lithography system not utilizing overlap of the exposure zones
A method and system are provided for forming a pattern within an area of a photosensitive surface. An exemplary method includes performing a first exposure of the photosensitive surface in accordance with predetermined image data, wherein the first exposure occurs during a first pass and produces a first image within the area. The image data is adjusted to compensate for identified image deficiencies image deficiencies, the image deficiencies being within a region of the first image. A second exposure, of the photosensitive surface, is performed in accordance with the adjusted image data during a second pass. |
| US07688418B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel where a image display cell region and a plurality of dummy cell regions are provided on a glass substrate. The dummy cells are formed to monitor the internal pressure of liquid crystal sealed in the image display cell region. Liquid crystal is dropped on the image display cell region and the dummy cell regions and the glass substrate and a second substrate are bonded together. The image display cell and the dummy cells, which have the liquid crystal sealed therein, are formed in the image display cell region and the dummy cell regions, respectively. Based on the results of monitoring states of the dummy cells thus formed, a state of the image display cell is estimated. |
| US07688416B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Structural objects are disposed in a peripheral region in positions opposed to spacers. In this way, a substrate surface of a counter substrate in the peripheral region is gently inclined in a direction away from a liquid crystal layer. In this way, it is possible to prevent unevenness in display attributable to a difference in a cell gap between a display region and the peripheral region. |
| US07688415B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a method for manufacturing the same, in which connection stability is improved when connecting a COG, A COF, or an FPC to a driving circuit. A substrate of the LCD has a display region and a non-display region at a peripheral area thereof. Terminals are provided to electrically connect an external circuit and a circuit of the display region and the non-display region. A flat protective layer is formed on the terminals. A plurality of pads are respectively formed of a first contact region and a flat second contact region, and each of the pads contacts a corresponding terminal, which is formed through a pad contact hold formed on the protective layer, at the first contact region, and each of the pads is electrically connected through an anisotropic conductive resin to a terminal of the external circuit by a pressing process at the flat second contact region. |
| US07688414B2 |
Method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device and an LCD device thereby
A method for fabricating a LCD having enhanced aperture ratio and brightness includes: forming a gate line, a gate electrode, a common electrode and a common line in a first mask process; depositing a gate insulating layer covering the gate line, the gate electrode and the common electrode; forming an active layer on the gate insulating layer, and an ohmic contact layer on the active layer in a second mask process; forming a data line, a source electrode, and a drain electrode facing the source electrode in a third mask process; depositing a protective layer over the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode; forming a pixel contact hole in a fourth mask process; and forming a pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode through the pixel contact hole in a fifth mask process using a reverse tapered photo-resist pattern. |
| US07688412B2 |
Multi-domain liquid crystal display device
A multi-domain LCD device is disclosed, which includes a plurality of gate and data lines crossing one another on the first substrate, for defining a plurality of pixel regions. A pixel electrode is formed within the pixel region, the pixel electrode having an electric field induction window for dividing the pixel region into a plurality of domains. An auxiliary electrode is formed on the different layer from the pixel electrode, and beneath the edge of the pixel electrode. A common electrode is formed on a second substrate having a black matrix film and a color filter film. A circle type dielectric structure is formed on the common electrode in the plurality of domains, thereby obtaining wide viewing angle and high aperture ratio. |
| US07688405B2 |
Reflective-transmissive type liquid crystal display device
A reflective-transmissive liquid crystal display (LCD) device with an improved display quality is achieved by forming a reflective area and a transmissive area having a cell gap greater than greater than that of the reflective area. A liquid crystal layer is disposed in a liquid crystal cell between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal molecules are normally aligned at an angle equal to greater than about 45° with respect to a line parallel to the first substrate. The LCD device operates in a normally black mode. |
| US07688404B2 |
Lidquid crystal display device and method for fabricating the same
A LCD device and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed that decreases the fabrication time of the LCD device by obtaining a white color in a fourth pixel region using first, second, and third auxiliary color filter layers, and improve the resolution for the white color by controlling the width of the auxiliary color filter layers. The device includes first and second substrates having first, second, third and fourth pixel regions arranged repetitively; a black matrix layer formed on the second substrate corresponding to portions of the substrates other than the pixel regions; first, second and third color filter layers respectively formed on the first, second, and third pixel regions of the second substrate; first, second, and third auxiliary color filter layers formed on the fourth pixel region of the second substrate to display a white color; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates. |
| US07688402B2 |
Backlight module for LCD having reflective curved surfaces for forming virtual light sources
A backlight module includes a light box and multiple real light sources. The light box has an opening and a plurality of substantially parallel grooves recessed from a bottom surface thereof. Each of the slots has a reflection curved surface. A light source allocation line is defined between every two adjacent grooves. The light source allocation lines are parallel to the grooves. The sum of shortest distances between any point of the reflection curved surface and the two adjacent light source allocation lines is substantially the same. In addition, the real light sources are alternately allocated in the light source allocation lines. A part of light emitted from each light source is reflected from the reflection curved surface to the light source allocation line in which no light source is allocated. Thereby, a virtual light source is formed on the light source allocation line that does not contain a real light source. |
| US07688399B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus including a light source unit, a liquid crystal display panel, an illumination optical system leading light from the light source unit to the liquid crystal display panel, and a display optical system leading light from the liquid crystal display panel to an observer. The illumination optical system and the display optical system share an optical surface having dielectric multilayer films and being concave toward the liquid crystal display panel on a plane including a center ray corresponding to an angle of view. The optical surface reflects light from the light source unit for leading the light to the liquid crystal display panel while transmitting light reflected from the liquid crystal display panel. On the plane including the center ray, the brightness of the light-emitting surface of the light source unit is reduced toward the optical surface smaller than that in the remote from the optical surface. |
| US07688398B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A backlight assembly, which can provide improved display features by preventing a lamp assembly from being loosened from a lower receiving container, and a liquid crystal display apparatus including the backlight assembly. The backlight assembly includes a light guiding plate guiding incident light, a lamp assembly disposed at one or more sides of the light guiding plate, and having at least one lamp to generate light and a lamp cover enclosing the lamp, a lower receiving container having a bottom plane and sidewalls formed around the periphery of the bottom plane and receiving the lamp assembly and the light guiding plate, and at least one elastic and conductive gasket including a hot-melt adhesive agent having a melting point greater than or equal to about 60° C. and interposed between the lamp cover and the lower receiving container. |
| US07688397B2 |
Display unit
A display unit includes a display mounting main body 1 secured to a ceiling to which a display is installed; the display 3 openably/closably and rotatably attached to the display mounting main body 1 through a pair of lateral rotating hinge shafts 2; and a circuit board provided as a control system of the display, wherein a wiring-relay circuit board 8 is mounted and disposed on the axis of rotation at the upper part in the extending rotating position of the display 3, and electrically connects a main circuit board disposed in the display mounting main body 1 with an LCD 4 to thereby intermediately connect wirings. |
| US07688392B2 |
Pixel structure including a gate having an opening and an extension line between the data line and the source
A pixel structure is provided. The pixel structure includes a scan line, a gate, a first dielectric layer, a channel layer, a source, a drain, a data line, a second dielectric layer, and a pixel electrode. The gate is electrically connected to the scan line and has a first notch. The first dielectric layer covers the scan line and the gate. The channel layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer over the gate and exposed by the first notch. The source and the drain are disposed on the channel layer. Part of the drain is located over the first notch. The data line is disposed on the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the source. The second dielectric layer covers the source, the drain and the data line. The pixel electrode is disposed on the second dielectric layer and electrically connected to the drain. |
| US07688388B2 |
Image processing method and device thereof
An image processing method and device thereof are provided. The device includes a capture device and a processor. The capture device is adopted for receiving a plurality of frames and comparing at least two adjacent frames to obtain an area selection signal according to a differential value there-between. The processor is connected to the capture device for receiving the area selection signal and to separate each of the adjacent frames into at least two areas. Each of the areas of the adjacent frames is performed by an image processing step respectively, and then the images of the areas are combined to obtain a resulted frame. |
| US07688385B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, an embodiment of the invention is applicable to various input video signals, prevents image quality degradation in a signal conversion process, and maintains image quality. A front stage unit has a first video signal processing circuit, which reduces noise and performs IP conversion in response to a first image processing control signal from a first control circuit. A rear stage unit has a second video signal processing circuit, which executes frame rate conversion in response to a second image processing control signal from a second control circuit. An arithmetic circuit functions so that the contents of the first image processing control signal exerts an influence upon the second image processing control signal. |
| US07688384B2 |
Personal multimedia device video format conversion across multiple video formats
Personal multimedia devices can detect when an incoming video format is different from a native format and make a local decision to convert incoming video formats to a format native to the personal multimedia device. The personal multimedia device may include a media processor that comprises an MPEG decoder/encoder, graphics processors, and a video decoder/encoder. These components increase a frame rate of a received video signal when the frame rate of the received video signal is less than a frame rate of the native video format of the personal multimedia device and decrease the frame rate of the received video signal when the frame rate of the received video signal is greater than the native frame rate of the set-top box. The graphics processor scales a frame resolution of the frames in the received video signal to correspond to the native video format. |
| US07688380B2 |
Imaging device
It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device which can enhance an image in comparison with the conventional imaging device, even if the image shows high and low brightness objects in one frame, by improving each of image sections corresponding to the high and low brightness objects. The imaging device (10) comprises an imaging element (11) for outputting at least two image signals including long and short exposure signals different in light exposure from each other, knee process unit (12) for performing knee process on the long exposure signal, signal synthesizing unit (15) for performing the synthesis of the short exposure signal and the long exposure signal processed and received from the knee process unit (12), and knee level changing unit (18) for changing, on the basis of the signal level of the short exposure signal, a knee level defined at a knee point in each frame. |
| US07688374B2 |
Single axis CCD time gated ladar sensor
A CCD sensor device has columns and rows of masked pixels that form a charge storage matrix. A singular column of photosensitive pixels form a photosensitive region and are directly connected to the first column of the charge storage matrix. Photons received in the pixels of the photosensitive region are converted to an electrical charge over an integration period and are then shifted from the photosensitive region to the first column of the charge storage matrix. After a second integration period the integrated charge in the photosensitive region is shifted to the first column and the charges previously stored in the first column are shifted to the second column of the matrix. This process is repeated until all the columns of the storage region are full of charges at which time the charges are read out by a serial shift register. |
| US07688373B2 |
Solid-state imaging device with specific contact arrangement
In each photosensitive cell, a photodiode 101, a transfer gate 102, a floating diffusion layer section 103, an amplifier transistor 104, and a reset transistor 105 are formed in one active region surrounded by a device isolation region. The floating diffusion layer section 103 included in one photosensitive cell is connected not to the amplifier transistor 104 included in that cell but to the gate of the amplifier transistor 104 included in another photosensitive cell adjacent to the one photosensitive cell in the column direction. A polysilicon wire 111 connects the transfer gates 102 arranged in the same row, and a polysilicon wire 112 connects the reset transistors 105 arranged in the same row. For connection in the row direction, only polysilicon wires are used. |
| US07688370B2 |
Active pixel sensor array
Disclosed is an active pixel sensor array, which can reduce the number of elements and the size of capacitors by enabling a reset switching transistor to include a function of an optical sensor and to reset a pixel voltage with a power supply voltage VDD after a gate selection signal is outputted, and to reset a pixel voltage with a power supply voltage VDD by a coupling function in case that a gate selection signal is outputted. The active pixel image sensor having a gate driving circuit and a column driving circuit includes a pixel composed of a voltage supply unit for supplying a signal voltage to the column driving circuit; a gate selection unit for turning on according to a n+1-th gate selection signal and outputting a voltage based on a difference between a pixel voltage and a threshold voltage of the voltage supply unit; a reset switching unit for turning on according to a n+1-th gate selection signal and resetting the pixel voltage with a power supply voltage VDD; and a storage unit and a coupling unit for coupling so as to initialize the pixel voltage to be lower than the power supply voltage VDD just after the n+1-th gate selection signal is outputted. |
| US07688369B2 |
Image processing method in a camera module for converting non-linear RGB image data to L*a*b* image data
A method of image processing an image in a camera module, said method comprising the steps of capturing an image as a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data from an image sensor of said camera module; linearizing said image from said image sensor to generate a linearized image by using at least three lookup tables, one lookup table for each of three RGB colors, said linearizing step performed by using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the at least three lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating at least three histograms of said linearized image data, one histogram for each of at least three RGB image color planes, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing said linearized image by using at least the high and the low threshold to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming said image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming said image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form includes a step of referring to each of the histograms and applying a thresholding algorithm thereto. |
| US07688367B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus and image signal processing method
An image processing device has an image sensing device, an optical black (OB) level detection unit that measures an OB level from an OB area in an image signal output by the image sensing device, an OB correction unit that corrects an OB level of an image signal output after the OB area, and a mode changeover unit that controls switching between a first mode that outputs an image signal of predetermined pixels and a second mode that outputs an image signal from fewer pixels than the predetermined pixels. The OB level detection unit measures the OB level from an image signal output during the second mode, and the OB level correction unit calculates an optical black level for the first mode from the measured optical black level, based on image sensing conditions to be used in the first mode, and corrects the optical black level during the first mode. |
| US07688362B2 |
Single sensor processing to obtain high resolution color component signals
A method for generating color video signals representative of color images of a scene includes the following steps: focusing light from the scene on an electronic image sensor via a filter having a tri-color filter pattern; producing, from outputs of the sensor, first and second relatively low resolution luminance signals; producing, from outputs of the sensor, a relatively high resolution luminance signal; producing, from a ratio of the relatively high resolution luminance signal to the first relatively low resolution luminance signal, a high band luminance component signal; producing, from outputs of the sensor, relatively low resolution color component signals; and combining each of the relatively low resolution color component signals with the high band luminance component signal to obtain relatively high resolution color component signals. |
| US07688358B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and white balance processing apparatus
There is provided a technique of preventing occurrence of a shift in white balance even when the ratio of a dark area is greater than the ratio of a bright area as in the case of a night view. A white balance gain calculator calculates white balance gains for an image from color of pixels whose luminance levels are at equal to or greater than a reference luminance level among all pixels of an image. When the ratio of dark pixels whose luminance satisfies a predetermined condition, among all pixels of the image, is equal to or greater than a reference ratio, a correction coefficient calculating section determines a correction coefficient from at least one of factors; namely, image-capturing sensitivity corresponding to an image, the ratio of dark pixels, and firing/non-firing of flash light; and instructs the white balance gain calculator to make a correction to the white balance gain in accordance with the correction coefficient. |
| US07688351B2 |
In-car entertainment unit incorporating a printer
An in-car entertainment (ICE) unit includes a compact disc (CD) player configured to play a CD. A radio receiver is configured to receive a radio broadcast. A docking station is provided in which a digital camera can be docked so that information can be downloaded from the camera. A liquid crystal display (LCD) can display information from the CD, the radio broadcast or the camera. A printer is configured to print the displayed information. |
| US07688350B2 |
Digital camera apparatus and printing method of digital camera apparatus
A digital camera apparatus and a printing method for printing still and motion image stored in the digital camera. A frame to be printed in motion image data stored in a removable memory is designated. The position information of the designated frame to be printed is held in a memory. Upon printing, the motion image data is read out of the removable memory according to the stored position information and then still image data is formed from the motion image data of the frame specified by the frame position information in the motion image data. The formed still image data is sent to a printer through an interface. Since a still image of the image of the print frame is formed from the motion image and sent to the printer, the printer can print by a process similar to a printing process for the still image and execute the printing without being aware of a motion image format. |
| US07688348B2 |
Lidar with streak-tube imaging, including hazard detection in marine applications; related optics
The system and method relate to detection of objects that are submerged, or partially submerged (e.g. floating), relative to a water surface. One aspect of the invention emits LIDAR fan-beam pulses and analyzes return-pulse portions to determine water-surface orientations and derive submerged-object images corrected for refractive distortion. Another defines simulated images of submerged objects as seen through waves in a water surface, prepares an algorithm for applying a three-dimensional image of the water surface in refractive correction of LIDAR imaging through waves—and also models application of the algorithm to the images, and finally specifies the LIDAR-system optics. Yet another emits nearly horizontal pulses to illuminate small exposed objects at tens of kilometers, detects reflected portions and images successive such portions with a streak-tube subsystem. Still others make special provisions for airborne objects. |
| US07688347B2 |
High-efficiency display system utilizing an optical element to reshape light with color and brightness uniformity
A light valve such as an active matrix LCD between crossed polarizers, utilizing, for instance, individual transistors to control each “pixel area” of the LCD and storage elements to store video signal data for each pixel, with optically shielded “dead spaces” between pixels to eliminate electric field cross-talk and non-information-bearing light bleed-through, is illuminated with a bright independent light source which creates a video image projected via specialized projection optics onto an internal or external screen without distortions, regardless of the angle of projection onto the screen. Use of heat sinks, IR reflective coatings, heat absorbing optics, optional fluid and a thermistor controlled pixel transistor bias voltage injection servo circuit stabilizes image performance, maintaining accurate color and contrast levels as the LCD changes temperature. In one embodiment of the invention, use of a multi-color LCD with a stepped cavity, producing different thicknesses of LCD for the different wavelengths that pass through it, allows a linear correspondence between the wavelengths passing through the LCD to produce true black, high contrast and CRT-like color rendition. A dichroic mirror arrangement is used to overlap differently colored pixels in the projected image. Use of striped mirrors duplicate pixels, where necessary, eliminating spaces between pixels, creating a continuous image with no apparent stripes or dots. A special venetian-blind type of screen is also disclosed and methods for using the system to view three-dimensional video are also explained. |
| US07688345B2 |
Audio output in video conferencing and speakerphone based on call type
A conference call may involve participants with video conferencing systems and participants with speakerphone systems. In some embodiments, sound from speakerphone participants may be sent through a speakerphone sound system while sound from video participants may be sent through the video sound system (e.g., near a video monitor). Sound may be localized through a combination of both the video sound system and the speakerphone sound system to produce a spatially correct sound field for in room participants. |
| US07688341B2 |
Laser jet bow/tilt correction
A method for printing with a laser printer includes obtaining data representative of the bow and tilt characteristics of the printer. Data representing an image to be printed is loaded and analyzed. A control signal is determined from the image data and modified based on the known bow and tilt characteristics of this printer, such that the printed image is free of bow and tilt. |
| US07688340B2 |
System and method for controlling the lower power bound for a raster output scanner in a color xerographic printer
A method and system for a color xerographic machine determines a lower bound for the ROS power levels so that color defects are not produced by light attenuation from one or more layers of toner particles on a latent image. The method computes a minimum ROS power level for the photoreceptor at its maximum and minimum charge levels. The minimum ROS power level is the level at which the discharge voltage does not drop beyond a maximum discharge voltage difference. The difference is related to a toner particle density that affects color reproduction. The minimum ROS power levels for the minimum and maximum photoreceptor charge levels are used to compute a functional relationship for minimum ROS power levels at other photoreceptor charge levels. Thereafter, the minimum ROS power level function may be used to compute minimum ROS power levels for other photoreceptor charge levels. The computed minimum ROS power levels may be used to control the power levels used during color reproduction performed by the machine. |
| US07688339B2 |
System for scribing a visible label
A device is for scribing a visible label on the medium. The medium (11), for example an optical disc, has a label side provided with a radiation sensitive layer for creating the visible label via a beam of radiation. The device has a head (22) and a positioning unit (25) for radially positioning a scribing spot, which unit has a course positioning system by movements of the head and a fine positioning system. The device has a generator unit (32) for, during at least one boundary trace of the substantially parallel traces which precedes or succeeds a head movement, temporarily applying a broadening signal (35) to the fine positioning system for broadening the boundary trace in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that unwritten annular areas called white bands, which may occur due to mismatch of the head movement and the fine positioning system, are reduced or prevented. |
| US07688337B2 |
System and method for reducing image scaling complexity with flexible scaling factors
Methods and systems for processing a plurality of pixels are disclosed. Aspects of the method may comprise acquiring a plurality of increment values that correspond to a plurality of output pixels from an increment value table. A plurality of filter coefficients that correspond to the plurality of output pixels may be acquired from a filter coefficient table. The plurality of output pixels may be generated utilizing the plurality of increment values acquired from the increment value table, and the plurality of filter coefficients acquired from the filter coefficient table. The plurality of pixels may be filtered utilizing the acquired plurality of increment values and the acquired plurality of filter coefficients. The increment value table and the filter coefficient table may be generated. The generation of the increment value table and the filter coefficient table may occur during the generation of the plurality of output pixels. |
| US07688335B2 |
Conversion of a sub-pixel format data to another sub-pixel data format
A method of determining implied sample areas for each data point of each color in a source pixel data specified in a first sub-pixel format is used for sub-pixel rendering an image on a display specified in a second sub-pixel format. Each of the first and second sub-pixel formats comprises a plurality of colored sub-pixels. The method comprises determining a geometric center of each colored sub-pixel of the first format to define a sampling point; and defining each implied sample area by forming lines that are substantially equidistant between the sampling point of one colored sub-pixel and the sampling point of another neighboring same color colored sub-pixel. A similar technique may be used for determining resample areas for computing color values for rendering an image specified in a first sub-pixel format on a display substantially comprising a plurality of colored sub-pixels arranged in a second sub-pixel format. |
| US07688333B2 |
Method and/or apparatus for color space reduction for transcoding subpicture elements
An apparatus including a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The first circuit may be configured to collect color statistics. The second circuit may be configured to sort colors based upon the color statistics collected by the first circuit. The third circuit may be configured to generate a mapping function between the sorted colors and a color space of a receiving standard. |
| US07688330B2 |
Color profile generation method and apparatus
A color profile generation method and apparatus are provided, in which at least one of a reference color and a color table of the reference color on a display screen of an image forming device is displayed and at least one of the reference color and the color table that is not displayed on the display screen is printed, a similar color is determined using the reference color and the color table, and a color profile is generated corresponding to the determined color. Accordingly, color of an image displayed on a display screen of an image forming device are matched with colors of an image printed on a printing medium. |
| US07688326B2 |
Apparatus, medium, and method for correcting color of an image
An apparatus, medium, and method for correcting color of an image. The apparatus may includes a user interface which displays each of N reference patches, removes non-gray components from the displayed N reference patches, according to the characteristics of a user's visual system, and outputs the reference patches from which the non-gray components have been removed as adjusted reference patches, a table generator which generates at least one lookup table that has, as addresses, color component values for a current image and stores color component values of the adjusted reference patches as data, and a color corrector which addresses the at least one lookup table using the color component values of the image to read data corresponding to correction information for the color component values of the image and outputs the read data as the result of the correcting of color of the image. |
| US07688325B1 |
Screen compression for mobile applications
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low. |
| US07688323B2 |
Function portions of animation program
The present invention consists of an evaluation engine, which is a system for evaluating the state of an animation at a specific time where secondary animation may be derived from the state of the animation at another time. Unlike DAG-based systems where time is another variable, time is external to the evaluation engine so that it can easily evaluate alternate times and even entire simulations. It also comprises meshes which support instancing and edge weights, and which employ and extensible system of polygon types to support subdivision surface approximation using a set of bi-quadratic patches which solve quickly. The meshes can also be animated by the evaluation engine using a mesh stack, which has multiple evaluation paths for quickly computing mesh attributes without performing a full evaluation. |
| US07688319B2 |
Method and apparatus for rendering semi-transparent surfaces
A system that renders a three-dimensional model which contains semi-transparent surfaces. During operation, the system renders the semi-transparent surfaces in the three-dimensional model by performing the following operations iteratively for each semi-transparent surface in draw-order instead of depth-order: (1) rendering the semi-transparent surface to a Z buffer, (2) calculating a cumulative transparency value for each pixel of the semi transparent surface as a function of the transparency value for each opaque and semi-transparent surface that intersects the pixel and is in front of the Z-value for the pixel in the Z-buffer, (3) attenuating a surface color value for each pixel in the semi-transparent surface by the cumulative transparency value for the pixel, and (4) adding the attenuated surface color value to a corresponding pixel value in the image buffer. |
| US07688318B2 |
Reusable data constructs for a modeling system
Reusing design data in a computer-aided design model includes automatically analyzing a computer-aided design file to identify a set of elements, storing information corresponding to each element in a manner enabling querying and retrieval of the information, presenting one element in a user interface upon retrieval of the information corresponding to the one element, selecting the presented element for inclusion in the model, and constructing the model by incorporating the presented element in the model. The information identifies corresponding elements to facilitate reproduction of at least one element. The information is data indicating a location in the computer-aided design file or data defining at least one of the elements. The stored information allows querying and searching for elements matching a search criterion in a manner free of opening the design file. |
| US07688314B2 |
Man-machine interface for controlling access to electronic devices
The invention disclosed herein describes a man-machine interface device for controlling access to electronic devices. The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display unit including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus, which is responsible for determining the presence and absence of a finger and for generating fingerprint images when a finger is detected. The man-machine interface device also includes a controller unit that is coupled to the display apparatus, the finger touch sensor region, and at least one electronic device. The method of the invention describes a process for authenticating individuals and verifying their security privileges to access sensitive data, based on a finger-touch selection of an icon presented on the display apparatus of the man-machine interface device. |
| US07688311B2 |
Mobile device with rotatable keyboard
A mobile device is provided having a rotatable keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the mobile device and is rotatable in a single plane with respect to the device's housing between a first and second position. A plurality of keys are provided having first indicia in a first orientation relating to key functions in the first position and second indicia in a second orientation relating to key functions in the second position. The indicia are properly oriented with respect to the user in the first and second positions to display a telephone keypad and an alternate keyboard. The arrangement provides greater ergonomic comfort to a user when entering text. The mobile device can assign functions to each key based on a determined keyboard position and can include a weighted end piece to protect the rotatable keyboard from potential damage due to impact. |
| US07688309B2 |
Optical displacement module and method to reduce the size of an optical pointing device thereof
An optical displacement system for an input device of a host device includes a substrate; an aperture; a light source and a sensor chip attached to the substrate, an illumination optics to direct the light emitted by the light source to a surface of an object. The sensor chip is configured to receive at least part of the light emitted by the light source after the light has been scattered/reflected on the surface of the object. |
| US07688307B1 |
Determining the distance an object has moved using an accelerometer
An accelerometer-based mouse is one example of a device that determines the distance an object moves. The mouse disables a cursor from moving across a computer screen during movements of the mouse that occur while the mouse is lifted from a working surface. A mouse control unit generates a cursor movement disable signal that stops the cursor from moving from the time the mouse is lifted until the mouse is set down. The mouse control unit generates the disable signal by determining the derivative of an acceleration signal for the vertical (z) dimension relative to the working surface. The mouse includes a microcontroller programmed to disengage cursor movement when the cursor movement disable signal is asserted. The mouse does not include a ball and rollers whose performance can degrade as they become dirty. The mouse can detect movement even when the mouse slides over a surface that has no pattern. |
| US07688306B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer
Methods and apparatuses for operating a portable device based on an accelerometer are described. According to one embodiment of the invention, an accelerometer attached to a portable device detects a movement of the portable device. In response, a machine executable code is executed within the portable device to perform one or more predetermined user configurable operations. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07688301B2 |
Apparatus and method for driving liquid crystal display device
A driving apparatus of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal cell of a matrix shape to display a video signal; N (where N is a positive integer) number of data drive circuits that generate a polarity pattern of the video signal and supply it to the liquid crystal cell through a plurality of output channels; and a polarity controller that controls the polarity signal and supplies it to the N number of the data drive circuits on the basis of a first selection signal corresponding to the number of the output channels and a second selection signal corresponding to a repetition period of the polarity pattern. |
| US07688300B2 |
Driving method of pixel array
A driving method of a pixel array is provided. The driving method is suitable for a pixel array comprising at least one pixel set in each pixel array, wherein at least one pixel set comprises a plurality of pixels. In the driving method, a voltage having substantially same phase is used to drive the pixel electrodes of the pixels in the same pixel set. In addition, voltages with phases substantially opposite to each other are used to drive the pixel electrodes of the pixels in two adjacent pixel sets. Furthermore, a single gate line is used to drive two adjacent pixels in two different pixel sets respectively. In addition, a single gate line is used to drive a first pixel in one of the pixel set and another pixel in an adjacent column of the first pixel, wherein a phase of the voltage of a pixel electrode of the first pixel and a phase of a voltage of a pixel electrode of the other pixel are substantially different. |
| US07688299B2 |
Interpolation device for use in a display apparatus and interpolation method
In an interpolation device that is used for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD), a memory stores an image signal representing a previously displayed image frame. A look-up table (LUT) stores plural reference data corresponding to differences between values of high order bits of a present image signal and a previous image signal. An arithmetic unit receives low order bits of the present image signal, low order bits of the previous image signal, and the reference data from the LUT to output a corrected image signal. The arithmetic unit applies a first second-order interpolation equation when the high order bits of the present image signal are identical to the high order bits of the previous image signal and applies a second second-order interpolation equation, which is different from the first second-order interpolation equation, when the high order bits of the present image signal are different from the high order bits of the previous image signal. |
| US07688296B2 |
Cholesteric liquid crystal driving device and driving method
A cholesteric liquid crystal driving device according to the present invention includes a first driving circuit for displaying one part of the image data to be displayed by a cholesteric liquid crystal on a first scanning line by driving the cholesteric liquid crystal on the first scanning line in accordance with first and second cycles; and a second driving circuit for displaying the other part of the image data to be displayed by a cholesteric liquid crystal on a second scanning line by driving the cholesteric liquid crystal on the second scanning line in accordance with a third or fourth cycle. |
| US07688294B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving liquid crystal display
A method of driving a liquid crystal display is provided in which the contrast can be selectively emphasized dependent upon the input data. The input data is converted into brightness components and chrominance components. The most-frequent brightness component is extracted from a histogram of the brightness components, and the histogram is divided into regions, which are re-arranged in correspondence with the extracted most-frequent value. The brightness components of each region are then modified using a curve having a slope that is dependent upon the total number of brightness components in the particular region. Data in which the contrast ratio has been selectively emphasized is generated using the modulated brightness components and the chrominance components. |
| US07688290B2 |
Display system and electrical appliance
A display system in which the luminance of light-emitting elements in a light-emitting device is adjusted based on information on an environment. A sensor obtains information on an environment as an electrical signal. A CPU converts, based on comparison data set in advance, the information signal into a correction signal for correcting the luminance of EL elements. Upon receiving this correction signal, a voltage changer applies a predetermined corrected potential to the EL elements. Thus, this display system enables control of the luminance of the EL elements. |
| US07688286B2 |
Method for reducing dynamic false contour on plasma display
A method for reducing dynamic false contour on a plasma display is provided. The steps of the method are as follows. Firstly, determine a grayscale phase of a current pixel. And then change the grayscale phase of the current pixel if any one of the N pixels before the current pixel has the same grayscale value and the same grayscale phase as those of the current pixel, wherein N is an integer equal to or greater than 2. Finally, output the current pixel. |
| US07688282B2 |
Information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus that includes a display panel; a filter facing the display panel; and a drive section turns on the filter in response to driving start of the display panel. |
| US07688281B2 |
Information processing device and control method for information processing device
According to one embodiment, an information processing device adapted to use in a first mode and a second mode includes a body, a display unit supported by the body, a display panel disposed at the display unit, a viewing angle control filter disposed at the display unit and arranged facing one face of the display panel, and drive unit configured to drive the control filter when a state of the processing device is in the second mode. |
| US07688280B2 |
Expanded bit map display for mounting on a building surface and a method of creating same
An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) (10) for displaying an image (14) and a method of creating such for mounting the EBMD (10) to a building surface (12) is provided. The EBMD (10) is a large-scale colored light display comprising a plurality of intelligent light fixtures (16) having a microprocessor and a memory and mounted to the building surface (12). Each light fixture (16) is separately addressable and operable to store lighting characteristics or information. Groups of light fixtures (16) are in communication with a central processor operable to communicate control protocol. |
| US07688278B2 |
Ballistic protective radome
A ballistic protective radome (10) consisting of substantially longitudinal layer members (14) firmly and densely packed in a uniform array, forming a main protective layer (12). The layer members (14) are mutually spaced apart and electrically isolated such that a continuous gap (18) is formed in the main protective layer (12). The layer members (14) are made of mechanical energy absorbing and high tensile strength materials such as ceramics, metallic alloys nanoparticulate ceramics and nanoparticulate metallic alloys. The surface of the layer members is electrically conducting, optionally by plating with a layer of highly electrically conducting materials having a width of a few skin depths. Optionally a dielectric layer (16) is attached to at least one surface border of the main protective layer for promoting the ballistic features of the radome and providing for impedance matching. A method for tuning the operational frequency of the radome is provided by grouping the layer members in pairs (12A-12C) of layer members having collinear main axes. Optionally discs (26D-26F) having electrically conducting surface are inserted into the gaps between the paired layer members. |
| US07688272B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device having an antenna structure which is advantageous for miniaturization, without changing the number of steps and communication distance. One feature to achieve the above object is a semiconductor device including a substrate, a tag portion including a thin film element formed over the substrate, a first antenna, and a second antenna, in which the first antenna and the second antenna are formed in different layers separated by an insulating film, the first antenna and the second antenna are partially electrically connected to each other, the first antenna is formed of a same material and in a same layer as a source or drain wiring connected to the thin film element, and the second antenna is formed in a different layer from the source or drain wiring connected to the thin film element. |
| US07688269B1 |
Stacked dual-band electromagnetic band gap waveguide aperture with independent feeds
A dual-band stacked electromagnetic band gap (EBG) electronically scanned array (ESA) has a high-frequency aperture stacked on a low-frequency aperture. The high-frequency aperture looks through the low-frequency aperture. Low-frequency and high-frequency feeds feed the apertures. The low-frequency aperture comprises low-frequency cells with two vertical low-frequency EBG sidewalls and two horizontal metal walls. The high-frequency aperture comprises high-frequency cells with four cells stacked on each of the low-frequency cells. The four high-frequency cells comprise four vertical high-frequency EBG sidewalls, two horizontal metal top and bottom metal walls, and a center horizontal metal wall for operation with the same polarization as the low-frequency aperture. The high-frequency cells may comprise four horizontal high-frequency EBG sidewalls, two vertical left and right metal walls, and a center vertical metal wall for orthogonal polarization. A frequency selective surface may be used to provide isolation between the apertures. |
| US07688268B1 |
Multi-band antenna system
The present invention is an improved antenna system. In an embodiment of the invention, the antenna system of the present invention may be a high-gain, low-profile wide-band antenna. Advantageously, the antenna system of the present invention may include a plate with reflecting elements to form a reflectarray antenna suitable for mounting on an aircraft. The reflectarray antenna of the present invention may be formed from a planar array of waveguides which may operate as a low loss, wide-band reflecting elements. Individual waveguides may be designed to scatter an incident field while impressing appropriate phase shifts in order to form a plane wavefront at the array aperture to produce a desired output signal. Waveguides may include ridges to employ vertical and horizontal polarization across a wide bandwidth operable at a high frequency, such as 10 GHz to 30 GHz. |
| US07688266B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module includes a substrate; a ground element disposed on the substrate; a first antenna element disposed on the substrate; and a second antenna element disposed on the substrate. The first antenna element and the second antenna element are, respectively, capable of transmitting radio waves having a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction unparallel to each other. A spacing between a perimeter of the ground element and the first antenna element increases as a function of increasing distance from the second antenna element. A spacing between the perimeter of the ground element and the second antenna element increases as a function of increasing distance from the first antenna element. |
| US07688264B2 |
Method and apparatus for passive single platform geo-location
The present disclosure provides an RTD that is released from a single primary platform to collect signals from a target emitter and relay data back to a single primary platform, enabling the precise geo-location of the target emitter to be determined in a minimal amount of time. The RTD is released from a single platform and quickly creates a long signal collection baseline between the released RTD and the single platform. Various techniques for determining geo-location may be used with the present disclosure, such as angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) methods. |
| US07688251B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring river flow parameters using a VHF/UHF radar station
Systems and methods are described for monitoring the surface flow velocity and volume discharge of rivers and channels using a VHF/UHF radar located in operative relationship with a riverbank. This frequency region allows precise estimation and removal of the Bragg wave velocity; it also is matched to the short wind-wave roughness periods existing on river surfaces so that operation is possible nearly all the time. Methods of bearing determination are also disclosed. Up/downriver surface velocity profiles vs. distance across the river may be constructed from maps of the radial velocity component from a single radar at thousands of points within the radar's coverage. Methods to compensate for Doppler aliasing under high flow conditions are also shown. |
| US07688248B2 |
System and method for 3D radar image rendering
A 3D rendered image of a radar-scanned terrain surface is provided from a radar return signal from the surface, wherein the return signal includes data indicative of azimuth, elevation, and range of a radar-illuminated area of the surface. The data are processed for transformation into X, Y, and Z coordinates. The X and Y coordinates corresponding to each illuminated area are triangulated so as to create a mesh of triangles representing the terrain surface, each of the triangles in the mesh being defined by a vertex triplet. 3D imaging information (grey scale shading and/or coloring information) is added to each triangle in the mesh, based on the amplitude of the radar return signal from the coordinates represented by each vertex in the triplet and the value of the Z coordinate at each vertex, so as to form the 3D rendered image. |
| US07688245B2 |
Method for quantizing of signal values and quantizer
A method for quantizing signal values of a signal received or to be transmitted via a radio interface including quantizing signal values that lie within a first value range according to a first quantization having a multiplicity of quantization steps wherein the quantization step width between two quantization steps differs from a linear quantization with the same number of quantization steps at most by the step width of the linear quantization with the same number of quantization steps; and quantizing signal values that lie within a second value range according to a second quantization having a multiplicity of quantization steps wherein the quantization step width between two quantization steps is larger than the quantization step width between two quantization steps of the first quantization. |
| US07688240B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating an RDAC for end-to-end tolerance correction of output resistance
A system and method for calibrating an RDAC to obtain an expected resistance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of obtaining an expected resistance from an RDAC circuit includes receiving a digital signal comprising a digital code by an on-chip calibration code engine, automatically deriving a calibrated digital code based on resistance versus digital code characteristic curves of an expected RDAC and the RDAC associated with the calibration code engine, and inputting the calibrated digital code into the RDAC associated with the calibration code engine to obtain an expected resistance. The method also includes forming the resistance versus digital code characteristic curves of the expected RDAC and the RDAC, computing a gain error and an offset error using the formed resistance versus digital code characteristic curves of the RDAC and the expected RDAC and storing the gain error and the offset error in a non-volatile/volatile RDAC memory. |
| US07688237B2 |
Apparatus and method for analog-to-digital converter calibration
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for calibration of analog to digital converters (ADC) are described herein. In an aspect, an ADC includes a plurality of slices. Each slice includes a digital to analog converter (DAC), a comparator, and a digital processing unit (DPU). The digital processing unit is electrically connected to the comparator and the DAC. In another aspect, an analog-to-digital converter includes an input module and an analog to digital converter core configured to receive an analog input from the input module and generate a digital output. The ADC is configured to adjust a precision of the analog to digital converter core based on a quality of the analog input signal. |
| US07688234B2 |
Coding apparatus, coding method, program for executing the method, and recording medium storing the program
A coding apparatus that codes video data using an arithmetic coding scheme such as the AVC standard includes an orthogonal transformation unit, a quantizer, an arithmetic coder, and a controller. The arithmetic coder includes a binarization unit, a binary arithmetic coder, and a code length predictor. The code length predictor outputs a predicted number of bits by evaluating a predictive function using, as the argument of the function, the bin size of the binary symbols generated from input data during coding. The controller controls the coding bit rate by changing the quantization scale of the quantizer on the basis of the predicted number of bits. The predictive function is defined such that the predicted number of bits increases as the bin size increases, and furthermore such that the polynomial degree of the function changes when the bin size exceeds a predefined threshold value. |
| US07688226B2 |
Vehicle location device and method
An electronic device configured to be carried on a user's person is provided for directing the user to a parked vehicle. The electronic device utilizes node location data provided by at least one local wireless node and vehicle location information provided by the vehicle. The electronic device includes a network receiver and a controller coupled thereto. The network receiver is configured to receive the node location data from the at least one local wireless node. The controller is configured to store the vehicle location information, to estimate the location of the electronic device from the received node location data, and to determine the position of the vehicle relative to the electronic device. |
| US07688225B1 |
Method for managing a parking lot
A method is disclosed for managing a parking lot. In one disclosed embodiment, the method includes receiving parking lot data. The embodiment of the disclosed method also includes transforming the parking lot data into parking lot information, the parking lot information including information about a moving parking lot object. Further, the embodiment of the disclosed method includes transmitting a map of the parking lot to a mobile interaction device, and transmitting the parking lot information to the mobile interaction device. |
| US07688220B2 |
Device and method for processing meter data from multiple meters
A satellite communications device for processing meter data includes an interface adapted to receive data from a plurality of remotely located utility meters of a selected meter type. The interface is configurable to receive data from at least a first meter type and a second meter type. A satellite modem is coupled to the interface and is operable to send the data received from the utility meters using a satellite link. The device includes a plurality of software modules for execution in the satellite modem. A first software module is adapted to process data from utility meters of the first meter type and a second software module is adapted to process data from utility meters of the second meter type. |
| US07688214B1 |
Weather warning system and method
A device for detecting a weather condition, particularly a tornado. The device includes a receiver module configured to receive electromagnetic signal from an atmosphere, particularly electromagnetic signal in the range of 1 MHz to 100 MHz. The device also includes a processing module coupled to the receiver module and configured to generate frequency spectrum data corresponding to the received electromagnetic signal, such as by performing a Fast Fourier Transform operation. Frequency spectrum data corresponding to the weather condition desired to be detected is stored in a stored data module. The device also includes a comparison module for comparing, such as by performing a cross-correlation operation, the generated frequency spectrum data and the stored frequency spectrum data in order to determine whether the weather condition is present in the atmosphere. An alarm module coupled to the comparison module generates an alarm condition when the comparison module determines that the weather condition is present in the atmosphere. |
| US07688212B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing occupancy information in a fire alarm system
A method is provided for presenting occupancy information in a fire alarm system. The method includes obtaining event data indicative of an emergency event within a zone of a premises, obtaining count information indicative of a number of individuals within the zone of the premises, and displaying the event data and the count information for the zone simultaneously. |
| US07688211B2 |
Apparatus and method for enhancing face-to-face communication
A wearable electronic tag for displaying graphics and text images and for communicating with other similar tags. Each tag includes a visible, graphical display adapted to be worn by a user. The tag also includes a short range, substantially unidirectional electronic communication channel, such as an infrared transmitter-receiver, located on the display unit so that, when the display unit is worn, the interface faces in a direction of the desired communication with another person who also is wearing a similar tag. This arrangement makes possible automatic data exchange and comparison of the interchanged data and display of the results of the comparison on the tags worn by the two wearers. The tags also have a longer range wireless communication system to receive and transmit data. |
| US07688208B2 |
Monitoring for radio frequency enabled items based on shared group activity profiles
A method, radio frequency ID reader, and wireless communication device monitor radio-frequency identification enabled items associated with a group activity. The method includes receiving a set of radio frequency IDs representing a set of radio frequency ID enabled items (110) to be monitored. The set of radio frequency enabled items (110) are associated with at least one group activity. Each radio frequency ID enabled item (110) is determined to be associated with one of an individual and a group of individuals. The method also includes determining if at least one condition associated with the group activity has occurred indicating that the group activity is occurring (1004). The set of radio frequency IDs representing the set of radio frequency ID enabled items (110) is monitored for in response to determining that the at least one condition is occurring. |
| US07688207B2 |
System for tracking vessels in automated laboratory analyzers by radio frequency identification
A system for automation of laboratory analyzers that utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers to identify containers and vessels, and the contents thereof, that are employed in the system. Radio frequency identification tags, conforming to the guidelines of ISO 14443 or ISO 15693 or ISO 18000, are positioned on the items of interest, such as, for example, reagent containers, sample containers, and microplates. These tags can be read by and written to by either a moving antenna of a RFID reader or a stationary antenna of a RFID reader. Reading of RFID tags and writing to RFID tags are controlled by software. |
| US07688203B2 |
Surveillance device by use of digital cameras linked to a cellular or wireless telephone
This invention satisfies a need for surveillance of any fixed or mobile location from a 4G wireless terminal or cellular telephone equipped to view video. The surveillance device consists of digital video cameras, microphones and alarms interfacing a control unit which has the ability to time stamp and store all camera outputs on a storage device, recognize alarms, send alarm status to a remote wireless user, receive wireless calls from the remote user and act on remote commands to transmit any camera output occurring during a time period selected by the remote user. The latter will enable the remote user to document video and sound for a time interval of interest. Video and sound of this time interval may be placed in permanent storage for transfer to a portable video medium. This invention will employ the new 4G wireless network to allow a wireless terminal or telephone equipped with a video display to select the proper bandwidth needed to receive streaming video and sound from the remote surveillance device. |
| US07688199B2 |
Smoke and fire detection in aircraft cargo compartments
A detection system may include at least one sensor located in an enclosable space, each sensor being configured to detect at least one environmental feature and provide a corresponding at least one environmental feature signal. The system may process the at least one environmental feature signal and provide at least one processed feature signal, the at least one processed feature signal corresponding to a transformed at least one environmental feature signal. The system may further provide a hosted function configured to provide instructions for processing, the hosted function comprising a computational algorithm adapted to perform numerical transformation operations based on the at least one environmental feature signal, the hosted function being configured to provide a map image based on the at least one processed feature signal. |
| US07688192B2 |
Programming wireless sensors
Programmable wireless sensors are provided. Particular programmable wireless sensors comprise a power supply, a sensing component, a transmitting component adapted to transmit information obtained by the sensing device or information derived from information obtained by the sensing component, a receiving component adapted to receive software, a memory component adapted to store received software, and control logic. The control logic includes logic operable to execute stored software. The stored software, when executed, is operable to program at least one operating characteristic of the programmable wireless sensor. Also provided are systems useful in selecting software to program or reprogram programmable wireless sensors. The programmable wireless sensors may be programmed or reprogrammed to emulate conventional wireless sensors, such as conventional TPMS sensors. |
| US07688191B2 |
Wheel lifted and grounded identification for an automotive vehicle
A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (10) has a first roll condition detector (64A), a second roll condition detector (64B), a third roll condition detector (64C), and a controller (26) that uses the roll condition generated by the roll condition detectors (64A-C) to determine a wheel lift condition. Other roll condition detectors may also be used in the wheel lift determination. The wheel lift conditions may be active or passive or both. |
| US07688190B2 |
Device for displaying a selected gear
The invention relates to a device for displaying the selected gear in manual gearboxes of motor vehicles. The device comprises a display (6) and at least one acceleration sensor (7), which is situated on a gear lever (1), the inclination of the gear lever being measured. |
| US07688188B2 |
Vehicle surrounding information informing device
An existing-area calculating device of a vehicle surrounding information informing device calculates an existing area where a hidden-area obstacle approaching an own vehicle is likely to exist, based on own-vehicle traveling information detected by an own-vehicle traveling information detecting device and information of a hidden-area obstacle of another-vehicle obstacle information detected by an another-vehicle obstacle detecting device. Then, an informing device informs the exiting area of the hidden-area obstacle. Accordingly, the passenger (driver) can surely recognize the existence of the hidden-area obstacle to take any proper action to avoid a possible collision with the hidden-area obstacle, thereby improving the reliability of the vehicle surrounding information informing device. |
| US07688184B2 |
Tire theft detection device and method of detecting tire theft
A tilt angle sensor detects a tilt angle of a vehicle and outputs a tilt angle signal indicative of the tilt angle. A tire-side communication element is disposed on a tire of the vehicle, and sends a reply signal in response to the tilt angle signal. A chassis-side communication element communicates with the tire-side communication element. A controller starts a communication between the tire-side and the chassis-side communication elements when the tilt angle signal is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. The controller determines that the tire is stolen when the chassis-side communication element disables to receive the reply signal from the tire-side communication element. |
| US07688183B2 |
Powerline pulse position modulated transmitter apparatus and method
A transmitting controller is connected to a powerline and on command places a reference signal and a series of signal pulses in the powerline at a series of signal timing positions related to zero voltage crossing points so that the signals pulses are substantially in the powerline temporal quiet zone near zero crossing. The signal pulses are produced from a pair of capacitors and switches which are each sequentially charged a first polarity from the powerline and is discharged in the powerline at the opposite polarity so that the powerline voltage at the time of the pulse is additive to the pulse voltage. The receiving controller is connected to the powerline and has a filter circuit therein which filters away the powerline AC signal and noise to leave the reference and signal pulses. The signal pulses are compared to the position of starting reference pulses to determine in which signal timing position the pulses have occurred. |
| US07688178B2 |
Remote start controller
A remote start controller is mounted on a vehicle, which includes a keyless entry device for controlling a locking action of doors of the vehicle in response to a user's operation with respect to a lock button of a transmitter. The remote start controller includes a CPU. Upon detecting that the lock button of the transmitter is operated in a first predetermined way, the CPU causes an engine of the vehicle to start. |
| US07688174B2 |
Overload protection switch
An overload protection switch includes a main body and a press button. Several terminals, a conductive plate and other components are arranged in the main body. By means of switching the press button, the switch is switchable between an on state and an off state. In case of overload, the conductive plate will separate from one of the terminals to switch off the switch. The components arranged in the main body will not hinder the conductive plate from separating from the terminal. When switching on the switch, the conductive plate resiliently contacts the terminal. In case of overload, the conductive plate separates from the terminal to switch off the switch so as to provide overload protection effect. |
| US07688169B2 |
Long-proportional-stroke force motor
A long-proportional-stroke force motor which outputs force proportional to the exciting current. The motor has a magnetic circuit wherein a non-magnetic spacer is positioned axially between a magnetic guide and a magnetic sleeve. An armature moves within a central opening defined by the guide, the spacer and the sleeve. An end portion of the guide, adjacent to the spacer, has a sectional profile through a stepped surface facing radially outward and the corners of the steps define a curve which satisfies the following expressions: ⅆ Y ⅆ X > 0 , ⅆ 2 Y ⅆ X 2 > 0 , where X is a coordinate on an X-axis corresponding to a central axis of the guide; wherein the armature is moved in a direction along the X-axis by application of exciting current to a coil surrounding the guide, spacer and sleeve; and Y is a coordinate on an axis orthogonal to the X-axis. |
| US07688166B2 |
Multi-stable micro electromechanical switches and methods of fabricating same
A micro electromechanical (MEMS) switch suitable for use in medical devices is provided, along with methods of producing and using MEMS switches. In one aspect, a micro electromechanical switch including a moveable member configured to electrically cooperate with a receiving terminal is formed on a substrate. The moveable member and the receiving terminal each include an insulating layer proximate to the substrate and a conducting layer proximate to the insulating layer opposite the substrate. In various embodiments, the conducting layers of the moveable member and/or receiving terminal include a protruding region that extends outward from the substrate to switchably couple the conducting layers of the moveable member and the receiving terminal to thereby form a switch. The switch may be actuated using, for example, electrostatic energy. |
| US07688164B2 |
High frequency circuit board converting a transmission mode of high frequency signals
A microstrip line includes a signal strip conductor and a ground conductor. A coplanar line includes two regions. A first region includes a signal strip conductor which is connected to the signal strip conductor of the microstrip line via a wire or the like and a ground strip conductor which continues to the ground conductor. A second region is formed with a ground strip conductor formed above the ground strip conductor via a through hole. A transmission mode changes itself in the microstrip line, the first region of the coplanar line, and the second region of the coplanar line in the sequence as described. This enables converting the transmission mode efficiently from the microstrip line to the coplanar line. |
| US07688161B2 |
Acoustic wave device and filter using the same
An acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, a resonator having comb electrodes that are provided above the piezoelectric substrate and excite an acoustic wave, and a capacitor that is provided above the piezoelectric substrate and is connected in series or parallel with the resonator, the capacitor including electrodes that horizontally face each other above the piezoelectric substrate. The electrodes of the capacitor are further from the piezoelectric substrate than the comb electrodes of the resonator. |
| US07688159B2 |
SAW duplexer having a bridging inductor in a multilayer package
A SAW duplexer includes a first SAW filter having a passband with a relatively low frequency, and a second SAW filter having a passband with a relatively high frequency. The first and second SAW filters each have a ladder-shaped circuit configuration. A bridging inductor is connected in parallel to at least one serial arm resonator in the second SAW filter. The bridging inductor includes a coiled portion provided on a multilayer package substrate. The coiled portion is defined by connecting first to third wires provided on first to third layers by via-hole conductors. First, third, and fifth via-hole conductors that define a coil return wire portion are disposed inside the coiled portion. |
| US07688154B1 |
Amplitude regulated crystal oscillator
To maintain the amplitude of an oscillating signal within a defined range, the detected peak level of the oscillating signal is compared to a reference voltage. If the detected peak level is determined as being greater than the reference voltage, the common source/drain voltage of a differential amplifier driving the crystal oscillator across its input terminals is reduced so as to lower the amplitude of the oscillation signal. If the detected peak level is determined as being smaller than the reference voltage, the common source/drain voltage of the differential amplifier driving the crystal oscillator is increase so as to raise the amplitude of the oscillation signal. |
| US07688152B2 |
High frequency stabilization network for microwave devices and monolithic integrated circuits
A high-frequency stabilization network for microwave devices and monolithic integrated circuits. The stabilization network may comprise one or more monolithic RL parallel networks, configured to reduce in-band high-frequency oscillation, such as Gunn effect oscillation and IMPATT oscillation. |
| US07688150B2 |
PLL with controllable bias level
Embodiments disclosed herein may provide circuits having two or more different supplies to separately power analog and digital components in a circuit. In some embodiments, circuits such as PLLs may be provided with adjustable analog supplies. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed herein. |
| US07688144B2 |
Variable-gain wide-dynamic-range amplifier
A variable-gain wide-dynamic-range amplifier including an amplifier module, a control unit, and an output current regulating circuit is provided. The amplifier module amplifies an input signal. The amplifier module includes several amplifier units coupled to each other in parallel. The gains of the amplifier units are different. The control unit enables at least one of the amplifier units according to a gain control signal. The at least one of the amplifier units which is enabled is for outputting a current signal in response to the input signal. The output regulating circuit is for receiving the current signal and outputting an output signal accordingly by regulating the magnitude of the current signal under the control of the control unit. Each of the amplifier units is coupled to the output current regulating circuit in series. The control unit is for controlling the output current regulating circuit according to the gain control signal. |
| US07688142B2 |
High performance variable gain amplifier, method of use and design structure
A circuit of high performance variable gain amplifier, method of use and design structure on which the subject circuit resides is provided. The circuit comprises a plurality of differential stages having a common input, and output, a common control level input CM and respective individual control level inputs Cx. The circuit also includes a fixed stage that always is biased to an “on” state from the common input. |
| US07688141B1 |
Multi-amplifier circuit
A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) includes N cascaded pairs of transconductance amplifiers, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each one of the N cascaded pairs includes a first transconductance amplifier having an input and an output, and a second transconductance amplifier having an input that communicates with the output of the first transconductance amplifier and an output. Each one of the N cascaded pairs includes a first resistance having first and second ends that communicate with the input and the output of the second transconductance amplifier, respectively. The TIA further includes a second resistance having a first end that communicates with the input of the first transconductance amplifier of a first one of the N cascaded pairs, and a second end that communicates with the output of the second transconductance amplifier of a last one of the N cascaded pairs. |
| US07688140B2 |
Differential amplifier circuit
Disclosed is a differential amplifier circuit that comprises: a first differential pair of a first conductivity type having an input pair connected to respective input terminals and an output pair connected to a load-element pair; a second differential pair of a second conductivity type having an input pair connected to the respective input terminals and an output pair connected to a load-element pair; a first output transistor connected between a first power supply and an output terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first output of the first differential pair; and a second output transistor connected between a second power supply and the output terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first output of the second differential pair. A current having a value that is the result of adding a current, which is the result of reflecting a current of the second output of the second differential pair by a current mirror, to a current of the first output of the first differential pair, is passed into the load element connected to the first output of the first differential pair. A current having a value that is the result of adding a current, which is the result of reflecting a current of the second output of the first differential pair by a current mirror, to a current of the first output of the second differential pair, is passed into the load element connected to the first output of the second differential pair. |
| US07688136B2 |
Shared linearity maintenance in power amplifiers
In some embodiments, a circuit includes a power amplifier including an input terminal configured to receive an input signal and an output terminal to provide an RF voltage, the output terminal coupled to a load, a current sensor configured to sense the current drawn by the power amplifier and provide a first sensor output signal dependent upon current consumption when the current exceeds a predetermined current threshold, a voltage sensor configured to sense the output power of the power amplifier and provide a second sensor output signal when the RF voltage during up ramp falls below a predetermined threshold voltage, and a summing circuit configured to receive the first and second sensor output signals and provide a feedback signal including a combination of a power dependent contribution and either of a voltage dependent contribution or a current dependent contribution. |
| US07688134B2 |
Transimpedance amplifier
The present invention solves characteristic deterioration caused by peaking and a ground inductance, and provides a transimpedance amplifier capable of achieving a higher gain and a wider band. For this purpose, the transimpedance amplifier is configured to include a feedback circuit having two or more extreme frequencies and having a filter characteristic which is flat with respect to frequencies in a frequency region not more than a smallest extreme frequency among the extreme frequencies, which is flat with respect to frequencies in a frequency region not less than a largest extreme frequency among the extreme frequencies, and which has at least one negative inclination portion with respect to frequencies in a frequency region between the smallest and largest extreme frequencies. |
| US07688127B2 |
Method for generating a output clock signal having a output cycle and a device having a clock signal generating capabilities
A device and a method for generating a output clock signal having a output cycle, the method includes: (i) adjusting a delay of an adjustable ring oscillator to provide a high frequency clock signal having a short cycle so that the output cycle substantially equals a sum of integer multiples of a sleep cycle and integer multiplies of the short cycle; wherein the output cycle differs from any integer multiples of the sleep cycle; wherein the sleep cycle characterizes a sleep clock signal that is generated by a low frequency sleep clock; wherein the short cycle is shorter than the sleep cycle; (ii) counting short cycles and sleep cycles; and (iii) generating, during a sleep mode, in response to the counting and to a predefined counting pattern, the first clock signal; wherein the generating includes activating the adjustable ring oscillator only during a portion of a single sleep cycle per each output cycle. |
| US07688111B1 |
Level-shifting circuit with bipolar junction transistor
A level-shifting circuit includes an input node, a first output transistor, a second output transistor, a pull-up transistor, and an output node. The input node receives an input signal. The first output transistor turns on when the input signal is at a first voltage level and couples an output node to a positive supply voltage when turned on. The second output transistor, a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), couples the output node to a negative supply voltage when turned on. The pull-up transistor turns on when the input signal is at a second voltage level and generates a voltage at a base terminal of the second output transistor that turns the second output transistor on. Additionally, the level-shifting circuit generates, at the output node, an output signal with a voltage swing that includes a positive voltage range and a negative voltage range. |
| US07688107B2 |
Shift register, display device, and electronic device
The present invention provides a shift register which can operate favorably without providing a level shift portion. The first clocked inverter at the (2n−1)-th stage operates in accordance with the first output from the previous stage, an output from the second clocked inverter at the previous stage, and the first CK signal; the second clocked inverter at the (2n−1)-th stage operates in accordance with the second output from the previous stage, an output of the first clocked inverter at the (2n−1)-th stage, and the first CK signal; one of the first output and the second output is equal to a potential of VDD and the other is equal to a potential of VSS; the first CK signal at the 2n-th stage operates the third output from the (2n−1)-th stage, an output of the second clocked inverter and the second CK signal; the second clocked inverter at the 2n-th stage operates in accordance with the fourth output from the (2n−1)-th stage, an output from the first clocked inverter at the 2n-th stage, and the second CK signal; one of the third output and the fourth output is equal to the potential of VDD and the other is equal to the potential of VSS, and the second CK signal is an inversion signal of the first CK signal and the amplitude of the CK signal is smaller than the power supply potential. |
| US07688105B2 |
Impedance matching logic
An impedance matching logic generates code values that define pull-up and pull-down transistors to be enabled with output buffers. The output buffers store the code values using a two-stage latch configuration, such that updated code values are always stored within the output buffer, even if the output buffer is driving an output signal when the updated code values are received. The impedance matching logic uses previously determined code values to shorten the time required to calculate updated code values. The impedance matching logic may be operated in response to a clock signal having a frequency lower than the frequency of the output clock signal used to control the output buffers. The impedance matching logic may adjust the code values by certain percentages using a multiplication function, thereby allowing for design fine tuning (e.g., due to layout mismatch). |
| US07688104B2 |
On-die termination device to compensate for a change in an external voltage
An on-die termination (ODT) control in a semiconductor memory device compensates for a change in an external voltage. The on-die termination device includes a voltage comparator that compares an external voltage to a set internal reference voltage. The compared values are sent to a controller that controls an on-die termination impedance value according to the output signal from the voltage comparator. Based on the output of the controller, the present invention spontaneously controls an on-die termination resistance value according to the change in the external voltage without degrading device characteristics during high-speed operation. |
| US07688101B2 |
Semiconductor chip test apparatus and testing method
A semiconductor chip test apparatus includes a plurality of power supply units, each supplying power to a semiconductor chip having a power input terminal, and a tester configured to measure an output current of at least one of the plurality of power supply units, and to generate a switching control signal when the measured output current is greater than a predetermined current. The semiconductor chip test apparatus also includes a plurality of relays each arranged between a common ground of the tester and a different ground of the semiconductor chip. Further, the semiconductor chip test apparatus includes a relay controller, such as a control bit generator, configured to selectively close one or more of the plurality of relays in response to the switching control signal from the tester. |
| US07688096B2 |
Contact load measuring apparatus and inspecting apparatus
An inspecting apparatus is provided for inspecting electrical characteristics of an object (W) to be inspected, such as a semiconductor wafer. The inspecting apparatus is provided with a placing table (11) for supporting the object, a lift mechanism (12) for bringing up and down the placing table, and a driving apparatus (24) for driving the lift mechanism. The apparatus is also provided with a probe (13A) which makes contact with the object on the placing table brought up by the lift mechanism driven by the driving apparatus, and a load sensor (21), including a compression-type piezoelectric element, for detecting a contact load between the object and the probe as an oscillation waveform. |
| US07688094B2 |
Electrical connecting apparatus
In an electrical connecting apparatus, a first guide is arranged in a plate-shaped lower base in which the contactors are arranged. The first guide has a first space for guiding a device under test so that its electrodes will contact the tips of contactors and for positioning the device under test against the contactors. The device under test is guided to the first space by second guides and is received and thrust by the tips of the contactors. By doing so, displacement of the device under test caused by displacement of the upper base or the second guides is prevented. |
| US07688092B2 |
Measuring board for electronic device test apparatus
A performance board able to secure low loss, low reflection, stable transmission characteristics even when using a high frequency signal to test an electronic device and able to suppress signal leakage to the outside and entry of noise, provided with a base board having a signal pattern electrically connected with a socket formed on its front surface, a coaxial connector to which a coaxial cable electrically connecting the performance board and test apparatus is connected, passing through the base board from the back surface toward the front surface, and having a front exposed part of the center contact bent and electrically connected to the signal pattern, and a cover member covering the front exposed part of the center contact and correcting the impedance of the front exposed part. |
| US07688083B2 |
Analogue measurement of alignment between layers of a semiconductor device
A method of obtaining parametric test data for use in monitoring alignment between layers of a semiconductor device. The method employs a test structure comprising a meander (10, 30) of the material of a first layer of the semiconductor device, deposited relative to a conductive line (18,38). A number of sets (16a, 16b, 16e, 16d) of components 16, such as contacts or vias, are provided relative to the meander (10), at successively smaller distances therefrom. A single analogue measurement can be performed between a first and (A) of the meander (10, 30) and the conductive line (18, 38) so as to determine the resistance therebetween, and the critical distance at (or on acceptable margin in relation thereto) between the first layer and a component of the semiconductor device can be obtained. |
| US07688082B2 |
Capacitive fingerprint sensor and the panel thereof
A capacitive fingerprint sensor comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a fingerprint capacitor and a third transistor. The fingerprint capacitor has a capacitance that is either a valley capacitance CFV or a ridge capacitance CFR, wherein CFV is smaller than CFR. The first transistor is configured to precharge the fingerprint capacitor. The second transistor is configured to discharge the fingerprint capacitor toward a bias voltage VB. The third transistor is configured to output the voltage of the fingerprint capacitor after discharge. |
| US07688079B2 |
Detecting apparatus for detecting moisture content of media stack
A detecting apparatus for detecting information of at least a portion of a stack of sheet media includes an illuminating unit and a detecting unit. The illuminating unit illuminates a side of the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof with electromagnetic waves. The detecting unit detects electromagnetic waves transmitted through or reflected by the stack of sheet media, or a portion thereof. The detecting apparatus is adapted to compare information of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detecting unit with information about attenuation of electromagnetic waves due to moisture contained in the sheet medium, and detect information of the moisture content of at least a portion of the stack of sheet media. |
| US07688077B2 |
Test system and daughter unit
Provided is a test system that tests a device under test, the test system including: a test head that includes a test module that generates a test signal to be supplied to the device under test; a performance board that is mounted above the test head and conveys the test signal generated by the test module; and a daughter unit that is detachably mounted to the performance board, and conveys the test signal from the performance board to the device under test, where the daughter unit includes: a socket to which the device under test is mounted; a daughter board to which the socket is mounted; and an enclosure that accommodates therein the socket and the daughter board, and includes a daughter-unit shield that cuts off noise from outside with respect to the socket and the daughter board. |
| US07688069B2 |
Ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging to discriminate and identify materials
An ultra-low magnetic field NMR system can non-invasively examine containers. Database matching techniques can then identify hazardous materials within the containers. Ultra-low field NMR systems are ideal for this purpose because they do not require large powerful magnets and because they can examine materials enclosed in conductive shells such as lead shells. The NMR examination technique can be combined with ultra-low field NMR imaging, where an NMR image is obtained and analyzed to identify target volumes. Spatial sensitivity encoding can also be used to identify target volumes. After the target volumes are identified the NMR measurement technique can be used to identify their contents. |
| US07688067B2 |
Probe for electrical measurement methods and use of a flexible probe for production of a rigid probe
The invention relates to a probe for electrical measurements and use of a flexible probe to produce an inflexible probe. Conventional probes comprise a substrate which is mechanically rigid. As a result only planar surfaces may be examined with the probe. According to the invention, a probe is flexibly embodied by means of a flexible substrate such that the probe may be adjusted to match various curvature radii of test bodies. |
| US07688065B2 |
Piston stroke counting device
The device for counting the strokes of a piston sliding within a cylinder comprises a support housing a magnet which generates a magnetic field. The support also houses a sensor arranged to sense the magnetic field, such that the passage of the piston into a position corresponding with the magnet causes a disturbance in the magnetic field, which is sensed by the sensor, to indicate a stroke of the piston. |
| US07688064B2 |
Probe for assessment of metal distortion
Apparatus for assessing field distortion includes a probe and a processor. The probe includes a mechanical fixture for placement at a location to be tested, and one or more field generators, which are attached to the mechanical fixture and are arranged to generate respective magnetic fields. The probe further includes one or more field sensors, which are attached to the mechanical fixture at known positions with respect to the one or more field sensors and are arranged to sense the magnetic fields generated by the one or more field generators and to output signals responsively to the sensed magnetic fields. The processor is arranged to process the signals so as to assess a distortion of the magnetic fields sensed by the field sensors at the tested location. |
| US07688063B2 |
Apparatus and method for adjusting thermally induced movement of electro-mechanical assemblies
A thermal adjustment apparatus for adjusting one or more thermally induced movements of an electro-mechanical assembly includes: a compensating element expanding at a first rate different from a second rate at which the electro-mechanical assembly expands for generating a counteracting force in response to changes in temperature; and a coupling mechanism coupling the compensating element to the electro-mechanical assembly, and being adjustable to control an amount of the counteracting force applied to the electro-mechanical assembly as temperature changes. |
| US07688057B2 |
Noise diagnosis of operating conditions for an electromagnetic flowmeter
An analysis circuit in an electromagnetic flowmeter provides diagnostic operating conditions and identifies one or more of the diagnostic operating conditions for which the coil current is stable during a sample interval. A diagnostic operating condition is selected as a measurement operating condition as a function of a noise floor measurements of the electrode voltage. |
| US07688056B2 |
Particle having mesopore loaded with biological substance, sensor including the same, and method for detecting specimen
The present invention provides a porous particle loaded with a larger amount of biological substance. A rod-shaped particle according to the present invention includes a plurality of mesopores that crosses the major axis of the rod-shaped particle and that is loaded with the biological substance. |
| US07688053B2 |
Variable voltage regulating device
The present invention relates to a variable voltage regulating device for modulating output voltage, comprising the implementation means of duty cycle modulation and control signal modulation. The duty cycle modulation mechanism entails the use of pulse signals with different duty cycles to produce different voltage signals in the resistor-capacitor network, which are regulated to obtain a control voltage. The original output voltage is then modulated by the control signal and the resistor network based on the Kirchhoff's current law to produce a new output voltage. The control signal modulation mechanism uses the field effect transistor switch to control the resistor network and then uses the resistor network and the Kirchhoff's current law to modulate the original output voltage and deliver a new output voltage. |
| US07688052B2 |
Charge pump circuit and method therefor
In one embodiment, a charge pump circuit is used to keep a boost capacitor of a power supply system charged while the switch transistors are not switching such as when the power supply system is operating in a burst mode of operation. |
| US07688047B2 |
Power circuit and method of rising output voltage of power circuit
The power circuit includes a switching regulator part, a series regulator part and a control circuit part for controlling operation of the switching regulator and controlling the second predetermined voltage of the series regulator part. |
| US07688044B2 |
Device for transforming and stabilizing a primary AC voltage for supplying an electric load
A device coupled to a primary AC voltage and a load includes an input, an inductive element coupled thereto, and a generator of a PWM control signal. A capacitor is coupled in parallel to the load. A first bidirectional switch couples the load and primary AC voltage during conduction phases. A second bidirectional switch discharges energy from the load during off phases of the first bidirectional switch. A first driving circuit for the second bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a first PWM signal applied between control and conduction terminals of the second bidirectional switch. A second driving circuit for the first bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a second PWM signal, in phase opposition with the first PWM signal, applied between control and conduction terminals of the first bidirectional switch. An electric decoupling circuit is between the generator and the second driving circuit. |
| US07688039B2 |
System and method for electric current and power monitoring and control of a generator
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape. |
| US07688037B2 |
Charging control apparatus and method of mobile terminal
Provided are a charging control apparatus and method of a mobile terminal, capable of charging a battery at different charging current rates according to a charging mode of an input power. The charging control apparatus includes: a battery; an external port connector configured to receive power of an external port or adaptor through a single source power rail; a voltage detector configured to detect a voltage inputted through the external port connector and a voltage of the battery; a microcontroller configured to change a charging current rate using the detected input voltage and the detected battery voltage; and a charging unit configured to control a charging of the battery according to the varied charging current rate. |
| US07688036B2 |
System and method for storing energy
A self-recharging battery comprising a generator and an energy storage device contained within the battery case. The generator comprises a magnetic structure configured to generate a compressed magnetic field and a coil configured to focus the compressed magnetic field in electrical conductive elements of the coil. |
| US07688034B2 |
Device for powering electric or electronic devices operatively associated with a circuit breaker
A device for powering one or more electric/electronic devices operatively associated with a low-voltage circuit breaker takes energy from a power supply line. An electronic regulator receives the energy collected as an input and delivering as an output to the electric/electronic device a power supply voltage (Vout) having a value within a preset range with respect to a reference voltage (VR). The electronic regulator includes an energy storage device chargeable by the energy collected, at the terminals of which a voltage (VCL) is established that is indicative of the power supply voltage (Vout) delivered to the electric/electronic device. A circuit enables/disables the charging of the storage device, and a feedback circuit receives a signal indicative of the voltage (VCL) at the terminals of the storage device and sends a signal to the enabling/disabling circuit to trigger the disabling or enabling of the charging process in order to keep the value of the voltage at the terminals of the storage device within a preset range. The feedback circuit enables the charging phases so as to power the storage device continuously up until the value of the voltage at their terminals comes within the preset range. |
| US07688032B2 |
Battery remaining capacity detecting apparatus and battery remaining capacity detecting method
A battery remaining capacity detecting apparatus includes a remaining capacity calculating section, first and second target remaining capacity calculating sections and a remaining capacity revising section. The first and second target remaining capacity calculating sections are configured to calculate first and second target remaining capacities using first and second calculation processes when first and second prescribed battery related conditions are satisfied, respectively. The second calculating process has a lower accuracy than the first calculation process, and the second prescribed battery related condition is satisfied with a higher frequency than the first prescribed battery related condition. The remaining capacity revising section is configured to revise the remaining capacity toward the first and second target remaining capacities using revision amounts equal to or smaller than first and second revision amount upper limit values, respectively with the second revision amount upper limit value being smaller than the first revision amount upper limit value. |
| US07688030B2 |
Charger unit for an electronic device including a system for protective storage of an adapter plug
A charger unit for an electronic device that includes a housing, a plurality of charging contacts provided on the housing, and a recess provided in the housing, preferably on a rear face thereof. A plug having a plurality of prongs may be selectively attached to and detached from the housing for electrically connecting the charger unit to a source of charging current. When attached to the housing, one or more of the prongs of the plug are electrically connected to a respective one of the charging contacts. In addition, a plurality of storage sockets are provided in the housing within the recess. Each of the storage sockets are adapted to receive and hold therein a respective one of the prongs of the plug to enable the plug to be safely and securely stored when not in use. |
| US07688029B2 |
Portable battery powered appliance and method of operation
A portable battery powered appliance accepts at least first and second batteries. The appliance also includes a load. a first circuit. and a second circuit. The first circuit receives power from the first battery and provides a first power. The second circuit receives power from the second battery and provides a second power. The load receives at least one of the first power and the second power. |
| US07688026B2 |
Energy storage mobile charging adapter and energy storing method for the same
An energy storage mobile charging adapter is disclosed, in which the output terminal of an AC/DC isolated converter circuit board are connected with input terminals of a charging adapter circuit board, a commercial power plug is connected with the input terminals of the AC/DC isolated converter circuit board, characterized in that, a lithium chargeable battery is electrically connected with the output terminal of the AC/DC isolated converter circuit board and the input terminals of a charging adapter circuit board through a lithium battery protection circuit board, the charging adapter plug is electrically connected to the output terminals of the charging adapter circuit board, and all of the above components are sealed in a plastic housing. |
| US07688024B2 |
Charge control device for vehicle
A resistor is connected to first and second terminals included in a vehicle inlet. To the first terminal, a control pilot line used for transmitting a pilot signal is connected. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to a connector, a switch is turned off. A voltage generation circuit sets the potential of the second terminal to a potential higher than a vehicle earth potential. In the case where the vehicle inlet is not connected to the connector and the control pilot line is broken, the potential generated on the control pilot line is substantially equal to the earth potential level. Based on the potential of the control pilot line, a control unit detects a break. |
| US07688023B2 |
Battery pack management method for HEV and EV
Disclosed is a battery pack management method for HEV and EV. Power for a control signal is applied to a relay of a battery pack connection circuit through a battery management system (BMS) or vehicle control device. Then, current or voltage from a pre-charge resistor of the battery pack connection circuit is detected. Thereafter, the detected current or voltage is compared with standard correspondence information pre-stored in a memory unit of the BMS to determine whether the detected value is within a normal range of the battery pack. A connection between the battery pack and the power conversion circuit is carried out when the detected value is within the normal range as a result of the determination, otherwise a pre-charge relay of the battery pack connection circuit is turned off and then a driver is provided with a warning signal. |
| US07688015B2 |
Device for moving a first furniture part relative to a second furniture part
The invention relates to a piece of furniture and to a device for moving a first furniture part relative to a second furniture part using a drive unit by means of which the first furniture part can be moved, in the driven manner, relative to the second furniture part via a monitoring unit for movement monitoring of the first furniture part. In order to adopt a position better between the furniture parts, the monitoring unit is designed to preset a movement of the first furniture part through a predefined movement distance away from a mechanical stop after a movement of the first furniture part to a position which is defined by the mechanical stop, with the first furniture part being locked in the position that is reached, as a final position. |
| US07688014B2 |
System and method for a moveable barrier operator
A communication protocol is employed between a movable barrier operator and an associated wall button using the traditional signaling wires connecting them. Implementing the communication protocol using the existing signaling wires also allows backward compatibility with the traditional push wall buttons that have a physical contact switch. In one embodiment, the communication protocol allows bi-directional communication between the moveable barrier operator and the wall button. The bi-directional embodiment of the protocol allows further communications, such as handshaking, signal confirmation and more advanced control between the wall unit and the barrier operator. |
| US07688012B2 |
Method and device for determining the torque of an electric machine
A method for determining the torque of an electric machine, in particular a permanently energized electric machine. The torque is determined by a particularly simple and accurate method by measuring a phase voltage and the rotational speed of the electric machine and calculating the torque based on these values. |
| US07688010B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling spooling of linear material
Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material. |
| US07688009B2 |
LED current controller and method therefor
In one embodiment, an LED current control circuit is configured with a sample and hold circuit that samples an error signal of an error amplifier during one time and holds the sampled value during a second time. |
| US07688007B2 |
Retro-fit method for improving longevity of arc lamps
An apparatus, system, and method for increasing life of a high intensity lighting fixture light source. In one aspect, the method involves installing a new HID lamp in the fixture in combination with retrofitting a circuit that operates the lamp at a reduced wattage over a substantial period of operation time to save energy. In another aspect, the circuit comprises switchable capacitants adopted to operate the lamp at a reduced wattage over a substantial period of operation time. In another aspect of the invention, instead of retrofitting, the entire lighting fixture could be replaced at the end of a predetermined operating period and replaced with a balasting system that includes switchable levels of capacitants to reduce operating wattage to the lamp for at least the first substantial operating period. |
| US07688004B2 |
Device for the controlled switching of a lamp, use of the device and corresponding operating method
The invention relates to a device (1) for switching a lamp (2, 3) on and off that is controlled by a digital control input DALI. According to the invention, a load current monitoring is ensured. |
| US07687998B2 |
Plasma display panel
There is explained a plasma display panel that is adaptive for improving brightness uniformity of an entire panel. A plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention has a width, a thickness and a gap of a driving electrode, barrier ribs, a black matrix and a dielectric layer etc. in a central area set differently from those in a peripheral area of the plasma display panel. |
| US07687997B2 |
UVC/VUV dielectric barrier discharge lamp with reflector
The subject of the present invention relates to a high efficiently dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-lamp for generating and/or emitting a radiation of ultraviolet (UV)-light comprising: a discharge gap (1) being at least partly formed and/or surrounded by at least an inner wall (2) and an at least partly transparent (3), each with an inner surface (2a, 3a), facing the discharge gap (1) and an outer surface (2b, 3b) arranged opposite of and directed away from the corresponding inner surface (2a, 3a), a filling located inside the discharge gap (1), at least two electrical contacting means (4), a first electrical contacting means (4a) at the inner wall (2) and a second electrical contacting means (4b) at the outer wall (3), and at least one luminescent coating layer (5) arranged at/on and at least partly covering at least a part of the respective wall's inner surface (3a), arranged such, that at least a part of the generated UV-light of a certain wavelength range can pass the luminescent coating layer (5) from the discharge gap (1) to the outside of the DBD-lamp, whereby at least one of both walls (2, 3) is at least partly arranged with directing means (6), so that the diffusive radiation is directed in direction through the transparent part of the outer wall (3) with reduced losses due to absorption effects and the like. |
| US07687994B2 |
Plasma display panel (PDP)
A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) capable of reducing an address discharge voltage between address electrodes and Y electrodes, suppressing an address discharge delay, and improving brightness includes: a first substrate, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and facing the first substrate, barrier ribs arranged between the first and second substrates and defining discharge cells where a discharge occurs, discharge electrode pairs including X electrodes and Y electrodes extending across the discharge cells, floating electrodes arranged closer to the Y electrodes than to the X electrodes, address electrodes extending across the discharge cells and intersecting the discharge electrode pairs within the discharge cells, and phosphor layers arranged within the discharge cells. Portions of the address electrodes facing the Y electrodes are wider than portions of the address electrodes facing the X electrodes, or distances between the Y electrodes and the portions of the address electrodes facing the Y electrodes are shorter than distances between the X electrodes and the portions of the address electrodes facing the X electrodes. |
| US07687993B2 |
Image display
A technology effective for improving the luminous efficiency, lifetime, and color temperature of a PDP having phosphor layers of three colors is disclosed. A PDP comprises a plurality of narrow tubes (60) arrayed on a substrate (51). In each narrow tube (60), one of phosphor layers (61R; 61B, 61G) is formed and a discharge gas is contained. The compositions and pressures of the discharge gases are set within appropriate ranges respectively corresponding to the phosphor layers (61R, 61B, 61G). Consequently, the PDP can have a lengthened life-time and an improved luminous efficiency. Reductions of variation in breakdown voltage and adjustment of color temperature are also possible with this constitution. |
| US07687991B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
The present invention provides an organic EL device including: a substrate; a stacked structure having at least a first electrode, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode; a sealing member for sealing the substrate and the stacked structure; and a filling layer which enables easy optical adjustment and has optical properties equal to the optical properties of surrounding materials while preventing moisture from entering in the EL device, wherein a layer containing a water-polymerizable monomer is provided between the stacked structure and the sealing member. |
| US07687990B2 |
OLED device with short reduction
In an OLED device having a substrate, a first electrode layer disposed over the substrate, an inorganic short reduction layer disposed over the first electrode layer, an organic electroluminescent medium disposed over the short reduction layer, and a second electrode layer over the electroluminescent medium, a feature is the inclusion of a mixture of ZnS, SiO2, and ITO in the short reduction layer wherein the ratio of In atoms to Zn atoms is in the range of from 0.90 to 2.37. |
| US07687988B2 |
Display device
The invention provides a display device of which a contrast ratio is enhanced. By providing stacked polarizing plates so as to be in a cross nicol state, a contrast ratio of a display device can be enhanced. The stacked polarizing plates are stacked outside a light-transmissive insulating substrate in a parallel nicol state. When the number of polarizing plates is four or five in total, a contrast ratio becomes the highest. |
| US07687985B2 |
Double-sided organic electro-luminescent device
A double-sided organic electro-luminescent device. The device comprises a substrate having a first pixel region and a second pixel region adjacent thereto. First and second organic light-emitting diodes are disposed in the first and second pixel regions, respectively, in which the light-emitting direction of the first organic light-emitting diode is opposite that of the second organic light-emitting diode. First and second thin film transistors are disposed in the second pixel region, in which the first thin film transistor is electrically connected to the first organic light-emitting diode and the second thin film transistor is electrically connected to the second organic light-emitting diode. |
| US07687982B2 |
Electron emission device, electron emission display device including the electron emission device, and method of driving the electron emission device
An electron emission device that is driven at a low voltage has lower power consumption, and can be mass-produced. An electron emission display device includes the electron emission device, The electron emission device includes: a base substrate; a cathode electrode disposed on the base substrate; an electron emission source disposed on the cathode electrode; a data electrode disposed above the electron emission source; a scan electrode disposed above the data electrode; and insulating layers insulating each electrode from the other electrodes. A method of driving the electron emission device includes maintaining a voltage at the cathode electrode of below 0 V or a ground level, maintaining a positive voltage at the scan electrode, and maintaining a voltage at the data electrode of below 0 V; and intermittently providing a positive voltage at the data electrode for a predetermined period of time such that electrons can travel toward the scan electrode for the predetermined period of time. |
| US07687980B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug comprises: a spark plug housing; an axial core electrode disposed in a longitudinal direction in the spark plug housing; and a ground electrode having a terminal part spaced apart along the longitudinal direction from a distal end of the axial core electrode and disposed in a perpendicular relation with the axial core electrode, the terminal part having a circular through hole formed along an axis coaxial with the axial core electrode, the circular through hole having a tapered inner surface and including a plurality of spiral protrusions disposed on the tapered inner surface to induce a turbulent air flow in the combustion inflow. |
| US07687975B2 |
Vibration assisted machining system with stacked actuators
A vibration assisted machining (VAM) system, including: a frame; a vibration element mechanically coupled to the frame; a cutting tool holder connected to the vibration element; and a workpiece holder coupled to the frame. The vibration element includes a first piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and a second PZT actuator, which are adapted to generate a substantially elliptical tool path in a vibration plane of the VAM system. The VAM system also includes a third PZT actuator coupled between the frame and either the vibration element or the workpiece holder. This third PZT actuator is coupled to the frame such that its polarization axis is substantially in the vibration plane and substantially perpendicular to the feed direction of the VAM system. |
| US07687972B2 |
Drive wave generation circuit
Fundamental waveform data transferred through a serial interface is stored in a register. A fundamental waveform generation circuit uses the data to generate a fundamental waveform. A selector is capable of providing fundamental waveform data stored in a fixed memory to the register to replace the fundamental waveform data provided through the serial interface. An initial counter provides a low level signal to an exclusive OR gate until its count value reaches a first predetermined value. A direction control signal M/I is provided to the exclusive OR gate from an external source and the direction control signal M/I at high or low level inverts a direction control signal to be provided to a direction selector. |
| US07687970B2 |
Actuator arrangement
An actuator arrangement comprising a piezoelectric actuator having a body section, a shroud which enshrouds at least part of the body section of the actuator, and at least one constrictive member disposed externally with respect to the shroud. The constrictive member applies a constrictive force to the shroud to maintain a seal between the shroud and the underlying body section of the actuator. |
| US07687964B2 |
Electric motor having a field assembly with slot insulation
An electric motor has a field assembly, such as a stator, for a dynamoelectric machine has field coils that are wound to a net shape. Lead wires are brought out from the ends of each field coil. The field coils are insulated with insulating sleeves or insulating slot liners. The field coils are assembled with stator core pieces, such as pole pieces and return path pieces, into the stator. The stator core pieces are formed prior to being assembled with the field coils. In an aspect of the invention, the pole pieces and return path pieces are separately formed and then assembled together with the field coils, which have also been separately formed. |
| US07687961B2 |
Stator, motor, and method of manufacturing such stator
A stator includes mutually independent annular coils and of two phases and teeth and of three phases. |
| US07687958B2 |
Permanent magnet module and an electrical machine rotor including the module
A permanent magnet module to be installed in a rotor includes at least two permanent magnets with the first magnetic pole on the first plane surface and the second magnetic pole on the second plane surface, and a cover at least partially enveloping the permanent magnets. The cover of the module is magnetically conductive and includes a top surface, substantially covering the first plane surface of the permanent magnet, and a bottom surface, substantially covering the second plane surface of the permanent magnet. The cover is at least partially open at the side surfaces of the permanent magnet. Also disclosed is a rotor for an electrical machine, the rotor having permanent magnets fitted into a corresponding module. |
| US07687955B2 |
Braking device for a camshaft adjuster
In a braking device for a camshaft adjuster of an internal combustion engine wherein the camshaft adjuster includes at least two adjustment inputs, a respective braking element is provided for each adjustment input to brake the respective adjustment input, the braking elements being operable by an excitation coil arrangement, which, depending on the direction of energization of an excitation coil arrangement, subjects either the one or the other braking element to magnetic flux for initiating braking of the respective adjustment input. |
| US07687952B2 |
Brushless alternator with stationary shaft
Disclosed herein is a rotor assembly for an electric machine including a stationary shaft, a first bearing, a second bearing, a first pole segment, a second pole segment, a first internal fan, and a second internal. The first bearing is positioned at a first end of the shaft. The second bearing is positioned at a second end of the shaft. The first pole segment is supported by the first bearing and is rotatable about the shaft. The second pole segment is supported by the second bearing and is rotatable about the shaft. The first internal fan is attached to the first pole segment. And, the second internal fan is attached to the second pole segment. |
| US07687950B2 |
Drillstring alternator
A downhole source of electrical power for drilling tools is driven by the rotation of a drillstring or, if the drillstring is not rotating, by the rotation of a drilling sub. The source consists of an alternator having a rotor made up of a series of coils that are mounted on, and spaced around the circumference of, a rotating drilling sub, and a stator made up of a multiplicity of permanent magnets also spaced around the circumference of the drilling sub. The stator is mounted on the drilling sub by means of bearings and incorporates a counterweight that holds the rotor relatively stationary with respect to the sub and with respect to the coils, so that rotation of the sub, either by rotation of the drillstring or by rotation of a drill motor in the drilling sub, produces relative rotation of the rotor and stator to generate an AC electrical output. The rotor and stator surround an axial fluid passage through the center of the alternator so that they do not impede the flow of the drilling fluid, and the motor is totally sealed to prevent damage to the bearings. The alternator stator is an annular permanent magnet structure which surrounds the drilling axis, and which may include two sets of rare earth disc magnets spaced axially to form an axial gap, with the counterweight holding the magnets stationary with respect to the alternator coils. The coil structure is also annular and also surrounds the drilling axis, with the coil structure preferably including two sets of offset coils positioned to rotate in the gap between the permanent magnets. The two sets of coils make up a two-phase system; if desired, a single set of coils may be used to provide a single-phase system. |
| US07687949B2 |
Rotor of synchronous reluctance motor
A rotor of a synchronous reluctance motor is provided. The rotor may include a laminated core including a plurality of laminated silicon steel sheets being equally divided into a plurality of regions with respect to a central portion of the plurality of silicon steel sheets. Each of the plurality of regions may include a plurality of barriers. Guide pin holes may be formed between adjacent regions so as to receive guide pins therethrough to align the plurality of silicon steel sheets and end caps provided at opposite ends thereof. Rivets may penetrate receiving holes formed at corresponding barriers in each of the respective regions so as to couple the laminated core and the end caps. |
| US07687948B2 |
Magnetic bearing
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system, which can comprise a radial magnetic bearing static portion. The radial magnetic bearing static portion can comprise a plurality of electromagnets. The radial magnetic bearing static portion can comprise a plurality of pulse width modulated amplifiers, each of which can be adapted to provide electrical energy to a corresponding electromagnet of the plurality of electromagnets. |
| US07687947B2 |
Electric motor comprising an electronic unit with a punched grid
Electric motor (10), in particular for adjusting moving parts in a motor vehicle, comprising an electronic unit (70) with a sandwich construction, which contains a first electrically conductive substrate (71) and a second electric conductive substrate (72), between which power components are located and electrically connected to both substrates (71, 72), and a side (84) of the second substrate (72) facing away from the first substrate (71) is equipped with additional electronic components (56), wherein the first substrate (71) is embodied as a punched grid (44), which together with the second substrate (72) is extrusion coated with a plastic body (95) in such a way that the extensions (97) of the punched grid (44) protrude from the plastic body (95), forming an electrical and/or mechanical interface (98) for connecting additional motor components (99, 38, 40, 104, 102, 80). |
| US07687943B2 |
Electricity generating wheel system
An system and apparatus for capturing electricity comprised of: a wheel and a fixed conducting rod, both in electrical contact with the wheel and at least one electrical component or system in which the wheel is rotatable about an axis. The wheel is comprised of: a rotatable hub; a rotatable conducting rod within the rotatable hub; at least one electricity generating device positioned on the hub and comprised of: a generally hollow housing having a distal end and a proximate end; a wire coil fixed within the housing and having an axial bore therethrough; a translatable magnet; and at least one wire in electrical contact with the wire coil and the rotatable hub; wherein as the wheel is rotated, the translatable magnet laterally translates back and forth within the housing and passing through the wire coil to generate the electric current. |
| US07687942B2 |
Iron core linear motor having low detent force with high power density
In a linear motor (1), the detent force is reduced by the height of the iron poles (522) being selected differently in the two outer regions of the coil set, preferably by a gradual reduction of the height of the iron poles (522) towards the ends of the stator (2). In combination with a slight inclination of the magnets, the detent forces are further minimized, with negligible losses of the propulsive force.The exact dimensioning of the iron poles (522) is dependent inter alia on the dimensioning of the coils (51) and other characteristics of the linear motor (1) as a whole, and can be found and optimized by simulations. Here, an optimum is sought between as great a reduction as possible of the detent force amplitude and as high a propulsive force as possible. A linear motor (1) according to the invention has substantially the same manufacturing costs as a conventional linear motor without measures against the detent forces, because no costly active devices are necessary and the production of the stator does not become more complicated. As no additional space is necessary for active or passive devices for detent force reduction, such a linear motor is of more compact construction and therefore has a higher power density. |
| US07687941B2 |
Cordless power transfer
A system for cordless transfer of power for appliances or electronic devices 30 has a power transferring device 80 with a plurality of magnets 52 driven by a motor 70B powered by commercial electric power devices or lines. The power transferring device 80 is positioned below a table or countertop 20. On the undersurface of each appliance or electronic device 30 are one or more circular rotating magnetic arrangements 52 with opposing (attraction) poles to drive a dynamo 40 or dynamos. When the motor 70B is switched on, the drive axle 72 rotates a support base 82 upon which a plurality of magnets 52 is attached about an axis which correspondingly moves the plurality of magnets 52 in a circular motion creating a rotating magnetic field 50 to turn the dynamo 40 inside the base of the cordless appliance or electronic device 30. |
| US07687936B2 |
Audio and video back-up power block
An uninterruptible power supply having an input connector for receiving AC power from a centralized source of electric power such as a power grid of an electric utility company, a first electric outlet, and a second electric outlet for delivering AC power, a first switch for selectively allowing AC power therethrough to the first outlet, a second switch for selectively allowing AC power therethrough to the second outlet: and a controller operable to control the second switch so that AC power is delivered to the second outlet a predetermined amount of time after AC power is delivered to the first outlet (i.e., after a time delay). |
| US07687928B2 |
Dual-structured aircraft engine starter/generator
An aircraft starting and generating system includes a first starter/main machine assembly that includes a first exciter and a first main machine, and second starter/main machine assembly that includes a second exciter and a second main machine. The system also includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG) that is connected to the first and second starter/main machine assemblies. The system further includes a first inverter/converter/controller (ICC) that is connected to the first starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG, and a second ICC that is connected to the second starter/main machine assembly and to the PMG. The first and second ICCs generate AC power to respective drive the first and second starter/main machine assemblies in a start mode of the starting and generating system for starting a prime mover of the aircraft, and the first and second ICCs convert AC power, respectively obtained from the PMG after the prime mover has been started, to DC power in a generate mode of the starting and generating system. |
| US07687920B2 |
Integrated circuit package-on-package system with central bond wires
An integrated circuit package-on-package system includes: providing a base substrate having a central opening; attaching a bottom die below the base substrate partially covering the central opening, the bottom die connected through the central opening to a top surface of the base substrate; attaching a top die above the base substrate partially covering the central opening; attaching external conductive interconnections to a base bottom surface of the base substrate; and molding an encapsulant leaving the external conductive interconnections partially exposed. |
| US07687916B2 |
Semiconductor substrates including vias of nonuniform cross-section and associated structures
Methods for forming a via and a conductive path are disclosed. The methods include forming a via within a wafer with cyclic etch/polymer phases, followed by an augmented etch phase. The resulting via may include a first portion having a substantially uniform cross-section and a second portion in the form of a hollow ball, extending laterally further within the wafer than the first portion. Back-grinding the wafer to the second portion of the via may create a vent. A conductive path may be formed by filling the via with a conductive material, such as solder. Flux gases may escape through the vent. The wafer surrounding the second portion of the via may be removed, exposing a conductive element in the shape of a ball, the shape of the second portion of the via. Semiconductor devices including the conductive paths of the present invention are also disclosed. |
| US07687910B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate; a wiring formed in predetermined pattern above the semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film lying right under the wiring, and a second insulating film lying in a peripheral portion other than a portion right under the wiring, in which a surface layer of the first insulating film lying in a boundary surface between the first insulating film and the second insulating film is chemically modified to reinforce the surface layer. |
| US07687904B2 |
Plurality of devices attached by solder bumps
A method of bonding two elements such as wafers used in microelectronics applications is disclosed. One inventive aspect relates to a method for bonding comprising producing on a first main surface of a first element a first solder ball, producing on a first main surface of a second element a second solder ball, providing contact between the first solder ball and the second solder ball, bonding the first element and the second element by applying a reflow act whereby the solder balls melt and form a joined solder ball structure. Prior to the bonding, the first solder ball is laterally embedded in a nonconductive material, such that the upper part of the first solder ball is not covered by the non-conductive material. Devices related to such methods are also disclosed. |
| US07687894B2 |
IC chip package having automated tolerance compensation
An IC chip package and related method are disclosed. The IC chip package may include a printed circuit board (PCB) coupled to a chip module by a land grid array (LGA) connector, a metal stiffener including a fluid-based pressure compensator contacting an underside of the PCB, and at least two couplers for coupling the metal stiffener to the chip module, with the PCB and the LGA connector therebetween. The fluid-based pressure compensator automatically compensates for natural and non-systematic out-of flatness tolerances of the PCB and the chip module, and non-uniform thickness of the PCB while creating a substantially uniform contact force on the LGA. |
| US07687891B2 |
Diode having one or more zones of a first conductivity type and one or more zones of a second conductivity type each located within a layer of the second conductivity type
A semiconductor device includes a first layer having a first conductivity type, a second layer having a second conductivity type, a third layer having the second conductivity type, one or more first zones having the first conductivity type and located within the second layer, wherein each one of the one or more first zones is adjacent to the third layer, and one or more second zones having the second conductivity type and located within the second layer, wherein each one of the one or more second zones is adjacent to one or more of the one or more first zones. |
| US07687890B2 |
Controlling substrate surface properties via colloidal coatings
Methods and apparatus to control surface properties via colloidal coatings are described. In one embodiment, colloidal coating may be used on a surface to enhance flow control. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07687889B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device having electrical communication between conducting layer and cathode layer
The present invention relates to a light emitting display device, such as an organic electroluminescent device, and a method for manufacturing the same. Particularly, the present invention relates to reducing electrical resistance between the scan lines and the cathode electrode layers so that scan line signals do not degrade significantly degrade. One way to achieve this is to use materials to form the conducting layers of the scan line and the cathode electrode layers such that the conductivities of the conducting layers and the cathode electrode layer are as identical as possible. For example, if a same metal such as aluminum is used to form both the conducting layer and the cathode electrode layer, the resistance would be significantly lowered. In addition, a large contacting area may be provided. |
| US07687887B1 |
Method of forming a self-aligned bipolar transistor structure using a selectively grown emitter
A method for forming a self-aligned bipolar transistor structure uses the selective growth of a doped silicon emitter in a sloped oxide emitter window to form the self-aligned structure. In an alternate process flow, the top emitter layer is SiGe with a high Ge content that is etched off selectively after deposition of the extrinsic base layer. In another alternate flow, a nitride plug formed on top of the emitter blocks the extrinsic base implant from the emitter region. |
| US07687885B2 |
Semiconductor device with reduced parasitic inductance
The present invention provides a technology for reducing the parasitic inductance of the main circuit of a power source unit. In a non-insulated DC-DC converter having a circuit in which a power MOSFET for high side switch and a power MOSFET for low side switch are connected in series, the power MOSFET for high side switch and the power MOSFET for low side switch are formed of n-channel vertical MOSFETS, and a source electrode of the power MOSFET for high side switch and a drain electrode of the power MOSFET for low side switch are electrically connected via the same die pad. |
| US07687883B2 |
Electronically programmable antifuse and circuits made therewith
An antifuse device (120) that includes a bias element (124) and an programmable antifuse element (128) arranged in series with one another so as to form a voltage divider having an output node (F) located between the bias and antifuse elements. When the antifuse device is in its unprogrammed state, each of the bias element and antifuse element is non-conductive. When the antifuse device is in its programmed state, the bias element remains non-conductive, but the antifuse element is conductive. The difference in the resistance of the antifuse element between its unprogrammed state and programmed state causes the difference in voltages seen at the output node to be on the order of hundreds of mili-volts when a voltage of 1 V is applied across the antifuse device. This voltage difference is so high that it can be readily sensed using a simple sensing circuit (228). |
| US07687882B2 |
Methods and apparatus for integrated circuit having multiple dies with at least one on chip capacitor
An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of layers including a first substrate with an on chip capacitor and a second substrate. In one embodiment, the second substrate has an on chip capacitor. The first and/or second substrate can include a sensor element, such as a magnetic sensor element. |
| US07687881B2 |
Small electrode for phase change memories
A semiconductor device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a memory cell, which in turn includes an electrode and a phase change material. The electrode may be disposed on a substrate and include a sublithographic lateral dimension parallel to the substrate. The phase change material may be coupled to the electrode and include a lateral dimension parallel to the substrate and greater than the sublithographic lateral dimension of the electrode. Various semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods are also provided. |
| US07687880B2 |
Fuse corner pad for an integrated circuit
A fuse corner pad is part of an integrated circuit that includes a built-in fuse contact and a plurality of auxiliary pads. The fuse contact is a conductive metallic or metalloid structure that is connected to a fuse element. The fuse contact and fuse element are used inside of the fuse corner pad for programmability (e.g., for security) and/or adjustment (e.g., trimming) of analog and/or digital signals. The fuse contact and fuse element are not required to be bonded to an external electrical connection (such as, a pin or ball). The auxiliary pads provide a variety of functional or non-functional applications, such as testing, probing, programming, and/or circuit adjustment. |
| US07687877B2 |
Interconnect structure with a mushroom-shaped oxide capping layer and method for fabricating same
An interconnect structure is provided that includes a dielectric material 52′ having a dielectric constant of 4.0 or less and including a plurality of conductive features 56 embedded therein. The dielectric material 52′ has an upper surface 52r that is located beneath an upper surface of each of the plurality of conductive features 56. A first dielectric cap 58 is located on the upper surface of the dielectric material 52′ and extends onto at least a portion of the upper surface of each of the plurality of conductive features 56. As shown, the first dielectric cap 58 forms an interface 59 with each of the plurality of conductive features 56 that is opposite to an electrical field that is generated by neighboring conductive features. The inventive structure also includes a second dielectric cap 60 located on an exposed portion of the upper surface of each of the plurality of conductive features 56 not covered with the first dielectric cap 58. The second dielectric cap 60 further covers on an exposed surface of the first dielectric cap 58. |
| US07687874B2 |
Surface illuminated photodiode and optical receiver module
In a mesa type PIN-PD formed using a heavily doped semiconductor material, a high frequency response is degraded as slow carriers occur in a heavily doped layer when light incident into a light receiving section transmits through an absorbing layer and reaches the heavily doped layer on a side near the substrate. In a p-i-n multilayer structure, a portion corresponding to a light receiving section of a heavily doped layer on a side near a substrate is previously made thinner than the periphery of the light receiving section by an etching or selective growth technique, over which an absorbing layer and another heavily doped layer are grown to form the light receiving section of mesa structure. This makes it possible to form a good ohmic contact and to realize a PIN-PD with excellent high frequency response characteristics. |
| US07687870B2 |
Laterally configured electrooptical devices
A laterally configured electrooptical device including: a substrate having a surface; a first semiconductor layer of a first type semiconductor material; a second semiconductor layer formed of a second type semiconductor material different from the first type semiconductor material; a first electrode; and a second electrode. The lower surface of the first semiconductor layer is coupled to a section of the surface of the substrate. The lower surface of the second semiconductor layer is coupled to the upper surface of the first semiconductor layer to form a junction. The first electrode is directly electrically coupled to one side of the first semiconductor layer and the second electrode is directly electrically coupled to an opposite side of the second semiconductor layer. These electrodes are configured such that the lower surface of the first semiconductor layer and/or the upper surface of the second semiconductor layer are substantially unoccluded by them. |
| US07687868B2 |
Structure for TFT-LCD
A structure for a thin film transistor LCD includes a data line extending in a first direction; a source electrode protruded for a predetermined length from the data line; a gate electrode in a second direction so as to be overlapped with a portion of the source electrode and the data line; and a drain electrode of which a portion is overlapped with the gate electrode. The drain electrode is bent according to the contours of the data line and the source so that wider channel can be obtained even without increasing the width of the gate electrode. A pixel electrode is connected to a region of the drain which is not overlapped with the gate electrode and positioned at the inner side of the region forming the data line and the gate electrode. |
| US07687862B2 |
Semiconductor devices with active regions of different heights
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first transistor having a first active area, and a second transistor having a second active area. A top surface of the first active area is elevated or recessed with respect to a top surface of the second active area, or a top surface of the first active area is elevated or recessed with respect to a top surface of at least portions of an isolation region proximate the first transistor. |
| US07687861B2 |
Silicided regions for NMOS and PMOS devices
A semiconductor device having an NMOS and a PMOS device formed thereon is provided. The NMOS device has additional spacers formed alongside the gate electrode to allow the silicide region to be formed farther away from the gate electrode. By placing the silicide region farther away from the gate electrode, the effects of the lateral encroachment of the silicide region under the spacers is reduced, particularly the leakage. A method of forming the semiconductor device may include forming a plurality of spacers alongside the gate electrodes of a PMOS and an NMOS device, and one or more implants may be performed to implant impurities into the source/drain regions of the PMOS and NMOS devices. One or more of the spacers alongside the gate electrode of the PMOS device may be selectively removed. Thereafter, the source/drain regions may be silicided. |
| US07687859B2 |
Electronic circuit and method of manufacturing an electronic circuit
An electronic circuit includes at least one field effect transistor that is to be protected against electrostatic discharge events, and at least one protection field effect transistor. The protection field effect transistor has a crystal orientation that is different from a crystal orientation of the field effect transistor to be protected. |
| US07687850B2 |
Semiconductor device
This invention is to improve data retention properties of a nonvolatile memory cell having an ONO film. A first cavity is disposed, in a position between the nitride film serving as a charge storage film and a memory gate and below an end portion of the memory gate, adjacent to the upper oxide film. A second cavity is disposed, in a position between the nitride film and a substrate and below an end portion of the memory gate, adjacent to the bottom oxide film. These cavities are closed with sidewall spacers formed over the substrate along the sidewalls of the memory gate. |
| US07687846B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
Disclosed are nonvolatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. A nonvolatile memory device can include a field isolation film configured to define active regions in a substrate and a wordline configured to intersect the active regions. Devices can also include source and drain regions formed in each of the active regions at both sides of the wordline and a source line configured to extend along the wordline under the source region. Devices can further include a join region configured to connect the source region with the source line. |
| US07687845B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device having an element formation region and a plurality of element isolation regions and manufacturing method of the same
A charge trapping layer in an element isolation region and that in an isolation region between a memory transistor and a selection transistor are removed so that the charges are not injected or trapped in the regions. Also, in an element isolation region, gate electrodes of each memory transistor are united at a position higher than a gate electrode of the selection transistor from a surface of a silicon substrate in an element isolation region, thereby reducing the capacitance between the memory transistor and the selection transistor. |
| US07687842B2 |
Bit line structure and method for the production thereof
A bit line structure and associated fabrication method are provided for a semiconductor element or circuit arrangement. The bit line structure contains a surface bit line and a buried bit line. The buried bit line is formed in an upper section of a trench and is connected to an associated first doping region via a first connection layer. A first trench filling layer, which is insulated from the buried bit line by a second trench insulating layer, is situated in a lower section of the trench. |
| US07687840B2 |
Crosspoint structure semiconductor memory device, and manufacturing method thereof
A crosspoint structure semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of upper electrode interconnectings extending in the same direction and a plurality of lower electrode interconnectings extending in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the upper electrode interconnectings. A storage material member that stores data is formed between the upper electrode interconnectings and the lower electrode interconnectings. At least either the upper electrode interconnectings or the lower electrode interconnectings are formed along sidewall surfaces of projections formed into stripes of an insulation film processed to have the projections. |
| US07687836B2 |
Capacitance noise shielding plane for imager sensor devices
A conductive shield plane electrically isolating the photodiode regions from metal interconnect lines in an imager sensor device. |
| US07687831B2 |
Solid state image pickup device
P type semiconductor well regions 8 and 9 for device separation are provided in an upper and lower two layer structure in conformity with the position of a high sensitivity type photodiode PD, and the first P type semiconductor well region 8 at the upper layer is provided in the state of being closer to the pixel side than an end portion of a LOCOS layer 1A, for limiting a dark current generated at the end portion of the LOCOS layer 1A. In addition, the second P type semiconductor well region 9 at the lower layer is formed in a narrow region receding from the photodiode PD, so that the depletion layer of the photodiode PD is prevented from being obstructed, and the depletion is secured in a sufficiently broad region, whereby enhancement of the sensitivity of the photodiode PD can be achieved. |
| US07687830B2 |
Phase change memory with ovonic threshold switch
A phase change memory includes a memory element and a selection element. The memory element is embedded in a dielectric and includes a resistive element having at least one sublithographic dimension and a storage region in contact with the resistive element. The selection element includes a chalcogenic material embedded in a dielectric. The chalcogenic material and the storage region are part of a stack having a common etched edge. |
| US07687829B2 |
Stressed field effect transistors on hybrid orientation substrate
A semiconductor structure having improved carrier mobility is provided. The semiconductor structures includes a hybrid oriented semiconductor substrate having at least two planar surfaces of different crystallographic orientation, and at least one CMOS device located on each of the planar surfaces of different crystallographic orientation, wherein each CMOS device has a stressed channel. The present invention also provides methods of fabricating the same. In general terms, the inventive method includes providing a hybrid oriented substrate having at least two planar surfaces of different crystallographic orientation, and forming at least one CMOS device on each of the planar surfaces of different crystallographic orientation, wherein each CMOS device has a stressed channel. |
| US07687823B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus and method of producing the same
A light-emitting apparatus includes a package including a support having a central section and a peripheral section around the central section. The central section is raised upwardly from the peripheral section, providing a pedestal for supporting a light-emitting device. A light-emitting device secured on an upper surface of the pedestal and has electrodes. Electrically conductive members are provided on a peripheral region of the package and electrically connected to the electrodes of the light-emitting device. A color conversion layer covers the light-emitting device. A light-transmitting member is formed in the package, sealing at least the light-emitting device together with the color conversion layer. The pedestal has its side surface at least partially exposed from the color conversion layer. |
| US07687817B2 |
Group III nitride compound semiconductor light emitting element, light emitting device using the light emitting element: and method for manufacturing the light emitting element
To provide a light emitting element that can extract substantially all the light emitted from a luminous layer structure to the outside, a GaN substrate and a luminous layer structure are formed by growing III nitride compound semiconductor on a sapphire substrate that is a growth substrate. Thereafter, the sapphire substrate is lifted off and minute irregularities are formed on the exposed GaN substrate. The pitch of irregularities is shorter than the wavelength of light emitted from the luminous layer structure. |
| US07687816B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode and a method of producing white light from the light emitting diode with an active region producing an emission falling in a primary wavelength range. A first part of the active region covered with a first conversion element for converting the emission falling in the primary wavelength range to an emission falling in a second wavelength range. A remaining second part of the active region covered with a second conversion element for converting the emission falling in the primary wavelength rage to an emission falling in a third wavelength range. The light emitting diode is configured to control the intensity of the emission falling in the primary wavelength range to control the color point of the white light generated by mixing the emissions falling the second wavelength range and the third wavelength range. The LED 100 can be advantageously used to be assembled into a backlight unit for lighting up display devices, such as liquid crystal display device, provides illumination to the display panel where an adjustable color temperature and high contrast can be provided to improve readability and viewing on the display depending on the application in use. |
| US07687814B2 |
Group III-nitride semiconductor thin film, method for fabricating the same, and group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device
Disclosed herein is a high-quality group III-nitride semiconductor thin film and group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device using the same. To obtain the group III-nitride semiconductor thin film, an AlInN buffer layer is formed on a (1-102)-plane (so called r-plane) sapphire substrate by use of a MOCVD apparatus under atmospheric pressure while controlling a temperature of the substrate within a range from 850 to 950 degrees Celsius, and then, GaN-based compound, such as GaN, AlGaN or the like, is epitaxially grown on the buffer layer at a high temperature. The group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device is fabricated by using the group III-nitride semiconductor thin film as a base layer. |
| US07687809B2 |
Method for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit including a thin film transistor and a capacitor
The formation of contact holes and a capacitor is performed in a semiconductor integrated circuit such as an active matrix circuit. An interlayer insulator having a multilayer (a lower layer is silicon oxide; an upper layer is silicon nitride) each having different dry etching characteristic is formed. Using a first mask, the silicon nitride corresponding to the upper layer in the interlayer insulator is etched by dry etching. This etching is completed by using the silicon oxide corresponding to the lower layer as an etching stopper. A pattern is formed using a second mask to form selectively the silicon oxide corresponding to the lower layer. Thus a first portion that the silicon oxide and the silicon nitride are etched and a second portion that only silicon nitride is etched are obtained. The first portion is used as a contact hole. A capacitor is formed in the second portion. |
| US07687808B2 |
Display device
By applying an AC pulse to a gate of a transistor which easily deteriorates, a shift in threshold voltage of the transistor is suppressed. However, in a case where amorphous silicon is used for a semiconductor layer of a transistor, the occurrence of a shift in threshold voltage naturally becomes a problem for a transistor which constitutes a part of circuit that generates an AC pulse. A shift in threshold voltage of a transistor which easily deteriorates and a shift in threshold voltage of a turned-on transistor are suppressed by signal input to a gate electrode of the transistor which easily deteriorates through the turned-on transistor. In other words, a structure for applying an AC pulse to a gate electrode of a transistor which easily deteriorates through a transistor to a gate electrode of which a high potential (VDD) is applied, is included. |
| US07687807B2 |
Inverter
Provided are a structure and fabricating method of a new inverter for controlling a threshold voltage of each location when an inverter circuit is manufactured using an organic semiconductor on a plastic substrate.In general, p-type organic semiconductor is stable. Accordingly, when the inverter is formed of only the p-type semiconductor, a D-inverter composed of a depletion load and an enhancement driver has large gains, wide swing width and low power consumption, which is more preferable than an E-inverter composed of an enhancement load and an enhancement driver. However, it is impossible to form a depletion transistor and an enhancement transistor on the same substrate while controlling them by locations.To overcome such a difficulty, the structure of the inverter in which a bottom gate organic semiconductor transistor showing enhancement type characteristics is used as a driver transistor, and a top gate organic semiconductor transistor showing depletion type characteristics is used as a load transistor, and a manufacturing method thereof are proposed. According to this structure, a passivation effect of an organic semiconductor may be additionally obtained by a second insulating layer and a second gate electrode material which are on top of the organic semiconductor, and a high degree of integration may also be improved. |
| US07687803B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a wiring substrate. The wiring substrate is configured to be electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, and have a plurality of terminals arranged on an surface opposite to a surface on which the semiconductor chip is mounted. The plurality of terminals includes a plurality of first terminals configured to be arranged closely to each other, and a plurality of second terminals configured to be arranged so as to surround the plurality of first terminals. The plurality of second terminals is provided such that terminals of the semiconductor chip are connected to outer terminals through the plurality of second terminals. Each of the plurality of first terminals is not provided with a metal ball, while each of the plurality of second terminals is provided with a metal ball. |
| US07687799B2 |
Methods of forming buffer layer architecture on silicon and structures formed thereby
Methods and associated structures of forming a microelectronic device are described. Those methods may include forming a GaSb nucleation layer on a substrate, forming a Ga(Al)AsSb buffer layer on the GaSb nucleation layer, forming an In0.52Al0.48As bottom barrier layer on the Ga(Al)AsSb buffer layer, and forming a graded InxAl1-xAs layer on the In0.52Al0.48As bottom barrier layer thus enabling the fabrication of low defect, device grade InGaAs based quantum well structures. |
| US07687797B1 |
Three-terminal non-volatile memory element with hybrid gate dielectric
A MOS transistor is used as a programmable three-terminal non-volatile memory element. The gate dielectric layer of the MOS transistor has a first portion with a relatively higher dielectric breakdown strength than a second portion. The location of the second portion is chosen so as to avoid having the gate dielectric layer break down near the edge of the active area or isolation area during programming. In a particular embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is silicon oxide, and the first portion is thicker than the second portion. |
| US07687794B2 |
Method and structure for uniform contact area between heater and phase change material in PCRAM device
A PCM (phase change memory) cell in a PCRAM (phase change random access memory) semiconductor device includes a phase change material subjacently contacted by a heater film. The phase change material is formed over a surface that is a generally planar surface with at least a downwardly extending recess. The phase change material fills the recess and contacts the upper edge of the heater film that forms the bottom of the recess. After a planar surface is initially formed, a selective etching process is used to recede the top edge of the heater film below the planar surface using a selective and isotropic etching process. |
| US07687787B2 |
Profile adjustment in plasma ion implanter
A method to provide a dopant profile adjustment solution in plasma doping systems for meeting both concentration and junction depth requirements. Bias ramping and bias ramp rate adjusting may be performed to achieve a desired dopant profile so that surface peak dopant profiles and retrograde dopant profiles are realized. The method may include an amorphization step in one embodiment. |
| US07687786B2 |
Ion implanter for noncircular wafers
Ion implanters are especially suited to meet process dose and energy demands associated with fabricating photovoltaic devices by ion implantation followed by cleaving. |
| US07687784B2 |
Method and device of ion source generation
An implanter is equipped with an ion beam current detector, a temperature sensor, a temperature controller and a cooling system to increase the ratio of a specific ion cluster in the ion source chamber of the implanter. Therefore, the implanting efficiency for a shallow ion implantation is increased consequently. |
| US07687783B2 |
Multi-beam deflector array device for maskless particle-beam processing
The invention relates to a multi-beam deflector array device for use in a particle-beam exposure apparatus employing a beam of charged particles, the multi-beam deflector array device having a plate-like shape with a membrane region, the membrane region including a first side facing towards the incoming beam of particles, an array of apertures, each aperture allowing passage of a corresponding beamlet formed out of the beam of particles, a plurality of depressions, each depression being associated with at least one aperture, and an array of electrodes, each aperture being associated with at least one electrode and each electrode being located in a depression, the electrodes being configured to realize a non-deflecting state, wherein the particles that pass through the apertures are allowed to travel along a desired path, and a deflecting state, wherein the particles are deflected off the desired path. |
| US07687782B2 |
Electrostatic beam deflection scanner and beam deflection scanning method
A beam deflection scanner performs reciprocating deflection scanning with an ion beam or a charged particle beam to thereby periodically change a beam trajectory and comprises a pair of scanning electrodes installed so as to be opposed to each other with the beam trajectory interposed therebetween and a pair of correction electrodes installed in a direction perpendicular to an opposing direction of the pair of scanning electrodes, with the beam trajectory interposed therebetween, and extending along a beam traveling axis. Positive and negative potentials are alternately applied to the pair of scanning electrodes, while a correction voltage is constantly applied to the pair of correction electrodes. A correction electric field produced by the pair of correction electrodes is exerted on the ion beam or the charged particle beam passing between the pair of scanning electrodes at the time of switching between the positive and negative potentials. |
| US07687779B2 |
Electro-medical imaging apparatus having chalcogen-thin film transistor array
Provided is an electro-medical imaging apparatus manufactured using a thin film transistor (TFT) array including chalcogen-based semiconductor elements that can generate and store an electric signal from an X-ray signal so as to be able to replace a traditional film type X-ray reader. The electro-medical imaging apparatus includes: a signal generating unit where electron-hole pairs are formed by absorbing an optical energy irradiated from outside; a power source connected to a surface of the signal generating unit and applies an electric signal so as to separate the electron-hole pairs to be accumulated each in opposite sides of the signal generating unit according to their polarities; a signal storage unit that is in contact with the signal generating unit and receives and stores one of the separated charges; and a signal converter that is in contact with the signal storage unit and applies a control signal to the signal storage unit in order to convert an electric signal, which generated by the charges stored in the signal storage unit, into an image signal. The signal generating unit may use amorphous selenium (a-Se), which is one of chalcogen materials, or CdTe or CdZnTe which is a compound material using chalcogen. Also, the signal storage unit may include a TFT array including Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) or a TFT array including CuInSe2 (CIS). |
| US07687773B2 |
Sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system
The present invention relates to sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne imaging systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sub-millimeter wave frequency heterodyne detector system for imaging the magnitude and phase of transmitted power through or reflected power off of mechanically scanned samples at sub-millimeter wave frequencies. |
| US07687770B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi dimension fluorescence spectrum measurement downhole
Some principles described herein contemplate implementation of downhole imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for short term investigation, permanent, and/or long term installations. Various methods and apparatus described herein may facilitate downhole testing. For example, some embodiments facilitate multi-dimensional fluorescence spectrum measurement testing downhole. |
| US07687767B2 |
Fast scanning stage for a scanning probe microscope
A fast translation stage for a scanning probe microscope is provided. The stage includes at least one axis of translation driven at the natural resonant frequency of the translation stage such that distortion associated with rapid changes in scan direction is avoided. In one embodiment, the stage includes a sample plate or support that is driven, preferably by one or more piezoelectric actuator elements, so that the plate translates along the fast scan frequency at its resonant frequency. |
| US07687763B2 |
Noise resistant light-powered sensor
A light-powered data acquisition and control system immune to electromagnetic interference employs smart sensors in a network configuration capable of decentralized communication. A smart sensor with integral transducer encloses a microprocessor, fiber optic transceiver, and photovoltaic converter within a Faraday cage. Optical fibers link plural sensors for duplex communication with a fiber optic splitter, which transmits high intensity light to the converter for powering the sensors. The sensor converts analog input from the transducer into bit packets for fiber optic transmission to the network via the splitter. Firmware in the splitter converts the bit packets to network protocol and vice versa enabling data communication among sensors, splitters, and control receivers. Verification algorithms for testing sensors are run automatically by the microprocessor or through commands issued via the network. Mnemonics stored in the sensors provide automatic updating of system configuration. |
| US07687762B2 |
Monitoring device, light source device, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus having an aperture member for shaping a beam diameter of a monitoring light beam
A monitoring device includes a first aperture plate, a second aperture plate, and a photodiode. The first aperture is disposed in a light path of a light beam emitted by a light source and includes a first aperture arranged such that a portion of the light beam having maximum light intensity passes and a reflecting portion that reflects the light beam as a monitoring light beam. The second aperture plate is disposed in a light path of the monitoring light beam and includes a second aperture that shapes a beam diameter of the monitoring light beam. The photodiode receives the monitoring light beam. |
| US07687760B2 |
Amorphous optical coupling structure for an electromagnetic wave detector and associated detector
The invention relates to an optical coupling structure intended to couple electromagnetic radiation to the surface of a photodetector, wherein a coupling surface paved along mutually perpendicular first and second directions by a set of N series (M1i, M2i, . . . . Mni) of first features, second features, . . . nth features, the features being identical within any one series, the features being distributed along the first and second directions, the distance between the centers of two adjacent features or the inter-reticular distances between two adjacent features being variable. The subject of the invention is also a detector or a laser source comprising said coupling structure. |
| US07687757B1 |
Design of microlens on pixel array
A method for designing a microlens array on a pixel array is disclosed. A radial distance of each pixel from a central pixel in a pixel array is calculated, in which the central pixel acts as an origin of an X-Y coordinate. A chief ray angle of each pixel is determined according to the corresponding radial distance. A microlens shift with respect to the corresponding pixel is determined according to the corresponding chief ray angle. Each microlens shift combines an X-axis direction shift with a Y-axis direction shift, and the X-axis direction shift ratio is different from the Y-axis direction shift ratio. A plurality of microlenses is arranged according to the corresponding microlens shifts to form a microlens array on the pixel array. |
| US07687756B2 |
Image sensor power distribution
An image sensor power distribution arrangement includes a sensing portion having a first contact at a first edge thereof and a second contact at a second edge thereof, and a control portion. A first power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the first contact. A second power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the second contact, and to the control portion. |
| US07687753B2 |
Control system for an illumination device incorporating discrete light sources
The present invention provides an illumination system enabling dynamic color control of the illumination produced by the system. The illumination system comprises light-emitting elements for producing illumination, and at least one detecting device which collects information relating to the illumination, which is inherently non-linear. The illumination system also integrates a computing system which receives, the information from the at least one detecting device and linearises this information using a multivariate function having a solution defining a hyperplane representing constant chromaticity for a given luminous intensity, and then determines a number of control parameters based on the information. The illumination system also integrates a controller for receiving the control parameters from the computing system and determining the control signals to be sent to the light-emitting elements in order to dynamically alter the characteristics of the illumination based on the collected information and the desired illumination result. |
| US07687752B2 |
Focus detection device having a plurality of focusing points and controlling the output of data from the focusing points
The present invention discloses a focus detection device capable of reading a plurality of focus detection outputs in parallel. As an exemplary structure, the focus detection device includes a focus detection sensor having a plurality of output terminals for outputting, in parallel, analog data corresponding to focus states of multiple points in the field of a viewfinder, a multiplexer for arranging and outputting, in series order on the one terminal, the analog data output in parallel from the plurality of output terminals of the focus detection sensor, and an A/D converter for converting, to digital data, the analog data arranged in series order on the one terminal through and output from the multiplexer. |
| US07687750B2 |
Multi-party missile firing control system
A system under international control is in possession of the firing codes required to launch missiles owned by the parties to the system. Upon a request to the international authority for the release of its firing codes so that it may launch a first strike, the target party is advised of the request and given the opportunity to launch its own missiles first. The system deters first strikes. |
| US07687749B2 |
Magnetron for microwave oven
It is an object to provide a magnetron for a small-sized microwave oven which takes safety standards and a noise into consideration, in a magnetron 10 for a microwave oven, a pair of choke coils 16 and 17 are provided in a filter case 11, and a height H1 of the internal surface of the filter case 11 is set to be 35 to 45 mm, an outside diameter d3 of an air-core type inductance 25 is set to be 5.5 to 7.5 mm and a sectional area S of a high frequency absorbing member 27 is set to be 5 to 16 mm2. In the magnetron 10 for a microwave oven, an electrostatic capacity between capacitor terminals 15A and 15B and the filter case 11 is increased to be 500 to 700 pF. |
| US07687747B2 |
Electromagnetic heating cable and warming mat using the same
An electromagnet heating cable includes a center core, an inner layer body formed around the center core, an intermediate layer body formed around the inner layer body, an outer layer body formed around the intermediate layer body, an inner layer coil having a magnetic core disposed between the center core and inner layer body, an intermediate layer coil disposed between the inner layer body and the intermediate layer body, and an outer layer coil disposed between the intermediate layer body and outer layer body, wherein when a temperature of the heating cable exceeds a threshold, the intermediate layer body melts to electrically connect the intermediate layer coil to the outer layer coil. |
| US07687744B2 |
Coordinated emission of fragrance, light, and sound
A novel apparatus for producing combined presentation of light and aroma to produce a desired overall sensory effect. The includes a fragrance dispenser (31), a light source (42), an audio system (52), and a microprocessor (99). The fragrance dispenser (31) is refillable and controllable, so as to adjust the rate at which the fragrance dispenser dispenses a fragrance. The light source (42) comprises a plurality of LEDs (40a-40c) of at least two different colors and is controllable so as to adjust the operation of the plurality of LEDs (40a-40c). The audio system (52) controls sounds to be emitted from the apparatus. The microprocessor (99) controls the rate at which the fragrance dispenser (31) dispenses fragrance and the operation of the light source (42) and audio system (52). |
| US07687743B2 |
Apparatus and method for heating and melting solid lubricants in the delivery drum
An apparatus for heating and melting solid lubricants in a delivery drum, including a heating element composed of armored resistors shaped as concentric rings and junction spokes. A hoist lowers and raises the heating element into and out of the drum via vertical rods that are not heated. A first thermal sensor is connected with the heating element, and a second thermal sensor is mounted on the vertical rods. A transfer pump withdraws melted lubricant from the drum via a suction tube having a bottom valve at its foot. A lubricant delivery tube is connected to the output side of the pump. |
| US07687737B2 |
Process and device for sorting flat postal items
In a method for sorting flat mail items, mail items are routed longitudinal direction according to determined destination addresses via a transport and point section into sorting terminals assigned to the destination addresses. Gaps between two mail items are adjusted by a controllable gap adjustment device in front of the transport and point. The average set gap between mail items leaving the separation device is selected to be smaller than the minimum gap between the mail items, which are to be sorted in the sorting terminals with the longest transport distances. The gaps between two mail items are adjusted by means of the controllable gap adjustment device as a function of the mail item with the shorter transport distance to the assigned sorting terminal in each instance. To create necessary space to displace the mail items in the flow of mail items, disruptive mail items are ejected. |
| US07687732B1 |
Key switch exhibiting low noise operation
A keyswitch apparatus features a key cap having a stem slidably moveable within a housing of a keyboard frame, to interact with an underlying membrane switch. According to one embodiment, the stem is square and at least two sets of channel-like guides on opposite sides of the stem are configured to be in sliding engagement with corresponding ribs projecting from the housing. Sliding engagement between the ribs and corresponding guides serves to minimize points of contact between the key cap and housing, reducing noise of operation. The rigid ribs and corresponding guides are relatively simple shapes that facilitate their fabrication with precise dimensional tolerances. |
| US07687731B2 |
Illuminated push button unit
An illuminated push button unit includes a light-guide lens, a lens holder and a push-down control. The light-guide lens is configured to guide light from a light source to a light emission face disposed at a front end of the light-guide lens and emit the light from the light emission face. The lens holder is attached to the light-guide lens. The lens holder includes a light emission window through which the light emission face of the light-guide lens emits the light. The push-down control is attached to the light emission face in a middle of the light emission face so that the light emission face emits the light in an annular shape. |
| US07687728B2 |
Safety switch
A safety switch includes a cable having a first end connected to a cable translator moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the cable having a second end for connection to a remote lock and power supply switch. |
| US07687726B2 |
Electromagnetic containment module for electronic components
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic containment module. The module includes a metal casing sealed by a metal cover. The module contains a printed circuit arranged flat in the bottom of the casing, and an input/output line leaving the printed circuit via one of its edges to pass perpendicularly through a wall of the casing. A cylinder of hollow axis is arranged on the internal face of this wall, the axis of the cylinder being substantially perpendicular to the wall and the input/output line passing through the cylinder substantially along its axis. The cover includes a notch, the bottom of which has the form of a half-cylinder of the same diameter as the cylinder, the cylinder fitting substantially without play in the notch when the cover is closed, so as to electromagnetically contain the portion of the input/output line situated in the module between the edge of the printed circuit and the wall of the casing. |
| US07687724B2 |
Circuitized substrate with internal resistor, method of making said circuitized substrate, and electrical assembly utilizing said circuitized substrate
A circuitized substrate which utilizes at least one internal (embedded) resistor as part thereof, the resistor comprised of a material including resin and a quantity of powders of nano-particle and/or micro-particle sizes. The resistor serves to decrease the capacitance in the formed circuit while only slightly increasing the high frequency resistance, thereby improving circuit performance through the substantial elimination of some discontinuities known to exist in structures like these. An electrical assembly (substrate and at least one electrical component) is also provided. |
| US07687721B2 |
Multi-layered electrical flat strip conductor
Motor vehicle battery cable having a power conductor which is in the form of a flat strip conductor and is surrounded by an insulating layer. To reduce the number of cable harnesses in motor vehicles, it is proposed that at least two further conductors be run in the insulating layer. |
| US07687716B2 |
Adjustable cable support bracket for an electrical component
A cable management system for an electrical component having a connectivity interface configured to connect with cables includes a cable support bracket having a cable support plate configured to support the cables connected to the connectivity interface, and an arm having first and second arm portions. The first arm portion being coupled to the cable support plate and the second arm portion configured to be coupled to the electrical component. The first and second arm portions are selectively positionable with respect to one another such that the position of the cable support plate may be changed with respect to the connectivity interface. |
| US07687715B2 |
Interconnection structure for circuit boards and terminal members
An interconnection structure for circuit board and terminal members improves a configuration of a terminal member to be soldered to conductors on boards, and relaxes a stress applied to soldered portions, thereby preventing the soldered portions from a problem, such as cracking. An interconnection structure for circuit boards and terminal members includes two boards positioned away from each other. A terminal support base may be disposed on at least one of the boards and provided with a plurality of juxtaposed terminal guiding-holes, and a plurality of terminal members may be soldered to conductors on the two boards, may penetrate the terminal guiding-holes in the terminal support base, and may be provided with bent portions for stress relaxation at a position where the bent portions do not contact with the terminal support base. |
| US07687713B2 |
Metal raceway system
The present invention is directed towards a metal raceway system. The metal raceway system includes a metal raceway and a coupling fitting. The metal raceway snaps onto the coupling fitting to mount the metal raceway to the fitting. The metal raceway has a channel defined by a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall. The side walls include curved protrusions that extend below the channel. The coupling fitting has a base with at least one retention flange having a curved profile that engages the metal raceway. |
| US07687710B2 |
Overhead electrical power transmission line
Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with at least two different conductors, and method of selecting and installing the conductors. |
| US07687707B2 |
Via structures in solar cells with bypass diode
A solar cell including a semiconductor body with a multijunction solar cell and an integral bypass diode, and a pair of vias extending between the upper and lower surfaces, forming determined on the lower surface and electrically coupling the anode of the bypass diode with the conductive grid on the upper surface. |
| US07687701B1 |
Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments
Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments having a bottom, a sidewall of a predetermined height extending from the bottom and a cover which is hingedly connected to the sidewall and which can be closed and secured with an appropriate fastener are described herein. The cases include a semi-rigid neck-brace having a height approximately the same as the inner height of the sidewall and being affixed to the bottom. The cases further include at least one retaining band that may be used to releasably secure the instrument neck to the neck-brace. Instrument damage may be prevented in the event of a sideways or backward fall, in at least part, because the neck-brace suspends the headstock between the bottom, sidewall and cover of the case and thereby prevents it from making contact. |
| US07687700B1 |
Illuminated drumstick
An illuminated drumstick having a cavity therein for holding a fluorescent glow stick such that the drumstick has a dramatic visual effect when used to play a drum set. |
| US07687693B2 |
Grand piano composite piano action
Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano action. A piano action actuates in response to depression on a piano key to swing a hammer into a piano string. The articles are assembled to form a piano action with significantly less dynamic mass which is much more responsive to the touch. In addition, the new action provides the valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. The invention also provides the capability to achieve true half stroke design in both the sharp and white keys. Additionally, the application discloses a universal composite grand piano action that is capable of being installed into any brand of grand piano. |
| US07687686B2 |
Soybean variety D5124759
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5124759. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5124759. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5124759 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5124759 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07687682B2 |
Methods of screening agents for activity using teleosts
The present invention provides methods of screening an agent for activity using teleosts. Methods of screening an agent for angiogenesis activity, toxic activity and an effect cell death activity in teleosts are provided. The invention further provides high throughput methods of screening agents in multi-well plates. |
| US07687676B1 |
Dehydrogenation process with water and temperature control
The activity of a dehydrogenation catalyst is improved by increasing the water concentration maintained in the reactants toward the start of the catalyst's life, but after the catalyst has deactivated to the extent that the temperature required to maintain the conversion per pass of paraffinic hydrocarbon through the reaction zone increases by at least 2° C. |
| US07687673B2 |
Process for reacting over two catalyst beds
A process for reacting feed in and an apparatus comprising a radial flow reactor including a first catalyst bed disposed between an outer wall and a centerpipe of the vessel and a second catalyst bed disposed within a centerpipe. Also disclosed is a method of loading catalyst into the radial flow reactor. |
| US07687667B2 |
Catalyst for the production of methyl mercaptan from methanol and hydrogen sulfide
The invention relates to a catalyst for the synthesis of methyl mercaptan from hydrogen sulfide and methanol and to a process for preparing methyl mercaptans. The catalyst comprises active aluminum oxide on which an alkali metal tungstate and ammonium salts have been deposited. |
| US07687666B2 |
Methods for preparing sulfonamide substituted alcohols and intermediates thereof
Processes for preparing amino alcohols or salts thereof and sulfonamide substituted alcohol compounds are provided. Desirably, the sulfonamide substituted alcohol compounds are heterocyclic sulfonamide trifluoroalkyl-substituted alcohol compounds or phenyl sulfonamide trifluoroalkyl-substituted alcohol compounds. |
| US07687665B2 |
2-methylprop anamides and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to inhibitors of 11-β hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase type 1, antagonists of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compounds of the invention can be useful in the treatment of various diseases associated with expression or activity of 11-β hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase type 1 and/or diseases associated with aldosterone excess. |
| US07687659B2 |
Process for the separation of probucol derivatives
Provided are methods for the separation of mono-substituted probucol derivatives from a mixture of both mono- and di-substituted probucol derivatives. In particular, methods are provided for the separation of mono-carboxy substituted probucol derivatives from a mixture of mono- and di-carboxy substituted probucol derivatives. |
| US07687651B2 |
Method for the preparation of trans-or cis-diammoniumdichlorodihydroxoplatinum(IV) and the use thereof in the production of pharmaceutical active substances
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of trans- or cis-diammoniumdichlorodihydroxoplatinum(IV) and derivatives thereof. What is suggested is reacting trans- or cis-diammoniumdichloroplatinum(II) with a solution comprising >30% peroxide at temperatures below 30° C. and dissolving the product thus obtained in a mineral acid and subsequently precipitating with an alkaline solution. |
| US07687646B2 |
Polymorphic forms of olopatadine hydrochloride and methods for producing olopatadine and salts thereof
The present invention provides a novel polymorphic form of olopatadine hydrochloride ([(Z)-3-(dimethylamino)propylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride), a selective histamine H1-receptor antagonist that is used for the treatment of ocular symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The present invention also provides novel methods for producing olopatadine on a large scale, and in a manner that is cost effective, provides a low level of impurities and eliminates the need to use the costly and dangerous base, butyllithium, which is used in prior art reactions for making olopatadine. The present invention further provides novel processes for carrying out a large scale production of 3-dimethylaminopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide and its corresponding hydrobromide salt, which are employed in the production of olopatadine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of olopatadine. |
| US07687645B2 |
Intermediates for the preparation of citalopram and escitalopram
Methods for manufacture of 5-alkoxycarbonylphthtalides are disclosed. The 5-alkoxycarbonylphthtalides are useful in syntheses of the well-known antidepresssants citalopram and escitalopram. |
| US07687641B2 |
Chemicals, compositions, and methods for treatment and prevention of orthopoxvirus infections and associated diseases
Methods of using di, tri, and tetracyclic acylhydrazide derivatives and analogs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections and diseases associated therewith, particularly those viral infections and associated diseases cased by the orthopoxvirus. |
| US07687633B2 |
Filters for electronic display devices
The present invention provides a filter for electronic display devices, comprising a squarylium compound represented by General Formula (I): [wherein X represents a group represented by following Formula (A): (wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and the like; and R5 and R6 may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) and the like) and the like; and Y represents a group represented by following Formula (C): (wherein R9 represents a halogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) and the like; and R10 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s) and the like) and the like, and “n” represents an integer of 0 to 5]. |
| US07687632B2 |
Process for the preparation of pyridine derivatives
Process for the preparation of substituted pyridine derivatives of formula (I) comprising reaction of a α-β-unsaturated carbonyl compound of formula (II) R3—C(O)—C(R1)═C(R2)-G with a Wittig reagent or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reagent in the presence of a base and optionally subsequent cyclization. |
| US07687631B2 |
Synthesis of diethyl{[5-(3-fluorophenyl)-pyridine-2yl]methyl}phosphonate
This application discloses a novel process for the preparation of phosphonate esters useful as intermediates in the preparation of himbacine analogs, themselves useful as thrombin receptor antagonists. The chemistry taught herein can be exemplified by the following scheme: wherein R9 is selected from alkyl, aryl heteroaryl and arylalkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R11 is selected independently for each occurrence from alkyl, aryl heteroaryl and arylalkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and hydrogen, X2 is Cl, Br, or I; X3 is selected from Cl and Br; and PdLn is a supported palladium metal catalyst or a soluble heterogeneous palladium catalyst. The L-derivatizing reagent is a moiety which converts the alcohol functional group of compound 137D to any leaving group which can be displaced by a triorgano-phosphite phosphonating agent. |
| US07687626B2 |
Organometallic complex and organic electroluminescent device using the same
Provided are a highly efficient phosphorescent organometallic complex and an organic electroluminescent (EL) device using the same. The organometallic complex can be used in the formation of an organic layer of the organic EL device, and can emit light in a red wavelength range as a highly efficient phosphorescent material. The organic EL device using the organometallic complex can exhibit high brightness and a low driving voltage. |
| US07687625B2 |
Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
Compounds, pharmaceuticals, kits and methods are provided for use with DPP-IV and other S9 protease that comprise a compound comprising the formula: wherein Q is selected from the group of CO, SO, SO2, or C═NR9; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. |
| US07687623B2 |
Pyrrolobenzodiazepines and heterocyclic carboxamide derivatives as follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) antagonists
The invention provides compounds of formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R, R1, R2, R3, and B are as defined in the accompanying specification. Methods of making such compounds are also provided. |
| US07687622B2 |
Process for preparing quetiapine fumarate
Provided is a novel synthesis of quetiapine, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which an alkali metal halide or siliyl halide is included in the reaction mixture. |
| US07687617B2 |
Oligonucleotides with alternating segments of locked and non-locked nucleotides
The present invention is directed to novel oligonucleotides with improved antisense properties. The novel oligonucleotides comprise at least one Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) selected from beta-D-thio/amino-LNA or alpha-L-oxy/thio/amino-LNA. The oligonucleotides comprising LNA may also include DNA and/or RNA nucleotides. The present invention also provides a new class of pharmaceuticals which comprise antisense oligonucleotides and are useful in antisense therapy. |
| US07687615B2 |
PAV regions for encapsidation and E1 transcriptional control
The present invention provides porcine adenovirus sequence essential for encapsidation and provides adenovirus vectors comprising such sequences. The present invention provides host cells and composition comprising adenovirus vectors comprising porcine adenovirus sequence essential for encapsidation as well as methods for making and using such adenovirus vectors. The present invention discloses porcine adenovirus sequence for E1 transcriptional control and provides porcine adenovirus vectors comprising a modification(s) in the E1 transcriptional control region. |
| US07687610B2 |
Human chorionic gonadotropin superagonists
The invention is directed toward a human glycoprotein hormone having at least one, two, three, four, or five basic amino acids in the α-subunit at positions selected from the group consisting of positions 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 20. The invention is also directed to a human glycoprotein where at least one of the amino acids at position 58, 63, and 69 of the β-subunit of the human thyroid stimulating hormone are basic amino acids. The invention is further directed to a modified human glycoprotein hormone having increased activity over a wild-type human glycoprotein hormone, where the modified human glycoprotein comprises a basic amino acid substituted at a position corresponding to the same amino acid position in a non-human glycoprotein hormone having an increased activity over the wild-type human glycoprotein hormone. The invention is also directed to a method of constructing superactive nonchimeric analogs of human hormones comprising comparing the amino acid sequence of a more active homolog from another species to the human hormone, and selecting superactive analogs from the substituted human hormones. The invention is also directed to nucleic acids encoding the modified human glycoprotein hormones, vectors containing those nucleic acids, and host cells containing those vectors. |
| US07687608B2 |
Methods for reducing the mitogenicity of lectin compositions
Methods for reducing the T-cell mitogenicity of lectin compositions are provided. In one aspect this is achieved by chemically modifying mitogenic lectin compositions under optimized conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the reduction in T-cell mitogenicity is achieved by removing unmodified subunits chemically modified mixtures. Modified lectin compositions with reduced T-cell mitogenicity are also provided as are uses of the inventive compositions. |
| US07687607B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies and cell surface antigens for the detection and treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLS)
The invention provides new monoclonal antibodies and binding fragments thereof which recognize and immunoreact with cell surface antigens found on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. The antibodies have tumor specificity and are useful for therapy, diagnosis, monitoring, detecting and imaging of SCLC disease and of patients having SCLC disease. The antibody-recognized SCLC-specific surface antigens can serve as targets for detecting, diagnosing, inhibiting or killing SCLC cells. |
| US07687602B2 |
Deproteinized natural rubber, its composition and use thereof
There are provided natural rubber free from substances which cause Type I allergy, a rubber compositions having good processability and physical properties which comprises the natural rubber and other rubber, and a tire product comprising the natural rubber.The natural rubber of the present invention exhibits the above properties by containing substantially no proteins specified by the bands of 14, 31 and 45 kDa by SDS-PAGE. |
| US07687600B2 |
Invertible amphiphilic polymers
Amphiphilic monomeric compounds and corresponding homopolymers and copolymers capable of assembly and invertible configuration in introduction to and change in fluid medium. |
| US07687599B2 |
Poly(ether-ester) polyols and processes for their production
The invention is directed to novel poly(ether-ester)polyols, processes for their production from monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid esters with one or more bound polyether chain(s). This invention also relates to the production of polyurethane materials in which the isocyanate-reactive component comprises these poly(ether-ester)polyols. |
| US07687597B2 |
Thioether functional oligomeric polythiols and articles prepared therefrom
Provided is a thioether-functional, oligomeric polythiol having pendant hydroxyl functional groups, prepared by reacting together: (a) a compound having at least two thiol functional groups; and (b) a hydroxyl functional compound having triple bond functionality. Also provided are optical articles prepared from the reaction product of: (A) a reactive compound having functional groups that are reactive with active hydrogens; (B) a thioether-functional, oligomeric polythiol; and, optionally, (C) a compound different from (B) containing active hydrogens. |
| US07687596B2 |
(Meth)acrylic acid esters of alkyoxylated unsaturated polyol ethers, and production thereof
Disclosed are novel (meth)acrylic esters of alkoxylated unsaturated polyol ethers, a process for their preparation and their use for preparing crosslinked swellable hydrogel-forming polymers and crosslinked swellable hydrogel-forming polymers. |
| US07687594B2 |
Random amorphous copolymer and manufacturing method thereof
A random amorphous copolyester is synthesized by using diacid monomers and diol monomers. The random amorphous copolyester has a structure of the formula (I): wherein R1, R2 is an aromatic or aliphatic monomer, A is 0-0.8, B is 0-0.8, C is 0-1, D is 0-1, E is 0-0.8, F is 0-0.8, C+D<0.2 and A+B+E+F<0.8. The diacid monomer comprises TPA and an aromatic or aliphatic diacid monomer, the diol monomer comprises EG, 1,3 and 1,4-CHDM, and an aromatic or aliphatic diol monomer. |
| US07687590B2 |
Composition for forming silica based coating film, silica based coating film and method for preparation thereof, and electronic parts
The composition for forming silica based coating of the invention comprises siloxane resin such as an alkoxysilane as component (a), a solvent such as an alcohol capable of dissolving the siloxane resin as component (b), an ammonium salt, etc. as component (c) and a thermal decomposing/volatile compound as component (d), wherein the stress of the coating obtained by heat treatment at 150° C./3 min is 10 MPa and the specific permittivity of the silica based coating obtained by final curing is less than 3.0. The composition for forming silica based coating according to the invention can form a silica based coating having low permittivity, excellent adhesion and sufficient mechanical strength. |
| US07687589B2 |
Bulk polymerization process
A method for the continuous production of polydienes, the method comprising the steps of (a) charging a mixture of one or more monomer, catalyst system, and less than 50% weight percent organic solvent based on the total weight of the monomer, catalyst and solvent, into first vessel, (b) polymerizing the monomer to a conversion of up to 20% by weight of the monomer to form a mixture of reactive polymer and monomer, (c) removing the mixture of reactive polymer and monomer from the vessel, and (d) terminating the reactive polymer prior to a total monomer conversion of 25% by weight. |
| US07687588B2 |
Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins
A process for the gas-phase polymerization of α-olefÊns CH2═CHR, where R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical having 1-12 carbon atoms, carried out in a first and a second interconnected polymerization zones, wherein the growing polymer particles flow through the first of said polymerization zones (riser) under fast fluidization conditions, leave said riser and enter the second of said polymerization zones (downcomer) through which they flow downward in a densified form, leave said downcomer and are reintroduced into said riser, in which process: (a) the gas mixture present in the riser is totally or partially prevented from entering the downcomer, and (b) the gaseous composition inside a portion of the downcomer is maintained substantially similar to the gaseous composition reacting in the riser. |
| US07687579B2 |
Ethylene (co) polymer and its use
An ethylene (co)polymer of the present invention is a (co)polymer with excellent moldability and mechanical properties and either an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin of 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The (co)polymer has methyl branches measured by 13C-NMR less than 0.1 in number per 1,000 carbon atoms and Mw/Mn measured by GPC not lower than 1.8 and lower than 4.5. The (co)polymer is either an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The melt tension (MT) and the swell ratio (SR) satisfy the relation; log(MT)>12.9−7.15×SR; and the intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and the melt flow rate (MFR) satisfy the relation; [η]>1.85×MFR−0.192 in the case of MFR<1 and the relation; [η]>1.85×MFR−0.213 in the case of MFR≧1. Such an ethylene (co)polymer can be usable for various molding applications and especially suitable for pipes. |
| US07687577B2 |
Thermoformable polycarbonate/polyester compositions and uses
The melt strength and hence the processing window of blends of polycarbonate and PBT can be enhanced without degradation in the surface appearance of the article produced when relatively minor amounts of certain selected polymers are added to the blend. For example, a composition that has a thermoforming processing window of at least 15° C. for an article having a weight that is more than 100 grams, may contain 15 to 80% by weight of a polycarbonate resin; 10 to 80% by weight of polybutylene terephthalate, and 1 to 15% by weight of a semicrystalline melt strength enhancer. The melt strength enhancer is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycyclohexane-dimethyl terephthalate (PCT), polycyclohexanedimethyl terephthalate glycol (PCT-G), and (poly)ethylene co 1,4 cyclohexanedimethylene terephthlate (PET-G), or a combination thereof. |
| US07687569B2 |
Radiation curable composition consisting of unsaturated amorphous polyesters and reactive dilutant agents
The invention provides a radiation-curable adhesion-promoting composition comprising unsaturated amorphous polyesters and reactive diluents and a process for preparing it and also provides for the use of unsaturated amorphous polyesters in reactive diluents as adhesion-promoting additives. |
| US07687566B2 |
Propylene resin composition and molding thereof
To provide a propylene resin composition excellent in both the electroconductivity and moldability and excellent in their balance, and a molded product thereof.A propylene resin composition comprising from 50 to 98 wt % of a propylene resin having a MFR of from 5 to 300 g/10 min, and from 2 to 50 wt % of carbon black having a 24M4DBP absorption of at least 130 cm3/100 g, a dehydrogenation amount of at most 1.2 mg/g at 1,500° C. for 30 minutes and a crystallite size (Lc) of from 10 to 17 Å. A propylene resin molded product which is a propylene resin molded product obtained by molding such a propylene resin composition and which has a volume resistivity of from 102 to 109 Ω·cm and a MFR of from 1 to 80 g/10 min. |
| US07687563B2 |
Emulsion composition for silicone rubber, process for producing the same, and process for producing silicone rubber
A silicone rubber emulsion composition comprising (A) 100 parts diorganopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups, (E) 0 to 60 parts reinforcing silica filler, (B) 10 to 250 parts water containing a smectite clay, (C) 0.1 to 15 parts emulsifier, and (D) a cross-linking agent (e.g., an organohydrogenpolysiloxane) in an amount sufficient for cross-linking component (A) and a catalyst (e.g., a platinum-type catalyst). A method for preparing the aforementioned emulsion composition comprising mixing components (A) and (E) with other components in a high-speed stirrer-equipped mixer. A method of manufacturing a silicone rubber comprising either heating and dehydrating the aforementioned emulsion composition. |
| US07687543B2 |
Use of polyunsaturated ketones for the treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. This invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) R—CO—X (Wherein R is a C16-24 unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally interrupted α, β, γ, or δ to the carbonyl group by a heteroatom or group of heteroatoms selected from S, O, N, SO, SO2 said hydrocarbon group comprising at least 5 non-conjugated double bonds; and X is an electron withdrawing group) in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of psoriasis. |
| US07687527B2 |
Compounds for the treatment of inflammatory disorders
This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof, which can be useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, aggrecanase, TNF- or combinations thereof. |
| US07687526B2 |
Benzo-fused compounds for use in treating metabolic disorders
The present invention provides compounds useful, for example, for treating metabolic disorders in a subject. Such compounds have the general formula I: where the definitions of the variables and A are provided herein. The present invention also provides compositions that include, and methods for using, the compounds in preparing medicaments and for treating metabolic disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes. |
| US07687523B2 |
3-heteroaryl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists
Compounds of the class 3,9-diaza-bicyclo [3.3.1]nonane derivatives. The compounds correspond to structural Formula (I): wherein Ra is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl and Rb is a monocyclic heteroaryl group. The compounds are useful in the treatment, prevention, or alleviation of diseases or disorders or conditions that are responsive to modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, including cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), narcolepsy, senile dementia, autism, Parkinson'disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, epilepsy, and diabetic neuropathy. |
| US07687519B2 |
Biphenyl compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein a, b, c, m, n, q, r, W, Z1, Ar1, Z2, Y, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula I are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat pulmonary disorders. |
| US07687517B2 |
3,9-Diazabicyclo [3.3.1] nonane derivatives and their use as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors
Novel 3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives of formula (I) useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors are provided: These compounds can also be used in methods for therapy and be included in pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. |
| US07687514B2 |
Benzimidazole derivatives
The present invention relates to a compound of the formula (I): (wherein A, B, C and D are independently nitrogen or optionally substituted methine; E is nitrogen, methine or hydroxy substituted methine; n is 0 or 1; T, U, V and W are independently nitrogen or optionally substituted methine; X is —N(SO2R4)—, —N(COR5)— or —CO—; Y is —C(R6)(R7)—, —O— or —N(R8)—, provided that the compound (I) when E is nitrogen, n is 0, X is —CO—, and Y is —O— is excluded) and the like, which are useful as an agent for the treatment of various diseases related to NPY. |
| US07687507B2 |
Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds
A compound of the formula wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above, which are inhibitors of the enzyme protein tyrosine kinases such as Janus Kinase 3 and as such are useful therapy as immunosuppressive agents for organ transplants, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Type I diabetes and complications from diabetes, cancer, asthma, atopic dermatitis, autoimmune thyroid disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Leukemia and other autoimmune diseases. |
| US07687506B2 |
Selective serine/threonine kinase inhibitors
Inhibition of protein kinases having one or more cysteine residues within the ATP binding site is effected by contacting the kinase, per se or in a cell or subject, with an inhibitory-effective amount of a compound having a heterocyclic core structure comprised of two or more fused rings containing at least one nitrogen ring atom, and an electrophilic substituent that is capable of reacting with a cysteine residue within the ATP binding site of a kinase. Preferred compounds include certain pyrrolopyrimidines and oxindoles having such an electrophilic substituent and optionally an aromatic or heteroaromatic substituent that is capable of interacting with a threonine or smaller residue located in the gatekeeper position of the kinase. Kinases lacking such cysteine residues may be engineered or modified so that they are capable of being inhibited by such compounds by replacing a valine or other amino acid residue within the ATP binding site by a cysteine residue. |
| US07687502B2 |
Substituted quinazoline or pyridopyrimidine derivative
The present invention provides a compound having a glucokinase activating action being useful for prevention or treatment of diabetes mellitus, etc. being represented by the formula (I): X is nitrogen atom, etc.; Y is oxygen atom, etc.; R1 is an optionally substituted five to six-membered heteroaryl group, etc.; R2 is hydrogen atom or fluorine atom; and ring A is a monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaryl group which may have a substituent represented by the formula (II)] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US07687499B2 |
Cyclopropyl amines as modulators of the histamine H3 receptor
Certain cyclopropyl amines are histamine H3 modulators useful in the treatment of histamine H3 receptor mediated diseases. |
| US07687496B2 |
C7-substituted camptothecin analogs
The novel C7-modified camptothecin analogs, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, of the present invention: (i) possess potent antitumor activity (i.e., in nanomolar or subnanomolar concentrations) for inhibiting the growth of human and animal tumor cells in vitro; (ii) are potent inhibition of Topoisomerase I; (iii) lack of susceptibility to MDR/MRP drug resistance; (iv) require no metabolic drug activation: (v) lack glucuronidation of the A-ring or B-ring; (vi) reduce drug-binding affinity to plasma proteins; (vii) maintain lactone stability; (viii) maintain drug potency; and (ix) possess a low molecular weight (e.g., MW<600). |
| US07687495B2 |
Substituted piperidines
Substituted piperidines of formulae (I) and (II) with the substituent definitions as explained in the specification. The compounds are suitable in particular as renin inhibitors and are highly potent. |
| US07687494B2 |
Substituted spirobenzazepines
The invention is directed to nonpeptide substituted benzazepines of Formula I, which are useful as vasopressin receptor antagonists for treating conditions associated with vasopressin receptor activity such as those involving increased vascular resistance and cardiac insufficiency, including congestive heart failure, hyponatremia, and hypertension, among others disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula I and methods of treating conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiac insufficiency, coronary vasospasm, cardiac ischemia, liver cirrhosis, hyponatremia, renal vasospasm, renal failure, diabetic nephropathy, cerebral edema, cerebral ischemia, stroke, thrombosis, or water retention are also disclosed. |
| US07687492B2 |
1,2,4-Oxadiazole derivatives as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (“DP-IV inhibitors”) and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US07687487B2 |
Camptothecin-analog with a novel, “flipped” lactone-stable, E-ring and methods for making and using same
The present invention discloses: (i) a novel, lactone-stable, “flipped” E-ring camptothecin, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and/or analogs thereof; (ii) methods of synthesis of said novel, lactone-stable, “flipped” E-ring camptothecin, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and/or analogs thereof; (iii) pharmaceutically-acceptable formulations comprising said novel, lactone-stable, “flipped” E-ring camptothecin, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and/or analogs thereof, and, optionally, one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents; (iv) methods of administration of said novel, lactone-stable, “flipped” E-ring camptothecin, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and/or analogs thereof, and, optionally, one or more additional chemotherapeutic agents, to subjects in need thereof; and (v) devices for the administration of said novel, lactone-stable, “flipped” E-ring camptothecin, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and/or analogs thereof, and, optionally, one or more chemotherapeutic agents, to subjects in need thereof. |
| US07687485B2 |
Formulation for menopausal women
The present disclosure relates to novel compositions which provide improved nutritional support for premenopausal and menopausal women and/or relief from symptoms associated with menopause, as well as prophylactic effects, and methods for using same. |
| US07687484B2 |
Transporter enhanced corticosteroid activity
Methods and compositions for enhancing the activity and/or duration of action of loteprednol etabonate and other soft anti-inflammatory steroids of the haloalkyl 17α-alkoxycarbonyloxy-11β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17β-carboxylate type and the corresponding Δ1,4-compounds are described. The enhancing agents have the formula: wherein Z1 is carbonyl, β-hydroxymethylene or methylene; R2 is H, —OH or —OCOR3 wherein R3 is C1-C5 alkyl; Y is —OH, —SH or —OCOR4 wherein R4 is C1-C5 alkyl, cyclopentylethyl or diethylaminoethyl; and the dotted line in ring A indicates that the 1,2-linkage is saturated or unsaturated. |
| US07687481B2 |
Cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists useful for treating obesity
The present invention provides novel pyrazoles that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders. |
| US07687477B2 |
Polymer solution and dispersion and a process for the preparation thereof
A polymer dispersion or solution containing a hydrophobic polysaccharide, which is dispersed or dissolved in liquid phase, and plasticizer composition of the polysaccharide, whereby at least 10% by weight of the plasticizer composition is formed from alkenyl succinic anhydride. The invention also relates to the preparation of polymer dispersions and solutions and to the films and coatings produced from them. The dispersions according to the invention are stable, and coating with excellent film-forming properties can be prepared from them. |
| US07687472B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic, or hyperinsulinemic disorders
Methods of treating hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic, and hyperinsulinemic disorders are provided. Compositions for treating such disorders are also provided. The compositions can include hexose and pentose variants having acid moieties and a substituent Y linked to the six position of a hexose or the five position of the pentose. |
| US07687467B2 |
Abuse-resistant amphetamine prodrugs
The invention describes compounds, compositions, and methods of using the same comprising a chemical moiety covalently attached to amphetamine. These compounds and compositions are useful for reducing or preventing abuse and overdose of amphetamine. These compounds and compositions find particular use in providing an abuse-resistant alternative treatment for certain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADD, narcolepsy, and obesity. Oral bioavailability of amphetamine is maintained at therapeutically useful doses. At higher doses bioavailability is substantially reduced, thereby providing a method of reducing oral abuse liability. Further, compounds and compositions of the invention decrease the bioavailability of amphetamine by parenteral routes, such as intravenous or intranasal administration, further limiting their abuse liability. |
| US07687462B2 |
Composition for promoting cartilage formation or repair comprising a nell gene product and method of treating cartilage-related conditions using such composition
Provided herein is a composition for cartilage formation or regeneration comprising a NELL gene product and a method of treating cartilage-related conditions using such a composition. |
| US07687461B2 |
Treatment of TNF-α related disorders with TNF-α variant proteins
The invention relates to novel proteins with TNF-alpha antagonist activity and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention further relates to the use of the novel proteins in the treatment of TNF-alpha related disorders. |
| US07687458B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of hydrophobic compounds
This invention concerns novel methods of enhancing the solubility of a compound. Compositions prepared using such methods are also disclosed. Compositions prepared using the methods have various advantages over conventionally known compositions. |
| US07687447B2 |
Semi-aqueous stripping and cleaning composition containing aminobenzenesulfonic acid
The present invention relates to semi-aqueous compositions and the method using same, to remove highly cross-linked resists and etch-residues. The compositions are comprised of aminobenzenesulfonic acid, water miscible organic solvent and water. |
| US07687440B2 |
Wellbore sealant compositions containing cationic latexes
A wellbore sealant composition comprising a cementitious material and a cationic latex into the wellbore. |
| US07687438B2 |
Drill-in fluids and associated methods
Of the many methods provided, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: placing a drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation, the drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and forming a self-degrading filter cake comprising the bridging agent upon a surface within the formation whereby fluid loss through the self-degrading filter cake is reduced. |
| US07687435B2 |
Benzoyl-substituted phenylalanineamides
The present invention relates to benzoyl-substituted phenylalanineamides of the formula I in which the variables R1 to R15 are as defined in the description, and to their agriculturally useful salts, to processes and intermediates for their preparation and to the use of these compounds or of compositions comprising these compounds for controlling unwanted plants. |
| US07687431B2 |
Nanotube-shaped titania and process for producing the same
A nanotube-shaped titania having an aspect ratio of 6 or greater can be produced by anodizing a titanium metal or an alloy containing mainly titanium in an electrolyte solution containing a halogen atom-containing ion, such as a perchloric acid aqueous solution. |
| US07687430B2 |
Process for preparing at least one cobalt and/or nickel salt of at least one Anderson heterpolyanion combining molybdenum and cobalt or nickel in its structure
A process is described for preparing a solution formed by at least one cobalt and/or nickel salt of at least one heteropolyanion combining molybdenum and cobalt or molybdenum and nickel in its structure, said process comprising: a) mixing at least one source of molybdenum and at least one oxidizing compound in aqueous solution to synthesize peroxomolybdate ions at an acidic pH, the (oxidizing compound/molybdenum source) mole ratio being in the range 0.1 to 20; b) introducing at least one cobalt precursor and/or at least one nickel precursor into the solution from step a) to form a solution comprising at least said salt in which the (Co+Ni)/Mo mole ratio is in the range 0.25 to 0.85. |
| US07687426B2 |
Catalyst composition with monocarboxylic acid ester internal donor and propylene polymerization process
A catalyst composition for the polymerization of propylene comprising one or more Ziegler-Natta procatalyst compositions comprising one or more transition metal compounds and one or more monoesters of aromatic carboxylic acid internal electron donors; one or more aluminum containing cocatalyst; and a mixture of two or more different selectivity control agents, said SCA mixture comprising from 70 to 98 mol percent of one or more esters of one or more aromatic monocarboxylic acids or substituted derivatives thereof, and from 30 to 2 mol percent of one or more alkoxysilane compounds containing one or more 5- or 6-membered cyclic groups optionally containing one or more Group 14, 15 or 16 heteroatoms. |
| US07687422B2 |
High resistivity refractory with a high zirconia content
A novel fused and cast refractory product with a high zirconia content having improved electrical resistivity includes, as a percentage by weight relative to the oxides and for a total of more than 98.5%: ZrO2 + Hf2O:>85% SiO2:2% to 10% Al2O3:0.1% to 2.4%, with Al2O3/SiO2 <0.5 Y2O3:≦1%, B2O3:<1.5%; and a dopant selected from the group formed by V2O5, CrO3, Nb2O5, MoO3, Ta2O5, WO3, and mixtures thereof, in a weighted quantity such that: 0.2%≦2.43V2O5+8.84CrO3+1.66Nb2O5+6.14MoO3+Ta2O5+3.81WO3. |
| US07687419B2 |
Glass composition, glass susbstrate employing it for an information recording medium, and information recording medium employing it
A glass substrate used as a substrate of an information recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, DVD, or MD, and a glass composition used to make such a glass substrate, contains the following glass ingredients: 40 to 70% by weight of SiO2; 1 to 20% by weight of Al2O3; 0 to 10% by weight, zero inclusive, of B2O3; SiO2+Al2O3+B2O3 accounting for 60 to 90% by weight; a total of 3.0 to 15% by weight of R2O compounds, where R=Li, Na, and K; a total of 2.0 to 15% by weight of R′O compounds, where R=Mg, and Zn; and a total of 1.0 to 20% by weight of MOx (TiO2+ZrO2+LnxOy), where LnxOy represents at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lanthanoid metal oxides, Y2O3, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5. Here, the following condition is fulfilled: 0.070<(total content of R′O compounds)/(SiO2+Al2O3+B2O3)<0.200. |
| US07687414B2 |
Flameproof union fabric for chair upholstery
A union fabric comprising 6 to 60% by weight of a polyester fiber (A), 35 to 85% by weight of a halogen-containing fiber (B), and 5 to 55% by weight of a cellulose fiber (C) in which fabric the warp comprises weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber and the weft comprises flameproof chenille yarn and other weaving yarn, with the chenille yarn containing 10 to 70% by weight of halogen and 1 to 35% by weight of a flame retardant consisting of a metal compound, and in which fabric the content of the warp-constituting weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber is 20 to 40% by weight and those of the weft-constituting flameproof chenille yarn and the weft-constituting other weaving yarn are 35 to 70% by weight and 10 to 45% by weight respectively. This union fabric is excellent in design, texture, comfortableness in use. |
| US07687412B2 |
Flexible ballistic composites resistant to liquid pick-up method for manufacture and articles made therefrom
Flexible ballistic resistant composite material that has improved resistance to pick-up of water and other liquids, the composite material comprising a plurality of non-woven fibrous layers. The fibrous layers are formed from a network of high tenacity fibers (aramid fibers, extended chain polyethylene fibers and/or rigid rod fibers). The fibers are embedded in a matrix of a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. Preferably, at least two adjacent fiber layers are oriented in a cross-ply arrangement with respect to each other. Flexible armor, such as body vests, are provided which are formed at least in part from the flexible composite material. |
| US07687409B2 |
Atomic layer deposited titanium silicon oxide films
A dielectric layer containing an atomic layer deposited titanium silicon oxide film disposed in an integrated circuit and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer provide a dielectric layer for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments include forming titanium silicates and/or mixtures of titanium oxide and silicon oxides as dielectric layers in devices in an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, a titanium silicon oxide film is formed by depositing titanium oxide by atomic layer deposition and silicon oxide by atomic layer deposition onto a substrate surface. Embodiments include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectric layers containing an atomic layer deposited titanium silicon oxide film, and methods for forming such structures. |
| US07687408B2 |
Method for integrated circuit fabrication using pitch multiplication
Different sized features in the array and in the periphery of an integrated circuit are patterned on a substrate in a single step. In particular, a mixed pattern, combining two separately formed patterns, is formed on a single mask layer and then transferred to the underlying substrate. The first of the separately formed patterns is formed by pitch multiplication and the second of the separately formed patterns is formed by conventional photolithography. The first of the separately formed patterns includes lines that are below the resolution of the photolithographic process used to form the second of the separately formed patterns. These lines are made by forming a pattern on photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall pacers having widths less than the widths of the un-etched parts of the amorphous carbon are formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is then removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers as a mask pattern. Thus, the spacers form a mask having feature sizes less than the resolution of the photolithography process used to form the pattern on the photoresist. A protective material is deposited around the spacers. The spacers are further protected using a hard mask and then photoresist is formed and patterned over the hard mask. The photoresist pattern is transferred through the hard mask to the protective material. The pattern made out by the spacers and the temporary material is then transferred to an underlying amorphous carbon hard mask layer. The pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then transferred to the underlying substrate. |
| US07687407B2 |
Method for reducing line edge roughness for conductive features
The present invention provides an interconnect structure, a method of manufacture therefore, and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including the same. The method for forming the interconnect structure, among other steps, includes subjecting a first portion (510) of a substrate (220) to a first etch process, the first etch process designed to etch at a first entry angle (θ1), and subjecting a second portion (610) of the substrate (220) to a second different etch process, the second different etch process designed to etch at a second lesser entry angle (θ2). |
| US07687406B2 |
Methods of eliminating pattern collapse on photoresist patterns
A stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and methods of preventing profile abnormalities, toppling and resist footing are disclosed. The stabilizing solution comprises a non-volatile component, such as non-volatile particles or polymers, which is applied after the photoresist material has been developed. By treating the photoresist with the solution containing a non-volatile component after developing but before drying, the non-volatile component fills the space between adjacent resist patterns and remains on the substrate during drying. The non-volatile component provides structural and mechanical support for the resist to prevent deformation or collapse by liquid surface tension forces. |
| US07687405B2 |
High resolution patterning of surface energy utilizing high resolution monomolecular resist for fabrication of patterned media masters
A method for patterning and forming very small structures on a substrate such as a wafer. The process uses a difference in surface energy between a mask and the substrate to selectively deposit a hard mask material such as a metal onto the surface of the substrate. The mask can be formed extremely thin, such as only an atomic mono-layer thick, and can be patterned by ion beam photolithography. The pattern can, therefore, be formed with extremely high resolution. The thin mask layer can be constructed of various materials and can be constructed of perfluoropolyether diacrylate (PDA), which can be dip coated to and exposed to form a desirable positive photoresist mask layer. |
| US07687400B2 |
Side stacking apparatus and method
A module has at least two ICs connected to each other such that they lie in different planes and are arranged as a first stack of ICs, a third IC is connected to at least one of the at least two ICs, wherein the third IC is off plane from both of the at least two ICs. |
| US07687399B2 |
Production of a self-aligned CuSiN barrier
A semiconductor product includes a portion made of copper, a portion made of a dielectric and a self-aligned barrier between the copper portion and the dielectric portion. The self-aligned barrier includes a first copper silicide layer comprising predominantly first copper silicide molecules, and a second copper silicide layer comprising predominantly second copper silicide molecules. The proportion of the number of silicon atoms is higher in the second silicide molecules than in the first silicide molecules. The second copper silicide layer is positioned between the copper portion and the first copper silicide layer. A nitride layer may overlie at least part of the first copper silicide layer. |
| US07687398B2 |
Technique for forming nickel silicide by depositing nickel from a gaseous precursor
Nickel silicide is formed on the basis of a gaseous precursor, such as nickel tetra carbonyl, wherein the equilibrium of the decomposition of this gas may be controlled to obtain a highly selective nickel silicide formation rate. Moreover, any etch step for removing excess nickel may be avoided, since only minute amounts of nickel may form on exposed surfaces, which may then be effectively removed by correspondingly shifting the equilibrium. Consequently, reduced process complexity, enhanced controllability and enhanced tool lifetime may be obtained. |
| US07687397B2 |
Front-end processed wafer having through-chip connections
A method involves forming vias in a device-bearing semiconductor wafer, making at least some of the vias in the device-bearing semiconductor wafer electrically conductive, and performing back-end processing the device-bearing semiconductor wafer so as to create electrical connections between an electrically conductive via and a metallization layer. An alternative method involves forming vias in a device-bearing semiconductor wafer, making at least some of the vias in the device-bearing semiconductor wafer electrically conductive, and processing the device-bearing semiconductor wafer so as to create electrical connections between an electrically conductive via and a conductive semiconductor layer. |
| US07687395B2 |
Contact aperture and contact via with stepped sidewall and methods for fabrication thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor device including a contact region. The semiconductor structure also includes a passivation layer passivating the semiconductor device including the contact region. A narrow bottomed stepped sidewall contact aperture is located within the passivation layer to expose the contact region. A corresponding narrow bottomed stepped sidewall contact via is located within the narrow bottomed stepped sidewall contact aperture to contact the contact region. The narrow bottomed stepped sidewall contact aperture and contact via provide for improved contact to the contact region and reduced parasitic capacitance with respect to the semiconductor device. Methods for fabricating the narrow bottomed stepped sidewall contact aperture use a mask layer (either dimensionally diminished or dimensionally augmented) in conjunction with a two step etch method. |
| US07687394B2 |
Method for forming inter-layer dielectric of low dielectric constant and method for forming copper wiring using the same
A method for forming a dielectric layer having a low dielectric constant and a method for forming copper wiring using the same are provided. In the method for forming a dielectric, an etch stop layer and a first dielectric are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate. Next, the first dielectric is selectively etched to form a pattern, and a second dielectric is formed thereon. Here, the second dielectric may be formed using a plasma enhanced chemical deposition method to have pores or voids therein. Then, the dielectric is planarized and a damascene copper wiring is formed. Since the dielectric includes pores or voids, it may have a very low dielectric constant, which results in an improvement in RC delay. |
| US07687390B2 |
Manufacturing method of a transparent conductive film, a manufacturing method of a transparent electrode of an organic electroluminescence device, an organic electroluminescence device and the manufacturing method
In one embodiment of a manufacturing method of a transparent conductive film of the present invention, a grid having a magnet is placed between a target and a substrate, and a pattern shaped transparent conductive film comprising the target material is formed over the substrate through a mask by a sputtering method. In other embodiment of a manufacturing method of a transparent conductive film of the present invention, a mask is placed on a substrate, a pattern shaped transparent conductive layer comprising a target material is formed on the substrate by a sputtering method, and a trap electrode having a magnet pin is installed between the target and the substrate. |
| US07687387B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes depositing first to third mask layers above a substrate, processing the third mask layer, processing the second mask layer, slimming the second mask layer in an L/S section and out of the L/S section, peeling the third mask layer in the L/S section and out of the L/S section, forming spacers on sidewalls of the second mask layer in the L/S section and out of the L/S section, etching the second mask layer in the L/S section, under a condition that the second mask layer out of the L/S section is covered with a resist, to remove the second mask layer in the L/S section while the second mask layer out of the L/S section remains, and processing the first mask layer by etching, using the spacers in the L/S section and out of the L/S section and the second mask layer out of the L/S section as a mask, the spacers in the L/S section and out of the L/S section and the second mask layer out of the L/S section being thinned by the etching. |
| US07687386B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor structure having metal migration semiconductor barrier layers
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor active region, a semiconductor contact layer, at least one metal migration semiconductor barrier layer, and a metal contact. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be embedded within the semiconductor contact layer. Furthermore, the metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be located underneath or above and in intimate contact with the semiconductor contact layer. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer and the semiconductor contact layer form a contact structure that prevents metals from migrating from the metal contact into the semiconductor active layer during long-term exposure to high temperatures. By providing a robust contact structure that may be used in semiconductor structures, for example in solar cells that power spacecraft or terrestrial solar cells used under concentrated sunlight, the high temperature reliability of the semiconductor structure will be improved and the operation time will be prolonged. |
| US07687384B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same that includes angled implantation of poly layer
Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. In the method, a poly layer on a semiconductor substrate is etched to a predetermined depth. Ions are implanted into the poly layer at a predetermined angle. The poly layer is etched again to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate. Therefore, stress is applied to the poly gate instead of the barrier layer, so that the barrier layer is not opened during contact etching because effects of the barrier layer thickness can be solved. Also, stress is applied to a poly gate directly contacting a channel region of the semiconductor substrate to allow tensile force caused by the stress of the poly gate to directly induce tensile force to the channel region, and thus increase mobility, so that device characteristics can be remarkably enhanced. |
| US07687381B2 |
Method of forming electrical interconnects within insulating layers that form consecutive sidewalls including forming a reaction layer on the inner sidewall
Methods of forming integrated circuit device having electrical interconnects include forming an electrically insulating layer on a substrate and forming a hard mask on the electrically insulating layer. The hard mask and the electrically insulating layer are selectively etched in sequence using a mask to define an opening therein. This opening, which may be a via hole, exposes inner sidewalls of the hard mask and the electrically insulating layer. The inner sidewall of the hard mask is then recessed relative to the inner sidewall of the electrically insulating layer and a sacrificial reaction layer is formed on the inner sidewall of the electrically insulating layer. This reaction layer operates to recess the inner sidewall of the electrically insulating layer. The reaction layer is then removed to define a wider opening having relatively uniform sidewalls. This wider opening is then filled with an electrical interconnect. |
| US07687372B2 |
System and method for manufacturing thick and thin film devices using a donee layer cleaved from a crystalline donor
Various embodiments of fabricated crystalline-based structures for the electronics, optoelectronics and optics industries are disclosed. Each of these structures is created in part by cleaving a donee layer from a crystalline donor, such as a micaceous/lamellar mass comprising a plurality of lamelliform sheets separable from each other along relatively weak cleavage planes. Once cleaved, one or more of these lamelliform sheets become the donee layer. The donee layer may be used for a variety of purposes, including a crystalline layer for supporting heteroepitaxial growth of one or more semiconductor layers thereon, an insulating layer, a barrier layer, a planarizing layer and a platform for creating useful structures, among others. |
| US07687371B2 |
Method of forming isolation structure of semiconductor device for preventing excessive loss during recess gate formation
An isolation structure of a semiconductor device is formed by forming a hard mask layer on a semiconductor substrate having active and field regions to expose the field region. A trench is defined by etching the exposed field region of the semiconductor substrate using the hard mask as an etch mask. An SOG layer is formed in the trench partially filling the trench. An amorphous aluminum oxide layer is formed on the resultant substrate including the SOG layer. An HDP layer is formed on the amorphous aluminum oxide layer to completely fill the trench. The HDP layer and the amorphous aluminum oxide layer are subjected to CMP to expose the hard mask. The hard mask and portions of the amorphous aluminum oxide layer that are formed on the HDP layer are removed. The amorphous aluminum oxide layer is crystallized. |
| US07687369B2 |
Method of forming fine metal patterns for a semiconductor device using a damascene process
A method of forming fine metal interconnect patterns includes forming an insulating film on a substrate, forming a plurality of mold patterns with first spaces therebetween on the insulating film, such that the mold patterns have a first layout, forming metal hardmask patterns in the first spaces by a damascene process, removing the mold patterns, etching the insulating film through the metal hardmask patterns to form insulating film patterns with second spaces therebetween, the second spaces having the first layout, and forming metal interconnect patterns having the first layout in the second spaces by the damascene process. |
| US07687367B2 |
Manufacture method for semiconductor device having field oxide film
On the principal surface of a silicon substrate, a side spacer made of silicon nitride is formed on the side wall of a lamination including a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film. Thereafter, a channel stopper ion doped region is formed by implanting impurity ions by using as a mask the lamination, side spacer and resist layer. After the resist layer and side spacer are removed, a field oxide film is formed through selective oxidation using the lamination as a mask, and a channel stopper region corresponding to the ion doped region is formed. After the lamination is removed, a circuit device such as a MOS type transistor is formed in each device opening of the field oxide film. |
| US07687366B2 |
Pre-patterned thin film capacitor and method for embedding same in a package substrate
An embedded passive structure, its method of formation, and its integration onto a substrate during fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, the embedded passive structure is a thin film capacitor (TFC) formed using a thin film laminate that has been mounted onto a substrate. The TFC's capacitor dielectric and/or lower electrode layers are patterned in such a way as to reduce damage and improve cycle time. In one embodiment, the capacitor dielectric has a high dielectric constant and the substrate is an organic packaging substrate. |
| US07687364B2 |
Low-k isolation spacers for conductive regions
A multi-component low-k isolation spacer for a conductive region in a semiconductor structure is described. In one embodiment, a replacement isolation spacer process is utilized to enable the formation of a two-component low-k isolation spacer adjacent to a sidewall of a gate electrode in a MOS-FET device. |
| US07687362B2 |
Semiconductor device with increased channel length and width and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region including a channel portion. An isolation layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate to define the active region, and a gate is formed over the channel portion in the active region. The active region of the semiconductor substrate is etched to such that the entire active region is below an upper surface of the isolation layer. A U-shaped groove is formed in the channel portion of the active region, except the edges in a direction of the channel width thereof, in order to increase the channel width. In the semiconductor device, there is an increase in channel length and channel width leading to a reduction in leakage current and on increase in operation current. |
| US07687357B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a transistor, the method includes forming a gate over a substrate to form a first resultant structure, forming a gate spacer at first and second sidewalls of the gate, etching portions of the substrate proximate to the gate spacer to form a recess in a source/drain region of the substrate, forming a first epitaxial layer including germanium to fill the recess, and performing a high temperature oxidation process to form a second epitaxial layer including germanium over an interfacial layer between the substrate and the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer having a germanium concentration that is higher than a germanium concentration of the first epitaxial SiGe layer, thereby forming a second resultant structure. |
| US07687356B2 |
Formation of shallow siGe conduction channel
A method of forming a silicon germanium conduction channel under a gate stack of a semiconductor device, the gate stack being formed on a silicon layer on an insulating layer, the method including growing a silicon germanium layer over said silicon layer and heating the device such that germanium condenses in the silicon layer such that a silicon germanium channel is formed between the gate stack and the insulating layer. |
| US07687355B2 |
Method for manufacturing fin transistor that prevents etching loss of a spin-on-glass insulation layer
A method for manufacturing a fin transistor includes forming a trench by etching a semiconductor substrate. A flowable insulation layer is filled in the trench to form a field insulation layer defining an active region. The portion of the flowable insulation layer coming into contact with a gate forming region is etched so as to protrude the gate forming region in the active region. A protective layer over the semiconductor substrate is formed to fill the portion of the etched flowable insulation layer. The portion of the protective layer formed over the active region is removed to expose the active region of the semiconductor substrate. The exposed active region of the semiconductor substrate is cleaned. The protective layer remaining on the portion of the etched flowable insulation layer is removed. Gates are formed over the protruded gate forming regions in the active region. |
| US07687353B2 |
Ion implantation method for high voltage device
A method of performing ion implantation method for a high-voltage device. The method includes defining a logic region and a high-voltage region in a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate in the logic region and a second gate insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate in the high-voltage region, the second gate insulation layer being thicker than the first gate insulation layer, forming a hollow region in the logic region and a source region in the high-voltage region by implanting first conductive impurities into the logic region and source regions of the semiconductor substrate, and forming a second conductive impurity layer in the logic region by implanting second conductive impurities logic region of the into the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07687346B2 |
Method of manufacturing a non-volatile NAND memory semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes first, second gate electrodes, first, second diffusion layers, contact electrodes electrically connected to the first diffusion layers, a first insulating film which has concave portions between the first and second gate electrodes and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, a second insulating film which is formed on the first insulating film and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, and a third insulating film formed on the first diffusion layers, first gate electrodes, second diffusion layers and second gate electrodes with the second insulating film disposed therebetween in a partial region. The second insulating film is formed to fill the concave portions and a portion between the first and second gate electrodes has a multi-layered structure containing at least the first and second insulating films. |
| US07687345B2 |
Flash memory device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a flash memory device having a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) structure and a method of manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes source and drain diffusion regions separated from each other on opposite sides of a trench in an active region of a semiconductor substrate, a control gate inside the trench and protruding upward from the substrate, a charge storage layer between the control gate and an inner wall of the trench, and a pair of insulating spacers formed on opposite sidewalls of the control gate with the charge storage layer therebetween. Here, the charge storage layer has an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure. Further, the depth of the trench from the surface of the substrate is greater than that of each of the source and drain diffusion regions. |
| US07687342B2 |
Method of manufacturing a memory device
A memory device comprises an active area comprising a source and at least two drains defining a first axis. At least two substantially parallel word lines are defined by a first pitch, with one word line located between each drain and the source. Digit lines are defined by a second pitch, one of the digit lines being coupled to the source and forming a second axis. The active areas of the memory array are tilted at 45° to the grid defined by the word lines and digit lines. The word line pitch is about 1.5F, while the digit line pitch is about 3F. |
| US07687340B2 |
Protect diodes for hybrid-orientation substrate structures
A semiconductor structure fabrication method. First, a semiconductor structure is provided including (a) a semiconductor block having a first semiconductor material doped with a first doping polarity and having a first lattice orientation, and (b) a semiconductor region on the semiconductor block, wherein the semiconductor region is physically isolated from the semiconductor block by a dielectric region, and wherein the semiconductor region includes a second semiconductor material (i) doped with a second doping polarity opposite to the first doping polarity and (ii) having a second lattice orientation different from the first lattice orientation. Next, first and second gate stacks are formed on the semiconductor block and the semiconductor region, respectively. Then, (i) first and second S/D regions are simultaneously formed in the semiconductor block on opposing sides of the first gate stack and (ii) first and second discharge prevention semiconductor regions in the semiconductor block. |
| US07687339B1 |
Methods for fabricating FinFET structures having different channel lengths
Methods for fabricating a FinFET structure are provided. One method comprises forming a hard mask layer on a gate-forming material layer having a first portion and a second portion. A plurality of mandrels are fabricated on the hard mask layer and overlying the first portion and the second portion of the gate-forming material layer. A sidewall spacer material layer is deposited overlying the plurality of mandrels. The sidewall spacer material layer overlying the first portion of the gate-forming material layer is partially etched. Sidewall spacers are fabricated from the sidewall spacer material layer, the sidewall spacers being adjacent sidewalls of the plurality of mandrels. The plurality of mandrels are removed, the hard mask layer is etched using the sidewall spacers as an etch mask, and the gate-forming material layer is etched using the etched hard mask layer as an etch mask. |
| US07687337B2 |
Transistor with differently doped strained current electrode region
A transistor is formed by providing a semiconductor layer and forming a control electrode overlying the semiconductor layer. A portion of the semiconductor layer is removed lateral to the control electrode to form a first recess and a second recess on opposing sides of the control electrode. A first stressor is formed within the first recess and has a first doping profile. A second stressor is formed within the second recess and has the first doping profile. A third stressor is formed overlying the first stressor. The third stressor has a second doping profile that has a higher electrode current doping concentration than the first profile. A fourth stressor overlying the second stressor is formed and has the second doping profile. A first current electrode and a second current electrode of the transistor include at least a portion of the third stressor and the fourth stressor, respectively. |
| US07687330B2 |
TFT-LCD pixel structure and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) pixel structure comprising: a gate line and a gate electrode formed on a substrate; a first insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a doped semiconductor layer formed sequentially on the gate electrode and the gate line, wherein an isolating groove is formed above the gate line which disconnects the semiconductor layer on the gate line; a second insulating layer covering the isolating groove and a portion of the substrate where the gate line and the gate are not formed; a pixel electrode formed on the second insulating layer, wherein the pixel electrode is integral with a drain electrode and is connected with the doped semiconductor layer on the gate electrode at a place where the drain electrode is formed; a source electrode, which is a portion of a data line, formed on the doped semiconductor layer; and a channel formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US07687325B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A TFT is manufactured using at least five photomasks in a conventional liquid crystal display device, and therefore the manufacturing cost is high.By performing the formation of the pixel electrode 119, the source region 115 and the drain region 116 by using three photomasks in three photolithography steps, a liquid crystal display device prepared with a pixel TFT portion, having a reverse stagger type n-channel TFT, and a storage capacitor can be realized. |
| US07687320B2 |
Manufacturing method for packaged semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which moisture penetration into the package interior is suppressed, comprising a rewiring layer formed by plating, with improved reliability of electrical characteristics. On the main surface of a semiconductor chip comprising circuit elements and formed on a wafer, a passivation film opposing the circuit elements is formed, so as to expose a first region of the main surface along the edges of the main surface. An insulating film, which extends over the main surface and along the side faces of this passivation film and onto the main surface of the semiconductor chip, is formed such that there remains a second region within the first region, along the edges of the main surface. A sealing layer covering the insulating film is then formed on the second region. |
| US07687319B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes at least supplying an adhesive for bonding an electronic component which has a plurality of bumps with a substrate which has a plurality of bonding pads corresponding to the bumps, to at least a portion of the substrate, between the electronic component and the substrate, flow-casting the adhesive on the substrate by a flow-casting unit, in such a manner that the expression S1/S0>1 is satisfied, where S0 is the total contact surface area with the substrate of the adhesive supplied to the substrate, and S1 is the total contact surface area with the substrate of the adhesive after the flow-casting, and curing the adhesive while making the adhesive contact with the electronic component and the substrate in a state where the bumps are abutted against the bonding pads. |
| US07687317B2 |
Semiconductor device having tape carrier with bendable region
A tape carrier includes: a base film with insulating property; a wiring pattern provided on the base film within a product region, the product region being demarcated by a cutting line so as to divide the tape carrier into individual products by cutting along the tape carrier along the cut line; and a solder resist provided on the base film so as to cover the wiring pattern. The solder resist protrudes outward from within the product region. |
| US07687316B2 |
Method for adhering semiconductor devices
A method for adhering semiconductor devices is provided. The method includes forming a first semiconductor device including a first metal pad, forming a second semiconductor device including a second metal pad, adhering the first semiconductor device to the second semiconductor device, the first metal pad electrically connecting the second metal pad, and forming a heat sink via in the second semiconductor device. |
| US07687314B2 |
Electronic apparatus manufacturing method
An electronic apparatus manufacturing method comprises applying a first adhesive agent to a mounting portion, a first heating, in such a way that connection pads and bumps, come into contact, by pressing a heating head against a non-mounting surface of the electronic component, heating the electronic component, hardening the first adhesive agent, affixing the mounting substrate and electronic component, filling a space between the mounting substrate and the electronic component with a second adhesive agent under reduced pressure, and a second heating step of, from being under reduced pressure to being under atmospheric pressure, by pressing the heating head against the non-mounting surface of the electronic component, heating the electronic component, as well as hardening the second adhesive agent, melting the connection pads, and joining the connection pads and the bumps. |
| US07687313B2 |
Method of fabricating a semiconductor multi package module having an inverted package stacked over ball grid array (BGA) package
A method is provided for making a semiconductor multi-package module, by providing a lower molded ball grid array package including a lower substrate and a die, affixing an upper molded package including an upper substrate in inverted orientation onto the upper surface of the lower package, and forming z-interconnects between the upper and lower substrates. |
| US07687309B2 |
CMOS-process-compatible programmable via device
Programmable via devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a programmable via device is provided comprising a substrate; a dielectric layer on the substrate; a heater on at least a portion of a side of the dielectric layer opposite the substrate; a first oxide layer over the side of the dielectric layer opposite the substrate and surrounding at least a portion of the heater; a first capping layer over a side of the first oxide layer opposite the dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the first capping layer and the first oxide layer and in contact with the heater, the programmable via comprising at least one phase change material; a second capping layer over the programmable via; a second oxide layer over a side of the first capping layer opposite the first oxide layer; a pair of first conductive vias, each extending through the first and second oxide layers and the first capping layer, and in contact with the heater; and a second conductive via, located between the pair of first conductive vias, extending through the second oxide layer and in contact with the second capping layer. |
| US07687293B2 |
Method for enhancing growth of semipolar (Al,In,Ga,B)N via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
A method for enhancing growth of device-quality planar semipolar nitride semiconductor thin films via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) by using an (Al,In,Ga)N nucleation layer containing at least some indium. Specifically, the method comprises loading a substrate into a reactor, heating the substrate under a flow of nitrogen and/or hydrogen and/or ammonia, depositing an InxGa1-xN nucleation layer on the heated substrate, depositing a semipolar nitride semiconductor thin film on the InxGa1-xN nucleation layer, and cooling the substrate under a nitrogen overpressure. |
| US07687290B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor optical device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor optical device includes: forming a laminated semiconductor structure of GaN-based materials on a semiconductor wafer, the laminated semiconductor structure forming a laser diode of GaN-based materials, including an active layer having a quantum well structure; cleaving the semiconductor wafer including the laminated semiconductor structure to expose a cleaved end face of the laminated semiconductor structure; and forming an SiO2 film on the cleaved end face and performing a heat treatment to cause Ga vacancy diffusion in the active layer to disorder the quantum well structure of the active layer. |
| US07687287B2 |
Method for fabricating a polymer L.E.D.
A light-emissive device is prepared by depositing a polymer layer on a substrate. The deposition process utilizes a formulation comprising a conjugated polymer dissolved in a solvent, the solvent including a trialkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon wherein at least two of the alkyl substituents are ortho to one another. The deposition of the polymer layer on the substrate may be accomplished by an ink-jet method. |
| US07687286B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the thickness of a dielectric layer
The method for determining the thickness of a dielectric layer according to the invention comprises the step of providing an electrically conductive body having a dielectric layer which is separated from the electrically conductive body by at least a further dielectric layer and a surface of which is exposed. Onto the exposed surface an electric charge is deposited, thereby inducing an electric potential difference between the exposed surface and the electrically conductive body. An electrical parameter relating to the electric potential difference is determined and a measurement is performed to obtain additional measurement data relating to the thickness of the dielectric layer and/or to the thickness of the further dielectric layer. In this way the thickness of the dielectric layer and/or of the further dielectric layer is determined. The method of manufacturing an electric device comprises this method for determining the thickness of a dielectric layer. The apparatus for determining the thickness of a dielectric layer is arranged to execute this method. |
| US07687282B2 |
Detection of transmembrane potentials by optical methods
Methods and compositions are provided for determining the potential of a membrane. In one aspect, the method comprises: (a) introducing a first reagent comprising a hydrophobic fluorescent ion capable of redistributing from a first face of the membrane to a second face of the membrane in response to changes in the potential of the membrane, as described by the Nernst equation, (b) introducing a second reagent which labels the first face or the second face of the membrane, which second reagent comprises a chromophore capable of undergoing energy transfer by either (i) donating excited state energy to the fluorescent ion, or (ii) accepting excited state energy from the fluorescent ion, (c) exposing the membrane to radiation; (d) measuring energy transfer between the fluorescent ion and the second reagent, and (e) relating the energy transfer to the membrane potential. Energy transfer is typically measured by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. In some embodiments the first and second reagents are bound together by a suitable linker.In one aspect the method is used to identify compounds which modulate membrane potentials in biological membranes. |
| US07687281B2 |
Bovine pregnancy test
This invention provides bovine pregnancy test methods and devices. The test is also suitable for other ruminant and/or ungulate animals. Antigens from Group A (early pregnancy antigens), and/or Group B (mid-pregnancy antigens), and Group C (early, mid- and late pregnancy antigens) are detected in a fluid from the animal, and pregnancy is reliably determined. The pregnancy assays of this invention are preferably carried out using immunoassay devices which provide immediate results in the field. |
| US07687279B2 |
Evaluation method for chemical solution, qualification method for chemical solution and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for evaluating chemical solution includes determining number of particles in liquid for each size of the particles by measurement, expressing a relationship between size of the particles and number of particles corresponding to the size by a function based on the number of particles for each size of the particles determined by the measurement, and evaluating influence of particles having size less than or equal to a measurement limit in the liquid based on the function. |
| US07687273B2 |
Method for producing purified hematinic iron-saccharidic complex and product produced
A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals. |
| US07687271B2 |
Covert authentication method and apparatus
An authentication system uses the unique distribution of an invisible taggant as a “signature” to identify an item. The verification is error tolerant. The taggant is made visible to a camera by special illumination. Inert taggants, with no optical activity, can be made visible by their thermal properties. |
| US07687269B2 |
Method for efficient transport of small liquid volumes to, from or within microfluidic devices
Methods are presented for realizing zero-dispersion segmented flow for transfer of small microfluidic samples onto or within microfluidic analysis or processing devices. Where fluidic systems are in whole or in part made of materials favorable to the zero-dispersion conditions for an indicated solvent/carrier fluid system, the system may be covalently coated to impart the necessary surface properties. This invention is demonstrated in an embodiment where 1 microliter samples (6) are robotically prepared and transferred through 3 meters of capillary tubing (4) to a microcoil NMR probe. |
| US07687268B2 |
Apparatuses and media for drug elution and methods for making and using them
Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. A related embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that is used for example to facilitate the practice of the above-noted methods by inhibiting the evaporation of dissolution media from the vessels in which elution is observed. |
| US07687266B2 |
Pluripotency determining factors and uses thereof
Pluripotency determining factors are described which act intracellularly and maintain a pluripotent cell in a pluripotent state in the absence of gp130 activation, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a human stem cell, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a mouse ES cell, and which maintain or confer pluripotency of a stem cell from a non-permissive strain of mice. The factors and vectors encoding or activating the factors are used to maintain and derive pluripotent cells, especially of higher mammals, including humans. |
| US07687265B2 |
Foxn1 and pigmentation
The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating skin pigmentation. |
| US07687264B2 |
Methods and agents of decalcifying bone
Decalcification can be performed by using acid or other agents. It may be difficult to decalcify large bone block within ours. This invention provides a bone-decalcifying agent including a calcium desolving agent for desolving calcium ions of bones, and a bubble-forming agent for generating microbubbles when the bone-decalcifying agent is exposed to ultrasonic vibration. It is found that bones may be decalcified in a relatively short time using the bone-decalcifying agent of this invention. |
| US07687263B2 |
In vitro tumor angiogenesis model
Provided is a method of inducing tubulogenesis in normal endothelial cells comprising co-culturing the normal endothelial cells with tumor cells and forming tubules from the normal endothelial cells. |
| US07687260B2 |
Imaging fluorescence signals using telecentric optics
The present invention relates to the field of DNA analysis. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device for the parallel imaging of fluorescence intensities at a plurality of sites as a measure for DNA hybridization. More particular, the present invention is directed to a device to image multiplex real time PCR or to read out DNA microarrays. |
| US07687257B2 |
Device for separating and/or analyzing several molecular targets dissolved in a complex mixture
The invention relates to a device for separating and/analyzing several molecular targets dissolved in a complex mixture which is characterized in that it comprises a) a matrix of micro-columns, wherein each micro-column (2) comprises an immobilized molecular probe for retaining a specific molecular target contained in the complex mixture by specific probe/target linkage, b) a first capillary network (3) for circulating the complex mixture introduced into the inventive device towards each micro-column of the matrix defined in a), c) a second capillary network (4) for circulating, after elution, the molecular targets retained on the micro-columns towards a sensor (5) for carrying out the recovery and/or analysis thereof, and d) if necessary, a sensor (5), preferably in the form of a mass spectrometer, for carrying out the recovery and/or analysis of different molecular targets. |
| US07687256B2 |
Surface activated biochip
The present invention provides substrates having a plurality of micro-locations on its surface. Each micro-location has an effective dose of an ion beam treatment such that the plurality of the micro-locations exhibit an affinity to a compound that is different from the affinity of the remainder of the substrate surface to that compound. The substrates of the invention can be utilized to form microarrays of biological molecules, such as oligonucleotides or peptides. Such microarrays can find a variety of applications. For example, they can be employed in large scale hybridization assays in many genetic applications, such as mapping of genomes, monitoring of gene expression, DNA sequencing, genetic diagnosis, and genotyping of organisms. |
| US07687254B2 |
Phenol-free method of isolating DNA
A phenol-free method of isolating DNA from biological material includes homogenizing a biological material with a homogenization buffer to form a homogenate. Proteins and non-DNA organic molecules are extracted from the homogenate by mixing a first extraction buffer and a second extraction buffer with the homogenate. The first extraction buffer includes chloroform and an alcohol and the second extraction buffer includes a non-ionic protein solubilizer and an alcohol. DNA is precipitated from the mixture of homogenate, first extraction buffer and second extraction buffer and the DNA is recovered by sedimentation. |
| US07687253B2 |
Escherichia coli strains which over-produce L-threonine and processes for the production of L-threonine by fermentation
The present invention relates to the fields of microbiology and microbial genetics. More specifically, the invention relates to novel bacteria strains and processes employing these strains for the fermentative production of amino acids such as threonine. |
| US07687249B2 |
Polysaccharide derivatives with high antithrombotic activity in plasma
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of sulphated glycosaminoglycans derived from N— acetylheparosan which comprises: a) N-deacetylation and N-sulphation of the N-acetylheparosan polysaccharide prepared from natural or recombinant bacterial strain, preferably K5 E. coli, b) enzymatic epimerization with the glucuronyl C5-epimerase enzyme, c) partial O-sulphation followed by a partial O-desulphation, d) partial 6-O-sulphation, e) N-sulphation and an intermediate step of controlled depolimerization characterised by the fact that both O-sulphations (O-sulphation and 6O-sulphation) are partial.Furthermore the invention relates to the products obtained according to the process which show a ratio between the anti-Xa activity and anti-IIa activity equal to or higher than 1 and to compositions comprising said products in combination with suitable and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and/or diluent. |
| US07687247B1 |
Process for controlling contamination of nucleic acid amplification reactions
This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide.Two embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification to reaction in the presence of an excess of exo-sample nucleotide tri-phosphate.In a second embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an oligonucleotide which has, as part of its sequence, one or more exo-sample nucleotides. |
| US07687245B2 |
Microbial detection and quantification
Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye. |
| US07687243B1 |
Automated method for detecting apoptosis in cells
A TUNEL assay method is claimed and described. The method comprises loading slides having mounted tissue samples into a primary stainer and testing tissue samples for apoptosis using a stainer. In one embodiment, the method includes using a stainer having a plurality of reservoirs. A reagent reservoir is loaded with anti-conjugate antibody reporter. A slide tray of the stainer is loaded with a slide having a tissue sample. The stainer adds anti-conjugate antibody reporter to the sample for a duration. |
| US07687239B2 |
Sensitive and rapid determination of antimicrobial susceptibility
The present invention relates to moving microorganisms to a surface, where they are grown in the presence and absence of antimicrobials, and by monitoring the growth of the microorganisms over time in the two conditions, their susceptibility to the antimicrobials can be determined. The microorganisms can be moved to the surface through electrophoresis, centrifugation or filtration. When the movement involves electrophoresis, the presence of oxidizing and reducing reagents lowers the voltage at which electrophoretic force can be generated and allows a broader range of means by which the target can be detected. Monitoring can comprise optical detection, and most conveniently includes the detection of individual microorganisms. The microorganisms can be stained in order to give information about their response to antimicrobials. |
| US07687236B2 |
Fluorescent nucleobase conjugates having anionic linkers
Provided are nucleotide-dye conjugates and related compounds in which a dye is linked to a nucleobase directly or indirectly by an anionic linker. The anionic character of the linker is provided by one or more anionic moieties which are present in the linker, such as phosphate, phosphonate, sulfonate, and carboxylate groups. When the dye is a provided as a donor/acceptor dye pair, the anionic linker can be located between the donor and the acceptor, or between the nucleobase and either the donor or acceptor, or both. In one embodiment, conjugates of the invention provide enhanced electrophoretic mobility characteristics to sequencing fragments, e.g., for dideoxy sequencing using labeled terminators. |
| US07687230B2 |
Method to treat collagenous connective tissue for implant remodeled by host cells into living tissue
The invention relates to a method of treatment of collagenous connective tissue removed from a donor for implant into a recipient which is re-habited or re-colonized by host cells without an immune rejection and inflammatory reaction. After removal from the donor, the tissue is trimmed and thereafter soaked in a cold stabilizing solution having a temperature range of 4 to 10 degrees centigrade. The tissue is then soaked at a predetermined temperature in a polyglycol, salt, hydrogen peroxide, and phosphate buffer first solution of predetermined quantities and concentrations and of sufficient ionic strength to permit ground substances to dissociate such that the collagen fibers remain stable. The tissue is then soaked in an alcohol and water solution at a predetermined temperature for a sufficient period of time to remove the residue of the first solution. Following the removal of the residue, the tissue is soaked at a predetermined temperature in a third solution of an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-thrombic agent, alcohol, and water or sequentially in an anti-inflammatory agent, alcohol, and water solution, and then in an anti-thrombic agent, alcohol and water solution and thereafter stored. |
| US07687228B2 |
Antireflection film composition and patterning process using the same
An antireflection film composition, wherein an etching speed is fast, thus, when used as a resist lower layer, a film loss of a resist pattern and deformation of the pattern during etching can be minimized, and because of a high crosslinking density, a dense film can be formed after thermal crosslinking, thus, mixing with an upper layer resist can be prevented and the resist pattern after development is good is provided. The antireflection film composition comprising; at least a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I). |
| US07687224B2 |
Photosensitive film
A photosensitive film excellent in workability and making it possible, in a normal pressure laminating process, to laminate photosensitive films on the surface of substrate having a metallic surface with a reduced number of air voids generated and in a high product yield, said film comprising a support film (A), a photosensitive resin composition-containing photosensitive resin layer (B) formed on said support (A) and a protecting film (C) further stuck on said layer (B), wherein the number of fish eyes having a diameter of at least 80 μm included in the protecting film (C) does not exceed 5 fish eyes/m2. |
| US07687223B2 |
Underlayer coating forming composition for lithography containing cyclodextrin compound
There is provided an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography for forming an underlayer coating having a high dry etching rate compared with photoresist, causing no intermixing with the photoresist, and excellent in property of filling hole on the semiconductor substrate, which is used in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device. The composition comprises a cyclodextrin compound that 10% to 90% of total number of hydroxy groups in cyclodextrin is converted into an ether or ester group, a crosslinking compound, a crosslinking catalyst and a solvent. |
| US07687222B2 |
Polymerizable ester compounds, polymers, resist compositions and patterning process
Novel polymerizable ester compounds having formulae (1) to (4) undergo no acid-induced decomposition by β-elimination wherein A1 is a polymerizable functional group having a carbon-carbon double bond, R1 is H or —C—(R5)3, R2 and R3 are alkyl, R4 is H or alkyl, R5 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X is alkylene, Y is methylene, ethylene or isopropylidene, Z is alkylene, and n=1 or 2. Resist compositions comprising polymers derived from the ester compounds have excellent sensitivity and resolution and lend themselves to micropatterning lithography. |
| US07687220B2 |
Oxime derivatives and use thereof as latent acids
The invention pertain to novel photoacid generator compounds of the formula I, II or III wherein R1 is for example C1-C18alkylsulfonyl or phenylsulfonyl, phenyl-C1-C3alkylsulfonyl, , naphthylsulfonyl, anthracylsulfonyl or phenanthrylsulfonyl, all optionally substituted, or R1 is a group X1, X2 and X3 independently of each other are O or S; R′1, is e.g. phenylenedisulfonyl, naphthylenedisulfonyl, diphenylenedisulfonyl, or oxydiphenylenedisulfonyl, all optionally substituted; R2 is halogen or C1-C10haloalkyl; X is halogen; Ar1 is for example biphenylyl or fluorenyl, or is substituted naphthyl; Ar′1 is heteroarylene, optionally substituted; R8, R9, R10 and R11 for example are C1-C6alkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; or R8, R9 and R10 are phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl or halogen; or R10 and R11 together are 1,2-phenylene or C2-C6alkylene which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4alkyl or halogen. |
| US07687214B2 |
Two-component developer and image formation method
A two-component developer and an image formation method for two-component development type are provided. With this developer and this method, even if toners have a small grain diameter and a high density of pigments for economizing the toner consumption, cracking and toner spent caused by the stress from carriers are suppressed, so that less deteriorated and stabler images can be obtained throughout a long time period. The two-component developer includes toner particles containing at least a binding resin and a pigment. A mean volume particle diameter of the toner particles is between 5.5 μm and 7 μm. A number percent of the toner particles with a mean volume particle diameter of 5 μm or below, and a volume percent of the toner particles with a mean volume particle diameter between 8 μm and 12.7 μm, with respect to the total toner particles, respectively, are set to be within a predetermined range. Density of the pigment in the toner particles is between 8 weight percent and 20 weight percent. The two-component developer also includes carrier particles which are resin-coated carrier particles. A mean volume particle diameter of the carrier particles is between 35 μm and 65 μm. The two-component developer allows the formation of less deteriorated and stabler images throughout a long time period. |
| US07687213B2 |
Custom color toner
The present invention provides a custom color toner having a first particle size. Colored particles are attached to the surface of the base toner in an amount sufficient to provide a predetermined color to the base toner. The colored particles have a second particle size less than the first particle size. |
| US07687208B2 |
Positive photosensitive resin composition
A positive photosensitive resin composition excellent in sensitivity and resolution, characterized by comprising 100 parts by mass of (A) a hydroxypolyamide comprising repeating units represented by the general formula (1), 1 to 50 parts by mass of (B) a photoacid generator, 5 to 20 parts by mass of (C) a carboxylic acid compound having 6 to 18 carbon atoms as represented by the general formula (2), and 0.01 to 70 parts by mass of (D) an alcohol having 4 to 14 carbon atoms as represented by the general formula (3). |
| US07687206B2 |
Mask pattern and method for forming the same
The invention provides a mask pattern. The mask pattern comprises at least a continuous pattern. Each of the continuous patterns has a first pattern, a second pattern and a set of assistance patterns. The assistant patterns are located between the first pattern to the second pattern. The first pattern, the assistant patterns and the second pattern together form a closed opening. |
| US07687203B2 |
Positive active material for rechargeable lithium battery, method of preparing the same, and rechargeable lithium battery including the same
The positive active material according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a composite metal oxide of the following Formula 1, and a compound being capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium having the composite metal oxide coated on the surface thereof. M1-xAlO2 [Chemical Formula 1] Wherein, in the above Formula 1, M is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, and combinations thereof, and 0.03≦x≦0.95. The composite metal oxide increases impregnation of an electrolyte, improves lithium mobility, and decreases internal resistance of a rechargeable lithium battery, and thereby improves discharge capacity and cycle-life characteristics. |
| US07687202B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode having a positive electrode material mixture containing a composite lithium oxide; a negative electrode; a polyolefin separator; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a heat-resistant insulating layer interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive electrode active material mixture has an estimated heat generation rate at 200° C. of not greater than 50 W/kg. The estimated heat generation rate is determined by obtaining a relation between absolute temperature T and heat generation rate V of the positive electrode material mixture using an accelerating rate calorimeter; plotting a relation between the inverse of absolute temperature T and the logarithm of heat generation rate V according to the Arrhenius law; obtaining a straight line fitted to the plotted points in a heat generation temperature range of T<200° C.; and extrapolating the straight line to the temperature of 200° C. |
| US07687201B2 |
Lithium secondary battery containing silicon-based or tin-based anode active material
A lithium secondary battery includes an anode mix including a silicon- or tin-based material as an anode active material, a thermosetting agent, and a curing agent and a curing accelerator as a binder. The anode mix is prepared within a short period of time via a simplified manufacturing process by applying the anode mix to a current collector and heating to cure the applied anode mix at a temperature of less than 200° C. |
| US07687200B2 |
Sealed penetration for lithium battery, its method of fabrication and its use in a lithium battery and lithium battery using same
This glass-metal penetration is made from glass, a metal pin and a body. The glass is of the TA23 type and the pin is made using solid platinum/iridium (90/10). |
| US07687198B2 |
Electrochemical energy storage device
Apparatus and methodology subject matters relate to an improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device. Also, an outer casing may be provided as a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece, or a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electrochemical cell stack. The energy storage device and such casing when used advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing. |
| US07687195B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and producing method thereof
The present invention provides for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and a producing method therefor, in which a grooved portion provided in an upper portion of the outer casing of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery protrudes toward the inner portion of the outer casing, a group of electrodes being housed in the outer casing, a positive electrode and a negative electrode being wound in a spiral manner while facing each other through a separator in the group of electrodes, and a sealing member is placed on the upper portion of the grooved portion through insulated packing to seal the opening of the outer casing in an airtight manner, and whereby a circular insulating plate 10 provided with an arced opening 12 and cut portions 13 and 14 is arranged between the upper portion of the group of electrodes and the lower surface of the grooved portion, the cut portions 13 and 14 extending from end portions 12a and 12b of the opening 12, and the inner peripheral side of the cut portions 13 and 14 of the circular insulating plate is raised from the outer peripheral side of the cut portions 13 and 14. Such insulating plate does not adversely affect the injection property of the electrolytic solution used in producing the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery as to provide it with excellent battery performance and excellent productivity. |
| US07687191B2 |
Set of electrode plates for rolled electrochemical component and a cell comprising such electrode plates
The present invention provides a set of electrode plates for rolled electrochemical component and a cell comprising it. The set of electrode plates comprises a stripe-shaped first electrode plate, a stripe-shaped second electrode plate and a stripe-shaped separator, said separator being positioned between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, and these three being revolved into a roll in the length direction, wherein said first electrode plate comprising a stripe-shaped first collector and the active material coated on the surface of said first collector, said second electrode plate comprising a stripe-shaped second collector and the active material coated on the surface of said second collector, a first exposed portion with a predetermined width on which the active material are not coated being formed on at least one of two terminals in a width direction of the first electrode plate to constitute a first collecting section, a second exposed portion with a predetermined width on which the active material are not coated being formed on at least one of two terminals in a width direction of the second electrode plate to constitute a second collecting section, a structure for preventing sharp crippling is formed on at least one of said first collecting section and said second collecting section in at least the innermost periphery of the set of electrode plates. Hence, a high quality component having reliable and stable electrical connection between the collecting section and the collecting plate thereof and prevented from inner short-circuit in the set of roll-shaped electrode plates can be obtained. |
| US07687189B2 |
Housing for a sealed electrochemical battery cell
An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. |
| US07687187B2 |
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell consists of plural units, and the unit has an anode side separator, an anode diffusion layer, an anode catalytic layer, polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode catalytic layer, a cathode diffusion layer, and a cathode side separator. The cathode catalytic layer further includes a catalyst in which platinum or platinum alloy is supported on a carbon supporting body having an average lattice space d002 of [002] surface of 0.338 to 0.355 nm and specific surface area of the supporting body of 80 to 250 m2/g, electrolyte containing ion exchange resin, and vapor grown carbon fiber. Furthermore, a water holding layer containing ion exchange resin, carbon particles, and vapor grown carbon fiber is arranged at an interface of the cathode diffusion layer and the cathode catalytic layer. |
| US07687186B2 |
Enzyme electrode, and sensor and biofuel cell using the same
The present invention relates to an enzyme electrode for transporting electric charge formed by an oxidation-reduction reaction in an enzyme to a conductive member at a high speed. Specifically, the enzyme electrode has a π-conjugated metal complex molecule immobilized on the conductive member and the enzyme immobilized on the conductive member through the π-conjugated metal complex molecule. |
| US07687181B2 |
Channel-based electrochemical cassettes
The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more bipolar plates which have one or two reactant or coolant flow fields consisting of at least one groove in opposing surfaces of the bipolar plate. In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides cassettes and stacks which are suitable for use in fuel cell applications. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention include design improvements which enhance the performance and reliability of certain components of the fuel cell stack. |
| US07687180B2 |
Overmolded support plate for fuel cell
A fuel cell component is provided including a support plate, a membrane electrode assembly, and a resilient member. The support plate defines a bore extending between a first surface and a second surface. The membrane electrode assembly engages the second surface of the support plate. The resilient member defines a leg and a bead. The leg is disposed within the bore and adheres to the membrane electrode assembly. The bead engages the first surface of the support plate to maintain the membrane electrode assembly in engagement with the second surface of the support plate. |
| US07687174B2 |
Optical fuel cell stack cell voltage monitor
A voltage monitoring system for measuring the voltage of the fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that employs optical devices for providing an optical signal of the measured voltages, where one or more of the fuel cells power the optical devices. A surface mount device is electrically coupled to opposing plates in the stack, or opposing plates over a plurality of cells in the stack. The surface mount device includes a bonded contact and a spring contact to provide the electrical connection. A detector is positioned remote from the stack that receives the optical signals and converts them back to electrical signals indicative of the voltage. |
| US07687166B2 |
Process for generation of electricity from a solid oxide fuel cell auxiliary power unit using engine exhaust gas
The invention provides an auxiliary power unit (APU) and process for electricity generation in combination with an internal combustion engine in which the APU includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having an inlet for fuel, an inlet for air and/or engine exhaust gas, and an outlet for off-gas; anda catalytic partial oxidation reformer (CPOx) having an outlet which is connected to the inlet for fuel of the SOFC and an inlet for reactants, wherein the inlet for reactants is connected to an outlet for engine exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine through an evaporator having an inlet for fuel and an inlet for engine exhaust gas and an outlet which is connected to the inlet of the CPOx. |
| US07687165B2 |
Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell assembly, fuel cell stack, and method of operating cell assembly
A cell assembly is formed by stacking a first unit cell and a second unit cell to each other. The first unit cell includes a first unified body, and the second unit cell includes a second unified body. In the cell assembly, the first and second unit cells have structures different from each other. |
| US07687159B2 |
Magnetic recording medium and method for manufacturing same
A magnetic recording medium (10) includes a nonmagnetic substrate (1), an anti-ferromagnetic layer (2) arranged on the nonmagnetic substrate, and a magnetic recording layer (3) formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer. The magnetic recording layer comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes (31) extending perpendicularly from the anti-ferromagnetic layer and a plurality of magnetic nano-particles (32) contained inside the carbon nanotubes. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, according to one preferred embodiment, includes providing a nonmagnetic substrate; arranging an anti-ferromagnetic layer on the nonmagnetic substrate; forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending perpendicularly from the anti-ferromagnetic layer; and forming a plurality of magnetic nano-particles contained in the carbon nanotubes. The present magnetic recording medium can decrease noise, improve bit storage density, and has excellent thermal stability. |
| US07687148B2 |
Coated glass
Dual coated glass sheets comprise a photocatalytically active self cleaning coating on one surface and heat reflecting coating on the second surface selected so that its single surface reflectivity is either at least three times or less than one third that of the self cleaning coating. The selection of the heat reflecting coating provides a sheet having an improved appearance. Such dual coated sheets combine self cleaning properties with solar control or low emissivity properties and are useful as building glasses. |
| US07687147B2 |
Composite article providing blast mitigation and method for manufacturing same
A composite article and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polyurethane-polyurea layer is disposed on a substrate. The polyurethane-polyurea layer includes a reaction product of an isocyanate component having from about 10% to about 90% of a toluene diisocyanate, by weight of the isocyanate component, and an isocyanate-reactive component having amine-terminated and/or hydroxyl-terminated compounds. The polyurethane-polyurea layer provides blast and fragment protection from explosive devices as well as ballistic mitigation. |
| US07687144B2 |
Medical device with adherent coating, and method for preparing same
A medical device such as a wire guide has a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating adhered to an etched, carbonaceous polymeric surface, for example a sodium-etched polymer surface. A method for preparing a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating on a medical device includes etching a polymeric portion of the device to create a carbonaceous surface and applying a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating on the etched surface. |
| US07687143B2 |
Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues, and wherein said poly(ethylene) terephthalate has an inherent viscosity of less than 0.55 dL/g. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. |
| US07687140B2 |
Fibrous structures
Fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 360 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and optionally, a Total Dry Tensile of less than 2450 g/76.2 mm and/or a Machine Direction (MD) Dry Tensile of less than 1520 g/76.2 mm and/or a Geometric Mean GM) Total Dry Tensile of less than 1180 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method are provided. |
| US07687139B2 |
Flame laminable hydrophilic ester polyurethane foams
A hydrophilic ester polyurethane foam is flame laminated to a substrate using a thin sacrificial layer, preferably a sacrificial foam layer. The sacrificial layer in the resulting laminate structure has a thickness of 1.5 mm or less, and preferably is substantially burnt away. The resulting laminate exhibits good bond strength along its length and width without loss of liquid wicking and absorptive properties. |
| US07687135B2 |
Label for covering gas exchange openings
The top label is equipped with an inscription in the form of a barcode and a model number. A recess, which continues in two channels also implemented in the bottom label, is provided in the bottom label where the gas exchange opening is located when the label is used as intended. The top label covers the channel system. The channels discharge into the surroundings at the label edge, so that two gas passage openings are defined by the intersection region between label contour and the contours of the channel system. Liquid may drain out of the channel system in many different spatial orientations of the housing which the label is stuck onto as intended. A gas permeable membrane may advantageously be positioned in the region of the recess and extending somewhat over it. The membrane may also extend over the entire bottom of the label. If the membrane is implemented as self-adhesive on the bottom, it must then be largely free of adhesive in the region of the gas exchange opening in order to ensure its gas permeability. |
| US07687132B1 |
Ceramic microtruss
An ordered ceramic microstructure and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the ceramic microstructure includes a base structure and one or more ceramic layers. The base structure includes a plurality of first truss elements defined by a plurality of first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, a plurality of second truss elements defined by a plurality of second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and a plurality of third truss elements defined by a plurality of third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. Here, the first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material, and the base structure is self-supporting. In addition, the ceramic layers coat a surface of at least one truss element of the first truss elements, the second truss elements, or the third truss elements. |
| US07687130B2 |
Metal alloys for the reflective or the semi-reflective layer of an optical storage medium
A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include zinc, lithium, germanium, indium, tin, aluminum, and silicon. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment. |
| US07687126B2 |
Adhesive articles and release liners
The present application is directed to adhesive articles and release liners. Namely, the present application is directed to an article comprising an adhesive layer with a structured surface. The structured surface comprises a first groove and a second groove recessed into the adhesive layer from a reference plane defined by the adhesive surface on either rim of the groove. In some embodiments, the second groove is contained within the first groove, and in other embodiments the grooves are separate. The first groove and the second groove have walls. The wall angle of the first groove with respect to the reference plane is non-zero and is smaller than the wall angle of the second groove with respect to the reference plane. The application is also directed to release liners for the adhesive article, wherein the surface of the release liner is the inverse of the adhesive surface. |
| US07687123B2 |
Shrink film containing semi-crystalline polyamide and process for making same
A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film contains at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 6/66, and polyamide 6/12. The film may have a total semi-crystalline polyamide content of at least 35 volume percent, based on total film volume, and a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 35 percent. The film may have an FTIR Transmission Absorbance A1199/A1170 ratio of up to 1.65. The film may be a retortable film, capable of being used in a process for preparing a retorted packaged product. A process for making a heat-shrinkable annular film containing the semi-crystalline polyamide comprises extruding an annular extrudate downward from an annular die, quenching the annular extrudate by applying a quenching liquid to the annular extrudate, reheating the extrudate to an orientation temperature, and orienting the reheated annular extrudate while the reheated annular extrudate is in the solid state, the orientation being carried out with a total orientation factor of at least 2, to produce a film having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent. |
| US07687121B2 |
Insulated glass unit with sealant composition having reduced permeability to gas
The invention relates to a high thermal efficiency, insulated glass unit structure sealed with a cured composition containing, inter alia, diorganopolysiloxane(s) and inorganic-organic nanocomposite(s), the cured composition exhibiting low permeability to gas(es). |
| US07687119B2 |
Radiation-curable desiccant-filled adhesive/sealant
A radiation-curable desiccant-filled adhesive/sealant composition comprising a radiation-curable resin, one or more desiccant fillers, one or more photoinitiators or photosensitizers, and optionally, one or more inorganic or organic fillers. |
| US07687118B2 |
Photocrosslinkable materials
A diamine compound is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound. The compound is represented by one of the general formulae (Ia) and (Ib). It could be shown that such structures, in particular for a specific choice of the residue B, provide, if e.g. used as orientation layers, a photostable, vertically aligning material with an improved VHR. |
| US07687115B2 |
Method for making nanostructured surfaces
A method of making nanostructured surfaces by (a) making an aqueous mixture comprising (i) a discontinuous phase comprising a water-soluble polymer, (ii) a continuous phase comprising a chromonic material, and (iii) a non-ionic surfactant; (b) applying said mixture onto the surface of a substrate; and (c) allowing said mixture to dry. |
| US07687109B2 |
Apparatus and method for making carbon nanotube array
An apparatus for making an array of carbon nanotubes includes a reaction chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a quartz boat disposed in the reaction chamber; a substrate with a surface deposited with a film of first catalyst, the substrate being disposed in the quartz boat; and a second catalyst disposed in the quartz beside the substrate. A method for making an array of carbon nanotubes, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate with a surface deposited with a film of first catalyst; (b) disposing a second catalyst beside the substrate to produce small amounts of hydrogen gas which flows to the first catalyst; (c) introducing a carrier gas and a carbon source gas flowing from the second catalyst to the first catalyst at a predetermined temperature; and (d) growing an array of carbon nanotubes extending from the substrate. |
| US07687106B2 |
Algae resistant roofing granules with controlled algaecide leaching rates, algae resistant shingles, and process for producing same
Algae-resistant roofing granules are formed by coating mineral particles with a clay-silicate binder including a metal oxide algaecide and small organic particles. When the particles are heated to cure the binder, the organic particles pyrolyse to form pores in the coating. Release of the algaecide is controlled by the structure of the granules. |
| US07687104B2 |
Method of applying asphalt waterproofing membrane material for buildings and bridge decks
Disclosed herein are a method of applying an asphalt waterproofing membrane material for buildings and bridge decks using sawdust. More specifically, disclosed is a method for applying a waterproofing membrane composition having excellent waterproofing ability using sawdust, such that the composition is not broken down by external force and can function as a waterproofing material. |
| US07687102B2 |
Methods and apparatus for producing carbon cathodes
The present invention provides improved cathodes and industrialized methods for producing such cathodes using an industrial dosing valve-based electrode coating fluid emitting technique. The family of cathodes according to the present invention can be produced so that they inhabit a pre-existing metallic surface such as an inner surface of a titanium casing adjacent but insulated from direct electrical communication from an anode. Foil-type valve metal anodes as well as porous valve metal anodes formed from metallic powders may be used in conjunction with the cathodes of the present invention. |
| US07687099B2 |
Spray coating
A spray coating apparatus comprises a spray gun (12) operable to deposit a sprayed coating via a spray nozzle (18) onto a surface, a mapping means (22) associated with the spray gun (12) operable to ascertain and store topographical characteristics of the surface, a position sensor (28) operable to ascertain the position of the spray gun (12) relative to the surface, a coating thickness monitor (26) operable to ascertain the thickness of a coating applied to the surface, and a nozzle control means (24) operable to control the deposition of the sprayed coating, wherein the nozzle control means (24), in use, control the deposition of the sprayed coating in response to information provided by the position sensor (28), the coating thickness monitor (26) and the mapping means (22). |
| US07687097B2 |
IOL insertion apparatus and methods for making and using same
Apparatus, and methods of making and using apparatus, for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) are disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an intraocular lens may be passed from the open space into an eye. A lubricity enhancing component is covalently bonded to the hollow tube at the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the intraocular lens through the hollow space. The lubricity enhancing component includes a substituent component effective to reduce hydrolysis of said lubricity enhancing component relative to an identical lubricity enhancing component without the substituent component. |
| US07687095B2 |
High moisture, low fat cream cheese with maintained product quality and method for making same
The present invention relates to methods for providing a high moisture low fat cream cheese product with high whey protein content that has a texture similar to normal cream cheese. More particularly, the invention provides a method of making a high moisture low fat cream cheese product with high whey protein content that has a higher yield stress and lower deformation values than other low fat cream cheeses with similar moisture, fat, and whey protein content. The present invention therefore is useful in producing low-cost and nutritious spreads with a pleasing texture and excellent spreadability. |
| US07687091B2 |
Bacterial hydrolystate
A method for producing a feedstuff or feedstuff component, e.g. a palatability-enhancing agent, said method comprising subjecting a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium to enzymatic hydrolysis. |
| US07687090B2 |
Fuel cell device assembly and frame
An exemplary fuel cell device assembly includes: (i) an electrolyte sheet; (ii) a plurality of cathodes disposed on one side of the electrolyte sheet; (iii) a plurality of anodes disposed on another side of the electrolyte sheet; and (iv) a frame supporting the electrolyte sheet, the frame having a plurality of channels. Preferably the cross-sectional area of the frame has channel density of at least 20/in2 and channel wall thickness of 50 mils or less. |
| US07687088B2 |
Protein isolation procedures for reducing phytic acid
Oil seed protein isolates, in particular canola protein isolate, having a decreased phytic acid content is prepared by a procedure in which extraction of phytic acid from oil seed meal is inhibited during extraction of protein from the oil seed meal. |
| US07687084B2 |
Cool-pet system
Included is an invention that deals with animal and pet nuisance, behavior control, obedience training, urinary and potty training, and repellent/discouragement method where a solution having vinegar and flavors being dispensed from a spray bottle is found to be effective in stopping or discouraging dogs, birds or animals from being noisy, being hyperactive, and behaving badly. The solution is also useful for obedience training purposes and can also be applied as a repellent/discouragement method when sprayed onto desired spots or onto the animal. |
| US07687080B2 |
Treatment of neuropathy
Methods and compositions for the topical or transdermal treatment of neuropathy. More particularly, transdermal or topical compositions including a combination of ingredients that provide a surprising degree of effective relief from the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and methods for administering the compositions to treat various neuropathies. |
| US07687079B2 |
Methods of treating ileus
The present invention relates to a method of treating ileus in a patient, which includes administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes carbon monoxide to the patient. |
| US07687075B2 |
Colonic purgative composition with soluble binding agent
This invention relates to novel colonic purgative compositions in a solid dosage form, comprising at least one purgative and at least one soluble, or soluble, nonfermentable binder, such as polyethylene glycol. Further, this invention relates to methods of using the colonic purgative compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time improving the quality of bowel cleansing. The formulations and methods of this invention are particularly useful to cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic and surgical procedures and can also be employed in lower dosages as a laxative to promote elimination and/or to relieve constipation. |
| US07687073B2 |
Preparation of powder agglomerates
The invention relates to a method of producing an agglomerate of drug and solid binder. The process involves producing individual agglomerate particles and then converting the convertible amorphous content of same, following agglomeration, by the application of, for example, moisture. Agglomerates capable of conversion as well as the finished agglomerates and oral and nasal dosing systems including same are also contemplated. The process produces agglomerates which are rugged but which will produce an acceptable fine particle fraction during dosing. |
| US07687072B2 |
Biocidal particles of methylated polystyrene
Methylated polystyrene having pendant N-halamine and N-halamine precursor groups. Biocidal particles have been prepared by reacting highly crosslinked methylated polystyrene beads as starting materials with various N-halamine precursor compounds. The resulting polymer beads are halogenated with chlorine or bromine. The porous beads will be useful in disinfection applications, as well as for sanitization and controlling noxious odor when mixed with absorbent materials in items such as disposable diapers, infant swimwear, incontinence pads, bandages, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, mattress covers, shoe inserts, sponges, animal litter, carpets, and fabrics. |
| US07687071B1 |
Nanoparticulate core shell systems and the use thereof in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation
Nanoparticulate preparations of pharmaceutical and cosmetic active substances with a core-shell structure, whereby the active substance is present in an X-ray amorphous form, together with a polymer matrix and the shell consists of a stabilizing sheathing matrix. |
| US07687069B2 |
Time release patch containing phage associated lytic enzymes for treating bacterial infections of the skin
A composition for treatment of bacterial infections of the eye is disclosed which comprises a lytic enzyme composition specific for the infecting bacteria, and a carrier for delivering said lytic enzyme. The carrier for delivering at least one lytic enzyme to the eye may be but is not limited to the use of an isotonic solution. |
| US07687068B2 |
Particulate vitamin composition
A particulate composition comprising (a) an oil of a vitamin, an oil containing one or more vitamins or a derivative, (b) a gelling agent of vegetable origin having a glass transition point greater than 20° C., and (c) a protein, except gelatine. |
| US07687062B2 |
Method for diagnosing colon cancer
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing colon cancer by detecting a colon cancer specific antigen, defensin α6 from the blood of patient and a diagnostic kit for colon cancer comprising anti-defensin α6 antibody. The diagnostic kit for colon cancer of present invention comprises: a solid support such as 96-well plate for ELISA, nitrocellulose membrane, polyvinylidene fluoride membrane, microplate, glass substrate, polystyrene substrate, silicone substrate or metal plate, on which anti-defensin α6 antibody is immobilized; and, a means for detecting colon cancer specific antigen such as a primary antibody which specifically binds with an antigen conjugated with an antibody on a solid substrate and a secondary antibody-signal complex which specifically binds with the primary antibody. The diagnostic kit of the invention can diagnose colon cancer with the minute amount of patients' blood, which makes possible the easy and simple diagnosis of colon cancer. |
| US07687051B2 |
Platinum and rhodium and/or iron containing catalyst formulations for hydrogen generation
A method and catalysts for producing a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas contacts a water gas shift (WGS) catalyst, in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof, b) at least one of Fe and Rh, their oxides and mixtures thereof, and c) at least one member selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, Re, Co, Ni, Pd, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof. The WGS catalyst may be supported on a carrier, such as any one member or a combination of alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, magnesia, lanthania, niobia, yttria and iron oxide. Fuel processors containing such water gas shift catalysts are also disclosed. |
| US07687046B2 |
Method of producing phosphoric acid salt
A method of preparing a phosphoric acid salt which includes at least one attack on phosphate ore by an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, with the formation of an attack liquor, a first separation, in the attack liquor, between an insoluble solid phase and an aqueous phase, a neutralization of the separated aqueous phase by the addition of a calcium compound in order to form, with phosphate ions contained in this aqueous phase, a calcium phosphate insoluble in water, which precipitates, and a second separation, in the neutralized aqueous phase, between a liquid phase and a precipitated solid phase based on the calcium phosphate insoluble in water, wherein the attack on the phosphate ore includes dissolving the phosphate in the ore, the attack liquor containing this phosphate in the form of phosphate ions, and the solid phase separated from the attack liquor contains impurities and the aqueous phase separated from the attack liquor contains the phosphate ions thereof, chloride ions and calcium ions, this aqueous phase being subjected to the neutralization and second-separation steps. |
| US07687045B2 |
Article processing apparatus and related method
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles, and more specifically to a system and method of efficiently disinfecting and/or decontaminating articles such as pieces of mail that may have been exposed to diverse biological and/or chemical contaminants. |
| US07687042B2 |
Reformer of fuel cell system
A reformer of a fuel cell system includes a heat source unit for generating heat, a reforming reaction unit for generating a reforming gas containing hydrogen from a fuel through a fuel reforming reaction using the heat, a carbon monoxide reducing unit connected to a reforming reaction unit to reduce a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reforming gas, and a thermal treatment unit disposed outside the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit to adjust the thermal energy supplied to the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit. |
| US07687041B2 |
Apparatus and methods for urea production
Apparatus and methods for producing urea are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for producing urea can include a first zone, which can include a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first tube disposed about a first end of a plurality of trays, a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second tube disposed about the first end of the trays and a second end of the trays, and a third flow channel in fluid communication with a third tube disposed about the first and second ends of the trays. The apparatus can include a second zone, which can include a fixed bed comprising one or more inert packing materials disposed therein to provide additional surface area. The apparatus can include a third zone, which can include a plurality of tubes disposed therein. The second zone can be disposed between the first and third zones. |
| US07687036B2 |
Ion diffusing
It is an object of the invention to provide an ion diffusing apparatus having higher ability by suppressing the disturbance or turbulent flow generated in the vicinity of an ion generating apparatus and by enhancing the ion generating efficiency and the ion transfer efficiency. To achieve this object, the ion diffusing apparatus includes an ion generating apparatus which generates ions from an electrical discharging surface, a wind-blowing path which transmits the ions generated from the ion generating apparatus, and a blowout opening which is formed in an end of the wind-blowing path and which discharges the ions, and the wind-blowing path upstream from the ion generating apparatus is provided with a rectifier which rectifies flow of ions. |
| US07687035B2 |
Reaction apparatus
A reaction apparatus includes: a chemical reaction unit for causing a reaction of a reactant by being set to a predetermined temperature and by being supplied with the reactant, a heat insulation package for housing the chemical reaction unit therein, an abnormality detector for detecting at least one of a temperature abnormality of the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package, and a cooling unit for flowing a cooling fluid to the chemical reaction unit to stop the reaction according to a detection result by the abnormality detector. In the reaction apparatus, the leakage of heat inside the reaction apparatus to outside is prevented when abnormality occurs to the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package. |
| US07687034B2 |
Valve sealing system for a reagent package
The valve sealing system for a reagent package includes an annular cylindrical gasket seated in a channel formed in the package. A rocker valve on the package pivots relative to the annular cylindrical gasket which surrounds an opening to the chamber of the reagent package. The annular channel includes a radially inner peripheral channel sidewall, a radially outer peripheral channel sidewall, and a bottom portion. An inclined peripheral wall portion of the channel intersects one of the channel sidewalls at an obtuse angle and the bottom portion of the channel. When the rocker valve is in a valve closed position it engages the annular cylindrical gasket to provide a substantially leak-tight seal. |
| US07687032B2 |
Filter assembly for molecular testing
A cytological material sample collection device comprises a cylinder having a longitudinal bore extending there through. The sample collection device further comprises a filter membrane configured for collecting a layer of cytological material when the bore is subjected to negative pressure. The sample collection device further comprises a drip guard disposed on the cylinder proximal to the membrane. The drip guard may include at least one access port in fluid communication with the bore. The sample collection device may further comprise a chuck that selectively mates with the cylinder, so that, after usage of the sample collection device, the cylinder can be discarded, while the chuck can be reused with subsequent cylinders. |
| US07687031B2 |
Microchip
A microchip is provided, the microchip comprises a block constituting a reaction system, wherein said reaction system includes: a reaction region including biomolecules immobilized therein in form of a spot(s) or a strip(s); a supply flow channel connected to the reaction region for supplying a sample solution; and a recovery flow channel connected to the reaction region for recovering the sample solution which passes through at least a part of the reaction region. Thereby bonds or bindings between the biomolecules or biomacromolecules and the samples can be detected on the microchip using the slight quantity of both the sample and the biomolecules. |
| US07687026B2 |
Apparatus and methods for controlling sonic treatment
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for treating a sample by selectively controlling sonic energy and/or selectively controlling the location of the sample relative to the sonic energy. |
| US07687022B2 |
Method for manufacturing a synchronizing ring
To manufacture a synchronizing ring of a synchronizing device for a variable-ratio gear transmission, this synchronizing ring having a ring body having locking teeth on an outer circumference and a friction lining made of a carbon nonwoven material bonded to a duroplastic resin on the conical inner circumference, the ring body is compressed from a sintering powder and sintered before the sintered ring body is axially compressed in a die at least in the region of the conical inner circumference. The friction lining is then glued onto the conical inner circumference of the ring body and secured in a mold under pressure while supplying heat. |
| US07687021B2 |
Method of fabricating a casing for turbine stator
The invention provides a method of fabricating a turbine stator casing, the method comprising the operations consisting in: between the walls of portions of a mold, forming a cavity of shape corresponding to the shape of the shroud of said casing, securing soluble cores to at least one of said mold portions, said cores being held at a distance from the wall of said mold portion and representing empty spaces that are to be formed inside said shroud; putting soluble inserts into place between the cores to represent flow paths between said empty spaces; filling said cavity with a metal alloy powder; sintering said powder by hot isostatic pressing; eliminating the cores and the inserts by dissolving them; and extracting the shroud as molded in this way. The invention is applicable to fabricating a turbine stator casing for an airplane turbojet. |
| US07687019B2 |
Refining apparatus for scrap silicon using an electron beam
A refining apparatus for scrap silicon using an electron beam which is suitable for recycling of scrap silicon which is formed during the manufacture of silicon products such as silicon wafers includes a vacuum chamber, a crucible installed within the vacuum chamber, a hearth which is installed next to the crucible within the vacuum chamber and which receives granular scrap silicon and which melts granular silicon by irradiation with an electron beam and which supplies molten silicon to the crucible, and a raw material supply apparatus which is installed within the vacuum chamber and which stores a prescribed amount of granular scrap silicon and supplies the stored granular scrap silicon via a chute. |
| US07687018B2 |
Means for conveying material
Means for conveying hot granular material from a loading zone to an arc melting furnace (3), comprising a horizontal trough (1), trough vibration generators that cause the granular material to move along the trough, a sluice gate (4) to regulate the material flow in the discharge zone and a sluice gate to regulate the material flow in correspondence with the loading zone. Separating baffles (5) are arranged inside the conveyor trough defining cells in which the granular material accumulates and considerably improving the effectiveness of the action of the gases that are forced through the granular bed, for instance to prevent oxidation of the hot DRI or to perform an additional reduction process. |
| US07687016B1 |
Methods for producing silicon carbide architectural preforms
Methods are disclosed for producing architectural preforms and high-temperature composite structures containing high-strength ceramic fibers with reduced preforming stresses within each fiber, with an in-situ grown coating on each fiber surface, with reduced boron within the bulk of each fiber, and with improved tensile creep and rupture resistance properties for each fiber. The methods include the steps of preparing an original sample of a preform formed from a pre-selected high-strength silicon carbide ceramic fiber type, placing the original sample in a processing furnace under a pre-selected preforming stress state and thermally treating the sample in the processing furnace at a pre-selected processing temperature and hold time in a processing gas having a pre-selected composition, pressure, and flow rate. For the high-temperature composite structures, the method includes additional steps of depositing a thin interphase coating on the surface of each fiber and forming a ceramic or carbon-based matrix within the sample. |
| US07687015B2 |
Method for producing laminated dielectric
A method for producing a laminated dielectric, which comprises laminating a raw material layer containing a high dielectric constant glass ceramic composition comprising from 30 to 70 mass % of a Ba—Ti compound powder having a Ti/Ba molar ratio of from 3.0 to 5.7 and from 30 to 70 mass % of an alkali free glass powder containing, by mol %, from 15 to 40% of SiO2, from 5 to 37% of B2O3, from 2 to 15% of Al2O3, from 1 to 25% of CaO+SrO, from 5 to 25% of BaO and from 25 to 50% of SiO2+Al2O3, and a raw material layer containing a low dielectric constant glass ceramic composition comprising from 10 to 70 mass % of a ceramic powder and from 30 to 90 mass % of an alkali free glass powder wherein SiO2+Al2O3 is at least 34 mol % and larger by at least 9 mol % than that in the above alkali free glass powder, followed by firing. |
| US07687011B2 |
Device and method for controlling the temperature of preforms
A device and a method used to temper preforms in the manufacture of bottles, in which a tempering device is provided to selectively and directly temper the preforms, and is inserted into preforms. The method provides that the preforms are directly tempered from the inside. |
| US07687009B2 |
Fiber and process for producing three-dimensional, self interlacing composites by mechanical polymerization with ultrasonic manipulation
A fiber includes a base having a surface to be impacted by a fluid wave for propelling the fiber forward and a body having a trailing end connected to the base, a leading free end, and a spiral shape causing the fluid wave to rotate the fiber. A locking system causes the fiber to engage and hold at least one other fiber being propelled and rotated by the fluid wave. A process for producing three-dimensional, self-interlacing composites by mechanical polymerization with ultrasonic manipulation, includes placing the fibers and a mixing fluid in a form or mold. The fluid is subjected to ultrasonic manipulation in a mixing step, causing the fibers to be propelled, rotated and three-dimensionally engaged and held to one another. |
| US07687005B2 |
Masonry unit manufacturing method
A method for forming a masonry unit that includes joining a pallet to a bottom surface of a mold, inserting a filler plug into the side of the mold between a partition plate and a pallet, dispensing mix into the mold, and compressing the mix with a shoe to form a masonry unit with a filler plug effect. |
| US07687004B2 |
Process of making a closure adapted to be used with a container
A process is disclosed for making a closure having (i) a top portion, and (ii) a latch member that includes an actuator portion and a follower portion, the follower portion including a blocking structure. The process includes providing a mold assembly that defines a space therein which corresponds to the closure, the mold assembly including (i) a first mold portion that defines a first subspace which corresponds to the actuator portion, and (ii) a second mold portion that defines a second subspace which corresponds to the blocking structure. The process further includes advancing a material into the space so as to form the closure. The process also includes moving the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion after the advancing step so as to remove the actuator portion from the first subspace. In addition, the process includes urging an internal wall of the first mold portion into contact with the actuator portion in response to movement of the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion so as to cause the actuator portion to move in relation to the top portion. Additionally, the process includes moving the follower portion in relation to the second mold portion in response the urging step so as to cause the blocking structure to move away from of the second subspace. |
| US07687003B2 |
Method of forming plastic part having hidden thin walled section
An method of forming a thin walled section in an injection molded plastic part includes providing a mold having a first mold half, a second mold half, and a slide, wherein the first and second mold halves, and the slide define a mold cavity when assembled. The slide includes portions that define a thin walled section of the plastic part and is movable between a retracted position wherein the slide is partially retracted from the mold cavity and an engaged position wherein the slide is in position to define the final shape of the plastic part; injecting molten plastic into the mold cavity with the slide in the retracted position; moving the slide to the engaged position; allowing the molten plastic to cool; opening the mold halves and removing the plastic part. |
| US07687001B2 |
Method of manufacturing speaker edge member
It is an object of the present invention to improve a speaker edge member manufacturing method in which a substrate is introduced into an edge member molding material by virtue of insertion molding, to prevent a trouble such as a crack on a parting line or the like, thus shortening a manufacturing time and thus reducing a manufacturing cost. The method comprises the steps of: attaching the substrate into the edge member molding die; introducing the edge member formation material into the edge member molding die before or after attaching the substrate into the edge member molding die; heating/pressurizing the substrate and the edge member formation material in the edge member molding die so as to obtain a molded edge member. At this time, the outer edge portion of the substrate is located in a position separated a predetermined distance from the dividing line of the die. |
| US07686998B2 |
Thermoplastic composition, method of manufacture thereof, and articles derived therefrom
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a combination of 10 to 80 wt. % of a polyester and 10 to 90 wt. % of at least one two polyester-polycarbonate copolymers comprising, based on the total weight of the copolymer, 10 to 95 wt. % of arylate ester units, and 5 to 85 wt. % of aromatic carbonate units. Also disclosed is a method of forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom, for example transparent covers. |
| US07686996B2 |
Methods for flame-perforating films
An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner. |
| US07686992B2 |
Interior member for cab of work vehicle and method for forming same, as well as wall member
An object is to enhance the sound absorbing functions of an interior member, and furthermore, to increase ease of assembly of the interior member, and the interior member for the cab is integrally formed so as to have a laminated structure where a sound absorbing material is contained between an outer layer material and a foundation body panel, or inside a foundation body panel. In addition, such an interior member is formed in accordance with a reaction injection molding method. |
| US07686990B2 |
Method of producing a ceramic matrix composite article
A method of producing a CMC article having a net shape, and by which the article can be formed to have an exterior surface with desirable characteristics, such as being free of an imprint pattern of a fiber reinforcement material within the article. The method entails providing a body comprising the fiber reinforcement material, and depositing a coating on a surface of the body. The coating contains a carbonaceous binder and a slurry containing a ceramic particulate material. Following its deposition, the carbonaceous binder within the coating is cured to render the coating machinable, and the coating is then machined to approximately produce the net shape of the article. |
| US07686989B2 |
Method for manufacturing a dental restoration
A method for manufacturing a dental restoration, including: determining an external form and dimensions available for a completed restoration; obtaining an image of a natural tooth to be replaced with the restoration or a tooth corresponding therewith, wherein the image comprises at least the external surface visible in use of the to be replaced or corresponding tooth, with variations in the appearance therein; defining locally on and at least to visible depth below the surface of appearance-determining properties of at least one material to be applied for the restoration in accordance with the obtained image and the variations in the appearance therein; constructing the restoration, including the steps of: providing at least one material to be applied in non-cohesive form; and providing cohesion to the material in accordance with the available form and dimensions. |
| US07686988B2 |
Method of forming a die surface to produce an optical element
A method of forming a transferring surface onto a producing die to produce an optical element, wherein the transferring surface transfers an optical surface onto the produced optical element, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a material so as to form the transferring surface with a curvature; wherein the material has a hardness not smaller than Rockwell hardness HRA 80 or Vickers hardness Hv 1000 and the cutting step is conducted with a critical cutting-in depth of 5 μm or less for the material. |
| US07686982B2 |
Conductive filler
Disclosed is a conductive filler which can be fusion-bonded under lower temperature conditions (with the peak temperature of not less than 181° C.) than the reflow heat treatment conditions for an Sn-37Pb eutectic solder. This conductive filler is applicable to heat-resistant uses similar to those of the Sn-37Pb eutectic solder. The conductive filler is a mixture of first metal particles composed of an alloy having a chemical composition including 25-40% by mass of Ag, 2-8% by mass of Bi, 5-15% by mass of Cu, 2-8% by mass of In and 29-66% by mass of Sn, and second metal particles composed of an alloy having a chemical composition including 5-20% by mass of Ag, 10-20% by mass of Bi, 1-15% by mass of Cu and 50-80% by mass of Sn. In the mixture, 20-10,000 parts by mass of the second metal particles are contained per 100 parts by mass of the first metal particles. |
| US07686981B1 |
Dispersions of conductive carbon materials and methods for preparing the same
A method for preparing a dispersion of conductive carbon materials is provided. The method includes dissolving a sulfonated chitosan in an aqueous solution, wherein the amount of the sulfonated chitosan of the solution is about 0.1-3 wt %. Then, a conductive carbon material is added into the solution, and the conductive carbon material in the solution is dispersed across the solution. The conductive carbon material can be carbon black or carbon nanotube. |
| US07686979B2 |
Long afterglow luminescent material and its manufacturing method
A long afterglow luminescent material of the formula aMO.bM′ (SβSe1-β).cAl2O3.d B2O3.eP2O5: xEu.yLn, wherein M is/are selected from Sr, Ca, Ba, and Mg, and any combinations thereof; M′ is/are selected from Sr, Ca, and Ba, and any combinations thereof; Ln is/are selected from Nd, Dy, Ho, Tm, La, Ce, Er, Pr, Bi, and Sm, and any combinations thereof; a, b, c, d, e, x and y are mole ratios, wherein 0.5 |
| US07686978B2 |
Method for the application of active materials onto active surfaces and devices made with such methods
The invention provides methods for the application of active materials onto active surfaces useful in organic electronic devices. The methods of the invention include selecting a liquid composition including an active material and a suitable liquid medium whereby when the liquid composition is deposited on the desired active surface it has no greater than about a 40° contact angle; treating the active surface to raise its surface tension before the deposition of a liquid composition containing the desired active material is deposited thereon; and combination thereof. The invention also provides organic electronic devices having at least two active layers, wherein at least one active layer comprises an active material that was deposited using at least one practice of the method of the invention. |
| US07686977B2 |
Liquid crystal-containing composition, method of producing the same and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal-containing composition includes a cholesteric liquid crystal, a polymer, and concave and convex portions located at the interface between a region including the cholesteric liquid crystal and a region including the polymer. |
| US07686967B2 |
Temperature controlled microfabricated two-pin liquid sample dispensing system
A cooled liquid sample dispensing system comprises a pair of pins for holding a droplet of liquid therebetween and a cooling element. Each pin includes a tip spaced predetermined distance from the other pin to define a sample acquisition region. The pins acquire and hold a droplet of the liquid sample in the sample acquisition region formed in the space between the tips and apply the droplet to a selected sample handing system. The cooling element, when activated, cools the droplet of liquid to reduce evaporation. |
| US07686963B2 |
Magnesium thiosulfate as ozone quencher and scrubber
In one aspect, ozone is quenched from a water stream, such as a drinking water or wastewater stream being treated with ozone, by contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate. In another aspect, a method of scrubbing ozone from a gaseous stream comprises contacting the gaseous stream with magnesium thiosulfate. In an alternative embodiment, chlorine is quenched from a water stream by contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate or potassium thiosulfate. In yet another aspect, a method of scrubbing chlorine from a gaseous stream comprises contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate or potassium thiosulfate. In another embodiment, a thiosulfate, such as magnesium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, or sodium thiosulfate, is provided on an air filter for scrubbing ozone or chlorine from gaseous streams. |
| US07686962B2 |
Process control oxidation
The present disclosure provides for a system and method that intensely oxidizes water as it navigates through a system and accurately, controllably neutralizes the oxidation by-products before the water exits the system. |