| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07697036B2 |
Digital camera for capturing both still images and moving pictures
A digital camera enabling a photographer to select representative frames reflecting his intentions, which captures both moving pictures and still images, and encodes moving picture data by frame correlation compression. The camera includes an image processing section that increases the number of I pictures in compressed moving picture data captured before, or before and after, a still image recording (SIR) instruction is received during moving picture acquisition. By this arrangement, continuous image data can be buffered for a fixed time period, and when a SIR instruction is given, this image data can be compressed and recorded as I pictures with the data being traced back for a fixed time period. As a result, image data further in the past by a fixed time period than the time at which the SIR instruction is given can be acquired as I pictures, enabling the user to select intended representative frames. |
| US07697033B2 |
Imaging apparatus having image blur suppression function
An imaging apparatus, including an image pick up device capable of moving in a transverse direction to a photographing optical axis, a drive circuit configured to prevent an image on the image pick up device from blurring or reduce the image blur by moving the image pick up device based on an amount of the image blur, a position detection device configured to detect a position of the image pick up device, a storing device configured to store reference positional information showing that the image pick up device is in the reference position based on an output of the position detection device, the position of the image pick up device being detected based on the reference positional information stored in the storing device when the image pick up device is driven by the drive circuit. |
| US07697030B2 |
Control device and method
A monitor camera is provided with a control device which carries out a predetermined process in response to an input of a trigger signal. The control device has an arrangement in that continuous images are successively inputted from a camera unit thereto and in that a detection of a moving object is carried out by detecting a change in images in a moving-object detector. When no change in images is detected by the moving-object detector within a predetermined time after the input of a trigger signal from a detection sensor to a trigger signal input unit, the control device determines the trigger signal inputted to the trigger signal input unit as valid. Then, only when the valid trigger signal has been detected, an abnormality process is carried out. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the abnormality process from being performed upon erroneous detection of a normal state as an abnormal state. |
| US07697025B2 |
Camera surveillance system and method for displaying multiple zoom levels of an image on different portions of a display
Positional and elevation data obtained from a camera unit is correlated with coordinates in an entire image display portion, used as a GUI having positional information to select a specified image with a mouse. Which frame this corresponds to in the entire image is calculated, and further, the position within the clicked frame is calculated. The calculated positional information is converted into positional information and elevation data of the frame. The camera unit is controlled with the positional information and elevation data from the camera unit, and an image of a range indicated by a specified image display frame superimposed on the display portion is taken, and stored and/or displayed. This allows confirmation an image of a range to be photographed beforehand, and the user can tell the relation between the range capable of acquiring images and the photography range at a glance, so desired portions can be continuously monitored. |
| US07697024B2 |
Method and system of tracking and stabilizing an image transmitted using video telephony
Herein described is a system and method that tracks the face of a person engaged in a videophone conversation. In addition to performing facial tracking, the invention provides stabilization of facial images that are transmitted during the videophone conversation. The face is tracked by employing one or more algorithms that correlate videophone captured facial images against a stored facial image. The face may be better identified by way of employing one or more voice recognition algorithms. The one or more voice recognition algorithms may correlate utterances of the person engaged in a conversation to one or more stored utterances. The identified utterances are subsequently mapped to a stored facial image. In a representative embodiment, the system used for performing facial tracking and image stabilization comprises an image sensor, a lens, an actuator, and a controller/processor. |
| US07697023B2 |
Image forming apparatus
To provide an image forming apparatus suppressing color slippage without using a mirror with high flatness, when a reflective surface of the mirror used in an optical system of, for example, yellow is formed in a completely flat surface, and a curvature R of the reflective surface of the mirror used in the optical system of magenta is +75 m, a deviation of a scanning position exceeds 100 μm at maximum, resulting in accentuating the color slippage. Meanwhile, when the mirror of yellow is replaced with the mirror having the curvature R of +300 m, the slippage can be suppressed to 100 μm or less. Therefore, each mirror is selected, so that the curvature of each mirror becomes all positive or all negative. Thus, the deviation of the scanning position is in the same direction of laser beams L of each color, and the slippage can be prevented. |
| US07697022B2 |
Electro-optical device and image forming apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a light source array having a plurality of light-emitting devices arranged on a substrate in a direction, a lens array having a plurality of lens elements arranged in the direction, each lens element forming an image on an image carrier using light from the light-emitting element, and a first light transmissible member and a second light transmissible member disposed between the light source array and the lens array so as to be in contact with the light source array and the lens array, in which the first light transmissible member and the second light transmissible member are arranged in continued manner in the direction, and wherein the first light transmissible member and the second light transmissible member are different in any one or more characteristics of refractive index, elastic modulus and light transmittance. |
| US07697015B2 |
Storage medium and game device storing image generating program
In accordance with a level of importance of a character, a weight is provided for the character. For example, a character operated by a player is provided with a weight heavier than those provided for other characters, and other characters are provided with the respective weights lighter than that provided for the character operated by the player. Based on the weights and positions of the characters placed in a predetermined area, a position of a sight point of a virtual camera is determined. Thus, it is possible to generate a display image in which a plurality of characters in a virtual space are placed on a screen in a balanced manner. |
| US07697012B2 |
Method and apparatus for rendering image signal
Provided is a method for rendering image signals, which represent a predetermined number of colors, in an apparatus used for rendering an image signal that has a plurality of pixels composed of three different sub-pixels among four or more different sub-pixels. The method for rendering image signals comprises (a) selecting three-color signals out of the four or more color signals to be outputted according to a type of sub-pixel, which forms a predetermined pixel, (b) obtaining values of the selected three-color signals in peripheral pixels of the pixels, (c) calculating brightness values of each sub-pixel of the pixel by using the values of the selected three-color signals and corresponding color signal values of the peripheral pixels, and (d) driving a display, which controls brightness of an image that is represented in the display according to the calculated brightness values of sub-pixels. |
| US07697011B2 |
Automatic display video positioning and scaling system
An apparatus and method of automatically digitizing analog video and stroke and with size and positioning information. This is accomplished using signal characteristics of the deflection waveforms and video signals together with the video synchronization and blanking timing. This allows analog real time positioning and scaling by synchronizing the video data and deflection information. The deflection information in the form of signals either or both horizontal or X axis and vertical or Y axis characteristics such as amplitude, peak or peak to peak, and zero crossing, can be used to determine the size or scaling for each axis independently. |
| US07697010B2 |
Method and mechanism for programmable filtering of texture map data in 3D graphics subsystems
A system, method and apparatus to provide flexible texture filtering. A programmable texture filtering module is introduced into the graphics processing pipeline of a graphic coprocessor and graphic processor integrated with the host. A program from a defined instruction set may then be loaded into texture processing cores to process texture data consistent with the program. |
| US07697009B1 |
Processing high numbers of independent textures in a 3-D graphics pipeline
Circuits, methods, and apparatus provide for the storage of texture descriptors in a graphics memory. Since the texture descriptors are stored in a graphics memory, they do not need to be stored in the graphics processor itself, thus reducing graphics processor circuitry and cost. This allows more textures to be associated with each graphics primitive, thereby improving image realism. |
| US07697008B1 |
System, method and article of manufacture for a programmable processing model with instruction set
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for programmable processing in a computer graphics pipeline. Initially, data is received from a source buffer. Thereafter, programmable operations are performed on the data in order to generate output. The operations are programmable in that a user may utilize instructions from a predetermined instruction set for generating the same. Such output is stored in a register. During operation, the output stored in the register is used in performing the programmable operations on the data. |
| US07697005B2 |
Electronic document delivery
A system, method, and computer readable medium for converting paper documents (134) to electronic documents (138) and sending the electronic documents (138) to at least one destination (144). |
| US07697004B2 |
Method of animating a graphics character using fuzzy processing layers
A computer implemented method of generating behavior of a graphics character within an environment including a selected graphics character and one or more graphics elements, the method comprising: generating an image of the environment from a perspective of the selected graphics character; processing the image using an artificial intelligence engine with one or more layers to determine an activation value for the graphics character wherein at least one of the layers is a fuzzy processing layer, and generating the behavior of the graphics character based on the activation value. |
| US07697002B2 |
Varying hand-drawn line width for display
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art with a system for varying hand-drawn line width as a function of geometric or temporal properties such as curvature or time of the strokes as the user draws them. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a stroke control module, a velocity adjustment module, a curvature adjustment module, a smoothing module, an adjacency verification module and a stroke dominance module. A stroke control module is operable on a processor to modify the width of input strokes and adjust them based on their curvature and/or the velocity at which they were received. The stroke control module cooperates with and controls the velocity adjustment module, a curvature adjustment module, the smoothing module and the other modules to provide overall width adjustment of strokes input by the user automatically to reflect the needs and intentions of the user and provide a natural-feeling drawing experience similar to that provided by paper. |
| US07697001B2 |
Personalized ink font
Aspects of the present invention relate to the creation of an ink font. Based on characteristics of handwritten characters, the collection of characters may be scaled so as to adjust the size of the font to match predefined size values or relationships. |
| US07696994B2 |
Pipeline processing of image data with a low-resolution display of intermediate results
A method and an apparatus are for displaying an image. The image is broken down in accordance with a scheme, which can be predetermined, into sections, so-called chunks. The chunks are supplied to a pipeline for processing, on the basis of a scheme which can likewise be predetermined. The pipeline includes a large number of pipeline processors, which operate at a specific resolution level. The chunks are then combined again to form an image at the specific resolution level, and are displayed as an intermediate result. This process is repeated iteratively until the highest resolution level is reached. |
| US07696990B2 |
LED driving circuit and a serial LED illumination system using the same
The present invention relates to an LED driving circuit and a serial LED illumination system. The LED driving circuit compares a data signal with a voltage threshold via a comparator to output a mode selection signal. The register unit includes an instruction register and a data register. The register unit is coupled to the comparator unit and controlled by the mode selection signal to perform an instruction or data transmission mode. The instruction register stores the instruction data under the instruction mode. The data register stores the illumination display data under the data transmission mode. When the data register is full, the register unit outputs a secondary data signal. The driving unit is controlled by the instruction data and drives an LED module according to the illumination display data. The serial LED illumination system includes a controller that is connected with at least one LED driving circuit in serial. |
| US07696989B2 |
Flat display apparatus and integrated circuit
The present invention is applied, for example, to a liquid crystal display apparatus in which drive circuitry is formed integrally on an insulating substrate, wherein processing results from circuit blocks 41A, 41B on the side of a higher power supply voltage are inputted into the side of a lower power supply voltage through active elements performing on-off operation complementarily, and by the fall of the power supply voltage on this higher side, the output of these active elements is set to a predetermined level. |
| US07696987B2 |
Touch panel and method of manufacturing the same
A touch panel includes an input registration structure comprising a biasable medium layer. A generally inflexible cover is disposed on the input registration structure and defines a touch surface. A pointer biases the biasable medium layer at a position adjacent the pointer when the pointer is positioned proximate the touch surface. The input registration structure generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the pointer in relation to the touch surface. |
| US07696984B2 |
Miniaturized optical mouse core
An optical mouse system with a high-angle optical path features small size and low power consumption. The illumination source and optical sensor are mounted in the same plane, directly on the PCB. The higher angle of the optical path causes more light to be reflected to the optical sensor, increasing optical efficiency and allowing a smaller, lower powered LED to be used. This also results in increased sensitivity of the optical sensor, allowing use of the mouse on surfaces on which conventional optical mice cannot function adequately. Sensitivity can be further increased by optional isolation of the optical sensor and illumination source. Lower power usage increases battery life for mobile or wireless-mouse use, while reducing thermal waste considerations. This allows the creation of a significantly smaller form factor for the overall package, thereby reducing materials costs and giving designers more flexibility for external design considerations. |
| US07696980B1 |
Pointing device for use in air with improved cursor control and battery life
One aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved cursor control in a device which can operate both on a work surface and in air. Cursor resolution is reduced as the user engages with the device for clicking, leading to more precise movement closer to the target, as well as reduced parasitic and other unintentional motion of the cursor during clicking. Moreover, one aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved battery life in an in-air pointing device. In another aspect, the present invention is a method a system for improved user interface interaction, for UI controls such as sliders, pop-up boxes, menus, lists and button groups. |
| US07696979B1 |
Method and system for manipulating a plurality of graphical pointers
An improved method and system for manipulation a plurality of graphical pointers utilizing a single graphical pointing device are disclosed. A plurality of graphical pointers are displayed within a display device. A user may then temporarily select one graphical pointer among the plurality of graphical pointers. During the selection, the selected graphical pointer is manipulated in response to operation of a single graphical pointing device. A point within the display device specified by the position of the selected graphical pointer is selected in response to closure of a switch associated with the selected graphical pointer. |
| US07696971B2 |
Method, materials and apparatus for driving gray-scale bistable cholesteric displays
The invention provides a method for controlling the grey-scale modulation of a reflective bistable cholesteric display by applying selected sequences of high and low pulses to modulate the cholesteric domain size and helical axis orientation. Non-mesogenic dopants may also be added to reduce the drive voltage. |
| US07696968B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus with color sequential display and method of driving the same
A method of gamma correction for a liquid crystal display (LCD) having an LCD panel. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of dividing the LCD panel into N areas along a gate scanning direction, each area having a corresponding gamma and being characterized with a corresponding voltage-transmittance function, and determining grey level voltages of each area for each of a set of grey levels from the corresponding voltage-transmittance function of the area and a desired gamma curve of the LCD panel such that when the grey level voltages are respectively applied to the N areas for a grey level, a light transmittance through each area is substantially uniform and equals to a corresponding brightness. |
| US07696966B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method therefor
A liquid crystal display and its driving method are disclosed. Among the pixels driven by the same data driving unit, firstly the pixels of same color are sequentially driven, and then the pixels of other colors are sequentially driven, so that the pixels have almost the same leakage current. |
| US07696963B2 |
Buffer circuit and organic light emitting display with data integrated circuit using the same
In an organic light emitting display with a data integrated circuit using the same, a buffer circuit comprises: a first capacitor receiving gradation voltage through a first terminal; a first inverter having an input terminal connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor; a second capacitor having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the first inverter; a second inverter having an input terminal connected to a second terminal of the second capacitor; a third capacitor having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the second inverter; and a first transistor connected to a second terminal of the third capacitor and controlling current flowing from a first power source to a data line so as to supply the gradation voltage to the data line in correspondence to the voltage supplied by the third capacitor. With this configuration, the gradation voltage is supplied regardless of the threshold voltages of the transistors. |
| US07696962B2 |
Color balancing circuit for a display panel
A color balancing circuit for a flat panel display such as an electroluminescent display generates a primary current that can be varied to adjust the overall brightness of the display. Three currents related to the primary current by selectable ratios are generated, by current mirror circuits, for example; the ratios can be individually varied to adjust the color balance. Driving currents are generated from the three adjusted currents, by mirroring the adjusted currents, for example, and are used to drive display elements that emit light in the three primary colors. Image brightness and color balance can accordingly be adjusted separately, even though both are adjusted by adjusting the driving current. Circuit size is reduced in that the same primary current is used for all three primary colors. |
| US07696959B2 |
Display device and driving method of the same
Scan electrode potential detected by a feedback switch is inputted into a negative-phase input terminal of an amplifier, reference selection potential from a reference-selection-potential-signal generation circuit is inputted into a positive-phase input terminal of the amplifier, and the reference-selection-potential-signal generation circuit delays reference potential of a reference voltage source, thereby scan electrode potential without overshooting components can be achieved. |
| US07696955B1 |
Magnified display of head down information at optical infinity
An information magnification system for providing enhanced display information for a display system for a vehicle. The display system is of a type that includes a first display and a second display. The information magnification system includes a user interface for providing the capability for a user to select a magnification zone of interest on the first display of the vehicle. An information magnification electronics subsystem is associated with the user interface and with the first and second displays to enable the selected magnification zone to be presented on the second display appearing to be behind the physical surface of the second display at a selected distance, thus providing the capability for the user to maintain a far field of focus. |
| US07696954B2 |
Multi display device
A multi display device includes: a first display disposed at a predetermined position; a second display disposed 10B in front of the first display 10A and being movable from a first position where the second display overlaps with the first display to a second position where the second display does not overlap with the first display; and a transferring member for moving the second display. When the first display is mainly monitored, the second display is transferred to the second position, and when the second display is mainly monitored, the second display is transferred to the first position. |
| US07696953B2 |
Methods and systems for a portable, interactive display device for use with a computer
A portable, interactive display device is disclosed. The device presents to a user the graphical interface of a host computer. The host is separate from the display device and sits in a fixed location. The invention allows a user to carry with him the user interface capability of the host, limited only by the capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host. The host provides processing, storage, and access to its own peripheral devices. The display device need only provide the amount of processing necessary to communicate with the host, to run the client side of the hosting software, and to provide security functions. The host provides a docking station that accommodates the display device. When in the docking station, the display device continues to operate but communicates with the host through the docking station rather than through the wireless channel. This allows for a higher quality video connection. |
| US07696950B2 |
Antenna with symmetrical first and second monopole radiating elements
An antenna, which is operable in a digital video broadcasting for handhelds (DVB-H) frequency range, includes first and second monopole radiating elements and a feeding element. The first and second monopole radiating elements are symmetrical about an axis of symmetry and have a meandering shape. The feeding element interconnects the first and second monopole radiating elements. |
| US07696948B2 |
Configurable directional antenna
Systems and methods for a directional antenna and methods for manufacturing the same are described. One system and method includes a plurality of antenna elements. Groups of the antenna elements cooperate to form a directional antenna. In one configuration, a first element is configured as a driven element and a second element is configured as a delayed element. The elements are separated by a distance such that an RF signal radiated from the driven element constructively combines with a delayed RF signal radiated by the delay element. In another configuration, the second element can be configured as the driven element and the first element configured as the delayed element. |
| US07696946B2 |
Reducing stray capacitance in antenna element switching
An antenna array may include an antenna element configured to receive an RF signal. A PIN diode may selectively couple the antenna element to an RF source. Biasing the PIN diode may cancel the received RF signal at a stub coupled to the diode thereby reducing stray capacitance of the PIN diode. A method for switching antenna elements is also disclosed. A PIN diode coupled to an antenna element is biased thereby reflecting the received RF signal out-of-phase within a stub such that the signal is canceling and stray capacitance of the PIN diode is reduced. |
| US07696945B2 |
Scannable sparse antenna array
A sparse array antenna is disclosed. The antenna comprises series-fed antenna array columns tuned to a respective transmit and receive frequency. The transmitting and receiving radiation elements are formed with a given distance between each transmitting radiator element and each receiving radiator element, and the series-fed antenna columns are arranged in parallel, perpendicular to a symmetry line forming a symmetric interleaved transmit/receive array. Furthermore the receiving array columns operate as parasitic elements in a transmit mode and transmitting array columns operate as parasitic elements in a receive mode, thereby reducing creation of grating lobes. The created sparse array antenna may further be arranged to be scannable to also provide reduced sidelobes entering visual space when scanning the main radiation lobe from an off boresight direction. Typically the series-fed array columns may be formed as extended ridged slotted wave-guides tuned to a respective transmitting or receiving frequency. |
| US07696944B2 |
Antenna apparatus
Disclosed is an antenna apparatus including: an antenna element including a receiving unit to receive an electric wave; a circuit substrate including a circuit surface on which a circuit amplifying an input from the antenna element is formed; a shield cover covering the circuit surface to shield the circuit substrate from a disturbing wave, the shield cover being grounded; a coaxial cable to supply driving power and GND potential to the circuit, and to output a signal from the circuit, the coaxial cable inserted into the shield cover, wherein the shield cover includes a base surface disposed in parallel with the circuit surface and a tongue flap extending to the coaxial cable, and the tongue flap includes a connecting piece formed by bending an end of the tongue flap at a side of the coaxial cable, the connecting piece being soldered to an outer conductor of the coaxial cable. |
| US07696942B2 |
Slot antenna
A slot antenna is provided. The slot antenna includes a feeding unit of a strip line shape which is disposed on a first surface of a substrate, a ground which is disposed on a second surface of the substrate, and an antenna element which is formed by connecting two sub slots formed on the second surface of the substrate, wherein each of the sub slots is arranged at an edge of the ground in an internal direction of the ground. Accordingly, the size of the antenna is reduced, and more area is provided for arranging components of a terminal. |
| US07696940B1 |
Wireless networking adapter and variable beam width antenna
A wireless networking adapter that incorporates a Yagi-style directional antenna preferably includes at least one driver element positioned between a reflector element and at least two director elements. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a wireless access point having Yagi-style antenna that includes a driver that is adapted to rotate between a first position, in which the driver is in phase with the reflector an at least two directors, and a second position, in which the driver out of phase with a reflector and at least two directors. |
| US07696939B2 |
Roof antenna array for phase diversity system
A diversity antenna system may receive transmitted signals. The diversity antenna system includes multiple phase diversity antenna elements. One or more of the phase diversity antenna elements are positioned substantially parallel to an external surface of a vehicle. The phase diversity antenna elements are adapted to receive phase diversity signals. |
| US07696936B2 |
Method of and device for determining at least one characteristic parameter of a resonant structure
A method of determining at least one characteristic parameter of a resonant structure (4) comprising the following steps: firstly placing the resonant structure (4) at a location, said location being located in the far field of a first antenna (2) and in the far field of a second antenna (5), and secondly emitting electromagnetic waves (EEW) with different frequencies in a given frequency range by means of the first antenna (2) such that the emitted electromagnetic waves (EEW) are modified by the resonant structure (4) and modified electromagnetic waves (MEW) are achieved, and thirdly determining during a first determining step a first electric power-value being representative of the power associated with the emitted electromagnetic waves (EEW), and fourthly receiving the generated modified electromagnetic waves (MEW) by means of the second antenna (5) and fifthly determining during a second determining step a second electric power-value being representative of the power associated with the received modified electromagnetic waves (MEW), and sixthly determining the at least one characteristic parameter by using the first and second power-values determined during the first and second determining steps. |
| US07696935B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device comprising multi-frequency band antenna and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing and a multi-frequency band antenna carried within the housing. The multi-frequency band antenna may include a main loop conductor having a gap therein defining first and second ends of the main loop conductor, a first branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the first end of the main loop conductor and having a second end defining a first feed point, and a second branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the second end of the main loop conductor and a second end defining a second feed point. The antenna may further include a tuning branch conductor having a first end connected to the main loop conductor between the respective first ends of the first and second branches. |
| US07696933B2 |
Radio receiving apparatus
A radio receiving apparatus deterioration of a receiving sensitivity of an antenna used in the radio receiving apparatus due to noise generated from a circuit board disposed within the radio receiving apparatus. The radio receiving apparatus includes a body, a printed circuit board provided within the body, an antenna provided at an area outside of the body and adapted to receive an external signal, and a noise attenuation member provided at the printed circuit board and adapted to attenuate noise generated from the printed circuit board, to prevent deterioration in the receiving sensitivity of the antenna. |
| US07696929B2 |
Tunable microstrip devices
Tunable microstrip devices formed by capacitively coupled conductive strips are disclosed. Device parameters can be tuned by adjusting corresponding lengths of a resonator and a coupling section of the device by connecting one or more auxiliary segments to the conductive strips. |
| US07696927B2 |
Capacitive feed antenna
The present invention seeks to provide an antenna having multiple radiating bands, including a ground plane, a feed plate extending generally parallel to and being spaced from the ground plane by a first distance and having a feed connection extending between the feed plate and the ground plane, at least one radiating element extending generally parallel to and being spaced from the feed plate by a second distance and at least one galvanic connector connecting the at least one radiating element at a first location on the at least one radiating element to the ground plane at a first location on the ground plane, the first location on the ground plane being separated from the feed connection by a third distance, the first, second and third distances being selected to achieve desired impedance matching of the feed plate, and the feed plate feeding the at least one radiating element at a location corresponding to an impedance substantially greater than 50 Ohm at least one band. |
| US07696926B2 |
Apparatus for identifying target satellite in satellite communication antenna and method thereof
Provided is an apparatus and method for identifying a target satellite in a satellite communication antenna. The apparatus includes: a power splitting unit for splitting a signal inputted through the satellite communication antenna to more than two signals; a tuner unit for receiving the split signals from the power splitting unit and passing only signal of a predetermined channel frequency band; an analog-to-digital converting unit for converting each of signal intensities passed in the tuner unit to a digital value; and a controlling and identifying unit for determining whether a satellite traced by the satellite communication antenna is a target satellite using each of the signal intensities of the predetermined channel frequency band inputted from the A/D converting means, and controlling an orientation direction of the satellite communication antenna. |
| US07696924B2 |
Radioterminals and associated operating methods that transmit position information responsive to change/rate of change of position
A radioterminal includes a wireless communications transmitter, a wireless communications receiver and a GPS receiver. A controller is configured to enable the GPS receiver when the wireless communications receiver is receiving wireless communications, and to disable the GPS receiver when the wireless communications transmitter is transmitting wireless communications. Related methods also are described. |
| US07696921B1 |
System and method for turbulence detection
A system and method of displaying an indication of a hazard associated on an aircraft display in an avionics system provides first radar pulses at a first pulse repetition frequency or having a first compression signature or carrier frequency. The system and method also provides second radar pulses at a second pulse repetition frequency higher than the first pulse repetition frequency or having a second compression signature or carrier frequency. The system and method receive radar returns associated with the first radar pulses and the second radar pulses and provide a turbulence assessment in response to the radar returns. |
| US07696918B2 |
A-D convert apparatus
Provided is a successive approximation AD conversion apparatus that outputs digital output data corresponding to an analog input signal, including a bit selecting section that selects a conversion target bit sequentially from a highest bit of the output data; a data control section that outputs comparison data determining a value of the conversion target bit, each time a conversion target bit is selected; a DA conversing section that outputs an analog comparison signal corresponding to the comparison data; a comparing section that outputs a comparison result between the input signal and the comparison signal, upon the output of the comparison signal by the DA converting section, and that is reset after outputting the comparison result; a completion detecting section that, upon detecting that the comparing section has output the comparison result, outputs a completion signal causing the bit selecting section to select a next conversion target bit, prior to the comparing section being reset; and an output section that outputs output data in which a value of each bit is based on the comparison result by the comparing section. |
| US07696913B2 |
Signal processing system using delta-sigma modulation having an internal stabilizer path with direct output-to-integrator connection
A signal processing system includes an analog-to-digital delta sigma modulator with a duty cycle modulator and a finite impulse response (FIR) filter in a main loop feedback path of the delta sigma modulator. The duty cycle modulator and FIR filter can provide high performance filtering in the main loop feedback path. To prevent instability in the main loop caused by the duty cycle modulator and FIR filter, the delta sigma modulator also includes a stabilizer loop. Transfer functions of the main loop and the stabilizer loop combine to achieve a target transfer function for the analog-to-digital delta sigma modulator that provides for stable operation of the analog-to-digital delta sigma modulator. In at least one embodiment, the stabilizer loop includes a stabilizer path that provides output data directly to an integrator of the main loop filter. |
| US07696911B2 |
Amplifier circuit, digital-to-analog conversion circuit, and display device
Disclosed is a digital-to-analog conversion circuit in which first and second serial DACs and an amplifier circuit for driving a data line are provided. In a first data period, the first serial DAC converts a first digital signal received in the first data period to a first signal, the second serial DAC holds a signal obtained by converting a digital signal received in a data period one period before the first data period, and the amplifier circuit amplifies and outputs the signal held in the second serial DAC, to the data line. In a second data period following after the first data period, the second serial DAC converts the second digital signal received in a second data period, the first serial DAC holds the first signal converted in the first data period, and an amplifier circuit amplifies and outputs the first signal held in the first serial DAC, to the data line. |
| US07696910B2 |
Dither circuit and analog digital converter having dither circuit
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dither circuit including a dither generating circuit generating a plurality of complementary signal pairs, and a dither input circuit generating a plurality of dither signals from the plurality of complementary signal pairs to add the generated dither signals to an analog input signal, in which the plurality of complementary signal pairs have different frequencies with each other, the dither input circuit includes capacitors provided for each of the plurality of complementary signal pairs and a plurality of switch pairs including first and second switches having one terminals connected to each one terminal of the capacitors, and the other terminals of the capacitors are connected to an adding point to the analog input signal, the first switch supplies ones of the complementary signal pairs to one terminals of the capacitors when a clock signal is in effective state, and the second switch supplies the others of the complementary signal pairs to one terminals of the capacitors when an inverting clock signal of the clock signal is in effective state. |
| US07696908B2 |
Techniques for reducing error propagation using modulation codes having a variable span
Techniques are provided for reducing error propagation in encoded data using Fibonacci modulation codes. The Fibonacci modulation codes have a Fibonacci base with a variable span that limits error propagation. Some of the elements in the Fibonacci base have a larger span than limited span elements in the base. Errors occurring in bit positions of an encoded sequence that correspond to the limited span elements do not propagate to adjacent bytes in the decoded sequence. The Fibonacci modulation codes can also have a relatively high code rate. |
| US07696905B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the operational mode of electronic devices in response to sensed conditions
A system is disclosed that senses physical characteristics of an electronic device. The system controls the electronic device in response to the sensed physical characteristics. The system includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem includes a time trigger and an anticipation/latency reduction subsystem. The anticipation/latency reduction subsystem includes additional subsystems such as a time trigger, a position trigger and an attitude trigger. In an alternate embodiment, the anticipation/latency reduction subsystem also includes an activation interval trigger, a repetitive action trigger and a repetitive distance trigger. The various triggers can be implemented using processors that execute software. The system also includes sensing devices, such as a position sensing device and an attitude sensing device, to sense physical characteristics of the particular electronic device being controlled. The control subsystem receives signals from the sensing devices. Physical characteristic information obtained from these signals is provided to the various triggers. In response to this physical characteristic information, the various triggers process the physical characteristic information such that the system controls the electronic device. |
| US07696891B2 |
System and method for suppressing the spread of fire and various contaminants
Systems and methods for suppressing the spread of fire, fire-related toxins, and other biological and chemical hazards are disclosed. One described system includes a thermostat incorporating an HVAC interface in communication with a residential HVAC system, a receiver operable to receive a signal indicating the presence of a contaminant from an environmental condition detector, and a processor in communication with the receiver and the residential HVAC system and operable to receive the signal from the receiver, and in response, send a signal to the HVAC interface to cause the residential HVAC system to be shut down. |
| US07696890B2 |
Capacitive detection of dust accumulation using microcontroller component leads
A system and method are used for electronically detecting the accumulation of dust within a computer system using a capacitive dust sensor. The dust detection system may be implemented on a smaller computer, such as an individual PC, or in a more expansive system, such as a rack-based server system (“rack system”) having multiple servers and other hardware devices. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a capacitive sensor responsive to the accumulation of dust. The capacitive sensor may include one or more capacitive plates integral with a heatsink. As dust collects on the capacitive plates, the capacitance increases. When a capacitance setpoint is reached, indicating the dust has reached a critical level, an alert is generated. The alerts may be received by a management console for the attention of a system administrator. Each alert may contain the identity of the server generating the alert, so that the system administrator knows which server(s) are to be removed for cleaning. |
| US07696885B2 |
Methods and systems of attaching a radio transceiver to an antenna
Methods and systems of attaching a radio transceiver to an antenna. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to operate as a radio transceiver. The antenna comprises a ground plane having a first edge surface, and an active element having a second edge surface. The ground plane and the active element are retained together such that the first and second edge surfaces are substantially coplanar and form an antenna edge. The integrated circuit is configured to operate as a radio transceiver, and the integrated circuit is mechanically coupled to the edge of the antenna and electrically coupled to the active element. |
| US07696880B2 |
Hierarchical tagging of objects
An RFID tag is provided including an object ID and a counter. Such an RFID tag may be employed in an RFID tag system including a parent RFID tag having an object ID and a counter, a child RFID tag, and a reader/writer configured to read the object ID and the counter of the parent RFID tag, combine values of the object ID and the counter, and write the combined value to an object ID of the child RFID tag. |
| US07696877B2 |
Method, apparatus and article for detection of transponder tagged objects, for example during surgery
The presence or absence of objects is determined by interrogating or exciting transponders coupled to the objects using pulsed wide band frequency signals. Ambient or background noise is evaluated and a threshold adjusted based on the level of noise. Adjustment may be based on multiple noise measurements or samples. Noise detection may be limited, with emphasis placed on interrogation to increase the signal to noise ratio. Match filtering may be employed. Appropriate acts may be taken if detected noise is out of defined limits of operation, for example shutting down interrogation and/or providing an appropriate indication. |
| US07696872B2 |
Rack mounted access/security control panel
In one aspect, the invention provides an access panel that comprises one or more access control boards, each of which provide at least an interface for controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones (via associated sensors) and for monitoring intrusion prevention devices. The access panel includes at least one connector that provides communications coupling between at least one of the control boards and the aforementioned sensors or intrusion prevention devices (e.g., detectors, electrified locks, etc.). That connector permits that coupling without requiring that a field technician, or other person installing the panel at a site, pass wire through the enclosure in order to establish that communications coupling. |
| US07696870B2 |
Sensor and transmission control circuit in adaptive interface package
A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the sensor pack can output an alert signal to security server. |
| US07696869B2 |
Interactive programmable container security and compliance system
A monitoring system and method comprises a container adapted to house contents therein and a sensor device attached to the container, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one sensor that collects past and present data of the container, wherein the data comprises container content identification data, container geographic location data, container motion data, evidence of container tampering data, and biometric data of individuals handling the container; and a processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor and adapted to communicate the data to any of a user and a remote storage device. The processor is adapted to communicate the data into a language of choice of the user. The sensor device comprises an identification code, wherein the processor is adapted to regulate types of services the container is eligible to receive based on the identification code. |
| US07696859B2 |
Vehicle equipment control system and method
A vehicle equipment control system locks vehicle doors by any one of auto-lock and trigger lock systems. In the auto-lock system, a wide communication area is set that covers an entire vehicle compartment is set. In the trigger lock system, a narrow communication area is set that disables the communication with a portable unit carried by a user near a vehicle. When no response signal is received from the portable unit in the respective communication areas, the respective vehicle doors are locked. Accordingly, even when any one of the auto-lock and trigger lock systems is used, the portable unit is prevented from being left in the compartment, and the respective vehicle doors can be locked. |
| US07696858B2 |
Remotely operable door lock interface system
A door lock interface system includes a stationary controller that is mounted to a support surface at an interior of a building. A portable controller is in wireless communication with the stationary controller. An elongated and rectilinear bolt is positioned through a slot of a door and is spaced from the stationary and portable controllers. A mechanism is included for automatically retracting and extending the bolt along a parallel and horizontal path. A mechanism is included for bypassing the automatic retracting and extending mechanism such that the user can manually retract and extend the bolt. A security panel is affixed to one side of the door and covers one door cavity, prohibiting unauthorized access thereto. The security panel is provided with annular openings, allowing a door handle and a deadbolt housing to be connected to the door while maintaining the automatic extending and retracting mechanism hidden from the environment. |
| US07696857B2 |
Method and system for disabling an electronic device upon theft
A system for disabling a device. An embedded identifier contained within a cable security system is read in response to enabling a cable security mechanism within the device. The device is disabled if the embedded identifier is not found. |
| US07696856B2 |
Varistor element
A laminated chip varistor comprises a varistor body, first and second inner electrodes, a heat conductor, and first and second outer electrodes. The varistor body has first and second outer faces. The first and second inner electrodes are disposed in the varistor body so that at least portions thereof are opposing to each other. The first and second outer electrodes are formed on the first outer face, the first outer electrode being connected to the first inner electrode, and the second outer electrode being connected to the second inner electrode. The heat conductor is formed in the varistor body extending in a direction from the first outer face toward the second outer face with one end face thereof exposed on the first outer face and the other end face thereof exposed on the second outer face. |
| US07696854B2 |
Heavy current coupling
A heavy current coupling that includes an electrically conductive elastic fastening and fuse element supported by the housing. The fastening and fuse element is configured to electrically connect first and second contacts, with the first and second contacts being spaced from one another. Wherein the fastening and fuse element burns through when a predetermined maximum current is exceeded, thereby interrupting the electrical connection between the first and second contacts. |
| US07696846B2 |
Electromagnetic switching device
A drive solenoid, a yoke, an armature and at least one contact are mounted in a housing of an electromagnetic switching device. The drive solenoid, yoke and armature are inductively intercoupled, in such a way that when an inrush current is applied to the drive solenoid, the armature can be displaced into a pickup position, thus directly or indirectly actuating the contact. The yoke and/or armature contain(s) pulverulent magnetic material. |
| US07696845B2 |
Dielectric filter for base station communication equipment
In a dielectric filter (1) for base station communication equipment, a rectangular solid dielectric block (2) is provided with a plurality of ¼ wavelength resonators (3A1-3A4; 3B1-3B4), which are arranged along side planes (2c,2d) of the dielectric block and extend in parallel to each other and to the side planes (2c,2d). The dielectric block (2) is composed of dielectric ceramics having a relative dielectric constant of 5-20, and a size (H) in a direction orthogonally intersecting with the side planes (2c,2d) of the dielectric block (2) is 10-30 mm. |
| US07696844B2 |
Filtering circuit fitted with acoustic resonators
A filtering circuit based on a lattice structure comprising a first and a second input and a first and second output. The circuit further comprises two series impedance and two parallel impedance which each comprises an acoustic resonator associated with two inductive and capacitive components which can be adjusted by a first control value. The second and fourth impedance comprise each an acoustic resonator associated to two inductive and capacitive components which are adjustable by means of a second control value. A control circuit generates the two control values which simultaneously comprise a common mode potential and a differential mode potential which allows the emergence of first and second pass bands which are usable for realizing two different bandpass filters. |
| US07696843B2 |
MEMS filter device having a nanosize coupling element and manufacturing method thereof
An object of the invention is to provide a coupling element of an MEMS filter with design flexibility and minimization of mass loading effects. The invention provides a structure wherein the mass loading effects are not reflected on the MEMS filter characteristic by using a nanosize coupling element with a very small mass compared to a microsize MEMS resonator, such as a carbon nanotube (CNT), as a coupling element part. |
| US07696842B2 |
Composite high-frequency component and mobile communication apparatus
A composite high-frequency component includes a diplexer arranged to separate/combine transmission/reception signals in frequency bands of a plurality of communication systems, transmit/receive switches, filters, and a balanced-unbalanced reception signal switch, and a matching circuit. The balanced-unbalanced reception signal switch includes a reception signal switch and balanced-unbalanced filters. A stripline in the transmit/receive switch and a stripline in the reception signal switch are provided on the same layers, and the matching circuit including capacitors is arranged between the transmit/receive switch and the reception signal switch. |
| US07696839B2 |
Signal waveform equalizer circuit and receiver circuit
A signal waveform equalizer circuit capable of equalizing the waveform of an input signal with a center voltage of 0 V and yet small in circuit scale. An input signal (in FIG. 1, positive-phase input signal) whose waveform is to be equalized is input to the source of an nMOS, and this enables the equalizer circuit to handle an input signal with the center voltage 0 V without the need to add an extra circuit. The waveform of the input signal is shaped by a delay circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, and an output signal (in FIG. 1, positive-phase output signal) is output from a node. |
| US07696838B2 |
Equalizing filter circuit
In an equalizing filter circuit having an input terminal 101, an output terminal 102, delay devices 104 connected in multi-stage to the input terminal 101, and a plurality of weighting circuits 105 which are branched from and connected to the plurality of delay devices to thereby combine respective output signals of the weighting circuits, gain adjustment of the weighting circuits is performed to determine a coefficient of the equalizing filter circuit without depending on a load connected to the output terminal. Thus, an amount of compensation for a distorted waveform may be enhanced. To this end, an impedance converting circuit 108 is connected between at least one weighting circuit and the output terminal. |
| US07696833B2 |
Oscillator
An oscillator includes a first oscillating portion that outputs a first oscillation signal having a first oscillation frequency through a first intermediate node to an output terminal, a mounting portion that includes an insulating layer and that mounts the first oscillating portion, a first line provided in the insulating layer and coupled between the first intermediate node and ground, a second line provided in the insulating layer and coupled between the first intermediate node and a power supply terminal, and a third line provided in the insulating layer and coupled between the first intermediate node and the output terminal. |
| US07696832B1 |
Digital loop filter for all-digital phase-locked loop design
A digital loop filter installed in an all-digital phase-locked loop (PLL) receives a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) control code transmitted from a PLL controller in the all-digital PLL, and calculate an average value, such that the PLL controller can produce another DCO control code by the average value for controlling and adjusting an output signal of a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) in the neighborhood of the average value to maintain compensating a phase/frequency difference with an input signal, so as to minimize the jitter effect of the input signal on the all-digital PLL, reduce the jitter effect of the output signal, and keep tracking and locking the frequency and the phase of the input signal. |
| US07696827B2 |
Power amplifier system provided with improved protection function
A power amplifier system including a power terminal, a ground terminal, an output terminal, a ripple terminal, a control terminal to which a control signal is supplied from outside, a power amplifier circuit connected between the power terminal and the ground terminal, a negative potential detection circuit connected to the output terminal, and a bias circuit which supplies a bias voltage to the power amplifier circuit, and a bias start-up circuit controlling the startup operation of the bias circuit. |
| US07696818B2 |
Amplifying apparatus
A pulse modulator generates a pulse-modulated signal by pulse-modulating and amplifying the amplitude component of an input signal. A low-pass filter filters the pulse-modulated signal from the pulse modulator, and generates an amplified amplitude signal which is obtained by amplifying the amplitude component. An error corrector generates a corrected amplitude signal by correcting an error of the amplified amplitude signal from the low-pass filter by using the amplitude component of the input signal. A mixing unit generates the output signal by mixing the corrected amplitude signal from the error corrector and the phase component of the input signal. |
| US07696817B1 |
Auto-gain correction and common mode voltage cancellation in a precision amplifier
Auto-gain correction in a precision amplifier provides continuous calibration of the gain of the two differential input stages relative to each other and thus significantly minimizes the effects of device mismatch and temperature. Auto-gain correction together with auto-zero minimizes the effects of common mode input voltage on the amplifier and eliminates the need for trim associated with the matching of the two differential input stages. Improved gain matching enhances the accuracy of the auto-zero, which further improves the accuracy of auto-gain correction, resulting in a synergy with both operating together. The implementation of the auto-zero using an input pair of series capacitors in conjunction with a common input reference and a feedback pair of series capacitors in conjunction with a common feedback reference provides for decoupling the common mode voltage of the input differential pair or feedback differential pair. Various features may be used in sub-combinations as desired. |
| US07696813B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device for fast and low power operations, comprising a plurality of circuit blocks of a chip, each of which has a plurality of states with different power consumption values. A power management circuit determines the state of each of the circuit blocks so as not to exceed a maximum power consumption value of the semiconductor integrated circuit device by considering the power consumption of each circuit block and by each state transition in each circuit block. The maximum power consumption value may be preset or adjustable after fabrication. |
| US07696812B2 |
Cooperative charge pump circuit and method
A multiple polarity reversible charge pump circuit is disclosed which, in certain embodiments, may be configured to generate a positive voltage at times and may be reversed to generate a negative voltage at other times. Such a charge pump circuit is advantageous if both the positive and negative voltage are not simultaneously required. In certain other embodiments, a charge pump circuit generates a high output current for only a positive boosted voltage in one mode of operation, but lower current positive and negative boosted voltage outputs in another mode of operation. Use with certain erasable memory array technologies is disclosed, particularly certain resistive passive element memory cells, and more particularly in a three-dimensional memory array. |
| US07696807B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit with input buffer having high voltage protection
A high voltage reception terminal is formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit without increasing the number of manufacturing processes and the manufacturing cost. A transfer gate configured from a NMOS, which is the high withstand voltage transistor, and a pull-up resistor are formed. An input terminal of the transfer gate is connected to the high voltage reception terminal and an output terminal of the transfer gate is connected to a CMOS inverter through an input resistor. One end of the pull-up resistor is connected to the output terminal of the transfer gate and the other end of the pull-up resistor receives source voltage VDD (5V). The transfer gate lowers the inputted high voltage VX (VX>VDD) to VDD-Vt1′. The pull-up resistor biases the voltage at the output terminal of the transfer gate to VDD and boosts the voltage at the output terminal that has been lowered by the transfer gate to about VDD. |
| US07696801B2 |
Reset method for clock triggering digital circuit and related signal generating apparatus utilizing the reset method
The present invention discloses a reset method for a digital circuit. The method includes: providing a clock signal to the digital circuit; keeping the clock signal at a logic level according to a first indicating signal; generating a reset signal for resetting the digital circuit; and recovering the clock signal to the digital circuit according to a second indicating signal. |
| US07696800B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and adjusting characteristics of a signal
Disclosed is a circuit that adjusts a characteristic of a signal transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver over a communication channel (e.g., a wire, a backplane, etc.). The circuit includes a latch that receives the signal at a predetermined point in the circuit and samples a voltage of the signal many times after a threshold voltage is applied to the latch. The circuit also includes a processor that determines the characteristic of the signal when the sampled voltages indicate a transition point and that adjusts the threshold voltage when the sampled voltages do not indicate a transition point. The processor adjusts the characteristic of the signal by adjusting at least one of a current and a voltage of the transmitter when the characteristic of the signal is outside a predetermined range. |
| US07696799B2 |
Delay cell of voltage controlled delay line using digital and analog control scheme
Provided is an analog/digital control delay locked loop (DLL). The DLL includes a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between an input clock signal and a feedback signal to provide an up detection signal or a down detection signal, a charge pump for generating an adjusted output current based on the up or down signals, a loop filter for low pass-filtering the output current to produce an analog control voltage, a voltage controlled delay Line (VCDL) for receiving the analog control voltage, the input clock signal and a digital code, and delaying the input clock signal based on the analog control voltage and the digital code to provide an output clock signal, a delay replica modeling unit formed by replica of delay factors for producing the feedback signal depending on the output clock signal, and a digital code generator for generating the digital code. |
| US07696797B1 |
Signal generator with output frequency greater than the oscillator frequency
Systems and methods for design and operation of signal generator circuitry with output frequencies greater than the oscillator frequency. Accordingly, in a first method embodiment, a method of producing an output periodic electronic signal comprises accessing four signals having a quadrature phase relationship. First and second pairs of these signals having a one half cycle phase relationship are averaged to produce two signals having an improved duty cycle and a one-quarter cycle phase relationship. The first and second averaged periodic electronic signals are combined in an exclusive OR circuit to produce the output periodic electronic signal at twice the oscillator frequency. Advantageously, the periodic signal may comprise a desirable duty cycle of 50 percent. |
| US07696795B2 |
Power-on reset circuit
A power-on reset circuit includes a power detector to generate a detect voltage by detecting an internal voltage. An output unit outputs a power-up reset signal using the detect voltage. A delay unit is configured to delay the power-up reset signal and generate a delay voltage. A switch device is configured to be controlled using the delay voltage. A discharge unit discharges the detect voltage in response to the internal voltage and the power-up reset signal. |
| US07696794B2 |
Drive circuit for a switch in a switching converter
The invention relates to a drive circuit for providing a drive signal (S3) for a switch in a switching converter in a manner dependent on a control signal (S2), the drive circuit comprising at least two groups (22, 30) of circuit components, each group having at least one circuit component, and the circuit components being coupled to one another and designed to provide the drive signal (S3) from the control signal (S2). In this case, voltage is supplied to the circuit components of the first group by means of the control signal, while voltage is supplied to the circuit components of the second group (30) by means of a supply voltage at a supply terminal (K2). |
| US07696789B2 |
High-frequency signal detector
Disclosed is a high-frequency signal detector circuit including a diode detector circuit for detecting an input signal by diode detection; a differential-input/differential output amplifier with a common mode feedback circuit, the amplifier including a differential amplifying circuit for differentially receiving outputs of the diode detector circuit and outputting a differential output signal, and a common mode feedback circuit for controlling the differential amplifying circuit in such a manner that a voltage corresponding to a mid-point of the differential output signal from the differential amplifying circuit will take on a voltage identical with a prescribed voltage; and a differential-input/single-ended output amplifier for receiving the differential output signal of the differential amplifying circuit and outputting a single-ended output signal. The circuit further includes a binarization circuit for receiving the output signal of the differential-input/single-ended output amplifier and comparing the output signal with a threshold voltage to thereby binarize and output the signal. The threshold voltage is adjustably set. |
| US07696787B2 |
Signal history controlled slew-rate transmission method and bus interface transmitter
A signal history controlled slew-rate transmission method and bus interface transmitter provide an improved channel equalization mechanism having low complexity. A variable slew-rate feed-forward pre-emphasis circuit changes the slew rate of the applied pre-emphasis in conformity with the history of the transmitted signal. The pre-emphasis circuit may be implemented by a pair of current sources supplying the output of the transmitter, and having differing current values. The current sources are controlled such that upon a signal value change, a high slew rate is provided and when the signal value does not change for two consecutive signal periods, the slew rate is reduced. A current source having a controlled magnitude may be employed to provide a slew rate that changes over time and is continuously reduced until another transmission value change occurs. |
| US07696785B2 |
Implementing logic functions with non-magnitude based physical phenomena
An n-valued switch with n≧2, with an input enabled to receive a signal in one of n states, an output enabled to provide a signal in one of at least 2 states, under control of a control signal having one of at least 2 states is disclosed. Signals are instances of a physical phenomenon, an instance representing a state. N-valued inverters are also disclosed. Different types of signals are disclosed, including optical signals with different wavelengths, electrical signals with different frequencies and signals represented by a presence of a material. A kit including an n-valued switch is also disclosed. |
| US07696784B1 |
Programmable logic device with multiple slice types
In one embodiment, a programmable logic device includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks and a plurality of slices within each of the programmable logic blocks. At least one programmable logic blocks includes a first slice not adapted to provide register functionality or RAM functionality, a second slice adapted to provide register functionality but not RAM functionality, and a third slice adapted to provide register functionality and RAM functionality. Control logic within the programmable logic block is adapted to provide control signals at the programmable block level and at the slice level. |
| US07696780B2 |
Runtime loading of configuration data in a configurable IC
Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has several configurable circuits for configurably performing different operations. During the operation of the IC, each particular configurable circuit performs a particular operation that is specified by a particular configuration data set for the particular configurable circuit. While the IC operates and a first set of configurable circuits performs a first set of operations, configuration data is loaded from the outside of the IC for configuring a second set of configurable circuits. In some embodiments, the configurable IC includes a configuration network for rapid loading configuration data in the IC from outside of the IC. In some of these embodiments, the configuration network is a pipelined network. Also, the IC of some embodiments includes a configuration controller for retrieving configuration data from outside of the IC, formulating configuration data sets, and routing the configuration data sets to the second set of configurable circuits over the configuration network. |
| US07696778B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting terminal state and setting output driver impedance
Embodiments of the present invention include systems for calibrating an output circuit. A comparator is coupled to a calibration terminal and configured to determine whether the calibration terminal is in a first state coupled to a calibration resistor or in a second state. A calibration circuit is coupled to the calibration terminal and configured to generate a calibration value based in part on the presence or absence of the calibration resistor. An impedance selector is coupled to the calibration circuit, the comparator, and a default calibration value. The impedance selector is configured to select the default calibration value when the comparator indicates the calibration terminal is in the second state and to select the calibration value coupled from the calibration circuit when the comparator indicates the calibration terminal is in the first state. |
| US07696777B2 |
System for transmission line termination by signal cancellation
A communication system having first and second states for use with a shared transmission line composed of at least two conductors and composed of first and second transmission line segments connected to each other at a single connection point. In the first state, a termination is coupled to the single connection point and is operative to at least attenuate a signal propagated between the first and second segments. In the second state, a driver is coupled to the connection point and is operative to conduct a signal over the first and second segments. |
| US07696776B2 |
Circuit for generating on-die termination control signal
A circuit for generating an on-die termination control signal can include a first signal generation block configured to generate a first signal to prevent a first on-die terminal control from being performed in a frequency/voltage switching period, a second signal generation block configured to generate a second signal to perform a second on-die termination control at an initial stage of operation, and a signal output block configured to generate the on-die termination control signal by combining the first and second signals. |
| US07696769B2 |
Method of obtaining accurately a heat-dissipating requirement for electronic systems
A method of obtaining accurately a heat-dissipating requirement for electronic systems of a same kind uses a thermal analysis software, a passed thermal module with a fan, and a fan speed regulating device. The method includes steps of: (1) connecting the fan to the fan speed regulating device; (2) turning on one electronic system and running the fan, monitoring the electronic system; (3) reducing the speed of the fan until the electronic system is shut down, recording the fan speed; (4) getting a thermal resistance (Ri) of the thermal module when it runs in an open space with the fan running at the speed at which the electronic system is shut down; (5) repeating above four steps to get some Ri's of some other such electronic systems; (6) using the thermal analysis software to analyze the Ri's of the electronic systems and getting accurately the heat-dissipating requirement for the electronic systems. |
| US07696768B2 |
On-die heating circuit and control loop for rapid heating of the die
An integrated circuit includes a heating circuit configured to heat the integrated circuit under the control of a controller. A transfer function with adjustable pole, zero and overall gain is implemented in the controller such that a temperature response of the integrated circuit can be changed by adjusting one or more of the adjustable pole, zero and overall gain. |
| US07696767B2 |
Inspection device and inspection method
A first conductive contact connecting a first electrode of an inspection circuit board and one external electrode of a semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged in a fixed member. A second conductive contact connecting a second electrode of a wiring board and the other external electrode of the semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged in a movable member. A third conductive contact connecting one third electrode of the inspection circuit board and the other third electrode of the wiring board is arranged in the movable member. The other third electrode is connected to the second electrode. When the movable member moves to the contacting position, the second conductive contact makes contact with the other external electrode, and the third conductive contact makes contact with the one third electrode. |
| US07696763B1 |
Sensor and method for detecting analytes in fluids
A fluid sensor is constructed to have a pair of electrodes whereas between electrodes there are not additional materials designated to adsorb analytes if their concentrations are high, or there are adsorbents if the analyte concentrations are low. An alternating current voltage of varying frequencies is applied to the electrodes of the sensor by an alternating current device. In return, it detects electrical properties such as impedance and its components, reactance, resistance, and phase angles of the sensor with analytes whereas the analytes reside in or pass through the electrodes at each frequency. Thus a spectrum of electrical properties of the analyte can be established at various applied frequencies. The electrical properties are analyzed by a pattern recognition process, and compared with those of the known fluids. Therefore, the fluid can be detected and identified. A reference sensor is provided with the same configuration of the fluid sensor. With combining electrical signals from the fluid sensor and reference sensor, the present invention brings a number of advantages, including elimination of humidity influence, polymer film aging effect, and effect of temperature variations. In addition, a temperature programming is suggested in the present invention to better control processes of adsorption and desorption for analytes thus the analytes can be better detected and identified. |
| US07696760B2 |
High voltage harness testing system
A wire harness testing system is disclosed. The wire harness testing system includes a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage at a location associated with an electric load, wherein the electric load is connected with at least one wire harness. The wire harness testing system also includes a controller electrically coupled to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a wire harness test request. The controller is further configured to determine a voltage drop based on a voltage sensor measurement and a reference voltage and compare the voltage drop with a threshold. The controller is also configured to adaptively update the reference voltage with the voltage measurement responsive to a voltage drop below the threshold, and generate a fault notice responsive to a voltage drop above the threshold. The wire harness testing system further includes at least one indication device configured to provide a warning signal based on the fault notice generated by the controller. |
| US07696757B2 |
Method and apparatus for resistivity measurements using dual impedance voltage measurements
Measurements made by a four terminal resistivity imaging tool in a borehole using a voltage measurement device with two different input impedances. From the two measurements, formation resistivity is determined with minimal sensitivity to standoff. |
| US07696755B2 |
Magnetic resonance coil composed of relatively movable constituent elements
A magnetic resonance coil has an antenna portion for accommodating a body part to be examined, the antenna portion is formed by a number of constituent units connected in series, the positions between various constituent units are relatively movable. By moving the positions between the constituent units, a portion of the area between at least two constituent units overlaps. By increasing or reducing the number of the constituent units, or by adjusting the overlapped area between the constituent units, one pair or a number of pairs of the constituent units are made to overlap completely, so as to achieve the adjustment of the size of the antenna portion to accommodate a body part to be examined, and to make said antenna portion as close as possible to the body part to be examined, so as to obtain a signal with a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio, and to obtain a relatively high imaging quality. |
| US07696749B2 |
Resonator-based magnetic field sensor
The resonator-based magnetic field sensor system has an oscillatory member as resonator, means for driving an electrical current through said resonator such that its resonance frequency is altered by an external magnetic field to be measured (measurand), and means for detecting or measuring said altered resonance frequency. A secondary excitation of the resonator is effected to determine the said altered resonance frequency from which the measurand can be deduced. In the preferred embodiment, the secondary excitation is included in a closed loop, thus creating an oscillator vibrating at the altered resonance frequency. Though it is known to use the oscillation amplitude of a suitable resonator for this purpose, the novel sensor system identifies and/or measures the frequency (not the amplitude) of the oscillation, which is a function of the magnetic field to be measured. |
| US07696748B2 |
Absolute property measurements using electromagnetic sensors
Methods and apparatus are described for absolute electrical property measurement of materials. This is accomplished with magnetic and electric field based sensors and sensor array geometries that can be modeled accurately and with impedance instrumentation that permits accurate measurements of the in-phase and quadrature phase signal components. A dithering calibration method is also described which allows the measurement to account for background material noise variations. Methods are also described for accounting for noise factors in sensor design and selection of the optimal operating conditions which can minimize the error bounds for material property estimates. Example application of these methods to automated engine disk slot inspection and assessment of the mechanical condition of dielectric materials are presented. |
| US07696745B2 |
Operating method of test handler
Operation methods of test handler are disclosed. The pick-and-place apparatus picks up semiconductor devices from first loading compartments arrayed in a matrix on a first loading element, moves, and places onto second loading compartments arrayed in a matrix on a second loading element. Pickers of the pick-and-place apparatus pick up the semiconductor devices from the first loading compartments and place them selectively onto a plurality of adjacent odd rows or a plurality of adjacent even rows of the second loading compartments during one operation. The pick-and-place apparatus includes a relatively large number of the pickers, preferably arrayed in a matrix, and thus performs loading and unloading of semiconductor devices at a relatively high speed. |
| US07696743B2 |
Zero-phase current detecting apparatus
In a zero-phase current detecting apparatus, a feedback loop is made up of a pulse generating unit, a current detecting unit, a peak detecting unit, an adding unit, and a current regulating unit. The adding unit outputs a difference between a target value and a peak value detected by the peak detecting unit. A zero-phase current is detected based on the difference output from the adding unit as a result of regulation of the peak value so as to be the target value in the adding unit. |
| US07696742B2 |
Method and circuit for reducing noise when measuring intensity of electric current
The measurement of a very low intensity of an electric current is carried out by 5 integrating the electric current over integration cycles having a time period ti and measuring a peak value of a sawtooth voltage at an integrated circuit output each time at the end of the integration cycle, whereat noise voltage components of a frequency above a cut-off frequency, which has a value of the order of magnitude (0,1×2π×ti)−1, being parts of a voltage of a noise generated in an operational amplifier comprised in the integrated circuit are filtered out of the said sawtooth voltage and noise components, which have the origin in the high-frequency voltage components of Johnson noise, which appear in the low-frequency spectral part of the sawtooth voltage as aliasing, are subtracted from a filtered sawtooth voltage. A higher absolute accuracy of the measurement is achieved by means of a reduction of the direct as well as the aliasing contribution of the Johnson noise of the operational amplifier in the measuring circuit. |
| US07696735B2 |
Switched capacitor converters
A switched capacitor converter has a supply voltage input, an output circuit with one or more load capacitors, a semiconductor switch network. The switch network is connected at a switch junction point and across the voltage input, and has one or more pairs of said first and second switches. Each pair of switches is associated with one of the load capacitors and each pair is connected in series. The converter also has a charging capacitor network connected across the semiconductor switch network and across the voltage input. The charging capacitor network has one or more charging capacitors and inductances connected between the switch junction point and the output circuit. Each of the charging capacitors and inductances is associated with one of the load capacitors. The load capacitors are each charged by the associated charging capacitor when the associated first switch is closed and the associated second switch is open. And the load capacitors are each discharged by the associated inductance when the associated first switch is closed and the associated second switch is open. |
| US07696730B2 |
Control apparatus for AC-AC converter
A control apparatus for an AC-AC direct converter. The control apparatus includes a calculator providing a phase command θ* of an output voltage of the converter, a calculator providing a q-axis current iq by using output currents iu and iw and the phase command θ*, a detector detecting a pulsation component contained in the q-axis current iq, a calculator providing a phase correction magnitude θcmp so as to decrease the pulsation component, and an adder/subtractor correcting the phase command θ* by using the correction magnitude θcmp. This apparatus can decrease the output voltage distortion and low frequency torque pulsation and can suppress the increase of an output current without weakening a magnetic flux, even when the converter is operated in an overmodulation region. |
| US07696728B2 |
Toothbrush
A combination of an electrically powered toothbrush incorporating an electric power supply which comprises a capacitor, and a charging unit which incorporates one or more replaceable or rechargeable battery cells, enabling recharging of the capacitor without connection to the main electricity supply. |
| US07696726B2 |
Battery charger and associated method
The present invention relates to battery chargers. A first controller can be configured to set, when a first power supply is coupled to a first port, a current produced by a variable current source at a safe rate to charge a battery. An ammeter can be configured to measure, when the battery is coupled to a second port, the current flowing into the battery. The first controller can be configured to increase, after a passing of a quantifiable amount of time, the current produced by the variable current source by a quantifiable amount of current. The first controller can be configured to continue iteratively to increase, after the passing of the quantifiable amount of time, the current produced by the variable current source by the quantifiable amount of current until the safe rate is near or at a highest safe rate to charge the battery. |
| US07696723B2 |
Battery charger, and method of judging charging condition
A battery charger and a method of judging a charging condition of a secondary battery capable of judging precisely a charging condition of the secondary battery are provided. Charging conditions of the secondary battery are classified to four charging conditions depending on change of the voltage value of the secondary battery during charging operation, and one of these four charging conditions is displayed on the secondary battery by detecting the voltage value of the secondary battery at predetermined intervals. |
| US07696718B2 |
Charging apparatus and charging system
Disclosed is a charging apparatus for charging a secondary battery incorporated in a portable electronic device. The charging apparatus includes a contactless IC card reader configured to supply operating power to a contactless IC card unit incorporated in the portable electronic device and have an authentication function of authenticating that an object to be authenticated is a correct one, a charging circuit configured to perform contactless charging of the secondary battery, and a control unit configured to activate the charging circuit if an authentication result is OK after the contactless IC card reader authenticates an object to be authenticated when the object to be authenticated is placed. |
| US07696717B2 |
Battery energy management system for measuring a minimum battery voltage
A method of monitoring a battery energy management system includes discharging a detector circuit to a minimum battery voltage, measuring an elapsed time that the minimum battery voltage is detected, resetting a timer circuit, and sampling the minimum battery voltage and the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage in response to a predefined prompt. The discharge of the detector circuit, the measurement of the minimum battery voltage, the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage, and the reset of the timer circuit are performed in response to an input voltage being less than the voltage stored within the detector circuit. |
| US07696715B2 |
Power control for induction motors using variable frequency AC power
An autonomous controller allows an AC induction motor to operate over a broad range of AC power supply frequencies by reducing the amount of current supplied to the motor at lower frequencies. The controller detects the frequency of the power supply and switches the supply current on and off during each AC cycle to limit the RMS current to a value that is related to the detected frequency. Alternatively, the controller switches capacitive reactance into the power supply circuit which reduces the current supplied to the motor at lower AC frequencies. |
| US07696714B2 |
Method and apparatus for active noise reduction in fans
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing power to a fan motor. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a boost regulator configured to provide an output current to a fan motor using an input current provided at an input voltage by a power supply. The fan motor is configured to draw the output current at a first frequency and the input current is constant within a first selected tolerance over a time scale longer than indicated by the first frequency. |
| US07696710B2 |
Method of sensing an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate with temperature compensation
A method for determining an amount of moisture on a surface of a substrate includes a step of transmitting a transmitter signal to generate a wave. The transmitter signal has a first phase. The wave is propagated to vibrate the surface. Vibrations in the surface are detected and converted into a receiver signal. The receiver signal has a second phase different than the first phase. The method includes the step of sensing the temperature of the substrate. The amount of moisture on the surface is computed based on a phase shift between the transmitter signal and the receiver signal that has been compensated to account for surface temperature. |
| US07696709B2 |
Electric power steering apparatus and controller therefor
There is provided a controller for an electric power steering apparatus having a motor which applies a steering assist force to a steering mechanism. The controller includes a torque command value calculating portion which calculates a torque command value based on steering torque generated in a steering shaft, and a vehicle speed and a current command value calculating portion which calculates a current command value for the motor based on the torque command value. The controller controls the motor based on the current command value. In the apparatus, the controller has a cogging torque compensation value calculating portion which calculates a cogging torque compensation value for the motor, and corrects the current command value based on the cogging torque compensation value. |
| US07696708B2 |
Ripple detecting device
A ripple detecting device for detecting a ripple from an armature current outputted from a motor by overlapping a low band noise having a frequency of one/n (wherein “n” is a natural number more than 1) includes an initial ripple detecting device for detecting a cycle of the ripple in advance, a feature detecting device for detecting a feature of the ripple from the armature current outputted from the motor. The ripple detecting device further includes a ripple detecting control device for detecting the ripple by comparing the feature of the ripple with the low band noise having the frequency of one/n detected by the feature detecting device at a time before the present time with the feature of the ripple detected by the feature detecting device at the present time and judging that a ripple is generated when the features of the time before the present time and the present time present are resembled. |
| US07696706B2 |
Fan system and real-time stopping device thereof
A fan system includes a stator magnetic pole, a driving unit and a real-time stopping unit. The driving unit is coupled with the stator magnetic pole and controls a polarity change of the stator magnetic pole in accordance with a driving signal. The real-time stopping unit is electrically connected with the driving unit. When the fan system is powered off, the driving unit enables two ends of the stator magnetic pole to have the same voltage level in accordance with a control signal generated by the real-time stopping unit so that the fan system stops operating immediately. |
| US07696702B2 |
Transformer, backlight apparatus, and display apparatus
A transformer includes: a primary winding receiving portion having a primary winding wound around an axis; and a pair of secondary winding receiving portions each having a secondary winding wound around an axis and disposed on the opposite sides of the first primary winding receiving portion with a gap left in the axial direction. The gaps are formed in a size of a value higher than a first predetermined value, and the coupling coefficients between the first primary winding and the two secondary windings are set lower than a second predetermined value by the gaps. |
| US07696701B2 |
Power supply for halogen lamp having an inverter and output circuit
A circuit (10) for powering a halogen lamp (20) comprises an inverter (100) and an output circuit (300). During operation, the inverter (100) and output circuit (300) provide a magnitude-limited current to the halogen lamp such that the lamp power during an initial period is substantially less than the lamp power during a steady-state operating period. Preferably, output circuit (300) is a non-isolated circuit that includes a current-limiting inductance, and inverter (100) includes a frequency control circuit (R2,C4,C7,Q3,R3,R5,C8) for operating the inverter at a higher frequency during the initial period so as to reduce stress upon the lamp filament and preserve the operating life of the lamp. The circuit (10) is especially suitable for powering low voltage halogen lamps. |
| US07696700B2 |
System for rectifying and limiting current and reducing voltage
A system for reducing and limiting current and reducing voltage for a light string system. The system includes: an input terminal connected to a rectifying circuit; the rectifying circuit being connected between the input terminal and a voltage-reducing and current-limiting circuit; the voltage-reducing and current-limiting circuit being connected between the rectifying circuit and the input terminal; and an output terminal being connected to the device for rectifying current, reducing voltage and limiting current. |
| US07696699B2 |
Lamp base for a high-pressure discharge lamp and corresponding high-pressure discharge lamp
A lamp base (2) for a high-pressure discharge lamp comprises an ignition transformer (1000), which is placed in the interior (214) of the lamp base (2) and which serves to ignite the gas discharge inside the high-pressure discharge lamp. To this end, the ignition transformer (1000) comprises a core on which its windings (1001, 1002) are placed. The core is formed by a first core part (1004) and by at least one second core part (1005, 1006, 1007), which are each made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material and are separated by at least one gap (10078). The first core part (1004) has a cylindrical section on which the windings (1001, 1002) of the ignition transformer (1000) are placed, and core parts (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007) are formed in such a manner that the core, apart from the at least one gap (1008), has a closed shape. |
| US07696697B2 |
Magnetron
In the magnetron, an upper end hat 122A is used as a composing element of a cathode structure member 12A and includes a portion 122Aa which is in contact with one end portion 121a of a filament coil 121. The thickness of the portion 122Aa is reduced, whereby the portion 122Aa is held not in contact with a center lead 124. Owing to this, heat generated in the filament coil 121 can travel to the upper end hat 122A without traveling directly to the center lead 124. Therefore, even when the quantity of input power is reduced to such a degree as to be able to reduce noise, or even when the electron radiation area of the filament coil 121 is reduced, the getter effect can be displayed fully. As a result of this, noise reduction and cost reduction can be realized at the same time. |
| US07696693B2 |
External electrode fluorescent lamp for liquid crystal displays and a method of making the same
A fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas and a fluorescent material, a first external electrode covering an outer edge of the tube, the first external electrode having a tetragonal cap-like shape, and a second external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the second external electrode contacting the first external electrode. |
| US07696690B2 |
Short-wavelength light-emitting element arranged in a container with a window having a window board formed of a calcium fluoride crystals
A short-wavelength light-emitting element such as an ultraviolet light-emitting element or blue light-emitting element is arranged in a container which has a window with a window board formed of calcium fluoride crystals. Fluoride crystals are ones which contain either metal or metal halide, or both of them. In a production method of fluoride crystals in which the cavity of a crucible is filled with raw material powder and this crucible is heated in a vertical Bridgman furnace, a production method of fluoride crystals of the present invention is the one in which the shortest diameter of a cross section of the cavity of the crucible is small. In a crucible, whose cavity is filled with raw material powder, heated in a vertical Bridgman furnace to produce fluoride crystals, a crucible is the one in which the shortest diameter of a section of the cavity is small. |
| US07696689B2 |
Organic EL display device having an organic EL layer formed on an exposed underlying layer
A display device includes an underlying layer formed over a substrate; an insulating layer formed over the substrate to expose the underlying layer; and an organic EL layer formed on the exposed portion of the underlying layer, wherein a thickness of the insulating layer is formed to a predetermined thickness to prevent defects in the organic EL layer that can occur in an edge portion of the exposed portion. |
| US07696688B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display and method for manufacturing the same
An adhesive type organic EL display, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The organic EL display comprises a first substrate having a thin transistor formed thereon, and a second substrate having an organic EL element formed thereon. The organic EL display further comprises at least two partition walls formed in a non-light emitting region of the second substrate, an insulation layer formed to cover a portion of each partition wall, and a second electrode, which is formed on the partition walls, and electrically connected to the thin transistor of the first substrate. |
| US07696683B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element and the manufacturing method
One embodiment of an organic electroluminescent element of present invention includes a substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, an organic luminescent medium layer including an organic luminescent layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the organic luminescent medium layer and barrier film formed on the second electrode. The organic luminescent medium layer is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. Film density of the barrier film changes in thickness direction. |
| US07696675B2 |
Surface acoustic wave device and electronic apparatus
A surface acoustic wave device includes: a quartz substrate; and at least a single-type IDT electrode provided on a surface of the quartz substrate for exciting a Rayleigh surface acoustic wave in the upper limit mode of the surface acoustic wave stop band with the following relationships satisfied; φ=0°, 110°≦θ≦140°, and 38°≦|ψ|≦44°, when the quartz substrate cut angles and the surface acoustic wave propagation direction are represented by Euler angles (φ, θ, ψ), and wherein the electrode thickness relative to wavelength set such that H/λ≧0.1796η3−0.4303η2+0.2071η+0.0682, with the thickness of the IDT electrode defined as H, the width of an electrode IDT finger defined as d, the pitch between the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode as P, the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave as λ, and where η=d/P. |
| US07696673B1 |
Piezoelectric generators, motor and transformers
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for generating electricity, transforming voltages and generating motion using one or more piezoelectric elements operably coupled to one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements. In one embodiment, a non-piezoelectric resonating element is configured to oscillate and dissipate mechanical energy into a piezoelectric element, which converts a portion of such mechanical energy into electricity and therefore acts as a generator. In another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is configured to drive one or more mechanical elements operably coupled to the one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements, and therefore acts as a motor. In still another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is operably coupled to a non-piezoelectric resonating element to form an electrical transformer. The mechanical properties of the non-piezoelectric resonating elements are typically selected to permit relatively high permissible stress and strain in comparison to the corresponding piezoelectric elements to which they are operably coupled or attached. |
| US07696671B2 |
Array ultrasonic transducer having piezoelectric devices
An ultrasonic transducer in which lead wire connection is facilitated even when piezoelectric devices are divided in order to prevent lateral vibrations from affecting longitudinal vibrations is manufactured by a method comprising: a step in which first dicing grooves are formed on an acoustic matching layer and a piezoelectric device plate that are mounted together in order to form a plurality of piezoelectric devices; a step in which a board and the respective piezoelectric devices are connected together; a step in which surfaces in the vicinity of locations at which the board and the piezoelectric devices are connected together are coated with a conductive sheet; and a step in which the plurality of transducer elements are formed by forming second dicing grooves between the first dicing grooves formed on the piezoelectric devices and the board that is coated with the conductive sheet and on the acoustic matching layer. |
| US07696664B2 |
Magnetic path closed electric generator
A magnetic path closed electric generator includes a base (9), a housing (8), a stator (3), a rotator (5), a rotation shaft (7) and a transmission wheel. A magnetic permeability neck (12) is fixed on the stator; a coil winding (2) on the stator is fixed on the magnetic permeability bracket (1) and hitches outside a magnetic permeability neck; a low magnetic permeability medium (13) is disposed between the magnetic permeability bracket and the magnetic permeability neck. When the rotator rotates, a magnetic body (4) rotates along with it. The magnetic permeability neck is inducted to permeate magnetic and generate electric current with change of flux passing through the coil winding. A magnetic field generated by the electric current in the coil winding passes through the magnetic permeability bracket. The coil winding on the stator and the magnetic body on the rotator form a magnetic line closed loop in their own magnetic field. There is only small magnetic attracting force between the rotator and the stator. |
| US07696662B2 |
High resistance magnet and motor using the same
A magnet comprising grains of a ferromagnetic material whose main component is iron and a fluorine compound layer or an oxy-fluorine compound layer of fluoride compound particles of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and rare earth elements, present on the surface of the ferromagnetic material grains, wherein an amount of iron atoms in the fluorine compound particles is 1 to 50 atomic %. |
| US07696660B2 |
Stator for rotary electric machine
A leading end portion of a lead wire holder located in a direction opposite to a direction in which six lead wires extend is inserted toward concave surfaces through an insertion opening. After the leading end portion has entered toward the concave surfaces and gotten out therefrom, the leading end portion is situated between opposed surfaces of hooks and a holder receiving portion bottom surface. With this arrangement, a back surface of a rear end portion located opposite to the leading end portion of the lead wire holder comes into contact with end surface portions of partitioning wall portions. An end surface portion of the rear end portion faces projecting portions. Then, the six lead wires are partially received in six lead wire receiving portions, respectively. |
| US07696655B2 |
Automatic balancing apparatus, rotating apparatus, disc drive apparatus, and balancer
An automatic balancing apparatus is disclosed. The automatic balancing apparatus includes a plurality of magnets, magnetic fluid, and a rotatable housing. The magnets function as balancers. The rotatable housing has a moving path disposed along a peripheral direction of the rotation. Each of the magnets is moved through the moving path. The rotatable housing accommodates the magnets and the magnetic fluid. |
| US07696653B2 |
Movable-body apparatus, exposure apparatus and methods comprising same, and device-manufacturing methods
Movable-body apparatus, notably configured as stages, are disclosed that include at least one movable body and at least one respective actuator. The actuator drives the movable body in the direction of at least one axis in a predetermined plane. A waste-heat member is situated in a non-contacting manner with the movable body. The waste-heat member absorbs heat radiated from the movable body. Thus, adverse thermal influences of the movable body are suppressed without a need to connect a coolant conduit to the movable body, which eliminates decreases in movement accuracy conventionally caused by tension of such a conduit on the movable body. |
| US07696646B2 |
Power switching circuit for liquid crystal display
An exemplary power switching circuit (20) includes a control signal input terminal (210); an output terminal (220); direct current (DC) power supply (230); a first transistor (250) including a control electrode connected to the control signal input terminal, a first current conducting electrode, and a grounded second current conducting electrode; a second transistor (260) including a control electrode connected to first current conducting electrode of the first transistor via a discharging resistor (264) and a diode (266) respectively and connected to the DC power supply via a discharging capacitor (265), a first current conducting electrode connected to the DC power supply, and a second current conducting electrode connected to the output terminal; and a third transistor (270) including a control electrode connected to first current conducting electrode of the first transistor, a first current conducting electrode connected to the output terminal, and a second grounded current conducting electrode. |
| US07696645B2 |
Circuit arrangement for voltage switching
A circuit arrangement for voltage switching is used for optimized control of switching transistors, which are used for switching voltages applied to an output of the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement of the invention enables rapid voltage switching with a simultaneously low current consumption. |
| US07696644B2 |
Wireless power transfer system for glass
A power transfer system for imparting power to at least one functional element, such as a movable glass-containing functional element, such as a sliding glass door. The power transfer system preferably includes a magnetic induction power transfer mechanism with a power transfer circuit having first and second separated coils, and a resonant circuit power driver having a resonant frequency. The power transfer mechanism is designed to apply power to the functional element and/or to other devices or systems connected to it. The power transfer system may include an electronic feedback mechanism with an electronic feedback circuit for sensing a predetermined condition concerning the functional element. To take one example, the electronic feedback circuit may be used to provide safety door detection feedback by sensing the position of a movable glass portion of sliding glass doors, and by relaying a feedback signal, which may be carried by a light wave, to the power transfer mechanism if the movable glass portion of the doors is determined to be in a closed position. A data link may be used to communicate information between the power transfer circuit and the functional element. |
| US07696643B1 |
Interim power source
An interim power source includes an energy storage, a switch coupled with the energy storage, and a control circuit coupled with the switch. The switch selects a source of power being delivered out of an output power terminal to an electronic device. The control circuit may cause the switch to select the source of power from at least one of an input power terminal and the energy storage. The input power terminal may include a main power source and a backup or secondary power source. |
| US07696642B2 |
Cogeneration system
In a cogeneration system having a generator unit that generates DC power, an internal combustion engine for driving the generator unit, a battery that stores DC power for starting the engine, and an inverter that inverts the DC power generated by the generator unit to AC power, there are provided a solar unit that generates DC power by converting radiant energy of sunlight into electrical energy and a DC/DC converter that boosts the DC power stored in the battery, such that one of the battery and the solar unit is connected to the inverter through the DC/DC converter, thereby enabling them to share the DC/DC converter and thus to make the structure simple. |
| US07696639B2 |
Three phase rectifier circuit with virtual neutral
A rectifier circuit powers three power conversion modules using a three phase AC input without a neutral connection. The rectifier circuit includes a first bridge rectifier that is connected to a first phase of the three phase AC input and that produces a first rectified waveform. A second bridge rectifier is connected to a second phase of the three phase AC input and produces a second rectified waveform. A third bridge rectifier is connected to a third phase of the three phase AC input and produces a third rectified waveform. A first inductor has one end that is connected to the first bridge rectifier. A second inductor has one end that is connected to the second bridge rectifier. A third inductor has one end that is connected to the third bridge rectifier. Opposite ends of the first, second and third inductors are connected to form a virtual neutral. A protection circuit prevents overvoltage when one of the DC outputs is shorted. |
| US07696638B2 |
Systems and methods for supplying voltage to a control device
A voltage supply device for a control device that is mounted in a motor vehicle is provided. The control device comprises a logic unit, used mainly for processing information, and a power unit, used mainly for driving actuators. The logic unit is connected to a voltage source by means of a switchable supply line, and the power unit is connected to a voltage source by means of a non-switchable supply line. |
| US07696635B2 |
Gravity-flap, savonius-type wind turbine device
A wind turbine devices comprises a vertically rotating shaft; and a plurality of horizontally disposed, box-shaped wind catchment vanes connected about the shaft, each vane having an open front face to catch wind flow and a lightweight flap on their rear face that closes when acted upon by wind force to rotate the vane about the shaft. When the latter flap opens, wind spills through the vane thus increasing efficiency. |
| US07696634B2 |
Pliant mechanisms for extracting power from moving fluid
Flexible and elastic mechanisms for extracting power from a moving fluid. Sheet-like material is deformed during fabrication through an applied force so as to create undulations in said material, whose stresses are maintained through restraining components, thereby maintaining the occurrence of said deformations in the material. When placed in moving fluid, the resulting pressure differentials cause the positions of the undulations within the material to travel along said material in the same direction as the moving fluid. Power is extracted in one of two principle ways. The first is via a mechanical coupling of the sheet-like material to a rotating mechanism, which turns an electro-magnetic dynamo or other output device. The second is via the utilization of a flexible material which exhibits an electrical response to mechanical strain, whereby the strains caused by the travel of undulations along the material create an electrical current which is extracted via two or more electrodes. |
| US07696632B1 |
Hydraulic air compressor and generator system
A hydraulic air compressor and generator system may comprise: a hydraulic air compressor comprising a compressed air pipe for conveying the compressed air from the separator chamber; and an electrical power generator positioned in line with the compressed air pipe so that compressed air will directly power the generator. A method for operating an electrical power generator may comprise: positioning the electrical power generator in line with a compressed air pipe of a hydraulic air compressor; and using compressed air output from the HAC to directly power the electrical power generator. |
| US07696631B2 |
Wire bonding personalization and discrete component attachment on wirebond pads
Inner wire bond pads are formed within a peripheral region of a semiconductor chip and at least one bonding wire is attached to the inner wire bond pads. The semiconductor chip may be customized for a specific configuration of choice by wiring inner wire bond pads. Alternately, the bonding wires may be employed to reinforce a power network or a ground network. Further, the bonding wire may serve as a passive radio frequency (RF) component. In addition, the bonding wire may be used a heat conduction path to transfer heat from the semiconductor chip to the upper package housing. |
| US07696622B2 |
MEMS device formed inside hermetic chamber having getter film
A MEMS device including a getter film formed inside a hermetic chamber provides stable performance of the MEMS device by electrically stabilizing the getter film. The MEMS device includes a movable portion and a fixed portion formed inside the hermetic chamber. The hermetic chamber is formed by a base material of the MEMS device and glass substrates and having a cavity and cavities made therein. A part of any continuous getter film formed inside the hermetic chamber connects to only one of any one or a plurality of predetermined electrical potentials of the fixed portion and a ground potential of the fixed portion through the base material of the MEMS device. |
| US07696620B2 |
Photodiode array, method for manufacturing same, and radiation detector
A theme is to prevent the generation of noise due to damage in a photodetecting portion in a mounting process in a photodiode array, a method of manufacturing the same, and a radiation detector. In a photodiode array, wherein a plurality of the photodiodes (4) are formed in array form on the surface at a side of the n-type silicon substrate (3) onto which light to be detected is made incident and the penetrating wirings (8), which pass through from the incidence surface side to the back surface side, are formed for the photodiodes (4), the photodiode array (1) is arranged with the spacer (6), having a predetermined planar pattern, provided at non-forming regions of the incidence surface side at which the photodiodes (4) are not formed. |
| US07696619B2 |
Stack combination of plural chip package units
A combination includes a first chip package unit and a second chip package unit on which the first chip package unit is placed. Each of the first and second chip package units includes a substrate having a first surface, a second surface, a chip package electrically connected to the first surface, and a plurality of bonding pads formed on the first and second surfaces. The bonding pads on the first surface of the first chip package unit are respectively electrically connected with the bonding pads on the surface of the second chip package unit. The chip packages electrically connected to the first surfaces are enclosed by the substrates, and the bonding pads on the second surfaces are configured as interface terminals of the combination. |
| US07696617B2 |
Package for semiconductor devices
To prevent or alleviate the occurrence of stress in the junction portion between the semiconductor element and the semiconductor package for mounting the semiconductor element, so that cracks will not occur even when there is mounted a semiconductor element having a low strength. A package for semiconductor devices is formed as a laminate of many layers including a plurality of conducting layers and insulating resin layers that are alternately laminated one upon the other and having, on one surface of the laminate, a portion for mounting a semiconductor element. The whole region or some region(s) of the insulating resin layers of the laminate, including at least the portion for mounting the semiconductor element and the peripheries thereof, are constituted by a prepreg obtained by impregnating a woven fabric of a liquid crystal polymer with an insulating resin. |
| US07696615B2 |
Semiconductor device having pillar-shaped terminal
A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. A semiconductor chip included in the semiconductor device includes a pillar-shaped terminal and a pad-shaped terminal in a terminal region. The pillar-shaped terminal is exposed at a first surface of a chip substrate in the terminal region and the pad-shaped terminal is exposed at a second surface of the chip substrate in the terminal region, where the first surface and the second surface of the chip substrate in the terminal region face oppositely from each other. |
| US07696614B2 |
Driver module structure
A driver module structure includes a flexible circuit board (2) provided with a wiring pattern (7), a semiconductor device mounted on the flexible circuit board (2), and an electrically conductive heat-radiating member (4) joined to the semiconductor device. The wiring pattern (7) includes a ground wiring pattern (8). The flexible circuit board (2) has a cavity (9) that exposes a portion of the ground wiring pattern (8). The exposed portion of the ground wiring pattern (8) and the heat-radiating member (4) are connected to establish electrical continuity via a member (11) that is fitted into the cavity (9). |
| US07696607B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a circuit region having a function element formed on a semiconductor substrate; a scribe region located between the circuit region and another circuit region formed spaced from the circuit region, the scribe region including a cutting region and non-cutting regions provided at both sides of the cutting region; a first interlayer insulating film formed in the scribe region on the semiconductor substrate; a first dummy pattern made of conductive material and formed in the first interlayer insulating film in the cutting region; and a second dummy pattern made of conductive material and formed in the first interlayer insulating film in each of the non-cutting regions. The ratio, per unit area, of the area of the first dummy pattern to the area of the cutting region is lower than the ratio, per unit area, of the area of the second dummy pattern to the area of the non-cutting regions. |
| US07696604B2 |
Silicon germanium heterostructure barrier varactor
Methods and heterostructure barrier varactor (HBV) diodes optimized for application with frequency multipliers at providing outputs at submillimeter wave frequencies and above. The HBV diodes include a silicon-containing substrate, an electrode over the silicon-containing substrate, and one or more heterojunction quantum wells of alternating layers of Si and SiGe of one or more electrodes of the diode. Each SiGe quantum well preferably has a floating SiGe layer between adjacent SiGe gradients followed by adjacent Si layers, such that, a single homogeneous structure is provided characterized by having no distinct separations. The plurality of Si/SiGe heterojunction quantum wells may be symmetric or asymmetric. |
| US07696594B2 |
Attachment of a QFN to a PCB
Methods and arrangements to attach a QFN to a PCB, systems which include a QFN attached to a PCB, and apparatuses for controlling the deposit of solder upon a PCB are disclosed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to calculate a total area for the QFN IO pads. Embodiments may then determine a total area for the regions of solder applied to the PCB thermal pad to which the QFN thermal pad may be connected in dependence upon the calculated total area for the QFN IO pads. In some embodiments, the total area of the solder regions applied to the PCB thermal pad is approximately equal to the calculated total area for the QFN IO pads. In many embodiments, the number of regions of solder and the shape of the regions of solder is determined. |
| US07696586B2 |
Cobal disilicide structure
A structure. The structure may include a layer of cobalt disilicide that is substantially free of cobalt monosilicide and there is substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium on the layer of cobalt disilicide. The structure may include a substrate that includes: an insulated-gate field effect transistor (FET) that includes a source, a drain, and a gate; a first layer of cobalt disilicide on the source, said first layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide, and said first layer having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon; a second layer of cobalt disilicide on the drain, said second layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon; and a third layer of cobalt disilicide on the gate, said third layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide and having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon. |
| US07696582B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a bipolar transistor improved with heat dissipation. A semiconductor device having bipolar transistors formed in a plurality of device forming regions electrically isolated from each other by device isolation trenches traversing the semiconductor layer, in which a device isolation trench for each of unit bipolar transistors connected in parallel is removed and the plurality of unit bipolar transistors connected in series are entirely surrounded with one device isolation trench. |
| US07696581B2 |
Isolation film in semiconductor device and method of forming the same
The present invention relates to an isolation film in a semiconductor device and method of forming the same. An isolation film is formed in a doped region of a peripheral region, in which the doped region is isolated from a deep well region of a cell region and the isolation film is thicker than an isolation film of the cell region so that a parasitic transistor is not generated and a leakage current can be prevented. |
| US07696577B2 |
Memory cell array in a semiconductor memory device with select lines formed in a U-like shape
A memory cell array in a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having active areas and isolation areas in parallel, a plurality of select lines having generally a U like shape and is configured to cross over the active areas and the isolation areas, and a plurality of word lines formed between the select lines. In view of the select line being formed in U like shape, an occurrence of a punch through phenomenon is prevented by a junction area formed between the select lines. As a result, a margin for reducing a width of the select line is increased. |
| US07696575B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacture thereof
A semiconductor device of complementary structure with increased carrier mobilities of both polarities by applying orientation-dependent mechanical stresses to their respective semiconductor channel regions, comprises a semiconductor region subjected to compressive stress in a first direction along a surface and tensile stress in a second direction different from the first direction, a field effect transistor of a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor region and including source and drain regions separately arranged along the first direction and a field effect transistor of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor region and including source and drain regions separately arranged along the second direction. |
| US07696571B2 |
Method of manufacturing a trench transistor having a heavy body region
A trenched field effect transistor is provided that includes (a) a semiconductor substrate, (b) a trench extending a predetermined depth into the semiconductor substrate, (c) a pair of doped source junctions, positioned on opposite sides of the trench, (d) a doped heavy body positioned adjacent each source junction on the opposite side of the source junction from the trench, the deepest portion of the heavy body extending less deeply into said semiconductor substrate than the predetermined depth of the trench, and (e) a doped well surrounding the heavy body beneath the heavy body. |
| US07696568B2 |
Semiconductor device having reduced sub-threshold leakage
A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor. |
| US07696567B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A memory device comprising a vertical transistor includes a digit line that is directly coupled to the source regions of each memory cell. Because an electrical plug is not used to form a contact between the digit line and the source regions, a number of fabrication steps may be reduced and the possibility for manufacturing defects may also be reduced. In some embodiments, a memory device may include a vertical transistor having gate regions that are recessed from an upper portion of a silicon substrate. With the gate regions recessed from the silicon substrate, the gate regions are spaced further from the source/drain regions and, accordingly, cross capacitance between the gate regions and the source/drain regions may be reduced. |
| US07696565B2 |
FinFET body contact structure
A FinFET body contact structure and a method for creating the FinFET body contact structure are disclosed. The body contact structure comprises a wide fin portion of a semiconductor fin, the wide fin portion having a polysilicon polygon shape formed on a top surface of the wide fin portion. The polysilicon polygon shape has a center area having no polysilicon. FinFETs are formed on two vertical surfaces of the wide fin portion and gates of the FinFETs are coupled to the polysilicon polygon shape. Top surfaces of the wide fin portion and the polysilicon polygon shape are silicided. Silicide bridging is prevented by sidewall spacers. All convex angles on the polysilicon polygon shape are obtuse enough to prevent creation of bridging vertices. The center area is doped of an opposite type from a source and a drain of an associated FinFET. |
| US07696563B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile memory device includes a tunnel insulating layer pattern on a channel region of a substrate, a charge trapping layer pattern on the tunnel insulating layer pattern, a blocking layer pattern on the charge trapping layer pattern, and a gate electrode including a conductive layer pattern on the blocking layer pattern and a barrier layer pattern on the conductive layer pattern. The conductive layer pattern includes a metal. |
| US07696561B2 |
Non-volatile memory device, method of manufacturing the same and method of operating the same
A non-volatile memory device includes a first sensing line, a first word line, a depletion channel region, and impurity regions. The first sensing line and the first word line are formed adjacent to each other in parallel on a substrate. The first sensing line and the first word line have a tunnel oxide layer, a first conductive pattern, a dielectric layer pattern and a second conductive pattern sequentially stacked on the substrate. The depletion channel region is formed at an upper portion of the substrate under the first sensing line. The impurity regions are formed at upper portions of the substrate exposed by the first sensing line and the first word line. |
| US07696559B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including pillar-shaped semiconductor layers and a method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate, on which an impurity diffusion layer is formed in a cell array area; a gate wiring stack body formed on the cell array area, in which multiple gate wirings are stacked and separated from each other with insulating films; a gate insulating film formed on the side surface of the gate wiring stack body, in which an insulating charge storage layer is contained, pillar-shaped semiconductor layers arranged along the gate wiring stack body, one side surfaces of which are opposed to the gate wiring stack body via the gate insulating film, each pillar-shaped semiconductor layer having the same conductivity type as the impurity diffusion layer; and data lines formed to be in contact with the upper surfaces of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layers and intersect the gate wirings. |
| US07696553B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor storage device is manufactured by the following steps. A cylindrical hole is formed in an interlayer insulating film. Then, a multilayer conductive layer including a first sublayer and a second sublayer is formed over the entire surface of the insulating interlayer including the internal surface of the hole. The second sublayer has a higher nitrogen content than the first sublayer. A cup-like lower electrode is formed by reactive ion etching of the conductive layer under conditions that the second sublayer is etched faster than the first sublayer, so that the conductive layer remains only on the internal surface of the hole, and so that the upper edge of the remaining conductive layer forms an angle of 45° or less with the internal wall of the hole. Then, a capacitor insulating layer and an upper electrode are formed in that order on the lower electrode. |
| US07696552B2 |
Semiconductor devices including high-k dielectric materials
A semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer on a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer including a high-k dielectric material on the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer including polysilicon doped with P-type impurities on the dielectric layer, and a third conductive layer including a metal on the second conductive layer. In some devices, a first gate structure is formed in a main cell region and includes a tunnel oxide layer, a floating gate, a first high-k dielectric layer, and a control gate. The control gate includes a layer of polysilicon doped with P-type impurities and a metal layer. A second gate structure is formed outside the main cell region and includes a tunnel oxide layer, a conductive layer, and a metal layer. A third gate structure is formed in a peripheral cell region and includes a tunnel oxide, a conductive layer, and a high-k dielectric layer having a width narrower than the conductive layer. Method embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07696550B2 |
Bipolar switching PCMO capacitor
A multi-layer PrxCa1-xMnO3 (PCMO) thin film capacitor and associated deposition method are provided for forming a bipolar switching thin film. The method comprises: forming a bottom electrode; depositing a nanocrystalline PCMO layer; depositing a polycrystalline PCMO layer; forming a multi-layer PCMO film with bipolar switching properties; and, forming top electrode overlying the PCMO film. If the polycrystalline layers are deposited overlying the nanocrystalline layers, a high resistance can be written with narrow pulse width, negative voltage pulses. The PCMO film can be reset to a low resistance using a narrow pulse width, positive amplitude pulse. Likewise, if the nanocrystalline layers are deposited overlying the polycrystalline layers, a high resistance can be written with narrow pulse width, positive voltage pulses, and reset to a low resistance using a narrow pulse width, negative amplitude pulse. |
| US07696542B2 |
Anisotropic stress generation by stress-generating liners having a sublithographic width
A protruding structure having a linear edge is formed on a substrate. The protruding structure may be a gate line of a field effect transistor. A stress-generating liner is deposited on the substrate. A non-photosensitive self-assembling block copolymer layer containing at least two immiscible polymeric block components is deposited on the stress-generating liner, and is annealed to allow phase separation of immiscible components. The polymeric resist is developed to remove at least one of the at least two polymeric block components, which formed a pattern of nested lines due to the linear edge of the protruding structure. Linear nanoscale stripes are formed in the polymeric resist which is self-aligning and self-assembled. The stress-generating layer is patterned into linear stress-generating stripes having a sublithographic width. The linear stress-generating stripes provide a predominantly uniaxial stress along their lengthwise direction, providing an anisotropic stress to an underlying semiconductor device. |
| US07696541B2 |
Structure for a latchup robust gate array using through wafer via
A structure, method and a design structure for preventing latchup in a gate array. The design structure including: a NFET gate array and a PFET gate array in a substrate; an electrically conductive through via extending from a bottom surface of the substrate toward a top surface of the substrate the NFET gate array and PFET gate array, the through via electrically contacting the P-well. |
| US07696537B2 |
Step-embedded SiGe structure for PFET mobility enhancement
A device, and method for manufacturing the same, including a PFET having an embedded SiGe layer where a shallow portion of the SiGe layer is closer to the PFET channel and a deep portion of the SiGe layer is further from the PFET channel. Thus, the SiGe layer has a boundary on the side facing toward the channel that is tapered. Such a configuration may allow the PFET channel to be compressively stressed by a large amount without necessarily substantially degrading extension junction characteristics. The tapered SiGe boundary may be configured as a plurality of discrete steps. For example, two, three, or more discrete steps may be formed. |
| US07696536B1 |
Semiconductor method and device
A method for enhancing operation of a bipolar light-emitting transistor includes the following steps: providing a bipolar light-emitting transistor having emitter, base, and collector regions; providing electrodes for coupling electrical signals with the emitter, base, and collector regions; and adapting the base region to promote carrier transport from the emitter region toward the collector region by providing, in the base region, several spaced apart quantum size regions of different thicknesses, with the thicknesses of the quantum size regions being graded from thickest near the collector to thinnest near the emitter. |
| US07696534B2 |
Stressed MOS device
A stressed MOS device is provided that includes a silicon substrate, a gate electrode and an epitaxial layer of stress inducing monocrystalline semiconductor material. The silicon substrate is characterized by a monocrystalline silicon lattice constant. The gate electrode overlies a silicon channel region at the surface of the silicon substrate. The epitaxial layer of stress inducing monocrystalline semiconductor material is grown in the silicon substrate. The epitaxial layer of stress inducing monocrystalline semiconductor material has a lattice constant greater than the monocrystalline silicon lattice constant, and extends under the silicon channel region. |
| US07696531B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes: an channel layer formed on a semiconductor substrate; a drain electrode and a source electrode both formed on the channel layer apart from each other; a surface passivation film formed on the channel layer so as to cover the channel layer except for the drain electrode and the source electrode; a gate electrode disposed between the drain electrode and the source electrode so as to penetrate the surface passivation film; a field plate electrode provided on the surface passivation film between the drain electrode and the gate electrode at a predetermined distance from the gate electrode; and a connecting plate having a bridge structure connecting the gate electrode to the field plate electrode. The bridge structure may be formed with at least one opening penetrating the connecting plate so as to face the surface passivation film with a predetermined space. |
| US07696528B2 |
Thyristor which can be triggered electrically and by radiation
A thyristor has a radiation-sensitive breakdown structure (20), a gate electrode (92) that is placed at a distance from the latter in a lateral direction and an ignition stage structure having at least one ignition stage (51, 91) equipped with an n-doped auxiliary emitter (51), which forms a pn-junction (55) together with the p-doped base (6), the thyristor being both electrically and radiation-ignited. In a method for contacting a thyristor that can be ignited by radiation with a gate electrode (92), a contact ram (200) that is adapted to the geometry of the gate electrode (92) is pressed against the thyristor. In a method for monitoring the ignition of a thyristor that is ignited by incident radiation, the electric voltage that is applied to the gate electrode (92) or the electrically conductive electrode (105, 201) is monitored. |
| US07696518B2 |
Flat panel display with anode electrode layer as power supply layer and fabrication method thereof
A flat panel display capable of preventing inline short between adjacent wirings and voltage drop through power supply line by using pixel electrode layer as a power supply layer, and a fabrication method thereof. A flat panel display of the present invention is made up of a thin film transistor including source/drain electrodes, formed on an insulation substrate, an insulation film formed on the insulation substrate including the thin film transistor and including first and second contact holes for exposing the source/drain electrodes respectively, a pixel electrode formed on the insulation film and connected to one of the source/drain electrodes through one of the first and second contact holes, and a power supply layer formed on the insulation film and connected to the other one of the source/drain electrodes through the other one of the first and second contact holes. Losses in the power supply line is reduced by forming the power supply line of a low resistivity material and by providing the power supply line in a grid structure. |
| US07696511B2 |
Memory element and memory device
A memory element having a storage layer containing an ion source layer between a first electrode and a second electrode is provided. The memory element stores information by changing an electrical characteristic of the storage layer, wherein at least Zr is added to the ion source layer as a metal element together with an ion conducting material. |
| US07696507B2 |
Storage nodes, phase change memory devices, and methods of manufacturing the same
A storage node may include a bottom electrode contact layer, a phase change layer connected to the bottom electrode contact layer, and a top electrode layer connected to the phase change layer. The bottom electrode contact layer may protrude toward the phase change layer. A phase change memory device may include a switching device and the storage node. The switching device may be connected to the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing the storage node may include forming a via hole in an insulating interlayer, at least partially filling the via hole to form a bottom electrode contact layer, protruding the bottom electrode contact layer from the via hole, and forming a phase change layer that covers the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing a phase change memory device may include forming the switching device on a substrate and manufacturing the storage node. |
| US07696503B2 |
Multi-level memory cell having phase change element and asymmetrical thermal boundary
A multi-level, phase change memory cell has first and second thermal isolation materials having different thermal conductivity properties situated in heat-conducting relation to first and second boundaries of the phase change material. Accordingly, when an electrical current is applied to raise the temperature of the memory material, heat is drawn away from the memory material asymmetrically along a line orthogonal to electric field lines between the electrodes. |
| US07696501B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring engine exhaust
An apparatus for monitoring the exhaust of an engine includes a flow-through chamber for receiving exhaust, a source of electromagnetic radiation and a detector. The source provides electromagnetic radiation in a range comprising the infrared, visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. The source and a detector are arranged so that radiation passing through the chamber is incident on the detector. An electronic circuit is connected to the detector to provide a signal indicative of the attenuation of the radiation by particles in the exhaust in the chamber. The detector provides respective measures of radiation which it receives for at least two different wavelengths of the radiation, and the electronic circuit provides corresponding electrical signals indicating the attenuation of the two different wavelengths by particles within the exhaust in the chamber. The wavelengths are selected to be those for which the attenuation caused by nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust is substantially the same. |
| US07696499B2 |
Modular patient support system
A radiation treatment system (100) for accurately delivering radiation to a targeted site within a cancer patient (108) that includes a modular patient support system and a patient positioner (114). The modular patient support system includes a modularly expandable patient pod (200) and at least one immobilization device, such as, for example, a rigid moldable foam cradle (350). The patient pod (200) includes a generally hemi-cylindrical support shell (212) that extends longitudinally between proximal edge (214) and distal edge (216), and transversely between two lateral edges (222, 224). In one embodiment, the lateral edges (222, 224) are tapered to minimize edge effects that result when radiation beams traverse the lateral edges (222, 224). |
| US07696498B2 |
Electron beam lithography method and apparatus using a dynamically controlled photocathode
Embodiments of the invention include an electron beam lithography device using a dynamically controllable photocathode capable of producing a patterned electron beam. One such implementation includes a dynamic pattern generator configurable to produce an electron beam having a desired image pattern impressed thereon. Such an electron beam pattern being enabled by selectively activating programmable photoemissive elements of the pattern generator. The apparatus further including an illumination source arranged to direct a light beam onto the dynamic pattern generator to produce the electron beam having the desired pattern. The electron beam being directed through associated electron optics configured to receive the electron beam from the dynamic pattern generator and direct the electron beam onto a target substrate mounted on a stage. |
| US07696494B2 |
Beam angle adjustment in ion implanters
A steering component is included in an ion implantation system to direct or “steer” an ion beam to a scan vertex of a scanning component downstream of the steering component. In this manner, the scan vertex of the scanning component coincides with the focal point of a parallelizing component downstream of the scanning component. This allows the beam to emerge from the parallelizing component at an expected angle so that ions can be implanted in a desired manner into a workpiece located downstream of the parallelizing component. |
| US07696492B2 |
Radiation system and lithographic apparatus
A radiation system for generating a beam of radiation that defines an optical axis is provided. The radiation system includes a plasma produced discharge source for generating EUV radiation. The discharge source includes a pair of electrodes constructed and arranged to be provided with a voltage difference, and a system for producing a plasma between the pair of electrodes so as to provide a discharge in the plasma between the electrodes. The radiation system also includes a debris catching shield for catching debris from the electrodes. The debris catching shield is constructed and arranged to shield the electrodes from a line of sight provided in a predetermined spherical angle relative the optical axis, and to provide an aperture to a central area between the electrodes in the line of sight. |
| US07696489B2 |
Emitter for an ion source and method of producing same
An emitter for a liquid metal ion source is provided. The emitter includes a wire comprising a substantially curved portion and a surface wherein at least a portion of the wire surface is tapered at the substantially curved portion to form an emitter tip. Furthermore, a manufacturing method for such an emitter is provided. |
| US07696478B2 |
Resistive materials for microbolometer, method for preparation of resistive materials and microbolometer containing the resistive materials
Provided are resistive materials for a microbolometer, a method for preparation of resistive materials and a microbolometer containing the resistive materials. The resistive materials for the microbolometer include an alloy of silicon and antimony or an alloy of silicon, antimony and germanium, which has a high TCR and a low resistance. |
| US07696477B2 |
Electric-field-enhancement structures including dielectric particles, apparatus including same, and methods of use
In one aspect of the present invention, an electric-field-enhancement structure is disclosed. The electric-field-enhancement structure includes a substrate and an ordered arrangement of dielectric particles having at least two adjacent dielectric particles spaced from each other a controlled distance. The controlled distance is selected so that when a resonance mode is excited in each of the at least two adjacent dielectric particles responsive to excitation electromagnetic radiation, each of the resonance modes interacts with each other to result in an enhanced electric field between the at least two adjacent dielectric particles. Other aspects of the present invention are electric-field-enhancement apparatuses that utilize the described electric-field-enhancement structures, and methods of enhancing an electric field between adjacent dielectric particles. |
| US07696470B2 |
Optical communication module
The an optical communication module associated with the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, a light emitting element mounted on said semiconductor substrate to output light for transmission (transmitted light), a light receiving element mounted with an adhesive resin on said semiconductor substrate to convert light received (received light) to an electric signal and a wavelength filter to branch out the received light guided to said light receiving element and the transmitted light output from said light emitting element. A groove for an optical path, through which the received light passes to be guided to said light receiving element and a first protective groove formed around said groove for an optical path to block said adhesive resin from intruding into said groove for an optical path are formed on said semiconductor substrate. |
| US07696468B2 |
Device for detecting objects in a monitored area
A device is provided for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting objects within the monitored area. At least one configuration module is fixedly connected to the machine or the installation. The configuration module includes configuration data for the sensor, wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the sensor. |
| US07696466B2 |
Electromagnetic energy distributions for electromagnetically induced mechanical cutting
Output optical energy pulses including relatively high energy magnitudes at the beginning of each pulse are disclosed. As a result of the relatively high energy magnitudes which lead each pulse, the leading edge of each pulse includes a relatively large slope. This slope is preferably greater than or equal to 5. Additionally, the full-width half-max value of the output optical energy distributions are between 0.025 and 250 microseconds and, more preferably, are about 70 microseconds. A flashlamp is used to drive the laser system, and a current is used to drive the flashlamp. A flashlamp current generating circuit includes a solid core inductor which has an inductance of 50 microhenries and a capacitor which has a capacitance of 50 microfarads. |
| US07696463B2 |
Photosensor circuit presenting linear and logarithimic output characteristics and image sensor using the same
Photosensor circuit includes: a photoelectric conversion element; a first MOS transistor for converting a current signal into a voltage signal, a first capacitor element; a second capacitor element; a second MOS transistor for controlling charge transfer from the first capacitor element to the second capacitor element; and a control section for supplying gate voltages and drain voltages to the first and second MOS transistors. The control section performs initial setting and voltage control such that the charge transfer can be carried out efficiently for setting of the gate voltages and drain voltages to be supplied the first and second MOS transistors. Time length of the charge transfer is set so as not to exceed 100 μsec. |
| US07696461B2 |
Measurement of current-voltage characteristic curves of solar cells and solar modules
A solar cell or solar module is measured during a short pulse of light in such a way that the resulting data for current and voltage at each light intensity is the same as would be measured under steady-state illumination conditions and therefore predictive of the actual performance of the solar cell or solar module in sunlight. A varying voltage is applied to the terminals of the solar cell during a light pulse so that the instantaneous current at a given voltage and light intensity during the light pulse is the same as would be measured under constant illumination at that same given intensity. A constant voltage is modified by a small signal correction that is proportional to the terminal current. Or, the small signal correction is proportional to the light intensity. An analog feedback circuit is constructed using the terminal current or light intensity for feedback in order to provide the requisite varying voltage. The varying voltage may also be supplied by digital synthesis. |
| US07696460B1 |
Frequency adjusting arrangement
A circuit for compensating for frequency modulation on a radar signal is disclosed. The disclosed circuit includes an adaptive narrow band filter in the feedback path of a phase-locked detector, such filter having a bandwidth which is narrower than the frequency range of the signal being compensated, and means for detecting the amplitude of such signal.The invention herein described was made in the course of, or under a contract or subcontract thereunder, with the Department of Defense. |
| US07696452B2 |
Process for the laser beam machining, especially laser beam welding, of components
A method for laser beam machining, in particular laser beam welding of bodywork components (14), with the aid of a remote laser head (3). The laser head is guided by a robot (5) including a multi-axial robot hand (7). During the welding process, the emitted laser beam (12) is guided along the welding path (19) on the component (14) by orientation modifications and with a variable irradiation angle beta. said orientation modifications only being produced by pivoting displacements (7) of the manipulator hand (7) about at least one of its hand axes IV, V, VI. |
| US07696451B2 |
Laser cutting method
A method for laser cutting at least a first aperture in a first metal plate in the presence of a second metal plate placed parallel to and a short distance from the first plate and having a second aperture, the outline of which is in line with the outline of the aperture to be cut, wherein a plate forming a protective device, of defined thickness and having a third aperture whose outline is inwardly offset with respect to the outline of the second aperture, is placed between the first and second plates. |
| US07696448B2 |
Closing protection mechanism for a closing assembly over-toggle linkage
The closing protection mechanism provided herein includes a control unit, a sensing switch and a sensing switch actuator. The control unit is coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the trip device. The control unit is structured to receive a sensing switch signal and to provide a control signal to the trip device. The sensing switch coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the control unit. The sensing switch is disposed adjacent to the toggle assembly. The sensing switch is structured to provide a sensing switch signal to the control unit. The sensing switch actuator is disposed on the toggle assembly. The sensing switch actuator is structured to actuate the sensing switch. The sensing switch is structured to be actuated by the sensing switch actuator when the toggle assembly is in the second, over-toggle configuration. |
| US07696447B2 |
Electrical switching apparatus and stored energy assembly therefor
A stored energy assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The stored energy assembly includes a mount removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. A stored energy mechanism, such as a spring, is coupled to the mount and is movable among charged and discharged positions. An actuating element is cooperable with the gears of a gear assembly in order to move among first and second positions corresponding to the spring being disposed in the charged and discharged positions, respectively. A manual charging mechanism and an automatic charging mechanism are coupled to the gear assembly, and move the gears, in order to move the actuating element and charge the spring. The spring, the actuating element, the gear assembly, and the charging mechanisms are coupled to the mount, thereby forming a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is removeably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. |
| US07696446B2 |
Key structure
The invention discloses a key structure comprising a keycap, a base plate, and a support member. The keycap comprises a slide part; the base plate comprises an engagement part; the support member comprises a slide end and an engagement end, and the support member is used for engaging the keycap and the base plate. The slide end slides along the slide part, and the engagement end is engaged to the engagement part. Therein, the slide end comprises a connection part, and the connection part comprises at least one concave part or at least one hole. |
| US07696445B2 |
Oil level detecting switch
Oil level detecting switch, which detects an amount of lubricant oil stored in an oil pan, includes: a switch case having through-holes to permit entry and discharge of oil into and out of the switch case; a float of a spherical shape having smaller specific gravity than the oil and conductive outer surface and provided within the switch case for vertical movement in response to increase/decrease of the oil; and a plurality of fixed contacts provided on the bottom surface of the switch case such that the fixed contacts are placed in a conducting state by the float contacting the fixed contacts. |
| US07696444B2 |
Device for varying capacitance
Disclosed is a device for varying capacitance which pertains to the field of application of electronic devices and components. The technical essentials of the present invention lie in that: two dielectrics are disposed in parallel with an isolation layer interposed therebetween; the two dielectrics each are connected to an electrode at the same one end face thereof; the other end face of each of the two dielectrics is provided with an elastic conductive pad; a gasket is provided between the two dielectrics and the elastic conductive pads. The relative position and compressed area between the elastic conductive pads and the dielectrics vary according to the magnitude of the external force so that the capacitance between the electrodes of the dielectrics is varied accordingly within a certain range. Therefore, once the value and the variation of the capacitance between the electrodes are measured, the magnitude and the status of the external force which brings about the variation of the capacitance can be obtained. The device of the present invention has a simple structure and high sensitivity. Also, it has a definite zero initial value and a maximum value of the capacitance, and therefore is easy for handing and measurement. |
| US07696443B2 |
Electronic device with a warped spring connector
An electronic device comprises a substrate and at least a warped spring connector. The substrate has a signal bonding pad and a ground plane. The warped spring connector is disposed on the substrate and is connected to the bonding pad. The warped spring connector includes at least a ground lead electrically connected to the ground plane, a dielectric layer on the ground lead, and a transmitting lead on the dielectric layer. The transmitting lead is bonded to the bonding pad. The ground lead is isolated from and close to the transmitting lead to solve cross-talk and noise problem. Furthermore, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the transmitting lead is different from that of the dielectric layer or the ground lead such that the warped spring connector has a suspending end suspending away from the substrate. |
| US07696442B2 |
Wiring board and manufacturing method of wiring board
A wiring board comprising: a core board including a core body and a ceramic sub-core which is accommodated in a sub-core accommodation space that is a through-hole that communicates with major surfaces of the core body or a recess having an opening in a first major surface of the core body; and wiring laminates each formed by resin insulating layers and conductor layers laminated on each of major surfaces of the core board, wherein: a groove-filling portion which fills a gap between the core body and the ceramic sub-core is integral with a lowest resin insulating layer of the first-major-surface-side wiring laminate; and via conductors that are connected to respective conductor patterns formed on a first major surface of the ceramic sub-core penetrate through the lowest resin insulating layer. |
| US07696427B2 |
Method and system for recommending music
A method for recommending music that includes identifying a granularity of a plurality of genres based on a request for music similarity, wherein the request identifies a user, training a genre classifier based on the granularity to obtain a trained genre classifier, calculating a first profile by the trained genre classifier, wherein the first profile that includes, for each of the plurality of genres, the likelihood that a music selection associated with a user is in the genre, calculating a second profile by the trained genre classifier, wherein the second profile that includes, for each of the plurality of genres, the likelihood that an unknown music selection is in the genre, obtaining a first similarity score between the first profile and a second profile, and recommending the unknown music selection to the user based on the first similarity score. |
| US07696424B2 |
Keyboard apparatus of electronic musical instrument
A keyboard apparatus of an electronic musical instrument has a plurality of pivoting members (white key main body 1, black key main body 2, and massive body 28) which pivot in response to depression or release of keys, a frame 3 which supports the pivoting members, and action restricting members (lower limit stopper 5 and upper limit stopper 6) which cause collision thereof with the pivoting members to restrict a range in which the pivoting members are allowed to pivot. The action restricting member contains a plurality of grains 11 in an enclosure member 12, and is arranged, in a state where inflow and outflow of air are allowed between the closed area and outside air, at the frame's side. |
| US07696423B1 |
Drum hi hat with adjustable upper hi hat rod
A drum hi hat apparatus including a first tube device, a second tube device, a third tube device, a rod, a support device, a pedal device, and a first adjusting device. The third tube device may have a first end which is configured to have a first cymbal placed on it. The rod may be configured to fit within the first, second, and third tube devices. The support device may be configured so that it is able to support the first tube device in an upright position. The first adjusting device may be configured to adjustably fix the rod to the second tube device, so that the rod extends out from the second tube device different amounts. The pedal device may be connected to the second tube device, which is adjustably fixed to the rod by a first adjusting device, so that the pedal device can pull down the second tube device and thereby pull down a second cymbal fixed to the rod to bring the second cymbal in contact with the first cymbal. |
| US07696422B1 |
Heelless instrument pedal device
A heelless instrument pedal device includes a bottom board and a pedal board. The bottom board is in connection with an instrument support and has two pivotal connection elements protruding upwards with a ball shape. The rear bottom surface of the pedal board has a pivotal connection base corresponding to the pivotal connection elements. The pedal board is connected to the pivotal connection elements on the bottom board using the pivotal connection base. Thus, the pedal board can swing in the direction of the force applied by the user's foot. The front end of the pedal board has a linking element, so that the linking element moves as the pedal board swings with respect to the pivotal connection elements. |
| US07696420B2 |
String bender for electric guitar
A string bender apparatus includes a mounting plate with an anchor for anchoring guitar strings to a guitar body, a first section with fastener-receiving holes arranged to receive fasteners extended into pre-existing mounting holes in the body, and an extension that extends from the first section. A lever is pivoted to the extension for movement in a plane that extends generally parallel the front surface of the guitar body. The lever includes a first end defining a handle that is positioned generally adjacent one side of the strings and includes an opposite end attached to one of the strings for temporarily changing a tension of the one string and thus changing a pitch of the one string when the handle is moved in the plane. The string bender can be retrofit onto existing guitars. The string bender can be made removable and replaced with, or combined with a vibrato. |
| US07696413B2 |
Red leaf lettuce varieties
Lettuce varieties ISI 43509 and ISI 43541 are described. |
| US07696412B2 |
Genes encoding novel Bacillus thuringiensis proteins with pesticidal activity against Coleopterans
The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding δ-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against pests of the order Coleoptera. The invention further provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been modified to encode endotoxins having improved pesticidal activity and/or altered pest specificity. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, expression cassettes comprising such nucleic acids, and transformed plants and seeds comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. |
| US07696409B2 |
Nucleotide sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby useful for modifying nitrogen use efficiency characteristics in plants
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants with increased nitrogen use efficiency. The present invention further relates to nucleotide sequences and the use of those nucleotide sequences in the genetic-engineering of plants to display enhanced nitrogen assimilatory and utilization capacities, grow larger, more efficiently or rapidly, and/or have enriched nitrogen contents in vegetative and/or reproductive plant parts and/or increased biomass. More particularly, this invention relates to producing transgenic plants engineered to have altered expression of key components in the nitrogen assimilation and utilization pathways. The engineered plants may be productively cultivated under conditions of low nitrogen fertilizer input or in nitrogen poor soils. Alternatively, the engineered plants may be used to achieve faster growing or maturing crops, higher crop yields and/or more nutritious products under ideal cultivation conditions. |
| US07696406B2 |
Expression of a recombinant transgene
A system for expression of a heterologous polypeptide in a transgenic host cell is disclosed. The system is based upon a transgene comprising a eukaryotic promoter operably linked to a DNA sequence comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, a DNA sequence complementary to a sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide, a DNA sequence complementary to an internal ribosome entry site, and a DNA sequence corresponding to a 3′ untranslated region of a positive strand single-stranded RNA virus. Following introduction of a stimulus, the host cell synthesizes an RNA molecule complementary to a recombinant RNA encoded by the transgene. The stimulus can be a positive strand single-stranded RNA virus or a nucleic acid thereof. Because the complement of the recombinant RNA comprises an internal ribosome entry site and a sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide, the host cell can synthesize the heterologous polypeptide. |
| US07696405B2 |
Dominant gene suppression transgenes and methods of using same
Pairs of plants are provided in which complementing constructs result in suppression of a parental phenotype in the progeny. Methods to generate and maintain such plants, and methods of use of plants generated or maintained by the methods, are provided, including use of parental plants to produce sterile plants for hybrid seed production. Also provided are regulatory elements for pollen-preferred expression of linked polynucleotides. Also provided are methods for identifying gene function, and methods for repressing transmission of transgenes. |
| US07696402B2 |
Absorbent article
An absorbent article includes a compressed groove provided on a body-side surface of a sanitary napkin includes a pair of lateral groove segments extending substantially in the longitudinal direction symmetrically about a longitudinal center line and a pair of rear groove segments converging rearward from respective rear ends of the pair of lateral groove segments so that the compressed groove as a whole presents an elongated shape which is angular rearward. The rear side groove segment has a curve conforming, in the vicinity of its rear end, with an arc of a circle having a predetermined radius and inscribed to the rear side groove segment. A bottom covering region extending rearward from the rear end of the rear groove segment has a predetermined thickness and is adapted to be folded along the longitudinal center line so that the bottom covering region can become convex on the side of the body-side surface. A distance between a pair of proximal ends of the rear side groove segment as measured in the transverse direction is in a predetermined range and a distance from the pair of proximal ends to the rear end of the rear groove segment as measured in the longitudinal direction is in a predetermined range. |
| US07696401B2 |
Absorbent materials and absorbent articles incorporating such absorbent materials
An absorbent material formed at least in part of a cross-linked polymer. The absorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity as determined by a Centrifuge Retention Capacity Test of at least about 20 g/g and a gel bed permeability under load as determined by a Gel Bed Permeability Under Load Test of at least about 300×10−9 cm2 or a free swell gel bed permeability as determined by a Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability Test of at least about 2,500×10−9 cm2. The cross-linked polymer may comprise either at least about 75 weight percent anionic polymer or at least about 75 weight percent cationic polymer. In one embodiment, the cross-linked polymer is surface treated with a water soluble non-cross-linked polymer having a potential for becoming charged opposite that of the cross-linked polymer. |
| US07696398B2 |
Stabilization of olefin metathesis product mixtures
A process of stabilizing an olefin metathesis product mixture, preferably, against double bond isomerization and thermal and chemical degradation. The process involves (a) contacting an olefin metathesis product mixture comprising one or more olefins produced in a metathesis process, a metathesis catalyst comprising a catalytic metal and one or more ligands, optionally, one or more metathesis catalyst degradation products, and optionally, one or more metals derived from sources other than the catalyst or catalyst degradation product(s), with an adsorbent, more preferably carbon; or alternatively, (b) subjecting the olefin metathesis product mixture to a two-step distillation, preferably, including short path wiped-film evaporation. A stabilized olefin metathesis product mixture to a two-step distillation, preferably, including short path wiped-film evaporation. A stabilized olefin metathesis product mixture is disclosed containing one or more olefins obtained in a metathesis process and having a total concentration of metal(s) of less than about 30 parts per million by weight. |
| US07696389B2 |
Method for reducing microcontaminants during synthesis of pentachlorophenol
A method for reducing contaminants during synthesis of pentachlorophenol includes providing a phenol-based starting material and a catalyst, which form a reaction mixture. A chlorine flow is introduced so that it is in contact with the reaction mixture, and the starting material and chlorine are reacted via a temperature-programmed reaction. The chlorine flow is terminated at a predetermined temperature prior to an end of the temperature-programmed reaction and/or at a point where the yield of pentachlorophenol is less than about 95%. |
| US07696384B2 |
Process for producing ethyleneamines
Processes comprising: providing a starting material comprising monoethanolamine; and reacting the starting material with ammonia in the presence of a heterogeneous transition metal catalyst to form a reaction product comprising one or more ethylene amines; wherein the catalyst comprises a catalytically active composition, which prior to treatment with hydrogen, comprises a mixture of oxygen-containing compounds of aluminum, copper, nickel and cobalt; and wherein the catalyst is present as one or more shaped catalyst particles selected from spheres, extrudates, pellets and other geometries, wherein the sphere or extrudate has a diameter of <3 mm, the pellet has a height of <3 mm, and the other geometries have an equivalent diameter L=1/a′ of <0.70 mm, where a′ is the external surface area per unit volume (mms2/mmp3), as defined by a ′ = A p V p where Ap is the external surface area of the catalyst particle (mms2) and Vp is the volume of the catalyst particle (mmp3). |
| US07696383B2 |
N-oxides of venlafaxine and o-desmethylvenlafaxine as prodrugs
Embodiments of the invention relate to a compound of formula (1), or a tautomer, stereoisomer, hydrate, or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is H or CH3. Other embodiments of the invention relate to a pharmaceutical composition containing these compound, to methods for preparing these compounds, and to methods for preparing compositions containing these compounds. Yet other embodiments of the invention relate to the uses of these compounds and compositions containing it, such as for the manufacture of medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions for treating a condition chosen from depression, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, general depressive disorders, diabetic neuropathy, migraine and hot flashes. |
| US07696382B2 |
Modulator
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z is OR1 or NR1R2 wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently H, or a hydrocarbyl group; X is an alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene group, each of which may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from alkyl, COOH, CO2-alkyl, alkenyl, CN, NH2, hydroxy, halo, alkoxy, CF3 and nitro; Y is a polar functional group selected from OH, NO2, CN, COR3, COOR3, NR3R4, CONR3R4, SO3H, SO2—R3, SO2NR3R4 and CF3, where each of R3 and R4 is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group; A is an aryl or heteroaryl group, each of which may be optionally substituted; and B is (CH2)n where n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; with the proviso that: (i) when A is phenyl, n is 0, and Z is OH, X—Y is other than meta-C≡—C—(CH2)2CO2H, meta-C≡—C—(CH2)2OH, meta-C≡C—(CH2)2CO2Me, meta-(CH2)4CO2H, ortho-CH2CO2H, ortho-(CH2)2CO2H and ortho-(CH2)4CO2H; and (ii) when A is phenyl, n is 0, and Z is OMe, X—Y is other than meta-C≡C—(CH2)4OH. Further aspects of the invention relate to the use of such compounds in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a muscular disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, or for controlling spasticity or tremors. |
| US07696379B2 |
Acetylene derivatives
The invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl; R2 represents an unsubstituted or substituted heterocycle or R2 represents an unsubstituted or substituted aryl; R3 represents alkyl or halogen; X represents a single bond or an alkandiyl-group, optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms or carbonyl groups or carbonyloxy groups in free base or acid addition salt form, processes for their preparation and their use as pharmaceuticals. |
| US07696378B2 |
Depolymerization process
The present invention relates to a process for decomposing a polymer into a monomer or oligomer by hydrolysis with sub- or supercritical water. The process of the present invention is characterized in that at least a part of the polymer is a polymer comprising a constitutional unit derived from an organic acid in the molecular structure, and the polymer being contacted with sub- or supercritical water in the presence of a water-insoluble base. |
| US07696377B2 |
Stabilizer and method for stabilizing hydroxylamine, and stabilized hydroxylamine solution
It is the objective to provide a method of stabilizing hydroxylamine at a high temperature and a high concentration or in a case that metal impurities such as Fe got mixed therewith, and a stabilized hydroxylamine solution. A method for stabilizing hydroxylamine related to the present invention is characterized by adding ethylenediamine-N,N′-di(o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) as a preservation stabilizer. |
| US07696375B2 |
Method for producing lactic acid ester
This invention provides a method for producing a lactic acid ester that can minimize input energy at the time of production, that can reduce chemical costs, and that can minimize equipment costs. This method comprises steps of: performing an esterification reaction in a reaction solution containing ammonium lactate obtained via fermentation and alcohol with an ammonia concentration of 1.0% by weight or lower; and recovering the lactic acid ester synthesized in the above step. |
| US07696374B2 |
Arylalklcarbamate derivatives, preparation method thereof and use of same in therapeutics
The invention relates to a compound having general formula (I): Wherein n, A, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to methods of preparation of compound of formula (I) as well as its use in therapeutics. |
| US07696372B2 |
Process for preparing R-gossypol L-phenylalaninol dienamine
This invention relates to a process for preparing R-gossypol L-phenylalaninol dienamine using non-chromatographic purification methods. In particular, the invention is directed to resolution of R- and S-gossypol L-phenylalaninol dienamine by crystallization. R-gossypol L-phenylalaninol dienamine is a useful intermediate for the preparation of R-(−)-gossypol and R-(−)-gossypol acetic acid co-crystal. R-(−)-Gossypol acetic acid and its co-crystal is useful for inducing apoptosis in cells and for sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death. |
| US07696371B2 |
Method for the prepration of aliphatic chloroformates
A method for preparing an aliphatic chloroformate comprising, introducing a mixture of at least one aliphatic hydroxyl compound, phosgene, at least one solvent, and optionally at least one organic base into a flow reactor to obtain a unidirectional flowing reaction mixture. The at least one aliphatic hydroxyl compound comprises at least one aliphatic hydroxyl group. The unidirectional flowing reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature between about 0° C. and about 60° C. to produce a single product stream comprising an aliphatic chloroformate. |
| US07696370B2 |
Soy based polyols
The invention provides processes for converting a vegetable oil to a polymer. In particular, the processing steps comprise bodying, epoxidation, hydrolysis, and oligomerization. These processes provide new processing paths for the formation of polyols for use in rigid foam and other applications. |
| US07696369B2 |
Oil Recuperation process
The invention provides a process for recuperating a triglyceride oil from wet gums from a vegetable oil, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing wet gums by water de-gumming a crude vegetable oil, (b) mixing said wet gums with water containing a phospholipidolytic agent, (c) allowing the mixture to separate into two or more phases, said two or more phases including at least an oily phase and an aqueous phase, and (d) recuperating said oily phase. |
| US07696363B2 |
Preparation of flavonoid compounds
Disclosed is an improved method for preparing the isoflavonoid compound (+/−)-equol, the method comprising reducing an organic diester of the isoflavone daidzein under hydrogen-transfer conditions using palladium hydroxide catalyst. |
| US07696360B2 |
Method for the separation of ascorbic acid from a polar solvent containing ascorbic acid and 2-keto-L-gulonic acid
The invention relates to a method for the separation of ascorbic acid from a mixture containing ascorbic acid and 2-keto-L-gulonic acid in a polar, preferably aqueous solvent, by means of liquid/liquid extraction using an amide. The method preferably also comprises steps for the back-extraction of the ascorbic acid, recycling of the extraction solvent and/or the back extraction solvent and for isolation of the ascorbic acid from the back extraction solvent. The invention further relates to a method for the production of ascorbic acid from KGA and isolation of the ascorbic acid so produced. |
| US07696350B2 |
Chromen-2-one derivatives and their use as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors
This invention relates to chromen-2-one derivatives useful as monoamine neurotransmitter re-uptake inhibitors.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. |
| US07696342B1 |
Bioinformatically detectable group of novel viral regulatory genes and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a group of novel viral RNA regulatory genes, here identified as “viral genomic address messenger genes” or “VGAM genes”, and as “genomic record” or “GR” genes. VGAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known host target genes, and are believed to represent a novel pervasive viral attack mechanism. GR genes encode an operon-like cluster of VGAM genes. VGAM and viral GR genes may therefore be useful in diagnosing, preventing and treating viral disease. Several nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding several VGAM genes, as are vectors and probes, both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting VGAM genes, and for counteracting their activity. |
| US07696340B2 |
Nucleotide and amino acid sequences from Xenorhabdus and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences from Xenorhabdus nematophila species Xs86068, and, in particular, nucleotide sequences that encode insect inhibitory proteins, the insecticidal proteins, and compositions that comprise one or more of the insecticidal proteins for use in controlling insect infestation. |
| US07696339B2 |
Nucleic acid encoding monkey QRFP
There are provided non-human primate and rat GPR103 genes and proteins and a compound evaluation method employing the genes or proteins. There are also provided highly useful novel ligands for functional analysis of the GPR103 genes and proteins and for the compound evaluation. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequences listed as SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 4 provide non-human primate or rat GPR103 genes and proteins and information based on the genes and proteins. The genes and proteins can be used for evaluation of compounds. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6 provide a GPR103 ligand. |
| US07696337B2 |
Composition kits and methods for performing amplification reactions
The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a 3′blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or eliminating the formation of side products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side products, thus providing a high level of specificity. Furthermore, the appearance of side products can complicate the analysis of the amplification reaction by various molecular detection techniques. The present invention minimizes or eliminates this problem, thus providing an enhanced level of sensitivity. |
| US07696335B2 |
Kits for multiple non-cross reacting recombination reactions utilizing loxP sequences
The invention provides methods, kits, and compositions comprising novel mutant loxP sites. Such sites are particularly useful for procedures requiring multiple site-specific recombination reactions, including deletions or insertions of multiple genes or other sequences in the same organism, staged insertions or deletions of genes of the same organism at different times, assembly of large polynucleotide constructs by serial site-specific recombination, and the like. In one aspect, compositions of the invention includes particular mutant spacer oligonucleotides of loxP recombination elements, the recombination elements themselves, and pairs of non-promiscuous mutant loxP sites. |
| US07696328B2 |
N-carbobenzyloxy (N-CBZ)-deprotecting enzyme and uses therefor
This invention relates to isolated or recombinant N-carbobenzyloxy-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides that catalyze the removal of carbobenzyloxy from carbobenzyloxy-protected amino acids and alcohols. Also related are isolated nucleic acids encoding N-carbobenzyloxy-deprotecting enzyme polypeptides thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising these nucleic acids. The invention also relates to methods of obtaining isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies, and methods of using the polypeptides in various reactions for industrial or pharmaceutical applications. |
| US07696327B1 |
Antibodies to human Toll homologues
The invention relates to the identification and isolation of DNAs encoding the human Toll proteins PR0285, PR0286, and PR0358, and to methods and means for the recombinant production of these proteins. The invention also concerns antibodies specifically binding the PR0285, or PR0286, or PR0358 Toll protein. |
| US07696325B2 |
Polypeptide inducing apoptosis
This invention relates to reconstructed polypeptides which have properties of inducing apoptosis of nucleated blood cells having Integrin Associated Protein (IAP) and causing no hemagglutination. The reconstructed polypeptides comprise two or more H chain V regions and two or more L chain V regions of a monoclonal antibody which induces apoptosis of nucleated blood cells having IAP. The reconstructed polypeptides are useful as a therapeutic agent for blood dyscrasia such as leukemia. |
| US07696320B2 |
Ligands that have binding specificity for VEGF and/or EGFR and methods of use therefor
Disclosed are ligands that have binding specificity for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), or for VEGF and EGFR. Also disclosed are methods of using these ligands. In particular, the use of these ligands for cancer therapy is described. |
| US07696319B2 |
PRO1772 antibodies
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. |
| US07696317B2 |
Mammalian genes; related reagents and methods
Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate or rodent, genes, purified proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided. |
| US07696310B2 |
Peptides for detection of antibody to Anaplasma phagocytophilum
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of A. phagocytophilum (formerly known as Ehrlichia equi) antibodies and antibody fragments. |
| US07696306B2 |
Compositions and methods for preventing or treating cancer
The present invention relates to a MUC1 cytoplasmic tail peptide or portion thereof. These peptides are useful for inducing an immune response to MUC1-expressing tumor cells and thus for preventing or treating cancer. |
| US07696301B2 |
Marine umbilical comprising hydrolysis resistant polyamides
Marine umbilicals are provided comprising polyamide compositions having good hydrolysis resistance and that may optionally contain plasticizer. |
| US07696299B2 |
Fast crystallizing modified polyethylene naphthalate
The invention relates to modified Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) polymers with fast crystallizing properties, which helps in crystallization of amorphous PEN resin prior to its solid state polymerization (SSP). |
| US07696296B2 |
Compositions and articles prepared from the thioether functional oligomeric polythiols
Provided is a composition including a reaction product of: (A) a reactive compound that includes a material having functional groups that are reactive with active hydrogens; (B) a thioether-functional, oligomeric polythiol prepared by reacting together: (1) a compound having at least two thiol functional groups; (2) a compound having triple bond functionality; and optionally (3) a compound having at least two double bonds; and, optionally, (C) a compound different from (B) containing active hydrogens. Coating compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes also are provided. |
| US07696287B2 |
Catalyst grain size
The present invention discloses an olefin polymerisation process carried out in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in two liquid full loop reactors connected in series wherein different molecular weight fractions are produced to form a polyolefin, said process being characterized in that the Ziegler-Natta catalyst has a particle size distribution d50 of less than 20 μm and greater that 5 μm. |
| US07696283B2 |
Fiber and a fiber structure having a high flame-retarding property and high moisture-absorptive property
The present invention provides fiber and a fiber structure having a high flame-retarding property and high moisture-absorptive property which do not generate noxious gases such as hydrogen halide gas upon burning, do not elute heavy metal compounds and phosphorus compounds therefrom even when reclaimed upon discarding including a burning treatment and have an excellent processing property.The present invention discloses a highly flame-retarding and moisture-absorptive fiber, characterized in that, it comprises an organic polymer having a cross-linking structure and a salt-type carboxyl group in which at least a part of such a salt-type carboxyl group is a magnesium salt type and a saturated moisture absorption rate at 20° C. and 65% relative humidity and a limiting oxygen index are not less than 35% by weight and not less than 35, respectively, and a flame-retarding fiber structure wherein the highly flame-retarding and moisture-absorptive fiber is used in at least a part of the structure. |
| US07696281B2 |
Polyolefin blends and pipe
A polyolefin blend comprising: (a) from 30 to 80 weight % of a low molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 100 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.953 to 0.965 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (2.16 kg 190° C.) from 0.1 to 20.0 g/10 minutes; and (b) from 70 to 20 weight % of a high molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 99.9 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0.1 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (21.6 kg 190° C.) from 0.05 to 5.0 g/10 minutes, said copolymer being prepared with a single site catalyst is useful in the preparation of pipe. |
| US07696275B2 |
Downhole seal element formed from a nanocomposite material
A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like. |
| US07696259B2 |
Coating for biomedical devices
A coating formulation for a substrate having abstractable hydrogen radicals is disclosed. The formulation includes a hydrophilic polymeric component comprising at least two polymeric species of differing molecular weights, an unsaturated hydrophilic monomer capable of free-radical polymerisation in the presence of a radical and a UV activatable compound capable of abstracting hydrogen radicals from the surface to be coated and from a polymeric specie of the hydrophilic polymeric component so as to initiate and promote the cross-linkage of the monomer to the surface and of the monomer or a propagating monomer chain to a polymeric specie of the polymeric component, and a suitable solvent to give the formulation a desired viscosity. |
| US07696256B2 |
Flame retardants and flame retarded polymers
There is presented a new flame retardant composition comprising a brominated aromatic composition and a butyl substituted phenyl phosphate. |
| US07696254B2 |
Method of producing liquid crystal emulsion compositions
A process of producing a highly stable liquid crystal emulsion composition with improved qualities, in which a conventional complicated and costly process that requires specific equipment is streamlined into a simple and less costly process. A method of producing a liquid crystal emulsion composition having liquid crystal structure, comprising the steps of admixing 3 to 8 parts by weight of a hydrophilic surfactant which is a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether having an HLB of 10 to 20 with 2 to 6 parts by weight of a lipophilic surfactant; admixing 5 to 10 parts by weight of the resulting admixture with 5 to 30 parts by weight of an oil component; admixing the obtained admixture with a mixture of 40 to 80 parts by weight of a water-soluble polyvalent alcohol and 8 to 40 parts by weight of water; and heating, homogeneously mixing and then cooling the thus obtained admixture. |
| US07696251B2 |
Method for inhibiting neuronal cell death induced by oxidative glutamate toxicity
A neuronal cell death induced by an oxidative glutamate toxicity is substantially inhibited by administrating to an mammal an effective amount of a phenylenediamine derivative compound of formula (I), wherein R is phenyl or butyl. |
| US07696250B2 |
Alpha ketoamide compounds as cysteine protease inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds that are inhibitors of cysteine proteases, in particular, cathepsins B, K, L, F, and S and are therefore useful in treating diseases mediated by these proteases. The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and processes for preparing them. |
| US07696248B2 |
Glucagon receptor antagonists, preparation and therapeutic uses
The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which have glucagon receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I as well as methods of using them to treat diabetic and other glucagon related metabolic disorders, and the like. |
| US07696243B2 |
Pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives for use as DP1 receptor agonists
The present invention is directed to compounds that may be used as agonists of prostaglandin receptors. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using DP1 receptor agonists that are pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives. |
| US07696241B2 |
Bicyclic compounds as modulators of androgen receptor function and method
The present invention relates to bicyclic compounds according to formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods of using such compounds in the treatment of androgen receptor-associated conditions, such as age-related diseases, for example sarcopenia, wherein R1, R2, R5, X and n are defined herein. |
| US07696238B2 |
Substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl amine compounds as analgesics
Substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl amine compounds corresponding to formula I which exhibit an strong affinity to the KCNQ2/3 K+ channel, and which are suitable for treating or inhibiting pain and/or disorders or disease states that are at least partly mediated by the KCNQ2/3 K+ channel. |
| US07696237B2 |
Agents for combating plant pests
The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant pests containing the compound of formula (I) in a mixture with fungicidally active compounds. |
| US07696235B2 |
EP2 receptor agonists for treating glaucoma
The present invention relates to novel EP2 Receptor agonists that are useful for treating glaucoma and other conditions and indications in man. Ocular hypotensive agents are useful in the treatment of a number of various ocular hypertensive conditions, such as post-surgical and post-laser trabeculectomy ocular hypertensive episodes, glaucoma, and as presurgical adjuncts. |
| US07696233B2 |
Method for controlling particular insect pests by applying anthranilamide compounds
This invention pertains to a method for controlling lepidopteran, homopteran, hemipteran, thysanopteran and coleopteran insect pests comprising contacting the insects or their environment with an arthropodicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula I, its N-oxide or an agriculturally suitable salt thereof wherein A and B and R1 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure. This invention further relates to a bezoxazinone compound of Formula 10 wherein R4 through R8 are as defined in the disclosure, useful for preparation of a compound of Formula I. |
| US07696225B2 |
(2-carboxamido)(3-Amino) thiophene compounds
Amidoaryl/amidoheteroaryl substituted thiophenes, further substituted with a heteroarylmethylamino group, are useful in the treatment of cancer. |
| US07696221B2 |
Thienoisoquinoline-phenylsulfonamides and their use as ER-NFκB inhibitors
This invention provides estrogen receptor modulators having the structure: wherein R1 to R7 are as defined in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US07696219B2 |
Method and composition for supplementation of nutritional deficiences in renal patients
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating the nutritional deficiencies observed in patients suffering from renal disease and associated disorders. Specifically, the method involves administering to a renal patient a composition comprising vitamin C, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, selenium, and zinc. |
| US07696217B2 |
17-acetamido-4-azasteroid derivatives as androgen receptor modulators
Compounds of structural formula I are modulators of the androgen receptor (AR) in a tissue selective manner. They are useful as agonists of the androgen receptor in bone and/or muscle tissue while antagonizing the AR in the prostate of a male patient or in the uterus of a female patient. These compounds are therefore useful in the enhancement of weakened muscle tone and the treatment of conditions caused by androgen deficiency or which can be ameliorated by androgen administration, including osteoporosis, osteopenia, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, periodontal disease, bone fracture, bone damage following bone reconstructive surgery, sarcopenia, frailty, aging skin, male hypogonadism, postmenopausal symptoms in women, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, aplastic anemia and other hematopoietic disorders, inflammatory arthritis and joint repair, HIV-wasting, prostate cancer, cancer cachexia, Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophies, cognitive impairment, decreased libido, premature ovarian failure, and autoimmune disease, alone or in combination with other active agents. |
| US07696214B2 |
Quinazoline derivatives for the treatment of tumours
The invention concerns quinazoline derivatives of Formula (I) wherein each of Q1, Z, m, R1, R2, R3 and Q2 have any of the meanings defined in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use as an anti-invasive agent in the containment and/or treatment of solid tumor disease. |
| US07696212B2 |
Xanthine derivatives, the preparation thereof and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
Disclosed are substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R4 are defined hereinbelow, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures thereof, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV). |
| US07696204B2 |
Pharmaceutical compounds
Pyrimidines of formula (I): wherein R1 to R4, X and Y are defined in the specification are inhibitors of P13K and may thus be used to treat diseases and disorders arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior associated with P13 kinase such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine function disorders and neurological disorders. |
| US07696202B2 |
IL-12 modulatory compounds
The invention relates to heterocyclic compounds, compositions including the compounds and methods of using and methods of making thereof. The compounds (and compositions) are useful, inter alia, in modulating IL-12 production and processes mediated by IL-12. |
| US07696196B2 |
Selected CGRP-antagonists, process for preparing them and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to the CGRP antagonists of general formula wherein A, X, D, E, G, M, Q and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, the use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof. |
| US07696193B2 |
Benzazepine derivatives for the treatment of neurological disorders
The present invention relates to benzazepine derivatives of formula (I) wherein: R1 represents —C3-7 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by C1-3 alkyl; having pharmacological activity, processes for their preparation, to compositions containing them and to their use in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. |
| US07696189B1 |
Prostate and breast cancer treatment
The invention provides methods to treating conditions such as prostate cancer, or for ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with prostate cancer, or for agents that modulate the biological activity of the androgen receptor. The invention also provides methods and compositions suitable for therapeutic applications. |
| US07696187B2 |
Methods of preparing substituted tetracyclines with transition metal-based chemistries
The present invention relates to 9-substituted tetracycline derivatives as well as compositions and use thereof. |
| US07696179B2 |
Inhibition of gene expression using RNA interfering agents
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases or disorders, e.g., HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related diseases. In particular, the present invention pertains to methods of modulating cellular gene expression or protein activity, e.g., CCR5, gene expression or protein activity and/or gene expression or protein activity of a gene or sequence of an infectious agent, in order to treat or prevent infectious diseases or disorders, HIV infection, AIDS, or an AIDS-related disease or disorder. In one embodiment the combination of an RNA interfering agent targeting a cellular gene in combination with an RNA interfering agent targeting a gene or sequence of an infectious agent results in prolonged prevention of infection by an infectious agent. The present invention is based on the identification of novel RNA interference agents, e.g., siRNA molecules, which target cellular genes, e.g., chemokine receptors, e.g., the CCR5 gene, and result in inhibition of target gene expression on target gene expressing cells, thereby inhibiting entry of infectious agents, e,g., HIV infection into target cells, prevention infection, and/or suppressing replication in established infection. |
| US07696178B2 |
Optimised formulation of tobramycin for aerosolization
The invention provides a tobramycin formulation for delivery by aerosolization in the form of additive-free, isotonic solution whose pH has been optimised to ensure adequate shelf-life at room temperature. Said formulation can be advantageously used for the treatment and prophylaxis of acute and chronic endobronchial infections, in particular those caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated to lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis. |
| US07696177B2 |
Anti-hypercholesterolemic compounds
This invention provides cholesterol absorption inhibitors of Formula (I), and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. The compounds are useful for lowering plasma cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol, and for treating and preventing atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic disease events. |
| US07696176B1 |
Blood replacement product
A composition comprising Human Serum Albumin and an Amino Acid Solution, a method of making the same, and a method for use, including treating acute hypovolemia due to any number of medical conditions due to sepsis with shock, hemorrhagic shock, hypovolemic shock, burn injury, capillary leak syndrome, hypoalbuminemia, nephritic syndrome, or multi-organ failure with third space fluid loss from any other medical disease. |
| US07696175B2 |
Combination cancer immunotherapy with co-stimulatory molecules
Provided are methods of reducing the size of a tumor or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in an individual or inhibiting the development of metastatic cancer by administering an effective amount of a soluble form of a co-stimulatory molecule from an antigen presenting cell and by reducing the activity of immunoregulatory T cells in the individual. Methods of reduction in the activity of immunoregulatory T cells involve removing them ex vivo or depleting or inactivating them in vivo. Also provided are cancer therapeutic compositions comprising a soluble form of a co-stimulatory molecule from an antigen presenting cell and an antibody specific for an intracellular antigen. |
| US07696174B2 |
Short bio-active peptides for cellular and immunological modulation
Peptides having four to fourteen residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (SEQ ID NO:1), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory, migratory and anti-inflammatory properties. As keratinocytes are especially sensitive to these effects, the disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults. Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107, and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies. Methods for the production and use of these peptides are also disclosed. |
| US07696173B2 |
Compositions comprising bowman-birk protease inhibitors and variants thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods related to expression of protease inhibitors and variants thereof in bacterial species. The present invention further provides fusion nucleic acids, vectors, fusion polypeptides, and processes for obtaining the protease inhibitors. |
| US07696171B1 |
Mutant polypeptides of fibroblast growth factor 1
The β-trefoil protein human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is made up of a six-stranded anti-parallel β-barrel closed off on one end by three β-hairpins, thus exhibiting a three-fold axis of structural symmetry. The N- and C-termini β-strands hydrogen bond to each other and are postulated from both NMR and X-ray structure data to represent a structurally-weakened region of the β-barrel. Val mutations within the N- and C-termini β-strands are shown to stabilize the structure and to increase van der Waals contacts by filling local cavities present within this region. Mutations that increase van der Waals contacts between both the N- and C-termini β-strands are generally associated with significant reductions in the unfolding kinetics, and also increase the cooperativity of unfolding. Surprisingly, several mutant polypeptides herein disclosed greatly exceed the wild-type polypeptide in ability to stimulate human fibroblasts to proliferate. |
| US07696160B2 |
Compositions useful for and methods of modulating angiogenesis
Compositions and methods for treating subjects with disorders characterized by aberrant vascular endothelial cell growth are provided. The compositions comprise agents that are combinations of a Wnt pathway stimulator component and a Tie2 pathway repressor component. Particularly useful Wnt pathway stimulators include, but are not limited to, Wnt7b-like molecules. Particularly useful Tie2 pathway repressor components include, but are not limited to, Ang2-like molecules. The methods allow for modulation of vascular endothelial cells, vascular endothelial cell vessels, capillary bed development, and angiogenesis. |
| US07696155B2 |
Hemojuvelin or dragon-like 2 (DL-2) polypeptides and variants and uses thereof
This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed. |
| US07696151B2 |
Methods and compositions using stearoyl-CoA desaturase to identify triglyceride reducing therapeutic agents
The use of screening assays based on the role of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (“hSCD1”) in human diseases, disorders or conditions relating to serum levels of triglyceride, VLDL, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, or production of secretions from mucous membranes, monounsaturated fatty acids, wax esters, and the like, is disclosed. Also disclosed are conventions useful in the prevention and/or treatment of such diseases. |
| US07696148B1 |
Administration of products of the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway to enhance antimicrobial defense
The use of leukotrienes and other products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway to enhance bacterial defense and treat infections is described. The products are especially useful when administered to the lungs for the treatment of pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections. The products may be administered for treatment or prophylactic purposes and may be administered concomitantly with antibiotics to combat infection. |
| US07696147B2 |
Perfume composition
The present invention relates to a perfume composition comprising a mixture of fragrant materials in a physiologically acceptable carrier comprising a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes, characterized in that the said mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes consists of hexamethyldisiloxane and octamethyltrisiloxane, in a weight ratio of between 30:70 and 70:30. |
| US07696142B2 |
Methods for manufacturing and using a cleaning composition for handling water hardness
A method for providing a ready to use cleaning composition is provided. The method includes diluting a concentrate with water of dilution. The concentrate includes an anionic surfactant, an alkanolamine and a water hardness anti-precipitant mixture. The water hardness anti-precipitant mixture includes a maleic anhydride/olefin co-polymer and an EO-PO co-polymer. The EO-PO co-polymer having the formula: (EO)x(PO)y(EO)x (PO)y(EO)x(PO)y (PO)y(EO)x(PO)y(EO)x(PO)y EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO is a propylene oxide group, x is between about 10 to about 130 and y is between about 15 to about 70. |
| US07696139B2 |
Grease composition for pivot assembly bearing and bearing for pivot assembly
A grease composition for a pivot assembly bearing is provided and includes a thickener of 5 to 25% by mass and a base oil of 95 to 75% by mass with respect to the total mass of the thickener and the base oil. Two or more ureas selected from: urea A: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aliphatic (ALA)/alicyclic (ACA) substituent; urea B: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an alicyclic (ACA)/aromatic (ARA) substituent; and urea C: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aromatic (ARA)/aliphatic (ALA) substituent are used as the thickener. A poly α-olefin mixture having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 40 to 70 mm2/s prepared by mixing poly α-olefin (PAO HV) having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 350 to 450 mm2/s with poly α-olefin (PAO LV) having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 25 to 40 mm2/s in a mass ratio of 15:85 to 30:70 is used as a base oil. A lead free additive may be used as an additive. |
| US07696137B2 |
Lubricating oil compositions
A lubricating oil composition is disclosed which comprises a lubricating base oil, (A) at least one type of compound selected from specific phosphoric acid esters and salts thereof or in combination with (B) at least one type of compound selected from specific metal salts of specific phosphoric acid esters, with excellent oxidation stability, base number retention properties, anti-wear properties, extreme pressure properties and anti-corrosion properties and thus can be suitably used, in particular, as a lubricating oil for an internal combustion engine. |
| US07696135B2 |
Use of oil-soluble surfactants as breaker enhancers for VES-gelled fluids
Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of an internal breaker composition that contains at least one mineral oil, at least one polyalphaolefin oil, at least one saturated fatty acid and/or at least one unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breaker may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the internal breaker, e.g. mineral oil, is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. An oil-soluble surfactant is present to enhance or accelerate the reduction of viscosity of the gelled aqueous fluid. |
| US07696134B2 |
Unsaturated fatty acids and mineral oils as internal breakers for VES-gelled fluids
Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a synergistic internal breaker composition that contains at least one first internal breaker that may be a mineral oil and a second breaker that may be an unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breakers may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. This combination of different types of internal breakers break the VES-gelled aqueous fluid faster than if one of the breaker types is used alone in an equivalent total amount. |
| US07696133B2 |
Geosynthetic composite for borehole strengthening
Disclosed is a composition comprising a chemical formulation useful for creating geosynthetic composites in-situ, which includes a reactive ester having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, preferably a vinyl ester of a C9 to C11 versatic acid or vinyl ester of a long chain fatty acid, or a combination thereof, at least one unsaturated thermoplastic elastomer soluble in the reactive ester; at least one di- or tri-functional acrylate or methacrylate monomer. The formulation may further include a non-aqueous drilling fluid. |
| US07696127B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying catalyst
Disclosed is an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, which comprises a CeZr-based composite oxide capable of maintaining a hollow structure to ensure an oxygen absorbing/releasing capability, even after being exposed to high-temperature exhaust gas. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a honeycomb-shaped substrate, and a catalyst layer formed on a surface of the substrate. The catalyst layer contains a composite oxide which includes cerium (Ce) and zirconium (Zr) and has a hollow structure, and a catalytic metal supported by the composite oxide. The composite oxide having the hollow structure includes, in a state after being subjected to a thermal aging in Air at 1000° C. for 24 hours, a particle with a shape having an outer diameter of 750 to 1000 nm and a shell thickness of 80 to 120 nm. |
| US07696125B2 |
Catalyst and process for preparing carboxylic acid esters
A catalyst and a process for preparing carboxylic acid esters from an aldehyde and an alcohol in the presence of molecular oxygen are disclosed. The catalyst comprises metals supported on a silica-containing support, wherein the metals consist essentially of palladium, lead, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one of niobium and zirconium. The process for preparing a carboxylic acid ester comprises reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of molecular oxygen and the aforementioned catalyst. |
| US07696113B2 |
Method of manufacturing alkali-free glasses containing iron and tin as fining agents
Alkali-free glasses are disclosed which can be used to produce substrates for flat panel display devices, e.g., active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glasses contain iron and tin as fining agents, and preferably are substantially free of arsenic and antimony. In certain embodiments, the glasses are also substantially free of barium. Methods for producing alkali-free glass sheets using a downdraw process (e.g., a fission process) are also disclosed. |
| US07696108B2 |
Method of forming shadow layer on the wafer bevel
A method of forming a shadow layer on a wafer bevel region is provided. First, a substrate having the wafer bevel region and a central region is provided. Thereafter, an upper insulator and a lower insulator are provided. The upper insulator is disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. The lower insulator is disposed on a lower surface of the substrate and at least covers the central region. A shadow layer is then formed on the upper surface which is not covered by the upper insulator and on the lower surface which is not covered by the lower insulator. Next, the upper insulator and the lower insulator are removed. |
| US07696106B2 |
Film formation method and apparatus for semiconductor process
A film formation method for a semiconductor process includes placing a plurality of target objects at intervals in a vertical direction inside a process container of a film formation apparatus. Then, the method includes setting the process container to have a first vacuum state therein, and supplying a first film formation gas containing a hydrocarbon gas into the process container, thereby forming a carbon film by CVD on the target objects. Then, the method includes setting the process container to have a second vacuum state therein, while maintaining the process container to have a vacuum state therein from the first vacuum state, and supplying a second film formation gas containing an organic silicon source gas into the process container, thereby forming an Si-containing inorganic film by CVD on the carbon film. |
| US07696105B2 |
Method for producing catalyst-free single crystal silicon nanowires, nanowires produced by the method and nanodevice comprising the nanowires
Disclosed herein is a method for producing catalyst-free single crystal silicon nanowires. According to the method, nanowires can be produced in a simple and economical manner without the use of any metal catalyst. In addition, impurities contained in a metal catalyst can be prevented from being introduced into the nanowires, contributing to an improvement in the electrical and optical properties of the nanowires. Also disclosed herein are nanowires produced by the method and nanodevice comprising the nanowires. |
| US07696094B2 |
Method for improved planarization in semiconductor devices
A method for forming a semiconductor device may include forming a silicon oxynitride mask layer over a first layer. The first layer may be etched using the silicon oxynitride mask layer, to form a pattern in the first layer. The pattern may be filled with a dielectric material. The dielectric material may be planarized using a ceria-based slurry and using the silicon oxynitride mask layer as a stop layer. |
| US07696090B2 |
Rectifying diodes with self-aligned electrodes
A rectifying diode comprising a semiconducting layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the width of the region of closest contact between the two electrodes is on the order of the thickness of the semiconducting layer. |
| US07696088B2 |
Manufacturing methods of metal wire, electrode and TFT array substrate
A method of forming a gate line and gate electrode and a method of manufacturing a TFT array substrate. The metal gate line and gate electrode can be formed by: providing a substrate, forming a photoresist layer on the substrate, a photoresist pattern being formed complementary with that of the gate line and gate electrode, forming a metal Cu thin film or a composite thin film comprising a metal Cu thin film on the substrate, and removing the photoresist pattern and the metal Cu thin film or composite thin film comprising the metal Cu thin film formed thereon from the substrate. |
| US07696087B2 |
Method of forming a dual damascene pattern of a semiconductor device
In a method of forming a dual damascene pattern of a semiconductor device, horns that occur while forming a trench constituting the dual damascene pattern are removed in an intermediate process of forming the trench. Thus, the source of particles, which occur due to the horns in a cleaning process performed after the dual damascene pattern is formed, may be removed. Accordingly, an increase of contact resistance due to particles may be prevented, and a reduction in the yield of semiconductor devices may also be improved. |
| US07696082B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method, semiconductor device, and wiring board
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes (a) bonding a first surface of a metal plate to a substrate, (b) forming a plurality of metal posts that are arranged in vertical and lateral directions in a plan view and include a first metal post and a second metal post, by partially etching the metal plate bonded to the substrate from a second surface of the metal plate, (c) fixing an integrated circuit (IC) element to the second surface of the first metal post, (d) coupling the second metal post and a pad terminal of the integrated circuit element via a conductive material, (e) resin-sealing the integrated circuit element, the metal posts, and the conductive material by providing a resin onto the substrate, and (f) removing the substrate from the resin and the first surfaces of the metal posts sealed using the resin. |
| US07696080B2 |
Method for manufacturing SIP semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing an SIP semiconductor device is provided. In this method, a first Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP) is coated over an upper surface of a semiconductor device including a plurality of elements and a first through electrode. An electrochemical plate (ECP) process is then performed on the semiconductor device. A second OSP is then coated over a lower surface of the semiconductor device, the lower surface including a Cu plug that has been formed over the first through electrode through the ECP process. The upper and lower (first and second) OSPs are used to prevent the Cu plug from being easily oxidized when exposed to the air. |
| US07696078B2 |
Method for producing an electrical contact for an optoelectronic semiconductor chip
A method for producing an electrical contact of an optoelectronic semiconductor chip (1), comprising providing a mirror layer (2), comprised of a metal or metal alloy, over the semiconductor chip; providing a protective layer (3) over said mirror layer; providing a layer sequence of a barrier layer and a coupling layer (5) over said protective layer; and providing a solder layer (8) over said layer sequence. |
| US07696073B2 |
Method of co-doping group 14 (4B) elements to produce ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal
The present invention relates to a method for producing an n-type ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal having high carrier concentration and low resistivity, the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal, and a semiconductor device produced by using the ZnTe system compound semiconductor as a base member. Concretely, a first dopant and a second dopant are co-doped into the ZnTe system compound semiconductor single crystal so that the number of atoms of the second dopant becomes smaller than the number of atoms of the first dopant, the first dopant being for controlling a conductivity type of the ZnTe system compound semiconductor to a first conductivity type, and the second dopant being for controlling the conductivity type to a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. By the present invention, a desired carrier concentration can be achieved with a doping amount smaller than in earlier technology, and crystallinity of the obtained crystal can be improved. |
| US07696057B2 |
Method for co-alignment of mixed optical and electron beam lithographic fabrication levels
A method for aligning a first set of features of a fabrication level of an integrated circuit chip to an electron beam alignment target including a high atomic weight layer formed in a substrate and forming the first set of features using electron beam lithography and for aligning a second set of features of the same fabrication level of the integrated circuit chip to an optical alignment target formed in the substrate and forming the second set of features using photolithography, the optical alignment target itself is aligned to the electron beam alignment target. Also a method of forming and a structure of the electron beam alignment target. |
| US07696055B2 |
Method for manufacturing passive device and semiconductor package using thin metal piece
A method for manufacturing passive devices and semiconductor packages using a thin metal piece is provided. According to the method, an adhesive layer is formed on a dummy substrate; a thin metal piece is bonded on the adhesive layer; a masking material is attached to the thin metal piece, a region where vias are to be formed is patterned, the thin metal piece is etched at a predetermined depth; the masking material is removed, the etched portion is filled with polymer to form a flat polymer layer, a masking material is attached on the polymer layer, a region that is to be attached to an IPD or an IC chip is patterned, a metal pad is formed, and the formed devices are attached to a lower substrate using the metal pad; the adhesive layer and the dummy substrate are removed, a masking material is attached on a surface exposed, a region where passive devices are to be formed is patterned, and the thin metal piece is etched at a predetermined depth; and solder bumps for surface mounting are formed. |
| US07696053B2 |
Implantation method for doping semiconductor substrate
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device that may include a gate stack formed on an upper portion of an active region in a semiconductor substrate, the gate stack including a gate insulating layer and a gate, a first shallow impurity region formed on both sides of the gate in the semiconductor substrate, a gate spacer layer formed on one side of the gate stack, and a second deep impurity region formed in the semiconductor substrate by using the gate spacer layer as a mask, in which the gate is formed by implanting p-type ions. |
| US07696052B2 |
Technique for providing stress sources in transistors in close proximity to a channel region by recessing drain and source regions
By recessing drain and source regions, a highly stressed layer, such as a contact etch stop layer, may be formed in the recess in order to enhance the strain generation in the adjacent channel region of a field effect transistor. Moreover, a strained semiconductor material may be positioned in close proximity to the channel region by reducing or avoiding undue relaxation effects of metal silicides, thereby also providing enhanced efficiency for the strain generation. In some aspects, both effects may be combined to obtain an even more efficient strain-inducing mechanism. |
| US07696050B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device carrying out ion implantation before silicide process
An N-type source region and an N-type drain region of N-channel type MISFETs are implanted with ions (containing at least one of F, Si, C, Ge, Ne, Ar and Kr) with P-channel type MISFETs being covered by a mask layer. Then, each gate electrode, source region and drain region of the N- and P-channel type MISFETs are subjected to silicidation (containing at least one of Ni, Ti, Co, Pd, Pt and Er). This can suppress a drain-to-body off-leakage current (substrate leakage current) in the N-channel type MISFETs without degrading the drain-to-body off-leakage current in the P-channel type MISFETs. |
| US07696049B2 |
Method to manufacture LDMOS transistors with improved threshold voltage control
A double diffused region (65), (75), (85) is formed in a semiconductor substrate or in an epitaxial layer (20) formed on the semiconductor substrate. The double diffused region is formed by first implanting light implant specie such as boron through an opening in a photoresist layer prior to a hard bake process. Subsequent to the hard bake process, a heavy implant species such as arsenic is implanted into the epitaxial layer. During subsequent processing, such as during LOCOS formation, a double diffused region is formed by a thermal anneal. A dielectric layer (120) is formed on the epitaxial layer (20) and gate structures (130), (135) are formed over the dielectric layer (120). |
| US07696046B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a multi-channel type MOS transistor
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an active channel pattern is formed on a substrate. The active channel pattern includes preliminary gate patterns and single crystalline silicon patterns that are alternately stacked with each other. A source/drain layer is formed on a sidewall of the active channel pattern. Mask pattern structures including a gate trench are formed on the active channel pattern and the source/drain layer. The patterns are selectively etched to form tunnels. The gate trench is then filled with a gate electrode. The gate electrode surrounds the active channel pattern. The gate electrode is protruded from the active channel pattern. The mask pattern structures are then removed. Impurities are implanted into the source/drain regions to form source/drain regions. A silicidation process is carried out on the source/drain regions to form a metal silicide layer, thereby completing a semiconductor device having a MOS transistor. |
| US07696041B2 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor component and semiconductor component
In a method for fabricating a semiconductor component, a semiconductor substrate comprising a first surface is provided and a shaping matrix is applied to the first surface. The shaping matrix comprises at least one continuous depression arranged in such a way that contact regions in a region of the first surface are at least partly uncovered. A sacrificial layer is applied to sidewalls of the continuous depression in an upper section of the depression, a first electrode is produced by applying a first conductive layer in a lower section of the depression and to the sacrificial layer, and the sacrificial layer is removed in order to uncover the sidewalls of the shaping matrix in the upper section. A dielectric layer is applied to the first conductive layer and a second electrode is formed by applying a second conductive layer to the dielectric layer. |
| US07696040B2 |
Method for fabrication of fin memory structure
A semiconductor fin memory structure and a method for fabricating the semiconductor fin memory structure include a semiconductor fin-channel within a finFET structure that is contiguous with and thinner than a conductor fin-capacitor node within a fin-capacitor structure that is integrated with the finFET structure. A single semiconductor layer may be appropriately processed to provide the semiconductor fin-channel within the finFET structure that is contiguous with and thinner than the conductor fin-capacitor node within the fin-capacitor structure. |
| US07696038B1 |
Methods for fabricating flash memory devices
Methods for fabricating flash memory devices are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating a memory device comprises forming a first gate stack and a second gate stack overlying a substrate. A trench is etched into the substrate between the first gate stack and the second gate stack. A first impurity doped region is formed within the substrate underlying the trench. |
| US07696037B2 |
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology
A method for forming semiconductor transistor. The method comprises providing a structure including (a) a semiconductor region, and (b) first and second dopant source regions on and in direct physical contact with the semiconductor region, wherein each region of the first and second dopant source regions comprises a dielectric material which contains dopants; causing the dopants to diffuse from the first and second dopant source regions into the semiconductor region so as to form first and second source/drain extension regions, respectively, wherein the first and second source/drain extension regions define a channel region disposed between; forming a gate dielectric region on a channel region; and forming a gate region on the gate dielectric region, wherein the gate dielectric region electrically insulates the gate region from the channel region. |
| US07696032B2 |
Semiconductor device including a crystal semiconductor layer, its fabrication and its operation
In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a crystalline semiconductor layer includes preparing a semiconductor substrate and forming a preliminary active pattern on the semiconductor substrate. The preliminary active pattern includes a barrier pattern and a non-single crystal semiconductor pattern. A sacrificial non-single crystal semiconductor layer covers the preliminary active pattern and the semiconductor substrate. By crystallizing the sacrificial non-single crystal semiconductor layer and the non-single crystal semiconductor pattern, using the semiconductor substrate as a seed layer, the sacrificial non-single crystal semiconductor layer and the non-single crystal semiconductor pattern are changed to a sacrificial crystalline semiconductor layer and a crystalline semiconductor pattern, respectively. The crystalline semiconductor pattern and the barrier pattern constitute an active pattern. The sacrificial crystalline semiconductor layer is removed. |
| US07696027B2 |
Method of fabricating display substrate and method of fabricating display panel using the same
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a display substrate. A black matrix and a color filter layer are formed on a base substrate, and then a transparent electrode and a photoresist layer pattern are sequentially formed. The transparent electrode is patterned using the photoresist layer pattern as a mask to form a common electrode, and a spacer is formed using the photoresist layer pattern. |
| US07696018B2 |
Methods for fabricating multi-terminal phase change devices
Phase change devices, and particularly multi-terminal phase change devices, include first and second active terminals bridged together by a phase-change material whose conductivity can be modified in accordance with a control signal applied to a control electrode. This structure allows an application in which an electrical connection can be created between the two active terminals, with the control of the connection being effected using a separate terminal or terminals. Accordingly, the resistance of the heater element can be increased independently from the resistance of the path between the two active terminals. This allows the use of smaller heater elements thus requiring less current to create the same amount of Joule heating per unit area. The resistance of the heating element does not impact the total resistance of the phase change device. The programming control can be placed outside of the main signal path through the phase change device, reducing the impact of the associated capacitance and resistance of the device. |
| US07696000B2 |
Low defect Si:C layer with retrograde carbon profile
Formation of carbon-substituted single crystal silicon layer is prone to generation of large number of defects especially at high carbon concentration. The present invention provides structures and methods for providing low defect carbon-substituted single crystal silicon layer even for high concentration of carbon in the silicon. According to the present invention, the active retrograde profile in the carbon implantation reduces the defect density in the carbon-substituted single crystal silicon layer obtained after a solid phase epitaxy. This enables the formation of semiconductor structures with compressive stress and low defect density. When applied to semiconductor transistors, the present invention enables N-type field effect transistors with enhanced electron mobility through the tensile stress that is present into the channel. |
| US07695997B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An electrostatic discharge protection element and a protection resistor, which are formed on an N− drain region with a field oxide film interposed therebetween for the purpose of preventing electrical breakdown of a field effect transistor, are composed as a stacked bidirectional Zener diode of one or a plurality of N+ polycrystalline silicon regions of a first layer and a P+ polycrystalline silicon region of a second layer, and a stacked resistor of one or a plurality of N+ resistor layers of the first layer and an N+ resistor layer of the second layer, respectively. One end of the plurality of N+ polycrystalline silicon regions of the first layer is connected to an external gate electrode terminal, and the other end is connected to a source electrode. One end of the plurality of N+ resistor layers of the first layer is connected to a gate electrode, and the other end is connected to the external gate electrode terminal. Semiconductor regions of the first layer and the second layer are formed by using semiconductor films, which form a hetero semiconductor region and the gate electrode, respectively. |
| US07695995B2 |
Image sensor and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a lower structure having a photodiode and an interconnection, a passivation layer on the lower structure, a thermo-setting resin layer on the passivation layer, a color filter array on the thermo-setting resin layer, a micro-lens array on the color filter array, and a Low Temperature Oxide (LTO) layer on the micro-lens array. |
| US07695993B2 |
Matrix nanocomposite sensing film for SAW/BAW based hydrogen sulphide sensor and method for making same
A method can be adapted for design and preparation of a matrix nanocomposite sensing film for hydrogen sulphide SAW/BAW detection at room temperature. A matrix nanocomposite can be synthesized by incorporating both single-wall and multi-wall thiolated carbon nanotubes into conductive organic polymers or ceramic nanocrystalline in a properly functionalized manner. A thin organic sensing film can be prepared based on the matrix nanocomposite. The matrix nanocomposite sensing film can be prepared on a surface of a SAW/BAW device by an additive process or a direct printing process. Finally, the sensing film can be consolidated by thermal annealing or laser annealing under ambient conditions in order to obtain the stable sensing film with higher sensitivity and electrical properties for a SAW/BAW based H2S sensor. |
| US07695990B2 |
Fabricating surface mountable semiconductor components with leadframe strips
The invention relates to a method for producing an electrical leadframe (10), in particular for a light-emitting diode component, having at least one first electrical connection conductor (2) and at least one second electrical connection conductor (3). |
| US07695989B2 |
Method of manufacturing vertical gallium-nitride based light emitting diode
A vertical GaN-based LED and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The vertical GaN-based LED can prevent the damage of an n-type GaN layer contacting an n-type electrode, thereby stably securing the contact resistance of the n-electrode. The vertical GaN-based LED includes: a support layer; a p-electrode formed on the support layer; a p-type GaN layer formed on the p-electrode; an active layer formed on the p-type GaN layer; an n-type GaN layer for an n-type electrode contact, formed on the active layer; an etch stop layer formed on the n-type GaN layer to expose a portion of the n-type GaN layer; and an n-electrode formed on the n-type GaN layer exposed by the etch stop layer. |
| US07695988B2 |
Quantum dot conjugates in a sub-micrometer fluidic channel
A nanofluidic channel fabricated in fused silica with an approximately 500 nm square cross section was used to isolate, detect and identify individual quantum dot conjugates. The channel enables the rapid detection of every fluorescent entity in solution. A laser of selected wavelength was used to excite multiple species of quantum dots and organic molecules, and the emission spectra were resolved without significant signal rejection. Quantum dots were then conjugated with organic molecules and detected to demonstrate efficient multicolor detection. PCH was used to analyze coincident detection and to characterize the degree of binding. The use of a small fluidic channel to detect quantum dots as fluorescent labels was shown to be an efficient technique for multiplexed single molecule studies. Detection of single molecule binding events has a variety of applications including high throughput immunoassays. |
| US07695984B1 |
Use of modeled parameters for real-time semiconductor process metrology applied to semiconductor processes
Method and system for detecting endpoint for a plasma etch process are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, the method provides a semiconductor substrate having a film to be processed thereon. The film is processed in a plasma environment during a time period to provide for device structures. Information associated with the plasma process is collected. The information is characterized by a first signal intensity. Information on a change in the first signal intensity is extracted. The change in the first signal intensity has a second signal intensity. The change in signal intensity at the second signal intensity is associated to an endpoint of processing the film in the plasma environment. The second signal intensity may be about 0.25% and less of the first signal intensity. |
| US07695974B2 |
Method for imaging the ionomer spatial distribution in fuel cell electrodes
A method for evaluating the spatial distribution of an ionomer in a fuel cell MEA. The method includes embedding the MEA in an epoxy, and then slicing thin sections from the MEA. The sliced sections are then exposed to a titanium tetrachloride vapor that stains the epoxy. The stained sections are then viewed with, for example, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) where the lighter regions in the TEM image show the ionomer distribution. |
| US07695972B2 |
Methods and kits for the in vitro diagnostic or for the monitoring of a disease involving an inflammatory reaction
Method for the in vitro diagnostic or for the monitoring of a disease involving an inflammatory reaction within a patient, which comprises the steps of: a) providing a biological sample from the patient; b) measuring the amount of selenoprotein P which is contained in the biological sample; c) comparing the amount of selenoprotein P measured at step b) i) with the amount of selenoprotein P which is contained in a biological sample from an individual which is not affected with the disease; or ii) with the amount of selenoprotein P which was contained in a biological sample from the same patient. |
| US07695969B2 |
Methods for generating hypermutable microbes
Bacteria are manipulated to create desirable output traits using dominant negative alleles of mismatch repair proteins. Enhanced hypermutation is achieved by combination of mismatch repair deficiency and exogenously applied mutagens. Stable bacteria containing desirable output traits are obtained by restoring mismatch repair activity to the bacteria. |
| US07695965B2 |
Methods of producing pancreatic hormones
Disclosed herein are methods of producing pancreatic hormone-expressing cells by first differentiating pluripotent cells in cell culture so as to produce endodermal cells, the endodermal cells being competent to further differentiate into hormone-expressing cells capable of secreting at least one pancreatic hormone in response to a physiological signal, and then, transplanting the cultured endodermal cells into an organism, such as an organism in need of an endocrine cell therapy. |
| US07695960B2 |
Composition comprising the polyprotein NS3/NS4 and the polypeptide NS5B of HCV, expression vectors including the corresponding nucleic sequences and their therapeutic use
The invention relates to a peptidic compound containing a polyprotein NS3/NS4 of a hepatitis C virus and a polypeptide NS5b of hepatitis C virus. Said invention also relates to expression vectors such as adenovirus and poxyvirus in which nucleic sequences coding for the polyprotein NS3/NS4 and the polypeptide NS5b. The inventive compound can be used for a therapeutic application. |
| US07695959B2 |
Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) based delivery systems
The invention provide methods and compositions for localized delivery of a vector comprising a therapeutic agent to a specific region of the brain that is overstimulated in neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the invention provides methods and compositions used to deliver an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV) comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) to cells in the hippocampus, subthalamic nucleus of the basal ganglia, mesaphilia and thalamus. |
| US07695957B2 |
Bioreactor, in particular for NMR spectroscopy
A description is given of a bioreactor (1), in particular for NMR spectroscopy, comprising a container (7) capable of containing a cell culture, a first inlet line (6) for the inward flow of a culture medium to the inside of the container and a second outlet line (9, 10) for the outward flow of the culture medium from the container (7). The first line (6), an inlet line, is connected to a spiral-shaped device (12) which has a form such that when the medium is made to flow inside the first line (6) and made to flow out of the second line (9; 10), hydrostatic thrust and hydrodynamic forces produce with respect to the cells a condition of simulated reduced gravity inside the container (7). |
| US07695954B2 |
Micropatterned plate with micro-pallets for addressable biochemical analysis
A plate manufactured to enable samples of cells, micro-organisms, proteins, DNA, biomolecules and other biological media to be positioned at specific locations or sites on the plate for the purpose of performing addressable analyses on the samples. Preferably, some or all of the sites are built from a removable material or as pallets so that a subset of the samples of interest can be readily isolated from the plate for further processing or analysis. The plate can contain structures or chemical treatments that enhance or promote the attachment and/or function of the samples, and that promote or assist in their analyses. |
| US07695946B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding useful polypeptides in Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum
The present invention provides novel polypeptides and polynucleotides useful as biotechnological tools, specifically identified in a coryneform bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum and methods of producing substances in organisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides. |
| US07695945B2 |
Immobilized microbial nitrilase for production of glycolic acid
The present invention provides a process for preparing an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity for hydrolysis of glycolonitrile to glycolic acid with improved retention of recovered catalyst activity in consecutive batch reactions with catalyst recycle, said process comprising pretreating the enzyme catalyst with glutaraldehyde. The glutaraldehyde-pretreated enzyme catalyst has improved specific activity when compared to non-glutaraldehyde-pretreated enzyme catalysts, and thereby, has improved overall catalyst activity and productivity. |
| US07695944B2 |
Method for producing phosholipid
A method for producing a phospholipid using transphosphatidylation, which comprises homogenizing a mixture of a raw material phospholipid, a hydroxyl-containing acceptor, phospholipase D, and water in the absence of an organic solvent to obtain a homogenized mixture; and subjecting the homogenized mixture to a transphosphatidylation reaction at 15° C. to 65° C. The homogenized mixture has a lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal structure. An objective phospholipid can be obtained from the homogenized mixture through transphosphatidylation without using an organic solvent or calcium. |
| US07695943B2 |
Method for preparing 1,3-propanediol by a recombinant micro-organism in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors
The invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3-propanediol from a carbon-containing substance, said method comprising a step which consists in culturing a recombinant micro-organism not producing coenzyme B12 in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors. The invention also concerns a nucleic acid coding for a glycerol dehydratase whereof the catalytic activity is independent of the presence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors and a nucleic acid coding for a 1,3-propanol dehydrogenase intervening in the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol. The invention further concerns recombinant vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and the polypeptides coded by the latter. |
| US07695935B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding human coagulation FVII polypeptides
The present invention relates to novel human coagulation Factor VIIa variants having coagulant activity as well as nucleic acid constructs encoding such variants, vectors and host cells comprising and expressing the nucleic acid, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods of treatment. |
| US07695934B2 |
Tumor necrosis factor related ligand
Nucleic acids that encode Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Ligand (TRELL), a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor family (TNF), modified TRELL, are described. |
| US07695933B2 |
SM38 nucleic acid molecules
The present invention relates to methods for modulating the migratory activity of cells expressing CD38 for the treatment of disorders including, but not limited to, inflammation, ischemia, asthma, autoimmune disease, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, infection with pathogenic organisms, such as parasites, and transplant rejection. Such cells include, for example, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages and dentritic cells. The invention further relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that modulate the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity of CD38 and the use of such compounds in the treatment of disorders involving CD38 modulated cell migration. Additionally, the invention relates to the isolation and characterization of a CD38 homologue from the parasitic flatworm, Schistosoma mansoni. |
| US07695932B2 |
Gene targets for enhanced carotenoid production
The present invention provides genetically manipulated cells and methods for utilizing same. Methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically disrupted for a yjiD, hnr or yjfP gene, or further disrupted for a gdhA, gpmB aceE, ppc, talB or fdhF gene, or any combination thereof, or cells inhibited for their expression, activity or function are disclosed. Methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically engineered to overexpress dxs, idi, yjiD, rpoS, torC, appY, ydgK, yeiA, yedR, tort, arcB, yggT, purDH, yfjN or a combination thereof, or further disrupted for the above-referenced genes are disclosed. Methods for identifying genes involved in optimized production of a carotenoid, and cells disrupted for, or inhibited for the expression, activity or function of genes thus identified are described. |
| US07695930B2 |
Method for the detection, identification and/or quantification of microoganisms with peptidase activity using phenoxazinone derivatives as enzyme substrates
The present invention relates to methods for the detection, identification and/or quantification of microorganisms with peptidase activity using enzymatic substrates with the following general formula: |
| US07695929B2 |
Haptens, hapten conjugates, compositions thereof and method for their preparation and use
A method for performing a multiplexed diagnostic assay, such as for two or more different targets in a sample, is described. One embodiment comprised contacting the sample with two or more specific binding moieties that bind specifically to two or more different targets. The two or more specific binding moieties are conjugated to different haptens, and at least one of the haptens is an oxazole, a pyrazole, a thiazole, a nitroaryl compound other than dinitrophenyl, a benzofurazan, a triterpene, a urea, a thiourea, a rotenoid, a coumarin, a cyclolignan, a heterobiaryl, an azo aryl, or a benzodiazepine. The sample is contacted with two or more different anti-hapten antibodies that can be detected separately. The two or more different anti-hapten antibodies may be conjugated to different detectable labels. |
| US07695927B2 |
Detection of hypertension using glucuronidated metabolic products
A method to assess arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites-dependent hypertension by measuring glucuronidated dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) and DHET metabolites in a biological sample which contains the epitopes unique to DHET (using any methods including GC/MS, LC/MS or ELISA) is disclosed. An example of the glucuronidated DHET metabolite is DHET-alcohols such as omega or omega-1 oxidated DHET and DHET esterified glycerol. The method further includes determining the amount of glucuronidated molecules containing a DHET-specific epitope which is immunoreactive with antibodies produced against DHETs. The present invention measuring glucuronidated DHET levels in a biological sample is useful for drug development and monitoring efficiency of drug treatment of a mammal who has AA epoxygenase-, epoxide hydrolase-and/or UDP-glucuronosyl transferase-dependent hypertension. |
| US07695926B2 |
Methods and compositions for detecting receptor-ligand interactions in single cells
The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state. |
| US07695922B2 |
Ion channel assay methods
A method of characterizing the biological activity of a candidate compound may include exposing cells to the candidate compound, and then exposing the cells to a repetitive application of electric fields so as to set the transmembrane potential to a level corresponding to a pre-selected voltage dependent state of a target ion channel. |
| US07695916B2 |
Genetic polymorphisms associated with coronary events and drug response, methods of detection and uses thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods based on genetic polymorphisms that are associated with coronary heart disease (particularly myocardial infarction), aneurysm/dissection, and/or response to drug treatment, particularly statin treatment. For example, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by these nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and variant proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid molecules and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection. |
| US07695910B2 |
Method for manufacturing hydrogel biochip by using star-like polyethylene glycol derivative having epoxy group
A method for manufacturing a biochip and a biochip manufactured by the method are provided. In the biochip manufacturing method, a star-like polyethylene glycol derivative having an epoxy group at its terminal is reacted with a low molecular weight hydrophilic polymer to form a matrix, and a probe is covalently bound to the matrix and immobilized on a solid substrate. The biochip has a 3-dimensional structure where it spatially protrudes from its surface and improved chip sensitivity. In addition, the biochip can be conveniently and efficiently manufactured using an aqueous solution at low costs. |
| US07695903B2 |
Low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-1 (LRP-1)in clearance of alzheimer's amyloid-beta peptide from the central nervous system
Brain endothelial low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-1 (LRP-1) mediates vascular clearance of Alzheimer's amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) from the brain. Transport of Aβ occurs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the systemic circulation, but the brain endothelium is compromised in Alzheimer's disease. The invention is used to diagnose the disease in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, to identify those at risk for disease or already affected thereby, to determine the stage of disease or its progression, to intervene earlier in or alter the disease's natural history, to provide a target for therapeutic or prophylactic treatments, to screen drugs or compare medical regimens, to determine the effectiveness of a drug or medical regimen, or any combination thereof. |
| US07695902B2 |
Oligoribonucleotides and ribonucleases for cleaving RNA
Oligomeric compounds including oligoribonucleotides and oligoribonucleosides are provided that have subsequences of 2′-pentoribofuranosyl nucleosides that activate dsRNase. The oligoribonucleotides and oligoribonucleosides can include substituent groups for increasing binding affinity to complementary nucleic acid strand as well as substituent groups for increasing nuclease resistance. The oligomeric compounds are useful for diagnostics and other research purposes, for modulating the expression of a protein in organisms, and for the diagnosis, detection and treatment of other conditions susceptible to oligonucleotide therapeutics. Also included in the invention are mammalian ribonucleases, i.e., enzymes that degrade RNA, and substrates for such ribonucleases. Such a ribonuclease is referred to herein as a dsRNase, wherein “ds” indicates the RNase's specificity for certain double-stranded RNA substrates. The artificial substrates for the dsRNases described herein are useful in preparing affinity matrices for purifying mammalian ribonuclease as well as non-degradative RNA-binding proteins. |
| US07695900B2 |
Method and device for detecting biologically active substances
This application claims a method for detecting biologically active substances, comprising the following steps a) providing a support carrying substances to be tested b) providing a suspension containing luminescent microorganisms, c) coating the support with the suspension of microorganisms, d) detecting the biologically active substances on the support by detecting the change in luminescence of the suspension of microorganisms, and e) stimulating the luminescence of the microorganisms before or during detection, and/or f) extending the period of luminescence of the microorganisms by employing substances for regulating and extending the period of luminescence of the microorganisms. |
| US07695899B2 |
Methods of identifying and using chemotherapeutic agents
The disclosure includes methods for the identification of chemotherapeutic agents that selectively reduce the growth or the survival of genotoxically stressed DNA damage checkpoint deficient tissue, such as irradiated cancerous tissue. The methods involve the use of genotoxically-stressed tissue(s) that are deficient in one or more DNA damage checkpoints. The disclosure also provides kits for performing the disclosed methods. The disclosure also includes chemotherapeutic agents that selectively reduce the growth or the survival of genotoxically stressed DNA damage checkpoint deficient tissue, such as irradiated cancerous tissue. The disclosure also includes methods of treatment or management of cancer, tumor formation, other conditions involving abnormal proliferation, or cell-cycle diseases or disorders. |
| US07695896B2 |
Method for forming photoresist pattern
A method of forming a photoresist pattern, capable of improving an adhesion property of the photoresist pattern formed on a substrate, includes forming a photocatalytic layer on a substrate, forming a negative-type photoresist layer on the photocatalytic layer, exposing the photoresist layer to ultraviolet rays, heat-treating the photoresist layer, and developing the photoresist layer to form the photoresist pattern. Thereby, applying the photocatalytic layer formed on various substrates, the photoresist pattern has excellent adhesion property and is capable of ensuring a high aspect ratio. |
| US07695892B2 |
Resist composition and pattern-forming method using same
A resist composition comprises (A) at least two kinds of resins each of which decomposes by the action of an acid to undergo an increase in its solubility for an alkali developer, wherein at least one kind of the resins (A) is a resin synthesized by living radical polymerization using a chain transfer agent represented by formula (I): wherein: A represents an organic group not containing hetero atoms; and Y represents an organic group capable of releasing a radical. |
| US07695882B2 |
Toner formulation for controlling mass flow
The present invention relates to controlling the mass flow of toner in an image forming device or a toner cartridge. The toner composition includes extra particulate additives including a conductive additive. The extra particulate additives may also include relatively small silica particles or relatively large silica. |
| US07695879B2 |
Toner composition and method
A method for forming toner particles includes polymerizing monomers to form a latex comprising polymer particles; combining the latex with an unsaturated curable resin to form aggregates containing the polymer particles and the unsaturated curable resin particles; and heating the aggregates to form coalesced particles. A toner composition that may be formed by the process described herein contains toner particles containing: (i) a polymer comprising a photoinitiator, (ii) an unsaturated curable resin and, (iii) a colorant. |
| US07695878B2 |
Image forming apparatus, process cartridge and toner for use in the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image bearer; a charging device charging the image bearer; a light irradiating device irradiating the charged image bearer with light to form an electrostatic image; a developing device developing the electrostatic image with a developer including a toner to form a toner image on the image bearer; a transfer device transferring the toner image; and a cleaning device cleaning the image bearer, wherein the volume average particle diameter of the toner is greater than 5.0 μm and less than 5.5 μm, the content of toner particles having a particle diameter of not greater than 4.0 μm is not higher than 20% by number, the ratio of the first shape factor SF-1 to the second shape factor SF-2 is from 1.00 to 1.15, and the content of toner particles having a SF-2 of not less than 115 is not less than 67.8% by number. |
| US07695875B2 |
Photo-sensitive composition
The invention pertains to a photo-sensitive composition which comprises a photochemical initiator, a polyacid or a salt thereof, and a poly(3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene) wherein the alkylene moiety is —(CH2)n-, n being an integer from 1 to 3, or 1,2-cyclo-hexylene, which may optionally be substituted, characterized in that the photochemical initiator is a water-soluble polymer comprising at least two azide or diazonium groups. Preferably, the water-soluble polymer is chemically stable at pH 6 or less, more preferably at pH 2 or less. |
| US07695874B2 |
Color filter and fabrication method thereof
A color filter and a method for fabricating the same. At least one conductive film is provided above a light shielding layer between R/G/B color filter units. The conductive film is electrically connected to an electrode layer, thereby reducing the resistance thereof. |
| US07695871B2 |
Notched trim mask for phase shifting mask
A phase shifting mask (PSM) and a trim mask can be used in a dual exposure to form circuits on an integrated circuit. The trim mask can include first structures that define non-critical features of a design (e.g. line ends), second structures that protect areas exposed by phase shifters, wherein such areas including critical features (e.g. transistor gates) of the design, and transitional areas located between the first and second structures. Notably, these transitional areas can include notches. This notched trim mask can advantageously minimize line end widening, thereby improving feature definition and device performance on the resulting integrated circuit. The notched trim mask can also advantageously simplify the optical proximity correction of its associated PSM, thereby minimizing fabrication costs. |
| US07695866B2 |
Battery positive electrode material
Material for the positive electrode of batteries is provided that has good conductivity and can be manufactured more cheaply than AgNiO2. The battery positive electrode material is a conductive chemical compound represented by the general formula AgxNiyO2 (wherein X/Y is smaller than 1 and not smaller than 0.25). The conductive chemical compound is constituted of a crystal that has an X-ray diffraction main peak that is the same as that of AgNiO2 (wherein X=Y=1), and does not exhibit a Ag2O or AgO peak. This conductive compound can be used as an additive to impart conductivity to the silver oxide (Ag2O) of the positive electrode material. |
| US07695862B2 |
Additive for non-aqueous electrolyte solution of secondary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
The invention is concerned with an additive for a non-aqueous electrolyte of a secondary battery having a high ability dissolving a support salt and a low viscosity and comprising a phosphazene derivative represented by the following formula (I): (wherein R1 is independently a halogen element or a monovalent substituent; and X is an organic group containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon, silicon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen and sulfur) as well as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an electrolyte containing this additive and having excellent high-rate characteristics. |
| US07695860B2 |
Nonaqueous liquid electrolyte
Disclosed is a nonaqueous liquid electrolyte comprising poly(siloxane-g-3 ethylene oxide) and its synthesis. This electrolyte provides significant safety, improved electrochemical stability, improved conductivity, lower impedance, and lower manufacturing costs. |
| US07695858B2 |
Battery connector
A battery pack including a cell unit containing at least one cell and a contact unit connected to the cell unit. The contact unit includes a housing containing connector parts for connection to external complementary connector parts and conductors electrically connecting the connecting parts to the at least one cell. |
| US07695854B2 |
Lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery including: a positive electrode including a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer carried on each surface of the positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode including a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer carried on each surface of the negative electrode current collector; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein an exposed portion carrying no active material layer is formed on a substantially center portion in a longitudinal direction of a least one of the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector, a current collecting lead is connected to the exposed portion, and a first heat resistant layer is formed such that the first heat resistant faces at least part of the current collecting lead. |
| US07695844B2 |
System stability improvements tolerating increased nitrogen cross-over
A control strategy for removing nitrogen from the anode side of a fuel cell stack. The control strategy includes using a bleed valve to remove the nitrogen during the operation of the fuel cell stack until the stack ages to a point where the bleed valve is maintained open, but the concentration of nitrogen in the anode side of the stack continues to increase. Once the concentration of nitrogen in the anode side increases to a predetermined level, then a purge valve is opened in combination with the bleed valve to reduce the concentration of nitrogen. Once the nitrogen concentration is reduced below the level, then both valves are closed, and the sequence is repeated. |
| US07695838B2 |
Fuel cell system and diagnosis system for the fuel cell system
A part of cell stack portions constituting a part of a fuel cell stack is used as a voltage detection portion, the size of a frequency component belonging to a predetermined specific frequency range is extracted from a voltage signal detected and the existence/absence of abnormality of a fuel cell system is diagnosed on the basis of the frequency component extracted. |
| US07695836B2 |
Method for initial activation of polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A method for an initial activation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes: humidifying a fuel cell stack; performing a small-current driving operation for applying a small current to the humidified fuel cell stack; and performing an activating operation by repeatedly performing an activation cycle a predetermined number of times. The activation cycle includes: a first driving operation for driving the fuel cell stack to output a first predetermined voltage; a first pausing operation for controlling the fuel cell stack in a no-load open-circuit voltage state; a second driving operation for driving the fuel cell to output a second predetermined voltage; and a second pausing operation for controlling the fuel cell stack in the no-load open-circuit voltage state. |
| US07695827B2 |
Component with a protective layer
The invention relates to a component having a substrate and a protective layer, which consists of an intermediate NiCoCrAlY layer zone on or near the substrate and an outer layer zone which is arranged on the intermediate NiCoCrAlY layer zone, which is characterized in that the intermediate NiCoCrAlY layer zone comprises of (in wt %): 24-26% Co, 16-18% Cr, 9.5-11% Al, 0.3-0.5 Y, 1-1.8% Re and Ni balance. |
| US07695826B2 |
Alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet and process of production of same
The present invention provides an alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet having an area of the Fe and Zn alloy phase in the unformed parts in the plating layer of less than 10% of the area of the steel sheet as a whole and superior in strength and shapeability and a method of producing this alloyed molten zinc plating steel sheet by a continuous zinc plating production system which enables production at a low cost without modification of the system or addition of steps, said alloyed molten zinc plated steel sheet characterized by comprising a steel sheet including C: 0.05 to 0.40%, Si: 0.2 to 3.0%, and Mn: 0.1 to 2.5%, the balance comprised of Fe and unavoidable impurities, having on its surface a Zn alloy plating layer comprised of Fe in a concentration of 7 to 15 wt %, Al in a concentration of 0.01 to 1 wt %, and the balance of Zn and unavoidable impurities, said plating layer containing oxide particles of at least one type of oxide selected from an Al oxide, Si oxide, Mn oxide, and complex oxides of the same alone or in combination. |
| US07695823B2 |
Selectively reinforced powder metal components
A reinforced powder metal component is disclosed, the powder metal component having reinforcing preforms disposed in selected locations to provide a local reinforcement for the powder metal component. |
| US07695820B2 |
Aliphatic polyesters and lubricants containing the polyesters
Aliphatic polyesters may be substituted at the alpha- and beta-positions. These aliphatic polyesters may have increased thermal, chemical and hydrolytic stability compared to conventional aliphatic polyesters. In addition, these aliphatic polyesters may be used as high performance lubricants, including lubricants for hard disk drives. |
| US07695818B2 |
Silicone pressure sensitive adhesives prepared using processing aids, articles, and methods
Pressure sensitive adhesives and methods, wherein the adhesives include a silicone tackifying resin and a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer. The tack of these adhesives is improved by the use of a processing aid, such as a plasticizer. |
| US07695817B2 |
Thermally conductive grease and methods and devices in which said grease is used
A thermally conductive grease includes (A) a polyorganosiloxane having a viscosity less than 50 cSt (mm2/s) at 25° C. and (B) a thermally conductive filler. The thermally conductive grease is useful as a thermal interface material for electronic devices. |
| US07695816B2 |
Composite article and method of forming the same
A composite article comprises a first layer resulting from the reaction of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a second layer different than the first layer and resulting from the reaction of an isocyanate-reactive resin and a polyisocyanate. Adhesion promoter is dispersed in at least one of the first layer and the second layer. The adhesion promoter comprises a first reactive end group selected from the group of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated acrylate monomer, an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, or a combination thereof and a second reactive end group that reacts with isocyanate. The adhesion promoter reacts into the first and second layers through differentially reactive groups such that the adhesion promoter is compatible with the first and second layers to improve adhesion therebetween. A method of forming the composite article is also disclosed. |
| US07695815B2 |
Low smoke polycarbonate composition and laminates, method of manufacture and product made therefrom
A laminate contains a first layer and a second layer. The first layer contains a first composition that contains polycarbonate, polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, impact modifier and polyetherimide, wherein the polycarbonate constitutes at least about 50% by weight of the composition and a 3.2 millimeter thick, 7.6 centimeter square sample of the first composition produces a smoke density (Ds) of less than 275 after a 4-minute burn, measured according to ASTM E 662-03. The first composition may contain about 50 wt. % to about 97 wt. % polycarbonate, about 0.5 wt. % to about 25 wt. % polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % impact modifier, and about 2 wt. % to about 15 wt. % polyetherimide, by weight. An article may contain a sheet or film made from such a composition. A laminate or article may be made to include a first layer or sheet that includes such a composition. |
| US07695813B2 |
Core and shell particle for modifying impact resistance of a mouldable poly (meth) acrylate material
The present invention relates to a core-shell particle which has a core, a first shell and, where appropriate, a second shell, where: i) the core encompasses, based on its total weight, at least 75.0% by weight of (meth)acrylate repeat units; ii) the first shell has a glass transition temperature below 30° C.; iii) the second shell present where appropriate encompassed, based on its total weight, at lest 75.0% by weight of (meth)acrylate repeat units; iv) the first shell encompasses, based on its total weight, the following constituents; E) from 92.0 to 98.0% by weight of (meth)acrylate repeat units and F) from 2.0 to 8.0% by weight of styrenic repeat units of the general formula (I) where the radicals R1 to R6 are defined according to the Description and the percentages by weight of E) and F) give a total of 100.0% by weight, v) the radius of the core-shell particle inclusive of any second shell present, measured by the Coulter method, is in the range from above 160.0 to 240.0 nm; a process for preparing core-shell particles, to a moulding composition comprising core-shell particles, and to the use thereof. |
| US07695811B2 |
On/off reversible adhesive
An on/off reversible adhesive mechanism, and method for fabricating same. The adhesive mechanism is a hierarchical system comprised of a micro-scale compliant surface having one or more nano-structures thereon, wherein the compliant surface is moved by applying a magnetic field either to engage the nano-structures with an adhering surface or to remove the nano-structures from the adhering surface. |
| US07695808B2 |
Thermal transfer coating
Thermal transfer coating comprising a plurality of metal bodies and a plurality of interstitial elements disposed between and connecting the plurality of metal bodies to one another. The metal bodies comprise an inner portion comprising a first metal and an outer portion comprising an alloy comprising the first metal and a second metal. The interstitial elements comprise the alloy of the outer portion. |
| US07695807B2 |
Non-stick finish
A non-stick coating on a substrate is provided wherein the coating comprises an overcoat and a primer adhering the overcoat to the substrate, the overcoat comprising fluoropolymer and an effective amount of ceramic particles, preferably at least 3 wt % based on the combined weight of the fluoropolymer and the ceramic particles in the overcoat, said ceramic particles having an average particle size of at least about 10 micrometers to increase the abrasion resistance of said coating as determined by the dry SBAR method. |
| US07695800B2 |
Layer forming relief
A layer forming relief transferring and printing an application fluid applied on printing convex portions on a printing object, the layer forming relief including printing convex portions formed as a strip, and a plurality of micro-projections distributed on top faces of the printing convex portions so as to form a groove between adjoining micro-projections for retaining the application fluid. |
| US07695798B2 |
Honeycomb structure and honeycomb catalyst
A honeycomb structure 1 for a catalyst carrier including partition walls 4 arranged so as to form a plurality of cells 3 which connect two end faces 2a, 2b, the partition walls 4 being porous and having a large number of pores; the structure further including plugging portions 10 arranged so as to alternately plug one of the end portions of each of the cells 3 in the two end faces 2a, 2b. A geometrical surface area (GSA: a value ((S1+S2)/V) obtained by dividing a total of the whole inner surface area (S1) excluding the cell pores and the whole inner surface area (S2) of the pores by the whole volume (V) of the honeycomb structure) is 80) cm2/cm3 or more and less than 300 cm2/cm3. |
| US07695797B2 |
Corrosion resistant honeycomb
Corrosion resistant metallic honeycomb composed of a plurality of honeycomb cells having cell walls that include cell edges that form the edge of the honeycomb. A corrosion resistant coating that contains polyamideimide is used to cover the cell walls and cell edges. The corrosion resistant coating is preferably applied after the honeycomb structure has been formed. |
| US07695795B1 |
Fluorinated lactide-based copolymers
Disclosed is a process for producing lactide-based copolymers and the copolymers produced by this process. Disclosed copolymers are formed in one embodiment through the copolymerization of a lactide monomer with a fluorinated diol, for example a perfluorinated polyether monomer, oligomer or copolymer. The disclosed materials may display improved mechanical characteristics, hydrolytic characteristics, and thermal characteristics as compared to previously known lactide-based materials. |
| US07695792B2 |
Silver alloy reflective films for optical information recording media, silver alloy sputtering targets therefor, and optical information recording media
A silver alloy reflective film is used in an optical information recording medium and contains silver as a main component, a total of 1 to 10 atomic percent of at least one rare-earth element, and a total of 1 to 15 atomic percent of at least one selected from In, Sn, Al, and Mg, in which the total content of the at least one rare-earth element and the at least one selected from In, Sn, Al, and Mg is 5 atomic percent or more. The silver alloy reflective film preferably further contains 0.01 to 3 atomic percent of at least one of Bi and Sb. A silver alloy sputtering target has the same composition as the silver alloy reflective film. |
| US07695790B2 |
Silver alloy reflective film, sputtering target therefor, and optical information recording medium using the same
A Ag alloy reflective film for an optical information recording medium contains Ag as a main component, and at least one selected from Nd, Sn, Gd and In in a total amount of more than 3.0 atomic percent and less than or equal to 10 atomic percent. The reflective film can further contain 0.01 to 3 atomic percent of at least one of Bi and Sb, and/or can further contain comprising 20 atomic percent or less of at least one of Mn, Cu, La and Zn. An optical information recording medium includes the Ag alloy reflective film and can be subjected to laser marking. A Ag alloy sputtering target has a similar composition to that of the Ag alloy reflective film. |
| US07695787B2 |
Silica glass crucible
To provide a silica glass crucible, wherein there are no problems of generating a sinking and buckling when said crucible is used for pulling up silicon single crystal at a high temperature. The silica glass crucible used for pulling up the silicon single crystal, wherein at least an outer surface of a wall part of the crucible is covered with fine grooves having a length of less than 200 μm, a width of less than 30 μm and a depth of from more than 3 μm to less than 30 μm. Preferably, said fine groves are formed by carrying out a sand-blast treatment and a hydrofluoric acid etching and exist on more than 10% of the outer surface of the crucible, and a sliding frictional coefficient of the outer surface of the crucible to a carbon at 1500 degree C. is more than 0.6. |
| US07695780B2 |
Optical film, optical compensation sheet, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display device
An optical film, which contains a cellulose acylate, at least one compound of formula (I) in an amount of 0.01 to 20 mass parts, and at least one cyclic compound having at least three substituents in an amount of 0.01 to 20 mass parts, to 100 mass parts of the cellulose acylate: wherein R1 to R7, R9 and R10 each independently is a hydrogen atom or a substituent; at least one of R1 to R5 is an electron-donating group; R8 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkinyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an acylamino group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom; and an optical compensation sheet, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display device, each of which uses the optical film. |
| US07695775B2 |
Controlled vapor deposition of biocompatible coatings over surface-treated substrates
We have developed an improved vapor-phase deposition method and apparatus for the application of layers and coatings on various substrates. The method and apparatus are useful in the fabrication of biofunctional devices, Bio-MEMS devices, and in the fabrication of microfluidic devices for biological applications. In one important embodiment, a siloxane substrate surface is treated using a combination of ozone and UV radiation to render the siloxane surface more hydrophilic, and subsequently a functional coating is applied in-situ over the treated surface of the siloxane substrate. |
| US07695773B2 |
Radiation curable powder coating compositions
The present invention relates to powder compositions curable by ultraviolet irradiation or by accelerated electron beams. These powder compositions comprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated resin, and lend to the production of paint and varnish coatings exhibiting a unique combination of properties, inter alia good flow and mechanical properties and above all outstanding adhesion to metal substrates, persisting on ageing. |
| US07695759B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A bank for defining the regions in which pixels are formed has a stacked structure including: a base layer on the low level which also serves as an interlayer insulating film between the pixel forming regions; a middle bank layer on the middle level which serves to improve the fixation of an organic compound material (i.e., improve the uniformity of the film thickness of a positive hole transporting layer and an electron-transporting light emitting layer) in forming an organic EL layer; and a bank metal layer on the upper level which is made of a conductive material and serves also as a common voltage line (cathode line). |
| US07695757B2 |
Method of manufacturing a substrate for organic electroluminescent device
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a substrate for an organic EL device, the method comprising the step of: filling grooves of the optical element with sol-gel coating solution or organic metal cracking solution when a diffraction grating 12 is formed on the glass substrate 11, wherein an encapsulation member 5 is mounted to the glass substrate 11 in order to fill the groove 12a with the coating solution, and the coating solution is injected into a gap between the encapsulation member 5 and the diffraction grating 12, so that the organic EL device can be stably manufactured with low variation between optical properties according to positions of the substrate and with improved luminous efficiency. Further, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a substrate for an organic EL device having a glass substrate 11 with an diffraction grating 12, wherein the dispersion solution of particles is applied to the glass substrate 11 to form the diffraction grating 12, so that the organic EL device can be stably manufactured with low variation between the optical properties according to the positions of the substrate and with the improved luminous efficiency. |
| US07695756B2 |
Systems, tools and methods for production of molecular memory
A tool for manufacturing molecular electronic devices having a coating unit contained in a controlled ambient environment. The coating unit is coupled to a source of active device molecules in solution. The coating unit is configured to apply a selected quantity of the solution to a surface of a substrate and the process tool processes the coated substrate in conditions that cause the active device molecules to attach to active areas of the substrate. |
| US07695752B2 |
Target activated microtransfer
A device for performing target activated transfer that includes a mounting surface for mounting a tissue sample; and a light source positioned to substantially uniformly irradiate both stained and unstained regions of the tissue sample with light energy that activates the reagent to selectively adhere the stained regions to a transfer surface. Also described is an automated system for transferring tissue from a tissue sample to a transfer substrate. The system includes means for holding a tissue section that includes targets specifically stained with an absorptive stain thereby resulting in a stained tissue surface, and a flexible transfer film that includes a lower thermoplastic layer in sufficient thermal contact with the stained tissue surface; an irradiating assembly configured to provide a predetermined uniform light dose to the entire tissue section; and means for applying a constant pressure to the transfer film during irradiation. |
| US07695750B2 |
Methods for splitting pistachio nuts
The present invention discloses methods for artificially splitting nuts in a manner that ensures that the nuts split in the same manner as naturally split nuts. The methods include placing a batch of closed-shell nuts into a water filled vessel, sealing it, and reducing the pressure inside the vessel by removing air. This also causes air to be removed from inside the nuts. The air pressure in the vessel is then normalized, causing the air removed from the nuts to be replaced with water from the vessel. The nuts are then promptly transferred from the vessel and exposed to forces that cause the water inside the nuts to rapidly expand, creating internal pressure that forces the shells to split open along the longitudinal suture of the nut. The internal pressure can be created by the application of microwave radiation on the nut, thereby turning the water within the nut into water vapor, or by subjecting the nuts to a rapid decrease in temperature, thereby causing the water within the nuts to freeze and creating the internal pressure required to split open the shell of the nut. An alternative embodiment provides methods for completely splitting partially-split nut shells. |
| US07695749B2 |
Method of preparing sushi rice
A method of controlling a food processor includes retaining in a container cooked rice and sushi dressing in a predetermined ratio, mixing the cooked rice and the sushi dressing in the container to perform a mixing process, and cooling the cooked rice and the sushi dressing with air to perform a cooling process. The mixing process and cooling process are performed intermittently according to a cooling-mixing process, which comprises a plurality of cycles carried out repeatedly. One cycle includes one-cooling operation, having a standstill duration, for merely sending air while keeping the cooked rice without mixing, and another-cooling operation for sending air while mixing the cooked rice. The standstill duration of the one-cooling operation is gradually prolonged in every predetermined number of the cycles. |
| US07695748B2 |
Method for reducing cholesterol in oils or fats
A process of reducing the cholesterol content in cholesterol-containing organic oils or fats, particularly animal oils or fats. The process comprises the steps of: adding at least one of demineralized water and distilled water having a set pH-value to the oil cholesterol containing oils or fats, thereby forming a mixture; and separating the mixture into a cholesterol-containing aqueous phase and a cholesterol-reduced oil or fat phase. |
| US07695747B2 |
Method of producing dried distillers grain agglomerated particles
A method of producing Dried Distiller's Grain with Solubles (DDGS) agglomerated particles is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating a first product stream out of the whole stillage that is primarily solid material from a second product stream that is primarily liquid, agglomerating the first product stream using a mechanical compression machine such as an extruder, and exposing the agglomerated particles to microwave radiation of a sufficient energy for a sufficient time so that the resulting moisture of the agglomerated particles is between 3% and 40% by weight. The second product stream may be condensed and blended with the first product stream prior to, or concurrently with, the step in which the agglomerated particles are formed. Additionally, other additives, such as enzymes, may be added to the first product stream to enhance the final product's desirability as a nutritional source. |
| US07695746B2 |
Process for making a healthy snack food
The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a small amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step. The dehydrated food slices can then be heated to impart fried flavor notes. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products. |
| US07695741B2 |
Topical formulation for prevention and treatment of acne
Disclosed is a topical formulation for preventing or treating acne, in particular to a topical formulation for preventing or treating acne through the antimicrobial activity of the formulation against acne-causing bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, inhibition of excess production of sebum by inhibition of excess production of sebum by inhibition of 5α-reductase, inhibition of comedo, keratolysis and anti-inflammatory action, which comprises extract obtained from at least one oriental medicine selected from the group consisting of Cavalia gladiata, Biota orientalis and Coptis chinensis. |
| US07695737B2 |
Spherical composite particles and cosmetics with the particles blended therein
Spherical composite particles are formed of inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles joined together, and an average particle diameter is in the range from 1.1 to 100 μm, in which the average particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is in the range from 5 to 600 nm and the average particle diameter of the resin fine particles is in the range from 10 to 500 nm. The inorganic fine particle and the resin fine particle have almost the same size, and the hardness, softness, and adaptability when spreading on a skin can finely be adjusted as desired in a wide range according to the contact feeling required for the cosmetics in which the particles are blended. |
| US07695732B2 |
Nutritional composition for the treatment of pressure ulcers
The invention pertains to a method of treating or preventing pressure ulcers, comprising enterally administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising proteins, carbohydrates, fats, arginine or equivalents thereof, ascorbic acid equivalents and α-tocopherol equivalents, wherein arginine or equivalents thereof is administered in a daily amount of 3-15 g, ascorbic acid equivalents are administered in a daily amount of 180-840 mg and α-tocopherol equivalents are administered in a daily amount of 50-400 mg. |
| US07695730B2 |
Warming and nonirritating lubricant compositions and method of comparing irritation
This invention relates to substantially anhydrous warming, non-toxic and nonirritating lubricating compositions containing polyols and preferably an insulating agent. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions for lubrication, administration of active ingredients and for preventing or treating dysmenorrhea. |
| US07695720B2 |
KDR peptides and vaccines comprising the same
The present invention provides nonapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 3, 5, 8, 11, or 12; nonapeptides or decapeptides selected from peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, 30, 33, 34, 40, or 46; and peptides with cytotoxic T cell inducibility, in which one, two, or several amino acids are substituted or added to the above-mentioned amino acid sequences, as well as pharmaceuticals for treating or preventing tumors, where the pharmaceuticals comprise these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines. |
| US07695718B2 |
Methods for the treatment of IL-1β related diseases
Disclosed are methods for the treatment and/or prevention of Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and disease states and conditions characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and Type 1 diabetes, comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of anti-IL-1β antibody or fragment thereof. |
| US07695715B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies, antigens and diagnosis and therapy of malignant diseases
The invention concerns novel DNA and amino acid sequences of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against lymphoblastoid cells and peptides to which the mAbs bind to. The invention also concerns diagnostic assays using said antibodies or peptides for detecting individuals with a high probability of having a malignant disease and, at times, for detecting an individual having a specific malignant disease. The invention further concerns pharmaceutical compositions comprising the mAbs or peptides of the invention for use in the treatment of various malignant diseases as well as methods for the treatment of malignant diseases using the mAbs or peptides of the invention. |
| US07695712B2 |
Recovery of tissue function following administration of B cells to injured tissue
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of enhancing recovery of function of injured tissue through administration of a composition comprising a relatively pure populations of B lymphocyte cells in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the injured tissue. Kits are provided to aid in purification of B cells from heterogeneous mixtures of cells and administration of B cells to injured tissue. |
| US07695709B2 |
Hydrogen generating material and method for producing the same, and method for producing hydrogen
A hydrogen generating material of the present invention includes at least one metal material selected from aluminum and aluminum alloy. The metal material has a surface film that includes a metal phase containing aluminum in the metallic state and an inactive phase containing an oxide or hydroxide of aluminum. A method for producing the hydrogen generating material of the present invention includes pulverizing aluminum or aluminum alloy in a liquid containing water and an organic solvent. A method for producing hydrogen of the present invention includes producing hydrogen by a reaction between the hydrogen generating material of the present invention and water. |
| US07695707B2 |
Iodizing agent and process for preparation thereof
A method for preparation of iodizing agent for the use in the formulation of iodized salt that offers excellent stability of iodine in iodized salt is developed and the unrefined salt iodized with this compound was tested for its stability in presence of moisture, temperature and metal salts at higher temperature. The hydrotalcite type layered compound was used to prepare such compound and part of carbonate was substituted with iodate anion. The iodizing agent exhibited excellent stability of iodine in iodized salt. |
| US07695704B2 |
Procedure for the hydrogenation of BNH-containing compounds
A process for producing borazane from boron-nitrogen and boron-nitrogen-hydrogen containing BNH-waste products. The process includes reacting the BNH-waste products with a hydrogen halide, having the formula HX, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof, to form any of the following: a boron trihalide, having the formula BX3, an ammonium halide, having the formula NH4X, and hydrogen. The boron trihalide is then reacted with the hydrogen to form diborane, having the formula B2H6, and hydrogen halide. The ammonium halide is then converted to ammonia, having the formula NH3, and hydrogen halide. The diborane is then reacted with the ammonia to form borazane, having the formula BH3NH3. |
| US07695703B2 |
High temperature catalyst and process for selective catalytic reduction of NOx in exhaust gases of fossil fuel combustion
A process for producing a stable high-temperature catalyst for reduction of nitrogen oxides in combustion exhaust gases at operating temperatures from 300° C. to over 700° C. without the need for exhaust dilution. A zeolite material is steam-treated at a temperature and duration sufficient to partially de-aluminize the zeolite to approximately a steady state, but not sufficient to fully collapse its chemical structure. Iron is added to the zeolite material. The zeolite material is calcined at a temperature, humidity, and duration sufficient to stabilize the zeolite material. Examples and specifications for ranges, order, and durations of steaming, calcining, and other steps are provided. |
| US07695702B2 |
Optimization of amine regeneration system start-up using flash tank pressurization
A system for optimizing operation of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a flash tank pressurization assembly. |
| US07695701B2 |
Process for treating acid gas in staged furnaces with inter-stage heat recovery
A process for treating acid gas comprising hydrogen sulfide comprises introducing a first acid gas into a reducing furnace to produce a first oxidized gas stream, cooling the first oxidized gas stream in a first heat recovery system, introducing the cooled gas stream into an oxidizing furnace to produce a second oxidized gas stream and cooling the second oxidized gas stream in a second heat recovery system. The acid gas is preferably produced in a refinery after treatment of sour gas or sour water. Spent acid may be fed into oxidizing furnace as part of a sulfuric acid recovery process. The spent acid can be spent sulfuric acid from a sulfuric acid alkylation process. |
| US07695699B2 |
Metal sulfate alcohol composition and process therewith
A metal sulfate alcohol composition as well as a process to produce such composition is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process to produce polyester containing the metal sulfate alcohol composition. |
| US07695697B2 |
Devices for crude oil treatment and upgrading
Liquid hydrocarbons are removed from waste pits where they exist in a free state, via physical or mechanical methods (with heat or otherwise). The pits are blinded and closed once the areas altered by confinement of the selected material have been cleaned, using clean granular material from nearby quarries or gravel pits. The bituminous mixture or liquid oil-bearing material extracted from the pits is filitered and stabilized, using heat or chemicals, by means of a Portable Crude Stabilizer Tank. After filtering thick emulsion contaminated solid debris, the remaining oil-bearing mass is preheated and immediately liquefied in a tank, using preheating coils and, optionally, injecting chemicals. Final filtration and breaking the oil-bearing emulsion down into its components occurs in a closed horizontal or tilted receptacle, lined with thermal insulation, with diameters ranging form 43 to 86 inches, and a total length of around 15, 30 or 45 feet (varying in accordance with the required treatment speed). The receptacle operates at different internal pressures, starting with atmospheric pressure, and at temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to a few degrees below steam temperature, so as not to exceed the boiling point. |
| US07695686B2 |
Multi-sided immersion formation of composite structures and method
Sample preparation device and method for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention contains a three dimensional structure preferably comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. The device is manufactured by introducing casting solution containing polymer and optionally particles into a housing, and subsequently exposing the device to a quench bath for a time sufficient to allow for solvent exchange and precipitation to form the composite structure in the housing. The present invention is also directed towards a method of sample preparation using the device of the present invention. |
| US07695684B2 |
Micro fluidics system and treating method using same
For enlarging the application range of samples capable of being treated, decreasing the amount of samples used, preventing deterioration of samples by a change with the passage of time and preventing mixing of samples by diffusion, a micro fluidics system according to the present invention comprises a sample server which stores plural samples and which has sample efflux portions, a microchip for feeding samples to a treating portion through plural sample introducing portions communicating with the sample efflux portions and further through a microchannel, allowing the samples to be subjected to a predetermined treatment, and a sample feeder for feeding the samples stored in the sample server to the sample introducing portions through the sample efflux portions. The sample feeder comprises valves for opening and closing communication paths between the sample efflux portions of the sample server and the sample introducing portions of the microchip and pressurizing devices for pressurizing the samples stored in the sample server and pushing them out into the sample introducing portions in an open condition of the valves. |
| US07695676B2 |
Methods and apparatus for analyzing an analysis fluid
A meter and test wand system is capable of cooperatively processing an analysis fluid and communicating results to a user. The system includes a meter case including a case front, a case back, a case top, a case bottom, a first case side member, and a second case side member. The first and second case side members connect the case front to case back. The first case side member has a longitudinal dimension between said case top and said case bottom and a latitudinal dimension between said case front and said case back. The first case side member includes a first case ridge; A test wand is capable of receiving an analysis fluid, and includes a cartridge including a cartridge ridge. The cartridge ridge is sized and shaped to matingly engage with said first case ridge to connect said test wand to said meter case. |
| US07695672B2 |
Method and apparatus for disinfecting a product by surface treatment thereof
A method and an apparatus in form of a disinfecting apparatus comprising a steam device for combating germs on the surface of products, in particular of food products. The apparatus employs a combination of steam and ultrasound to kill germs on the surface of a product which is conveyed past the steam device. Pressurized steam is fed through a steam passage to an opening conveying the steam to a cavity, in which the steam is made to oscillate at a ultrasonic frequency. The oscillations in the steam prevent the steam from heating the products excessively, while germs presents on the surface of the products are heated and killed. |
| US07695671B2 |
Method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body
A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body including molding ceramic raw material to form a pillar-shaped honeycomb molded body having a multiplicity of cells disposed in parallel with one another in the longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween, and filling in either one of the end portions of each of the cells with a plug material paste, and firing the honeycomb molded body to manufacture a honeycomb structured body comprising a honeycomb fired body, wherein after having filled in either one of the end portions of each of the cells of the honeycomb molded body with the plug material paste, a plug material paste drying process to dry the plug material paste is conducted by blowing hot air to an end face of the honeycomb molded body using a hot air drying apparatus. |
| US07695666B2 |
Method and device for separating a cast lens from a shell mold
The invention relates to a method for separating a cast lens from shell molds, whereby a separating tool exerts pressure on the lens but a height of the separating tool is guided along the interface between the lens and the shell mold to be separated from the lens. In a preferred embodiment the composite consisting of the lens and the shell molds is fixed on a holding device that can be rotated on an axis of rotation. The holding device is rotated by means of a first motor and the height of the separating tool is tracked by means of a second motor in relation to the height of the interface depending on the angle of rotation. |
| US07695661B2 |
Method for molding composite structures
Method for making, modifying and using machinable composite molds for use in molding composite structures. The mold includes a mold body having a tool surface that is shaped to provide the molded surface of the composite structure. The mold body is made up of at least one mold layer composed of a quasi-isotropic material composed of a plurality of randomly oriented fiber bundles or chips impregnated with a resin. The use of randomly oriented fiber chips allows post-cure machining of the mold body. |
| US07695659B2 |
Method for separating and transporting a sized portion of material in a plant for forming articles by compression moulding
A method for separating a portion of extruded material from the continuous strip leaving an extruder, consisting of passing in front of the extrusion nozzle a withdrawal device associated with at least one cutting member; said withdrawal device and said at least one cutting member are made to move independently of each other with velocities, in the sense of vectors, which differ from each other and differ in relation to the material portion separated. |
| US07695655B2 |
Method for cutting ceramic molded body and method manufacturing honeycomb structured body
A molded body cutting apparatus according to the present invention comprising a first conveyer member that conveys an extrusion-molded pillar-shaped ceramic molded body a cutting member that moves in a direction parallel to a movement direction of the above mentioned first conveyer member while moving also in a vertical direction, and cuts the above mentioned ceramic molded body to a predetermined length by passing through the interior of the above mentioned ceramic molded body and a second conveyer member that conveys a cut ceramic molded body cut to a predetermined length by the above mentioned cutting member, wherein a conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member and a movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentioned parallel direction are almost the same, before the above mentioned ceramic molded body is cut, and each of the conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member, the movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentioned parallel direction, and a conveyance speed of the above mentioned second conveyer member becomes faster toward the latter, after the above mentioned ceramic molded body is cut. |
| US07695652B2 |
Optical waveguide and method for manufacturing the same
An optical waveguide includes a layer A and a plurality of cores enclosed in a cladding. During production of the optical waveguide, a layered film including alternate layers of a core layer and a cladding layer is cut so as to form a groove that penetrates through the layered film in a thickness direction and so as to form a plurality of core portions, and the layer A is provided so as to partially fill the groove depthwise and so as to maintain spacing between the plurality of core portions before the core portions is enclosed by the cladding. |
| US07695650B2 |
Fire retardant formulations
A fire-retardant formulation for styrene-containing polymers comprising tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-s-triazine (FR-245), antimony trioxide and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), wherein the bromine concentration in said fire-retardant formulation is from about 9.0 to about 10.5 wt. %, said antimony trioxide concentration being lower than about 3.2 wt. %. |
| US07695645B2 |
Conductive polymers having highly enhanced solubility in organic solvent and electrical conductivity and synthesizing process thereof
The present invention relates to a new process of synthesizing conductive polymers from monomers substituted with amine group. The process provides simple synthesizing steps for the conductive polymers without using other additives such as stabilizers or emulsifiers. The conductive polymers synthesized according to the present invention have highly enhanced solubility in common organic solvents and electrical conductivity compared to conventional conductive polymers. Therefore, the conductive polymers synthesized according to the present process can be utilized in applications that require high electrical conductivity, for example an electro-magnetic interference shield or a transparent electrode of thin film, as well as in specific applications such as various conductive films, fibers, polymer blends, battery electrodes or conductive etch mask layers. |
| US07695644B2 |
Device applications for voltage switchable dielectric material having high aspect ratio particles
One or more embodiments provide for a device that utilizes voltage switchable dielectric material having semi-conductive or conductive materials that have a relatively high aspect ratio for purpose of enhancing mechanical and electrical characteristics of the VSD material on the device. |
| US07695640B2 |
Organic iridium compositions and their use in electronic devices
The present invention provides novel polymer compositions comprising a polymeric component and a novel organic iridium compound comprising at least one cyclometallated ligand and at least one ketopyrrole ligand. The organic iridium compounds used in the polymer compositions are referred to as Type (1) organic iridium compositions and are constituted such that no ligand of the novel organic iridium compound has a number average molecular weight of 2,000 grams per mole or greater (as measured by gel permeation chromatography). Type (1) organic iridium compositions are referred to herein as comprising “organic iridium complexes”. In one aspect, the polymeric component may be an electroactive polymer. The novel polymer compositions of the invention are useful in optoelectronic electronic devices such as OLED devices and photovoltaic devices. In one aspect, the invention provides novel polymer compositions useful in the preparation of OLED devices exhibiting enhanced color properties and light output efficiencies. |
| US07695639B2 |
Calcium hypochlorite compositions
Stable compositions of calcium hypochlorite containing selected hydrated inorganic salts having a sufficiently high enthalpy and the ability to provide water release to sufficiently quench reactions and reduce the potential for conflagration. |
| US07695634B2 |
Collector for sulfidic ores
The present invention relates a flotation reagent for sulfidic ores, containing at least one compound of formula (1), wherein R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7, independent of one another, represent hydrogen or groups containing 1 to 15 carbon atoms or groups containing oxygen or nitrogen, and at least another compound serving as collector and containing at least one sulfur atom that is directly bound to a carbon or phosphorus atom, wherein the carbon or phosphorus atom is directly bound to at least another sulfur atom or an oxygen atom. |
| US07695633B2 |
Independent control of ion density, ion energy distribution and ion dissociation in a plasma reactor
A method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor includes coupling RF power from at least three RF power source of three respective frequencies to plasma in the reactor, setting ion energy distribution shape by selecting a ratio between the power levels of a first pair of the at least three RF power sources, and setting ion dissociation and ion density by selecting a ratio between the power levels of a second pair of the at least three RF power sources. The three respective frequencies can be an LF frequency, an HF frequency and a VHF frequency, wherein the first pair corresponds to the LF and HF frequencies and the second pair corresponds to the HF and VHF frequencies. Alternatively, the power sources comprise four RF power sources, and wherein the first pair corresponds to an HF frequency and an LF frequency and the second pair corresponds to a VHF frequency and another frequency. In one embodiment, the second pair corresponds to an upper VHF frequency and a lower VHF frequency. The other frequency may be coupled through an inductive source power applicator, a toroidal plasma source power applicator or a ceiling electrode. Or, all three frequencies may be coupled through a wafer support pedestal of the reactor. |
| US07695632B2 |
Critical dimension reduction and roughness control
A method for forming a feature in an etch layer is provided. A photoresist layer is formed over the etch layer. The photoresist layer is patterned to form photoresist features with photoresist sidewalls. A control layer is formed over the photoresist layer and bottoms of the photoresist features. A conformal layer is deposited over the sidewalls of the photoresist features and control layer to reduce the critical dimensions of the photoresist features. Openings in the control layer are opened with a control layer breakthrough chemistry. Features are etched into the etch layer with an etch chemistry, which is different from the control layer break through chemistry, wherein the control layer is more etch resistant to the etch with the etch chemistry than the conformal layer. |
| US07695626B2 |
Extraction and winterization of lipids from oilseed and microbial sources
A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy. |
| US07695625B2 |
Method and apparatus for purification of slightly water-soluble organic solution from aqueous entrainment
The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which an organic solution that is slightly soluble in water is scrubbed of aqueous entrainment and impurities. In particular, the organic solution may be the organic extraction solution of liquid-liquid extraction used in connection with the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals. The purpose is to perform the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic solution simultaneously. This occurs by routing the solution to be purified in the settling tank through at least one flow plate cassette of reduced cross-section. |
| US07695624B2 |
Method and system for treating water and utilizing a membrane filtering system
A method and system is provided for treating wastewater. In one process, wastewater is directed into a treatment tank and biologically treated. The biologically treated wastewater is directed as mixed liquor from the treatment tank to a bottom portion of a downstream filtration tank having at least one submerged membrane module that extends across substantially the entire cross sectional area of the filtration tank mixed liquor is directed from the bottom of the filtration tank upwardly into the membrane module such that substantially all of the mixed liquor received in the bottom of the filtration tank flows through the membrane module. As the mixed liquor flows vertically through the membrane module, the method includes inducing at least some of the mixed liquor through walls of one or more membrane filters that form a part of the membrane module, producing a permeate stream. The remaining mixed liquor passing through and from the membrane module is referred to as a non-permeate stream and the non-permeate stream, or at least a substantial portion thereof, is recirculated to the treatment tank. The filtration tank is sized relative to the membrane module and the process is carried out such that there is no substantial recycle of mixed liquor in the filtration tank itself. Although mixed liquor may be recirculated from the filtration tank back to the treatment tank and then back to the filtration tank and so forth and so on, once the mixed liquor in the filtration tank makes one pass through the membrane module the mixed liquor is recycled back to the treatment tank and generally not permitted to be recycled back through the membrane module without first returning to the treatment tank. |
| US07695623B2 |
System and method for enhancing an activated sludge process
A system for enhancing an activated sludge process that includes at least one aeration tank subsystem for receiving a flow a wastewater and for introducing dissolved oxygen to a population of microorganisms to promote growth of biological flocs in a mixed liquor defined by a concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem includes an impregnation tank for mixing the mixed liquor, virgin weighting agent, and recycled weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into biological flocs suspended in the mixed liquor to form weighted biological flocs. A flocculant injection port located downstream from at least one aeration tank for introducing a flocculant to the mixed liquor for enhancing settling and thickening of the weighted biological flocs and for providing agglomeration of non-impregnated biological flocs and/or partially impregnated biological flocs with weighted biological flocs. At least one clarifier separates and collects the weighted biological flocs from the mixed liquor to provide a secondary effluent and a settled sludge. A return activated sludge subsystem recycles the majority of the settled sludge to the at least one aeration tank. A weighting agent recovery subsystem removes and shears the remaining settled sludge and recovers the weighting agent therefrom and reintroduces the weighting agent to the at least one aeration tank. A wasting subsystem wastes the remaining sludge of the weight agent recovery subsystem to control the population of the microorganisms in the mixed liquor. |
| US07695621B2 |
Method of supporting denitrification
A method of supporting denitrification includes receiving biological material at a pulsed electric field station and applying a pulsed electric field to the biological material within a treatment zone in the pulse electric field station to generate treated biological material. The method also includes transporting at least a portion of the treated biological material to an anoxic bioreactor in substitution, at least in part, for an external source of electron donor. A system for supporting denitrification is also provided. |
| US07695620B2 |
Tertiary filter septic system and method
This application relates to an apparatus and method for treating effluent. The effluent may be derived, for example, from an upstream secondary treatment plant. The apparatus employs a plenum positionable within a fluid-impervious container. The plenum includes a fluid filter portion containing a hydrophilic material, such as peat, capable of transporting effluent by capillary action and a fluid collection portion for receiving effluent from the upstream effluent source. The apparatus also includes a fluid wicking conduit containing hydrophilic material for wicking effluent from the fluid collection portion. The fluid wicking conduit may be configured so that any appreciable amount of effluent introduced into the apparatus will be wicked even if the amount is substantially less than the fluid holding capacity of the fluid collection portion of the plenum. This enables the apparatus to operate substantially continuously and passively so long as some effluent is resident in the plenum. At the same time, the fluid holding capacity of the fluid collection portion can be sized to accommodate periodic surges in effluent flow. The apparatus may further include a dispersal mound of soil and vascular aquatic plants covering or adjacent to the plenum. The invention functions as a vegetative tertiary filter. |
| US07695618B2 |
Filter cartridge and mounting system therefor having foolproofing means
A filter cartridge comprising a first attachment member (25) and suitable for attachment to a predetermined holder (2) that includes a second attachment member (26) engageable with the first attachment member (25). The cartridge comprises foolproofing means (31) engageable with second foolproofing means (32) connected to the predetermined holder (2) when the cartridge is mounted on the holder. A system for mounting said cartridge on the predetermined holder is also disclosed. |
| US07695611B2 |
Reduction of NOx emissions in full burn FCC processes
Compositions for reduction of NOx emissions generated during catalytic cracking process, preferably, a fluid catalytic cracking process, are disclosed. The compositions comprise (i) an acidic metal oxide containing substantially no zeolite, (ii) an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and mixtures thereof, (iii) an oxygen storage component, (iv) palladium and (v) a noble metal component, preferably platinum, rhodium or iridium, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the compositions are used as separate additives particles circulated along with the circulating FCC catalyst inventory. Reduced content of NOx in an effluent off gas of a full or complete combustion FCC regenerator are accomplished while simultaneously promoting the combustion of CO. |
| US07695609B2 |
Nanobiosensor and carbon nanotube thin film transistors
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting biological and chemical species in liquid and gaseous phase. The systems and methods utilize carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity and selectivity towards the reacting species by decreasing interference and detecting a wide range of concentrations. |
| US07695607B2 |
Method and apparatus for decontamination of fluid
The invention relates to methods and devices for the decontamination of fluid, particularly the removal of heavy metals and/or arsenic and/or their compounds from water, by means of electrolysis, wherein the water to be purified subjected to electrodes of different polarities. The invention can include means for control of the pH of the fluid. The invention can also include control systems that allow self-cleaning of electrodes, self-cleaning of filters, and automatic monitoring of maintenance conditions. |
| US07695603B2 |
Electroosmotic flow controller
Electroosmotic flow controllers and methods of fluid flow control are described. The invention uses an electroosmotically generated flow component in conjunction with a pressure driven flow component to modulate fluid flow. The devices and methods of the invention may include salt bridges for making electrical connection between a power supply and a channel filled with a porous dielectric material and a fluid. Embodiments including flow controllers and flow splitters are described as is their use in a variety of fluid handling applications. |
| US07695594B2 |
Method for separating volatile components by dilutive distillation
A distillation process for separating a target component from a mixture containing a solvent and the target includes the steps of flashing off a vapor mixture of said solvent and said target in an evaporator, separating said target from said vapor mixture, and providing additional solvent to said evaporator to maintain the temperature of said evaporator substantially below the boiling point of said target. The process also includes the step of removing accumulated non-volatile components from said evaporator by allowing the non-volatile components to precipitate from a mixture of the target and the solvent. |
| US07695593B2 |
Helical fractionating column
The helical fractionating column according to the invention falls into the field of oil separation apparatus for the petroleum refining industry, which includes a column body (8), and is characterized in that the inside of the column body (8) is divided into three sections, the lower section being jet tray section, the middle section being packing section, and the upper section being floating valve section. The helical fractionating column has many advantages, such as having enhanced integrity of separation, decoloration and deodorization, simple structure, convenient manufacturing and maintenance, and low investment cost as well as high product quality etc. Thus, the present invention is worthy to be extended in the petroleum refining industry which uses waste plastics and rubbers as raw materials. |
| US07695587B2 |
Installation and method for manufacturing drip irrigation pipes
The invention concerns an installation for manufacturing a drip irrigation pipe (8) formed of a pipe (8) provided with drippers (4), including a dripper feed station (37), followed by an extrusion station (10), including an extrusion head (14) producing a tubular blank (22) and means for welding the drippers (4) to the inner wall of said blank (22), characterized in that the dripper welding means (4) include a support surface (50) and a counter-support surface (56) between which the drippers (4) are pressed against said tubular blank (22) so as to be welded thereto, said support (50) and counter-support (56) surfaces being arranged upstream of the calibrating means (24). |
| US07695586B2 |
Photosensitive epoxy resin adhesive composition and use thereof
A photosensitive epoxy resin adhesive composition which is capable of forming a pattern by exposure to light through a photomask and development, and which, even after having formed a pattern in that manner, may still exhibit high adhesiveness when heated while keeping its pattern as such, as well as a photosensitive adhesive film which comprises the photosensitive epoxy resin adhesive composition. The photosensitive epoxy resin adhesive composition comprises an epoxy resin and a photo-acid generator, wherein the epoxy resin comprises a polyfunctional epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of from 100 to 300 g/eq and a polyfunctional epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of from 450 to 10000 g/eq. |
| US07695584B2 |
Method of making a label sheet
A label sheet label sheet includes a transparent film support material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a release layer, a printable layer, one or more first detachment lines, and one or more second detachment lines. The transparent film support material has an inner surface and an outer surface. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the transparent film support material inner surface. The release layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The printable layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and includes an inner surface facing the release layer and an opposing outer surface. The outer surface exhibits a roughness of 4 to 50 μm (DIN 4768). The one or more first detachment lines extend from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer and the release layer, to thereby form a first sub-region. The one or more second detachment lines extend from the support material outer surface and through the support material and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form a second sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region. |
| US07695580B2 |
Method of forming a ceramic to ceramic joint
A method of joining at least two sintered bodies to form a composite structure, includes: providing a joint material between joining surfaces of first and second sintered bodies; applying pressure from 1 kP to less than 5 MPa to provide an assembly; heating the assembly to a conforming temperature sufficient to allow the joint material to conform to the joining surfaces; and further heating the assembly to a joining temperature below a minimum sintering temperature of the first and second sintered bodies. The joint material includes organic component(s) and ceramic particles. The ceramic particles constitute 40-75 vol. % of the joint material, and include at least one element of the first and/or second sintered bodies. Composite structures produced by the method are also disclosed. |
| US07695577B2 |
Aluminum alloy excellent in wear resistance and sliding member using this alloy
The present invention discloses an aluminum alloy being excellent in wear resistance, containing, in mass %, 12.0 to 13.7% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities; and an aluminum alloy sliding member excellent in wear resistance, which has in mass %, 12.0 to 14.0% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities, and contains primary crystals of Si having a grain diameter of 20 μm or more in an amount of 20 pieces/mm2 or less. The alloy may contain one or two of 0.0001 to 0.01 mass % of B, and 0.3 to 3.0 mass % of Ni. |
| US07695576B2 |
Low alloy high steel tool having constant toughness
Disclosed is an improved low alloy high speed tool steel, which exhibits constant toughness with small dispersion of the properties after heat treatment and regardless of the size of the products. The steel consists essentially of, by weight %, C: 0.50-0.75%, Si: 0.02-2.00%, Mn: 0.1-3.0%, P: up to 0.050%, S: up to 0.010%, Cr: 5.0-6.0%, W: 0.5-2.0%, V: 0.70-1.25%, Al: up to 0.1%, O: up to 0.01% and N: up to 0.04% and the balance of Fe. In the steel [Mo+0.5W](Mo-eq.) is 2.5-5.0%, [Mo-eq.]/V is 2-4. In the annealed state the steel contains carbides of the types of MC+M6C and/or M23C6(M7C3), and after quenching from a temperature of 1100-1200° C. it contains substantially no remaining carbide or, even contains, almost all the carbides are of MC. |
| US07695574B2 |
Alloy containing rare earth element, production method thereof, magnetostrictive device, and magnetic refrigerant material
A method for producing an RE-containing alloy represented by formula R(T1−xAx)13−y (wherein R represents Ce, etc.; T represents Fe, etc.; and A represents Al, etc; 0.05≦x≦0.2; and −1≦y≦1) including a melting step of melting alloy raw materials at 1,200 to 1,800° C.; and a solidification step of rapidly quenching the molten metal produced through the above step, to thereby form the first RE-containing alloy, wherein the solidification step is performed at a cooling rate of 102 to 104° C./second, as measured at least within a range of the temperature of the molten metal to 900° C.; and an RE-containing alloy, which is represented by a compositional formula of RrTtAa (wherein R and A represent the same meaning as above, T represents Fe, etc.; 5.0 at. %≦r≦6.8 at. %, 73.8 at. %≦t≦88.7 at. %, and 4.6 at. %≦a≦19.4 at. %) and has an alloy microstructure containing an NaZn13-type crystal structure in an amount of at least 85 mass % and α-Fe in an amount of 5-15 mass % inclusive. |
| US07695573B2 |
Method for processing alloys via plasma (ion) nitriding
A surface processing method and power transmission component includes transforming a surface region of a metal alloy into a hardened surface region at a temperature that is less than a heat treating temperature of the metal alloy. The metal alloy includes about 11.1 wt % Ni, about 13.4 wt % Co, about 3.0 wt % Cr, about 0.2 wt % C, and about 1.2 wt % Mo which reacts with the C to form a metal carbide precipitate of the form M2C. The surface processing temperature, vacuum pressure, precursor gas flow and ratio, and time of processing are controlled to provide a desirable hardened surface region having a gradual transition in nitrogen concentration. |
| US07695569B2 |
Detergent for hard surfaces
The invention relates to a detergent for hard surfaces, which contains (a) a polymer compound having a cationic group, such as a cation-modified polyvinyl alcohol containing specified structural units, (b) a surfactant and (c) water. |
| US07695566B2 |
Extraction of constituents from sugar beet chips
The present invention relates to a method and an installation for improving isolation and extraction of constituents from sugar beets (Beta vulgaris). |
| US07695565B2 |
Sublimation chamber for phase controlled sublimation
A method of forming a silicon carbon compound. A silicon source is introduced into an environment. Silicon particles are formed therefrom. One or more hydrocarbons are introduced into the environment separately from the silicon source, thereby forming one or more silicon carbon compounds. A dissociation enhancer may be introduced into the environment to minimize silicon particle size prior to it joining the hydrocarbon source. |
| US07695564B1 |
Thermal management substrate
The present invention is directed to a method for fabricating a thermal management substrate having a Silicon (Si) layer on a polycrystalline diamond film, or on a diamond-like-carbon (DLC) film. The method comprises acts of fabricating a separation by implantation of oxygen (SIMOX) wafer; depositing a polycrystalline diamond film onto the SIMOX wafer; and removing various layers of the SIMOX wafer to leave a Si overlay layer that is epitaxially fused with the polycrystalline diamond film. In the case of the DLC film, the method comprises acts of ion-implanting a Si wafer; depositing an amorphous DLC film onto the Si wafer; and removing various layers of the Si wafer to leave a Si overlay structure epitaxially fused with the DLC film. |
| US07695561B2 |
Alpha-type calcium sulfate hemihydrate compositions
Disclosed is an improved alpha-type calcium sulfate hemihydrate. Methods of producing an improved powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4.½H2O) [alpha-type] compound are disclosed, at least one method including forming calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O) into a briquette, calcining the briquette to transform the calcium sulfate dihydrate to calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type], drying the calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] briquette, and optionally grinding the briquette. Also disclosed are methods of producing an improved gypsum plaster including producing the disclosed powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] and mixing the powdered calcium sulfate hemihydrate [alpha-type] with water. |
| US07695558B2 |
Diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments having heightened fastnesses and processes for preparing them
The invention relates to a diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment of formula (I) in which R10, R11, R12 and R13 independently of one another denote hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, cyano or phenyl, characterized by a first maximum of the frequency distribution (according to weight fractions) of the crystal sizes at or below 700 nm and at least one further maximum of the frequency distribution (according to weight fractions) of the crystal sizes which is at least 100 nm above the first maximum. |
| US07695555B2 |
Pigments modified with surface counter-ions
The present invention relates to inkjet ink pigments having surface counter-ions replaced with other counter-ions with larger size and/or hydrophobicity. The effect of the replacement is to decrease pigment-ink-vehicle-separation in the inkjet ink printing process. |
| US07695552B2 |
Ionizer
In an ionizer composed of an electrode needle cartridge and a main body block, the electrode needle cartridge is provided with an electrode needle for generating an ion, a high voltage generating device for applying high voltage to the electrode needle, and a receiving connector for connecting a feeding connector, and the main body block is provided with an air-blowing outlet serving as an electrode needle housing portion, an air passing-through hole for supplying air to the air-blowing outlet, and a connecting port for connecting an air piping. The electrode needle cartridge is configured such that when the electrode needle cartridge and the main body block are connected or separated, the electrode needle is inserted into or removed from the air-blowing outlet from a rear end portion side of the air-blowing outlet. |
| US07695551B2 |
Apparatus for filtering gas turbine inlet air
An inlet air filtration system for a gas turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an air plenum, and a plurality of filter elements mounted inside the air plenum, with each filter element including a support structure. The inlet air filtration system also includes a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and at the same time, the voltage is sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes. |
| US07695549B2 |
Fluid filtration tool
A dual use fluid filtration tool to separate both solids and gas from a fluid. The fluid filtration tool is suspended from and connected to downhole equipment, such as a downhole submersible pump having a motor, which rotates a shaft. The tool includes a housing having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of perforations therethrough and an interior chamber therein. A removable cylindrical filter surrounds the interior chamber of the housing in order to filter solid particles. At least one centralizer bearing within the interior chamber of the housing centralizes the shaft which passes therethrough. The fluid in the interior chamber is radially induced in order to separate gas from fluid. The gas separated from the fluid is directed out of the chamber while the fluid remaining in the interior chamber is directed to the intake of the downhole pump. |
| US07695548B1 |
Fluid filtration tool
A dual use fluid filtration tool to separate both solids and gas from a fluid. The fluid filtration tool is suspended from and connected to a downhole submersible pump having a motor which rotates a shaft. The tool includes a housing having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of perforations therethrough and an interior chamber therein. A removable cylindrical filter surrounds the interior chamber of the housing in order to filter solid particles. At least one centralizer bearing within the interior chamber of the housing centralizes the shaft which passes therethrough. The fluid in the interior chamber is radially induced in order to separate gas from fluid. The gas separated from the fluid is directed out of the chamber while the fluid remaining in the interior chamber is directed to the intake of the downhole pump. |
| US07695546B2 |
Absorbents, process for the production thereof and use thereof
An adsorbent for organic compounds consisting of filler granules, which contain 20 to 99.9 wt. % of fillers and a binder. The adsorbent is produced by mixing at least one binder with at least one filler and performing granulation in a mixing or granulation apparatus. The adsorbent may be used for adsorbing and/or absorbing organic and/or inorganic substances from a liquid or gaseous phase. |
| US07695545B2 |
Adsorption process to recover hydrogen from feed gas mixtures having low hydrogen concentration
A process for selectively separating hydrogen from at least one more strongly adsorbable component in a plurality of adsorption beds to produce a hydrogen-rich product gas from a low hydrogen concentration feed with a high recovery rate. Each of the plurality of adsorption beds subjected to a repetitive cycle. The process comprises an adsorption step for producing the hydrogen-rich product from a feed gas mixture comprising 5% to 50% hydrogen, at least two pressure equalization by void space gas withdrawal steps, a provide purge step resulting in a first pressure decrease, a blowdown step resulting in a second pressure decrease, a purge step, at least two pressure equalization by void space gas introduction steps, and a repressurization step. The second pressure decrease is at least 2 times greater than the first pressure decrease. |
| US07695540B2 |
Plugged honeycomb structure
There is disclosed a plugged honeycomb structure capable of suppressing a rise of a pressure loss. A plugged honeycomb structure 1 of the present invention comprises a columnar honeycomb structure 2 having porous partition walls 4 and a plurality of cells 5 which are defined by the partition walls 4 and which extend through the structure from one end surface 7a to the other end surface 7b thereof; a plurality of first plugging members 3a which plug openings of predetermined cells 5a on a side of the one end surface 7a; and a plurality of second plugging members 3b which plug openings of the remaining cells 5b on a side of the other end surface 7b. In the plugged honeycomb structure 1, the first plugging member 3a includes a convex portion 6 having a shape convex toward the center of the cell 5 in an axial direction on an end portion of the member on a side opposite to the end surface 7a in which the cell 5a to be plugged is opened. |
| US07695537B2 |
Dust collector with a function of secondary collection
A dust collector with a function of secondary collection is composed of a bottom base,an air guiding box installed above the bottom base and bored with a suction hole and a dust collecting hole at its upper and bottom surface respectively, a guiding device set inside the air guiding box, a filtering bag fixed on the guiding device, and a dust bag sealed with the lower dust collecting hole of the air guiding box. In using, dust can be drawn in by a blower to enter the air-guiding box. With a secondary filtration to prolong a service life of the filtering bag. |
| US07695535B2 |
Process for in-situ passivation of partially-dried coal
Thus, a novel process for producing a passivated coal material has been disclosed, comprising the steps of (a) drying a coal material by heating said coal material in the presence of a first gas comprised of less than about five volume percent of oxygen until said coal material has a moisture content of from above about 1 to about 20 weight percent, thereby producing a partially dried coal material, wherein said coal material is selected from the group consisting of lignitic coal, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, coal char, and mixtures thereof; (b) heating said partially dried coal material to a temperature of from about 100 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby producing a heated partially dried coal material; (c) charging said heated partially dried coal material to a fluidized bed reactor; (d) feeding a second gas with an oxygen content of from about 6 to about 15 volume percent into said fluidized bed reactor; (e) contacting said heated partially dried coal material with said second gas while maintaining said heated partially dried coal material at a temperature of from about 450 to about 650 degrees Fahrenheit; and, thereafter, (f) removing water from said heated partially dried coal material until no more than about 1 weight percent of water remains in said heated partially dried coal material. |
| US07695532B2 |
Process for making biodiesel from crude tall oil
A process of making biodiesel from crude tall oil by reacting crude tall oil with a C1-C6 alkanol in the presence of an acid catalyst or by reacting crude tall oil with an acyl halide in the presence of a C1-C6 alkanol. The reaction product of either of these reactions is separated into a suspension liquid by the addition of a polar liquid. The biodiesel product is recovered from the suspension liquid by addition of an organic solvent which produces a polar liquid phase and an organic liquid phase. The biodiesel is recovered from the organic liquid phase by evaporating the organic solvent, which is recovered for use in subsequent separation processes, and vacuum distilling off the product biodiesel from the organic solvent-free organic liquid phase. |
| US07695530B2 |
Method for producing a secondary cell having flat wound electrode body
A method for producing a secondary cell having a flat wound electrode body that inhibits the bending of the electrode board caused by charging and discharging and inhibits resulting swelling of the cell and deterioration of cycle characteristics is provided. The method has the steps of: winding, with a winding core, a positive electrode board, a negative electrode board, and a separator provided between the positive and negative electrode boards, and fixing the winding end, thereby preparing an approximately cylindrical electrode body; after the step of preparing the electrode body, deforming the electrode body into a shape with an approximately oval cross section by pressing the approximately cylindrical electrode body from a direction perpendicular to the winding axis, and rotating the deformed electrode body in the winding direction, thereby relaxing the winding state; and after the relaxation steps, pressing the electrode body into the flat wound electrode body. |
| US07695528B2 |
Calcium carbonate granulation
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available. |
| US07695527B2 |
High purity copper sulfate and method for production thereof
Provided are high purity copper sulfate wherein the content of Ag impurities is 1 wtppm or less, and having a purity of 99.99 wt % or higher, and a manufacturing method of high purity copper sulfate including the steps of dissolving crude copper sulfate crystals or copper metal, and subjecting this to active carbon treatment or solvent extraction and active carbon treatment in order to realize recrystallization. The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method of high purity copper sulfate capable of efficiently removing impurities at a low cost by dissolving commercially available copper sulfate crystals in purified water or acid and thereafter subjecting this to the refining process, and high purity copper sulfate obtained thereby. |
| US07695525B2 |
Hair dyeing compositions comprising 2-(amino or substituted amino)-3-5-substituted phenol compounds and use thereof
The present invention relates to compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibres, comprising a medium suitable for dyeing and a compound 2-(amino or substituted amino)-3,5-substituted phenol compounds according to the Formula (I), as defined herein. |
| US07695522B2 |
Metal implants
A metal implant for use in a surgical procedure is provided with a surface layer that is integral with the metal substrate, and which incorporates a biocidal material. The surface layer may be grown from the metal substrate, by anodizing, and the biocidal material incorporated in it by ion exchange. Alternatively the layer may be deposited by electroplating, followed by diffusion bonding so as to become integral with the metal substrate. In either case, silver is a suitable biocidal material; and both the release rate and the quantity of biocidal material should be low to avoid toxic effects on body cells. Electropolishing the surface before formation of the surface layer is also beneficial, and this may be achieved by electropolishing. |
| US07695518B2 |
Intervertebral nucleus prosthesis and surgical procedure for implanting the same
An intervertebral nucleus prosthesis is proposed, which is characterized in that it consists of at least one, in particular, spherical body movable in two directions of a plane and made of a rigid, non-oxidizing, biocompatible material with a diameter adapted to the biological nucleus, the spherical body being mounted non-displaceably but freely rotatably about its center in a cage and protruding at both opposite sides in the form of a spherical cap from the cage. Also proposed is a method for implanting such a prosthesis. |
| US07695508B2 |
Catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels
A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique. |
| US07695506B2 |
Atraumatic connections for multi-component stents
A stent is provided that includes at least two stent segments which mate with one another. At least one of the stent segments includes a hollow member, and at least one of the stent segments includes a solid member. At least one of the solid members is secured to at least one of the hollow members. |
| US07695499B2 |
System, devices and method for augmenting existing fusion constructs
One technique of the present application includes: evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure and determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure. After this determination, the previously implanted spinal construct is augmented by attaching a flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a bone fastener and by coupling the flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. In one form, the elongated member is at least partially comprised of polyetheretherketone. |
| US07695487B2 |
Balloon dissection apparatus
Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon. |
| US07695484B2 |
Polymer covered vaso-occlusive devices and methods of producing such devices
This is a medical device for forming an embolism within the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, it concerns an occlusion device comprising an inner core covered with a polymer. The medical device encourages cellular attachment and growth while maintaining favorable handling, deployment and visualization characteristics. |
| US07695483B2 |
Surgical connector systems and methods of use
A system and method of use for effecting the bypass or other anastomosis, connection, or port in a portion of a native blood vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ within the body of a living being. The system includes a connector assembly and a deployment instrument for carrying the device to the desired position within the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ. The system includes a piercer-dilator instrument to form an opening in the wall of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ into which a connector assembly may be deployed by the deployment instrument. The connector assembly may be at least partially formed of a resorbable material and includes movable members for securing it to the tissue of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ contiguous with the opening. Other components may be included in the device for expediting the procedure, with or without the use of sutures. |
| US07695478B2 |
Insertion tool for use with intervertebral spacers
An instrument for holding an intervertebral spacer includes a shaft having a proximal end forming a handle, and a distal end forming a claw subassembly for holding the spacer; the claw subassembly including a first pincer which is fixed at the distal end of the shaft and a second pincer which is selectively rotateable into and out of spacer holding association with said first pincer to hold and release, respectively, the spacer. The instrument includes an actuation mechanism for selectively rotating the second pincer, wherein the first and second pincers have opposing inner curved surfaces that extend to a distal end of the instrument. |
| US07695473B2 |
Adjustable bone plate
The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releaseably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable. |
| US07695472B2 |
Locking bone plate
A bone plate with a longitudinal axis has a bone-contacting bottom side and a top side. Sets of overlapping holes communicate through the plate from the top to the bottom side. The overlapping holes have multifaceted surfaces such as a threaded surface or a coaxial series of annular grooves. The sets of overlapping holes are a adapted to receive a bone screw with a head and a bone-engaging thread. |
| US07695470B1 |
Integrated vessel ligator and transector
Surgical treatment of tissue includes electrocauterization of blood vessels interposed between spaced sets of electrodes of opposite polarity, and includes transection of such tissue by a cutter that is mounted between the spaced sets of electrodes for translational and lateral movement relative to the sets of electrodes. Orientations of the sets of electrodes within a range of angles about an elongated axis of a supporting body are controlled by manual movement of an actuator mounted near a proximal end of the body for movement through a smaller range of angles via linkage connecting the actuator to the electrodes. Tissue dissection with gas insufflation to form an anatomical space in tissue is facilitated by a fluid outlet port located near the tissue-dissecting tip at the distal end of the elongated body that delivers through the tissue-dissecting tip to the dissected tissue a fluid under pressure that is supplied along a lumen within the elongated body. |
| US07695468B2 |
Endoscopic surgery device
An endoscopic surgery device for the insertion and recovery of a haemostatic plug at the surgical site. The device comprises a tubular body suitable for slidingly housing the plug, and a plunger slidingly engageable within the tubular body so as to push the plug outside the body, and to position it at the surgical site. The plug is connected to a locator that is radio-opaque, has a suitable color, and has a specific weight that allows it to float relative to the internal organs, blood or other fluids present at the surgical site. A loop is provided at a distal end of the plunger and at a proximal end of the plunger, a first handle is provided for actuating the plunger so as to grip the ball and recover the plug after use by retracting the plunger inside the tubular body. |