| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07706185B2 |
Reading circuitry in memory
A reading circuit in a memory having a first memory cell coupled to a first bit line and a second bit line and a second memory cell coupled to the second bit line and a third bit line, is provided. The reading circuitry comprises a source side sensing circuit, a drain side bias circuit, a first selection circuit and a second selection circuit. The drain side bias circuit provides a drain side bias. The first selection circuit connects the second bit line and the third bit line to the drain side bias circuit in a read operation mode. The second selection circuit connects the first bit line to the source side sensing circuit so that a source current of the first memory cell is sensed. |
| US07706183B2 |
Read mode for flash memory
A method for reading a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region, includes receiving, at an address register, a read command including an address for a memory cell in the array of memory cells and an indication regarding whether the read command is a full page read command or a partial page read command. A starting address for a page including the received address is identified, wherein the page includes multiple rows of memory cells in the array of memory cells. The address register is reset to the starting address for the page. It is determined whether all memory cells in the page are non-programmed. Data indicative of a non-programmed state of the page is output if it is determined that all memory cells in the page are non-programmed. |
| US07706182B2 |
Adaptive programming of analog memory cells using statistical characteristics
A method for storing data in a memory that includes a plurality of analog memory cells includes mapping the data to programming values, which are selected from a set of nominal programming values. The set of nominal programming values includes at least a first nominal programming value and a second nominal programming value, which is higher than the first nominal programming value. A part of the data is stored in the analog memory cells by programming at least a first group of the cells using the first nominal programming value. A statistical characteristic of the first group of the cells is measured after programming the first group of the cells using the first nominal programming value. The second nominal programming value is modified responsively to the statistical characteristic, and at least a second group of the cells is programmed using the modified second nominal programming value. |
| US07706181B2 |
Multi-bit programming device and method using single-bit memory cells
A multi-bit programming device and method for a non-volatile memory are provided. In one example embodiment, a multi-bit programming device may include a multi-bit programming unit configured to multi-bit program original multi-bit data to a target memory cell in a memory cell array, and a backup programming unit configured to select backup memory cells in the memory cell array with respect to each bit of the original multi-bit data, and program each bit of the original multi-bit data to a respective one of the selected backup memory cells. |
| US07706171B2 |
Storage device
The present invention provides a storage device including a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes arranged opposite the first electrode across a gap, and a particle which is selectively placed in one of the gaps between the first electrode and the second electrodes and which is movable between the first electrode and the second electrode and between the adjacent second electrodes. A stored state is determined utilizing the presence of the particle. |
| US07706166B2 |
Semiconductor memory device comprising memory element programming circuits having different programming threshold power supply voltages
A semiconductor memory device has first and second AF programming circuits having low and high AF programming threshold power supply voltages, respectively. In a process where a large majority of programming is carried out in the semiconductor memory device alone, the second AF programming circuit is used. In a module process where semiconductor devices having low withstand voltages are mounted in a module, the first AF programming circuit is used. |
| US07706162B2 |
System and method for providing switching to power regulators
System and method for providing switching to power regulators. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides system for providing switching. The system includes a first voltage supply that is configured to provide a first voltage. The system also includes a second voltage supply that is configured to provide a second voltage. The second voltage being independent from the first voltage. The system additionally includes a controller component that is electrically coupled to the first voltage supply. For example, the controller component being configured to receive at least a first input signal and to provide at least a first output signal. Additionally, the system includes a gate driver component that is electrically coupled to the second voltage supply. The gate driver component is configured to receive at least the first output signal and generated a second output signal in response to at least the second voltage and the first output signal. |
| US07706161B2 |
Single stage resonant power converter with auxiliary power source
The improved single stage power converter circuit topology substantially reduces EMI that is conducted to the AC line, reduces input AC current inrush, improves output ripples by the use of an auxiliary supply near zero crossings of the line AC voltage, provides Power Factors greater than 0.95, provides Total Harmonic Distortions less than 15%, and maintains constant power, including constant power in a non-linear output load. Further, this circuit topology provides output open and short circuit protections by reducing current stress in power components. This topology can also make the power source to appear as a fast-acting variable impedance source, an ideal source for powering an output load that has negative resistance characteristics such as gas discharge lamps. |
| US07706149B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical-system package and method for manufacturing the same
A MEMS package includes a first board, a second board and a laminate material. The first board includes a lower metallic trace, a metallic diaphragm and a through opening. The lower metallic trace is located on the lower surface of the first board, and the metallic diaphragm is disposed on the lower metallic trace. The second board includes an upper metallic trace and a metallic electrode. The upper metallic trace is located on the upper surface of the second board, the metallic electrode is disposed on the upper metallic trace, and the metallic electrode is corresponding to the metallic diaphragm. The laminate material is disposed between the lower and upper metallic traces, and includes a hollow portion for accommodating the metallic electrode and metallic diaphragm, wherein a sensing unit is formed by the metallic electrode, the hollow portion and the metallic diaphragm, and is corresponding to the through opening. |
| US07706147B2 |
Computer housing with plug-in card module
A computer housing (41) for free-standing use includes a computer (10) with slots for the insertion of extension cards, and further at least one card carrier (20) for carrying extension cards (51). The card carrier (20) includes a carrier connector (47) whereby the card carrier (20) is connectable, by inserting the card carrier (20) in the computer housing (41), via the carrier connector (47), with a communication connector (49) of the computer (10), at least one adapter connector (48) into which an extension card (51) is pluggable, and wherein the card carrier (20) includes a communication connection between the carrier connector (47) and the at least one adapter connector (48). |
| US07706144B2 |
Heat dissipation system and related method
Embodiments described herein may include example embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems for heat dissipation. |
| US07706143B2 |
Mounting plate for electronic components
A mounting plate for electronic components, including cooling conduits that are integrated into a plate body and that are traversed by a coolant, a fixing device for mounting electronic components that are to be cooled being located on the plate body. The mounting plate has the fixing device including at least one first groove with an approximately C-shaped cross-section, which extends in a linear manner in the extension direction of the mounting plate. At least one screw nut is inserted and locked against torsion in the groove in order to form a screw connection with an electronic component. |
| US07706138B2 |
Hinge and stand for display device
Provided are a hinge and a stand for a display device. The hinge includes a rotary body fixed to a display device; a support fixed to a base; a key bracket inserted in the rotary body; a hole formed inside the key bracket; and a rotary shaft inserted to the hole and the support and being a rotation axis of the rotary body. Thus, the hinge and stand may be manufactured at low costs because a small number of components are used. Also, the hinge structure effectively stands against the external vibration because no screw is used during an assembling process, and forming an exterior of the hinge in itself eliminates need to use a separate component for the exterior, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the stand. |
| US07706137B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a first housing; a second housing; and a coupling unit that openably/closably and rotatably couples the second housing with the first housing. The coupling unit is a biaxial coupling unit having: a rotation axis that vertically extends when the first housing is placed on a horizontal table, and is rotatably coupled to the first housing; and an opening/closing axis that is fixed to the rotation axis, horizontally extends, openably/closably supports the second housing with respect to the first housing, and rotates as the rotation axis rotates. The coupling unit includes a stopper to rotate the rotation axis-only when the second housing is opened with respect to the first housing within a range of rotation-allowing opening angle that allows for rotation. |
| US07706136B1 |
USB expansion module method and design
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates expanding upon an existing universal serial bus (USB). A base component can include a USB host to provide connectivity to at least one device. An expansion module can physically connect in a vertical position to a backside of the base component to provide a replication of the USB host which can allow a device to connect therewith. |
| US07706129B2 |
Electric double-layer capacitor and method for manufacturing the same
In an electric double-layer capacitor, resistance of a polarizable electrode layer is reduced and gas generation inside a case is suppressed in an attempt to improve reliability. On that account, an electric double-layer capacitor is provided, which is obtained by housing in a case, together with a driving electrolyte, a capacitor element wound with a separator interposed between electrodes being paired anode and cathode electrodes in each of which polarizable electrode layers are formed on and lead wires are fixed to both sides of a current collector made of metallic foil, such that the polarizable electrode layers are opposed to each other. Further, an electric double-layer capacitor is provided in which the lead wire is fixed to a polarizable-electrode-layer-removed section on the electrode where the polarizable electrode layer has been removed, and an area of the polarizable-electrode-layer-removed section is not smaller than 1 and not larger than 2.0 when a project area of a portion where the lead wire is connected with the current collector is set to 1. |
| US07706125B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor and production method of the same
The invention provides a multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a capacitor body composed by alternately layering dielectric layers and inner electrode layers. Accordingly, the multilayer ceramic capacitor has high relative permittivity and is high the temperature property and highly accelerated life test property. |
| US07706124B2 |
Filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly
A filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly for an implantable active medical device is disclosed. The filtering capacitor feedthrough assembly includes a capacitor having an aperture, the capacitor is electrically grounded to an electrically conductive feedthrough ferrule or housing of the implantable active medical device. A terminal pin extends into the aperture and an electrically conductive continuous coil is disposed within the aperture and between the terminal pin and the capacitor. The electrically conductive continuous coil mechanically secures and electrically couples the terminal pin to the capacitor. |
| US07706123B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor having a capacitor body, first and second inner electrodes, and first and second terminal electrodes. A first terminal electrode is arranged on a first surface of the capacitor body which is parallel to a first direction, and connected to the first inner electrode. A second terminal electrode is connected to the second inner electrode. The first inner electrode has a first main electrode portion including a first no-capacity generating region and a first capacity generating region, and a first lead electrode portion. In a second direction, the first terminal electrode is set smaller than the first surface, while the first lead electrode portion is set smaller than the first main electrode portion. The first no-capacity generating region and the first lead electrode portion overlap each other in the second direction when seen in the first direction. |
| US07706122B2 |
Analog control ASIC apparatus for high voltage power supply in image forming apparatus and method for controlling high voltage power supply
An analog control application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) apparatus for a high voltage power supply (HVPS) in an image for apparatus, and a method for controlling the HVPS are provided. The HVPS includes a transformer transforming an AC signal to a high voltage signal and a voltage doubler outputting a DC high voltage for the HVPS. The ASIC includes an analog control circuit configured as a one-chip ASIC that converts a predetermined DC level signal to a high frequency switching signal using a switching component and outputs the converted high frequency switching signal to a primary winding of the transformer. If the high voltage output signal output from the voltage doubler is not feedbacked, the switching component high frequency switches a received driving signal of a gate driver, and outputs the high frequency switched signal to the transformer. |
| US07706118B2 |
Operative control circuit of multiple electromagnetic actuating devices in series and parallel connection
An operative control circuit of multiple electromagnetic actuating devices in series and parallel connections, wherein individually installed driving coils of two or more than two electromagnetic actuating devices being operatively controlled by a switching device to appear lower impedance in parallel connection or series and parallel connection for electrification thereby producing a larger electromagnetic actuating power is switched to appear relatively higher impedance in series connection or series and parallel connection thereby reducing currents passing through driving coils while required operating characteristics for individual electromagnetic actuating devices after electrification are still satisfied. |
| US07706114B2 |
ESD avoiding circuits based on the ESD detectors in a feedback loop
When an electrostatic discharge event occurs to a connection pad of a chip, an electrostatic discharge detector layout in a feedback loop is able to detect an induced electrostatic discharge voltage for generating a control signal. A pass transistor can be turned off by the control signal for isolating the induced electrostatic discharge voltage, and the internal circuit of the chip can be protected from being damaged by the induced electrostatic discharge voltage. Furthermore, the designed circuit based on electrostatic discharge isolation technique for protecting the internal circuit of the chip is compatible with programmable circuits, and the connection pad can be furnished with burning signals or logic signals. |
| US07706113B1 |
Electrical overstress (EOS) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and method of use
A system and method are provided for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit having overshoot and undershoot voltage protection during a power supply ramp-up of the circuit. In a specific embodiment, the ESD protection circuit of the present invention includes an ESD discharge circuit coupled between a power supply node and a ground supply node, a trigger circuit coupled to the ESD discharge circuit, the trigger circuit to turn the ESD discharge circuit on in the presence of a voltage spike during the power supply ramp-up and to turn the ESD discharge circuit off in the absence of a voltage spike during the power supply ramp-up, and a delay circuit coupled between the discharge circuit and the trigger circuit, the delay circuit to slow down the turn-off of the discharge circuit to prevent an overshoot or undershoot voltage condition during the power supply ramp-up of the circuit. |
| US07706107B2 |
Method and apparatus for flexible printed circuit bracket including crash stop and/or air block in a hard disk drive
The present invention includes a flexible printed circuit bracket including a crash stop rubber and/or an air block. The air block directs the air flow from the rotating disk surface(s) away from the head gimbal assemblies to minimize positional variance of the read-write heads. The crash stop rubber contacts the crash stop stub on the actuator arm block, stopping actuator assembly swinging away from the disk. The invention includes making an actuator assembly with the invention's flexible printed circuit bracket, as well as making the hard disk drive. The invention includes both the actuator assembly and the hard disk drive as the products of these processes. The invention also includes the actuator assembly and the hard disk drive containing the invention's flexible printed circuit bracket. |
| US07706106B1 |
Hard disk drive suspension lifter with reinforcing features for high shock resistance
Shock performance and stiffness of hard disk drive lifters are enhanced by extending one or more portions of a load beam in a dimension normal to the load beam plane. A load beam in a high shock suspension system comprises a planar body having transverse members extending between longitudinal rails. One embodiment comprises a lifter integral to the load beam, extending distally, and comprising a rib having a conic cross section and a lifting tab having upward curving edges. Another embodiment comprises rails having edges bending upward at 90 degrees, separated by a first width at a proximal end of the body, and tapering to a second width at a distal end of the body. A narrow lifter having upward curving edges is displaced between the rails, and extends distally from the body. Stiffeners extend from the rails and connect to an intermediate point on the lifter. Another embodiment comprises the body having a transition portion tapering in a distal direction to form a narrow lifter, and a 90-degree rail bordering the body, transition portion, and lifter. Other embodiments comprise: the body slanting upward at an slight angle and a lifter extending distally from the body; a lifter slanting upward then downward to a position parallel with a load beam plane; transverse members having curved edges; and protrusions located on a border between the body and an intermediate portion that tapers to a lifter. |
| US07706102B1 |
Secure data storage
A hard disk drive includes a chassis which supports a “sealed” housing containing a data storage magnetic disk, and read/write heads and actuator. The housing also contains an erasure device which generates a magnetic or other field or emanation for erasing the disk, so that the erasing field or emanation need not penetrate the sealed housing to effectuate erasure. A backup power supply provides power to the erasing device so that erasure can occur even in the absence of external power. A bus- or network-actuated arrangement couples power to the erasure device so that many hard drives may be simultaneously erased. |
| US07706096B2 |
Disk drive device manufacturing method thereof, and method for specifying data track pitch for the disk drive device
Embodiments of the present invention help to increase the capacity and the reliability of a disk drive device to improve the manufacturing yield thereof. An embodiment of the present invention sets a data track pitch for each head slider (recording surface) in accordance with head characteristics. This method for specifying the data track pitch is based on the distance between erase band ends (EBEs) of the both adjacent data tracks. The erase band of a data track is a band defined as the area where the already written data are erased in writing the data track. The distance between the erase band ends of the both adjacent data tracks corresponds to the width SW of the area which is not erased by the adjacent data tracks. Specifying the data track pitch based on this leads to increase in the data capacity of each recording surface and secure prevention of occurrence of a squeeze error. |
| US07706093B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording medium, manufacturing method thereof and magnetic recording device
A servo pattern is positioned in a DC erased portion to which a DC erase process has been performed, and recording tracks and track groove portions (discrete portions) are positioned in an AC erased portion to which an AC erase process has been performed. The track groove portions extend in a circumferential direction. The AC erased portion and the DC erased portion are both made of a magnetic material. In the servo pattern, four lines of preamble portions extending almost in a radial direction are formed and a plurality of pit portions disposed in a dotted manner in two lines are arranged. The pit portions are positioned rearward of the preamble portions in respect of a scanning direction of a magnetic head. |
| US07706090B2 |
Diaphragm device
A diaphragm device with which individual wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths in the path of a beam of spectrally dispersed light can be suppressed. Such a diaphragm device comprises at least one array of diaphragms, wherein the individual diaphragms of the array are arranged in a definite relation to each other and may be coupled in the path of the beam and each diaphragm of the array in the coupled state is arranged in a given relation to an individual wavelength or a range of wavelengths. |
| US07706083B2 |
Drive mechanism
A drive mechanism include a movable element which has at least one bearing arm; a linear guide shaft for linearly guiding the movable element without rotating; a driving device driving the movable element linearly along the linear guide shaft; a driven member driven, by the driving device, in a direction parallel to the linear guide shaft; a first guide hole formed on the bearing arm; a second guide hole formed on the driven member, the first and second guide holes being identical in size and in cross sectional shape; a tubular bearing member fitted into the first and second guide holes, the linear guide shaft being fitted completely through the tubular bearing member to be freely slidable therein; and a retaining device formed on the tubular bearing member and the driven member to prevent the tubular bearing member from moving relative to the driven member. |
| US07706073B2 |
Collimating microlens array
A collimating sheet, for use with a backlit display and the like, that includes a substrate, a plurality of microlenses on the output side of the substrate, a specularly reflective layer on the side of the substrate opposite the microlenses, and a plurality of apertures in the reflective layer in direct correspondence to the microlenses of the lens array. The specularly reflective layer can be relatively thinner than a diffuse reflective layer, which allows light to pass through the more readily. One or more layers of dielectric can be placed on top of one or more reflective material layers to further improves overall reflectivity. Apertures are preferably made in the light-absorptive and reflective layers with a laser ablation process wherein laser light illuminates the output side of the film. The laser light is brought to a focus by the lenslets of the lens array onto the light-absorptive layer, which then ablates a hole or aperture into the light-absorptive and reflective layer. In this way, the apertures are self-aligned with the lenslets. |
| US07706072B2 |
Optical integrator, illumination optical device, photolithograph, photolithography, and method for fabricating device
An optical integrator has characteristics to suppress influence of relative positioning error of a pair of optical members on an illuminance distribution and on a shape of an illumination field. The optical integrator is a wavefront splitting type optical integrator having a first optical member and a second optical member in order from the entrance side of light. The first optical member has first entrance surfaces having a refractive power in a first direction and substantially no refractive power in a second direction, and first exit surfaces having a refractive power in the first direction and substantially no refractive power in the second direction. The second optical member has second entrance surfaces having a refractive power in the second direction and substantially no refractive power in the first direction, and second exit surfaces having a refractive power in the second direction and substantially no refractive power in the first direction. |
| US07706067B2 |
Decelerating and locking mechanism for a projection screen and the manually operated projection screen using the mechanism
The present invention provides a manually operated projection screen having a decelerating and locking mechanism which intergrates a decelerating mechanism and a locking mechanism as a whole. The decelerating and locking mechanism for a projection screen includes a braking and locking device having a centrifugal brake shoe, a brake drum interacting with the centrifugal brake shoe to perform decelerating function, and a ratchet interacting with the centrifugal brake shoe to perform locking function. The decelerating and locking mechanism includes at least three sets of planetary gear, the transmission ratio of the planetary gear is 1:32 or above. The decelerating and locking mechanism and the projection screen using the same is compact and easy to assemble. The projection screen can be freely positioned or locked at any moment and is free of crease. |
| US07706066B2 |
Portable front projection screen assemblies with flexible screens
Portable projection screen assemblies include: (a) a roller housing holding a roller with a flexible projection screen; (b) at least one substantially laterally extending screen support arm attached to the roller housing, the at least one screen support arm being configured to hold an outer edge portion of the flexible projection screen when the projection screen is in a laterally extended configuration; and (c) an outer housing case having an interior cavity sized and configured to hold the roller housing therein in a storage configuration. The roller housing is hingeably or releasably attached to the housing case and resides substantially vertically above the outer case in an operative position, whereby the outer housing case defines a support base adapted to reside on a support surface. |
| US07706061B2 |
Automated microscope slide read system
A method and apparatus for automating microscopic analysis of a plurality of data-encoded microscope slides. In embodiments, the data written to or read from the slides may comprise images, analysis protocols, analytic results and other pertinent data. Embodiments also encompass a magazine that contains a plurality of data encoded slides. |
| US07706060B2 |
Microscopic cell observation and inspection system using a plurality of observation methods
The invention relates to a microscopic cell observation and inspection system that uses a total internal reflection cell illuminator that is capable of freely changing an observation position without recourse to any special slide glass, makes sure high SN-ratio observation and facilitates sample manipulation, thereby making high-sensitivity, fast detection of a lot of cell reactions on the same slide glass. While, in response to a command from personal computer (80), step motors (53, 54) are driven to sequentially scan observation positions of cell sample (S) on slide glass (21), one of shutter units (71) and (72) is closed and the other is opened at high speed, whereby either one of illumination optical paths for a TIRF microscope and a drop fluorescence microscope is selected to illuminate cell sample (S) on that observation position. When the drop fluorescence microscope is chosen, filter unit (66) is driven to choose the wavelength of excitation light from drop fluorescence illumination light source (65), so that observation and inspection of cell sample (S) under the TIRF microscope and drop fluorescence microscope can be implemented in an alternate fast switchover way. |
| US07706059B2 |
Tube attachment for microscopes
A tube attachment for microscopes which facilitates visual microscope work particularly over extended periods and which can be used universally for different types of microscopes and, at the same time, can be produced economically using simple manufacturing techniques, it is suggested that a tube attachment is constructed as a holder which can be adjusted with respect to height and, optionally, with respect to angle and can be fastened directly to a binocular tube of a microscope. The holder includes two carriers which are displaceable axially relative to one another and which have a forehead rest and a chin support or one carrier with the forehead rest for a user, and devices are provided at the carriers for clamping the adjusting movements of the carriers. |
| US07706056B2 |
Modulation of terahertz radiation
A method of modulation terahertz radiation comprising: (A) generating Terahertz radiation by pumping nonequilibrium electrons into a Magnon Gain Medium (MGM), wherein propagation of nonequilibrium electrons in the MGM causes generation of nonequilibrium magnons, and wherein interaction between the nonequilibrium magnons causes generation of the Terahertz radiation; and (B) frequency modulating THz radiation generated in the MGM by applying longitudinal AC magnetic field, or by applying AC electrical field bias. |
| US07706052B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed in an electrophoretic display device having a charged ink layer. In this disclosed device, the ink layer is disposed on the active region (an image display region) and the peripheral region located around the active region, and an electric field is applied to a portion of the electrophoretic ink film corresponding to the peripheral region. Therefore, the peripheral region does not look stained. |
| US07706045B2 |
Continuously tunable optical dispersion compensation synthesizers using cascaded etalons
Described is a method for designing individual stages of a multiple cascaded etalon TDC device to allow continuous thermo-optic tuning over a desired range without inducing incremental signal distortion due to uncontrolled and unpredictable dispersion of the TDC during tuning. This allows the signal to transmit without encountering periods of incremental distortion or dark spots. The method includes prior knowledge of each etalon stage, after full assembly, for spectral group delay profile as a function of temperature through modeling and/or characterization. Characterization can account for performance variations that are due to allowed manufacturing tolerances. |
| US07706043B2 |
Device for confocal illumination of a specimen
A device for confocal observation of a specimen, having a mask, which is located in the illumination beam path and the image beam path and is rotatable around a central axis, the mask being provided with openings for generating an illumination pattern moving on the specimen, an arrangement of a plurality of focusing microoptics which is adjusted to the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask and to the rotation of the mask in order to concentrate the illumination light by each of the microoptics into a respective one of the openings of the mask, and a beam splitter for separating light from the specimen from illumination light, wherein the beam splitter is arranged in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics, and wherein an optical arrangement is provided in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics. |
| US07706042B2 |
MEMS device and interconnects for same
A microelectromechanical systems device having an electrical interconnect connected to at least one of an electrode and a movable layer within the device. At least a portion of the electrical interconnect is formed from the same material as a movable layer of the device. A thin film, particularly formed of molybdenum, is provided underneath the electrical interconnect. The movable layer preferably comprises aluminum. |
| US07706040B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus, illuminant apparatus and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus scans a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction by simultaneously using a plurality of optical spots formed of a plurality of optical beams emitted from an illuminant, comprising: a light path deflecting part deflecting a light path of at least one of the optical beams, wherein the light path deflecting part is provided in light paths of the optical beams wherein the light path deflecting part may use a liquid crystal deflecting element formed of a liquid crystal element being controllable by an electronic signal to deflect the light path of the one of the optical beams. |
| US07706036B2 |
Color conversion program, apparatus, and method enabling high precision color conversion
A one-dimensional LUT has been incapable of color matching. A three-dimensional LUT has been incapable of ensuring a color conversion accuracy enough to reproduce fine changes in color tone on a monochrome image. It has been impossible to suppress a storage capacity for a color conversion table by ensuring the accuracy.There is provided a color conversion table which has a plurality of pieces of reference color image data making correspondence between color data for a first image device and color data for a second image device and comprises a specified total information amount. The color conversion table is used to distribute the reference color image data over a prescribed area in a specified color space. Color data information for each reference color image data is increased more than a specified amount within a limit of the specified total information amount. Further, a color conversion table is created using an original table which highly accurately defines colors in part of the color conversion table. If these color conversion tables are referenced for color conversion, it is possible to suppress the storage capacity, provide color matching, and perform high accuracy color conversion. |
| US07706035B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus processes an input color image, combines the input color image with the processed color image in a ratio that varies from picture element to picture element according to the hue of the picture element, and outputs the combined image. The output image can accordingly be selectively processed to give desired qualities in suitable degrees to particular hues. |
| US07706033B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and medium including image processing program
An image processing device includes an image generating unit configured to generate image data expressed a single hue from color image data, which include at least a first area to be filled with a first color based on first hue component data and a second area to be filled with a second color based on second hue component data, the first and second areas defining a boundary line by line contact or overlap therebetween, a density determining unit that determines a first density and a second density in the single-hue image data based on the first hue component data and second hue component data, respectively, a comparing unit that compares the first density with the second density, and a boundary generating unit that generates the boundary line with the single hue of a third density different from the first and second densities based on the comparison result by the comparing unit. |
| US07706027B2 |
Print management system and print management method
Each print job received from a client computer 30 is divided into minimum printing units as divisional jobs, which are stored in a job folder 23b. When either of an upper spooler 23d and a lower spooler 23e has any vacancy for next allocation, one divisional job is allocated to a printer corresponding to the spooler having the vacancy. The name of the printer that has received allocation of the divisional job is written into the job folder 23b. When any allocated divisional job having an identical image file name and an identical customer ID with those of a current object divisional job is present in the job folder 23b, the current object divisional job is allocated to the printer, to which the allocated divisional job has been allocated. This arrangement allocates multiple divisional jobs for printing an identical image demanded from an identical customer to the same printer, thus ensuring substantially equal quality of resulting printed images. |
| US07706022B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus according to the invention is characterized by including; an input unit that inputs first color data; a first color converting unit that converts the first color data into a black single color data; a second color converting unit that converts the first color data into second color data; a brightness correcting unit that corrects brightness of the black single color data such that brightness of the black single color data converted by the first color converting unit is equal to brightness of the second color data converted by the second color converting unit; and an image forming unit that prints image data on a recording medium. According to the image forming apparatus, in the image forming apparatus that uses both color conversion processing and black conversion processing, even if image data continuously changes from a chromatic color to an achromatic color, it is possible to reduce “brightness discontinuity”. |
| US07706021B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method for suppressing jaggies in the edge portions of image
To suppress jaggies in second image data on the basis of first image data, the second image data obtained by executing halftoning processing for the first image data, and attribute data representing an attribute of each pixel contained in the first image data, a judgment signal indicating whether to execute smoothing processing is output on the basis of the attribute data. Edge correction data is generated from the first image data by executing smoothing processing in accordance with the judgment signal. The pixel data of the second image data is compared with the pixel data of the edge correction data. The pixel data having a higher density is output. Jaggies generated by halftoning processing can be suppressed with a simple arrangement at a low cost. |
| US07706019B2 |
Consumable resource option control
An image-printing device includes a connection bay that accepts an insertable consumable resource. The consumable resource includes an option key that identifies at least one mode of operation associated with the consumable resource. The connection bay outputs at least one signal associated with the mode of operation when the consumable resource is inserted. A controller receives the signal associated with the mode of operation and in response outputs display information suitable for use by a display to indicate a selectable availability of the at least one mode of operation. |
| US07706013B2 |
Image forming system
In an image forming system which has a client unit, a management unit, and a printer unit, when the client unit issues a replacement print request to the management unit, the management unit notifies the client unit of the contents of the print queue in response to the replacement print request. The client unit displays the notified contents of the print queue, and prompts the user to designate a print job to be replaced and an inserting position of a new print job into the print queue. After that, the client unit outputs, to the management unit, replacement information which includes information indicating the designated print job to be replaced, information indicating the designated inserting position, and the new print job. The management unit updates the print queue in accordance with this replacement information. |
| US07706012B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and program
A data processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores print history data, and a display unit that displays a screen for introducing recommended software based on the print history data. |
| US07706011B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and control method therefor
An image sensing apparatus, such as a digital camera, directly communicates with a printer so that a printer with a photo-direct printing function normally prints a file containing raw and encoded image data. When the digital camera side selects a file containing raw and JPEG images, and the printer has a raw image printing function, the selected image file is directly output. When the file containing the raw and JPEG images is selected, and the printer does not have the raw image printing function, it is decided whether the size of the selected image file exceeds the upper limit size acceptable to the printer. If the file size exceeds the upper limit size, the raw image data is removed to reduce the file size, and the obtained data is transmitted to the printer. When an upper limit is not set, the selected image file is directly transmitted. |
| US07706009B2 |
Image printing control apparatus and image printing control method
A printing control apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a storing unit, a receiver, a display unit, a selector, a communicator, and a control unit therefor. The control unit is configured to calculate the number of image data possible to be included in printing control information based on at least one item in a power value received from a printing device and selected by the selector, the image data selected by the selector and a capacity of a memory used for communication of the printing control apparatus or/and the printing device, and to generate at least one printing control information according to the calculated number of the image data. |
| US07706006B2 |
Image reading apparatus and information processing apparatus
In an image reading apparatus having an image reading device which reads a document to output an image data thereof, and an image processor which performs a processing of interest on the image data received from the image reading device, a decision device decides whether the image data should be processed by the image processor or not. When the image data should be processed by the image processor, a transmission device transmits the image data subjected to the processing of interest by the image processor, otherwise it transmits the image data not subjected to the processing of interest by the image processor. |
| US07706003B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and control method of the same
When a shutdown instruction is input, whether there is a job under execution or a waiting job is determined (S604). A list of information on a job under execution, if it is found, and information on a waiting job, if it is found, is displayed (S611). After the list is displayed, a control process pertaining to shutdown is performed. |
| US07706002B2 |
Method and server for managing printer
The present invention realizes resource saving and energy saving by grasping and managing a usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus. To accomplish this, a method in accordance with the present invention is an information processing method of managing usage information on a job which is issued from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus, which includes: a step of acquiring the usage information from the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus; a step of deriving the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets from the usage information acquired in the acquisition step; and a step of outputting usage efficiency information of the image forming apparatus using the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets derived in the derivation step. |
| US07705990B2 |
Optical sources for SPR applications
The use of a high power and an incoherent light source to reduce noise associated when investigating unknown molecules in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems. High power and incoherent light sources can improve resolution and accuracy of SPR system measurements. |
| US07705987B2 |
Fluorescence correlation microscopy with real-time alignment readout
This invention relates to a confocal fluorescence correlation microscope with real-time alignment read out. With this instrument it is possible to do confocal imaging together with the particle size determination at a chosen location in the specimen. In particular, this invention relates to a detector module with a fixed aperture and detection electronics that can be conveniently connected to an existing confocal or multiphoton microscope, near the base of the objective lens of the microscope. This detector splits a part of the signal and uses it to generate a spot on the confocal image. This shows the spot where an FCS measurement can be carried out, and the same signal can then be used to perform a fluorescence correlation measurement after parking the excitation beam of the confocal to that spot. No alignment step is necessary for obtaining the measurement. |
| US07705979B2 |
Method and system for immersion based inspection
A method for immersion based inspection, the method includes: (i) receiving an article that comprises a wafer and a transparent element, wherein a first fluid substantially fills a space between an upper surface of the wafer and the transparent element; and (ii) inspecting the wafer by utilizing a lens that contacts a second fluid element that also contacts the transparent element. |
| US07705974B2 |
Metrology system with spectroscopic ellipsometer and photoacoustic measurements
An optical system includes both a microspot broadband spectroscopic ellipsometer and a photoacoustic film thickness measurement system that are supplied laser light by the same laser light source. One of the systems makes a measurement, the result of which is used to adjust a parameter of the other system; e.g. the ellipsometer measures thickness and the photoacoustic system uses the thickness result to measure the speed of sound. In one version, the ellipsometer converts the laser beam to a broad-spectrum beam that provides higher intensity. |
| US07705972B2 |
Doppler sensor for the derivation of torsional slip, friction and related parameters
An optical method and apparatus are described for the measurement of properties of a travel vehicle or a travel surface upon which the travel vehicle travels, which includes providing an incident light from a light source to the travel surface, collecting light reflected from the travel surface, determining a surface induced Doppler shift from the incident and collected light and determining at least one of a motion property of the travel vehicle and a surface property of the travel surface based on the determined surface induced Doppler shift. |
| US07705970B2 |
Method and system for optical imaging and ranging
The distance of objects to an optical system is estimated. An optical mask such as a diffractive optical element, continuous phase mask, hologram, amplitude mask, or combination thereof is placed within the optics in front of a sensor array such as a CCD, CID or COMAS device. The optical mask encodes the three-dimensional response of the system. The mask is designed to optimize depth estimation, for example, by maximizing Fisher information. A particular implementation creates a point spread function (“PSF”) that rotates as a function of the object position. The image or images obtained with different PSFs may be digitally processed to recover both a depth map of the scene and other parameters such as image brightness. The digital processing used to recover the depth map of the object may include deconvolution of a PSF from detected images. |
| US07705968B2 |
Plate member, substrate holding device, exposure apparatus and method, and device manufacturing method
A substrate holder PH includes a first holder PH1 which holds a substrate P, a liquid-repellent inner surface Tc of a plate member T which faces a side surface Pc of the substrate P held on the first holder PH1 via a predetermined gap A, and a chamfered portion C provided on an upper portion of the inner surface Tc. On the side surface Pc of the substrate P, a liquid-repellent area is provided, and the chamfered portion C is provided so as to face the liquid-repellent area of the substrate P held on the first holder PH1. Thereby, a substrate holding device which can restrain inflow of the liquid into the back surface side of the substrate is provided. |
| US07705966B2 |
Immersion exposure apparatus
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an exposure apparatus configured to expose a substrate through a liquid comprising a projection optical and a nozzle unit. The nozzle unit has a liquid recovery port recovering the liquid and a liquid supply port arranged between a final lens and the liquid recovery port and supplying the liquid. A static contact angle of an outer-side second portion of the nozzle unit surface than the liquid recovery port with respect to the liquid is larger than that of an inner-side first portion of the nozzle unit surface than the liquid recovery port by 20° or more. A sliding angle of the second portion with respect to the liquid is 20° or less. |
| US07705964B2 |
Exposure system and exposure method
An exposure system for exposing a substrate to radiation is disclosed. The system comprises an exposure unit configured to expose the substrate to radiation, an exposure chamber configured to accommodate the exposure unit, an alignment measurement unit arranged outside the exposure chamber and configured to measure a position of an alignment mark on the substrate, and a load-lock chamber arranged between the exposure chamber and the alignment measurement unit. |
| US07705958B2 |
Method for manufacturing LCD panel comprising spacers having cavity filled with adhesive
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: forming multiple spacers having a cavity on the upper substrate or on the lower substrate; injecting adhesives or binders in the cavities of the spacers; and curing the adhesives or the binders in the cavities to bind the upper substrate and the lower substrate. Through the method illustrated above, the strength for combining these two substrates can be enhanced. Moreover, the uniformity of the gap inside the LCD panel, and the gravity mura resulted from the gravity can be improved. Therefore, the lifetime of the LCD can be extended. |
| US07705956B2 |
Display device
The display device includes: a wiring substrate 31 having wiring lines and switching elements thereon; a counter substrate 33 held so as to oppose the wiring substrate 31; a display medium layer 35 provided between the wiring substrate 31 and the counter substrate 33; and a sealing section 37 surrounding the display medium layer 35, the sealing section 37 being formed of a sealing material which contains a photocurable resin. The display device has a display region 40 in which a plurality of pixels are included. The sealing material contains light-scattering particles for scattering light which cures the photocurable resin. The counter substrate 33 has a light shielding layer 39 thereon, the light shielding layer 39 surrounding the display region 40. The sealing section 37 is formed within a region shaded by the light shielding layer 39. Deterioration of reliability due to curing failures of the sealing material is suppressed. |
| US07705953B2 |
Display device wherein a termination resistor is formed on a second connecting substrate
Disclosed is a display device including: a display panel on which a plurality of driver chips are mounted by using a COG configuration; a signal substrate on which a timing controller for generating a differential signal inputted into each of the driver chips is formed; and a connecting substrate which connects the plurality of driver chips with the timing controller, wherein the connecting substrate includes a first connecting substrate on which a first line for inputting the differential signal into a driver chip excluding a driver chip located at a terminating area is formed and a second connecting substrate on which a second line for inputting the differential signal into the driver chip located at the terminating area, and wherein a termination resistor connects the second line for transmitting the differential signal which is formed on the second connecting substrate. |
| US07705952B2 |
Electronic device with uniform-resistance fan-out blocks
The present invention provides an electronic device and manufacturing method thereof. The interconnecting leads of adjacent fan-out blocks have different heights along boundary area, thereby making the resistance of the adjacent interconnecting leads uniform and ensuring the quality of the electronic device. |
| US07705949B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a pair of transparent substrates opposed to each other with liquid crystal therebetween, one of the pair of transparent substrates having a plurality of drain signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, and a plurality of pixel areas defined by the drain signal lines and the gate signal lines. The pixel areas includes a pixel electrode formed of a transparent electrode having a plurality of slits including a slit opened in a first direction and a slit opened in a second direction, and a counter electrode formed of a transparent electrode disposed between the transparent electrode of the pixel electrode having the plurality of slits and the one substrate. |
| US07705947B2 |
Method of fabricating an LCD with second mask process for making common electrode at a portion consist of one conductive layer, and with pixel electrode having a single layer structure
A liquid crystal display device having a simplified manufacturing process is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a common line having a first conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers. A common electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of a common line. A portion of the common electrode is formed of one conductive layer of the first conductive layer group, while a remaining portion of the common electrode is formed of the first conductive layer group. The gate line, a source electrode and a drain electrode have a second conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers, and the pixel electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of the drain electrode. |
| US07705945B2 |
Method of producing a reflective liquid crystal display
A switching element is formed on a substrate disposed proximate a liquid crystal layer. A two layer insulation film is formed on the substrate, including a lower film and an upper film. The two layer insulation film overlays the switching element. A convex/concave structure is formed on an upper surface of the two layer insulation film by removing portions of the upper film. A reflection electrode is formed on a surface of the convex/concave structure. |
| US07705944B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with a protective film patterned by a lift-off process and fabricating method thereof
A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device includes in a first mask process, forming a first mask pattern group including a gate line, a gate electrode connected to the gate line and a common line parallel to the gate line that have a first conductive layer group structure having at least double conductive layers. A second mask process forms a gate insulating film on the first mask pattern group and a semiconductor pattern thereon. A third mask process forms a third mask pattern group including a data line, a source electrode connected to the data line and a drain electrode opposite the source electrode that have a second conductive layer group structure having at least double conductive layers, and a protective film interfacing with the third mask pattern group on the gate insulating film. |
| US07705939B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display
A transflective liquid crystal display having at least one reflective region 122 and at least one transmissive region 121. The display comprises a first polarizer 5, a second polarizer 100 opposing the first polarizer 5, two twisted nematic liquid crystal layers 30, 60 between said first and second polarizers 5, 100 and a reflector 110 for reflecting light passing though the reflective region 122 of the display. The twisted nematic liquid crystal layers 30, 60 have opposite twist directions to each other. The second twisted nematic liquid crystal layer 60 improves the contrast of the display. The display may have a double cell arrangement, in which case there may be a single cell gap or a double cell gap. Alternatively, the display may have a single cell arrangement in which case the second twisted nematic liquid crystal layer is a temperature dependent retardation film 65. |
| US07705938B2 |
Transflective type liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A transflective type liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel region, the pixel region including a transmission region and a reflection region, the first substrate having a light guiding layer formed thereon, a reflector being formed on the light guiding layer with the reflection region, the light guiding layer including a first medium and a second medium, a refractive index of the first medium and a refractive index of the second medium being different from each other, a second substrate, which faces the first substrate, and on which a color filter layer is formed, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates, and a backlight assembly positioned outside of the first substrate to provide light onto the first medium in a mode. |
| US07705934B2 |
3D display device with first panel having only reference color filters and second panel having higher transmissivity filters or reference color filters and transparent windows
The present invention prevents a displayed three-dimensional stereoscopic image from being darkened in a three-dimensional display device of a DFD type. The present invention provides a three-dimensional display device in which at least one of a plurality of display panels is formed of a display panel having pixels each of which includes color filters having the higher transmissivity than color filters (basic color filters) which express colors of an image or transparent windows. |
| US07705931B2 |
Planar light-emitting device and display apparatus having the same
A planar light-emitting device includes a lightguide plate (7), a light source including at least one light-emitting package (6) that makes light enter the lightguide plate, and a reflecting sheet (10, 11) that returns light leaking from the light source. The lightguide plate has an upper surface as a light exit surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, and a peripheral edge surface a part of which is disposed as a light entrance surface (7′). The light source includes at least one light-emitting package (6) having a substrate, at least one light-emitting element mounted on a mount surface of the substrate, and a light-transmitting resin provided on the mount surface to seal the light-emitting element. The reflecting sheet is disposed to face at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the lightguide plate and to extend beyond the light entrance surface as far as over or underneath the light-transmitting resin. |
| US07705930B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with a backlight unit having a diffusion plate
A liquid crystal display device having a direct backlight which uses a high-bright light source achieves both of a high efficiency and thin uniformity. In a liquid crystal display device which includes a liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit which is arranged on a side of the liquid crystal panel opposite to a display screen of the liquid crystal panel, the backlight unit includes a housing, a plurality of light sources arranged in the inside of the housing, and a diffusion plate which is arranged between the plurality of light sources and the liquid crystal panel, the diffusion plate includes a plurality of light blocking regions at positions corresponding to the plurality of respective light sources, and the light blocking region at a center portion of the housing and the light blocking region at an edge portion of the housing exhibits transmissivities different from each other. |
| US07705929B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a plurality of lamps for irradiating light onto the liquid crystal display panel, a cover bottom that houses the plurality of lamps, an inverter printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface with an insulation base layer between the first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface is adjacent to the cover bottom, a transformer on the first surface of the inverter printed circuit board, and a metal shielding pattern on the second surface of the inverter printed circuit board directly between the transformer and the cover bottom. |
| US07705924B2 |
Liquid crystal display and test method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix and having first and second sub-pixel electrodes differentiated in size from each other. First and second switching elements are connected to the first and second sub-pixel electrodes, respectively. First and second gate lines are connected to the first and second switching elements, respectively. A data line is connected to the first and second switching elements to transmit a data voltage. First and second gate shorting bars are connected to the first and second gate lines, respectively. The gate lines connected to the respective sub-pixels are connected to two or four gate shorting bars to allow an array test and a visual inspection test, and to thereby detect a bridge between respective sub-pixel electrode neighbors in a simplified manner. |
| US07705923B2 |
Polarizer integrated with transparent conductive film, a touch panel integrated with the polarizer and a flat panel display integrated with the touch panel
A polarizer integrated with a transparent conductive film for a liquid crystal display includes a lower film an optical film and a transparent conductive film. A touch panel integrated with the polarizer is formed by attaching an upper sheet to the upper surface of the polarizer integrated with a transparent conductive film. A flat panel display with an integral type touch panel includes a touch panel integrated with the flat panel display having a lower polarizer, a liquid crystal display and an upper polarizer. |
| US07705917B2 |
Method and circuit for extracting synchronization signals in a video signal
The invention relates a method of extracting synchronization signals from an input video signal (Csync) comprising horizontal synchronization pulses at the start of video lines, for generating a horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync), said method comprising:—a calculation step (105) for calculating the duration (D) of the video lines in said input video signal (Csync),—a forcing step (108) for forcing said input video signal (Csync) to an output level, said output level corresponding to the level of said input video signal (Csync) after the horizontal synchronization pulses, said input signal (Csync) being forced between the end of each horizontal synchronization pulse and a moment defined by a first percentage (X1) of said line duration (D), for generating said horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync). Use: Extraction of synchronization signals. |
| US07705916B2 |
Method and apparatus for video decoding and de-interlacing
A method for video decoding in a video decoding/de-interlacing display apparatus that utilizes a storage device having four frame buffers is provided. The method includes following steps: (a) decoding video data of a next picture; (b) if the next picture is a B picture, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device not stored with a reference picture nor a present display picture nor a previous display picture; and (c) if step (b) is not applicable, buffering the decoded video data of the next picture into a frame buffer of the storage device stored with the previous display picture. |
| US07705908B2 |
Imaging method and system for determining camera operating parameter
Methods are provided for determining an operating parameter for an image system. Evaluation images are obtained during composition of an archival image and the evaluation images are stored. The evaluation images are compared to determine common image elements and an area of importance is determined based at least in part upon some of the common image elements. An operating parameter is determined based upon analysis of the area of importance. Imaging systems that perform the methods are also provided. |
| US07705907B2 |
Image display apparatus and camera capable of having an electronic image superimposed on an optical image
What is disclosed is a display apparatus that introduce an electronic image that is generated electronically into a viewing optical system through which an object is viewed to make the electronic image viewable in such a way as to be superimposed on an image of the object. The electric image forming apparatus has a light source, a micro lens array and scanning means for scanning light from the light source to form an image on the micro lens array. There is disclosed a scanning display apparatus that introduces an image formed on the micro lens and superimpose it on an image of an object and a camera in which an object image formed optically and an electronic image are made viewable in a superimposed manner using the scanning display apparatus. |
| US07705904B2 |
Moving-image recording device for recording moving image
Object images taken for a predetermined period before a shutter key is pressed are stored in a buffer. During the period, past object images taken at every one second are read from the buffer, the read images are displayed in predetermined areas in a through image, and the images in the areas are updated. When the shutter key is pressed, a moving image for the predetermined period is generated from the object images stored in the buffer. Thereby, in a digital camera which records images for a predetermined period acquired just before as the moving image, it is possible to precisely determine a timing to perform the recording and saving instruction. |
| US07705901B2 |
Image pickup apparatus including photosensitive cells each having photosensitive regions partitioned
In an image pickup apparatus, photosensitive devices each are allocated to particular one of pixels bidimensionally arranged on a photosensitive cell array and is divided into two photosensitive regions having substantially equal photosensitive area. Signal charges stored in the two photosensitive regions each are transferred over particular one of vertical transfer paths arranged at both sides of the photosensitive regions. The signal charges are read out in an interlace read mode such that in a first field signal charges are read out from pixels corresponding to green, and in a second field signal charges are read out from pixels corresponding to red and blue. |
| US07705900B2 |
CMOS image sensor pixel with selectable binning and conversion gain
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, at least two pixels each having a photodetector; a charge-to-voltage conversion region; an input to an amplifier; and a switch for selectively connecting the charge-to-voltage conversion regions. |
| US07705898B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus including: an electronic shutter scanning circuit for outputting to a pixel section a second line select signal for selecting second lines to which an operation setting corresponding to exposure time is effected; and a scanning control section for executing a first control for controlling selection of first lines through a read scanning circuit in a read region consisting of a plurality of lines within the pixel section and a second control for controlling selection of the second lines through the electronic shutter scanning circuit with taking the read region and an unread region in the vicinity of the read region as subject of selection and controlling timing for resetting the pixel cells belonging to the second liens in accordance with the exposure time. |
| US07705892B2 |
Auto white balance apparatus and white balance adjusting method
To provide an auto white balance apparatus and a white balance adjusting method capable of performing more stable white balance adjustment. For every block, a characteristic pixel determination circuit 106 determines a characteristic pixel from among a pixel group in a block and a light-source reflection determination circuit 108 determines whether the typical value of a block reflects the light source of an input image, by comparing the color difference of a characteristic pixel of the block with the typical color difference of the block. Then, as a result of the determination, a white balance evaluating circuit 110 determines the light source of an image by using blocks that reflect the light source. |
| US07705890B2 |
Apparatus and method for photographing an image in a wireless terminal
An apparatus and method are provided for simultaneously photographing a still image and a motion image in a wireless terminal with at least two cameras. A first camera photographs motion images in motion-image photography mode. A second camera photographs still images in the motion-image photography mode. A controller of the first camera controls the first camera to photograph the motion images in the motion-image photography mode. A controller of the second camera controls the second camera to photograph the still images in the motion-image photography mode. A control unit controls an operation for photographing the motion images through the controller of the first camera in the motion-image photography mode, and controls photographing the still images through the controller of the second camera, and controls an operation for storing the motion/still images photographed in the motion-image photography mode. |
| US07705889B2 |
Shutter time compensation
A hybrid imaging device is configured to capture low resolution video and high resolution still images. The imaging device is configured to apply motion information obtained from the low resolution video to a reference high resolution still image to generate a missing moment of interest high resolution still image. The low-resolution video is captured at a high frame rate in conjunction with a few high-resolution still pictures taken at periodic intervals. A user locates a desired scene of interest, e.g. a moment of interest, from the captured video, and a post-processing technique is used to generate the high resolution still picture corresponding to the selected moment of interest. The high resolution still image is generated using texture information from one or more nearby captured high resolution still images and motion information from the low-resolution video frame corresponding to the selected moment of interest. |
| US07705887B2 |
Imaging device, terminal device, and imaging system
A terminal device 1 including a wireless communication unit 11 is carried by a subject user who will become a subject, and a wireless communication unit 21 for performing directional data communication in an imaging direction is provided in a camera 2. When the terminal device 1 and the camera 2 become able to communicate data each other, the subject user carrying the terminal device 1 is photographed, and image data obtained in this way are transmitted to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 displays the image data. If necessary, the subject user issues an instruction to print the image data, and transmits information on the instruction to print to the camera 2. The camera 2 assigns the information on the instruction to print to the image data, and transmits the information on the instruction to print and the image data to an image server 4 and further to a printer 5. |
| US07705886B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, program, and display device
An information processing apparatus for controlling a display device, includes: an acquisition unit acquiring an image of a subject formed in an image capture area made of a plurality of pixels performing an image capture operation, based on outputs from pixels constituting an image capture area; a transmitter transmitting data of the acquired image data to an other information processing apparatus controlling an other display device having the same construction as the display device; a receiver receiving data of an image of other subject transmitted from the other information processing apparatus; and a display controller displaying the image of the other subject in a display area based on the received image data. |
| US07705881B2 |
Video quality assessing apparatus, video quality assessing method, and video quality assessing program
A subjective quality estimating part (11) receives an undeteriorated reference video signal (RI) and a deteriorated video signal (PI) produced from the reference video signal, calculates video signal feature values for both the signals, and according to a difference between the calculated video signal feature values of the signals, estimates a subjective quality of the deteriorated video signal. A feature value calculating part (12) calculates the video signal feature values of the reference video signal. A correction information storing part (13) stores correction information that corresponds to video signal feature values and is used to correct the subjective quality. A correction calculating part (14) receives the video signal feature values of the reference video signal from the feature value calculating part (12), retrieves correction information corresponding to the received video signal feature values from the correction information storing part (13), and transfers the retrieved correction information to a correcting part (15). According to the transferred correction information, the correcting part (15) corrects the subjective quality estimated by the subjective quality estimating part (11). |
| US07705879B2 |
System for and method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light in performance of monitoring aircraft flight operation
A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image. |
| US07705877B2 |
Method and system for display of facial features on nonplanar surfaces
A method for displaying facial features includes generating an image with facial features on a nonplanar surface and positioning the image on the nonplanar surface to indicate a direction of gaze and enhance nonverbal communication associated with the facial features. The apparatus for displaying facial features includes a nonplanar surface, an image generation device that creates an image with facial features on the nonplanar surface and a positioning system that positions the image on the nonplanar surface to indicate a direction of gaze and enhance nonverbal communication associated with the facial features. |
| US07705873B2 |
Image forming apparatus and multi-function device
An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; a casing that encloses the image forming unit and that has an ejection port configured to eject the recording sheet on which the image are formed; an ejection tray that stacks recording sheets ejected from the ejection port; a main frame side connector configured to electrically connect to an external device, the main frame side connector connectable to an external device side connector provided in the external device while at least a part of the external device is disposed outside the casing; and a supporting member that displaceably supports the main frame side connector with respect to the casing. |
| US07705872B2 |
Optical writing device and image forming apparatus
An optical writing device includes a dichroic mirror and a deflection beam splitter. The dichroic mirror causes a light beam to pass therethrough or reflect depending on the wavelengths of the light beam. The deflection beam splitter causes a light beam to pass therethrough or reflect depending on a direction from which the light beam is received. |
| US07705871B2 |
Optical writing device and image forming apparatus including the optical writing device that prevents scattered toner and powder dust from entering the optical writing device
An image forming apparatus includes an optical writing device. The optical writing device includes an optical writing unit that emits laser light beams toward image carriers, an outer case that accommodates the optical writing unit, and air supplying devices that supply air into the outer case. The outer case includes openings through which the laser light beams pass. Another image forming apparatus includes an optical writing device that emits laser light beams toward image carriers to form latent images thereon, partition members that are interposed between the image carriers and the optical writing device and that have openings elongating along a scanning direction of the optical writing device, and shutter mechanisms including shutter members to open and close the openings. The laser light beams are emitted from the optical writing device toward the image carriers through the openings. |
| US07705859B2 |
Transitioning between two high resolution video sources
A method of transitioning between two high resolution video signals includes replacing a first image which is a frame of a first video signal with a lower resolution copy of the first image; and fading out the lower resolution copy of the first image to reveal a second image from a second video signal. A system for displaying video signals includes a video monitor configured to communicate with at least one video signal source. The system is configured to replace a first image which is a frame of a first video signal with a lower resolution copy of the first image; and fade out the lower resolution copy of the first image to reveal a second image from a second video signal. |
| US07705853B2 |
Virtualization of graphics resources
Graphics resources are virtualized through an interface between graphics hardware and graphics clients. The interface allocates the graphics resources across multiple graphics clients, processes commands for access to the graphics resources from the graphics clients, and resolves conflicts for the graphics resources among the clients. |
| US07705842B2 |
Fast display initialization and light up
Described is a technology by which a computer display may quickly resume outputting video data following its awakening from a deep sleep state. Displayed settings are maintained in a memory, such as a memory of the display, while the display is in a sleep state. The settings are associated with a token maintained by a host computer system and display. Upon a need to awaken the display to output video data, the host computer system and the display communicate the token, whereby the display may confirm whether maintained settings are still valid for actual use with the host's video signals. If still valid, the display restores the maintained display settings as actual display settings. The restoring of previously maintained display settings is ordinarily significantly faster than conventional mechanisms that are presently used to configure a display upon wakeup, resulting in the user perceiving a near-instantaneous wakeup of a display. |
| US07705839B2 |
Driving circuit for electro-optical device, driving method of electro-optical device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A driving circuit for an electro-optical device drives an electro-optical device having a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines extending to cross each other, and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in an image display region corresponding to intersections of the data lines and the scanning lines. The driving circuit for an electro-optical device includes a shift register that has stages each of which generates transfer signals for defining writing timing and sequentially outputs the transfer signals from the respective stages, a precharge supply line that supplies a precharge timing signal for defining precharge timing ahead of the writing timing, and a data line circuit that receives the timing signal, shapes the timing signal on the basis of at least the transfer signal, and drives the plurality of data lines according to the timing signal. |
| US07705838B2 |
Movable user interface
A wireless communication handset (100) having a movable housing portion (204) coupled to a housing portion (202) that rotates relative to the housing portion. The movable housing portion may be a ring that rotates from one position 200 to another position 300 relative to the housing. Rotation of the ring to a first position activates a first function. Indicia 210 disposed on the ring indicates the desired mode. Rotation of the ring to a second position activates a second mode corresponding to a second indicia on the ring. The ring is interchangeable with other rings (FIG. 5 through FIG. 7) having different indicia corresponding to different modes or functions. The software that corresponds to the different modes may be stored in a memory 104 of the device or downloaded to the device upon coupling the ring thereto. |
| US07705835B2 |
Photonic touch screen apparatus and method of use
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for determining the position of a stimulus in two axes on a surface. The apparatus includes: a transparent waveguide panel with parallel top and a bottom surfaces and at least one edge that is perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces; a light source that is directed to the edge of the waveguide to produce light that is contained within the waveguide by Total Internal Reflection and a light detector for producing an electrical signal that is representative of an image of the light emitted by the waveguide. The light detector is positioned to receive light emitted by Frustrated Total Internal Reflection from the transparent wave guide when a physical stimulus is placed in contact with the top surface of the transparent waveguide. |
| US07705834B2 |
Touch sensitive display device
A touch sensor is disclosed comprising a display device having a substrate on which substrate at least one display electrode is disposed for the display of a shape on the display device. An interface is coupled to the at least one display electrode for receiving display data to the display device. Moreover is a measuring circuit coupled to the at least one display electrode. Switching means are provided for connecting the interface to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a first state of operation and connecting the measuring circuit to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a second state of operation. |
| US07705828B2 |
Dual-mode mobile communication device
A dual-mode mobile communication device is provided including a device housing having a front surface, a rear surface and a plurality of side surfaces coupling the front surface to the rear surface. The dual-mode device includes a transceiver for sending and receiving voice and data communications is integrated into the device housing, a display, mounted within the front surface of the device housing, for displaying information to a user of the device regarding voice and data communications, a QWERTY keyboard mounted below the display and within the front surface of the device housing, for generating data communications, and a microphone and a speaker for generating voice communications, wherein the microphone is mounted below the display within the front surface of the device housing and the speaker is mounted above the display within the front surface of the device housing. |
| US07705827B1 |
Ergonomic computer mouse
An ergonomically configured computer mouse comprising a hand held housing body having one or more features to provide comfort in the operation of said mouse. For example, it may include a covering of a pliable memory material designed to yield to the impression of the user's palm and resile to its initial shape after use. As another example, the mouse may be provided with finger detents to facilitate handling of the mouse. Furthermore, the mouse can have a pair of aligned buttons for inputting information into the computer, or a scrolling mechanism, preferably in the form of a rocker switch, in proximity to the aligned buttons for activation with the user's index finger. |
| US07705825B2 |
Method for measuring effective operation of gyricon display device
A method of making a gyricon display device, and a method of determining a monopole charge and a dipole charge of beads in a gyricon display device, is set forth. In the methods, a rectangular waveform switching voltage is applied to the gyricon display device and the reflectance of the display device is measured in order to determine the dipole charge based upon the measured reflectance, and a triangular waveform switching voltage is applied to the gyricon display device and current of the display device is measured to determine the monopole charge based upon the measured current. |
| US07705819B2 |
Display device
A display device includes gate lines, data lines, storage electrode lines and pixels. Each pixel includes a switching element connected to a gate line and a data line, a liquid crystal capacitor connected to the switching element and a common voltage, and a storage capacitor connected to the switching element and a storage electrode line. Signal generating circuits of the display generate storage signals based on gate signals in such a way that the storage signal applied to each pixel has a changed voltage level immediately after the completion of the charging of the data voltage into the liquid crystal capacitor and the storage capacitor. This enables the pixel electrode to reach the target voltage in a single frame, reduces the power consumption of the display, and improves its response time, reliability and durability. |
| US07705816B2 |
Generating corrected gray-scale data to improve display quality
A method of displaying image data, which can mitigate a double-boundary problem and improve MPRT, includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of frame data of a pixel; correcting subframe data of two of the plurality frame data; and sequentially displaying each of the subframe data of the plurality frame data. |
| US07705815B2 |
Backlight control unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight control unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image, a backlight for providing light to the liquid crystal panel, a gate driving unit and a data driving unit for driving the liquid crystal panel, a timing controller for outputting signals to control the gate driving unit and the data driving unit, and for outputting a dimming control signal to control a light output amount of the backlight according to representative gradation values obtained by analyzing red, green, and blue gradations included in inputted image data, and an inverter for controlling the backlight to control a light output amount from the backlight according to the dimming control signal outputted from the timing controller. |
| US07705811B2 |
Light emitting display device and method of driving the same
A light emitting display device for controlling brightness according to peripheral light brightness and emission amount of a display region. The light emitting display device includes a display region including a pixel adapted to emit light in response to data, scan, and emission control signals, a controller for controlling brightness of the display region, a scan driver for supplying the scan signal and controlling a signal width of the emission control signal according to a signal from the controller, a data driver for transmitting the data signal corresponding to video data, the data signal being corrected using a gamma correcting signal from the controller, and a power source supply unit for supplying power to the display region. The controller outputs the gamma correcting signal corresponding to peripheral light and controls an amount of current supplied to the display region according to a sum of the video data in one frame. |
| US07705806B2 |
Method for driving a plasma display panel
A method for driving a plasma display panel, including a plurality of display electrode pairs and a plurality of address electrodes, and which includes at least an address period and a sustain discharge period. In the address period, performing address processing, between the address electrodes and a display electrode configured as either a set of odd or even numbered display electrodes, sequentially to all of one of the sets of display electrode pairs, and thereafter address processing, between the address electrodes and a display electrode configured as the other set of display electrode pairs, sequentially to all of the other set of display electrode pairs. In the sustain discharge period, supplying at least one first sustain discharge pulse to the one set of display electrode pairs, and supplying at least one second sustain discharge pulse to the other set of display electrode pairs. |
| US07705803B2 |
Driving apparatus for plasma display panel and image processing method thereof
A plasma display panel displaying grayscales by a combination of brightness weights of a plurality of subfields in a frame. A peak subfield index of a current frame is generated based on a highest grayscale value detected from an input image data of the current frame, wherein the peak subfield index contains information of at least one subfield that is not used in the current frame. At least one period of reset, address, and sustain periods of the at least one subfield that is not used in the current frame is removed in response to a control signal and the peak subfield index of the current frame. The control signal is generated based on a comparison of a peak subfield index of a previous frame that has been delayed by one frame and the peak subfield index of the current frame. |
| US07705801B2 |
Driving method
The present invention provides a driving method suitable for a plasma display. The plasma display includes multiple scan electrodes, multiple sustain electrodes and multiple address electrodes, for example. Successive frames are adapted to be displayed in repeating reset periods, address periods and sustain periods by applying driving signals to the scan electrodes, sustain electrodes and address electrodes. The driving method is characterized in that before inputting driving signals or when interrupting driving signals, a wall-charge removing signal is applied to the scan electrodes to remove/reduce the residual wall charges around the scan electrodes and the sustain electrodes. As a result, the possibility of the plasma display generating erroneously discharging with strong light at the restarting state can be effectively reduced. |
| US07705799B2 |
Data processing device, data processing method, and electronic device
Provided is an electronic device including: a device main body that processes data; a display device arranged in the device main body to display the data; a first operation device arranged in the device main body on a display surface side of the display device within a movable range of fingers of a hand for holding the device main body; a second operation device arranged in the device main body on an opposite side of the display surface within the movable range of the fingers of the hand for holding the device main body; and a control circuit that causes, only when one of the first operation device and the second operation device is being operated, the other to function. |
| US07705797B2 |
Antenna arrangement
There is provided an antenna arrangement for use in an ultra-wideband network, the antenna arrangement comprising an active element; and a plurality of passive elements arranged around the active element; each passive element being controllable to selectively reflect or transmit radio signals emitted by the active element so as to create a desired beam pattern from the active element. |
| US07705787B2 |
Coupled slot probe antenna
A coupled slot probe antenna for use with antenna structures in mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices. The coupled slot probe antenna includes at least one first conductive element, and a second conductive element coupled between the first conductive element and the printed circuit board (PCB) ground plane of the mobile communication device. The first and second conductive elements define a tunable coupled slot area and the coupled slot probe antenna is coupled to the PCB ground plane in such a way that the coupled slot area is near a low-impedance point of the antenna structure, wherein coupling therebetween improves the bandwidth and the efficiency of the antenna structure. The coupled slot area can be tuned by changing the size of the coupled slot area and by changing the position of the coupled slot area relative to the low-impedance point of the antenna structure. |
| US07705784B2 |
Multi-frequency antenna
A multi-frequency antenna for receiving a first frequency and second frequency signals comprises a grounding element, a first conductive member, a first radiation member, and a second radiation member. The first conductive member connects to the grounding element. The first radiation member and the second radiation member connect to the first conductive member separately. The multi-frequency antenna further comprises a parasitic structure. The parasitic structure structurally encircles the second radiation member and the encirclement is a partial encirclement. Moreover, the parasitic structure connects to the grounding element. |
| US07705782B2 |
Microstrip array antenna
A microstrip antenna has a single dielectric layer with a conductive ground plane disposed on one side, and an array of spaced apart radiating patches disposed on the other side of the dielectric layer. The radiating patches are interconnected with a feed terminal via stripline elements. Responsive to electromagnetic energy, a high-order standing wave is induced in the antenna and a directed beam is transmitted from and/or received into the antenna. A dual-mode embodiment is configured such that standing wave nodes occur at the intersection of orthogonally situated striplines to minimize cross-polarization levels of the signals and the cross-talk between the two modes of operation. |
| US07705780B1 |
Electronic support measures (ESM) tracking system and method
An ES tracker for tracking an emitter target, including ships and airborne targets, includes a sensor for receiving a signal emitted by the target; a sensor processor for processing the signal and outputting a measurement; and an information processor for processing the measurement. The information processor includes an IMM bearing filter having a mixing section for receiving the measurement and producing a mixed output signal; a first order Kalman filter for receiving the mixed output signal for stationary target tracking; a second order Kalman filter for receiving the mixed output signal and tracking bearing and bearing rate; and a third order Kalman filter for receiving the mixed output signal and tracking bearing, bearing rate, and bearing acceleration. The tracker may also include a second-order elevation filter for modeling and tracking elevation and elevation rate, and a first-order ESM parameters filter for adaptively estimating plant noise, modeling and tracking frequency, pulsewidth, and PRI of the emitter target. |
| US07705779B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus for determining direction of arrival information to form a three-dimensional beam used by a transceiver
A wireless communication method and antenna system for determining the direction of arrival (DOA) of received signals in azimuth and elevation, (i.e., in three dimensions), to form a beam for transmitting and receiving signals. The system includes two antenna arrays, each having a plurality of antenna elements, two first stage multi-mode-port matrices, at least one second stage multi-mode-port matrix, an azimuth phase detector, an elevation amplitude detector, a plurality of phase shifters and a transceiver. The antenna arrays and the first stage multi-mode-port matrices form a plurality of orthogonal omni-directional modes. Each of the modes has a characteristic phase set. Two of the modes' phases are used to determine DOA in azimuth. The second stage multi-mode-port matrix forms a sum-mode and a difference-mode used to determine the DOA of the received signals in elevation. A beam is formed in the direction of the received signals by adjusting the phase shifters. |
| US07705778B2 |
Satellite navigation receiver having configurable acquisition and tracking engines
A satellite navigation receiver having a flexible acquisition and tracking engine architecture. The flexible acquisition engine has a reconfigurable delay line that can be used either as a single entity or divided into different sections. Consequently, it can be configured to search different satellite vehicles, a single Doppler frequency, and full CA code in parallel. When configuring the delay line into different sections, each section is used to search a partial CA code. In this configuration, multiple Doppler mode, multiple satellite vehicles, multiple Doppler frequencies, and partial CA code can be searched in parallel. Furthermore, the different sections of the CA code can be time-multiplexed into a correlator, which can then be over clocked to achieve full CA code correlation. The flexible tracking engine includes a number of parallel tracking channels, whereby each individual channel has a number of taps or fingers, which can be used to lock onto different delays. During tracking, one of the taps can be used to lock on to the center of the peak. This leaves the other taps free to be used to perform other functions, such as determining the shape of the peak, detecting earlier arrivals for line of sight component, and obtaining an estimate of the noise floor. The flexible tracking engine is configurable to help acquisition functions, such as fine acquisition, false trigger detection, and/or fast reacquisition. |
| US07705776B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device comprising a satellite positioning system antenna and electrically conductive director element therefor
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. An antenna may also be carried by the portable housing and connected to the satellite positioning signal receiver. Further, at least one electrically conductive director element may be carried by the portable housing in spaced apart relation from the antenna and inductively coupled thereto for directing a beam pattern thereof. |
| US07705775B2 |
Method of improving a vehicle emergency call network
A method of improving a vehicle emergency call network used during an enhanced 911 call, which is especially useful in environments having degraded GPS signals. The present method utilizes an independent position enhancement algorithm, such as a dead reckoning algorithm, and converts the output of that algorithm into a compatible format compatible with a position determining entity (PDE). Some independent position enhancement algorithms return output in the form of position information (typically, two- or three-dimensional coordinates), however, most PDEs only accept information in the form of pseudo-ranges. Thus, the present method provides a technique in which the advantages of an independent position enhancement algorithm are enjoyed, yet a compatible output is sent to the PDE. |
| US07705774B2 |
Method of providing celestial information and a mobile terminal having a function of providing the celestial information
A mobile terminal and a method of outputting celestial information using the terminal are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a memory unit storing celestial information, an information acquiring unit acquiring terminal position information, terminal direction information including an azimuth and an altitude of the terminal, and time information, and an information processing unit searching the memory unit and outputting the celestial information corresponding to the position information, the direction information and the time information received from the information acquiring unit. It is possible to provide the celestial information of the sky located in a direction corresponding to the azimuth and the altitude of the terminal and to rapidly and conveniently find a celestial body a user wishes to observe. |
| US07705770B2 |
System and method for suppressing IFF responses in the sidelobes and backlobes of IFF interrogator antennas
An IFF interrogation system for use on an aircraft is described. The system transmits a signal from an interrogator to a transponder and from the transponder to the interrogator. The system includes a non-reciprocal IFF antenna that breaks either an uplink signal or a downlink signal at any given angle outside the main beam. The IFF transmitter transmits an Uplink Σ signal and an Uplink Δ signal to the IFF antenna. |
| US07705769B2 |
System and method for presenting wind speed information
A system and method for presenting wind speed information in a manner so as to be easily understood and appreciated by viewers of televised weather report presentations and the like. Wind speed information is presented as two or three-dimensional wind speed contour lines, delineating geographic areas corresponding to different wind speeds, overlaid on a geographic map display either alone, or in combination with radar reflectivity information. Wind velocity information received from a weather radar system, such as NEXRAD, relative to the weather radar is converted to absolute wind speed information for display. |
| US07705761B2 |
System and method for wideband direct sampling and beamforming using complex analog to digital converter
A system comprising an radio frequency (RF) signal input; a plurality of time-skewed, undersampled analog to digital converters (ADCs); a plurality of complex finite input response (FIR) filters in parallel, wherein each complex FIR filter receives the output beam and/or band provided by the plurality of ADCs and generates a corresponding output beam of a given frequency. |
| US07705759B2 |
Generation of a digital controlled precise analog sine function
Disclosed are techniques for generating a precisely controlled analog signal. In one described implementation, a semiconductor circuit is mounted on a circuit board having a power and a ground etching. The circuit has a power terminal coupled with the power etching and a ground terminal coupled with the ground etching. The circuit includes a trapezoid shaped resistive strip coupled with the power terminal and the ground terminal. Contacts are connected along one edge of the strip to provide outputs at various voltage levels. Switches having a common output are coupled with the contacts on the strip. A control circuit activates the switches so that the common output generates an analog signal. |
| US07705758B2 |
Method and apparatus for digital to analog conversion
A Delta-Sigma DAC and a digital to analog conversion method are provided. A FIR filter receives a shaped digital signal to generate a first current on a first output node, and a second current on a second output node. A current inverter is coupled to the second output node, outputting a reversed current having opposite polarity and identical magnitude of the second current. A current to voltage converter is coupled to the first output node and the output of current inverter, generating an analog signal according to the first and reversed currents. A first current source compensates DC offset for the first current, and a second current source compensates DC offset for the second current. The first and second current sources are implemented by NMOS. |
| US07705750B2 |
System for use in stations for road tolls
The invention relates to a system for use with stations for road tolls, comprising a first optical apparatus for recording images of the roadway and a second apparatus for wireless communication with a vehicle apparatus. The height above the roadway and the angle in a lateral and a vertical direction in relation to the roadway are known for the first apparatus, and the second apparatus can determine coordinates for the vehicle apparatuses in at least two directions through its communication with the vehicle apparatuses. The system comprises means for being able to detect one or more number plates from an image taken using the optical apparatus, and means for calculating the positions of the detected number plates in three directions, and means for being able to determine any associations between number plates and vehicle apparatuses by comparison between the said positions of the number plates and the said positions of the vehicle apparatuses. |
| US07705748B2 |
Apparatus and method for warning and prevention of vehicle collisions
The invention teaches a passive vehicle rear end warning and collision prevention method and apparatus thereof, comprising: a traveling data monitoring unit serving to monitor and sample the traveling data of present vehicle; a collision prevention information transmitting and receiving unit serving to transmit and receive the collision prevention information; an electronic control unit serving to analyze and process the sampled data so as to generate the collision prevention information and to receive the collision prevention information from other vehicle, and to control the traveling status of prevent vehicle based on the received collision prevention information so as to avoid rear end collision with other vehicle, so that the purpose of rear end warning and collision prevention is realized by receiving passively the collision prevention information from another vehicle. |
| US07705741B2 |
Detection of a broken wire between power sourcing equipment and a powered device
A system and method for detecting a broken wire in a communication cable coupling a powered device to power sourcing equipment. Powered Devices (PDs) may be powered by power sourcing equipment via communication cables as in power over Ethernet systems. A current share technique is employed at the Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) side or the PD side of the Ethernet cable to force currents in twisted pairs of the communication cable to be equal. In one embodiment, first and second power supplies within a PSE are coupled to first and second powered device controllers (PDCs). A characteristic within the system that is indicative of first and second PDC input voltages is measured and the two measured characteristics are compared. If the two measured characteristics are not substantially the same, such indicates the presence of a broken wire. In another embodiment, a broken wire is detectable as an imbalance in voltage drops across resistors disposed in series with wires of a twisted pair at either the PSE or PD end of the twisted pair. |
| US07705740B2 |
Method and mobile terminal for gas detection warning
A method and a mobile terminal for gas detection warning are disclosed to solve the problem that people cannot detect gas by themselves due to the lack of a portable gas detecting apparatus. The mobile terminal is portable and typically includes a central control unit, a gas detection unit, a warning unit and a user interface unit. The apparatus performs a warning operation by using a warning policy corresponding to the detected air concentration by setting warning policies corresponding to a kind of gas in different concentration ranges respectively. |
| US07705738B2 |
Database apparatus, attention calling apparatus and driving support apparatus
An attention calling apparatus operates in the following manner. That is, eyes distribution pattern is generated from the behavior of the eyes of the vehicle driver captured by a camera in a predetermined time, and driver's condition is estimated based on the distribution pattern. Further, concentration of the driver on driving is estimated based on the comparison between the distribution pattern and the stored information of distribution pattern. When the distribution pattern indicates that the degree of concentration on driving is high, the driving operation is stored in storage in association with the concentration degree. When the operation situation fulfills a notification provision condition, driver's attention is called depending on the concentration degree. |
| US07705733B2 |
Coiled RFID tag
A coiled RFID tag that includes an RFID transponder circuit that is formed over a generally cylindrically-shaped substrate core so that portions of the antenna of the transponder circuit circumscribe the substrate core. With this configuration, the tag may be applied to objects without regard to antenna orientation. The transponder circuit and substrate core are encased in a protective material that will prevent ingress of moisture and dust, insulate from heat and cold but will allow radio frequency waves to pass without significant attenuation. The tag may be attached various items by an overmolding process in the formation of a grip of other portions. Alternatively, the tag may be attached to objects by forming it into a flexible sleeve-like portion that is pulled over objects and maintained in position by the resilient properties of the sleeve. |
| US07705728B2 |
Selectively sending notifications when an object tracking device is outside a range of an anchor beacon
A method of tracking objects uses an anchor beacon that can emit a broadcast over a range that is detectable by an object tracking device. The object tracking device can automatically detect a presence or absence of the broadcast. When the broadcast is present, the object tracking device can take no action. When the broadcast is absent, the object tracking device can determine a current location for the object tracking device and can convey an OTA communication to a tracking server. The OTA communication can indicate the absence of the broadcast and can also including the current location. The tracking server can selectively send a notification to a previously designated communication device to notify a user that the object tracking device is outside the range. |
| US07705726B2 |
Wireless-enabled device with capability of responding to changes in operational state
A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity. The device comprises a functional unit configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state. A second functional unit capable of wireless communication with the network entity may also be provided and may be selectably powered from either a main power source or an alternate power source such that the second functional unit is powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and becomes unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval. Thus, de-powered devices can be located and communicated with more easily. |
| US07705725B2 |
Methods and systems for monitoring structures and systems
Methods and systems for structural and component health monitoring are provided. A system includes a plurality of sensor systems positioned about an object to be monitored and a processing system communicatively coupled to at least one of said plurality of sensor systems wherein the processing system includes an ontology and reasoning module configured to model the object to be monitored, reason about the received sensor data associated with the object to be monitored and reason about the relationships between the received sensor data to fuse the data into contextual information for the overall object to be monitored and a contextual analyzer configured to transmit the received sensor data to said ontology and reasoning module and to store the information into a contextual information database. |
| US07705721B1 |
Apparatus and method for sensing and responding to environmental conditions of a computer system at non-uniform polling intervals
Environmental sensors are distributed in a computer system to sense environmental conditions, and the sensors are polled at polling intervals which are adjusted in response to changing environmental conditions, thus allowing deteriorating or improving conditions to be recognized and monitored more or less closely as desired. |
| US07705720B2 |
Self leveling warning light for vehicles
A self leveling warning light for vehicles employing a light assembly that is pivotedly secured to an inner surface of a vehicle window by a mounting base suction cup. The light assembly has a plurality of LEDs whose intensity is amplified by a reflector and focused by an optical lens providing light emission in distances exceeding one mile with minimal battery drain. A control circuit having a power source is mounted within said light assembly and electrically coupled to the LEDs, the control circuit controlling four red LEDs separated by a centrally located yellow LED, the four red LEDs alternate on and off at sync rate of approximately 500 ms and the yellow LED turns on for about 750 ms and off for about 1 second. The light assembly maintaining directional pointing of the LEDs in a horizontal plane when the mounting base is moved between vertical and horizontal orientations by gravity weighting of the light assembly. |
| US07705719B2 |
Wheel position detecting device and tire air pressure detecting device using the same
A tire air pressure detecting device determines whether an abnormality has occurred in a transmitter. When a response is not received from the transmitter mounted on a wheel, wheel information detection is retried because an abnormality may have occurred in the transmitter. A triggering device is provided on the vehicle-body side and requests a response from the transmitter corresponding to the relevant wheel. The wheel information detection is retried by the triggering device being instructed to output a trigger signal (re-try trigger signal) at a timing (phase) differing from a steady transmission. As a result, the tire air pressure detecting device can accurately determine whether the unresponsive state of the transmitter is caused by an abnormality in the transmitter or by another cause. |
| US07705715B2 |
Vehicle weighing
A vehicle weight determination apparatus is disclosed which includes a receiver; a persistent memory storing a plurality of sensor identifiers, a like plurality of axle identifiers and a like plurality of correlation information, such that a given sensor identifier is associated with a given axle identifier and given correlation information. The apparatus also includes a controller for: receiving from the receiver a message comprising a sensor identifier and an air pressure indication, utilitising the sensor identifier to obtain an axle identifier and correlation information, and utilising the correlation information and the pressure indicator to obtain a weight measure associated with the axle identifier. The apparatus may include a display for displaying the weight measure and the axle identifier. |
| US07705714B2 |
Wheel position detecting device that performs dedicated local communication for each wheel and tire air pressure detecting device including the same
A wheel position detecting device and a tire air pressure detecting device including the wheel position detecting device are provided. The wheel position detecting device includes triggering devices and a receiver mounted on the vehicle-body side, and transmitters mounted on the wheels. Each triggering device outputs a trigger signal to each transmitter. In response to the trigger signal, each transmitter transmits a frame to the receiver. The receiver receives the frame and judges whether the transmitter is mounted on a subject wheel, based on whether reception strength indicated by reception strength data stored in the frame is within a range set in advance. |
| US07705713B2 |
Control unit having a deactivatable interface
A control unit having a microprocessor and at least one electronic memory for storing a program-controlled sequence control for a motor vehicle and a first electronic interface for transmitting the program code of the sequence control from an external data transmission device into the memory and also having a second electronic interface are provided. To prevent manipulation of the contents of the memory, the first electronic interface is irreversibly deactivated after its initial use. |
| US07705710B2 |
Method for a start and access system for a motor vehicle
A method for start and access verification of a motor vehicle by means of a mobile identification transmitter (3) with an evaluation unit arranged in the identification transmitter (3). At least two antennas (1, 2) arranged in different places on the vehicle in any order: each emit time independently an electromagnetic signal which is measured by a measuring device in the identification transmitter (3), and each simultaneously emit an electromagnetic signal which is measured by the measuring device in the identification transmitter (3). Thus, the security of start and access systems of motor vehicles is increased. |
| US07705708B2 |
Varistor and method of producing the same
A varistor has a varistor element body, and an external electrode disposed on the varistor element body. The varistor element body contains ZnO as a principal component, and a rare-earth metal. The external electrode has an electrode layer. The electrode layer is formed on an external surface of the varistor element body by simultaneous firing with the varistor element body. The electrode layer contains Pd. |
| US07705701B2 |
Thin metal layer vacuum vessels with composite structural support
A composite sealed vessel is provided. The vessel includes a non-metallic, generally cylindrical inner containment piece, a non-metallic, generally cylindrical outer containment piece disposed around the inner containment piece. A pair of non-metallic flanges are disposed at ends of the inner and outer containment pieces to form a closed structure defining a cavity therein. The vessel also includes a metallic external lining disposed over the closed structure to form a leak-tight pressure boundary. |
| US07705698B2 |
Field effect transistor and a linear antenna switch arm
A field effect transistor comprising a substrate; an electrically conducting channel within the substrate; an electrically conducting source on the substrate comprising a source finger; an electrically conducing drain on the substrate comprising a drain finger; the source and drain fingers being separated to define a path therebetween; at least one electrically conducting source/drain strip extending along the path; at least one rectifying gate strip extending along the path on each side of the source/drain strip, each gate strip being adapted to control the current flow in the conducting channel. |
| US07705696B2 |
Structure design for minimizing on-chip interconnect inductance
A semiconductor device comprising a signal line and ground line is disclosed. The signal line comprises an opening and at least a portion of the ground line is in the opening in the signal line. |
| US07705694B2 |
Rotatable elliptical dielectric resonators and circuits with such dielectric resonators
In accordance with principles of the present invention, a two or more pole dielectric resonator circuit is provided with resonators that are elliptical in cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The resonators are mounted so that they are rotatable about their longitudinal axes, such that the straight line distance between two adjacent resonators measured in a straight line between orthogonal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of the two resonators is a function of the orientation of the resonators about their longitudinal axes. The resonators can be oriented about their longitudinal axes in any orientation to adjust their spacing, which is directly proportional to their coupling magnitude, which, in turn, is proportional to the bandwidth of the circuit. |
| US07705693B2 |
μ-Flap type nano/micro mechanical device and fabrication method thereof
A μ-flap type nano/micro mechanical device with a lower electrode 1, 1a, 1b, an upper electrode layer 2, an dielectric layer 3 arranged between the lower electrode 1, 1a, 1b and the upper layer 2, such that the dielectric layer 3 and said upper electrode layer 2 form a layered body 4, the layered body 4 comprising a horizontal recess 5 in a side portion of the dielectric layer 3, and an overhanging portion 6 of reduced thickness over the recess 5 that forms a gap 5a; such that the overhanging portion 6 forms a μ-flap 6a which extends over the gap 5a. The device is a capacitative-based device in which the mechanical motion can be measured at room temperature and without monolithic integration thereof with an integrated circuit but that can be easily integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry. |
| US07705692B2 |
High-frequency circuit and communications apparatus comprising same
A high-frequency circuit for use in a dual-band wireless communications apparatus selectively using first and second frequency bands, comprising a diplexer connected to the output of a power amplifier for sending either one of transmission signals in the first and second frequency bands to an antenna, a coupler having a primary line connected to a common end of the diplexer and a secondary line, a detector comprising a detection diode for detecting a transmission power of a high-frequency signal sent from the secondary line of the coupler, and a harmonics-suppressing circuit disposed between the secondary line of the coupler and the detection diode. |
| US07705687B1 |
Digital ring oscillator
A digital ring oscillator outputting a toggled clock signal. The clock signal is generated by a plurality of electronic cells that are arranged in series. At least one of the plurality of electronic cells receives a feedback of the clock signal. Control signals are received at an input for the plurality of electronic cells. Each electronic cell includes a first logic gate, a second logic gate, and an inverted logic gate coupled between the first logic gate and the second logic gate. For each electronic cell, a respective control signal controls whether an output signal received from the first logic gate of a preceding electronic cell is transferred through the first logic gate to the first logic gate in a succeeding electronic cell, or is inverted and transferred through the second logic gate to the second logic gate in a preceding electronic cell, based on the control signal. |
| US07705682B2 |
Inductor sharing in radio frequency communications
Two or more low noise amplifiers are configured to amplify received radio frequency input signals and one or more shared load or source degeneration inductors are configured to be used for each of the two or more low noise amplifiers. Further, the one or more shared inductors can be configured to be used for processing two or more signal bands in a multi-band communication system. |
| US07705679B2 |
Operational amplifier
An operational amplifier includes a first differential stage, a second differential stage, a second cascade amplifier stage, an output unit, a first switching control unit and a second switching control unit. When an external signal for stopping operation is input, the first switching control unit shuts off a connection between a non-inverting input terminal and a control electrode of one input transistor at each first and second differential stage, and shuts off a connection between an inverting input terminal and a control electrode of another input transistor at the first and second differential stages, and the second switching control unit connects the negative-side power supply voltage terminal to each control gate of the input transistors at the first and second differential stages and to the substrate gates of the input transistors at the first differential stage. |
| US07705677B2 |
CMOS amplifiers with frequency compensating capacitors
The frequency and transient responses of a CMOS differential amplifier are improved by employing one or more compensating capacitors. A compensating capacitor coupled to a differential input of the CMOS differential amplifier is used to inject current into the differential input, such that the net current flow through the gate-to-drain capacitance of a MOS input transistor approaches zero. Thus, the Miller effect with respect to that MOS input transistor is substantially reduced or eliminated, resulting in increased frequency and transient responses for the CMOS differential amplifier. In one embodiment, the CMOS differential amplifier is a CMOS current mirror differential amplifier. |
| US07705675B2 |
Distributed multi-stage amplifier
Exemplary techniques for implementing an amplifier suitable for RF amplification, such as a tuned class DE amplifier, are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of a circuit for amplifying an RF signal includes a push-pull amplifier comprising a push transistor and a pull transistor. A first driver amplifier drives the push transistor of the push-pull amplifier with a first RF signal. A second driver amplifier drives the pull transistor of the push-pull amplifier with a second RF signal different from the first RF signal. |
| US07705671B1 |
Audio amplifier having an input stage with a supply-independent reference voltage
An input stage for an audio power amplifier is provided. The input stage includes a fully differential amplifier and a supply-independent reference voltage generator. The supply-independent reference voltage generator provides a supply-independent reference voltage that is used as the common mode voltage of the output of the fully differential amplifier. |
| US07705666B1 |
Filler circuit cell
A filler circuit cell is disclosed. The filler circuit cell includes a decoupled capacitor, a tie low circuit and a tie high circuit. The decoupled capacitor includes a first NMOS transistor and a first PMOS transistor, in which the source/drain of the first NMOS transistor is connected to a second voltage source and the source/drain of the first PMOS transistor is connected to a first voltage source. The tie low circuit includes a second NMOS transistor and a second PMOS transistor and the tie high circuit includes a third NMOS transistor and a third PMOS transistor. |
| US07705664B2 |
Current mirror circuit having drain-source voltage clamp
A circuit and method for providing an output current that includes biasing an output transistor in accordance with a reference current to conduct the output current and further includes maintaining a voltage across the output transistor. One embodiment includes conducting a reference current through a diode-coupled first field-effect transistor (FET) and biasing a gate of a second FET matched to the diode-coupled first FET by a voltage equal to a gate voltage of the diode-coupled first FET. A current equal to the reference current is conducted through a third FET having a gate coupled to a drain of the second FET, the third FET matched to the second FET. |
| US07705662B2 |
Low voltage high-output-driving CMOS voltage reference with temperature compensation
A bandgap reference voltage generator has a first stage that generates a first current that is complementary-to-absolute-temperature (Ictat) and a second stage that generates a current that is proportional-to-absolute-temperature (Iptat). The Ictat and Iptat currents are both forced through a summing resistor to generate a voltage that is relatively independent of temperature, since the Ictat and Iptat currents cancel out each other's temperature dependencies. A PMOS output transistor drives current to an output load to maintain the load at the reference voltage. An op amp drives the gate of the PMOS output transistor and has inputs connected to emitters of PNP transistors in the second stage. A series of resistors generate the reference voltage between the PMOS output transistor and ground and drives bases of the PNP transistors and includes the summing resistor. Parasitic PNP transistors in an all-CMOS process are used. The generator operates with a 1-volt power supply. |
| US07705658B2 |
Wave detector circuit
A wave detector circuit includes: a first transistor having its base and collector connected together, the first transistor receiving an AC signal and a reference voltage at its base and collector; a second transistor having its base connected to the base of the first transistor through a resistor, the second transistor outputting a detected voltage at its collector; and a diode-connected temperature compensation transistor connected between ground potential and the base and the collector of the first transistor. |
| US07705652B2 |
Clock generating apparatus and clock generating method
A clock generating apparatus has an integral ratio divider for, according to frequency-dividing parameters for generating a second clock signal including a second frequency by using a first clock signal including a first frequency, outputting the second clock signal, and a frequency-dividing parameter generating portion for comparing program clock reference inputted from outside with an STC value based on the second clock signal and outputting the frequency-dividing parameters so as to converge a discrepancy between the program clock reference and the STC value within a predetermined range, and wherein the frequency-dividing parameter generating portion generates new frequency-dividing parameters each time the program clock reference is inputted from outside. |
| US07705649B1 |
Duty cycle correction circuit with small duty error and wide frequency range
A duty cycle correction circuit (10) for receiving an input clock signal (11) and generating an output clock signal (13) having a predetermined duty cycle includes a clock trigger circuit (12) generating the output clock signal (13) having a first clock edge triggered from the input clock signal and a second clock edge triggered from a delayed clock signal (22); a charge pump circuit (14) receiving the output clock signal and generating charging and discharging currents for a capacitor (C1) where a control voltage develops on the capacitor indicative of the duty cycle error of the output clock signal; a self-track bias circuit (18) receiving the control voltage and generating first and second bias voltages (23, 24) in response to the control voltage; and a delay-locked loop circuit (20) receiving the output clock signal and the first and second bias voltages and generating the delayed clock signal. |
| US07705647B2 |
Duty cycle correction circuit
A duty cycle correction circuit capable of generating a clock signal having good (e.g., approximately 50%) duty cycle is described. The duty cycle correction circuit includes a clock deskew circuit and a duty cycle detection circuit. The clock deskew circuit receives an input clock signal that may have poor duty cycle, adjusts the input clock signal based on a control, and provides an output clock signal having an adjustable duty cycle. The duty cycle detection circuit detects error in the duty cycle of the output clock signal and generates the control in response to the detected error in the duty cycle. The clock deskew circuit and the duty cycle detection circuit implement a feedback loop that senses error in the duty cycle of the output clock signal and feeds back the control to correct the duty cycle error. |
| US07705642B2 |
Simplified bias circuitry for differential buffer stage with symmetric loads
A biasing circuit for biasing differential delay elements is provided. The circuit is a feedback-free circuit consisting of a CMOS output stage having a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor, with a diode connected transistor between the P-type transistor and the N-type transistor, the output stage receiving the control voltage as input, and producing the Vnbias between the P-type transistor and the diode connected transistor. The circuit is simpler than conventional biasing circuits that employ feedback and operational amplifiers. |
| US07705639B1 |
Method and apparatus for high performance automatic frequency control in a wireless receiver
An apparatus and a method are disclosed wherein a clock generator component converts a received clock signal into a plurality of internal clock signals which are skewed in time, a phase difference component computes phase differences at subsequent clock phases of a received phase signal, an intermediate averaging component receives each phase difference signals and outputs their average, a threshold detection component detects steady phase changes and activates a preamble detect signal which is used to clock an output filter that smoothes the output from the intermediate averaging component. The output is a frequency correction signal that is used by a wireless receiver to correct its reception process. The disclosed invention merges the frequency correction process more quickly and accurately, is less likely to trigger on noise and has a lower packet error rate than conventional systems. |
| US07705638B2 |
Switching control circuit with reduced dead time
A switching control circuit of synchronous rectification type that is capable of reducing dead time is obtained. Upon detection that an output potential rises above VDD-Va, a first sensor outputs an H signal to a first input terminal of a first NOR circuit, and the first NOR circuit outputs an L signal to a second input terminal of a second NOR circuit, and the second NOR circuit outputs an H signal to a first gate driving circuit. A PMOS is thereby turned on. Upon detection that the output potential falls below GND+Vb, a second sensor outputs an L signal to a first input terminal of a first NAND circuit, and the first NAND circuit outputs an H signal to a second input terminal of a second NAND circuit, and the second NAND circuit outputs an L signal to a second gate driving circuit. An NMOS is thereby turned on. |
| US07705634B2 |
Input circuit of semiconductor integrated circuit
An input circuit is disclosed. The input circuit can include a cross voltage generating block that can be configured to perform charge-sharing on a pair of input signals whose phases are opposite to each other and generate a cross voltage, and an input buffer block that can be configured to buffer the pair of input signals at a voltage level corresponding to a voltage level of the cross voltage and generate an output signal. |
| US07705633B2 |
Advanced repeater with duty cycle adjustment
An advanced repeater with duty cycle adjustment. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an advanced repeater includes an output stage for driving an output signal line responsive to an input signal and a plurality of active devices for selectably adjusting a duty cycle of the signal. The advanced repeater may further include circuitry for producing a delayed version of the signal. |
| US07705629B1 |
Permutable switching network with enhanced interconnectivity for multicasting signals
In one embodiment, the integrated circuit has a L-level permutable switching network (L-PSN) comprising L levels of intermediate conductors. The integrated circuit can be used in electronic devices, such as switching networks, routers, and programmable logic circuits, etc. |
| US07705626B2 |
Design structure to eliminate step response power supply perturbation
A design structure for eliminating step response power supply perturbation during voltage island power-up/power-down on an integrated circuit is disclosed. An IC chip communicates with a primary power supply and includes at least one voltage island. A primary header on the voltage island of the chip communicates with the primary power supply via a primary header power path. A secondary header on the voltage island of the chip communicates with a secondary power supply via a secondary header power path. A control decoder communicating with the IC chip and the voltage island regulates the state of the primary and secondary headers. |
| US07705623B2 |
Method and device for detecting interlaminar short circuits
A method for determining a short circuit between at least two stator laminates in an electrical machine having a rotor mounted on a shaft and a stator, includes rotating the rotor on the shaft relative to the stator so to pass a magnetic stator flux, varying over time, through the stator, determining, during the rotation, a measurement variable sensitive to a short-circuit current caused by the magnetic stator flux between the at least two stator laminates, and determining the magnetic stator flux. In addition, a theoretical model is provided describing a relationship between the magnetic stator flux and the measurement value or an auxiliary variable derived from the measurement value, and the measurement variable or the auxiliary variable is compared with the theoretical model. A device for carrying out a method for determining a short circuit is also provided. |
| US07705622B1 |
Method to synchronize two different pulse generators
This invention generates two pulses for semiconductor testing that have leading edges coordinated in time by synchronizing the pulses from two different styles of pulse generators (pulsers). One pulser uses spark discharge pulse generation and the other pulser is a typical solid state pulser. The spark discharge pulser has high power pulse generation but its pulse timing can not be tightly controlled. The output pulse of the spark discharge pulser is split unequally, with a small amount used to trigger the solid state pulser, and the large pulse energy delayed by a cable of length for a signal propagation delay equal or greater than the trigger-input-to-pulse-output delay of the solid state pulser. Variable attenuators control the trigger signal amplitude and a level shifting circuit makes the trigger signal compatible with standard logic signal levels. The two pulses can be applied to semiconductors with their leading edges adjustable relative to each other to measure the semiconductors operation. |
| US07705620B2 |
Measuring and identifying analog characteristics of a microelectronic component at a wafer level and a platform level
A die includes circuit components to perform normal operations and duplicated components of selective ones of the circuit components. Each end of the duplicated components is connected to a pad on the die to allow access by measurement devices. The measurement devices apply electricity to the pads to measure analog characteristics of the duplicated components. |
| US07705615B2 |
Extruded capacitive sensor assembly and detection method
An extruded capacitive sensor assembly includes multiple sense conductors of unequal length disposed in an upper section of a non-conductive jacket, and a ground conductor disposed in a lower section of the jacket adjacent a panel or carrier to which the strip is affixed. A sensor strip with three sense conductors is formed by extruding a non-conductive jacket having first and second sense conductors in the upper section of the jacket, and severing the first sense conductor to create three unequal length sense conductor segments. Electrical termination to the sense and ground conductors can be made at the point where the first sense conductor is severed, or at the end of the sensor strip. In cases where only two sense conductor segments are needed, the third sense conductor segment is removed or simply un-used. |
| US07705611B2 |
Sensor device, and portable communication terminal and electronic device using the sensor device
A sensor device for detecting a positional relationship between a first member and a second member, includes a first charge-holding electrode provided on a surface of the first member and holding a charge, a second charge-holding electrode provided on the surface of the first member and holding a charge differing from the charge held by the first charge-holding electrode, a first charge-induced electrode provided on a surface of the second member, the first charge-induced electrode having a charge induced therein in accordance with the charge held by the first charge-holding electrode, when the first charge-holding electrode approaches the first charge-induced electrode, a second charge-induced electrode provided on the surface of the second member, the second charge-induced electrode having a charge induced therein in accordance with the charge held by the second charge-holding electrode, when the second charge-holding electrode approaches the second charge-induced electrode. |
| US07705610B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for nondestructive microwave measurement of dry and wet film thickness
Wet and dry film thickness can be measured non-invasively on structures, such as surfaces associated with vessels, aircraft and buildings, using calibrated microwave sensors. The film is measured by directing microwave energy toward the film. The microwave energy passes through the film and is reflected by a reflective or semi-reflective substrate surface below the film. Properties of the reflected wave are compared with properties of reflected waves that were passed through calibration samples of known thicknesses to determine the unknown thickness of the film. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the conductive/semi-conductive substrate for measurement, and in other embodiments, one or more sensors are maintained at a fixed altitude above the film. In one embodiment, sensors are associated with a coating applicator, with a first sensor preceding the applicator and a second sensor following the applicator to measure the thickness of the film applied by the applicator by comparing measurements before and after coating. |
| US07705604B2 |
Electric circuit for triggering a piezoelectric element, in particular of a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle
An electric circuit for triggering a piezoelectric element, a fuel injection system of a motor vehicle in particular, is described. A first measuring shunt connected in series to the piezoelectric element is provided. Provided are two transistors connected in series whose shared connecting point is connected to the piezoelectric element. A second measuring shunt is also provided. The two transistors and the second measuring shunt are connected in series. |
| US07705601B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring wellness of contactors and starters
A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or “wellness,” of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking. |
| US07705595B1 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using modified bessel functions
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse employed in MRI devices and methods that increase the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing thinner slice thicknesses, and allowing more contiguous slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, and then RF pulses are used to excite the atoms in the body of the patient. The atoms release a corresponding RF signal when the atoms relax, which can be measured and mapped into a visual display. The RF pulses used to excite the atoms in the body of the patient use a modified Bessel function. The Bessel function having an approximately rectangular waveform in the frequency domain increases the signal-to-noise ratio, allows thinner slice thicknesses, and allowed more contiguous slices, resulting in a better MR image and a more efficient MRI apparatus. |
| US07705593B1 |
Apparatus and method for detecting and classifying atherosclerotic plaque hemorrhage
A system and method for detecting atherosclerotic plaque hemorrhage includes a controller programmed to apply a non-selective inversion recovery RF pulse to a region of interest, apply a plurality of encoding sequences to the region of interest to cause generation of a plurality of echoes during application of each encoding sequence. The controller is further programmed to acquire three dimensional MR data from the region of interest during generation of each of the plurality of echoes, identify a hemorrhage based on the three dimensional MR data, characterize a type of the hemorrhage, and reconstruct an image based on the three dimensional MR data, the image comprising the characterized hemorrhage. |
| US07705592B2 |
Two dimensional T1/T2APP-T2APP processing of multi-gradient NMR data
A method for estimating a property of a material, the method including: acquiring data using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, the measurements performed by varying at least one of a magnetic field gradient (G) and an inter-echo time (TE); organizing the data according to at least one of magnetic field gradients (G) and inter-echo times (TE) used in the NMR measurements; calculating a shift of apparent transverse relaxation time (T2,app) and (longitudinal relaxation time T1)/(apparent transverse relaxation time T2,app) due to a variation of the product of G and TE; constructing a mathematical model of the NMR measurements from the shifts; and inverting the mathematical model to estimate the property. |
| US07705589B2 |
Sensor for detecting surface defects of metal tube using eddy current method
A sensor for detecting surface defects of a metal tube solves a problem of a conventional eddy current probe in that it is difficult to detect a crack in the circumferential direction of a metal tube. The sensor includes a plurality of coils wound at a predetermined inclined angle. The plurality of coils is inserted into the inside of a metal tube. Alternating current is applied to the coils to measure a change in impedance of the coils due to a change in an eddy current generated in the metal tube, thus detecting a surface defect of the metal tube. |
| US07705588B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing magnetic disk drive components using drive-based parts
An apparatus and method for testing a component of a magnetic disk drive in which one or more drive-based components is used in the testing process. Each of the drive-based components is based on a corresponding one of the components of the magnetic disk drive. During testing, the component to be tested and at least one of the drive-based components are selectively engaged. |
| US07705585B2 |
Inductive displacement detector
A detector for measuring relative position along a measurement path comprising: a passive, laminar electrical intermediate device extending along the measurement path wherein the extent of the said electrical intermediate device in an axis normal to the measurement path varies along the measurement axis; at least one laminar transmit winding and at least two laminar receive windings wherein the said at least two laminar receive windings are displaced from each other along the measurement path wherein each laminar receive winding is substantially electrically balanced with respect to the at least one laminar transmit winding; arranged such that the mutual inductance between at least one laminar transmit winding and at least two laminar receive windings indicates the relative position of the electrical intermediate device. |
| US07705584B2 |
Magnetic sensor
The magnetic sensor in the invention is arranged to detect a change of magnetic field caused by a movement of the magnetic movable by a magnetic sensor element arranged with a gap to the magnetic movable, to convert the detected change of magnetic field by first and second bridge circuits into electric signals, to generate first and second rectangular-wave signals by first and second comparator circuits depending upon the electric signals, and to form a signal having at least four levels by a signal forming circuit, thereby detecting a moving direction of the magnetic movable depending upon a level-change order in the signal. This makes it possible to detect a rotating direction of the magnetic movable rapidly and correctly. |
| US07705583B2 |
Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based current and magnetic field sensor
A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) current and magnetic field sensor for sensing a magnetic field produced by a conductor includes a magneto-MEMS component for sensing the magnetic field and an interference-MEMS component for sensing an interference, wherein the magneto-MEMS component and the interference MEMS component are used to provide an indication of the current in the conductor. |
| US07705579B1 |
Apparatus and method for faster unloading of transient response in a synchronous buck switching regulator
A synchronous buck regulator controller is provided. The regulator controller includes switch control circuitry, an unloading event detection circuit, an inductor current detection circuit, and a synchronous switch control logic circuit. In operation, the regulator controller controls a main switch and a synchronous switch to control the buck regulation. The unloading event detection circuit is arranged to detect an unloading event, and to assert an unloading event signal if such an event is detected. The inductor current detection circuit is arranged to assert an inductor current detection signal if the inductor current is close to zero. The synchronous switch control logic circuit is arranged to block the synchronous switch from turning on if the unloading event signal is asserted and the inductor current detection signal is not asserted. However, if the inductor current detection signal is subsequently asserted while the unloading event signal is still asserted, the synchronous switch control logic circuit stops blocking the synchronous switch from turning on. |
| US07705577B2 |
Digital power supply control
A switched voltage regulator provides improved regulation at a lower clock rate/sampling frequency (e.g. several orders of magnitude lower than would be required for comparable regulation) while using a low resolution digital pulse width modulator such that limit cycle oscillations occur (and thus of low cost and complexity and small size) by limiting the amplitude of limit cycle oscillations which therefore need not be avoided by more complex arrangements which are not commercially feasible. Limiting of amplitude of limit cycle oscillations is achieved by adding essentially a digitized ripple voltage signal corresponding to the difference between the output of the voltage regulator and an average output of the voltage regulator as an input to the digital pulse width modulator. Performance of this arrangement may be enhanced by adding a ramp signal to the digitized ripple voltage signal and even further enhanced by limiting the ramp signal to a range which corresponds to steady state operation but not transients. |
| US07705576B2 |
High-win circuit for multi-phase current mode control
A current mode control circuit uses a current comparing module to control a switching signal according to one of a plurality of current feedback signals. The current mode circuit comprises a voltage control module that generates an output voltage according to an input voltage and the switching control signal, and that generates the plurality of current feedback signals. The current comparing module outputs a control current signal that is indicative of a greater one of the plurality of current feedback signals. A current mode control module receives the control current signal and generates the switching control signal according to the control current signal. |
| US07705574B2 |
Remote power controller with power sharing circuit
A direct current (DC) remote power controller for remotely controlling DC power between a DC power source and a DC load, comprises: a current sensor for sensing the level of current that the power source supplies to the load and generating a current feedback signal representative of the sensed current level; a current limit controller that compares the current feedback signal to a reference current level and generates a current regulation signal representative of the value of sensed current level above the reference current level; a current limiting device that is responsive to the current regulation signal to limit load current to the reference current level up to a first predetermined level of potential difference across the current limiting device; a load resistance; and a switched-mode DC-to-DC converter in parallel with the current limiting device that senses potential difference across the current limiting device and diverts a portion of the load current from the current limiting device through the load resistance above the first predetermined level of potential difference to reduce power dissipation of the current limiting device and maintain the load current at the reference current level. |
| US07705571B2 |
Reverse-connect protection circuit with a low voltage drop
Current supply circuit for supplying a circuit with an internal supply voltage on the basis of an external supply voltage with an bipolar transistor for realizing reverse-connect protection for the circuit to be supplied, a supply current flowing through the bipolar transistor's collector-emitter path, a regulating circuit connected to the bipolar transistor ensuring that the bipolar transistor is operated at the limit to saturation. |
| US07705564B2 |
Method for determining state of charge of lead-acid batteries of various specific gravities
In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the state of charge of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of determining the specific gravity of the battery and measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery at rest. The open circuit voltage at rest can be used to determine the battery state of charge from a correlation function dependent on the battery specific gravity. |
| US07705550B2 |
Noise suppression for hall sensor arrangements
A method and apparatus is provided for processing signals from a Hall-effect device arrangement coupled to a monolithic brushless DC motor where the motor is driven by a PWM circuit providing PWM drive signals. |
| US07705549B2 |
Series resistor assembly for an electric motor, circuit arrangement comprising a series resistor assembly for operating an electric motor and use of said assembly
The invention relates to a series resistor assembly (1) for an electric motor (M), in particular for an electrically driven ventilating fan in a vehicle. Said assembly comprises a series resistor (2) for controlling the RPM of the electric motor (M) in one or more RPM stages (ST1, ST2, to STn) and a thermal link (6) that is optionally connected in series to the series resistor, a reversible switching element (4) for at least one of the RPM stages (ST1, ST2) being integrated into said assembly. The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement (14) comprising a reversible blocking protection and fire protection element for the electric motor (M) and/or the series resistor assembly (1), diverse status signalling lines (24a to 24c) being used to evaluate and control the ventilating fan system. |
| US07705547B2 |
High-side current sense hysteretic LED controller
Systems and methods for hysteretically controlling Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) when the input voltage is greater than or equal to 18 volts. An example system includes one or more LEDs and a circuit electrically coupled to the one or more LEDs. The circuit hysteretically controls an input voltage supplied to the one or more LEDs based on a sensed electric current that passes through the LEDs. The circuit includes a MOSFET switch for switching on and off the input voltage supplied to the one or more LEDs, a current sensing subcircuit including a first integrated circuit (IC) for sensing the current flowing through the one or more LEDs, a hysteretic comparator circuit including a second IC for generating a hysteretic control signal based on the sensed current, and a switch driver including a third IC for controlling operation of the switch based on the generated hysteretic control signal. |
| US07705545B2 |
Backlight unit
Backlight unit comprising a supply source (4), a discharge lamp (2) having a tubular discharge vessel (6) with an ionizable filling, three or more electrodes (8, 10, 12) arranged in a row along and external of the vessel at spaced relation to each other. The supply source comprises lamp drivers (14, 16) and data processing means (18). Each pair of different pairs of electrodes is coupled to a corresponding lamp driver. Each lamp driver is suitable to supply a high frequency supply voltage to the pair of electrodes to which the lamp driver is coupled. The data processing means is suitable to process input display data (D) and to control the lamp drivers such that their supplied supply voltages are dependent on the input display data. |
| US07705543B2 |
Supply device of circuit branches with LED diodes
A device includes at least two circuit branches, each of said at least two circuit branches comprising at least one LED diode. The device comprises a supply circuit that provides an electric supply of said at least two circuit branches and includes a variable resistance. The device comprises a controller coupled to said at least two circuit branches and suitable for varying said resistance in reply to a variation of the current that flows in one of said at least two circuit branches to vary the electric supply of said at least two circuit branches. |
| US07705542B2 |
Flashlight
A flashlight in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an ID module for generating an ID signal indicative of a power mode of the flashlight. In an aspect, the flashlight mates with a removable battery pack that regulates at least one of an output voltage and output current in accordance with the ID signal. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the ID module is mounted. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a soft-start module and a bulb, wherein the soft start module increases power to the bulb at a controlled rate when the flashlight is turned on. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a lamp housing having a lens retained by a bezel. The lens includes an axially extending peripheral edge. In an aspect, the flashlight includes a main housing having a lamp housing. A mounting mechanism and mating features are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the main housing and the lamp housing. In an aspect, a flexible conduit connects the main housing and lamp housing. The flexible conduit can be formed in an arc having an apex that lies directly above a center of gravity of the flashlight when the main housing and the lamp housing are coupled, thereby allowing the flashlight to be balanced when the flexible conduit is used as a carrying handle. |
| US07705538B2 |
High-pressure discharge lamp
A high-pressure discharge lamp includes a quartz glass discharge chamber (1) having at least one end (11) provided with a molybdenum film sealing element (2) and at least one electrode (4) which is connected to the sealing element (2) and is protruded in the lower chamber (10) of the discharge chamber (1), wherein the lamp includes a spiral (5) whose slope is equal to or greater than 600% and which encompasses the part of the electrode (4) in the end (11) area provided with the sealing element (2) of the discharge chamber (1) outside of the sealing element (2). |
| US07705536B2 |
Display device
A display device is provided which is capable of inhibiting a localized elevation in the temperature of a casing thereby uniformalizing the surface temperature distribution over the casing. A display device includes: a display panel having surface arrays of plural pixels for displaying an image by light radiation control on a pixel to pixel basis; an electronic component forming a control circuit configured to perform the light radiation control; a casing housing the display panel and the electronic component therein; and a flat heat-conductive sheet interposed between the display panel and the casing and between the electronic component and the casing. |
| US07705533B2 |
Tapered light emitting structure and light emitting device having a columnar light extraction layer
Provided is a light emitting material in which: a light emitting layer comprising a columnar part of which a cross-sectional shape is column such as cylindrical column, and a light emitting part of which a cross-sectional shape is cone or pyramid; and light generated in the light emitting part is extracted outside through the columnar part. The light emitting material allows light to be efficiently extracted to the outside to improve luminance. |
| US07705532B2 |
Dual plate type organic electroluminescent device and method of fabricating the same
An organic electroluminescent display device includes first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other. A first electrode resides on the first substrate and a separator having dual-layer, reciprocal L-shaped pattern resides on the first electrode. An organic emitting layer having a first thickness resides on the first electrode in a sub-pixel region and a second electrode resides on the organic emitting layer. An array element layer resides on the second substrate, the array element layer including a thin film transistor. A connection pattern electrically connects the second electrode and the thin film transistor. |
| US07705530B2 |
Display device
A display device has an insulating substrate with a first surface and a second surface, a display element having an organic light-emitting layer arranged between two electrodes, a flexible member having a first end connected to the first surface and a second end facing the first end and the first surface, and a first accommodating member having a lower surface substantially parallel with the insulating substrate, a lateral surface extending from the lower surface, and a protruding part extending from the lower surface toward the first end. The first accommodating member includes a through hole, and the flexible member extends through the through hole so the second end is positioned outside the first accommodating member. The insulating substrate is arranged in the first accommodating member, and the protruding part may contact and press against the first end connected to the insulating substrate. |
| US07705528B2 |
Aromatic monomer-and conjugated polymer-metal complexes
A halogenated aromatic monomer-metal complex useful for preparing a polymer for electronic devices such as a light-emitting diode (LED) device is described. The aromatic monomer-metal complex is designed to include a linking group that disrupts conjugation, thereby advantageously reducing or preventing electron delocalization between the aromatic monomer fragment and the metal complex fragment. Disruption of conjugation is often desirable to preserve the phosphorescent emission properties of the metal complex in a polymer formed from the aromatic monomer-metal complex. The resultant conjugated electroluminescent polymer has precisely controlled metal complexation and electronic properties that are substantially or completely independent of those of the polymer backbone. |
| US07705522B2 |
Adjustable sound panel with electroactive actuators
A panel that can change its stiffness and/or surface roughness and thereby its sound quality is provided. The panel includes a layer having an outer surface and an inner surface oppositely disposed from the outer surface. The panel can also include an electroactive actuator that is operable to change its shape when a voltage is applied thereto. The change in shape of the electroactive actuator results in a change in stiffness and/or surface roughness of the panel and therefore a change in the panel's acoustic characteristics. In some instances, the electroactive actuator is at least partially within the panel and upon changing of its shape results in a change in the roughness of a surface that faces a sound source. In other instances, the activation of the electroactive actuator results in an increase in stiffness of the panel. |
| US07705517B1 |
Ultrasound transmitter
A system and method for providing a high voltage ultrasonic drive signal from an ultrasound transmitter are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transmitter includes a first plurality of drive transistors. A bias network is coupled to at least one transistor of the first plurality of drive transistors. A first switch is coupled to the bias network. The first switch selectively connects a first voltage to the bias network. The first switch is closed when generating an ultrasonic drive signal. The first switch is open when the transmitter is not generating an ultrasonic drive signal. |
| US07705514B2 |
Bi-directional actuator utilizing both attractive and repulsive electrostatic forces
An electrostatic actuator comprising: first and second comb arrays of electrodes arranged on a base, the electrodes of the first and second comb arrays being interleaved; a third comb array of electrodes spring mounted over the first and second comb arrays, the electrodes of the third comb array being essentially aligned with the electrodes of the second comb array; means for applying a first voltage to the third comb array and a second voltage to the first and second comb arrays to generate an attractive force acting on the third comb array to move the third comb array toward the second comb array; and, means for applying the first voltage to the second and third comb arrays and the second voltage to the first comb array to generate a repulsive force acting on the third comb array to move the third comb array away from the second comb array. |
| US07705513B1 |
Thermal to electricity conversion using thermal magnetic properties
A system for the generation of Electricity from Thermal Energy using the thermal magnetic properties of a Ferromagnetic, Electrically Conductive Material (FECM) in one or more Magnetic Fields. A FECM is exposed to one or more Magnetic Fields. Thermal Energy is applied to a portion of the FECM heating the FECM above its Curie Point. The FECM, now partially paramagnetic, moves under the force of the one or more Magnetic Fields. The movement of the FECM induces an electrical current through the FECM, generating Electricity. |
| US07705512B2 |
Dynamoelectric machine conductor
A dynamoelectric machine conductor includes a bus including a central portion, a first connectable site of the central portion connectable with a first conductor and a first arm having a second electrically connectable site connectable with a second conductor. A first fused portion of the first arm located between the first connectable site and the second connectable site, the first fused portion being electrically interruptible to open a circuit between the first connectable site and the second connectable site. A second arm having a third connectable site connectable with a third conductor, and a second fused portion of the second arm located between the first connectable site and the third connectable site. The second fused portion being electrically interruptible to open a circuit between the first connectable site and the third connectable site. |
| US07705509B2 |
Dynamoelectric stator core and method for manufacture thereof
A core assembly is manufactured by punching core segments at a predetermined pitch in a short-side direction thereof with long sides aligned in a width direction of a rolled steel plate, the long sides of the core segments having lengths that are half a length of a long side of the core assembly; preparing four (two first and two second) laminated core sections by aligning punching directions of the core segments and laminating the core segments to a thickness that is half a laminated thickness of the core assembly; preparing two core subassemblies by inverting the second laminated core sections and laminating them onto the first laminated core sections such that the punching directions of the core segments are in opposite directions; and preparing the core assembly by arranging the two core subassemblies in a longitudinal direction and integrating them by joining. |
| US07705508B2 |
Cooled conductor coil for an electric machine and method
The invention includes an electric machine having a rotor, a stator and at least one electrical coil disposed in the machine and a source of coolant fluid in communication with the coil. The coil has concentric turns having spaces therebetween adapted to channel coolant flow between the concentric turns. |
| US07705506B2 |
Rotary electric machine and stator coil rotary electric machines
In a rotary electric machine, a first group of first and second sets of three-phase windings of a stator coil is disposed in part of substantially circumferentially spaced slots of a stator core, and a second group of third and fourth sets of three-phase windings of the stator coil is disposed in another part of the slots. The first to fourth sets include first to fourth three-phase windings, respectively. Output ends of the first to fourth three-phase windings and input ends of the second and fourth windings are disposed at one of opposing end surface sides of the stator core. The output ends of the first and second three-phase windings of the first and second sets included in the first group are separated from the output ends of the third and fourth three-phase windings of the third and fourth sets included in the second group. |
| US07705504B2 |
Embedded magnet type motor
A rotor of an embedded magnet type motor has a plurality of magnets forming magnetic poles, the number of which is represented by P. A rotor core includes first accommodation holes, the number of which is represented by P/2, extending in a radial direction, and V-shaped accommodation holes, the number of which is represented by P/2, having a V shape protruding outward in a radial direction. The first accommodation holes and the V-shaped accommodation holes are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction. The V-shaped accommodation holes include a second accommodation hole and a third accommodation hole corresponding to two straight lines forming the V shape. The first accommodation hole is adjacent to the second accommodation hole at one side in the circumferential direction, and is adjacent to the third accommodation hole at the other side. A plurality of magnets include a first magnet arranged in the first accommodation hole, a second magnet arranged in the second accommodation hole, and a third magnet arranged in the third accommodation hole. The first magnet and the second magnet form one magnetic pole. The first magnet and the third magnet form another magnet pole. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a high torque while suppressing an increase of the number of parts of the embedded magnet type motor. |
| US07705503B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
Included are a ring-shaped stator and a ring-shaped rotor arranged inside the stator; the stator includes a stator core with armature windings; the rotor includes a rotor core in which a plurality of permanent magnets are inserted and cooling holes are formed, a coolant flowing in each of the cooling holes; and each of the cooling holes is formed so as to have a sectional view which is a convex toward the outer periphery thereof. |
| US07705502B2 |
Interior magnet machine with non-perpendicular slots
An interior permanent magnet machine having angled slots. |
| US07705501B2 |
Common construction of coaxial I/O dual electro-mechanical units
A common construction is made up of two rotation parts each including a revolving electro-mechanical unit arranged in parallel and an output of both rotation parts being made coaxial by means of a transmission disposed on each side of the common construction, the construction being arranged between two wheels to mitigate the impacts when wheels on either side are subject to force. |
| US07705498B2 |
Electric motor
An electric motor, comprising a shell for a rotor, which is closed by a cover provided with a hole for the passage of a motor shaft; the cover accommodates and supports sliding contact brushes for a commutator for supplying power to the rotor, a sensor for detecting the rotation rate of the rotor, and connections for signal transmission and power supply of the sensor. The sensor and its connections for the transmission of its signals and for supplying it with power are accommodated in a receptacle, which in turn is then inserted in a complementarily shaped seat in the cover. |
| US07705496B2 |
Housing for an electrical machine
The housing of an electrical machine should, despite efficient cooling, be provided with a more compact design. To this end, the invention provides that the cooling ducts (2) of a housing (1), which is preferably provided in the form of an aluminum extruded profile, are left open toward the inside. The inner walls of the cooling ducts (2) are then formed by an inserted stator pack (4). This enables the corner areas of the housing to be kept free for assembly and the reduction of material for manufacturing the housing (1). In addition, due to the open cooling air ducts (2), thin wall thicknesses in the profile and thus small motor dimensions while simultaneously having a large cooling duct cross-section can be realized. |
| US07705493B2 |
Magnetic mirror air bearing for Michelson interferometer with lateral motion
The invention claimed is a novel magnetic mirror air bearing for a Michelson interferometer with lateral motion. A precise kinematic mount is used in combination with magnetic fields wherein current can be applied on a centerline to move a piston and mirror laterally without pitch and yaw so as to effect accurate light beam reflection regardless of distance of lateral movement within a defined space. The assembly is able to operate across extended temperature ranges by utilizing materials which expand and contract at similar rates, and contains a thermalizing cavity which will thermalize the gas to avoid temperature induced artifacts. |
| US07705491B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for automatically displacing a faulty in-use battery in a battery-powered electric equipment
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically displacing a faulty in-use member battery in an electric equipment, such as electric vehicle, powered by an array of member batteries configured to self detect battery fault conditions and output a control signal upon such detection. By use of a charged spare battery and deactivated single pole double throw relay switches with activation means for coupling all batteries, member batteries are normally interconnected in series electrically to provide a predetermined voltage, with the spare battery standing by. While the electric equipment is in operation, as soon as a member battery detects a fault, the corresponding relay switch is activated to cause the faulty member battery to be electrically bypassed by the battery array. Concurrently, the spare relay switch is activated to electrically connect the spare battery to the battery array in series, thereby displacing the faulty in-use member battery. |
| US07705490B2 |
Integral stack columns
Systems and methods for power conversion are illustrated. Power conversion architecture for fuel cell systems in particular are described that use dual bus architectures having stack segment pairs and a center-tapped neutral line, and/or an architecture employing integer multiple of three DC/DC converter branches. |
| US07705489B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power
At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply that includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, and a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation. The power supply also includes a first connection circuit to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and a second connection circuit to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, the second connection circuit being configured to isolate the second voltage source from the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation. |
| US07705484B2 |
Energy management system and method
An energy management system comprises at least one energy consuming device and an energy controller. The energy controller supplies energy to the energy consuming device and transmits an energy curtailment signal in response to an energy over-consumption condition. In one embodiment, the curtailment signal can be directed to a predetermined class of energy consuming device. In another embodiment, the energy consuming device can determine whether to curtail energy consumption in response to the curtailment signal. The energy controller can be in the form of a power strip. |
| US07705483B2 |
DC-DC converter control circuit, DC-DC converter, power supply unit, and DC-DC converter control method
An object of the present invention is to provide a DC-DC converter control circuit capable of maintaining, even when any one of a plural number of DC-DC converters enters the abnormal state due to the occurrence of a failure, a voltage relationship between the output voltage of the faulty DC-DC converter and the output voltage of another DC-DC converter. An error amplifier ERA1G has an inverting input, a first non-inverting input, and a second non-inverting input. A first divided voltage VV1 provided from a first voltage divider circuit VD1 is fed into the inverting input; a reference voltage e1G from ground is fed into the first non-inverting input; and a second divided voltage VV2 provided from a second voltage divider circuit VD2 is fed into the second non-inverting input. The error amplifier ERA1G amplifies the error between the lower of the two voltage inputs fed into the two non-inverting inputs (i.e. the lower of the reference voltage e1G and the second divided voltage VV2), and the first divided voltage VV1 fed into the inverting input. The output terminal of the error amplifier ERA1G is connected to the input terminal of a PWM unit P1G. |
| US07705480B2 |
Fluid power generator
The fluid power generator is provided. The fluid power generator includes: a first member that has multiple coils; a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member and that has multiple permanent magnets; a rotating member that is mechanically linked with either one of the first member and the second member to rotate by fluid force; and a clearance controller that moves at least one of the first member and the second member to thereby change a clearance between the first member and the second member, wherein the clearance controller changes the clearance in such a manner as to make the clearance smaller after a start of rotation of the rotating member than before the start of rotation of the rotating member. |
| US07705479B2 |
Stirling engine instability detection and prevention
A Stirling engine (1) includes a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator to provide an electrical output (7). The current signal (7) is measured by a current monitor (60) and a fast Fourier Transform value is produced. The FFT of the current signal (7) has been found to be directly related to the stability of operation of the Stirling engine. As harmonic peaks in the FFT increase, this indicates that the stroke length of the piston is approaching or exceeding a safe maximum. Correction action, such as a reduction in heat to the Stirling engine, can be taken in consequence. A variety of stroke length detectors (110) are also disclosed, for use in combination with, or separately from, the FFT analysis of the current signal (7). Optical and mechanical switches and analogue sensors are disclosed, along with an accelerometer mounted upon the casing of the Stirling engine. |
| US07705473B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining pad height for a wire-bonding operation in an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit having an integrated circuit die and at least one height-sensing pad disposed on a top surface of the integrated circuit die and electrically isolated from the die circuitry. At least one bond pad is disposed on a top surface of the integrated circuit die and electrically connected to the die circuitry. The at least one bond pad is configured for wire-bonding to a lead of a leadframe utilizing a height coordinate of the at least one height-sensing pad. |
| US07705472B2 |
Semiconductor device with semiconductor device components embedded in a plastic housing composition
A semiconductor device includes semiconductor device components, an adhesion promoter structure and a plastic housing composition. The semiconductor device components are embedded in the plastic housing composition with the adhesion promoter structure being disposed between the device components and the housing composition. The adhesion promoter structure includes first and second adhesion promoter layers. The first layer includes metal oxides. The metal oxides being silicates of a reactive compound composed of oxygen and organometallic molecules. The second layer includes at least one polymer. |
| US07705469B2 |
Lead frame, semiconductor device using same and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which comprises a lead frame including a die pad having one or two or more openings, a substrate mounted over the die pad so as to expose a plurality of semiconductor chip connecting second electrode pads from the openings of the die pad, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted over the die pad and the substrate, bonding wires that connect chip electrode pads of the semiconductor chip and their corresponding semiconductor chip connecting first and second electrode pads of the substrate, and a sealing portion which covers these and is provided so as to expose parts of leads. |
| US07705465B2 |
Surface-mount type optical semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A small and thin surface-mount type optical semiconductor device having high air tightness, which can be manufactured at a reduced cost includes: a base 2 formed of a glass substrate; a recess 5 formed on a first main surface 3 of the base; a through hole 7 extending from a bottom portion 4 of the recess to a second main surface 6 of the base; an inner wall conductive film formed on an inner wall surface of the through hole; a wiring pattern 9 made of a conductive film formed around an opening of the through hole on the bottom portion of the recess so as to be connected electrically to the inner wall conductive film; an optical semiconductor element 8 bonded to the wiring pattern via a conductive bonding material 14; a terminal portion 10 made of a conductive film formed around an opening of the through hole on the second main surface such that it is connected electrically to the inner wall conductive film; and a metal portion 13 bonded to the inner wall conductive film to clog the through hole. |
| US07705463B2 |
Biasing device for low parasitic capacitance in integrated circuit applications
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for reducing a parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes a substrate and a biasing device. The substrate has a circuit disposed thereon, wherein a first capacitance exists between the substrate and an element of the circuit. The biasing device DC biases a first portion of the substrate to a voltage different than a voltage of a second portion of the substrate, thereby inducing a second capacitance between the first portion of the substrate and the second portion of the substrate. The second capacitance is in series with the first capacitance. |
| US07705462B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor IC device which includes a circuit region and a peripheral region on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed over the main surface, external terminals arranged in the peripheral region and formed over the first insulating film, a conductive guard ring formed over the first insulating film and provided around the external terminals, and second insulating films formed in the internal region and the peripheral region, the second insulating film in the peripheral region is formed over the first insulating film and over the guard ring and is contacting the external terminals, the second insulating films of the circuit region and that of the peripheral region are separately formed and are isolated from each other. Separate second insulating film may be formed over the wirings of one or more of existing wiring levels of the semiconductor device. |
| US07705456B2 |
Semiconductor package substrate
A semiconductor package substrate includes a main body with a surface having a first circuit layer thereon and a dielectric layer covering the first circuit layer, with a plurality of vias on a portion of the first circuit layer; a plurality of first conductive vias disposed in the vias; a plurality of first electrically connecting pads on the first conductive vias and completely exposed on the dielectric layer having no extending circuits for a semiconductor chip to be mounted thereon, the first electrically connecting pad being electrically connected to the first circuit layer of the first conductive via; and an insulating protective layer disposed on the main body with an opening for completely exposing the first electrically connecting pads, whereby the circuit layout density is increased without disposing circuits between the electrically connecting pads. |
| US07705453B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate including an electrode; a resin protrusion formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of first portions and a second portion disposed between two of the first portions adjacent to each other; and an interconnect electrically connected to the electrode and extending over one of the first portions of the resin protrusion. A lower portion of a side surface of the second portion includes a portion which extends in a direction intersecting a direction in which the resin protrusion extends. |
| US07705447B2 |
Input/output package architectures, and methods of using same
A high-speed I/O trace is part of an I/O package architecture for an integrated circuit package substrate. The integrated circuit package substrate includes an integrated heat spreader footprint on a die-side and the I/O trace to couple with an IC device to be disposed inside the IHS footprint. The I/O trace includes a pin-out terminal outside the IHS footprint to couple to an IC device to be disposed outside the IHS footprint. The high-speed I/O trace can sustain a data flow rate from a processor in a range from 5 gigabits per second (Gb/s) to 40 Gb/s. |
| US07705446B2 |
Package structure having semiconductor chip embedded therein and method for fabricating the same
A package structure having a semiconductor chip embedded therein and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The package structure comprises: an aluminum oxide composite plate and a semiconductor chip. The aluminum oxide composite plate is formed by a stack consisting of an adhesive layer placed in between two aluminum oxide layers. The semiconductor chip having an active surface a plurality of electrode pads disposed thereon can be embedded and secured in the aluminum oxide composite plate. The present invention also comprises a method of fabricating the above-mentioned package structure. The present invention provides an excellent package structure, which can decrease the thickness of the package structure and make the package structure having characteristics of high rigidity and enduring tenacity at the same time. |
| US07705445B2 |
Semiconductor package with low and high-speed signal paths
The semiconductor package includes two electrical contacts and a semiconductor device coupled to opposing sides of a substrate. The substrate defines at least one via extending at least partially there through. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor low-speed interface electrically coupled to one of the electrical contacts through the via, and a semiconductor high-speed interface electrically coupled to flexible tape. The flexible tape is also electrically coupled to the other one of the electrical contacts. |
| US07705443B2 |
Semiconductor device with lead frame including conductor plates arranged three-dimensionally
An electrical connection inside a semiconductor device is established by lead frames formed of plural conductor plates. The lead frames are disposed three-dimensionally so that the respective weld parts thereof are exposed toward a laser light source used in the laser welding. The laser welding is then performed by irradiating a laser beam. According to the above, welding can be performed readily in a reliable manner. The productivity of the semiconductor device and the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device can be thus enhanced. In addition, because the lead frames have the cooling effect, they have the capability of a heat spreader. It is thus possible to provide a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device with high productivity. |
| US07705441B2 |
Semiconductor module
A semiconductor module is disclosed. One embodiment provides a first semiconductor chip, a second semiconductor chip and a spacer. The first semiconductor chip has a depression at a first main surface. The spacer applied to the first main surface and at least partly fills the depression. The second semiconductor chip is applied to the spacer. |
| US07705436B2 |
Semiconductor device with semiconductor chip and method for producing it
A semiconductor chip has at least one first contact and one second contact on its top side and has connecting elements which are arranged jointly on a structure element and which connect the first contact and the second contact of the top side of the semiconductor chip to the external contacts. |
| US07705430B2 |
Semiconductor wafer and processing method for same
A semiconductor wafer which is generally circular, and which has on its face an annular surplus region present in an outer peripheral edge portion of the face, and a circular device region surrounded by the surplus region, the device region having many semiconductor devices disposed therein. A circular concavity is formed in the back of the semiconductor wafer in correspondence with the device region, and the device region is relatively thin, while the surplus region is relatively thick. |
| US07705428B2 |
Varactor
A varactor on a substrate is provided. The varactor comprises a bottom electrode, an upper electrode, a first dielectric layer and a conductive layer. The bottom electrode has several doped regions arranged in the substrate as an array with several rows and several columns, wherein the doped regions in adjacent columns are arranged alternatively. The upper electrode is located over the substrate and the upper electrode is composed of several electrode locations and has several openings, wherein each opening exposes the corresponding doped region. Furthermore, each electrode location is surrounded by three doped regions. The first dielectric layer is located between the substrate and the upper electrode. The conductive layer is located over the upper electrode, wherein the conductive layer and the upper electrode are isolated from each other and the conductive layer and the doped regions are electrically connected to each other. |
| US07705426B2 |
Integration of a SiGe- or SiGeC-based HBT with a SiGe- or SiGeC-strapped semiconductor device
The present invention provides an integrated semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate, a first device containing a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) located in a first region of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the HBT includes a base region containing a first portion of a SiGe or SiGeC layer, and a second device located in a second region of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second device includes an interconnect containing a second portion of the SiGe or SiGeC layer. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the second device is a memory device including a trench capacitor and a field effect transistor (FET) that are electrically connected together by the second portion of the SiGe or SiGeC layer. Alternatively, the second device is a trench-biased PNPN silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The present invention also provides a novel reversibly programmable device or a novel memory device formed by a novel trench-biased SCR device. |
| US07705424B2 |
Phase change memory
A phase change memory is provided. The method includes forming contact plugs in a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a trench formed therein exposing portions of the contact plugs. A metal layer is formed over surfaces of the trench. One or more heaters are formed from the metal layer such that each heater is formed along one or more sidewalls and a portion of the bottom of the trench, wherein the portion of the heater along the sidewalls does not include a corner region of adjacent sidewalls. The trench is filled with a third dielectric layer, and a fourth dielectric layer is formed over the third dielectric layer. Trenches are formed in the fourth dielectric layer and filled with a phase change material. An electrode is formed over the phase change material. |
| US07705423B2 |
Device having an array of embedded capacitors for power delivery and decoupling of high speed input/output circuitry of an integrated circuit
One embodiment of the present invention provides advice for providing a low noise power supply package to an integrated circuit comprising a semiconductor die, input/output power supply terminals, and an array of embedded ceramic capacitors selected from discrete, planar and combinations thereof wherein said capacitors are placed in the locations selected from within the perimeter of the shadow of the semiconductor die, partially within the perimeter of the shadow of the semiconductor die, near the perimeter of the shadow of the semiconductor die, and combinations thereof. |
| US07705420B2 |
Method for producing a conductor path on a substrate, and a component having a conductor path fabricated in accordance with such a method
A component having at least one conductor path on a substrate, and a production method for fabricating such a component is provided. The component is made by providing at least one conductor path on a predefined area of the substrate. Then a dielectric insulating layer is formed over the at least one conductor path, and a an area of the substrate is completely back etched below the at least one conductor path beginning on the bottom side of the substrate in such a way that the at least one conductor path is supported across the completely back-etched area of the substrate by adhesion to the second insulating layer. |
| US07705419B2 |
Fuse box of semiconductor device formed using conductive oxide layer and method for forming the same
A fuse box of a semiconductor device includes a plurality of metal fuses formed on a first interlayer dielectric of a semiconductor substrate and previously removed in blowing regions thereof; a conductive oxidation layer formed to cover removed blowing regions of the metal fuses; a second interlayer dielectric formed on the first interlayer dielectric including the conductive oxide layer; and a plurality of plugs formed in the second interlayer dielectric to be brought into contact with the metal fuses which are removed in the blowing regions thereof. |
| US07705418B2 |
Semiconductor device and fuse blowout method
A fuse includes a fuse portion laid in such a manner that the direction of each turn of the fuse portion is parallel to the direction in which pads are arranged. The distance between the pads and the fuse portion is defined as the distance between the side of a pad facing the fuse portion and the pad nearest to the turn facing the particular side. The distance between the turn of the fuse portion and the nearest pad is the distance between the pads and the fuse portion. The pads and the fuse portion are distant from each other by a length at least ten times the width of the fuse. |
| US07705414B2 |
Photoelectric conversion device and image sensor
A photoelectric conversion device (10) includes a first conductivity type first semiconductor region (10a) located in a pixel region (11), a second conductivity type second semiconductor region (12) provided in the first semiconductor region (10a), for storing a signal charge, interconnecting portions (13 and 14) for connecting the second semiconductor region (12) with a circuit element provided outside the pixel region (11), and an organic film (16) which is provided above a portion located in the pixel region (11) in the interconnecting portions (13 and 14) through an insulating protective film (15) and held at a predetermined potential. The organic film (16) is made of a thermoplastic polyimide resin containing one of a conductive particle and a conductive fiber. |
| US07705413B2 |
Micromechanical component and method for producing a micromechanical component
A micromechanical component, in particular a micromechanical sensor, having a first wafer and a second wafer is provided, the first wafer having at least one structural element, and the second wafer having at least one mating structural element, and, in addition, the structural element and the mating structural element are designed in such a way that a relative displacement of the first wafer relative to the second wafer parallel to a main extension plane of the first wafer essentially leads to compressive loading or tensile loading between the structural element and the mating structural element. |
| US07705410B2 |
Circuitry and method
A circuitry for differential amplifying, logical inversion, NAND and/or NOR operations is provided, which includes at least one depletion mode transistor having JFET characteristics. A method for determining the properties of an electrochemical circuitry is provided, including at least one semi-finished transistor, by applying a solidified electrolyte to selected sets of electrochemically active transistor elements is also provided. |
| US07705404B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection device and layout thereof
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device and a layout thereof are provided. A bias conducting wire is mainly used to couple each base of a plurality of parasitic transistors inside ESD elements together, in order to simultaneously trigger all the parasitic transistors to bypass the ESD current, avoid the elements of a core circuit being damaged, and solve the non-uniform problem of bypassing the ESD current when ESD occurs. Furthermore, in the ESD protection layout, it only needs to add another doped region on a substrate neighboring to, but not contacting, doped regions of the ESD protection elements and use contacts to connect the added doped region, so as to couple each base of the parasitic transistors together without requiring for additional layout area. |
| US07705402B2 |
Semiconductor device including a nitride containing film to generate stress for improving current driving capacity of a field effect transistor
A semiconductor device includes an n channel conductivity type FET having a channel formation region formed in a first region on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate and a p channel conductivity type FET having a channel formation region formed in a second region of the main surface, which second region is different from the first region. An impurity concentration of a gate electrode of the n channel FET has an impurity concentration greater than an impurity concentration of the gate electrode of the p channel FET to thereby create a tensile stress in the direction of flow of a drain current in the channel forming region of the n channel FET. The tensile stress in the flow direction of the drain current in the channel forming region of the n channel FET is greater than a tensile stress in the direction of flow of a drain current in the channel forming region of the p channel FET. |
| US07705399B2 |
Semiconductor device with field insulation film formed therein
The invention provides a high voltage MOS transistor having a high gate breakdown voltage and a high source/drain breakdown voltage and having a low on-resistance. A gate electrode is formed on an epitaxial silicon layer with a LOCOS film being interposed therebetween. A P-type first drift layer is formed on the left side of the LOCOS film, and a P+-type source layer is disposed on the surface of the epitaxial silicon layer on the right side of the LOCOS film, being opposed to the first drift layer over the gate electrode. A P-type second drift layer is formed by being diffused in the epitaxial silicon layer deeper than the first drift layer, extending from under the first drift layer to under the left side of the LOCOS film. A recess is formed in a bottom portion of the second drift layer under the left end of the LOCOS film. |
| US07705392B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor device and method of manufacturing nonvolatile semiconductor device
A semiconductor substrate having a main surface, first and second floating gates formed spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, first and second control gates respectively located on the first and second floating gates, a first insulation film formed on the first control gate, a second insulation film formed on the second control gate to contact the first insulation film, and a gap portion formed at least between the first floating gate and the second floating gate by achieving contact between the first insulation film and the second insulation film are included. With this, a function of a nonvolatile semiconductor device can be ensured and a variation in a threshold voltage of a floating gate can be suppressed. |
| US07705390B2 |
Dual bit flash memory devices and methods for fabricating the same
Methods for fabricating dual bit flash memory devices are provided. Method steps include forming a charge trapping layer overlying a substrate and fabricating two insulating members overlying the charge trapping layer. A polycrystalline silicon layer is provided overlying the charge trapping layer and about sidewalls of the insulating members. Sidewall spacers are formed overlying the polycrystalline silicon layer and about the sidewalls of the insulating members. A portion of the first polycrystalline silicon layer and a first portion of the charge trapping layer are removed. A first insulating layer is conformally deposited overlying the insulating members and the substrate. A gate spacer is formed between the two insulating members and overlying the first insulating layer. The two insulating members are removed and the charge trapping layer is etched to form charge storage nodes. Impurity dopants are implanted into the substrate to form impurity-doped bitline regions within the substrate. |
| US07705384B2 |
Non-volatile storage element and manufacturing method thereof
A non-volatile storage element 100 has a silicon substrate 102, a first memory region 106a composed of a first lower silicon oxide film 108a, a first silicon nitride film 110a, and a first upper layer silicon oxide film 112a provided in this order, a second memory region 106b composed of a second lower layer silicon oxide film 108b, a second silicon nitride film 110b, and a second upper layer silicon oxide film 112b provided in this order, and a first control gate 114 and a second control gate 116 arranged on the first memory region 106a and the second control gate 116, respectively, on the silicon substrate 102. The silicon nitride film 110 is provided so as to be horizontal in a direction within a substrate plane. |
| US07705382B2 |
Scalable lead zirconium titanate (PZT) thin film material and deposition method, and ferroelectric memory device structures comprising such thin film material
A novel lead zirconium titanate (PZT) material having unique properties and application for PZT thin film capacitors and ferroelectric capacitor structures, e.g., FeRAMs, employing such thin film material. The PZT material is scalable, being dimensionally scalable, pulse length scalable and/or E-field scalable in character, and is useful for ferroelectric capacitors over a wide range of thicknesses, e.g., from about 20 nanometers to about 150 nanometers, and a range of lateral dimensions extending to as low as 0.15 μm. Corresponding capacitor areas (i.e., lateral scaling) in a preferred embodiment are in the range of from about 104 to about 10−2 μm2. The scalable PZT material of the invention may be formed by liquid delivery MOCVD, without PZT film modification techniques such as acceptor doping or use of film modifiers (e.g., Nb, Ta, La, Sr, Ca and the like). |
| US07705380B2 |
Amplification-type solid-state image sensing device
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an amplification-type solid-state image sensing device which uses a semiconductor substrate formed by epitaxially depositing an n-type semiconductor layer on a p-type semiconductor substrate and has a photoelectric conversion unit formed in the n-type semiconductor layer including a first p-type semiconductor layer which is formed under the photoelectric conversion unit of at least one of a G pixel portion and a B pixel portion a second p-type semiconductor layer which is formed to surround the photoelectric conversion unit together with the first p-type semiconductor layer and has a depth up to the first p-type semiconductor layer and a third p-type semiconductor layer which is formed to surround an R pixel portion and has a depth up to the p-type semiconductor substrate. |
| US07705379B2 |
Field effect transistor and solid state image pickup device
A solid-state image pickup device improves the linearity of signal S1 and increases the saturation level in a solid-state image pickup device with an expanded dynamic range, and a field effect transistor used in the solid-state image pickup device. For the field effect transistor, gate electrode 60 is formed via gate insulating film 50 in a channel forming region of a first semiconductor layer 11 of a first electroconductivity type. A pair of second semiconductor layers (40, 41) of a second electroconductivity type are formed on the surface layer of the first semiconductor layer 11 on both sides of gate electrode 60. A third semiconductor layer 43 of the second electroconductivity type is formed in the first semiconductor layer 11 at a prescribed depth below the channel forming region and is connected to the second semiconductor layer 40. A solid-state image pickup device in which the field effect transistor is used as an amplification transistor is also disclosed. |
| US07705371B2 |
Field effect transistor having reduced contact resistance and method for fabricating the same
A field effect transistor includes a nitride semiconductor layered structure that is formed on a substrate and includes a capping layer made of a compound represented by a general formula of InxAlyGa1-yN (wherein 0 |
| US07705368B2 |
Insulated gate type thyristor
An insulated gate type thyristor includes: a first current terminal semiconductor region of a first conductivity type having a high impurity concentration; a first base semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type having a low impurity concentration and formed on the first current terminal semiconductor region; a second base semiconductor region of the first conductivity type having a low impurity concentration and formed on the first base semiconductor region; a second current terminal semiconductor region of the second conductivity type having a high impurity concentration and formed on the second base semiconductor region; a trench passing through the second current terminal semiconductor region and entering the second base semiconductor region leaving some depth thereof, along a direction from a surface of the second current terminal semiconductor region toward the first base semiconductor region; and an insulated gate electrode structure formed in the trench. |
| US07705365B2 |
Lighting device and light emitting module for the same
A light emitting module of a lighting device has a casing, a heat radiating member and terminals. The terminals extend from the casing and connects to a circuit board disposed along a light diffusing member. The heat radiating member extends in a direction perpendicular to the terminals. Alternatively, the terminals are connected to heat radiating lands formed on a second circuit board that is provided separately from a first circuit board and the heat radiating member is connected to a heat radiating land formed on the second circuit board. Further, the heat radiating member can be connected to a heat radiating plate overlapping with the second circuit board, in place of the heat radiating land. |
| US07705363B2 |
Light emitting device having a light extraction structure
A light emitting device having a vertical topology, which is capable of achieving an enhancement in light emission efficiency and reliability, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The light emitting device includes a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer arranged over the first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and a second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer arranged on the light emitting layer. The second-conductivity-type semiconductor layer includes an etch barrier layer. |
| US07705357B2 |
Thin film transistor with channel region in recess
A semiconductor element with high current drive capability, capable of high-speed operation, and having little variation in pluralities of semiconductor elements is provided. It is characterized by the fact that semiconductor elements have a first crystalline semiconductor region including pluralities of crystal orientations, and the first crystalline semiconductor region being connected to a second crystalline semiconductor region which is conductive, wherein the first crystalline semiconductor region is extended in the direction parallel to the insulating film which extends in linear-shaped stripe pattern on the insulating surface, and the second crystalline semiconductor region is provided ranging over the insulating film which extends in linear-shaped stripe pattern. |
| US07705355B2 |
Thin-film transistor display devices having composite electrodes
Methods of forming thin-film transistor display devices including forming a gate line and a gate electrode on a face of a substrate and forming a semiconductor layer that is insulated from the gate line. A data line and a source/drain electrode are formed on the semiconductor layer. The data line and the source/drain electrode are formed as composites of at least two different metal conductive layers. A transparent pixel electrode is formed that is electrically coupled to the drain electrode. |
| US07705349B2 |
Test inserts and interconnects with electrostatic discharge structures
An apparatus and method for providing external electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to a semiconductor device, which may or may not include its own ESD protection, are provided. An ESD structure may be associated with each interconnect, either individually or shared between two or more interconnects. Each interconnect includes a contact tip for establishing a temporary electrical connection with a bond pad of the semiconductor device and a contact pad for electrically interfacing the bond pad with external burn-in and/or test equipment. The ESD structure may be implemented, for example, as a fusible element or a shunting element, such as a pair of diodes, a diode-resistor network, or a pair of transistors. The interconnect may be employed as part of an insert including a plurality of interconnects that provides ESD protection to a plurality of integrated circuits of at least one semiconductor device. |
| US07705347B2 |
N-type carbon nanotube field effect transistor and method of fabricating the same
Provided are an n-type carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) and a method of fabricating the n-type CNT FET. The n-type CNT FET may include a substrate; electrodes formed on the substrate and separated from each other; a CNT formed on the substrate and electrically connected to the electrodes; a gate oxide layer formed on the CNT; and a gate electrode formed on the gate oxide layer, wherein the gate oxide layer contains electron donor atoms which donate electrons to the CNT such that the CNT may be n-doped by the electron donor atoms. |
| US07705346B2 |
Barrier layer for an organic electronic device
A novel barrier layer which protects electronic devices from adverse environmental effects such as exposure to light, oxygen and/or moisture is described. The barrier layer comprises a polymer, an antioxidant, and an inorganic particulate material. |
| US07705335B2 |
Security protection device and method
A method, device and retrofitting kit is disclosed that will protect materials that are housed within a storage device from one or more forms of radiographic imaging. A target subject is at least partially covered with a first and second layer of radiographic cloaking material. The first layer of radiographic cloaking material is configured to defeat a first type of radiographic beam, such as a photon beam. The second layer of radiographic cloaking material is configured to defeat a second type of radiographic beam, such as a particle beam. |
| US07705326B2 |
Apparatus for fluorescence observation
An apparatus for fluorescence observation includes an excitation filter which transmits only exciting light of an specific wavelength among illumination light, and an absorption filter which blocks the exciting light and transmits only fluorescence generated from a specimen when the exciting light is irradiated to the specimen. Here, an interval of a half-value wavelength at a long-wavelength side of the excitation filter and a half-value wavelength at a short-wavelength side of the absorption filter is in a width between 1 nm to 6 nm, and change of the half-value wavelength of the excitation filter and the absorption filter when humidity changes from 10% to 95%, is 0.5 nm or less. |
| US07705324B2 |
Sample holder
A sample holder according to the present invention is characterized in that the sample holder comprise a holder body, a sample retaining stage, a means capable for tilting the sample around an axis which is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a long side of the holder body, wherein the means has a mechanism capable for tilting the sample around the axis with no relation to the existence of a fulcrum retaining member at the said axis. |
| US07705322B2 |
Charged-particle beam writing method
The present invention provides an electron beam writing method capable of suppressing a variation in position to be irradiated with an electron beam due to its drift and writing a predetermined pattern.A positional displacement amount near the center of each main deflection area of the charged-particle beam is determined. Correction values are determined from a plurality of the positional displacement amounts. A position irradiated with the charged-particle beam is corrected from the correction values. The neighborhood of the center of the main deflection area can be a sub deflection area including the center of the main deflection area. In this case, the positional displacement amount can be one for one arbitrary point in the sub deflection area. Alternatively, the positional displacement amount can also be the average of positional displacement amounts at a plurality of arbitrary points in the sub deflection area. |
| US07705321B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method
A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a stage on which a target object is placed and which moves in a predetermined direction, a first column configured to irradiate a first charged particle beam on a writing region of the target object, a second column which is located at the back of the first column in the predetermined direction and configured to irradiate a second charged particle beam on the writing region of the target object, and a sensor configured to measure a height level of the target object at any one of a position in front of a position where the first column irradiates the first charged particle beam in the predetermined direction and a position almost immediately under the position where the first charged particle beam is irradiated. |
| US07705317B2 |
Radiation imaging device and radiation imaging method
A radiation imaging device which, as a whole, can be further reduced in size and thickness with the area of an imaging area sufficiently achieved. A scintillator film 2 emitting light with a predetermined wavelength in response to an incident of radiation is accommodated in a case 5 while being sandwiched between an image sensor 1 and a circuit board 3. The image sensor 1 is provided such that its photodetecting section 11 is in contact with the scintillator film 2 and its electrode section 12 is projected and exposed to the outside from the scintillator film 2. The electrode section 12 is electrically connected by a wire 6 to an electrode section 32 of the circuit board 3. |
| US07705315B2 |
Scintillator panel and radiation image sensor
An Ag film as a light-reflecting film is formed on one surface of an a-C substrate of a scintillator panel. The entire surface of the Ag film is covered with an SiN film for protecting the Ag film. A scintillator having a columnar structure, which converts an incident radiation into visible light, is formed on the surface of the SiN film. The scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film together with the substrate. |
| US07705312B2 |
Multi-gas sensor
Energy beams with different wavelengths or wavelength ranges may be passed through a gas sample in a test chamber. Ones of the energy beams may have wavelengths or wavelength ranges that are absorbed by particular gases. To determine whether any of those particular gases are in the gas sample, the loss of energy, if any, as the beams pass through the gas ample may be determined. The presence of one or more gases that do not absorb the energy beams may be determined by placing a chemical reactant that reacts with those one or more gases and then detecting a chemical reaction between the chemical reactant and the gas sample. |
| US07705305B2 |
Sample observation method and transmission electron microscope
There is provided a transmission electron microscope capable of a capturing continuous field-of-view image without having an influence of aberration. In order to obtain an electron beam image of the whole of a predetermined range of a sample, the transmission electron microscope specifies a region with little aberration in a field of view of an image pickup device, moves a sample stage in units of the specified regions, captures the whole of the predetermined range as a plurality of continuous field-of-view images. |
| US07705303B2 |
Defect inspection and charged particle beam apparatus
In a defect inspection apparatus which combines a plurality of probes for measuring electric properties of a specimen including a fine circuit line pattern with a charged particle beam apparatus, the charged particle beam apparatus reduces a degradation in resolution even with an image-shift of ±75 μm or more. The defect inspection apparatus has a CAD navigation function associated with an image-shift function. The CAD navigation function uses coordinates for converting an image-shift moving amount to a DUT stage moving amount in communications between an image processing unit for processing charged particle beam images and a memory for storing information on circuit line patterns. The defect inspection provides the user with significantly improved usability. |
| US07705302B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning electron microscope including decelerating-electric-field forming means for decreasing the energy of a beam of electrons reaching a sample, and being capable of selectively detecting BSEs with high efficiency. To this end, the scanning electron microscope including the decelerating-electric-field forming means has a detector for detecting electrons. The detector includes a part for receiving the electrons at a position which is positioned outside trajectories of SEs accelerated by the decelerating-electric-field forming means, and which is further away from the optical axis of the beam of electrons than the trajectories of the SEs. |
| US07705301B2 |
Electron beam apparatus to collect side-view and/or plane-view image with in-lens sectional detector
An electron beam apparatus and method are presented for collecting side-view and plane-view SEM imagery. The electron beam apparatus includes an electron source, some intermediate lenses if needed, an objective lens and an in-lens sectional detector. The electron source will provide an electron beam. The intermediate lenses focus the electron beam further. The objective lens is a combination of an immersion magnetic lens and a retarding electrostatic lens focuses the electron beam onto the specimen surface. The in-lens detector will be divided into two or more sections to collect secondary electrons emanating from the specimen with different azimuth and polar angle so that side-view SEM imagery can be obtained. |
| US07705296B2 |
Ion mobility spectrometer apparatus and methods
An ion mobility spectrometer includes a protective housing. A drift tube having at least one inlet and at least one outlet confines a drift gas. An ion gate is positioned in the drift tube. The ion gate defines a reaction region and a drift region in the drift tube. An ion detector is positioned in the drift tube downstream of the ion gate at an end of the drift region. A helical resistive wire coil is positioned around the drift tube. A power supply generates an electric field in the helical resistive wire coil that rapidly controls the temperature of the drift gas. |
| US07705293B2 |
Sensor and recording apparatus using the same
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a sensor for measuring the distance between the sensor and a measuring surface, which includes a light-emitting element and a plurality of light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements are arranged so that the light axes thereof do not cross one another. |
| US07705292B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a condition of an optical element
A condition or detecting a change in the condition of an optical element of a laser arrangement is detected. An ultrasonic signal is coupled into an optical element such that the ultrasonic signal travels along a path within the optical element, and a transit time or a change in transit time for the ultrasonic signal to travel along the path within the optical element is detected. |
| US07705291B2 |
Apparatus and method for wound diagnosis
A configurable scanner (1), adapted for contactless measurement of the depth and perimeter of a wound on a target body part (9), has a scan head (4), and a processor (3) for controlling a scanning procedure and analyzing the results. The scan head is translated along a substantially semicircular path (7) having a configurable radial distance from an imaginary axis, such that the imaginary axis is approximately coincident with an axis of the target (9). The scan head (4) projects a contour line having a calibrated length onto the target surface, and the processor (3) stores an image of the projected contour line captured by an image capturing device (11). The processor (3) analyzes a series of captured images to determine the coordinates in three axes of the projected contour line, creates therefrom a 3D model of the region of interest, and determines a depth and perimeter of the wound from the 3D model. |
| US07705290B2 |
Multi-channel fiber relays for high energy laser delivery to multi-beam optical sensors
A multi-beam LADAR apparatus and a method for use in a multi-beam LADAR system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of mission specific optics; a gimbal in which the mission specific optics are mounted; an off-gimbal laser; and a multi-fiber relay optically linking the laser output to the mission specific optics. The method includes gimbaling a plurality of mission specific optics; generating a laser signal off the gimbal; and optically relaying the laser signal to the mission specific optics through a plurality of discreet channels. |
| US07705284B2 |
High-speed single-photon detector in telecommunication wavelength band
In order to operate a single photon detector in communication wavelength band at a high speed, a DC bias voltage 2 lower than the breakdown voltage is applied to an InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode (APD) 1. A 500 MHz sine wave gating signal 3 is superimposed with the DC bias voltage 2 and applied to the APD 1 so as to exceed the breakdown voltage by about 4V in a fractional time of each period. The sine wave gating signal 3 passed through the APD 1 is substantially completely removed by a filter 4, thereby improving S/N and enabling to detect a single photon even if the avalanche multiplication time is shortened to reduce the after pulse and the detection period. As a result, it achieves to detect a single photon in the 1550 nm communication band at a high speed. |
| US07705279B2 |
Image display apparatus and image pickup apparatus using the same
Provided is an image display apparatus, including: a light source for emitting a modulated light beam based on image information; a conversion optical system for converting the light beam from the light source into a convergent light beam; a scanning member for two-dimensionally scanning the light beam from the conversion optical system; a scanning optical system for imaging the light beam scanned by the scanning member onto a surface to be scanned; and an ocular optical system for observing a two-dimensional image formed on the surface to be scanned, in which the scanning optical system includes a reflective surface which is rotationally asymmetric, and the reflective surface of the scanning optical system has a positive power in a position in which a center light beam is incident on the reflective surface. |
| US07705277B2 |
Sun tracking solar panels
A system is provided for maximizing solar energy utilization by moving a solar panel to track movement of the sun from sunrise to sunset. Preferably, the solar panel is inclined from the horizontal plane by a fixed angle of about ten degrees. And, movements of the solar panel are accomplished, daily, in accordance with a programmed schedule of consecutive cycles. In this schedule, each cycle has a start time (i.e. sunrise) and a start point that is determined by the sun's direction from the solar panel. |
| US07705272B2 |
Bolt heater assembly unit having junction housing configuration
A bolt heater including a junction housing, a handle attached and secured to a wall of the housing solely from an exterior of the housing, such as by a threaded connection, a power cable including a fitting attached directly to the wall of the housing, and an electrical resistance heater rod attached to the wall of the housing. The wall may have a boss with a recess therein for receiving a portion of the handle. The housing may be a hollow cylinder with a circular top wall, a circular bottom wall, and a cylindrical side wall. The heater rod may be attached to the housing via a threaded connection and the housing may have a non-circular portion near the threaded connection point, the non-circular portion being engageable by a tool to assist in the threading attachment of the heater rod to the housing. |
| US07705271B2 |
Flexible surface heating element, particularly for seat heaters, and method for producing a flexible heating element
A flexible surface heating element, particularly for seat heaters, having a heating field of conductive fibers electrically connected to at least one contact strip. The contact strip contains a portion of conductors in the form of steel filaments and a portion of conductors in the form of filaments of a higher conductivity than that of the steel filaments. The two types of conductors are electrically interconnected and affixed by means of a yarn on a textile band, the conductors of higher conductivity extending above and/or under the steel filament conductors and being electrically connected to the steel filament conductors. A method for producing the flexible heating element is also provided. |
| US07705265B2 |
Method of connecting and structure of connecting electric wire and connection terminal
After bringing a conductor of an electric wire into press contact to connect with a wire caulking portion of a connection terminal, the conductor and the wire caulking portion are welded to connect by irradiating laser beam to a bottom wall of the wire caulking portion. Laser irradiation is carried out intermittently by three times and the laser irradiation at the second time and thereafter which is carried out later is carried out such that during a time period in which a laser welded portion immediately previously is brought into a predetermined state of elevating temperature, portions or welded regions overlap welded regions in laser irradiation irradiated previously. |
| US07705264B2 |
Method for controlling the microstructure of a laser metal formed hard layer
It is disclosed a method of applying a coating (12) with a controlled laser metal forming process. A light source with a specific power and a signal capturing apparatus is moved over an article (1) to form locally a melt pool (7) on the surface (5) of the article (1) to which a coating powder (8) is injected. An optical signal (13) is captured from the melt pool (7), and the monitored optical signal (13) is used for the determination of the temperature and temperature fluctuations of the melt pool (7). Furthermore, a control system (16) is used to adjust at least one process parameter such as the power of the light source to obtain desired melt pool properties. Subsequently the melt pool (7) solidifies. The high degree of control over the microstructure provides an efficient tool for generating laser metal formed hard coatings (12) with optimised wear properties. |
| US07705261B1 |
Pull-rotary filter switch
A pull-rotary filter switch with a fool-proof effect to avoid accidentally cut off power supply includes a rotary switch device, a transmission line and a filter. The rotary switch device has a casing, a fixing seat, a substrate, a pull-rotary button and a contact terminal. The casing has an opening and a through hole. The fixing seat has a penetrating hole, a first eccentric hole and a second eccentric hole. The substrate has a conductive point and a board hole. The contact terminal is disposed on one end of the eccentric rod and contacted to the conductive point. The transmission line is electrically connected to the transmission line, which passes through the shaft hole, the penetrating hole, the board hole, and the through hole to electrically connect to the conductive point. |
| US07705258B2 |
Electronic key
The aim of the invention is to provide a simple and economical embodiment of an electronic key comprising dimensionally stable push buttons (31). To this end, a membrane (21) and a frame (22) are used is a 2K element (20) of a dual-component technology. The soft component of the 2K element (20) consists of a membrane (21), while the hard component is a frame (22) containing a free membrane field between the frame sections thereof. The housing (11) of the key has an opening (13) which is large enough to fit the entire push button actuation surface (34). The push buttons (31) are freely inserted from the inner side (16) of the housing (11) into the housing opening (13). The 2K element (20) thus secures the push button position in the housing (11). The push buttons (31) are limited at the top and at the bottom. The frame of the 2K element (20) provides the inner abutment (28) for the push buttons (31). The inner surface of each edge region (17) of the housing (11), closing the housing opening (13), functions as an outer abutment (18) for the push button (31). |
| US07705256B2 |
Thin key sheet
Mobile phones are in a trend of having thinner configuration due to emphasis on the design. Thus, in order to meet this demand, the present invention aims to thin the key sheet portion as much as possible. The present invention provides a thin key sheet 1 comprising a key top 2 made of a metal or a resin having on the front surface or the back surface indications such as letters, symbols, graphics or the like indicating the functions of keys, a key pad 3 made of a material having rubber elasticity such as a silicone rubber or various elastomers for supporting/fixing the key top, an EL element 8 formed on the back surface of the key top by means of printing, and a printed circuit board 5 on which a switch element is provided at its surface for turning ON/OFF of an electric circuit by the pressing of the key top 2 and on which a circuit pattern involved therewith is formed. |
| US07705253B2 |
Appliance lock using a motor driven linear actuator with helical spring drive
An electrical linear actuator employs a reversible motor driving a helical wire spring. The coils of the spring engage a follower that moves along the axis of the spring with rotation of the motor to provide linear motion. This actuator may be used as a linear drive in an appliance lock. |
| US07705243B2 |
Electrical-discharge-inhibiting conformable layer for use in inner-cooled coils
A conformable layer (14) for inhibiting electrical discharge between vent tubes (16) and strands (12) in an inner-cooled coil (5). The conformable layer comprises a resistive inner core (24) and a conductive strip (20) wrapped in a conductive outer wrap (26). The conductive strip (20) is electrically connected to the strands (12) at one end of the coil (5) and left to electrically float at the other end. In this configuration, the conformable layer (14) reduces voltage buildup between the vent tubes (16) and the strands (12) to help prevent electrical damage to the coil (5). |
| US07705239B2 |
Junction device for electrical enclosure
A junction device includes a junction device main portion configured for attachment to an electrical enclosure and a modular device portion electrically coupled to the junction device main portion and configured for electrical coupling to an inner junction of the electrical enclosure. At least one conductive pass-through electrically couples the inner junction of the electrical enclosure to an outer junction of the electrical enclosure. The outer junction is enclosed by an outer enclosure that is configured to engage the electrical enclosure thereby surrounding the outer junction to prevent degradation of a coupled external high-voltage conductor and to provide fire protection. |
| US07705238B2 |
Coaxial RF device thermally conductive polymer insulator and method of manufacture
An insulator supporting an inner conductor within the outer conductor of a coaxial device formed from a portion of thermally conductive polymer composition with a thermal conductivity of at least 4 W/m-K. The portion is dimensioned with an outer diameter in contact with the outer conductor and a coaxial central bore supporting there through the inner conductor. Cavities may be formed in the portion for dielectric matching and or material conservation purposes. The insulator may be cost effectively fabricated via injection molding. |
| US07705235B2 |
Photovoltaic device
The present invention is related to a photovoltaic device, the device comprising a first layer of a first semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, a second layer of a second semiconductor material of the opposite conductivity type of the first layer, and a third layer of a third porous semiconductor material situated between the first layer and the second layer. The present invention also provides a method for producing the photovoltaic device. |
| US07705230B2 |
Music synchronization arrangement
The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to both selecting music based on tempo and adjusting the tempo of the music. |
| US07705228B2 |
Shoulder marching tuba
A shoulder marching tuba having a compact slide arrangement for instrument spot tuning. The shoulder marching tuba includes an air inlet mouthpiece, an air outlet bell, and a series of airflow tubing and valves in fluid communication therebetween. The series of airflow tubing and valves include at least four pairs of tubes in sliding, telescoping engagement, wherein the four pairs of tubes are mounted in parallel arrangement and in sequential fluid communication. The first tubes of each of the four pairs of tubes are secured in a first bundle the second tubes of each of the four pairs of tubes are secured in a second bundle. One of the first bundle and the second bundle is mounted for sliding movement relative to the other of the first bundle and the second bundle for adjustment of musical pitch of sound issued from the shoulder marching tuba. |
| US07705223B2 |
Ergonomic guitar
An ergonomic guitar including a contoured guitar body, a neck attached to the body, and a headstock on the distal end of the neck. A plurality of strings extending from the headstock to the body, a portion of the strings lying on a playing plane over the body. The contoured guitar body includes a front face located on a front or playing side of the body with a front edge extending around the periphery of the front face, and a rear face located on the back of the body and having a rear edge extending around the periphery of the rear face. At least a portion of the rear edge having a concave curvature relative to the playing plane such that the curved portion of the rear edge curves away from the playing plane. |
| US07705222B2 |
Controlled alignment of nano-barcodes encoding specific information for scanning probe microscopy (SPM)
The methods, apparatus and compositions disclosed herein concern the detection, identification and/or sequencing of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins. In certain embodiments of the invention, coded probes comprising a probe molecule attached to one or more nano-barcodes may be allowed to bind to one or more target molecules. After binding and separation from unbound coded probes, the bound coded probes may be aligned on a surface and analyzed by scanning probe microscopy. Where the probes are oligonucleotides, adjacent coded probes hybridized to a target nucleic acid may be ligated together before alignment and SPM analysis. Compositions comprising coded probes are also disclosed herein. Systems for biomolecule analysis may comprise an SPM instrument and at least one coded probe attached to a surface. |
| US07705218B1 |
Inbred maize line PHB4D
A novel inbred maize variety designated PHB4D and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PHB4D with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHB4D through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred variety PHB4D or a trait conversion of PHB4D with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHB4D, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PHB4D and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods. |
| US07705216B2 |
Corn event PV-ZMIR13 (MON863) plants and compositions and methods for detection thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of the corn event MON863 DNA inserted into the corn genome from the transformation of the recombinant construct containing a Cry3Bb gene and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site. The present invention also provides the corn event MON863 plants, progeny and seeds thereof that contain the corn event MON863 DNA. |
| US07705208B2 |
Soybean cultivar 7143182
A soybean cultivar designated 7143182 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7143182, to the plants of soybean 7143182, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7143182 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7143182 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7143182, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7143182 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7143182 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US07705200B2 |
Polynucleotide encoding a maize herbicide resistance gene and methods for use
This invention relates to polynucleotide sequences encoding a gene that can confer resistance to at least one herbicide. It further relates to plants and seeds of plants carrying chimeric genes comprising said polynucleotide sequences, which enhance or confer resistance to at least one herbicide, and methods of making said plants and seeds. The invention further presents sequences that can be used as molecular markers that in turn can be used to identify the region of interest in corn lines resulting from new crosses and to quickly and efficiently select the best lines for breeding strategies by avoiding sensitive lines. |
| US07705197B2 |
Embryo development and survival
An embryo that is transferred into the uterus of a recipient female is protected from embryotoxic effects of prostaglandin F2α by exposing the embryo to a prostaglandin antagonist. |
| US07705190B2 |
Method of making an aromatic polyether composition using phosphazenium salt phase transfer catalysts
A method for carrying out a chemical reaction between at least two reactants occupying separate phases within a multiphase reaction mixture has been discovered in which at least one phosphazenium salt is employed as a phase transfer catalyst. The remarkable utility of phosphazenium salts as phase transfer catalysts is illustrated by the preparation of aromatic ethers. The phosphazenium salt phase transfer catalysts are shown to be especially useful in the preparation of aromatic polyethers such as polyether sulfones. |
| US07705174B2 |
Condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic material, intermediate product therefor, and method of manufacturing condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic material
The invention provides condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic materials and manufacturing methods for the materials. A metal reducing agent is reacted with a straight-chain, triple bond-containing hydrocarbon (aryl acetylene compound, phenyl acetylene compound), the hydrocarbon being a benzene ring with an organic silicon as a substituent, so as to allow an intramolecular reductive cyclization reaction to proceed between the silicon and the triple-bond carbon. The reaction produces condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic materials of the invention. The invention provides light-emitting materials applicable for organic electroluminescent devices, condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic materials applicable for charge transport materials, their intermediate products, and a manufacture method for condensed polycyclic π-conjugated organic materials. |
| US07705166B2 |
Process for producing propylene oxide
A process for producing propylene oxide, which comprises the following steps: oxidation step: a step of obtaining cumene hydroperoxide by oxidizing cumene; epoxidation step: a step of obtaining propylene oxide and cumyl alcohol by reacting cumene hydroperoxide obtained in the oxidation step with propylene; and conversion step: a step of obtaining cumene by subjecting cumyl alcohol obtained in the epoxidation step to hydrogenation-containing reaction and recycling the cumene to the oxidation step, wherein a concentration of 1,2-epoxy-2-phenylpropane contained in the reaction mixture after the oxidation step, is 1% by weight or less. |
| US07705165B2 |
Method for producing optically active cyclopropanecarboxylate compound
A method for producing an optically active cyclopropanecarboxylate compound represented by the formula (5): wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9 represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like and R10 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, which comprises reacting an olefin represented by the formula (3): wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as described above, with a diazoacetic acid ester represented by the formula (4): N2CHCO2R10 (4) wherein R10 is as described above, in the presence of an asymmetric copper complex obtained by mixing (A) at least one monovalent or divalent copper compound, (B) at least one optically active bisoxazoline compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or the like; R3 represents a tert-butyl group or the like; and R4 and R5 are the same and represent C1-C3 alkyl groups or the like, and (C) at least one fluorine compound represented by the formula (2): A-MF6 (2) wherein A represents a trityl group or the like, and M represents a phosphorous atom or the like. |
| US07705162B2 |
Indolium compounds and optical recording materials
The indolium compounds of the present invention are represented by general formula (I) below and exhibit thermal decomposition behavior further suitable for optical recording materials used in an optical recording layer of an optical recording medium for high-speed recording. (In the formula, ring A represents a benzene or naphthalene ring; Z represents, for example, an optionally halogenated C1-8 alkyl group that is optionally interrupted by —O—, —CO—, —OCO—, or —COO—; at least one of R1 and R2 represents a group represented by general formula (II) or (III), and when only one of R1 and R2 is a group represented by general formula (II) or (III), the other represents a C1-30 organic group; R3 and R4 each represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-30 organic group, or others; X represents a C1-8 alkyl group, which is optionally substituted with a halogen atom or a hydroxyl group or optionally interrupted by an ether bond, or others; Y1 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-30 organic group; n represents an integer of 0 to 4, q represents an integer of 0 to 4; Anm- represents an m-valent anion; m represents 1 or 2; and p represents a coefficient to keep the electric charge neutral.) |
| US07705159B2 |
Process for the preparation of letrozole
The invention provides a high-yield process for the preparation of letrozole having a high purity, without the need for removal of the 4-[1-(1,3,4-triazolyl)methyl]benzonitrile impurity at the intermediate stage. The invention also provides a process for the synthesis of letrozole in which formation of the impurity 4-[1-(1,3,4-triazolyl)methyl]benzonitrile during the first stage is minimized. In the process, a 4-(halomethyl)benzonitrile is reacted with a salt of 1H-1,2,4-triazole, reducing the formation of the impurity. Preferably, the preparation is conducted as a one-pot process. |
| US07705158B2 |
Inhibitors of ion channels
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the inhibition of sodium ion flux through voltage-gated sodium channels. More particularly, the invention provides substituted aryl sulfonamides, compositions comprising these compounds, as well as methods of using these compounds or compositions in the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders, particularly pain and chronic pain by blocking sodium channels associated with the onset or recurrence of the indicated conditions. The compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention are of particular use for treating neuropathic or inflammatory pain by the inhibition of ion flux through a voltage-gated sodium channel. |
| US07705157B2 |
Phenol-heterocyclic ligands, metal complexes, and their uses as catalysts
Ligands, compositions, and metal-ligand complexes that incorporate phenol-heterocyclic compounds are disclosed that are useful in the catalysis of transformations such as the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The catalysts have high performance characteristics, including high comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts particularly polymerize styrene to form polystyrene. |
| US07705152B2 |
Alcohol oxidation catalyst and its preparation process
An alcohol oxidation catalyst which is an organic oxidation catalyst to oxidize an alcohol, which contains azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane N-oxyl represented by the following formula (1) having an N-oxyl group incorporated in a bicycle[3.3.1]nonane skeleton: wherein X is H2, O or NOH. |
| US07705149B2 |
Benzoimidazole compounds
Benzoimidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of using them in leukocyte recruitment inhibition, in modulating H4 receptor, and in treating conditions such as inflammation, H4 receptor-mediated conditions, and related conditions. |
| US07705148B2 |
Processes for the preparation of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]benzonitrile
Processes for the preparation of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]-amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]benzonitrile of formula (I), a N-oxide, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt, a quaternary amine or a stereochemically isomeric form thereof are provided, said processes comprise: a) reacting 4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylbenzenamine with an intermediate of formula (III) in the presence of a suitable solvent; b) reacting an intermediate of formula (IV) with acrylonitrile in the presence of a suitable palladium catalyst, a suitable base and a suitable solvent; c) dehydrating the corresponding amide of the compound of formula (I). |
| US07705146B2 |
Hepatitis C inhibitor peptide analogs
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein R′, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Y, n and m are as defined herein. The compounds are useful for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C viral infections in mammals by inhibiting HCV NS3 protease. The invention further relates to azalactone compounds of the formula (III) which can be reacted with an amide anion to produce the compounds of formula (I). |
| US07705145B2 |
Process for the preparation of 4-(3′-chloro-4′-fluoroanilino) -7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy) quinazoline
Chemical processes and intermediates useful in the manufacture of the quinazoline derivative 4-(3′-chloro-4′-fluoroanilino)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazoline, in particular processes for the manufacture of 7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-one of Formula II and 4-methoxy-5-(3-morpholinopropoxy)-2-nitrobenzonitrile of Formula III and their use in the manufacture of the quinazoline derivative. |
| US07705144B2 |
Dyes of improved optical brightness and/or fluorescence and compositions containing them
Preparing dyes suitable for cosmetic use that start with known dyes and link them, for example, with 1,3,5 triazine to bulky organic groups that control solubility. |
| US07705140B2 |
DNAs encoding TNF receptor family members
Polypeptide produced from human stromal cell line, the process for the preparation of the polypeptide, DNA encoding the polypeptide, vector carrying the DNA, host cell transformed by the vector, antibody of the polypeptide, and pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide or the antibody. |
| US07705123B2 |
MU-1, member of the cytokine receptor family
Polynucleotides encoding the MU-1 hematopoietin receptor superfamily chain and fragments thereof are disclosed. MU-1 proteins and methods for their production are also disclosed. |
| US07705120B2 |
Compositions, kits, and methods for identification, assessment, prevention, and therapy of breast cancer
The invention relates to newly discovered nucleic acid molecules and proteins associated with breast cancer. Compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating human breast cancers are provided. |
| US07705117B2 |
EGFH2 genes and gene products
This invention relates to mouse and human EGFH2, and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding EGFH2. This invention also relates to therapeutic agents related to the polynucleotides and proteins. |
| US07705115B2 |
Process for producing radiation-sensitive resin composition
A process for producing a radiation-sensitive resin composition includes the steps of providing a filter apparatus equipped with a filter composed of a polyamide resin filter and a polyethylene resin filter connected in series, circulating a precursor composition for the radiation-sensitive resin composition in the filter apparatus so that the precursor composition is passed through the filter two or more times to thereby effect filtration with the result that foreign matter is removed from the precursor composition. |
| US07705114B2 |
Method for producing polymer organic electronic material, polymer organic electronic material, and organic electroluminescent device
A method for producing a polymer organic electronic material comprising: synthesizing a polymer organic electronic material by condensing a precursor monomer for the polymer organic electronic material in the presence of a metal catalyst, preparing a polymer organic electronic material solution by dissolving the polymer organic electronic material in an organic solvent, and removing metal ions, which originate from the metal catalyst, from the polymer organic electronic material solution by using an ion exchange resin; a polymer organic electronic material which can be obtained by the method; and an organic electroluminescent device which uses the polymer organic electronic material. |
| US07705112B2 |
Polyquaternium-1 synthesis methods
The present embodiments relate to a novel method of making quaternary ammonium polymers comprising the steps of: a) mixing 1,4-bis-dimethylamino-2-butene, triethanolamine, water and an acid; and b) introducing a 1,4-dihalo-2-butene to the mixture so as to initiate a reaction resulting in the quaternary ammonium polymer. |
| US07705107B2 |
Process for the preparation of polycarbonates
An improvement to the phase interface process of preparing aromatic polycarbonate is disclosed. The process is characterized in that the phosgenation is carried out at 0 to 40° C., and in that the temperature of the reaction mixture at the time of addition of the catalyst at 10 to 40° C., and in that the molar ratio of aromatic dihydroxy compounds to phosgene at 1:1.05 to 1:1.20. The polycarbonate thus produced is characterized in its low content of carbamates, making it particularly suitable for the preparation of optical storage media. |
| US07705096B2 |
Manufacturing method of resin for developing agent
In a manufacturing method of a resin for developing agent, a first polymerization agent is added in an aqueous medium; a radical polymerizable monomer is polymerized in the presence of a chain transfer agent to form a low molecular substance resin particle; after consuming the chain transfer agent, a second polymerization initiator is added in the aqueous medium; and the remaining monomer is polymerized to form a high molecular substance resin particle, thereby improving fixability of the developing agent. |
| US07705095B2 |
Polymerisation process
A process for the polymerisation of olefin monomers selected from (a) ethylene, (b) propylene (c) mixtures of ethylene and propylene and (d) mixtures of (a), (b) or (c) with one or more other alpha-olefins is performed in a polymerisation reactor in the presence of a supported polymerisation catalyst characterised in that prior to injection into the reactor said supported polymerisation catalyst in the form of a powder is contacted with an inert hydrocarbon liquid in a quantity sufficient to maintain said catalyst in powder form. The preferred inert hydrocarbon liquid is hexane. The supported polymerisation catalyst is preferably a supported metallocene catalyst. According to the process of the prescrit invention the level of fines associated with the polymer products is reduced in particular the level of fines having a diameter<125 μm and microfines of diameter<50 μm. |
| US07705088B2 |
Resorcinol-blocked isocyanate compositions and their applications
Resorcinol-blocked isocyanate compositions are derived from the reaction between a resorcinol compound and at least two different isocyanate compounds. The resorcinol-blocked isocyanate compositions may have two or more unblocking temperatures and/or melting characteristics that may provide some unique properties, such as improved adhesion of rubber reinforcing materials to rubber materials or compounds. The resorcinol-blocked isocyanate compositions can be used in fabric dipping formulations and/or rubber compositions with improved properties. |
| US07705079B2 |
Polyarylene sulfide resin composition
The present invention provides a polyarylene sulfide resin composition which shows high dielectric constant and low dielectric dissipation factor, has excellent moldability, and has improved corrosive property to metal parts. More specifically, to 100 parts by weight of (A) polyarylene sulfide resin, compounded are 10 to 400 parts by weight of (B) an alkaline earth metal titanate showing 50 or higher relative dielectric constant and 0.05 or lower dielectric dissipation factor at 1 MHz, and containing less than 500 ppm of metal ion which is extracted by hot water; and 0.01 to 15 parts by weight of (C) one or more compound selected from hydroxides and oxides of alkaline earth metals. |
| US07705076B2 |
Rubber mixtures
The invention relates to rubber mixtures, comprising: (A) at least one rubber, (B) at least one oxidic filler and (C) at least one (haloorganyl)alkylpolyethersilane of the general formula (X)(X′)(X″)Si—RI-Hal. The rubber mixtures can be used for production of mouldings. |
| US07705074B2 |
Aqueous polymerization of fluorinated monomer using polymerization agent comprising fluoropolyether acid or salt and short chain fluorosurfactant
A process comprising polymerizing at least one fluorinated monomer in an aqueous medium containing initiator and polymerization agent to form an aqueous dispersion of particles of fluoropolymer, the polymerization agent comprising: fluoropolyether acid or salt thereof having a number average molecular weight of at least about 800 g/mol; and fluorosurfactant having the formula: [R1—On-L-A−] Y+ wherein: R1 is a linear or branched partially or fully fluorinated aliphatic group which may contain ether linkages; n is 0 or 1; L is a linear or branched alkylene group which may be nonfluorinated, partially fluorinated or fully fluorinated and which may contain ether linkages; A− is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfonamide anion, and phosphonate; and Y+ is hydrogen, ammonium or alkali metal cation; with the proviso that the chain length of R1—On-L- is not greater than 6 atoms. |
| US07705072B2 |
Flexible concrete waterproofer
A moisture resistant concrete coating composition comprising 20% to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the coating composition, of a water dispersible resin having a non-volatile materials content in the range of 40% to about 60%, an average particle size in the range of 80 nm to 400 nm, and a glass transition temperature in the range of −10° C. to 40° C.; 0.1% to 0.50% by weight of an alkoxysilane; 3.0% to 15% by weight of a mineral aggregate; and 25% to 55% by weight of an extender composition. |
| US07705069B2 |
Ink jet composition
An ink jet ink composition comprised an anti-curl agent and ink jet printing processing using such ink jet ink composition. The ink jet ink composition includes a hyperbranched polymer. The hyperbranched polymer acts as an anti-curl agent to control curl during a printing process. The anti-curl agent, i.e., the hyperbranched polymer, may be present in the ink amounts less than conventional anti-curl agents and still effectively control curl without detrimentally effecting intercolor bleed control water fastness or drying. Additionally, the ink composition do not exhibit increases in viscosity, and problems associated therewith, that occur in ink composition using conventional anti-curl agents. |
| US07705064B2 |
Photosensitive compounds, photopolymerizable compositions including the same, and methods of making and using the same
The present invention is directed to reaction products prepared from at least one Michael addition donor material including two or more active methylene hydrogens; and at least one material capable of reacting with a Michael addition donor, the material having one Michael addition acceptor and at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, vinyl ether, amino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, cyano, and cyanoalkyl groups; or reaction products prepared from (a) at least one Michael addition donor material comprising at least one Michael Addition donor group selected from the group consisting of cyano functional groups and phosphono functional groups; and (b) at least one material capable of reacting with the at least one Michael addition donor group, the material having at least one Michael addition acceptor, wherein the above reaction products are capable of forming free radicals upon exposure to actinic radiation; as well as compositions, and processes for making and using the same. |
| US07705062B2 |
Nanoporous organosilicas as pre-concentration materials for sensors
A molecularly imprinted material made from polymerizing a monomer having the structural formula (OR)3Si—B-A-B—Si(OR)3. A is a divalent organic group, B is a saturated or unsaturated divalent hydrocarbon group or a covalent bond, and R is an independently selected saturated or unsaturated monovalent hydrocarbon group. A preconcentrator having: a container comprising in inlet and an outlet and the above material within the container. The inlet is capable of allowing a fluid to enter the container. The outlet is capable of being coupled to a sensor and of allowing the fluid to exit the container. |
| US07705061B2 |
Method for preparing an ion exchange media
This invention presents an ion exchange media including a plurality of cation exchange zones and anion exchange zones in flow paths that are contained in a substantially nonporous resin transport framework. During electrodeionization and other potential applications the ion exchange media of the invention prevents unfavorable water splitting at resin-membrane interfaces and encourages water splitting at resin-resin interfaces where the water splitting may be constructively used to regenerate the resin. |
| US07705053B2 |
Benzamide derivative
To provide compounds which have high angiogenesis inhibiting activity, and are useful as agents for effective treatment and prevention of diseases involving pathologic angiogenesis, for example, cancer and cancer metastasis, methods for producing the compounds, intermediate compounds useful for their production, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.The present invention provides compounds of formula (II), or prodrugs thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds or the prodrugs, and pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds: where A1 is C—X1 or N; Q1 is —A2═A3—, or a heteroatom selected from —O—, —S—, and —N(R10)—; Q2 is —A4═A5—, or a heteroatom selected from —O—, —S—, and —N(R10)—; provided that Q1 and Q2 are not heteroatoms at the same time; A2 is C—X2 or N, A3 is C—X3 or N, A4 is C—X4 or N, and A5 is C—X5 or N; Y is C1-6alkyl, C3-9cycloalkyl, C2-7alkenyl, C2-7alkynyl, C1-6alkoxy, C2-7alkenyloxy, C2-7alkynyloxy, or C1-6alkylthio; Z is a hydrogen atom, hydroxy, C1-6alkyl, C3-9cycloalkyl, or —NR1R2; and L is selected from the formula: |
| US07705049B2 |
Methods for treating non-melanoma cancers with PABA
The present invention relates to a method for treating non-melanotic cancers by administration of PABA. The present invention also relates to the potentiation of standard cancer treatment of radiation, radioimmunotherapy, and/or chemotherapy using PABA. |
| US07705043B2 |
Substituted aminodicarboxylic acid derivatives having pharmaceutical properties
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and their salts and stereoisomers in which the variables are as defined in the description and claims, for producing medicaments used in the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases. Such compounds, processes for preparing them, compositions containing them, and methods of using them are claimed. |
| US07705040B2 |
Reagents for highly specific detection of peroxynitrite
This invention provides compositions which specifically reacts with peroxynitrite rather than other reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. This invention also provides related agents for measuring peroxynitrite. This invention also provides related methods for measuring peroxynitrite in a sample, high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting peroxynitrite and high-throughput methods for screening compounds that increase or decrease the production of peroxynitrite comprising using such compositions and agents. |
| US07705038B2 |
Control of parasites in animals by the use of parasiticidal 2-phenyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylonitrile derivatives
2-Phenyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylonitrile compounds useful for controlling parasites in animals and methods of treatment of parasite infestation in animals using the compounds are disclosed. |
| US07705037B2 |
1-substituted pyrrolidin-2-ones and use thereof as peptide deformylase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I). These compounds are a novel type of peptide deformylase (PDF) inhibitors, and are therefore of great interest especially as new antibiotics. |
| US07705035B2 |
Indoline amide derivatives as EP4 receptor ligands
The invention is directed to indoline amide derivatives of formula I as EP4 receptor ligands, antagonists or agonists, useful for the treatment of EP4 mediated diseases or conditions, such as acute and chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and glaucoma. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included. |
| US07705031B2 |
Benzimidazoles useful as modulators of ion channels
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the R1, Z, Y, RA, and W groups of formula I are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders. |
| US07705029B2 |
Acrylonitrile derivatives for inflammation and immune-related uses
What is claimed is a compound represented by the following structural formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or clathrate thereof. The variables for Structural Formula (I) are as described herein. |
| US07705026B2 |
Biaryl heterocyclic compounds and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates generally to the field of anti-infective, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and prokinetic agents. More particularly, the invention relates to a family of compounds having both a biaryl moiety and at least one heterocylic moiety that are useful as such agents. |
| US07705025B2 |
Histamine H3 receptor agents, preparation and therapeutic uses
The present invention provides a novel compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having histamine-H3 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 obesity, cognitive deficiencies, narcolepsy, and other histamine H3 receptor-related diseases. |
| US07705023B2 |
Indoles useful in the treatment of inflammation
There is provided a compound of formula: (I), wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 have meanings given in the description, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, which compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases in which inhibition of the activity of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 is desired and/or required, and particularly in the treatment of inflammation. |
| US07705020B2 |
Benzimidazolone carboxylic acid derivatives
This invention relates to compounds of the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, A and m are each as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and compositions containing such compounds and the use of such compounds in the treatment of a condition mediated by 5-HT4 receptor activity such as, but not limited to, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastrointestinal disease, gastric motility disorder, non-ulcer dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, dyspepsia, esophagitis, gastroesophageral disease, nausea, central nervous system disease, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive disorder, emesis, migraine, neurological disease, pain, cardiovascular disorders such as cardiac failure and heart arrhythmia, diabetes and apnea syndrome. |
| US07705015B2 |
Substituted pyrroline kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel substituted pyrroline compounds useful as kinase inhibitors and methods for treating or ameliorating a kinase mediated disorder. |
| US07705012B2 |
Camptothecins conjugated in position 7 to cyclic peptides as cytostatic agents
Compounds of Formula (I) are described in which the R1 group is as defined in the specification and includes the condensation of the camptothecin molecule in position 7 with a cyclopeptide containing the RGD sequence. Said compounds are endowed both with high affinity for integrin receptors αvβ3 and αvβ5 and with selective cytotoxic activity on human tumour cell lines at micromolar concentrations. |
| US07705011B2 |
Agent for treatment and prevention of endometriosos and uterine adenomyosis
An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for use in the effective treatment and prevention of endometriosis and uterine adenomyosis. The present invention relates to an agent for use in the treatment and prevention of endometriosis or uterine adenomyosis, comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound selected from the group consisting of 3-ethylpyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 2-ethylpyridine, and 2-methylpyridine. |
| US07705009B2 |
4-aminopyrimidine-5-thione derivatives
Novel 4-aminopyrimidine-5-thione derivatives are disclosed. These compounds inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, in particular Cdk1, Cdk2 and Cdk4. These compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts have antiproliferative activity and are useful in the treatment or control of cancer, in particular solid tumors. This invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and to methods of treating or controlling cancer, most particularly the treatment or control of breast, lung, colon and prostate tumors. |
| US07705007B2 |
Cis-imidazolines
There are provided compounds of the formula I wherein R, V1, V2 and Ring A are described herein. The compounds exhibit anticancer activity. |
| US07705005B2 |
Bicyclic heteroaromatic compounds
The invention disclosed herein relates to compounds of formula (I) where the various groups are defined herein, and which are useful for treating inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. |
| US07705002B2 |
Biaryls useful as modulators of ion channels
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders. |
| US07705001B2 |
Therapeutic substituted gamma lactams
Disclosed herein is a compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof; wherein Y, A, X, R and D are as described. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US07704999B2 |
2-phenyl substituted imidazotriazinones as phosphodiesterase inhibitors
The 2-phenyl-substituted imidazotriazinones having short, unbranched alkyl radicals in the 9-position are prepared from the corresponding 2-phenyl-imidazotriazinones by chlorosulphonation and subsequent reaction with the amines. The compounds inhibit cGMP-metabolizing phosphodiesterases and are suitable for use as active compounds in pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders and/or disorders of the urogenital system, in particular for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. |
| US07704997B1 |
Amino-tetrazole analogues and methods of use
A compound having Formula (I) or Formula (II) is disclosed as an P2X7 antagonist, wherein A, B, C, Y, Y, Z, m, v, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, are as defined in the description. Methods and compositions for treating disease or condition modulated by P2X7 are also disclosed. |
| US07704996B2 |
Compounds and compositions useful as cathepsin S inhibitors
The present invention relates to the use of a 2-cyanopyrimidine compound of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and X are as defined in the specification and in the claims, in free form or in salt form, and, where possible, in tautomeric form, as an inhibitor of the activity of cathepsin S. |
| US07704986B2 |
Vitamin D3 analogues for the prevention and treatment of bone disorders
Novel vitamin D analogues are useful for making pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. |
| US07704984B2 |
Extended estrogen dosing contraceptive regimen
A method of contraception that provides for sequentially administering to a female of child bearing age: (a) a first composition containing a progestin in an amount equivalent to about 0.3 to about 1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and an estrogen in an amount equivalent to about 5 to about 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol for about 22 to about 26 days; (b) a second composition containing an estrogen in an amount equivalent to about 5 to about 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol for about 2 to about 3 days and an optional third composition that is a placebo provided that (i) if estrogen administration is continuous then the first composition is administered for 25 to 26 days, the second composition is administered for 2 to 3 days and no third composition is administered and (ii) if estrogen administration is not continuous then the first composition is administered for 22 to 24 days, the second composition is administered for 2 to 3 days and the third composition is administered for 1 to 4 days. The total cycle length is 28 days, with the first composition administered on day 1 of the menstrual cycle, defined as the first day of menstrual bleeding, or on the first Sunday after the first day of the menstrual cycle. |
| US07704981B2 |
2-methylene-1alpha,25-dihydroxy-18,19,21-trinorvitamin D3 and uses thereof
Compounds of formula I are provided where X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from H or hydroxy protecting groups. Such compounds are used in preparing pharmaceutical compositions and are useful in treating a variety of biological conditions. |
| US07704980B2 |
Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease with 2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D compounds
A method of preventing and/or treating inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is disclosed. The method involves administering a 2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D compound in an amount effective to treat the disease. The administration of a 2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D compound also prevents the development of or delays the onset of inflammatory bowel disease in susceptible individuals. The preferred compounds are 1α-hydroxy-2-methylene-19-nor-homopregnacalciferol and 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. |
| US07704978B2 |
Methods for treating neuropsychiatric disorders
The invention provides methods for treating neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's Disease, autism, depression, benign forgetfulness, childhood learning disorders, closed head injury, and attention deficit disorder. The methods entail administering to a patient diagnosed as having a neuropsychiatric disorder a pharmaceutical composition containing (i) a therapeutically effective amount of D-alanine (or a modified form thereof), provided that the composition is substantially free of D-cycloserine, and/or (ii) D-serine (or a modified form thereof), and/or (iii) 105 to 500 mg of D-cycloserine (or a modified form thereof), and/or (iv) N-methylglycine (or a modified form thereof). |
| US07704977B2 |
Solid oral dosage form containing an enhancer
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and oral dosage forms comprising a bisphosphonate in combination with an enhancer to enhance intestinal delivery of the bisphosphonate to the underlying circulation. Preferably, the enhancer is a medium chain fatty acid or a medium chain fatty acid derivative having a carbon chain length of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and the solid oral dosage form is a controlled release dosage form such as a delayed release dosage form. |
| US07704976B2 |
Use of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine for preparing medicines for urogenital tract infection's treatment and prevention
The present invention discloses a use of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of urogenital tract infection. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine exhibits a function of suppressing the transplantation of exotic microorganisms and promoting the repair of topical skin tissue, and the formulation comprising it as a main active component is used for the prevention and treatment of urogenital tract infection and has advantages such as notable therapeutic effect, easy preparation, non-irritation, non-contamination, etc. |
| US07704974B2 |
Method for the treatment and/or prevention of urinary disorders
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of urinary disorders, comprising administering an effective amount of an osmotic diuretic agent and an effective amount of an appetence-inducing agent to a subject in need thereof. |
| US07704973B2 |
Therapy-enhancing glucan
This invention provides a method for introducing substances into cells comprising contacting a composition comprising orally administered beta-glucan with said cells. This invention also provides a method for introducing substances into a subject comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of the above compositions. The substance, which could be delivered orally includes but is not limited to peptides, proteins, RNAs, DNAs, chemotherapeutic agents, biologically active agents, plasmids, and other small molecules and compounds. Finally, this invention provides a composition comprising orally administered beta-glucan capable of enhancing efficacy of IgM and different uses of the said composition. |
| US07704972B2 |
Gemcitabine derivatives nanoparticles
The invention concerns a 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine derivative of general formula (I), wherein: R1, R2 and R3, identical or different, represent independently of one another, a hydrogen atom or an at least C18 hydrocarbon acyl radical and of such conformation that it is capable of providing the compound of general formula (I), a compacted form in a polar solvent medium, at least one of groups R1, R2 and R3 being other than a hydrogen atom. |
| US07704969B2 |
Transfection complexes
The invention provides a peptide having at least 3 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from a)X1SM[SEQ.ID.NO.: 1] b)LX2HK[SEQ.ID.NO.: 2] c)PSGX3ARA[SEQ.ID.NO.: 9] d)SX4RSMNF[SEQ.ID.NO.: 16] e)LX5HKSMP[SEQ.ID.NO.: 18] in which X1 is a basic amino acid residue, X2 is Q or P, X3 is A or T, X4 is an acidic amino acid residue and X5 is P or Q. The invention further provides non-viral cell-targeting vector complexes and methods associated therewith. |
| US07704967B2 |
TFIIS and GDOWN1 as targets for cancer therapy
The present invention concerns cancer therapy related to the targeting of at least one core transcription factor. In particular, the compositions and methods of the invention concern targeting TFIIS, GDOWN1, or both for cancer therapy. In specific aspects, TFIIS and/or GDOWN1 inhibitors are employed for breast, prostate, pancreatic, and/or lung cancer. |
| US07704961B2 |
Avermectins and avermectin monosacharides substituted in the 4′-and 4″ position having pesticidal properties
Described is a compound of the formula (I) wherein the bond between carbon atoms 22 and 23 is a single or double bond; m is 0 or 1; R1, is C1-C12alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or C2-C12alkenyl; and either (A) R2 is —N(R3)R4, and (1) X is 0, wherein R3 is, for instance, hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted C1-C12alkyl, and R4 is, for instance, mono- to pentasubstituted C1-C12alkyl, unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted C3-C12cycloalkyl; or (2) X is S, wherein R3 is, for instance, hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted C1-C12alkyl, and R4 is, for instance, hydrogen, unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted C1-C12alkyl; or (3) X is 0 or S, wherein R3 and R4 together are, for instance, a three- to seven membered alkylene or a four- to seven-membered alkenylene bridge; or (B) R2 is OR5, X is 0 or S, wherein R5 is, for instance, C1-C12alkyl, mono- to pentasubstituted C1-C12alkyl; or, if appropriate, an E/Z isomer, E/Z isomer mixture and/or tautomer thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form; such a compound demonstrates pesticidal activity. |
| US07704959B2 |
Azithromycin for the treatment of nodular acne
Azithromycin, administered systemically, is an effective treatment for nodules associated with acne vulgaris. |
| US07704957B2 |
Composition for inhibiting HIV activity extracted from Paecilomyces sp. (Tochu-kaso) J300
The present invention relates to a composition for inhibiting HIV activity comprising the extract of Paecilomyces sp. (Tochu-kaso) J300. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for inhibiting HIV activity comprising 3-[5-(methoxy-ethyl)-3,6-dioxo-piperazine-2-yl]propionic acid represented by Formula 1 and 4-methyl-2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl)-2-amino]pentanoic acid represented by Formula 2 that are extracted from Paecilomyces sp. (Tochu-kaso) J300; and to a medical composition and food composition containing the same. |
| US07704954B2 |
Method and carrier complexes for delivering molecules to cells
The invention relates to carrier complexes and methods for delivering molecules to cells. The carrier complexes comprises a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a carrier complex. In another embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide. |
| US07704950B2 |
Methods of using soluble heterodimeric cytokine receptor
A soluble receptor that binds to IL-20 having two polypeptide subunits, IL-22R and IL-20RB. The two subunits are preferably linked together. In one embodiment one subunit is fused to the constant region of the light chain of an immunoglobulin, and the other subunit is fused to the constant region of the heavy chain of the immunoglobulin. The light chain and the heavy chain are connected via a disulfide bond. |
| US07704949B2 |
Kallikrein-inhibitor therapies
Methods are described for preventing or reducing ischemia, e.g., cerebral ischemia, and/or reperfusion injury, e.g., reperfusion injury associated with cerebral ischemia, in a patient. |
| US07704946B2 |
Reversible inhibition of pyramidal gap junction activity
The present invention relates to a novel method of inhibiting gap junction-mediated signaling in pyramid cells. Pyramidal gap junctions are quickly and reversibly inhibited by beta-amyloid or biologically active fragments thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of beta-amyloid as an anticonvulsant for the treatment of epilepsy and other pathological hypersynchrony conditions in humans and non-human animals. |
| US07704940B2 |
Granulate for use in a cleaning product and process for its manufacture
A granulate for use in a particulate cleaning product, the granulate consisting of granules which comprise: (a) at least 30% by weight of granulation auxiliary selected from water-soluble non-acid organic crystalline solids; and (b) at least 0.1% by weight of functional cleaning material other than an enzyme or an inorganic compound; and (c) optionally, one or more other ingredients. The granulate may instead comprise: (a) at least 20% by weight of granulation auxiliary selected from non-acid water-soluble organic crystalline solids; and (b) at least 0.1% by weight of temperature sensitive functional cleaning material other than an enzyme or an inorganic compound; and (c) optionally, one or more other ingredients. |
| US07704939B2 |
Surfactant
To provide a surfactant which is obtainable by using substantially no alkali metal, has excellent readhesion prevention ability of finely-pulverized particles at the time of cleaning, and is capable of quite efficient and advanced cleaning.In the present invention, a surfactant which comprises a neutralized salt (AB1) and/or neutralized salt (AB2) is used.Neutralized salt (AB1):a neutralized salt (AB1) which comprises an acidic compound (A1) containing at least each one of an acid group (X1) of an acid having the difference of heat of formation in an acid dissociation reaction (Q1) of 3 to 200 kcal/mol and a hydrophobic group (Y) containing 1 to 36 carbon atoms, and a nitrogen-containing basic compound (B) having the difference of heat of formation in a proton addition reaction of 10 to 152 kcal/mol,wherein (X1) is at least one species selected from a sulfonic acid group, and the like.Neutralized salt (AB2):a neutralized salt (AB2) which comprises a polymer (A2) having at least one acid group (X2) within the molecule, and the nitrogen-containing basic compound (B) having the difference of heat of formation in a proton addition reaction of 10 to 152 kcal/mol. |
| US07704938B2 |
Compositions for lipophilic fluid systems comprising a siloxane-based/non-ionic surfactant mixture
Compositions for treating fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linens and drapery, wherein the compositions provide improved cleaning of soils from and/or care of and/or treatment of fabric articles, especially while providing superior garment care for articles sensitive to water as compared to conventional fabric article treating compositions, are provided. |
| US07704934B2 |
Cationic cassia derivatives and applications therefor
This invention relates to cationically derivatized polycalactomannans obtained from cassia tora and cassia obtusifolia and to their use in personal care, household care, and institutional care compositions. |
| US07704933B2 |
α-Decalones with damascone-woody odor
The present invention relates to a new class of compound, α-decalones with a 2,3,8a-trimethyl substitution, which are valuable perfuming ingredients of the woody type. The present invention also concerns the use of these compounds in the perfumery industry as well as the compositions or articles containing these compounds. |
| US07704929B2 |
Diaromatic amine derivatives as antioxidants
Diraromatic amine derivatives having the general formula: wherein n is from 0 to 5; m is from 0 to 4; each R substituent is independently hydrogen or a straight or branched C1-C32 alkyl group or alkenyl group or two R substituents together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded are joined together to form an unsaturated, partially saturated or saturated C3-C30 ring structure optionally containing one or more heteroatoms, each R1 substituent is independently hydrogen or a straight or branched C1-C32 alkyl group or alkenyl group and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen or a straight or branched C1-C32 alkyl group or alkenyl group optionally containing a functional group are provided. Also provided are lubricating oil compositions containing the diraromatic amine derivatives. |
| US07704925B2 |
Ligational encoding using building block oligonucleotides
The present invention in one aspect relates to a method for synthesizing a bifunctional complex comprising a molecule and an identifier polynucleotide identifying at least some of the chemical entities which have participated in the synthesis of the molecule in accordance with the methods of the present invention. The invention also relates to a library of different bifunctional complexes. The library of the invention can be used e.g. for identifying drug leads. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the principle that chemical entities initially provided on a building block oligonucleotide (i.e. a building block having an oligonucleotide part which is linked to a chemical entity) can be brought into reactive proximity without the use of a template comprising a set of covalently linked codons. Also, the present invention allows reaction of chemical entities when the chemical entities are linked to a single stranded identifier polynucleotide obtained by covalently linking the oligonucleotide parts (oligonucleotide identifiers) of the building blocks. The single stranded identifier polynucleotides differs from template directed synthesis methods employing codon and anti-codon hybridisation between a template and one or more transfer units, i.e. methods wherein e.g. reactive units on transfer units are reacted while the anti-codon of the transfer units are hybridised to template codons. |
| US07704920B2 |
Pollutant emission control sorbents and methods of manufacture
Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include mixing sorbent substrate particles with a sulfide salt and a metal salt to form a metal sulfide on the outer surface of the sorbent particles. |
| US07704918B2 |
Synthesis of metal-metal oxide catalysts and electrocatalysts using a metal cation adsorption/reduction and adatom replacement by more noble ones
The invention relates to platinum-metal oxide composite particles and their use as electrocatalysts in oxygen-reducing cathodes and fuel cells. The invention particularly relates to methods for preventing the oxidation of the platinum electrocatalyst in the cathodes of fuel cells by use of these platinum-metal oxide composite particles. The invention additionally relates to methods for producing electrical energy by supplying such a fuel cell with an oxidant, such as oxygen, and a fuel source, such as hydrogen. The invention also relates to methods of making the metal-metal oxide composites. |
| US07704911B2 |
Catalytic composition for oxidation of hydrogen sulfide, and methods for preparation thereof
The present invention provides a catalytic composition for use in an oxidation-reduction process for effecting the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in gas strains comprising a water soluble iron compound, a mixture of two chelating agents, comprising Na2EDTA and Na4EDTA, and at least one stabilizer. Further the present invention provides a process for preparing the catalytic composition according to the invention, said composition being advantageous in effecting the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in gas strains, comprising the steps of preparing a mixture of a water soluble iron compound and a stabilizing agent in an aqueous system, while the pH of the system is pH ≦2, adding a mixture of two chelating agents I and II, whereas both of the chelating agents are amine chelating agents to the mixture of the water soluble iron compound and a stabilizing agent, adding sufficient aqueous amine chelating agent II to this combined mixture to adjust a pH of 7 to 10, and heating this mixture of to get the desired concentration of chelated iron in the mixture. Therefore, the procedure of the present invention provides an alkaline aqueous chelated iron solution useful in oxidation-reduction processes for effecting the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in gas strains and provides, as mentioned before, (1) no foaming and no sludge, (2) a minimum decomposition of the chelant during the reaction, (3) a homogeneous and very concentrated catalytic iron chelate reagent with a possible iron concentration of >40 wt % and (4) a minimum rate of absorption of CO2 into the solution and maximum rate of stripping of CO2 by air bubbling. |
| US07704910B2 |
Catalyst for polymerization of olefins and method for polymerization of olefins
A catalyst for olefin polymerization comprising (A) a solid catalyst component prepared by causing (a) a magnesium compound, (b) a tetravalent titanium halide compound, and (c) an electron donor compound to come in contact with each other, (B) an organoaluminum compound of the general formula R1pAlQ3-p, and (C) an oligomer of an organosilicon compound of the following chemical formula; R4—(R2R3SiO)m—R5 can produce olefin polymers having higher stereoregularity and a broader molecular weight distribution in a higher yield than conventional catalysts. |
| US07704909B2 |
Electrode for hydrogen generation and process for preparation thereof
An electrode for hydrogen generation can maintain a low hydrogen overvoltage for a long period of time even when electrolysis is conducted there not only with a low current density but also with a high current density. The electrode for hydrogen generation has a coating layer formed on a conductive base member by applying a material not containing any chlorine atom prepared by dissolving lanthanum carboxylate in a nitric acid solution of ruthenium nitrate and thermally decomposing the material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. |
| US07704908B2 |
Method for reusing rhenium from a donor spent epoxidation catalyst
A method for reusing rhenium from a donor spent epoxidation catalyst, the method comprising: providing a donor comprising spent epoxidation catalyst comprising rhenium, the donor having a cumulative alkylene oxide production of 0.16 kT/m3 of the spent epoxidation catalyst or more; contacting the donor with an aqueous liquid to produce rhenium-depleted donor and aqueous extract comprising extracted rhenium; separating the aqueous extract and the rhenium-depleted donor; and, using the extracted rhenium as a source of rhenium in a subsequent process. |
| US07704904B2 |
Optical glass and optical element
An optical glass contains as glass ingredients, by weight: 0-8% SiO2; 34.5-46% B2O3; 2.6-6% Li2O; 21-38% ZnO; 0-40% La2O3; 0-35% Gd2O3; and 0-15% Y2O3, with the total content of La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3 accounting for 10-40%. The optical glass also has a predetermined index of refraction and a predetermined dispersion. |
| US07704902B2 |
Glass fibre compositions
The invention relates to glass fibers having a chemical composition that contains the following constituents in the limits defined hereafter and expressed in percentage by weight, namely: 38 to 49 SiO2; 15 to 25 Al2O3; 1 to 15 CaO; 0 to 4 MgO; 14 to 25 Na2O; 0 to 10 K2O; 0 to 8 B2O3; 0 to 3 Fe2O3; and 0 to 3 P2O5. |
| US07704901B2 |
Method for producing a laminate material web having elastic and non-elastic regions
A method for producing an elastic laminate material web that has elastic and non-elastic regions and has non-woven fabric on both surfaces of the web. In between the two surfaces, there are film strips of an elastic film. One surface of the web consists of a planar non-woven fabric layer and is connected with non-woven fabric that is disposed on the opposite surface of the web in areas between the film strips. Each film strip is connected with a non-woven fabric layer to form a laminate strip. The laminate strips are glued to the planar non-woven fabric layer on their film side, and the non-woven fabric that is connected with the planar non-woven fabric layer between the laminate strips is in the form of non-woven fabric strips that run parallel to the laminate strips. The non-woven fabric strips overlap the non-woven fabric layer of the laminate strips in edge regions of the laminate strips. |
| US07704900B2 |
Artificial leather sheets and method for producing them
Provided is an artificial leather sheet that comprises microfine fibers of an inelastic polymer having a mean fiber diameter of at most 5 μm and an elastic polymer, in which the major portion of the elastic polymer forms a fibrous structure of the entangled nonwoven fabric with the microfine fibers of inelastic polymer throughout the entire layer of the artificial leather sheet in the thickness direction thereof, and a part of the elastic polymer forms a porous layer integrated with the entangled nonwoven fabric structure on at least one face of the artificial leather sheet. The artificial leather sheet does not substantially undergo structure deformation even when repeatedly elongated and deformed. It has good elastic stretchability, and has a soft and dense feel, and its appearance is good not detracting from the drapability of the sheet. |
| US07704898B2 |
Method for the thermal treatment of disk-shaped substrates
Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for reducing flash in an injection mold (532 or 542,543) which molds a molded article between a first mold surface and a second mold surface. The apparatus includes an active material actuator (530 or 533a and 533b or 561a and 561b) configured to, in response to application or removal of an electrical actuation signal thereto, change dimension and urge the first mold surface relative to the second mold surface to reduce flash therebetween. The apparatus also includes a transmission structure (533) configured to provide in use, the electrical actuation signal to said active material actuator (530 or 533a and 533b or 561a and 561b) includes a set of active material actuators stacked one against the other to provide a varying sealing force to urge the first mold surface relative to the second mold surface. |
| US07704897B2 |
HDP-CVD SiON films for gap-fill
The present invention pertains to methods of depositing low stress/high index multi-layer films on a substrate using an HDP-CVD process. The multi-layer films include two lining layers and a bulk gap-fill layer and the HDP-CVD process employs a reduced substrate bias power during deposition of at least the second lining layer. Deposition of the three layers occurs at reduced deposition temperatures which further reduces the stress of the multi-layer film. The lower stress results in less defectivity which improves the films ability to maintain optical confinement of radiation. |
| US07704896B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of thin films on germanium
Germanium has higher mobility than silicon and therefore is considered to be a good alternative semiconductor for CMOS technology. Surface treatments a can facilitate atomic layer deposition (ALD) of thin films, such as high-k dielectric layers, on germanium substrates. Surface treatment can comprise the formation of a thin layer of GeOx or GeOxNy. After surface treatment and prior to deposition of the desired thin film, a passivation layer may be deposited on the substrate. The passivation layer may be, for example, a metal oxide layer deposited by ALD. |
| US07704889B2 |
Method and system for advanced process control in an etch system by gas flow control on the basis of CD measurements
By controlling the flow rate of one or more gaseous components of an etch ambient during the formation of metal lines and vias on the basis of feedback measurement data from critical dimensions, process variations may be reduced, thereby enhancing performance and reliability of the respective metallization structure. |
| US07704878B2 |
Contact spacer formation using atomic layer deposition
A contact structure in a semiconductor device includes a layer of dielectric material and a via formed through the dielectric material. The contact structure further includes a spacer formed on sidewalls of the via using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and a metal deposited in the via. |
| US07704875B1 |
High-density contact holes
Methods for patterning high-density contact holes and contacts are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method comprising depositing a first dummy layer over a substrate to form a first pattern; depositing a second dummy layer over the substrate to form a second pattern, the second pattern overlapping the first pattern at a plurality of locations; etching the first and second dummy layers to form a plurality of posts at the plurality of locations; forming a dielectric layer over the substrate; and etching the posts to form a plurality of contact holes in the dielectric layer. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07704874B1 |
Method for fabricating a frontside through-wafer via in a processed wafer and related structure
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a frontside through-wafer via in a processed wafer includes forming a through-wafer via opening through at least one interlayer dielectric layer in a through-wafer via region of the processed wafer. The method further includes extending the through-wafer via opening through a substrate to a target depth. The method further includes forming a first conductive layer in the through-wafer via opening and over a through-wafer via pad, which is situated over the at least one interlayer dielectric layer. The first conductive layer in the through-wafer via opening forms an electrical connection between the substrate and the through-wafer via pad. The method further includes forming a second conductive layer on the backside surface of the processed wafer, where the second conductive layer is in electrical contact with the first conductive layer and the substrate. |
| US07704873B1 |
Protective self-aligned buffer layers for damascene interconnects
Capping protective self aligned buffer (PSAB) layers are layers of material that are selectively formed at the surface of metal layers in a partially fabricated semiconductor device. Encapsulating PSAB layers are formed not only at the surface of the metal layers, but also within the unexposed portions of the metal lines. Encapsulating PSAB layer, for example, can surround the metal line with the PSAB material, thereby protecting interfaces between the metal line and diffusion barriers. Encapsulating PSAB layers can be formed by treating the exposed surfaces of metal lines with GeH4. Capping PSAB layers can be formed by treating the exposed surfaces of metal lines with SiH4. Interconnects having both a silicon-containing capping PSAB layer and a germanium-containing encapsulating PSAB layer provide good performance in terms of adhesion, resistance shift, and electromigration characteristics. |
| US07704870B2 |
Via-first interconnection process using gap-fill during trench formation
An interconnection process is described. A substrate having a conductive region formed therein is provided. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A patterned metal hard mask layer having a trench opening is formed on the dielectric layer. A dielectric hard mask layer is formed conformally on the patterned metal hard mask layer and filled in the trench opening. A photoresist pattern is defined to remove a portion of the dielectric hard mask layer and a portion of the dielectric layer to form a first opening in the dielectric layer. The photoresist pattern is removed. A first etching process is performed using the patterned metal hard mask layer as a mask to form a trench and a second opening extending downward from the first opening in the dielectric layer. The second opening exposes the conductive region. A conductive layer is formed in the trench and the second opening. |
| US07704868B2 |
Fabrication of a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device from a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
Methods of fabricating micro-electromechanical system devices from complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) are provided. |
| US07704865B2 |
Methods of forming charge-trapping dielectric layers for semiconductor memory devices
Methods of forming charge-trapping dielectric layer structures in semiconductor memory devices which comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming an oxide layer on at least a portion of the substrate; (c) forming two or more source/drain regions in the substrate below the oxide layer; (d) re-oxidizing the oxide layer; (e) forming a charge-trapping dielectric layer on the oxide layer; and (f) forming an insulating layer on the charge-trapping dielectric layer; as well as methods which comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming an oxide layer on at least a portion of the substrate in a dry atmosphere; (c) forming two or more source/drain regions in the substrate below the oxide layer; (d) forming a charge-trapping dielectric layer on the oxide layer; (e) forming an insulating layer on the charge-trapping dielectric layer; and (f) annealing the insulating layer in an atmosphere having a hydrogen content of less than about 0.01% are described. |
| US07704864B2 |
Method of manufacturing a superjunction device with conventional terminations
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a heavily doped region of a first conductivity and has a lightly doped region of the first conductivity. The semiconductor substrate a plurality of trenches etched into an active region of the substrate forming a plurality of mesas. A preselected area in the active region is oxidized and then etched using a dry process oxide etch to remove the oxide in the bottoms of the trenches. A protective shield is formed over a region at a border between the active region and the termination region. The protective shield is partially removed from over the preselected area. Dopants are implanted at an angle into mesas in the preselected area. The plurality of trenches are with an insulating material, the top surface of the structure is planarized and a superjunction device is formed on the structure. |
| US07704862B2 |
Surface planarization of thin silicon films during and after processing by the sequential lateral solidification method
Systems and methods for reducing a surface roughness of a polycrystalline or single crystal thin film produced by the sequential lateral solidification process are disclosed. In one arrangement, the system includes an excimer laser for generating a plurality of excimer laser pulses of a predetermined fluence, an energy density modulator for controllably modulating the fluence of the excimer laser pulses such that the fluence is below that which is required to completely melt the thin film, a beam homoginizer for homoginizing modulated laser pulses in a predetermined plane, a sample stage for receiving homoginized laser pulses to effect melting of portions of the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film corresponding to the laser pulses, translating means for controllably translating a relative position of the sample stage with respect to the laser pulses, and a computer for coordinating the excimer pulse generation and fluence modulation with the relative positions of the sample stage to thereby process the polycrystalline or single crystal thin film by sequential translation of the sample stage relative to the laser pulses. |
| US07704854B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device having conductive liner for rad hard total dose immunity
The invention relates to a method includes etching at least one shallow trench in at least an SIO layer; forming a dielectric liner at an interface of the SIO layer and the SIO layer; forming a metal or metal alloy layer in the shallow trench on the dielectric liner; and filling the shallow trench with oxide material over the metal or metal alloy. |
| US07704849B2 |
Methods of forming trench isolation in silicon of a semiconductor substrate by plasma
A method of etching trenches into silicon of a semiconductor substrate includes forming a mask over silicon of a semiconductor substrate, with the mask comprising trenches formed there-through. Plasma etching is conducted to form trenches into the silicon of the semiconductor substrate using the mask. In one embodiment, the plasma etching includes forming an etching plasma using precursor gases which include SF6, an oxygen-containing compound, and a nitrogen-containing compound. In one embodiment, the plasma etching includes an etching plasma which includes a sulfur-containing component, an oxygen-containing component, and NFx. |
| US07704847B2 |
On-chip heater and methods for fabrication thereof and use thereof
An on-chip heater and methods for fabrication thereof and use thereof provide that the heater is located within an isolation region that in turn is located within a semiconductor substrate. The heater has a thermal output capable or raising the semiconductor substrate to a temperature of at least about 200° C. The heater may be used for thermally annealing trapped charges within dielectric layers within the semiconductor structure. |
| US07704840B2 |
Stress enhanced transistor and methods for its fabrication
A stress enhanced MOS transistor and methods for its fabrication are provided. A semiconductor-on-insulator structure is provided which includes a semiconductor layer having a first surface. A strain-inducing epitaxial layer is blanket deposited over the first surface, and can then be used to create a source region and a drain region which overlie the first surface. |
| US07704839B2 |
Buried stress isolation for high-performance CMOS technology
A field effect transistor (FET) comprises a substrate; a buried oxide (BOX) layer over the substrate; a current channel region over the BOX layer; source/drain regions adjacent to the current channel region; a buried high-stress film in the BOX layer and regions of the substrate, wherein the high-stress film comprises any of a compressive film and a tensile film; an insulating layer covering the buried high-stress film; and a gate electrode over the current channel region, wherein the high-stress film is adapted to create mechanical stress in the current channel region, wherein the high-stress film is adapted to stretch the current channel region in order to create the mechanical stress in the current channel region; wherein the mechanical stress comprises any of compressive stress and tensile stress, and wherein the mechanical stress caused by the high-stress film causes an increased charge carrier mobility in the current channel region. |
| US07704837B2 |
Cell based integrated circuit and unit cell architecture therefor
A unit cell for an integrated circuit includes a first conductive type active region and a second conductive type active region which extend in a first direction. Each of the active regions has first and second ends. The first end of the second conductive type active region opposes the second end of the first conductive type active region. A poly-silicon pattern extends in the first direction across the first conductive type active region and second conductive type active region. A first contact region is adjacent the first end of the first conductive type active region in the first direction. A second contact region is adjacent the second end of the second conductive type active region in the first direction. |
| US07704834B2 |
Method for forming split gate flash nonvolatile memory devices
Disclosed is a method for forming a non-volatile memory device, comprising the steps of: successively depositing a gate oxide and a floating gate material on a semiconductor substrate; depositing and selectively etching a first dielectric on the floating gate material to form a first dielectric pattern; forming a first floating gate oxide on the floating gate material; selectively etching the floating gate material with using the first dielectric pattern as a mask to form a floating gate pattern; forming an insulating layer on the floating gate pattern; etching a portion of the semiconductor substrate between neighboring floating gate patterns to form a trench in the substrate; depositing a control gate oxide on surfaces of the trench; depositing a control gate material to fill the trench and to cover the substrate surface; depositing a second dielectric on the control gate material; selectively etching the second dielectric and the control gate material to form a control gate pattern and a second dielectric layer; selectively removing the control gate pattern to form a source line pattern which extends from the substrate surface exposed in the trench to top surface of the second dielectric layer on the control gate pattern; forming an insulating layer on surface of the source line pattern; and forming source region in portion of the substrate, which is exposed by the source line pattern. |
| US07704832B2 |
Integrated non-volatile memory and peripheral circuitry fabrication
Non-volatile memory and integrated memory and peripheral circuitry fabrication processes are provided. Sets of charge storage regions, such as NAND strings including multiple non-volatile storage elements, are formed over a semiconductor substrate using a layer of charge storage material such as a first layer of polysilicon. An intermediate dielectric layer is provided over the charge storage regions. A layer of conductive material such as a second layer of polysilicon is deposited over the substrate and etched to form the control gates for the charge storage regions and the gate regions of the select transistors for the sets of storage elements. The first layer of polysilicon is removed from a portion of the substrate, facilitating fabrication of the select transistor gate regions from only the second layer of polysilicon. Peripheral circuitry formation is also incorporated into the fabrication process to form the gate regions for devices such as high voltage and logic transistors. The gate regions of these devices can be formed from the layer forming the control gates of the memory array. |
| US07704831B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with bit line of small resistance and manufacturing method thereof
A reduction of a resistance of a bit line of a memory cell array and a reduction of a forming area of the memory cell array are planed.Respective bit lines running at right angles to a word line are composed of a diffusion bit line formed in a semiconductor substrate and a linear metal bit line on an upper side of the diffusion bit line. The diffusion bit line is formed in a linear pattern on a lower side of the metal bit line in the same manner, and the metal bit line is connected with the diffusion bit line between the word lines. An interlayer insulating film is formed on the memory cell array, and the metal bit line is formed with being buried in it. |
| US07704828B2 |
Method of fabricating a semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a mold for forming a storage electrode, forming sacrificial spacers at side walls of openings in the mold, forming a conductive film for a storage electrode along the inside of the openings, removing the mold by a wet etching process, removing the sacrificial spacers by a dry etching process, and sequentially forming a dielectric film and an upper electrode on the storage electrode. |
| US07704827B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An epitaxial layer is formed on an n+ semiconductor substrate by epitaxial growth. A gate trench is formed to the surface of gate trench so that the bottom of gate trench reaches middle of the epitaxial layer. A gate insulator is formed on the inner wall of gate trench and a polysilicon is formed in the gate trench with the gate insulator interposed therebetween. An HTO film is formed on the surface of the polysilicon and the n− epitaxial layer. At this time, an ion plantation is performed to the epitaxial layer through the HTO film. Hence, a p diffused base layer, an n+ diffused source layer, an n+ diffused source layer is formed. A CVD oxide film is formed on the HTO film. After a BPSG having flowability is deposited on the CVD oxide film, the BPSG film is planarized with a heat treatment of 900-1100 degree Celsius. |
| US07704826B2 |
Leveling algorithm for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related apparatus
A method of reading surface levels of a field defined on a substrate using a sensing apparatus having at least one cell array composed of a plurality of cells, in which some of the cells constituting the at least one cell array are selected and designated as available cells. Light is radiated onto a surface of the field. Light reflected to the available cells from the surface is sensed to extract available level signals. The available level signals may be calculated to read the surface level of the field. The surface level of the field are used in a method of controlling the level of an exposure apparatus controlling the substrate mounted on a leveling stage in up, down, right, left, front, back, and rotational directions using the surface level. |
| US07704825B2 |
Method of fabricating memory including diode
A memory capable of reducing the memory cell size is provided. This memory includes a first conductive type first impurity region formed on a memory cell array region of the main surface of a semiconductor substrate for functioning as a first electrode of a diode included in a memory cell and a plurality of second conductive type second impurity regions, formed on the surface of the first impurity region at a prescribed interval, each functioning as a second electrode of the diode. |
| US07704823B2 |
Strained semiconductor device and method of making same
To form a semiconductor device, an electrode layer is formed over a semiconductor body. The electrode layer includes an amorphous portion. A liner, e.g., a stress-inducing liner, is deposited over the electrode layer. The electrode layer is annealed to recrystallize the amorphous portion of the electrode layer. The liner can then be removed and an electronic component (e.g., a transistor) that includes a feature (e.g., a gate) formed from the electrode layer can be formed. |
| US07704820B2 |
Fabricating method of metal line
A method of fabricating a metal line using a dual damascene process which enhances reliability of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a lower metal line in a first inter metal dielectric layer; and then sequentially forming a first anti-etch layer, a second inter metal dielectric layer and a second anti-etch layer over the first inter metal dielectric layer and the lower metal line, wherein the second inter metal dielectric includes a first trench formed therein; and then forming an oxide film on the second anti-etch layer and in the first trench; and then forming a first via hole by performing a first etching process on the oxide film, the second anti-etch layer and the second inter metal dielectric layer; and then forming a second trench and a second via hole by performing a second etching process using the second anti-etch layer as a mask; and then removing a portion of the first anti-etch layer exposed in the second via hole and the second anti-etch layer; and then forming an upper metal line in the second via hole and the second trench. |
| US07704819B2 |
Creating high voltage FETs with low voltage process
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a high voltage first-conductivity type field effect transistor (HV-first-conductivity FET) and a high voltage second-type field effect transistor (HV-second-conductivity FET). The HV first-conductivity FET has a second-conductivity-well and a field oxide formed over the second-conductivity-well to define an active area. A first-conductivity-well is formed in at least a portion of the active area, wherein the first-conductivity-well is formed to have the capability to operate as a first-conductivity-drift portion of the HV-first-conductivity FET. The HV second-conductivity FET has a first-conductivity-well and a field oxide formed over the first-conductivity-well to define an active area. A channel stop region I s formed in at least a portion of the active area, wherein the channel stop region is formed to have the capability to operate as second-conductivity− drift portions of the HV-second-conductivity FET. |
| US07704818B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, including etching exposed areas of a substrate using patterned nitride and insulating layers as an etch mask to form a trench in the substrate; forming a buffer layer in the trench; forming a stress-inducing layer by implanting ions into a region of the substrate around the trench using the patterned nitride and insulating layers as an ion implant mask; forming a device isolation region by filling the trench with an trench insulating layer; and removing the patterned nitride and insulating layers. |
| US07704817B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. According to embodiments, a semiconductor device may include a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate with an isolation layer, a low-density junction region formed at both sides of the gate electrode, a patterned insulating layer formed while exposing a portion of the low-density junction region, and a high-density junction region formed beneath the exposed low-density junction region of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07704814B2 |
Method for manufacturing MOS transistor of semiconductor device
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a low-voltage MOS transistor and a high-voltage MOS transistor. The present method includes a low-voltage well implantation process on a semiconductor substrate to form a first well in a first region of the substrate and a second well in a second region of the substrate; forming first and second gate oxide layers and first and second gate electrodes in the first and second regions, respectively; forming a first photoresist pattern to expose the first region; forming a first LDD region in the first region exposed by the first photoresist pattern and the first gate electrode; removing the first photoresist pattern; forming a second photoresist pattern to expose the second region; forming a second LDD region in the second region exposed by the second photoresist pattern and the second gate electrode; performing a compensational implantation on the second region to adjust a well concentration for the high-voltage MOS transistor; and removing the second photoresist pattern. |
| US07704807B2 |
Multi-channel type thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same
A multi-channel type thin film transistor includes a gate electrode over a substrate extending along a first direction, a plurality of active layers parallel to and spaced apart from each other extending along a second direction crossing the first direction, and source and drain electrodes spaced apart from each other with respect to the gate electrode and extending along the first direction, wherein each of the plurality of active layers includes a channel region overlapped with the gate electrode, a source region, a drain region, and lightly doped drain (LDD) regions, one between the channel region and the source region and another one between the channel region and the drain region, wherein the LDD regions of the adjacent active layers have different lengths from each other. |
| US07704805B1 |
Fuse structures, methods of making and using the same, and integrated circuits including the same
A fuse structure, an integrated circuit including the structure, and methods for making the structure and (re)configuring a circuit using the fuse. The fuse structure generally includes (a) a conductive structure with at least two circuit elements electrically coupled thereto, (b) a dielectric layer over the conductive structure, and (c) a first lens over both the first dielectric layer and the conductive structure configured to at least partially focus light onto the conductive structure. The method of making the structure generally includes the steps of (1) forming a conductive structure electrically coupled to first and second circuit elements, (2) forming a dielectric layer thereover, and (3) forming a lens on or over the dielectric layer and over the conductive structure, the lens being configured to at least partially focus light onto the conductive structure. The method of (re)configuring a circuit generally includes the steps of (i) irradiating at least one lens on or near a surface of the circuit sufficient to electrically disconnect a corresponding first fuse positioned under the lens and disable a first configuration of the circuit, and (ii) irradiating at least one other lens on or near the surface of the circuit sufficient to electrically disconnect a corresponding second fuse positioned under that lens and enable a second configuration of the circuit. The structure and methods advantageously provide fuse structures having improved reliability and smaller chip area, thereby increasing the yield of the manufacturing process and the numbers of die per wafer (both gross and good). |
| US07704804B2 |
Method of forming a crack stop laser fuse with fixed passivation layer coverage
A crack stop void is formed in a low-k dielectric or silicon oxide layer between adjacent fuse structures for preventing propagation of cracks between the adjacent fuse structures during a fuse blow operation. The passivation layer is fixed in place by using an etch stop shape of conducting material which is formed simultaneously with the formation of the interconnect structure. This produces a reliable and repeatable fuse structure that has controllable passivation layer over the fuse structure that is easily manufactured. |
| US07704791B2 |
Packaging of integrated circuits with carbon nano-tube arrays to enhance heat dissipation through a thermal interface
According to one aspect of the invention, a method of constructing an electronic assembly is provided. A layer of metal is formed on a backside of a semiconductor wafer having integrated formed thereon. Then, a porous layer is formed on the metal layer. A barrier layer of the porous layer at the bottom of the pores is thinned down. Then, a catalyst is deposited at the bottom of the pores. Carbon nanotubes are then grown in the pores. Another layer of metal is then formed over the porous layer and the carbon nanotubes. The semiconductor wafer is then separated into microelectronic dies. The dies are bonded to a semiconductor substrate, a heat spreader is placed on top of the die, and a semiconductor package resulting from such assembly is sealed. A thermal interface is formed on the top of the heat spreader. Then a heat sink is placed on top of the thermal interface. |
| US07704789B2 |
Methods for forming resistive switching memory elements
Resistive switching memory elements are provided that may contain electroless metal electrodes and metal oxides formed from electroless metal. The resistive switching memory elements may exhibit bistability and may be used in high-density multi-layer memory integrated circuits. Electroless conductive materials such as nickel-based materials may be selectively deposited on a conductor on a silicon wafer or other suitable substrate. The electroless conductive materials can be oxidized to form a metal oxide for a resistive switching memory element. Multiple layers of conductive materials can be deposited each of which has a different oxidation rate. The differential oxidization rates of the conductive layers can be exploited to ensure that metal oxide layers of desired thicknesses are formed during fabrication. |
| US07704787B2 |
Methods for fabricating phase changeable memory devices
Phase-changeable memory devices and method of fabricating phase-changeable memory devices are provided that include a phase-changeable material pattern of a phase-changeable material that includes nitrogen atoms. First and second electrodes are electrically connected to the phase-changeable material pattern and provide an electrical signal thereto. The phase-changeable material pattern may have a polycrystalline structure. |
| US07704779B2 |
Image sensing device having protection pattern on the microlens, camera module, and method of forming the same
An image sensing device having a protection pattern formed on microlenses is provided. The device includes a plurality of photodiodes provided in a semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer having a substantially flat top surface is disposed on the photodiodes. A plurality of microlenses are provided on the insulating layer and disposed over the photodiodes. The microlenses are covered with a protection pattern. The protection pattern can be formed of an oxide-based photosensitive polymer layer or a nitride-based photosensitive polymer layer, as examples. The protection pattern can have a substantially flat top surface. |
| US07704778B2 |
Microlens structure for image sensors
A microlens structure and a method of fabrication thereof are provided. The method comprises forming a layer of microlens material over a substrate, which has photo-sensitive elements formed therein. The microlens material, which comprises a photo-resist material, is exposed in accordance with a desired pattern a plurality of times. The energy used with each exposure process is less than the energy required if a single exposure is used. Furthermore, the masks used for each exposure may differ. In an embodiment, the masks are varied so as to create a notch in the upper corner of the microlens. |
| US07704775B2 |
CCD type solid-state imaging apparatus and manufacturing method for the same
The invention provides CCD type solid-state imaging apparatus comprises: photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of first transfer paths extending in a first direction; and second transfer paths extending in a first direction; the first transfer paths and the second transfer paths respectively including a plurality of discretely formed first layer transfer electrode films and second layer transfer electrode films formed between the first layer transfer electrode films and whose ends are laminated on the ends of the adjacent first layer transfer electrode films via insulating films. The thickness of the insulating film between the first layer transfer electrode film and the second layer transfer electrode film constituting the second transfer path shown is smaller than the thickness of the insulating film between the first layer transfer electrode film and the second layer transfer electrode film constituting the first transfer path shown. |
| US07704774B2 |
Pressure sensor having a chamber and a method for fabricating the same
A pressure sensor is manufactured by joining two wafers, the first wafer comprising CMOS circuitry and the second being an SOI wafer. A recess is formed in the top material layer of the first wafer, which is covered by the silicon layer of the second wafer to form a cavity. Part or all of the substrate of the second wafer is removed to forming a membrane from the silicon layer. Alternatively, the cavity can be formed in the second wafer. The second wafer is electrically connected to the circuitry on the first wafer. This design allows to use standard CMOS processes for integrating circuitry on the first wafer. |
| US07704773B2 |
MEMS devices having support structures with substantially vertical sidewalls and methods for fabricating the same
Embodiments of MEMS devices include support structures having substantially vertical sidewalls. Certain support structures are formed through deposition of self-planarizing materials or via a plating process. Other support structures are formed via a spacer etch. Other MEMS devices include support structures at least partially underlying a movable layer, where the portions of the support structures underlying the movable layer include a convex sidewall. In further embodiments, a portion of the support structure extends through an aperture in the movable layer and over at least a portion of the movable layer. |
| US07704771B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same and monolithic light emitting diode array
A light emitting device including: at least one light emitting stack including first and second conductivity type semiconductor layers and an active layer disposed there between, the light emitting stack having first and second surfaces and side surfaces interposed between the first and second surfaces; first and second contacts formed on the first and second surface of the light emitting stack, respectively; a first insulating layer formed on the second surface and the side surfaces of the light emitting stack; a conductive layer connected to the second contact and extended along one of the side surfaces of the light emitting stack to have an extension portion adjacent to the first surface; and a substrate structure formed to surround the side surfaces and the second surface of the light emitting stack. |
| US07704768B2 |
Method of fabricating liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display device includes a driving circuit provided with a switching device on a liquid crystal display panel, the switching device including a plurality of thin film transistors connected in parallel and commonly interconnected using a gate electrode. |
| US07704766B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a transflective liquid crystal display device includes: a substrate; a gate line and a data line on the substrate, the gate line and the data line crossing each other to define a pixel region including a transmissive area and a reflective area surrounding the transmissive area; a thin film transistor having a gate insulating layer, the thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a first passivation layer on the thin film transistor, the first passivation layer having a drain contact hole exposing a drain electrode of the thin film transistor and a through hole exposing the substrate in the transmissive area; a reflective plate on the first passivation layer; a second passivation layer on the reflective plate; and a pixel electrode on the second passivation layer, the pixel electrode contacting the substrate in the transmissive area through the through hole and contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole. |
| US07704764B2 |
Fabrication method of GaN power LEDs with electrodes formed by composite optical coatings
Fabrication method of GaN power LED with electrodes formed by composite optical coatings, comprising epitaxially growing N—GaN, active, and P—GaN layers successively on a substrate; depositing a mask layer thereon; coating the mask layer with photoresist; etching the mask layer into an N—GaN electrode pattern; etching through that electrode pattern to form an N—GaN electrode region; removing the mask layer and cleaning; forming a transparent, electrically conductive film simultaneously on the P—GaN and N—GaN layers; forming P—GaN and N—GaN transparent, electrically conductive electrodes by lift-off; forming bonding pad pattern for the P—GaN and N—GaN electrodes by photolithography process; simultaneously forming thereon bonding pad regions for the P—GaN and N—GaN electrodes by stepped electron beam evaporation; forming an antireflection film pattern by photolithography process; forming an antireflection film; thinning and polishing the backside of the substrate, then forming a reflector thereon; and completing the process after scribing, packaging and testing. |
| US07704760B2 |
Method of making light emitting diode with irregular surface and independent valleys
A method of making a light emitting diode (LED) is disclosed. The LED of the present invention comprises a semiconductor layer of a first polarity, an active layer, and a semiconductor layer of a second polarity stacked from bottom to up, wherein a stacked structure at least composed of the active layer and the semiconductor layer of the second polarity have a side with a wave-shape border in a top view of the LED and/or at least one valley, thereby increasing the efficiency of emitting the light to the outside of the LED. |
| US07704758B2 |
Optical device and its manufacturing method, and optical device wafer
A method for manufacturing an optical device, the method includes the steps of: forming a multilayer film, including forming a first mirror above a substrate, forming an active layer above the first mirror, forming a second mirror above the active layer, forming a semiconductor layer on the second mirror, and forming a sacrificial layer on the semiconductor layer; conducting a reflection coefficient examination on the multilayer film; patterning the multilayer film to form a surface-emitting laser section having the first mirror, the active layer and the second mirror, and a diode section having the semiconductor layer; and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer to expose at least a portion of an upper surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein an optical film thickness of the semiconductor layer is formed to be an odd multiple or an even multiple of λ/4, where λ is a design wavelength of light emitted by the surface-emitting laser section, andan optical film thickness of the sacrificial layer is formed not to be an odd multiple or an even multiple of λ/4. |
| US07704757B2 |
Method for adjusting an electrical parameter on an integrated electronic component
A method is provided for manufacturing an integrated electronic component arranged on a substrate wafer. According to the method, at least one metallization step is performed, and a value of an electrical parameter of the integrated electronic component is determined after the at least one metallization step. A subsequent metallization step is performed after determining the value of the electrical parameter. The subsequent metallization step is performed using an adjustment mask chosen from n predefined masks based on a desired value of the electrical parameter, so as to obtain the desired value of the electrical parameter of the integrated electronic component after manufacturing. In one preferred embodiment, a series of electrical tests is performed on the wafer using test equipment, and the value of the electrical parameter is determined using the same test equipment as is used to perform the series of electrical tests. |
| US07704752B2 |
Signalling compounds for use in methods of detecting hydrogen peroxide
Methods and compound useful for detecting a source of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed wherein a signalling compound of the formula: is reacted with peroxide. Sig is a non-polymeric organic group, B is a boron atom, and each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl groups and can be joined together as a straight or branched alkylene chain forming a ring or as an aromatic ring. A detectable product compound of the formula Sig-OH or Sig-O− is produced and detected by measuring color, absorbance, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence. The signalling compound itself does not possess the detectable property or does so only to a very weak degree. The methods can be used as a detectable signal in assays for peroxide or peroxide-producing enzymes and in assays employing enzyme-labeled specific binding pairs. |
| US07704748B2 |
Gas analyzer for measuring the flammability of mixtures of combustible gases and oxygen
A novel Flame Temperature Analyzer (FTA) method and apparatus for measuring combustible gas concentration and oxygen content in a sample gas includes supplying a mixture of oxidant and fuel to a sensing flame and measuring the temperature of the flame as the sample is added to the combustion chamber. |
| US07704746B1 |
Method of detecting leakage from geologic formations used to sequester CO2
The invention provides methods for the measurement of carbon dioxide leakage from sequestration reservoirs. Tracer moieties are injected along with carbon dioxide into geological formations. Leakage is monitored by gas chromatographic analyses of absorbents. The invention also provides a process for the early leak detection of possible carbon dioxide leakage from sequestration reservoirs by measuring methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and/or radon (Rn) leakage rates from the reservoirs. The invention further provides a method for branding sequestered carbon dioxide using perfluorcarbon tracers (PFTs) to show ownership. |
| US07704743B2 |
Electrosonic cell manipulation device and method of use thereof
In method of injecting a substance into a living cell having a cell membrane, the substance, the cell and a liquid are placed into a tapering passage. Energy is applied to the cell, thereby inducing poration. To sort cells, a cellular suspension is placed in a tapering passage, including a narrow end that defines an opening that has a dimension corresponding to a cell size. An acoustic wave is applied, thereby forcing cells having a cell size smaller than the selected cell size through the opening, with a portion of the cells having a cell size not smaller than the selected cell size not forced through the opening. To extract material from a cell, an electric field and an acoustic wave are applied, thereby causing the cell membrane to allow the material to pass out of the cell. |
| US07704741B2 |
Method and device for the formation of biological cell material
A method for producing cell material (20) having multiple biological cells (21), which have a predefined geometrical arrangement, includes the steps of providing a manipulation tool (10) having a tool body (11), whose surface (12, 14) at least partially contacts the cell material (20), and adjusting the manipulation tool (10) using a change of geometrical properties of the surface (12, 14) in such a way that the geometrical arrangement of the cells (21) is changed. A manipulation tool for performing a method of this type is also described. |
| US07704740B2 |
Nanofibrillar structure and applications including cell and tissue culture
A nanofibrillar structure for cell culture and tissue engineering is disclosed. The nanofibrillar structure can be used in a variety of applications including methods for proliferating and/or differentiating cells and manufacturing a tissue. Also disclosed is an improved nanofiber comprising a lipid, lipophilic molecule, or chemically modified surface. The nanofibers can be used in a variety of applications including the formation of nanofibrillar structures for cell culture and tissue engineering. |
| US07704737B2 |
Oligodendrocyte production from multipotent neural stem cells
This invention relates to methods of producing oligodendrocytes from multipotent neural stem cells by using at least one oligodendrocyte promoting factor, particularly granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, interleukin 3 or interleukin 5. The neural stem cells may optionally be expanded prior to being subjected to the oligodendrocyte promoting factor. |
| US07704736B2 |
Compositions for the derivation of germ cells from stem cells and methods of use thereof
Compositions and methods are provided for the reproducible derivation of germ cells and oocytes and spermatogonia therefrom. Also provide are methods of use of the same in reproductive and therapeutic cloning protocols. |
| US07704732B2 |
Fermentation unit with liquid nitrogen cooling
An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably. |
| US07704731B2 |
System and method for quantifying toxicity in water, soil, and sediments
A toxicity test system comprising an aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates; a test chamber capable of containing the aqueous suspension and a test sample; an optical signal generator capable of emitting an excitation signal, which is capable of exciting the dinoflagellates to emit a fluorescence signal if the dinoflagellates are alive; a first optical transducer capable of producing a first data signal in response to detecting to the fluorescence signal; a stimulator capable of generating a pressure pulse, which is capable of stimulating the dinoflagellates to emit a bioluminescence signal if the dinoflagellates are alive; a second optical transducer capable producing a second data signal in response to detecting the bioluminescence signal; and an analyzer disposed to compare the first data signal and the second data signal to a control data to generate an output representative of the toxicity of the test sample. |
| US07704730B2 |
Multiplexed assay methods
The present invention is directed to methods for conducting multiplexed assays. The methods are particularly well suited for measuring a plurality of analytes that may be present in very different abundances. The invention also relates to systems, devices, equipment, kits and reagents for use in such methods. |
| US07704714B2 |
Encapsulation of cells in biologic compatible scaffolds by coacervation of charged polymers
This invention relates to a method for the encapsulation of cells in biologic compatible three dimensional scaffolds and the use of such cells encapsulated in a scaffold. The cells are embedded in a charged polymer that is complex coacervating with an oppositely charged polymer within biologic compatible scaffolds. The polymer complex embedding the cells is forming an ultra thin membrane on the surface of the three dimensional scaffold. |
| US07704712B2 |
DNA polymerase fusions and uses thereof
The present invention discloses methods of using DNA polymerase fusions at high pH in PCR, DNA sequencing and mutagenesis protocols. |
| US07704711B1 |
Human protein kinases and uses therefor
The invention relates to novel kinase nucleic acid sequences and proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for making and using the novel molecules. |
| US07704710B2 |
Interleukin-9 receptor mutants
This invention relates to the diagnosis, treatment and methods for discovery of new therapeutics for atopic asthma and related disorders based on variants of Asthma Associated Factor 2. One embodiment of the invention is a variant of AAF2 wherein codon 173 is deleted resulting in the loss of glutamine 173 from the mature protein precursor. This single amino acid deletion results in a non-functional AAF2 protein and therefore the presence of this phenotype should be associated with less evidence of atopic asthma. Correspondingly, the lack of susceptibility to an asthmatic, atopic phenotype is characterized by the loss of glutamine at codon 171 The invention includes isolated DNA molecules which are variants of the wild type sequence as well as the proteins encoded by such DNA and the use of such DNA molecules and expressed protein in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic asthma. |
| US07704703B2 |
Arf and Hdm2 interaction domains and the methods of use thereof
The present invention discloses that the binding of Arf with Dm2, important components of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, results in specific domains of both proteins undergoing a dramatic transition from dynamically disordered conformations to amyloid-like structures comprised of anti-parallel β-strands. The invention exploits this discovery by providing unique methods for identifying and/or designing compounds that mimic, inhibit and/or enhance the effect of Arf on Dm2. The present invention also provides specific peptides derived from the binding domains of Arf and Dm2 which co-assemble into supramolecular structures comprised of binary anti-parallel β-strands. The disclosed peptides may represent structural prototypes for a broader class of peptides that is capable of assembly into supramolecular structures. |
| US07704698B2 |
Human T2R51 taste receptor and related assays for identifying bitter taste modulators
The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R51 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste. |
| US07704686B2 |
Methods of identifying immunoregulatory agents, immunoregulatory agents, and uses thereof
The present invention provides methods of identifying a substance that down-regulates or up-regulates an immune response and kits used for the identification methods. A method of this invention comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction between CD26 and caveolin-1. Another method comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction between caveolin-1 and Tollip. Still another method comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction among caveolin-1, Tollip, and IRAK-1. The present invention also relates to immunoregulatory agents comprising a substance that down-regulates an immune response, such as siRNA against caveolin-1 or Tollip. The invention further provides immunoregulatory agents comprising a substance that up-regulates an immune response. These agents are useful for treating inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, or other immune-mediated disorders. |
| US07704684B2 |
Methods and devices for fabricating three-dimensional nanoscale structures
The present invention provides methods and devices for fabricating 3D structures and patterns of 3D structures on substrate surfaces, including symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns of 3D structures. Methods of the present invention provide a means of fabricating 3D structures having accurately selected physical dimensions, including lateral and vertical dimensions ranging from 10s of nanometers to 1000s of nanometers. In one aspect, methods are provided using a mask element comprising a conformable, elastomeric phase mask capable of establishing conformal contact with a radiation sensitive material undergoing photoprocessing. In another aspect, the temporal and/or spatial coherence of electromagnetic radiation using for photoprocessing is selected to fabricate complex structures having nanoscale features that do not extend entirely through the thickness of the structure fabricated. |
| US07704679B2 |
Method of making a lithographic printing plate
A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support, including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including a first and at least a second gumming unit, wherein the precursor is consecutively developed in the first and the second gumming unit with a gum solution, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step. |
| US07704677B2 |
Method of patterning conductive polymer layer, organic light emitting device, and method of manufacturing the organic light emitting device
A method of patterning a conductive polymer, an organic light emitting device (OLED) manufactured using the method of patterning a conductive polymer, and a method of manufacturing the OLED are provided. The method of patterning a conductive polymer includes forming a conductive polymer layer on a substrate, aligning a shadow mask above the conductive polymer layer, and forming a conductive polymer pattern area and an insulating area in the conductive polymer layer by radiating charged particle beams through the shadow mask. |
| US07704675B2 |
Planographic printing plate precursor and stack thereof
The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor that is writable by laser exposure and is composed of a support, a photosensitive recording layer formed on the support, and a backcoat layer containing an epoxy resin, the backcoat layer being formed on the side of the support opposite to the photosensitive recording layer side; and a stack of the planographic printing plate precursors. According to the invention, scratches on the photosensitive recording side of the planographic printing plate precursor can be prevented when brought into contact with another planographic printing plate precursor in the stack without interleaving slip sheets, and productivity in a plate making process can be improved. |
| US07704673B2 |
Prevention of photoresist scumming
A photo acid generator (PAG) or an acid is used to reduce resist scumming and footing. Diffusion of acid from photoresist into neighbors causes a decreased acid level, and thus causes resist scumming. An increased acid layer beneath the resist prevents acid diffusion. In one embodiment, the increased acid layer is a layer of spun-on acid or PAG dissolved in aqueous solution. In another embodiment, the increased acid layer is a hard mask material with a PAG or an acid mixed into the material. The high acid content inhibits the diffusion of acid from the photoresist into neighboring layers, and thus substantially reduces photoresist scumming and footing. |
| US07704671B2 |
Lithographic printing plate precursor and lithographic printing method
A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic support, an undercoat layer and a laser-sensitive photopolymerizable layer, wherein the undercoat layer contains a copolymer containing (a1) a repeating unit having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one functional group capable of interacting with a surface of the support, and the repeating unit (a1) is a repeating unit represented by the formula (A1) as defined herein. |
| US07704670B2 |
High silicon-content thin film thermosets
High silicon-content resin composition that can be used to form thin film thermosets, useful in forming low k dielectric constant materials and as well as hard mask materials with anti-reflective properties for the photolithography industry are disclosed. |
| US07704669B2 |
Acrylic polymer and radiation-sensitive resin composition
To provide a resist which is excellent in the solubility in a resist solvent and little dependent on baking temperature and can form developed patterns reduced in line edge roughness. An acrylic polymer characterized by comprising units of the general formula (1), units of general formula (2), and units of general formula (3) and/or units of general formula (4), wherein R, R′, R″ and R′″ are each hydrogen, methyl, or trifluoromethyl; R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 linear or branched alkyl, alkoxy, or C1-4 linear or branched fluoroalkyl; X is a C7-20 polycyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon group consisting of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms; R2 and R3 are each independently C1-4 linear or branched alkyl; R4 is a C4-20 alicyclic hydrocarbon group; R5 is C1-4 linear or branched alkyl; and R6 and R7 are each hydrogen or C1-4 linear or branched alkyl. |
| US07704667B2 |
Dyes and use thereof in imaging members and methods
There are described novel rhodamine dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods, including thermal imaging members and imaging methods, utilizing the compounds. The dye compounds exhibit a first color when in the crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in the liquid, amorphous form. |
| US07704666B2 |
Laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and laser induced thermal imaging method
A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a laser induced thermal imaging method. A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus has electromagnets in an adhesion frame and a substrate stage to closely adhere a donor film to a substrate. The laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes a process chamber including a donor film and a substrate, and adapted to carry out a process for depositing the donor film on the substrate; a substrate stage having a first electromagnet, and positioned in the process chamber to support the substrate; an adhesion frame having a second electromagnet, and positioned over the substrate stage, wherein the donor film and the substrate are disposed between the substrate stage and the adhesion frame in the process chamber; and a laser oscillator adapted to apply a laser output to the donor film. |
| US07704662B2 |
Single component developer
A toner for use in a single component development system, said toner including emulsion aggregation toner particles with a styrene acrylate polymer binder resin having a molecular weight Mw of from about 50 to about 100 Kpse and a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 10 to about 30 Kpse, a wax selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene, and at least one colorant, wherein the toner particles have an onset glass transition temperature of from about 50° C. to about 60° C., and a circularity of from about 0.950 to about 0.990. |
| US07704657B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method of manufacturing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member having excellent electrophotographic properties while being prevented from the generation of blade turn-up, a method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. The surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymer having a specific repeating structural unit. |
| US07704655B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor which can respond to a reduction in diameter of photoreceptor and a process having high circumferential speed, due to the demand in the miniaturization and increase in the speed of copiers and printers. The photoreceptor has high sensitivity in long-wavelength region, and is free from deterioration of electric characteristics even after repeated use, and is highly stable. The electrophotographic photoreceptor has a conductive support member and a photosensitive layer laminated thereon, which includes at least a charge-generating agent, a charge-transfer agent, and a binder resin. The charge-generating agent is oxytitanium phthalocyanine, which has a Bragg angle (2θ±0.2°) providing a maximum peak at 27.2° in the X-ray diffraction spectra using CuKα as a radiation source. |
| US07704648B2 |
Color filter substrate and fabricating method thereof
A color filter substrate including a substrate, a black matrix, a plurality of color filter patterns and a common electrode is provided. The substrate has a plurality of pixel regions thereon. The black matrix comprises a plurality of strip patterns, wherein the strip patterns are disposed between the pixel regions to isolate the pixel regions, and each strip pattern has a side portion distant from the substrate and extending to the edge of the adjacent pixel region. Each color filter pattern is disposed in each pixel region. The common electrode is disposed over the substrate and covering the color filter patterns and the black matrix. |
| US07704646B2 |
Half tone mask and method for fabricating the same
A half tone mask having a transparent substrate, a light semitransmission layer, and a light shield layer; and a method for fabricating the same. The halftone mask is applied to multiple cycles of a photolithography process, thus shortening a time taken to fabricate the mask and reducing the production costs of the mask. Since a desired pattern is uniformly formed through a light semitransmission layer of the half tone mask of the present invention according to the uniformity of a chrome oxide (CrxOy) film, i.e., the uniformity in sputtering, the halftone mask is not limited in size. |
| US07704645B2 |
Method of generating writing pattern data of mask and method of writing mask
A method of generating writing pattern data of a reflective mask for use in a non-telecentric exposure tool comprises obtaining a vertical position profile by measuring vertical positions of a plurality of X, Y coordinates arbitrarily set on the surface of a blank mask substrate when mounted on a mask stage, or by measuring and calculating a flatness profile, calculating unevenness of the blank mask substrate surface from the vertical position profile, calculating a shift amount of an image position, generated in a wafer mounted on a wafer stage of the exposure tool, in accordance with the unevenness of the blank mask substrate and parameters of a non-telecentric optics of the exposure tool, and obtaining corrected writing pattern data by correcting design pattern data of the reflective mask based on the shift amount of the image position and a reduction ratio of a projection optics of the exposure tool. |
| US07704644B2 |
Zero-alignment method for tunable fabrication of three-dimensional photonic crystals by multiple-exposure laser interference using diffraction gratings patterned on a single mask
A method for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal structures includes providing a layer of photosensitive material; introducing a laser beams into the material; reintroducing the laser beams into the photosensitive material during a second exposure; combining results from at least the first and second exposures to produce a three-dimensionally periodic pattern in the photosensitive material. A related system includes a laser source; a grating array having a plurality of diffraction gratings located thereon; a mask plate located on a photoresist layer and arranged in registration with the grating array; a rotating shutter arranged between the grating array and the laser source, said rotating shutter being suitable for periodically blocking light from the laser source; wherein each of the diffraction gratings is positioned and oriented so as to converge all first-order diffracted spots to a common point lying in a plane of a back side of the mask plate. |
| US07704641B2 |
Organic/inorganic composite porous film and electrochemical device prepared thereby
Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite porous film comprising: (a) a porous substrate having pores; and (b) an active layer formed by coating a surface of the substrate or a part of the pores in the substrate with a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, wherein the inorganic particles in the active layer are interconnected among themselves and are fixed by the binder polymer, and interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles form a pore structure. A method for manufacturing the same film and an electrochemical device including the same film are also disclosed. An electrochemical device comprising the organic/inorganic composite porous film shows improved safety and quality, simultaneously. |
| US07704640B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell excellent in cycle characteristics is provided. This purpose is achieved by the following structure. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte having a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolytic salt. The positive electrode active material has a lithium-cobalt compound oxide having added therein at least zirconium. The non-aqueous electrolyte has LiBF4 at from 0.05 to 1.0 mass % of a total mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte and unsaturated cyclic carbonate at from 1.0 to 4.0 mass %. The true density ratio of the positive electrode is 0.72 or greater, the true density ratio being represented by formula 1 shown below: (Formula 1) True density ratio=active material apparent density of electrode active material layer÷true density of active material. |
| US07704638B2 |
Battery and battery module
A power-generating element containing a stacked electrode assembly (10) and an electrolyte solution is disposed in an accommodating space of a plastic battery case (13). The entirety of the battery case (13) is enclosed air-tightly and liquid-tightly in an outer cover made of an aluminum laminate. An opening (13A) of the battery case (13) is sealed by sealing members (16a, 16b) disposed and melt-bonded so as to cover an opening (13A) of the battery case 13 and to sandwich current collectors (14, 15) of the power-generating element from both sides. The outer cover is sealed at at least a location corresponding to the opening (13A) of the battery case (13). |
| US07704635B2 |
Electrochemical device and method of manufacturing electrochemical device
An electrochemical device comprises a laminate including a first electrode layer, a separator layer, and a second electrode layer laminated in sequence; an electrolytic solution infiltrating the laminate; and a resin part covering an outer periphery of the laminate. The second electrode layer has an area smaller than the area of the separator layer and the area of the first electrode layer. The surface of the separator layer opposing the second electrode layer is provided with a noncontact part kept away from the second electrode layer. The noncontact part is formed like a ring along the outer periphery of the separator layer. The resin part further covers the noncontact part of the separator layer. |
| US07704634B2 |
Method for designing redox flow battery system
The present invention provides a method of designing a redox flow battery system that can prevent system efficiency loss caused by weak generation power or load power at the time of electric charge or discharge, without using any lead storage battery, and can also provide further improved system efficiency. In the present invention, generating equipment that varies irregularly in output of power generation is provided with the redox flow battery to smooth the output of power generation. An average value of output distribution of the battery with respect to the smoothed output of power generation and standard deviation are determined. Then, at least either of a specified output of the battery and a specified output of the converter for converting the battery output is determined based on the standard deviation. |