Document Document Title
US07710639B2 System and method for uniform illumination of a target area
A system and method is provided for uniform illumination of a target area. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of mutually incoherent light sources configured to generate respective light beams with different wavelengths, and transmitting optics configured to transmit the light beams with different wavelengths in a non-overlapping wavelength light beam pattern over the target area, such that there are no overlap regions of the target area illuminated by a light beam from the same light source.
US07710636B2 Systems and methods using interferometric optical modulators and diffusers
Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker substrate. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.
US07710632B2 Display device having an array of spatial light modulators with integrated color filters
By selectively placing color filters with different transmittance spectrums on an array of modulator elements each having the same reflectance spectrum, a resultant reflectance spectrum for each modulator element and it's respective color filter is created. In one embodiment, the modulator elements in an array are manufactured by the same process so that each modulator element has a reflectance spectrum that includes multiple reflectivity lines. Color filters corresponding to multiple colors, such as red, green, and blue, for example, may be selectively associated with these modulator elements in order to filter out a desired wavelength range for each modulator element and provide a multiple color array. Because the modulator elements are manufactured by the same process, each of the modulator elements is substantially the same and common voltage levels may be used to activate and deactivate selected modulation.
US07710631B2 Reflective mirror assembly
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly having a front substrate and a rear substrate with an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. A substantially non-transparent perimeter band is disposed at the second surface of the front substrate and around a perimeter border region of the second surface of the front substrate. The perimeter band is not specularly reflective to visible light that passes through the first substrate and is incident on the perimeter band. A first electrical connection is at the first electrically conductive layer at a first overhang region and a second electrical connection is at the second electrically conductive layer. The perimeter band is dimensioned so as to render the presence of the perimeter seal and at least the first electrical connection substantially unobservable to a driver normally viewing the reflective element assembly when the vehicle is normally equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly.
US07710629B2 System and method for display device with reinforcing substance
A package structure and method of packaging an interferometric modulator with a reinforcing substance to help support the integrity of the package. In some embodiments the reinforcing substance is a desiccant integrated into the backplate or the transparent substrate.
US07710626B2 Optical element driving apparatus
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical element driving apparatus which includes a first actuator configured to drive an optical element in accordance with a deformation target value, a sensor arranged to measure a position and an orientation of the optical element, a second actuator configured to drive the optical element in accordance with position and orientation target values and an output of the sensor, and a correcting unit configured to correct a measurement error of the sensor caused by deformation of the optical element.
US07710625B2 Light scanning apparatus that stops driving oscillation mirror when change of amplitude of oscillation mirror exceeds predetermine value
A light scanning apparatus makes a light beam scan along a main scanning direction on an effective scanning region which has a predetermined width. The apparatus comprises: a light source which emits the light beam; a deflector which includes an oscillation mirror which oscillates about an oscillatory axis which is orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to the main scanning direction, deflects the light beam emitted from the light source using the oscillation mirror, and makes the light beam scan a second scanning range which contains but extends beyond a first scanning range which corresponds to the effective scanning region; a detector which detects the scanning light beam which moves through a position which is outside the first scanning range but is within the second scanning range, and outputs a signal; and a controller which controls a mirror drive signal fed to the oscillation mirror based on the output signal from the detector and accordingly adjusts the amplitude of the oscillation mirror. In the apparatus above, the controller stops driving the oscillation mirror when confirming based on the output signal that the oscillation mirror is under abnormal control.
US07710622B2 Color hologram display and its fabrication process
The invention relates to a color hologram display an image of a three-dimensional object and a hologram image of a pattern of plane characters, images or the like are recorded in the same volume type hologram photosensitive material in a superposed or multiplexed fashion. A color hologram display 27′ comprising a combined reflection and volume type of single layer, wherein a color pattern 29g of plane characters, images or the like and a color three-dimensional subject image O″ are reconstructably recorded while spatially superposed one upon another.
US07710620B2 Image processing method, recorded matter, storage medium, image processing apparatus, image forming method, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and ink
An image processing method of processing image data includes a color space conversion step of converting an input color signal of image data into an output color signal having cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) values; a black generation/under color removal step of converting the CMY values into cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) values by adding a black (K) value and decreasing the CMY values so that portions of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) recording liquids used to form the image data are replaced with a black (K) recording liquid; and a total amount control step of controlling amounts of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) recording liquids calculated from the CMYK values so that a total amount of the CMYK recording liquids per unit area on a recording medium does not exceed a predetermined total amount limit.
US07710618B2 Image reading apparatus for detecting noise in image data
An image reading apparatus includes: three line sensors mutually spaced in a sub scanning direction; a platen arranged between the original and the three line sensors; a mover moving the platen at a rate relative to the three line sensors, the rate being different from that of the original relative to the three line sensors; a first detector detecting a noise pixel based on a plurality of data output from the three line sensors; and a second detector detecting a subsequent noise pixel based on the noise pixel detected with the first detector.
US07710617B2 Image reading apparatus capable of detecting noise
An image reading apparatus includes: three line sensors mutually spaced in a sub scanning direction; a platen arranged between the original and the three line sensors; a mover moving the platen at a rate relative to the three line sensors, the rate being different from that of the original relative to the three line sensors; a first lightness difference detector extracting a first feature pixel of a first level from each of three data output from the three line sensors; a second lightness difference detector extracting a second feature pixel of a second level; and NOR and AND devices comparing the three data corresponding to a single location on the original to detect the first feature pixel extracted from one of the three data, as a noise pixel if the second feature pixel is not extracted from the other data.
US07710616B2 Image formation device and support body
An image formation device is provided with an image formation section, an image acquisition section, a paper supply cassette and a support body. The image formation section forms images at a recording medium and is supported at a base surface. The image acquisition section is disposed at an upper side of the image formation section. The paper supply cassette is disposed at a lower side of the image formation section and can be drawn out to a near side. The support body supports the image acquisition section at the base surface and forms a cassette cavity which is capable of accommodating a far side of the paper supply cassette.
US07710615B2 Multi-stage scanning method for increasing scanning speed and enhancing image quality
In a multi-stage scanning method for increasing a scanning speed and enhancing an image quality, an optical module is firstly moved from a start position to a forward-internal position in a forward direction, and then enabled to scan a first portion of a document to obtain a first image until the module reaches a forward-boundary position. Then, the module is moved from the forward-boundary position to an end position in the forward direction. Next, the module is moved from the end position to a reverse-internal position in a reverse direction, and then enabled to scan a second portion of the document to obtain a second image until the module reaches a reverse-boundary position. Then, the module is moved from the reverse-boundary position to the start position, in the reverse direction, and then stopped. Finally, the first and second images are stitched into a complete image.
US07710611B2 Single and multi-spectral illumination system and method
A stencil printer apparatus for depositing a solder paste onto the surface of the electronic substrate, comprising a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, the stencil having a plurality of apertures, a dispenser coupled to the frame, the stencil and the dispenser being configured to deposit the solder paste onto the electronic substrate, an imaging system constructed and arranged to capture an image of the electronic substrate, and a controller coupled to the imaging system and configured to control movement of the imaging system to capture the image. The imaging system comprises a camera element configured to capture the image of at least the portion of the surface of the electronic substrate, and a first illumination element comprising a long-wavelength light source configured to illuminate at least the portion of the surface of the electronic substrate by generating long-wavelength light. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed.
US07710609B2 Page edge correction systems and methods
Method and system embodiments herein add at least one trap area between abutting objects on an image to be printed by a printing engine. This trap area includes a central region between two outer regions. The method/system establishes a target toner concentration for pixels within the trap area based on toner concentrations of the abutting objects and corrects the target toner concentration to account for irregularities of the outer regions of the trap area to produce a corrected toner concentration for pixels in the trap area. The method/system performs this correction by first empirically testing the printing engine to establish a lookup table of correction values of the outer regions prior to a printing operation. Then, during the printing operation, the method determines a size relationship (weighting) between the central region and the outer regions for the trap area and calculates the corrected toner concentration.
US07710608B2 Printing apparatus, printing apparatus control program, printing apparatus control method, printing data creating apparatus, printing data creating program and printing data creating method
A printing apparatus for printing an image on a medium by a print head having a nozzle capable of creating dots includes: a module acquiring image data having an M-ary pixel data value (M≧3); a module creating N-ary image data (M>N≧2) from an M-ary pixel value (M≧3) expressed by each pixel data item; a module splitting the N-ary image data into a plurality of image data areas of a predetermined number of pixel data items; a module rearranging a position of a pixel corresponding to each pixel data item included in the image data areas in the N-ary image data at a predetermined position in each image data area; a module creating printing data defining dot forming information of each nozzle corresponding to the N-ary image data after rearrangement; and a module printing the image on the medium.
US07710604B2 Method and system for providing a high quality halftoned image
A method and system for providing a halftoned image is disclosed. The method and system comprise scaling the halftoned image by performing pel repetition utilizing an error diffusion algorithm such that artifacts are minimized. According a system and method in accordance with the present invention performs pel repetition using error diffusion technology, so that any resulting “artifacts” are realized as high-frequency image addition, making them much less visible. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides adjustability in the computational complexity of the scaling, so that quality can be traded off continuously against the amount of processing power required.
US07710597B2 Modified Neugebauer model for halftone imaging systems
A technique for profiling a color printing device employs a modified Neugebauer color mixing model. The modeling technique makes use of a variable dot gain value and “n factor.” The variable dot gain adjustment value may vary according to the particular tristimulus channel under evaluation. In addition, the variable dot gain value may vary according to the particular Neugebauer primary over which a halftone dot is printed. Accordingly, the technique may rely on an array of different dot gain values and n factors that correspond to different combinations of color channels and overprint conditions. As a further feature, the techniques may rely on a dot gain formula that relates halftone dot variation, i.e., fringe thickness, to the size of the halftone dot. This relationship tends to produce a dot gain model that more closely resembles the actual dot gain behavior on a printing press.
US07710592B2 Storage medium for managing job log, job log management method, image processing apparatus, and image processing system
A storage medium is readable by a computer. The storage medium stores a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform a function for managing a job log. The function includes: creating a job log after execution of a job; generating a log image from an image handled by the job; and storing the log image in association with the job log.
US07710591B2 Image forming apparatus and method for erasing image data
An image forming apparatus includes an image data input unit configured to take in image data, an image data memory unit configured to save image data, a data output unit configured to output the image data in a specific format, and an image data erasing unit configured to erase the image data saved in the image memory unit after output processing by the data output unit is completed. The image data erasing unit requests the user to make a selection as to whether or not an erasing manipulation for image data as an erasure object is executed, and erases the image data by an erasing method at a different security level according to the selection in response to a selection request.
US07710580B2 Vibration resistant interferometry
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method including providing scanning interferometry data for a test object using phase shifting interferometry, the data including intensity values for each of multiple scan positions for different spatial locations of the test object, the intensity values for each spatial location defining an interference signal for the spatial location, the intensity values for a common scan position defining a data set for that scan position. The method also includes temporally transforming at least some of the interference signals into a first frequency domain signal, determining an estimated phase profile of the test object based on the first frequency domain signal, determining phase shifts at multiple scan positions based on the estimated phase profile, and determining a more accurate phase profile of the test object based on the estimated phase profile and the phase shifts.
US07710579B2 Measuring method and apparatus for measuring depth of trench pattern
In a trench shape measuring apparatus, a substrate having a trench pattern extending in a predetermined trench direction on a measurement area is held by a holding part. A light emission part applies illumination light to the measurement area and reflected light of the illumination light from the measurement area is spectrally dispersed by a diffraction grating of a spectroscope, to acquire a measured spectral reflectance. Since the diffraction grating is arranged so that an angle formed between a direction on the substrate corresponding to a grating direction of the diffraction grating and the trench direction becomes 45 degrees, even if an oscillation direction of the reflected light from the substrate is limited by influence of the trench pattern, it is possible to accurately obtain a spectral reflectance of the measurement area without influence of polarization of the reflected light and obtain a depth of the trench pattern with accuracy.
US07710567B1 Systems and methods for determining level and/or type of a fluid
Methods and systems are provided for determining the density and/or temperature of a fluid based on the manner in which optical energy is affected as the optical energy propagates across a gap between opposing end faces of optical waveguides, or the manner in which the optical energy is reflected from interfaces of optical waveguides and the fluid.
US07710566B2 Method and apparatus for photoacoustic measurements
Photoacoustic instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. Certain disclosed photoacoustic instruments include a resonator cavity, an acoustic detector, a laser, an optical power detector, and a scattering detector. Further disclosed photoacoustic instruments include a resonator cavity, an acoustic detector, an optical power detector, a plurality of laser beams, each laser beam having a different wavelength, and, optionally, a scattering detector.
US07710564B1 Polarized broadband wafer inspection
In one embodiment, a surface inspection system comprises a radiation directing assembly to target radiation onto a surface of an object, the radiation directing assembly comprising a radiation source that emits a broadband radiation beam, a polarization control assembly comprising at least one of a linear polarizer and an apochromatic retarder, an aperture control mechanism, and a beam splitter, a radiation collection assembly to collect radiation reflected from the surface of the object, the radiation collection assembly comprising, a polarization control assembly comprising at least one of a linear polarizer and an apochromatic retarder, an aperture control mechanism, and at least one radiation sensing device.
US07710560B2 System for distributing and controlling color reproduction at multiple sites
In a color imaging system, multiple rendering devices are provided at different nodes along a network. Each rendering device has a color measurement instrument for calibrating the color presented by the rendering device. A rendering device may be a printer in which the measuring of color samples on a sheet rendered by the printer is provided by a sensor coupled to a transport mechanism which moves the sensor and sheet relative to each other, where the sensor provides light from the samples to a spectrograph. A rendering device may also be a display buying a member supporting a color measuring instrument for receiving light from an area of the screen. The color measuring instruments provide for non-contact measurements of color samples rendered on a display or a sheet, and are self calibrating by the use of calibration references.
US07710556B1 Inspection system
A substrate inspection system of a type that receives substrates disposed within a cassette and inspects a planar surface of the substrates with a read head, where the substrates are inspected while they are disposed within the cassette, and the read head is of a size to fit between adjacent substrates within the cassette. In this manner, the substrates do not need to be removed from the cassette, and no robotic arm is required to do so.
US07710548B2 Optoelectronic monitor including dynamic testing unit
An optoelectronic monitoring device (1) with at least one light source (2) and at least one receiving element (4) which receives light from light source (2) that was reflected by an object. The receiving element determines the distance of the object. A testing unit (5-7) of the monitoring device checks the functionality of the receiving element (4) and modifies light received by the receiving element so that the receiving element (4) receives light which has been falsified by a predetermined or a known amount. A corresponding testing method is also described.
US07710547B2 Coherent optical range finder
A coherent range measurement system includes a detector optical arrangement defining a current optical field of view and an illumination subsystem configured for transmitting pulses of coherent illumination at different times along each of a plurality of directions within the current optical field of view without moving parts. A detection arrangement is configured to direct part of the transmitted pulses and a reflected signal from each of the directions onto a common detector. The output of the detector is processed by a processing system to derive range data associated with each of the directions by coherent detection of the reflected signals employing the part of the transmitted pulses as a local oscillator.
US07710545B2 Scanned laser detection and ranging apparatus
A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an environment having objects located around a vehicle. The laser detection and ranging system comprises a fan beam generation unit, a streak unit, a telescope, a switch, and a detector unit. The fan beam generation unit transmits a fan beam. The streak unit streaks a received beam generated in response to the fan beam to form a streaked beam. The telescope propagates the fan beam to a portion of the environment around the vehicle. The switch directs the fan beam generated by the fan beam generation unit through the telescope along an azimuth onto the environment around the vehicle and directing a response signal to the fan beam to the streak unit. The detector unit detects the streaked beam and generating range and angle data to generate an image of the environment.
US07710537B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid.
US07710536B2 Liquid crystal diffraction lens element and optical head device
A liquid crystal diffraction lens element and an optical head device, which can switch focal lengths of both of outgoing light and returning light by a single element, are provided.The liquid crystal lens element comprises transparent substrates 1a, 1b, a liquid crystal 4 sandwiched between the transparent substrates 1a, 1b, transparent electrodes 2a, 2b, birefringent Fresnel lens members 3a, 3b each having a Fresnel lens shape and made of a birefringent material, and a seal 5, wherein the extraordinary refractive index direction A of the birefringent Fresnel lens member 3a and the extraordinary refractive index direction B of the birefringent Fresnel lens member 3b are perpendicular to each other, and the alignment direction of the liquid crystal 4 at the interface between the liquid crystal 4 and the transparent substrate 1a is perpendicular to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal 4 at the interface between the liquid crystal 4 and the transparent substrate 1b.
US07710533B2 Method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel and apparatus for cutting liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is fixed to a supporting stage by vacuum holding in a way that an end portion of a predetermined one of edges of the pair of substrates protrudes from the supporting stage. Next, scribe lines are formed respectively in positions on upper and lower surfaces of the end portion of the pair of substrates, and the end portion protruding from the supporting stage. Thereafter, a load is applied to a predetermined position by using a break pin. The load is applied to the predetermined position at a side of the scribe lines toward the outside closer to starting points of the respective scribe lines. Accordingly, the LCD panel is cut.
US07710526B2 Array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for an IPS mode LCD device comprises a substrate; a gate line along a first direction; a data line along a second direction; a TFT connected to the gate and data lines; a common electrode having a plate shape on the substrate and formed of a first transparent conductive material; and a pixel electrode formed of a second transparent conductive material on the common electrode and including first and second portions and a plurality of third portions combining the first portion with the second portion. The first and second portions are parallel to the second direction and separated from each other and the plurality of third portions are oblique to the first and second portions and separated from one another.
US07710523B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is constituted of a TFT substrate and an opposing substrate which are arranged so as to be opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. In addition, in the liquid crystal layer, formed is a polymer into which a polymer component added to liquid crystal is polymerized, and which determines directions in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when voltage is applied. In the TFT substrate, formed are a sub picture element electrode directly connected to a TFT and a sub picture element electrode connected to the TFT through capacitive coupling. In each of these sub picture element electrodes, formed are slits extending in directions respectively at angles of 45 degrees, 135 degrees, 225 degrees and 315 degrees to the X axis.
US07710519B2 Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optic device includes a frame, an optical member including a light guide plate accommodated within the flame, an illuminator, and a display panel disposed over the optical member. The display panel includes a substrate that has a light-shielding black mask extending in the shape of a picture frame along edges of the substrate. The black mask partially has at least one light-shielding extended segment extended toward at least one of the edges of the substrate.
US07710517B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a backlight, a polarization plate, at least two substrates, a liquid crystal layer placed between the substrates, and a color filter layer formed on at least a part of the substrates, wherein the color filter layer has green pixels that satisfy the relations 0.250.58, wherein x and y each represent a chromaticity value in an xy color system using illuminant C, the color filter layer has a contrast of 1000 or more with respect to each of X, Y and Z values, and the backlight uses a light-emitting device having a peak wavelength in the range of from 520 to 540 nm as a light source.
US07710516B1 Liquid crystal display with color sector backlighting
An LCD display system provides colored backlighting to enhance the viewing experience of presentations by the display system. The liquid crystal display (LCD) system includes a monochrome LCD to display monochrome information including at least two sectors; at least two backlighting elements to emit light in a plurality of colors, each backlighting element associated with one sector of the LCD and configured to backlight the one associated sector with a color light; and a processing device to control display of the information on the LCD and to select the color emitted by each backlighting from the plurality of colors. Each backlighting element may include two or more different color light emitting diodes (LEDs) wherein the intensity of each color LED is controlled by the processing device to provide the color selected by the processing device. A reflective element may be positioned relative to the backlighting element to reflect the color light emitted by the backlighting element. A diffusing element may be positioned between the backlighting element and the LCD.
US07710511B2 Liquid crystal displays with laminated diffuser plates
In a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management films, including a diffuser layer, lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is attached to the lower side of the LCD panel. Some, or all, of the light management layers may be attached together as a laminated stack of films. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is formed with a recessed region on one side and another optical film positioned within the recessed region.
US07710510B2 Liquid crystal display and adjustable support thereof
A liquid crystal display and adjustable support thereof. The liquid crystal display includes a display panel, a moving assembly and a locking assembly. The moving assembly is connected to the display panel, and moves the display panel. The locking assembly is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the locking assembly is in the first position, the moving assembly is abutted by the locking assembly so that the display panel cannot be moved by the moving assembly. When the locking assembly is in the second position, the moving assembly is not abutted by the locking assembly so that the display panel can be moved by the moving assembly.
US07710506B2 Thin film transistor array panel
A data line and an amorphous silicon pattern are formed on a substrate. The first electrode pattern is extended from the data line and overlaps an edge of the amorphous silicon pattern. The second electrode pattern is made of the same metal as the first electrode pattern and overlaps the edge of the amorphous silicon pattern at an opposite side of the first electrode pattern. Edges of the first and the second electrode patterns are sharply formed so that a tunneling effect easily occurs through the amorphous silicon pattern. An indium-tin-oxide pattern for a capacitor is formed at the end of the second electrode pattern. The capacitor is formed between the ITO pattern and a common electrode.
US07710503B2 Apparatus and method for optimizing the level of RF signals based upon the information stored on a memory
A signal processing arrangement has a signal source for providing a radio frequency (RF) signal, a signal output point, and first control means coupled between the signal source and the signal output point for controlling the selection of a low noise figure amplifier in response to the magnitude of an RF signal on a tuned channel frequency and the magnitude of an RF signal in the vicinity of said tuned channel frequency.
US07710502B2 Method and apparatus for detecting chroma field motion in a video signal
A method and apparatus for blending a video signal responsive to a chroma motion result is disclosed. The method and apparatus are configured to determine whether any chroma motion exists within the video signal and providing the chroma motion result, to provide a first blending signal based on the chroma motion result; to provide a second blending signal based on the chroma motion result; to modulate temporal filtered luma and chroma components of the video signal with the first blending signal, to modulate spatial filtered luma and chroma components of the video signal with the second blending signal, and to add the modulated temporal luma and chroma signals to the modulated spatial luma and chroma signals to provide a blended video signal.
US07710500B2 Video processing apparatus and methods using selectively modified sync positions
Sync positions are detected from a video signal. The detected sync positions are processed (e.g., averaged) to generate modified sync positions. The detected sync positions and the modified sync positions are selectively used to sample and synchronize a color signal derived from the video signal. For example, the detected sync positions and the modified sync positions may be selectively used to sample and synchronize the color signal responsive to differences between the modified sync positions. The invention may be embodied as apparatus and/or methods.
US07710499B2 A/V timing measurement for MPEG type television
An invention for measuring, maintaining and correcting synchronization between signals which suffer varying relative delays during transmission and/or storage is shown. The preferred embodiment of the invention finds particular use in measuring the relative delay between multiple audio signals and an associated video signal of a television type program which is compressed via MPEG or other compression for a transmission and/or storage system. The invention marks the video signal at a time when a particular event in the associated audio occurs. The mark is carried with the video throughout the video processing. After processing the same event in the audio is again identified, the mark in the video identified, the two being compared to determine the timing difference therebetween.
US07710496B2 Carrier for a circuit board on which a sensor component is held in a defined position
The invention relates to a carrier that holds a component in a defined position on a circuit board in a housing or housing part. In particular, the invention relates to a carrier for a sensor board on which a light-sensitive sensor is mounted. According to the invention, it is proposed that the carrier have at least one mechanical keying that interacts with a corresponding mechanical keying on the circuit board.
US07710494B2 Digital camera having a shutter curtain and exposure control method thereof
A control method of a digital camera includes: displaying a moving image on a screen based on charges stored in an image sensor by an electronic shutter with a shutter curtain opened; detecting illuminance of the shutter curtain with the shutter curtain closed; setting a still image exposure period based on the detected illuminance of the shutter curtain; exposing the image sensor in the still image exposure period with the shutter curtain opened; and storing a still image in a recording medium based on the charges stored in the image sensor in the still image exposure period.
US07710492B2 Imaging device and imaging method for performing automatic focus detection
An imaging device having an imaging element which takes a subject image by light from a subject passing through a photographing lens and obtains an image data, includes a filter selection device configured to select a filter transmitting an optional frequency component of the subject image; an autofocus detection device configured to detect a focus from an image data obtained by moving a focus lens to a lens position; and an acquisition timing setting device configured to set a timing of capturing the image data, the imaging device being configured to use the acquisition timing setting device in accordance with a photographing condition, and change the filter of the filter selection device in accordance with the acquisition timing set by the acquisition timing setting device.
US07710491B2 Optical equipment and its control method, and computer-readable storage medium
The object of this invention is to attain accurate control by correcting any deviation of a cam locus due to manufacturing errors and the like upon controlling a zoom lens and focus lens along a theoretical cam locus. To attain this object, a differential locus between the theoretical cam locus (stored cam locus) and a true cam locus due to an error obtained by a measurement is obtained, and is stored as cam correction data. The lens control is made while correcting the theoretical cam locus by the correction data.
US07710490B2 Portable image communication system, transmitting and receiving units constructing said system, and methods of controlling said units
When image data is sent and received between cameras via communication, it is possible for the user to ascertain the images that are being communicated. Thumbnail image data for transfer purposes is transmitted from a transmit-side camera to a receive-side camera. Main (full-size) image data is thenceforth transmitted from the transmit-side camera to the receive-side camera. When the main image data is sent and received, display screens on respective ones of the cameras display an image in which a transfer thumbnail image represented by transfer thumbnail image data moves from the display screen on the transmitting side to the display screen on the receiving side.
US07710489B2 Image reproducing apparatus and digital camera
An image reproducing device that displays frames or index images of still images and moving images so that a user can distinguish the still images from the moving images when looking at them in one-frame reproducing or index reproducing. The display style of the still images is different from that of frames of the moving images For example, each still image has a white frame like a picture, and a frame of each moving image has perforations like a movie film. Therefore, the user can distinguish the still images from the moving images when looking at them.
US07710488B2 Method of acquiring multimedia data at a desirable timing and apparatus thereof
A method of acquiring multimedia data and a multimedia data acquisition apparatus are disclosed. Pre-acquisition of multimedia data is performed before a user activates a triggering device, such as a shutter. The invention improves the quality of multimedia acquiring. By using the processing procedure of the invention, when capturing images, the user can select the image having the best quality and being acquired at the best timing according to the image capturing results.
US07710485B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus with signal charge transfer adaptive to an image shooting condition
A solid-state image pickup apparatus may improve, depending on the shooting condition, image degradation such as white balance offset or color mixture. An output scheme determiner defines, depending on shooting conditions such as shooting and sensitivity modes, output schemes such as the number of operative output circuits in an image sensor and a drive frequency of a horizontal transfer path. Depending on an output scheme, the vertical and transfer paths and output circuits in the image sensor are controlled, and one image sensing area is divided and the transfer rate of the horizontal path is reduced accordingly to produce an image signal. The determiner defines, in high sensitivity mode, the output scheme having a higher number of operative circuits and lower drive frequency. The apparatus may improve, without losing the high-speed reading, the horizontal transfer efficiency to avoid the transfer degradation and produce images free from degradation.
US07710484B2 Driving method for CCD image sensor, and imaging method
A CCD image sensor is driven in an interlace scan method, in which readout of signal charge is performed in two divided fields. In the first field, signal charge Qs accumulated in photodiodes of the first horizontal line and noise charge Qn generated in VCCDs on the second horizontal line are transferred. In the second field, the signal charge Qs accumulated in the photodiodes of the second horizontal line and the noise charge Qn generated in the VCCDs on the first horizontal line are transferred. The image signal based on the noise charge Qn obtained in the second field is subtracted from the image signal Qs based on the signal charge obtained in the first field. Then the image signal based on the noise charge Qn obtained in the first field is subtracted from the image signal based on the signal charge Qs obtained in the second field.
US07710483B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus, driving method thereof, and camera
A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of light-receiving elements which are arranged by rows and columns; a plurality of vertical transfer units each of which is arranged for a corresponding column of the light-receiving elements, and is operable to vertically transfer a plurality of signal packets and a dummy packet in a packets-mixing mode, the signal packet including charges read from the light-receiving elements, the dummy packet being a packet other than the signal packets, and N columns of the vertical transfer units forming one column group; a plurality of holding units which are arranged in final stages of the vertical transfer units in N columns except M columns in the column group, and each of which is operable to mix, hold, and vertically transfer charges of the signal packets and the dummy packet without depending on vertical transfer from upstream of the corresponding vertical transfer unit; a horizontal transfer unit operable to mix, hold, and horizontally transfer the charges transferred from the holding units or the vertical transfer units in the M columns in the column group; and a driving unit operable to drive the vertical transfer units, the holding units, and the horizontal transfer unit, wherein the driving unit is operable to drive, in the packets-mixing mode, the holding units and the horizontal transfer unit to generate a first mixed packet and a second mixed packet in the horizontal transfer unit, the first mixed packet includes: a plurality of signal packets belonging to a same row and neighbor columns of a same color; and a dummy packet belonging to a same column as the signal packets, and the second mixed packet includes no signal packet but a plurality of dummy packets in a same column as the signal packets included in the first mixed packets.
US07710482B2 Semiconductor device
A MOS image sensor IC has a silicon substrate, a MOS transistor and photodiodes disposed on the silicon substrate, and pixel regions each comprising one of the photodiodes. A protective film is disposed around the pixel regions. A first conductor for potential fixation is disposed under the protective film and surrounds the pixel regions. The first conductor is electrically fixed to a potential of the silicon substrate.
US07710481B2 Image sensor architecture employing one or more non-volatile memory cells
A circuit for use in an image sensor as well as an image sensing system using the circuit are set forth. The circuit comprises a memory device having a non-volatile memory cell, a control gate, a drain and a source. The circuit also employs a photosensitive semiconductor device that is positioned for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from an image. A pixel control circuit is connected to these components to direct the memory device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to a plurality of controlled modes. The controlled modes may include an erase mode and an exposure mode. In the erase mode, at least a portion of an electric charge is removed from the non-volatile memory cell to place the memory device in an initialized state. In the exposure mode, the non-volatile memory cell is charged at least partially in response to a voltage at a terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device. The voltage at the terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device corresponds to exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The pixel control circuit may also direct the memory device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to further modes including a read mode and a data retention mode. In the read mode, current flow between the source and drain of the memory device is detected as an indicator of the charge on the non-volatile memory cell. In the data retention mode, the charge on the non-volatile memory cell of the memory device that was acquired during the exposure mode is maintained notwithstanding further exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The circuit, and one or more peripheral support circuits, may be implemented in a monolithic substrate using, for example, conventional CMOS manufacturing processes.
US07710474B2 Luminance signal processing device
A filter section performs color carrier component removal and high-frequency level correction according to color image signal data, and a correction section performs edge enhancement correction. By these operations, luminance signal data is obtained. The characteristics of the filter section are established adaptively in accordance with the luminance signal level of low spatial frequency components in the color image signal data, the luminance signal edge level in the color image signal data, whether or not a predetermined color is exhibited in the color image signal data, a color difference edge level in the color image signal data, or whether or not the RGB data reaches the saturation level in the color image signal data.
US07710469B2 Image acquisition apparatus
An image acquisition apparatus includes an optical system having such distortion aberration characteristics as a central region is expanded and a peripheral region is compressed. An imaging element converts a subject image formed image data. A first memory stores filter factors which are used for interrupting a spatial frequency exceeding a Nyquist frequency of the image data. A second memory stores parameters which define an outer edge of a Nyquist image region. A filter factor setting circuit judges whether each pixel position of the image data is included in the Nyquist image region based on the parameter, and reads the filter factors from the first memory when each pixel position is included. A filter circuit executes filter processing with respect to the image data in accordance with the read filter factors. A distortion correcting circuit corrects the distortion aberration characteristics with respect to the image data.
US07710465B2 Image capturing apparatus with clarity sensor, underwater image compensation and underwater flash compensation
An image capturing apparatus (210) for providing an image (214) of a scene (12) that is within a fluid (16) includes an apparatus frame (228), a capturing system (230), and a control system (236). The capturing system (230) captures a captured image (614A). The control system (236) adjusts a color content of the captured image (614A) based on a clarity of the fluid (16). The image capturing apparatus (210) can include a clarity sensor (227) that provides a clarity signal that corresponds to the clarity of the fluid (16) near the image capturing apparatus (210). Moreover, the image capturing apparatus (210) can include an illumination system (724) that generates a generated light beam (726) that can be adjusted to compensate for the light that is attenuated by the fluid (16).
US07710460B2 Method of compensating for an effect of temperature on a control system
A sensor mounting system for enabling image stabilization in a digital camera is described. An electronic array light sensor is moved in relation to other parts of the camera in response to camera motion. In one embodiment, the sensor is moved by at least one linear motor having a ferrofluid in a gap of the linear motor. Other aspects of the system are described, including methods of heat sinking the sensor, a suspension system, methods of compensating for an effect of temperature on the ferrofluid, and a compact magnet configuration for forming the linear motor and providing feedback as to the position of the sensor.
US07710459B2 Ferrofluid suspension for image stabilization
A sensor mounting system for enabling image stabilization in a digital camera is described. An electronic array light sensor is moved in relation to other parts of the camera in response to camera motion. In one embodiment, the sensor is moved by at least one linear motor having a ferrofluid in a gap of the linear motor. Other aspects of the system are described, including methods of heat sinking the sensor, a suspension system, methods of compensating for an effect of temperature on the ferrofluid, and a compact magnet configuration for forming the linear motor and providing feedback as to the position of the sensor.
US07710453B2 Method and apparatus for real time testing of DTV antenna transmitting systems in time domain under full power
A real time apparatus for testing a DTV antenna transmitting system, wherein the DTV antenna transmitting system transmits an original signal from a DTV transmitter to a DTV transmitting antenna, is disclosed that includes a probe, wherein the probe is connected in series with the DTV antenna transmitting system, and senses signals traversing the DTV antenna transmitting system. An error detector of the testing apparatus compares the received signal to the original signal to identify the magnitude and location of errors.
US07710452B1 Remote video monitoring of non-urban outdoor sites
A method of remotely detecting rule violations at an outdoor site according to one aspect of the invention includes installing a self-contained VMU at the outdoor site near ground elevation, including affixing a chassis of the VMU to a permanent mount. The VMU is operated in a low-power standby mode that includes passively monitoring an ambient magnetic field at the outdoor site to detect a disturbance caused by a presence of a substantial ferrous object. In response to a detection of a disturbance in the ambient magnetic field, the VMU exits the low-power standby mode and initiates an active operating mode. The active operating mode includes operating a video camera by the VMU to capture video data; and wirelessly transmitting a signal representing at least a portion of the video data to a computer network. The video data is received by a remote node in the computer network via the computer network, and stored in association with a database record.
US07710443B2 Providing data
A method comprising storing a first line of data that is received from processing circuitry across a first set of conductors prior to receiving a first signal from a laser engine having a plurality of laser units and providing the first line of data and a second line of data that is received from the processing circuitry across the first set of conductors to the laser engine in response to receiving the first signal is provided.
US07710442B2 Two-sided thermal print configurations
Apparatus and methods for two-sided direct thermal printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dual-sided direct thermal printer comprising a first thermal print head and a second thermal print head is provided wherein a surface of the first thermal print head acts as a platen for the second thermal print head.
US07710441B2 Systems and methods for using multiple scanner facets to write a scan line of image data in an electrophotographic device
An imaging system comprises a laser source for emitting a beam, a photoconductive surface, a scanning device and a controller. The controller designates at least a first part and a second part of each line of image data, corresponding to a first part and a second part of each associated sweep of the beam. The laser source is modulated based upon the first part of the line of image data during the first part of a first one of the associated sweeps of the beam. The laser source is not modulated according to image data for the second part of the first one of the sweeps. During the first part of a second one of the associated sweeps of the beam, the laser source is not modulated based upon image data. However, the laser source is modulated based upon the second part of the line of image data during the second part of the second one of the sweeps.
US07710440B2 Apparatus and method of video signal processing for matrix display apparatus
A video signal is processed using dither coefficients. Dither coefficients pattern signals are generated. Each pattern signal carries positive and negative dither coefficients arranged in an (n×m) matrix where “n” and “m” being positive integers larger than zero, the sum total of the coefficients being zero. One of the pattern signal is selected for each predetermined unit of picture carried by the video signal. Or, it is selected according to locations of dither coefficients on pixels arranged on a display panel. Dither coefficients of the selected pattern signal are added to an input video signal, thus outputting a video signal to be supplied to the display panel. Instead of the dither coefficients pattern signals, dither pattern signals can be generated, each carrying positional data indicating locations of dither coefficients on the pixels on the display panel. A dither coefficient signal to be added to the input signal is generated which carries the dither coefficients arranged in a matrix for each gradation level of the input video signal in response to one of the dither pattern signal. Dither coefficients pattern signals can be generated according to color gradation levels of data carried by the input video signal, the data being supplied to each of dot matrices that constitute the pixels, each pattern signal carrying dither coefficients arranged in a matrix corresponding to each dot matrix. One of dither coefficients is selected from each pattern signal with respect to each dot matrix, thus outputting a dither coefficients pattern signal that carries the dither coefficients selected from the pattern signals and arranged in the matrix. The dither coefficients carried by the output pattern signal to be added to the input video signal are adjusted so that the sum total of the dither coefficients carried by the output pattern signal is zero.
US07710439B2 Method and apparatus for image acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication
To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems. A selected group of images may be published in a photobook, published onto the World Wide Web, or published as individual image prints with minimal computer knowledge on the part of the user.
US07710438B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A plurality of images with additional information are designed to be displayed on one screen or a recording paper efficiently so as to enhance ease of visual confirmation and facilitate recording paper handling. Image data including a captured image section and an additional information section is inputted from an endoscope device, and this image data is saved in an image memory. There is generated synthetic image data displaying respectively each of the plurality of the image data saved in the image memory on a plurality of designated regions A to D allocated within one screen. At this instant, the image data including the captured image section and the additional information section is arranged to be displayed on a first designated region within one screen, while the captured image section of the image data to be displayed on the first designated region is enlarged and displayed on a second designated region.
US07710436B2 Automatic color adjustment of a template design
The present invention generates a color template design. According to one aspect, a source image is selected. Colors of a selected template design are adjusted automatically based on placement of a cursor on a source image that is separate from the template design. The adjusted color on the template design may match the color of the source image. Alternatively, a color template design system may be configured to adjust the color to a contrast or any predetermined variation of the color of the source image. The system may display the selected template design after automatically adjusting colors and store the selected template design for use as a template. The template design may include a framing portion, a mat portion, a foreground portion, and a background portion and at least one of those portions may be adjusted based on the placement of the cursor on the source image.
US07710433B2 Methods and apparatus for calibrating a color display
Improved methods are provided for calibrating color on a color display coupled to a computer, which are useful for obtaining calibrated data in a virtual proof network for enabling different color devices to render consistent color. Methods involve user interactions with screens on the display to set color display parameters. An apparatus is also provided for calibrating a sensor which may be used for measuring color of a display in one or more of these methods.
US07710431B2 Method and apparatus for collating object
An object collation method comprising a registration procedure for registering the registered data of a registered object in a database, and a collation procedure for collating the input image of a target object with the registered data. The registration procedure includes a step of storing the three-dimensional shape of the registered object and a texture space defined by a texture group indicating the luminance and/or color information of each position of the object surface under various illumination conditions. The collation procedure includes the steps of: generating an illumination fluctuation space defined by the image group under the various illumination conditions, at the location and position of the target object in the input image from the three-dimensional shape and the texture space; and collating the target object and the registered object based on the distance between the illumination fluctuation space and the input image.
US07710430B2 Methods, systems, and data structures for generating a rasterizer
Methods, systems and data structures produce a rasterizer. A graphical state is detected on a machine architecture. The graphical state is used for assembling a shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selecting replacement logic that replaces portions of shell logic in the shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selectively inserting memory management logic into portions of the shell logic to produce.
US07710420B2 Method and system for graphically navigating among stored objects
The invention is directed to a product life cycle management (PLM) system, comprising a database storing objects, preferably 3D objects, and relations between said objects. The PLM system provides a graphical user interface suitable for displaying to a user a graphical representation of a hierarchy of stored objects. The graphical user interface is adapted, upon selection of a displayed object by a user, to display objects related to the selected object. At a given level in the hierarchy, displayed objects are distributed according to a respective weight. The weight of a displayed object depends on the number of its descendants in the hierarchy, which are displayed in said graphical representation. The invention makes it possible to navigate in a database of a PLM system, storing notably complex modeled objects through interrelated data. Thanks to the principle of the weight dependence discussed above, the solution further allows the user to comprehend its progression through the organized data as well as the relations between objects and this, in an easy and intuitive way.
US07710416B2 Method for rendering volumetric obscurants
A method is disclosed for rendering a volumetric obscurant in a computer generated graphical image. The method can include the operation of defining a polygon template as a first surface of the volumetric obscurant comprising pixels and sub-pixels. A further operation can be spreading a depth of the sub-pixels for pixels in the polygon template to create a thickness in the volumetric obscurant. Finally, another operation can be modulating a depth density of the sub-pixels to vary the distances between the sub-pixels in the volumetric obscurant.
US07710413B2 Voltage regulator
A voltage regulator 10 includes: a level shifting circuit unit 14 shifting a first voltage, which is a voltage level of a first power source 12, to a target value of a second voltage to output the shifted first voltage; a voltage-to-current converting circuit unit 20 varying a magnitude of an output current to output the current while changing a direction of a current using a variable power source 22 varying a voltage to larger and smaller values than a center voltage of an arbitrarily variable voltage range; and an adder-subtracter circuit unit 32 having a first terminal on one side, the first terminal being connected to an output terminal of the level shifting circuit unit, and a second terminal on the other side, the terminal being connected to a resistance element disposed between the second terminal and an output terminal, the resistance element allowing an output current of the voltage-to-current converting circuit unit to flow therethrough as a bias current, wherein a second voltage V2 is output from an output terminal 42.
US07710412B2 Liquid crystal display device
The present invention realizes a liquid crystal display device which can be driven with a low voltage while preventing the degradation of liquid crystal by reducing a residual charge of a pixel electrode even when a drive circuit is abnormally stopped. As a field effect transistor which is formed on a pixel, a field effect transistor in a depletion mode which is turned on in a state that an OFF signal is not applied to a gate terminal of the transistor is used. A substrate voltage supply line which supplies a substrate voltage to pixel regions is provided, and the substrate voltage is supplied via a through hole formed in the pixel portion thus controlling an optimum threshold value in response to an input signal. Wiring is made in a peripheral portion of a display region such that video signal lines and the substrate voltage supply line intersect each other.
US07710409B2 Method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs
Improved approaches for users of computing devices to interact with graphical user interfaces are described. According to one aspect, a rotational user action supplied by a user at a user input device is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. According to another aspect, a portion of an extended list of items is displayed by a graphical user interface and, through rotational user actions at a user input device, the portion of the list being displayed can be varied with welcomed ease of use. Although the type of computing device can vary, the improved approaches are particularly well-suited for use with a portable media player.
US07710408B2 Centralized information management based upon position information
A system for information management comprises a central unit and a plurality of user units which are arranged to record information and send the information to the central unit. Particulars are stored in the central unit about a plurality of regions, each of which represents an area on at least one imaginary surface. One of the user units records information which comprises at least two coordinates and sends the information to the central unit. When the central unit receives the information from the user unit, it identifies to which region the coordinates belong and determines how the information is to be managed, based on the region affiliation.
US07710405B2 Keypad and/or touchpad construction
A capacitive keypad and/or touchpad construction includes a flexible or rigid printed circuit board and a non-conductive keypad/touchpad top surface layer. A semi-conductive adhesive layer in between said flexible or rigid printed circuit board and said non-conductive keypad/touchpad top surface layer serves both to connect the top surface layer to the printed circuit board and to act as capacitive sensing layer.
US07710404B2 Method for gesture detection on a touchpad
In a gesture detection method for a touchpad, various gestures such as tap, drag and double tap are determined by operating an object to touch on the touchpad, leave from the touchpad, and move on the touchpad.
US07710399B2 Haptic trackball device
A low-cost haptic feedback trackball device for providing haptic feedback to a user for enhancing interactions in a graphical environment provided by a computer. The trackball device includes a sensor device that detects the movement of a sphere in two rotary degrees of freedom. An actuator applies a force preferably along a z-axis perpendicular to the plane of the surface supporting the device, where the force is transmitted through the housing to the user. The output force is correlated with interaction of a controlled graphical object, such as a cursor, with other graphical objects in the displayed graphical environment. Preferably, at least one compliant element is provided between a portion of the housing contacted by the user and the support surface, where the compliant element amplifies the force output from the actuator by allowing the contacted portion of the housing to move with respect to the support surface. The force can be an inertial force, contact force, or a combination of forces that provide tactile sensations to the user.
US07710395B2 Head-mounted pointing and control device
A magnetic tracker system for use on an operator's head makes “mouse”/cursor movements on a screen similar to that of the classic computer “mouse”/track ball/touchpad/joystick. Only head movements are used as opposed to lifting a hand from the keyboard for making such moves. The new “mouse” avoids interrupting the hands from their position on the keyboard and has no moving mechanical parts that become clogged and that need a special surface (mouse pad) or special surface measurements (optical mouse).
US07710394B2 Method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs
Improved approaches for users of computing devices to interact with graphical user interfaces are described. According to one aspect, a rotational user action supplied by a user at a user input device is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. According to another aspect, a portion of an extended list of items is displayed by a graphical user interface and, through rotational user actions at a user input device, the portion of the list being displayed can be varied with welcomed ease of use. Although the type of computing device can vary, the improved approaches are particularly well-suited for use with a portable media player.
US07710388B2 Display device having pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels
A display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. At least one of the pixels includes two sub-pixel groups. Each of the sub-pixel groups includes sub-pixels of three or more colors. Sub-pixels of the same color in each pixel are driven by the same signal.
US07710383B2 Electro-optical device, method of driving electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A method of driving an electro-optical device that has a plurality of pixel circuits provided so as to correspond to intersections of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a first scanning line driving circuit for selecting odd-numbered scanning lines, a second scanning line driving circuit for selecting even-numbered scanning lines, and a data line driving circuit for supplying data signals corresponding to the selected scanning line through the data lines. The method includes, in a first mode, supplying enable signals having different phases to the first and second scanning line driving circuits, respectively, so as to alternately select odd-numbered and even-numbered scanning lines, and, in a second mode different from the first mode, supplying enable signals having the same phase to the first and second scanning line driving circuits, respectively, so as to simultaneously select adjacent odd-numbered and even-numbered scanning lines two by two.
US07710379B2 Display device and method thereof
A display device and a driving method thereof are provided, which reduces an instantaneous current generated with a charge and discharge of source signal lines and further reduces a load to a power supply line. According to the invention, source signal lines are divided into the first to the n-th groups so as to be charged or discharged according to the first to the n-th latch pulses which are inputted at different timing. Since the number of the source signal lines which start to be charged or discharged at the same time is reduced, an instantaneous current generated with the charge and discharge can be reduced, and a load to the power supply line can be reduced as well.
US07710372B2 PDP data driver, PDP driving method, plasma display device, and control method for the same
A PDP data driver is provided in which input and output terminals are divided into a plurality of groups and a given group can be selected so as to output a high level. The PDP data driver is formed by a plurality of data driver ICs that are arranged. In an output control circuit of each data driver IC, input and output terminals are arranged in an order of a plurality of primary colors forming a screen and are divided into a plurality of groups. The output control circuit includes a first gate array and a second gate array in such a manner that gates of each array corresponds to the input and output terminals, respectively. For each of the groups, the first gate array is controlled to output input data without change or output a high level in accordance with a first control input and the second gate array is controlled to transfer all outputs of the first gate array without change or output a low level in accordance with a second control output.
US07710371B2 Variable volume between flexible structure and support surface
Cells can include variable volumes defined between a flexible structure, such as a polymer layer, and a support surface, with the flexible structure and support surface being attached in a first region that surrounds a second region in which they are unattached. Various adhesion structures can attach the flexible structure and the support surface. When unstretched, the flexible structure can lie in a flat position on the support surface. In response to a stretching force away from the support surface, the flexible structure can move out of the flat position, providing the variable volume. Electrodes, such as on the flexible structure, on the support surface, and over the flexible structure, can have charge levels that couple with each other and with the variable volume. A support structure can include a device layer with signal circuitry that provides a signal path between an electrode and external circuitry. One or more ducts can provide fluid communication with each cell's variable volume. Arrays of such cells can be implemented for various applications, such as optical modulators, displays, printheads, and microphones.
US07710369B2 Color management methods and apparatus for lighting devices
Color management and color-managed workflow concepts are applied to lighting apparatus configured to generate multi-colored light, including lighting apparatus based on LED sources. In particular, color management principles are employed to facilitate the generation of variable color light from a given lighting apparatus based on any of a number of possible input specifications for a desired color. In one example, a transformation between an arbitrary input specification for a desired color and a lighting command processed by the lighting apparatus is accomplished via the use of a source color management profile for the input specification of the desired color, a target color management profile for the lighting apparatus, and a common working color space. Colors defined in the common working color space may be reproduced or approximated (e.g., according to one or more rendering intents) by one or more lighting apparatus.
US07710367B2 Organic light emitting display and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display including a scan driver for supplying scan signals to odd scan lines in an ith frame and for supplying scan signals to even scan lines in an (i+1)th frame, a data driver for supplying data signals corresponding to the scan signals, and an image display unit including a plurality of pixels coupled with the scan lines and the data lines. Pixels coupled with the odd scan lines do not emit light when the scan signals are supplied to the odd scan lines, and pixels coupled with the even scan lines do not emit light when the scan signals are supplied to the even scan lines.
US07710365B2 Determining leakage in matrix-structured electronic devices
One embodiment of this invention pertains to a high throughput screening technique to identify current leakage in matrix-structured electronic devices. Because elements that are likely to develop a short have relatively high leakage current at zero operation hours, by identifying elements with the relatively high leakage current, the electronic devices that are more likely to later develop a short can be differentiated. The screening technique includes performing the following actions: selecting one of multiple first lines; applying a first voltage to the selected first line; applying a second voltage to the one or more of the first lines that are not selected; floating the multiple second lines; and measuring the voltages on the second lines, either sequentially one line at a time or measuring all the lines at the same time.
US07710359B2 Display apparatus and display driving method for enhancing grayscale display capable of low luminance portion without increasing driving time
A display apparatus driving method for a field time division type display apparatus displays grayscale by combining a plurality of subfields into which one field has been divided. Each subfield includes a resetting, an addressing, and a sustaining. At least one extra subfield is additionally provided which does not have a resetting, and which stays always ON with a luminance level higher than a prescribed input luminance level.
US07710356B2 Plasma display device
A lighting rate is calculated from a video signal input in a plasma display device, and an output current of DC-DC converter, which is the same as a discharge current in a sustain period corresponding to the lighting rate, is synchronized with a generation timing of discharge current. With such a configuration, even if discharge current in the sustain period of each subfield is rapidly changed, a sustain pulse voltage can be kept constant.
US07710355B2 Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel includes first display electrodes and second display electrodes positioned inside barriers while opposing each other. A front panel has closed-type barriers to increase fluorescent substance application area. A rear panel has stripe-type barriers to lower address voltage between the first display electrodes and address electrodes and improve emission efficiency by means of long-gap discharge. The plasma display panel uses trigger discharge during address discharge and sustain discharge to lower discharge voltage.
US07710348B2 Furlable shape-memory reflector
A shape-memory reflector is disclosed along with methods for manufacturing, packaging and deploying the same. The shape-memory reflector may include an elastic reflector material, a shape-memory stiffener, and a plurality of radial stiffeners. The shape-memory stiffener may be coupled with the elastic reflector material in a band that encloses at least a portion of the elastic reflector surface, for example, the exterior of a paraboloid reflector. The plurality of radial stiffeners is coupled with the bottom surface of the elastic reflector material and extends radially from a central portion of the elastic reflector surface toward the outer edge of the elastic reflector surface. The shape-memory reflector may be packaged in a packaged configuration that includes a plurality of pleats within the elastic reflector material and/or the shape-memory stiffener, and the shape-memory reflector is configured to deploy into a deployed configuration (i.e. a paraboloid) by heating the shape-memory stiffener.
US07710347B2 Methods and apparatus for high performance structures
Methods and apparatus for components according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN). In one embodiment, a missile radome comprises a wall defining the radome body, including a base and a tip. The wall may comprise a core and one or more skins adjacent the core, such as in a sandwich configuration. The core and the skins may have different densities. The radome wall may be configured to transmit wideband RF signals. The RBSN may be extruded to form the radome.
US07710343B2 Compact 3-port orthogonally polarized MIMO antennas
Generalized non-limiting embodiments include employing a dipole antenna and/or a half slot antenna. Each of the antennas constitutes three mutually perpendicular radiating elements to achieve good isolation and low antenna signal correlation between the three ports. In one generalized non-limiting embodiment the antennas are fabricated on FR-4 epoxy boards. Experimental results show that the antennas resonate a reasonable frequency and have a desired mutual coupling. In addition experimental results for the diversity performance and the MIMO channel capacity are also provided for these antennas and these results show that the herein described antennas offer good diversity gain and the channel capacity can be increased by as much as three times by using these antennas over conventional antennas.
US07710341B2 Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a circuit board and an antenna coil installed on the circuit board. The antenna coil includes a magnetic core and a coil wound at either side of an unwound portion. The winding direction of the coil is changed at either side of the unwound portion. When the length of the magnetic core is defined as X and the distance between two intersecting points at which a virtual line formed by projecting the central line of the magnetic core onto the circuit board intersects the outer periphery of the circuit board is defined as Y, the antenna coil satisfies Y≧X≧0.8Y.
US07710339B2 Antenna device
An antenna device including a reflectarray with array antenna elements, and an outer feed provided with a waveguide and a widening funnel which in a widened end carries a waveguide aperture for illumination of the reflectarray. The antenna device eliminates or at least reduces a position dependence of an antenna lobe with respect to frequency. Furthermore, the antenna device presents a low monostatic radar cross section and compactness. To this end the antenna device is fed offset and is provided with a device for movement of a phase center of the antenna with a frequency relative to the waveguide aperture of the feed in the vicinity of the waveguide aperture.
US07710338B2 Slot antenna apparatus eliminating unstable radiation due to grounding structure
A slot antenna apparatus includes a grounding conductor having an outer edge including a first portion and a second portion, a one-end-opened slot formed in the grounding conductor along a radiation direction such that an open end is provided at a center of the first portion, a first feed line intersecting with the slot to feed radio-frequency signals, a second feed line connected to an external circuit, and a signal processing circuit including active elements and connected between the first and second feed lines and connected to the grounding conductor. The grounding conductor is configured to be symmetric about an axis parallel to the radiation direction and passing through the slot, and is provided with a grounding terminal on the axis of symmetry at the second portion. The grounding terminal is to be connected to a ground of the external circuit.
US07710337B2 Antenna polarity adjustment
According to the invention, a system for adjusting the polarity of an antenna is disclosed. The system may include a spherical structure, at least one arm, and a coupling apparatus. The spherical structure may be at least partially spherical in shape about a central point and may include a first plurality of magnets. The at least one arm may be in proximity to the spherical structure, may include a second plurality of magnets, and may be coupled with the antenna. The coupling apparatus may be fixedly coupled with the antenna and rotatably coupled with the at least one arm. The coupling apparatus may include a third plurality of magnets, where at least a portion of the magnets may be configured to be selectively activated to rotate the coupling apparatus relative to the at least one arm.
US07710331B2 Multilayer antenna having a planar design
An improved multilayer antenna has patch assembly divided at least into two. It comprises, in addition to the primary patch element, a secondary patch additional element. The patch element and the patch additional element can be positioned toward one another and at least partly in one another to change the overall height thereof. The patch additional element is held by a separate holding and support means, preferably by a hood covering the entire antenna assembly.
US07710329B2 System including an inter-chip communication system
A system including an inter-chip communication system is disclosed. One embodiment includes a base chip including a base chip transceiver network. At least one chip is stacked on the base chip, the at least one stacked chip including a substrate, a cavity formed in the substrate, a first surface, and a stacked chip transceiver network disposed on the first surface adjacent to the cavity.
US07710328B2 Patch antenna with a ceramic plate as a cover
Described is a planar antenna with a process separation device for a fill level radar. The planar antenna including a plate-shaped temperature-resistant process separation device that is arranged between the planar radiator element and the exterior of the antenna.
US07710321B2 Ranging signals methods and systems
A system and method for estimating the range between two devices performs two or more ranging estimates with subsequent estimates performed using a clock that is offset in phase with respect to a prior estimate. The subsequent estimate allows estimate uncertainties due to a finite clock resolution to be reduced and can yield a range estimate with a higher degree of confidence. In one embodiment, these additional ranging estimates are performed at n/N (for n=1, . . . N−1, with N>1 and a positive integer) clock-period offset introduced in the device. The clock-period offset can be implemented using a number of approaches, and the effect of clock drift in the devices due to relative clock-frequency offset can also be determined. To eliminate the bias due to clock-frequency offset, a system and method to estimate the clock-frequency offset is also presented.
US07710320B2 System and method for position determination by impulse radio
A method for producing a first time base for a first ultra wideband radio obtains a time reference signal and phase locks a clock signal to the time reference signal The clock signal is counted down using a counter to produce the first time base. The counter is a binary counter that has a modulo count equal to a modulo repeat length of a code corresponding to a ultra wideband signal.
US07710316B1 Method and apparatus for determining smoothed code coordinates of a mobile rover
Disclosed is a method for determining coordinates of a mobile rover. The method includes determining a vector of one-shot code coordinates of the mobile rover. The method also includes determining a vector of phase increments by determining full phase differences for each navigation satellite in a plurality of navigation satellites in view at a discrete time interval (called a time epoch) and at a previous time epoch in a plurality of time epochs. A vector of radial range increments is determined from the full phase differences. A vector of rover phase coordinate increments is also determined using the vector of radial range increments. The vector of one-shot code coordinates and the vector of rover phase coordinate increments are then filtered to determine, at each time epoch, smoothed code coordinates of the mobile rover. Measured phase increments are cleared up from abnormal measurements.
US07710315B2 Radar apparatus
A scan-to-scan integrator for use in radar apparatus comprises means for defining a search window for use in verifying a candidate detection. The window is bounded by the intersection of a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone comprises a rectangular reference frame aligned detection window, and the second zone comprises a range estimate tolerance region defined by a range estimate for the candidate detection and predetermined tolerance limits.
US07710312B2 Radar apparatus and mounting structure for radar apparatus
The radar apparatus includes an antenna device including a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, a main body which generates a radar wave, transmits the radar wave from the transmitting antenna, and receives the radar wave reflected from an obstacle to be detected by the receiving antenna, and a cover member covering the main body and the antenna device on a side of a transmission direction of the radar wave and located out of contact with the main body and the antenna device. The cover member has a transmission portion allowing the radar wave to pass therethrough, a surface of the transmission portion facing the antenna device being inclined by an angle greater than 3 degrees with respect to an antenna surface of the receiving antenna.
US07710311B2 Short range radar small in size and low in power consumption and controlling method thereof
A transmitter section radiates a short range wave to a space. A receiver section has a detector circuit composed of a branch circuit which receives a reflection wave of the short range wave radiated to the space by means of the transmitter section and branches in phase a signal of the reflection wave into first and second signals, a linear multiplier which linearly multiplies the first and second signals branched in phase by means of the branch circuit, and a low pass filter which samples a baseband component from an output signal from the linear multiplier. A signal processor section carries out an analyzing process of an object which exists in the space based on an output from the receiver section. A control section makes a predetermined control with respect to at least one of the transmitter section and the receiver section based on an analysis result from the signal processor section.
US07710309B2 Method for small-scale fishing boat equipped with radar receiver to avoid ship collision and the radar receiver therefor
A method for small-scale fishing boat to avoid ship collision includes the steps of: (1) equipping the small-scale fishing boat with a radar signal receiver for scanning and receiving radar signals transmitted by other ships within the receiving range of the radar signal receiver; (2) using a monitoring computer having a Marine Geographic Information System (Marine GIS) installed thereon to obtain at real time information about the distance, bearings, and etc. of other approaching ships in order to monitor the dynamic conditions of the approaching ships within the fishing boat's operating water area; and (3) actuating a collision warning mechanism based on the intensities of received radar signals when there is more than one approaching ship, so that the small-scale fishing boat can timely receive a collision warning to reduce the risk of collision and maintain safe and smooth voyage on the sea.
US07710308B2 Mode S secondary surveillance radar system
It is related to a mode S secondary surveillance radar system for carrying out a target (aircraft) surveillance with a high reliability, where a surveillance processor 39 produces a detection report of a acquisition surveillance by a scan of an antenna thereafter by adopting the mode A code information with coinciding code data among mode A code information acquired by scans of a plurality of times. In this way, the efficient utilization of RF channels during the roll-call period can be maintained while improving the reliability of a target detection report.
US07710300B2 Segmented data shuffler apparatus for a digital to analog converter (DAC)
A sigma-delta digital to analog converter (DAC) module converts the digital input signal to the analog output signal through segmentation, including a primary and a secondary sigma-delta modulator. The primary sigma-delta modulator produces a primary digital segment and a primary quantization error. A primary sample is delayed, decoded, scrambled and converted to produce a primary analog segment. A secondary sigma-delta modulates the primary quantization error to produce a secondary digital segment which is noise shaped by a noise transfer function of the primary sigma-delta modulator to produce a noise shaped secondary digital segment which is decoded, scrambled, converted and scaled to produce a secondary analog segment. An adder combines the primary analog segment and the secondary analog segment to produce the analog output signal.
US07710298B2 Integrated circuit with auto-zeroing comparator stages that provide a continuous-time signal
An integrated circuit includes first and second inputs configured to receive an input signal. A plurality of comparator stages is coupled in parallel to the first and second inputs. Each comparator stage is configured to perform a comparison on the input signal and provide an output signal based on the comparison. A control circuit is configured to cause the comparator stages to switch to an auto-zeroing mode in a staggered manner, thereby compensating offset voltages of the comparator stages while providing a continuous-time digital output signal.
US07710290B2 System and method for situational location relevant invocable speed reference
Situational location dependent information is transmitted from a server data processing system to a receiving data processing system. The server data processing system communicates with the receiving data processing system in a manner by pushing content when appropriate. A candidate delivery event associated with a current positional attribute of the receiving data processing system is recognized and a situational location of the remote data processing system is determined. The candidate delivery event may be a location and/or direction change, device state change, or movement exceeding a movement tolerance. The situational location of the remote data processing system may be its location, direction, location and direction, proximity to a location, state change, or location and/or direction relative to a previous location and/or direction, or combinations thereof. A set of delivery content from a deliverable content database is transmitted from the server data processing system to the receiving data processing system according to the situational location of the receiving data processing system, and according to delivery constraints. The delivery content is configurable by authorized administrators on an instant activation basis for proactive delivery.
US07710287B2 Sensor system for machine tools
A sensor system for a machine tool with at least one sensor with at least one measurement instrument, which measures a physical quantity occurring within the machine tool, which is related to a machining process performed by the machine tool; with a first energy supply for supply of the at least one measurement instrument of the sensor, wherein the first energy supply receives electric energy from a surrounding electromagnetic field in a wireless way; and with a second energy supply for supplying the at least one measurement instrument of the sensor, wherein the second energy supply comprises at least one battery.
US07710286B1 Intrusion detection using a conductive material
Tampering with an assembly that includes an integrated circuit is detected by measuring a change in at least one property of a conductive molding formed over at least a portion of the integrated circuit. For example, the conductive molding can be a mixture of resin with conductive powder and/or fibers. The molding can be formed as a continuous region or as strips of conductive material. Conductive contacts are positioned to provide and receive current through portions of the conductive material. For example, the property of the molding can be an impedance of a portion of the conductive molding. A significant change in the impedance measured through one or more conductive contacts indicates tampering with the assembly.
US07710285B2 Battery device and electronic apparatus
A battery device includes a battery cell, a case housing the battery cell, an antenna, a battery-side communication unit performing wireless communication with an electronic-apparatus side communication unit provided at an electronic apparatus on which the battery device is removably mounted through the antenna, a memory unit storing battery data which is data concerning the battery device and a control unit performing control of the battery-side communication unit, both reading/writing of the battery data with respect to the memory unit or only reading thereof.
US07710281B2 Remote tapping method and system for internally tapping a conduit
Disclosed is a method, system and apparatus for use in remotely and internally tapping a conduit. The method is performed, at least partially, by an automatic mechanism or robot configured to effectively perform the tasks and various steps of the method. The method includes the steps of: (a) lining a conduit with a liner; and (b) inserting an automatic mechanism into an internal portion of the liner, wherein the automatic mechanism (i) locates a service tap connection point; and (ii) at least partially engages a fitting device within an internal surface of the service tap entry portion, thereby providing fluid communication between a service tap internal passageway and an internal portion of the liner. An automatic mechanism, a fitting device and an insert element are also disclosed.
US07710275B2 RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system
An apparatus including an enclosure for an RFID reader to be affixed to a storage container; an RFID reader that scans a first storage container using a first antenna and a second storage container using a second antenna; and a networked system of RFID apparatuses including a primary RFID apparatus and secondary RFID apparatuses that are controlled by the primary RFID apparatus.
US07710272B2 Radio frequency identification (RFID) device with a response stop command
An RFID device is capable of stopping and restarting a response via a response stop command. The device is capable of initializing a part of or the whole of internal data including a response restart set data storage portion. The device is capable of using command data from an external communication equipment to look up response restart data at the restart of a response, deciding a data storage area and content that may be initialized when the restart is possible, and rewriting a data storage portion.
US07710270B2 Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device including an RFID which can transmit/receive individual information without a change of a battery accompanied by deterioration over time of the battery as a drive power source, and to which driving power can be supplied to keep a favorable transmission/reception state of the individual information even when an external electromagnetic wave is not sufficient. The semiconductor device includes a signal processing circuit, a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit operationally connected to the signal processing circuit, and a battery operationally connected to the signal processing circuit, in which the first antenna circuit transmits/receives a signal for transmitting data stored in the signal processing circuit; the second antenna circuit receives a signal for charging the battery; and a signal received by the first antenna circuit and a signal received by the second antenna circuit have different wavelengths.
US07710266B2 Security system with product power capability
A security system and display module therefore protects an item of merchandise mounted on the display module in a retail environment. The item of merchandise is electrically and mechanically connected to a sensor which is removably mounted on the display module by a first power cord. A second power cord connects the display module to the sensor and a third power cord connects the display module to a source of electricity for supplying electric power to the sensor through the display module and then to the displayed item for maintaining the charge on a battery of the displayed item. The display module contains an alarm unit having an audible alarm which is actuated if the integrity of either of the first or second power cords is compromised. A plunger switch and LED may be contained in the sensor and in a base of the display module and connected to the internal alarm to provide additional security for the protected item of merchandise. The alarm is powered from the source of electricity but is automatically switched to the battery upon interruption of this power source.
US07710256B2 Method and apparatus for audio assisted testing
A cell phone based test capability enables a tester to audibly communicate with a fire alarm control unit. A detector can be selected and tested. Test results can be audibly communicated to the tester via the cell phone. The tester can initiate the next test via the cell phone.
US07710255B2 Circuit arrangement and method for preventing circuit operation
A circuit arrangement in whose operational range a system parameter or an ambient parameter lies within a first range. The arrangement includes a node configured to receive a misadjustment signal and a sensor configured to detect the system parameter or the ambient parameter. The sensor is coupled to the node and is configured to detect whether the system parameter or the ambient parameter lies in a predetermined second range. The sensor outputs an alarm signal if the system parameter or the ambient parameter does not lie in the second range, within which the first range lies. The sensor is further configured to permanently adjust the second range in reaction to the misadjustment signal such that the second range does not encompass the first range.
US07710253B1 LED aviation warning light with fault detection
An embodiment of an LED warning light includes a plurality of LED banks, each including a series of light emitting diodes. The LED warning light monitors an operational parameter of each LED bank to detect failure of an LED and produce a fault indication. The LED warning light includes a microcontroller programmed to evaluate the fault indications and take one or more pre-determined failure mode actions. Failure detection and failure mode actions are defined by program steps taken by firmware running in the microcontroller. Failure mode actions may include increasing the current delivered to remaining LED banks to compensate for the loss of luminance from the LEDs in a failed LED bank. Multiple bank failures may require shutting down the LED warning light to provide an obvious indication that the warning light is no longer in compliance with relevant regulations.
US07710252B2 Method display device, display method for the same, and hybrid vehicle equipped therewith
A meter display device includes a display panel that can display a plurality of different types of display information on the same position. The display information includes, at the least, first display information related to a hybrid vehicle and second display information related to the hybrid vehicle. The meter display device also includes a meter control unit that performs control such that any one of the plurality of different types of display information are displayed on the display panel.
US07710250B2 System and method for verifying fuel cap engagement
A system for verifying fuel cap engagement utilizes a transducer coupled to a purge line of a fuel vapor recovery system to generate an electrical signal corresponding to one of the vapor pressure and the vapor flow rate in the purge line. A monitor receives the electrical signal and estimates the vapor pressure when the electrical signal corresponds to the vapor flow rate. The monitor likewise estimates the vapor flow rate when the electrical signal corresponds to the vapor pressure. The monitor also correlates the electrical signal and the estimate to generate a dataset relating vapor pressures to corresponding vapor flow rates at predetermined time intervals, computes a linear approximation of pressure versus flow rate, and computes a curve approximation of pressure versus flow rate. An indicator is actuated by the monitor when the difference between the computed linear and curve approximations is less than a predetermined threshold value.
US07710247B2 Object recognizing apparatus
An existence probability of an image object based on an image taken by a stereo camera 2 is calculated by an image object existence probability calculating portion 11, an existence probability of a millimeter wave object based on an output of a millimeter wave radar 3 is calculated by a millimeter wave object existence probability calculating portion 12, and an existence probability of a laser object based on an output of a laser radar 4 is calculated by a laser object existence probability calculating portion 13. Further, the respective existence probabilities of the image object, the millimeter wave object, the laser object are corrected based on recognizing rates of the respective recognizing sensors by an existence probability correcting portion 14, the existence probabilities after correction is fused as a fusion existence probability by a fusion existence probability calculating portion 15, thereby, a control of avoiding contact with a hazard or alarming or the like is made to be able to execute by a firm and optimum timing.
US07710244B2 Remote engine starting system and method
A remote engine starting system starts an engine when an engine start command signal is transmitted from a remote controller or an ignition key. The system includes an immobilizer ECU, which sets an immobilizer system to prohibit vehicle travel and drives an LED to flash to thereby indicate the vehicle travel prohibition. When the engine is started by the ignition key, the immobilizer system is unset and the LED stops the indication of the vehicle travel prohibition. When the engine is started by the remote controller, the immobilizer system is unset but the LED continues to flash to indicate the vehicle travel prohibition.
US07710241B2 Mobile communication terminal and method for providing RFID technique
A mobile communication terminal and method for providing an RFID technique is provided. The terminal includes an RFID reader unit for receiving identification information from an RFID tag and a controller for detecting a pre-set theme corresponding to the identification information and outputting a control signal based on the detected theme.
US07710235B2 Inductors fabricated from spiral nanocoils and fabricated using noncoil spiral pitch control techniques
Novel applications of nanocoil technology and novel methods of fabricating nanocoils for use in such applications and others. Such applications include inductors or traveling wave tubes fabricated from spiral nanocoils. Such applications includes inductors or traveling wave tubes fabricated from a method for fabricating nanocoils with a desired pitch. Such a method includes determining a desired pitch for fabricated nanocoil, selecting coiling arm orientation in which coiling arm orientation is arm angle between coiling arm an crystalline orientation of underlying substrate, whereby coiling arm orientation affects pitch of fabricated nanocoil, patterning coiling arm structure with selected coiling arm orientation, and, releasing coiling arm, whereby fabricated nanocoil is formed.
US07710233B2 Electric multilayer component
An electrical component having multiple layers includes dielectric layers that are stacked to form a main body, electrodes positioned at intervals between at least some of the dielectric layers, and at least two bumps configured to act as electrical contacts for the electrical component. The bumps are on a surface of the main body. The electrical component also includes contacts in the main body that electrically connect bumps and electrodes. The electrodes define first and second electrode stacks, each of which contacts one of the bumps.
US07710230B2 Transformer of light tube driving device and method for adjusting light tube using thereof
A transformer including an insulating housing, a first bobbin, a primary coil, a second bobbin, a secondary coil, a first core and a second core is provided. The insulating housing has a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber, wherein two apertures of the first chamber and the second chamber are respectively disposed on two opposite side-walls of the insulating housing. The first bobbin has a first through hole disposed in the first chamber. The primary coil is surrounded on the first bobbin. The second bobbin has a second through hole disposed in the second chamber. The secondary coil is surrounded on the second bobbin. The first core is inserted to the first through hole and the second through hole. The first core and the second core are coupled together to form a magnetic loop.
US07710229B2 Ignition coil and ignition coil system having the same
An ignition coil includes primary and secondary coils, center and outer cores, and an ion current detector for transmitting an ion current detection output. The center core has an axial upper end defining a center core upper end surface. The outer core has an axial upper end defining an outer core upper end surface. The center core upper end surface axially protrudes upwardly relative to the outer core upper end surface. The center core upper end surface is located at a stagger distance axially from the outer core upper end surface. The stagger distance is defined such that a detection period for residual magnetic noise in the ion current detection output falls within a system requirement period of a control unit.
US07710226B2 Latching linear solenoid
A linear solenoid includes a pair of soft iron pole members, which are in a spaced-apart linear arrangement. A permanent magnet is attached to the end of a plunger, which rides between the pole members. When a first of two electro-magnet coils is energized, the plunger which is latched to one of the pole members is repelled to the opposite pole member and latched. When the second coil is energized, the plunger returns to the original pole member and is latched.
US07710223B2 Relay
A relay includes a movable iron piece, a plate spring fixed to the one surface of the movable iron piece, a shaft hole formed by the one surface of the movable iron piece and the plate spring, and a supporting shaft inserted through the shaft hole. The movable iron piece is rotated round the supporting shaft based on excitation and nonexcitation of a magnetic unit. Both end portions of the plate spring alternately drive a contact point unit. The shaft hole is formed by a flat portion of the one surface of the movable iron piece and a bearing portion formed by subjecting the plate spring to bending work. The movable iron piece is supported so as to be rotatable.
US07710220B2 Surface acoustic wave device
A surface acoustic wave device includes a base portion that surrounds a surface acoustic wave element and is made of a resin, and a cap portion that is adhered onto the base portion so that a cavity sealing the surface acoustic wave element is formed, and is made of a resin. At least one of an adhering face of the base portion and an adhering face of the cap portion adhering the base portion and the cap portion is subjected to a grain finish or a dull finish. A convex portion is provided inside of the adhering face that is of one of the base portion and the cap portion adhered to the other.
US07710215B2 Semiconductor configuration having an integrated coupler and method for manufacturing such a semiconductor configuration
A semiconductor configuration having an integrated coupler is provided. The semiconductor configuration includes a coupler which is integrated in the substrate and which includes a first port and a second port. The coupler defines, in a plan view onto the substrate, an inner region of the substrate surrounded at least in sections by the coupler, and an outer region of the substrate arranged outside to the coupler. The coupler is at least a magnetic coupler, a capacitive coupler, or a combination of both. At least a circuit element is integrated in the inner region of the substrate and includes a port which is electrically connected to the second port of the coupler.
US07710212B2 Crystal oscillator with variable-gain and variable-output-impedance inverter system
A crystal oscillator with variable gain and variable output impedance inverter system includes an inverter, a variable impedance feedback circuit, connected between the output and input of the inverter, a crystal oscillator system, having a crystal with first and second electrodes connected across the input and output of the inverter; a serial variable impedance circuit connected between the inverter output and an electrode of the crystal and a control circuit for temporarily, during start up mode, increasing the impedance of the feedback circuit and decreasing the impedance of the serial circuit relative to the stationary mode impedances and then returning the feedback impedance to the lower impedance level and the serial circuit to the higher impedance level that promotes high frequency stability of the oscillator in the normal, stationary mode, of operation.
US07710208B2 Multi-speed ring oscillator
A ring oscillator comprises a control circuit for receiving a frequency-selection signal operative to select from at least two ring oscillator frequencies, said control circuit using said control signal to generate a first control signal and a second control signal; a primary chain of an odd number of serially connected NOT gates, said primary chain including a primary switching NOT gate responsive to the first control signal and operative to perform a logical NOT or an IGNORE function on a first oscillating input signal to generate a first output signal; and a secondary chain of serially connected NOT gates, said secondary chain logically parallel to at least said primary switching NOT gate, said secondary chain including a secondary switching NOT gate responsive to the second control signal and operative to perform a logical NOT or an IGNORE function on a second oscillating input signal to generate a second output signal.
US07710206B2 Design structure for improved current controlled oscillation device and method having wide frequency range
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a current controlled, phase locked loop device having a phase detector configured to compare a reference frequency to an output frequency of a current controlled oscillator (ICO), a charge pump coupled to the phase detector and a low pass filter coupled to the charge pump. A voltage to current (V to I) converter is coupled to the low pass filter, providing an output current for integral control of the ICO. A control circuit is coupled to the ICO, and receives increment and decrement outputs of the phase detector, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide proportional control of the ICO through an amount of bias current applied thereto.
US07710202B2 Amplifier
An amplifier includes a carrier amplifier which performs signal amplification at all times, a peak amplifier which operates only at a time when the high electric power is outputted, a combiner which combines the output from the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier, and a distributor which distributes an input signal to the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier. The carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier are included in a single package transistor.
US07710201B2 Power amplifier circuit, control method thereof and control program thereof
A power amplifier circuit includes a first variable gain amplifier for amplifying an input signal, a second variable gain amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the first amplifier, and a control circuit for controlling the gain of the first variable gain amplifier based on the output signal of the first variable gain amplifier and the gain of the second variable gain amplifier.
US07710198B2 Methods and apparatus for process invariant transconductance
In one aspect, a resistor process invariant transconductor is provided. The transconductor comprises a voltage input configured to receive at least one voltage signal, a current output configured to provide at least one current signal, wherein a ratio between the at least one voltage signal and the least one current signal forms a total transconductance for the transconductor, and a circuit including at least one integrated resistor connected between the voltage input and the current output, the circuit adapted to maintain the total transconductance substantially constant across variation of the at least one integrated resistor.
US07710193B2 High voltage generator and word line driving high voltage generator of memory device
A high voltage generator includes: a detection unit for comparing a reference voltage with a high voltage and detecting a voltage level of the high voltage; an oscillator selection unit for generating a first control signal and a second control signal in response to an output signal of the detection unit and a selection signal corresponding to a data operation mode; an oscillator for generating clock signals having different frequencies in response to the first control signal and the second control signal; and a pumping unit for generating the high voltage by performing a charge pumping operation in response to the clock signals.
US07710191B2 Enabling higher operation speed and/or lower power consumption in a semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device 100A includes: an integrated circuit body 106A having a plurality of MOSFETs on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of elements 102A to be measured placed on the same substrate as the plurality of MOSFETs; a monitor circuit 105A for selecting an element to be measured whose measured parameter value is in a predetermined rank among the plurality of elements 102A to be measured as an element 101A to be measured for monitoring; and an operation parameter adjustment circuit 107 for adjusting an operation parameter 108 supplied to the integrated circuit body 106A based on the measured parameter 104A of the element to be measured for monitoring.
US07710181B2 Variable attenuator and wireless communication device
A variable attenuator, used with high frequency, provides large variable attenuation per stage. The variable attenuator includes: a MOSFET having a gate, a drain, a source, and a body; an attenuation control circuit; and a temperature characteristics compensation circuit. The attenuation control circuit supplies a control voltage to the gate, the drain, and the source. The temperature characteristics compensation circuit supplies a temperature compensation voltage to the body. An input terminal and an output terminal are connected to the drain and the source of the MOSFET. The temperature characteristics compensation circuit, in accordance with an operating temperature of the MOSFET, controls a voltage to be supplied to the body and adjusts, based on a relation between a body voltage and a gate voltage, a resistance value of a current flowing between the input terminal and the output terminal.
US07710179B2 Programmable gain attenuator for track and hold amplifiers
A programmable gain attenuator (PGA) in particular to be used in a track-and-hold circuit is disclosed. The PGA is located in the feedback path around an operational amplifier. One tap switch is used to connect one PGA section to the output of the operational amplifier. The PGA section is capable of producing a multiplicity of different gain settings by using a multiplicity of secondary resistive devices in a voltage divider, wherein the resistive devices each can be independently coupled to a reference voltage.
US07710177B2 Latch device having low-power data retention
A latch of an integrated circuit is able to retain data at the latch when the integrated circuit is in a low-power mode. The latch retains data at a retention stage in response to assertion of an isolation signal. In response to a reference voltage supplied to the latch being restored to a normal operating voltage, indicating that the integrated circuit has transitioned from the low-power mode to a normal mode, a data restoration circuit provides the retained data at the output of the latch prior to negation of the isolation signal. This reduces the likelihood that a delay in negation of the isolation signal will result in the latch output providing incorrect data, thereby reducing the likelihood of the latch output causing errors in downstream elements of the integrated circuit.
US07710174B2 Digital pulse-width modulator based on non-symmetric self-oscillating circuit
A low-power digital pulse-width modulator (DPWM) architecture for high frequency dc-dc switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) is disclosed that is well-suited for integration in power management systems of small handheld devices. The DPWM can operate in a stand-alone mode, without external clock, and can be implemented on a portion of silicon area needed for other DPWM solutions. In addition it has low power consumption and provides a good linearity of the input-to-output characteristic, also not characteristic for other architectures.
US07710173B2 Duty cycle correction circuit and delay locked loop circuit including the same
A duty cycle correction circuit and a delay locked loop circuit including the same are capable of reducing area and power consumption of a circuit. The delay locked loop circuit includes a delay locked loop unit, a delay controller, a duty cycle ratio correction circuit, and a duty cycle ratio detector. The delay locked loop unit outputs an internal clock by delaying an external clock in order to compensate a clock skew. The delay controller outputs a delay internal clock by delaying the internal clock in response to correction signals. The duty cycle ratio correction circuit outputs an internal correction clock by increasing or decreasing a high level section of the internal clock according to the correction signals. The duty cycle ratio detector outputs the correction signals in accordance with a duty cycle ratio of the internal correction clock.
US07710171B2 Delayed locked loop circuit
A delay locked loop circuit for compensating for a phase skew of a memory device includes a first delay locking unit configured to delay an external clock of the memory device by a first amount of delay to output a first internal clock, a second locking unit configured to delay the external clock by a second amount of delay to output a second internal clock, the second amount of delay being greater than the first amount of delay, and a selecting unit configured to select one of the first internal clock and the second internal clock as an internal clock of the memory device.
US07710170B2 Internal supply voltage controlled PLL and methods for using such
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and circuits for clock signal generation. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor devices that include a power source and a phase lock loop circuit. The power source provides a supply voltage to the phase lock loop circuit. The phase lock loop circuit includes and on-chip control voltage source and a voltage controlled oscillator. The on-chip control voltage source is capable of producing a control voltage that varies between a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage. The voltage controlled oscillator receives the control voltage and provides a clock signal with a frequency corresponding to the control voltage. The maximum voltage is greater than the supply voltage. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the maximum voltage is more than double the supply voltage. As another example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the maximum voltage is more than six times the supply voltage.
US07710169B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit controlling output impedance and slew rate
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention has a plurality of output transistors connected to an output terminal through which output data is outputted, and an impedance control circuit and a slew rate control circuit. The impedance control circuit generates control signals specifying output transistors to be turned on when the output data is output, from among the plurality of output transistors. The slew rate control circuit generates, according to the control signals, drive signals driving the output transistors to be turned on, and variably sets respective delay times of the drive signals according to the control signals.
US07710167B2 Circuits and methods for controlling an on/off state of a switch
A circuit having a first circuit portion configured to receive a pulse-width modulated first signal and a second signal, and configured to generate third and fourth signals each responsive to the first and second signals; a second circuit portion configured to receive the third and fourth signals and to generate a fifth signal responsive to both the third and fourth signals; and a third circuit portion configured to control an on/off state of a first switch in response to the fifth signal, wherein the second signal is present at a load path terminal of the first switch. Also, various related methods.
US07710165B2 Voltage-to-current converter
A Voltage-to-Current converter includes a current mirror having first and second poles, a first transistor coupled between the first pole of the current mirror and a low voltage through a first resistor, a second transistor coupled between the second pole of the current mirror and a low voltage through a second resistor wherein the second resistor is substantially identical with the first resistor, and wherein the output current is dependent on resistance of the first resistor, the input voltage signal applied to the gate of the first transistor, and a reference voltage signal applied to the gate of the second resistor.
US07710164B1 Highly linear bootstrapped switch with improved reliability
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide bootstrapped switches having improved reliability. One example improves the reliability of a discharge transistor connected to discharge the gate of a switch transistor by decreasing its operating voltage during the discharge. This example provides a discharge transistor having a first source-drain region connected to a gate of a switch transistor. Since the gate of the switch transistor can reach high voltages, if the discharge transistor's second source-drain region is instantaneously tied to ground when the switch's gate is discharged, the discharge transistor's reliability can be degraded due to hot-electron effects. Accordingly, instead of being connected to ground—or an intermediate node that quickly reaches the ground potential during gate discharge—the second source-drain region of the discharge transistor is coupled to an intermediate node that discharges to ground at a slower rate.
US07710162B2 Differential amplifier
A differential amplifier includes an amplification unit and a feedback unit. The amplification unit amplifies a voltage difference between a first input signal and a second input signal and outputs a first output signal and a second output signal. The feedback unit amplifies a voltage difference between a first feedback signal based on the first output signal and a second feedback signal based on the second output signal.
US07710159B2 Muller-c element
The invention relates to an electronic device that includes an MCML Muller-c element. The MCML Muller-c element has a first differential stage for operating in a trans-conductance state converting the differential input to a differential output current implementing the logical behavior of the MCML Muller-c element and a second stage operating as a trans-impedance stage being coupled to the first stage. Further, the MCML Muller-c element has peaking circuitry being coupled to the first stage, such that the peaking circuitry and the first stage provide a negative capacitance to the MCML Muller-c element for reducing the damping factor of the MCML Muller-c element.
US07710156B1 Clock gating by usage of implied constants
A circuit Θ is coupled to an individual node Nin, in a circuit for which repeated logical values of that individual node can be identified as having a set of flip-flops Fj dependent thereon, with the effect that if the individual node Nin remains unchanged for one or more clock cycles, the set of dependent flip-flops Fj can be disabled for the second and succeeding clock cycles. The circuit Θ conditionally generates a clock-enabling signal Nout in response thereto. One such circuit Θ conditionally includes a logical controller, whose output is coupled using a fan-out node to both an input to a state machine and a fan-in logic circuit (such as an AND gate). The flip-flop is clocked normally; its output is coupled to that same fan-in logic circuit, whose output Nout is coupled to the set of dependent flip-flops Fj.
US07710153B1 Cross point switch
A cross point switch, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes a plurality of tri-state repeaters coupled to form a plurality of multiplexers. Each set of corresponding tri-state repeaters in the plurality of multiplexers share a front end module such that delay through the cross point switch due to input capacitance is reduced as compared to conventional cross point switches.
US07710152B1 Multistage dual logic level voltage translator
A multistage dual logic level voltage translator for translating both high and low input logic levels to higher levels, at least one of which levels is above the maximum recommended voltage of transistors implementing the stages, includes an input stage for receiving input logic levels and an output stage including a high voltage converter having at least a pair of cross-coupled converter transistors responsive to the input stage and including a pair of clamping circuit connected one across each of the converter transistors, for providing the shifted low and high output logic levels.
US07710149B1 Input buffer for multiple differential I/O standards
An input buffer circuit has a plurality of selectively enabled differential amplifier circuits, where each differential amplifier is configured for compatibility with a particular differential I/O standard and its corresponding input operating range. For example, the input buffer may have two differential amplifiers suitable for receiving LVDS differential input signals over a wide input operating range, and another differential amplifier suitable for receiving the PCML differential input signals. One or more control signals are provided to the input buffer, e.g., programmably, to selectively enable the required differential amplifier(s) for a given I/O standard.
US07710148B2 Programmable switch circuit and method, method of manufacture, and devices and systems including the same
A switching circuit can include a logic circuit having a logic circuit input and a logic circuit output and at least three input transistors coupled to provide three separate paths between three input/output (I/O) nodes and the logic circuit input. The switching circuit can further include at least three output transistors coupled to provide three separate paths between the three I/O nodes and the logic circuit output. Methods of fabricating such switch circuits and devices and/or systems including such switching circuits are also disclosed.
US07710146B1 Hierarchical FPGA configuration
A system for configuring programmable logic devices includes a serial data bus, a first device to fan-out data signals on the serial data bus, a second device to fan-in data signals on the serial data bus, and a control device that uses the first device and the second device to configure the serial data bus. The system configures a set of programmable logic devices by using the control device to configure the serial data bus such that the set of programmable logic devices are in communication with the serial data bus, and by sending configuration information to the set of programmable logic devices. A method for configuring programmable logic devices includes configuring a first programmable logic device such that the first programmable logic device includes signaling logic to fan-out configuration information, and using the first programmable logic device to configure at least two secondary programmable logic devices in parallel using the signaling logic to fan-out configuration information.
US07710138B2 Semiconductor chip and semiconductor device including the same
A semiconductor chip includes a plurality of pads; input/output circuits connected with the plurality of pads, respectively; a product data storage section configured to store a product data; and a setting section configured to set to an active state, each of the input circuits which is connected to one of the plurality of pads used for input to an internal circuit, and each of the output circuits which is connected to one of the plurality of pads used for output from the internal circuit, and set remaining input/output circuits to an inactive state, based on the product data.
US07710134B2 Probe card assembly
Disclosed is a probe card assembly including a main body, a probe base provided at a center of the main body, and a plurality of test probes connecting the main body and the probe base. Therein, each of the test probes has a tip extending out from the probe base for contacting and testing a wafer. The test probes include at least one power probe, at least one grounding probe and a plurality of signal probes, wherein each of the test probes has a middle section between the main body and the probe base. Each of the power probe and the signal probes further contains therein a core that is wrapped by an insulation layer.
US07710125B2 Independent reference pulse generation
In fill-level measuring devices according to the pulse-transit-time method, a reflection that is generated internally in a microwave module is used as a reference for transit time measuring. For generating the reference pulse, the microwave module comprises its own sampling mixer or its own oscillator. Subsequently, the echo signal and the reference pulse can be further processed separately or together. No delay line is necessary on the transmission frequency of the radar sensor. Interference as a result of leakage signals is largely prevented.
US07710122B2 Ground resistance test apparatus
The “Ground Resistance Test” provides a circuit and test setup for measuring the resistance of earth grounds. The ground resistance test uses the central office battery from a working telephone pair to source current into the “Tested Ground”. First the quiescent voltage (Vo) on the Tested Ground with respect to a removable ground rod is measured and recorded. Then the ring side of a working pair is connected to the Tested Ground and the office battery draws current (I) from the Tested Ground. The voltage (Vi) on the Tested Ground with respect to the removable ground rod is again measured with dc current flowing. Voltage fall Vf is computed as (Vi−Vo). The ohms (R) of the Tested Ground is then displayed as R=Vf/I. In the event that central office battery is unavailable, the Ground Resistance Tester will provide an optional current rod and internal battery source.
US07710118B2 Resonant pulse induction metal detector that transmits energy from high voltage flyback pulses
A metal detector transmitting high current pulses and employing the high voltage back EMF signals which occur at their termination. The method employed uses a resonant tuned receive coil which provides a major improvement in the depth of detection of metallic objects and interference rejection over current time and frequency domain metal detectors.
US07710117B2 Multi-current elements for magnetic resonance radio frequency coils
A current unit having two or more current paths allows control of magnitude, phase, time, frequency and position of each of element in a radio frequency coil. For each current element, the current can be adjusted as to a phase angle, frequency and magnitude. Multiple current paths of a current unit can be used for targeting multiple spatial domains or strategic combinations of the fields generated/detected by combination of elements for targeting a single domain in magnitude, phase, time, space and frequency.
US07710116B2 Method for reducing the coupling during reception between excitation and receive coils of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system
This invention relates to a method for improving the performance of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system by reducing, during reception, the coupling between one or more excitation coils that provide a radio frequency magnetic field that excites quadrupole nuclei, and one or more high temperature superconductor receive coils that detect the resulting nuclear quadrupole resonance signal.
US07710115B2 Independent phase modulation for efficient dual-band 3D imaging
A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a first volume and a second volume spaced apart from the first volume is provided. The first volume is excited with a first linearly varying phase with respect to k-space. The second volume is excited with a second linearly varying phase with respect to k-space, wherein the first linearly varying phase has a different slope than the second linearly varying phase. Data in k-space is acquired line by line. The acquired data in k-space is Fourier transformed to image space. An image is formed with a first volume image and a second volume image from the transformed data. Use of phase modulation allows imaging with a reduced field-of-view, which can result in faster scan times or improved performance of parallel imaging acquisition strategies.
US07710114B2 Apparatus for producing nuclear spin-polarized noble gas, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, and nuclear magnetic resonance imager
An apparatus for producing a nuclear spin-polarized noble gas by spin-polarizing a noble gas in the presence of an optical pumping catalyst under application of magnetic field and laser light, including a cell having a thin reaction chamber, a gas introduction conduit connected in fluid communication with the reaction chamber for feeding the noble gas, a gas discharge conduit connected in fluid communication with the reaction chamber, a first gate valve having an outlet port connected to the gas introduction conduit and an inlet port adapted to be in fluid communication with a noble gas introduction line, a second gate valve having an inlet port connected to the gas discharge conduit and an outlet port, and a capillary tube removably connected to the outlet port of the second valve for recovering a nuclear spin-polarized noble gas produced in the reaction chamber. The apparatus may be directly connected to NMR or MRI.
US07710113B2 Magnetic sensor with offset magnetic field
A method, a magnetic field sensor, and an electronic device measure and determine the magnitude and/or the direction of a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is based on at least a first magnetoresistive-layered structure having an electric resistance depending on the magnitude of the magnetic field. The magnetic sensor generates at least a first offset magnetic field. The magnitude and the direction of the offset magnetic field can be modified to compensate the magnetic field. The electric resistance of the magnetoresistive-layered structure depends on the superposition of magnetic field and offset magnetic field. A maximum electric resistance indicates that the magnetic field is compensated by the offset magnetic field. In this case the magnitude of the magnetic field corresponds to the magnitude of the offset magnetic field, and the direction of the magnetic field is given by the reversed direction of the offset magnetic field.
US07710109B2 Method and apparatus for position detection
A relative position of two articles is determined by generating a magnetic field using a magnetic element of a first article and determining a first measurement value and a second measurement value using a sensor arrangement of a second article, with the first and the second measurement values correlated to the size of the magnetic field in two different spatial directions and correspond to two different magnetic field components. The sensor arrangement is selected such that the first magnetic field component is essentially parallel to the direction of relative movement of the articles and the second magnetic field component is essentially perpendicular to the relative direction of movement of the articles. A difference signal of the absolute magnitudes of the first and second measured values is used to determine the relative position of the first and second articles. A position detector is also provided.
US07710107B2 Force or field balance device and method for measuring position
A device and method for disclosing position of a positionable input by positioning the input over a range of positions to cause the magnitude of the directional component of a vector representing a field or force produced by a source to change from a reference magnitude or reference direction as the input is being positioned while an electric circuit that contains a sensor for sensing the directional component is changing the value of an electric signal for restoring the magnitude of the directional component being sensed by the sensor to the reference magnitude or reference direction, and using the value of the electric signal to disclose the position of the input.
US07710105B2 Circuit reset testing methods
A method of testing power-on reset circuitry in an integrated circuit comprises establishing the a first state of the integrated circuit that is different from a normal reset state of the circuit, lowering the VCC power supply voltage from a normal high operating level VH to a specified lower level VP then raising it back to the normal high level, then determining whether or not the integrated circuit has assumed the reset state. The testing can repeated with a plurality of lower VCC levels VP and under a variety of operating conditions to characterize resetting parameters and to designate pass/fail results for individual chips. If an AC voltage detector is part of the power-on reset circuitry, then it can tested separately, and DC testing occurs with very slow ramp rates for lowering and raising the power supply voltage.
US07710101B2 Method and system for measuring maximum operating frequency and corresponding duty cycle for an I/O cell
A circuit for measuring maximum operating frequency and its corresponding duty cycle for an input I/O cell implementation under test (IUT) includes a condition checking module, a central control module and a duty cycle measurement module. The condition checking module checks an upper threshold voltage and a lower threshold voltage. The central control module controls a plurality of operations for measuring the frequency. The duty cycle measurement module measures the duty cycle and finally all these modules together and calculates maximum operating frequency of the IUT.
US07710100B2 Motherboard testing apparatus
A motherboard testing apparatus for automatically turning on or off a motherboard includes a pulse signal generating circuit for outputting a pulse signal, a first control circuit for outputting a first control signal to an I/O controller on the motherboard according to the pulse signal, and a second control circuit. The first control circuit outputs a low level first control signal when it receives a low level pulse signal, the I/O controller turns the motherboard on when it receives the low level first control signal. The second control circuit outputs a second control signal to the first control circuit which controls the motherboard to turn on again when the first control circuit receives the low level pulse signal a next time.
US07710097B2 Power supply with reduced power losses during standby mode
There is provided a power supply for an electrical device operable in active mode and in standby mode. The power supply comprises a transformer having a primary winding on the primary side and a secondary winding on the secondary side. The primary winding is connectable to an AC voltage supply and is arranged to comprise N turns when the electrical device is in active mode and more than N turns when the electrical device is in standby mode. Circuitry on the secondary side is arranged to provide an output voltage for the electrical device during active mode.
US07710096B2 Reference circuit
A reference circuit comprises a first current generator comprising a first transistor operably coupled to a second transistor and having respective base current corresponding to a positive temperature dependence of the reference circuit. A resistance is operably coupled to the first current generator and arranged to provide a second current corresponding to a negative temperature dependence of the reference circuit. A second current generator is operably coupled to the resistance and the first current generator that generates a combined current as a sum of the second current and base current. In this manner, the output voltage of the curvature compensated voltage and/or current reference circuit is substantially linear and substantially independent of the operating temperature of the circuit.
US07710093B2 Driver for a power converter and a method of driving a switch thereof
A driver for a power converter, method of driving a switch thereof, and a power converter employing the same. In one embodiment, the driver includes switching circuitry referenced to a voltage level and configured to provide a drive signal for a switch referenced to another voltage level and subject to a control voltage limit. In a related, but alternative embodiment, the driver is employable with a power converter couplable to a source of electrical power adapted to provide an input voltage thereto. The power converter includes a power train having a switch referenced to the input voltage and subject to a control voltage limit. The driver includes switching circuitry referenced to a voltage level different from the input voltage and configured to provide a drive signal for the switch within the control voltage limit of the switch.
US07710091B2 Low dropout linear voltage regulator with an active resistance for frequency compensation to improve stability
The present invention discloses an LDO (Low DropOut) linear voltage regulator, which is based on an NMC (Nested Miller Compensation) architecture and can be capacitor-free, wherein an active resistor is added to the feedback path of the Miller compensation capacitor to increase the controllability of the damping factor, solve the problem of extensively using the output capacitor with a parasitic resistance, and solve the problem that a compromise must be made between the damping factor control and the system loop gain. Further, the present invention utilizes a capacitor-sharing technique to reduce the Miller capacitance required by the entire system and accelerate the stabilization of output voltage without influencing stability.
US07710083B2 Electronic device, method for controlling the same, and optical semiconductor module
An electronic device includes a DC/DC converter supplied with an external power supply, and an electronic circuit having a power supply input to which an output of the DC/DC converter is supplied. A converted voltage that is the output of the DC/DC converter is lower than a center value of a recommended operating condition for a voltage of the power supply input of the electronic circuit.
US07710075B1 Apparatus and implementation of a battery in a non volatile memory subsystem
The battery apparatus introduced here provides a tool for reliably measuring the run time to empty of a battery used in a network storage server for protection of data during a failure mode. The battery run time to empty can be determined by a management controller based on battery information generated by a controller and received at the management controller. The information received at the management controller includes run time to empty, voltage, current and current battery capacity.
US07710072B2 Discharge circuit
According to the invention, an apparatus for robust battery discharge which provides uninterrupted power to a discharge circuit used in a discharge cycle is disclosed. The apparatus may have a discharge circuit for discharging a battery. The discharge circuit may be adapted to be coupled with a discharge load and configured to discharge the battery using the discharge load during a discharging cycle. The apparatus may have a first power input and a second power input, which may configured to receive power from a first power source and a second power source, respectively. The power inputs may be further configured to supply power to the discharge circuit. The apparatus may have a power switching circuit for switching power from the first power source to the second power source when the first power source is interrupted. The second power source may be the battery.
US07710071B2 Charging a portable electrical device
A portable electrical device requiring periodic recharging mates with a corresponding charging device by dropping or placing the portable device on or in the charger without pre-alignment by the user. The charger-to-device interface self aligns the portable electrical device in the charger for charging. Preferably, the charger is a bowl-shaped cradle. The portable device sinks to the bottom of the bowl using the force of gravity and thus aligns the contacts for recharging. Optional magnets may provide additional force to guide alignment.
US07710068B2 Electrical power supply system for motor vehicle
A power supply control apparatus for controlling an electric generator of a vehicle limits the rate of change of a power supply voltage to a predetermined variation rate range, when the change is caused by operations to control the charge condition of the vehicle battery, and controls the generated power to match the drive torque applied by the engine to the generator. When the electrical load demand changes, the generated power is controlled to limit a resultant momentary change in the power supply voltage caused by an engine response delay, while minimizing a resultant momentary amount of engine speed variation.
US07710067B2 Power supply system and power supply system control method
A power accumulating unit of a power supply system includes a first switch section configured to achieve a first voltage output state in which an output voltage is substantially equal to a first motor driving voltage and a second switch section configured to achieve a second voltage output state in which the output voltage is substantially equal to a second motor driving voltage that is higher than the first motor driving voltage. A voltage switching control part is configured to perform a voltage switching control to switch between the first motor driving voltage and the second motor driving voltage by alternately operating the first and second switch sections to repeatedly switch between the first voltage output state and the second voltage output state.
US07710065B2 Power conversion system and power conversion control method
A power conversion system includes first and second voltage sources for driving a multiple-phase AC motor and a control unit. The control unit is configured to compute first and second output voltage command values used to drive the multiple-phase AC motor based on a first output voltage command vector corresponding to the voltage source that is charged and a second output voltage command vector corresponding to the voltage source that is discharged. The first and second output voltage command vectors are determined so that a resultant vector of the first and second output voltage command vectors is coincident with a motor voltage command vector corresponding to a motor voltage command value, and a motor current command vector corresponding to the motor current command value is positioned within an included angle formed between the second output voltage command vector and a negative vector of the first output voltage command vector.
US07710063B2 Electric power converter
An electric power converter, electric power conversion system and method that, without using a DC-DC converter, uses and allots the electric power of plural power sources while reducing the volume and losses. At least one phase of the motor is connected to plural power sources and generates and synthesizes pulses from output voltages of plural power sources so as to drive the multi-phase AC motor. A different phase of the motor is connected to one DC power source and generates pulses from the output voltage of the power source so as to generate a driving voltage for the multi-phase AC motor. This arrangement allows use/allotment of the power of plural power sources with a reduced number of semiconductor components.
US07710062B2 Driver with a reverse-rotation preventer for an inflatable rotating exhibit
A driver with a reverse-rotation preventer for an inflatable rotating exhibit is mounted inside an inflatable rotating exhibit having a transparent inflatable body and a rotating body and has a rotating assembly and a reverse-rotation preventer. The rotating assembly connects to and rotates the rotating body and has a synchronous motor that rotates in a direction and has a shaft. The shaft is driven by the synchronous motor and rotates the rotating body. However, the synchronous motor will reverse its rotation when the rotating body encounters even temporary resistance while rotating. The reverse-rotation preventer applies a resistance when the rotating body rotates in the wrong direction to make the synchronous motor reverse rotation. Consequently, the reverse-rotation preventer ensures that the rotating inflatable exhibit rotates in the desired direction.
US07710059B2 Method of optimizing servo controller power in two-dimensional flexure MEMS storage device
A method of optimizing a servo controller power required in the operation of two-dimensional flexure (Microelectronic Memory Storage) MEMS devices. Furthermore, provided is an arrangement for optimizing servo controller power in a two-dimensional flexure MEMS storage device through a utilization of the inventive method.
US07710057B2 Raindrop quantity sensing apparatus and wiper control system
A raindrop sensor outputs a measurement signal, which corresponds to a quantity of raindrops in a predetermined sensing range in a wiping range on a windshield. A prohibited time period setting arrangement sets a time period, during which a wiper blade is predicted to pass through the predetermined sensing range, as a raindrop quantity sensing prohibited time period based on an elapsed time from a time point of supplying a drive command signal to a wiper motor, which drives the wiper blade. The determining arrangement determines the quantity of raindrops on the windshield based on the measurement signal outputted from the raindrop sensor in a raindrop quantity sensing execution time period, which is outside of the raindrop quantity sensing prohibited time period.
US07710053B2 Motor driving system and motor driving method
A motor driving apparatus including inverter apparatuses, inverter control circuits, and a plurality of inverter control apparatuses for performing variable-speed driving of a single motor, breakers each of which being provided between each inverter apparatus and the motor, the inverter control circuits being connected in parallel to each other. Here, a motor rotation frequency/phase detection circuit of each inverter control circuit is set up on a closer side to the motor than the breakers, then frequency and phase of a terminal voltage at the motor are detected and inputted into failure-time input frequency/phase setting circuits regardless of close/open of each breaker. This feature allows computation by the failure-time input frequency/phase setting circuits to be carried out at all times, thereby making it possible to shorten a computation time needed for computing inverter-apparatus start frequency/phase.
US07710052B2 Method and apparatus for operation of a piezo-actuator
A piezo-actuator is actuated in a first operating mode (B1) by pulsed supply of a first electrical variable for charging or discharging of the piezo-actuator taking into account at least one actuation parameter (P) for the piezo-actuator. The piezo-actuator is actuated in a second operating mode (B2) by non-pulsed introduction of the first electrical variable for charging or discharging of the piezo-actuator, to be precise with the first electrical variable having a predetermined profile which is substantially independent of any load change on the piezo-actuator (1). A profile of a second electrical variable of the piezo-actuator is recorded during at least one measurement time period while the predetermined profile of the first electrical variable is being applied. The at least one actuation parameter (P) of the piezo-actuator is determined as a function of the recorded profile of the second electrical variable.
US07710049B2 Driver and method for driving LEDS on multiple branch circuits
Techniques pertaining to driving LEDs on multiple branches of a circuit are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an LED drive circuit includes a boost circuit configured for receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage according to a control signal, a selector configured for alternatively selecting one of the feedback signals as an output feedback signal and switching on a corresponding branch circuit, and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller configured for generating a pulse-width modulation signal as the control signal for the boost circuit according to the output feedback signal of the selector, essentially to match respective currents in the multiple branches.
US07710047B2 System and method for driving LED
A system drives one or plurality of LEDs regulating their brightness by controlling LEDs average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a hysteretic peak current mode controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. For discontinuous mode of operation of the power converter a pulse averaging sliding mode control is being used. Average LED current is measured by integrating LED pulse current at off time and hysteretically adjusting on time of the power switch. Input battery is protected from discharging at abnormally low impedance of the output.
US07710044B2 Flashlamp drive circuit
A flashlamp drive circuit including a storage capacitor which is charged and selectively discharged in order to drive a flashlamp. A capacitor (116) is connected in parallel with each respective flashlamp (106) in a bank of flashlamps. Each capacitor (116) has a comparatively small capacitance so as to be capable of storing only a portion of the total energy pulse required to be delivered to the respective flashlamp (106). A controller, comprising a digital signal processor (118) and a microprocessor (120) is provided to control the operation of all of the flashlamps (106) in the bank via respective switch mechanisms (110). In use, each energy (or drive) pulse delivered to a flashlamp (106) is comprised of a plurality of smaller energy packets resulting from repeated charging and discharging of the respective capacitor (116). Thus, the shape and duration of the current pulses delivered to the flashlamp (106) is highly controllable and the size of the storage capacitor (116) required is significantly reduced relative to the prior art.
US07710043B2 Discharge-lamp lighting apparatus
A discharge-lamp lighting apparatus includes first and second cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) and first and second transformers. The second transformer has a primary winding connected in parallel to one of primary and secondary windings of the first transformer, a first secondary winding, and a second secondary winding. Each of the first and second secondary windings of the second transformer is connected to the secondary winding of the first transformer with polarities being set so that a voltage of each secondary winding of the second transformer becomes additive to a voltage of the secondary winding of the first transformer. The first CCFL is connected in parallel to a series circuit that includes the secondary winding of the first transformer and the first secondary winding of the second transformer.
US07710040B2 Single layer construction for ultra small devices
An array of ultra-small structures of between ones of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size that can be energized to produce at least two different frequencies of out put energy or data, with the ultra small structures being formed on a single conductive layer on a substrate. The array can include one row of different ultra small structures, multiple rows of ultra small structures, with each row containing identical structures, or multiple rows of a variety of structures that can produce all spectrums of energy or combinations thereof, including visible light.
US07710039B2 Compact fluorescent lamp and method for manufacturing
A compact fluorescent lamp comprises a discharge tube arrangement with at least one discharge tube. The tube is formed of glass, encloses a discharge volume filled with a discharge gas and has a fluorescent phosphor coating disposed on the inner surface of the tube. The tube forms a continuous arc path and is provided with electrodes disposed at each end of the arc path. The lamp also comprises a ballast circuit connected to the electrodes by lead-in wires and to a supply voltage by lead-out wires for controlling the current in the tube. A bulb shaped outer envelope has a substantially spherical portion enclosing the tube arrangement and an elongated end portion enclosing the ballast circuit. The end portion of the outer envelope having an open end on a base side is closed and terminated by a closing means of the same material as the outer envelope. The closing means is provided with a tubular opening. The lead-out wires are isolated from each other and led through the tubular opening to a base for connecting said lamp to said supply voltage through a socket.A method for manufacturing a compact fluorescent lamp as described above is also disclosed. In the proposed method, the open end of the elongated portion of the outer envelope is closed and terminated with a closing means comprising a tubular opening for leading through the lead-out wires.
US07710036B2 Filter and plasma display device
A display apparatus includes a plasma display panel (PDP) and a filter having a panel side facing a display surface of the PDP and an opposing viewer side facing away from the display surface. The filter includes an external light shield having a first base unit and first pattern units. The first pattern units absorb external light from the viewer side and are substantially parallel to a first axis. The filter includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield overlapping the external light shield. The EMI shield includes a second base unit and second pattern units. The second pattern units are conductive and substantially parallel to a second axis. An interior angle between the first axis and the second axis can be within a range of 40 to 50 degrees.
US07710033B2 Plasma panel comprising cement partition barriers
Display panel comprising two plates leaving between them a sealed space that is filled with a discharge gas and is partitioned into discharge cells bounded between these plates by barrier ribs made of a mineral material comprising a mineral binder based on a hydraulic binder, and a mineral filler. By using a hydraulic binder instead of a glassy mineral binder, the display panels may be manufactured at lower temperature.
US07710030B2 Double sided AMOLED display and fabricating method thereof
A double sided display comprises a first substrate, a first organic light-emitting device (OLED) disposed on the first substrate, a first spacer, a second substrate, a second OLED disposed on the second substrate and a second spacer. The first and second spacers are disposed on the first and second substrates, and close to the first and second OLEDs, respectively. A height of the first spacer is larger than a thickness of the first OLED. A height of the second spacer is larger than a thickness of the second OLED. During assembly, the first substrate is disposed opposite to the second substrate, and the first spacer is disposed opposite to the second spacer. Also, the exact positions of the first and second spacers are determined for preventing the direct touch between the first and second OLEDs while the double sided display is deformed.
US07710029B2 Organic EL element including banks containing fluorine resin and manufacturing method thereof
An organic EL display panel having a functional layer with a uniform film thickness is provided. The organic EL display panel of the present invention contains anode electrodes set on the substrate; organic EL layers set on the anode electrodes; line-state banks defining the organic EL layers in a line-state region; second banks defining two or more regions in the line-state region. The line-state banks and the second banks contain a fluorine resin, a fluorine concentration of the fluorine resin gradually changes along a thickness direction of each of the line-state bank and the second bank, and the fluorine concentration at a top of each of the line-state bank and the second bank is higher than the fluorine concentration at a bottom surface of each of the line-state bank and the second bank.
US07710027B2 Light emitting apparatus including resin banks and electronic device having same
The invention provides an organic EL apparatus including a substrate, a pair of electrodes formed on the substrate, and a light emitting layer disposed between the electrodes is provided in order to implement a light emitting apparatus and an electronic device which decrease reflections in a display of the organic EL apparatus, and to enhance display quality. The substrate includes a transparent substrate, the pair of the electrodes is an anode disposed on the light emitting layer at the substrate side, and a cathode disposed on the light emitting layer at an opposite side of the substrate. A semi-reflection film is disposed near the anode. The semi-reflection film transmits a part of external light incident on the organic EL apparatus from the substrate, and reflects a part of the light other than the light transmitted.
US07710026B2 LED device having improved output and contrast
An electroluminescent (EL) device having an LED formed on a substrate with at least two electrodes formed over the substrate, and an EL unit formed between the electrodes. At least one of the electrodes is transparent. At least one of the electrodes is patterned to define independently controllable light-emitting areas. A cover is formed over the LED. The cover or substrate is transparent. A light-scattering layer is formed between the cover and substrate for scattering light. A low-index element, having an optical index lower than other optical indices, is formed between the scattering layer and the transparent cover or substrate. Additionally, a contrast-enhancement layer includes alternating light-absorbing portions and light-transmissive portions formed in the layer located between the light-scattering layer and the transparent substrate or cover through which light is emitted, wherein the light-absorbing portions and light-transmissive portions are located in each light-emitting area.
US07710022B2 EL device having improved power distribution
An active-matrix electroluminescent device, comprising: a plurality of light-emitting elements laid out over a substrate, a plurality of electrical buses carrying a common signal connected to the light-emitting elements; and a plurality of electrical cross-connections intersecting and electrically connecting the plurality of electrical buses. The plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in groups of four light-emitting elements each, each group forming a quad cell of four neighboring light-emitting elements arranged around intersections of the electrical buses and cross-connections, each of the light-emitting elements of each quad cell are connected to the electrical bus or electrical cross-connection separating the light-emitting elements of the quad cell, each quad cell shares a common electrical bus or cross-connection with an adjacent quad cell, and adjacent quad cells sharing a common electrical bus are not separated by a common cross-connection and neighboring quad cells sharing a common cross-connection are not separated by a common electrical bus.
US07710021B2 Organic electroluminescent display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic electroluminescent display (OELD) device comprises a first electrode on a first substrate having an active region and a non-active region at periphery of the active region, the active region including a plurality of pixel regions and the non-active region including a power supply region; an organic luminescent layer on the first electrode in the plurality of pixel regions; a first organic layer on the first electrode in the power supply region; a second organic layer on the first substrate in an outer region of the power supply region; a second electrode on the organic luminescent layer; a driving thin film transistor connected to the second electrode and formed on a second substrate; and a power supply terminal connected to the first organic layer and formed on the second substrate, wherein the first organic layer has substantially the same shape as the organic luminescent layer, and the second organic layer has substantially a different shape from the organic luminescent layer.
US07710017B2 Organic light emitting device having a transparent microcavity
An organic light emitting device having a microcavity is provided. The device may be transparent to the resonant wavelength of the microcavity, allowing for saturated emission at the wavelength or wavelengths of light transmitted by the microcavity.
US07710015B2 Self-emitting display
An aperture LAR of a light-emitting portion is changed in diameter (size) from the center portion of a screen to the peripheral portion thereof. In this manner, any displacement observed between the aperture LAR and a vapor deposition region VAR of an organic EL material is controlled. The aperture LAR is preferably larger in size at the center portion of the screen, and smaller in the peripheral portion thereof. As such, a light-emitting layer is vapor-deposited on a substrate correctly for every pixel so that a high-quality self-emitting display including organic EL display can de derived.
US07710014B2 Electron emission device, electron emission display device using the same and method of manufacturing the same
An electron emission device includes a substrate, a plurality of cathode electrodes formed on the substrate, a plurality of electron emission regions electrically coupled to the cathode electrodes, an insulating layer formed on the substrate while covering the cathode electrodes, and a plurality of gate electrodes formed on the insulating layer and crossing the cathode electrodes. The insulating layer is provided with a plurality of openings exposing the corresponding electron emission regions, each of the openings having at least two opening portions that communicate with each other and are different in a size from each other. The gate electrodes are provided with openings communicating with the corresponding openings of the insulating layer. The two opening portions may include a gap in the insulating layer where the gate and cathode electrodes interesect.
US07710009B2 System, method and apparatus for multi-beam lithography including a dispenser cathode for homogeneous electron emission
A dispenser cathode which comprises an emission surface, a reservoir for material releasing, when heated, work-function-lowering particles, and at least one passage for allowing diffusion of work-function-lowering particles from said reservoir to said emission surface, said emission surface comprising at least one emission area and at least one non-emission area covered with emission-suppressing material and surrounding each emission area, said non-emission area comprising at least one passage connecting said reservoir with said non-emission area and debouching within a diffusion length distance from an emission area for allowing diffusion of work-function-lowering particles from said reservoir to said emission area.
US07709995B2 Shape memory alloy wire latch actuator
A linear motion actuator is disclosed in which an actuator shaft is held in a ready position by a latching ring. A spring is attached to the actuator shaft to exert a biasing force on the actuator shaft biasing it toward its actuated position. The latching ring receives one end of the actuator shaft and has locking elements that hold the actuator shaft in the ready position. A latching ring is rotated to selectively release the locking element. A shape memory alloy link extends partially around the latching ring and is secured to the latching ring. The link is shortened when current is applied to the link causing the link to rotate and release the locking element.
US07709994B2 Brush board for high current electric motor
A brush board assembly for a DC or AC motor employs a spool-shaped frame unitarily formed of a mounting plate, a series of support members that extend axially and define the brush holders, and an outer support plate that is generally parallel to the mounting plate. This frame may be molded of a high strength, high temperature resin for heavy duty motor use. Brush hold down springs are mounted onto push-in carriers that fit into receptacles on the support members. Preferably, scroll or volute springs are employed, and a stop arm on the carrier allows the free end of the spring to be held out of the way for installation or brush change out.
US07709993B2 Continuous direct current generator
A continuous direct current generator comprises a plurality of windings, each being adapted to rotate between two magnetic fields and in unison with a rotator having a plurality of brush contacts. The windings are electrically connected to the brush contacts which deliver current to a split anode-cathode ring within which the rotator rotates. The windings are connected to the brush contacts so as to deliver substantially continuous direct current to the anode-cathode output.
US07709991B2 Rotor assembly for an electric machine including a vibration damping member and method of manufacturing same
A rotor for an electric machine includes a shaft that is rotatable about an axis and defines a first diameter normal to the axis. A first core portion defines a first aperture having a first aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The first core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a first space. A second core portion defines a second aperture having a second aperture diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The second core portion is positioned adjacent the shaft to define a second space. A damping member is positioned in the first space and the second space. The damping member at least partially interconnects the shaft, the first core portion, and the second core portion.
US07709989B2 Brushless, windingless rotor, variable reluctance, electromechanical machines, having wound-field excitation
A combination of a unique construction format, involving two sets of rotor and stator embodiments, working in co-operation with each other, in a unique fixed, direct-axis and quadrature-axis orientation, and with unique field-winding, back-EMF cancellation, connection schemes to substantially negate the field-winding harmonic currents in the field-winding excitation circuits, and provide for a substantially square-wave shaped, open-terminal, armature output-voltage characteristic.
US07709987B2 Magneto rotor
A magneto rotor which has a cup-like rotor yoke, a plurality of magnets secured on an inner periphery of a peripheral wall portion of the rotor yoke, and a magnet protecting cover having a cylindrical portion that covers inner peripheries of the magnets, and an outer flange being integrated with one axial end of the cylindrical portion and covering end surfaces of the magnets, wherein an annular protrusion protruding toward the opening of the rotor yoke is formed on an area closer to an inner periphery of the outer flange of the magnet protecting cover, an annular adhesive storage portion is formed between the peripheral wall portion closer to the open end of the rotor yoke and the annular protrusion, a groove opening into the adhesive storage portion and continuing circumferentially of the rotor yoke is also formed in the peripheral wall portion closer to the open end of the rotor yoke, and the adhesive storage portion and the groove are filled with an adhesive to seal a boundary between the outer flange of the magnet protecting cover and the peripheral wall portion of the rotor yoke with the adhesive.
US07709985B2 Motor having improved mounting structure
A motor having an improved mounting structure is composed of a rotor including a rotor yoke; a stator including a bearing, a bearing holder and a base plate fixed to one end portion of the bearing holder; a shaft fixed to the rotor yoke and a damping member interposed between the bearing holder and the base plate. The bearing is fixed to the bearing holder. The rotor is supported through the shaft so as to be rotatable freely with respect to the stator. The bearing holder is fixed to the base plate with having a first area in which the bearing holder directly contacts with the base plate and a second area in which the damping member is interposed between the bearing holder and the base plate.
US07709980B2 Architecture for electric machine
The invention includes an electric machine having a rotor, stator and at least one winding in the stator adapted to conduct a current, and a secondary winding, electrically isolated from the first winding and inductively coupled to the first winding, which may be used to control at least one of the output voltage and current of the first winding.
US07709979B2 Heat pipe-equipped cooling device for a rotating electric machine
A cooling device comprising a heat pipe (6) which is provided with an electrically-isolating part (15) between the evaporating (8) and condensing (7) parts thereof, such that the hot and cold areas are isolated electrically from one another. The evaporating part (7) of the heat pipe (6, 60, 61) is connected to a voltage regulator (2) or to a current rectifier belonging to a rotating electric machine. The invention is suitable for an alternator or an alternator-starter.
US07709978B2 System interface and installation with the system interface
It is normal practice in automation to network individual components of an installation via bus lines, with this network carrying out a multiplicity of communication and supply tasks during operation. In at least one embodiment, a system interface, as well as an installation which uses this interface, are disclosed with the operational reliability of the installation being improved. In at least one embodiment, a system interface is proposed for connection of a bus line to an actuator assembly in a control system with a K connection for connection of a communication channel and with a K-U connection for connection of a communication voltage supply channel, and an A-U connection for connection of an actuator voltage supply channel.
US07709977B2 Method and arrangement for controlling a switching connection between the electrical outputs of a fuel cell and an isolated electrical network
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling and for setting the switching states of switches which are connected to the electrical poles or outputs of a fuel cell and which are followed by a network, which is fed from the fuel cell, and has loads. The invention is preferably suitable for use in a vehicle. The switches are opened if the fuel cell and/or the vehicle assume critical states.
US07709968B2 Micro pin grid array with pin motion isolation
A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element having faces and contacts, a flexible substrate overlying and spaced from a first face of the microelectronic element, and a plurality of conductive terminals exposed at a surface of the flexible substrate. The conductive terminals are electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element and the flexible substrate includes a gap extending at least partially around at least one of the conductive terminals. In certain embodiments, the package includes a support layer, such as a compliant layer, disposed between the first face of the microelectronic element and the flexible substrate. In other embodiments, the support layer includes at least one opening that is at least partially aligned with one of the conductive terminals.
US07709963B2 Audio power amplifier package
An audio power amplifier package includes a non-signal lead, a first non-signal pad, a second non-signal pad and a plurality of bonding wires. The first non-signal pad and the second non-signal pad are disposed on a substrate. The bonding wires connect the non-signal lead to the first non-signal pad and the second non-signal pad respectively.
US07709959B2 Article with a metal layer on a substrate
An article includes a substrate and a metal layer adhered to a surface of the substrate so as to form an interface. The interface comprises an atomic concentration of carbon that is about 10% or less and of oxygen that is about 10% or less as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
US07709956B2 Copper-topped interconnect structure that has thin and thick copper traces and method of forming the copper-topped interconnect structure
A copper-topped interconnect structure allows the combination of high density design areas, which have low current requirements that can be met with tightly packed thin and narrow copper traces, and low density design areas, which have high current requirements that can be met with more widely spaced thick and wide copper traces, on the same chip.
US07709955B2 Semiconductor device with a line and method of fabrication thereof
A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulation film, an underlying line provided in the interlayer insulation film, a liner film overlying the interlayer insulation film, an interlayer insulation film overlying the liner film. The underlying line has a lower hole and the liner film and the interlayer insulation film have an upper hole communicating with the lower hole, and the lower hole is larger in diameter than the upper hole. The semiconductor device further includes a conductive film provided at an internal wall surface of the lower hole, a barrier metal provided along an internal wall surface of the upper hole, and a Cu film filling the upper and lower holes. The conductive film contains a substance identical to a substance of the barrier metal. A highly reliable semiconductor device can thus be obtained.
US07709953B2 Semiconductor device
In a multi-chip package semiconductor device, a drive chip having an analog circuit and a logic chip having a digital circuit are mounted within the same package. The driver chip includes a logic-chip power-supply circuit that makes up a logic-chip power supply for the logic chip and a group of operational amplifiers that amplify detection signals from a plurality of sensors. The driver chip has the shape of a square as a whole, and the plurality of operational amplifiers and the logic-chip power-supply circuit are disposed in diagonally opposed positions.
US07709951B2 Thermal pillow
Methods, apparatus and assemblies for enhancing heat transfer in electronic components using a flexible thermal pillow. The flexible thermal pillow has a thermally conductive material sealed between top and bottom conductive layers, with the bottom layer having a flexible reservoir residing on opposing sides of a central portion of the pillow that has a gap. The pillow may have roughened internal surfaces to increase an internal surface area within the pillow for enhanced heat dissipation. In an electronic assembly, the central portion of the pillow resides between a heat sink and heat-generating component for the thermal coupling there-between. During thermal cycling, the flexible reservoir of the pillow expands to retain thermally conductive material extruded from the gap, and then contracts to force such extruded material back into the gap. An external pressure source may contact the pillow for further forcing the extruded thermally conductive material back into the gap.
US07709947B2 Semiconductor device having semiconductor element with back electrode on insulating substrate
The first external electrode has a main body portion a part of which is buried in a side wall of a case and joining portions protruding from an end of the main body portion toward the inside of the case. Each joining portion of the first external electrode is formed to have a thickness smaller than that of the main body portion, and an end portion of each joining portion is directly joined onto a wiring pattern of the insulating substrate through ultrasonic joining. Therefore, a load and ultrasonic vibration necessary for joining the joining portion onto the wiring pattern can be suppressed, which makes it possible to directly join the first external electrode onto the wiring pattern of the insulating substrate without damaging an insulating member of the insulating substrate.
US07709939B2 Metal-base circuit board and its manufacturing method
A metal base circuit board to be used for a hybrid integrated circuit, including circuits provided on a metal plate via an insulating layer, a power semiconductor mounted on the circuit, and a control semiconductor to control the power semiconductor, provided on the circuit. A low capacitance portion is embedded under a circuit portion on which the control semiconductor is mounted, preferably. The low capacitance portion is made of a resin containing an inorganic filler and has a dielectric constant of from 2 to 9.
US07709934B2 Package level noise isolation
A package may include a substrate provided with noise absorbing material. The noise absorbing material may absorb noise from a signal path in the substrate to prevent the noise from reaching other signals or signal paths.
US07709933B2 Structural element having a porous region at least regionally provided with a cover layer and its use as well as method for setting the thermal conductivity of a porous region
A structural element having a region of porous silicon or porous silicon oxide, which was obtained from a porization, starting from an edge area of the region, in at least largely crystalline silicon. Relative to the edge area, the crystalline silicon has a crystal orientation that has an orientation that differs from a <100> orientation or from an orientation that is equivalent for reasons of symmetry. This structural element is suited for use in a mass-flow sensor, in a component for the thermal decoupling of sensor and/or actuator structures, or a gas sensor. Furthermore, methods for setting the thermal conductivity of a region of porous silicon or porous silicon oxide of a structural element are described. In particular, in a porization of crystalline silicon, starting from an edge area of the region, the crystalline orientation of the silicon relative to the edge area is selected such that a thermal conductivity comes about along a direction perpendicular to the edge area that differs from, in particular is lower than, the thermal conductivity, that comes about in this direction in an otherwise analogous porization of crystalline silicon having a <100> orientation or an equivalent orientation relative to this edge area.
US07709929B2 Capacitor sheet and electronic circuit board
A disclosed capacitor sheet attached to an electronic apparatus comprises: a laminated body; a first penetration electrode penetrating the laminated body, the first penetration electrode being electrically connected to a terminal electrode of the electronic apparatus; a second penetration electrode disposed at an arrangement position different from that of the first penetration electrode on the laminated body, the second penetration electrode being electrically insulated from the first penetration electrode and penetrating the laminated body; at least one first conductor thin film electrically connected to the first penetration electrode and insulated from the second penetration electrode; and at least one second conductor thin film disposed so as to face the first conductor thin film via a dielectric layer, the second conductor thin film being electrically connected to the second penetration electrode and insulated from the first penetration electrode.
US07709926B2 Device structures for active devices fabricated using a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate and design structures for a radiofrequency integrated circuit
Device structure for active devices fabricated in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and design structures for a radiofrequency integrated circuit. The device structure includes a first isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from a top surface of a semiconductor layer to a first depth, a second isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from the top surface of the semiconductor layer to a second depth greater than the first depth, and a first doped region in the semiconductor layer. The first doped region is disposed vertically between the first isolation region and an insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and a handle wafer of the SOI substrate. The device structure may be included in a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit.
US07709925B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the semiconductor substrate; a trench formed in the semiconductor region; a trench diffusion layer of the first conductivity type formed along wall surfaces of the trench; and a buried conductor buried in the trench, wherein an insulation film is further disposed between the wall surfaces of the trench and the buried conductor.
US07709924B2 Semiconductor diode structures
A semiconductor structure and a method for operating the same. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes first, second, third, and fourth doped semiconductor regions. The second doped semiconductor region is in direct physical contact with the first and third doped semiconductor regions. The fourth doped semiconductor region is in direct physical contact with the third doped semiconductor region. The first and second doped semiconductor regions are doped with a first doping polarity. The third and fourth doped semiconductor regions are doped with a second doping polarity. The method further includes (i) electrically coupling the first and fourth doped semiconductor regions to a first node and a second node of the semiconductor structure, respectively, and (ii) electrically charging the first and second nodes to first and second electric potentials, respectively. The first electric potential is different from the second electric potential.
US07709922B2 Thermistor device
A thermistor device having a high-speed response to temperature and a large ON/OFF ratio at the operating temperature. The thermistor device comprises a first layer of a first material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and a second layer of a second material having a semiconductivity and formed directly on the first layer. As the first material changes from conductive to a semiconductive or an insulative at or near the transition temperature TM-I, the interface between the first and second layer changes to a pn junction.
US07709921B2 Photodiode and photodiode array with improved performance characteristics
The present invention is a photodiode and/or photodiode array, having a p+ diffused area that is smaller than the area of a mounted scintillator crystal, designed and manufactured with improved device characteristics, and more particularly, has relatively low dark current, low capacitance and improved signal-to-noise ratio characteristics. More specifically, the present invention is a photodiode and/or photodiode array that includes a metal shield for reflecting light back into a scintillator crystal, thus allowing for a relatively small p+ diffused area.
US07709916B2 Optical semiconductor device having photosensitive diodes and process for fabricating such a device
An optical semiconductor device includes, in a zone (5), a structure of photosensitive diodes including a matrix (6) of lower electrodes (7), an intermediate layer (9) made of a photosensitive material formed on the matrix of lower electrodes and at least one upper electrode (10a) formed on the intermediate layer, in which an electrical connection (3a) includes at least one electrical contact pad (7a) and at least one electrical connection pad (16a) are produced beneath the intermediate layer, at least one electrical connection via (14) is produced through the intermediate layer and connects the upper electrode to the electrical contact pad and at least one well (15a) is formed outside the zone (5) and passes through at least the intermediate layer (9) in order to expose the electrical connection pad (16a). Also provided is a process for fabricating such a device.
US07709913B2 Image sensor package and packaging method for the same
An image sensor package includes a substrate, a sensor chip, a frame, a lens element and at least a pair of guide pins. The sensor chip is mounted on the substrate, and has two opposite sides and a sensing region, which has a sensing region central axis. The frame is mounted on the substrate, and has an aperture and an inner space with the sensor chip disposed therein. The lens element is disposed inside the aperture and has a lens central axis. The guide pins locate oppositely inside the inner space of the frame with an interval between the tips of the guide pins substantially identical to the distance between the opposite sides of the sensor chip, wherein the central line of the interval between the tips of the guide pins defines a positioning line, which substantially coincides with the lens central axis; wherein the tip of each guide pin is aligned with one of the opposite sides of the sensor chip such that the positioning line is substantially coincided with the sensing region central axis.
US07709909B2 Method for making a semiconductor device having a high-k gate dielectric
A method for making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate, and forming a high-k dielectric layer on the oxide layer. The oxide layer and the high-k dielectric layer are then annealed at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to generate a gate dielectric with a graded dielectric constant.
US07709908B2 High-voltage MOS transistor device
A high-voltage transistor device has a substrate, an isolation structure, a source, a gate, a drain, a plurality of doped regions, a plurality of ion wells, and a first dielectric layer disposed on the substrate. The high-voltage transistor device further has a first conductive layer and a plurality of first field plate rings. The first conductive layer is electrically connected to the drain and at least one of the first field plate rings.
US07709905B2 Dual damascene wiring and method
A structure and method of fabricating a dual damascene interconnect structure, the structure including a dual damascene wire in a dielectric layer, the dual damascene wires extending a distance into the dielectric layer less than the thickness of the dielectric layer and dual damascene via bars integral with and extending from bottom surfaces of the dual damascene wires to a bottom surface of the dielectric layer.
US07709902B2 Metal gate CMOS with at least a single gate metal and dual gate dielectrics
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) structure including at least one nFET and at least one pFET located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. In accordance with the present invention, the nFET and the pFET both include at least a single gate metal and the nFET gate stack is engineered to have a gate dielectric stack having no net negative charge and the pFET gate stack is engineered to have a gate dielectric stack having no net positive charge. In particularly, the present invention provides a CMOS structure in which the nFET gate stack is engineered to include a band edge workfunction and the pFET gate stack is engineered to have a ¼ gap workfunction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first gate dielectric stack includes a first high k dielectric and an alkaline earth metal-containing layer or a rare earth metal-containing layer, while the second high k gate dielectric stack comprises a second high k dielectric.
US07709901B2 CMOS transistor and method of manufacture thereof
A CMOS device with transistors having different gate dielectric materials and a method of manufacture thereof. An aluminum-based material is used as a gate dielectric material of a PMOS device, and a hafnium-based material is used as a gate dielectric material of an NMOS device. A thin layer of silicon a few monolayers or a sub-monolayer thick is formed over the gate dielectric materials, before forming the gates. The thin layer of silicon bonds with the gate dielectric material and pins the work function of the transistors. A gate material that may comprise a metal in one embodiment is deposited over the thin layer of silicon. A CMOS device having a symmetric Vt for the PMOS and NMOS FETs is formed.
US07709899B2 Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus is disclosed. The semiconductor apparatus comprises a substrate with a pad, an internal circuitry region, and a protection resistance formed on the substrate. The pad is connected to a first electrode of the protection resistance by wiring, the internal circuitry region is connected to a second electrode of the protection resistance by wiring, and the protection resistance protects the internal circuitry region from electrostatic discharging. The semiconductor apparatus is characterized in that the pad is placed between the protection resistance and the internal circuitry region.
US07709896B2 ESD protection device and method
An ESD protection device includes a source region, a channel region adjacent the source region, and an elongated drain region spaced from the source region by the channel region. The elongated drain region includes an unsilicided portion adjacent the channel and a silicided portion spaced from channel region by the unsilicided portion. A first ESD region is located beneath the silicided portion of the elongated drain region and a second ESD region is located beneath the unsilicided portion of the elongated drain region, the second ESD region being spaced from the first ESD region.
US07709892B2 Semiconductor device having freestanding semiconductor layer
A method of providing a freestanding semiconductor layer on a conventional SOI or bulk-substrate silicon device includes forming an amorphous or polycrystalline mandrel on a monocrystalline base structure. A conformal polycrystalline semiconductor layer is then formed on the mandrel and on the base structure, wherein the polycrystalline layer contacts the base structure. The polycrystalline semiconductor layer is then recrystallized so that it has a crystallinity substantially similar to that of the base structure. Thus, a freestanding semiconductor layer is formed with a high degree of control of the thickness and height thereof and maintaining a uniformity of thickness.
US07709891B2 Component arrangement including a power semiconductor component having a drift control zone
A component arrangement. One embodiment includes a power semiconductor component having a drift zone arranged between a first and a second component zone. A drift control zone is arranged adjacent to the drift zone and is dielectrically insulated from the drift zone by a dielectric layer. A capacitive storage arrangement is coupled to the drift control zone. A charging circuit is coupled between the first component zone and the capacitive storage arrangement.
US07709890B2 Insulated gate semiconductor device
An isolation region is provided around a sense part. The isolation region is provided to have a depth that suppresses spread of a region with an uneven current distribution, which occurs at a peripheral edge of the sense part. Thus, in the sense part, an influence of the region with the uneven current distribution can be suppressed. Since the current distribution can be set more even throughout the sense part, the on-resistance in the sense part can be set closer to its designed value. Thus, a current ratio corresponding to a cell ratio can be obtained as designed. Consequently, current detection accuracy is improved.
US07709887B2 Semiconductor component and method
A semiconductor component and method of making a semiconductor component is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor component includes a drift region of a first conductivity type, a body region of a second conductivity type, and a trench extending into the body region. A semiconductor region of the first conductivity type is in contact with the drift region and the body region and is arranged at a distance from the trench.
US07709883B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
An object is to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which is excellent in a writing property and a charge retention property. In addition, another object is to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of reducing writing voltage. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer or a semiconductor substrate including a channel formation region between a pair of impurity regions that are formed apart from each other, and a first insulating layer, a plurality of layers formed of different nitride compounds, a second insulating layer, and a control gate that are formed in a position which is over the semiconductor layer or the semiconductor substrate and overlaps with the channel formation region.
US07709881B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A control gate includes a first conductive film formed in contact with an inter-gate insulating film and a second conductive film electrically connected to the first conductive film. An inter-level insulating film which insulates first and second stacked gate structures from each other. The inter-level insulating film includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film, and a third insulating film formed between the first and second insulating films. The first insulating film insulates the floating gates from each other and portions of the control gates from each other. The second and third insulating films insulate the other portions of the control gates from each other. The third insulating film has a selective etching ratio with respect to the first and second insulating films.
US07709878B2 Capacitor structure having butting conductive layer
A capacitor structure including a substrate, a butting conductive layer, a second dielectric layer, a plurality of openings, a bottom electrode layer, a capacitor dielectric layer, a top electrode layer, and a second metal interconnect layer is provided. The substrate has a first dielectric layer and a first metal interconnect layer located in the first dielectric layer in a non-capacitor region. The butting conductive layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer in a capacitor region. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and covers the butting conductive layer. The openings include a first opening exposing a portion of the butting conductive layer and a second opening exposing the first metal interconnect layer. The bottom electrode layer, the capacitor dielectric layer, and the top electrode layer are conformally stacked in the first opening sequentially. The second metal interconnect layer is disposed in the openings.
US07709876B2 Gap capacitors for monitoring stress in solder balls in flip chip technology
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The structure includes (i) a dielectric layer, (ii) a bottom capacitor plate and an electrically conductive line on the dielectric layer, (iii) a top capacitor plate on top of the bottom capacitor plate, (iv) a gap region, and (v) a solder ball on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a top surface that defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top surface. The top capacitor plate overlaps the bottom capacitor plate in the reference direction. The gap region is sandwiched between the bottom capacitor plate and the top capacitor plate. The gap region does not include any liquid or solid material. The solder ball is electrically connected to the electrically conductive line. The top capacitor plate is disposed between the dielectric layer and the solder ball.
US07709875B2 Memory cell comprising one MOS transistor with an isolated body having an improved read sensitivity
A memory cell with one MOS transistor formed in a floating body region isolated on its lower surface by a junction. A region of the same conductivity type as the floating body region but more heavily doped than said region is arranged under the drain region of the MOS transistor.
US07709874B2 Semiconductor device having a split gate structure with a recessed top face electrode
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes a first electrode formation step of forming a control gate electrode above a surface of a semiconductor substrate with a control gate insulating film interposed between the control gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a step of forming a storage node insulating film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second electrode formation step of forming a memory gate electrode on a surface of the storage node insulating film. The second electrode formation step includes a step of forming a memory gate electrode layer on the surface of the storage node insulating film, a step of forming an auxiliary film, having an etching rate slower than that of the memory gate electrode layer, on a surface of the memory gate electrode layer, and a step of performing anisotropic etching on the memory gate electrode layer and the auxiliary film.
US07709869B2 Photoelectric conversion device, method of manufacturing the same, and image sensing system
A photoelectric conversion device comprises a photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion region, a transfer transistor, and an output unit. A control electrode of the transfer transistor includes a first portion which extends along a channel width direction and overlaps a first boundary side when seen through from a direction perpendicular to a light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit, and a second portion which extends along a channel length direction from one end of the first portion and overlaps a second boundary side when seen through from the direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface, and the control electrode of the transfer transistor has an L shape when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface.
US07709868B2 Light sensing element, array substrate having the same and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
In a light sensing element having simplified structure, an array substrate having the light sensing element and an LCD apparatus having the light sensing element, the light sensing element includes a first electrode, a control electrode and a second electrode. An alternating bias voltage is applied to the first electrode. An off voltage is applied to the control electrode. The second electrode outputs a light-induced leakage current based on an externally provided light and the bias voltage. Therefore, the array substrate includes one light sensing switching element corresponding to one pixel so that structure of the array substrate is simplified and opening ratio is increased.
US07709867B2 Spin MOS field effect transistor and tunneling magnetoresistive effect element using stack having Heusler alloy
A spin MOS field effect transistor includes a source electrode and a drain electrode each having a structure obtained by stacking an impurity diffusion layer, a (001)-oriented MgO layer and a Heusler alloy. The impurity diffusion layer is formed in a surface region of a semiconductor layer. The (001)-oriented MgO layer is formed on the impurity diffusion layer. The Heusler alloy is formed on the MgO layer.
US07709863B2 Solid state imaging device
A solid state imaging device in which γ characteristic is obtained and enlargement of dynamic range is provided. The solid state imaging device of the present invention includes a vertical overflow function and has a feature in which potential of a semiconductor substrate is changed from a high potential to a low potential in a stepwise manner during a period from an exposure start to an exposure end.
US07709862B2 Ion implantation mask and method for manufacturing same, silicon carbide semiconductor device using ion implantation mask, and method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing an ion implantation mask is disclosed which includes the steps of: forming an oxide film as a protective film over the entire surface of a semiconductor substrate; forming a thin metal film over the oxide film; and forming an ion-inhibiting layer composed of an ion-inhibiting metal over the thin metal film. The obtained ion implantation mask is used to form a deeper selectively electroconductive region.
US07709859B2 Cap layers including aluminum nitride for nitride-based transistors
High electron mobility transistors are provided that include a non-uniform aluminum concentration AlGaN based cap layer having a high aluminum concentration adjacent a surface of the cap layer that is remote from the barrier layer on which the cap layer is provided. High electron mobility transistors are provided that include a cap layer having a doped region adjacent a surface of the cap layer that is remote from the barrier layer on which the cap layer is provided. Graphitic BN passivation structures for wide bandgap semiconductor devices are provided. SiC passivation structures for Group III-nitride semiconductor devices are provided. Oxygen anneals of passivation structures are also provided. Ohmic contacts without a recess are also provided.
US07709858B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device
A first region and a second region that has a defect density of which the value is higher than that of the first region are respectively formed so as to be aligned in stripe form in the direction parallel to the direction in which a dug out region extends, where atoms that terminate the surface of the first region are different from atoms that terminate the surface of the aforementioned second region, and the dug out region includes the first region and the second region.
US07709850B2 Pixel structure and fabrication method thereof
A pixel structure and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The pixel comprises a substrate, a gate, a gate insulating layer, a channel layer, a first source/drain, a second source/drain, a dielectric layer, a first pixel electrode, and a second pixel electrode. The gate is disposed on the substrate and is covered by the gate insulating layer. The channel layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer above the gate. The first source/drain and the second source/drain are disposed on the channel layer. The channel layer has different thicknesses respectively corresponding to the first drain/source and the second drain/source. The dielectric layer covers the substrate and exposes the first and the second drains. The first and the second pixel electrodes are disposed on the dielectric layer, and are electrically connected to the first and the second drains respectively.
US07709849B1 Light emitting diode having plurality of light emitting cells and method of fabricating the same
The present invention discloses a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode includes a plurality of light emitting cells arranged on a substrate, each light emitting cell including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer arranged on the first semiconductor layer; a first dielectric layer arranged on each light emitting cell and including a first opening to expose the first semiconductor layer and a second opening to expose the second semiconductor layer; a wire arranged on the first dielectric layer to couple two of the light emitting cells; and a second dielectric layer arranged on the first dielectric layer and the wire. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer comprise the same material and the first dielectric layer is thicker than the second dielectric layer.
US07709845B2 Semiconductor light emitting device with improved current spreading structure
The invention relates to a high-quality semiconductor light emitting device which suppresses current concentration. The semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a p-type semiconductor layer sequentially formed on a substrate. The semiconductor light emitting device further includes a p-electrode formed on the p-type semiconductor layer and an n-electrode formed on a surface of a mesa-etched portion of the n-type semiconductor layer. A trench is formed in the n-type semiconductor layer to prevent current concentration. The trench is extended from an upper surface of the mesa-etched portion of the n-type semiconductor layer or from a bottom surface of the substrate into the n-type semiconductor layer at a predetermined depth.
US07709844B2 Semiconductor device equipped with semiconductor circuits composed of semiconductor elements and processes for production thereof
A semiconductor device and a process for production thereof, said semiconductor device having a new electrode structure which has a low resistivity and withstands heat treatment at 400° C. and above. Heat treatment at a high temperature (400-700° C.) is possible because the wiring is made of Ta film or Ta-based film having high heat resistance. This heat treatment permits the gettering of metal element in crystalline silicon film. Since this heat treatment is lower than the temperature which the gate wiring (0.1-5 μm wide) withstands and the gate wiring is protected with a protective film, the gate wiring retains its low resistance.
US07709841B2 Thin film transistor having an island like semiconductor layer on an insulator
An island-like semiconductor layer is formed on a main surface of an insulating substrate. A side wall of the island-like semiconductor layer is made substantially perpendicular to the insulating substrate. An insulating film is formed along the side wall of the semiconductor layer. The insulating film is formed to include a slanted face and have a sectional shape in which a width measured from the side wall of the semiconductor layer decreases as a distance to a bottom increases. A gate insulating film can be formed on the semiconductor layer with good step coverage because of inclusion of the insulating film, to preclude a possibility of causing disconnection of a gate electrode. Also, a thickness of a portion of the semiconductor layer in which a channel region is formed is uniform, to obtain stable transistor characteristics.
US07709840B2 Bottom gate thin film transistor, flat panel display having the same and method of fabricating the same
A bottom gate thin film transistor (TFT), a flat panel display having the same, and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The TFT comprises a gate electrode disposed on a substrate, and a gate insulating layer disposed on the gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer and crossing over the gate electrode, and is crystallized by an MILC technique. An inter-insulating layer is disposed on the semiconductor layer and comprises source and drain contact holes which expose portions of the semiconductor layer. The source and drain contact holes are separated from at least one edge of the semiconductor layer crossing over the gate electrode. The semiconductor layer comprises conductive MIC regions corresponding to the exposed portions of the semiconductor layer in the source and drain contact holes.
US07709836B2 Detector arrangement, method for the detection of electrical charge carriers and use of an ONO field effect transistor for detection of an electrical charge
The invention relates to a detector arrangement (100), a method for the detection of electrical charge carriers and use of an ONO field effect transistor for detection of an electrical charge. The detector arrangement (100) has an ONO field effect transistor embodied on and/or in a substrate (101), for the detection of electrical charge carriers, such that the electrical charge carrier (103) for detection may be introduced into die ONO field effect transistor layer sequence (102), a recording unit (104), coupled to the ONO field effect transistor, for recording an electrical signal characteristic of the amount and/or the charge carrier type for the electrical charge carrier (103) introduced into the ONO layer sequence (102) and an analytical unit for determining the amount and/or the charge carrier type of the electrical charge carrier (103) introduced into the ONO layer sequence (102) from the characteristic electrical signal.
US07709834B2 Organic thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an organic thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the same capable of uniformly forming the thickness of a gate insulating layer and a protective layer and preventing overflow of an organic semiconductive layer.The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention comprises a gate line formed on a substrate; a data line which intersects the gate line with an organic gate insulating layer interposed therebetween to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor connected with the gate line and the data line and which includes an organic semiconductive layer; a pixel electrode connected with the thin film transistor and formed in the pixel area; an organic protective layer formed parallel with the gate line to cover the organic semiconductive layer and its peripheral area; a first border insulating layer stepwise formed so that the organic gate insulating layer and the protective layer are filled, and a second border insulating layer formed on the source electrode and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor so that the organic semiconductive layer is filled.
US07709832B2 Organic compound and organic light-emitting element
A fluoranthene compound has 6 fused rings. An organic light-emitting element uses the fluoranthene compound.
US07709830B2 Organic semiconductor structure, manufacturing method of the same, and organic semiconductor device
An organic semiconductor device Including an organic semiconductor layer in a crystallized crystal state is disclosed. The organic semiconductor layer is formed from an organic semiconductor material including a liquid crystal molecule. The semiconductor material has properties capable of exhibiting a supercooled state during a phase transition process, in which a phase having no periodic regularity is capable of being transferred into a phase having periodic regularity at a location of a center of gravity in between the liquid crystal molecules. The phase having no periodic regularity at a location of a center of gravity In between the liquid crystal molecules is a nematic liquid crystal phase and the phase having periodic regularity at a location of a center of gravity in between the liquid crystal molecules is a crystal phase.
US07709828B2 RF circuits including transistors having strained material layers
Circuits for processing radio frequency (“RF”) and microwave signals are fabricated using field effect transistors (“FETs”) that have one or more strained channel layers disposed on one or more planarized substrate layers. FETs having such a configuration exhibit improved values for, for example, transconductance and noise figure. RF circuits such as, for example, voltage controlled oscillators (“VCOs”), low noise amplifiers (“LNAs”), and phase locked loops (“PLLs”) built using these FETs also exhibit enhanced performance.
US07709827B2 Vertically integrated field-effect transistor having a nanostructure therein
The invention relates to a vertical integrated component, a component arrangement and a method for production of a vertical integrated component. The vertical integrated component has a first electrical conducting layer, a mid layer, partly embodied from dielectric material on the first electrical conducting layer, a second electrical conducting layer on the mid layer and a nanostructure integrated in a through hold introduced in the mid layer. A first end section of the nanostructure is coupled to the first electrical conducting layer and a second end section is coupled to the second electrical conducting layer. The mid layer includes a third electrical conducting layer between two adjacent dielectric partial layers, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of at least one of the dielectric partial layers.
US07709821B2 Flow cytometer acquisition and detection system
A flow cytometer has a flow cell through which a sample flows and at least one laser emitting an excitation beam for illuminating a corresponding interrogation region in the flow cell. Scattered and fluorescence light from each interrogation region is collected by one or more input fibers for that region, and the input fiber(s) are fed to a dispersion module for that interrogation region that disperses the incoming light into different spectral regions. The dispersed light is conveyed, such as by a plurality of output fibers, to one or more photosensitive detectors. Thus, time multiplexed light signals may be delivered to a detector whereby several unique light signals can be measured by a single detector.
US07709820B2 Radiation window with coated silicon support structure
A window for a radiation detection system includes a frame with an aperture therein configured to receive radiation therethrough. A plurality of silicon ribs span the aperture and are carried by the frame. A coating substantially envelopes each of the plurality of silicon ribs. A thin film covers the aperture and is carried by the plurality of silicon ribs and is configured to pass radiation therethrough.
US07709819B2 Apparatus and method for long-term storage of antimatter
A long-term antimatter storage device that may be energized by a low power magnetron and can function autonomously for hundreds of hours on the energy provided by batteries. An evacuated, cryogenic container is arranged with a source of positrons and a source of electrons positioned in capture relation to one another within the container so as to allow for the formation of a plurality of positronium atoms. A microwave resonator is located within the container forming a circularly polarized standing wave within which the plurality of positronium atoms rotate. Radioactive sources for small stores and low energy positron accelerators for large stores are used to efficiently fill the device with positronium in seconds to minutes. The device may also be arranged to provide for the extraction of positrons. A method for storing antimatter is also provided.
US07709818B2 Particle beam irradiation apparatus and particle beam irradiation method
To ensure irradiation accuracy and safety, even when an irradiation device employing a different irradiation method is used, disclosed is herein a charged particle beam irradiation apparatus that irradiates an irradiation target with charged particle beams includes: a charged particle beam generator for generating the charged particle beams; a passive scattering irradiation device and a scanning irradiation device, both for irradiating the irradiation target with the charged particle beams; a beam transport system for transporting the charged particles beam extracted from the charged particle beam generator, to selected one of the two irradiation devices; and a central controller that modifies operating parameters on the charged particle beam generator, according to the irradiation method adopted for the selected irradiation device.
US07709817B2 Ion beams in an ion implanter
A method of tuning an ion beam in an ion implanter relative to, e.g., ion beam current, energy, size and shape, includes retrieving a set of parameters associated with operation of the ion implanter, at least some of which are stored in a dynamic database, configuring the ion implanter according to the retrieved set of parameters, to thereby provide an ion beam, optimizing the ion beam by varying one or more of the parameters, and updating the parameters stored in the dynamic database which changed during optimization.
US07709816B2 Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the operation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources used in semiconductor fabrication
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the operation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) sources used in semiconductor fabrication are disclosed. A method comprises providing a semiconductor fabrication apparatus having a light source that emits in-band and out-of-band radiation, taking a first out-of-band radiation measurement, taking a second out-of-band radiation measurement, and controlling the in-band radiation of the light source, at least in part, based upon a comparison of the first and second out-of-band measurements. An apparatus comprises a detector operable to detect out-of-band EUV radiation emitted by an EUV plasma source, a spectrometer coupled to the electromagnetic detector and operable to measure at least one out-of-band radiation parameter based upon the detected out-of-band EUV radiation, and a controller coupled to the spectrometer and operable to monitor and control the operation of the EUV plasma source based upon the out-of-band measurements.
US07709815B2 Lithography system and projection method
The inventions relates to a lithography system in which an electronic image pattern is delivered to a exposure tool for projecting an image to a target surface, said exposure tool comprising a control unit for controlling exposure projections, said control unit at least partly being included in the projection space of the said exposure tool, and being provided with control data by means of light signals, said light signals being coupled in to said control unit by using a free space optical interconnect comprising modulated light beams that are emitted to a light sensitive part of said control unit, wherein the modulated light beams are coupled in to said light sensitive part using a holed mirror for on axis incidence of said light beams on said light sensitive part, the hole or, alternatively, holes of said mirror being provided for passage of said exposure projections.
US07709813B2 Incidence surfaces and optical windows that are solvophobic to immersion liquids
Optical windows are provided that transmit light such as deep-UV (DUV) light. An exemplary window includes a window substrate that is transmissive to at least one wavelength of the light. The window substrate has an incidence surface decorated with sub-wavelength asperities arranged so as to render the incidence surface solvophobic to the light-transmissive liquid. The arrangement of sub-wavelength asperities can be configured to render the incidence surface super-solvophobic to the liquid. The sub-wavelength asperities can have any of various shapes and combinations thereof, and can be regularly or irregularly arranged.
US07709807B2 Magneto-optical trap ion source
A system and method are disclosed for producing a source of ions, and particularly, a focused ion beam. The system and method use a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to produce a population of neutral atoms. A laser is then utilized to ionize atoms and produce a population of ions. An extraction element is then used to transfer the ions so that they can be used in a wide array of applications.
US07709798B2 Terahertz optical gate
This invention relates to a wide band optical gate in the terahertz domain (wavelengths in the far infrared). It comprises a first optical source (2) emitting a first beam (FTHz) in said terahertz domain, a first plate made of a semiconducting material (1) illuminated by said terahertz beam and a second optical source (3) emitting a second beam (FIR) at a wavelength capable of saturating the first plate (1) made of a semi-conducting material and making it reflective at terahertz wavelengths. This invention also relates to a system for measuring terahertz signals and to a terahertz generator. It is particularly applicable to systems for measuring terahertz signals and to terahertz generators.
US07709797B2 Detection device and image forming device
There is a need for a detection device which has high photoreceptive sensitivity in a generally wide frequency region including the infrared region. Therefore, in the present invention, by utilizing a phenomenon in which electric field strength is enhanced by surface plasmon resonance in a negative dielectric constant medium, a detection device is provided which has an electromagnetic wave detection portion disposed at a position where the electric field strength is large.
US07709796B2 Methods and systems for detecting presence of materials
Methods and systems for detecting the presence of concealed objects.
US07709793B2 Bolometer array compensation
A bolometer circuit has a substrate, bolometer detectors coupled to the substrate, a source of calibration data and a compensation circuit. Each bolometer detector has an associated calibration data. The compensation circuit is configured to generate a time varying compensation signal for each bolometer detector based on its associated calibration data.
US07709792B2 Three-dimensional imaging using electron beam activated chemical etch
Methods and apparatus for imaging a structure and a related processor-readable medium are disclosed. A surface of a substrate (or a portion thereof) is exposed to a gas composition. The gas composition includes one or more components that etch the substrate upon activation by interaction with a beam of electrons. A beam of electrons is directed to one or more portions of the surface of the substrate that are exposed to the gas composition to etch the one or more portions. A plurality of images is obtained of the one or more portions at different instances of time as the one or more portions are etched. A three-dimensional model of one or more structures embedded within the one or more portions of the substrate is generated from the plurality of images.
US07709791B2 Scanning probe microscope with automatic probe replacement function
Provided is a scanning probe microscope (SPM), a probe of which can be automatically replaced and the replacement probe can be attached onto an exact position. The SPM includes a first scanner that has a carrier holder, and changes a position of the carrier holder in a straight line; a second scanner changing a position of a sample on a plane; and a tray being able to store a spare carrier and a spare probe attached to the spare carrier. The carrier holder includes a plurality of protrusions.
US07709788B2 Chemical calibration method and system
An explosive and narcotics detection system using an ion mobility spectrometer detects the presence of vapor or trace particles of target chemicals. The calibration of the spectrometer depends in part on the stability of a calibrant chemical that may be periodically injected together with sample gas into the ionization region of the spectrometer. The calibrant chemical produces a signal with a drift time that is known relative to target chemicals and may be used to calibrate the expected target chemical drift times. A new calibrant chemical, 5-nitrovanillin, is disclosed for this purpose.
US07709786B2 Method of operating quadrupoles with added multipole fields to provide mass analysis in islands of stability
A method of processing ions in a quadrupole rod set is provided, comprising a) establishing and maintaining a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field having a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2 and a selected higher order harmonic with amplitude Am radially confining ions having Mathieu parameters a and q within a stability region defined in terms of the Mathieu parameters a and q; c) adding an auxiliary excitation field to transform the stability region into a plurality of smaller stability islands defined in terms of the Mathieu parameters a and q; and, d) adjusting the two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field to place ions within a selected range of mass-to-charge ratios within a selected stability island in the plurality of stability islands.
US07709784B2 Optical encoder with code wheel misalignment detection and automatic gain control
According to one embodiment, there is provided a device and method for correcting code wheel misalignment which employs upper and lower code wheel misalignment photodetectors positioned above and below at least first and second motion detection photodetectors. According to other embodiments, there are provided a device and method for automatically setting the gain of an output circuit in an optical encoder. Still further embodiments of optical encoders combine the code wheel misalignment and automatic gain control features of the invention.
US07709781B2 Rotation sensor for a spraying arm in a dishwasher
A process and a device are provided for ascertaining the rotation of a liquid spray arm for a domestic appliance. Lighting means serves as a light transmitter and a photoreceiver serves as a light receiver. The lighting means and the photoreceiver are assigned a light-conducting element. At a first location of the light-conducting element, at least some light emitted from the lighting means is coupled to a path so that the light is guided in the light-conducting element by total reflection. At a second location of the light-conducting element that spaced apart from the first location in the direction of propagation of the light, the light guided in the light-conducting element is coupled out of the path so that the light is received by the photoreceiver. The intensity of the light received by the photoreceiver is evaluated by an evaluation circuit with respect to the rotation of the spray arm.
US07709779B2 Method and apparatus for detecting an optical reflection indicative of a photodiode
A system and methods for detecting semiconductor-based photodiodes. The present embodiments provide a simple and practical approach for identifying optical reflection that is indicative of photon reflection from semiconductor-based photodiodes. Thus in certain applications the present embodiments may be used to detect the presence of OIEDs, which may use photodiodes as part of a detonation system.
US07709777B2 Pumps for CMOS imagers
A pixel for an imaging device is described. The pixel includes a photosensitive device provided within a substrate for providing photo-generated charges, a circuit associated with the photosensitive device for providing at least one pixel output signal representative of the photo-generated charges, the circuit includes at least one operative device that is responsive to a first control signal during operation of the associated circuit and a pump circuit. The pump circuit may include substrate pumps, charge pumps and/or voltage pumps. The pixel may also be embedded in an imaging system.
US07709776B2 Microelectronic imagers with optical devices and methods of manufacturing such microelectronic imagers
Microelectronic imager assemblies comprising a workpiece including a substrate and a plurality of imaging dies on and/or in the substrate. The substrate includes a front side and a back side, and the imaging dies comprise imaging sensors at the front side of the substrate and external contacts operatively coupled to the image sensors. The microelectronic imager assembly further comprises optics supports superimposed relative to the imaging dies. The optics supports can be directly on the substrate or on a cover over the substrate. Individual optics supports can have (a) an opening aligned with one of the image sensors, and (b) a bearing element at a reference distance from the image sensor. The microelectronic imager assembly can further include optical devices mounted or otherwise carried by the optics supports.
US07709773B2 Scanning optical device which sets hardware in association with a depth of a focus position based on hardware set values stored in association with depths of focus positions
A clear fluorescence image is easily obtained irrespective of variation of scattering due to variation of the depth of a focus position in a specimen. A scanning optical device includes a laser light source for emitting laser light, a scanning unit for scanning the laser light emitted from the laser light source on the specimen, a focus depth adjusting unit for adjusting the depth of the focus position in the specimen of the laser light to be scanned, a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence generated from the focus position of the laser light in the specimen, a reference depth information storage unit for storing the absolute height of a predetermined reference depth of the focus position of the laser light in the specimen by the focus depth adjusting unit, and a hardware setting storage unit for storing the relative height to the absolute height of the reference depth at each focus position of the laser light and at least one set value of the laser light source, the scanning unit, and the fluorescence detector in association with each other.
US07709770B2 Heating device for heating a patient's body
A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser. By accommodating the heating device such that it faces the body by the second conductor, as low as desired temperature gradient between the surface temperature of the heating conductor and the required temperature of the body can be obtained.
US07709766B2 System and method for manufacturing embedded conformal electronics
A method for fabricating an electronic device comprises providing a substrate (501), direct writing a functional material by a thermal spray on the substrate (502) and removing a portion of the function material to form the electronic or sensory device (503).
US07709756B2 Safety switch
A safety switch assembly includes a body constructed to be mounted in a support structure and generally enclose the operative structure of the safety switch. The safety switch assembly includes an actuator constructed to pass through one of the support structure or the base to operatively engage the operative structure of the safety switch to control the safety switches electrical orientation to communicate or terminate communication of electrical power to a device equipped with the safety switch.
US07709754B2 Current sensor
An integrated circuit current sensor includes a lead frame having at least two leads coupled to provide a current conductor portion, and substrate having a first surface in which is disposed one or more magnetic field transducers, with the first surface being proximate the current conductor portion and a second surface distal from the current conductor portion. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is disposed having the first surface of the substrate above the current conductor portion and the second surface of the substrate above the first surface. In this particular embodiment, the substrate is oriented upside-down in the integrated circuit relative to a conventional orientation. With this arrangement, a current sensor is provided for which the one or more magnetic field transducers are very close to the current conductor portion, resulting in a current sensor having improved sensitivity.
US07709753B1 Electrical wiring block system
Disclosed is an electrical wiring block for an accessory. The accessory may be a switch or a receptacle. The electrical wiring block may include a base section and a wiring section positioned offset on the base section to form an overhang and an overhang seat. The base section may include a base plug and a base socket configured to fit within a base plug of an adjacent electrical wiring block. The wiring section may include wire holes, wire terminals, and wire ports positioned at an angle to the wire terminals. The wiring section may include a wiring section indent that may allow access to the wire ports on an adjacent, connected electrical wiring block. The overhang seat may cradle the overhang of an adjacent, connected electrical wiring block. The switch or receptacle may be installed in the electrical wiring block by pushing.
US07709748B2 Shielding apparatus
A shielding apparatus for electromagnetic testing includes a platform, a lid forming a cavity, a driving unit, and an elastic gasket attached to a bottom of the lid around a rim adjacent the cavity. The platform is for placing an electronic device to be tested. The lid is for covering the platform to define a closed space. The driving unit is for lifting and lowering the lid. The gasket is for being compressed and filling gaps between the lid and the platform when the platform covers the lid.
US07709741B2 Flat cable
A flat cable having at least two conductor planes, in which a number of electrical conductors running in the longitudinal direction of the cable are arranged, in which the electrical conductors in the flat cable thickness direction and/or in the flat cable width direction are kept at a defined distance from each other by means of a central insulation layer of predetermined thickness acting as a spacer insulator and are electrically insulated and positioned relative to each other and to the flat cable exterior by means of an outer insulation layer.
US07709738B2 Electrical bushing for a superconductor element
The invention relates to an electrical bushing serving to make a connection at ambient temperature to a superconductor element situated in an enclosure at cryogenic temperature. The electrical bushing passes successively through an enclosure at intermediate temperature between ambient temperature and cryogenic temperature, and an enclosure at ambient temperature, and it comprises a central electrical conductor surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath. According to the invention, an electrically conductive screen connected to ground potential surrounds the insulating sheath over a section that extends from the end of the bushing that is in contact with the enclosure at cryogenic temperature at least as far as the junction between the enclosure at intermediate temperature and the enclosure at ambient temperature. The invention is more particularly applicable to making a connection to a superconductor cable.
US07709737B2 Adhesive-less DC bus system and method for manufacturing
A system and method for manufacturing a power bus assembly is provided. The power bus assembly includes a first conductive sheet configured to receive a positive charge and distribute the positive charge to a plurality of connection points formed thereon. The power bus assembly also includes a second conductive sheet configured to receive a negative charge and distribute the negative charge to a plurality of connection points formed thereon. Additionally, the power bus assembly includes an insulating sheet arranged between the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet to electrically isolate the first conductive sheet from the second conductive sheet. A plurality of vice fasteners are included to secure the first conductive sheet, the second conductive sheet, and the insulating sheet together to form the power bus assembly.
US07709736B2 Protector for wire harness
A resin-molded, annular protector for a wire harness for a vehicle includes a split pair of a main body and a lid body both having a semiannular shape, and split ends of the protector are joined and locked together. Lock holes are provided in a peripheral wall of the lid body by cutting portions of the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall from the split ends, leaving engagement sections on the outer peripheral side of the lid body and opening the top ends of the cut portions in the outer peripheral surface of the lid body. Lock sections projecting from the inner peripheral side of the split ends are provided in the peripheral wall of the main body, at positions facing the lock holes.
US07709735B2 Lift cover and gasket assembly
An electrical box assembly includes a cover assembly, a gasket and an electrical box coupled together by mounting screws. The cover includes a base with a plurality of screw holes for receiving the mounting screws. A support member having an axial passage extends from the bottom face of the cover around each of the screw holes. The gasket includes a cylindrical shaped sleeve that passes through the support member and has an axial length to extend from the screw hole in the cover. The mounting screws are inserted through the axial passage of the sleeve and the screw holes in the cover to axially compress the sleeve to form a watertight seal between the screw shaft and the support member.
US07709726B2 Foot controlled effects knob and related methods
A foot controlled effects knob controls a variable electronic component. A receptacle couples with a spindle of the variable electronic component. One or more wings extend from the receptacle to facilitate control of the spindle, and thus the variable electronic component, by a user's foot.
US07709723B2 Mapped meta-data sound-playback device and audio-sampling/sample-processing system usable therewith
Audio samples corresponding to audio extracts or whole audio titles are automatically mapped to triggers 12 in a playable sound-producing device 1, the mapping being dependent on the meta-data associated with the audio samples. Thus, a user can play the sound-producing device and generate sounds derived from his favorite audio titles. It is possible to define different mappings between the audio samples and the playable domain of the sound-producing device: an audio sample selector 50 can select between different possible samples for playback by comparing the audio properties of the samples and the play-mode and/or characteristics of the user's performance. An audio sampler/sample-processor 70 can automatically extract segments of an audio source file and map them to triggers in the sound-producing device 1.
US07709721B2 Music and math teaching system
A music and math teaching system teaches fraction computations utilizing musical note names and note values in the form of blocks with varying lengths while simultaneously teaching rhythmic topics of time signatures, beats, and tempo. A rhythm board is used to mount note blocks and beat blocks in the process and a blind is used to block the vision of a student working with the blocks.
US07709719B2 Keyboard apparatus for electronic musical instrument
A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument having white keys and black keys capable of providing a satisfactory tactile impression, having a satisfactory appearance, and suppressing a difference in tactile impression between when the white keys are played and when the black keys are played. Each white key has a base portion and an upper plate portion fixed to an upper surface of the base portion, and each black key has a key main body portion. The upper plate portion is formed by a porous member having sweat-absorbability and made of a material comprised of an AS resin mixed with stone powder and a white-colored colorant. Each black key is made of the same material as that of the upper plate portion, except for a colorant mixed therein.
US07709718B2 Electronic musical instrument keyboard apparatus
Keyboard apparatus includes: a plurality of white and black keys: a plurality of mass body units each pivotable in response to operation of a corresponding one of the keys; a frame having mounted thereon the plurality of keys and mass body units; and upper- and lower-limit stoppers provided on the frame for limiting a pivotable range of each of the mass body units by the mass body unit colliding against the stoppers. Each of the mass body units includes a cavity portion provided in a section thereof that pivots against a gravitational force as the corresponding key is depressed, and a plurality of particles are accommodated in the cavity portion with some vacant space left in the cavity portion.
US07709712B1 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV194481
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV194481. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV194481, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV194481 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV194481 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV194481.
US07709708B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH323945
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH323945. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH323945, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH323945 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH323945.
US07709705B2 Cotton variety 04T056
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 04T056. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 04T056. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 04T056 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 04T056 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07709703B2 Soybean variety D5233241
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5233241. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5233241. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5233241 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5233241 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07709702B2 Glyphosate-N-acetyltransferase (GAT) genes
Novel proteins are provided herein, including proteins capable of catalyzing the acetylation of glyphosate and other structurally related proteins. Also provided are novel polynucleotides capable of encoding these proteins, compositions that include one or more of these novel proteins and/or polynucleotides, recombinant cells and transgenic plants comprising these novel compounds, diversification methods involving the novel compounds, and methods of using the compounds. Some of the novel methods and compounds provided herein can be used to render an organism, such as a plant, resistant to glyphosate.
US07709698B2 Transcription factor stress-related proteins and methods of use in plants
A transgenic plant transformed by a Transcription Factor Stress-Related Protein (TFSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant results in increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic plants. Also provided are isolated TFSRPs, and isolated nucleic acid coding TFSRPs, and vectors and host cells containing the latter.
US07709691B2 Process for geometric isomerization of halogenated olefins
Disclosed are processes for the conversion of isomerizable halogenated C2-C6 olefins from one geometric form to a more preferred geometric form. Preferred process aspects comprise converting C2-C6 olefin in a cis-form to a trans-form comprising exposing the cis-form of the compound, preferably contained in process stream, to conditions effective to convert at least about 50 percent, and even more preferably at least about 70 percent, of the cis-form compound to the trans-form compound. Preferably the catalyst comprises at least one Lewis acid metal fluoride.
US07709690B2 Method for producing tertiary butyl alcohol
Disclosed is a method for producing tertiary butyl alcohol through hydration reaction of isobutylene and water in the presence of a cation exchange resin by using a reactor having at least two reactor vessels provided in series. The method is characterized in that a fluid in a reactor vessel at the most downstream side forms a two-liquid phase and the reaction temperature of the reactor vessel is kept at 70° C. or lower, and a fluid in at least one reactor vessel other than the one at the most downstream side forms a homogeneous phase.
US07709687B2 Dicarbanionic initiator, a process for the preparation and use thereof
The present invention provides a novel dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I). The present process further provides a process for the preparation of dicarbanionic initiator of formula (I) comprising reacting 1-bromo-4-(4′-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene of formula (II) with alkyllithium compound for an effecting halogen-lithium exchange reaction of 1-bromo-4-(4′-bromophenoxy)-2-pentadecyl benzene with sec-butyllithium in the presence of a non polar solvent, at a temperature in the range of 0 to 25° C. and its use as an initiator for the synthesis of telechelic polydienes and polystyrenes and SBS or SIS triblock copolymers.
US07709681B2 Process for the production of trimellitic acid
Trimellitic acid is produced by oxidation of pseudocumene in acetic acid at temperatures between 130 and 240° C. in the presence of a catalyst composition containing cobalt, manganese and bromine. The process comprises the stages of: (i) simultaneously feeding pseudocumene and air or an oxygen-containing gas into a solution containing acetic acid and the catalyst composition, at an addition rate resulting in an oxygen concentration in the off-gas of less than 8 vol %, and at a temperature and a pressure sufficient to result in 5 to 25 mol % of the total amount of oxygen required to oxidize the pseudocumene to trimellitic acid being consumed, and (ii) feeding air or an oxygen-containing gas into the reaction mixture obtained in stage (i) until essentially all of the pseudocumene has been consumed and a molar yield of trimellitic acid of at least 90% has been obtained. There is no supplementation of catalyst after stage (i).
US07709678B2 Method for producing asymmetric alkyl compound using alkali-treated solid support, and alkali-treated solid support used in this method
An asymmetric alkyl compound producing method of the present invention includes a synthesizing step of carrying out an asymmetric synthesis reaction by mixing (i) a reaction solution containing a glycine imine ester, an alkyl halide, and an asymmetric catalyst having a catalytic action which causes the asymmetric synthesis reaction to proceed with (ii) an alkali-treated solid support obtained by treating with an alkaline substance a solid support made of an inorganic compound. By placing this mixture at room temperature, the asymmetric alkylation occurs between the glycine imine ester and the alkyl halide which are catalyzed by the asymmetric catalyst in an alkali-treated solid support contained in the mixture, and the asymmetric alkylation is completed in about 1 hour. Thus, a highly optically pure asymmetric alkyl compound can be obtained in high yield. Therefore, it is possible to provide the asymmetric alkyl compound producing method which does not require the agitation of the solvent, completes the asymmetric alkylation efficiently and stably in a short time, and synthesizes a highly optically pure asymmetric alkyl compound in high yield.
US07709677B2 Process of preparing arylethanoldiamines
An improved process for preparing arylethanoldiamines is described. Compounds of this type are known to be useful as agonists at atypical beta-adrenoceptors (also known as beta-3-adrenoceptors).
US07709676B2 Method for producing purified 2-cyanoacrylate
A method for producing a purified 2-cyanoacrylate is characterized in that distillation is conducted in the presence of a polymerization inhibitor whose boiling point is within ±12° C. of the boiling point of the 2-cyanoacrylate. With this method, polymerization of 2-cyanoacrylate can be continuously prevented in the distillate system during distillation of a crude 2-cyanoacrylate, so that a purified 2-cyanoacrylate can be obtained.
US07709674B2 Hydrocyanation process with reduced yield losses
A hydrocyanation process produces adiponitrile and other dinitriles having six carbon atoms. The process involves forming a reaction mixture in the presence of at least one Lewis acid. The reaction mixture includes ethylenically unsaturated nitrites having five carbon atoms, hydrogen cyanide, and a catalyst precursor compositions. The reaction mixture is continuously fed while controlling the overall feed molar ratio of 2-pentenenitriles to all unsaturated nitriles and the overall feed molar ratio of hydrogen cyanide to all unsaturated nitrites. In the reaction product mixture, including adiponitrile, the ratio of the concentration of 2-pentenenitriles to the concentration of 3-pentenenitriles from about 0.2/1 to about 10/1. Included in the catalyst precursor composition is a zero-valent nickel and at least one multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand. The multidentate phosphorus-containing ligand may be a phosphite, a phosphonite, a phosphinite, a phosphine, and a mixed phosphorus-containing ligand or a combination of such members.
US07709672B2 Method for obtaining halogenated monoorganoxysilanes useful in particular as synthesis intermediates
The invention concerns the preparation of halogenated monoorganoxysilanes, of formula (I), said compounds being useful as synthesis intermediate in organic chemistry. Said method for preparing monoorganoxysilanes consists in: using as starting product halogenoalkylsilanes of the (CH3)2SiCl2 type and in substituting the silicon with a radical bearing a divalent unit bound to an electrophilic reactive group capable of reacting with at least an appropriate nucleophilic agent to form a functionalised monoorganoxysilane of formula (II) with, for example: R<1>=C1-C4 alkyl; R<2>, R<3>=C1-C6 alkyl; B=C1-C10 alkylene; m=1 or 2; Hal=halogen; W=amino, mercapto, (organosilyl)-organopolythio radical.
US07709670B2 Process for producing substituted metallocene compounds for olefin polymerization
A process for producing a substituted metallocene compound comprises reacting a first compound with a transfer-agent, wherein the first compound comprises a complex of a transition metal atom selected from Group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements, or a lanthanide metal atom, or actinide metal atom and at least one monocyclic or polycyclic ligand that is pi-bonded to M and is substituted with at least one halogen or sulfonate substituent and the transfer-agent comprises a hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, silylcarbyl, or germylcarbyl radical capable of replacing said at least one halogen or sulfonate substituent of said first compound under reaction conditions.
US07709669B2 Aspirin-triggered lipid mediators
Aspirin triggered lipid mediators (ATLMs) are disclosed which are useful for the treatment of prevention of inflammation associated with various diseases, including ischemia.
US07709655B2 Clickphosphines for transition metal-catalyzed reactions
Phosphine triazole ligand compounds, prepared through click chemistry, complex with transition metals to form transition metal-phosphine triazole ligand complexes. These complexes are useful catalysts in coupling reactions such as Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, Stille coupling, Negishi coupling, Sonagashira coupling, carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions (C—O and C—N), alpha alkylation of carbonyls, Heck coupling reactions, and hydrogenation reactions.
US07709652B2 Dual function UV-absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials
Disclosed are UV absorbers that contain a labile functional group capable of initiating free radical polymerization.
US07709646B2 Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives useful as serine protease inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, wherein the variables A, B, L1, L2, X1, X2, X3, X4, R4, R5, R13, R14, R15 and R16 are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula (I) are useful as selective inhibitors of serine protease enzymes of the coagulation cascade and/or contact activation system; for example thrombin, factor Xa, factor XIa, factor IXa, factor VIIa and/or plasma kallikrein. In particular, it relates to compounds that are selective factor XIa inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating thromboembolic and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.
US07709645B2 Pyrrolo-pyridine kinase modulators
The present invention provides novel pyrrolo-pyridine kinase modulators and methods of using the novel pyrrolo-pyridine kinase modulators to treat diseases mediated by kinase activity.
US07709641B2 NK1 antagonists
A compound having the general structure shown in Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or solvates thereof are useful in treating diseases or conditions mediated by NK1 receptors, for example various physiological disorders, symptoms or diseases, including emesis, depression, anxiety and cough.
US07709637B2 5-phenylpyrimidines, their preparation, intermediates for their preparation, and their use for controlling harmful fungi
5-Phenylpyrimidines of the formula I, in which the substituents have the following meanings: R1 is a five- to ten-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic mono- or bicyclic heterocycle comprising one to four hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of O, N or S, which heterocycle can be substituted as defined in the description, R2 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl or alkoxy; R3, R4 are hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkynyl or cycloalkynyl, R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded may also form a five- or six-membered ring which can be interrupted by a hetero atom and have attached to it one or more substituents; R5, R6 are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or alkoxy; R7, R8 are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or haloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, haloalkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl, Processes and intermediates for the preparation of these compounds, and their use for controlling harmful fungi.
US07709636B2 Pyrazole sulfonylurea compound and herbicide
A pyrazole compound of the formula: where: R1 is C1-3alkyl, C1-3haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy C1-3alkyl, phenyl or pyridyl; R2 is a hydrogen atom, C1-3alkyl, C1-3haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy or a halogen atom; R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, C1-3alkyl or C1-3haloalkyl, with a proviso that at least one of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is C1-3alkyl or C1-3haloalkyl; and L is a hydrogen atom, chlorine atom, SH, benzylthio, chlorosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, SO2N═C═O, SO2NHCO2CH3 or SO2NHCONHn-C4H9. A salt of the compound that is acceptable as an agrochemical. An agrochemical containing the compound or the salt thereof as an active component. A herbicide containing the compound or the salt thereof as an active component.
US07709635B2 Boronium-ion-based ionic liquids and methods of use thereof
One aspect of the present invention relates to “boronium” ions that are stable, hydrophobic, room-temperature ionic liquids. In certain embodiments, ionic liquids of the instant invention are represented by the formula [XnBY4−n]+(n−1)(n−1)Z−1, wherein X refers to a Lewis base, Y refers to a substituent covalently bonded to boron, Z−1 is a charge diffuse anion, and x is 2, 3 or 4. In certain embodiments, the ionic liquids of the instant invention are of the general type [X2BY2]+1Tf2N−1, wherein each X is independently a tertiary amine, a N-alkylimidazole or a pyridine; and each B—X bond is a B—N bond.
US07709634B2 Amorphous form of rifaximin and processes for its preparation
A stable amorphous form of rifaximin is disclosed. This form is chemically and polymorphically stable on storage and can be prepared by dissolving rifaximin in a solvent to form a solution, which is precipitated by adding an anti-solvent and isolating of the precipitated amorphous rifaximin as an end product.
US07709628B2 Modulation of STAT5 expression
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of STAT5. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding STAT5. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of STAT5 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of STAT5 are provided.
US07709624B2 Process for producing recombinant protein in bacterium belonging to the genus Rhodococcus
Provided is an expression vector capable of constitutive expression of a foreign gene in a bacterium belonging to the genus Rhodococcus. The vector is a constitutive expression vector for a bacterium belonging to the genus Rhodococcus comprising: DNA comprising a nucleotide sequence of a mutated TipA gene promoter where a mutation is incorporated into a −10 region sequence of a TipA gene promoter, the mutated TipA gene promoter being capable of thiostrepton-independent and constitutive expression of a gene located downstream thereof; a promoter sequence for the constitutive expression of a foreign gene; a ribosome-binding site sequence located downstream of the promoter sequence; and a multiple-cloning site sequence capable of incorporating a foreign gene therein, located downstream of the ribosome-binding site sequence.
US07709622B2 Outer membrane protein of Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis
Diagnostic tools for serodiagnosing ehrlichiosis in mammals, particularly in members of the Canidae family and in humans are provided. The diagnostic tools are a group of outer membrane proteins of E. chaffeensis and variants thereof, referred to hereinafter as the “OMP proteins”, a group of outer membrane proteins of E. canis and variants thereof referred to hereinafter as the “P30F proteins”, and antibodies to the ONP proteins and the P30F proteins. The OMP proteins of E. chaffeensis encompass OMP-1, OMP-1A, OMP1-B, OMP-1C, OMP1-D, OMP1-E, OMP1-F, OMP1-H, OMP-1R, OMP-1S, OMP-1T, OMP-1U, OMP-1V, OMP-1W, OMP-1X, OMP-1Y and OMP-1Z. The P30F proteins of E. canis encompass P30, P30a, P30-1, P30-2, P30-3; P30-4, P30-5, P30-6, P30-7, P30-8, P30-9, P30-10, P30-11, and P30-12. Isolated polynucleotides that encode the E. chaffeensis OMP proteins and isolated polynucleotides that encode the E. canis P30F protein are also provided. The present invention also relates to kits containing reagents for diagnosing human ehrlichiosis and canine ehrlichiosis, and to immunogenic compositions containing one or more OMP proteins or P30F proteins.
US07709621B2 Vectors with modified protease-dependent tropism
The present invention provides cell fusogenic vectors having replicative ability, whose protease-dependent tropism has been modified. M gene-deficient viral vectors encoding modified F proteins, in which the cleavage site of the F protein of paramyxovirus is modified to be cleaved by different proteases, were produced. In cells transfected with these vectors, the genomic RNA present in the vectors is replicated, and cell fusogenic infection spreads to neighboring cells depending on the presence of other proteases; however, no viral particles are released. The vectors of this invention, encoding the F proteins which are cleaved by proteases whose activity is enhanced in cancer, show cancer growth suppressive effect in vivo.
US07709616B2 Micrornas and uses thereof
Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.
US07709610B2 Therapeutic use of anti-CS1 antibodies
The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US07709603B2 PRO1190 polypeptides
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
US07709601B2 Nylon binding peptides and methods of use
Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for nylon (NY). The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various NY surfaces.
US07709600B2 Interaction between the VHL tumor suppressor and hypoxia inducible factor, and assay methods relating thereto
The invention relates to the finding that the VHL tumour suppressor protein regulates hypoxia inducible factor α subunits, by targeting HIF α for destruction in normoxic, but not hypoxic cells. The invention provides assays for modulators of this interaction, and peptides based upon HIF α subunit sequences which may modulate this interaction.
US07709599B2 Compounds, rosins, and sizing compositions
The present invention relates to terpene derivative compounds and rosins and sizing compositions comprising such compounds. Compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed in addition to rosins and sizing compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I). Fiber glass strands comprising a plurality of glass fibers at least partially coated with sizing compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I) are also disclosed.
US07709598B2 Fluorinated alkyl fluorophoshoric acid salts of onium and transition metal complex
To obtain a polymerization initiator (acid generating agent) having excellent power for initiation of cationic polymerization without containing arsenic or antimony.Provided is a specific onium salt or transition metal complex salt of a fluorinated alkyl fluorophosphoric acid.
US07709595B2 Non-precipitating alkali/alkaline earth metal and aluminum solutions made with polyhydroxyl ether solvents
A stable catalyst solution suitable for catalyzing the polycondensation of reactants to make polyester polymers comprising: (i) M, wherein M is represented by an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal and (ii) aluminum metal and (iii) a polyhydroxyl ether solvent, wherein the molar ratio of M:Al ranges from 0.2:1 to 4:1 or less. The catalyst solution is desirably a solution which does not precipitate upon standing over a period of at least one week at room temperature (25° C.-40° C.), even at molar ratios of M:Al approaching 1:1. There is also provided a method for the manufacture of the solution, its feed to and use in the manufacture of a polyester polymer, and polyester polymers obtained by combining certain ingredients or containing the residues of these ingredients in the composition.
US07709591B2 Telechelic polymer composition
A telechelic polymer composition comprising a telechelic polymer having phenolic hydroxyl groups at both ends and having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 10,000, and a compound having a benzoxazine ring structure or a compound having a naphthoxazine ring structure.
US07709590B2 Compositions for golf equipment
A golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer, the outer cover layer being formed from a polyurea including a prepolymer and an amine curative. The prepolymer is formed from an aliphatic isocyanate and a secondary polyamine polyether having a formula: where x=1-70; R1 and R2 each independently=a C1-20 alkyl group, phenyl, or a mixture thereof; and R3=H, CH3, or a mixture thereof.
US07709577B2 Process of making polymer blends
In a process for producing a polymer blend, at least one first monomer is polymerized in a first slurry phase reaction zone in the presence of a supported first catalyst comprising a Ziegler-Natta component to produce a thermoplastic first polymer having a crystallinity of at least 30%. At least part of said first polymer is then contacted with at least one second monomer different from said first monomer and at least one polyene in a second solution phase reaction zone in the presence of a second catalyst under conditions to produce and at least partially cross-link said second polymer such that said second polymer comprises at least a fraction which is insoluble in xylene and has a crystallinity of less than 20%.
US07709575B2 Method for controlling dispersion size of elastomer in thermoplastic elastomer composition
A method for controlling a dispersion size of an elastomer in a thermoplastic elastomer composition having improved durability and impermeability obtained by melt-mixing (A) a halogenated isobutylene elastomer, (B) polyamide and (C) a dispersion aid, and dynamically vulcanizing the resultant blend to form the dynamically vulcanized polymer blend, wherein the halogenated isobutylene elastomer is dispersed in the polyamide matrix at a volume-average dispersion diameter of less than 2.0 μm.
US07709572B2 Optical film, polarizing plate and display device using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention is to provide an optical film which exhibits low hygroscopicity, high transparency, high heat resistance and markedly lowered brittleness, and particularly to provide an optical film which is appropriately employed as a polarizing plate protective film for large liquid crystal display devices and outdoor liquid crystal display devices. The above optical film is characterized in that acrylic resin (A) and cellulose ester resin (B) are incorporated at a weight ratio of 95:5-30:70, weight average molecular weight Mw of aforesaid acrylic resin (A) is at least 80,000, total substitution degree (T) of the acyl group of aforesaid cellulose ester resin (B) is 2.0-3.0, the substitution degree of the acyl group having 3-7 carbon atoms is 1.2-3.0, and weight average molecular weight Mw of aforesaid cellulose ester resin (B) is at least 75,000. It is characterized that the total substitution degree of the acyl group other than carbon atoms of 3-7 of the cellulose ester resin (B) is at most 1.3.
US07709568B2 Anti-yellowing polycondensation polymer compositions and articles
A composition, having an improved resistance to yellowing under heat aging, comprising at least 20 weight % of at least one polycondensation polymer having a heat deflection temperature of above 80° C. under a load of 1.82 MPa when measured according to ASTM D648, from 0 to 5 weight % of at least one polymer having a heat deflection temperature of at most 80° C. under a load of 1.82 MPa when measured according to ASTM D648, a white pigment; and a black pigment provides resistance to heat aging induced yellowing. The polycondensation polymers are advantageously selected from the group consisting of polyarylethersulfones, at least partially aromatic polyamides, polyamideimides, liquid crystalline polymers, polyimides, polyetherimides, polyaryletherketones, and polyphenylene sulfides. The polymer composition can be molded to form a variety of articles, including LED components, such as reflectors, reflector cups, and scramblers.
US07709567B2 Oxygen-absorbing resin composition
The present invention herein provides an oxygen-absorbing resin composition which is excellent in the oxygen-absorbability and which can inhibit any deterioration through oxidation during the molding operations of the composition and does not accordingly undergo any coloration during the molding operations. The present invention thus provides an oxygen-absorbing resin composition characterized in that it comprises (A) a hydrogenated styrene-diene copolymer; (B) a thermoplastic resin including ethylenic structural units in its molecular structure; and (C) a transition metal catalyst, wherein the oxidation of the thermoplastic resin (B) proceeds while the copolymer (A) serves as a trigger and the composition thus absorbs oxygen. In this respect, the copolymer (A) comprises carbon-carbon double bonds derived from the diene in an amount ranging from 1×10.5 to 1×10.2 eq/g.
US07709563B2 Aqueous dispersion type fluorine-containing water- and-oil repellent composition having a polymer of a perfluoroalkyl group- containing etheylenically unsaturated monomer, a nonionic surfactant ana cationic surfactant, and preparation and use thereof
An aqueous dispersion type fluorine-containing water- and oil-repellent composition containing a polymer of a perfluoroalkyl group-containing ethylenically unsaturated monomer dispersed in an aqueous medium. The composition also contains a nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of at most 11 and a cationic surfactant. A homopolymer of at least one monomer constituting the polymer has Tg of at most 50° C.
US07709560B2 Rubber composition for tire tread and pneumatic tire using the same
The present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire tread, in which processability, abrasion resistance, rolling resistance properties and wet grip performance are improved in a balanced manner. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire tread comprising 5 to 150 parts by weight of silica having nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of 100 to 300 m2/g based on 100 parts of a rubber component containing 5 to 100% by weight of an epoxidized natural rubber, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent and 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant based on 100 parts by weight of the silica; and a rubber composition for a tire tread comprising 5 to 150 parts by weight of silica having nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of 100 to 300 m2/g and 1 to 10 parts by weight of a metal salt of stearic acid, based on 100 parts of a rubber component containing 5 to 100% by weight of an epoxidized natural rubber, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent based on 100 parts by weight of the silica.
US07709559B1 Cure accelerators for anaerobic curable compositions
The present invention relates to new cure accelerators for anaerobic curable compositions. These anaerobic cure accelerators are generally sulfonimide derivatives and sulfonamide derivatives.
US07709558B2 Tire puncture sealant and method for making
A device and a method for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol are disclosed, wherein the device comprises: a container having a cylindrical space for a mixed solution of rubber latex and a tackifier; a squirter comprising at least one spout for pouring propylene glycol on the surface of the mixed solution in the container at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute per spout; and an agitator for the mixed solution in the container, comprising a stirring blade rotatable in the mixed solution to cause said surface a current speed of the mixed solution in a range between about 1.0 and about 10.0 meter/second during pouring the propylene glycol.
US07709557B2 Compositions and composites of cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials and resins, and methods of making the same
Cellulosic or lignocellulosic materials, and compositions and composites made therefrom, are disclosed.
US07709551B2 Coating composition for film with low refractive index and film prepared therefrom
The present invention relates to a coating composition for a film with low refractive index and a film prepared therefrom, and more precisely, a coating composition with low refractive index which contains dispersed porous organic/inorganic hybrid nano-particles or a colloid containing the dispersed nano-particles, a photocurable compound having unsaturated functional groups, photoinitiator or photosensitizer, or an organic siloxane thermosetting compound, and a solvent and a film prepared therefrom. According to the present invention, porous particles have been formed by using a structural regulator in a silane compound at a specific size, in order to be fitted for a film with low refractive index, and then the structural regulator has been eliminated by a simple process before forming the film, resulting in preparation of a film with extremely low refractive index at a low temperature of up to 120° C. which will be applied as a film with low refractive index or a film with low reflection for various uses including displays.
US07709550B2 Ink composition, inkjet recording method, printed material, process for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing plate
An ink composition is provided that includes a cationically polymerizable compound (a), a compound (b) that generates an acid when exposed to radiation, a colorant (c), and a salt of a weak acid having a pKa of 4 to 8 (d). There is also provided an inkjet recording method that includes a step of discharging the ink composition onto a recording medium, and a step of irradiating the discharged ink composition with radiation so as to cure the ink composition.
US07709546B2 Ink composition, inkjet recording method, printed material, process for producing lithographic printing plate, and lithographic printing plate
An ink composition is provided that includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or (II). (In Formulae (I) and (II), R1 and R2 independently denote a monovalent substituent, R3 to R6 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, n denotes an integer of 0 to 5, and n′ denotes an integer of 0 to 5; n and n′ are not both 0, when n is 2 or greater a plurality of R1s may be identical to or different from each other, and when n′ is 2 or greater a plurality of R2s may be identical to or different from each other.) There are also provided an inkjet recording method employing the ink composition, and a process for producing a lithographic printing plate, the process including discharging the ink composition onto a hydrophilic support. A printed material and a lithographic printing plate thus obtained are also included in the present invention.
US07709541B2 Fischer-Tropsch catalysts incorporating promoter for increasing yields of C5+ hydrocarbons and methods for making and using same
An improved skeletal iron catalyst is provided for use in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions for converting CO and H2 to hydrocarbon products. The skeletal iron catalyst is manufactured using iron and a removable non-ferrous component such as aluminum. The iron and removable non-ferrous component are mixed together to form a precursor catalyst and then a portion of the removable non-ferrous component is removed to leave a skeletal iron catalyst. One or more first promoter metals and optionally one or more second promoter metals are incorporated into the skeletal iron catalyst either by blending the promoter into the precursor catalyst during the formation thereof or by depositing the promoter on the skeletal iron. The first promoter metals comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, vanadium, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, and platinum-group metals. The first promoter metal is selected to improve the yield of C5+ hydrocarbons when the skeletal iron catalyst is used in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction.
US07709538B2 ST104P, an anti-angiogenic agent
The present invention relates to a method of treating a non-tumor condition or disease associated with angiogenesis in a human or animal comprises administering thereto an effective angiogenesis inhibiting dose of a tetrameric cyclic compound of 4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7, disulfonic acid linked by methylene bridges in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07709534B2 Method of treating strongyloides infections and medicaments therefor
Infections caused by parasitic nematodes of the genera Strongyloides, Ancyclostoma, Necator, Haemonchus, Ascaris, or Trichuris in humans and other mammals are treated by administration to an infected individual of an amount of a C8-C16-alpha,beta-unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde. Such compounds are useful for killing nematode worms of the genera listed above. A particularly useful compound of this class, effective against S. stercoralis infections, is E-2-dodecenal, having structural formula (1).
US07709532B2 Methods for improving bioavailability of a renin inhibitor
The present invention provides a method for improving the bioavailability of a renin inhibitor, preferably, of a δ-amino-γ-hydroxy-ω-aryl-alkanoic acid derivative, which method comprises co-administering to a mammal, especially a human, in need of such treatment, a combination of a renin inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an efflux protein inhibitor.
US07709528B2 Compounds, their preparation and use
Novel compounds of the general formula (I), the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of treatment employing these compounds and compositions. The present compounds may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions mediated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), in particular the PPARδ suptype.
US07709526B2 Use of cyclolignans and new cyclolignans
Compounds which inhibit the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1 R) and methods for using them for treating IGF-1 R dependent diseases, such as cancer.
US07709517B2 Diarylhydantoin compounds
The present invention relates to diarylhydantoin compounds, including diarylthiohydantoins, and methods for synthesizing them and using them in the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer.
US07709513B2 Benzooxazol-2-one derivatives as lipase and phospholipase inhibitors
The invention relates to benzooxazol-2-one derivatives of general formula (I) with the meanings indicated in the description, the pharmaceutically usable salts thereof, and the use thereof as medicinal substances.
US07709511B2 Benzothiazolone derivatives
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein e, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R4, R5, R6, R7, R7a, R7b, A, D, m and n are as defined in the specification, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US07709510B2 Azoles as malonyl-CoA decarboxylase inhibitors useful as metabolic modulators
The present invention relates to methods of treatment of certain metabolic diseases, and to novel compounds and their prodrugs, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds useful in treating such diseases. In particular, this invention relates to the use of novel compounds and compositions for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, acidosis, and obesity through the inhibition of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD). These compounds have the formulae (I) and (II), wherein Y, C, R1, R2, R6, and R7 are defined herein.
US07709509B2 Oxadiazolones and derivatives thereof as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) delta agonists
The invention relates to oxadiazolones and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives showing peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) delta agonist activity comprising compounds of formula I, in which the R1-R7 substituents as well as the U, V, W, X Y and z radicals are as defined herein, and their physiologically acceptable salts and processes for their preparation. The compounds are suitable for the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved; neurodegenerative diseases and/or demyelinating disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems and/or neurological diseases involving neuro-inflammatory processes and/or other peripheral neuropathies.
US07709502B2 Substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)-phthalimides and 1-oxoisoindolines
Substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)phthalimides and 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)isoindolines are disclosed. The compounds are useful, for example, in reducing the levels of TNFα in a mammal.
US07709501B2 Vanilloid receptor ligands and their use in treatments
Substituted pyridines and pyrimidines and compositions containing them, for the treatment of acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain, dental pain, general headache, migraine, cluster headache, mixed-vascular and non-vascular syndromes, tension headache, general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, chronic inflammatory conditions, inflammatory pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, neuropathic pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, diabetic neuropathy pain, causalgia, sympathetically maintained pain, deafferentation syndromes, asthma, epithelial tissue damage or dysfunction, herpes simplex, disturbances of visceral motility at respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal or vascular regions, wounds, burns, allergic skin reactions, pruritus, vitiligo, general gastrointestinal disorders, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulcers, diarrhea, gastric lesions induced by necrotising agents, hair growth, vasomotor or allergic rhinitis, bronchial disorders or bladder disorders.
US07709500B2 Chemical compounds
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein: X is CH2, O, S(O)2 or NR10; Y is a bond, CH2, NR35, CH2NH, CH2NHC(O), CH(OH), CH(NHCOR33), CH(NHSO2R34), CH2O or CH2S; Z is C(O), or when Y is a bond Z can also be S(O)2; R1 is optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl or C4-6 cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring; and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8, R9, R10, R32, R33, R34 and R35 are as defined herein; are modulators of chemokine (especially CCR3) activity (for use in, for example, treating asthma). The invention also provides a process for making 4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidine, which is useful as an intermediate for making certain compounds of the invention.
US07709496B2 Antibacterial agents
2H-chromen-2-one derivatives useful in the treatment of bacterial infections in mammals, particularly humans, are disclosed herein.
US07709484B1 Substituted melanocortin receptor-specific piperazine compounds
A substituted piperazine compound having the structure I: or the structure IX: or an enantomeric, stereoisomeric or diastereomeric form of the foregoing, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where J, L, Q, W, A, R6, R7, z and y are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atoms marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration, which compounds bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be employed in pharmaceutical preparations for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, and methods for the use of the compounds of the invention.
US07709479B1 Quinazoline derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals
The use of a compound of formula (I) or a salt, ester, amide or prodrug thereof; where X is O, or S, S(O) or S(O)2, NH or NR12 where R12 is hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl; R5 is selected from a group NHC(O)OR9, NHC(O)R9, NHS(O)2R9, C(O)R9, C(O)OR9, S(O)R9, S(O)OR9, S(O)2OR9, C(O)NR10 R11, S(O)NR10R11 S(O)ONR10R11, where R9, R10 or R11 are various specified organic groups; R6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or optionally substituted heterocyclyl; R7 and R8 are various specified organic groups, and R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently selected from halogeno, cyano, nitro, C1-3alkylsulphanyl, —N(OH)R13— (wherein R7 is hydrogen, or C1-3alkyl), or R15X1— (wherein X1 represents a direct bond, —O—, —CH2—, —OCO—, carbonyl, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR16CO—, —CONR16—, —SO2NR16—, —NR17SO2— or —NR18— (wherein R16, R17 and R18 each independently represents hydrogen, C1-3alkyl or C1-3alkoxy C2-3alkyl), and R9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl or optionally substituted alkoxy; in the preparation of a medicament for use in the inhibition of aurora 2 kinase.
US07709470B2 11-phenyl-dibenzodiazepine derivatives as RXR-antagonists
The present invention relates to novel benzodiazepine compounds exhibiting RXR-antagonist efficacy, for delaying progression of, preventing or treating a condition or disease being associated with RXR-antagonism, in particular selected from diabetes, complication of diabetes such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and hyperlipidemia, obesity, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis.
US07709459B2 Pyrimidine nucleotide precursors for treatment of systemic inflammation and inflammatory hepatitis
Pyrimidine nucleotide precursors including acyl derivatives of cytidine, uridine, and orotate, and uridine phosphorylase inhibitors, and their use in enhancing resistance to sepsis or systemic inflammation are disclosed.
US07709457B2 Methods and compositions for delivery of pharmaceutical agents
Methods and compositions for delivering pharmaceutical agents into cells, in particular urothelial cells of the bladder, are provided. In the methods and compositions of the invention, a solubilized cholesterol composition is used to facilitate delivery of pharmaceutical agents. Preferably, the cholesterol is solubilized by a cyclodextrin (e.g., methyl-β-cyclodextrin) and the pharmaceutical agent comprises a polynucleotide and either a cationic lipid, a cationic polymer or a dendrimer. Improved methods for transfecting polynucleotides into cells thus are also provided, using cationic lipids, cationic polymers or dendrimers and solubilized cholesterol, wherein the transfection efficiency is enhanced compared to use of cationic lipids, cationic polymers or dendrimers alone. Preferred methods of the invention involve transfecting polynucleotides into urothelial cells, preferably for therapeutic treatment of bladder cancer using, for example, a polynucleotide(s) encoding an interleukin(s), an interferon(s), a colony stimulating factor(s) and/or a tumor suppressor(s).
US07709454B2 Methods and compositions for inhibiting tumorigenesis
The present invention relates to compounds, small interfering RNAs and compositions and methods of inhibiting tumorigenesis and methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and proliferation using agents that inhibit the hedgehog and Gli signaling pathway, including agents that inhibit GLI synthesis and/or function. The present invention also relates to particular biomarkers that can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of melanomas. Methods of treating cancer, including melanoma are also provided using small organic compounds, siRNAs and blocking antibodies that inhibit or block the SHH/GLI pathway. In addition, the use of agents that inhibit other signaling pathways is contemplated for use as second agents to be used in conjunction with the inhibitors of the GLI pathway.
US07709453B2 Modulation of the RNA interference pathway
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the RNAi pathway. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid molecules encoding EIF2C2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of RNA interference as well as EIF2C2 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of EIF2C2 are provided. Also provided are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of DDX36. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding DDX36. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of DDX36 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of DDX36 are provided.
US07709449B2 Nucleic acid-based compounds and methods of use thereof
The invention provides compounds capable of treating against hepatitis infections, particularly hepatitis B viral infections. Compounds of the invention are nucleic acid-based and preferably comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 nucleoside units.
US07709447B2 Use of spinosyns for wound healing
A spinosyn or a physiologically acceptable derivative or salt thereof for promoting or accelerating wound healing in humans.
US07709440B2 Treating neoplasms with neurotoxin
The present invention provides a method of treating a cancer using a neurotoxin, preferably Botulinum toxin (“BTX”). The application of a neurotoxin around a cancer acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze cancer cells through efferent channels leaving the cancer vicinity to distant sites. Also, the application of the toxin at sites distant from the cancer enhances cellular and humoral immunologic functions which further contributes to cancer cell death and spread. Following administration of botulinum toxin around and distant to a cancer, it is noticed that local, regional, and distant spread is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other disease that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.
US07709436B2 Low carbon footprint compositions for use in laundry applications
Liquid laundry detergent compositions are provided that show remarkable performance even though they utilize only eco-friendly ingredients and have a sustainability index of greater than 3. Some embodiments include a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising alkyl polyglycoside (APG) with fatty alcohol sulfate, at least two detersive enzymes, an enzyme stabilization system (e.g. borate and/or citrate and/or calcium salts), d-limonene or other natural essence, water and adjuvant. In another exemplary embodiment, APG is combined with fatty acid soaps, at least two detersive enzymes, an enzyme stabilization system (e.g. borate and/or citrate and/or calcium salts), d-limonene or other natural essence, water and adjuvant. Such compositions show remarkable performance, good viscosity, physical storage stability, enzyme stability, and have a sustainability index of greater than 3.
US07709432B2 Solid soap composition comprising polysilxoxane and diamine
A solid soap composition which comprises as essential ingredients a soap ingredient (a), a specific polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane Co), and a tetrakis(2-hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediamine(c). It is a detergent with which makeup removal and ordinary face washing can be simultaneously conducted at a time. It lathers well and gives a fresh use feeling after washing. It can sufficiently remove not only foundations but acid pigments.
US07709431B2 Solid dispersions comprising aphrons
A solid composition comprising oil core aphrons dispersed in a solid surfactant.
US07709430B2 Cleansing composition
A cleansing composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) an anionic surfactant (B) a copolymer of a dialkyl diallyl ammonium salt/acrylamide (C) fatty acid alkanolamide and/or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, wherein pH at 25° C., in 20 weight times water dilution, is 2 to 4.5. The present cleansing composition has a good foamability in hair washing, a fine-textured and soft foam quality, and in particular, a good smoothness in rinsing and lasting the smoothness longer in rinsing.
US07709428B2 Thickened spreadable warming lubricant
A substantially anhydrous, thickened, spreadable, warming lubricant composition comprising a mixture of glycerin, polyhydric alcohol, a non-ionic surfactant, and a Carbomer thickener, the surfactant improving wetting and spreadability of the composition on skin and latex, and the thickener providing a creamy rich feel to the composition, such that the composition can be applied to skin or a condom and provide an optimal warming effect upon contact with ambient moisture during use and such that the composition can be added to a condom package and, over the course of a week, spread and coat nearly the entire internal and external surfaces of the condom.
US07709427B2 Lubricant composition, speed reduction gear using the same, and electric power steering apparatus using the same
Disclosed are a lubricant composition to which is added as buffer particles to a lubricant polyurethane resin particles obtained by reacting and synthesizing long-chain polyol having a number-average molecular weight of not less than 500, a crosslinking agent having three or more active hydrogen groups in one molecule, and polyisocyanate as buffer particles, a speed reduction gear filled with the lubricant composition, and an electric power steering apparatus having the speed reduction gear incorporated therein, wherein noise produced by the speed reduction gear can be made lower than ever before irrespective of the magnitude of backlash in a case where a worm and a worm wheel are combined with each other and without complicating the configuration of the speed reduction gear by the buffer action of the buffer particles added to the lubricant composition, thereby making it possible to reduce noise produced in an automobile due to the electric power steering apparatus at low cost.
US07709421B2 Microemulsions to convert OBM filter cakes to WBM filter cakes having filtration control
Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with oil-based muds (OBMs). The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced. In another optional embodiment, the single phase microemulsion may contain a filtration control additive for delaying the filter cake removal, destruction or conversion.
US07709418B1 High transition temperature superconducting compositions
Described is a superconducting composition comprising an oxide complex of the formula [L1−xMx]aAbOy wherein L is lanthanum, lutetium, yttrium or scandium; A is copper, bismuth, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, or vanadium; M is barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium or mercury; and “a” is 1 to 2; “b” is 1; “x” is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 and preferably 0.075 to 0.5; and “y” is about 2 to about 4. The oxide complexes of the invention are prepared by solid-state reaction procedure which produce oxide complexes having enhanced superconducting transition temperatures compared to an oxide complex of like empirical composition prepared by a coprecipitation—high temperature decomposition procedure. With a solid-state reaction prepared oxide complex of the invention a transition temperature as high as 100° K has been observed even under atmospheric pressure.
US07709416B2 Heat-sensitive recording material
The present invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material that comprises a support, a heat-sensitive recording layer comprising a leuco dye and a developer, and a protective layer principally comprising a pigment and a binder. The support, the heat-sensitive recording layer, and the protective layer are provided in this order. The protective layer comprises: (1) a pigment of secondary particles with an average particle diameter of 30 to 900 nm formed by aggregation of amorphous silica primary particles with a particle diameter of 3 to 70 nm; or (2) a pigment of secondary particles with an average particle diameter of 30 to 900 nm formed by aggregation of amorphous silica primary particles with a particle diameter of 3 to 70 nm, and a binder comprising acetoacetyl modified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90 to 100 mol % and a polymerization degree of 1900 to 5000.
US07709411B2 Method of manufacturing multicomponent nanoparticles
Multicomponent nanoparticles include two or more dissimilar components selected from different members of the group of noble metals, base transition metals, alkali earth metals, and rare earth metals and/or different groups of the periodic table of elements. The two or more dissimilar components are dispersed using a polyfunctional dispersing agent such that the multicomponent nanoparticles have a substantially uniform distribution of the two or more dissimilar components. The polyfunctional dispersing agent may include organic molecules, polymers, oligomers, or salts of these. The molecules of the dispersing agent bind to the dissimilar components to overcome same-component attraction, thereby allowing the dissimilar components to form multicomponent nanoparticles. Dissimilar components such as iron and platinum can be alloyed together using the dispersing agent to form substantially uniform multicomponent nanoparticles, which can be used alone or with a support. At least a portion of the dispersing agent is removed by reduction and/or oxidation.
US07709410B2 Silica gel compositions containing alkali metals and alkali metal alloys
The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or an alkali metal alloy. The compositions of the inventions are described as Stage 0, I, II, and III materials. These materials differ in their preparation and chemical reactivity. Each successive stage may be prepared directly using the methods described below or from an earlier stage material. Stage 0 materials may, for example, be prepared using liquid alloys of Na and K which are rapidly absorbed by silica gel (porous SiO2) under isothermal conditions, preferably at or just above room temperature, to form loose black powders that retain much of the reducing ability of the parent metals. When the low melting Group 1 metals are absorbed into the silica gel, a mild exothermic reaction produces Stage I material, loose black powders that are indefinitely stable in dry air. Subsequent heating to 400° C. produces Stage II materials, which are also loose black powders. Further heating above 400° C. forms Stage III material with release of some Group 1 metal. It is believed that Stage I, H and III materials represent reductions of the silica gel after absorption of the Group 1 metal. Preferred Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions of the invention are those containing sodium, potassium, or sodium-potassium alloys with sodium and sodium-potassium alloys being most preferred. Each stage of the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition of the invention may be used as a reducing agent reacting with a number of reducible organic materials in the same manner known for alkali metals and their alloys.
US07709409B2 Mixed catalytic composition
The present invention relates to catalytic compositions for esterification, transesterification and polycondensation reactions, a process for the catalysis of said reactions employing such catalytic compositions and polyesters or resins obtainable by this process.
US07709408B2 Catalyst based on a solid microporous crystalline material and method of improving diesel fraction quality using said catalyst
The invention relates to a catalyst consisting of at least: one matrix comprising at least one oxide which is selected from an amorphous oxide, an oxide with low crystallinity and a mixture of both; at least one solid microporous crystalline material which, in the calcined and anhydrous state, has the molar compositions X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, in which X is a trivalent element such as, for example, Al, B, Fe, In, Ga, Cr, Y is at least one trivalent element that is different from Ge and Z is Ge, the value (n+m) is at least equal to 5 and can be between 5 and ∞, and the value of n/m is at least equal to 1; and at least one hydrogenating compound, preferably Pt, Pd, It, Ru, Rh, and Re or a combination of same. The invention also relates to the use of said catalyst in a process in order to improve the quality of diesel fractions.
US07709406B2 Glass compositions compatible with downdraw processing and methods of making and using thereof
Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glass compositions possess numerous properties that are compatible with the downdraw process, particularly fusion drawing.
US07709400B2 Thermal methods for cleaning post-CMP wafers
Methods for cleaning semiconductor wafers following chemical mechanical polishing are provided. An exemplary method exposes a wafer to a thermal treatment in an oxidizing environment followed by a thermal treatment in a reducing environment. The thermal treatment in the oxidizing environment both removes residues and oxidizes exposed copper surfaces to form a cupric oxide layer. The thermal treatment in the reducing environment then reduces the cupric oxide to elemental copper. This leaves the exposed copper clean and in condition for further processing, such as electroless plating.
US07709396B2 Integral patterning of large features along with array using spacer mask patterning process flow
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of forming patterned features on a substrate having an increased density (i.e. reduced pitch) as compared to what is possible using standard photolithography processing techniques using a single high-resolution photomask while also allowing both the width of the patterned features and spacing (trench width) between the patterned features to vary within an integrated circuit.
US07709393B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. In particular, a method for removing unwanted material layers from an edge and lower bevel region of a wafer is provided. The method includes performing a first etch of an edge region of a wafer having material layers formed thereon, coating the wafer with a photoresist layer, and patterning the photoresist layer to expose at least the edge and an upper bevel region of the wafer for etching the material layers remaining after performing the first etch.
US07709391B2 Methods for in-situ generation of reactive etch and growth specie in film formation processes
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the formation and utilization of metastable specie in a reaction chamber for processing substrates. The metastable specie may be used for etching the surface of substrates in situ, deposition processes during processing of the substrate.
US07709390B2 Methods of isolating array features during pitch doubling processes and semiconductor device structures having isolated array features
Methods of isolating spaces formed between features in an array during a pitch reduction process and semiconductor device structures having the same. In one embodiment, ends of the features are wider than middle regions of the features. During the pitch reduction process, spacer sidewalls formed between adjacent ends of the features come into substantial contact with one another, isolating the spaces between the features. In another embodiment, the features have a single width and an additional feature is located near ends of the features. Spacer sidewalls formed between adjacent features and the additional feature come into substantial contact with one another, isolating the spaces between the features.
US07709385B2 Method for depositing tungsten-containing layers by vapor deposition techniques
In one embodiment, a method for forming a tungsten-containing material on a substrate is provided which includes forming a tungsten-containing layer by sequentially exposing a substrate to a processing gas and a tungsten-containing gas during an atomic layer deposition process, wherein the processing gas comprises a boron-containing gas and a nitrogen-containing gas, and forming a tungsten bulk layer over the tungsten-containing layer by exposing the substrate to a deposition gas comprising the tungsten-containing gas and a reactive precursor gas during a chemical vapor deposition process. In one example, the tungsten-containing layer and the tungsten bulk layer are deposited within the same processing chamber.
US07709382B2 Electroprocessing profile control
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of electroprocessing a substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method comprises pressing a substrate against a polishing pad with a force less than about two pounds per square inch, the substrate contacting a first electrode of the polishing pad, applying an electrical bias to the substrate with the first electrode relative to a second electrode of the polishing pad, wherein the second electrode is disposed below the second electrode, and biasing a third electrode disposed in the polishing pad radially outward of the second electrode.
US07709380B2 Method for gate electrode height control
One inventive aspect relates to a method of controlling the gate electrode in a silicidation process. The method comprises applying a sacrificial cap layer on top of each of at least one gate electrode, each of the at least one gate electrode deposited with a given height on a semiconductor substrate. The method further comprises applying an additional layer of oxide on top of the sacrificial layer. The method further comprises covering with a material the semiconductor substrate provided with the at least one gate electrode having the sacrificial cap layer with the additional oxide layer on top. The method further comprises performing a CMP planarization step. The method further comprises removing at least the material and the additional layer of oxide until on top of each of the at least one gate electrode the sacrificial cap layer is exposed. The method further comprises removing the sacrificial cap layer from each of the at least one gate electrode, yielding each of the at least one gate electrode still having the given height.
US07709371B2 Repairing damage to low-k dielectric materials using silylating agents
A method for restoring hydrophobicity to the surfaces of organosilicate glass dielectric films which have been subjected to an etchant or ashing treatment. These films are used as insulating materials in the manufacture of integrated circuits to ensure low and stable dielectric properties in these films. The method deters the formation of stress-induced voids in these films. An organosilicate glass dielectric film is patterned to form vias and trenches by subjecting it to an etchant or ashing reagent in such a way as to remove at least a portion of previously existing carbon containing moieties and reduce hydrophobicity of said organosilicate glass dielectric film. The vias and trenches are thereafter filled with a metal and subjected to an annealing treatment. After the film is subjected to the etchant or ashing reagent, but before being subjected to an annealing treatment, the film is contacted with a toughening agent composition to restore some of the carbon containing moieties and increase the hydrophobicity of the organosilicate glass dielectric film.
US07709369B2 Method for forming a roughened contact in a semiconductor device
A method for forming a contact in a semiconductor device includes opening a contact hole exposing a surface of a substrate, performing a first post treatment to form a rough portion at a bottom surface of the contact hole, and performing a second post treatment. The first post treatment includes using a fluorocarbon gas and the second post treatment includes using a nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas.
US07709363B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a first conductive type impurity region formed by introducing a first conductive type impurities in a first region of a semiconductor region and heating the first region, a second conductive type impurity region formed by introducing a second conductive type impurities in a second region of the semiconductor region and heating the second region, the method including covering the second region with a mask and then introducing the first conductive type impurities in a surface of the first region, removing the mask by a process using gas including oxygen while forming an oxide film on the surface of the first region by the processing using the gas including the oxygen, and introducing the second conductive type impurities in a surface of the second region by using the oxide film as a mask.
US07709361B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an impurity diffusion layer in a surface of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the forming the impurity diffusion layer comprises irradiating material including M1x M2y (y/x≦1.2, where x is a ratio of M1, y is a ratio of M2, M1 is material which serves as acceptor or donor in the semiconductor device, M2 is material which does not serve as neither donor nor acceptor in the semiconductor device (except semiconductor of the semiconductor substrate)) onto the semiconductor substrate, and heating the semiconductor substrate by light.
US07709356B2 Methods of forming a pattern and methods of manufacturing a memory device using the same
In a method of forming a pattern, a sacrificial layer pattern and a stop layer pattern for preventing or reducing an epitaxial growth may be formed on a substrate. The sacrificial layer pattern may have a first hole therethrough, and the first hole partially exposes a top surface of the substrate. At least one active pattern may be formed on a bottom and a sidewall of the first hole by performing a selective epitaxial growth process on the top surface of the substrate and a sidewall of the sacrificial layer pattern. The sacrificial layer pattern and the stop layer pattern for preventing or reducing the epitaxial growth may be removed from the substrate. The at least one active pattern formed by the above method may have a finer size and an improved shaped compared to a conventional active pattern formed by directly patterning layers using a photoresist pattern. Damages in a photolithography process may be prevented or reduced from being generated.
US07709352B2 In-place bonding of microstructures
A method for bonding microstructures to a semiconductor substrate using attractive forces, such as, hydrophobic, van der Waals, and covalent bonding is provided. The microstructures maintain their absolute position with respect to each other and translate vertically onto a wafer surface during the bonding process. The vertical translation of the micro-slabs is also referred to herein as “in-place bonding”. Semiconductor structures which include the attractively bonded microstructures and substrate are also disclosed.
US07709350B2 Method for manufacturing a semiconductor elemental device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor elemental device including an SOI structure in which an SOI layer is laminated, includes the steps of setting transistor forming regions and a device isolation region to the SOI layer, forming a pad oxide film over the SOI layer and forming an oxidation-resistant film over the pad oxide film; forming a resist mask in a region corresponding to each of the transistor forming regions, and etching the oxidation-resistant film and the pad oxide film with the resist mask as a mask to expose the SOI layer of the device isolation region; removing the resist mask and oxidizing the exposed SOI layer by a LOCOS method using the oxidation-resistant film to form a field oxide film; and implanting amorphization ions in an edge portion formed in the SOI layer upon formation of the field oxide film to amorphize the edge portion.
US07709349B2 Semiconductor device manufactured using a gate silicidation involving a disposable chemical/mechanical polishing stop layer
In one aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises placing a blocking layer, a CMP stop layer and a bulk oxide layer over an oxide cap layer that is located over gate structures and source/drains located adjacent thereto. The bulk oxide layer and the CMP stop layer are removed with a CMP process to expose the top of gate electrodes and are removed from over the source/drain areas with a wet etch. The CMP stop layer has a CMP removal rate that is less than a CMP removal rate of the bulk oxide layer and has a wet etch removal rate that is greater than a wet etch removal rate of the blocking layer.
US07709347B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, including: forming a first well of a second conduction type and a second well of a first conduction type on a semiconductor substrate of the first conduction type, forming a gate oxide corresponding to each element on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming trenches by etching at forming locations of first and second trench isolating regions respectively at a first depth larger than a depth of a diffusion layer formed in a memory-cell forming region within the second well and smaller than a depth of a diffusion layer of a transistor of a peripheral circuit region, executing additional etching at a forming location of the second trench isolating region so that a second depth larger than the first depth is obtained and doping the trenches at the forming locations of the first and second trench isolating regions respectively, with a doping agent, thereby executing a planarization process.
US07709346B2 Semiconductor device with trench gate type transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of gate trenches, each of which has first inner walls, which face each other in a first direction which is perpendicular to a second direction in which active regions extend, and second inner walls, which face each other in the second direction in which the active regions extends. An isolation layer contacts a gate insulating layer throughout the entire length of the first inner walls of the gate trenches including from entrance portions of the gate trenches to bottom portions of the gate trenches, and a plurality of channel regions are disposed adjacent to the gate insulating layers in the semiconductor substrate along the second inner walls and the bottom portions of the gate trenches.
US07709341B2 Methods of shaping vertical single crystal silicon walls and resulting structures
A single crystal silicon etching method includes providing a single crystal silicon substrate having at least one trench therein. The single crystal silicon substrate is exposed to an anisotropic etchant that undercuts the single crystal silicon. By controlling the length of the etch, single crystal silicon islands or smooth vertical walls in the single crystal silicon may be created.
US07709338B2 BiCMOS devices with a self-aligned emitter and methods of fabricating such BiCMOS devices
A method of fabricating an heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure in a bipolar complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (BiCMOS) process selectively thickens an oxide layer overlying a base region in areas that are not covered by a temporary emitter and spacers such that the temporary emitter can be removed and the base-emitter junction can be exposed without also completely removing the oxide overlying the areas of the base region that are not covered by the temporary emitter or spacers. As a result, a photomask is not required to remove the temporary emitter and to expose the base-emitter junction.
US07709333B2 Method for reducing overlap capacitance in field effect transistors
A field effect transistor (FET) device includes a gate conductor formed over a semiconductor substrate, a source region having a source extension that overlaps and extends under the gate conductor, and a drain region having a drain extension that overlaps and extends under the gate conductor only at selected locations along the width of the gate conductor.
US07709329B2 High-voltage variable breakdown voltage (BV) diode for electrostatic discharge (ESD) applications
Formation of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device having a desired breakdown voltage (BV) is disclosed. The breakdown voltage (BV) of the device can be set, at least in part, by varying the degree to which a surface junction between two doped areas is covered. This junction can be covered in one embodiment by a dielectric material and/or a semiconductor material. Moreover, a variable breakdown voltage can be established by concurrently forming, in a single process flow, multiple diodes that have different breakdown voltages, where the diodes are also formed concurrently with circuitry that is to be protected. To generate the variable or different breakdown voltages, respective edges of isolation regions can be extended to cover more of the surface junctions of different diodes. In this manner, a first diode can have a first breakdown voltage (BV1), a second diode can have a second breakdown voltage (BV2), a third diode can have a third breakdown voltage (BV3), etc. This can provide substantial efficiency and cost savings where there may be varying ESD requirements.
US07709324B2 Method for forming a gate within a trench including the use of a protective film
Gate trenches 108 are formed in a memory cell region M using a silicon nitride film 103 as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate 100 in a P-type peripheral circuit region P and an N-type peripheral circuit region N is covered by a gate insulating film 101s, a protective film 102, and the silicon nitride film 103. A gate insulating film 109 is then formed on the inner walls of the gate trenches 108, and a silicon film 110 that includes an N-type impurity is embedded in the gate trenches 108. The silicon nitride film 103 is then removed, and a non-doped silicon film is formed on the entire surface, after which a P-type impurity is introduced into the non-doped silicon film on region P, and an N-type impurity is introduced into the non-doped silicon film on regions M and N.
US07709323B2 Methods of forming nand-type nonvolatile memory devices
Methods of forming a NAND-type nonvolatile memory device include: forming first common drains and first common sources alternatively in an active region which is defined in a semiconductor substrate and extends one direction, forming a first insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, patterning the first insulating layer to form seed contact holes which are arranged at regular distance and expose the active region, forming a seed contact structure filling each of the seed contact holes and a semiconductor layer disposed on the first insulating layer and contacting the seed contact structures, patterning the semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor pattern which extends in the one direction and is disposed over the active region, forming second common drains and second common sources disposed alternatively in the semiconductor pattern in the one direction, forming a second insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a source line pattern continuously penetrating the second insulating layer, the semiconductor pattern and the first insulating layer, the source line pattern being connected with the first and second common sources, wherein a grain boundary of the semiconductor layer is positioned at a center between the one pair of seed contact structures adjacent to each other, and is positioned over the first common drain or the first common source.
US07709321B2 Flash memory device and fabricating method thereof
A flash memory and a flash memory fabrication method for increasing the coupling ratio by HSG including forming a STI region on a silicon substrate to define an active region, forming a tunneling oxide layer on the active region, and depositing an amorphous silicon layer on the silicon substrate. The method also includes patterning the amorphous silicon layer along a bit line direction, forming an embossed silicon layer including HSGs on the patterned amorphous silicon layer, and sequentially depositing an ONO layer and a polysilicon layer for a control gate on the resulting structure. The method further includes forming a photoresist pattern on the polysilicon layer, and forming a control gate by etching the polysilicon layer using the photoresist pattern as a mask, and simultaneously forming a floating gate along the bit line.
US07709315B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An interface between a bottom oxide film and a silicon nitride film in a neighborhood of a bottom part of a select gate is located at a position as high as or higher than that of an interface between a silicon substrate (p-type well) and a gate insulating film (d≧0) Further, the gate insulating film and the bottom oxide film are successively and smoothly jointed in the neighborhood of the bottom part of the select gate. By this configuration, localization in a distribution of electrons injected into the silicon nitride film in the writing is mitigated and electrons to be left unerased by hot-hole erasing are reduced. Therefore, not only the increase ratio of the electrons left unerased in the writing can be reduced, but also the problem in which the threshold voltage does not decrease to the predetermined voltage in the deletion can be suppressed.
US07709314B2 Semiconductor switching devices and fabrication methods
Methods of fabricating low temperature semiconductor thin film switching devices are described. A method includes: forming one or more metal lines on a substrate; forming a conductive contact to a said metal line thru an insulator layer above the metal lines; forming a thin film N-type and P-type conducting transistor pair having: a contiguous amorphous silicon first geometry above the insulator layer, said first geometry including an N-type transistor region, a P-type transistor region, and a common region between the transistor regions fully covering the contact; and a gate dielectric layer above the first geometry; and a contiguous amorphous silicon second geometry above the gate dielectric layer including transistor regions that cross over the first geometry transistor regions; forming a silicide of first and second amorphous silicon geometry surfaces with a deposited metallic material, the silicided surfaces including: said second geometry surface; and said first geometry surface not covered by the second geometry, which includes the surface of the region covering the contact; depositing an insulating material; and forming conductive contacts and top metal interconnects.
US07709313B2 High performance capacitors in planar back gates CMOS
A method of manufacture and device for a dual-gate CMOS structure. The structure includes a first plate in an insulating layer and a second plate above the insulating layer electrically corresponding to the first plate. An isolation structure is between the first plate and the second plate.
US07709310B2 Semiconductor device with mushroom electrode and manufacture method thereof
A semiconductor device has: a semiconductor substrate having a pair of current input/output regions via which current flows; an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a gate electrode opening; and a mushroom gate electrode structure formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate electrode opening, the mushroom gate electrode structure having a stem and a head formed on the stem, the stem having a limited size on the semiconductor substrate along a current direction and having a forward taper shape upwardly and monotonically increasing the size along the current direction, the head having a size expanded stepwise along the current direction, and the stem contacting the semiconductor substrate in the gate electrode opening and riding the insulating film near at a position of at least one of opposite ends of the stem along the current direction.
US07709305B2 Method for producing partial SOI structures comprising zones connecting a superficial layer and a substrate
The invention relates to a method for producing a semiconductor structure comprising a superficial layer, at least one embedded layer, and a support, which method comprises: a step of forming, on a first support, patterns in a first material, a step of forming a semiconductor layer, between and on said patterns, a step of assembling said semiconductor layer with a second support.
US07709304B2 Thin film transistor array panel, manufacturing method thereof, and mask therefor
A passivation layer is deposited and a photoresist is formed. The photoresist includes first to third portions with decreased thickness, the second portions located on portions of drain electrodes and data lines and the third portions located on portions of gate lines. A mask for forming the photoresist has rectilinear slits with width and distance of about 0.8-2.0 microns on an area corresponding to the second portions. The passivation layer and an underlying semiconductor layer as well as the photoresist are etched to expose portions of the gate insulating layer under the third portions of the photoresist as well as portions of the passivation layer under the second portions of the photoresist. The exposed portions of the passivation layer and the gate insulating layer are removed to expose the drain electrodes, the gate lines and the data lines as well as portions of the semiconductor layer, which are subsequently removed.
US07709294B2 Die attach area cut-on-fly method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for bonding integrated circuits uniquely suited to high volume tag production is described, where conductive material of a substrate at the die-attach-area is cut before an IC chip or transponder is placed on the conductive material over the cut and bonded. The apparatus performs the method of placing a first chip on a substrate having a conductive layer, measuring the location of the first chip on the substrate, cutting the conductive layer at a location of an expected subsequently placed chip to form a cut based on the measured location of the first chip, and placing the subsequently placed chip on the substrate over the cut.
US07709292B2 Processes and packaging for high voltage integrated circuits, electronic devices, and circuits
The present invention includes processes and packaging for high voltage integrated circuits (ICs), high voltage electronic devices and high voltage electronic circuits which operate over a wide range of voltages, e.g., from tens of volts to tens of thousands of volts. The inventive processes and packaging are particularly suitable for integrating low or lower voltage circuits or transistors to form high voltage ICs, high voltage electronic devices and high voltage electronic circuits. The inventive processes and packaging are also particularly suitable for isolating high voltage electronics to achieve high breakdown voltages and for supporting high voltage operation. The inventive processes may be used with any suitable semiconductor materials using conventional semiconductor fabrication and related facilities.
US07709289B2 Memory elements having patterned electrodes and method of forming the same
A memory element having a resistance variable material and methods for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of first electrodes over a substrate and forming a blanket material stack over the first electrodes. The stack includes a plurality of layers, at least one layer of the stack includes a resistance variable material. The method also includes forming a first conductive layer on the stack and etching the conductive layer and at least one of the layers of the stack to form a first pattern of material stacks. The etched first conductive layer forming a plurality of second electrodes with a portion of the resistance variable material located between each of the first and second electrodes.
US07709288B2 Method for manufacturing multi-junction solar cell
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a multi-junction solar cell which makes it possible to implement a 4-junction solar cell and to increase the area of a device. A nucleus generation site is disposed on a substrate 2 made of a first semiconductor. A first material gas is fed to the nucleus generation site to form a wire-like semiconductor 3 in the nucleus generation site. A third material gas and a fourth material gas are fed to form a wire-like semiconductor 4 on the semiconductor 3 and a wire-like semiconductor 5 on the semiconductor 4. A nucleus generation site is disposed on a substrate 6. The first material gas is fed to the nucleus generation site to form a wire-like semiconductor 2a in the nucleus generation site. A second material gas to the fourth material gas are fed to form the wire-like semiconductor 3 on the semiconductor 2a, the wire-like semiconductor 4 on the semiconductor 3, and the wire-like semiconductor 5 on the semiconductor 4. The bandgaps of the semiconductors decrease and increase consistently with the distance to the substrate 2 or 6. The nucleus generation site is made of catalytic particles such as Au. The semiconductors 2 and 2a are Ge, the semiconductor 3 is InxGa1-xAs, the semiconductor 4 is GaAs, and the semiconductor 5 is AlyGa1-yAs.
US07709286B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor includes defining an active region in a substrate by forming a device isolating layer; and then sequentially forming a photodiode and a logic unit in the active region; and then forming a first passivation layer on the photodiode and the logic unit; and then forming a trench in the first passivation layer by selectively removing a portion of the first protective layer corresponding to an uppermost surface of the photodiode; and then forming a second passivation layer buried in the trench. Forming a thick second passivation layer in the trench which spatially corresponds to the photodiode can offset dangling bonds on the surface of the substrate in a subsequent annealing process while also reducing dark current and enhance photosensitivity of the photodiode.
US07709280B2 Semiconductor laser with narrow beam divergence
The invention relates to a method of reducing vertical divergence of a high-power semiconductor laser with a negligible threshold current and conversion efficiency penalty. The low divergence is achieved by increasing the thickness of the n-cladding layer in an asymmetric laser diode stack structure, to a value ranging from 1 to 4 times the laser mode size measured at 10% level. The divergence may be tuned by adjusting the n-cladding layer parameters in an area of the tail the optical mode, measuring 0.03% or less of the maximal optical power density of said optical mode.
US07709278B2 Method of making PCB circuit modification from multiple to individual chip enable signals
A semiconductor package is disclosed having a single CE signal during electrical test and a plurality of CE signals during normal operation thereafter. After electrical testing of the memory die during fabrication, the electrical traces carrying the single CE signal from the memory test pad matrix to each of the memory die may be severed. Severing the electrical traces from the memory test pad matrix electrically isolates the multiple electrical traces between the controller die and memory die, and allows separate and individual CE signals between the controller die and memory die during normal usage of the memory die.
US07709277B2 PAA-based etchant, methods of using same, and resultant structures
A wet-etch composition may include: peracetic acid (PAA); and a fluorinated acid; a relative amount of the PAA in the composition being sufficient to ensure an etch rate of (P-doped-SiGe):(P-doped-Si) that is substantially the same as an etch rate of (N-doped-SiGe):(N-doped-Si). Such a wet-etch composition is hereafter referred to as a PAA-based etchant and can be used to make, e.g., a CMOS MBCFET, an electrode of a capacitor, etc.
US07709274B1 Method for forming an RuOx electrode and structure
A method for forming an RuOx electrode comprising depositing a TiW layer on an RuOx layer, forming a photo-resist mask on the TiW layer, in order to mask the TiW layer into a masked TiW layer, etching the masked TiW layer with a CF4 plasma, a TiW mask being formed on the RuOx layer, the CF4 plasma is not etching the RuOx and vaporizing unmasked RuOx portion of the RuOx layer with an oxygen plasma, the masked RuOx layer being formed into an RuOx electrode.
US07709273B2 Particles for diagnostic and therapeutic use
Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compositions are light emitting and comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein a photoactive compound. The composition has the characteristic that, after activation of the photoactive compound, the rate of decrease in the intensity of light emission at any time during a 20-fold decrease in the intensity is proportional to the intensity of the light emission. In one embodiment the polymeric matrix is comprised of particles of about 20 nm to about 100 μm in diameter to which is bound a specific binding pair member. The particles generally comprise a polymeric matrix having dissolved therein about 1 to about 20% by weight of a dopant. The compositions may be used in methods for determining an analyte. A combination is provided comprising (1) a medium suspected of containing the analyte, (2) and the aforementioned composition. The photoactive substance is activated and the effect of the activating on the optical properties of the combination is detected. The presence and amount of the effect is related to the presence and amount of the analyte in the medium. Also disclosed are kits for use in an assay.
US07709272B2 Devices and methods for detecting amniotic fluid in vaginal secretions
The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for the detection of small quantities of amniotic fluid in the vagina. More specifically, the invention relates to the detection of PAMG-1 in the vagina using anti-PAMG-1 antibodies.
US07709270B2 Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) protein diagnostic
Provided are purified and isolated VEGF-C polypeptides capable of binding to at least one of KDR receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2) and Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-3); analogs of such peptides that have VEGF-C-like or VEGF-like biological activities or that are VEGF or VEGF-C inhibitors; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; vectors and host cells that embody the polynucleotides; pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising the polypeptides; and methods of making and using the polypeptides.
US07709263B2 Lanthanide complexes preparation and uses thereof
The invention relates to compounds, to the complexes they form with a lanthanide, and to the use of the complexes for fluorescence marking or NMR imaging.The complex consists of an Ln ion and a ligand R2—C(X—R1)(R3)—NR4R5. R1 is a functional group, X is a single bond or a hydrocarbon-based chain consisting of at least one alkylene or alkenylene group optionally comprising at least one hetero atom or an arylene. R2 is an anionic group A2 or a C1-C4 alkylene or alkenylene group bearing at least one such group A2 and optionally comprising at least one hetero atom. R3 is H or a C1-C5 alkylene or alkenylene group optionally containing at least one hetero atom, and optionally bearing at least one anionic group A3. R4 is a substituent with light-absorbing properties that forms chelate rings with Ln. R5 is a substituent that forms chelate rings with Ln.
US07709258B2 High throughput assay for identifying compounds capable of modulating the proliferative status of stem cells
The present invention relates generally to high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The present invention further relates to high-throughput assays for screening compounds that modulate the growth of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and for identifying subpopulations thereof that are suitable for transplantation. The assay of the present invention is particularly useful for quality control and monitoring of the growth potential in the stem cell transplant setting and would provide improved control over the reconstitution phase of transplanted cells.
US07709256B2 Disease model incorporation into an artificial immune system (AIS)
The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising a three-dimensional matrix comprising lymphoid tissue, a three-dimensional matrix comprising epithelial and/or endothelial cells, and diseased cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
US07709255B2 Nerve cells obtained by electric pulse treatment of ES cells
It is an object of the present invention to apply a novel method of preparing neural cells from ES cells. The method of the present invention is characterized by the electric pulse treatment of differentiating ES cells. Nerve cells obtained by the method of the present invention have the flexibility to differentiate into a variety of types of neurons in vivo preferably without the need for application of growth factors.
US07709253B2 Ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of use thereof, methods of detecting estrogen receptor ligands, and methods of differentiating estrogen receptor ligand agonists and antagonists
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of producing ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of using ligand-regulable transactivation systems, reporter polynucleotides, method of producing reporter polynucleotides, activator fusion proteins, methods of producing activator fusion proteins, methods of regulating gene expression in vitro and in vivo for gene therapy, methods of screening estrogen receptor modulators with therapeutic treatments (e.g., anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and hormone replacement treatments), method of screening compounds (e.g., drugs and environmental pollutants) for the estrogenic effect, methods of evaluating the estrogen receptor pathway under different pathological conditions are provided, and the like.
US07709248B2 Bioassay unit and substrate for bioassay
To provide a bioassay system or the like, which can solve the problem of allocating spaces above detecting sections and can also stabilize servo-controlled operation of a disk-shaped plate.Provided is a bioassay system (U) or the like, which is equipped with at least means for immobilizing a nucleotide chain, a peptide, a protein, a lipid, a low molecular-weight compound, a liposome or any other biological substance as a detection substance (D) in a detecting section (3), dropping a target-substance containing solution (S) onto the immobilized detection substance (D), and causing the detection substance (D) and the target substance (T) to interact with each other to prepare a reaction product (R); and means for condensing fluorescence (F), which has been emitted from the fluorescence-labeled substance (D) by irradiating excitation light (P) of a specific wavelength onto the reaction product (R), by a lens (5) arranged on a side of a back surface (102) of the reaction section (3) to determine an intensity of the fluorescence (F).
US07709247B2 Methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding using terahertz radiation
Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding events using gigahertz or terahertz radiation. The methods and systems use low-energy spectroscopy to detect biomolecular binding events between molecules in an aqueous solution. The detected biomolecular binding events include, for example, nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen binding, and receptor/ligand binding.
US07709240B2 AMP deaminase originating streptomyces and utilization thereof
It is intended to provide a thermostable AMP deaminase originating in a microorganism. Namely, an AMP deaminase having the following characteristics. (1) Catalyzing the reaction: 5′-adenylic acid+H2O→5′-inosinic acid+NH3; (2) being stable at a temperature of 65° C. or below (in an acetate buffer (pH 5.6)); (3) having a molecular weight of 48,000±2,000 in gel filtration; and (4) having the optimum pH value at around 5.6 (in McIlvaine buffer).
US07709238B2 Method for removing enzyme and method of base exchange or hydrolysis of phospholipid using the same
A method of removing an enzyme from a liquid enzyme reaction mixture used in a hydrolysis reaction or a base exchange reaction of a phospholipid is provided. The method includes the step of treating the liquid enzyme reaction mixture with a solvent mixture of water and an organic solvent, wherein the solvent mixture includes an inorganic metal salt, to remove the enzyme. Enzymes included in the reaction product can be easily removed without a treatment such as heating, and thus it becomes possible to easily produce various phospholipids that have a reduced risk of inducing an allergy, that retain a high quality and that have excellent storage stability.
US07709237B2 Crystal structure of CMY-10, a β-lactamase causing antibiotic resistance with extended-substrate spectrum
The present invention related to a method for crystallizing a CMY-10 being a β-lactamase with extended-substrate spectrum, a crystal of CMY-10, and a crystal structure of CMY-10. With utilization of three-dimensional structure of CMY-10 protein provided by the present invention, it is possible to develop novel antibiotics or inhibitors that can prevent an emergence of resistance bacteria appeared by plasmidic class C β-lactamases having extended-substrate specificity.
US07709236B2 Process for producing microbial fat or oil having lowered unsaponifiable matter content and said fat or oil
A process for producing a crude oil having lowered unsaponifiable matter content and/or ester-type sterol content and comprising a highly unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent fatty acid, characterized in that a microorganism capable of producing a fat or oil comprising an unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent fatty acid is cultured in a medium containing a nitrogen source concentration of 2 to 15% within a culture tank equipped with an agitation impeller satisfying the requirement that the ratio of the diameter of agitation impeller (=d) to the inner diameter of the culture tank (=D) is d/D=0.30 to 0.6.
US07709235B2 5-Substituted hydantoin racemase, DNA encoding the same, recombinant DNA, transformed cell, and process for production of optically active N-carbamylamino acid or optically active amino acid
Disclosed are a novel hydantoin racemase and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid using the hydantoin racemase. A novel hydantoin racemase isolated and purified from Bacillus sp. Strain KNK519HR; a gene encoding the hydantoin racemase; a recombinant plasmid having the gene introduced therein; a transformant having the hydantoin racemase gene introduced therein; and a process for producing an optically active N-carbamylamino acid or an optically active amino acid characterized in that a 5-substituted hydantoin compound is treated in the presence of hydantoinase and N-carbamylamino acid amidohydrolase as well as the hydantoin racemase.
US07709229B2 Serum-free cell culture medium for mammalian cells
This invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of a protein in mammalian cells cultured in a serum-free medium.
US07709226B2 Method of humanizing antibodies by matching canonical structure types CDRs
Disclosed herein are methods for humanizing antibodies based on selecting variable region framework sequences from human antibody genes by comparing canonical CDR structure types for CDR sequences of the variable region of a non-human antibody to canonical CDR structure types for corresponding CDRs from a library of human antibody sequences, preferably germline antibody gene segments. Human antibody variable regions having similar canonical CDR structure types to the non-human CDRs form a subset of member human antibody sequences from which to select human framework sequences. The subset members may be further ranked by amino acid similarity between the human and the non-human CDR sequences. Top ranking human sequences are selected to provide the framework sequences for constructing a chimeric antibody that functionally replaces human CDR sequences with the non-human CDR counterparts using the selected subset member human frameworks, thereby providing a humanized antibody of high affinity and low immunogenicity without need for comparing framework sequences between the non-human and human antibodies. Chimeric antibodies made according to the method are also disclosed.
US07709223B2 Method for detecting bacteria with chromogenic substrates for β-D-ribofuranosidase
A method of detecting β-D-ribofuranosidase activity in bacterial samples includes the step of incubating a sample to allow bacterial growth in the presence of chromogenic β-D-ribofuranosidase substrate, the cleavage products of which produce an indicator, for instance observable visually. The substrate may be incorporated into solid growth media such as agar. It is of particular utility for detecting bacteria from the genera Yersinia, Shigella, Vibrio, and species Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Arcanobacterium haemolytica. The substrate may be a catechol compound, or an indoxyl compound.
US07709214B2 Methods for upregulating an immune response with agents that inhibit the intereaction between PD-L2 and PD-1
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated PD-L2 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel B7-related molecules which are ligands for PD-1. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PD-L2 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a PD-L2 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention further provides isolated PD-L2 polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PD-L2 antibodies. The invention still further provides methods for promoting or inhibiting the interaction between PD-L2 and PD-1. Diagnostic and treatment methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07709213B2 Method for diagnosing a pervasive developmental disorder
A method for diagnosing a pervasive developmental disorder, such as autism, comprising obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from a subject; obtaining a sample of serum from a subject; testing the cerebrospinal fluid of the subject for a concentration of TNF-α; testing the serum of the subject for a concentration of TNF-α; and positively diagnosing a pervasive developmental disorder when the concentration ratio of TNF-α in the cerebrospinal fluid of the subject to TNF-α in the serum of the subject exceeds approximately 2:1 over normal control concentrations.
US07709211B2 Proteins expressed by mycobacterium tuberculosis and not by BCG and their use as diagnostic reagents and vaccines
The invention provides polypeptides encoded by open reading frames present in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis but absent from the genome of BCG and diagnostic and prophylactic methodologies using these polypeptides.
US07709202B2 Molecular characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer
We used hierarchical clustering to examine gene expression profiles generated by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) in a total of nine normal lung epithelial cells and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Separation of normal and tumor samples, as well as histopathological subtypes, was evident using the 3,921 most abundant transcript tags. This distinction remained when just 115 highly differentially expressed transcript tags were used. Furthermore, these 115 transcript tags clustered into groups that were suggestive of the unique biological and pathological features of the different tissues examined. Adenocarcinomas were characterized by high-level expression of small airway-associated or immunologically related proteins, while squamous cell carcinomas overexpressed genes involved in cellular detoxification or antioxidation. The messages of two p53-regulated genes, p21WAF1/CIP1 and 14-3-3σ, were consistently under-expressed in the adenocarcinomas, suggesting that the p53 pathway itself might be compromised in this cancer type. Gene expression observed by SAGE were consistent with the results obtained by quantitative real-time PCR or cDNA array analyses using 43 additional lung tumor and normal samples. Thus, although derived from only a few tissue libraries, molecular signatures of non-small cell lung cancer derived from SAGE most likely represent an unbiased yet distinctive molecular signature for human lung cancer.
US07709197B2 Nucleic acid analysis by random mixtures of non-overlapping fragments
The invention provides methods and kits for ordering sequence information derived from one or more target polynucleotides. In one aspect, one or more tiers or levels of fragmentation and aliquoting are generated, after which sequence information is obtained from fragments in a final level or tier. Each fragment in such final tier is from a particular aliquot, which, in turn, is from a particular aliquot of a prior tier, and so on. For every fragment of an aliquot in the final tier, the aliquots from which it was derived at every prior tier is known, or can be discerned. Thus, identical sequences from overlapping fragments from different aliquots can be distinguished and grouped as being derived from the same or different fragments from prior tiers. When the fragments in the final tier are sequenced, overlapping sequence regions of fragments in different aliquots are used to register the fragments so that non-overlapping regions are ordered. In one aspect, this process is carried out in a hierarchical fashion until the one or more target polynucleotides are characterized, e.g. by their nucleic acid sequences, or by an ordering of sequence segments, or by an ordering of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or the like.
US07709184B2 Method of on-press developing thermosensitive lithographic printing plate
A method of on-press developing a thermosensitive lithographic printing plate with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The lithographic plate comprises on a substrate a thermosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. The printing plate can be a pre-coated plate in the form of sheet or web, or can be prepared on press by coating a thermosensitive layer onto a substrate that is a sheet material or a seamless sleeve mounted on a plate cylinder or is the surface of a plate cylinder of the lithographic press.
US07709179B2 Negative resist composition and method for forming resist pattern
A chemically amplified negative resist composition is provided in addition to a method of forming a resist pattern from which a desirable pattern shape can be obtained. A negative resist composition in which a resin component (A) contains a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a1) containing an alicyclic group having a fluorinated hydroxyalkyl group and a structural unit (a2) derived from an acrylic acid ester and containing a hydroxyl group-containing alicyclic group; and an acid generator component (B) contains an acid generator (B1) expressed by the following general formula (B1): (where R51 represents a straight chain, branched chain or cyclic alkyl group or a fluorinated alkyl group; R52 represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, halogen atom, straight chain, branched chain or cyclic alkyl group, straight chain or branched chain halogenated alkyl group, or straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group; R53 represents an aryl group which may have a substituent; and n represents an integer of 1 to 3).
US07709175B2 Method for producing a toner, and toner
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a toner which includes ejecting a toner composition fluid containing a toner composition which contains a toner and a colorant, from a nozzle vibrated at a constant frequency to make the toner composition fluid into droplets, and solidifying the droplets to be made into particles, in which the toner composition fluid comprises a toner composition, and the toner composition contains a resin, and a colorant.
US07709171B2 Charge control agent, toner and toner producing method
The present invention provides a charge control agent, adapted to control charging ability of resins or compositions containing resins, comprising a copolymer that comprises a polymer block A and a polymer block B, the polymer block A is prepared by copolymerizing a maleimide, which being unsubstituted or substituted for a hydrogen atom of an imide group by an electron-donating group, and styrene or a styrene derivative, and the polymer block B is formed of a polymer of styrene or a styrene derivative.
US07709166B2 Measuring the effect of flare on line width
In photo-lithography, one may assess the effect of flare due to various exposure tools. In an example embodiment, in a photo-lithography process on a photo resist coated substrate, there is a method for determining the effect of flare on line shortening. The method comprises, at a first die position on the substrate and in a first exposure, printing a first mask that includes a flare pattern corresponding to one corner of the first mask, and in a second exposure, printing a second mask that includes another flare pattern corresponding to an opposite corner of the second mask. At a second die position on the substrate, a composite mask pattern based on features of the first mask and the second is printed. The printed patterns are developed and measurements are obtained therefrom. The effect of flare is determined as a function of the measurements.
US07709165B2 Image enhancement for multiple exposure beams
An aspect of the present invention includes a method for patterning a workpiece covered at least partly with a layer sensitive to electromagnetic radiation by using a plurality of exposure beams having a predetermined separation in at least a first direction for exposing a pattern onto said workpiece, where said predetermined separation is fixed to an initial system pitch in said first direction, comprising the actions of: scaling a pattern pitch in said first direction to be an integer multiple of said system pitch, adjusting the initial system pitch in said first direction to be an adjusted system pitch to maintain a scale of said pattern, adjusting said predetermined separation of exposure beams to said adjusted system pitch.
US07709162B2 Photosensitive composition, color filter, and its production method
A photosensitive composition containing at least an organic-solvent-soluble dye, wherein the solid content of the organic-solvent-soluble dye is 50% by weight or higher based on the total weight of the solid content of the photosensitive composition, and the organic-solvent-soluble dye comprises at least one di- or higher-valent metal salt of an azo dye.
US07709161B2 Photomask producing method and photomask blank
In a photomask blank serving as a base member for producing a halftone-type phase shift mask in which a light-transmissive substrate is formed thereon with a light-semitransmissive phase shift pattern having a desired opening, a light-semitransmissive phase shift film, a chromium film, and an etching mask film are stacked in order on the light-transmissive substrate. The etching mask film is made of an inorganic-based material having a resistance against dry etching of the chromium film. The photomask blank further may has a resist film formed on the etching mask film.
US07709157B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and electrolyte for the same
The present invention provides a safe non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with characteristics analogous to those of a conventional battery by minimizing battery expansion that causes damage to a device during high temperature exposure or storage. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises: (a) a chargeable and dischargeable positive electrode; (b) a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium; (c) a separator for preventing direct electron transfer between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and (d) an non-aqueous electrolyte; the non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a solute, the non-aqueous solvent comprising a lactone, the solute comprising lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide represented by the formula (1): (F—O2S—N—SO2—F)Li.
US07709154B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same
Disclosed is an electrolyte of a lithium secondary battery comprising a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and at least one additive compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1) and derivatives thereof: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen radicals, alkyls, aryls, cycloalkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, ester radicals, and aliphatic carbonate radicals. The electrolyte improves both swelling inhibition properties at high temperature and capacity characteristics of a lithium secondary battery.
US07709153B2 Multi-component composite film method for preparing the same
The present invention provides a multi-component composite film comprising a) polymer support layer; and b) porous gellable polymer layer which is formed on one side or both sides of the support layer of a), wherein the support film of a) and the gellable polymer layer of b) are unified without the interface, a method for preparing the same, and a polymer electrolyte system applied the same.
US07709149B2 Composite precursor for aluminum-containing lithium transition metal oxide and process for preparation of the same
The present invention provides a powdery composite precursor, which comprises a core of a lithium transition metal oxide, and an aluminum hydroxide-based precipitate layer coated on the surface of the core, and a process to prepare the composite precursor. The preparation process comprises the formation of a water based slurry by dispersing lithium transition metal oxide powder in water, and a precipitation reaction of an aluminum salt solution with a base solution where the lithium transition metal particles act as seed particles, whereby a mechanically stable precipitate layer of homogeneous thickness can be achieved. The composite precursor can be converted into aluminum-containing, e.g., aluminum-doped, lithium transition metal oxide suitable for a cathode active material of lithium rechargeable battery by heat treatment.
US07709146B2 Bipolar battery and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a bipolar battery, a bipolar battery component and a method of manufacturing the same. The bipolar battery minimizes the occurrence of gas bubbles to provide superior battery performance. A battery element has a plurality of bipolar electrodes stacked upon one another while interposing separators therebetween. The bipolar electrode includes a collector formed with a cathode on one surface and an anode on the other surface. The component is a charging part with charging material disposed between collectors and separators to surround at least a periphery of the cathode and a periphery of the anode. An exhaust part is mounted to the charging part to exhaust a residual gas bubble from an inner space to outside of the inner space when stacking the bipolar electrodes.
US07709133B2 Electrically conductive cellulose composite
An electrically conductive cellulose composite includes a cellulose matrix and an electrically conductive carbonaceous material incorporated into the cellulose matrix. The electrical conductivity of the cellulose composite is at least 10 μS/cm at 25° C. The composite can be made by incorporating the electrically conductive carbonaceous material into a culture medium with a cellulose-producing organism, such as Gluconoacetobacter hansenii. The composites can be used to form electrodes, such as for use in membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells.
US07709131B2 Fuel cell endplate comprising current collector plate and fuel cell incorporating same
A fuel cell endplate to be combined with a membrane/electrode assembly comprising a high-polymer electrolytic membrane and electrodes sandwiching the membrane; which comprises a resin substrate, a collector plate and a gasket; the collector plate being in contact with the surface of the resin substrate and the membrane/electrode assembly; the gasket being provided so as to surround the periphery of the collector plate; a terminal connector connected to the collector plate and being disposed at a position where it does not contact with the membrane/electrode assembly.
US07709128B2 Separating plate for fuel cell
A separating plate for a fuel cell includes first and second plates, each provided with a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The first and second plates are attached to one another to form a main plate such that the first and second hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels compose main hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels, respectively. The main hydrogen and oxygen channels are fluidly isolated from each other. Distal ends of the main channels each communicate with a manifold through a communication passageway configured to supply hydrogen, oxygen, or coolant to a corresponding one of the main channels.
US07709126B2 Electrokinetic micro power cell using pile-up disk type microfluidic-chip with multi-channel
Disclosed is a micro power cell capable of being applied as an energy source and utilizing a streaming potential phenomenon occurring in accordance with an electrokinetic principle when an electrolyte aqueous solution flows in the microchannels piled up in several layers. The streaming potential cell consists of a PDMS microfluidic-chip fabricated by MEMS process as well as micromachining technology. The microfluidic-chip is formed with multi microchannels radially arranged in parallel with each other around a center of a disk at a regular interval. The disk type multi microchannel can achieve uniform inflow and outflow effects. According to the invention, there is provided a cell device comprising a pile-up chip having a number of disk type microfluidic-chips with the optimal structure of flow-in and flow-out of a fluid, a distributor, a collector, an electrode insertion part, etc.
US07709117B2 Fuel cell system and apparatus for supplying mixed fuel and water to the same
An apparatus for supplying mixed fuel includes a water container storing water; a fuel container storing fuel, including at least gaseous fuel, the fuel container being coupled to the water container by a pressure pipe for transferring internal pressure of the fuel container to the water container; and a mixer coupled to the water container through a water supplying pipe and coupled to the fuel container through a fuel supplying pipe, the mixer outputting mixed fuel through a mixed fuel supplying pipe. A water supplying unit includes a water container storing water and connected to a water supplying pipe, the water container having an outlet; and a pressure applying unit coupled to the water container for applying gas pressure to an inside of the water container to discharge water from the water container through the outlet.
US07709115B2 Methods for forming magnetically modified electrodes and articles produced thereby
The present invention is directed to methods for making magnetically modified electrodes and electrodes made according to the method. Such electrode are useful as electrodes in batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, Ni—Zn batteries and Ni—Fe batteries.
US07709110B2 Information recording medium, and apparatuses for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof, and methods for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof
An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709109B2 Information recording medium, and apparatuses for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof, and methods for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof
An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709106B2 Reflective crack relief pavement interlayer with improved load bearing capacity and method for designing interlayer
A highly strain tolerant, substantially moisture impermeable, reflective crack relief interlayer is provided. The interlayer includes a polymer modified asphalt binder mixed with a dense fine aggregate mixture containing a substantial amount of manufactured sand. The interlayer mix is designed using a fatigue test and a stability test. Preferably, a hot mix asphalt overlay that is compatible with the interlayer, as well as the demands of local traffic and climate, is placed over the interlayer so that a protected, smooth paved surface is provided. The interlayer may delay the first appearance of cracks and the severity of cracks for several years compared with traditional hot mix overlays and extend pavement service life.