| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07724553B2 |
DC-to-DC converter with improved transient response
A DC-to-DC converter with improved transient response, accuracy and stability is disclosed. The DC-to-DC converter includes a comparator, a driver, at least one switch and a stability circuit. The stability circuit receives a voltage signal based upon sensing one of the at least one switch. The configuration with elimination a current sensing resistor can create a simpler solution for the DC-to-DC converter. |
| US07724551B2 |
Step-up circuit and portable device using it
According to the invention, as an input voltage of a certain step-up unit of a plurality of stages of step-up units, a stepped-up output of a step-up unit in a stage preceding the certain step-up unit is inputted. This makes it possible to increase the level of a voltage stepped up by each step-up unit, and reduce the number of units. Furthermore, according to the invention, when an output voltage of a step-up unit that performs stepping-up operation according to a reference constant current is lower than a reference voltage, a reference constant current is produced; when the output voltage thereof exceeds the reference voltage, the reference constant current is stopped. This makes it possible to provide stable output of an output voltage at a predetermined level, and reduce an inrush current during start-up to a predetermined current level. |
| US07724550B2 |
Organic rectifier
The invention relates to an electronic device (5) in the form of a flexible multilayer film body, in particular an RFID transponder, and to a rectifier (52) for such an electronic device. The rectifier (52) has at least two organic diodes or organic field effect transistors each having at least one electrical functional layer composed of a semiconducting organic material. The rectifier (52) furthermore has two or more charging or charge-reversal capacitors which are connected up to the two or more organic diodes or organic field effect transistors in such a way that the charging or charge-reversal capacitors can be charged via different current paths. |
| US07724549B2 |
Integrated power conditioning system and housing for delivering operational power to a motor
A device for conditioning power delivered to operate a motor is disclosed. The device includes a sealed housing having at least one input terminal extending through the housing and configured to receive an input power and at least one output terminal extending through the housing and configured to deliver an output power conditioned to power a motor coupled to the output terminal. The device also includes a filter inductor arranged in the housing and that has an input configured to receive the input power from the input terminal. The filter inductor output terminal has a tap that is extended through the housing to allow coupling of various external filter components, such as resistors capacitors and inductors. Accordingly, the filter inductor is configured to suppress voltage changes in the input power and deliver a filtered power to an output of the filter inductor. A transformer is included that is arranged in the housing and has an input configured to receive the filtered power from the output of the filter inductor. As such, the transformer is at least configured to electrically isolate the input terminal from the output terminal and deliver a conditioned power from an output of the transformer to the output terminal to power the motor coupled to the output terminal. |
| US07724548B2 |
Control methods for pulse width modulation (PWM)
A method of controlling a power converter is used to interface to a power grid or supply network operating at a frequency (Fnet) that is nominally fixed (say at 50 Hz, for example) but which can be varied as a way of controlling power imbalanced within the network as a whole. The power converter can include a network bridge that operates in accordance with the pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy having a switching frequency (Fpwm), a nominal switching frequency (Fpwm_nom) and a number of pulses per period (Pulse_Number). The method includes the step of varying the switching frequency (Fpwm) of the PWM strategy in accordance with the time-varying frequency (Fnet) of the supply network to achieve only integer odd harmonics of the time-varying frequency (Fnet) and the step of adjusting the number of pulses per period (Pulse_Number) in accordance with the time-varying frequency (Fnet) of the supply network to maintain a switching frequency (Fpwm) that is less than, or equal to, the nominal switching frequency (Fpwm_nom). |
| US07724543B2 |
Communication apparatus, information processing device, and external cable connection method
A communication apparatus which occupies small space and yet can be connected with numerous external cables and which permits a cooling arrangement to be constructed at low cost. An information processing device constituting the communication apparatus has external cable connection ports provided on both top and bottom surfaces thereof, and thus, more external cables can be connected than in the case of connecting the cables to the side surfaces. Also, the external cables connected to the ports are guided along the top and bottom surfaces toward the front of the communication apparatus with their heights restricted by external cable covers and, therefore, do not occupy substantial space above and below the device. Further, since the external cables are connected to the top and bottom surfaces, the front and rear surfaces of the device have spare space, making it possible to construct a ventilation arrangement such as vent holes and fans. |
| US07724541B2 |
Self-assembled electrical networks
Techniques for self assembly of macro-scale objects, optionally defining electrical circuitry, are described, as well as articles formed by self assembly. Components can be joined, during self-assembly by minimization of free energy, capillary attraction, or a combination. |
| US07724527B2 |
Method and structure to improve thermal dissipation from semiconductor devices
A method and structure of improving thermal dissipation from a module assembly include attaching a first side of at least one chip to a single chip carrier, the at least one chip having a second side opposite of the first side; grinding the second side of the at least one chip to a desired surface profile; applying a heat transfer medium on at least one of a heat sink and the second side of the at least one chip; and disposing the heat sink on the second side of the at least one chip with the heat transfer medium therebetween defining a gap between the heat sink and the second side of the at least one chip. The gap is controlled to improve heat transfer from the second side of the at least one chip to the heat sink. |
| US07724525B2 |
Heat sink clip and assembly
A clip includes a body, a moveable fastener and an actuating member. The body includes a pressing part, a flat portion and a latching leg. The movable fastener includes a connecting portion, a pivot axis connected at a top end of the connecting portion and an engaging portion. The connecting portion extends through the flat portion. The actuating member defines a guiding groove therein. The guiding groove angles outward to form a height difference along a longitudinal axis of the actuating member between a topmost end and a bottommost end thereof. The actuating member is above the flat portion and connected to the pivot axis of the moveable fastener. The actuating member is levelly moveable relative to the movable fastener so that the pivot axis can slide along the guiding groove to render the moveable fastener vertically moveable between a locked position and a released position. |
| US07724522B2 |
Heat sink device for a display card
A heat sink device for a display card includes a heat sink, the heat sink having a base and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins on the base, the base having two hooks respectively beside two lateral sides of the groove; a heat-dissipating fan, having a blade wheel and a power wire for the blade wheel, the blade wheel being on the base and the power wire being inside the groove of the base; and a fastener, having two engagement parts respectively corresponding to the hooks, wherein the fastener covers the groove so as to position the power wire by means of engagement of the hooks with the engagement parts. Therefore, the power wire of the heat-dissipating fan can be properly arranged on the heat sink. |
| US07724521B2 |
Systems and methods for Venturi fan-assisted cooling
Systems and methods for Venturi fan-assisted cooling of electrical equipment are provided. In one embodiment, a cooling unit for an enclosure housing electronics is provided. The cooling unit comprises: a fan shroud having at least one electrical fan; and a Venturi chamber having a first inlet for receiving a heated airflow from a heatsink, a second inlet for receiving an airflow from a surrounding environment, and an outlet coupled to the fan shroud, the fan drawing air from the Venturi chamber via the outlet when the fan is on. The Venturi chamber comprises a wall for directing the airflow air from the surrounding environment in from the second inlet and across the heated airflow from the heatsink in a manner to as to draw the heated airflow through the heatsink using a Venturi effect, when the fan is on. |
| US07724518B1 |
Orthogonally system arrangements for data center facility
A facility is described that includes one or more enclosures defining an interior space, a plurality of power taps, a plurality of coolant supply taps, and a plurality of coolant return taps. A flow capacity of the supply taps and a flow capacity of the return taps can be approximately equal over a local area of the interior space. The plurality of power taps, the plurality of supply taps, and the plurality of return taps can be divided into a plurality of zones, with taps of each zone are configured to be controllably coupled to a power source or a coolant source independently of the taps of other zones. The taps can be positioned along paths, and paths of the power taps can be spaced from associated proximate paths of supply and return taps by a substantially uniform distance along a substantial length of the first path. |
| US07724516B2 |
Cooling enclosure for maintaining commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment in vehicles
Apparatus and methods for thermal conditioning equipment. In a preferred embodiment, an equipment enclosure comprises a body, a wall, a fluid port, and a fixture. The body defines an outer plenum and an inner chamber in the latter of which the fixture retains the equipment. The wall, which is between the outer plenum and the inner chamber, isolates the thermally conditioned first fluid from a second fluid in the inner chamber. Since the wall is thermally conductive it allows heat to be transferred between the outer plenum and the inner chamber. The fluid port is in communication with the outer plenum to allow the thermally conditioned first fluid to flow into the outer plenum. Baffle plates are also provided to distribute flow of the second fluid to the equipment. |
| US07724505B2 |
Front panel assembly for use on casing body of electronic device and casing of vehicle-mounted electronic device
A front panel assembly for being detachably mounted on a front face of a casing body of a vehicle-mounted electronic device, the front face having a recording medium insertion slot, including: a panel frame adapted to be detachably mounted on the front face of the casing body; a lid supported on the panel frame for movement in directions to open and close the slot while the panel frame is mounted on the front face of the casing body; the panel frame having a rear face facing the front face of the casing body while the panel frame is mounted on the front face of the casing body; a slide member mounted on the rear face for reciprocating movement along the rear face; and an interlink mechanism mounted on the panel frame for moving the lid in the directions to open and close the recording medium insertion slot in response to reciprocating movement of the slide member. |
| US07724504B2 |
Satellite receiver
There are a first stopper and a second stopper positioned on a main body of a satellite receiver. A cover having a block is coupled with the main body of the satellite receiver. The block of the cover is capable of sliding between the first stopper and the second stopper when the cover is coupled with the main body. |
| US07724503B2 |
Frequency converter
The invention relates to a frequency converter, comprising: a power electronics part provided with wheels on the lower part thereof; an installation cabinet for receiving the power electronics part movable on the wheels; and connectors arranged to the power electronics part and the installation cabinet, a contact being created between the connectors when the power electronics part is installed into the installation cabinet. To facilitate electrical installation works, the power electronics part is divided at least into a base part provided with wheels and a power stage part arranged thereon, the two being detachably attached together, whereby the base part, when detached from the power stage part, can be pulled out of the installation cabinet whereas the power stage part remains in place in the installation cabinet. |
| US07724502B2 |
Laser-welded solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor that is capable of withstanding laser welding without a significant deterioration in its electrical performance is provided. The capacitor contains an anode body, dielectric layer overlying the anode body, and a solid organic electrolyte layer overlying the dielectric layer. Furthermore, the capacitor of the present invention also employs a light reflective layer that overlies the solid organic electrolyte layer. The present inventors have discovered that such a light reflective layer may help reflect any light that inadvertently travels toward the capacitor element during laser welding. This results in reduced contact of the solid organic electrolyte with the laser and thus minimizes defects in the electrolyte that would have otherwise been formed by carbonization. The resultant laser-welded capacitor is therefore characterized by such performance characteristics as relatively low ESR and low leakage currents. |
| US07724495B2 |
Rolled film capacitor
A rolled film capacitor is disclosed which includes a first dielectric film and a second dielectric film, which are wound along their length dimension to form alternating turns of the winding. A plurality of first conductive segments are arranged on a first surface of the first dielectric film along the length dimension of the first dielectric film, and a plurality of second conductive segments are arranged on a surface of the second dielectric film along the length dimension of the second dielectric film, or on a second surface of the first dielectric film along the length dimension of the first dielectric film. The first conductive segments can have a progressively increasing length along the length dimension of the first dielectric film, and the second conductive segments have a progressively increasing length along the length dimension of the first or second dielectric film. The number of the first and/or second conductive segments per turn of the winding can be equal to or more than one. |
| US07724493B2 |
Electrostatic chuck device
An electrostatic chuck device provided with a dielectric plate with a surface embossed to give it a plurality of projections, an electrode, and an external power source, wherein substrate supporting surfaces of the plurality of projections are covered by conductor wiring and the conductor wiring electrically connects the substrate supporting surfaces of the plurality of projections. At the time of substrate processing, when the embossed projections contact the back of the substrate, the back of the substrate and the conductor wiring is made the same in potential due to the migration of the charges, the generation of force between the back of the substrate and the conductor wiring being in contact with the same is prevented, and a rubbing state between the two is prevented. Due to this, the electrostatic chuck device reduces the generation of particles, easily and stably removes and conveys substrates, and realizes a high yield and system operating rate. |
| US07724492B2 |
Emitter electrode having a strip shape
A strip-shaped emitter electrode including at least one emission edge extending along the length of such emitter electrode. When the strip-shaped emitter electrode is coupled to a voltage supply, current or an electrical charge at the emission edge ionizes the air and generates corona discharge, resulting in ion production. Erosion occurs at the emission edge such that the lifespan of the strip emitter electrode is dependent, at least in part, on the width of the strip emitter electrode. |
| US07724490B2 |
Magnetic disk degaussing device and degaussing method
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a degaussing device and a degaussing method capable of efficiently degaussing a magnetic disk, especially, a magnetic disk of the perpendicular magnetic recording system, without resorting to a magnetic field of a high intensity. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a degaussing method of degaussing a magnetic disk not yet installed in a magnetic disk drive by applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic disk by a degaussing device. In accordance with one embodiment, the method includes disposing the magnetic disk in the degaussing device such that the direction of an external magnetic field is inclined at an angle to the axis of easy magnetization of the magnetic disk. |
| US07724489B2 |
Circuit breaker with high speed mechanically-interlocked grounding switch
A circuit breaker apparatus with an integrated grounding switch has a housing with first and second bushings extending outwardly of the housing. A first vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A second vacuum bottle is positioned in the housing and has a pair of contactors therein. A mechanical linkage is movable between a first position and a second position. The first position electrically connects the first bushing to the second bushing. The second position electrically connects the first bushing to ground. The first vacuum bottle and the second vacuum bottle are longitudinally aligned. The mechanical linkage is interposed between the first and second vacuum bottles. |
| US07724487B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for lossless reverse voltage protection
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing reverse current in a switching power supply. An electrical connector receives an input current from an electric source. An input current limiting module substantially prevents the input current from reaching a switching power supply when the input current is flowing in a reverse direction. A voltage reduction module reduces an input voltage of the switching power supply to a switching voltage when the input current is flowing in a forward direction. A switching module closes a switch in response to the voltage reduction module providing the switching voltage. The switch provides the input current a lower impedance path to the switching power supply than does the input current limiting module. |
| US07724486B2 |
Sensing a current signal in an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit including a voltage setting circuit configured to set the voltage level at a signal input to a value corresponding to a first supply voltage of the integrated circuit. |
| US07724484B2 |
Ultra broadband 10-W CW integrated limiter
The invention provides a novel broadband power limiter having improved frequency characteristics and power capacity, suitable for use with GaAs low-noise amplifier circuits. The power limiter includes a shunt diode circuit and two impedance transformers. The first transformer is a step-down impedance transformer connected between the shunt diode circuit and the input to the limiter, and the second transformer is a step-up impedance transformer connected between the shunt diode circuit and the output of the limiter. The invention further provides a method for limiting the power of an input signal, comprising the steps of: transforming the input signal from the input impedance to an intermediate impedance; shunting a portion of the input signal to ground; and transforming a remaining portion of the input signal from the intermediate impedance to an output impedance. The invention further provides a novel impedance transformer suitable for use in the broadband power limiter and a method for providing such an impedance transformer. |
| US07724481B2 |
Magnetic sensing element including free magnetic layer or pinned magnetic layer having two sublayers that are composed of different CoMn-based heusler alloys
A magnetic sensing element is provided. A free magnetic layer has a three-layer structure including CoMnα sublayers each composed of a metal compound represented by the formula: Co2xMnxαy. The α contains an element β and Sb, the element β being at least one element selected from Ge, Ga, In, Si, Pb, Zn, Sn, and Al. The concentration x and the concentration y are each represented in terms of atomic percent and satisfy the equation: 3x+y=100 atomic percent. One of the CoMnα sublayers is in contact with a lower nonmagnetic material layer. The other CoMnα sublayer is in contact with upper nonmagnetic material layer. As a result, it is possible to achieve a high ΔRA and a lower interlayer coupling magnetic field Hin compared with the known art. |
| US07724479B2 |
Method and apparatus for an auxiliary mass damper in each actuator arm notch of a hard disk drive
Actuator arm includes an island coupling through a mote to at least two of actuator base, first and second actuator arm bridge. Head stack including at least one actuator arm. Head stack assembly including head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for actuator arm, head stack, head stack assembly, and hard disk drive, and the products of these processes. |
| US07724477B2 |
Method for correcting floating type magnetic head device
A correcting method and load beam for reducing variations in floating height of a floating-type magnetic head device is disclosed The correcting method for the floating-type magnetic head device includes the steps of temporarily mounting the floating-type magnetic head device so as to float the head body over a disk equivalent surface; detecting a roll-angle corresponding amount at the end of the load beam in the temporarily mounted state; and correcting the floating-type magnetic head device on the basis of the roll-angle corresponding amount at the end of the load beam by bending the load beam in a direction in that a roll angle at the end approaches zero. |
| US07724473B1 |
Slider with actuator-transducer separation and roll activation
A disk drive includes a rotatable storage disk, a suspension, and a slider assembly. The slider assembly includes a slider body, a read/write head that magnetically interacts with the storage disk, and a slider mover. The slider body is secured to the suspension in a fashion that allows the slider body to roll. The slider mover selectively rolls the slider body in a controlled fashion. With this design, the slider mover selectively rolls the slider body to control a head-to-disk spacing of the read/write head. Further, the slider body can have a roll axis and the read/write head and the slider mover can be positioned on opposite sides of the roll axis. |
| US07724471B2 |
Thin-film magnetic head with heating means for adjusting magnetic spacing
A thin-film magnetic head that the protrusion of the head end surface due to heat generated from the heating means becomes large enough to set the magnetic spacing dMS to the smaller value efficiently is provided. The head comprises: a substrate having an element-formed surface on which at least one concave portion is formed and an ABS; at least one magnetic head element formed above or on the element-formed surface; at least one thermal expansion layer embedded in the at least one concave portion; and at least one heating means positioned directly above the at least one thermal expansion layer. |
| US07724468B2 |
Apparatus and method for correcting static and dynamic imbalance with a single mass in a hard disk drive
An apparatus and method for correcting static and dynamic imbalance with a single mass in a hard disk drive is disclosed. The method provides for determining a static imbalance of a hard disk assembly and for determining a dynamic imbalance of the hard disk assembly. A greater imbalance from the static imbalance and the dynamic imbalance is determined. A single mass is applied to the hard disk assembly to correct the greater imbalance. |
| US07724465B2 |
Tape heads for use with multiple tape formats
A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of elements, the elements being selected from a group consisting of data readers, data writers, and combinations thereof; wherein a first subset of the elements is operable for reading or writing data in a first tape format, wherein a second subset of the elements is operable for reading or writing data in a second tape format, at least some of the elements being present in both subsets, wherein a number of servo bands supported in each of the formats is one more than a number of data bands on a medium written in the particular format. |
| US07724457B2 |
Method and system for time-shift based rotational vibration sensing in disk drives
A method (and structure) senses a rotational vibration of a disk drive. The disk drive includes a rotating disk. The disk includes a plurality of reference bits across a surface thereof. The method (and structure) includes detecting the reference bits across a pattern on the rotating disk, and analyzing a time interval between adjacent ones of the reference bits. |
| US07724456B2 |
Multidirectional simultaneous observation optical system, image reading device, image reading method, and multidirectional simultaneous observation combined optical system
A multidirectional simultaneous observation optical system is composed of, as shown in FIG. 2, side image acquiring prism systems (145A, 145B) and so forth for acquiring side images of an object (11) and bottom image acquiring prism system (185F) for acquiring a bottom image. The prism system (145A) and so forth include optical path direction changing prisms (14A, 14B, 18F) and so forth respectively. An open space for acquiring the top image is defined directly above the object (11). The optical paths of the light beams emerging from the prism system (145A) and so forth extend upward from the object (11), and are so disposed as not to be blocked by the other prism systems. As a result, the object can be accurately observed from various directions simultaneously. |
| US07724455B2 |
Lens drive device
A lens drive device having a simple structure and small sized. The lens drive device (1) has a lens holder (3, 5), a drive shaft (21) into which one end of the lens holder (3, 5) is fitted and placed along the direction of the optical axis of lenses (14, 16), and a piezo element (17) provided at a base end (21a) of the drive shaft (21). The base end (21a) of the drive shaft (21) is fixed to a vibrator (19) of the piezo element (17), and the drive shaft (21) is vibrated in the direction of its axis by vibration of the vibrator (19) produced by conducting a pulse current to the piezo element (17). The lens holder (3, 5) is moved in the optical axis direction by using repetition of inertia force and friction force of the holder relative to the drive shaft (21). |
| US07724447B2 |
Zoom lens system and imaging optical device employing the same
The present zoom lens system comprises a plurality of lens units including at least: a front lens unit having negative optical power; and a rear lens unit having positive optical power, arranged on the image side of the front lens unit, and composed of a plurality of lens elements; wherein magnification change is performed by changing an interval between the individual lens units, wherein the rear lens unit comprises: a rear A lens unit capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; and a rear B lens unit that is arranged on the image side of the rear A lens unit and that can move in an optical axis direction in such a manner that an interval relative to the rear A lens unit in the optical axis direction is changed, and wherein focusing adjustment during variation of the object distance is achieved by changing the interval between the rear A lens unit and the rear B lens unit. |
| US07724446B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, first to fifth lens groups respectively having negative, positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second and third lens groups are moved independently toward the object side with spacing therebetween increased and that between the first and second lens groups decreased. The following condition is satisfied 1.05≦(fW·LW)/(fT·Y)≦1.53, wherein fW and fT are focal lengths of the zoom lens system at the wide-angle end and the telephoto end, Y represents a maximum diagonal length of an image plane, and LW represents a total length of the zoom lens system at the wide-angle end which is defined as a distance from the vertex of a first surface of the first lens on the object side to the image plane. |
| US07724443B2 |
Substrate-guided optical device utilizing thin transparent layer
There is provided an optical device, including a light-transmitting substrate having two major surfaces and edges, an optical element (16) for coupling light waves into the substrate by total internal reflexion, and a plurality of partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b, 22c) carried by the substrate. The partially reflecting surfaces are parallel to each other and are not parallel to any of the edges of the substrate. At least one of the partially reflecting surfaces (22a, 22b, 22c) does not intersect with at least one of the two major surfaces, and the optical element (16) intersects with at least one of the two major surfaces. |
| US07724439B2 |
Lens, a lens array and imaging device and system having a lens, and method of forming the same
A lens, a lens array and imaging device and system containing a lens, and a method of forming a lens array and an imaging device and system containing a lens. Each lens has varying reflection indices in a radial direction. |
| US07724438B2 |
Lenticular optical system
A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like. |
| US07724436B2 |
Reflective corrector for optical projection engine
A projection engine is disclosed, in which white light from a uniform telecentric source is collimated, polarized, and split into red and cyan beams. The collimated red light passes through a red focuser, which has an off-axis, front-surface mirror that has an aspheric and/or conic profile, and a spherical lens. The collimated cyan light passes through a similar cyan focuser, after which it is split into blue and green beams. The mirror reflective surface has an aspherical shape to minimize aberrations at the edge of the field of view in the illumination optical path. The collimator is at the front focal plane of each focuser, making the emergent converging beam telecentric, and a pixelated panel is at the rear focal plane of each focuser. The reflected light beams from the red, green and blue pixelated panels are superimposed on a pixel-by-pixel basis and are directed to a projection lens. |
| US07724435B1 |
Importance sampling techniques based on adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements
Devices and their operations to use multiple adjustable differential group delay (DGD) elements in various applications including tunable PMD emulators and compensators for producing different PMD profiles with an adjustable average DGD value. |
| US07724431B2 |
Active layer
A method and apparatus apply an electric field across active layer, wherein active layer is configured to change from a first light attenuating state to a second lesser light attenuating state in response to the applied the electric field and wherein the second lesser light attenuating state permits light to be reflected from a light reflective face. |
| US07724430B2 |
Rigid endoscope
The invention provides a rigid endoscope relay optical system that can be fabricated at lower costs while its brightness is kept intact by reducing parts count. The rigid endoscope optical system has an elongate insert and is adapted to implement image transfer using relay lenses Re1 to Re7. The relay lenses Re1 to Re7 each have at least two rod lenses and satisfy nd>2, where nd stands for the refractive index on d-line basis of each rod lens in the relay lens. |
| US07724427B2 |
Stereoscopic microscope with high numerical aperture
A telescope-type stereomicroscope which is outfitted with an objective and two magnification changers arranged downstream of the objective. In this telescope-type stereomicroscope, the light from an object that is being examined enters the objective. Two light bundles of the light re-exiting from the objective, which are oriented parallel to one another, enter the magnification changers. The optical axes of the magnification changers are arranged at a fixed distance from one another. Each magnification changer has an entrance pupil for the light bundle associated with it. The entrance pupil has a diameter DEP that depends on the respective selected magnification, where the condition DEP>B/1.06 is met at the maximum selected magnification. Optionally, the stereomicroscope meets the condition tan(ω)≧0.16 with respect to the angle ω at which the light coming from an extra-axial point P at the object enters the magnification changers at the lowest possible magnification setting. |
| US07724424B2 |
Optical module and optical amplification module
An optical module for supplying pump light for amplifying to-be-amplified light includes an pump light source, optical coupling means, and an optical guide section. The optical guide section optically connects the pump light source and the optical coupling means, and propagates the pump light from the pump light source, in multi-transverse-mode. The optical coupling means output the pump light from the optical guide section in multi-transverse-mode, and at least one of (i) at least one of end faces where the optical guide section and the optical coupling means are connected, (ii) an area between the end faces, and (iii) the optical guide section, has a loss medium of which transmission loss is greater in a wavelength of the to-be-amplified light than in a wavelength of the pump light. By this, an optical module which can stably supply the pump light to the optical amplification fiber can be provided. |
| US07724423B2 |
Optical fiber laser having improved efficiency
A method and apparatus for improved efficiency in optical fiber lasers. The system increases the efficiency of cladding pumped optical fiber amplifiers through a seeding technique which includes pumping an erbium/ytterbium doped fiber amplifier with pump energy, directing an optical signal through the erbium/ytterbium doped fiber amplifier, and seeding the optical signal with seed energy. The seed energy may have a higher energy level than the optical signal and a lower energy level than the pump energy, and the seed energy may be initially amplified in the amplifier and subsequently attenuated while amplifying the optical signal in the amplifier. |
| US07724421B2 |
Phase sensitive optical amplification
Phase-sensitive amplification (PSA), which is produced by degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) in a randomly-birefringent fiber, has the potential to improve the performance of optical communication systems. Scalar FWM, which is driven by parallel pumps, is impaired by the generation of pump-pump and pump-signal harmonics, which limit the level, and modify the phase sensitivity, of the signal gain. In contrast, vector FWM, which is driven by perpendicular pumps, is not impaired by the generation of harmonics. Vector FWM produces PSA with the classical properties of a one-mode squeezing transformation. |
| US07724420B2 |
Frequency modulation structure and method utilizing frozen shockwave
A system and method for modulating the frequency of electromagnetic radiation utilizes a frozen shockwave in a photonic band gap structure. The structure provides a discontinuity in lattice constant that functions as a shockwave, and that does not shift its position within the structure. In addition the modulation device or structure includes an acoustic pulse generator, such as a piezoelectric transducer coupled to one end of the photonic band gap structure. The acoustic pulse generator may be driven to produce a periodic pulse in the photonic band gap structure. The frozen shockwave, a defect or discontinuity in the photonic band gap structure, is used to hold incoming electromagnetic radiation in place. The acoustic pulse passing through the photonic band gap structure Doppler shifts the frequency of the radiation. The frequency-shifted radiation is then ejected out of the frozen shockwave portion of the photonic band gap structure. |
| US07724417B2 |
MEMS switches with deforming membranes
MEMS switches are formed with membranes or layers that are deformable upon the application of a voltage. The MEMS switches may comprise compliant terminals and/or contact conductors to produce contact swiping. |
| US07724415B2 |
Display drive device and display device
A display drive device comprises a display element being colored by injecting an electric charge into an electrolyte via an display electrode due to an oxidation-deoxidization reaction and being decolored by injecting an electric charge having an inverse polarity of the electric charge into the electrolyte, at least one constant current supply circuit which supplies a constant current as a decoloration current pulse having a predetermined pulse width to the display electrode upon the decoloration, a voltage detection circuit which detects a voltage value generated in the display electrode, and a control circuit which controls an operation of the constant current supply circuit intermittently and repeatedly supplying the decoloration current pulse from the constant current supply circuit to the display electrode upon the decoloration, and ending the decoloration on the basis of a voltage value to be detected by the voltage detection circuit. |
| US07724406B2 |
Halftone independent color drift correction
A method for compensating for color drift in a printer includes determining a first true tone response curve for a color channel when said printer is in a first state. A first estimated tone response curve for the color channel is also determined when said printer is in the first state. A second estimated tone response curve for the color channel is determined when the printer is in a second, color-drifted state relative to the first state. A second true tone response curve for the color channel is mathematically predicted using the first true tone response curve, the first estimated tone response curve, and the second estimated tone response curve. The first and second estimated tone response curves are estimated using a 2×2 printer model. A printing apparatus includes an image processing unit for implementing the color-drift correction process. |
| US07724400B2 |
Simple and configurable all-in-one operator panel
A multifunction machine user interface has a minimal number user inputs, such as only one or two buttons. When a user places a media item, such as a printed sheet, in the scanner and activates a first user input, the machine scans the media item and assesses or determines whether the media item is to be treated for printing purposes as a color document, a color photograph, a monochrome (i.e., black-and-white) document, or a monochrome photograph. The machine then causes the media item to be printed in accordance with that assessment or determination. The assessment or determination can be made automatically by the machine or a host computer in communication with the machine in response to an evaluation of chrominance and luminance of the scanned pixels. Alternatively, the determination can be made by the user selecting corresponding settings through a user interface on the host computer. |
| US07724395B2 |
Dot arrangement determination method, program and apparatus, threshold matrix creating method and program, and image forming apparatus
The dot arrangement determination method for determining an arrangement pattern when m dots (where m is a natural number) are arranged in a specific pixel area, the method comprises: a setting step of variably setting an arrangement pattern in which the m dots are arranged without overlapping at pixel positions in the specific pixel area; a first image evaluation value calculating step of calculating an image evaluation value of a halftone image formed by arranging the m dots in the specific pixel area in accordance with the arrangement pattern set in the setting step; a second image evaluation value calculating step of calculating an image evaluation value of a halftone image implemented according to the arrangement pattern set in the setting step when dots cannot be formed in an arbitrary pixel row in the specific pixel area; and a dot arrangement calculating step of determining the arrangement pattern with least image quality degradation for inability to form dots in an arbitrary pixel row in the specific pixel area by approximately solving a combinational optimization problem for the arrangement pattern using calculation results of the first and second image evaluation value calculating steps. |
| US07724394B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method using pseudo half tone processing with different resolutions
An image forming apparatus includes a pseudo half tone processing unit that performs a pseudo half tone process on input image data to generate output image data. An exposure unit executes light modulation of a plurality of light emitting sources based on the output image data. The exposure unit performs writing in such a way that different numbers of light emitting sources are used when writing a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image. The pseudo half tone processing unit performs pseudo half tone processes with different resolutions on a character/line image and a picture image or a graphics image based on the numbers of the light emitting sources to be used for the writing by the exposure unit. |
| US07724384B2 |
Displaying print job based on adjustments made to printer driver settings
One or more adjustable printer driver settings are displayed, and one or more pages of a print job corresponding to the document are displayed in accordance with the adjustable printer driver settings. The user is permitted to adjust the adjustable printer driver settings, such that the pages of the print job are redisplayed based on adjustments made to the adjustable printer driver settings. |
| US07724372B1 |
Apparatus with probe
An apparatus adapted to obtain a profile of a density gradient sample independently of fractionation is provided. The apparatus includes a light source, a probe comprising a first probe needle actuatable to extend into a tube containing a sample, a first light-transmitting means to receive light from the light source and transmit light through the sample as the probe needle extends into the sample, a second light-transmitting means to receive light transmitted by the first light-transmitting means and transmit the received light to a signal-producing means capable of translating the received light into a recordable signal to produce a profile of the sample. The apparatus may additionally be adapted to fractionate the sample following generation of the gradient profile. |
| US07724370B2 |
Method of inspection, a method of manufacturing, an inspection apparatus, a substrate, a mask, a lithography apparatus and a lithographic cell
Each target used in a method of measuring overlay using a scatterometer includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has features varying only in a first direction and the second portion has features only varying in a second direction. The first and second directions are orthogonal, thus eliminating cross talk between the directions, and improving the accuracy of overlay error calculations. |
| US07724368B2 |
Condensation particle counter
A condensation particle counter is capable of efficiently measuring the number and size of fine particles. The condensation particle counter includes a saturator, a condenser and an optical particle counters. The saturator is designed to generate a saturated gas by saturating a gas in which fine particles are suspended with working fluid. The condenser is connected to a downstream side of the saturator to condense the saturated gas so that liquid droplets can grow around the fine particles. The optical particle counter is connected to downstream sides of the condenser to optically detect the liquid droplets supplied from the condensers. The condenser has a condenser tube for interconnecting the saturator and the optical particle counter. The present condensation particle counter can use water as working fluid and also can optically measure fine particles in an easy and accurate manner by forming or installing an inner surface of a condenser tube with a hydrophilic tube. |
| US07724367B2 |
Particle monitors and method(s) therefor
The present invention relates to the field of the detection, analysis and/or determination of matter or particles suspended in fluid. In one particular form, the present invention relates to smoke detectors, which detect unwanted pyrolysis or combustion of material. In another form, the present invention relates to smoke detectors of the early detection type, and which may be applied to ventilation, air-conditioning or duct monitoring of a particular area. In yet another form, the present invention relates to surveillance monitoring, such as building, fire or security monitoring. in still another form, the present invention relates to environment monitoring, such as monitoring, detection and/or analysis of a fluid, zone, area and/or ambient environment, including commercial and Industrial environments. |
| US07724362B1 |
Oblique incidence macro wafer inspection
A line image acquisition apparatus suitable for being added onto a line-scan wafer macro-inspection system which incorporates oblique incidence illumination and detection, both for brightfield and for darkfield, which incorporates double darkfield observation capability, which incorporates broadly tunable angle of incidence illumination and tunable angle of detection, which incorporates multi-channel detection into a line-scan macro-inspection system, and which is an add-on feature compatible with current line-scan macro-inspection systems. |
| US07724354B2 |
Laser-system
A laser-system comprises master-oscillator/power-amplifier (51) whereby the master-oscillator comprises a pulsed diode (3) and a pumped active optical fiber power-amplifier (9). Substantially all guides of laser light (5, 9, 31, 29, 33, 25, 35, 39, 45) are optical fibers. The pulsed diode (3) is not temperature stabilized. To reduce nevertheless amplified spontaneous emission generated in the optical fiber amplifier (9), a narrow band-pass filter unit (29) is used. Filter unit (29) has a central wavelength with a temperature dependence which is matched to the temperature dependent wavelength shift of the pulsed diode (3). |
| US07724344B2 |
Method and system for a liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal provided between a first layer and a second layer. The first layer and the second layer may be in a substantially parallel direction to each another. Spacers may be provided in the liquid crystal to keep the first layer and the second layer spaced apart from each other. Electrode layers may include structural elements operable to prevent the spacers from moving through the liquid crystal in the substantially parallel direction. The display may include a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer having one or more gaps defining an electrode structure including electrodes to control the display. |
| US07724342B2 |
Apparatus and method for printing bead spacers on a liquid crystal display substrate comprising a planar printing plate having recesses including a radial protrusion disposed at center
An apparatus for printing bead spacers at selected locations on an LCD substrate includes a cylindrical transfer roller and a printing plate having a plurality of semispherical recesses respectively located at positions corresponding to the selected locations of the spacers on the LCD substrate. A volume of an ink containing the spacers is loaded into each of the recesses, and the substrate is translated tangentially relative to the rotating transfer roller such that the volumes of ink are transferred onto the roller. A support plate having the LCD substrate mounted thereon is then translated tangentially relative to the roller such that the volumes of ink on the roller are transferred onto the surface of the LCD substrate at the selected locations. The apparatus enables the spacers to be printed onto the LCD substrate accurately and inexpensively, and prevents the spacers from being inadvertently printed in double layers. |
| US07724341B2 |
Liquid crystal panel seal barrier and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display panel includes a color filter substrate, a TFT substrate, a loop-shaped sealant formed along the peripheries of the substrates, a loop-shaped seal barrier formed along the sealant in the interior of the sealant, and a liquid crystal layer surrounded by the seal barrier. The seal barrier includes an inclined face in the sealant side. |
| US07724328B2 |
Dual display apparatus
An apparatus for dual display includes a light unit providing a light and a display panel. The display panel includes a transmissive pixel transmitting the light from the light unit and a reflective pixel reflecting the light from the light unit. The display panel displays a first image on one side of the light unit by using the light transmitted by the transmissive pixel, and displays a second image on an opposite side of the light unit by using the light reflected by the reflective pixel. The display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate combined with the first substrate and disposed adjacent to the light unit, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates. The display panel further includes a reflective layer formed on the first substrate corresponding to the reflective pixel. Therefore, a total thickness of the apparatus for dual display can be reduced considerably by using the light unit as a second display screen. |
| US07724322B2 |
Virtual solar liquid crystal window
A display system includes a building, a wall enclosed within the building, and a light guide directing light from the exterior of the building to the wall within the building. A display is supported proximate the wall where the display includes a liquid crystal layer and not including a backlight. The light guide directing the light to the liquid crystal layer is in such a manner that the combination of the light and the liquid crystal layer results in an image displayed thereon. |
| US07724321B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display having a backlight module, liquid crystal layer and a color filter layer is disclosed in the invention. An ultraviolet unit for emitting ultraviolet is disposed in the backlight module. The color filter layer is composed of a purity of pixels, and at least one of the purity of pixels is filled with a wavelength-converting material. The wavelength-converting material can convert ultraviolet into green light. |
| US07724319B2 |
Detecting interactions at biomimetic interfaces with liquid crystals
A method of forming a liquid crystal device, includes: contacting an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant and a receptor molecule with a top surface of a liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is in a holding compartment of a substrate, and the receptor molecule is adsorbed on the top surface of the liquid crystal forming an interface between the liquid crystal and the aqueous solution. The receptor molecule is different than the surfactant. A method of detecting a compound in a flowing stream includes passing an aqueous solution over a top surface of a liquid crystal in a holding compartment of a substrate. The method also includes determining whether a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal occurs as the aqueous solution is passed over the top surface of the liquid crystal. A change in the orientation of the liquid crystal indicates the presence of the compound in the flowing stream. |
| US07724307B2 |
Method and system for noise reduction in digital video
Aspects of noise reduction in digital video may comprise monitoring at least one of memory usage and memory bandwidth usage of memory utilized to process video data. The aspect may further comprise adaptively adjusting filtering of the video data according to the monitoring. At least one of impulse filtering, temporal filtering, and spatial filtering may be utilized for the filtering of the video data. At least one of the impulse filtering, the temporal filtering, and the spatial filtering may be adaptively adjusted based on the monitoring. Furthermore, at least one of motion information and edge information may be estimated from the video data for utilizing in at least one of the impulse filtering, the temporal filtering, and the spatial filtering. At least one of the estimated motion information and the estimated edge information may be adaptively adjusted based on the monitoring. |
| US07724306B2 |
Method of and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be tamed off for smooth transition between the applications to occur. When both the first application and the second application include video components, smooth transition between the applications according to the present invention is dependent upon the display window size of the first application in comparison to the second application. The apparatus and method of the present invention triggers a process according to the size of the display windows of the first and second applications. |
| US07724303B2 |
Camera system and power supply for optical recording devices
A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly. |
| US07724299B2 |
Dust removal camera
A dust removal camera which has an image pickup sensor which converts an optical image into an electric signal, a shutter which opens/closes an optical path to the image pickup sensor, an optical plate provided between the image pickup sensor and the shutter, and rectangularly formed, and a piezoelectric body provided to extend along an end portion of a surface of the optical plate, and to vibrate the optical plate. |
| US07724298B2 |
Image processing system and method for pick up and display of an object including division of an optical image of the object into a spectrum
The present invention relates to an image processing system and an image processing method, an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method, and an image display device and an image display method, which can faithfully pick up and display the colors of an object. Slit light of an optical image of the object that has passed through a slit 42 is divided into a spectrum by a light divider 43. A light sensor 44 outputs image data based on the spectrum of the slit light of the optical image of the object. A micromirror array 74 causes the exiting of reflection light formed by extracting spectrum portions based on the image data from a spectrum of incident white light from a light divider 73. The spectrum portions of the reflection light exiting from the micromirror array 74 are synthesized by a spectrum synthesizer 77 and are projected onto a screen 111. The present invention is applicable to the image processing system. |
| US07724293B2 |
Multi-purpose image sensor circuits, imager, system and method of operation
Methods, devices, and systems for image sensors are disclosed that include a multi-mode circuit that can be configured for operating as an imaging pixel and a memory. The multi-mode circuit includes a photo-detector for collecting electrons generated by radiation impinging on the photo-detector. A transfer gate is configured for transferring the collected electrons from the photo-detector to a floating diffusion node when the transfer gate is enabled. A write circuit receives and stores a multi-value voltage on the floating diffusion node and a read circuit is configured for reading a state of the floating diffusion node. The state of the floating diffusion node corresponds to the amount of transferred electrons in an image mode or the multi-value voltage in a memory mode. The semiconductor image sensor may be included in as part of an imaging system that includes a memory for storing a digital representation of an image. |
| US07724292B2 |
Color filter array for a CMOS sensor for generating a color signal in an image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus having a plurality of pixels; and a color filter array of four colors disposed on the plurality of pixels, wherein the color filter away has a periodicity of two rows×two columns, and colors of four color filters in a periodical unit of two rows×two columns are all different. |
| US07724286B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and image pickup method
This invention makes it possible to produce a high quality synthesized panoramic image when it is difficult to highly precisely shift the image pickup direction. The present invention provides an image pickup apparatus for synthetically generating a first image, or a whole image of an entire object of shooting, the apparatus comprising an image pickup section that sequentially changes the image pickup direction and picks up section of images of the object of shooting to be imaged, a reading section that reads second images, each having a predetermined width and constituting a part of the image picked up on an imaging plane in the image pickup section, a defining section that defines a reading range of each second image to be read by the reading section, a relative position identifying section that identifies the relative position of each second image relative to the first image, and a synthesizing section that generates the first image by sequentially and synthetically combining the second images read out by the reading section, the defining section being adapted to determine the first quantity of movement of each second image by referring to the relative position thereof as identified by the relative position identifying section and define the reading range of the second image to be read out next according to the first quantity of movement. |
| US07724285B2 |
Methods and systems for managing bragbook images
A device, system, method and software product for storing, maintaining, sharing and displaying of digital images in a common designated collection on at least one portable storage and display device. The device has a first memory section designated for storing images and a second memory section for storing digital images of the designated collection. The second memory section has a protected mode that prevents the digital images in the second memory section from being deleted or overwritten. When the protected mode of the second section is disabled, the device will overwrite the digital images of the second memory section with newly captured digital images. These digital images are restored to the second memory section when the digital display and storage device is in communication link with a database that has information for restoring overwritten digital images after newly obtained images in the second memory have been removed from the device. |
| US07724280B2 |
Dual surveillance camera system
A surveillance system having two specialized surveillance cameras with corresponding specialized illuminators is provided in a dual compartment container that eliminates internal light reflection problems by separating each camera and corresponding illuminator while combining each camera with an alternate illuminator, rendering the system more accurate, yet more compact and suited to unobtrusive placement. Considerable heat is generated by the specialized illuminators, requiring a heat sink to preserve illuminator life expectancy and to prevent the adjacent cameras from being adversely affected by the heat. Another feature enabling the system to work in its compact form despite the heat from the illuminators is that the protective case itself is adapted to be a heat sink for the illuminators. |
| US07724268B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display has a plurality of pixels and includes a first substrate, a second substrate that is opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer that is interposed between the first and second substrates. A phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer ranges from about 420 nm to about 500 nm. |
| US07724266B2 |
Image display adjusting device
An image display adjusting device wherein a difference portion obtains a difference between an input signal f0 preceding by one frame as an input signal f1 held by one frame by a memory portion and a current input signal f1, a multiplication portion 106 multiplies this difference signal (f1−f0) by a highlight coefficient α, and an addition portion 107 adds a multiplication output signal α (f1−f0) thereof as correction data to the current input signal f1 to obtain an output signal having its responsiveness improved, the device provided with highlight coefficient controlling portions for performing predetermined decoding by inputting the input signal f1 or the difference signal (f1−f0) and converting it to a signal having a change characteristic different from that signal and outputting a highlight coefficient α adapted to the input signal or the difference signal by using that decode value. |
| US07724263B2 |
System and method for a universal data write unit in a 3-D graphics pipeline including generic cache memories
A system and method for a data write unit in a 3-D graphics pipeline including generic cache memories. Specifically, in one embodiment a data write unit includes a first memory, a plurality of cache memories and a data write circuit. The first memory receives a pixel packet associated with a pixel. The pixel packet includes data related to surface characteristics of the pixel. The plurality of cache memories is coupled to the first memory for storing pixel information associated with a plurality of surface characteristics of a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of cache memories is programmably associated with a designated surface characteristic. The data write circuit is coupled to the first a memory and the plurality of cache memories. The data write circuit is operable under program control to obtain designated portions of the pixel packet for storage into the plurality of cache memories. |
| US07724261B2 |
Processor having a compare extension of an instruction set architecture
A processor having a compare extension of an instruction set architecture which incorporates a set of high performance floating point operations. The instruction set architecture incorporates a variety of data formats including single precision and double precision data formats, as well as the paired-single data format that allows two simultaneous operations on a pair of operands. The extension includes instructions directed to a magnitude compare of floating point numbers and conversions between a pair of 32-bit fixed point integers and paired-single floating point format. |
| US07724258B2 |
Computer modeling and animation of natural phenomena
3D graphics animation is increasingly used in movies and virtual reality computer games to produce realistic visual simulations of physical and natural phenomena. The animation of diffuse liquids such as gases is an indispensable component in such special effects. The present system and methods utilize physically-based and more intuitive procedurally-based simulation techniques to simulate and render natural phenomena in computer graphics. The present invention facilitates user interaction in order to generate a variety of gas effects, for example, waves within water, plumes within hot gas, and flames within fire. Improved user interaction is achieved by improving rendering performance and introducing a new method of high-level control for Eulerian simulations. |
| US07724251B2 |
System for physical rotation of volumetric display enclosures to facilitate viewing
The present invention is a system that allows a user to physically rotate a three-dimensional volumetric display enclosure with a corresponding rotation of the display contents. The rotation of the enclosure is sampled with an encoder and the display is virtually rotated by a computer maintaining the scene by an amount corresponding to the physical rotation before being rendered. This allows the user to remain in one position while viewing different parts of the displayed scene corresponding to different viewpoints. The display contents can be rotated in direct correspondence with the display enclosure or with a gain (positive or negative) that accelerates the rotation of the contents with respect to the physical rotation of the enclosure. Any display widgets in the scene, such as a virtual keyboard, can be maintained stationary with respect to the user while scene contents rotate by applying a negative rotational gain to the widgets. The rotation can also be controlled by a time value such that the rotation continues until a specified time is reached or expires. |
| US07724249B1 |
Terminal equipment for merging imaging data and text data, and transmitting and receiving the same on-line
Terminal equipment for electronically making patent and utility patent applications. The terminal equipment converts various formats of text data generated by an external device into the internal format of the terminal equipment, retrieves the converted text data, merges the text data with a procedure, and transmits the procedure. The merging operation in which image data is merged with text data is simplified whereby the operator can make applications with a simple operation without special skill and knowledge when an application document is transmitted and received on line. The terminal equipment includes a text converting portion for converting the external format of text data into the internal format of the terminal equipment and for retrieving the converted text data, a procedure generation processing portion for merging the retrieved text data with a procedure, a text processing portion and paragraph number assigning portion for editing the merged text and image data within the terminal equipment, a text checking portion for checking the text of the edited procedure document, a transmission file generating portion for converting the format of the checked procedure document into a transmission format, and an online application portion for transmitting the data in the transmission format to the outside of the terminal equipment. |
| US07724243B2 |
Touch sensors incorporating capacitively coupled electrodes
The present invention provides touch sensors that incorporate electrodes that are capacitively coupled through a dielectric layer to one or more resistive touch sensing layers, for example for linearizing the electric field across the resistive layer of an analog capacitive touch screen or for addressing the conductive elements of a matrix type capacitive touch screen. Such a construction allows for new manufacturing methods and new ways of constructing touch sensors. |
| US07724233B2 |
Driving circuit and LCD incorporating the same
A driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) (23) includes a system driver (28), a power supply device (26) and a system control device (25). The power supply device provides a votage to the system driver. The system control device generates a control signal, a data signal, and a backlight driving signal, and applies them to the system driver. The system driver drives an LCD panel (21) and a backlight of the LCD according to the backlight driving signal, the data signal and the control signal. The configuration of the driving circuit is simple. |
| US07724230B2 |
Driving circuit of liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A driving circuit of a display device includes a timing controller for combining p first digital data signals (p being a positive integer greater than 1) corresponding to colors for displaying images to generate q second digital data signals and for supplying the q second digital data signals to first to qth data transmission lines (q being a positive integer smaller than p), and a plurality of data driver integrated circuits for processing the q second digital data signals from the timing controller to restore the p first digital data signals, converting the p restored digital data signals into analog data signals, and supplying the analog data signals to a display panel. |
| US07724229B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A voltage corresponding to desired image data is applied to a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a spontaneous polarization at a predetermined cycle to rewrite the displayed image (period A), and then, all voltages applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal are removed (timing C) to retain the displayed image before the removal (period B). A gate selection period (voltage application period to the ferroelectric liquid crystal) t2 before stopping the voltage application is set longer than a gate selection period (voltage application period to the ferroelectric liquid crystal) t1 in the normal display. Increasing the voltage application period to the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides a sufficient response of the liquid crystal during the gate selection period, thereby realizing high memory ability. |
| US07724219B2 |
Circuit and method of effectively enhancing drive control of light-emitting diodes
An LED drive circuit includes a plurality of LEDs, a power supply circuit for outputting a variable output voltage to supply electricity to the LEDs, a plurality of drive transistors for driving the respective LEDs, a bias voltage setting circuit for generating and outputting a reference gate voltage for causing the drive transistors to have drain currents having a predetermined constant value, and a minimum drain voltage for causing the drive transistors to have the predetermined constant drain currents when the reference gate voltage is input to the drive transistors, and a voltage detection circuit for sequentially comparing drain voltages of the drive transistors with the minimum drain voltage to output one of the drain voltages smaller than the minimum drain voltage, wherein the power supply circuit controls the output voltage so that the drain voltage output from the voltage detection circuit becomes greater than or equal to the minimum drain voltage. |
| US07724214B2 |
Plasma display panel driving method and plasma display panel apparatus capable of displaying high-quality images with high luminous efficiency
Set-up, write, sustain and erase pulses are variously applied to a plasma display panel using a staircase waveform in which the rising or falling portion is in at least two steps. These staircase waveforms can be realized by adding at least two pulses. Use of such waveforms for the set-up, write and erase pulses improves contrast, and use for the sustain pulses reduces screen flicker and improves luminous efficiency. This is of particular use in driving high definition plasma display panels to achieve high image quality and high luminance. |
| US07724213B2 |
Plasma display device
A plasma display device is provided which can stabilize discharge and improve display quality. In the plasma display device, a rear edge part of a sustain pulse to be applied at the end of a sustain period of each of the subfields is formed of a first section in which a voltage value slowly changes from a peak voltage value of the sustain pulse to a predetermined first voltage value, a second section in which the first voltage value is maintained for a predetermined period, and a third section in which the voltage value slowly changes from the first voltage value to a second voltage value having polarity different from that of the first voltage value. |
| US07724212B2 |
Luminous display for automotive satellite navigation systems
A luminous display for automotive satellite navigation systems includes a panel equipped with light sources, for example made up of LEDs, arranged in a pre-ordered configuration of discrete segments, which can be combined with one another according to paths corresponding to the representation of a plurality of encoded generally arrow-shaped pictograms, each of which indicates a respective direction to follow indicated by the navigation system. The path to follow is highlighted with respect to possible alternative paths represented by the pictograms. |
| US07724210B2 |
Scanned light display system using large numerical aperture light source, method of using same, and method of making scanning mirror assemblies
A scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light and a curved mirror positioned to receive at least a portion of the light. The curved mirror is configured to substantially collimate the received light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source and the curved mirror relative to each other. Alternatively, the scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light, a curved mirror positioned to receive some of the light, and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the curved mirror. The optical element is configured to substantially collimate the reflected light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source, the curved mirror, and the optical element. Scanning mirror assemblies and methods of making are also disclosed. |
| US07724208B1 |
Control of depth movement for visual display with layered screens
A multi-level visual display system has a plurality of screens spaced in the depth direction. A user can move a visual indicator such as a cursor between the screens, via an input device such as a mouse button. In drawing applications a visual link such as a line can be created between two screens. In game applications a user can move an image both within and between screens by dragging a cursor while moving it between the screens, to provide an illusion of three dimensional movement. The screens may comprise layered liquid crystal displays. |
| US07724206B2 |
Position adjustment method for projection images
A position adjustment method for adjusting positions of two projection images projected from multiple projectors contained in a multi-projection display onto a projection surface such that the images overlap. A first step involves setting pixel values of colors such that a predetermined characteristic is exhibited in an overlapping area when the adjustment images are projected. A second step involves producing adjustment image data corresponding to the adjustment images. Colors of the adjustment images are allocated to patterns such that the patterns overlap when the adjustment images are projected. A third step involves giving the adjustment image data to the multiple projectors and calculating evaluation values associated with the image data that is obtained by taking an image of the projection surface on which the adjustment images are projected from the multiple projectors. A forth step involves performing position adjustment for the projection images based on the evaluation values. |
| US07724203B2 |
Communication system, interface device, and signal carrying apparatus
A communication system comprises a signal carrying apparatus having a first conductor portion (111) of which external shape is sheet-like and which serves as a conductor and a second conductor portion (121), and an interface device having a first electrode (1211) and a second electrode (1222) located near the first conductor portion (111), the normalized reactance derived from the reactance component of the sheet impedance in the signal carrying apparatus is not extremely smaller than 1, and the normalized distance derived from a distance between the signal carrying apparatus and the interface device made closer to substantially equal to 1 or less for transmitting the electromagnetic field in the leak region (141) between the signal carrying apparatus and the interface device and in the interval region (131) between the external shape of the first conductor portion (111) and the external shape of the second conductor portion (121). |
| US07724201B2 |
Compact diversity antenna system
The present invention provides a compact antenna system having multiple antennas exhibiting polarization and pattern diversity. The system comprises at least two antennas which may have different polarizations, operatively coupled to a passive element which operates as a Balun for a first antenna and which is configured to absorb and re-radiate electromagnetic radiation from the second antenna to produce a desired radiation pattern. The present invention also provides for additional antennas operatively coupled to the passive element or to the first antenna to provide additional diversity. |
| US07724199B2 |
Antenna device and radio wave controlled timepiece
An antenna device includes an antenna for receiving a time information radio wave, and an antenna support member. In the antenna, a coil is wound around a center portion of a core. In the support member, a non-magnetic portion supports two magnetic portions independently and both end portions of the core of the antenna are magnetically coupled with the magnetic portions. A radio wave controlled timepiece includes a case in an inner space of which the antenna and the support member are installed as described above. In the inner space, a time counting unit, a time display unit connected to the time counting unit, and a time updating unit configured to update the time displayed on the display unit, based on the time information radio wave received by the antenna, are installed. |
| US07724195B2 |
Antenna apparatus
An antenna apparatus includes an antenna case housing an antenna; a connector to be connected to a device which connector is electrically connected to the antenna; and an antenna case supporting mechanism which supports the antenna case and enables changing a position of the antenna case at least to a horizontal position and a vertical position. |
| US07724192B2 |
Portable communication device with slot-coupled antenna module
The present invention discloses a portable communication device with slot-coupled antenna module the slot-coupled antenna module comprises: a dielectric substrate, radio module, ground plane, air substrate, and patch radiator. The radio module contains a feed line and stub that are coupled on the surface of the dielectric substrate and extending along the long side of the dielectric substrate in parallel. The ground plane with slot-coupled structure is coupled on the other surface of the dielectric substrate, the feed line and stub pass through the intersect portion of the coupled slots. The air gap is therefore formed between the ground plane and the patch radiator, and the patch radiator is substantially parallel with the ground plane and locating substantially on the position of the coupled slots. |
| US07724190B2 |
Signaling method and apparatus using radial interplex
Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and articles related to code combination for GPS III, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for enabling signal modulation that potentially may minimize power throw away for target code power ratios by shifting linear signal constellation points radially to a circle of equal amplitude, e.g., where the circumference represents e.g. the average RMS power of the original linear signals. |
| US07724188B2 |
Gimbal system angle compensation
Gimbal system angle compensation methods and systems are provided. A particular method includes pointing an antenna at a first target using an initial set of at least four gimbal angles and determining first bore sight pointing errors resulting from a pointing direction of the antenna relative to the first target. The method also includes estimating values of a plurality of independently observable error variables based on the first bore sight pointing errors. The method further includes determining a set of gimbal angle corrections based on the values of the plurality of independently observable error variables. |
| US07724187B2 |
Intelligent utilization of resources in mobile devices
A programmable intelligent activation module to intelligently allow access to GPS resources is provided. In accordance with pre-programmed settings, an intelligent activation module will control the frequency by which a GPS module is allowed to access a GPS or GSM network in order to acquire location information of a mobile device equipped with GPS equipment. By controlling access to a GPS or GSM network, network resources such as bandwidth are conserved unless actually needed as is determined by the intelligent activation module. Similarly, battery resources for the mobile device are also conserved in that unnecessary activation of the GPS module is prevented until such activation is actually needed. The intelligent activation module can be programmed with a variety of settings including speed, map deltas, final destination information, or settings as predetermined by a user of the mobile device. |
| US07724186B2 |
Enhanced aiding in GPS systems
An Aided Location Communication System (“ALCS”) is described. The ALCS may include a geolocation server including a non-GPS position server, at least one server aiding database, server position-determination module, and a server fusion module. The ALCS may also include an Aided Location Communication Device (“ALCD”) including a communication section in signal communication with the geolocation server, and a position-determination section having a GPS Engine. |
| US07724185B2 |
Providing and using messages comprising location information
For enhancing the transmission of location information, a message is received or assembled, which includes location information and a reference time identifier. The reference time identifier identifies a reference time used in determining the location information based on satellite signals. The received or assembled message is provided for transmission to a server. At a server, the location information and the reference time identifier are extracted from a received message, and the location information is processed taking account of the reference time identifier. |
| US07724183B2 |
Systems and methods for space-time radar imaging
A method of imaging a moving object, including the steps of: acquiring radar data reflected by the moving object, determining a motion state of the moving object; and generating a three-dimensional representation of the moving object based on the determined motion state, is disclosed. The motion state may be a complete solution of translational and rotational motion determined based on at least one of the inertia tensor components of the moving object, or solutions of Euler's torque-free equations of motions. The three-dimensional representation may be generated by reconstructing static patterns of the moving object based on estimated initial translational and rotational conditions of the object. A system for imaging the moving object according to this method is also disclosed. |
| US07724182B2 |
Radar system
The radar system includes: a transmission circuit transmitting the radar waves via a transmission antenna; a receiving circuit receiving the reflected waves via a receiving antenna; a delay line having an end connected to aid transmission circuit and the other end connected to said receiving circuit, which delays the radar waves by a predetermined delay amount; a correlation circuit/coherent detection circuit which detects a waveform having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined strength, from a signal provided from said receiving circuit which obtains the signal from the reflected waves or the delayed radar waves; and a level decision circuit which judges, during self-diagnosis, whether or not the detected waveform is a waveform of the delayed radar wave according to the predetermined delay amount, and if the waveform is not the waveform of the delayed radar wave, determines that abnormality occurs in said radar system. |
| US07724178B2 |
Traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS) devices and methods
A device for determining the bearing of a vehicle using Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) and Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) data. The device includes a means to communicate with the vehicle such as a transmitter, receiver, and antenna. The device also includes a processor configured to receive the IRU and TCAS data from the vehicle via the communication means and then generate a bearing value using the received data. |
| US07724174B2 |
Successive approximation ADC with binary error tolerance mechanism
A successive approximation ADC is disclosed. A comparator receives and compares a sampled input signal and an output of a DAC. Non-binary successive approximation register (SAR) control logic controls sampling of the input signal and controls a sequence of comparisons based on comparison result of the comparator. The SAR control logic controls each comparison when signal or charge in the DAC has not been completely settled. A binary-error-tolerant corrector is then used to compensate the sampling error. |
| US07724171B2 |
Digital to analog converter and display driving system thereof
A digital to analog converter of the source driver includes a gamma voltage generator and a data decoder. The gamma voltage generator receives a gamma code to generate an analog gamma voltage. The gamma voltage includes a register, a reference decoder, and a calibrator. The register stores the gamma code. The reference decoder converts the gamma code from the register into the analog gamma voltage. The calibrator, receiving a reference gamma voltage in a calibration mode, includes a comparator and a counter, in which the counter tunes the gamma code according to the control signal generated by the comparator comparing the analog gamma voltage and the reference gamma voltage. The data decoder receives digital pixel data and selects one gamma voltage as a driving voltage based on the digital pixel data. |
| US07724170B2 |
Sensor interface devices and amplifiers
Disclosed are a sensor interface device and an amplifier used in a sensor system. The sensor interface device in one implementation has a first chopper configured to shift input signals of the sensor system from a baseband frequency to a first frequency, an instrumentation amplifier configured to amplify the shifted signals, a bandpass Delta-Sigma modulator configured to digitize the amplified signals, and a second chopper configured to shift the digitized signals from the a first frequency back to the baseband frequency. The instrumentation amplifier removes the DC offset generated from the first chopper and therefore all sources of DC offset are eliminated in this interface device without bandwidth limitation. |
| US07724169B2 |
Semiconductor chip with a number of A/D converters that include a group of redundant A/D converters
The manufacturing yield of an A/D converter semiconductor chip is significantly increased by utilizing a number of A/D converter circuits that include a group of redundant A/D converter circuits. As a result, the semiconductor chip can be wired to form a “good” A/D converter semiconductor chip as long as the number of “bad” A/D converter circuits does not exceed the number of redundant A/D converter circuits. |
| US07724165B2 |
Audio codec and built-in self test method for the same
An audio codec and a BIST method adapted for the audio codec are provided. The BIST method includes the following steps. A first channel digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of the audio codec converts a test signal into an analog signal. A first channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the audio codec converts the analog signal into a digital signal. Use a second channel DAC of the audio codec and a second channel ADC of the audio codec to calculate the magnitudes of a plurality of spectral components of the DFT of the digital signal. Determine whether the audio codec passes the test according to the magnitudes of the spectral components. |
| US07724156B2 |
Apparatus and method for character entry in a portable terminal
A character entry method and apparatus in a terminal in which characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets and a representative character of each of the character sets is imprinted on a respective key are provided. In the character entry method, when a key imprinted with a representative character is pressed, characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character are displayed and any one of the displayed characters is marked with a selection indication. When a move key is pressed, the duration of the key press of the move key is measured and the selection indication is sequentially moved. When input of the move key is released, a character marked with the selection indication is entered. |
| US07724154B2 |
System and method for food service storage bin monitoring
System and method for monitoring food storage bins. The system may include at least one food storage bin defining a volume usable to store food. Each food storage bin may also include at least one sensor usable to measure temperature within the volume. The system may include a transmitter/receiver operable to wirelessly transmit power to the at least one sensor and wirelessly receiver signals which include information regarding the temperature within the volume and/or the content of the food storage bin. The system may also include a controller coupled to the transmitter/receiver, operable to receive and/or determine information regarding the temperature, location, and/or content of the food storage bins via signals received from the transmitter/receiver. The controller may be operable to store the received information in a memory, e.g., comprised in or coupled to the controller. |
| US07724153B2 |
Power supply base for an alarm device
A power supply base for an alarm device contains at least one pair, comprising a first terminal for an incoming power supply line and a second terminal for an outgoing power supply line, and a switch element for initial electrical connection of the respective first terminal to the second terminal of the at least one pair. The switch element has an actuating device for switching the switch element into a nonconducting state in response to an insertion of an alarm device into the power supply base. |
| US07724139B2 |
Universal tracking assembly
A universal tracking assembly that is capable of supporting more than one protocol used in electronic article surveillance (EAS) labels. The universal tracking assembly includes an acousto-magnetic (AM) EAS portion with a Radio Frequency (RF) EAS portion. The intrinsic characteristics and properties of the components of these individual labels are utilized to enhance the overall performance and utility of the combined EAS universal tracking assembly. |
| US07724136B2 |
Revealable RFID devices
The antenna of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may be detuned by applying a conductive material in radio frequency (RF) contact with the antenna, such that the RFID tag is not operable. This material may later be removed, or the conductive effect of the material eliminated, thus re-tuning the antenna to its design specifications and restoring the RFID tag to an operable condition. In this manner, RFID tags may be manufactured in an inoperable state, to be subsequently made operable through the occurrence of an event, such as scraping off the conductive material. |
| US07724135B2 |
Coiled cable display device
A system for displaying an item includes a display shelf having an aperture through it and a thin tether having a first end and a second end that extends through the aperture. The first end of the tether is secured to a mount above a top side of said display shelf and the second end of said tether is secured adjacent to a bottom side of the displays shelf. The first end of the tether has a mount for connection of tether to the item, above the shelf. The system further includes a coiled cable coiled around the tether extending through the aperture. The coiled cable provides an electrical path to the item. The coiled cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured adjacent to the mount and the second end securely terminates below the bottom unexposed side of said display shelf. |
| US07724132B1 |
Covert alarm and locator apparatus for miners
An article of footwear, such as a work shoe, is worn by miners. The footwear includes a location determining module which is able to locate its position by means of the timing and data contained in signals sent by it to locator devices which are placed at known locations throughout the mine, and which respond to transmissions made by the locator module. The footwear also contains a low frequency RF module which enables it to selectively transmit an alarm signal encoded with its location upon the selective activation by the wearer. In various embodiments, the invention can include sensors which are able to monitor physiological data of the wearer or the survivability of the ambient conditions where the footwear is located. Embodiments of the invention also provide the wearer with two-way communications capability. The various electronic components of the invention, can be formed in as a flexible modular unit which can be attached to existing footwear, or formed to new footwear during the manufacturing process, or thereafter. |
| US07724130B2 |
Systems and methods for distributing emergency messages
The invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized, event-triggered messages in response to emergency events, such as natural disasters and man-made events. The methods and systems provide a set of messages related to responding to the emergency event and a set of rules relating to the distribution of the messages, receive an indication that the emergency event has occurred, and in response to the indication, transmit at least one of the messages to at least one message receiver based at least in part on at least one attribute of the message receiver to at least one of instruct and inform recipients of the messages of the emergency event and the action to be taken in response to the emergency event. |
| US07724124B2 |
Ceramic material used for protection against electrical overstress and low-capacitance multilayer chip varistor using the same
A low-capacitance multilayer chip varistor has capacitance lower than 0.5 pF at 1 MHz and has a characteristic of resisting more than thousands of times of 8 KV electrostatic shock, which comprises a ceramic main body, outer electrodes disposed at two ends of the ceramic main body and inner electrodes disposed therein; the ceramic main body comprises inorganic glass of 3˜50 wt % and semi-conductive or conductive particles of 50˜97 wt % with particle size of more than 0.1 μm, and a layer of inorganic glass film covers the surface of semi-conductive or conductive particles, wherein the inorganic glass film contains semi-conductive or conductive particles of submicron or nanometer which is smaller than 1 micron, and the quantity contained of semi-conductive or conductive particles is less than 20 wt % of that of inorganic glass. |
| US07724123B2 |
Varistor and method of producing varistor
A varistor is provided with a varistor element, and an external electrode disposed on the varistor element. The varistor element contains ZnO as a principal ingredient and contains a rare-earth element and Ca. The external electrode is formed by baking on an outer surface of the varistor element and contains Pt. When the external electrode is formed by baking on the varistor element, a compound of the rare-earth element and Pt and a compound of Ca and Pt are formed near an interface between the varistor element and the external electrode, and exist there. The existence of these compounds enhances the bonding strength between the varistor element and the external electrode. |
| US07724122B2 |
Fuse providing circuit isolation and visual interruption indication
A fuse including a fuse housing having first and second electrical terminals, a movable partition made from an electrically conductive material movably disposed within the fuse housing, a fusible structure connected between the first electrical terminal and the movable partition, a conductor connected between the movable partition and the second electrical terminal, a biasing element acting on the movable partition to maintain the fusible structure in tension and for moving the movable partition upon melting of the fusible structure and an indicator connected between the movable partition and the second electrical terminal. The conductor, the movable partition and the fusible structure define an electrical path between the first and second electrical terminals and the indicator protrudes out of the second electrical terminal of the fuse housing upon melting of the fusible structure for providing visual indication of an interrupted condition of the fuse when subjected to a threshold current flowing therethrough. |
| US07724116B2 |
Symmetrical inductor
A symmetrical inductor. The inductor comprises first, second, third and fourth semi-circular conductive lines disposed in an insulating layer on a substrate, having first and second ends, respectively. The second semi-circular conductive line makes the first semi-circular conductive line symmetric, in which the first ends of the first and second semi-circular conductive lines are electrically connected to each other. The third semi-circular conductive line is parallel to and located outside the first semi-circular conductive line, in which the second ends of the third and second semi-circular conductive lines are electrically connected to each other. The fourth semi-circular conductive line makes the third semi-circular conductive line symmetric, in which the second ends of the fourth and first semi-circular conductive lines are electrically connected to each other. The first, second, third and fourth semi-circular conductive lines have the same line width and the same line space, in which the line space exceeds the line width when the line width is less than 6 μm. |
| US07724115B2 |
Circuit carrier and transformer assembly
The present invention relates to a circuit carrier and transformer assembly. The circuit carrier and transformer assembly includes a circuit carrier and a transformer. The transformer includes a bobbin with multiple bobbin bases. The circuit carrier includes multiple receiving holes corresponding to respective bobbin bases of the bobbin. The bobbin bases are received in respective bobbin bases when the transformer is mounted on the circuit carrier. |
| US07724114B2 |
System and method for producing a hover surface
An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function. |
| US07724109B2 |
Ball grid array filter
A ball grid array ceramic filter including a substrate having a ground layer of conductive material disposed over one of the surfaces thereof and a plurality of strips of conductive material on the other of the substrate surfaces defining resonators adapted to receive and pass RF signals. A plurality of vias extend through the substrate and define opposed ends terminating in the respective substrate surfaces. In one embodiment, a plurality of conductive spheres defining respective ground and RF signal input/output pads are disposed on the substrate surface with the ground layer thereon. Certain of the vias couple the resonators to the ground layer while others of the vias couple the resonators to respective spheres adapted for coupling to the respective RF signal input/output contacts on the top surface of a printed circuit board to which the filter is adapted to be direct surface mounted. |
| US07724107B2 |
Phase shifter having switchable signal paths where one signal path includes no shunt capacitor and inductor
A phase shifter includes a first signal path in which a first unit is disposed to advance a phase of a signal; a second signal path in which a second unit with no shunt capacitor is disposed to change the phase of the signal such that the changed phase is delayed than the advanced phase by the first unit; and a switch section configured to switch between the first signal path and said second signal path. The first unit comprises a filter, and the second unit is a transmission line. |
| US07724105B2 |
System and method of shaping a power spectrum in PWM amplifiers
In a particular embodiment, a circuit device is disclosed that includes a data generator adapted to output a random pulse sequence having a particular spectral shape. The circuit device further includes a pulse edge control circuit to selectively apply a carrier suppression operation to at least one pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal in response to the random pulse sequence to produce at least one modulated PWM output signal. The spectral energy associated with a PWM carrier of the modulated PWM output signal at a carrier frequency and associated harmonics is changed such that the modulated PWM output signal has a spectral shape defined by the particular spectral shape. |
| US07724099B2 |
High frequency oscillator circuit with feedback circuit of fet and short-stub transmission line
In a high frequency oscillator circuit including first and second field effect transistors, the first field effect transistor has a gate connected to a short-stub transmission line and a drain connected to an oscillation output terminal, and the second field effect transistor has a drain connected to a source of the first field effect transistor and a grounded source. The high frequency oscillator circuit oscillates by using a feedback circuit including the short-stub transmission line and the second field effect transistor. A feedback capacitor is further provided which is connected between a gate of the second field effect transistor and the drain of the first field effect transistor. |
| US07724094B2 |
Digital phase locked loop and method for correcting interference components in a phase locked loop
A correction circuit in a digital phase locked loop is disclosed having a first terminal, a second terminal, a value-discretely tunable oscillator, an integrator, a loop filter, and a feedback path. A correction circuit is connected to an input of the integrator on the input side and to an output of the integrator on the output side. The correction circuit generates a correction word derived from an actuating word fed to the input of the integrator and a word derived from the second frequency word. A periodic error component in the frequency setting word output by the integrator can thus be corrected by the correction circuit. |
| US07724088B2 |
Push-pull amplifier
A push-pull amplifier includes a voltage inversion circuit 9 that uses an output of the differential amplifier 1 as an input signal, and includes a set of resistors 7a, 7b, and a differential amplifier 8 for inverting the polarity of the input signal, a level shifting circuit 3 that shifts the level of an output signal of the voltage inversion circuit 9 to a prescribed level, while inverting the polarity of the output signal, and an output amplifier circuit 4 that includes complementary transistors which are different from each other in polarity. The transistors are inputted with the above-mentioned input signal and the output signal of the level shifting circuit 3, respectively for carrying out push-pull amplification. |
| US07724085B2 |
Impedance matched variable gain low noise amplifier using shunt feed-back
The variable gain amplifier includes a forward path that provides the amplifier variable gain, and a feedback path. The feedback path uses a switch that is turned on at low gain levels. The switch taps into the feedback resistor, shunting it to signal-ground and eliminating the feedback mechanism. This ensures that the input impedance seen at the input port does not grow excessively, using part of the feedback resistor as a passive termination at low gain levels. In this way variable gain ranges in excess of 30 dB can be achieved. |
| US07724082B2 |
Method and apparatus for pulse width modulation in a switching amplifier
There is provided a method and apparatus for output pulse width modulation in a digital amplifier including: a determining step of adding or subtracting a value corresponding to a predetermined offset to or from an input audio signal alternately according to a period of the input audio signal, thereby determining a sign of a resulting value of adding or subtracting; a switching step of outputting the input audio signal to a first port based on the determined sign, or outputting the input audio signal to a second port after inverting the input audio signal into a positive number; an adjusting step of adding a value of a predetermined switching time to the audio signals output from the first port and the second port, and outputting a resulting value of adding; and a modulating step of performing pulse width modulation on the audio signals output from the adjusting step and outputting a first modulation signal and a second modulation signal. |
| US07724079B1 |
Programmable logic enabled dynamic offset cancellation
Techniques and circuitry are provided for programmatically controlling signal offsets in integrated circuitry. In one embodiment, a buffer circuit having an offset cancellation circuit receives a signal and transmits the signal to programmable logic circuit. The programmable logic uses programmable resources and/or one or more algorithms to measure integrated circuit operations and/or operational errors associated with the offset. The control signal is fed back to an input of the offset cancellation circuit. In one embodiment, the offset cancellation circuit adjusts the offset of the signal in response to the magnitude of the offset cancellation signal received until changes associated with the offset and/or the magnitude of the operational errors are no longer attributable to the offset. |
| US07724078B2 |
Adjusting PLL/analog supply to track CPU core supply through a voltage regulator
A processing device includes a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) system with an adjustable power supply designed to track the power supply provided to one or more of the cores in the processor device. The PLL no longer operates at a fixed voltage level that is held constant and independent from the requested core frequency or the core digital voltage, but rather the power supply to the phase locked loop is adjusted along with the main power supply to the processor core. |
| US07724076B2 |
Internal voltage generator of semiconductor integrated circuit
An internal voltage generator of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first driver that outputs an internal voltage by using an internal reference voltage during an active operation in accordance with a detection signal generated by using an external voltage and an active enable signal activated during an activation mode, and a second driver that outputs an internal voltage by using the internal reference voltage during the active operation in accordance with the active enable signal. |
| US07724072B2 |
Voltage generator of semiconductor integrated circuit
A voltage generator includes a detector for outputting a driving signal according to comparison results of a reference voltage and a pumping voltage, an oscillator for generating an oscillation signal in response to the driving signal and varying a period of the oscillation signal according to a level of the pumping voltage, and a pump for pumping an external voltage in response to the oscillation signal to generate the pumping voltage. The voltage generator can quickly increase a pumping voltage up to the target level and improve the efficiency of the pumping voltage by minimizing the ripple components of the pumping voltage. |
| US07724069B1 |
Analog switch for operation outside power rails with low supply current
A switch circuit, which selectively couples first and second switch nodes together and which enables the first and second switch nodes to operate in an extended voltage range, includes a secondary voltage rail, a switch device, a body driver, a rail control switch, and a switch control circuit. The rail control switch clamps the secondary voltage rail to a primary voltage rail during normal voltage range operation, but otherwise releases the secondary voltage rail to float. The body driver clamps the body of the switch to the secondary voltage rail when turned on, and when turned off, forward biases to allow voltage of said secondary voltage rail to follow voltage of the switch nodes into the extended voltage range through the switch. The switch control circuit includes a latch circuit which ensures that the switch remains either turned on or turned off during extended voltage operation. |
| US07724068B1 |
Bandgap-referenced thermal sensor
A thermal sensor for an integrated circuit including a bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor includes a comparator that compares a temperature dependent voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit to a temperature independent voltage, where both temperatures are referenced to the bandgap reference voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor generates a digital output control signal based on a predetermined relationship between the temperature dependent voltage and the temperature independent reference voltage. When used as a thermal shutdown circuit, the comparator generates a thermal shut-down signal when the dependent temperature voltage decreases (or increases) with rising system temperature to equal to the temperature independent reference voltage. The comparator is implemented using an operational amplifier that is connected to existing circuitry associated with the bandgap reference circuit. |
| US07724063B1 |
Integrator-based common-mode stabilization technique for pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuits
A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit using integrator-based common-mode stabilization technique is disclosed. A pseudo-differential switched-capacitor circuit with the differential floating sampling (DFS) technique has a common-mode gain value of one (1). An integrator is electrically coupled to the differential positive/negative outputs of the DFS circuit, and the integrator feeds back integrator output to the DFS circuit by detecting common-mode voltage disturbance at the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout−), thereby stabilizing output common-mode level of the differential positive output (Vout+) and negative output (Vout−) at a desirable level. |
| US07724062B2 |
Output buffer circuit
An output buffer circuit that suppresses the generation of an erroneous operation signal during power activation includes a first level converter generating a first signal based on a data input signal having an amplitude range between a first power supply potential and a ground reference potential. The first signal has an amplitude range between a second power supply potential, which differs from the first power supply potential, and the ground reference potential. A second level converter generates a second signal having an amplitude range between the second power supply and ground reference potentials based on a control input signal having an amplitude range between the first power supply and ground reference potentials. The first signal falls with a delay from the second signal. An output circuit generates an output signal. A timing adjustment circuit compensates for the fall delay of the first signal during power activation. |
| US07724060B2 |
Interface circuit and a clock output method therefor
An interface circuit outputting a clock signal and data to a data register configured to serially read in the data synchronously with the clock signal, in response to a change of a control signal for outputting the clock signal and the data from one logic level to the other logic level, the interface circuit comprising a clock output circuit configured to: detect a logic level of the clock signal when the control signal changes from the one logic level to the other logic level; output the clock signal on an as-is basis to the data register, when detecting one logic level of the clock signal; and output the clock signal after having changed from the other logic level to the one logic level, to the data register, when detecting the other logic level of the clock signal. |
| US07724058B2 |
Latch structure and self-adjusting pulse generator using the latch
The disclosure includes a latch structure and self-adjusting pulse generator using the latch. In an embodiment, the system includes a first latch and a pulse generator coupled to provide a timing signal to the first latch. The pulse generator includes a second latch that has characteristics matching the first latch. |
| US07724057B2 |
Current-controlled CMOS logic family
Various circuit techniques for implementing ultra high speed circuits use current-controlled CMOS (C3MOS) logic fabricated in conventional CMOS process technology. An entire family of logic elements including inverter/buffers, level shifters, NAND, NOR, XOR gates, latches, flip-flops and the like are implemented using C3MOS techniques. Optimum balance between power consumption and speed for each circuit application is achieve by combining high speed C3MOS logic with low power conventional CMOS logic. The combined C3MOS/CMOS logic allows greater integration of circuits such as high speed transceivers used in fiber optic communication systems. |
| US07724050B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit and control method of the same
A delay locked loop capable of preventing delay locking time from being increased, even if the operational environment fluctuates. The delay locked loop circuit includes a delay line for delaying and outputting a reference clock signal, a phase detection unit for detecting a phase difference between the reference clock signal and an output signal of the delay line and then outputting a phase detection signal and a first delay mode decision signal, a control unit for outputting a delay control signal to control the delay line according to the phase detection signal and a second delay mode decision signal, and an error decision unit for detecting an error of the first delay mode decision signal according to the delay control signal and the output signal of the delay line and outputting the second delay mode decision signal according to a result of the error detection. |
| US07724049B2 |
Multiphase generator with duty-cycle correction using dual-edge phase detection and method for generating a multiphase signal
Embodiments of a multiphase generator with duty-cycle correction are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the multiphase generator comprises controllable delay stages arranged in series and dual-edge phase detector circuitry. The dual-edge phase detector circuitry may generate a control signal to adjust the delay provided by the delay stages based on corresponding rising edges and corresponding falling edges of same-state signals operated on by the delay stages. Other circuits, systems, and methods are described. |
| US07724046B2 |
High side/low side driver device for switching electrical loads
An integrated circuit device for switching electrical loads that have an inductive component comprises at least one switching channel that includes a power stage with a power MOS transistor and a driver circuit for driving the gate of the power MOS transistor, the switching stage being configurable for use in either of a High Side configuration and a Low Side configuration. |
| US07724045B2 |
Output buffer circuit
An output buffer circuit is provided that outputs an input signal output from a circuit operating at a first power supply voltage to another circuit operating at a second power supply voltage higher than the first power supply voltage. The output buffer circuit includes an output driver circuit including a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor connected between the second power supply voltage and a reference voltage. A first driving circuit outputs a first control signal to control the pull-down transistor. A second driving circuit includes a latch circuit to latch signals and outputs a second control signal to control the pull-up transistor based on retained data in that latch circuit. A level shifter changes the retained data in the latch circuit when logic of the input signal changes. |
| US07724041B2 |
Circuit arrangement comprising a sample-and-hold device and method for signal processing in a sample-and-hold device
In a circuit arrangement including a sample-and-hold device, the sample-and-hold device includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth charge store, and also a first and a second input terminal for feeding in a differential input signal comprising a first and a second component. A differential output signal is output via a first and a second output terminal. The charge stores are charged with the first or the second component of the differential input signal in a first phase of a time segment. In a second phase of the time segment, the differential output signal is generated in a manner dependent on the charges of the first, second, third and fourth charge stores. |
| US07724038B2 |
Semiconductor device for receiving external signal having receiving circuit using internal reference voltage
A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generating unit configured to produce a reference voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a positive clock terminal and a negative clock terminal, and a logic determination unit configured to determine a logic level of an external signal based on the reference voltage. |
| US07724036B2 |
Clock guided logic with reduced switching
Methods and apparatuses for optimizing switching delay in integrated circuits are described. Combinational logic gates are modified with precharge circuitry and instantiated in order to reduce switching transitions of circuit elements in a signal path. |
| US07724035B2 |
Data transmission system and cable
A data transmission system capable of transmitting data at high speed without being bound by a counterpart's power supply voltage can be realized. The data transmission system comprises multiple electronic equipment having individual power supplies, a cable for connecting between the multiple electronic equipment so as to transmit signals therebetween, digital data transmitting circuits extending between the multiple electronic equipment and the cable and each having an open drain type output section at the transmitting end, and an input section provided with a pull-up type resistor at the receiving end, wherein the resistor and the output section are moved from the electronic equipment to the connector of the cable so that parasitic capacitance for restricting time constant of waveforms of signals when rising is changed from a capacitance to a small capacitance. |
| US07724028B1 |
Clocking for a hardwired core embedded in a host integrated circuit device
An ASIC block embedded in a host IC has a first clock domain with a first frequency of operation that is at least equal to a second frequency of operation of a second clock domain in the host IC but external to the ASIC block. FPGA logic in the second clock domain interfaces with the ASIC block; and a PLL located in the host integrated circuit but external to the ASIC block is coupled to receive a reference clock signal and configured to generate clock signals. Two of the clock signals are respectively sent to the FPGA logic and the ASIC block to make one appear to be produced earlier in time than the other with respect to the ASIC block to compensate for a clock insertion delay and for a clock-to-output time associated with the FPGA logic that at least approximates zero. |
| US07724026B1 |
Single-ended input-output block with reduced leakage current
An integrated circuit has a differential I/O buffer (102) capable of being operated in a single-ended mode. The I/O buffer includes circuitry (114 or 112) for reducing leakage current between the differential I/O pins (P, N) when an undershoot event occurs on a pin when operated single-ended mode. In one case, a differential termination circuit (114, 200) includes a differential termination isolation circuit (202) that isolates the termination load (201) and termination load switch (208) from the single-ended pin. Alternatively or additionally, a differential output driver (300) of the I/O buffer switches a common bias voltage (ncom) to a supply voltage (VCOO) in single-ended mode to insure the transistors (A2, B1) in the driver legs remain OFF during an undershoot event. |
| US07724024B2 |
Semiconductor device with its test time reduced and a test method therefor
In a semiconductor device, when a voltage regulator is halted from operating and a test supply voltage is supplied to second logics, the device is initialized by a reset signal. A register included in the device is then reset by an input signal via first logics. The voltage regulator is halted by a power-down signal. Testing is then carried out as the test supply voltage is applied to the second logics. When plural test items are executed successively, a test reset signal is applied to a test reset terminal for each item. As the initialized state of the register is canceled, the first and second logics are initialized. |
| US07724020B2 |
Single flux quantum circuits
Superconducting single flux quantum circuits are disclosed herein, each having at least one Josephson junction which will flip when the current through it exceeds a critical current. Bias current for the Josephson junction is provided by a biasing transformer instead of a resistor. The lack of any bias resistors ensures that unwanted power dissipation is eliminated. |
| US07724019B2 |
Active device array substrate
An active device array substrate has a display area and a peripheral circuit area and further includes a plurality of pixel units, a plurality of signal lines, a plurality of testing pads and a first dielectric layer. The pixel units are arranged in the display area in an array. The signal lines and the testing pads are arranged in the peripheral circuit area. The first dielectric layer covers the testing pads. A testing method of the active device array substrate is that firstly removing a part of the first dielectric layer to expose a testing pad(s) desired to electrically contact with a testing tool. In other words, before the testing, the testing pads are electrically insulated from the exterior to prevent the pixel units from the electrostatic charges damage and thus the circuit stability of the active device array substrate can be improved. |
| US07724016B2 |
Characterizing circuit performance by separating device and interconnect impact on signal delay
An integrated circuit (IC) includes multiple embedded test circuits that all include a ring oscillator coupled to a test load. The test load either is a direct short in the ring oscillator or else is a interconnect load that is representative of one of the interconnect layers in the IC. A model equation is defined for each embedded test circuit, with each model equation specifying the output delay of its associated embedded test circuit as a function of Front End OF the Line (FEOL) and Back End Of the Line (BEOL) parameters. The model equations are then solved for the various FEOL and BEOL parameters as functions of the test circuit output delays. Finally, measured output delay values are substituted in to these parameter equations to generate actual values for the various FEOL and BEOL parameters, thereby allowing any areas of concern to be quickly and accurately identified. |
| US07724012B2 |
Contactless testing of wafer characteristics
Systems and methods are provided for contactless testing of a wafer containing at least one integrated circuit. A test component responds to a supply voltage to indicate at least one property of the wafer. A voltage source wirelessly receives power from an external source and produces the supply voltage. A reference generator generates a reference voltage, having a known magnitude, from the supply voltage. A voltage evaluation component modifies the response of the test component as to represent a magnitude of the supply voltage. |
| US07724011B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device with power lines improved
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes an internal circuit. A plurality of power supply nodes are connected with the internal circuit, and a plurality of pads are respectively connected with the plurality of power supply nodes. A switch section is configured to connect the plurality of power supply nodes one after another in a probe test mode and to separate the plurality of power supply nodes from each other in a product use mode. A power supply voltage is applied to one of the plurality of pads in the probe test mode, and the power supply voltage is applied to each of the plurality of pads in the product use mode. The switch section may include n switches (n is a natural number) provided for the plurality of power supply nodes. |
| US07724009B2 |
Method of making high-frequency probe, probe card using the high-frequency probe
A high frequency probe preparation method for making a high frequency probe for high frequency testing to assure signal integrity by means of making a sleeve assembly subject to the size of a predetermined bare needle and then sleeving bare needle by the sleeve assembly to form a high-frequency probe is disclosed to include the steps of: a) providing an insulated tube, and b) forming a conducting layer on the outer surface of the insulated tube which having a metal layer for grounding. The insulated tube and the conducting layer constitute the sleeve assembly. The metal layer is formed by means of physical deposition, chemical deposition, mixture of physical and chemical deposition or electrochemical deposition. |
| US07724003B1 |
Substrate conditioning for corona charge control
A measurement system for taking a reading in a test zone on a surface of a substrate. A chamber forms an environment, a surface treatment station dispenses a stabilizing chemical in the test zone, a charge deposition station deposits a charge in the test zone, and a QV measurement station takes a QV based measurement in the test zone. Where the surface treatment station, the charge deposition station, and the QV measurement station all interact with the substrate within the chamber. In this manner, reliable QV measurements are taken on the substrate by controlling charge spreading with the stabilizing chemical. QV measurement stability is also improved by reducing the influence of the time trending on substrates with reactive dielectrics, such as on silicon oxynitride and high-k surfaces. |
| US07724000B2 |
Method of automatically testing an electronic circuit with a capacitive sensor and electronic circuit for the implementation of the same
A method for automatically testing an electronic circuit with a capacitive sensor having two capacitors is provided, wherein the common electrode of the capacitors moves relative to each fixed electrode. The electronic circuit includes a sensor interface that includes a charge transfer amplifier unit, an integrator unit connected to the amplifier unit to provide measurement output voltage, and an excitation unit. The excitation unit inversely polarizes each fixed electrode at high or low voltage or discharges the capacitors. The method includes several successive measurement cycles each divided into a first phase discharging capacitors by output voltage and a second phase for polarizing the fixed electrode of the first capacitor at high voltage and inversely polarizing the fixed electrode of the second capacitor at low voltage. In the measuring cycles, a test phase replaces a second polarizing phase in at least one cycle in every two successive measurement cycles. |
| US07723999B2 |
Calibration structures for differential signal probing
A plurality of calibration structures facilitate calibration of a probing system that includes a differential signal probe having a linear array of probe tips. |
| US07723994B2 |
Plasma processing chamber with an apparatus for measuring a set of electrical characteristics in a plasma
A plasma processing chamber with a probe apparatus configured to measure a set of electrical characteristics in a plasma is disclosed. The plasma processing chamber includes a set of plasma chamber surfaces configured to be exposed to the plasma. The probe apparatus includes a collection disk structure configured to be exposed to the plasma, whereby the collection disk structure is coplanar with at least one of the set of plasma chamber surfaces. The probe apparatus also includes a conductive path configured to transmit the set of electrical characteristics from the collection disk structure to a set of transducers. |
| US07723993B2 |
Electronic battery tester configured to predict a load test result based on open circuit voltage, temperature, cranking size rating, and a dynamic parameter
A method and apparatus is provided for rapidly and safely estimating the high-rate load test voltage of a storage battery utilizing open-circuit voltage, temperature and a dynamic parameter such as conductance or resistance. An output indicative of the condition of the battery is provided as a function of the estimated load test voltage of the battery compared to industry standards without the necessity to charge the battery or discharge the battery with high-rate loads using bulky load testing equipment. |
| US07723990B2 |
Method of displaying digital image for digital locating system and device for underground object detection
An underground digital locating system includes a receiver capable of acquiring a signal produced by an underground object and displaying a digital representation of the orientation of underground object and of its depth. The system includes a carrying case for the digital locating receiver, the carrying case further including a transmitter for energizing underground objects to emit a magnetic field. A method of locating an underground object using the described system is also disclosed, as well as methods of measuring a flux field and translating a flux field signal of an underground object into a visual representation of the underground object on the display screen of the locating receiver. |
| US07723987B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system
A magnetic resonance measurement technique is provided which shortens the measurement time while suppressing artifacts caused by body movement of a measuring object and enables high-speed imaging. An excitation pulse which excites a plurality of slice planes and an excitation pulse which excites slice planes perpendicular to the slice planes are applied and a plurality of substantially parallel linear crossing areas are simultaneously measured. Spatial information of a linear direction of the crossing areas is acquired by modulating a magnetic resonance signal from the crossing areas by a gradient magnetic field. A spatial information of a direction perpendicular to the linear direction is acquired by changing the position of the plane and an image is reconstructed. |
| US07723986B2 |
Installation for investigating objects using magnetic resonance
An installation for investigating objects (10a) using magnetic resonance comprising a safety room (1) which has gastight walls (1a-c) and having a magnet system (9) for producing a homogenous magnetic field in an investigational volume (13), the magnet system (9) comprising a gastight outer shell (19) which is penetrated in a shell region (29) by feed-throughs (39a-d) into the interior of the magnet system (9), is characterized in that the magnet system (9) is arranged in the safety room (1), and one of the gastight walls (1a-c) is penetrated in an access region (1e), wherein a gastight connecting element (14) is present between the access region (1e) and the shell region (29) which, at its ends, is connected in a gastight manner to the gastight wall and the gastight outer shell (19) respectively, so that access from outside the safety room (1) is available to the shell region (29) and the feed-throughs there (39a-d), that access being sealed in a gastight manner with respect to the safety room (1). A part of the gastight shell of the magnet system thereby effectively becomes part of the wall of the safety room. |
| US07723983B2 |
Magnetic sensor and current sensor
The present invention provides a current sensor capable of detecting a current magnetic field generated by a current to be detected with high precision and stability while realizing a compact configuration. The current sensor has: first and second magnetoresistive elements each including a pinned layer having a magnetization direction pinned in a predetermined direction, a free layer whose magnetization direction changes according to applied magnetic fields, and an intermediate layer sandwiched between the pinned layer and the free layer; and first and second permanent magnets for applying bias magnetic fields to the first and second magnetoresistive elements. The bias magnetic field has a parallel component parallel to a magnetization direction under no magnetic field and an orthogonal component orthogonal to the parallel component. Consequently, uniaxial anisotropy of the free layer can be enhanced without using shape anisotropy. Therefore, the current magnetic field to be detected can be detected with high precision and stability irrespective of the shapes of the magnetoresistive elements, and the invention is favorable for miniaturization. |
| US07723979B2 |
Integrated energy metering system
An integrated energy metering system having an energy meter including a voltage ADC for sensing voltage, a current ADC for sensing current, a microcontroller; a first memory device for storing program data for the energy meter; and a plurality of circuit blocks; a voltage monitor for monitoring a primary power supply; a power supply switch circuit for selectively applying one of the primary and auxiliary power supplies to the energy meter; and a system controller responsive to the voltage monitor for operating the switch circuit to apply the auxiliary power supply when the primary power supply voltage decreases below a predetermined level and gating the power to a first class of circuit blocks in the energy meter and applying power continuously to a second class of circuit blocks. |
| US07723978B2 |
Instrumentation device and interface combining multiple elements
An instrumentation device having multiple elements includes at least one power supply module, a plurality of test and measurement instruments operatively coupled to the at least one power supply module and a user interface configured to select the at least one power supply module and to select at least one of the plurality of test and measurement instruments to provide power supply functionality and test and measurement functionality. |
| US07723976B2 |
Self-adjusting hold-off trigger
A self-adjusting hold-off trigger circuit and method detects a threshold crossing between consecutive samples of a digitized input signal as edge events, identifies the crossing as a qualified trigger event if the crossing is in a desired direction based upon trigger criteria, and provides a trigger output when the qualified trigger event occurs greater than an approximate average or peak time after a preceding edge event. |
| US07723975B2 |
Current detecting circuit
Indirect detection of current using a current mirror circuit is performed with good accuracy, with a small sized circuit. In a current detection circuit, a current detection current mirror circuit includes an output current transistor which supplies an output current, and a current detection transistor which supplies a detection current proportional to the output current. A compensation current mirror circuit is connected to a current supply side of the current detection current mirror circuit, so as to make a collector voltage of the output current transistor and a collector voltage of the current detection transistor equal. A current detector detects the detection current, to indirectly detect the output current. |
| US07723971B2 |
Power supply
A power supply apparatus includes a switching regulator, a linear regulator, a timer circuit, a control circuit, an inverter, and a switch. The power supply apparatus is a step-down type DC-DC converter which steps down an input voltage inputted to an input terminal and then outputs an output voltage, which has been stepped down, to an output terminal. The timer circuit counts the time elapsed from when a start of the power supply apparatus is instructed by a control signal, and sets an output signal to a high level at a lapse of a predetermined time. When the output signal goes to the high level, the switch turns on and the output voltage is supplied to a power supply terminal of the control circuit. |
| US07723967B2 |
Step-up converter having an improved dynamic response
A step-up converter includes input and output terminals, step-up conversion circuitry, a first feedback path and a drive circuit. The input terminals are configured to receive an input DC voltage and the output terminals configured to provide an output DC voltage. The step-up conversion circuitry is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals and includes a switching element. The first feedback path has a regulator arrangement configured to provide a regulating signal which is dependent on the output voltage. The drive circuit is configured to provide a pulse-width-modulated drive signal for the switching element and is supplied with the regulating signal, wherein the drive circuit is configured to generate the drive signal in a manner that corresponds to the input voltage. |
| US07723963B2 |
Target regulation voltage setting apparatus
The target regulation voltage setting apparatus for a vehicle on which a vehicle alternator is mounted includes a first function of calculating a large first-order delay and a small first-order delay of a rotational speed of the vehicle alternator at regular time intervals, a second function of making a judgment on a running state of the vehicle by determining whether or not the vehicle is in one of an accelerating state and a decelerating state on the basis of a variation of the large first-order delay supplied from the first function, and determining whether or not the vehicle is in a normal state on the basis of a variation of the small first-order delay supplied from the first function, and a third function of determining a target regulation voltage of the vehicle alternator in accordance with a judgment result of the second function. |
| US07723959B2 |
Method for determining residual battery charge
A method is provided for determining a residual charge on a battery (12), comprising applying a discharge pulse to the battery (12) and measuring a first voltage on the battery (12) at a first time (t1). Additional voltages on the battery are measured at additional times (t2, t3) subsequent to the first time (t1). Delta voltages (ΔV1, ΔV2) are determined by subtracting each of the additional voltages from the first voltage and delta times (Δt1, Δt2) are determined by subtracting the first time from each of the additional times. Regression equation coefficients (α, ε) are determined from regression analysis of the delta voltages and delta times, and are applied to a database for determining the residual charge. |
| US07723956B2 |
Battery module system, method of charging battery module and charging type vacuum cleaner
A battery module system includes a battery module and a control member. The battery module comprises battery units are connected in series. Each of the battery units comprises a unit cell having a voltage variation rate A (mV/% SOC) at a full charge voltage VH1 (V) is larger than 20 (mV/% SOC), which is a value obtained when the unit cell is charged at a current of 1 C at 25° C. The control member controls current to a current I1 until a maximum value Vmax (V) among the voltage of each unit cell reaches the full charge voltage VH1 (V) and then controls a voltage of the battery module to a voltage V2 (V) given by the following equation (1): V2=VH2×n (1). |
| US07723954B2 |
Method and device for supplying at least one load
The invention relates to a method and a device for supplying at least one load consumer during a mains failure. According to said method, a plurality of batteries acts as an emergency voltage source during the failure of a mains voltage source in order to supply the load consumer(s). The plurality of batteries is connected to the mains voltage source. The batteries are interconnected in series in order to form the emergency supply for the load consumer. To permit a simple, cost-effective emergency supply with a reliable charging of the batteries, the plurality of series-connected batteries is sub-divided into at least two battery groups using a splitter circuit and each of said battery groups is connected to the mains voltage source for charging purposes by means of a corresponding connection circuit. |
| US07723946B2 |
Method and system for pulse position scheduling in electric drives
Method and system are provided for controlling an alternating current (AC) motor via an inverter. The method includes selecting a pulse sequencing method based on a modulation index of the inverter, and providing a voltage to the AC motor based on the pulse sequencing method. The system includes an inverter having a modulation index (Mi) and a controller coupled to the inverter. The controller selects a pulse sequencing method based on Mi and produces a signal based on the pulse sequencing method. The inverter includes a switch network producing a voltage in response to the signal, and the voltage drives the AC motor. |
| US07723938B2 |
Control system for multiphase rotary electric machine
A control system for multiphase rotary electric machines is provided. The control system carries out control of the output of a multiphase rotary electric machine by operating switching elements of an inverter, so that more appropriate measure can be taken when malfunction has occurred in the inverter. A rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine, a rotary shaft of a generator and a rotary shaft of a motor are linked through a torque-splitting mechanism. The control system carries out failsafe processes, at the occurrence of short circuit in a switching element of the inverter, to control load torque of the generator so as to prevent rotation of a rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine in a non-operative state, which rotation is induced by a motive force of the motor. |
| US07723937B2 |
Drive control device of motor and a method of start-up
A motor drive control device and motor startup method prevent startup noise and reduce startup time. At startup, a current to which a rotor does not react is passed through two phase coils of a polyphase DC motor in succession, and a voltage polarity induced in a non-conducting phase is detected. A first operation decodes the detected signal, and determines phase coils of the motor through which a current should pass to rotate the rotor and the energization direction. A second operation forms a control signal for passing a current according to the determination to drive the motor, detects a voltage peak induced in the non-conducting phase during the drive, and performs switching control of a conducting phase. In normal operation, the position of the rotor is detected based on a back EMF in each phase, and rotation control is performed. |
| US07723928B2 |
Ballast control IC with minimal internal and external components
A ballast controller integrated circuit which executes a specific set of instructions via an integrated state diagram architecture to control a fluorescent lamp or high intensity discharge lamp and protect the ballast. The state diagram architecture controls powering up and down of the IC and the half-bridge circuit driven by the IC, preheating and striking of the lamp, running of the lamp, sensing for numerous possible fault conditions, and recovering from these fault conditions based on the normal maintenance of a lamp, while requiring fewer internal and external components than previous electronic ballasts. |
| US07723926B2 |
Shunting type PWM dimming circuit for individually controlling brightness of series connected LEDS operated at constant current and method therefor
A dimming circuit for driving a string of LEDs at constant current has a power converter. A control circuit is coupled to the power converter. A plurality of shunt switches is provided. An individual shut switch is coupled to each LED. Each LED can be shunted individually by the individual shunt switch. The control circuit corrects an internal DC state based on a feedback signal VO so that the output current of the power converter remains unchanged when at least one LED is shunted. |
| US07723925B2 |
Multiple location dimming system
A multiple location dimming system comprises a plurality of dimmers coupled between an AC power source and a lighting load. Each of the plurality of dimmers is operable to control the intensity of the lighting load and comprises a controllably conductive device, e.g., a triac. The triacs of the plurality of dimmers are coupled in parallel electrical connection. Only an active one of the dimmers is operable to conduct a load current to the lighting load at any given time. A passive dimmer is operable to monitor the voltage across its triac in order to determine when the active dimmer is firing its triac. Accordingly, the passive dimmer is operable to fire its triac before the active dimmer fires its triac in order to “take over” control of the lighting load from the active dimmer to become the next active dimmer. Further, the passive dimmer is operable to determine the amount of power being delivered to the load and display this information on one or more status indicators. |
| US07723924B2 |
Backlight inverter and liquid crystal display using the same
A backlight inverter includes a transformer boosting an input voltage at a ratio of a primary winding to a secondary winding of the transformer and outputting a first voltage and a second voltage; a protection level signal generator causing a phase delay between the first voltage and the second voltage, and generating a protection level signal, the protection level signal being a sum of the phase reversed first voltage and the second voltage; and an arc state detector comparing the protection level signal with a reference voltage and generating a detection signal; and a diving controller maintaining or stopping a supplying of an input voltage to the transformer in response to the detection signal, wherein in addition to the phase delay, another phase delay is caused by an open circuit in the transformer, so that a maximum value of the protection level signal is larger than the reference voltage and the input voltage is stopped. |
| US07723921B2 |
Circuitry for portable lighting devices and portable rechargeable electronic devices
A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a circuit for reducing the initial surge of current that is sent through the lamp filament when a flashlight is turned on is provided. The circuit reduces the stresses placed on the lamp bulb when it is turned on, thereby extending the life expectancy of the lamp bulb. A flashlight with beacon mode that produces light according to a duty cycle of less than 11% is also disclosed. |
| US07723919B2 |
Front panel for plasma display panel and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a front panel for a plasma display panel which can suppress the incidence of chipping of the barrier rib of a rear panel for a PDP, can enhance the stability of initial electron emission in a dielectric layer, and can reduce a voltage required for maintaining a wall charge. The front panel for a plasma display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed to cover the respective electrodes and the substrate, a dielectric-protection layer formed to cover the dielectric layer, and powder components dispersed on the dielectric-protection layer, wherein an annealed layer having a thickness of 10 to 300 nm is formed on at least the exposed surface of each of the powder components, wherein said exposed surface does not contact the dielectric-protection layer. |
| US07723916B2 |
Organic electroluminescence element and display using the same
One embodiment of the present invention is an organic electroluminescence element, including: an anode; a cathode; an organic light emitting medium layer including a buffer layer and an organic light emitting layer, the organic light emitting medium layer being between the anode and the cathode, and the buffer layer comprising at least two kinds of inorganic material. |
| US07723913B2 |
Graded junction silicon nanocrystal embedded silicon oxide electroluminescence device
A silicon (Si) nanocrystal embedded Si oxide electroluminescence (EL) device and associated fabrication process are presented. The method provides a substrate bottom electrode, and forms a plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers overlying the bottom electrode, where X is less than 2. Each SiOx film layer has a Si excess concentration in a range of about 5 to 30%. The outside film layers sandwich an inner film layer having a lower concentration of Si nanocrystals. Alternately stated, the outside Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers have a higher electrical conductivity than a sandwiched inner film layer. A transparent top electrode is formed over the plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers. The plurality of Si nanocrystal embedded SiOx film layers are deposited using a high density plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (HD PECVD) process. The HD PECVD process initially deposits SiOx film layers, which are subsequently annealed. |
| US07723911B2 |
Flat fluorescent lamp and driving method thereof, and liquid crystal display device
A flat fluorescent lamp is provided. In the flat fluorescent lamp, a discharge gas and a fluorescent material are disposed inside a chamber; first and second electrodes covered by a dielectric layer are disposed at the bottom of the chamber; first protruding points are disposed on a first side of each electrode; and second protruding points are disposed on a second side of each electrode. In each electrode, the first and the second protruding points are alternately laid. The first light-emitting region formed between the first protruding points and the first and second electrodes corresponding thereto and the second light-emitting region formed between the second protruding points and the first and second electrodes corresponding thereto are one of the entirely not overlapping and partially overlapping. Further, a driving method for the flat fluorescent lamp and a liquid crystal display device having the flat fluorescent lamp are provided. |
| US07723909B2 |
Electron emitter formed of a dielectric material characterized by having high mechanical quality factor
A dielectric-film-type electron emitter includes an emitter section, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The emitter section is formed of a thin layer of a polycrystalline dielectric material. The dielectric material constituting the emitter section is formed of a material having high mechanical quality factor (Qm). Specifically, the dielectric material has a Qm higher than that of a so-called low-Qm material (a material having a Qm of 100 or less). The Qm of the dielectric material is preferably 300 or more, more preferably 500 or more. |
| US07723907B2 |
Flow-fill spacer structures for flat panel display device
A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to support structures such as spacers used to provide a uniform distance between two layers of a device. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the spacers may be formed utilizing flow-fill deposition of a wet film in the form of a precursor such as silicon dioxide. Formation of spacers in this manner provides a homogenous amorphous support structure that may be used to provide necessary spacing between layers of a device such as a flat panel display. |
| US07723906B2 |
Spark plug designed to minimize drop in insulation resistance
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a metal shell, a porcelain insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. The center electrode is retained in the porcelain insulator to define a spark gap between itself and the ground electrode. The porcelain insulator has a nose made up of an upright portion and a tapered portion continuing from the upright portion toward a top end thereof. The tapered portion has a diameter decreasing toward the top end of the porcelain insulator. The upright portion has an outer wall extending substantially parallel to an inner wall of the metal shell, thereby inducing the formation of side sparks between the tapered portion and the metal shell before the insulation resistance between the center electrode and the metal shell drops, thereby giving a signal indicative of such an event to an operator. |
| US07723905B2 |
Vibrating gyrosensor driven with offset potential
A vibrating gyrosensor includes a support substrate on which a wiring pattern having lands is formed. A vibrating element is mounted on a surface of the support substrate. The vibrating element includes a base part having a mounting surface on which a number of terminals connectable to the lands is formed. A vibrator part integrally projects from a side of the base part and has a substrate-facing surface coplanar with the mounting surface of the base part. The vibrator part has a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode layer which are laminated on the substrate-facing surface. The vibrator part vibrates when an AC signal is applied between the first and second electrode layers. The central electric field strength of the AC signal is set at a position shifting to the positive direction from the center of a hysteresis loop of the piezoelectric layer. |
| US07723904B2 |
Resonator, unit having resonator, oscillator having unit and electronic apparatus having oscillator
An electronic apparatus comprises a display portion and at least one oscillating circuit comprising an amplifier, at least one resistor, a plurality of capacitors, and a unit having a case and a resonator. The resonator is vibratable in a flexural mode and has first and second vibrational arms, and at least one groove is formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms, and at least one mounting arm protrudes from the base portion and extends in a common direction with at least one of the first and second vibrational arms. An output signal of the at least one oscillating circuit comprising the resonator is a clock signal for use in operation of the electronic apparatus to display time information at the display portion. |
| US07723902B2 |
Piezoelectric transformer and method for the production thereof
A piezoelectric transformer includes a base body. The base body includes an input part and an output part mechanically connected to the input part. The base body also includes internal electrodes perpendicular to a polarization axis of the transformer-in the input part and the output part. The transformer also includes an auxiliary electrode galvanically separated from the input part and the output part. |
| US07723900B2 |
Electro-mechanical wave device
An electro-mechanical wave device which may be used for movement of a mechanical member, e.g. by friction, a motor comprising one or more wave devices, and a method of providing the electro-mechanical wave device. The electro-mechanical wave device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of conductors, and a plurality of actuators positioned on the substrate for generation of mechanical waves along a predetermined propagation path, each of the actuators being connected to a respective set of the conductors of the substrate for reception of an excitation signal transmitted by the set of conductors. |
| US07723895B2 |
Rotating electric machine apparatus and method of assembly
A rotating electric machine apparatus includes at least one end plate associated with an inner assembly unit that operates to prevent contact between the inner assembly unit and an outer assembly unit. The end plate is peripherally sized to allow the slidable assembly of the inner assembly unit into the outer assembly unit while preventing undesirable contact of the inner assembly unit with the outer assembly unit. |
| US07723886B2 |
Continously controllable magnetodynamic gear
The invention relates to a continuously controllable gear comprising a driving rotor rotatably driven by a power source which is provided with magnets uniformly distributed on the periphery thereof and produces, during the rotation thereof, a magnetic multipolar field in an ambient space rotating therewith. Said driving rotor is surrounded in the radial direction outwards with the primary air gap of a coaxial field concentrator which forms magnetoconductive pole shoes and is separated from a coaxial stator by means of a secondary air gap. The grooves of the stator are provided with sequentially short-circuitable windings. |
| US07723884B2 |
Permanent magnetic motor having a magnetic axial bearing
A permanent magnetic motor having a magnetic axial bearing and one or more fluid bearings, wherein a stator unit is disposed on a baseplate, the stator unit being disposed opposite a magnet ring made up of permanent magnets and being separated from the magnet ring by an air gap, and the magnet ring is fixed to the inside circumference of a circumferential hub that is supported with respect to a bearing bush by means of the fluid bearings via a shaft, and at least one fluid dynamic axial bearing is preloaded with an axial attractive force component that is at least partly generated by a ferromagnetic pull ring that is fixed to the baseplate and disposed below the magnet ring and permeated by its field lines, characterized in that, seen magnetically, the stator unit is centered with respect to the magnet ring and has no significant axial offset and that the pull ring has no or only relatively low electrical conductivity at high magnetic permeability. |
| US07723882B2 |
Electric motor
A closer is configured into a generally cylindrical shape and is provided to a rotatable shaft of an electric motor to rotate integrally with the rotatable shaft relative to a housing. The closer is at least partially received in an opening of a bearing receiver of the housing, which receives a bearing. The closer has an opposed end surface, which is axially opposed to an outer end surface of the bearing and defines a lubricant holding space in cooperation with the outer end surface of the bearing, an inner peripheral surface of the bearing receiver and an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft. A lubricant is applied to the outer end surface of the bearing. |
| US07723878B2 |
Motor for electric power steering and method for manufacturing the same
A small-sized motor for electric power steering, in which coil connection can be easily performed with space saving, and a method for manufacturing the motor. Multi-phase stator coils assembled in a stator coil are connected per phase by connecting rings at coil ends of the stator coils. A bus bar supplied with electric power from the exterior is stacked onto the connecting rings in the axial direction of the motor and is electrically connected to the connecting rings. |
| US07723877B2 |
Motor
A stator of a motor includes a stator core formed of a plurality of teeth and an annular yoke connecting the teeth to each other, and windings wound on the teeth. A rotor of the motor confronts the stator while supported rotatably, and includes a rotor magnet, a rotor core, and a position sensing magnet. The motor further includes a position sensor for sensing a rotational position of the rotor and a circuit board for supplying an electric current to the windings in response to the rotational position of the rotor. The rotor magnet, the rotor core, and the position sensing magnet are integrated into one unit, which is mounted on a shaft of the rotor. |
| US07723874B2 |
Cooling systems and methods for integration electric motor-inverters
Cooling systems and methods are provided for an integrated electric motor-inverter, where the integrated electric motor-inverter includes a housing, a motor, and an inverter, the motor and the inverter are disposed within the housing, and the motor includes a stator. The system includes a cooling jacket, a first coolant, a condenser, a spray head, and a second coolant. The cooling jacket is disposed concentric to the stator and includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is in direct contact with the stator. The first coolant is disposed between the cooling jacket inner and outer walls. The condenser is disposed concentric to the cooling jacket. The spray head is disposed adjacent the inverter. The second coolant is in flow communication with the spray head. |
| US07723873B2 |
Vibration actuator
A vibration actuator having a simple small-sized structure capable of obtaining vibration enough to sense without use of suspension or the like is provided.Amplitude of a moving part is restrained by a magnetic gap formed by cup-shaped yokes which are formed to interpose a magnet, and the moving part is vibrated without collision of the moving part with an inner wall of a fixed part. Therefore, magnetic force exerted between the moving part and the fixed part is allowed to function as a suspension. Therefore, it is possible to solve a problem, that is, reduction in the amplitude caused from the suspension. In addition, an air damper structure that air in upper and lower space of the moving part is used as a damper is provided, so that it is possible to obtain a wide frequency band. |
| US07723872B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a switching time for an electrical switching device
A method and a device for determining a switching time of an electric switching device. An electric switching device includes an interrupter link. A first line section and a second line section can be connected and disconnected by way of the interrupter link. In order to determine a switching time, the temporal progression of a driving voltage is determined in the first line section. In addition, a temporal course of an oscillator voltage appearing in the second line section is determined. Potential switching times are determined at the voltage zero crossings of a resulting voltage. The selection of the potential switching times ensues while evaluating the rises of the driving voltage and of the oscillator voltage or of the polarity of the oscillating current. |
| US07723871B2 |
Heating power supply apparatus
A plural number of bridge circuits, each having a rectifier circuit with positive half wave control electrodes and a rectifier circuit with negative half wave control electrodes, and each of the plural number of the bridge circuits is connected to one winding of a power supply transformer; the rectifier circuit with negative half wave control electrodes selected from the plurality of the bridge circuits is electrically conducted when a predetermined the rectifier circuit with positive half wave control electrodes of the plurality of the bridge circuits is electrically conducted; the rectifier circuits with positive half wave control electrodes and the rectifier circuits with negative half wave control electrodes are connected by a plurality of loads. |
| US07723869B2 |
Device for controlling a power electronic switch and speed controller comprising same
A device controlling a JFET power electronic switch of normally ON type, including a main gate control circuit powered by a main power source for driving the gate of the JFET switch, a protection switching device that is switchable between two states, an auxiliary circuit controlling the switching device, and an auxiliary power source whose positive terminal is connected to the source of the JFET switch and whose negative terminal is connected to the gate of the JFET switch, bypassing the gate control circuit in one of the two positions of the switching device. The switching device can be an electromagnetic or electronic switch. |
| US07723868B2 |
Operating switch wiring device and handle member therefor
An operating switch wiring device capable of easily setting a load which is a group control object, without using a dedicated setter, and a handle member used therefore. The operating switch wiring device used for a remote supervisory control system includes a plurality of individual switches which are individually assigned with addresses corresponding to addresses of relays and individually turn on/off the relays, a group switch which groups one or plural of the individual switches into a group and collectively turns on/off the relays corresponding to the individual switches in the group, and group setting switches which are provided in correspondence with the individual switches and set whether each of the individual switches are registered in the group. |
| US07723863B2 |
Power systems and methods using an uniterruptible power supply to transition to generator-powered operation
A loss of a power source for a bus is detected. Responsive to detecting the loss of the power source, a voltage is generated on the bus using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A generator is transitioned to a desired output state concurrent with generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS. The generator is coupled to the bus responsive to the generator attaining the desired output state. The UPS may be used to provide power to a load connected to the bus while the generator is in transition. For example, detecting the loss of the power source may be preceded by operating a converter of the UPS coupled to the bus as a rectifier and generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS may include operating the converter of the UPS as an inverter. |
| US07723862B1 |
Street light auxiliary power converter for ancillary devices
A system and device for using the power provided to street and area lights or other outdoor installations to power auxiliary devices which require a power supply which is different from line voltage for their power requirements. A device adapted to be connected to the NEMA three pole receptacle on a street or area light which converts the line voltage provided to the outdoor installation into a power form required by one or more auxiliary devices which cannot directly use the line current or voltage. The appropriate electrical connector for the auxiliary device may be included. Among the conversions: line voltage up to 480 volts alternating current converted to a user's specified voltage for WiFi, radios, surveillance cameras, traffic monitoring, other monitoring, security cameras, other communications, and UPS systems; DC voltage for the above applications and others; and power over ethernet conversion (for example, 48 volt direct current, 420 milliamperes). |
| US07723861B2 |
Airborne stabilized wind turbines system
An airborne system for producing electricity from wind energy includes a shaft, wind turbines rotatably mounted to the shaft and arranged to rotate independently in opposite directions when subjected to the same wind, and generators arranged to convert rotation of the turbines into electricity. A lifting section includes combination of kites and lighter than air balloons, generating a lifting force that caused the system being airborne at desire altitude. The center of gravity of the system is lower than the center of lift of the system; when the turbines of the system exposed to wind and start to rotate, torques are inducing on the shaft of the system; these torques are balancing each other and the remaining deferential torque being balanced by returning torque that is generated by the angular deviation of the center of gravity from it's lowest position, the magnitude of this returning torque, increasing as the angular deviation increased, until the system reach angular stability; electricity is generating and conducted through tether to an anchoring section for usage. |
| US07723858B2 |
Power plant having a heat storage medium and a method of operation thereof
A power plant for generating electricity has a high temperature heat reservoir and a low temperature heat reservoir. The plant is operated to store heat during off peak power periods and to use the stored heat during peak power periods to produce additional electricity. |
| US07723845B2 |
System and method of a heat transfer system with an evaporator and a condenser
The present invention is a MEMS-based two-phase LHP (loop heat pipe) and CPL (capillary pumped loop) using semiconductor grade silicon and microlithographic/anisotrophic etching techniques to achieve a planar configuration. The principal working material is silicon (and compatible borosilicate glass where necessary), particularly compatible with the cooling needs for electronic and computer chips and package cooling. The microloop heat pipes (μLHP™) utilize cutting edge microfabrication techniques. The device has no pump or moving parts, and is capable of moving heat at high power densities, using revolutionary coherent porous silicon (CPS) wicks. The CPS wicks minimize packaging thermal mismatch stress and improves strength-to-weight ratio. Also burst-through pressures can be controlled as the diameter of the coherent pores can be controlled on a sub-micron scale. The two phase planar operation provides extremely low specific thermal resistance (20-60 w/cm2). The operation is dependent upon a unique micropatterened CPS wick which contains up to millions per square centimeter of stacked uniform micro-through-capillaries in semiconductor-grade silicon, which serve as the capillary “engine,” as opposed to the stochastic distribution of pores in the typical heat pipe wick. As with all heat pipes, cooling occurs by virtue of the extraction of heat by the latent heat of phase change of the operating fluid into vapor. |
| US07723841B2 |
Thermal spacer for stacked die package thermal management
In some embodiments, a thermal spacer for stacked die package thermal management is presented. In this regard, an apparatus is introduced having a top integrated circuit die, a bottom integrated circuit die, and a thermal spacer between the top and bottom integrated circuit dice, the thermal spacer comprising a heat conducting material and the thermal spacer overhanging and extending parallel with one outside edge of the bottom integrated circuit die. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US07723836B2 |
Chip stack structure having shielding capability and system-in-package module using the same
A chip stack structure having a shielding capability may comprise a wiring substrate, the wiring substrate including a ground layer. The structure may also comprise a first chip attached on an upper surface of the wiring substrate and electrically connected to the ground layer. The structure may also comprise a plurality of first bonding wires which electrically connect the first chip to the wiring substrate. The structure may also comprise a shield plate attached to the first chip and detached from at least one of the plurality of first bonding wires, the shield plate being configured to cover the first chip and at least one of the plurality of first bonding wires. The structure may also comprise a grounding wire which connects the shield plate to the ground layer of the wiring substrate. The structure may also comprise a second chip attached to and supported by the shield plate. The structure may also comprise a plurality of second bonding wires which connect the second chip directly or via the shield plate to the wiring substrate. |
| US07723835B2 |
Semiconductor device package structure
A semiconductor chip mounted interposer (60) is configured by executing wire bonding between a semiconductor chip (50) and an interposer (20), in which terminals (21) that connect to terminals (51) of the chip (50) and separate terminals (22) are formed, on the upper face of the interposer (20). A semiconductor chip (30) is mounted to the top face of a package substrate (10), the interposer (60) is adhered to the upper portion of the chip (30), and wire bonding is executed between the terminals (22) and terminals (11′). When configuring a semiconductor device with a plurality of semiconductor chips combined into one package in this manner, KGD (Known-Good-Die) can easily be guaranteed for each semiconductor chip, and semiconductor devices can be fabricated with a high yield of good units. Also, the semiconductor chips can be used as-is, without restricting the position, pitch, signal arrangement, or the like, of their terminals. |
| US07723833B2 |
Stacked die packages
A stacked die semiconductor package that includes a substrate with a plurality of adhesive portions arranged in a manner to create at least one gap between the adhesive portions. The package also includes a first semiconductor chip having a non-active surface in contact with the adhesive portions, and an active surface being electrically connected to the substrate. In the package, a second semiconductor chip the non-active surface of the second semiconductor chip is attached to the non-active surface of the first semiconductor chip by a layer of adhesive therebetween. The active surface of the second semiconductor chip is electrically connected to the substrate. An encapsulant material covers the first and second semiconductor chips and their associated electrical connections. The encapsulating material fills the at least one gap between the plurality of adhesive portions and thereby encapsulates the second semiconductor chip and its associated electrical connection. |
| US07723832B2 |
Semiconductor device including semiconductor elements mounted on base plate
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device including a first semiconductor element mounted on a first surface of a base plate, wherein solder balls are formed on a second opposite surface of the base plate—such that the second opposite surface includes an area without solder balls. At least one second semiconductor element is mounted to the base plate at the area of the second surface without solder balls. The at least one semiconductor element may be mounted to the base plate using low molecular adhesive, or in the alternative, high temperature solder. |
| US07723828B2 |
Semiconductor package with leads on a chip having multi-row of bonding pads
A LOC leadframe-based semiconductor package includes a chip with multiple rows of bonding pads. At least a bus bar is attached to the chip and is disposed between a first row of bonding pads and the fingers of the leads. A plurality of bonding wires electrically connect the first row of bonding pads to the fingers of the leads. The portion of the bus bar attached to the active surface of the chip includes a bent section bent away from the fingers. A long bonding wire electrically connects one of a second row of bonding pads to one of the fingers of the leads by overpassing the bent section. Therefore, the distance between the long bonding wire and the bus bar is increased to avoid electrical short between the long bonding wire and the bus bar and to enhance the quality of electrical connections of the LOC semiconductor package. |
| US07723825B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to the present invention, provided is a semiconductor device including: a p-type silicon substrate; a shallow n-well formed in the silicon substrate; a shallow p-well formed beside the shallow n-well in the silicon substrate; and a deep n-well which is formed beside the shallow p-well in the silicon substrate, and which is deeper than the shallow p-well. In addition, a deep p-well, which is deeper than the shallow p-well, is formed between the shallow p-well and the deep n-well in the silicon substrate. |
| US07723824B2 |
Methodology for recovery of hot carrier induced degradation in bipolar devices
A method for recovery of degradation caused by avalanche hot carriers is provided that includes subjecting an idle bipolar transistor exhibiting avalanche degradation to a thermal anneal step which increases temperature of the transistor thereby recovering the avalanche degradation of the bipolar transistor. In one embodiment, the annealing source is a self-heating structure that is a Si-containing resistor that is located side by side with an emitter of the bipolar transistor. During the recovering step, the bipolar transistor including the self-heating structure is placed in the idle mode (i.e., without bias) and a current from a separate circuit is flown through the self-heating structure. In another embodiment of the present, the annealing step is a result of providing a high forward current (around the peak fT current or greater) to the bipolar transistor while operating below the avalanche condition (VCB of less than 1 V). Under the above conditions, about 40% or greater of the degradation can be recovered. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the thermal annealing step may include a rapid thermal anneal (RTA), a furnace anneal, a laser anneal or a spike anneal. |
| US07723823B2 |
Buried asymmetric junction ESD protection device
An improved lateral bipolar electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device (40) comprises a semiconductor (SC) substrate (42), an overlying epitaxial SC layer (44), emitter-collector regions (48, 50) laterally spaced apart by a first distance (52) in the SC layer, a base region (54) adjacent the emitter region (48) extending laterally toward and separated from the collector region (50) by a base-collector spacing (56) that is selected to set the desired trigger voltage Vt1. By providing a buried layer region (49) under the emitter region (48) Ohmically coupled thereto, but not providing a comparable buried layer region (51) under the collector region (50), an asymmetrical structure is obtained in which the DC trigger voltage (Vt1DC) and transient trigger voltage (Vt1TR) are closely matched so that |Vt1TR−Vt1DC|˜0. This close matching increases the design margin and provides a higher performance ESD device (40) that is less sensitive to process variations, thereby improving manufacturing yield and reducing cost. |
| US07723818B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a workpiece and a trench formed within the workpiece. The trench has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first width and the lower portion having a second width, the second width being greater than the first width. A first material is disposed in the lower portion of the trench at least partially in regions where the second width of the lower portion is greater than the first width of the upper portion. A second material is disposed in the upper portion of the trench and at least in the lower portion of the trench beneath the upper portion. |
| US07723816B2 |
Implementing decoupling capacitors with hot-spot thermal reduction on integrated circuit chips
A method and structures are provided for implementing decoupling capacitors with hot spot thermal reduction on integrated circuit chips including silicon-on-insulator (SOI) circuits. A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure includes a silicon substrate layer, a thin buried oxide (BOX) layer carried by the silicon substrate layer, and an active layer carried by the thin BOX layer. A thermal conductive path is built proximate to a hotspot area in the active layer to reduce thermal effects including a backside thermal connection from a backside of the SOI structure. The backside thermal connection includes a backside etched opening extending from the backside of the SOI structure into the silicon substrate layer, a capacitor dielectric formed on said backside etched opening; and a thermal connection material deposited on said capacitor dielectric filling said backside etched opening. |
| US07723815B1 |
Wafer bonded composite structure for thermally matching a readout circuit (ROIC) and an infrared detector chip both during and after hybridization
A wafer bonded composite structure is provided for matching a coefficient of thermal expansion of a first semiconductor chip to a coefficient of thermal expansion of a second semiconductor chip in order to provide a thermally matched hybridized semiconductor chip assembly. The wafer bonded composite structure includes a first semiconductor chip having a top and a bottom surface. The first semiconductor chip has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second semiconductor chip. Preferably, the first semiconductor chip is an readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and the second semiconductor chip is an infrared detector chip. Further, the wafer bonded composite structure also includes a substrate wafer bonded to a bottom surface of the first semiconductor chip to form the wafer bonded composite structure itself. The wafer bonded substrate is preferably transparent to infrared radiation, so that the first semiconductor chip or ROIC of the resulting wafer bonded composite structure may be aligned with the second semiconductor chip or infrared detector chip before hybridization has taken place. Moreover, the composite structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion which at least substantially matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second semiconductor chip, thereby providing thermal matching between the first and second semiconductor chips. |
| US07723813B2 |
Method and structure for improved alignment in MRAM integration
A method for implementing alignment of a semiconductor device structure includes forming first and second sets of alignment marks within a lower level of the structure, the second set of alignment marks adjacent the first set of alignment marks. An opaque layer is formed over the lower level, including the first and second sets of alignment marks. A portion of the opaque layer corresponding to the location of said first set of alignment marks is opened so as to render the first set optically visible while the second set of alignment marks initially remains covered by the opaque layer. The opaque layer is patterned using the optically visible first set of alignment marks, wherein the second set of alignment marks remain available for subsequent alignment operations in the event the first set becomes damaged during patterning of the opaque layer. |
| US07723806B2 |
Memory cells and semiconductor memory device using the same
Memory cells and semiconductor memory devices using the same. A substrate comprises two cross-coupled inverters and first and second pass-gate transistors formed therein, the inverters having a data storage node and a date bar storage node coupled to first terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors. A first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and comprises a bit line and a complementary bit line electrically connected to second terminals of the first and second pass-gate transistors respectively. A second conductive layer is disposed on the first conductive layer and comprises two first power lines covering the bit line and the complementary bit line respectively, wherein the first power lines, the bit line and the complementary bit line are parallel. |
| US07723801B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same, and nor gate circuit using the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate having source/drain regions, a gate electrode formed on and/or over the semiconductor substrate, spacers formed against sidewalls of the gate electrode, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode and having a plurality of contact holes formed therein, and contact plugs formed within the contact holes. The contact plugs can include a first contact plug and a second contact plug electrically connected to the gate electrode, and a third contact plug and a fourth contact plug electrically connected to the source/drain regions. |
| US07723799B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a P-substrate, an N-well disposed in the P-substrate, an NMOS transistor disposed in the P-substrate and having one of a source and a drain connected to a ground voltage, a P-tap disposed in the P-substrate and connected to a low voltage so as to provide the P-substrate with the low voltage to be lower than the ground voltage, a PMOS transistor disposed in the N-well and having a source connected to a power supply voltage, an N-tap disposed in the N-well and connected to the power supply voltage so as to provide the N-well with the power supply voltage, and a depression-type PMOS transistor having a drain connected to the low voltage and a source connected to the ground voltage so as to prevent a parasitic transistor, which may exist among the PMOS transistor, the N-well, the NMOS transistor, and the P-substrate, from causing a latchup between the power supply voltage and the ground voltage due to the low voltage rising higher than the ground voltage, and for becoming in a conductive state brought by a gate substantially connected to the ground voltage to maintain the low voltage to be substantially at the ground voltage until a possibility that the low voltage rises higher than the ground voltage is eliminated. |
| US07723795B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a first active region formed having a first portion extending laterally and second portion extendedly vertically upward from a central portion of the first portion; a second active region formed spaced from the first active region, the second active region having a third portion extending laterally, fourth and fifth portions extending vertically downwardly at distal end portions of the third portion, and a sixth portion extending vertically downwardly at a central portion of the third portion; a first gate formed extending vertically and overlapping the first portion of the first active region and the third portion of the second active regions; a second gate formed extending vertically and overlapping the first portion of the first active region and the third portion of the second active regions; a third gate formed extending in a direction perpendicular to the first and second gates and overlapping of the fourth and fifth portions of the second active region; and a plurality of contacts spaced apart predetermined distances from the gates. |
| US07723794B2 |
Load driving device
A load driving device includes a drive control signal generation circuit generating a load drive control signal and a semiconductor buffer circuit generating an output signal in response to the load drive control signal. The buffer circuit has a pair of gate driven switching elements which are connected to each other in push-pull configuration and driven at their gate terminals by the load drive control signal. The buffer circuit has an output terminal which is connected to a connection point between ends of controlled electrodes of the gate driven switching elements, and a power source terminal and a ground connection terminal respectively connected to the remaining ends of the other controlled electrodes of the gate driven switching elements. A ground connection side element of a pair of gate driven switching elements has a set of MOS transistors which are connected across the connection point and the ground connection terminal. |
| US07723785B2 |
High performance power MOS structure
A semiconductor device includes a source region and a drain region disposed in a substrate wherein the source and drain regions have a first type of dopant; a gate electrode formed on the substrate interposed laterally between the source and drain regions; a gate spacer disposed on the substrate and laterally between the source region and the gate electrode, adjacent a side of the gate electrode; and a conductive feature embedded in the gate spacer. |
| US07723775B2 |
NAND flash memory device having a contact for controlling a well potential
A NAND flash memory device includes a plurality of active regions extending in a first direction on a substrate, the active regions including a first well of a first conductivity, a plurality of word lines extending on the first well in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, first and second dummy word lines extending in a second direction on the first well, the first and second dummy word lines being separated from each other to define an intermediate region therebetween, the first and second dummy word lines being adapted to receive a substantially constant bias voltage of about 0 V, and at least one contact in an active region in the intermediate region between the first and second dummy word lines. |
| US07723773B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device and manufacturing method thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device with a superior charge holding characteristic in which highly-efficient writing is possible at low voltage, and to provide a manufacturing method thereof.The nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor film having a pair of impurity regions formed apart from each other and a channel formation region provided between the impurity regions; and a first insulating film, a charge accumulating layer, a second insulating film, and a conductive film functioning as a gate electrode layer which are provided over the channel formation region. In the nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, a second barrier formed by the first insulating film against a charge of the charge accumulating layer is higher in energy than a first barrier formed by the first insulating film against a charge of the semiconductor film. |
| US07723772B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device manufacturing method includes forming a floating gate electrode above a semiconductor substrate, forming an interelectrode insulating film above the floating gate electrode, forming a first radical nitride film on a surface of the interelectrode insulating film by first radical nitriding, and forming a control gate electrode on the first radical nitride film. |
| US07723767B2 |
High dielectric constant transition metal oxide materials
A transition metal oxide dielectric material is doped with a non-metal in order to enhance the electrical properties of the metal oxide. In a preferred embodiment, a transition metal oxide is deposited over a bottom electrode and implanted with a dopant. In a preferred embodiment, the metal oxide is hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide and the dopant is nitrogen. The dopant can convert the crystal structure of the hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide to a tetragonal structure and increase the dielectric constant of the metal oxide. |
| US07723765B2 |
Image sensor having hydrophilic and hydrophobic microlenses and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor may comprise photodiodes on a semiconductor; color filters on the photodiodes; a planarization layer covering the color filters; and microlenses on the planarization layer, including alternate hydrophilic microlenses and hydrophobic microlenses contacting the edges of the hydrophilic microlenses, corresponding to respective color filters. |
| US07723764B2 |
Device mounting substrate and image display device
A method of repairing a defective one of devices mounted on substrate is provided. Devices are arrayed on a substrate and electrically connected to wiring lines connected to a drive circuit, to be thus mounted on the substrate. The devices mounted on the substrate are then subjected to an emission test. If a defective device is detected in this test, a repair device is mounted at a position corresponding to a position of the defective device. At this time, after wiring lines connected to the defective device are cut off, the repair device is electrically connected to portions of the wiring lines, the portions of the wiring lines being located at positions nearer to the drive circuit side than the cut-off positions of the wiring lines. Since a defective device is repaired by a simple step that is carried out by simply mounting and fixing a repair device without removal of the defective device, it is possible to eliminate the need of any complicated, microscopic work, for example, removal of the mounted devices, and/or selective removal or repair of an insulating layer. |
| US07723758B2 |
Method for dopant calibration of delta doped multilayered structure
In a calibration method, the relation between dopant concentrations of δ-doping layers in a multilayered semiconductor structure and process parameters is determined S1 based on multiple bulk specimens of the material in which the δ-doping layers are located. A desired dopant concentration is selected S2, and the semiconductor structure with predetermined doping levels can be generated S3 based on the relation between the process parameters and the predetermined doping concentrations. |
| US07723757B2 |
Vertical nonvolatile memory cell, array, and operation
A vertical nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a charge control structure with three nodes. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same. |
| US07723755B2 |
Semiconductor having buried word line cell structure and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a semiconductor device having a buried word line structure in which a gate electrode and a word line may be buried within a substrate to reduce the height of the semiconductor device and to reduce the degradation of the oxide layer caused by chlorine ions from the application of a TiN metal gate, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may comprise a semiconductor substrate defined by a device isolation layer and comprising an active region including a trench and one or more recess channels, a gate isolation layer on the surface of the trench, a gate electrode layer on the surface of the gate isolation layer, and a word line by which the trench may be buried on the surface of the gate electrode layer. |
| US07723751B2 |
Semiconductor device and fabrication method of the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a SiC drift layer formed above the substrate, a GaN-based semiconductor layer that is formed on the SiC drift layer and includes a channel layer, a source electrode and a gate electrode formed on the GaN-based semiconductor layer, current blocking regions formed in portions of the SiC drift layer and located below the source and gate electrodes, and a drain electrode formed on a surface that opposes the GaN-based semiconductor layer across the SiC layer. |
| US07723748B2 |
Semiconductor device including electrostatic discharge protection circuit
A SGPMOS transistor includes a base, a P-type diffusion layer, a gate electrode, and a LOCOS oxide film. The base includes at least one of a N-type semiconductor substrate, a P-type semiconductor substrate, and a N-type well. The P-type diffusion layer includes a P-type source and a P-type drain. At least the P-type drain includes a double diffusion structure including first and second P-type drain diffusion layers. The LOCOS oxide film is provided on the first P-type drain diffusion layer and covered by an end of the gate electrode. The first and the second P-type drain diffusion layers satisfy a relation of Y |
| US07723743B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element
A semiconductor light emitting element has an electrode formed on a semiconductor layer, a passivation film covering a part of a top surface of the electrode, and a multilayer film formed on the electrode. The multilayer film has at least one pair of a Ti layer and a Ni layer, the Ti layer and the Ni layer being stacked alternately in the multilayer film. |
| US07723742B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting element and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor light-emitting device (LE1) comprises a multilayer structure LS generating light. This multilayer structure includes a plurality of laminated compound semiconductor layers (3 to 8) and has first and second main faces (61, 62) opposing each other. A first electrode (21) and a second electrode (31) are arranged on the first and second main faces, respectively. A film made of silicon oxide (10) is also formed on the first main face so as to cover the first electrode. A glass substrate (1) optically transparent to the light generated by the multilayer structure is secured to the multilayer structure through the film made of silicon oxide. |
| US07723734B2 |
LTPS-LCD structure and method for manufacturing the same
An LTPS-LCD structure and a method for manufacturing the structure are provided. The structure comprises a substrate where a plurality of pixels are formed thereon. Each of these pixels comprises a control area, a capacitance area, and a display area. The structure is initially formed with a transparent electrode on the substrate, followed by a control device, a capacitance storage device. The display unit is then formed on the control area, the capacitance area, and the display area, respectively. As a result, the capacitance of the structure can be enhanced and the manufacturing processes of masks can be reduced. |
| US07723732B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate having two main surfaces; and an active layer forming part, which is made of a compound semiconductor material, formed on one of the main surfaces, and includes an active layer. A plurality of holes, which pass through the active layer, are formed from the upper surface of the active layer forming part; a plurality of hollow parts, each of which corresponds to each hole, are provided between the active layer and the substrate; and the area of each hollow part is larger than that of the corresponding hole in plan view, and spreads on the lower surface of the active layer forming part, so as to expose a part of the lower surface of the active layer forming part, which overlaps the hollow part in plan view. |
| US07723729B2 |
Compound semiconductor-on-silicon wafer with a silicon nanowire buffer layer
A compound semiconductor-on-silicon (Si) wafer with a Si nanowire buffer layer is provided, along with a corresponding fabrication method. The method forms a Si substrate. An insulator layer is formed overlying the Si substrate, with Si nanowires having exposed tips. Compound semiconductor is selectively deposited on the Si nanowire tips. A lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) process grows compound semiconductor from the compound semiconductor-coated Si nanowire tips, to form a compound semiconductor layer overlying the insulator. Typically, the insulator layer overlying the Si substrate is a thermally soft insulator (TSI), silicon dioxide, or SiXNY, where x≦3 and Y≦4. The compound semiconductor can be GaN, GaAs, GaAlN, or SiC. In one aspect, the Si nanowire tips are carbonized, and SiC is selectively deposited overlying the carbonized Si nanowire tips, prior to the selective deposition of compound semiconductor on the Si nanowire tips. |
| US07723727B2 |
Liquid crystal display and substrate thereof
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display and a substrate for the same. The substrate comprises first wires formed in one direction on the substrate; second wires intersecting and insulated from the first wires; pixel electrodes formed in pixel regions defined by the first wires and the second wires; and switching elements connected to the first wires, the second wires and the pixel electrodes, wherein an interval between two adjacent second wires has a predetermined dimension that repeatedly varies from one set of adjacent second wires to the next, and a side of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the second wires is shaped in a pattern identical to the second wires such that the pixel electrodes have a wide portion and a narrow portion. The liquid crystal display comprises a first substrate; first wires formed in one direction on the first substrate; second wires intersecting and insulated from the first wires; pixel electrodes formed in pixel regions defined by the crossing of the first wires and the second wires, and a side of the pixel electrodes adjacent to the second wires is shaped in a pattern identical to the second wires such that the pixel electrodes have a wide portion and a narrow portion; switching elements connected to the first wires, the second wires and the pixel electrodes; a second substrate provided opposing the first substrate; a black matrix formed on the second substrate; common electrodes formed on the second substrate; and domain controlling means for controlling the formation of domains of the pixel electrodes. |
| US07723726B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate with bonding layer and method for fabricating the same
An exemplary thin film transistor substrate (30) includes a base substrate (31) and a gate electrode (32) formed on the base substrate. The gate electrode includes a bonding layer (321) formed on the base substrate and an electrically conductive layer (322) formed on the bonding layer. The bonding layer includes one of aluminum oxide and zirconium dioxide. |
| US07723725B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
There is provided an active matrix type display device in which the display device is formed of a driver circuit with an insulated gate FET capable of operating at high speed, and even if an area of a pixel electrode per unit pixel is made small, sufficient storage capacitance can be obtained. In a semiconductor device comprising an active matrix circuit with an insulated gate field effect transistor having at least an active layer made of single crystalline semiconductor, an organic resin insulating layer is formed over the insulated gate field effect transistor, a storage capacitance is formed of a light shielding layer formed over the organic resin insulating layer, a dielectric layer formed to be in close contact with the light shielding layer, and a light reflecting electrode connected to the insulated gate field effect transistor. |
| US07723719B2 |
Light emitting devices with inhomogeneous quantum well active regions
A method of fabricating a light emitting device includes modulating a crystal growth parameter to grow a quantum well layer that is inhomogeneous and that has a non-random composition fluctuation across the quantum well layer. |
| US07723717B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and fabrication method thereof
A semiconductor memory device comprises a heater electrode, a phase change portion, and an upper electrode. The phase change portion is connected to the heater electrode in a first direction. The upper electrode has an upper surface, a lower surface and a hole. The hole pierces the upper electrode between the upper and the lower surfaces in the first direction. The hole has an inner wall, which is connected to the phase change portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US07723706B2 |
Horizontal and vertical beam angle measurement technique
A system and method of quickly determining the parameters of an ion beam are disclosed. An ion beam, having a width and height dimension, is made up of a number of individual beamlets. By using a plurality of detectors, deployed over the entire beam, it is possible to quickly determine the mean angle of the beam at various locations. This information can then be used to adjust the beamline components. The detector allows a small portion of the beam to enter through a narrow slit. Varying voltages are applied to a set of electrostatic deflection plates, which enable rapid determination of the incoming beam angle. By positioning a plurality of these detectors along one or both dimensions of an ion beam, a profile of the beam can be quickly generated. This profile can then be used to adjust the various beam line components so as to improve the spread of the ion beam. This adjustment can either be made manually, or via an automated controller. |
| US07723705B2 |
Techniques for measuring ion beam emittance
Techniques for measuring ion beam emittance are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for measuring ion beam emittance. The apparatus may comprise a measurement assembly comprising a first mask, a second mask, and a pivot axis, such that the measurement assembly rotates about the pivot axis in order to scan an ion beam using either the first mask or the second mask to measure ion beam emittance for providing a measure of ion beam uniformity. |
| US07723701B1 |
Specimen preservation systems and methods
A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container. After the valve is closed, the pressure in the container is increased by screwing the two parts of the container in relation to each other such that the volume of the container is decreased. Prior to opening, the efficacy of the container can be checked by releasing the gas while the container is in the compressed state. |
| US07723700B2 |
Controlling the flow of vapors sublimated from solids
A vapor delivery system for delivering a steady flow of sublimated vapor to a vacuum chamber comprises a vaporizer of solid material, a mechanical throttling valve, and a pressure gauge, followed by a vapor conduit to the vacuum chamber. The vapor flow rate is determined by both the temperature of the vaporizer and the setting of the conductance of the mechanical throttle valve located between the vaporizer and the vacuum chamber. The temperature of the vaporizer is determined by closed-loop control to a set-point temperature. The mechanical throttle valve is electrically controlled, e.g. the valve position is under closed-loop control to the output of the pressure gauge. In this way the vapor flow rate can be generally proportional to the pressure gauge output. All surfaces exposed to the vapor from the vaporizer to the vacuum chamber are heated to prevent condensation. |
| US07723699B2 |
Cathode having electron production and focusing grooves, ion source and related method
A cathode having electron production and focusing grooves for an ion source of an ion implanter system, the ion source and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the cathode includes a working surface having a plurality of electron production and focusing grooves positioned therein. A repeller of the ion source may be similarly structured. |
| US07723696B2 |
Radiation detected value forecasting method and forecast responsive radiation detector
In a radiation detector, a response is approximated as a primary delay system, and when a time constant T indicating the characteristic of the response is known, a final response value N0 is forecasted from dose rates or counting rates N1 and N2 of two points in the initial or middle stage of response. When the time constant T is unknown, the final response value N0 is forecasted from dose rates or counting rates N1, N2, and N3 of three points in the initial or middle stage of response. Simultaneously, a time constant is obtained and the soundness of the radiation detector is also evaluated. Thereby, a dose rate in an existence field of radiation or a counting rate in an existence field of radioactive materials is quickly and accurately forecasted, whereby the measurement time is shortened. |
| US07723695B2 |
Imaging apparatus and radiation imaging system
This imaging apparatus has pixels arranged in a matrix shape on a substrate, each of which has a conversion element and the first TFT, wherein the first TFT is connected to the first gate wiring and signal wiring, and the conversion element is connected to bias wiring. The imaging apparatus has the second TFT 6 that is arranged outside a region in which the pixels are arranged. The signal wirings are mutually connected through the second TFT 6 outside a region in which the pixels are arranged. When the apparatus is driven, the second TFT is turned off. |
| US07723692B2 |
Solid state radiation sensor and manufacturing method of the same
A solid state radiation sensor, in which an electrode is disposed on each side of a recording photoconductive layer, and charges generated in the recording photoconductive layer by the irradiation of radiation, with a predetermined bias voltage being applied between the electrodes, are detected as electrical signals. Here, a predetermined region is provided between the electrodes, and the average density of an alkali metal in the predetermined region is greater than or equal to 10 times the average density of the alkali metal in the area between the electrodes other than the predetermined region. |
| US07723687B2 |
Lanthanide halide microcolumnar scintillators
The present invention provides an imaging scintillation radiation detector comprising a doped lanthanide halide microcolumnar scintillator formed on a substrate. The scintillation radiation detectors of the invention typically comprise a substrate. The substrate can be either opaque or optically transparent. In a particular embodiment of the present invention the microcolumnar scintillator is a lanthanide-halide (LaHalide3) doped with at least cerium. The invention also provides methods for the vapor deposition of a doped microcolumnar lanthanide-halide scintillator film. |
| US07723686B2 |
Image sensor for detecting wide spectrum and method of manufacturing the same
An image sensor for detecting a wide spectrum includes a plurality of infrared ray receiving layers which individually receive infrared rays having different wavelengths for each pixel, the plurality of infrared ray receiving layers stacked to each other. The image sensor, which is an integrated image sensor where at least two micro bolometers are stacked, acquires spectrum information about visible rays and near-infrared rays as well as two or more infrared rays applied on an object, without mechanical/thermal/optical distortion, and provides the spectrum information to a silicon-based semiconductor such as a photodiode, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency. |
| US07723683B2 |
Aberration correction system
An aberration correction system for use in an electron microscope and which produces a negative spherical aberration and corrects a higher-order aberration. The aberration correction system has three stages of multipole elements which, respectively, produce fields of 3-fold symmetry with respect to the optical axis. Any two stages of multipole elements are disposed in directions not to cancel out the 3-fold fields. However, the three stages of multipole elements are so disposed as to cancel out 3-fold astigmatisms. |
| US07723679B2 |
Coaxial hybrid radio frequency ion trap mass analyzer
A coaxial hybrid ion trap that uses two substantially planar opposing plates to generate electrical focusing fields that simultaneously generate at least two different types or shapes of trapping regions, wherein a first trapping region is a quadrupole trapping region disposed coaxially with respect to the opposing plates, and wherein a second trapping region is a toroidal ion trap having a toroidal trapping region that is simultaneously created around the quadrupole trapping region. |
| US07723678B2 |
Method and apparatus for surface desorption ionization by charged particles
An apparatus and method for generating analyte ions from a sample. An ion generating device is provided having a chamber with an outlet and a surface having a material and means for applying a high velocity gas flow through the chamber toward the outlet such that charged particles are produced by physical interaction between the high velocity gas and the material. The charged particles then induce the generation of primary ions by interaction with molecules of the high velocity gas. The primary ions are emitted from the outlet of the ion generating device toward a sample-bearing surface and analyte ions are generated by impact of the primary ions on the analyte sample on the surface. |
| US07723675B2 |
Well type neutron counter containing an annular He-3 detector tube
The present invention relates to a well type neutron counter containing a He-3 detector which includes at least one annular gas layer in a polyethylene moderator, which includes a body formed of a neutron moderator and having a sample cavity for inserting a sample of nuclear material therein; and an annular He-3 detector tube including at least one annular gas layer into which at least He-4 or He-3 gas or their mixture is injected and a plurality of anode rods stood in the annular gas layer with an equal spaces, wherein the He-3 detector tube is formed in an inside of the body so as to surround the sample cavity. The neutron counter has a largely reduced size, simplified structure and resultant decreased failure rate as compared to a conventional counter with a large volume. |
| US07723668B2 |
Photodetector arrangement, measurement arrangement with a photodetector arrangement and process for operating a measurement arrangement
A photodetector arrangement has a semiconductor body with a substrate, and first, second and third layers. The first layer is located at the first main surface of the semiconductor body which is suited for reception of incident photon radiation which is to be detected. The second layer is located at the second main surface of the semiconductor body which is at a distance to the first main surface. The third layer is located between the substrate and the second layer. |
| US07723667B2 |
Phototransistor with source layer between barrier layer and photosensitive semiconductor layer and a gate layer for controlling the barrier height of the barrier layer
A photo transistor has an active region spaced from a source by barrier. A drain is laterally spaced from the active region. Light incident on the active region creates electron-hole pairs. Holes accumulate at the barrier and modulate the effective barrier height to electrons. A gate reset voltage then is applied to gate which lower the barrier allowing the holes to escape. |
| US07723666B2 |
Photodiode array configured to increase electrical output power and optical microwave transmission system receiver utilizing the same
Provided is a photodiode array that is capable of outputting an electric signal with a large electric power and an optical microwave transmission system receiver that supplies an electric power with the aid of an optical fiber and does not require the electric power line from the external. An input modulation light is branched and input to a plurality of photodiode elements (1), electric output terminals (5) of the plurality of photodiode elements (1) are connected in parallel to each other, and a combined electric output is extracted. The electric output terminal (5) of the photodiode array configured as described above is connected to an antenna (7) without an intermediation of an amplifier circuit. |
| US07723664B2 |
Imaging apparatus having electron source array
An imaging apparatus includes an electron emission array having electron sources arranged in matrix form and having a plurality of horizontal scan lines, a photoelectric conversion film opposed to the electron emission array, and a control and drive circuit configured to select one or more of the horizontal scan lines in a given video signal output period and to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film to produce a video signal, wherein the control and drive circuit is configured to control electron emission of the electron emission array in a blanking period in response to a signal level of the video signal produced in the given video signal output period. |
| US07723656B1 |
Microwaveable food package
A microwavable food package is disclosed, comprising a packaging sheet including first and second column of apertures, the apertures between 100 microns and 800 microns in diameter; and a central seal, the central seal joining a first edge of the packaging sheet to a second edge of the packaging sheet, the central seal running longitudinally along the length of the food package, wherein the first column of apertures is on one side of the central seal and the second column of apertures is on the other side of the central seal. |
| US07723655B2 |
Microwave oven using bar code and method for controlling the same
A microwave oven cooking food using a bar code, and a method controlling same. The microwave oven comprises a bar code scanner for obtaining bar code data from the bar code attached to the food; and a controller for obtaining cooking data corresponding to the microwave oven from the bar code data, setting cooking conditions based on the obtained cooking data, and performing the cooking of the food according to the set cooking conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to develop cooking sets regardless of the manufacturing times of foods, and food producers can put foods applied compatibly to plural cooking sets on the market and easily control inventory. |
| US07723654B2 |
Apparatus for in-situ microwave consolidation of planetary materials containing nano-sized metallic iron particles
An apparatus and method for on-site microwave consolidation of planetary regolith, soil and dust is disclosed. Such particulate materials may be converted into useful products such as roadways and other construction materials. In one embodiment, a portable microwave generator and waveguide system is used to generate and direct microwaves to a lunar surface containing fine iron-containing particles to sinter and/or melt the particles. The portable system may be provided in the form of a lunar paver with a single or multiple waveguides arranged to direct sufficient microwave energy to the lunar surface to heat, sinter, melt, or otherwise consolidate the lunar soil into a solid mass suitable for use as a road or path. Other applications of this in-situ microwave heating process include the release of solar-wind implanted gases, extraction of polar water-ice, and production of oxygen. |
| US07723653B2 |
Method for temperature cycling with inductive heating
Apparatus and method for inductive heating of a material located in a channel, to modify the state of the material between flowable and nonflowable states. An internal inductive heating assembly is disposed in the material in the channel, and a signal is supplied to the assembly to generate a magnetic flux in at least one of the assembly and the material, the magnetic flux generating inductive heating of the assembly and/or the material. The signal is adjusted to produce a desired rate of temperature cycling of the material in the channel which includes modifying the state of the material between flowable and nonflowable states. In one embodiment, the heating assembly includes an interior coil, an exterior sheath inductively coupled to the coil, a dielectric material disposed between the coil and sheath, a flux concentrator, and a conductor for supplying a signal to the coil to generate the magnetic flux. The materials and/or Curie temperatures of the coil, sheath and/or flux concentrator may be selected to provide a desired rate of inductive heating of the sheath and/or the material. |
| US07723652B2 |
Adjusting device for adjusting tension of heating straps on heating assembly
A heating strap assembly includes a of heating strap engaged with positioning recesses of supports which are connected between two sides of a rectangular frame which includes a first end board, a second end board and the two sides connected between the first and second end boards. Two positioning bars are connected between the first and second end boards to press the supports. An adjusting device includes a U-shaped pull member which is movably connected to the second end board by springs. The pull member is connected to a driving support which is movably connected to the two sides of the frame and includes positioning recesses with which the heating strap is engaged. The springs pull the pull member to pull the heating strap so as to keep the tension of the heating strap. |
| US07723650B2 |
Contactor assembly for wire feeder
A portable wire feeder for providing welding wire and welding current to a welding operation includes an input electrically connected to a power source. An output is selectively electrically connected to the input to receive welding current delivered to the input from the power source and to provide the welding current and welding wire to the welding operation through a guide hose. A contactor includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a conductive bridge member for selectively electrically connecting the input to the output. The first electrical terminal is electrically connected to the input. The second electrical terminal is electrically connected to the output. The conductive bridge member is movable between the first position in which the bridge member electrically connects the first electrical terminal to the second electrical terminal and a second position wherein the bridge member is separated from at least one of the first and second electrical terminals to electrically isolate the terminals from one another. At least one of the first electrical terminals, the second electrical terminal and the bridge member is independently removable from the contactor for servicing or replacement. A motorized wire feeding system includes a motor and a feed roll driven by the motor to direct the welding wire from a wire supply to the output for provision of the welding wire to the welding operation through the guide hose. |
| US07723649B2 |
Vacuum thermal annealer
A vacuum thermal annealing device is provided having temperature control for use with various materials, such as semiconductor substrates. A vacuum is used to remove air and outgas residual materials. Heated gas is injected planar to a substrate as pressure is quickly raised.Concurrent with the heated gas flow, a chamber wall heater is turned on and maintains a temperature for a proper annealing time. Upon completion of the annealing process, the chamber wall heater shuts down and air is forced around the chamber wall heater. Additionally, cool gas replaces the heated gas to cool the substrate. |
| US07723648B2 |
Temperature controlled substrate holder with non-uniform insulation layer for a substrate processing system
A substrate holder for supporting a substrate in a processing system includes a temperature controlled support base having a first temperature, and a substrate support opposing the temperature controlled support base and configured to support the substrate. Also included is one or more heating elements coupled to the substrate support and configured to heat the substrate support to a second temperature above the first temperature, and a thermal insulator disposed between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support. The thermal insulator includes a non-uniform spatial variation of the heat transfer coefficient (W/m2-K) through the thermal insulator between the temperature controlled support base and the substrate support. |
| US07723645B2 |
Switching device and system
A heating assembly for a printing device includes a heating device configured to be energized or deenergized. A switching device includes a bimetallic element efficiently thermally coupled to the heating device and configured to deenergize the heating device in a defined period of time in the event of an over temperature condition. |
| US07723642B2 |
Laser-based system for memory link processing with picosecond lasers
A laser-based method of removing a target link structure of a circuit fabricated on a substrate includes generating a pulsed laser output at a pre-determined wavelength less than an absorption edge of the substrate. The laser output includes at least one pulse having a pulse duration in the range of about 10 picoseconds to less than 1 nanosecond, the pulse duration being within a thermal laser processing range. The method also includes delivering and focusing the laser output onto the target link structure. The focused laser output has sufficient power density at a location within the target structure to reduce the reflectivity of the target structure and efficiently couple the focused laser output into the target structure to remove the link without damaging the substrate. |
| US07723640B2 |
Optical horned lightpipe or lightguide
A laser welding apparatus having a laser source outputting a laser beam and a light transmitting device being positioned downstream from the laser source. The light transmitting device transmits the laser beam therethrough. The laser beam exiting the light transmitting device has at least a zero order light lobe and a first order light lobe, wherein the zero order light lobe and the first order light lobe together defining an initial beam width. An optical device positioned downstream from the light transmitting device converges the first order light lobe with the zero order light lobe to define a final beam width that is narrower than the initial beam width. |
| US07723638B2 |
Laser conversion systems and methods for converting laser systems for operation in different laser safety classifications
Laser conversion systems and methods for converting laser systems for operation in different laser safety classification modes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a laser system includes a laser configured to emit radiation greater than about 5 mW and an exterior housing containing the laser. The exterior housing has a section configured to be in a first arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class I system and a second arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class IV system. The laser system further includes a conversion module operably coupled to the laser system and the section. The conversion module is configured to enable one or more regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the second arrangement and disable the regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the first arrangement. |
| US07723637B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
The purpose of the present invention is to provide homogeneous plasma in longitudinal direction of a plasma processing apparatus applicable to multiple processes. A microwave waveguide 10 with a plurality of variable couplers 12 is placed in a vacuum chamber 21. The microwave generated in a microwave generator 23 is introduced into the microwave waveguide 10 via a waveguide 24. And a plasma 22 in the chamber 21 is generated by the microwave 25. Intensity distribution of the microwave 25 in the microwave waveguide 10 can be varied by moving a plurality of variable couplers 12 individually upward or downward as shown by two-way arrow. |
| US07723634B2 |
Contactor assembly with arc steering system
A contactor assembly includes a stationary contact, an arc contact, an arc arrestor, and a magnetic intensifier. The magnetic intensifier is constructed to extend in generally close proximity to one of the stationary contact and the arc contact. During communication of power through the contactor assembly, the magnetic intensifier manipulates a magnetic field associated with current passing through the contactor assembly and increases the magnitude of a magnetic force directed to the arc arrestor. Preferably, the magnetic intensifier is formed integrally with a turnback associated with one of the stationary contact or the arc contact. Such a construction simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the contactor assembly and provides efficient and repeatable arc suppression. |
| US07723629B2 |
Electric toothbrushes and packages containing same
An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles. The actuator assembly additionally includes a feature of providing a raised region along an outer surface of the positionable member which guards against accidental or unintentional depressing of the depressible member. The packaging feature relates to a member formed in a package cover that is suitably sized and positioned over the depressible member of the actuator so that the cover, when pressed, may momentarily activate the toothbrush within the package. |
| US07723622B2 |
Sealing assembly
A sealing assembly having a flexible sleeve and a means for sealing a top portion of the sleeve around a plurality of cables, such as by a hook and loop type fastener attached at the top portion of the sleeve. The sleeve is configured to receive at least one cable therethrough and a bottom portion of the sleeve is configured to be secured to a surface. The sleeve can also be electrically conductive such that the sleeve dissipates static electricity from the cable to the surface. The sealing assembly call also have a grommet positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the sleeve. The grommet has a first wall having a plurality of apertures for connecting the grommet to a surface and a second wall that extends substantially perpendicular to the first wall and is configured to extend through an aperture in the surface. The second wall is flexible to protect the cable from sharp edges associated with the aperture in the surface. |
| US07723620B2 |
Lead pin for mounting semiconductor and printed wiring board
A semiconductor loading lead pin that does not tilt at a time of reflow. A void is sometimes left in solder between an electrode pad and the flange of a semiconductor loading lead pin. When reflow is carried out to load an IC chip, the solder for connection is melted and at the same time, the void in the solder is expanded. The solder escapes sideway along the groove portion, and thereby a flange is not raised by the void so that the semiconductor loading lead pin is not tilted. |
| US07723616B2 |
Superconducting cable and DC transmission system incorporating the superconducting cable
The invention offers a superconducting cable easy to form a twisted structure even when a plurality of cable cores are used and a DC transmission system incorporating the superconducting cable. A superconducting cable 1 has a structure formed by twisting together two types of cable cores (two first cores 2 and one second core 3) having different structures and then housing them in a heat-insulated pipe 7. The first cores 2 each have a first superconducting layer 2a, to be used either as an outward line or for the transmission for a pole in DC transmission, and have no superconducting layer other than the first superconducting layer 2a. The second core 3 has a second superconducting layer 3a, to be used as a return line or neutral line in DC transmission, and has no superconducting layer other than the second superconducting layer 3a. The second superconducting layer 3a has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first superconducting layer 2a. |
| US07723611B2 |
Cable connector having fluid reservoir
Embodiments of a cable connector are provided that include an inner connector assembly and an outer connector housing. In use, the cable connector securely fastens or splices together at least two cables or cable sections and in electrical communication while also providing fluid communication therebetween. The cable connector further protects, and preferably seals off, the connection interface between the cables or cable sections and from the environment. |
| US07723606B2 |
Method of manufacturing a thermoelectric generator and thermoelectric generator thus obtained
A thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a method of fabricating the TEG are described. The TEG is designed so that parasitic thermal resistance of air and height of legs of thermocouples forming a thermopile can be varied and optimized independently. The TEG includes a micromachined thermopile sandwiched in between a hot and a cold plate and at least one spacer in between the thermopile and the hot and/or cold plate. The TEG fabrication includes fabricating the thermopiles, a rim, and the cold plate. |
| US07723604B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating musical tone according to motion
An apparatus and method to output a musical tone is disclosed. More particularly, disclosed is an apparatus and method to output a musical tone according to motion, which divides a space in which a terminal can move into a plurality of subspaces, and matches the subspaces with different musical tones, so that the terminal can output a musical tone matched with a specific subspace when the terminal has moved into the specific subspace. |
| US07723592B1 |
Drum spur extension apparatus
A drum spur extension apparatus having an elongate member having a predetermined length, a longitudinally extending axis and a longitudinally extending inner bore that is sized for receiving a drum spur. The elongate member has a closed end and an opposite open end defining an opening in communication with the longitudinally extending bore. Other embodiments of the spur extension apparatus of the present invention are disclosed herein. |
| US07723591B1 |
Wind instrument stand
A wind instrument stand has an upper pivot slide, a lower pivot bracket, multiple legs, multiple links and a post assembly. The legs are connected pivotally to the upper pivot slide. Each link is connected pivotally between the lower pivot bracket a corresponding leg. The post is mounted slidably through the upper pivot slide and securely on the lower pivot bracket. The wind instrument stand may be folded into a compact configuration and be inserted into an opening of a wind instrument to facilitate the storage and carrying of the wind instrument and stand. |
| US07723585B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH261787
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH261787. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH261787, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH261787 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 CH261787. |
| US07723576B2 |
Method of selectively producing male or female sterile plants
A method of producing male or female sterile plants comprising providing means for inactivating a herbicide and means for reactivating the thus inactivated herbicide, wherein the herbicide inactivating means is provided within vegetative tissues and the reactivating means is provided in either the male or female reproductive structures of the plant, so that the vegetative, but not reproductive, structures are protected from the phtyotoxic activity of the herbicide when applied to the plant. |
| US07723575B2 |
Glyphosate resistant class I 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)
The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide novel DNA molecules that encode glyphosate resistant EPSPS proteins and plants containing these new proteins. The plants that express the new EPSPS proteins are themselves tolerant to the herbicidal effects of glyphosate. |
| US07723574B2 |
Process for the production of Δ5-unsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms
A process for the production of Δ5-unsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms comprises transforming an organism with nucleic acid encoding a Δ5-desaturase. |
| US07723571B2 |
Method of expressing small peptides using cereal non-storage proteins as fusion carrier in endosperm and the use thereof
The present invention provides a method of using cereal non-storage protein as fusion carrier to highly express small peptides in host endosperm cells. The method includes the steps of providing an endosperm-specific promoter and a DNA leading sequence encoding an endosperm-specific signal peptide; providing the gene of a non-storage protein as fusion carrier and an target gene; constructing a expression vector containing the promoter and DNA leading sequence, the gene of the fusion carrier, and a target gene; and expressing the expression vector in a host endosperm cell. Also provided in the invention are a vector constructed there from and the use thereof. |
| US07723569B2 |
Method for producing ubiquinone-10 in plant
A plant which expresses a large amount of ubiquinone-10 and a method for producing ubiquinone-10 using the plant are provided. A dietary supplement, a food and a food additive which contains ubiquinone-10 produced by the plant or the method are provided. The plant is produced by transformation using an expression cassette in which a decaprenyl diphosphate synthase gene is operatively linked with a mitochondrial targeting sequence. |
| US07723563B2 |
Transgenic proteins from multi-gene systems, methods, compositions, uses and the like relating thereto
A non-human transgenic mammalian animal, as described above, contains one or more exogenous double stranded DNA sequence(s) stably integrated into the genome of the animal, which comprises trans-acting regulatory units controlling expression of DNA sequences encoding proteins to be secreted into the milk of transgenic mammals. The DNA sequence of the trans-regulatory gene encodes transcriptional activating proteins, which are not secreted but made in a temporally controlled and mammary tissue specific manner. The DNA sequence containing the protein to be secreted in the milk is constructed on a separate gene sequence under the regulation of a minimal promoter and a trans-activation binding domain. The transgenic mammals are preferably pigs, cows, sheep, goats and rabbits. A related composition and method for making transgenic proteins which require specialized propeptides for proper post-translational processing is also described. |
| US07723562B2 |
Mice lacking alpha 1G showing enhanced novelty-seeking and alcohol preference and therapeutic methods for mood disorders by modulating alpha 1G T-type calcium channels
The present invention relates to a novel use of an α1G T-type calcium channel transgenic mouse as a nervous disease model, more particularly, a novel use of a mouse deficient in α1G T-type calcium channel showing novelty-seeking and alcohol preference as a nervous disease model for human nervous related diseases such as novelty-seeking character, alcoholism, anxiety and emotion disorder by stress, etc. The α1G T-type channel transgenic mice showing novelty-seeking and alcohol preference of the present invention can be effectively used for the development of a medicine and a therapeutic method for human nervous diseases. |
| US07723559B2 |
Wound dressing
A wound dressing for post-operative sites requiring drainage includes a thin film or film/foam laminate layer with an adhesive applied to one surface thereof and an absorbent layer positioned on the adhesive surface. The dressing has an aperture to accommodate a drainage tube and a slit extending from the aperture to an outer edge of the dressing. |
| US07723558B1 |
Non-corrosive, non-caustic, non-flammable, catalyst-based decontaminant formulation
The present invention relates to a near-universal non-corrosive, non-toxic, environmentally safe and user friendly decontaminant capable of detoxifying organophosphorus (OP)-based G-type, V-type neurotoxic chemical warfare, sulfur-mustard, and related OP based hazardous industrial materials in a dry powder form. The decontaminant contains OPH enzyme, OPAA enzyme, DFPase enzyme, dehalogenase enzyme, quaternary ammonium salt, a pH control reagent, a fire-fighting agent, and a foaming agent. The decontaminant is mixed with available water for use. |
| US07723556B2 |
Process to make base oil from thermally cracked waxy feed using ionic liquid catalyst
We provide a process for making a base oil, comprising: a) selecting an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed; b) oligomerizing the olefin feed in an ionic liquid oligomerization zone at a set of oligomerization conditions to form an oligomer; and c) alkylating the oligomer in the presence of an isoparaffin, in an ionic liquid alkylation zone, at a set of alkylation conditions to form an alkylated oligomeric product having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 6.9 mm2/s or greater, a VI of at least 134, and a Bromine Number of less than 4. We provide a process to make base oil from an olefin feed produced in a FCC unit. We also provide a process to make two or more viscosity grades of base oil from an olefin feed produced by thermal cracking of a waxy feed. |
| US07723554B2 |
Process for the selective catalytic hydrodealkylation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons
Process for the catalytic hydrodealkylation alone of hydrocarbon compositions comprising C8-C13 alkylaromatic compounds, optionally in a mixture with C4-C9 aliphatic and cycloaliphatic products, including the treatment in continuous of said hydrocarbon compositions, in the presence of water, with a catalyst consisting of a ZSM-5 zeolite as such or in bound form, wherein the molar ratio Si/Al in the ZSM-5 ranges from 5 to 35, modified with at least one metal selected from those belonging to groups IIB, VIB and VIII, at a temperature ranging from 400 to 700° C., a pressure of between 2 and 4 MPa, a molar ratio between water and the charge in the feed to the reactor ranging from 0.0006 to 0.16 (i.e. between 0.01 and 2.5% w/w) and a molar ratio H2/charge of between 3 and 6. |
| US07723553B2 |
Light emitting device and compounds for use therein
A light emitting device comprising at least one compound of formula (I), (II) or (III) wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, are organic substituents not including H, and wherein R3 and R5 are each independently selected from halo and organic substituents not including H, and wherein R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from H, halo, and organic substituents, wherein any two or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 may optionally be fused together to form a ring system, provided that one of R3 and R5 is not part of a fused ring system, and provided that R1 and R2 are not fused to each other to form a ring system, and wherein one but not both of either (a) R3 and R4, or (b) R5 and R6, are fused to each other to form a ring system. |
| US07723552B2 |
Process for making chlorotrifluoroethylene from 1,1,2-Trichlorotrifluoroethane
A process for the making chlorotrifluoroethylene. The process has the step of reacting 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane with a reducing metal in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent under conditions sufficient to form chlorotrifluoroethylene. |
| US07723550B2 |
Process for preparing organic compounds
Process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) in which R1 and R2 are each independently H, C1-C8-alkyl, halogen, polyhalo-C1-C8-alkoxy, polyhalo-C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-alkoxy, C1-C8-alkoxy-C1-C8-alkyl, or C1-C8-alkoxy-C1-C8-alkoxy, where R1 and R2 are not both H, and R3 is C1-C8-alkyl, which is characterized in that a) a compound of the formula (II) in which R1 and R2 are each as defined above and X is Br, I, triflate, toyslate or mesylate is reacted with prop-2-yn-1-ol to give the compound of the formula (III), b) the compound of the formula (III) is reacted with an alkyl-metal compound in which “alkyl” is as defined above for R3 to give a compound of the formula (I). |
| US07723548B2 |
Bis(phosphine) boronium salt, production method of bis(phosphine) boronium salt, and bis(phosphine) boronium salt produced by the production method
The present invention aims to provide a bis(phosphine) boronium salt to be used as a building block or the like for producing a diphosphine compound effective mainly for various kinds of transition metal-catalyzed reactions and further to provide a preferable production method of the bis(phosphine) boronium salt and a bis(phosphine) boronium salt to be produced by the production method.The present invention provides a bis(phosphine) boronium salt having the structure defined by the following formula (1). |
| US07723547B2 |
Process for the synthesis of DMAPA
The present invention relates to a process for the industrial preparation of a diamine starting from a corresponding alkenyl nitrile comprising at least one C—C double bond, which comprises the steps (a) reaction of the alkenyl nitrile with a corresponding monoamine in a first reactor so that the monoamine adds exothermically onto the at least one double bond to form an aminoalkyl nitrile, with the monoamine and water being charged initially and the alkenyl nitrile being fed in; (b) evaporation of unreacted alkenyl nitrile and monoamine to increase the concentration of the aminoalkyl nitrile product in the bottoms of the first reactor; (c) transfer of the aminoalkyl nitrile bottom product from step (b) to a second reactor; (d) batchwise catalytic hydrogenation of the aminoalkyl nitrile transferred in step (c) to the diamine in the second reactor, with each batch being obtained by initially charging a catalyst suitable for the hydrogenation of nitriles to amines and also water, the desired diamine and a base, introducing hydrogen into the second reactor and feeding in the aminoalkyl nitrile transferred in step (c); and (e) isolation of the diamine and, if appropriate, repetition of the steps (a) to (e). The invention further relates to an apparatus for preparing these diamines and the use of the apparatuses. A preferred diamine is 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA). |
| US07723545B2 |
Method for the production of free-flowing additives
The present invention provides a method for the production of free-flowing additive compounds that comprises the steps of preparation of a particulate additive compound and storage of a mass of the particulate additive compound at a surface pressure of at least 30 g/cm2 until the mass of additive compound is baked together. Then follows the crushing of the baked-together mass of the additive compound into a crushed particulate additive compound and the sieving of the crushed particulate additive compound, whereby particles of a size in excess of 4.0 mm and particles of a size of less than 0.1 mm are separated from the crushed particulate additive compound such that a fraction containing a free-flowing additive compound with long-term stability of particle sizes is obtained. |
| US07723543B2 |
Method for the continuous production of alkyl amino acryl amides
The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of alkyl amino acryl amides by reacting alkyl acrylates with high-boiling amines. A specific preparation technique is used in order to achieve hitherto unobtainable product qualities. Very high spatial, temporal and overall yields can also be obtained. |
| US07723542B2 |
Process for the preparation of alkyl- and aryl-diphosphonic acids and salts thereof
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of diphosphonic acids by reaction of a carboxylic acid with a mixture of phosphorous acid and phosphorus oxychloride in defined molar ratios and in the absence of solvents. The invention further relates to ibandronic acid monosodium salt in the amorphous form. |
| US07723540B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing polyhydroxy carboxylic acid
The object is to provide a method and apparatus for producing a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid according to which an annular dimer can be efficiently obtained in the production of polyhydroxy carboxylic acid which is small in distribution breadth of molecular weight in depolymerization and opening ring polymerization steps. There are provided a depolymerization device 11 which depolymerizes hydroxy carboxylic acid or a polycondensate thereof into an annular dimer, a upper distillation column 13 which condenses the annular dimer vaporized in the depolymerization device 11, and lower distillation column 12 which refluxes the annular dimer and is provided between the depolymerization device 11 and the upper distillation column 13, said depolymerization device 11 having a polycondensate feed opening 54 and an annular dimer discharge opening 55 which are provided at a casing 50, a liquid film being formed inside the casing 50 and heated by a heating part. |
| US07723538B2 |
Sulfonamides as L-CPT1 inhibitors
The invention is concerned with novel sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Z1 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and can be used as medicaments. |
| US07723536B2 |
Synthetic techniques and intermediates for polyhydroxy dienyl lactones and mimics thereof
Synthetic methods and intermediates useful in the preparation of lactone containing compounds such as discodermolide and compounds which mimic the chemical or biological activity of discodermolide are provided. |
| US07723535B2 |
Organometallic precursor compounds
This invention relates to organometallic precursor compounds represented by the formula i-PrN═Ta(NR1R2)3 wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, provided that (i) when R1 is ethyl, then R2 is other than ethyl and (ii) when R2 is ethyl, then R1 is other than ethyl, and a method for producing a film, coating or powder from the organometallic precursor compounds. |
| US07723533B2 |
Crystalline base of escitalopram and orodispersible tablets comprising escitalopram base
The present invention relates to the crystalline base of the well known antidepressant drug escitalopram, S-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzo-furancarbonitrile, formulations of said base, a process for the preparation of purified salts of escitalopram, such as the oxalate, using the base, the salts obtained by said process and formulations containing such salts, and a process for the preparation of purified escitalopram free base or salts of escitalopram, such as the oxalate, using the hydrobromide, the salts obtained by said process and formulations containing such salts. Finally the present invention relates to an orodispersible tablet having a hardness of at least 22 N and an oral-disintegration time of less than 120 s and comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient adsorbed onto a water soluble filler wherein the active pharmaceutical ingredient has a melting point in the range of 40-100° C., as well as a method for making such an orodispersible tablet. |
| US07723530B2 |
Use of polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles in colour filters
The present invention relates to the use of polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles in colour filters, which can themselves be used for example in electro-optical systems such as TV screens, liquid crystal displays, charge coupled devices, plasma displays or electroluminescent displays and the like.In contrast to conventional pigments the polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles do not tend to aggregate and, hence, show very good dispersibility. Color filters prepared by using the polymerisable diketopyrrolopyrroles have high transparence and pure hue. In addition, they facilitate adjustment of color points and enable a large choice of shades. |
| US07723527B2 |
Benzoimidazole compounds
Benzoimidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of using them in leukocyte recruitment inhibition, in modulating H4 receptor, and in treating conditions such as inflammation, H4 receptor-mediated conditions, and related conditions. |
| US07723526B2 |
Benzoimidazole compounds
Benzoimidazole compounds, compositions, and methods of using them in leukocyte recruitment inhibition, in modulating H4 receptor, and in treating conditions such as inflammation, H4 receptor-mediated conditions, and related conditions. |
| US07723525B2 |
Chemokine-binding heterocyclic compound salts, and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to chemokine-binding heterocyclic compound salts, methods of use thereof, and methods for preparing the same. |
| US07723523B2 |
Tetrahydropyridothiophenes
Compounds of a certain formula (I) in which Ra and Rb have the meanings indicated in the description, are novel, effective compounds with anti-proliferative and/or apoptosis inducing activity. |
| US07723519B2 |
Hybrid 2-aminoterailin and aryl-substituted piperazine compounds and their use in altering CNS activity
Hybrid compounds containing an aminotetralin moiety or a heterocyclic and/or open chain analog thereof linked through an alkylene group to an aryl ring system-substituted piperidiene moiety exhibit high levels of CNS activity, in some cases exhibiting especially high relative binding efficiencies between D3 and D2 dopaminergic receptor subtypes. |
| US07723517B2 |
Dihydropteridione derivatives, process for their manufacture and their use as medicament
Disclosed are new dihydropteridinones of the formula (I) wherein the groups L, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the meanings provided herein, the isomers thereof, processes for preparing these dihydropteridinones and their use as pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US07723513B2 |
Methods and intermediates for the synthesis of dipyrrin-substituted porphyrinic macrocycles
The present invention provides dipyrrin substituted porphyrinic macrocycles, intermediates useful for making the same, and methods of making the same. Such compounds may be used for purposes including the making of molecular memory devices, solar cells and light harvesting arrays. |
| US07723512B2 |
Oligonucleotides comprising a non-phosphate backbone linkage
One aspect of the present invention relates to a ribonucleoside substituted with a phosphonamidite group at the 3′-position. In certain embodiments, the phosphonamidite is an alkyl phosphonamidite. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one non-phosphate linkage. Representative non-phosphate linkages include phosphonate, hydroxylamine, hydroxylhydrazinyl, amide, and carbamate linkages. In certain embodiments, the non-phosphate linkage is a phosphonate linkage. In certain embodiments, a non-phosphate linkage occurs in only one strand. In certain embodiments, a non-phosphate linkage occurs in both strands. In certain embodiments, a ligand is bound to one of the oligonucleotide strands comprising the double-stranded oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a ligand is bound to both of the oligonucleotide strands comprising the double-stranded oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide strands comprise at least one modified sugar moiety. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a single-stranded oligonucleotide comprising at least one non-phosphate linkage. Representative non-phosphate linkages include phosphonate, hydroxylamine, hydroxylhydrazinyl, amide, and carbamate linkages. In certain embodiments, the non-phosphate linkage is a phosphonate linkage. In certain embodiments, a ligand is bound to the oligonucleotide strand. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. |
| US07723508B2 |
Modulation of apolipoprotein (A) expression
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of apolipoprotein(a). The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding apolipoprotein(a). Methods of using these compounds for modulation of apolipoprotein(a) expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of apolipoprotein(a) are provided. |
| US07723502B2 |
Modified Luciola cruciata luciferase gene and protein
A codon optimized and stabilized luciferase gene based upon the sequence of the natural luciferase gene isolated from Luciola cruciata (Japanese firefly) and a novel recombinant DNA characterized by incorporating this new gene coding for a novel luciferase into a vector DNA for improved activities in mammalian cells, are disclosed. This new luciferase exhibits long-wavelength light emission, as well as improved thermostability and higher expression levels in mammalian cell systems, compared to native luciferase. |
| US07723500B2 |
Immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecules
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed. |
| US07723497B2 |
Human IPLA2ε
A novel function phospholipase A2, referred to herein as calcium-independent phospholipase A2ε (iPLA2ε) having SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, and nucleic acid sequences (SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4) encoding and expressing iPLA2ε is disclosed. This novel enzyme has been isolated and characterized and is involved in the catalysis and hydrolysis of lipids cycling in a living cell biosystem. In an embodiment, the iPLA2ε polypeptide is encoded and expressed by an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a set of iPLA2ε polynucleotides. In one aspect, an isolated and characterized gene comprises a polynucleotide having a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4. |
| US07723495B2 |
Amidite for nucleic acid synthesis and nucleic acid synthesizing method
To provide an amidite for nucleic acid synthesis, which enables a protective group therein to be removed under moderate conditions and can be practically used, and a nucleic acid synthesizing method using the amidite for nucleic acid synthesis. Specifically, the present invention relates to an amidite for nucleic acid synthesis represented by General Formula (I) below, and a nucleic acid synthesizing method using the amidite for nucleic acid synthesis: where X denotes a base; Y denotes a protective group formed of any one of a 4-aminobutyric acid derivative, an o-aminomethylbenzoic acid derivative, an o-aminophenylacetic acid derivative, an o-aminoethylbenzoic acid derivative, an o-aminomethylphenylacetic acid derivative, an o-aminophenylpropionic acid derivative and a 5-aminovaleric acid derivative; and Q denotes one of a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group. |
| US07723494B2 |
Yellow anionic disazo dyes
The present invention relates to novel yellow anionic dyes, a process for their preparation, certain novel intermediates necessary for their preparation and the use of these dyes for dyeing natural or synthetic materials, in particular, paper. |
| US07723492B2 |
Method for the detection of sepsis using procalcitonin-3-116
Uses of recombinant procalcitonin 3-116 in the diagnosis and therapy of septic diseases and the measurement of prohormones other than procalcitonin, and of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, as biomarkers in the diagnosis of sepsis. |
| US07723487B2 |
Method for purifying cancer-specific proliferating cell nuclear antigen
The method for developing an antibody that exclusively binds to csPCNA. |
| US07723486B2 |
Antibodies to TGF-β
The present invention relates to antibody molecules, in particular antibody molecules that bind Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ), and uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to antibody molecules that bind and preferably neutralize TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3, so-called “pan-specific” antibody molecules, and uses of such antibody molecules. Preferred embodiments within the present invention are antibody molecules, whether whole antibody (e.g. IgG, such as IgG1 or IgG4) or antibody fragments (e.g. scFv, Fab, dAb). |
| US07723482B2 |
Anti-CD28 antibody
An antibody or antibody fragment directed against the CD28 receptor which blocks the interaction between B7-1 or B7-2 and CD28. Methods for blocking activation via CD28, including CD28-dependent lymphocyte activation. |
| US07723477B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting Wnt-dependent solid tumor cell growth
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a soluble FZD receptor comprising an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor that inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention still further provides a soluble receptor comprising a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor that binds a ligand of a human FZD receptor and said soluble receptor is capable of inhibiting tumor growth. The present invention still further provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering a soluble FZD receptor comprising for example, either an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor or a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor, in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth. |
| US07723472B2 |
Extracellular matrix binding chimeric proteins and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides chimeric polypeptides comprising a first polypeptide that binds to a component of extracellular matrix and a second polypeptide that provides for a therapeutic effect. The present invention further provides compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a subject chimeric polypeptide. A subject chimeric polypeptide is useful in a variety of treatment, diagnostic, and research applications, which are also provided. |
| US07723469B2 |
Stabilized alpha helical peptides and uses thereof
Novel polypeptides and methods of making and using the same are described herein. The polypeptides include cross-linking (“hydrocarbon stapling”) moieties to provide a tether between two amino acid moieties, which constrains the secondary structure of the polypeptide. The polypeptides described herein can be used to treat diseases characterized by excessive or inadequate cellular death. |
| US07723464B2 |
Aromatic/aliphatic diamine derivatives for advanced compositions and polymers
Novel compositions of matter comprise certain derivatives of 9,9-dialkyl fluorene diamine (AFDA). The resultant compositions, whether compositions of matter or monomers that are subsequently incorporated into a polymer, are unique and useful in a variety of applications. Useful applications of AFDA-based material include heavy ion radiation shielding components and components of optical and electronic devices. |
| US07723450B2 |
Transition metal compound, ligand system, catalyst system and process for preparing polyolefins
The present invention relates to organometallic transition metal compounds of the formula (I) Z1AnZ2MXm (I) where Z1 is a coordinating group which comprises a six-π-electron central group which coordinates directly to M, A is a divalent bridge between the groups Z1 and Z2, Z2 is a coordinating group having the same meaning as Z1 or is a group comprising an open pentadienyl, a cyclopentadienyl-containing group or a heterocyclic, 5- or 6-membered group containing six π electrons, n=zero or 1, M is an element of group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, the radicals X are identical or different and are each an organic or inorganic radical, m is 0, 1 or 2, and at least one of the three molecule fragments Z1, Z2 and A bears a monovalent organic radical. |
| US07723449B2 |
Catalysts for synthesizing a polypropylene with a wide molecular weight distribution and use of the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst for synthesizing a polypropylene with a wide molecular weight distribution and use of the same. The catalyst comprises magnesium halide, titanium-containing compound, and an organic phosphate type electron donor compound. By the catalyst according to the present invention, a propylene polymer with a wide molecular weight distribution, easily controllable isotacticity and good processing properties can be synthesized. |
| US07723440B2 |
Functionalized polymers and improved vulcanizates therefrom
A functionalized polymer defined by the formula π-R1-α, where π is a polymer chain, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and α is a sulfur-containing heterocycle. |
| US07723433B2 |
Clear, impact modified, heat resistant polyvinyl halide compositions
A clear, impact modified, heat resistant polyvinyl chloride composition is provided comprising (a) at least one polyvinyl halide; (b) at least one clear impact modifier possessing a refractive index which is not more than about 2% above or below the refractive index of the polyvinyl halide; and (c) at least one clear heat modifier comprising a terpolymer obtained by the copolymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer, an acrylonitrile and an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate, wherein the terpolymer possesses a refractive index which is not more than about 2% above or below the refractive index of the polyvinyl halide and possesses a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 75,000 to about 400,000. |
| US07723427B2 |
Golf ball
A golf ball which is formed from a vulcanized rubber compound composed of 100 parts by weight of a rubber base material, 10 to 60 parts by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of an organosulfur compound, 5 to 80 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, and 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, the rubber base material being composed of a first polybutadiene accounting for 50 to 95 wt % and a second polybutadiene accounting for 5 to 50 wt %, both polybutadiene being synthesized by using a rare earth element-based catalyst, the first polybutadiene containing no less than 60 wt % of cis-1,4 bonds and having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 (100° C.)) no lower than 50 and the second polybutadiene containing no less than 60 wt % of cis-1,4 bonds and having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+, (100° C.)) no higher than 45. The golf ball is characterized by good rebound resilience and good workability with which it is produced. |
| US07723424B2 |
Silane-modified polyvinyl alcohols
Silane-modified polyvinyl alcohols are obtained by treating vinyl alcohol polymers with one or more ethylenically unsaturated, silane-containing monomers at elevated temperature. |
| US07723422B2 |
Functionalized block copolymers
Reinforced copolymers formed from a functionalized copolymer that undergoes a reactive extrusion process with an inorganic component to form the reinforced copolymer. The functionalized copolymer in the form of a block and/or graft copolymer includes hard segments and soft segments, where the soft segments are covalently bonded with a coupling agent either before or after copolymerization with the hard segments. The reinforced copolymer of the present disclosure can be suitable for use as a biomaterial and/or in medical devices. |
| US07723420B2 |
Synthesis and polymerization of oligomeric divinyl-terminated aromatic ether-containing resins
An oligomer having the formula: Ar1 and Ar2 are each an aromatic group or a bisphenol residue. At least one of Ar1 and Ar2 is the aromatic group. The value of m is zero or one, and n is a positive integer. A polymer made by reacting the above oligomer with a crosslinker having at least two silyl hydrogen atoms. A method of: reacting a compound having the formula: with vinyl(dimethylchloro)silane to form the above oligomer. T is —OH, —Br, or —I. |
| US07723419B1 |
Composition providing through plane thermal conductivity
This specification discloses a conductive composition relying upon spherical boron nitride particles and thermally expanded graphite to impart high through-plane thermal conductivity in thermoplastics for use in hot environments, including the electronics industry. |
| US07723417B2 |
Fluorochemical composition and method for treating a substrate therewith
The present invention provides an aqueous composition comprising (i) a fluorochemical compound and (ii) an ester derivative of an alpha-hydroxy acid, the ester derivative having a melting point of not more than 35° C. and a water solubility of not more than 10% by weight at 25° C. The fluorochemical compound is typically dispersed or emulsified in the aqueous composition. The aqueous compositions may provide such advantages as providing good oil- and/or water repellency properties to a substrate upon application at ambient conditions, without the need for a heat treatment. Thus, the aqueous compositions may be used to provide oil- and/or water repellency properties to a substrate such as for example a fibrous substrate, e.g., leather or textile. In particular, repellency properties comparable to those achieved with a heat treatment step may be achieved. |
| US07723412B2 |
Stabilization of thermoplastic nanocomposites
The instant invention discloses a nanocomposite material comprising (a) a synthetic polymer, (b) a natural or synthetic phyllosilicate or a mixture of such phyllosilicates in nanoparticles, (c) a phenolic antioxidant and/or a processing stabilizer, and (d) a mono or polyfunctional compound selected from the class consisting of the epoxides, oxazolines, oxazolones, oxazines, isocyanates and/or anhydrides. |
| US07723411B2 |
Flameproof polyamide moulding materials
The invention relates to flameproof polyamide molding compositions, comprising 30-80% by weight of a semi-aromatic, partially crystalline polyamide and 1-30% by weight of a flame retardant containing a phosphinic acid salt and/or a diphosphinic acid salt. |
| US07723410B2 |
Acrylic coating powders comprising hydrophobic particles and powder coatings therefrom having improved filiform corrosion resistance
The present invention provides coating powder compositions for making filiform corrosion resistant coatings, the compositions comprising particles or agglomerates which include, intimately mixed, each of one or more thermosetting acrylic copolymer, one or more crosslinker for the acrylic copolymer and one or more hydrophobic submicron particle additive, wherein the hydrophobic submicron particle additive comprises from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the coating powder. The hydrophobic submicron particle additive comprises a submicron inorganic oxide, e.g. fume silica or a metal oxide, and one or more organosilicon compound, e.g. polydimethylsiloxane. In addition, the invention provides filiform corrosion resistant clear coat or tinted clear coat powder coatings on metal, e.g. aluminum wheels or forged alloy substrates. |
| US07723409B2 |
Coupling agents between filler and elastomer
The invention describes a composition comprising a) a naturally occurring or synthetic elastomer susceptible to oxidative, thermal, dynamic, light-induced and/or ozone-induced degradation, b) a white reinforcing filler, and c) as coupling agent, at least one compound of the formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1, or an oligomeric hydrolysis product of the compound of the formula (I). |
| US07723402B2 |
Ink formulations and uses thereof
The present invention provides a chemical ink comprises a solvent, a binder polymer, a colorant and optionally a crosslinker. The ink of the invention has one or more of the following characteristics: a viscosity lower than about 50 centipoises; a surface tension of from about 20 mN/m to about 60 mN/m; a particle size of less than about 5 μm; prolonged stability; an appropriate color level (visible by eye); uniform drop formation; jet stability; good adhesion to contact lenses; good transfer from a mold to a lens made in the mold; and stability of ink in inkjet nozzles. The ink of the invention is useful for inkjet printing of a high-quality color image on a contact lens or a mold so as to produce a colored contact lens. |
| US07723401B2 |
Process for preparing erosion resistant foundry shapes with an epoxy-acrylate cold-box binder
This invention relates to a process for making foundry shapes (e.g. cores and molds) using epoxy-acrylate cold-box binders containing an oxidizing agent and elevated levels of an organofunctional silane, which are cured in the presence of sulfur dioxide, and to a process for casting metals using the foundry shapes. The metal parts have fewer casting defects because the foundry shapes made with the binder are more resistant to erosion. |
| US07723399B2 |
N-substituted imides as polymerization initiators
The invention relates to novel N-substituted imides and polymerizable compositions comprising these N-substituted imides. The invention further relates to the use of N-substituted imides as polymerization initiators. The imides are compounds of the formula (I) and (II) wherein n is 1 or 2; m is 1 or 2; R1 and R2 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C18alkyl, C1-C-18alkenyl C6-C14aryl, aralkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl, each of which may be substituted by halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C6alkoxy, carbonyl, C1-C6alkoxycarbonyl; or R1 and R2 together with the adjacent —CO—N—CO— group may form a monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic ring, said ring having up to 50 non hydrogen atoms and wherein said ring may contain the structural element (formula III) more than once; R3 if n is 1, is C1-C18alkyl, C6-C14aryl, aralkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl, OR10 or SR11, NR12R13; wherein R3 if n is 2, is C2-C12alkylene, C6-C14arylene, xylylene R4 and R5, correspond to R1 and R2; R6 if n is 1, is hydrogen, C1-C18alkyl, C6-C14aryl, aralkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl, NR14R15; wherein R6 if n is 2, is C2-C12alkylene, C6-C14arylene, xylylene; R7 is hydrogen, C1-C18alkyl, C6-C14aryl, aralkyl, C5-C12cycloalkyl, each of which may be substituted by halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C6alkoxy, carbonyl, C1-C6alkoxy-carbonyl; or R7 and R14 or R7 and R15 form together with the N-atom attached to R7 a 5-6 membered ring, optionally interrupted by —NH—, —N(C1-C8alkyl)-, —O— and/or S-atoms. |
| US07723398B2 |
In-can stabilizer blend
The invention relates to a radiation curable coating or an ink composition comprising a photoinitiator and a stabilizer blend of a sterically hindered nitroxyl radical and a quinone methide. |
| US07723397B2 |
Difunctional photoinitiators
The invention relates to novel photoinitiators of formula (I) wherein A is —O—, —CH2−, CH(CH3)— or —C(CH3)2−, and R is methyl or trimethylsilyl, and R may in addition be hydrogen when A is simultaneously the group —C(CH3)2−. The invention relates also to compositions comprising (A) at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound, (B) a photoinitiator of formula (I), (C) optionally further binders or additives, (D) optionally further photoinitiators or co-initiators. Compositions comprising (A) an ethylenically unsaturated compound that contains at least one aminoacrylate, (B) a photoinitiator of formula (II) or (III), (C) optionally further binders or additives, (D) optionally further photoinitiators or co-initiators. |
| US07723396B2 |
Foam composites with emulsion polymer films
This invention relates to composites comprising a substrate and a multi-stage latex polymer emulsion film. |
| US07723390B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulations for thyroid hormones
The present invention provides for pharmaceutical formulations based on thyroid hormones enabling a safe and stable oral administration in the framework of the strict therapeutic index prescribed in case of thyroid disorders. |
| US07723389B2 |
N-acetylcysteine compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of drug toxicity
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent whose side effects are made worse by increased oxidative stress or treatment related decreases in subject cysteine/glutathione levels or are otherwise relieved by administration of NAC. |
| US07723388B2 |
Avian appeasing pheromones to decrease stress, anxiety and aggressiveness
Compositions comprising a mixture of fatty acids or derivatives thereof derived from secretions of the uropygial glands of birds are disclosed. This composition, named an avian appeasing pheromone, can be used to decrease stress, anxiety and agressiveness in birds. |
| US07723386B2 |
Lipid-improving agent and composition containing lipid-improving agent
A lipid-improving agent containing a triglyceride(s) where a poly-unsaturated fatty acid is bonded to 2-position of a triglyceride(s). |
| US07723382B2 |
Process for preparing nitrooxyalkyl substituted esters of carboxylic acids, intermediates useful in said process and preparation thereof
The present invention refers to a process for preparing a compound of general formula (A), as reported in the description, wherein R is a radical of a drug and R1-R12 are hydrogen or alkyl groups, m, n, o, q, r and s are each independently an integer from 0 to 6, and p is 0 or 1, and X is O, S, SO, SO2, NR13 or PR13 or an aryl, heteroaryl group, said process comprising reacting a compound of formula (B) R—COOZ (B) wherein R is as defined above and Z is hydrogen or a cation selected from: Li+, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, tetralkylammonium, tetralkylphosphonium, with a compound of formula (C), as reported in the description, wherein R1-R12 and m, n, o, p, q, r, s are as defined above and Y is a suitable leaving group. |
| US07723380B2 |
Antiviral protease inhibitors
The invention is related to compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, and/or phosphonate thereof, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds. |
| US07723376B2 |
2-oxo-heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention is related to novel use of 2-oxo-heterocyclic compounds having anticancer activity and the process for preparing them and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating the cancer disease comprising lung cancer, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, cancer of the head and neck, cutaneous or intraocular melanoma, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer or cancer of the anal region, stomach cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, gynecologic tumors, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the small intestine, cancer of the endocrine system, sarcomas of soft tissues, cancer of the urethra, cancer of the penis, prostate cancer, chronic or acute leukemia, solid tumors of childhood, lymphocytic lymphonas, cancer of the bladder, cancer of the kidney or ureter, or neoplasms of the central nervous system, therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics for treating and preventing cancer diseases. |
| US07723373B2 |
Indole-3-sulphur derivatives
The present invention relates to substituted indoles useful as pharmaceutical compounds for treating respiratory disorders. |
| US07723369B2 |
Substituted imidazole derivatives, compositions, and methods of use as PTPase inhibitors
The present invention provides imidazole derivatives of Formula (I-IV), methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula (I-IV), and their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and thus can be useful for the management, treatment, control, or the adjunct treatment of diseases mediated by PTPase activity. Such diseases include Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes. |
| US07723365B2 |
Mitotic kinesin inhibitors
The present invention relates to oxadiazoles that are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases, for treating disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity, and for inhibiting KSP kinesin. The invention also relates to compositions which comprise these compounds, and methods of using them to treat cancer in mammals. |
| US07723361B2 |
Methods for inhibiting undesired angiogenesis in patients having tumors with thalidomide
The present invention comprises a group of compounds that effectively inhibit angiogenesis. More specifically, thalidomide and various related compounds such as thalidomide precursors, analogs, metabolites and hydrolysis products have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and to treat disease states resulting from angiogenesis. Importantly, these compounds can be administered orally. |
| US07723358B2 |
Aroyl-O-piperidine derivatives for the treatment of diabetes-related problems
The present invention relates to derivatives of aroyl-O-piperidine structure of the general formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description. Application of the compounds of the formula (I) to the treatment of hyper-triglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and dyslipidaemia, and to the prevention or treatment of obesity. |
| US07723352B2 |
Isoquinolinone potassium channel inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds having the structure (I) useful as potassium channel inhibitors to treat cardiac arrhythmias, and the like. |
| US07723347B2 |
Substituted phenylamino-pyrimidines
The invention relates to substituted phenylaminopyrimidines, to a process for their preparation and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases in humans and animals, in particular cardiovascular disorders. |
| US07723346B2 |
Non-sedating barbiturate compounds as neuroprotective agents
Methods of providing neuroprotection are disclosed comprising administering a non-sedative barbiturate compound in an amount sufficient to achieve neuroprotection in a mammalian subject. Preferred compounds are in the family of diphenylbarbituric acid and analogs. Preferred doses for a neuroprotective effect exceed the dosage of a corresponding sedative barbiturate without sedative side-effects such as anesthesia and death. |
| US07723345B2 |
Multicyclic amino acid derivatives and methods of their use
Compounds of formulae I and II are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising them and methods of their use to treat, prevent and manage serotonin-mediated diseases and disorders: |
| US07723335B2 |
Triazine compounds and their use in forming multidimensional libraries for affinity chromatography
A compound of the formula (I) wherein each Z is the same or different and is formula (a) or —Y wherein each X is the same or different and is a multivalent aminyl group or diaminyl-terminated spacer; each Y is the same or different aminyl group; and M is a support matrix. |
| US07723332B2 |
Aryl sulfonamides useful for modulation of the progesterone receptor
In one embodiment, compounds of the following structure are described, wherein R1to R7are described herein. Also provided are methods for preparing these compounds and methods of contraception; treating or preventing fibroids; treating or preventing uterine leiomyomata; treating or preventing endometriosis, dysfunctional bleeding, and polycystic ovary syndrome; treating or preventing hormone-dependent carcinomas; providing hormone replacement therapy; stimulating food intake; synchronizing estrus; and treating cycle-related symptoms using the compounds described herein. |
| US07723331B2 |
Thienopyrimidine compounds and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds of the class of thienopyrimidines, processes for preparing such compounds, their use in the treatment of obesity, psychiatric disorders, cognitive disorders, memory disorders, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and related conditions, type II diabetes, Metabolic syndrome and neurological disorders such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, and pain related disorders, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. |
| US07723329B2 |
Substituted-3-sulfonylindazole derivatives as 5-hydroxytryptamine-6 ligands
The present invention provides a compound of formula I and the use thereof for the treatment of a central nervous system disorder related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor. |
| US07723327B2 |
Carotenoid ester analogs or derivatives for the inhibition and amelioration of liver disease
A method of treating liver disease in a subject may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ester functionality. |
| US07723324B2 |
Imidazo[1,2-A]pyridine anxiolytics
Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines of the formulae I and II: are disclosed. The compounds are useful to treat anxiety and insomnia. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are also disclosed. A representative compound of the invention is: |
| US07723323B2 |
Pharmaceutical use of fused 1,2,4-triazoles
The use of fused 1,2,4-triazoles for modulating the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions has been described. Also a novel class of fused 1,2,4-triazoles, their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as their use in the manufacture of medicaments has been described. The present compounds are modulators and more specifically inhibitors of the activity of 11βHSD1 and may be useful in the treatment, prevention and/or prophylaxis of a range of medical disorders where a decreased intracellular concentration of active glucocorticoid is desirable. |
| US07723322B2 |
Fluoride carrier for positron emission tomography
The present invention provides a compound of the formula wherein R1 is an ammonium bridge. The compounds of the present invention can be linked to a biological molecule that targets a specific type of cell. The compounds of the present invention can trap isotopic fluorine so that when the biological molecule accumulates in the desired type of cell, the isotopic fluorine is imaged by positron emission tomography (PET). |
| US07723320B2 |
Use of estrogen compounds to increase libido in women
Disclosed is a method of increasing libido in a woman, said method comprising administering to said woman an effective amount of an estrogenic component selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula (I) in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; each of R5, R6, R7 is a hydroxyl group; no more than 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4 are hydrogen atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. |
| US07723318B2 |
Polymerizable compound and use thereof
The present invention is to provide a polymerizable compound which can be a raw material for a resin having high transparency, good heat resistance and mechanical strength required for optical components such as plastic lenses and the like, while attaining a high refractive index (nd) exceeding 1.7, and an optical component composed of such a resin.Disclosed is a compound represented by the general formula (3), wherein, in the formula, M represents a metal atom; X1 and X2 each independently represent a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom; R1 represents a divalent organic group; m represents an integer of 0 or 1 or more; p represents an integer of from 1 to n; q represents an integer of from 1 to (n-p); n represents a valence of a metal atom M; Yq each independently represent an inorganic or organic residue; and when q is 2 or more, Yq may be bonded to one another for forming a ring structure with the intermediary of a metal atom M. |
| US07723315B2 |
Modulators of coagulation factors
The invention provides improved nucleic acid ligands that inhibit coagulation and improved modulators of the nucleic acids to provide ideal modulators of coagulation. These improved nucleic acids and modulators are particularly useful for inhibiting coagulation in a host undergoing a therapeutic regime such as surgery or coronary artery bypass. |
| US07723314B1 |
Methods and compositions for treating pachyonychia congenita
A method for treating pachyonychia congenita (PC) by identifying a genetic mutation contributing to PC, preparing a siRNA sequence that inhibits expression of the identified mutation, and administering the siRNA to a cell of a subject afflicted with PC. The siRNA treatment can include silencing of both the mutated and associated wildtype genes for a specific keratin. Specific mutations and inhibitory sequences are identified. |
| US07723312B2 |
Compositions and methods for treatment of prostate and other cancers
Therapeutic agents which target heat shock protein (hsp) 27 in vivo are used to provide treatment to individuals, particularly human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer and other cancers that overexpress hsp27. A therapeutic agent, for example an antisense oligonucleotide or RNAi nucleotide inhibitor with sequence specificity for hsp27 mRNA, for example human hsp27 mRNA, is administered to an individual suffering from prostate cancer or some other cancer expressing elevated levels of hsp 27 in a therapeutically effective amount. The therapeutic agent is suitably formulated into a pharmaceutical composition which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and packaged in dosage unit form. A preferred dosage unit form is an injectable dosage unit form. |
| US07723303B2 |
Peptides and peptide mimetics to treat pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response
This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. |
| US07723302B2 |
Method of treating Parkinson's disease
The invention relates to the discovery that in an animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD), administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to rodents having 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD restored the function of dopamine neurons. In these animals, G-CSF treatment increased the number of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), G-CSF treatment partially restored the nigrostriatal pathway, and G-CSF restored the function of dopamine to the level before MPTP treatment. The invention also relates to the discovery that treatment of a human patient with corticobasilar ganglionic degeneration, a rare progressive neurological disorder characterized by Parkinsonism and coritcal dysfunction, with G-CSF resulted in a significant improvement in the patient's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale evaluations as well as measures of activity of daily living. The invention further relates to the discovery that G-CSF treatment of a patient who had suffered an acute stroke resulted in a significant improvement in neurological function, the patient having minimal observable disability seven years later. The methods described herein can be used to treat PD in a mammalian subject (e.g., rodent, human) as well as other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. |
| US07723299B2 |
Methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis using a CTLA-4 fusion protein
The present invention relates to methods for delivery of fusion polypeptides into cells. Methods are provided for local delivery of fusion polypeptides, e.g., through the skin, eye and the airway, to prevent allergic inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness and to block T cell activation. Methods for delivery of fusion polypeptides to suppress graft rejection are also provided. |
| US07723298B2 |
Cytokine receptor
Novel methods are disclosed for forming a heterodimeric receptor complex with IL-28R and CRF2-4. The methods may be used for detecting and treating viral infections in in vitro and in vivo. Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides can also be used to block ligand activity in vitro and in vivo. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto. |
| US07723297B2 |
Human FGF-21 gene and gene expression products
This invention relates to human fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-21), and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding FGF-21. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to the polynucleotides and proteins, including probes and antibodies, and to methods of treating liver disease such as cirrhosis and cancer, methods of treating conditions related to thymic function, and methods of treating conditions of the testis. The invention also relates to mouse fibroblast growth factor (mFGF-21), and to variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding mFGF-21. |
| US07723286B2 |
Compounds for a controlled release of active molecules
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns compounds comprising at least one β-oxy or β-thio carbonyl moiety capable of liberating a perfuming molecule such as, for example, an α,β-unsaturated ketone, aldehyde or carboxylic ester. The present invention concerns also the use of the compounds in perfumery as well as the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles comprising the invention's compounds. |
| US07723284B2 |
Solid perfumed preparation in the form of microbeads and the use thereof
The invention concerns a solid perfumed preparation with high persistency in the form of microbeads and comprising a volatile aromatic raw material, or a mixture of volatile aromatic raw materials, and one or several fusible excipients. Said preparation can further comprise one of the following constituents: one or more polymers dispersible in the melted mass formed by the constituents of the preparation, one or more mineral additives, one or more surfactants, one or more antioxidants, one or more colouring agents. The invention can be used in cosmetics and in household product industries. |
| US07723282B2 |
Liquid detergent composition
A liquid detergent composition comprising surfactants, a suspending agent, beads, and water. |
| US07723277B2 |
Methyl cyclohexane carboxylates and their use in perfume compositions
The present invention a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of the following compound: wherein R represents a straight, branched, or cyclic C1 to C5 hydrocarbon moiety containing saturated and/or unsaturated bonds, or a C3 to C5 glycolether, and wherein the methyl substituent is located in the ortho, meta, or para position on the cyclohexane ring. |
| US07723273B1 |
Modified epoxy-amine compositions for oil field uses
Compressible and resilient sealing compositions for injection into oil or gas wells are provided, which are capable of forming effective seals adjacent well casings even at elevated downhole temperatures. The compositions comprise an epoxy component present in a predominant weight percentage, including an epoxy resin and a glycidyl ether modifier, as well as additional components rendering the cured compositions both compressive and resilient. The compositions are used as a partial or complete substitute for casing cements, and can be used to good effect with expandable casing installations or for sealing casing breaks. High set-up temperature (220-300° F.) compositions preferably include an ethoxylated alkyl (C10-C20) monoamine or diamine, and alkyl pyridine quaternary ammonium components. |
| US07723270B1 |
Methods for producing members of specific binding pairs
A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA. Using this method libraries of DNA encoding respective chains of such multimeric sbp members may be combined, thereby obtaining a much greater genetic diversity in the sbp members than could easily be obtained by conventional methods. |
| US07723266B2 |
Substituted aryl sulphony(thio)ureas used as herbicides
The invention relates to novel substituted arylsulphonyl(thio)ureas in which A represents nitrogen or a CH grouping, Q represents oxygen or sulphur, R1 represents hydrogen, halogen or respectively optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy or heterocyclyloxy, R2 represents hydrogen, halogen or respectively optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy or heterocyclyloxy, R3 represents hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, R4 represents respectively optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkinyl, alkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy or cycloalkylalkyl, and R5 represents hydrogen, formyl or respectively optionally substituted alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylsulphonyl or heterocyclyl, and to salts of compounds of the formula (I), except for the compound N-(4,6-dimethyl-primidin-2-yl)-N′-[2-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-ethoxy-6-methyl-phenylsulphonyl]-urea, to process for preparing the novel compounds and to their use as herbicides. |
| US07723262B2 |
Activated carbon cryogels and related methods
Carbon cryogels, methods for making the carbon cryogels, methods for storing a gas using the carbon cryogels, and devices for storing and delivering a gas using the carbon cryogels. |
| US07723261B2 |
Catalyst for the preparation of methyl mercaptan
The present invention refers to a catalyst for the manufacture of methyl mercaptan from carbon oxides comprising Mo and K compounds and oxides or sulfides of metals chosen from the manganese group. The improvement of the present process consists of the fact that carbon dioxide can be converted with higher conversions and selectivities to methyl mercaptan as compared to state-of-the-art technologies, with only minor amounts of carbon monoxide being formed as side product. Simultaneously, carbon monoxide can be easily converted into carbon dioxide and hydrogen by reaction with water using established water-gas-shift-technologies thus increasing the overall selectivity to methyl mercaptan. |
| US07723259B2 |
Particulate matter (PM) oxidizing catalyst
A particulate matter oxidizing catalyst includes: at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium and gold; and cerium, wherein a first oxide includes: the cerium, and a first metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: gallium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, wherein a second oxide includes: the cerium, and a second metal which is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: praseodymium, zirconium and aluminum, and wherein the second oxide and the first oxide have a content ratio of second oxide/(first oxide+second oxide)=0.1 by mass to 0.8 by mass. |
| US07723255B2 |
Recyclable metathesis catalysts
Highly active, recoverable and recyclable transition metal-based metathesis catalysts and their organometallic complexes including dendrimeric complexes are disclosed, including a Ru complex bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Derivatized catalysts capable of being immobilized on substrate surfaces are also disclosed. The present catalysts can be used to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), ring-opening (ROM) and cross metatheses (CM) reactions, and promote the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield. |
| US07723253B2 |
Method for preparing a composition for control of microbial contamination in drinking water
Disclosed is a method and composition useful for controlling microbial contamination in drinking water produced from condensation. The composition comprises a zeolite which is modified to introduce zinc by ion exchange. The method comprises passing drinking water produced from condensation through a column packed with the modified zeolite. |
| US07723250B2 |
Ceramic porous body and method for producing molded body
A ceramic porous body including at least Si as a chemical component, the ceramic porous body being obtained by adding a porous silica powder or a porous silica-containing compound powder to a forming raw material to prepare a clay, forming the resulting ceramic clay into a specific shape, and firing the formed product. The ceramic porous body according to the present invention does not produce carbon dioxide or toxic gas during firing and allows the firing time to be reduced in comparison with the case of using a resin powder or a carbon powder as a pore-forming agent by using the porous silica powder or the porous silica-containing compound powder as the pore-forming agent during production. Moreover, a change in pore-forming characteristics or deformation of a formed product rarely occurs. |
| US07723249B2 |
Ceramic material for high temperature service
The invention is directed to a ceramic material for use in thermal barriers for high temperature cycling applications and high temperature abradable coatings. The material is an alloy formed predominantly from ultra-pure zirconia (ZrO2) and/or hafnia (HfO2) that has uncharacteristically high sintering resistance to achieve a high service lifetime and low thermal conductivity to achieve high operating temperatures. In the material, oxide impurities such as soda (Na2O), silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), titania (TiO2), hematite (Fe2O3), calcia (CaO), and magnesia (MgO) make up no more than 0.15 weight percent. The invention provides materials to produce a coating structure so that the changes in the coating microstructure over the in-service lifetime are either limited or beneficial. |
| US07723243B2 |
Multi-layered structure forming method, method of manufacturing wiring substrate, and method of manufacturing electronic apparatus
There is provided a multi-layered structure forming method comprising: (A) forming a first insulating material layer containing a first photo-curing material on a substrate; (B) semi-hardening the first insulating material layer by radiating light having a first wavelength to the first insulating material layer; (C) forming a conductive material layer on the semi-hardened first insulating material layer by ejecting droplets of a conductive material to the semi-hardened first insulating material layer from a nozzle of a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus; (D) forming a second insulating material layer containing a second photo-curing material so as to cover the semi-hardened first insulating material layer and the conductive material layer; and (E) forming a first insulating layer, a conductive layer positioned on the first insulating material, and a second insulating layer covering the first insulating layer and the conductive layer by simultaneously heating the first insulating material layer, the conductive material layer, and the second insulating material layer. |
| US07723236B2 |
Gas setting method, gas setting apparatus, etching apparatus and substrate processing system
Mixing ratio and flow rate of a first gaseous mixture supplied to a central portion of the substrate are set. Subsequently, etching is performed by changing a mixing ratio of a second gaseous mixture supplied to an outer peripheral portion of the substrate while a setting of the first gaseous mixture is fixed, thereby, setting the mixing ratio of the second gaseous mixture based on an etching result to make etching selectivities and shapes at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the substrate uniform. Then, etching is performed by changing a flow rate of the second gaseous mixture while settings of the first gaseous mixture and the mixing ratio of the second gaseous mixture are fixed, thereby, setting the flow rate of the second gaseous mixture based on etching results to make etching rates at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the substrate uniform. |
| US07723233B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating a semiconductor device
A method is proposed for the fabrication of the gate electrode of a semiconductor device such that the effects of gate depletion are minimized. The method is comprised of a dual deposition process wherein the first step is a very thin layer that is doped very heavily by ion implantation. The second deposition, with an associated ion implant for doping, completes the gate electrode. With the two-deposition process, it is possible to maximize the doping at the gate electrode/gate dielectric interface while minimizing risk of boron penetration of the gate dielectric. A further development of this method includes the patterning of both gate electrode layers with the advantage of utilizing the drain extension and source/drain implants as the gate doping implants and the option of offsetting the two patterns to create an asymmetric device. A method is also provided for the formation of shallow junctions in a semiconductor substrate by diffusion of dopant from an implanted layer contained within a dielectric layer into the semiconductor surface. Further, the ion implanted layer is provided with a second implanted species, such as hydrogen, in addition to the intended dopant species, wherein said species enhances the diffusivity of the dopant in the dielectric layer. |
| US07723232B2 |
Full backside etching for pressure sensing silicon
The formation of a semiconductor sensing device is disclosed, where the device can be used to sense pressure, for example. The device is formed by etching the entire backside of a semiconductor substrate or wafer. This streamlines the fabrication process by omitting a number of steps that would otherwise be required to selectively etch certain locations of the substrate. This also improves device performance and compactness by allowing associated support circuitry to be formed closer to a sensing region, and more particularly piezoelectric elements of the sensing region. |
| US07723225B2 |
Solder bump confinement system for an integrated circuit package
A solder bump confinement system is provided including providing a substrate, patterning a contact material on the substrate, depositing an inner passivation layer over the contact material and the substrate, forming an under bump material defining layer over the contact material by sputtering, and forming a system interconnect over the contact material and on the under bump material defining layer. |
| US07723215B2 |
Dark current reduction in back-illuminated imaging sensors and method of fabricating same
A method for fabricating a back-illuminated semiconductor imaging device on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and resulting imaging device is disclosed. The device includes an insulator layer; a semiconductor substrate, having an interface with the insulator layer; an epitaxial layer grown on the semiconductor substrate by epitaxial growth; and one or more imaging components in the epitaxial layer in proximity to a face of the epitaxial layer, the face being opposite the interface of the semiconductor substrate and the insulator layer, the imaging components comprising junctions within the epitaxial layer; wherein the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer exhibit a net doping concentration having a maximum value at a predetermined distance from the interface of the insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate and which decreases monotonically on both sides of the profile from the maximum value within a portion of the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer. The doping profile between the interface with the insulation layer and the peak of the doping profile functions as a “dead band” to prevent dark current carriers from penetrating to the front side of the device. |
| US07723207B2 |
Three dimensional integrated circuit and method of design
A three dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC), 3D IC chip and method of fabricating a 3D IC chip. The chip includes multiple layers of circuits, e.g., silicon insulator (SOI) CMOS IC layers, each including circuit elements. The layers may be formed in parallel and one layer attached to another to form a laminated 3D chip. |
| US07723205B2 |
Semiconductor device, manufacturing method thereof, liquid crystal display device, RFID tag, light emitting device, and electronic device
There is provided a semiconductor device, in which characteristics of the semiconductor device are improved by thinning a gate insulating film and a leak current can be reduced, and a manufacturing method thereof. An aluminum film which is a metal film is formed over a polycrystalline semiconductor film, and plasma oxidizing treatment is performed to the aluminum film, whereby an aluminum oxide film is formed by oxidizing the aluminum film, and a silicon oxide film is formed between the polycrystalline semiconductor film and the aluminum oxide film. |
| US07723203B2 |
Method of forming an alignment key having a capping layer and method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same
A method of forming an alignment key with a capping layer in a semiconductor device without an additional mask formation process, and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same, may be provided. The method of forming an alignment key may include forming an isolation layer confining an active region in a chip region of a semiconductor substrate, and forming an alignment key having a step height difference with respect to the surface of the semiconductor substrate in a scribe lane. An at least one formation layer for forming an element may be formed on the substrate, and patterned, to form an element-forming pattern on the semiconductor substrate in the chip region, and a capping layer capping the alignment key on the semiconductor substrate in the scribe lane. |
| US07723198B2 |
Integrated semiconductor cascode circuit for high-frequency applications
An integrated semiconductor cascode circuit is provided that comprises an emitter layer, a first base area, a second base area, an intermediate area and a collector area. The first base area is arranged between the emitter layer and the intermediate area, and the second base area is arranged between the intermediate area and the collector area. A dielectric layer that is provided with a central opening is arranged between the first base area and the second base area. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said semiconductor cascode circuit. |
| US07723191B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device having buried gate
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having buried gates may include forming a stacked structure of sequentially stacked first mask patterns and second mask patterns with equal widths to expose active regions and isolation regions of a semiconductor substrate. After forming reduced first mask patterns by decreasing the width only of the first mask patterns, trenches may be formed in the active regions and the isolation regions by etching the exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate using the second mask patterns as an etch mask. Then, gate insulating films may be formed on inner walls of the trenches in the active regions, and a conductive material may be buried into the trenches in the active regions and the isolation regions to form gates. |
| US07723181B2 |
Overlay alignment mark and alignment method for the fabrication of trench-capacitor dram devices
A small-size (w<0.5 micrometers) alignment mark in combination with a “k1 process” is proposed, which is particularly suited for the fabrication of trench-capacitor DRAM devices which requires highly accurate AA-DT and GC-DT overlay alignment. The “k1 process” is utilized to etch away polysilicon studded in the alignment mark trenches and to refresh the trench profile, thereby improving overlay alignment accuracy and precision. |
| US07723179B2 |
Light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting element containing an organic compound has a disadvantage in that it tends to be deteriorated by various factors, so that the greatest problem thereof is to increase its reliability (make longer its life span). The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an active matrix type light emitting device and the configuration of such an active matrix type light emitting device having high reliability. In the method, a contact hole extending to a source region or a drain region is formed, and then an interlayer insulation film made of a photosensitive organic insulating material is formed on an interlayer insulation film. The interlayer insulation film has a curved surface on its upper end portion. Subsequently, an interlayer insulation film provided as a silicon nitride film having a film thickness of 20 to 50 nm is formed by a sputtering method using RF power supply. |
| US07723178B2 |
Shallow and deep trench isolation structures in semiconductor integrated circuits
A semiconductor structure fabrication method. The method includes providing a semiconductor structure which includes a first semiconductor layer and a dielectric bottom portion in the first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer is formed. The first and second semiconductor layers include a semiconductor material. A dielectric top portion and a first STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) region are formed in the second semiconductor layer. The dielectric top portion is in direct physical contact with the dielectric bottom portion. |
| US07723176B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
Element characteristics disadvantageously fluctuate because the composition of the resultant silicide varies according to the change of the gate length when a full silicide gate electrode is formed by sintering a metal/poly-Si structure. The element characteristics also fluctuate due to element-to-element non-uniformity of the resultant silicide composition. By first forming full silicide having a metal-rich composition, depositing a Si layer thereon, and sintering the combined structure, the metal in the metal-rich silicide diffuses into the Si layer, so that the Si layer is converted into silicide. The entire structure thus is converted into full silicide having a smaller metal composition ratio. |
| US07723174B2 |
CMOS device comprising MOS transistors with recessed drain and source areas and a SI/GE material in the drain and source areas of the PMOS transistor
The present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices and a process sequence in which a semiconductor alloy, such as silicon/germanium, may be formed in an early manufacturing stage, wherein other performance-increasing mechanisms, such as a recessed drain and source configuration, possibly in combination with high-k dielectrics and metal gates, may be incorporated in an efficient manner while still maintaining a high degree of compatibility with conventional process techniques. |
| US07723168B2 |
Method of manufacturing a stacked transistor having a polycrystalline Si film
A method of manufacturing a polycrystalline Si film and a method of manufacturing a stacked transistor are provided. The method of manufacturing the polycrystalline Si film includes preparing an insulating substrate on which is formed a transistor that includes a poly-Si active layer, a gate insulating layer, and a gate, sequentially formed, forming an interconnection metal line separated from the gate, forming an insulating layer that covers the transistor and the interconnection metal line, forming an amorphous silicon layer on the insulating layer; and annealing the amorphous silicon layer. |
| US07723164B2 |
Dual heat spreader panel assembly method for bumpless die-attach packages, packages containing same, and systems containing same
A process includes mating a first heat spreader and a second heat spreader, such that the first heat spreader at a mating surface and second heat spreader at a mating surface become parallel and adjacent. The process includes placing a first die in a first die recess of the first heat spreader, and placing a second die in a second die recess in the second heat spreader. The process includes reflowing thermal interface material between each die and respective heat spreader. Thereafter, the process includes separating the first heat spreader and the second heat spreader. A package is achieved by the process, with reduced thicknesses. The package can be disposed onto a mounting substrate. The package can be assembled into a computing system. |
| US07723160B2 |
Thermal interface structure with integrated liquid cooling and methods
A method and device for thermal conduction is provided. A thermal interface device and method of formation is described that includes advantages such as improved interfacial strength, and improved interfacial contact. Embodiments of thermal conduction structures are shown that provide composite thermal conduction and circulated liquid cooling. Embodiments are further shown that require simple, low numbers of manufacturing steps and reduced thermal interface thickness. |
| US07723159B2 |
Package-on-package using through-hole via die on saw streets
A semiconductor package-on-package (PoP) device includes a first die incorporating a through-hole via (THV) disposed along a peripheral surface of the first die. The first die is disposed over a substrate or leadframe structure. A first semiconductor package is electrically connected to the THV of the first die, or electrically connected to the substrate or leadframe structure. An encapsulant is formed over a portion of the first die and the first semiconductor package. |
| US07723158B2 |
Method for producing and cleaning surface-mountable bases with external contacts
In a method for producing bases with external contacts for surface mounting on circuit mounts, bases with external contacts are electrodeposited on semiconductor wafers or semiconductor chips. Subsequently, electrodeposited bases with external contacts are heat treated on the semiconductor wafers or the semiconductor chips at temperatures below the melting temperature of the deposited contact base material. Thereafter, a so-called RTP process is carried out in the form of a high-temperature interval in which the melting temperature is reached. Subsequently, the surfaces of the bases with external contacts are wet etched, the overall method being terminated by a cooling and drying operation. The bases with external contacts thus produced can be reliably surface mounted on circuit mounts. |
| US07723156B2 |
Electronic system modules and method of fabrication
This specification describes techniques for manufacturing an electronic system module. The module includes flexible multi-layer interconnection circuits with trace widths as narrow as 5 microns or less. A glass panel manufacturing facility, similar to those employed for making liquid crystal display, LCD, panels is preferably used to fabricate the interconnection circuits. A multi-layer interconnection circuit is fabricated on the glass panel using a release layer. A special assembly layer is formed over the interconnection circuit comprising a thick dielectric layer with openings formed at input/output (I/O) pad locations. Solder paste is deposited in the openings using a squeegee to form wells filled with solder. IC chips are provided with gold stud bumps at I/O pad locations, and these bumps are inserted in the wells to form flip chip connections. The IC chips are tested and reworked. The same bump/well connections can be used to attach fine-pitch cables. Module packaging layers are provided for hermetic sealing and for electromagnetic shielding. A blade server or supercomputer embodiment is also described. |
| US07723155B2 |
Method for the treatment of a surface of a metal-carbide substrate for use in semiconductor manufacturing processes as well as such a metal-carbide substrate
The invention relates to a method for the treatment of a surface of a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, said substrate being used in semiconductor manufacturing processes. The invention also relates to a SiC substrate for use in semiconductor manufacturing processes treated with the method according to the invention. According to the invention, said method comprising the steps of selective etching the surface of said SiC substrate using a reactive gas mixture, thereby creating a carbon surface layer on said substrate, and removing said carbon surface layer being created on said substrate. Thus, with the method steps according to the invention, SiC substrates can be obtained with a surface structure that complies with the highest standards as regard to dimensions and purity as required in semiconductor manufacturing processes. In particular, SiC substrates treated according to the steps of the invention are highly suitable for use as wafer boats for handling and containing semiconductor wafers on which subsequent treatment process steps of the semiconductor manufacturing processes (such as semiconductor layer deposition or temperature annealing) are performed under accurate, well controlled working conditions (temperature, pressure and vacuum). |
| US07723154B1 |
Methods of forming zinc oxide based II-VI compound semiconductor layers with shallow acceptor conductivities
A p-type ZnO-based II-VI compound semiconductor layer has silver, potassium and/or gold dopants therein at a net p-type dopant concentration of greater than about 1×1017 cm−3. A method of forming the layer includes using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. This technique includes exposing a substrate to a combination of gases: a first reaction gas containing zinc at a concentration that is repeatedly transitioned between at least two concentration levels during a processing time interval, a second reaction gas containing oxygen and a p-type dopant gas containing at least one p-type dopant species selected from a group consisting of silver, potassium and gold. A concentration of oxygen in the second reaction gas may also be repeatedly transitioned between at least two concentration levels. The concentration of zinc in the first reaction gas and the concentration of oxygen in the second reaction gas may be transitioned in an alternating sequence, so that relatively high zinc concentrations in the first reaction gas overlap with relatively low oxygen concentrations in the second reaction gas and vice versa. |
| US07723152B2 |
Patterning method, method of manufacturing organic field effect transistor, and method of manufacturing flexible printed circuit board
In the condition where a nozzle for applying a coating liquid is disposed on the lower side of a substrate and a substrate surface controlled in wettability is faced down, the nozzle and the substrate are moved relative to each other, whereby the coating liquid is applied to a desired region of the substrate, and then the coating liquid is dried, to obtain a pattern included a dried coating layer. |
| US07723151B2 |
CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same
A CMOS image sensor and fabricating method thereof enhances a light-receiving capability of an image sensor by preventing poor light-refraction characteristics at the peripheral part of a microlens. The CMOS image sensor includes at least one microlens formed by anistropic etching to have a focusing centerline, a central lens portion, and a peripheral lens portion, wherein the focusing centerline passes through the central lens portion and wherein the peripheral lens portion surrounds the central lens portion. The central lens portion has a first convex curvature based on a first radius and the peripheral lens portion has second convex curvature based on a second radius, wherein the second radius is greater than the first radius. |
| US07723149B2 |
Color filter of image sensor, image sensor, and method for manufacturing the image sensor
A color filter of an image sensor, an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the image sensor are disclosed, wherein shapes of respective unit color cells closely form various color patterns, such as a red color pattern, a green color pattern and a blue color pattern, within each unit color cell in a stripe type, and various colors such as red, green and blue required for image generation are produced, without interdependence of the respective unit color cells, are normally realized to induce a finished color filter array to smoothly express more colors, so that the resolution of a generated image in an optimal state is achieved. |
| US07723148B2 |
Method for manufacturing image sensor
Provided is a method for manufacturing an image sensor. The method includes the following. A color filter layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode and a transistor formed thereon. A planarization layer is formed on the color filter layer. An LTO (Low Temperature Oxide) layer is formed on the planarization layer. A photoresist pattern is formed to correspond to the color filter layer on the LTO layer, and a reflow process is performed. A microlens array is formed by reactive ion etching the photoresist pattern and the LTO layer. A second reflow process may be performed on the photoresist pattern and/or the LTO layer during the reactive ion etching process. |
| US07723145B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method for the same
A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate including: a plurality of light-receptive portions that are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally; a vertical transfer portion that transfers signal electric charge read out from the light-receptive portions in a vertical direction; a horizontal transfer portion that transfers the signal electric charge transferred by the vertical transfer portion in a horizontal direction; a barrier region adjacent to the horizontal transfer portion, the barrier region letting only surplus electric charge of the horizontal transfer portion pass therethough; a drain region adjacent to the barrier region, into which the surplus electric charge passing through the barrier region is discharged; and an insulation film adjacent to the drain region. A portion of the drain region is located beneath the insulation film. |
| US07723142B2 |
Growth method of GaN crystal, and GaN crystal substrate
A method of producing a GaN crystal is directed to growing a GaN crystal on a GaN seed crystal substrate. The method includes the steps of preparing a GaN seed crystal substrate including a first dopant such that the thermal expansion coefficient of the GaN seed crystal substrate becomes greater than that of the GaN crystal, and growing the GaN crystal to a thickness of at least 1 mm on the GaN seed crystal substrate. Accordingly, there can be provided a method of producing a GaN crystal that can suppress generation of a crack and grow a thick GaN crystal, and a GaN crystal substrate. |
| US07723139B2 |
Quantum well intermixing
Embodiments of a method of quantum well intermixing (QWI) comprise providing a wafer comprising upper and lower epitaxial layers, which each include barrier layers, and a quantum well layer disposed between the upper and lower epitaxial layers, applying at least one sacrificial layer over the upper epitaxial layer, and forming a QWI enhanced region and a QWI suppressed region by applying a QWI enhancing layer over a portion of the sacrificial layer, wherein the portion under the QWI enhancing layer is the QWI enhanced region, and the other portion is the QWI suppressed region. The method further comprises the steps of applying a QWI suppressing layer over the QWI enhanced region and the QWI suppressed region, and annealing at a temperature sufficient to cause interdiffusion of atoms between the quantum well layer and the barrier layers of the upper epitaxial layer and the lower epitaxial layer. |
| US07723134B2 |
Method of manufacturing display device
A method of manufacturing a display device reduces damage to pad electrodes. The method includes: forming a thin film transistor in a pixel area on a first substrate and simultaneously forming a pad electrode in a pad area on the first substrate; forming a first pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and simultaneously forming a pad protection layer covering the pad electrode; and exposing the pad electrode by removing the pad protection layer. |
| US07723129B2 |
Power semiconductor devices having integrated inductor
An electronic device (100) with one or more semiconductor chips (102) has an inductor (101) assembled on or under the chips. The inductor includes a ferromagnetic body (111) and a wire (104) wrapped around the body to form at least a portion of a loop; the wire ends (104a) are connected to the chips. The assembly is attached to a substrate (103), which may be a leadframe. The device may be encapsulated in molding compound (140) so that the inductor can double as a heat spreader (111c), enhancing the thermal device characteristics. |
| US07723123B1 |
Western blot by incorporating an affinity purification zone
An upstream affinity purification region is used to bind one or more component of interest in a mixture of components prior to separating the mixture of components. Detection of the separated components and a released component of interest provide identification of the component of interest. In addition, post separation dilution is optionally used to improve detection of the mixture of components and the released component of interest. Microfluidic devices and systems suitable for performing such analyses are also provided. |
| US07723121B2 |
Fluorimetric determination of analytes by amine-N-oxides as redox indicators
The invention concerns methods and reagent kits for the fluorimetric determination of analytes. |
| US07723119B2 |
Method for determining solubility of a chemical compound
There is provided a method of determining the solubility of a chemical compound containing one or more acidic or basic groups. The method involves preparing a close to saturated solution with solid present of said chemical compound; measuring the pH of the test solution at regular intervals until a consistent rate of pH change; adding a known aliquot of base or acid titrant to the test solution to adjust the pH slope; and repeating steps (b) and (c) until the measured pH slope changes sign. The solubility of the compound is determined as the concentration of unionised compound in solution when the measured pH slope is interpolated to zero. |
| US07723109B2 |
Expression of spider silk proteins
The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and plant biology. Specifically, the invention is directed to the methods for expressing spider silk proteins in plants and the synthesis and purification of spider silk proteins therefrom. |
| US07723108B2 |
Soft tissue processing
The present invention is a process for preparing soft tissue such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, dermis, human valves and human veins for implant in a human and removes cellular components and forms an decellular matrix having as major components collagens and elastins while sterilizing the tissue. The process comprises the following steps: (1) isolating from a suitable donor a desired soft tissue sample of the biological material; (2) processing and decellularizing the soft tissue including inspection for visual defects, trimming and soaking the tissue in a detergent depending on whether the tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same with sterile water; (3) sterilizing the soft tissue in a vacuum and soaking the tissue in an antibiotic composition or peracetic acid depending on whether the soft tissue is fascia or dermis and rinsing same; (4) processing the tissue by cutting the tissue to size and perforating the tissue; and (5) dipping the tissue in 70% ethanol and packaging the tissue. |
| US07723102B2 |
Enhanced transfection system
A mammalian cell gene expression vector system comprising (a) an episomal maintenance system (b), a strong promoter/enhancer, (c) a protein transactivation system and (d) DNA coding for a heterologous protein. The episomal maintenance and protein transactivation systems can include sub-elements located on the same or different plasmids within the cell expression system. |
| US07723100B2 |
Polymer coated SERS nanotag
An encapsulated surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tag. The tag includes a metal core and an encapsulant, typically a glass encapsulant. The encapsulant is further derivatized with a polymer. |
| US07723089B2 |
PEG-urate oxidase conjugates and use thereof
A naturally occurring or recombinant urate oxidase (uricase) covalently coupled to poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene oxide) (both referred to as PEG), wherein an average of 2 to 10 strands of PEG are conjugated to each uricase subunit and the PEG has an average molecular weight between about 5 kDa and 100 kDa. The resulting PEG-uricase conjugates are substantially non-immunogenic and retain at least 75% of the uricolytic activity of the unmodified enzyme. |
| US07723088B2 |
DNA sequences involved in prenylflavonoid biosynthesis in hops and their use in modifying prenylflavonoid production in plants
The isolation and identification of two O-methyltransferases from the hops plant (Humulus lupulus L.), designated as OMT1 (SEQ ID NO. 1) and OMT2 (SEQ ID NO. 3) is described. |
| US07723085B2 |
Analyzing cells immobilized in block copolymers
The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a block polymer as a support matrix in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, such as cells and fluorescent beads. In a preferred embodiment, the composition exhibits gel-sol thermoreversibility, micelle formation under gelling conditions, optically compatible, controllable surfactant properties, molecular sieving properties and biocompatibility. Further aspects of the invention provide (a) a support matrix composition comprising a block polymer, fluorescent beads and/or a dye for use in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, (b) a multichamber plate coated in a support matrix composition and (c) kits for producing the same. |
| US07723080B2 |
Murine α (1,3) fucosyltransferase Fuc-TVII, DNA encoding the same, method for preparing the same, antibodies recognizing the same, immunoassays for detecting the same, plasmids containing such DNA, and cells containing such a plasmid
A gene which encodes a murine leukocyte α(1,3)fucosyltransferase capable of synthesizing the sialyl Lewis x determinant has been cloned. |
| US07723079B2 |
Trichoderma reesei glucoamylase and homologs thereof
The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications. |
| US07723075B2 |
Methods of screening for TRPM5 modulators
The invention relates to methods useful in identifying molecules that bind TRPM5, which modulate TRPM5 ion channel activity, and/or which alter expression of TRPM5 within cells. The TRPM5 channels as described herein contain TRPM5 polypeptides, which are in turn encoded by TRPM5 nucleic acids. The ion channels described herein are preferably formed in HEK-293 cells from one or more novel TRPM5 polypeptides, which exhibit one or more of the unique TRPM5 properties described herein. |
| US07723074B2 |
Nucleic acid molecules encoding prostaglandin receptor proteins
Described herein is a novel member of the prostanoid receptor family, a guinea pig prostaglandin D2 receptor. Described are the receptor, the nucleic acid that encodes it, and various uses for both. |
| US07723072B2 |
Polypeptide factor from a thermophilic eubacterial species and use thereof in the production of functional, heterologous proteins in an expression host
A polypeptide factor derived from the thermophilic eubacterial species Thermus thermophilus has universal protein expression-assisting activity. The polypeptide factor has been named the CzrB protein active in full length or truncated form has the potential to act as a universal protein expression-assisting molecule which can increase the yields of all heterologous proteins produced in E. coli by a mechanism that is independent of the protein being expressed. |
| US07723071B2 |
DNA molecules encoding opioid receptors and methods of use thereof
Recombinant forms of isolated and purified delta opioid receptors and methods to screen for compounds interactive with delta opioid receptors are described. |
| US07723062B1 |
Compositions and methods for detection of Wolbachia
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of Wolbachia antibodies, antibody fragments, and polypeptides. |
| US07723058B2 |
Test system for the determination of in-vivo active hemostasis proteases in biological fluids and/or the usage thereof to determine the in-vivo activation of hemostasis
The present invention describes a test system for the determination of in-vivo active hemostasis proteases in biological fluids and the use thereof to determine the in-vivo activation of hemostasis or to diagnose pancreatitis. EDTA and/or EGTA is added to the biological sample to prevent artificial activation of the hemostasis proteases. Arginine and/or guanidine can also be added to the biological sample. |
| US07723045B2 |
Assays to predict atherosclerosis and dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein
This invention provides novel assays for the detection of dysfunctional HDL. The assays are good diagnostics and/or prognostics for atherosclerosis or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiments the methods involve measurements of heme-related HDL-associated proteins (e.g., haptoglobin, hemopexin, etc.), and/or measurements of the relative distribution of HDL-associated proteins between HDL and the non-lipoprotein fractions of plasma/serum, and/or measurements of the ability of pro-inflammatory HDL to consume nitric oxide, and/or measurement of the ability of HDL to inhibit LDL aggregation. |
| US07723041B2 |
Assay for SARS coronavirus by amplification and detection of the replicase sequence
Primers and probes derived from SARS-CoV nucleic acid that facilitate detection and/or quantification of the replicase gene are disclosed. The disclosed sequences may be used in a variety of amplification and non-amplification formats for detection of SARS-CoV infection. |
| US07723040B2 |
Detection of HIV-1 by nucleic acid amplification
Nucleic acid sequences and methods for detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid (LTR and pol sequences) in biological samples by detecting amplified nucleic acids are disclosed. Kits comprising nucleic acid oligomers for amplifying HIV-1 nucleic acid present in a biological sample and detecting the amplified nucleic acid are disclosed. |
| US07723036B2 |
Assessing response to anti-CD20 therapy by genotyping C1q components
The present invention encompasses methods for predicting metastasis in cancer by assessing the structure of the complement protein C1qA. The methods may encompass examining either protein or nucleic acids, and may further include making treatment decisions based on the predictive methods. |
| US07723035B2 |
Compositions and methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy
The miR15 and miR16 micro RNA genes are located at 13q14 within a 30 kb region of loss characteristic of cells from certain cancers, such as cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia or prostate cancer. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or prostate cancer can be diagnosed by detecting a reduction in miR15 or miR16 gene copy number, by determining miR15 or miR16 gene mutational status, or by detecting a reduction in the RNA transcribed from these genes. The miR15 or miR16 gene products can inhibit the neoplastic or tumorigenic growth of cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or prostate cancer cells when administered to subjects suffering from these diseases. |
| US07723026B2 |
Method for investigating cytosine methylation in DNA by means of DNA repair enzymes
The following invention concerns a method for investigating cytosine methylation by means of DNA repair enzymes. Here, the DNA is first converted so that unmethylated cytosines are converted to uracil, while 5-methylcytosine remains unchanged. Then the DNA is hybridized to oligonucleotides, whereby hybrids will be formed with or without erroneous base pairings, in each case depending on the methylation status of the DNA. Following this, the erroneously paired hybrids will be cleaved by repair enzymes. Then the methylation status of the DNA can be determined in different ways. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer disorders and other diseases associated with a change of the methylation status as well as for predicting undesired drug effects. |
| US07723023B2 |
Use of intrinsic reporters of cell signaling for high content drug profiling and toxicity screening
The present invention identifies essentially all of the members of a specific group of genes that are preferentially transcribed upon the initialization of a signal transduction pathway. The present invention also discloses methods for detecting and/or quantifying the transcription of these specific genes. The present invention further discloses methods of using this information to characterize the effect of potential drugs on a cell. Solid supports comprising nucleic acids that can hybridize with the transcripts from this specific group of genes are also described. |
| US07723022B2 |
Immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecules
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed. |
| US07723019B2 |
Organic cation transporter preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells and leukemias and uses thereof
A novel organic cation transporter (OCT) gene, OCT 6, and use thereof is described. The OCT6 gene is preferentially expressed in human hematopoietic tissues, including CD34+ cells and leukemia cells. Its narrow tissue distribution, substrate specificity, and close homology to other cell membrane transporters make OCT6 an attractive target for the treatment of myeloid diseases. |
| US07723014B2 |
System and method for photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing
A method for photolithography in semiconductor manufacturing includes providing a substrate for a wafer and providing a mask for exposing the wafer. The wafer is exposed by utilizing a combination of high angle illumination and focus drift exposure methods. |
| US07723013B2 |
Negative-acting photolithographic printing plate with improved pre-burn performance
A negative-acting photolithographic printing plate precursor has a unique negative-acting photosensitive composition on a surface. The photosensitive composition contains an acetal polymer, an infrared absorbing dye or pigment, a crosslinking agent for the acetal resin and a photosensitive chemical acid progenitor, and the acetal polymer has within its backbone a structure comprising a particular polymeric moiety derived from a polyvinyl alcohol backbone. |
| US07723008B2 |
Photoactive adhesion promoter in a slam
A semiconductor process technique to help reduce semiconductor process effects, such as undesired line edge roughness, insufficient lithographical resolution, and limited depth of focus problems associated with the removal of a photoresist layer. More particularly, embodiments of the invention use a photoacid generator (PAG) material in conjunction with a sacrificial light absorbing material (SLAM) to help reduce these and other undesired effects associated with the removal of photoresist in a semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention allow a PAG to be applied in a semiconductor manufacturing process in an efficient manner, requiring fewer processing operations than typical prior art techniques. |
| US07723003B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic latent image, developer for developing electrostatic latent image, and image-forming process using the toner for developing electrostatic latent image
The present invention provides a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image comprising a releasing agent containing a hydrocarbon, a binder resin, and a colorant, wherein, when an average carbon number of the hydrocarbon is designated as N, the hydrocarbon contains components having a carbon number in the range of (N−10) to (N+10) in an amount of 70% by mass or more in the entire hydrocarbon and has a weight-average molecular weight of 12,000 or more and 25,000 or less, a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image containing the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image, and an image-forming process using the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image. |
| US07722999B2 |
Silicone free polyester in undercoat layer of photoconductive member
A photoconductor containing a substrate, a layer thereover, which layer contains, for example, a polyol resin, an aminoplast resin, a silicone free polyester, and a metal oxide dispersed therein; and at least one imaging layer formed on the polyol resin containing layer. |
| US07722998B2 |
Reflective mask blank
A reflective mask and a reflective mask blank that can form a fine mask pattern with high accuracy in shape, achieve a sufficient contrast in a pattern inspection, and enable a pattern transfer with high accuracy. On a substrate (11), a multilayer reflective film (12) for reflecting an exposure light, a buffer layer (13), and an absorber layer for absorbing the exposure light are successively deposited in this order. This absorber layer has a layered structure composed of an uppermost layer (15) and a lower layer (14) other than it. The uppermost layer (15) exhibits a reflectance of 20% or less with respect to a light having an inspection wavelength for use in an inspection of a pattern formed in the absorber layer and further is formed of an inorganic material having a resistance against an etching condition in forming a pattern in the lower layer. |
| US07722997B2 |
Holographic reticle and patterning method
A hologram reticle and method of patterning a target. A layout pattern for an image to be transferred to a target is converted into a holographic representation of the image. A hologram reticle is manufactured that includes the holographic representation. The hologram reticle is then used to pattern the target. Three-dimensional patterns may be formed in a photoresist layer of the target in a single patterning step. These three-dimensional patterns may be filled to form three-dimensional structures. The holographic representation of the image may also be transferred to a top photoresist layer of a top surface imaging (TSI) semiconductor device, either directly or using the hologram reticle. The top photoresist layer may then be used to pattern an underlying photoresist layer with the image. The lower photoresist layer is used to pattern a material layer of the device. |
| US07722995B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolytic solution, secondary battery, and electrochemical capacitor
A carbonate-modified silane or siloxane is combined with a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt to form a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, which is used to construct a secondary battery having improved charge/discharge characteristics. |
| US07722991B2 |
High performance anode material for lithium-ion battery
An anode material with lithium-alloying particles contained within a porous support matrix is provided. The porous support matrix preferably has a porosity of between 5 and 80% afforded by porosity channels and expansion accommodation pores, and is electrically conductive. More preferably the support matrix has a porosity of between 10 and 50%. The support matrix is made from an organic polymer, an inorganic ceramic or a hybrid mixture of organic polymer and inorganic ceramic. The organic polymer support matrix and can be made from a rod-coil polymer, a hyperbranched polymer, UV cross-linked polymer, heat cross-linked polymer or combination thereof. An inorganic ceramic support matrix can be made from at least one group IV-VI transition metal compound, with the compound being a nitride, carbide, oxide or combination thereof. The lithium-alloying particles are preferably nanoparticles with a mean linear dimension of between 5 and 500 nanometers, and more preferably have a mean linear dimension of between 5 and 50 nanometers. |
| US07722989B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a positive active material comprising primary particles and secondary particles made of the primary particles
As an alternative technique to lead-acid batteries, the present invention provides an inexpensive 2 V non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent cycle life at a high rate by preventing volume change during charge and discharge. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery uses: a positive electrode active material having a layered structure, being represented by chemical formula Li1±α[Me]O2, where 0≦α<0.2, and Me is a transition metal including Ni and at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ti and Cu, and including elemental nickel and elemental cobalt in substantially the same ratio; and a negative electrode active material including Li4Ti5O12(Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4). |
| US07722982B2 |
Battery pack having non-orthogonal coupling slots
This invention includes a battery pack having an improved battery retention system for coupling to another device, like a desktop charger. The battery pack, which includes one rechargeable cell and optional circuitry, has an exterior housing that is generally rectangular in cross section. The exterior housing, which includes major faces and intersection seams, has at least two female slots that project inward at an angle that is non-orthogonal to the major faces or intersection seams. These non-orthogonal slots, when coupling to corresponding non-orthogonal rails in the pocket of a battery charger, allow batteries of various sizes to be inserted into a single charger pocket with reliable and consistent electrical connections between the electrical contacts of the pocket and the charging terminals of the battery. Electrical contacts may be disposed within the non-orthogonal slots, thereby improving both the function and aesthetic appearance of the battery pack. |
| US07722981B2 |
Electro-catalyst composition, fuel cell electrode, and membrane-electrode assembly
Disclosed are an electro-catalyst composition and a precursor electro-catalyst composition (e.g., ink or suspension) for use in a fuel cell that exhibits improved power output. The electro-catalyst composition comprises: (a) a catalyst un-supported or supported on an electronically conducting carrier (e.g., carbon black particles); and (b) an ion-conducting and electron-conducting coating material in physical contact with the catalyst and/or coated on a surface of the carrier, wherein the coating material has an electronic conductivity no less than 10−4 S/cm (preferably no less than 10−2 S/cm) and an ion conductivity no less than 10−5 S/cm (preferably no less than 10−3 S/cm). Also disclosed are a fuel cell electrode comprising this composition, a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising this composition, and a fuel cell comprising this composition. |
| US07722980B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell directly utilizing flame
A solid oxide fuel cell that directly utilizes a flame according to the present invention has a solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface, and an anode electrode layer 3 formed on the opposite surface and a platinum mesh is embedded in the entire surfaces of the solid cathode electrode layer and the anode electrode layer. An oxide layer covers the entire periphery of the solid oxide substrate from the end part of the cathode electrode layer to the end part of the anode electrode layer. Due to the platinum mesh and the oxide layer, thermal shock due to rapid heating by a flame is alleviated and cracking in the solid oxide substrate is prevented from occurring. |
| US07722978B2 |
Membrane electrode assembly with integrated seal
A membrane electrode assembly with an improved integrated seal comprises an edge seal having an inboard pad attached to the edge of the electrodes, a flexible coupling adjacent the pad, and a sealing element adjacent the coupling. The sealing element is significantly thicker than the pad, and the flexible coupling isolates the pad from stress experienced in the sealing element. Thus, greater compression can be applied to the sealing element, thereby providing an improved and more reliable seal, without overly compressing and damaging the attached pad. |
| US07722974B2 |
Fuel cell module comprising a magnetic shielding
A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cells, which are connected one behind the other and which are combined to form a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell module should be designed in such a manner that the magnetic field or leakage field, which can be detected in the outer area and which is generated during the operation of the fuel cell module, is held at a particularly low level. To this end, the materials used for providing the fuel cells themselves, the materials used for producing the connecting components or auxiliary components, which are assigned thereto, that connect these fuel cells, and the materials used for producing the housing are selected that have a relative magnetic permeability of less than 1.1. |
| US07722972B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell using the rate of voltage recovery
An apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell which has an anode and a cathode includes first and second circuitry which are utilized, to selectively short the anode to the cathode and further is useful in measuring the rate of voltage recovery following shorting, and which can be utilized as a predictor of appropriate fuel cell hydration and can be further utilized to adjust the operational conditions of the fuel cell. |
| US07722970B2 |
Systems and methods for charging a fuel cell vehicle
Disclosed are systems and method for charging a fuel cell vehicle comprising a fuel cell, a rotating load, an energy storage, a contactor, a DC-DC converter, and a control unit. When charging of the energy storage is performed, the DC-DC converter connected to the energy storage is placed in a direct connection mode wherein the input voltage and the output voltage of the DC-DC converter are the same without voltage adjustment for directly charging regeneration electrical energy from a motor of the rotating load to the energy storage. |
| US07722966B1 |
Nano-composite materials
Nano-composite materials are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a nano-composite material may comprise co-sputtering a transition metal and a refractory metal in a reactive atmosphere. The method may also comprise co-depositing a transition metal and a refractory metal composite structure on a substrate. The method may further comprise thermally annealing the deposited transition metal and refractory metal composite structure in a reactive atmosphere. |
| US07722959B2 |
Silicate resistant thermal barrier coating with alternating layers
A thermal barrier coating system for use on a turbine engine component which reduces sand related distress is provided. The coating system comprises at least one first layer of a stabilized material selected from the group consisting of zirconia, hafnia, and titania and at least one second layer containing at least one of oxyapatite and garnet. Where the coating system comprises multiple first layers and multiple second layers, the layers are formed or deposited in an alternating manner. |
| US07722958B2 |
Organic solvent-free film-forming compositions, multi-layer composite coatings, and related methods
Provided is a film-forming composition substantially free of organic solvent which includes an aqueous dispersion of polymeric microparticles prepared by emulsion polymerization of a monomeric composition containing (1) at least 10 percent by weight of one or more vinyl aromatic compounds; (2) 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of one or more carboxylic acid functional polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers; (3) 0 to 10 percent by weight of one or more polymerizable monomers having one or more functional groups capable of reacting to form crosslinks; and (4) one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Each of (1), (2), (3) and (4) are different one from the other and at least one of (3) and (4) is present in the monomeric composition. Multi-layer composite coatings and coated substrates also are provided. |
| US07722953B2 |
Light-emitting nanoparticles comprising octanol as a passivating agent, and method of making same
A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions. |
| US07722951B2 |
Insulator coating and method for forming same
The present invention is a method of applying Lotus Effect materials as a (superhydrophobicity) protective coating for external electrical insulation system applications, as well as the method of fabricating/preparing Lotus Effect coatings. Selected inorganic or polymeric materials are applied on the insulating material surface, and stable superhydrophobic coatings can be fabricated. Various UV stabilizers and UV absorbers can be incorporated into the coating system to enhance the coating's UV stability. |
| US07722947B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode comprising a doped organic layer
The invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode comprising, on a substrate, generally one lower electrode followed by a flat conductive organic layer a doped organic layer, upon which an organic light-emitting layer is placed, and an upper electrode, which is placed upon this organic light-emitting layer and which is essentially transparent to the light produced in the light-emitting layer. The lower electrode and the flat organic layer serve as a cathode. The doped layer makes it possible to use a hole-conductive material for the flat layer. |