| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07729067B2 |
Lens holder and lens apparatus having same
A lens holder coupling a lens to an actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a vibrator and a driving rod coupled to the vibrator along a vibration direction of the vibrator. The lens holder includes a lens carrier, a transmission member, a guiding member, and a fixing member. The lens carrier is configured for accommodating the lens. The transmission member connected to the lens carrier defines a groove having a transmission axis parallel to an optical axis of the lens receiving the driving rod. The guiding member connected to the lens carrier defines a hole receiving a guide rod substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lens. The fixing member includes a main body and an elastic sheet, the main body being fixed to the transmission member, the elastic sheet extending from the main body and covering the groove and configured for elastically contacting the driving rod. |
| US07729064B2 |
Lens frame structure
There is disclosed a lens frame structure having a movable lens holding frame, a shaft which guides movement of the lens holding frame and a support member which supports the shaft. Owing to an impact force applied to a lens frame, the lens holding frame and the support member are able to relatively move in an axial direction of the shaft to come in face contact with each other. At least a part of regions of the lens holding frame and the support member which come in face contact with each other are slant surfaces with respect to the shaft.Otherwise, the regions of the lens holding frame and the support member which come in face contact with each other can be a pair of a concave surfaces and a convex surface (a wedge surface, a curved surface, a conical surface or the like) substantially parallel to each other. |
| US07729061B2 |
Imaging system having anamorphic magnification
A method and imaging system (10) is disclosed having a lens assembly (40) adapted for reading a target object (18) comprising an anamorphic lens assembly with first (L3) and second (L4) toroidal lenses adapted for positioning between a target object (18) and a sensor array (32) of an imaging system (10) such that an image received from the target object (18) is anamorphically magnified before impinging onto the sensor array along first and second directions by the anamorphic lens assembly (L3, L4). The anamorphic magnification in the first direction differs from the magnification in the second direction such that the image of the target object (18) projected onto the sensor array (32) appears elongated along the first direction relative to the second direction. |
| US07729058B2 |
Zoom lens system and electronic image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens system includes, in order from an object side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit narrows, at least the second lens unit moves only toward the object side, and the third lens unit is constituted of one positive lens. |
| US07729056B2 |
Light-condensing member, method of manufacturing the same and display apparatus having the same
A light-condensing member includes a base plate, a main light-condensing pattern formed on the base plate, and a sub light-condensing pattern formed on the main light-condensing pattern. The main light-condensing pattern includes a plurality of main prisms extended in a first direction. A cross section of a main prism taken along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction has a substantially triangular shape. The sub light-condensing pattern includes a plurality of sub prisms formed on the main prisms and extended in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A cross section of a sub prism taken along the first direction has a substantially triangular shape. Since light is condensed simultaneously in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction through one light-condensing member, manufacturing costs and the thickness of backlight assembly are reduced. |
| US07729052B2 |
Non-planar optical diffraction grating having an arbitrary parallel groove profile
An optical diffraction grating having a superior ultra-precise non-planar surface shape desired in extremely sensitive and complex optical imaging devices (e.g. spectrometers or hyperspectral imagers) is provided. The optical diffraction grating comprises a substrate having a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, wherein each of the grooves includes a plurality of substantially parallel sub-grooves. A non-planar substrate surface shape is defined by a combination of the grooves. A groove profile is defined by a combination of the sub-grooves within a corresponding one of the grooves. In a preferred method of manufacturing the optical diffraction grating, a rotating spindle technique would be employed. |
| US07729048B2 |
Microscope system
A microscope system includes a stand unit provided with a up/down drive unit for an objective lens, and a base unit provided with a up/down drive unit for a X-Y stage. When the stand unit and the base unit are fixed to each other, a displacement range of the objective lens drive unit along the up/down direction and a displacement range of the stage drive unit along the up/down direction are different from each other. |
| US07729045B2 |
Amplifier chain for generating ultrashort different width light pulses
The present invention relates to an amplifier chain for generating ultrashort light pulses of different pulse durations and applies in particular to amplifier chains suitable for amplifying picosecond and femtosecond pulses. The amplifier chain comprising a stretcher with at least one entry dispersive element of the grating type and intended to temporally stretch an incident pulse, an amplifying medium designed to amplify said stretched pulse, a compressor with at least one entry dispersive element substantially identical to that of the stretcher, designed to temporally compress said amplified pulse. According to the invention, the stretcher and the compressor include means for moving the dispersive elements between first and second positions, in such a way that the angle of incidence in a first position is equal to the angle of diffraction in the second position, and vice versa, allowing two degrees of stretch of the chain to be defined, each adapted to the amplification of pulses of different durations. |
| US07729036B2 |
Capacitive MEMS device with programmable offset voltage control
A capacitive MEMS device is formed having a material between electrodes that traps and retains charges. The material can be realized in several configurations. It can be a multilayer dielectric stack with regions of different band gap energies or band energy levels. The dielectric materials can be trappy itself, i.e. when defects or trap sites are pre-fabricated in the material. Another configuration involves a thin layer of a conductive material with the energy level in the forbidden gap of the dielectric layer. The device may be programmed (i.e. offset and threshold voltages pre-set) by a method making advantageous use of charge storage in the material, wherein the interferometric modulator is pre-charged in such a way that the hysteresis curve shifts, and the actuation voltage threshold of the modulator is significantly lowered. During programming phase, charge transfer between the electrodes and the materials can be performed by applying voltage to the electrodes (i.e. applying electrical field across the material) or by UV-illumination and injection of electrical charges over the energy barrier. The interferometric modulator may then be retained in an actuated state with a significantly lower actuation voltage, thereby saving power. |
| US07729033B2 |
Production of cavities filled with a fluid material in an optical microtechnological compound
A device including: a first layer of material; a second layer of material disposed as a sealing layer; walls disposed to interconnect the first layer and second layer, wherein cavities are formed by the first layer, the second layer, and the walls; a fluid at least partially filling the cavities; and blocks integrally connected to the first layer of material, and defining housings filled at least partially with the material of the second layer and not including any of the fluid. |
| US07729030B2 |
Optical retro-reflective apparatus with modulation capability
An optical MEMS retro-reflective apparatus with modulation capability having a retro-reflecting structure including a pair of reflective surfaces; and a MEMS device for moving at least one of the reflective surfaces of said pair of reflective surfaces relative to another one of the reflective surfaces of said pair of reflective surfaces a distance which causes the pair of reflective surfaces to switch between a reflective mode of operation and a transmissive mode of operation. A substrate and a moveable grating structure may be substituted for the reflective surfaces. |
| US07729029B2 |
Optical scan engine using rotating mirror sectors
An optical scan engine includes a rotatable component, for example a disk or drum. The rotatable component includes a plurality of scan sectors that are arranged around the rotation axis and that lie substantially in a plane of rotation. Each scan sector includes a pair of reflective surfaces that typically are radially-facing. The incident optical beam typically propagates along a radial direction (e.g., towards the rotation axis) and each pair of reflective surfaces deflects the incident optical beam by approximately 180 degrees as that pair rotates through the incident optical beam. The deflected optical beam has a virtual image located on the rotation axis. As a result, the real image of the deflected optical beam rotates around the rotation axis at the same angular velocity as the scan sectors. Different scan sectors can be designed to yield diffeent deflections in the axial direction. The addition of a third reflective surface to each scan sector can be used to generate image points that are fixed in space as the scan sector rotates. |
| US07729025B2 |
Color image compressing method and device
It is an object of the present invention to improve the compression ratio of a color image and to clearly display the outlines of characters and the like. A hue cluster classifying/unifying unit reduces the number of hue values of each pixel in a color image, based on a hue histogram, allocates the number-reduced hue value to each pixel and classifies pixels with the same hue value into one cluster. Furthermore, the unit unifies clusters whose hue values are below a predetermined value. The unit also traces the outline of a cluster whose size is below a reference value and determines that a cluster that has a lot of change points belongs to a character area. An encoding unit determines the characteristic of each cluster, based on both an area determined by an area determining unit and whether the cluster belongs to a ruled line area or a character area, and encodes pixels in each cluster by a coding method suitable for the characteristic of the cluster. |
| US07729015B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for controlling print density
Multiple input patches are received on an output media, which patches are characterized by print density representing a document processing system's response to different input grayscale values over a potential response space. Values associated with the print density of each input grayscale value are measured. Reference Engine Response Curves are determined from the measured print density values and input gray scale values. A variance data representative of a difference between each measured print density value and a respective reference Engine Response Curve is determined. The variance data is transformed into individual components. Based at least on one selected individual component, a set of calibration compensating Tone Reproduction Curves is determined. The determined calibration compensating Tone Reproduction Curves are applied to input grayscale values. |
| US07729013B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes a character-area extracting unit that extracts a character area in which characters are displayed from image data including characters, a character-color converting unit that converts the color of characters in the character area extracted by the character-area extracting unit to a predetermined prescribed character color, and a background-color converting unit that converts a background color of the background, which is an area other than the characters in the character area extracted by the character-area extracting unit to a predetermined prescribed background color. |
| US07729011B2 |
Color adjustment apparatus, color adjustment method, color-conversion-parameter generating apparatus, color conversion parameter generation method, color converting apparatus, color conversion method, computer readable medium and data signal
A color adjustment apparatus includes a pair generating section, a vector generating section, a weight calculating section, a synthesized-vector generating section and a color converting section. The pair generating section generates pairs of colors in a first color gamut and corresponding colors in a second color gamut. One of the pairs includes white in the first color gamut. The vector generating section generates plural vectors each connecting the color in the first color gamut and the color in the second color gamut, which belong to each generated pair. The weight calculating section calculates weights in accordance with distances between a color, which is to be processed and is in the first color gamut, and origins of the generated vectors. The synthesized-vector generating section applies each calculated weight to the corresponding vector to generate a synthesized vector. The color converting section converts the color to be processed using the synthesized vector. |
| US07729010B2 |
System for recovery of degraded images
A system for recovering degraded images captured through atmospheric turbulence, or other atmospheric inhomogeneities, such as snow, rain, smoke, fog, or underwater fluctuations, is provided having an imager for capturing through such turbulence both a degraded image of a scene having at least one object, and an image of a point source associated with the object. The imager converts the degraded image into first image data signals representing the degraded image, and converts the image of the point source into second image data signals representing a point spread function. A computer of the system receives the first and second image data signals and produces third image data signals representing a recovered image of the object of the degraded image in accordance with the first and second image data signals. In another embodiment, the imager captures a degraded image through atmospheric turbulence of a scene having a known reference object and an unknown object, and converts the degraded image into first image data signals. After receiving the first image data signals, the computer identifies in the first image data signals such image data signals representing the reference object. The computer produces image data signals representing a recovered image of the degraded image in accordance with the first image data signals, the image data signals representing the reference in the first image data signals, and image data signals representing an undegraded image of the reference. The computer may output the image data signals representing a recovered image to an output device to display or print the recovered image. |
| US07729007B2 |
Abstract parameter print mode mimic generation
A method, system, and computer program for generating a visual representation provides the capability to illustrate the various combinations of settings quickly and efficiently. A method for generating a visual representation comprises providing a plurality of predefined visual representations, accepting a plurality of values of a plurality of parameters, and generating a visual representation representing effects of the parameters based on the predefined visual representations and on the values of the parameters. |
| US07729002B2 |
Print-job information display system, printing system, print-job manager, print-job manager control program and method, printer, and printer control program and method
A print-job-information display system holds print jobs over a plurality of printers and displays information about a print job, for a predetermined system user, of among the print jobs being held. The system includes a collating-information acquiring section that acquires collating information to collate the system user, a plurality of print-job holding sections that hold a plurality of print jobs corresponding respectively to and relevant to the plurality of printers, in association with the collating information, a print-job-information acquiring section that acquires print-job information matched to the acquired collating information of among the information of the print jobs being held by the print-job holding sections, and a print-job-information display section that displays the acquired piece of print job information. |
| US07729000B2 |
Image forming apparatus performing image formation on print data, image processing system including plurality of image forming apparatuses, print data output method executed on image forming apparatus, and print data output program product
In order to prevent leakage of confidential information, MFP includes a communication I/F to receive print data, an image forming portion to perform image formation on print data, and a CPU to prohibit the image forming portion from performing image formation on the print data before the print data is subjected to image formation by the image forming portion, when a prescribed time has passed since the print data was received or when an input of an instruction to protect the print data is accepted, and to store the print data in a storage device, and to allow the image forming portion to perform image formation on the print data in response to accepting a log-in instruction. |
| US07728998B2 |
Printing management system, printing apparatus, print information output apparatus, and printing method
A printing management system includes a plurality of printing apparatus and a client terminal that is connected to the plurality of printing apparatus via a communication line. The client terminal includes an information output unit that outputs print information to a portable storage medium, the print information including print subject location information for identifying a location of at least one print subject to be printed. Each of the plurality of printing apparatus includes an information acquiring unit that acquires the print information from the storage medium, a print subject receiving unit that receives the print subject from the location that is identified by the print subject location information of the acquired print information, and a print executing unit that prints the received print subject. |
| US07728994B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, control program and image forming system
An image forming apparatus which enables easy management of proofs in a printing process. An image forming apparatus 299 is provided with a reader unit 50, a transfer charger 220, color sensors 274-1 to 274-4, a printer controlling unit 21. The reader unit 50 inputs image data for forming an image on a sheet having an RFID tag 701. The transfer charger 220 generates a transfer image for forming the image on the sheet based on the inputted image data. The color sensors 274-1 to 274-4 measure image formation conditions of the transfer image. The printer controlling unit 21 writes the measured image formation conditions into the RFID tag 701. |
| US07728993B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method and storage medium in which a selecting device selects a print function or a copy function
An image forming apparatus includes a receiving device which receives data to be printed. a reading device which reads a document, a selecting device which selects one of a print function of printing the data received by the receiving device and a copy function of printing the data read by the reading device, in accordance with an operation of a user, and a control device which inhibits printing by the copy function even if the document is set in the reading device, and changes a state of the receiving device from a state of not receiving the data to a state of receiving the data, when the print function is selected by the selecting device. |
| US07728992B2 |
Data processing apparatus, print control method, computer-readable storage medium, and program stored therein
Even a simple media sensor obtains a print result of the best print quality by applying a user-set printing condition and the determined media group by performing a print processing using the optimum print profile for any supplied paper. To solve the above-mentioned problem, a print data generating process unit sets a printing condition for print data by selecting a print profile for printing corresponding to any group stored in a print profile storage unit based on a media group determined by a paper type determining process unit and a printing condition set by a print setting process unit in an operation performed by a user according to information obtained from a printer. |
| US07728979B2 |
Method and device for characterizing analyte using electro-optically modulated surface plasmon resonance based on phase detection
A method and a device for detecting object properties using electro-optically modulated surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based on phase detection is disclosed. In the case of a surface plasmon resonance sensing device according to the present invention, the voltage is applied on the sensing device made of an electro-optic material to modulate the surface plasmon resonance condition by varying the wavevector of the incident lightwave. The relation between the phase of output optical wave and the applied voltage is measured, and the solution concentration or the material property is obtained by using the slope of a regression straight line of this relations. The invention can be used in the experimental arrangements of the attenuated-total-reflection (ATR) structure and the optical waveguide structure, and has advantages of high sensitivity, high stability, small bulk, low equipment cost, etc. |
| US07728978B2 |
Detection of moisture in refrigerants
Moisture can be detected in a refrigerant background such as HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon) HFC-134A and HFC-152A and exampled by HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-143A, HFC-125, HFC-245FA, HFC-227EA, and the like. The system can include a light source operating at any one of several wavelengths within the water absorption bands at wavelengths such as 1.4, 1.9 and 2.7 μm and a detector that measures the transmitted light intensity through the HFC samples. In one variation, the light source is a tunable diode laser and the moisture level is determined by direct absorption and harmonic spectroscopy. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are also described. |
| US07728976B2 |
Determining photoresist parameters using optical metrology
To generate a simulated diffraction signal, one or more values of one or more photoresist parameters, which characterize behavior of photoresist when the photoresist undergoes processing steps in a wafer application, are obtained. One or more values of one or more profile parameters are derived using the one or more values of the one or more photoresist parameters. The one or more profile parameters characterize one or more geometric features of the structure. A simulated diffraction signal is generated using the one or more values of the one or more profile parameters. The simulated diffraction signal characterizes behavior of light diffracted from the structure. The generated simulated diffraction signal is associated with the one or more values of the one or more photoresist parameters. The generated simulated diffraction signal, the one or more values of the one or more photoresist parameters, and the association between the generated simulated diffraction signal and the one or more values of the one or more photoresist parameters are stored. |
| US07728973B2 |
Line camera for spectral imaging
An apparatus for the detection of spectral information along a geometrical line with a dispersive element, which is suspended from an axis of rotation, for the spectral dispersion of electromagnetic radiation from a range on the geometrical line into spectral constituents, a line detector for the detection of the spectral constituents of the radiation emanating from the range on the geometrical line and a dispersive-element deflector, the deflector being designed to deflect the dispersive element on the axis of rotation, so that depending on an angle of deflection a radiation from another range of the geometrical line is incident on the line detector. |
| US07728972B2 |
Linear fiber array mount to a spectrometer
A coupler for coupling a linear fiber array to a spectrometer is provided, the coupler having a tube, a linear fiber bundle array inserted through the tube, an alignment mechanism for aligning the linear fiber bundle array with a slit on the spectrometer, and a locking mechanism for locking the linear fiber bundle array to the tube. Further, a method for coupling a linear fiber array to a spectrometer is provided, the method having the steps of inserting a linear fiber bundle array through a tube, aligning the linear fiber bundle array with a slit on the spectrometer, and locking the linear fiber bundle array to the tube once it is aligned with the slit on the spectrometer. |
| US07728967B2 |
Laser-based maintenance apparatus
A laser maintenance apparatus including a laser system which includes an optical system for emitting, in a first irradiation condition, a generation laser beam for generating an ultrasonic wave in a portion of an object on which maintenance is to be performed, and including a laser source configured to generate and detect a detection laser beam which interacts with the ultrasonic wave generated by the laser light beam in the first condition. The laser maintenance apparatus also includes a light transmitting device for transmitting laser light emitted from the laser system, a laser irradiation device for irradiating laser light transmitted by the light transmitting device to the object portion, and a transporting/scanning mechanism for transporting the light transmitting device and the laser irradiation device to a portion near the object portion, and scanning over an arbitrary range at the object portion. |
| US07728966B2 |
Optical inspection tool having lens unit with multiple beam paths for detecting surface defects of a substrate and methods of using same
An optical inspection tool used to detect surface defects of a substrate include a chuck for holding a substrate and a lens unit disposed over the chuck. The lens unit includes at least a pair of oblique beam paths therein, wherein light penetrating the beam paths travels without angular deflection. The beam paths take the form of spaces formed through the lens unit, or flat portions formed on a lens within the lens unit. A camera is installed on the lens unit, and the camera converts light passing through the lens unit into an image. Methods of detecting surface defects of the substrate using the inspection tool are also provided. |
| US07728965B2 |
Systems and methods for inspecting an edge of a specimen
Systems and methods for inspecting an edge of a specimen are provided. One system includes an illumination subsystem configured to direct light to the edge of the specimen at an oblique angle of incidence. The plane of incidence of the light is substantially perpendicular to a plane substantially tangent to the edge of the specimen. The system also includes a detection subsystem configured to collect light scattered from the edge and to generate signals responsive to the scattered light. One method includes directing light to the edge of the specimen at an oblique angle of incidence. The plane of incidence is substantially perpendicular to a plane substantially tangent to the edge of the specimen. The method also includes collecting light scattered from the edge and generating signals responsive to the scattered light. The signals described above can be used to detect defects on the edge of the specimen. |
| US07728964B2 |
Motion compensated light-emitting apparatus
A light-emitting apparatus, for enabling a beam of light to be projected on a desired target located a distance away to project the beam on the desired target without any or substantially any undesired movement. The apparatus may include a housing, a light generating device located within the housing and operable to generate a beam of light, a sensing device or devices for sensing an undesired action of the housing, a control circuit operable to provide a control signal corresponding to the sensed undesired action, and a drive device operable to counter act all or at least some of the undesired action of said housing in accordance with said control signal. The sensing device or devices may be one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers or other such devices. |
| US07728963B2 |
Method for determining the orientation of an orientation indicator
A separation from at least one and an image of at least three reflective regions on the orientation indicator are recorded by a separation measurement sensor and an image sensor in a measuring device, for the purpose of determining the orientation of an orientation indicator. The separation measurement and image recording are achieved by means of a directed emission of a collimated first beam and a divergent second beam with differing wavelengths and/or polarization in the direction of the orientation indicator and a simultaneous recording of the reflected and/or scattered first and second beams. The reflective regions on the orientation indicator are embodied and arranged such as to be positioned at a target point with a detectable geometric relationship to each other and to be simultaneously resolved by the image recorder. By means of the orientation determination, amongst other things, separations from target points, even not directly visible, can be precisely determined. |
| US07728962B2 |
Device for visualizing a mark on a spectacle lense
A method and an apparatus for making visible a mark on a spectacle lens are disclosed. An illumination light beam is directed to the spectacle lens. The illumination light beam runs through the spectacle lens and, after having run through the spectacle lens, is reflected on a reflector configured as a retroreflector, then runs again through the spectacle lens, and is finally fed to a camera as an observation light beam. The reflector is moved. Further, a measurement light beam is directed to said spectacle lens and fed to a sensor for measuring a physical property of the spectacle lens. The measurement light beam is generated by a first light source and the illumination light beam is generated by a second light source. The first and the second light sources are physically distinct units. |
| US07728958B2 |
Condition assessment method for a structure including a semiconductor material
An improved condition testing system and method includes a structure including a semiconductor material with a target portion and a second portion. The target portion has a first feature when at least one of the following occurs: an external force is received by the second portion of the structure and an internal condition occurs in the target portion. The system and method further has a grating shaped and located to produce a first optical interference pattern when the target portion and the grating are exposed to non-invasive illumination and when the target portion has the first feature. Further implementations use a second grating spaced apart from the first grating. |
| US07728957B2 |
Device and method for optical distance measurement
The invention relates to a device for optical distance measurement, in particular a device functioning in accordance with the phase measurement principle, having at least one transmission unit (12) equipped with at least one light source (22, 24) for transmitting modulated optical measurement radiation (16) toward a target object (20), and having a reception unit (18) for receiving the optical measurement radiation (17) returning from the target object (20).According to the present invention, the device has means (51, 55, 68) that enable a measurement of distances from a target object (20′) by means of a triangulation method.The invention also relates to a method for optical distance measurement in which it is possible to switch back and forth between a phase measurement method for determining a distance of a distance measuring device from a target object (20, 20′) and a triangulation method for determining this distance. |
| US07728956B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method utilizing multiple die designs on a substrate using a data buffer that stores pattern variation data
A lithographic system and method are provided that allow for variations of a basic device design to be generated without substantially increasing the cost of the data path hardware. The lithographic apparatus includes an array of individually controllable elements, a control system, a first data buffer, and a second data buffer. The control system provides control signals to the array of individually controllable elements. The first data buffer stores pattern data that corresponds to a pattern to be exposed on a plurality of areas on the substrate. The second data buffer stores pattern variation data, corresponding to at least one change to a part of the pattern. The control system is configured, such that at least one variation of the pattern is exposed on one of the areas on the substrate with the pattern variation data. |
| US07728951B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method for conditioning an interior space of a device manufacturing apparatus
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a first gas shower configured to supply a first gas flow to an interior space of the apparatus, and a second gas shower configured to supply a second gas flow to the interior space of the apparatus, the gas showers configured to direct the first gas flow and the second gas flow at least partly towards each other. Also, a method for conditioning an interior space of a device manufacturing apparatus is provided that includes supplying a first conditioned gas flow and a second conditioned gas flow to the interior space, such that the first conditioned gas flow and the second conditioned gas flow are at least partly directed to each other. |
| US07728950B2 |
Anticamcorder media projection using enhanced frame rate
A method for presenting video content including displaying the video content at an enhanced frame rate selectively modified to interfere with a recording of the video content by a camcorder. For example, the video content can be displayed at a frame rate of 54 pictures per second or a frame rate of 66 pictures per second. For implementation of the enhanced frame rate, a first picture can be displayed within the video content a first number of times and at least a second picture can be displayed a different number of times. |
| US07728948B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method
In a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer is formed by dropping liquid crystal by a dropping method, a surface of a sealant which is formed over a first substrate is cured by a first cure treatment before dropping the liquid crystal, and then the liquid crystal is dropped. A second substrate has a plurality of projections in a sealant adhesive region. The first substrate and the second substrate are attached to each other with the liquid crystal interposed therebetween so that the plurality of projections is in contact with an uncured region in the sealant formed over the first substrate. |
| US07728943B2 |
Substrate for a display device, a method for repairing the same, a method for repairing a display device and a liquid-crystal display device
The present invention is a substrate for a display device comprising an active matrix substrate and an opposed substrate which are opposed to each other with a display medium layer interposed therebetween, said active matrix substrate including a pixel electrode arranged in a matrix shape on the side of the display medium layer and said opposed substrate including a common electrode opposing to the pixel electrode on the side of the display medium layer, wherein said substrate for a display device includes an electrode slit formed in one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode; and at least one of the electrical connecting portions of said electrode slit is provided outside of a light-blocking region. |
| US07728942B2 |
Liquid crystal electro-optical device
A brighter active matrix type liquid crystal electro-optical device with a higher contrast, yet having a wider visual angle is realized, said liquid crystal electro-optical device comprises a liquid crystal layer and means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer in the direction parallel to the substrate, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a liquid crystal material dispersed in a polymer material. Also a liquid crystal electro-optical device comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed on a substrate is included, wherein the transmission mode or the dispersion mode of an incident light is selected by an electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer in the direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer. |
| US07728941B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display device employs a white sub-pixel among RGBW-4 sub-pixels as a view control component to realize a narrow viewing angle or a wide viewing angle in a fringe field switching mode. The LCD device comprises gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define RGBW sub-pixels on a first substrate, a thin film transistor formed at each crossing of the gate and data lines; a first common electrode in each region of the RGBW sub-pixels, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and insulated from the first common electrode, the pixel electrode having at least one slit, a second substrate attached to the first substrate, wherein the first and second substrate face each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and a second common electrode on the second substrate and corresponding to each W sub-pixel. |
| US07728940B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device including substrates and a liquid crystal layer. The substrate includes: scan signal wiring lines; common signal wiring lines; video signal wiring lines intersecting these wiring lines; and pixels surrounded with the scan signal wiring lines and the video signal wiring lines. Each of pixels includes: a thin film transistor; source electrodes in a layer with the video signal wiring lines; pixel electrodes connected to the source electrodes; and common electrodes connected to the common signal wiring lines. The source electrodes include first parts overlapping the scan signal wiring lines and second parts connecting with the pixel electrodes, which are positioned around central parts between the video signal wiring lines. Molecular axes in the liquid crystal layer rotate under an electric field applied between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes. |
| US07728938B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display mainly including a liquid crystal layer having negative dielectric anisotropy sandwiched between two substrates treated by vertical alignment process, and first and second domain regulators for regulating orientation of the liquid crystal layer such that the liquid crystal molecules are aligned obliquely when a voltage is applied, so that the orientation will include a plurality of first and second directions. The first directions are different from the second directions. Each pixel is provided with one of the first and second domain regulators in a manner that every two adjacent pixels or every two adjacent R pixels, two adjacent G pixels or two adjacent B pixels are provided with different domain regulators. |
| US07728937B2 |
Multi-domain liquid crystal with axisymmetric alignment and electrode having asymmetrical cuts at the edge
The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, and has a plurality of pixels each including a first electrode formed on the first substrate, a second electrode formed on the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second electrodes. The first substrate has a shading region in gaps between the plurality of pixels, and a wall structure is placed regularly on the surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer in the shading region. A color filter layer of the second substrate has at least one hole formed at a predetermined position in each pixel. At least one liquid crystal domain having axisymmetric alignment is formed in the liquid crystal layer when at least a predetermined voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer, and the center axis of the axisymmetrically aligned liquid crystal domain is formed in or near the hole in the color filter layer. |
| US07728935B2 |
Liquid crystal device and method for manufacturing the same
There is provided a liquid crystal device including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal being held between the first substrate and the second substrate, a base layer having alternating linear grooves and linear protrusions on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and an alignment layer of an oxide film covering the base layer and having wedge-shaped tops over the linear protrusions of the base layer. |
| US07728934B2 |
Method for fabricating liquid crystal display panel
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes the steps stated below. At first, providing an LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes several photo-sensitive monomers and several liquid crystal molecules. The LCD panel has at least a first pixel and a second pixel. Afterwards, correspondingly driving the first pixel and the second pixel by the first voltage and the second voltage. At last, applying a ultra-violet source onto the LCD panel to enable several photo-sensitive monomers to polymerize several alignment polymers on the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US07728933B2 |
Method and apparatus of forming alignment layer for liquid crystal display device
A method for forming an alignment layer is disclosed, to prevent light leakage generated by a physical contact between a rubbing roll and a substrate, which includes preparing a substrate; coating an alignment material on the substrate, for initial alignment of liquid crystal; applying an electric field or a magnetic field to the alignment material, for determination of alignment direction in the alignment material; and curing the alignment material. |
| US07728931B2 |
Security element and method for producing same
The present invention relates to a security element (30) for securing valuable articles, having a first optically active layer (32) that is present at least in some areas and comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal material. According to the present invention, a second optically active layer (34) that is present at least in some areas is provided, the first and the second layer (32, 34) being stacked in an overlap area. Here, the first optically active layer (32) selectively reflects light in a first wavelength range having a first circular polarization direction, and the second optically active layer (34), either itself or, in the overlap area, in coaction with the first optically active layer (32), selectively reflects light in a second wavelength range having a second direction of circular polarization. |
| US07728930B2 |
Display panel, electro-optical device, and methods for fabricating the same
A display panel and an electro-optical device thereof are provided. The display panel comprises a pair of substrates, at least one data line, at least three common lines, at least one scan line, at least one switch element, a common electrode, and a display media layer. The pair of substrates comprises a first substrate and a second substrate. The data line and the three common lines are formed on the first substrate. The data line and the common lines interlace to form a plurality of areas. Each of the areas comprises an electrode. The electrodes are connected to each other to form a pixel electrode. The scan line is formed on the first substrate and under an electrode of one of the areas. The switch element is formed under an electrode of one of the areas, and comprises a source connected to the pixel electrode, a drain connected to the data line, and a gate\ connected to the scan line. The common electrode is formed on the second substrate, with a display media layer disposed between the two substrates. |
| US07728925B2 |
Light source, display device, portable terminal device, and ray direction switching element
A planar light source includes a large variable width of an irradiation angle of illumination light, a display device having a large variable width of an angle of field that uses the planar light source, a portable terminal device that uses the display device, and a ray direction switching element that is incorporated in the planar light source. A beam direction regulating element (a louver), which controls a direction of light, and a transparent and scattering switching element, which can switch the transparent state and the scattering state according to ON and OFF of an applied voltage, are provided between a backlight and a liquid crystal panel, whereby it is possible to increase a variable width of an irradiation angle of light in the planar light source and increase a variable width of an angle of field of the liquid crystal display device that uses the planar light source. |
| US07728921B2 |
Brightness enhancement film with protective layer and backlight module and liquid crystal display with same
An exemplary brightness enhancement film (15) includes a main body (154), a plurality of first prism structures (152), a plurality of second prism structures (156), and first and second protective layers (150, 158). The main body includes a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side. The first prism structures are formed at the first side. The second prism structures are formed at the second surface. The first protective layer covers the plurality of first prism structures, and the second protective layer covers the plurality of second prism structures. |
| US07728917B2 |
Pixel structure
A pixel structure formed on a substrate and electrically connected with a scan line and a data line, and including a semiconductor pattern and a pixel electrode is provided. The semiconductor pattern includes at least two channel areas, at least one doping area, a source area, and a drain area. The channel areas are located below the scan line and have different aspect ratios. The doping area is connected between the channel areas. The pixel electrode electrically connects the drain area, the source area is connected between one of the channel areas and the data line, and the drain area is connected between the other channel area and the pixel electrode. The scan line has different widths above different channel areas, and a length of each channel area is substantially equal to the width of the scan line. |
| US07728915B2 |
Pixel structure and pixel structure of display apparatus
A pixel structure of the present invention includes two metal plates and a transistor. The metal plates are electrically connected together. The gate of the transistor receives a scan signal. The drain of the transistor receives a data signal. The source of the transistor includes two extending portions. A store capacitor is formed between the two extending portions and the two metal plates. The two extending portions are plate structures. |
| US07728910B2 |
2D YC separation device and YC separation system
The invention relates to a 2D YC separation device and YC separation system for separating a composite signal into a luma signal (Y) and a chroma signal (C). Firstly, the 2D YC separation device utilizes a low-pass filter to separate the composite signal into a low-frequency composite signal and a high-frequency composite signal. The low-frequency composite signal is a low-frequency luma signal. A 2D comb filter is utilized to separate the high-frequency composite signal into a high-frequency luma signal and the chroma signal. The luma signal is equal to the low-frequency luma signal plus the high-frequency luma signal. Therefore, the 2D YC separation device of the present invention can perfectly separate the composite signal so as to obtain a better luma signal and chroma signal. The YC separation system of the present invention further comprises a 3D YC separation device and a motion detection device, so as to obtain a precise luma signal and chroma signal. |
| US07728908B2 |
Pull-down signal detecting apparatus, pull-down signal detecting method, and interlace-progressive converter
According to the invention, a pull-down signal detecting apparatus includes: an interfield motion detecting module configured to determine whether or not an interfield motion between a first field signal and a second field signal exists by comparing a first counted number with a first threshold; an interframe motion determining module configured to determine whether or not an interframe motion between the first field signal and a third field signal exists by comparing a second counted number with a second threshold; a determination module configured to determine whether or not the video signal is pull-down signal based on the determination result of the interfield motion determining module and the interframe motion determining module; and a threshold control module configured to vary the first threshold, when the determination result of the interframe motion determining module corresponds with a second pull-down pattern and when the determination result of the interfield motion determining module does not correspond to a first pull-down pattern. |
| US07728907B2 |
Method and system for MPEG chroma de-interlacing
A method (300) of converting interlaced Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video signals to progressive video signals can include receiving an interlaced video signal representing a luma component specifying luma lines and a chroma component specifying chroma lines (310) wherein the chroma component can specify approximately one-half the number of lines of the luma component. The interlaced video signal can be decoded and the number of the chroma lines can be increased to approximately the same as the number of the luma lines (320). The number of chroma lines of the interlaced video signal then can be decreased (340), to substantially reverse the previous increase. The interlaced video signal then can be deinterlaced to produce a progressive video signal (350), which can be processed further (360) as needed. |
| US07728906B2 |
Embedded camera with privacy filter
An apparatus includes a housing having an integrated camera. A panel is positioned in front of at least a portion of the camera and is operable to selectively switch between at least a substantially transparent state and at least a substantially opaque state. |
| US07728904B2 |
Skin color prioritized automatic focus control via sensor-dependent skin color detection
The disclosure is directed to techniques for automatic focus control. The automatic focus control techniques prioritize focus of a camera based on skin tone using a skin color detection approach which is intrinsically image sensor-dependent. Sensor-dependent skin color detection to support automatic skin tone prioritized focus control in a camera can enhance the focus of people in the scene. The techniques may be especially useful in digital video camera design, digital still photo camera design, and sensor applications involving people tracking. Sensor-dependent skin color detection is performed once a specific sensor is characterized by taking several raw images of a standard color test target in controlled illumination conditions. Sensor-dependent skin color detection can provide high detection precision and reliability. With sensor-dependent skin color detection, the focus of a camera can be automatically adjusted to prioritize regions of an image containing skin tones. |
| US07728900B2 |
Method and apparatus for taking pictures
Detection information is obtained from captured-image information of an imaging element array. An area is provided in an image capturing region in the imaging element array. In response to the obtained detection information, a pattern is generated which defines a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area. The imaging element array is driven in accordance with the generated pattern. Interpolation responsive to a first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels in the area is implemented to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the area. The first picture signal and the second picture signal are combined into a captured-image signal. The captured-image signal is outputted at a prescribed frame rate. |
| US07728898B2 |
Semiconductor device having temporary signal storage unit
A semiconductor device having a unit capable of temporarily storing electrical signals, may include an electrical signal generation unit, a first signal transmission unit electrically connected to the electrical signal generation unit, a first signal storage unit electrically connected to the first signal transmission unit, a second signal transmission unit electrically connected to the first signal storage unit, a second signal storage unit electrically connected to the second signal transmission unit, a reset unit electrically connected to the second signal storage unit, an amplification unit electrically connected to the second signal storage unit, a selection unit electrically connected to the amplification unit, and an output unit electrically connected to the selection unit, for stable signal processing. |
| US07728895B2 |
Solid-state image sensing device having shared floating diffusion portions
A solid-state image sensing device includes: a plurality of unit pixels 21 arranged in rows and columns each of which outputs a pixel signal according to incident light; and a plurality of floating diffusion portions 22 each of which receives the pixel signals. Each of the floating diffusion portions 22 is shared by two unit pixels 21 which are respectively arranged in adjacent rows and which are respectively adjacent columns. |
| US07728893B2 |
Imaging device and method for reading signals from such device
Each pixel cell (12) of an image sensor (10) is made of a 4-Tr structure, in which only one Tr for resetting a column (X) is so added to an ordinary 3-Tr APS as to reset only an arbitrary pixel selectively, thereby to confine the pixel size. When a pixel signal is to be read, the period, for which the pixel signals composing an ordinary image of one frame are read, is finely divided so that the pixel signals of the pixels receiving an ID light for the period are read out bit by bit and repeatedly. At this time, for only the column being read, an electric current is fed to a read amplifier in the pixel cell (12) or a variable gain amplifier in an output unit (14), thereby to suppress the power consumption. As a result, a lower power consumption and a higher pixel formation can be attained in an image pickup device for picking up an image and for acquiring the ID information of a light beacon existing in the image pickup range. |
| US07728885B2 |
System for capturing and displaying digital images
A system for capturing and displaying images of subjects includes a digital camera and a slide show controller disposed in a common case. A subject can take his own picture using the digital camera. The resulting image is stored in an electronic folder with other images and all the images from the folder are distributed by a controller to several large displays. |
| US07728881B2 |
Color signal correcting method, apparatus, and program
A color signal correcting method for correcting a color signal of each pixel outputted from a single-plate color image pickup element having a given color filter arrangement to correct a color reproduction error in an image, comprising the steps of: computing color signals of filter colors other than a filter color at the spatial location of a pixel to be corrected, wherein the other color signals at the spatial location are computed on the basis of color signals of a plurality of pixels of the same filter color located around the pixel to be corrected; and obtaining a correction value by multiplying the color signal of the pixel to be corrected and the computed other color signals by a predetermined correction coefficient and combining the products. |
| US07728879B2 |
Image processor and visual field support device
Photographed images from a front camera and a side camera respectively installed at the front and left side of a vehicle are respectively converted into bird's-eye view images, and a synthetic bird's-eye view image is displayed which is obtained by synthesizing the bird's-eye view images. Based on a difference image between the front and side cameras, a difference region where a solid object is drawn is detected from a common region where the both bird's-eye view images overlap. Then, based on position of each pixel forming the difference region, it is evaluated which of the front and side cameras captures the solid object better, and an image of the common region in the synthetic bird's-eye view image is formed based on the image obtained from one of the cameras. |
| US07728878B2 |
Method and system for processing multiview videos for view synthesis using side information
A method processes a multiview videos of a scene, in which each video is acquired by a corresponding camera arranged at a particular pose, and in which a view of each camera overlaps with the view of at least one other camera. Side information for synthesizing a particular view of the multiview video is obtained in either an encoder or decoder. A synthesized multiview video is synthesized from the of multiview videos and the side information. A reference picture list is maintained for each current frame of each of the multiview videos, the reference picture indexes temporal reference pictures and spatial reference pictures of the acquired multiview videos and the synthesized reference pictures of the synthesized multiview video. Each current frame of the multiview videos is predicted according to reference pictures indexed by the associated reference picture list. |
| US07728877B2 |
Method and system for synthesizing multiview videos
A system and method synthesizes multiview videos. Multiview videos are acquired of a scene with corresponding cameras arranged at a poses such that there is view overlap between any pair of cameras. A synthesized multiview video is generated from the acquired multiview videos for a virtual camera. A reference picture list is maintained for each current frame of each of the multiview videos and the synthesized video. The reference picture list indexes temporal reference pictures and spatial reference pictures of the acquired multiview videos and the synthesized reference pictures of the synthesized multiview video. Then, each current frame of the multiview videos is predicted according to reference pictures indexed by the associated reference picture list during encoding and decoding. |
| US07728876B2 |
Imaging apparatus having camera control unit and separate camera head
An imaging apparatus includes: a camera head that is provided with an image pickup device that outputs an image signal; a camera control unit that is connected to the camera head with a camera cable and outputs a video signal based on the image signal; a CDS circuit that performs co-related double sampling on the image signal; a pulse generator that outputs sample pulses to the CDS circuit; a phase adjusting unit that performs phase adjustment on a clock signal and outputs the adjusted clock signal to the pulse generator; a peak search unit that searches for a peak range in the image signal being performed with the co-related double sampling by the CDS circuit; and a phase control unit that controls the phase adjustment by the phase adjusting unit based on a result of the search by the peak search unit. |
| US07728872B2 |
Digital camera with interactive printer
A camera for capturing and printing an image. The camera includes a camera module which captures an image via an image sensor. The image is transferred to a network interface module which transfers the image to a computer system. The image is also transferred to a printing mechanism which prints an interface onto a surface. The interface includes the image and coded data at least partially indicative of an identity of the image, thereby allowing the identity of the image to be obtained from the interface. The computer system is then responsive to the identity of the image to perform an action with the image. |
| US07728871B2 |
Wireless video surveillance system & method with input capture and data transmission prioritization and adjustment
A surveillance system and method with at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing the base system; at least one user accessing the DIR via user interface either directly or remotely; the DIR and/or ICD searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them, and the system providing for input capture and data transmission prioritization, thereby providing a secure surveillance system having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment with prioritization capabilities. |
| US07728869B2 |
Matching camera-photographed image with map data in portable terminal and travel route guidance method
The present invention relates to matching a camera-photographed image with map data in a portable terminal. Location information of objects of images photographed by a camera and location information of display objects, such as a building included in the map data are calculated based on location information of the camera, and the calculated location information is used to match the objects with the display objects. The image photographed by the camera is displayed on a screen, and text information of display objects matched to the objects is read out from the map data and is displayed on the locations of the objects displayed on the screen. If a user moves, a travel route is guided using the matching information between the objects and display objects, so the user can be guided with the travel route while personally checking objects such as a building. |
| US07728868B2 |
System and method of providing real-time dynamic imagery of a medical procedure site using multiple modalities
A system and method of providing composite real-time dynamic imagery of a medical procedure site from multiple modalities which continuously and immediately depicts the current state and condition of the medical procedure site synchronously with respect to each modality and without undue latency is disclosed. The composite real-time dynamic imagery may be provided by spatially registering multiple real-time dynamic video streams from the multiple modalities to each other. Spatially registering the multiple real-time dynamic video streams to each other may provide a continuous and immediate depiction of the medical procedure site with an unobstructed and detailed view of a region of interest at the medical procedure site at multiple depths. As such, a surgeon, or other medical practitioner, may view a single, accurate, and current composite real-time dynamic imagery of a region of interest at the medical procedure site as he/she performs a medical procedure, and thereby, may properly and effectively implement the medical procedure. |
| US07728867B2 |
Electronic endoscope system
An electronic endoscope system comprises a video-scope, an imaging device, and a black balance processor. The imaging device, which is provided on the video-scope, is exposed at a normal shutter speed so as to generate an image signal corresponding to an optical image that is formed thereon. The black balance processor generates a black balance value for adjusting the black balance of the image signal, based on a black image signal corresponding to a black image. The black image signal is generated by exposing the imaging device at a high shutter speed that is faster than the normal shutter speed. |
| US07728861B2 |
Optical device
A laser beam source that emits a laser beam includes a reflecting unit that has a plurality of reflecting members and reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser beam source, a deflecting and scanning unit that deflects and scans with the laser beam reflected by the reflecting means, and an adjusting unit that moves at least part of the reflecting members, and adjusts the size of the laser beam entering the deflecting and scanning unit. |
| US07728858B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus uses toner that is given color-generation information and a color-generation state or a non-color-generation state of the toner is controlled, and includes an image carrier, a unit that forms toner image on the image carrier, an intermediate transfer medium that the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to, a first transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer medium surface, a unit that gives color-generation information to the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium, a second transfer unit that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium surface to a recording medium, a unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium and a unit that causes color generation in the toner image that the color-generation information is given. |
| US07728853B2 |
Systems and methods for changing view perspective in 3-D graphical displays of buildings with stepped rotation
A method and system of rendering buildings in three-dimensional space first renders a respective floor, then adds objects and finally walls to bound each of the floors. The result, a three-dimensional rendering of a building illustrates the position of objects within the building in addition to presenting the overall shape of the building. The rendering can be discontinuously rotated, about an axis, in response to user inputs. |
| US07728850B2 |
Apparatus and methods for processing layered image data of a document
An image processing apparatus has a classification unit and a layer image data generation unit. The classification unit classifies respective drawn elements into a plurality of element types. The layer image data generation unit generates layer image data which include the drawn elements of the respective element types and in which respective drawing order is regulated. The layer image data generation unit generates the layer image data based on the drawing order. |
| US07728847B2 |
Color conversion device and image display apparatus having the same
A color conversion device includes a three-dimensional lookup table and an interpolation unit. The interpolation unit includes a plurality of operation circuits for realizing an operation process. |
| US07728846B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting from source color space to RGBW target color space
Systems and methods are disclosed to effect conversion of a three color primary image data set to a multiple color primary set in which one of the primaries is white. One method converts a three-color image data set comprising C1, C2, and C3 colors into a four-color image data set comprising C1, C2, C3 and W colors. |
| US07728844B2 |
Restoration of color components in an image model
This invention relates to a method for improving image quality of a digital image captured with an imaging module comprising at least imaging optics and an image sensor, where the image is formed through the imaging optics, the image consisting of at least one color component. In the method degradation information of each color component of the image is found and is used for obtaining a degradation function. Each color component is restored by said degradation function. The image is unprocessed image data, and the degradation information of each color component can be found by a point-spread function. The invention also relates to a device, to a module, to a system and to a computer program product and to a program module. |
| US07728842B2 |
Image formation processing simulation apparatus and image formation processing simulation method
An image formation processing simulation apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives image data to which image formation processing is applied in an image formation processing device; a performing unit that performs simulation of image formation processing applied to the image data in the image formation processing device using the image data; a memory management unit that allocates a memory area for the image formation processing before the simulation, monitors the memory size required for the image formation processing in the simulation, and compares between the required memory size and the size of the allocated memory area; and an output unit that outputs information concerning the comparison result. |
| US07728841B1 |
Coherent shader output for multiple targets
In a multiple render target mode, a pixel shader computes color values for pixels and stores the computed color values in a register file. The register file acts as a buffer for the computed color values. Conventionally writing pixels in the order they are received (pixel-major order) can result in large strides across memory in the frame buffer. At least a minimum amount of work should be done within a DRAM page, for example, to cover the overhead required in opening the DRAM page. Therefore, color values are written from the register file to two or more targets in a frame buffer in a target-major order within a segment. Writing in a target-major order (sequential with respect to targets but non-sequential with respect to quads received and processed) yields coherent writes to frame buffer memory and improves memory efficiency. |
| US07728839B2 |
Discriminative motion modeling for human motion tracking
A system and method recognizes and tracks human motion from different motion classes. In a learning stage, a discriminative model is learned to project motion data from a high dimensional space to a low dimensional space while enforcing discriminance between motions of different motion classes in the low dimensional space. Additionally, low dimensional data may be clustered into motion segments and motion dynamics learned for each motion segment. In a tracking stage, a representation of human motion is received comprising at least one class of motion. The tracker recognizes and tracks the motion based on the learned discriminative model and the learned dynamics. |
| US07728838B2 |
Method and system for animating graphical user interface elements via a manufacturing/process control portal server
A method and system are disclosed for rendering animated graphics on a browser client based upon a stream of runtime data from a manufacturing/process control system. The graphics animation is based upon an animated graphic display object specification and runtime data from a portal server affecting an appearance trait of the animated graphic display object. The client browser receives an animated graphics description from the portal server specifying an animation behavior for an identified graphical display object. The client creates a data exchange connection between an animated display object, corresponding to the animated graphics description, and a source of runtime data from the portal server affecting display of the animated display object. Thereafter, the client applies runtime data received from the source of runtime data to the animated display object to render an animated graphic display object. |
| US07728837B2 |
Angular animation of a physical model
Physical modeling of a humanoid form may be accomplished using a three-part model, where angles on the model drive the display of animation frames for the object. An animation sequence may associate one or more animation frames with angles in an angular range of a physical model. The physical model may be moved and/or bent based on interactions with other objects in a physical simulation, and the angle formed by portions of the object may be used to determine what animation frames to display for the object. Multiple animation frames may be associated with a single angle, such that if the object remains at a given angular position, the multiple animation frames may be displayed in a sequence, which may be timed. |
| US07728833B2 |
Method for generating a three-dimensional model of a roof structure
A method and apparatus for automatically generating a three-dimensional computer model from a “point cloud” of a scene produced by a laser radar (LIDAR) system. Given a point cloud of an indoor or outdoor scene, the method extracts certain structures from the imaged scene, i.e., ceiling, floor, furniture, rooftops, ground, and the like, and models these structures with planes and/or prismatic structures to achieve a three-dimensional computer model of the scene. The method may then add photographic and/or synthetic texturing to the model to achieve a realistic model. |
| US07728832B2 |
Display control/drive device and display system
A display control/drive device (a liquid crystal controller driver and a semiconductor integrated circuit for driving liquid crystals) which can serve to reduce peak currents and thereby restrain the occurrence of EMI is to be provided. In a liquid crystal display control/drive device in which image signals to be applied to signal lines of a color liquid crystal panel are generated in response to display image data that are received, image signals for pixels of the same color are divided into a plurality of groups. And during a period in which the substantial frame frequency can be reduced, the period of a line clock matching one horizontal period is extended to slightly stagger the output timing of image signals from one to another of the groups and the sequence of outputs from the different groups is periodically varied. |
| US07728829B2 |
Display system
One embodiment of a display system includes a control module that controls an adjustable aperture based on a calculated aperture setting and that applies a calculated gain setting to a set of frame data to define a modified set of frame data, an image analysis module that calculates a gain setting and an aperture setting for said set of frame data and forwards said calculated gain setting and said aperture setting to said control module, and a frame data buffer that stores said set of frame data during calculation by said image analysis module. |
| US07728826B2 |
Display apparatus for displaying text or images and outputting sounds based on text code information
In a display apparatus, a text code input section outputs externally-supplied text code information to a font conversion section and a voice synthesizer section. The font conversion section converts the input text code into a corresponding font, and transmits the font to a display drive section via a video signal input section, and the display drive section causes a display section to display the font. Meanwhile, the voice synthesizer section converts the input text code into corresponding voice data, and transmits the voice data to a voice device where the voice data is outputted. With this structure, superior convenience is ensured for a display apparatus which serves only as an individual displaying apparatus and relies on an external device (server) for the major functions of the system. |
| US07728825B2 |
Targeting in a stylus-based user interface
Aspects of the invention provide virtual hover zones. When a user lowers a hovering stylus while remaining within a hover zone, cursor control is modified to be more easily controllable by the user. If the user pauses the stylus in mid-air before lowering the stylus, and if the stylus remains within the hover zone, then upon touchdown the cursor may be moved to the projection of the location where the stylus was paused. Any action that may be taken in response to the touch down may be sent to the projection location as well. Also provided are cursor control zones. A dampening zone may be used to provide dampened cursor movement feedback in response to movement input provided by a pointing device. Also, a dead zone may be used to prohibit cursor movement in response to movement input provided by the pointing device. |
| US07728824B2 |
Display device, input device, printing device, and electric device
A display device or an input device includes: a display section for simultaneously displaying (i) a first image in a first direction and (ii) a second image, which is different from the first image, in a second direction different from the first direction; and a reflecting section. The reflecting section reflects the second image, which is displayed on the display section, toward a viewing position where the first image is viewable and recognizable. This allows a user to simultaneously view (i) the first image displayed in the first direction by the display device or the input device and (ii) the second image displayed in the second direction by the display device or the input device. |
| US07728822B2 |
Touch-panel input device having a function for providing vibration and method for providing vibration in response to input operation
A touch-panel input device having a function for providing vibrations includes a touch panel receiving an operation on an operation item on a display panel, a vibration-controlling unit vibrating the touch panel, an operation detector detecting an operation on the touch panel, and an operation-mode controlling unit setting an operation mode of the touch panel to an input operation mode for vibrating the touch panel upon detecting a touch on the touch panel, or either a speaker mode for vibrating the touch panel to produce sounds or a microphone mode for allowing voice input by transmitting vibrations generated on the touch panel when the operator speaks to the touch panel. The operation-mode controlling unit changes the operation mode to the input operation mode when the operation mode is set to the speaker mode or the microphone mode upon detecting an operation on the touch panel. |
| US07728819B2 |
Input device, information processing device, remote control device, and input device control method
An input apparatus including a sensor section that confirms whether a pressing or touching operation is performed on a panel's front surface with a detected data value that varies depending on which operation is performed, a position determination process section that generates a control signal corresponding to the detected data value, and a control section that generates a signal waveform of a drive voltage supplied to a drive section to deform the panel with the control signal. When an operator performs a pressing or touching operation, the panel is deformed corresponding to a signal waveform having a first amplitude. If the pressing operation is confirmed, the panel is deformed with a signal waveform having a second amplitude larger than the first amplitude. Thus, an operator feels a stroke sense from the weak vibration after the touching operation and a click sense from the strong vibration after the pressing operation. |
| US07728816B2 |
Optical navigation sensor with variable tracking resolution
One embodiment relates to a method of sensing motion of an optical sensor relative to a surface. A first resolution and a second resolution are set. Measurement signals are obtained from a sensor array, and the motion of the optical sensor relative to the surface is tracked using the measurement signals. The tracking of the motion in a first dimension is performed at the first resolution, and the tracking of the motion in a second dimension is performed at the second resolution. Another embodiment relates to an optical sensor apparatus for sensing motion relative to a surface, wherein the tracking of the motion is performed at a variable resolution along each of two axes. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed. |
| US07728814B1 |
Portable electronic device control arm and related method
A device and method for providing a control arm integral to a portable electronic device are disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a portable electronic device having a processor communicably coupled with a memory and a control arm, and an enclosure housing the memory and processor and defining a reference surface that defines a reference axis. The control arm has a deployed and a stowed configuration where the control arm length, as measured along the reference axis, is reduced in the stowed configuration. |
| US07728810B2 |
Display device and method for driving the same
A display device includes a plurality of pixel cells divided into at least a first pixel cell group and a second pixel cell group; a first data line electrically connected to the pixel cells in the first pixel cell group, and a second data line electrically connected to the pixel cells in the second pixel cell group; and a gate driver driving at least one of the pixel cells in the first pixel cell group concurrently with at least one of the pixel cells in the second pixel cell group. |
| US07728805B2 |
Liquid crystal display capable of making flicker difficult to be observed and reducing power consumption
A display capable of rendering flickering hard to visually recognize, reducing power consumption and simplifying the structure of a circuit for negatively/positively reversing an image is provided. This display comprises a plurality of drain lines and a plurality of gate lines, a first pixel portion and a second pixel portion each including a subsidiary capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode and a first subsidiary capacitance line and a second subsidiary capacitance line connected to the subsidiary capacitors of the first pixel portion and the second pixel portion respectively. The display also comprises a signal supply circuit supplying either a first signal or a second signal for negatively/positively reversing an image to the first subsidiary capacitance line of the first pixel portion when displaying the image while supplying either a third signal or a fourth signal for negatively/positively reversing the image to the second subsidiary capacitance line of the second pixel portion when reversing the image. |
| US07728803B2 |
Method and related apparatus for driving an LCD monitor
A method for driving an LCD monitor includes receiving image data corresponding to a pixel of the LCD monitor, comparing pixel values of a first frame data and a second frame data in the image data, dividing the second frame data into a plurality of sub-frame data when a difference between the first frame data and the second frame is greater than a predetermined value, adjusting pixel values of the sub-frame data according to the pixel value of the second frame data, and sequentially displaying the sub-frame data by the pixel. |
| US07728802B2 |
Arrangements of color pixels for full color imaging devices with simplified addressing
An array and row and column line architecture for a display is disclosed. The array consists of a plurality of row and column positions and a plurality of three-color pixel elements. A three-color pixel element can comprise a blue emitter, a pair of red emitters, and a pair of green emitters. Several designs for the three-color pixel element are contemplated. The drive matrix consists of a plurality of row and column drivers to drive the individual emitters. The row drivers drive the red, green and blue emitters in each row. The red and green emitters in each column are driven by a single column driver. However, a single column driver can drive two column lines of blue emitters, a first column line and a second column line of the next nearest neighboring three-color pixel element. Methods of driving a three-color pixel element are also disclosed. |
| US07728801B2 |
Adjustable-viewing-angle liquid crystal display
An LCD includes a backlight module, two polarizers, an LCD panel and a viewing-angle-adjustable device. The polarizers are disposed over the backlight module. The LCD panel and the first viewing-angle-adjusting device are disposed between the polarizers. The viewing-angle-adjusting device comprises a first substrate, a first electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a second electrode and a second substrate. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed on the first electrode. The second electrode and the second substrate are disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The first liquid crystal layer is sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the bottom surface of the second substrate. |
| US07728799B2 |
Active enclosure for computing device
A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light emitting device disposed inside the housing. The light emitting device is configured to produce a light effect that alters the ornamental appearance of the computing device. |
| US07728791B2 |
Plasma display panel display device and driving method therefor
A PDP display apparatus driving method for performing multi-level gradation display by constituting one frame of a plurality of subfields assigned different weights, wherein in a subfield in which a relative luminance ratio corresponds to a lowest weight, display is performed according to discharges in two periods only, the periods being an initialization period and a write period. |
| US07728789B2 |
2D and 3D image display apparatus
A 2D and 3D image display apparatus including: a display panel forming an image by spatially modulating an input image signal; a polarization conversion device converting a polarization direction of a beam incident into the polarization conversion device according to a voltage applied in synchronization with the image signal; and a switching barrier unit including first polarization units having a first polarization direction and second polarization units having a second polarization direction in an alternate manner, and transmitting the beam passing the polarization conversion device through at least one of the first polarization unit and the second polarization unit. Therefore, a 3D image can be displayed without degrading a horizontal resolution thereof by using a combination of polarization devices with low fabrication costs, which may utilize a time-sequential display method. |
| US07728788B1 |
Segmented redundant display cell interface system and method
A segmented redundant display cell driver interface system and method wherein each of the drivers are totally independent from each other. The system and method provide segmented redundant display cell drive interfaces that drive the display normally in a failure free mode, and that additionally can independently drive a portion of the display in the event of a failure in the drive electronics. With the segmented redundant display cell driver interface, the drive function can be segmented into N independent segments. With N segments, a failure on one of the driver interface boards would cause the loss of 1/Nth of the display, with the remaining display still operational. In the alternative, all the remaining displays could be repositioned by software so that no sub-display information is lost. |
| US07728787B2 |
3D display device and an electronic device with the same
A 3D display device includes two display portions (200, 201) each having a display for generating a particular image thereon. The two display portions are substantially symmetrically arranged. Images associated with the two display portions are slightly different from each other. An electronic device includes a main body (10) and an above-described display device (20). The display device is rotatably connected to the main body. The 3D display device and the electronic device with the 3D display device can provide 3D images directly and also provide 2D images to with a person via a naked eye. In addition, the 3D display device and the electronic device are very simple in construction and easily manufactured. |
| US07728784B2 |
Analog phase shifter
In one embodiment, an integrated phase shifter includes: a plurality of stages, wherein each stage comprises: a transistor amplifier configured to amplify a voltage signal received at an input node into an amplified voltage signal at an output node according to a gain, wherein the transistor amplifier is configured such that the gain is proportional to a bias signal; an integrated inductor loading the output node, wherein the gain of the transistor amplifier is also proportional to an inductance of the integrated inductor; and a varactor diode loading the output node, wherein the varactor diode has a variable capacitance responsive to a control voltage. |
| US07728782B2 |
Versatile wideband phased array FED reflector antenna system and method for varying antenna system beamwidth
An antenna system includes a reflector having a focal point, and a phased array having feed elements. Each feed element is disposed a same distance from the focal point of the reflector. A method for varying the beamwidth of an antenna system includes providing the antenna system with a reflector having a focal point and feed elements disposed a same distance from the focal point. The feed elements includes one or more inner feed elements and one or more outer feed elements. The method further includes adjusting relative amplitudes of the inner feed elements and the outer feed elements to adjust the beamwidth of the antenna system. An antenna system includes a parabolic reflector having a focal point, and a phased array having one or more inner feed elements and one or more outer feed elements. Each of the feed elements is disposed a same distance in wavelengths from the focal point, and is oriented towards the focal point. |
| US07728781B2 |
Transmission line notch filter
A transponder includes a notch filter to suppress the 1300 MHz at minimal product cost increase. The notch filter utilizes a printed transmission line length adjusted to a correct length. This notch filter will connect to the antenna matching circuit at a junction between the antenna and an ASIC as a shunt component with high impedance (e.g., greater than 500 Ohms) at 915 MHz and low impedance (e.g., less than 10 Ohms) at 1300 MHz. Since the operating impedance of the junction is about 200 ohms, the 915 MHz signal from the antenna will feed the ASIC without any attenuation with a high shunt impedance component, while the 1300 MHz signal will be attenuated significantly by a low shunt impedance component. The transponder is applicable for all types of RFID tags (e.g., passive, semi-passive, active, read only, read-write, read first, tag-talk first) and is well suited for tags operating at radio frequencies, including microwave frequencies (e.g., 902 MHz to 928 MHz) in the U.S. |
| US07728779B2 |
Combined microphone and radio-frequency antenna modules
Electronic devices and wireless communication terminals include a unitary circuit board on which a radio-frequency (RF) antenna and a microphone are attached. The RF antenna includes a radiating plane and a ground plane. A feed line on the circuit board is connected to the radiating plane, and a ground line on the circuit board is connected to the ground plane. The microphone and the RF antenna are spaced apart on the circuit board by a distance of less than a half wavelength of a resonant frequency of the radiating plane. The microphone generates a microphone signal through a pair of microphone lines on the circuit board. |
| US07728777B2 |
Antenna device for radio telephones
An antenna device for radio telephone based on a printed circuit board antenna or a strip conductor antenna and simple to produce and has a high efficiency, but nevertheless ensures that the user of the radio telephone is less exposed to the effects of electromagnetic radiation and the parasitic interference of the telephone caused by the user is reduced. To this end, the strip conductor carrier is cut around strip conductors used as the antenna up to a section used for the connection of the strip conductor used as the antenna to the other strip conductors of the strip conductor carrier. Furthermore, at least when the strip conductor carrier is mounted in the radio telephone, the cut-out regions of the strip conductor carrier, carrying the strip conductor used as the antenna is deflected out of the plane of the other regions of the strip conductor carrier. |
| US07728776B2 |
Dual-band antenna
A dual-band antenna has a first meandering portion, a second meandering portion and a connection portion defining two ends. The first meandering portion and the second meandering portion have different length. One end of the first meandering portion connects one end of the second meandering portion. The other end of the first meandering portion connects one end of the connection portion. The other end of the second meandering portion connects a feeding portion. The other end of the connection portion connects a ground portion. The feeding portion, the second meandering portion, the first meandering portion and the connection portion obtain an electrical resonance corresponding to a first frequency range. The second meandering portion obtains an electrical resonance corresponding to a second frequency range. |
| US07728773B2 |
Multi-band antenna
The present invention relates to a multi-band antenna and, more particularly, to a sub multi-band antenna, in which a planer conducting part, which has a plurality of protruding portions, is inserted into a depression, which is formed on the surface of a body part formed through injection molding using a mold having a specific shape to surround first and second wire members, and the fitting depression of a fastening part, which is formed through the cutting or die casting of a metal material, and to a sub-band built-in chip antenna, in which sub radiation patterns having a predetermined length are formed on the interior surface of a body part, which is formed through injection molding using a dielectric material or is formed of a layered substrate a dielectric material. |
| US07728768B2 |
Positioning method
A reception environment is determined to be a multipath environment when the difference (positioning altitude difference) between the maximum value (maximum altitude) and the minimum value (minimum altitude) of the altitudes of candidate present positions P of respective satellite sets exceeds a given threshold value (e.g., 200 m), and is determined to be an open-sky environment when the positioning altitude difference is equal to or less than the given threshold value. When the reception environment is the open-sky environment, an evaluation point E of each satellite set is calculated using a known evaluation method based on the number of satellites, a PDOP value, and the like. When the reception environment is the multipath environment, the evaluation point E of each satellite set is calculated in the same manner as in the open-sky environment, and a change amount ΔE corresponding to the difference (altitude difference) between the altitude corresponding to the preceding located position acquired from an altitude table and the altitude of the candidate present position of the target satellite set is subtracted from the evaluation point E. |
| US07728764B2 |
Sidelobe blanking characterizer system and method
According to a particular embodiment, a method for evaluating different antenna designs includes receiving different sets of antenna patterns representative of the different antenna designs from a corresponding number of data sources. The different sets of antenna patterns are applied to a characterizer component for generating a sidelobe banking (SLB) characteristic map for each set of antenna patterns received. A SLB effectiveness chart is generated from the SLB characteristic map. A best antenna weighting set is selected based on which auxiliary antenna pattern exhibits the best performance. The best of antenna weighting factors are used for designating the antenna design having superior SLB performance characteristics. |
| US07728763B2 |
High resolution ranging apparatus and method using UWB
Provided is a high resolution distance ranging apparatus using an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication. The apparatus includes: a first spectrum analyzer for extracting a frequency component corresponding to multipath time delay from a reception signal; a second spectrum analyzer for acquiring a noise subspace of the extracted frequency component and extracting a frequency component where maximum power is located from a frequency spectrum based on the noise subspace; a time of arrival (TOA) extractor for extracting TOA based on the frequency component where maximum power is located. |
| US07728762B2 |
Method for detecting interference in radar system and radar using the same
A method for detecting an occurrence of interference between a return of a radar wave which has been transmitted by a radar and has an oscillating amplitude in time and a radio wave transmitted by some other radar, Includes steps of: detecting extremal points of an incident radio wave in which the radio wave transmitted by the other radar is superposed on the return of the radar wave, extracting, sequentially in time, an emerging pattern of the extremal points of the incident radio wave within each of periods of time to obtain a series of emerging patterns of the extremal points, detecting a period during which the emerging pattern of the extremal points is irregular among the series of the emerging patterns of the extremal points, and determining that the interference occurs during the detected period of time. |
| US07728759B2 |
System and method for using iridium satellite signals for meteorological measurements
A method for obtaining weather related information for a portion of the Earth's atmosphere between a mobile platform traversing over a predetermined surface portion of the Earth, and at least one satellite from a satellite constellation. The method involves modifying at least one satellite from the constellation of satellites to include time and location information in wireless signals that are transmitted in real time by the one satellite. The mobile platform receives the wireless signals from the one satellite. An occultation system carried on the mobile platform analyzes the time and position information, in addition to location information pertaining to a real time location of the mobile platform, and to derive real time atmospheric weather related information for a geographic area between the mobile platform and the one satellite. |
| US07728757B2 |
Autofocus for minimum entropy through multi-dimensional optimization
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for focusing an image. In one advantageous embodiment, a method is used to focus an image. Optimization is performed to identify an array of coefficients for a polynomial representing a phase correction in a manner that minimizes an entropy value generated by an entropy calculation for the image. The array of coefficients is applied to the polynomial to obtain a desired phase correction. A phase error in the image is corrected using the desired phase correction to focus the image. |
| US07728756B2 |
Wide area high resolution SAR from a moving and hovering helicopter
A hovering helicopter has a radar transmitter/receiver for transmitting radar pulses for illuminating a target for SAR imaging, and rotor blades for generating lift. Radar reflectors are on the rotor blades. The radar reflectors are oriented to reflect the radar pulses from the transmitter to the target as the rotor blades rotate. The radar pulses reflected by the moving reflector from the transmitter are timed to generate the synthetic aperture image using radar returns from the target. The receiver also receives blade returns directly reflected from the moving reflectors attached to the lift rotor blades. The receiver analyzes the blade returns to extract motion details of the reflectors and uses the motion details for motion compensation of target returns for SAR imaging. |
| US07728752B2 |
Residue generators for reduction of charge injection in pipelined converter systems
Pipelined converter systems include a plurality of converter stages in which some stages generate and pass a residue signal to a succeeding stage for further conversion. The generation of the residue signal can inject spurious charges into a reference source that is used in the generation. The spurious charges reduce the accuracy of the residue signal and the accuracy of the system. Residue generator embodiments are thereby formed to provide reduction charges to the reference source that are arranged to oppose and reduce the spurious charges. This reduction of spurious charges significantly enhances system accuracy and linearity. |
| US07728751B2 |
Pipelined converter
The invention relates to an apparatus comprising a pipelined converter, such as a pipelined ADC. The pipelined converter has a first set of stages and a second set of stages. A clocking circuit is configured to generate a plurality of clocking signals for the pipelined converter. The plurality of clocking signals comprise a first clocking signal at a first voltage level that is provided to the first set of stages and a second clocking signal at a second voltage level that is provided to the second set of stages. |
| US07728748B1 |
Superconducting analog-to-digital converter
A superconducting bandpass sigma-delta Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) is disclosed. The ADC is characterized as being an Nth-order, having N resonators, with N being at least 2. The ADC also may have N−1 amplifiers, where the amplifiers directionally couple sequential pairs of the resonators. The ADC further includes a Josephson Junction (JJ) comparator. All N resonators connect in parallel to the JJ comparator, and the JJ comparator is providing an implicit feedback for all N resonators. A method for implementing the sigma-delta ADC without any explicit feedback loops is also disclosed. |
| US07728746B2 |
Signal transition feature based coding for serial link
Signal transition feature based coding for serial link is described herein. According to one embodiment, in response to a data stream transmitted onto a serial communication link, one or more bits of the data stream are encoded according to bit order determined based on a frequency of signal transitions of the data stream. As a result, a sequence of encoded data stream having a lower number of bit transitions with respect to the frequency of signal transitions of the data stream prior to the encoding is generated. Thereafter, the encoded data sequence is transmitted onto the serial communication link. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US07728745B2 |
Variable length code decoding apparatus and method with variation in timing of extracting bit string to be decoded depending on code word
A variable length code decoding apparatus according to the present invention includes: an extracting unit which extracts a bit string from a beginning of a bit stream; a first storage unit for storing a plurality of code words in which one piece of data has been coded, and decoded data and code lengths respectively corresponding to the code words; a second storage unit for storing a plurality of code words in which two or more pieces of data have been coded, and decoded data and code lengths respectively corresponding to the code words; a first judging unit which judges whether one of the code words stored in the first storage unit is included in the extracted bit string, and, when judged as being included, outputs the decoded data and the code length of the code word; and a second judging unit which judges whether a code word stored in the second storage unit is included in the extracted bit string, and when judged as being included, outputs the decoded data and the code length of the code word, wherein the extracting unit extracts the bit string to be decoded next in the same cycle as a cycle in which the judgment was made by the first judging unit, and extracts the bit string to be decoded next in a cycle following the cycle in which the judgment was made by the second judging unit. |
| US07728742B2 |
Method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing data
The described embodiments include a system for performing data compression. The system includes a compression mechanism with N channels, and an internal decompression mechanism in the compression mechanism that accepts N channels of fixed-length packets. The compression mechanism is configured to receive an input bit stream that includes a set of data words. In response to receiving a request from the internal decompression mechanism identifying at least one of the channels for which a fixed-length packet is to be appended to the output stream, the system fills a fixed-length packet for the identified channel with compressed data words; appends the fixed-length packet to the output stream; and forwards a copy of the fixed-length packet to the internal decompression mechanism. The internal decompression mechanism decompresses fixed-length packets for each of the channels to determine a next fixed-length packet to be appended to the output stream. |
| US07728738B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing character streams
Computer implementations to process a character stream by forming, responsive to the character stream, a plurality of parallel property bit streams wherein each of the parallel property bit streams comprises bit values of a particular property associated with data values of the character stream; and processing the parallel property bit streams. |
| US07728732B2 |
Applications for radio frequency identification systems
The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media. |
| US07728730B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring the purity of bales of recyclable materials
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader that is configured to obtain identification information from a plurality of RFID tags respectively attached to the plurality of items. A computer is configured to receive the identification information, and use the identification information to identify the items having a RFID tag attached thereto, and determine a percentage of a desired type of item with respect to the plurality of items. |
| US07728729B2 |
Methods for locating an entity within a structure using RFID
The present invention provides method for locating an entity within a structure using RFID system including a portable RF transmitter/receiver transported by the entity within the structure, a base unit, and a plurality of RFID tags, the method comprising the steps of: (a) emitting an RF interrogation signal at constant, predetermined intervals; (b) powering up and emitting a signal containing location data; (c) receiving the location data and broadcasting the location data to the base unit; and (d) receiving and displaying the location data; wherein steps (a) and (c) are performed by the RF transmitter/receiver, step (b) is performed by an RFID tag when the RF interrogation signal is within an effective range of the RFID tag, and step (d) is performed by the base unit. |
| US07728727B2 |
Dynamic inventory during transit
A method of dynamically keeping inventory of items in a vehicle in transit is provided. The method includes detecting an event during transit and conducting interrogations of inventory based on the detected event. The method can compare these inventories to determine disposition of inventory items by location. |
| US07728724B1 |
System for locating individuals and objects
A positioning and tracking system may comprise a monitoring station for receiving a location request and a user's identification code and transmitting a signal; a tracking device, which includes a signal receiver for receiving a signal from the monitoring station, including the user's identification code, a microprocessor/logic circuit for storing a first identification code, and generating a position signal; an erasable programmable read-only memory; a global positioning system logic circuit; a signal transmitter; and a plurality of transmitter/receiver stations for communicating between the tracking device and the monitoring station; wherein the tracking device compares the user's identification code to the stored identification code and upon determining that the user's identification code matches the stored identification code, the signal transmitter transmits the position signal to the monitoring station. |
| US07728719B2 |
Signal-transmitting and multi-receiving method of detecting obstacle and parking sensor apparatus using the same
A parking sensor apparatus has a microprocessor and multiple ultrasonic sensors. The microprocessor uses a time division transmitting method to control only one ultrasonic sensor to output an ultrasonic detecting signal. In addition, after one ultrasonic detecting signal is output, all ultrasonic sensor are controlled to be in receiving status. Therefore, the microprocessor receives the reflected detecting signals from the ultrasonic sensors and obtains preset distances defined between adjacent ultrasonic sensors to calculate the shortest distance between the vehicle and the obstacle. Further, since only one ultrasonic sensor outputs the ultrasonic detecting signal at a time point, the microprocessor clearly determines that the reflected detecting signal is corresponding to the present ultrasonic sensor, that is controlled to output the ultrasonic detecting signal. |
| US07728715B2 |
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring and inspection of measurement devices, emergency equipment, parking spaces, and other items is accomplished by using a digital image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) to capture a digital image containing information about the monitored item. A signal containing information about the digital image (e.g., data representing the captured digital image or data indicating the state of the captured digital image) is transmitted to a remote central station. |
| US07728714B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting end of response signal on radio frequency identification tag
When a reader of a Radio Frequency Identification (RF-ID) system sends out a command signal to the RF-ID tag and receives a response signal from the RF-ID tag, an End of Signal (EOS) of the received response signal is detected such that the next command signal can be transmitted within a time. Accordingly, response signal can be detected even under the environment of poor signal to noise ratio performance, and the EOS of the response signal from the RF-ID tag can be recognized with ease and speed. |
| US07728711B2 |
Remotely or locally actuated refrigerator lock with temperature and humidity detection
A remotely or locally actuable refrigerator door lock has a body portion that is attached to the cabinet and a door portion that is attached to an edge of the door. A latch in the body portion engages a strike plate in the door portion and can be lifted out of engagement to open the refrigerator. The door lock assembly may be connected to a touch-screen device or via a USB or ethernet connection to a remote host computer. The host computer keeps an audit trail of the times and personnel accessing each refrigerator, and a temperature audit trail. The system may be used in hospital for controlling access to pharmaceuticals or may be used in a weight loss program. Temperature and humidity sensors are positioned within the refrigerator cabinet. The door lock may have battery power for portable or mobile applications. |
| US07728702B2 |
Shielding of integrated circuit package with high-permeability magnetic material
A device includes at least one ultra-small resonant structure; and shielding constructed and adapted to shield at least a portion of said ultra-small resonant structure with a high-permeability magnetic material. The magnetic material is formed from a substance selected from a non-conductive magnetic oxide such as a ferrite; a cobaltite, a chromite, and a manganite. The magnetic material may be mumetal, permalloy, Hipernom, HyMu-80, supermalloy, supermumetal, nilomag, sanbold, Mo-Permalloy, Ultraperm, or M-1040. |
| US07728701B2 |
Waveguide-based MEMS tunable filters and phase shifters
An actively tunable waveguide-based iris filter having a first part including a first portion of a deformable iris filter cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a second part operatively coupled with the first part and including a second portion of the deformable iris filter cavity having a deformable membrane operatively coupled with the first portion of a deformable iris filter cavity; the first portion and the second portion together forming the deformable iris filter cavity of the tunable waveguide-based iris filter; and means for moving the deformable membrane, whereby movement of the deformable membrane changes the geometry of the deformable iris filter cavity for causing a change in the frequency of a signal being filtered by the filter. The tunable filter is fabricated using a MEMS-based process including a plastic micro embossing process and a gold electroplating process. Prototype filters were fabricated and measured with bandwidth of 4.05 GHz centered at 94.79 GHz with a minimum insertion loss of 2.37 dB and return loss better than 15 dB. A total of 2.59 GHz center frequency shift was achieved when membranes deflected from −50 μm to +150 μm. |
| US07728699B2 |
Acoustic wave filter
A longitudinally coupled resonator acoustic wave filter device that utilizes an inter-IDT resonance mode with a reduced insertion loss has a structure in which apodization weights are assigned in first to third IDTs having narrow pitch electrode finger portions in portions other than the narrow pitch electrode finger portions, such that the electrode finger overlap width sequentially varies in an acoustic wave propagating direction in which an acoustic wave propagates, and portions of the IDTs located at ends adjacent to the narrow pitch electrode finger portions have a maximum electrode finger overlap width. |
| US07728696B2 |
Harmonic termination of power amplifiers using BAW filter output matching circuits
A system, apparatus and method for providing filtering functionality and impedance transformation within a BAW resonator network are disclosed. In particular, a BAW resonator network is designed to provide bandpass capability and a transformation between its input impedance and output impedance. By effectively integrating impedance matching functionality within the BAW resonator network, discrete impedance matching elements previously required within a system may be removed or reduced in size. As a result, matching networks and their associated component costs, insertion losses, and board size contributions may be reduced. Harmonic termination may be provided within the BAW resonator network or a prematch stage to improve efficiency of a power amplifier. |
| US07728695B2 |
Multilayer filter having an inductor portion and a varistor portion stacked with an intermediate portion
A multilayer filter comprises an inductor stacked-layer portion and a varistor stacked-layer portion. The varistor stacked-layer portion has a varistor layer the main component of which is ZnO and a hot electrode and ground electrode positioned in opposite with the varistor layer intervening, and the region enclosed between the opposing hot electrode and ground electrode does not contain a Cu component. Because the region enclosed between the opposing hot electrode and ground electrode is a region which manifests varistor characteristics, and thus the region does not contain a Cu component, degradation of the attenuation characteristics can be suppressed. |
| US07728694B2 |
Surface mount stripline devices having ceramic and soft board hybrid materials
The present invention is directed to a method for making a hybrid material stripline device. The method includes providing an inner layer of material, the inner layer including a dielectric material and at least one conductive sheet. At least one stripline device is formed in the inner layer by processing the at least one conductive sheet. The at least one stripline device is characterized by a surface area footprint. A first exterior layer and a second exterior layer are provided. At least one of the first exterior layer and/or the second exterior layer includes at least one ceramic portion. The at least one ceramic portion has a ceramic surface area greater than or substantially equal to the surface area footprint of the at least one stripline device. At least one of the first exterior layer and/or the second exterior layer further includes a softboard dielectric material. The inner layer of material is sandwiched between the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer. The first exterior layer, the inner layer and the second exterior layer are laminated to form a laminate panel structure, a surface of the first exterior layer forming a first major surface of the laminate panel structure and a surface of the second exterior layer forming a second major surface of the laminate panel structure. A first conductive sheet is disposed over the first major surface and a second conductive sheet is disposed over the second major surface, the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet being configured as parallel ground planes for the at least one stripline device. |
| US07728692B2 |
Reduction of noise in a metallic conductor signal pair using controlled line balancing and common mode impedance reduction
In order to reduce noise on twisted metallic pair signal conductors, circuits are disclosed in which the signal balance between the wires of the pair is significantly improved, thereby reducing the line's susceptibility to external electromagnetic interference and equally reducing its ability to radiate signals into the surrounding medium. Further, the common mode impedance of the wire pair as seen at or close to the junction with the terminating equipment is controlled in order to reduce the ability of signals external to the wire pair to couple into the wire. This reduces noise in the line, as perceived by connected equipment, leading to an increase in the data carrying capacity of the line and the usable length of the line carrying such data. |
| US07728685B2 |
Temperature compensation oscillator and method for manufacturing the same
A temperature detection circuit (18) detects temperature around an oscillation circuit (20) equipped with voltage variable capacitors (23, 24). According to its temperature detection signal, a temperature compensation circuit (30) produces a voltage signal as a temperature compensation signal. That voltage signal is supplied to the voltage variable capacitors (23, 24) in order to sustain oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit (20) at a substantially constant level. When a switch element (1) is, turned on by a non-TCXO signal, both terminals of each voltage variable capacitor (23, 24) are brought to the same potential (ground potential). Consequently, each voltage variable capacitor has a predetermined capacitance and temperature compensation function is made ineffective. In that state, initial frequency regulation is performed under normal temperature. |
| US07728683B2 |
Phase recovery circuit
A phase recovery circuit for avoiding noise interfering with the clock signal generated from an oscillator is disclosed. The phase recovery circuit includes a noise detector, a phase detector, and a phase locker. The noise detector detects noise and accordingly generates a noise detecting signal. The phase detector is triggered by the noise detecting signal for detecting the phase of the clock signal and accordingly generating a phase detecting signal. The phase locker locks the phase of the clock signal to a predetermined phase within a predetermined period after the occurrence of the noise detecting signal, and after the predetermined period, the phase locker releases the clock signal. In this way, the phase of the clock signal is not affected by noise. |
| US07728679B2 |
Calibration of voltage controlled oscillators
A calibration circuit (20, 50) and method (60) for calibrating the bias current of a VCO (10, 40) to minimize phase noise. The calibration circuit (20, 50) monitors the average voltage at the common-mode node of the VCO (10, 40) while varying the bias current over a predetermined range. The calibration circuit (20, 50) identifies the bias current associated with the minimum average common-mode voltage and utilizes this bias current for calibrating the biasing transistor of the VCO (10, 40). |
| US07728678B2 |
Semiconductor device outputting oscillation signal
A semiconductor device includes a voltage control and oscillation circuit oscillating at a frequency according to a first control voltage to output an oscillation signal, a frequency/voltage conversion circuit receiving the oscillation signal from the voltage control and oscillation circuit and converting a frequency of the oscillation signal into a voltage, a control voltage generation circuit generating a new second control voltage having a level between that of the voltage converted by the frequency/voltage conversion circuit and that of a second control voltage generated previously, and an analog integration circuit integrating the second control voltage to generate the first control voltage and outputting the first control voltage to the voltage control and oscillation circuit. |
| US07728675B1 |
Fast lock circuit for a phase lock loop
A fast lock circuit for phase lock loop comprising a frequency detector, a phase frequency detector, a logic unit and a corresponding charge pump for the frequency and the phase frequency detectors. Embodiments of the present invention use the logic unit to relay signals from the phase frequency detector circuit to the charge pump when the PLL is in lock. The logic circuit relay signals from the frequency detector circuit before the PLL is in lock. As a result, a constant current is supplied to a large loop filter capacitor before lock. In one embodiment, additional logic circuit may be used to maximize the output current. Therefore, using the logic circuit to supply constant current charges the large loop filter capacitor continuously and avoids a slow down in charging the large loop filter. Accordingly, current is no longer wasted and the lock time is improved. |
| US07728674B1 |
Voltage-controlled oscillator methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a clock signal with relatively high bandwidth and relatively low phase noise. A circuit of the invention can include a pair of transistors serially coupled between a signal of relatively high voltage and a source of relatively low voltage, where a voltage of the signal of relatively high voltage can vary according to a voltage of a variable control signal. A gate of one of the pair of transistors can be coupled to an input clock signal, and an output node between the pair of transistors can be coupled to an output clock signal. The circuit can also include a third transistor, whose drain and source are coupled to the output clock signal, and whose gate can be coupled to a gear input signal. This circuit can advantageously operate under at least two different gears, each with different bandwidth and phase noise characteristics. |
| US07728671B2 |
Semiconductor power device with bias circuit
An RF power circuit comprises a power transistor having a gate and drain, an output matching network coupled to the drain and an input matching network coupled to the gate. A closed-loop bias circuit is integrated with the power transistor on the same die and coupled to the gate for biasing the RF power transistor based on a reference voltage applied to the bias circuit. |
| US07728664B2 |
Low noise amplifier with multiple inputs and multiple outputs
Satellite set-top boxes (STB) are increasingly being designed with multiple tuners, making them capable of receiving more than one program at a time. In addition, satellite STBs are increasingly being designed with multiple inputs, to permit reception of additional channels that will not fit within the conventional satellite intermediate frequency (IF) band (950-2150 MHz). Often, the STB must route these multiple inputs to the multiple tuners with some form of switching function, to allow each tuner to receive all channel bands. Accordingly, the invention includes an RFIC with two RF inputs and three RF outputs, and a crossbar switch that can route any input to any output. The two inputs are amplified by low-noise amplifier stages. |
| US07728657B2 |
PLL circuit, phase shifting method, and IC chip
A Phased Locked Loop (PLL) circuit includes: a clock signal generating unit for generating a first clock signal and a second clock signal of which the phase differs from the first clock signal by Π/2; a computing unit for computing first phase comparison results showing the results of comparing the phases of a signal wherein the first clock signal is subjected to phase shifting with the PSK modulation signal and second phase comparison results showing the results of comparing the phases of a signal wherein the second clock signal is subjected to phase shifting with the PSK modulation signal based on first and second parameters, the first clock signal, the second clock signal, and the PSK modulation signal; a control direction setting unit for virtually controlling the control angle; a parameter control unit; and a reading control unit for controlling the timing of reading data from the PSK modulation. |
| US07728656B2 |
Signal input circuit
A circuit for breaking a signal path has not only a switching means but also a low-pass or bandpass filter whose frequency characteristic is switchable or bypassable. The insulation between the input and the output when the switching means is open, which decreases with frequency in the case of ordinary switching means, is compensated for by the filter which is then connected. In one embodiment of the circuit, an out-of-band signal is applied to the circuit in addition to the useful signal. The out-of-band signal is intended to be supplied permanently to an evaluation circuit, regardless of the switching position of the switching means. To this end, the out-of-band signal is tapped off downstream of the filter, and the filter is designed such that the out-of-band signal can pass through the filter. In the case of a circuit for selecting one of two inputs, at least one of the inputs is provided with a switchable or bypassable filter, and the switching means is a selection means. Even when the input is not selected, an out-of-band signal is forwarded to an evaluation circuit. To this end, the out-of-band signal, as described above, is tapped off downstream of the filter and upstream of the selection means. |
| US07728653B2 |
Display and method of driving the same
A transistor causes fluctuation in the threshold and mobility due to the factor such as fluctuation of the gate length, the gate width, and the gate insulating film thickness generated by the difference of the manufacturing steps and the substrate to be used. As a result, there is caused fluctuation in the current value supplied to the pixel due to the influence of the characteristic fluctuation of the transistor, resulting in generating streaks in the display image. A light emitting device is provided which reduces influence of characteristics of transistors in a current source circuit constituting a signal line driving circuit until the transistor characteristics do not affect the device and which can display a clear image with no irregularities. A signal line driving circuit of the present invention can prevent streaks in a displayed image and uneven luminance. Also, the present invention makes it possible to form elements of a pixel portion and driving circuit portion from polysilicon on the same substrate integrally. In this way, a display device with reduced size and current consumption is provided as well as electronic equipment using the display device. |
| US07728652B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
The present invention provides a charge pump circuit capable of achieving desired boosting operation even when a high-side switch for precharge or a low-side switch for driving output is constructed by a low-withstand-voltage transistor. The high level of a drive input signal for driving a high-side switch for precharge and a low-side switch for driving output in response to a clock signal is set to the level of a boosted output voltage. The low level of the drive input signal is set to the level of an input voltage, not ground potential. |
| US07728647B2 |
Temperature compensation for RF detectors
Compensation for an RF detector includes components having different order temperature functions. The components are combined and may be adjusted by various numbers of user-accessible terminals to provide individual adjustment for factors such as operating frequency. In some embodiments, first and second-order temperature functions are generated independently and combined to provide a polynomial function of temperature with coefficients that may be adjusted. In other embodiments, the outputs of the function generators may be more complex functions of temperature with various adjustable parameters. |
| US07728645B2 |
Pulse generator
A pulse generator includes a pulse command register and a digital differential analyzer (DDA). The pulse command register includes a first register, a second register, and an adder. The first register receives and stores a pulse command from a CPU in an operating cycle. The second register receives and stores the pulse command shifted from the first register when the first register receives a second pulse command from the CPU in the operating cycle. The adder sums the pulse commands of the first register and the second register and the result is transmitted to the DDA. The DDA determines whether a pulse is to be generated after calculation according to the result from the adder of the pulse command register. |
| US07728640B2 |
DLL circuit
A DLL circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a delay line configured to output a plurality of delayed signals of a reference signal, the delay line including, a plurality of first delay units connected in series with each other, each of the first delay units being configured to output a delayed signal of the reference signal, a blocking circuit inserted between the first delay units, the blocking circuit being capable of switching between passing and blocking an input delayed signal of the reference signal, and the delay time of the blocking circuit being integer times as large as each of the delay time of the first delay units, and one or more second delay units connected in parallel with the blocking circuit, the same signal as the delayed signal that is input in the blocking circuit being input in the second delay units, each of the second delay units being configured to output a delayed signal of the reference signal, and the delay time of each of the second delay units being equal to the delay time of each of the first delay units; and a blocking control circuit configured to control the blocking circuit whether to pass or block the delayed signal that is input in the blocking circuit. |
| US07728634B2 |
Flexible waveform generator with extended range capability
A frequency synthesizer includes a first clock running at a frequency fCLK1, a second clock running at a frequency fCLK2, wherein frequency fCLK2 is higher than frequency fCLK1, the frequencies having a fixed ratio QFB=fCLK2/fCLK1; and a counter driven by the first clock. A decoder for produces QFB output values in parallel for each cycle of the first clock, and parallel-serial converter serially outputs these QFB output values at the frequency of the second clock. |
| US07728625B1 |
Serial interface for programmable logic devices
Various serial interface implementations and related methods are provided for establishing serial data links with programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a PLD includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks adapted to be programmed to configure the PLD for its intended function. The PLD also includes a serial interface comprising a transmit port, a microcontroller, a transmit register, and transmit logic. The microcontroller is adapted to adjust pre-emphasis settings associated with the transmit port to tune a serial data link between the PLD and an external device. The transmit register is adapted to receive a data signal from the programmable logic blocks. The data signal comprises transmit data to be provided over the serial data link through the transmit port. The transmit logic is adapted to prepare a serial signal for transmission from the transmit port over the serial data link. The serial signal comprises the transmit data. |
| US07728623B2 |
Programmable logic cells with local connections
A programmable logic structure is disclosed employing input logic routing cell (ILRC) multiplexers and output logic routing cell (OLRC) multiplexers for making local connections between dedicated logic cells. In a simple programmable logic structure, a dedicated logic cell (DLC) is implemented in a programmable logic structure comprising multiple ILRC multiplexers for port A and multiple OLRC multiplexers for port B. In a multi-level programmable logic structure, multiple columns of dedicated logic cells is designed with columns of dedicated local cells adjacent to each other where each DLC column is used to implement a particular logic function. In a first embodiment, local connections can be made between dedicated logic cells, e.g. an OLRC in a first DLC at level L making local point-to-point connections to an ILRC in a second DLC at level L+1. In a second embodiment, local connections can be made from any other dedicated logic cells, whether positioned horizontally or vertically relative to a relative point or multiplexer, and from any offset from a current logic and routing cell (LRC). In a third embodiment, local connections can be made by stitching a first OLRC to a second OLRC (for connecting to an ILRC), which allows lines from other columns or levels of DLC to reach an ILRC for a fast local interconnect. |
| US07728622B2 |
Software programmable logic using spin transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory
Systems, circuits and methods for software programmable logic using Spin Transfer Torque Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) technology are disclosed. Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) storage elements can be formed into input planes and output planes. The input planes and output planes can be coupled together to form complex arrays that allow for the realization of logic functions. |
| US07728618B1 |
Self-calibrating writer
In accordance with the invention, a method, system and apparatus are presented that matches the output impedance of a driver to the impedance of a transmission line. A method for matching the impedance between a driver and a transmission line, wherein the transmission line is between the driver and a load can include transmitting a first pulse from the driver to the load through the transmission line, wherein a first reflection from the transmitted first pulse occurs after a first time, measuring a second reflection from the transmitted first pulse after a second time, and adjusting the calibration of the driver in response to the measured second reflection. |
| US07728617B2 |
Debug network for a configurable IC
Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) that includes several configurable circuits grouped in several tiles. The configurable IC also includes a configuration network for loading configuration data into the IC, where the configuration data is for configuring several of the configurable circuit. In some embodiments, the configuration network includes several registers at several boundaries between the tiles, where the registers allow multiple configuration data sets to be routed to multiple tiles concurrently. The configuration network in some embodiments includes several address counters at several tiles, where each address counter allows one address to be loaded for a tile and then to be successively incremented based on increment instructions sent over the configuration network. At least, two different addresses specified by an address counter of a particular tile identify two different resources within the particular tile. |
| US07728616B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing picture quality of liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a picture quality testing apparatus and method of a liquid crystal display which can measure at least any one of gray inversion and color shift. An apparatus for testing the picture quality of a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display for displaying a test pattern, an image pickup device for photographing the test pattern of the liquid crystal display, a measurer for measuring the transmittance of the test pattern photographed by the image pickup device, and a rotating means for rotating at least one of the liquid crystal display and the image pickup device while the image pickup device photographs the test pattern. |
| US07728615B2 |
Test apparatus that tests a device under test and connecting apparatus that connects a first apparatus and a second apparatus
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test, including a test head that generates a test signal for testing the device under test; a socket board onto which is mounted the device under test, that transmits signals between the test head and the device under test; a plurality of actuators that are disposed on a lower surface of the socket board to correspond one-to-one with support positions thereof, and that each have a state thereof changed according to a control signal supplied thereto to independently move the corresponding support position in a direction vertical to the lower surface of the socket board; and a connection control section that supplies a first control signal to each actuator to set each actuator to be in the same state, and thereafter supplies commonly to each actuator a second control signal that gradually decreases an apparatus separation distance between the socket board and the test head. |
| US07728611B1 |
Compressive conductors for semiconductor testing
An interconnect assembly electrically connecting two circuit members, which include respective arrays of electrical contacts for engagement with the interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly comprises a plurality of electrical conductors, the plurality of conductors arranged in a spaced arrangement, the spaced arrangement of the conductors substantially corresponding to a spaced arrangement for the respective arrays of electrical contacts to provide contact between the conductors and the contact arrays and a carrier, including a socket and a retainer. The socket includes a plurality of apertures each receiving an upper portion of one of the plurality of conductors and the retainer includes a plurality of apertures each receiving a lower portion of one of the plurality of conductors; and the respective apertures are aligned axially with each other. |
| US07728609B2 |
Replaceable probe apparatus for probing semiconductor wafer
A probe apparatus is provided with a plurality of probe tiles, an interchangeable plate for receiving the probe tiles, a floating plate being disposed between the respective probe tile and a receiving hole on the interchangeable plate, and a control mechanism providing multi-dimensional freedom of motions to control a position of the probe tile relative to the respective receiving hole of the interchangeable plate. A method of controlling the floating plate is also provided by inserting a pair of joysticks into two respective adjustment holes disposed on the floating plate and moving the pair of joysticks to provide translational motions (X-Y) and rotational (theta) motion of the floating plate, and turning the pair of jack screws clockwise and counter-clockwise to provide a translational motion (Z) and two rotational (pitch and roll) motions of the floating plate. |
| US07728605B2 |
Wireless portable automated harness scanner system and method therefor
The present document describes a system for offline testing of an installed wiring harness, comprising: at least a first and a second testing module, having: a communication module for receiving test specifications and for sending test measurements; testing equipment for generating the test measurements from the test specifications; each of the first and second testing modules being adapted for connection at a connection point in the wiring harness; a central network management module, having: a communication module for providing the test specifications to the testing modules and for receiving the test measurements; and a test management module for controlling the testing modules. |
| US07728600B2 |
System and method for determining location of phase-to-earth fault
A method, system and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line (30), the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point of fault (F) on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault; determine a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model of the electric line, in which model the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line; and select, according to predetermined criteria, one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault. |
| US07728599B2 |
Battery management system and driving method thereof
A battery management system and a driving method thereof. The battery management system manages a plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of cell relays respectively coupled to the plurality of cells. The battery management system includes a voltage detecting unit and an MCU. The voltage detecting unit receives a first voltage corresponding to an input voltage transmitted through a 3-contact relay coupled to a first cell corresponding to the turn-on first cell relay when the first cell relay is turned on, and generating a second voltage corresponding to the first voltage. The MCU calculates an effective gain in correspondence with a ratio of the second voltage to the input voltage and controls a connection of the 3-contact relay. |
| US07728597B2 |
Electronic battery tester with databus
A cable for connecting to an electronic battery tester, includes a first end configured to couple to a databus of a vehicle and a second end configured to couple to the electronic battery tester. An electrical connection extends between the first end and the second end and is configured to couple the electronic battery tester to the databus of the vehicle. |
| US07728595B2 |
Multi-frequency in-ground locating signal frequency code identification and apparatus
In a system in which a transmitter is moved through the ground in a region, the system including a locator for tracking the position of and/or guiding the transmitter as the transmitter moves through the ground, a locating signal is transmitted from the transmitter that is selectively operable at a current one of at least two frequencies for use in tracking the transmitter by receiving the locating signal at the frequency using the locator. A selected one of the frequencies of the locating signal is indicated to the locator using a frequency code that is produced by a locating signal frequency control arrangement which forms part of the transmitter, which frequency code can individually identify each of the frequencies. An associated transmitter is also described. |
| US07728592B2 |
Integrated superconductor MRI imaging system
The present invention relates to an integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) RF apparatus and method of constructing the same. One Embodiment of the present invention provides an MRI apparatus comprising an examination region, a patient support, at least one vacuum thermal isolation housing, a main magnet system for generating a main magnetic field in the examination region, and a cryogenic system. The vacuum thermal isolation housing comprises a hermetically sealed high vacuum jacket that encloses a low vacuum space hosting at least one superconductor RF coil and a heat sink assembly therein. The RF coil is in thermal contact with the heat sink assembly that is coupled to the cryogenic system through a heat pipe to achieve and maintain a desired low temperature at the superconductor RF coil. |
| US07728589B2 |
Method for sequence determination using NMR
The invention relates to methods for analyzing polysaccharides. In particular, compositional and sequence information about the polysaccharides are derived. Some methods use NMR in conjunction with another experimental method, such as, capillary electrophoretic techniques for the analysis. |
| US07728584B2 |
Rotation sensor and bearing assembly using the same
A rotation sensor includes a magnetic sensor array including magnetic sensor elements in line, a rotatable magnet confronting the magnetic sensor array, a signal readout circuit to read out a signal from the magnetic sensor array, a repeating section to cause the signal readout circuit to repeat reading out the signal from the magnetic sensor array several number of times, and to calculate a summation or an average of several readout signals, and an angle calculating circuit to detect an angle of rotation of the magnet from the summation or the average of the signals calculated by the repeating section. |
| US07728580B2 |
Connecting device for electronic testing system
A connecting device for an electronic testing system of an electronic device includes a base, a sliding track, a holder, a plurality of connectors, and a driver. The sliding track is positioned on the base. The holder is slidably fixed to the sliding track. The plurality of connectors are fixed in the holder and the electronic device is connected to the electronic testing system. The driver is located on the base and moves the holder along the sliding track, connecting or disconnecting the plurality of connectors to the connection port of the electronic device. |
| US07728564B2 |
Power supply for a load control device
A load control device is adapted to be disposed in series with an AC voltage source and an electrical load and is operable to provide substantially all voltage provided by the AC voltage source to the load. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device, a controller, a zero-crossing detector, and a power supply for generating a substantially DC voltage for powering the controller. The power supply is operable to charge an energy storage device to a predetermined amount of energy each half-cycle. The controller is operable to determine when the power supply has stopped charging from the zero-crossing detector each half-cycle, and to immediately render the controllably conductive device conductive to conduct the full load current. Before the controllably conductive device begins to conduct each half-cycle, only a minimal voltage develops across the power supply to allow the energy storage device to charge. |
| US07728557B2 |
Electric discharge controller, electric discharge control method and its program
The electric charge of a capacitor can be reliably discharged. Therefore, an electric discharge controller has an electrically operated machine, an inverter, a capacitor, a voltage command value generating processor for generating a voltage command value for driving, an electric discharge control processor for generating a voltage command value for electric discharge, and a driving signal generating processor. When an electric current is supplied from a direct electric current source to the inverter, the driving signal generating processor generates a driving signal on the basis of the voltage command value for driving. When the supply of the electric current from the direct electric current source to the inverter is interrupted, the driving signal generating processor generates the driving signal on the basis of the voltage command value for electric discharge, and supplies the driving signal to the inverter. The electric discharge control processor generates the voltage command value for electric discharge on the basis of the difference between a target direct current voltage and the direct current voltage. When the supply of the electric current from the direct electric current source to the inverter is interrupted, the driving signal is generated on the basis of the voltage command value for electric discharge and is supplied to the inverter. |
| US07728554B2 |
Impulse generator for outputting negative and positive impulses
An impulse generator including first and second differentiators coupled in parallel to each other, for generating impulses by differentiating a clock signal, and first and second switches for transiting on and off the first and second differentiators respectively to selectively output the impulses generated by the first and second differentiators, and varying polarity of the impulses by changing a direction of a current flowing through load. Accordingly, the negative and positive impulses are selectively output according to the circuit state, reliability of the impulses is improved, and power consumption is reduced. |
| US07728548B2 |
Defibrillator battery authentication system
A method for operating an external medical device such as a defibrillator includes obtaining a data set from a battery pack and examining the data set to determine whether the battery pack is authenticated for use in the external medical device. If the examination does not confirm the authentication, the method includes causing the device to follow a non-authenticated battery pack protocol. The non-authenticated battery pack protocol may include drawing power from the non-authenticated battery pack only if it is the only available source of power for the external medical device. It may include limiting functionality of the external medical device. It may include modifying the battery status information display for the non-authenticated battery pack. A power system for an external medical device may include a power source external to the medical device and including a memory which stores data indicative of an authorized status of the power source and a processor in the medical device configured to analyze the data and to control a function of the medical device based at least in part on the authorization status. |
| US07728545B2 |
Equipment with a built-in fuel cell
In equipment with a built-in fuel cell, there are provided a plurality of secondary cells, and each of the secondary cells has a first state in which an electric power is supplied to a load within the equipment, and a second state in which the electric power that is supplied from the fuel cell is charged, and the first state and the second state is selectively used. The present invention can provide the fuel cell-carried equipment that stably operates due to a power system on which a fuel cell and plural secondary cells are mounted. |
| US07728544B2 |
System and method for controlling input line harmonics in a motor drive
A motor drive system is disclosed that includes a power input configured to receive alternating current (AC) power and a rectifier having a switching frequency selected to convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power. The motor drive unit also includes an input filter circuit connected between the power input and the rectifier and configured to suppress frequency harmonics across a range of harmonics. Additionally, the motor drive unit includes a block filter circuit connected between the power input and the rectifier and configured to substantially block frequency harmonics associated with the switching frequency of the rectifier. Furthermore, the motor drive unit includes an inverter configured to receive the DC power from the rectifier and convert the DC power to a series of pulses configured to drive a motor. |
| US07728540B2 |
Motor driving circuit
A motor driving circuit drives a motor on receipt of an error signal having a digital value corresponding to a deviation between a current rotation speed of the motor, which is the subject to be driven, and its target value. A digital filter eliminates a high-frequency component of the error signal. A driving unit controls an electric current flowing through the motor in accordance with the digital value of the error signal from which the high-frequency component is eliminated by the digital filter. An upper-limit value setting unit sets an upper limit value to the digital value of the error signal input to the digital filter. The upper-limit value setting unit is configured to be capable of changing the upper limit value in accordance with a setting signal from the outside. |
| US07728539B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for measuring VCM BEMF at a VCM control update rate
Devices and methods for performing dynamic sampling of a back electromotive force (BEMF) measurement are provided. A device has hardware, including a voice coil motor (VCM) for receiving a VCM command signal and a correction circuit, for obtaining the VCM command signal and a coil voltage measurement from the hardware, where the correction circuit removes a transient voltage measurement due to a change in the VCM command signal from the coil voltage measurement and outputs an estimated BEMF measurement. |
| US07728534B2 |
Hybrid electric lawnmower
A hybrid electric lawnmower is described which includes a first and a second electric motor operating blades and the ability to drive the motors from either 120 VAC line voltage or from a battery pack. There is a user selectable power selection switch for switching between DC or AC power and also a boost and conserve feature which allows for increased speed of the blade as necessary. Running the mower at the conserve setting prolongs battery pack duration per charge. Power supply and control systems allow the user to select operation of the motors in either series or parallel configuration depending on the power source. |
| US07728528B2 |
Electronic ballast with preheating and dimming control
A ballast circuit for controlling preheating, ignition or performing dimming of a gas discharge lamp such as a compact fluorescent lamp is disclosed. The ballast circuit has an inverter connected to a pair of input terminals for receiving a supply voltage, a base drive transformer connected to the switching transistor inverter to provide a drive signal, a resonant circuit connected to the switching transistor inverter, and a loading circuit connected to the base drive transformer. The base drive transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding set. The loading circuit is adapted for at least temporarily saturating the base drive transformer and thus effecting in the resonant circuit an oscillating frequency different from a natural resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. |
| US07728522B2 |
Plasma display panel
A plasma display panel (PDP) which can realize low voltage driving, to thus reduce power consumption, and which can improve luminous efficiency through a long gap. The PDP includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposing each other, barrier ribs arranged in a space between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a plurality of discharge cells, phosphor layers formed in each of the plurality of discharge cells, address electrodes formed on the second substrate, and display electrodes provided on the first substrate. The display electrodes include igniter electrodes having ends protruding towards insides of the discharge cells, the igniter electrodes opposing the address electrodes within the discharge cells. |
| US07728520B2 |
Optical modulator of electron beam
An optoelectronic modulator is based on the concentration of an electron beam from an electron gun by a tapered cavity, which sides are photosensitive and change the electrical conductivity under the illumination of light (electromagnetic radiation). The light modulation causes the corresponding changes in the current transported across the walls of the cavity. The remaining part of the electron current exits the cavity aperture and forms an amplitude-modulated divergent electron beam. |
| US07728519B2 |
Correction of the distortion of an image intensifier electron tube
The invention relates to the correction of the distortion of an image intensifier electron tube comprising an entry screen intended to receive what is called primary electromagnetic radiation and an exit screen emitting radiation dependent on the primary radiation, the entry screen including a photocathode that emits an electron beam in the tube toward the exit screen, the emission of the electron beam being dependent on the primary radiation. The entry screen furthermore includes a test pattern formed from a plurality of dots distributed over the entry screen, the test pattern comprising means for locally altering the electron beam without altering the primary radiation. |
| US07728513B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing thereof
It is a problem to provide an electric apparatus less in consumption power and long in life by the manufacture using the display device. An insulating bank is provided in a form surrounding the pixel portions on first electrodes over a substrate. The entire surface is applied, by a wet scheme (method), with an organic conductive film which has a thickness form of T2>T1>T3> under the influence of the insulating bank. Accordingly, the portion T3 has an increased resistance in a lateral direction, making possible to prevent against crosstalk. Due to a conductive polymer as a buffer layer, a display device can be provided which is low in drive voltage. Furthermore, because the portion T2 is increased in thickness, the electric-field concentration is relaxed at and around the pixel portion. This makes it possible to prevent the organic light-emitting element from deteriorating at around the pixel. |
| US07728512B2 |
Organic light emitting device having an external microcavity
A device is provided that includes an organic emissive layer and a microcavity vertically stacked with the emissive layer, where the emissive layer is not in a microcavity. The microcavity may allow for improved saturation and intensity of emitted light at a variety of viewing angles. |
| US07728511B2 |
Organic thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same, and flat display apparatus comprising the same
An organic thin film transistor (TFT), a method of manufacturing the organic TFT, and a flat display apparatus having the organic TFT are provided. The organic TFT has a gate insulating layer with openings filled with a conductive material, thereby preventing short circuits from occurring between channels connecting the source and drain lines to the organic semiconductor layer. The organic TFT includes a substrate including a source line, a drain line, and a gate electrode. The organic TFT further includes a gate insulating layer formed on the source and drain lines and on the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer has openings exposing the source and drain lines, which openings are filled with a conductive material. The organic TFT also includes an organic semiconductor layer electrically connected to the conductive material. |
| US07728510B2 |
Organic light emitting display with auxiliary electrode line and method of fabricating the same
Provided are an organic light emitting display (OLED) and a method of fabricating the same capable of improving product reliability by forming an auxiliary electrode line to be in contact with a second electrode power supply line to remove an organic layer on the auxiliary electrode line and minimize the organic layer on a pixel region, thereby preventing pixel shrinkage resulting from degradation of an organic emission layer caused by out-gassing from the organic layer. |
| US07728509B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic electroluminescent display device comprises a substrate, including a pixel region and a non-pixel region at a boundary of the pixel region; a first electrode on the substrate in the pixel region; a separator over the first electrode, the separator located in the non-pixel region, the separator including a first portion having a first width and a second portion having a second width smaller than the first width, the first portion overlapping edges of the first electrode, and the second portion within the non-pixel region; an organic electroluminescent layer over the separator in the pixel region surrounded by the separator; and a second electrode on an entire surface of the organic electroluminescent layer and the separator. |
| US07728501B2 |
Image display apparatus and video signal receiving and display apparatus
An image display apparatus includes an envelope, first to third electroconductive members disposed in the envelope, a plate-like spacer disposed between the first and third members and between the second and third members, and a circuit for supplying a potential to the first member and supplying a potential lower than that of the first member to the second and third members. When a sheet resistance between a first region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the first member and a second region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the second member is defined as ρf [Ω/□] and a sheet resistance between a third region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the third member and a region located between the first and second regions is defined as ρr [Ω/□], a condition 1/100<ρr/ρf≦40 is satisfied. |
| US07728500B2 |
Electrodeless discharge lamp
In an electrodeless discharge lamp suitable for use at a place with unfavorable environmental conditions or at a place where lamp replacement is difficult, the replacement of a lamp unit is facilitated and the lamp unit is prevented from falling off from a power coupler unit even if there is component deterioration caused by long-term use. A metallic elastic member is provided near a position on a metallic heat conduction member of the power coupler unit that is farthest from an electromagnetic field generating portion. In addition to an ordinary coupling structure between the power coupler unit and a coupling member, the elastic member is engaged with the coupling member of the lamp unit. When the lamp unit is mounted on or removed from the power coupler unit, a bulb of the lamp unit is turned relative to the power coupler unit about the axis and moved forward/backward in the direction of the axis. This causes the elastic member to be elastically deformed by the coupling member and engaged to or separated from a coupling portion provided at the coupling member. |
| US07728497B2 |
Carbon nanotube, electron emission source including the carbon nanotube, electron emission device including the electron emission source, and method of manufacturing the electron emission device
Provided are a carbon nanotube in which a difference between a thermal decomposition initiation temperature and a thermal decomposition termination temperature is less than or equal to approximately 250° C., an electron emission source including the carbon nanotube, and an electron emission device including the electron emission source. |
| US07728494B2 |
Light emission device and display device
A light emission device and a display device having the light emission device are provided. The light emission device includes first and second substrates that are arranged to face each other, an electron emission unit that is located on a first surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate and has electron emission regions and driving electrodes, a light emission unit that is located on a surface of the second substrate and has an anode electrode and one or more phosphor layers, and a surface heat generation unit that is located on a second surface (or outer surface) of the first substrate facing away from the second substrate to control a temperature of the first substrate using a resistive layer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) property. |
| US07728493B2 |
Piezoelectric/electrostrictive material, piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and piezoelectric/electrostrictive element
A piezoelectric/electrostrictive material having a nonstoichiometric composition represented by a general formula (1): (1−x)(BiaNabTiO3+δ)−x(KcNbO3+ζ) (1) wherein 0.01≦x<0.08, a<0.5, 1.01≦(a/b)≦1.08, 0.92≦(a+b)/c<0.99, and 0.9≦c≦1.1, and ζ≠0 when δ=0 and δ≠0 when ζ=0. |
| US07728481B2 |
Laminated body of motor and manufacturing method thereof
A laminated body of a motor includes: a yoke spirally laminated to form a hollow cylindrical shape; a plurality of teeth protruding from one side edge of the yoke disposed along a longitudinal direction of the yoke and being separated apart at a predetermined distance; a plurality of notch portions on an opposite side edge of the yoke, each of the plurality of notch portions being aligned with each of the plurality of teeth; a stopping protrusion extendingly formed at a protruding end of the teeth in the longitudinal direction of the yoke; and an inclined portion having an inclined surface formed by decreasing a width of the stopping protrusion toward an end of the stopping protrusion so as to reduce cogging torque. |
| US07728479B2 |
DC-motor
In a DC-motor according to the present invention, contact areas of first brushes can be enlarged without enlarging the external diameter of a disk on which a commutator is provided; therefore, the wear resistance of the first brushes can be enhanced while maintaining a good control-response; and at the same time, the axial dimension can be shortened dramatically, so that the DC-motor can be downsized. The first brushes 14 are radially in contact with the commutator 11, and second brushes 15 are axially in contact with slip rings 12 that are formed circumferentially inside the commutator 11. |
| US07728478B2 |
Electrodynamic machine
An electrodynamic machine (10) comprising a first rotor (13) and a second rotor (15). The first and second rotors (13, 15) are adapted to rotate relative to each other, preferably in opposite directions. The electrodynamic machine (10) may operate as an electric generator or as an electric motor. |
| US07728470B2 |
Electric motor
An electric motor, e.g., a fan motor for an air conditioning fan of a motor vehicle, includes a receiving housing serving as a motor housing, which has a receiving opening into which the electric motor at least partially extends, as well as including connection elements for supplying power to the electric motor, and attachment means for the electrical connection elements. The attachment for the electrical connection elements is provided on the electric motor. |
| US07728463B2 |
Reluctance laminations for a motor assembly
A system and method for a multiple degrees of freedom motor includes an output shaft. A stator is provided having at least a first lamination stack. Each lamination stack has an interior curved surface. The lamination stacks are disposed adjacent the output shaft. A rotor is fixed to the output shaft and movably supported adjacent the stator with an air gap disposed between the rotor and the stator. The rotor includes at least one magnet disposed thereon. The magnet is movable along the interior curved surface of the lamination stacks in directions defining at least a first degree of freedom. The rotor is biased toward a base position along at least one degree of freedom. |
| US07728458B2 |
Telecommunications megasite with backup power system
The present invention is an energy generating system for a telecommunications megasite which uses fuel cells and capacitors to backup a commercially available primary source of power. |
| US07728453B2 |
Ocean wave energy converter (OWEC)
A device consisting of a container which is partially submerged in the sea which may be buoyant and connected to the seabed with cables or mounted on a platform and whose interior is connected to its exterior via pipes where in response to the passing of waves is filled and emptied through these pipes. The force of the water flowing through the pipes causes turbines to rotate thus generating electricity which may be transmitted to land. These turbines may be turbines which rotate in different directions depending on the direction of water flow or turbines which maintain the same direction of rotation irrespective of the direction of water flow. |
| US07728448B2 |
Process and apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in genset systems
A process and apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in a genset comprising an engine and a generator and a shaft coupled to the engine and generator. The apparatus directs the generator to reduce load on the shaft while directing the engine to seek a steady state shaft speed for a desired energy transfer to the shaft when a shaft speed correction signal representing a shaft speed correction to reach the desired energy transfer meets a criterion. |
| US07728446B2 |
Ring generator
The present invention is a rotary device that may be adapted for use as a propeller assembly and electrical generator for aerial vehicles or other vehicles intended for fluid media. In one example, the device includes a ring assembly having a plurality of centrally linked blades coupled to a rotatable common hub. Rotary motion of the ring assembly is facilitated by coupling it to an opposed cylinder, opposed piston, internal combustion. The ring assembly includes components of an electrical power generating system so that electrical power is produced from the rotation of the ring assembly. |
| US07728440B2 |
Warp-suppressed semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor chip mounted on a mounting substrate; a first resin filling a gap between the chip and the substrate; a frame-shaped stiffener surrounding the chip; a first adhesive for bonding the stiffener to the substrate; a lid for covering the stiffener and an area surrounded by the stiffener; and a second resin filling a space between the stiffener and the chip. A thermal expansion coefficient of the second resin is smaller than that of the first resin. The first resin includes an underfill part filling a gap between the chip and the substrate and a fillet part extended from the chip region. |
| US07728439B2 |
Semiconductor device, wiring substrate, and method for manufacturing wiring substrate
The reliabilities of a wiring substrate and a semiconductor apparatus are improved by reducing the internal stress caused by the difference of thermal expansion coefficients between a base substrate and a semiconductor chip. A wiring layer (5) is provided on one surface of a silicon base (3). An electrode as the uppermost layer of the wiring layer (5) is provided with an external bonding bump (7). A through-electrode (4) is formed in the base (3) for electrically connecting the wiring layer (5) and an electrode terminal. The electrode terminal on the chip mounting surface is bonded to an electrode terminal of a semiconductor chip (1) by an internal bonding bump (6). The thermal expansion coefficient of the silicon base (3) is equivalent to that of the semiconductor chip (1) and not more than that of the wiring layer (5). |
| US07728438B2 |
Optical semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An optical semiconductor device of which the moisture resistance and the like are improved and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. An optical semiconductor device of the embodiment is configured to include an optical semiconductor element on a surface of which a circuit portion including a light-receiving or light-emitting element is formed; a terminal portion which is provided on a back of the optical semiconductor element and electrically connected with the circuit portion; a covering layer which covers the surface of the optical semiconductor element and is made of a transparent material; and sealing resin which covers side faces of the covering layer and of the optical semiconductor element. The circuit portion and the terminal portion may be connected by a rewiring pattern. |
| US07728437B2 |
Semiconductor package form within an encapsulation
Provided are a semiconductor package which is small in size but includes a large number of terminals disposed at intervals equal to or greater than a minimum pitch, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having a bottom surface on which a plurality of bumps are formed, redistribution layer patterns formed under the semiconductor chip and each including a first part electrically connected to at least one of the bumps and a second part electrically connected to the first part, an encapsulation layer surrounding at least a top surface of the semiconductor chip, and a patterned insulating layer formed below the redistribution layer patterns and exposing at least parts of the second parts of the redistribution layer patterns. |
| US07728436B2 |
Method for selective deposition of a thin self-assembled monolayer
A method for selective deposition of self-assembled monolayers to the surface of a substrate for use as a diffusion barrier layer in interconnect structures is provided comprising the steps of depositing a first self-assembled monolayer to said surface, depositing a second self-assembled monolayer to the non-covered parts of said surface and subsequently heating said substrate to remove the first self-assembled monolayer. The method of selective deposition of self-assembled monolayers is applied for the use as diffusion barrier layers in a (dual) damascene structure for integrated circuits. |
| US07728434B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Aimed at improving adhesiveness between upper and lower interconnects in semiconductor devices, a semiconductor device of the present invention includes a second dielectric multi-layered film formed on a substrate, and containing a lower interconnect; a first dielectric multi-layered film formed on the second dielectric multi-layered film, and having a recess; an MOx film formed on the inner wall of the recess, and containing a metal M and oxygen as major components; an M film formed on the MOx film, and containing the M as a major component; and an electric conductor formed on the M film so as to fill the recess, and containing Cu as a major component, wherein the surficial portion of the interconnect fallen straight under the bottom of the recess has an oxygen concentration of 1% or smaller. |
| US07728425B2 |
Seal of fluid port
One embodiment of an electronic component packaging system includes a base adapted for supporting an electronic component, a lid sealed to the base, the lid including a fillport, and the fillport hermetically sealed by light irradiation. |
| US07728423B2 |
Semiconductor device having step-wise connection structures for thin film elements
A plurality of IC regions are formed on a semiconductor wafer, which is cut into individual chips incorporating ICs, wherein wiring layers and insulating layers are sequentially formed on a silicon substrate. In order to reduce height differences between ICs and scribing lines, a planar insulating layer is formed to cover the overall surface with respect to ICs, seal rings, and scribing lines. In order to avoid occurrence of breaks and failures in ICs, openings are formed to partially etch insulating layers in a step-like manner so that walls thereof are each slanted by prescribed angles ranging from 20° to 80°. For example, a first opening is formed with respect to a thin-film element section, and a second opening is formed with respect to an external-terminal connection pad. |
| US07728416B2 |
Semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same and an electronic device
A novel semiconductor device high in both heat dissipating property and connection reliability in mounting is to be provided. The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip, a resin sealing member for sealing the semiconductor chip, a first conductive member connected to a first electrode formed on a first main surface of the semiconductor chip, and a second conductive member connected to a second electrode formed on a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the semiconductor chip, the first conductive member being exposed from a first main surface of the resin sealing member, and the second conductive member being exposed from a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the resin sealing member and also from side faces of the resin sealing member. |
| US07728412B2 |
Semiconductor device having plurality of leads
A method of making a semiconductor device including a semiconductor chip having a plurality of pads, and a lead frame having a plurality of leads. Each of the plurality of leads has a mounting surface for mounting the semiconductor device, a wire connection surface having a thick portion, and a thin portion whose thickness is thinner than the thick portion. The length of each wire connection surface was furthermore formed shorter than the mounting surface, by arranging so that the thin portion of each lead dives below the semiconductor chip, securing the length of the mounting surface of each lead, a distance from the side face of the semiconductor chip to the side face of a molded body of the semiconductor device being shortened as much as possible, and the package size is brought close to chip size, with miniaturization of QFN. |
| US07728411B2 |
COL-TSOP with nonconductive material for reducing package capacitance
A method of fabricating a semiconductor package, and a semiconductor package formed thereby, are disclosed. The semiconductor package may include one or more semiconductor die having die attach pads along a single side. The leadframe may include a plurality of elongated electrical leads, extending from a first side of the leadframe, beneath the die, and terminating at a second side of the leadframe adjacent to the bond pads along the single edge of the die. The leadframe may further include a dielectric spacer layer on the elongated leads. Spacing the semiconductor die from the elongated leads using the spacer layer reduces the parasitic capacitance and/or inductance of the semiconductor package formed thereby. |
| US07728410B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising light-blocking region enclosing semiconductor element
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, a light-blocking region enclosing the semiconductor element, a plurality of contacts disposed in a staggered arrangement in a first region of the light-blocking region, and a linear contact formed to extend along at least a first direction in a second region of the light-blocking region differing from the first region. |
| US07728408B2 |
Verticle BJT, manufacturing method thereof
A vertical BJT which has a maximal current gain for a photodiode area. According to embodiments, since the BJT can be formed together with the photodiode, and collector current flows up and down based on the double base structure, the magnitude of the current may be increased. |
| US07728396B2 |
Semiconductor structures
A method and a structure are provided for preventing lift-off of a semiconductor monitor pattern from a substrate. A semiconductor structure and a semiconductor monitor structure are formed on a substrate. A material layer is formed covering the semiconductor monitor structure. A part of the semiconductor structure is removed without removing the semiconductor monitor structure, by using the material layer as an etch protection layer. A mask for the method is also provided. The mask includes a clear area and a dark area. The dark area prevents a semiconductor monitor structure from being subjected to exposure so as to form a material layer covering the semiconductor monitor structure and prevent removal of the semiconductor monitor structure from the substrate while a part of a semiconductor structure is removed. |
| US07728392B2 |
SRAM device structure including same band gap transistors having gate stacks with high-K dielectrics and same work function
An SRAM semiconductor device includes: at least a first and a second field effect transistor formed on a same substrate, each of the transistors including a gate stack, each gate stack including a semiconductor layer disposed on a metal layer, the metal layer being disposed on a high-k dielectric layer located over a chemical region, wherein the metal layer of the first gate stack and the metal layer of the second gate stack have approximately a same work function, and wherein each channel region has approximately a same band gap. |
| US07728388B1 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device includes a P type silicon substrate; a deep N well in the P type silicon substrate; a P grade region in the deep N well; a P+ drain region in the P grade region; a first STI region in the P grade region; a second STI region in the P grade region, wherein the first and second STI region isolate the P+ drain region; a third STI region in the deep N well; a gate electrode overlying an area between the second and third STI regions and covering a portion of the second STI region; a gate dielectric layer between the gate electrode and the P type silicon substrate; a P well formed at one side of the third STI region; and a P+ source region in the P well. |
| US07728386B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
The invention provides a CMOS integrated circuit capable of carrying out an operation at a comparatively high supply voltage, comprising a first MOS type transistor having a drain profile to come in contact with a gate through a low concentration region having an impurity concentration which is equal to or lower than a predetermined concentration at a drain end, and a second MOS type transistor and transfer gate having the same polarity which is connected to a gate of the first MOS type transistor, wherein a gate voltage is applied to the gate of the first MOS type transistor through the second MOS type transistor and transfer gate to which a predetermined potential (a shielding voltage) is applied. |
| US07728384B2 |
Magnetic random access memory using single crystal self-aligned diode
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell comprises a MRAM device and a single crystal self-aligned diode. The MRAM device and the single crystal self-aligned diode are connected through a contact. Only one metal line is positioned above the MRAM device of the MRAM cell. A first and second spacers positioned adjacent to the opposite sidewalls of the contact define the size of the single crystal self-aligned diode. A first and second metal silicide lines are positioned adjacent to the first and second spacers, respectively. The single crystal self-aligned diode, defined in a silicon substrate, includes a bottom implant (BI) region and a contact implant (CI) region. The CI region is surrounded by the BI region except for a side of the CI region that aligns the surface of the silicon substrate. A fabrication method, a read method, two programming methods for the MRAM cell are also disclosed. |
| US07728379B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor layer; an insulating film provided on the semiconductor layer; and a charge storage layer provided on the insulating film. The semiconductor layer has a channel formation region in its surface portion. The insulating film contains silicon, germanium, and oxygen. The charge storage layer is capable of storing charge supplied from the semiconductor layer through the insulating film. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a silicon oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor layer; introducing germanium into the silicon oxide film; forming an insulating film containing silicon, germanium, and oxygen by heat treatment under oxidizing atmosphere; and forming a charge storage layer on the insulating film, the charge storage layer being capable of storing charge supplied from the semiconductor layer through the insulating layer. |
| US07728378B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, manufacturing method thereof and method of programming information into the memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of improving injection efficiency and simplifying manufacturing process is provided. The device comprises a memory cell having second conductive type of first impurity diffusion area and second impurity diffusion area on a first conductive type of semiconductor substrate, between the first and second impurity diffusion areas, a first laminate section formed by laminating a first insulating film, a charge storage layer, a second insulating film and a first gate electrode in this order from the bottom, and a second laminate section formed by laminating a third insulating film and a second gate electrode in this order from the bottom, wherein an area sandwiched between the first and second laminate sections is the second conductive type of a third impurity diffusion area having impurity density lower than that of the first and second impurity diffusion areas and not higher than 5×1012 ions/cm2. |
| US07728375B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of forming the same
Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor memory device and a method of forming the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may include a first interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate. A bit line may be arranged in a first direction on the first interlayer insulating layer. A bit line contact pad may be disposed in the first interlayer insulating layer and electrically connected to the bit line. A storage contact pad may be disposed in the first interlayer insulating layer. A top surface of the bit line contact pad may be lower than a top surface of the storage contact pad. |
| US07728374B2 |
Embedded memory device and a manufacturing method thereof
An embedded memory device solves the problem of the low reliability of the circuit due to the unstable power source. The embedded memory includes a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitor and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor to increase the stability of the power source ring to stabilize the voltage of the embedded memory and stabilize the voltage for the peripheral circuit of the embedded memory. |
| US07728371B2 |
SOI CMOS compatible multiplanar capacitor
An isolated shallow trench isolation portion is formed in a top semiconductor portion of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate along with a shallow trench isolation structure. A trench in the shape of a ring is formed around a doped top semiconductor portion and filled with a conductive material such as doped polysilicon. The isolated shallow trench isolation portion and the portion of a buried insulator layer bounded by a ring of the conductive material are etched to form a cavity. A capacitor dielectric is formed on exposed semiconductor surfaces within the cavity and above the doped top semiconductor portion. A conductive material portion formed in the trench and above the doped top semiconductor portion constitutes an inner electrode of a capacitor, while the ring of the conductive material, the doped top semiconductor portion, and a portion of a handle substrate abutting the capacitor dielectric constitute a second electrode. |
| US07728370B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
A stacked film of a first insulation film being a silicon oxide film with an extremely low moisture content, and a second insulation film being a silicon oxide film with a higher moisture content than the first insulation film, therefore, with a low in-plane film thickness distribution rate is formed, and this is polished by CMP. Polishing is performed until the second insulation film is wholly removed directly above a ferroelectric capacitor structure and a surface of the first insulation film is exposed to some extent. At this time, surface flattening is performed for a top surface of a first portion in the first insulation film and a top surface of the second insulation film, and an interlayer insulation film constituted of the first insulation film and the second insulation film remaining on a second portion of the first insulation film is formed. |
| US07728367B2 |
Edge illuminated photodiodes
This invention comprises plurality of edge illuminated photodiodes. More specifically, the photodiodes of the present invention comprise novel structures designed to minimize reductions in responsivity due to edge surface recombination and improve quantum efficiency. The novel structures include, but are not limited to, angled facets, textured surface regions, and appropriately doped edge regions. |
| US07728366B2 |
Photodiode and method for fabricating same
A Schottky photodiode includes a semiconductor layer and a conductive film provided in contact with the semiconductor layer. The conductive film has an aperture and a periodic structure provided around said aperture for producing a resonant state by an excited surface plasmon in a film surface of the conductive film by means of the incident light to the film surface. The photodiode detects near-field light that is generated by at the interface between the conductive film and semiconductor layer the excited surface plasmon. The aperture has a diameter smaller than the wavelength of the incident light. |
| US07728359B2 |
Nitride semiconductor based bipolar transistor and the method of manufacture thereof
In a nitride semiconductor based bipolar transistor, a contact layer formed so as to contact an emitter layer is composed of n-type InAlGaN quaternary mixed crystals, the emitter layer and the contact layer are selectively removed so that the barrier height with the emitter formed thereon is small, and the ohmic electrode contact resistance can be lowered on the InAlGaN quaternary mixed crystals, for example, so that a WSi emitter electrode becomes an eave. A base electrode is formed by a self-aligned process using the emitter electrode as a mask. By such a configuration, the distance between the emitter and the edge of the base electrode is sufficiently shortened, and the base resistance can be lowered. As a result, a bipolar transistor having favorable high-frequency characteristics can be realized. |
| US07728356B2 |
P-GaN/AlGaN/AlN/GaN enhancement-mode field effect transistor
An enhancement mode High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) comprising a p-type nitride layer between the gate and a channel of the HEMT, for reducing an electron population under the gate. The HEMT may also comprise an Aluminum Nitride (AlN) layer between an AlGaN layer and buffer layer of the HEMT to reduce an on resistance of a channel. |
| US07728355B2 |
Nitrogen polar III-nitride heterojunction JFET
An N-polar III-nitride heterojunction JFET which includes a P-type III-nitride body under the gate electrode thereof. |
| US07728354B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer of p-type AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1); a second semiconductor layer of n-type AlyGa1-yN (0 |
| US07728341B2 |
Illumination device for providing directionally guided light
In accordance with the invention, an illumination device comprises a highly thermally conductive substrate having a surface, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) supported by the surface and arranged in an array to provide illumination. At least one reflective barrier at least partially surrounds each LED. The reflective barrier is shaped to reflect away from the LED light emitted by other LEDs in the array. Advantageously the LEDs and reflective barrier are thermally coupled to a heat spreader to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. The substrate preferably comprises an LTTC-M heat spreader, and the reflective thermal barriers preferably comprise metal ridges or cups. |
| US07728338B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and fabricating method thereof
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device including: a first nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer formed on the first nitride semiconductor layer and including at least one barrier layer grown under hydrogen atmosphere of a high temperature; and a second nitride semi conductor layer formed on the active layer, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. According to the light emitting device and method of fabricating the same, the light power of the light emitting device is increased and the operation reliability is enhanced. |
| US07728333B2 |
Nanotube array ballistic light emitting devices
A new class of light emitting and laser diodes is disclosed wherein ballistic (without collisions) electron propagation along the nanotubes, grown normally to the substrate plane on the common metal electrode, provides conditions for the light emission from the nanotubes. The electrons, tunneling from the input contact into high energy states in the nanotubes, emit light via electron energy relaxation between the quantum energy levels existing in the nanotubes due to quantum size effect.In the disclosed devices, planar layer deposition technology is used to form a diode structure with two electrodes attached to the nanotubes ends. |
| US07728332B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to manufacture a semiconductor device easily and to provide a semiconductor device whose cost is reduced. According to the present invention, a thin film integrated circuit provided over a base insulating layer can be prevented from scattering by providing a region where a substrate and the base insulating layer are attached firmly after removing a peeling layer. Therefore, a semiconductor device including a thin film integrated circuit can be manufactured easily. In addition, since a semiconductor device is manufactured by using a substrate except a silicon substrate according to the invention, a large number of semiconductor devices can be manufactured at a time and a semiconductor device whose cost is reduced can be provided. |
| US07728328B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate having a display area and a driving circuit area, a first semiconductor layer formed on the substrate in the display area, the first semiconductor layer having an active region and source and drain regions at opposing sides of the active region, a gate insulating layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating layer and over the active region, the gate electrode being wider than the gate insulating layer, and an interlayer insulating layer formed over the substrate including the gate electrode, wherein the interlayer insulating layer, the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer, and the active region define a first cavity. |
| US07728319B2 |
Vertical phase change memory cell and methods for manufacturing thereof
The present invention discloses a vertical phase-change-memory (PCM) cell, comprising a stack of a bottom electrode (5) contacting a first layer of phase change material (14), a dielectric layer (12) having an opening (13), a second layer of phase change material (6) in contact with the first layer of phase change material through the opening in the dielectric layer and a top electrode (7) contacting this second layer of phase change material. |
| US07728317B2 |
Optical heterodyne sampling device having probe and pump beams
An optical heterodyne sampling device includes: two pulsed laser sources which may have a jitter and which can receive respectively a pump beam and a probe beam having respective repetition frequencies Fs and Fp, whereby Fs≠Fp; and an element for combining the pump beam and the probe beam which are intended to be passed over a sample, consisting of a signal channel including a system for the photodetection of the response signal from the sample and a system for acquiring the photodetected signal, which is connected to the signal channel. According to the invention, Fs and Fp are essentially constant and the acquisition system includes an acquisition trigger element. A synchronization channel is connected to the trigger element, and includes a device for measuring the beat frequency |Fs−Fp| which can generate a synchronization signal comprising pulses each time the pulses of the pump beam and the probe beam coincide. |
| US07728309B2 |
High throughput screen method and system
The present invention discloses a high throughput screening method and system, which can be used to screen a plurality of fluid samples to ascertain their corresponding information. For example, a polymer solution sample is screened to ascertain information about its micro structure character such as including its crystallinity property. The high throughput screen system comprises a plurality of sampling passages and one or more screening devices for screening multiple samples simultaneously or almost simultaneously to get their corresponding information so as to meet research requirement of the relevant field. |
| US07728308B2 |
Apparatus for blanking a charged particle beam
A beam blanking unit (1) comprises first and second blanking plates (2, 3) mounted to a support plate (15). A stopper (4) is mechanically and electrically connected to the first blanking plate (2). |
| US07728302B2 |
Scintillation element, scintillation array and method for producing the same
A scintillation element comprises a scintillation material, and a reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer is formed as an intrinsic part of the scintillation material. Preferably, a plurality of scintillation elements may be arranged to form a scintillation array. A method for producing a scintillation element comprises providing a scintillation material, and producing a reflective layer at the scintillation material by exposing the scintillation material to physical and/or chemical conditions in such a way that the reflective layer is formed out of a part of the scintillation material. |
| US07728299B2 |
Radiation image detector
Edge portions of detection electrodes, such as a first linear electrode and a second linear electrode, that include the side surfaces of the detection electrodes and parts of surfaces of the detection electrodes, the surfaces continuing from the side surfaces and facing a photoconductive layer for recording, are covered with dielectrics. Further, surfaces of the detection electrodes and the dielectrics are coated with an anti-crystallization layer to prevent crystallization of a photoconductive layer for readout. At this time, the surfaces of the electrodes are smoothly covered with the dielectrics at angles θ of contact of 5 to 60 degrees so that no bump is present, thereby preventing generation of a crack in the anti-crystallization layer on the dielectrics and the electrodes. Accordingly, crystallization of the photoconductive layer for readout, which is induced by injection of charges from the edge portions of the detection electrodes or the like, is prevented. |
| US07728298B2 |
Detector bar or detector formed from a number of detector bars, and computed-tomography unit with such a detector
A detector bar, a detector formed from a number of detector bars, and a computed-tomography unit including such a detector is disclosed, each detector bar being formed from a number of individual modules. A detector bar has a module carrier for mechanically retaining the individual modules, and a printed circuit board, structurally separate from the module carrier, for making electric contact with the individual modules. The individual modules can thus be exchanged without disturbance, and simple aligning of the individual modules can thus be carried out while electric contact is simultaneously made. |
| US07728297B2 |
Infrared array sensor
There is provided an infrared array sensor, which is capable of positional specification and flow tracking of an object to be detected without performing image processing, and whose cost is low. An infrared array sensor 100 where pixels 101, each having a thermal infrared detector 102 whose electric properties change in accordance with incidence of infrared rays, are arrayed in two-dimensional matrix form, the infrared array sensor 100 including: a row output take-out means 103 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each row; and a column output take-out means 104 configured so as to take out an electric signal to the outside as an output, the electric signal being in accordance with electric properties as a sum of electric properties respectively shown by the thermal infrared detectors 102 on each column. |
| US07728284B2 |
Method of manipulating nanosize objects and utilization thereof
Light resonant with an electronic excitation level of nanosize objects is projected onto a plurality of closely located nanosize objects, such as quantum dots, quantum dot pairs, and a carbon nanotube, in a collection of nanosize objects is disclosed. In so doing, to control the mechanical interaction induced between the nanosize objects, the projected resonant light is changed in polarization. This enables the collective manipulation of the nanosize objects. |
| US07728283B2 |
Illuminance detecting apparatus comprising a light shielding element containing openings for each detector element
An illuminance detecting component includes: a supporting substrate including a substrate body made of silicon, and pads provided on an upper surface of the substrate body; a plurality of light receiving elements connected electrically to the pads and receiving light irradiated from an outside, the plurality of light receiving elements being arranged in array fashion on the upper surface side; external connection terminals connected electrically to the light receiving elements; and a translucent member provided on the substrate body. In the illuminance detecting component, an airtight space in which the plurality of light receiving elements are accommodated is formed between the translucent member and the substrate body. |
| US07728279B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems related to pixel arrays
Methods, devices, and systems for an image sensor device are disclosed. An image sensor device comprises an array of image pixels wherein each pixel is configured for sensing light incident on the pixel. An image sensor device may further comprise a ground contact shared between at least two image pixels of the plurality. The ground contacts may be provided in an even pattern, a random pattern, or a repeating random pattern across the array. The image sensor device may further include an array of shared pixel structures comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein a ground contact may be evenly or randomly placed within each pixel structure across the array of pixel structures. |
| US07728277B2 |
PMOS pixel structure with low cross talk for active pixel image sensors
An image sensor with an image area having a plurality of pixels with each pixel having a photodetector and a substrate of a first conductivity type and a first layer of a second conductivity type formed between the substrate and the photodetectors. The first layer spans the image area and is biased at predetermined potential with respect to the substrate for driving excess carriers into the substrate to reduce cross talk. One or more adjacent active electronic components can be disposed in the first layer within each pixel and electronic circuitry can be disposed in the substrate outside of the image area. |
| US07728267B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adjustable surfaces
Methods and apparatus for systems having deployable elements according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a system including a deployable surface and an adaptive actuator including a polymer foam. In one embodiment, the system comprises a vehicle including a deployable wing comprising an exterior surface. The exterior surface may be adjusted by adjusting the shape, size, position, and/or orientation of the adaptive actuator. |
| US07728266B2 |
Exhaust assembly for missile system, and method
A system, device and method provide an exhaust assembly adapted for use with a mass ejection drive system to produce rotational torque about the principle axis of the drive system. Representative features generally include a vane suitably configured to at least partially engage a mass ejecta stream to apply a net rotational torque about the principal axis of the drive system, and a tailfin coupled to the at least one vane. The tail fin is configured to selectively deploy from an at least partially stowed position in order to decrease the application of net rotational torque about the principal axis of the drive system. |
| US07728265B1 |
MEMS type flow actuated out-of-plane flap
A MEMS type flow actuated out-of-plane flap apparatus includes a substrate defining a plane; a duct attached to the substrate, the duct and the substrate defining a fluid flow channel; and a rotatable flap having a flow receiving portion and an extension portion. The flow receiving portion being disposed in the fluid flow channel where, in an actuated position of the flap, a fluid flow against the flow receiving portion causes rotation of the flap and movement of the extension portion out of the plane of the substrate. |
| US07728262B1 |
Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions
A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state. |
| US07728261B2 |
Cooking appliance
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (10) comprising a cooking chamber (11) with heating elements (12) and a water supply (30) that has a water outlet (33) and is fed by an outer water supply line (40). The water supply (30) is provided with at least one intermediate water storage tank (45) with a pre-determined inner volume (46) that can be filled with water and is fed by the outer water supply line. The filling and emptying of the inner volume (46) of the at least one intermediate water storage tank (45) can be temporarily blocked by means of a three-way valve or two-way valves. The water from the inner volume (33) of the at least one intermediate water storage tank (45) can be emptied via the water outlets (33) in order to generate steam in the cooking chamber (11). The emptying of said at least one intermediate water storage tank is especially periodical or clocked. The intermediate water storage tank can be embodied as a lifting cylinder that is filled and emptied by the lifting movement of a piston (48). |
| US07728260B2 |
Warm window system
Disclosed is a warm window system that utilizes individual buss bars that are placed within the space between an inside window pane and an outside window pane and creates sufficient physical force to create an electrical contact on the tin oxide layer on the inside surface of the inside pane of glass. An insulating nonconductive layer can also be used in conjunction with the buss bars. That include metal strips, braided wires, spring loaded indentations, etc. The buss bars have a modulus of elasticity to ensure sufficient electrical contact with the tin oxide layer. The buss bars can be used with either hard coat or soft coat tin oxide coatings on tempered glass or annealed glass. Electrical connections and wires are hidden from the viewing area of the warm window system to enhance the aesthetic value of the warm window system. Retrofit systems allow use of the warm window system in conjunction with an existing installed window system. |
| US07728257B2 |
Method of forming embrittled areas inside wafer for division
A method of forming embrittled areas in multiple layers inside a wafer so as to enable the wafer to be divided correctly even at areas where embrittled areas intersect. In a first direction embrittling step an embrittled area is formed as a bottom layer, in a second direction embrittling step embrittled areas are formed as a bottom layer and a second layer, in the first direction embrittling step the embrittled areas are formed as a second layer and a third layer, and thereafter, the second direction embrittling step and the first direction embrittling step are alternately implemented, and finally, in the second direction embrittling step, embrittled area is formed as a top layer, so that a length of an unprocessed area is contained within a range that does not interfere with division. |
| US07728255B2 |
Spinning-type pattern-fabrication system and a method thereof
A spinning-type pattern-fabrication system comprises at least one carry table used to carry objects, an object-fixing device used to fix the objects onto the carry table, and a control system controlling carry table or at least one laser device. The control system controls the laser device to move linearly back and forth to enable the laser device to fabricate patterns on the objects with the laser beam emitted via the laser device. |
| US07728253B2 |
Nano-particle trap using a microplasma
A system and method employing a microplasma to electrically charge nano- or micro-particles in a gas phase and, subsequently, trap the charged particles within the microplasma using the microplasma's built-in electric fields are disclosed. Confinement of the particles allows their density to be increased over time such that very low concentrations of particles can be detected, e.g., by methods such as laser scattering and/or detection of the plasma-induced charge on the particles. Preferably, charge detection methods are employed when nano-particles are to be trapped and detected. |
| US07728250B2 |
RF sensor clamp assembly
A clamp assembly for bringing an RF sensor into electrical contact with an RF current carrier is provided herein. The clamp assembly (101) comprises a first wedge-shaped element (103), and a second wedge-shaped element (105) which is slidingly engaged with said first wedge-shaped element. Preferably, the clamp assembly also comprises a collar (113) within which the first and second wedge-shaped elements are disposed. The clamp assembly preferably further comprises a fastener (111), such as a screw, which adjoins the first and second elements, in which case the clamp assembly is adapted such that, as the screw is rotated in a first direction, at least one of the first and second elements expands against the collar and/or the RF current carrier. |
| US07728248B1 |
Method for forming precision clockplate with pivot pins
Methods are disclosed for producing a precision clockplate with rotational bearing surfaces (e.g. pivot pins). The methods comprise providing an electrically conductive blank, conventionally machining oversize features comprising bearing surfaces into the blank, optionally machining of a relief on non-bearing surfaces, providing wire accesses adjacent to bearing surfaces, threading the wire of an electrical discharge machine through the accesses and finishing the bearing surfaces by wire electrical discharge machining. The methods have been shown to produce bearing surfaces of comparable dimension and tolerances as those produced by micro-machining methods such as LIGA, at reduced cost and complexity. |
| US07728243B2 |
Keyboard with wobble prevention structure
A keyboard with a wobble prevention structure, which is substantially a substrate having at least one press key arranged thereon while enabling each press key to be driven to move in a reciprocating manner following a specific direction, and having a plurality of position limit devices disposed on the substrate and beneath the periphery of a corresponding press key. In a preferred aspect, each position device is integrally formed with the substrate, or can be formed on the substrate by stamp forming technique, that each is used to confine the corresponding press key to move following only the specific direction, such that the wobbling of the press keys is prevented. |
| US07728237B2 |
Multi-functional control
A multifunctional switch and impulse generator assembly are disclosed that include a fixed base part enclosing an electrical pulse generator. A rotatable upper part with an actuation knob is included. The electrical pulse generator is adapted to provide electrical pulses on one or more externally accessible terminals in response to clockwise and/or counterclockwise rotary motion of the actuation knob. A slide switch is operable by horizontal movement of the actuation knob between a first state and a second state. In the first state the first and second switch terminals are electrically interconnected and in the second state first and second switch terminals are electrically isolated. |
| US07728233B2 |
Connection structure of flexible substrate
In the case of connecting a flexible substrate to a counterpart substrate by soldering, the area of a dead space on the counterpart substrate due to being covered with the flexible substrate is reduced to reduce the outside dimension of the counterpart substrate. Solder lands 61 and 62 on the flexible substrate 5 are soldered to solder lands 21 and 22 on the counterpart substrate 1. The flexible substrate 5 is divided into two branching pieces 71 and 72 by an incision 7 or a slit 8 formed in such a manner as to extend from an intermediate part in the arrangement direction R of circuit patterns to the leading end of the flexible substrate. The space between the solder lands 61 and 62 on the respective pieces 71 and 72 is made equal to the space between the two spaced-apart solder lands 21 and 22 on the counterpart substrate 1 by placing the pieces 71 and 72 formed by dividing the flexible substrate 5 on one another. |
| US07728231B2 |
Light emitting module, lighting device, and display device
A lighting device includes a heatsink 70, a socket 10 and an LED module 60. The LED module 60 has a light emitting unit 62 in a central part of a top side of a metal base substrate 63 composed of an insulating plate and a metal plate. The LED module 60 is warped such that the central part protrudes on a heatsink 70 side, which is the side opposite to the light emitting unit 62 side. The LED module 60 is mounted on the heatsink 70 in a state of the surrounds of the light emitting unit 62 being pressed according to pressing units 14T, 14L, and 14D of the socket 10. Pressing the surrounds of the light emitting unit 62 against the heatsink 70 ensures that a central part of the warping of the LED module 60 contacts the heatsink 70. |
| US07728220B2 |
Solar power generating device
A solar power generating device includes a solid cylindrical conductive body partially surround by a hollow cylindrical conducting layer with an insulating layer located between them, and a solar energy converter located at an end of the conductive body with two electrodes separately electrically connected to the conducting layer and the conductive body, so that the solar power generating device is configured as a plug-in module that could be very easily mounted to and dismounted from a circuit board. |
| US07728213B2 |
System and method for dynamic note assignment for musical synthesizers
An embodiment of the invention creates a method and system for assigning notes to be played by a musical synthesizer to a predetermined number of instrument voices available to be sounded by said musical synthesizer, so that the musical synthesizer may emulate the sound of a live orchestra or other ensemble. The method includes the steps of building an array based on the number of notes to be played and the number of instrument voices available to play such notes, and allocating notes to the voices pursuant to algorithmic determination. As notes are released or newly played, all notes are dynamically reassigned to instrument voices so that, to the extent practicable, all channels play almost all the time. Additional methodology provides for correct assignment of notes across multiple different sections (or types) of instruments for purposes of real time orchestration. |
| US07728211B1 |
Snare drum end plate and strap
A snare drum wire set comprises a generally rectangular rigid plate having a front, a back including a central region having an aperture, left and right sides, and a top and a bottom. The back has a support leg on each side of the central region and an elevated back edge that bridges the support legs in the central region. A mounting strap having a front end is secured in the aperture and extends backward beneath the elevated back edge. A plurality of snare wires are secured to the bottom of the front of the plate and extend forward in parallel from the front edge of the plate. The preferred quick-change strap with transverse insert pin can be very quickly inserted or removed from the clip. |
| US07728207B1 |
Maize variety X6P908
A novel maize variety designated X6P908 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X6P908 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X6P908 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X6P908, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X6P908. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X6P908 and to the maize varieties derived by the use of those methods. |
| US07728204B2 |
Soybean cultivar 7401262
A soybean cultivar designated 7401262 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7401262, to the plants of soybean 7401262, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7401262 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7401262 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7401262, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7401262 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7401262 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US07728203B2 |
Soybean variety A1007978
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1007978. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1007978. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1007978 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1007978 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07728199B2 |
Soybean cultivar 7821295
A soybean cultivar designated 7821295 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7821295, to the plants of soybean 7821295, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7821295 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7821295 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7821295, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7821295 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7821295 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US07728194B2 |
DNA fragment specific to cytoplasmic male sterile pepper and use thereof
The present invention relates to a DNA fragment specific to a cytoplasmic male sterile pepper comprising a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, a candidate polynucleotide (named orf456) associated with cytoplasmic male sterile pepper consisting of a 223rd to 678th nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1, and a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 2. The DNA fragment specific to cytoplasmic male sterile pepper comprising a polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOs: 1 or 2 can be used for identifying cytoplasmic type between male sterile and male fertile pepper by the PCR method. In addition, hybrid pepper breeders/seed companies could detect impurities of the maintainer line within the CMS line, and by ensuring purity of the CMS line, a major source of contamination of the hybrid seeds is removed leading to obvious benefits for the seed industry and farmers. |
| US07728188B2 |
Methods and compositions for topical wound treatment
Methods for improved treatment of wounds on a patient. Method includes locally administering a healing composition to the skin wound such that the healing of the skin wound is enhanced. The healing composition includes from about 5 mg to about 40 mg lidocaine hydrochloride per gram of the healing composition, from about 250 units to about 2000 units polymyxin B sulfate per gram of the healing composition, and from about 10 units to about 100 units bacitracin zinc per gram of the healing composition. |
| US07728186B2 |
Production of aromatics from methane
In a process for converting methane to aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions including a first maximum temperature effective to convert the methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and generate coke on the catalyst. A portion of the coked catalyst is transferred from the reaction zone to a separate regeneration zone, where the catalyst portion is contacted with a regeneration gas under conditions including a second maximum temperature less than or equal to the first maximum temperature and effective to at least partially remove coke from the catalyst portion. Before being returned to the reaction zone, the regenerated catalyst portion is contacted with a carburizing gas in a catalyst treatment zone separate from the reaction zone at a third maximum temperature less than the first maximum temperature. |
| US07728178B2 |
Production of detergent range alcohols
This invention relates to a process for the production of aldehydes/alcohols and alkyl benzene. According to the invention, a hydrocarbon feed stream containing olefins and paraffins having an average number of carbon atoms from 10 to 18 per molecule, typically derived from the condensation product of a Fischer-Tropsch reaction is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction to provide a hydroformylation product containing aldehydes/alcohols and paraffins. An aldehyde/alcohol product is separated from the paraffins in the hydroformylation product to provide an aldehyde/alcohol product stream and a paraffin stream. The paraffin stream separated from the hydroformylation product is then subjected to a dehydrogenation reaction to form a dehydrogenation product containing olefins and paraffins, and the dehydrogenation product is subjected to an alkylation reaction to convert olefins to alkyl benzene. |
| US07728175B1 |
Linear amine functionalized poly(trimethylene ether) compositions
The present invention relates to linear amine-functionalized poly(trimethylene ether) compositions, and processes to produce these compositions. |
| US07728174B2 |
Continuous hydrogenation processes for the preparation of xylylenediamines
Processes for preparing a xylylenediamine by continuous hydrogenation, wherein the processes comprise: introducing a liquid circulation stream comprising a phthalonitrile and ammonia into a reactor to continuously hydrogenate the phthalonitrile in the presence of a heterogenous catalyst and the ammonia such that a reactor effluent comprising the xylylenediamine is formed; drawing off a portion of the reactor effluent to provide a first recycle stream; mixing at least a portion of the first recycle stream in a mixing unit with liquid ammonia and fresh phthalonitrile in solid or molten form to provide a second recycle stream; and recycling the second recycle stream to the liquid circulation stream, or wherein the second recycle stream and any remaining unmixed portion of the first recycle stream are both recycled to the liquid circulation stream. |
| US07728171B2 |
Process for the production of acid chlorides
A process for the preparation of acid halides of formula I which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of i.a. pharmaceutically active compounds. |
| US07728170B2 |
Method for preparing a polycarboxylic composition comprising an electrochemical oxidation stage of a monosaccharide composition
A method for preparing a polycarboxylic composition, includes a stage in which a monosaccharide composition undergoes an electrochemical oxidation treatment carried out in the absence of sodium hypochlorite and in the presence of a) an amine oxide and b) a carbon-based anode. Preferably, the anode is selected from the group comprising carbon felt and granular active carbon. The electrochemical oxidation treatment can be carried out advantageously at a pH, preferably of between 11.5 and 14. The method makes it possible to obtain novel products, especially 2-carboxy-2, 3, 4-trihydroxypentane-dioicious acid, the salts and derivatives thereof. |
| US07728164B2 |
Process for the preparation of propylene carbonate
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of propylene carbonate, which process involves contacting propylene oxide with carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 150° C. to 250° C. in the presence of a recycled tetraalkylphosphonium bromide catalyst. |
| US07728163B2 |
Mixed fluoroalkyl-alkyl surfactants
A surfactant of formula 1 (Rf-A)a-Q-([B]k—R)b Formula 1 wherein a and b are each independently 1 or 2; Rf is a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl radical having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted with at least one oxygen; R is a C1 to C20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, or a C6 to C10 aryl; B is —(CH2CHR1O)x—, k is 0 or 1, x is 1 to about 20, A is —(CH2)m[(CHR1CH2O)]s—[(CH2)m(CH)tCHOH(CH2)m]e—, wherein each m is independently 0 to 3, s is 0 to about 30, t is 0 or 1, and e is 0 or 1, R1 is H or CH3, Q is: —OP(O)(O−M+)(O)—, —O—, —S—(CH2)m—C(O)—O—, —SO2—O— —CH2CH2O—C(O)CH2C(OH)(V)CH2C(O)O—; —(CH2CH2O)xCH2CH(OH)—(CH2CH2O)x—(CH2)m—Si[OSi(R2)3]2—, —SO2NR2—, —(CH2CH2O)zC(O)CH(SO3−M+)CH2C(O)(OCH2CH2)z— wherein z is 1 to about 15, or a bond when s is a positive integer, V is —C(O)OR3 and R3 is H, CH3 or Rf; R2 is C1 to C4 alkyl, and M+ is a Group 1 metal or an ammonium (NHxR2y)+ cation wherein x+y=4, and R2 is C1 to C4 alkyl, provided that when Q is —OP(O)(O−M+)(O)— or when Q is —(CH2CH2O)z—C(O)CH(SO3−M+)CH2C(O)(OCH2CH2)z—, then at least one of s or e is a positive integer. |
| US07728162B2 |
Process for preparing phosphorus compounds having phosphate-phosphonate bond
A novel process for preparing in a high purity and in a high yield phosphorus compounds having a phosphate-phosphonate bond within one molecule, along with only a small amount of a by-product, without being restricted by the kind of a phosphonate having an alcoholic hydroxyl group which is a raw material, without using a catalyst such as magnesium chloride, but only using a nitrogen-containing basic compound. |
| US07728160B2 |
Diimine metal complexes, methods of synthesis, and methods of using in oligomerization and polymerization
Novel α-diimine metal complexes, particularly iron complexes are disclosed. The α-diimine metal complexes are produced by forming one of the α-diimine metal complex imine bonds in the presence of a metal salt or an α-acylimine metal complex. α-diimine metal complexes having two different α-diimine nitrogen groups may be produced. The α-diimine metal complexes are useful for polymerizing or oligomerizing olefins. |
| US07728158B2 |
PPAR activity regulators
The object of the present invention is to provide PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) activity regulators, which can be widely used for improving insulin resistance and preventing/treating various diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndromes, hyperlipemia, high-blood pressure, vascular disorders, inflammation, hepatitis, fatty liver, liver fibrosis, NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and obesity.The present invention provides PPAR activity regulators which comprise an acylamide compound having the specific structure, prodrugs thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US07728153B2 |
Method for the asymmetric synthesis of beta-lactone compounds
The present invention features methods of treating a cancer in a subject by administering an effective amount of a beta-lactone to the subject. The invention also features methods of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject by administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase to the subject. These methods can be used to treat a variety of cancers and other diseases and conditions. The invention also features methods of identifying beta-lactones and other compounds that can be used in the methods of the invention for the treatment of tumors, inhibition of angiogenesis, and the treatment of diseases and conditions that involve pathological angiogenesis. The invention also features methods of synthesizing beta-lactones and features novel beta-lactone compounds. |
| US07728151B2 |
Process for the purification of perindopril
A dicyclohexyamine salt of compound of formula I, namely perindopril, having an X-ray powder diffraction pattern with characteristic peaks (2θ): 8.462, 10.624, 18.693, 9.424, 17.272, 14.177, 19.499, 20.765, 21.409, and 14.540. A process for preparation of the said salt of perindopril and its use in the purification of an impure perindopril and a process for purification of perindropril comprising formation of its salt with dicyclohexylamine. The present invention also relates to preparation of Perindopril tert-butyl amine salt directly from Perindopril dicyclohexylamine salt without isolating the free base. |
| US07728150B2 |
Bicyclic substituted indole-derivative steroid hormone nuclear receptor modulators
The present invention provides a compound of the formula: Formula (I); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula I in combination with a suitable carrier, diluent, or excipient, and methods for treating physiological disorders, particularly congestive heart disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, comprising administering to a patient in thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula I. X-16125 |
| US07728149B2 |
Process for producing dicarboxylic acid
A process produces a corresponding dicarboxylic acid by subjecting a cycloalkane to an oxidative cleavage reaction with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst in a liquid phase using a continuous reactor, in which a residence time τ (hr) satisfies the following condition: 0.1≦τ≦50/c, wherein c is the proportion (% by weight) of the cycloalkane to the total weight of a charged liquid. The catalyst includes, for example, cobalt compounds, manganese compounds, and mixtures of these compounds, as well as imide compounds having at least one cyclic imide skeleton. |
| US07728146B2 |
Enzyme inhibitors
There is disclosed herein compounds of formula (I), wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined throughout the description and the claims. The compounds of formula (I) are useful for the treatment of neurological diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's disease etc. |
| US07728141B2 |
Substituted naphthyridinone derivatives
Novel compounds of the structural formula (I) are antagonists and/or inverse agonists of the Cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor and are useful in the treatment, prevention and suppression of diseases mediated by the CB1 receptor. The compounds of the present invention are useful as centrally acting drugs in the treatment of psychosis, memory deficits, cognitive disorders, migraine, neuropathy, neuro-inflammatory disorders including multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome and the inflammatory sequelae of viral encephalitis, cerebral vascular accidents, and head trauma, anxiety disorders, stress, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, and schizophrenia. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of substance abuse disorders, the treatment of obesity or eating disorders, as well as the treatment of asthma, constipation, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and cirrhosis of the liver. |
| US07728140B2 |
Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives active as kinase inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them
Compounds which are pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, their preparation process and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; these compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases caused by and/or associated with an altered protein kinase activity such as cancer, cell proliferative disorders, Alzheimer's disease, viral infections, auto-immune diseases and neurodegenerative disorders; also disclosed is a process under SPS conditions for preparing the compounds of the invention and chemical libraries comprising a plurality of them. |
| US07728139B2 |
Solvent-free process for the preparation of diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives
The present application relates to compounds of formula A(D)x(E)y, (I), compounds of formula (III), compounds of formula (X), as well as processes for the preparation thereof, processes where the compounds (I) are converted to pigments of formula (II) and the use of the compounds (I). |
| US07728138B2 |
Bis-triphenylsilyl compounds and their application on organic electronic device
The present invention discloses a bis-triphenylsilyl compound and its applications as a host material, electron transport material, or hole transport material in an organic electronic device. The general structure of the bis-triphenylsilyl compound is as follows: where G represents any atomic moiety or single bond of the functional group selected from the group consisting of the following: aryl group, cyclene group, and heterocyclic ring group; and R1˜R32 represent substituents on aryl groups. |
| US07728137B2 |
Metal complexes
The present invention relates to new types of metal complexes. Such compounds can be used as active components (=functional materials) in a series of different types of applications which can be classed within the electronics industry in the widest sense.The inventive compounds are described by the structure 1 and the formulae (1) to (60). |
| US07728133B2 |
Stable pharmaceutical compositions
Pharmaceutical compounds having the general formula: or compounds having the formula: where R1 and R2 are independently H, branched or straight chain alkyl having from 1 to about 7 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylcycloalkyl, lower alkenyl or R1 and R2 together form part of a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl having from about 4 of about 7 carbon atoms; where R3 is a branched or straight chain alkyl having from 1 to about 7 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, aralkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylcycloalkyl or a group having the formula (CH2)nCOOH where n is from 1 to about 7. |
| US07728131B2 |
Amide derivative and medicine
The present invention is directed to an amide derivative having excellent BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, or a salt thereof.The present invention provides an amide derivative represented by the following general formula (1):[Chemical 23] (wherein R1 represents —CH2—R11, etc.; R2 represents alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, etc.; R3 represents hydrogen, etc.; Het1 represents a group of the formula [6] as above, etc.; and Het2 represents pyrimidinyl, etc.), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same as an active ingredient. The compound of the present invention is useful as a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor. |
| US07728120B2 |
EML4-ALK fusion gene
The present inventors found that a fusion gene present in some cancer patients is an oncogene. The present invention relates to a polypeptide as a novel fusion protein, a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformed cell comprising the vector, a method for detecting the fusion protein or polynucleotide, a method for screening a therapeutic agent for cancer, and a method for treating cancer that is shown to be positive for the fusion gene. Further, the present invention relates kit, primer set, and probe useful in the detection of cancer that is shown to be positive for the fusion gene. |
| US07728115B2 |
Compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis and treatment of heparin induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis
The invention includes compositions, kits and methods comprising a monoclonal antibody which shares key functional properties with the polyclonal antibodies which participate in the pathogenesis of heparin induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis (HIT/HITT) in a mammal. The monoclonal antibody of the invention preferentially binds with a PF4/heparin complex relative to the binding of the antibody with PF4 or heparin alone. The monoclonal antibody of the invention also binds specifically with PF4 in a complex with other glycosaminoglycans besides heparin, and also activates platelets. The monoclonal antibody of the invention is useful in methods for diagnosing and treating HIT/HITT in a mammal. A humanized version of the monoclonal antibody of the invention is also included, along with a process for humanizing the monoclonal antibody of the invention. |
| US07728113B2 |
Methods of treating arthritic conditions with antibodies to M-CSF
The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to a M-CSF, preferably human M-CSF, and that function to inhibit a M-CSF. The invention also relates to human anti-M-CSF antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof. The invention also relates to antibodies that are chimeric, bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-M-CSF antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human anti-M-CSF antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions for diagnosis and treatment. The invention also provides gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-M-CSF antibodies. The invention also relates to transgenic animals and transgenic plants comprising nucleic acid molecules of the present invention. |
| US07728112B2 |
Method for monitoring collagen type II degradation in cartilage
A method for improving the diagnostic assessment of cartilage degenerative processes, and to provide means of monitoring the effects of therapeutical measures taken towards arthritic diseases in most mammals utilizes an immunoassay to detect fragments of collagen type II resulting from collagenase activity comprising an antibody directed against an epitope comprised in the amino acid sequence HRGYPGLDG (SEQ ID NO:1), located in the helical region of collagen type II. |
| US07728108B2 |
PRO1550 polypeptides
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. |
| US07728107B2 |
Canine 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A and 2B receptor
Canine 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 receptor materials are described, including polypeptides corresponding to SEQ ID NOs.:8 and 10 and polynucleotides expressing them corresponding to SEQ ID NOs.:7 and 9. Such materials are useful as reagents in drug screening assays to identify compounds having 5-HT2 receptor-modulating activity. |
| US07728106B2 |
HIV-1 glycopeptides and derivatives; preparation and applications thereof
A method of making a synthetic glycopeptide, by addition of a synthetic oligosaccharide oxazoline to a GlcNAc-containing peptide precursor in the presence of an enzyme selected from among Endo-A and Endo-M. In a specific implementation, the method is utilized to synthesize a trivalent V3-domain glycopeptide including three V3-domain glycopeptides on a scaffold, wherein the three V3-domain glycopeptides are arranged to mimic the V3 domain presentation in trimeric gp120. Such trivalent V3-domain glycopeptides can be utilized in a vaccine for the treatment or prevention of HIV-1 infection. |
| US07728104B2 |
Process for preparing glycopeptide phosphonate derivatives
Disclosed are processes for preparing glycopeptide phosphonate derivatives having an amino-containing side chain. Several of the process steps are conducted in a single reaction vessel without isolation of intermediate reaction products, thereby generating less waste and improving the overall efficiency and yield of the process. |
| US07728103B2 |
Fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer and polymer compound using same
Polymer compounds obtained by polymerization of a fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer represented by the formula [1] in which A represents a single bond, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, CO, CH2, SO, SO2, C(CH3)2, NHCO, C(CF3)2, phenyl, or aliphatic ring; “a” and “b” each independently represent an integer of 0-2, and 1≦a+b≦4. This fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer can be used as an effective polymerizable monomer, which can exhibit water repellency, oil repellency, low water absorptive property, heat resistance, weather resistance, corrosion resistance, transparency, photosensitivity, low refractive index property, low dielectric property, etc., and can be used for advanced polymer material fields. |
| US07728102B2 |
Polyamide-imide resin, flexible metal-clad laminate, and flexible printed wiring board
The present invention provides a non-halogen polyamide-imide resin soluble in an amide solvent at a concentration of 10%, the resulting varnish, when stored at 5° C. for 1 month, exhibiting a solution viscosity change ((solution viscosity after 1 month−initial solution viscosity)/initial solution viscosity), expressed as an absolute value, of not greater than 3.0, and the resin having a moisture absorption (25° C., 90% RH, 24 hours) of not greater than 2.0%; a flexible metal-clad laminates using such a resin; and a flexible printed wiring board prepared from such a flexible metal-clad laminate by circuit formation. The flexible metal-clad laminate of the invention does not curl under any conditions, including humid conditions, and exhibits excellent dimensional stability since the heat resistant resin used as an insulation material has low moisture absorption and low thermal expansion coefficient and there is less internal stress in the flexible metal-clad laminate. Moreover, since the solder heat resistance and the insulation properties are not impaired even after humidification and since the heat resistant resin is soluble in organic solvents with high solution stability, the flexible metal-clad laminate of the invention can be inexpensively produced. |
| US07728099B2 |
Preparation and use of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polycarbonates
The present invention relates to a process for preparation of polycarbonates with weight-average molar mass MW≧230,000 g/mol and with ≦2% by weight content of cyclic compounds, including the following steps: (a) reaction of at least one oxirane with carbon dioxide in the presence of a metal-polycarboxylic acid compound in an aprotic, non-water-miscible solvent at a temperature of from 40 to 120° C. and at a pressure of from 1 to 100 bar, where the molar ratio of monomer to metal-polycarboxylic acid compound is ≧75, (b) addition of an aqueous solution of an inorganic acid to the reaction mixture once the reaction has ended, (c) removal of the aqueous phase, (d) if appropriate, washing of the remaining organic phase with water, and (e) devolatilization and drying of the resultant slurry of the polycarbonate in the aprotic, non-water-miscible solvent, and to the polycarbonate prepared via the process, and also to the use of the polycarbonate. |
| US07728093B2 |
Copolymers as dewaxing additives
The invention relates to copolymers which are suitable for producing additives for solvent deparaffination of paraffin-containing mineral oil distillates and which consist of radically polymerized monomers of formulas A and B, wherein the radicals have the meaning cited in the description. The invention also relates to the use of said copolymers for the production of dewaxing additives. |
| US07728090B2 |
Norbornene compounds with cross-linkable groups and their derivatives
The present invention provided a norbornene compound with cross-linkable groups and their derivative polymers, wherein said cross-linkable groups were olefin or epoxy groups. Norbornene polymers with cross-linkable side chain and their block copolymers as well as modified derivatives were prepared via living ring-open metathesis polymerization method. The resulting polymers with excellent solubility and optic properties had narrow molecular weight distribution, well-controlled molecular weight, small refraction ration and high transparency. They were also suitable for preparing hybrid materials with high thermal stability and chemical resistance. |
| US07728088B2 |
Synthesis of statistical microgels by means of controlled radical polymerisation
The invention relates to a method of preparing statistical microgels. The inventive method comprises a step involving the radical polymerisation of a composition containing: at least one monoethylenically-unsaturated monomer, at least one multiethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a free radical source and a control agent. The invention also relates to first generation microgels thus prepared and all the compounds resulting from said microgels (next-generation microgels). |
| US07728084B2 |
Polymerization process
This invention is directed to processes of making polymer in the presence of a hydrofluorocarbon or perfluorocarbon and recovering the polymer. The processes provided enable polymerization processes to be practiced with minimal fouling in the reaction system, and to the recovery of the hydrofluorocarbon and other hydrocarbons such as hydrocarbons for reuse in the process or hydrocarbon by-products from the polymerization process. The invention is particularly beneficial in the production of ethylene based polymers using Ziegler Natta catalyst systems. |
| US07728080B2 |
Solventless silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive composition
A solventless silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is provided. The composition includes (A) a polyorganosiloxane with a polymerization degree of 300 to 2,000 and having at least two alkenyl group-containing organic groups, (B) a polyorganohydrosiloxane having at least three silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, (C) a polydiorganosiloxane having alkenyl groups at both terminals, (D) a polydiorganosiloxane having SiH groups at both terminals, (E) a polyorganosiloxane composed of R23SiO1/2 units and SiO2 units (R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group), and (F) a platinum-based catalyst. The composition enables the prevention of problems caused by residual or volatilized organic substances, such as the absorption of ultraviolet radiation or the like, and also enables ready removal of the composition without deforming or damaging the adherend. |
| US07728078B2 |
Propylene copolymer, polypropylene composition and uses thereof, transition metal compound and olefin polymerization catalyst
A polypropylene composition containing a propylene/1-butene random copolymer which contains 60 to 90 mol % of propylene units and 10 to 40 mol % of 1-butene units and has a triad isotacticity of not less than 85% and not more than 97.5%, a molecular weight distribution of from 1 to 3, an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.1 to 12 dl/g, a melting point of from 40 to 75° C. and a crystallization rate at 45° C. of 10 minutes or less, and satisfying the following relation, 146 exp (−0.022M)≧Tm≧125 exp (−0.032M), and an olefin catalyst for preparation thereof. |
| US07728077B2 |
Polyolefin masterbatch and composition suitable for injection molding
A masterbatch composition comprising (percent by weight): A) 15%-50% of a polypropylene component having a melt flow rate of from 1 to 250 g/10 min.; and B) 50%-85% of an olefin polymer partially soluble in xylene at room temperature, containing from 60% to 85% by weight of ethylene; said masterbatch composition having (i) a value of the intrinsic viscosity [η] of the fraction soluble in xylene at room temperature ([η]sol) equal to or lower than 2.9 dl/g, and (ii) a value of the ratio MFR/[η], , , , equal to or lower than 4, is added to polyolefin materials to obtain final compositions suitable for injection molding. |
| US07728076B2 |
Coating compositions
The present invention relates to novel coating compositions comprising polyisocyanates, aliphatic oligocarbonate polyols, oligoester polyols and polyacrylate polyols, to a process for their production and to their use in the production of coatings. |
| US07728075B2 |
Coating composition
The invention relates to a high gloss car wash-resistant coating composition comprising a hydroxyl-functional binder and a cross-linker reactive with the hydroxyl groups of the binder and a method to prepare such a car wash-resistant coating. The invention further relates to the use of said coating composition, as a pigment-free top coat or a clear coat, in the finishing and refinishing of articles, for example motorcycles, cars, trains, buses, trucks, and aeroplanes. The coating composition after curing forms a coating having an initial gloss of at least 81 GU and a loss of gloss (LoG) of less than 0.18, the loss of gloss being determined by the formula (I): LoG=A+B·E′·(X)−1·10(C·ΔTg)+D·(E′)−0.5; wherein A=0.0132, B=1.0197, C=0.0113, and D=0.0566, E′ reflects the tensile storage modulus at 40° C. in GPa, ΔTg the width of the glass transition temperature in ° C., and X the cross-link density parameter in kPA/K all three parameters determined in a DMTA test at 11 Hz and a heating rate of 5° C./min. |
| US07728073B2 |
Thermoplastic moulding compounds exhibiting improved chemical resistance
The present invention relates to thermoplastic molding compositions comprising a mixture of (A) from 30 to 69% by weight, based on the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), of a methyl methacrylate polymer, (B) from 30 to 69% by weight, based on the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), of a copolymer obtainable by polymerizing a styrenic monomer and a vinyl cyanide, and (C) from 1 to 40% by weight, based on the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), of a graft copolymer obtainable from (C1) from 60 to 90% by weight, based on (C), of a core obtainable by polymerizing a 1,3-diene and a styrenic monomer, (C2) from 5 to 20% by weight, based on (C), of a first graft shell, and (C3) from 5 to 20% by weight, based on (C), of a second graft shell composed of an alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer, with the proviso that the ratio of (C2) to (C3) is in the range from 2:1 to 1:2. |
| US07728072B2 |
Epichlorohydrin amine polymers used for treating the surface of leather
An epichlorohydrinamine polymer has a ratio of amine units to epichlorohydrin units of from 0.8:1.2 to 1.0:1.0, dimethylaminopropylamine and benzylamine preferably being used as amine and/or ammonium units. The novel epichlorohydrinamine polymer is used, for example, for the surface treatment of semifinished leather products and textile materials. |
| US07728070B2 |
Method of producing fine particles
A method of producing cross-linked polymerisation hardened droplets in a continuous aqueous medium in a microchannel device is provided. At least two aqueous streams are brought together before entering a hydrophobic phase and thus forming droplets. One aqueous phase comprises an acid source and another comprises a metal ion salt. The slow release of metal ions slows down the rate of polymerisation so that it does not interfere with the droplet formation process. |
| US07728066B2 |
Conductive resin molding
A conductive resin molding for use in the separator of a fuel cell and its producing method in which lowering of production yield and increase of machining cost, which are the most important problems with the spread of fuel cell, can be suppressed.The conductive resin molding is characterized by containing 1-9 vol % of high boiling point oil against the entire resin composition. Alternatively, high density expanded graphite prepared to have a specific gravity of 1.8 or above is employed as a conductive compounding agent. Alternatively, the conductive resin molding can be molded by flash flow compression molding. |
| US07728065B2 |
Material for forming exposure light-blocking film, multilayer interconnection structure and manufacturing method thereof, and semiconductor device
To provide a material for forming an exposure light-blocking film which includes at least one of a silicon compound expressed by the following structural formula (1) and a silicon compound expressed by the following structural formula (2), wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is replaced by a substituent capable of absorbing exposure light. (where R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and each represents any one of a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, alkenyl group, cycloalkyl group and aryl group which are optionally substituted, and n is an integer of 2 or greater) (where R1, R2 and R3 may be the same or different, at least one of R1, R2 and R3 represents a hydrogen atom and the others represent any one of an alkyl group, alkenyl group, cycloalkyl group and aryl group which are optionally substituted, and n is an integer of 2 or greater) |
| US07728062B2 |
Ink formulations, modified pigment-based ink formulations and methods of making
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ink formulation and modified pigments. One exemplary modified pigment, among others, includes a pigment A represented by the formula in FIG. 3. |
| US07728059B2 |
Polycarbonate compositions and articles formed therefrom
A composition is disclosed having minimum halogen content, fire-retardance and/or drip-resistant characteristics. The composition comprises an effective amount of a polycarbonate, a glass fiber, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer, and a synergistic combination of an aromatic sulfone sulfonate such as potassium diphenylsulfone sulfonate with an aromatic sulfonate such as sodium salt of toluene sulfonic acid, optionally in the presence of an anti-drip agent. The polycarbonate composition is useful for manufacture of electronic and mechanical articles, among others. |
| US07728057B2 |
Use of polymer powder containing UV absorber for the stabilisation of polymers against the effects of UV radiation
The present invention relates to the use, for stabilizing polymers, in particular polyolefins, with respect to exposure to UV radiation, of fine-particle polymer powders comprising at least one UV absorber. The present invention further relates to stabilizer mixtures for stabilizing polymers with respect to exposure to UV radiation, oxygen and heat, which, inter alia, comprise these polymer powders, and to a process for stabilizing polymers, in particular polyolefins, with respect to exposure to UV radiation, oxygen and heat, which comprises adding, to the polymers, in particular to the polyolefins, an effective amount of these stabilizers. The present invention further relates to polymers, in particular polyolefins, which have been stabilized with respect to exposure to UV radiation or with respect to exposure to UV radiation, oxygen and heat, which comprise an effective amount of these polymer powders or, respectively, stabilizer mixtures, and to articles produced from these stabilized polymers, in particular polyolefins. |
| US07728048B2 |
Increasing thermal conductivity of host polymer used with laser engraving methods and compositions
the invention provides a composition having laser engraving properties, comprising a host material and a laser enhancing additive. The host material comprises a material, such as a polymer, modified by a first process, whereby the host material as modified by the first process has increased thermal conductivity as compared to the host material before the first process. The laser enhancing additive comprises a first quantity of at least one of copper potassium iodide (CuKI3), Copper Iodide (CuI), potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), and aluminum iodide (AlI), and a second quantity of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide (ZnS), barium sulfide (BaS), alkyl sulfonate, and thioester. |
| US07728047B2 |
Process for the recycling of expanded polystyrene
The invention relates to an enhanced process for the recycling of expanded polystyrene. Said process essentially comprises the reduction in volume of expanded polystyrene by means of dissolution in a solvent, separation of the insoluble components, selective precipitation of the polystyrene with an anti-solvent, separation, drying and extrusion of the precipitated polystyrene, recovery by distillation and recycling of the solvent. The process is characterized in that the anti-solvent is a butanol selected form n-butanol, iso-butanol or sec-butanol and the solvent is dimethyl carbonate, alone or in a mixture containing up to 25% by weight of butanol. |
| US07728045B2 |
Process for producing an absorbent polymer by means of spread-drying
The process according to the invention for production of an absorbent polymer comprising the following process steps: i) polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution to obtain a polymer gel; ii) comminution of the polymer gel to obtain a gel granulate; and iii) drying of the gel granulate, and is characterized in that the gel granulate after step ii) has a spread behavior. The production process of an absorbent polymer distinguishes itself by a particularly efficient drying step iii), which enables a particularly gentle and uniform drying of the gel granulate. The obtained absorbent polymers and products and items produced therefrom have a particularly uniform product quality and constant physical-chemical properties. |
| US07728043B2 |
Methods for treatment of beta-amyloid protein-induced ocular disease
The invention provides methods for treating beta-amyloid protein-involved ocular disease including age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, pharmaceutical compositions and compounds useful for the same, and the use of these compounds for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the same. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of natural product compounds isolated from Curcuma sp., Zingiber sp., Ginkgo biloba, Salvia sp., and Rosmarinus sp. and synthetic chemical analogues thereof, for the treatment of a beta-amyloid protein-involved ocular disease. |
| US07728037B2 |
Alpha-ketoglutarates of active ingredients and compositions containing same
Novel stable and pharmacologically acceptable salts of L-carnitine and lower alkanoyl L-carnitines with alpha-ketoglutaric acid are disclosed as well as the compositions useful as dietary and dietetic supplements, nutraceuticals or drugs containing same. |
| US07728033B2 |
Mycophenolate mofetil in diabetic nephropathy
The present invention relates to a method of treating diabetic nephropathy with a combination of an immunosuppressive agent and an ACE inhibitor. |
| US07728031B2 |
Octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole derivatives
Octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole derivatives are useful in treating conditions or disorders prevented by or ameliorated by histamine-3 receptor ligands, Octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrrole compounds, methods for using such compounds, compositions for making them, and processes for preparing such compounds are disclosed herein. |
| US07728030B2 |
Chemical compounds 572
Compounds of formula (I): The present invention relates to novel indazolyl ester or amide derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives, to processes for preparing such novel derivatives and to the use of such derivatives as medicaments. |
| US07728029B2 |
Adamantyl-pyrazole carboxamides as inhibitors of 11β-hdroxysteroid dehydrogenase
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. |
| US07728028B2 |
Substituted imidazoline compounds
Substituted imidazoline derivatives corresponding to Formula I: a method for producing them from substituted aldehyde compounds of Formula B: and the use of such imidazoline derivatives and aldehyde compounds to treat pain, depression, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, pruritus, alcohol and drug misuse, drug dependency, lethargy and/or anxiety. |
| US07728024B2 |
Metal salts of 2′-(1H-Tetrazol-5yl)-1.1′-biphenyl-4-carboxaldehyde
The invention relates to a method or process for the manufacture of blood pressure lowering agents, such as valsartan, novel intermediates as well as process steps in said synthesis. The method or process leads via the novel intermediate salts of the formula IA, or a tautomer thereof, wherein [kat]n+ is a cation and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. |
| US07728022B2 |
(4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydro-1-H-indol-7-yl) acetic acid derivatives for treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Compounds of formula I: are disclosed. The compounds are useful in treating or preventing diseases associated with deposition of Aβ in the brain. |
| US07728018B2 |
Sulfonylpyrazole and sulfonylpyrazoline carboxamidine derivatives as 5-HT6 antagonists
This invention concerns compounds of the general formula (1): and derivatives thereof, which are antagonists of 5-HT6 receptors, wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the description. The invention also concerns methods for the preparation of these compounds, to novel intermediates useful for their synthesis, and to uses of such compounds and compositions, particularly their use in administering them to patients to achieve a therapeutic effect in treating at least on disease or condition chosen from Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, manic depression, psychoses, epilepsy, obsessive compulsive disorders, mood disorders, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, age related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, sleep disorders, eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorders, panic attacks, akathisia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, withdrawal from abuse of cocaine, ethanol, nicotine or benzodiazepines, pain, disorders associated with spinal trauma or head injury, hydrocephalus, functional bowel disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, obesity and type-2 diabetes. |
| US07728017B2 |
Inhibitors of c-Met and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of c-Met tyrosine kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various proliferative disorders. |
| US07728015B2 |
Compositions for weight management
Pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed comprising betahistine, or a salt thereof, and olanzapine in amounts effective to reduce the weight gain associated with olanzapine administration. |
| US07728013B2 |
Method of modulating stress-activated protein kinase system
Disclosed are methods of modulating a stress activated protein kinase (SAPK) system with an active compound, wherein the active compound exhibits low potency for inhibition of at least one p38 MAPK; and wherein the contacting is conducted at a SAPK-modulating concentration that is at a low percentage inhibitory concentration for inhibition of the at least one p38 MAPK by the compound. Also disclosed are derivatives of pirfenidone. These derivatives can modulate a stress activated protein kinase (SAPK) system. |
| US07728011B2 |
Dermally applicable liquid formulations for controlling parasitic insects on animals
The present invention relates to novel skin-friendly dermally applicable liquid formulations comprising permethrin and agonists or antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of insects for controlling parasitic insects on animals. |
| US07728008B2 |
N-linked heterocyclic antagonists of P2Y1 receptor useful in the treatment of thrombotic conditions
The present invention provides novel ureas containing N-aryl or N-heteroaryl substituted heterocycles of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer, pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate form thereof, wherein the variables A, B, D and W are as defined herein. These compounds are selective inhibitors of the human P2Y1 receptor which can be used as medicaments. |
| US07728002B2 |
Use of pyrrolopyridine compounds for activating PPAR receptors and treatment of conditions involving such receptors
A method of activating PPAR receptors in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective PPAR receptor activating amount of a pyrrolopyridine compound corresponding to formula (I): wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, X, Ar and n have defined meanings, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, particularly as part of the treatment of a disorder or disease state selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and cerebral vascular disease. |
| US07727999B2 |
Spiroazacyclic compounds as monoamine receptor modulators
The present invention relates to optionally substituted 1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decan-2-one compounds as monoamine receptor modulators; compositions comprising the same; methods of inhibiting an activity of a monoamine receptor with said compounds; methods of treating a disease condition associated with a monoamine receptor using said compounds; and methods for identifying a subject suitable for treatment using said compounds. |
| US07727997B2 |
N,N′-substituted-1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane derivatives
Disclosed are compounds of the formula wherein the variables RN, RC, R1, R25, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. These compounds have activity as inhibitors of beta-secretase and are therefore useful in treating a variety of disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease. |
| US07727995B2 |
Antiherpes drug combinations
Composition and methods are disclosed that include a synergistic combination of an inhibitor of Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, and an antiherpes substance. |
| US07727994B2 |
Methods of treating patients suffering from movement disorders
The present invention is directed to methods of treating movement disorders by administering an effective amount of one or more adenosine A2A receptor antagonists to a patient in need thereof. The present invention also provides methods of decreasing the adverse effects of L-DOPA in patients receiving L-DOPA therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for treating Parkinson's disease patients with sub-clinically effective doses of L-DOPA by combining L-DOPA treatment with an effective amount of one or more adenosine A2A receptor antagonists (i.e., L-DOPA sparing effect). The present invention further provides methods of effective treatment of Parkinson's disease by co-administering at least one adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, L-DOPA and a dopamine agonist and/or a COMT inhibitor and/or a MAO inhibitor. The present invention further provides methods of prolonging effective treatment of Parkinson's disease by administering an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist singly or together with a dopamine agonist, and/or a COMT inhibitor, and/or a MAO inhibitor without prior or subsequent administration of L-DOPA, delaying or removing on-set of L-DOPA motor complication. |
| US07727990B2 |
Melanocortin receptor-specific piperazine and keto-piperazine compounds
Melanocortin receptor-specific compounds of the general formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, where X, W, J, Q, L1, L2, L3, R1a, R1b, R2a, and R2b are as defined in the specification, and the carbon atom marked with an asterisk can have any stereochemical configuration. Compounds disclosed herein bind to one or more melanocortin receptors and may be an agonist, a partial agonist, an antagonist, an inverse agonist or an antagonist of an inverse agonist as to one or more melanocortin receptors, and may be employed for treatment of one or more melanocortin receptor-associated conditions or disorders, including specifically treatment of obesity and related conditions. |
| US07727989B2 |
4-benzimidazol-2-yl-pyridazine-3-one-derivatives, production and use thereof in medicaments
The present invention relates to kinase inhibitor compounds and derivatives thereof as well as compositions comprising them consisting of the structure of formula I: Wherein R1, R2, A, B, D and E are defined herein. These 4-benzimidazol-2-ylpyridazin-3-ones and their derivatives and compositions comprising them are useful in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimers' disease, Parkinsons' disease, obesity, hypertension and the like. These pyridazinone derivatives particularly inhibit the metabolic activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK-3β) which is believed to cause the neurodegeneration that results in these diseases. |
| US07727988B2 |
Azabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl}alkyl)pyrimidinedione
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I)′ or a salt thereof: wherein G is selected from a group consisting of: phenyl, a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl group, or a 8- to 11-membered heteroaryl bicyclic group; A is a group P1 or a group P2 wherein P1 is and the other groups are define in herein. |
| US07727987B2 |
Crystalline forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride
Crystal forms of (6R)-L-erythro-tetrahydrobiopterin dihydrochloride, hydrates and solvates and processes for their preparation are provided. These crystal forms are either intermediates for the preparation of stable polymorphic form B or are suitable for solid formulations. |
| US07727986B2 |
Pesticide pyrimidinyloxy substituted phenylamidine derivatives
The present invention relates to 2,5-disubstituted-4-pyrimidinyl-substituted-phenyl-amidine derivatives of formula (I) in which the substituents are as in the description, notably to 2,5-dialkyl-4-pyrimidinyl-substituted-phenyl-amidine derivatives, their process of preparation, their use as fungicide or insecticide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide or insecticide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insects, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions. |
| US07727985B2 |
Beta-carbolines useful for treating inflammatory disease
This invention provides beta-carboline compounds of formula I: wherein Ring A is a substituted pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl or thiomorpholinyl ring and R1, R2 and R3 are as described in the specification. The compounds are IKK-2 inhibitors that are useful for treating IKK-2-mediated diseases such as inflammatory diseases and cancer. |
| US07727984B2 |
Medicaments for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula 1 wherein: n is 1 or 2; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or —O—C1-C4-alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or —O—C1-C4-alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, OH, halogen, —O—C1-C4-alkyl, —O—C1-C4-alkylene-COOH, or —O—C1-C4-alkylene-CO—O—C1-C4-alkyl, or an acid addition salt thereof with a pharmacologically acceptable acid, or a solvate or hydrate thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier, and methods for using the pharmaceutical formulation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). |
| US07727978B2 |
Cyclic 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors
Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, or salts thereof, wherein A, W, X and Z are defined herein. |
| US07727976B2 |
Bile-acid derived compounds for enhancing oral absorption and systemic bioavailability of drugs
Disclosed are compounds that exhibit high transport across the intestinal wall of an animal. The compounds may optionally be linked to drugs that are poorly absorbed or poorly transported across the intestinal wall after oral administration to provide for enhanced therapeutic, and optionally prolonged therapeutic, systemic blood concentrations of the drugs upon oral administration of the drug-compound conjugate. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods of using such compounds. |
| US07727975B2 |
Pectin-modified resistant starch, a composition containing the same and method for preparing resistant starch
This invention relates to a pectin-modified resistant starch prepared by cross-linking starch with pectin by pectinesterase reaction. Such resistant starch is low amylase digestible and thus is useful in food products, including nutritional supplements, to reduce calorie content and increase fiber content. This invention also relates to a composition containing the resistant starch and a process for the preparation of the same. |
| US07727971B2 |
Use of placental growth factor for treating ischemic muscle disease
The present invention relates to prevention and treatment of strokes and ischemic diseases and to post-ischemic therapeutic treatment. The invention furthermore relates to the use of a growth factor or nucleic acids ensuring increased expression of a growth factor for treating, more particularly restoring the function of ischemic tissue, in particular muscles such as myocardium and skeletal muscles. |
| US07727970B2 |
Multiple promoter expression cassettes for simultaneous delivery of RNAi agents targeted to Hepatitis C virus
The present invention provides multiple-promoter expression cassettes for simultaneous delivery of RNAi, preferably to mammalian cells in vivo. |
| US07727969B2 |
Controlled release nanoparticle having bound oligonucleotide for targeted delivery
The present invention relates to a conjugate that includes a nucleic acid ligand bound to a controlled release polymer system, a pharmaceutical composition that contains the conjugate, and methods of treatment using the conjugate. The controlled release polymer system includes an agent such as a therapeutic, diagnostic, prognostic, or prophylactic agent. The nucleic acid ligand that is bound to the controlled release polymer system, binds selectively to a target, such as a cell surface antigen, and thereby delivers the controlled release polymer system to the target. |
| US07727968B2 |
Combination therapy for the treatment of acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
Methods of treatment and pharmaceutical combinations are provided for the treatment of acute leukemia, such as acute myelogenous leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome. The methods of treatment and pharmaceutical combinations employ an anti-CD33 cytotoxic conjugate in combination with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an anthracycline and a pyrimidine or purine nucleoside analog. Preferred methods of treatment and pharmaceutical combinations employ gemtuzumab ozogamicin, daunorubicin, and cytarabine. |
| US07727967B2 |
Cyanooxime inhibitors of carbonyl reductase and methods of using said inhibitors in treatments involving anthracyclines
Compositions of matter for treating cancer patients are used to prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after treatment with anthracycline drugs, and to prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Preferred embodiments comprise a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds having halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) aryl groups, preferably halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) arylcyanooximes or phenylcyanooximes and derivatives or analogs thereof, including those comprising —CL or —F, or other substituents on an aryl/phenyl ring. The preferred composition of arylcyanooxime(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately from the at least one anthracycline compound. |
| US07727966B2 |
Stable needle-shaped crystals of natamycin
The present invention describes natamycin comprising needle shaped crystals. |
| US07727965B2 |
C-glycosylisoflavones having alkylaminoalkoxyl substituent, preparation and use of the same
The present invention relates to C-Glycosylisoflavones having alkylaminoalkoxyl substituent and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), and to the use of these compounds or compositions for the treatment or prevention of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases, in particular for the treatment of various cardiocerebral hypoxic-ischemic diseases, for the treatment or prevention of diabetes mellitus and complications thereof, and for the treatment or prevention of chemical poisoning, in particular alcoholism. |
| US07727964B2 |
Peptidomimetic inhibitors of post-proline cleaving enzymes
The present invention relates to inhibitors of post-proline cleaving enzymes, such as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such inhibitors. In particular, the inhibitors of the present invention are improved over those in the prior art by selection of particular classes of sidechains in the P1 and/or P2 position of the inhibitor. The compounds of the present invention can have a better therapeutic index, owing in part to reduced toxicity and/or improved specificity for the targeted protease. |
| US07727957B2 |
Treatment and delay of outset of Parkinson's disease
The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with synucleinopathic diseases, including Lewy bodies of alpha-synuclein in the brain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that induce a beneficial immunogenic response against the Lewy body. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Parkinson's disease. |
| US07727956B2 |
Deoxonadepsipeptides
Nonadepsipeptides and methods for their preparation and their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular bacterial infectious diseases are described. |
| US07727952B2 |
Methods for treating spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy using LHRH analogs
It is intended to provide a model animal faithfully reproducing the pathogenic conditions of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, a method of screening a remedy for polyglutamine disease using the same, and a remedy for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Namely, a nonhuman animal having the following characteristics (1) to (5) in its conditions or pathological findings: (1) showing progressive myoatrophy; (2) showing lowering in muscular power; (3) in immunostaining with the use of an anti-polyglutamine antibody, showing nuclear diffuse staining and nuclear inclusions; (4) in immunostaining with the use of an anti-androgen receptor antibody, showing nuclear diffuse staining and nuclear inclusions; and (5) showing a neurogenic change. A remedy for polyglutamine disease is screened by administering a test substance to this nonhuman animal and examining changes in its conditions or pathological findings. A remedy for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is prepared by using as the active ingredient a compound having an effect of inhibiting the secretion of testosterone. |
| US07727945B2 |
Modified polysaccharides
Modified polysaccharide polymers for use as anti-scalant and dispersant. The polymers are useful in compositions used in aqueous systems. The modified polysaccharides are also useful in detergent formulations, water treatment, dispersants and oilfield applications and as fiberglass binders. Such applications include a modified polysaccharide having up to about 70 mole % carboxyl groups per mole of polysaccharide ASU and up to about 20 mole % aldehyde groups per mole of polysaccharide ASU. The applications can also include a blend of modified polysaccharides and other synthetic polymers. |
| US07727944B2 |
Lubricant compositions containing seal conditioning agents
Compositions of an ester-containing phenolic antioxidant seal-conditioning agent represented by the formula and a second seal-conditioning agent selected from sulfolanes, benzyl ester, lactones, nitriles, and other ester-containing phenolic anitoxidant seal-conditioning agents, serve to protect the integrity of elastomeric materials in contact with lubricants. |
| US07727943B2 |
Titanium compounds and complexes as additives in lubricants
A lubricating composition comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity, 1 to 1000 parts per million by weight of titanium in the form of an oil-soluble titanium-containing material, and at least one additional lubricant additive provides beneficial effects on properties such as deposit control, oxidation, and filterability in engine oils. |
| US07727942B2 |
Lubricant coated sheet metal with improved deformation properties
The invention relates to sheet metal or a sheet metal blank provided with a lubricant coating, especially an anti-corrosion oil of the Pre-Lube or Dry Lube variety. The sheet metal or sheet metal blank comprises a layer which is formed by applying a solution containing an organic phosphoric acid ester to the metal surface of the sheet metal. Sheet metal provided with said coating has excellent tribological properties. |
| US07727939B2 |
Composition of base fluid and polymeric dispersing agent-absorbed polymer-coated colloidal particles
A method of controlling the pressure of a casing annulus in a subterranean well that includes injecting into the casing annulus a composition including a base fluid and a polymer coated colloidal solid material. The polymer coated colloidal solid material includes: a solid particle having an weight average particle diameter (d50) of less than two microns, and a polymeric dispersing agent coated onto the surface of the solid particle during the cominution (i.e. grinding) process utilized to make the colloidal particles. The polymeric dispersing agent may be a water soluble polymer having a molecular weight of at least 2000 Daltons. The solid particulate material may be selected from materials having of specific gravity of at least 2.68 and preferably the solid particulate material may be selected from barium sulfate (barite), calcium carbonate, dolomite, ilmenite, hematite, olivine, siderite, strontium sulfate, combinations and mixtures of these and other similar solids that should be apparent to one of skill in the art. |
| US07727936B2 |
Acidic treatment fluids comprising xanthan and associated methods
Acidic treatment fluids used in industrial and/or subterranean operations, and more particularly, acidic treatment fluids comprising clarified xanthan gelling agents, and methods of use in industrial and/or subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing an acidic treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a gelling agent that comprises clarified xanthan; and introducing the acidic treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation. |
| US07727935B2 |
Dual-function additives for enhancing fluid loss control and stabilizing viscoelastic surfactant fluids
Among many things, in some embodiments, dual-function additives that enhance fluid loss control and the stability of viscoelastic surfactant fluids, and their associated methods of use in subterranean formations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a dual-function additive that comprises a soap component; and introducing the viscoelastic surfactant fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. |
| US07727933B2 |
2-ethyl-4,6-dimethyl-phenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives
The invention relates to novel 2-ethyl-4,6-dimethylphenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives of the formula (I) in which A, B and G are as defined above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides, and also to selective herbicidal compositions comprising firstly the 2-ethyl-4,6-dimethylphenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives of the formula (I) (where G may also be hydrogen) and secondly at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound. |
| US07727931B2 |
Catalysts, activating agents, support media, and related methodologies useful for making catalyst systems especially when the catalyst is deposited onto the support media using physical vapor deposition
Use of physical vapor deposition methodologies to deposit nanoscale gold on activating support media makes the use of catalytically active gold dramatically easier and opens the door to significant improvements associated with developing, making, and using gold-based, catalytic systems. The present invention, therefore, relates to novel features, ingredients, and formulations of gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems generally comprising nanoscale gold deposited onto a nanoporous support. |
| US07727930B2 |
Catalyst, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell
A catalyst includes a conductive carrier and catalyst particles. The catalyst particles are supported on the conductive carrier and have a composition represented by formula 1, below. An area of a peak derived from a metal bond of a T-element is 15% or more of an area of a peak derived from an oxygen bond of the T-element in a spectrum obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic method. PtxRuyTz (1) where the T-element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb and Hf, x is 30 to 60 at. %, y is 20 to 50 at. % and z is 5 to 50 at. %. |
| US07727929B2 |
Process and catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of diolefins contained in an olefin containing stream and for the removal of arsenic therefrom and a method of making such catalyst
A catalyst having dual functionality for the removal of arsenic and the selective hydrogenation of diolefins from monoolefin-containing hydrocarbon streams that have an arsenic concentration and a diolefin concentration, and processes for making and using such catalyst. The catalyst is a heat treated shaped mixture of a refractory oxide and a Group VIII metal that is overlaid with additional Group VIII metal. |
| US07727927B2 |
Method of making tungsten-containing fuel cell catalysts
Activation of a tungsten-containing catalyst using water in a PEM-type fuel cell is described as well as cathode operation of the tungsten-containing catalyst. |
| US07727926B2 |
Diimine metal complexes, methods of synthesis, and method of using in oligomerization and polymerization
Novel α-diimine metal complexes, particularly iron complexes, having a phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are disclosed. The α-diimine metal complexes having a phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are produced by forming one of the α-diimine metal complex imine bonds in the presence of a metal salt or an α-acylimine metal complex. The α-diimine metal complexes having phenyl sulfidyl or substituted phenyl sulfidyl metal complexing group are useful for polymerizing or oligomerizing olefins. |
| US07727907B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device produced therewith
A semiconductor device (having an interlayer insulating film) which is sufficiently low in the dielectric constant and high in the mechanical strength is provided.A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: a step of forming a dielectric thin film in which a plurality of pores are arranged around a skeleton mainly made of a Si—O bond, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a desired element region is formed; a step of applying patterning on a surface of the dielectric thin film through a mask; and a step of bringing a gas containing at least one kind of tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TMCTS), hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) molecules into contact with the patterned surface of the dielectric thin film. |
| US07727906B1 |
H2-based plasma treatment to eliminate within-batch and batch-to-batch etch drift
This invention relates to electronic device fabrication for making devices such as semiconductor wafers and resolves the detrimental fluorine loading effect on deposition in the reaction chamber of a HDP CVD apparatus used for forming dielectric layers in high aspect ratio, narrow width recessed features with a repeating dep/etch/dep process. The detrimental fluorine loading effect in the chamber on deposition uniformity is reduced and wafers are provided having less deposition thickness variations by employing the method using a passivation treatment and precoating of the chamber before substrates are processed. In a preferred process, after each wafer of a batch is finished, the passivation steps are repeated. In a further preferred process, after all the wafers of a batch are finished, the passivation and precoat procedure is repeated. A preferred passivation gas is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. |
| US07727902B2 |
Composition for forming nitride coating film for hard mask
There is provided an underlayer coating that causes no intermixing with photoresist layer, can be formed by a spin-coating method, and can be used as a hard mask in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device. Concretely, it is an underlayer coating forming composition used in manufacture of semiconductor device including metal nitride particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 1000 nm, and an organic solvent. The metal nitride particles contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, silicon, tantalum, tungsten, cerium, germanium, hafnium, and gallium. |
| US07727900B2 |
Surface preparation for gate oxide formation that avoids chemical oxide formation
A cleaning sequence usable in semiconductor manufacturing efficiently cleans semiconductor substrates while preventing chemical oxide formation thereon. The sequence includes the sequence of: 1) treating with an HF solution; 2) treating with pure H2SO4; 3) treating with an H2O2 solution; 4) a DI water rinse; and 5) treatment with an HCl solution. The pure H2SO4 solution may include an H2SO4 concentration of about ninety-eight percent (98%) or greater. After the HCl solution treatment, the cleaned surface may be a silicon surface that is free of a chemical oxide having a thickness of 5 angstroms or greater. The invention finds particular advantage in semiconductor devices that utilize multiple gate oxide thicknesses. |
| US07727890B2 |
High aspect ratio electroplated metal feature and method
Disclosed are embodiments of an improved high aspect ratio electroplated metal structure (e.g., a copper or copper alloy interconnect, such as a back end of the line (BEOL) or middle of the line (MOL) contact) in which the electroplated metal fill material is free from seams and/or voids. Also, disclosed are embodiments of a method of forming such an electroplated metal structure by lining a high aspect ratio opening (e.g., a high aspect ratio via or trench) with a metal-plating seed layer and, then, forming a protective layer over the portion of the metal-plating seed layer adjacent to the opening sidewalls so that subsequent electroplating occurs only from the bottom surface of the opening up. |
| US07727886B2 |
Forming vias using sacrificial material
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for forming a sacrificial material layer, patterning it to obtain a first patterned sacrificial material layer, embedding the first patterned sacrificial material layer into a dielectric material, treating the first patterned sacrificial material layer to remove it to thus provide a patterned dielectric layer having a plurality of openings in which vias may be formed. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07727877B2 |
Method of manufacturing a wafer level package that uses the same seed layer for selectively electroplating a rewiring pattern and a conductive pillar
A method of manufacturing a wafer level package is disclosed, which may include: coating an insulation layer over one side of a semiconductor chip, on one side of which an electrode pad is formed, such that the electrode pad is open; forming a seed layer by depositing a conductive metal onto one side of the semiconductor chip; forming a rewiring pattern that is electrically connected with the electrode pad, by selective electroplating with the seed layer as an electrode; forming a conductive pillar that is electrically connected with the rewiring pattern, by selective electroplating with the seed layer as an electrode; and removing portions of the seed layer open to the exterior. By forming the rewiring pattern and the metal pillar using one seed layer, the manufacturing process can be simplified, whereby defects during the manufacturing process can be reduced and the reliability of the products can be improved. |
| US07727876B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of protecting passivation layer in a solder bump process
A flip chip semiconductor device has a substrate with a plurality of active devices formed thereon. A contact pad is formed on the substrate in electrical contact with the plurality of active devices. A passivation layer is formed over the substrate and intermediate conduction layer. An adhesive layer is formed over the passivation layer. A barrier layer is formed over the adhesive layer. A wetting layer is formed over the barrier layer. The barrier layer and wetting layer in a first region are removed, while the barrier layer, wetting layer, and adhesive layer in a second region are maintained. The adhesive layer over the passivation layer in the first region are maintained until the solder bumps are formed. By keeping the adhesive layer over the passivation layer until after formation of the solder bumps, less cracking occurs in the passivation layer. |
| US07727871B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device using etching solution
This disclosure concerns a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device comprising an etching process using an etching solution having ozone dissolved by 10 ppm or more into a liquid containing H2SO4 by 86 wt % to 97.9 wt %, HF by 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %, and H2O by 2 wt % to 4 wt %. |
| US07727870B2 |
Method of making a semiconductor device using a stressor
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and forming a p-channel device and an n-channel device, each of the p-channel device and the n-channel device comprising a source, a drain, and a gate, the p-channel device having a first sidewall spacer and the n-channel device having a second sidewall spacer. The method further includes forming a liner and forming a tensile stressor layer over the liner and removing a portion of the tensile stressor layer from a region overlying the p-channel device. The method further includes transferring a stress characteristic of an overlying portion of a remaining portion of the tensile stressor layer to a channel of the n-channel device. The method further includes using the remaining portion of the tensile stressor layer as a hard mask, forming a first recess and a second recess adjacent the gate of the p-channel device. |
| US07727869B2 |
Method of forming metal wiring and method of manufacturing active matrix substrate
A method of forming a metal wiring includes: forming a foundation layer on a substrate; applying a solution including fine metal particles and a dispersion stabilizer on the foundation layer; and heating the applied solution to form into a conductive layer, wherein after the applying of the solution, the conductive layer is formed by starting the heating of the applied solution within a detained time. |
| US07727867B2 |
Method for manufacturing SIMOX wafer
A MLD-SIMOX wafer is obtained by forming a first ion-implanted layer in a silicon wafer; forming a second ion-implanted layer that is in an amorphous state; and subjecting the wafer to a high-temperature heat treatment to maintain the wafer in an atmosphere containing oxygen at a temperature that is not lower than 1300° C. but lower than a silicon melting point to change the first and the second ion-implanted layers into a BOX layer, wherein the dose amount for the first ion-implanted layer is 1.25 to 1.5×1017 atoms/cm2, the dose amount for the second ion-implanted layer is 1.0×1014 to 1×1016 atoms/cm2, the wafer is preheated to a temperature of 50° C. to 200° C. before forming the second ion-implanted layer, and the second ion-implanted layer is formed in a state where it is continuously heated to a preheating temperature. |
| US07727866B2 |
Use of chained implants in solar cells
The manufacture of solar cells is simplified and cost reduced through by performing successive ion implants, without an intervening thermal cycle. In addition to reducing process time, the use of chained ion implantations may also improve the performance of the solar cell. In another embodiment, two different species are successively implanted without breaking vacuum. In another embodiment, the substrate is implanted, then flipped such that it can be and implanted on both sides before being annealed. In yet another embodiment, one or more different masks are applied and successive implantations are performed without breaking the vacuum condition, thereby reducing the process time. |
| US07727865B2 |
Method for controlling conductivity of Ga2O3single crystal
To provide a method of controlling a conductivity of a Ga2O3 system single crystal with which a conductive property of a β-Ga2O3 system single crystal can be efficiently controlled.The light emitting element includes an n-type β-Ga2O3 substrate, and an n-type β-AlGaO3 cladding layer, an active layer, a p-type β-AlGaO3 cladding layer and a p-type β-Ga2O3 contact layer which are formed in order on the n-type β-Ga2O3 substrate. A resistivity is controlled to fall within the range of 2.0×10−3 to 8×102 Ωcm and a carrier concentration is controlled to fall within the range of 5.5×1015 to 2.0×1019/cm3 by changing a Si concentration within the range of 1×10−5 to 1 mol %. |
| US07727860B2 |
Method for manufacturing bonded wafer and outer-peripheral grinding machine of bonded wafer
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a bonded wafer, which includes at least the steps of bonding a bond wafer and a base wafer, grinding an outer peripheral portion of the bonded bond wafer, etching off an unbonded portion of the ground bond wafer, and then reducing a thickness of the bond wafer, wherein, in the step of grinding the outer peripheral portion, the bonded bond wafer is ground so as to form a groove along the outer peripheral portion of the bond wafer to form an outer edge portion outside the groove; and in the subsequent step of etching, the outer edge portion is removed together with the groove portion of the bond wafer to form a terrace portion where the base wafer is exposed at the outer peripheral portion of the bonded wafer. Thus, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a bonded wafer, which can reduce the number of dimples formed in a terrace portion of a base wafer upon removing an outer peripheral portion of a bonded bond wafer. |
| US07727857B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide a thin semiconductor device having flexibility. A groove is formed in one surface of a substrate; an element layer including an element is formed, the element being disposed within the groove; the substrate is thinned from the other surface of the substrate until one surface of the element layer is exposed, to form a layer which is to be transposed, having the element; and the layer to be transposed is transposed onto the film. |
| US07727856B2 |
Selective STI stress relaxation through ion implantation
A first example embodiment comprises the following steps and the structure formed therefrom. A trench having opposing sidewalls is formed within a substrate. A stress layer having an inherent stress is formed over the opposing trench sidewalls. The stress layer having stress layer sidewalls over the trench sidewalls. Ions are implanted into one or more portions of the stress layer to form ion-implanted relaxed portions with the portions of the stress layer that are not implanted are un-implanted portions, whereby the inherent stress of the one or more ion-implanted relaxed portions of stress layer portions is relaxed. |
| US07727854B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
An IC card is more expensive than a magnetic card, and an electronic tag is also more expensive as a substitute for bar codes. Therefore, the present invention provides an extremely thin integrated circuit that can be mass-produced at low cost unlike a chip of a conventional silicon wafer, and a manufacturing method thereof. One feature of the present invention is that a thin integrated circuit is formed by a formation method that can form a pattern selectively, on a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a stainless substrate, a substrate made of synthetic resin having flexibility, such as acryl, or the like except for a bulk substrate. Further, another feature of the present invention is that an ID chip in which a thin film integrated circuit and an antenna according to the present invention are mounted is formed. |
| US07727851B2 |
Method of measuring shifted epitaxy layer by buried layer
A method of measuring a shifted extent of a shifted epitaxy layer by an N+ buried layer using difference between contact resistances is described. An N-type buried layer comprising a stepped portion is formed at a P-type substrate. An epitaxy layer is formed, comprising a stepped portion, on the N-type buried layer. A plug is formed in the epitaxy layer. An insulating layer is formed on the epitaxy layer. A plurality of contacts are formed in the insulating layer. Resistances of the plurality of contacts are measured and a shifting extent of the stepped portion of the epitaxy layer is calculated using the plurality of contact resistances. |
| US07727848B2 |
Methods and semiconductor structures for latch-up suppression using a conductive region
Semiconductor structures and methods for suppressing latch-up in bulk CMOS devices. The semiconductor structure comprises first and second adjacent doped wells formed in the semiconductor material of a substrate. A trench, which includes a base and first sidewalls between the base and the top surface, is defined in the substrate between the first and second doped wells. The trench is partially filled with a conductor material that is electrically coupled with the first and second doped wells. Highly-doped conductive regions may be provided in the semiconductor material bordering the trench at a location adjacent to the conductive material in the trench. |
| US07727847B2 |
Method for manufacturing display device
A light-absorbing layer is selectively formed over an insulating surface, an insulating layer is formed over the insulating surface and the light-absorbing layer, the insulating surface, the light-absorbing layer, and the insulating layer are irradiated with laser light to selectively remove only the insulating layer above the light-absorbing layer in an irradiated region of the insulating layer so that an opening reaching the light-absorbing layer is formed in the insulating layer, and a conductive film is formed in the opening so as to be in contact with the light-absorbing layer. By forming the conductive film in the opening so as to be in contact with the exposed light-absorbing layer, the conductive film can be electrically connected to the light-absorbing layer with the insulating layer interposed therebetween. |
| US07727839B2 |
Method of manufacturing NAND flash memory device
A method of manufacturing a NAND flash memory device is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate of a portion in which a source select line SSL and a drain select line DSL will be formed is recessed selectively or entirely to a predetermined depth. Accordingly, the channel length of a gate can be increased and disturbance can be reduced. It is therefore possible to improve the reliability and yield of devices. |
| US07727838B2 |
Method to improve transistor Tox using high-angle implants with no additional masks
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate structure over a semiconductor body, and forming a shadowing structure over the semiconductor body laterally spaced from the gate structure, thereby defining an active area in the semiconductor body therebetween. The method further includes performing an angled implant into the gate structure, wherein the shadowing structure substantially blocks dopant from the angled implant from implanting into the active area, and performing a source/drain implant into the gate structure and the active area. |
| US07727837B2 |
Method of producing an integrated circuit having a capacitor with a supporting layer
A method of forming an integrated circuit having a capacitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a capacitor element with a first electrode, a dielectric layer and a second electrode. The capacitor element is formed using a support layer. |
| US07727833B2 |
Work function based voltage reference
A voltage reference is created from an operational amplifier circuit having two substantially identical P-channel metal oxide semiconductor (P-MOS) transistors with each one having a different gate dopant. The different gate dopants result in different threshold voltages for each of the two otherwise substantially identical P-MOS transistors. The difference between these two threshold voltages is then used to create the voltage reference equal to the difference. The two P-MOS transistors are configured as a differential pair in the operational amplifier circuit and the output of the operational amplifier is used as the voltage reference. |
| US07727832B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is made possible to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that includes CMISs each having a low threshold voltage Vth and a Ni-FUSI/SiON or high-k gate insulating film structure. The method comprises: forming a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region insulated from each other in a substrate; forming a first and second gate insulating films on the p-type and n-type semiconductor regions, respectively; forming a first nickel silicide having a composition of Ni/Si<31/12 above the first gate insulating film, and a second nickel silicide having a composition of Ni/Si≧31/12 on the second gate insulating film; and segregating aluminum at an interface between the first nickel silicide and the first gate insulating film by diffusing aluminum through the first nickel silicide. |
| US07727829B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device having a removable sidewall spacer
A semiconductor device is formed using a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode layer is formed over the gate dielectric. A patterned masking layer is formed over the gate electrode layer. A first region of the gate electrode layer lies within an opening in the patterned masking layer. The first region of the gate electrode layer is partially etched to leave an elevated portion of the gate electrode layer and a lower portion adjacent to the elevated portion. A sidewall spacer is formed adjacent to the elevated portion and over the lower portion. An implant is performed into the semiconductor substrate using the elevated portion and the sidewall spacer as a mask. The sidewall spacer and the lower portion are removed. |
| US07727824B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof
A liquid crystal display device may comprise a semiconductor layer on a substrate and including a channel portion and ohmic contact portions at both sides of the channel portion, wherein an edge portion of the semiconductor layer has a side surface of a substantially tapered shape; a gate insulating layer covering the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer and substantially corresponding to the channel portion; source and drain electrodes contacting the semiconductor layer; and a pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode. |
| US07727820B2 |
Misalignment-tolerant methods for fabricating multiplexing/demultiplexing architectures
This disclosure relates to misalignment-tolerant processes for fabricating multiplexing/demultiplexing architectures. One process enables fabricating a multiplexing/demultiplexing architecture at a tolerance greater than a pitch of conductive structures with which the architecture is capable of communicating. Another process can enable creation of address elements and conductive structures having substantially identical widths. |
| US07727816B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with offset stacked die
An integrated circuit package system provides a leadframe having a short lead finger and a long lead finger. A first die is placed in the leadframe. A second die is offset from the first die. The offset second die is attached to the first die and the long lead finger with an adhesive. The first die is electrically connected to the short lead finger. The second die is electrically connected to at least the long lead finger or the short lead finger. At least portions of the leadframe, the first die, and the second die are encapsulated in an encapsulant. |
| US07727815B2 |
Reactive gettering in phase change solders to inhibit oxidation at contact surfaces
A method for forming a high thermal conductivity heat sink to IC package interface is disclosed. The method uses reactive getter materials added to a two phase solder system having a phase change temperature that is about the normal operating temperature range of the IC, to bind absorbed and dissolved oxygen in the two phase solder interface material at or near the air to solder surface. Over time this chemical binding action results in an oxide layer at the air to solder surface that slows the rate of oxygen absorption into the solder interface material, and thus reduces the harmful oxidation of the solder to IC package interface and the solder to heat sink interface. |
| US07727813B2 |
Method for making a device including placing a semiconductor chip on a substrate
A method for making a device is disclosed. One embodiment provides a substrate having a first element protruding from the substrate. A semiconductor chip has a first electrode on a first surface and a second electrode on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor chip is placed over the first element of the substrate with the first surface of the semiconductor chip facing the substrate. The second electrode of the semiconductor chip is electrically coupled to the substrate, and the substrate is at least partially removed. |
| US07727808B2 |
Ultra thin die electronic package
A method for forming an ultra thin die electronic package includes disposing a first polymer film on a first substrate, applying a first adhesive layer to the first polymer film, disposing at least one die on the first adhesive layer, disposing a second polymer film on at least one additional substrate, applying a second adhesive layer to the second polymer film on at least one additional substrate, applying a second adhesive layer to the second polymer film, and attaching the first substrate and the at least one additional substrate via the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer such that the at least one die is interspersed between. The method also includes forming multiple vias on a top and/or bottom side of the first and the additional substrate(s), wherein the multiple vias are directly connected to the die, and forming an electrical interconnection between the first substrate, the at least one additional substrate and a die pad of the at least one die. |
| US07727805B2 |
Reducing stress in a flip chip assembly
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for depositing lead-free bumps on a package substrate, depositing an alloy material on the lead-free bumps, attaching a semiconductor die including conductive bumps to the package substrate so that the conductive bumps contact the alloy material, and heating attached components to reflow the alloy material to form a joint therebetween. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07727802B2 |
Method for fabricating an electronic component embedded substrate
A method for fabricating an electronic component embedded substrate including an electronic component that is embedded within a buildup layer is disclosed. The method includes a first buildup layer lamination step of laminating plural first buildup layers on a core substrate such that the total thickness of the first buildup layers corresponds to the thickness of the electronic component; a cavity formation step of forming a cavity for accommodating the electronic component at the laminated first buildup layers; an accommodating step of accommodating the electronic component within the cavity; and a second buildup layer lamination step of laminating a second buildup layer on the first buildup layers and the electronic component. |
| US07727801B2 |
Apparatus for improved power distribution in wirebond semiconductor packages
A semiconductor package comprising a die adjacent a substrate, a supporting plate adjacent the die, and a conducting plate abutting the supporting plate and electrically coupled to a metal apparatus adjacent the substrate and the die using a plurality of bond wires. The metal apparatus supplies power to the conducting plate. |
| US07727799B2 |
Integrated circuit package
Two integrated circuits 1, 3, 101, 103 having circuitry on one of their major surfaces 11, 31, 111, 131 are ground on their opposite major surfaces 13, 33 to reduce their thickness. The ground integrated circuits are then adhered together to form a composite body 7 and placed in a chamber 97, 197 formed within a substrate 9, 109 such as a printed circuit board. Electrical connections are formed between contacts 15, 35, 115, 135 of the integrated circuits 1, 3, 101, 103 and contacts 92, 192 of the substrate 9, 109. Components 22 may be mounted on the outer surfaces 24 of the substrate 9, 109. |
| US07727796B2 |
Method for patterning detector crystal using Q-switched laser
A semiconductor radiation detector crystal is patterned by using a Q-switched laser to selectively remove material from a surface of said semiconductor radiation detector crystal, thus producing a groove in said surface that penetrates deeper than the thickness of a diffused layer on said surface. |
| US07727794B2 |
Photodiode array, method for manufacturing same, and radiation detector
A theme is to prevent the generation of noise due to damage in a photodetecting portion in a mounting process in a photodiode array, a method of manufacturing the same, and a radiation detector. In a photodiode array, wherein a plurality of photodiodes (4) are formed in array form on a surface at a side of an n-type silicon substrate (3) onto which light to be detected is made incident and penetrating wirings (8), which pass through from the incidence surface side to the back surface side, are formed for the photodiodes (4), the photodiode array (1) is arranged with a transparent resin film (6), which covers the formed regions of the photodiodes (4) and transmits the light to be detected, provided at the incidence surface side. |
| US07727792B2 |
Laser diode epitaxial wafer and method for producing same
A laser diode epitaxial wafer has an n-type GaAs substrate, an n-type cladding layer formed on the n-type GaAs substrate, an active layer formed on the n-type cladding layer, and a p-type cladding layer formed on the active layer. The n-type cladding layer, the active layer, and the p-type cladding layer are formed of an AlGaInP-based material. The p-type cladding layer has carbon as a p-type impurity. The p-type cladding layer has a carrier concentration in the range of not less than 8.0×1017 cm−3 and not more than 1.5×1018 cm−3. |
| US07727788B2 |
Method of manufacturing display device using LED chips formed in a porous template
A method for manufacturing a display device using light emitting diode chips contemplates manufacturing a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) chips using a porous template; forming a plurality of first electrodes on a substrate; attaching the LED chips to pixel sites on the first electrodes using fluidic self assembly (FSA); and forming a plurality of second electrodes on a top surface of the LED chips. |
| US07727787B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device and the nitride semiconductor light emitting device manufactured by the method, the method including: forming a light emitting structure by sequentially growing a first conductivity nitride layer, an active layer and a second conductivity type nitride layer on a preliminary substrate for nitride single crystal growth; separating the light emitting structure in accordance with a size of final light emitting device; forming a conductive substrate on the light emitting structure; polishing a bottom surface of the preliminary substrate to reduce a thickness of the preliminary substrate; forming uneven surface structures by machining the preliminary substrate; selectively removing the preliminary substrate to expose portions of the first conductivity type nitride layer; and forming electrodes on the portions of the first conductivity type nitride layer exposed by selectively removing the preliminary substrate. |
| US07727784B2 |
Display device and fabrication method thereof
The present invention provides a display device which forms thin film transistor circuits differing in characteristics from each other on a substrate in mixture and a fabrication method of the display device. On a glass substrate having a background layer which is formed by stacking an SiN film and an SiO2 film, a precursor film which is constituted of an a-Si layer or a fine particle crystalline p-Si layer is formed and the implantation is applied to the precursor film. Here, an acceleration voltage and a dose quantity are adjusted such that a proper quantity of dopant is dosed in the inside of the precursor film. When the precursor film is melted by laser radiation, the dopant dosed in the precursor film is activated and taken into the precursor. |
| US07727783B2 |
Method of measuring minority carrier diffusion length and method of manufacturing silicon wafer
A method of measuring a diffusion length of a minority carrier in a silicon wafer by a surface photovoltage method including irradiating the surface-treated silicon wafer with ultraviolet radiation in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, and measuring a diffusion length of a minority carrier in a silicon wafer by a surface photovoltage method. |
| US07727782B2 |
Apparatus for improving incoming and outgoing wafer inspection productivity in a wafer reclaim factory
An apparatus and method for inspecting wafers at a reclaim factory is described. Embodiments of the invention describe an apparatus in which a wafer ID and wafer thickness may be simultaneously measured. A wafer is placed onto a sloped surface and positioned by aligning a notch in the wafer with a pin located on the surface, and by propping the wafer against a pair of laterally opposite restraints. In one embodiment, a foot-switch is used to trigger the simultaneous wafer ID and wafer thickness measurements. |
| US07727781B2 |
Manufacture of devices including solder bumps
Typical testing of solder joints, (e.g. joints at printed circuit board pads) has not proven totally predictive of the ultimate performance of such joints. It has been found that this lack of reliability is, at least in part, due to the tendency during testing for these pads to lose adhesion to, or delaminate from, the underlying substrate. In contrast, such occurrence is not typical of phenomena induced during typical device usage. To remove this source of unreliability, a test structure is made together with the manufacturing device lot. The same pad processing is used and the pad size is substantially enlarged in the test structure. The test structure is employed to predict performance of devices in the lot and then the lot is processed accordingly. |
| US07727779B2 |
Method of fabricating and/or repairing a light emitting device
A method of repairing a light emitting device which makes high quality image display possible even if a pin hole is formed during formation of an EL layer is provided. The method of repairing a light emitting device is characterized in that a reverse bias voltage is applied to an EL element at given time intervals to thereby reduce a current flowing into an EL element when the reverse bias voltage is applied to the EL element. |
| US07727769B2 |
Measurement result correction method, urine analysis system, and urine analyzer
A urine analysis system includes a urinary particle analyzer and a computer. The urinary particle analyzer has a measuring unit that measures a cast concentration from the urine and an electric conductivity sensor that measures the electric conductivity of the urine. The computer has a function of correcting the cast concentration measured by the measuring unit on the basis of the electric conductivity of the urine measured by the electric conductivity sensor and a function of outputting the corrected cast concentration. |
| US07727763B2 |
Differentiation of multi-lineage progenitor cells to respiratory epithelial cells
Fetal blood multi-lineage progenitor cells that are capable of a wide spectrum of transdifferentiation are described, as well as methods of differentiating the progenitor cells into type II alveolar cells. |
| US07727761B2 |
Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) protein and gene, mutants thereof, and uses thereof
Provided are purified and isolated VEGF-C polypeptides capable of binding to at least one of KDR receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2) and Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-3); analogs of such peptides that have VEGF-C-like or VEGF-like biological activities or that are VEGF or VEGF-C inhibitors; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; vectors and host cells that embody the polynucleotides; pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising the polypeptides; and methods of making and using the polypeptides. |
| US07727760B2 |
Cell colonies dissecting and transplanting apparatus
A cell colonies dissecting and transplanting apparatus comprises: a base, a platform, a feeding mechanism having at least three axis feeding means, a movable holder, a cutting means, a transplanting means, and a CCD image capturing means. The platform having the CCD image capturing means therebottom is disposed onto the base, and on the platform is defined with the holder for receiving a plurality of loading trays, so as to the original cell colonies and a plurality of media boards of subculture can be placed on the loading trays of holder, the holder can displace from a first axis feeding means and a second axis feeding means of feeding mechanism to moveably align with a first axis and a second axis. In addition, the cutting means and the transplanting means respectively capable of vertically move along a third axis feeding means of feeding mechanism are arranged onto the base, wherein the cutting means is provided with an array of invertable blades, and the transplanting means is defined with a bent capture needle for capturing the cell masses, whereby enabling to use operational analysis of controller to precisely cut, capture and pickedly place the original cell colonies. |
| US07727759B2 |
Structure for cell culture, cell culture vessel, structure with spheroid, vessel with spheroid, and manufacturing methods thereof
By using a microfabrication technique such as nanoimprinting, a structure for cell culture comprising: a concavo-convex structure having a plurality of successive unit structures each formed in a polygonal shape in a planar direction and having a minimum internal diameter of less than or equal to 3 μm, wherein a width between adjoining unit structures is less than or equal to 3 μm, a concavo-convex depth is greater than or equal to 10 nm, and the concavo-convex structure functions as a cell adherence surface. By culturing cells in this structure or a cell culture vessel comprising this structure integrated therein, a structure having a spheroid or a vessel having a spheroid, in which a spheroid with lamellipodia has been formed, can be obtained. Thus, it is possible to produce the structure or the cell culture vessel in which the shape, size and material of the peak-and-valley structure are controlled. Furthermore, a spheroid suitable for, e.g., screening a drug can be easily cultured within a short period of time at a low cost. |
| US07727755B2 |
Enzyme and methodology for the treatment of a biomass
An enzyme isolated from an extremophilic microbe, and a method for utilizing same is described, and wherein the enzyme displays optimum enzymatic activity at a temperature of greater than about 80° C., and a pH of less than about 2, and further may be useful in methodology including pretreatment of a biomass so as to facilitate the production of an end product. |
| US07727750B2 |
Biocatalytic asymmetric reduction in preparation of (S)-N-[5-(1,2-dihydroxy-ethyl)-pyrazinyl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide
The present invention relates to biocatalytic asymmetric reduction for the preparation of 2-amino-[5-(1-hydroxy-2-hydroxy or halogen-ethyl)]-pyrazine derivatives of the formula wherein R is lower alkylcarbonyl or an amino protecting group and R1 is hydroxy or halogen. The compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of a glucokinase activator. |
| US07727748B2 |
Method for producing D-pantothenic acid and/or salts thereof via purification by anion exchange as an additive for animal feed
The invention relates to an improved method for producing D-pantothenic acid and/or the salts thereof and to the use thereof as an additive for animal feed. |
| US07727746B2 |
Upflow reactor for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose
A process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to produce a hydrolysis product from a pre-treated cellulosic feedstock is provided. The process comprises introducing an aqueous slurry of the pre-treated cellulosic feedstock at the bottom of a hydrolysis reactor. Axial dispersion in the reactor is limited by avoiding mixing and maintaining an average slurry flow velocity of about 0.1 to about 20 feet per hour, such that the undissolved solids flow upward at a rate slower than that of the liquid. Cellulase enzymes are added to the aqueous slurry before or during the step of introducing. An aqueous stream comprising hydrolysis product and unhydrolyzed solids is removed from the hydrolysis reactor. Also provided are enzyme compositions which comprise cellulase enzymes and flocculents for use in the process. In addition, a kit comprising cellulase enzymes and flocculent is provided. |
| US07727741B2 |
Antigen binding molecules that bind EGFR, vectors encoding same, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human EGFR. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function. |
| US07727737B2 |
Kit for rapid determination of thiopurine methyltransferase activity
This document provides methods and materials related to rapid, quantitative determination of TPMT activity in biological samples. Also featured are compositions and kits useful for determination of TPMT activity in biological samples. |
| US07727730B2 |
Methods and kits for detection of thromboxane A2 metabolites
Methods, compositions and kits are provided for measuring aspirin's anti-thrombotic effectiveness on a subject. Included are a novel assay for quickly and specifically measuring TxA2 metabolite levels in urine and correlating the levels with aspirin dose in a subject. The methods, compositions and kits utilize a novel anti TxA2 metabolite antibody. |
| US07727729B2 |
Assays for sensory modulators using a sensory cell specific G-protein alpha subunit
The invention identifies nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of a sensory cell specific G-protein alpha subunit that are specifically expressed in sensory cells, e.g., taste cells, antibodies to such G-protein alpha subunits, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and subunits, and methods of screening for modulators of a sensory cell specific G-protein alpha subunit. |
| US07727728B2 |
Method for the in vitro titration of an NCTA application thereof in a method for the evaluation and/or monitoring of a biological product production method
The invention relates to a method for the in vitro titration of a non-conventional transmissible agent (NCTA), using transgenic cell lines. The invention also relates to: the application of the aforementioned in vitro titration method in a method for the in vitro evaluation and/or monitoring of the effectiveness of a biological production or treatment method or of one or more steps in such a method for the elimination of an NCTA, and to the application thereof in a method for the in vitro evaluation and/or monitoring of a decontamination procedure. |
| US07727723B2 |
Droplet-based pyrosequencing
The present invention relates to a droplet microactuator and to systems, apparatuses and methods employing the droplet microactuator for executing various protocols using droplets. The invention includes a droplet microactuator or droplet microactuator system having one or more input reservoirs loaded with reagents for conducting sequencing protocols, such as the reagents for conducting a pyrosequencing protocol. The invention also includes a droplet microactuator or droplet microactuator system, having one or more input reservoirs loaded with a sample for conducting a pyrosequencing protocol. |
| US07727722B2 |
Ligation amplification
Provided herein are methods and agents for ligation-based exponential ribonucleic acid amplification followed by detection using a nucleic acid polymerization reaction employing terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides including three or more phosphates as substrates for nucleic acid polymerase. |
| US07727719B2 |
Methods for diagnosing episodic movement disorders and related conditions
The present invention provides compositions and methods for research, diagnostic, drug screening, and therapeutic applications related to paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis and related conditions. In particular, the present invention provides mutations in the myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 (MR-1) gene associated with such conditions. |
| US07727716B2 |
Detection of immobilized nucleic acid
The present invention provides methods for determining the presence of immobilized nucleic acid employing unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that are derivatives of thiazole orange, a staining solution and select fluorogenic compounds that are characterized as being essentially non-genotoxic. The methods comprise immobilizing nucleic acid, single or double stranded DNA, RNA or a combination thereof, on a solid or semi solid support, contacting the immobilized nucleic acid with an unsymmetrical cyanine dye compound and then illuminating the immobilized nucleic acid with an appropriate wavelength whereby the presence of the nucleic acid is determined. The cyanine dye compounds are typically present in an aqueous staining solution comprising the dye compound and a tris acetate or tris borate buffer wherein the solution facilitates the contact of the dye compound and the immobilized nucleic acid. Typically the solid or semi-solid support is selected from the group consisting of a polymeric gel, a membrane, an array, a glass bead, a glass slide, and a polymeric microparticle. Preferably, the polymeric gel is agarose or polyacrylamide. The methods employing the non-genotoxic compounds represent an improvement over commonly used methods employing ethidium bromide wherein the present methods retain the advantages of ethidium bromide, ease of use and low cost, but without the disadvantageous, known mutagen requiring special handling and waste procedures. |
| US07727713B2 |
Templated molecules and methods for using such molecules
The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing templated molecules. In one aspect of the invention, the templated molecules are linked to the template which templated the synthesis thereof. The intion allows the generation of libraries which can be screened for e.g. therapeutic activity. |
| US07727712B2 |
Methods of suppressing hepatitis virus infection using immunomodulatory polynucleotide sequences
Methods are provided for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. A polynucleotide comprising an immunostimulatory sequence is administered to a individual who has been exposed to or infected by HBV and/or HCV. The polynucleotide is not administered with a HCV or HBV antigen. Administration of the polynucleotide results in amelioration of symptoms of HBV and/or HCV infection. |
| US07727710B2 |
Materials, methods, and kits for reducing nonspecific binding of molecules to a surface
The present invention provides materials, methods, and kits for reducing nonspecific binding of molecules to a surface, particularly in a solid phase material, and more specifically a solid phase material that includes a hydrophobic portion, by contacting the solid phase material with a fluorinated nonionic surfactant comprising two or more fluorinated hydrophobic segments and one or more hydrophilic segments. |
| US07727709B2 |
Method of forming resist pattern and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention improves the OPE characteristic generated by the difference between sparse and dense mask patterns and promotes fidelity in the design of the pattern. Because of this, the present invention includes a step of forming a resist having an acid dissociative dissolution suppression group on a substrate, a step of coating the resist with an acid polymer dissolved in an alcohol based solvent and forming an upper layer film, a step of exposing through a mask, a step of performing a baking process, and a step of processing with an alkali developer, and wherein in the step of performing a baking process, a mixing layer is formed on the resist by the upper layer film and in which a thicker mixing layer is formed in an unexposed part of a region where the pattern density of the mask pattern is high compared to a region where the pattern density is low. |
| US07727708B2 |
Method for fabricating dual damascene structures
A method for fabricating a dual damascene structure includes providing a multi-layer photoresist stack comprising a first photoresist layer and a second photoresist layer, wherein each photoresist layer has a distinct dose-to-clear value, exposing said photoresist stack to one or more predetermined patterns of light, and developing said photo-resist layers to form a multi-tiered structure in the photo-resist layers. |
| US07727707B2 |
Barrier film material and pattern formation method using the same
A resist film is first formed on a substrate. Subsequently, a barrier film including a basic compound of, for example, dicyclohexylamine is formed on the resist film. Thereafter, with an immersion liquid including cesium sulfate provided on the barrier film, pattern exposure is carried out by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light through the barrier film. Then, after removing the barrier film, the resist film having been subjected to the pattern exposure is developed, so as to form a resist pattern in a good shape. |
| US07727705B2 |
High etch resistant underlayer compositions for multilayer lithographic processes
An etch resistant thermally curable Underlayer for use in a multiplayer liyhographic process to produce a photolithographic bilayer coated substrate, the composition having: (a) at least one cycloolefin polymer comprising at least one repeating unit of Structure (I), and at least one repeating unit of Structure (II), and optionally at least one repeating unit of Structure (III) with the proviso that neither Structure (I) nor Structure (II) nor Structure (III) contains acid sensitive groups. b) at least one cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of an amino or phenolic cross-linking agent; c) a least one thermal acid generator (TAG); d) at lest one solvent; and e) optionally, at least one surfactant. |
| US07727704B2 |
Positive resist compositions and patterning process
In a positive resist composition comprising (A) a resin component which becomes soluble in an alkaline developer under the action of an acid and (B) a photoacid generator, component (A) is a polymer of formula (1) wherein R1 is H, methyl or trifluoromethyl, R2 and R3 are alkyl, R4 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X1 is O, S or CH2CH2, X2 is O, S, CH2 or CH2CH2, n is 1 or 2, a1, a2, c, d1 and d2 each are from 0 to less than 1, b is from 0.01 to less than 1, and a1+a2+b+c+d1+d2=1. The resist composition forms a pattern with high rectangularity at an enhanced resolution when processed by ArF lithography. |
| US07727702B2 |
Method of coloring a coating composition
A method is provided for irreversibly coloring a coating composition containing a color former comprising the steps of a) providing a coating composition that contains an UV curable resin, a thermosetting resin or an alkyd resin with the proviso that the coating composition contains no developer nor any additive which may function as developer; b) mixing the coating composition with the color former whereby no color is formed; c) applying the colorless composition obtained in step b) to a substrate; d) in case of a thermosetting resin curing the resin between 100 and 300° C., preferably between 100 and 150° C., whereby no color is formed, in case of alkyd resin drying of the resin at room temperature, whereby no color is formed; e) exposure to UV or high energy radiation below 400 nm whereby the color is formed. |
| US07727697B2 |
Electrophotographic toner and electrophotographic developer by use thereof
An electrophotographic toner is disclosed, meeting the requirement that a ratio of a storage modulus at 60° C. [G′(60)] to a storage modulus at 80° C. [G′(80)], G′(60)/G′(80) is from 1×102 to 1×104; a ratio of a storage modulus at 100° C. [G′(100)] to a storage modulus at 120° C. [G′(120)], G′(100)/G′(120) is from 1 to 10; and a storage modulus at a temperature of from 140 to 160° C., [G′(140-160)] is not less than 102 dyn/cm2. |
| US07727696B2 |
Toner compositions
A toner having its surface functionalized with alkaline resins is provided, and processes for producing the same. |
| US07727691B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive layer, an intermediate layer and a photosensitive layer in this order on a substrate, in which the conductive layer contains a binder resin and conductive particles. The conductive particles are TiO2 particles coated with oxygen-deficient SnO2, the conductive particles have an average particle size of 0.2 to 0.6 μm and the conductive layer has a volume resistivity of 5×105 to 8×108 Ω·cm. Also this invention provides a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with such electrophotographic photosensitive member. |
| US07727690B2 |
Iridium complex, carbazole derivatives and copolymer having the same
Disclosed are a monomer of iridium complex having a fluoro group as a functional group, a monomer of carbazole derivative having a hydroxy group as the functional group, and a copolymer containing the monomers in its main chain. The iridium complex used as a phosphorescent material and the carbazole derivative having an excellent hole transporting capability are synthesized as the monomer to form the copolymer. The content of iridium complex is easily controlled, and the carbazole derivative and iridium complex are contained in the main chain during the copolymer formation, thereby capable of manufacturing a light emitting device with higher heat resistance and chemical stability. |
| US07727685B2 |
Colored photosensitive resin composition, coating film of colored photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive resin transfer material, method of foaming photosensitive resin layer, color filter, method for producing color filter, and liquid crystal display device
A colored photosensitive resin composition comprising (1) an alkali-soluble binder, (2) a monomer or an oligomer, (3) a photopolymerization initiator or a photopolymerization initiator system, and (4) a coloring agent, wherein the coloring agent is a specific pigment in a specific quantity. Also provided is a color filter obtained by using the colored photosensitive resin compositions for formation of the respective photosensitive resin layers of R, G and B. |
| US07727684B2 |
Mask and manufacturing method thereof
A blank mask is provided. The blank mask includes a mask layer disposed on a transparent quartz substrate, and a nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer. The nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer has nano-scale components and is formed on a surface of the mask layer to adsorb a residual contamination source remaining on the surface of the mask layer and to protect the surface of the mask layer from external contamination sources. The nano inorganic material-polymer complex layer can include a nano clay-polymer composite where PVDF is interposed between the nano clay plate-shaped layers. The contamination sources can be removed from the mask layer surface by removing the composite layer. |
| US07727683B2 |
High-transmission attenuating PSM
An attenuating PSM includes a quartz substrate, a first dummy pad pattern disposed on the quartz substrate, wherein the first dummy pad pattern is composed of a first phase shifter material layer with a transmission rate of greater than or equal to 15%, and a first opaque pattern disposed at a center area of the first dummy pad pattern. The first opaque pattern has a shape that is analogous to the first dummy pad pattern and surface area of the first opaque pattern is smaller than that of the first dummy pad pattern. |
| US07727680B2 |
Hologram recording sheet, holographic optical element using said sheet, and its production process
The hologram recording sheet according to the invention is made up of a base film and hologram sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions formed therein in a desired pattern, or a film and at least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions laminated on the film with a transparent plastic spacer layer located therebetween, thereby enabling the required diffraction light wavelengths to be recorded on the required sites without producing unnecessary interference fringes. At least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions are formed on different sites on a film in dotted or striped configuration, the size of which is up to 200 mm or at least twice as large as the thickness of the sensitive material layers, thereby enabling regions diffracting light of different wavelengths to be formed in the form of independent sets of interference fringes. |
| US07727676B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a material for absorbing-desorbing lithium ions, and a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte impregnated in the electrode group and including a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent, and a jacket for housing the electrode group and having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less, wherein the nonaqueous solvent γ-butyrolactone in an amount larger than 50% by volume and not larger than 95% by volume based on the total amount of the nonaqueous solvent. |
| US07727674B2 |
Nonaqueous secondary battery
A nonaqueous secondary battery 10 of the invention has an active material compound layer 14 deposed over at least one face of a collector 12 made of metal foil and is equipped with a positive electrode 11 having a portion 13 in a part of which metal is exposed. The positive electrode 11 together with the exposed-metal portion 13 faces a negative electrode 17 through an interposed separator 23, and on that part of the exposed-metal portion 13 that faces the negative electrode 17 through the interposed separator 23 there is formed a protective layer 16 made of a material whose electronic conductivity is lower than that of the metal and which moreover is non-insulative. With such nonaqueous secondary battery 10, should part of an electrode pierce the separator and contact with the other electrode, the battery will be gently discharged, thereby averting abnormal heat generation by the battery and additionally enabling the battery's abnormality to be sensed by the equipment via the fall in battery voltage. Thus, there is provided a nonaqueous secondary battery of excellent safety that can prevent abnormal heat generation due to a short circuit caused by burr, powder or the like piercing the separator. |
| US07727673B2 |
Cathode active material, method of manufacturing the same, and battery
A cathode active material capable of further improving chemical stability, a method of manufacturing the cathode active material, and a battery using the cathode active material are provided. The cathode includes a cathode active material in which a coating layer made of a compound including Li, at least one selected from Ni and Mg, and O is arranged on complex oxide particles represented by Li1+xCo1−yMyO2−z, where M is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, B, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sn, W, Zr, Y, Nb, Ca and Sr, and the values of x, y and z are within a range of −0.10≦x≦0.10, 0≦y<0.50 and −0.10≦z≦0.20, respectively. A surface layer made of an oxide including at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ti, Si, Mg and Zr is formed on the coating layer. |
| US07727670B2 |
Electrode active material with multi-element based oxide layers and preparation method thereof
Disclosed is an electrode active material comprising: (a) electrode active material particles capable of lithium intercalation/deintercalation; and (b) a multinary oxide coating layer partially or totally formed on the surface of the electrode active material particles, the multinary oxide coating layer comprising Al, P and a halogen element. A method for preparing the electrode active material, an electrode using the electrode active material, and an electrochemical device comprising the electrode, preferably a lithium secondary battery, are also disclosed. The electrode active material comprising a multinary oxide coating layer has improved structural stability and thermal safety, and thus can provide an electrochemical device having high capacity, long service life and excellent safety. |
| US07727667B2 |
Accumulator device
A package case is structured by a plurality of substantially identical and flat frames stacked on one another. Flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) are individually accommodated in the frames and stacked on one another, so that the number of flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) can readily be changed simply by increasing/decreasing the number of frames to be stacked to meet energy needs and the like. The accumulator device is segmented using the plurality of flat frames, so that externally applied impacts can readily be dispersed and the impact transmitted to the flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) can be reduced without reinforcing the accumulator device 1 with more than necessary strength. |
| US07727666B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a body, a cover, a button, a movable pin and a battery. The button is movably disposed on the body to move between a first position and a second position. The movable pin is disposed in the body. The battery is disposed on the body. When the button is in the first position, the cover is separated from the button. When the button moves from the first position to the second position, the movable pin pushes the battery, allowing the battery to be separated from the body. |
| US07727665B2 |
Fuel cell assembly, separator-diffusion layer assembly for fuel cell assembly and manufacturing method therefor
In a fuel cell assembly (100, 200), a diffusion layer (113, 114, 201) comprises an electroconductive film (133, 133a, 133b) formed integrally with a separator (115, 116, 115a) so as to form a unitary separator-diffusion layer assembly (130, 131, 130a, 203). The electroconductive film of the diffusion layer can be formed on the separator by a process comprising physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, sputtering or screen printing. |
| US07727659B2 |
Fuel cell unit and composite block of fuel cells
In order to provide a fuel cell unit, comprising a housing which limits at least one gas chamber and has a gas opening in a first housing wall and a gas opening in a second housing wall located opposite the first housing wall, the housing of which has an adequate deformation stability in relation to the sealing surface pressure required for a flat seal even at high temperatures, it is suggested that the fuel cell unit comprise at least one supporting element which is arranged between the first housing wall and the second housing wall and keeps the two housing walls at a distance from one another. |
| US07727658B2 |
Method for joining laser transmitting resin member and porous member, method for joining thermoplastic resin, and fuel cell
A method for joining a resin member and a porous member can prevent peeling in a specified direction. When a thermoplastic laser transmitting resin member and a porous member are joined, the laser transmitting resin layer and the porous member are laminated, and a laser beam is emitted at a side of the laser transmitting resin member. The porous member is heated so that the laser transmitting resin member is melted, and the melted resin is impregnated with holes of the porous member. The resin is cooled so as to solidify. |
| US07727655B2 |
Fuel cell stack having catalyst coated proton exchange member
A power generator comprising a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack having an anode exposed to hydrogen from the hydrogen generator and a cathode exposed to an ambient environment. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers are used to promote flow of water away from the cathode. A diffusion path thus separates the fuel cell cathode from the hydrogen generator. In one embodiment, water vapor generated from the fuel cell substantially matches water used by the hydrogen generator to generate hydrogen. |
| US07727650B2 |
Interconnected, 3-dimensional fuel cell design
Fuel cell structure. A plurality of microtubes are electrically inter-connected. Each microtube includes an anode and a cathode layer separated by an electrolyte layer. The plurality of microtubes are arranged in at least two adjacent layers with microtubes in a first layer extending in a first direction and the microtubes in the second layer extending in a second direction, the first and second directions being non-parallel. |
| US07727649B2 |
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a fuel cell stack and a humidifier. The fuel cell stack includes plural cells in which each cell has a pair of electrodes and a proton-conductive electrolyte membrane arranged between the pair of electrodes, wherein an oxidant gas or a fuel gas passes through the humidifier before being fed to the fuel cell stack, and wherein a wet gas containing water or water vapor also passes through the humidifier. In the fuel cell, the humidifier includes a porous separating layer and a hydrophilic water-releasing layer, wherein the separating layer is configured to separate the wet gas from the oxidant gas or the fuel gas in the humidifier, and wherein the hydrophilic water-releasing layer is disposed in a side of the oxidant gas or the fuel gas to the separating layer in the humidifier. |
| US07727648B2 |
Non-reactive fuel dissolution apparatus and fuel cell system having the same
A fuel cell system includes a stack which generates electric energy through a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen and discharges moisture generated from the reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen, a reformer which generates a reforming gas containing hydrogen through a reforming reaction using thermal energy and discharges the reforming gas along with a non-reactive fuel component, a carbon monoxide purifier which reduces a concentration of carbon oxide contained in the reforming gas through a preferential oxidation reaction of the carbon monoxide contained in the reforming gas, and a non-reactive fuel dissolution apparatus which is connected to the stack and the reformer to dissolve the non-reactive fuel component of the reforming gas with the moisture from the stack and supply the reforming gas to the carbon monoxide purifier with the non-reactive fuel component substantially removed. |
| US07727645B2 |
Substrate for magnetic recording medium, magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus
The invention provides a magnetic recording medium substrate product which enables enhancement of contact strength between a substrate end surface and a soft magnetic layer, as well as suppression of occurrence of corrosion, a magnetic recording medium including the substrate product, which exhibits no deterioration of electromagnetic conversion characteristics and has excellent durability and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus including the magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording medium substrate product includes a disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate having a circular hole in a center portion thereof, and having a chamfer formed at least one of a portion between a main surface on which a magnetic layer is to be formed and an outer end surface and a portion between the main surface and an inner end surface defining the circular hole, wherein the chamfer has a surface roughness (Ra) falling within a range of 4.0 Å≦Ra≦100 Å, preferably 4.0 Å≦Ra≦50 Å, as measured by means of an AFM. |
| US07727641B2 |
Compound for organic electroluminescence and organic electroluminescent device
A compound for organic EL includes a polymer molecule having molecules shown in the following Formulae 1 to 5 as constituent units. where R is an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylaryl group, where R′ is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an alkylaryl group. |
| US07727638B2 |
Films of propylene copolymers
The invention provides for a film including a layer made from a composition, the composition produced from 30 percent by weight or more of a first polymer component (FPC), wherein said FPC includes a copolymer of propylene and from 6 to 30 percent by weight of another alpha-olefin, and having a melting point derived from stereoregular polypropylene sequences, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of 105° C. or less, and a heat of fusion of 45 J/g or less; and a second polymer component (SPC); wherein the SPC includes a thermoplastic polymer other than the FPC. |
| US07727636B2 |
Coating material composition for chromium plating and article comprising coating film made of the same
According to the present invention, there are provided a coating material composition for chromium plating, which can maintain high adhesion to the chromium plated surface of a chromium plated material having reduced adhesion for a long period and also can form a coating film having excellent chemical resistance, and an article comprising a coating film made of the same. The coating material composition for chromium plating, comprises a vinyl-based polymer (A) obtained by polymerizing a vinyl-based monomer mixture containing a vinyl-based monomer having an amino group, and a compound (B) having an epoxy group and a hydrolyzable silyl group in a molecule, wherein the vinyl-based polymer (A) has a glass transition temperature of lower than 30° C., and the content of the vinyl-based monomer having an amino group is 5% by weight or more and less than 20% by weight in the vinyl-based monomer mixture (100% by weight). |
| US07727629B2 |
Encapsulated agglomeration of microcapsules and method for the preparation thereof
Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment. |
| US07727628B2 |
Reusable sorbing coalescing agent
A particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent facilitating the separation of a non-aqueous phase from an aqueous phase. The agent has a desired shape and properties, sheared from a block of matrix material and presents a higher coalescing rate relative to existing sorbing coalescing agents. Also, a method of manufacturing the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent and a method of use the particulate reusable sorbing coalescing agent are disclosed. |
| US07727625B2 |
Use of nanoparticulate organic pigments in paints and coatings
A protective and decorative coating composition including about 2 to 10 different colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired visible coating. A majority of the colorants has a maximum haze of about 10% and exhibits an absorbance peak in the visible spectrum wherein at least about 50% of the total absorbance in the visible spectrum occurs at wavelengths within about 50 nm of the wavelength of the peak absorbance. |
| US07727622B2 |
Apparatus for calibrating optical scanner, method of manufacturing the same, and method of calibrating optical scanner using the same
Provided is a calibration apparatus for an optical scanner, including a substrate on which a molecule capable of forming an excimer is immobilized. A method of manufacturing the calibration apparatus and a method of calibrating an optical scanner using the calibration apparatus are also provided. |
| US07727618B2 |
Decorative molded body, key top for a pushbutton switch, and key sheet for the pushbutton switch
A decorative molded body can be structured such that an inside thereof looks three-dimensional from a surface thereof, the decorative molded body being a substituted for a decorative molded body of the related art. An example of a decorative molded body can include a three-dimensional base pattern layer having, on a bottom surface of a transparent molded body, a transparent printing layer and a brilliant layer containing brilliant particles, in which the brilliant layer is raised brightly and three-dimensionally on the transparent printing layer as a background. The decorative molded body is excellent in design, and structured so that irregular shapes formed of portions where the transparent printing layer is provided and other portions can look three-dimensional from a surface of the molded body. |
| US07727617B2 |
Thermal mass transfer imaged retroreflective sheeting
Retroreflective sheeting is described comprising a viewing surface and a non-viewing surface and a thermal mass transferred image disposed in the optical path of the viewing surface wherein the thermal mass transferred image comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition. In one embodiment, the unreactive thermoplastic composition comprises at least one acrylic resin and at least one colorant, wherein the composition has less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature. The percent maximum diffuse luminous transmittance to total luminous transmittance of the composition is less than 50%. |
| US07727616B2 |
Scratch-resistant thin film
The invention pertains to a scratch-resistant thin film comprising a transparent substrate wherein the substrate comprises at least one micro structured layer on the lower side and at least one scratch-resistant layer on the upper side, wherein said scratch-resistant layer has a convex-concave structure, a surface resistivity in the range from 108 to 1012Ω/□, a pencil hardness of 3H or more as measured according to JIS K5400 standard method, and a haze in the range from 30% to 98% as measured according to JIS K7136 method.The thin film of the invention exhibits both light enhancement and light uniformization properties, has a low volume shrinkage, does not warp, and possesses excellent anti-static and high hardness properties. |
| US07727613B2 |
Ceramic honeycomb structure, process for producing the same and coat material for use in the production
A ceramic honeycomb structure comprising a ceramic honeycomb body comprising axial grooves on its periphery and cell walls constituting a larger number of flow paths inside the grooves, and a peripheral wall layer covering the grooves, wherein there are stress release portions at least partially in the peripheral wall layer and/or between the peripheral wall layer and the grooves. The thermal expansion coefficient of the peripheral wall layer is preferably smaller than those of the cell walls in a radial direction. The peripheral wall layer is preferably formed on the ceramic honeycomb body formed by removing a peripheral wall from a ceramic green body, before or after firing the ceramic honeycomb body. |
| US07727608B2 |
Adhesive pads for footwear
An adhesive pad kit for footwear has a schematic having an indication of footwear. The adhesive pad kit has at least two pairs of thin adhesive backed pads. Each pad in the first pair has a predetermined shape having a length and a width. The length is at least four times the width. The indication depicts an operative location for at least one of the pads on the footwear. |
| US07727603B2 |
Transfer member of image forming material for electrophotography and member having image recorded thereon using the same
A transfer member of an image forming material for electrophotography, the transfer member including a substrate and an image receiving layer disposed on at least one surface of the substrate. The image receiving layer includes at least a releasing material and has a surface resistivity of 1.0×108 to 3.2×1013Ω/□ at 23° C. and 55% RH. |
| US07727602B2 |
Recording sheet with ink receptive layer and coating liquid for forming ink receptive layer
A recording sheet with an ink-receptive layer which can be used not only for dye type inks but also for pigment type inks is provided. Also provided is a coating liquid for forming an ink-receptive layer. The recording sheet with an ink-receptive layer includes a substrate sheet and an ink-receptive layer formed thereon, wherein the ink-receptive layer includes (i) fibrous crystalline particles on surfaces of which a cationic hydrated metal compound is supported and (ii) a binder. The fibrous crystalline particles have an average fiber diameter (D) of 0.1 to 2 μm, an average fiber length (L) of 1 to 200 μm and a ratio (aspect ratio) of an average fiber length (L) to an average fiber diameter (D) of 5 to 500. |