| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07756073B2 |
Method for updating a routing entry
The present invention concerns method for updating a routing entry BC for a communication partner node CN communicating with a communication originating node MN via a network containing at least one routing node HA, the method comprising the steps of: requesting (1) a routing entry update from the communication originating node MN to the communication partner node CN, wherein the update request contains at least an identification BUIN of the request, submitting (2) request verification information, associated to the identification BUIN of the update request, from the communication originating node MN to the least one routing node, requesting (4) verification of the routing entry update by the communication partner node CN to the routing node HA using the identification BUIN of the update request, retrieving (5) the request verification information from the routing node based on said identification BUIN of the update request. |
| US07756072B1 |
System and method for passively monitoring customer control messages in a multicast VPN
A system and method to passively monitor multicast control traffic in the provider backbone. A monitoring station is located within the service provider network. Upon creation of an MVPN session, this monitoring station joins the default multicast distribution tree (“MDT”) in the provider backbone used to handle traffic within that MVPN session, and receives the customer's multicast control traffic encapsulated in packets addressed to the default MDT. Using these two kinds of packets, the monitor learns the following information: the identity of the PE routers participating in the MVPN; the identity of the customer multicast groups that are carried on each provider multicast data tree (MDT); the identity of one or more PE routers participating in each customer group, and the identity of the MDT that it is carried on. This information is collected for each customer multicast group, both upstream and downstream at each PE router. |
| US07756069B2 |
Communication system, wireless LAN base station controller, and wireless LAN base station device
A communication system, wireless LAN base station controller, and a wireless LAN base station device for efficiently communicating a broadcast frame or multicast frame through a downstream channel. The communication system (10) comprises an AP controller (100) and a wireless LAN base station device (200). A frame converting section (102) of the AP controller (100) performs conversion into a 802.11 frame according to the network-side tunnel header of the downstream broadcast or multicast frame, and a tunnel creating/managing section (103) creates a tunnel header having a destination MAC address which is a broadcast or multicast address, and encapsulates the 802.11 frame by the tunnel header. A tunnel creating/managing section (202) of the wireless LAN base station device (200) adds the BSSID of the wireless LAN base station device (200) to the header of the 802.11 frame from which the tunnel header is removed, and terminal-side input/output section (204) sends the 802.11 frame with the BSSID. |
| US07756066B2 |
Seamless spanning tree restart of a single supervisor
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for restarting a first network device having a plurality of ports for receiving and transmitting layer 2 data. The first network device belongs to a network of network devices. When a restart of at least a portion of the first network device is imminent whereby STP is no longer functioning for the first network device during the restart and can no longer alter a spanning tree protocol (STP) state of one or more of the ports and such ports that remain in a fixed state during the restart are referred to as restarting ports, a current state (such as forwarding) of each restarting port is maintained during the restart under predefined conditions. During the restart, each of the restarting ports of the restarting network device portion cooperate with its peer port of a second non-restarting network device that is a neighbor of the first network device so as to prevent layer 2 loops in the network. |
| US07756061B2 |
Mobile router device and home agent device
In a home agent device, a message reception unit receives a request of deleting a registration of a mobile router device which has become in a non-connection state, a binding cache registration deletion reception unit judges that it is for deleting a mobile router device which is not a transmission source, and if a mobile router device of the transmission source has the authority of deleting the registration of the target mobile router device, a proxy deletion reception judgment unit deletes the registration of the requested mobile router, therefore, it can be prevented that packets are transmitted to the mobile router device which has become in the non-connection state. |
| US07756055B2 |
Method of transmission
A method of transmission comprises receiving at a first destination, a transmission from a first source; determining from the transmission from the first source, the maximum permitted additional interference subject to which the first destination can still communicate; sending an acknowledgement of the transmission and including in the acknowledgement an indication of the determined maximum permitted additional interference. A second source determines whether it has received the transmission from the first source, or the acknowledgement from the first destination, at a power level lower than that of the maximum permitted additional interference given in the indication; and if so, the second source sends a transmission to a second destination, which at least partially overlaps in time, communication between the first source and first destination. |
| US07756053B2 |
Memory agent with error hardware
A memory agent that communicates with another memory agent over links may include error hardware to monitor errors in the links. In some embodiments, the error hardware may include logic to classify the errors into different severity levels, control corrective action based on the severity level of errors, and/or perform various levels of reset based on the severity level of errors. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US07756051B2 |
Content distribution using network coding
A content distribution mechanism that relies on cooperative desktop PCs to distribute content is disclosed. The mechanism distributes content in a robust manner by allowing at least one intermediate network node (i.e., between a source and client) to generate and send packets that contain a linear combination of the portions of content available at the node. Such linear combinations may be created by the source and client using at least a portion of the original content file in either encoded or unencoded form. After the client has received enough linearly independent combinations of packets, the original content may be reconstructed. |
| US07756048B2 |
Method and apparatus for customizable surveillance of network interfaces
A method in a data processing system for monitoring for errors on a network. Responsive to detecting a change in a state of the network, determine whether the change in state is a loss of a communications link to a remote data processing system. If the change in state is a loss of the communications link, determine whether the communications link was established for at least a first period of time to be considered an acceptable connection to the remote data processing system; and create a new serviceable event, if a second period of time passes without reestablishing the communications link to the selected data processing system. Repeat occurrences of identical outages are tracked and multiple detected instances of an outage for different partitions are counted as a single failure in the examples. |
| US07756047B2 |
Method and apparatus for documenting network paths
Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device. In this manner, as each device along a network path regains connectivity the network path information stored within the NMS/RMS is updated until a complete view of the network path is documented. |
| US07756046B2 |
Apparatus and method for locating trouble occurrence position in communication network
When a communication abnormality has occurred, links that are included in the communication path on which the communication abnormality has occurred and that are included in communication paths between nodes that allow communication are excluded while referring to information on physical links between nodes in the communication network and path information specifying at least one link included in communication paths between two points, and thereby the scope of positions that are plausible candidates for having been involved in a failure is narrowed. |
| US07756038B2 |
Service advertisement framework (SAF) in a communications network
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first update message at a first forwarding node from a second forwarding node of the communications network. The first update message includes forwarded service type data that indicates a type of service available via the second forwarding node, and forwarded cost data that indicates a first cost of communications to obtain the type of service via the second forwarding node. An incremental cost is determined for communications between the first forwarding node and the second forwarding node. Service data is stored at the first forwarding node. The service data indicates the type of service is associated with the second forwarding node at a total cost based on the first cost and the incremental cost. A second update message that includes forwarded cost data based on the total cost is sent over the network from the first forwarding node. |
| US07756033B2 |
Systems and methods for managing multicast data transmissions
A system enables monitoring a multicast data feeds over a network. The system may include a multicast-enabled network device for transmitting a multicast feed from a multicast feed source to a user device via a computer network. A feed agent may be operatively coupled to the multicast-enabled network device for collecting and storing multicast feed data from the multicast feed source. A management server may be operatively connected to the feed agent for receiving multicast feed data collected by the feed agent. The management server may include a web server for receiving requests for multicast feed data over the network via a web interface. |
| US07756031B2 |
Narrowband voice systems and methods
Systems and methods for optimizing usage of an available bandwidth for VoIP communications include a communications system, such as the Internet, for carrying the VoIP communication signals. A switch and a bandwidth limiter connected to the switch restrict bandwidth usage by applications other than those required for the VoIP communications. In the system, a modem or other narrowband network interface, a router, a network adapter, and a VoIP element are housed as a unit. The switch turns “on” and “off” the bandwidth limiter, and the bandwidth limiter when “on” restricts bandwidth usage of the adapter. The communications system is a digital data network, and the modem accesses the digital data network via connection of the modem to the network. Features for emergency bypass and external power supplies are included. |
| US07756028B2 |
Pulsed backpressure mechanism for reduced FIFO utilization
The backpressure mechanism and method described here do not completely shut off the traffic when a queue is experiencing congestion. Instead of completely shutting off the traffic and waiting for the effects, a series of backpressure pulses are sent to the upstream stage for intermittently slowing the traffic between the upstream and downstream stages. These pulses of backpressure effectively slowly down the rate of the ingress traffic to the queue to a rate less than the egress rate. This allows queue utilization to slowly decrease. These pulses continue as long as the queue utilization is above a threshold called “Starving Threshold”. This technique allows much lower queue utilization, thus requiring smaller queues sizes. |
| US07756025B1 |
Method, apparatus, network device and computer program for monitoring oversubscription of data traffic in a communication network
A method, apparatus, network device and computer program for monitoring oversubscription of an Ethernet data service over a synchronous data communication link in which pause frames are used to control the bandwidth of a client with respect to a predetermined bandwidth of the communication link, the method comprising the step of recording the number of pause frames leaving the client network port. |
| US07756023B2 |
Adaptive physical transmission mode selection
A data transmission network comprises two groups of nodes (1; 2, 3, 4), a radio interface associated to each group and connected to the nodes (1) of the group and a radio path (5) between the two radio interfaces (9), in which several groups (1412, 1413, 1414) of virtual paths (15) of warranted bandwidth are transmitted between one node (1) of the first group and one node (2, 3, 4) of the second group. The sum of the bandwidths warranted to the groups (1412, 1413, 1414) of virtual paths does not exceed the total bandwidth of the radio path (5) when operated in a transmission mode referred to as basic mode. The radio interfaces (9) support several physical transmission modes of different bandwidths and are adapted to detect the transmission quality of the radio path (5) and to operate, the transmission quality of the radio path (5) permitting, the radio path (5) in a transmission mode of higher bandwidth than that of the basic mode and to use the bandwidth difference between the used mode and the basic mode for bandwidth need of the groups of virtual paths in excess of the warranted bandwidth. |
| US07756017B2 |
System and method for scheduling routing table calculation in link state routing protocols
A method, and a system, called link state advertisement (“LSA”) correlation, for scheduling routing table updates following a topology change. LSA correlation correlates information in the LSAs to identify the topology change that led to their generation. A routing table update is performed when a topology change has been identified. |
| US07756016B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient link redundancy
A method that changes the selection of a 2:1 multiplexer that receives a first output signal from a first framer and a second output signal from a second framer. The first output signal is the same as the second output signal. An apparatus having a framer and a 2:1 multiplexer that receives an inbound signal from the framer. A first multiplexer receives at least one signal from another framer and the 2:1 multiplexer has an input coupled to an output from the first multiplexer. A second multiplexer receives at least one signal from the other framer and the second multiplexer has an output coupled to an input of the framer for an outbound signal. |
| US07756015B1 |
Fast failover recovery for stackable network switches
A stack unit for a stackable network switch, the stack unit having corresponding methods and computer programs, comprises a network port to exchange packets with a network; two stacking interfaces each to exchange the packets over a respective stacking link with another stack unit, wherein each stacking interface is assigned to the other stacking interface as an alternate stacking interface; and a forwarding engine to transfer the packets among the stacking interfaces and network port; wherein when one of the stacking links is down, the respective stacking interface toggles a loop flag in each packet received from the forwarding engine, and returns each received packet to the forwarding engine; and wherein the forwarding engine transfers each packet received from one of the stacking interfaces to the respective alternate stacking interface when the loop flag for the packet is set. |
| US07756012B2 |
Intelligent failover in a load-balanced network environment
A hash table in the network device driver maintains data on the traffic characteristics for each network interface (“NIC”) within a computing device. If one of the NICs in the computing device becomes unreliable, the cost function in the hash engine allows the software driver to initiate network traffic redistribution among the remaining reliable NICs in the computing device. Using this hash engine, the software driver is able to intelligently redirect each of the network connections on an unreliable NIC to a reliable NIC within the computing device, in a way that optimizes the distribution of network traffic across the remaining reliable NICs. Alternatively, if a connection is moved from an old NIC to a new NIC, the software driver can detect the moved connection and offload the moved connection to a hardware offload engine on the new NIC. With this approach, issues such as network interface overloading and computing device performance degradation may be more easily avoided when failing over network connections, thereby improving overall system performance relative to prior art techniques. |
| US07756011B2 |
Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
A digital television (DTV) transmitter and a method of processing data in the DTV transmitter/receiver are disclosed. In the DTV transmitter, a pre-processor pre-processes the enhanced data by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded data. A packet formatter generates one or more groups of enhanced data packets, each enhanced data packet including the pre-processed enhanced data and known data, wherein the data formatter adds burst time information into each group of enhanced data packets. And, a packet multiplexer generates at least one burst of enhanced data by multiplexing the one or more groups of enhanced data packets with at least one main data packet including the main data, each burst of enhanced data including at least one group of enhanced data packets. |
| US07756009B1 |
Method and apparatus for priority call setup and restoration in an optical communications system
A call setup and restoration schema is disclosed for providing an improved priority-based call setup and restoration schema in an optical communications system, allowing higher priority connections access to bandwidth by user-definable parameters. The call setup and restoration schema includes allowing higher priority connections to claim the resources of lower priority connections, and restoring them when bandwidth is available, or bumping another, even lower priority, connections. This aids in providing access to bandwidth by high priority services and in preventing outages or connection delays for high priority connections. |
| US07756007B2 |
Method to improve channel estimate in broadband SIMO/MIMO cellular radio networks during abrupt interference variations
A channel response matrix gathering all unknown elements for all K pilot subcarriers on links between transmitting and receiving antennas, is Least Squares (full-rank) estimated. The interference covariance matrix is estimated from the residual. The correlation of the interference covariance matrix is computed at each new symbol and compared with a threshold. If the interference is significantly changed, the interference covariance matrix is re-initialized, otherwise a running average of the interference covariance matrix is updated with the actual value. Both the updated/re-initialized interference covariance matrix and the autocorrelation matrix of the transmitted pilot sequences (stored in the receiver) are used for whitening the estimated channel matrix before submission to modal filtering for rank reduction. The original spatial and/or temporal correlations are reintroduced in the reduced-rank channel matrix by inverse whitening. After estimation in the discrete-time domain, DFT for conversion is applied for estimation in the whole frequency band. |
| US07756004B2 |
Interleaver design with column swap and bit circulation for multiple convolutional encoder MIMO OFDM system
An improved interleaver design to fully explore the diversity of the MIMO OFDM systems provides higher diversity gain than usual. A method for wireless data communication using such interleaver design implements parsing a bit stream into multiple spatial data streams, interleaving the bits in each spatial data stream by performing bit circulation and column swapping to increase diversity of the wireless system, and transmitting the bits of each spatial data stream. |
| US07756003B1 |
Adaptive OFDM transmitter based on carrier frequency offset
A system comprises a transmitter module that receives transmitter data, that includes at least one transmitter operating parameter and that generates an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal based on the transmitter data and the at least one transmitter operating parameter. An operating parameters generating module receives a carrier frequency offset (CFO), communicates with the transmitter module and adjusts the at least one transmitter operating parameter based on the CFO. The transmitter module adjusts a parameter of at least one of a channel coding module, a modulating module, and/or a power control module based on the CFO. |
| US07756002B2 |
Time-frequency interleaved orthogonal frequency division multiplexing ultra wide band physical layer
A PHY entity for a UWB system utilizes the unlicensed 3.1-10.6 GHZ UWB band, as regulated in the United States by the Code of Federal Regulation, Title 47, Section 15. The UWB system provides a wireless pico area network (PAN) with data payload communication capabilities of 55, 80, 110, 160, 200, 320 and 480 Mb/s. The UWB system employs orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and uses a total of 122 sub-carriers that are modulated using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK). Forward error correction coding (convolutional coding) is used with a coding rate of 11/32, 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4. |
| US07756001B2 |
Apparatus and method of deciding received symbol in M-PSK system
An apparatus for and method of deciding symbols in a M-ary phase shift keying (MPSK) system are provided. The apparatus includes: a linear transform unit performing linear transform, to which a phase error is applied, of a received pair of symbols; and a symbol decision unit deciding a transmitted symbol corresponding to the received pair of symbols according to the sign value of the transformed symbol pair. According to the apparatus and method, degradation of a symbol error rate caused by a phase error when an MPSK signal is demodulated can be improved and a phase error can be estimated through a simple method. |
| US07755999B2 |
Optical disc driving apparatus and land pre-pit detection method using the same
An optical disc driving apparatus and a land pre-pit detection method are provided for defining determination factors which have an effect on land pre-pit signal detection efficiency. The optical disc driving apparatus comprises an RF processing unit for forming a push-pull signal from an electrical signal acquired through an optical disc; and a control unit for arranging a representative value of determination factors for forming the push-pull signal and testing an error with respect to a land pre-pit (LPP) signal detected from the push-pull signal. As a result, the optical disc driving apparatus is capable of decreasing time for determining the optimal balance level and slice level, and applying the optimal balance level and slice level to the optical disc driving apparatus which operates in real time by defining representative values of each zone according to size of a balance level and a slice level. The optical disc driving apparatus is also capable of increasing performance of land pre-pit detection, by defining representative values of each zone according to a balance level, a slice level and a gain of a wobble signal and by using representative values of each zone when performing real-time test. |
| US07755997B2 |
Method and device for storing information
A method for writing data to an optical storage medium which includes a storage space with blocks having hardware addresses (HA). The storage space includes a pre-embossed area, and the data to be written includes data addresses (DA). Data having data addresses DA=X are stored in storage space blocks having hardware addresses HA=XΔ, wherein Δ is an integer equal to 1 or more. |
| US07755989B2 |
Enhanced reproduction of optical discs
In performing reproduction of optical discs, when a request to perform a data reproduction operation is received, it is detected whether finalization data is written to a finalization indicator region of an optical disc, and a record-related servo adjustment operation is performed if finalization data is not written to the finalization indicator region. In addition, a reproduction-related servo adjustment operation is performed, and the data reproduction operation is performed. |
| US07755981B2 |
Method and system for recording data by a plurality of laser beams on an optical disc
The invention relates to a method and system for recording data by a plurality of laser beams (A, B) on an optical disc, said optical disc comprising segments which (1-51) are each identified by a synchronization pattern, said plurality of laser beams comprising at least a first laser beam (A) which has a first position on said optical disc for recording/reading data on a first segment and a second laser beam (B) which has a second position on said optical disc for recording data on a second segment, said method comprising the steps of: —calculating (410) said second position from said first position and the relative distance between said first laser beam and said second laser beam, —detecting (420) a synchronization pattern by said second laser beam, and —starting (430) to record data with said second laser beam on the basis of said second position and said detected synchronization pattern. |
| US07755979B2 |
Audio playback device
An audio playback device is provided which can play back recorded audio data in an operational mode that is more convenient for the user. With a DVD-Audio disk 1 mounted, a navigation manager examines whether or not the DVD-Audio disk 1 includes an ASVSI file, that is, whether or not the DVD-Audio disk 1 includes a still picture to be displayed together with the audio data. Also, the navigation manager examines whether or not an AMGM_VOBS file exists in the DVD-Audio disk 1, that is, whether or not the DVD-Audio disk 1 includes a visual menu. When a still picture or visual menu is not included, a player mode is set to an AOP mode in which the still picture is not played back, while in other cases, the player mode is set to a VCAP mode in which the visual menu or visual contents can be played back and displayed. |
| US07755977B2 |
Display unit with decorative effects for a portable instrument, such as a watch
The display unit (2) equips a portable instrument, such as a wristwatch (1) with hands (13, 14, 15) for indicating the time. The unit comprises at least one display cell (4) which comprises a transparent front substrate (41) having first transparent electrodes (45) on an interior face, a transparent rear substrate (42) having at least one transparent second electrode (46) on an interior face and a fixing frame (43) for the two substrates in order to define a closed space between the substrates. A substance (44), the optical or physical properties of which can be modified between the electrodes which are activated by a difference of potentials applied via control means, occupies the closed space between the first and second electrodes. Via the action of the control means, the display cell (4) makes it possible to display information, for example temporal information. The display unit (2) comprises also a plurality of transparent or semi-transparent stones which are supported on or in a transparent or semi-transparent support (3). The support is disposed on a front visible face of the display cell or alternatively on a rear face of the display cell in order to combine the information of the cell in a first display state with light refraction through visible rigid elements and/or light reflection on or in the visible rigid elements. |
| US07755976B2 |
Time control system and method for projector
A time control system and a method for a projector. The time control system comprises an input module, a processor, a timer, and at least one output module. The input module is used to input at least one time parameter that is set by the processor into the timer. The timer is used to generate at least one trigger signal by counting the at least one time parameter. Meanwhile, the output module is used to output a reminder signal relating to the at least one trigger signal. The time control system is applied for reminding users. |
| US07755975B2 |
System for providing wireless waterproof audio
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing wireless waterproof audio to a user in an aquatic environment. The systems may include earphones adapted to be waterproof and coupled to a receiver for receiving a wireless signal. The systems may also include a waterproof housing containing a transmitter and adapted to receive an electronic audio device such that the signal generated by the device may be transmitted by the transmitter. |
| US07755973B2 |
Ultrasonic logging methods and apparatus for automatically calibrating measures of acoustic impedance of cement and other materials behind casing
Methods and apparatus for in situ, continuous, automatic, and real-time acoustic impedance calibration of a transducer in an acoustic logging system. By taking the frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer which are present in the internal casing reflection and convolving them with the frequency characteristics of the casing being logged, a theoretical model is created with a theoretical acoustic impedance fluid producing a theoretical free pipe signal at each measure point. The measured signal is then compared to the theoretical free pipe signal thereby yielding a calibrated acoustic impedance value for at each measure point. The only model employed is in the theoretical calculation of spectrum characteristics of free pipe. |
| US07755972B2 |
Borehole apparatus and methods for simultaneous multimode excitation and reception to determine elastic wave velocities, elastic modulii, degree of anisotropy and elastic symmetry configurations
An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool. The system comprises apparatus for generating and sensing acoustic signals in a borehole in an earth formation, and further comprises a processing method by which the sensor response signals are processed and analyzed to obtain desired formation parameters of interest. |
| US07755971B2 |
Sensing system
The present invention relates to a sensing system, in particular to sensing system for sensing undersea seismic events. A vibration sensor is provided for sensing seismic vibrations on the sea bed is provided. The vibration sensor is electrically coupled to a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being arranged to transmit, in use, an acoustic wave from which the presence of a seismic vibration can be inferred. The acoustic wave modulates light travelling along a nearby optical cable, the modulation being recovered at a distant monitoring station. A flotation arrangement is provide for retaining the transmitter unit in a raised position relative to the sea bed to facilitate the coupling of the acoustic wave to the optical cable. |
| US07755968B2 |
Integrated circuit memory device having dynamic memory bank count and page size
An integrated circuit memory device has a storage array with an adjustable number of memory banks, a row of sense amplifiers to access storage cells in the storage array; and memory access control circuitry. The memory access control circuitry provides a first number of memory banks and a first page size in the integrated circuit memory device in a first mode of operation, and provides a second number of memory banks and a second page size in the integrated circuit memory device in a second mode of operation. The memory access control circuitry includes logic circuitry to adjust the number of memory banks in the integrated circuit memory device, and to adjust the page size of the integrated circuit memory device. |
| US07755962B2 |
Semiconductor memory devices, memory systems and computing systems including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a reference current generating circuit configured to generate a bias signal in response to a precharge signal during a precharge operation. Each of a plurality of sense amplifier circuits is connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of bit lines. Each sense amplifier is configured to precharge a corresponding bit line in response to the bias signal. The reference current generating circuit is configured to maintain the bias signal at a level higher than a voltage of the bit lines, but lower than a supply voltage during a sensing operation. |
| US07755959B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with reduced number of channels for test operation
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory banks, a data pin for inputting and outputting data, and input/output buffers connected to the data pin. Each of the memory banks has a plurality of memory cells for storing the data. The data pin is enabled and disabled by a pin selection signal. The data pin performs a normal data input/output operation when the pin selection signal is enabled and a termination resistor connected to the data pin is off when the pin selection signal is disabled. The input/output buffers make a termination resistor connected to the data pin off when the pin selection signal is disabled. |
| US07755958B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method thereof
A semiconductor memory device and method thereof are provided. The example semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of comparators receiving output data signals from each of a plurality of sub-array blocks, comparing the output data signals from each of the plurality of sub-array blocks and outputting a plurality of comparison result signals and a test circuit receiving the plurality of comparison result signals from the plurality of comparators, respectively, the test circuit configured to selectively output one of a given one of the plurality of comparison result signals on a given data input/output pad and a given signal obtained by performing a logical operation on at least two of the plurality of comparison result signals on the given data input/output pad in response to a select signal. |
| US07755951B2 |
Data output apparatus, memory system, data output method, and data processing method
A data output apparatus converts input data into data that changes less than the input data, and outputs the converted data to a memory. |
| US07755950B2 |
Programming methods of memory systems having a multilevel cell flash memory
A method of programming a multilevel cell flash memory includes dividing a memory cell array of the flash memory into a user block and a cache block, programming first LSB data into a page of the user block, programming first MSB data into the page of the user block after programming the first LSB data, programming second LSB data into a page of the cache block, and storing control data for controlling the flash memory in the cache block. |
| US07755949B2 |
Reset circuit for termination of tracking circuits in self timed compiler memories
A method and circuit for termination of internal cycle and its associated tracking circuits in high performance self timed compiler memories is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of timing the precharging of BLs in a self timed compiler memory array includes initiating an internal clock during the start of a read/write cycle by a control block, triggering DWL and WLs to go high upon initiating the internal clock by the control block, triggering DBL and BLs to go low upon the DWL and WLs going high by the control block, generating a reset BL signal upon the DWL going high and the DBL going low by the tracking circuit, disabling the DBL from going further low upon receiving the reset BL signal by the tracking circuit, and precharging the DBL to go high upon receiving the reset BL signal by the precharge circuit. |
| US07755948B2 |
Process and temperature tolerant non-volatile memory
A nonvolatile memory comprising an array of memory cells and sense amplifiers, each sense amplifier using a keeper circuit to provide an amount of current to compensate for bit line leakage current in the memory array. The amount of current from the keeper depends on the temperature of the memory and the speed of the process used to make the memory. |
| US07755943B2 |
Unit cell block of EEPROM and semiconductor memory device having the same
A semiconductor memory device is capable of reading data at a high speed, without using a reference cell transistor. The semiconductor memory device includes a sensing unit including first cross-coupled MOS transistors to sense and amplify a voltage difference between a first node and a second node, and a unit cell including second cross-coupled cell MOS transistors to latch data and output a first signal and a second signal corresponding to the latched data to the first node and the second node, respectively. |
| US07755938B2 |
Method for reading a memory array with neighbor effect cancellation
Disclosed is a method of reducing the neighbor effect while reading data in a non-volatile memory array. The method includes sensing adjacent memory cells. The sensing of the two adjacent cells is performed substantially simultaneously and through at least a partially shared sensing path. |
| US07755936B2 |
Integrated circuits, cell, cell arrangement, method of reading a cell, memory module
An embodiment of the invention provides an integrated circuit having a cell. The cell includes a first magnetic layer structure having a first magnetization along a first axis, a non-magnetic spacer layer structure disposed above the first magnetic layer structure, and a second magnetic layer structure disposed above the non-magnetic spacer layer structure. The second magnetic layer structure has a second magnetization along a second axis that is arranged in an angle with regard to the first axis such that by changing the direction of the second magnetization, the direction of the first magnetization along the first axis can be determined. |
| US07755935B2 |
Block erase for phase change memory
An embodiment of our invention includes a method of programming at least one phase change memory block, the at least one block comprising at least one phase change memory cell, the at least one cell comprising at least one phase change material. The method includes the steps of transitioning all cells within the at least one block to a first state and, after all cells within the at least one block have been transitioned to the first state, transitioning at least one cell within the at least one block to at least a second state. Transitioning a cell to the at least second state is faster than transitioning a cell to the first state. At least the step of transitioning all cells within the at least one block to a first state may include transitioning all cells within the at least one block in a substantially simultaneous manner. |
| US07755934B2 |
Resistance change memory device
A resistance change memory device including: a substrate; cell arrays stacked thereabove, each including a matrix layout of memory cells; a write circuit configured to write a pair cell constituted by two neighboring memory cells; and a read circuit configured to read complementary resistance value states of the pair cell as one bit of data, wherein the memory cell includes a variable resistance element for storing as information a resistance value, which has a recording layer composed of a composite compound containing at least two types of cation elements, at least one type of the cation element being a transition element having “d”-orbit, in which electrons are incompletely filled, the shortest distance between adjacent cation elements being 0.32 nm or less. |
| US07755931B2 |
Magnetic random access memory and operation method thereof
The MRAM includes: a memory cell 10 including a magnetoresistance element 1, a current supply circuit and a controller. The current supply circuit supplies, to the magnetoresistance element 1, a write current IW in a direction corresponding to data to be written into the memory cell 10. The controller controls supply of the write current IW from the current supply circuit. The controller also determines whether or not a data is written into the memory cell 10 during a predetermined write period PW in which the write current IW is supplied. The controller instructs the current supply circuit to finish supplying the write current IW when determining that the data is written into the memory cell (10). |
| US07755923B2 |
Memory array with read reference voltage cells
The present disclosure relates to memory arrays with read reference voltage cells. In particular the present disclosure relates to variable resistive memory cell apparatus and arrays that include a high resistance state reference memory cell and a low resistance state reference memory cell that provides a reliable average reference voltage on chip to compare to a read voltage of a selected memory cell and determine if the selected memory cell is in the high resistance state or low resistance state. These memory arrays are particularly suitable for use with spin-transfer torque memory cells and resolves many systematic issues related to generation of a reliable reference voltage. |
| US07755920B2 |
Electronic memory device
An electronic memory device includes a bank of memories provided with a cache, a sequencer for providing physical access to said bank of memories, a physical interface for receiving high level memory access requests, a request manager between the physical interface and the sequencer, said request manager includes an input queue for storing the high level memory access requests and an arbitration function which takes account of the data of the cache and the data of the input queue to designate a request which is to be executed, thus allowing the memory bank, the sequencer and the request manager to be provided on a single chip, the physical interface providing the connection of the chip with the outside. |
| US07755915B2 |
Power supply circuit with at least one feedback circuit feeding operating state of transformer back to pulse width modulation circuit thereof
An exemplary power supply circuit (20) includes a first commutating and filter circuit (21), a transformer (24), a second commutating and filter circuit (25), a transistor (27), a pulse width modulation circuit (26) outputting a control signal to control operation state of the transistor, and a feedback circuit (29). An external alternating current voltage is converted into a direct current with a cooperation operating of the transistor, the first commutating and filter circuit, the transformer, and the second commutating and filter circuit. The feedback circuit feeds an operating state of the transformer back to the pulse width modulation circuit, and the pulse width modulation circuit outputs corresponding control signals to turn on or turn off the transistor. |
| US07755914B2 |
Pulse frequency to voltage conversion
A power supply apparatus and method of regulating is provided. A converter circuit includes a primary switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The auxiliary switching element is for transferring a reflected voltage signal. A transformer includes a primary and a secondary, the primary is coupled with the converter circuit. The primary and secondary each include a single winding. An output rectifier circuit is coupled with the secondary of the transformer. A resonant circuit is included in the converter circuit and is coupled with the primary. The resonant circuit includes one or more resonance capacitors that are configured for providing a transformer resonance. The transformer resonance comprises the reflected voltage signal, the capacitance of the one or more resonance capacitors and a parasitic capacitance of the transformer. The reflected voltage signal is reflected from the secondary to the primary. The resonant circuit converts a pulse train to produce a voltage potential, the voltage potential varying in proportion to an output voltage, the pulse train comprising a duty cycle proportional to a load current. A virtual output voltage feedback loop is provided. The converter circuit is responsive to a virtual output voltage reference signal in regulating an output voltage. |
| US07755906B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus comprising: a unit which is mountable and removable at an electronic apparatus main body; a locking component; a mounted component which is mounted at the unit; a stopper member which is mounted at the unit and impedes removal of the mounted component from the unit; a first engaged portion which is provided at one of the unit and the stopper member; and a first engaging portion which is provided at the other of the unit and the stopper member, the first engaging portion engaging with the first engaged portion when the stopper member is mounted at the unit and impeding removal of the stopper member from the unit, being operable for releasing the engagement with the first engaged portion, and being inoperable in a state in which the unit is mounted at the electronic apparatus main body, is provided. |
| US07755905B2 |
Removable housing cover for a portable radio communication device
The invention provides an electronic mobile communications/entertainment device capable of a plurality of modes of operation, comprising a basic module having circuitry common to the operation of the device in said plurality of modes of operation, and a plurality of supplementary modules, each supplementary module being provided in the form of a housing cover for the device and including controlling means configured to provide for a corresponding mode of operation when coupled to the basic module, the supplementary modules being interchangeably attachable/detachable to the basic module so as to provide respective modes of operation, and the device only being operational when one of said plurality of supplementary modules is attached to the device. |
| US07755903B2 |
Heat dissipation apparatus
A heat dissipating apparatus includes a base, a heat sink received in the base, and a retaining cover attached to the base. The retaining cover defines two crossing slots for cooperatively forming at least one flap. Each free portion of flap has a free portion. The free portion of each flap elastically curves towards the heat sink to bias the heat sink towards the base. |
| US07755901B2 |
Heat dissipating structure for light emitting diodes
A heat dissipating structure associated with light emitting diodes includes a circuit substrate, a guide heat component, a heat dissipating device. The circuit substrate is attached with light emitting diodes. The guide heat component has a first end contacting the circuit substrate and a second end contacting with fins, which are provided with the heat dissipating device. The heat generated by the light emitting diodes is transmitted to the heat dissipating device via the guide heat pipe and then dissipated outward via the heat dissipating device. |
| US07755900B2 |
Heat dissipating module
A heat dissipating module including a first heat sink, a second heat sink, a connector, a pivot and a heat pipe is provided. The first heat sink is disposed on a circuit board and contacts a heat source. The second heat sink has a first pivotal hole and a limiting opening. The connector has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion is fixedly connected to the first heat sink. The second connecting portion has a limiting protrusion and a second pivotal hole corresponding to the first pivotal hole. The pivot passes through the first pivotal hole and the second pivotal hole and is pivotally connected to the connector and the second heat sink. The limiting protrusion protrudes into the limiting opening to limit the rotation angle of the second heat sink relative to the connector. |
| US07755896B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device includes: an object to be cooled (51, 52) as a heat-generating body; a cooling unit (32) that is provided on a first side of the object (51) to be in contact therewith; and a plate spring (36) disposed on a second side of the object (51) opposite to first side and attached to the cooling unit (32), the plate spring biasing the cooling unit (32) in a direction for the cooling unit (32) to be pressed to the object (51). Since the object (51) and the cooling unit (32) can be brought in closer contact with each other, the heat on the object (51) can be efficiently transferred to the cooling unit, thereby radiating the heat. Accordingly, the heat generated on the object (51) can be efficiently cooled. The object (51) is sandwiched by the plate spring (36) and the cooling unit (32), unidirectional load is not applied on the object (51), so that deformation of the object (51) can be restrained. |
| US07755895B2 |
Heat sink, an electronic component package, and a method of manufacturing a heat sink
A heat sink for an electronic component includes a structure that is bendable. |
| US07755891B2 |
Notebook computer with support member
A notebook computer comprises a base casing, a display casing hingeably coupled to the base casing, and a plurality of support members disposed in each of said base casing and said display casing around a perimeter of the casings. When the display casing is closed, the support members in the display casing align with the support members in the support members in the base casing. |
| US07755885B2 |
Housing of portable electronic devices and method for manufacturing the same
A housing (100) of portable electronic devices includes a main body (10) and a decorative layer (16). The main body defines a through groove (12) therein and a recessed portion (14) sunken from an outer surface thereof. The groove is formed adjacent to the recessed portion. The decorative layer is formed on the outer surface of the main body and extending in the groove and the recessed portion. A method for manufacturing the housing is also provided. |
| US07755884B2 |
Apparatus for reducing weight and thickness of a portable computer
An apparatus for reducing weight and thickness of portable computers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lower housing, an upper housing and a cosmetic cover. The lower housing is configured to accommodate electronic elements therein. The upper housing, which has an opening inside, includes a periphery connected to the lower housing and a main bridge structure connected from one edge of the periphery to another edge of the periphery for providing structural support to the upper housing in the opening and for accommodating a display module therein. The cosmetic cover is configured to cover the upper housing. |
| US07755877B2 |
Conveying method, conveyance apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A method of holding an object with an electrostatic chuck and conveying the held object includes steps of measuring a property of the object concerning an electrostatic attraction force generated between the object and the electrostatic chuck; and controlling a characteristic of conveyance of the object based on a measurement result in the measuring step. |
| US07755875B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic apparatus
To prevent an electrostatic damage on a display device formed with a driving circuit. Protective circuits are provided not only at input terminal parts, but also at intermediate parts of a circuit or at the ends of wiring lines. Otherwise, the protective circuits are provided at the ends of the wiring lines and at the places immediately before and after the input terminals, respectively, and then the circuit is interposed therebetween. Further, the protective circuits are provided around a circuit with a large current consumption. |
| US07755874B2 |
Switching control circuit and self excited DC-DC converter
A self-excited DC-DC converter includes a switching element that chops an input voltage; a smoothing circuit that smoothes the chopped voltage to generate an output voltage; and a switching control circuit. The switching control circuit includes a switching control signal generation circuit that generates a switching control signal for the on/off control of the switching element by comparing a feedback voltage of the output voltage and a comparison voltage; an output correction circuit that adjusts the comparison voltage according to an error between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage and, when the output current is in the overcurrent state, reduces the level of the comparison voltage; an overcurrent protection signal generation circuit that, when the output current is in an overcurrent state, generates an overcurrent protection signal for turning off the switching element regardless of the switching control signal; and a delay circuit that delays the overcurrent protection signal. |
| US07755873B2 |
Device for protection against voltage surges with parallel simultaneously triggered spark-gaps
A device for protection against voltage surges, comprising: a first spark gap (E1); a first pre-triggering system (2), electrically connected to the first spark gap (E1), so as to enable its being primed; a control device (4) electrically connected to the first pre-triggering system (2) so as to activate same. The invention is characterized in that it comprises at least a second spark gap (E2) mounted parallel to the first spark gap (E1), and electrically connected to a second pre-triggering system (3), such that the control device simultaneously activates the first and the second pre-triggering systems (2, 3), so as to trigger simultaneously the first and second spark gaps (E1, E2). The invention also concerns devices against voltage surges. |
| US07755872B2 |
System, method and device to preserve protection communication active during a bypass operation
Provided is an intelligent electronic device for protection, monitoring, controlling, metering or automation of electrical power system. The system, method and device of the present invention preserves current differential protection active during a breaker bypass or similar operation. A current differential protection system is coordinated by one relay (transfer), which simultaneously establishes and handles multiple two-terminal 87L protection zones with several relays. This “enhanced multiple-terminal system” requires no change to protection settings on any local or remote relays during a bypass process. |
| US07755869B2 |
Ground protection device for electronic stability and personal safety
A ground stabilization network including a circuit with an EMI filter circuit to filter out ground referenced interference and internal fault current detection circuitry with an integrated trip circuit to stop the flow of power in case of a fault condition, which might result in a safety hazard. The EMI filter circuit includes a resistor and a reactive portion, both connected in parallel between neutral or return line and ground, mounted between the trip circuit and a current sensor. The current sensor senses differences between the current in the hot or positive line and the current in the neutral/negative or return line, and causes the trip circuit to trip if a predetermined difference in current is sensed. |
| US07755866B1 |
Vertically coupling actuator arm for disc drives
A support arm for use in a disc drive suspension includes an asymmetry that creates a vertical coupling in the support arm, i.e., a slight lateral movement of the support arm distal end to which a load beam is mounted in response to vibration-induced bending of the support arm. The vertical coupling in the support arm at least partially cancels out during arm bending any vertical coupling which has been designed into the coupling between the load beam and the support arm to reduce track misregistration during flow-induced vibrations of the disc surface. In this way, track misregistration during both flow-induced vibrations and during arm bending is reduced. In a preferred embodiment the asymmetry is created by at least one of a first notch along an inside top edge of the arm, and a second notch along a bottom outside edge of the arm. |
| US07755864B2 |
Magnetic recording head for perpendicular recording, fabrication process, and magnetic disk storage apparatus mounting the magnetic recording head
Embodiments of the invention provide a head which can prevent an external magnetic field form erasing a signal on the medium and whose main magnetic pole piece does not corrode during processing of the air bearing surface. In one embodiment, an anti-corrosion electrode is formed to apply a voltage to the main magnetic pole piece during processing of the air bearing surface. This retards corrosion of the main magnetic pole piece. Since a conductor (anti-corrosion wire) connected to this anti-corrosion electrode is made of a nonmagnetic material, concentration of an external magnetic field into the main magnetic pole piece can be suppressed. Consequently, since the magnetic leakage field emitted from the main magnetic pole piece is reduced, erasure of the signal on the medium can be prevented. In addition, since the anti-corrosion wire is connected to the upper core, this wire can be formed in the same wiring layer as a wire which connects the coil to a write terminal, resulting in a simplified manufacturing process. |
| US07755862B2 |
Apparatus for writing a magnetic layer
An apparatus for writing a magnetic layer writable with either low or high coercive field strength includes a magnetic head having a magnet coil and a voltage source. The apparatus includes switches between the voltage source and opposing ends of the magnet coil. Two further switches serve to maintain the direction of current flow through the magnet coil. A current measuring device determines the current intensity through the magnet coil. The current measuring device drives the switches in such a way that the current intensity in the magnet coil does not exceed or undershoot a level required for writing the magnetic layer. |
| US07755861B1 |
Method and system for providing a magnetic recording media
A method and system for providing a magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of regions. Each region corresponds to a bit and includes at least one grain. The grain(s) include a plurality of magnetic layers and at least one interlayer between the magnetic layers. The grain(s) have a thickness less than an exchange length of each of the magnetic layers. In addition, at least one of the magnetic layers has a coercivity different from another of the magnetic layers. |
| US07755856B2 |
Lens module and optical module incorporating same
A lens module includes a first lens. The first lens includes a first central round portion and a first peripheral portion. The first peripheral portion has a first radially extending portion surrounding the first central round portion, and a first axially extending portion extending axially from the first radially extending portion. The first radially extending portion comprises a first surface. The first axially extending portion comprises a first cylindrical side surface and a second side surface. The first cylindrical side surface is interconnected between the second side surface and the first surface. The first cylindrical side surface is coaxially aligned with a principal axis of the first central round portion and the second side surface is inclined relative to the principal axis of the central round portion. |
| US07755854B2 |
Image pickup lens, image pickup apparatus and mobile terminal
An image pickup lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: a aperture stop; a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and having a biconcave shape including an aspheric surface. The image pickup lens satisfies the predetermined conditions according to focal lengths of the first lens and the third lens. |
| US07755852B2 |
Optical element molding method and optical element
A molding material is heated and pressed plural times when molded is an optical element having a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of a sphere having the same volume as the optical element. When such an optical element is molded, a closed space is formed between a molding material and a transfer surface of a mold in a state where the molding material is placed thereon. Thus, an appearance defect such as a recess is easily generated on the molded optical element. However, since the molding material is molded plural times, it is possible to place the molding materials on the transfer surfaces of the molds after a size of the closed space is adjusted so as not to generate the appearance defect prior to each heating/pressing process. Thereby, it is possible to suppress generation of an appearance defect in the molded optical element. |
| US07755850B2 |
Lens apparatus and lens system
A lens apparatus includes an optical lens unit including a movable lens portion, a drive unit configured to drive the movable lens portion, a control unit configured to control the drive unit, a difference calculation unit configured to calculate a difference between command signals received at intervals of a predetermined period, and an addition unit configured to add the difference calculated by the difference calculation unit to each of the command signals, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit based on a result of an addition performed by the addition unit. |
| US07755849B2 |
Lens and related lens assembly
An exemplary lens includes an optical axis, an optically active part, and an optically inactive part surrounding the optically active part. The optically inactive part includes a base and a peripheral sidewall extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis. The base is connected with the active part. The side wall is a hollow cylinder. The sidewall has an internal thread formed on an internal surface thereof. |
| US07755848B2 |
Zoom lens system and electronic image pickup apparatus using the same
A zoom lens system includes a rear lens group having in order from an object side, a first lens unit G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refracting power, and a third lens unit G3 having a positive refracting power, and an aperture stop S which is disposed between the second lens unit G2 and the third lens unit G3. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, when focused on an object at a longest distance, each of the first lens unit G1 , the second lens unit G2, and the third lens unit G3 moves such that a distance between the first lens unit G1 and the second lens unit G2 is widened (increased), and a distance between the, second lens unit G2 and the third lens unit G3 is narrowed (decreased). |
| US07755842B2 |
Anastigmatic anamorphic lens system
Disclosed is an anastigmatic anamorphic lens unit for processing images, particularly multidimensional images, as they are generated and evaluated, for example in connection with spatially resolved spectroscopy. The lens unit has a high anamorphic factor and comprises several lens subassemblies, a positive refractive subassembly (a) comprising at least one rotationally symmetrical lens or lens group being disposed on the lens side in order to reduce the field angle. A central optical subassembly (b) is disposed behind the positive refractive subassembly (a) in the beam path for beam divergence in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis, while maintaining small field angles, wherein the central optical subassembly (b) comprises at least one anamorphically distorting element and one or more rotationally symmetrical lenses or lens groups. An additional optical subassembly (c) for narrowing and enlarging the aperture on the axes in which the beam is diverged is disposed on the image side, wherein this optical subassembly (c) located on the image side alternately comprises at least one anamorphically distorting element and at least one rotationally symmetrical lens. |
| US07755838B2 |
Optical devices
An optical manifold for efficiently combining a plurality of blue LED outputs to illuminate a phosphor for a single, substantially homogeneous output, in a small, cost-effective package. Embodiments are disclosed that use a single or multiple LEDs and a remote phosphor, and an intermediate wavelength-selective filter arranged so that backscattered photoluminescence is recycled to boost the luminance and flux of the output aperture. A further aperture mask is used to boost phosphor luminance with only modest loss of luminosity. Alternative non-recycling embodiments provide blue and yellow light in collimated beams, either separately or combined into white. |
| US07755837B2 |
Image display apparatus
An image display apparatus is disclosed in which the position of an exit pupil can follow the movement of a pupil of an observer even with a small size. The apparatus includes an image-forming element which forms an image, an ocular unit which causes light from the image-forming element to form an exit pupil, and an optical element which reflects the light from the image-forming element toward the ocular unit. The optical element has an optical power and is rotated about a focal point of the ocular unit on the side closer to the image-forming element to move the exit pupil. |
| US07755836B2 |
Imaging system and method to change field depth
An imaging system comprises a masking element configured to mask a predetermined quantity of lens elements of a lens array during a scan of a media object to change a depth of field of the lens array. |
| US07755834B2 |
Wavelength-selective diffraction element and optical head device incorporating the same
The present invention provides a wavelength-selective diffraction element, configured such that light having a plurality of wavelengths are incident thereon as incident light, which is provided with: a transparent substrate; a concavo-convex part, formed on the transparent substrate such that concave portions and convex portions are cyclically extended in one direction, and comprised of a first material which is optically isotropic; and a filling part, filling at least the concave portions and comprised of a second material which is optically isotropic. The first material and the second material have no absorbance with respect to the wavelengths of the incident light. The first material and the second material have an identical refractive index with respect to light having a first wavelength which is at least one of the wavelengths of the incident light. The first material and the second material have different refractive indices with respect to light having a second wavelength which is at least one of the wavelengths of the incident light and different from the first wavelength. |
| US07755833B2 |
Correcting device to compensate for polarization distribution perturbations
A corrective device for compensating disturbances of polarization distribution across the cross section of a light beam (10). The corrective device includes a corrective member (18; 118) encompassing two double refractive corrective elements (20, 22; 120a, 120b, 122; 220; 222; 320, 322) with two substantially parallel surfaces (24, 26; 126, 127). The thickness (d) of the corrective element (22; 122, 222) is essentially constant between the surfaces (26; 126, 127). At least one of the surfaces (24, 26; 126, 127) of at least one of the corrective elements (20, 22; 120a, 120b, 122; 220; 222; 320, 322) is refinished in such a way that local irregularities in thickness Δd are created, by which the disturbances of polarization distribution are at least nearly compensated. The arrangement, thickness (d), and double-refractive properties of the corrective elements (20, 22; 120a, 120b, 122; 220; 222; 320, 322) are selected such that the double-refractive effects thereof mutually cancel each other out if the local irregularities in thickness Δd are not taken into consideration. The corrective device influences polarization only at points where disturbances are to be compensated. |
| US07755827B2 |
Display system with variable diffuser
A display system comprises a display device (DD) with a display screen (DS) for displaying an image. A diffuser (DI) is arranged in front of the display device (DD). A controller (CO) controls at least a portion of the diffuser (DI) to be in a transparent state wherein the display screen (DS) is visible or in an opaque state for hiding the display screen (DS). The controller (CO) also controls an illumination system (IS) to illuminate at least the portion of the diffuser (DI) when in the opaque state. |
| US07755817B2 |
Color gamut mapping
Mapping of color gamut in a three-dimensional color space is performed by converting coordinates of source reference points to coordinates of destination reference points, and converting coordinates of an initial point to coordinates of a target point based on a first relationship among a first set of volumes and a second relationship among a second set of volumes. The first set of volumes are defined at least in part by the initial point and at least a subset of the source reference points, and the second set of volumes are defined at least in part by the target point and at least a subset of the destination reference points. |
| US07755814B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a control unit, and a pattern region. The reading unit moves a linear reading range, which is provided in a main scanning direction, in a sub-scanning direction that intersects with the main scanning direction while reading an object that faces the reading range, and generates image data on the basis of a read result. The control unit controls the reading unit. The pattern region includes a predetermined pattern that defines a reference position for specifying a reading position that is read by the reading unit. The predetermined pattern has a characteristic portion that specifies a schematic position of the predetermined pattern in the sub-scanning direction. The control unit includes a first image acquisition unit, a pattern searching unit, a second image acquisition unit, a characteristic portion searching unit, a first reprocessing instruction unit, and a second reprocessing instruction unit. |
| US07755811B2 |
Document illuminator
A document illuminator includes a light-transmissive element having an embedded source of illumination fitted in a cavity formed therein. The light-transmissive element preferably has one or more optical notches and preferably is encased in an opaque surround to promote total internal reflection of the light rays emanating from the LED. The one or more optical notches may include a dual-V notch or an elliptical notch. The reflected light rays are collected at an aperture which in turn transmit light at high power and highly uniform illumination profile to illuminate a document. |
| US07755809B2 |
Laser scanning optical system and image forming apparatus
A laser scanning optical system converts a plurality of beams emitted from the laser diode (LD) into parallel light using a collimator lens, shapes the parallel light using an aperture, and executes exposure of a plurality of lines simultaneously on a photoreceptor drum. To cause a necessary emitting point interval d determined uniquely from the magnification of the optical system to coincide with an emitting point interval of the LD used, the LD is rotated by an angle θ against the main optical axis plane thereof. In this case, a converting device that converts the aspect ratio of a profile of the light beam emitted from the LD is provided. A conversion characteristic of the converting device is adjusted such that the characteristic is matched with a condition within a predetermined region following a characteristic of the optical system. |
| US07755807B2 |
Image reading device and image forming apparatus
The image reading device of the present invention is an image reading device comprising a reading unit reading an image of an original document, a clear plate disposed between the original document and the reading unit, a clear photoemitting layer included in the clear plate and having a plurality of emitting areas, a clear input sensor included in the clear plate and outputting a two-dimensional position of a pushed place on the clear plate and an controller displaying an operation panel on the clear plate using the clear photoemitting layer and receiving operations to the operation panel. |
| US07755805B2 |
Image reading apparatus, control method therefor, and program
An object of this invention is to suppress a decrease in reading efficiency while preventing image degradation. To achieve this object, an image reading apparatus includes a light source which illuminates an object, a sensor which photoelectrically converts light reflected by the object and reads information on the object, a first density reference member which serves as a reference for correcting an image signal obtained by reading an original by the sensor, a second density reference member which is different from the first density reference member, a comparison unit which compares the second signal obtained by reading the second density reference member by the sensor and the third signal obtained by reading again the second density reference member by the sensor, and a correction unit which corrects the image signal on the basis of the first signal obtained by reading the first density reference member by the sensor, and the comparison result of the comparison device. |
| US07755802B2 |
Toner-based noise reduction in electrostatography
In the method, a digital image is received. A granularity model is constructed of each of the toner stations. A noise table is produced. The noise table is based on the granularity models and is adaptive to the content of the digital image. Noise is reduced in the digital image using the noise table. The digital image is divided into a plurality of color records, each corresponding to a respective toner station. The color records of the noise reduced digital image are printed using respective toner stations. Each granularity model defines a toner applied by the respective toner station. |
| US07755792B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image apparatus system, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus that controls usage of the image processing apparatus by a user based on restriction information which indicates a function that the user is allowed to use and use information which indicates a number of recording medium that the user use, the image processing apparatus includes a controller that controls the usage of the image processing apparatus by managing a plurality of jobs on a single user basis if a plurality of jobs are generated when the single user performs login and logout a plurality of times. |
| US07755791B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image input device that reads an image to obtain image data and a printer engine that forms an image on a medium based on image data. A bus of a PCI Express standard is used to transfer data. Storage areas serving as end points of the standard and hardware resources that transmit data and receive image data to and from the storage areas are connected to an identical switch according to the PCI Express standard. Specifically, an input/output area, an image input device, and a printer engine are connected to one switch, and a storage area, a compressor, and a hard disk is connected to another switch. |
| US07755789B2 |
Printing system and printing method to conserve developer
A printing system and a printing method providing a menu to change printing options to conserve developer. The printing method includes determining whether a developer is deficient by checking the status of the developer when a print command is input; setting new printing options upon determining the deficiency of the developer; and generating and printing an image according to the newly set printing options. Accordingly, it is possible to print more pages using the same amount of developer. Based on the menu to change the printing options, the user can select to change the resolution, the scale of the print, and the N-up, to conserve the developer. |
| US07755788B2 |
System and method of scanning a job to a group of printers from a multi-function peripheral device
A system and method, for communicating data between a multi-function peripheral (MFP) device and a plurality of networked printing entities, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting, at an MFP device, a plurality of networked printing entities, wherein information associated with printing, being compatible with the MFP device, is stored on the MFP device, and wherein the print associated information includes at least a location data of each of the selected printing entities. The method also comprises i) receiving, at the MFP device, a single print request for a document to be printed in the selected printing entities, and ii) sending the single print request to the selected printing entities based on the location data and the print associated information such that a copy of the same document is printed in all selected printing entities. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of networked printing entities includes one of the following: a single printer, a group of printers including at least one printer, and the combination thereof. |
| US07755787B2 |
Method and system for managing shared printers
A method for managing a plurality of printers shared among at least one user is provided. At least two of the plurality of printers are of the same model. The method includes configuring the at least two of the plurality of printers to report a common serial number by setting a serial number flag in a memory unit of the printer to a predefined value. When a computer is connected to the printer, the printer reports the common serial number to the computer. |
| US07755784B2 |
Image forming devices, imaging methods, and methods of modifying a configuration of an image forming device
Image forming devices, imaging methods, and methods of modifying a configuration of an image forming device are described. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes an interface adapted to communicate with a remote device via a communication medium, and processing circuitry configured to access first configuration data to control an operation of the image forming device according to a first configuration to form hard images upon media during a first period of time, to monitor the formation of hard images upon the media during the first period of time, to control the interface to communicate usage data corresponding to the monitoring, and to access second configuration data received from the remote device responsive to the communication of the usage data, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to access the second configuration data to control the operation of the image forming device according to a second configuration different than the first configuration to form the hard images upon the media during a second period of time after the first period of time. |
| US07755781B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method and recording medium
Disclosed an image forming apparatus including: a data receiving section; a memory section comprising a shared storage area; an analysis section to generate an intermediate data from the page-description language; a rasterizing section to generate the bitmap data from the intermediate data and to release an storage area; and a print control section to allow a printing section to perform printing, and to release an storage area; wherein a rasterizing section comprises a judgment section to judge whether or not the following condition expression is satisfied when the shared storage area is run out, (number of rasterized pages)−(number of pages whose memory area saved for storing the bitmap data has been released))>0 when the condition expression is satisfied, the rasterizing section holds a processing until the shared storage area opens, and when the condition expression is not satisfied, a process for a memory-full error is performed. |
| US07755780B2 |
Information processing apparatus, server apparatus, printing control system, program and storage medium
A personal computer is an information processing apparatus including: a browser which obtains data from a resource and displays an image corresponding to the data; and a printer driver section for carrying out control of printing operation. The printer driver section includes an UI processing section for instructing the browser to obtain setting image data from a content item storage section which stores the setting image data which corresponds to a setting image by which a user sets printing conditions, and to display the setting image expressed by the setting image data in a display apparatus. In this way, the present invention realizes an information processing apparatus capable of easy modification of the setting image for setting printing conditions. |
| US07755777B2 |
Wavelength selection method, film thickness measurement method, film thickness measurement apparatus, and system for producing thin film silicon device
An object is to reduce film thickness measurement error. Illumination light having different wavelengths is radiated onto a plurality of samples in which thin films having different film qualities and film thicknesses are provided on substrates, evaluation values related to the amounts of transmitted light when the illumination light of each wavelength is radiated are measured, film thickness characteristics, showing the relationship between the evaluation values and the film thicknesses for each film quality, are formed at each wavelength based on the measurement results, and among the film thickness characteristics, a wavelength at which a measurement difference between the evaluation values caused by the film qualities is in a predetermined range is selected. |
| US07755775B1 |
Broadband optical metrology with reduced wave front distortion, chromatic dispersion compensation and monitoring
Apparatus and method for examining a sample with a broadband radiation while preserving a small spot and low wave front distortion. The apparatus has a broadband source for generating the broadband radiation and a first reflective optics that employ toroidal mirrors that are barrel or donut-shaped and may be placed in a crossed or parallel arrangement for producing a broadband test beam that is guided to the sample such that it is incident on it at a small spot. A sampling aperture is provided for filtering a certain center portion from the broadband test beam. A second reflective optics is provided for shaping a reflected response beam from the broadband radiation that is reflected from the spot. The response beam is delivered by second reflective optics to a detector for examination. The apparatus and method can be applied to improve wave front distortion in reflectance measurements and for performing transmittance measurements with chromatic distortion compensation. The method and apparatus further provide for efficient monitoring of the broadband test beam. |
| US07755773B2 |
Scanner device
A scanner device for measuring the color properties of a measured object pixel by pixel has a support surface for the measured object, a color measuring head, a drive unit for moving the color measuring head above the support surface in at least one dimension thereof and for adjusting the height of the color measuring head in the direction perpendicular to the support surface, as well as a measurement and drive control unit which activates the drive unit and co-operates with the color measuring head. It is also equipped with an electronic distance control system which adjusts the distance of the color measuring head above the measurement point in the direction perpendicular to the support surface to a desired measuring distance for every measurement point by means of the drive unit. The electronic distance control system works with measurement values generated by the color measuring head and distance values computed from them. The scanner device is suitable for running high-precision measurements on even the smallest measurement fields without contact and no separate measurement sensor is needed for the distance control system. |
| US07755771B2 |
Noncontact method for measuring pitch of gear teeth and screw
A pitch measurement method of performing noncontact measurement of a pitch of target portions, the target portions being provided in an object and adjacent to each other, includes moving the object such that the target portions move along a same path, continuously acquiring and storing optical data of the target portions passing a predetermined position on the path from a fixed position, while focusing on the predetermined position, calculating a focusing evaluation value representing a degree of focus at an area corresponding to the predetermined position, using a movement distance of the target portions as a variable, according to a relationship between the optical data and the movement distance, and obtaining a point group of combinations of the movement distance and the focusing evaluation value, and applying a reference curve to the point group, thereby determining the pitch based on a position where the reference curve is applied. |
| US07755769B2 |
Method of motion correction in optical coherence tomography imaging
An image data set acquired by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is corrected for effects due to motion of the sample. A first set of A-scans is acquired within a time short enough to avoid any significant motion of the sample. A second more extensive set of A-scans is acquired over an overlapping region on the sample. Significant sample motion may occur during acquisition of the second set. A-scans from the first set are matched with A-scans from the second set, based on similarity between the longitudinal optical scattering profiles they contain. Such matched pairs of A-scans are likely to correspond to the same region in the sample. Comparison of the OCT scanner coordinates that produced each A-scan in a matching pair, in conjunction with any shift in the longitudinal scattering profiles between the pair of A-scans, reveals the displacement of the sample between acquisition of the first and second A-scans in the pair. Estimates of the sample displacement are used to correct the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of the A-scans in the second set, to form a motion-corrected OCT data set. |
| US07755768B2 |
Apparatus for and a method of determining a characteristic of a layer or layers
In respective measurement operations on a first sample surface area having a layer structure (81) and a characterized second sample surface area (82), light reflected by the region of the sample surface and the reference surface interfere and a sensing device (10) senses light intensity representing interference fringes at intervals during the relative movement along a measurement scan path to provide first intensity data in the form of a first series of intensity values resulting from a measurement operation on the first sample surface area and second intensity data in the form of a second series of intensity values resulting from a measurement operation on the second sample surface area. A layer structure determiner (100) determines a frequency transform ratio corresponding to a ratio between the first and second intensity data and fits a layer structure model having variable model parameters related to the layer thicknesses and refractive indices of the layers of a layer structure to the determined ratio by adjusting the model parameters, thereby obtaining for the model parameters values representing the layer thicknesses and refractive indices of the layers of the sample layer structure. |
| US07755766B1 |
Telescope interferometric maintenance evaluation tool
A system and method for testing telescope optics are disclosed. The telescope optics can be testing in-situ, thus more accurately revealing the as-used optical conditions. The optical conditions are input to a test system which, by objective analysis, reveals a condition of the optics and an indication of the need for corrective action. A test bench for testing optics and for validating the test system using modeled telescope optics is also disclosed. |
| US07755758B2 |
Method and apparatus for optical spectrum analysis
The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method of optical spectrum analysis of an optical spectrum of a light beam (4), comprising the steps of selecting a certain part of the optical spectrum of the light beam (4) to provide a filtered light beam (12), detecting the filtered light beam (12) to provide an electrical signal corresponding to a power amplitude (O(λ)) of the filtered light beam (12), detecting the filtered light beam (12) to provide an electrical signal corresponding to a wavelength of the filtered light beam (12), and providing the power amplitude as a function of the wavelength of the filtered light beam (12). |
| US07755756B2 |
Raman spectral analysis of pathogens
A method of assessing occurrence of a plant pathogen in a sample. The method comprises irradiating the sample and assessing radiation scattered from the sample for radiation that exhibits a Raman scattering characteristic of the pathogen. Detection of scattered radiation that exhibits a Raman shift characteristic of the pathogen is an indication that the pathogen occurs in the sample. |
| US07755755B2 |
Matched optical waveforms for detection and identification of biological pathogens
A method is provided for identifying a contaminant in a gaseous space. The method includes: generating a broadband optical waveform; shaping the optical waveform to match an expected waveform for a known contaminant; and transmitting the shaped optical waveform towards an unknown contaminant. Upon receiving a reflected optical waveform from the unknown contaminant, determining whether the unknown contaminant correlates to the known contaminant based on the reflected waveform. |
| US07755754B2 |
Calibration device for use in an optical part measuring system
A calibration device for use in an optical, part measuring system is provided. The device has a central axis and a plurality of regions which are rotationally symmetric about the axis. The device includes a series of step-shaped portions defining a multi-step region having a plurality of step edges. A profile of the multi-step region contains information for calibrating the system. The device further includes a plurality of cylindrically-shaped portions spaced apart along the axis and defining constant diameter regions containing information for calibrating the system. The device still further includes a frustum-shaped portion defining a pair of spaced, slope edge regions and a sloped region having boundaries marked by the pair of slope edge regions. The frustum-shaped portion has first and second diameters at its boundaries which define a range of diameters of parts capable of being measured in the system. A profile of the slope edge regions and the sloped region contains information for calibrating the system. |
| US07755753B2 |
Defect inspection apparatus, sensitivity calibration method for the same, substrate for defect detection sensitivity calibration, and manufacturing method thereof
A reference substrate for defect detection sensitivity calibration has: patterns and programmed defective portions which are cone defects with different sizes and are formed at random on a silicon substrate. By using the reference substrate for defect detection sensitivity calibration, it is possible to obtain an index, usable in manufacturing management, for determining sensitivity adjustment after a lamp is replaced in an illumination part of a defect inspection apparatus. |
| US07755747B2 |
Device and method for checking the authenticity of an anti-forgery marking
The invention relates to a device for checking the authenticity of an anti-forgery marking with colors which change depending on the angle of observation, comprising a) several first light sources, emitting in a given spectral range, whereby the light sources are different from each other with regard to the wavelength of the emission maximum thereof and the first light sources (1) are housed in a housing (5) such as to irradiate the surface (O), with the housing (5) placed thereon, at a given first angle (α1), b) a first means (2) for measuring the intensity of the light reflected from the surface (O) arranged at a second angle (α2) and c) a means (7) for the automatic comparison of measured intensities with the reference intensities stored for at least one given color for each light source (1). |
| US07755742B2 |
Lithographic apparatus with mounted sensor
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed in which a circular sensor is mounted to a substrate table with three leaf springs that are evenly spaced around a thermal axis of the sensor. The leaf springs are provided in two parts that are releasably attachable to each other. The leaf springs are elastic and allow some movement of the sensor relative to the substrate table on thermal expansion and contraction but ensure that the thermal center of the sensor does not move relative to the substrate table. |
| US07755741B2 |
Substrate exposure apparatus and illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus and an exposure apparatus that achieves higher quality exposure to light and higher operating speed even where the ratio Hx/Hy between the transverse dimension Hx and the longitudinal dimension Hy of the plane of optical modulation of a two-dimensional optical space modulator is 1.5 or above, for instance, are to be provided. The focal distance fx in an x-direction and the focal distance fy in a y-direction of a second optical system that guides light emitted from an integrator to a two-dimensional optical space modulator are made different, in a ratio of fx/fy=1.6, for instance. In this way, the number of rod lenses in the integrator can be made equal between transverse and longitudinal directions and the value of Hx/Hy can be made 2.5 by bringing the aspect ratio dx:dy of rod lenses to 1.6:1, close to 1. |
| US07755727B2 |
Liquid crystal display module
Provided is a liquid crystal display module having a liquid crystal display element, an optically anisotropic optical sheet on a backside of the display element, and a backlight element on the backside of the optical sheet. The angle of the phase advancing axial orientation or the phase retarding axial orientation, measured with respect to the short side of the display, of the optical sheet is at least π/16 but not more than 3π/16. |
| US07755725B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display panel
A transflective liquid crystal display panel is disclosed. The liquid crystal display panel includes an array substrate and a storage capacitor disposed on the array substrate. The array substrate includes a transmitting region and a reflecting region, in which the storage capacitor is disposed on the reflecting region of the array substrate. The storage capacitor also includes a first transparent conducting layer disposed on the array substrate, a dielectric layer disposed on the first transparent conducting layer, and a reflective conducting layer disposed on the dielectric layer. |
| US07755724B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus is suitable for a user to view through a polarization component having a first transmittance axis. The display apparatus includes a display module, a polarizer and a biaxial half-wave plate. The polarizer has a second transmittance axis such that a light provided from the display module passes through the polarizer and is converted into a polarized light. The biaxial half-wave plate is disposed on the display module and between the polarizer and the polarization component. The biaxial half-wave plate has a slow axis arranged between the first and second transmittance axes. The polarization of the polarized light passing through the biaxial half-wave plate tends toward the first transmittance axis. |
| US07755723B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and display apparatus
A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate; and a reflective display area on the first substrate side, the reflective display area being provided with a common electrode and a pixel electrode having a plurality of slits so as to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, wherein between the first substrate and the pixel electrode, a reflective film and an interlayer insulating film, both films having projecting patterns on a front surface side, are arranged in this order from the first substrate side, and the pixel electrode and the common electrode are arranged so that electric field intensities between the pixel electrode and the common electrode are made equal in the reflective display area. |
| US07755717B2 |
Polarizing element, polarizing element manufacturing method, liquid crystal device, and projection display
A polarizing element manufacturing method includes (a) forming a plurality of fine metal wires by forming a metal film on a substrate and patterning the metal film, (b) applying, onto a base material, a glass precursor solution for forming a protective layer for protecting the fine metal wires, (c) placing the substrate on the base material so that ends of the fine metal wires are immersed in the glass precursor solution, and (d) forming the protective layer by drying the glass precursor solution, and bonding together the base material and the substrate with the protective layer therebetween. |
| US07755714B2 |
LCD apparatus having a display module with pivot portion on back side spaced a predetermined distance from bottom edge that engages supporter and rotates to first or second position depending upon contact with table or wall type surface
A liquid crystal display apparatus, which is in contact with a surface, includes a liquid crystal display module and a supporter. The liquid crystal display module has a display side and a back side, which is disposed opposite to the display side. The liquid crystal display module further has a first pivoting portion. The supporter is installed on the back side, and is in contact with the surface. The supporter has a second pivoting portion pivoting on the first pivoting portion of the liquid crystal display module. The liquid crystal display module rotates about an axis, and moves between a first position and a second position with respect to the supporter. A distance exists between the liquid crystal display module and the surface. |
| US07755712B2 |
Array substrate, and method for repairing thereof, and display panel and display apparatus comprising the same
An array substrate, and method for repairing thereof, and display panel and apparatus comprising the same are provided. The array substrate includes a base, a plurality of signal lines, and at least one repair structure. The base has an active region and a peripheral region adjoining to the active region. The signal lines are disposed on the base. The repair structure, is disposed on the peripheral region, and has at least one first repair line and at least one second repair line. The second repair line has a first sub-line and a second sub-line. The first sub-line is located between the first repair line and the second sub-line. |
| US07755706B2 |
Method for correcting for distortion of projected image, program for correcting image distortion, and projection-type image display device
An image distortion correction method is provided which is capable of correcting for distortion of a projected image by designating an arbitrary correction point by using a simple and easy operation without independently providing a display device and/or a pointing device. The distortion correction method includes a first step of displaying first to eighth correction function indicating marks corresponding to first to eighth correction functions to make corrections to first to fourth correction points on a screen, a second step of displaying the first correction function indicating mark corresponding to the first correction function selected by an operator on the screen in a highlighted manner, a third step of moving the first correction point to be corrected by the selected first correction function and to be displayed on the screen according to an instruction of the operator and of calculating a correction parameter corresponding to a moved distance, and a fourth step of correcting for distortion of projected image based on the correction parameter. |
| US07755701B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a down-converter and an image converter converting first image data into higher quality second image data. The image converter includes a prediction tap extracting unit extracting, as prediction taps, a plurality of pixels used for predicting a subject pixel of the second image data from the first image data, a class tap extracting unit extracting, as class taps, a plurality of pixels used for classifying the subject pixel from the first image data, a classification unit classifying the subject pixel based on the class taps, a coefficient output unit outputting a coefficient corresponding to a class of the subject pixel from among coefficients, determined beforehand by learning, corresponding to the plurality of classes, and a calculator determining the subject pixel by performing prediction calculations by using the coefficient corresponding to the class of the subject pixel and the prediction taps. |
| US07755699B2 |
Digital camera
A small and slim digital camera with an improved grip and a large display unit is provided. The digital camera takes a picture of an object via a lens unit installed in a front surface of a case of the digital camera. The digital camera includes: a case that has a main body in which a lens unit is formed on a front surface of the main body; and a side portion of the case which is pivotably coupled to the main body to be able to pivot toward the lens unit with respect to the main body; and a manipulating unit which is exposed to the outside between the main body and the side portion at a rear surface of the case when the side portion is pivoted. |
| US07755692B2 |
Image pickup apparatus having controlled start-up
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention can eliminate the trouble of starting up the image pickup apparatus once to change settings in order to turn off a start-up picture image and mute start-up sound or operation sound. A method of controlling the same, a program for the method and a storage medium having the program stored therein all can attain such technological advantages. Start-up sound, operation sound after the start-up and display of a start-up picture image of the image pickup apparatus are inhibited by depressing a predetermined button in starting up the image pickup apparatus. |
| US07755691B2 |
Driving method for solid-state image pickup device and image pickup apparatus
Screen noise caused by variations of dark current between light sensitive pixels of a solid-state imaging device are suppressed. In an exposure period E after an electronic shutter operation completion time t2, information charges are accumulated while shifting a potential well. With a frame-transfer CCD image sensor in which transfer electrodes G1-G3 to which transfer clocks φi1-φi3 are applied are provided for each light sensitive pixel, at the start of the exposure period E, a potential well is formed for a period α under the electrode G2. Then, the potential wells are formed sequentially under the electrode G1 for a period 2α, under the electrode G2 for a period α, and under the electrode G3 for a period 2α. That is, regarding dark current contained in the information charges accumulated in each pixel, dark currents under the electrodes G1-G3 correspond to the same period. Thus, the amounts of dark current accumulated in each pixel become position-wise averaged values within the pixel and variations in the dark current between the pixels are reduced. |
| US07755685B2 |
Electron multiplication CMOS imager
A pixel for an imager is disclosed that includes at least one electron multiplication (EM) gain stage configured in a loop and electrically coupled to a charge collection region and a charge readout region, the charge collection region being configured to generate a charge packet, the EM gain stage being configured to amplify the charge packet by impact ionization and to circulate the charge packet a predetermined number of times in one direction around the loop, the charge readout region being configured to receive the amplified charge packet and convert the amplified charge to a measurable signal. The at least one EM gain stage, the charge collection region, and the charge readout region can be formed monolithically in an integrated circuit. The pixel can be manufactured using a CMOS process. The pixel can further include a second EM gain stage formed in the integrated circuit to increase the amount of amplification around the loop. |
| US07755679B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing edge effect in an image sensor
A method and apparatus for forming dummy pixels exhibiting electrical characteristics virtually identical to the clear pixels of the imaging array. Arrays of such dummy pixels are used to form regions that isolate the main imaging array and sub-arrays of optical black pixels while preventing edge effects. The dummy pixels are preferably clear but can also be covered with optical black. By setting quiescent operation in soft reset, the dummy pixels exhibit the diode ideality and RoA product that are typical of any of the pixels in the entire array. |
| US07755677B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic gain and exposure control for maintaining target image brightness in video imager systems
In an image processing system, the imager gain and the exposure time are adjusted based on a predefined stepping sequence using a stepping table designed to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio in the image. This is achieved by providing a stepping sequence with each step having the largest suitable integration time (exposure) and an appropriate amplifier and digital gain setting, while achieving an equal relative percentage change in image brightness between adjacent sequence steps. The size of the executed AE steps is proportional to the distance between a current image luminance and the target luminance. This is achieved by the capability to skip one or more steps in the stepping sequence, if appropriate, for each relevant executed step, with the number of skipped steps, if any, being proportional to the magnitude of the deviation from the target brightness. |
| US07755675B2 |
Information processing apparatus and recording medium
An information processing apparatus provides for continuous reproduction of audio data that has been added to and associated with image data. After a table of data sets recorded on a memory card (for example) is displayed, a data set is selected, e.g., by pressing a display associated with that data set. When an audio recording button is depressed, the sound is collected by a microphone while the button is depressed. The audio data corresponding to the sound is recorded on the memory card as second audio data of the data set when the selected data set already includes audio data. When the data set is reproduced, the image corresponding to the image data of that data set is displayed and the sound corresponding to each of the first and second audio data is output from the speaker in a continuous sequence. |
| US07755670B2 |
Tone-conversion device for image, program, electronic camera, and tone-conversion method
The present invention relates to a tone-conversion device for converting a tone of an image having an achromatic signal and a chromatic signal, and it includes the following components: a signal extracting unit defining an achromatic signal of a first pixel or a second pixel from plural pixels as an achromatic signal value, the second pixel being in an immediate neighborhood; a neighborhood processing unit generating a local signal of the first pixel according to the achromatic signal and the chromatic signal of a third pixel contained in the neighborhood area which is larger than the second pixel; a gain determining unit determining a conversion gain for the first pixel according to the achromatic signal value and the local signal; and a tone conversion unit performing tone conversion by multiplying the signal component of the first pixel by the conversion gain. |
| US07755662B2 |
Digital camera providing image processing for an attachable printer
A digital imaging system is provided that includes a digital camera and a color printer. The digital camera comprises: a housing; an image sensor adapted to capture analog image data; an analog-to-digital converter adapted to convert the analog image data; an image processor adapted to perform first processing and compression of the digital image data to create a first-processed digital image file; a digital memory in the camera housing having a plurality of the first-processed digital image files stored in the digital memory; and a color printer interface to which a digital image file, which is selected from the digital memory, is applied. The color printer comprises: a color-marking apparatus, and a digital camera interface, wherein the image processor in the digital camera is adapted to perform second processing on the selected digital image file before the selected digital image file is applied. |
| US07755657B2 |
Method for high precision printing of patterns
The present invention includes a method to print patterns with improved edge acuity. The method for printing fine patterns comprises the actions of: providing an SLM and providing a pixel layout pattern with different categories of modulating elements, the categories differing in the phase of the complex amplitude. |
| US07755655B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus
An exposure device for exposing the charged surface of a photoconductive drum is provided with a light source for emitting light based on image information; a rotary multifaceted mirror for reflecting the light emitted from the light source to scan the surface of the photoconductive drum; a driving mechanism for drivingly rotating the rotary multifaceted mirror; an inner casing for covering at least the driving mechanism and the rotary multifaceted mirror; and an outer casing for covering the inner casing from the outside. An air vent for communicating the inside and outside of the inner casing is formed in a part of the inner casing facing the rotary multifaceted mirror. |
| US07755650B2 |
Illumination modulation technique
A technique includes pulse width modulating an illuminating beam of a light to establish a pixel intensity and modulating the illuminating beam to create different tonal resolution ranges for the pixel intensity. |
| US07755649B2 |
Methods and systems for sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment
Sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment allows the luminance for the sub-pixel arrangement to match the non-linear gamma response of the human eye's luminance channel, while the chrominance can match the linear response of the human eye's chrominance channels. The gamma correction allows the sub-pixel rendering to operate independently of the actual gamma of a display device. The sub-pixel rendering techniques with gamma adjustment may be optimized for the gamma transfer curve of a display device in order to improve response time, dot inversion balance, and contrast. |
| US07755647B2 |
Flexible display device and method for changing display area
Provided is a display device and method configured to change an image displayed in a display area flexibly when the display area is changed. The flexible display device depending on change of a display area comprises a memory, a location output unit and a screen display unit. The memory is configured to store size information of a display area displayed on a screen and the entire image data of the displayed image. The location computing unit is configured to compute a start point of the changed display area when the display area is changed. The display unit is configured to decode data corresponding to the size of the display area based on the computed new start point from the image data to display the decoded data in the display area. Since the start point is obtained with center point of the changed display area and its size information and then an display area to be displayed is determined based on the start point, a current search location is maintained as it is even when the screen is swung. |
| US07755639B2 |
Image reproduction using a particular color space
The image processing apparatus executes a prescribed basic color space conversion regardless of content of the color space identification information when a reduced image is a processing target. The image processing apparatus executes a specified color space conversion utilizing a color space specified by the color space identification information when a main image is a processing target. |
| US07755638B2 |
Tinted edge enhancement using look-up table edge pixel identification
The present application is a method of producing digital image objects with enhanced halftone edges. The method operates by selecting a target pixel location within the digital image; observing a set of pixels within a pixel observation window superimposed on the digital image relative to the target pixel location; generating edge-state codes for a plurality of pairs of neighboring vectors of pixels within the pixel observation window; generating edge-identification codes from the plurality of edge-state codes using at least one look-up table; and, utilizing the edge-identification code to select and apply to the digital image at the target pixel either a first halftone screen having a first fundamental frequency and a first angle or a second halftone screen having a second fundamental frequency and a second angle, wherein the second frequency and second angle are harmonically matched to the first frequency and first angle. The method solves the problem of ragged edges on halftone tints as an automated, operation, with a computing architecture that is readily adapted to a wide variety of tinted edge conditions, and which can be readily adapted to real-time applications. |
| US07755631B1 |
Transposition structures and methods to accommodate parallel processing in a graphics processing unit (“GPU”)
Disclosed are an apparatus, a method, a programmable graphics processing unit (“GPU”), a computer device, and a computer medium to facilitate, among other things, the generation of parallel data streams to effect parallel processing in at least a portion of a graphics pipeline of a GPU. In one embodiment, an input of the apparatus receives graphics elements in a data stream of graphics elements. The graphics pipeline can use the graphics elements to form computer-generated images. The apparatus also can include a transposer configured to produce parallel attribute streams. Each of the parallel attribute streams includes a type of attribute common to the graphics elements. In one embodiment, the transposer can be configured to convert at least a portion of the graphics pipeline from a single data stream to multiple data streams (e.g., executable by multiple threads of execution) while reducing the memory size requirements to implement such a conversion. |
| US07755626B2 |
Cone-culled soft shadows
Soft shadows in computer graphics images are created by rendering the scene from the camera viewpoint and at least one light viewpoint. The positions of scene fragments and light fragments in the scene are stored. For each scene fragment, a frustum is defined between the position of the scene fragment and the light source. Light fragments are evaluated with respect to the frustum to select light fragments blocking light between the light source and the scene fragment. A color or monochromatic shading value is determined for each scene fragment that indicates the amount of light blocked or transmitted by the light fragments. The shading values are then used to alter scene fragments accordingly. Computer graphics images with soft shadows can be created entirely by a graphics processing subsystem or by a graphics processing subsystem in conjunction with a central processing unit using a pipelined, deferred shading approach. |
| US07755625B2 |
Apparatus and method for rendering volume data
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for rendering volume data in an ultrasound diagnostic system. A method for rendering volume data including an object space and an empty space acquired from ultrasound data, comprises the following steps: a) casting a virtual ray from at least one pixel comprising a viewing plane into the volume data; b) sampling voxels of the volume data along the virtual ray in a first sampling interval; c) checking whether a currently sampled voxel corresponds to the object space or the empty space by using opacity based on a voxel value of a sampled voxel; d) at step c), if it is determined that the currently sampled voxel corresponds to the object space, then returning to the previously sampled voxel and sampling voxels in a second sampling interval shorter than the first sampling interval; e) checking whether accumulated opacity calculated based on the sampled voxels along the virtual ray is greater than a critical value; f) at step e), if it is determined that the accumulated opacity is greater than the critical value, then completing the sampling process for the current virtual ray and calculating a rendering value by using the voxel values and the opacity of the sampled voxels; and g) repeating the steps a) to f) until the sampling process for the pixels comprising the viewing plane is completed. |
| US07755624B1 |
Apparatus, system, and method for Z-culling
A processor generates Z-cull information for tiles and groups of tiles. In one embodiment the processor includes an on-chip cache to coalesce Z information for tiles to identify occluded tiles. In a coprocessor embodiment, the processor provides Z-culling information to a graphics processor. |
| US07755622B2 |
Flattening a three-dimensional wire harness representation to two dimensions
A method and system are described that allow conversion of a three-dimensional representation of a wire harness to a two-dimensional representation. In one aspect, an optimal viewing angle of the three-dimensional representation is automatically computed such that overlap of nodes and/or branches is minimized. Using the optimal viewing angle, the three-dimensional representation is converted to two dimensions.In another aspect, the optimal viewing angle is obtained through rotation of the three-dimensional data. One technique for performing such a rotation is by determining a plane associated with the viewing angle, the plane being such that the average distance from nodes in the wire harness to the plane is a minimum. |
| US07755621B2 |
Fast interactive object manipulation
Methods, systems, and program products for detecting user manipulation of one or more elements of a presentation of a complex solid represented by a solid history tree. A reduced history representation of the complex solid is created. The reduced history tree is repeatedly evaluated to recreate the presentation of the complex solid in response to the user manipulation of the one or more elements. |
| US07755614B2 |
Motion detection system and motion detection method
A motion detection system is disclosed. The invention comprises a touch panel, a plurality of switching units, a detection unit and a control unit. The touch panel comprises a plurality of metal sensors, each of which in turn is set as a detecting sensor. Each switching unit is electrically connected to a corresponding metal sensor respectively for switching voltage. During a charge stage, the detection unit calculates the discharge time of the detecting sensor and generates a detection result signal. The control unit generates a motion signal according to the detection result signal generated by the detection unit. Based on the capacitive effect and simple hardware architecture, the invention can be employed in option or orientation control by detecting a human hand's movement on the touch panel. |
| US07755613B2 |
Passive touch system and method of detecting user input
A passive touch system includes a passive touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined. |
| US07755612B2 |
Touch detectable display device and driving method thereof
A display device is disclosed which includes: a display panel; a lighting unit to illuminate the display panel and having a state in response to a lighting control signal; a pressure sensing unit generating a first sensor output signal according to a touch on the display panel; a light sensing unit receiving light from the lighting unit and ambient light and generating a second sensor output signal according to the touch on the display panel; a sensor scanning driver outputting sensor scanning signals to the pressure sensing unit and the light sensing unit in response to a sensor scanning control signal; and a sensing controller generating the lighting control signal and the sensor scanning control signal based on the first and the second sensor output signals and outputting the lighting control signal to the lighting unit and the sensor scanning control signal and the sensor scanning driver. |
| US07755611B2 |
Decorative concealed audio-visual interface apparatus and method
A decorative, disguised “mirror” interface apparatus appears to the uninformed as merely a decorative mirror, but includes an audio/visual output, the video display device of which is concealed behind a two-way mirror. So, when the video display is emitting light users of the apparatus can see the images provided by the display device through a two-way mirror material. Also, a transparent touch screen input device is associated with and overlays the two-way mirror material so that users of the interface apparatus may make inputs by simply making touches to selected locations of the “mirror.” |
| US07755607B2 |
Mobile apparatus having tactile feedback function
A haptic display includes at least one haptic device that can give tactile feedback instead of visible feedback. Each of the haptic devices converts a signal from a signal producing unit into force or tactile pattern. The haptic device does not require a large mass, so that it can be provided on almost any portion or part within the body of a mobile apparatus. For example, the haptic device can be embedded under a touch panel display that constitutes both input and output device. By providing the haptic devices under respective menu/function button areas displayed on the touch panel display, it is possible to stimulate the specific button in response to the user-input-operation, thereby directly providing the tactile feedback to the user's finger touching the corresponding button. |
| US07755602B2 |
Tactile feedback man-machine interface device
A man-machine interface which provides tactile feedback to various sensing body parts is disclosed. The device employs one or more vibrotactile units, where each unit comprises a mass and a mass-moving actuator. As the mass is accelerated by the mass-moving actuator, the entire vibrotactile unit vibrates. Thus, the vibrotactile unit transmits a vibratory stimulus to the sensing body part to which it is affixed. The vibrotactile unit may be used in conjunction with a spatial placement sensing device which measures the spatial placement of a measured body part. A computing device uses the spatial placement of the measured body part to determine the desired vibratory stimulus to be provided by the vibrotactile unit. In this manner, the computing device may control the level of vibratory feedback perceived by the corresponding sensing body part in response to the motion of the measured body part. The sensing body part and the measured body part may be separate or the same body part. |
| US07755600B2 |
Method for driving information display device and information display device using the method
In an information display device according to the first to third inventions of the present invention, when a particle movement type information display device of passive matrix drive and dynamic drive is driven, the particle movement type information display device configured to be driven by using a drive circuit having an output stage equivalent circuit capable of outputting only two values of a predetermined drive voltage value and ground level (0V). Moreover, in the forth and fifth inventions of the present invention, in the method for driving the information display device, wherein the display media are sealed between two opposed substrates, at least one of which is transparent, and wherein the display media, to which an electrostatic field is applied, are made to move so as to display information such as an image or the like, electrodes of the information display device are connected to predetermined potential in the driving voltage range with low impedance while information refresh (scan) is not performed. |
| US07755599B2 |
Electrophoretic display device and driving method thereof
An electrophoretic display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, an electrophoretic material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the electrophoretic material including a positively charged particle and a negatively charged particle, a common electrode provided on the second substrate, a pixel provided at an intersection of a signal line and a scan line, the pixel provided in a plural number and arranged in matrix on the first substrate. The electrophoretic display device further including a pixel electrode provided in the pixel, a capacitor line provided in the pixel, a storage capacitor provided in the pixel, and a second electrode of the storage capacitor being coupled to a storage capacitor line and a thin film transistor (TFT) provided in the pixel, a source electrode of the TFT being coupled to a first electrode of the storage capacitor and the pixel electrode, a drain electrode of the TFT being coupled to the signal line, and a gate electrode of the TFT being coupled to the scan line. A capacitor line low select signal VSL or a capacitor line non-select signal VSC having a higher electric potential than an electric potential of the capacitor line low select signal VSL is supplied to the storage capacitor line. |
| US07755597B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method used in same
A liquid crystal display device is provided which is capable of reducing a number of components and fabricating processes and of realizing a bright display even at time of a transmissive display and of simplifying configurations of a data signal. Transistors are controlled ON/OFF based on selecting signals input to selecting signal lines and a one kind of data signal input from data lines distributed and supplied, as a sub-pixel data, to a data electrode selected based on selecting signals corresponding to a successive additive color mixture or juxtapositional additive color mixture process. At time of the transmissive display operation, data electrodes corresponding to three sub-pixels making up each pixel are simultaneously selected and, at time of the reflective display operation, data electrodes selected based on selecting signal corresponding to the juxtapositional additive color mixture. |
| US07755589B2 |
Noise suppressing method for flat panel display
A noise suppressing method for a flat panel display which is driven by a time controller IC and a plurality of driver IC's is described. The noise suppressing method includes providing a signal detect circuit and a video signal processor; detecting a switch-off signal while switching off the flat panel display, and when the switch-off signal is detected, the video signal processor controls output the driver IC's to output a charge reset signal; and switching off the flat panel display after the flat panel display has performed charge reset. |
| US07755587B2 |
Integrated circuit device and electronic instrument
An integrated circuit device includes first to Nth circuit blocks CB1 to CBN disposed along a direction D1 when a direction from a first side which is a short side of the integrated circuit device toward a third side opposite to the first side is a direction D1 and a direction from a second side which is a long side of the integrated circuit device toward a fourth side opposite to the second side is a direction D2. At least one of the circuit blocks on both ends of the circuit blocks CB1 to CBN is a scan driver block for driving a scan line. Or, the scan driver block SB is disposed along the direction D1 on the side of the first to Nth circuit blocks in the direction D2. |
| US07755585B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display device using the same
A pixel for displaying an image with uniform brightness is provided. The pixel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) that is driven by a pixel circuit. The pixel circuit is coupled to a data line, two scan lines, and an emission control line of a display device. The pixel is provided with power from external power supply sources and an initialization voltage source. The pixel circuit includes transistors and a storage capacitor that maintains a voltage at a gate of a driving transistor masking any variation between the threshold voltages of the driving transistors used in various pixels. An alternative embodiment, modifies a leakage path from the gate of the driving transistor to the initialization voltage source. Substantial impact of the leakage is shifted from the gate to drain of the driving transistor. As a result, a substantially uniform brightness is maintained in each pixel. |
| US07755584B2 |
Voltage boosting circuit, voltage boosting/dropping circuit and LCD
A voltage boosting circuit performs variable frequency control that gradually increases frequencies of clock signals from a low frequency to a high frequency during a boosting operation period for which a low output voltage of a DC-DC converter when the power is turned on is boosted up to a predetermined voltage. Thus, the frequencies of clock signals may be set according to the boosting operation of the DC-DC converter. Consequently, the operation of the DC-DC converter may be stabilized until the stable operation period is performed after the DC-DC converter starts to operate. |
| US07755577B2 |
Electroluminescent device
An electroluminescent device includes a first optical output part having a light-emitting layer emitting a light ray of a first color, a second optical output part having a light-emitting layer emitting a light ray of a second color, and a third optical output part having a light-emitting layer emitting a light ray of a third color, the colors being different from one another. Each of the optical output parts also has a resonator structure that resonates the light ray emitted from the light-emitting layer. In each optical output part, a resonant peak wavelength indicating a peak value of a transmission spectrum of light transmitted through the resonator structure in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the light-emitting layer is on a longer or shorter wavelength side of an emission peak wavelength indicating a peak value of an emission spectrum of the light ray emitted by the light-emitting layer. |
| US07755575B2 |
Plasma display apparatus
Provided is a plasma display apparatus. The plasma display apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode formed in parallel on an upper substrate, and a third electrode formed on a lower substrate to intersect with the first electrode and the second electrode. A driving signal is applied to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode in a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period per one subfield. The reset period comprises a setdown period. A difference between a setdown lowest voltage of the driving signal applied to the first electrode and a voltage applied to the second electrode in the setdown period is 1.2 times to 1.5 times of a sustain voltage. |
| US07755573B2 |
Electric charging/discharging apparatus, plasma display panel, and electric charging/discharging method
A charging/discharging apparatus (602) for charging a capacitance to be charged/discharged (Cp) includes: a recovery capacitor (Cr1) for recovering electric energy which has one terminal connected to a first power supply (GND) through first switch means (SW11) and another terminal connected to a second power supply (Vs+Vo) through second switch means (SW12); first path forming means (D11) which has one terminal connected to a connection point between the second power supply and the other terminal of the recovery capacitor and another terminal connected to the capacitance to be charged/discharged, and charges the capacitance to be charged/discharged through a resonant inductor (L1) when the first switch means is turned on; second path forming means (D12) which has one terminal connected to a connection point between the first power supply and the one terminal of the recovery capacitor and another terminal connected to the capacitance to be charged/discharged, and discharges the capacitance to be charged/discharged through the resonant inductor (L1) when the second switch means is turned on to recover electric energy to the recovery capacitor. |
| US07755567B2 |
Image display apparatus, image signal processing method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program
An image display apparatus which is capable of optimizing the image quality of a plurality of display devices having different optical characteristics when carrying out processing of an image signal supplied to the display devices, without providing a dedicated display driving circuit for each display device. The image display apparatus comprises a plurality of liquid crystal display panels (10, 11) having different optical characteristics. A liquid crystal driving circuit (2) processes an image signal outputted to the liquid crystal display panels (10, 11). Operative states of the liquid crystal display panels (10, 11) are detected. At least one processing characteristic of the liquid crystal driving circuit (2) is changed according to the detected operative states. |
| US07755564B2 |
Deployable phasing system for emulating reflective surfaces
A deployable microwave phasing structure having a plurality of planar sub-panels, each of the planar sub-panels having a reflective surface configured to reflect microwaves. In one embodiment, the phasing structure includes a plurality of joints configured to inter-connect the plurality of planar sub-panels to provide a first reflective surface geometry. In one embodiment, the deployable microwave phasing structure includes a plurality of joints configured to inter-connect the plurality of planar sub-panels to provide a first reflective surface geometry. According to another aspect of the invention, the phasing structure includes a phasing arrangement configured to provide an electromagnetic response of a second reflective surface geometry. |
| US07755557B2 |
Cross-polar compensating feed horn and method of manufacture
A feed horn with a horn body and a waveguide body, each with a front end and a back end, respectively. The horn body and the waveguide body coupled together, the waveguide body front end to the horn body back end. The waveguide body provided with a waveguide bore between the front end and the back end. At least one slot formed in the waveguide bore parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body bore, the at least one slot extending to the front end. The horn body provided with a horn bore between the front end and the back end. The horn body and the waveguide body formable via injection molding methods such as die casting. |
| US07755552B2 |
Space efficient magnetic antenna system
A space efficient magnetic antenna is disclosed for use in tracking, positioning and other applications. In a preferred embodiment, a space efficient magnetic antenna system comprises a first magnetic antenna with a first null axis aligned within a predetermined plane and a second magnetic antenna having a second null axis aligned substantially orthogonal to a first null axis. A second magnetic antenna system lies in a minimal coupling orientation with respect to a first magnetic antenna system. Additionally, a first magnetic antenna may further comprise a plurality of interconnected magnetic antenna elements. A space efficient magnetic antenna system may include an RF module. An RF module may alternately utilize a first magnetic antenna and a second magnetic antenna, or an RF module may drive a second magnetic antenna in phase quadrature with respect to a first magnetic antenna. In still further embodiments, a space efficient magnetic antenna system may further include a third mutually orthogonal magnetic antenna. |
| US07755549B2 |
Carrier with solid antenna structure and manufacturing method thereof
Carrier with solid antenna structure comprises a substrate and at least one solid antenna structure. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, at least one first slot communicating with the upper surface and the lower surface and at least one second slot communicating with the upper surface and the lower surface. The solid antenna structure has a dielectric block formed between the first slot and the second slot and a radiation conductor, in which the dielectric block encloses the radiation conductor. In this invention, the solid antenna structure is used to enable the carrier to be applied to higher power transmission. Additionally, by setting the material of the dielectric block and optimizing the size of the radiation conductor, the carrier can be applied to multi-band. |
| US07755548B2 |
Cable tension mechanism for an antenna
A system comprises a hinged antenna adapted to reside within a slot, an electrical cable connected to the antenna, and a cable tension mechanism. The cable tension mechanism receives the electrical cable from the antenna and pulls on the cable when the hinged antenna is in the slot and also when the hinged antenna is rotated to a deployed position at least partially outside the slot. |
| US07755547B2 |
Mechanically tunable antenna for communication devices
A radio antenna assembly for use in a communication device has an antenna element disposed adjacent to a ground plane to form a physical relationship with the ground plane. A mechanical device is used to change the physical relationship for changing the operating impedance of the antenna element or shifting the frequency band of the antenna assembly. The physical relationship can be changed by mechanically changing the shape of the antenna element. When the antenna element comprises a first radiating element and a second radiating element disposed at a lateral distance from the first radiating element, the physical relationship can be changed by changing the distance. When a physical object is disposed between the antenna element and the ground plane, the physical relationship can be changed by moving or twisting the physical object. The object can be electrically conducting, dielectric or magnetic. |
| US07755546B2 |
Antenna device and mobile terminal apparatus equipped with the antenna device
There is provided an antenna device which includes: a loop antenna connected at one end to a feed point and connected at the other end to ground, and provided to correspond to a first frequency band; and at least one stub antenna provided in the form of extending a part of the loop antenna and provided to correspond to a second frequency band overlapping with a partial frequency band of the first frequency band to which the loop antenna corresponds. |
| US07755543B2 |
Apparatus and method of correcting moving direction of pedestrian
Provided are an apparatus and a method of correcting a moving direction of a pedestrian, which can estimate a pedestrian location accurately by correcting error components that are included in a moving direction angle, detected by a terrestrial magnetism sensor. The apparatus for correcting a pedestrian moving direction, including a signal receiving unit which estimates a pedestrian location using a satellite signal from a satellite, a sensor unit which detects a first moving direction angle using a terrestrial magnetism sensor, and a control unit which calculates a second moving direction angle using a pedestrian location estimated by using a satellite signal of good reception quality and corrects the first moving direction angle detected by the terrestrial magnetism sensor by using the calculated second moving direction angle. |
| US07755538B2 |
Radar apparatus
The present invention provides a radar apparatus including: a transmission pulse group generator configured to generate: a first transmission pulse group from a first transmission pulse train formed of N first transmission pulses (N>2, where N is an integer number) having constant first time intervals t1, by thinning a first transmission pulse out of the first transmission pulse train so that all the intervals ranging from t1 to (N−1)*t1 are held by pairs of first transmission pulses selected from the first transmission pulse group; and a second transmission pulse group from a second transmission pulse train formed of M second transmission pulses (M>2, where M is an integer number) having second time intervals t2 different from the first time intervals t1, by thinning a second transmission pulse out of the second transmission pulse train so that all time intervals ranging from t2 to (M−1)*t2 are held by pairs of second transmission pulses selected from the second transmission pulse group. The radar apparatus also includes a transmitter configured to transmit the first transmission pulse group and the second transmission pulse group in a way that the first and second transmission pulse groups partially or entirely overlap each other in terms of time. |
| US07755536B1 |
Method of signal processing for determining range and velocity of an object
The present invention is a method of finding range and velocity of a target in a radar system using a time scale factor. Specifically, sending at least one signal from at least one transmitter to a target. A return signal is then received from the target at each transmitter and the elapsed time is recorded. The range to the target and velocity of the target are calculated based on a time scale factor of the recorded elapsed times. These values are appropriately output to the user. |
| US07755532B2 |
Methods and apparatus for assignment and maintenance of unique aircraft addresses for TIS-B services
Methods and apparatus for assigning a pseudo address to an aircraft not equipped with an ADS-B transponder and maintaining the assigned pseudo address over a number of regions each supported by different TIS-B systems. In an exemplary embodiment, each TIS-B system is assigned a range of addresses particular to the region in which the TIS-B system is located. |
| US07755530B2 |
Analog to digital converter with a series of delay units
An A/D converter has a series of M delay units through which a pulse signal is transmitted while being delayed in each delay unit by a delay time depending on a level of an analog signal. A unit of the converter latches the pulse signal outputted from each delay unit at N sampling times to hold M×N latched data. Another unit of the converter receives the M×N pieces of latched data as a piece of combined data composed of the latched data arranged in an order corresponding to an arranging order of M×N sampling points in the pulse signal, converts the combined data into numeral data, corresponding to a position of the pulse signal in the delay units, at one time, and produces converted digital data corresponding to the level of the analog signal from the numeral data. |
| US07755526B2 |
System and method to modify a metadata parameter
A method includes receiving first encoded digital audio data including a metadata parameter having a first value. The first encoded digital audio data has a first dynamic range. The method includes receiving second encoded digital audio data including the metadata parameter having the first value. The second encoded digital audio data has a second dynamic range. The method also includes outputting first decoded digital audio data including the metadata parameter. The first decoded digital audio data corresponds to the first encoded digital audio data. The method also includes outputting second decoded digital audio data including a modified metadata parameter having a second value. The second decoded digital audio data corresponds to the second encoded digital audio data. |
| US07755516B2 |
Traffic display system, aircraft including the display system and method of displaying off-scale traffic in the display system
A aircraft traffic display system, aircraft including the display system and a method of displaying aircraft and vehicle traffic in the display system. The system includes an ownship location finder determining ownship location and maps, including airport maps stored in map storage. A traffic information collector collecting information on airport and other traffic. A local display displays ownship on a moving map at a selected range and all airport traffic within range, or a filtered subset thereof. An off-scale traffic processor monitors off-scale traffic beyond the selected range and identifies of-interest off-scale traffic. The local display also provides an indication of any of interest off-scale traffic. The indication may visibly indicate status (e.g., air or ground) of respective said off-scale traffic and may include traffic specific information. |
| US07755510B2 |
Intelligent system for managing vehicular traffic flow
A novel vehicular traffic management system that requires no special equipment in any vehicle is disclosed. More specifically, the novel system may be used when approaching a lane closure or lane reduction. The system comprises sequencing signaling devices along the roadway and a central controller. The controller commands the signaling devices to flash (or signal) according to a calculated trajectory. Vehicles traveling along side the signaling devices can pace their speed with cues from the signaling devices. Through this pacing, the system can position the vehicles such that they can merge safely and efficiently. The system can be expanded to merge more than just two lanes. Further refinements to the system include external connections that may include GPS tracking and Internet down/uploading. A feasibility condition/determination can be used with the system to make the system even more robust and efficient. |
| US07755507B2 |
Distributed control system and control device thereof
A control device that is used in a distributed control system and controlling a control target while serially transmitting data to a reception side control device by a pulse train signal, wherein when the control target is normal, state quantity data representing the state quantity of the control target is transmitted to the reception control device, and when abnormality occurs in the control target, the abnormality data representing the abnormality concerned and the state quantity data are transmitted to the reception control device in a predetermined order. |
| US07755505B2 |
Procedure for addressing remotely-located radio frequency components of a control system
A wireless lighting control system has a plurality of control devices, some of which may be remotely-located. Each of the control devices is operable to be coupled to a source of power and to be assigned a unique device address. To assign a unique address to the control devices that are remotely-located, power is cycled to those control devices, i.e., by interrupting and restoring power to the control devices. The control device then transmits wirelessly a signal uniquely identifying the control device within a predetermined amount of time after the cycling of power. A list of unaddressed control devices that have recently been power cycled is generated. Each of the control devices on the list is then assigned and transmitted a unique device address. |
| US07755504B1 |
Appliance warning system and method
An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location adjacent an appliance such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the appliance. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A transmitter is provided for transmitting a signal depending upon whether the switch is in the open or closed position. A module is located remote from the floor pad, and has a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter, and a control circuit connected operational between a ready state before the switch is activated to the closed position and a monitoring state after the switch is activated to the closed position. A warning device connected to the control circuit is activated by the control circuit when in the monitoring state when the control circuit determines that the switch has been in the open position for a preselected period of time after having been in the closed position. A reset switch resets the control circuit from the monitoring state to the ready state. |
| US07755502B2 |
Anti-tamper electronic obscurity using E-fuse technology
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a circuit that employs an anti-tamper sensor. The circuit employs an anti-tamper sensor that includes a circuit element that is responsive to a first input and to a second input. A selective coupling element couples the circuit element to the first input and is responsive to the anti-tamper sensor. The selective coupling element has a first state that allows the circuit element to operate normally when the anti-tamper sensor does not detect a tamper condition and is configured to enter a second state that causes the circuit element to become inoperable when the anti-tamper sensor detects a tamper condition. A decoy coupling element is disposed between the second input and the circuit element and has an appearance corresponding to the selective coupling element. The decoy coupling element will cause the circuit element not to operate normally if the decoy coupling element has a selected physical property of the selective coupling element in the first state. |
| US07755501B2 |
Environmental fuse
The invention relates to an environmental fuse, an actuator and to an associated method for protecting the actuator from failure in a specific operating environment. The environmental fuse then comprises a sensor member for detecting any change in the environment deviating from the tolerance allowed by a specific standard, and a functional member comprising functional means for limiting or interrupting the input to said actuator and/or for giving an alarm. The actuator may also comprise an environmental fuse. |
| US07755498B2 |
Discrete leak detection device and method for discriminating the target fluid
A device and method for detecting the presence of one or more targeted liquids in volume of space where the targeted liquid is not normally present. The device includes a sensor that can differentiate between the target fluid and a non-target fluid. |
| US07755497B2 |
Urine sensor
Here is disclosed a urine receiver. The urine receiver comprises a container member adapted to suck urine discharged from a wearer of the urine receiver and a urine sensor provided with a pair of electrodes interposed between the container member and the wearer's skin and serving to detect the urine. The paired electrodes covered with insulating coating. The coating is formed with through-holes adapted to expose a limited area of the electrodes. |
| US07755494B2 |
Hand washing compliance detection system
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring use of hand washing agents to determine compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. A hand washing agent is provided with a detectable, volatile compound, such as odors, which is then rubbed onto a subject's hands using the subject's hand washing technique. After the hand washing event, the subject's hand is then exposed to an detector (such as a badge), which includes a sensor capable of detecting the volatile compound, and an indicator that communicates detection of the volatile compound, indicating use of the hand washing agent and hand hygiene compliance. |
| US07755487B2 |
Interface for communicating with an information processing device
The present invention provides a membrane assembly that integrates an antenna configured to communicate with an RFID device to receive and/or write RFID data to and/or from the RFID device. In various embodiments, the membrane assembly may be incorporated into an information processing device, and the information processing device may be included in an information system. The membrane assembly includes at least a first antenna adapted to wirelessly communicate with an RFID device that may be associated with (i.e. worn, held, attached to, or otherwise related to) a user. The wireless communication between the membrane assembly and the RFID device provides the basis for controlling the information processing device. In various embodiments, the RFID data may be used to authorize, customize, and/or otherwise affect the performance of the information processing device. |
| US07755486B2 |
Expanded compatibility RFID tags
Systems and methods for providing expanded compatibility in identification tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices. Integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tags configured for compatibility with passive and active readers, respectively. Additionally, the integrated devices can be equipped with various combinations of passive and active tag readers for compatibility with passive and active tags, respectively. A first combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag reader for collecting information over a passive channel, and sending the information over an active channel. A second combination comprises an active tag and a passive tag receiver/transceiver for communication over both active and passive channels. A third combination comprises an active tag and an active tag reader for collecting information over an active channel, and sending information over an active channel. |
| US07755485B2 |
System and method for electronic article surveillance
An EAS tag polling system includes a plurality of EAS tags and a base station, wherein each of the tags transmits an acknowledgement to the base station. The base acknowledgments may be sent passively or actively in response to a request from the base station. The base station discriminates between each acknowledgment received and associates it to the tag from which it had been transmitted. From each acknowledgement received, the base station indicates that a positive response is associated with each of the tags from which the acknowledgement is received and a negative response is associated with each of the tags from which the acknowledgement is not received. |
| US07755484B2 |
RFID tag and method of manufacturing the same
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and method of manufacturing the same. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID tag includes a radio frequency (RF) inlay, the RF inlay including a carrier sheet, an antenna printed on the carrier sheet and a wireless communication device bonded to the antenna. The RFID tag also includes a plastic extrudate, the RF inlay being disposed within the extrudate so that the antenna and the wireless communication device are encapsulated on all sides within the extrudate. Optional metallic reflector and mounting adhesive layers may be laminated onto the underside of the extrudate. The present invention is also directed to an automated method for manufacturing the above RFID tag, such a method involving, in one embodiment, feeding a continuous supply of RF inlays into a cross-head extruder to yield a continuously extruded block and then cutting the block between successive antennae to yield a plurality of individual RFID tags. |
| US07755483B2 |
Article holding and tracking device
An apparatus is provided for holding articles, such as keys, which is attachable to a person's clothing, handbag or a purse, and wherein a physical or electronic tether is used to allow the user to use the articles stored thereupon without removing them from the holder or from their clothing, handbag, purse, briefcase or other hand carried item. The tension on the tether is manageable by the use of a tension management system, so that the tension of the tether will not damage the article or the mechanism that the article is used with and the article is tracked by use of the tether so that the user does not lose the article. Infrared, radio frequency, and transponder and polling versions of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US07755481B2 |
Disaster warning system
A disaster warning system including a weather radio, a tornado acoustic signature detector combined with a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. The disaster warning system includes a central control unit and peripheral alarm unit, which report the alarm signals generated by the control unit. |
| US07755477B2 |
Portable apparatus for preventing damages from electro-magnetic field for implantable device in human bodies
An apparatus detects DC magnetic field, AC magnetic and electrical fields, and high frequency/microwave radiation, and alarms when the field strength is beyond the safety threshold. The threshold was set up based on pacemaker and other implantable device manufacturer's specifications and left enough safety margins to give early warning before the sources actually start interfering with the implanted devices. |
| US07755476B2 |
System and apparatus for servicing equipment
A system and apparatus for determining the optimal servicing position for equipment or parts thereof. The system and apparatus of the present invention improves efficiency of equipment servicing, safety of mechanics or service persons and accuracy of determining various optimal servicing positions. |
| US07755475B2 |
Device for brake light control
A device for controlling the brake lights in a motor vehicle having a brake system, designed to be operated by outside forces, is described. The device includes a control device for actuating the brakes of the vehicle in such a manner that an automatic braking operation can be carried out as a function of the vehicle operating conditions, and at least one brake lamp which can be actuated by the control device or by a separate control unit. The control device or the control unit may be designed in such a manner that during an automatic braking operation, the brake lamp is switched on below a predefined boundary speed, as a function of a braking pressure determined in the activated brake of the vehicle, or as a function of a parameter correlating to the braking pressure. |
| US07755473B2 |
Active safety system for a vehicle and a method for operation in an active safety system
An active safety system for a vehicle includes an external object sensor system arranged on a host vehicle. The sensor system designed to sense objects external to the host vehicle and generate input data relating to the objects, wherein the input data includes an object position ((R, ψrel)(t)). Additionally, a threat indicator is included to assign a threat level (Tk(t)) to each external object (k) detected by the sensor system. |
| US07755472B2 |
System and method for setting functions according to location
An apparatus, system, and method for controlling functions of a vehicular alarm. The method includes receiving one or more signals including location information, determining a location of the vehicle using the location information, setting one or more functions based on the location information, determining whether an alarm function is activated, and activating the one or more functions according to the setting upon determining that an alarm has been activated. The method may further include using GPS data or signals transmitted from one or more base stations (e.g., from cellular telephone base stations, computer networks, proprietary transmitters, etc.) to determine the position of the apparatus (e.g., installed in the vehicle). The apparatus may also inform a user of regulations relating to an area dependent upon its location. |
| US07755465B2 |
Temperature control switch
A temperature control switch comprises a switch casing, which contains a springy slice, where the springy slice is provided with a thermostatic bimetal strip on its bouncing end. The thermostatic bimetal strip is provided with an electric heating device, where the first end and second end of the device are respectively connected in series between a first control terminal and the thermostatic bimetal strip. The elevated end of the thermostatic bimetal strip links one end of an uplifted metal slice to form an incompletely fixed link point, while the other end of the uplifted metal slice features a swaying contact, which corresponds to the contact point that a second control terminal joins. When subjected to heat, the one end of the thermostatic bimetal strip deforms, enabling the swaying contact to separate from the contact point, thus preventing the contact point from being damaged by the heat. |
| US07755460B2 |
Micro-switching device
A micro-switching device includes a movable electrode provided on a movable support having an end fixed to a fixing member. The switching device also includes first and second stationary electrodes. The movable electrode includes first and second contact portions. The first stationary electrode includes a third contact portion facing the first contact portion of the movable electrode. The second stationary electrode includes a fourth contact portion facing the second contact portion of the movable electrode. The distance between the first and the third contact portions is smaller than the distance between the second and the fourth contact portions. The switching device further includes a driving mechanism having a driving force generation region provided on the movable support. The center of gravity of the driving force generation region is closer to the second contact portion than to the first contact portion. |
| US07755454B2 |
Micro-electromechanical device
Provided is a micro-electromechanical device capable of processing an electric signal in the high frequency region by a simple device structure. The micro-electromechanical device is formed, including an oscillator element having a plurality of electrodes disposed on a substrate and a beam facing the electrodes to oscillate by electrostatic drive. An input/output of a high frequency signal is applied to one of the combinations of the electrodes and the beam. |
| US07755453B2 |
Duplexer
A duplexer includes an antenna terminal, a first filter connected to the antenna terminal, a second filter that has a passband at a high-frequency side of the first filter and is connected to the antenna terminal, and a resonance circuit that is connected between the second filter and the antenna terminal and includes a first inductor and a first capacitor connected in parallel. Assuming that a passband frequency of the first filter ranges from f1Low to f1High (f1Low˜f1High) and a passband frequency ranges from f2Low to f2High (f2Low˜f2High), the resonator has a resonance frequency fr satisfying: fr=(f2Low˜f2High)±(f1Low˜f1High), or fr=2(f1Low˜f1High)±(f2Low˜f2High). |
| US07755449B2 |
Printed circuit board having impedance-matched strip transmission line
A printed circuit board (PCB) including an impedance-matched strip transmission line includes a strip transmission line including a main line and at least one pair of branch lines branching off from the main line. An upper ground layer is disposed over the strip transmission line and has upper opening parts corresponding in position to the branch lines. A lower ground layer is disposed under the strip transmission line and has lower opening parts corresponding in position to the branch lines. The upper and lower opening parts are symmetric about the branch lines of the strip transmission line. |
| US07755447B2 |
Multilayer balun, hybrid integrated circuit module, and multilayer substrate
A multilayer balun comprises first and second transmission lines that constitute a half-wave transmission line are opposed in adjacent layers, with a dielectric substance therebetween, so that, during use, the current of the first transmission line and the current of the second transmission line flow in the same direction. Thus, magnetic shield is formed between the first and second transmission lines. This eliminates the need for a grounding electrode layer for preventing magnetic interference between the first and second transmission lines. |
| US07755446B2 |
Waveguide and method for adjusting waveguide structure thereof
A waveguide comprises a connecting part, a main chamber and a buffer. The connecting part is connected to the main chamber via the buffer. The side length of the junction between the connecting part and the buffer is smaller than that of the junction between the buffer and the main chamber. |
| US07755442B2 |
Receiver with colpitts differential oscillator, colpitts quadrature oscillator, and common-gate low noise amplifier
Embodiments of the present invention include a common-gate amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal, a transistor having a source, a drain, and a gate, four inductors, and two capacitors, and a negative amplification circuitry. The negative amplification circuitry has an input terminal to receive an RF signal. The negative amplification circuitry applies negative or zero amplification to the RF signal and outputs the negative or zero amplified signal on an output terminal. Alternative embodiments include a Colpitts differential oscillator, which includes two Colpitts single-ended oscillators. Each Colpitts single-ended oscillator includes a transistor. The source of the transistor in one Colpitts single-ended oscillator may be capacitively coupled to the gate of the transistor in the other Colpitts single-ended oscillator. |
| US07755441B1 |
Frequency and temperature compensation synthesis for a MEMS resonator
A signal generation technique is based on a reference frequency provided by a MEMS resonator. The signal generation technique compensates for temperature- and fabrication process-induced frequency variations collectively. In some embodiments, a device implementing the disclosed signal generation technique includes a fractional-N synthesizer, a temperature sensor, calibration data, and a sigma-delta modulator to adjust the reference frequency of the MEMS resonator to a desired frequency value while compensating for the temperature variation of the MEMS resonator. |
| US07755437B2 |
Phase locked loop system having locking and tracking modes of operation
An embodiment pertains to a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. The PLL includes a voltage controlled oscillator which outputs a signal at a desired frequency. A phase detector is coupled to an output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The phase detector compares the phase of a signal output from the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with the phase of a reference signal. A loop filter is coupled to the VCO and the phase detector. The loop filter has a locking mode of operation for locking the phase of the VCO signal to the phase of the reference signal. The loop filter can subsequently be placed in a tracking mode of operation which adjusts the phase of the VCO signal to track the phase of the reference signal. |
| US07755436B2 |
PLL apparatus
Provided is a PLL apparatus outputting a frequency signal from a voltage-controlled oscillation unit in synchronization with an external reference frequency signal, in which the fluctuation of the frequency is reduced even when the external reference signal has a troubleFor solving the problem, as a result of monitoring the signal level of the external reference frequency signal, when its signal level falls within a set range, data regarding a phase difference created by a phase difference data creating means is used for the PLL control, but when the signal level does not fall within the set range, it is recognized that the supply of the signal has been stopped or the supplied signal has abnormality and the data regarding the phase difference stored in a storage unit, for example, the stored latest data or the pre-created data is used instead for the PLL control. |
| US07755435B2 |
Wideband low noise amplifiers
A wideband low noise amplifier. The wideband low noise amplifier comprises an amplifier, an output device, and an inductor. The amplifier amplifies an input signal received from an input node, and outputs the amplified signal to an output node. The output device is coupled to a first voltage and the output node. The peaking inductor is coupled between the amplifier and the output device. |
| US07755433B2 |
Preamplifier and optical receiving device including the same
A preamplifier includes a single-ended amplifier, a differential amplifier, an operational amplifier, and a clipping circuit. The single-ended amplifier converts an input current signal into a voltage signal, outputs an amplified voltage signal according to a preset amplification gain. The differential amplifier includes first and second differential inputs, and outputs a negative-phase signal and a positive-phase signal. The amplified voltage signal is applied to the first differential input of the differential amplifier. The operational amplifier includes first and second inputs which respectively receive the negative-phase signal and the positive-phase signal, where an output of the operational amplifier is applied to the second differential input of the differential amplifier. The clipping circuit clips an amplitude of the negative-phase signal output by the differential amplifier. |
| US07755430B2 |
Splitter circuit
A splitter circuit improves isolation between output ports. The splitter circuit comprises input port 1, output port 2, output port 3, FET 6, FET 11 and an impedance circuit. FET 6 is provided between input port 1 and output port 2 and adapted to amplify a signal at input port 1 to output an amplified signal to output port 2. FET 11 is provided between the input port 1 and the output port 3 and adapted to amplify a signal at input port 1 to output an amplified signal to the output port 3. The impedance circuit couples the output ports 2 and 3, and includes a first series circuit including inductor 15 and diode 17, series connected to each other, a second series circuit including inductor 16 and diode 18, series connected to each other, and resistor 19. The first series circuit has one end connected to output port 2 and the second series circuit has one end connected to output port 3. The resistor is connected between the other ends of the first and second series circuits and the ground. Diodes 17, 18 are connected so that current will flow in forward direction when voltage of a power supply is applied to FETs 6 and 11 (FIG. 1). |
| US07755429B2 |
System and method for dynamic drain voltage adjustment to control linearity, output power, and efficiency in RF power amplifiers
A system and method for dynamic adjustment of drain or collector voltage of a power amplifier (PA), including a PA having a voltage input, a temperature sensor measuring ambient temperature of the PA, and an adaptive PA control processor that dynamically changes the input voltage based on the ambient temperature, achieving a desired peak power when the system is subjected to high temperatures. In a further embodiment, a power sensor measures output power of the PA, and the control processor dynamically changes the voltage based on output power when the system serves a large cell in a mobile communication infrastructure employing high power. In a further embodiment, a multistage PA and method include amplifier stages having drain or collector voltage inputs, wherein a voltage applied to the inputs are set so as to be proportional to the peak power requirements of each stage, enhancing overall efficiency. |
| US07755428B2 |
Amplifying circuit
An amplifying circuit comprising an output stage circuit composed of a first and a second output transistor and operating as a class AB push-pull circuit reduces electricity consumed by an idle current. A pre-stage circuit outputs a first and a second control signal, and controls a channel current of the first and the second output transistor. In a period in which one control signal causes the corresponding output transistor to operate in class AB mode, the other control signal places the corresponding output transistor in a cutoff state. |
| US07755425B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing frequency memory effects in RF power amplifiers
The present invention relates to a predistorter for reducing memory effects in RF power amplifiers. The invention also relates to a method for reducing memory effects in RF power amplifiers and to a base station including such a predistorter. A predistorter according to the invention includes first means (1) for generating a first signal component, which is an estimate of a drain current of said amplifier, which means (1) for generating said first signal component comprises a linear filter, second means (8) for generating a second signal component as a function of said first signal component and at least one first gain function; third means (9) for generating a third signal component as a function of a conjugate of said first signal component and at least one second gain function, and fourth means (7) for combining at least said second signal component and said third signal component to form an output signal. The output signal from the predistorter is further used as input to the power amplifier, which when amplified reduces the memory effects of the amplifier. |
| US07755421B2 |
Analog amplifier having DC offset cancellation circuit and method of offset cancellation for analog amplifiers
An amplifier having DC offset compensation includes at least one input node and a pair of differential output nodes, a biasing circuit coupled to the input node; and a plurality of current sources. Selected ones of said current sources are coupled to the input node to adjust a DC voltage at the input node to provide DC offset compensation for the amplifier |
| US07755413B2 |
Combination of analog and digital feedback for adaptive slew rate control
An apparatus for scaling a load device with frequency in a phase interpolator can include an analog loop and a digital loop. The load device of the phase interpolator can include a transistor and a plurality of resistors selectively configured in parallel with the transistor. The analog loop controls a resistance of the transistor based on a voltage applied to a control terminal of the transistor. For instance, the analog loop can tune the resistance of a PMOS device by adjusting a voltage applied to the PMOS device's gate terminal. In addition, the analog loop can include a comparator to compare a voltage across the transistor to a reference voltage such that an optimal voltage is maintained for an output swing of the phase interpolator. The analog loop can also include a low pass filter coupled to an output of the comparator to define frequency stability and loop bandwidth of the analog loop. The digital loop operates in conjunction with the analog loop and controls the plurality of resistors by incrementing or decrementing a number of resistors that are configured in parallel with the transistor in the load device. In combining the analog and digital loops to control the load device of the phase interpolator, this configuration takes advantage of the wide tuning range of the digital control and the smooth, continuous output of the analog control. Further, in operating the analog and digital loops in conjunction with each other, the present invention avoids a long observation time in locking the system, as seen in conventional designs, while guaranteeing frequency stability in the operation of both the analog and digital loops. |
| US07755411B2 |
DC current reduction circuit
A DC current reduction circuit of the present invention that reduces a DC component in an output current of a current output element in which an AC current and a DC current are superimposed includes a low-pass filter for extracting a current component of a frequency lower than a cutoff frequency from the output current and a reduction unit that reduces the extracted current component from the output current. The low-pass filter has a frequency changing unit that changes the cutoff frequency from higher to lower as a continuous function over time. |
| US07755410B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit capable of overcoming clock signal jitter
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a voltage supplying unit that supplies a first regulated voltage and a second regulated voltage by using a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, respectively, and a clock buffer unit that supplies an output clock clocking within a range of the first regulated voltage and the second regulated voltage. |
| US07755407B2 |
Variable delay circuit, testing apparatus, and electronic device
Provided is a variable delay circuit outputting an output signal delayed with respect to an input signal by a designated delay time, including: a delay controller outputting a control voltage according to the delay time; a MOS transistor receiving the control voltage at a gate, and outputs a drain current according to the control voltage; a correction section connected in parallel to a source and a drain of the current controlling MOS transistor, and outputs a correction current on a monotonic decrease as the drain current increases in a range larger than a predetermined boundary current within a normal usage range of the drain current; and a delay element running an output current resulting from adding the correction current to the drain current, between the delay element and an output terminal of the variable delay circuit, in changing a signal value of the output signal according to the input signal. |
| US07755402B1 |
Calibration of separate delay effects for multiple data strobe signals
Embodiments for positioning rising and/or filling edges of data strobe signals are disclosed. One example embodiment may comprise receiving a data signal, positioning an edge of a first delayed data strobe signal associated with the data signal by a first programmable amount, and positioning an edge of a second delayed data strobe signal associated with the data signal by a second programmable amount, wherein the second delayed data strobe signal is shifted approximately one bit-time in relation to the first delayed data strobe signal. |
| US07755401B2 |
Semiconductor device including DLL circuit, and data processing system
A DLL circuit includes: a phase determining circuit that compares phases of respective rising edges of CK and LCLK to generate a determining signal R-U/D; a phase determining circuit that compares phases of respective falling edges of CK and LCLK to generate a determining signal F-U/D; a first adjusting circuit that adjusts a position of an active edge of LCLKR based on the determining signal R-U/D; a second adjusting circuit that adjusts a position of an active edge of LCLKF based on the determining signal F-U/D; a clock generating circuit that generates LCLK based on LCLKR and LCLKF; and a stop circuit that stops an adjusting operation by the second adjusting circuit in response to an adjusting direction of the active edge of LCLKR being opposite to each other to an adjusting direction of the active edge of LCLKF. |
| US07755398B2 |
Time constant calibration device and related method thereof
A time constant calibration device includes: a first voltage generating circuit utilizing a first current passing through a capacitive component to generate a first voltage; a second voltage generating circuit utilizing a second current passing through a resistive component to generate a second voltage; and a comparing circuit for comparing the first voltage with the second voltage to generate a comparing signal, wherein the first voltage generating circuit comprises an analog adjusting component for adjusting the first voltage according to the comparing signal until the first voltage is equal to the second voltage, whereby an RC time constant defined by an equivalent capacitance corresponding to the first current passing through the capacitive component and an equivalent impedance corresponding to the second current passing through the resistive component reaches a predetermined value. |
| US07755396B2 |
Power network using standard cell, power gating cell, and semiconductor device using the power network
A low power semiconductor memory device using a power gating is disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes a standard cell and a power gating cell. The standard cell is provided with a virtual supply voltage and a first supply voltage. The power gating cell generates the virtual supply voltage from a second supply voltage and provides the standard cell with the virtual supply voltage in response to a control signal. The virtual supply voltage and the first supply voltage are provided by a first metal layer and the second supply voltage is provided by a third metal layer. The power gating cell may include at least one slice block and isolator blocks. The respective slice block has a transistor for switching current. The isolator blocks are arranged on both sides of the slice block and insulate the slice block from outside. |
| US07755388B2 |
Interconnect structure enabling indirect routing in programmable logic
An interconnect structure enables indirect routing in programmable logic. The structure includes a domain comprising a plurality of routing lines and an input line connected to a first routing line in the domain. A switch box is connected to the first routing line and is configured to indirectly connect the input line to the other routing lines in the domain. In some embodiments a domain includes programmable switches that are configured to connect a routing line of one domain to any routing line of the other domains. |
| US07755386B2 |
Enhanced field programmable gate array
An enhanced performance field programmable gate array integrated circuit comprises a field programmable gate array and other functional circuitry such as a mask-programmable gate array in the same integrated circuit. A circuit interface provides communication between the field programmable gate array, the mask-programmable gate array and the integrated circuit I/O. |
| US07755383B2 |
Calibration circuit, semiconductor memory device including the same, and operating method of the calibration circuit
Calibration circuit, semiconductor memory device including the same, and operation method of the calibration circuit includes a calibration unit configured to generate a calibration code for controlling a termination resistance value, a calibration control unit configured to count a clock and allow the calibration unit to be enabled during a predetermined clock and a clock control unit configured to selectively supply the clock to the calibration control unit according to an operation mode of a semiconductor device employing the calibration circuit. |
| US07755380B2 |
Repairing manufacturing defects in flat panel displays
Apparatus and methods for repairing display devices of a type that include a first substrate having a plurality of signal lines formed thereon and/or a second substrate having a plurality of color filters formed thereon include a laser that radiates laser light having a wavelength in a range of from about 750 to about 850 nm, or alternatively, of from about 1000 to about 1100 nm, and a pulse width of femtoseconds (10−15 seconds) to picoseconds (10−12 seconds) and arranged such that the laser light can be focused on selected ones of the signal lines and/or color filters. The apparatus enables repairs to be effected on the display device during any one of several manufacturing test processes using only a single laser apparatus, without the need for additional or different repair devices for each test process. |
| US07755374B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing semiconductor devices
An apparatus for testing semiconductor devices includes a first member configured as a drawer to be movable in and out of the housing and to receive a tray assembly containing semiconductor devices having exposed electrical contacts. The tray assembly includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes structures for retaining the semiconductor devices in fixed positions and tray openings providing access to the electrical contacts. The top portion includes surfaces for contacting the semiconductor devices and a stress relief structure on the top. A second member moves the first member in a vertical direction to a tester pack. The tester pack sends and receives electrical signals to and from the semiconductor devices by way of the electrical contacts. A test computer provides instruction to the tester pack allowing the tester pack to test the semiconductor devices and return test information to the test computer. |
| US07755371B2 |
Impedance measurement of a power line
A system for obtaining an accurate, real-time determination of the characteristic impedance of a length of a power line that measures the operating conditions (e.g., voltage and current) for at least two locations on the power line. These measurements are synchronized so that they represent the same instant of time. The data obtained from the synchronized measurements are fitted to a circuit model of the power line to obtain a characteristic impedance for the power line, which can be used to increase the efficiency of the use of the power line and to perform real-time assessment of the power line. |
| US07755364B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a photodiode (12), a voltage amplifier (16) having gain greater than 1 and a sampling capacitor (18) charged by the voltage amplifier. In this arrangement, each pixel provides gain through voltage amplification. This enables the sampling capacitor (18) to be kept to a low size, so that the pixel circuitry occupies the smallest possible space, thereby enabling large aperture pixels to be formed. |
| US07755363B2 |
Ionization vacuum gauge
An ionization vacuum gauge includes a cathode electrode, a gate electrode, and an ion collector. The gate electrode is disposed adjacent to the cathode electrode with a distance therebetween. The ion collector is disposed adjacent to the gate electrode also with a distance therebetween. The cathode electrode includes a base and a field emission film disposed thereon facing the ion collector. |
| US07755361B2 |
Apparatus and system for well placement and reservoir characterization
A modular downhole apparatus to determine a formation property, the apparatus being incorporated into a drill string comprising one or more downhole tools and drill pipe, the drill pipe being of the same or various lengths, the modular downhole apparatus comprising a first module having one or more antennas, wherein the first module has connectors on both ends adapted to connect with the drill string; and a second module having one or more antennas, wherein the second module has connectors on both ends adapted to connect with the drill string; wherein the first module and the second module are spaced apart on the drill string; and wherein one or more of the one or more antennas of one or both of the modules has a dipole moment that is tilted or transverse. |
| US07755360B1 |
Portable locator system with jamming reduction
A portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator system with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays. Accessories include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or more additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, facilitates the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects. |
| US07755359B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with noise suppressing structure
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of suppressing noise caused by vibration of a gradient magnetic field coil and improving image quality includes a large number of ferromagnetic shims disposed in a large number of holes formed in a shim tray, and vibration dampers disposed in holes formed in the shim tray to reduce noise generated by vibration of a gradient magnetic field generating coil. |
| US07755353B2 |
Three-axis fluxgate-type magnetism detecting device
A three-axis fluxgate-type circuit having three fluxgate sensors for outputting three analog voltage values respectively. A controller normalizes three digital voltage values corresponding to said three analog voltage values, select a set of linear voltage values from the three normalized digital voltage values and calculate an azimuth based on the set of linear voltage values. |
| US07755352B1 |
Built-in testing and transient avoidance for magnetic sensors
A magnetic sensor assembly (S) of the type having at least one capacitor (44) electrically connecting an output signal (70) from a magnetic sensor unit (24) to an output signal source (30) includes switch (14) for controllably electrically disconnecting the capacitor (44) from output signal (70) and alternatively connecting the capacitor (44). The capacitor (44) is disconnected from the magnetic sensor unit (24) by the switch (14) during times that transient signals may be generated by the magnetic sensor unit (24) thereby preventing the capacitor (44) from being charged. A magnetic sensor assembly (100) uses printed circuit boards (PCB) (102) having a conductive element (106) on or within the PCB (102) beneath a magnetic sensor element (104) for testing. |
| US07755350B2 |
System and method of perpendicularly magnetizing position information in a magnetically hard layer of a moving component
A position-sensing system magnetically senses the position of a piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder. A magnetically hard layer on the piston rod provides a recording medium. Information is perpendicularly magnetized in regions of the magnetically hard layer. These regions provide an encoding scheme for determining the position of the piston rod. Magnetic-field sensors are positioned over redundant tracks of magnetically recorded regions. Each magnetic-field sensor positioned over a given track senses the same magnetized regions while the piston rod moves with respect to the cylinder. Other magnetic-field sensors can sense ambient fields for use in performing common-mode rejection. A write head can dynamically repair damaged or erased regions detected by the magnetic-field sensors. Energized by a battery-backup power source, the magnetic-field sensors and associated circuitry can continue to track movement of the piston rod when the machinery is off. |
| US07755347B1 |
Current and voltage measurement device
The present invention is directed to a current and/or voltage measurement device that allows a user to easily and safely determine current flow by clamping a semi-permanent wrap-around monitor around the power cable without modifying the cable may comprise a plurality of ring-mounted magnetic field sensors which sense magnetic fields produced by the electrical current in the conductors and analysis circuitry for calculating the current in those conductors based on the magnetic field values. In other embodiments, the measurement apparatus may include a plurality of electric field sensors in addition to or in place of the magnetic field sensors, which sense electric fields produced by the electrical current in the conductors which may be used to calculate the voltage in the conductors. |
| US07755342B2 |
Multi-mode switching control circuit and method for improving light load efficiency in switching power supplies
A circuit for transitioning between a discontinuous and a fixed frequency continuous conduction mode (DCM) and (CCM) of a power converter having a driver receiving PWM signals and controlling a switching stage comprises a control switch and a sync switch connected at a common switching node for driving a load. The circuit including a PWM modulator for providing PWM signals; and a mode selector for receiving a duty cycle value, a preset switching period, and a duty cycle at a critical conduction point having a switching frequency equal to the preset switching period and providing an on-time of the control switch and a switching period to the PWM modulator, wherein if the duty cycle value is greater than the duty cycle at a critical conduction point, the PWM modulator will drive will provide the PWM signals to operate the switching stage in the CCM with constant-frequency duty cycle control, and if the duty cycle value is less than duty cycle at a critical conduction point, the PWM modulator will drive will provide the PWM signals to operate the switching stage in the DCM by turning off the sync switch when a load current becomes negative. |
| US07755331B2 |
Storage battery managing apparatus and vehicle controlling apparatus providing the same
A storage battery managing apparatus which ensures charge-discharge control of a storage battery in consideration of state variation of each unit cell even if the battery pack includes a number of component unit cells, and a vehicle controlling apparatus providing the same. A storage battery includes a plurality of chargeable-dischargeable unit cells connected in which battery management ICs detect the cell voltage of each unit cell, a voltage sensor detects a storage battery voltage and a current sensor detects currents to be charged and discharged in the storage battery. A degree of SOC imbalance is obtained by use of detected cell voltage of each unit cell when the storage battery is being neither charged nor discharged. |
| US07755329B2 |
Battery charging time optimization system based on battery temperature, cooling system power demand, and availability of surplus external power
A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system. |
| US07755327B2 |
Synchronous rectification type battery charging circuit and protection circuit thereof
The present invention discloses a synchronous rectification type battery charging circuit, comprising: a charging main circuit for charging a battery; an anti-reflection switch tube, connected between a voltage input of the synchronous rectification type battery charging circuit and the charging main circuit; and a control logic and driving circuit, for controlling turning-on and cutting-off of the charging main circuit and the anti-reflection switch tube, characterized in that the synchronous rectification type battery charging circuit further including a protection circuit which outputs to the control logic and driving circuit an indicating signal for representing turning-on or cutting-off of the charging main circuit and the anti-reflection switch tube, according to a value of an input voltage of the synchronous rectification type battery charging circuit. |
| US07755326B1 |
Battery monitoring and charging system
A battery monitoring device for a battery having cells grouped in modules. The device includes a monitoring circuit for each module which monitors the voltage in each cell and the overall module voltage. The monitoring circuits can also detect module temperatures. The monitoring circuits are networked to a control computer. The device can be used with a power supply and relays for each module to interrupt charging when a fault condition is detected by the monitoring circuits. Other features of the device allow equalization of cells having excessive voltages. |
| US07755325B2 |
System for equilibrating an energy storage device
In an energy storage device comprising a series network of n storage elements C1, . . . Cn, able to provide a continuous voltage across its terminals, a system for equilibrating the elements is envisaged comprising a plurality of charge transfer modules Mi,j, each module Mi,j ensuring a bidirectional transfer of charge linear to first order between two storage elements Ci and Cj of the said network. Each energy storage element is connected to p modules, p≦n−1, each of the p modules pairing the said element with another element of the network. The time required for reequilibrating is thus reduced. |
| US07755320B2 |
Integrated circuit for driving motor
A motor driving integrated circuit includes a data receiving circuit, a control circuit, and a pulse generating circuit. The data signal receiving circuit receives data signals inputted via a data signal input terminal. The control circuit controls the motor driving integrated circuit based on a first data signal received through the data signal receiving circuit. The pulse generating circuit generates a pulse signal for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)—controlling a motor coil based on a second data signal received through the data signal receiving circuit. The pulse generating circuit includes a rectangular signal generating circuit configured to generate a plurality of rectangular signals different in pulse width, and a synthesizing circuit configured to synthesize the plurality of rectangular signals outputted from the rectangular signal generating circuit to generate the pulse signal with a duty ratio corresponding to the second data signal. |
| US07755318B1 |
Soft-start/stop sump pump controller
A sump pump control includes a microprocessor that sends a trigger pulse to an alternistor to turn the alternistor on and connect the sump pump to an NC power source. The microprocessor also monitors the power source to find a positive/negative crossover point. The microprocessor adjusts the trigger to apply full power to the pump motor during normal operation and delays the trigger to apply reduced power for a soft start and soft stop. The microprocessor also triggers an alarm in the event of failure of the device, including failure of the alternistor or the microprocessor. |
| US07755317B2 |
Methods for electric vehicle motor control and rotor position detection fault-tolerant processing
This invention provides methods for electric vehicle motor control and rotor position detection and fault-tolerant processing. The rotor position signal sampled by the system is compared with the previous rotor position θ0. When there is a sudden change, the current position signal acquired is discarded. Instead, a fault-tolerant processing strategy for use during an error condition is employed where the previous sampled rotor position θ0 is used as a base to determine the corrected current rotor position angle Θ1′. Then the correcting value is used to control the electric motor. Thus, during the motor operation, when the detection of the motor rotor position is erroneous because of a sensor such as a revolver that may be interfered by external conditions such as electromagnetic fields or vibrations or when there is a breakdown in other related hardware components or transmitting circuits, the fault-tolerant processing methods of this invention can effectively prevent the motor from losing control and allow it to maintain its continuity and stability. |
| US07755315B2 |
Rotary linear drive having a transmitter device
The aim of the invention is to provide a linear/rotation drive with an improved transmitter device for detecting the linear and rotational movements. For this purpose, the transmitter device (12, 14, 16, 17) for detecting the linear movement and/or rotational movement of the secondary part (4) of the linear drive (2) configured as an external rotor is at least partially arranged inside the primary part (6) of the linear drive (2). In this manner, the transmitter device (12, 14, 16, 17) is located in a magnetically shielded area. In order to avoid eccentricities in the transmitted device (12, 14, 16, 17), a journal (10) of the secondary part (4) is mounted on a bearing (11) in the primary part (6). |
| US07755314B2 |
Electric-motor-equipped vehicle
An electric-motor-equipped vehicle of the present invention includes an electric motor which receives a power supply from a storage apparatus and drives the vehicle, or assists a driving of the vehicle by an internal combustion engine. The electric motor includes: an inner circumference side rotor and an outer circumference side rotor which are each provided with magnet pieces, and rotation axes of which are coaxially arranged; a stator which is arranged on an outer circumferential side or an inner circumferential side of the inner circumference side rotor and the outer circumference side rotor; and a phase modification device capable of modifying a relative phase between the inner circumference side rotor and the outer circumference side rotor. |
| US07755308B2 |
Conduction angle control of a switched reluctance generator
A control system is disclosed. The control system has a switched reluctance generator coupled to provide electrical power through a DC bus to a motor. The control system also has a controller in communication with the switched reluctance generator, the motor, and the DC bus. The controller is configured to receive an indication of an amount torque or power required by the motor, determine a conduction angle of the switched reluctance generator based on the amount of torque or power required by the motor; and energize the DC bus with the electrical power provided by the switched reluctance generator based on the optimal conduction angle. |
| US07755307B2 |
Control apparatus for electric vehicles
Right after a system operation start but before a smoothing capacitor has been sufficiently pre-charged, conversion voltage control is executed to control a voltage boosting converter so that a system voltage is first raised to a target value. After the smoothing capacitor has been pre-charged, the conversion voltage control is changed over to conversion power control to control the output power of the voltage boosting converter, so that the output power of the voltage boosting converter is brought into agreement with a command value. While the conversion power control is being executed, system voltage control by operating the input power to the MG unit is prohibited. |
| US07755306B2 |
Electric power control device, electric powered vehicle including the same, and method for controlling electric power of electric vehicle
A load on a vehicle is connected to first and second neutral points in first and second motor generators through a relay circuit and power output lines. A control device controls inverters depending on a requested voltage of the load on a vehicle such that a potential at the first neutral point becomes higher than a potential at the second neutral point by that requested voltage. |
| US07755305B2 |
Charged particle beam extraction system and method
A charged particle beam extraction system and method capable of shortening the irradiation time and increasing the number of patients treatable per unit time. The charged particle beam extraction system comprises a synchrotron for cyclically performing patterned operation including four steps of introducing, accelerating, extracting and decelerating an ion beam, an on/off switch for opening or closing connection between an RF knockout electrode and an RF power supply for applying RF power to the RF knockout electrode, and a timing controller for controlling on/off-timing of the on/off switch such that when extraction of the ion beam is stopped at least once during the extraction step of the synchrotron, an amount of the ion beam extracted from the synchrotron in one cycle is held substantially at a setting value. |
| US07755303B2 |
Automobile lighting pulse width modulation duty cycle control with voltage and temperature compensation
An automobile circuit includes a power source, a temperature sensor outputting temperature measurement data, a voltage sensor outputting system voltage measurement data, a voltage adjusting module configured to receive the temperature measurement data and the voltage measurement data, and responsive thereto, to output a pulse width modulation signal, a switch that is electrically coupled to the power source and to the voltage adjusting module, the switch being operable to receive the pulse width modulating signal and thereby regulate a duty cycle for voltage from the power source, and a lighting component coupled to receive the voltage from the switch. |
| US07755301B2 |
Backlight unit for liquid crystal display
The invention provides a cost effective way of determining the status of a light emitting device, such as a light emitting device in a non-emitting display device. The apparatus includes a light emitting device, a voltage supply coupled to the light emitting device for making a current flow through the light emitting device, and an electrically conductive device spaced apart from the light emitting device for inducing a voltage proportional to the voltage across the light emitting device. A status determining device determines the status of the light emitting device based on the voltage from the electrically conductive device. |
| US07755297B2 |
Display apparatus and control method thereof
A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The inventive method and apparatus improves a response speed of a light source and image quality by minimizing a ripple of a current and reducing a time required to increase/decrease an amount of a current to drive a light source when a light source is turned on and off or a size of a current used to drive a light source is changed. An exemplary display apparatus includes a light source, a current generator which generates a driving current to drive the light source, a first current consumer which has a smaller resistance value than the light source, a first switch which is switched on and off to supply the driving current generated by the current generator either to the light source or to the first current consumer and a controller which controls the current generator to generate the driving current to reach a target value, and controls the first switch to supply the driving current to the first current consumer if the target value is smaller than the driving current. |
| US07755293B2 |
Method for protecting a lamp circuit and related wiring
A method for controlling a lamp circuit that includes: setting a first voltage threshold and a first time window within a control circuit corresponding to a characteristic of a first lamp type; providing a first signal through the lamp circuit to start a first time interval and create a first test voltage; comparing the first test voltage to the first voltage threshold; and operating a switch to couple an output of the lamp circuit to a source of electrical power if the first test voltage is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold before the first time interval exceeds the first time window. |
| US07755290B2 |
Micro discharge (MD) plasma display panel including electrode layer directly laminated between upper and lower subtrates
A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) includes a dielectric layer having a plurality of dielectric-layer perforated holes arranged in a matrix; and upper and lower electrode layers having electrode-layer perforated holes connected to the dielectric-layer perforated holes and arranged on both surfaces of the dielectric layer; the upper electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction, the plurality of first electrodes surrounding a group of electrode-layer perforated holes arranged in the first direction; and the lower electrode layer includes a plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction different from the first direction, the plurality of second electrodes surrounding a group of electrode-layer perforated holes arranged in the second direction. Individual electrodes surrounding the electrode-layer perforated holes protrude from the dielectric layer toward the centers of the perforated holes such that a facing discharge is generated between the upper and lower individual electrodes, resulting in a PDP having stable characteristics and high efficiency and having a simple structure. |
| US07755286B2 |
Glass film, process for production thereof, and optical electronic device
Disclosed is a dense silicon oxide film having a high insulation resistance, which is a glass film having a certain level of thickness. Specifically, disclosed are a silicon oxide film, and a glass film comprising the silicon oxide film and silica particles incorporated in the silicon oxide film. The glass film can be produced by a process comprising the steps of: applying a paste comprising silica particles, an organic silicon compound which is in a liquid form at room temperature and water onto a substrate; and oxidizing the organic silicon compound in the paste. |
| US07755273B2 |
Field emission device and its method of manufacture
A field emission device and its method of manufacture includes: a substrate; a plurality of cathode electrodes formed on the substrate and having slot shaped cathode holes to expose the substrate; emitters formed on the substrate exposed through each of the cathode holes and separated from both side surfaces of the cathode holes, the emitters being formed along a lengthwise direction of the cathode holes; an insulating layer formed on the substrate to cover the cathode electrodes and having insulating layer holes communicating with the cathode holes; and a plurality of gate electrodes formed on the insulating layer and having gate holes communicating with the insulating layer holes. |
| US07755270B2 |
Cathode structure with nanotubes for emissive screen
This invention relates to a triode type cathode structure comprising a cathode conductor (22), an electrical insulation layer (24) and a grid electrode (25), superposed on a support (21), the electrical insulation layer and the grid electrode comprising openings exposing at least one electron emitting element, electrically connected to the cathode conductor (22) and comprising nanotubes (28) made of an electron emitting material. The cathode structure comprises protective means preventing the longest nanotubes from coming into contact with the grid electrode (25). |
| US07755269B2 |
Spacer and image display panel using the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a spacer which has an adequate Young's modulus for a spacer used in an image display panel and allows free adjustment of an electric resistance value, and an image display panel using the spacer. The spacer SPC holds a gap between a back panel PNL1 including a signal line CL, a scanning line GL, and an electronic source ELS provided for the main surface of a back substrate SUB1, and a front panel PNL2 including a fluorescent material PH, a black matrix BM, and an anode AD provided for the main surface of a front substrate SUB2. The spacer comprises phosphate glass including the same transition metal element with different valences. For electrical conduction, the included same transition metal element with different valences allows the use of hopping conduction between transition metal atoms with different valences to perform adjustment of electric resistance relatively easily. The transition metal element is at least one of vanadium (V), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), and iron (Fe). |
| US07755265B2 |
Lamp base assembly with electronic ballast for energy-saving lamp
A lamp base assembly with electronic ballast for energy-saving lamp includes a housing (22), a lamp cap (21) and an electronic ballast (24) with transistors (23) provided within the housing. A transistor heat-diffusing element surrounding each transistor is provided within the lamp base, for enhancing the heat transfer from the transistors to the housing or the lamp cap, so that the heat generated from the transistors could be transferred out of the lamp base assembly. Thus, the heat-diffusing ability of the transistors is improved, and the working temperature of the transistors could be kept within a safe scope, so that the lifetime of the energy-saving lamp is guaranteed. |
| US07755264B2 |
Composition for formatting an electron emission source for use in an electron emission device and an electron emission source fabricated using the same
The present invention relates to a composition for formatting an electron emission source of an electron emission device, and an electron emission source comprising the same. The composition comprises a paste comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibiting an RBM (Radial Breathing Mode) peak. The paste further comprises an inorganic powder, a binder resin, and an organic solvent. The electron emission source made from the composition of the present invention improves the lifetime and electron emission characteristics of the electron emission device by using multi-walled carbon nanotubes having excellent lifetime and electron emission characteristics. |
| US07755259B2 |
Airtight terminal
To provide an airtight terminal and a piezoelectric vibrator having a strong rigidity of a lead despite a small-sized constitution, and provide a method of fabricating an airtight terminal constituting a lead penetrating inside of a stem by one piece and a piezoelectric vibrator with an excellent yield. A stem 11 filled with a filling member 13 is penetrated only with one piece of a lead 12 formed from a lead frame. As an electric terminal, a conductive lead 16 connected to the stem 11 is provided other than the lead 12. The lead 12 and the conductive lead 16 of an airtight terminal 10 constituted by the stem 11, the lead 12, the filling member 13, the conductive lead 16 are connected to a piezoelectric vibrating piece 20, further, the stem 11 is capped to a case 30 to thereby constitute a piezoelectric vibrator 1. |
| US07755254B2 |
Honeycomb-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive element
A honeycomb-type piezoelectric/electrostrictive element includes a honeycomb structure section having a partition wall which partitions cells passing through the honeycomb structure section in an axial direction, and an electrode as an internal electrode disposed on an inner wall surface of the cell to internally cover the entire inner wall surface, wherein the partition wall is formed of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and the honeycomb structure section can be deformed by applying a voltage between the electrodes disposed in the cells adjacent through the partition wall. |
| US07755238B2 |
Power generator and power generating method
A power generator includes a top, a support, a bearing, a rotating device and a transforming device. The top has a body and a spindle penetrating the center of the body, wherein the spindle is substantially vertical to the ground. The support is positioned on the ground to support one end of the spindle. The bearing holds the spindle and is located apart from the support. The rotating device rotates the top. The transforming device transforms the rotational energy of the top into power. |
| US07755237B2 |
Motor for driving a container-holder plate in a labelling machine
A motor for a plate of a labelling machine comprises a housing with a connecting portion for connecting the motor to a carousel of the labelling machine, a motor shaft pivotally supported within the housing, a coupling flange having a first end connected to the motor shaft and a second end that can be connected to the plate. The motor defines a through opening, which is substantially parallel to the motor shaft that allow alignment means to have access to the plate through the motor. |
| US07755224B2 |
System for producing electricity through the action of waves on floating platforms
A system and method for producing electricity through the action of waves on floating platforms. The hydraulic force of the water in the waves causes the platform to create a series of reverse incline planes. The system adjusts or tunes the frequency of various components in relation to the natural frequency of the waves. The system has a mass carried on a track that moves relative to the track to create kinetic energy. One feature is to have the track and the mass tuned to the hull. Another feature is to tune the track and mass and the hull relative to the waves to increase power generated. In addition, the system has a microprocessor in one embodiment, that takes input related to waves, the mass, and the floating platforms and actively tunes parameters to increase the power generated. As a mass moves down the reverse incline planes, it gains mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy. |
| US07755220B2 |
Power stealing for a thermostat using a TRIAC with FET control
An electronic thermostat circuit has improved power stealing for controlling an AC control device. The circuit comprises a source of AC control power coupled to an electronic switch means having an electronic switch means control input. The electronic switch means controls the AC control device. The diode bridge controls the electronic switch means by a DC control signal applied to the diode bridge means DC connection. The amplifier means has an amplifier input for controlling the state of the amplifier and an amplifier output for generating the DC control signal. An isolated gate FET means is electrically coupled to the amplifier input for controlling the state of the amplifier. The isolated gate FET means is powered by the current derived from the source of AC control power by power stealing. The digital signal controls the state of the AC control. |
| US07755217B2 |
Pulse generator
A method for controlling a pulse generator is provided. The method includes measuring a switch-on time difference for each cell and controlling the semiconductor switches of each cell for the voltage pulse as a function of the switch-on time difference. The switch-on time difference is measured between a switch-on signal for switching the respective semiconductor switch of the cell to a conducting state and a system response dependent on the switching to the conducting state. A second switch-on signal for each cell is generated in such a time-shifted manner that the system response of each cell occurs simultaneously. The system response is dependent on the switching to the conducting state. |
| US07755211B2 |
Rigid structural array
A device for maintaining a plurality of ocean wave energy converters at a predetermined proximity. The device includes at least one deck having a plurality openings, each adapted to receive a portion of an ocean wave energy converter. |
| US07755210B2 |
System and method for controlling wind turbine actuation
A wind turbine includes a plurality of wind turbine blades attached to a rotor positioned atop a tower affixed to a tower foundation. At least one blade pitch sensor is configured to measure blade pitch angles for one or more of the wind turbine blades. A rotor/generator speed sensor is configured to measure the rotational speed of the wind turbine rotor, a corresponding wind turbine generator, or both. A wind turbine nacelle yaw sensor is configured to measure the nacelle yaw, while at least two tower-base bending sensors are configured without use of adhesives, cements or bonding agents to provide large-area measurement of tower deflection. A controller is configured to adjust the pitch angle of one or more of the wind turbine blades in response to the measured one or more blade pitch angles, the measured rotational speed, the measured nacelle yaw and measured tower longitudinal deflection. |
| US07755205B2 |
Electronic component, semiconductor device, methods of manufacturing the same, circuit board, and electronic instrument
The present invention is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, by forming a wiring on or above a wafer so that the wiring is electrically connected to a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the wafer, forming a first resin layer on or above the wafer such that the wiring is disposed between the wafer and the first resin layer, forming an opening in the first resin layer such that the opening overlaps the wiring, forming a conductive member in the opening such that the conductive member being electrically connected to the wiring, forming a second electrode on the conductive member such that the second electrode is electrically connected to the wiring via the conductive member, and separating the wafer into individual elements after the forming of the first resin layer. |
| US07755204B2 |
Stacked die module including multiple adhesives that cure at different temperatures
A technique for forming die stacks. Specifically, a stacking tip is provided to facilitate the stacking of die in a desired configuration. A first die is picked up by the stacking tip. The first die is coated with an adhesive on the underside of the die. The first die is brought in contact with a second die via the stacking tip. The second die is coupled to the first die via the adhesive on the underside of the first die. The second die is coated with an adhesive coating on the underside of the die. The second die is then brought in contact with a third die via the stacking tip. The third die is coupled to the second die via the adhesive on the underside of the second die, and so forth. Die stacks are formed without being coupled to a substrate. The die stacks may be functionally and/or environmentally tested before attaching the die stack to a substrate. |
| US07755202B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor element formed on a surface thereof; an interwiring insulating film formed above the semiconductor substrate; a wiring formed in the interwiring insulating film; a first intervia insulating film formed under the interwiring insulating film; a first via formed in the first intervia insulating film and connected to a lower surface of the wiring; a second intervia insulating film formed on the interwiring insulating film; a second via formed in the second intervia insulating film and connected to an upper surface of the wiring; and a CuSiN film formed in at least one of a position between the interwiring insulating film and the first intervia insulating film, and a position between the interwiring insulating film and the second intervia insulating film. |
| US07755201B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of electrical defects. The device includes a first interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; a contact pad spacer on the first interlayer insulating film; and a contact pad in the first interlayer insulating film and the contact pad spacer. The cross-sectional area of an upper portion of the contact pad in the contact pad spacer in a direction horizontal to the substrate is equal to or less than a cross-sectional area of an intermediate portion at an interface between the contact pad spacer and the first interlayer insulating film in a direction horizontal to the substrate. |
| US07755200B2 |
Methods and arrangements for forming solder joint connections
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for forming a solder joint connection. One embodiment involves an improved solder ball. The solder ball includes a perforated, metallic shell with an internal opening. Solder material encases the shell and fills its internal opening. The solder ball may be applied to an electrical device, such as an integrated circuit die, to form a solder bump on the device. The solder bump in turn can be used to form an improved solder joint connection between the device and a suitable substrate, such as a printed circuit board. In some applications, a solder joint connection is formed without requiring the application of additional solder material to the surface of the substrate. The present invention also includes different solder bump arrangements and methods for using such arrangements to form solder joint connections between devices and substrates. |
| US07755192B2 |
Copper interconnection structure, barrier layer including carbon and hydrogen
A copper interconnection structure includes an insulating layer, an interconnection and a barrier layer. The insulating layer includes silicon (element symbol: Si), carbon (element symbol: C), hydrogen (element symbol: H) and oxygen (element symbol: O). The interconnection is located on the insulating layer, and the interconnection includes copper (element symbol: Cu). The barrier layer is located between the insulating layer and the interconnection. The barrier layer includes an additional element, carbon (element symbol: C) and hydrogen (element symbol: H). The barrier layer has atomic concentrations of carbon (element symbol: C) and hydrogen (element symbol: H) maximized in a region of a thickness of the barrier layer where the atomic concentration of the additional element is maximized. |
| US07755189B2 |
Metal cap with ringed projection to be welded to stem and ringed groove provided immediately inside of ringed projection and optical device having the same
An optical device with a CAN package is disclosed, where the cap is resistance-welded to the stem without causing failures due to fragments by the welding flying within the package. The cap of the invention has a flange portion to be welded to the stem. The flange portion provides a ringed groove in addition to the ringed projection for the welding. The fragment due to the welding may be captured in the ringed groove and is prevented from flying within the package. The ringed groove and the ringed projection are simultaneously formed in the stamping to form the body portion of the cap. |
| US07755186B2 |
Cooling solutions for die-down integrated circuit packages
Systems for cooling the backside of a semiconductor die located in a die-down integrated circuit (IC) package are described. The IC package is attached to the topside of a printed circuit board (PCB) with the backside of the die residing below the topside surface of the PCB. A cooling plate is attached to the backside of the die and thermally connected to a heat sink located above the topside surface of the PCB via conduits that pass through openings in the PCB. |
| US07755180B2 |
Integrated circuit package-in-package system
An integrated circuit package-in-package system is provided forming a first integrated circuit package having a first interface, stacking a second integrated circuit package having a second interface above the first integrated circuit package, fitting the first interface and the second interface, and attaching a third integrated circuit package on the second integrated circuit package. |
| US07755179B2 |
Semiconductor package structure having enhanced thermal dissipation characteristics
In an exemplary embodiment, a packaged device having enhanced thermal dissipation characteristics includes a semiconductor chip having a major current carrying or heat generating electrode. The semiconductor chip is oriented so that the major current carrying electrode faces the top of the package or away from the next level of assembly. The packaged device further includes a conductive clip for coupling the major current carrying electrode to a next level of assembly, and a heat spreader device formed on or integral with the conductive clip. A portion of the heat spreader device may be optionally exposed. |
| US07755178B2 |
Base semiconductor component for a semiconductor component stack and method for the production thereof
A base semiconductor component for a semiconductor component stack is disclosed. In one embodiment, the base semiconductor component has a semiconductor chip arranged centrally on a stiff wiring substrate. The wiring substrate has, in its edge regions, contact pads which are electrically connected to external contacts and at the same time to contact areas of the semiconductor chip and also to stack contact areas. The stack contact areas simultaneously form the upper side of the base semiconductor component and have an arrangement pattern corresponding to an arrangement pattern of external contacts of a semiconductor component to be stacked. |
| US07755176B1 |
Die-mounting substrate and method incorporating dummy traces for improving mounting film planarity
A die-mounting substrate and method incorporating dummy traces for improving mounting film planarity makes the use of film attach possible with a simplified manufacturing process and in applications where film-attach was not previously practical. The die-mounting substrate includes dummy traces that are generated along with signal traces extending into the die mounting area of the substrate. The dummy traces are designed according to the same design rules as the signal traces and are disposed in otherwise empty regions between signal traces and vias within the die mounting area. The result is die mounting area without regions empty of signal traces that previously either lack conductor or are filled completely with conductor, either of which will result in surface variation that compromises the film bond. |
| US07755175B2 |
Multi-stack chip package with wired bonded chips
A stack-type semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a circuit board with bonding pads; a first semiconductor chip which includes first electrode pads and is mounted on the circuit board; a second semiconductor chip which includes second electrode pads and is mounted on the first semiconductor chip; a plurality of bonding wires sequentially connecting the bonding pads, the first electrodes and the second electrodes as a whole; and a sealing resin for sealing the first semiconductor chip, the second semiconductor chip and the bonding wires. |
| US07755174B2 |
Integrated electronic components and methods of formation thereof
Provided are integrated electronic components which include a waveguide microstructure formed by a sequential build process and an electronic device, and methods of forming such integrated electronic components. The microstructures have particular applicability to devices for transmitting electromagnetic energy and other electronic signals. |
| US07755173B2 |
Series-shunt switch with thermal terminal
A series-shunt switch is provided. The switch includes a PIN diode having an input electrical terminal, an output electrical terminal and a thermal terminal. The thermal terminal is configured to provide continuity of diode thermal ground with respect to a circuit thermal ground node. |
| US07755169B2 |
Semiconductor device, method of manufacturing the same, and phase shift mask
A main wall part is provided so as to surround an integrated circuit part. A sub-wall part which is in “L” shape is provided between each corner of the main wall part and the integrated circuit part. Therefore, even if the stress is concentrated due to heat treatment or the like, the stress is dispersed to the main wall part and the sub-wall part, and hence peeling between layers and a crack are unlikely to occur, as compared with the conventional art. Further, even if the crack and the like occur at the corner, moisture from the outside hardly reaches the integrated circuit part when the main wall part and the sub-wall part are coupled to each other. For this reason, it is possible to ensure an extremely high moisture resistance. |
| US07755158B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing thereof
An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a pixel region and a peripheral circuit region. An interlayer dielectric layer has metal wirings and a pad formed over the semiconductor substrate. A lower electrode is selectively formed over the metal wirings. A photo diode is formed over the interlayer dielectric layer of the pixel region. An upper electrode formed over the photo diode. Therefore, a vertical integration of the transistor and the photodiode may approach a fill factor to 100%, and provide higher sensitivity, implement more complicated circuitry without reducing sensitivity in each unit pixel, improve the reliability of the image sensor by preventing crosstalk, etc., between the pixels, and improve light sensitivity by increasing the surface area of the photo diode in the unit pixel. |
| US07755157B2 |
Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method of photovoltaic device
Solar cells and methods of their manufacture are described that exhibit decreased or eliminated leak current, improved open voltage and improved fill factor characteristics. In an embodiment, a separate processed surface is interposed between a first and a second main surface of a crystal substrate, as prepared by laser irradiation and cut processing. The laser irradiation is applied to an amorphous semiconductor layer of the same conductive type as an underlying single crystal substrate, but does not penetrate an underlying amorphous opposite type layer. Details of lamination and laser characteristics for processing the layers are provided. |
| US07755156B2 |
Producing layered structures with lamination
A layered structure can include laminated first and second substructures and an array with cell regions. The first substructure can include layered active circuitry, the second a top electrode layer. One or both substructure's surface that contacts the other can be on a polymer-containing layer, structured to generate free charge carriers and/or to transport charge carriers. A cell region of the array can include portions of each substructure; the cell region's portion of the first substructure can include a subregion of electrically conductive material and a subregion of semiconductive material, its portion of the second can include part of the top electrode layer. The layered structure can include one or more lamination artifacts on or in the polymer-containing layer; the lamination artifacts can include artifacts of contact pressure, or heat, or of surface shape, and the interface surface can be without vias. |
| US07755149B2 |
Photo mask and semiconductor device fabricated using the same
A photo mask and a semiconductor device fabricated using the same is disclosed. The photo mask to form a mask pattern defining a STAR gate region includes a transparent substrate, and a light-shielding pattern defining a zigzag W-STAR gate region, wherein a waved portion of the light-shielding pattern partially overlaps a gate region and a storage node contact region of an active region disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes an active region and a device isolation region defining the active region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode, wherein a line width of the gate electrode in the active region is greater than that in the device isolation region, and a zigzag W-STAR gate region, wherein the waved portion of the zigzag W-STAR gate region partially overlaps the gate region and the storage node contact region in the active region. |
| US07755148B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
Logic LSI includes first power domains PD1 to PD4, thick-film power switches SW1 to SW4, and power switch controllers PSWC1 to PSWC4. The thick-film power switches are formed by thick-film power transistors manufactured in a process common to external input/output circuits I/O. The first power domains include second power domains SPD11 to SPD42 including logic blocks, control circuit blocks SCB1 to SCB4, and thin-film power switches SWN11 to SWN42 that are connected to the thick-film power switches via virtual ground lines VSSM1 to VSSM4, and formed by thin-film power transistors manufactured in a process common to the logic blocks. In this way, power switches having different thickness of gate insulating films from one another are vertically stacked so as to be in a hierarchical structure, and each power switch is individually controlled by a power switch controller and a control circuit block correspondingly to each mode. |
| US07755147B2 |
Semiconductor device, semiconductor system and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A semiconductor device is provided with a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate (10); a voltage supplying terminal (26) arranged on the semiconductors substrate (10); one or more elements (6) which include a second conductivity type well section (22) and are arranged on the semiconductor substrate (10); a second conductivity type first conductive layer (21), which is a lower layer of the one or more elements (6), is in contact with the second conductivity type well section (22), and connects the second conductivity type well section (22) of the one or more elements (6) with the voltage supplying terminal (26); and a first conductivity type second conductive layer (11) formed in contact with a lower side of the first conductive layer (21). |
| US07755146B2 |
Formation of standard voltage threshold and low voltage threshold MOSFET devices
Wells are formed in a substrate where standard Vt and low Vt devices of both a first and second type are to be fabricated. Wells defining the locations of first type standard Vt devices are masked, and a first voltage threshold implant adjustment is performed within wells defining the second type standard Vt devices, and each of the first and second type low Vt devices. Wells that define the locations of second type standard Vt devices are masked, and a second voltage threshold implant adjustment is performed to the wells defining the first type standard Vt devices, and each of the first and second type low Vt devices. Doped polysilicon gate stacks are then formed over the wells. Performance characteristics and control of each device Vt is controlled by regulating at least one of the first and second voltage threshold implant adjustments, and the polysilicon gate stack doping. |
| US07755143B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is described. The semiconductor device comprises a protected device in a protected device area of a substrate. An electrostatic discharge power clamp device comprising an outer first guard ring and an inner second guard ring is in a guard ring area of the substrate, enclosing the protected device. The first guard ring comprises a first well region having a first conductive type. A first doped region having the first conductive type and a second doped region having a second conductive type are in the first well region. The second guard ring comprises a second well region having a second conductive type. A third doped region has the second conductive type in the second well region. An input/output device is in a periphery device area, coupled to the electrostatic discharge power clamp device. |
| US07755141B2 |
Complementary MISFET formed in a linear body
Integrated circuits such as semiconductor memories, image sensors, PLA's, and the like have been formed on rigid, planar substrates such as silicon substrates. This has resulted in shapes without flexibility and limited applicabilities. Further, since multiple circuit elements are continuously formed on a flat surface, it has been impossible to produce a non-defective semiconductor memory unless all the circuit elements are fabricated without defects, making it difficult to improve a yield. It is thus devised to weave or braid linear devices into a fabric shape to prepare a planar semiconductor memory, or to bundle up linear devices to prepare a linear semiconductor memory. The integrated circuit comprising the linear devices is flexible and light-weighted, and is thus usable in various applications. It becomes possible to prepare an integrated circuit by once fabricating linear devices and selecting only non-defective ones therefrom, thereby enabling an improved production yield of integrated circuits. |
| US07755135B2 |
EEPROM having single gate structure
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) includes an access transistor having a floating gate and source/drain regions formed at opposite sides of the floating gate in a first well, a first well tap formed in the first well, a control gate located on a second region, first impurity regions formed at both sides of the control gate in the second region, and a second well tap formed in a third region. In order to erase information stored in a memory cell, a predetermined erasing voltage is applied to the source/drain regions of the access transistor and the first well tap, a ground voltage is applied to the first impurity regions in the second region, and a voltage, which is greater than 0V and less than a junction breakdown voltage between the active area and the first well, is applied to the second well tap. |
| US07755134B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor region; device isolation regions placed in the semiconductor region and extending in a column direction; a semiconductor layer placed on the semiconductor region and between the device isolation regions, and having a convex shape in cross section along a row direction; source/drain regions placed in the semiconductor layer and spaced from each other; a gate insulating film placed on the semiconductor layer between the source/drain regions; a floating gate electrode layer placed on the gate insulating film; an intergate insulating film placed on the floating gate electrode layer and upper surfaces of the device isolation regions; and a control gate electrode layer placed on the intergate insulating film and extending in the row direction. |
| US07755130B2 |
Minority carrier sink for a memory cell array comprising nonvolatile semiconductor memory cells
A memory cell array of nonvolatile semiconductor memory cells is specified in which a minority carrier sink is formed within a semiconductor body in the region of the memory cell array, the minority carrier sink being arranged outside a space charge zone structure that forms in the semiconductor body during operation of the semiconductor memory cells, and the minority carrier sink having a shorter minority carrier lifetime in comparison with a semiconductor zone reaching as far as a surface of the semiconductor body. |
| US07755128B2 |
Semiconductor device containing crystallographically stabilized doped hafnium zirconium based materials
A semiconductor device, such as a transistor or capacitor is provided. The device includes a substrate, a gate dielectric over the substrate, and a conductive gate dielectric film over the gate dielectric. The gate dielectric includes a doped hafnium zirconium oxide containing one or more dopant elements selected from Group II, Group XIII, silicon, and rare earth elements of the Periodic Table. According to one embodiment, the conductive gate dielectric can contain doped hafnium zirconium nitride or doped hafnium zirconium oxynitride. |
| US07755127B2 |
Capacitor in semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A capacitor may include at least one of a polysilicon layer over a semiconductor substrate; a capacitor dielectric layer over a polysilicon layer; an insulating layer over a capacitor dielectric layer; a metal layer connected to a capacitor dielectric layer through a first region of an insulating layer; an upper metal wiring layer connected to a metal layer over an insulating layer; and/or a lower metal wiring line layer connected to a polysilicon layer through a metal contact that passes through a second region of an insulating layer and a capacitor dielectric layer over the insulating layer. |
| US07755126B2 |
Memory device configured to have transistor and capacitor
Disclosed is a memory device having a transistor, the transistor including a substrate; a gate electrode formed on the substrate; an insulation layer formed on the gate electrode, the gate electrode and the insulation layer forming a convex portion; a conductive layer formed at a top of the convex portion; a source electrode formed on one side of the convex portion on the substrate; a drain electrode formed on the other side of the convex portion on the substrate where the source electrode is not formed; and a semiconductor layer formed on the insulation layer existing between the conductive layer and the source electrode and between the conductive layer and the drain electrode. |
| US07755122B2 |
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor
A CMOS image sensor including a light-receiving element, at least one transistor, a first dielectric layer, a reflective layer, a second dielectric layer, a protective layer, a material layer, a transparent material layer, an optical filter, and a converging element is described. The light-receiving element and the transistor are disposed respectively inside the light sensing region and the transistor region. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate, covering the transistor and the light-receiving element. The reflective layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer inside the light sensing region. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer outside of the reflective layer. The material layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer inside of the reflective layer. The optical filter is disposed on the transparent material layer and the converging element is disposed on the optical filter inside the light sensing region. |
| US07755117B2 |
Light sensors with infrared suppression
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to light sensors, that primarily respond to visible light while suppressing infrared light. Such sensors are especially useful as ambient light sensors because such sensors can be used to provide a spectral response similar to that of a human eye. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to methods of providing such light sensors, and methods for using such light sensors. |
| US07755116B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling charge transfer in CMOS sensors with an implant by the transfer gate
An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit. |
| US07755113B2 |
Semiconductor device, semiconductor display device, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To achieve high performance of a semiconductor integrated circuit depending on not only a microfabrication technique but also another way. In addition, to achieve low power consumption of a semiconductor integrated circuit. A semiconductor device is provided in which crystal faces and/or crystal axes of single-crystalline semiconductor layers of a first conductive MISFET and a second conductive MISFET are different. The crystal faces and/or crystal axes are arranged so that mobility of carriers flowing in channel length directions in the respective MISFETs is increased. Such a structure can increase mobility of carriers flowing through channels of the MISFETs and high speed operation of a semiconductor integrated circuit can be achieved. Further, low voltage driving becomes possible, and low power consumption can be realized. |
| US07755111B2 |
Programmable power management using a nanotube structure
Programmable power management using a nanotube structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a nanotube structure of an integrated circuit to a conductive surface when a command is processed, and enabling a group of transistors of the integrated circuit based on the coupling the nanotube structure to the conductive surface. A current may be applied to the nanotube structure to couple the nanotube structure to the conductive surface. The nanotube structure may be formed from a material chosen from one or more of a polymer, carbon, and a composite material. The group of transistors may be enabled during an activation sequence of the integrated circuit. In addition, one or more transistors of the group of transistors may be disengaged from the one or more power sources (e.g., to minimize leakage) when the nanotube structure is decoupled from the conductive surface. |
| US07755109B2 |
Bonded semiconductor substrate
Ge/Si and other nonsilicon film heterostructures are formed by hydrogen-induced exfoliation of the Ge film which is wafer bonded to a cheaper substrate, such as Si. A thin, single-crystal layer of Ge is transferred to Si substrate. The bond at the interface of the Ge/Si heterostructures is covalent to ensure good thermal contact, mechanical strength, and to enable the formation of an ohmic contact between the Si substrate and Ge layers. To accomplish this type of bond, hydrophobic wafer bonding is used, because as the invention demonstrates the hydrogen-surface-terminating species that facilitate van der Waals bonding evolves at temperatures above 600° C. into covalent bonding in hydrophobically bound Ge/Si layer transferred systems. |
| US07755108B2 |
Nitride-based semiconductor device
A nitride-based semiconductor device includes a diode provided on a semiconductor substrate. The diode contains a first nitride-based semiconductor layer made of non-doped AlXGa1-XN (0≦X<1); a second nitride-based semiconductor layer made of non-doped or n-type AlYGa1-YN (0 |
| US07755107B2 |
Bipolar/dual FET structure including enhancement and depletion mode FETs with isolated channels
According to an exemplary embodiment, a bipolar/dual FET structure includes a bipolar transistor situated over a substrate. The bipolar/dual FET structure further includes an enhancement-mode FET and a depletion-mode FET situated over the substrate. In the bipolar/dual FET structure, the channel of the enhancement-mode FET is situated above the base of the bipolar transistor and the channel of the depletion-mode FET is situated below the base of the bipolar transistor. The channel of the enhancement-mode FET is isolated from the channel of the depletion-mode FET so as to decouple the enhancement-mode FET from the depletion mode FET. |
| US07755103B2 |
Nitride gallium semiconductor substrate and nitride semiconductor epitaxial substrate
A method of fabricating a single crystal gallium nitride substrate the step of cutting an ingot of single crystal gallium nitride along predetermined planes to make one or more single crystal gallium nitride substrates. The ingot of single crystal gallium nitride is grown by vapor phase epitaxy in a direction of a predetermined axis. Each predetermined plane is inclined to the predetermined axis. Each substrate has a mirror polished primary surface. The primary surface has a first area and a second area. The first area is between an edge of the substrate and a line 3 millimeter away from the edge. The first area surrounds the second area. An axis perpendicular to the primary surface forms an off-angle with c-axis of the substrate. The off-angle takes a minimum value at a first position in the first area of the primary surface. |
| US07755099B2 |
Light emitting device package
Provided is a light emitting device package. The light emitting device package comprises a base substrate, a frame, and a light emitting device. The base substrate comprises a plurality of electrode pads. The frame is formed of silicon, attached on the base substrate, and has an opening. The light emitting device is electrically connected to the electrode pad in the opening. |
| US07755098B2 |
Zinc oxide light emitting diode
Provided is a zinc oxide light emitting diode having improved optical characteristics. The zinc oxide light emitting diode includes an n-type semiconductor layer, a zinc oxide active layer formed on the n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer formed on the active layer, an anode in electrical contact with the p-type semiconductor layer, a cathode in electrical contact with the n-type semiconductor layer, and a surface plasmon layer disposed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the active layer or between the active layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. Since the surface plasmon layer is formed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the active layer or between the active layer and the p-type semiconductor layer, the light emitting diode is not affected by an increase in resistance due to reduction of the thickness of the p-type semiconductor layer, and has improved optical characteristics due to a resonance phenomenon between the surface plasmon layer and the active layer. |
| US07755096B2 |
Single or multi-color high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) by growth over a patterned substrate
A single or multi-color light emitting diode (LED) with high extraction efficiency is comprised of a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, one or more patterned layers deposited on top of the buffer layer, and one or more active layers formed on or between the patterned layers, for example by Lateral Epitaxial Overgrowth (LEO), and including one or more light emitting species, such as quantum wells. The patterned layers include a patterned, perforated or pierced mask made of insulating, semiconducting or metallic material, and materials filling holes in the mask. The patterned layer acts as an optical confining layer due to a contrast of a refractive index with the active layer and/or as a buried diffraction grating due to variation of a refractive index between the mask and the material filling the holes in the mask. |
| US07755089B2 |
Semiconductor device including complementary MOS transistor having a strained Si channel
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, p-type first and n-type second semiconductor regions formed on the substrate so as to be insulated with each other, n-channel and p-channel MOS transistors formed on the first and second semiconductor regions, the n-channel transistor including a first pair of source/drain regions formed on the first semiconductor region, a first gate insulator formed in direct contact with the first semiconductor region and formed as an amorphous insulator containing at least La, and a first gate electrode formed on the first gate insulator, the p-channel MOS transistor including a second pair of source/drain regions formed opposite to each other on the second semiconductor region, a second gate insulator including a silicon oxide film and the amorphous insulating film formed thereon on the second semiconductor region, and a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulator. |
| US07755085B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating same
A semiconductor device has an IC chip with a thickness of equal to or less than 100 μm and includes a semiconductor substrate. A device forming region is within the depth of approximately equal to or less than 5 μm from a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a total thickness of the semiconductor substrate is from 5 μm to 100 μm. A BMD layer for carrying out gettering of metal impurities is provided immediately under the device forming region. Since a gettering site is provided immediately under the device forming region, in a device or the like of which extreme thinness is required, degradation of device characteristics and reliability due to contamination of metal impurities can be prevented, and stabilize and improve the device yield. The present invention inhibits degradation of device characteristics and reliability caused by contamination of metal impurities, in a device of which lamination of device chips is required or in a device of which extreme chip thinness for an IC card and the like is required, in an attempt to cope with an enlarged capacity of the device. |
| US07755083B2 |
Package module with alignment structure and electronic device with the same
A package module with an alignment structure is provided by this invention. The package module comprises a package substrate having a die region and a die disposed thereon. At least one pair of conductive alignment protrusions is disposed in the die region and is separated from each other by the die. A test pad is disposed on the package substrate opposing the die and electrically connected to the pair of conductive alignment protrusions. An electronic device with an alignment structure and an inspection method after mounting is also disclosed. |
| US07755082B2 |
Forming self-aligned nano-electrodes
A nano-electrode or nano-wire may be etched centrally to form a gap between nano-electrode portions. The portions may ultimately constitute a single electron transistor. The source and drain formed from the electrode portions are self-aligned with one another. Using spacer technology, the gap between the electrodes may be made very small. |
| US07755078B2 |
Silicon single electron device
A silicon integrated circuit device comprising a near intrinsic silicon substrate in which there are one or more ohmic contact regions. An insulating layer lies above the substrate, and on top of the insulating layer is a lower layer of one or more aluminium gates. The surface of each of the lower gates is oxidised to insulate them from an upper aluminium gate that extends over the lower gates. |
| US07755077B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes the first transistor having first and second source/drain diffusion regions positioned below a second bit line to sandwich the first word line therebetween, and the second source/drain diffusion region positioned between the first and second word lines and connected to a first bit line, a second transistor having second and third source/drain diffusion regions positioned below the second bit line to sandwich the second word line therebetween, a first resistive memory element formed below the second bit line above the first source/drain diffusion region, and having terminals connected to the second bit line and the first source/drain diffusion region, and a second resistive memory element formed below the second bit line above the third source/drain diffusion region, and having terminals connected to the second bit line and the third source/drain diffusion region. |
| US07755070B2 |
Arrangement for the suppression of unwanted spectral components in a plasma-based EUV radiation source
The invention is directed to an arrangement for the suppression of unwanted spectral components (‘out-of-band’ radiation, as it is called) in a plasma-based radiation source. The object of the invention is to find a novel possibility for the suppression of unwanted spectral components in radiation exiting from a plasma-based EUV radiation source which permits a simple suppression of out-of-band radiation outside the desired EUV range without requiring costly manufacturing and adjustment of diffraction gratings. This object is met according to the invention in that a filter unit is provided between the plasma and an application location of the EUV radiation, which filter unit has at least one gas curtain comprising at least one rapidly flowing gas whose molecules have no absorption maxima for the desired EUV radiation and intensive absorption maxima for other, unwanted wavelengths that are emitted, at least in the IR region. For the purpose of generating the gas curtain, at least one slit nozzle and an efficient gas sink are arranged laterally opposite one another with respect to an optical axis of the beam bundle in order to limit the gas curtain in a spatially defined manner and to remove it again from the vacuum chambers as completely as possible. |
| US07755069B2 |
Ultra-bright pulsed electron beam with low longitudinal emittance
A high-brightness pulsed electron source, which has the potential for many useful applications in electron microscopy, inverse photo-emission, low energy electron scattering experiments, and electron holography has been described. The source makes use of Cs atoms in an atomic beam. The source is cycled beginning with a laser pulse that excites a single Cs atom on average to a band of high-lying Rydberg nP states. The resulting valence electron Rydberg wave packet evolves in a nearly classical Kepler orbit. When the electron reaches apogee, an electric field pulse is applied that ionizes the atom and accelerates the electron away from its parent ion. The collection of electron wave packets thus generated in a series of cycles can occupy a phase volume near the quantum limit and it can possess very high brightness. Each wave packet can exhibit a considerable degree of coherence. |
| US07755063B2 |
Superresolution in microlithography and fluorescence microscopy
In scanned optical systems such as confocal laser microscopes wherein a beam of light is focused to a spot in a specimen to excite a fluorescent species or other excitable species in the spot, the effective size of the excitation is made smaller man the size of the spot by providing a beam of light of wavelength adapted to quench the excitation of the excitable species, shaping this second beam into a pattern with a central intensity minimum, and overlapping this central minimum with the central intensity maximum of the focused spot, so that within the spot the intensity of quenching light increases with distance from the center of the spot, thereby preferentially quenching excitation in the peripheral parts of the spot, and thereby reducing the effective size of the excitation and thus improving the resolution of the system. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central minimum of quenching light is narrowed further by creating the pattern of quenching radiation in the specimen by imaging onto the focal plane a plurality of pairs of sources of quenching light, arrayed at the vertices of a regular, even-sided polygon, the center of which is imaged in the specimen on the central maximum of exciting radiation, and such that the two members of each pair are on opposite vertices of the polygon and emit light mutually coherent and out-of-phase, and the light emitted by different pairs is incoherent with respect to each other. |
| US07755058B2 |
Patient treatment using a hybrid imaging system
A system and method for treating a patient using a hybrid imaging system is provided. For example, first imaging data is acquired from a patient using a first imaging device. The patient is transferred on a support to a second imaging device. The support extends between the first imaging device and the second imaging device. Second imaging data is acquired from the patient using the second imaging device. The second imaging device structurally allows for catheter treatment in the patient during acquisition of the second imaging data. The first imaging data and the second imaging data are superimposed or fused. The patient is treated with a catheter as a function of the superimposed or fused data while acquiring the second imaging data. |
| US07755055B2 |
Data transmission system for computer tomographs
A computer tomograph comprises a rotating part and a stationary part, and includes a system for transmitting data between the rotating part and the stationary part with a directional radio link. The system comprises an antenna arrangement for directional emission of data signals from the rotating part along a direction of a rotation axis of the rotating part, and for directionally sensitive reception of data signals at a patient's table on the stationary part. |
| US07755053B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus
A radiation detection apparatus includes a radiation detection panel having a fluorescent film and photoelectric conversion elements, a support board for supporting the radiation detection panel, and a gel member displaced between the radiation detection panel and support board. |
| US07755049B2 |
Tunable microcantilever infrared sensor
An electromagnetic radiation sensor that exhibits improved performance by virtue of an ability to tune its sensitivity is disclosed. The electromagnetic radiation sensor incorporates thermal actuators that act in opposition to one another, but which have a slight difference in responsivity. A temperature controller is used to tune the sensitivity of the electromagnetic radiation sensor by controlling the temperature of the substrate on which the sensor is formed. |
| US07755042B1 |
Auger electron spectrometer with applied magnetic field at target surface
A scanning electron beam apparatus with an Auger spectrometer. The apparatus includes at least an electron column for generating a primary electron beam, a magnetic objective lens configured to focus the primary electron beam onto a surface of a target substrate, and a spectrometer configured to detect Auger electrons emitted from the surface of the target substrate. The magnetic objective lens applies a magnetic field strength greater than 10 Gauss and less than 50 Gauss at the surface of the target substrate. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US07755041B2 |
Optical and laser differential absorption remote detection of TATP peroxide based explosives
A triacetone triperoxide cloud associated with a triacetone triperoxide explosive attached to a hard target is remotely detected by operating differential-absorption lidar lasers to transmit a laser beam toward the hard target at differing wavelengths. A backscattered laser beam reflected from the lidar target (hard target, person, aerosols, clouds, buildings) is detected because a cloud of triacetone triperoxide in front of the lidar target and between the lidar target and the differential-absorption lidar system produces a differential-absorption signal having characteristics that identify the triacetone triperoxide. In a second embodiment, a triacetone triperoxide cloud that is absorbing optical radiation from its ambient environment and which is attached to a hard target is detected from a location remote from the triacetone triperoxide explosive by detecting an optical radiation absorption signature characterized by triacetone triperoxide absorption lines. |
| US07755038B2 |
Nanostructured thin films and their uses
The present invention generally discloses the use of a nanostructured non-silicon thin film (such as an alumina or aluminum thin film) on a supporting substrate which is subsequently coated with an active layer of a material such as silicon or tungsten. The base, underlying non-silicon material generates enhanced surface area while the active layer assists in incorporating and transferring energy to one or more analytes adsorbed on the active layer when irradiated with a laser during laser desorption of the analyte(s). The present invention provides substrate surfaces that can be produced by relatively straightforward and inexpensive manufacturing processes and which can be used for a variety of applications such as mass spectrometry, hydrophobic or hydrophilic coatings, medical device applications, electronics, catalysis, protection, data storage, optics, and sensors. |
| US07755036B2 |
Instrument and method for tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry
A novel instrument and method for TOF/TOF mass spectrometry is offered. A spiral trajectory time-of-flight mass spectrometer satisfies the spatial focusing conditions for the direction of flight and a direction orthogonal to the direction of flight whenever ions make a turn in the spiral trajectory. An ion gate for selecting precursor ions is placed in the spiral trajectory of the spiral trajectory time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Electric sectors are placed downstream of the ion gate. |
| US07755034B2 |
Ion trap and a method for dissociating ions in an ion trap
A quadrupole ion trap includes a switch 3 for switching a trapping voltage between discrete voltage levels VH, VL. This creates a digital trapping field for trapping precursor ions and product ions in a trapping region of the ion trap. A gating voltage is applied to a gate electrode 12 to control injection of source electrons into the ion trap. Application of the gating voltage is synchronised with the switching so that electrons are injected into the trapping region while the trapping voltage is at a selected one of the voltage levels and can reach the trapping region with a kinetic energy suitable for electron capture dissociation to take place. |
| US07755032B2 |
Measuring inflow performance with a neutron logging tool
A method for evaluating an inflow performance for completed intervals in a well includes pulsing neutrons into a fluid flow in the wellbore, detecting gamma rays from decays of nitrogen-16 in the well fluid flow with a first gamma ray detector, determining an in situ water velocity from the measurement of the gamma ray decays, and estimating the inflow performance of one or more competed intervals in the well from data that includes the in situ water velocity. |
| US07755027B2 |
Secure transmission cable having windings continuously laid in opposite directions
The invention consists of a secure data transmission cable for electronically transmitting secure data between remote locations in an exposed condition. The data transmission cable comprises a tubular outer protective layer, an inner core disposed within the outer protective layer, a data transmission line carried within the inner core for transmitting secure data between the remote locations, and a fiber optic sensor line included in the outer protective layer for detecting unauthorized activity relative to the transmission line. The fiber optic data transmission line comprises a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting data between remote locations and for detecting unauthorized activity relative to the transmission line. A protective casing surrounds the data transmission line for protecting the fiber optic data transmission line from contacting the outer protective layer. An outer protective casing braided around the core in which the sensor line is enclosed provides strength to the cable. |
| US07755026B2 |
Generating signals representative of sensed light that is associated with writing being done by a user
An array of sensitive pixel elements is configured to generate signals representative of sensed light that is associated with writing being done by a user, and an optical system concentrates light from a light source across a section of the array of sensitive pixel elements, the signals being useful to compute a subpixel measurement of a position of the light source. |
| US07755025B2 |
Detecting and thwarting content signals originating from theatrical performances
A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. Sensors are deployed at a theatrical event to detect a focusing signal and/or the RF signal of an unauthorized imaging device. De-focusing signals are used to disrupt the auto focus system of imaging devices that do not use IR focusing systems. A thwarting signal comprising invisible light frequencies may be combined to produce a thwarting signal that is received by the CCD of an imaging device as white light thereby rendering the recorded image unusable. Emission signatures of imaging devices are stored in a datastore and distributed to users of thwarting systems via a network. Emission signatures are associated with thwarting signals to allow detection and thwarting systems to respond quickly to the use of an unauthorized imaging device. |
| US07755019B1 |
Microprocessor based automatically dimmable eye protection device with interruption prevention
An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit in electrical communication with the shutter assembly. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller programmed to store a plurality of memory presets including at least one setting corresponding to the operation of the shutter assembly. At least two of the plurality of memory presets are individually configured for a specific type of welding. In another embodiment, an auto darkening eye protection device is provided, the device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit in electrical communication with the shutter assembly. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller programmed to monitor and store at least one parameter corresponding to the operation of the auto darkening eye protection device. In another embodiment, an auto darkening eye protection device is provided, the device comprising a shutter assembly, a control circuit in electrical communication with the shutter assembly, and a communication device in electrical communication with the control circuit. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller. The communication device enables communication between the control circuit and a computer via the communication device. |
| US07755015B2 |
Real-time multiplicity counter
A neutron multi-detector array feeds pulses in parallel to individual inputs that are tied to individual bits in a digital word. Data is collected by loading a word at the individual bit level in parallel. The word is read at regular intervals, all bits simultaneously, to minimize latency. The electronics then pass the word to a number of storage locations for subsequent processing, thereby removing the front-end problem of pulse pileup. |
| US07755014B2 |
Optical pickup device
An optical pickup device is equipped with a diffraction element (8) that includes liquid crystal, two transparent electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal control portion (21) with electrodes connected electrically to the transparent electrode for controlling a voltage to be applied between the two transparent electrodes. The diffraction element (8) is provided with two types of diffraction areas (19) and (20). Each of the diffraction areas (19) and (20) generate predetermined diffracted light only from one of different wavelengths of light beams. The transparent electrodes of the diffraction areas (19) and (20) that are patterned are connected electrically to different electrodes (22c) and (22a), respectively. |
| US07754998B2 |
Focus adjuster for laser beam machine
The invention provides a focus adjuster for laser beam machine which adjusts focus by detecting reflected light of a laser beam in a laser beam machine.A laser beam outputted from a laser oscillator device 550 is reflected by a mirror 570 via an output mirror 560 and introduced into a laser machining tool. The laser beam collected by a machining lens 62 is reflected by a reflector plate M1 and sensed by a reflection detector 580. Automatic focus adjustment is achieved by sensing output of the reflected light as well as changes in focal position due to contamination of the machining lens 62. |
| US07754996B2 |
Method and apparatus for alignment of components of a plasma arc torch
A coolant tube and electrode are adapted to mate with each other to align the tube relative to the electrode during operation of the torch. Improved alignment ensures an adequate flow of coolant along an interior surface of the electrode. In one aspect, an elongated body of the coolant tube has a surface adapted to mate with the electrode. In another aspect, an elongated body of the electrode has a surface adapted to mate with the coolant tube. The surfaces of the tube and electrode may, for example, be flanges, tapered surfaces, contours, or steps. |
| US07754995B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma processing apparatus comprising at least a plasma processing chamber for plasma-processing an object; object-holding means for disposing the object in the plasma processing chamber; and plasma-generating means for generating a plasma in the plasma processing chamber. The inner wall of the plasma processing chamber is at least partially covered with an oxide film based on a pre-treating plasma. A plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method effectively prevent the spluttering and the etching of the inner wall of the plasma processing chamber while suppressing contamination to the object. |
| US07754992B2 |
High current switch and method of operation
An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch. |
| US07754991B2 |
Medium-voltage or high voltage electrical switchgear
This electrical switchgear has an interrupting chamber enclosing an interrupting gas (G) substantially devoid of SF6 and of CF4, and a first arcing contact (10) and a second arcing contact (18), the two arcing contacts moving causes an electric arc (26) to strike, while at least one irradiation wall (22) is provided that is suitable for being reached by the electric arc. At least two component materials that are part of at least one element selected from the interrupting gas, the first and second arcing contacts, and the or each irradiation wall, are suitable for decomposing under the effect of the electric arc, so as to form decomposed species (e1, e2) suitable for combining in the interrupting chamber, in order to form at least one new gaseous species (G1), before the electric arc is extinguished, the dielectric properties of said at least one new gaseous species being superior to the dielectric properties of said interrupting gas (G). |
| US07754988B2 |
Keypad module for portable electronic devices
A keypad module including at least one key (30) is described. The key (30) includes a keycap (32), a base (34), a supporting member (36), a resisting member (40) and a dome (42). The base includes a pressed portion (341) and a carrier portion (342) connected to the pressed portion. The keycap is arranged on the pressed portion. The supporting member is located on the carrier portion to support the keycap. The resisting member is located between the pressed portion and the dome to press the dome into a position electrically connected to a circuit board (44). |
| US07754985B2 |
Electronic switch assembly with configurable functionality
An electrical switch assembly comprises a generally planar substrate. A functional switch and at least one identification switch are mounted to the substrate. A switch body supports a switch actuator which is movable between multiple positions. An arrangement of one or more projecting members extends from the switch body. The switch body is mounted on or to the substrate such that the switch actuator operatively engages the functional switch, and the arrangement of projecting members operatively engages at least one of the identification switches to create a unique electronic identifier for the electrical switch assembly. |
| US07754982B2 |
Locking system for electronic device housing
A locking system for an electronic device housing comprises a top plate, a movable cover pivotal about a first edge of the top plate, and a lateral plate connected to a second edge of the top plate which is perpendicular to the first edge. The top plate defines an opening near the second edge thereof. The locking system comprises a flexible lock-receiving portion, an engaging portion, a groove, and a disengaging member. The flexible lock-receiving portion protrudes from the top plate within the opening and has a protrusion extending downwardly. The engaging portion is formed on a surface of the movable cover and faces the opening. The groove is defined on the lateral plate corresponding to the opening. The disengaging member is inside the groove and protrudes to engage the protrusion. |
| US07754979B2 |
Solder-bearing wafer for use in soldering operations
According to one embodiment, an electrical connector for electrical connection to a second electronic device having at least one second contact includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a recess being formed in the first surface. The connect also has a first contact securely coupled to the substrate and having a first portion extending at least partially into the recess and a mass of solder material retainingly held in the recess such that the first portion of the first contact is in contact with the solder material. The first surface is for placement against the second electronic device such that the first and second contacts are aligned and whereupon heating of the mass of solder material, the first and second contacts are securely attached to one another and form an electrical pathway therebetween. |
| US07754970B2 |
High frequency electronic part
A high frequency electronic part comprising a conductor wiring for transmitting an electric signal of 100 MHz to 100 GHz, and an insulation layer composed of a void containing thermoplastic resin film orientated in at least one direction by stretching. The void containing thermoplastic resin film contains voids in the range between 3% and 45% by volume, the number of voids in a thickness direction of the film is 5 or more, and a ratio of the number of voids to film thickness defined by the following equation is in the range between 0.1 and 10 voids/μm:ratio of the number of voids to film thickness (voids/μm)=the number of voids (voids) in film thickness direction/film thickness (μm). |
| US07754967B2 |
Electrical wiring system
A system for accessing an electrical wiring network from opposing sides of a wall. The wall includes at least one structural support and a wall surface. The system includes an electrical box having a perimeter wall and two open sides. The open sides are located at opposing ends of the perimeter wall, thereby defining a passageway through the electrical box. Additionally, the system includes a pair of frames coupled to the electrical box at the open sides, and one or more electrical outlets coupled to each frame. Each outlet includes a body that includes a first connector matable with a second connector. The second connector includes a plurality of integrally formed leads having distal ends that are directly connectable to an electrical power supply distribution network such that when the second connector is mated with the first connector electrical power can be supplied to each outlet. |
| US07754966B2 |
Umbilical
An umbilical for transfer of fluids and electric current/signals between the sea surface and equipment deployed on the sea bed, in particular in deep waters, is disclosed. The umbilical comprises a number of pipes (4, 4′) and electric conductors/wires (6, 6′) collected in a bundle, a filler material (10, 2, 3, 3′) lying at least partly around and between the pipes (4, 4′) and the conductors/wires (6, 6′), and a protective sheath (1) enclosing the pipes, conductors/wires and filler material. The load carrying elements (7) of the umbilical are light weighted rods (7′) of composite material that can either be collected in bundles or appear individually or in a combination thereof. |
| US07754965B2 |
Flashover protection device and method: wet/dry glow-based streamer inhibitor
A device and method for reducing the risk of a streamer initiated flashover across a high voltage insulator under normal operating voltages. The device includes a support structure adapted to be grounded and mounted in proximity to the high voltage insulator; and space charge producing conductors wound around the support structure and forming coils for producing space charge in a proximity of an insulator to be protected, and inhibiting a formation of positive streamers, each conductor having a diameter not exceeding 0.1 mm for reducing a corona inception voltage of the support structure upon which each conductor is wound, in both dry and wet conditions. |
| US07754961B1 |
Strum input for a video game controller
A video game controller includes: a string instrument-shaped housing comprising a body portion and a neck portion, said body portion including a opening; a console interface for coupling with a game console; and a strum interface coupled to the console interface. The strum interface includes: a pin having a central portion and distal end portions; a pin support structure for supporting the distal end portions of the pin; a strum bar comprising a body portion rotatably coupled to the central portion of the pin and a flange portion protruding from the opening in the housing; a compressible liner provided between at least a portion of the strum bar and the pin; an upper button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a first direction; and a lower button positioned adjacent the strum bar so as to be depressed when the strum bar is rotated in a second direction. |
| US07754959B2 |
System and method of automatically creating an emotional controlled soundtrack
There is provided herein a system and method for enabling a user of digital video editing software to automatically create an emotionally controlled soundtrack that is matched in overall emotion or mood to the scenes in the underlying video work. In the preferred arrangement, the user will be able to control the generation of the soundtrack by positioning emotion tags in the video work that correspond to the general mood of each scene. The subsequent soundtrack generation step will utilize these tags to prepare a musical accompaniment to the video work that generally matches its on-screen activities. |
| US07754958B2 |
Sound analysis apparatus and program
A sound analysis apparatus stores sound source structure data defining a constraint on one or more of sounds that can be simultaneously generated by a sound source of an input audio signal. A form estimation part selects fundamental frequencies of one or more of sounds likely to be contained in the input audio signal with peaked weights from various fundamental frequencies during sequential updating and optimizing of weights of tone models corresponding to the various fundamental frequencies, so that the sounds of the selected fundamental frequencies satisfy the sound source structure data, and creates form data specifying the selected fundamental frequencies. A previous distribution imparting part imparts a previous distribution to the weights of the tone models corresponding to the various fundamental frequencies so as to emphasize weights corresponding to the fundamental frequencies specified by the form data created by the form estimation part. |
| US07754956B2 |
Programmable system to integrate generated signals with signals from a musical instrument
A programmable system for integrating signals in a musical instrument including a programmable device that is configured to create re-callable scenes, where the scenes are representations of audio signals generated by signal devices. The programmable system also includes a plurality of input/output modules to couple the signal devices and the musical instrument to the programmable device. Also included in the programmable system is a memory to store the scenes and a switch to change the combination of audio signals that go in and out of the signal path of the musical instrument by switching scenes. |
| US07754950B2 |
Travel string instrument and method of making same
A string instrument comprising a neck extension primary member, having a neck extension securement end and a tuning assembly support head end, an extension top and a length extending between the ends, is disclosed. The neck extension primary member defines a neck extension cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck extension cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck extension securement end and open at the top of the neck extension primary member. A neck base primary member has a neck base securement end, a base top and an opposite end. The neck base primary member is made to define a neck base cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck base cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck base securement end and open at the top of the neck base primary member. A hinge has a first hinge butt positioned in the neck extension cutaway volume and a second hinge butt positioned in the neck base cutaway volume. A neck fretboard portion is secured over the open top of the neck extension cutaway volume and bears against the first hinge butt. A base cover is secured over the open top of the neck base cutaway volume and bears against the second hinge butt. A string instrument main body is secured to the neck base primary member. |
| US07754946B2 |
Stem-regulated, plant defense promoter and uses thereof in tissue-specific expression in monocots
The invention is directed to isolated promoters from stem-regulated, defense-inducible genes, such as JAS promoters. The promoters are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants. Particularly, the invention provides transgenic plants of rice and sugarcane that have been modified such that expression of a heterologous coding sequence is directed by an JAS promoter and is limited to stem tissues or may be upregulated by the presence of a defense-inducing agent. The invention also discloses methods for producing the expression vectors and transgenic plants. |
| US07754944B2 |
Polynucleotide constructs
Synthetic modular polynucleotide constructs are useful for gene expression in plants, methods for making and using such constructs, and plants transformed with such constructs. The constructs comprise unique restriction sites for each modular element and may further comprise polynucleotide identifier sequences. |
| US07754941B2 |
Animal models for demyelination disorders
This invention is in the field of neurology. Specifically, the invention relates to the discovery and characterization of molecular components that play a role in neuronal demyelination or remyelination. In addition, the invention relates to the generation of an animal model that exhibits hypomyelination. The compositions and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for drug screening and/or treatment of demyelination disorders. |
| US07754937B2 |
Wound packing material for use with suction
A wound packing for use with suction is provided. The wound packing comprises a plurality of nonabsorbent synthetic polymeric fibers coupled together to form a nonabsorbent material suitable for placement in the wound of a mammal. A method for treating the wound in a mammal using the disclosed wound packing is also provided. |
| US07754936B2 |
Wound treatment apparatus employing reduced pressure
A method for stimulating new tissue growth is provided in which a limb is introduced into an interior portion of an outer cover. A porous component is applied to at least a portion of the limb within the outer cover. An opening through which the limb was introduced is sealed, and a negative pressure is applied to the interior portion to stimulate new tissue growth. |
| US07754934B2 |
Process for producing ethylene and propylene
A process for efficiently and stably producing ethylene and propylene which comprises bringing a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising at least one C4-12 olefin into contact with a zeolite-containing catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture containing ethylene and propylene, separating the reaction mixture into a fraction comprising ingredients ranging from hydrogen to C3 hydrocarbons and a fraction comprising C4 and higher hydrocarbons, and recycling the C4 and higher hydrocarbons as they are to a reactor. |
| US07754932B2 |
Monitoring and control of processes for making 1-hexene
Processes, methods and apparatus relating to olefin oligomerization include the use of Raman spectrometry to monitor the concentration of reactants, products or other chemical components. One or more oligomerization conditions are adjusted in response to those monitored concentrations. The present processes, methods and apparatus are capable of monitoring olefin oligomerization with the use of low resolution Raman spectrometry equipment, even where there is some degree of overlap between Raman spectral peaks. Apparatus for olefin oligomerization reactions have at least one Raman probe located in the oligomerization equipment, the Raman probe providing an output signal, and Raman spectrometry equipment located outside the oligomerization equipment and operatively connected to at least one Raman probe. |
| US07754926B2 |
Production process of 3-alkoxy-1-propanols, and 3-alkoxy-1-propanols obtained by the production process
The present invention reacts an allyl alcohol with an alcohol compound in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of the group III, lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements of the Periodic Table, as depicted in the following reaction and provides a method for efficiently producing 3-alkoxy-1-propanol in a single step using an alcohol as a starting material. |
| US07754925B2 |
Method for the hydrogenation of mass fluxes containing aldehyde
The present application relates to a process for reacting a composition I comprising at least one aldehyde with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst in at least one main reactor and at least one postreactor, wherein at least 50% of the fresh hydrogen fed to the reaction system is fed into at least one postreactor. In a preferred embodiment, composition I comprises at least one further organic compound. |
| US07754924B2 |
Process for the monosulfonation of aromatic phosphines, and zwitterionic product derived therefrom
A method of preparing an aromatic phosphine monosulfonate in zwitterionic form, such as dicyclohexylphenylphosphine monosulfonate zwitterion, involving contacting an aromatic phosphine with a sulfonating agent to provide a reaction mixture containing aromatic phosphine monosulfonate in acid form and unconverted sulfonating agent; quenching or removing substantially all of the unconverted sulfonating agent; partially neutralizing the aromatic phosphine monosulfonate in acid form to phase separate aromatic phosphine monosulfonate in zwitterionic form as a solid or neat liquid layer; and collecting the zwitterion as a solid or neat liquid. The zwitterion may be neutralized to form the corresponding aromatic phosphine monosulfonate metal salt, which is useful in preparing catalysts for hydroformylation processes. |
| US07754919B2 |
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
The present invention provides for compounds useful for treating an HIV-1 infection, or preventing an HIV-1 infection, or treating AIDS or ARC. The compounds of the invention are of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and X are as herein defined. Also disclosed in the present invention are methods of treating an HIV infection with compounds defined herein and pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds. |
| US07754917B2 |
Perfluoroalkyl substituted acrylate monomers and polymers thereof
Fluoroalkyl amidoalkyl alcohols of the formula are disclosed and their corresponding (meth)acrylate esters. These fluoroalkyl amidoalkyl (meth)acrylate monomers can be copolymerized with a wide variety of conventional ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The resulting copolymers are useful as water, oil- and grease-proofing agents for paper, textiles and hard surfaces such as masonry and wood. |
| US07754903B2 |
Curable polycyclic compounds and process for the production thereof
The present invention discloses a curable polycyclic compound represented by the following formula (1): {wherein A is a di- to hexa-valent group derived from a polycyclic hydrocarbon compound; R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a perfluoroalkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a fluorine atom; n is an integer of 0 to 2; m is an integer of 2 to 4; and Y is a group represented by the following formula (2) or (3): (wherein R2, R3, R5 and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R4 is a methyl group or an ethyl group; and p and q are each independently an integer of 0 to 4)}. |
| US07754898B2 |
Method of enantioselective nucleophilic addition reaction of enamide to imine and synthesis method of α-amino-γ-keto acid ester
An asymmetric synthesis of amino acid compound that is useful as a starting material or synthetic intermediate for production of medicinal products, agrichemicals, perfumes, functional polymers, etc. There is provided a method of enanthio-selective nucleophilic addition reaction to imine compound being a method of nucleophilic addition reaction of enamide compound accompanied by amino formation to imino group (—CH═N—) of imine compound, characterized in that the reaction is performed in the presence of a chiral copper catalyst. Further, there is provided a novel method of synthesizing an amino acid compound, etc., to which the above is applied. |
| US07754894B2 |
Crystalline sulfonamide-containing indole compound and process for preparing the same
A crystalline form of N-(3-cyano-4-methyl-1H-indol-7-yl)-3-cyanobenzenesulfonamide having a diffraction peak at a diffraction angle (2θ±0.2°) of 19.1° in a powder X-ray diffraction. |
| US07754891B2 |
5,5′-Position linked 1,1′-biphenyl axial chiral ligand and method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a 5,5′-position linked 1,1′-biphenyl axis chiral ligand in chemical industry field. The present invention incorporates both the central chirality of oxazoline and the axial chirality of diphenyls. Such ligand can be used in various asymmetric reactions catalyzed by metal with high reactivity and stereoselectivity, and thus represents a good application outlook. The ligand of the present invention has the formula of: wherein: n=5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12; R1=hydrogen, alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted benzyl; R2=hydrogen, alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted benzyl; R3=hydrogen, alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted benzyl; R4=hydrogen, alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted benzyl. |
| US07754887B2 |
Process for production of sulfoxide derivatives or salts thereof in the amorphous state
Process for producing sulfoxide derivatives or salts thereof in the amorphous state, characterized by heat-drying solvated crystals of a sulfoxide derivative or a salt thereof represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methoxy group, or a difluoromethoxy group; R2 represents a methyl group or a methoxy group; R3 represents a 3-methoxypropoxy group, a methoxy group, or a 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a methoxy group; and B represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or ½ alkaline earth metal. |
| US07754886B2 |
N-acylsulfonamide apoptosis promoters
N-Benzoyl arylsulfonamides having the formula are BCL-Xl inhibitors and are useful for promoting apoptosis. Also disclosed are BCL-Xl inhibiting compositions and methods of promoting apoptosis in a mammal. |
| US07754885B2 |
Tubulysins, method for producing the same and tubulysin preparations
The invention relates to a compound of the following general formula (tubulysin) having the following meanings for R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z: R=H, alkyl, aryl, OR1, NR1R2 or R1=H, C1-6alkyl or aryl R2=H, C1-6alkyl or aryl S=H, Hal, NO2 or NHR3 U=H, Hal, NO2 or NHR3 R3=H, HCO or C1-4alkyl-CO T=H or OR4 R4=H, C1-4alkyl, aryl, COR5, P(O)(OR6)2 or SO3R6 R5=C1-6alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl R6=H, alkyl or a metal ion V=H, OR7, Hal or (for W=O) O R7=H, C1-4alkyl or COR8 R5=C1-4alkyl, alkenyl or aryl W=H or C1-4alkyl or (for V=O) O X=H, C1-4alkyl, alkenyl or CH2OR9 R9=H, C1-4alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or COR10 R10=C1-6alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl Y=(for Z=CH3 or COR11) free electron pair or (for Z=CH3)O R11=C1-4alkyl, CF3 or aryl and/or Z=(for Y=O or free electron pair) CH3 or (for Y=free electron pair) COR11. |
| US07754880B2 |
Uracils having a herbicidal activity
New uracils are described, having general formula (I) and their use as herbicides. |
| US07754878B2 |
Free-radical functionalized polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are functionalized using a source of free radicals which forms stable radicals on the polysaccharides structure and wherein the formed radicals reacts with a functionalized unsaturated compound. The method comprises two steps: a first step, wherein the free radical on the polysaccharides chain is formed, and a second step, wherein said radical reacts with the unsaturated compound in the absence of the radical source. |
| US07754874B2 |
Neoglycorandomization and digitoxin analogs
The present invention provides methods of producing libraries of compounds with enhanced desirable properties and diminished side effects as well as the compounds produced by the methods. In preferred embodiments, methods of the present invention use a universal chemical glycosylation method that employs reducing sugars and requires no protection or activation. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a library of neoglycoside digitoxin analogs that includes compounds with significantly enhanced cytotoxic potency toward human cancer cells and tumor-specificity, but are less potent Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors in a human cell line than digitoxin. |
| US07754870B2 |
Method and compositions for detecting Helicobacter pylori
Provided are an oligonucleotide primer set for amplifying at least one target sequence of the cagA gene of Helicobacter pylori, a method of detecting Helicobacter pylori using the primer set, and a kit for detecting Helicobacter pylori, including the primer set. |
| US07754866B2 |
Non-endogenous, constitutively activated human serotonin receptors and small molecule modulators thereof
Disclosed herein are non-endogenous, constitutively activated forms of the human 5-HT2A and human 5-HT2C receptors and uses of such receptors to screen candidate compounds. Further disclosed herein are candidate compounds identified by the screening method which act at the 5HT2A receptors. Yet further disclosed is a new class of compounds which act at the 5HT2A receptors. |
| US07754861B2 |
Method for purifying proteins
The present invention provides methods and kits for purifying a target protein group. The method comprises the steps of contacting a sample comprising at least 95% of the target protein group and at most 5% of contaminating proteins with a library of binding moieties having different binding moieties, binding the contaminating proteins and a minority of the target protein group to the library of binding moieties, separating the unbound target protein group from the proteins bound to the library of binding moieties and collecting the unbound target protein. The collected target protein is more pure than the target protein group in the sample. |
| US07754859B2 |
Targeted binding agents directed to PDGFR-alpha and uses thereof
Targeted binding agents directed to the antigen PDGFR-alpha and uses of such agents are disclosed herein. More specifically the invention relates to fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the antigen PDGFR-alpha and uses of these antibodies. Aspects of the invention also relate to hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such antibodies. The described targeted binding agents and antibodies are useful as diagnostics and for the treatment of diseases associated with the activity and/or overexpression of PDGFR-alpha. |
| US07754856B2 |
Human sodium-dependent bile acid transporter proteins
A novel sodium-dependent bile acid transporter protein, an Na+/H+ exchange transporter protein, a P-type ATPase protein and a vanilloid receptor protein, and polynucleotides encoding these proteins are useful in screening preventives/remedies for hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis, genital diseases or digestive diseases; respiratory diseases, renal diseases or digestive diseases; pancreatic diseases, central nerve diseases, digestive diseases or respiratory diseases; inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid diseases or diabetic neurosis; etc. |
| US07754854B2 |
Methods for arbitrary peptide synthesis
Methods, apparatus, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to biologically assembling and/or synthesizing peptides and/or proteins are disclosed. |
| US07754839B2 |
Quasi-living metal catalyst for ethylene homo-polymerization and co-polymerization with 5-norbornen -2-yl acetate
Methods and compositions for the generation of quasi-living catalysts for homo-polymerization of olefins such as ethylene, α-olefins and functionalized olefins and for the co-polymerization of olefins with functionalized monomers is disclosed. A process for producing these homo- and co-polymers is also disclosed. A polymeric material with enhanced hydrophilic properties, generated by the co-polymerization of ethylene with 5-norbornen-2-yl acetate, is also disclosed. |
| US07754834B2 |
Bulk density promoting agents in a gas-phase polymerization process to achieve a bulk particle density
Disclosed herein is a gas phase polymerization process including the steps of passing a recycle stream through a fluidized bed in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a bulk density promoting agent, wherein the bulk density promoting agent is of a saturated hydrocarbon and/or a non-polymerizable unsaturated hydrocarbon having 6 or more carbon atoms; polymerizing at least one alpha-olefin monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce an alpha-olefin polymer; and controlling an amount of the bulk density promoting agent in the reactor such that a bulk density of the alpha-olefin polymer discharged from the reactor is greater than or equal to about 480 kg/m3. |
| US07754823B2 |
Vegetable based dioxanone derivatives, synthesis and uses thereof
The present invention is directed to carboxylic acid and ester moieties that are attached to a carbon chain that is between 2 and 24 carbons in length wherein, the chain contains at least one dioxanone ring system, said dioxanone being formed from two adjacent carbons in the chain and/or at least one carbon in the chain is substituted with a pendant dioxanone ring system. In preferred embodiments, the carbon chain is a fatty acid residue. The carbons of said chain can be optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated. When two or more said ester moieties are present, the invention is directed to a polyester such as a triglyceride, that contains multiple carbon chains wherein each chain is independently derivatized such that the triglyceride contains at least one dioxanone ring system, said dioxanone being formed from two adjacent carbons in at least one of said chains. The present invention is also directed to a method of preparing a dioxanone containing composition or fatty acid derivative. The present invention is also directed to coating formulations and polymers that utilize a dioxanone containing composition or fatty acid derivative, and methods of making such coatings and polymers. |
| US07754818B2 |
Gap fill materials and bottom anti-reflective coatings comprising hyperbranched polymers
New anti-reflective or fill compositions having improved flow properties are provided. The compositions comprise a dendritic polymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and preferably a light attenuating compound, a crosslinking agent, and a catalyst. The inventive compositions can be used to protect contact or via holes from degradation during subsequent etching in the dual damascene process. The inventive compositions can also be applied to substrates (e.g., silicon wafers) to form anti-reflective coating layers having high etch rates which minimize or prevent reflection during subsequent photoresist exposure and developing. |
| US07754815B2 |
Process for producing thermoplastic elastomer composition, and air-bag cover
A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising the step of crosslinking dynamically at least the following components (A) to (C) in the presence of a crosslinking agent: (A) 10 to 50% by weight of an oil-extended ethylene-α-olefin-non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber having a density of 850 to 900 kg/m3, and a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4 100° C.) of 30 to 150, (B) 20 to 60% by weight of an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer having a density of 850 to 910 kg/m3, and a melt flow rate of 0.05 to 80 g/10 minutes measured at 230° C. under a load of 21.18 N, and (C) 20 to 60% by weight of a propylene resin, the total amount of the components (A) to (C) being 100% by weight; and an air-bag cover comprising a thermoplastic elastomer composition produced according to said process. |
| US07754811B2 |
NC-PU dispersions with accelerated drying
The invention relates to hybrid dispersions comprising nitrocellulose-polyurethanepolyurea particles (NC-PU dispersions) with accelerated drying behavior as compared with the known systems, and also to their use in coating materials. |
| US07754809B2 |
Solvent free polyurethane dispersions for hard surface coatings
The invention relates to polyurethane dispersions which develop high hardness and form coating films at room temperature. The dispersions are prepared from prepolymers containing prepolymers containing a polyol or polyol blend having specified equivalent weight and polyisocyanate to polyol molar ratio. |
| US07754807B2 |
Soluble material and process for three-dimensional modeling
The present invention is a composition for making a three-dimensional object. The composition comprises a plasticizer and a base polymer, where the base polymer comprises a carboxylic acid, where the composition is soluble in an alkaline solution. |
| US07754806B2 |
Biological substance related article and method of manufacturing the same, and biological substance adsorption preventive coating composition and method of using the same
A biological substance related article includes a coating formed by causing a biological substance adsorption preventive coating composition to come in contact with a surface of the biological substance related article and heating the composition, the biological substance adsorption preventive coating composition including: (A) a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing raw material monomers including a monomer A1 shown by the following general formula (1) and an active hydrogen group-containing monomer A2; (B) a crosslinking agent reactive with an active hydrogen group; and (C) a solvent. CH2═CR3COOR1OR2 (1) (R1 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group). |
| US07754803B2 |
Resin composition
A resin composition, substrate material, sheet, laminated board, resin-bearing copper foil, copper-clad laminate, TAB tape, printed circuit board, prepreg and adhesive sheet are provided which exhibit improved physical properties, dimensional stability, heat resistance and flame retardance, particularly high-temperature physical properties. A resin composition containing 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 0.1-65 parts by weight of an inorganic compound, the resin composition having a mean linear expansion coefficient (α2) of 1.0×10−3 [° C.−1] or below over the temperature range from a temperature 10° C. higher than a glass transition temperature of the resin composition to a temperature 50° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin composition. |
| US07754797B2 |
Non-fibrous polymer solution of para-aramid with high relative viscosity
The invention relates to a non-fibrous polymer solution essentially consisting of 1 to 8 wt. % para-aramid, at least 50 mole % of the aromatic moieties thereof being unsubstituted, in a mixture of a) a polar amide solvent selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N′-dimethyl-formamide, N,N′-dimethylacetamide, tetramethylurea, and mixtures thereof; b) between 0.7 mole of an alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride per mole amide groups of the para-aramid and 7.5 wt. % of the alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride, and c) water; and wherein at least 50 wt. % of the formed hydrochloric acid has been neutralized to obtain a solution having a dynamic viscosity which is at least a factor three smaller than the dynamic viscosity of the polymer solution without neutralization. The invention further pertains to a process making the same and para-aramid pulp-like fiber, paper and film made from said polymer solution. |
| US07754796B2 |
Method for producing fluorine-containing polymer, aqueous dispersion of fluorine-containing polymer, 2-acyloxycarboxylic acid derivative, and surface active agent.
The present invention provides a method of producing a fluoropolymer, wherein polymerization using a carboxylate ester bond-containing carboxylic acid derivative as a surfactant in an aqueous medium to give the fluoropolymer is conducted, the above carboxylate ester bond-containing carboxylic acid derivative has a carboxylate ester bond and —COOM (M representing H, NH4, Li, Na or K), the above carboxylate ester bond may optionally be substituted by fluorine atom. |
| US07754793B2 |
Flame resistant polycarbonate composition
A thermoplastic molding composition that releases upon burning a limited amount of smoke is disclosed. The composition includes 95 to 60 percent aromatic (co)polycarbonate, 5 to 40 percent bromine-substituted oligocarbonate, and 0.04 to 0.2 percent alkali or alkaline-earth salt of perfluoroalkane sulfonic acid, the percents all occurrences being relative to the weight of the composition. |
| US07754791B2 |
Energy absorbing composition and impact and sound absorbing applications thereof
A substantially non-elastic incompressible composition, which substantially does not quickly self-level under standard operating conditions, includes: a suspending agent which reacts substantially as a solid when subjected to forces below a critical force, and which becomes substantially flowable when subjected to forces above said critical force; ceramic microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; flexible-walled microparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent; and celled macroparticulates dispersed within the suspending agent. The composition provides an incident energy absorbing property. The incident energy may include sound energy, and the microparticulates and macroparticulates may convert some of the sound energy into heat, or may diffract the sound energy. |
| US07754789B1 |
Method for forming flame-retardant clay-polyolefin composites
A method for forming polyolefin/clay composites by olefin polymerization which can be used as flame retardants in which at least one filler is combined with an early or late transition metal first catalyst component that becomes activated for olefin polymerization when in contact with the treated filler. An olefin is contacted by the activated catalyst-filler combination either (a) in the absence of an alkylaluminum second catalyst component or (b) in the presence an alkylaluminum second catalyst component when the first catalyst component is an early transition metal catalyst, whereby to form an clay-polyolefin composite incorporating platelets of said filler. The filler is preferably clay, exemplified by montmorillonite and chlorite. The first catalyst component is preferably a non-metallocene catalyst. A predetermined amount of one or more olefinic polymers can also be blended with a masterbatch to obtain a composite having a desired amount of loading. |
| US07754788B2 |
Light plaster mixture in pasty form
The invention relates to a light plaster mixture in pasty form which has improved storage stability. This is based on a composition which contains a binder, inorganic fillers, light fillers, water and also further additives. The light plaster mixture according to the invention can be used in the form of final coats on any bases. |
| US07754787B2 |
Curable film-forming compositions containing colloidal particle sols having improved appearance and mar and scratch resistance
Curable film-forming compositions comprising a film-forming resin and an organic sol of particles are provided. The sol of particles may be prepared by providing a suspension of particles in an aqueous medium; adding a first organic liquid compatible with the aqueous medium to form an admixture; reacting the particles with a first and a second modifying compound; adding a second organic liquid compatible with the liquid portion of the admixture wherein the second organic liquid is different from the first organic liquid; and maintaining the admixture at a temperature and pressure and for a time sufficient to substantially remove the water and the first organic liquid. The film-forming resin comprises an active hydrogen-functional polymer having low functionality; i.e., a functional group equivalent weight greater than 380 g/equivalent, and a crosslinking agent, yet surprisingly offers outstanding mar and scratch resistance. |
| US07754786B2 |
Aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, related coating compositions and coated substrates
Disclosed are aqueous dispersions of polymer-enclosed particles, such as nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods for making an aqueous dispersion of polymer-enclosed particles, polymerizable polymers useful in such a method, powder coating compositions formed from such an aqueous dispersion, substrates at least partially coated with such a composition, and reflective surfaces comprising a non-hiding coating layer deposited from such a composition. |
| US07754784B2 |
Oil-based ink compositions for inkjet printers
An oil-based ink composition for inkjet printers contains a fixing polymer and a solvent represented by the following formula (1): wherein X1 represents an alkyl group, X2 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, and n stands for an integer of from 1 to 4. The fixing polymer is an acrylic polymer obtained by subjecting an acrylic monomer to solution polymerization with a radical polymerization initiator in the solvent. A production process of the oil-based ink composition is also disclosed. |
| US07754783B2 |
Resin-containing composition, liquid application method and liquid application apparatus
Disclosed herein is a resin-containing composition comprising a solvent, a coloring material insoluble in the solvent and a block polymer compound having a repeating structural unit represented by the following general formula (1): wherein X is a polyalkenyl group which may be substituted, A is a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, which may be substituted, at least one CH2 of the alkylene group may be substituted by O, m is an integer of from 0 to 30, the respective A groups may be different from each other when m is plural, Y is at least one of S, O and Se with the proviso that Y contains at least one S and that S, O and Se are each linked via a single bond, and R is a linear or branched alkyl group which may be substituted, an aromatic ring which may be substituted, or a structure in which at most 3 fused rings or aromatic rings, which may be substituted, are bonded via a single bond. |
| US07754777B2 |
Method for obtaining micro- and nano-disperse systems
The invention relates to a method for obtaining micro- and nanodisperse systems. In particular, it relates to a method that allows said systems, such as liposomes, emulsions and suspensions, to be obtained with a size of less than 50 μm, and preferably less than 1 μm, and with improved stability properties over time, which includes the stages of a) Dissolving or suspending a compound C in a fluid A, to obtain a mixture AC, in the form of a solution or dispersion; b) Thermostatising said mixture AC to a temperature of between −50° C. and 200° C.; c) Adding a fluid B to mixture AC until a pressure P is obtained; and it is characterised in that in said stage (c) formation of the solution AB occurs and because it includes, d) Reducing the pressure of solution AB to a pressure lower than or equal to 100 bars, and then e) Adding a fluid E, in which fluid A is miscible and in which compound C is partially or totally insoluble at atmospheric pressure, with said fluid E acting as a crystallisation interruption agent. |
| US07754775B2 |
Multi-lamellar liquid crystal emulsion system
Topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical oil-in-water emulsions wherein an emulsifier blend, comprising a mixture of at least two sucrose esters in combination with at least one solid fatty alcohol, forms a multi-lamellar liquid crystalline network that effectively moisturizes and protects the skin, and provides a useful vehicle for delivery of active ingredients. Sucrose esters are used in emulsions of the present invention at very low concentrations (from about 0.2 % to about 1.2 % by combined weight of sucrose esters relative to the total weight of the emulsion). |
| US07754769B2 |
Compositions and methods for preventing or treating an inflammatory response
The present invention relates to methods for modulating the inflammatory response of respiratory tract cells using an agent that increases ceramide levels in the cells of the respiratory tract. |
| US07754768B2 |
Methods and compositions for modulating alpha adrenergic receptor activity
Methods and compositions for the treatment of pain and intraocular pressure. Particularly disclosed are new compositions for the treatment of chronic pain, glaucoma and methods for their use. |
| US07754767B2 |
Method for treatment of premature ejaculation in humans
The present invention belongs to the fields of pharmacology, medicine and medicinal chemistry, and provides methods and compositions for treating sexual dysfunction; more particularly, the invention relates to treatment of premature ejaculation in humans. |
| US07754765B2 |
Copper chelators for treating ocular inflammation
In various aspects, the invention provides methods for treating ocular inflammation using copper chelating compounds, such as compounds other than D-penicillamine. In some embodiments, such compounds may be polyamines, such as triethylenetetramine or tetraethylenepentamine. For example, the present invention provides methods for treating inflammation secondary to ocular laser therapy. |
| US07754761B2 |
Sulfonated compounds and compositions for treating amyloidosis
Therapeutic compounds and methods for inhibiting amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is inhibited by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising an anionic group and a carrier molecule, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such that an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is inhibited. Preferred anionic groups are sulfonates and sulfates. Preferred carrier molecules include carbohydrates, polymers, peptides, peptide derivatives, aliphatic groups, alicyclic groups, heterocyclic groups, aromatic groups and combinations thereof. |
| US07754758B2 |
Pyrrolidine derivatives acting as CCR3-receptor antagonists
Compounds of formula I in free or salt form, wherein T, X, Y, U, R1, R2, m, n and p have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions mediated by CCR3. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described. |
| US07754757B2 |
Bicycloester derivative
Novel bicycloester derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have high DPP-IV inhibitory activity.The novel bicycloester derivatives are represented by the general formula (1): Pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are also included (Example: (2S,4S)-1-[[N-(4-ethoxycarbonylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1-yl)amino]acetyl]-4-fluoropyrrolidine-2-carbonitrile)). |
| US07754756B2 |
Indol-containing beta-agonists, methods for the preparation thereof and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to new beta-agonists of general formula (I) wherein the groups R1 and R2 have the meanings given in the claims and specification, the tautomers, racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, hydrates, mixtures thereof, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, methods of preparing these compounds and their use as pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US07754751B2 |
Preferential inhibition of release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
A method for preferentially inhibiting release of pro-inflammatory cytokines over release of anti-inflammatory cytokines using a fused pyrazolyl compound of formula (I): A is R or in which R is H, alkyl, aryl, cyclyl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl; each of Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3, independently, is phenyl, thienyl, furyl, or pyrrolyl; each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6, independently, is R′, nitro, halogen, —C(O)—OR′, —C(O)—SR′, —C(O)—NR′R″, —(CH2)mOR′, —(CH2)mSR′, —(CH2)mNR′R″, —(CH2)mCN, —(CH2)mC(O)—OR′, —(CH2)mC(O)H, or R1 and R2 together, R3 and R4 together, or R5 and R6 together are —O(CH2)nO—, in which each of R′ and R″, independently, is H, alkyl, cyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; and m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and n is 1, 2, or 3. This invention also covers a method of inhibiting activity of NF-κB with such a compound. |
| US07754748B2 |
Method for treating obesity
The present invention relates, in general, to obesity, and, in particular, to a method of treating obesity and minimizing metabolic risk factors associated therewith using, for example, zonisamide or other weight-loss promoting anticonvulsant either alone or in combination with bupropion or other compound that enhances the activity of norepinephrine and/or dopamine via uptake inhibition or other mechanism. |
| US07754745B2 |
Azacyclopentane derivatives as inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme a delta-9 desaturase
Azacyclopentane derivatives of structural formula (I) are selective inhibitors of stearoyl-coenzyme A delta-9 desaturase (SCD1) relative to other known stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturases. The compounds of the present invention are useful for the prevention and treatment of conditions related to abnormal lipid synthesis and metabolism, including cardiovascular disease; atherosclerosis; obesity; diabetes; neurological disease; metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance; liver steatosis; and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. |
| US07754742B2 |
Imidazole carboxamides
The present invention provides certain imidazole carboxamide derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of using the same and processes for preparing the same. |
| US07754740B2 |
1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives and their use as PPAR agonists
Compounds of the formula (1): in which A, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the description, the processes for the preparation of these compounds, the uses thereof for the treatment of dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and diabetes, and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US07754739B2 |
Modulators of CFTR
Compounds of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”). The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using compounds of the present invention. |
| US07754737B2 |
Diaminoalkane aspartic protease inhibitors
Diaminoalkanes of Formula I have now been found which are orally active and bind to aspartic proteases to inhibit their activity. They are useful in the treatment or amelioration of diseases associated with elevated levels of aspartic protease activity. The invention also relates to a method for the use of the compounds of Formula I in ameliorating or treating aspartic protease related disorders in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a compound of Formula I. |
| US07754730B2 |
Arylindenopyridines and arylindenopyrimidines and related therapeutic and prophylactic methods
This invention provides novel arylindenopyridines and arylindenopyrimidines of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and X are as defined above, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, useful for treating disorders ameliorated by antagonizing adenosine A2a receptors. This invention also provides therapeutic and prophylactic methods using the instant compounds and pharmaceutical compositions. |
| US07754725B2 |
Dihydroxyphenyl isoindolymethanones
Compounds having the formula (I): and in particular, those of subgenus VIIa are disclosed as inhibits or modulators of the activity of the heat shock protein Hsp90. As such they are useful for treating cancer, particularly hematopoietic tumors of lymphoid or myeloid lineage, prostate cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, breast cancer and melanoma. |
| US07754724B2 |
N-substituted piperazines
Novel N-alkyl substituted piperazines have been discovered, which are useful as insecticides or fungicides. Such compounds are of Formula (I) wherein X, Y, R1 and R2 are as defined herein. |
| US07754719B2 |
Substituted piperidine derivatives as somatostatin SST1 receptor antagonists
Compound of the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, n and m are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula (I) are somatostatin sst1 receptor antagonists. |
| US07754716B2 |
Combination comprising a vasculostatic compound and an alkylating agent for the treatment of a tumor
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical combination which comprises (a) a vasculostatic compound, (b) an alkylating agent and (c) optionally at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for simultaneous, separate or sequential use for the treatment of a tumor disease; a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a combination; the use of such a combination for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a tumor disease; a commercial package or product comprising such a combination as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use; and to a method of treatment of a warm-blooded animal, especially a human. |
| US07754713B2 |
4-benzimidazol-2-ylpyridazin-3-one derivatives
Disclosed are compounds of the general formula (I), where the definition of the substituents A, B, D, E, R1 and R2 are detailed in the description, and the physiologically tolerated salts thereof, a process for the preparation of these compounds and their use as pharmaceuticals. These compounds are kinase inhibitors, in particular inhibitors of the kinase CDK2 (cyclin-dependent kinase 2). |
| US07754711B2 |
Pyridazine derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents
Methods of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, are disclosed, wherein the methods comprise administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound of formula (Ia): where x, y, W, V, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R6a, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9 and R9a are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed. |
| US07754707B2 |
Methods of treatment of chronic immune disease
Methods for treating a host suffering from a chronic immune disease, e.g., MS or CFS, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of an elastase inhibitory agent, e.g., a β-lactam containing compound, is administered to the host. Also provided are compositions for use in practicing the subject methods. |
| US07754705B2 |
Cationic steroid antimicrobial compositions and methods of use
The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting poxvirus infection or pathogenesis of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with poxvirus infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of poxvirus infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA). |
| US07754700B2 |
Composition and methods for alleviating symptoms of neurotoxicity
A composition for alleviating symptoms associated with neurotoxicity. The composition may comprise compounds for preventing glutamate mediated neurotoxicity. The composition may include one or more of the following elements: at least one glutamate antagonist, at least one cAMP stimulating agent, at least one antioxidant, vitamin B12, at least one transporter and at least one surfactant. The composition may be used in methods for alleviating tinnitus, Ménière's Disease and/or hearing loss. |
| US07754693B2 |
Composition and method for the efficacious and safe administration of halopyruvate for the treatment of cancer
This invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer. An inhibitor cocktail buffer includes at least one sugar, a non-potassium containing buffer, and an inhibitor having the general formula: Such an inhibitor cocktail buffer allows for the efficacious and safe delivery of various compounds, including halopyruvates and derivatives thereof, to human cancer patients. |
| US07754692B2 |
Arginyl-glutamine dipeptide for treatment of pathological vascular proliferation
The subject invention provides dipeptides useful in preventing pathological proliferation of blood vessels. The dipeptides of the subject invention are particularly advantageous because they are stable, bioavailable, and can be formulated in an aqueous solution. |
| US07754691B1 |
Linear melanocortin receptor-specific peptides for cachexia
Linear peptides with a C-terminus —OH group that are specific for one or more melanocortin receptors, and which may be used in the treatment of melanocortin receptor-mediated disorders, including a variety of body weight disorders including cachexia, and for treatment of inflammation, immune disorders and other conditions, diseases and syndromes, and pharmaceutical compositions including such linear peptides. |
| US07754689B2 |
Finger-1 peptide analogs of the TGF-β superfamily
Members of the TGF-β superfamily and peptide fragments based on member proteins are employed to purify solutions containing member proteins or as therapeutics. |
| US07754687B2 |
Methods of inhibiting viral infection
The present invention is directed to methods of preventing and/or treating infectious disease. In a particular aspect, the invention is directed to treating viral infections by administering an isolated Prothymosin alpha molecule (SEQ ID NO: 2) to a subject in a therapeutically effective amount that reduces the symptoms associated with the viral infection. In a more particular embodiment, the viral infection is caused by a retrovirus, a lentivirus, or a hepatitis virus. In a particular aspect, the viral infection is caused by human immunodeficiency virus-1. |
| US07754686B2 |
Stabilized FGF formulations containing reducing agents
Stabilized FGF compositions are provided. The compositions comprise FGF or variant thereof and at least one reducing agent in an amount sufficient to inhibit FGF oxidation. Methods for increasing stability of FGF or variant thereof in a liquid or lyophilized composition and for increasing storage stability of such a composition are also provided. |
| US07754685B2 |
Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C infection
This invention relates to cyclosporin derivatives of general formula (I): wherein A, B, R1, R2 and X are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutical compositions prepared from the same, for use in treatment of hepatitis C virus. |
| US07754683B2 |
Bioactive peptide of bone morphogenetic protein-2
A bone morphogenetic protein-2 active peptide is characterized in that the structure is S[PO4]KIPKASSVPTELSAISTLYLDDD (SEQ ID NO: 1) or CCCCDDDS[PO4]KIPKASSVPTELSAISTLYL (SEQ ID NO: 2) or C16H31O—NH—CCCCGGGS[PO4]KIPKASSVPTELSAISTLYL (SEQ ID NO: 3). It overcomes the disadvantages of existing BMP-2, such as short half life, difficulty of sustained effect, complexity of equipments and preparation techniques, long production cycle, low yield, expensive price, and is accordingly difficult for large-scale production. In addition, the bone morphogenetic protein-2 active peptide exhibits the advantages, such as complete exposure of active sites, good ectopic osteogenesis ability, easy large-scale synthesis, lower cost, better stability and long duration. Meanwhile, the present invention also relates to the manufacturing method and application of such bone morphogenetic protein-2 active peptide. |
| US07754681B2 |
Heterocyclic self-immolative linkers and conjugates
The present invention provides heterocyclic linker compounds useful for linking drug moieties to ligands. The compounds also include drug-ligand conjugates comprising a ligand capable of targeting a selected cell population, and a drug connected to the ligand by a heterocyclic linker moiety. The linker moiety comprises a peptide sequence that is a substrate for an intracellular enzyme, for example a cathepsin, that cleaves the peptide at an amide bond. The peptide further contains a self-immolating moiety which connects the drug and the protein peptide sequence. Upon cleavage of the peptide sequence by an intracellular enzyme the self-immolating moiety cleaves itself from the drug moiety such that the drug moiety is in an underivatized and active form. |
| US07754680B2 |
Peptides for binding calcium carbonates and methods of use
Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for calcium carbonates. The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various calcium carbonate surfaces. |
| US07754673B2 |
Composition for use in the laundering or treatment of fabrics, and a process for making the composition
The present invention relates to an auxiliary composition, for use in the laundering or treatment of fabrics, comprising an admix of (i) clay and (ii) a silicone in an emulsified form. |
| US07754672B2 |
Polymer bound manganese compounds in cleaning composition
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising polymer bound manganese compounds as reducing agents and the use of such manganese compounds in cleaning compositions, particularly to machine dishwashing compositions comprising a protein bound manganese compound as a silver corrosion protection agent and the use of such a manganese compound in dishwashing compositions. |
| US07754668B2 |
Compositions for the removal of post-etch and ashed photoresist residues and bulk photoresist
The invention provides cleaning compositions for cleaning microelectronic substrates that are able to essentially completely clean such substrates and inhibit metal corrosion or produce essentially no corrosion of the metal elements of such substrates, and to do so at relatively short cleaning times and relatively low temperatures compared to the cleaning times required for prior art alkaline-containing cleaning compositions. The invention also provides method of using such cleaning compositions to clean microelectronic substrates without producing any significant corrosion of the metal elements of the microelectronic substrate. The cleaning compositions of this invention comprise (a) at least one organic solvent, (b) at least one unneutralized inorganic phosphorus-containing acid, and (c) water. The cleaning compositions of this invention optionally can have present in the compositions other components, such as for example surfactants, metal complexing or chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, and the like. The cleaning compositions of this invention are characterized by an absence of organic amines, hydroxylamines or other strong bases such as ammonium bases and the like that would neutralize the inorganic phosphorus-containing acid component. The cleaning and residue removal compositions of this invention are especially suitable for cleaning microelectronic substrates containing aluminum, titanium, and tungsten. |
| US07754667B2 |
Low-irritation compositions and methods of making the same
Provided are compositions comprising low molecular weight polymeric materials and surfactants having reduced irritation associated therewith, methods of reducing the irritation associated with a personal care composition comprising an anionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, the methods comprising combining a low molecular weight polymeric material capable of binding a surfactant thereto with an anionic surfactant to produce a reduced irritation personal care composition, and methods of using such compositions to cleanse the hair or skin with reduced irritation. |
| US07754666B2 |
Low-irritation compositions and methods of making the same
Provided are compositions comprising low molecular weight polymeric materials and surfactants having reduced irritation associated therewith, methods of reducing the irritation associated with a personal care composition comprising an anionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, the methods comprising combining a low molecular weight polymeric material capable of binding a surfactant thereto with an anionic surfactant to produce a reduced irritation personal care composition, and methods of using such compositions to cleanse the hair or skin with reduced irritation. |
| US07754658B2 |
Crosslinked acids comprising derivatized xanthan and subterranean acidizing applications
Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan. |
| US07754657B2 |
Method for removing asphaltene deposits
Compositions comprising at least one C4-C30 olefin or oxidation product thereof and kerosene or an aromatic solvent are particularly effective for use in removing asphaltene and asphaltene-containing organic deposits and in preventing or reducing the precipitation and deposition of asphaltenes from hydrocarbon fluids. When added to heavy oils comprising asphaltenes, alone or in combination with dispersants and further inhibitors, the invented compositions lower viscosity and pour point, and aid in preventing asphaltene precipitation during transport and in combustion. |
| US07754656B2 |
Production of nano-powder based combinatorial libraries
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for synthesizing combinatorial materials libraries using pyrolysis techniques. In certain embodiments, the methods involve varying the precursors and/or reactant gases in an operating pyrolysis unit to continuously vary the resulting nanoparticle composition and collecting different nanoparticles at different locations on a substrate using a spatially addressable particle collector. |
| US07754655B2 |
Microcapsule formulations
The invention relates to novel microcapsule formulations of (A) a particulate disperse phase of microcapsules comprising (1) a polyurea and/or polyurethane coating with average layer thicknesses of between 5 and 20 nm, and (2) a capsule filling comprising at least one penetrant and, optionally, additives, and (B) a suspension comprising (1) at least one solid agrochemical active compound, (2) additives, (3) water, and (4) optionally, one or more agrochemical active compounds that are liquid at room temperature. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of these microcapsule formulations and to their use for applying agrochemical active compounds. |
| US07754652B2 |
Method for removing sulfur compounds from gasoline or diesel fuel using molecularly imprinted polymers
A method and product for removing sulfur compound molecules from gasoline or diesel fuel includes exposing the gasoline or diesel fuel to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of a sulfur compound molecule. A quantity of the sulfur molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the gasoline or diesel fuel producing a remediated or sweetened gasoline or diesel fuel. According to one embodiment, the MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. According to another embodiment the MIPS are applied (i.e., coated) to the inside surface of a conduit and the gasoline or diesel fuel is forced or allowed to flow through the conduit thereby removing some of the sulfur molecules therefrom. The MIPS are treated after use to remove a sufficient quantity of the sulfur molecules from the receptor sites and are reused. |
| US07754651B2 |
Cu/Zn/Al catalyst for methanol synthesis
Disclosed is an Cu/Zn/Al-catalyst containing copper oxide and zinc oxide as catalytically active components and aluminium oxide as thermostabilising component. The catalyst is characterized in that the Cu/Zn atomic ratio is <2.8 and the aluminium oxide component is obtained from an aluminium hydroxide sol. |
| US07754650B2 |
Trifunctional catalyst for sulphur transfer, denitrogenation and combustion promoting and a method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a trifunctional catalyst used in catalytic cracking device in petroleum refining industry and a method for preparing the same. The trifunctional catalyst of the invention comprises absorbent, cerium dioxide and vanadium pentoxide acting as oxidative catalyst and cerium oxyfluoride acting as structural promoter. The oxidative catalyst and structural promoter are dispersed over the absorbent. The absorbent is spinel-based composite oxides having a general formula of MgAl2-xFexO4.yMgO, where the x is 0.01-0.5 and y is 0.2-1.2. In the trifunctional catalyst, the raw material for forming the chemical compound containing rare-earth cerium is hamartite powder. The method for preparing the trifunctional catalyst of the invention is shown as follows: the components relating to the preparation of the finished product are dissolved or dispersed into liquid materials; then the trifunctional catalyst is obtained after the mixing, drying and calcining of such liquid materials. The trifunctional catalyst of the invention is used for highly efficient absorption and desorption of sulfoxides contained in the catalytic cracking flue gas regenerated in the process of petroleum refining, the combustion promoting of carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. Furthermore, the method for preparing such trifunctional catalyst is featured for its lower cost. |
| US07754649B2 |
Structure having strong contact with solid particles, substrate having strong contact with solid particles, and manufacturing methods thereof
A structure having strong contact with solid particles comprising an assembly formed by secondary aggregation which is further aggregation of aggregates each formed by primary aggregation of primary particles each made of a metal and/or a metal oxide, wherein an average primary particle diameter of the primary particles is in a range from 1 to 100 μm, and, among void pores formed by the aggregates, a volume of void pores having pore diameters in a range within ±50% away from an average void pore diameter of the void pores is equal to or above 60% of a total volume of the void pores. |
| US07754647B2 |
Activated metathesis catalysts
The present invention provides a process for preparing a supported catalyst (catalyst C) having a support (support S) selected from among oxides, phosphates, silicates, carbides, borides and nitrides of main group elements and elements of transition groups VI and II and mixtures of the abovementioned compounds and an active component (activator A) comprising one or more compounds containing one or more elements of transition groups V, VI and VII customary for the catalysis of metathesis reactions. |
| US07754641B2 |
Hydrogen storage material and related processes
Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a complex hydride and a borohydride catalyst wherein the borohydride catalyst comprises a BH4 group, and a group IV metal, a group V metal, or a combination of a group IV and a group V metal. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composition. |
| US07754636B2 |
Removal of excess metal halides from regenerated ionic liquid catalysts
A process for removing metal halides from regenerated ionic liquid catalyst comprising interacting a regenerated ammonium-based metal-halide ionic liquid catalyst or an ammonium-based metal-halide ionic liquid catalyst undergoing regeneration with either the parent ammonium halide salt from which the ionic liquid catalyst was made or a corresponding mixed salt having an ammonium halide to metal halide molar ratio of 0 to less than 2.0 is disclosed. |
| US07754631B2 |
Alkali-free glass substrate, method for producing it and liquid crystal display panel
To provide an alkali-free glass substrate, which has a high Young's modulus, a low linear expansion coefficient, a high strain point and a low density, does not devitrify in the float forming process and is excellent in acid resistance.An alkali-free glass substrate, which contains neither alkali component nor BaO and consists essentially of, as represented by mol % based on oxide, from 57.0 to 65.0% of SiO2, from 10.0 to 12.0% of Al2O3, from 6.0 to 9.0% of B2O3, from 5.0 to 10.0% of MgO, from 5.0 to 10.0% of CaO and from 2.5 to 5.5% of SrO, provided that MgO+CaO+SrO is from 16.0 to 19.0%, MgO/(MgO+CaO+SrO)≧0.40, and B2O3/(SiO2+Al2O3+B2O3)≦0.12; wherein Young's modulus ≧75 GPa; the linear expansion coefficient at from 50 to 350° C. is from 30×10−7/° C. to 40×10−7/° C.; the strain point ≧640° C.; the temperature T2 (the viscosity η satisfies log η=2)≦1,620° C.; the temperature T4 (the viscosity η satisfies log η=4)≦1,245° C.; the devitrification temperature ≦T4; and weight loss per unit area is at most 0.6 mg/cm2, when immersed in 0.1N HCl at 90° C. for 20 hours. |
| US07754630B2 |
Large transmissive optical component
An optical glass for the manufacture of large transmission optics, such as lenses having a thickness of 100 millimeters or more, comprises 35 to 70 wt.-% SiO2, 17 to 35 wt.-% Al2O3, 3 to 17 wt.-% P2O5, 0 to 6 wt.-% Li2O, 0.5 to 4 wt.-% MgO, 0.5 to 3 wt.-% ZnO, a maximum of 1 wt.-% CaO, a maximum of 0.5 wt.-% BaO, 0.5 to 6 wt.-% TiO2, 0.5 to 3 wt.-% ZrO2, 0 to 1 wt.-% Na2O, 0 to 1 wt.-% K2O, a maximum of 1 wt.-% of refining agents (As2O3, SP2O3) and a maximum of 500 ppm of other contaminants. The glass composition may be equal to the composition of the glass ceramic Zerodur® and allows to manufacture large transmission optics in a cost-effective way, has a maximum of transmittance which is in the range of a He—Ne lasers and has a CTE of about 3·10−6/K. |
| US07754629B2 |
Phosphotellurite-containing glasses, process for making same and articles comprising same
Disclosed are glass materials generally belonging to the P2O5—ZnO—TeO2 system and process for making the same. The glass may comprise Bi2O3 as well. The high refractive index and low Tg materials are particularly suitable for refractive lens elements for use in portable optical devices. The process involves the use of P2O5 source materials with reduced amounts of reducing agents or a step of removing the reducing agents from such source materials by an oxidizing step such as calcination. |
| US07754627B2 |
Stretchable non-woven fabric, absorbent article and absorbent article manufacturing method
The present invention provides an absorbent article imparting superior comfort during wearing without inhibiting an absorbent property of an absorbent body, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the stretchable non-woven fabrics composed of a stretchable thermoplastic fiber and a heat-adhesive fiber having a lower melting point than that of the thermoplastic fiber which is arranged on a skin non-contacting side of a chassis, a low-stretchability portion is formed, in which the stretchability of the stretchable non-woven fabrics is lowered, at least in a portion thereof which overlaps an absorbent body in a thickness direction. The low-stretchability portion is formed by heating and pressurizing the portion of an elasticized non-woven fabric being extended. |
| US07754626B2 |
Article of apparel incorporating a modifiable textile structure
An article of apparel is disclosed that includes a textile with at least one property that changes upon exposure to a physical stimulus. The textile has a modifiable structure formed from one or more yarns that exhibit a dimensional transformation upon exposure to the physical stimulus. The yarns have a first set of dimensions when unexposed to the physical stimulus, and the yarns have a second set of dimensions when exposed to the physical stimulus. The structure of the textile is modified by exposing the textile to the physical stimulus such that the yarns transform from the first set of dimensions to the second set of dimensions and change the property of the textile. Reinforcing structures, incisions, partial incisions, and coatings may also be utilized to enhance the textile structures. |
| US07754625B2 |
Wash-durable and color stable antimicrobial treated textiles
The present invention provides for a color stable antimicrobial coatings and coating systems comprising a silver ion-exchange type antimicrobial agent. In particular, coatings and coating systems having little, if any, discoloration are provided with no loss of antimicrobial efficacy. |
| US07754623B2 |
Apparatus for forming film hole
An exemplary film hole forming apparatus (400) includes a chemical etching system (410) and a driving system (420). The driving system includes a transmission belt, which passes through the chemical etching system. A material of the transmission belt is polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene-containing material, polyvinylidene fluoride, metal, or metal-sandwiched composite. An exemplary method for forming film holes includes the following steps: providing a flexible printed circuit board (300) to be etched, with copper holes (321) pre-formed thereat and the copper holes exposing a base film (310) at corresponding positions; and transporting the flexible printed circuit board into a chemical etching system by a transmission belt to form film holes in the base film. |
| US07754620B2 |
Film formation method and recording medium
A method of forming a metal silicate film on a silicon substrate in a processing container is disclosed that includes the steps of (a) forming a base oxide film on the silicon substrate by feeding an oxidation gas into the processing container; and (b) forming the metal silicate film on the base oxide film by continuing to feed the oxidation gas and by feeding a first gaseous phase material formed of an amidic organic hafnium compound and a second gaseous phase material formed of a silicon-containing material into the processing container. |
| US07754619B2 |
Method for forming a coating with a liquid, and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method of forming a liquid coating on a substrate that reduces the amount of consumption of the coating liquid and achieves a more even distribution of the thickness of the liquid coating film. The method may include supplying a solvent to a surface of a substrate, starting a supply of a coating liquid to the surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate at a first rotation speed, stopping a rotation of the substrate by decelerating the rotation of the substrate at a deceleration larger than 30000 rpm/sec at a point of time when the supply of the coating liquid is stopped, and then rotating the substrate at a second rotation speed. Accordingly, the dispense amount of the coating liquid is reduced and the film thickness of the coating liquid is flatten. |
| US07754618B2 |
Method of forming an apparatus having a dielectric containing cerium oxide and aluminum oxide
A dielectric layer including cerium oxide and aluminum oxide acting as a single dielectric layer, and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer, produces a reliable structure with a high dielectric constant (high-k) for use in a variety of electronic devices. Such a dielectric layer including cerium oxide and aluminum oxide may be used as the gate insulator of a MOSFET, as a capacitor dielectric in a DRAM, as a tunnel gate insulator in flash memory, or as a dielectric in an NROM device, among others, because the high dielectric constant (high-k) of the film provides the functionality of a much thinner silicon dioxide film. |
| US07754617B2 |
Polysilicon deposition and anneal process enabling thick polysilicon films for MEMS applications
A method of forming a thick polysilicon layer for a MEMS inertial sensor includes forming a first amorphous polysilicon film on a substrate in an elevated temperature environment for a period of time such that a portion of the amorphous polysilicon film undergoes crystallization and grain growth at least near the substrate. The method also includes forming an oxide layer on the first amorphous polysilicon film, annealing the first amorphous polysilicon film in an environment of about 1100° C. or greater to produce a crystalline film, and removing the oxide layer. Lastly, the method includes forming a second amorphous polysilicon film on a surface of the crystalline polysilicon film in an elevated temperature environment for a period of time such that a portion of the second amorphous polysilicon film undergoes crystallization and grain growth at least near the surface of the crystalline polysilicon film. |
| US07754613B2 |
Etching method and etching apparatus
Etching and protective-film deposition operations E and D are in alternation repeatedly executed on a silicon substrate carried on a platform within a processing chamber. With gas inside the processing chamber having been exhausted to pump down the chamber interior, in the etching operation E, the substrate is etched by supplying etching gas into the chamber and converting it into plasma and applying a bias potential to the platform, and in the protective-film deposition operation D, a protective film is formed on the silicon substrate by supplying protective-film deposition gas into the processing chamber and converting it into plasma. When a predetermined time prior to the close of operations E and D (time intervals indicated by reference marks Ee and De) is reached, the supply of etching or protective-film deposition gas is halted, and the exhaust flow rate of gas exhausted from the chamber is made greater than that previously. |
| US07754610B2 |
Process for etching tungsten silicide overlying polysilicon particularly in a flash memory
A method of plasma etching tungsten silicide over polysilicon particularly useful in fabricating flash memory having both a densely packed area and an open (iso) area requiring a long over etch due to microloading. Wafer biasing is decreased in the over etch. The principal etchant include NF3 and Cl2. Argon is added to prevent undercutting at the dense/iso interface. Oxygen and nitrogen oxidize any exposed silicon to increase etch selectivity and straightens the etch profile. SiCl4 may be added for additional selectivity. |
| US07754608B2 |
Manufacturing method for the integration of nanostructures into microchips
State-of-the-art synthesis of carbon nanostructures (25) by chemical vapor deposition involve heating a catalyst material to high temperatures up 700-1000° C. in a furnace and flowing hydrocarbon gases through the reactor over a period of time. In order to enable a self assembly of nanostructures (25) on microchips (10) without damaging the microchip (10) by high temperatures the proposed manufacturing method comprises: A layer (1) contains indentations (3) on which nanostructures (25) are to be integrated and the indentations (3) are heated up by a current (I) conducted to the layer (1) via contact pads (2). |
| US07754604B2 |
Reducing silicon attack and improving resistivity of tungsten nitride film
The present invention provides improved methods of depositing tungsten-containing films on substrates, particularly on silicon substrates. The methods involve depositing an interfacial or “flash” layer of tungsten on the silicon prior to deposition of tungsten nitride. The tungsten flash layer is typically deposited by a CVD reaction of a tungsten precursor and a reducing agent. According to various embodiments, the tungsten flash layer may be deposited with a high reducing agent to tungsten-precursor ratio and/or at low temperature to reduce attack by the tungsten precursor. In many cases, the substrate is a semiconductor wafer or a partially fabricated semiconductor wafer. Applications include depositing tungsten nitride as (or as part of) a diffusion barrier and/or adhesion layer for tungsten contacts. |
| US07754601B2 |
Semiconductor interconnect air gap formation process
A semiconductor package including an interconnect air gap and method for making the same. The semiconductor package includes a dielectric layer, a metallic interconnect, an air gap disposed between the dielectric layer and interconnect, and a spacer interspersed between the metallic interconnect and air gap. The metallic interconnect is laterally supported by and isolated from the air gap by the spacer. A method for making the same is also provided. |
| US07754599B2 |
Structure for reducing stress for vias and fabricating method thereof
A structure for reducing stress for vias and a fabricating method thereof are provided. One or more wires or vias in the thickness direction are enframed with the use of a stress block in a lattice structure to be isolated from being directly contacted with the major portion of insulating materials with a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Thus, the shear stress resulting from temperature loading can be blocked or absorbed by the stress block. |
| US07754596B2 |
Semiconductor device preventing electrical short and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device capable of preventing an electrical short between contacts and their adjacent contact pads and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A first interlayer insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate including the active region. Contact pads pass through the first interlayer insulating layer and contact with the active region. Contacts are formed on the contact pads and are connected to a conductive layer disposed above the contacts. The contact pads have a height lower than a top surface of the first interlayer insulating layer such that the contact pads have smaller thickness than the first interlayer insulating layer. |
| US07754594B1 |
Method for tuning the threshold voltage of a metal gate and high-k device
A metal gate and high-k dielectric device includes a substrate, an interfacial layer on top of the substrate, a high-k dielectric layer on top of the interfacial layer, a metal film on top of the high-k dielectric layer, a cap layer on top of the metal film and a metal gate layer on top of the cap layer. The thickness of the metal film and the thickness of the cap layer are tuned such that a target concentration of a cap layer material is present at an interface of the metal film and the high-k dielectric layer. |
| US07754590B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a field stop zone at a specific depth
Some embodiments of the invention relate to manufacturing a semiconductor device with an implantation layer on a semiconductor substrate including a method of manufacturing such an implantation layer, wherein said implantation layer is formed in an implantation step at a predetermined depth of penetration, determined from a top surface of said semiconductor substrate, using a particle beam, by increasing its path distance to a main implantation peak and correspondingly increasing the energy level of said particle beam for producing an undamaged implantation layer having a thickness that is increased significantly compared with the thickness of an implantation layer that would be produced at said predetermined depth of penetration using a particle beam with non-increased path distance and energy level. |
| US07754588B2 |
Method to improve a copper/dielectric interface in semiconductor devices
Embodiments of methods for improving a copper/dielectric interface in semiconductor devices are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US07754586B2 |
Method of surface treating a phase change layer and method of manufacturing a phase change memory device using the same
A method of surface treating a phase change layer may include, before forming the phase change layer, forming a coating layer on a surface of a bottom layer on which the phase change layer is to be formed, wherein the coating layer has a chemical structure for contributing to the adherence of an alkyl radical to the surface of the bottom layer. After forming the coating layer, the phase change layer may be formed using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. |
| US07754585B2 |
Method of heat treatment of silicon wafer doped with boron
A method of subjecting a silicon wafer doped with boron to a heat treatment in an argon atmosphere, wherein the argon atmosphere is replaced with a hydrogen atmosphere or a mixed gas of an argon gas and a hydrogen gas in a proper fashion, to thereby uniformize a boron concentration in the thickness direction of the surface layer of the silicon wafer doped with boron. |
| US07754584B2 |
Semiconductor substrate, and semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
In a semiconductor substrate 1, a plurality of semiconductor elements 2 having diaphragm structures are formed in the form of cells in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, and V-grooves 3 are formed by anisotropic etching continuously on only division lines 4 parallel formed in one direction, out of the division lines 4 which are orthogonal to each other and divide the respective semiconductor elements 2 individually. |
| US07754582B2 |
Laser processing method
A laser processing method including a first step of forming a first groove and a second step of forming a second groove on the workpiece. In the first step, the laser beam is intermittently applied to the first street except the intersections between the first street and the second street, thereby forming a discontinuous groove as the first groove in such a manner that each intersection is not grooved. In the second step, the laser beam is continuously applied to the second street, thereby forming a continuous groove as the second groove intersecting the first groove in such a manner that each intersection is grooved by the second groove. In the second step, heat generated at a portion immediately before each intersection is passed through the intersection to be dissipated forward, thereby suppressing overheating at this portion. |
| US07754578B2 |
Process for manufacturing a wafer by annealing of buried channels
A process for manufacturing an SOI wafer, including the steps of: forming, in a wafer of semiconductor material, cavities delimiting structures of semiconductor material; thinning out the structures through a thermal process; and completely oxidizing the structures. |
| US07754577B2 |
Method for fabricating capacitor
A method for fabricating a capacitor includes: forming a storage node contact plug over a substrate; forming an insulation layer having an opening exposing a surface of the storage node contact plug over the storage contact plug; forming a conductive layer for a storage node over the insulation layer and the exposed surface of the storage node contact plug through two steps performed at different temperatures; performing an isolation process to isolate parts of the conductive layer; and sequentially forming a dielectric layer and a plate electrode over the isolated conductive layer. |
| US07754569B2 |
Anti-halo compensation
An apparatus and method for controlling the net doping in the active region of a semiconductor device in accordance with a gate length is provided. A compensating dopant is chosen to be a type of dopant which will electrically neutralize dopant of the opposite type in the substrate. By implanting the compensating dopant at relatively high angle and high energy, the compensating dopant will pass into and through the gate region for short channels and have little or no impact on the total dopant concentration within the gate region. Where the channel is of a longer length, the high implant angle and the high implant energy cause the compensating dopant to lodge within the channel thereby neutralizing a portion of the dopant of the opposite type. |
| US07754566B2 |
Power electronic device of multi-drain type integrated on a semiconductor substrate and relative manufacturing process
A power electronic device is integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a first type of conductivity. The device includes a plurality of elemental units, and each elemental unit includes a body region of a second type of conductivity which is realized on a semiconductor layer of the first type of conductivity formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a column region of the first type of conductivity which is realized in said semiconductor layer below the body region. The semiconductor layer includes multiple semiconductor layers which overlap each other. The resistivity of each layer is different from that of the other layers. The column region includes a plurality of doped sub-regions, each realized in one of the semiconductor layers. The amount of charge of each doped sub-region balances the amount of charge of the corresponding semiconductor layer in which each doped sub-region is realized. |
| US07754563B2 |
Nanolaminate-structure dielectric film forming method
Nanolaminate-structure SrO/TiO films are formed on a lower electrode of a capacitor by molecular layer deposition kept in a rate-determined state by a surface reaction. The nanolaminate-structure SrO/TiO films are formed by alternately laminating one or more and 20 or less SrO molecular layers and one or more and 20 or less TiO molecular layers at 150° C. or more and 400° C. or less and at 10 Torr or more and the atmospheric pressure or less. This makes it possible to obtain the nanolaminate-structure SrO/TiO films with a high permittivity and a high coverage and with no occurrence of crystalline foreign substance. |
| US07754560B2 |
Integrated circuit using FinFETs and having a static random access memory (SRAM)
An integrated circuit includes a logic circuit and a memory cell. The logic circuit includes a P-channel transistor, and the memory cell includes a P-channel transistor. The P-channel transistor of the logic circuit includes a channel region. The channel region has a portion located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110). The portion of the channel region located along the sidewall has a first vertical dimension that is greater than a vertical dimension of any portion of the channel region of the P-channel transistor of the memory cell located along a sidewall of a semiconductor structure having a surface orientation of (110). |
| US07754559B2 |
Method for fabricating capacitor structures using the first contact metal
A capacitor structure is fabricated with only slight modifications to a conventional single-poly CMOS process. After front-end processing is completed, grooves are etched through the pre-metal dielectric layer to expose polysilicon structures, which may be salicided or non-salicided. A dielectric layer is formed over the exposed polysilicon structures. A conventional contact process module is then used to form contact openings through the pre-metal dielectric layer. The mask used to form the contact openings is then removed, and conventional contact metal deposition steps are performed, thereby simultaneously filling the contact openings and the grooves with the contact (electrode) metal stack. A planarization step removes the upper portion of the metal stack, thereby leaving metal contacts in the contact openings, and metal electrodes in the grooves. The metal electrodes may form, for example, transistor gates, EEPROM control gates or capacitor plates. |
| US07754555B2 |
Transistor having a channel with biaxial strain induced by silicon/germanium in the gate electrode
By forming a stressed semiconductor material in a gate electrode, a biaxial tensile strain may be induced in the channel region, thereby significantly increasing the charge carrier mobility. This concept may be advantageously combined with additional strain-inducing sources, such as embedded strained semiconductor materials in the drain and source regions, thereby providing the potential for enhancing transistor performance without contributing to process complexity. |
| US07754554B2 |
Methods for fabricating low contact resistance CMOS circuits
Methods for fabricating low contact resistance CMOS integrated circuits are provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a method for fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit including an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor disposed in and on a silicon-comprising substrate includes depositing a first silicide-forming metal on the NMOS and PMOS transistors. The first silicide-forming metal forms a silicide at a first temperature. At least a portion of the first silicide-forming metal is removed from the NMOS or PMOS transistor and a second silicide-forming metal is deposited. The second silicide-forming metal forms a silicide at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The first silicide-forming metal and the second silicide-forming metal are heated at a temperature that is no less than the higher of the first temperature and the second temperature. |
| US07754549B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film transistor array panel
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel includes forming an amorphous silicon film on an insulating substrate; forming a sacrificial film having an embossed surface on the amorphous silicon film; contacting a metal plate with the sacrificial film and performing heat-treatment for crystallizing the amorphous silicon film to change the amorphous silicon film to a polycrystalline silicon film; removing the metal plate and the sacrificial film; patterning the polycrystalline silicon film to form a semiconductor; forming a gate insulating layer which covers the semiconductor; forming a gate line on the gate insulating layer, a portion of the gate line overlapping the semiconductor; heavily doping a conductive impurity into portions of the semiconductor to form a source region and a drain region; forming an interlayer insulating layer which covers the gate line and the semiconductor; and forming a data line and an output electrode connected to the source and drain regions, respectively, on the interlayer insulating layer. |