| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07778015B2 |
Microperforated and backlit displays having alternative display capabilities
A visual display having microperforations, backlighting and contrasting surface finishes is disclosed. The visual display includes an opaque base object having a front surface and a plurality of microperforations therethrough from the front surface to a back surface. Each microperforation has a diameter of about 100 microns or less, and numerous microperforations are arranged into an overall pattern, such as a logo, text or advertisement. A light source placed proximate to the back surface passes light through the microperforations to be visible at the front surface, such that the overall pattern can be visibly perceived when the light source is turned on. A contrasting surface finish formed on the front surface includes at least two visibly distinguishable shades, with one shade covering at least a portion of the front surface defined by the overall pattern, such that the overall pattern can be seen when the light source is turned off. |
| US07778014B2 |
Electronic equipment
Electronic equipment according to the present invention includes a cursor key 8 disposed to be exposed partially from a casing, wherein the cursor key 8 includes: an operating portion 8a including a plurality of pressing portions that are disposed to be exposed on the surface of the casing and that receive a pressing operation by a user; and a pair of frames 8m and 8n that are supported by the casing at portions 8c and 8f and connected to the operating portion 8a at the other portion respectively, wherein the other portions are provided between the respective adjacent pressing portions. With this configuration, it is possible to realize electronic equipment including a switch that requires a less number of components and can be assembled easily. |
| US07778013B2 |
Arc resistant baffle for reducing arc-flash energy in an electrical enclosure
A venting system is described for use with electrical enclosures in which hot gasses may be generated by certain types of fault. The venting assembly may be mounted to a surface of the enclosure, such as adjacent to an aperture formed in the enclosure door. The vent assembly includes a series of louvers that divert all gasses flowing from the enclosure and provide no direct path for gas. The vent assembly thus provides unimpeded flow of hot gasses during a fault event to divert and cool the gasses before exiting the enclosure. The vent assembly may be configured as a cartridge-type insert mounted either inside or outside the enclosure. |
| US07778012B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor
An electrolytic capacitor comprises two lead tab terminals and a sealing rubber packing. Each of the lead tab terminals includes a boss member, a rib member and a flat member. The boss member comprises a coupling member and a large member. The diameter of the coupling member is the same as two holes in the sealing rubber packing, and the diameter of the large member is larger than the two holes. The flat member is connected to either an oxidized anode foil or a cathode foil. The coupling members of the two lead-tab terminals are inserted into the two holes in the sealing rubber packing, respectively. The large member keeps the sealing rubber packing from moving toward the flat member. Accordingly, the sealing member sealing the capacitor element into a case is kept from making contact with the capacitor element. |
| US07778010B2 |
Method of manufacturing capacitor for incorporation in wiring board, capacitor for incorporation in wiring board, and wiring board
A capacitor comprising: a plurality of laminated dielectric layers; a plurality of inner electrode layers each disposed between mutually adjacent ones of the dielectric layers; and dummy electrode layers respectively disposed between the dielectric layers, disposed on sides closer to outer peripheral sides of the dielectric layers than to the inner electrode layers and disposed apart from the inner electrode layers. |
| US07778007B2 |
Optical emission analysis apparatus
An optical emission analysis apparatus includes a discharge gap, an ignitor circuit, and a main discharge power supply. The ignitor circuit includes an ignition transformer, a pair of current control devices, and an excitation power supply. On a secondary coil of the ignition transformer, the discharge gap and the main discharge power supply are connected in series to form a main discharge current path. On a primary coil of the ignition transformer, the pair of current control devices and the excitation power supply are connected in series to form an excitation current path. A pair of current control devices is connected to each other via mutually opposite polarities. The polarity of the high voltage generated in the secondary coil is reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage of the excitation power supply. The direction of the main discharge current is reversed by reversing the polarity of the voltage of the main discharge power supply. Through the reverse polarity discharge, the deposits on the electrode are removed. |
| US07778004B2 |
Systems and methods for modular electronic weaponry
An apparatus produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is used with a provided deployment unit that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus. The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus includes a bus; a plurality of ports, and a controller. Each port couples a module to the bus. The controller is coupled to the bus to communicate with each module to determine a description of each module. |
| US07778003B2 |
Overvoltage protection module and an assembly of at least one telecommunications module and at least one overvoltage protection module
An overvoltage protection module can be fitted to a telecommunications module having telecommunications contacts, to which telecommunications lines are connectable, and has at least two overvoltage protectors, at least one ground contact, and at least two pairs of protection module contacts for contacting the telecommunications contacts at contact points, so that at least two telecommunications lines are protectable, wherein the contact points are located on at least two different levels, and both contacts of each pair of protection module contacts are connected to the same overvoltage protector. |
| US07778000B2 |
Measure for increasing the short-circuit resistance of a device by introducing parallel current paths
An overcurrent protection arrangement for aircraft to protect an electric element from an overcurrent, the overcurrent protection arrangement including an overcurrent protection device designed for detecting the overcurrent of a current through the electric element to be protected via the overcurrent protection device in such a way that the current through the element to be protected does not exceed an upper current limit. |
| US07777993B2 |
Wiper control circuit
A wiper control circuit is provided for invalidating the state of a wiper operation switch to suppress unnecessary operations of a wiper in an automotive vehicle upon starting an engine using a remote control engine starter. The wiper control circuit is configured to suppress generation of a sneak current and thereby reduce the likelihood that an erroneous operation instruction is received. |
| US07777991B2 |
Head gimbal assembly with improved interconnection between head slider and suspension, fabricating method thereof, and magnetic disk drive with the same
A head gimbal assembly (HGA) has an improved interconnection between a head slider and a suspension of the HGA. The interconnection is achieved by using a reverse surface of an air bearing surface of the head slider as bonding surface to provide more space for arranging more slider electrical bonding pads thereon. The head slider is mechanically and electrically connected to the suspension at the bonding surface to have good performance on shocking conditions. The suspension further has an attitude control layer located between the head slider and the suspension. The attitude control layer serves as a datum plate for the head slider lying thereon and supporting the head slider so as to ensure the head slider a good attitude and reduce variation of slider flying height. The present invention also discloses a magnetic disk drive with the improved HGA and a fabricating method for the HGA. |
| US07777986B2 |
Multi-dimensional transport method and drive subsystems in a cartridge library apparatus
A cartridge library (30) comprises at least one drive (60); a cartridge magazine (52); and, a transport mechanism (54) configured to transport the cartridge between the magazine and the drive. The transport mechanism (54) is configured to transport the cartridge between, e.g., cells of the magazine (52) and/or between the magazine (52) and the drive (60). The transport mechanism (54) comprises a robot (300) and a robot motive system. The robot comprises a robot carriage (308) and a robot tray (302). The robot carriage (308) carries or comprises cartridge engagement elements (310) configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The robot tray (302) facilitates linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot motive system comprises three robot motive subsystems (312, 360, 450) and a (robot) carriage motive subsystem (380). At least one of the robot motive subsystems and the carriage motive subsystem comprise hardware situated on a second side of the robot tray (302), the hardware extending from the second side of the robot tray in the second direction to an extent not substantially greater than the plank height. Locating the hardware of plural subsystems on the second side of the robot tray and within a volume defined by the robot tray and the plank height facilitate not only a transport mechanism, but also a compact and efficient library. |
| US07777985B2 |
Transport method and apparatus for cartridge library utilizing cam slot and follower for moving a robot carriage
A cartridge transport robot transports a cartridge of information storage media between differing locations in a cartridge library. The cartridge robot comprises a robot carriage; a robot tray; and a carriage motive system. The robot tray comprises a guide configured to facilitate linear motion of the robot carriage, the robot carriage being situated on a first side of the robot tray. The robot carriage comprises cartridge engagement elements configured to selectively engage and release the cartridge. The carriage motive system is configured to provide linear motion to the robot carriage along the robot tray from a carriage retracted position to a carriage extracted position and thereby linearly displace the cartridge engaged by the cartridge engagement elements. |
| US07777984B2 |
Cartridge holder apparatus and magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus including same
A disclosed cartridge holder apparatus includes: a cartridge supporting member having a lateral plate portion and side plate portions on both sides thereof; a cartridge upper surface supporting member disposed between the side plate portions on both sides of the cartridge supporting member; a support mechanism of a cartridge upper surface supporting member for supporting the cartridge upper surface supporting member so as to form a cartridge housing space in accordance with an inserted cartridge; and a cartridge gripping mechanism supported by the cartridge upper surface supporting member and the support mechanism of a cartridge upper surface supporting member. The cartridge gripping mechanism changes positions in the vertical direction, while a locking portion for locking a lock-receiving portion of an inserted cartridge maintains a position in a cartridge insertion direction. |
| US07777980B2 |
Multi-channel data detection phase locked loop error combination logic
Phase-error combination for a multi-channel data detection system with a phase locked loop for each channel, comprises receiving phase error information with respect to each channel; combination logic configured to combine the received phase error information and generate a combined phase error; and a phase-error output configured to apply the combined phase error to at least one channel phase locked loop. Additionally, error signal combination comprises receiving error information of a signal relevant to a phase locked loop with respect to each channel; combination logic configured to combine the received error signal information and generate a combined error signal, weighting the received error signal information from each channel, for example with reliability information. An error compensation output is configured to apply the combined, weighted error signal to at least one channel phase locked loop. |
| US07777975B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a lens barrel, a first lens, a plurality of first electro-active polymer (EAP) units and a plurality of second EAP units. The first lens is suspended in the lens barrel by the plurality of first EAP units and second EAP units. The lens barrel receives a second lens, a spacer and a third lens. The second lens and the third lens are spaced apart by the spacer. |
| US07777974B2 |
Macro lens, optical apparatus, and method for manufacturing the macro lens
Providing a compact lens system having high optical performance over the entire focusing range from infinity to a close distance, an optical apparatus equipped therewith, a method for focusing the lens system, and a method for vibration reduction of the lens system. The lens system includes, in order from an object, a first lens group G1, a second lens group G2, and a third lens group G3. Combined refractive power of the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is positive. The first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 are movable to an object side for varying focusing from the object locating at infinity to the object locating at a close distance. Each lens group includes at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens. Given conditional expressions are satisfied. |
| US07777973B2 |
Subminiature imaging optical system
A subminiature imaging optical system including: first, second, third and fourth lenses sequentially positioned from an object side to an image side, the first lens having positive refractivity, the second lens having a concave image-side surface and having negative refractivity, the third lens having negative refractivity, and the fourth lens having positive refractivity, wherein the second lens satisfies following condition 1, and the third lens satisfies following condition 2, 20 |
| US07777972B1 |
Imaging optical lens assembly
The present invention provides an imaging optical lens assembly including, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens group comprising a first lens element with positive refractive power, no lens element with refractive power being disposed between the first lens element and an imaged object, the first lens element being the only lens element with refractive power in the first lens group; and a second lens group comprising, in order from the object side to the image side: a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element; and a fourth lens element; wherein focusing adjustment is performed by moving the first lens element along an optical axis, such that as a distance between the imaged object and the imaging optical lens assembly changes from far to near, a distance between the first lens element and an image plane changes from near to far; and wherein the number of the lens elements with refractive power in the imaging optical lens assembly is N, and it satisfies the relation: 4≦N≦5. The abovementioned arrangement of optical elements and focusing adjustment method enable the imaging optical lens assembly to obtain good image quality and consume less power. |
| US07777970B2 |
Super-wide-angle lens and imaging system having same
An exemplary super-wide-angle lens includes a lens barrel, a set of imaging lenses, and a prism. The set of imaging lenses is received in the lens barrel. The prism has three light incident surfaces, each of which is coated with a unique color filter for exclusively transmitting a predetermined color light, and a light emissive surface. The prism is positioned such that each of the light incident surfaces is configured for receiving light from a unique field of view of the super-wide-angle lens and the light emissive surface faces the set of imaging lenses, and is structured so that light transmitting in the prism is directed from the light incident surfaces to the light emissive surface. |
| US07777965B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the negative first lens group and the positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group increases. The negative first lens group includes a negative first lens element, a positive or negative lens element having a weaker refractive power, and a positive third lens element, in this order from the object. The zoom lens system satisfied the following condition: −0.25 |
| US07777964B2 |
Plastic rod lens, rod lens array, rod lens plate, image sensor and printer
A plastic rod lens having a cylindrical shape with a radius R including a central axis; and an outer peripheral portion, wherein a refractive index nD decreases from the central axis to the outer peripheral portion, and the following requirements (1) to (3) are met: 43≦ν1≦60 (1) |{nA×νA/(nA−1)}−{nB×νB/(nB−1)}|<5 (2) n0−n1≧0.01 (3) wherein n1, n0, nA, and nB represent refraction index nD in the outer peripheral portion, at the center, and at arbitrary points A and B, respectively, and ν1, νA, and νB represent Abbe number ν in the outer peripheral portion, and at the arbitrary points A and B, respectively. |
| US07777959B2 |
Micromirror array lens with fixed focal length
The present invention provides a Micromirror Array Lens (MMAL) with fixed focal length to reproduce a designed surface having optical focusing power. The micro mechanical structures with surface profile shape memory are fabricated and released after fabrication. Each micromirror in the MMAL has its own motion by stiction force and/or electrostatic force while and/or after the releasing process. Once the designed surface is formed, the MMAL has an optical power as a lens. |
| US07777957B2 |
Optical filter and tunable filter
A light from an optical fiber is incident on a dispersive element via an optical circulator and an optical fiber. The dispersive element disperses the incident light toward directions different depending on wavelength to apply the dispersed lights to a lens. The lens focuses the lights at positions different for each wavelength of the light. The patterning plate has desired reflection characteristics. The lights reflected on the patterning plate are multiplexed by the dispersive element through the identical path to be emitted from an optical fiber via the optical circulator. Desired characteristics can be obtained by arbitrarily changing a pattern with reflection characteristics of the patterning plate. In addition, a characteristic of the optical filter can be changed by moving the patterning plate. |
| US07777955B2 |
Rippled mixers for uniformity and color mixing
Various embodiments described herein comprise mixers comprising a light pipe having input and output ends and a central region therebetween. An optical path extends in a longitudinal direction from the input end through the central region to the output end. The central region of the light pipe comprises one or more rippled reflective sidewalls having a plurality of elongate ridges and valleys and sloping surfaces therebetween. Light from the input end propagating along the optical path reflects from the sloping surfaces and is redirected at a different azimuthal direction toward the output end thereby mixing the light at the output end. Illuminance and/or color mixing can therefore be provided. |
| US07777953B2 |
Method for producing a grating image, grating image and security document
To produce a grating image for a security document, a contour line (9) is filled with hatching lines (11) with the help of a drawing program, grating coordinates are calculated from the intersection points between the hatching lines (11) and the contour line (9), and the such produced data records of the grating image are supplied to a lithography machine. |
| US07777952B2 |
Image stabilizing apparatus, lens unit, and image pickup apparatus
The present invention relates to an image stabilizing apparatus, a lens unit, and an image pickup apparatus. The present invention provides an image stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing an image by moving a predetermined lens group in an image pickup optical system which transmits a light flux from an object. The image stabilizing apparatus includes: a shift mechanism for shifting the predetermined lens group in a predetermined direction; and a rotation mechanism for rotating the shift mechanism in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens group. |
| US07777951B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power. The zoom lens performs zooming by moving each of the lens units. The first lens unit and the third lens unit are positioned closer to the object at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.3<|m1/m2|<1.5 0.3<|m3/m2|<0.8 where m1, m2, and m3 are the amounts of movement of the first lens unit, the second lens unit, and the third lens unit, respectively, along an optical axis during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. |
| US07777945B2 |
HDR displays having light estimating controllers
A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. The screen is illuminated with light from a light source comprising an array of controllable light-emitters. The controllable-emitters and elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range. |
| US07777944B2 |
Reflective screens
This invention discloses a projection screen including a diffusion layer, a cap layer, an interference layer and an absorption layer. The projection screen of this invention is based on the concept of inverse reflection. The interference filter includes a plurality of high and low refractive index layers, both of which alternately stacked. The projection screen conveys a small spectral shift and a narrow bandwidth at different incident angles so that the better contract ratio of the image signal can be displayed. |
| US07777936B2 |
Display device
The present invention relates to a display device including a substrate having a display area, a first electrode disposed on the substrate to receive a first voltage, a second electrode disposed on the substrate to receive a second voltage having an opposite polarity to that of the first voltage, an insulating layer disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode, and an isolated member disposed on the insulating layer and electrically isolated, wherein an induction charge is generated in the isolated member by application of the first voltage and the second voltage, and wherein light transmittance is controlled according to the application of the first and second voltages. |
| US07777934B2 |
Color pixel structure of an electrochromic display
A color pixel structure of a color display system based on electrochromism. The color pixel structure includes two one-cell two-color type unit cells laminated. Each of the unit cells includes an upper panel, a lower panel and electrochromic materials of different colors applied to both the upper and lower panels. The color pixel structure exhibits improved color characteristics and have a simple structure. The color pixel structure can be applied to a variety of electrochromic displays due to their excellent visibility and simple structure. |
| US07777933B2 |
Electrochemical system on a plastic substrate
Electrochemical system comprising at least one substrate of organic nature, at least one electronically conductive layer and at least one active species, characterized in that it includes at least one organic layer lying between the electronically conductive layer and the substrate. |
| US07777932B2 |
All optical system and method for providing extended depth of focus of imaging
An imaging system and method are presented. The system comprises an imaging lens unit, an imaging detector, and a birefringent element located between the imaging lens unit and the imaging detector. The system is thus configure and operable to provide in-focus imaging of objects located at both near-field and far-field ranges. Also provided is an optical device configured to be mounted on an imaging lens, being one of the following: a lens of an individual's glasses, on a contact lens, and an eye internal lens. The optical device is configured to be located between the imaging lens and the retina and comprises a birefringent element, to thereby provide in-focus imaging onto the retina of the objects located at both near-field and far-field ranges therefrom. |
| US07777923B2 |
Optical beam scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus
In an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, plural optical members that irradiate scanning lines by laser beams (beams) emitted from plural light sources individually onto corresponding photoconductive drums are disposed within an optical unit housing and a housing cover, a fixing mechanism configured to fix part of a parallel plate provided within the optical unit housing and the housing cover is provided, and a twist angle adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of twist of the parallel plate by rotating, in a specific direction, the parallel plate having the part thereof being fixed with the fixing mechanism is provided. According to the optical beam scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curve and the inclination of the scanning line with ease and at high accuracy. |
| US07777922B2 |
Image reader
In an image reader that can adjust a distance between a platen glass and a close-contact-type image sensor (CIS) without disassembly, a CIS unit includes a CIS and a resilient body which biases the CIS toward the platen glass. A CIS roller holder includes a spacer, and a CIS holder which holds the spacer movably in the vertical direction as well as in the sub scanning direction with respect to the platen glass and is fixed to the CIS unit. Irregularities are formed on surfaces of the CIS holder and the spacer which face each other and are engageable by fitting. When the CIS unit is moved in the sub scanning direction and the CIS roller holder is brought into contact with one rib ,the CIS roller holder is brought into contact with the spacer at projections or recesses, thus changing a distance between the platen glass and the CIS. |
| US07777919B2 |
Modular document sorting apparatus and method
Methods using a modular document sorting apparatus are disclosed. A plurality of modules are functionally connected to one another to enable them to scan documents for information and sort the documents according to the scanned information. Each module performs at least one function. Functions can include, feeding documents into the apparatus, singulating documents, transporting documents through at least a portion of the apparatus, scanning documents, printing on documents and sorting documents according to scanned information. Each module may be powered by a separate power supply. A single on/off switch can control a plurality of modules. |
| US07777912B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective editing of an automatic digital image correction
A method of allowing for selective editing of a digital image that has undergone a correction of at least one area of interest is provided. The method includes: providing for the identification and correction of the at least one area of interest in the digital image while maintaining the digital image; providing the correction of the at least one area of interest as correction metadata; providing a low resolution corrected image using a low resolution version of the digital image and the correction metadata; and allowing the correction metadata to be edited to establish modified correction metadata, wherein a revised version of the low resolution corrected image includes the modified correction metadata. |
| US07777908B2 |
Method of scheduling photograph print jobs
A system and method of scheduling photograph print jobs is provided. In particular, photograph print jobs at a photograph printing facility are scheduled by a scheduling application program which takes into account various parameters of each print order as the orders are received, including the time that the order is to be filled and the type of photographic paper to be used to print the photographs. |
| US07777903B2 |
Data transmission apparatus
In data transmission apparatus, a transmission device transmits data to a destination when a user instructs data transmission. A storage device stores user information to relate destinations to users. The apparatus can communicate with a server having destination information. When the user logs in, automatic retrieval is requested to the server to retrieve a destination related to the user in the user information in the storage device. A result of retrieval executed by the server is received and stored in the storage device. |
| US07777901B2 |
Imposition apparatus for arranging pages and imposition program storage medium
An imposition for at least one page frame is applied onto a paper, and a page is disposed in the page frame on a layout in which an imaginary page frame including the page frame is set up. At that time, in the event that the page disposed on the layout juts out the imaginary page frame, a processing interruption section interrupts a series of processing of creating the paper image and outputting the created paper image to the paper, or a paper image creating section creates a paper image after the size adjustment of coinciding the page with the imaginary page frame. |
| US07777899B1 |
Interaction interface for controlling an application
In emitting and extinguishing periods, emitting and extinguishing projected electromagnetic radiation is alternated, the emitted projected electromagnetic radiation defining a radiation region adjacent to a housing. Sensed electromagnetic radiation within respective fields of view of first and second sensors is detected, the sensed electromagnetic radiation including ambient electromagnetic radiation detected during the emitting and the extinguishing periods, and projected electromagnetic radiation reflected off an object in the radiation region during the emitting period. Indicia of a position of the object with respect to the housing is output. |
| US07777897B1 |
Veneer roughness detection
A sample surface such as a surface of a wood veneer sheet is illuminated by a dual color light system and electronically scanned with a color line scan camera. The light system provides red and green light fluxes that are incident to a veneer surface from different directions, and corresponding line images associated with the red and green light fluxes are processed by rescaling, linear to log conversion, edge filtering, and/or thresholding to provide binary surface maps associated with veneer surface roughness. |
| US07777894B2 |
Immersion photolithography monitoring
A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring an immersion photolithography process, the method including supplying an immersion fluid having an initial refractive index, performing photolithography using the supplied immersion fluid, recovering the used immersion fluid; and the apparatus including a light source, one or more fluid passageways disposed relative to the light source, and a light detector disposed on an opposite side of the fluid passageways relative to the light source for measuring a refractive index of a fluid in the fluid passageways. |
| US07777883B2 |
Ellipsometric investigation of anisotropic samples
A system for reducing reflections of a beam of electromagnetic radiation from the opposite, back, surface of an anisotropic sample, including methodology for investigating the incident, front, surface thereof with electromagnetic radiation, and analyzing the data as if the sample is isotropic. |
| US07777880B2 |
Metrological characterisation of microelectronic circuits
Method and a polarimetric measurement device of a planar object carrying patterns repeated regularly and forming the lines of a grid. A first measurement is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence θ1 and for a first azimuthal angle φ1, a second measurement at least is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence θ2 and for a second azimuthal angle φ2, the polarization of the incident beam is modulated and the polarization of the reflected beam is analyzed for each measurement, theoretical polarimetric data is calculated for a model object of the real object, the model object including parameters adjustable using a formalism of electromagnetism. An iterative comparison of the measurements is conducted with the theoretical polarimetric data for different values of the adjustable parameters. |
| US07777878B2 |
Application of digital light processor in scanning spectrometer and imaging ellipsometer and the like systems
Application of digital light processor (DLP) systems in monochromator, spectrophotometer or the like systems to mediate selection of individual wavelengths, and/or to image elected regions of a sample in an imaging ellipsometer, imaging polarimeter, imaging reflectometer, imaging spectrophotometer, and/or to provide chopped beams. |
| US07777877B2 |
High efficiency coupling optics for pumping and detection of fluorescence
The invention provides a high efficiency coupling structure for extracting illumination such as fluorescent radiation from a chemical reaction vessel such as a cuvette. The cuvette is provided with a mirrored surface. An end cap for the cuvette includes a probe portion that exhibits total internal reflection. Lenses are provided in various embodiments that improve the light collection and directing properties of the end cap. A fast optical system for free space coupling of optical radiation emanating from a chemical processing cuvette that uses the end cap as an element is also described. |
| US07777876B2 |
Inspection method and inspection device
An inspection method and an inspection device, or apparatus each capable of conducting composition analysis of a defect detected by elastic or stokes scattered light, an inspection surface or defect on the surface of the inspection surface, or a defect on the surface of the inspection object and its internal composition. A surface inspection method for optically detecting elastic or stokes scattering or inelastic or anti-stokes scattered light from inside the surface of the inspection object, for detecting existence of defects of the inspection object and features of the defects, for detecting positions of the detected defects on the surface of the inspection object, classifying and analyzing the detected defects in accordance with their features on the basis of the positions of the defects and the features of the defects or the classification result of the defects. |
| US07777875B2 |
Systems, circuits and methods for extending the detection range of an inspection system by avoiding detector saturation
Inspection systems, circuits and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by addressing anode saturation as a limiting factor of the measurement detection range of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method for inspecting a specimen includes directing light to the specimen and detecting light scattered from the specimen. The step of detecting may include monitoring an anode current of the PMT detector, and detecting features, defects or light scattering properties of the specimen using the anode current until the anode current reaches a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, the method may use a dynode current of the PMT for detecting the features, defects or light scattering properties of the specimen. |
| US07777874B2 |
Noncontact surface form measuring apparatus
A noncontact form measuring apparatus emits a laser beam L. In the apparatus, a prism bends the laser beam into an X-axis direction, so that a Z-axis displacement of an objective optical system is converted by the prism into an X-axis displacement on a measurement coordinate system. A movement of an X-axis stage is converted into a Z-axis displacement on the measurement coordinate system. The apparatus moves an internal gear as a measurement object and the prism, reads X, Y, and Z coordinates at each focal point, and measures a three-dimensional form of inner teeth of the internal gear. The apparatus may translate the internal gear in a Y-axis direction, to measure a partial form of the inner teeth. The apparatus may turn the internal gear in an angular θ-direction, to measure a whole circumferential form of the inner teeth. |
| US07777872B2 |
Method of measuring diffractive lenses
A method for measuring the optical properties of multifocal ophthalmic lenses. Collimated light is passed through an ophthalmic lens and onto an array of lenslets. Light exiting the array of lenslets is detected by a sensor. Blurred spots and/or double spots may represent diffractive zones of the wavefront. A centroid of the spot or a brighter of two spots may be used to determine the lateral position of the spot. Theoretical calculations, laboratory measurements, clinical measurements and experimental image spots may be generated, compared and cross-checked to determine a monofocal equivalent lens. A Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) may be used to evaluate and compare a diffractive lens and a monofocal equivalent lens. |
| US07777870B2 |
Method and system for the recognition of an optical signal
A system and method for distinguishing a first light source from other light sources utilizes an image receiver that can selectively engage and disengage a filter. The filter can be configured to block bands of light corresponding to the light being emitted by either the first source or the other sources. By alternately engaging and disengaging the filter from the image receiver, the first light source may be distinguished from other light sources. |
| US07777869B2 |
Device and method for multiparametric analysis of microscopic elements
The invention concerns a device (DA) for analyzing microscopic elements, comprising firstly a measuring space (CM) for microscopic elements to be analyzed, secondly at least one source (S) delivering conjugated rays at the measuring space (CM), having at least two different analyzing wavelengths and designed to interact with the microscopic elements in the measuring space (CM) to form interacting rays, thirdly coding means (M) for encoding the rays upstream of the measuring space (CM) with different codes, fourthly optical filtering means (FO) for selectively filtering the interacting rays of fluorescence and/or diffusion depending on their wavelength, fifthly detecting means (DE, DF) for transforming into electric signals part at least of the interacting rays from the measuring space (CM), and sixthly analyzing means (MA) including decoding means (DRE, DRF) for decoding the electric signals to enable data representing the analyzed microscopic elements to be determined. |
| US07777868B2 |
System for measuring non-volatile residue in ultra pure water
A system for monitoring non-volatile residue concentrations in ultra pure water includes a nebulizer for generating an aerosol composed of multiple water droplets, a heating element changing the aerosol to a suspension of residue particles, and a condensation particle counter to supersaturate the dried aerosol to cause droplet growth through condensation of a liquid onto the particles. The nebulizer incorporates a flow dividing structure that divides exiting waste water into a series of droplets. The droplets are counted to directly indicate a waste water flow rate and indirectly indicate an input flow rate of water supplied to the nebulizer. The condensation particle counter employs water as the condensing medium, avoiding the need for undesirable chemical formulations and enabling use of the ultra pure water itself as the condensing medium. |
| US07777866B1 |
Fixed difference, dual beam laser Doppler velocimetry
A method and apparatus for laser Doppler velocity measurements with a fixed difference, dual beam receiver and using a non-laser, stable frequency reference. |
| US07777865B2 |
Time difference measuring device, measuring method, distance measuring device, and distance measuring method
A time difference measuring device can accurately measure a time difference between two pulse signals generated with a predetermined time difference by measuring the two pulse signals by one measurement. The time difference measuring device measures a time difference between a start signal (M1) and a stop signal (M2). The device has a reference signal generation unit (41) for generating two reference signals (S1, S2) having a π/2 phase difference. According to corresponding amplitude values (A11, A12) and (A21, A22) of the reference signals (S1, S2) at each generation timing of the start signal (M1) and the stop signal (M2), a phase difference detection unit (42) calculates a phase difference Δθ (=θstop−θstart) between the generation timings of the pulse signals (M1, M2). According to the detected phase difference Δθ and the cycle (Ts) of the reference signals (S1; S2), a time difference calculation unit (44) calculates the generation time difference Δt between the pulse signals (m1, M2). |
| US07777864B2 |
Device and method for controlling close contact of near-field exposure mask, and near-field exposure mask for the same
A near-field exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to light via an exposure mask under a condition that the exposure mask is close to the substrate. The apparatus includes a pressure adjustable container to control a relative position of the exposure mask to the substrate by adjusting a pressure of the pressure adjustable container. The pressure adjustable container has a structure adapted to be tightly closed with the exposure mask being held mounted so as to prevent volatile substances or foreign substances from entering into the pressure adjustable container. The pressure of the pressure adjustable container is adjustable through a change in capacity of the pressure adjustable container. |
| US07777863B2 |
Lithographic apparatus with mask to prevent exposure of peripheral exposure region of substrate
A substrate table for a lithographic apparatus includes a mask constructed and arranged to prevent exposure of a peripheral exposure region of a substrate on the substrate table. The mask is attached to a moveable carrier. The moveable carrier has a range of movement which at least partially circumnavigates the substrate table. |
| US07777861B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for printing patterns on photosensitive surfaces
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for printing a pattern on a photosensitive surface using a maskless lithography system including a spatial light modulator (SLM). The method, system, and computer program product define two or more exposure areas within a predetermined region of the surface, each area corresponding to selected pixels of the SLM. An overlap region is formed between the two or more exposure areas, the overlapping region being defined by respective overlapping edges of the exposure areas, the overlapping edges corresponding to overlapping pairs of the selected pixels from each area. The pixels within each pair are alternately activated such that only one of the pixels within the pair is used to produce the pattern. |
| US07777860B2 |
Exposure apparatus for flat panel display device and method of exposing using the same
An exposure apparatus for a flat panel display device includes: a light source; a stage having a horizontal support surface on which a substrate may be disposed; a mask vertically arranged with respect to the horizontal support surface; a frame surrounding an edge of the mask; and an optical system between the light source and the stage, the optical system controlling a direction of a light from the light source through the mask to irradiate the light onto the stage. The invention also includes a method for exposing including disposing a substrate on the stage, the substrate including a thin film and a photoresist layer on the thin film; and irradiating light from the light source through the mask and via the optical system onto a portion of the photoresist layer on the substrate. |
| US07777854B2 |
Liquid crystal display, testing method thereof and manufacturing method thereof
An LCD device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel and a gate driving signal wire. The panel includes a gate wire having a plurality of gate lines, and the gate driving signal wire is connected to the gate lines by connecting lines. Therefore, spatial rooms for a panel assembly increase because additional test wire and test pad for VI test can be eliminated. Furthermore, accuracy of the VI tests is enhanced. |
| US07777853B2 |
Method for forming pad electrode, method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device using the same, and liquid crystal display device manufactured by the method
A simplified method for forming a pad electrode without using an additional light-irradiation device is disclosed. The method includes forming a gate pad on a substrate, forming a gate insulating layer on a substrate surface, forming a data pad on the gate insulating layer, forming a passivation layer on the substrate surface, forming a first contact hole in the gate insulating layer and the passivation layer, forming a second contact hole in the passivation layer, coating a conductive photoresist on the substrate surface, and forming a gate pad electrode in the first contact hole and a data pad electrode in the second contact hole by ashing the conductive photoresist. The pad electrode is formed in a simple method of ashing the conductive photoresist, thereby decreasing costs. |
| US07777850B2 |
Method of plasma beam bombardment of aligning films for liquid crystals
Methods for treating aligning substrates produces uniform alignment of liquid crystals in at least two modes. The method is based on the treatment of liquid crystal aligning substrates with a collimated or partially collimated plasma beam. In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of bombarding an aligning substrate with at least one plasma beam from a plasma beam source at a designated incident angle to align the atomic/molecular structure or the surface profile of the aligning substrate in at least one aligned direction. |
| US07777849B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display panel includes an upper alignment film and a lower alignment film positioned with liquid crystals therebetween to allow the liquid crystals to be aligned in a designated direction, and at least one of the upper and lower alignment film includes a first alignment film, and a second alignment film disposed on the first alignment film with holes for partially exposing the first alignment film. Liquid crystals in an area corresponding to the holes are aligned in a first direction by the first alignment film, and remaining liquid crystals are aligned in a second direction by the second alignment film. |
| US07777847B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method of the same
A liquid crystal display including two alignment substrates, each having, in this order, a substrate, an electrode layer and an alignment layer, with a ferroelectric liquid crystal interposed therebetween. At least one of the two alignment layers is a columnar alignment layer having a column structure with plate-like molecules laminated with the normal directions of the plate-like molecules aligned in a certain direction of the substrate. |
| US07777842B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device having a region having neither a light-shielding film nor a color filter between reflective sections of adjacent subpixels
To improve the reflectivity or the transmissivity significantly, there is provided a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates and liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of substrates. The liquid crystal display panel includes a plurality of subpixels each having an active element, a pixel electrode, and a counter electrode, in which an electric field is generated by the pixel electrode and the counter electrode to drive the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display device includes a light-shielding film and a color filter formed on a first substrate of the pair of substrates, a scanning line for supplying the active element with a scanning voltage, the scanning line being formed on a second substrate of the pair of substrates. The boundary region between the subpixels adjacent along the scanning line has no light-shielding film and no color filter. |
| US07777841B2 |
Pixel structure of a transflective liquid crystal panel having a single gap
A transflective liquid crystal display panel having a single gap is provided. The liquid crystal display panel has a first substrate, a second substrate substantially corresponding to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween. The first substrate includes a plurality of pixel regions, and each pixel region has at least one reflection region covered with a reflective electrode and at least one transmission region. When voltage is not applied, the liquid crystal layer in the transmission regions and in the reflection regions has a phase difference of half wavelength, and when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal layer in the transmission regions has no phase difference, and the liquid crystal layer in the reflection regions has a phase difference of quarter wavelength. |
| US07777840B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display device having first and second data drivers and generating first and second signals of different voltage values
A reflective electrode, a transparent electrode, a TFT connected to the reflective electrode and a TFT connected to the transparent electrode are formed in each picture element. A first data signal is written into the reflective electrode via the TFT, a second data signal is written into the transparent electrode via the TFT. In this way, the individual data signals are respectively written into the reflective electrode and the transparent electrode, and thereby excellent display quality can be obtained either when used as a transmissive liquid crystal display device or when used as a reflective liquid crystal display device. |
| US07777839B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacture method thereof
A method of manufacturing a reflecting substrate in a liquid crystal display device is disclosed, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first metal layer, wherein the first metal layer is formed with at least one soft metal or the alloys thereof; and (b) forming an aluminum nitride layer on the first metal layer. The method of the present invention is capable of forming a rugged, shining, reflective layer on a transflective, or a reflection type TFT LCD with simple steps and low cost. |
| US07777838B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer between the first and the second substrates; and a fluorescent color filter responding to light over the first substrate, thereby the fluorescent color filter supplies the light to the liquid crystal layer. A method for fabricating a LCD includes: preparing first and second substrates; depositing fluorescent material over the first substrate to form a color filter, the fluorescent material emitting the visible light in responding to the ULTRAVIOLET rays; and forming a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. |
| US07777836B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus
There is provided a liquid crystal display apparatus having a high contrast ratio in an oblique direction and small color change depending upon a viewing angle.A liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer placed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell; a first O-plate placed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; a second O-plate placed between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer; a first biaxial retardation layer placed between the liquid crystal cell and the first O-plate; and a second biaxial retardation layer placed between the liquid crystal cell and the second O-plate. The first and the second O-plates are solidified layers or cured layers of a bar-shaped liquid crystal compound arranged in a hybrid alignment; and a tilt angle (θP) of the bar-shaped liquid crystal compound on the polarizer side is larger than a tilt angle (θB) thereof on the biaxial retardation layer side. |
| US07777835B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal panel assembly comprising a plurality of first field-generating electrodes, a second field-generating electrode facing the first field-generating electrodes, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first field-generating electrodes and the second field-generating electrode, and red, green, and blue color filters disposed at positions corresponding to the first field-generating electrodes; and a light source providing light to the liquid crystal panel assembly, wherein the light source emits a light comprising a red component having a central wavelength of about 620-680 nm and a half amplitude of about 25-70 nm, a green component having a central wavelength of about 525-545 nm and a half amplitude of about 20-50 nm, and a blue component having a central wavelength of about 430-480 nm and a half amplitude of about 25-70 nm. |
| US07777834B2 |
Light source device, display device, terminal device, light source unit, and method for driving light source device
In a display device, white LEDs and bluish white LEDs are arranged in alternating fashion on the light-incident surface side of a light-guide plate. On the light-exit side of the light-guide plate is disposed a transparent/scattering switching element switchable between a state of scattering incident light, and a state of transmitting light unchanged without scattering. During a narrow-angle display, only the white LEDs are lit, and the transparent/scattering switching element is placed in the transparent state, while during a wide-angle display, both the white LEDs and the bluish white LEDs are lit, and the transparent/scattering switching element is placed in the scattering state. |
| US07777831B2 |
Optical sheet and display device having the same
An optical sheet includes a first plane, a second plane facing the first plane and a plurality of optical patterns. The optical patterns are formed on the second plane along a plurality of columns. An optical pattern includes a plurality of convex light-condensing portions. End portions of the light-condensing portions are connected to each other continuously and form crests and troughs. The optical patterns disposed in adjacent columns share a common side. |
| US07777829B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel for displaying images, a light guide plate adjacent the liquid crystal display panel for providing light supplied to an edge of the light guide plate to the liquid crystal display panel, and a bottom chassis having at least one slit thereon. A flexible printed circuit board on the light guide plate includes at least one housing within the at least one slit, the at least one housing supporting a light emitting diode for supplying light to the light guide plate. A thickness of a lower end of the housing on a first side of the light emitting diode varies from a thickness of an upper end of the housing on a second opposite side of the light emitting diode. |
| US07777826B2 |
Active matrix substrate and repair method of pixel unit
An active matrix substrate including a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixel units is provide. All of the scan lines, the data lines, the pixel units are disposed on the substrate. Each of the pixel units is electrically connected with the corresponding scan line and data line. In addition, at least a part of the pixel units further includes a plurality of active devices and a pixel electrode. The active devices are respectively electrically connected with the corresponding scan lines and data lines and the pixel unit is electrically connected with one of the active devices. In summary, each of the pixel units of the active matrix substrate provided by the invention includes more than one active device. When an active device is damaged under normal operation, another active device may be employed for repairing the pixel unit. |
| US07777821B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A dual-display liquid crystal display device concurrently displays two images so that the two images can be identified from two different viewing directions by including sub-pixel areas each having therein a first storage capacitor section extending along a scanning line and a second storage capacitor section extending along a signal line, and further, makes the characteristics of brightness relative to a viewing angle associated with the two different viewing directions be line-symmetric with each other. The dual-display liquid crystal display device realizes an increased aperture by locating each storage capacitor section within a light-shielding area and by having rectangular display regions. |
| US07777817B2 |
Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system
A digital broadcast receiving system and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a broadcast signal having mobile service data and main service data multiplexed therein, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, wherein the FIC signaling information includes a current/next (C/N) indicator, and wherein the TPC signaling information includes FIC version information, and detecting ensemble configuration information of a current MH frame. |
| US07777816B2 |
Apparatus and method for image adjustment
An apparatus for image adjustment and an associated method are disclosed. The apparatus can determine an adjusted value of a pixel in an image frame by comparing the pixel and a correspondingly located pixel in a previous image frame. When there is much image variation, an adjustment is made for each pixel in an original image frame for display, thereby providing better visual effects. |
| US07777812B2 |
Methods and systems for picture resampling
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for picture up-sampling and picture down-sampling. Some embodiments of the present invention provide an up-sampling and/or down-sampling procedure designed for the Scalable Video Coding extension of H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. |
| US07777807B2 |
On-board object detector and on-board object detection method
An on-board object detector and on-board object detection method for detecting an object present in a pickup image at a high level of precision. A controller controls a projector to irradiate a line of light while shifting the irradiation angle, and images in the coverage area of the line of light are captured for multiple frames using a camera. Then, shifts in the moving speed of the line of light in the images across the frames are computed based on the images captured, and shifting points in the moving speed of the line of light are detected based on the computed shifts in the moving speed of the line of light in the images across the frames. The position and size of an object that is present in the images are specified based on said detected shifting points in the moving speed of the line of light. |
| US07777805B2 |
Image capturing apparatus for performing photography in a live view display state and control method thereof
This invention allows executing proper photometry within a short time even when a single-lens reflex type image capturing apparatus performs flash photography using an electronic viewfinder. When performing photography from a live view display state using a flash unit which illuminates an object, a shutter front curtain is closed, and a quick return mirror is driven into a photographing optical path. After a photometry sensor near an optical viewfinder temporarily measures reflected light from the object, photography is executed. |
| US07777804B2 |
High dynamic range sensor with reduced line memory for color interpolation
An image sensor has an array of pixels organized into a row and column format. Pixels are read out in a line-by-line sequence and buffered in a line image buffer. An extended dynamic range is supported by varying a column exposure time according to a periodic sequence. As a result, the pixel exposure times vary within each row. A high dynamic range is generated by combining pixel data of adjacent pixels within the same row that are of the same filter type but having different exposure times. Color interpolation is performed on the combined line data. |
| US07777801B2 |
Method for evaluating effective sampling steps of auto focus
A method of evaluating effective sampling steps of auto focus is provided. By utilizing the depth-of-field feature, many sampling steps are ignored and some representative steps in the depth-of-field range are used as the effective sampling steps. Since the sampling steps are minimized, the search time is largely reduced without deteriorating the search effectiveness. |
| US07777800B2 |
Digital still camera and image processing system
A digital still camera includes an image-capturing unit capturing a subject image via an image-capturing lens to create an image, a focus detecting unit detecting focus in accordance with the image created by the image-capturing unit, an image-capturing lens driving unit driving the image-capturing lens in accordance with a result of the focus detection provided by the focus detecting unit, and a receiving unit receiving an instruction to initiate image capture by the image-capturing unit. When the receiving unit receives the instruction to initiate image capture, the image-capturing unit captures the subject image successively to create a plurality of images, while the image-capturing lens driving unit drives the image-capturing lens successively. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image in a high in-focus state while shortening the time required until an image is actually captured after an instruction is provided to initiate the capture of the image. |
| US07777798B2 |
Physical quantity detecting device, method of driving the physical quantity detecting device and imaging apparatus
A physical quantity detecting device includes: a pixel array that has pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, each converting a physical quantity supplied from the outside into an electric signal; a driving circuit that scans, as read rows, N rows of pixels (N is an integer equal to or larger than 3) in the pixel array at the same time and reads out signals corresponding to the pixels in the read rows; and M signal processing circuit groups (1 |
| US07777794B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are arranged in a matrix form on the semiconductor substrate; and color filter layers of a plurality of colors that are formed in a predetermined pattern above the photoelectric conversion elements. A green color filter portion having a predetermined width is formed above a boundary region between each pair of adjacent ones of the photoelectric conversion elements so as to have a cross section of a mountain shape or a trapezoidal shape. Each of the color filter layers is formed between respective ridgelines of adjacent ones of the green color filter portions. Each of the color filter layers has a thickness that is smaller at a peripheral portion corresponding to a ridgeline portion than at a central portion. Thus, a solid-state imaging device that prevents color mixture caused by light from an adjacent color filter layer and remedies the problems of line shading, variations in sensitivity and color irregularity and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. |
| US07777792B2 |
Image-capturing apparatus and computer-readable computer program product including image processing program
When the quantity of light diagonally entering light-receiving portions of an image-capturing element in an electronic camera is large and thus an electrical charge is generated readily in an electrical charge transfer line, hue correction processing is executed to correct any change occurring in the hue induced by the charge generated in the electrical charge transfer line. |
| US07777784B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating multiple images from a single image
A system and method for generating multiple processed images from a single captured image generated by an electronic imaging device. In one embodiment, a digital camera includes multiple sets of operating parameters which may be advantageously configured according to the demands of particular photographic environments. For each image captured by a digital camera as raw data, the data is processed according to each parameter set prior to compression, storage in temporary memory, and ultimate upload onto a computer or other permanent storage device. |
| US07777782B2 |
Stabilization of an image produced by optics
An electronic device is disclosed, which includes an image sensor, an optics for forming an image on the image sensor, a detector for detecting a movement effect caused by an external source aimed to the device in connection with an imaging procedure and an optical image stabilizer unit arranged to actuate at least part of the said optics in order to compensate the detected movement effect caused by the external source. The actuation of the said optics is based on deformations arranged to take place in the optical image stabilizer unit. In addition the invention also relates to corresponding method, optical image stabilizer unit and program product for actuating the said unit. |
| US07777781B2 |
Method and system for determining the motion of an imaging apparatus
Multiple motion sensor devices are included in an imaging apparatus. One or more of the motion sensor devices captures images and at least a portion of the sensor images are then processed to determine one or more motion vectors for the processed sensor images. At least one motion vector representing an amount of motion of the imager during image capture is generated when a predetermined portion of the motion vectors match. |
| US07777778B2 |
Illumination and imaging system and method
A system and method are provided for actively illuminating and monitoring a subject, such as a driver of a vehicle. The system includes a video imaging camera orientated to generate images of the subject eye(s). The system also includes first and second light sources offset from each other and operable to illuminate the subject. The system further includes a controller for controlling illumination of the first and second light sources such that when the imaging camera detects sufficient glare, the controller controls the first and second light sources to minimize the glare. This is achieved by turning off the illuminating source causing the glare. |
| US07777773B2 |
Image quality attributes tracking and preventive maintenance prediction
Image quality assessment test charts and objective image quality measurement systems may be used to evaluate the printer sub-system health before artifacts become objectionable to human observers. Diagnostic images may be printed to allow measurement of a number of system performance attributes, such as: density, banding, streak, granularity, mottle, color, gloss, gloss uniformity, edge gradient, raggedness, sharpness, background, registration, line width, and satellite measurements. By comparing these measurements to historical values or ideal values of the same measurements, preventive maintenance suggestions may be generated to avoid both unnecessary maintenance and objectionable print quality. |
| US07777766B2 |
Image display apparatus and method
An image display unit has a display region with a higher resolution than a number of pixels of an image. A base information storage unit stores viewing position information of a viewer and size information of the display region. A wide-angle transformation unit calculates a central area including a viewing center of the viewer of the display region using the viewing position information and the size information, divides the image into a first pixel area corresponding to the central area and a second pixel area corresponding to a peripheral area other than the central area, and transforms the first pixel area and the second pixel area by magnifying. A magnification ratio of the first pixel area is less than a magnification ratio of the second pixel area. The image display unit displays an image including the transformed first pixel area and the transformed second pixel area. |
| US07777764B2 |
Portable display device
A mobile telephone has a display section for displaying a left screen in the left direction and a right screen in the right direction. Accordingly, a viewer holding the mobile telephone in hand can view the left screen when viewing the display section from the left side and the right screen when viewing the display section from the right side. Furthermore, the mobile telephone detects a change of the direction of the display section and switches the display screen. Consequently, when the viewer returns the holding state for viewing the right screen to the previous state and views the screen from the left side, he/she can view the next left screen. |
| US07777754B2 |
System and method for communicating graphics image data over a communication network
A graphics adapter comprises a frame buffer operable to store graphics image data. The graphics adapter also comprises a network interface operable to receive at least a portion of the graphics image data, the network interface further operable to format the received graphics image data into a plurality of packets for transmission over a communication network. |
| US07777749B2 |
Programmable 3D graphics pipeline for multimedia applications
A programmable graphics pipeline and method for processing multiple partitioned multimedia data, such as graphics data, image data, video data, or audio data. A preferred embodiment of the programmable graphics pipeline includes an instruction cache, a register file, and a vector functional unit that perform partitioned instructions. In addition, an enhanced rasterization unit is used to generate inverse-mapped source coordinates in addition to destination output coordinates for graphics and other media processing. An enhanced texture address unit generates corresponding memory addresses of source texture data for graphics processing and source media data for media processing. Data retrieved from memory are stored in an enhanced texture cache for use by the vector functional unit. A vector output unit includes a blending unit for graphics data and an output buffer for wide media data. |
| US07777748B2 |
PC-level computing system with a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem employing an automatic mode controller, responsive to performance data collected during the run-time of graphics applications
A multi-mode parallel graphics rendering and display system supporting real-time graphics rendering and display operations using a graphics hub device. The system includes a CPU memory space, one or more CPUs for executing graphics-based applications, and a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MPGRS) supporting multiple modes of parallel operation including object division, image division, and time division. The MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) that support a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation. Each mode of parallel operation includes at least a decomposition stage, a distribution stage and a recomposition stage, and the MMPGRS also includes a decomposition module for supporting the decomposition stage, a distribution module for supporting the distribution stage, a recomposition module for supporting the recomposition stage, and a graphics hub device (GHD) for interconnecting the CPU memory space with the GPPLs, and supporting basic functionalities of the distribution and recomposition modules during the run-time of the graphics-based application. An automatic mode controller automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the parallel graphics rendering subsystem during the run-time of the graphics-based application. |
| US07777741B2 |
Techniques for accurately determining visibility of objects from multiple viewpoints in a three-dimensional (3D) environment
An apparatus for determining visibility of agents in a scene from multiple viewpoints in a there-dimensional environment. The apparatus comprises a programmable vertex processor operable to execute a plurality of vertex programs. A programmable fragment processor is provided that is operable to execute a plurality of pixel shaders programs, said vertex programs and said pixel shaders programs operable to render each object in the scene multiple times from multiple viewpoints. A processing unit is provided that is operable to analyze the rendered viewpoints to determine visibility area of the agents. |
| US07777740B2 |
Spatial decomposition methods using bit manipulation
The invention relates to image decomposition strategies and computer-based methods for implementing them. In one method of the invention, the ordering of tetrahedral shapes that define or approximate an image is performed in such a way that neighboring tetrahedral shapes can be identified, located and efficiently used. In one aspect, a binary location code array is used to represent an image and the method for identifying the neighbor shape employs a bit manipulation step in code or pseudo-code for operating a computer. In this aspect, the invention allows one to move between adjacent tetrahedra, and any data corresponding to the tetrahedra, in constant time. |
| US07777737B2 |
Active matrix type liquid crystal display device
Power consumption in an active matrix type liquid crystal display device having partial display function is reduced. In one frame period, a display area corresponding to first 80 horizontal periods, that is the first line through the 80th line, is set as a partial display area and a display area corresponding to the remaining 239 lines is set as a background display area. And a partial display area control signal ENBSC is set at a low level and an SC inversion drive is performed in the partial display area. The partial display area control signal ENBSC is fixed at a high level in the background display area and all of SC inversion control units corresponding to the background display area halt their operation. |
| US07777736B2 |
Liquid crystal device, light-emitting device, and electronic apparatus
A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel having a pair of substrates with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, a plurality of light receivers that receives an ambient light and obtains an intensity information of the ambient light, and a controller that controls a display state of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel. In the liquid crystal device, in at least one of the plurality of light receivers, sensitivity for the ambient light differs from the sensitivity of the other light receiver. |
| US07777735B2 |
Data driving integrated circuit (IC), light emitting display using the IC, and method of driving the light emitting display device
A data driving integrated circuit to display an image with a desired brightness includes: a shift register adapted to generate sampling signals in sequence; a latch adapted to store external data in response to the sampling signal; a register adapted to temporarily store the data stored in the latch; a voltage digital-analog converter adapted to generate a gradation voltage corresponding to the data stored in the register; a current digital-analog converter adapted to generate a gradation current corresponding to the data stored in the register; a buffer adapted to supply the gradation voltage as a data signal to a pixel; and a data controller adapted to receive a pixel current flowing in the pixel in correspondence to the gradation voltage and fed back from the pixel and to adjust a bit value of the data stored in the register. |
| US07777733B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
Proving a touch panel having a superior transparent visibility, easy to manufacture and of low cost, to be used for various electronic devices. In manufacturing, forming a notch with an adhesive layer formed on an undersurface of an under substrate, under a connecting portion of the under substrate with a wiring substrate. After applying rollers for short a period of time for almost completely removing bubbles between the under substrate and the adhesive layer, adhering such under substrate to an upper substrate. Finally heating and pressing the connecting portion, connecting the wiring substrate to the substrates, obtaining the touch panel having a superior transparent visibility, easy to manufacture and of low cost. |
| US07777729B2 |
System and method for editing handwritten data
A system and method are provided for editing handwritten data using a pen enabled computing device having a writing surface and a writing stylus selectively communicable with the writing surface. The method includes detecting the position and movement of the writing stylus with respect to the writing surface to form a handwritten input, and defining a bounding box encompassing at least a portion of each stroke of the handwritten input. In addition, the method includes storing the handwritten input and the bounding box encompassing at least a portion of each stroke thereof. The handwritten input may be edited to add textual data to the handwritten input, insert textual data between strokes encompassed by adjacent bounding boxes, delete at least one stroke encompassed by a bounding box, and/or replace at least one stroke encompassed by a bounding box with alternate textual data. |
| US07777725B2 |
System and method for associating characters to keys in a keypad in an electronic device
The disclosure relates to a system and method of mapping a layout of a keyboard onto a keypad in an electronic device. The method comprising steps of: providing a definition of a map of a keyboard layout as a collection of segments of the keyboard layout; associating a set of characters in one segment of the segments to programmable keys in the keypad; and selectively associating the programmable keys with another set of characters in another segment of the segments based on a signal received from a navigation system. The system is embodied in an electronic device, including a wireless device. |
| US07777723B2 |
Mouse
A mouse is provided with function buttons being aligned back and forth on its surface. Thus, the width is narrower than in a general mouse to make the mouse slim. Furthermore, the back-and-forth function buttons can be pressed by a finger tip put on the upper surface of the mouse to operate the mouse. |
| US07777721B2 |
Computer pointing device
The Invention relates to a computer input pointing device which comprises its casing (2), an upper movable steering element (3), steering element's movement detector (5a), and the system transmitting information about such movement to the computer. Such device is applicable especially in portable computers. To enhance ergonomics and the precision of steering element (3) movement as well as the comfort of its control, the steering element is supported by a bearing (21a) in the casing (2), with the possibility of two dimensional spherical movement, while the center of the spherical surface (4) defined by the movement of the steering element (3) in relation to the bearing is situated above the largest horizontal secant surface of the steering element (3). |
| US07777720B2 |
Input system, program, and recording medium
An input system for a computer includes a first input device, such as a mouse or a tablet, and a second input device differing from the first input device. The first input device specifies a position on a display screen, which is connected to a computer for executing an application program and for displaying a processing object area of the application program on the display screen. An instruction set instructs a change in a display state of the processing object area on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device. The first input device is operated with the operator's favored hand, while the second input device is operated with the operator's non-favored hand. Therefore, both hands are effectively used to improve operation efficiency. |
| US07777718B2 |
Flight portal
A flight portal apparatus for displaying a virtual view of a surface of the earth below an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a data processing system and a display device, connected to the data processing system, wherein the display device is positioned to generate a display that is substantially horizontal relative to a floor of an aircraft in a manner that simulates a portal in the aircraft. A camera system is connected to the data processing system, wherein the camera system generates video data of the surface of the earth below the aircraft. A user input system is connected to the data processing system. Video processing software executed by the data processing system receives video data from the camera system, identifies a location of the aircraft using a global positioning system, identifies a map from the location, overlays the map onto the video data to form display image data, and sends the display image data to the display device, wherein a virtual view of the surface of the earth below the aircraft is displayed on the display device. |
| US07777716B2 |
Haptic feedback for touchpads and other touch controls
A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch surface that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphical environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses, vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions. |
| US07777714B2 |
Liquid crystal display with adaptive width
A backlit display with improved dynamic range. The disclosed display illuminates a pixel of the display at respective non-zero illumination levels during each of a first frame and a second frame and decreases the illumination level of the pixel during the interval between the first frame and the second frame. |
| US07777705B2 |
Organic light emitting diode driving device
The present invention discloses an OLED driving device, including a first switch transistor, a first transistor, a second switch transistor, a storage capacitor and a second transistor. The first switch transistor is used to receive a data signal, and output the data signal by the control of a first scan signal. The first transistor is used to compensate the effect of the threshold voltage of the second transistor. The second switch transistor is used to receive a voltage signal, and output the voltage signal by the control of a second scan signal. The storage capacitor is used to store a data voltage. The second transistor is electrically connected to the second switch transistor through the storage capacitor. The present invention can efficiently release the charges from the storage capacitor, enhance display effect, and change the input voltage level for adapting different operating voltages of integrate circuits. |
| US07777701B2 |
Signal driving method and apparatus for a light emitting display
A light emitting display having a display area including data lines, selection scan lines, first and second emission control lines, and pixels; a selection signal generator sequentially outputting selection signals having a selection pulse; and an emission control signal generator generating a first control signal, the first control signal sequentially outputting a first emission control signal having an emission control pulse and a shifted first emission control pulse while shifting the first emission control signal by the first length of time, and sequentially outputting a second emission control signal having the emission control pulse and a shifted second emission control pulse while shifting the second emission control signal by the first length of time. |
| US07777700B2 |
Pixel having intrinsic semiconductor as an electrode and electroluminescent displays employing such a pixel
A pixel employable by a display device, including a plurality of transistors, including a first transistor having a gate electrode, and a capacitor including a first terminal connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor and a second terminal that is an intrinsic semiconductor. |
| US07777698B2 |
Drive method of EL display panel
In order to charge and discharge parasitic capacitance of a source signal line sufficiently and program a predetermined current value into a pixel transistor, it is necessary to output a relatively large current from the source driver circuit. However, if such a large current is passed through the source signal line, the value of this current is programmed into the pixel, causing a larger than desired current to flow through an EL element. For example, if a 10 times larger current is used for programming, a 10 times larger current flows through the EL element, and thus the EL element illuminates 10 times more brightly. To obtain predetermined emission brightness, the time during which the current flows through the EL element can be reduced to 1/10 of one frame (1 F). This way, the parasitic capacitance of the source signal line can be charged and discharged sufficiently and the predetermined emission brightness can be obtained. |
| US07777692B2 |
Multi-screen video reproducing system
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-screen video reproducing system capable of performing synchronized video reproduction for a long time by using a simple system without recognizing an absolute time. The multi-screen video reproducing system comprises a LAN functioning as a network; a plurality of rendering units RU1 to RU4 connected to the LAN to output video data to a corresponding display device of a plurality of display devices D1 to D4; and a video distribution server VS which is connected to the LAN and which distributes the video data to the plurality of rendering units RU1 to RU4 and distributes timing information to the plurality of rendering units RU1 to RU4 through a simultaneous broadcast communication. |
| US07777691B1 |
System and method for driving multiple tiled displays from a single digital video source
Techniques and systems for driving multiple tiled displays from a single digital video source can include a plurality of displays arranged in tiled fashion to form a tiled display, a plurality of display drivers corresponding to the plurality of displays, and a video receiver board coupled to the plurality of display drivers via a communication bus. The video receiver board communicates streams of pixel information to the plurality of display drivers. |
| US07777689B2 |
USB device, an attached protective cover therefore including an antenna and a method of wirelessly transmitting data
An attached protective cover of a USB device, a USB device and a method of wirelessly transmitting data. In one embodiment, the attached protective cover of a USB device includes a cap with an associated antenna and is configured to protect a USB plug of the USB device. Additionally, the cap includes a link configured to provide a physical connection between the cap and a body of the USB device and an electrical connection between the antenna and a wireless connection system included within the body. |
| US07777686B2 |
Multi-layer isolated magnetic dipole antenna
A multi-layer isolated magnetic dipole (IMD) with improved bandwidth and efficiency characteristics to be used in wireless communications and other applicable systems. The multi-layer IMD antenna comprises an IMD element positioned above a ground plane, a conductive element positioned above a ground plane and coupled to the first portion having one or more slot regions being defined between the IMD element and the conductive element and one or more capacitive elements positioned across the one or more slot regions. The range of frequencies covered to be determined by the shape, size, and number of elements in the physical configuration of the components. |
| US07777684B2 |
Multi-band slot-strip antenna
A multi-band antenna includes a planar conductive layer that comprises a conductive region and a non-conductive region. The conductive region and the non-conductive region together define a first slot-strip structure, a second slot-strip structure coupled to the first slot-strip structure, and a third slot-strip structure coupled to the second slot-strip structure. The first slot-strip structure includes a signal feed portion. The second slot-strip structure includes a first signal grounding portion. The third slot-strip structure includes a second signal grounding portion. |
| US07777682B2 |
Plane circular polarization antenna and electronic apparatus
According to an embodiment, a plane circular polarization antenna comprises a flat insulating substrate and a conductor provided on the flat insulating substrate. The conductor comprises an inverted F antenna including a feeding point, a ground portion, the ground portion including a slot antenna including a slot, and a short-circuiting portion provided in a part of an area between the inverted F antenna and the slot antenna. |
| US07777681B2 |
Wireless audio signal receiver device for a hearing instrument
A receiver device for receiving audio signals from a remote source has a magnetic loop antenna for receiving radio frequency signals carrying audio signals, a signal processing unit for reproducing audio signals from the radio frequency signals received by the antenna, an output interface which is capable of being mechanically connected to an input interface of a hearing instrument to be worn at a user's ear in order to supply the audio signals from the signal processing unit as input to the hearing instrument, and a housing enclosing the antenna and the signal processing unit. The antenna is designed as a printed board circuit with a loop-shaped conductor on an at least partially flexible insulating substrate. A first portion defines a first plane and a second portion defines a second plane, the first plane and second planes being oriented at an angle of 60° to 120° relative to each other. |
| US07777680B2 |
Electronic apparatus and timepiece
In an antenna device of a wristwatch, a pair of external magnetic members each attached to a respective one of both ends of a magnetic core effectively collects the magnetic flux of a standard time and frequency signal. The collected magnetic flux passes through the core around which a coil is wound, thereby inducing an electromotive force and hence improving the reception accuracy of the signal. The pair of external magnetic members screens out undesirable external magnetism which would otherwise influence motors that drive a hand shaft and hands, thereby achieving accurate hand driving and improving the high watch accuracy. |
| US07777679B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal is disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a first body including a display for displaying information, and a second body including a receiving part for receiving the first body. The receiving part has a part of the surface cut out to enable the display to display information while the first body is at least partially received by the second body. |
| US07777678B2 |
Assembly antenna array
An assembly antenna array comprises a ground plate, a pair of first radiation conductors, a first transmission member, first support rods, a pair of second conductors, a second transmission member, and second support rods. The ground plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The layout size of the assembly antenna array is reduced via arranging the arrayed first radiation conductors and the arrayed second radiation conductors vertically to each other. The mutual interference between the transmission members is inhibited via respectively arranging the transmission members and the feeding ends of the two pairs of radiation conductors on different surfaces. A feeder cable is connected to an appropriate position of each transmission member to enable each pair of radiation conductors to have a phase difference of 180 degrees, whereby cross-polarization is reduced, and the gain are increased. |
| US07777677B2 |
Antenna device and communication apparatus
There is provided an antenna device including a substrate, an earth section which is disposed on a portion of the substrate, a feed point which is disposed on the substrate, a loading section disposed on the substrate and constructed with a line-shaped conductor pattern which is formed in a longitudinal direction of an elementary body made of a dielectric material, an inductor section which connects one end of the conductor pattern to the earth section, and a feed point which feeds a current to a connection point of the one end of the conductor pattern and the inductor section, wherein a longitudinal direction of the loading section is arranged to be parallel to an edge side of the earth section. |
| US07777672B2 |
Radar system and method
The invention relates to a radar system which comprises: (a) at least two transmitting units for simultaneously, and in synchronization transmitting electromagnetic radiation in distinct frequencies f1, f2, f3 . . . towards a space of interest; and (b) at least one receiving unit tuned to a frequency of nf1+mf2+qf3 . . . , wherein n, m, q . . . being integers not equal to zero, for receiving a non-linear response of said radiation from objects located within the said space of interest, and wherein the system is characterized in that said transmitted pulses are narrow pulses having duration in the range of between about 1 nanoseconds and about 100 nanoseconds. |
| US07777671B2 |
Radar system and method
The invention relates to a radar system which comprises: (a) at least two transmitting units for simultaneously, and in synchronization transmitting electromagnetic radiation in distinct frequencies f1, f2, f3 . . . towards a space of interest; and (b) at least one receiving unit tuned to a frequency of nf1+mf2+qf3 . . . , wherein n, m, q . . . being integers not equal to zero, for receiving a non-linear response of said radiation from objects located within the said space of interest. |
| US07777670B2 |
Millimetre and sub-millimetre wave illumination system
An improved millimeter wave illumination system includes at least one primary source of millimeter wave radiation, a reflecting surface and a baffle comprising a plurality of exit apertures arranged such that at least some of the radiation from the source is reflected from the reflective surface before proceeding to the baffle, characterized in that means are incorporated for generating a plurality of radiation field states within a pre-determined time interval. The baffle, source and reflector are preferably packaged into a container with the exit apertures providing an illumination output. The generation of the plurality of radiation field states provides an illumination at the illuminator output that is less spatially variable when integrated over the pre-determined time interval. Embodiments of the invention show means for generating the plurality of radiation field states including relative movement of the reflective surface, variable positioning of the source with respect to the reflective surface, and including multiple sources within a single system. |
| US07777669B2 |
Object detection device
An object of the present invention is to provide an object detection apparatus capable of detecting an object at high precision in accordance with the type of the object. The object detection apparatus of the present invention comprises: object position detection means 2, 22, 3, 23 for detecting the positions of objects; object type estimating means 24 for estimating the types of the objects; and object estimating means 24 for integrating a plurality of detection results for positions within a search area obtained by the object position detection means 2, 22, 3, 23 and thereby estimating the sizes of the objects, the object detection apparatus of the present invention being characterized in that the search area is set based on the types of the objects estimated by the object type estimating means 24. Moreover, the object detection apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the object position detection means 2, 22, 3, 23 detects the positions of the objects by using a plurality of position detection criteria, that the object type estimating means 24 estimates the types of the objects based on the position detection criteria, according to which the object position detection means 2, 22, 3, 23 have been able to detect the positions of the objects, and that the search area is set based on the position detection criteria, according to which the positions of the objects have been detected. |
| US07777666B2 |
Celestial body mapping systems and methods
Systems and methods for mapping a surface of a celestial body containing objects and terrain are provided. One system includes a Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) module configured to capture a high-resolution image of the terrain of at least a portion of the surface and a map module configured to store map data representing the portion of the surface. The system also includes a fusion module configured to combine the high-resolution image and the map data to generate a high-resolution map of the portion of the surface. A method includes orbiting the celestial body, capturing, via the SAR module, a high-resolution image during each orbit, and fusing the captured high-resolution image with a low-resolution map of the surface to generate a high-resolution map of the surface. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions that cause a processor to perform the above method is also provided. |
| US07777663B2 |
Discrete time amplifier circuit and analong-digital converter
The present invention is intended to attain simplified circuit configuration and low current consumption in a discrete time amplifier circuit and an AD converter, to improve the convergence from the transient response state to the steady state of the amplifier circuit and to reduce noise and distortion owing to the variation in the output common-mode voltage. The discrete time amplifier circuit and the AD converter are provided with a switched-capacitor common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuit capable of detecting and feeding back the output common-mode voltage at every sampling timing in the case that the circuit operates at double sampling timing (every ½ cycle). |
| US07777661B2 |
Interpolation method and a circuit for carrying out said method used in a high-resolution encoder
Intermediate digital signals Fi(α), Gi(α), i=1, . . . I, are generated, which result from a comparison of reference potentials of the first input analogue signal at a shifted value of its observed argument and with a suitably reduced amplitude to the potential, which is inverse to said potential, of the third input analogue signal at the same shifted value of the observed argument and with the amplitude reduced in said way, the shifted argument values being uniformly distributed within the first half-period. A value U of the voltage is measured at any value of the observed argument as at that time the highest one of the voltages at terminals with said reference potentials. An actual peak amplitude A of the input analogue signals is determined as A=kI,mU where the factor kI,m is a quotient of the peak amplitude of said input analogue signals and of the mean value of the voltage waveform envelope of the reference potentials pertaining to said peak amplitude.When the proposed method is used to automatically control the gain, said voltage U is conducted directly to the input of an automatic gain control circuit, whereat the input voltage of this circuit is set to the mean value of the voltage waveform envelope of the reference potentials. |
| US07777660B2 |
Multi-channel sampling system and method
An apparatus and method for sampling a plurality of digital video signals to generate an interleaved digital video signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC), coupled to an analog input signal, for converting the analog input signal to a first digital output signal according to a sampling clock signal; a second ADC, coupled to the analog input signal, for converting the analog input signal to a second digital output signal according to the sampling clock signal; a reference clock generator, for generating a reference clock; a random signal generator, for outputting control values in a random sequence; and a clock controller, coupled to the reference clock generator and the random signal generator, for modifying the reference clock signal according to the control values to generate the sampling clock signal to the first ADC and the second ADC. |
| US07777659B2 |
Analog to digital conversion system
While combining AD converters that one is wide band but narrow dynamic range and the other is narrow band but wide dynamic range, it allows settings to provide a common intermediate frequency signal to the AD converters. A first BPF 50 provides a first AD converter 54 with the output signal obtained by getting an intermediate frequency signal Sif through a first band in the second Nyquist zone of the first AD converter 54. A second BPF 52 provides a second AD converter 56 with the output signal obtained by getting the intermediate frequency signal Sif through a second band in the third Nyquist zone of the second AD converter 56. At this time, the second band is set in the center portion of the second Nyquist zone band, and the first band is set in the center portion of the band of the intermediate frequency signal. |
| US07777658B2 |
System and method for area-efficient three-level dynamic element matching
A system for converting digital signals into analog signals using sigma-delta modulation and includes a signed thermometer encoder for converting a plurality of signed binary data received at the encoder into a plurality of signed thermometer data and a rotational dynamic element matching (DEM) arrangement for receiving the plurality of signed binary data and the plurality of signed thermometer data. The rotational DEM arrangement further includes a first barrel shifter for receiving a positive thermometer data at a cycle, the first barrel shifter having a first pointer indicating a starting position of next positive thermometer data, and a second barrel shifter for receiving a negative thermometer data at a cycle, the second shifter having a second pointer indicating a starting position of next negative thermometer data, wherein the first pointer is circularly shifted as a function of positive binary data and the second pointer is circularly shifted as a function of negative binary data. |
| US07777656B2 |
Decoding, encoding/decoding and converting
Implementations and embodiments of decoders, encoder/decoder systems and converters are depicted and described. |
| US07777652B2 |
Coding system for memory systems employing high-speed serial links
A method, apparatus and system employing a coder is disclosed. The coder to receive an incoming stream including a first code block and a second code block, and partition the first code block into first small code blocks, and partition the second code block into second small code blocks. The coder is further to code a memory that uses one or more serial lines for communication is performed, wherein coding includes coding the first small code blocks of the first code block and the second small code blocks of the second code block, wherein the coding of the first and second blocks is performed such that a maximum run length is maintained. |
| US07777651B2 |
System and method for data feed acceleration and encryption
The transmission of broadcast data, such as financial data and news feeds, is accelerated over a communication channel using data compression and decompression to provide secure transmission and transparent multiplication of communication bandwidth, as well as reduce latency. Broadcast data may include packets having fields. Encoders associated with particular fields may be selected to compress those particular fields. |
| US07777649B2 |
Advanced control device for home entertainment utilizing three dimensional motion technology
A hand held device for generating commands and transferring data between the hand-held device and a base device (including consumer electronic equipment). The hand-held device detects the motion of the device itself, interpreting the motion as a command, and executing or transferring the command. The motion of the device can include gestures made by the user while holding the device, such as the motion of throwing the hand-held device toward a base device. The commands generated by the user range from basic on/off commands to complex processes, such as the transfer of data. In one embodiment, the user can train the device to learn new motions associated with existing or new commands. The hand-held device analyzes the basic components of the motion to create a motion model such that the motion can be uniquely identified in the future. |
| US07777647B2 |
Method of processing topographic data in real time in an aircraft, in order to display said data
The field of the invention is that of the display in map form of an operating zone of an aircraft on a screen, and more particularly a method of processing topographic data of this operating zone of an aircraft in real time, based on a calculation of radials (R) centred on a reference point (O) defining an angular segment of topographic data. According to the invention, the method includes a subdivision of the operating zone to be mapped into a plurality of angular segment sections, each forming an individual zone (3), and an assignment of a processing priority and a refresh frequency specific to each individual zone defined according to a criterion of operational interest of the element to the aircraft. |
| US07777645B2 |
Acoustic telemetry transceiver
One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a piezoelectric transducer to generate an acoustic signal that is to modulate along a mandrel, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one electrode that is without non-permanent joints. |
| US07777643B2 |
Optical communications with a bottom hole assembly
One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a storage medium to store data. The apparatus also includes a connector having an optical interface for data communication, coupled to the storage medium, to communicate in a combustible gas environment. |
| US07777642B2 |
Integrated remote control system for a plurality of digital devices
An integrated remote control system includes a remote control device for selecting and controlling a plurality of digital devices, each including a bit pattern tag having location information and device information. The remote control device includes a display, a light emitting module for emitting light toward the digital devices, a sensor for recognizing the tags of the digital devices, and a controller for analyzing the tags recognized by the sensor to provide the display information of the digital devices on the display and then controlling a digital device selected from the displayed digital devices. |
| US07777640B2 |
Use of heating and/or ventilation ductwork to broadcast alarm conditions
The present disclosure provides an audible alarm system that utilizes air-conveying ductwork to transport the audible alarm signal from the point of origination to a distant location. This system is low cost and improves the safety of individuals and reduces the potential loss of property by providing early and better hazard communication. |
| US07777639B2 |
Indicator display module
An indicator display module includes a display face for informing an operator of a monitored condition and a housing having first and second ends. The display face is attached to the first end. The housing provides support to electrical components located within the housing. A cover is fixedly attached to the housing and engages the second end of the housing. A seal is positioned within the housing, forming a sealed cavity around the electrical components stored within the housing. |
| US07777637B2 |
Method for setting a safety threshold above which an awning should be wound up
A method for setting a safety threshold that triggers the sending, by an acceleration or movement sensor device (20), of a safety signal that causes a safety movement of a motorized screen (11) used as a closure or as a sunshade or for privacy, said method comprising the following steps: manual shaking of the screen, recording of a signal produced by a sensor means (33) during the manual shaking step, and determination of the safety threshold from this recording. |
| US07777633B2 |
Method and system for determining particle transmittance of a filter in particle detection system
The present invention relates to a system for determining particle transmittance Tx of a filter for use with a particle detection system to provide a filter warning for aspirated particle detection systems by detecting a level of first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles and which pass through the detection system; determining an integrated smoke hours value by integrating the detected level of first particles over time; estimating the smoke particle transmittance Tx of the filter by applying a predetermined weighting operation to the integrated smoke hours value. An empirical measure of a filter's particle transmittance Tx, due to at least first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles may be achieved by way of integrating a level of such first particles passing through a particle detection system over time to determine the proportion of smoke particles arrested by a filter, “integrated smoke hours”. The “integrated smoke hours” value is, generally, a measure of cumulative filter blockage over time by smoke like particles and is a measure of a given amount of ambient smoke detected and recorded by a smoke detector system and integrated over the time of exposure of the smoke detector system to the ambient smoke. Using this method it is not necessary to infer the actual “filter load” per-se or, the actual particle mass trapped in the filter. |
| US07777631B2 |
Body chip
This Invention contemplates a system and method to manufacture an active RFID integrated circuit as a system on a chip which is powered by enzymes located in mammalian bodies. According to this Invention the active integrated circuit system on a chip is manufactured of a glass capsule containing a porous membrane which allows the free flow of bodily fluids into and out of the capsule. The enzymes in the bodily fluids of mammals produce sufficient electrical charge to power an active RFID transponder. This electrical charge is harnessed through the auspices of a standard chemical process utilizing a nano anode and cathode manufactured as an integral part of the system on a chip integrated chip capsule. The capsule or casing is coated with bio friendly enzymes which promote the surrounding tissue to grow up to the glass casing or capsule and bond with it. This is for the purpose of securing the capsule in one position in the body. The result is an active RFID transponder mammalian implant which can be interrogated from distances greater than those available with passive transponders. The negative fluidic and tissue influence of the mammalian body on electro magnetic signals is obviated by low frequency interrogation. The antenna of the system on a chip bodily implant is tuned to a specific frequency so that specific bodily fluids or tissue at the position of the body where the implant is positioned will not cause detuning of the antenna. |
| US07777626B2 |
RFID tag incorporating at least two integrated circuits
Multiple RFID integrated circuit microradio chips are located at the feed point of an RFID tag antenna for greater reliability, elimination of testing and to take advantage of coherent microradio operation for increased gain and power, better signal-to-noise ratios, improved range and low bit error rates. |
| US07777625B1 |
Weighted saw reflector gratings for orthogonal frequency coded SAW ID tags and sensors
Weighted surface acoustic wave reflector gratings for coding identification tags and sensors to enable unique sensor operation and identification for a multi-sensor environment. In an embodiment, the weighted reflectors are variable while in another embodiment the reflector gratings are apodized. The weighting technique allows the designer to decrease reflectively and allows for more chips to be implemented in a device and, consequently, more coding diversity. As a result, more tags and sensors can be implemented using a given bandwidth when compared with uniform reflectors. Use of weighted reflector gratings with OFC makes various phase shifting schemes possible, such as in-phase and quadrature implementations of coded waveforms resulting in reduced device size and increased coding. |
| US07777623B2 |
Wireless sensor system
A sensor system has a least one voltage generator for conversion of non-electrical energy to electrical energy. At least one energy store is connected downstream from the voltage generator. At least one voltage converter is connected to the energy store such that its output signal is suitable for operation of a processor controller. At least one sensor is provided, and at least one transmitter enables wire-free transmission of transmission messages produced by the processor controller and containing at least one measured value from the at least one sensor. A timer circuit is triggered as a function of a voltage level of the at least one energy store, and activates the sensor system to transmit at least one transmission message after a specific time interval. |
| US07777622B2 |
Message integrity for secure communication of wireless medical devices
A system for securely synchronizing medical devices and providing message integrity with timeliness and uniqueness (10) includes a plurality of medical wireless devices (121, 122, . . . , 12n). The medical devices (121, 122, . . . , 12n) communicate wirelessly with one another. Each message (M) includes a data portion and a timestamp. Each medical device (121, 122, . . . , 12n) includes a sensor (14) which is attached to a patient to monitor a common vital sign. The medical devices (121, 122, . . . , 12n) are synchronized when the sensor (16) of each medical device detects a peak of the vital sign function. At this moment, internal clocks of each medical device (121, 122, . . . , 12n) are zeroed and each internal timer starts counting time. Thus, the medical devices are loosely synchronized at approximately the same time. Each generated message (M) is timestamped with a send time (TSEND) generated by a time count. The generated timestamp (TSEND) of the message (M) is validated against a receive time (TRECEIVE) of the receiving medical device internal clock count. If the message (M) arrives out of the prespecified acceptance window, the message (M) is rejected by the receiving medical device. |
| US07777620B2 |
Motor vehicle wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit and assembly comprising a wheel arch and power supply means
A vehicle wheel arch having an electrical circuit for communicating with an electronic component installed in a tire of the vehicle. The wheel arch comprising an electrical circuit embedded within or installed on a surface of the wheel arch. The electrical circuit includes an antenna formed by a substantially flat arrangement of an electrical conductor and configured to communicate at least one of power and data to the electronic component installed in the tire. |
| US07777611B2 |
Display device for exterior rearview mirror
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a video display element. The video display element is disposed behind the mirror reflective element so that images displayed by the video display element are viewable through the mirror reflective element when the video display element is activated. The video display element is configured to display images that are readily viewable by the driver of the host vehicle and not readily viewable by drivers of other vehicles in the lane adjacent to the host vehicle. |
| US07777610B2 |
Radio frequency identification apparatuses
In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a signal from a wireless transmitter to a radio frequency (RF) device of a plurality of RF devices within a communication range of the transmitter. The signal is to select a group of the RF devices. A reply signal is received from each RF device if the respective RF device determines that it is a member of the group. |
| US07777607B2 |
Resistor having a predetermined temperature coefficient
A material stack has an electrical resistance generally the same in the presence of a magnetic field and in the presence of no magnetic field. The electrical resistance of the material stack has a temperature coefficient generally the same as a magnetoresistance element. |
| US07777605B2 |
Induction coupling apparatus
To provide a structure capable of securing satisfactory induction coupling efficiency and high reliability in manufacturing an induction coupling apparatus used in power line carrier communication, the induction coupling apparatus having a magnetic core formed from a first core element part and a second core element part so that a gap would be formed between the core element parts, includes: a core parallel moving mechanism for carrying out relative and parallel movement of the first core element part and the second core element part in a direction that the length of the gap varies; and a predetermined gap length regulating member for limiting parallel movement in a direction that the first core element part and the second core element part approach each other to regulate the gap length to the predetermined gap length in the case that the core parallel moving mechanism is used for the parallel movement. |
| US07777599B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling characteristics of a plasma
Methods and apparatus for controlling characteristics of a plasma, such as the spatial distribution of RF power and plasma uniformity, are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling characteristics of a plasma includes a resonator for use in conjunction with a plasma reactor, the resonator including a source resonator for receiving an RF signal having a first frequency; a return path resonator disposed substantially coaxially with, and at least partially within, the source resonator; and an outer conductor having the source resonator and the return path resonator disposed substantially coaxially with, and at least partially within, the outer conductor, the outer conductor for providing an RF ground connection. |
| US07777596B2 |
MEMS resonator structure and method
A microelectromechanical resonator may include one or more resonator masses that oscillates in a bulk mode and that includes a first plurality of regions each having a density, and a second plurality of regions each having a density, the density of each of the second plurality of regions differing from the density of each of the first plurality of regions. The second plurality of regions may be disposed in a non-uniform arrangement. The oscillation may include a first state in which the resonator mass is contracted, at least in part, in a first and/or a second direction, and expanded, at least in part, in a third and/or a fourth direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, the fourth direction being opposite the third direction. |
| US07777593B2 |
High frequency filter with blocking circuit coupling
An improved high frequency filter displays the following features: the high frequency filter displays transmission behavior with a coupling impedance resonance having at least one blocking point at a frequency, the blocking point at the frequency being adjustable by presetting and/or preselecting a defined capacitive and inductive coupling between two coaxial resonators, one immediately following the other on a signal path. |
| US07777591B2 |
Variable power coupling device
Systems and methods for a coupling device are shown. In various embodiments, a variable frequency divider comprises a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first transmission line may comprise a first and a second end. The first end may comprise a first terminal and the second end may comprise a first branch and a second branch. The first transmission line may be configured to receive a first signal at a first frequency at the first terminal and divide the first signal to output the divided first signal at the first branch and the second branch. The second transmission line may be proximate the first transmission line and configured to receive a second signal at a second frequency to control the frequencies of the output divided first signal at the first branch and the second branch through electromagnetic influence between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. |
| US07777586B2 |
Multi-brand electronic apparatus and multi-band signal processing method
A multi-band electronic apparatus and method thereof is provided. The method comprises outputting a first output signal in the first band by a first voltage controlled oscillator according to a switch control signal and a control voltage, outputting a second output signal in the second band by a second voltage controlled oscillator according to the switch control signal and the control voltage, the second band being not completely overlapped by the first band, performing frequency division selectively on the first output signal or the second frequency divided signal according to the switch control signal, and outputting a first frequency divided signal, determining a phase difference between the first frequency divided signal and a reference signal to output a phase difference signal, outputting the control voltage according to the phase difference signal, and selectively driving the first or the second voltage controlled oscillators by the control voltage according to the switch control signal. |
| US07777582B2 |
Clock generator
A clock generator has a ring oscillator which has odd-numbered inverters connected in series, wherein an output of the inverter at a final stage is inputted into the inverter at a first stage to generate and output a clock signal, a frequency divider which receives the clock signal outputted from the ring oscillator, and divides frequency thereof for output, and a heater which is on-off controlled based on the output of the frequency divider and heats the ring oscillator when turned on. |
| US07777581B2 |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) with a wide tuning range and substantially constant voltage swing over the tuning range
A wide tuning range and constant swing VCO is described that is based on a multipass Ring Oscillator enhanced with feed-backward connections. This VCO is designed to overcome tuning range limitations of prior-art “feed-forward” ring oscillators. The Feedback multipass Ring Oscillator of the invention provides decreasing frequency when tuned by increasing the feedback, thus covering a much wider tuning range irrespective of the speed limit of the technology while at the same time providing almost constant amplitude. |
| US07777566B1 |
Amplifier compression adjustment circuit
An RF power amplifier system adjusts the supply voltage to the power amplifier based upon an amplitude correction signal indicating the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the RF input signal and an attenuated amplitude of the RF output signal of the power amplifier. A variable gain amplifier (VGA) adjusts the amplitude of the RF input signal, thus providing a second means of adjusting the amplitude of the output of the power amplifier. The gain of the VGA or the supply voltage to the power amplifier is controlled based on the AC components of the amplitude correction signal, while the DC components of the amplitude correction signal are blocked from controlling the VGA or the supply voltage to the power amplifier. The DC level of the gain control of the VGA, the average supply voltage to the power amplifier, or the closed loop gain of the overall amplitude correction loop is controlled separately by a compression control signal. |
| US07777565B2 |
Differential amplification circuit and manufacturing method thereof
A differential amplification circuit and a method corrects an offset voltage derived from a variance in resistances. With first and second input terminals brought to the same potential and set to a potential different from a reference potential, the resistance value of resistors is adjusted so that an output potential and the reference potential will be substantially equal to each other. |
| US07777557B2 |
Booster circuit
A boosting circuit comprises a first boosting cell row and a second boosting cell row. The boosting circuit further comprises an analog comparison circuit for comparing the potential of boosting cells on the same stage, and selecting and outputting the lower or higher of the potentials. The potential of an N well is controlled using the output potential of the analog comparison circuit. Thereby, the amplitude of an N well potential can be suppressed, and a single N well region can be shared. |
| US07777554B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting temperatures of a plurality of circuits and controlling operations based on the detected temperatures
A temperature detector includes a plurality of temperature sensors each configured to generate a voltage signal in accordance with sensed temperature and output the voltage signal, a plurality of storage circuits corresponding to the respective temperature sensors and each configured to store a signal level input to the storage circuit and output the stored signal level in response to a control signal, and a control circuit configured to exclusively select one of the voltage signals output from the respective temperature sensors, compare the selected voltage signal with a predetermined reference voltage, and store the selected voltage signal into the corresponding storage circuit sequentially in response to the control signal. |
| US07777548B2 |
Level shifter
A level shifter includes a level shifting unit for level-shifting an input signal at a first voltage level into a signal at a second voltage level, and an output controller for controlling the level shifting unit to maintain output at a predetermined logic level in response to a deep power down mode signal generated from power which is not turned off in a deep power down mode. |
| US07777547B2 |
Level shifter for high-speed and low-leakage operation
The present invention discloses a voltage level shifter capable of interfacing between two circuit systems having different operating voltage swings. The voltage level shifter comprises an input buffer having a low supply voltage for inverting an external input signal to an internal input signal, and an output buffer having a high supply voltage for inverting the internal input signal to an external output signal. The high level of the external input signal is lower than the high level of the external output signal. The voltage level shifter is designed such that the input buffer is operating to achieve a low-leakage and high-speed performance. |
| US07777543B2 |
Duty cycle correction circuit apparatus
A duty cycle correction circuit apparatus includes a flip-flop, a feedback unit connected between an input node and an output node of the flip-flop to invert an output signal of the flip-flop and to output the inverted signal as an output signal of the feedback unit, and a selection unit to select and output one of a first clock signal and a second clock signal to the flip-flop in response to the output signal of the feedback unit, wherein the first clock signal has a half-period phase difference with respect to the second clock signal. Using clock signals with a half-period phase difference therebetween and a simple digital circuit, the duty cycle correction circuit can correct a duty ratio to 50:50 regardless of an initial condition. |
| US07777541B1 |
Charge pump circuit and method for phase locked loop
A charge pump circuit can include a pump-up circuit having a first disable switch coupled between a pump-up output node and a first power supply node that is enabled and then disabled in response to a source current path between the pump-up node and a second power supply node being disabled, and a source off switch coupled in series with the first disable switch that is enabled in response to the source current path being disabled. The charge pump circuit can also include a pump-down circuit having a second disable switch coupled between a pump-down output node and the second power supply node that is enabled and then disabled in response to a sink current path between the pump-down node and a first power supply node being disabled. A sink off switch can be coupled in series with the second disable switch that is enabled in response to the sink current path being disabled. |
| US07777540B2 |
Phase locked loop, lock detector and lock detection method
The present invention discloses a PLL, a lock detector thereof and a lock detection method. The lock detector includes: a first detecting unit, adapted to compare a counting value of a reference clock signal with a counting value of a feedback clock signal every first interval and output a valid first prelock signal when the counting value of the reference clock signal is equal to the counting value of the feedback clock signal; a second detecting unit, adapted to output a valid second prelock signal when the counting value of the reference clock signal is equal to the counting value of the feedback clock signal during a second interval which is at least two times higher than the first interval; a third detecting unit, adapted to output a valid lock signal if the first prelock signal output from the first detecting unit every first interval is valid and the second prelock signal output from the second detecting unit is valid during the second interval. The PLL, lock detector thereof and lock detection method can detect the lock state quickly and correctly. |
| US07777532B2 |
Method and circuit for protecting a MOSFET
The invention relates to a method and a corresponding circuit for protecting a power MOSFET from thermal overload when switching the MOSFET off and on, wherein the MOSFET is switched on again after at least a determined off-period has passed. |
| US07777530B2 |
Comparator module
A comparator module applied to a voltage level clamping circuit which can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The IC includes a parasitic diode coupled between a first voltage source and a second voltage source. The voltage level clamping circuit includes a switch module and a comparator module. The comparator module has an output terminal, a first input terminal coupled to a first voltage source, and a second input terminal coupled to a second voltage source. The comparator module includes a current source module, a first voltage level adjusting circuit module, a second voltage level adjusting circuit module, and a comparing circuit module. |
| US07777529B1 |
Leakage compensation in dynamic flip-flop
A dynamic flip-flop includes a leakage compensation circuit enabling operation over a wide range of frequencies. Nodes of the dynamic flip-flop store the flip-flop's state. The leakage compensation circuit drains leakage currents from these nodes to prevent the node voltage from rising and triggering an erroneous state change when a data signal changes in the middle of the clock cycle. The leakage compensation circuit associated with a node is activated when the node is set to a low logic level voltage. The leakage compensation circuit is adapted to draw a current from a node that compensates for the leakage current supplied to the node. At the least, this current draw is sufficient to prevent the voltage at the node from rising above a state change threshold voltage during the time period between refresh operations. |
| US07777528B1 |
Phase detection module and phase detection method
A phase detection module includes a phase detection unit, a plurality of comparators and a decision unit. The phase detection unit is utilized for comparing a first input signal and a second signal to generate a phase detection result. The plurality of comparators is utilized for comparing the phase detection result with a plurality of predetermined voltages to generate a plurality of comparing results, respectively. The decision unit is utilized for deciding a phase relationship between the first and second input signals according to the plurality of comparing results. |
| US07777525B2 |
Input buffer in ultradeep submicron process
An input buffer for an Ultradeep Sub Micron (UDSM) process which allows the UDSM process to interface with a 3V input. The input voltage is applied to a degenerated transistor which forms part of the input buffer. The input buffer effectively drops the input voltage to a voltage suitable for use by the core of the UDSM process. |
| US07777522B2 |
Clocked single power supply level shifter
First circuitry is powered by a first power supply domain and provides a data signal referenced to the first power supply domain. Second circuitry is powered by a second power supply domain that differs from the first power supply domain. The data signal becomes referenced to the second power supply domain by a clocked level shifter that couples the first circuitry to the second circuitry and buffers the data signal from the first power supply domain to the second power supply domain by only using a single supply voltage. The clocked level shifter is clocked by a signal that is used to precharge a first node and a second node of the clocked level shifter until the data signal is valid for at least a setup time period. The first and second nodes are precharged to establish a known state in the clocked level shifter. |
| US07777512B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device 10a includes a normal circuit 11 and a voltage fluctuation detection circuit 12a connected to a power supply 100 in common with the normal circuit 11. The voltage fluctuation detection circuit 12a includes an inverting amplifier 13a, a switching element 14, which is connected between input and output terminals of the inverting amplifier 13a, and a capacitance element 15 connected to the input terminal of the inverting amplifier 13a. After the normal circuit 11 and the switching element 14 are set to an operating state and ON state, respectively, when the switching element 14 is set to OFF state at an arbitrary time, charge corresponding to a power supply voltage Vc0 at that time accumulates in the capacitance element 15. After the normal circuit 11 is set to a suspended state, a potential VDD of the power supply 100 is set to an arbitrary value, and the inverting amplifier 13a compares the value of a power supply voltage Vc with the voltage value Vc0 corresponding to the charge held in the capacitance element 15. |
| US07777504B2 |
Sensor for determining the electric properties of a sample
An apparatus for determining the electric properties of a sample. The apparatus includes a probe having an input, an output, and an effective resistance, inductance and/or capacitance dependent upon the properties of the sample; a pulse generator for producing pulses connected to the input of the probe, each pulse having a period of a sufficient duration to allow the probe to reach steady state; and a measuring device connected to the output of the probe and configured to output a representation of the sample properties based on the effective resistance, inductance and/or capacitance of the probe. |
| US07777501B2 |
Methods and systems for sigma delta capacitance measuring using shared component
Methods, systems and devices are described for detecting a measurable capacitance using sigma-delta charge transfer techniques that can be implemented with many standard microcontrollers, and can share components to reduce device complexity and improve performance. In the various implementations of this embodiment, the passive network used to accumulate charge can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. A switch or IO controlling the charge sharing and/or charge changing can also be shared Likewise, in various implementations a voltage conditioning circuit configured to provide a variable reference voltage can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. Finally, in various implementations a guarding electrode configured to guard the measurable capacitances can be shared between multiple measurable capacitances. In each of these cases, sharing components can reduce device complexity and improve performance. |
| US07777499B2 |
High-resolution, nondestructive imaging of dielectric materials
The enhanced detection of defects in the bulk dielectric material (Specimen) having radiation partly reflected at interfaces where the dielectric constant changes (e.g., where there are defects or structures). A sinusoidal or quasisinusoidal wave (Microwave Source) results. Localization or imaging of features is enhanced by exploiting the variation in distance resolution (Standoff+/−) in a sinusoidal or quasi-sinusoidal standing wave. At characteristic distances, the wave has a high slope and the amplitude of the wave varies strongly with small changes in distance (Standoff+/−). By inspecting at these characteristic distances (Standoff+/−), the resolution is enhanced. By systematically varying the position of the transducer or specimen, detailed images may be formed of the internal structure of the specimen across a range of depths. Defects and structures may be detected at smaller sizes than has previously been possible. |
| US07777497B2 |
Method and system for tracking scattering parameter test system calibration
Embodiments describe methods of correcting S-parameter measurements for a DUT. The method includes coupling at least one tracking module associated with a set of electrical standards to a S-parameter measurement device to form a test system. An initial calibration for the test system is then determined. This may include measuring the S-parameters of the electrical standards, generating a calibration along a calibration plane, generating a calibration along a correction plane and determining at least one error adapter from the calibrations. The DUT is coupled to the test system and the S-parameters of the DUT are measured. Changes in the initial calibration are tracked using the tracking modules. Tracking may include measuring the S-parameters of the electrical standards, generating a correction plane calibration and generating a corrected calibration plane calibration from the correction plane calibration and the error adapter(s). The measured S-parameters are corrected using the tracked changes. |
| US07777491B2 |
Magnetic resonance coil system
A magnetic resonance coil system 18 allows for the use of modular components and which in one embodiment is particularly well-suited for use with small animals and includes an animal receiving apparatus 202, a transmit coil module 204, and a receive coil module 206. The receive coil module 206 includes a cryogenic receive coil. The coil system 18 is selectively insertable in the bore of the gradient coil of a magnetic resonance examination system. |
| US07777490B2 |
RF antenna with integrated electronics
A radio frequency antenna comprising a resonant pickup circuit (102) arranged to pick up a magnetic resonance signal, an analog-to-digital converter (105) arranged to convert the magnetic resonance signal to digital data, and a frequency converter arranged to convert a primary band of frequencies of the digital data. By upshifting the frequency of the transmitted bit-stream, it is possible to RF-trap the transmission channel (109) by simple high-pass filtering techniques. In case the transmitted bit pattern has frequency components that approach the resonance frequency, an encoding technique like Manchester encoding can be used to eliminate unwanted signals. |
| US07777488B2 |
Methods for arbitrary shape selective excitation summed spectroscopy and applications of same
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for NMR measurements of an arbitrarily shaped region of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of applying a broad bandwidth of RF pulses to the arbitrarily shaped region of interest to obtain a corresponding spectrum, wherein substantially entire range of chemical shifts in the spectrum is excited from the arbitrarily shaped region of interest, interleaving a plurality of radial k-lines in radial k-space per excitation with non-selective refocusing pulses and obtaining spatial localization for the spectrum of the arbitrarily shaped region of interest. |
| US07777487B2 |
Methods and apparatus for joint image reconstruction and coil sensitivity estimation in parallel MRI
A method of parallel magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) comprising acquiring pMRI signals simultaneously through a plurality of receiving coils, wherein each coil has a localized sensitivity with respect to an imaged volume; jointly estimating values for the imaged volume and for a sensitivity function for at least one of the plurality of receiving coils; and transmitting the reconstructed image to a device. |
| US07777486B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with bipolar multi-echo sequences
A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A magnetic resonance excitation is provided. A plurality of k-space echoes is acquired bi-directionally wherein at least one echo is an even echo acquired in a first direction and at least one echo is an odd echo acquired in a second direction opposite from the first direction. K-space echo realignment is corrected between the even and odd echoes. Field inhomogeneity induced artifacts are corrected. Chemical shift induced artifacts between at least two species are corrected. |
| US07777476B2 |
Dynamic modulation for multiplexation of microfluidic and nanofluidic based biosensors
The present invention generally relates to a method for rapidly counting micron and/or submicron particles by passing such particles through any of a plurality of microfluidic channels simultaneously with an ion current and measuring the signal generated thereby. The present invention also generally relates to a device for practicing the method of the present invention. Some embodiments can include methods and/or devices for distinguishing between and counting particles in mixtures. Still other embodiments can include methods and/or devices for identifying and/or counting bioparticles and/or bioactive particles such as pollen. |
| US07777474B2 |
DC-DC converter with oscillator and monitoring function
A DC-DC converter for converting an input voltage and generating an output voltage. The DC-DC converter includes an adjustment resistor. A control circuit generates a control signal and includes an external terminal to which the adjustment resistor is externally connected. A switching transistor is connected to the control circuit and turned on or off in accordance with the control signal. The control circuit includes an oscillator that generates an oscillation signal. The control circuit generates the control signal based on the oscillation signal and a signal that is in accordance with an output voltage or output current of the DC-DC converter. The oscillator monitors a first amount of current flowing through the external terminal of the control circuit and generates the oscillation signal in a cycle that is accordance with the monitoring result. |
| US07777472B2 |
Current detector circuit and current mode switching regulator
A current detector circuit detects a current supplied to a load and generates as a detection result a voltage corresponding to the detected current. A first p-channel transistor has a source connected to a power supply and a gate connected to a ground, and is configured to allow the passage therethrough of a current that is 1/N of a current flowing through a transistor which drives the load. A second p-channel transistor has a source connected to a drain of the first p-channel transistor, and a third p-channel transistor is connected to the load. A voltage mirror circuit has first and second terminals connected to respective drains of the second and third p-channel transistors. A n-channel transistor has a drain connected to the drain of the first p-channel transistor and outputs a source voltage as the detection result of the current detector circuit. |
| US07777468B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus that constitutes a step-down type switching regulator is disclosed.The semiconductor apparatus includes a switching transistor, an inductor, a transistor for rectification, and a transistor for synchronous rectification. The transistor for rectification is connected between a connecting point where the switching transistor and the inductor L1 are connected and ground potential; and a gate of this transistor is connected to the connecting point.The transistor for synchronous rectification is connected parallel to the transistor for rectification. A control signal is provided to a gate of the transistor for synchronous rectification so that a switching operation that is opposite to an operation of the switching transistor may be performed. The transistor for synchronous rectification is arranged closer to the connecting point than the transistor for rectification. |
| US07777466B2 |
Voltage regulator or non-volatile memories implemented with low-voltage transistors
A voltage regulator integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is provided. The regulator has a first input terminal for receiving a first voltage and an output terminal for providing a regulated voltage being obtained from the first voltage, the regulator including: a differential amplifier for receiving a comparison voltage and a feedback signal being a function of the regulated voltage, and for proving a regulation signal according to a comparison between the comparison voltage and the feedback signal, the differential amplifier having a first supply terminal being coupled with a reference terminal for receiving a reference voltage and a second supply terminal, a regulation transistor having a control terminal for receiving the regulation signal, and a conduction first terminal and a conduction second terminal being coupled through loading means between the reference terminal and the first input terminal of the regulator, the second terminal of the regulation transistor being coupled with the output terminal of the regulator, wherein the second supply terminal of the differential amplifier is coupled with a second input terminal of the regulator for receiving a second voltage being lower than the first voltage in absolute value, and wherein the regulator further includes a set of auxiliary transistors being connected in series between the second terminal of the regulation transistor and the output terminal of the regulator, and control means for controlling the auxiliary transistors according to the regulated voltage. |
| US07777463B2 |
System, method and apparatus to automatically detect a type of a variable output DC power source
A method includes coupling a variable output DC power source to power control circuitry, and detecting a type of the variable output DC power source in response to the coupling operation. In one embodiment, the detecting operation may include sending an interrogation signal from the power control circuitry to the variable output DC power source, and evaluating a response to the interrogation signal to determine the type of said variable output DC power source. Power control circuitry may include source type recognition circuitry configured to detect a type of a variable output DC power source in response to a coupling of the variable output DC power source to the power control circuitry. |
| US07777460B2 |
Multi-phase converter with improved current sharing
A multi-phase converter has a plurality of switching circuits each controlled by a phase controller and each providing a switched output voltage to an output node of the converter. Each switching circuit sequentially provides a switched output voltage to the output node at which an output voltage of the converter is developed. A clock circuit provides a plurality of out of phase clock signals to determine when each switching circuit provides the switched voltage to the output node. Each switching circuit is connected across a DC bus voltage. A first error amplifier compares a first signal proportional to the output voltage of the converter at the output node with a second signal comprising a first reference voltage and produces a first error signal. A PWM generator compares the first error signal with a third signal comprising a ramp signal from a ramp signal generator circuit and produces a pulse width modulated signal to control the on-times of a switch of the connected switching circuit. A current share adjusting circuit has a current sense amplifier for each switching circuit sensing the output current provided by each switching circuit, and provides a signal proportional to the sensed output current. |
| US07777458B2 |
DC-DC converter
A Single Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) fed BUCK converter includes: a first switch configured to open or close according to a first signal; a SEPIC portion coupled to the first switch and coupled to an energy source, the SEPIC portion comprising a first set of one or more passive components; a BUCK converter portion coupled to the first switch, the BUCK converter portion comprising a second set of one or more passive components. While the first switch is closed, the SEPIC portion is configured to store energy from an energy source in at least some of the first set of passive components and deliver energy to the BUCK portion, and the BUCK converter portion is configured to deliver energy to a load and to store energy in at least some of the second set of passive components. While the first switch is open, the SEPIC portion is configured to deliver at least some of its stored energy to the load, and the BUCK converter portion is configured to deliver at least some of its stored energy to the load. |
| US07777457B2 |
Constant frequency current-mode buck-boost converter with reduced current sensing
A converter including an inductor (L), a first switch (SW1, S1) connected between an input terminal (Vin) and the inductor, a diode/switch (D1, S2), connected between the first end of the inductor and ground, a diode/switch (D2, S3) connected between the inductor and an output terminal (Vout), and a second switch (SW2, S4) coupled between inductor and ground. A current sensor senses current in the first switch (SW1, S1) as a measure of inductor current. Waveform generators (31, 32) generate buck and boost slope compensation ramps (RMP-BUCK, RMP-BOOST). Control logic (10) opens and closes the switches every clock period at individual duty cycles determined using a feedback signal derived from the output terminal, the sensed current and the slope compensation ramps. The slope compensation ramps are mutually offset such that current sensing is needed only while the first switch (SW1, S1) is closed. |
| US07777454B2 |
Battery charger with temperature control
A battery charger integrated circuit with temperature control is disclosed that includes a temperature sensor circuit and a charging current generator circuit. Upon receiving a temperature reading voltage (VDT), the temperature sensing circuit is operable to generate a second reference voltage (VREF) that is a function of the first reference voltage (VREF1). The charging current generator circuit generates and continuously adjusts a reference current (I1) and a charging current (IOUT) according to the second reference voltage (VREF). Whenever the temperature reading voltage (VDT) exceeds the first reference voltage, the temperature sensor circuit is operable to adjust the second reference voltage (VREF). |
| US07777452B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery system, and method for operating lithium ion secondary battery
A drop of discharge or charge capacity in discharging or charging with a large current is reduced without changing a design of a lithium ion secondary battery itself. When the lithium ion secondary battery for a car or a vehicles such as an electric automobile and a hybrid automobile is discharged or charged with, for instance, a large current not less than 5C, an intermittent power feeding of repeatedly executing a power feeding (t2) and a pause (t1) is carried out. |
| US07777451B2 |
Rechargeable battery assembly and power system using same
A rechargeable battery, battery set or battery pack having a circuit or a plurality of circuits for providing self-discharging thereof electrically connected in parallel are used to form rechargeable battery assemblies and electric power supply systems for use in electric and hybrid vehicles and the like. |
| US07777446B2 |
Method and apparatus for calculating battery state and apparatus for controlling power voltage in vehicle
An apparatus is provided to control a power voltage on a power-supplying line extending from a generator and connecting to a battery and eclectic loads. The apparatus is mounted on a vehicle and comprises a detecting device, a calculator, and a controller. The detecting device detects pairs of voltage and current of the battery. The calculator calculating a control current on the basis of the detected pairs of voltage and current and a target voltage for the power voltage. The pairs of voltage and current are used to calculate an internal resistance and/or a regression line of the battery. The controller controlling a charge and discharge current of the battery on the basis of the control current so that the power voltage is controlled to the target voltage. |
| US07777445B2 |
Electronic apparatus, and method of charging a remote control device
An electronic apparatus comprises an electronic apparatus main body and a remote control device for operating the electronic apparatus main body via wireless communications. The remote control device includes a device battery providing drive power supply to the remote control device. The electronic apparatus main body includes a main body battery. Excess energy, such as heat, generated when the electronic apparatus main body is driven is converted into electric power. A charge control circuit causes the main body battery to be charged with the electric power produced from the excess energy. When the remote control device is housed in the container unit, the charge control circuit causes the device battery to be charged by the main body battery. The remote control device can be reliably and easily charged, and the remote control device and the electronic apparatus main body can be easily managed. |
| US07777444B2 |
Travel-driving mechanism for self-propelled working machine
In a travel-driving mechanism for a self-propelled working machine such as a self-propelled lawn mower travels by using power of an electric motor 30, the torque of a driving shaft 50, which is driven by the power of the electric motor 30 through a power transmission unit 40, is transmitted to travel-driving wheels 7 through two-way or bi-directional clutches 55 provided at both ends of the driving shaft 50. Power transmission units 61, 62 are provided between the bi-directional clutch 55 and the driving wheels 7. A travel control unit 70 is provided to input an instruction signal produced by the operation of a travel operation member 66, which is operated by the operator, and to control the electric motor 30. When a travel stop signal produced by the operation of the travel operation member 86 is input to the travel control unit 70, short-circuit stop (short-circuit braking) occurs while electric power is being supplied to the electric motor 30, and the driving shaft 50 connected to the electric motor 30 stops. Since the travel driving wheels 7 rotate due to inertia, the bi-directional clutches 55 are brought into disengaged state. The operator can thus easily pull and push the working machine after the travel by the driving source or after the stop thereof, by using a simple structure in which the bi-directional clutch is used for transmitting travel power. |
| US07777442B2 |
Method of controlling the speed of an electric motor
A method of controlling the speed of an electric motor, said method being a digital method designed to control the speed of an induction motor that is powered by a triac device to a preset speed, in which the speed of the motor is measured and a digital numerical value representative of the mathematical first derivative of motor speed is calculated. A determination is made of the digital numerical value of the motor speed first derivative relative to a range, or band, of values. An error signal also is computed that is proportional to the error between the measured current motor speed and the preset speed and a determination is made of the digital numerical value of this error signal relative to a range, or band, of values that includes a value corresponding to that of the motor operating at the preset speed. If the value of each of the two signals is within its respective band, then the two numerical values are added to produce a total error signal whose value is then converted to a signal to a signal to correct the triac triggering angle to that needed to obtain the preset motor speed. |
| US07777441B2 |
Motor controlling method, motor controlling device, original reading apparatus, and storage medium having program stored thereon
A motor controlling method according to the present invention involves causing rotation of a motor to commence by applying an initial power that can cause movement of an object to be transported to commence, to the motor; obtaining a position of the object to be transported after the motor has been controlled so as to cause the object to be transported to move to a target position based on a signal outputted in response to the rotation of the motor; and correcting an initial power to be used when movement of the object to be transported is caused to commence a next time in response to a difference between the target position and the obtained position of the object to be transported. |
| US07777439B2 |
Method and device for determining a gradient-limited cumulative setpoint torque from a setpoint torque of a closed-loop speed control
In a method for determining a gradient-limited setpoint torque from a requested setpoint drive torque and a controller setpoint torque of a closed-loop speed control, the gradient of an unlimited cumulative setpoint torque, which is a function of the requested setpoint drive torque and the controller setpoint torque of the closed-loop speed control, is limited in a region of the zero crossing of the gradient-limited setpoint torque by a rate-of-change limitation to a maximally permitted or a minimally permitted value. The maximally permitted or the minimally permitted value of the rate-of-change limitation is a function of the controller setpoint torque of the closed-loop speed control. |
| US07777438B2 |
Motor start circuit
Motor start circuit for an induction motor-with a main winding and an auxiliary winding having two end connections supplied with current via current supply connections, and with a start circuit device serving the purpose of stopping the current flow through the auxiliary winding after the start of the motor, and being connected via a conductor to a control device connected between the current supply connections, and with a preset timer device interacting with the start circuit device to stop the current flow through the auxiliary winding, as soon as a predetermined period after the start of the current flow has lapsed. With the purpose of optimizing the motor start circuit, a voltage presetting device, with which a predetermined voltage value can be set, the start circuit device being disconnected if this value is exceeded, and a period duration presetting device, are connected to or integrated in the control device. |
| US07777437B2 |
Switching control system and motor driving system
The present invention inexpensively controls a turn-on and turn-off switching speed for MOS transistors made in accordance with various specifications. According to the present invention, during an output voltage rise period for a turn-on operation of the MOS transistor, a fixed current determined by a first clip circuit and a resistor is input to a gate terminal of the MOS transistor to obtain a linear rise slew rate. During an output voltage drop period for a turn-off operation of the MOS transistor, a fixed current determined by a second clip circuit 38 and a resistor is input to the gate terminal of the MOS transistor to obtain a linear drop slew rate. |
| US07777436B2 |
Sensorless drive for unipolar three phase brushless DC motors
A system for controlling a trapezoidally (square wave) driven DC motor includes a unipolar commutation circuit coupled between a DC power supply and a brushless DC motor. The motor has three phases formed by respective stator windings coupled at respective proximal ends to a common node and having respective opposite ends remote from the common node. The commutation circuit drives the motor according to a commutation cycle including three primary steps. During each primary step, one of the phases is driven while the other two phases are not driven. Voltages at the remote ends of the undriven phases are sensed, and timing signals are generated at points where the voltages coincide. The timing signals are used to determine motor position and speed, and to synchronize the commutation cycle with motor position and speed. In one embodiment, the commutation cycle includes transitional steps between the primary steps for smoother operation. The system is compatible with high side and low side switching configurations. |
| US07777435B2 |
Adjustable frequency pump control system
An adjustable frequency pump control system (10) that is primarily designed for use in commercial pool filtration systems. The system (10) automatically selects one of three operating speeds that control the speed of a motor that operates a circulation pump (62). The system (10) includes a programmed logic control (PLC) (42) that is activated upon the application of select mode signal (31), a mode timing signal (35), a line pressure signal (37), a circulation pump-run signal (39) and a backwash signal (41). The output of the PLC (42) is a frequency set signal (17) that is applied to an adjustable frequency drive (AFD) (18). From the output of the AFD (18) a motor speed control signal is produced that is applied to the motor that operates the circulation pump (62). The speed of the circulation pump (12) is governed by the frequency of the motor speed control signal, wherein the frequency is determined by the motor speed that is applicable to a particular design point of the pump's filtration cycle. |
| US07777434B2 |
Motor vehicle
A system and method for operating, or electrically communicating with, an electrical supply network are disclosed. A vehicle is coupled to the electrical supply network, a trigger causes a partial discharge of an electrical energy storage device of the vehicle into electric power network, discharging electrical energy into the electric power network from the vehicle. |
| US07777429B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting circuit
A discharge lamp lighting circuit is provided. The discharge lamp lighting circuit includes an inverter circuit which has two output ends; a series resonant circuit which includes a capacitor, an inductor and a transformer, coupled in series; a driving portion; and a controlling portion which provides a control signal for controlling said inverter circuit, said controlling portion including a first signal producing portion which produces a first signal indicative of a phase of a current flowing through said series resonant circuit; and a second signal producing portion which produces a second signal indicative of a phase of the AC voltage output from said inverter circuit, said controlling portion producing the control signal on the basis of a phase difference between the first and second signals, wherein one component of said series resonant circuit is coupled between one of said output ends, and a detection point. |
| US07777425B2 |
Backlight circuit for LCD panel
A multi-lamp backlight system is disclosed. The multi-lamp backlight system includes a plurality of lamps, an inverter circuit and a current balance circuit. The inverter circuit is capable of converting a DC input signal to a pair of AC output signals, which have a 180 degree phase shift. The pair of AC output signals are delivered to the plurality of lamps. The current balance circuit is connected to the low voltage sides of the plurality of lamps for balancing the lamp currents. |
| US07777422B2 |
DC/DC converter device and discharge lamp lighting device
A DC/DC converter device according to the present invention includes a plurality of resonant DC/DC converters connected in parallel, and a timing control circuit driving the plurality of resonant DC/DC converters at substantially the same frequency with a phase shift. |
| US07777418B2 |
Ceramic metal halide lamp incorporating a metallic halide getter
An electroded high watt ceramic metal halide lamp assembly is provided which comprises a light transmissive arc-tube surrounding at least one electrode, a fill disposed in the arc-tube that includes at least one metal halide component and at least one metallic halide getter. The metallic halide getter has a Gibbs Free Energy greater than mercury halide and less than thallium halide, vapor pressure less than mercury halide, free energy of formation of oxide less than Aluminum oxide. |
| US07777416B2 |
Light emitting device with microlens array
A method of manufacturing a micro-lens array and light-emitting device, including forming a first structured polymer film with close packed surface cavities having a mean diameter of less than 20 micrometers and a relatively lower surface energy surface, forming a transparent second structured film with an array of microlenses formed thereon corresponding to the cavities of the first structured film, wherein the second structured film includes a relatively high surface energy material and has a refractive index greater than 1.45, and wherein the microlenses are randomly distributed, separating the second structured film with the micro-lens array from the first structured polymer film, and attaching the second structured film to a transparent substrate or cover of a light-emitting device through which light is emitted. Use of microlens arrays formed from relatively high surface energy materials enables matching refractive index of microlens array to that of light-emitting devices substrate or cover through which light is emitted and relatively high elastic modulus providing good scratch resistance. |
| US07777415B2 |
Sealed, flexible flat panel display
A flat panel display including a light emitting device having a sealed image display area. An enclosure is curved to have a space in which the light emitting device is sealed, and a curved portion of the enclosure is rounded. |
| US07777412B2 |
Phosphor converted LED with improved uniformity and having lower phosphor requirements
A light source having a first die with an LED thereon, a substrate, a base layer and a first phosphor layer is disclosed. The first die is characterized by a top surface, a bottom surface and a light generation region at a height above the bottom surface. The substrate includes a depression in which the first die is mounted. The base layer fills the depression in the substrate to a height greater than half the distance from the bottom surface of the first die to the top surface of the first die and less than the light generation height of the first die. The first phosphor layer includes a first light converting material that converts light emitted by the first die to light of a different wavelength. The first phosphor layer is in direct contact with the base layer and covers the first die. |
| US07777406B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
A passivation layer formed over and under a first pixel electrode is provided to prevent corrosion of the first pixel electrode of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device. The OLED display device includes: a substrate, a first passivation layer disposed on the substrate, a first pixel electrode disposed over the first passivation layer, a second passivation layer disposed over the first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode disposed over the second passivation layer, an organic layer including an emission layer disposed over the second pixel electrode, and a counter electrode disposed over the organic layer. Each of the first and second passivation layers is formed of one selected from the group consisting of NiCr, Al2O3, TiO2, ZnO and PbO2. |
| US07777405B2 |
White LED headlight
A vehicle headlight (12) that employs a plurality of LED units (38) that emit white light. Each LED unit (38) employs chip-on-board technology where LED semiconductor chips (64) are mounted directly to a submount substrate (56) using solder or stud bumps (60). An elongated lens (28) is molded over the LED unit (38) in contact with a base substrate (48). Light emitted from the semiconductor chip (64) is reflected and directed by the lens (28) to generate a beam of light (58). Some of the light emitted from the LED semiconductor chip (64) is redirected back to the submount substrate (56) to be reflected back into the lens (28) to increase the light intensity of the LED unit (38). Several of the elongated lens (28) and associated LED units (38) are optically glued to a single prism (24) that collects all of the light beams from all of the LED units (38). |
| US07777403B2 |
Photonic-crystal filament and methods
A photonic-crystal filament is formed by mixing a slurry comprising particles of substantially uniform size and a precursor material for a desired metal, urging the slurry through an orifice to force the particles and precursor material into a combination having a desired crystallographic configuration, drying the combination emerging from the orifice, and sintering the precursor material. |
| US07777402B2 |
Plasma display panel improving discharge characteristics in the internal peripheral area thereof
A second transparent electrode of each of the row electrodes in each row electrode pair corresponding each of the discharge cells located in an internal peripheral portion of the panel has an electrode area smaller than the electrode area of a first transparent electrode corresponding each of the discharge cells located in a central portion of the panel. The head portion of the second transparent electrode corresponding to each of the discharge cells located in the internal peripheral portion has a row-direction width greater than the row-direction width of the head portion of the first transparent electrode corresponding to each of the discharge cells located in the central portion. |
| US07777396B2 |
Impact powered devices
A device including: a housing; a powered element disposed on or in the housing; and an impact power producing element housed on or in the housing and operatively connected to the powered element, the impact power producing element producing power upon an impact of at least a portion of the housing with another surface. |
| US07777392B2 |
Contoured thermomechanical actuators and pulsing for enhanced dynamic performance
A thermomechanical actuation system and method includes an elongated thermomechanical actuator (TMA), which is contoured so that electrical resistance at a mid-portion of the TMA is less than at end portions thereof. A pulse generator is electrically coupled to the TMA, and is configured to supply excitation pulses to the TMA. The excitation pulses are transient, so that each pulse is terminated prior to reaching a steady state amplitude, while having sufficient energy to heat the TMA to its predetermined operational temperature range. |
| US07777389B2 |
Rotating electrical machine
A rotating electrical machine comprises a stator and a rotor; the stator comprising a stator core having teeth and slots, and stator windings disposed in the slots, wherein the stator core is made of laminated steel sheets, teeth and slots of the steel sheet are made by etching, and the thickness of the steel sheet is between 0.05 mm and 0.30 mm. Specifically, it is preferable that the steel sheet used herein be a silicon steel sheet containing crystalline particles. |
| US07777387B2 |
Laminated core and method for manufacturing the same
A laminated core (10) and a method for manufacturing the same formed with multiple continuous segment core pieces (13) wound in a spiral form by bending connecting portions (12) mutually connecting the segment core pieces (13), the connecting portions (12) being formed in an outer peripheral area (11), while the connecting portions (12) of vertically adjacent layers being displaced in a circumferential direction with inner edges or outer edges of the segment core pieces (13) fitted, the laminated core comprising: a concave cutout (21) provided in a radial exterior of each connecting portion (12) to dispose a radially expanded portion (20) within an outer circle of the laminated core (10), the radially expanded portion (20) being formed with each connecting portion (12) expanding radially outward at the time of bending each connecting portion (12); an interior cutout (22) provided in a radial interior of each connecting portion (12) to define a bending position of each connecting portion (12); and a receptacle (16) provided in a radial exterior of each segment core piece (13) to receive an expanded part (15) formed in the thickness direction at the time of bending each connecting portion (12). |
| US07777384B2 |
Permanent magnet dynamoelectric machine with variable magnetic flux excitation
A permanent magnet (PM) dynamoelectric machine with directly controllable field excitation control comprises: a drive shaft; a PM rotor assembly with multiple PMs arranged around an outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly; a stator assembly comprising a ferromagnetic stator yoke, multiple ferromagnetic stator teeth mounted to the stator yoke with distal ends proximate the outer axial periphery of the rotor assembly separated by an air gap and multiple stator coils mounted between the stator teeth; multiple saturable ferromagnetic shunts, each shunt coupling adjacent distal ends of the stator teeth to shunt air gap magnetic flux Φg generated by the PMs across the air gap through the distal ends of the stator teeth; and multiple saturation control coils, each saturation control coil wrapped about a saturable region of an associated one of the shunts; wherein application of a control current Ic to the control coils at least partially magnetically saturates the shunts to reduce shunting of air gap magnetic flux Φg, thereby increasing magnetic flux linkage ΨM between the PMs and the stator coils and increasing generated electromagnetic force (EMF) and electromagnetic torque Te to desired levels upon application of electrical power to the stator coils at lower levels of rotor assembly angular velocity. |
| US07777383B2 |
MP-A and MP-T machines, multipolar machines for alternating and three-phase currents
MP-A and MP-T machines are members of the Multipolar (MP) family of electric motors/generators and have similarly low weight and high power densities. Their current tubes comprise conductive “S-ribbons” in electrically non-conductive material. S-ribbons are shaped so as in operation to periodically substantially overlap a multiplicity of neighboring zones of high magnetic B-field, alternating with gaps with low B in which B changes sign. Accordingly, MP-A and MP-T machines, respectively, generate AC and 3-phase current in the generator mode, and as motor are driven by AC or 3-phase at the appropriate frequency. Two modifications are introduced: (i) Machines with stationary magnet tubes/rotating current tube and (ii) machines with stationary current tube/rotating magnet tubes. The latter do not require electrical brushes and are eminently suited for simultaneous multiple uses. Also, these may operate while immersed in hostile fluids, including sea water. |
| US07777382B2 |
Motor
A motor includes a rotor core, permanent magnets and non-magnetic layers. The permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor core with each of the permanent magnets defining a pole of the rotor having a pole center and a peripheral edge section, with the peripheral edge section located in a vicinity between the poles and a vicinity of the rotor surface. The non-magnetic layers are located in a vicinity of the rotor surface at a pole center side position with respect to the peripheral edge section of each of the permanent magnets. The peripheral edge sections and the non-magnetic layers are positioned to cancel 5-th or 7-th order harmonics of an induction voltage. The poles are disposed at every approximately constant interval, varying in a constant angle. The peripheral edge sections and the non-magnetic layers are independent from one another, and the rotor core is interposed between them. |
| US07777380B2 |
Electric motor
An electric motor has a wound rotor having a shaft, a rotor core, a commutator and windings wound about the rotor core and connected to the commutator. The motor has a stator confronting the rotor; brush gear electrically connecting the commutator to motor terminals; first and second bearings for rotatably supporting the rotor, and an oil collector fitted to the shaft between the commutator and the first bearing for preventing oil migrating along the shaft from the first bearing reaching the commutator. The oil collector is of high temperature material, preferably a metal such as brass, aluminum and steel. The oil collector returns the collected oil to the first bearing. |
| US07777378B2 |
Electric rotating machine
A shield member (90) is arranged on the rotor end face (18a) of an electric rotating machine (10). As the rotational velocity of a rotor (18) increases, the shield member (90) moves outward in the radial direction of a rotating shaft (12) to cover a part of the opening (86) of a slot (82). The shield member (90) controls inflow of lubricant from a portion in the axial-direction of the rotating shaft (12) on the outside of the rotor end face (18a) to the slot (82). Rotational resistance of the rotor (18) caused by stirring of lubricant can be reduced during high velocity rotation of the rotor (18). |
| US07777377B2 |
Magnetic propulsion motor
The present invention relates to a magnetic propulsion motor comprising a magnetic drive assembly comprising a drive magnet, a rotating hub, and a motion magnet attached to the rotating hub to rotate the motion magnet proximate to the magnetic drive assembly. A driving force is applied to the magnetic drive assembly, which causes the drive magnet to rotate to a position proximal to the motion magnet when the motion magnet is in a position proximate to the magnetic drive assembly. This arrangement exerts a repelling force on the motion magnet from the drive magnet as the motion magnet rotates away from the magnetic drive assembly. The rotation of the drive magnet also rotates the drive magnet to a position distal to the motion magnet as the motion magnet approaches the position proximate to the magnet drive assembly thereby minimizes the repelling force exerted on the motion magnet from the drive magnet as the motion magnet rotates towards the magnetic drive assembly. |
| US07777374B2 |
Electrical appliance
The invention relates to an electric appliance (1) which comprises a machine module (2) provided with an electric machine (3) comprising a stator (4) and a rotor. A machine housing (7) of the machine module (2) receives the electric machine (3). A cooling module (19) comprises a cooling housing (21), which is fluidically connected to the machine housing (7) by means of a first cooling fluid connection area (20) in a housing wall (17) of the machine housing (7) and to at least one second cooling fluid connection area (23) in the housing wall (17) of the machine housing (7). The inside of the machine housing (7) can be fluidically connected to the inside of the cooling housing (21) in one section of the housing wall (17), which is oriented towards the cooling housing (21), by means of at least one third cooling fluid connection area (25) comprising at least one cooling fluid through-opening (26). Various cooling module variants can use said third cooling fluid connection area (25) when other cooling module variants, which can be used in exchange with the cooling module (19) in the machine module (2), do not use the third cooling fluid connection area (25). As a result, an electric appliance (1), a machine module (2) therefore and a set comprising a plurality of different cooling modules, which can meet altered cooling requirements having reduced structural and constructural costs, can be produced. |
| US07777373B2 |
Cooling device of an electrical machine
The invention relates to a cooling device (1,2) pertaining to an electrical machine (10), said cooling device (1,2) comprising at least one rod-shaped heat-conducting means (3,4) for heat-conductive connection to the electrical machine (10). The invention also relates to an electrical machine (10) comprising a housing (18) and/or a stator (14), said housing (18) and/or stator (14) being applied to a cooling device (1,2) comprising a rod-shaped heat-conducting means (3,4) extending axially in relation to the electrical machine. Said heat-conducting means (3,4) is to be received by the stator (14) and/or the housing (18) or arranged on the stator (14) and/or the housing (18). |
| US07777372B2 |
Electric motor, electric tool having the motor, and electric motor production method
An electric motor designed for electric tools. The motor includes a first molded coil having a first coil covered entirely with a resin that is electrically insulating and highly heat conductive. The motor also includes a second molded coil having a second coil covered entirely with the resin. The first molded coil has a pair of first axial portions, and the second molded coil has a pair of second axial portions in alignment with the first axial portions. A stator core disposed around the molded coils includes a first stator core and a second stator core with first stator core legs and second stator core legs, respectively. Air paths through which fan airflow passes are formed between the axial portions and the opposing stator core legs. |
| US07777368B2 |
Redundant power supply with pulse width modulation soft start feature
Various systems and methods for providing a pulse width modulation soft start feature in a redundant power supply are disclosed. One method involves comparing an input voltage, which is received from a load unit, to a threshold voltage. If the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, a PWM signal is used to control a switch, which is configured to electrically couple a redundant power supply to the load unit when closed. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is then modified according to a predetermined sequence. |
| US07777367B2 |
Sequential shunt solar array controller
A current controller for a spacecraft comprises ripple regulators and a pulse width modulated regulator. Ripple regulators receive current from associated current sources and pass current to or shunts current away from the bus. The pulse width modulated regulator receives current from another current source and passes a portion of the current to the bus. This regulator varies its set point to float between ripple regulators passing current and the ripple regulators shunting current and adjusts a portion of current that is shunted away from the bus. The current shunted by the regulators form a total shunt current. The variable set point of the pulse width modulated regulator varies as the total shunt current varies. The ripple regulator set points do not vary in this manner. An error generation circuit generates an error that adjusts the ripple regulator and the pulse width modulated regulator to a desired bus voltage level. |
| US07777363B2 |
Wind engine and wind power system
A wind engine has at least a central rotor (1) which has several groups of frameworks evenly distributed around it (2), each of the frameworks is provided with at least one set of power generation parts (3); the profile frame for the power generation parts is provided with a reversing and return booster (3g) for controlling the reversing speed, and each group of the frameworks is provided with a driver (8) and an opening adjustment positioner (7), and the brake releases or limits the reversing of the power generation parts by making or breaking the control circuit of the power distributor (21). The wind engine enables the power generation system to operate continuously and stably to generate power within the set varying range of different wind speed parameters and can improve power generation efficiency. |
| US07777361B2 |
Turbine ventilator for generating electricity
A turbine ventilator includes a housing having a hub, a tube having a lower segment secured to the hub, a seat disposed on an upper portion of the tube, an electric generator disposed on the seat and having a rotor and an extension secured to the rotor and extended out of the generator, a carrier rotatably attached to the tube, and a number of blades each having a lower portion secured to the carrier and an upper portion secured to the extension of the rotor for rotating the extension of the rotor relative to the generator in order to generate an electric energy. The extension of the rotor includes a relatively shorter length for allowing the rotor to be effectively rotated relative to the generator by the blades. |
| US07777358B2 |
Power turbine speed control using electrical load following
A power turbine speed control system for a turbo-shaft type gas turbine engine that has a gas generator compressor spool and a power turbine spool and drives an electrical generator that powers at least one electrical load by way of at least one electrical bus, comprises a power turbine controller that senses the rotary speed of the power turbine spool and generates at least one signal that changes the torque of the electrical generator in response to the sensed change in the rotary speed of the power turbine spool. |
| US07777357B2 |
Free piston electromagnetic engine
An engine includes a cylinder having two ends, a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder and a converter operable with the piston to convert mechanical energy of the piston from and to electrical energy. |
| US07777355B2 |
Infrared-blocking encapsulant with organometallic colloids
Organometallic colloid(s) is dispersed in a polymer matrix to form an infrared-blocking encapsulant. |
| US07777346B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of manufacturing the same
In manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device, an interconnect trench and a contact hole are formed in an interlayer insulating film formed over a first-level interconnect on a semiconductor substrate, a barrier film is formed inside of the trench and contact hole so that its film thickness increases from the center of the bottom of the hole toward the sidewalls all around the bottom of the contact hole, a copper film is formed over the barrier film, and a second-level interconnect and a connector portion (plug) are formed by polishing by CMP. In this way, the geometrically shortest pathway of an electrical current flowing from the second-level interconnect toward the first-level interconnect through a connector portion (plug) does not coincide with a thin barrier film portion which has the lowest electrical resistance, so that the current pathway can be dispersed and a concentration of electrons does not occur readily. |
| US07777344B2 |
Transitional interface between metal and dielectric in interconnect structures
An integrated circuit structure and methods for forming the same are provided. The integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; an opening in the dielectric layer; a conductive line in the opening; a metal alloy layer overlying the conductive line; a first metal silicide layer overlying the metal alloy layer; and a second metal silicide layer different from the first metal silicide layer on the first metal silicide layer. The metal alloy layer and the first and the second metal silicide layers are substantially vertically aligned to the conductive line. |
| US07777343B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
The reliability of wirings, each of which includes a main conductive film containing copper as a primary component, is improved. On an insulating film including the upper surface of a wiring serving as a lower layer wiring, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbonitride film having excellent barrier properties to copper is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbide film having excellent adhesiveness to a low dielectric constant material film is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a low dielectric constant material as an interlayer insulating film is formed; and thereafter a wiring as an upper layer wiring is formed. |
| US07777341B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a seal ring formed on an outer circumference of an element forming region when seen from the top in a multilayer interconnect structure formed on a silicon layer, and dummy metal structures formed on a further outer circumference of the seal ring. The more inner circumference side the dummy interconnect is formed on, the more upper layer the dummy interconnect is arranged on. |
| US07777339B2 |
Semiconductor chips with reduced stress from underfill at edge of chip
Structures and methods for forming the same. A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate and a transistor on the semiconductor substrate. The chip further includes N interconnect layers on top of the semiconductor substrate and being electrically coupled to the transistor, N being a positive integer. The chip further includes a first dielectric layer on top of the N interconnect layers, and a second dielectric layer on top of the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is in direct physical contact with each interconnect layer of the N interconnect layers. The chip further includes an underfill layer on top of the second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and the underfill layer. The chip further includes a laminate substrate on top of the underfill layer. The underfill layer is sandwiched between the second dielectric layer and the laminate substrate. |
| US07777335B2 |
Wiring structure having a wiring-terminal-connecting adhesive comprising silicone particles
A wiring structure having a wiring-terminal-connection adhesive that includes a curing agent capable of generating a free radical upon heating, a radically polymerizable substance and silicone particles. |
| US07777331B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus comprising a semiconductor chip with a power supply circuit and a smoothing circuit disposed outside the semiconductor chip
A semiconductor apparatus including built-in power supply circuits capable of supplying a large current with high voltage accuracy. The semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor chip including a circuit area and power supply circuits, coils and capacitors. The semiconductor chip, coils and capacitors are provided in a package. Each power supply circuit, a coil and a capacitor compose a switching regulator. The semiconductor chip and the package are connected such that a power supply voltage which will be produced by the switching regulator is supplied to the circuit area. The power supply circuit is supplied with a power supply voltage from the outside of the semiconductor apparatus. |
| US07777327B2 |
Chip package structure and circuit board thereof
A chip package structure including a substrate, a circuit layer, a solder mask, a chip, and an encapsulant is provided. The circuit layer is disposed on the substrate and includes two traces and a dummy trace. The dummy trace is disposed between the traces. The solder mask covers the circuit layer and the substrate. The chip is disposed on the solder mask and electrically connected to the traces. The encapsulant covers the solder mask and wraps the chip. The traces and the dummy trace extend from the inside of the area covered by the encapsulant to the outside of the area covered by the encapsulant. Because the dummy trace is used in the chip package structure, it can be avoided that the traces is pulled apart when the redundant encapsulant is removed after the encapsulant is formed. |
| US07777324B2 |
Interposer and semiconductor package with reduced contact area
Disclosed is an interposer including a polyhedral body having first and second surfaces facing each other, a plurality of electric terminals formed on the first surface; and a plurality of vias extending through the first and second surfaces. In addition, a semiconductor package includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of electric contacts formed on an upper surface and an interposer having first and second surfaces facing each other, vias extending through the first and second surfaces, and first electric terminals formed on the first surface. The interposer is seated on the printed circuit board so that the vias correspond to the electric contacts. |
| US07777322B2 |
Apparatus for providing a light source that combines different color LEDS
A method for creating an improved signal light is disclosed. For example, the improved signal light includes a housing, one or more first type of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting a light energy having a first dominant wavelength deployed in the housing, one or more second type of LEDs emitting a light energy having a second dominant wavelength deployed in the housing, a filter and a mixer. The filter may filter the light energy of the one or more second type of LEDs such that only a third dominant wavelength passes from the one or more second type of LEDs. The mixer may mix the light energy having the first dominant wavelength and the filtered light energy having the third dominant wavelength to form a light energy having a desired fourth dominant wavelength. |
| US07777317B2 |
Card and manufacturing method
The invention relates to a card for contactless data and/or energy transmission by means of external devices, containing a multilayer card body which has a substrate layer for accommodating an antenna coil having exposed coil connections on a top side of the substrate layer which are connected in an electrically conductive manner to connections for a chip module containing a chip, the chip being enclosed in a recess in the substrate layer; the windings of the antenna coil extend on the top side of the substrate layer, and a compensation layer extends on the top side of the substrate layer; the compensation layer has a chip module opening for placing the chip module on the substrate layer, and has a bridge opening for the contacting of connections of an antenna bridge which extends transverse to the windings. |
| US07777314B2 |
Electronic component mounting package and package assembled substrate
A package of the present invention has a laminate structure formed by laminating a plurality of ceramic layers, and has a mount surface to be a joint surface when mounted on a mother board, defined parallel with the laminating direction. A first ceramic layer has a recess with an L-shaped cross section across the mount surface and a side surface, defined at each end thereof in a direction perpendicular to the laminating direction, and an external electrode formed on each recess, the external electrode having a surface thereof exposed to the mount surface. |
| US07777311B2 |
Circuit substrate, molding semiconductor device, tray and inspection socket
Vias 7 penetrating a circuit substrate 2 or a seal ring 8 are provided on a part or the entire outer periphery of a molding semiconductor device 1 or in the cut region of the circuit substrate 2, so that adhesion between a substrate and a core 2C in the circuit substrate 2 is improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the exfoliation of the circuit substrate 2, improving the yields. |
| US07777310B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with integral inner lead and paddle
An integrated circuit package system is provided including forming a paddle, an outer lead, and an inner lead between the paddle and the outer lead; forming a non-vertical paddle edge of the paddle and a non-vertical lead edge of the inner lead facing the non-vertical paddle edge; and encapsulating an integrated circuit die over the paddle. |
| US07777305B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to provide a nitride semiconductor device with low parasitic resistance by lowering barrier height to reduce contact resistance at an interface of semiconductor and metal. The nitride semiconductor device includes a GaN layer, a device isolation layer, an ohmic electrode, an n-type Al0.25Ga0.75N layer, a sapphire substrate, and a buffer layer. A main surface of the n-type Al0.25Ga0.75N layer is on (0 0 0 1) plane as a main surface, and concaves are arranged in a checkerboard pattern on the surface. The ohmic electrode contacts the sides of the concaves of the n-type Al0.25Ga0.75N layer, and the sides of the concaves are on non-polar surfaces such as (1 1 −2 0) plane or (1 −1 0 0) plane. |
| US07777303B2 |
Semiconductor-nanocrystal/conjugated polymer thin films
The invention described herein provides for thin films and methods of making comprising inorganic semiconductor-nanocrystals dispersed in semiconducting-polymers in high loading amounts. The invention also describes photovoltaic devices incorporating the thin films. |
| US07777297B2 |
Non-planar fuse structure including angular bend
A fuse structure includes a non-planar fuse material layer typically located over and replicating a topographic feature within a substrate. The non-planar fuse material layer includes an angular bend that assists in providing a lower severance current within the non-planar fuse material layer. |
| US07777293B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit, D-A converter device, and A-D converter device
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a plurality of capacitor cells, and each capacitor cell has an upper electrode and a lower electrode. These electrodes are respectively connected to an upper electrode wiring and a lower electrode. When, for example, the upper electrode is connected to the upper electrode wiring and the electrode wiring is located at a side of the lower electrode of another capacitor cell or a side of the lower electrode wiring connecting these electrodes, a shield wiring is provided between the upper electrode wiring and the adjacently-located lower electrode of the other capacitor cell or between the upper electrode wiring and the adjacently-located lower electrode wiring. Thus, with this shield wiring, the capacitance coupling between each wiring of the capacitor cells and each upper electrode or each lower electrode of the capacitor cells are effectively suppressed. |
| US07777289B2 |
Integrated photodiode of the floating substrate type
An integrated circuit includes at least one photodiode of the floating substrate type which is associated with a read transistor. The photodiode is formed from a buried layer lying beneath the floating substrate and an upper layer lying on the floating substrate. The upper layer incorporates the source and drain regions of the read transistor. The source and drain regions are produced on either side of the gate of the read transistor. An isolating trench is located alongside the source region and extends from the upper surface of the upper layer down to below the buried layer, so as to isolate the source region from said buried layer. |
| US07777288B2 |
Integrated circuit device and fabrication method therefor
In a temperature sensor section of a semiconductor integrated circuit device, wires of the topmost wiring layer of a multi-layer wiring structure are formed. A sheet-like temperature monitor element of vanadium oxide is provided between two of the wires in such a way as to cover the two wires. Accordingly, the temperature monitor element is connected between the two wires of an underlying wiring layer of the multi-layer wiring structure through two vias and the two wires of the topmost wiring layer. |
| US07777286B2 |
Monolithic semiconductor microwave switch array
A microwave switch array includes a plurality of microwave slotlines, each of which is controlled by a semiconductor switch including a first PIN junction formed by a primary P-type electrode and a primary N-type electrode separated by the slotline. The switches inject a plasma into the slotline in response to a potential applied across the first PIN junction. Each of the switches includes a second PIN junction between the primary P-type electrode and a secondary N-type electrode, and a third PIN junction between the primary N-type electrode and a secondary P-type electrode. Metal contacts connect the primary P-type electrode and the secondary N-type electrode across second PIN junction, and the primary N-type electrode and the secondary P-type electrode across the third PIN junction. The secondary electrodes extract plasma that diffuses away from the first PIN junction, thereby minimizing the performance degrading effects of plasma diffusion. |
| US07777285B2 |
Semiconductor device having a suspended micro-system
A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes a suspended micro-system. According to the method, a silicon porous layer is formed above a silicon substrate, and the silicon porous layer is oxidized. An oxide layer is deposited, and a first polysilicon layer is deposited above the oxide layer. The first polysilicon layer, the oxide layer, and the silicon porous layer are selectively removed. A nitride layer is deposited, and a second polysilicon layer is deposited. The second polysilicon layer, the nitride layer, the first polysilicon layer, and the oxide layer are selectively removed. The silicon porous layer is removed in areas made accessible by the previous step. Also provided is a semiconductor device that includes a suspended structure fixed to at least two walls through a plurality of hinges, with the suspended structure including an oxide layer, a first polysilicon layer, a nitride layer, and a second polysilicon layer. |
| US07777282B2 |
Self-aligned tunneling pocket in field-effect transistors and processes to form same
A microelectronic device includes a tunneling pocket within an asymmetrical semiconductive body including source- and drain wells. The tunneling pocket is formed by a self-aligned process by removing a dummy gate electrode from a gate spacer and by implanting the tunneling pocket into the semiconductive body or into an epitaxial film that is part of the semiconductive body. |
| US07777280B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
There have been provided a semiconductor device capable of preventing defects associated with etching, such as an increase in leak current, deterioration in film-coating properties and deterioration in transistor properties, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. A CMOS transistor includes, on the same semiconductor substrate, an NMOS transistor having a gate electrode and a PMOS transistor having a gate electrode, wherein the former gate electrode includes a gate insulating film, a polycrystal silicon layer, a metal layer and another polycrystal silicon layer, and the latter gate electrode includes a gate insulating film, a metal layer and a polycrystal silicon layer. |
| US07777277B2 |
Dual triggered silicon controlled rectifier
The present invention provides a dual triggered silicon controlled rectifier (DTSCR) including: a semiconductor substrate, an N-well, a P-well, a first N+ diffusion region and a first P+ diffusion region, a second N+ diffusion region and a second P+ diffusion region; a third P+ diffusion region, positioned in one side of the DTSCR and across the N-well and the P-well; a third N+ diffusion region, positioned in another side of the DTSCR and across the N-well and the P-well; a first gate, positioned above the N-well between the second and the third P+ diffusion regions, utilized as a P-type trigger node to receive a first trigger current or a first trigger voltage; and a second gate, positioned above the P-well between the first and the third N+ diffusion regions, utilized as an N-type trigger node to receive a second trigger current or a second trigger voltage. |
| US07777276B2 |
FinFET transistor and circuit
A drive strength tunable FinFET, a method of drive strength tuning a FinFET, a drive strength ratio tuned FinFET circuit and a method of drive strength tuning a FinFET, wherein the FinFET has either at least one perpendicular and at least one angled fin or has at least one double-gated fin and one split-gated fin. |
| US07777275B2 |
Silicon-on-insulator structures
Methods which include providing a single crystal silicon substrate having a device pattern formed on a portion of the substrate where the device pattern has a protrusion, forming a protection layer on a portion of the protrusion, and forming an oxide insulation layer between the protrusion and the substrate using a thermal oxidation process; methods of forming a partial SOI structure which include providing a single crystal silicon substrate having a device pattern formed thereon where the device pattern comprises a non-SOI region and an SOI region having a protrusion, forming a protection layer on a portion of the protrusion, and forming an oxide insulation layer between the protrusion and the substrate using a thermal oxidation process; structures formed by such methods; and partial silicon-on-insulator structures comprising a single crystal silicon substrate having an device pattern disposed on a surface thereof where the device pattern includes a non-SOI region and an SOI region having a protrusion, and an oxide insulation layer disposed in the device pattern where a portion of the insulation layer is disposed under the protrusion such that the protrusion is isolated from the single crystal substrate, and where the non-SOI region is not isolated from the single crystal structure. |
| US07777268B2 |
Dual-gate device
A memory circuit having dual-gate memory cells and a method for fabricating such a memory circuit are disclosed. The dual-gate memory cells each include a memory device and an access device sharing a semiconductor layer, with their respective channel regions provided on different surfaces of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a thickness such that a sensitivity parameter relating an electrical interaction between the gate electrodes of the access device and the memory device is less than a predetermined value. The dual-gate memory cells can be used as building blocks for a non-volatile memory array, such as a memory array formed by NAND-strings. In such an array, during programming of a nearby memory device in a NAND string, in NAND-strings not to be programmed, if inversion regions are allowed to be formed in the semiconductor layer, or if the semiconductor layer is allowed to electrically float, electrical interaction exists between the access devices and the memory devices to inhibit programming of the memory devices. |
| US07777267B2 |
Manufacture method and structure of a nonvolatile memory
The manufacturing method of a nonvolatile memory and its structure is achieved by building a gate dielectric layer on a base. The gate dielectric contains at least two layers of different material layers. At least one hetero element is planted on the top of the gate dielectric layer so as to increase the electronic trap density. Then rebuild a new top material after removing the upmost layer of material. Finally, build a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and form source/drain electrodes at the bases of both sides of the gate dielectric layer. In this invention, with the planting of the hetero element, it will form traps in the gate dielectric layer that can catch electrons more easily. Thus, the electrons won't combine together with the increase of operation time. The storage time can be effectively extended and the problem of the combination of bites can be solved. |
| US07777261B2 |
Magnetic device having stabilized free ferromagnetic layer
Magnetic multilayer structures, such as magnetic or magnetoresistive tunnel junctions (MTJs) and spin valves, having a magnetic biasing layer formed next to and magnetically coupled to the free ferromagnetic layer to achieve a desired stability against fluctuations caused by, e.g., thermal fluctuations and astray fields. Stable MTJ cells with low aspect ratios can be fabricated using CMOS processing for, e.g., high-density MRAM memory devices and other devices, using the magnetic biasing layer. Such multilayer structures can be programmed using spin transfer induced switching by driving a write current perpendicular to the layers. |
| US07777259B2 |
Multi-well CMOS image sensor and methods of fabricating the same
Provided is a multi-well CMOS image sensor and a method of fabricating the same. The multi-well CMOS image sensor may include a plurality of photodiodes vertically formed in a region of a substrate, an n+ wall that vertically connects an outer circumference of the photodiodes, and a floating diffusion region that is connected to the photodiodes on a side of the n+ wall to receive charges from the photodiodes, wherein a p-type region is formed between the floating diffusion region and the n+ wall, and the plurality of photodiodes have a multi-potential well structure. |
| US07777257B2 |
Bipolar Schottky diode and method
A low leakage bipolar Schottky diode (20, 40, 87) is formed by parallel lightly doped N (32, 52, 103) and P (22, 42, 100) regions adapted to form superjunction regions. First ends of the P regions (22, 42, 100) are terminated by P+ layers (21, 41, 121) and second, opposed ends of the N regions (32, 52, 103) are terminated by N+ layers (31, 51, 131). Silicide layers (24, 34, 44, 54, 134, 124) are provided in contact with both ends of the parallel N and P regions (22, 32, 42, 52, 100, 103), thereby forming at the first end ohmic contacts (28, 48) with the P+ regions (21, 41, 121) and Schottky contacts (37, 57) with the N regions 32, 52, 103) and at the second, opposite end, ohmic contacts (38, 58) with the N+ regions (31, 51, 131) and Schottky contacts (27, 47) with the P regions (22, 42, 100). When forward biased current flows in both N (32, 52) and P (22, 42) regions thereby reducing the forward drop. When reverse biased, a substantial portion of the voltage is dropped across the lightly doped N (32, 52) and P (22, 42) superjunction regions, thereby significantly reducing the reverse leakage. |
| US07777254B2 |
Normally-off field-effect semiconductor device
After creating an electron transit layer on a substrate, a baffle is formed on midpart of the surface of the electron transit layer, the surface having a pair of spaced-apart parts left on both sides of the baffle. A semiconducting material different from that of the electron transit layer is deposited on its surface thereby conjointly fabricating an electron supply layer grown continuously on the pair of spaced-apart parts of the electron transit layer surface, and a discontinuous growth layer on the baffle in the midpart of the electron transit layer surface. When no voltage is being impressed to the gate electrode on the discontinuous growth layer, this layer creates a hiatus in the two-dimensional electron gas layer generated along the heterojunction between the electron supply layer and electron transit layer. The hiatus is closed upon voltage application to the gate electrode. |
| US07777251B2 |
Compound semiconductor device and doherty amplifier using compound semiconductor device
A lower electron supply layer is disposed over a lower electron transport layer made of compound semiconductor. The lower electron supply layer is made of n-type compound semiconductor having an electron affinity smaller than that of the lower electron transport layer. An upper electron transport layer is disposed over the lower electron supply layer. The upper electron transport layer is made of compound semiconductor having a doping concentration lower than that of the lower electron supply layer or non-doped compound semiconductor. An upper electron supply layer is disposed over the upper electron transport layer. The upper electron supply layer is made of n-type compound semiconductor having an electron affinity smaller than that of the upper electron transport layer. A source and drain electrodes are disposed over the upper electron supply layer. A gate electrode is disposed over the upper electron supply layer between the source and drain electrodes. |
| US07777249B2 |
Semiconductor device with enhanced switching speed and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention has a step of forming a plurality of MOSFETs each having a channel of a first conductivity type in a stripe on the first major surface of a wafer; a step of implanting an impurity of a first conductivity type into the second major surface of the wafer, and performing a laser annealing treatment in a stripe leaving equidistant gaps, to form a buffer layer that has been activated in a stripe; a step of implanting an impurity of a second conductivity type into the second major surface of the substrate after forming the buffer layer, and performing a laser annealing treatment on the entire surface of the second major surface, to form a collector layer, and to activate the buffer layer; and a step of forming an emitter electrode on the first major surface, and forming a collector electrode on the second major surface. |
| US07777248B1 |
Semiconductor device for latch-up prevention
A semiconductor device is provided for preventing Latch-up in Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) when these SCRs become activated. Embodiments of the invention use a natively doped region having high resistance to separate the NPN transistor from the PNP transistor that form the SCR, and/or to isolate the entire SCR from the injector source in order to prevent latch-up. The high resistance of the natively doped region allows to achieve the separation resistance needed in a smaller space, as compared to the space required to achieve the same separation resistance in a well. Accordingly, the invention provides for more robust and cost effective latch-up prevention devices. |
| US07777246B2 |
Light emitting diode with inorganic bonding material formed within
A light emitting device includes: a chip-mounting base; a light emitting chip mounted on the chip-mounting base; and a transparent encapsulant enclosing the light emitting chip and bonded to the chip-mounting base through a bonding material. The bonding material is an inorganic compound selected from one of a nitride compound and an oxide compound. |
| US07777242B2 |
Light emitting device and fabrication method thereof
A light emitting device which includes: a substrate; an n-type semiconductor layer which is composed of a nitride semiconductor, formed on the substrate and has an n-side electrode; a p-type semiconductor layer which is composed of a nitride semiconductor, and stacked above the n-type semiconductor layer; a light emitting layer which is disposed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer; a p-side electrode which is disposed on a transparent electrode formed on the p-side electrode in a light emitting area; a plurality of protrusions and depressions in an area other than the light emitting area; and an insulation film on an area except areas of the n-side electrode and the p-side electrode, wherein the n-side electrode and the p-side electrode are arranged on a same side of the substrate, wherein a thickness of the insulation film on a top of the protrusions and depressions is thicker than a thickness of the insulation film in the light emitting area. |
| US07777238B2 |
Chip-type light emitting device and wiring substrate for the same
For providing a chip-type light emitting device, having a plural number of light emitting elements therein, so as to enable to obtain a high optical output with preferable conversion efficiency thereof, and a wiring substrate for that, the chip-type light emitting device, mounting the plural number of the light emitting diodes 30, 30 . . . within an inside of an insulating substrate, has a base substrate 10 and a reflector substrate 20, which is laminated and adhered on an upper surface thereof. In the base substrate 10 is formed a though hole 11, on the reverse surface of which is formed a heat radiating plate 12 made from a thick metal thin film. Also, on an inner periphery and a bottom portion of the through hole are formed a reflection film 13, and further wiring patterns 14, 14 . . . are formed on the substrate. On the other hand, the reflector substrate 20 is formed with a through hole 21, having a diameter larger than that of the through hole of the base substrate, and on an inner peripheral surface thereof is formed a reflection film 22. This reflector substrate is disposed and adhered on an upper surface of the base substrate, at such the position that portions of the wiring patterns are exposed through the through hole thereof, and the plural number of the light emitting diodes are connected to the wiring patterns on the base substrate, to be mounted thereon. |
| US07777235B2 |
Light emitting diodes with improved light collimation
A light emitting diode with improved light collimation comprises a substrate-supported LED die disposed within a transparent dome. A portion of the dome laterally circumscribe the die comprises light reflecting material to reflect emitted light back to the die. A portion of the dome centrally overlying the die is substantially free of light reflecting material to permit exit of light within a desired radiation pattern. The LED die may be packaged for high temperature operation by disposing them on a ceramic-coated metal base which can be coupled to a heat sink. The packaged LED can be made by the low temperature co-fired ceramic-on-metal technique (LTCC-M). |
| US07777234B2 |
Light-receiving element and photonic semiconductor device provided therewith
A light-receiving element has a photodiode formed in part of the top surface of a semiconductor substrate so as to function as a light-receiving region, and has a light-emitting element mount electrode formed on top of the semiconductor substrate where the light-receiving region is not formed. A high concentration impurity layer is formed below the top surface of the semiconductor substrate along the peripheral edges of the light-emitting element mount electrode. This helps prevent the voltage applied to the light-emitting element mount electrode from influencing the output of the light-receiving element.Alternatively, a photonic semiconductor device has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and has the light-receiving region of the light-receiving element formed parallel to the direction in which the light-emitting element emits light. The light-emitting element is arranged so that, when viewed in a plan view, the light-emitting point thereof overlaps with at least part of the light-receiving region. This permits easy fitting of the light-emitting element even with a low light-emitting point, and thus helps reduce variation in light reception sensitivity. |
| US07777230B2 |
Display device
The present invention provides a display device having thin film transistors which can reduce an OFF current in spite of the extremely simple constitution. In the display device having thin film transistors on a substrate, each thin film transistor includes a gate electrode which is connected with a gate signal line, a semiconductor layer which is formed astride the gate electrode by way of an insulation film, a drain electrode which is connected with a drain signal line and is formed on the semiconductor layer, and a source electrode which is formed on the semiconductor layer in a state that the source electrode faces the drain electrode in an opposed manner, and a side of the drain electrode which faces the source electrode does not overlap the gate electrode as viewed in a plan view, and a side of the source electrode which faces the drain electrode does not overlap the gate electrode as viewed in a plan view. |
| US07777228B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device comprises a gate line on a substrate having a pixel region; a gate insulating layer on the gate line; a data line crossing the gate line to define the pixel region and formed on the gate insulating layer; a thin film transistor in the pixel region and connected to the gate line and the data line; a passivation layer on the thin film transistor and the data line and having a groove extending along boundary portion of the pixel region and exposing the gate insulating layer; and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor. |
| US07777226B2 |
Polycrystalline silicon thin film, fabrication method thereof, and thin film transistor without directional dependency on active channels fabricated using the same
A polycrystalline silicon thin film to be used in display devices, the thin film comprising adjacent primary grain boundaries that are not parallel to each other and do not contact each other, wherein an area surrounded by the primary grain boundaries is larger than 1 μm2, a fabrication method of the polycrystalline silicon thin film, and a thin film transistor fabricated using the method. |
| US07777225B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device. The organic light-emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present invention utilizes an N-type driving transistor, and therefore it has a drain electrode of a driving transistor electrically connected to a cathode electrode of an organic light-emitting diode, wherein the organic light-emitting display device includes a thin metal film between the cathode electrode and the organic light-emitting layer. |
| US07777224B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
To reduce variation among TFTs in manufacture of a semiconductor device including n-type thin film transistors and p-type thin film transistors. Further, another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of masks and manufacturing steps, and manufacturing time. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of a first thin film transistor, then, forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor. In the formation of the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor, a gate insulating film in contact with the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the second thin film transistor is used as a protection film (an etching stopper film) for the island-shaped semiconductor layer of the first thin film transistor. |
| US07777223B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which size reduction is possible without functional devices below pads being damaged by stress. The semiconductor device has a plurality of pads above a semiconductor substrate as terminals for external connection. A plurality of dual use pads which are used in both a probing test and assembly are provided in a first area above a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, an application of pressure by a probe during the probing test being permitted in the first area, and a plurality of assembly pads which are not used in the probing test are provided in a second area above the main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the application of pressure by the probe during the probing test being not permitted in the second area. |
| US07777222B2 |
Nanotube device structure and methods of fabrication
Nanotube device structures and methods of fabrication. A method of making a nanotube switching element includes forming a first structure having at a first output electrode; forming second structure having a second output electrode; forming a conductive article having at least one nanotube, the article having first and second ends; positioning the conductive article between said first and second structures such that the first structure clamps the first and second ends of the article to the second structure, and such that the first and second output electrodes are opposite each other with the article positioned therebetween; providing at least one signal electrode in electrical communication with the conductive article; and providing at least one control electrode in spaced relation to the conductive article such that the control electrode may control the conductive article to form a conductive pathway between the signal electrode and the first output electrode. |
| US07777221B2 |
Organic semiconducting copolymer and organic electronic device including the same
An organic semiconducting copolymer according to example embodiments may be represented by Formula 1 below: An organic electronic device may include the above organic semiconducting copolymer. The organic semiconducting copolymer according to example embodiments may provide improved solubility, processability, and thin film properties. Consequently, the organic semiconducting copolymer may be used in a variety of electronic devices. A suitable electronic device may be an organic thin film transistor. When an active layer of an organic thin film transistor includes the organic semiconducting copolymer, higher charge mobility and lower breaking leakage current may be achieved. |
| US07777220B2 |
Organic thin film transistor array panel
An organic thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate, a gate line formed on the substrate and including a gate electrode. A gate insulating layer is formed on the gate electrode and a data line is formed on the gate insulating layer, intersecting the gate line, and including a drain electrode. A source electrode is formed on the gate insulating layer and is spaced apart from the drain electrode, enclosed by the drain electrode. A bank insulating layer includes a first opening exposing the drain electrode and the source electrode and a second opening which exposes at least a portion of the source electrode. An organic semiconductor is formed in the first opening and contacts the drain electrode and the source electrode. A pixel electrode contacts the source electrode through the second opening. |
| US07777217B2 |
Inclusion-free uniform semi-insulating group III nitride substrate and methods for making same
In a method for making an inclusion-free uniformly semi-insulating GaN crystal, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode, wherein a surface of the nucleation layer is substantially covered with pits and the aspect ratio of the pits is essentially the same. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. After growing the transitional layer, a surface of the transitional layer is substantially pit-free. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE. After growing the bulk layer, a surface of the bulk layer is smooth and substantially pit-free. The GaN is doped with a transition metal during at least one of the foregoing GaN growth steps. |
| US07777216B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having high output power and excellent long-term reliability by preventing thermal adverse influence exerted at the time of window structure formation is provided. The method comprises a 1st step of forming predetermined semiconductor layers 2 to 9 containing at least an active layer 4b consisting of a quantum well active layer on a semiconductor substrate 1; a 2nd step of forming a first dielectric film 10 on a first portion of the surface of the semiconductor layers 2 to 9; a 3rd step of forming a second dielectric film 12 made of the same material as that of the first dielectric film 10 and having a density lower than that of the first dielectric film 10 on a second portion of the surface of the semiconductor layers 2 to 9; and a 4th step of heat-treating a multilayer body containing the semiconductor layers 2 to 9, the first dielectric film 10, and the second dielectric film 12 to disorder the quantum well layer below the second dielectric film 12. |
| US07777215B2 |
Resistive memory structure with buffer layer
A memory device comprises first and second electrodes with a memory element and a buffer layer located between and electrically coupled to them. The memory element comprises one or more metal oxygen compounds. The buffer layer comprises at least one of an oxide and a nitride. Another memory device comprises first and second electrodes with a memory element and a buffer layer, having a thickness of less than 50 Å, located between and electrically coupled to them. The memory comprises one or more metal oxygen compounds. An example of a method of fabricating a memory device includes forming first and second electrodes. A memory, located between and electrically coupled to the first and the second electrodes, is formed; the memory comprises one or more metal oxygen compounds and the buffer layer comprises at least one of an oxide and a nitride. |
| US07777213B2 |
Phase change layer including indium and method of manufacturing the same and phase change memory device comprising phase change layer including indium and methods of manufacturing and operating the same
Provided are a phase change layer and a method of forming the phase change layer and a phase change memory device including the phase change layer, and methods of manufacturing and operating the phase change memory device. The phase change layer may be formed of a quaternary compound including an amount of indium (In) ranging from about 15 at. % to about 20 at. %. The phase change layer may be InaGebSbcTed, wherein an amount of germanium (Ge) ranges from about 10 at. %≦b≦about 15 at. %, an amount of antimony (Sb) ranges from about 20 at. %≦c≦about 25 at. %, and an amount of tellurium (Te) ranges from about 40 at. %≦d≦about 55 at. %. |
| US07777209B2 |
Product inspection system and a method for implementing same
An inspection system and a method for measuring physical characteristics of a component using the inspection system is provided, wherein the inspection system includes a light source, a sensing device, a reflecting device, and a retention mount, at least one of which is movably associated with the inspection system. The method includes associating a component with the inspection system, operating the inspection system to cause the light source to emit a collimated light beam propagating along a source optical path, reflecting the collimated light beam via the reflecting device to cause a reflected collimated light beam to be incident upon the component to produce a component silhouette which is incident upon the sensing device, generating image data responsive to the component silhouette and processing the image data to generate resultant data comprising at least one of a plurality of physical characteristics of the component. |
| US07777207B2 |
Methods and apparatus for presenting images
An image projection system for presenting an image to a viewer comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate radiation having multiple spectral characteristics, and multiple independently operable optical switches configured to selectively transmit, reflect, and/or block radiation from the radiation source to the viewer. The viewed image is made up of pixels defined by the selective operation of the optical switches with the radiation source. |
| US07777203B2 |
Substrate holding apparatus
A substrate holding apparatus for use in ion implanters includes two or more substrate holders that can adopt interchangeable positions, thereby allowing one substrate holder to scan a substrate through an ion beam while substrates can be swapped on the other substrate holder. The substrate holder assembly includes a base rotatable about a first axis and at least two support arms extending from the base to ends provided with substrate holders. Rotating the base allows the substrate holders to move between designated positions. One designated position may correspond to a position for implanting a substrate and another designated position may correspond to a loading/unloading station. |
| US07777198B2 |
Apparatus and method for exposing a substrate to a rotating irradiance pattern of UV radiation
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an ultraviolet (UV) cure chamber for curing a dielectric material disposed on a substrate and to methods of curing dielectric materials using UV radiation. A substrate processing tool according to one embodiment comprises a body defining a substrate processing region; a substrate support adapted to support a substrate within the substrate processing region; an ultraviolet radiation lamp spaced apart from the substrate support, the lamp configured to transmit ultraviolet radiation to a substrate positioned on the substrate support; and a motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ultraviolet radiation lamp or substrate support at least 180 degrees relative to each other. The substrate processing tool may further comprise one or more reflectors adapted to generate a flood pattern of ultraviolet radiation over the substrate that has complementary high and low intensity areas which combine to generate a substantially uniform irradiance pattern if rotated. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07777197B2 |
Vacuum reaction chamber with x-lamp heater
Methods and apparatus for electron beam treatment of a substrate are provided. An electron beam apparatus that includes a vacuum chamber, at least one thermocouple assembly in communication with the vacuum chamber, a heating device in communication with the vacuum chamber, and combinations thereof are provided. In one embodiment, the vacuum chamber comprises an electron source wherein the electron source comprises a cathode connected to a high voltage source, an anode connected to a low voltage source, and a substrate support. In another embodiment, the vacuum chamber comprises a grid located between the anode and the substrate support. In one embodiment the heating device comprises a first parallel light array and a second light array positioned such that the first parallel light array and the second light array intersect. In one embodiment the thermocouple assembly comprises a temperature sensor made of aluminum nitride. |
| US07777193B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus
The signal strength of communications of a cassette transmitter/receiver is set to be lower during transmission of confirmation image signals, that is, during readout of image signals from a radiation detector, than the signal strength of communications of the cassette transmitter/receiver at times other than during readout of image signals. This suppresses adverse influence imparted onto the image signals by wireless communication, and reduces the amount of noise generated in the image signals. |
| US07777189B2 |
Dirty isotope PET reconstruction
A method for use in dirty isotope positron imaging uses information about a measured characteristic of an object (118) to generate a spurious coincidence correction. The spurious imaging correction is applied to data from a positron imaging examination of the object. The corrected data is used to generate a human readable image indicative of the object. |
| US07777187B2 |
Apparatus and method for investigating a sample
An apparatus for investigating a sample comprising: a source of beam radiation; a detector for detecting a beam of radiation reflected by the sample and an optical subsystem for manipulating the beam between source and detector wherein the optical subsystem comprises a first optical element arranged in use to angularly deflect the source beam within a given solid angle and a second optical element arranged to focus the beam from the first optical element onto a substantially flat image plane and wherein radiation reflected by the sample passes back through the first and second optical elements to the detector. |
| US07777184B2 |
Method for photoresist characterization and analysis
A method for photoresist characterization includes forming a photoresist on a supportive structure; and characterizing the photoresist using a metrology tool selected from the group consisting of a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM), a small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and a laser diffraction particle analyzer. |
| US07777183B2 |
Charge particle beam system, sample processing method, and semiconductor inspection system
A charged particle beam system, a sample processing method, and a semiconductor inspection system enable an accurate detection of a particle in a film without causing LMIS contamination and allow observation with an electron microscope quickly. A particle 65 causing a defect in a film 66 that has been detected with a separate optical inspection system is detected with an optical microscope 43 based on position information acquired by the separate optical inspection system. A sample 31 is processed with a nonmetal ion beam 22 so as to allow observation of the particle 65 with an electron microscope image or an ion microscope image, or ultimate analysis of the particle 65 with an EDX. |
| US07777180B2 |
Ion mobility spectrometry method and apparatus
The invention includes an ion mobility spectrometer having a liquid filled drift chamber. The chamber has an ionization region partitioned from and an ion separation region by a reversible ion-migration block. An electrical field within the chamber allows ions to migrate toward the electrode collector. Passage of ions from the ionization region is triggered by reversing the block allowing ions to migrate into the ion separation region. The invention includes a method of ion mobility analysis in liquid phase. Ions are mobilized to migrate through a drift liquid and are detected at an end of a drift chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating ions in a sample. A sample containing molecules in a first solvent is introduced into a second solvent through a charged capillary where the electrically charged sample is electro-disperses to ionize the molecules. |
| US07777176B2 |
Composition and method to characterize membranes' defects
The chemical composition and method of the invention enable characterization of microscopic defects in membranes such as pinholes, cracks or fissures. The present invention, however, can be used to characterize defects on different types of porous and non-porous membranes used for diverse applications in various industries. It uses brightly fluorescing silica or silsesquioxane spheres prepared with pre-determined definitive and uniform sizes (15 nm-50 microns). The spheres' uniform, controlled size allows them to be used to characterize defects or holes in membranes based on a size exclusion mechanism. The spheres used are engineered to glow brightly when exposed to ultraviolet light in order to allow visual or highly sensitive fluorescence spectroscopy or microscopy to characterize the passage of the particles through defects or holes in a membrane and even identify where the defect is located. |
| US07777173B2 |
Object detection system with a VCSEL diode array
A vehicle-mounted object detection system utilizing vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes as an emitter source to alert a motor vehicle operator to the presence of another moving vehicle in a monitored zone. The object detection system includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. |
| US07777170B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and camera
A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array; a reference signal generation unit operable to generate a reference signal that changes monotonically for a predetermined period in a horizontal period; a comparator operable to compare the level of a pixel signal with the level of a reference signal; a counter operable to count input clock pulses; a memory operable to store the number of counts counted by the counter as a digital value; and a timing control unit operable to generate a clock that is to be input into the counter, and change frequency of the clock that is to be input into the counter based on external input data. |
| US07777165B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adjustable surfaces
Methods and apparatus for systems having deployable elements according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a system including a deployable surface and an adaptive actuator including a polymer foam. In one embodiment, the system comprises a vehicle including a deployable wing comprising an exterior surface. The exterior surface may be adjusted by adjusting the shape, size, position, and/or orientation of the adaptive actuator. |
| US07777161B2 |
Heat-generating element of a heating device
A heat-generating element of a heating device for heating air including at least one PTC element, electric strip conductors lying on the PTC elements and a longish positioning frame that forms at least one frame opening for holding the minimum of one PTC element. A heat-generating element that is improved with a view to safety from electric flashovers and leakage currents is created with the invention under consideration by providing at least one insulating layer, which covers the strip conductor on its exterior side that is turned away from the positioning frame. The insulating layer in any case is sealed against the long sides of the positioning frame by a compressible sealing bead. A heating device for heating air with multiple heat-generating elements is also disclosed. |
| US07777160B2 |
Electrode tuning method and apparatus for a layered heater structure
A layered heater structure including an electrode layer and a localized tuning method for tuning the electrode layer of a layered heater structure with high precision is provided. The localized tuning method tunes the electrode layer to its proper local resistance to minimize temperature offsets on the heater surface and thus provide a desired thermal profile that is in marked contrast to conventional, non-localized resistance tuning approaches based on thickness trimming practices, such as grinding or blasting, or resistivity adjustment, such as local heat treatment. |
| US07777157B2 |
Portable blanket warmer
A blanket warmer is disclosed. The blanket warmer is lightweight, portable, and consumes minimal power. |
| US07777155B2 |
System and method for an integrated additive manufacturing cell for complex components
An integrated additive manufacturing cell (IAMC) that combines conventional manufacturing technologies with additive manufacturing processes is disclosed. Individual IAMCs may be configured and optimized for specific part families of complex components, or other industrial applications. The IAMCs incorporate features that reduce hardware cost and time and allow for local alloy tailoring for material properties optimization in complex components. |
| US07777152B2 |
High AC current high RF power AC-RF decoupling filter for plasma reactor heated electrostatic chuck
An RF blocking filter isolates a two-phase AC power supply from at least 2 kV p-p of power of an HF frequency that is reactively coupled to a resistive heating element, while conducting several kW of 60 Hz AC power from the two-phase AC power supply to the resistive heating element without overheating, the two-phase AC power supply having a pair of terminals and the resistive heating element having a pair of terminals. The filter includes a pair of cylindrical non-conductive envelopes each having an interior diameter between about one and two inches and respective pluralities of fused iron powder toroids of magnetic permeability on the order of about 10 stacked coaxially within respective ones of the pair of cylindrical envelopes, the exterior diameter of the toroids being about the same as the interior diameter of each of the envelopes. A pair of wire conductors of diameter between 3 mm and 3.5 mm are helically wound around corresponding ones of the pair of envelopes to form respective inductor windings in the range of about 16 to 24 turns for each the envelope, each of the conductors having an input end and an output end. The input end of each one of the conductors is coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of terminals of the two-phase AC power supply, and the output end of each one of the conductors is coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of terminals of the resistive heating element. |
| US07777151B2 |
Portable plasma sterilizer
A handheld air plasma spray is designed. Plasma is generated by a magnetized arc torch running at 60 Hz and is in non-equilibrium state; thus, the plasma effluent has relatively low temperature (touchable) and yet contains high energy electrons (>5 eV) capable to dissociate oxygen molecules to atomic oxygen. The emission spectroscopy of the torch indicates that the plasma effluent carries an abundance of atomic oxygen, which can effectively kill all kind microbes. Moreover, the experimental results show that this plasma can rapidly clot blood. This invention is for sterilization and blood coagulation applications. |
| US07777148B2 |
Device for presorting separated thin postal items
A device for presorting separated thin postal items to sorting final position areas of a postal item sorting machine according to the read distributing information and to the assigned sorting final position area includes at least two inputs for streams of postal items and at least two outputs each leading to a sorting final position area. All connecting paths with intersections are provided in a multiple manner between each respective input and each respective output. The postal items are distributed via corresponding switches to the multiple connecting paths from an input to an output in such a manner that, at the intersections, gaps develop that are required for postal items in the intersecting path and in the junctions. |
| US07777147B2 |
Electrical switch and fixed contact therefor
An electrical rotary switch has a rotor with a periphery, a moving contact on the rotor and several connected parts adjacent the rotor periphery, and four fixed contacts around the rotor for short-circuiting by the moving contact. Each fixed contact has first, second, and third integrally connected sections. The first section bears resiliently against the rotor periphery for sliding contact with the moving contact parts. The second section turns through an angle larger than 135° from the first section. The third section turns through an angle smaller than 90° from the second section for connection of an electrical cable by self-gripping. The moving contact has an undulating profile matching with that of an adjacent part of the rotor periphery. |
| US07777144B2 |
Metal keypad panel structure with micropore array
A metal keypad panel structure with a micropore array includes a metal keypad panel, a filling, a pattern layer, a backlight module and an electric signal module. The metal keypad panel has micropores filled with the filling. The pattern layer is on a side of the metal keypad panel. The backlight module is a guide light plate attached onto another side of the metal keypad panel and has patterns, each composed of light guide microstructures. When a light is entered into the guide light plate, the light guide microstructures focus and project the light onto the metal keypad panel to allow users to see the position of each press key clearly. |
| US07777143B2 |
Non-locking switch for filter monitoring
Commercially available filter-monitoring switches suffer from problems related to over sensitivity and reliability. Accordingly, the present inventors have devised, among other things, various embodiments of filter-monitoring switches and related components, subassemblies, methods, and systems. One exemplary filter-monitoring switch includes a diaphragm operably couple to move a conductive element back and forth between a pair of fixed terminals in response to pressure differences across the diaphragm. The conductive element is mounted to an insulative pin of substantially uniform width, and the terminals include leaf contacts that constantly engage the pin or the contacts throughout normal operation of the switch, thereby reducing flexure of the contacts and effectively providing a self-cleaning and self-healing electrical switch. |
| US07777142B2 |
Pressure switch
A compact pressure switch that causes little error in the operating point of the switch and that has resistance to dust, water, and chemical solutions is provided. The pressure switch includes a housing (2) formed of a resin having chemical solution resistance, a pressure sensor (3) that detects the pressure of a fluid, a separator (4) that is formed of a resin having chemical solution resistance and that prevents the fluid from coming into contact with the pressure sensor (3), and a circuit unit (5) that outputs on and off signals based on the output of the pressure sensor (3). At least the pressure sensor (3) and the circuit unit (5) are disposed in a sealed space (S) formed by the housing (2) and the separator (4). |
| US07777132B2 |
Electrical connection box
An electrical connection box includes: a body; a mounting member which is attached to the body; a shaft portion which is provided on the mounting member; and a shaft receiving portion which is provided on the body and receives the shaft portion rotatably. A first rib is formed on one of the shaft portion and the shaft receiving portion. When the mounting member is attached to the body, the first rib abuts against the other of the shaft portion and the shaft receiving portion. |
| US07777130B2 |
Microwave cable cooling
A cable cooling apparatus, for dissipating heat generated by a cable, includes a housing configured for attachment to at least a portion of the cable. The housing is configured to retain a meltable material in a first state and the meltable material is configured to dissipate thermal energy from the cable during transformation to a second state. |
| US07777129B2 |
Titanium oxide for dye-sensitized solar cells
A dye sensitized solar cell comprising, as the dye electrode, a titanium oxide structure having an optical band gap (hereinafter referred to as “BG”) of 2.7 to 3.1 eV as calculated from absorbance measured by an integrating sphere-type spectrophotometer, or a metal oxide structure obtained by dry-mixing a plurality of metal oxide powder particles differing in the particle size or a metal oxide dispersion thereof, wherein assuming that the BG of raw material metal oxide is BG0 and the BG of metal oxide after the dry mixing is BG1, the (BG0-BG1) is from 0.01 to 0.45 eV, and a production method thereof are provided. |
| US07777128B2 |
Photovoltaic module architecture
Modules are disclosed. The modules can include a first photovoltaic cell including an electrode; and a second photovoltaic cell including an electrode having a bent end connected to the electrode of the first photovoltaic cell. |
| US07777124B2 |
Music reproducing program and music reproducing apparatus adjusting tempo based on number of streaming samples
A CPU of a game machine compares the predicted number of samples in a streaming reproduction and the actual number of samples during execution of the reproduction of sequence data of the BGM in a step S41 in response to a beat signal detected in a step S35. When the compared error is positive, it is considered that the reproduction of sequence data of the BGM lags behind to increase a tempo of the sequence data reproduction in a step S47. When the error is negative, it is considered that the MIDI reproduction leads to decrease the tempo of the sequence data reproduction in a step S49. |
| US07777123B2 |
Method and device for humanizing musical sequences
A method for humanizing a music sequence (S), the music sequence (S) comprising a multitude of sounds (s1, . . . , sn) occurring on times (t1, . . . , tn) comprises the steps generating, for each time (ti) a random offset (oi), adding the random offset (oi) to the time (ti) in order to obtain a modified time (ti+oi); and outputting a humanized music sequence (S′) wherein each sound (si) occurs on the modified time (ti+oi). According to the invention, the power spectral density of the random offsets has the form 1 f α . wherein 0<α<2. |
| US07777120B2 |
Electromagnetic musical instrument frequency conversion systems and related methods
A method for generating electromagnetic (EM) music through excitation of an EM Musical Instrument is provided. An input queue, comprised of three sub-queues, receives three input audio queues. An EM excitation signal is generated based on the received input audio queues. The EM excitation signal is applied to the EM Musical Instrument. A measured response is generated, based on a response of the EM Musical Instrument to the EM excitation signal. Various time marks are marked in the measured response. Selected portions of the measured response are discarded based on particular time marks, generating a newly measured sample set. The newly measured samples are joined to a previously measured sample set of an output queue based on alignment of time marks. Various alternate embodiments and supporting systems are also provided. |
| US07777117B2 |
System and method of instructing musical notation for a stringed instrument
A method of instructing a user to read musical notation through interaction with a graphical user interface and an input instrument representative of a stringed instrument may include the steps of generating the graphical user interface having a first mode. The first mode may include a virtual fingerboard positioned substantially along a vertical extreme of the interface, the virtual fingerboard may include a first linear array representing a first string having a first frequency range. The virtual fingerboard may also include a second linear array representing a second string having a second frequency range, wherein the second frequency range overlaps the first frequency range associated with a string. Furthermore, the virtual fingerboard may additionally include a plurality of note positions, each note position having a corresponding fingerboard position on the input instrument. |
| US07777115B2 |
Keyboard musical instrument
An approach of a finger of a player to a key in order to conduct an operation for playing music is sensed to exert an external force which resists a depression of the key before the finger whose approach has been sensed touches the key. As a result, the touch feeling of keys of an acoustic piano perceived by a player right after depressions of the keys is realized. |
| US07777110B2 |
Instrument stand
A stand for a musical instrument having a body and a neck includes a main body and a pair front legs coupled to the main body. The pair of front legs is configured to receive a portion of the body of the musical instrument therein. A neck rest of the stand is removably coupled to the main body and is configured to receive a portion of the neck of the musical instrument therein. |
| US07777102B2 |
Soybean varieties
This application is directed to novel soybean plant varieties, designated 5601TRR-292 (named ‘Allen’), 5601TRR-293, and 5601TRR-379. These varieties are glyphosate resistant cultivars, developed from BC3F2 single-plant derivatives of cultivar ‘5601T’. Also provided herein are seeds of the aforementioned soybean varieties, plants arising therefrom, plant parts of soybean varieties 5601TRR-292, 5601TRR-293, and 5601TRR-379 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing these soybean varieties with another soybean plant (as either the male or the female parent). The subject application also provides methods for introducing another transgenic trait or another genetic trait into the disclosed soybean varieties and soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Also disclosed herein are soybean varieties or breeding varieties and plant parts derived from soybean varieties 5601TRR-292, 5601TRR-293, and 5601TRR-379, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts from soybean varieties 5601TRR-292, 5601TRR-293, and 5601TRR-379 soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the practice of such methods. In another aspect, this application provides soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the soybean varieties 5601TRR-292, 5601TRR-293, and 5601TRR-379 with another soybean variety. |
| US07777099B2 |
Genetic method
The present invention describes a method of increasing plan yield. Also described are DNA constructs comprising DNA sequences coding for proteins involved in sucrose transport, metabolism and uptake operably linked to controllable promoter regions and plants transformed with said constructs. More particularly a method for the controlled production of said proteins resulting in an alteration in plant growth characteristics, flowering time and in yield is described. |
| US07777098B2 |
Method for producing unsaturated ω-3-fatty acids in transgenic organisms
The present invention relates to a process for production of unsaturated ω-3-fatty acids and to a process for production of triglycerides with an elevated content of unsaturated fatty acids, especially of ω-3-fatty acids having more than three double bonds. The invention relates to the production of a transgenic organism, preferably of a transgenic plant or of a transgenic microorganism, with an elevated content of unsaturated ω-3-fatty acids, oils or lipids having ω-3-double bonds as the result of the expression of an ω-3-desaturase from fungi of the family Pythiaceae such as the genus Phytophtora, for example of the genus and species Phytophtora infestans. |
| US07777095B2 |
Biodegradable absorbent material
An absorbent composition having a biodegradable absorbent polymer and a hydrophilic soft polymer surface modifying agent. The absorbent composition exhibits improved absorbency under load and gel bed permeability when subjected to an Absorbency Under Load Test and a Gel Bed Permeability Test, respectively. The absorbent composition can be made by combining a biodegradable absorbent polymer with an aqueous solution of a hydrophilic soft polymer and then drying the biodegradable absorbent polymer. |
| US07777089B2 |
Hydrocarbon separation
Process for the separation of close boiling isomeric compounds comprising distilling a dilute solution of isomers in a high boiling compound in the presence of a solid adsorbent. Multi and/or monobranched as well as cyclic isomers are withdrawn at the top of the distillation column, while straight chain and/or mono branched isomers are retained within the solid adsorbent. The diluent solution of the high boiling compound is withdrawn from the bottom of the distillation column and recycled, where it may be combined with the feed isomer mixture or recycled straight to the top of the adsorption column. |
| US07777085B2 |
Method for conversion of oil-containing algae to 1,3-propanediol
The present invention relates to a process for oxidizing renewable polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to a malonic acid intermediate which is subsequently reduced to 1,3 propanediol (PDO). |
| US07777084B2 |
Cyclopropanation process
A process for the cyclopropanation of a substituted alkene, comprising the reaction of the alkene with a carbenoide, generated from dibromomethane and a tri-(C2-C8)-alkyl aluminium compound, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal compound selected from the group consisting of Lewis acids, metallocenes and metal carbonyl complexes. The process advantageously uses transition metal compounds as catalysts and the dibromomethane can be recovered.The process is especially useful for the preparation of ingredients for the flavour and fragrance industry. |
| US07777083B2 |
Iridium catalysts for catalytic hydrogenation
A process for the reduction of compounds comprising one or more carbon-oxygen (C═0) double bonds, to provide the corresponding alcohol, comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas at a pressure greater than 3 atm and a catalyst comprising an iridium aminodiphosphine complex. |
| US07777081B2 |
4-(4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzaldehyde
A process for effectively producing a 4-(4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzaldehyde, 4-(cyclohexyl)benzaldehyde, a 4-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzaldehyde and a (trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzene useful for electronic material applications such as liquid crystals and for pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications, etc., are disclosed. The present invention provides (1) a process for producing a 4-(4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzaldehyde or 4-(cyclohexyl)benzaldehyde by formylating a (4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzene or cyclohexylbenzene with carbon monoxide, (2) a process for producing a 4-(trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzaldehyde by formylating a (4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzene having a cis/trans molar ratio of 0.3 or less with carbon monoxide, and (3) a process for producing a (trans-4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzene by isomerizing a mixture of the cis and trans isomers of a (4-alkylcyclohexyl)benzene, all of the processes being performed in the presence of HF and BF3. |
| US07777075B2 |
Fluoroethercarboxylic acid and production method thereof, surfactant, method of producing fluoropolymer and aqueous dispersion used thereof
The invention provides a fluoroethercarboxylic acid which is represented by the general formula (I): Rf1OCHFCF2ORf2COOM (I) wherein Rf1 represents a partially or fully fluorinated alkyl group, which may optionally be interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms, Rf2 represents a partially or fully fluorinated alkylene group, which may optionally be interrupted with one or more oxygen atoms, and M represents a monovalent alkali metal, NH4 or H. The fluoroethercarboxylic acid can be suitably used as a surfactant and is low in bioaccumulation. The invention is also a method of fluoropolymer production and an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion, using the fluoroethercarboxylic acid as a surfactant. |
| US07777071B2 |
Production of carnitine conjugate intermediates
The present invention discloses novel dual prodrug compounds of formula (1), methods for their preparation and intermediates in their syntheses, formula (1): wherein A is a single bond, —O—, or —CH2—; m and n vary independently and are an integer from 1 to 15; p and q vary from 0 to an integer from 1 to 4; B is a single bond or —CR3R4; D is formula (2): or formula (3): and X is halogen; R1 to R4 are various substituents selected to optimize the physiochemical and biological properties such as, lipophilicity, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics of compounds of Formula 1; and R1 and R2 or R3 and R4 may optionally be tethered together to form a 3- to 7-membered alicyclic ring. These compounds are useful for the treatment of various infections, metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological disorders. |
| US07777070B2 |
Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of tranexamic acid, methods of synthesis and use
Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of making prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid, and methods of using prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent various diseases or disorders are disclosed. Acyloxyalkyl carbamate prodrugs of trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and pharmaceutical compositions thereof suitable for oral and topical administration and for administration using sustained release dosage forms are also disclosed. |
| US07777068B2 |
Ni(0) -containing catalyst system
A system comprising a) Ni(0) b) from 4 to 10 mol per mol of Ni(0) in a) of a compound (I) of the formula P(X1R1)(X2R2)(X3R3) (I) where X1, X2, X3 are each, independently of one another, oxygen or a single bond, R1, R2, R3 are, independently of one another, identical or different organic radicals and c) from 1 to 4 mol per mol of Ni(0) in a) of a compound (II) of the formula where X11, X12, X13 X21, X22, X23 are each, independently of one another, oxygen or a single bond, R11, R12 are identical or different, individual or bridged organic radicals, R21, R22 are identical or different, individual or bridged organic radicals and Y is a bridging group is suitable as catalyst for preparing mixtures of monoolefinic C5 mononitriles having nonconjugated C═C and C═N bonds by hydrocyanation of a 1,3-butadiene-containing hydrocarbon mixture and for preparing a dinitrile by hydrocyanation of a mixture of monoolefinic C5 mononitriles having nonconjugated C═C and C═N bonds. |
| US07777067B2 |
Industrial process for production of an aromatic carbonate
It is an object of the present invention to provide, for the case of continuously producing aromatic carbonates containing a diaryl carbonate as a main product by taking an alkyl aryl carbonate as a starting material, which is obtainable through a transesterification reaction between a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic monohydroxy compound, using a continuous multi-stage distillation column in which a catalyst is present, and continuously feeding the starting material into the continuous multi-stage distillation column, a specific process that enables the diaryl carbonate to be produced with high selectivity and high productivity stably for a prolonged period of time on an industrial scale of not less than 1 ton per hour. Although there have been various proposals regarding processes for the production of aromatic carbonates by means of a reactive distillation method, these have all been on a small scale and short operating time laboratory level, and there have been no disclosures whatsoever on a specific process or apparatus enabling mass production on an industrial scale. According to the present invention, there is provided a specified continuous multi-stage distillation column, and there is also provided a specific process that enables a diaryl carbonate to be produced with high selectivity and high productivity stably for a prolonged period of time on an industrial scale of not less than 1 ton per hour from an alkyl aryl carbonate. |
| US07777065B2 |
Removal of residual sulfur dioxide from dimethyl sulfate
The present invention relates to a method of removing SO2 contaminants from dimethyl sulfate (DMS) by treatment with an oxidizing agent, and to a process for the preparation of odor free fatty acid trialkanolamine esters quaternized with DMS which is substantially free of SO2 contaminants. |
| US07777063B2 |
Organosilicon compounds their preparation and their use
The invention relates to organosilicon compounds, and to the ways in which they can be made and used. |
| US07777055B2 |
Photochromic and electrochromic compounds and methods of synthesizing and using same
This invention relates to novel photochromic and electrochromic monomers and polymers based on 1,2-dithienylcyclopentene derivatives and method of using and synthesizing same. The compounds are reversibly interconvertible between different isomeric forms under suitable photochromic or electrochromic conditions. The electrochromic conversion may be catalytic. The application also relates to ultra-high density homopolymers prepared using ring-opening methathesis polymerization (ROMP) where the central ring of the 1,2-bis(3-thienyl)-cyclopentene is incorporated directly into the polymer backbone. The monomer units may be readily functionalized to enable the synthesis of polymers with diverse structural and electronic properties. The compounds have many potential applications including high-density optical information storage systems, photoregulated molecular switches, reversible holographic systems, ophthalmic lenses, actinometry and molecular sensors, photochromic inks, paints and fibers and optoelectronic systems such as optical waveguides, Bragg reflectors and dielectric mirrors. |
| US07777053B2 |
Efficient process for production of carvedilol phosphate
A novel cost effective process for the synthesis of phosphate salts of 1-(9H-carbazol-4yloxy)-3-[[2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]-propan-2-ol, (carvedilol phosphate) of formula (II) with high yields and purity is disclosed. More particularly, the invention discloses a process for preparation of crystalline phosphate salts of carvedilol using various phosphate forming reagents such as phosphorous pentoxide, polyphosphoric acid, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen ortho phosphate, and sodium dihydrogen ortho phosphate in solvents selected from Acetonitrile, acetone and tetrahydrofuran. The solvents used to prepare solvates of carvedilol dihydrogen phosphate are methanol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. |
| US07777048B2 |
Processes for preparing biaryl ureas and analogs thereof
The present invention relates to processes for preparing biaryl ureas derivatives and analogs thereof. The invention also provides compounds useful as intermediates in the processes of the present invention. The process is useful for preparing compounds that inhibit IMPDH. |
| US07777046B2 |
Method of synthesis of a salt of N-acetyl-L-cysteinylcobalamin
The invention provides a method for preparing the sodium salt of the novel thiol derivative of vitamin B12, N-acetyl-L-cysteinylcobalamin (Na[NACCbl]). The method involves carrying out the reaction in aqueous solvent with a relatively small excess of ligand reactant, specifically from one to less than four molar equivalents. The cobalamin derivative formed is precipitated from the aqueous solvent, preferably by the addition of a precipitate inducing solvent. This provides a product in acceptable purity without the need for an additional chromatographic purification step. |
| US07777042B2 |
N-sulfonylpipecolic acid derivative FKBP binding composition and pharmaceutical use thereof
A composition for binding FKBP proteins is disclosed, along with a method of treating conditions associated with neuronal degeneration, wherein said composition comprises a compound of formula I, wherein, R, R1, R2, R3 and X are as defined herein. |
| US07777041B2 |
2-acylamino-4-phenylthiazole derivatives, preparation thereof and therapeutic application thereof
The invention relates to 2-acylamino-4-phenylthiazole derivatives of general formula (I): pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salts thereof, hydrates or solvates of such derivatives or such pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, intermediates thereto, processes for the preparation thereof, and therapeutic application thereof. |
| US07777033B2 |
Monomer with anti-microbial character, polymer using the same, and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a monomer with anti-microbial characteristics, a polymeric compound with anti-microbial characteristics using the same, and manufacturing methods thereof, and more particularly, to an antimicrobial monomer comprising a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon having a polymerizable functional group within its structure according to formula (1) in which the respective moieties have the meanings defined in the following specification. Also, the present invention provides a polymeric compound using the above antimicrobial monomer, a manufacturing method thereof, and a polymeric resin composition. The compounds according to the present invention have durable antimicrobial activity and high heat resistance, they do not give rise to toxicity when added to conventional resins by not eluting the antimicrobial compounds, and they do not have an effect on the properties of molded products. |
| US07777030B2 |
Compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of disease
The present invention relates to various novel substituted dipeptide derived nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salt derivatives, and their methods of use. In one aspect the present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of disease in a mammal comprising administering the compounds of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable form to a mammal. In particular, the invention relates to medicaments comprising various novel substituted dipeptide derived nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salt derivatives and methods for administration to a mammal for the treatment and prevention of malarial diseases. The compounds of the invention may optionally be administered with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, another biologically active agent or a combination thereof. |
| US07777023B2 |
Method for the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides
The present invention features novel compositions, linkers, derivatized solid supports, and methods for the efficient solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, including RNA, DNA, RNA-DNA chimeras, and analogs thereof. |
| US07777022B2 |
Bioinformatically detectable group of novel regulatory viral and viral associated oligonucleotides and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a first group of novel viral and human associated oligonucleotides, here identified as “Genomic Address Messenger” or “GAM” oligonucleotide, and a second group of novel operon-like viral and human polynucleotides, here identified as “Genomic Record” or “GR” polynucleotide. GAM oligonucleotides selectively inhibit translation of known “target” genes, many of which are known to be involved in various viral diseases. Nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding 1,655 viral and 105,537 human GAM precursor oligonucleotides, and 190 viral and 14,813 human GR polynucleotides, as are vectors and probes both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotides and specific functions and utilities thereof, for detecting expression of GAM oligonucleotides and GR polynucleotides, and for selectively enhancing and selectively inhibiting translation of the respective target genes thereof. |
| US07777018B2 |
CDR-grafted anti-tissue factor antibodies and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides CDR-grated antibodies against human tissue factor that retain the high binding affinity of rodent monoclonal antibodies against tissue factor but have reduced immunogenicity. The present humanized antibodies are potent anticoagulants and are thus useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of human thrombotic disease. The invention also provides methods of making the CFR-grafted antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions for the attenuation or prevention of coagulation. |
| US07777011B2 |
Prion-specific polyclonal antibodies
Synthetic polypeptides having at least one antigenic site of a prior protein, methods for their use and manufacture, antibodies raised against such polypeptides and diagnostic kits containing these polypeptides or antibodies. |
| US07777010B2 |
Use of a native epitope for selecting evolved binding members from a library of mutants of a protein capable of binding to said epitope
The invention provides a method for selecting at least one member from a library of proteinaceous molecules by providing at least one cell and/or a functional equivalent thereof, with at least part of the library under conditions that allow binding of any such member to an epitope in and/or on the cells and/or the functional equivalent thereof, removing unbound proteinaceous molecules and selecting the at least one member, wherein the library includes at least one mutant of a proteinaceous molecule capable of binding to the epitope. |
| US07777004B2 |
Polypeptides comprising Fas activation and NKG2D-ligand domains
The present invention is drawn to fusion proteins comprising (a) a ligand for an NK receptor and (b) a Fas activation domain, and to nucleic acids encoding such fusion proteins. The invention also includes methods of making and using such proteins and nucleic acids, including their use in preventing or treating cancer. |
| US07777000B2 |
Anti-viral activity of cathelicidin peptides
The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful in the treatment of dermatitis and viral infections. The compositions comprise cationic peptides of the cathelicidin family including LL-37, related homologues, and variants thereof. |
| US07776998B2 |
Polymer treatment
A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature grater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding gas to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel, wherein substantially all of the heating of the particles which occurs in the purge vessel is accomplished by preheating the gas fed into the purge vessel. |
| US07776997B2 |
Solvent resistant polymers
What is disclosed relates to polymers that resist dissolution in organic solvents, are vasodilators, and are tunable explosives. These polymers also form solvent resistant coatings and solvent resistant fibers as well as bonding materials. |
| US07776995B2 |
Process for production of polyester particles, polyester particles, polyester resin particles, and process for production thereof
The present invention relates to a process for producing polyester particles, wherein the process includes: (1) discharging a molten polyester having a melt viscosity of from 0.5 Pa·s to 50 Pa·s from a die hole thereby creating polyester strands; (2) bringing the polyester strands into contact with a liquefied fluid for cooling to lead the strands to a cutter together with the liquefied fluid; and (3) cutting the polyester strands led to the cutter; wherein steps (1) to (3) are carried out sequentially and the drawing rate ratio of the polyester strands is from 1.5 to 100 and represented by the following formula: drawing rate ratio=(linear velocity of strands immediately before cut (v2 (m/s)))/(linear velocity of molten polyester when discharged from die hole (v1 (m/s))). |
| US07776994B2 |
Resin particle dispersion liquid, and method for producing the same
A resin particle dispersion liquid comprises: resin particles comprising polyester having terminal carboxyl groups, the polyester being obtained by polycondensation of a polycondensable monomer, wherein the polyester has the terminal carboxyl groups that are partially neutralized to form carboxyl anions, the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion liquid having a value of (da/(da+dc)) of from approximately 0.30 to approximately 0.90, when in an absorption spectrum of the resin particles measured with an infrared spectrometer, dc represents a peak intensity of the terminal carboxyl group in a range of from 1,780 to 1,680 cm−1, and da represents a peak intensity of the neutralized carboxyl anion in a range of from 1,670 to 1,550 cm−1, the polyester has an acid value of approximately 1 mg·KOH/g or more and less than approximately 15 mg·KOH/g before neutralization, the resin particles dispersion liquid comprises a divalent or higher organic acid in an amount of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the resin particles, and the resin particles have a median diameter of from approximately 0.1 to approximately 2.0 μm. |
| US07776993B2 |
Underfilling with acid-cleavable acetal and ketal epoxy oligomers
A reworkable thermoset epoxy-containing material that allows for a reworkable assembly such as a reworkable waferlevel underfilled microelectronic package. A method for using the reworkable thermoset material in the formation of a microelectronic package using this material. |
| US07776989B2 |
UV-light-absorbing quaternary polysiloxanes
The invention relates to UV-light-absorbing quaternary polysiloxanes in which quaternary groups and UV-absorbing radicals can be mixed independently of one another according to the general formula (I) |
| US07776976B2 |
Method for synthesis of butyl rubber
This invention puts forward a process of preparing butyl rubber. High gravity devices are used as polymerization reactor. The mixture of isomonoolefin and conjugated diolefin monomers and the diluent, and the mixture of the initiator and diluent are pumped at a certain ratio into a high-gravity reactor to conduct cationic polymerization in the high-gravity environment. After polymerization, the monomers and the diluent are removed from the product to obtain butyl rubber polymers with number-average molecular weight of 80000˜300000 and molecular weight distribution index of 1.9˜3.6. The high gravity polymerization method of this invention can tremendously intensify micro-mixing, mass transfer and heat transfer in the reaction. Compared to the conventional stirred polymerization method, this invention features small reactor volume, at least 30-fold shorter residence time of substances in the high gravity reactor, low cost, low energy consumption and high production efficiency. |
| US07776972B2 |
Phosphine-based polymers and poly(lactic acid) material comprising the same
A phosphine-based polymer having Formula (I) is provided. The invention also provides a poly(lactic acid) material including poly(lactic acid) and the disclosed phosphine-based polymer, wherein the phosphine-based polymer has a weight ratio of 0.05-10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the poly(lactic acid). |
| US07776970B2 |
Method for producing -SO3H group-containing fluoropolymer and -SO3H group-containing fluoropolymer
The present invention provides a novel production process by which unstable terminal groups can be sufficiently stabilized under mild conditions. The present invention is related to a method for producing an —SO3H group-containing fluoropolymer wherein a fluoropolymer to be treated having a —SO2X group-containing monomer unit (X representing F or Cl) is subjected to a procedure comprising at least the steps A, B and C defined below in that order: A: Step of reacting with a halogenating agent; B: Step of reacting with a decomposition treatment agent; C: Step of reacting with a fluorinating agent. |
| US07776967B2 |
Polyorganosiloxane composition for use in unsaturated elastomer, article made therefrom, and associated method
A tire composition is provided that may include a sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane and an unsaturated elastomer. The sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane may include a chemically protected sulfur group, which includes a thiocarbamate, a dithiocarbamate, or a derivative or analog of thiocarbamate or dithiocarbamate. Under certain conditions, the sulfur group may react with the unsaturated elastomer. The invention includes embodiments that may relate to methods of making and using the sulfur-functional linear polyorganosiloxane in tire compositions. |
| US07776959B2 |
Coatings comprising terpene
Coatings comprising a polymer comprising a terpene and a monomer polymerized with terpene by free radical polymerization are disclosed. Coatings comprising terpene in greater than 30 wt % are also disclosed as are coatings comprising a terpene and a urea. Copolymers with terpene are also disclosed. |
| US07776956B2 |
Water dispersible epoxy urethane compounds and coating compositions
The invention relates to novel aqueous coating compositions containing epoxy urethane (glycidyl carbamate) functional resin. An aqueous coating composition comprises a polyfunctional oligomer having at least two epoxy urethane functional groups and a polyalkylene oxide chain, a surfactant and water. The aqueous coating compositions of the invention can be dispersed in water with added surfactants to form a dispersion containing no volatile organic solvent. The invention provides a method for making aqueous coating compositions containing epoxy urethane functional resin as well. Water-dispersible epoxy urethane compounds of the aqueous coating compositions are also provided. |
| US07776953B2 |
Room temperature-curable organopolysiloxane composition
A room temperature-curable organopolysiloxane composition is provided. The composition comprises (A) 100 parts by weight of a organopolysiloxane represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R1 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; n is an integer of at least 10; X is oxygen atom or an alkylene group containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and m is independently an integer of 0 or 1; or a mixture of such organopolysiloxane; (B) 50 to 150 parts by weight of a colloidal calcium carbonate having a specific surface area measured by BET method of at least 10 m2/g; (C) 100 to 200 parts by weight of a heavy calcium carbonate having a specific surface area measured by BET method of up to 8 m2/g; (D) 1 to 25 parts by weight of an organosilicon compound having at least 3 hydrolyzable groups bonded to silicon atom in one molecule represented by R2aSi(OR3)4-a wherein R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R3 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and a is 0 or 1; or its partial hydrolysate; and (E) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a curing catalyst. The mass ratio of the component (B) to the component (C) is less than 1. |
| US07776952B2 |
Polymeric dispersant having an affinity with a supercritical fluid
A polymeric dispersant having an affinity with a supercritical fluid is provided, in which a substituent having an affinity with a supercritical fluid is attached to the terminal end of a block copolymer. The polymeric dispersant can disperse a dispersoid to particulate size by lowering surface tension between the dispersoid and the supercritical fluid to promote diffusion of the supercritical fluid into the dispersoid. |
| US07776950B2 |
Antivibration rubber composition
An antivibration rubber composition containing diene rubber (Component A) and silica (Component B). The amount of the Component B contained is set to a range from 10 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the Component A. The Component B has the following properties, i.e., a surface silanol-group density of not less than 3.0 groups/nm2 as determined by the Sears titration method, an average particle size of not more than 10 μm, and a BET specific surface area of 15 to 60 m2/g. |
| US07776945B2 |
Polyester fiber having excellent light-shielding and flame retardant characteristic and textile goods using the same
Disclosed herein is a Polyester Fiber Having Excellent Light-Shielding and Flame Retardant Characteristic. The Polyester Fiber comprises: phosphorus-based flame retardant 0.05˜5% by weight, based on phosphorus atom; and inorganic particles having 0.05˜1 μm average particle size 1-5% by weight, based on fiber weight. Further disclosed is Textile Goods prepared from the Polyester Fiber. The polyester fiber according to the present invention is prepared from polyester polymer having Intrinsic viscosity of 0.55˜0.75 dl/g and the Intrinsic viscosity difference of between the fiber and polymer (IV drop) is within 0.03 dl/g and it exhibits the excellent flame retardant and light shielding characteristic. Therefore, the polyester fiber can be applied to fiber for clothes, light shielding curtain for a car and blackout curtain for a house and theater. |
| US07776943B2 |
Method for forming exfoliated clay-polyolefin nanocomposites
A method for forming a nanocomposite by olefin polymerization in which at least one cation-exchanging layered load material, selected from the group consisting of cation-exchanging, layered inorganic silicates and cation-exchanging, layered compounds other than silicates, is treated with acid to disrupt its layered structure and is combined with a catalyst that becomes activated for olefin polymerization when in contact with the acid-treated filler. An olefin is contacted by the activated catalyst—filler combination either (a) in the absence of an alkylaluminum co-catalyst or (b) with an alkylaluminum co-catalyst when the activatable catalyst is a polyalkylmetal compound, to form a nanocomposite containing polyolefin and the acid-treated filler. In a particular embodiment, sufficient filler is used to constitute at least 30 weight % of the nanocomposite to prepare a highly loaded nanocomposite masterbatch. A predetermined amount of one or more olefinic polymers can then be blended with the masterbatch to obtain a nanocomposite having a desired amount of loading. The filler is preferably clay, exemplified by montmorillonite. The catalyst is preferably a non-metallocene catalyst, most preferably a nickel complex bearing an α-iminocarboxamidato ligand. |
| US07776941B2 |
Oil-based ink composition for writing instruments
An oil-based ink composition for writing instruments is provided that is capable of improving storage stability of an ink, while maintaining a leveling property even when a soluble gelling agent is used. The oil-based ink composition for writing instruments comprises a colorant, a resin, an organic solvent and a gelling agent, wherein said organic solvent(s) is (are) hydrocarbons solvent(s), and in particular, at least one species of the solvent selected from the group of aliphatic hydrocarbons solvent(s), alicyclic hydrocarbons solvent(s), aromatic hydrocarbons solvent(s), and halogenetad hydrocarbons solvent(s), said gelling agent(s) comprises (comprise) soluble gelling agent(s) soluble to the above organic solvent(s) and insoluble gelling agent(s) insoluble to the above organic solvent(s), and the above insoluble gelling agent(s) is (are) urea-modified thixotropic agent(s). |
| US07776940B2 |
Methods for reducing bond strengths, dental compositions, and the use thereof
Hardenable and hardened dental compositions, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. In some embodiments, the hardenable dental compositions include an acid-generating component and an acid-reactive component including one or more acid-reactive groups. Upon irradiating, and optionally heating, the hardened compositions are useful, for example, for reducing the bond strength of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions. |
| US07776939B2 |
Polymeric nanoparticles including olfactive components
The polymeric nanoparticles including olfactive components have a glass temperature of >50° C. They are obtainable by continuously adding a monomer component and an olfactive component to an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution comprises a first initiator and an emulsifier. The added components are distributed in the aqueous solution to obtain reaction mixture while the polymerization of the monomer component is started at the first temperature. The liquid monomer component and the olfactive component are added continuously while a second initiator is added dropwise to the reaction mixture and the first temperature is maintained. After terminating the addition of liquid monomer component and the olfactive component the temperature of the reaction mixture is increased to a second temperature and a third initiator is added dropwise. |
| US07776938B2 |
Food coating composition comprising protective colloid-stabilized polyacrylate dispersions, use thereof and coated foods produced therewith
A description is given of food coating compositions comprising a) a plastics dispersion or a mixture of plastics dispersions comprising at least one homo- or copolymer poly(meth)acrylate having at least 55% by weight (meth)acrylate monomer units and also 0.1 to 30% by weight of at least one protective colloid, and also b) aids and/or additives used for producing food coatings. The coatings are distinguished by sufficiently high water vapor transmission rates, low water absorption capacity and also low reemulsification capacity and have good mechanical properties in the moist state. |
| US07776935B2 |
Water-in-oil emulsion composition for forming silicone elastomer porous material
A method for preparing a silicone elastomer porous material includes the steps of (1) providing a water-in-oil emulsion including a liquid silicone rubber material which forms a silicone elastomer upon curing, a silicone oil material that has a surface activation function, and water droplets dispersed in the liquid silicone rubber material, (2) subjecting the emulsion to a primary heating, thereby curing the liquid silicone rubber material to form a silicone elastomer and confining the water droplets within the silicone elastomer substantially as they are present in the emulsion, and (3) subjecting the silicone elastomer to a secondary heating, thereby evaporating and removing the water droplets from the silicone elastomer, thereby forming the silicone elastomer porous material. |
| US07776931B2 |
Low dosage naphthenate inhibitors
Low dosage naphthenate inhibitors, such as a surfactant or hydrotrope, delivered into production fluids for contact with mixtures of oil and water, such as in a hydrocarbon producing formation, production equipment, or processing systems. Inhibitor compounds such as monophosphate esters and diphosphate esters exhibit surface-active properties that cause the inhibitors to self-associate at oil-water interfaces and inhibit interactions between organic acids in the oil with cations or cation complexes in the water. These compounds also inhibit aggregation of organic acid carboxylate salts that form when pH and pressure conditions are amenable to organic acid ionization. Preferred inhibitors do not form emulsions due to the formation of unstable mixed interface structures that result in coalescence of dispersed droplets. Naphthenate inhibitor compound dosages of less than 100 ppm can effectively inhibit naphthenate salts or other organic acid salts that can form precipitates or emulsions during crude oil production or processing. |
| US07776924B2 |
Nitroaniline-based alkylating agents and their use as prodrugs
Nitroaniline-based unsymmetrical mustards of the general formula (I) are provided, together with methods of preparation and methods for their use as prodrugs for gene-dependent enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) and cell ablation therapy in conjunction with nitroreductase enzymes as hypoxia selective cytotoxins and as anticancer agents. |
| US07776923B2 |
Use of trans-pellitorin as flavor substance
The invention concerns the use of 2E,4E-decadienoic acid-N-isobutylamide (trans-pellitorin) as flavorant, in particular as salivation inducing flavor substance, preferably in a foodstuff or nutrient, an oral hygienic preparation or a gourmet or snack preparation. Further, the invention concerns preparations, semi-finished preparations as well as fragrance, aroma and taste compositions, containing trans-pelletorin as well as a processes for the production of trans-pelletorin. |
| US07776918B2 |
Remedy for viral disease
The object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating viral infectious diseases. The compounds of the present invention have extremely potent anti-HCV activity and HCV growth inhibitory effects, and since they also only demonstrate mild cytotoxicity in vivo, a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound of the present invention is extremely useful as an anti-HCV preventive/therapeutic agent. |
| US07776916B2 |
Nitrated lipids and methods of making and using thereof
Described herein are nitrated lipids and methods of making and using the nitrated lipids. |
| US07776914B2 |
Esterified fatty acid composition
The invention is directed to compositions comprising lecithin, olive oil, esterified fatty acids and mixed tocophenols for use in the treatment and prevention of various types of arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions, periodontal diseases and psoriasis, which avoid many of the side effects associated with known treatments. The compositions of the present invention have the advantage of increased stability, a reduction of arachidonic acid in cells, a reduction in eicosanoid production and enhanced cell regulation and communication. Also disclosed are methods for using the compositions for treatment and prevention. |
| US07776910B2 |
Arylsulfonyl pyrrolidines as 5-HT6 inhibitors
Compounds of the formula I: wherein m, n, Ar, R1 and R2 are as defined herein. Methods of making the compounds and using the compounds are disclosed. |
| US07776909B2 |
2-aryl-acetic acids, their derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
Selected 2-arylacetic acids, their derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions that contain these compounds are useful in inhibiting chemotactic activation of neutrophils (PMN leukocytes) induced by the interaction of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) with CXCR1 and CXCR2-membrane receptors. The compounds are used for the prevention and treatment of pathologies deriving from said activation. In particular, 2(ortho)-substituted arylacetic acids or their derivatives, such as amides and sulfonamides, lack cyclo-oxygenase inhibition activity and are particularly useful in the treatment of neutrophil-dependent pathologies such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, melanoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bullous pemphigoid, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic fibrosis, glomerulonephritis and in the prevention and treatment of damages caused by ischemia and reperfusion. |
| US07776908B2 |
Wortmannin analogs and methods of using same
Novel Wortmannin analogs and their use in inhibiting inhibiting PI-3-kinase activity in mammals as well, as tumor formation in a subject are described herein. |
| US07776907B2 |
Methods for the treatment and management of macular degeneration using cyclopropyl-N-{2-[(1S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-oxoisoindoline-4-yl}carboxamide
Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing macular degeneration are disclosed. Specific embodiments encompass the administration of a selective cytokine inhibitory drug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, alone or in combination with a second active agent and/or surgery. Pharmaceutical compositions, single unit dosage forms, and kits suitable for use in methods of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US07776906B2 |
Fungicidal active compound combinations
There are described new active compound combinations of a compound of the formula (I) with known fungicidal active compounds, and their use for the control of phytopathogenic fungi. |
| US07776899B2 |
Methods for treatment of erectile dysfunction
Improved drug compositions and methods useful in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. An optimized mixture of the drugs phentolamine mesylate, papaverine hydrochloride, and alprostadil in a buffer containing L-arginine and glycine is to be injected into the penile tissue to produce an erection in otherwise impotent men. |
| US07776896B2 |
5-cyano-prostacyclin derivatives as agents for the treatment of influenza a viral infection
This invention is directed to compounds of formula (I): where A, B, D, E, m, and R1-R5 are as described herein, as single stereoisomers or as mixtures of stereoisomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, clathrates, or prodrugs thereof, which compounds are useful in treating respiratory diseases associated with influenza A viruses, such as for example H5N1 and its mutations. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of preparing the compounds of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US07776892B2 |
Fungicidal composition comprising a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative and a compound capable of inhibiting the spores germination or mycelium growth by acting on different metabolic routes
A composition comprising at least a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative of general formula (I)(a) and a compound capable of inhibiting the spores germination or mycelium growth by acting on different metabolic routes (b) in a (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 0.01 to 20.A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound.A method for preventively or curatively combating the phytopathogenic fungi of crops by using this composition. |
| US07776890B2 |
1H-indazole compounds
The present invention provides a novel 1H-indazole compound having an excellent JNK inhibitory action. More specifically, it provides a compound represented by the following formula, a salt thereof or a hydrate of them. Wherein R1 is a C6-C14 aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon group etc.; R2, R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group etc.; L is a single bond, or a C1-C6 alkylene group etc.; X is a single bond, or a group represented by —CO—NH— or —NH—CO—, etc.; and Y is a C3-C8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-C14 aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon group or a 5- to 14-membered aromatic heterocyclic group etc. |
| US07776887B2 |
Processes and intermediates
The invention relates to compounds and processes useful for the preparation of protease inhibitors, particularly serine protease inhibitors. The protease inhibitors are useful for treatment of HCV infections. |
| US07776886B2 |
Cyclopropyl piperidine glycine transporter inhibitors
The present invention is directed to cyclopropyl piperidine compounds that inhibit the glycine transporter GlyT1 and which are useful in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glycinergic or glutamatergic neuro-transmission dysfunction and diseases in which the glycine transporter GlyT1 is involved. |
| US07776883B2 |
Quinolin-4-ones as inhibitors of retroviral integrase for the treatment of HIV, AIDS and AIDS related complex (ARC)
Novel quinoline inhibitors of retroviral integrase, particularly HIV-1 integrase. The quinoline inhibitors are oxoquinolines that can be used for preventing or treating AIDS or HIV infection in a subject. |
| US07776877B2 |
N-(2-(hetaryl)aryl) arylsulfonamides and N-(2-(hetaryl) hetaryl arylsulfonamides
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR9 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR9. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR9-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR9 antagonists. |
| US07776876B2 |
Cyclic G-2Allylproline in treatment of Parkinson's disease
Embodiments of this invention provide methods for thereapeutic use of cyclic G-2-Allyl Proline to treat disorders of dopaminergic neurons, including Parkinson's disease. Cyclic G-2Allyl P is neuroprotective and has utility as a therapeutic agent for treatment of diseases and other conditions characterised by degeneration and/or death of dopaminergic neurons and the adverse symptoms of such degeneration and/or death. Such symptoms include loss of cognition and motor function. Compounds are also useful for manufacture of medicaments including tablets, capsules and injectable solutions that are useful for treatment of such conditions. |
| US07776869B2 |
Heteroaryl-substituted alkyne compounds and method of use
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases, including inflammation, cancer and related conditions. The compounds have a general Formula I wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1 and R2 are defined herein. Accordingly, the invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, methods for the prophylaxis and treatment of kinase mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of the invention, and intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the invention. |
| US07776868B2 |
Substituted bicyclic and tricyclic thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines as A2A adenosine receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to novel compounds that are A2A adenosine receptor antagonists having the structure of Formula I and to their use in treating mammals for various disease states, such as obesity, CNS disorders, including the “movement disorders” (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's Chorea, and catelepsy), and cerebral ischemia, excitotoxicity, cognitive and physiological disorders, depression, ADHD, and drug addiction (alcohol, amphetamine, cannabinoids, cocaine, nicotine, and opioids) and to their use in the enhancement of immune response. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of such compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. |
| US07776866B2 |
Deuterium-enriched risperidone
The present application describes deuterium-enriched risperidone, pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, and methods of treating using the same. |
| US07776860B2 |
Process for the preparation of 3-amino-8-(1-piperazinyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one and salts and solvates thereof
The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 3-amino-8-(1-piperazinyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, a broad spectrum 5-HT receptor binding ligand having potent 5-HT1A-agonistic as well as 5-HT1D-antagonistic activity. The invention also relates to novel salts and solvates, in particular hydrates of salts of said compound, as well as to their use as medicaments.The invention relates the compounds with the formula (7) |
| US07776857B2 |
Aurora kinase modulators and method of use
The present invention relates to chemical compounds having a general formula I wherein A1-8, D′, L1, L2, R1, R6-8 and n are defined herein, and synthetic intermediates, which are capable of modulating various protein kinase receptor enzymes and, thereby, influencing various disease states and conditions related to the activities of such kinases. For example, the compounds are capable of modulating Aurora kinase thereby influencing the process of cell cycle and cell proliferation to treat cancer and cancer-related diseases. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions, including the compounds, and methods of treating disease states related to the activity of Aurora kinase. |
| US07776856B2 |
Pharmaceutical compounds
Fused pyrimidines of formula (I): where A is a thiophene or furan ring and R1-R3 and n are defined in the specification. These compounds have activity as inhibitors of PI3K and may thus be used to treat diseased and disorders arising from abnormal cell growth, function or behavior associated with PI3 kinase such as cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular disease, viral infection, inflammation, metabolism/endocrine disorders and neurological disorders. Processes for synthesizing the compounds are also described. |
| US07776848B2 |
Spirocyclic cyclohexane compounds
Spirocyclic cyclohexane compounds, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and the use of such compounds to treat and/or inhibit specific undesirable conditions in a patient. |
| US07776847B2 |
Benzisothiazoles useful for treating or preventing HCV infection
The present invention relates to benzisothiazoles and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that inhibit replication and/or proliferation of HCV virus. The present invention also relates to the use of the benzisothiazoles and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds to treat or prevent HCV infections. |
| US07776843B2 |
Therapeutic uses of glucan
The present invention is directed to methods of using glucan compositions, comprising water insoluble microparticulate glucans, in the treatment of bone injuries. The water insoluble microparticulate glucans used in the compositions comprise branched β-(1.3)(1.6) glucan. The glucan compositions used in the present invention are essentially free of unbranched β-(1.3)(1.6) glucan and non-glucan components. |
| US07776837B2 |
RNA aptamers and methods for identifying the same
RNA aptamers and methods for identifying the same are disclosed. The RNA aptamers selectively bind coagulation factors, E2F family members, Ang1 or Ang2, and therapeutic and other uses for the RNA aptamers are also disclosed. |
| US07776836B2 |
RNA aptamers and methods for identifying the same
RNA aptamers and methods for identifying the same are disclosed. The RNA aptamers selectively bind coagulation factors, E2F family members, Ang1 or Ang2, and therapeutic and other uses for the RNA aptamers are also disclosed. |
| US07776831B2 |
Use of antifungal compositions to treat upper gastrointestinal conditions
The present invention provides a novel method for treating oral conditions and upper gastrointestinal conditions in a subject by providing an inventive oral dosage form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of at least one antifungal and optionally a flavor modifier and/or salivation component such as an herbal component. In the present invention, the subjects have either not been diagnosed or do not have active or recurrent fungal infections. Specifically, the present invention is directed to chewable dosage forms. |
| US07776830B2 |
Glucopyranosyl-substituted benzonitrile derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, their use and process for their manufacture
Glucopyranosyl-substituted benzonitrile derivatives defined according to claim 1, including the tautomers, the stereoisomers thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof. The compounds according to the invention are suitable for the treatment of metabolic disorders. |
| US07776826B2 |
Method for fostering bone formation and preservation
A method of inducing bone formation in a subject in need of such inducement comprises the steps of mechanically inducing an increase in osteoblast activity in the subject and elevating blood concentration of at least one bone anabolic agent in the subject. The method steps may be performed in any order, but in sufficient time proximity that the elevated concentration of the anabolic agent and the mechanically induced increase in osteoblast activity overlaps. The method may additionally comprise providing the subject with an elevated blood concentration of at least one antiresorptive agent, wherein the elevated concentration is sufficient to prevent resorption of new bone growth produced due to the osteoblast activity. Use of the method permits targeting of specific bones of the subject for bone production and preservation, faster bone production and earlier discontinuation of bone anabolic pharmaceuticals. Kits adapted for performing the method are provided. |
| US07776825B1 |
Mutant polypeptides of fibroblast growth factor 1
The β-trefoil protein human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is made up of a six-stranded anti-parallel β-barrel closed off on one end by three β-hairpins, thus exhibiting a three-fold axis of structural symmetry. The N- and C-termini β-strands hydrogen bond to each other and are postulated from both NMR and X-ray structure data to represent a structurally-weakened region of the β-barrel. Val mutations within the N- and C-termini β-strands are shown to stabilize the structure and to increase van der Waals contacts by filling local cavities present within this region. Mutations that increase van der Waals contacts between both the N- and C-termini β-strands are generally associated with significant reductions in the unfolding kinetics, and also increase the cooperativity of unfolding. Surprisingly, several mutant polypeptides herein disclosed greatly exceed the wild-type polypeptide in ability to stimulate human fibroblasts to proliferate. |
| US07776821B2 |
Method comprising nanofiltration to obtain an MBL product safe from infectious agents and the product obtainable by this method
The present nanofiltration method is applicable on solutions of plasma-derived and recombinantly produced MBL. The MBL containing solution is subjected to a pre-treatment prior to the nanofiltration step. The nanofiltration is used for removal of viruses in general and other infectious agents to obtain an MBL product free from infectious viruses and agents. The nanofiltered MBL product is ready for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of infections and other diseases in individuals with MBL deficiency and insufficiency. |
| US07776820B2 |
Methods for decreasing risk of complications of prematurity using IGF-I and its analogs
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining the risk of developing a complication of preterm birth in a patient born before 40 weeks of gestation or weighing 10% less than the average for the patient's gestational age. The method involves measuring serum IGF-I and/or IGF-I binding protein levels after birth of the patient to obtain an IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level; and correlating said IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level with an in utero baseline level of IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein based on gestational age matched mean levels in utero, wherein an IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level below the mean gestational age in utero level indicates the patient is at an increased risk of developing a complication of preterm birth. The complications of preterm birth include retinopathy of prematurity, developmental delay, mental retardation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Methods for treating/preventing and reducing the risk of complications of preterm birth using IGF-I and ins analogs are also provided. |
| US07776809B2 |
Composition and method for treatment of residues in pumping, bore and reticulation equipment
A method and a composition for remediating reticulation equipment such as a bore having biocontamination deposits is disclosed. In its most preferred form, the composition is formed by mixing dry solid oxalic acid, a cupric salt such as copper sulphate, and a solid acidic compound such as sodium bisulphate. Proportions of 94%, 2% and 4% respectively are suitable, while avoiding toxicity and contamination problems. After thorough mixing this mixture can be stored in a dry sealed container for future use. In use, the reticulation equipment is dosed with from 3 kg to 7 kg of mixture per hundred litres of water contained within the reticulation equipment. |
| US07776802B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing device, and spindle motor and information device using the same
The invention provides a hydrodynamic bearing device including at least one of a shaft structure and a sleeve having a dynamic pressure-generating mechanism, and a lubricant present in a gap between the shaft structure and the sleeve. The lubricant contains a diester with a total carbon number of 20-28 obtainable by a divalent alcohol that has at least one ether bond, and one or more types of C6 to C10 saturated monovalent fatty acid. |
| US07776798B2 |
Quaternary ammonium salts as thickening agents for aqueous systems
This invention relates to the use of alkyl amido quaternary ammonium salts, and formulations thereof, as thickening agents in aqueous based fluids, especially those used in oil field applications. The quaternary ammonium salts of the present invention exhibit improved gelling characteristics. |
| US07776797B2 |
Lost circulation compositions
A lost circulation composition for use in a wellbore comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler. |
| US07776796B2 |
Methods of treating wellbores with recyclable fluids
Methods for treating wellbores using fluids containing a sphingan heteropolysaccharide which contributes viscosity stability and a decrease in friction pressure. Some methods are clean-out operations using recyclable-viscosity fluids containing at least a sphingan heteropolysaccharide and an optional salt. Others include methods of pumping fluids incorporating sphingan heteropolysaccharides to reduce pumping frictional pressure. |
| US07776795B2 |
Identification, characterization, and application of Shewanella putrefaciens (LH4:18), useful in microbially enhanced oil release
The present disclosure relates to isolation, identification and application of Shewanella putrefaciens strain LH4:18 that grows, under denitrifying anaerobic conditions, on crude oil as the sole carbon source. This organism assists in oil release from substrate in reservoir simulations when grown on either lactate or peptone as a carbon source. Shewanella putrefaciens strain LH4:18 can be used alone or in concert with other microorganisms to improve oil recovery. |
| US07776790B2 |
Herbicide compositions comprising suspension concentrate with glyphosate acid, methods of preparation, and methods of use
Described are suspension concentrates that include glyphosate acid, herbicide compositions prepared therefrom, and methods of making and using each. |
| US07776788B2 |
Writing kit with plastic sheets
A writing kit including a plastic sheet, a binding and a case with a closing element to hold the plastic sheet in the case. The case has at least one hole at a center portion of the case and the sheet has at least one hole in the sheet. A binding comprising a flexible cord is laced through the hole in the sheet and the case and a clasp slidingly engages the cord. |
| US07776787B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and method for manufacturing the same
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst has a front end high concentration coating area coated with a precious metal of a high concentration, and a rear end complex coating area coated at different precious metal densities according to the flowing amount of the exhaust gas and a method for manufacturing an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, which is capable of simultaneously coating a rear end complex coating area at different precious metal densities according to the flowing amount of the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes a front end high concentration coating area coated with a precious metal of a high concentration and a rear end complex coating area having at least two areas of different coating densities on the rear side of the front end high concentration coating area. |
| US07776786B2 |
Catalyst systems advantageous for high particulate matter environments
The present invention provides monolithic structural catalysts. The catalysts have a high open frontal area structure and composition advantageous for use in high particulate matter environments such as coal-fired industrial applications. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a monolithic structural catalyst body comprising a high open frontal area structure and composition that can achieve an efficient selective reduction of nitrogen oxides while minimizing the oxidation of sulfur dioxide wherein the structure of the catalyst body is resistant to plugging by particulate matter. |
| US07776782B2 |
Methods of making textured catalysts
A textured catalyst having a hydrothermally-stable support, a metal oxide and a catalyst component is described. Methods of conducting aqueous phase reactions that are catalyzed by a textured catalyst are also described. The invention also provides methods of making textured catalysts and methods of making chemical products using a textured catalyst. |
| US07776781B2 |
Platinum/ruthenium catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells
The invention relates to a carbon-supported PtRu anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) which has a platinum/ruthenium content in the range from 80 to 98 wt. %, preferably in the range from 85 to 98 wt. %, particularly preferably in the range from 85 to 95 wt. % (based on the total weight of the catalyst), on a carbon-based electrically conductive support material and has a mean particle size of less than 3 nm. The catalyst is prepared using a carbon black support material having a specific surface area (measured by the BET method) in the range from 1000 to 2000 m2/g by means of a reduction process using chemical reducing agents with addition of organic acids. Electrodes and membrane-electrode units containing the catalyst according to the invention having a high precious metal loading have an electrode layer thickness of less than 80 μm at a PtRu loading per unit area of the electrode of from 6 to 12 mg of PtRu/cm2 and lead to improved electric power in direct methanol fuel cells. |
| US07776779B2 |
Mesoporous carbon, manufacturing method thereof, and fuel cell using the mesoporous carbon
A method of preparing a mesoporous carbon includes mixing a mesophase pitch, a carbon precursor, an acid, and a solvent to obtain a carbon precursor mixture; impregnating an ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) with the carbon precursor mixture; heat-treating and carbonizing the impregnated OMS to form an OMS-carbon composite; and removing the OMS from the OMS-carbon composite. The mesoporous carbon uses the mesophase pitch and the carbon precursor to reduce sheet resistance, and thus can efficiently transfer electric energy. Such mesoporous carbon can be used as a conductive material of electrodes for fuel cells. When the mesoporous carbon is used as a support for catalysts of electrodes, a supported catalyst containing the support can be used to manufacture a fuel cell having high efficiency. |
| US07776778B2 |
Hydrocarbon conversion catalyst and methods for making and using it
X-ray amorphous carbon is formed by evaporating carbonic material. The evaporation of carbonic material is conducted in a helium atmosphere at a supply energy flow in the range of 50 to 300 W/mm2. The energy is generated, for example, by means of an electric arc. The X-ray amorphous carbon has a starting temperature of an air oxidation, Tso, ≦320° C.; a temperature of maximal rate of an air oxidation, Tomr, ≦590° C.; a temperature of end of an air oxidation, Teo, ≦630° C.; an initial rate of non-catalytic hydrogenolysis by molecular hydrogen at 700° C., Vhin, ≧2.08% mass of carbon/h. Upon contact in a solution, 1 g of X-ray amorphous carbon consumes an amount equal to or greater than 16 mmole of MnO4− ions. Catalysts based on the X-ray amorphous carbon are used in hydrocarbon dehydrogenation and dehydrocyclization reactions. |
| US07776777B2 |
Catalyst support using cellulose fibers, preparation method thereof, supported catalyst comprising nano-metal catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes directly grown on surface of the catalyst support, and method of preparing the supported catalyst
The present invention is directed to a porous catalyst support for maximizing an increase in catalytic reaction activity and a method of preparing a nano-metal-supported catalyst using the same. The method includes splitting cellulose fibers, thus preparing a catalyst support, growing carbon nanotubes on the prepared catalyst support, and supporting a nano-metal catalyst on the catalyst support having the carbon nanotubes grown thereon. |
| US07776776B2 |
Method for preparing catalyst platinum supported on lithium cobalt oxide
The present invention relates to a method for preparing catalyst platinum supported on lithium cobalt oxide for sodium borohydride hydrolysis. The catalyst with crystalline platinum is produced by mixing dihydrogen hexachloroplatinumate and black lithium-cobalt-oxide powder with the impregnation method, and then by a two-step sintering. Platinum is the major catalytic activity site, and lithium cobalt oxide is the support thereof. The manufacturing process of the present invention is simple, and can be applied to catalytic reactions or electrocatalytic reactions in fuel cells. Thereby, the present method is very practical to industry. |
| US07776769B2 |
Manufacture and assembly of structures
The invention relates to a method of assembling structures and a component for use in such assemblies. The component is an electrically insulant, compressible impermeable cloth. It is formed by impregnating an electrically insulant woven fiber with a sealant, and curing to form the cloth. Structures, such as airframe structures, may be assembled by positioning the cloth between a substructure and an outer skin on at least part of a sub-structure, and then assembling the outer skin to the sub-structure with the cloth located between the substructure and the outer skin. This provides a greater impermeability and insulation across the structural joint. During assemble the cloth may also be compressed, allowing skin panels to be fixed to the substructure within close tolerances, and allowing steps between adjacent panels to be substantially reduced. |
| US07776768B2 |
Phthalate-free isocyanurate preparations
The present invention relates to novel low-monomer-content, low-viscosity preparations composed of isocyanurates which contain isocyanate groups and of phthalate-free plasticizers, to their use as adhesion promoters for coating compositions based on plasticized polyvinyl chloride, and also to coatings and to coated substrates. |
| US07776759B2 |
Methods for forming an integrated circuit, including openings in a mold layer from nanowires or nanotubes
A method for forming an integrated circuit having openings in a mold layer and for producing capacitors is disclosed. In one embodiment, nanotubes or nanowires are grown vertically on a horizontal substrate surface. The nanotubes or nanowires serve as a template for forming openings in a mold layer. The substrate is covered with a mold material after the formation of the nanowires or nanotubes. One embodiment provides mold layers having openings with a much higher aspect ratio. |
| US07776754B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method and chemical fluid used for manufacturing semiconductor device
This disclosure is concerned a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes providing an dielectric film on a substrate; providing a mask material on the dielectric film; etching the dielectric film using the mask material; performing a first treatment of removing a metal residue generated by etching the dielectric film; performing a second treatment of making a sidewall of the dielectric film formed by etching the dielectric film hydrophobic; and performing a third treatment of removing a silicon residue generated by etching the dielectric film. |
| US07776753B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor devices employing at least one modulation doped quantum well structure and one or more etch stop layers for accurate contact formation
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming (or providing) a series of layers formed on a substrate, the layers including a first plurality of layers including an n-type ohmic contact layer, a p-type modulation doped quantum well structure, an n-type modulation doped quantum well structure, and a fourth plurality of layers including a p-type ohmic contact layer. Etch stop layers are used during etching operations when forming contacts to the n-type ohmic contact layer and contacts to the n-type modulation doped quantum well. Preferably, each such etch stop layer is made sufficiently thin to permit current tunneling therethrough during operation of optoelectronic/electronic devices realized from this structure (including heterojunction thyristor devices, n-channel HFET devices, p-channel HFET devices, p-type quantum-well-base bipolar transistor devices, and n-type quantum-well-base bipolar transistor devices). The etch stop layer(s) preferably comprise AlAs that functions as an etch stop during etching by a chlorine-based gas mixture that includes fluorine. The series of layers preferably comprise group III-V materials. |
| US07776752B2 |
Method of etching for multi-layered structure of semiconductors in group III-V and method for manufacturing vertical cavity surface emitting laser device
Provided are an etching method for a multi-layered structure of semiconductors in groups III-V and a method of manufacturing a VCSEL using the etching method. According to the etching method, a stacked structure including a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer is exposed to a plasma of a mixture consisting of Cl2, Ar, CH4, and H2 to etch the stacked structure, so that a mirror layer of the VCSEL is formed. The first semiconductor layer is formed of a semiconductor in groups III-V and the second semiconductor layer is formed of a semiconductor in groups III-V, other than the semiconductor of the first semiconductor layer. At least part of a lower mirror layer, a lower electrode layer, an optical gain layer, an upper electrode layer, and an upper mirror layer is etched using one time of an etching process, so that a clean and smooth etched surface is obtained. |
| US07776751B2 |
Process for producing silicon compound
A process for producing a silicon compound can minimize the number of steps and can form a desired compound in a low-temperature environment. The process comprises: allowing a radical of a halogen gas to act on a member 11 to be etched, which is disposed within a chamber 1 and is formed of a material containing an element capable of forming a compound with Si, while keeping the member 11 at a relatively high temperature, to form a gas of a precursor 24, which is a compound of the material and the halogen; holding a substrate 3 accommodated within the chamber 1 at a relatively low temperature, with the Si interface of the substrate 3 being exposed, to adsorb the precursor 24 onto the Si interface of the substrate 3; and then allowing the radical of the halogen gas to act on the precursor 24 adsorbed onto the Si interface to reduce the precursor 24, thereby producing a compound of the material and Si. |
| US07776750B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming a pattern in the same with double exposure technology
A method for forming a pattern in a semiconductor device includes performing a double exposure process for a multifunctional hard mask layer over a semiconductor substrate using a line/space mask to form a multifunctional hard mask layer pattern having a first contact hole region. The multifunctional hard mask layer pattern is subjected to a resist flow process to form a multifunctional hard mask layer pattern having a second contact hole region with rounded edges, where the size of the second contact hole region is smaller than that of the first contact hole region. |
| US07776746B2 |
Method and apparatus for ultra thin wafer backside processing
A method and apparatus for ultra thin wafer backside processing are disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer ring holding a high temperature grinding and/or dicing tape to form a support structure. An ultra thin wafer or diced wafer is adhered to the tape within the ring for wafer backside processing. The wafer backside processing includes ion implantation, annealing, etching, sputtering and evaporation while the wafer is in the support structure. Alternative uses of the support structure are also disclosed including the fabrication of dies having metalized side walls. |
| US07776745B2 |
Method for etching silicon-germanium in the presence of silicon
A method for selectively etching single-crystal silicon-germanium in the presence of single-crystal silicon, including a chemical etch based on hydrochloric acid in gaseous phase at a temperature lower than approximately 700° C. |
| US07776739B2 |
Semiconductor device interconnection contact and fabrication method
A semiconductor device interconnection contact and fabrication method comprises fabricating one or more active devices on a semiconductor substrate. A diffusion barrier layer is deposited over the devices, followed by an Al-based metallization layer. The diffusion barrier and metallization layers are masked and etched to define interconnection traces. Mask and etch steps are then performed to remove interconnection trace metallization that is in close proximity to the active device regions, while leaving the traces' diffusion barrier layer intact to provide conductive paths to the devices, thereby reducing metallization-induced mechanical stress which might otherwise cause device instability. |
| US07776738B2 |
Method for fabricating a storage electrode of a semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a storage electrode of a semiconductor device includes forming an interlayer dielectric film including a storage node contact on a semiconductor substrate, forming an etching blocking layer on the interlayer dielectric film, forming a mold insulating layer on the etching blocking layer, the mold insulating layer including sequentially deposited phospho-silicate glass and high density plasma oxide, forming a hard mask layer on the mold insulating layer, forming an opening in the resulting structure, thereby exposing the surface of the storage node contact, etching the mold insulating layer exposed through the opening to form a variable-profile storage electrode pattern and forming a storage electrode along the surface of the variable-profile storage electrode pattern. |
| US07776737B2 |
Reliability of wide interconnects
An integrated circuit which includes a semiconductor substrate, a first metal wiring level on the semiconductor substrate which includes metal wiring lines, an interconnect wiring level on the first metal wiring level which includes a via interconnect within an interlevel dielectric, a second metal wiring level on the interconnect wiring level which includes metal wiring lines, at least one metal wiring line having a plurality of dielectric fill shapes that reduces the cross sectional area of the at least one metal wiring line, and wherein the via interconnect makes electrical contact between a metal line in the first wiring level and the at least one metal wiring line in the second wiring level, the via interconnect being adjacent to and spaced from the plurality of dielectric fill shapes. Also disclosed is a method in which a plurality of dielectric fill shapes are placed adjacent to and spaced from a via contact area in a wiring line in a second wiring level. |
| US07776732B2 |
Metal high-K transistor having silicon sidewall for reduced parasitic capacitance, and process to fabricate same
A method is disclosed to reduce parasitic capacitance in a metal high dielectric constant (MHK) transistor. The method includes forming a MHK gate stack upon a substrate, the MHK gate stack having a bottom layer of high dielectric constant material, a middle layer of metal, and a top layer of one of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The method further forms a depleted sidewall layer on sidewalls of the MHK gate stack so as to overlie the middle layer and the top layer, and not the bottom layer. The depleted sidewall layer is one of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The method further forms an offset spacer layer over the depleted sidewall layer and over exposed surfaces of the bottom layer. |
| US07776731B2 |
Method of removing defects from a dielectric material in a semiconductor
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a high dielectric constant material over a semiconductor substrate, forming a conductive material over the high dielectric constant material, and performing an anneal in a non-oxidizing ambient using ultraviolet radiation to remove defects in the high dielectric constant material. Examples of a non-oxidizing ambient include for example nitrogen, deuterium, a deuterated forming gas (N2/D2), helium, argon or a combination of any two or more of these. Additional anneals using ultraviolet radiation may be performed. These additional anneals may occur in non-oxidizing or oxidizing ambients. |
| US07776729B2 |
Transistor, method of manufacturing same, etchant for use during manufacture of same, and system containing same
A transistor comprises a gate (110) comprising a gate electrode (111) and a gate dielectric (112), an electrically insulating cap (120, 720) over the gate, and a source/drain contact (130) adjacent to the gate. The electrically insulating cap prevents electrical contact between the gate and the source/drain contact. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating cap is formed in a trench (160, 660) that is self-aligned to the gate and that is created by the removal of a sacrificial cap using an aqueous solution comprising a carboxylic acid and a corrosion inhibitor. |
| US07776725B2 |
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. The method includes doping a short channel device and a long channel device with a first dopant, and doping the short channel device and the long channel device with a second dopant at a same implantation energy, dose, and angle for both the short channel device and the long channel device. The second dopant neutralizes the first dopant in portion to a gate length of the short channel device and the second channel device. |
| US07776724B2 |
Methods of filling a set of interstitial spaces of a nanoparticle thin film with a dielectric material
A method of forming a densified nanoparticle thin film is disclosed. The method includes positioning a substrate in a first chamber; and depositing a nanoparticle ink, the nanoparticle ink including a set of Group IV semiconductor particles and a solvent. The method also includes heating the nanoparticle ink to a first temperature between about 30° C. and about 300° C., and for a first time period between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes, wherein the solvent is substantially removed, and a porous compact is formed; and positioning the substrate in a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure of between about 1×10−7 Torr and about 1×10−4 Torr. The method further includes depositing on the porous compact a dielectric material; wherein the densified nanoparticle thin film is formed. |
| US07776723B2 |
Method of manufacturing an epitaxial semiconductor substrate and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
In an example embodiment of the method of manufacturing an epitaxial semiconductor substrate, a gettering layer is grown over a semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer may then be formed over the gettering layer, and a semiconductor device may be formed on the epitaxial layer. |
| US07776717B2 |
Controlled process and resulting device
A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate. |
| US07776713B2 |
Etching solution, method of surface modification of semiconductor substrate and method of forming shallow trench isolation
An etching solution, a method of surface modification of a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming shallow trench isolation are provided. The etching solution is used for surface modifying the semiconductor substrate. The etching solution includes an oxidant and an oxide remover. The semiconductor substrate is oxidized to a semiconductor oxide by the oxidant, and the oxide remover subtracts the semiconductor oxide. |
| US07776709B2 |
Cut-and-paste imprint lithographic mold and method therefor
A method (and apparatus) of replicating a pattern on a structure, includes using imprint lithography to replicate a pattern formed on a first structure onto a portion of a second structure. |
| US07776706B2 |
Forming SOI trench memory with single-sided buried strap
A method of forming a trench memory cell includes forming a trench capacitor within a substrate material, the trench capacitor including a node dielectric layer formed within a trench and a conductive capacitor electrode material formed within the trench in contact with the node dielectric layer; forming a strap mask so as cover one side of the trench and removing one or more materials from an uncovered opposite side of the trench; and forming a conductive buried strap material within the trench; wherein the strap mask is patterned in a manner such that a single-sided buried strap is defined within the trench, the single-sided buried strap configured in a manner such that the deep trench capacitor is electrically accessible at only one side of the trench. |
| US07776697B2 |
Semiconductor structures employing strained material layers with defined impurity gradients and methods for fabricating same
Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced. |
| US07776695B2 |
Semiconductor device structure having low and high performance devices of same conductive type on same substrate
A method for making a semiconductor device structure, includes: providing a substrate; forming on the substrate a first gate with first spacers, a second gate with second spacers, respective source and drain regions of a same conductive type adjacent to the first gate and the second gate, an isolation region disposed intermediate of the first gate and the second gate, silicides on the first gate, the second gate and respective source and drain regions; forming additional spacers on the first spacers to produce an intermediate structure, and then disposing a stress layer over the entire intermediate structure. |
| US07776690B2 |
Method of forming a contact on a semiconductor device
A method of forming a contact on a semiconductor device is provided. First, a substrate is provided. A plurality of gate structures defined by a plurality of word lines in a first direction, and a plurality of diffusion regions covered by a first dielectric layer in a second direction are provided over the substrate. The gate structures located underneath the word lines and isolated by the diffusion regions. Then, an etching stop layer is formed. The etching stop layer and the first dielectric layer have different etching selectivity. A second dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. Furthermore, a plurality of contact holes to the diffusion regions between the word lines are formed by using the etching stop layer as a self-aligned mask. |
| US07776688B2 |
Use of a polymer spacer and Si trench in a bitline junction of a flash memory cell to improve TPD characteristics
Memory devices having improved TPD characteristics and methods of making the memory devices are provided. The memory devices contain two or more memory cells on a semiconductor substrate and bit line dielectrics between the memory cells. The bit line dielectrics can extend into the semiconductor. The memory cell contains one or more charge storage nodes, a first poly gate, a pair of first bit lines, and a pair of second bit lines. The second bit line can be formed at a higher energy level, a higher concentration of dopants, or a combination thereof compared to an energy level and a concentration of dopants of the first bit line. |
| US07776686B2 |
Method of fabricating a non-volatile memory element including nitriding and oxidation of an insulating film
An interpoly insulating film is modified in the film quality, while preventing generation of trap sites. A floating gate 101 is provided on a channel-forming region in the vicinity of the surface of a silicon substrate 112, an interpoly insulating film 134 is provided so as to contact with the floating gate 101, and a control gate 103 is provided so as to contact with the interpoly insulating film 134 and so as to be opposed to at least a part of the floating gate 101. A process step of providing the interpoly insulating film 134 further includes a step of forming on the floating gate 101, the interpoly insulating film 134 so as to contact with the floating gate 101, and a step of exposing, subsequently to the formation of the interpoly insulating film 134, the interpoly insulating film 134 to an atmosphere containing a nitrogen-containing gas and oxygen, to thereby simultaneously proceed nitriding and oxidation of the interpoly insulating film 134. |
| US07776684B2 |
Increasing the surface area of a memory cell capacitor
Methods and apparatuses to increase a surface area of a memory cell capacitor are described. An opening in a second insulating layer deposited over a first insulating layer on a substrate is formed. The substrate has a fin. A first insulating layer is deposited over the substrate adjacent to the fin. The opening in the second insulating layer is formed over the fin. A first conducting layer is deposited over the second insulating layer and the fin. A third insulating layer is deposited on the first conducting layer. A second conducting layer is deposited on the third insulating layer. The second conducting layer fills the opening. The second conducting layer is to provide an interconnect to an upper metal layer. Portions of the second conducting layer, third insulating layer, and the first conducting layer are removed from a top surface of the second insulating layer. |
| US07776679B2 |
Method for forming silicon wells of different crystallographic orientations
A method for manufacturing silicon wells of various crystallographic orientations in a silicon support, including the steps of: forming a silicon layer having a first orientation on a silicon substrate having a second orientation; forming insulating walls, defining wells extend at least down to the border between the silicon substrate and the silicon layer; performing, in first wells, a chemical vapor etch (CVE) of the silicon layer by means of hydrochloric acid, in an epitaxy reactor, at a temperature ranging between 700° C. and 950° C.; and performing, in the first wells, a vapor-phase epitaxy on the silicon substrate in the presence of a precursor of silicon and hydrochloric acid, at a temperature ranging between 700° C. and 900° C. and up to the upper surface of the silicon layer. |
| US07776677B1 |
Method of forming an EEPROM device and structure therefor
In one embodiment, an EEPROM device is formed to include a metal layer having an opening therethrough. The opening overlies a portion of a floating gate of the EEPROM device. |
| US07776675B1 |
Method for forming a reduced resistivity poly gate and related structure
According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for forming a reduced resistivity poly gate includes a step of implanting a refractory metal, such as molybdenum, in an N type poly layer in a PFET region of a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes a step of implanting a boron-fluoride compound, such as boron difluoride, in an N type gate in the PFET region, where the N type gate comprises a portion of the N type poly layer. The method further includes a step of forming a titanium silicide segment in the N type gate. The refractory metal reduces a resistivity of the titanium silicide segment, thereby forming the reduced resistivity poly gate. |
| US07776662B2 |
TFT LCD array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A TFT LCD array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. The TFT LCD array substrate comprises a substrate. A gate line and a gate electrode that is formed integrally with the gate line are formed on the substrate. A first insulating layer and a semiconductor layer are formed sequentially on the gate line and the gate electrode. A second insulting layer covers sidewalls of the gate line and the gate electrode, the first insulating layer, and the semiconductor layer. An etching stop layer is formed on the semiconductor layer and exposes a part of the semiconductor layer on both sides of the etching stop layer. The TFT LCD of the present invention can be manufactured with a four-mask process. |
| US07776658B2 |
Compact co-packaged semiconductor dies with elevation-adaptive interconnection plates
A semiconductor package is disclosed for packaging two adjacent semiconductor dies atop a circuit substrate. The dies are separated from each other along their longitudinal edges with an inter-die distance. An elevation-adaptive electrical connection connects a top metalized contact of die two to the bottom surface of die one while accommodating for elevation difference between the surfaces. The elevation-adaptive electrical connection includes: a) An L-shaped circuit route that is part of the circuit substrate, extending transversely from a die one longitudinal edge and placing an intermediate contact area next to a die two transverse edge. b) An interconnection plate connecting the top metalized contact area of die two with the intermediate contact area while being formed to accommodate for elevation difference between the contact areas. Consequently, the semiconductor package reduces the inter-die distance from an otherwise direct transverse circuit routing between the longitudinal edges of the dies. |
| US07776654B2 |
Method of producing electronic apparatus
To provide a method of producing an electronic apparatus that is inexpensive, contributes to high productivity, and can achieve good communication characteristics. A method of producing an electronic apparatus composed of an IC chip (100) having an external electrode formed on each of a set of opposing surfaces of the IC chip; an antenna circuit (201) having a slit formed in it; and a short circuit plate (300) for electrically connecting the IC chip (100) and the antenna circuit (201). In the method, a disc-like conveyor (703) has hands (704) on its outer periphery, and each hand (704) is capable of holding a single IC chip (100). The hands (704) hold IC chips (100) individually, and the IC chips (100) are conveyed by rotation of the disc-like conveyor (703). As a result, a plurality of IC chips (100) whose maximum number is equal to the number of the hands (704) can be simultaneously conveyed. |
| US07776653B2 |
Controlling flip-chip techniques for concurrent ball bonds in semiconductor devices
A device has a first semiconductor chip (101) with contact pads in an interior first set (102) and a peripheral second set (103). A deformed sphere (104) of non-reflow metal such as gold is placed on each contact pad of the first and second sets. At least one additional deformed sphere (105) is placed on the first set pads, forming column-shaped spacers. The first chip is attached to a substrate (110) with a chip attachment location and a third set of contact pads (112) near the location. Low profile bond wires (130) span between the pads of the third set and the second set. A second semiconductor chip (140) of a size has a fourth set of contact pads (141) at locations matching the first set pads. The second chip is placed over the first chip so that the fourth set pads are aligned with the spacers on the matching first set pads, and at least one edge of the second chip overhangs the sphere on at least one pad of the second set. A reflow metal (142) bonds the spacers to the second chip, while the spacers space the first and second chips by a gap (105a) wide enough for placing the wire spans to the second set pads. |
| US07776651B2 |
Method for compensating for CTE mismatch using phase change lead-free super plastic solders
Lead-free solders comprising 85-96% tin (Sn) and 4-15% Indium (In) by weight percentage (wt. %) and exemplary uses of the same are disclosed. The Sn—In solder undergoes a martensitic phase change when it is cooled from a reflow temperature to room temperature. As a result, residual stresses that would normally occur due to solder strain caused by relative movement between joined components are substantially reduced. Typically, the relative movement results from a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the joined components. The disclosed exemplary uses include flip-chip assembly and IC package to circuit board mounting, such as ball grid array packages. |
| US07776648B2 |
High thermal performance packaging for circuit dies
A circuit die is disposed into a region defined by a mold. A molding material is then introduced into the region to encapsulate the circuit die. Prior to substantial curing of the molding material, at least a portion of the molding material is removed from over a surface of the circuit die, creating a recessed region in the encapsulating material. A heat spreader may then be disposed within the recessed region, as well as over the top surface of the encapsulating material. The heat spreader may have a downset that substantially aligns with the recessed region and reduces the distance between the heat spreader and the spacer for better heat dissipation. |
| US07776645B2 |
Organic semiconductor device and its manufacturing method
An organic semiconductor device in which an organic semiconductor layer is easily formed into a pattern, and a method of manufacturing same. On a substrate, a first structural portion including a first electrode, an organic semiconductor layer made of an organic compound having a semiconductor property, and a second structural portion having a second electrode are provided in order. The second structural portion is formed in a prescribed pattern. The second structural portion includes a mask portion having an etching-resistant property, and etching of the organic semiconductor layer is performed while using the mask portion as a mask. The mask portion may be the second electrode. |
| US07776636B2 |
Method for significant reduction of dislocations for a very high A1 composition A1GaN layer
A method for reducing dislocation density between an AlGaN layer and a sapphire substrate involving the step of forming a self-organizing porous AlN layer of non-coalescing column-like islands with flat tops on the substrate. |
| US07776634B2 |
Semiconductor laser with a weakly coupled grating
A semiconductor laser with a semiconductor substrate, a laser layer arranged on the semiconductor substrate, a waveguide arranged parallel to the laser layer and a strip shaped grating structure is disclosed. The laser layer, the waveguide and the grating are arranged in a configuration which results in weak coupling between the laser light and the grating structure, so that the laser light interacts with an increased number of grating elements. A process for the production of such a semiconductor laser is also disclosed. |
| US07776632B2 |
Method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor device
A method for forming a CMOS image sensor (CIS) in accordance with embodiments includes sequentially forming a first photoresist and a blocking layer over a semiconductor substrate where a logic section including a photodiode may be formed. A micro lens array pattern may be formed by coating a second photoresist over top of the formed blocking layer, patterning the second photoresist, and then etching the blocking layer by using the patterned second photoresist as a mask. The first photoresist may be patterned by performing isotropic etching using the micro lens array pattern as a mask. A micro lens array may be formed by filling a material having a refractivity higher than that of the first PR in the patterned portion of the first photoresist. The sensitivity of the CIS can be optimized by maximizing the fill factor while maintaining the spherical surface of the lens by fabricating a micro lens array using anisotropic etching. |
| US07776630B1 |
Excitation band-gap tuning of dopant based quantum dots with core-inner shell outer shell
A composition and method for fabricating and tuning a dopant based core-shell semiconductor having a quantum dot core with an excitation band-gap are provided. A quantum dot core composed of an alloy of cadmium sulfide (CdS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) as semi-conductor materials include a dopant of manganese (Mn) added to the core and an outer shell of zinc sulfide (ZnS). The dopant based core/shell quantum dot semiconductor of the present invention allows the fine tuning of an excitation band-gap, covering a wide range (from 2.4 eV to ˜4 eV). When doped with Mn, these alloy Qdots emit bright yellow/orange light. Tuning of the excitation band is accomplished by changing the alloy composition of the core. Based on photophysical studies a new core/shell/shell model is provided, in place of the traditional core/shell model. Due to the interfacial diffusion of the cations from the core and shell an intermediate alloy layer is formed providing an inner shell; this inner shell layer is the real host of the dopant ions. |
| US07776628B2 |
Method and system for tone inverting of residual layer tolerant imprint lithography
A method (and apparatus) of imprint lithography, includes imprinting, via a patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on a substrate, and overlaying a cladding layer over the imprinted resist layer. A portion of the cladding layer is used as a hard mask for a subsequent processing. |
| US07776627B2 |
Flexible structures for interconnect reliability test
A method for forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a test wafer. The step of forming the test wafer includes providing a first semiconductor substrate; and forming a first plurality of unit blocks over the first semiconductor substrate. Each of the first plurality of unit blocks includes a plurality of connection block cells arranged as an array. Each of the connection block cells includes two connection blocks, and a metal line connecting the two connection blocks. The method further includes forming a plurality of unit block boundary lines separating the first plurality of unit blocks from each other; and forming a first plurality of metal lines connecting a portion of the first plurality of unit blocks. |
| US07776625B2 |
Method for locating a sub-surface feature using a scatterometer
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, without limitation, may include providing a substrate having a sub-surface feature and a surface feature, and determining a location of the sub-surface feature relative to the surface feature using a scatterometer. |
| US07776622B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device fabrication method that improves the efficiency of semiconductor device production. A plurality of wafer substrates are set and a process for fabricating semiconductor devices each having a ferroelectric capacitor is begun. After ferroelectric layers are formed over the plurality of wafer substrates, the ferroelectric layers formed are damaged. The plurality of wafer substrates are then rearranged and treatment is performed. In each step in which the ferroelectric layers formed may be damaged, the plurality of wafer substrates are rearranged and treatment is performed. As a result, retention characteristic variations among wafer substrates in the same lot are reduced and the productivity of semiconductor devices is improved. |
| US07776620B2 |
Hapten-carrier conjugates for treating and preventing nicotine addiction
Novel hapten-carrier conjugates are capable of inducing the production of antibodies, in vivo, that specifically bind to nicotine. These conjugates comprise a nicotine hapten conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein. The novel conjugates preserve the chirality of nicotine in its native (S)-(−) state, and have good stability properties. The conjugates are useful in formulating vaccines for active immunization, that are used to prevent and treat nicotine addiction. The antibodies raised in response to the nicotine hapten-carrier conjugate are used for passive immunization. These antibodies are administered for prevention and treatment of nicotine addiction. |
| US07776619B2 |
Method of stabilizing pulmonary surfactant protein
The present invention relates to a method for long-term stabilizing a pulmonary surfactant protein, to a stabilized aqueous solution containing a pulmonary surfactant protein, and to a kit for assaying a pulmonary surfactant protein which kit contains, as a component reagent, a stabilized aqueous solution containing a pulmonary surfactant protein.The invention provides a method for stabilizing a pulmonary surfactant protein, the method including causing the pulmonary surfactant protein to be present with a calcium ion and an oxidizing/reducing substance.The invention also provides an aqueous solution containing a pulmonary surfactant protein which has been stabilized by use of a calcium ion and an oxidizing/reducing substance in combination.The invention also provides a kit for assaying a pulmonary surfactant protein present in a sample through an immunological technique employing antigen-antibody reaction, the kit containing, as a standard solution of pulmonary surfactant protein, an aqueous solution containing a pulmonary surfactant protein which has been stabilized by use of a calcium ion and an oxidizing/reducing substance in combination. |
| US07776615B2 |
Method for solid-phase micro extraction and apparatus therefor
The present invention is directed to a system for pre-treatment of a sample to be introduced in a chromatograph, and a method for performing solid-phase extraction of a component present in a sample. The system uses a syringe having a needle being provided with a porous body having a monolithic structure along at least an appropriate length of the needle and across an overall diameter of the needle. The method includes the steps of inserting the needle into the sample, passing the sample through the needle to retain an analyte within the porous body, and desorbtion of the retained analyte from the porous body. |
| US07776612B2 |
Method of quantifying antigen expression
The present invention is directed to a novel method for quantifying antigen, such as the amount expressed on a cell. The method comprises formulating an equation of correlation between the amount expressed of expressed antigen and the intensity of fluorescence from fluorescent labelled antibody. |
| US07776611B2 |
Optical sensor using functionalized composite materials
The invention relates to a method for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, comprising disposing in the medium a functionalized composite material such that the at least one analyte is absorbed by the functionalized composite material, the functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated by absorption of the at least one analyte; and measuring modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material; wherein modulation of the at least one optical property of the functionalized composite material is indicative of the presence of the analyte in the medium. The invention also relates to an optical sensor for sensing the presence of at least one analyte in a medium, and a functionalized composite material having at least one optical property that is modulated upon absorption of one or more analyte. |
| US07776610B2 |
Cyanide and related species detection with metal surfaces
An assay method and kit for detecting a chemical. The method and kit utilize a metal surface capable of surface enhanced Raman Scattering. The metal surface may be provided in the form of one or more nanoparticles, to increase the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the metal surface. The nanoparticles may be treated with one or more additives to further enhance or maintain the surface enhanced Raman Scattering capability of the nanoparticles. |
| US07776609B2 |
Reference microplates and methods for making and using the reference microplates
A reference microplate is described herein which can be used to help calibrate and troubleshoot an optical interrogation system. In one embodiment, the reference microplate has a frame with an array of wells each of which contains an optical biosensor and each optical biosensor is at least partially coated with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy). In another embodiment, the reference microplate in addition to having its optical biosensors at least partially covered with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy) also has a controllable heating device attached thereto which is used to heat the optical biosensors. |
| US07776606B2 |
Processes to create discrete corrosion defects on substrates and establish corrosion NDI test standards
Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing. |
| US07776600B2 |
Method of manufacturing hydroxyapatite and uses therefor in delivery of nucleic acids
Provided is a method for production of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles, and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles produced according to the method. The nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles exhibit substantially superior cell transformation abilities as compared to known and commercially-available calcium phosphate kits. The nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles also find use in tissue engineering applications, for example bone and tooth engineering and repair applications. |
| US07776595B2 |
Methods for genetic modification of hematopoietic progenitor cells and uses of the modified cells
Described are compositions and methods relating to gene therapy, particularly as applied to hematopoietic progenitor (HP) cells, to transduced cells and methods of obtaining them, and to methods of using them to provide prolonged engraftment of modified hematopoietic cells in human subjects. The invention particularly relates to ex vivo gene therapy of HP cells for treatment or prevention of HIV infection. |
| US07776593B2 |
Hes6 as a marker of pancreatic endocrine cells
The present invention provides methods of identifying endocrine stem and progenitor cells. |