| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07856253B2 |
Power supply IC having switching regulator and series regulator
An integrated circuit for supplying power includes an IC chip having a rectangular shape and having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a switching regulator implemented on the IC chip and having a driver transistor whose ON time of switching is controlled to adjust an output voltage of the switching regulator, and a series regulator implemented on the IC chip, wherein the driver transistor of the switching regulator is positioned near the first edge, and the series regulator is positioned near the second edge. |
| US07856252B2 |
Method for seamless noise suppression on wideband to narrowband cell switching
A method for seamless noise suppression on wideband to narrowband cell switching is described. In one embodiment the method includes applying noise suppression to a telephone signal using a first noise suppressor while operating a telephone in a first operating mode, the first noise suppressor generating an estimate of a noise components of the telephone signal; switching the telephone from the first operating mode to a second operating mode; providing the estimate of the noise component as an input to a second noise suppressor different from the first noise suppressor, when the switching step is performed; and applying noise suppression to the telephone signal using the second noise suppressor by using the estimate of the noise component provided by the first noise suppressor when the switching step is performed. |
| US07856247B2 |
RFID reader integrated with wireless communication device
An integrated RFID reader and wireless communication device is realized by a radio frequency (RF) front end operable, in a first mode, to generate a radio frequency identification system (RFID) outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive an RFID inbound RF signal responsive to the RFID outbound RF signal and to convert the RFID inbound RF signal to an RFID near baseband signal, and operable in a second mode, to generate a transceiver outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive a transceiver inbound RF signal and to convert the transceiver inbound RF signal to a transceiver near baseband signal. The integrated device further includes a digitization module operable, in the first mode, to convert the RFID near baseband signal to an RFID digital baseband signal, and operable, in a second mode, to convert the transceiver near baseband signal to a transceiver digital baseband signal, and a baseband processing module operably coupled, in the first mode, to convert the RFID digital baseband signal into inbound RFID digital data, and operably coupled, in the second mode, to convert the transceiver digital baseband signal into inbound transceiver digital data. |
| US07856241B2 |
Mobile communication system, radio base station, scheduling apparatus, scheduling method employed in the same, and program thereof
The invention provides a radio base station which can achieve high throughput while attaining the target quality for each mobile station and fairly assigning a transmission opportunity. In the radio base station, when a mobile station selection unit is notified at a fixed period of time by a data flow control unit with respect to a mobile station which has data to be transmitted, the unit selects a plurality of mobile stations which don't achieve the service quality. The plurality of mobile stations selected by the mobile station selection unit are input into a PF scheduler. From these mobile stations, a mobile station to which a transmission opportunity is assigned, is determined. A mobile station notification unit assigns a transmission opportunity to the mobile station determined by the PF scheduler. Upon completion of the transmission opportunity assignment, the mobile station notification unit notifies the data flow control unit of the mobile stations to which a transmission opportunity has been assigned. |
| US07856240B2 |
Distributed sound enhancement
Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset. |
| US07856239B2 |
Mobile phone telephony involving the sending and receiving of text messages
A method of operating a mobile phone telecommunications network is provided, comprising using at least one mobile switching center (MSC) of the network to receive at least one message, and as a result to generate a mobile application part (MAP) message, transmitting the MAP message from the MSC to at least one service control point (SCP) of the network, and operating the SCP to process the MAP message. Processing of the MAP message by the SCP may comprise, for example, determining the subsequent handling of the MAP message, and charging a sender of the message received by the MSC. The message received by the MSC may comprise a text message, for example, a text message generated using the short message service (SMS). |
| US07856238B2 |
Method for mobile to inform base station of additonal GPS capabilities
In a method of configuring a mobile communication between a position determination entity and a mobile device, an indication that the mobile device has an ability to perform a positioning system search simultaneously with a communication is sent to the position determination entity. A preferred response quality indicator is set to a state that will allow the mobile device an extended period to provide to a location of the mobile device to the position determination entity when the mobile device has the ability to perform a positioning system search simultaneously with a communication. |
| US07856236B2 |
Area watcher for wireless network
Dynamic and current information is provided regarding a wireless device's entry into or exit from a geographically defined “watched” area. An area watcher application monitors preconfigured wireless devices entry/exit into preconfigured watched areas. The watched areas may watch for any/all subscribers, or for select, preconfigured subscribers listed in an appropriate table or database. Provision of location information is triggered by a wireless subscriber's entry, exit or changing between designated ‘watched’ areas or locations. Continuous polling may be used, or the mobile device itself or network element may be triggered to push its own location upon notification of its entry into or out of watched areas from an area watcher. A third party may be notified when a wireless user enters an area surrounding their retail store, and be sent a message such as “sale inside”, or “Your rentals are overdue”, on their wireless device. |
| US07856235B2 |
Position detection with frequency smoothing
The invention relates to a method for calculating a position of a mobile communications equipment. In order to obtain a more accurate position information of the mobile communications equipment, receiving physical communication channels within the mobile communications equipment, receiving first signal codes within said physical communication channels, measuring a signal phase of said first signal code within said mobile communications equipment, measuring a pseudodoppler frequency within said physical communications channels within said mobile communications equipment, reducing a noise level of said measured signal phase by using said pseudodoppler frequency, and calculating said position of said mobile communications equipment using at least said noise level reduced signal phase, is proposed. |
| US07856234B2 |
System and method for estimating positioning error within a WLAN-based positioning system
The invention features a method of estimating an expected error of a position estimate for use in a WLAN positioning system that estimates the position of a WLAN-enabled device. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by a WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device. The method estimates the position of the WLAN-enabled device based on the received signals from the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device. The method also estimates an expected error of the position estimate based on characteristics of the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device, wherein the expected error predicts a relative accuracy of the position estimate. |
| US07856232B2 |
Telemetry tracking and command satellite link
The invention relates to a telemetry, control, and ranging link of a satellite; it proposes using spread spectrum transmission for the up link, i.e. for commanding the satellite and for the ranging up signal. It proposes using subcarrier modulation for the down link, i.e. for telemetry and for the ranging down signal. This makes it possible for the up link to withstand interference and to provide co-localization; on the down link, the use of subcarrier modulation makes it possible to continue using existing equipment and known solutions. |
| US07856227B2 |
Data processing system and method, communication system and method, and charging apparatus and method
In a communication system for serving data corresponding to a request from the user and charging the user for the data served to the user, when the user designates a result of a desired one of a plurality of different operations, a usage management unit selects a one, corresponding to the user's designation, of a plurality of processors which effect operations corresponding to a plurality of different algorithms, respectively. When the processor corresponding to the designation is selected, an algorithm processor makes an operation corresponding to the designation. A management center charges the user for the use of the algorithm. |
| US07856225B2 |
Retrieving a program state via a coded surface
A method of retrieving a program state using a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining a print media identifier from the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the print media identifier having been linked to the program state; and, retrieving, using the mobile telecommunications device and the print media identifier, the program state. |
| US07856223B2 |
Mixer-system with gain-blocks and switches
Mixer-systems comprising gain-blocks (1-4) and switches (5-8) have a flexibility depending upon their configuration (insight) and are made more flexible (basic idea) by supplying data input signals to the gain-blocks (1-4) and oscillation signals to the switches (5-6) for switching couplings between the gain-blocks (1-4). A switch (5-6) comprises a switch-transistor and a gain-block (1-4) either comprises a gain-block-transistor or comprises five gain-block-transistors for increasing the linearity of the mixer-system. The switches (5-6) have main electrodes which in the balanced situation are all coupled via four impedances (13-16) to the gain-blocks (1-4). In the single ended situation two main electrodes are coupled via two impedances (13,15,18,20) to the gain-blocks (1-4) and two others are coupled directly to the gain-blocks (1-4). By introducing further switches (7-8) parallel to the switches (5-6), harmonics can be suppressed. The basic mixer-system has an improved performance which can be further improved easily. |
| US07856222B2 |
Integrated balun and coupler transformer
Integrated balun and coupler is described. In one example, a radio frequency (RF) device includes a balun and coupler. The balun includes a first winding and a second winding arranged on a magnetic core. Respective inputs of the first winding and the second winding are configured to receive a balanced RF input and respective outputs of the first winding and the second winding are configured to provide a first unbalanced RF output. The coupler includes a third winding arranged on the magnetic core. The third winding is configured to provide a second unbalanced RF output, where the second unbalanced RF output is a fraction of the first unbalanced RF output. |
| US07856221B1 |
Mixer topologies having improved second order intermodulation suppression
Mixer topologies that have sufficiently high IIP2 and sufficiently low quadrature error to make zero IF receivers possible without special calibration techniques. This simplifies the receiver, avoids circuit startup delay and provides more stable performance over time and temperature. The methodology to achieve this performance in preferred embodiments consists of as many as three elements: (a) a high power local oscillator buffer circuit capable of driving low impedance loads coupled to the bases of the bipolar mixer transistors, (b) an optimized bias block for the mixer core and (c) incorporating two or more electronically programmable quad sections and selecting the best quad for use. Other types of transistors may also be used. |
| US07856220B2 |
Magneto-electric-induction conversion system of wireless input device
A magneto-electric-induction conversion system of a wireless input device includes an emitter and a receiver. A plurality of serially-connected resonant circuits, arranged side by side, makes resonance, so transmission energy is enhanced. An electromagnetic wave is transmitted via an inductive antenna, then received and converted by predetermined parallel-connected resonant circuits into an available power source, so that the energy is effectively delivered. |
| US07856217B1 |
Transmission and receiver system operating on multiple audio programs
A receiver contains a demodulator system that can extract digital data from wireless radio frequency signal. The digital data contains two sets of compressed digital audio data corresponding to two audio programs. The receiver also contains two decompressors. If a user selects a first audio program, a first compressor is used to decompress a first set of compressed digital audio data. If a user selects a second audio program, a second decompressor is used to decompress a second set of compressed digital audio data. The wireless radio frequency signal can be transmitted using a transmitter. |
| US07856215B2 |
Method and system for using a multi-RF input receiver for diversity selection
Aspects of a method and system for signal processing are disclosed and may include receiving a plurality of wireless signals via a plurality of M receive antennas. Each of M phase shifters coupled to each of the M receive antennas may be set to operate in a bypass mode or with an arbitrary phase setting. Corresponding signal strengths of M signals generated when each of the M phase-shifters is coupled to each of the M receive antennas may be measured, while at least a portion of the M receive antennas are turned off. Selecting one of the M generated signals for processing without the use of an antenna switch, based on the measured signal strength. A signal strength of each of the generated M amplified signals may be measured while turning off at least one of the plurality of M receive antennas and without the use of the phase-shifters. |
| US07856214B2 |
Motion activated cell phone lighting
A cell phone includes at least one motion switch and circuitry to control cell phone functions when the cell phone is moved. In one embodiment, the motion switch activates keyboard backlighting. A single motion switch may be used or two motion switches may be positioned approximately orthogonally, for example, a first motion switch to activate on motion along the cell phone's length, and a second motion switch to activate on motion along the cell phone's width. One simple and inexpensive motion switch is a cantilevered spring, another is to monitor current produced by a vibrator motor already present in a cell phone. The cell phone according to the present invention with lighting activated by cell phone motion is particularly useful for locating a dropped cell phone, and even more useful for a vehicle operator searching for a dropped cell phone. |
| US07856212B2 |
Millimeter-wave phase-locked loop with injection-locked frequency divider using quarter-wavelength transmission line and method of calibration
Embodiments of a millimeter-wave phase-locked loop with an injection-locked frequency divider (ILFD) are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the ILFD uses a quarter-wavelength transmission line. A method of calibrating an ILFD is also provided to allow the ILFD to operate at or near the center of its locking range for each of a plurality of VCO oscillating frequency bands. |
| US07856207B2 |
Apparatus and systems for electrically isolating and transmitting RF signals between two devices
Various embodiments of apparatus and systems are provided for electrically isolating two devices while transferring power and RF signals therebetween. An electrical isolation apparatus includes an isolation transformer that operates to transfer electrical power between first and second devices. The electrical isolation apparatus also includes a decoupling device that transfers radio frequency (RF) signals between the first and second devices. The isolation transformer and the opto-isolator cooperatively operate to electrically isolate the first device from the second device. |
| US07856202B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program for improving the interest of the user in environmental resource exhaustion
An image forming apparatus is provided that can improve the interest of the user in the ecology. The apparatus includes an image input portion that inputs image data, a printing portion that prints onto a recording sheet an image indicated by the image data inputted by the image input portion, a condition setting portion that sets printing conditions for executing printing by the printing portion, a displaying portion that displays the printing conditions that the condition setting portion has set, a used amount calculating portion that calculates the used amount of paper from the size of and the number of recording sheets used by executing printing by the printing portion based on the printing conditions set by the condition setting portion, and a display controlling portion that controls the displaying portion to display the used amount calculated by the used amount calculating portion. |
| US07856199B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image; a rotatable developer carrying member, provided opposed to the image bearing member, for carrying a developer including toner and a carrier to a position where the developer carrying member is opposed to the image bearing member; a regulating member for regulating the amount of the developer to be carried on the developer carrying member; a driving device for rotating the developer carrying member; a controller for controlling the driving device to execute, at the time of end of image formation, a plurality of continuous operations each including acceleration of a rotational speed of the developer carrying member and deceleration thereof following the acceleration. |
| US07856193B2 |
Endless member driving device and image forming apparatus
An endless member driving device, includes: an endless member that rotates by receiving a driving force; a cooling path that extends in a widthwise direction along at least one of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of the endless member; and a gas transfer unit that transfers a gas in the cooling path along the widthwise direction of the endless member, wherein the cooling path includes a downstream-side cooling path that is formed on a downstream side in a gas transferring direction of the cooling path, and the downstream-side cooling path being directed in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the obverse surface or the reverse surface of the endless member perpendicular to the widthwise direction with respect to the moving direction. |
| US07856191B2 |
Power regulator of multiple integrated marking engines
A printing device is provided comprising multiple marking engines including at least one marking engine and at least another marking engine that during operation place marks on output media. A power supply is further provided that selectively supplies selected levels of power from the at least one marking engine to the at least another marking engine for selected times so as to rotate readiness from the at least one marking engine to the at least another marking engine for operation to and from a dormant state. Power from the power supply is selectively distributed to the multiple marking engines so that the at least one marking engine is readied for operation while the at least another marking engine is removed from readiness. |
| US07856190B2 |
Heating device, fixing device, method of controlling temperature of heating member, and image forming apparatus
A heating device heats, by electromagnetic induction heating, a heating member disposed in a fixing device for use in an image forming apparatus. The fixing device heats and fixes an image on a recording material while nipping and transporting the recording material. The heating device includes an exciting coil that is disposed along the heating member and generates an alternating magnetic flux to heat the heating member by electromagnetic induction heating, a demagnetizing coil that encircles part of the alternating magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil and generates an electro motive force in a direction that cancels the alternating magnetic flux, and a demagnetizing regulator that is provided in a demagnetizing circuit including the demagnetizing coil and adjusts a current to be generated in the demagnetizing coil. |
| US07856188B2 |
Developing method in imaging-forming device
A developing method in an image-forming device is provided. The developing method includes the steps of charging a photoreceptor; exposing the photoreceptor to form a first latent image on the photoreceptor; developing the first latent image by a first developing unit having a first potential to form a first toner image; and discharging the photoreceptor having the first toner image, such that when the photoreceptor is charged again, the first toner image on the photoreceptor has a second potential, and the second potential is approximately the same as the first potential of the first developing unit. |
| US07856185B2 |
Wireless monitoring of optoelectronic modules and network components
An optoelectronic module for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber including a housing having an electrical input for coupling with an external cable or information system device and for transmitting and receiving information-containing electrical signals over such input, and a fiber optic connector adapted for coupling with an external optical fiber for transmitting and receiving an optical signal; an electro-optic subassembly coupled to the information containing electrical signal and converting it to and/or from a modulated optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal; parametric data-collection means disposed in the housing acquiring environmental and/or operational data associated with the module; and a communication interface for wirelessly transferring the data to an external device, such as a portable terminal. |
| US07856184B2 |
Systems and methods for adaptive interference cancellation
In one embodiment a communications system includes an RF receiver that receives a desired signal and the interference signal, a first phase modulator that receives the desired signal and the interference signal from the RF receiver and generates a resulting optical signal, a second phase modulator that generates a modulated optical signal relative to an inverse interference signal and transmits the modulated optical signal to the first phase modulator, and a detector that receives the resulting optical signal from the first phase modulator and detects the desired signal, wherein the resulting optical signal comprises a modulated optical signal generated by the first phase modulator relative to the desired signal and the interference signal received from the RF receiver and relative to the modulated optical signal received from the second phase modulator. |
| US07856182B2 |
Optical CWDM-system
The present invention relates to a system for optical transmission of information over a multiplexed logical ring structure comprising a number of nodes, of which at least one is a master node, as stated in the independent claim 1. Said ring structure is a combination of a number of logical optical rings on the same physical fiber ring. Possible embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. |
| US07856180B2 |
Camera device
Stereo photographs and panoramic photographs can be taken separately without enabling cameras to rotate relative to a casing in which the cameras are placed. A camera device capable of selectively photographing panoramic images and stereo images includes a casing (1D) fixed with a photographic lens (11D), and a casing (1U) that is fixed with a photographic lens (11U) and that moves relative to the casing (1D) while facing the casing (1D); wherein in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in open, mutually spaced apart positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing stereo images; and in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in closed, mutually proximal positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing panoramic images. |
| US07856178B2 |
System for compensating camera movement and a calibration method thereof
A method for compensating camera movement solves the problem of the captured image becoming blurred due to involuntary camera movement in the following way. Firstly, a camera with a look-up table is provided. Next, after a trigger signal is received, the camera movement and the environmental brightness are detected to generate a movement value and a brightness index. A compensation mode and a set of parameters that correspond to the movement value and the brightness index are selected from the look-up table. Finally, when an image-capturing signal is received, the movement compensation modules of the camera are driven by referring to the compensation mode and the parameters to capture a sharp image in a best mode. |
| US07856175B2 |
Anti-shake apparatus
An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit and a controller. The controller performs movement control of the movable unit for anti-shake operation. The movement control is set to the OFF state when the movable unit comes into contact with an end of its range of movement under a predetermined condition. |
| US07856174B2 |
Apparatus and method for image pickup
An apparatus and method for image pickup capable of reducing noise in the images to reduce the effect of shaking due to, for example, hand movement. The image pickup apparatus and method can employ an exposure photographing unit for photographing at least one exposure image at predetermined time intervals using time-division exposure in a light exposure state, a dark frame photographing unit for photographing at least one dark frame at predetermined time intervals using time-division exposure in a dark state, a subtracting processor for subtracting the dark frames from the exposure images to reduce noise in the exposure images, and an image combiner for combining the plurality of reduced noise exposure images. |
| US07856166B2 |
High-density patch-panel assemblies for optical fiber telecommunications
Patch panel assemblies (150) that contain patch panel modules (50) for use in optical fiber telecommunication systems are disclosed. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a front mounting frame (210F) and at least one internal mounting frame (210I) that support a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel assembly also includes a hinge assembly (224) configured allow bend-insensitive fiber cables (70) to be routed therethrough. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a housing (152) with a drawer (270) that supports a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel modules employ bend-insensitive optical fibers (12C) to connect front and rear ports (92, 98) so that the patch panels have a reduced size as compared to conventional patch panel modules. The patch panel assemblies include a cable distribution box (300) that can store excess cable and that assists in routing bend-insensitive fiber optic cables within the patch panel assembly interior (200) in order to connect to select patch panel module jacks (90). |
| US07856164B2 |
Waveguide device
A waveguide device that guides light through a core part formed in a cladding part is disclosed. The waveguide device includes a waveguide part formed in the cladding part so as to have the same refractive index as the refractive index of the core part so that the waveguide part communicates with the core part, and a reflective part configured to perform at least one of reflecting the light guided by the core part toward the waveguide part and reflecting light from the waveguide part toward a direction in which the light is guided by the core part. |
| US07856159B2 |
Optical element, optical module holder including optical element, optical module, and optical connector
An optical element including a transmitting surface section and at least one reflective surface section integrally formed on a main body of the optical element. The transmitting surface section refracts incident light emitted from a predetermined light-emitting position and transmits the light. The reflective surface section reflects the incident light emitted from the light-emitting position such that the light returns to a position differing from the light-emitting position. An optical axis of the transmitting surface section and an optical axis of the reflective surface section are out of alignment such as to be mutually parallel or mutually tilted. |
| US07856158B2 |
Virtual electronic switch system
A virtual electronic switch system for a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system includes a switch assembly, a switch interface, and a computer. The switch assembly provides actuators that interface with non-contact sensors in the switch interface. The computer is coupled to the switch interface and assigns functions to each of the actuators. The non-contact sensors detect movement of the actuators and signal the computer, which manipulates an electrical system in the vehicle based on the assigned function. |
| US07856157B2 |
Pipeline security system
The present invention provides a security system for a pipeline, such as an oil, gas or water pipeline, or other tubular, elongated or other structures used to convey various other liquid, gaseous or fluent materials. The invention is also useful in protecting a tunnel such as a vehicular tunnel. A flexible and wrappable sensor sheet is provided having an optical fiber or electrical wire disposed therein in a zigzag or other pattern which covers substantially the entire area of the sheet. The sensor sheet containing the fiber or wire is wrapped around the outer surface of a pipeline or other structure, and provides a covering of substantially the entire outer surface of a predetermined length of the pipeline. Similar sheets can be employed on adjacent pipeline sections to provide protection of any intended length of the pipeline, which may include the entire effective pipeline length. The individual sensor sheets can be interconnected to provide one continuous optical or electrical path through the adjacent sensor sections for the entire pipeline length or any part thereof. A light or current source is provided at one end of the continuous path to introduce light or current into the path. A light or current detector is coupled to the other end of the path to sense light or electrical current from the path. Alternatively each sensor section can have its own light or current source and its own light or current detector for sensing a signal from the respective paths. |
| US07856155B2 |
Light modulator and its fabrication method
It is an object of the invention to provide a light modulator using a thin plate having a thickness of 20 μm or less and capable of stably holding a conductive film suppressing troubles such as resonance phenomenon of microwaves in a substrate and pyro-electric phenomenon and to provide a method of fabricating the light modulator. The light modulator includes: a thin plate (10) formed of a material having an electro-optic effect and having a thickness of 20 μm or less; a light waveguide (11) formed on the front or rear surface of the thin plate; and modulation electrodes (13, 14) formed on the front surface of the thin plate to modulate light passing through the light waveguide. The light modulator further includes a reinforcing plate (16) bonded to the rear surface of the thin plate and a conductive film (17) continuously formed in the range from the side surface of the thin plate to the side surface of the reinforcing plate. |
| US07856153B2 |
Displaying a long sequence of images in a short amount of time
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for displaying a long sequence of images in a short amount of time. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting page images for display from a plurality of page images corresponding to an image-based document, the plurality of page images including merged page images and each merged page image having salient content from multiple successive page images of the image-based document merged into one image; and serially displaying the selected page images on a display. |
| US07856150B2 |
Denoise method on image pyramid
The present invention is to provide a denoise method on Gaussian/Laplacian image pyramid, which integrates Pyramid analysis/synthesis algorithm, MMSE (minimum mean square error) filter and NL (non local) filter on the image pyramid to reconstruct and output a denoised image of an original input image through a plurality of iterative procedures, and utilizes an auto-adaptive noise estimation algorithm to find parameter of noise level used by the NL filter, so as to be easily embedded in mobile or handheld devices for obtaining better noise removing and anti-shaking results and remove noise much faster than the conventional denoise method, but only with less quality loss. |
| US07856149B2 |
Digital image encoding
An apparatus and method for limiting bit rate of compressed data is disclosed. The apparatus and method allows the generation of parameters for encoding digital image data based on the data bit rate resulting from the use of different parameters. In one embodiment, a statistical analysis is performed to determine the different parameters. The use of parameters results in a bit rate that would prevent a decoder to stall during decompression while allowing the encoder compress without affecting the quality. Therefore, a more efficient encoding and decoding can be achieved. |
| US07856146B2 |
Image processing device, image forming device, image processing method and program
An image processing device has a division determination unit. The division determination unit determines the partition number of an image in input image data. The division determination unit calculates the image features of the image in the image data, the features existing in reference areas, and, on the basis of the image features, determines the partition number of the image in the image data. |
| US07856144B2 |
Image retrieving apparatus, image retrieving method, program, and storage medium
An image retrieving apparatus that can suitably retrieve a similar image of image data whose density has changed. Image data is inputted from image input unit 12. Image feature amount extraction unit 14 divides normalized image data to plural regions, and extracts a feature amount in units of region. Feature amount label matrixing unit 15 generates a feature amount matrix. The feature amount matrix and image data are stored in image management DB 18 in association with each other. When query image data is designated, pattern matching unit 16 determines a similarity level between a feature amount matrix of the query image data and the feature amount matrix of the image data stored in the image management DB 18. |
| US07856143B2 |
Unauthorized copy preventing device and method thereof, and program
The pattern (pattern characteristic quantity) extracted from the pattern image carried by original printing paper is stored on the original printing paper and the validity of the original printing paper is verified according to the pattern stored on code-added printing paper at the time of copying the printed contents of the code-added printing paper so as to determine if the code-added printing paper is truly original or not by means of the pattern carried by the printing paper itself. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying with ease without using any special paper and hence appropriately protect the printed contents. |
| US07856142B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting character content in a digital image
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for detecting glyph pixels in a rasterized image. |
| US07856139B2 |
Signal correcting method
A signal correcting method includes: obtaining multiple types of signals at each of a plurality of points; extracting a point with signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals, which have a predetermined relationship to signal values of the multiple types of signals at a target point; and correcting the multiple types of signals at the target point based upon the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the target point and the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the extracted point. |
| US07856137B2 |
Apparatus and method for verifying image by comparison with template image
A correlation value image is generated from an input image and a template image, and separated into a positive correlation value image and a negative correlation value image. The template image is separated into a positive template image and a negative template image. A plurality of positive-negative-separated correlation images are generated by combining the positive correlation value image and the negative correlation value image and the positive template image and the negative template image. A polar-coordinates-converted input image and a polar-coordinates-converted template image are employed as the input image and the template image, respectively. |
| US07856134B2 |
Method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable X-ray tube voltage from first and second CT image data
A method for generating image data relating to a virtually prescribable X-ray tube voltage U3 from first and second dual energy CT image data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing the first and second CT image data; prescribing the virtual X-ray tube voltage U3 with U3≠U1 and U3≠U2, on the basis of the first and second CT image data for two prescribable base materials A, B; determining in each case a spatial density distribution ρA(x), ρB(x), assigned to the base materials A, B, in the reconstructed object volume, ρ(x)=ρA(x)+ρB(x) holds true for a density ρ(x) of a voxel x in the reconstructed object volume; providing an effective mass attenuation coefficient <αA>U3 for the base material A, and an effective mass attenuation coefficient <αB>U3 for the base material B, the effective mass attenuation coefficients <αA>U3 and <αB>U3 respectively being valid for an X-ray spectrum S(E, U3) assigned to the virtual X-ray tube voltage U3; and determining the image data as a third distribution of linear attenuation coefficients μ3(x) in the reconstructed object volume on the basis of the following relationship: μ3(x)=<αA>U3·ρA(x)+<αB>U3·ρB(x). |
| US07856133B2 |
X-ray attenuation correction method, image generating apparatus, X-ray CT apparatus, and image generating method
The present invention provides an X-ray attenuation correction method, image generating apparatus, X-ray CT apparatus, and image generating method for correcting for the attenuation of X-ray beam at the boundary where the X-ray absorption rate of a subject is changing. Boundary information comprised of the boundary position where the X-ray absorption rate is changing and the magnitude of change is extracted from the projection information of the subject, then the boundary information is used to multiply the amount of scattered X-ray by the amount corresponding to the magnitude of change at the boundary position, to correct for the attenuation of X-ray at the boundary position. The attenuation of X-ray at the boundary position may be corrected for along with the scattered X-ray correction of the projection information, allowing alleviating artifacts developed in a tomographic image. |
| US07856129B2 |
Acceleration of Joseph's method for full 3D reconstruction of nuclear medical images from projection data
A method for interpolating at least one oblique line of response ray representing nuclear image projection data through a rectangular volume and a system for using the method. The method consists of steps of interpolating all the direct rays in a rectangular volume, making a projected ray by projecting the oblique ray onto a surface of the rectangular volume, matching the projected ray to a coinciding interpolated direct ray, shearing the rectangular volume to match the projected ray, and interpolating the oblique ray in the sheared volume. |
| US07856127B2 |
Ridge direction extraction device, ridge direction extraction method, ridge direction extraction program
A ridge direction extraction device capable of extracting ridge directions accurately even in direction unstable areas is provided. In the ridge direction extraction device, a zone direction extractor calculates ridge directions and direction confidence of each zone, and a high confidence zone area determiner determines a high confidence zone area. A direction expectation calculator selects a propagation candidate zone and a reference zone, and calculates direction expectation of the ridge direction of the propagation candidate zone based on the ridge direction and distance of the reference zone. A propagation zone direction extractor recalculates the direction confidence calculated by the zone direction extractor based on the direction expectation of each propagation candidate zone, and extracts the ridge direction of a propagation candidate zone based on the direction confidence recalculated. |
| US07856121B2 |
Image qualification for optical navigation sensor
An image qualification method. A movements-determining method utilizes the image qualification, the image qualification method of which requires only an image frame to determine if the image frame is qualified. Thus, the image qualification proceeds in real time. The image qualification counts peaks of images of the frame to determine if a number of the peaks exceed a certain number, depending on application. |
| US07856120B2 |
Jointly registering images while tracking moving objects with moving cameras
A method tracks a moving object by registering a current image in a sequence of images with a previous image. The sequence of images is acquired of a scene by a moving camera. The registering produces a registration result. The moving object is tracked in the registered image to produce a tracking result. The registered current image is registered with the previous image using tracking result for all the images in the sequence. |
| US07856110B2 |
Audio processor
To realize virtual surround reproduction with small deterioration in the SN ratio of an entire reproduction system, in the case of adding together virtual surround signals and front-channel audio signals in an adder 1300, volume normalization is carried out in a volume normalizing section 1200 before the addition. In the case where the addition is not performed, the virtual surround signals and the front-channel audio signals are output independently of each other without being subjected to volume normalization in the volume normalizing section 1200. |
| US07856107B2 |
Hearing device with automatic determination of its fit in the ear and corresponding method
The risk of inadequate hearing device provision for the hearing-impaired is to be reduced. To this end provision is made to determine the correct fit of the hearing device or the hearing device component in an auditory canal. To this end an acoustic measurement signal is output into the auditory canal. The measurement signal influenced in the auditory canal by the hearing device or the hearing device component is received and compared with a reference signal. Information about the fit of the hearing device is determined from the comparison. This information is transmitted with a status report to an external unit. Objective information about the fit of the hearing device can thus be obtained, particularly in the case of provision for children. |
| US07856098B1 |
Echo cancellation and control in discrete cosine transform domain
There is provided an echo cancellation method that comprises computing a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) domain over a plurality of samples of a first signal to generate a plurality of first DCT samples, selecting one or more first coefficients from the plurality of first DCT samples, computing a DCT domain over a plurality of samples of a second signal to generate a plurality of second DCT samples, selecting one or more second coefficients from the plurality of second DCT samples, wherein the one or more second coefficients are same coefficients as the one or more first coefficients, applying normalized cross correlation to the one or more first coefficients and the one or more second coefficients to generate normalized cross correlation values, cancelling an echo of the second signal from the first signal by determining a bulk delay and a double talk condition based on the normalized cross correlation values. |
| US07856097B2 |
Echo canceling apparatus, telephone set using the same, and echo canceling method
Providing echo canceling apparatus, telephone set using the same and an echo canceling method that do not require transmission/reception sound detection and are resistant to environmental noise.Echo canceling apparatus according to the invention includes a calculator 4 for subtracting a pseudo-echo signal pec generated from a reception sound signal from an echo signal ec that is based on an echo generated when the reception sound that is based on the reception sound signal is reflected on a reflective body such as a wall thereby outputting a residual echo signal rec. The echo canceling apparatus further includes a residual echo detector 12 for estimating a residual echo volume by detecting sign inversion of the echo signal ec and the residual echo signal rec and their amplitude values. It is thus possible to compare between the positive and negative signs of the input/output signal of the calculator 4 without using the transmission/reception sound detection to detect the generation of a pseudo-echo signal thereby accurately estimating the residual echo volume. |
| US07856095B2 |
System and method for providing a baseline for quality metrics in a contact center
A computer-implemented system and method for assisting managers of a contact center is provided. The monitoring of agent communications is performed automatically and the communications are assigned to a group of supervisors for scoring. The scores assigned to the communications are then received and programmatically evaluated against predetermined criteria to determine the quality of the supervisors' performance. If the quality of performance is below an acceptable threshold, then the need for supervisor performance improvement is indicated. In one embodiment, the system automatically schedules a session for establishing/reinforcing a set of scoring guidelines in response to the indication. |
| US07856094B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing telecommunications services between a session initiation protocol (SIP) network and a signaling system 7 (SS7) network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing telecommunication services between a SIP network and an SS7 network are disclosed. In one method, SIP/SS7 gateway receives an INVITE message from a SIP proxy server. The SIP/SS7 gateway extracts a called party number from the INVITE message and determines whether a telecommunications service is required and a type of service required for the INVITE message based on the called party number. The SIP/SS7 gateway then formulates an SS7 query to a database corresponding to the identified service type. The SIP/SS7 gateway receives a response from the database and uses data from the response to facilitate completion of the call. In one example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may forward a routing number extracted from the response back to the originating SIP proxy server. In another example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may generate a new INVITE message and forward the new INVITE message to a terminating SIP proxy server. In yet another example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may formulate a second query to the same database or to a different database to obtain further information for facilitate completion of the call. |
| US07856089B2 |
Method and apparatus for control lockout and transfer during service for systems controlled by multiple devices
A printer, fax machine, copier, scanner, or any other office device used by multiple users from multiple locations is provided with improved apparatus and/or software for locking out all incoming commands from reaching the device's internal controller except for commands coming from a newly-designated primary controller used by the service technician. This lockout can be used with any type of office machine that has it's own internal controller, so it applies equally to all types of office machines and systems generally used in today's office environments. |
| US07856087B2 |
Circuit method and system for transmitting information
Disclosed is an echo suppresser or cancellation circuit including a speech signal extrapolation unit. The speech extrapolation unit may provide extrapolated signal segment approximations to an echo segment replacement unit. The echo segment replacement unit may replace a segment of a first speech signal suspected of being corrupted with an echo component of a second signal using the extrapolated signal segment approximated to represent the corrupted signal segment. |
| US07856083B2 |
System and method to account for cross-talk among coherent scatter detectors
A method to account for cross-talk among a plurality of coherent scatter detectors of a multi-detector inverse fan beam x-ray diffraction imaging (MD-IFB XDI) system. The MD-IFB XDI system includes a multi-focus x-ray source (MFXS) that emits radiation sequentially from a plurality of focus points denoted by F1, F2, . . . Fn with a running index i. The method includes measuring a diffraction profile Xk for each coherent scatter detector Dk of the plurality of coherent scatter detectors. The diffraction profile includes a spectrum of a number of photons measured in a plurality of corresponding coherent scatter detectors. Each coherent scatter detector Dk is corrected to remove scatter from a plurality of primary beams directed to remaining coherent scatter detectors of the plurality of coherent scatter detectors. |
| US07856081B2 |
Methods and systems for rapid detection of concealed objects using fluorescence
This invention is directed towards finding, locating, and confirming threat items and substances. The inspection system is designed to detect objects that are made from, but not limited to, special nuclear materials (“SNM”) and/or high atomic number materials. The system employs advanced image processing techniques to analyze images of an object under inspection (“OUI”), which includes, but is not limited to baggage, parcels, vehicles and cargo, and fluorescence detection. |
| US07856080B2 |
Method for determining a defined position of a patient couch in a C-arm computed tomography system, and C-arm computed tomography system
For facilitating the optimal positioning of a patient resting on the couch of a C-arm computed tomography system, an input is received, via individual pixels or areas of pixels selected in a predetermined image data set, thus enabling the area of interest to be highlighted. Image data of the patient resting on the couch is acquired. These two processes together make it possible to calculate the position, relative to the couch, of a marked-out point that is to coincide with the isocenter for the rotation of the C-arm, and from this at least one coordinate that serves to define the position of the couch can be derived. If this coordinate is displayed, a doctor performing the treatment can move the couch to the appropriate position by hand. The couch can also be designed to be automatically movable by electric motors after determining the coordinate. |
| US07856079B2 |
Reconstruction method for computer tomography and computer tomograph
It is an object of the invention to provide spiral computer tomography which has a high image quality. It relates to a reconstruction method for computer tomography of the heart, wherein the image is reconstructed from a data component of recordings of a partial detector path of a detector device and from a data component of recordings of a full detector path of the detector device, and to a computer tomograph having a beam source, a drive arrangement for driving the beam source in a spiral path around an object, a detector device for recording the radiation from the beam source which passes at least partially through the object, and a control device for reconstructing data components of a partial detector path and a full detector path. |
| US07856077B2 |
CT scanner and method for helical scanning of an examination object which has at least one portion undergoing periodic motion
At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a CT scanner and/or a method for helical scanning of an examination object which has at least one portion undergoing periodic motion. In at least one embodiment, the CT scanner includes at least one bearing apparatus, arranged along a system axis of the CT scanner, for bearing the examination object, two scanning systems which can rotate around the system axis and which are arranged coaxially, respectively having a focus from which a beam can be emitted and a flat-design detector array, arranged opposite the respective focus, including a multiplicity of distributed detector elements which can detect the rays of the beam, wherein projection data can be generated by the scanning systems which represents the attenuation of the rays while traversing the examination object, and wherein the bearing apparatus and/or the scanning systems can be displaced along the system axis, a first device/module, preferably an EKG, which can detect and store rest and movement phases of the examination object which has at least one portion undergoing periodic motion in the form of measurement data, and a second device/module which can, based on the measurement data and/or data derived therefrom, trigger and/or control a displacement of the scanning systems and/or the bearing apparatus along the system axis. |
| US07856076B2 |
Terminal end-piece for a fuel assembly having a nose for orienting the flow of coolant fluid and corresponding assembly
A terminal end-piece for a fuel assembly of a pressurized water nuclear reactor, the assembly having fuel rods and a skeleton for supporting the fuel rods, the fuel rods extending in a longitudinal direction and being arranged at the nodes of a substantially regular network, the support skeleton comprising two terminal end-pieces and guide tubes that connect the terminal end-pieces, the fuel rods being arranged longitudinally between the terminal end-pieces, characterized in that the end-piece comprises noses for orientating the flow of a coolant fluid of the reactor along the adjacent longitudinal ends of the fuel rods, the noses being arranged in nodes of the substantially regular network in order to be positioned in a longitudinal continuation of at least some of the fuel rods and/or at least some of the guide tubes of the support skeleton. |
| US07856074B2 |
Signal processing system
A data processing circuit includes: a first circuit part having a first synchronization signal; a second circuit part having a second synchronization signal, and receiving a data signal and the first synchronization signal from the first circuit part; a phase comparing part carrying out phase comparison between the second synchronization signal and the first synchronization signal in the second circuit part; and a control part controlling a phase of the first synchronization signal based on a comparison result of the phase comparing part. |
| US07856071B2 |
Multi-path acquisition in the presence of very high data rate users
A method of multi-path acquisition may include estimating a contribution of acquired users of a first type to a received signal, canceling the estimated contribution from the received signal to generate a resultant signal, and performing multi-path acquisition for users of the first type and users of a second type based on the resultant signal. |
| US07856066B2 |
OFDM receiver and doppler frequency estimating circuit
A radiofrequency signal is converted to an intermediate frequency signal by a tuner, which is amplified by a variable gain amplifier. The so-amplified signal is converted into a digital signal by an ADC, which is supplied to an FFT, where it is separated into signals set every carrier, followed by being supplied to equalizers different in characteristic. The digital signal outputted from the ADC is further supplied to a level converting circuit from which a control signal is generated. The control signal is supplied to a DAC and a Doppler frequency detector. The DAC generates a gain control signal and supplies the same to the variable gain amplifier. The Doppler frequency detector outputs a frequency component of the control signal as a Doppler detection signal. The Doppler detection signal is compared with a threshold value by a comparator. A selector selects one of signals outputted from the equalizers, in accordance with a select signal indicative of the result of comparison. |
| US07856062B2 |
Multiplexing apparatus and demultiplexing apparatus
The multiplexing apparatus which does not make a user who watches a moving picture feel uncomfortable, the moving picture including: (i) a coding unit (42) for generating one or more coded streams so that no gap occurs at the connection of predetermined two access units in a process of decoding, in sequence, the two access units in all of the access units included in the coded streams; and (ii) a multiplexing unit (18) for multiplexing, with other information, the coded streams generated in the coding unit (42). |
| US07856055B2 |
Systems and methods for digitally re-mastering or otherwise modifying motion pictures or other image sequences data
A process and methods of digital enhancement of motion pictures and other moving image sequences for the purpose of being exhibited in an alternative display format including a large format cinema are disclosed. The invention efficiently enhances image resolution and quality through a temporal filtering process and achieves high performance using automated or interactive statistical quality evaluation methods. A system specially designed for efficient temporal computing with a parallel and distributed computing configuration equipped with a variety of optimization schemes is also disclosed. The performance of the process and the system is optimized through an intelligent controller and is scalable to support any throughput requirements demanded for concurrent motion picture releases in the original format as well as in any alternative format. |
| US07856053B2 |
Image coding control method and device
Image coding having high coding efficiency is provided with a small computational complexity by properly determining a prediction mode and a quantization parameter. When an image is coded by a prediction mode selected from plural prediction modes every any coding unit, an undetermined multiplier λ is first calculated from a quantization parameter (function S301). Subsequently, the cost of each of R-D points (pairs of number of coded bits and coding distortion that correspond to plural combinations of prediction modes and quantization parameters) is calculated (function S305) on the basis of the undetermined multiplier λ while generation and estimation of the R-D points and deletion of the points (functions S302-S304) are repeated every coding unit, for example, every macroblock, and the optimal combination of the prediction mode and the quantization parameter is determined on the basis of the R-D point providing the minimum cost. |
| US07856051B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for selecting whether to reject as invalid a data segment received at a communication station
Apparatus, and an associated method, for determining whether to accept as valid a data segment, such as a radio block communicated pursuant to an EDGE communication session. A bit error rate measurer measures the bit error rate of a header part of a received radio block. The measured bit error rate is compared against a selected threshold. Results of the comparison are determinative of whether the radio block is accepted as valid or rejected as corrupted. |
| US07856050B1 |
Receiver and transmitter calibration to compensate for frequency dependent I/Q imbalance
A receiver, which is adapted for demodulating signal carriers at variable frequencies to provide received signals at a plurality of different received frequencies, is calibrated to compensate for a frequency-dependent imbalance in the amplitude and/or the quadrature phase of analog in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) received-signal components that have passed through receiver circuit paths that may cause such imbalance. I-channel and Q-channel Rx-correction coefficients for each of a plurality of different calibration frequencies are estimated and stored in a lookup table. Rx-correction coefficients for a calibration frequency or frequencies that are the same as or closest to the received frequency or frequencies are accessed from the lookup table and combined with digital I and Q components of received signals that have been provided by analog-to-digital conversion of analog I and Q components of received signals that have passed through the imbalance-causing receiver circuit paths upon demodulation at the received frequency. |
| US07856045B2 |
Surface emitting semiconductor component
A surface emitting semiconductor component (1) with an emission direction which comprises a semiconductor body (2). The semiconductor body comprises a plurality of active regions (4a, 4b) which are suitable for the generation of radiation and are arranged in a manner spaced apart from one another, a frequency-selective element (6) being formed in the semiconductor body. |
| US07856044B2 |
Extendable electrode for gas discharge laser
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for extending one or both of the discharge electrodes in a transverse discharge gas laser chamber in which one or both the electrodes are subject to a dimensional change due to erosion. Electrode extension can be performed to increase the chamber life, increase laser performance over the life of the chamber, or both. Operationally, the inter-electrode spacing may be adjusted to maintain a specific target gap distance between the electrodes or to optimize a specific parameter of the laser output beam such as bandwidth, pulse-to-pulse energy stability, beam size, etc. |
| US07856041B2 |
Semiconductor having enhanced carbon doping
A VCSEL with undoped top mirror. The VCSEL is formed from an epitaxial structure deposited on a substrate. A doped bottom mirror is formed on the substrate. An active layer that includes quantum wells is formed on the bottom mirror. A periodically doped conduction layer is formed on the active layer. The periodically doped conduction layer is heavily doped at locations where the optical energy is at a minimum when the VCSEL is in operation. A current aperture is used between the conduction layer and the active region. An undoped top mirror is formed on the heavily doped conduction layer. |
| US07856039B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor laser driving device
In a semiconductor device, a switching current generator circuit generates and outputs a switching current such that a voltage input to a switching current setting terminal is equal to a voltage input to a switching current control terminal, and a bias current generator circuit generates and outputs a bias current such that a voltage input to a bias current setting terminal equals a voltage input to a bias current control terminal. A memory circuit inputs a voltage according to an amount of light emitted by a semiconductor laser, and generates a voltage to make the input voltage equal to a predetermined first reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined amount of light. An APC output terminal outputs the voltage output by the memory circuit to an external device. A current adding circuit combines the switching current and the bias current to generate a drive current to drive the semiconductor device. |
| US07856037B2 |
System of method for dynamic range extension
The present invention generally relates to the operation of optical network equipment such as optical amplifiers. In one aspect, a method of operating an optical amplifier is provided such that output of the optical amplifier avoids the effects of operating an optical gain medium in a non-linear (kink) region of an L-I curve. The method generally includes operating an optical gain medium in a fully off state or fully on state above the kink region with a PWM signal. In another aspect, the effects of the kink region may be compensated for by utilizing a lookup table. A sample of the optical power of an amplified optical signal may be used to select an entry in the lookup table that compensates for non-linearities in the kink region. In yet a further aspect, a lookup table may be used to control a pulse modulator to compensate for non-linearites in the kink region of the L-I curve. |
| US07856035B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless transmission of data
There are provided methods for selecting a communication protocol for formatting data and for wirelessly transmitting data, preferably medical data, e.g., electrocardiogram data, methods for reducing data and/or selecting from data, methods for adding data, methods for generating trend data, methods for rendering data, methods for inputting and/or transmitting addressee data and for transmitting data to the addressee(s) and/or notifying the addressee(s), and methods for wirelessly transmitting data to a server and transmitting data from the server, as well as systems for carrying out such methods. |
| US07856034B2 |
Method and system for generating digital video broadcast (DVB) transport stream from direct satellite system (DSS) transport stream
A system and method for packet processing are disclosed. The method may include performing using at least one processor, generating a DVB transport stream packet from a DSS transport stream packet. The generation may include mapping a prefix portion of a DSS transport stream packet into a header portion of the DVB transport stream packet comprising an inserted adaptation field. The inserted adaptation field may increase a size of the header portion of the DVB transport stream packet, and may decrease a size of a payload portion of the of the DVB transport stream. The generation may also include mapping a payload portion of the DSS transport stream packet into the payload portion of the DVB transport stream packet comprising the decreased size. The adaptation field may be at least fifty six (56) bytes in size. |
| US07856032B2 |
Multi-function modem device
A communications device including a port that is capable of communicating with a user device, a controller connected to the port, a power line modem connected to the controller, and a network modem connected to the controller. |
| US07856030B2 |
Dynamic time division multiplexing circuit without a shadow table
In a telecommunication system adapted to exchange n-bit frames according to a dynamic time division multiplexing access method for a maximum of N accessible channels, the use of a shadow time slot assignment table is eliminated by use of a circuit that includes (a) an n×p memory block to store a time slot assignment table which describes the different time slot assignments by specifying which logical channel each bit position of an n-bit frame belongs to, (b) a register having N fields with a granularity of one bit, each bit indicates the status of the corresponding logical channel associated thereto, and (c) a logic circuit connected to the memory block and register that enables or disables the transmission of the logical channel identifier to a time slot assignor depending on the status bit value. |
| US07856026B1 |
Configurable central memory buffered packet switch module for use in a PLD
Modules and methods are described for buffering packets to be switched in a system, such as a programmed device. The modules can be configured for different packet lengths, protocols, applications, and/or designs in a larger system. Techniques and mechanisms are further described for implementing a central memory and a linked-list addressing scheme. Accordingly, memory blocks of the central memory can be used for variable length packets and further reused at substantially the same time as they become available, thereby improving packet switching efficiency and/or flexibility. |
| US07856019B2 |
Convergence of multicast traffic
A multicast data packet sent from a source node is received by a transit node. The multicast data packet includes a source address and a multicast group address. A hardware cache miss is detected at the transit node for the multicast data packet. The multicast data packet is hardware-flooded onto ports of the network. The flooding consists of forwarding a copy of the multicast data packet to neighbor nodes of the transit node based on virtual local area network (VLAN) membership. A cache-miss copy of the multicast data packet is sent to an out-of-line processing unit where it is processed in software. The processing includes establishing, via a hardware abstraction layer, a hardware cache entry for the multicast data packet. The cache-miss copy is not forwarded onto the network. |
| US07856014B2 |
High capacity multicast forwarding
A network, method, and a method of providing a service for multicast forwarding using multi-protocol label switching for a virtual private network in a public network. The network includes a first router, the first router being a provider edge multi-protocol label switching capable router, the first router including a virtual router connected to one or more second routers by tunnels, each second router of the one or more second routers being provider edge multi-protocol label switching capable routers; and a network connecting the first router to the one or more second routers. |
| US07856012B2 |
System and methods for generic data transparent rules to support quality of service
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating communication of data. A method for prioritizing a block of data to provide content-based quality of service in a network includes receiving a block of data, selecting a selected rule from a set of available rules, processing the block of data, and prioritizing the block of data. The selected rule includes an operation and a key. The block of data is processed according to the selected rule based at least in part on the operation to determine a decision value based at least in part on the key. The block of data is prioritized based at least in part on the decision value. |
| US07856008B2 |
Synchronizing channel sharing with neighboring networks
The embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism to synchronize centralized networks. Each centralized network includes a central coordinator controlling and managing network activities. The embodiments provide a way of allocating beacon slots, such that one of the beacon slots is synchronized to the alternating current line cycle and thus functions as a master timing sequence. In some embodiments, methods, devices, and systems are provided for detecting transmissions of non-coordinating networks. |
| US07856006B2 |
Mobile communication apparatus, mobile communication system, and power consumption reducing method for use therewith
A mobile communication apparatus including a transmission portion which transmits data after varying an amount of data to be transmitted under control of scheduling from at least a base station, including a schedule portion that stops an operation of an unnecessary circuit by controlling an operation rate of the transmission portion. |
| US07856002B2 |
System and method for wireless communication having a device coordinator selection capability
A system and method for wireless communication having a device coordinator selection capability are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises determining a coordinator priority of each device based on a static priority table, the table assigning a priority to each type of devices. The method further comprises selecting a first device among the plurality of devices as the coordinator based at least in part on the coordinator priority of each device, and a coordinator candidate from the plurality of devices except the current coordinator, based on the coordinator priority of each device and probing results. |
| US07855998B2 |
Gb parameter based radio priority
A system and method for transmitting data packets to a wireless client is presented herein. The data packets are received by a wireless content switch in the wireless network. The wireless content switch assigns the priority of transmission for the data packet based on both the purchased level of service by the subscriber receiving the data packet, as well as the application the data packet is transmitted. |
| US07855996B2 |
Enhanced stream layer transmission for mediaFLO mobile multimedia multicast system
Enhancing stream layer transmission for a MediaFLO mobile multimedia multicast system comprising a transmitter and a receiver includes sending a plurality of multicast logical channels (MLC) forming a data frame from the transmitter, wherein each MLC comprises multimedia data streams comprising a stream 0, 1, and 2 data packet, and parity data bits; switching, by the transmitter, an order of the multimedia data streams of the MLC transmitted by the transmitter; sending a signal to the receiver from the transmitter to specify a mode of transmission of the MLC, wherein the mode of transmission comprises an order of transmitting the data packets of the MLC; inserting, by the transmitter, a flag in control information transmitted in the stream 0 data packets; decoding, by the receiver, the flag to determine the mode of transmission; and performing, by the receiver, a CRC of the stream 0 data packet. |
| US07855994B2 |
Radio transceiver and radio transmitting method
In a mobile communication system, multiple transceivers perform radio communications in the same frequency band. A transceiver (700) comprises a first sync timing detection part (706) configured to detect sync timing for a desired signal transmitted from a counterpart transceiver; a second sync timing detection part (708, 710) configured to detect sync timings for one or more undesired signals from non-counterpart transceiver(s); an error information determination part (712) configured to determine error information based on the sync timings for the desired and undesired signals; a signal generating part (714) configured to generate a feedback signal containing the error information; a transmission timing determination part (722) configured to update transmission timing for a transmission signal including the feedback signal according to a control signal received from the counterpart transceiver; and a transmission part (736) configured to transmit the transmission signal to the counterpart transceiver according to the updated transmission timing. |
| US07855990B2 |
Radio communication system and method enabling transmission of packets to radio terminal in parallel via first and second radio base stations among radio stations, and radio terminal
A radio communication system includes multiple communications nodes which may become diversity branches, a relaying apparatus for relaying a communications signal, and a radio terminal which is able to use an IP address associated with a home address to move between wireless zones which the communications nodes form. The relaying apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits a received communications signal destined for the IP address, based on an instruction signal generated in response to a request of the radio terminal for site diversity, to at least two communications nodes including a communications node indicated in the instruction signal. The at least two communications nodes include a transmitting unit that transmits the communications signal to the radio terminal, and the radio terminal includes a receiving unit that receives the communications signal from each communications node. |
| US07855986B2 |
Communication terminal and method for handling power off time
A communication terminal, in case that transmission/reception of a frame is carried out between a management terminal and another communication terminal, reads out its frame content, and on the basis of a content of the frame which was readout, sets up power off time for turning off power of the communication terminal, and turns off power of the communication terminal, during a period of the power off time. By this means, depending on a content of a frame which is transmitted/received between another communication terminal and the management terminal, power off time of the communication terminal is calculated, and therefore, it is possible to turn off power of the communication terminal during such a period that transmission/reception is not carried out to/from the management terminal, and it is possible to suppress power consumption of the communication terminal. |
| US07855983B2 |
Time division duplex front end module
An RF module adapted for direct surface mounting to the top surface of the front end of the motherboard of a wireless base station such as, for example, a femtocell. The module comprises a printed circuit board having a plurality of direct surface mounted electrical components defining respective signal transmit and receive sections for RF signals. The signal transmit section is defined by at least a power amplifier, a coupler, and a lowpass filter. The signal receive section is defined by at least a receive bandpass filter and a low-noise amplifier. A lid covers selected ones of the electrical components except for at least the power amplifier. An RF switch is located between and interconnects the respective transmit and receive sections to an antenna pin. |
| US07855979B2 |
Separability control device, tree-type delivery system, node device separation control method, memory medium memorizing separability control program, memory medium memorizing information process program
A separability control device formed by connecting plural node devices in a tree-like shape while forming plural hierarchy levels placing a delivery device at a top to enable content data from the delivery device to be sequentially transferred from the node device on an upper hierarchy level to the node device on an lower hierarchy level, including: a simultaneous separation process upper limit number determination means for determining a simultaneous separation process upper limit number being an upper limit number of the node devices capable of separating simultaneously based on the number of the participating node devices; a separation request information receiving means; and a separation permission notification means for sending a separation permission notification of permitting the node device being a separation request information sending source when the number of the node devices currently under the separation process does not reach the simultaneous separation process upper limit number. |
| US07855976B2 |
Method and apparatus for reporting CQI in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for reporting CQI in a wireless communication system, the method comprising determining the value of (RL PHYFrame Index-CQIPilotReportPhase)mod CQIPilotReportInterval, determining if DFLSS is not equal to FLSS and if the DFLSS differs from the FLSS transmitting R-CQICH at least on the Control segment corresponding to the DFLSS. |
| US07855968B2 |
Alarm indication and suppression (AIS) mechanism in an ethernet OAM network
A system and method for propagating fault information in an Ethernet OAM network having multiple levels of OAM domains. An Alarm Indication and Suppression (AIS) frame is generated by a Maintenance Intermediate Point (MIP) node upon detecting a fault condition in a first OAM domain, which is transmitted to one or more Maintenance End Points (MEPs) of the first OAM domain. Upon receiving the AIS frames, the MEP nodes are operable generate another AIS frame for propagating to an adjacent higher level second OAM domain. Responsive to the AIS frame from the lower level first OAM domain, any alarms caused in the second OAM domain due to the fault condition in the first OAM domain are suppressed. |
| US07855966B2 |
Network congestion detection and automatic fallback: methods, systems and program products
A codec detects congestion in a packet network and responds via a session control protocol to re-negotiate codec-type and/or parameters with the receiving codec to reduce bit rate for supporting a session. Once the connection and session are established, encoded packets start flowing between the two codecs. A control entity sends and receives network congestion control packets periodically in the session. The congestion control packets provide a “heartbeat” signal to the receiving codec. When the network is not congested, all “heartbeat” packets will be passed through the network. As network congestion increases, routers within the network discard excess packets to prevent network failure. The codecs respond to the missing packets by slowing down the bit rate or proceeding to renegotiate a lower bit rate via the session control protocol. If there are no missing packets, the codecs detect if the session is operating at the highest bit rate, and if not, re-negotiate a higher bit rate. |
| US07855964B2 |
Communication method and apparatus and base station
The invention relates to a method, apparatus and base station for a code division multiple access communication system transmitting a transport channel composite including data of transport channels between a base station and a communication terminal via a physical channel, the physical channel having a maximum physical rate and rate matching is performed on data of each of the transport channels to change a transmission rate. |
| US07855963B2 |
Capacity estimation and proportional sharing of varying capacity channels
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling capacity of a wired or wireless network with varying bandwidth capacity is described. First, dynamic conditions associated with the data flow are measured. These dynamic conditions influence a bandwidth capacity for the data flow. Next, the capacity is estimated in order to adjust the data flow based on the estimated capacity per the measured dynamic conditions. |
| US07855962B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data rate control channel in a high rate packet data system using a plurality of forward channels and system thereof
A high rate packet data communication system and method are provided that can control a rate of a plurality of forward channels by transmitting/receiving data rate control (DRC) information over at least one DRC channel. In the system, at least one mobile station (MS) determines a transmission time of the DRC information such that a transmission period of the DRC information for each of the forward channels is equal, and sequentially transmits the DRC information repeatedly for the forward channels over at least one DRC channel for a predetermined number of slots. A base station (BS) determines a rate of a corresponding forward channel based on the DRC information received over at least one DRC channel. |
| US07855961B2 |
Method for controlling the establishment of a connection in an optical network
A method for controlling the establishment of a connection within an optical network comprising the steps consisting in: transmitting a control message node-to-node along a path of said connection from an input node (A) to an output node (D) of the connection, said control message comprising a step indication field to indicate a current step (60) of the connection establishment, performing a local operation (62, 63) corresponding to said step indication field within at least one node, transmitting a step acknowledgment to the connection's input node after having completed said local operation, in response to receiving the step acknowledgment, transmitting another control message node-to-node from the input node, wherein said step indication field indicates a following step (70) within a sequence of steps. |
| US07855960B2 |
Traffic shaping method and device
A packet relay device comprises a distribution processing unit classifying traffics into groups and users based on header information of packets received; a calculation unit calculating available frame rate of each user from peak frame rate, minimum frame rate, and weight information set for each user; a scheduling control unit updating a transmission schedule point-in-time calculated based on the available frame rate of each user, and judging which packet should be transmitted in accordance with the transmission schedule point-in-time updated; and a shaping unit updating a transmission schedule point-in-time calculated based on the peak frame rate of each user, and performing a shaping of packets at the peak frame rate on each user basis in accordance with the transmission schedule point-in-time updated; and a priority-control processing unit performing a strict priority control over transmission of packets of each group in correspondence with degree of priority of each group. |
| US07855959B2 |
Fast common overhead services acquisition for MediaFLO
A technique for fast common overhead services acquisition for MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system, wherein encoding overhead information symbol (OIS) information in a first burst of MLC of each superframe, OIS comprises control channel (CC) information and reserved flow data comprising primary flow data, service information data, notification flow data, configuration flow data, and presentation metadata; encoding padding in second MLC burst; encoding parity bytes in third and fourth MLC bursts; encoding primary flow data in final MLC burst per superframe; encoding the remaining reserved flow data at the end of superframe; transmitting wireless data stream comprising first MLC at ½ forward error correction (FEC) rate and receiving it in receiver; determining a correctness of CC information by checking cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits at the end of each received data packet; and transmitter sending size wise remainder of reserved flows at the end of superframe. |
| US07855957B2 |
Method and system of transmit load balancing across multiple physical ports
A method and system of transmit load balancing across multiple physical ports. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising teaming a first and second communication ports to create a teamed communication port, creating a plurality of virtual ports which abstract the first and second communication ports (and wherein a number of virtual ports utilizing each communication port is based on parameters associated with the communication ports), selecting one of the plurality of virtual ports out which to send a message packet thus designating a select virtual port (the selecting implements transmit load balancing across plurality of virtual ports) and sending the message packets out the first or second communication port utilized by the selected virtual port. |
| US07855956B2 |
Method and system for controlling the multicast source
The invention provides a method on the source of the multicast control, including: establish the source of the multicast authentication message; the source of the multicast authentication message controlling terminal updates the said the source of the multicast authentication message dynamic according to the limit of the multicast source; control the multicast message transmitted by the multicast source according to the said multicast source authentication message; the invention also provides a system on the source of the multicast control, including: master multicast source authentication server, a group of slave multicast source authentication server preset point; by this invention, the preset point request the multicast source authentication application so as to control managing the multicast source at the first time; manage different multicast addresser by setting the multicast source authentication server layer distribution, saving the resource of the net terminal; without human operation, master and slave multicast source authentication server interactive authentication message periodically and in time, so as to manage the multicast source automatically and in time; thereby realize the purpose which reduce managing and maintenance cost of the multicast internet, improve the administrating and the running ability. |
| US07855955B2 |
Method for managing frames in a global-area communications network, corresponding computer-readable storage medium and tunnel endpoint
A method for managing frames in a global-area communications network comprises a plurality of sub-networks linked to one another by tunnels at the ends of which there are tunnel endpoints, at least one of the sub-networks comprising at least one source device connected to one of said tunnel endpoints through said sub-network. When a given tunnel endpoint receives from a local sub-network, to which said given tunnel endpoint is connected, a frame sent out by a source device in the global-area network, the given tunnel endpoint performs the following steps: obtaining, from said frame, an address of the source device; verifying that the obtained address is included in a first list of addresses comprising addresses associated with source devices connected to remote sub-network or sub-networks distinct from the local sub-network; and in the event of positive verification, discarding said frame. |
| US07855950B2 |
Congruent forwarding paths for unicast and multicast traffic
A mechanism that provides congruent forwarding paths for unicast and multicast data traffic over a service provider core network includes issuing, by a receiver edge node, a request to join a multicast tree structure. A unicast path from the receiver edge node to a source node of the provider network is then established using a special message that contains an identifier. The identifier allows the unicast path through the core network to be aligned with the multicast tree structure. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07855949B1 |
Method and apparatus for bundling signaling messages for scaling communication networks
Method and apparatus for bundling signaling messages to provide better circuit connection performance and scalability in circuit restoration during a network failure of communication networks. |
| US07855946B2 |
Recording and reproducing apparatus provided with probe memory
A recording and reproducing apparatus supports a recording medium swingably in at least two axis directions by a support section formed in a shape having elasticity. When an access can be made to a memory, the recording medium is constantly and reciprocatingly moved in a direction along data row. Thus, a positional relationship with a probe head is always grasped. When an access is made, a moving time associated with position identification is reduced, and precise and fast movement is achieved. |
| US07855938B2 |
Expandable data storage system and method with cartridge pass-through between cartridge handling units
An apparatus and method for expanding capacity of a data cartridge storage and handling apparatus includes a modification to permit a second data cartridge storage and handling apparatus to be added to the system at a position to permit exchange of data cartridges via a pass-through opening. A pass-through box is added in one of the storage and handling units, the pass-through box having a portion shaped like a cartridge so that it is gripped by a gripper of a cartridge shuttle. A second part of the pass-through box holds a cartridge so that the shuttle can hold the pass-through box in a position to extend the cartridge it is holding into the other storage and handling apparatus. A marking system is provided to ensure proper spacing of the units from one another. A connection and control coordinates the operation thereof. The pass-through box is installed by being inserted in a replacement storage magazine. The housings of the storage and handling apparatus have a removable cover to permit opening of the pass-through opening. |
| US07855936B2 |
Diet watch
A diet watch includes a housing with an adjustable wristband attached thereto, at least one accelerometer disposed within the housing, a microcontroller disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the accelerometer and a feedback device operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The accelerometer provides a signal indicative of an orientation of a user's hand in space. The microcontroller uses the signal from the at least one accelerometer to determine that a bite was taken by the user and starting a timer to countdown a preset time interval. The feedback device provides an indication to the user that another bite of food may be taken after the preset time interval has elapsed. |
| US07855935B1 |
Weapon fire location systems and methods involving mobile device and/or other features
Systems and methods are disclosed for processing information associated with weapon fire. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of processing information associated with weapon fire, including identifying a weapon fire incident, determining positional information regarding a source location of the weapon fire, and processing positional information regarding a device within a particular proximity of the source location of the weapon fire. Moreover, exemplary methods may include providing information for displaying the positional information of the source location of the weapon fire and the device together on a display. Other exemplary embodiments may include performing processing that provides one or more of source location of the weapon fire, device location information and/or other information related to the device for various uses. |
| US07855930B2 |
Power-on management circuit for memory
A power-on management circuit for a memory device is provided. The power-on management circuit comprises a first external power-on voltage detector, a second external power-on voltage detector, a delay unit, a logic circuit, an internal power-on voltage detector, a voltage control circuit, a plurality of first electric pumps and a second electric pump. The first external power-on voltage detector has a first voltage threshold, receives a first external voltage, and generates a first control signal when the first external voltage is higher than the first voltage threshold. The second external power-on voltage detector has a second voltage threshold, receives a second external voltage, and generates a second control signal when the second external voltage is higher than the second voltage threshold. |
| US07855929B2 |
Apparatus for the dynamic detection, selection and deselection of leaking decoupling capacitors
Embodiments of the invention generally related to arrangements of decoupling capacitor arrays in an integrated circuit. A decoupling capacitor array may include a plurality of bit lines that are electrically coupled to each other, a plurality of word lines that are electrically coupled to each other, and a plurality of decoupling capacitors, each decoupling capacitor coupled to a respective bit line and word line. The decoupling capacitor array may further include an access circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of word lines and a power grid, the access circuit being configured to either connect or disconnect the decoupling capacitor array to the power grid based on a control signal. |
| US07855922B2 |
Memory device bit line sensing system and method that compensates for bit line resistance variations
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed, such as a system and method of sensing the voltage on bit lines that, when respective memory cells coupled to the bit lines are being read that compensates for variations in the lengths of the bit lines between the memory cells being read and respective bit line sensing circuits. The system and method may determine the length of the bit lines between the memory cells and the sensing circuits based on a memory address, such as a block address. The system and method then uses the determined length to adjust either a precharge voltage applied to the bit lines or the duration during which the bit lines are discharged by respective memory cells before respective voltages on the bit lines are latched. |
| US07855921B2 |
Erase method and soft programming method of non-volatile memory device
An erase method and a soft programming method of a non-volatile memory device includes performing an erase operation on a memory cell block; applying a pass voltage to a memory cell adjacent to a select transistor of the memory cell block; applying a soft program voltage to the remaining memory cells of the memory cell block; and performing a soft program operation. |
| US07855917B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and driving method thereof
The disclosure concerns a memory including a floating body provided in a semiconductor layer between a source and a drain and storing data; a first gate dielectric provided on a first surface of the body; a first gate electrode provided on the first surface via the first gate dielectric; a second gate dielectric provided on a second surface of the body different from the first surface; a second gate electrode provided on the second surface via the second gate dielectric; a driver driving the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; and a sense amplifier writing into the memory cells first data showing a sate of a small charge amount in a state that a voltage of the second gate electrode at a data writing time is brought closer to a potential of the source layer than a voltage of the second gate electrode at a data holding time. |
| US07855914B2 |
Semiconductor memory device capable of suppressing peak current
A memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells, in which n (n is a natural number equal to 3 or larger) cells are simultaneously written. A control circuit controls the memory cell array. A conversion circuit converts data constituted of k (k is equal to n or smaller, and is a natural number equal to 3 or larger) bits stored in the memory cells into data of h (h is equal to k or larger, and is a natural number equal to 2 or larger) bits on the basis of a conversion rule. |
| US07855909B1 |
Calibrating page borders in a phase-change memory
A phase-change memory system includes an array of phase-change memory cells, an amplifier that amplifies a data signal read from a selected one of the phase-change memory cells, and a gain estimation module that adjusts a gain of the amplifier based on a gain parameter that is associated with the selected one of the phase-change memory cells. The gain parameter is based on a number of bits that are represented by the selected one of the phase-change memory cells. |
| US07855906B2 |
DC bus voltage control for two stage solar converter
Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter. |
| US07855905B2 |
Digital power supply controller with integrated microcontroller
A digital power supply controller is disclosed for controlling the operation of a switched power supply. The controller is contained within an integrated circuit package enclosing an integrated circuit chip. A plurality of inputs are provided on the package for interfacing with the switched power supply for receiving sensed inputs therefrom. A plurality of outputs provide switch control signals for turning on and off switches in the switched power supply. An integrated digital controller on the chip receives the inputs and generates the outputs, and includes an integrated instruction based processing engine for providing a portion of the digital control of the digital controller. A memory associated with the processing engine stores instructions for the processing engine. |
| US07855904B2 |
Apparatus for producing voltage and current pulses
An apparatus having one or more modular stages for producing voltage and current pulses. Each module includes a diode charging means to charge a capacitive means that stores energy. One or more charging impedance means are connected to the diode charging means to provide a return current pathway. A solid-state switch discharge means, with current interruption capability, is connected to the capacitive means to discharge stored energy. Finally, a control means is provided to command the switching action of the solid-state switch discharge means. |
| US07855903B2 |
System and method for programming an internal parameter or feature in a power converter with a multi-function connector
A programmable parameter or feature is provided for a power converter through a multi-function connection on the converter controller. The parameter or feature selection is active for programming during a startup mode, and the connection is used for other control purposes during a steady state run mode. A reference signal is read on the multifunction connection during startup mode and a selection of a parameter value or feature is made based on a value of the reference signal. The reference signal is compared to preset, internal reference values to select a desired parameter value or feature. An internal preset value is chosen based on the selection and the programming circuitry is disconnected from the connection to permit alternate functionality for the connection. The programmable circuit permits selection from a variety of parameter values or features based on an external signal, without dedicating an external pin on the controller. |
| US07855902B2 |
DC-DC converter with voltage detection circuit for overcurrent protection
In a DC-DC converter of this invention, a voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel with an output switching device, and the voltage detection circuit is put into operation a predetermined time after the output switching device is turned on. In addition, a detection switching device, which constitutes the voltage detection circuit, is designed to have a higher ON resistance than an ON resistance of the output switching device. |
| US07855901B2 |
AC voltage output apparatus and hybrid vehicle including the same
An AC command voltage obtained by compensating a reference value of a commercial AC voltage output from a multiplication unit using an FB control unit is multiplied by k (0≦k≦1) by a multiplication unit and output to a first inverter control unit, and the remaining part is output to a second inverter control unit. The first and second inverter control units generate signals, based on command voltages obtained by superposing the AC command voltage from an AC output control unit on respective phase command voltages. |
| US07855900B2 |
Method and arrangement in connection with half-controlled network bridge
A method and an arrangement are provided for controlling phase-specific thyristors of a half-controlled network bridge. The method includes identifying continuously a thyristor to be controlled on the basis of magnitudes of supplying phase voltages, controlling the thyristor by enabling a current flow to its gate current circuit through an inductive component of a constant current regulator, which is common to all the gate current circuits. The thyristor control includes determining a magnitude of the gate current at the potential of the gate conductor in the constant current regulator, alternately switching off the voltage producing the gate current from the gate current circuit when the gate current is higher than a first predetermined limit, and switching on the voltage producing the gate current in the gate current circuit when the gate current is lower than a second predetermined limit. |
| US07855895B2 |
Universal PCB and smart card using the same
A smart card is provided including a body with a cavity, an IC chip inserted into the cavity, and a universal PCB on which the IC chip can be mounted and electrically contacted regardless of its size, type and bonding structure. The universal PCB comprises groups of contact pads suitable for contacting IC chips of different sizes and designs. |
| US07855890B2 |
Cooling system for electronic equipment
In a cooling system for an electronic device of the present invention, server rooms in which a plurality of servers are placed, an evaporator which is provided close to each of the servers, and cools exhaust air from the server by vaporizing a refrigerant with heat generating from the server, a cooling tower which is provided at a place higher than the evaporator, cools the refrigerant by outside air and water sprinkling, and condenses the vaporized refrigerant, and a circulation line in which the refrigerant naturally circulates between the evaporator and the cooling tower. According to the cooling system, an electronic device which is required to perform a precise operation with a heat generation amount from itself being large, such as a computer and a server, can be efficiently cooled at low running cost. |
| US07855887B2 |
Inverter unit
An inverter unit includes a reactor and switching elements that form a voltage boost circuit that boosts a power supply voltage; a switching element for an inverter that forms an inverter circuit to be supplied with the power supply voltage boosted by the voltage boost circuit; and a cooling unit provided with a coolant passage that carries coolant along a cooling face with which the reactor and the switching elements of the voltage boost circuit and the switching element of the inverter circuit are in contact. |
| US07855885B2 |
Network cabinet with thermal air flow management system
A network cabinet comprising an electronic component a duct positioned therein. The electronic component has at least one exhaust vent and the duct defines first and second openings. The first opening aligns with the exhaust vent such that the duct receives exhaust therefrom and the duct extends from the first opening toward a side of the network cabinet such that the second opening faces the side of the cabinet to direct the exhaust thereto. |
| US07855883B2 |
Electronic device with support legs
An exemplary electronic device (30) includes a main body (40) and two supporting mechanisms (60). Each supporting mechanism has a support leg (62). The support leg is rotatably connected to the main body, in order to support the main body. The support leg has a pressing portion (625) exposed from a side of the main body. |
| US07855881B2 |
Mounting apparatus for back panel
A mounting apparatus comprises two drive brackets (11) for receiving disk drives, a back panel (13), and a securing member (20). The back panel has a securing opening (134) defined therein. The securing member is pivotably mounted between the two brackets for rotating to engage with the securing opening of the back panel to secure the back panel on the drive brackets during the process that the back panel is mounted to the drive brackets. |
| US07855879B2 |
Portable display device
The present invention is directed to a portable display device. The display device comprises at least two panel housings for receiving display elements, respectively, means for foldable connecting the panel housings, a connection cable for connecting the circuits of the display elements provided at the panel housings and a cover for covering the connection cable not to be exposed. Accordingly, the flexible and weak connection cable may be protected. |
| US07855877B2 |
Apparatus for display movement of a laptop computer
Disclosed is a laptop computer including a body and a display articulably connected to the body. The laptop computer includes at least one drive unit capable of moving the display relative to the body. |
| US07855875B2 |
Image display device and electronic apparatus
An image display device has: a display panel having a display screen to display an image on a front surface; a case that accommodates the display panel, the case having a standing wall section that surrounds a surroundings edge of the display panel alienating from the surroundings edge; and a cover that covers a portion between the surroundings edge of the display panel and the standing wall section of the case. The device further has: a frame having a putting section where a back surroundings edge of the display panel is placed, and an isolation section touching side of the display panel and it separates between the display panel and the standing wall section of the case; and wiring that passes between the isolation section and the standing wall section. |
| US07855869B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor
An object of the present invention is to provide a solid electrolytic capacitor having a low defective fraction. A solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention includes an anode structured by an anode lead formed by a valve metal, and porous body of valve metal connected to the anode, and a dielectric layer provided on a surface of the anode wherein a Vickers hardness of the anode lead, which is positioned at not more than 20 μm in depth from a surface of the anode lead is set 30 Hv-70 Hv. |
| US07855867B2 |
PON transceiver with a surge protection circuit
A passive optical network transceiver including a surge protection circuit so as to protect the electro-optical circuitry from lightning or other electrical surges. The surge protection circuit includes a ground line and at least one capacitor provided in a first line. In particular, the capacitance value of the capacitor is such as to limit the surge current in the first line, and the breakdown voltage of the capacitor is such as to limit the surge voltage between the first line and the ground line. In one embodiment, the surge protection circuit includes a second line connecting the first line to the ground line and at least one inductor provided in the second line. The surge protection circuit may include one capacitor with small value and high voltage rating, and multiple capacitors with larger value and lower voltage rating. |
| US07855866B2 |
Network interface with transient protection apparatus for multiple ground planes
A network interface apparatus is disclosed that includes a connector coupled to a plurality of communication lines. A Physical Layer (PHY) device coupled to the communication lines and to a first ground level. A transient event suppression module coupled between the communication lines and a low impedance path to earth ground. During a transient event the transient event suppression module provides a low impedance path to the earth ground to protect the PHY device from the transient event. A power circuit that delivers power from a second ground level to the PHY device is coupled to the first ground level. The first ground level and the second ground level are coupled to provide a low impedance path during normal operation and high impedance during transient events. |
| US07855865B2 |
Circuitry protection arrangement
A circuit and a method are provided for protecting sensitive circuitry from over voltage and over current during a double fault situation. The circuit may be used in a portable electronic device, and may include an over voltage protection component and an over current protection component. The over voltage protection component may be coupled across power supply inputs of a load of the portable electronic device. The over current protection component is configured in the circuit to provide over current protection to the load of the portable electronic device at least when the over current protection component provides over current protection to the over voltage protection component. |
| US07855864B2 |
Switched mode power supply method and apparatus
In one or more embodiments, a switched mode power supply circuit is configured to monitor and control its output voltage during discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation, to prevent output over-voltage conditions. For example, in one embodiment, a switched mode power supply circuit is configured to operate selectively in continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), and it includes a control circuit that is configured to detect an output over-voltage condition during DCM operation. The control circuit reduces the output voltage of the switched mode power supply circuit responsive to detecting the output over-voltage condition, such as by activating a pull-down device and/or temporarily reverting the switched mode power supply circuit to continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation. |
| US07855863B2 |
Driver with electrostatic discharge protection
Various apparatuses, methods and systems for protecting a driver from electrostatic discharge are disclosed herein. For example, some exemplary embodiments provide a driver, including a buffer, a leakage path blocking transistor connected to an output of the buffer, and an output driver connected to an output of the leakage path blocking transistor. Current from the output driver to the buffer is substantially blocked by the leakage path blocking transistor. |
| US07855860B2 |
Magnetoresistance element magnetic random access memory, magnetic head and magnetic storage device
A magnetoresistance element includes an antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed ferromagnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic layer and a free ferromagnetic layer. The antiferromagnetic layer is formed on the upper surface side of a substrate. The fixed ferromagnetic layer is formed on the antiferromagnetic layer. The first nonmagnetic layer is formed on the fixed ferromagnetic layer. The free ferromagnetic layer is formed on the first nonmagnetic layer. The fixed ferromagnetic layer is provided with an amorphous layer. The amorphous layer contains amorphous material having a composition expressed by a chemical formula of X—Y—N. X is an element selected from Co, Fe and Ni. Y is an element selected from AI, Si, Mg, Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf, W, Mo, Ti and V. N represents nitrogen. |
| US07855859B2 |
Magnetoresistive element and magnetic head
In an MR element, first and second ferromagnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other through a spacer layer, and have magnetizations that are in opposite directions when no external magnetic field is applied thereto and that change directions in response to an external magnetic field. The spacer layer and the second ferromagnetic layer are stacked in this order on the first ferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer includes a plurality of ferromagnetic material layers stacked, and an insertion layer made of a nonmagnetic material and inserted between respective two of the ferromagnetic material layers that are adjacent to each other along the direction in which the layers are stacked. The ferromagnetic material layers and the spacer layer each include a component whose crystal structure is a face-centered cubic structure. The spacer layer and the insertion layer are each composed of an element having an atomic radius greater than that of at least one element constituting the ferromagnetic material layers. |
| US07855857B2 |
Disk drive apparatus and head assembly used for the same
Embodiments of the present invention restrain the head position accuracy from degrading due to torsional vibration of a head supporting unit. According to an embodiment of the invention, an actuator has a twisted carriage arm. A suspension is tilted in accordance with the twist of the carriage arm. When the carriage arm and the suspension torsionally vibrate, the vibration direction tilts against the normal direction of a recording surface in accordance with the twist. This technique decreases a peak value of off-track displacement that is caused by a head slider and is dependent on relationship between a skew angle and a torsional vibration direction. |
| US07855854B2 |
Head with an air bearing surface having a shallow recessed trailing air flow dam
A head has a slider with an air bearing surface having a left trailing air flow dam extending from a trailing pad along a lateral axis, and a right trailing air flow dam extending from the trailing pad along the lateral axis in an opposing direction. A sub-ambient pressure cavity is disposed adjacent to and upstream of at least one of the trailing air flow dams. The trailing pad and the left and right trailing air flow dams together laterally span at least 75% of the width of the slider. Each of the left and right trailing air flow dams is recessed from the primary plane by a step depth in the range 0.05 to 0.5 microns, and the sub-ambient pressure cavity is recessed from the primary plane by a cavity depth in the range 0.8 to 2 microns. |
| US07855849B2 |
Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation for hard disk drive write overshoot current
Methods and apparatus for temperature compensation for hard disk drive writer overshoot current are disclosed. A disclosed system comprises creating a first delay based on the temperature of the hard disk drive, creating a second delay based on the temperature of the hard disk drive, and creating a pulse based on the first and second delay. |
| US07855848B1 |
Head-disk interference detection using spin motor current
Detection of head disk interference is provided by monitoring a hard disk drive characteristic related to disk rotation rate. A number of characteristics can indicate HDI. These include the magnitude of decreases in rotation rate, changes in the time-derivative (time-rates of change) of rotation rate or other changes in time-profiles of rotation rate, changes in spin motor current, differences between maximum and minimum values of spin motor current, changes in the time-derivative (time-rates of change) of spin motor current or other changes in time-profiles of spin motor current or combinations or indicators thereof. These approaches to detecting HDI provide several potential advantages. Detection of HDI can be achieved relatively early in a test or other procedure, can be performed relatively rapidly, can distinguish HDI from at least some other anomalies and can indicate the location and/or magnitude of HDI occurrences. |
| US07855845B2 |
Optical control system including mount for optical component having independent multi-axial control
An optical control system including a mount for an optical component is disclosed that provides the flexibility of independently adjusting the position and orientation of the optical component along and about one or more axes. In an exemplary embodiment, the mount includes a support element for supporting the optical component; one or more rotational adjustment elements for rotating said support element independently about one or more axes, respectively; and one or more linear adjustment elements for moving said support element independently along one or more axes. The adjustment elements may be manually adjustable and/or may be adjustable by an actuator. In the latter case, the actuator may be electronically controlled by a controller. The optical component may be a reflective, transmissive, or reflective/transmissive optical device, such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, beam splitters, and others. |
| US07855841B2 |
Reflex, magnifying optical system
A first lens group in a reflex, magnifying optical system includes sequentially from the side of an object, a first lens that has a negative refractive power and is a meniscus lens having a concave aspect facing toward an image, an optical element (prism) that refracts an optical path, a second lens having a negative refractive power and a concave aspect facing toward the object, and a third lens having a positive refractive power. A portion of an image-side aspect of the first lens abuts a plane of incidence of the optical element. A portion of an object-side aspect of the second lens abuts a plane of transmission of the optical element. |
| US07855837B2 |
Viewing optical system and imaging apparatus incorporating the same
The invention provides a viewing optical system comprising: a screen on which an object image by a taking lens is formed, an image erection optical system for erecting the object image formed on the screen, and an eyepiece lens system of positive refracting power for guiding a light beam leaving the image erection optical system to the eyeball of a viewer, wherein: the image erection optical system comprises a plurality of reflecting surfaces, the eyepiece optical system comprises, in order from a screen side to an exit pupil side, a first lens element of negative refracting power, a second lens element convex on both the screen side and the exit pupil side, and a third lens element that is of negative refracting power and has a meniscus shape concave on the exit pupil side, and the third lens element satisfies the following condition (1): 0.13 |
| US07855831B2 |
Microscope objective
A microscope objective including an front optical element, a plurality of optical elements spaced apart from the front element and from each other, as well as an adjusting unit. At least one of the optical elements can be displaced along the optical axis by the adjusting unit to adjust the focus of the objective. The focus of the objective is displaced relative to the front element along the optical axis and/or a temperature-induced imaging error of the objective is compensated for. |
| US07855830B2 |
Optical output controller and its control method
An optical output controller includes a wavelength conversion device operable to change the wavelength of pumped laser light; a heating/cooling unit operable to control the temperature of the wavelength conversion device; a temperature detector which detects the temperature of the wavelength conversion device; a temperature controller operable to control the heating/cooling unit such that the detected temperature corresponds to a target temperature; an optical output detector operable to detect the optical output from the wavelength conversion device; an optical-output maximization controller operable to determine a temperature at which the optical output is maximized according to the optical output detected by the optical output detector and from the detected temperature detected by the temperature detector and, further, outputs the temperature difference between the determined temperature and the detected temperature; and an adder which adds the temperature difference outputted from the optical-output maximization controller to the target temperature; wherein the temperature difference is added to the target temperature to correct the target temperature for maximizing the optical output. |
| US07855826B2 |
Method and apparatus to reduce or eliminate stiction and image retention in interferometric modulator devices
Method and apparatus to reduce or eliminate stiction and image retention in interferometric display devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a display element comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator devices configured in a matrix, each interferometric modulator device having a movable reflective layer and a plurality of supporting posts, the plurality of posts defining a post spacing distance in at least one direction that is greater for one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed adjacent to an edge of the display element than one or more interferometric modulator devices disposed nonadjacent to an edge of the display element. |
| US07855819B2 |
Swing member device, and optical deflector and image-forming apparatus employing the swing member device
A swing member device comprises a swingable part supported by a supporting part to be swingable around a torsional axis on a supporting base in at least one intrinsic oscillation mode: the swing member device having a temperature-raising unit for raising the temperature of ambient atmosphere in the region of swing motion of the swingable part, the temperature-raising unit raising the temperature of the ambient atmosphere to enable decrease of an influence of an unsteady dragging force caused by the ambient atmosphere. |
| US07855817B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus including a plurality of optical members for adjusting an interval between laser beams on a surface
An optical scanning apparatus includes a first optical member for receiving a plurality of light beams with an interval and for causing a first group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the first optical member being rotatable to adjust the interval of the beams emergent therefrom; a second optical member for receiving a second light beam and the first group of beams emergent from the first optical member with an interval and for causing a third group of beams to emerge with a narrower interval, the second optical member being rotatable to change the interval between the first group of beams and the second beam; and deflecting means for scanningly deflecting a third group of beams emergent from the second optical member. |
| US07855814B2 |
Scanner and hinge
A scanner is provided with a device main body, a hinge, a cover member, and a scanning device. The device main body comprises a transparent plate. The transparent plate forms a top surface of the device main body. The hinge is coupled to the device main body. The cover member is coupled to the hinge. The cover member is capable of rotating with respect to the device main body. The cover member is capable of covering the transparent plate. The cover member comprises an auto document feeder. The scanning device is located below the transparent plate. The scanning device is capable of scanning a document put on the transparent plate or a document fed by the auto document feeder. The hinge comprises a wiring support portion that supports a wiring extending between the auto document feeder and the device main body. |
| US07855811B2 |
Method of providing search results to a user
A method of providing search results to a user via user interaction with a printed substrate, said substrate comprising user information and coded data enabling the user interaction, said method comprising: (a) a user performing the user interaction with the substrate using a sensing device, said sensing device reading at least some of the coded data when operatively positioned or moved relative to the substrate and generating interaction data using the read coded data, said interaction data being indicative of the user interaction; and (b) said user interaction initiating a search and causing a first resource to be displayed on a display device, said first resource comprising search-results content wherein at least one parameter of said user interaction determines a search provider for performing said search. |
| US07855810B2 |
Method for automatically organizing a digitized hardcopy media collection
A method, system and software program for automatically organizing digital images obtained from a plurality of hardcopy media. A plurality of hardcopy media are scanned so as to obtain both the image side and non-image side the of hardcopy media including capturing any watermark present on non-image side. The watermark on the non-mage side is used for automatically organizing digital images. |
| US07855807B2 |
Digital image processor spot color workflow test file
An electronic portable document format (PDF) file contains different combinations of gradient blends between spot color and process color. Each gradient blend is represented as both rasterized bitmap and vector images. The rasterized bitmap and vector images can be used to quickly assess the capability of any digital front end (DFE) to process the color gradient blends. The PDF file contains two sets of spot color and process color blended combinations. The first set contains four types of color gradient blends: spot-to-spot, process-to-spot, spot-to-process, and process-to-process, each of which represent the intended design. The second set contains the same four types of color gradient blends, except here the CMYK colors associated with the spot colors are intentionally manipulated. By printing the PDF file using different DFEs, one may compare the output from the two sets and immediately identify any color gradient handling problem, providing a quick benchmarking tool. |
| US07855803B2 |
Printing control apparatus, information processing apparatus, control method therefor, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
This invention allows the user to select files to be printed from arbitrary folders, easily designate a folder selected in the past, and confirm data files in the folder, thereby improving the operability of selecting a file to be printed. For this purpose, the display window has a folder view display area for displaying the tree structure of folders, and a file view display area for displaying a list of image data files stored in a folder selected in the folder view display area. When a new folder is selected in the folder view display area, a path representing the location position of the folder is added to the folder list. When a file having a print count of “1” or more exists in the file view display area, the file name and print count of the file are added to a file list associated with a folder list. When a selected-folder view display button is clicked, a list of folders registered in the folder list is displayed. If one of the registered folders is selected, a corresponding folder in the folder view display area is selected, and the file view display area is also updated. |
| US07855801B2 |
Color image forming apparatus and image output method
A color image forming apparatus and an image output method capable of producing a PDL output without interfering with the execution of a calibration procedure is provided. A main controller rasterizes PDL data from a network on a DRAM as image data. The main controller determines whether or not a calibration procedure is being executed. If it is determined that the calibration procedure is being executed, a production of a PDL image output is put in a queue until the calibration procedure is completed. If it is determined that the calibration procedure is not being executed, the image data on the DRAM is transferred to a printer portion at an appropriate timing so that the printer portion may produce a printed page of the image data. |
| US07855798B2 |
Printing system, image forming device, printing control method and printing control program
More than one image forming devices (such as printer, copier, facsimile, etc.) which provide detecting means of environmental conditions (such as a temperature and/or humidity sensor) and sending means of the information of the said detected conditions and a print server are connected through a network. The print server judges the environmental situation of each device, selects the devices which are good for operation and sends the respective print data to the selected devices according to the said judgment. In this printing system the environmental conditions of image forming devices are judged uniformly and in highly reliable manner in order to avoid printing from the devices which are in dew condensation and/or waiting for the devices becoming ready to operate so that a large volume of printing matters can be printed in the minimum interval. |
| US07855797B2 |
Networked image forming system, including processing controller, image forming apparatus, and printer driver program for use therein
An image forming system providing a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a processing controller for selecting at least one of the apparatuses and causing the selected apparatus to perform image formation, the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the processing controller being connected to one another through a network, wherein each of the image forming apparatuses includes an other-apparatus information storage section for storing information about one or more other image forming apparatuses as other-apparatus information, and the processing controller includes: an information acquiring section for acquiring the other-apparatus information stored in the other-apparatus information storage section of the selected apparatus through the network; a distributed-processing determination section for determining at least one of the one or more other apparatuses to be used for image formation in cooperation with the selected apparatus or determining that only the selected apparatus should be used for image formation, on the basis of the acquired other-apparatus information; and a commanding section for commanding the corresponding image forming apparatus(es) to perform the image formation, on the basis of the determination made by the distributed-processing determination section. |
| US07855796B2 |
Print job distributing and holding system, printing system, print job holding apparatus, printer, print job holding apparatus control program, printer control program, print job holding apparatus control method, and printer control method
A print job distributing and holding system. The system is capable of distributing and holding plural print jobs where several printers are connected via a network. |
| US07855793B2 |
Printing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving a control command including first identification information; an identification information obtaining unit for obtaining the first identification information from the control command thus received; a storage unit for storing second identification information related to a specific user; an identification information comparing unit for comparing the first identification information with the second identification information; and a control command processing unit for performing a first process when the first identification information matches to the second identification information and performing a second process when the first identification information does not match to the second identification information. |
| US07855789B2 |
RFOG modulation error correction
Systems and methods for performing modulation error correction. An example system applies common phase/frequency modulation to first and second laser beams, a first intensity modulation to the first modulated beam, and a second intensity modulation to the second modulated beam. Signals outputted are demodulated according to the frequency of the common phase/frequency modulation. Then the first of these demodulated signals is demodulated based on the frequency of the intensity modulation of the first beam, and the second of these demodulated signals is demodulated based on the frequency of the intensity modulation of the second beam. Then, rate of rotation is determined based on demodulated signals. Frequencies of the intensity modulations are unequal and not harmonically related, and intensity modulation encodes each light beam with a unique signature. |
| US07855787B2 |
Method of determining the pretilt angle in a liquid-crystal cell
To determine the tilt angle in a twisted nematic liquid-crystal cell, the transmission of the cell is calculated as a function of the angle of incidence of a light beam of given wavelength λ using apparent values of the thickness of the cell cavity, of the extraordinary index and of the twist angle, in order to obtain a plurality of simulation curves, one per given pretilt angle, the transmission curve is measured as a function of the angle of incidence of the cell along the axis passing through the top and bottom positions of the cell, for the light beam of wavelength λ, using a contrast meter, and the coincidence between this measurement curve and a curve from among the plurality of simulation curves gives the pretilt angle of this cell. |
| US07855785B2 |
Fluorescence detection device
This invention relates to a fluorescence detection device comprising a support means (101) for supporting a sample (111), a sample excitation means so that a fluorescence is emitted by the sample (111) and a detection means for detecting said fluorescence, said support means (101) comprising a layer having a rough surface (115) for redirecting said fluorescence in a plurality of directions and said detection means covering an observation cone to collect the redirected fluorescence in a plurality of directions. |
| US07855782B2 |
Lens inspection system using phase contrast imaging
The present invention relates to an inspection system for the automatic inspection of ophthalmic lenses, preferably in an automated lens manufacturing line. The inspection system provides a phase contrast imaging unit and an inspection method using said phase contrast imaging unit designed to recognize defective lenses with an improved degree of reliability but that does not falsely sort out perfect lenses. |
| US07855781B2 |
Optical device
According to an aspect of the embodiment, an optical device has a mirror device having a plurality of mirrors which are able to move, and a mirror interface for adjusting light axis of the each input light in accordance with each position of the mirrors. |
| US07855779B2 |
Display device and detection method
A display device includes display pixels that display an image on a display screen. First and second optical sensors correspond to one or more of the display pixels and detect the amount of incident light. An optical member allows light coming from a first direction to enter the first optical sensors and light coming from a second direction to enter the second optical sensors. A memory circuit stores a first detection result that is detected in a first time period by means of the first optical sensors and stores a second detection result that is detected in the first time period by means of the second optical sensors. A comparison circuit compares sequential detection results to permit a judgment circuit to determine whether the display screen has been touched with a detection target medium. |
| US07855774B2 |
LCD panel having a broad-gap region including a dent within sealed substrates at the non-diplay region in which an electrical transfer section for the susbstrates is located at a wider line-width area of the sealing portion along longer sides of the panel
The method of the present invention includes the steps of: (A) providing a first substrate, and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate includes a first light shielding layer provided within a non-display region, the first light shielding layer including a light-transmitting portion provided near an outer boundary of the first light shielding layer, the light-transmitting portion comprising a recess or an opening; (B) drawing a seal pattern with a sealant, the seal pattern being drawn outside the first light shielding layer so as to surround the display region, comprising the substeps of: (B1) beginning application of the sealant near the light-transmitting portion, (B2) applying the sealant along an outer periphery of the first light shielding layer, and (B3) forming a junction with the sealant having been applied near the light-transmitting portion; (C) applying a liquid crystal material within the display region surrounded by the sealant; (D) attaching the first substrate and the second substrate; and (E) performing light irradiation from the first substrate side to cure the sealant. |
| US07855772B2 |
Fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device with high transmittance and wide viewing angle
An exemplary fringe field switching liquid crystal display device (3) includes a first substrate (310) and a second substrate (320) disposed parallel to each other and spaced apart a predetermined distance. A liquid crystal layer (300) is interposed between the first and second substrates. A plurality of gate lines (332) and data lines (331) are formed on the second substrate, thereby defining a plurality of pixel regions. A common electrode (321) is arranged in each pixel region. And a pixel electrode (323) is arranged in each pixel region and insulated from the common electrode, the pixel electrode including a plurality of slits (350) arranged therein. The slits are separate from each other and maintain varied angles including oblique angles relative to the nearest gate lines. |
| US07855766B2 |
Generation of pattern data with no overlapping or excessive distance between adjacent patterns
A device is disclosed for generating pattern data for unevenness that is randomly arranged on the surface of the reflective substrate of a reflective liquid crystal display device. The number of coordinates, a basic pitch, a movable range, and a dot diameter are entered from a data entry unit. An array generation unit regularly arranges base coordinates in two dimensions in accordance with the basic pitch. Coordinate displacement unit randomly displaces within the movable range at a portion of the basic coordinates to generate a multiplicity of displaced coordinates. Pattern generation unit arranges dot patterns with the dot diameter entered at each of the displaced coordinates generated to generate pattern data. |
| US07855763B2 |
Backlight device and transmission type display apparatus
A backlight device includes: a first prism sheet which has a triangular prism row on a major surface thereof; a first light source which emits light having directivity in a slanted direction with respect to a normal line direction of a light outgoing surface of the first prism sheet in opposite side to the triangular prism row side so as to enter into the triangular prism row of the first prism sheet; and a second light source which emits light having directivity in the normal line direction of the light outgoing surface of the first prism sheet so as to enter into the triangular prism row of the first prism sheet. |
| US07855759B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes a scanning line, a data line which intersects the scanning line, a pixel electrode which is provided at pixel, and a thin film transistor which has a semiconductor layer having a source area electrically connected to the data line and a drain area electrically connected to the pixel electrode, a relay wiring which is laminated between the semiconductor layer and the pixel electrode and connects the drain area to the pixel electrode, a first shield layer which is laminated between the data line and the relay wiring and is held with predetermined potential, and a second shield layer which is laminated between the pixel electrode and the relay wiring and is held with predetermined potential. |
| US07855758B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A display device includes a substrate; a gate line disposed on the substrate; a data line disposed on the substrate; a driving voltage line disposed on the substrate; a first thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a second thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a first semiconductor having an extending region of a storage electrode connected between an output terminal of the first thin film transistor and an control terminal of the second thin film transistor; a transparent conductor of a storage electrode connected to the driving voltage line and overlaps the extending region of the storage electrode; and a pixel electrode connected to an output terminal of the second thin film transistor and overlaps the transparent conductor of the storage electrode. Accordingly, an aperture ratio of the display device may be increased. |
| US07855755B2 |
Interior rearview mirror assembly with display
A video mirror system for a vehicle comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective electro-optic reflective element that transmits at least about ten percent of visible light incident thereon and reflects at least about sixty percent of visible light incident thereon. A display module is disposed at a rear of the transflective electro-optic reflective element and comprises a plurality of individual light sources. A thermally conductive element may be in substantial thermal contact with the display module and is exposed at a rear casing portion of the mirror assembly so as to draw heat generated by the display module away from the display module and to the exterior of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The exposure of the thermally conductive element at the rear casing portion may be substantially not discernible to a viewer viewing the rear casing portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly. |
| US07855744B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and a notification operation control method
An image-pickup apparatus which includes an imaging unit configured for obtaining object images, a notification unit configured to perform notification that images are being obtained by the imaging unit, a macro-mode setting unit configured to set the imaging unit in a macro mode, and a notification control unit configured to control the notification operation of the notification unit in accordance with whether the macro mode is set or not by the macro-mode setting unit. |
| US07855741B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing image
Provided are an image signal processing apparatus and method. According to the image signal processing method, by simultaneously performing in an integrated manner image denoising and interpolation using 4-directional image gradient information which defines differences in color brightness between adjacent pixels on the basis of edge direction information obtained from a bayer image output from an image sensor, it is possible to improve picture quality and processing speed. |
| US07855739B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus
In an image signal processing apparatus, line memories conventionally provided at a latter stage of the apparatus in order to convert a VGA image signal into a CIF image signal are eliminated. Image data of the VGA held in a unit of one line in plural line memories 60 provided in a digital signal processing circuit are weighted and added in a VLPF 62. A factor setting part 76 of the VLPF 62 changes weighting factors according to a positional relation between a position of a generation object line of the CIF and a line of the VGA. The weighting factors are determined so that a characteristic of trapping ½ of a vertical sampling frequency fv is also obtained. The VLPF 62 uses the weighting factors to trap fv/2, and changes the position of the vertical sampling point to a position of each line of the CIF image. |
| US07855737B2 |
Method of making a digital camera image of a scene including the camera user
A method of making an image in a digital camera comprises capturing a digital image of a scene into which the camera user is to be inserted, and superimposing a symbol (subject locator) onto the scene image representing at least a part of a human subject. The subject locator is scaled to a desired size and moved to a desired position relative to the scene image. Next a digital image of the user is captured, and at least the part of the user image represented by the subject locator is extracted. The part of the user image represented by the subject locator is scaled (before or after extraction) to substantially the same size as the subject locator and inserted into the first image at the position of the subject locator. |
| US07855736B2 |
Method, circuit arrangement and camera for providing electronic scan reversal
Method for reversing a video signal having sequences of n elements comprises the steps of writing the n elements of a first sequence into memory locations of a memory in a non-reversed order and reading out the memory locations in a reversed order, and in a subsequent step, writing the n elements of a second sequence into the memory locations in a reversed order and reading out the memory locations in a non-reversed order. The memory locations are readout from the memory in particular one element ahead of the write locations of the memory. A method of this kind can be used in particular in a television camera comprising a lens unit, which is designed for film applications. |
| US07855735B2 |
Method of operating camera timing module
A method of operating a timer module includes the steps of querying a non-volatile memory module to determine available digital image storage locations, each storage location having assigned thereto an image number; receiving a selection selecting one of the available digital image storage location as a starting location, and assigning an image number corresponding to the starting location as a starting image number; determining a number of image storage locations having an image number equal to or greater than the starting image number; instructing the image capture module to capture images a number of times equal to the number of image storage locations having an image number equal to or greater than the starting image number; transferring an image to the memory module each time the image capture module captures an image, the image being transferred into the memory module at a storage location corresponding to the starting image number; and updating the starting image number to correspond to a consecutively subsequent storage location. When a plurality of non-volatile memory modules are provided, a memory module physically closest to the image capture module is completely filled first before a memory module that is next closest to the image capture module is filled. |
| US07855727B2 |
Endoscopy device supporting multiple input devices
The present invention provides a remote-head imaging system with a camera control unit capable of supporting multiple input devices. The camera control unit detects an input device to which it is connected and changes the camera control unit's internal functionality accordingly. Such changes includes altering clock timing, changing video output parameters, and changing image processing software. In addition, a user is able to select different sets of software program instructions and hardware configuration information based on the head that is attached. The remote-head imaging system utilizes field-programmable circuitry, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), in order to facilitate the change in configuration. |
| US07855726B2 |
Apparatus and method for presenting audio in a video teleconference
An advanced video teleconferencing (AVTC) system uniquely combines a number of features to promote a realistic “same room” experience for meeting participants. These features include an autodirector to select audio and video sources and to compose shots, a collaboration interface for each participant to communicate nonverbal information, directional LEDs to privately alert participants, audio reflected from the main display, and a collaborative table to share a video of objects or papers on a table. When implemented with sufficient bandwidth for take advantage of these features and to keep latency time low, this AVTC system results in a highly realistic and productive teleconferencing experience. |
| US07855720B2 |
Digital-to-analog converter and image display device
Disclosed herein is a digital-to-analog converter. The digital-to-analog converter includes: a higher resistor string; a lower resistor string; an operational amplifier; a higher selector; a lower selector; a first switch; a higher capacitor; a second switch; a third switch; and a control circuit. |
| US07855715B1 |
Switch with depth and lateral articulation detection using optical beam
A key switch to sense and give feedback to a computer of depth, acceleration, velocity, and lateral or vibrato movement. The key switch is suitable for computer keyboards, musical keyboards, foot pedals and the like. Lateral or sideward key movements can be for mouse functions or multi code output from multi directional key movement from one key outputting a single key code or key sequences. |
| US07855713B2 |
Program, input evaluation system, and input evaluation method
An input evaluation system for evaluating an operation input of an operator, including: a drawing section which generates an image which seems to have a depth, a first moving object moving in an object space in the image; an information acquisition section which acquires operation information from an operation section which detects at least one of an operation direction, an amount of operation, and an operation speed of the operator for an operation target while the image is displayed in a first display area; a movement processing section which calculates at least one of a moving direction, a moving amount, and a moving velocity of a second moving object based on the operation information, and controls movement of the second moving object in the object space; and an evaluation section which evaluates the operation input of the operator based on a positional relationship between the first moving object and the second moving object in the object space. |
| US07855706B2 |
Method of driving electro-optical element, pixel circuit, electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
Provided is a method of driving an electro-optical element having a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electro-optical material provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and having optical characteristics which vary in accordance with an applied voltage, including: applying a fixed voltage to the first electrode and applying a data voltage according to a gray scale level to be displayed to the second electrode in a first period; applying the data voltage to the first electrode and applying the fixed voltage to the second electrode in a second period; and alternately repeating the driving in the first period and the driving in the second period. |
| US07855702B2 |
Scaling-friendly architecture for LED (backlight) drivers to minimize PCB trace lines
This invention is a new LED back lighting architecture that each individual LED is controlled by its associated LED drive cell. The LEDs are sequentially connected one after another. A host controller transmits image displaying signals by signal scanning-flows. The current flow for controlling each LED's color lighting is by either binary current flow control or two-steps progressive current flow control. |
| US07855699B2 |
Drive device and a display device
A display device includes a display panel having rows of scanning lines and columns of data lines; and a matrix of display pixels near intersections of the scanning lines and the data line. A scanning driver circuit which selects display pixels of rows connected to some of the scanning lines, and a signal driver generates display data for each display pixel. The display panel has scanning line groups which constitute sets of scanning lines through which simultaneous selection is performed by the scanning driver circuit; a plurality of scanning signal lines connected to each of the scanning line groups; and a plurality of data line groups which constitute sets of the data lines corresponding to a line count of the display pixels of the rows connected to each of the scanning line groups within the data lines. |
| US07855698B2 |
Display driving method and apparatus
A display driving method drives a display to make a gradation display on a screen of the display depending on a length of a light emission time in each of sub fields forming 1 field, where 1 field is a time in which an image is displayed, N sub fields SF1 through SFN form 1 field, and each sub field includes an address display-time in which a wall charge is formed with respect to all pixels which are to emit light within the sub field and a sustain time which is equal to the light emission time and determines a luminance level. The display driving method includes the steps of setting the sustain times of each of the sub fields approximately constant within 1 field, and displaying image data on the display using N+1 gradation levels from a luminance level 0 to a luminance level N. |
| US07855697B2 |
Antenna systems for passive RFID tags
Antenna systems for passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The antenna systems have a very small form factor with good power harvesting and good performance in proximity to other antennas. The antenna system includes at least one, and preferably two, parallel serpentine antenna elements formed on, or otherwise supported by, an antenna substrate so that a RFID-tag integrated circuit (IC) can be electrically contacted to the antenna system at one end of the antenna substrate. A conducting wire that runs in the same direction as the at least one serpentine antenna element is used to match impedance and enhance antenna performance and power flow between the antenna and the IC. An impedance-matching circuit may be employed in place of the conducting wire to facilitate impedance matching between the antenna and the IC. |
| US07855694B2 |
Radio system, radio apparatus, and antenna device
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio system including: a first radio apparatus that has a first loop antenna; and a second radio apparatus that has a second loop antenna and that performs a radio communication with the first radio apparatus when the second loop antenna is opposed with the first loop antenna, wherein the second radio apparatus has a shield member that is formed of a magnetic substance and disposed to shield at least a portion of the second loop antenna with respect to the first loop antenna when the radio communication is performed. |
| US07855691B2 |
Automotive radar using a metamaterial lens
An example apparatus comprises an electromagnetic source, such as an antenna, a metamaterial lens, and a reflector. The antenna is located proximate the metamaterial lens, for example supported by the metamaterial lens, and the antenna is operable to generate radiation when the antenna is energized. The reflector is positioned so as to reflect the radiation through the metamaterial lens. The reflector may have a generally concave reflective surface, for example having a parabolic or spherical cross-section. The metamaterial lens may have an area similar to that of the aperture of the reflector. In some examples, the antenna is located proximate a focal point of the reflector, so that a generally parallel beam is obtained after reflection from the reflector. |
| US07855689B2 |
Antenna apparatus for radio communication
An antenna apparatus has a ground plane and a traveling-wave linear antenna The ground plane has a dielectric layer and metallic plates disposed on the dielectric layer. The plates placed on a front side of the ground plane act as a band gap surface. The dielectric constant and thickness of the dielectric layer, the number of plates and the width of spaces among the plates are adjusted, so that the band gap surface prevents propagation of electromagnetic waves within a specific frequency band. The antenna is disposed over the band gap surface on the front side of the ground plane to be spaced away from the band gap surface. The antenna radiates electromagnetic waves of an operational frequency within the specific frequency band in response to an alternating current of the operational frequency fed to the linear antenna. |
| US07855688B2 |
Removable mounting device for antenna
A mounting device for an antenna device and its method for mounting, and removing the antenna utilizes a dock unit and a base unit. In addition to providing a mounting mechanism, the capture or mounting of the device incorporates a storage feature for the antenna cable to make it transportable. The apparatus provides a means for connecting an antenna to a housing, storing a cable in the housing, and capturing the housing to a docking mechanism while allowing for easy removal of the antenna, and cable storage feature. |
| US07855687B2 |
Printed circuit board, display device having the same and a method thereof
A display device including a display panel and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes an insulating layer, a circuit wire portion, an antenna arranged on the insulating layer and a connection wire portion. The insulating layer includes a base portion and a protruding portion protruded from a side of the base portion. The circuit wire portion is arranged on the base portion. The antenna is arranged on the protruding portion and insulated from the circuit wire portion. The connection wire portion is arranged on the base portion and electrically connected to the antenna. The antenna is exposed outside of the display panel. |
| US07855684B2 |
Method and system for locating sensor node in sensor network using distance determining algorithm
For a sensor network having reference nodes and sensor nodes, A method and apparatus using a distance determining algorithm for a sensor network having reference nodes and sensor nodes. A distance determining algorithm is executed to determine an adequate distance between reference nodes within a preset error range, and a position location table is created. A sensor node sends a location information request to reference nodes, receives the position location table and location information from the reference nodes, and computes the coordinates of its position. Alternatively, without requesting transmission of the position location table, the sensor node may receive calculated coordinates of its position directly from a reference node. |
| US07855683B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for GPS coordinates extrapolation when GPS signals are not available
Systems and methods for extrapolating GPS coordinates beyond line of sight are disclosed. A coordinate extrapolation system (CES) can include a memory, a processor, and a GPS receiver. The CES can receive GPS signals and determine GPS coordinates corresponding to a location. If GPS signals are unavailable, the CES models the surface of the earth and extrapolates the GPS coordinates corresponding to the location at which GPS signals are unavailable. Methods for extrapolating the GPS coordinates and calibrating the CES are also disclosed. |
| US07855672B1 |
Compressed codeset database format for remote control devices
A database of codesets for a remote control device includes codeset information blocks for derivative codesets and codeset information blocks for nonderivative codesets. A codeset information block for a derivative codeset includes: a bit indicating that the block is for a derivative codeset, a plurality of bits each of which corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of fields in a referenced codeset information block, and a pointer that points to the referenced codeset information block. The digital value of a bit determines whether information from the corresponding field in the referenced block will be used as part of the derivative codeset or whether such information is contained in the derivative codeset information block itself. The sizes of the fields in the referenced block are predetermined or are determinable, so a field in the referenced block can be located if its bit is set in the referencing block. |
| US07855671B2 |
Pipelined analog-to-digital converter having a power optimized programmable data rate
The present invention is related to a pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) utilizing a power distribution scheme selectively delivering both constant and variable reference currents in selected proportions to a plurality of stages and operational transconductive amplifiers (OTAs). This permits the ADC to maintain an optimized speed over power consumption ratio over a wide data rate range. Since the invention is capable of supporting a large operating range while maintaining very low power consumption relative to the data rate, the pipelined ADC in accordance with the present invention is particularly adaptable to a large number of applications. |
| US07855668B2 |
Delta sigma A/D modulator
A multibit quantizer is provided, at its input terminals, with a variable gain circuit and an offset addition circuit to perform tracking control in which for each sampling time, the level of an offset signal of the offset addition circuit is adjusted based on output digital data of an output processing circuit and the preceding control signal of an offset control circuit so that the quantizer operates without causing a saturation operation. As a result, the output digital data, in which the number of bits is greater than the number of bits of the quantizer by the offset value controlled by the offset addition circuit, is outputted from the output processing circuit for each sampling time. |
| US07855665B1 |
Enumerative DC-RLL constrained coding
Systems and methods are provided for encoding and decoding constrained codewords using an enumerative coding graph. The constrained codewords may contain run-length and DC level limits. The enumerative coding graph contains a series of states and each state has multiple branches that lead to other states. Each state in the enumerative coding graph is associated with at least two bits of an enumerative codeword. Configuring the structure of the graph and cardinalities associated with each state allows the encoder to generate a code that conforms to defined constraints. |
| US07855664B2 |
Display system for aircraft
A display system includes information sources containing information relating to an aircraft and its surrounding environment. A processor constructs a three-dimensional synthesis image of the aircraft environment, using the information from the information sources, so as to display the position of the aircraft, the environment through which the aircraft is moving, and the terrain to be flown over. The synthesis image is coherent with information relating to another display. A display unit displays the synthesis image on one area of a display screen. |
| US07855662B2 |
System for detecting over axle weight vehicle
A technique for recording the front image of vehicles which violate the regulation in the axle weight is desired. In general, the weight of the leading axle cannot be excessively heavy, so that the over weight axle is a second or more rear side axle. Further, the distance between an axle weight detector and a vehicle detector for taking a vehicle image is normally below 8 meters. Under these conditions, when the over weight axle is detected, the over axle weight vehicle is predicted to be a vehicle being presently detected, a vehicle to be detected next, or next to the next. From the images of those vehicles, vehicles having no possibility of violating the axle weight regulation are eliminated based on a license plate read from the vehicle image or the measured vehicle height. The images not eliminated are stored as over axle weight vehicle images. |
| US07855661B2 |
Apparatus for monitoring individual parking positions
Apparatus for the individual monitoring of parking positions of a parking facility comprises a sensor (9) for vehicle detection and optical indicator means (5) for indicating the occupied/free status of a parking position (4). Sensor (9) has a transmit aerial (10) to radio the occupied/free status of parking position (4) to the parking facility control center. The optical indicator means (5) comprises a bistable indicating element. |
| US07855660B2 |
Multipurpose LED signal system for pedestrian and traffic control
This invention provides a pedestrian signal system not only for normal pedestrians but also for the blind, the disabled person of weak sight, and the illiterate by displaying the remaining time of each signal change in image figures at the signal head and by generating a voice signal in real time. It reduces the cost of the system fabrication, installation and maintenance of the system by combining the five functions of the pedestrian signals such as a walk signal, a stop signal, a remaining time of each signal of red/green and/or the voice generator for blinds in one signal head. Also, this invention provides the useful double safety traffic signal system especially for a school zone by installing LED studs on the stop line at crossroad for warning drivers by blinking the LED studs automatically when the walk signal is in on-mode. |
| US07855657B2 |
Device for communicating environmental information to a visually impaired person
An aid for a blind person (1), includes a distance sensor (3), which creates a distance image of an object (2). The distance information that is generated by the distance sensor (3) is transmitted to a tactile matrix (10), which is integrated into a guide stick (11). The blind person (1) obtains information about his or her environment by touching the tactile matrix (10). |
| US07855638B2 |
GPS based spectator and participant sport system and method
A spectator sport system and method that displays different views of a sporting event and, in particular, uses the spectator's GPS position to assist in displaying a view from the spectator's position. The spectator, using a personal device, can zoom, pan, tilt and change the view, as well as change the view to another position, such as a finish line, goal, or a participant position. Vital information on the sporting event or a participant can be appended to the view. In some forms, augmented reality can be used, such as a finish line or goal, to enhance the experience. Additional service requests can be made from the personal device. |
| US07855636B2 |
Method for dynamically adjusting the sensitivity of a sensor in a security system
A method for dynamically changing a control panel response to a transmission from one or more multi-output sensors. The transmission includes a state of a plurality of sensitivity levels for each multi-output sensor indicating multiple outputs. The method comprising the steps of receiving a transmission from the multi-output sensor, determining a source of the transmission, determining a state of each of the sensitivity levels determining if at least one selection criterion is set for selecting one of the plurality of sensitivity levels included in the transmission based upon the determined source. One of the sensitivity levels is selected based upon the determination and an alarm is generated based upon said selected sensitivity level. If more than one selection criterion is set, a priority for the selection criterion is determined. |
| US07855633B2 |
Remote control automatic appliance activation
A programmable remote control automatically learns characteristics necessary to generate an appliance activation signal. A sensor is positioned proximate to the appliance. A sequence of different activation signals is transmitted. A determination as to which signal activated the appliance is made based on a received sensor signal. Data representing the determined activation scheme is associated with an activation input. |
| US07855631B2 |
Composite device
A first terminal electrode is provided directly on one longitudinal end surface of a chip thermistor element, a third terminal electrode is provided directly on the other end surface, a second terminal electrode is provided on a top surface via an insulating layer, a resistor layer is provided adjacent to the second terminal electrode, the second terminal electrode is electrically connected to the resistor layer, and the resistor is electrically connected to the first terminal electrode. Voltage is applied between the input terminal electrode and the ground terminal electrode, the voltage between the output terminal electrode and the ground terminal electrode is measured, and the output voltage is converted to a temperature to detect a change in the temperature. |
| US07855628B2 |
Magnet pole for magnetic levitation vehicles
A magnetic pole comprised of a core (301) and a winding (314) for magnetically levitated vehicles is described. According to the present invention, the winding (314) is comprised of at least two discs (315, 316) that consist of conductor strips wound in several layers around said core (301). The individual layers are electrically insulated by way of first insulation layers (303, 310, 321) radially against each other and against said core (301), while the individual discs (315, 316) are electrically insulated against each other axially by at least a second insulation layer (317). |
| US07855625B2 |
Lamp transformer
Disclosed is a lamp transformer and method of assembling a lamp transformer within an igniter module or housing. The lamp transformer comprises a potted bar core transformer; and a carrier attached to the potted bar core transformer, the carrier adapted to position the potted bar core transformer on a pc board and/or within a housing at a predetermined location. In addition, disclosed is a transformer winding and potting method utilizing a transformer carrier. |
| US07855624B2 |
System and method for minimizing disturbances by a field emission structure
An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function. |
| US07855621B2 |
Reflection-type bandpass filter
A reflection-type bandpass filter for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio data communications is provided. The reflection-type bandpass filter includes a substrate formed by laminating a conducting layer and a dielectric layer, and a microstrip line made of a conductor of a non-uniform width and provided on the dielectric layer. The width distribution of the microstrip line in the lengthwise direction is set such that the absolute value of the difference in reflectivity at the frequency f in the regions f<3.1 GHz and f>10.6 GHz and the reflectivity in the region 3.7 GHz≦f≦10.0 GHz is not less than 10 dB, and the variation of the group delay in the region 3.7 GHz≦f≦10.0 GHz is between −0.2 and 0.2 ns. |
| US07855615B1 |
Frequency adaptive temperature variable attenuator
A temperature-dependent attenuator including one or more temperature-dependent resistors disposed in series with a transmission line and an inductive element shunting at least one of the temperature-dependent resistors. |
| US07855614B2 |
Integrated circuit transmission lines, methods for designing integrated circuits using the same and methods to improve return loss
Integrated circuit transmission lines are designed to match elements at opposing ends of the transmission line over a frequency range of interest. By modifying characteristics of the transmission line over the length of the transmission line, from a first end coupled to a first external element to a second end coupled to a second external element, return loss is improved. In various embodiments one or more of the width of the conductors and the distance between adjacent edges of the conductors are modified across the length of the transmission line. In an alternative embodiment, the conductors of the transmission line are segmented with each segment having a length and a width across the segment. |
| US07855605B1 |
Amplifier circuit
An amplifier circuit includes three amplifier units connected in series. The first amplifier unit includes an input connector for inputting signals and a first transistor amplifier module connected to the input connector. The second amplifier unit includes a notch-filter circuit, a main filter circuit and a second transistor amplifier module. The notch-filter circuit allows only signals in a predetermined frequency to be transmitted from the first transistor amplifier module to the second transistor amplifier module and amplified. The main filter circuit filters signals in frequencies different from the predetermined frequency. The third amplifier unit includes a third transistor amplifier module and an output connector for outputting amplified signals. |
| US07855602B2 |
Amplifier arrangement and signal generation method
An amplifier arrangement includes an output amplifier stage (OA) comprising a stage input (SIN), a stage output (SOUT) which is coupled to a signal output (OUT) of the amplifier arrangement, and a capacitive element (CE) which couples the stage output (SOUT) to the stage input (SIN). A driver stage (DR) comprises a driver input (DIN) and a driver output (DOUT) which is coupled to the stage input (SIN). The driver stage (DR) is configured to generate a voltage potential at a driver output (DOUT) depending on an input current at the driver input (DIN) and to provide a charging current to the capacitive element (CE) being higher than the input current. |
| US07855593B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device enhanced in design efficiency while achieving multi-functionalization and power saving is to be provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit device has first through third circuit blocks, and is placed in a first power supply state in which the operation of internal circuits in the first circuit block is guaranteed in accordance with an instruction from the third circuit block or a second power supply state in which the operation of the internal circuits is not guaranteed. The second circuit block has an input unit which receives signals supplied from the first circuit block, and the input unit of the second circuit block has an input circuit which, in accordance with a control signal sent from said third circuit block to said second circuit block, causes a specific signal level to be maintained in compliance with the operating voltage of the second circuit block irrespective of the signal supplied from the first circuit block when the third circuit block instructs the second power supply state to the first circuit block. |
| US07855588B2 |
Clock signal generation apparatus
A clock signal generation apparatus containing variable delay devices for varying the delay time of two-phase clock signals used in a load circuit that uses non-overlap clock signals; a non-overlap detector for detecting a non-overlap time in the H-level zones of the two-phase clock signals and outputting a detection signal corresponding to the non-overlap time; and a control signal generation section for generating a control signal that is used to control the variable delay devices on the basis of the detection signal from the non-overlap detector, and capable of securely generating the two-phase clock signals having an optimal non-overlap time while absorbing fluctuations due to temperature characteristics, power supply voltage characteristics and individual differences in components. |
| US07855584B2 |
Low lock time delay locked loops using time cycle suppressor
A delay locked loop (DLL) architecture includes a time cycle suppressor circuit suitable for use with synchronous integrated circuits containing a clock generator. Utilization of the improved delay locked loop architecture with a time cycle suppressor circuit disclosed herein enables reduction in the lock time of the synchronous circuit. |
| US07855580B2 |
Phase comparator, phase synchronizing circuit, and phase-comparison control method
A phase comparator includes an edge detecting unit to which a reference signal is input and to which a referred signal based on the reference signal is input as a feedback signal. The edge detecting unit detects an edge of the reference signal and an edge of the referred signal. The phase comparator also includes a phase-difference detecting unit that detects a phase difference between the edge of the reference signal and the edge of the referred signal. The phase comparator also includes a phase-difference-signal output unit that outputs a phase-difference signal for current control based on the phase difference. The phase comparator also includes an input-break detecting unit that detects an input break of the reference signal when an edge of the referred signal is again detected after an edge of the referred signal is detected and before an edge of the reference signal is detected. |
| US07855578B2 |
Domino logic circuit techniques for suppressing subthreshold and gate oxide leakage
Circuits are provided for simultaneously reducing the subthreshold and gate oxide leakage power consumption in domino logic circuits. Sleep transistors and a dual threshold voltage CMOS technology may be utilized to place idle domino logic circuits into a low leakage state. The circuits may significantly lower the total leakage power as compared to the standard dual threshold voltage domino logic circuits at both the high and low die temperatures. The energy overheads of the circuit techniques may be low, justifying the activation of the proposed sleep schemes by providing net savings in total power consumption during short idle periods. |
| US07855572B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device operating frequency determining apparatus, determining method and computer-readable information recording medium
A variation in manufacturing total costs is obtained by using an excessive loss amount caused by unnecessarily discarding elemental semiconductor integrated circuits occurring as a result of a negative result being obtained in an elemental test but a positive result obtained from a device test, and a short loss amount caused by packaging elemental semiconductor integrated circuits for semiconductor integrated circuit devices that are discarded as a result of a positive result being obtained from the elemental test but a negative result being obtained from the device test. A new operating frequency is determined by using the variation in manufacturing total costs with respect to an operating frequency. |
| US07855568B2 |
Probe apparatus with mechanism for achieving a predetermined contact load
A probe apparatus includes a mounting table having a mounting table main body and a chuck top, cylinder mechanisms surrounding a mount of the chuck top, and a connecting mechanism to releasably connect the cylinder mechanisms to a head plate horizontally supporting a probe card. When a semiconductor wafer, mounted on the mount, comes into contact with probes of the probe card, a control unit operates the cylinder mechanisms and the connecting mechanism to connect the cylinder mechanisms to the head plate. Thereafter, the control unit further operates the cylinder mechanisms, to move the chuck top upward from the mounting table main body by a predetermined overdrive amount. Accordingly, the probe apparatus achieves an originally required contact load between the semiconductor wafer and the probes of the probe card while preventing the probe card from being displaced upward during overdriving of the semiconductor wafer, thereby enabling a highly reliable test. |
| US07855565B2 |
Substrate characterization device and method for characterizing a substrate
A substrate characterization device is provided which includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module has at least one contact surface configured to contact the substrate, the sensor module configured to measure a variance of capacitance in at least two dimensions of the substrate, the sensor module further configured to generate a signal indicative of the measured variance. The processor is in operative communication with a memory module and configured to execute a series of programmable instructions for making a comparison of the signal generated by the sensor module with at least one reference signal. The processor is further configured to generate at least one characterization signal based on the comparison. |
| US07855562B2 |
Dual sensor system having fault detection capability
A sensor system (20) includes transducers (32, 34) each yielding an analog signal (37, 39) representing a parameter independently sensed by each of the transducers (32, 34). The signals (37, 39) are summed and the resulting transducer signal (46) is converted to a digital transducer signal (26) by a high resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (48). Concurrently, one of the signals (37, 39) is subtracted from the other. The resulting difference signal (56) is converted to a digital difference signal (60) by a low resolution ADC (58). When the digital difference signal (60) is within a threshold window (78), a fault signal (28) indicates a normal condition (80) of the transducers (32, 34). When the signal (60) falls outside of the threshold window (78), a fault signal (28) indicates a fault condition (82) of the transducers. The transducer and fault signals (26, 28) are concurrently output from the sensor system (20). |
| US07855561B2 |
Test circuit
A test circuit according to the present invention includes: a synthesis circuit that synthesizes a first test result signal output from a first test target circuit in response to a test instruction, and a second test result signal output from a second test target circuit in response to the test instruction; an inter-block delay generation circuit that delays the second test result signal with respect to the first test result signal; and a test result holding circuit that holds a synthesized test result signal every predetermined timing, the synthesized test result signal being output from the synthesis circuit. |
| US07855559B2 |
Circuit and apparatus for decoupling RF surface coils
A decoupling circuit for a radio frequency (RF) surface coil having a plurality of tuning capacitors includes at least two decoupling points and a DC source coupled to the at least two decoupling points. Each decoupling point is associated with one of the plurality of tuning capacitors. Each decoupling point includes a decoupling inductor connected in parallel with a tuning capacitor, a diode connected in series with the decoupling inductor and in parallel with the tuning capacitor, a resistor connected in parallel with the diode and at least one isolating inductor connected between the resistor and the diode to RF isolate the resistor. The value of the resistor in each decoupling point is selected to maintain a high quality factor (Q) of the RF surface coil and to reduce the switching speed of the decoupling circuit. |
| US07855557B2 |
Gas nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus
An NMR apparatus is provided, which is capable of being used for mass spectrometry and structure determination of a gas sample. The NMR apparatus includes: a sample vaporization unit 1 having a sample vaporization chamber 1a; an ionization unit 2 having a ionization chamber 2a and connected to one end of the sample vaporization unit 1 so that the ionization chamber 2a communicates with the sample vaporization chamber 1a; a long-length pipe 3 connected to one end of the ionization unit 2 so that the inside of the pipe 3 communicates with the ionization chamber 2a; a cooling unit 4 having a cooling chamber 4a and connected to one end of the long-length pipe 3 so that the cooling chamber 4a communicates with the inside of the long-length pipe 3; a superconducting magnet 5 having a tubular portion 5a into which the long-length pipe 3 is inserted, the superconducting magnet 5 being capable of applying a magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field in the axial direction of the long-length pipe 3; an ion guide 6 which decelerates gas ions; a mass analysis unit 7 which is used for mass screening of gas ions; and a nuclear magnetic force amplification unit 8 which amplifies the nuclear magnetic force of gas ions. |
| US07855556B2 |
Magnetic sensor and magnetic sensor module
A magnetic sensor including a magnetoresistive effect element has the following structure. Element units each having an element width W1 and an element length L1 perpendicular to the element width W1 and producing a magnetoresistive effect in which electrical resistance changes in response to an external magnetic field are arranged in an element-length direction with a space therebetween. An intermediate permanent magnet layer is disposed in the space, and the element units are connected to each other with the intermediate permanent magnet layer therebetween to form a connected-element body. A plurality of the connected-element bodies are arranged so as to be adjacent to one another in an element-width direction with a space therebetween, the ends of the connected-element bodies are connected to each other with an outer permanent magnet layer therebetween to form a magnetoresistive effect element having a meandering shape. |
| US07855555B2 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic field measurements using a magnetoresistive sensor
The device for measuring magnetic field by using a magnetoresistive sensor comprises at least one magnetoresistive sensor (5), a module (50) for measuring the resistance of the magnetoresistive sensor (5), a generator module (40, 6) for generating an additional magnetic field in the space containing the magnetoresistive sensor (5), and a control unit (60) firstly for selectively controlling the generator module (40, 6) to apply an additional magnetic field pulse possessing a first value with first polarity that is positive or negative and magnitude that is sufficient to saturate the magnetoresistive sensor (5), and secondly for selectively controlling measurement of the resistance of the magnetoresistive sensor (5) by the module (50) for measuring resistance. |
| US07855551B2 |
Stick position sensor with removable cover for a sensor head
The present invention refers to position sensors in stick design, for installation in hydraulic cylinders, which may be maintained and replaced without having to open the hydraulic system of the cylinder and thus causing leakage. According to the invention the sensor includes a sensor head housing having an attachable and detachable sensor head cover which can be opened without removing the remaining housing out of the piston cylinder unit. Opening of the sensor-head-cover allows easy access to the functional components of the sensor. |
| US07855548B2 |
Low labor enclosure assembly
There is disclosed a base member for holding, without screws, a printed circuit board having conductive traces and electronic components and which can fit into an electric outlet box. The base member has walls which define a cavity where at least one wall of the cavity has a rib, the top of which functions as a stop for the printed circuit board. A cap having snap features adapted to engage the walls of the cavity restricts removal of the printed circuit board when snapped into position on top of the printed circuit board. The cap conceals the electronics on the printed circuit board and has at least one rib on its bottom surface to apply pressure to the printed circuit board assembly to help hold it in place. An aperture in the cap provides access to a pin header which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. A screw terminal block is provided to connect the terminals on the pin header to a sensor. The printed circuit board has one edge an open side hour glass shape aperture which provides strain relief for wires from the printed circuit board. Opposite ends of the aperture hold two wires captive and the space between the two wires holds captive a third wire. |
| US07855546B2 |
Current sensor having core with magnetic gap
In a current sensor having a magnetic gap, a main body is divided into a first case segment having a terminal and a second case segment. An opening is formed in the main body. A magnetic sensor element is mounted on an element mounting portion arranged on a surface of the first case segment, the surface attaching to the second case segment. The sensor element is electrically coupled with the terminal. A core holding portion is formed in the main body that surrounds the opening and the element mounting portion. A core having the magnetic gap is inserted in the core holding portion. The sensor element is arranged in the magnetic gap of the core on the element mounting portion. The sensor element can thereby be disposed accurately in the magnetic gap of the core, and detection accuracy of the current sensor can be increased. |
| US07855543B2 |
Force invariant touch sensitive actuator
A load control device, such as a dimmer switch, has a touch sensitive actuator, such as a three-wire touch sensitive screen, that produces an output voltage representing the position of a manual pressure touch along a longitudinal axis of the actuator. A stabilizing circuit receives the output voltage of the actuator and comprises, for example, a capacitor. The stabilizing circuit operates to prevent the detection of transient touches and touches having less than a certain actuation force, such that the output voltage is responsive only to the position of the touch. In addition, a usage detection circuit may also be coupled to the output voltage of the actuator for determining whether the touch is presently occurring. Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a four-wire touch sensitive screen that produces a first output voltage received by the stabilizing circuit and a second output voltage received by the usage detection circuit. |
| US07855541B2 |
Method and apparatus to control a power supply for high efficiency
A power supply control circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, a power supply control circuit includes a controller to be coupled to a switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response to a feedback signal and a parameter change signal. A parameter response circuit is coupled to generate the parameter change signal in response to a difference between a first value of a parameter measured before an event and a second value of the parameter measured after the event. The difference between the first value of the parameter and the second value of the parameter is representative of the relative efficiency of the power supply. |
| US07855540B2 |
Method and apparatus for a high voltage power supply circuit
A high voltage power supply method and apparatus is disclosed. An example power supply circuit includes a rectifier circuit coupled to receive an AC input voltage. A switchmode power converter circuit is coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive a rectified input voltage to generate a regulated output voltage. A switch is coupled between the rectifier circuit and the switchmode power converter circuit. A sense circuit is coupled to detect the AC input voltage. The sense circuit is coupled to turn off the switch when an absolute value of the AC input voltage exceeds a first threshold value. The sense circuit is coupled to turn on the switch when the absolute value of the AC input voltage is below a second threshold value. |
| US07855538B2 |
Method for current sensing in switched DC-to-DC converters
A method for sensing the supply current of a switched DC-to-DC converter is discussed. The method sensing a first voltage that is proportional to the supply current, wherein the first voltage has first noise; outputting a second voltage that is based on the first voltage, and wherein the second voltage has second noise that is smaller than the first noise; and comparing the second voltage to a reference voltage to provide an indication of the supply current. According to the systems and methods disclosed herein, accurate current sensing is provided. |
| US07855536B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device minimizing the total power of both the power supply and the load
Source voltage and substrate voltage are supplied to a semiconductor integrated circuit 1E from the regulator circuits 11C and 21C of a power supply circuit 1C via a power detection compensating circuit 1D. The power efficiency value of a regulator is stored in the resistor file 13D, various detection information and power values are input to an operator 14D, the power values and the power efficiency values of the regulator circuits 11C and 21C are accumulated, and the power sum of a semiconductor integrated circuit 1E and a power supply circuit 1C are output. Minimum power implementation information corresponding to the various detection information of the semiconductor integrated circuit 1E is stored in an LUT 15D. Variable resistances R1a and R2a are controlled for determining the reference voltage values of the regulator circuits 11C and 21C so that the power sum is the minimum power value by comparing the minimum power implementation information with the output 14D. |
| US07855534B2 |
Method for regulating a voltage using a dual loop linear voltage regulator with high frequency noise reduction
A method for regulating a voltage using a linear voltage regulator is provided. The linear voltage regulator has a first circuit with a primary output node and a second circuit having first and second inverters electrically coupled to the primary output node. The method includes receiving a first voltage from a voltage source at the first circuit. The method further includes removing frequency components of the first voltage in a first frequency range to obtain an output voltage at the primary output node utilizing the first circuit. The method further includes removing frequency components of the output voltage in a second frequency range utilizing the first and second inverters of the second circuit, the second frequency range being greater than the first frequency range. |
| US07855533B2 |
Charging apparatus
A charging apparatus suppresses rise in temperature of an internal chip of a charging element. The output signal obtained from a current detecting portion for detecting charging current to a capacitor and from a voltage detecting portion for detecting a difference between a voltage (VC) of capacitor and a voltage corresponding to DC power supply is integrated by integrator. The charging is carried out by controlling power of a charging element to a predetermined value using an output signal of the integrator and at a time near the completion of the charging, the charging element is controlled by constant-voltage-control-circuit so as to charge the capacitor up to a predetermined voltage. Consequently, the maximum temperature inside the charging element is reduced, thereby providing a charging apparatus with high reliability. |
| US07855532B2 |
Power supply circuit with control switches to voltage multiplier having same frequency as clock
A power supply circuit includes a first power supply configured to output a first voltage; a second power supply provided separately from the first power supply to output a second voltage; and a boosting circuit configured to use the first voltage as an input voltage to boost the input voltage toward a target voltage. The target voltage has a voltage width, and when an output voltage of the boosting circuit exceeds an upper limit of the target voltage, the input voltage is switched the first voltage of the first power supply to the second voltage of the second power supply. |
| US07855531B2 |
Charge and discharge control circuit and battery device
When pulse charging is performed in an overcharge state or an overdischarge state in a charge and discharge control circuit and a battery device, a problem in that a pseudo overcurrent phenomenon occurs repeatedly to hinder normal operations of the charge and discharge control circuit and the battery device is addressed, thereby providing a safe battery device. Thus, there are provided a charge and discharge control circuit and a battery device having a structure in which charge overcurrent detection in the overcharge state and discharge overcurrent detection in the overdischarge state are invalidated. |
| US07855530B2 |
Battery charging system and method of reducing variation in battery charging cycle count
A battery charging system includes a housing having a plurality of docking stations coupled therewith. A control device is coupled with a battery charging interface of each of the plurality of docking stations, and is configured to reduce variation in charging cycle count among a plurality of batteries configured to dock with the battery charging interfaces. A method of reducing variation in charging cycle count in a system of batteries includes receiving inputs associated with a charging cycle count for each of a plurality of interchangeable batteries docked with a common battery charger, and outputting a battery selection signal based at least in part on the inputs. |
| US07855528B2 |
Power supply for portable apparatuses
A power supply for portable apparatuses includes a plurality of power supplies and at least one charging station. Each power supply has a housing, a power input portion, a plurality of power output portions, a storage battery, and a first circuit board. The first circuit board is electrically connected with the storage battery and both are located in the housing. The power input portion and the power output portions are electrically connected with the first circuit board. The charging station includes a base, a plurality of charging connectors, and a second circuit board. The base has a plurality of charging ports that can be connected with the power supplies. The second circuit board is located in the base. The charging connectors are electrically connected with the second circuit board. The charging connectors respectively correspond to the charging ports for charging the power supply connected with the charging ports. |
| US07855526B2 |
Power conversion control device, power conversion control method, and power conversion control program
In the present invention, when configuring a control system of an inverter performing power conversion between AC and DC, a frequency computation is performed based on biaxial voltage amounts obtained through two current regulators in such a way that each of biaxial component currents obtained by detecting an AC circuit current and performing a rotational coordinate transformation matches each respective command value and phase information in synchronization with an electromotive force power supply of the AC circuit is obtained by integrating the frequency to perform the rotational coordinate transformation of the AC current and also the inverter is caused to operate by generating a PWM switching signal from the biaxial voltage amounts to perform necessary power conversion control. |
| US07855521B2 |
Motor drive circuit
A pulse generation unit generates a PWM signal whose duty ratio changes according to a target torque of a motor. A back electromotive detection circuit compares a back electromotive voltage generated at a coil of the motor with a middle point voltage of the coil, and outputs a back electromotive detection signal that becomes high level at a timing of the zero crossing point. A phase adjustment unit compares phases of the back electromotive detection signal and a reference signal that becomes a predetermined level at a predetermined timing, and adjusts the duty ratio of the PWM signal by feedback so that the phase error becomes a minimum. A frequency adjustment unit adjusts the frequency of the PWM signal such that the frequency of the PWM signal becomes integral multiples of the frequency of the back electromotive detection signal. |
| US07855512B2 |
Device for lighting a high-pressure discharge lamp by supplying alternating current
The high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device of the invention includes a lighting circuit for supplying an alternating current to a high-pressure discharge lamp to cause lighting, the high-pressure discharge lamp having an arc tube in which a halogen material is enclosed and a pair of electrodes is disposed, and each electrode having a protuberance at a tip thereof. A frequency of the alternating current varies without dependency on operating data that varies as a lighting time of the high-pressure discharge lamp elapses. |
| US07855511B2 |
Plasma lamp with phase control
A plasma lamp for an electrodeless plasma lamp having a waveguide body with an effective dielectric constant of at least 2. A drive probe is coupled to the waveguide body to provide the primary power for ignition and steady state operation of the lamp. A phase shifter is used to adjust the phase of the power provided to the drive probe between ignition and steady state operation. The phase shifter may also be used to adjust brightness during steady state operation. |
| US07855506B2 |
Electric field light emitting element
An organic EL element that is an electroluminescence element has at least an organic layer held between a pair of electrodes. At least an electrode made of material having a higher volume resistivity, of the pair of electrodes, is formed in a flat form. The organic layer is provided with a plurality of non-light emitting portions. The non-light emitting portions are provided so that a larger number of non-light emitting portions exist per unit area at a position physically closer to the position of a terminal portion at which the electrode made of material having the higher volume resistivity is connected to an external connection terminal. As a result, the level of current passing per unit area is substantially uniform at each position on the element. |
| US07855501B2 |
LED with phosphor layer having different thickness or different phosphor concentration
A light-emitting device (1) includes a substrate (10), a light-emitting element (12) that is mounted on the substrate (10) and includes a luminous region (12b) and a nonluminous region (12a), and a phosphor layer (13) that is formed to cover the light-emitting element (12). The thickness of the phosphor layer (13a) located on the nonluminous region (12a) is smaller than that of the phosphor layer (13b) located on the luminous region (12b). The light-emitting device (1) can suppress nonuniform luminescent color. |
| US07855498B2 |
Light-emitting device with a sealing integrated driver circuit
The invention relates to light-emitting diodes (O-LED). In particular, it relates to the driver electronics needed for these devices. An organic electroluminescent device is provided, which has a hermetically closed very flat housing. To improve the functionality of an O-LED, considerably reduce the height of an O-LED module and allow a cost-effective mass production, the driver circuit and the electronic driver elements or the printed circuit board (PCH) with the electronic driver elements are incorporated into the cover plate of the device. |
| US07855494B2 |
Film-provided molded piece, method for and apparatus for producing the same
An electric connection part between a bulb and a terminal is masked without using a special masking material when a lamp unit is produced through a primary injection step of molding a lamp main body and a lens part while using a movable mold and a fixed mold, a film forming step of covering the lamp main body with a film, and a secondary injection step of uniting the lamp main body and the lens part together with a resinous material. The bulb is incorporated through a step set between the primary injection step and the film forming step. In the state in which the bulb is incorporated in the lamp main body, the surface of the top of the bulb is covered with a film, and a part hidden by the shadow of the film is masked, and hence electric insulation properties are secured. |
| US07855492B2 |
Lamp holder for a dielectric barrier discharge lamp
A lamp holder for a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) lamp (1), especially for use in a treatment system or reactor or housing or in an irradiation apparatus, for radiating a medium like a fluid and/or a gas and/or a solid material by means of the DBD lamp (1) is disclosed. The holder substantially comprises two end caps (21, 31) at the axial ends of the lamp (1) and an inner electrode (23, 24; 33, 34) with a screw fitting (SF) for exerting an axial pressure on both axial ends of the lamp (I) via both end caps (21, 31) and with axial bores (25, 35) into an inner volume (14) for guiding especially a cooling medium and for electrically contacting an inner tube (II) of the lamp (1). The holder has a comparatively simple construction and can easily be assembled. Furthermore, even larger tolerances of the lamp length can be compensated and a reliable sealing of the inner volume (14) against the outside of the lamp (1) is achieved. |
| US07855489B2 |
Microactuator substrate
The substrate includes a stroke amplifier for generating an amount of amplified motion converted from a force received thereon. The substrate also includes a rotating device coupled to the stroke amplifier, the rotating device comprising supporting rotational springs. The rotating device is separate and independent from the stroke amplifier and has a center of rotation substantially proximal to a center of mass of an object disposable thereon. The rotating device causes a rotation in a portion of the substrate upon receiving said amplified motion. The substrate further includes a piezoelectric actuator that is coupled to the stroke amplifier and is for generating the force. The stroke amplifier and the rotating device are integrated within the substrate. |
| US07855487B2 |
Generator end turn stress reduction collar
A collar is to be positioned on a generator and includes an inner bore sized to be received on an outer periphery of a generator shaft. The collar has an outer periphery, which is generally hexagonal. The collar has an axially extending ledge to be received within an inner periphery of an end turn support in a generator. |
| US07855484B2 |
Insulating member and stator
An insulator is provided between a stator core and a conductive wire provided on the stator core. The insulator includes a wound portion, around which the conductive wire is wounded, having a substantially rectangular shape; and a flange, formed in the axial end of the wound portion in the stator tooth tip side, for pressing the conductive wire in the axial direction (radial direction relative to the rotation axis of a rotor in a configuration of a rotating electrical machine). The flange includes four corner portions at its four corners, and intermediate portions formed between the four corner portions to have a width (B2) narrower than the width (B1) of the four corner portions. In addition, the flange has a tip with a curved shape. |
| US07855481B2 |
Stator lead retainer
A stator lead retainer includes a stator lead retainer body having a plurality of through-holes extending longitudinally therethrough, each through-hole configured for receiving a stator lead. The stator lead body is constructed from an elastic material and is operable to accommodate stator leads of different cross-sectional shapes and diameters. |
| US07855480B2 |
Rectifier device for automotive alternator
An AC generator, referred to as an alternator, is mounted on an automotive vehicle for supplying electric power to an on-board battery and other electric loads. The alternator includes a rectifier device for rectifying alternating current to direct current. The rectifier is composed of a minus-side heat-radiating plate on which six minus-side rectifier elements are mounted and a plus-side heat-radiating plate on which six plus-side rectifier elements are mounted. Each rectifier is mounted on the heat-radiating plate in the same manner, i.e., by forcibly inserting the rectifier element into a mounting hole formed in the heat-radiating plate. A disc portion of the rectifier element has an outer peripheral surface on which knurls are formed. The outer peripheral surface having the knurls is tapered so that the disc portion is easily inserted into the mounting hole while establishing a firm grip and a good heat-conductive contact between the rectifier element and the heat-radiating surface. |
| US07855475B2 |
Movable barrier operator with energy management control and corresponding method
A movable barrier operator system wherein one or more of the various components of the system is configured to operate selectively in at least either of two operational modes. Each operating mode is characterized by a corresponding energy usage profile. The operational status of the system is monitored and operating modes are selected that serve both to substantially ensure proper operation given current likely operational expectations and an overall desire to reduce energy consumption. |
| US07855474B2 |
System and method for pre-detection in a power over ethernet system
A system and method for pre-detection in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system. A power sourcing equipment (PSE) is designed to measure a port voltage upon application of a small current source. A microcontroller controls the current source based on a comparison of the measured port voltage to a threshold voltage. |
| US07855472B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power
Methods and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power are provided by aspects of the invention. One aspect is more particularly directed to an uninterruptible power supply for providing power to a load. The uninterruptible power supply includes an input to receive input power, an output to provide output power, a plurality of battery modules that provide backup power, a power circuit coupled to the input, coupled to the plurality of battery modules and coupled to the output to provide power derived from at least one of the input power and the backup power to the output, a controller, a return line coupled to the controller and coupled to each of the battery modules, and a first sense line coupled to the controller and coupled to the plurality of battery modules. The controller and each of the battery modules are configured and arranged such that at least one characteristic of the battery modules is determined by the controller based on signals detected by the controller on the first sense line. |
| US07855469B2 |
Condition monitoring system for wind turbine generator and method for operating wind turbine generator
A method for operating a wind turbine generator includes generating at least one of a plurality of rotor shaft angular displacement values, a plurality of rotor shaft angular velocity signals, and a plurality of rotor shaft angular acceleration signals. The method also includes determining a torsional moment within a rotor shaft, and modulating at least one of a wind turbine generator yaw orientation and a blade pitch orientation as a function of the determined torsional moment. |
| US07855465B2 |
Three plus three phase flywheel electric power supply
A flywheel power supply includes a motor-generator having a polyphase stator. |
| US07855461B2 |
Chip structure with bumps and testing pads
A chip structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of dielectric layers, a plurality of circuit layers, a passivation layer, a metal layer and at least a bump. The semiconductor substrate has a plurality of electronic devices positioned on a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layers are sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate and have a plurality of via holes. The circuit layers are disposed on one of the dielectric layers, wherein the circuit layers are electrically connected with each other through the via holes and are electrically connected to the electronic devices. The passivation layer is disposed over the circuit layers and the dielectric layers, wherein the passivation layer comprises an opening that exposes one of the metal layers. The metal layer is disposed over the passivation layer, wherein the metal layer comprises at least a bump pad and at least a testing pad, the bump pad electrically connecting with the testing pad. The bump is disposed on the bump pad. |
| US07855460B2 |
Electronic component to protect an interface between a conductor and an insulator and method for manufacturing the same
An electronic component is provided with a first conductor, an insulator for covering a surface of the first conductor, a via hole penetrating the insulator, and a second conductor located on a surface of the insulator and electrically connected to the first conductor through the via hole, and includes a shielding film having conductivity, being interposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, and covering an interface between the first conductor and the insulator in the via hole by extending continuously at least from the surface of the first conductor constituting a bottom surface of the via hole to an inner wall surface of the via hole. |
| US07855456B2 |
Metal line of semiconductor device without production of high resistance compound due to metal diffusion and method for forming the same
A metal line includes a lower metal line formed on a semiconductor substrate. An insulation layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate having the lower metal line, and a metal line forming region exposing at least a portion of the lower metal line is defined in the insulation layer. A diffusion barrier is formed on a surface of the metal line forming region of the insulation layer and includes a WNx layer, a W—N—B ternary layer, and a Ti—N—B ternary layer. A wetting layer is formed on the diffusion barrier and is made of one of a Ti layer or a TiN layer. An upper metal line is formed on the wetting layer to fill the metal line forming region of the insulation layer. |
| US07855454B2 |
Semiconductor device structures including nickel plated aluminum, copper, and tungsten structures
A method of activating a metal structure on an intermediate semiconductor device structure toward metal plating. The method comprises providing an intermediate semiconductor device structure comprising at least one first metal structure and at least one second metal structure on a semiconductor substrate. The at least one first metal structure comprises at least one aluminum structure, at least one copper structure, or at least one structure comprising a mixture of aluminum and copper and the at least one second metal structure comprises at least one tungsten structure. One of the at least one first metal structure and the at least one second metal structure is activated toward metal plating without activating the other of the at least one first metal structure and the at least one second metal structure. An intermediate semiconductor device structure is also disclosed. |
| US07855453B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device in which a high concentration n type impurity region to be a conductive path and a drain electrode are disposed in an outer circumferential end of the chip to be an inactive region as a device region. Thereby, an up-drain structure is obtained without reducing the device region or without increasing the size of a semiconductor chip. The provided n type impurity region and drain electrode causes a depletion layer of a substrate to be terminated without needing an additional conventional annular region or shield metal. This is because the n type impurity region and the drain electrode also function as the annular region and the shield metal, respectively. With this configuration, a MOSFET with the up-drain structure having necessary components is obtained, while avoiding a reduction of the device region or an increase of the chip area. |
| US07855446B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and semiconductor memory card
A semiconductor memory card includes a wiring board which has a first pad region along a first long side and a second pad region along a second long side. First memory chips which configure a first chip group are stacked in a step-like shape on the wiring board. Second memory chips which configure a second chip group are stacked in a step-like shape on the first chip group with the direction reversed. The electrode pads of the first memory chips are electrically connected to the connection pads arranged on the first pad region, and the electrode pads of the second memory chips are electrically connected to the connection pads arranged on the second pad region. |
| US07855438B2 |
Deep via construction for a semiconductor device
An integrated circuit semiconductor device includes a substrate, a deep via within the substrate which is provided with a dielectric cladding in contact with the substrate, metal fill located within the deep via and defining an upper surface, interconnect wiring, and a dielectric layer located above the deep via and a void between the upper surface of the metal fill and the dielectric layer. The interconnect wiring layer contacts the metal fill laterally. |
| US07855437B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor package having the same
A semiconductor device having no voids and a semiconductor package using the same is described. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a circuit section which is formed in a first area and a peripheral section which is formed in a second area defined around the first area, and an insulation layer covering the first and second areas and having at least one void removing part which extends from the first area to the second area to prevent a void from being formed. |
| US07855435B2 |
Integrated circuit, method of manufacturing an integrated circuit, and memory module
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit including a plurality of memory cells is provided. Each memory cell includes a resistivity changing memory element which includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and resistivity changing material being disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. Each resistivity changing memory element is at least partially surrounded by a thermal insulating structure. The thermal insulating structures are arranged such that the dissipation of heat generated within the resistivity changing memory elements into the environment of the resistivity changing memory elements is lowered. |
| US07855429B2 |
Electronic circuit device having silicon substrate
An electronic circuit device comprises a silicon substrate having front and rear surfaces, a semiconductor element formed on the front surface, and at least one through-hole penetrating through the front surface and the rear surface. At least one passive element is supported by the silicon substrate. At least one connecting element is disposed in the through-hole of the silicon substrate for electrically connecting the semiconductor element to the passive element. |
| US07855428B2 |
Conductive liner at an interface between a shallow trench isolation structure and a buried oxide layer
The invention relates to a design structure, and more particularly, to a design structure for a conductive liner for rad hard total dose immunity and a structure thereof. The structure includes at least one shallow trench isolation structure having oxide material and formed in an SOI. A dielectric liner is formed at an interface of the SOI within the at least one shallow trench isolation structure. A metal or metal alloy layer is formed in the at least one shallow trench isolation structure and between the dielectric liner and the oxide material. |
| US07855427B2 |
Semiconductor device with a plurality of isolated conductive films
A semiconductor layer provided on a BOX (buried oxide) layer includes a first P-type region, an N+-type region, and an N−-type region which together form a diode. A plurality of second P-type regions are provided on a bottom part of the semiconductor layer. A plurality of insulating oxide films are interposed between the plurality of second P-type regions. When the diode is in a reverse-biased state, the second P-type region directly below the N+-type region is approximately the same in potential as the N+-type region. The second P-type region will be lower in potential relative to this second P-type region directly below the N+-type region, as the second P-type region gets nearer to the first P-type region. Electric field concentration can thus be relaxed at an interface between the semiconductor layer and the BOX layer, whereby improvement in breakdown voltage of the diode is realized. |
| US07855426B2 |
Optical sensor assemblage and corresponding manufacturing method
An optical sensor assemblage, in particular a thermopile sensor assemblage, comprising a sensor chip assemblage having an optically transparent irradiation region, a mounting region surrounding the latter, and a wire-bond region; an optically isolating mounting frame having a chip receiving region and a plurality of connector elements; and an optically isolating packaging device; the sensor chip assemblage being joined in the mounting region to the chip receiving region, and in the wire-bond region to one or more of the connector elements, the chip receiving region having a window disposed in such a way that at least a portion of the optical irradiation region is not covered by the chip receiving region; and the packaging device surrounding the sensor chip assemblage and the mounting frame in such a way that optical radiation can enter the sensor chip assemblage substantially only through the window. |
| US07855424B2 |
Method for packaging semiconductor device and package structure thereof
A method for packaging a semiconductor device includes following steps. First, a first substrate including at least one first pattern is provided. At least one semiconductor device is disposed on the surface of the first substrate. Next, a spacer with at least one aperture and at least one through hole is provided. Then, the first pattern is aimed at the through hole to connect the first substrate and the spacer, so that the semiconductor device is positioned correspondingly to the aperture. Afterwards, a second substrate including at least one second pattern is provided. Thereon, the second pattern is aimed at the through hole, so that the second substrate is connected to the spacer correspondingly. |
| US07855423B2 |
Semiconductor mount
A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount. |
| US07855419B2 |
ESD device layout for effectively reducing internal circuit area and avoiding ESD and breakdown damage and effectively protecting high voltage IC
An improved layout pattern for electrostatic discharge protection is disclosed. A first heavily doped region of a first type is formed in a well of said first type. A second heavily doped region of a second type is formed in a well of said second type. A battlement layout pattern of said first heavily doped region is formed along the boundary of said first heavily doped region and said second heavily doped region. A battlement layout pattern of said second heavily doped region is formed along the boundary of said first heavily doped region and said second heavily doped region. By adjusting a distance between the battlement layout pattern of a heavily doped region and a edge of well of said second type, i.e. n-well, a first distance will be shorter than what is typically required by the layout rules of internal circuit; and a second distance will be longer than the first distance to ensure that the I/O device have a better ESD protection capability. Accordingly, by properly adjusting the breakdown voltage of ESD device within I/O circuit, i.e. adjusting the distance between the edge of n-well and the battlement layout pattern of heavily doped regions, it will help to reduce the chip area and improve the ESD reliability. |
| US07855416B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Channel doping is an effective method for controlling Vth, but if Vth shifts to the order of −4 to −3 V when forming circuits such as a CMOS circuit formed from both an n-channel TFT and a P-channel TFT on the same substrate, then it is difficult to control the Vth of both TFTs with one channel dope. In order to solve the above problem, the present invention forms a blocking layer on the back channel side, which is a laminate of a silicon oxynitride film (A) manufactured from SiH4, NH3, and N2O, and a silicon oxynitride film (B) manufactured from SiH4 and N2O. By making this silicon oxynitride film laminate structure, contamination by alkaline metallic elements from the substrate can be prevented, and influence by stresses, caused by internal stress, imparted to the TFT can be relieved. |
| US07855411B2 |
Memory cell
The invention provides a memory cell. The memory cell is disposed on a substrate and comprises a plurality of isolation structures defining at least a fin structure in the substrate. Further, the surface of the fin structure is higher than the surface of the isolation structure. The memory cell comprises a doped region, a gate, a charge trapping structure and a source/drain region. The doped region is located in a top of the fin structure and near a surface of the top of the fin structure and the doped region has a first conductive type. The gate is disposed on the substrate and straddled the fin structure. The charge trapping structure is disposed between the gate and the fin structure. The source/drain region with a second conductive type is disposed in the fin structures exposed by the gate and the first conductive type is different from the second conductive type. |
| US07855405B2 |
Thin film transistor and display panel having the same
A thin film transistor includes a gate part which includes a gate electrode and a light blocking electrode extending from the gate electrode. The light blocking electrode prevents a light provided from beneath the gate electrode from being guided to a semiconductor layer. The light blocking electrode is overlapped by two source electrodes and a drain electrode arranged between the two source electrodes, all of which have an I-shape. The width of the light blocking electrode is selected so that a parasitic capacitance between a source part and the gate part may be controlled. Thus, a photocurrent of the thin film transistor may be reduced, and a kickback voltage difference between pixels in the display panel may also be reduced. |
| US07855404B2 |
Bipolar complementary semiconductor device
A complementary BiCMOS semiconductor device comprises a substrate of a first conductivity type and a number of active regions which are provided therein and which are delimited in the lateral direction by shallow field insulation regions, in which vertical npn-bipolar transistors with an epitaxial base are arranged in a first subnumber of the active regions and vertical pnp-bipolar transistors with an epitaxial base are arranged in a second subnumber of the active regions, wherein either one transistor type or both transistor types have both a collector region and also a collector contact region in one and the same respective active region. To improve the high-frequency properties exclusively in a first transistor type in which the conductivity type of the substrate is identical to that of the collector region, an insulation doping region is provided between the collector region and the substrate. |
| US07855403B2 |
Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET)-FET static RAM (SRAM) and method of making same
Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET), static ram (SRAM) and method of making same. A static ram memory cell has two cross-coupled semiconductor-type field effect transistors (FETs) and two nanotube FETs (NTFETs), each having a channel region made of at least one semiconductive nanotube, a first NTFET connected to the drain or source of the first semiconductor-type FET and the second NTFET connected to the drain or source of the second semiconductor-type FET. |
| US07855401B2 |
Passivation of wide band-gap based semiconductor devices with hydrogen-free sputtered nitrides
An improved field effect transistor formed in the Group III nitride material system includes a two part structure in which a chemical vapor deposited passivation layer of silicon nitride encapsulates a previously sputtered-deposited layer of silicon nitride. The sputtered layer provides some of the benefits of passivation and the chemical vapor deposited layer provides an excellent environmental barrier. |
| US07855397B2 |
Electronic assemblies providing active side heat pumping
An electronic assembly may include a packaging substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip, a plurality of metal interconnection structures, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip may have an active side including input/output pads thereon and a back side opposite the active side, and the IC semiconductor chip may be arranged with the active side facing the first surface of the packaging substrate. The plurality of metal interconnection structures may be between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate, and the plurality of metal interconnection structures may provide mechanical connection between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate. The thermoelectric heat pump may be coupled to the packaging substrate with the thermoelectric heat pump being configured to actively pump heat between the IC semiconductor chip and the packaging substrate. Related methods and structures are also discussed. |
| US07855395B2 |
Light emitting diode package having multiple molding resins on a light emitting diode die
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED) package having multiple molding resins. The LED package includes a pair of lead terminals. At least portions of the pair of lead terminals are embedded in a package main body. The package main body has an opening through which the pair of lead terminals is exposed. An LED die is mounted in the opening and electrically connected to the pair of lead terminals. A first molding resin covers the LED die. A second molding resin with higher hardness than the first molding resin covers the first molding resin. Therefore, stress to be imposed on the LED die can be reduced and the deformation of the molding resins can be prevented. |
| US07855393B2 |
Light emitting device with a non-activated luminescent material
The invention relates to a light emitting device having a radiation emitting element, for example a light emitting diode, and a luminescent material which is able to absorb a part of the radiation sent out by the radiation emitting element and to send out light with a wavelength which is different from the wavelength of the absorbed radiation. The device further has diffusing particles which are able to scatter a part of the radiation sent out by the radiation emitting element, and/or to scatter a part of the light sent out by the luminescent material. The diffusing particles are of non-activated luminescent material, through which production is simplified. |
| US07855391B2 |
Lead frame and light emitting device package using the same
A lead frame and a light emitting device package using the same are disclosed. More particularly, a lead frame and a light emitting device package using the lead frame which can be easily manufactured and employ a multi-chip structure. The light emitting device package includes a first frame including a heat sink, a second frame coupled to an upper side of the first frame, the second frame including at least one pair of leads and a mount formed with a hole, and a molded structure for coupling the first and second frames to each other. |
| US07855390B2 |
Package structure of light emitting diode for backlight
A package structure of a light emitting diode for a backlight comprises a long-wavelength LED die and a short-wavelength LED die. The lights emitted from the two LED dies are mixed with the light emitted from excited fluorescent powders for serving as the backlight of a liquid crystal display. A partition plate is disposed between the two LED dies for separating them from each other. The effective light output of the package structure is increased because each of the two LED dies cannot absorb the light from the other. |
| US07855387B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic apparatus
A light-emitting device includes a drive transistor that controls a current to be supplied to a light-emitting element from a power supply line, an electrical continuity portion that electrically connects the drive transistor with the light-emitting element, an initializing transistor that is turned ON to diode-connect the drive transistor, and a connecting portion that electrically connects the drive transistor with the initializing transistor. The power supply line includes a first portion extending in a predetermined direction. The electrical continuity portion and the connecting portion are formed from the same layer as that of the power supply line and are located on one side along the width of the first portion across the drive transistor. |
| US07855367B2 |
Remote sensing of gas leaks
A gas filter correlation radiometer mounted on an aircraft is flown over a target area. The gas filter correlation radiometer is configured to detect ethane (C2H6) gas in the event of a gas leak. The gas filter correlation radiometer uses background radiation to detect ethane. |
| US07855365B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting x-rays having improved noise discrimination
A method and apparatus, such as a spectrometer, are provided for facilitating the detection of an gamma signal in a manner that effectively discriminates the gamma signal from noise. A spectrometer may be provided which includes an gamma converter for converting gamma signals which impinge thereupon into corresponding pairs of electrons and positrons. The spectrometer also includes a deflector for separately deflecting the electrons and the positrons as well as electron and positron detectors for separately detecting the deflected electrons and positrons, respectively. As such, an gamma signal can be identified in instances in which the deflected electrons and positrons are detected in coincidence. |
| US07855364B2 |
Projection electronic microscope for reducing geometric aberration and space charge effect
A projection electronic microscope is provided for improving geometric aberration and a space charge effect within a zooming range using a zoom type transfer lens system in a projection/image formation optical system. The projection electronic microscope comprises an irradiation system for emitting a primary electron beam irradiated to a sample, and a projection/image formation optical system for guiding a second electron beams emitted from the sample with the irradiation of the primary electron beam to a detection system. The projection/image formation optical system includes a zoom type transfer lens system having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens. The first zoom lens includes a plurality of electrodes. A predetermined electrode of said plurality of electrodes is made thicker and is applied with a positive voltage to form a space having zero field strength and a high positive potential between said first zoom lens and said second zoom lens, and a cross-over by said first zoom lens is defined in said space within a zooming range. |
| US07855360B2 |
Method and apparatus to accurately discriminate gas phase ions with several filtering devices in tandem
A method for fast and accurate recognition of species contained in trace amounts in complex mixtures such as ambient air or biological fluids is taught based on the use in tandem of one or several differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) and possibly also a mass spectrometer (MS), all arranged in series. The two DMAs operate in different regions of the ion drag versus drift velocity curve (for instance, linear versus nonlinear regions), hence separating according to more than one independently discriminating parameters of the ion. Very high discrimination can be achieved even with a single stage of mass spectrometric separation by selecting a narrow range of ions with the DMA, and analyzing them in the MS, first without fragmentation, and then with fragmentation. This process does not require necessarily a tandem MS when fragmentation takes place in the inlet region of the MS. Fast and accurate discrimination is possible in single ion monitoring mode (SIM) for a large number of targeted species, even with relatively inexpensive and light single quadrupole MS systems, where the various filters placed in series would open pre-configured narrow windows suitable for passage of each ion in a list. |
| US07855354B2 |
Measuring device and method for the 3D-measurement of dental models
A scanning system for carrying out 3D scanning of dental models in a scanning direction V including a holding device for a whole jaw model which spans an occlusal plane E over a line-shaped mandibular arch, a base, a swivel bearing on a swivel axis normal to the scanning direction V and a stage mounted for rotation on the swivel bearing relatively to the base, on which the dental model to be scanned can be mounted. The stage can be rotated through an angular range δ of at least 150° about the swivel axis, and the whole jaw model can be mounted such that said occlusal plane E is aligned parallel to said scanning direction V. An evaluation unit receives data from a detector to generate a 3D data set. |
| US07855346B2 |
Data processing apparatus and removal recording media
A data processing apparatus includes a manipulation member, a protection cover, a latch member, a coupling device, and a control unit. The protection cover covers a removable recording medium attached to the data processing apparatus. The latch member engages the protection cover to set the protection cover in a closed condition. The coupling device couples or uncouples the manipulation member and the latch member. The control unit controls a coupling condition of the manipulation member and the latch member. The control unit selectively transmits a first signal for coupling the manipulation member and the latch member and a second signal for uncoupling the manipulation member and the latch member depending on whether or not data processing for the removable recording medium is in progress. |
| US07855338B2 |
Electrical box with movable mounting system
An electrical box is disclosed, wherein the electrical box includes a mounting system that facilitates a repositioning of the electrical box on a mounting structure without a complete removal of fastening devices from the mounting structure. |
| US07855336B2 |
Concentrated solar photovoltaic module with protective light shielding
A solar photovoltaic module including a base member supporting an array of photocells as well as corresponding concentrating lenses and light guides. At least one opaque light shield defines cutouts corresponding to the light guides. The at least one opaque light shield is positioned above the base member and operates to block light incident thereon from reaching portions of the base member. The at least one light shield can be installed with a convex shape that directs condensation away from the cutouts and preferably functions as part of guide channels that guide condensation toward one or more vented hydrophilic members (e.g., sponges and the like), which are preferably disposed at one or both ends of the module. |
| US07855331B1 |
Pedal system and a drum assembly using the same
A pedal system includes a support element, a connecting shank, a transmission element and a returning element. The support element has a pedal and a rotatable axle. The axle inserts through the connecting shank in a rotational operative relationship. The returning element includes a connecting body, a rod unit, a positioning element and a resilient member. The connecting body is disposed on the axle. The resilient member connects between the connecting body and a connecting end of the rod unit. The connecting end of the rod unit is movable with respect to the support element so as to adjust an angle included between an orientation of the resilient member and that of an upright frame of the support element. The positioning element selectively fixes a relative position between the rod unit and the support element, so as to further fix the angle. |
| US07855330B2 |
Modular bridge for stringed musical instrument
A stringed musical instrument employs string tensioners to support and apply tension to corresponding musical strings. Each musical string is supported by one string tensioner, and each of the string tensioners is linearly movable independent of others of the string tensioners. Further, an adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively linearly moving each string tensioner. In a preferred embodiment, an effective playing length of each string is defined between the associated string tensioner and the nut of the instrument. As such, individual linear adjustment of the string tensioners enables the user to vary the playing length of the associated musical string. In other embodiments, a string tensioner is provided that supports a musical string from a position on a side of the string opposite the associated musical instrument surface. |
| US07855327B2 |
Defensin polynucleotides and methods of use
Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided. |
| US07855320B2 |
Generation of plants with altered protein, fiber, or oil content
The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype. |
| US07855317B2 |
Non-dehiscent sesame variety Sesaco 32
Improved non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) designated Sesaco 32 (S32) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S32 suitable for mechanized harvesting. |
| US07855316B2 |
Preferentially stretchable laminates with perforated layers
An elastic laminate having an expandable facing layer, e.g., a nonwoven web with off-axis perforations, and an elastic film layer is produced to provide a preferential direction of extendability and retraction in the laminate. The elastic laminate is particularly useful as a waist area panel in disposable pant-like garments. |
| US07855310B2 |
AH receptor antagonists
The invention relates to the field of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor; AhR) antagonists and their uses. |
| US07855309B2 |
Pesticide benzyloxy- and phenetyl-substituted phenyl-amidine derivatives
The present invention relates to benzyloxy- and phenethyl-substituted phenyl-amidine derivatives of formula (I) wherein the substituents are as in the description, their process of preparation, their use as fungicide or insecticide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide or insecticide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi or damaging insects, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions. |
| US07855307B2 |
Method for producing a purified borazine compound, method for filling a borazine compound, and container for preserving a borazine compound
On producing a purified borazine compound, a borazine compound is filtrated under an atmospheric condition of a water content of not higher than 2000 volume ppm. Or, on filling a borazine compound into a container, the above described borazine compound is filled into the above described container under an atmospheric condition of a water content of not higher than 2000 volume ppm. Or, as a container for preservation for preserving a borazine compound, a container for preserving a borazine compound, which has withstanding pressure of not lower than 0.1 MPa, is used. |
| US07855306B2 |
Process for the production of acetic acid
A process for the reduction and/or removal of permanganate reducing compounds formed by the carbonylation of methanol in the presence of a Group VIII metal carbonylation catalyst to produce acetic acid is disclosed. More specifically, a process for reducing and/or removing permanganate reducing compounds or their precursors from intermediate streams during the formation of acetic acid by said carbonylation processes is disclosed. In particular, a process in which a low boiling overhead vapor stream from a light ends column is subjected to a single distillation to obtain an overhead that is subjected to an extraction to selectively remove and/or reduce PRC's from the process is disclosed. |
| US07855304B1 |
Inorganic oxide extrudates
An extrudate comprising an inorganic oxide and a comb-branched polymer is disclosed. The calcined extrudates are useful catalysts or catalyst supports. A palladium-gold catalyst prepared with a calcined titania extrudate of the invention is useful in making vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid, and oxygen or oxygen-containing gas. A calcined transition metal zeolite extrudate of the invention is used as a catalyst in oxidizing organic compounds with hydrogen peroxide. Incorporation of a comb-branched polymer improves the mechanical properties of inorganic oxide extrudates. |
| US07855300B2 |
Bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl compound or salt thereof, and use thereof
The present invention provides a compound that exhibits an excellent antitumor effect and reduces side effects, such as skin disorders, of the existing retinoid by selectively activating on the nuclear receptor RARα, thereby possibly producing significant improvement of clinical profits. Specifically, the present invention provides a bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl compound represented by Formula (I): wherein X is N or CH; Y is O or S; R1, R2, and R3 are the same or different and are hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 and R5 are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl, or halogen; and a bond between a carbon atom to which R1 is attached and a carbon atom to which R2 is attached is a single bond or a double bond; or a salt thereof. |
| US07855297B2 |
Amide derivatives and medicinal use thereof
The present invention relates to an amide derivative of the formula (1), having a C5a receptor antagonistic action wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification. The above-mentioned amide derivative, an optically active form thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are promising as an agent for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases or syndromes caused by inflammation caused by C5a [e.g., autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus and the like, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic diseases such as asthma and the like, atherosclerosis, cardiac infarction, brain infarction, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease and serious organ injury (e.g., pneumonia, nephritis, hepatitis and pancreatitis and the like) due to activation of leukocytes caused by ischemia reperfusion, trauma, burn, surgical invasion and the like]. Moreover, they are useful as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for the infectious diseases caused by bacteria and virus that invade via a C5a receptor. |
| US07855295B2 |
Tetrahydrocarboline compounds as anticancer agents
Tetrahydrocarboline compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and prodrugs thereof; compositions that include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and one or more of the tetrahydrocarboline compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent. Methods of using the tetrahydrocarboline compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the prophylaxis or treatment of proliferative diseases. |
| US07855289B2 |
Sirtuin modulating compounds
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benfit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent. |
| US07855288B2 |
Pyrrolo [1,2-d] [1,2-4] triazine as inhibitors of c-Jun N terminal kinases (JNK) and p-38 kinases
A compound of formula (I): wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification as inhibitor of C-Jun N terminal Kinases (JNK) and P-38 Kinases. |
| US07855285B2 |
Methods for selective N-9 glycosylation of purines
A process for providing regiospecific and highly stereoselective synthesis of 9-β anomeric purine nucleoside analogs is described. The introduction of the sugar moiety on to 6-(azolyl)-substituted purine bases is performed so that highly stereoselective formation of the β anomers of only the 9 position regioisomers of the purine nucleoside analogs (either D or L enantiomers) is obtained. This regiospecific and stereoselective introduction of the sugar moiety allows the synthesis of nucleoside analogs, and in particular 2′-deoxy, 3′-deoxy, 2′-deoxy-2′-halo-arabino and 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-halo-threo purine nucleoside analogs, in high yields without formation of the 7-positional regioisomers. Processes for providing novel 6-(azolyl)purines for the regiospecific and highly stereoselective synthesis of 9-β anomeric purine nucleoside analogs are described. The compounds are drugs or intermediates to drugs. |
| US07855284B2 |
RNA interference mediated inhibition of checkpoint kinase-1 (CHK-1) gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating checkpoint kinase (e.g., checkpoint kinase-1 or CHK-1) gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules. This invention also relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating the expression and activity of other genes involved in pathways of checkpoint kinase gene expression and/or activity by RNA interference (RNAi) using small nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the instant invention features small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules and methods used to modulate the expression of checkpoint kinase genes. |
| US07855282B2 |
Protein, a gene encoding therefor and a method of using the same
An object of the present invention is to search and identify novel antifungal proteins capable of inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms including Magnaporthe grisea and Rhizoctonia solani causing two major rice diseases at relatively low concentrations, and further to clone a gene for said protein. The present invention provides an antifungal protein which can be obtained from fraction(s) precipitated by ammonium sulfate precipitation using an aqueous extract from Pleurotus cornucopiae, wherein said protein has an antifungal activity against at least rice blast, and exhibits existence of a component having a molecular weight of about 15 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE method; a gene encoding said protein and uses thereof. |
| US07855278B2 |
Antibodies to Stra6 polypeptides
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence similarity to Stra6, a murine retinoic acid responsive protein, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. |
| US07855274B2 |
Recombinant factor VIII having increased specific activity
The present invention relates to recombinant factor VIII having a specific activity that is higher than that of the corresponding wild-type factor VIII. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using the recombinant factor VIII. The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes the recombinant factor VIII, as well as DNA expression systems and host cells containing the isolated nucleic acid molecule. |
| US07855273B2 |
Method for manufacturing gelatin with reduced endotoxin content and low endotoxin gelatin
A method of manufacturing gelatin with reduced endotoxin content. The method comprises processing a starting material gelatin-containing solution containing gelatin and an endotoxin with an ultrafiltration film having a molecular weight cut-off falling within a range of from 20,000 to 300,000 and having a molecular weight cut-off capable of passing at least a portion of the gelatin contained in the starting material gelatin-containing solution to obtain a permeate that is a gelatin-containing solution with a reduced endotoxin content. A gelatin having an average molecular weight falling within a range of 1,000 to 300,000 and an endotoxin content of less than 1 EU/mL per 1.0 percent of protein. |
| US07855269B2 |
Method for treating inflammation
A method for treating down-regulating IL-19 or mda7 by administering the soluble IL-20RA/IL-20R heterodimeric receptor. |
| US07855268B2 |
Tolerogizing compositions comprising botulinum toxin type B peptides
The present invention provides BoNT/B peptides, BoNT/B peptide compositions, tolerogizing compositions, immune response inducing compositions, as well as methods of determining immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of treating immunoresistance to botulinum toxin therapy in an individual, methods of reducing anti-botulinum toxin antibodies in an individual and methods of inducing a BoNT/B immune response an individual. |
| US07855265B2 |
Use of ester-modified organopolysiloxanes for producing cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions
The invention relates to emulsifier systems containing ester-modified, polyether-free organopolysiloxanes, to their use, in particular the production of cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical formulations and also of care and cleaning compositions, and also the products themselves produced with the help of the emulsifier systems. |
| US07855261B2 |
Aldehyde removal
Disclosed are filter elements constructed of a filter support material coated with an acetoacetate-functional polymeric composition that reacts with and removes aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, present in gases such as air. Also disclosed are methods for the removal of aldehydes utilizing the coated filter support materials. |
| US07855260B2 |
Polyether-containing copolymer
Copolymers include two monomer components, a) an olefinic unsaturated monocarboxylic acid comonomer or an ester or a salt thereof of an olefinic unsaturated sulfuric acid comonomer or a salt thereof, and b) an ether comonomer of the general formula (I) Components a) and b) are present in amounts of from 30 to 90 mol-% and from 70 to 10 mol-%, respectively, and comonomer component a) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid and a salt thereof or an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl ester. Compositions including a hydraulic binder such as cement, gypsum, lime and anhydrite and the copolymer are also disclosed. The copolymer can be used as superplasticizer or dispersant for non-hardened (wet) and a hydraulic binder containing compositions. |
| US07855258B2 |
Propylene olefin copolymers
Improved thermoplastic polymer blend compositions comprising an isotactic polypropylene component and an alpha-olefin and propylene copolymer component, said copolymer comprising crystallizable alpha-olefin sequences. In a preferred embodiment, improved thermoplastic polymer blends are provided comprising from about 35% to about 85% isotactic polypropylene and from about 30% to about 70% of an ethylene and propylene copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises isotactically crystallizable propylene sequences and is predominately propylene. The resultant blends manifest unexpected compatibility characteristics, increased tensile strength, and improved process characteristics, e.g., a single melting point. |
| US07855257B2 |
Copolymer, graft copolymer, graft copolymer particles, flame retardant, and resin composition
A novel copolymer, graft copolymer, copolymer particles, flame retardant, and resin composition are provided. A copolymer including a polymer (A) segment having a glass transition temperature not more than −10° C., and a polymer (C) segment having at least a unit derived from a monomer (B) which has two or more of aromatic rings and one or more radical reactive groups in one molecule; a graft copolymer having the component (B) grafted onto the component (A); and copolymer particles thereof are obtained. A flame retardant resin composition is obtained by using the copolymer as a flame retardant and blending the flame retardant with the resin. |
| US07855256B2 |
Fluoropolyether adhesive composition
An adhesive composition comprising the following components: (A) a linear polyfluoro compound having at least two SiH bonds per molecule and a perfluoropolyether residue in a main chain of the linear polyfluoro compound (A); (B) an organohydrogensiloxane having a fluorinated group and at least two hydrogen atoms each bonded to a silicon atom per molecule; (C) a compound of a platinum group metal; (D) hydrophobic silica powder; (E) an alkoxysilane represented by the following formula (1) (RO)3—Si-T (1) wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, T is a group represented by the formula, —OR1 or —CHR2—COOR3, wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, which may be the same with or different from R, R2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R3 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group; and (F) an organosiloxane having at least one SiH bond and at least one group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group and a trialkoxysilyl group. The composition has no quality variation from lot to lot and gives a cured product having good resistance to solvents and heat, and durability. |
| US07855255B2 |
Preparation of multimodal polyethylene
Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 α-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin. |
| US07855251B2 |
Impact-modified polyamide compounds
A tri-block copolymer is disclosed for use as an impact modifier in polyamide compounds also containing a compatibilizer, preferably also having reinforcing organoclay exfoliated and dispersed therein. The tri-block copolymer comprises an aromatic monomer, an olefin monomer, and a alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer. |
| US07855248B2 |
Highly dispersible precipitated silica
The present invention relates to a highly disperse precipitated silica which has a high surface area, to a process for preparing it, and to its use as a tire filler for commercial vehicles, motorbikes, and high-speed vehicles. |
| US07855246B2 |
Plastic pipe made of polyolefin
A plastic pipe is made of a cross-linked polyolefin to be utilized in, but not limited to, potable water applications. Certain antioxidants and stabilizers are added to a process for producing the plastic pipe. The added antioxidants and stabilizers remain as key components in the final plastic pipes, providing superior long term stability and resistance to oxidative degradation, the latter being caused by but not limited to, chlorinated water environments. At least a primary stabilizer is used in the material. |
| US07855245B2 |
Adhesive composition and a method of using the same
An adhesive composition comprising 100 parts by weight of (A) an alternating copolymer composed of repeating units having alcoholic hydroxyl groups and represented by the following formula (1): 10 to 1,000 parts by weight of (B) an epoxy resin having at least two glycidyl groups per molecule, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of (C) a curing promoter. The composition is particularly suitable as a die bonding agent. |
| US07855244B2 |
Flame retardant polytrimethylene terephthalate composition
Improved flame retardant polytrimethylene terephthalate compositions are provided by including a melamine cyanurate flame retardant additive. |
| US07855243B2 |
Tire with component containing asphaltene
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire including at least one component, the at least component including a rubber composition, the rubber composition including 100 parts by weight of a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 20 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a solvent-extracted asphaltene. |
| US07855238B2 |
Molding compositions containing polyalkylene terephthalates and modified polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) random copolymers derived from PET
A molding composition comprising (a) from 5 to 90 wt % of a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and (b) from 5 to 40 wt % of a polyalkylene terephthalate component; wherein the modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer, the polyalkylene terephthalate component, and optionally, at least one additive, have a combined weight % of 100 wt %. Methods for making the composition and articles made from the composition. |
| US07855236B2 |
Method to start a process for producing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas
Method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which process comprises the steps of: (i) providing the synthesis gas; and (ii) catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and a steady state total reactor pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; the method comprising admixing the synthesis gas of step (i) with one or more inert gases to form an admixture stream prior to catalytically converting the synthesis gas in step (ii) at the steady state total reactor pressure and wherein as the activity of the catalyst converting the synthesis gas proceeds towards a steady state, the amount of inert gas(es) in the admixture stream is reduced. |
| US07855233B2 |
Citrate salt of Rasagiline
The subject invention provides rasagiline citrate, its compositions and processes for the manufacture thereof. |
| US07855227B2 |
2-phenylethylamino derivatives as calcium and/or sodium channel modulators
2-Phenylethylamino substituted carboxamide derivatives of formula (I); wherein J, W, R0, R1, R2, R3, and R4 have the meanings as defined in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient and their use as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators useful in preventing alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies, including neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, inflammatory, ophthalmic, urology, and gastrointestinal diseases where the above mechanisms have been described as playing a pathological role, are described. |
| US07855222B2 |
Methods for treating a disease in which Rho kinase is involved
A method for treating a disease in which Rho kinase is involved. The method is carried out by administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of the following formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the ring X is a benzene ring or a pyridine ring; R1 and R2 are hydrogen or alkyl or together form a cycloalkene ring; R3 is hydrogen, substituted alkyl, unsubstituted alkenyl, carboxyl or an ester or an amide thereof, amino or a cyano; R4 is hydrogen, hydroxyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, unsubstituted alkenyloxy, unsubstituted cycloalkyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted alkenyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl, amino, substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino, nitro, cyano or a monocyclic heterocycle; and R5 is a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom. |
| US07855220B2 |
Bicyclic derivatives as modulators of voltage gated ion channels
Bicyclic derivatives useful as ion channel antagonists are disclosed herein. The compositions thereof are useful for treating or relieving pain-related conditions. |
| US07855218B2 |
Compounds
Compounds of formula (I) wherein the variables are defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for treatment using the same. |
| US07855217B2 |
Polymorphic forms of 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3 dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione
Polymorphic forms of 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3 dihydro-isoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione are disclosed. Compositions comprising the polymorphic forms, methods of making the polymorphic forms and methods of their use are also disclosed. |
| US07855209B2 |
Allosteric modulators of the A1 adenosine receptor
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Q have a meaning as defined herein in the specification. The compounds of formula (I) are allosteric modulators of the A1 adenosine receptor and, thus, may be employed for the treatment of conditions mediated by the A1 adenosine receptor. Accordingly, the compounds of formula (I) may be employed for treatment of pain, in particular, chronic pain such as neuropathic pain; cardiac disease or disorder such as cardiac disarrhythmias, e.g., peroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, angina, myocardial infarction and stroke; neurological disease or injury; sleep disorder; epilepsy; and depression. |
| US07855206B2 |
Tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel substituted tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds of structural formula (I) which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US07855205B2 |
Pyrimidinyl substituted fused-pyrrolyl compounds useful in treating kinase disorders
The present invention provides pyrimidinyl substituted fused-pyrrolyl compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of synthesis and use thereof. The compounds are kinase inhibitors useful in treating or ameliorating a kinase mediated, angiogenesis-mediated or hyperproliferative disorder. The invention thus also provides a therapeutic or prophylactic method of use for the compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions to treat such disorders. |
| US07855200B2 |
Method for treatment of gastric ulcers and ulcers induced by aspirin
The present invention relates to methods of using Oroxylum indicum as a rich source for flavanoid compounds having mucoprotective and antigastric ulcer properties, and containing Oroxylin A, Chrysin and Baicalein. |
| US07855199B2 |
Heterocyclic compound and anti-malignant-tumor agent containing the same as active ingredient
Heterocyclic compounds represented by the formula I and anti-malignant-tumor agents containing the heterocyclic compounds as effective components: wherein X represents nitrogen atom or CH; Y represents C1-C6 alkyl; R1 represents morpholino (which may be substituted with one to four C1-C6 alkyl); and R2 and R3 each represent hydrogen atom or C1-C6 alkyl. |
| US07855194B2 |
Pyrimidine, quinazoline, pteridine and triazine derivatives
This invention is concerned with compounds of the formula wherein A, R1 to R5 and G are as defined in the description and claims, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, to a process for their preparation and to their use for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases which are associated with the modulation of SST receptors subtype 5. |
| US07855192B2 |
Macrolactams by engineered biosynthesis
Macrolactams are made by feeding aromatic amino acids as replacement starter units to a mutant strain of the geldanamycin-producing microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. geldanus NRRL 3602, wherein the gene cluster encoding enzymes for the biosynthesis of the natural starter unit 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid has been deleted. |
| US07855188B2 |
Quarternized amino glucosamine compound for exerting anticancer effect
The present invention relates to the quaternized amino glucosamine, it can exert an anticancer effect via induction of apoptosis in a dose and time dependant manner through which an anticancer treatment effect can be increased. |
| US07855187B1 |
Alkylated semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ethers, and methods of making and using thereof
Described herein is the synthesis of alkylated and semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycosan ethers, referred to herein as “SAGEs.” The synthesis of sulfated alkylated SAGEs is also described. The compounds described herein are useful in a number of applications including wound healing, drug delivery, and the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases and skin disorders. |
| US07855184B2 |
Antisense oligonucleotides capable of inhibiting the formation of capillary tubes by endothelial cells and methods of treating ophthalmic and dermatological diseases
A pharmaceutical composition blocks angiogenesis and contains as an active agent at least one nucleotide sequence from nucleic acid molecule SEQ ID NO. 3, fragments thereof containing at least twelve contiguous nucleotides and derivatives thereof; and nucleic acid sequences containing at least twelve contiguous nucleotides of the nucleic acid molecule SEQ ID NO 30 and derivatives thereof. |
| US07855183B2 |
Methods of treatment of a bcl-2 disorder using bcl-2 antisense oligomers
The present invention is directed to the use of bcl-2 antisense oligomers to treat and prevent bcl-2 related disorders. These disorders include cancers, tumors, carcinomas and cell-proliferative related disorders. In one embodiment of the invention, a bcl-2 antisense oligomer is administered at high doses. The present invention is also directed to a method of preventing or treating a bcl-2 related disorder, in particular cancer, comprising administering a bcl-2 antisense oligomer for short periods of time. The present invention is further drawn to the use of bcl-2 antisense oligomers to increase the sensitivity of a subject to cancer therapeutics. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more bcl-2 antisense oligomers, which may comprise one or more cancer therapeutic agents. |
| US07855180B2 |
Structure and method for releasing substance therefrom
A structure comprises at least a porous body holding a substance releasably, comprising a capping member for keeping the substance inside the pore and/or on at least a part of the entire surface of the porous body, and a connecting member for connecting the porous body and the capping member separably, the connecting member comprising a biopolymer compound.A method for releasing a substance from the structure set forth comprises the steps of applying stimulation from outside to the structure, and cleaving at least one of the bonding between the connecting member and the capping member and the bonding between the connecting member and the porous member to make the substance releasable from the structure. |
| US07855179B2 |
Template-fixed peptidomimetics with antimicrobial activity
Template-fixed β-hairpin peptidomimetics of the general formula (I), wherein Z is a template-fixed chain of 12 α-amino acid residues which, depending on their positions in the chain (counted starting from the N-terminal amino acid) are Gly or Pro, or of certain types, at least one of these residues being of the type of N-substituted glycines, which types, as the remaining symbols in the above formula, are defined in the description and the claims, and salts thereof, have the property to inhibit the growth of or to kill microorganisms. They can be used as disinfectants for foodstuffs, cosmetics, medicaments or other nutrient-containing materials or as medicaments to treat or prevent infections. These β-hairpin peptidomimetics can be manufactured by processes which are based on a mixed solid- and solution phase synthetic strategy. |
| US07855175B2 |
Peptides that bind to the erythropoietin receptor
The present invention relates to peptide compounds that are agonists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). The invention also relates to therapeutic methods using such peptide compounds to treat disorders associated with insufficient or defective red blood cell production. Pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise the peptide compounds of the invention, are also provided. |
| US07855173B2 |
Detersive compositions containing hydrophobic benefit agents pre-emulsified using sub-micrometer-sized insoluble cationic particles
A cationic oil-in-water emulsion, for addition to detersive compositions, comprising hydrophilic cationic polymers, a surface-active, anionic polymer that is capable of adsorbing at an air-water interface or an oil-water interface and/or is oil-soluble, and a hydrophobic benefit agent in the oil phase made by adding the benefit agent to a hydrophobic liquid; thickening the oil phase with an organophillic smectite clay reacted at clay platelet surfaces to make the clay platelet surfaces hydrophobic while the edge surfaces of the clay remain hydrophilic, such that the organophillic smectite clay is adsorbed at an oil/water interface in the emulsion, and one of the hydrophilic, cationic polymers has a cationic nitrogen content of at least 6% by weight, that is incompatible with anionic surfactants, being insoluble in anionic-surfactant solutions containing an amount of 3% or higher of an anionic surfactant, and another hydrophilic cationic polymer has a cationic nitrogen content of at least 0.1% by weight and has a molecular weight of at least 600,000 Dalton. |
| US07855172B2 |
Polypeptides having lipase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US07855169B2 |
Use of fluorocarbon surfactants to improve the productivity of gas and gas condensate wells
The present invention includes composition having a nonionic, fluorinated polymeric surfactant, water and solvent. Embodiments of compositions according to the present invention are useful, for example, for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean clastic formations. |
| US07855167B2 |
In vivo screening of protein-protein interactions with protein-fragment complementation assays
The present invention describes rapid methods to screen for biomolecular interactions in vivo based on protein fragment complementation assays (PCA). We have demonstrated an in vivo library-versus-library screening strategy that has numerous applications in the identification of novel protein-protein interactions and in directed evolution. Also we demonstrate the detection of protein-protein interactions starting with defined (full-length) cDNAs, and the concomitant generation of functional assays that provide initial validation of the cDNA products as being biologically relevant. Also, we screened a large cDNA collection using automated PCA, combined with quantitative detection of protein-protein complexes. The invention enables bait-vs.-library, library-vs.-library and defined gene screening in any type of cell or cellular context, and using a wide range of reporters and detection methods. The invention allows for identifying and validating genes involved in any cellular process and also provide assays to study effects of potential drugs, or gene knockouts on specific pathways. |
| US07855165B2 |
Herbicide composition for paddy field
A herbicide composition for paddy field characterized by containing (a) a herbicidal difluoromethanesulfonamide derivative represented by the formula (I) and (b) at least one herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of pretilachlor, butachlor, alachlor, metolachlor, acetochlor, clomeprop, bromobutide, benfuresate, indanofan, pyrazolate, benzofenap, pyrazoxyfen, pyraclonil, oxaziclomefone, bensulfuron-methyl, azimsulfuron, imazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, cyclosulfamuron, ethoxysulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, orthosulfamuron, cinosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, penoxsulam, thiobencarb, pyributycarb, molinate, dimethametryn, simetryn, cafenstrole, quinclorac, anilofos, mefenacet, fentrazamide, pentoxazone, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, benzobicyclon, mesotrione, AVH301 (code no.), cyhalofop-butyl, metamifop, bispyribac-sodium, pyriftalid, pyrimisulfan, pyrimenobac-methyl, chlormethoxynil, oxyfluorfen, dithiopyr, MCPA, MCPB, 2,4-D, dymron, cumyluron, quinoclamine and clomazone, and/or (c) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of safeners dymron, isoxadifen(-ethyl), flurazole, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, cloquintocet-mexyl, oxabetrinil, fluxofenim, mefenpyr-diethyl, furilazole, R-29148 (code no.), benoxacor, dichlormid and dicyclonone as effective components. |
| US07855163B2 |
Low coefficient of thermal expansion bonding system for a high porosity ceramic body and methods of manufacture
A porous ceramic body comprises a plurality of fibers and a bonding system bonding a portion of at least two fibers of the plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The bonding system has a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. In some embodiments, when the plurality of fibers and the bonding system are combined the resulting porous ceramic body has a third coefficient of thermal expansion which is at least about 10% less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US07855162B2 |
Needle-shaped ceramic body, needle-shaped ceramic catalyst body and method for producing same
The present invention provides a needle-shaped ceramic body and needle-shaped ceramic catalyst body in which a base material is a high specific surface area porous cordierite body that is stable at high temperatures, and also provides methods of producing this needle-shaped ceramic body and needle-shaped ceramic catalyst body. The present invention relates to a needle-shaped ceramic body and needle-shaped ceramic catalyst body in which a base material is a high temperature-stable, high specific surface area porous cordierite body comprising a porous structure having a prescribed porosity and formed of a needle-shaped cordierite crystal phase, and further relates to methods of producing this needle-shaped ceramic body and needle-shaped ceramic catalyst body, and by using porous cordierite constituted of needle-shaped crystals as a catalyst-supporting honeycomb structure, the present invention is able to inhibit sintering-induced reduction in the specific surface area. Since a honeycomb can be directly produced as the cordierite sinter itself, an inexpensive product can be provided through the simplifying the prior-art step of coating the interior of the honeycomb. |
| US07855161B2 |
Photocatalytic fiber and fabric using thereof, and fabric product using the fabric
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a photocatalytic fiber which excels in durability, and decomposition ability against harmful components and can be mass-produced at low cost, a fabric using the fiber, and a fabric product using the fabric. The photocatalytic fiber of the present invention contains a photocatalyst being attached to the fiber. The fiber is preferably having an aspect of forming a thread to which the photocatalyst being attached by spinning after dipping the fiber in a solution at least containing the photocatalyst, an aspect of forming the thread to which the photocatalyst being attached by dipping the fiber in the solution containing at least the photocatalyst after spinning, and an aspect wherein the photocatalyst is a photocatalytic apatite. The fabric of the present invention is characterized by using the photocatalytic fiber. The fabric product of the present invention is characterized by using the fabric. |
| US07855160B2 |
Catalyst ink
A catalyst ink is provided, comprising: 25-95% by weight water; 1-50% by weight of at least one solid catalyst, typically a highly dispersed platinum catalyst; 1-50% by weight of at least one polymer electrolyte in acid (H+) form; and 1-50% by weight of at least one polar aprotic organic solvent. The catalyst ink typically has a viscosity at 1 sec−1 of 10 Pa·sec or less. The catalyst ink typically does not ignite spontaneously when dried to completion in air at a temperature of 80° C. or greater. The catalyst ink may be used in the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells. |
| US07855158B2 |
Optical glass, preform for precision press-molding, optical element, and methods for manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical glass comprising, denoted as molar percentages: 10 to 20 percent SiO2, 5 to 40 percent B2O3, SiO2+B2O3=15 to 50 percent, 0 to 10 percent Li2O, 12 to 36 percent ZnO, where 3×Li2O+ZnO≧18 percent, 5 to 30 percent La2O3, 0 to 20 percent Gd2O3, 0 to 10 percent Y2O3, La2O3+Gd2O3=10 to 30 percent, La2O3/SIGMA(Σ)RE2O3=0.67 to 0.95 (where SIGMA(Σ)RE2O3=La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3+Yb2O3+Sc2O3+Lu2O3), 0.5 to 10 percent ZrO2, 1 to 15 percent Ta2O5, 1 to 20 percent WO3, Ta2O5/WO3≦2.5 (molar ratio), 0 to 8 percent Nb2O5, 0 to 8 percent TiO2; and having a refractive index nd of not less than 1.87 and an Abbé number nu(v)d of not less than 35 but less then 40. A method for manufacturing a preform for precision press molding by separating a glass melt gob from a glass melt obtained by mixing, heating, and melting glass starting materials, and forming a preform in a glass melt gob cooling step, said mixing, heating, and melting of glass starting materials is conducted so as to obtain the above optical glass. |
| US07855153B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing an insulating film, which is used as an insulating film used for a semiconductor integrated circuit, whose reliability can be ensured even though it has small thickness, is provided. In particular, a method for manufacturing a high-quality insulating film over a substrate having an insulating surface, which can be enlarged, at low substrate temperature, is provided. A monosilane gas (SiH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and a rare gas are introduced into a chamber to generate high-density plasma at a pressure higher than or equal to 10 Pa and lower than or equal to 30 Pa so that an insulating film is formed over a substrate having an insulating surface. After that, the supply of a monosilane gas is stopped, and nitrous oxide (N2O) and a rare gas are introduced without exposure to the air to perform plasma treatment on a surface of the insulating film. |
| US07855151B2 |
Formation of a slot in a silicon substrate
A slot is formed that reaches through a first side of a silicon substrate to a second side of the silicon substrate. A trench is laser patterned. The trench has a mouth at the first side of the silicon substrate. The trench does not reach the second side of the silicon substrate. The trench is dry etched until a depth of at least a portion of the trench is extended approximately to the second side of the silicon substrate (12). A wet etch is performed to complete formation of the slot. The wet etch etches silicon from all surfaces of the trench. |
| US07855144B2 |
Method of forming metal lines and bumps for semiconductor devices
Provided is a method of forming conductors (e.g., metal lines and/or bumps) for semiconductor devices and conductors formed from the same. First and second seed metal layers may be formed. At least one mask may be formed on a portion on which a conductor is to be formed. An exposed portion may be oxidized. The oxidized portion may be removed. A conductive structure may be formed on an upper surface of a portion which is not oxidized. The conductors may be metal lines and/or bumps. The conductive structures may be solder balls. |
| US07855143B2 |
Interconnect capping layer and method of fabrication
The present invention relates to an interconnect capping layer and a method of fabricating a capping layer for an interconnect. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a capping layer for a copper interconnect used to interconnect elements in an integrated circuit. Embodiments of the invention provide a method of fabricating a capping layer for an interconnect in an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of: forming an interconnect comprising upper and lower lateral surfaces; forming a lateral diffusion stop layer between said lateral surfaces; and forming a capping layer. |
| US07855139B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling the effective dielectric constant of materials used in a semiconductor device
Systems and methods for controlling the effective dielectric constant of materials used in a semiconductor device are shown and described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of pillars formed thereon, depositing a first layer of dielectric material over a plurality of pillars, removing a portion of the first layer deposited over the plurality of pillars, and depositing a second layer of dielectric material over the plurality of pillars, where the second layer leaves a plurality of voids between the plurality of pillars. |
| US07855138B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A trench is formed by a process which removes a damage layer formed on a sidewall of a low dielectric constant layer, a process which forms a second protection insulating layer by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique and forms a second concave portion by covering a sidewall of the low dielectric constant layer with the second protection insulating layer, and a process which shapes the second protection insulating layer by etch back so that a trench has a sidewall that the second protection insulating layer is selectively formed on a surface of the low dielectric constant layer. |
| US07855137B2 |
Method of making a sidewall-protected metallic pillar on a semiconductor substrate
A method of forming conductive pillars on a semiconductor wafer in which the conductive pillars are plated with a protecting coating of Ni, Co, Cr, Rh, NiP, NiB , CoWP, or CoP. Only the side of the conductive pillars are plated. The ends of the conductive pillars are free of the protective plating so that the conductive pillars can be readily joined to the pads of a packaging substrate. Also disclosed is a sidewall-protected conductive pillar having a protective coating of Ni, Co, Cr, Rh, NiP, NiB , CoWP, or CoP thereon. |
| US07855133B2 |
Formation of carbon and semiconductor nanomaterials using molecular assemblies
The invention is directed to a method of forming carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials. The method comprises providing a substrate and attaching a molecular precursor to the substrate. The molecular precursor includes a surface binding group for attachment to the substrate and a binding group for attachment of metal-containing species. The metal-containing species is selected from a metal cation, metal compound, or metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle to form a metallized molecular precursor. The metallized molecular precursor is then subjected to a heat treatment to provide a catalytic site from which the carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials form. The heating of the metallized molecular precursor is conducted under conditions suitable for chemical vapor deposition of the carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials. |
| US07855127B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate including: epitaxially growing a silicon germanium (SiGe) film on a silicon (Si) substrate by a chemical vapor deposition method; subjecting a heat treatment to the SiGe film at a temperature of not less than 700° C. and not more than 1200° C.; implanting hydrogen ions into a surface of the SiGe film; subjecting a surface activation treatment to a main surface of at least one of the SiGe film and a support substrate; bonding main surfaces of the SiGe film and the support substrate at a temperature of not less than 100° C. and not more than 400° C.; and applying an external impact to a bonding interface between the SiGe film and the support substrate to delaminate the SiGe crystal along a hydrogen ion implanted interface of the SiGe film, thereby forming a SiGe thin film on the main surface of the support substrate. |
| US07855126B2 |
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using a cyclic selective epitaxial growth technique and semiconductor devices formed using the same
Devices and methods of fabricating a conductive pattern of such devices comprise a non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern formed on a single crystalline semiconductor substrate, an insulating spacer formed on a sidewall of the non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern, the non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern selectively recessed using a cyclic selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process, and a silicide layer formed on the recessed non-single crystalline semiconductor pattern. |
| US07855125B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a groove in a semiconductor substrate and embedding an element isolation film made of a silicon oxide film in the groove; forming a silicon nitride film on the element isolation film; forming an oxidized silicon nitride film on the surface of the element isolation film through thermal treatment of the element isolation film and the silicon nitride film; and removing the silicon nitride film. |
| US07855123B2 |
Method of integrating an air gap structure with a substrate
A method for forming an air gap structure on a substrate is described. The method comprises depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming an adhesion-promoting layer between the sacrificial layer and the substrate, and depositing a capping layer over the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer and the capping layer are patterned and metalized. Thereafter, the sacrificial layer is decomposed and removed through the capping layer. |
| US07855120B2 |
Methods for forming resistors including multiple layers for integrated circuit devices
Methods of forming an integrated circuit device may include forming an insulating layer on an integrated circuit substrate, forming a first conductive layer on the insulating layer, and forming a second conductive layer on the first conductive layer so that the first conductive layer is between the second conductive layer and the insulating layer. Moreover, the first conductive layer may be a layer of a first material, the second conductive layer may be a layer of a second material, and the first and second materials may be different. A hole may be formed in the second conductive layer so that portions of the first conductive layer are exposed through the hole. After forming the hole in the second conductive layer, the first and second conductive layers may be patterned so that portions of the first and second conductive layers surrounding portions of the first conductive layer exposed through the hole are removed while maintaining portions of the first conductive layer previously exposed through the hole. |
| US07855119B2 |
Method for forming polycrystalline thin film bipolar transistors
A method is described for forming a semiconductor device comprising a bipolar transistor having a base region, an emitter region and a collector region, wherein the base region comprises polycrystalline semiconductor material formed by crystallizing silicon, germanium or silicon germanium in contact with a silicide, germanide or silicide germanide. The emitter region and collector region also may be formed from polycrystalline semiconductor material formed by crystallizing silicon, germanium or silicon germanium in contact with a silicide, germanide or silicide germanide forming metal. The polycrystalline semiconductor material is preferably silicided polysilicon, which is formed in contact with C49phase titanium silicide. |
| US07855117B2 |
Method of forming a thin layer and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
In a method of forming a thin layer (e.g., a charge trapping nitride layer) of a semiconductor device (e.g. a charge trapping type non-volatile memory device), the nitride layer may be formed on a first area of a substrate. A blocking layer may be formed on the nitride layer. An oxide layer may be formed on a second area of the substrate while preventing or reducing an oxidation of the nitride layer by a radical oxidation process in which oxygen radicals react with the second area of the substrate and the blocking layer in the first area of the substrate. The nitride layer may ensure sufficient charge trapping sites and may have a uniform thickness without oxidation thereof in the radical oxidation process. |
| US07855116B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which has a nonvolatile memory cell portion, a low-voltage operating circuit portion of a peripheral circuit region and a high-voltage operating circuit portion of the peripheral circuit region formed on a substrate and in which elements of the above portions are isolated from one another by filling insulating films, the upper surface of the filling insulating films in the high-voltage operating circuit portion lies above the surface of the substrate and the upper surface of at least part of the filling insulating films in the low-voltage operating circuit portion is pulled back to a portion lower than the surface of the substrate. |
| US07855115B2 |
Method for forming laterally extending dielectric layer in a trench-gate FET
A field effect transistor (FET) is formed as follows. A trench is formed in a silicon region. An oxidation barrier layer is formed over a surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench and along the trench sidewalls and bottom. A protective layer is formed over the oxidation barrier layer inside and outside the trench. The protective layer is partially removed such that a portion of the oxidation barrier layer extending at least along the trench bottom becomes exposed and portions of the oxidation barrier layer extending over the surface of the silicon region adjacent the trench remain covered by remaining portions of the protective layer. |
| US07855111B2 |
Border region defect reduction in hybrid orientation technology (HOT) direct silicon bonded (DSB) substrates
Hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrates for CMOS ICs include (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS for optimizing carrier mobilities in the respective MOS transistors. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells. This invention provides a method of forming a HOT substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations, with boundary morphology less than 40 nanometers wide. Starting with a direct silicon bonded (DSB) wafer of a (100) substrate wafer and a (110) DBS layer, NMOS regions in the DSB layer are amorphized by a double implant and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Crystal defects during anneal are prevented by a low temperature oxide layer on the top surface of the wafer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed. |
| US07855108B2 |
Semiconductor heterojunction devices based on SiC
A Si(1-x)MxC material for heterostructures on SiC can be grown by CVD, PVD and MOCVD. SIC doped with a metal such as Al modifies the bandgap and hence the heterostructure. Growth of SiC Si(1-x)MxC heterojunctions using SiC and metal sources permits the fabrication of improved HFMTs (high frequency mobility transistors), HBTs (heterojunction bipolar transistors), and HEMTs (high electron mobility transistors). |
| US07855107B2 |
Semiconductor device, electro-optical device, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus, the method including: aligning, on a temporal substrate, the plurality of device chips approximately in an L-shape, a plurality of groups of device chips, each group of device chips including a plurality of device chips aligned in an L-shape; arranging the plurality of groups of the device chips in a plurality of arrays on the temporal substrate, each array of device chips arranged in a band-shape, from a first long side to a second long side of the temporal substrate, a front of the band-shape being a corner of a perimeter of each group; delaminating a group of the device chips as one unit from the temporal substrate, and transferring onto the surface of the flexible substrate; and coupling each of the device chips in the group of device chips with the circuit on the flexible substrate. |
| US07855106B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
An improved type thin film semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are described. That is, in a thin film semiconductor device such as TFT formed on an insulating substrate, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of a mobile ion from a substrate or other parts, by forming the first blocking film comprising a silicon nitride, an aluminum oxide, an aluminum nitride, a tantalum oxide, and the like, under the semiconductor device through an insulating film used in a buffering, and then, by forming the second blocking film on TFT, and further, by covering TFT with said first and second blocking films. |
| US07855105B1 |
Planar and non-planar CMOS devices with multiple tuned threshold voltages
A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a first device region including a first threshold voltage adjusting layer located atop a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric located atop the first threshold voltage adjusting layer, and a gate conductor located atop the gate dielectric. The structure further includes a second device region including a gate dielectric located atop the semiconductor substrate, and a gate conductor located atop the gate dielectric; and a third device region including a gate dielectric located atop the semiconductor substrate, a second threshold voltage adjusting layer located atop the gate dielectric, and a gate conductor located atop the second threshold voltage adjusting layer. In the inventive structure the first threshold voltage adjusting layer includes one of an nFET threshold voltage adjusting material or a pFET threshold voltage adjusting material and the second threshold voltage adjusting layer is the other of the nFET threshold voltage adjusting material or the pFET threshold voltage adjusting material. |
| US07855104B2 |
Structure and method for latchup suppression
A method and structure for an integrated circuit comprising a substrate of a first polarity, a merged triple well region of a second polarity and a doped region of the second polarity abutting the well region. The doped region is adapted to suppress latch-up in the integrated circuit. The doped region is placed under semiconductor devices of the first polarity and under the well region contact region. Additionally, the structure may further include a deep trench (DT) structure and trench isolation (TI) structure to further improve latchup robustness. |
| US07855102B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for a secure bus on a printed circuit board
A method, apparatus, and system, the apparatus including, in some embodiments, a printed circuit board (PCB), an integrated circuit (IC) positioned over and electrically connected to the PCB, a chip positioned between the PCB and the IC, and a closed boundary barrier between and contacting the PCB and the IC to define an inner containment area that completely contains the chip within the inner containment area. |
| US07855096B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor film is formed on a GaAs substrate (semiconductor substrate). An SiO2 film (insulating film) is formed on the semiconductor film, and the SiO2 film is patterned. The semiconductor film is etched using the SiO2 film as a mask to form a mesa structure. The surface of the SiO2 film is treated by ashing, using SF6 gas (fluorine-containing gas), to terminate the surface of the SiO2 film with fluorine. The mesa structure is selectively buried with a III-V compound semiconductor film, using the SiO2 film having the surface that has been terminated by fluorine, as a mask. |
| US07855095B2 |
Method of fabricating an ultra-small condenser microphone
In the present invention, a semiconductor substrate wherein a plurality of MEMS microphones is formed is disposed opposed to a discharge electrode in a state of being stuck on a sheet. Electretization of a dielectric film provided in the MEMS microphone is performed by irradiating the dielectric film between a fixed electrode and a vibration film provided in the MEMS microphone with ions resulting from a corona discharge of the discharge electrode in a state that a predetermined potential difference is applied to the fixed electrode and the vibration film and fixing charges based on the ions to the dielectric film. The electretization is successively performed to each MEMS microphone on the semiconductor substrate by relatively moving the semiconductor substrate and the discharge electrode. Therefore, electretization of the dielectric film in the MEMS microphone chip is realized using a low-cost and simple fabricating equipment and productivity can be enhanced. |
| US07855094B2 |
Photo-detector for detecting image signal of infrared laser radar and method of manufacturing the same
A photo-detector, in which metal wiring for connecting electrodes is arranged on a planarized surface and thus the metal wiring arrangement is simplified, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The photo-detector includes a multi-layer compound semiconductor layer formed on a compound semiconductor substrate. A number of p-n junction diodes are arranged in a regular order in a selected region of the compound semiconductor layer, and an isolation region for individually isolating the p-n junction diodes is formed by implanting impurity ions in the multi-layer compound semiconductor layer. The isolation region and the surface of the compound semiconductor layer are positioned on the same level. The isolation region may be a Fe-impurity region. |
| US07855090B2 |
In line test circuit and method for determining interconnect electrical properties and integrated circuit incorporating the same
A test circuit for, and method of, determining electrical properties of an underlying interconnect layer and an overlying interconnect layer of an integrated circuit (IC) and an IC incorporating the test circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the test circuit includes a gate chain having a ring path and a stage. In one embodiment, the stage includes: (1) a underlying test segment in the underlying interconnect layer, (2) a overlying test segment in the overlying interconnect layer and (3) logic circuitry activatible after formation of the underlying interconnect layer and before formation of the overlying interconnect layer to place the underlying test segment in the ring path and further activatible after the formation of the overlying interconnect layer to substitute the overlying test segment for the underlying test segment in the ring path. |
| US07855089B2 |
Application specific solar cell and method for manufacture using thin film photovoltaic materials
A method for manufacture of application specific solar cells includes providing and processing custom design information to determine at least a cell size and a cell shape. The method includes providing a transparent substrate having a back surface region, a front surface region, and one or more grid-line regions overlying the front side surface region. The one or more grid regions provide one or more unit cells having the cell size and the cell shape. The method further includes forming a layered structure including photovoltaic materials overlying the front surface region. Additionally, the method includes aligning a laser beam from the back surface region to illuminate a first region within the one or more grid-line regions, subjecting a first portion of the layered structure overlying the first region to the laser beam to separate the first portion of the layered structure from the first region, and scanning the laser beam along the one or more grid-line regions to cause formation of one or more unit cells having the cell size and cell shape. The method further includes transferring the one or more unit cells. |
| US07855088B2 |
Method for manufacturing integrated circuits by guardbanding die regions
The invention provides a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The method, in one embodiment, includes inspecting a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of die for a defect, the inspecting providing an image of the semiconductor wafer including the defect. The method further includes identifying an area of the semiconductor wafer from the image, wherein the identified area encompasses at least those die including any portion of the defect, and dicing the semiconductor wafer into individual die. The die defined by the identified area, in this embodiment, are then discarded. |
| US07855084B2 |
Chemistry system for clinical analyzer
A clinical analyzer for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample includes at least one reagent supply and at least one reaction containment device for containing a volume of sample and a volume of said at least one reagent from said at least one reagent supply. A wash-free delivery system introduces reagent into at least one reaction containment device without requiring washing of delivery components. |
| US07855077B2 |
Method and device for test sample loading
An automated analyzer is configured to receive and analyze samples provided to the automated analyzer in primary sample containers. The automated analyzer comprises a sample retention unit, at least one transport device, and at least one aspiration device. The sample retention unit is configured to receive and retain a plurality of sample retention vessels. The sample retention unit may comprise a sample storage unit, an analytic unit, or other processing unit within the automated analyzer that retains a sample for some purpose. The transport device is configured to receive a first primary sample container containing a first sample and deliver the first primary sample container to the sample retention unit as one of the plurality of sample retention vessels. The aspiration device is configured to receive a second sample from a second primary sample container and deliver the second sample into one of the plurality of sample retention vessels. |
| US07855062B2 |
Bone cell delivery device
Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects. |
| US07855060B2 |
Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family by inactivating a gene encoding a toxin of a bacterial toxin-antitoxin pair
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging the genus Escherichia or Pantoea, wherein said bacterium has attenuated expression of a gene encoding a toxin of a bacterial toxin-antitoxin pair. |
| US07855059B2 |
Fermentation with cyclic pulse-pause feeding
A process for the production of a valuable compound, comprising the steps of a) fermentation of a filamentous bacterial or fungal strain (e.g. a Streptomyces strain or an Aspergillus strain) in a fermentation medium wherein a carbohydrate during fermentation is added in a cyclic pulse dosing/pause way, wherein the pulse dosing time is shorter than the pause time and b) recovery of the valuable compound from the fermentation broth. |
| US07855056B2 |
Antibody against tumor specific antigen as target
The present invention relates to a method of detecting cancer by use of an oncogene, a method of screening for an active compound useful to treat and/or prevent cancer, and a pharmaceutical composition for treatment and/or prevention of cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of detecting cancer based on the expression of the human oculospanin gene as a marker and a pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody capable of specifically recognizing human oculospanin and having cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. |
| US07855055B2 |
DNA polymerases with enhanced length of primer extension
A formulation and kit of thermostable or other DNA polymerases comprising at least one thermostable or other DNA polymerase which lacks 3′-exonuclease activity, and at least one thermostable DNA polymerase exhibiting 3′-exonuclease activity. Also provided is an improved method for enzymatic extension of DNA strands, especially while, but not limited to, amplifying nucleic acid sequences by polymerase chain reaction wherein the above formulation is made and used to catalyze primer extension. |
| US07855053B2 |
Methods for detecting the presence of expanded CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene 5′ untranslated region
The invention provides improved methods for detecting the presence of expanded CGG repeats in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and for quantifying the amount of protein produced by the gene. |
| US07855046B2 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating shaped structures and shaped structures including one- , two- or three-dimensional patterns incorporated therein
The invention includes a template useful for the fabrication of devices having one, two, or three dimensional geometries. The template can include at least a first patterned surface and a mask integrated into the template for creating an interference pattern when radiation is passed through the mask. The template can be useful in the production of shaped structures including one-, two-, or three-dimensionally shaped patterns, and further including at least one shaped surface. |
| US07855045B2 |
Immersion topcoat materials with improved performance
A topcoat material for applying on top of a photoresist material is disclosed. The topcoat material comprises at least one solvent and a polymer which has a dissolution rate of at least 3000 Å/second in aqueous alkaline developer. The polymer contains a hexafluoroalcohol monomer unit comprising one of the following two structures: wherein n is an integer. The topcoat material may be used in lithography processes, wherein the topcoat material is applied on a photoresist layer. The topcoat material is preferably insoluble in water, and is therefore particularly useful in immersion lithography techniques using water as the imaging medium. |
| US07855038B2 |
Mask patterns for semiconductor device fabrication and related methods and structures
Methods of forming an integrated circuit device may include forming a resist pattern on a layer of an integrated circuit device with portions of the layer being exposed through openings of the resist pattern. An organic-inorganic hybrid siloxane network film may be formed on the resist pattern. Portions of the layer exposed through the resist pattern and the organic-inorganic hybrid siloxane network film may then be removed. Related structures are also discussed. |
| US07855021B2 |
Electrocatalysts having platium monolayers on palladium, palladium alloy, and gold alloy core-shell nanoparticles, and uses thereof
The invention relates to platinum-coated particles useful as fuel cell electrocatalysts. The particles are composed of a noble metal or metal alloy core at least partially encapsulated by an atomically thin surface layer of platinum atoms. The invention particularly relates to such particles having a palladium, palladium alloy, gold alloy, or rhenium alloy core encapsulated by an atomic monolayer of platinum. In other embodiments, the invention relates to fuel cells containing these electrocatalysts and methods for generating electrical energy therefrom. |
| US07855020B1 |
Hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant
The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10). An anode flow path (24) is in fluid communication with an anode catalyst (14) for directing hydrogen fuel to flow adjacent to the anode catalyst (14), and a cathode flow path (38) is in fluid communication with a cathode catalyst (16) for directing an oxidant to flow adjacent to the cathode catalyst (16) of a fuel cell (12). Hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between the anode flow path (24) and the cathode flow path (38). A hydrogen reservoir (66) is secured in fluid communication with the anode flow path (24) for receiving and storing hydrogen during fuel cell (12) operation, and for releasing the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12) whenever the fuel cell (12) is shut down. |
| US07855019B2 |
Method for operating fuel cell and fuel cell system
A method for operating a direct methanol fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes a fuel cell main body having a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed in opposing positions on either side of an electrolyte film. In this method, an aqueous methanol solution is supplied directly to the fuel electrode. A quantity of the aqueous methanol solution supplied is controlled in accordance with an electric current value drawn from the fuel cell main body so as to minimize a quantity of unused methanol within a discharge fluid discharged from the fuel electrode. |
| US07855017B1 |
Structural batteries and components thereof
A structural battery includes an anode, cathode and electrolyte which, taken collectively, have sufficient mechanical strength to allow the battery to be used as a structural component of an article of manufacture. The combined anode, cathode and electrolyte have a stiffness between 10 MPa-1000 GPa, and in certain instances have a stiffness between 50 MPa-100 GPa. Also disclosed are solid electrolytes which may be used in structural batteries. The electrolytes are comprised of salts dissolved in a solvent such as a body of polymeric material. The electrolyte has good ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties. The solid electrolyte may be comprised of a body of uncrosslinked polymer or an at least partially crosslinked polymer such as a multifunctional polymer having segments comprised of linear resins and segments comprised of crosslinking resins. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the structural batteries. |
| US07855016B2 |
Electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which has a [B2]X4n− spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]X4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n− refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3,5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode. |
| US07855013B2 |
Electric double-layer capacitor and method of manufacturing electric double-layer capacitor
The electric double-layer capacitor has a portion where a thickness of a sealing member from a surface of an outer package to a surface of a lead in a laminating direction of electrode bodies on one side of the lead differs from that on the other side of the lead such that two leads connected to each electrode body are arranged within the same plane perpendicular to the laminating direction of the electrode bodies. The electrode bodies are laminated in the outer package such as to yield portions where only one of the planar leads of a first electrode body overlaps one of the planar leads of a second electrode body in the laminating direction of the electrode bodies in the opening part of the outer package. |
| US07855012B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery for electronic appliance to be installed in an electronic appliance, thereby feeding an electric power to the electronic appliance, is disclosed, which includes: a battery cell in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte are accommodated in a pack, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal from the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively are lead out from the same side face of the pack; a metallic battery can in which one opening from which the battery cell is inserted is formed and which accommodates the battery cell therein such that the side face from which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are lead out is faced towards the opening side; and a lid made of a synthetic resin in which a positive electrode terminal part and a negative electrode terminal part to be connected to the electrodes of the electronic appliance upon being connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal and being faced outwardly are provided and which plugs the opening of the battery can. |
| US07855011B2 |
Monoblock lithium ion battery
The present invention describes a monoblock for a plurality of lithium ion cells. The monoblock includes a case having a base and a cover dimensioned and configured to the base. The case includes a chamber that includes cell compartments for lithium cells. Each lithium cell is disposed in a leaf spring that applies compression pressure on the cell. The structural integrity of the battery and cells is maintained using internal and external anti-swelling features including a waffle pattern, backing plates, etc. A liquid and gas pressure management system is also incorporated with the case and realized by a vent plenum, check valves, bladders, bags, etc. |
| US07855007B2 |
Battery assembly including an electrolyte management system
A battery assembly may include a battery and a battery housing. The battery may include an electrolyte vent to provide a pressurized electrolyte discharge during an electrolyte discharge event. The battery housing may contain the battery and may include an electrolyte control member to dissipate energy from and inhibit dispersion of the pressurized electrolyte discharge from the electrolyte vent during the electrolyte discharge event. |
| US07855003B2 |
Ceramic and alloy anode solid oxide fuel cell
A solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a cathode, at least an electrolyte membrane, and an anode having a ceramic material and an alloy of nickel and at least a second metal, selected from aluminum, titanium, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, chromium, copper, silicon, tungsten and niobium, the alloy having an average particle size not higher than 20 nm. The provided solid oxide fuel cells shows enduring efficiency when fuelled with different fuels, including hydrogen and hydrocarbons, in a wide range of operating temperatures. |
| US07854998B2 |
Organic EL devices
The present organic EL devices have at least one luminescent layer and a cathode sequentially provided on their anode, which luminescent layer contains an electron-transporting material, a hole-transporting material, and a luminescent dopant. Preferably, an electron-transporting layer is further provided between the luminescent layer and the cathode. According to the present invention, organic EL devices can be provided giving improved whiteness, colour reproducibility, luminescent efficiency, and lifetime compared to conventional ones. |
| US07854996B2 |
Sliding material and a method for its manufacture
A conventional Bi-containing sliding material sometimes underwent seizing in a sliding part operating at a high rotational speed. The present invention provides a sliding material which does not undergo seizing in a sliding part operating at a high rotational speed and a method for its manufacture. A low melting point alloy containing at least 20 mass % of Bi and having a liquidus temperature of at most 200° C. is made to penetrate into a porous portion comprising a Cu—Sn based alloy. A Bi—Sn based alloy or a Bi—In based alloy is suitable as the low melting point alloy. After a low melting point alloy paste is applied to a porous portion, the low melting point alloy is melted and made to penetrate into the porous portion. |
| US07854993B2 |
Sound reducing polymer interlayers
The present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers and multiple layer glass panels comprising polymer interlayers, and, more specifically, the present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers comprising multiple thermoplastic sheets. |
| US07854992B2 |
Conductive tape and method for making the same
The present invention relates to a conductive tape. The conductive tape includes a base, an adhesive layer, and a carbon nanotube layer. The adhesive layer is configured for being sandwiched between the base and the carbon nanotube layer. And a method for making the conductive tape includes the steps of: fabricating at least one carbon nanotube film and an adhesive agent; coating the adhesive agent on a base and drying the adhesive agent on the base so as to form an adhesive layer; and forming a carbon nanotube layer on the adhesive layer and compressing the carbon nanotube layer so as to sandwich the adhesive layer between the carbon nanotube layer and the base. |
| US07854991B2 |
Single-walled carbon nanotube and aligned single-walled carbon nanotube bulk structure, and their production process, production apparatus and application use
This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 μm, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided. |
| US07854989B2 |
Covering sheet and wire harness
A covering sheet for being wound on a sheathed wire, includes a base sheet that has a strip shape, and an adhesive tape that has an adhesive surface formed only on one side thereof. The adhesive tape is bonded to the base sheet so as to project from one side edge portion of the base sheet. |
| US07854987B2 |
Extrusion coated biaxially oriented polypropylene film
The present invention relates to a thermal laminating film comprising: a base layer of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film and a thermal laminating layer disposed on the outer surface of the base layer, wherein the said thermal laminating layer comprises 100% by weight of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer containing from 10% to 30% by weight of vinyl acetate units and having melt flow index of 18 to 30 or polyethylene or EAA or a blend of all these. |
| US07854986B2 |
Building board and method for production
A building board, in particular of wooden material, plastic or a mixture of wooden material and plastic, with a top side and an underside and side edges. A polyurethane layer is applied at least on the top side. A decorative layer imitating a natural material is applied onto the polyurethane layer. |
| US07854985B2 |
Decorative paint film laminate
A decorative paint film laminate having high gloss and distinctness of image after processing for providing a decorative finish for a part, the decorative paint film laminate comprises a paint film having an inner surface and an outer surface, a backing sheet applied to the inner surface of the paint film, and no mask on the outer surface of the paint film. The paint film comprises a clear coat layer, a gloss and distinctness of image retaining layer, and a color coat layer. The paint film obtains high gloss and distinctness of image without a mask being on the outer surface of the paint film. |
| US07854982B2 |
Honeycomb structure for slurry coating
With the recent yearly increase in cell density, use of the same slurry as a conventional one for forcibly depositing a solid, e.g., alumina for supporting, on the surface of cell walls has come to arouse a trouble that the resultant coat layer is thick and cell clogging is more apt to occur. When a slurry whose viscosity has been reduced by reducing the binder amount is used, the slurry which has flowed into cells is discharged without leaving a solid adherent to the surface of the cell walls. Namely, it is difficult to secure a desired solid deposition amount. A honeycomb structure for slurry coating is provided which is made of a porous object, wherein the surface of cell walls formed in the structure has fine pores dispersedly formed therein and having a pore diameter of 2 μm or smaller. Preferably, the total volume of the fine pores is 0-0.17 ml, excluding 0 ml, per g of the structure. |
| US07854978B1 |
Tape strip with tab
A tape strip has a tab section and an adhesive section. The adhesive section may have an adhesive on one or both planar surfaces of the strip. When the adhesive portion has adhesive on both planar surfaces, the tape strip may or may not comprise a separation mechanism that permits a separation of the tab portion from the adhesive portion. When the adhesive portion has adhesive on only one planar surface, the tape strip comprises the separation mechanism. |
| US07854976B2 |
Pigmented and internally impregnated fibrous cellulose sausage casing
The invention relates to a double-viscosed fibrous cellulose sausage casing having a pigmented outer cellulose hydrate layer and an impregnated internal cellulose hydrate layer. The impregnation of the internal cellulose hydrate layer includes a collagen hydrolysate and the outer cellulose hydrate layer includes at least one white pigment, preferably having titanium dioxide pigments. The invention further relates to a method for producing the fibrous cellulose sausage casing and also to its use as artificial sausage casing. |
| US07854974B2 |
Tube formed of bonded silicon staves
Tubular silicon members advantageously formed by extrusion from a silicon melt or by fixing together silicon staves in a barrel shape. A silicon-based wafer support tower is particularly useful for batch-mode thermal chemical vapor deposition and other high-temperature processes, especially reflow of silicate glass at above 1200° C. The surfaces of the silicon tower are bead blasted to introduce sub-surface damage, which produces pits and cracks in the surface, which anchor subsequently deposited layer of, for example, silicon nitride, thereby inhibiting peeling of the nitride film. Wafer support portions of the tower are preferably composed of virgin polysilicon. The invention can be applied to other silicon parts in a deposition or other substrate processing reactor, such as tubular sleeves and reactor walls. The tower parts are preferably pre-coated with silicon nitride or polysilicon prior to chemical vapor deposition of these materials, or with silicon nitride prior to reflow of silica. |
| US07854973B2 |
Container and method for making container for oxygen-sensitive products
A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen. |
| US07854970B2 |
Liquid-crystalline medium
Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds which contain at least one compound of formula I and the use thereof for a passive-matrix or active-matrix display based on the ECB, FFS, PALC or IPS effect. |
| US07854969B2 |
Method for fabricating integral composite structural material
The present invention is an integral composite structural (ICS) material comprising an open metal structure having at least one external side and internal surfaces defining a plurality of open shapes with a ceramic matrix composite bonded to at least one external side and the surfaces of at least a substantial portion of the plurality of open shapes and occupying at least a substantial portion of the plurality of open shapes. The open metal structure, independent of the ceramic matrix composite, has a total metal volume percent in the range of about 10% to about 90%, with no dimension of any open shape being greater than about ¾ inch. The ceramic matrix layer covers a substantial portion of at least one external side of the open metal structure. At least one external side of the metal portion of the ICS material is bonded with a ceramic matrix composite such that the ceramic layer occupies at least a significant portion of the open pores of the metal portion and is bonded to a significant portion of at least one external side of the metal element. The present invention is also a method of manufacturing such an ICS material. |
| US07854968B2 |
Method for creating and applying liquid-container barrier coating
A method for establishing a sprayable stream of composite material for spray-applying to a target surface to create thereon a defined composite-material coating designed for defeating a liquid leak from a puncture wound created in the wall of a container holding liquid of a particular character, where the target surface is on a side of that wall. The method includes (a) initiating a pair of respective sub-flows of two, precursor elastomeric materials intended for later blending to create a formed, elastomeric body, (b) at a point downstream from such initiating, introducing a flow of plural, liquid-imbiber beads which are reactive to the mentioned, particular-character liquid, (c) in a user-chooseable manner upstream from where such later blending takes place, merging the flow of beads with at least one of the two sub-flows of elastomeric materials, (d) following such merging, blending the two sub-flows, and (e) thereafter spray-applying the merged and blended flows/sub-flows to a target surface thus to create the desired, defined composite-material coating. |
| US07854963B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling composition profile of copper indium gallium chalcogenide layers
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preparing thin films of semiconductor films for radiation detector and photovoltaic applications. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 layer with substantially uniform Ga distribution. In a particular aspect, the method includes depositing a precursor film on the base, the precursor film including Cu, In and Ga, sulfurizing the precursor film thus forming a sulfurized precursor layer with a substantially uniform Ga distribution, and selenizing the sulfurized precursor layer to reduce the sulfur concentration therein and obtain the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 layer with substantially uniform Ga distribution. In a further aspect, the method also includes the step of selenizing the precursor film. |
| US07854958B2 |
Method and apparatus for spray processing of porous medical devices
Thermal spray processing and cold spray processing are utilized to manufacture porous starting materials (such as tube stock, wire and substrate sheets) from biocompatible metals, metal alloys, ceramics and polymers that may be further processed into porous medical devices, such as stents. The spray processes are also used to form porous coatings on consolidated biocompatible medical devices. The porous substrates and coatings may be used as a reservoir to hold a drug or therapeutic agent for elution in the body. The spray-formed porous substrates and coatings may be functionally graded to allow direct control of drug elution without an additional polymer topcoat. The spray processes are also used to apply the drug or agent to the porous substrate or coating when drug or agent is robust enough to withstand the temperatures and velocities of the spray process with minimal degradation. |
| US07854954B2 |
Compositions with a chicken flavour, use and production thereof
The present invention provides with a method for producing compositions with a chicken flavor. The compositions of the invention can be obtained by applying the following method: (a) preparing a mixture comprising at least one reducing carbohydrate and at least one amino acid; (b) keeping the mixture at a temperature sufficient for the reducing carbohydrate and amino acid to react with each other; (c) adding to the mixture a composition comprising arachidonic acid, whereby said arachidonic acid is esterified for at least 50% w/w, preferably at least 65% w/w, more preferably at least 80% w/w, most preferably at least 90% w/w to the glycerol moiety of a triglyceride; and (d) keeping the mixture at a temperature sufficient for the chicken flavor to develop; and possibly: (e) drying the composition under mild conditions. The use of an oil rich in arachidonic acid, whereby said arachidonic acid is esterified to the glycerol moiety of a triglyceride, confers an enhanced stability to the compositions obtained. A composition of the invention is stable at room temperature for at least one year. |
| US07854953B2 |
Foodstuff supplement and method of producing same
A foodstuff supplement and method of producing the foodstuff supplement. The method includes forming a liquid phase and adding vitamins to the liquid phase at a temperature below that at which significant depletion and/or degradation of the vitamins will occur. Oil is heated in a vessel and an emulsifier is added to the heated oil. The resultant mixture is cooled and the liquid phase is added. |
| US07854951B2 |
Method and device for treating milk, in particular breast milk
The present invention relates to a method for treating milk, preferably breast milk, in which the milk is briefly heated in a container, said method comprising the following steps: The container is moved, preferably set in rotation, so that a milk film forms on its inner wall, the milk is heated to a treatment temperature during a heating phase, the milk is maintained at the treatment temperature for a treatment period of less than 20 seconds, and the milk is cooled to room temperature. |
| US07854950B2 |
Pressure treating food to reduce spoilage
The present invention broadly describes a method of pressure treating foods containing cultures, wherein the pressure treatments are performed under such conditions such that cultures survive while the growth of spoilage microflora is reduced, delayed, prevented or eliminated. Foods treated according to the invention include cultural dairy foods (such as yoghurts), fruit and vegetable juices and other dairy foods (such as cheese). |
| US07854943B2 |
Phospholipid gel compositions for drug delivery and methods of treating conditions using same
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of a gel for controlled- or sustained-release of a pharmaceutically active agent and to methods for treating or preventing a condition in an animal by administering to an animal in need thereof the pharmaceutical compositions. One particular type of condition for which the pharmaceutical compositions are useful is a microbial infection, e.g., of the skin, ear, or eye, especially for veterinary applications. |
| US07854942B2 |
Anti-gluten egg yolk antibodies for the treatment of celiac disease
Compositions, food products or beverages for ameliorating the symptoms of celiac disease or gluten sensitive enteropathy comprising egg yolk antibodies against gluten, including gliadin, high molecular glutenin, low molecular glutenin and mixtures of the peptides. The antibodies may be produced by immunizing egg laying fowl with immunogenic preparations of gluten and harvesting the eggs and egg yolks. |
| US07854940B2 |
Broad spectrum preservation blends
A composition having effective broad spectrum preservation activity comprising a mixture of caprylyl glycol or one or more analogs thereof, or mixtures thereof with a preservative selected from the group consisting of: (1) chloroxylenol and 2-phenoxyethanol, (2) chloroxylenol and chlorphenesin, (3) chlorphenesin and 2-phenoxyethanol, and (4) chloroxylenol, chlorphenesin and 2-phenoxyethanol. |
| US07854937B2 |
Flavivirus fusion inhibitors
The present invention relates to peptides and methods of inhibiting fusion between the virion envelope of Flaviviruses and membranes of the target cell, the process that delivers the viral genome into the cell cytoplasm. The invention provides for methods which employ peptides or peptide derivatives to inhibit Flavivirus:cell fusion. The present invention is based in part on the discovery that E1 envelope glycoprotein of hepaciviruses and E2 envelope glycoprotein of pestivirus have previously undescribed structures, truncated class II fusion proteins. The present invention provides peptides and methods of treatment and prophylaxis of diseases induced by Flaviviruses. |
| US07854935B2 |
Herbal therapy for the treatment of asthma
The present invention provides herbal formulas, and compositions thereof, that can treat or reduce the severity, intensity, or duration of asthma and asthma-related symptoms. The compositions may optionally include one or more adjuvants, cytokines, encapsulating materials, or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients, and may be administered prior to, during, or after the development of asthmatic symptoms in a patient in need thereof. |
| US07854933B2 |
Compositions and methods for identifying and targeting cancer cells of alimentary canal origin
Screening and diagnostic reagents, kits and methods for primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. Compositions for and methods of imaging and treating primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. Vaccines compositions and methods of for treating and preventing primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. |
| US07854930B2 |
Anti-igf-ir antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention relates to novel antibodies capable of binding specifically to the human insulin-like growth factor I receptor IGF-IR and/or capable of specifically inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of said IGF-IR, especially monoclonal antibodies of murine, chimeric and humanized origin, as well as the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences coding for these antibodies. The invention likewise comprises the use of these antibodies as a medicament for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of cancers overexpressing IGF-IR or any pathology connected with the overexpression of said receptor as well as in processes or kits for diagnosis of illnesses connected with the overexpression of the IGF-IR. The invention finally comprises products and/or compositions comprising such antibodies in combination with anti-EGFR antibodies and/or anti-VEGF antibodies and/or antibodies directed against other growth factors involved in tumor progression or metastasis and/or compounds and/or anti-cancer agents or agents conjugated with toxins and their use for the prevention and/or the treatment of certain cancers. |
| US07854928B2 |
Method for limiting the growth of cancer cells using an attenuated measles virus
A method for treating cancer cells is provided comprising directly or systemically administering a therapeutically effective dose of an attenuated measles virus. In one embodiment, the therapeutically effective dose is from about 103 pfus to about 1012 pfus and is delivered by direct injection into a group of cancer cells or via intravenous injection. |
| US07854924B2 |
Methods and compositions for treatment of ion imbalances
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of ion imbalances. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising sodium-binding polymers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of use of the polymeric and pharmaceutical compositions for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits are disclosed herein. Examples of these methods include the treatment of hypertension, chronic heart failure, end stage renal disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal insufficiency, fluid overload, or sodium overload. |
| US07854920B2 |
Thioflavin derivatives for use in antemortem diagnosis of alzheimer's disease and in vivo imaging and prevention of amyloid deposition
This invention relates to novel thioflavin derivatives, methods of using the derivatives in, for example, in vivo imaging of patients having neuritic plaques, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the thioflavin derivatives and method of synthesizing the compounds. The compounds find particular use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients having diseases where accumulation of neuritic plaques are prevalent. The disease states or maladies include but are not limited to Alzheimer's disease, familial Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome and homozygotes for the apolipoprotein E4 allele. |
| US07854918B2 |
Composition for medical use having improved water-solubility of peptide and metal-labeling efficiency and preparation for medical use comprising metal-labeled peptide
By preliminarily dissolving a basic organic compound in an aqueous solvent in which a peptide usable in metal-labeling is to be dissolved, the solubility of the peptide is improved and thus metal-labeling can be carried out without heating. A composition for medical use containing a peptide usable in metal-labeling and a basic organic compound acceptable as a pharmaceutical additive can be utilized as a preparation useful in image diagnosis, radiotherapy and so on. |
| US07854917B2 |
Methods of controlling the particle size of titanium dioxide produced by the chloride process
A process for manufacturing titanium dioxide by the chloride process is provided. In one embodiment, a particle size control agent comprising an ionizing agent such as potassium chloride is introduced into the reaction zone of the oxidation reactor to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. In a first aspect, the effectiveness of the particle size control agent in controlling the particle size of the titanium dioxide is improved by adding the particle size control agent to at least one of the reactant streams at a sufficient distance upstream of the oxidization reactor to allow the ionizing agent to efficiently ionize and the particle size control agent to thoroughly admix with the stream(s) prior to entering the reaction zone. In a second aspect, the particle size control agent comprises an ionizing agent and fumed silica. In another embodiment, the amount of alumina added to the reaction zone of the oxidization reactor is increased in order to control the particle size of the titanium dioxide. |
| US07854914B2 |
Soluble carbon nanotubes
The present invention relates to a method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes, to carbon nanotubes produced thereby and to uses of said carbon nanotubes. |
| US07854913B2 |
Mesoporous carbon, method of preparing the same, and fuel cell using the carbon
A mesoporous carbon is prepared by mixing 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; carbonizing the impregnated OMS at 800 to 1300° C. by irradiating microwave energy with a power of 100 to 2000 W thereon to form an OMS-carbon composite; and removing the mesoporous silica from the OMS-carbon composite. The method of preparing a mesoporous carbon can significantly reduce a carbonization time by carbonizing a carbon precursor using microwave energy in a silica template compared to a conventional method using a heat treatment. A supported catalyst and a fuel cell include the mesoporous carbon. |
| US07854910B1 |
Air preheater design that controls mercury emissions in exhaust gases and method of operation of the same
A conventional air preheater or the conventional design of a preheater is split into two separate sections which are then communicated or connected by a thermally insulated reaction section that is maintained within a predetermined temperature range selected for optimization of heterogeneous chemi-deposition of mercury. The reaction section contains thin stainless steel sheeting which provide an enhanced area of collisional surfaces. Testing has confirmed that this design modification alters the energy heat exchanger to also enhance the oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury in combustion or high temperature source flue gases by providing the surfaces and time for the heterogeneous mechanisms to occur and so control mercury emissions in exhaust gases from coal combustion or other high temperature systems that contain traces of mercury. |
| US07854906B2 |
Reactor for carrying out a reaction between two fluid starting materials over a catalyst bed with premixing of the fluid starting materials in a mixing-in device
A reactor for carrying out a reaction between two fluid starting materials over a catalyst bed with premixing of the fluid starting materials before introduction into the catalyst bed within a delay time of less than 150 ms in a mixing-in device, wherein the mixing-in device is made up of the following elements which are arranged essentially transverse to the inflow direction of the first fluid starting material stream: two or three rows arranged behind one another of tubes which have turbulence generators on the outside and constrict the flow cross section for the first fluid starting material stream to from ½ to 1/10, with the second fluid starting material stream being passed through the interiors of the tubes and injected via openings in the tubes into the first fluid starting material stream; a perforated plate upstream of the tubes; and a perforated plate downstream of the tubes, is proposed. |
| US07854902B2 |
Modular and reconfigurable multi-stage high temperature microreactor cartridge apparatus and system for using same
A microfluidic reactor cartridge having glass capillary tubing wound in a coil and surrounded by a ceramic housing capable use in high temperatures and method for using same. In another embodiment, the microfluidic cartridge is a serpentine reactor cartridge with a serpentine microreactor channel formed in a ceramic housing. The serpentine reactor cartridge has an inlet tube attached to its inlet port and an outlet tube attached to its outlet port. The inlet port is a macro/micro interface and the outlet port is a micro/macro interface useful in gas phase reactions where solids must be used to produce a reactant. The method for using a microfluidic reactor cartridge includes two phases, the first phase for producing a radioactive labeled gas such as methyl iodide and the second phase is a methylation reaction. |
| US07854901B2 |
Oil-smoke extractor
The present invention relates to an oil-smoke extractor including a housing defining a number of air holes, a bottom plate detachably secured to the housing and a sterilization and deodorization device seated in a receiving space jointly defined by the housing and the bottom plate. The sterilization and deodorization device includes two lamp supports fixed to the front plate, a pair of lamp holders respectively secured to the lamp supports, at least one nano photocatalyst lamp disposed between the lamp holders, a sterilization lampshade fixed to the lamp supports and an axial flow fan corresponding to one of the air holes in the front plate. When the oil-smoke extractor stops running, the sterilization and deodorization device is powered and begins to work. The kitchen air flows into and out of the oil-smoke extractor via the air slots and the air holes. |
| US07854900B2 |
Sterilization method
An ion generating device generates O2−(H2O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H+(H2O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions, and discharges those ions into the air so that airborne germs are killed through an oxidation reaction by hydrogen peroxide H2O2 or radical hydroxyl OH generated through as an active species a chemical reaction between the negative and positive ions. Satisfactory sterilization is achieved when the negative and positive ions are generated in such a way that the concentrations of the negative and positive ions are both 10,000 ion/cc at a distance of 10 cm from the point at which they are generated. |
| US07854897B2 |
Chemical reaction cartridge, its fabrication method, and a chemical reaction cartridge drive system
The present invention describes a disposable chemical reaction cartridge comprising a container formed of a rigid substrate and an elastic body, wherein two or more chambers are linked or configured to be linked through flow paths, and wherein the flow paths, the chambers or both, can be partially closed by applying an external force to the elastic body from outside of the container, to move or block fluids in the flow paths or chambers. The cartridge has a structure protected against viruses or dangerous drugs and facilitates foolproof implementation of prescribed protocols for the samples to be tested. |
| US07854891B2 |
Method of specimen analysis and specimen analyzer
A novel method of specimen analysis in which prior to specimen analysis, any interfering substance can be measured. There is provided a method of specimen analysis, comprising the steps of irradiating a specimen with light to thereby obtain an optical information on the specimen from the specimen; mixing the specimen with a reagent to thereby obtain an analytical sample; and irradiating the analytical sample with light to thereby obtain an optical information on the sample from the analytical sample and processing the optical information on the sample to thereby accomplish analysis of the analytical sample. In the step of the analysis of the analytical sample, analytical conditions commensurate with the analytical sample are set on the basis of the optical information on the specimen. |
| US07854889B2 |
Process for decontamination by radiation of a product such as a packaging containing medical devices
A process for decontamination by radiation of a product. The process comprises at least one exposing step during which at least a first part of the product is exposed to a first radiation level, and at least a second part of the product is exposed to a second radiation level. The invention also relates to an equipment suitable for such a process. |
| US07854885B2 |
Method of making an article
A method of making an article having at least one re-entrance surface includes the steps of (a) forming a layer of metal powder on a base, (b) selectively laser fusing portions of the layer, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to form the article, each step (a) being performed on the preceding layer characterised in that prior to performing step (a) in a layer which will initiate the formation of a re-entrant feature reversibly bonding at least some of the unfused underlying powder such that it is stable under the application of the laser. |
| US07854878B2 |
Method for forming and aligning chemically mediated dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles in a polymer
A method including providing Au-doped Co nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include a combination of non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles each have an exterior surface. The surfaces of the nanoparticles are functionalized with 7-(5-uracil-ylcarbamoyl)heptanoic acid. A polymer is provided having a general formula including a uracil group. A dispersion is formed by agitating a solution of the nanoparticles. The solution is spin cast into a film. The film is heated under vacuum at a first temperature, TFM, resulting in inducing ferromagnetism in the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles and converting the non-ferromagnetic nanoparticles to ferromagnetic nanoparticles, and resulting in enhancing ferromagnetism in the weakly ferromagnetic nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are aligned such that magnetic easy axes of the nanoparticles are oriented by applying a magnetic field to the dispersion while at a second temperature less than TFM. The axes align in a plane parallel to a plane of the film. |
| US07854871B2 |
Method for producing polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet and polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet
The present invention provides a method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet which is excellent in heat resistance and flexibility, has a small diameter of cells, can be developed in various utilities, and is excellent in vacuum moldability. The method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet according to the present invention comprises the steps of supplying a foamed sheet with closed cells, comprising a polyolefin-based resin, to a gap between one pair of rolls which have different circumferential speeds, and are rotated so that rotation directions on facing surfaces are the same direction, and applying a compression force and a shear stress to the foamed sheet with closed cells simultaneously to rupture a part of closed cells of the foamed sheet with closed cells to communicate closed cells into open cells. |
| US07854870B2 |
Method and apparatus for the production of high tenacity polyolefin sheet
A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two heated calendar rolls initially set at a gap smaller than the size of the smallest polyolefin powder particle and at a temperature above the melting point of the powder; b) rolling the powder through the nip under these conditions until a coherent sheet of polyolefin is produced: and c) once a coherent sheet of polyolefin exits the nip lowering the temperature in the nip to a temperature below the melting point of the polyolefin powder and increasing the gap to a desired level above the thickness of the largest powder particle. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described. |
| US07854869B2 |
Method of forming a ladder
A method for forming a ladder including: forming first and second expandable members used in constructing the ladder, the forming of each of the first and second expandable members which includes; expanding a covering to define a cavity; expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape; and connecting the first and second expandable members together by disposing a plurality of rungs therebetween. |
| US07854867B2 |
Method for detecting a particle in a nanoimprint lithography system
A method for detecting a particle between a nanoimprint mold assembly and a substrate in a nanoimprint lithography system. |
| US07854855B2 |
Electrolytic solution
There is provided an electrolytic solution comprising a fluorine-containing cyclic carbonate (I) represented by the formula (I): wherein Rf1 is a fluorine-containing ether group (Ia), a fluorine-containing alkoxyl group (Ib) or a fluorine-containing alkyl group (Ic) having two or more carbon atoms; X1 and X2 are the same or different and each is H, F, Cl, CF3 or CH3; X3 is H, F, Cl or an alkyl group in which hydrogen atom may be substituted with halogen atom and hetero atom may be contained in its chain, and an electrolyte salt (II). The electrolytic solution is excellent in flame retardance, low temperature characteristics and withstand voltage, high in solubility of an electrolyte salt and excellent in compatibility with a hydrocarbon solvent. |
| US07854852B1 |
In-drain device for the collection, extraction and diversion of gray water for reuse
Device inserted into a drain so that the top surface of the device is positioned and supported at the drain surface by means of a flange at the top surface of the device and sealing the drain by means of a gasket between the flange and the drain perimeter surface. Waste water, referred to as “gray water”, directed to the drain enters the device by passing first through a thin horizontal plate perforated with numerous small holes to remove hair and debris and then passes through larger openings in the surface plate directly beneath the hair and debris guard. The water accumulates in the collection chamber and is extracted through means of a pick-up tube within the collection chamber having a fitting extending through the top of the device for connection to a fluid conduit attached to a suction pump. The extracted gray water is diverted or stored for reuse. |
| US07854850B2 |
Screen blockage measurement and flow performance optimization system
An apparatus and method are provided that enable the control of a screening operation based on a calculated screen blockage percentage and the velocity throughput of the screen. The apparatus includes an upstream level detector, a downstream level detector and a flow determining device which determines the volumetric flow through the screen. The apparatus may further include a blockage determination unit which determines the percent screen blockage based on the flow level upstream of the screen, the flow level downstream of the screen and the volumetric flow. |
| US07854846B2 |
Membrane devices with controlled transmembrane pressure and method of use
A crossflow membrane device that receives a feedstock at a feed end face and separates the feedstock into permeate and retentate. The device has a membrane support containing at least one monolith of porous material defining a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from the feed end face of the monolith to a retentate end face of the monolith through which the feedstock flows to pass retentate from the device. A permselective membrane coating of finer pore size than that of the porous material is applied to the passageway wall surfaces of the monolith. At least one permeate conduit is formed within the monolith, the conduit containing a plurality of longitudinal permeate chambers communicating with a means of permeate introduction at or near the feed end face and permeate withdrawal at or near the retentate end face. The permeate is separated from feed and retentate, and a portion of the permeate is circulated through the permeate conduit to create a decreasing permeate pressure within the permeate conduit from the feed end of the membrane device to the retentate end of the device to control transmembrane pressure along the length of the device. |
| US07854839B2 |
Fuel filter assembly with flow restriction valve
A “no filter, no run” filtration system that is designed to verify that an appropriate filter cartridge is installed. A flow control valve is provided on a standpipe to control the flow of fuel into the standpipe. The valve has a component that has a first position at which any flow through the flow passage past the valve is insufficient to permit engine operation, and a second position at which a greater amount of flow through the flow passage is permitted by the valve in an amount sufficient to permit engine operation, and the component rotates about the longitudinal axis when it moves from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. |
| US07854835B2 |
Desulfurization process
A hydrocarbon desulfurization system that circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles. A novel transport system is employed for transporting the solid particles between the reactor, the regenerator, and the reducer. The transport system uses close-coupled vessels and gravity flow between various vessels to minimize equipment cost and particle attrition. |
| US07854834B2 |
Catalyst based on solid microporous crystalline material and method of improving diesel fraction quality using said catalyst
The invention relates to a catalyst consisting of at least: one matrix comprising at least one oxide which is selected from an amorphous oxide, an oxide with low crystallinity and a mixture of both; at least one solid microporous crystalline material which, in the calcined and anhydrous state, has the molar compositions X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, in which X is a trivalent element such as, for example, Al, B, Fe, In, Ga, Cr, Y is at least one trivalent element that is different from Ge and Z is Ge, the value (n+m) is at least equal to 5 and can be between 5 and ∞, and the value of n/m is at least equal to 1; and at least one hydrogenating compound, preferably Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, and Re or a combination of same. The invention also relates to the use of said catalyst in a process in order to improve the quality of diesel fractions. |
| US07854831B2 |
Method for the manufacture of sanitary fittings with a stainless steel finish
In order to provide sanitary fittings, in particular, water supply fittings and sanitary shut-off devices, in general, which visually and haptically are very similar to or scarcely distinguishable (stainless steel finish) from the stainless steel surface of stainless steel sinks, using starting materials which can be processed more cost-effectively, it is proposed that a fitting or fitting parts be manufactured from brass; the fittings or fitting parts be ground and polished; the visible surface of the fittings or fitting parts be nickel-plated; the nickel-plated surface of the fittings or fitting parts be ground and/or brushed; and the ground and/or brushed nickel-plated surface of the fittings or fitting parts be chromium-plated. |
| US07854829B2 |
Method of plating and method of manufacturing a micro device
A method of plating, which allows compositions of plating patterns of a plurality of layers to be uniform without any operational complexity, is provided. The area of the plating layer electrodeposited including plating patterns is constant in each of the plurality of layers. Accordingly, a value of plating-current density is easily maintained constant without any special operation. Consequently, the plating patterns in each of the plurality of layers is easily formed to have an uniform composition. |
| US07854824B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device using electrochemical deposition with electric current revised by reflectance of every substrate surface and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes measuring the reflectance at the surface of a semiconductor substrate provided with concave portions and deciding a deposition parameter that represents a deposition condition corresponding to the measured reflectance. Then, a metal film is formed on the semiconductor substrate under a condition corresponding to the deposition parameter. |
| US07854816B2 |
Method of producing a nonwoven fabric from filaments
A laminate is made by first treating two spun-bond webs formed of endless thermoplastic synthetic-resin filaments with wetting agents. Then a layer of hydrophilic fibers is applied to one of the treated spun-bond webs and then the other of the treated spun-bond webs is applied to the layer of hydrophilic fibers on the one treated spun-bond web. Finally the two treated spun-bond webs and the layer of hydrophilic fibers between them are hydrodynamically consolidated together. |
| US07854815B2 |
Methods of forming three-dimensional panels for a game ball
A method of manufacturing a multi-layer outer panel for a game ball includes three-dimensionally forming a top layer of an outer panel, as well as one or more backing materials disposed underneath the top layer, into a shape substantially corresponding to the surface of the ball. Multi-layer outer panels are then attached to or interconnected to surround an inflatable bladder, thereby producing a game ball while minimizing overstretching of the outer material or the backing material and improving resistance of the outer panels to delamination. |
| US07854807B2 |
Magnetic metal powder suitable for use in magnetic recording media and method of manufacturing the powder
A metal magnetic powder for a magnetic recording medium is provided whose particles have a metal magnetic phase, composed mainly of Fe or Fe plus Co, and an oxide layer, wherein the average major axis length of the powder particles is 10-50 nm, the average particle volume including the oxide layer is 5,000 nm3 or less, the atomic ratio (R+Al+Si)/(Fe+Co) calculated using the content values (at. %) of the elements contained in the powder particles is 20% or less, where R is rare earth element (Y being treated as a rare earth element). The metal magnetic powder is obtained by using a complexing agent and a reducing agent to elute nonmagnetic constituents after firing. The metal magnetic powder exhibits a large saturation magnetization σs for its particle volume while maintaining weatherability comparable to the conventional level and is suitable for a coated-type magnetic recording medium. |
| US07854806B2 |
Dishwasher and method of controlling the same
A controlling method of a dishwasher is provided. The method includes a selecting of a wash cycle and inputting of command settings by a user, starting operation of the dishwasher according to the selected cycle and driving a wash pump and discharge member, and controlling the dishwasher during the cycle to end the wash cycle with an upper arm operating. |
| US07854803B1 |
Composition of materials and processes of making boroncitrates to establish set times for hydraulic cements
Boroncitrates provide a new and improved means for hydraulic cement compositions to take set faster or slower, as determined by the user and as the individual jobsite needs dictate; thereby providing the flexibility required in the concrete industry. Boroncitrates include boron lithium citrate, boron potassium citrate, and boron sodium citrate which may be used alone or in mixtures thereof. They can be used in but not limited to Portland cement, Class C Fly Ash, blended hydraulic cements, and mixtures thereof. |
| US07854798B2 |
Ink set, image forming method, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and recording unit
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink set which can produce images with color developability undoubtedly higher than images produced by a conventional pigment ink and closer to images produced by silver halide photography or output from a laser printer, in particular, color developability in a red color region, while keeping ink reliability. The ink set comprises at least a first ink and a second ink wherein the first ink has a maximum absorption wavelength in a region of 450 nm or more and less than 500 nm and the second ink has a maximum absorption wavelength in a region of 500 nm or more and 570 nm or less, and the ink set has a B/A ratio of a minimum absorbance B to a maximum absorbance A of 0.7 or more and 1.0 or less among absorbances of the first ink and the second ink in total in a region of 450 nm or more and 570 nm or less. |
| US07854796B2 |
Liquid composition, ink set, and ink tank for ink jet recording, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording apparatus
The invention provides a liquid composition for ink jet recording. The liquid composition contains an organic acid having a neutralization degree of 40 to 100%, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and two or more kinds of positive ions including lithium ions. The content of the lithium ions with respect to the total mol number of the positive ions is about 20 to about 95 mol %. The invention also provides an ink set for ink jet recording that contains an ink including a coloring material, a water-soluble solvent, and water, and the liquid composition, and an ink jet recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus where the ink set is used. |