Document Document Title
US07969959B2 Method and apparatus for efficient and deterministic group alerting
A system and method are provided for reliable, wireless group alerting in a system having a database, switch, wireless network, and a plurality of intelligent mobile receivers, and preferably employing a modified two-way paging based on ReFLEX™ protocol information service (IS) messages and a novel ALOHA command for multicast acknowledgement from mobile receivers. An encrypted message is broadcast to a group address and received by a selected number of the mobile receivers. The network replies to the sender with detailed information about the individual members in the alert group. Each of the mobile receivers in the group then acknowledges the common message back to the system, decrypts the message, displays it to the user, and allows the user to respond. The system employs centralized management to simplify the roles of the mobile users and administrators, minimizing configuration and operational human errors that would otherwise result in confusion or lost messages.
US07969951B2 Power-saving wireless network, packet transmitting method for use in the wireless network and computer readable media
A power-saving wireless network, a packet transmitting method for use in the wireless network, and computer readable medium therefor are provided. The wireless network comprises a PAN coordinator, a receiving node and a transferring node. When the transmitting node has a packet planed to be transmitted to the receiving node which is in a sleep mode, the packet is alternatively transmitted to the PAN coordinator. As soon as the receiving node wakes from the sleep mode, all packets are transmitted to the receiving node from the PAN coordinator. After the packets are all successfully transmitted, the receiving node turns back to the sleep mode subsequently. Thereby, the performance of the wireless network would not be restricted to the sleep period and memory capacity. Thus, the nodes in the wireless network would greatly facilitate saving power.
US07969950B2 System and method for monitoring and enforcing policy within a wireless network
In general, one embodiment of the invention is a air monitor adapted to a wireless network. The air monitor enforces policies followed by the wireless network even though it is not involved in the exchange of data between wireless devices of the wireless network such as access points and wireless stations.
US07969944B2 Hand over method for dual band/dual mode mobile communication terminal
The handover method includes the steps of the base stations of the synchronous mobile communication network transmitting dummy pilot signals for the asynchronous mobile communication network, the mobile communication terminal, for which call connection with the asynchronous mobile communication network is performed through the asynchronous wireless device, determining whether the dummy pilot signals for the asynchronous mobile communication network have been received through the asynchronous wireless device; the mobile communication terminal requesting handover from the asynchronous mobile communication network if it is determined that the dummy pilot signals for the asynchronous mobile communication network have been received; and the asynchronous mobile communication network determining that handover is possible, notifying the mobile communication terminal of the determination that handover is possible, and the asynchronous mobile communication network requesting handover to the synchronous mobile communication network, thus performing handover.
US07969942B2 Bonding multiple radios in wireless multi-hop mesh networks
In a mesh network composed of multiple-radio nodes, we assign each radio to one of a plurality of channels, and treat a plurality of links between a pair of nodes as one logical link (bonded link). In some embodiments, the routing protocol is adapted to view each bonded link as one link having a combination of at least some of the properties of the constituent physical links. Traffic sent along a path is dynamically load balanced between the interfaces at each intermediate node based on the current utilization of each interface. In at least some embodiments, route discovery packets record the metrics of each component link of the bonded links leaving a node, but only one route discovery packet per pair of nodes is forwarded, reducing the route discovery packet traffic compared to if each route discovery packet were forwarded over each component link between the pair of nodes.
US07969941B2 Configuring signaling radio bearer information in a user equipment protocol stack
In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for configuring signaling radio bearer information in a user equipment protocol stack. A wireless network may be used that includes a radio access network for transmitting information between a user equipment device and a core network. An instruction may be received to generate a signaling radio bearer configuration information element (IE) that includes configuration information for a pre-selected number of signaling radio bearers. The signaling radio bearer configuration IE may then be generated, while ensuring that the signaling radio bearer configuration IE includes configuration information for a required minimum number of signaling radio bearers. The signaling radio bearer configuration information element may be transmitted from the radio access network to the user equipment device for use in configuring the signaling radio bearers in the user equipment device.
US07969939B2 Measuring signal quality
There is disclosed method of measuring a received signal quality in a wireless telecommunications network. The method includes determining at least two signal parameters on the basis of measurements made on at least one of a plurality of physical channels, determining a calibration parameter indicative of variations common to the signal parameters, and determining the signal quality parameter on the basis of said at least one measured signal parameter and said calibration parameter.
US07969935B2 Transparent broadcast structure in communication systems
A broadcast channel, such as a broadcast control channel that carries a short message service, in a GSM/EDGE or similar communication system can be extended with additional timeslots. These additional timeslots can be pointed out in a tree structure, the root of which is in the SMS broadcast channel. The extended broadcast channel can be used for broadcast-like services provided under a multimedia broadcast/multicast service.
US07969932B2 Point to point radio bearers for a broadcasting service
A method for establishing a connection between user equipment (UE) and an associated network includes receiving at the UE a notification indicating either a start of a broadcast service or an availability of the broadcast service, such that the notification comprises an identifier which identifies the broadcast service. The method further includes receiving at the UE a setup message which establishes a point-to-point radio bearer between the UE and the network, such that the setup message comprises the identifier which is used to identify that the radio bearer carriers the broadcast service.
US07969931B2 WLAN to UMTS handover with network requested PDP context activation
The invention relates to a method for configuring a context for a connection delivering a packet data service to a mobile terminal via a target wireless access network. The mobile terminal is initially connected to an originating wireless access network and the packet data service may be provided to the mobile terminal via the originating wireless network. Moreover, the invention provides an authentication server, a packet data gateway and a packet data service support node which participate in the context configuration method. To provide a method that allows establishing connection for packet service delivery to a mobile terminal from a wireless access network, as for example a UMTS, as fast as possible the invention suggests to preconfigure service provision of the packet data service via the target wireless access network by establishing a context prior to the mobile terminal connecting to the target wireless access network.
US07969930B2 Apparatus, system and method for managing wireless local area network service based on a location of a multi-mode portable communication device
A wireless access point monitors a wireless wide area network (WWAN) reverse link (RL) channel assigned to a multi-mode wireless communication device identified by a wireless wide area network (WWAN) as positioned proximate a geographical area at least partially including a wireless local area network (WLAN) service area of the access point. The access point sends a device proximity message to the WWAN based on a WWAN RL signal transmitted by the multi-mode wireless communication device and received at the access point. The device proximity message may indicate a request to perform a WLAN acquisition procedure to establish WLAN service from the access point.
US07969929B2 Transporting GSM packets over a discontinuous IP based network
A system for transferring data includes an interface configured to receive data that is sent via a first link, and a processor coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to: receive data that is sent via a first link; determine whether there is discontinuity in the received data, the determination being based at least in part on information included in the received data; in the event that the received data includes a discontinuity, generate replacement data that repairs the discontinuity; and transmit at least a portion of replacement data to a second link such that a synchronization requirement associated with the second link is fulfilled.
US07969926B2 System and method for transmitting/receiving signal in a communication system
A system and method for transmitting and receiving signals in a communication system are provided, in which a BS communicates with a first MS located within an inner area of a cell during first and second time periods in TDD and communicates with a second MS located within an outer area of the cell during the first time period in FDD, and an RS detects signals transmitted between the BS and the second MS during the first time period and transmits the detected signals simultaneously to the BS and the second MS during the second time period.
US07969924B2 Method and apparatus for state/mode transitioning
A method and network element for sending a transition indication to transition a user equipment to a different state or mode, the method receiving a configuration message from a network; and transmitting a transition indication from the user equipment, the transition indication only includes a cause if the configuration message contains an inhibit transition indication. Also, a method and user equipment for processing a transitioning indication from a user equipment indicating the user equipment desires a transition to a different state or mode, the method comprising: receiving the transition indication from the user equipment; if the transition indication contains a cause: releasing a signaling connection of the user equipment or transitioning the user equipment to a different state or mode; and if the transition indication does not contain the cause: releasing the signaling connection.
US07969923B2 Asymmetric TDD in flexible use spectrum
A method according to an embodiment of the invention includes receiving and transmitting signals over a time division duplex (TDD) communication path. Signals are received over the TDD communication path via a first portion of a first frequency band. The first frequency band is adjacent to a second frequency band and to a third frequency band. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band and from the third frequency band. A first frequency division duplex (FDD) communication path can be operable in the second frequency band. A second FDD communication path can be operable in the third frequency band. Signals are transmitted over the TDD communication path via a second portion of the first frequency band that is different from the first portion of the first frequency band.
US07969919B1 System and method for thermal load sharing between nodes in a communications network
A method for sharing thermal load between nodes in a communication network includes monitoring the thermal load of a first node in the communication network. The first node is an advantaged node. When the thermal load of the first node is a predetermined value, a second node is selected as an advantaged node. A notification message is transmitted to the plurality of nodes in the communication network identifying the second node as an advantaged node for at least a subset of message traffic of the first node.
US07969918B2 Slave communication device for use in wireless LAN system and control method and control program of slave communication device
A slave communication device in a wireless LAN system uses a single wireless channel. When a telephone apparatus outside the network originates a call to the LAN, the originated call first terminates at a master communication device. A wireless telephone communication can then be established between that telephone apparatus and the slave communication device without relaying through the master communication device, and without requiring particular processing, such as authentication on a host station side. A first state is when a transmission/reception device of the master communication device is turned on and transmission/reception devices of slave communication devices are turned off. A second state is when the transmission/reception device of the master communication device is turned off and only the transmission/reception device of one of the slave communication devices which is a subject of control delegation is turned on.
US07969912B2 Method for managing the power in the wireless network
A method is provided for checking whether information on a request for a mode change is received for a prescribed channel time such that a device configuring a network enters a power save mode when not performing data transmission/reception and a modem enters an awake state from a sleep state for the prescribed channel time. The prescribed channel time is determined to correspond to a time for transmitting a beacon. The modem of a device in a power save mode enters an awake state for a channel time period for broadcasting a beacon and then checks whether information on a power management mode change is received. If the information is not received, a sleep state is reentered. If the power management mode change information is received, power is managed by performing data transmission/reception by switching to a normal mode.
US07969908B2 Connectivity outage detection based on a multicast management MPLS-VPN group
Techniques and apparatus that allow for accurate determination of network topology utilizing multicast groups are provided. A multicast group may be established that contains a set of VPN endpoints to be monitored. By sending ping packets from each provider edge endpoint to the multicast group, ping responses (with unicast addresses for responders) may be collected and analyzed to determine reachability of the endpoints.
US07969907B2 System for scheduling scans of interior nodes of a network domain for reachability events
An arrangement for scheduling scans of internal network nodes for reachability events by a border node of a network domain, schedules the scans according to the rate at which reachability notifications are received by the node. As the rate at which notifications are received increases, the interval between scans also increases. Conversely, as the rate of notifications decreases, the interval also decreases.
US07969906B2 Broadcast messaging in peer to peer overlay network
Broadcast messages are efficiently directed to nodes of an overlay network. Broadcast messages include an End ID parameter specifying the range of key values for nodes that should receive the broadcast message. Each node of an overlay network maintains a list of finger nodes and their respective key values. Upon receiving a broadcast message, a node assigns a finger node a new End ID value based upon the End ID value of the broadcast message or the key value of an adjacent finger node. The node compares a finger node's new End ID value with the finger node's key value to determine whether to forward the broadcast message to that finger node. A broadcast message forwarded to a finger node includes an End ID parameter equal to the new End ID value determined for the finger node. Nodes can aggregate response messages from its finger nodes.
US07969905B1 Class-based detection of microcongestion on QoS-enabled links
This is a method for use in detecting and measuring microcongestion on links where QoS is utilized to provide a prioritized packet delivery service. Microcongestion is a transient condition that occurs over extremely short periods of time and is generally invisible to the end user. However, the ability to monitor the frequency and severity of microcongestion can help identify link capacity issues with far greater accuracy than standard passive measurements and at a much earlier stage than traditional active measurements. This capability can be particularly valuable on very-high-speed links where even small periods of perceptible congestion can represent a significant number of queued packets.
US07969904B2 Packet transmission scheduling technique
A packet data transmission method of the HSDPA system includes collecting information on the quality of physical channels, a status of the MAC buffer, the priority level of data, the delay of data, and the like, determining the transmission order of data and the size of a data block to be transmitted based on the collected information, and transmitting the data block through the physical layer according to the order of transmissions. Since the HSDPA scheduler takes into account the delay of data, the quality of real-time services can be improved.
US07969903B2 Method, apparatus and system for hybrid-multiplexing and demultiplexing
This invention discloses method, apparatus and system for hybrid-multiplexing and demultiplexing. The technical solution of the present invention obtains a corresponding preset frame structure parameter set in accordance with specific circumstances of the current link bandwidth, and hybrid-multiplexes byte streams of received services in accordance with the frame structure parameter set to form a multiplexed frame adapted to the current link bandwidth, so as to achieve the objective of making full use of the link bandwidth. Moreover, when the bandwidth of the physical link varies due to switching of modulation modes on the physical link, the hybrid-multiplexing apparatus adaptively changes the frame structure of the multiplexed frame without breaking off the service. In other words, the hybrid-multiplexing method supports ACM switching.
US07969902B2 Tandem-free vocoder operations between non-compatible communication systems
Tandem-free vocoder operations (TFO) between non-compatible communication systems may be enabled through hardware modifications at communication elements within each system. In one aspect, each infrastructure entity in System 1 comprises an intra-system TFO Frame Generator G1, an intra-system TFO Frame Extractor E1, and a TFO Frame Extractor E2 of System 2, which is non-compatible to System 1. Each infrastructure entity in System 2 comprises an intra-system TFO Frame Generator G2, an intra-system TFO Frame Extractor E2, and a TFO Frame Extractor E1 of System 1.
US07969893B2 List-based alerting in traffic monitoring
A technique for identifying deviations in patterns of data traffic between host devices communicating over a network involves establishing a baseline traffic distribution by categorizing data traffic during a learning period. The baseline traffic distribution includes a list of categories and a metric value and a measure of variability of the metric value for each category in the list. An observed traffic distribution is generated by categorizing data traffic during an observation period. The observed traffic distribution includes a list of categories and a metric value associated with each category in the list. An alarm is generated in response to at least one of the metric values of the categories of the observed traffic distribution deviating significantly from the corresponding metric value in the baseline traffic distribution based on a pair-wise comparison of the observed metric values with respective thresholds established for corresponding categories of the baseline traffic distribution.
US07969888B2 Data communications network for the management of an ethernet transport network
A communications network comprising a plurality of nodes supporting connection-oriented traffic and connectionless traffic, wherein management traffic between the nodes is propagated as connectionless traffic having a common management identifier. Also disclosed is a communications network component comprising logic that supports connection-oriented traffic and Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)-based connectionless traffic, wherein the logic propagates management messages as VLAN-based connectionless traffic having a unique VLAN identifier (VID). Included is a communications network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising provisioning a unique VID for management messages, and selectively propagating management messages with the unique VID.
US07969887B2 Station
With the object of eliminating congestion that has occurred in a station which can not prevent or eliminate the occurrence of congestion autonomously, the SMPP response time in output interfaces 21h-21k of a first PPG 21 are measured and when the time mta, which is m-times of the SMPP response time ta in the normal state, is exceeded, congestion is assumed to occur in an interconnected station of the first PPG 21 and the response to push transfer request in an input interface 21a is delayed. Further, changes in the filling ratio in a buffer memory 21b are monitored and when the filling ratio exceeds h %, a decision is made that congestion has occurred in the first PPG 21 and the response to the push transfer request in the input interface 21a is delayed.
US07969878B2 Quality guarantee for real-time applications over shared networks
A shared wireless channel may serve real-time traffic and non-real-time traffic. Depending on channel conditions, the real-time traffic may experience variable levels of quality. The present invention contemplates systems and methods for guaranteeing bounded access time for real-time applications in a shared wireless network in the presence of non-real-time traffic. The systems and methods provide mechanisms to adapt to changing characteristics of wireless channels and to maximize throughput of non-real-time traffic while preserving the quality of real-time applications. The systems and methods may be extended generally to provide adaptive control over the delivery of multiple classes of traffic to protect the quality of critical applications over a shared transmission medium, including IEEE 802.11 networks, IEEE 802.16 networks, and DOCSIS networks.
US07969875B2 Media gateway and packet filtering method thereof
A media gateway (MG) and a packet filtering method thereof are provided to enhance the adaptability of the packet filtering mechanism on the MG. The packet filtering rule for a service instance may be changed dynamically, namely, the MG analyzes the currently transmitted packets of a service instance, obtains the state change of the instance, and then dynamically changes the packet filtering rule of the instance according to the state change of the instance. The present invention extends the property parameters of the H.248 protocol or MGCP protocol and adds a property parameter that indicates the dynamic packet filtering function is enabled or disabled and a property parameter that indicates the service type so that the MGC can enable or disable the packet filtering function for the instance of the specified service type flexibly according to the values of such parameters.
US07969874B2 Multiple packet routing system (MPRS)
A method and system for Multiple Packet Routing is disclosed. A characteristic of a network may be monitored. Based on the characteristic, a network path of two or more redundant call streams sent from a first endpoint to a second endpoint may be controlled.
US07969873B2 Data transmission scheme with scheduling optimization for physical channel group
A novel apparatus for and a method of optimized data transmission whereby an input data stream is distributed over a plurality of physical channels within a logical channel group. Transmission of data over the channel group appears as transmission over a single logical channel having a bandwidth approximately equal to the sum of the physical channel bandwidths. The physical channels making up the logical channel group may have different bandwidth capacities. The method of data unit distribution among a plurality of physical channels generates several transmission plans for scheduling data units, which may have difference lengths, over the physical channels where the data stream is composed of data units from different sessions. A best plan according to one or more optimization criteria is selected and used for distribution of the data units. The original order of transmission of the data units can be reproduced for each data session at the receiving side without the need for additional fields or modification of existing fields of the data units.
US07969872B2 Distributed network management
This specification can provide resource allocation in peer-to-peer networks. This specification describes techniques whereby individual resources can in certain circumstances share their local views to create a network-wide view. The use of a performance manager facilitates this sharing. The sharing of fault information both access multiple devices and for a single device across restarts is also provided. A network-based aggregator for performance and fault analysis is also provided so that complex analysis algorithms can be provided centrally to assist network performance management.
US07969868B2 Path-level protection for digitally wrapped payloads
A node, of a group of nodes, may detect a failure on a first path; establish a connection associated with a second path when the failure on the first path is detected; store an identifier in a field in an overhead portion of a data frame when the failure on the first path is detected, the data frame including a payload portion that contains a client signal, the identifier instructing another one of the nodes to establish a connection associated with the second path; and transmit the data frame to the other one of the nodes via the second path.
US07969867B2 Backup route generation in border gateway protocol
A method is provided for generating a backup route. Here, a route and a route distinguisher type associated with the route are received and a backup route is generated based on attributes of the route. A particular backup route distinguisher type that is associated with the route distinguisher type is assigned to the backup route. The backup route with the backup route distinguisher type are then advertised. Another method is provided that identifies the backup route. When the route and its route distinguisher type are received from the advertisement, an identification is made as to whether the route distinguisher type is assigned to a backup route. The route may then be designated as a backup route based on the identification.
US07969866B2 Hierarchical virtual private LAN service hub connectivity failure recovery
Techniques for recovering from hierarchical virtual private LAN service (HVPLS) hub connectivity failure are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a provider edge network element reuses an HVPLS spoke connectivity failure recovery mechanism in an MTU to protect against a failure of HVPLS hub connectivity. The PE network element monitors hub facing connectivity elements and declares a hub connectivity failure upon a certain amount of those hub facing connectivity elements failing, and fabricates a failure of its spoke facing connectivity elements causing the MTU to detect an HVPLS spoke connectivity failure and switch to a secondary HVPLS spoke connection. Other methods and apparatuses are described.
US07969864B2 Early service loss or failure indication in an unlicensed mobile access network
An Unlicensed Mobile Access Network Controller (UNC) and method for providing an early indication of service failure to a mobile station registered with the UNC. When the UNC detects a network failure that prevents service to the mobile station, the UNC prohibits new registrations by other mobile stations, starts a timer, and monitors the network failure to determine if the failure clears. If the failure clears before the timer expires, new registrations are accepted from other mobile stations. However, if the timer expires before the failure clears, the UNC continues to prohibit new registrations from other mobile stations, and deregisters the mobile station when a network Keep Alive timer expires for the mobile station. When a plurality of mobile stations are registered with the UNC, the UNC deregisters the plurality of mobile stations one at a time as the network Keep Alive timer expires for each mobile station.
US07969860B2 Transmitter apparatus, receiver apparatus, transmitting method, receiving method, and program
A serial-parallel converter 102 of a transmitter apparatus receives an input of a signal to be transmitted and serial-parallel-converts this to output m (m≧2) number of intermediate signals. A unitary matrix modulator 103 modulates the output m number of intermediate signals into a unitary matrix of m rows and m columns whose components other than diagonal components are 0 and outputs the obtained matrix. A splitter 111 supplies the respective diagonal components of the output matrix to the input channels of an inverse Fourier transform unit 112 as input signals. The inverse Fourier transform unit 112 outputs m number of inverse-Fourier-transformed signals obtained by performing inverse Fourier transform of the supplied input signals. A parallel-serial converter 113 parallel-serial-converts the output m number of inverse-Fourier-transformed signals to output one transmission signal. A transmission unit 114 transmits the output transmission signal. The difference between the frequency of any two channels of the inverse Fourier transform unit 112 is equal to or larger than a predetermined coherent bandwidth.
US07969857B2 OFDM system and method employing OFDM symbols with known or information-containing prefixes
Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving OFDM symbols are provided which enable the otherwise wasted transmission time normally used as a prefix for each OFDM symbol to contain useful information. At the receiver, the received signal is processed to convert received OFDM symbols from a linear convolution with the channel to a cyclic convolution.
US07969853B2 Optical pickup device
A servo objective lens and a recording/reproducing objective lens are commonly held on a holder. The servo objective lens and the recording/reproducing objective lens are integrally displaced, thereby pulling servo light onto a servo layer. Upon the pulling, focus positions of recording light and reproducing light follow a focus position of the servo light. As a result, the focus positions of recording light and reproducing light are set close to the servo layer. Thereafter, an optical element for displacing the focus positions of recording light and reproducing light in the optical axis direction is driven to pull the recording light and the reproducing light onto a targeted recording layer.
US07969851B2 Laser converging apparatus, optical pickup device, and optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus
A laser converging apparatus comprising: a nonpolarizing hologram element having a first area defined by a numerical aperture corresponding to a thickness of a first protective layer of a first disk medium and a second area inside the first area, the second area defined by a numerical aperture corresponding to a thickness of a second protective layer (>the thickness of the first protective layer) of a second disk medium, the second area having a hologram pattern for diffracting laser light into zero order light and high-order diffracted light having the order of primary or higher; an objective lens having the numerical aperture corresponding to the thickness of the first protective layer, the objective lens converging the laser light having passed through a part of the first area other than the second area and the zero order light having passed through the second area onto an information surface on one side of the first protective layer, the objective lens converging the high-order diffracted light having passed through the second area onto an information surface on one side of the second protective layer; and a holder that holds the nonpolarizing hologram element and the objective lens.
US07969848B1 System and method of decoupling asymmetry from baseline compensation
A media defect compensation system and method may decouple effects of asymmetry from baseline error compensation computations. In some embodiments, a switching mechanism passes a baseline error signal into a baseline loop when a determination is made that a baseline error signal is not affected by asymmetry, and otherwise freezes the baseline loop when asymmetry may influence baseline error calculations.
US07969845B2 Optical recording apparatus, recording method for optical recording medium and optical recording medium
Disclosed herein is an optical recording apparatus which may record post pre-format recording information on an optical recording medium which has a guide portion formed in advance for guiding a light beam and a plurality of address portions for specifying individual positions of the guide portion, which may include position information detection means for detecting position information of a recording region in which significant information is recorded along the guide portion and a breakdown region which is part of the guide portion or/and the address portions and is broken down so as not to be detected using the light beam, servo means for controlling the position of the light beam based on the position information, and laser light intensity adjustment means for adjusting the intensity of the light beam in order to record information based on a predetermined format in the recording region and thermally break down the breakdown region.
US07969832B2 Optical tape drive systems
Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage. Methods and systems of tape technology disclose optical tape media including: configurations, formulations, markings, and structure; optical tape manufacturing methods, systems, and apparatus methods and systems including: curing processes, coating methods, embossing, drums, testing, tracking alignment stamper strip; optical tape methods and systems including: pick up head adapted for the disclosed optical tape; and optical tape uses including optical storage media devices for multimedia applications.
US07969830B2 Near field optical disc and near field optical disc reading apparatus
A near field optical disc and a near field optical disc reading apparatus are provided. The near field optical disc has at least one light source and a near field optical pick-up head, and the near field optical disc includes a light guiding substance, a first reflection layer and a second reflection layer. The light guiding substance has a first surface, a second surface opposite thereto and at least one light entrance window. Light emitted from the light source enters the light guiding substance through the light entrance window. The second reflection layer is disposed on the second surface. The first reflection layer is disposed on the first surface and has a plurality of light pervious holes. A part of the light is transmitted through the light pervious holes and picked up by the near field optical pick-up head.
US07969828B2 Optical pickup actuator and optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus having the same
An optical pickup actuator independently drivable in focusing, tilting and tracking directions. The optical pickup includes a lens holder movably installed on a base, and mounted with an objective lens for transmitting an incident light to an optical information recording medium; and a magnetic circuit to independently driving the lens holder in the focusing, tilting and tracking directions. The magnetic circuit includes opposing magnets; a focusing coil and tilting coils interposed between the magnets, mounted inside the lens holder, and wound around respective axes parallel to the focusing direction; and a plurality of tracking coils mounted outside the lens holder, interposed between the magnets and wound around respective axes transverse to the focusing direction. The magnetic fields of the magnets are guided by outer yokes partially encompassing the magnets and inner yokes positioned within the focusing coil and the tilting coils.
US07969827B2 Removable storage media drive feature enabling self test without presence of removable media
A method, system and apparatus for testing a removable storage media drive device are disclosed. According to teachings of the present disclosure, a simulated storage media may be disposed within a removable storage media drive device. In the event removable storage media is not present in the drive device when testing of the device is desired, the simulated storage media may be substituted for at least purposes of testing the operability of one or more device components. In one embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of an annular ring of CD-ROM material. In a further embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of a hologram designed to mimic one or more removable storage media characteristics.
US07969823B2 Methods, systems and apparatus for measuring acoustic pressure
A hydrophone (10) for immersion in a liquid body defining a pressure is disclosed The hydrophone (10) includes a sensor (11) for providing an electrical signal indicative of the pressure; and a transducer (12) electrically connected to the sensor (11). The transducer (12) acts upon a fiber optic cable (15) so as to convert the electrical signal into a corresponding optical output signal for transmission within the fiber optic cable (15). The liquid body defines a depth-dependent static pressure and a dynamic pressure and the sensor (11) provides an electrical signal having a first component indicative of the static pressure and a second component indicative of the dynamic pressure. A filter (16) is electrically connected to the sensor (11) so as to receive (the electrical signal, filter out the first component, and output to the transducer (12) a uttered electrical signal indicative of substantially only the second component.
US07969820B2 Mobile object communication and position determination
An ultrasound position determination system includes a base unit and at least one mobile unit. Each of the mobile and base units are operable to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. The mobile unit is adapted to transmit a predetermined signal in dependence upon the state of transmission of the base unit. The base unit is adapted to determine the time taken for the signal to pass from the mobile unit to the base unit and thereby calculate a distance between the mobile unit and the base unit.
US07969819B2 Method for taking time-synchronized seismic measurements
A method for taking seismic measurements that includes a downhole sensor positionable within a tool string located within the bore of a well, the tool string having a network which effects communication with a downhole sensor. The downhole sensor includes a downhole clock that may be placed in communication over the network with the top-hole clock for synchronization. A seismic source is positioned within a transmitting distance of the downhole sensor and activated at a time when the network is disconnected. The downhole sensor records signals from the seismic source at along with a downhole timestamp from the downhole clock. When the network is reconnected, the downhole clock and the top-hole clock are re-synchronized and any downhole clock drift is calculated. The recorded downhole timestamp may then be adjusted to reflect what it would have been if the downhole clock had been synchronized with the top-hole clock.
US07969817B2 Ocean bottom seismic station
Methods and apparatus for cable termination and sensor integration at a sensor station within an ocean bottom seismic (OBS) cable array are disclosed. The sensor stations include a housing for various sensor components. Additionally, the sensor stations can accommodate an excess length of any data transmission members which may not be cut at the sensor station while enabling connection of one or more cut data transmission members with the sensor components. The sensor stations further manage any strength elements of the cable array.
US07969815B2 System and method for controlling timing of output signals
The timing of output signals can be controlled by coupling a digital signal through a signal distribution tree having a plurality of branches extending from an input node to respective clock inputs of a plurality of latches. A phase interpolator is included in a signal path common to all of the branches, and a respective delay line is included in each of the branches. Each of the latches couples a signal applied to its data input to an output terminal responsive to a transition of the digital signal applied to its clock input. The delay lines are adjusted so that the latches are simultaneously clocked. The delay of the phase interpolator is adjusted so that the signals are coupled to the output terminals of the latches with a predetermined timing relationship relative to signals coupled to output terminals of a second signal distribution tree.
US07969814B2 Read command triggered synchronization circuitry
A memory READ command triggered clock synchronization mode turns on a clock synchronization circuit only for memory READ operations. The clock synchronization circuit achieves a signal lock with the reference clock signal in less time than the column address strobe latency. Precise memory READ operations are thus possible without wasting power when such operations are not performed by allowing the clock synchronization circuitry to be turned off.
US07969813B2 Write command and write data timing circuit and methods for timing the same
Circuits, memories, and methods for latching a write command and later provided write data including write command and write data timing circuits. One such timing circuit includes internal write command latch to latch an internal write command in response to write command latch signal. The internal write command latch releases the latched write command in response to the write command latch signal after a latency delay. The timing circuit further includes a write leveling flip-flop (FF) circuit and a write data register. One such method includes generating and latching an internal write command. The latched internal write command is released after a latency delay responsive to the memory clock signal. The internal write command is propagated over an internal write command path. Write data is captured and internal write command latched in response to a write clock signal. The captured write data is released to be written to memory.
US07969806B2 Systems and methods for writing to a memory
An integrated circuit includes memory segments, each having at least one memory cell configurable in first and second states to store data, and a controller that controls programming and erasing of the memory segments. The controller maps external memory addresses of write data to internal memory addresses of erased memory segments with no memory cells in the first state such that erased memory segments are programmed with write data. When a write access occurs for an external memory address previously mapped to an internal memory address of a programmed memory segment with at least one memory cell in the first state, the controller remaps the external memory address to another internal memory address of an erased memory segment. The controller identifies programmed memory segments to be erased and controls selective erasure of the identified programmed memory segments, such as programmed memory segments no longer mapped to an external memory address.
US07969802B2 Apparatus and method of generating output enable signal for semiconductor memory apparatus
A timing signal generator generates a timing signal when an external clock is synchronized with a predetermined internal timing. A frequency-divided clock generator divide a frequency of a DLL (Delay Locked Loop) clock so as to generate an even-numbered divided clock and an odd-numbered divided clock. An even-numbered output enable signal generator generates an even-numbered output enable signal on the basis of an external read command, the timing signal, a CL (CAS Latency), and the even-numbered divided clock. An odd-numbered output enable signal generator generates an odd-numbered output enable signal on the basis of the external read command, a timing signal in which the timing signal is inverted, the CL, and the odd-numbered divided clock. A logical unit logically operates the even-numbered output enable signal and the odd-numbered output enable signal and outputs an output enable signal.
US07969797B2 Semiconductor memory device and method for operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a voltage detector configured to detect a level of an external power supply voltage and an internal voltage generator configured to generate an internal voltage in response to an active signal and drive an internal voltage terminal with a driving ability corresponding to an output signal of the voltage detector. A method for operating the semiconductor memory device includes detecting a level of an external power supply voltage, based on a first target level, to output a detection signal; and generating an internal voltage in response to an active signal, and driving an internal voltage terminal with a driving ability corresponding to the detection signal.
US07969796B2 High voltage generating circuit and semiconductor memory device having the same and method thereof
A high voltage generating circuit may include a pulse signal generator, a counter, a plurality of transmitters, and/or a plurality of pumpers. The pulse signal generator may be configured to be enabled in response to a refresh command signal to output a pulse signal. The counter may be configured to count the pulse signal and sequentially output a plurality of selection signals. The plurality of transmitters may be configured to be sequentially enabled in response to individual selection signals of the plurality of selection signals to transmit the pulse signal. The plurality of pumpers may correspond to the plurality of transmitters. Each of the plurality of pumpers may be configured to collectively generate a high voltage based on the transmitted pulse signal from a corresponding transmitter of the plurality of transmitters.
US07969795B2 Negative voltage generator for use in semiconductor memory device
A negative voltage generator of a semiconductor memory device includes: a flag signal generation unit for receiving a temperature information code from an On Die Thermal Sensor (ODTS) to output a plurality of flag signals containing temperature information of the semiconductor memory device; and a negative voltage detection unit for detecting a negative voltage to output a detection signal for determining whether to pump a negative voltage, wherein a detection level of the negative voltage is changed according to the flag signals.
US07969793B2 Register configuration control device, register configuration control method, and program for implementing the method
A resister configuration control device which is capable of updating resister configuration values during a non-display period without increasing a circuit scale. A FIFO selector 103 receives register configuration value information comprising a register configuration value and address information, and selects a transmission destination to which the register configuration value information is to be sent, from FIFOs 108 and 109 based on the address information and sends the register configuration value information to the selected destination. The FIFO 108 or 109 temporarily stores the register configuration value information sent from the FIFO selector 103, and reads-out and outputs the register configuration value information in predetermined timing. A data selector 110 selects one of the register configuration value information sent from the FIFO selector 103 and the register configuration value information output from the FIFO 108 or 109, according to a predetermined priority, and outputs the selected register configuration value information.
US07969792B2 Data strobe clock buffer in semiconductor memory apparatus, method of controlling the same, and semiconductor apparatus having the same
A data strobe clock buffer of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a buffering block configured to buffer an external data strobe clock signal in response to a buffer enable signal to generate an internal data strobe clock signal, a timing discriminating block configured to discriminate toggle timing of the internal data strobe clock signal in response to a burst start signal and a burst length signal to generate a timing discrimination signal, and an enable controlling block configured to generate the buffer enable signal in response to the timing discrimination signal.
US07969791B2 Memory configuration of a composite memory device
The present invention is related to a composite flash memory device comprises a plural sector flash memory array which is divided to plural sector that is a minimum erasing unit of the flash memory device, a flash memory array storing control commands which control a total system of the composite flash memory device and/or the only composite flash memory device in and sharing I/O line of the plural sector flash memory array, the read operation of the flash memory array is enable when the plural sector flash memory array is gained access.
US07969790B2 Method of erasing an NVM cell that utilizes a gated diode
A method of erasing an NVM cell structure formed on a deep well of N-type semiconductor material, wherein the NVM cell structure includes a PMOS transistor formed in an N-type well, the PMOS transistor including spaced-apart p-type source and drain regions defining an n-type channel region therebetween, an NMOS transistor formed in a P-type well that is adjacent to the N-type well, the NMOS transistor including spaced-apart n-type source and rain regions defining a p-type channel region therebetween, a conductive floating gate that includes a first section that extends over the n-type channel region of the PMOS transistor and is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material and a second section that extends over the p-type channel region and is separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material, and a conductive control gate formed over at least a portion of the second section of the floating gate and separated therefrom by intervening dielectric material, the erasing method comprising: biasing the deep N-type well at a selected erase voltage; holding the source and drain regions of the PMOS transistor at the erase voltage or floating; and holding the control gate at ground for a preselected erase time.
US07969789B2 Method for driving nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having n (n is an integer of two or more) electrode films stacked and having charge storage layers provided above and below each of the electrode films, when data “0” is written by injecting electrons into the charge storage layer on a source line side of a memory cell of the number k (k is an integer of 1 to (n−1)) as counted from an end on a bit line side in a selected semiconductor pillar, positive program potential is given to the electrode film of the number 1 to k as counted from the bit line side, and 0 V is given to the electrode film of the number (k+1) to n, therewith positive potential is given to the bit line and 0 V is given to the source line.
US07969788B2 Charge loss compensation methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for compensating for charge loss in memories include tracking a specific block of the main memory array and determining charge loss compensation by comparing pre-cycled and post-cycled mean threshold voltages for the tracking block; or tracking each block of the main memory and determining charge loss and compensation on a block by block basis.
US07969786B2 Method of programming nonvolatile memory device
A method of programming nonvolatile memory devices. A program operation is performed by applying a dummy program pulse having a pulse width wider than a pulse width of a program start pulse. A program operation is performed by applying the program start pulse. It is then verified whether a program has been completed as a result of the program operation. A program operation is performed by applying a step-shaped dummy program pulse, which has a second pulse width and has been increased by a second step voltage. A program operation is performed by applying a program pulse having a first step voltage and a first pulse width. It is then verified whether a program has been completed as a result of the program operation.
US07969782B2 Determining memory page status
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating semiconductor memory. One method embodiment includes determining a status of a page of memory cells without using input/output (I/O) circuitry, and outputting the status through the I/O circuitry.
US07969780B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory using an adjustable threshold voltage transistor in a flip-flop
An object of this invention is to provide a rewritable nonvolatile memory cell that can have a wide reading margin, and can control both a word line and a bit line by changing the level of Vcc. As a solution, a flip-flop is formed by cross (loop) connect of inverters including memory transistors that can control a threshold voltage by charge injection into the side spacer of the transistors. In the case of writing data to one memory transistor, a high voltage is supplied to a source of the memory transistor through a source line and a high voltage is supplied to a gate of the memory transistor through a load transistor of the other side inverter. In the case of erasing the written data, a high voltage is supplied to the source of the memory transistor through the source line.
US07969779B2 Integrated circuit including memory array having a segmented bit line architecture and method of controlling and/or operating same
An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is selectively and responsively coupled to or decoupled from its associated bit line via an associated isolation circuit. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment. A plurality of isolation circuits, disposed between each bit line segment and its associated bit line, to responsively couple the associated bit line segment to or disconnect the associated bit line segment from the associated bit line.
US07969777B1 Thyristor-based memory array having lines with standby voltages
A new memory cell can contain only a single thyristor. There is no need to include an access transistor in the cell. In one embodiment, the thyristor is a thin capacitively coupled thyristor. The new memory cell can be connected to word, bit, and control lines in several ways to form different memory arrays. Timing and voltage levels of word, bit and control lines are disclosed.
US07969776B2 Data cells with drivers and methods of making and operating the same
Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a device that includes a first semiconductor fin having a first gate, a second semiconductor fin adjacent the first semiconductor fin and having a second gate, and a third gate extending between the first semiconductor fin and the second semiconductor fin. In some embodiments, the third gate may not be electrically connected to the first gate or the second gate.
US07969775B2 Three dimensional magnetic memory and/or recording device
An electronic memory and/or recording device includes a three dimensional magnetic medium. Three dimensional magnetic medium includes a plurality of magnetic sublayers, each of the magnetic sublayers being separated from one other by non-magnetic interlayers.
US07969774B2 Electronic devices formed of two or more substrates bonded together, electronic systems comprising electronic devices and methods of making electronic devices
Electronic devices comprise a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises circuitry including a plurality of conductive traces at least substantially parallel to each other through at least a portion of the first substrate. A plurality of bond pads is positioned on a surface of the first substrate and comprises a width extending over at least two of the plurality of conductive traces. A plurality of vias extends from adjacent at least some of the conductive traces to the plurality of bond pads. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate and comprises support circuitry coupled to the plurality of bond pads on the first substrate with a plurality of conductive bumps. Memory devices and related methods of forming electronic devices and memory devices are also disclosed, as are electronic systems.
US07969769B2 Multi-terminal chalcogenide logic circuits
Logic circuits are disclosed that include one or more three-terminal chalcogenide devices. The three-terminal chalcogenide devices are electrically interconnected and configured to perform one or more logic operations, including AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR. Embodiments include series and parallel configurations of three-terminal chalcogenide devices. The chalcogenide devices include a chalcogenide switching material as the working medium along with three electrical terminals in electrical communication therewith.In one embodiment, the circuits include one or more input terminals, one or more output terminals, and a clock terminal. The input terminals receive one or more input signals and deliver them to the circuit for processing according to a logic operation. Upon conclusion of processing, the output of the circuit is provided to the output terminal. The clock terminal delivers a clock signal to facilitate operation of the three-terminal devices included in the instant circuits. In one embodiment, the clock signal includes an ON cycle and an OFF cycle, where the circuit performs a logic operation during the ON cycle and any three-terminal devices that are switched to the conductive state during the ON cycle are returned to their resistive state during the OFF cycle.
US07969768B2 Magnetic random access memory
A magnetic random access memory of an aspect of the present invention including a magnetoresistive effect element having a fixed layer whose magnetization direction is fixed, a recording layer whose magnetization direction is reversible, and a non-magnetic layer provided between the fixed and recording layers, wherein the magnetization directions of the fixed and recording layers are in a parallel state or in an anti-parallel state depending on a direction of a current flowing between the fixed and recording layers, a first transistor having a gate and a first current path having one end connected to the fixed layer, a second transistor having a gate and a second current path having one end connected to the recording layer, a first bit line to which other end of the first current path is connected, and a second bit line to which other end of the second current path is connected.
US07969762B2 Spintronic device with control by domain wall displacement induced by a current of spin-polarized carriers
The general field of the invention is that of spintronics, namely the field of electronics using the magnetic spin properties of electrons. The main fields of application are the very large-scale magnetic storage of information and the measurement of local magnetic fields. The object of the invention is to considerably reduce the energy needed to reverse the magnetic domains of the ferromagnetic elements of submicron dimensions using the mechanism of the domain wall displacements that is induced either by just a current of spin-polarized carriers or by the combination of a current of spin-polarized carriers and a magnetic field, at least one of these being variable. This domain wall displacement results in a change of magnetic polarization in a specified switching zone. Several devices according to the invention are described that possess from one switching zone up to a plurality of switching zones according to the invention.
US07969758B2 Multiple string searching using ternary content addressable memory
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for multiple string searching using a ternary content addressable memory. The method includes receiving a text string having a plurality of characters and performing an unanchored search of a database of stored patterns matching one or more characters of the text string using a state machine, wherein the state machine comprises a ternary content addressable memory (CAM) and wherein the performing comprises comparing a state and one of the plurality of characters with contents of a state field and a character field, respectively, stored in the ternary CAM. In the method and apparatus described herein, one or more of the following search features may be supported: exact string matching, inexact string matching, single character wildcard matching, multiple character wildcard matching, case insensitive matching, parallel matching and rollback.
US07969757B2 Apparatus providing bias to solar cells
Solar panels of certain technologies may experience a degradation of their efficiency as a result of exposure to sunlight, either prior to installation or during normal operation. A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to the solar panel and to a source of alternating current. The PAMCC receives direct current from the solar panel and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output terminals at such times that the solar panel is capable to provide current, denominated “normal operation”. The PAMCC may be reconfigured to form a buck converter and a rectifier wherein the rectifier converts power received at the output (during normal operation) terminals to provide rectified, direct current to the buck converter. The buck converter provides direct current in the forward biased direction to the solar panel, thereby reconditioning the solar panel. Alternating current received at the output terminals of the PAMCC may be provided by an electric grid or by other means, such as other solar power converters.
US07969756B1 Real-time switching regulator monitor
A vehicle or other complex system includes at least one switching power converter which generates direct output voltage with inherent ripple. A voltage estimator or simulator estimates the instantaneous output ripple voltage(s) of the converter in the time domain. The estimator is preprogrammed with state equations of the power converter, for generating the estimates of the output ripple voltage of the converter. A comparator compares at least the ripple voltage of the simulator with the actual voltage of the converter, to generate a difference signal. The difference signal is evaluated to identify a fault condition. The fault condition is reported andor switches to a backup converter.
US07969749B2 Electronic device having power connection interface
An electronic device includes a circuit board and a power connection interface. The power connection interface is formed on an edge region of the circuit board. The power connection interface includes a first trace portion for transmitting a DC voltage and second and third trace portions for transmitting an AC voltage. Plural trace wires of the first trace portion are arranged on first and second surfaces of the edge region. The second and third trace portions are arranged on opposite surfaces of the edge region.
US07969747B1 Line cord filter
Apparatus includes a chassis assembly, a computing device configured to connect to a housing of the chassis assembly, and a line cord supplying power to the chassis assembly. The line cord has a first portion external to the chassis assembly and a second portion internal to the chassis assembly. The second portion has a shielding member that is in conductive contact with the housing to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for the chassis assembly.
US07969746B2 Connection of a system module to an electronic device
A system is provided that is securable to an electronic device. The system includes a module with a connection port that is configured to connect with a corresponding connection port of the electronic device. A securing structure is securable to portions of first ends of the module and electronic device to facilitate attachment of the module alongside the electronic device. When the module is attached to the electronic device with the securing structure, a side surface of the module engages with a corresponding side surface of the electronic device and the connection port of the module connects with the corresponding connection port of the connection device to establish an electrical connection between the module and the electronic device.
US07969744B2 Module rear wall for a switchgear assembly module, switchgear assembly module and electrical switchgear assembly
The invention relates to a modular rear wall for a switching system module, in particular an insertion module. Said modular rear wall comprises a measuring device which is integrated therein and which forms an integral component of the switching system module. The invention also relates to a switching circuit module which comprises said type of modular rear wall, in addition to a switching system comprising at least one switching system module having a modular rear wall.
US07969743B2 Heat sink assembly with temperature display
A heat sink assembly dissipates heat of a chip on a circuit board. A temperature collecting module of the heat sink assembly senses temperature of the chip and generates corresponding analog signals. A display module of the heat sink assembly receives the analog signals and converts the analog signals into digital signals, and then displays the digital signals with temperature unit symbol.
US07969742B2 Bracket for mounting heat sink
A bracket is used to mount a heat sink to a printed circuit board (PCB). The heat sink can dissipate heat for an electronic component mounted on the PCB. Cantilevers can be detached from the bracket, and replaced by other cantilevers with different sizes to mount a plurality of heat sinks having different sizes.
US07969739B2 Heat diffusing structure of a portable electronic apparatus
A portable electronic apparatus includes a first unit, a second unit, and a hinge unit. The first unit includes a first housing, a heat generating component inside the first housing, a first heat diffusing member disposed inside the first housing and diffusing heat from the heat generating component, and a heat dissipating part dissipating heat diffused by the first heat diffusing member to the outside of the first housing. The second unit includes a second housing, a second heat diffusing member disposed inside the second housing and diffusing heat inside the second housing, and a heat receiving part conducting heat from the heat dissipating part to the second heat diffusing member upon the heat receiving part being in contact with the heat dissipating part.
US07969737B2 Heat dissipation apparatus
A heat dissipation apparatus includes a heat absorbing base, a heat conductive core, two fin assemblies and two heat pipes. The heat conductive core is attached to the heat absorbing base, and includes an elliptical, cylindrical body having an elliptical, cylindrical side surface. The two fin assemblies are located at two opposite sides of a major axis of the heat conductive core, respectively, and attached to the side surface of the heat conductive core. The two heat pipes connect the two fin assemblies with the heat absorbing base, respectively, transferring heat from the heat absorbing base to the fin assemblies.
US07969736B1 System for cooling memory modules
DIMMs are cooled by positioning a thermally conductive base between adjacent DIMMs. The thermally conductive base, such as a heat pipe or metal rod, receives heat from the DIMMs through thermally conductive elements that are selectively biased outward against the installed DIMMs. The base transfers the heat to a liquid conduit extending along the end of the DIMMs, where a circulating liquid carries away the heat. The thermally conductive elements provide an adjustable span to accommodate variations in distance between the DIMM surfaces. Embodiments of the invention may be installed without extending above the height of the DIMM.
US07969729B2 Assembly mechanism capable of assembling an electronic device quickly and holding module thereof
An assembly mechanism includes a case and a fastening structure disposed at a side of the case. The case includes a lower board, a connecting port, a fixing board, and a lateral board. The connecting port and the fixing board are connected to two ends of the lower board respectively. The lateral board is connected to the lower board, the connecting port, and the fixing board. The lateral board is used for containing an electronic device cooperatively with the lower board, the connecting port, and the fixing board. The fastening structure includes a base board and an elastic fixing part. The base board is connected to the connecting port in a rotatable manner. The elastic fixing part is connected to an end of the base board for inserting into a hole of the fixing board when the base board rotates to a first position relative to the connecting port.
US07969728B2 Heat dissipation device with a fan holder attached with a position-adjustable air guiding member
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink having a plurality of fins defining a plurality of passageways therebetween. The passageways have an inlet and an outlet at front and rear sides of the heat sink. Two adjusting members are mounted at two lateral sides of the heat sink. A fan is located at the inlet of the passageways of the heat sink for providing airflow to the heat sink. A guiding member is positioned at the outlet of the passageways of the heat sink for guiding the airflow to electronic components around the heat dissipation device. The guiding member engages the adjusting members and can move vertically relative to adjusting members, thereby adjusting a height of the guiding member along a height of the heat sink.
US07969726B2 Fixing mechanism for storage device
A fixing mechanism is used to fix a storage device to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a bracket. The fixing mechanism includes two latching members fixed to one of the bracket and the storage device, and a limiting member fixed to the other. The limiting member includes two side plates and at least one resilient hook. Each of the side plates defines a holding portion to receive the latching member. The at least one resilient hook engages with the latching members. The storage device may be secured by the fixing mechanism, or detached from the fixing mechanism depending on the resilient deformation or reformation of the resilient hooks.
US07969725B2 Fixing mechanism for electronic device
A fixing mechanism fixing a storage device to a bracket includes a fastening member. The fastening member is fixed to the storage device, and has a first connecting hook and a second connecting hook. A first latching portion and a second latching portion are formed on the bracket. The first latching portion defines an engaging groove. The first connecting hook is elastic and engaged in the engaging groove of the first latching portion. The second connecting hook engages the second latching portion.
US07969719B2 Back panel for video display device
A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.
US07969716B2 Sliding-type portable electronic device
A sliding-type portable electronic device comprises a first body; a second body, a sliding mechanism and a rotating component. The sliding mechanism is secured on the second body and slidably assembled on the first body. The rotating component is rotatably assembled in the first body. The sliding mechanism slides in the first body and hits the rotating component. The sliding mechanism can hit the rotating component to make a silvery sound, thereby enhancing entertainment and personalization of the portable electronic device.
US07969713B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element, an anode lead frame, a cathode lead frame, and a mold resin portion. The anode lead frame includes an anode terminal portion and a rising portion. The rising portion is formed integral with the anode terminal portion, extends from the anode terminal portion through the mold resin and is connected to an anode portion. At the rising portion, a catching portion receiving and supporting the anode portion from below and a hook portion surrounding and holding an outer circumferential surface of the anode portion, with the anode portion received in the catching portion, are formed. Therefore, a solid electrolytic capacitor can be provided, which allows highly accurate attachment of the capacitor element on the lead frame without applying any additional member and reduces equivalent series resistance.
US07969709B2 Laminated ceramic electronic component
A laminated ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic element and two external electrodes on both end surfaces of the ceramic element. The ceramic element includes a function part and lead parts thinner than the function part. Internal electrode layers are provided facing each other via a ceramic layer therebetween in the function part. The internal electrode layers are drawn out of the function part in the lead part. The external electrode includes an extended part and a curled part. The extended part is formed from the lead part through the function part on the main face. On the main face, the part of the extended part in the lead part is lower than the part of the function part. The curled part is formed from the end face of the ceramic element through the surface of the part of the extended part in the lead part on the main face.
US07969706B2 Lightning protection system for aircraft composite structure
A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
US07969704B2 Snubber circuit
A circuit comprising a first transistor group configured to electrically isolate, at least in part, a second transistor group from an input voltage; the second transistor group configured to provide voltage protection to a third transistor group; and the third transistor group configured to switch on and off.
US07969703B2 Overcurrent protection circuit and voltage regulator incorporating same
An overcurrent protection circuit includes a current limiter and a status detector, and a voltage regulator includes an output transistor. The output transistor is configured to regulate a voltage input to an input terminal to output a given constant voltage from an output terminal, while passing a current from the input terminal to the output terminal according to a control signal applied thereto. The current limiter reduces the current passed through the output transistor when the passed current exceeds a given current limit. The status detector is configured to generate a status signal indicating operation of the current limiter. A constant voltage regulator incorporating the overcurrent protection circuit is also disclosed.
US07969702B2 Intelligent power supply and cable system
This invention includes a power supply having a plurality of cables, each corresponding to a unique electronic host device. The cable includes a memory device having predetermined power characteristics associated with an electronic host device. The cable further includes a unique mating connector for coupling to the electronic host device. The power supply includes a control circuit that reads the power characteristics and configures the power supply to charge the electronic host device. The system allows a user to carry a single power supply with multiple cables as opposed to having to transport many different power supplies.
US07969694B2 Diode loss detection for low side MOSFET of a synchronous output stage
An embodiment of the invention relates to a switch-mode power converter including an inductor and an external rectifying diode. A series arrangement of a resistor and a switch are coupled in parallel with the external rectifying diode. The resistor and the switch enable continuous conduction mode, even at substantially no output current. A comparator senses a current level in the resistor. When the current level crosses a threshold level, the power converter is shut down. The current level is sensed with a second resistor coupled to a current source to produce a current sensing arrangement dependent on a ratio of resistances. Advantageously, the current level is sensed with clamp circuits coupled to the comparator, each clamp circuit including a series circuit arrangement of a field-effect transistor with a gate coupled to a voltage source.
US07969693B2 Tunnel magnetoresistive sensor in which at least part of pinned layer is composed of CoFeB layer and method for manufacturing the tunnel magnetoresistive sensor
A tunnel magnetoresistive sensor includes a pinned magnetic layer, an insulating barrier layer formed of Mg—O, and a free magnetic layer. A barrier-layer-side magnetic sublayer constituting at least part of the pinned magnetic layer and being in contact with the insulating barrier layer includes a first magnetic region formed of CoFeB or FeB and a second magnetic region formed of CoFe or Fe. The second magnetic region is disposed between the first magnetic region and the insulating barrier layer.
US07969690B2 Tunneling magnetoresistive element which includes Mg-O barrier layer and in which nonmagnetic metal sublayer is disposed in one of magnetic layers
In a tunneling magnetoresistive element, an insulating barrier layer is made of Mg—O, and a first pinned magnetic layer has a laminated structure in which a nonmagnetic metal sublayer made of Ta is interposed between a lower ferromagnetic sublayer and an upper ferromagnetic sublayer. The nonmagnetic metal sublayer has an average thickness of about 1 Å or more and about 5 Å or less.
US07969688B2 Method and apparatus supporting a slider having multiple deflection rails in a negative pressure pocket for a hard disk drive
An air bearing surface, with multiple deflection rails in a negative pressure pocket, between a leading air bearing surface and a central island for the read-write head. A gap separates left and right deflection rails. During the slider's normal operation, incoming particles may collide with at least one of the deflection rails and deflect away from the central island and the read-write head. The gap supports diminishing additional negative pressure in the negative air pressure pocket. The gap may minimize the accumulation of debris behind the rejection rails. The invention includes head gimbal assemblies containing these sliders, actuator arms coupled to the head gimbal assemblies, actuator assemblies including at least one of the actuator arms, and hard disk drives which include the actuator assemblies. The invention also includes methods for making sliders, actuator arms, actuator assemblies, and hard disk drives, as well as the products of these manufacturing methods.
US07969684B2 Write head design and method for reducing adjacent track interference at very narrow track widths
A perpendicular write head having a wrap around trailing shield for reducing stray field writing and adjacent track interference. The trailing shield is notched, having an un-notched portion directly behind (trailing) the write pole and first and second notched portions that extend laterally to either side. The un-notched portion of the trailing shield is located adjacent to the trailing edge of the write pole and is separated from the trailing edge of the write pole by a trailing shield notch. The notched portions are separated from the trailing edge of the write gap by a notch depth, measured along the trailing direction, the notch depth as measured in the trailing direction being larger than the trailing shield distance. The notch depth as measured in the trailing direction is preferably 25-50 nm larger than the trailing shield gap distance.
US07969682B2 Head control device, storage device, and maximum power determining method
A signal-level calculating unit calculates a signal level based on a gain signal. A sample generating unit associates heater power with the signal level and generates samples used for determining the maximum power. An approximation-line determining unit determines an approximation line of the samples in a two-dimensional coordinate system. A line shifting unit shifts the approximation line and determines a line for determining a signal level when the heater power is increased by one step. A comparative-value calculating unit calculates a comparative value based on the line. An upper-limit determining unit compares the comparative value and an actual signal level, and determines whether the heater power has reached the maximum power.
US07969677B2 Write driver monitoring and detection
Electronic circuitry and methods are disclosed for monitoring a portion of a write driver, for example, a steady state value of a write driver of a hard disk drive preamplifier. Based on a result of the monitoring, a condition, such as a fault, can be detected in the write driver. For example, apparatus for monitoring a write driver of a disk drive system comprises a comparator circuit coupled to an output of the write driver and configured to compare a value present at the output of the write driver with a reference value such that at least one condition associated with the write driver is detectable as a result of the comparison of the write driver output value and the reference value.
US07969673B2 Night vision instrument focus device
Provided is a device for improving the focus of an object viewed using a night vision instrument.
US07969669B1 Lens module
A lens module includes a holder, a barrel, a lens, and a focus ring. The barrel is accommodated in the holder and threadedly coupled to the holder. The lens is received in the barrel. The focus ring surrounds and is securely fixed with the barrel. The focus ring is sandwiched between the holder and the barrel. The focus ring has at least two protrusions formed on an outer surface thereof. The at least two protrusions are symmetrical about a center of the focus ring.
US07969666B2 Lens module and camera module using same
A lens module includes a barrel and at least one lens. The barrel includes a cover with a hole defined therein and a hollow cylinder extending from the cover. The barrel comprises a cover with a hole defined therein and a hollow cylinder extending from the cover, and the cover comprises a roughened inside surface facing towards the hollow cylinder. The at least one optical lens is received in the barrel and comprises an optically active part and a peripheral optically non-active part around the optically active part, the optically non-active part comprises two opposite roughened surfaces.
US07969664B2 Imaging lens assembly
This invention provides an imaging lens assembly comprising: in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a second lens with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface; a third lens with positive refractive power having a convex image-side surface, at least one of both surfaces thereof being aspheric; and a fourth lens with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface on which at least one inflection point is formed; wherein there are four lenses with refractive power, an on-axis spacing between an aperture stop and an electronic sensor provided therein is SL, an on-axis spacing between the object-side surface of the first lens and the electronic sensor is TTL, they satisfy the relation: 0.75
US07969662B2 Lens barrel unit and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel unit including a lens barrel which has a plurality of lens groups and is set to a photographing state by moving at least a part of the lens groups to an object side and to a collapsed state by moving the at least the part of the lens groups to an image plane side and storing the lens groups, the lens barrel unit includes: a first supporting frame which retains at least one lens group of the lens groups; a second supporting frame which retains the first supporting frame movably in an optical axis direction of the lens barrel; a first supporting frame moving section which moves the first supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel; and a fixed cylinder in which a main shaft which is capable of moving the second supporting frame in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel is provided.
US07969651B2 Educational stereo microscopic image display apparatus
An educational stereo microscopic image display apparatus includes a bag-shaped main box, a planar screen panel which is provided at a front portion of the main box and has a size of 20 inches to 40 inches, and a microscopic image optical system which is provided at a rear portion of the main box and has an objective lens and an image conversion device which converts an optical signal into an electric signal. An image of an object to be inspected is magnified by the microscopic image optical system, and the magnified image is displayed on the large-scale planar screen panel. Accordingly, a teacher and a large number of students (up to about one hundred) can conveniently observe the image of the object to be inspected at the same time.
US07969650B2 Multiplex near-field microscopy with diffractive elements
A near-field microscope using one or more diffractive elements placed in the near-field of an object to be imaged. A diffractive covers the entire object, thus signal may thereby be gathered from the entire object, and advantageously increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the resulting image, as well as greatly improve the acquisition speed. Near-field microscopy overcomes the limitation of conventional microscopy in that subwavelength and nanometer-scale features can be imaged and measured without contact.
US07969645B2 Variable lens
A lens is provided, comprising a lens body. According to an embodiment, the lens body comprises at least one portion of electroactive material.
US07969637B1 MEMS mirror driven by one motion with oscillations of different frequency for bidirectional rotation
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror system has an actuator that imparts a motion with a first periodic movement of high frequency superimposed a second periodic movement of low frequency to a frame and a mirror coupled to the frame so that the mirror rotates about two axes. The mirror is coupled by springs to the frame so the mirror is rotatable about a first axis. The frame has pivots each coupled by springs to actuators so the frame is rotatable about a second axis. The mirror has a first resonant frequency and the frame including the mirror has a second resonant frequency. The low frequency of the second periodic movement is equal to one of the first and the second resonant frequencies, and the high frequency of the first periodic movement is equal to the other one of the first and the second resonant frequencies.
US07969632B2 Fabrication method for a computer-generated hologram in which a three-dimensional object having visualized cross-sectional surfaces is recorded, and computer-generated hologram in which a three-dimensional object having visualized cross-sectional surfaces is recorded
A method for fabricating a computer generated hologram or holographic stereogram can reconstruct a three-dimensional object having visualized cross-sectional surfaces, wherein three-dimensional object composed only of surface data is processed to have visualized cross-sectional surfaces on a given cross section thereof by adding surface data to cross-sectional surfaces. The method includes obtaining volume data of a three-dimensional object, obtaining a number of two-dimensional cross-sectional image data of the three-dimensional object, producing three-dimensional object image data composed only of surface data of the three-dimensional object from the two-dimensional cross-sectional data obtained above, cutting the three-dimensional object surface data along predetermined cross section, defining the shape by adding surface data representing cross-sectional surfaces on the cut cross section, defining the arrangement of the defined three-dimensional object, a hologram plan and a reference beam to compute interference fringes on the hologram plane, and recording the interference fringes on a recording medium.
US07969631B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer readable medium storing image processing program
An image processing apparatus includes an area splitting section that splits whole image areas of a first page before edition and a second page which has been edited into plural regions; an alignment section that performs relative alignments between each of the corresponding split regions of the first page image and the second page image, produced by the area splitting section; and an extraction section that extracts edit information from the second page image by comparing the first page image with the second mage image which have been aligned by the alignment section.
US07969629B2 Data classifying method, multi-dimensional interpolation device, multi-dimensional interpolation method, and computer program
A data divider divides N-dimensional digital image signals into higher-order bit signals and lower-order bit signals. Reference values corresponding to all combinations of the divided higher-order bit signals are divisionally stored in 2N−1 sub-memories without overlaps. The (N+1) reference values necessary for interpolation processing are read by a reference value reader at the same time.
US07969628B2 Apparatus and method for segmenting an output device color gamut and mapping an input device color gamut to the segmented output device color gamut
A gamut mapping apparatus includes a parameter calculating unit calculating parameters for segmenting a gamut of an output device using gamut information about first and second input color spaces; a gamut segmenting unit segmenting the gamut of the output device into a core gamut and a surround gamut using the parameters; and a gamut mapping unit performing gamut mapping on image data present into the first and second input color spaces to the core gamut and the surround gamut according to a predetermined mapping method. The gamut mapping apparatus and method enable accurate reproduction of image data having components having undergone total internal reflection falling outside the scRGB color space or high chroma components in the scRGB color space.
US07969626B2 Scanner and method of scanning
A scanner and a method of scanning an image on an original includes an optical sensor having sensor elements for each of three basic colors that is used to generate pixel values of the scanned image. Each pixel value represents an optical density of a pixel of the image and is generated mainly on the basis of a signal of only one of the sensor elements. Each of the sensor elements for each of the basic colors is used to generate pixel values representing substantially different parts of the image.
US07969625B2 Pitch to pitch online gray balance calibration with dynamic highlight and shadow controls
An automatic gray balance control system to produce TRCs for all primary colors in a reproduction device and for each pitch of a photoreceptor system by printing target patches for each pitch, measuring the output colors, and automatically readjusting the tone reproduction curves until a satisfactory level of accuracy is obtained as compared to the theoretical desired output. The system produces pitch-based gray balanced TRCs that are updated frequently for each pitch, with different TRCs for different pitches, to ensure consistency in output from pitch to pitch as well as from page to page on a given pitch.
US07969624B2 Method and system for identifying optimal media for calibration and control
Disclosed herein are optimal or near optimal algorithms implemented as software tools that will allow the user/machine to identify optimal media out of the job set automatically. There are at least two main process steps to the exemplary embodiment. The first step involves the off-line characterization of the printing/image rendering system that will be used to extract the principal basis vectors from the experimental data. The second step involves the run-time mode, in which the pre-characterized basis vectors are used in conjunction with an optimal algorithm that will identify the media for re-calibration/re-characterization from the group of media set that the customer is interested to print. The optimal algorithm performs the combinatorial search every time the customer wishes to select the media. Once the optimal media is selected, the customer or the machine can print color patches (which are also optimal set) and execute the rest of the processing to reconstruct the best color management LUTs.
US07969622B2 Image reading apparatus, image formation apparatus, image reading method, image formation method, program for causing image reading method to be executed, and program for causing image formation method to be executed
In the so-called sky-shot in which reading is performed with a platen cover (32) open, an output signal of a read image is compared with a white reference value generated from a white reference member (40). Only if a value greater than or equal to the white reference value exists in the output signal of the read image, a reading operation to be performed with a light source unit in an image sensor unit (33) turned off during an original (34) reading operation is added to each scan line reading operation.
US07969617B2 Multilevel screening mapping tone values to control signal values for greater color or shade fidelity and reduced print aberrations
A method of producing a printed output on a substrate is provided using a drop emitting device which is adapted to emit a plurality of ink quantities in response to a control signal. The method comprises the steps of receiving image data corresponding to a pixel of an image to be printed, the received image data comprising a tone value; generating a threshold value for use in a screening operation based on the location of the pixel within the image to be printed; mapping the received tone value to a mapped tone value using a first tone mapping, the mapped tone value being generated based on the received tone value; performing the screening operation by comparing the mapped tone value with the threshold value; mapping the received tone value to a control signal value using a first control mapping if the output of the comparison performed in the previous step indicates a first relationship, the control signal value being generated based on the received tone value; and repeating the previous three steps if the output of the comparison performed in the previous step indicates a second relationship, wherein the first mapping step comprises using an alternate tone mapping and the second mapping step comprises using an alternate control mapping.
US07969610B2 Notification methods and systems for print-related systems
Notification mechanisms for use in connection with print systems are described. In one embodiment, a notification mechanism extends from a printing application to the spooler, from the spooler to a hosting process, and back to the spooler. The notification mechanism can allow interested applications, such as print user interfaces, to register to receive updates on the progress of a print job. The notification mechanism provides a very rich and robust mechanism through which notifications can be generated and received.
US07969608B2 Method of delivering greeting card using form and computer system
A method is provided of delivering a greeting card using a form and computer system. The form includes an interactive element associated with delivery of the greeting card and tags encoding data relating to the interactive element. The method is carried out in the computer system and includes receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device through interaction with the interactive element, identifying, using the received indicating data, the interactive element, and delivering, using the identified interactive element, a greeting card. The sensing device senses the tags through the interaction, decodes the data encoded by the sensed tags and generates the indicating data to include the decoded data.
US07969606B2 Method and system for distributing consumer photograph-based advertisement and/or information
An automatic advertisement system creates and processes a digital image that includes a user's digital photograph and advertisement images from selected advertisers. The new composed images are larger than the standard photographs in size (e.g., 4″×6″, 5″×7″) to allow the user's photograph to be in the standard size and to allow space for the advertisement images. The system provides a criteria specification tool to allow advertisers to accurately specify their target audiences based on, e.g., zip code, age, education. The system also provides a criteria specification tool to allow the user to specify his/her preferences of advertisement on his/her digital photograph production. The system further provides various layouts to prevent the user from clipping out advertisement images all at once. The system further allows advertisers to track their advertising results and allows the user to maintain his/her privacy. The system can be applied to contents other than advertisement image, such as announcements, personal messages, invitation cards and so on.
US07969593B2 Printing apparatus, control method therefor, job processing method, printing system, and program
Print data is input from an external device, and the input print data is analyzed. The print data is temporarily saved in a holding unit on the basis of the analysis result to interrupt a printing process for the print data and start the printing process for another print data.
US07969591B2 Apparatus, method, and program for editing images for a photo album
For generating photo albums on events such as weddings, the photo albums can always be generated in the same quality. A professional photographer photographs the bride and groom on a wedding. Images are read from a developed film and stored in a file server. A template used for generating a photo album is added with composition information representing composition of images to be inserted in image insertion areas therein. When an operator selects one of the images to be inserted in any one of the image insertion areas with reference to an editing screen having a catalog display field and a template display field, processing information representing a magnification ratio and/or a trimming position is generated based on the composition information so that the selected image has the composition appropriate for the image insertion area. The selected image is processed according to the processing information.
US07969587B2 Retractable electronic pen for sensing coded data
An electronic pen for interacting with a substrate having coded data disposed thereon. The pen includes: an image sensor for sensing the coded data when the pen is used to interact with the surface; a cartridge having a nib for contacting the surface; a retraction mechanism for slidably moving the cartridge between a retracted position and an extended position; a force sensor cooperating with the retraction mechanism; and a processor configured to generate indicating data indicative of the interaction with the substrate. The image sensor is configured to sense the coded data only when the force sensor detects that the nib is in contact with the substrate.
US07969585B2 Geometric measurement system and method of measuring a geometric characteristic of an object
A geometric measurement system is adapted to precisely measure one or more surfaces of objects such as corneas, molds, contact lenses in molds, contact lenses, or other objects in a fixture. The geometric measurement system can employ one or more of three possible methods of measurement: Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing with wavefront stitching; phase diversity sensing; and white light interferometry.
US07969581B2 Determining endpoint in a substrate process
An endpoint detection method for detecting an endpoint of a process comprises reflecting polychromatic light from a substrate, the polychromatic light having a plurality of wavelengths. A plurality of light beams having different wavelengths are generated from the reflected polychromatic light. A wavelength of light is determined from the plurality of light beams, at which a local intensity of the reflected light is maximized.
US07969572B2 Particle monitor system and substrate processing apparatus
A particle monitor system that can detect fine particles in a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus has a chamber in which a substrate is housed and subjected to processing, a dry pump that exhausts gas out of the chamber, and a bypass line that communicates the chamber and the dry pump together. The particle monitor system has a laser light oscillator that irradiates laser light toward a space in which the particles may be present, and a laser power measurement device that is disposed on an optical path of the laser light having passed through the space and measures the energy of the laser light.
US07969568B2 Spectrographic metrology of patterned wafers
Light reflected from respective image elements of a workpiece is channeled through respective light channeling elements to respective locations of a spectrographic light disperser. Spectral distributions of the respective image elements produced by the spectrographic light disperser are recorded. A processor groups similar spectral distributions into respective groups of mutually similar distributions, and classifies the groups by the number of distributions contained in each group.
US07969566B2 Apparatus and method for detection of a film on a surface
An apparatus for detection of the existence of a film on a surface comprises a lens, a light emitter and a light sensor. The light emitter is preferably disposed in spaced relation to the lens and is configured to emit light toward the lens such that the light is incident thereupon. The light sensor is also preferably disposed in spaced relation to the lens and is mounted adjacent to the light emitter. The light sensor is configured to measure light reflected back from the lens. The presence or absence on the film on the surface is based upon the amount (i.e., intensity) of light that is reflected back from the lens. The apparatus may further comprise a temperature sensor or atmospheric sensor for measuring a temperature of the lens and atmospheric conditions in order to determine whether conditions are appropriate for the formation of ice, frost and other frozen contaminants.
US07969558B2 High definition lidar system
A lidar-based 3-D point cloud measuring system and method. An example system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. The rotary component includes a rotary power coupling configured to provide power from an external source to the rotary motor, the photon transmitters, and the photon detectors. In another embodiment, the photon transmitters and detectors of each pair are held in a fixed relationship with each other. In yet another embodiment, a single detector is “shared” among several lasers by focusing several detection regions onto a single detector, or by using a single, large detector.
US07969555B2 Lens structure, optical system having the same, and lithography method using the optical system
Disclosed are a lens structure, an optical system including the same, and a lithography method using the optical system. The disclosed lens structure includes: a lens that has a substantially semispherical shape and includes a protruding portion having a truncated cone shape that is provided on its aspherical surface; a thin metal film that is formed on the surface of the protruding portion, and has an aperture formed at a position corresponding to the center of an upper surface of the protruding portion; and an immersion layer that is formed with a constant thickness on the upper surface of the protruding portion.
US07969554B2 Method, computer program, apparatus and system providing printing for an illumination mask for three-dimensional images
A method able to provide illumination source parameters for illumination of a lithographic mask in order to project a three-dimensional image into a resist system. Source intensities of incident beams are determined using a near linear program and responsive to an allowed range of variation. Computer program, apparatus and system are detailed and variations are described.
US07969549B2 Liquid filled lens element, lithographic apparatus comprising such an element and device manufacturing method
A lens element, for use in a projection system, includes a concave side. The lens element further includes a membrane and a nozzle, the membrane at least covering the concave side of the lens element. The nozzle is arranged for supplying and/or removing a liquid and/or a gas in between the concave side and the membrane.
US07969547B2 Dispenser system for liquid crystal display panel and method of using the same
A dispenser system for a liquid crystal display panel includes a table to overturn a substrate having at least one image display part on a first surface of the overturned substrate, and at least one syringe system to supply sealant onto a first surface of the overturned substrate to form a seal pattern along outer edges of the image display part on the first surface of the overturned substrate, wherein the at least one syringe system moves along horizontal directions.
US07969543B2 Retardation films having single retardation value with variation
This invention pertains to the design and construction of retardation films (or plates) with any targeted dispersive property, including those with no wavelength dependence for the entire visible range. In particular, this invention deals with specific design of films with broadband (achromatic) quarterwave and halfwave retardation.
US07969540B2 Transflective liquid crystal display having mutually complementary patterned electrode and reflector
A transflective liquid crystal display with uniform cell gap configuration throughout the transmissive and the reflective display region is invented. Mutually complementary common electrode pattern and reflector pattern or mutually complementary ITO pixel electrode pattern and reflector pattern produce an electric field in the transmissive display region that has a uniform longitudinal field and an electric field in the reflective display region that is a fringing field. An initially vertically aligned negative dielectric anisotropic nematic liquid crystal material between the electrodes forms a smaller tilt angle with respect to the substrate normal in the reflective display region while a larger tilt angle with respect to the substrate normal in the transmissive display region. Consequently, the ambient incident light experiences smaller phase retardation in the reflective display region while the light from the backlight source experiences larger phase retardation. Since the ambient light passes through the reflective display region twice while the light from the backlight source passes through the transmissive display region only once, by properly designing the electrodes and the reflector width, the light from both ambient light source and backlight source will experience almost the same phase retardation in both reflective and transmissive display regions. As a result, the electro-optical performance curves of both-transmissive display mode and reflective display mode overlap.
US07969536B2 Array substrate, display panel having the same and method of manufacturing the same
In an array substrate, the array substrate includes an insulation member in each pixel area and a color filter layer that surrounds each insulation member. The color filter layer includes color filters having two or more colors that are different from each other, and a color filter is formed in each pixel area. An insulation member is arranged in each pixel area and all the insulation members include the same material. The insulation members are partially removed in each pixel area to form contact holes having the same size.
US07969535B2 Pixel unit, liquid crystal display panel, electro-optical apparatus, and methods for manufacturing the same
A pixel unit having a display area is provided. The pixel unit includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and at least one ultraviolet light (UV) absorption pattern. The second substrate is disposed in parallel to the first substrate, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The UV absorption pattern is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A part of the display area overlaps the UV absorption pattern to define at least one first alignment area, while the part of the display area which does not overlap the UV absorption pattern defines at least one second alignment area. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer present different pre-tilt angles in the first alignment area and the second alignment area.
US07969532B2 Surface illuminator and liquid crystal display using same
A surface illuminator has a uniform luminance over a large area by using a laser light source, has a wide color reproduction range, and is capable of suppressing a speckle noise. A liquid crystal display uses such a surface illuminator. The surface illuminator includes the laser light source that emits a laser beam; a beam scan section that deflects and scans the laser beam; and a first plate-shaped light guide that causes the laser beam deflected and scanned by the beam scan section to be incident from an end face portion and causes the incident laser beam to emit from a first major surface. Further, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel and the surface illuminator, wherein the surface illuminator is used as a backlight illuminator that lights the liquid crystal display panel from the backside in this liquid crystal display.
US07969528B2 Liquid crystal display device, and method for assembling the same
A method for assembling a liquid crystal display device includes: a) assembling together a front frame, a liquid crystal panel and an optical plate unit in a dust-free environment to form a first unit in a manner that the liquid crystal panel closes an opening in the front frame and that a sealed state is established between the liquid crystal panel and the optical plate unit; b) assembling a circuit board to one side of a rear frame without requirement of a dust-free environment to form a second unit; c) assembling a light source to one of the first and second units; and d) interconnecting the first and second units without requirement of a dust-free environment in a manner that the light source is able to provide light to a light-entrance surface of the optical plate unit.
US07969526B2 Display device having clamping upper container section and method of assembling the display device
A display device is held together by an upper container section and a lower container section joined together, where the upper and lower container sections interlock with one another by virtue of, for example, each having a shape corresponding to that of a frusto rectangular pyramid shell and the upper container section wrapping over and about the lower container section such that they cannot be readily separated.
US07969524B2 Liquid crystal display panel, manufacturing method of the same, and liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display panel includes a TFT connected to wiring equipped with an input terminal; a pixel electrode connected to the TFT; and a common electrode opposed to the pixel electrode, wherein an electrode spacing between the pixel electrode and the common electrode is adjusted depending on the amount of a signal degradation that arises from a signal flow from the input terminal through the wiring to the TFT.
US07969522B2 Display substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A display substrate includes a first metal pattern, a first insulating layer, a first electrode, and a second metal pattern. The first metal pattern includes a gate line and a signal line. The first insulating layer is disposed on a substrate having the first metal pattern formed thereon. A first opening passes through the first insulating layer to partially expose the signal line. The first electrode is disposed on the first insulating layer corresponding to a unit pixel. The second metal pattern includes a connection electrode contacting the first electrode and the signal line through the first opening and a data line.
US07969520B2 Liquid crystal display device and dielectric film usable in the liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device with high image visibility at low power consumption and produced at low cost by using an interlayer dielectric film, which has low dielectric constant, high heat-resistant property, high optical transmissivity, high film thickness and high flattening property produced at low cost. An organic siloxane dielectric film is used as an interlayer dielectric film of the liquid crystal display device. A ratio of nitrogen content to silicon content (Ni content/Si content) in the interlayer dielectric film is controlled to 0.04 or more in the element ratio. The limiting film thickness to suppress and limit the cracking caused by the thickening of the interlayer dielectric film is set to 1.5 μm or more.
US07969516B2 Projector
A projector includes: a lighting device which emits illumination light; a liquid crystal panel which modulates the illumination light emitted from the lighting device according to image information; a projection system which projects light modulated by the liquid crystal panel; a polarization plate which is disposed at least either on the light incident side or the light exit side of the liquid crystal panel and has at least a polarization layer; a liquid crystal panel side light-transmissive substrate affixed to the liquid crystal panel side surface of the polarization plate and made of inorganic material; and an opposite side light-transmissive substrate affixed to the surface of the polarization plate on the side opposite to the liquid crystal panel side surface of the polarization plate. The thickness of the liquid crystal panel side light-transmissive substrate is smaller than the thickness of the opposite side light-transmissive substrate.
US07969514B2 System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc.) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
US07969513B1 Remote controller utilizing a proxy adapter to enable sending a plurality of commands by user actuation of a single-button
An appurtenant remote control adapter device suited for application with portable remote controllers commonly used with entertainment equipment including television receptors. The proxy adaptor is configured to intercept a sequence of wireless command signals emitted by the remote control. The intercepted command signals are adapted for temporal storage in a memory. A singular “SEND” command button may be subsequently actuated by a user to urge discharge of the temporarily stored wireless command signal from the memory for forthright translation to a remotely controlled apparatus as a usually singular packetized data burst of wireless signal. The adapter allows a user to leisurely enter individual keystrokes composing the command signal sequence and only then necessarily aim the adapter towards the remotely controlled apparatus with a concurrent singular actuation of the SEND key-button to translate the wireless signal to command the remotely controlled apparatus.
US07969506B2 Cradle for connecting to portable electronic apparatus
A cradle for connecting to a portable electronic apparatus is described. The cradle includes an AC adapter connector, a USB connector, a mini USB plug, and a USB signal detecting circuit. The USB connector is used to connect to a USB interface of a computer. The mini USB plug is used to connect to the portable electronic apparatus. The USB signal detecting circuit detects the USB_D+ and the USB_D− of the USB connector. When the computer is suspended from an operating state, the portable electronic apparatus is charged by the AC adapter through the mini USB plug. When the computer resumes normal operation, the USB connection between the portable electronic apparatus and the computer is automatically reestablished.
US07969502B2 Focus adjusting apparatus and focus adjusting method
An apparatus, such as a focus adjusting apparatus, includes a focus adjusting system, a driving device which drives the focus adjusting system from one of a state in which a near-distance object is in focus and a state in which a far-distance object is in focus to the other, and a control device which repeatedly performs determination of a focusing state of the focus adjusting system while causing the driving device to drive the focus adjusting system, and, if the focus adjusting system has been driven in one direction until the number of times of the determination repeatedly performed reaches a predetermined number of times, restrains the focus adjusting system from being driven in the one direction, so that a focus adjusting operation can be appropriately performed.
US07969500B2 Optical apparatus having device for removing foreign substance
An optical apparatus includes a rectangular optical member provided on an optical axis, a supporting member configured to support the optical member, and a rectangular vibrating device stuck to the optical member close to and in parallel with one of four sides of the optical member and configured to vibrate the optical member in a wave fashion to have a plurality of nodes parallel with the one side. The vibrating device is configured to operate in two or more vibration modes differing from one another at least in number or positions of the plurality of nodes. A support position at which the optical member is supported by the supporting member is a position of a portion of the optical member that corresponds to a node in a vibration mode other than a vibration mode whose amplitude is largest among the two or more vibration modes.
US07969495B2 Method for driving CCD-type solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
A method for driving a CCD-type solid-state imaging device includes: reading charges detected by photoelectric conversion elements into potential packets A (B) formed in a charge transfer path, dividing each potential packet A (B) into plural segment packets A1, A2 (B1, B2) while narrowing a range where the charges are present in each potential packet A (B), by moving a split barrier D from one side of each potential packet A (B) toward the other side of each potential packet A (B), and transferring the charges along the charge transfer path after the dividing. Each split barrier D has a lower potential height than a partition barrier C that forms a boundary between the adjacent potential packets A, B.
US07969493B2 Matching free dynamic digital pixel sensor
An active pixel sensor includes a photosensitive device and a dynamic comparator that when coupled with a voltage ramp will form a digital pixel sensor with pulse width modulated digital output. A number of switches are included in the digital pixel sensor to configure the input of the dynamic comparator to couple with the photosensitive device or the voltage ramp such that the dynamic comparator is free from input transistor mismatch problem, as both input use the same input transistor. A cascade of dynamic comparator is disclosed in this invention, such as to improve the sensitivity and conversion speed of the digital pixel sensor. There are a number of switches that connect and isolate the digital pixel sensor from the bit line, which is shared by a plurality of digital pixel sensors in the sensor array. Photosensitive devices in close proximity can share the dynamic comparator by a number of selection switches, such that each photosensitive device can be read out in a time shared manner. Such configuration reduce the average number of transistors in each digital pixel sensor and thus the total silicon area of the sensor array, and hence the cost of production of the image sensor.
US07969492B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels and increasing portions increasing charges stored in the pixels, wherein the frequency of increasing the charges is controlled every group of at least one pixel in response to luminance of light incident upon the pixels by the increasing portions.
US07969488B2 Correction of cluster defects in imagers
A method and apparatus that allows for the correction of multiple defective pixels in an imager device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of selecting a correction kernel for a defective pixel, determining average and difference values for pixel pairs in the correction kernel, and substituting an average value from a pixel pair for the value of the defective pixel.
US07969487B2 Solid-state imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having pixels two-dimensionally arranged into row direction and column direction, each pixel containing a photoelectric conversion section, an accumulation section for accumulating output of the photoelectric conversion section, an amplification section for amplifying output of the photoelectric conversion section accumulated at the accumulation section and outputting it as pixel signal, and a reset section for effecting reset of the accumulation section; a vertical scanning section for selecting row to be read out of the pixel section; vertical signal lines provided correspondingly to columns of the pixel section, onto which pixel signals of pixels arranged in column direction are outputted; a column amplifier section for effecting suppression of dark current component of the pixels contained in pixel signals inputted through the vertical signal line and for amplifying the pixel signals after the suppression; a horizontal scanning section for selecting the pixel signal amplified by the column amplifier section and outputting it onto a horizontal signal line; and a dark current correction signal generation section for generating and applying on the column amplifier section a signal for suppressing the dark current component based on the pixel signal from the horizontal signal line.
US07969485B2 Solid-state imaging device and camera
A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and a readout unit operable to read out pixel signals of the pixels included in the pixel array row by row. The readout unit (i) reads out pixel signals of a row of pixels in column order of the pixel array during a horizontal readout period, except during a readout-standby period that is within the horizontal readout period, and (ii) suspends reading out the pixel signals of the row of pixels in the column order during the readout-standby period.
US07969482B2 Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof
In an image pickup apparatus, image data obtained by an image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined image processing, and an image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder screen based on the image data that has undergone the image processing. A specified color is determined based on color information included in a predetermined region of an image that is currently being displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen, and image processing parameters are produced so that color conversion is carried out on the image while eliminating color components of colors other than the determined specified color.
US07969477B2 Camera sensing device for capturing and manipulating images
A camera sensing device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; a card reader including a linear image sensor having a series of LEDs for illuminating a card inserted therein, and a series of integrated lenses for focuses the illumination reflected from the card, whereby encoded instructions printed on a surface of the card is read; a printed circuit board (PCB) bearing a processor for manipulating the captured image in accordance with the encoded instructions; a print head unit including a second roller assembly and including an ink ejection printhead configured to print the manipulated image on print media fed by the second roller assembly; and a media and ink supply configured to supply ink and the print media to the printhead unit.
US07969475B2 Low memory auto-focus and exposure system for large multi-frame image acquisition
Embodiments of the invention are described that provide automated and efficient optimization of camera settings. In certain embodiments of the invention, both focus and exposure settings are determined based on an analysis of compressed images taken of a frame. Based on this analysis, the camera focus and exposure settings are set to provide a preferred image quality of the particular frame. This optimization of the focus and exposure settings is performed at each frame within the multi-frame image source. As a result, each frame image is independently optimized and addresses variations, such as light and surface inconsistencies, across the multi-frame image source.
US07969474B2 Camera, encoder, and modulator in same enclosure
An RF signal source having a camera that provides a camera output, an encoder that encodes the camera output in a compressed digital format, and a modulator that digitally encodes and modulates the compressed camera output and that provides the digitally encoded, modulated, and compressed camera output as an RF output of the RF signal source. The camera, the encoder, and the modulator may be contained in an enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the encoder, the modulator, and at least part of the camera may be formed on a semiconductor substrate.
US07969470B2 Moving object detection apparatus, method and program
A moving object detection device accurately detects moving objects. The device includes a motion vector calculation section calculating motion vectors from an input image; a motion vector removal section removing a motion vector having high randomness from the calculated motion vectors; a motion vector accumulation section temporally accumulating each motion vector not removed by the motion vector removal section, and calculating an accumulated number of occurrences and an accumulated value of each motion vector; and a moving object detection section determining, based on the calculated accumulated value and calculated accumulated number of occurrences of each motion vector, whether each motion vector corresponds to a moving object.
US07969469B2 Multiple image sensor system with shared processing
A primary integrated image sensor is operatively connected to one or more secondary image sensors. The primary integrated image sensor includes a pixel array integrated on a semiconductor substrate along with one or more of an image signal processing circuit, readout circuitry, a digital serial interface, storage, a timing circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a bi-directional digital input/output circuit. Each secondary image sensor can be implemented as a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor and include a pixel array along with one or more of a readout circuitry, a digital serial interface, a timing circuit, an output circuit, and an optional analog-to-digital converter. Images captured by the primary integrated image sensor and each secondary image sensor are processed by the primary image sensor. Each secondary image sensor can also transmit physical and operational data to the primary integrated image sensor.
US07969468B2 Imaging apparatus and wireless communication partner searching method
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device for photographing a subject image to output as image data, a recording device for recording the image data as an image file, a wireless communication device, a partner device searching device for searching for a partner device of a wireless communication, and a wireless communication setting device for setting the wireless communication device to be effective or to be invalid, and when the wireless communication device is effectively set by the wireless communication setting device, the partner device searching device automatically starts the searching of the partner device with activation of the imaging device.
US07969466B2 Vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus
A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus that extracts a body present in the surroundings of a vehicle as an object, based on an image captured by an infrared imaging device, including a binarized object extraction device that extracts a binarized object from image data obtained by binarizing a gray scale image of the image; a search region setting device that sets a search region at the lower part of the binarized object extracted by the binarized object extraction device; a vertical edge detection device that detects a vertical edge in the search region set by the search region setting device; and an object type determination device that determines a type of object based on a detection result of the vertical edge detection device.
US07969462B2 Digitally enhanced night vision device
A user portable viewing device includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors for sensing a scene. A processing element combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis including an eye of the user and an input end of the first sensor for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors for generating sets of image data. An information processor receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.
US07969458B2 Thermal printhead
A thermal printhead (A1) includes a substrate (1) and a heating resistor (3) supported by the substrate (1). An electrode pattern (2) is formed in contact with the heating resistor (3) for applying driving voltage. The heating resistor (3) is covered with a protective film (5). The protective film (5) includes a high thermal conductivity layer (51) and a low thermal conductivity layer (52) laminated on the high thermal conductivity layer. The low thermal conductivity layer (52) is positioned farther from the heating resistor (3) than the high thermal conductivity layer (51) is.
US07969457B2 Method and apparatus for marking a document
An apparatus for marking a document includes a housing configured to be handheld having a display. The housing has an input element in communication with the display through which information to be marked on the document is entered and which appears on the display. The housing has a clock which keeps time and date. The housing has a stamp. The housing has an activation element which when activated causes the stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document. A method, for marking a document includes the steps of entering information into an input element of a housing configured to be handheld. There is the step of displaying the information on a display of the housing in communication with the input element. There is the step of keeping track of time and date with a clock of the housing. There is the step of activating an activation element of the housing which causes a stamp to mark the time and date and information on the document.
US07969455B2 Image calibration device and method
An image display device for displaying an image on the basis of an image signal supplied from an image supply device includes a brightness detecting section that detects a gray level which characterizes brightness of a predetermined pattern image from a pattern image signal when the predetermined pattern image is supplied from the image supply device; a storing section that stores a reference gray level predetermined in the pattern image; a correction parameter setting section that sets a correction parameter for compensating by a difference between the gray level detected by the brightness detecting section and the reference gray level stored in the storing section; and a correcting section that corrects the brightness of the image signal supplied from the image supply device on the basis of the correction parameter.
US07969454B2 Composite photograph creation system and composite photograph creation apparatus
A composite photograph creation system creates a composite photograph by pasting a user image at a previously determined user image combination position on a template image. The system comprises: a user terminal which sends the user image to one of transmission destinations independently assigned to a plurality of template images; a reception device which receives the user image sent to the one of transmission destinations; and a composite photograph creation device which creates the composite photograph by pasting the user image received by the reception device, at the user image combination position on one of the template images, in accordance with the transmission destination of the user image.
US07969451B2 Method and apparatus for dynamically sizing color tables
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for storing colors in a color table used in displaying graphics in a data processing system. A request for a color map is received, wherein the request includes a number of entries for the color map. A color map location and size in the color table is set based on the number of entries in the request. Colors for the color map are loaded into the color table at the color map location, wherein dynamic sizing of color tables occurs.
US07969442B2 Method and system of producing cartoon animation using character animation and mesh deformation
A method for producing cartoon animation using character animation and mesh deformation is provided. The system includes a motion analysis module, a mesh deformation module, a motion deformation module, and a skinning module. The motion analysis module receives existing motion data having information about non-deformed motions of a character, and extracts parameters from the existing motion data by analyzing an animation value that a character's each joint has. The mesh deformation module receives existing mesh data having information about an external appearance of a character and existing skinning data having information for cohering the parameters or bones with mesh, and generates deformed mesh data. The motion deformation module receives the existing motion data and deforms motion using the parameters. The skinning module receives the deformed mesh data, the deformed motion data, and the existing skinning data and generates character animation data having cartoon like motion.
US07969438B2 Soft shadows for cinematic lighting for computer graphics
A method and apparatus for high quality soft shadows for area lights in cinematic lighting for use in computer graphics, such as computer enabled animation. The method is an extension of traditional shadow maps, so the complexity of the present method is independent of geometric complexity. It uses multilayer translucent shadow maps, which can be used to produce high quality soft shadows for scenes with extremely complex geometry, fur, and volume objects. The present method computes the shadow factor by ray tracing the multilayer translucent shadow map.
US07969433B2 Methods and apparatus for determining high quality sampling data from low quality sampling data
A method for a computer system includes determining a plurality of illumination modes associated with a plurality of scene descriptors, wherein the plurality of scene descriptors includes a first scene descriptor and a second scene descriptor, determining a first plurality of weights, wherein each weight from the first plurality of weights is associated with an illumination mode from the plurality of illumination modes, determining illumination data associated with the first scene descriptor in response to the first plurality of weights and in response to the plurality of illumination modes, determining a second plurality of weights, wherein each weight from the second plurality of weights is associated with an illumination mode from the plurality of illumination modes, and determining illumination data associated with the second scene descriptor in response to the second plurality of weights and in response to the plurality of illumination modes.
US07969426B2 Light sensitive display interface for computing devices
According to one or more embodiments, a variation is detected in light that is cast over a display interface of a computing device. A characteristic of the light variation is identified. From this characteristic, a determination is made as to whether the variation in light is to be interpreted as an input or to be ignored.
US07969424B2 Electronic device, recording medium and method
Methods, computer program products, computing and printing systems for improved screen display and touch input, where an operation/display unit comprises a screen display unit such as a LCD; a touch location detection unit, which is a touch panel that accepts a user's touch operation; a touch decision unit that determines the touch location of the user's touch operation to the touch panel; and a touch execution unit that executes functions according to the user's touch location. If the user's touch location is within the effective area(s) of the operation button(s), then the touch execution unit executes the function allocated to the operation button(s). If the touch location is outside of the effective area(s) of the operation button(s), then the region outside of the operation button(s) is displayed as grayed-out.
US07969423B2 Display control system, operation input apparatus, and display control method
A system includes a display, a touch panel, a controlling unit, and an LCD driver. The display can display, on a screen, different images when viewed from different sides. The touch panel is disposed on the screen. The controlling unit and the LCD driver cooperate to control the display. In one embodiment, identification signals for uniquely identifying the different sides are generated and are electrically applied to respective operators. A component of the identification signal transmitted through the body of the operator is detected to thereby identify from which side operation input was performed on the touch panel.
US07969419B2 Hand-held electronic device
A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user's hand at the side edge of the device.
US07969415B2 Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are provided by logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special key of the keypad that enables a user to progressively select variants without changing the position of the user's hands on the device.
US07969412B2 Display apparatus and method, program of controlling same
A screen display apparatus includes an operation information reception unit that receives operation information regarding an inclination direction and an inclination angle of a joystick from the joystick, and a screen controller that performs a scroll process for scrolling a screen and a zoom process for zooming based on the operation information. The screen controller scrolls the screen according to the inclination direction and the inclination angle of the joystick, and continues a zoom-out process for zooming-out of the screen based on a detection of the inclination angle that is greater than a predetermined angle for a predetermined period until detecting the inclination angle of the joystick to be equal to or smaller than the predetermined angle or until zooming out to a predetermined minimum zoom rate.
US07969400B2 Liquid crystal display device with decreased power consumption
A display device includes a drive circuit to which video data is supplied from the outside; video lines to which video signals outputted from the drive circuit are supplied; and pixels to which the video signals are supplied through the video lines. The drive circuit includes a static random access memory which stores the video data in memory cells. The drive circuit is configured to perform writing only on selected memory cells that are connected to shared writing and reading word lines, to drive other memory cells connected to the shared writing and reading word lines and not selected to perform writing to output video data respectively stored therein to a reading data line, and then to rewrite the video data back to the non-selected memory cells, without precharging the memory cells that are connected to shared writing and reading word lines.
US07969399B2 Liquid crystal display device, driving circuit for the same and driving method for the same
A horizontal scanning period correction value setting circuit compares a video signal representing a display image of pixel formation portions of polarity-inverted lines and a video signal representing a display image of pixel formation portions of the next row, and generates a signal width correction value for correcting the length of the horizontal scanning period. For this, the signal width correction value is set such that the charge ratios of the pixel formation portions are constant, regardless of a difference between a target voltage of the driving video signals when the polarity is inverted and a target voltage of the driving video signals when the polarity is sustained. Then, a source output control signal and a gate output control signal are generated based on the signal width correction value, and the scanning signals and the driving video signals are generated based on the source output control signal and the gate output control signal.
US07969396B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes an array of pixels. Each pixel is divided into a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, and different data voltages are separately applied to (or evolved at) the two sub-pixels, thereby enhancing the lateral side visibility. Each sub-pixel includes a sub-pixel electrode (connected to the drain electrode of a sub-pixel's switching element) overlapped with the sub-pixel's storage electrode. A first predetermined voltage is applied to the first sub-pixel and second predetermined voltage is applied the second sub-pixel, and thus the first sub-pixel electrode may receive a voltage lower than the voltage of the second sub-pixel electrode. The first sub-pixel electrode may be larger in area than the second sub-pixel electrode. The overlapping area between the first drain electrode and the storage electrode of a first sub-pixel may be larger than the overlapping area between the drain electrode and the storage electrode of a second sub-pixel. Thus the kickback voltage of the first sub-pixel may be substantially the same as the kickback voltage of the second sub-pixel.
US07969394B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
A transistor connected to a power source for driving a light-emitting element driving transistor and a transistor setting to a predetermined voltage a source voltage of the light-emitting element driving transistor are commonly controlled by a control signal that takes one of three levels.
US07969391B2 Pixel circuit, display device, and method of manufacturing pixel circuit
A pixel circuit including: a driving transistor; a light emitting element; and a power supply line; wherein the driving transistor is connected between the power supply line and a predetermined electrode of the light emitting element, and the power supply line is formed as multilayer wiring, and an interpolating capacitance is formed such that the power supply line formed as the multilayer wiring and another conductive layer are opposed to each other at a distance.
US07969388B2 Plasma display device
Initialization waveforms with different voltages are applied respectively to a predetermined subfield with a small number of sustain pulses, and a subfield with the smallest number of sustain pulses in subfields other than the predetermined subfield. This offers a plasma display device that achieves a correct write operation in all discharge cells even if discharge interference occurs between adjacent cells, and also achieves a high contrast.
US07969387B2 Method for driving plasma display device
In the method for driving a plasma display device, the plasma display panel are applied with voltage through the following process. In the first address period where an address discharge is generated on the scan electrodes that belong to the first scan electrode group, the third switching element is turned OFF so as to give a different value of reference voltage between the first and the second scan electrode driving sections. In the second address period where an address discharge is generated on the scan electrodes that belong to the second scan electrode group, the third switching element is turned ON so as to give a same value of reference voltage between the first and the second scan electrode driving sections. In the sustain period where sustain pulses are applied to a plurality of scan electrodes to generate a sustain discharge in the discharge cells, the third switching element is turned ON.
US07969385B2 Color display device and color display method
The color display device includes a colored light generation unit for repetitively generating a plurality of colored lights in a time sequence with a predetermined frequency, and an image generation unit for processing said plurality of colored lights, so as to generate an image corresponding to each of the plurality of colored lights generated in a time sequence. The said predetermined frequency is 180 Hz or more.
US07969383B2 Interactive data view and command system
A method and information system for capturing signals, for processing signals, and for providing signals at least partially based on, or bearing correlation to, the captured signals is disclosed. The information system includes a signal input unit, a wireless communication unit, and an output unit. The signal input unit (preferably an optical signal unit) is constructed and is positionable to capture signals associated with an eye. The output unit is constructed to provide information based on the captured signals or to provide information as a function of the captured signals or in correlation with the captured signals.
US07969381B2 Patch antenna
A wireless device has a housing, a patch antenna, and an open/shut sensing unit which senses the open/shut state of the housing and forms an open/shut signal indicating the open/shut state. The patch antenna has a first element which corresponds to a first polarized wave, a second element which corresponds to a second polarized wave and is to be added to the first element, and a switching unit. The switching unit disconnects and connects the second element from and to the first element based on the open/shut signal to make the patch antenna suitable for the first or second polarized wave.
US07969378B2 Radio antenna assembly
An antenna assembly is provided for mounting on a predetermined support structure positioned on a surface, the support structure having a peripheral edge at an elevated position above the surface. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and a support for supporting the antenna at an elevated position above the surface when mounted on the support structure. The support is adapted to support the antenna at a sufficient height above the surface to provide a direct path for electromagnetic radiation from at least a portion of the antenna to a position on the surface external of the peripheral edge of less than or equal to about 4.5 meters from substantially any point on the peripheral edge, or to a position on the surface at a point positioned 3 meters from the front of the support structure and 3 meters from a side of the support structure.
US07969376B2 Horn antenna
The invention relates to an antenna (1) for a transmitting operation and/or a receiving operation with a decoupling apparatus (2a) and/or a coupling apparatus (2b) for electromagnetic waves. The antenna (1) according to the invention comprises a horn funnel (4) which is composed of at least two side walls (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), and also comprises at least two fins (5a, 5b) which extend into the interior of said horn funnel (4). The at least two side walls (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) have a cutout (7a, 7b) in each case.
US07969371B2 Small monopole antenna having loop element included feeder
Provided is a small monopole antenna having a loop feeder. The small monopole antenna having a loop feeder includes: a loop element forming a loop along a predetermined plane and having a loop feeder at the center thereof; a non-feeding type monopole antenna element including one end connected to a wire of the loop element and other end connected to a ground unit by being bended at the center of the loop element; a ground unit for grounding other end of the non-feeding type monopole antenna; and a first connecting unit for connecting the non-feeding type monopole antenna to an external device for feeding the loop feeder of the loop element through the non-feeding type monopole antenna.
US07969366B2 System and method for optimized use of a dual mode wireless communication device
Systems and methods for the operation of a dual mode wireless communication device are provided. A wireless communication device includes a scan module, a registration module and a learning module that cooperate to allow the device to identify available radio access technologies, select a radio interface, manage the radio interface, and learn behavioral patterns that optimize operation of the dual mode device. The dual mode device maximizes the overall time it is operational on the better radio access technology while not performing unnecessary scans. This helps in improving performance, preserving battery life and enhancing the overall user experience. In operation, the dual mode device scans for available voice or data networks upon identification of a trigger event, for example, a manual instruction, a drop in signal strength, a loss of signal, a time of usage on a particular network, a battery condition, an application preference, a state of the wireless communication device, or a geographic location. Various trigger events may be stored in a data storage area on the device and new trigger events such as geographic locations where manual scans are frequently requested by the user or geographic locations where signal strength is low or the network signal is typically lost can be stored for future reference by the device in order to improve performance.
US07969365B2 Board-to-board radio frequency antenna arrangement
A radio frequency (RF) antenna arrangement for an electronic device includes a conductive ground reference element formed on a first circuit board, and a conductive antenna radiating element formed on a second circuit board. The two boards are coupled together such that the conductive ground reference element and the conductive antenna radiating element are facing each other. The RF antenna arrangement also includes a conductive radiating leg element for the conductive antenna radiating element, an electrical contact pin mounted on the first circuit board, and a conductive ground leg element that electrically couples the conductive antenna radiating element to the conductive ground reference element. The electrical contact pin is in physical and electrical contact with the conductive radiating leg element, and the electrical contact pin facilitates RF signal transmission to and from the conductive radiating leg element.
US07969364B2 Radio frequency device and method of manufacture
A radio frequency device comprises a radio frequency transponder having a radio frequency circuit and a radio frequency antenna, and a sensor conductively connected to the radio frequency antenna so that a measurement can be retrieved from the sensor by communicating with the transponder. The radio frequency antenna comprises a first portion which is used primarily for receiving and/or sending of radio frequency signals, and a second portion which is used primarily for conductively connecting the sensor to the first portion of the radio frequency antenna and which enables placing the sensor in a spaced-apart spatial relation to the first portion of the radio frequency antenna.
US07969359B2 Reflective phase shifter and method of phase shifting using a hybrid coupler with vertical coupling
A phase shifter and method include a hybrid coupler being ground shielded. The hybrid coupler with reflective terminations connected to the hybrid coupler is configured to phase shift an applied signal wherein the reflective terminations include a parallel LC circuit.
US07969345B2 Fast implementation of a maximum likelihood algorithm for the estimation of target motion parameters
A system and method for implementing a maximum likelihood estimator for making a joint estimation of range, range rate, and acceleration of a target utilizing a pulse doppler radar. The MLE of target motion parameters are determined by keystone processing a baseband signal, and generating a first estimate of the motion parameters based on the processed signal. The first estimate is utilized to set up sampling intervals for the performance of a coarse search. Then a fine search is performed using Newton's method to determine the MLE.
US07969343B2 Successive approximation analog-digital converter circuit using capacitance array
An analog-to-digital converter circuit includes: a capacitor array including a plurality of first capacitors, each having a first terminal connecting to a common node and having a capacitance represented by the nth power of 2 (2n) on the basis of the smallest of the capacitances of the first capacitors=1; a second capacitor for contributing to attenuation of the voltage on the common node; a switch array, each switch of the switch array supplying and disconnecting one of a first reference voltage, a second reference voltage, and the voltage of an input signal to and from a second terminal of an associated one of the first capacitors; a second switch supplying and disconnecting a third reference voltage to and from the common node; a comparator comparing a voltage on the common node with the third reference voltage; and a control circuit controlling the first switches and the second switch.
US07969340B2 Noise-shaped segmented digital-to-analog converter
A segmented digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is disclosed. In the present invention, the segmented DAC of the present invention comprises a signal component processing stage and a plurality of noise component processing stages cascaded with the signal component processing stage. A noise component of an input word for the DAC is split into a plurality of portions to be processed. By doing so, effect due to gain mismatch(es) in an analog portion of the DAC can be effectively reduced without significantly increasing DAC cells used in the DAC.
US07969339B2 Electronic device and integrated circuit comprising a delta-sigma converter and method therefor
An integrated circuit comprises a delta-sigma modulator incorporating a delta-sigma modulation loop having an analog-to-digital converter in a forward path and a digital-to-analog converter in a feedback path such that the ADC is arranged to receive samples of an analog input signal. The ADC is operably coupled to auto-ranging logic arranged to shift a digital output signal from the ADC representative of the analog input signal to counteract an effect of an input variation of the analog input signal. In this manner, the application of auto-ranging logic with a self-recovery technique supports a reduction of the number of comparators required in a multi-bit delta-sigma ADC.
US07969332B2 Method and apparatus for encoding based on a linear block code
A method and apparatus for encoding based on a linear block code, and a method and apparatus for generating a linear block code are provided. The method for encoding based on a linear block code includes: generating a linear block code; and encoding an information sequence with an encoding matrix of the linear block code to obtain a bit stream sequence. The linear block codes have a good minimum distance characteristic, so that the error correction performance is improved.
US07969331B2 System and method for verifying entry of keystrokes received from a capacitive keypad
A method for resetting a key decoder coupled to a plurality of capacitive keys to prevent processing of a key code generated by a ghosting condition. The method includes receiving a key code from a key decoder that corresponds to a first capacitive key of a capacitive keypad, detecting a ghosting condition for a second capacitive key that does not correspond to the detected key code, and resetting a key decoder in response to the ghosting condition being detected.
US07969330B2 Touch sensitive control panel
An apparatus for controlling functions of an appliance is described having a touch-sensitive control panel resistant to accidental activation. The touch-sensitive panel has a plurality of proximity sensor areas which may be selected by a user wishing to activate associated functions of the appliance. Driver circuitry coupled to the sensor areas is operable to output detection signals to a controller in response to a user selecting ones of the sensor areas. The controller is configured to activate functions of the appliance in response to these detection signals. For one or more functions of the appliance, for example a switching on function, the controller is configured to only activate the function when a user makes a pre-determined combination of at least two selections from the plurality of sensor areas. This reduces the chances of potentially dangerous functions being activated inadvertently and can further help a designer to provide an intuitive and uncluttered appearance to the control panel.
US07969329B2 Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special key of the keypad that enables a user to progressively select variants generally without changing the position of the user's hands on the device.
US07969328B2 Navigation apparatus and program of the same
A navigation apparatus of a vehicle includes: storage means for storing information about the vehicle and a road area; and guide route calculating means for calculating a guide route on the basis of the information stored in the storage means. The navigation apparatus determines whether to avoid an entry of the vehicle into the road area on the basis of the information about the vehicle and the road area.
US07969319B2 Variable height bin level sensor for use with a product dispensing agricultural implement
A fill level sensor is magnetically coupled to a hopper of an agricultural implement to provide a signal indicative of product fill level in the hopper relative to a fill line. The sensor can be positioned at various heights to provide variability in the height of the sensed fill line. The fill level sensing components are contained within a sensor housing. A magnet for magnetically mounting the sensor may be coupled to an exterior surface of the sensor housing or enclosed within the sensor housing.
US07969316B2 Child leg monitoring system and method
A monitoring system for use with a leg hole device includes a sensor for monitoring a state of at least one leg of a child engaged with the leg hole device, a control system, and a user interface. A state of presence or absence of at least one leg may be monitored.
US07969314B2 RFID triggered personal athletic device
A personal athletic device is worn by a runner during a race. A race course is provided with a plurality of mats along the race course. The mats have antennas and generate a magnetic field. The personal athletic device has a chip system having an RFID tag and a display. As the runner progress along the course, the RFID tag is triggered at each mat and race data is displayed on the device.
US07969313B2 Remote communication devices, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, radio frequency identification device communication methods, and methods of forming a remote communication device
Remote communication devices, radio frequency identification devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, radio frequency identification device communication methods, and methods of forming a remote intelligent communication device are provided. According to one aspect, a remote intelligent communication device includes communication circuitry configured to at least one of receive communication signals and generate communication signals; and an antenna coupled with the communication circuitry and substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies, the antenna being configured to communicate wireless signals corresponding to the communication signals including at least one of receiving wireless signals and outputting wireless signals. Another aspect includes a wireless communication method including providing a remote intelligent communication device having an antenna substantially tuned to a plurality of frequencies; and communicating wireless signals using the antenna including at least one of receiving wireless signals at one of the frequencies and outputting wireless signals at one of the frequencies.
US07969312B2 Device and process for magnetic material detection in electronic article surveillance (EAS) electromagnetic systems
The present invention relates to a device with its related electronic circuit and to a detection process targeted to detect any magnetic material moving around the antennas/sensors used in Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) electromagnetic systems, which can be internally or externally coupled to these kind of anti-theft systems, significantly decreasing its current vulnerability to fraud since the current EAS electromagnetic systems are vulnerable for not being able to detect magnetic materials. The present process and detector device filter and treat the DC signal generated by the displacement of a magnetic material around one or more EAS electromagnetic system antenna/sensor(s). Magnetic material detection is achieved from a differential signal existing in the antenna/sensor receiver, such signal being forwarded to a control unit wherein there are coupled a device comprising a “n” order filter, a buffer, a sensitivity control circuit, a control logic and an alarm module.
US07969310B2 Integrated theft deterrent device
An integrated theft deterrent tag 20 having a lanyard 38 emanating therefrom. The lanyard 38 having a pin 48 permanently attached thereto and the pin 48 being received within a locking mechanism 32 and enclosing an article to be protected.
US07969309B2 RFID label attaching method, RFID label attaching device, and RFID label
A RFID tag is partially separable from an article to which the tag is applied such that influence on the RFID tag from the article may be reduced thereby. A label is applied to an article, wherein the label is tacked on a backing paper. The label is fixed with a tag-fixed portion fixed with a RFID tag comprising an IC chip and a communication antenna. The tag-fixed portion has a predetermined size and is partitioned from a common label portion. The common label portion is partitioned into a first label portion that is articulated with the tag-fixed portion and a second label portion, from which the tag-fixed portion is separable along a partition line extending across the common label portion from a side of the tag-fixed portion. The method comprises associating the first label portion of the common label portion with a first surface of the article such that the partition line of the label follows a corner line of a corner portion of the article, and applying the label to the article such that the tag-fixed portion articulated with the first label portion is raised from the article.
US07969307B2 Diagnostic radio frequency identification sensors and applications thereof
An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point of Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.
US07969306B2 Context-aware and real-time item tracking system architecture and scenarios
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.
US07969300B2 Signal transmission between a sensor and a controller device in a wireless sensor network
A wireless sensor network includes a controller connected with multiple antennas for sending out a beacon signal at different instants into different directions and for receiving a sensor signal. Furthermore, the wireless sensor network comprises a sensor having a receiver connected with a sensor antenna for receiving the beacon signal, a transmitter connected with the sensor antenna for sending out the sensor signal, and a control unit which takes care that the sensor signal is transmitted after the beacon signal has been received.
US07969299B2 Method for monitoring a group of objects and associated arrangement
A method for monitoring a group of objects, and an arrangement to implement the method includes providing each object of the group to be monitored with a radio node of a self-networking radio network, whereby each radio node within the group has a unique identification. The radio nodes of the group automatically reveal themselves at a starting time and network with one another. The radio nodes of the group monitor themselves from the starting time and convey at least one specified change in an initial mutual situation. At least one of the radio nodes when notifying or recognizing a specified change, conveys information concerning the change to a monitoring unit and/or controls an alarm transmitter for activating an alarm.
US07969297B2 System and method for determining positioning information via modulated light
Light sources are affixed at appropriate positions in a multilevel structure or in an obstructed environment. The light sources generate modulated light signals, such as controlled light-emitting diodes, which identify the positions of the light sources by their three-dimensional global positioning coordinates and/or equivalent representation that specifies their in situ locations in the environment. Mobile communication devices, upon receiving the light signals, can derive spatial positioning information and transmit such information to a remote location, such as an emergency response system.
US07969295B2 Device, system and method for the location and identification of as-built plants of pipes, conduits, cables or hidden objects
A device 20 for location and identification of pipes, conduits, cables or buried or hidden objects 8 is described without the need of any invasive and/or destructive work, said device comprising at least one transponder 1 utilizing RFID or like technology for identification without any physical contact or line-of-sight, said transponder 1 being attached in a support 7 shaped as a mesh, tape, wire, cable, cordage or alternatively in a device 32/33 such as a bar, tappet, line, stud, mushroom, pipe, marker or the like, device 20 resulting from the combination of 1 and 7 or of 1 and 32/33. A system for location and identification of said objects 8 comprises said device 20 and further a reading and/or writing unit 3 of the information on said pipe, conduit, cable or buried or hidden object 8, at least an antenna 2 besides said pipe, conduit, cable or buried or hidden object 8. Also described is the method for installing device 20, the method for location and identification of a pipe, conduit, cable or buried or hidden object 8, as well as the method for mapping and execution of as-built plants of pipes, conduits, cable or buried or hidden objects 8 without the need of any invasive and/or destructive work.
US07969292B2 Tire air pressure measuring apparatus which reduces the probability of false warnings
A tire pressure measuring apparatus provides a warning of an error of a tire air pressure measuring module only when it is not that determined a vehicle stops and also any on of receivers has not received an air pressure data signal for an error determining duration. Therefore, a probability of a false warning can be reduced.
US07969290B2 Information device, preferably in a motor vehicle, and method for supplying information about vehicle data, in particular vehicle functions and their operation
An information device, e.g., inside a motor vehicle, includes at least one output device and a processing device, to which a memory device is assigned in which all types of vehicle data, in particular data of vehicle functions and/or vehicle elements, their operation, display or manipulation, and/or data of vehicle states, are stored, and a method is for supplying information about the mentioned vehicle data. The corresponding vehicle data, in particular vehicle functions and their operation or manipulation, and/or vehicle elements and/or their function and/or manipulation, and/or vehicle states and/or their change are displayed in animated fashion on the at least one output device.
US07969286B2 Process and system for automatically updating data recorded in a radio frequency identifier
The invention is intended to be used in the technological field of communication and the update of data between electronic equipment (1, 2) capable of inter-communicating using wireless links. The invention relates more particularly to a process and a system to automatically configure and update the data saved in a radio frequency identifier (3). The process and the system enable the update of the data recorded in a radio frequency identifier of a first equipment item (1) equipped with a display screen (5) by displaying on screen a visual code (7) bearing update data of the radio frequency identifier. The visual code is then read using a second equipment item (2) provided with a visual code read device (4) having radio frequency identifier read-write interface. Then, the decoding of the visual code and the conversion and transmission of the update data to the radio frequency identifier by means of the read-write interface are performed.
US07969285B2 Management of badge access to different zones
A method executed in a badge, a badge reader, and a server for controlling access to different zones. The badge obtains from the badge reader an invitation to request access to a zone Zout. The badge ascertains that the badge is authorized to access the zone Zout. The badge has a current badge identifier ID. The badge retrieves a zone-associated badge identifier IDout associated with the zone Zout. The badge issues to the badge reader a request for access to the zone Zout. The request includes: the current badge identifier ID, the zone-associated badge identifier IDout; and a current badge key K. The badge receives from the badge reader either an authorization to access the zone Zout during a specified period of time Tout or a refusal to grant access to the zone Zout. The server implements the distribution of keys used by the badge reader and badge.
US07969284B2 Wireless communication systems, interrogators and methods of communicating within a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system includes an interrogator including a housing including circuitry configured to generate a forward link communication signal; communication circuitry configured to communicate the forward link communication signal; and a communication station remotely located with respect to the housing and configured to receive the forward link communication signal from the communication circuitry and to radiate a forward link wireless signal corresponding to the forward link communication signal; and at least one remote communication device configured to receive the forward link wireless signal. A method of communicating within a wireless communication system includes providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device; generating a forward link communication signal using circuitry within a housing of the interrogator; communicating the forward link communication signal from the housing using communication circuitry; receiving the forward link communication signal from the communication circuitry within a communication station of the interrogator remotely located from the housing; radiating a forward link wireless signal corresponding to the forward link communication signal using the communication station; and receiving the forward link wireless signal within the at least one remote communication device.
US07969281B2 Method and apparatus for identification of radio frequency tag
A radio frequency identification data tag, a system and a method for reading the tag are described. The tag comprises a plurality of diffractive elements which are indicative of data carried by the tag. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. The diffractive elements are arranged in columns and rows in accordance with a predetermined layout scheme. In each column, the diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of the elements in the neighboring columns. The system for reading the tag comprises an array of transmitting (Tx) antennas for emitting an RF transmitted radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag, and an array of receiving (Rx) antennas configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna. The system also includes an interrogator unit configured for generating the RF transmitted signal, and processing the RF received signal for reading the data carried tag. The reading is carried out by using amplitude information of SAR images based on the received signal for determining the arrangement of symbol elements in columns and phase information of the SAR images for determining the arrangement of the symbol elements in rows.
US07969278B2 Thermistor
A thermistor has a sealing portion of glass which seals at least a thermistor element body, first and second electrodes, and ends of the first and second lead wires and an insulating portion which covers portions of the first and second lead wires exposed from the sealing portion. The first and second lead wires are spaced from each other and include respective first portions extending from the aforementioned ends and spaced from each other with a first space, respective second portions spaced from each other with a second space larger than the first space, and respective third portions spaced from each other with a space varying from the first space to the second space, between the first and second portions. The insulating portion covers the first portions of the first and second lead wires together and covers the second and third portions of the first and second lead wires independently for each of the first and second lead wires.
US07969272B2 Planar core structure
Generally, a low-profile planar core structure for use in magnetic components and related processes are presented herein. More specifically, the planar core structure provides a relatively large winding area that reduces heat dissipation, reduces leakage inductance, and allows for a low-profile design. The planar core structure has a center core that is elongated along a horizontal axis. Furthermore, conductors may enter and exit the planar core structure without increasing its height.
US07969270B2 Communications transformer
A communications transformer in which the primary and secondary windings are each divided into equal halves is disclosed. One primary and one secondary half winding is disposed about one section of a magnetic core, while the other halves are disposed about a second, parallel section. Voltages in the primary half windings and secondary half windings caused by stray magnetic fields are subtracted.
US07969265B2 Zigzag autotransformer apparatus and methods
A transformer includes a zigzag transformer comprising first, second and third magnetic cores. The transformer further includes an auxiliary winding set comprising respective pairs of series-connected windings on respective pairs of the first, second and third magnetic cores, the pairs of series-connected windings having respective first terminals connected to respective AC phases of the zigzag autotransformer and respective second terminals configured to provide respective AC output phases.
US07969262B2 Reduction of air damping in MEMS device
A micro-electromechanical device has a substrate (10), a movable element, movable towards the substrate by electrostatic forces on electrodes, facing surfaces of the movable element and the substrate being shaped such that one or more venting channels (VC) are defined by the facing surfaces when they are in a closed position, configured to enable fluid between the facing surfaces to flow across the facing surfaces, to enter or exit the area between the facing surfaces. Such channels can enable fluid damping of the movement of the moveable element to be controlled. Increasing the flow entering or exiting the area between the facing surfaces, can reduce such damping, and hence increase speed of opening and closing of the device. The channels can connect to holes in the electrodes.
US07969259B2 Electronic component operated with surface acoustic waves
An apparatus includes a piezoelectric substrate having a signal line with a first electrical port and a second electrical port, and a first partial filter connected in series with a second partial filter. The partial filters are arranged between the electrical ports. The first partial filter includes a first serial transducer and a second serial transducer located in an acoustic path and in series branches of the signal line. The serial transducers are acoustically coupled with one another. The second partial filter includes a coupler transducer and an end-positioned transducer that are located in a double mode surface acoustic wave (DMS) path. The end-positioned transducer is positioned at an end of the signal line.
US07969255B2 Printed circuit board having signal line isolation patterns for decreasing WWAN noise
A printed circuit board (PCB) capable of decreasing wireless wide area network (WWAN) noise generated due to internal signal interference occurring in the PCB is disclosed. The PCB printed circuit board includes a first layer, a second layer, and at least one insulating layer formed between the first and second layers. The PCB board further includes a first signal line group disposed on the first layer while including a plurality of first signal lines each supplying a first signal, isolation patterns disposed on the first layer such that the isolation patterns are arranged between adjacent ones of the first signal lines, respectively, to prevent the adjacent first signal lines from interfering with each other, and a second signal line group disposed on the second layer while including a plurality of second signal lines each supplying a second signal different from the first signal. The second signal line group corresponds to the isolation patterns.
US07969252B2 System and method for reducing lock time in a phase-locked loop
Increasing loop gain is a common practice for reducing lock time of phase locked loops. Very high loop gains, however, often result in increasing the lock time or causing loop instability. For very high loop gains, delaying the feedback clock signal along the feedback path of a phase locked loop decreases lock time and prevents instability. A delay circuit may be used at any location along the feedback path of the phase locked loop.
US07969251B2 Fractional divider
A divider control circuit includes a first and a second delta sigma modulator configured to generate a divider control signal for a fractional-N divider and a fractional signal indicative of a phase error in the divider output. The fractional signal is supplied for control of an interpolator circuit. The divider control circuit may be implemented as a look-ahead circuit where two or more divider control signals and fractional signals are generated during a single cycle to allow the divider control circuit to be run at a reduced clock rate.
US07969250B2 Structure for a programmable interpolative voltage controlled oscillator with adjustable range
A design structure for a programmable interpolative voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with adjustable frequency range output is provided. Programmable delay cells whose size is modifiable based on control inputs to the programmable delay cells are utilized. A different set of control inputs may be provided to programmable delay cells of an inner sub-ring from the set of control inputs provided to programmable delay cells of a main ring of the VCO. The minimum frequency output of the VCO is governed by the main ring programmable delay cell strength with the maximum frequency output of the VCO being governed by a ratio of strengths of the main ring programmable delay cells to the inner sub-ring programmable delay cell. By modifying the control inputs to the inner sub-ring and main ring programmable delay cells, the minimum and maximum frequency outputs, and thus the range between these two frequency outputs, are made programmable.
US07969249B2 Phase locked loop circuit
A phase locked loop circuit is provided comprising a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), frequency divider, phase frequency detector (PFD), charge pump, waveform generator, loop filter, switching circuit, and lock detector. The VCO generates an oscillation signal. The frequency divider multiplies the frequency of the oscillation signal. The PFD compares the frequency-multiplied oscillation signal and an externally inputted reference signal to generate an error signal. The charge pump generates a signal according to the error signal. The loop filter controls the VCO to modulate the frequency of the oscillation signal and generate a spread spectrum clock based on the signal of the charge pump or waveform generator. The lock detector controls the switching circuit to selectively connect the charge pump to the loop filter during a non-lock state and the waveform generator to the loop filter during a lock state.
US07969247B2 Charge pump linearization technique for delta-sigma fractional-N synthesizers
A delta-sigma fractional-N frequency synthesizer having a charge pump with error canceling circuitry eliminates a non-linear term from the charge pump transfer function. The charge pump includes a matched pair of charging current sources, each supplying a first current IP1 to a common node, when enabled. The charge pump also includes a matched pair of discharging current sources, each sinking a second current IN1 from the common node, when enabled. The error canceling circuitry includes a charging current source, which supplies a current equal to the second current IN1 to the common node, when enabled. The error canceling circuitry also includes a discharging current source, which sinks a current equal to the first current IP1 from the common node, when enabled. The charging and discharging current sources of the error canceling circuitry are both enabled when either one of the matched pairs of charging and discharging current sources is enabled.
US07969244B2 System and method for reducing flicker noise from CMOS amplifiers
A technique is provided for acquiring data with reduced correlated low frequency noise interference via a data acquisition circuit. The data acquisition circuit includes a plurality of data channels comprising a plurality of amplifiers and a biasing circuit for providing bias voltages to the plurality of amplifiers. The biasing circuit is configured to generate the bias voltages and establish a relationship between the bias voltages so as to reduce correlated low frequency noise in the plurality of amplifiers.
US07969243B2 Electronic circuits including a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET
Electronic circuits and methods are provided for various applications including signal amplification. An exemplary electronic circuit comprises a MOSFET and a dual-gate JFET in a cascode configuration. The dual-gate JFET includes top and bottom gates disposed above and below the channel. The top gate of the JFET is controlled by a signal that is dependent upon the signal controlling the gate of the MOSFET. The control of the bottom gate of the JFET can be dependent or independent of the control of the top gate. The MOSFET and JFET can be implemented as separate components on the same substrate with different dimensions such as gate widths.
US07969241B2 Gain control methods and systems in an amplifier assembly
A Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) amplifies an input signal according to a gain, to produce an amplified signal. A detector module detects a power indicative of a power of the amplified signal. A comparator module compares the detected power to a high threshold, a low threshold and a target threshold intermediate the high and low thresholds. A controller module changes the gain of the VGA so as to drive the detected power in a direction toward the middle threshold when the comparator module indicates the detected power is not between the high and low thresholds.
US07969236B1 Reference current generator with low temperature coefficient dependence
Embodiments of the invention describe a core circuit for a reference current generator circuit that biases a first transistor to source a first current and a second transistor parallel to the first transistor, biased to source a second current controlled by the first current. A third transistor is coupled parallel to the second transistor and sources a third current controlled by the first current. The third transistor has a different threshold voltage than a threshold voltage of the second transistor. A resistive component coupled to conduct the second current has a resistive voltage that is substantially equal to a voltage differential between the first transistor and the second transistor. The conducting current through the resistive component is substantially independent of temperature variations.
US07969231B2 Internal voltage generating circuit
An output terminal of a first boost circuit is connected to a second boost circuit. After the second boost circuit is started up, a boost clock frequency of the second boost circuit is reduced. A time required to start up the second boost circuit is reduced, and in addition, a current supply capability of the first boost circuit is increased after the second boost circuit is started up. When the second boost circuit is driven, output voltages of the first and second boost circuits are stably supplied without instantaneously changing the output voltage of the first boost circuit.
US07969225B2 Circuit of reducing power loss of switching device
A circuit is provided to reduce power loss on switching. A pair of auxiliary switching devices is switched on before a pair of switching devices. The switching devices are switched on after a corresponding capacitor to the auxiliary switching devices is discharged to zero. Thus, the power loss of the switching devices is reduced.
US07969221B2 Electronic device and square wave generator thereof
A square wave generator includes a sawtooth wave generator for generating a sawtooth wave, and a convertor for generating a square wave based on the sawtooth wave. The sawtooth wave generator includes a capacitor and a switching unit connected parallel to each other. A first terminal of the capacitor is electrically coupled to a power source and the convertor, and a second terminal of the capacitor is grounded. The switching unit includes a trigger and a field-effect transistor. When a voltage of the first terminal of the capacitor is not less than a first threshold voltage of the trigger, the trigger is turned on to activate the field-effect transistor, the field-effect transistor is turned on to ground the first terminal of the capacitor, so that the capacitor discharges rapidly.
US07969220B2 Delay circuit
A delay circuit includes first and second selective delay stages each including a number of unit delay cells to delay signals applied thereto; and a delay control unit configured to control selectively applying an input signal to the first selective delay stage or the second selective delay stage in response to a code combination of first and second selection signals and produce an output signal.
US07969215B1 High-performance memory interface circuit architecture
A programmable memory interface circuit includes a programmable DLL delay chain, a phase offset control circuit and a programmable DQS delay chain. The DLL delay chain uses a set of serially connected delay cells, a programmable switch, a phase detector and a digital counter to generate a coarse phase shift control setting. The coarse phase shift control setting is then used to pre-compute a static residual phase shift control setting or generate a dynamic residual phase shift control setting, one of which is chosen by the phase offset control circuit to be added to or subtracted from the coarse phase shift control setting to generate a fine phase shift control setting. The coarse and fine phase shift control settings work in concert to generate a phase-delayed DQS signal that is center-aligned to its associated DQ signals.
US07969214B2 DLL circuit, update control apparatus in DLL circuit and update method of DLL circuit
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit includes a phase detection unit configured to generate a phase detection signal by comparing a phase of a reference clock signal with a phase of a feedback clock signal. An update control apparatus is configured to generate a valid interval signal and an update control signal by determining a difference between the number of first logical values and the number of second logical values of the phase detection signal in response to the reference clock signal. A shift register configured to update a delay value granted to a delay line in response to the update control signal when the valid interval signal is enabled.
US07969213B2 DLL circuit
A delay locked loop (DLL) circuit includes a clock input buffer that generates a reference clock signal by buffering an external clock signal and outputs the reference clock signal by correcting a duty cycle of the reference clock signal in response to a duty cycle control signal. The DLL circuit also includes a timing compensation unit configured that generates a compensation reference clock signal by compensating for a toggle timing of the reference clock signal that is changed during the duty cycle correction operation in response to a timing control signal. The DLL circuit further includes and a duty cycle control unit that generates the duty cycle control signal and the timing control signal by detecting the duty cycle of the reference clock signal.
US07969210B2 Electronic circuit, frequency divider and radio set
A master stage 101 comprises a differential circuit composed of transistors 1 and 2, a differential circuit composed of transistors 3 and 4, a differential circuit composed of transistors 5 and 6, a load circuit 7 (a first load circuit), a load circuit 8 (a second load circuit), and a current source transistor 9. The load circuit 7 (the first load circuit) is composed of an inductor 7A (a first inductor), an inductor 7B (a fifth inductor), and a capacity 7C (a first capacity). The inductor 7B and capacity 7C cooperates together in forming a parallel resonance circuit (a first LC parallel resonance circuit), while the parallel resonance circuit is connected in series to the inductor 7A.
US07969208B2 Control circuit for a power semiconductor assembly and power semiconductor assembly
Disclosed is a control circuit for controlling a controllable power semiconductor switch, and to a power semiconductor module. The control circuit comprises at least two circuit sets, each having a power driver. The power driver of each of the circuit sets is provided with power via impedance components having an impedance other than zero.
US07969207B2 Input circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit including the same
An input circuit, includes a first buffer circuit whose output is couple to an output signal terminal of the input circuit, and whose input is coupled to an input signal terminal of the input circuit, a second buffer circuit, a third buffer circuit, a first differential amplification circuit whose first input is coupled to a first external power source terminal, whose second input is coupled to an output of the second buffer circuit, and whose output is coupled to an input of the second buffer circuit, a second differential amplification circuit whose first input is coupled to a second external power source terminal, whose second input is coupled to an output of the third buffer circuit, and whose output is coupled to an input of the third buffer circuit, a first resistance whose one end is coupled to the output of the first differential amplification circuit, and whose another end is coupled between the input signal terminal of the input circuit and the input of the first buffer circuit, a second resistance whose one end is coupled to the output of the second differential amplification circuit, and whose another end is coupled between the input signal terminal of the input circuit and the input of the first buffer circuit.
US07969203B1 Switch-body PMOS switch with switch-body dummies
An analog sample-and-hold switch has parallel branches extending from an input node to an output node connected to a hold capacitor, each branch having a PMOS signal switch FET in series with a PMOS dummy FET. A sample clock controls on-off switching of the PMOS signal switch FETs, and an inverse of the sample clock controls a complementary on-off switching of the PMOS dummy FETs. A bias sequencer circuit biases the PMOS signal switch FETs and biases the PMOS dummy FETs, in a complementary manner, synchronous with their respective on-off states. The on-off switching of the PMOS dummy FETs injects charge cancelling a charge injection by the PMOS signal switch FETs, and injects glitches cancelling glitches injected by the PMOS signal switch FETs.
US07969194B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises a first semiconductor integrated circuit 11 having a predetermined function, the first semiconductor integrated circuit outputting a required output signal, a second semiconductor integrated circuit 12 in which a plurality of MOS elements (PMOS transistor or NMOS transistor) for independently switching to and from a conducted state and a non-conducted state in accordance with a plurality of gate signals each having a different timing is provided and the plurality of MOS elements is connected in parallel to an output or an input of the first semiconductor integrated circuit, and a pulse generating circuit 13 for generating and outputting the plurality of gate signals φi (i=1, 2, 3) each having a different timing with respect to the plurality of MOS elements in the second semiconductor integrated circuit.
US07969193B1 Differential sensing and TSV timing control scheme for 3D-IC
This disclosure uses a differential sensing and TSV timing control scheme for 3D-IC, which includes a first chip layer of the stacked device having a detecting circuits and a relative high ability driver horizontally coupled to the detecting circuits. A sensing circuit is coupled to the detecting circuits by a horizontal line, a first differential signal driver is coupled to the sensing circuit, horizontally. The Nth chip layer of the stacked device includes a Nth relative high ability driver and a Nth differential signal driver formed on the Nth chip layer. The Nth relative high ability driver is vertically coupled to the first relative high ability driver through one relative low loading TSV and (N−2) TSVs to act as dummy loadings. The TSV and (N−2) TSVs penetrate the stacked device from Nth chip layer to first chip layer. The TSV shares same configuration with the (N−2) TSVs. The Nth differential signal driver is vertically coupled to the first differential signal driver through a pair of TSVs and (N−2) pairs of TSVs, vertically. The pair of TSVs and the (N−2) TSVs penetrate the stacked device from the Nth chip layer to the first chip layer. Each of TSV is formed between a first and a second chip layers. Each of TSV is formed between any adjacent two chip layers of the stacked device.
US07969191B2 Low-swing CMOS input circuit
The invention relates to a CMOS input circuit for receiving low-swing input signals, which is an alternative to the CMOS input circuits as known from the prior art. The CMOS input circuit according to the invention comprises a leveling circuit (LC) that is constructed for arranging, under control of a voltage associated with an output voltage of a CMOS input stage (Inv1), a leveling transistor (M3) which is located in a supply path of the CMOS input stage (Inv1), (i) as a forward-biased diode-connected transistor for regulating the voltage on a source of the CMOS input stage (Inv1) for reducing the gate-source voltage of a switching transistor (M1, M2) in the CMOS input stage (Inv1), when an input voltage of the CMOS input circuit assumes a level associated with a first logical level causing the switching transistor (M1, M2) to be switched off, and (ii) as a conductive path when the input voltage assumes a level associated with a second logical level causing the switching transistor (M1, M2) to be switched on. The invention also relates to an Input-Output circuit, an electronic circuit and a semiconductor device comprising such CMOS input circuit. The invention provides an alternative to known CMOS input circuit that make use of a diode-connected transistor that is short-circuited in case of one of the input voltage levels. An advantageous embodiment of the invention incorporates a positive feedback mechanism that makes the circuit more suitable for low supply voltages.
US07969188B2 Method and apparatus for providing a non-volatile programmable transistor
A method and apparatus of providing a programmable system using non-volatile programmable transistors are disclosed. A programmable logic circuit, in one embodiment, includes a first programmable transistor and a second programmable transistor. The first programmable transistor includes a first gate terminal, a first source terminal, a first drain terminal, and a first programming terminal. The second programmable transistor includes a second gate terminal, a second source terminal, and a second drain terminal, and a second programmable terminal. The first and second programmable transistors include non-volatile memory elements. The first and the second gate terminals are coupled to an input terminal, and the first drain terminal and the second source terminal are coupled to an output terminal to perform a logic function.
US07969185B2 Logical circuit device, logical operation varying method, and logical operation system
A logical circuit device comprises a plurality of logical blocks including reconfigurable logical configurations and a network including reconfigurable connections among the plurality of logical blocks, wherein at least one of the plurality of logical blocks comprises a basic logical operation element. The basic logical operation element receives a first data signal and a first validity indication signal that becomes an asserted state when the first data signal is valid, outputs a second data signal generated by a first logical operation based on the first data signal and a second validity indication signal that becomes an asserted state when the second data signal is valid, and sets the second data signal to the asserted state in response to the asserted state of the first validity indication signal.
US07969184B1 Configurable high speed high voltage input/output circuit for an IC
Some embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) with configurable input/output (I/O) circuits for optimally operating with two or more interfaces. Some embodiments optimally operate over the two or more interfaces by supporting a particular voltage for each interface. Also, some embodiments optimally operate over two or more interfaces by supporting a particular frequency for each supported voltage whereby supporting a particular frequency involves producing sufficient current drive at each voltage to support the particular frequency.
US07969180B1 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes first and second bump pads configured to output data, a probe test pad coupled to the first bump pad, and a pipe latch unit configured to selectively transfer data loaded on first and second data lines to one of the first and second bump pads in response to a pipe output dividing signal during a normal mode, and sequentially transfer the data loaded on the first and second data lines to the probe test pad in response to the pipe output dividing signal during a test mode.
US07969179B2 Method and apparatus for increasing security in a system using an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit can be made more secure by programming a one time programmable circuit so that different signals are provided on terminals as compared to when the integrated circuit was not secure. Instead, or in addition, the integrated circuit can be made more secure by providing decode circuitry that can be used with the one time programmable circuit to select different internal address maps in response to an address value. The decode circuitry can use a first address map when the integrated circuit is secure, and a different address map when the integrated circuit is non-secure.
US07969176B2 Voltage margin test device
A voltage margin test device tests an allowable minimum and an allowable maximum of an electronic device to obtain the voltage margin within which the electronic device can work normally.
US07969175B2 Separate test electronics and blower modules in an apparatus for testing an integrated circuit
The invention relates to an apparatus for testing an integrated circuit of an electronic device.
US07969166B2 Method and circuit for detecting the presence, position and/or approach of an object relative to an electrode
A circuit for detecting the presence, position or the approach of an object in an observation area, the circuit has a sensor electrode assembly with an electrode that forms part of a capacitor system whose capacitance relative to a reference potential (e.g. ground) is dependent on the presence, position or approach of objects in the observation area. An evaluation circuit coupled to the sensor electrode detects a phase shift of the capacitance of the condenser system. An LC network is coupled to the capacitor system, and an oscillator connected to the electrode applies a frequency to the system formed by including the electrode and the LC network at a frequency within the range of a parallel resonance frequency of the LC network.
US07969164B2 Method and apparatus for mini module EMI shielding evaluation
A method for mini module EMI shielding effectiveness evaluation comprises providing a test vehicle including at least one test platform. The test platform includes at least one mini emitter, a mini receiver with a reference shield, and a mini receiver with a shield under test. EMI shielding effectiveness transmission signals are applied to the at least one mini emitter. Signals received by the mini receiver with a shield under test and the mini receiver with the reference shield are evaluated. The mini emitter, mini receiver with the reference shield, and mini receiver with the shield under test comprise components fabricated concurrently and under fabrication conditions used for fabrication of the test platform of the test vehicle. As used herein, a mini emitter and mini receiver may be interchanged according to the requirements of a given EMI shielding effectiveness evaluation.
US07969163B2 Measuring signal propagation and adjustable delays in electronic devices
Systems and methods to measure signal propagation delay through objects. The system includes a controller, a single shot pulse generator, a first pulse/edge former, a multiplexer/demultiplexer, a second pulse/edge former, a timer, and a counter. The controller initializes the system, the clock and the counter. A pulse is sent from the single shot pulse generator to the first pulse/edge former. The pulse is propagated through the first pulse/edge former to the multiplexer, through a device under test, to the demultiplexer, and to the second pulse/edge former. The second pulse edge generator provides the pulse to the counter, which counts a predetermined number of pulses, and the clock, which measures the amount of time the counter counts the pulses. The propagation delay of the device under test is then calculated based on the counted number of pulses and the elapsed time measured by the clock.
US07969161B2 Optimal drive frequency selection in electrical tomography
Electrical tomography drive frequency selection systems and methods are disclosed. One aspect of the present invention pertains to a system for optimally selecting a drive frequency of an electrical tomography which comprises a sensor electrode stably associated with a tissue site within an internal organ of a subject for generating an induced signal based on a noise signal over a range of frequency bands, wherein an electrical field for the electrical tomography is turned off. In addition, the system comprises a noise processing module for isolating the induced signal for each frequency band over the range of frequency bands. Furthermore, the system comprises a frequency select module for selecting a drive frequency of the electrical field for the electrical tomography by comparing the induced signal for each frequency band over the range of frequency bands.
US07969160B2 Electrolytic capacitor
The electrolytic capacitor has an insulating casing, at least one capacitor element and multiple external terminals. The casing has multiple through holes and mounting protrusions. The at least one capacitor element is mounted in the casing and has multiple inner conductive pins connecting to a coil. Each external terminal is attached to a bottom panel of the insulating casing, connects to a corresponding inner conductive pin and has a main body, a connecting portion and two fixing portions. The connecting portion is formed on and extends from a side of the main body and has a conducting hole attached to a corresponding conductive pin. The fixing portions respectively extend from two ends of the main body and engage with the mounting protrusions. Each external terminal provides a soldering surface being flat and having large soldering area, therefore the electrolytic capacitor can be firmly soldered on a circuit board.
US07969154B2 Methods for installing an antenna reception system
Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.
US07969151B2 Pre-amplifier and mixer circuitry for a locator antenna
A pre-amplifier circuit for connection to an antenna of a human-portable locator includes a differential amplifier/mixer pair and means for allowing a common-mode “phantom” signal to modulate a transfer function of the differential amplifier/mixer pair. The common-mode phantom signal modulates the transfer function of the differential pre-amplifier “onboard” the antenna without the usual requirement for onboard power supply and signal oscillator. This technique uses the same electronic components to provide both pre-amplification and mixing functions, thereby improving circuit performance-to-cost ratio, reducing mixer power consumption, situating the necessary signal oscillator remotely from the mixer, and greatly improving the available system bandwidth by limiting spectral transmission demands to the mixed signal bandwidth alone.
US07969149B2 Magnetic sensor, magnetic direction sensor, method of detecting magnetic field and method of detecting magnetic direction
A magnetic direction sensor can detect at higher precision the magnitude and direction of a detected magnetic field. The magnetic direction sensor has a measuring section, a storage section and an operating section. The measuring section has first and second MR elements, and detects resistance values of these elements in accordance with an attitude change of the sensor and the presence or absence of a bias magnetic field to be applied through a coil in a direction orthogonal to a magnetization direction of each pinned layer in the first and second MR elements. The storage section stores fixed data invariable in response to a detected magnetic field direction, in resistance values of these elements measured by the measuring section. The operating section calculates a detected magnetic field vector from variable data of resistance values of these elements measured by the measuring section, and fixed data stored in the storage section.
US07969145B2 Position detecting device with a magnetoresistive element
Disclosed is a position detecting device provided with a magnetoresistive element that can accurately detect a position using a magnet and a detector that moves opposite to the magnet. A front surface of a magnet having a circular shape is magnetized to the N-pole, and a rear surface thereof is magnetized to the S-pole. A detector moves in the X-Y plane at a position that is spaced from the front surface of the magnet. The detector is provided with an X direction detecting element and a Y direction detecting element. The X direction detecting element and the Y direction detecting element are magnetoresistive elements. The front surface of the magnet is tapered such that the center thereof protrudes.
US07969143B2 Method of tracking an object having a passive transponder attached thereto
A method of tracking translation and rotation of one or more objects within a region of interest. The method includes providing a passive transponder in the region of interest, the transponder having a position and an orientation, generating an electromagnetic field in the region of interest, causing the transponder to generate electromagnetic signal, mapping the electromagnetic field and the signal as functions of the position and the orientation of the transponder, fixing the transponder to the object being tracked, receiving the signals generated by the transponder while the transponder is fixed to the object being tracked, and processing the signal, with reference to the functions, to compute the three-dimensional translational position and three-axis rotational orientation of the object.
US07969141B2 Inductive proximity sensor and related methods
An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.
US07969135B2 Regulation circuit and a method for regulating an input voltage
A regulation circuit comprises an error detector, an integrator, and a voltage regulator. The error detector comprises an input for an input voltage, a further input for a reference voltage and an output for an error signal, wherein the error signal depends on the input voltage and the reference voltage. The integrator comprises an input for the error signal and an output for an integrated error signal. The voltage regulator comprises an input for the input voltage and a terminal for the integrated error signal, wherein the voltage regulator is configured to adjust a shunt current responsive to the integrated error signal such that the input voltage is adjusted towards the target voltage.
US07969134B2 Method of forming a power supply controller and structure therefor
In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to select either an error signal or a variable reference signal to control an on-time of the switching output signal of the power supply controller.
US07969130B2 Voltage supply interface with current sensitivity and reduced series resistance
A voltage supply interface provides both coarse and fine current control with reduced series resistance. The voltage supply interface has a segmented switch having N component switches that are digitally controlled. The voltage supply interface replaces a conventional sense resistor with a calibration circuit that has a replica switch that is a replica of the N component switches. The calibration circuit includes a reference current IREF that is sourced through the replica switch. A voltage comparator forces a common voltage drop across the replica switch and the n-of-N activated component switches so that the cumulative current draw through the segmented switch is n·IREF. The current control of the voltage interface can be coarsely tuned by activating or deactivating component switches, and can be finely tuned by adjusting the reference current. The current sense resistor is eliminated so that the overall series resistance is lower.
US07969129B2 Semiconductor circuit and switching power supply apparatus
To provide a power supply apparatus which realizes a high-speed response, a stable operation, and a low output ripple with low power consumption. The first stage switching regulator receives an input voltage and forms a first voltage. The second stage switching regulator receives the first voltage and forms a second voltage. The second stage switching regulator includes an N-phase (N is two or more) switching regulator, and the first voltage is set to be N times a target value of the second voltage. The input voltage is set to be higher than the first voltage.
US07969122B2 Pole count changing generator
Disclosed is a pole count changing generator capable of altering the number of poles contained within a generator. This pole count change is accomplished by changing the path through which electrical current is capable of traveling in response to a control signal sent to a pole count changing circuit.
US07969119B2 Overvoltage protection
An overvoltage protection system capable of maintaining a high setting voltage of a battery charger while guaranteeing that cell voltage does not exceed a value limited by a threshold value. In one preferred embodiment, a battery set is a plurality of series-connected battery cells. A protection voltage measurement portion measures a cell voltage of each battery cell. A computation portion calculates an open circuit voltage of the battery set outputs a calculated voltage as a measurement voltage. An overvoltage setting portion stops charging of battery set when the value of the cell voltage of any one of the battery cells reaches a threshold value. A diagnostic voltage measurement portion measures an open circuit voltage of battery set to output measured voltage as a diagnostic voltage. A comparing circuit stops charging of the battery set based on comparison results of value of the measurement voltage and value of diagnostic voltage.
US07969118B2 Electronic apparatus with remaining battery power indicating function
An electronic apparatus has a multiplicity of display units including an electronic viewfinder and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The apparatus has various display modes. The remaining battery power, i.e., estimated amounts of remaining battery times relative to a current remaining battery capacity, are calculated for the respective display modes. The calculated remaining battery power is collectively displayed as the remaining battery power information on the respective display units. The remaining battery power can be obtained for all the display modes even when the battery is being charged, so that a user can always grasp the remaining battery power of any of the display modes.
US07969115B2 Motor drive circuit and electronics
A drive circuit drives a motor in a mode selected from first and second modes. A drive unit operates in response to a control signal received from a signal generation unit to control how the motor should rotate. The control signal is applied to drive the motor in the first mode. The signal generation unit receives a select signal indicating one of the first and second modes. When the select signal indicates the first mode, the signal generation unit outputs an input signal as the control signal. When the select signal indicates the second mode, the signal generation unit generates the control signal in accordance with the input signal. A motor drive circuit capable of driving a motor regardless of a difference between input modes in type, and electronics equipped with, can thus be obtained.
US07969109B2 Electrical actuator
An electric actuator includes a motion conversion mechanism and a position detector. The motion conversion mechanism converts rotation of a rotary shaft of a motor into linear motion of an output shaft. The position detector detects a permanent magnet M, which moves integrally with the output shaft. A motor control portion controls the motor based on commands from a host command unit. A control program for controlling the motor includes, as control modes, six fluid pressure cylinder modes, according to which the motor is controlled. Specifically, each of the control modes corresponds to one of the cases where the fluid pressure cylinder is controlled by three solenoid valves, or a two-position single solenoid valve, a two-position double solenoid valve, and a three-position double solenoid valve. The motor is controlled according to the selected control mode.
US07969108B2 Control circuit for a brushless DC motor and method therefor
A control circuit (120, 140) for a brushless direct current (DC) motor (160) includes a current drive circuit (140), a current loop regulator (122), and a commutation loop regulator (124, 126). The current drive circuit (140) is adapted to drive the brushless DC motor (160) in a first polarity or a second polarity selectively in response to a control signal, and senses a current through the brushless DC motor (160) to provide a current sense signal. The current loop regulator (122) varies a duty cycle of the control signal to regulate the current in response to the current sense signal, and regulates the polarity of the current based on a state of a polarity signal. The commutation loop regulator (124, 126) regulates a transition of said polarity signal in response to a comparison of a pre-commutation duty cycle value and a post-commutation duty cycle value.
US07969101B2 Backlight control circuit having a duty ratio determining unit and method for controlling lighting of a lamp using same
An exemplary backlight control circuit includes a lamp, a transformer, and a lamp driving circuit. The lamp driving circuit includes a duty ratio determining unit, a duty ratio adjusting unit, and an output unit. The output unit is configured for outputting two pulse signals having a same duty ratio and opposite phases to the transformer. The transformer is configured for generating an alternating voltage for driving the lamp. The duty ratio determining unit is configured for determining if the duty ratio of the pulse signals is in a predetermined duty ratio range. The duty ratio adjusting unit is configured for adjusting the duty ratio of the pulse signals in order to adjust a brightness of the lamp.
US07969098B2 Dimming circuit for discharging lamp capable of turning off under a low power condition
A dimming circuit includes a resonant unit, a rectification unit, a half-bridge output unit, a first switch device and a second switch device, and a selection unit. The rectification unit is connected to the resonant unit. The half-bridge output unit includes a first electric-controlled switch and a second electric-controlled switch in series. The first and second switch devices are connected to the first and second electric-controlled switches. The selection unit may turn on the first switch device and the second electric-controlled switch when a potential is rising that turns on the discharging lamp and turn off the second switch device and keep turning on the second switch device when the discharging lamp is lighting. The selection unit further turns on the second switch device to turn off the second electric-controlled switch for turning off the discharging lamp in a low power condition.
US07969096B2 Inductively-coupled plasma source
A method and apparatus for exciting gas that involves generating an alternating magnetic field unidirectionally through a magnetic core defining a gap, across the gap and through a plasma vessel that includes dielectric material. The magnetic field induces an electric field in the plasma vessel that generates the plasma.
US07969095B2 Method of and arrangement for removing contaminants from a substrate surface using an atmospheric pressure glow plasma
The present invention relates to a method of and arrangement for removing contaminants from a surface of a substrate by subjecting said substrate surface to an atmospheric pressure glow plasma. Said plasma is generated in a discharge space comprising a plurality of electrodes, by applying an alternating plasma energizing voltage to said electrodes causing a plasma current and a displacement current. Said plasma is stabilised by controlling said displacement current during plasma generation such that modification of properties of said substrate surface is prevented.
US07969084B2 Display device having backlight device and electron emission unit
A display device is provided including a display panel for displaying an image and a backlight panel for providing light to the display panel. The backlight panel includes a vacuum chamber including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a sealing member. Cathode electrodes are on a side of the first substrate along a first direction with a gap between each other. Gate electrodes are between the cathode electrodes. Electron emission regions are at either sides of the cathode electrodes facing the gate electrodes. A diffusion electrode is above the cathode electrodes and the gate electrodes. An insulator is between the diffusion electrode and the cathode electrodes and between the diffusion electrode and the gate electrodes. Openings are in the diffusion electrode for exposing the electron emission regions. A light emitting unit is on the second substrate.
US07969079B2 Carbon nanotube device fabrication
A carbon nanotube device in accordance with the invention includes a free-standing membrane that is peripherally supported by a support structure. The membrane includes an aperture that extends through a thickness of the membrane. At least one carbon nanotube extends across the aperture on a front surface of the membrane. The carbon nanotube is also accessible from a back surface of the membrane.
US07969074B2 Low pressure discharge lamp
The invention relates to a mercury-free low pressure discharge lamp with a discharge vessel having an ionizable filling. The surface temperature of the discharge vessel, and thus the temperature of the ionizable filling, can be adjusted at least in some sections such that an emitting substance can produce the radiation required for the excitation of the luminescent substance. The temperature of the fluid is preferably adjusted in a temperature control circuit, using a temperature sensor, a pump and a heating device.
US07969073B2 Tangentially poled single crystal ring resonator
A tangentially poled piezoelectric single crystal ring resonator is disclosed. A single crystal material is machined into elements and formed into a ring structure. The single crystal elements have a <110> poled tangential axis. The elements may also have a <211>, <511> or <322> orientation range in the radial direction. The elements may have a generally wedge shape.
US07969067B2 Ultrasound probe
There is provided an ultrasound probe including a first substrate having a silicon substrate and an ultrasound transmit-receive element, an acoustic lens disposed over an upper surface of the first substrate, and a damping layer disposed under the first substrate, in which a second substrate is disposed between a lower surface of the first substrate and an upper surface of the damping layer, and the second substrate is made of a material having approximately the same linear expansion coefficient and acoustic impedance as the silicon substrate of the first substrate. With this structure, it is possible to provide the ultrasound probe which can prevent damage to the silicon substrate due to temperature change and has excellent transmission/reception performance and structure reliability while reducing noise by reflected waves in transmission and reception.
US07969066B2 Multilayer peiezoelectric actuator having a stress-absorbing external-electrode member with portions thereof not bonded to a base electrode
In a multilayer piezoelectric actuator, external electrodes are formed on external surfaces of a multilayer piezoelectric body in which a plurality of internal electrodes and a plurality of piezoelectric layers are stacked on top of one another. Each of the external electrodes includes a base electrode and a stress-absorbing external-electrode member formed on the base electrode. The stress-absorbing external-electrode member is provided with an elastically deformable elastic structure, and a planar portion, which is continuous with the elastic structure and has at least an area sufficient for bonding a feeder terminal such as a lead line thereto.
US07969064B2 Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same
A drive circuit (18) produces a drive signal for a pump (10) having a piezoelectric actuator (14), with the piezoelectric actuator (14) forming a part of the drive circuit (18) and serving to shape a waveform of the drive signal. The drive circuit (18) comprises a pulse generator (100) which generates pulses; a converter circuit (102) which receives the pulses and produces charge packets at a rate which equals a desired drive frequency; and, the piezoelectric actuator (14). The piezoelectric actuator (14) receives the charge packets and, by its capacitive nature, integrates the charge packets to shape the waveform of the drive signal. Preferably, the piezoelectric actuator (14) integrates the charge packets to yield a drive field that approximates a sine wave. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the pulse generator (100) comprises a microcontroller-based pulsed width modulator (PWM) circuit (116) and the converter circuit (102) comprises a flyback circuit.
US07969059B2 Brush assembly having a brush wear detector and indicator for a D.C. motor
A brush assembly having a brush wear indicator for use with electric actuating devices such as motors and generators that detects the worn condition of a brush and generates a signal indicating this worn condition.
US07969057B2 Synchronous motor with rotor having suitably-arranged field coil, permanent magnets, and salient-pole structure
A rotor of a synchronous motor includes a rotating shaft, a plurality of segments, a plurality of permanent magnets, and a field coil. The segments are located radially outward of the rotating shaft and arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft at a predetermined pitch with spaces formed therebetween. Each of the segments has a recess making up a magnetic reluctance portion and an opposite pair of ends making up salient-pole portions. Each of the permanent magnets is disposed in one the spaces between the segments with a predetermined orientation of its N and S poles. The field coil is wound around the segments to extend in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft through the recesses of the segments. The field coil creates, when energized with DC current, magnetic flux which magnetizes the pair of ends of each of the segments in opposite directions.
US07969055B2 Rotary motor
The present invention relates to rotary motors in which the rotational motion of the motor is provided by the attractive (or repulsive) forces between a pair of cooperating magnets in response to tilting of the motor axle.
US07969054B2 Superconductivity utilizing support mechanism, and permanent magnet utilizing support mechanism
A superconductivity utilizing support mechanism comprises a superconductive coil and a ferromagnetic body. One of the ferromagnetic body, so constituted as to slide in a direction of a center axis of the superconductive coil, and the superconductive coil, so constituted as to slide in a direction of the center axis thereof, is floated and supported relative to the other by axial magnetic attraction caused by a center plane of the superconductive coil and a center plane of the ferromagnetic body moving apart from each other.
US07969053B2 Flat type vibration motor with increased vibration amount
A flat type vibration motor with increased vibration amount comprises a vibrator (1), a hard circuit board (2), a rotor (3), a shaft (5), a lower case (9), a magnet (8), a flexible circuit board (11), a brush (10) and winding coils (a, b). The rotor (3) is formed by injection-molding the vibrator (1). The winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2) are both mounted on the vibrator (1), thus the outer edge of the vibrator (1) can be extended to the position beyond the winding coils (a, b) and the hard circuit board (2).
US07969047B2 Intelligent switch socket
An intelligent switching on/off socket includes a housing containing master jacks and slave jacks respectively containing master conducting strips and slave conducting strips, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a current sampling circuit connected to the master conducting strips and a signal amplification circuit. The signal amplification circuit amplifies the sampled current and passes the signal to both a signal comparator, and to a reference signal acquisition circuit which in turn passes the reference signal to a memorizer. The signal comparator compares the reference current signals and current amplification signals, and is connected to a control output circuit. The control output circuit is connected to a relay which is connected to the slave conducting strip. The reference signal acquisition circuit provides a learning function such that multiple electrical devices with differing power needs can be switched on or off respectively depending on their individual power needs.
US07969045B2 Installation
An installation for the non-contact transfer of energy includes at least one primary conductor system and a pick-up, including at least one secondary winding inductively coupled to the primary conductor system, the secondary winding including at least one flat ribbon cable, which has at least two electrical conductors extending in parallel, that are held at a distance from each other and are insulated with respect to each other, the secondary winding being made up of part windings, which in each case are formed from one of the electrical conductors, each of the part windings, together with an associated capacitance, forming a series resonant circuit, whose resonant frequency corresponds substantially to the medium frequency of the primary current.
US07969043B2 Power management systems with multiple power sources
An electronic system includes a plurality of primary power sources operable for powering a load and charging a secondary power source, and a power management unit coupled to the plurality of primary power sources and the secondary power source. The power management unit is operable for selectively directing power of each of the primary power sources to the load according to a power requirement of the load. The power management unit is further operable for directing power of the secondary power source to the load if the power requirement of the load exceeds a total power capacity of the plurality of primary power sources.
US07969041B2 System where the number of conductors equals the number of sensors and each of the sensors receives voltages via a different set of two conductors and provides data via the different set of two conductors
A system includes a control circuit, supply circuits, and sensors. The control circuit controls the supply circuits to power each of the sensors and obtain data from the powered sensors. If one of the supply conductors is open, the control circuit controls the supply circuits to power each of the sensors and obtain data from the powered sensors. If one of the sensors is shorted, the control circuit controls the supply circuits to power each of the remaining sensors and obtain data from the powered sensors.
US07969039B2 Method of controlling fuel cell vehicle and method of controlling DC/DC converter apparatus
A controller is capable of executing direct couple control that directly couples a first power device and a second power device without causing a DC/DC converter to convert voltage. During the direct couple control, a drive signal that causes no voltage conversion is intermittently output to at least one of a plurality of switching devices.
US07969036B2 Apparatus for generating electric power using wind energy
An apparatus includes a blade unit including having upright blades connected fixedly to an upright rod that has a lower end disposed pivotally in a base such that the blade unit is rotatable relative to the base to convert wind energy into a mechanical rotary power output, and coupled to a generator in the base to convert the mechanical rotary power output into electric power. Each blade has opposite first and second side surfaces. The first side surface of each blade faces the second side surface of an adjacent blade. A wind-collecting unit includes upright plates fixed on the base, angularly equidistant and disposed around the blade unit. Any two adjacent plates define an inwardly converging wind-guiding channel therebetween. The plates are shaped so that wind is guided by the plates to blow onto the first side surfaces of the blades via the wind-guiding channels.
US07969034B2 Paddle wheel electric generator
A minimal maintenance paddle wheel electric generation device for producing no cost electricity includes an A-frame base disposed in a fast flowing stream with a paddle wheel mounted between A-frame supports, with the supports resting on the base, and the paddle wheel including radially arranged dip blades with the rotation of the paddle wheel by the swiftly running water turning a drive gear that engages a series of reduction gears that, in turn, actuate a generator for producing electricity. A pair of paddle wheels can be ganged together on several floating members with the floating members tethered by cables to stanchions fixed on opposed banks of the stream. The paddle wheel can also be supported on buoyant inflatable tubes that have curvilinear members attached to the rear ends for directing water into the channel formed between the tubes thereby enhancing water flow and the angular speed of the paddle wheel for increased power generation.
US07969028B2 Semiconductor device mounting structure, manufacturing method, and removal method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device mounting structure includes a semiconductor device whose electrodes are aligned on its one main face; a circuit board having board electrodes electrically connected to the electrodes of the semiconductor device by solder bumps; and curable resin applied between at least the side face of the semiconductor device and the circuit board. Multiple types of thermally expandable particles with different expansion temperatures are mixed in this curable resin. This structure offers the semiconductor device mounting structure that is highly resistant to impact and suited for mass production, its manufacturing method, and a removal method of the semiconductor device. In addition, this structure facilitates repair and reworking, leaving almost no adhesive residue on the circuit board after repair. Stress applied to the circuit board during repair can also be minimized.
US07969027B2 Semiconductor device encapsulated with resin composition
A semiconductor device comprising an organic substrate, at least one semiconductor chip provided on a surface of the substrate, and a cured resin composition encapsulating the semiconductor chip provided on the surface of the substrate, characterized in that an absolute value of a distance between an imaginary line connecting two diagonally opposite corners of the substrate and a highest or lowest position on the surface of the substrate between the corners is smaller than 600 μm, as measured with a laser three-dimensional measuring instrument, a total volume ratio of the semiconductor chip to the semiconductor device ranges from 18 to 50%, and the cured resin composition comprises an inorganic filler (C) in such an amount that a weight ratio of the inorganic filler (C) to a total weight of the cured resin composition ranges from 80 to 90%.
US07969026B2 Flexible carrier for high volume electronic package fabrication
An assembly for producing partially packaged semiconductor devices is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a magnetic plate; a flexible substrate disposed adjacent the magnetic plate and having two surfaces; a nonstick coating disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate thereby exposing a nonstick surface; and a tape layer having two surfaces. The tape layer is adhesively attached to the nonstick surface to expose a surface of the tape layer. A frame is disposed on the exposed surface of the tape layer, and a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) die is positioned within the frame and supported by the tape layer. A panel is formed within the frame that at least partially surrounds the plurality of IC die and that contacts the tape layer.
US07969022B1 Die-to-die wire-bonding
Methods for die-to-die wire-bonding, and devices and systems formed thereby, are described herein. A die to die wire-bonding method may comprise bonding a first conductive bump having a first bump size to a first die pad; bonding a first wire to a second die pad, the first wire bonded to the second die pad by a second conductive bump having a second bump size, the second bump size being smaller than the first bump size; and bonding the first wire to the first conductive bump.
US07969021B2 Bonding wire for semiconductor device and method for producing the same
A bonding wire for a semiconductor device has a core wire and a periphery comprising a conductive metal mainly composed of an element common to both and/or an alloy or alloys of said metal and, between the core wire and the periphery, a diffusion layer or an intermetallic compound layer composed of the elements constituting the core wire and the periphery and a bonding wire for a semiconductor device characterized by having a core wire comprising a first conductive metal or an alloy mainly composed of the first conductive metal, a periphery comprising a second conductive metal different from the first conductive metal of the core wire or an alloy mainly composed of the second conductive metal, and, between the core wire and the periphery, a diffusion layer or an intermetallic compound layer and a method of producing the same.
US07969012B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A method for easily manufacturing a semiconductor device in which variation in thickness or disconnection of a source electrode or a drain electrode is prevented is proposed. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer formed over an insulating substrate; a first insulating layer formed over the semiconductor layer; a gate electrode formed over the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed over the gate electrode; an opening which reaches the semiconductor layer and is formed at least in the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer; and a step portion formed at a side surface of the second insulating layer in the opening.
US07969010B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing process therefor
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect made of a copper-containing metal which is formed over the semiconductor substrate, a conductive first plug formed over the first interconnect and connected to the first interconnect, a Cu silicide layer over the first interconnect in an area other than the area where the first plug is formed, a Cu silicide layer over the first plug, and a first porous MSQ film formed over an area from the side surface of the first interconnect to the side surface of the first plug and covering the side surface of the first interconnect, the upper portion of the first interconnect and the side surface of the first plug.
US07969006B2 Integrated circuit chips with fine-line metal and over-passivation metal
An integrated circuit chip includes a silicon substrate, a first circuit in or over said silicon substrate, a second circuit device in or over said silicon substrate, a dielectric structure over said silicon substrate, a first interconnecting structure in said dielectric structure, a first pad connected to said first node of said voltage regulator through said first interconnecting structure, a second interconnecting structure in said dielectric structure, a second pad connected to said first node of said internal circuit through said second interconnecting structure, a passivation layer over said dielectric structure, wherein multiple opening in said passivation layer exposes said first and second pads, and a third interconnecting structure over said passivation layer and over said first and second pads.
US07969005B2 Packaging board, rewiring, roughened conductor for semiconductor module of a portable device, and manufacturing method therefor
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor module includes: a first process of forming a conductor on one face of an insulating layer; a second process of exposing the conductor from the other face of the insulating layer; a third process of providing a first wiring layer on an exposed area of the conductor and on the other face of the insulating layer; a fourth process of preparing a substrate on which a circuit element is formed, the second wiring being formed on the substrate; and a fifth process of embedding the conductor in the insulating layer by press-bonding the insulating layer and the substrate in a state where the conductor on which the first wiring layer is provided by the third process is disposed counter to the second wiring layer. Wiring is formed without causing damaging to the circuit element.
US07969001B2 Method and system for intra-chip waveguide communication
Methods and systems for intra-chip waveguide communication are disclosed and may include configuring one or more waveguides in an integrated circuit and communicating one or more signals between blocks within the integrated circuit via the one or more waveguides. The one or more waveguides may be configured via switches in the integrated circuit by adjusting a length of the one or more waveguides. The one or more signals may include a microwave signal and a low frequency control signal that configures the microwave signal. The low frequency control signal may include a digital signal. The one or more waveguides may include metal layers deposited on the integrated circuit or within the integrated circuit. The one or more waveguides may include semiconductor layers deposited on the integrated circuit or embedded within the integrated circuit.
US07968996B2 Integrated circuit package system with supported stacked die
An integrated circuit package system provides a leadframe having a short lead finger, a long lead finger, and a support bar. A first die is placed in the leadframe. An adhesive is attached to the first die, the long lead finger, and the support bar. A second die is offset from the first die. The offset second die is attached to the adhesive. The first die is electrically connected to the short lead finger. The second die is electrically connected to at least the long lead finger or the short lead finger. At least portions of the leadframe, the first die, and the second die are encapsulated in an encapsulant.
US07968993B2 Stacked semiconductor device and semiconductor memory device
A stacked semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor element mounted on a wiring board and a second semiconductor element stacked on the first semiconductor element. Electrode pads of the first and second semiconductor elements are electrically connected to connection pads of the wiring board via first and second metal wires. The second metal wire is wired so that a part thereof is in contact with an insulating protective film covering a surface of the first semiconductor element.
US07968991B2 Stacked package module and board having exposed ends
A stacked package module is disclosed, which comprises: a first package structure comprising a first circuit board with a first chip embedded therein, wherein the first chip has a plurality of electrode pads; the first circuit board comprises a first surface, an opposite second surface, a plurality of exposed electro-connecting ends, a plurality of first conductive pads on the first surface, a plurality of conductive vias, and at least one circuit layer, therewith the electrode pads of the first chip electrically connecting to the electro-connecting ends and the first conductive pads directly through the conductive vias and the circuit layer; and a second package structure electrically connecting to the first package structure through a plurality of first solder balls to make a package on package. The stacked package module of this invention has characters of compact size, high performance, high flexibility, and detachability.
US07968990B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: mounting a semiconductor chip on a substrate; forming an upper connection terminal on a side of the substrate on which the semiconductor chip is mounted; forming a resin seal portion that seals the semiconductor chip and the upper connection terminal so that an upper surface of the upper connection terminal is exposed; and shaping the upper connection terminal so that the upper surface of the upper connection terminal becomes lower than an upper surface of the resin seal portion.
US07968989B2 Multi-package slot array
A multi-package module that includes a multi-layer interconnect structure, a housing structure attached to the multi-layer interconnect structure, and a plurality of integrated circuit packages inserted into slots in the housing structure, and placed into contact with the multi-layer interconnect structure. The integrated circuit packages can be removed from the slots in the housing structure, thereby enabling testing and/or replacement of the integrated circuit packages.
US07968983B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device in which a plurality of chips are packaged without increasing the thickness of the package. A plurality of semiconductor elements (a first and a second semiconductor elements) that are packaged in the semiconductor device are overlaid with each other. Specifically, the first semiconductor element is fixed on the top surface of the first island while the second semiconductor element is fixed on the bottom surface of the second island. Furthermore, each of the islands (a first and a second islands) on which the semiconductor elements are respectively mounted in the present invention provides a structure has an irregular shape, and the islands are overlaid with each other along the sides of the semiconductor element to be mounted.
US07968981B2 Inline integrated circuit system
An integrated circuit package system including: providing a leadframe with an integrated circuit mounted thereover; encapsulating the integrated circuit with an encapsulation; mounting an etch barrier below the leadframe; and etching the leadframe.
US07968973B2 Semiconductor for macro and micro frequency tuning, and antenna and frequency tuning circuit having the semiconductor
A semiconductor element for macro and micro frequency tuning, and an antenna and a frequency tuning circuit having the semiconductor element, are provided. The semiconductor element includes first and second semiconductors which have a same polarity, a third semiconductor which has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first and second semiconductors and is interposed between the first and the second semiconductors, a first intrinsic semiconductor which is interposed between the first and the third semiconductors, and a second intrinsic semiconductor which is interposed between the third and the second semiconductors.
US07968966B2 Semiconductor device with fuse and a method of manufacturing the same
In order to improve the reliability of a semiconductor device having a fuse formed by a Damascene technique, a barrier insulating film and an inter-layer insulating film are deposited over a fourth-layer wiring and a fuse. The barrier insulating film is an insulating film for preventing the diffusion of Cu and composed of a SiCN film deposited by plasma CVD like the underlying barrier insulating film. The thickness of the barrier insulating film covering the fuse is larger than the thickness of the underlying barrier insulating film so as to improve the moisture resistance of the fuse.
US07968961B2 Solid-state image pickup device and method for manufacturing the same
A solid-state image pickup device which includes a solid-state image pickup chip, a transparent plate disposed to face a light-receiving surface of the solid-state image pickup chip, a frame-like spacer disposed on a peripheral portion of the light-receiving surface of the solid-state image pickup chip for maintaining a space between the solid-state image pickup chip and the transparent plate, and an adhesion layer sealing a circumferential gap formed between the solid-state image pickup chip and the transparent plate, wherein the spacer includes a plurality of partition walls.
US07968949B2 Contact forming method and related semiconductor device
Contact forming methods and a related semiconductor device are disclosed. One method includes forming a first liner over the structure and the substrate, the first liner covering sidewall of the structure; forming a dielectric layer over the first liner and the structure; forming a contact hole in the dielectric layer to the first liner; forming a second liner in the contact hole including over the first liner covering the sidewall; removing the first and second liners at a bottom of the contact hole; and filling the contact hole with a conductive material to form the contact. The thicker liner(s) over the sidewall of the structure prevents shorting, and allows for at least maintaining any intrinsic stress in one or more of the liner(s).
US07968946B2 Higher performance CMOS on (110) wafers
A semiconductor (e.g., complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)) structure formed on a (110) substrate that has improved performance, in terms of mobility enhancement is provided. In accordance with the present invention, the inventive structure includes at least one of a single tensile stressed liner, a compressively stressed shallow trench isolation (STI) region, or a tensile stressed embedded well, which is used in conjunction with the (110) substrate to improve carrier mobility of both nFETs and pFETs. The present invention also relates to a method of providing such structures.
US07968943B2 Semiconductor device reducing output capacitance due to parasitic capacitance
Plural through-holes are formed in a region of a semiconductor substrate positioned below a drain region (an element region other than a P-type well region). According to this configuration, an opposing area of the drain region and the semiconductor substrate can be reduced. Therefore, a drain-substrate capacitance Cdsub is reduced, and an output capacitance Coss of an SOI LDMOSFET can be reduced as a result.
US07968941B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: an epitaxial layer; a body layer, formed in the epitaxial layer, which includes a channel region; a source layer disposed in superposition on the body layer; a gate insulator, formed on the epitaxial layer, which is in a ring shape surrounding the source layer; a gate electrode formed through the gate insulator; a drift layer, formed in the epitaxial layer, which is in a ring shape surrounding the body layer; and a drain layer formed in the surface of the epitaxial layer and disposed opposite to the source layer. The body layer is disposed such that the boundary surface at an end in the gate-width direction is in contact with the undersurface of the gate insulator. The gate insulator has a thick film portion thicker than a part above the channel region in the gate-length direction at least in a part where the gate insulator is in contact with the boundary surface of the body layer at the end in the gate-width direction.
US07968937B2 Vertical transistor and array with vertical transistors
A vertical transistor includes a substrate, a semiconductor structure, a gate, a gate dielectric layer, and a conductive layer. The semiconductor structure is disposed on the substrate and includes two vertical plates and a bottom plate. The bottom plate has an upper surface connected to bottoms of the two vertical plates and a bottom surface connected to the substrate. The gate surrounds the semiconductor structure to fill between the two vertical plates, and the gate is disposed around the two vertical plates. The gate dielectric layer is sandwiched in between the gate and the semiconductor structure, and the conductive layer is disposed on the semiconductor structure and electrically connected with tops of the two vertical plates.
US07968936B2 Quasi-vertical gated NPN-PNP ESD protection device
Fashioning a quasi-vertical gated NPN-PNP (QVGNP) electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed. The QVGNP ESD protection device has a well having one conductivity type formed adjacent to a deep well having another conductivity type. The device has a desired holding voltage and a substantially homogenous current flow, and is thus highly robust. The device can be fashioned in a cost effective manner by being formed during a BiCMOS or Smart Power fabrication process.
US07968926B2 Logic non-volatile memory cell with improved data retention ability
A memory cell includes a semiconductor substrate; and a first, a second, and a third transistor. The first transistor includes a first dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; and a first floating gate over the first dielectric. The second transistor is electrically coupled to the first transistor and includes a second dielectric over the semiconductor substrate; and a second floating gate over the second dielectric. The first and the second floating gates are electrically disconnected. The memory cell further includes a first capacitor; a second capacitor electrically coupled to the first capacitor; a third capacitor; a fourth capacitor electrically coupled to the third capacitor, wherein each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth capacitors includes the semiconductor substrate as one of the capacitor plates. The third transistor is a selector of the memory cell and is electrically coupled to the first and the second transistors.
US07968919B2 Integrated circuit including a charge compensation component
A charge compensation component having a drift path between two electrodes, an electrode and a counterelectrode, and methods for producing the same. The drift path has drift zones of a first conduction type and charge compensation zones of a complementary conduction type with respect to the first conduction type. A drift path layer doping comprising the volume integral of the doping locations of a horizontal drift path layer of the vertically extending drift path including the drift zone regions and charge compensation zone regions arranged in the drift path layer is greater in the vicinity of the electrodes than in the direction of the center of the drift path.
US07968918B2 Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having two or more regions that partially overlap so as to define an overlapping region. Through-holes are defined through the two or more partially overlapping regions. One or more first electrodes are disposed on inner surfaces of the semiconductor chip within the through-holes. One or more second electrodes are disposed so as to be insulated from the first electrodes. The one or more second electrodes are at least partially disposed in the overlapping region. Insulation members are disposed in the through-holes.
US07968917B2 Semiconductor memory device
There is provided a semiconductor memory device including: a first wiring layer; a second wiring layer; a third wiring layer; a memory array region; a first gate array region being formed at a region at which the first wiring layer, the second wiring layer and the third wiring layer can be used in wiring of the plural unit cells; and a second gate array region being formed at a region at which two wiring layers that are the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer can be used in wiring of the plural memory cells, and the plural unit cells are arrayed so as to be separated at an interval needed for placement, by using the first wiring layer, of wiring that should be placed by using the third wiring layer.
US07968913B2 CMOS compatable fabrication of power GaN transistors on a <100> silicon substrate
In an AlGaN channel transistor formed on a <100> orientation silicon wafer, a hole with walls slanted at 54 degrees is etched into the silicon to provide a <111> orientation substrate surface for forming the AlGaN channel transistor.
US07968910B2 Complementary field effect transistors having embedded silicon source and drain regions
A method is provided of fabricating complementary stressed semiconductor devices, e.g., an NFET having a tensile stressed channel and a PFET having a compressive stressed channel. In such method, a first semiconductor region having a lattice constant larger than silicon can be epitaxially grown on an underlying semiconductor region of a substrate. The first semiconductor region can be grown laterally adjacent to a second semiconductor region which has a lattice constant smaller than that of silicon. Layers consisting essentially of silicon can be grown epitaxially onto exposed major surfaces of the first and second semiconductor regions after which gates can be formed which overlie the epitaxially grown silicon layers. Portions of the first and second semiconductor regions adjacent to the gates can be removed to form recesses. Regions consisting essentially of silicon can be grown within the recesses to form embedded silicon regions. Source and drain regions then can be formed in the embedded silicon regions. The difference between the lattice constant of silicon and that of the underlying first and second regions results in tensile stressed silicon over the first semiconductor region and compressive stressed silicon over the second semiconductor region.
US07968909B2 Reconditioned substrates for fabricating compound material wafers
Reconditioned donor substrates that include a remainder substrate from a donor substrate wherein the remainder substrate has a detachment surface where a transfer layer was detached and an opposite surface; and an additional layer deposited upon the opposite surface of the remainder substrate to increase its thickness and to form the reconditioned substrate. The reconditioned substrate is recycled as a donor substrate for fabricating compound material wafers and is typically made from gallium nitride donor substrates.
US07968908B2 Bidirectional electrostatic discharge protection structure for high voltage applications
Semiconductor structures providing protection against electrostatic events of both polarities are provided. A pair of p-n junctions is provided underneath a shallow trench isolation portion between a first-conductivity-type well and each of a signal-side second-conductivity-type well and an electrical-ground-side second-conductivity-type well in a semiconductor substrate. A second-conductivity-type doped region and a first-conductivity-type doped region are formed above each second-conductivity-type well such that a portion of the second-conductivity-type well resistively separates the second-conductivity-type doped region and the first-conductivity-type doped region within the semiconductor substrate. Each of the second-conductivity-type doped regions is wired either to a signal node or electrical ground. One of the two npn transistors and one of the two p-n diodes, each inherently present in the semiconductor structure, turn on to provide protection against electrical discharge events involving either type of excessive electrical charges.
US07968904B2 Organic electroluminescence device
There is provided an organic electroluminescence device that is high in light emitting efficiency and excellent in driving durability, which contains at least a light emitting layer between an anode and a cathode opposing each other, and further has either 1) an organic layer containing at least a first acceptor and a second acceptor between the light emitting layer and the anode, in which the first acceptor is a metal compound and the second acceptor is an organic compound which does not contain a metal, or 2) an organic layer containing a metal oxide as an acceptor between the light emitting layer and the anode, in which a concentration of the metal oxide in the organic layer is varied in a thickness direction and the concentration is lower in a portion near the light emitting layer than a portion near the anode.
US07968902B2 Light emitting devices with constant forward voltage
A light emitting device and method for producing the same is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor material, an electrode positioned on the semiconductor material, a wire bonding area, and a resistor connected between the wire bonding area and the electrode.
US07968900B2 High performance LED package
A light emitting diode lamp is disclosed that includes a resin package that defines a recess in the shape of a solid polygon or another three-dimensional solid. The recess includes a floor, two side walls along the respective longer sides of the floor, and two end walls along the respective shorter sides of the floor. The two side walls define an angle therebetween greater than 3°, and the two end walls define an angle therebetween greater than 40°. A light emitting diode chip is positioned on the rectangular floor of the package.
US07968899B2 LED light source having improved resistance to thermal cycling
A light source and method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a substrate, a die, and a cup. The substrate has a plurality of electrical traces thereon and the die includes an LED that is connected to two of the traces. The cup overlies the substrate and is filled with an encapsulant material. The die is located within the cup and is encapsulated by the substrate and the encapsulant material. The cup and encapsulant material have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. The cup can include reflective sidewalls positioned to reflect light leaving the die. The cup, encapsulant and substrate can be constructed from the same material.
US07968898B2 Nitride semiconductor light emitting device, method of manufacturing nitride semiconductor light emitting device, and nitride semiconductor transistor device
Provided are a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including a coat film formed at a light emitting portion and including an aluminum nitride crystal or an aluminum oxynitride crystal, and a method of manufacturing the nitride semiconductor light emitting device. Also provided is a nitride semiconductor transistor device including a nitride semiconductor layer and a gate insulating film which is in contact with the nitride semiconductor layer and includes an aluminium nitride crystal or an aluminum oxynitride crystal.
US07968897B2 Light-emitting device having a support substrate and inclined sides
A light-emitting device capable of improving light extraction efficiency is provided. This light-emitting device comprises a support substrate set on a side opposite to a light emission surface and a semiconductor element layer, bonded to the support substrate, having a side surface inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to at least the normal of the light emission surface.
US07968893B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a semiconductor light emitting device, which can improve characteristics of the semiconductor light emitting device such as a forward voltage characteristic and a turn-on voltage characteristic, increase light emission efficiency by lowering an input voltage, and increase reliability of the semiconductor light emitting device by a low-voltage operation, and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor light emitting device includes: an n-type GaN semiconductor layer; an active layer formed on a gallium face of the n-type GaN semiconductor layer; a p-type semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; and an n-type electrode formed on a nitrogen face of the n-type GaN semiconductor layer and including a lanthanum (La)-nickel (Ni) alloy.
US07968892B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device
A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a principal surface and a backside surface; a drift layer disposed on the principal surface; a base region disposed on the drift layer; a source region disposed on the base region; a surface channel layer disposed on both of the drift layer and the base region for connecting between the source region and the drift layer; a gate insulation film disposed on the surface channel layer and including a high dielectric constant film; a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulation film; a source electrode disposed on the source region; and a backside electrode disposed on the backside surface.
US07968889B2 Semiconductor device with thinned gate insulating film and polycrystal semiconductor layer and production method thereof
The present invention provides a semiconductor device having a high breakdown voltage and high reliability even if a gate electrode is formed to be thin. The present invention is a semiconductor device including a polycrystal semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode, stacked on an insulating substrate in this order, wherein the polycrystal semiconductor layer has a surface roughness of 9 nm or less, the gate insulating film has a multilayer structure including a silicon oxide film on the polycrystal semiconductor layer side and a film containing a material with a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide on the gate electrode side.
US07968884B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device manufactured utilizing an SOI substrate, in which defects due to an end portion of an island-shaped silicon layer are prevented and the reliability is improved, and a manufacturing method thereof. The following are included: an SOI substrate in which an insulating layer and an island-shaped silicon layer are stacked in order over a support substrate; a gate insulating layer provided over one surface and a side surface of the island-shaped silicon layer; and a gate electrode which is provided over the island-shaped silicon layer with the gate insulating layer interposed therebetween. The gate insulating layer is formed such that the dielectric constant in the region which is in contact with the side surface of the island-shaped silicon layer is lower than that over the one surface of the island-shaped silicon layer.
US07968867B2 Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device and the method for making the same is disclosed. The light-emitting device is a semiconductor device, comprising a growth substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer, a quantum well active layer and a p-type semiconductor layer. It combines the holographic and the quantum well interdiffusion (QWI) to form a photonic crystal light-emitting device having a dielectric constant of two-dimensional periodic variation or a material composition of two-dimensional periodic variation in the quantum well active layer. The photonic crystal light-emitting devices can enhance the internal efficiency and light extraction efficiency.
US07968862B2 Phase change memory elements using self-aligned phase change material layers
A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a substrate supporting a first electrode. An insulating material element is positioned over the first electrode, and a phase change material layer is formed over the first electrode and surrounding the insulating material element such that the phase change material layer has a lower surface that is in electrical communication with the first electrode. The memory element also has a second electrode in electrical communication with an upper surface of the phase change material layer.
US07968861B2 Phase change memory element
Thin-film phase-change memories having small phase-change switching volume formed by overlapping thin films. Exemplary embodiments include a phase-change memory element, including a first phase change layer having a resistance, a second phase change layer having a resistance, an insulating layer disposed between the first and second phase change layers; and a third phase change layer having a resistance, and coupled to each of the first and second phase change layers, bridging the insulating layer and electrically coupling the first and second phase change layers, wherein the resistance of the third phase change layer is greater than both the resistance of the first phase change layer and the second phase change layer.
US07968859B2 Wafer edge defect inspection using captured image analysis
A wafer edge defect inspection method and apparatus for use in an integrated circuit fabrication system includes an image capturing device for capturing images of the edges of wafers, a database in which the images are stored and accessible for analysis and a computer for analyzing the images of one or more wafer edges to locate edge defects and for evaluating the performance of the fabrication system. The inspection and data storage are performed automatically. The database storage enables detailed analysis of many wafers and fabrication process steps.
US07968858B2 System and method for scanning and measuring points of an object
A method for scanning and measuring points of an object is provided. The method includes: (a) selecting a measuring start point and a measuring end point from an image of the object; (b) controlling a laser to move and scan the object from the measuring start point to the measuring end point with a predetermined distance according to X-axis coordinate values and Y-axis coordinate values of the measuring start point and the measuring end point to obtain scanned measuring points; (c) obtaining a vertical distance between each of the scanned measuring points and the laser; and (d) computing measuring results, namely computing a Z-axis coordinate value of each of the scanned measuring points according to the corresponding vertical distance. A related system is also provided.
US07968857B2 Apparatus and method for partial ion implantation using atom vibration
A partial ion implantation apparatus and method are provided. The partial ion implantation apparatus includes an ion beam generator, a wafer chuck, and a plurality of atom-vibrating devices. The ion beam generator is configured to generate an ion beam. The wafer chuck is disposed to support a wafer into which the ion beam is implanted. The atom-vibrating devices are configured to vibrate silicon atoms in the wafer.
US07968854B2 Device for sterilizing a fluid
The invention relates to a device for sterilizing a fluid and includes a container provided for receiving the fluid, at least one UV light source for the sterilization of the fluid, and at least one measuring device for determining absorption properties and/or cloudiness of the fluid. A light source is associated with the measuring device. The light from the light source to the measuring device in a first operating mode leads through the fluid at least on a partial section, and in a second operating mode on this partial section leads through a reference medium having known absorption properties and/or cloudiness.
US07968853B2 Double decker detector for spectral CT
A radiation detector (24) includes a two-dimensional array of upper scintillators (30τ) which is disposed facing an x-ray source (14) to convert lower energy radiation into visible light and transmit higher energy radiation. A two-dimensional array of lower scintillators (30B) is disposed adjacent the upper scintillators (30τ) distally from the x-ray source (14) to convert the transmitted higher energy radiation into visible light. Respective active areas (94, 96) of each upper and lower photodetector arrays (38τ, 38B) are optically coupled to the respective upper and lower scintillators (30τ, 30B) at an inner side (60) of the scintillators (30τ, 30B) which inner side (60) is generally perpendicular to an axial direction (Z). Interference filters (110, 112) may be deposited on the active areas (94, 96) of the associated upper and lower photodetectors (38τ, 38B) to restrict radiation wavelengths received by the upper and lower photodetectors (38τ, 38B) to wavelengths emitted by the respective upper and lower scintillators (30τ, 30B). The upper scintillators (30τ) may include at least one of ZnSe(Te) and YAG(Ce).
US07968852B1 Mitigation of errors in an imaging system with detectors mounted to a gantry and rotatable thereon
Implementations of the present technology include error mitigation processes that determine gantry angle-dependent measures of detector deflections for a given class of systems using a first method, then determine gantry angle-independent deviations from the class measures using a second method on a specific system; then apply, to the specific system of the second method, the gantry angle-dependent class deflection results of the first method modified by the system-specific gantry angle independent deflections of the second method; and further include a system calibrated by such combinations of processes and computer program products for performing at least portions of the combination of processes.
US07968849B2 Positron CT apparatus
Whether a phenomenon of photon incidence on detectors is a double event or a single event is determined (step S1). When it is a double event, emission data is collected (S2), and is put to an image reconstruction process (S3). When it is a single event, on the other hand, the data is collected as data for calibration (S4), and is put to a calibration process (S5). Since the data for calibration is collected during a clinical practice, a PET apparatus can be calibrated frequently without lowering the operating ratio of the apparatus.
US07968841B2 Force and acceleration sensor using four wave mixing technique
A sensor for measuring force, the sensor including: a light source; and a mixing medium in optical communication with the light source and exposed to the force; wherein four wave mixing of light interacting with the mixing medium provides a signal that indicates the force.
US07968837B2 Separate-type detector with redundant synchronization feature
An object is to provide a separated sensor capable of synchronizing a light transmitting unit with a light receiving unit, without using a control line.There is provided a separated sensor including a light transmitting unit that transmits detection light to a monitoring area, and a light receiving unit that receives detection light transmitted by the light transmitting unit, the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit laid out separately from each other. On one of the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, there is provided a synchronization-light transmitting unit that transmits, by wireless, synchronization light to synchronize the light transmitting unit with the light receiving unit. On the other of the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, there are provided a synchronization-light receiving unit that receives the synchronization light transmitted from the synchronization-light transmitting unit, and a synchronization-establishment processing unit that performs a predetermined process to establish the synchronization based on the synchronization light received by the synchronization-light receiving unit.
US07968836B2 Photonic crystal sensors with integrated fluid containment structure, sample handling devices incorporating same, and uses thereof for biomolecular interaction analysis
Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid handling structures. The PC sensors are further integrated into a sample handling device such as a microwell plate. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.
US07968830B2 Attentuating adaptor for an inductive shrinkage appliance
An attenuating adaptor is proposed in the form of a sleeve (23) which is composed of non-ferromagnetic metal for insertion radially during operation between a holding section (11) (which is provided with a central holding opening (15) for holding a tool shank with a press fit) of a tool holder (1) and an induction coil arrangement (19) (which concentrically surrounds the holding section (11) in order to widen it thermally) of a shrinkage appliance (5) which feeds alternating current to the induction coil arrangement (19). The sleeve (23) can be provided with slots which pass through its wall and whose number, axial length and circumferential width influence the attenuating characteristics of the sleeve (23). Sleeves (23) of different sizes are provided for a set of different tool holders (1), and their attenuating characteristics are chosen such that all of the tool holders (1) in this set can be shrunk using one and the same setting of the shrinkage appliance (5).
US07968826B2 Calibrated thermal sensing system utilizing resistance varying jumper configuration
The warming article contains a heating element and a sensing system. The sensing system has a first sensor element being a temperature dependent variable resistor and a second sensor element having at least two resistors in series and corresponding jumpers for one or more resistors in the second sensor element. The first sensor element is linear and flexible and the second sensor element is used to adjust the total sensor resistance to a fixed value at a particular temperature.
US07968825B2 Temperature setting method of thermal processing plate, computer-readable recording medium recording program thereon, and temperature setting apparatus for thermal processing plate
A thermal plate of a heating unit is divided into a plurality of thermal plate regions, and a temperature can be set for each of the thermal plate regions. A temperature correction value for adjusting a temperature within the thermal plate can be set for each of the thermal plate regions of the thermal plate. The line widths within the substrate which has been subjected to a photolithography process are measured, and an in-plane tendency of the measured line widths is decomposed into a plurality of in-plane tendency components using a Zernike polynomial. From the calculated plurality of in-plane tendency components, in-plane tendency components improvable by changing the temperature correction values are extracted and added together to calculate an improvable in-plane tendency of the measured line widths within the substrate. The change of setting of the temperature correction value for each of the thermal plate regions of the thermal plate is performed only when the magnitude of the improvable in-plane tendency exceeds a threshold value set in advance.
US07968823B2 Wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel
A wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel assembly is provided that includes a metal oxide coated glass panel with a panel frame, an opening frame that cooperates with the coated glass panel frame to allow the panel to cover a panel opening, a receiving coil that is positioned in the panel frame and that is wired to the panel, and a sending coil that is positioned in the opening frame and that is wired to an electrical power source. When the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the sending coil, the sending coil wirelessly induces an electrical current in the receiving coil, which causes the dielectric panel to provide heat.
US07968822B2 Arc welding system
An electric arc welding system including a power lead for providing welding current between an advancing welding wire and a workpiece, a short circuit sensor having a short circuit output signal when the electrode is shorted with the workpiece and a premonition sensor having a fuse output signal when a short circuit is about to break. This welding system has at least two power source modules, each with a common isolated DC input and an output connected to the power lead with each of the modules controlled to perform a short circuit arc welding process. The individual module comprises a regulated DC to DC converter having a DC output signal with a waveform controlled by a waveform signal from a controller and an output switch receiving the DC output signal and in series with the power lead where the output switch is opened by a gate signal to reduce the welding current in the power lead.
US07968817B2 Laser weld process for seam welded electrochemical devices
A method for making an electrochemical device enclosure is described. The methods comprises the steps of forming first and second casing members; inserting electrochemically active materials within the first casing member; mating the first casing member to the second casing member, thereby forming an interface therebetween; providing a laser welding apparatus comprising a laser; intermittently turning a laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a first welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a first intermittent set of welded and unwelded sections at the interface between the casing members; and intermittently turning the laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a second welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a second intermittent set of welded sections at the interface between the first and second casing members. The first and second intermitted welded sections combine to provide a complete hermetic seal around and along the circumference of the casing members interface.
US07968806B2 Multi-voltage housing
A housing for one or more electrical components that are connected to sources of a plurality of voltages comprises a box, a first cover to cover a first portion of the opening in the box and a second cover to cover a second portion of the opening. The first cover includes a separator that projects into the box when the first cover is installed to divide the interior of the box and so that components connectable to a higher voltage can be separated from components connectable to a lower voltage.
US07968800B2 Passive component incorporating interposer
A passive component incorporating interposer includes a double-sided circuit board (1) having a wiring layer (8) on both sides, a passive component (2) mounted on the wiring layer (8) on one surface of the double-sided circuit board (1), a second insulating layer (3) made of woven fabric or non-woven fabric or inorganic filler and thermosetting resin laminated on the surface of the double-sided circuit board (1) mounted with the passive component (2), a first insulating layer (4) made of woven fabric or non-woven fabric or inorganic filler and thermosetting resin laminated on the other surface of the double-sided circuit board (1) not mounted with the passive component (2), first and second wiring layers (5, 6) formed on the first and second insulating layers (3, 4), and a through hole (7) for electrically connecting the wiring layers (8) disposed on both surfaces of the double-sided circuit board (1) and the first and second wiring layers (5, 6), where the first wiring layer (5) is formed to enable mounting of a semiconductor element (9).
US07968796B2 Flexible signal transmission module and manufacturing method thereof
A flexible signal transmission module and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The flexible signal transmission module includes a first connector, a first transmission strip, and a second transmission strip. The first and second transmission strips are respectively connected to the first connector and disposed side by side. The ends of the first and second transmission strips which connect to the first connector respectively have a first end folding line. The first and second transmission strips respectively folded along the first end folding lines toward a same direction while the folding portions of both strips partially overlap. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: disposing a plurality of transmission strips side by side; connecting the transmission strips to a first connector; and respectively folding the transmission strips along the first end folding lines toward a same direction.
US07968795B2 Faceplate and electronic device using same
An exemplary faceplate comprises a panel, a guiding ring and two hooks. The panel includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, on which a number of passageways are defined running through the inner and outer surface. The guiding ring is mounted on the inner surface of the panel around a corresponding passageway of the panel. The guiding ring defines a housing room therein that is aligned with and communicates with the corresponding passageway of the panel. Two hooks are separately mounted on the inner surface of the panel and being respectively adjacent to the guiding ring, and each hook includes a clasp formed on an end thereof and the clasp protrudes beyond the guiding ring. The height of the each hook with respect to the inner surface of the panel is higher than that of the adjacent guiding ring with respect to the inner surface.
US07968791B2 Solar energy collection system
In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. The collector row extends along a longitudinal axis and is arranged to rotate about a pivot axis to track the sun in at least one dimension. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. The support structure includes a tube assembly that underlies the reflector. The tube assemblies of the collector row are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis. There is a space between the tube assemblies of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying tube assemblies to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the tube assemblies of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.
US07968783B2 System for transferring information on attribute of, for example, CD
Title information on music composition data recorded on a reproduction CD is acquired from a title information providing site and recorded on a recording MD together with composition data. A recording/reproducing apparatus (100) transmits TOC information acquired from the reproduction CD to a title information providing server (500) through a communication device (200), a wireless public communication network (WNET), a communication exchange (400), and the Internet (INET). The title information providing server (500) creates an inquiry code corresponding to the received TOC information and transmits it to a title information database (600). The title information database (600) sends a response code corresponding to the inquiry code as a reply to the title information providing server (500). The title information providing server (500) creates title information corresponding to the response code and transmits the title information to the recording/reproducing apparatus (100) through the devices and networks in the reverse direction to the direction in which the TOC information is transmitted. In the communication paths, the communication methods are converted for the respective devices.
US07968782B2 One piece flexible tethering-ban for drumsticks
A flexible one-piece self-gripping self-forming-loop attachment, comprising a single ergonomically shaped and dimensioned strip of elastic material with circular apertures at opposing ends for attachment to a drumstick by inserting one end of the drumstick through each aperture in turn giving rise to a loop which is slid along the drumstick to the desired playing position at which a finger is inserted. When the loop is fitted the material surrounding the apertures stretches and causes their shape to change according to the profile of the drumstick.
US07968775B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH652359
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH652359. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH652359, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH652359 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH652359.
US07968773B2 Tomato plants having higher levels of resistance to botrytis
The present invention relates to a method for detecting a quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato, including the steps of crossing a Botrytis-resistant donor tomato plant with a non-resistant, or Botrytis-susceptible, recipient tomato plant, contacting one or more offspring plants with an infective amount of Botrytis, quantitatively determining the disease incidence and/or the rate of lesion growth in the one or more offspring plants, establishing a genetic linkage map that links the observed disease incidence and/or rate of lesion growth to the presence of chromosomal markers of the donor tomato plant in the one or more offspring plants, and assigning to a QTL the contiguous markers on the map that are linked to a reduced disease incidence and/or a reduced lesion growth rate.
US07968771B1 Soybean variety RJS27001
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS27001. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS27001, to the plants of soybean RJS27001 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS27001 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS27001 with another soybean plant, using RJS27001 as either the male or the female parent.
US07968769B2 Alfalfa variety named magnum VI
Disclosed is an alfalfa seed designated Magnum VI and deposited as ATCC Accession Number PTA-8324. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the cultivar, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the Magnum VI cultivar, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in an alfalfa breeding program.
US07968768B2 Generation of plants with improved drought tolerance
The present invention is directed to plants that display a drought tolerance phenotype due to altered expression of a DR05 nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with a drought tolerance phenotype.
US07968767B2 Antifreeze proteins isolated from forage grasses and methods for their use
Isolated polynucleotides encoding antifreeze polypeptides are provided, together with expression vectors and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.
US07968765B2 Plants having improved growth characteristics and method for making the same
The present invention concerns a method for improving growth characteristics of plants by increasing expression and/or activity in a plant of an LRR receptor kinase or a homologue thereof. One such method comprises introducing into a plant an RLK827 nucleic acid molecule or functional variant thereof. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having improved growth characteristics, which plants have modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding an LRR receptor kinase. The present invention also concerns constructs useful in the methods of the invention.
US07968764B2 Methods for increasing the yield of fermentable sugars from plant stover
Methods for increasing yield of fermentable sugars from plant stover are provided. The methods include using plants homozygous for two brown midrib mutations, bm1 and bm3. The methods also include using plants homozygous for a mutation in a gene that results in reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity, and a mutation in a gene that results in reduced 5 -hydroxyconiferaldehyde/5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol O-methyltransferase activity. The methods also include using transgenic plants that have reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity and reduced 5 -hydroxyconiferaldehyde/5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol O-methyltransferase activity in comparison with wild-type plants.
US07968762B2 Immune-compromised transgenic mice expressing human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF)
A transgenic animal model for evaluating growth, survival and/or metastasis of xenotransplanted normal or tumor cells or tissue is disclosed, in which a human growth factor, hHGF stimulates growth in vivo of human cells or tissue. A strain of Tg mice on the C3H background that is immunocompromised as a result of a homozygous scid gene has been bred which express a nucleic acid encoding hHGF/SE The ectopically expressed hHGF/SF ligand significantly enhances growth of human tumor cell lines and explanted tumor cells or tissue that express the Met receptor for hHGF. Such animals also have an enlarged normal livers and greater than normal liver regenerative capacity. Any Met-expressing hHGF-dependent human cells, including hepatocytes and various stem cells can survive and grow in such animals.
US07968755B2 Process and catalyst for converting alkanes
Methods and catalysts for producing alcohols, ethers, and/or alkenes from alkanes are provided. More particularly, novel caged, or encapsulated, metal oxide catalysts and processes utilizing such catalysts to convert alkanes to alcohols and/or ethers and to convert alcohols and/or ethers to alkenes are provided.
US07968754B2 Method for producing polyether alcohols
The invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of polyether alcohols by reaction of alkylene oxides with H-functional starter substances in the presence of DMC catalysts, which comprises, at the beginning of the process a) firstly placing initial charge material and DMC catalyst in a reactor, b) metering in alkylene oxide so that the metering rate which is maintained for continuous operation of the reactor is reached in a time of from 100 to 3000 seconds, c) metering in starter substance during or after step b) so that the metering rate which is maintained for continuous operation of the reactor is reached in a time of from 5 to 500 seconds, d) after the fill level in the reactor which is desired for continuous operation of the reactor has been reached, taking product off continuously from the reactor while at the same time metering in starter substance and alkylene oxides in such an amount that the fill level in the reactor remains constant and metering in DMC catalyst so that the catalyst concentration necessary for continuous operation of the reactor is maintained in the reactor.
US07968752B2 Hydrolytically-resistant boron-containing therapeutics and methods of use
Compositions and methods of use of borole derivatives, including benzoxaboroles, benzazaboroles and benzthiaboroles, as therapeutic agents for treatment of diseases caused by bacteria or viruses are disclosed, as well as methods for synthesis of said agents and compositions thereof.
US07968750B2 Process for producing nitrogen-containing compounds
The present invention relates to a process for producing a tertiary amine by reducing an amide compound in the presence of a catalyst containing a sponge copper catalyst obtained by leaching alloy particles containing copper and aluminum and drying the thus leached alloy particles. The present invention provides a process for producing high-purity aliphatic tertiary amines containing a less amount of by-products at a high yield by subjecting aliphatic acid amides to hydrogenation reduction under solvent-free moderate conditions.
US07968749B2 Process for preparing and drying solid rasagiline base
Disclosed is crystalline R(+)-N-propargyl-l-aminoindan containing water at an amount of less than 0.5% by weight and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, and the process for the manufacture and the validation thereof. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of solid rasagiline base.
US07968747B2 Process for preparing 2-aminooxyethanol
The invention relates to a process for preparing aminoglycol by reacting ketoximes with ethylene oxide under basic conditions to give a substituted 2-hydroxyethyl ketoxime and subsequently reacting the latter with an acid to give aminoglycol.
US07968743B2 Thiocarbonylthio compound and free radical polymerization employing the same
A thiocarbonylthio compound and free radical polymerization employing the same. The thiocarbonylthio compound is represented by formula (I) or (II): wherein Z can be independently perfluoroalkyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkylaryl, arylalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, alkoxyaryl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylaryl, dialkylphosphinyl, or dialkylphosphinothioyl; R1 and R2 can be each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy or alkoxyaryl; R3 is alkyl, aryl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy or alkoxyaryl. Furthermore, R3 can also be alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylamino, alkoxy, haloalkylaryl, alkylsilyl, alkylthio, alkylthioaryl, or substituent containing CN, CO, COOH, COOCH3 or heterocyclic moieties; and R4 is perfluoroalkyl. The thiocarbonylthio compound can be used as a reversible chain transfer agent in a free radical polymerization to obtain a polymer with a controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity.
US07968736B2 Analogs of discodermolide and dictyostatin-1, intermediates therefor and methods of synthesis thereof
A compound of the following structure: wherein R1 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a halogen atom; R2 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe; Ra, Rb and Rc are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; Rd is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxylalkyl group, —RiSiRaRbRc or a benzyl group, wherein Ri is an alkylene group; Re is an alkyl group, an allyl group, a benzyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or —NRgRh, wherein Rg and Rh are independently H, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3 is (CH2)n where n is and integer in the range of 0 to 5, —CH2CH(CH3)—, —CH═CH—, —CH═C(CH3)—, or —C≡C—; R4  wherein y1 and y2 are 1 and y3, y4 and y5 are independently 0 or 1, Rk1, Rk2, Rk3, Rk4 and Rk5 are independently H, CH3, or OR2a, and Rs1, Rs2, Rs3, and Rs4 are independently H or CH3, wherein R2a is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe; and R5 is H or OR2b, wherein R2b is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe.
US07968735B2 Light-emitting biomarker
The invention concerns novel 1,2-dioxetane derivatives of general formula (I) as defined in the description, capable of emitting a detectable luminescent signal, their use in a method for detecting and/or quantizing a physical, chemical or biological, in particular enzymatic, phenomenon, as well as a kit for implementing said method.
US07968733B2 Pyrrolidine analogue for preventing neurogenic pain and method for production thereof
To provide a pyrrolidine analogue having an inhibitory activity on the induction of allodynia, a method for producing the pyrrolidine analogue, and an agent for preventing a neurogenic pain.A pyrrolidine analogue which is a compound represented by the general formula (I) [wherein HOOC-φ represents an aromatic substituent having at least one carboxy group attached to the benzene ring] or a salt or ester of the compound. The compound has a potent inhibitory effect on the induction of allodynia.
US07968731B2 Process for the purification of Ropinirole hydrochloride
An improved process is described for the purification of ropinirole hydrochloride. The process includes (i) dissolving ropinirole hydrochloride in water; (ii) treating the solution obtained in step (i) with sodium dithionate and charcoal; (iii) treating the filtrate obtained in step (ii) with water immiscible solvent and base and isolating the free base; and (iv) treating the free base obtained in step (iii) with ethanolic HCl to give ropinirole hydrochloride.
US07968727B2 Synthesis of 4-bromomethyl-2′-formylbiphenyl and 4-bromomethyl-2′-hydroxymethylbiphenyl and its use in preparation of angiotensin II antagonists
4-bromomethyl-2′-formylbiphenyl and 4-bromomethyl-2′-hydroxymethylbiphenyl are useful starting material for the preparation various angiotenzin II antagonists, which are prepared from 4-bromomethyl-2′-cyanobiphenyl or 4′-bromomethylbiphenylcarboxyilic derivatives using selected hydride reagent.
US07968723B2 Compounds, their preparation and use
Novel compounds of the general formula (I), in which the variables are as defined in claim 1, the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of treatment employing these compounds and compositions. The present compounds are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions mediated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), in particular the PPARδ subtype, namely, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, syndrome X (including the metabolic syndrome, i.e. impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyper-triglyceridaemia and/or obesity), cardiovascular diseases (including atherosclerosis) and hypercholesterolaemia.
US07968720B2 Secondary amines as renin inhibitors
The invention relates to novel secondary amine derivatives of formula (I) and the use thereof as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including processes for the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of those compounds and especially their use as inhibitors of renin.
US07968718B2 Process for preparing triazole substituted azaindoleoxoacetic piperazine derivatives and novel salt forms produced therein
A process is provided for preparing triazole substituted azaindoleoxoacetic piperazine derivative. Novel intermediates produced in the above process, and novel N-1 and amorphous forms of a 1,2,3-triazole substituted azaindoloxoacetic piperazine derivatives and processes for producing such novel forms are also provided.
US07968717B2 Crystalline anhydrate with anticholinergic efficacy
The invention relates to a new crystalline anhydrate of tiotropium bromide, processes for preparing it and its use for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of respiratory complaints, particularly for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.
US07968715B2 Metallic compound and organic electroluminescence device comprising the same
The present invention relates to a light-emitting transition metal compound represented by the Chemical Formula 1 and Chemical Formula 2 and an organic electroluminescence device including the same.In the Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, M is Ir, Pt, Rh, Re, Os, and the like, m is 2 or 3, n is 0 or 1, the sum of m and n is 3, provided that the sum of m and n is 2 when M is Pt, X, and Z are the same or different, N or P, and Y and Q are O, S, or Se, R1 and R5 are hydrogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl excluding an aromatic cyclic substituent, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, a linear or branched substituent including at least one halogen, or a linear or branched substituent including at least one heteroatom, and R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are hydrogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl, an aryl, a cycloalkyl, a halogen, a linear or branched substituent including at least one halogen, a linear or branched substituent including at least one heteroatom, carbonyl, vinyl, or acetylenyl, or may form a cycle, and may be the same or different.
US07968710B2 Prokineticin 1 receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to certain novel compounds of Formula (I): and methods for preparing these compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and for the treatment of prokineticin 1 or prokinetin 1 receptor mediated disorders.
US07968709B2 Process for preparing polymorph form II of tanaproget
Tanaproget polymorph Form II, processes for preparing tanaproget polymorph Form II, pharmaceutical compositions including tanaproget polymorph Form II, micronized tanaproget polymorph Form II, and processes for converting Form II to tanaproget Form I are provided. Also provided are methods of contraception, hormone replacement therapy, stimulation of food intake and treating or preventing uterine myometrial fibroids, benign prostatic hypertrophy, benign and malignant neoplastic disease, dysfunctional bleeding, uterine leiomyomata, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or carcinomas and adenocarcinomas comprising administering polymorph Form II to a mammalian subject.
US07968699B2 Multiple promoters and the use thereof for gene expression
The present invention relates to multiple promoters and to expression units comprising them; to the use thereof for regulating transcription and expression of genes; to expression cassettes which comprise multiple promoters or expression units of this kind; to vectors which comprise such expression cassettes; to genetically modified microorganisms which comprise vectors and/or expression units of this kind; and to processes for preparing biosynthetic products by culturing said genetically modified microorganisms.
US07968698B2 Optimized core promoters and uses thereof
The present invention provides core promoter motif ten elements (MTE) and core promoter constructs comprising the MTEs and an initiator element (Inr) in combination with one or both of a TATA box and a downstream promoter element (DPE) which increases gene expression over the strongest known core promoters. Particularly, an optimized or super core promoter is provided which comprises Inr, MTE, TATA box and DPE elements. The present invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising the core promoter constructs. Additionally, methods of increasing production of a protein using the core promoter constructs are provided.
US07968694B2 Tuberculosis antigen detection assays and vaccines
The present invention relates to isolated Tuberculosis (TB) antigens that are useful in therapeutic and vaccine compositions for stimulating a TB specific immunological response. The identified antigens are also useful in diagnostic assays to determine the presence of active TB in an individual. Accordingly, the present invention includes polypeptide molecules, nucleic acid molecules, vaccine compositions, diagnostic assays, and methods of diagnosis and monitoring treatment related to these TB antigens.
US07968692B2 Elongase genes and uses thereof
The subject invention relates to the identification of several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to ω3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ω6-docosapentaenoic acid or ω3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.
US07968691B2 Pullulanase variants with increased productivity
The invention relates to novel variants of the enzymatic peptide pullulanase, the gene sequences encoding said novel peptides, expression vectors comprising those gene sequences as well as organisms expressing the novel pullulanase variants. The novel pullulanase variants of the present invention were made empirically by the use of codon-optimization procedures, selective truncation of “wild-type” molecules and through the replacement of selected amino acid residues. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of these novel pullulanase peptides in the textile, fermentation, food and other industries.
US07968690B2 Agonist anti-trkC antibodies and methods using same
The invention concerns agonist anti-trkC antibodies, polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding the same. The invention further concerns use of such antibodies, polypeptides and/or polynucleotides in the treatment and/or prevention of neuropathies, such as sensory neuropathies, including taxol-induced sensory neuropathy, cisplatin-induced sensory neuropathy, and pyridoxine-induced sensory neuropathy.
US07968688B2 Antibodies that bind to the C35 polypeptide
The present invention relates to a novel human gene that is differentially expressed in human carcinoma. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a novel human polypeptide named C35 that is overexpressed in human breast and bladder carcinoma. This invention also relates to C35 polypeptide, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies directed to C35 polypeptides, and the recombinant methods for producing the same. The present invention further relates to diagnostic methods for detecting carcinomas, including human breast carcinomas. The present invention further relates to the formulation and use of the C35 gene and polypeptides, in particular C35 peptide epitopes and C35 peptide epitope analogs, in immunogenic compositions or vaccines, to induce antibody or cell-mediated immunity against target cells, such as tumor cells, that express the C35 gene. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of C35 activity.
US07968685B2 Antibodies against Tenascin-C
Specific binding members against extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C, especially scFv antibody molecules against domain A1, domain C and domain D of tenascin-C. Anti-tenascin-C specific binding members conjugated with labels, cytotoxic molecules or cytokines. Use of anti-tenascin-C specific binding members in diagnosis and treatment, especially of cancer.
US07968678B2 Glial mitogenic factors, their preparation and use
Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding a numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell) mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells.
US07968676B2 Tumor antigen protein SART-3 and tumor antigen peptides thereof
A novel tumor antigen protein and gene therefor, tumor antigen peptides derived from said tumor antigen protein or derivatives thereof as well as medicaments, prophylactics, or diagnostics for tumors using such tumor substances in vitro or in vitro are provided.
US07968675B2 In vivo panning for ligands to radiation-induced molecules
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are therapeutic and diagnostic methods using targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor.
US07968673B2 Polyazacrown-based materials for mercury capture and synthesis of those materials
Polyazacrown polymers based on the azacrown monomer 1,4,7,10,13,16,21,24-octaazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (“H6Aza222”) are disclosed. Azacrown monomer units are preferably linked with a suitable linking agent, and the resulting polymers are can absorb mercury from a water stream and form a stable complex therewith. Methods of making and using the polyazacrown polymers are also disclosed. The polymers have a high absorption capacity for and selectivity towards mercury, which properties are useful for the remediation of mercury-contaminated water. The polymers can be regenerated by the efficient removal of the absorbed mercury. Further, the absorbed mercury that is liberated from the polyazacrown polymers can be effectively concentrated and captured to prevent its re-release into the environment.
US07968671B2 Alkylphenol-terminated copolycarbonates, processes for preparing the same, molding compositions containing the same, and articles prepared therefrom
Copolycarbonates comprising alkylphenolchain terminator groups for adjusting the molecular weight, compositions of these copolycarbonates with additives chosen from the group of heat stabilizers and mold release agents, the use thereof for the production of moldings and moldings obtained therefrom.
US07968670B2 Polyimide resin and liquid crystal alignment layer and polyimide film using the same
Disclosed is a polyimide resin, which is colorless and transparent and has superior properties, including mechanical properties and heat stability, and thus is usable in various fields, including semiconductor insulating films, TFT-LCD insulating films, transparent electrode films, passivation films, liquid crystal alignment layers, optical communication materials, protective films for solar cells, and flexible display substrates. Also, a liquid crystal alignment layer and a polyimide film using the polyimide resin are provided.
US07968668B2 Diisocyanate terminated macromer and formulation thereof for use as an internal adhesive or sealant
A novel macromer or mixture thereof is described herein, comprising benzoyl isocyanate terminal moieties and at least two residues of a water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight ranging from 80 to 10,000 adjacent to the carbonyl group of the benzoyl isocyanate moieties, thereby forming at least two ester linkages in the macromer or mixture thereof. A method for making a polyisocyanate macromer is also described herein.
US07968662B2 Repellent composition containing graft copolymer, graft copolymer and method of preparing graft copolymer
A repellent agent composition including an aqueous continuous phase and a graft copolymer dispersed in the aqueous continuous phase. The graft copolymer has a water soluble polymer trunk having hydroxyl groups and branches having fluorinated groups bonded to the polymer trunk at a carbon atom substituted with a hydroxyl group. Also disclosed is a method of making the graft copolymer and a substrate treated with the repellent composition.
US07968660B2 Polymer-based composites comprising carbon nanotubes as a filler, method for producing said composites, and associated uses
This invention relates to a method for producing carbon nanotubes in a dispersed state. The method comprises a stage whereby polymerization is carried out from at least one so-called monomer of interest, in the presence of a catalytic system. The catalytic system comprises a co-catalyst/catalyst catalytic couple that is supported by a catalyst carrier, which corresponds to said carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to composite materials obtained by said method, and to a catalytic system for implementing said method. The invention further relates to the use of the inventive method and products in a field of polymers, especially that of nanotechnologies.
US07968659B2 Copolymers and films thereof
Copolymers of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having (a) a density in the range 0.900-0.940 g/cm3, (b) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range 3.5 to 4.5, (c) a melt elastic modulus G′ (G″=500 Pa) in the range 40 to 150 Pa, (d) an activation energy of flow (Ea) in the range 28-45 kJ/mol, and (e) a melt index (g/10 ml) in the range 1.0-3.5. The copolymers are suitably prepared in the gas phase by use of a supported metallocene catalyst system. The copolymers show improved processability and are particular suitable for use in blown film applications.
US07968657B2 Thermoplastic polyhydroxyalkanoate compounds
A thermoplastic compound is disclosed, comprising polyhydroxyalkanoate and macrocyclic poly(alkylene dicarboxylate) oligomer. Optionally the compound also includes additional polymers and functional additives to modify physical properties of the compound. Molded or extruded plastic articles can be made from the compound. The compound is ductile, in comparison to the polyhydroxyalkanoate without the macrocyclic poly(alkylene dicarboxylate) oligomer.
US07968655B2 Polyamide, polyester and polyether block copolymer
The invention relates to a segmented block copolymer including polyamide blocks, polyester blocks and polyether blocks, of general formula: (I) -[BD-BM]n- in which: BD or hard block is a polyamide block; BM or soft block represents a mixture of polyether blocks and polyester blocks; and n is the number of -BD-BM- units in said copolymer, characterized in that the percentage of polyether blocks (PE blocks) is strictly higher than 15 wt % of said copolymer, and in that said polyester blocks (PES blocks) have a glass transition temperature Tg below 10° C.
US07968644B2 Method of producing a fluororesin aqueous dispersion
The present invention provides a method of producing a fluororesin aqueous dispersion which can produce a fluororesin aqueous dispersion low in fluorine-containing surfactant concentration and high in polytetrafluoroethylene concentration with high efficiency. The invention provides a method of producing a fluororesin aqueous dispersion which comprises subjecting a crude fluororesin aqueous dispersion comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene particle dispersed in an aqueous medium to treatment with an ion-exchange resin and to treatment for concentration by phase separation in the presence of an electrolyte and/or a fluorine-free anionic surfactant.
US07968643B2 Graft copolymer for transparent thermoplastic polyurethane resin, preparation method thereof, and polyurethane resin composition containing the same
The present invention relates to a graft copolymer for a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane resin prepared by graft copolymerization of (a) 50-85 weight % of rubber latex having a multi-layered structure composed of an inner layer and an outer layer comprising a conjugated diene monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated aromatic compound in which the refractive index of the inner layer is greater than that of the outer layer; and (b) 15-50 weight % of a C2-C20 vinyl monomer; a method for making same; and a thermoplastic polyurethane resin composition comprising same having excellent color properties, calendaring properties, low temperature impact strength and transparency.
US07968640B2 PTFE graphite coating composition, method and apparatus
A non-stick coating application for high heat welding environments comprised of a fluorinated polymer combined with acidified graphite to which a hardening agent, such as alumina, may be added in some embodiments.
US07968639B2 Polyvinyl acetal powder and powder coating material using the same
The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal powder which is excellent in flowability during the coating process when it is applied to a powder coating material. This polyvinyl acetal powder enables to obtain a coating film having good impact resistance and uniformity of thickness (uniformity of coating film thickness). The present invention also provides a powder coating material using the polyvinyl acetal powder. Specifically, the present invention is a polyvinyl acetal powder having an average particle diameter of 10 to 150 μm, a maximum particle diameter of 250 μm or less, and a melt flow rate of 1 to 200 g/10 min. as measured in accordance with JIS K7210: 1999. The present invention also is a powder coating material containing this polyvinyl acetal powder.
US07968635B2 Tire compositions and components containing free-flowing filler compositions
Free-flowing filler compositions containing silated cyclic core polysulfide coupling agents, and rubber and tire compositions containing the filler compositions.
US07968631B2 Pneumatic tire containing zinc naphthalocyanine compound
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component including a sulfur vulcanizable rubber composition, the rubber composition including at least one diene based rubber and at least one zinc naphthalocyanine compound.
US07968627B2 Warm mix asphalt binder compositions containing lubricating additives
The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.
US07968626B2 Three dimensional printing material system and method using plasticizer-assisted sintering
A materials system, kit, and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by three dimensional printing. The kit includes (i) a substantially dry particulate material including an aqueous-insoluble thermoplastic particulate material, plaster, and a water-soluble adhesive; (ii) an aqueous fluid binder, and (iii) an infiltrant.
US07968624B2 Highly filled polymer materials
A highly filled system is provided which employs the combination of coated filler particles and a compatibilizer to allow extremely high filler loading while maintaining a low viscosity. The compositions of the present invention allows a filler level which was previously unachievable due to the increase in viscosity which is particularly evident when extremely small (nanometer sized) filler is added to a system containing conventional (micron sized) filler particles. This is accomplished through selection of a coating for the filler and selection of a compatibilizer which improves the affinity between the filler and the polymer, thereby improving nanometer sized filler wetting and dispersion and allowing the filler to be incorporated into the polymer matrix.
US07968622B2 Inkjet ink composition for color filter, production method for color filter, and color filter
An ink-jet composition for a color filter excellent in storage stability, straightness and sustainability at the time of ejection from a head, wherein a cured layer thereof is excellent in heat resistance, adhesive property, and solvent resistance. The ink-jet ink composition for a color filter is a specific epoxy group-containing polymer (A), a specific epoxy group-containing compound (B) having two or more specific epoxy groups and a polycarboxlic acid derivative (C) in which specific carboxylic acid (c1) having alicyclic hydrocarbon is rendered latent by vinyl ether (c2), wherein the equivalence ratio of carboxyl groups rendered latent by the polycarbonoxylic acid derivative (C) to the total epoxy groups contained in the epoxy-group containing polymer (A) and the epoxy-group containing compound (B) is in the range from 0.7 to 1.1.
US07968620B2 Rocket motors incorporating basalt fiber and nanoclay compositions and methods of insulating a rocket motor with the same
An insulation composition that comprises at least one nitrile butadiene rubber, basalt fibers, and nanoclay is disclosed. Further disclosed is an insulation composition that comprises polybenzimidazole fibers, basalt fibers, and nanoclay. The basalt fibers may be present in the insulation compositions in a range of from approximately 1% by weight to approximately 6% by weight of the total weight of the insulation composition. The nanoclay may be present in the insulation compositions in a range of from approximately 5% by weight to approximately 10% by weight of the total weight of the insulation composition. Rocket motors including the insulation compositions and methods of insulating a rocket motor are also disclosed.
US07968617B2 Filler containing composition and process for production and use thereof
The invention relates to a composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated acidic compound, water, a functionalized silane, an initiator, optionally comprising a sensitising agent, a non-surface treated filler, optionally a solvent, optionally an ethylenically unsaturated compound, optionally additives selected from the group consisting of stabilizer(s), photobleachable colorant(s), fluoride release agent(s), pigments. The invention also relates to a process of producing such a composition by in-situ silanization of the non-surface treated filler.
US07968615B2 Polymerizable monomer, polymerizable composition and dental material
The present invention provides a polymerizable composition that imparts excellent adhesive properties with respect to tooth structure (particularly dentin) when applied as a dental material, and provides a polymerizable monomer that is used as a component of the polymerizable composition. The present invention is a compound (A) that is a compound represented by the following formula (1): where G indicates a polymerizable group, m indicates an integer of 2 or more, n indicates an integer of 1 or more, and the sequence order of m units having a polymerizable group and n units having a hydroxyl group is arbitrary. The present invention also is a polymerizable composition containing the compound (A).
US07968612B2 Modified ion exchange resin and process for producing bisphenols
There is provided a modified ion exchange resin catalyst which exhibits higher bisphenols selectivity than the conventional modified ion exchange resins in processes wherein bisphenols are produced by reacting a phenolic compound with ketones, and to provide such a process for producing bisphenols. A modified ion exchange resin is characterized in that at least one compound selected from (A) and (B) shown below is ionically bonded to an acidic functional group of an acidic ion exchange resin: (A) Compound represented by Formula (1) and (B) Compound represented by Formula (2)
US07968611B2 Precipitated iron catalyst for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide
A method of producing an iron catalyst for catalyzing the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide is disclosed. The method comprises using a reduced amount of acid for iron dissolution compared to certain previous methods. The resulting acidic iron mixture is heated without boiling to obtain a nitrate solution having a Fe2+:Fe3+ ratio in the range of about 0.01%: 99.99% to about 100%:0% (wt:wt). Iron phases are precipitated at a lower temperature compared to certain previous methods. The recovered catalyst precursor is dried and sized to form particles having a size distribution between 10 microns and 100 microns. In embodiments, the Fe2+:Fe3+ ratio in the nitric acid solution may be in the range of from about 3%:97% to about 30%:70% (wt:wt) and the calcined catalyst may comprise a maghemite:hematite ratio of about 1%:99% to about 70%:30%.
US07968607B2 Skin pore minimizers and skin elasticity improvers
This invention relates to skin pore tighteners each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a compound represented by the following formula: R1—OG   (1) wherein R1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 32 carbon atoms, and OG represents a residual group obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group of a polyhydric alcohol, monosaccharide or oligosaccharide at least one hydroxyl group of which has been sulfated or phosphatized, or a salt thereof, and also to skin elasticity improvers each of which comprises, as an active ingredient, a glyceryl ether derivative represented by the following formula: wherein R1 represents the same group as defined above, and X1 and X2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, —SO3OH or —PO(OH)2 with the proviso that X1 and X2 are not hydrogen atoms at the same time, or a salt thereof.
US07968600B2 Medicament for preventive and therapeutic treatment of physical dysfunction caused by nerve damage
A medicament for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a physical dysfunction such as motor dysfunction caused by nerve damage resulting from an accident, cerebral crisis and the like, which comprises as an active ingredient a compound or a salt thereof represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 to R5 represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an alkyl-substituted silyl group, X represents —CONH— or —NHCO—, and A represents a carboxylic acid-substituted aromatic group which may be substituted or a tropolonyl group which may be substituted.
US07968599B2 Fast release solid formulation, preparation and use thereof
The present invention relates to a chemically stable formulation of florfenicol, (and structurally related compounds) in compositions such as soluble blended powders, granules, fast-dissolving tablets or pellets suitable for rapid release of the drug in water, and to methods and kits for treating animals with aqueous compositions including florfenicol.
US07968598B2 Ester compound and use thereof
An ester compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R represents a C1-C4 alkyl group or a C3-C4 alkenyl group, and A represents a single bond or an oxygen atom, has an excellent pest controlling efficacy, and it is useful as an active ingredient of a pest controlling agent.
US07968597B2 Levodopa prodrug mesylate, compositions thereof, and uses thereof
(2R)-2-Phenylcarbonyloxypropyl (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate mesylate and crystalline form thereof, methods of making the same, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using the same to treat diseases or disorders such as Parkinson's disease are provided.
US07968594B2 Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of pain
The present invention relates to treatment of cancer related pain and constipation. Preferably the subject in need is administered a combination of the cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). More preferably the cannabinoids are in a predefined ratio by weight of approximately 1:1 of CBD to THC.
US07968593B2 Thiolactones
This invention provides new compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic kits comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for inhibiting NAALADase enzyme activity, detecting diseases where NAALADase levels are altered, inhibiting angiogenesis, effecting a TGF-β activity or a neuronal activity, and treating a glutamate abnormality, a compulsive disorder, neuropathy, pain, a prostate disease, cancer, Huntington's disease, diabetes, a retinal disorder or glaucoma.
US07968592B2 3-aminopyrrolidone derivatives
3-aminopyrrolidone compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are active as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators and therefore useful in preventing, alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies, including, but not limited to cardiovascular, inflammatory, ophthalmic, urologic, metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases.
US07968591B2 1,3-disubstituted 4-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides and their use in medicaments
1,3-disubstituted 4-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides corresponding to formula I methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and the use thereof for noradrenalin receptor regulation, particularly for inhibiting noradrenalin reuptake, and/or for 5-HT receptor regulation, particularly for inhibiting 5-hydroxy tryptophan reuptake, and/or for opioid receptor regulation and/or for batrachotoxin (BTX) receptor regulation and/or for treating or inhibiting pain and other conditions.
US07968588B2 Injectable formulation of antibiotic and solution for intravenous administration thereof
A pharmaceutical composition for injection comprising a depsipeptide antibiotic, WAP-8294A2, as an active ingredient, which is stable and contains WAP-8294A2 in high concentrations is provided. This composition comprises WAP-8294A2 of the following structural formula (1) as an active ingredient and is characterized in that 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or β-cyclodextrin is contained as a stabilizer or solubilizer and the pH of the composition is not adjusted. This composition is mixed with a pH-adjusting agent such as dextrose and with an infusion or diluent comprising a solution of disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and sodium hydroxide at the time of use to prepare a solution for intravenous administration of WAP-8294A2.
US07968587B2 Tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indole compounds as androgen receptor modulators
The present invention provides a compound of the formula: Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) in combination with a suitable carrier, diluent, or excipient; and methods for treating physiological disorders, particularly reduced bones mass, osteoporosis, osteopenia, or reduced muscle mass or strength, comprising administering a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. X-17142.
US07968586B2 Cytotoxic compounds and conjugates
The present disclosure provides cytoxic compounds useful as drugs or prodrugs and to drug-cleavable substrate conjugates where the drug and cleavable substrate are optionally linked through a self-immolative linker.
US07968583B2 Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives active as kinase inhibitors
Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as defined in the specification, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful in therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with dysregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US07968579B2 Antifungal triazole derivatives
Disclosed herein are antifungal triazole derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The triazole derivatives of Chemical Formula 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof according to the present invention have excellent inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of fungi, in addition to being safe to the body, and thus are very useful in the treatment and prevention of fungal infection.
US07968577B2 Modulators of glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity and use thereof
Novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including inflammatory and immune diseases, obesity and diabetes having the structure of formula (I) an enantiomer, diastereomer, tautomer, solvate (e.g. a hydrate), or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, thereof, wherein: M is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl, provided that if M is alkyl then R6 and R7 taken together with the carbon atom to which they are both attached are selected from a group other than cycloalkyl; Q is selected from (i) hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, and substituted C1-C4 alkyl; or (ii) Q and R6 are combined with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 3- to 6-membered cycloalkyl; or (iii) Q and MaM are combined with the carbon atom(s) to which they are attached to form a 3- to 7-membered ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms which are independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, SO2, and N which ring may be optionally substituted with 0-2 R5 groups or carbonyl; Z is selected from cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl, or heteroaryl; and Ma, Za, R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, and R22 are as defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating metabolic and inflammatory- or immune-associated diseases or disorders using said compounds.
US07968561B2 Steroidal compounds as steroid sulphatase inhibitors
There is provided a compound having Formula I wherein G is a fluorocarbyl group, and wherein R1 is any one of a sulphamate group, a phosphonate group, a thiophosphonate group, a sulphonate group or a sulphonamide group.
US07968559B2 Methods of using 4-phenyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenylethoxy)pyrimidine-based compounds
Compounds of formula I are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising them and methods of their use to treat, prevent and/or manage diseases and disorders:
US07968557B2 Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-2]pyrimidines as protein kinase inhibitors
The invention provides a novel class of compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with abnormal or deregulated kinase activity, particularly diseases or disorders that involve abnormal activation of the FAK, Abl, BCR-Abl, PDGF-R, c-Kit, NPM-ALK, Flt-3, JAK2 and c-Met kinases.
US07968556B2 Heteroaryl compounds, compositions thereof, and methods of treatment therewith
Provided herein are Heteroaryl Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1, R3, R4, L, X, Y, A and B are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound and methods for treating or preventing cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological conditions, metabolic conditions and conditions treatable or preventable by inhibition of a kinase pathway comprising administering an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound to a patient in need thereof.
US07968555B2 Intermediates in the preparation of entecavir via carbon-silicon oxidation
Processes for preparing entecavir and novel intermediates thereof using carbon-silicon oxidation.
US07968554B2 Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives
Disclosed are novel pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives that are inhibitors of Raf kinase. These compounds and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and esters are anti-proliferative agents useful in the treatment or control of proliferative disorders such as solid tumors, in particular breast tumor, colon tumor, lung tumor, prostate tumor, and melanoma. Also disclosed are a composition and a unit dose formulation comprising such a compound, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or ester thereof, methods for making such compounds, and methods for using such compounds, or their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or esters, in the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US07968547B2 Heteroaryl, heterocyclic and aryl compounds which inhibit leukocyte adhesion mediated by VLA-4
Disclosed are compounds which bind VLA-4. Certain of these compounds also inhibit leukocyte adhesion and, in particular, leukocyte adhesion mediated by VLA-4. Such compounds are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases in a mammalian patient, e.g., human, such as asthma, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, AIDS dementia, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, tissue transplantation, tumor metastasis and myocardial ischemia. The compounds can also be administered for the treatment of inflammatory brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
US07968546B2 Pyridazinone kinase inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds of Formula I wherein X is and R2, R1, A, B, D, E, R9 are as defined herein useful for treating cancers.
US07968542B2 Thiophene compounds and thrombopoietin receptor activators
A compound represented by the formula (I) (wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description), a tautomer, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound or a solvate thereof.
US07968537B2 Pyrimidine compound and pests controlling composition containing the same
The present invention relates to a pyrimidine compound of the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C1-C4 alkyl; R2 represents C3-C7 alkynyloxy; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl; X represents C6 polymethylene, in which a CH2—CH2 may be replaced with a CH═CH, optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, trifluoromethyl and C1-C4 alkyls. This pyrimidine compound has an excellent activity of controlling pests.
US07968536B2 Heterocyclic compounds useful as RAF kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The present invention also provides compositions thereof, and methods of treating Raf-mediated diseases.
US07968534B2 Sulfonamide derivatives, preparation thereof and use thereof as antagonists of orexin 2 receptors
The present invention is directed to a compound of formula (I): wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, R1 and T are as defined herein, its preparation, pharmaceutical composition and uses as orexin 2 receptor antagonist.
US07968533B2 Ethyl nitrite as a gastrointestinal smooth muscle relaxant and diagnostic and therapeutic uses thereof
The present invention provides compositions comprising a gas and a gastrointestinal smooth muscle relaxing agent comprising ethyl nitrite in a therapeutically effective amount. The present invention also provides methods of relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle, alleviating contraction or spasm of gastrointestinal smooth muscle to facilitate a diagnostic medical procedure and treating or preventing a gastrointestinal disorder using the compositions of the invention.
US07968530B2 Organic derivatives, their salts and use for the control of phytopathogens
Organic compounds are described, which are capable of forming quaternary salts, quaternary salts thereof with a structure having general formula (I) and their use for the control of phytopathogen fungi.
US07968529B2 Use of sphingolipids for reducing high plasma cholesterol and high triacylglycerol levels
The present invention is in the field of cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering methods and compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids, more preferably phytosphingosine, sphingosine, sphinganine, ceramide, cerebroside and/or sphingomyelin for lowering the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in a subject and to the use of sphingolipids as a plasma and/or serum cholesterol and triglyceride lowering agent. The invention also encompasses methods of treatment of subjects suffering from high plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as food items and supplements with increased sphingolipid levels.
US07968526B2 Antisense oligonucleotides directed to ribonucleotide reductase R2 and uses thereof in the treatment of cancer
The present invention provides antisense oligonucleotides directed to a mammalian ribonucleotide reductase R2 gene and combinations of the antisense oligonucleotides with one or more chemotherapeutic agents for use in the treatment of cancer.
US07968524B2 Methods of enhancing long term memory formation by inhibition of Gpr12
The present invention provides methods for screening a pharmaceutical agent for its ability to modulate long term memory formation, performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task or Gpr12 function. The present invention also provides methods for modulating long term memory formation or performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task by modulating Gpr12-dependent protein expression. The present invention further provides methods for treating a defect in long term memory formation by inhibiting Gpr12 function and methods for treating a defect in performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task by inhibiting Gpr12 function.
US07968523B2 Method for inducing apoptosis using apoptosis-specific EIF5-A
The present invention relates to isolated and/or purified rat apoptosis-specific eucaryotic initiation Factor-5A (eIF-5A) and deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) nucleic acids and polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods of modulating apoptosis using apoptosis-specific eIF-5A and DHS, and antisense oligonucleotides and expression vectors of apoptosis-specific eIF-5A and DHS useful in such methods.
US07968522B2 Treatment and prophylaxis of sepsis and septic shock
A method and composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of humans or animals for septic shock and sepsis using a mixture of sophorolipids.
US07968520B2 Chimeric DRG11-responsive (DRAGON) polypetides
This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diseases caused by a dysregulation of the BMP/GDF branch of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds useful for such therapy.
US07968517B2 Method for treating withdrawal symptoms due to opiate consumption
The present invention provides a method for preventing or treating opiate tolerance and dependence by administering to an individual in need of such treatment with a pharmaceutically effective amount of a blocking reagent for ephrinB-EphB signaling. The opiate tolerance and dependence can be caused by chronic morphine treatment and withdrawal. The blocking reagent can be an EphB receptor blocker such as EphB1-Fc and EphB2-Fc.
US07968515B2 Protein S protects the nervous system from injury
Protein S is a significant neuroprotectant when administered after focal ischemic stroke and prevents hypoxic/re-oxygenation injury. Purified human plasma-derived or recombinant protein S improves motor neurological function after stroke, and reduced brain infarction and edema. Protein S also enhances post-ischemic reperfusion and reduced brain fibrin and neutrophil deposition. Cortical neurons are protected from hypoxia/re-oxygenation-induced apoptosis. Thus, protein S and variants thereof are prototypes of a class of agents for preventing injury of the nervous system. In particular, a disease or other pathological condition (e.g., stroke) may be treated with such agents having one or more protein S activities (e.g., anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities, direct cellular neuronal protective effects) although the latter activities are not be required.
US07968513B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising casein derived peptides and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to peptides derived from casein and their use in the management of lactating animals, particularly to methods for decreasing the length of the dry period of a lactating livestock animal, for increasing its milk yield and milk hygiene after parturition and for improving the livestock welfare. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising peptides derived from casein in the form of a sterile solution, which compositions are clear and substantially devoid of micelles.
US07968511B2 Combination therapy with glatiramer acetate and mitoxantrone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
The subject invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with a form of multiple sclerosis comprising periodically administering to the subject an amount of glatiramer acetate and an amount of mitoxantrone, wherein the amounts when taken together are effective to alleviate a symptom of the form of multiple sclerosis in the subject so as to thereby treat the subject. The subject invention also provides a package comprising glatiramer acetate, mitoxantrone and instructions for use of the together to alleviate a symptom of a form of multiple sclerosis in a subject. Additionally, the subject invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of glatiramer acetate and an amount of mitoxantrone, wherein the amounts when taken together are effective to alleviate a symptom of a form of multiple sclerosis in a subject. The subject invention further provides a pharmaceutical combination comprising separate dosage forms of an amount of glatiramer acetate and an amount of mitoxantrone, which combination is useful to alleviate a symptom of a form of multiple sclerosis in a subject.
US07968503B2 Molybdenum comprising nanomaterials and related nanotechnology
Nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, methods of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, and nanotechnology applications of nanoparticles comprising molybdenum, such as electronics, optical devices, photonics, reagents for fine chemical synthesis, pigments and catalysts, are provided.
US07968502B2 System having DLC contact surfaces, method of lubricating the system, and lubricant for the system
The present invention relates to a lubricant for lubricating relatively movable, facing contact surfaces at least one of which is coated with DLC, a method of lubricating DLC contact surfaces with this lubricant, and a system having DLC contact surfaces. The lubricant fulfills the following conditions (a) and (b): (a) the lubricant contains a lubricant base oil containing, as a main component, a base oil composed at least one of a hydrocracked mineral oil, a wax-isomerized mineral oil, and a poly-α-olefin base oil. The base oil has a kinematic viscosity of 2 to 20 mm2/s at 100° C., a total aromatic content of not higher than 5 mass %, and a sulfur content of 0.005 mass %; and (b) the lubricant has a sulfur content of not higher than 0.2 mass %.
US07968500B2 Gas hydrate protection with heat producing two-component gas hydrate inhibitors
Methods and compositions useful in inhibiting the formation, growth, and/or maintenance of gas hydrates in a fluid mixture. The gas hydrate inhibitors comprise polyetheramines and acids that are exothermically reacted in situ to produce polyetherammonium compounds.
US07968497B2 Use of adjuvants to improve abscisic acid performance
This invention relates to the use of selected adjuvants to improve the performance of S-(+)-abscisic acid (S-ABA, ABA) or ABA salts on plants.
US07968496B2 Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, image forming method using heat-sensitive transfer system and method of producing heat-sensitive transfer image receiving sheet
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, containing, on a support, at least one receptor layer containing a matting agent, in which average particle diameter of the matting agent is in the range of from 50% to 200% of the thickness of the receptor layer, and the receptor layer contains a releasing agent; a producing method thereof; and an image-forming method using the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet.
US07968493B2 Method for the preparation of adsorption compositions including gold or silver nanoparticles
This invention relates to novel adsorbent compositions for adsorbing pesticides like chlorpyrifos and malathion. This composition consists of nanoparticles of gold/silver supported on activated alumina or magnesia in powder or other forms. This invention includes a device and a method for decontaminating water contaminated with pesticides. This device consists of a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet. The housing is loaded with nanoparticles of gold/silver supported on activated magnesia. Contaminated water is allowed to pass through the housing while pesticides are adsorbed by the composition. Decontaminated water flows out through the outlet.
US07968492B2 Layered catalyst to improve selectivity or activity of manganese containing vanadium-free mobile catalyst
Low temperature activity and high temperature ammonia selectivity of a vanadium-free selective catalytic reduction catalyst are controlled with a mixed oxide support containing oxides of titanium and zirconium, and a plurality of alternating layers respectively formed of a metal compound and titanium oxide present on the surface of the mixed oxide support. The metal compound is selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide, iron oxide, cerium oxide, tin oxide, and mixtures thereof.
US07968490B2 Method for producing porous substances
A porous substance producing method for producing a porous substance; by holding particles for precursors of the porous substance in micelles or inverse micelles kept in a dispersed state in a solvent with a surfactant; by agglomerating the particles of the micelles or inverse micelles to each other; and by baking the agglomerated particles. The method comprises the step of agglomerating the particles of the micelles or inverse micelles to each other by performing a treatment to resolve the dispersed state of the micelles or inverse micelles containing the particles for the precursors, with the surfactant.
US07968486B2 Dielectric ceramics and capacitor
A dielectric ceramic and a capacitor comprising the dielectric ceramic are disclosed. The dielectric ceramic has a high dielectric constant that is stable over temperature, and has a small spontaneous polarization. The capacitor can reduce audible noise caused by an electrically induced strain in a power supply circuit.
US07968484B2 Use of additives to improve microstructures and fracture resistance of silicon nitride ceramics
A high-strength, fracture-resistant silicon nitride ceramic material that includes about 5 to about 75 wt-% of elongated reinforcing grains of beta-silicon nitride, about 20 to about 95 wt-% of fine grains of beta-silicon nitride, wherein the fine grains have a major axis of less than about 1 micron; and about 1 to about 15 wt-% of an amorphous intergranular phase comprising Si, N, O, a rare earth element and a secondary densification element. The elongated reinforcing grains have an aspect ratio of 2:1 or greater and a major axis measuring about 1 micron or greater. The elongated reinforcing grains are essentially isotropically oriented within the ceramic microstructure. The silicon nitride ceramic exhibits a room temperature flexure strength of 1,000 MPa or greater and a fracture toughness of 9 MPa-m(1/2) or greater. The silicon nitride ceramic exhibits a peak strength of 800 MPa or greater at 1200 degrees C. Also included are methods of making silicon nitride ceramic materials which exhibit the described high flexure strength and fracture-resistant values.
US07968481B2 Hot-melt conjugate fiber
A heat fusible conjugate fiber produced by high-speed melt spinning is disclosed. The conjugate fiber is composed of a first resin component having an orientation index of 40% or higher and a second resin component having a lower melting or softening point than the melting point of the first resin component and an orientation index of 25% or lower. The second resin component is present on at least part of the surface of the fiber in a lengthwise continuous configuration. The conjugate fiber preferably has a heat shrinkage of 0.5% or less at a temperature higher than the melting or softening point of the second resin component by 10° C.
US07968475B2 Fabric assembly suitable for resisting ballistic objects and method of manufacture
A fabric assembly particularly useful as soft body armor has two separate sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Compressed fabrics in the first section are employed and connected by a connector having a force to break in tension not greater than 65N to form delineated areas in a range from 15 square mm to 350 square mm. Fabrics in the second section are not compressed and are not joined other than to prevent slippage of the fabrics relative to one another.
US07968469B2 Method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor with variable height ground return path to control plasma ion density uniformity
A method for processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber includes coupling RF power at a first VHF frequency f1 to a plasma via one of the electrodes of the chamber, and providing a center ground return path for RF current passing directly between the ceiling electrode and the workpiece support electrode for the frequency f1. The method further includes providing a variable height edge ground annular element and providing a ground return path through the edge ground annular element for the frequency f1. The method controls the uniformity of plasma ion density distribution by controlling the distance between the variable height edge ground annular element and one of: (a) height of ceiling electrode or (b) height of workpiece support electrode.
US07968467B2 Method for forming patterns in semiconductor memory device
A method for forming patterns in a semiconductor memory device, wherein first spacers arranged at a first spacing and second spacers arranged at a second spacing are formed on a target layer which is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A mask pattern is formed to cover a portion of the target layer defined by the two adjacent second spacers. At least two first patterns and at least one second pattern is formed by patterning the target layer using the first spacers, the second spacers and the mask pattern as an etch mask. Here, the second pattern is wider than the first pattern.
US07968466B2 Fabrication process of a semiconductor device to form ultrafine patterns smaller than resolution limit of exposure apparatus
A method for fabricating an electron device on a substrate includes the steps of forming a dummy film over the substrate such that the dummy film covers a device region of the substrate and an outer region of the substrate outside the device region, forming a dummy pattern by patterning the dummy film such that the dummy pattern has a first height in the device region and a second height smaller than the first height in the outer region, forming another film over the substrate such that the film covers the dummy pattern in the device region and in the outer region with a shape conformal to a cross-sectional shape of the dummy pattern, and applying an anisotropic etching process acting generally perpendicularly to the substrate such that a surface of the substrate is exposed in the device region and in the outer region.
US07968464B2 Memory device with improved data retention
The present memory device include first and second electrodes, a passive layer between the first and second electrodes, and an active layer between the first and second and into which ions from the passive layer may be provided, and from which the ions may be provided into the passive layer. The active layer is made up of a base material and an impurity therein. The combined the material and impurity have a lower diffusion coefficient than the base material alone.